Welcome to October everyone and welcome back to Nikkel’s Picks right here on The Suave Report!
We actually had a winning record this week, going 6-4 and I got some approval from the boss!
After the above .500 week, our 2024 record checks in at 20-22 and we begin as always with our local picks.
OU has a bye
West Virginia at Oklahoma State (Saturday at 3 p.m. CT, ESPN2)
The pick: Oklahoma State -3.5
I really hate picking Oklahoma State games. I don’t enjoy it. Oklahoma State is so hard to read. They’re like Jeckell and Hyde. Will you get good Pokes or bad Pokes? I think they turn it around here. I really don’t imagine Gundy loses three games in a row.
Cowboys at Steelers (Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CT, NBC/Peacock)
The pick: Cowboys -1.5
This game is going to be ugly. I should really just pick the under but I’m not going too. This is going to be a field goal fiesta. I trust Aubrey more than Boswell here. We’re gonna go with Dem Boys on the road once again in gritty Pittsburgh.
Now, onto the rest of the nation!
Syracuse at #25 UNLV (Friday at 8 p.m. CT, FS1)
The pick: Syracuse +6.5
UNLV is coming off a massive, massive victory for the Fresno State Bulldogs. But this Syracuse team is no Fresno State. Kyle McCord has gone into bigger atmospheres than this one. He knows how to play in big games. I’ll take the Orange on the road, far from home here. They are in a domed stadium so it shouldn’t be too unfamiliar if we’re honest.
#9 Missouri at #25 Texas A&M (Saturday at 11 a.m. CT, ABC)
The pick: Missouri +2.5
I need to see something from Missouri here. They need to prove they are a legitimate contender this year and this is the game to do it. Texas A&M is not that great of a team and I think Missouri can play so much better than what they’re playing right now. I think Luther Burden finally has the game we’ve wanted to see from in and the Tigers prove that they are a contender in the SEC.
Appalachian State at Marshall (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN+)
The pick: App State +3.5
The great people of western North Carolina are dealing with the tragedy of Hurricane Helene. App State is going to be playing for them. Taking the boys from Boone to Huntington, West Virginia and coming up with the win.
#12 Ole Miss at South Carolina (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN)
The pick: South Carolina +9.5
Ole Miss looked incredibly shaky against Kentucky. This is the Rebels sixth straight game and South Carolina is coming off of a bye, playing at home. Sandstorm blasting through the speakers. Shane Beamer is coaching really well this year and I think the Gamecocks will start off strong to begin the month of Cocktober.
Auburn at #5 Georgia (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC)
The pick: Georgia -24.5
Auburn is bad. Georgia is coming off a loss. Georgia is a fire. Auburn is a forest covered in gasoline. Simple as that.
Rutgers at Nebraska (Saturday at 3 p.m. CT, FS1)
The pick: Nebraska -6.5
Who do you believe in more, Rutgers or Nebraska? I believe in Nebraska more. Rutgers schedule is soft like charmin currently. Nebraska needs another statement win after the Illinois loss and the middle of the road performance against Purdue.
Ravens at Bengals (Sunday at 12 p.m. CT, CBS)
The pick: Bengals +2.5
The Ravens came off a big win over the Bills but the Bengals might have finally got their groove back against the Panthers. I think Cincy is going to sneak out a victory against Lamar. Why? Just a gut feeling. Cincinnati needs this game more so than the Ravens. The Bengals don’t want to be 1-4 after five weeks, I think they play more desperately than Baltimore and win this game.
Bills at Texans (Sunday at 12 p.m. CT, CBS)
The pick: Texans +1.5
The Bills struggled against the Ravens, who are a good team. The Texans are also a very good team. I think the Texans are going to run the table against the Bills in a competitive game. They’ll win and win comfortably. CJ Stroud will solidify himself as a top 5 QB and Stefon Diggs will get a revenge touchdown.
Parlay of the Week
The Hot Dog: In honor of October baseball being played. I made a parlay with all three Saturday college football underdogs I covered. Missouri +2.5, App State +3.5, South Carolina. The total for that is (+549) Which means if you bet $100, you could add $549.47.
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