This week in college football features the highly anticipated matchup between #1 LSU and #2 Alabama in a game that could decide who plays in the national championship.
All the attention is being focused on the SEC this weekend, but there are still some very intriguing other games that have BCS implications. A lot of conferences have ranked teams playing on the road and should make for another great set of games this week.
Here are the point spreads and picks for the weekend’s top games.
College Football Picks and Betting Lines for “LSU-Alabama Week”
November 3
Florida State v Boston College
- Florida State-Boston College spread: Florida State -14.5
- Florida State-Boston College over/under 44
Florida State has been a disappointment this season as many people thought they would win the ACC and be playing in a BCS Bowl Game. After dropping three in a row, the Seminoles have rebounded and won three straight.
Boston College has struggled to say the least on offense and is only averaging 19.9 points per game which ranks 107th in college football. Boston College is coming off a momentum building win after last week’s victory over Maryland on the road.
This game might be at home for Boston College, but Florida State has more talent and should be able to control this game from the beginning. The Seminoles have 12th ranked defense in the country and Boston College’s lack luster offense will struggle all night.
Florida State is hot right now and that is why I am going to lay the points with them. Florida State v Boston College spread pick: Florida State -14.5
November 4
USC v Colorado
- USC-Colorado spread: USC -21.5
- USC-Colorado over/under 58
USC is coming off that tough triple overtime loss last week and is prone for a letdown this week. USC is clearly the better team in this matchup, but you have to question their psyche after suffering such heartbreaking loss.
Colorado is currently on a six-game losing streak and they have not been competitive in their last three games. Colorado has been absolutely horrendous this season on defense, and in their last three games they have given up 145 points. They are bad on offense as well, as they are only averaging 18.8 points per game which ranks 117th in college football.
Colorado will play inspired football on a national stage, but it will not be enough to beat the more talented Trojans. USC wins this game, but I think Colorado will keep it close at home. That is why I am taking the Buffalos with the points. USC-Colorado spread pick: Colorado +21.5
November 5
#1 LSU v #2 Alabama
- LSU-Alabama spread: Alabama -5
- LSU-Alabama over/under 41.5
This SEC West showdown is the best of game of the weekend and will have everyone in the country watching. This might be the first of two meetings between these teams because many people think that there is a great possibility that they could play again for the national championship.
Both of these teams have two of the best defenses in the country and expect this game to be full of hard hits. Alabama has the best scoring defense in the country and teams are only averaging 6.9 points per game against them. LSU’s defense is not that far behind, as they are only giving up only 11.5 points per game which ranks 3rd overall.
Both of these teams have very effective ground games and whoever can run the ball the best will win. Trent Richardson is the best running back in the country and I think that he will give the Crimson Tide the advantage in this game.
This game is very tough to pick, so the safe bet on this game would be to take the under. LSU-Alabama over/under pick: under
#14 Kansas State v #3 Oklahoma State
- Kansas State-Oklahoma State spread: Oklahoma State -21
- Kansas State-Oklahoma State over/under 68
Oklahoma State still has a very good chance of playing for the national championship and will need to win if they want a shot at the title. Kansas State got blown out last week by Oklahoma and will need to win this game if they want to stay in the chase for a Big 12 championship.
Oklahoma State has one the best passing attacks in the country, and the good news for the Cowboys is that they are facing team that struggles to defend against the pass. Oklahoma State’s offense is averaging nearly 375 passing yards a game and should have no problem moving the ball through the air against Kansas State.
Kansas State struggled last week giving up 690 yards of offense and Oklahoma State is not the team you want to face after your defense got exposed. Kansas State was one of the best stories in college football, but I think the Cowboy offense will be too much for them to handle. Kansas State-Oklahoma State spread pick: Oklahoma State -21
#9 South Carolina v #7 Arkansas
- South Carolina-Arkansas spread: Arkansas -5
- South Carolina-Arkansas over/under 52.5
This game features a pair of one loss teams that still are very much in the hunt for winning their respective divisions in the SEC. This game is a must-win for Arkansas because they still have a slim chance of playing in the national championship game if they win out.
Arkansas has a very explosive offense and has one of the better passing games in the country averaging 321.1 yards per game. South Carolina just might have the secondary to slow down the Razorbacks passing game as the Gamecocks are only allowing teams to throw for 135.9 yards per game.
Arkansas has the home field advantage in this game and they have been very tough to beat at home. I think the Arkansas offense will be able to pull away late and that is why I am going to lay the points in this game. South Carolina-Arkansas spread pick: Arkansas -5
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* – Trent Richardson photo credit: via Montgomery Advertiser
