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College Football Picks Against The Spread Afternoon October 15

By Mike Marteny

Sep 10, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes mascot Sebastian leads the team onto the field before a game against Florida Atlantic Owls at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes mascot Sebastian leads the team onto the field before a game against Florida Atlantic Owls at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans prior to the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans prior to the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

College Football Picks Against The Spread Afternoon October 15

It has been a rough start to the college football season so far. I find myself at 135-170 on the season, meaning I need to hit roughly 56% of my picks over the rest of the season just to finish at .500. I think I can do just that!

More from College Football Odds

Sunday through Friday, I am the perfect husband.  No really, I am.  You can ask the boss a.k.a. my wife.  I help with all of the household chores, walk the dogs, cook meals, all that good stuff that women love.  Come Saturday, my wife hates me.  This is MY day.  I become one with the couch.  Just another piece of immovable furniture. Why am I interested in so many games?  Other than the fact that I love college football, here is why:  I was possessed by Jimmy The Greek and Lee Corso at the same time!

In case you don’t know what I do here, I pick every college football game of the season. Against the spread. Trust me, it’s not as easy as it sounds! I take the average of the odds from all of the Vegas casinos. I then round to the nearest half. There will be no ties here. Ties are for the other football (soccer).

This contains the picks for FBS vs. FBS games only. It is too hard to get an accurate spread on teams that involve 1-AA teams.

I will assign a point value “bet” on each game, between one and five points. That way you can see just how confident I am in each pick. Look for those at the end of each line.

This is for entertainment purposes only! I cannot be responsible for you losing any of your worldly possessions (or limbs) because of my picks. These are a guideline that you can use to help you with your picks. I am a simple man. I can’t have that on my conscience.

There are 53 college football games this week, making it another big week with a chance to make up some ground. 18 of the games kickoff between 3:30pm and 6pm eastern on Saturday. Let’s get to those picks!

Just in case you missed any:
Wednesday-Friday
Early Saturday

Sep 17, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Ryan Higgins (14) and offensive lineman Darrell Brown (75) celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Texas Tech defeated Louisiana Tech 59-45. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Ryan Higgins (14) and offensive lineman Darrell Brown (75) celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Texas Tech defeated Louisiana Tech 59-45. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Wake Forest at (14)Florida State(-21.5)(2): This looks a tad high. Wake has only allowed more than 30 points once in six games. Deondre Francois has been punished in the last two games. If the Noles get that far ahead, they are likely going to rest him some. Give me Wake.

(24)Western Michigan(-11.5) at Akron(4): This is too low. Akron is improving, but the Broncos have proven they are the class of the MAC. Broncos by about 17 or so.

Ball State(-10.5) at Buffalo(3): The Bulls just got pummeled at home by Kent. Ball State is at least that good. Cardinals roll here.

Bowling Green at Toledo(-31.5)(1): Good grief! Really? The Falcons looked somewhat respectable last week. This is a ton of points. 41-10 doesn’t even cover it. I think I have to take BGSU. Toledo wins big, but not this big.

Central Michigan(-2.5) at Northern Illinois(2): The losses NIU has suffered this year looks like a who’s who of overachievers. South Florida, Wyoming, San Diego State, Western Michigan, Western Illinois. What? Yes. Western Illnois. That inexcusable loss is what keeps me from believing that they have turned a corner. Anthony Maddie is getting more comfortable by the game, but I just don’t see them winning this. Give me the Chips.

Louisiana Tech(-14.5) at Massachusetts(5): This gets real ugly real quick. Bulldogs by a lot. Probably double this line.

Kansas at Baylor(-34.5)(3): This is too many. I know Kansas is a disaster on the road, but I think they took something away from that game against TCU. The Jayhawks will win a conference game this year. It wont be this one, but I think they stay within 30 or so.

(1)Alabama(-12.5) at (9)Tennessee(4): This is too low. The return of Jalen Hurd has shifted this line more towards Tennessee, but it shouldn’t. Who knows if he will even be at full speed. Bama by about three touchdowns.

USC(-9.5) at Arizona(3): Even if Brandon Dawkins misses this game, Arizona is fine at QB. Remember Anu Solomon? He is back. Arizona took a Washington team that is dominating the Pac 12 lately to the wire three weeks ago in Tucson. They do the same to USC. Give me the Wildcats.

New Mexico at Air Force(-14.5)(2): I don’t really like the half, but the Lobos have not played well on the road. I’m taking the Falcons at home despite that half.

(10)Nebraska(-3.5) at Indiana(2): The bottom has fallen out of this line. It opened at -8. Indiana has played tough the last couple of weeks, but Nebraska will come into this one at close to full strength after losing five starters in the Illinois game. Will the ranking go to their head? If it does, Nebraska is in trouble. I’m not a big believer in the Indiana defense. I think they get tired late just like they did against Ohio State. Nebraska by six or seven.

North Carolina at (16)Miami(FL)(-6.5)(4): This looks low. Very low, in fact. The Tarheels got dismantled by Virginia Tech last week. Miami’s defense isn’t quite that good, but the offense is better. I think the Hurricanes run off with this.

Northwestern at Michigan State(-6.5)(2): Northwestern has looked like the better team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I just don’t know if the Wildcats can take this on the road. They may not, but I still think it stays within three or four points Give me Northwestern.

Georgia State at Troy(-16.5)(1): Hmmmm….this looks high. I think the Panthers build on their first win by not getting blown out. Give me GSU.

(17)Virginia Tech(-19.5) at Syracuse(3): The Orange have been stagnant on offense now that everyone is covering Amba Etta-Tawo. I don’t see them hanging with the Hokies, even at home. Give me VT.

Missouri at (18)Florida(-13.5)(2): Luke Del Rio is back, and Missouri has been tamed by SEC defenses to far. They aren’t going to hang in the Swamp. They couldn’t in Red Stick either. Give me Florida.

(21)Utah(-9.5) at Oregon State(3): I know, I know. Oregon State played well last week. They also have a habit of playing well at Reser Stadium. Not to mention that the Utah offense is average at best. The difference here is that Ryan Nall wont be able to run against the Utah front seven. Give me the Utes.

New Mexico State at Idaho(-4.5)(1): Call me a cynic, but I just don’t see Idaho winning this game. Aggies straight up.

Next: ESPN College Pick Em Picks Week 7

Stay tuned for the rest of Saturday’s picks against the spread, some DFS picks for MLB, NBA preseason, and the NFL, and our start/sit advice for week 6 in the NFL.