By Nick Stasiak – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
Iowa (-3) @ Nebraska
This is an annual Friday after Thanksgiving matchup. This year both teams are entering the game struggling. Iowa enters the game on a two game losing streak and Nebraska enters on a three game losing streak. Both also don’t have good records ATS. Iowa is 4-6-1 and Nebraska is 4-7. Iowa beat Ohio State earlier this game and lost and close on to Penn State. Meanwhile, Nebraska hasn’t beaten any good teams this season and their defense has been brutal lately. In their past two games, they have given up 54 and 56 points. They have given up 50+ three times this season and 40+ five times. And they are going up against an Iowa team who put 55 up on Ohio State. One team is going to have to snap out of a losing streak, and I’d rely on the team who has shown the ability to play good football in the past.
The pick: Iowa -3
Virginia Tech (-7) @ Virginia
This is another Friday after Thanksgiving game and it is an in-state rivalry matchup. Virginia comes into this game losing four of their past five but gave Miami all they could handle for three quarters last week. And speaking of Miami, Virginia Tech hasn’t been the same since losing to them. They’re 1-1 with a loss to Georgia Tech and an ugly win over a now 4-7 Pitt team. It’s almost as if they’ve lost focused or aren’t as motivated after the Miami loss. As for Virginia, they went into Miami giving it their all in hopes of an upset. They fell short, but now in a rivalry game expect the same motivation from them. Both teams are similar ATS, Virginia at 6-5 and Virginia Tech at 5-6.
The pick: Virginia +7
Clemson (-14) @ South Carolina
Clemson enters this matchup controlling their own destiny to make the college football playoff. But if they lose, they will have an uphill battle to make it, even if they end up winning the ACC. For South Carolina, they would like nothing more than to spoil their rivals season. Both teams are good ATS, Clemson at 6-4-1 and South Carolina at 7-3-1. Clemson, while a pretty good team, doesn’t really blow teams out. Prior to their last two games, they went on a stretch of four games decided by 14 or less. They then beat Florida State by 17 but if you watched the game, it was much closer than the score shows. South Carolina has won five of their past six games and at home, they should expect the stadium to be rocking Saturday night. Clemson better hope they aren’t looking ahead to Miami because South Carolina could give them a game.
The pick: South Carolina +14