Hello there, and welcome to Nikkel’s Picks. I’ve scoured the sportsbooks, looking for some bets for “entertainment purposes” to provide for the people. Here are some picks I like at both the college and professional levels, mixed in with some local flavor.
#13 Oklahoma State at Tulsa (Saturday at 11 a.m. CT, ESPN2)
The pick: Over 62.5 points
After the chaos that was Arkansas-Oklahoma State last Saturday, the Cowboys travel east to Tulsa to face off against the Golden Hurricane. We’ve seen the best and worst of Oklahoma State in their first two games, and Tulsa is a solid opponent. I think your safest bet is the over. Oklahoma State scored 44 and 39 in their first two games, and we know Tulsa can score under Kevin Wilson. I’m thinking Oklahoma State wins comfortably, but with the spread at -18.5, I can’t pull the trigger on it. Take the over and have fun. As for an actual score prediction, I’ll say Oklahoma State 45, Tulsa 21.
Tulane at #15 Oklahoma (Saturday at 2:30 CT, ESPN)
The pick: Tulane +13.5
Oklahoma did not look good against Big 12 bottom feeder Houston, squeaking out a 16-12 victory at the Palace on the Prairie. Tulane lost a rock fight with Kansas State in New Orleans. Can they keep that same energy in Norman? I think so. I’m going to take the Green Wave. The last time they were here was in 2021, and they almost pulled off the upset in a 40-35 loss (Tulane went 2-10 that year). I think it’ll be a stressful game for Sooner fans, but they’ll escape with another win. My score prediction: Sooners 24, Green Wave 17.
Saints at Cowboys (Sunday at 12 p.m. CT, FOX)
The pick: Cowboys -6
This game is a tough call. You have the Saints, fresh off a Panther pouncing, and a Cowboy team that dominated the Browns in Cleveland. The line has moved slightly, with the Cowboys now a six-point favorite instead of six and a half. I think you have to take the Cowboys here. They played great against a significantly better team, and I’m not sure if the Saints can do that against a legitimate opponent. For a score prediction, I’ll say Cowboys 27, Saints 13.
#16 LSU at South Carolina (Saturday at 11 a.m. CT, ABC)
The pick: South Carolina +6.5
College GameDay is entering the Sandstorm this week for the first time in nearly 10 years, after the Gamecocks got a big victory over Kentucky in Lexington. LSU had a comfortable victory over Nicholls State, but their defense leaves something to be desired. I like Carolina as a home dog here. I also expect a lot of points to be scored.
North Texas at Texas Tech (Saturday at 11 a.m. CT, FS1)
The pick: North Texas +9.5
Texas Tech is not who I thought they would be. I expected much better from them against Abilene Christian and Washington State, but they have yet to show any improvement. Joey McGuire has a bad track record in September. North Texas is a live opponent, and Chandler Morris has been having a great season so far. I expect that to continue in a close-fought game. I’m taking the Mean Green in West Texas.
Texas A&M at Florida (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC)
The pick: Under 46.5 points
Earlier in the week, I really considered picking Florida +4.5, but I decided that the under was the better play here in the Swamp. Both of these offenses are horrendous, and I don’t trust either one—especially after Notre Dame was upset by Northern Illinois. It’s a simple play: under, under, under.
#6 Ole Miss at Wake Forest (Saturday at 5:30 p.m. CT, The CW)
The pick: Ole Miss -23.5
Wake Forest is really bad. Really bad. They just lost to Virginia, an ACC bottom feeder. Meanwhile, over in Oxford, that Rebel offense is humming, scoring 76 and 52 in their first two games. It’s going to be a Rebel runaway victory by four to six touchdowns. It’s going to be that bad.
Falcons at Eagles (Monday at 7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN)
The pick: Eagles -6.5
Kirk Cousins is 0-4 against the Eagles in the month of September, not to mention the fact that he is 3-10 on Monday Night Football. However, he’s 3-1 in his last four MNF games. His lone loss? Against the Eagles in Philly. Where’s this game? Philadelphia. The play here is the Eagles. Take them and the points. That Falcons offense did not look great, and the Eagles should have no trouble with the Dirty Birds from Atlanta.
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