Betting B1G: SEC showdown highlights Week Four college football picks

I only have myself to blame for last week’s college football picks.

I deserved to have a losing week. After all, I’m the idiot who bet on Rutgers for the second consecutive time. “They’re playing Kansas AND getting points,” I said. “Not even Rutgers could screw this up.”

Final score: Kansas 55, Rutgers 14.

Never, ever again.

I was this close to putting up a 4-2 mark. Ohio State had a cover and took a knee. Auburn was in control against LSU, all the way until it wasn’t. Then, somehow lost the game.

Close doesn’t count in the gambling world, though, and I finished 2-4 for my first losing mark. My record on the year is just 8-10. But I only have one losing week. Austin has two. Ha!

We’ll leave out the part about his overall record being better. Let’s take a look at the college football picks this week.

All lines via Bovada as of Thursday evening.

Nebraska at No. 19 Michigan

When: noon Saturday
Where: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Line: Michigan -17
The Pick: So far, through two games, the Scott Frost era in Lincoln has been a flop. The Huskers are 0-2, and things don’t get any easier this week with a trip to Ann Arbor.

I still think Frost is a good coach and will ultimately find success at Nebraska, but taking a true freshman quarterback — who is injured and questionable for Saturday’s game — on the road to the Big House against a dominant Michigan defense seems like it could be very problematic. Michigan’s offense is a work in progress, but the Wolverines will smother the Huskers and cover here.

No. 22 Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Line: Alabama -27.5
The Pick: A&M is a little better than I thought it would be at the start of the season. The Aggies were impressive despite losing their Week 2 matchup with Clemson.

Still, I’m not betting against Alabama until I’m given a reason to. Roll Tide.

No. 24 Michigan State at Indiana

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, Ind..)
Line: Michigan State -4.5
The Pick: I’m intrigued by this game. Many thought Michigan State could be Big Ten championship contenders (myself included), but with one loss already and now a sneaky tough night game against an undefeated Indiana team, the Spartans need this one badly to remain a threat.

The Hoosiers have only played one Power 5 opponent to date and won narrowly. I’m not quite sure yet if they’re a legitimate team or the same old Indiana. This one feels like a win for the Spartans but not quite a cover. I’m going to take the home team plus the points.

No. 7 Stanford at No. 20 Oregon

When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Autzen Stadium (Eugene, Ore.)
Line: Stanford -2
The Pick: This line swung quickly. Oregon opened as a 1.5-point favorite and now heads into Saturday night a 2-point home underdog.

The Ducks are 3-0 on the season but 0-3 against the spread. I think that changes this week. The Autzen Stadium crowd is one of the loudest in the country and I like the home underdogs here.

No. 18 Wisconsin at Iowa

When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, Iowa)
Line: Wisconsin -3
The Pick: Wisconsin was probably long overdue for last week’s performance. The Badgers have skated by for what seems centuries with close victories over mediocre teams. Last week, they finally got bit with a loss to BYU in a game they were favored by more than three touchdowns.

This line started as Wisconsin -6 and was quickly bet down to the Badgers -3. Wisconsin is 0-3 against the spread so far this season while the Hawkeyes are 3-0. We’ve seen the magic at Kinnick Stadium in the past. It’s a night game. I like Iowa plus the points.

Tulane at No. 4 Ohio State

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Line: Ohio State -37.5
The Pick:  This game will go one of two ways. Ohio State will either hang 100 on Tulane in Urban Meyer’s return or the Buckeyes will start slowly and then win an ugly game as they suffer from either a TCU hangover or Penn State look ahead. The game won’t ever be in doubt, but maybe they won’t cover.

I lean toward the former. Ohio State wins big.