We are heading into what normally would be the conference championship week for college football. Due to the delayed start of the 2020 season, though, we are heading instead into a week or two (depending on the conference) of rescheduled games that were postponed from earlier weeks due to COVID-19 spread in programs.
As you consider your NFL betting options for this weekend, here are the best games to watch.
NCAA News: Top Games to Watch for Week 14
Saturday, December 5
Texas A&M (+3.5) at Auburn (12:00 pm ET, ESPN)
It’s interesting to see the fifth-ranked Aggies heading to Auburn as underdogs in this SEC West showdown. The Aggies have won five in a row since losing to Alabama, including a 20-7 win over LSU last weekend that was shakier than the final score indicated. Auburn had won three games in a row before getting demolished in the Iron Bowl by Alabama last weekend.
In the win over LSU, Kellen Mond went just 11 of 34 for 105 yards. Isaiah Spiller carried the ball 27 times for 141 yards and a touchdown. In the loss to Alabama, Bo Nix threw for 227 yards but had two interceptions. Mark-Antony Richards carried the ball for 57 yards on 14 attempts. Auburn has had better offense lately, but top defenses have shut them down, and the Aggies should be able to lock them down. I like Texas A&M to cover.
Indiana (+12.5) at Wisconsin (3:30 pm ET, ABC)
This really is an unfathomable line after Indiana only lost at Ohio State by a touchdown. They bounced back by beating Maryland to move to 5-1, while Wisconsin has a 2-1 record due to multiple COVID-19 cancellations. They humiliated Illinois and Michigan to start the season, but after a couple of weeks off, they turned the ball over three times in a loss to Northwestern.
It is important to note that Indiana quarterback Michael Penix is out for this game. However, the running game was solid behind 106 yards from Tim Baldwin and 80 yards and three touchdowns from Stevie Scott. Wisconsin has a terrific freshman quarterback in Graham Mertz, but he threw three picks against Northwestern. Even without Penix, I like Indiana to cover.
West Virginia (+6.5) at Iowa State (3:30 pm ET, ESPN)
West Virginia comes in at 5-3 with two wins in their last three games. They have beaten Kansas State and TCU during that stretch but have lost to Texas. Iowa State comes in on a four-game winning streak, currently at 7-2. Their recent run includes wins over Kansas, Baylor, Kansas State and Texas. If you’re not familiar with West Virginia this year, they have changed from trying to put up 60 points a game, like they used to do under head coach Dana Holgorsen. Now that Neal Brown is running things, they are a defense-first unit that has shut down some quality offenses this year.
In their win over TCU, West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Doege threw two touchdown pases and accounted for 212 yards, and Leddie Brown ran the ball 24 times for 156 yards. If the Mountaineer offense can keep moving like that, then they will have a shot against Iowa State. In beating Texas, Iowa State got 312 yards and a touchdown pass from Brock Purdy, and Breece Hall carried the ball 20 times for 91 yards and a touchdown. West Virginia has covered in five of their last six games overall and in five of their last seven games against a team with a winning record. I like their mental toughness and, given the size of this line (and the prowess of the West Virginia defense), I like West Virginia to cover.
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