Spread Options: Dr. Saturday's Week 3 picks against the spread
After the cancellation of Memphis and UCF, we only had nine games on the docket last week. And we went 6-3. Sorry for those of you that faded us. Overall record: 8-11
UConn (+10.5) at Virginia, Noon ET: Is UConn really that bad to be a double-digit underdog to a Virginia team that went 2-10 a year ago? The Huskies were off in Week 2 because of Hurricane Irma but were a much different team in the second half after Bryant Shirreffs took over at quarterback in the second half vs. Holy Cross. Virginia wins, but UConn keeps it close.
Baylor at Duke (UNDER 58.5), 12:30 p.m. ET: Baylor scored just 10 points vs. UTSA in Week 2 and enters this game as a more than two-touchdown underdog. Yuck. Duke, meanwhile, held a good Northwestern offense to 17 points. This is going to be a relatively low-scoring affair and Baylor’s looking at an 0-3 start before Big 12 play begins.
Notre Dame at Boston College (+13), 3:30 p.m. ET: How does Notre Dame bounce back from a tough home loss to Georgia? Nearly two touchdowns against a Boston College team with one of the better defenses in the ACC seems high. Notre Dame’s offensive line struggled against the Bulldogs and we’re interested to see what the Irish’s gameplan is for BC DE Harold Landry.
Wisconsin (-16.5) at BYU, 3:30 p.m. ET: The BYU offense is really, really bad. The Cougars have already played three games in 2017 and have accumulated 32 first downs. Arkansas State, Air Force and Texas Tech have each played just one game in 2017. All three of those schools have 32 first downs. This Cougar offense vs. Wisconsin’s defense is one of the unit mismatches of the weekend.
Army (+30) at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m. ET: Anyone think the Ohio State offense is going to be miraculously fixed in a week? Army is on a five-game win streak and its triple-option attack is capable of chewing up clock. The Black Knights have thrown a grand total of two passes all year. Ohio State is the vastly superior team and should win easily. But 35-10 feels much more likely than 41-10.
Colorado State (+29.5) vs. Alabama, 7 p.m. ET: Alabama was a big favorite against Fresno State a week ago and failed to cover. We see the same happening here. Colorado State is a vastly superior opponent and potential favorite in the Mountain West. Much like Ohio State, Alabama cruises, but it’s not more than a four-touchdown game.
Oregon at Wyoming (+14), 7 p.m. ET: Is this the time Josh Allen performs against a Power Five team? Allen and Wyoming underwhelmed at Iowa in Week 1 and get an Oregon team that let Nebraska get close in the second half in Week 2. Allen needs a signature moment vs. a top opponent.
Tulsa at Toledo (OVER 67.5), 7 p.m. ET: This could be one of the most fun games of the weekend. Tulsa’s offense is averaging nearly 550 yards through two games while Toledo has averaged nearly 490. Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside is the best QB in the MAC while Tulsa coach Phillip Montgomery has switched to a more ground-based attack. Tulsa has already scored 10 rushing touchdowns.
Kentucky at South Carolina (-6.5), 7:30 p.m. ET: This is a prove-it game of sorts for South Carolina. After wins vs. NC State and Missouri, the Gamecocks will probably break into the top 25 with a win over Kentucky. The Wildcats, meanwhile, had a poor first half in Week 2 before pulling away from Eastern Kentucky.
Kansas State (-3.5) at Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m. ET: If you’re looking for a competitive game Saturday night and inexplicably don’t want to watch Clemson and Louisville, you can do a lot worse than this. Both KSU QB Jesse Ertz and Vanderbilt QB Kyle Shurmur have been efficient through two games, though neither has faced a defense as good as he’s about to see Saturday. We give the edge to Ertz, who has more playmakers on the outside.
Ole Miss at Cal (+3.5), 10:30 p.m. ET: Cal surprised a lot of folks by winning at North Carolina in Week 1. After a slow start vs. Weber State in Week 2, the Bears are 2-0. Ole Miss had a slow start of its own last week and gave up 23 points to Tennessee-Martin. Shea Patterson should shine for Ole Miss again, but Cal sneaks out a home upset.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
