I split my two MLB picks on Friday night but I’m off to a 3-0 start in college football after Colorado thumped Colorado State as a 7-point favorite.
With a complete slate in both Major League Baseball and college football, here’s what I like on Saturday…
193 Washington vs. 194 Auburn, 2:30 p.m. CT
Listeners of “The Turn” might be surprised to see me taking the Huskies here because I initially liked the Tigers but the more I look at this matchup, the more I like Washington. One of the reasons I was drawn to Auburn is that the Tigers are basically the Huskies will fly cross country to play in Atlanta, where Auburn will fill Mercedes-Benz Stadium with Tiger fans. That said, Washington is the more complete team. Not only do they boast experienced talent on offense with four-year starters Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin, but their strength defensively is their pass defense. The Huskies’ secondary should wipe away one of Auburn’s strengths, which is Jarrett Stidham and its passing attack.
Prediction: Washington +2.5
211 Michigan vs. 212 Notre Dame, 6:30 p.m. CT
The more I think about the side in this game, the less I like it. Michigan now has a legitimate quarterback in Shea Patterson but it could take him a quarter or two to settle in. One thing I do know: Both of these defenses can play. Once again, Jim Harbaugh will have an outstanding defense, one that could overwhelm Notre Dame’s offense. Plus, with Michigan wide receiver Tarik Black out with a broken foot, the Wolverines will be shorthanded offensively. The total has already dropped from 47 down to 46 and could drop further so if you like the under as well, take it now.
Prediction: Under 46
213 Louisville vs. 214 Alabama, 7:00 p.m. CT
Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s Jalen Hurts or Tua Tagovailoa under center for Alabama because the Tide will score regardless. This is one of the deepest and most-talented receiving corps that Nick Saban has had since arriving in Tuscaloosa. Tagovailoa will elevate the passing game when he’s in the game but Hurts is a dangerous runner so I expect Saban to use both players. On the other side of the ball, Louisville has to replace Lamar Jackson but I expect the Cardinals to reach pay dirt a few times versus an Alabama defense that will need to break in new coordinator Tosh Lupoi. I love the over tonight.
Prediction: Over 61
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957 Pittsburgh Pirates at 958 Atlanta Braves, 6:10 p.m. CT
Chris Archer has struggled in a Pirates uniform. In his last start, he allowed six runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in a loss to the Brewers. Since the trade, Archer’s ERA is up to 6.45 and I doubt he gets on track tonight against the Braves. Speaking of, Kevin Gausman has pitched very well for Atlanta, firing back-to-back shutouts in wining four games in a row. He also held this same Pirates team scoreless on August 21 but I expect Pittsburgh’s offense to fare better tonight since it just saw Gausman. The over is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings between these two teams in Atlanta.
Prediction: Over 8.5
961 Colorado Rockies at 962 San Diego Padres, 7:40 p.m. CT
The Rockies tend to struggle offensively when away from Coors Field and that certainly has been the case lately. Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado are a combined 2-for-27 in the last two games for the Rockies, who were held to five singles in last night’s 7-0 loss in San Diego. The under is 4-1 in the Padres’ last five home games, is 6-0 in the last six meetings between these two teams, and is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings between these two teams in San Diego.
Prediction: Under 7
Season Prediction Records
MLB: 35-17 (67.3%)
College Football: 3-0 (100.0%)
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