Looking at the college football betting odds for Week 11 and delivering the 10 best bets against the spread.
Oof.
Week 10 of the 2016 college football season was not kind to us in this space, with (easily) the worst performance of the year. We went off script with a favorite (loss) and an over (loss), but underdogs were also unkind and, in short, everything went sideways on Nov. 5 when it came to handicapping. Still, we are undeterred and, before we get to this week’s selections against the spread, let’s check in on a season-long mark that took a hit but still looks just fine.
- Last Week: 2-8
- Season: 53-45-1
Week 11 almost has to be kinder (right?!) and these picks will get us there.
North Carolina and Duke UNDER 59 points
This is just too many points. I flirted with taking the Blue Devils as a home underdog, but instead, we’ll roll with the under in a good, old-fashioned system play. Thursday night often suppresses offense and North Carolina has allowed 20 points or fewer in three straight games. If that trend continues, I feel great about the total.
Purdue (+13.5) over Northwestern
This is an insane amount of respect for Northwestern. The Wildcats have one (!) win all season that would cover this margin, and it was a 14-point victory over hapless Michigan State. Yes, Purdue is a punchline for much of the college football world, but the Boilermakers are weirdly frisky this season and this line is, at the very least, three points too high given the venue in which it will be played. I don’t think Purdue wins outright or anything, but Northwestern is prone to playing close games and I’m not sure why this one would be any different.
Next: Tulsa/Navy and Baylor/Oklahoma