Beating Vegas: Familiar Faces

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NC State -3 at Boston College

N.C. State has become the most talked about team here at Beating Vegas. This is the FOURTH time they’ve been mentioned by me this year. It’d be great to say we’ve hit each time with N.C. State but the truth is, they are 1-2 when they’ve been picked to cover the spread by Beating Vegas. With that said: Here we go again. N.C. State was riding a six-game win streak until fate hit them with really tough back-to-back competition, losing to Notre Dame by twenty-one points and losing to Clemson by six points. It doesn’t get much easier as their next two games are on the road against two pretty good defenses. The Boston College defense is allowing 25 points per game and is tied in the ACC with 13 interceptions. Teams complete only 51% of their passes against them. If there is a weakness it’s the rush attack which allows five-yards per rush. It’s not good, but not terrible considering the attacks they have to face in the ACC. The Eagles ground attack is their only attack and will be one dimensional throughout this game. N.C. State is averaging 32 points per game (8 more than B.C.) and has done it with a consistent balance that doesn’t turn over the ball often. This spread is too low and that is because Vegas is banking on the public falling in love with an Eagles team that clobbered a Florida State team that is “all name and no game.” N.C. State is a well-coached team who does not overlook their opponents.

The Pick: N.C. State -3

Georgia -2.5 at Auburn

This is a game I had circled after week four of the college football season. Auburn has been a favorite of mine to surprise folks this year. Before we get into the numbers and the pick, a little Google-search shows that Georgia leads this series 57-55-8 in what is called “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” (okay I knew the last part but still. . .). This match-up has been going on since 1892 and I wouldn’t say these are the biggest stakes to be had in the history of this rivalry – but, the stakes are definitely big enough. Georgia is the current #1 team in the nation with Auburn being ranked 10th. These teams run the ball well, defend the run well. They both throw the ball “efficiently enough” to give their teams a good balance and they both hold opponents to a 55% completion percentage. Publicly the early money-lean is going by way of the Georgia Bulldogs at 71% and this isn’t a surprise. What to look at here is the balance these two teams have against each other AND the fact that Auburn is playing at home for the first time in THREE weeks. Meanwhile, Georgia has to hit the road after beating a South Carolina team that was not an “easy-out.” This game is going to have some moments, the final moment though will be the “War-Eagle” chant with the students of Auburn filling the field.

The Pick: Auburn +2.5

Oregon State +23.5 at Arizona

Yes, we blew it with Arizona last week as they decided to play one half of football when it was too late but – this is still a good team and Khalil Tate is still one of the more exciting players in football to watch this year. Honestly, this game has nothing to do with Arizona and everything to do with Oregon State. Teams have had no problems running against the Beavers as this defense has allowed 4.7 yards a carry against them (by the way, when Bowl Season comes around, keep in mind that every team in the Pac-12 gives up more than four yards a carry outside of Oregon and Washington). They are pretty good against the pass but let’s not be silly, Arizona is going to run the ball, run it again and run some mo’. Arizona’s rush attack has proven to be just as dangerous as Notre Dame’s, averaging seven yards a carry and closing in on 3000 total rushing yards for the season. Outside of UTEP and Northern Arizona though, the Wildcats haven’t blown out anybody by a margin this big. This is one where you might want to take the Arizona Wildcats for some first half action, but watch out for Oregon State get some backdoor scores during mop-up-duty.

The Pick: Oregon State +23.5

Good Luck and Wager Wisely!

G.W. Gras

twitter @GeeSteelio