BETTOR’S GUIDE BUFFET
HOLIDAY SPECIAL: NFL & COLLEGE PREDICTIONS, ANALYSIS
IN 10 days, the argument would’ve been temporarily settled. Outside of a motel last week, an Alabama fan and an Auburn fan decided to have the same heated argument the state has witnessed countless times in the past century, quarreling over which team is better. This time, the Crimson Tide supporter became so incensed he allegedly shot the Tigers fan in the thigh.
It was less shocking than the “Kick Six.”
Because apparently that wasn’t enough to prove that all rivalries aren’t the same (thankfully), the alleged shooter’s first hearing was presided over by a judge who is an Auburn alum, and keeps a Tigers coffee mug on the bench, visible to the court.
On the field, the rivalry hasn’t been that crazy since Auburn’s all-time upset in 2013. Since then, Alabama has won by double-digits (and covered) in three straight meetings, winning five of the past six matchups by an average of 24.4 points, and claiming three of the past four games on the road.
But with a berth in the SEC Championship game on the line, the rivalry could produce one of its most memorable moments again.
This year, the Tigers match up even better than they did in 2013 — when they were 10 ½-point underdogs against the two-time defending national champions — and are well-prepared for another game against an elite defense, having already faced Clemson, LSU and Georgia, which surrendered a season-worst 40 points at Auburn. While the Tigers’ defense has turned them into a national power again, the offense has gotten better as the season’s gone on, averaging nearly 43 points over the past eight games.
Rarely does anyone see a Nick Saban loss coming, but it’s happened every season of his career but one (2010). The Tide’s recent flood of injuries, and their struggles on the road — pulling out one-possession wins over Texas A&M and Mississippi State — shouldn’t make it so surprising if undefeated Alabama falls short of the SEC title game.
Take AUBURN (+4½) . Only the less confident fan would need to resort to the use of a firearm.
MISSISSIPPI STATE (-16) over Ole Miss: The high-flying Rebels offense has been unrecognizable in their three games against ranked teams, averaging less than 17 points in the losses. Their fourth meeting with a top-20 defense should look the same.
PITTSBURGH (+14) over Miami: The Hurricanes have played one road game since Oct. 7, and their warm-weather roster isn’t built for late November north of the Mason-Dixon.
Baylor (+24½) over TCU: Despite enduring one of the worst seasons in school history, the 1-10 Bears have been competitive against most of their toughest opponents, losing by 10 or less against Oklahoma, West Virginia and Iowa State.
UCF (-11) over South Florida: It’s too bad we’ll never find out what the Knights would do in a playoff game. Scott Frost’s ability to turn a winless team undefeated in just two years makes me believe we might be missing out on an upset for the ages.
Georgia (-11) over GEORGIA TECH: The Bulldogs will wrap this up early enough to catch the kickoff of the Iron Bowl.
MICHIGAN (+11½) over Ohio State: The Wolverines have never been a bigger underdog under Jim Harbaugh, which is understandable, given that the Buckeyes have won five straight meetings, and are averaging nearly 45 points per game. But the last time Michigan was a double-digit dog at home (2013), the Wolverines were a twopoint conversion away from a bigger upset against an undefeated Ohio State.
MINNESOTA (+17) over Wisconsin: The Badgers earned some field cred with their win over Michigan, but a playoff berth still hinges on them being able to upset Ohio State in the Big Ten title game the following week, creating a deadly letdown-look ahead combo.
MARYLAND (+21) over Penn State: The Nittany Lions are receiving roughly 90 percent of the public’s action. Bookies have a better track record.
West Virginia (+23) over OKLAHOMA: Baker Mayfield’s crotch grab will keep him out just long enough to keep the Mountaineers from embarrassment.
Michigan State (-13) over RUTGERS: Whether Rutgers can score a touchdown is a far more interesting prop bet. The Scarlet Knights have scored six points in their past two games.
SOUTH CAROLINA (+14) over Clemson: The Tigers’ meaningless 61-3 rout of The Citadel shouldn’t distract from the fact that the defending national champions haven’t looked dominant since September. Meanwhile, the overlooked Gamecocks are allowing less than 20 points per game.
LSU (-10½) over Texas A&M: The Aggies haven’t stopped the Tigers ground game since joining the SEC and have already allowed over 200 rushing yards on six occasions this season.
Notre Dame (-2) over STANFORD: The NBC money must be nice, but the Irish’s chances of reaching the playoff are pretty slim without the opportunity to earn another big win in a conference championship game.
Washington State (+9½) over WASHINGTON: This is pretty simple. The Huskies’ six Pac-12 wins have come against the six teams with losing records in conference. Their two losses came in their only meetings with winning teams (Stanford, Arizona State).
BEST BETS: South Carolina, Notre Dame, Washington State THIS SEASON: 103-73-4 BEST BETS: 24-12 2014-16 RECORD: 381-370-7