The calm before the storm with college football. Even though it’s been crazy with five top ten teams losing in the last five days, this is still a down week thanks to the SEC. Those precious snowflakes in the south need a week off before rivlary week. Sad!

Sit down for the full game and maybe have a few beers, you’re not going anywhere.
9. Oklahoma (-3.5) at 14. West Virginia 7:00 pm ABC – This feels like a combination of ‘Big Game Bob’ getting outcoached, and West Virginia using the ‘nobody respects us’ chip on their shoulder. Skyler Howard should be able to pierce through this Sooners defense, and the physical defense will frustrate Baker Mayfield. This is going to be great one. WVU 35-31

22. Washington State at 10. Colorado (-5.5) 2:30 pm FOX – Who would have thought this would be one of the best games of the slate in September? Washington State brings the air raid to the mountains. Luke Falk goes up against the best passing defense in the Pac-12 so this will be quite a task for him. Gerald Wicks could be the difference. Sefo Liufau should be able to move the ball on this Cougs defense, yet they’ve been a bit tougher than in years past. This game is a three-point game. I’m taking Buffs to continue this streak, but it’s damn close in a thriller. COLO 23-20

Definitely worth watching a quarter or two
Florida at 16. LSU (-14) 12:00 pm SEC Network – This game is a makeup from Hurricane Matthew, and if you remember, Florida is all salty about playing in Death Valley. Also don’t forget some on LSU thought Florida mocked Mike The Tiger which means Coach O will have the boys ready. I do worry about LSU’s ability to score on Florida’s defense, yet I like Tigers here. Florida is too banged up, and Leonard Fournette is going to wear these guys down as the game progresses. LSU 21-9

Maryland at 18. Nebraska (-13) ESPNNews – Don’t hate this spot for Nebraska. Tommy Armstrong looked great versus Minnesota last week, and he could do some of the same things on this Maryland defense. If they strike early, Maryland will fall back and crawl in a hole. I worry for Maryland that they are bruised and banged up to be playing their third ranked opponent in as many weeks. NEB 31-10

24. Stanford (-11) at California 4:30 pm PAC-12 Network – A part of me wanted to put this as my upset, but goddamn, California can’t stop a soul. I’m pretty sure I could rush for 100 yards on this defense. Cal allowed 121 points in thier last two games. 121! Jesus, Mary and Joesph. Christian McCaffery will have another nice game in a forgotten season. STAN 49-21

Bets of the week
Oregon at 12. Utah (-14.5) 1:00 pm PAC-12 Network – You’re telling me I could bet Utah with only 14.5 points against a hapless Oregon defense? The same Ducks defense who had major problems with Utah in the last two years. Love, love, love the Utes in this game. This is like stealing. UTAH 52-17

11. Oklahoma State at TCU (-4.5) 11:00 am FS1 – Vegas hates Oklahoma State. It’s clear there is something about them that makes Vegas quake in their boots. TCU did get a big win over Baylor where their defense actually looked like it should have all year. Oklahoma State is a very underrated team. They should have only one loss if not for the fluke with Central Michigan. Not only to I like Pokes to cover, but I also think they’ll win by double-digits on the road. OK STATE 31-21

UT-San Antonio at 25. Texas A&M (-27.5) 11:00 am ESPNU – With two straight losses, this feels like the right call to bet the frisky UTSA Roadrunners. They are 5-5 this year looking to come bowl eligible. I’m not saying they win this game, but it’s way tighter than A&M wants it to be. TAMU 44-31

SnoTap Bar Watch of the Week
13. USC (-13) at UCLA 9:30 pm ESPN – Nice little rivalry game for the Bar Watch audience. These are two teams heading in the wrong direction. USC is red hot right now. You wonder where they are in the playoff conversation if they didn’t start the year with such a hard schedule or figured Sam Darnold was the starter from the jump. UCLA has been a massive disappointment all year, and that doesn’t stop this week. Trojans suffer from zero letdown. USC 34-14

Worth a channel flip but don’t plan your day around it.
4. Clemson (-22.5) at Wake Forest 6:00 pm ESPN – Oh boy. Wake’s defense held it together for the first half against Louisville then it all went to shit in the second. My guess is something like this script will happen again this week with Clemson. Deshaun Watson has a big second half and carries Clemson past a worrisome foe. CLEM 40-17

2. Ohio State (-21.5) at Michigan State 11:00 am ESPN – What a difference a year makes for both teams. Michigan State does have Ohio State’s number, but that’s not going to save them here. Spartans put up a fight in the first half, but as the game goes on, Buckeyes gets stronger and stronger. Curtis Samuel with another big game in the victory. OSU 42-20

Missouri at 19. Tennessee (-16) 2:30 pm CBS – This game looms large for the SEC East title, but there’s no reason to think Tennessee loses this game. Tigers can’t do a damn thing on defense, and I’m hard press to think they can come into Knoxville and even be close. Alvin Kamara has a big day on the ground as Vols roll up Mizzou. TENN 38-10

Indiana at 3. Michigan (-24) 2:30 pm ESPN – I only want to mention this game because there’s a chance that John O’Korn is really not good. And if that happens, Wolverines could be in trouble. Also, these two teams have played really wild games in the last two years. Indiana’s defense will give them some fits and keep it closer than expected. MICH 23-10

Sleep Off Your Hangover and/or Do Errands With Your Significant Other
Chattanooga at 1. Alabama 6:00 pm ESPN2
Arizona State at 6. Washington 6:30 pm FOX
8. Penn State at Rutgers 7:00 pm Big Network
Alabama A&M at 15. Auburn 6:30 pm SEC Network –
17. Florida State at Syracuse 2:30 pm ESPN2
UNLV at 20. Boise State (Played on Friday) 8:00 pm ESPN2
Buffalo at 21. Western Michigan 2:30 pm ESPNU