#NicksPicks originated on the campus of Ohio University with a college student who simply believed they were very good at picking College Football games straight up. After a year hiatus, Nick has brought back his patented Saturday morning over-a-cup-of-coffee-rapid-fire picks. Got it? Good. Grab your mug and let’s get our Saturday rolling!
Season: 23-15 | Last Week: 6-4
12:00pm
6 Oklahoma (-3.5) vs. 21 Texas (Dallas, TX)
The public has simultaneously been on Texas and fading Oklahoma for weeks. (I picked against Oklahoma last week). I like the under here, but, have no real feel other than that. I’ll take Oklahoma in a sneaky great Spencer Rattler performance. Okay?
Oklahoma 28-27 | ATS: Texas +3.5
11 Michigan State (-4.5) @ Rutgers
Michigan State is simply not a top-15 team this year. At some point, the B10 schedule will start to flex its muscles. Why not here? This one’s nasty and Rutgers figures out a way to win the turnover battle and pull the upset.
Rutgers 23-20 | ATS: Rutgers +4.5/ML
13 Arkansas @ 17 Ole Miss (-5)
Talk about a recovery week for both of these SEC West foes. Both were taken to the woodshed by the top-2 teams in the land (and in their conference) last Saturday. I do expect Arkansas to score this time and unlike last year’s meeting, I don’t expect Matt Corral to throw SIX(!) picks. I think the SEC learned too much of Arkansas last week. Hogs begin their free fall.
Ole Miss 31-14 | ATS: Ole Miss -5
3:00pm
Virginia @ Louisville (-2.5)
A wild weekend for both the Hoos and the Cards sets up a must-win conference fight. Virginia held on to defeat Miami with their backs against the wall after starting 0-2 in the ACC, while the Cards made plenty of mistakes, lack of adjustments, and were certainly not helped by officials in their loss to Wake. Hoping for a loud if not decent-sized crowed in the Ville, and in-game adjustments that we haven’t seen in weeks from Coach Satt. I really don’t like picking against the Cards as much I have this season, but I haven’t seen enough consistency from players or coaches to trust them in this spot.
Virginia 35-34 | ATS: UVA +2.5/ML
3:30pm
2 Georgia (-15) @ 18 Auburn
Auburn is certainly not “back” after last week’s win in Death Valley, but Bo Nix’s confidence might be. Look for the Tigers to stop the run early and force whichever Georgia QB who plays to make plays through the air. But the issue still remains; playing the Dawgs for 4 quarters. Georgia pulls away in the third quarter and covers.
Georgia 35-17 | ATS: UGA -15
Boise State @ 10 BYU (-6)
Much like Michigan State, BYU has no business being ranked nearly this high. Pair that with a schedule that is much tougher than Cincinnati’s (no shade) and a string of injuries–BYU’s decline starts soon. Boise State is in full wounded animal mode and I think they smell a situation ripe for getting them back on track and headed in the right direction in Coach Avalos’ first season. Let’s have a wild day of upsets! (Take a peek at Boise ~+200 ML).
Boise State 28-23 | ATS: Boise +6/ML
19 Wake (-6) @ Syracuse
Alarm bells are going off everywhere. Wake favored by only 6 in the Carrier Dome? What does Vegas know that we don’t here? I think Wake loses soon and the ACC self-eliminates from the CFB Playoff, but surely it isn’t here, right? Dino gets his guys to battle for a good while, but Wake’s talent at the skill positions wins out, and Wake scores three touchdowns after the half.
Wake Forest 34-28 | ATS: Don’t touch it
4:00 pm
4 Penn State @ 3 Iowa (-1.5)
What a world we are living in, in 2021! A top-5, daytime matchup between two B10 powerhouses–and Ohio State wasn’t even invited! Seriously though i’ve really liked Penn State to this point and think they can give Ohio State a good test down the line, but I don’t know what to do here. Can Iowa’s offense continue to rely on its defense for unreal field position and scoring several touchdowns for them once again? Surely this trend cannot be a staple for the Hawkeyes all year. Kinnick Stadium will be a madhouse, the Hawkeyes will be juiced, and the under will certainly cash. I’m trusting what I know to be true. Trends are trends for a reason. The Nittany Lions find a way.
Penn State 17-14 | ATS: Penn State +1.5/ML
7:30pm
9 Michigan (-2.5) @ Nebraska
Another gross game in the B10–if you like high-flying offenses that is. If my feel is wrong about these AP-ranked 9-11 teams this week then oh well. Michigan joins the list of overrated teams on upset watch on Saturday. Nebraska is quietly playing much-improved football and Scott Frost gets a signature win to begin to quiet the haters. Come on Nebraska.
Nebraska 28-24 | ATS: Nebraska +2.5/ML
8:00pm
1 Alabama (-18) @ Texas A&M
Nothing to see here. Alabama is for real, A&M is in free fall. The Crimson Tide pick their number and cover by the second quarter. Fixing to get ugly.
Alabama 45-7
Upset Special: LSU +2.5 over 16 Kentucky
Best Bet 🔒: Alabama -18
