Picks for 10/31/26
College Football
Maryland +2.5 over Illinois (loss)
Rotation #136 / Noon ET
Maryland, barring a remarkable turnaround, won’t be going to a bowl game this year. The Terrapins just fired head coach Mike Locksley, and interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim now faces an Illinois team without its starting quarterback and top running back. The Terrapins must capitalize on the Illini’s misfortunes. Maryland still has enough talent to attack an Illinois front seven featuring plenty of young faces. Iverson Howard and DeJuan Williams should be able to move the chains and soften up the Illinois defense enough for Malik Washington to find his targets. It’s never fun wagering on struggling teams, but there is value in the home underdog today. Take Maryland.
Maryland +2.5 over Illinois (loss)
Rotation #136 / Noon ET
Maryland, barring a remarkable turnaround, won’t be going to a bowl game this year. The Terrapins just fired head coach Mike Locksley, and interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim now faces an Illinois team without its starting quarterback and top running back. The Terrapins must capitalize on the Illini’s misfortunes. Maryland still has enough talent to attack an Illinois front seven featuring plenty of young faces. Iverson Howard and DeJuan Williams should be able to move the chains and soften up the Illinois defense enough for Malik Washington to find his targets. It’s never fun wagering on struggling teams, but there is value in the home underdog today. Take Maryland.
College Football
Ole Miss -11.5 over Auburn (win)
Rotation #192 / 12:45 PM ET
Ole Miss is a different team at home in Oxford and might be able to take a page from last week’s LSU playbook to keep Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown’s running ability in check. Brown is much more dangerous with his feet than with his arm. If the Rebels can slow him down, they should be able to force him into third-and-long situations where their defense can create turnovers. Ole Miss will miss running back Kewan Lacy today, but the Rebels have proven they can win without him, thanks to their incredible depth and next-man-up mentality. Makhi Frazier should run the ball effectively, and Trinidad Chambliss has one of the best receiving corps in the country at his disposal. I believe the Rebels are better in the trenches and should win the battle on both sides of the ball today. Take Ole Miss.
Ole Miss -11.5 over Auburn (win)
Rotation #192 / 12:45 PM ET
Ole Miss is a different team at home in Oxford and might be able to take a page from last week’s LSU playbook to keep Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown’s running ability in check. Brown is much more dangerous with his feet than with his arm. If the Rebels can slow him down, they should be able to force him into third-and-long situations where their defense can create turnovers. Ole Miss will miss running back Kewan Lacy today, but the Rebels have proven they can win without him, thanks to their incredible depth and next-man-up mentality. Makhi Frazier should run the ball effectively, and Trinidad Chambliss has one of the best receiving corps in the country at his disposal. I believe the Rebels are better in the trenches and should win the battle on both sides of the ball today. Take Ole Miss.
College Football
Kansas +6.5 over TCU (win)
Rotation #167 / 3:30 PM ET
TCU has the home-field advantage, but its running game isn’t the same without Jeremy Payne. Quarterback Jaden Craig won’t beat you with his legs, so Kansas should be able to make the Horned Frogs predictable on offense. The Jayhawks have a big offensive line and can run the ball effectively with Dylan Edwards, while quarterback Isaiah Marshall is a nightmare to slow down with his feet. That should create opportunities for Kansas to throw the football against a defense that cheats up to stop the run. The Jayhawks are coming off a big fourth-quarter comeback to beat Baylor and will look to carry that momentum into today’s matchup. Meanwhile, TCU is still licking its wounds after a tough home loss to West Virginia last week. Look for the Jayhawks to keep this one close. Take Kansas.
Kansas +6.5 over TCU (win)
Rotation #167 / 3:30 PM ET
TCU has the home-field advantage, but its running game isn’t the same without Jeremy Payne. Quarterback Jaden Craig won’t beat you with his legs, so Kansas should be able to make the Horned Frogs predictable on offense. The Jayhawks have a big offensive line and can run the ball effectively with Dylan Edwards, while quarterback Isaiah Marshall is a nightmare to slow down with his feet. That should create opportunities for Kansas to throw the football against a defense that cheats up to stop the run. The Jayhawks are coming off a big fourth-quarter comeback to beat Baylor and will look to carry that momentum into today’s matchup. Meanwhile, TCU is still licking its wounds after a tough home loss to West Virginia last week. Look for the Jayhawks to keep this one close. Take Kansas.
