We are rapidly approaching the end of a wild 2020 college football season, with many of the nation’s top programs already finished with their regular-season slate. Ohio State vs. Michigan was sadly canceled, robbing us of one of the sport’s biggest rivalries. However, the Buckeyes were handed a lifeline and a free trip to the Big 10 title game next weekend despite only playing five games. Still, there are still plenty of meaningful games scheduled this weekend as the push for the College Football Playoff continues. Below are some picks for the best games of week 15 as we look to bounce back after a dismal 1-4 showing last week:
Last Week’s Picks: 1-4
9 Georgia (-13) at #25 Missouri
The Bulldogs finally get back on the field after having last weekend’s game against Vanderbilt postponed due to COVID issues in the Commodores’ program. Missouri comes in hot to this one, winning three straight and sitting at an impressive 5-3 in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year in new coach Eli Drinkawitz’s maiden campaign. The Tigers hung an impressive 50 points in a huge comeback win over Arkansas last weekend, and the offense will look to continue its hot streak against a Georgia defense that, while still great, continues to deal with injuries. The total in this one is currently at a strangely low 53.5, as Vegas seems to continue to ignore how impressive Georgia’s offense has looked since JT Daniels took over at QB. Couple that with a Missouri defense that got absolutely roasted to the tune of 48 points last week to an Arkansas team starting a true freshman QB, and you should have a recipe for an easy over in this one.
The Pick: Georgia -13 & Over 53.5
LSU at #6 Florida (-23.5)
It has pained me to pick Florida to cover and hit overs the past couple of weeks, and they have failed me each time. Time to switch it up this week as the LSU Tigers come to Gainesville to face a Gators squad that will undoubtedly have one eye on next weekend’s SEC Championship game against Alabama. There is no doubt that LSU has been awful this year, but ever since Florida’s excellent performance in a huge win over Georgia a month ago, they have slogged a bit in wins over Vandy, Kentucky, and Tennessee. LSU’s seemingly lost offense should be able to find enough success against a still-shaky Gators defense to score somewhere in the 20s, and that should be enough to cover this large spread.
The Pick: LSU +23.5
17 UNC at #10 Miami (-3)
This ACC matchup in Miami should be the most entertaining matchup of the weekend. The Hurricanes have sort of just drifted along to a quiet 8-1 record, with most of America forgetting about them after their loss to Clemson earlier in the year. Enter a UNC team who, despite three losses, is having an excellent year offensively under Mack Brown. Miami’s defense is salty, but nobody outside of Notre Dame has been able to completely stunt the Tar Heels. Miami’s offense has also hit its stride under D’Eriq King, and Carolina’s defense continues to be the Achilles heel of the program. Expect to see plenty of points in this one, making the over the safest play in a matchup that could go either way.
The Pick: Over 67.5
15 USC (-2.5) at UCLA
The biggest game in the Pac 12 this weekend involved the conference’s last unbeaten team in the Trojans. UCLA is finally starting to find its footing a bit after back to back wins over both Arizona and Arizona State, and Chip Kelly’s team will look to continue its momentum in this rivalry matchup. Kedon Slovis and the USC offense looked excellent last week in its runaway 38-13 win over Washington State, and head coach Clay Helton always seems to do just enough to keep the heat off of his seat in Los Angeles. The line being this tight is a reflection of UCLA’s strong win last week, but USC is undoubtedly the best of a bad bunch of teams in the Pac 12 this season. They should be able to cover this low spread in what should be an entertaining game under the lights in the Rose Bowl.
The Pick: USC -2.5
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