Black Shoe Degenerates: Week 3

It wouldn't be wrong to say last week was an improvement over the opening of the season, but then again most anything would have been. Our Nittany Lions won the most forgettable 13 point game in the history of football. More importantly in this space though, my favorite play of the week (Bowling Green +7.5) was a massive winner. I hope you all took a flyer on that delicious moneyline too, and are now drinking your winnings!

Rutgers at Penn State (-10)

One of my favorite Sunday Twitter things is to post the opening line to the Penn State game the following weekend. This past weekend, when PSU opened as a 7 point favorite over Rutgers, the reaction was rather unique. By that I mean that fans of both schools were adamant you should bet the other.

Interestingly enough, the line really hasn't been affected too much by the Leonte Carroo suspension, nor the Kyle Flood suspension. Yes, the line has moved up rather steadily all week, but the timing of those increases did not really match up to the growing dumpster fire in Jersey.

What would I do? I would keep on reading and find a better game to bet. With PSU the definition of inconsistent on offense, and so many questions around the Knights, this just feels like throwing money away. Although, if you managed to get PSU earlier in the week, the money says you got some value there.

Top Plays

Last week in this location, we told you that you should jump all over Bowling Green +7.5 against Maryland. All the Falcons did was lay waste to the Terps, routing the hosts 48-27. All I have to say about that is "Where My Falcons At".

When Eli sent me his picks for this week, we were both in complete agreement on one game again. That would be Temple -10.5 versus UMass. That is actually down 2 points from the 12.5 we both liked it at. So, you can imagine my giddiness at checking the latest spreads and seeing it's moved down. Temple is a rather dominant 2-0 against the spread early on, and UMass lost by 34 points to Colorado last week. Your only concern here should be an Owl let down.

Last week Eli took a run at Ohio State -41 against Hawaii. I wisely stayed away, given the Buckeye's short week after a big win in Blacksburg. OSU looked like a team that had only three days of real practice, and five total days off between games in their 38-0 win over the Rainbow Warriors. This week, Urbz and Co. are -34.5 at home against Northern Illinois. The Huskies are 2-0, but have given up roughly all the points in wins against UNLV and Murray State. Coming off something of a disappointment last week, I expect the defending champs to put on a show and easily cover.

Eli's #HOT #PICKS

Clemson -6 at Louisville - I may be wrong, but Louisvile hasn't started 0 - 3 in the past 20 years. It's going to happen this year, and I'm honestly surprised Clemson is only getting 6 points after Louisville's performance against Auburn, who we just found out isn't actually the 6th best team in the country, and Houston, who's, well, Houston. Yes, Louisville is at home and they're not a bad team, but Houston. Oh, and this opened up as a pick 'em.

USF +8.5 at Maryland - Maryland has proven that they have just enough offense to score a few points, but they can't stop anybody defensively. South Florida, on the other hand, went toe to toe with Florida State for three quarters until Florida State finally pulled away in the fourth. I wouldn't be surprised if they, like Bowling Green last week, end up winning outright.

Last Week's Prop Bet Results

Offensive Snaps Before Audible Booing (O/U 3.5) - I was only moderately buzzed given the early kick, but I'm pretty sure we got some nice boo birds after Akeel Lynch was stopped on the game's third play from scrimmage.

Penn State RB Rushing Attempts (O/U 37.5) - 32

Number of Jet Sweeps (O/U All of them) - There may have been 1, but the "gadget" play of the day was the slot reverse to Brandon Polk. It worked pretty well too. *ducks*

Number of True Freshman Seeing Action (O/U 5.5) - 5 (Brandon Polk, John Reid, Saquon Barkley, Jake Cooper, Manny Bowen)

Team TFLs (O/U 11.5) - 6.5

Attendance (O/U 95,000) - 93,065

Fun Prop Bets to Make At Your Daylong Tailgate

Saquon Barkley Rushing Attempts - O/U 14.5

DeAndre Thompkins Punt Return TDs - O/U .5

Announced Attendance - O/U 100,000

Actual Jet Sweeps - O/U 3.5

Number of Jet Sweeps People Claim - 35.5

Kyle Flood Tries to Get On Sideline Wearing This - +450