Top NCAAF Betting Picks for Week 13

Now that the smell of Thanksgiving turkey is about to start wafting through kitchens all over the United States, that means that it’s time for the big rivalry games in college football. Yes,  Oklahoma and Oklahoma State already had their Bedlam game thanks to the vagaries of Big 12 scheduling, but such matchups as Ole Miss-Mississippi State and the Iron Bowl, featuring Alabama and Auburn, are set for this weeekend. Check out our college football odds & NCAAF betting predictions for some of the best matchups you’ll see while digging through turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings.

Top NCAAF Betting Picks for Week 13

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Thursday, November 23

Ole Miss (+15) at MIssissippi State (7:30pm ET, ESPN)

Ole Miss does have an offense that can roll up the points. However, they couldn’t stop the Texas A&M offense when it mattered — and the Aggies are in lame-duck mode with their head coach, as Kevin Sumlin is almost certainly headed to the coaching carousel after this season. The problem with Ole Miss is that they can’t stop the run and they don’t cover well, so they have to outscore their poor defense. Mississippi State has a bruising defense and a big offensive line. NCAAF Betting Prediction: Mississippi State 31, Ole Miss 13.

Friday, November 24

Baylor at TCU (12:00pm ET, FS1)

There was a time, a couple seasons ago, when this was the marquee matchup of the Big 12. However, Art Briles is still so radioactive that the Hamilton TigerCats of the CFL couldn’t even bring him in as an assistant without an uproar. Gary Patterson has his Horned Frogs playing well even with quarterback Kenny Hill remaining questionable and, frankly, he shouldn’t need to play him against a Baylor team that has only beaten Kansas this year. NCAAF Betting Prediction: TCU 55, Baylor 16

South Florida (+10.5) at UCF (4:30pm ET, ABC)

This is an odd line — South Florida has just one loss, and they still have Charlie Strong at the helm, and Quinton Flowers running the offense. They travel to a UCF team that remains undefeated but does have some defensive issues. I see the Bulls pushing UCF hard in this game, and while UCF might well win, I don’t see it going down in this dominant a fashion. NCAAF Betting Prediction: UCF 34, South Florida 31

Saturday, November 25

Washington State (+9.5) at Washington (Time/TV TBA)

Washington State comes out of the bye ready to face in-state rival Washington, and Mike Leach has to be a lot more interested in this game for his Cougars than Washington has to be, given that they were headed for the College Football Playoff a year ago. Both teams played Utah in their last contests, with the Cougars knocking off the Utes by eight on the road two weeks ago and the Huskies holding them off by three at home last week. Mike Leach has more tricks up his sleeve than Washington right now. He’s got a lot bigger chip on his sleeve right now than Washington does. NCAAF Betting Prediction: Washington State 34, Washington 30

Alabama (-4) at Auburn (3:30pm ET, CBS)

The Iron Bowl brings all sorts of intrigue this year. Auburn has scored at least 40 points in each of their last four games, including a 40-17 shellacking of Georgia two weeks ago. The last two times Auburn beat Georgia in SEC play, they went on to beat Alabama and head to the SEC title game. Jalen Hurts and the Alabama offense looked smooth against FCS foe Mercer last week, but they did have some hiccups the prior two games against LSU and Mississippi State. With their four top linebackers either out or questionable for this game, can the Tide stop Auburn on the road? This will be a barnburner of a game, with both offenses on display. However, that rash of injuries will be too much for the Tide to bear. NCAAF Betting Prediction: Auburn 31, Alabama 27