Three picks, best bets for Saturday’s slate

Boy, does that line look suspicious?

No. 11 BYU is undefeated and just beat arch-nemesis Utah In a huge matchbut the Cougars are 2.5-point underdogs on the road against reeling Iowa State.

The Cyclones started the season in style, winning five straight games, but lost two in the round to Cincinnati and Colorado, and now need to run the table and get help if they want to reach the Big 12 Championship Game.

You can back up this line with some logic. Iowa State isn’t one of the best teams in the world, but the Cyclones are solid. Additionally, they have a bye, and BYU will travel 1,100 miles after winning the “Holy War” last weekend.

It’s a classic disappointment spot. But BYU’s stylistic edge is broad enough to offset these concerns.

The Cougars boast a rushing attack led by running back LJ Martin and freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. This presents a problem for the Hurricanes, who are rated average when it comes to stopping the run.

Don’t become nice. The Cougars are back in this one.

Pick: BYU +2.5 (-108, FanDuel)

Baylor (+3.5, -110) over Cincinnati

There are so many wonderful surprises in store College football This season.

Indiana is one of the best teams in the country. Vanderbilt isn’t too far behind the Hoosiers. And Virginia is making noise in the ACC. Recently, the secret around Cincinnati has been exposed as well.

The Bearcats are on a six-game winning streak after losing to Nebraska in Week 1, and now find themselves ranked No. 21.

It’s great. But it’s also a bit of smoke and mirrors.

Opponents during Cincy’s winning streak: Bowling Green, Northwestern State, Kansas State, Iowa State, UCF and Oklahoma State. A couple of impressive wins, but nothing that fazes you.

Baylor pulls the upset.

Betting on college football?

Toledo (+1.5, -128) vs. Washington State

We owe a great deal of gratitude to the cougars in Washington state, but this is just the right place.

Wazzu nearly upset Ole Miss in Oxford in Week 7 and then went to Charlottesville and faced the Cinderella of Virginia.

Now, the Cougars return across the country to host Toledo. It was quite the showdown after trying to play spoiler against two teams with their sights set on the College Football Playoff.

We’ll never forget the two weeks we spent supporting the Cougars on their road trip, but we’ll be jumping off the wagon before it’s too late.

Last week: 3-0. Penn State (W), Georgia (W), Washington State (W).

season: 18-6

Why trust the New York Post to bet

Michael LeBoeuf is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-time profitable sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help gamblers win pots, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.