I have been really bad at picking games the past two weeks, and I owe all of you readers an apology. I am always confident in my picks and I feel like I give good reasoning behind them too. I understand that everyone has their bad weeks, but the bottom line is that 3-7 the last two weeks is downright unacceptable. So here’s my promise to you, I am going to spend less time trying to think of a clever introduction to the blog, and more time working on my picks. Sure, I’ll post a lengthy introduction every once in a while, but the majority of the time I will pretty much go straight to the picks. That’s what you guys are here for anyway, right? I appreciate you all that are still reading this every week. It’s time to turn this thing back in the positive direction.
Before we get to the picks, just a quick reminder, I don’t actually gamble real money, because gambling is illegal in Nebraska. If I could gamble legally, these would be the picks I would go with. All of the lines and totals are set at time of publishing (odds coming from oddshark), and will not change as the week goes on. So get’em while their hot! Here we go, Bart’s Best Bets Baby!
Friday, September 29th
USC @ Washington State (+6) and OVER 61
This is my first double pick of the year and I am in love with it. You guys have heard me say it a couple times already this year. USC is highly overrated, and I will continue to pick against them until the media and Vegas realize it, which could be awhile. The main reason I love WSU and the overs in this one is because of Luke Falk and how powerful this Mike Leach Washington State offense is. This guy has already thrown for over 1,300 yards and has 14 TD passes and only 1 interception this season. Washington State is averaging 44 ppg this season and I expect them to score just as much in this game. With two first round draft picks playing quarterback, this game is bound to be a shootout (if Sam Darnold can keep up). Washington State has had this game circled on their calendar since the schedule came out and something seems off with USC. I don’t like to predict scores, but I think Washington State wins this one by a score of 48-45 (something like that). This game is being played on Friday night, so it’s a great opportunity to start week 5 on the right foot.
Saturday, September 30th
Vanderbilt (+10) @ Florida
I feel like this is contrarian play, but Florida should not be favored by 10 points to this Vandy squad. Sure, Vanderbilt got absolutely destroyed by Alabama last weekend, but who isn’t getting destroyed by Bama this year? If this game was played last week, Florida would have been favored by a field goal, maybe. So you’re telling me a blowout to the best team in college football swung this line by a touchdown? Either way, I’ll take it. Florida has a great defense, but they still haven’t figured out the quarterback situation. This game will be like every Florida game so far this year, a grind fest. Both teams will struggle to score points in this one and I think Florida will put together a late fourth quarter drive to win by a field goal. I will glady take Vandy and the 10 points.
Clemson @ Virginia Tech (+7.5)
I think this is another contrarian play, but I think people are under estimating Virginia Tech here. Clemson is a very good football team and will probably win the ACC, but Blacksburg at night is one of the toughest environments in college football. Clemson has a great defense and can score in bunches as well. I think Virginia Tech will try to grind out long possessions on offense and keep this thing close the whole way. Clemson’s QB is unexperienced and has already thrown more interceptions than touchdowns this year and VT’s defense will look to expose him. Needless to say, I am really excited to watch this game and I think it’ll come down to the last possession. I’m not sure who wins, but I really like Virginia Tech +7.5.
Ole Miss @ Alabama (-27.5)
I tend to over think things a lot, but Alabama absolutely crushing opponents is something I will not over think. They just got done putting a 59-0 whooping on a decent Vandy team, and that was on the road! Now they have a bad Ole Miss football team at home? I think ol Saban is licking his chops on this one. 27.5 looks like a huge number against an SEC opponent, but the only team that can stop Alabama is themselves. Nick Saban has no heart and will continue to beat opponents by 30+ points per game. It’s time to get on the Alabama train, or as I like to call it, “The Money Train”
Bart’s Best Bets Year to Date: 11-9 (8-5 ATS, 3-4 O/U)
There you have it, folks. Short, sweet, and to the point. Week 5 of Bart’s Best Bets. I hope you enjoyed reading and enjoy my picks this week even more. We had our SECOND bad round of picks last weekend and I expect to bounce back this week. Have a GREAT weekend of football watching, and don’t forget to check out DaveCh999’s NFL Week 4 picks!
Double COVERage 