We had a solid 4-2 week Sandman Nation, pushing us to 16-13 for the season. Not a ton of games stood out this week, so we’re spotlighting just three. Before jumping into the picks, let’s check the ATS season alerts. Two teams—BYU and Eastern Michigan—are 5-0 ATS, while Illinois sits at 4-0-1. Several others are 4-0 ATS, including Tennessee and Army. On the flip side, Kansas and Kent State are 0-5 ATS. This week, we’re betting against a 4-0 ATS team—details below!
Rutgers at Nebraska (-7) (*All lines are from DraftKings Sportsbook)
Rutgers has quietly continued to impress, securing a significant home win against Washington. Along with Indiana, the Scarlet Knights are one of the feel-good stories of the season in the Big 10. Head coach Greg Schiano remains underrated, consistently maximizing his team’s potential. Rutgers will undoubtedly come to Lincoln prepared for a battle. However, this year’s Nebraska squad is not the same as in past seasons. The famed “Blackshirts” defense appears to be revitalized, ranking 13th in the nation in total defense and 9th in turnover margin. On the offensive side, freshman sensation Dylan Raiola grows more comfortable every week, and the Cornhuskers are showing steady improvement on that side of the ball. Nebraska’s passionate fan base will provide an intimidating atmosphere and the Scarlet Knights will get rattled early. Rutgers will likely struggle to generate consistent offense, and turnovers could become an issue. Nebraska wins by double digits and continue their upward trajectory back to blue blood status.
The Pick: Nebraska -7
Tennessee at Arkansas (+13.5)
Tennessee has been dominant this season, going 4-0 against the spread and showcasing the nation’s 4th-ranked offense, racking up an impressive 515 yards per game. Their defense has been just as elite, sitting at No. 1 overall, allowing a mere 159 yards per game. Arkansas, meanwhile, comes into this game frustrated after a narrow loss to Texas A&M, a game they had opportunities to win. While Tennessee looks strong, the Razorbacks get spotted a lot of points in this SEC clash, and Sam Pittman will have his team fired up for the primetime showdown in Fayetteville. Quarterback Taylen Green is settling into his role nicely, having passed for 279 yards against the Aggies, and the Razorbacks are capable of producing yards on offense. If they can slow down Tennessee and force a couple of turnovers, the home crowd will play a huge role in keeping it loud and raucous. Tennessee is a great team, but this feels like a potential letdown spot, and Arkansas has a legitimate shot at pulling off an upset in front of a rowdy home crowd.
The Pick: Arkansas +13.5
Duke at Georgia Tech (-8)
At first glance, this line might seem strange. Duke comes in a surprising 5-0 and Georgia Tech lost their last game by 12 points against Louisville and sits at 3-2. However, Duke’s wins have been against less than impressive competition, and I still don’t know how North Carolina let them claw back from a 20 point deficit on Saturday to win. Georgia Tech, coming off a well-timed bye, is healthier and rested. Coach Brent Key has built a solid team, and QB Haynes King’s dual-threat ability should pose problems. I like Georgia Tech to take advantage of a Duke team that may be fatigued from their rivalry win.
The Pick: Georgia Tech -8
