COLLEGE FOOTBALL BEST EARLY BETS WEEK 13

RUTGERS AT No. 1 OHIO STATE (-31.5, O/U: 55.5)

The Scarlett Knights (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) evened up their overall record last week, knocking off Maryland 35-20. Athan Kaliakmanis was 13 of 20 for 229 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Antwan Raymond rushed 41 (for real) times for 240 yards and a score. Ian Strong caught five passes for 88 yards and three TDs.  Ohio State (10-0, 7-0) crushed UCLA as expected, 48-10, last Saturday. Julian Sayin was 23 of 31 for 184 yards, a TD and no interceptions. Bo Jackson carried the ball 15 times for 112 yards and a score. 

Best Bets: Under 55.5

We’ve gone with the under for Ohio State all season and we’re not breaking the streak now. Just because Rutgers managed to run all over a pathetic Terps team a week ago doesn’t mean they’ll not bang against a brick wall when they line up against the Buckeyes. 

MISSOURI AT No. 11 OKLAHOMA (-7.5, O/U: 42)

Missouri (7-3, 3-3 SEC) stopped a two-game skid with a 49-17 blowout win over Mississippi State last week.  Matt Zollers was 8 of 15 for 112 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the win. Ahmad Hardy rushed 25 times for 300 yards and three touchdowns. Something was in the water last week with these running backs. The Sooners (8-2, 4-2) shocked the NCAA world by knocking off No. 4 Alabama, 23-21. John Mateer was 15 of 23 for 138 yards. The defense scored a touchdown in the first quarter that turned out to be the difference in the game. 

Best Bets: Missouri +7.5, Over 42

The Tigers have been solid on offense all season and are coming off their best performance of the year. I don’t think they can beat Oklahoma, but they’ll make it interesting and 42 is way too low.

No. 15 MIAMI AT VIRGINIA TECH (+17.5, O/U: 48.5)

The Hurricanes (8-2, 4-2 ACC) took out some frustrations on NC State last week in a dominating 41-7 victory. Carson Beck had one of his best games of the year, going 21 of 27 for 191 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Girard Pringle, Jr. rushed 17 times for 116 yards. Keelan Marion caught seven passes for 96 yards. Virginia Tech (3-7, 2-4) was beaten bad by Florida State a week ago, 34-14, but that’s not the news. No, the breaking bulletin is retread and Penn State castoff James Franklin has dropped down to a coaching level more fitting his lackluster skills by taking the Hokies job. I’m assuming he’ll be in the stadium somewhere Saturday and decide which of these players and coaches he might want to keep. Last week Kyron Drones was 10 of 18 passing for 125 yards, one touchdown and a pick. He added 18 carries for 79 yards and a score. Marcellous Hawkins rushed 12 times for 101 yards. 

Best Bets: Over 48.5

The spread is probably safe, but I feel Miami will want to put it to the Hokies as they make a push to sneak into the College Football Playoff bracket. They’re right outside it and need some major beat downs to climb up a couple of spots.

No. 17 USC AT No. 8 OREGON (-10, O/U: 59.5)

USC (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) rolls in after posting a solid 26-21 win over No. 21 Iowa a week ago. Jayden Maiaba was 23 of 32 for 254 yards and a TD in the win. Makai Lemon caught 10 passes for 153 yards and a score. The Ducks (9-1, 6-1) obliterated Minnesota in Week 11, 42-13. Dante Moore was 27 of 30 for 306 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Kenyon Sadiq caught eight passes for 96 yards.

Best Bets: USC +10. Over 59.5

This is the game of the week. The ESPN Gameday crew will be there and Pat McAfee will offer a ridiculous amount of money to a 20 year-old kid to kick a football through the uprights and all will be right with the world. Oregon could hold on to win this one, but the spread is too big and the total too low. 

KENTUCKY AT No. 14 VANDERBILT (-9.5, O/U: 54)

The Wildcats (5-5, 2-5 SEC) enjoyed a solid non-conference blowout performance, beating Tennessee Tech 42-10 last Saturday. Cutter Boley was 18 of 21 for 236 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Kendrick Law caught 11 passes for 124 yards. Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2) survived a shootout with Auburn last week, 45-38. Diego Pavia was 25 of 33 passing for 377 yards and three TDs with no picks. He added 18 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown. Tre Richardson had three receptions for 124 yards and a score. Eli Stowers caught 12 passes for 122 yards. 

