College football’s Week 11 is shaping up to be a wild one. There’s a handful of high-stakes matchups, and honestly, it’s tough not to get a little excited.
LSU vs. Alabama is always a big deal, but there’s also San Diego State taking on Hawaii, which has its own kind of drama. Bettors have some real choices this Saturday night.
Action Network’s analysts have weighed in with their best bets and a few sharp insights. If you’re hoping to get ahead of the action, their picks might help you sort through the noise.
LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: A Clash in Tuscaloosa
LSU heads into Tuscaloosa to face Alabama, and it’s set up to be a real showdown. The Tigers are missing linebacker Whit Weeks, but there’s a bit of a spark under their interim coach.
Key Factors to Consider
Stuckey from Action Network points out a few things to watch:
- Interim Coach Effect: Teams can get a short-term lift with a new coach, which could tilt things a bit for LSU.
- Alabama’s Defense: This isn’t the same suffocating Alabama defense as years past. They’re not getting much pressure, and that might help LSU’s offensive line breathe a little.
- LSU’s Defensive Strength: LSU’s defense is no joke—they’ll likely key in on Alabama’s passing attack and try to rattle Ty Simpson.
Stuckey isn’t buying the Alabama hype this year. He points to their close wins and turnover luck, thinking the spread should be closer to Alabama -8.5. So, he likes LSU +10.5 here.
San Diego State Aztecs vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors: A Battle on the Island
Collin Wilson’s got thoughts on San Diego State vs. Hawaii. The total opened at 51 and has ticked down a bit, which caught his eye.
Defensive and Offensive Dynamics
Here’s what Wilson is seeing:
- San Diego State’s Defense: The Aztecs are tough in coverage and don’t give up much through the air, which is not great news for Hawaii’s pass-happy offense.
- Hawaii’s Struggles: Hawaii just can’t seem to stop the run, and that’s a problem against San Diego State.
With all that, Wilson is leaning under 49 points for this one.
Oregon State Beavers vs. Sam Houston Bearkats: A Favorable Spot for the Beavers
Joshua Nunn is looking at Oregon State vs. Sam Houston and sees a solid spot to back the Beavers. They’ve looked sharper lately—definitely trending up.
Why Oregon State is the Better Bet
Nunn’s reasons?
- Improved Defense: Robb Akey’s got the Beavers’ defense holding teams under 300 yards per game during their winning streak. That’s not nothing.
- Weak Opponent Defense: Sam Houston’s defense has been a disaster, giving up 650 yards at 11 yards per play to Louisiana Tech. Ouch.
Nunn is comfortable laying Oregon State -21 or better.
Air Force Falcons vs. San Jose State Spartans: An Offensive Showdown
Mike Ianniello keeps it simple with Air Force vs. San Jose State. Both defenses are, well, not great, so this could get wild on the scoreboard.
Offensive Firepower and Defensive Weaknesses
Ianniello’s main points:
- Air Force’s Defensive Struggles: The Falcons are at the bottom in Success Rate allowed and coverage grades. That’s not ideal when facing San Jose State’s passing game.
- San Jose State’s Defensive Issues: The Spartans aren’t much better, struggling with yards per play allowed and tackling.
- Offensive Strengths: Both teams can move the ball. Quarterbacks Liam Szarka (Air Force) and Walker Eget (San Jose State) have been putting up numbers.
Ianniello is all about the over 66 points here. Hard to argue with that.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Virginia Cavaliers: Early Road Redemption
Tanner McGrath brings up this “Early Road Redemption” betting system. Basically, it spots value on road teams that didn’t cover the spread last time out. Wake Forest vs. Virginia fits the bill this week.
Why Wake Forest is a Solid Bet
McGrath and Stuckey both like Wake Forest here, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why.
- Defensive Strength: Wake Forest’s defense is probably the best unit on the field. That’s a huge advantage in a matchup like this.
- Comparable Teams: When you look past the records, these teams really aren’t that different. Getting Wake Forest at +7 feels like good value.
McGrath’s “Early Road Redemption” system also points toward Wake Forest. That adds a bit more confidence to the pick, if you’re into trends like that.
If you want to dive deeper or see more expert picks, check out the full article on Action Network’s college football best bets and NCAAF picks for Saturday night.
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