"Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris "The Bear" Fallica cover the college football season as only they can, offering their top picks, betting nuggets and totals worth wagering on.
Records:
The Bear (Last week: 5-5. Season: 30-44-1)
Stanford Steve (Last week: 1-2. Season: 37-27)
Note: All lines are from Caesars Sportsbook.
The Plays
No. 21 Houston Cougars at No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats (-10.5, 53)
Stanford Steve: Historic Nippert Stadium will be the site for what possibly could be a historic win for the Bearcats, knowing they have a pretty darn good shot at making the College Football Playoff should they prevail. Last year, they clawed their way to victory in the conference title game over Tulsa, winning by three points, as they were 13.5 point favorites. This year, I expect bigger plays; the weather should be fine for both offenses to move the ball, so I think there will be plenty of points scored, knowing what coach Dana Holgorsen and the Cougs are capable of. I'll take the over.
Pick: Over 53 (Cincinnati 34, Houston 24)
Fallica: The Bearcats seemed to get the kinks out the past two weeks, and Luke Fickell has really handled Houston rather easily in the two meetings versus Dana Holgorsen. I'd expect in what could be a win and in this scenario for the Bearcats that they would take care of business, even with that CFP pressure.
Pick: Cincinnati -10.5