Ole Miss vs. Georgia, more picks against the spread

Lane Kiffin has done a lot in the last two decades.

He was the son of the father (Monte) of the famous Tampa 2 defense; the assistant who worked with Pete Carroll, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush; the 31-year-old hired by Al Davis to lead the Raiders; the coach who left Tennessee after one year; was fired by USC on an airport tarmac; who teamed with Nick Saban to win a national championship; and was booted a week before another national title game.

Kiffin, 49, is a social media troll and a traditional media favorite, a much-needed character in a robotics sport, a brilliant playmaker whose teams are as consistently entertaining as any of his.

But when it comes to a crucial game of the season, the country’s most unpredictable coach spoils the ending.

Kiffin has a career record of 1-11 against top-five teams. He is 3-15 against top 10 teams. He’s James Franklin with a sense of humor.

Ole Miss entered this season ranked No. 6 in the nation, its highest preseason ranking in 54 years. After steamrolling through their annual soft nonconference schedule, the Rebels stumbled at home against 15th-ranked Kentucky. Then Ole Miss lost to LSU.

If Kiffin is to make his first playoff appearance as a head coach, Ole Miss must now beat Georgia. It was the same situation the Rebels faced last year when the Bulldogs escaped with a 52-17 win.

The gap between teams has closed this year due to Carson Beck’s regression and a Georgia defense that hasn’t lived up to its reputation, but the best team of the decade remains the safest bet in the sport. The team that demolished Clemson and beat No. 1 Texas would be undefeated if it hadn’t been for “a miracle half when Michael Vick showed up,” Kiffin admitted this week, referring to Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.

Four years have passed since then Georgia (-2.5, -110 BetMGM) has lost to every team except Alabama. At some point that will change.

But are you really willing to bet that one of the worst coaches in the sport will be the one to pull it off?

Purdue (+37.5) over OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes are currently the betting favorite to win the national championship. If it happens, Chip Kelly and Will Howard won’t be the main reasons why. The Buckeyes have not scored more than 38 points in a Big Ten game this season.

GEORGIA TECH (+11.5) over Miami

The hurricanes are like a political advertisement, both frightening and compelling. But if you look at the facts, you’ll see that Miami isn’t like other undefeated teams and has barely survived four of its last five games due to its subpar defense.

Florida (+21.5) over TEXAS

We hope DJ Lagway can play. If not, you also need to know that Texas’ star-studded quarterback room hasn’t lived up to its expectations and the Longhorns have scored fewer than 30 points per game against Power Four opponents.

VIRGINIA TECH (+6.5) over Clemson

We should have seen the banana peel coming. It’s been four years since Clemson finished in the top 10. After being exposed by Louisville, the Tigers — who have the ACC’s ninth-ranked defense — reminded us that they haven’t beaten a team with a winning conference record.

INDIANA (-14.5) over Michigan

There’s nothing to see here except that the defending champions score two touchdowns against a team they’ve lost to only twice since Mickey Mantle retired last year, beating them by 45 points. The Hoosiers (9-0) have the nation’s best points margin (plus-27.8).

Colorado (-3.5) over TEXAS TECH

Deion Sanders will be a permanent fixture on your screen again. Suddenly the Big 12 is up for grabs and the Buffaloes control their path to the league title game. Receiver Travis Hunter’s Heisman moment could come against the nation’s 124th-ranked pass defense.

MISSOURI (+2.5) over Oklahoma

Before it was in the books that the Tigers would play backup quarterback Drew Pyne — who went 8-2 as Notre Dame’s starter in 2022, including a 4-1 mark against ranked teams — the Sooners were inducted for the sixth time listed as underdogs this season. Welcome to the SEC. You are now Arkansas.

OREGON (-25.5) over Maryland

Maryland is 0-9 against top-10 teams under Mike Locksley and is losing by an average of 28 points per game. Is there hope this time? Well, a recent meeting of Maryland alumni discussed whether the Terrapins would make the playoffs in the next 50 years. Nobody said yes.

Florida State (+25.5) over NOTRE DAME

Let’s call it “Austin Powers” for those who “also like to live dangerously” by sticking to 5 in blackjack. A lot of help is needed.

Alabama (-3) over LSU

The Tigers have no answer to slowing down Jalen Milroe, who ran for 155 yards and four touchdowns last year. Instead of countering with Jayden Daniels, Brian Kelly will now have to rely on Garrett Nussmeier, who has thrown five interceptions with a sub-47 completion percentage in two games against ranked SEC opponents.

Mississippi State (+23.5) over TENNESSEE

There were 17 double-digit underdogs in SEC play. All but two covered the spread. The Volunteers didn’t score more than 28 points in league play. The Bulldogs are eligible for at least five.

Washington (+13.5) over PENN STATE

The Huskies have been terrible on the road, but their underrated defense – which recently held Indiana to a season-low point total and USC to its second-lowest total – could fall just short against the latest iteration of the Nittany Lions’ disappointing offense.

Betting on college football?

BOISE STATE (-24.5) over Nevada

The No. 12 Broncos are in their best ranking in 13 years, winning their home games by an average of nearly 32 points. Ashton Jeanty needs at least another 200 on the ground to keep his Heisman hopes alive.

Byu (-4) over UTAH

There is no reason to throw away the records in this rivalry game. The Utes – the Big 12’s preseason favorite – have hit rock bottom as they failed to score 20 points in their four-game losing streak. Cam Rising’s absence sets up the undefeated Cougars for their first win in Salt Lake City since 2006.

BEST BETS: Georgia, Colorado, Mississippi State.

SEASON: 79-70-1 (10-19-1).

2014–23 RECORD: 1,272-1,206-30.