Triple Option

By Michael Maynard

Published 11/9/19 @10:30 PM CT

Bet the mortgage lock of the week:

Have 3 for all the weeks I’ve missed

Bama -6.5

The public is all over LSU, which is probably a a result of everyone wanting Alabama to lose. LSU has a claim to be the #1 team in the country, but in order to be the best you have to beat the best, and Saban doesn’t lose big games at home. Both teams are off bye weeks so they each had an extra week to get healthy, which I think benefits Alabama slightly more at home.

BC -2.5

Red bandana game + FSU fired Willie Taggart after another disappointing start + FSU is a mystery right now = Hammer BC. Even though they lost to Kansas, I think BC is better than we think. This spread feels a little too good to be true, but I think BC wins by a field goal and secures it’s spot in a bowl game.

Parlay Hawaii/SJSU O77.5 & Nevada/SDSU U38

Last time I took an over/under I took my first loss in mortgage locks. However I am 1-0 in San Diego State unders, and after all the prime time games and early wonders wrap up, the Mountain West goes full on. Wyoming plays Boise State at Albertson’s in a game with significant division implications, but these are the two appealing games. You have two games in the same division at the same time, one has point total in the high seventies and the other has one in the thirties. Have to take this opportunity to play both.

Super Dog: FIU +10 at FAU

The C-USA finally gets interesting, as there are three matchups between the good teams in the conference while WKU has a chance to pick up a win against an SEC team (in name only). From my math in projecting bowl teams, there will be a few more than 80 bowl eligible teams (around 86) last mock I did, so 6 wins in the C-USA might not be enough. Argo, FIU needs to steal another win, and in this rivalry game, the Panthers look to make a statement. Lane Kiffin has defeated Butch Davis in both matchups since they’ve been at their schools, and I like FIU to challenge that streak.

Stay off game of the week:

Stanford (-3.5) at Colorado, O/U 55.5

First of all, Pac 12 Network so I can’t watch this one. Colorado needs to win out to finish .500, which doesn’t look likely as they have been horrible aside from the Nebraska comeback. I don’t trust Stanford either, although they have been better of late. Stanford feels too easy to be true, bacause Colorado is due for a win and this game has too many uncertainties for a play. This category doesn’t really have a record, but I said lay of IU-Maryland and it pushed.

Games of the Week:

Penn State at Minnesota

I love Minnesota here. Looking at their schedule, it’s understandable why they committee ranked them as the lowest unbeaten, as they don’t have a signature win. But here’s their first of three chances to get that signature win. Gophers have a ten game winning streak; in the biggest game at TCF Bank Stadium since the Blair Walsh missed FG, that streak continues another week and the Lions drop out of the top 4.

Appalachian State at South Carolina

Under-the-radar huge game in Week 11. App State lost to the option last week, which tainted its chances for a New Year’s Six Bowl. However, South Carolina also needs this win to have any shot at a bowl game in general (and also hit over on season win total). Aside from the Georgia upset, SC has not looked like an above average team. App State goes for the Carolina sweep in their new quest to finish 12-1.

Iowa State at Oklahoma

OU got a bye to get back together after a disappointing loss to Kansas State. Needing to run the table to remain in playoff (and Big 12 championship) consideration, they can I’ll afford to get tripped up at home by the Cyclones again. Iowa State is the best defense the Sooners have seen, and will be a good preparation for Baylor. But that still needs to result in a win.

Baylor at TCU

TCU is starting to get into Cheez-It form again. Max Duggan is hurt, and everyone else on the depth chart is hurt or transferring. Muehlstein is not on the roster anymore, so TCU may need a new backup signal-caller to help them defend their title. Since 62-59 and the slip and slide bowl that followed it, this budding rivalry has not provided many memorable moments. With both teams-especially Baylor-making moves back to Big 12 dominance, 2019 could be a new chapter.

If Baylor wins, they probably host Gameday next week and get OU and get Texas at home in consecutive weeks. I haven’t written the Bears off as a playoff team, but they’ll likely have to beat Oklahoma twice to do it.

Follow @big_mike_146 on Twitter for Triple Option articles and updates