College Football Preview – By Nick Stasiak, Wannamakeabet.com Staff Writer
Virginia @ Miami (-18.5)
Miami enters this game coming off two huge wins at home. They beat up on both Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. They have now entered into good position for the college football playoff. And now in comes Virginia. Many people will look at this as an easy win for Miami, but it could be your classic letdown game. Let’s not forget, before the past two games, Miami’s previous four games were decided by one possession. Virginia does enter this game struggling a bit, losers of three of four. But they will give Miami all they can handle, as they usually do. Virginia has won six of the past 11 meeting between these two. Both teams are similar ATS, Miami is 5-4 and Virginia is 5-5. A noon start coming off the past two weeks for Miami when the energy in the stadium was at an all-time high, a letdown is only natural. Miami should win, but it won’t come easy.
The pick: Virginia +18.5
TCU (-6) @ Texas Tech
Last week, TCU likely had their college football playoff hopes shattered. They got hammered by Oklahoma 38-20. Now they have to go on the road again looking for a bounce back. They head to Texas Tech, a team who broke a four game losing streak last week with a win over Baylor. In fact, Texas Tech’s past two wins are over Baylor and Kansas, a pair of one win teams. Their other three wins are against Eastern Washington, Arizona State, and Houston. So don’t let their 5-5 record fool you. Texas Tech is 6-4 ATS this year and TCU is 5-5. If TCU wins out, they will get a rematch with Oklahoma. A chance to get some revenge and a chance, with some chaos, to maybe get back in the playoff conversation. TCU should come out angry and motivated against a mediocre team.
The pick: TCU -6
Georgia Tech (-6.5) @ Duke
This is a matchup of two ACC teams fighting to get bowl eligible. Duke, sitting at 4-6, needs to win out. And Georgia Tech is sitting at 5-4 and needs to win one of their next two to get bowl eligible. With next weeks game against Georgia, they likely need to win this win. So count this as a must win for both teams. Duke is currently in a freefall. After starting to season 4-0, they are losers of six straight. And Georgia Tech is a team who, outside of one games, can put up points. If you take out the Clemson game, Georgia Tech is averaging 34 points per game. Georgia Tech is also the best team in the ACC ATS. They are 7-1-1 while Duke is 4-5-1. Georgia Tech knows they need this win with Georgia looming and with Duke on a freefall, they should get it.
The pick: Georgia Tech -6.5