Best Bets: Over 54

The Cats have scored more than 34 in four of their last five games against better defenses than Vandy will field. The Commodores can score with anybody. This should be a wild one.

MICHIGAN STATE AT No. 21 IOWA (-17, O/U: 43.5)

Michigan State (3-7, 0-7 Big Ten) and its complete disaster of a season continued last Saturday with a 28-10 loss to Penn State. Alessio Milivojevic was 17 of 27 for 128 yards, no touchdowns and no picks. Elija Tay-Tolliver rushed six times for 79 yards and a score. Iowa (6-4, 4-3) gave it all they had but fell just show to USC, losing 26-21 a week ago. Mark Gronowski was 12 of 19 for 132 yards, one TD and a pick in the loss. He added 32 yards and a score on the ground. Kamari Moulton had 15 carries for 90 yards. 

Best Bets: Under 43.5

There’s a good chance Michigan State doesn’t score a point in this one. I definitely don’t see them putting up more than 10. The Hawkeyes aren’t barn burners on offense themselves and I can easily see them closing the night 33-10 and feeling fantastic about it.

No. 22 PITTSBURGH AT No. 16 GEORGIA TECH (-2.5, O/U: 62)

The Panthers (7-3, 5-1 ACC) had their chance to be contender, to be somebody, instead of a bum, which is what they are, let’s face it, last week when they were obliterated by Notre Dame, 37-15. And they made Aaron Donald watch all that live. For shame. Mason Heitschel was 16 of 33 for 126 yards in the loss. Georgia Tech (9-1, 6-1) outlasted Boston College, 36-34 last Saturday. Haynes King was 26 of 34 for 371 yards and a touchdown with no picks. He added 53 yards on the ground. Malachi Hosley rushed 15 times for 107 yards and a score. Malik Rutherford had five catches for 121 yards and a TD. Eric Rivers had seven receptions for 119 yards. 

Best Bets: Georgia Tech -2.5

This is an early Christmas present. The Yellowjackets might win this by three scores. Place this bet immediately. 

No. 23 TENNESSEE AT FLORIDA (+4, O/U: 57)

Tennessee (7-3, 3-3 SEC) welcomed sacrificial lamb New Mexico State into Neyland Stadium last week for a Homecoming beatdown that the Aggies bent over and accepted to the tune of 42-9. Joey Aguilar took a seat eventually, but finished 17 of 23 for 204 yards, one touchdown and two picks in the win. DeSean Bishop had 16 carries for 80 yards. The Gators (3-7, 2-5) gave No. 7 Ole Miss all they wanted, falling 34-24 eventually. DJ Lagway was 16 of 31 for 218 yards, one TD and a pick. Jadan Baugh rushed 15 times for 61 yards. 

Best Bets: Florida +4, Over 57

Here’s a little secret you might not know. The Volunteers have not defeated Florida in The Swamp since 2003. Now, I’m no math expert, but that looks a lot like 22 years to me. That road losing streak is not only old enough to drink, but it’s moved into its craft brewery and fedora phase. I don’t care who’s coaching the Gators or the talent difference between the two teams. I’ve lived in Tennessee my whole life and this is just what happens. 

No. 12 BYU AT No. 25 CINCINNATI (+2.5, O/U: 54)

BYU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) bounced back after getting soaked by Texas Tech with a 44-13 shellacking of TCU last Saturday. Bear Bachmeir was 23 of 33 for 296 yards, a TD and no interceptions in the win. He added 59 yards and a score on the ground. LJ Martin rushed 21 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. The Bearcats (7-3, 5-2) dropped their second game in a row, losing 30-24 to Arizona. Brendan Sorsby was 15 of 28 for 154 yards, one TD and two picks. Tawee Walker rushed 12 times for 119 yards. 

Best Bets: BYU +2.5

This might be an early kick for our weekly check in with a school connected to the Latter Day Saints, but I don’t suspect the early start will get their magic underwear in a bunch. Cincinnati will be out of the Top 25 after this game and head coach Scott Satterfield probably already has a U-Haul picked out for UCLA or Oklahoma State.Follow Adam Greene on Blue Sky @AdamGreene13, threads @adam.greene and Twitter @TheFirstMan