Oh baby. What a week we had last week. I have said for two weeks now that I am seeing the board well. The results just weren’t falling for us. That all changed with an illustrious, glorious, and rock hard 7-1 performance. As my wins were fed to me like grapes, I couldn’t help but wonder where my performance stacks up with other extraordinary feats of mankind. Alex Hannold making the first free solo ascent of El Capitan comes to mind. Then there’s Tiger Woods winning the 2000 U.S. Open by 15 strokes. Usain Bolt’s 9.58 second 100-meter world record. Perhaps even Patrick Swayze’s performance in Roadhouse as Dalton busting the heads of troublemakers and turning the Double Deuce into a jumping hot-spot. My week 9 performance transcended what we thought was possible and will be revered for generations to come.
But here’s the thing in this game, you can’t get too big of a head. It’s important to acknowledge your achievements but you have to be able to move onto the next card. This week’s board is littered with challenging lines and spots. If you don’t refocus and put last week’s all-time performance behind you, you can get yourself into trouble. Luckily for my legions of fans, I am a man that knows how to get laser focused and live in the moment. You are all witnesses.
North Carolina at Syracuse (-2.5, O/U 44.5), Friday, October 31st, 7:30 pm EST
We have an official Halloween Friday Night Special this week! I will be trick or treating with two rabid kids and will only be able to catch the second half of this one, but that doesn’t matter. I see value in this game. It’s time to lay the wood on the Tar Heels.
The narrative around North Carolina and Bill Belichick has obviously been less than ideal. If you have been paying attention the last two weeks though, you see a team that is playing hard and has really turned a corner. Syracuse absolutely stinks. I am taking Belichick and the Tar Heels to cover and will be buying up the line to +3.
Navy at North Texas (O/U 65.5), Saturday, November 1st, 12:00 pm EST
Like it’s your kids’ bedtime all hopped up on sugar on Halloween, take the over.
Penn State at Ohio State (-19, O/U 45.5), Saturday, November 1st, 12:00 pm EST
This is a hold your nose play that I acknowledge could look very stupid by halftime. Penn State is coming off a bye that will have allowed them to regroup under interim HC Terry Smith, is playing a rival when no one is giving them a chance, and still has a lot of blue-chip talent up and down its roster. Ohio State losing this game would be an all-time upset. I am certainly not saying that is going to happen, but I do like Penn State to stay within this large number. I am going to buy it up to +20 or hopefully +21 and take the Nittany Lions to cover.
Notre Dame at Boston College (+30, O/U 55.5), Saturday, November 1st, 3:30 pm EST
As I mentioned last week in my college football playoffs preview, Notre Dame is going to get in. They know this and they know that their path to the playoffs starts by flexing their muscles against an awful Boston College team. I took this bet as soon as it hit the board and got it at Notre Dame -27.5. It has since moved but I still like it up to -30. Buy it down if you can.
Indiana at Maryland (+21.5, O/U 50.5), Saturday, November 1st, 3:30 pm EST
I love the over in this one. Indiana is a powerhouse right now and Maryland has shown they can put up points against some tough defenses. I like the fact that Indiana is on the road here and thus more likely to give up some points. I see this as a 38-20 type win for Indiana. Take the over.
Georgia at Florida (+7.5, O/U 50.5), Saturday, November 1st, 3:30 pm EST
A great rivalry game with an even better name (The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party). We are going to see a regrouped Florida team that will be rallying behind its interim HC Billy Gonzales after a bye week. Georgia has trailed at halftime in four of their five SEC games and rank last in the SEC in sacks. As mentioned last week, this isn’t your typical Georgia defense. I like Florida to keep it close and like the fact that we are getting a touchdown and the hook. Take Florida +7.5.
Texas Tech at Kansas State (+7.5, O/U 51.5), Saturday, November 1st, 3:30 pm EST
You know I love the Red Raiders this year. I also think this is a dangerous play because I have a feeling everyone is going to be on Kansas State. I just simply can’t deny the trends for this one.
Kansas State is clearly playing their best ball right now. They also have owned Texas Tech over the years going 11-2 ATS in their last 13 matchups. I have to take the Wildcats catching more than a touchdown at home in this spot.
Mississippi State at Arkansas (-4.5, O/U 65.5), Saturday, November 1st, 4:00 pm EST
This is a huge total. But it absolutely should be when considering the matchup here. Arkansas can’t stop anything on defense and will put up a lot of points being at home. Vegas doesn’t want you to take the over here because they can’t make this line high enough. Give me the over and buy it down a point if you can.
Oklahoma at Tennessee (-2.5, O/U 55.5), Saturday, November 1st, 7:30 pm EST
Tennessee has a legitimate pathway to the playoffs if they win out. While I was very high on Oklahoma at the start of this season, the hand injury to QB John Mateer really took the wind out of its sails. Even though he is playing through it, they haven’t been playing their best football over the last month. I like Tennessee and its high-power offense in a primetime spot here to cover the -2.5. Let’s also take the over and buy it down to 54.5.
Georgia Tech at NC State (+4.5, O/U 58.5), Saturday, November 1st, 7:30 pm EST
Georgia Tech is awesome this year and deserves to get into the playoffs. I have been taking them quite a bit this year and it’s been a rewarding experience. Let’s continue rolling with them in this road spot against an NC State team that has been playing very poorly the last 5 weeks. Take the Yellow Jackets to cover the -4.5.
USC at Nebraska (+4.5, O/U 59.5), Saturday, November 1st, 7:30 pm EST
To me this one is pretty simple. You take the team playing Nebraska when Nebraska is favored at home. You take Nebraska when they are getting points at home. Add to that, you have Matt Rhule signing an extension this week that clears any sort of drama about him jumping ship to one of the high-profile open positions. Even more importantly, you can refer to USC’s horrid 1-15 ATS record when playing in the Eastern or Central time zones. Take the Cornhuskers plus the points.
Last Week: 7-1
2025 Season: 35-35-1
Philly Front Office 
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