SUBSCRIBE NOW to receive sports pick alerts by text message or email.
Freddy releases this two play package guaranteed to go 2-0 or you get your $$ back and Sunday's full NFL card absolutely FREE! Week 3 is Freddy's best week for college football picks going 41-18 ATS in his career during week 3 over 7 seasons!
Hard for me not to fade Army this week given the facts of their traveling situation and dealing with the mourning of a fallen teammate in Brandon Jackson. Sometimes itâs just easier to not have to play football. While I donât question this Army team whatsoever, I just think UTEP is a heck of a lot better than people realize. Last week they lost 41-7 against Texas, but their defense looked better, and now they get their QB back this week in Zack Greenlee Jr. who was excellent in week 1 and a transfer from Fresno State.
UTEP has a strong offensive line behind their coach Sean Kuger a former offensive lineman himself and they have an elite RB. Aaron Jones was lost to injury after 2 games last year, but this is a guy who can be playing at the next level. He had 18 carries for 123 yards last week, and should be able to run all over Army as UTEP has no problem opening up the offense throwing the ball downfield. I saw many people running wide open last week when Rice went on the road to play Army. The Rice QB was just so beyond awful.
While UTEP has questions on the defensive side of the ball the strength is linebacker. I expect Alvin Jones their top guy to play despite being listed as questionable. Once again itâs hard to imagine backing Army as a road favorite especially when they are traveling this far for a game the week they lose a teammate. UTEP, held Texas 3-12 on third down and New Mexico State 5-15 on third down. Obviously the key in a game vs. Army. I know they havenât seen the triple option before, but I like their chances to get enough stops here.
Ohio State is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. the Big 12, they are 40-16-1 ATS in their last 57 road games while the Sooners are just 0-4 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games. Without a doubt this would be a much larger play if we had line value as this was +9 Ohio State over the summer, but enter the loss to Houston and some other things going on and Ohio State is a small favorite which I still like with Urban Meyer at the helm.
Everyone wants to talk about all the talent Ohio State had to replace. Well this is a team that recruits well and reloads like Alabama and they have arguably a better coach. If you have listened to me in the past you know Iâm not high on the Big 12, and even though Oklahoma has not been a home dog since 2000, I think they can get beat in this game. Actually in 2014 this team lost 3 games at home as a favorite under Stoops. Oklahoma also lost a lot of talent that nobody is talking about. They lost 5 linebackers, a bunch on the defensive line and offensive line is extremely young. Oklahomaâs offensive line does not have a single senior and just one junior, but hey they still have Baker Mayfield? Ohio State meanwhile still has arguably their best two defensive players from last year although nobody would admit. Tyquan Lewis led the team with 8 sacks last year and Raekwon McMillan, a 5 star athlete led the team in tackles.
Ohio Stateâs secondary was the big concern this year, but they already look better than many expected. I really like the hire of Greg Schiano whose defenses always exceeded expectations at Rutgers. This is an aggressive group that specializes in havoc and forcing 3 and outs. That means Ohio State could get up early in this game and I think Baker Mayfield is going to make a few mistakes. Honestly, I donât think heâs that great, I just think he plays in the Big 12. When asked to do it against athletic defenses heâs struggled (see Clemson).
There is just too much pressure I think on Oklahoma in this spot and thatâs never good for Stoops. Oklahoma was good on defense against Houston, but I think Mike Weber, and J.T. Barret will provide more of a challenge. We have seen this defense struggle in the past against dual threat offenses like this. Also important to note is the fact that Oklahoma lost to Houston this year with Tom Herman as the coach. Herman served under Urban Meyer as his offensive coordinator when they won the national championship. Iâm sure Meyer picked up the phone a few times before this match up.
Where to find Freddy?