Good teams win, great teams cover: Part IV

By Joe Smeltzer
It's time for week four of picking against the spread for college/NFL games. Let's get into it.


Jeff
College
Michigan State: + 7.5 against Michigan State
I don't buy Michigan as a top team. I think Michigan State is underrated and will keep this close.

Oklahoma: -8 over TCU
The Sooners will rebound after a potentially playoff-ending loss over Texas with a statement win over TCU.

Miami (OH): +7.5 against Army
I think Miami keeps this game close and could end up upsetting Army.

Virginia: +7 over Duke.
Duke is quietly 5-1, but they'll have to hold off on the bowl celebrations another week because Virginia will win a tight dogfight.


NFL
Saints: -2.5 over Ravens.
Baltimore has a solid defense, but they haven't played an offense like the Saints. I'll take New Orleans and the points.
Browns: +3.5 over Tampa
I don't know why anybody is still riding the Bucs train. They've lost three in a row and it will be four come Sunday.
Chiefs: -6 over Bengals
The Chiefs will destroy the Bengals. The Bengals just can't stop the Chiefs
Falcons: -4 over Giants
Atlanta will win going away simply because its offense is above average. Everything else in this game is subpar. Expect another shitty primetime game.

Rutz
College
Vanderbilt: +13 over Kentucky
Mississippi State: +6.5 over LSU
Washington State: -3.5 over Oregon
Auburn: -3.5 over Ole Miss

NFL
Pats: -3 over Bears
Chiefs: -6 over Bengals
Bucs: -3 over Browns
Giants: +5.5 over Falcons
Falcons play every game down to the wire.

Brad
College
Duke: -7 over UVA
NC State: +17.5 at Clemson
Penn State: -14 over Indiana
FIU: -23.5 over Rice

NFL
New England: -3 over Chicago
New Orleans: +2.5 over Baltimore
KC: -6 over Cincinnati
LA Rams: -9.5 over San Fran

Joe
College
Penn State: -14 over Indiana
After two tough losses, my Nittany Lions should bounce back against Indiana, right? Right?

Colorado: +17.5 at Washington
Yes, the Huskies are at home and will be hungry after a tough loss at Oregon, but Colorado is also coming off a loss, so I think the 17.5 point spread is a little generous. I have faith in Steven Montez to hold his own at quarterback, and that the Buffs will lose by less than three touchdowns.

NC State: +17.5 at Clemson
This is a good an underrated football team in Raleigh. The Wolfpack have a solid offense led by quarterback Ryan Finley and a respectable defense led by linebacker Germaine Pratt, and they are a top 20 team for a reason. LIke Washington, I expect Clemson to win, but it will be closer than some people think.

USF: -32.5 over UConn
The Huskies are just that bad.

NFL
Colts: -7.5 over Bills
Buffalo is starting Derek Anderson at QB. Easy money here, even with Indy being a 1-5 team.

49ers: +9.5 vs. Rams
San Fran didn't look half bad in Green Bay Monday night, and the Rams have played two close games in a row. Solomon Thomas is finally playing like a first-round draft pick on defense, and San Fran is at home. LA will win, but I'm confident the '9ers will keep it close.

Eagles: -5 over Panthers
Carson Wentz is starting to look like himself again, while Carolina is 0-2 on the road. The Panthers suffered a tough loss to an NFC East team last week in Washington, and I think the same thing happens in Philly. Eagles by 10.

Vikings: -3.5 over Jets
I'm surprised the line is so tight on this one. Minnesota is finally starting to play like a Super Bowl contender, and while New York is improved, it's going to take more than a dominant win over Indy to convince me that this team is anything special. Kirk Cousins will outplay Sam Darnold, and Minnesota will win by two touchdowns.