When last in action two weeks ago, we had a crisp .333 average across our four picks (the San Jose State-Fresno State never happened). While .300 hitters are Hall of Fame-caliber in Major League Baseball, we’re aiming for much higher standards here with our weekly best college football picks. There are plenty of games to choose from on the Week 14 college football slate as we look to improve our 17-19 season-long record.
Week 14 College Football Picks
All odds courtesy of Bovada Sportsbook
South Carolina vs Kentucky
We kick this week’s college football picks off with a primetime SEC East battle between South Carolina and Kentucky. The Gamecocks’ season is a lost cause. The school fired Will Muschamp following a loss at Ole Miss and has dropped each of their two games since against Missouri and Georgia. Carolina is averaging 24.1 points per game (PPG) on the season, but they’ve only eclipsed that average once in their last five games. Luke Doty drew the start last week but was no better than transfer Collin Hill has been all season.
Defense has been the heartbeat of the Kentucky football program all season long. It’s been a struggle offensively all year for the Wildcats, and perhaps even more so in recent weeks. Kentucky has scored just 26 points in four of their last five games, excluding a win over a hapless Vanderbilt squad. Virus issues have also left Kentucky shorthanded in recent weeks and that could remain a factor this Saturday.
South Carolina vs Kentucky College Football Picks
Neither team features a potent offense of any kind, which automatically makes me lean under. The Wildcats have been undermanned defensively thanks to an unnamed virus, but the unit has proven to be stout at numerous times this season. Kentucky is laying double digits here which would generally translate to more points, but this feels like a 27-13 type of game at the very most.
College Football Picks: Under 47.5 (-110 at Bovada Sportsbook)
[sc name=”newsletter” ]Florida Atlantic vs Georgia Southern
Willie Taggart’s FAU squad has relied heavily on a lethal defense this season that comes into Saturday’s non-conference showdown with the best PPG mark in the country (11.2). The Owls haven’t allowed more than 20 points in any game all season, a schedule that includes 21st-ranked Marshall. Offense has been a little tougher to come by in Boca Raton this season, thanks largely to inconsistent offensive line play.
FAU may be catching Georgia Southern at the wrong time after they fell by a single score to Georgia State in the “Modern Day Hate” rivalry game last week. The Eagles will undoubtedly be hungry to right the ship and a short point spread suggests a winning college football picks opportunity. For as strong as FAU’s defense has been this season, game planning to defend a triple-option offense like Georgia Southern is a whole different animal.
Florida Atlantic vs Georgia Southern College Football Picks
Only twice all year has Georgia Southern had a game decided by more than one score, including a 41-0 rout of UMass. Florida Atlantic only beat UMass 24-2 in their last game, with the offensive line notably struggling in pass protection. I also believe that the Sun Belt is a much stronger league overall than Conference USA this season. I’ll take Georgia Southern laying less than a field goal at home.
College Football Picks: Georgia Southern -2.5
UCLA vs Arizona State
We conclude our Week 14 college football picks with some good old “Pac-12 After Dark” action. If not for turnover epidemics against Colorado and Oregon, Chip Kelly’s UCLA squad could very easily be 4-0. The Bruins have excelled along the line of scrimmage defensively, and freshman quarterback Chase Griffin has played well in both starts since being thrust into action due to the virus.
Actual footage and on-field data of Arizona State are hard to come by. We haven’t seen Herm Edwards and the Sun Devils since their season-opener against USC thanks to the virus. QB Jayden Daniels has all the talent in the world but concerns about youth and inexperience at the rest of the offensive skill positions remain.
UCLA vs Arizona State College Football Picks
UCLA figures to have an advantage in this spot simply by virtue of being able to play more than one game. I’m of the opinion that their 2-2 record might not be fully indicative of the improvements being made. At +3.5, I UCLA ATS is a great college football picks option this week, but I’m also all for some outright action on the moneyline as well.
College Football Picks: UCLA +3.5
[sc name=”newsletter” ]Bonus College Football Picks: BYU vs Coastal Carolina
ESPN College Gameday was originally slated to be in Conway, South Carolina, for a showdown between Liberty and Coastal Carolina. That matchup was canceled due to virus concerns within the Flames program but fear not. Fans and bettors alike are now set to be treated for a battle of unbeatens as BYU picked up the slack and will step in as the Chanticleers opponents. As such, I just had to work this marquee game into the Week 14 college football picks column.
BYU has been in the national conversation thanks to the blatant disrespect they are receiving from the College Football Playoff committee. Picking up this game gives the Cougars another chance to earn a quality road win. QB Zach Wilson could honestly be considered a dark horse Heisman candidate, but the “Black Swarm” CCU defense will be the toughest test he’s faced yet. This 10-point spread may surprise some people, but I’ll lay it with the road favorites.
College Football Picks: BYU -10
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