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So many games. So many games to bet on this weekend with the return of the Big Ten and Mountain West to our lives. This will be the largest slate we have seen so far in the college football season, and we await the Pac-12 and MAC to join soon. There is plenty of action that can be bet on, but here are the best places to invest your money on Saturday.
The Picks
Temple Owls vs. Memphis Tigers -13.5
Memphis should be favored by way more than this. I understand the Tigers find themselves in the ultimate trap game, but they should be up two touchdowns at the pregame breakfast. The Owls have played in two games this season with a loss to Navy and struggled to put away USF, which has been a disaster wrapped in an epic fail so far in 2020.
On the other side, Memphis is coming off a massive 50-49 victory at home against the UCF Knights. Coming off that big win, this game will take place the week before a road matchup with the country’s ninth-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats in what will be a very important game in the AAC. Let’s go with the Tigers to cover this spread.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Purdue Boilermakers OVER 52
Despite having to replace three-year starting quarterback Nate Stanley, the Iowa passing game should not miss a beat in 2020. Spencer Petras has an incredibly deep wide receiver corps with Brandon Smith, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Nico Ragaini. People think of Iowa as a ground and pound, win on defense type of team, but that’s probably not what we’ll be seeing from the Hawkeyes this year. Hop on the Iowa overs while you have the chance.
On Purdue’s side, it will not have Rondale Moore on the field for a reason that still hasn’t been discussed, so that’s disappointing for the over, but the Boilermakers still have David Bell, who had a fantastic freshman season with 1,035 receiving yards in addition to seven touchdowns. Purdue’s defense was a mess in 2019, finishing next to last in the conference in total defense and brings in a new defensive coordinator. Watch the points flow in West Lafayette.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Kansas State Wildcats -20
This isn’t much of a pro-Kansas State bet as it’s significantly more of an anti-Kansas wager. Could you imagine feeling comfortable putting your hard-earned money on Kansas at this point? I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. The Jayhawks are 0-4 and have lost games by totals of 15, 33, 40 and 19. Kansas started its season by getting blown out by Coastal Carolina, and nothing has gotten much better.
For a reason to bet on Kansas State, the Wildcats are 3-0 in Big 12 play after starting the season with a 35-31 loss to Arkansas State at home. Quarterback Skylar Thompson is out for the season, so Kansas State will need to get Will Howard on track as the Wildcats move on to bigger competition within the conference. Kansas State should be motivated to play well, and a blowout victory over its in-state rival is likely to happen.