By: George Ahearn

While I wish all my days consisted of strictly writing these previews, at some point during the week I had to attend to my 200-point research paper. Nonetheless, the weekend has arrived and we’re here to find some winners. While these previews won’t be as detailed as some of the stand-alone previews of the past, don’t be mistaken, just as much thought has gone into all of these plays.

We’ll be running through seven different games: Kansas State v. Oklahoma State, Maryland v. No. 4 Ohio State, No. 13 Washington State v. UCLA, No. 20 Kentucky v. No. 1 Georgia, Colorado v. Arizona State, No. 24 Fresno State v. Wyoming, and No. 15 Oregon State v. Cal. 

First off, Friday Night Lights in Stillwater. 

Kansas State (-11.5) v. Oklahoma State

Kansas State and Oklahoma State meet under the lights in Stillwater to kick off our college football slate for the weekend, in a game that pits the Pokes as heavy, home underdogs.

For the Cowboys, it has been a miserable start to the season. South Alabama came into town and embarrassed them on their home turf, winning 33-7. The following week, they lost to a lackluster Iowa State team by a touchdown. They sit at 2-2, and while they can certainly salvage their season, it is now or never for Mike Gundy’s squad.

Both teams enter this inter-conference matchup coming off a bye. Whenever teams in the same conference meet off a bye, in a highly emotional, nationally televised game, I expect the offenses to come out the gates a little slow. Two weeks to prepare for a team allows for defenses to be highly prepared, and in a Friday night game, I expect both defenses to be ready to roll. 

While I would lean the under, this game is the perfect storm for the Cowboys to get back on track. Mike Gundy is a decorated college football coach, and I trust him to have his players ready for this contest. Oklahoma State, regardless of how bad they have played, laying 11.5 points at home is more than enough to sell me. In a game I expect to be chippy and close, ride the home ‘dawg and hope the Pokes don’t lose by more than 11. 

The play: Oklahoma State +11.5

Maryland v. 4. Ohio State (-19.5)

The Terps are off to their best start in recent memory, sitting at 5-0 and on the cusp of being ranked for the first time since 2019. However, their most challenging test awaits, as they travel to Columbus to face the No. 4 ranked Buckeyes. Despite both teams being undefeated, this spread is sitting at a whopping 19.5-points. 

While I love what Maryland has built and the direction their program is heading, they are not on the same tier as Ohio State, and this line is indicative of the gap between the two programs. 

We’ve seen this before with Ohio State, where despite playing suspect football during moments within the season, they open as a 3-touchdown favorite against a good Big 10 opponent. Watching these teams this year, the logical play feels like taking Maryland and their 19-point spread. However, this feels like a game where Ohio State will turn it up and remind us all of what a dominant force they are in the college football world. 

Roll with the Buckeyes, and back the team littered with NFL prospects to deliver at home. 

The play: Ohio State -19.5

No. 13 Washington State v. UCLA (-3)

There’s a rule of thumb in college football gambling: If you have an unranked team at home that’s favored over a ranked team, you bet the unranked squad, and this rule will come into effect Saturday.

Washington State is off to an incredible start, and Incarnate Word transfer QB Cam Ward is playing like a legitimate Heisman candidate. For the Bruins, they are off to a good start too, but their last game against No. 11 Utah they put up a measly 7-points. 

Yet, the Bruins are favored by three points when No. 13 ranked Wazzu comes to town. It makes no sense, but in a PAC-12 conference with a high level of parity, it doesn’t surprise me too much. In college football, anything can happen, especially when a team is playing at home. Back the Bruins to get it done, it’s simply a system play. 

The play: UCLA -3

No. 20 Kentucky v. No. 1 Georgia (-14.5)

Both teams enter this pivotal SEC East matchup 5-0, and Kentucky has a chance to pick up one of their biggest wins in program history. 

The Wildcats were dominant last week against Florida, defeating them 33-14. On the flip side, Bulldogs fans would like to forget last week’s game, as the top ranked team in the nation sneaked out a 27-20 win over an unranked Auburn team.

Despite the drastic differences in momentum, the Bulldogs are 14.5-point favorites. This spread is seemingly large for a Georgia team that has been playing disappointing football for their standard. However, you don’t get gifted many opportunities to back the ‘Dawgs when people are doubting them.

I believe Kirby Smart is the best coach in the nation, and despite their early-season struggles, this Kentucky game is one the ‘Dawgs can get fired up for, especially after delivering such an uninspired performance last week.

There’s nothing more fun than backing a motivated Georgia team, and the Bulldogs will undoubtedly have a fire lit under their ass for Saturday’s game. Roll with Georgia -14.5, and expect the ‘Dawgs to remind everyone why they are the No. 1 ranked team in the nation.

The play: Georgia -14.5

Colorado (-4) v. Arizona State

We all know about Colorado, the public’s darling that has covered in three of their five games to start the season despite the egregious amount of money that backs the Buffs week in and week out.

Last week, they lost to No. 8 USC 48-41. While the box score makes this look like a great outing for the Buffs, this game never felt as close as a one-touchdown game. Now, after back-to-back emotional games against No. 10 Oregon and No. 8 USC, the Buffs travel to unranked Arizona State.

While many know nothing about this Sun Devils team, the name people should know is head coach Kenny Dillingham.  

In his first year as the Sun Devils head coach, they have started a disappointing 1-4. However, this program was disheveled when Dillingham took over, and despite the record, you can see the growth and improvement for Arizona State each week. 

They played USC tough, losing 42-28, and last week lost to an underrated Cal team, 24-21. In front of a sellout crowd, I expect the Sun Devils to pick up their first PAC-12 win of the season Saturday.

I know betting against Colorado is no fun, but we cannot forget this was a team that had a 3.5-win total prior to the season starting. I know it’s scary, but play the home ‘dog at +4.

The play: Arizona State +4

No. 24 Fresno State (-6) v. Wyoming

The Mountain West is the most underappreciated conference this season, producing talented teams like Fresno State, Wyoming, and Air Force. 

Fresno State has earned their No. 24 ranked, winning at Purdue week 1, demolishing the aforementioned Arizona State 29-0 on the road, and handily taking care of the other opponents on their schedule. However, I am not here to focus on the Bulldogs.

Instead, we will be looking at Wyoming and the 6-points they’re getting at home against Fresno State. Wyoming is an impressive 4-1 on the season, with their only loss coming on the road at Texas. They beat a gritty App State team 22-19 and won in double OT against a Texas Tech team people had pinned as a sleeper in the Big 12 throughout the preseason. 

While I think Fresno State is good, and expect them to win this football game, I can’t turn away from Wyoming and the +6. In Laramie, in a primetime slate on FOX, the Cowboys will be ready. 

The play: Wyoming +6

No. 15 Oregon State (-9.5) v. Cal

The late night, PAC-12 game to bet and tuck you in for Sundayis this contest right here. Oregon State travels to Cal after an emphatic Friday night win against Utah, while Cal enters after sneaking a win out at home against Arizona State

Cal is a team that I am higher on than most, having backed them against Auburn and No. 8 Washington. While I love the Beavers and thoroughly enjoyed backing them last Friday night, I have to leave my allegiance behind and ride with the Golden Bears.

Sitting at +9.5, this line indicates to me the game will be close. If Oregon State was going to waltz in and blow them out I think we would see this line at +10 or higher. I’m going to keep trying to take advantage of the lower-tier PAC-12 squads and the lines that are simply too high because of the names on the front of the jersey. 

The play: Cal +9.5