We continued to stay above 0.500 last week and are now three games under that mark for the season. These plays should get us much closer to that benchmark goal in our Week 10 College Football Picks and Predictions.
Week 10 College Football Picks and Predictions
Last Week: 4-3-0 (0.572)
This Season: 34-37-0 (0.476)
Overall Record: 115-120-3 (0.487)
For all current betting odds surrounding the college football season, check out our live betting odds and make your plays today!
All lines are via Draft Kings Sportsbook. You can find the best available odds from sportsbooks all over the country below as well.
James Madison -5.5 (-110) vs. Georgia State +5.5 (-110)
Will the NCAA do the right thing and allow a great James Madison team to be postseason-eligible?
I’m not going to lie, I laughed while writing that sentence, because, of course, they won’t.
After an 8-3 season in 2022 to start their FBS tenure, the Dukes have been rolling through their schedule. Some of those were blowouts but they have also found a way to win both their close games and their clunkers, including a three-point win last week against Old Dominion when they were 16.5-point favorites.
Jordan McCloud has been a solid player for the Dukes at quarterback but his inconsistencies have been the biggest reason for their close games, which goes the same for Georgia State Panthers quarterback Darren Grainger.
When these quarterbacks are on, it usually spells doom for their opponent. How they handle going against the opposing defenses will be key. The Dukes are 17th in success rate against the pass and first in the nation against the run. That’s where the game is won and the Dukes improve to 9-0.
Bet: James Madison -5.5 (-110)
Illinois +1.5 (-105) vs. Minnesota -1.5 (-115)
After fielding one of the most fun and aggressive defenses in the nation last season, the Illinois Fighting Illini are getting close to being eliminated from bowl contention.
Similarly to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the running game is the catalyst for Illinois. They ran through Wisconsin and kept it going against Maryland. It’s been keeping them in games while Johnny Newton has been wreaking opponents’ offensive lines.
Minnesota found a way to take advantage of beating Iowa and kept their momentum going against Michigan State, beating the Spartans handily. The real surprise was Jordan Nubin getting his first real snaps at running back. He didn’t just have a great game, Nubin ran for over 200 yards and two touchdowns.
The Gophers also threw for 200 yards for the first time this season with quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis having his best game of his young career. The Gophers keep finding a way to have productive, talented running backs and Nubin is the latest one.
The spread here is too close, as the Gophers have beaten non-Michigan teams at home by an average of 12 points. This game should end with at least a touchdown difference for the Gophers.
Bet: Minnesota -1.5 (-115)
Washington -3 (-105) vs. USC +3 (-115)
This game is a fascinating one to look at.
The Washington Huskies were riding high after a 36-33 win over Oregon but found themselves in a rut, barely getting by against both Arizona State and Stanford. Michael Penix Jr. went from the sure-fire Heisman Trophy frontrunner to letting others get back into the conversation.
What is the cause of the small skid? Some of it has to do with the flu. Multiple players on the Huskies squad were dealing with illnesses and still prevented the Pac-12 from Pac-12ing them.
For the USC Trrojans, the offense is relatively fine. They put up 50 on Cal last week, but the defense is abysmal. Alex Grinch’s unit continues to be atrocious. They don’t tackle well, play good coverage, or get to the quarterback with any form of consistency. They are arguably the biggest liability on any team in the top 50 in all of the FBS.
MORE: Pac-12 Standings
This game is primed to be a shootout and should theoretically be close. Washington’s defense isn’t great, but they are capable, more than I can say about USC. Not even a full week of Lincoln Riley at practice will help the Trojans prevent their third loss from tarnishing their record.
Bet: Washington -3 (-105)
Arkansas +5.5 (-105) vs. Florida -5.5 (-115)
Arkansas came into the season as a dark horse contender for the SEC West with K.J. Jefferson and Rocket Sanders coming back. Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos was an awful hire, and Sam Pittman relieved him of his duties.
That is just putting a band-aid on a severed artery. This team just isn’t playing well at all and a 7-3 loss to Mississippi State put a bow on it.
The Florida Gators are coming off of a loss to their rival Georgia in a game that personifies the Gators’ season. Undisciplined football cost them after they got out to a 7-0 lead behind true freshman wide receiver Trey Wilson.
Graham Mertz is playing the best football of his career and leading a relatively efficient offense for the Gators. When they have the running game working, the intermediate passing game becomes significantly stronger.
Wilson and Rickly Pearsall have taken really big steps forward for the Gators, but their defense is going to be key on Saturday afternoon. The Razorbacks offense doesn’t rank well in multiple categories, including 90th in success rate and 89th in EPA/play. If the Gators can play sound football and tackle, they can run away with this game. The Gators are 2-0 at home ATS in SEC play this season.
Bet: Florida -5.5 (-115)
Other Bets
Wyoming -5.5 (-115) vs. Colorado State
Notre Dame -3 (-112) @ Clemson
Arizona +3 (-115) vs. UCLA
LSU +3 (-105) @ Alabama