Purdue may not win but it should cover
Top wagering picks for college football Week 11 based on lines from Tipico Sportsbook:
Purdue (6-3) at No. 5 Ohio State (8-1)
Tipico Sportsbook line: Buckeyes by 20.5
Can Purdue do it again? The Boilermakers have already defeated two top-10 teams by double digits this season, most recently taking down then-No. 6 Michigan State 40-29 at home in Week 10. The Buckeyes will be a tougher test given their electric offense (7.9 yards per play; second nationally). However, they nearly slipped up at Nebraska last week. A third big upset by Purdue seems unlikely, but it’s good enough to keep this within three touchdowns.
Pick: Purdue +20.5
No. 4 Oklahoma (9-0) at No. 18 Baylor (7-2)
The Sooners’ offense has scored at least 35 points in each of its last five games behind star QB Caleb Williams, which will be a problem for a Baylor defense that allowed 562 yards last week in its loss to TCU. However, Baylor is 5-0 against the spread at home this year, while the undefeated Sooners are just 4-5 ATS. Look for Baylor’s offense (458.4 yards per game; 20th nationally) to keep this close, or even win outright. Pick: Baylor +5.5
No. 7 Notre Dame (8-1) at Virginia (6-3)
Notre Dame has recovered well from its Oct. 2 loss to No. 3 Cincinnati, as it has won and covered in each of its last four games. Virginia leads the country with 545.2 yards per game, but most of that has been on the arm of QB Brennan Armstrong, who is questionable for this game with a rib injury. Even if Armstrong can play, UVA’s defense (6.6 yards per play) should allow the Irish to score enough points to cover.
Pick: Notre Dame -5.5
Minnesota (6-3) at No. 14 Iowa (7-2)
Points will be at a premium here – Tipico’s over/under for this game sat at just 37.5 at press time – as the Hawkeyes are allowing 4.4 yards per play this year and the Golden Gophers are allowing just 18.3 points per game. The worst unit on the field will be Iowa’s offense, which ranks 124th out of 130 teams in yards per play on offense, so take Minnesota to keep this close. Pick: Minnesota +5.5