Gambler’s Corner: Week Thirteen

We have reached the final week of the regular season and with it comes a heavy dose of mixed emotions.

We stunk it up last week, losing all three of our picks in convincing fashion. Our 17-10 overall record doesn’t look too shabby but we’re ready to end the season with a bang!

Seeing how this is the final week of the regular season, we’ve included two picks per game to give you even more earning power!

Last Week’s Results:

• Tennessee (+6) versus Missouri – Loss
• Alabama (-51.5) versus Citadel – Loss
• Iowa State at Texas (over 47) – Loss

Hot Picks of Week Thirteen

West Virginia (+3.5) versus Oklahoma and over 85 points

Whatever you think will happen in this game, probably will. They’ll be plenty of points in what should be a back and forth affair. West Virginia deserves this win. In many ways, this one single game will determine the season for the Mountaineers. The stakes are massive. Oklahoma’s defense has been dismal for the standards of a top-10 team but its offense can keep pace with anyone in the country. West Virginia can say the same… at least when its offense is actually working. You shouldn’t need a hype video for this one. If you didn’t roll out of bed this morning nervous and excited, this sport isn’t for you. Mountaineers win at home and play the over (85 points), too.

Washington at Washington State (over 50.5) and Washington State (-2)

Mike Leach, PAC 12 after dark AND a rivalry game? Yeah, I’m in. Washington State can put points on the board in a hurry but Washington’s defense has been a consistent top-25 group all season long. If the Huskies have a weak spot, however, it’s its pass defense. Though usually stout against the pass, allowing only 192 yards per contest, the Huskies gave up a season-high 347 yards to Stanford’s K.J. Costello three weeks ago. The Cougars, on the other hand, average a nation’s-best 400 passing yards per contest. The over has hit in two of the past three Apple Cups and with Washington State playing at home, I expect the Cougars to flirt with the over themselves AND cover the spread (-2).

Kentucky (-17) at Louisville and over 52.5 points

This is a classic case of strength versus weakness. Kentucky boasts a top-50 rushing attack, averaging 188 yards per game. Louisville, tagged with the 125th-worst run defense, allows an eye-popping 271 yards rushing per contest. Wildcats’ running back Benny Snell Jr. should have a field day against the Cardinals’ historically terrible defense. The only way the over doesn’t hit is if Louisville forces Kentucky to throw the ball in down-and-distance situations or Snell is sidelined with an injury. Otherwise, 52.5 points and the three-score spread should be easily obtainable for the Wildcats.