Outkick Bets: Rivalry Week Winners
Rivalry week is rock solid with animosity, trash-talking and cash. Set your feelings aside for just a couple minutes and line up the bets right now, we are making some money off these games. It's business now, hatred later.
#10 OKLAHOMA @ #7 OKLAHOMA STATE (-4.5)
Oklahoma struggles with teams that can play a lick of defense. We've seen it happen time after time this season and Oklahoma through this has proven they they just aren't elite this season. They get through some tough games but their best one awaits. Oklahoma State has been a straight-line of rock-solid defense this entire year. They never get too high or low. For proof, go look at their scores this year. Outside of a couple of outliers, you see a very consistent benchmark hit. It's why I like them in this game. This will be the most explosive offense they have played, however, Lincoln Riley is really just looking for a hot hand at QB and will just drag and drop which one he thinks can make a drive work. It's not sustainable. Mike Gundy is 2-14 against Oklahoma and there isn't much a better year than this to add one in the dub side. Cowboys -4.5.
PENN STATE @ #12 MICHIGAN STATE (+100)
We all saw it. Michigan State felt it. Now what to do about it? Win baby. State is back home where they are much more comfortable (it now so seems) and after a nice big helping of humble pie, they cannot wait to get back onto the field for redemption. I do not know if you can fix holes like they showed against Ohio State but they've got to try. Penn State's offense is ranked in the 80s in total and scoring offense, but they one thing they've got... a top 25 passing offense and are racking up 277 a game in their last 5 games. I think we get back to a more comfortable Sparty Saturday and we see a hard-earned win for Mel Tucker's crew.
#9 OLE MISS (+110) @ MISSISSIPPI STATE
Streaky. That's all I see in the numbers and on the field from both teams. Mississippi State has comeback down from 25 points just a couple weeks ago... but they got down 25. They let a big lead evaporate against Louisiana Tech and impressed with Kentucky and Texas A&M wins and then dropped disappoint games against LSU and Arkansas. Ole Miss is similar with fewer stretches. They've got a good win against Texas A&M too and a heart-breaking one against Auburn. Their defense is also streaky, ranking 101st in total defense, 83rd in passing defense and 107th in rush defense but have squared up to only allow 25.4 points per game (60th). Mississippi State has a sneakily strong defense. They are 21st in total defense but Ole Miss is either the best or 2nd best offense that State has seen and if their previous high-powered foe proved anything (Alabama), a long night could be in store for Mike Leach. Make no mistake, all focus is on this game for both squads because there is some real, real hatred in this game. Still, let's take Ole Miss to win.