NCAAF Week 12 ATS Hit List: Do Style Points Count?

The thunder and lightning that was Week 11 in college football has now come and gone.

Some teams now have different tasks to do the same thing: impress the Selection Committee and earn a spot in the CFP's Featured Four.

Given scars and schedules, this is setting up to be a daunting week.

 

Take the Ohio State Buckeyes. Dudes just got dumped from the CFP top rank because LSU beat a tougher team than they did. That's just the way the schedule laid out, but the perspective lingers.

So, do the Buckeyes blast through an already incredibly high line this week to show they're doing what is seemingly expected of them?

• At what point does such a tactic become villainy?
• Where does the specter of exposing starters to injury by leaving them in for meaningless snaps?

Is this really what should go into the race for a major championship?

 

Sooner or later, this insanity will be overcome and a more credible playoff system will be approved.

Right now, though, it's time to wonder how much CFP contenders and those vying for better bowls are concerned with style points. As usual, we have thoughts on the matter.

Remember, though, we're basis our predictions on the week's early lines. Should you avail yourself of our reasoning, please check to see where the numbers stand at the time you take action.

 

Ohio State -50½ at Rutgers

Is 50½ a lot of points? That depends. It’s not too many for Ohio State to offer.

The Buckeyes are 8-1 ATS. Since not covering against Florida Atlantic, they’ve beaten the spread eight games in a row. Ohio State dominated Maryland, 73-14, in Week 11. The Scarlet Knights are 2-7 ATS.

This isn't about impressing the CFP. It's simply inevitable. Lay the 50½.

Result: Ohio State 56 Rutgers 21 ... Scarlet Knights cover

 

Michigan State at Michigan -13

The Spartans allow 23.6 points per game. In Week 11, Illinois scored 27 in the fourth quarter to upset them, 37-34. Michigan State's in big trouble. Their AD doesn't say it's gonna happen, but it still might be time for a change.

That won’t happen before the Wolverines dominate and cover in the Big House, though.

Result: Michigan 44 Michigan State 10 ... Wolverines cover

 

Indiana +14 at Penn State

Penn State’s furious rally versus Minnesota came up short. The Nittany Lions remain in the CFP hunt and control their own destiny in the Big Ten.

They may try to take out their Gopher game frustrations on Indiana, but these under-the-radar Hoosiers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games. Take the points.

Result: Penn State 34 Indiana 27 ... Hoosiers cover

 

Navy +11 at Notre Dame

Although the Irish should win, the sportsbooks are offering too many points here. Navy's gone 11-2 ATS in the last 13 meetings at Notre Dame. The Midshipmen also 6-2 ATS total and 4-1 ATS in their previous 5.

The Irish are in for a battle. This one's too close to call, so an 11-spread is too much.

Result: Notre Dame 52 Navy 20 ... Fighting Irish cover

West Virginia at Kansas State -12

Kansas State should dominate here. The Wildcats are 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games.

They're also 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games. The Mountaineers are in for a long day.

Result: West Virginia 24 Kansas State 20 ... Mountainers cover

Texas at Iowa State -7

Even though they’ve lost two in a row, the Cyclones should be a -7 favorite. The Longhorns are 0-3 ATS in their last 3.

Iowa State is 4-0 ATS in their previous 4. Dudes cover.

Result: Iowa State 23 Texas 21 ... Cyclones cover

UCLA +20 at Utah

We mentioned that the slow-starting Bruins amazingly controlled their own destiny a few weeks ago, and now it's time for the rubber to meet the road.

UCLA is 3-0 ATS in their last 3. The Utes are 5-0 ATS in their previous 5. Utah should win, but 20 points are too many to give up.

UCLA gets the cover even though they leave Rice-Eccles Stadium with a loss.

Result: Utah 49 UCLA 3 ... Utes cover

 

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Sportbet Columnist: Josh Bailey ... Today: 3-4

Aspiring to become the Mark Twain of sportswriting, Josh has been labelled as the up-&-coming sportswriter of the year by absolutely nobody and the new heavy hitter in sports handicapping by his mother.