Gambler’s Corner: Week Eight

Welcome to yet another installment of Gambler’s Corner! Last week, we strapped our rally caps on and pulled out a 2-1 record for the second straight week. The once fragile wave of momentum has since turned into a largely undeserved sense of confidence as we head into week eight. We’re 5-7 and for the first time this season, we have an opportunity to claim a winning record.

Last week’s results:

• Baylor at Oklahoma State (over 68.5 points) – Win
• Virginia (-3.5) at North Carolina – Win
• Temple (-9.5) versus Connecticut – Loss

Hot Picks of Week Eight

Michigan State (-6.5) versus Indiana 

Like every other ranked Big Ten team, the Spartans rely heavily on its stout defense and score just enough to coast to a 5-1 record. Michigan State boasts a top-25 defense when playing in East Lansing, allowing just under 250 yards per game. If the Spartans were going to have hangover after taking down Michigan, it would have been last week at Minnesota when Michigan State escaped with a 3-point win. It’s hard to watch any Big Ten game, but if you have money on it, at least it’s bearable.

Tennessee at Alabama (over 50.5 points)

Death, taxes, and Alabama football. I could wrap this up by explaining how the Crimson Tide will easily hit the over all by themselves given its explosive offense, but there’s more to it than just that. If the current situation surrounding the Volunteers football program isn’t a dumpster fire already, it’s a heaping pile of trash doused in lighter fluid just waiting to be ignited. At this point, Butch Jones’ future is written on the wall and everyone in Knoxville knows it, including his players. Even if Tennessee can’t find the end zone on Saturday, Alabama – in fact does – have the firepower to score more than 50.5 points against the Vols at home.

Penn State (-9.5) versus Michigan 

Simply put, a Wilton Speight-less Michigan team is no where close to being a contender in the Big Ten. Since the Wolverine’s starting signal caller went down with a back injury and John O’Korn was inserted as the starting quarterback, Michigan has lost to in-state rival Michigan State in an embarrassing manner and escaped with a 7-point overtime win at Indiana. The Nittany Lion’s stingy defense only gives up 7 points per game when playing at home and the narrative should be no different when the turnover prone Wolverines step into Beaver Stadium. At night. During a “white-out.”