Week 10 Nevada College Pick'em Contest picks

After no one finished a perfect 8-0 in back-to-back weeks, only one contestant went 8-0 in Week 9, and that contestant just happens to be in the top 10 now. Listed above are the lines and games you can pick from for Week 10, along with the overall standings. 

LSU (-3.5) vs. Arkansas

Brian Kelly didn't begin his LSU coaching career on a high note after the Tigers lost to Florida State to begin the season, but since then, they've been really good. Yes, LSU got pummeled by Tennessee, but outside of those two games, the Tigers haven't lost and sit atop the SEC West. LSU's defense has been stout throughout conference play outside of the Tennessee game, and quarterback Jayden Daniels has only gotten better as the season has progresses. Opponents have had a real tough time stopping Daniels and the Tigers rushing attack, and don't expect that to change on Saturday against Arkansas. The hook here makes this bet a little bit riskier, but with the Razorbacks coming off a home loss to Liberty last week, now is the time to take the Tigers. Neither team will probably eclipse 30 points, but with LSU hitting its stride and Arkansas just 2-3 in SEC play, take the Tigers by four in this one. 

Louisville (+7.5) vs. Clemson

Clemson is the better team, but the Tigers offense simply can't be trusted. Clemson needed its backup quarterback to step up two weeks ago in the second half against Syracuse to pull out the win, and we knew that wasn't going to work for a second straight weeks against a defense as good as Notre Dame's. It's not so much that Clemson lost last week, it's how bad they lost. The Tigers passing attack is pretty much obsolete, and Dabo Swinney is in a situation where he has two quarterbacks because he doesn't have one. Meanwhile, Louisville has won four straight, and even if the Cardinals lose, don't expect it to be by more than a touchdown. Quarterback Malik Cunningham has looked much more comfortable as of late, and the Louisville defense has forced 15 turnovers during its four-game winning streak. With Louisville trending up, and Clemson trending low, the only bet here is to take the Cardinals on the spread.

Alabama (-12.5) vs. Ole Miss

This is by far and away the riskiest bet of the week, but hear me out. After losing a heartbreaker to Tennessee three weeks ago, what did the Crimson Tide do? Let me tell you. They blew out Mississippi State. And don't be surprised if the same happens this week against the Rebels after losing to LSU in overtime last week. Lane Kiffin hasn't come within 15 points of Nick Saban and Alabama since he took the Ole Miss head coaching position in 2020, and until he does, keep taking Saban. Saban has been great against his former assistants for his entire career, and this week should be no different. Ole Miss has relied on its ability to run the ball all season long, and that simply won't work against Alabama. Expect the Rebels to be forced to pass, and for the Crimson Tide defense to feast. A lot of pundits expect this game to be close, but I just don't see it. Even if Alabama fails to score more than 35, don't be surprised to see Ole Miss struggle get 20 points on the scoreboard. 

Maryland vs. Penn State (-10.5)

Our first home cover for the week, and make no mistake about it, we love the Nittany Lions to cover the 10.5-point spread. Penn State's only two losses are to undefeated Ohio State and Michigan, and outside of a close win against Purdue in Week 1, PSU has won every game by at least two scores. Penn State played Ohio State tough, and quarterback Sean Clifford has been much better this season than most expected. As for the Terrapins, well, they started the season 3-0, but have dropped two of their last four. Taulia Tagovailoa just hasn't looked the same since he got hurt earlier in the year, and until the Maryland offense starts to score consistently, they simply can't be trusted. 

Washington vs. Oregon (-13.5)

Everyone wrote the Ducks off after they got blown out by Georgia to start the season. But we were all wrong. All Oregon has done is win eight straight games, including a pair of wins over top 20 teams. And it's been mostly because of its offense. The Ducks have scored at least 40 points in each game during its winning streak, and are second in the nation in yards per game. Washington leads the nation in passing yards, but they've had a hard time turning all those yards into points. Oregon hasn't, and that will be the difference in this one. Expect Oregon to score at least 40, probably 50 in this one, but with the Huskies having failed to score 30 points in back-to-back weeks, going with the Ducks is the right play. 

Kansas (+3.5) vs. Texas Tech

Everyone wrote off Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks after Jalon Daniels went down, but give Kansas credit, they didn't collapse. Kansas blew out 18th-ranked Oklahoma State last week to snap its three-game losing streak, and the offense, even without Daniels, is still managing to score. The Jayhawks have scored 30+ points in three of its four games since Daniels went down, and even if they don't upset Texas Tech, don't be surprised if this game is decided by a late field goal. The Red Raiders have dropped back-to-back games by double digits, and just went you start to trust them, even just a little bit, they let you down. TTU might win, but chances are it's not by more than a field goal. 

TCU (+7.5) vs. Texas

I understand TCU being underdogs this week, but by 7.5 points? I don't understand that. TCU has won a ton of close games thanks to some great fourth-quarter play this season, and with the second-best against the spread record at 7-1-1, betting against the Horned Frogs is a serious mistake. Not only has TCU won two of the last three times against Texas, the Longhorns have had a real tough time winning by more than a touchdown of late. Two of Texas' last three wins have been by seven or less, and with TCU in the driver seat to make the College Football Playoff, expect the Horned Frogs to come ready to play. Even if TCU loses, expect this game to be decided by no more than seven points. 

North Carolina (+3.5) vs. Wake Forest

This is our most confident bet of the week, and not only do we like North Carolina to cover the spread, we like them to pull off the road upset as well. The Tar Heels are ranked higher than Wake Forest, and are undefeated in ACC play. Meanwhile the Demon Deacons are 2-3 in ACC play, and are coming off back-to-back losses to NC State and Louisville. Quarterback Sam Hartman has really fallen off after having a monster 2021 season -- including back-to-back three-interception games -- and UNC freshman quarterback Drake Maye is simply playing his best football. Don't be surprised if UNC blows out Wake Forest, even as road underdogs in this one. North Carolina has dominated the ACC all season, and until they lose a conference game, betting against them is a mistake.