This has become tradition. This is embedded in the sports culture of Orlando, FL. STONE COLD LOCKS of the Week. Volume 1. In 2020, things were all out of whack, I finished the year 37-37. Didn’t win, didn’t lose. Didn’t feel great either. But last year, oh last year we trended in the right direction. 130 games picked throughout the season. Nailed 69 of them. 69-61 final record. Hit rate 53%. I’ll take it, but we can do better. Here…we…go!
Utah (-3) @ Florida- This one’s pretty simple, you give me the better team, the better defense, more experience @ QB, and a coach who isn’t coaching his first power 5 football game. I’ll take it 10 out of 10 times. Utah was 10-1 when outrushing its opponents and has an experienced offensive line with a combined 71 career starts. The Gators, meanwhile, ranked 85th nationally against the run last year. Bad matchup. I’ll take the Utes -3, lock it up.
Cincy (+6.5) @ Arkansas- This is an under-the-radar great game on Saturday. Cincy coming trying to prove their not a one-hit wonder, and Arkansas trying to build off a 9 win season. But I just trust what Luke Fickell is building over there. He lost Desmond Ridder and Sauce Garnder and all of that is true, but Arkansas lost a bunch of dudes off their defense and their star WR, so I’m not so sure the losses don’t even out. I think this # has some SEC bias built into it, and I’m happy to cash in on that. Cincy! Lock it up.
UNC @ App State (+1.5)- Sneaky line. UNC feels like they should be favored by more just based off name alone and the fact that they have Mack Brown. But walking into Boone, NC is not an easy task…just ask Michigan back in the day. UNC struggled to put FAMU away in the first half last week, and App State’s just been sitting back and waiting for this one. Fishy line, tough place to play, I’ll back the Mountaineers. Lock it up.
ND @ Ohio State (-17)- This is a big number, but you kinda have to just not care about that. This Ohio State team is going to be very difficult to deal with this season. CJ Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are the most lethal QB-WR pair in the country, their defense is loaded and they’re at home. Meanwhile on the other side, much like with Florida….we’re breaking in a new coach and a new quarterback…this number opened at 14 and it sprung to 17 quick…sharps know ND doesn’t match up, at least not at the start of the season. Ohio State. Lock it up.
FSU (+3) vs LSU- This feels more like a hail mary attempt than anything else, because I really don’t know. I just think people are overestimating this perceived home-field advantage because the game is in Lousisana. FSU students/fans aren’t going to be shy about traveling to New Orleans, and they get the same ticket allotment. FSU has a running QB and 3 really talented backs, they’re going to stay in this game till the bitter end, so I’ll close my eyes and take the points. Lock it up.
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