One of the most transcendent careers in college football likely came to an end on Saturday, as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who probably should not have even taken the field against Mississippi State due to lingering ankle issues, went down with a separated hip that had him screaming in pain as he left the field and ended his season. It is likely that he will enter the draft — and that Mac Jones will take over the Tide offense for good. In other college football news, Penn State struggled to hold off Indiana a week after losing at Minnesota. If their defense can’t smother the Hoosier offense, it’s hard to see the Nittany Lions hanging with Ohio State this coming weekend. And what about Navy? A pair of early turnovers, combined with a Swiss-cheese secondary, saw the Midshipmen crash and burn in a 52-20 loss to Notre Dame. Navy hosts SMU this week, a program that can also burn you with deep balls. Can Navy recover? We have several college football week 13 betting picks for you to consider from the gridiron.
2019 College Football Week 13 Odds, Overview & Top Picks
College Football Power Rankings: Just like that, Oklahoma is back in the playoffs https://t.co/54ccS7oJ5p pic.twitter.com/rkZ7oE0Ony
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#9 Penn State (+18.5) at #2 Ohio State
This is an immense spread given the matchup of two top-ten teams. However, Ohio State has covered in eight of their ten games in 2019 and has not lost at home in a Big Ten matchup since the 2015 campaign. In the last two games between these two teams, Ohio State has won by a single point each time. With that said, Ohio State’s offense has taken off this season; even though they gave up 21 points to Rutgers last week (the most the Scarlet Knights had scored in a Big Ten game in two years) the Buckeyes cracked the 50-point barrier once again. Given Penn State’s offensive capabilities, I like Ohio State to win but Penn State to cover.
#11 Minnesota (-13) at Northwestern
The Golden Gophers have to be disappointed after last week, when they followed up that signature win over Penn State with a loss at Iowa. Minnesota can still clinch at least a share of their division title if they beat Northwestern. Will they take out some of their frustrations on the Wildcats? Or will they play underwhelming ball once again? I like Minnesota to win and cover.
Illinois (+14) at #19 Iowa
Everyone likes to make fun of Illinois football, but this isn’t the year to do it. They have beaten Wisconsin this season as part of a four-game winning streak. On the season, they have covered seven times in ten games, and when they have been underdogs by at least 10 points, they have covered four times in five opportunities. Iowa should win this, but I’m not sure they have the offense to beat Illinois by more than two touchdowns. I like Iowa to win but Illinois to cover.
West Virginia (+7.5) at #22 Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State is always entertaining — but always stressful for sports bettors as they have a terrific offense but have a way of giving up backdoor covers — or just falling apart late — thanks to that shoddy defense. We saw this when they hosted Baylor, leading late in the third but then losing by more than 20 points as Baylor put the hammer down late. West Virginia pushed Baylor hard, losing by just three points on the road, but they have only covered once as a single-digit underdog, and by this point the Mountaineers don’t have a lot to play for. I like Oklahoma State to win and cover.
#24 Texas A&M (+13.5) at #4 Georgia
Georgia has clinched the SEC East but must win out if they want a slot in the College Football Playoff. The Aggies have been underdogs twice this season, against Clemson and Alabama, and they covered once. I’m not sure that Georgia has the offense to pull away from the Aggies. Give me Georgia to win but Texas A&M to cover.
