Game 1: Washington Huskies @ Arizona Wildcats – Saturday, October 20
Football betting experts know that the Washington Huskies’ offense just hasn’t been the same this season. Following an explosive 2011 campaign in which quarterback Keith Price lit up opposing defenses, he has struggled in 2012, largely because he hasn’t had the pieces in place around him. Price has lost running back Chris Polk to the pros, and his offensive line has been decimated by injuries from the second week of the season onward. Washington is just not in a position to be able to win consistently in the Pac-12. Opponents such as the Arizona Wildcats have too many weapons and can outlast Washington in a 60-minute struggle. Washington’s defense is vastly improved from the unit that coughed up 67 points in last season’s Alamo Bowl against Baylor, but it is not a shutdown unit. It has its limitations, and Arizona’s spread offense is certainly skilled and agile enough to score 27 or more points against Washington. That will be more than enough to beat the Huskies. If Arizona scores 35, which it very well might, the Wildcats should have little problem covering the spread.
College Football Betting Pick: Arizona -7.5
Game 2: Baylor Bears @ Texas Longhorns – Saturday, October 20
When surveying a 5dimes.com review, it is imperative to look at the fuller context of a game. It’s true that Texas is going to be really mad after getting blown out by Oklahoma, and it’s also true that Baylor played horribly in a 49-21 home-field loss to a TCU team that was playing without its backup quarterback. However, Texas’ defense is still horrible. Moreover, Texas quarterback David Ash got banged up against Oklahoma, meaning that the Longhorns’ offense should struggle in this game, even against Baylor’s swiss cheese defense. At bodog or other betting outlets, you shouldn’t leap to the assumption that Texas will blow out Baylor. The Longhorns certainly figure to win, but they won’t win by a lot. Baylor should cover the number in Austin.
College Football Betting Pick: Baylor +10
Game 3: Michigan State Spartans @ Michigan Wolverines – Saturday, October 20
When you express the desire to become a bookie, you will have to acquire a number of stances toward certain teams in certain situations. For instance, you will need to be skeptical of Michigan State’s offense entering this game. Michigan State is trying to come to terms with the dire nature of its situation after losing a double-overtime game to Iowa in which the Hawkeyes tied the score with 55 seconds to go in the fourth quarter. Michigan State dominated Iowa for over 50 minutes but lost the plot in the final minutes of regulation. The Spartans’ offense repeatedly bogged down inside the Iowa red zone in the first three quarters of play, failing to drive home the daggers that would have sealed a win with conviction and swiftness. In overtime, Iowa did not score a touchdown, but Michigan State quarterback Andrew Maxwell threw an interception in the second overtime following a field goal in the first overtime, causing the Spartans to lose. Michigan State is adrift and aimless on offense, and as a result, Michigan should pounce on this opportunity to avenge a multi-game losing streak in this rivalry. Michigan won’t win big, but any kind of win – even if it doesn’t cover the point spread – will help the Wolverines.
Read more on the latest sportsbook odds for college football in 2012.
College Football Betting Pick: Michigan State +10