College Football
Oklahoma State -9.5 over Iowa State (pending)
Rotation #173 / 7:00 PM ET
Tonight’s battle features two brand-new coaching staffs with contrasting styles. Oklahoma State head coach Eric Morris likes to push the tempo, while Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers prefers to slow the game down. Both head coaches have done a remarkable job this year, but the Cowboys have been incredible out of the gate and are ranked in the Top 25. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker has the skill set to play on Sundays, while Justin Bowick and Wyatt Young have been touchdown machines. The Cowboys’ offense can score from anywhere on the field in the blink of an eye. Iowa State has an incredible running back in Aiden Flora, and if the Cyclones can take an early lead, they are hard to come back against with him pounding the rock. However, this team isn’t built to play from behind. The Cowboys have more talent and experience at the Power Conference level, which is why oddsmakers have made them sizable road favorites. Take Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State -9.5 over Iowa State (pending)
Rotation #173 / 7:00 PM ET
Tonight’s battle features two brand-new coaching staffs with contrasting styles. Oklahoma State head coach Eric Morris likes to push the tempo, while Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers prefers to slow the game down. Both head coaches have done a remarkable job this year, but the Cowboys have been incredible out of the gate and are ranked in the Top 25. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker has the skill set to play on Sundays, while Justin Bowick and Wyatt Young have been touchdown machines. The Cowboys’ offense can score from anywhere on the field in the blink of an eye. Iowa State has an incredible running back in Aiden Flora, and if the Cyclones can take an early lead, they are hard to come back against with him pounding the rock. However, this team isn’t built to play from behind. The Cowboys have more talent and experience at the Power Conference level, which is why oddsmakers have made them sizable road favorites. Take Oklahoma State.
College Football
Nebraska -7.5 over Washington (pending)
Nebraska/Washington Over 49.5 (pending)
Rotation #196 / 8:00 PM ET
Washington hits the road with uncertainty about quarterback Demond Williams Jr.’s return. Elijah Brown has performed well in Williams’ absence, but the Huskies are dealing with numerous injuries in their running back room, forcing them to rely heavily on the passing game. Not being able to run the football consistently on the road is a major concern, and things have gotten even worse with offensive lineman Landen Hatchett now out for the season. Nebraska has a dual-threat quarterback in Anthony Colandrea and multiple players who can contribute out of the backfield. The Cornhuskers also have a talented group of receivers and a very experienced offensive line. The game isn’t played on paper, but that is a recipe for winning football. Nebraska is coming off back-to-back close losses and will be looking for a punching bag at home. The Cornhuskers should use a well-balanced offensive attack to move the chains, control the clock, and take command of the game. Take Nebraska. Take the Over. No parlays.
Nebraska -7.5 over Washington (pending)
Nebraska/Washington Over 49.5 (pending)
Rotation #196 / 8:00 PM ET
Washington hits the road with uncertainty about quarterback Demond Williams Jr.’s return. Elijah Brown has performed well in Williams’ absence, but the Huskies are dealing with numerous injuries in their running back room, forcing them to rely heavily on the passing game. Not being able to run the football consistently on the road is a major concern, and things have gotten even worse with offensive lineman Landen Hatchett now out for the season. Nebraska has a dual-threat quarterback in Anthony Colandrea and multiple players who can contribute out of the backfield. The Cornhuskers also have a talented group of receivers and a very experienced offensive line. The game isn’t played on paper, but that is a recipe for winning football. Nebraska is coming off back-to-back close losses and will be looking for a punching bag at home. The Cornhuskers should use a well-balanced offensive attack to move the chains, control the clock, and take command of the game. Take Nebraska. Take the Over. No parlays.