The SportsChump informed me that this week was the week of THE WIFE. We know that she didn’t have this marked on the calendar. Although, I’ll admit she was surprisingly willing to run down the list and make honest picks tonight – all while she was scrubbing down and cleaning white baseball pants. Yes, baseball season isn’t quite over yet. So, here we are. I haven’t made a bet with her on this week and I don’t think that I should. There’s always that worry that her simplifying it will lead to much better picks – and not anything that Terry Rozier would come up with on his end. Topical… topical. So, as I move on from the narrowest miss of a 5-0 week last week (Thanks, Lane Kiffin), I take the new week on hoping that I will simplify finish ahead of THE WIFE. Alright, I’m expecting more, although I wasn’t that interested in many of the NFL lines this week. It’s time for our Week 8 Football Picks and Top Bets.

Contest Reminder

This is a season long contest with potential prizes going out to our winners, so if you want to join in on the fun, drop a comment here or over at the land of the SportsChump.  We take our top five games of the week against the spread. If you beat us and go undefeated, that leads to fun prizes and heaps of praise on our websites.

With that said, here are our TOP FIVE Best Bets for the week, including my Week 8 Football Picks and Top Bets. The list is ranked in order of confidence, from 50 “dollars” down to $10.

Week 8 Football Picks and Top Bets – THE WIFE Returns Edition

KP’s Picks: The Wife Hates Sports

$50: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4.5) at New Orleans Saints

My lone NFL pick of the week is the Bucs and Baker Mayfield. Baker is short some of his key weapons, including Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, and more. That is known. It’s also a road game in New Orleans. Still, the Saints rank in the bottom ten in total offense (297.9 ypg) and have some injuries of their own to deal with. Spencer Rattler has been efficient under center, but New Orleans just doesn’t have the weapons to consistently compete with stronger opponents. I expect Baker Mayfield, combined with Emeka Egbuka, Cade Otton, and Tez Johnson to do enough offensively to hold off the Saints. Bucs cover on the road.

$40: Alabama Crimson Tide (-11.5) at South Carolina Gamecocks

Kalen DeBoer is figuring out the Alabama pressure cooker. It’s not easy to follow legends. The Crimson Tide have four straight wins against highly ranked teams (Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee). It’s hard to imagine a road game against a struggling South Carolina team would change anything, but you never know in the highly competitive SEC conference. The key matchup will be Alabama’s passing offense (12th in ypg, with 22 TD, 1 INT) facing South Carolina’s passing defense (29th in yards/game allowed, with 7 TD allowed, and 8 INT). That’s the key – and I’m looking to DeBoer and his top five ranked Crimson Tide to figure this out and pull away in the second half. Alabama covers on the road.

$30: UCLA Bruins (+26.5) at Indiana Hoosiers

The critics are all in on the Hoosiers. They are also stating how opposing teams are starting to figure out UCLA since their resurgence. Sure, study the tape and start to figure things out. I get it. But figuring out the tape in the form of a four touchdown win? That I’m not so sure. I think this comes down to Nico Iamaleava and how much of an impact he can make through the air and with his feet. Iamaleava has averaged a measly 2.0 yards per carry over the last two weeks, and Indiana likely will focus on keeping him in the pocket. IU ranks 7th in total defense. So again, the Hoosiers are a force this year, but four touchdowns is a tall order against a red hot UCLA team. Therefore, give me UCLA and the points on the road.

$20: Syracuse Orange (+17.5) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

It has been a bit of an up and down road for Syracuse this year. This pick is more results driven. Georgia Tech remains undefeated, but by the skin of their teeth. Not to simplify things, but sometimes you just have to. GT’s two big wins were against Gardner-Webb (59-12) and Temple (45-24). The other five victories for the Yellow Jackets are by an average of seven points (ranging from 1 to 15 points per victory). Statistically, Georgia Tech has the 19th ranked offense, while Syracuse has the 116th ranked defense. As a result, the line doesn’t shock me. Still, I’m sticking to standard results on this one – straight data. Fran Brown will have his team fighting hard. Give me Syracuse and the points on the road.

$10: Stanford Cardinal (+30.5) at Miami Hurricanes

Carson Beck was having a great season – until Louisville’s defense shut him down. The 71.4% completion percentage was strong, but Beck’s four interceptions (with no TD passes) was not great – obviously. Now, Beck and the Miami offense resets against a Stanford team looking for a new identity. The Stanford defense ranks 118th in the nation, allowing 422.0 ypg. The real struggle is against the pass, where Stanford has just 1 INT and ranks 134th in yards allowed. Against the run? The Cardinal are not all that bad. So this game comes down to whether Beck can have a quick bounce back. He likely will, but will it be to the tune of a five score victory? That I’m not so sure. Give me Stanford and the points on the road.

 

On the Outside Looking In (Others I Considered – Large List This Week):

  • Chicago Bears (+7) at Baltimore Ravens – Lamar Jackson might be returning
  • Washington Commanders (+12.5) at Kansas City Chiefs – McLaurin and Deebo likely back, but PM rolling
  • San Francisco 49ers (+1.5) at Houston Texans – Worry about the travel and Houston waking up
  • Ole Miss Rebels (+5.5) at Oklahoma Sooners – Rebs burned me last week, Kiffin to FL may be distraction
  • Minnesota Golden Gophers (+9.5) at Iowa Hawkeyes – Seems like a good bet, but the others seem better

 

Week 8 Football Picks: SportsChump

(Coming Soon)

 

Week 8 Football Picks: THE WIFE

THE WIFE is back, guys. Expect nothing but next level analysis from here on out.

$50: Virginia Cavaliers (-10.5) at North Carolina Tar Heels

Are they going to fire him yet? Is his arm candy going to be there?

She asks real questions, guys.

$40: Green Bay Packers (-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers

I have nothing to say.

We have lots of family from the land of cheese – so I’ll add that in. Plus, she knows they are good.

$30: Alabama Crimson Tide (-11.5) at South Carolina Gamecocks

They are always good right?

Lately, yes – she’s not wrong.

$20: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (-14.5)

I don’t have much to add, was told to make picks. Google did tell me that the Colts had the best record in football, so here we are.

If I started talking about Daniel Jones now, she’d roll her eyes and pass out.

$10: Wisconsin Badgers (+31.5) at Oregon Ducks

OMG really?

For the record, that was her response after hearing the line and originally wanting to pick Oregon.

I think Wisconsin is going to stink, but they aren’t going to lose that bad.

Honestly, I can’t argue with this – and my family from Wisconsin can’t either – well, maybe. They are pretty frustrated with the Badgers.

 

Last Week’s Recap

  • $50: New England Patriots (-6.5) at Tennessee Titans – CORRECT
  • $40: Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5) at Minnesota Vikings – CORRECT
  • $30: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (-4.5) – CORRECT
  • $20: Ole Miss Rebels (+7.5) at Georgia Bulldogs – INCORRECT
  • $10: Penn State Nittany Lions (+3.5) at Iowa Hawkeyes – CORRECT

Season Stats for Kevin Paul at TWHS (Top Five Only)

  • NFL: 10-10 ($30)
  • CFB: 8-7 ($0)
  • Overall: 18-17 ($30)

Season Stats for Kevin Paul at TWHS (By Confidence)

  • $50: 4-3
  • $40: 4-3
  • $30: 2-5
  • $20: 4-3
  • $10: 4-3

Week-by-Week for Kevin Paul and The Wife Hates Sports (Top Five Only)

  • Week 01: NFL: 2-2 ($50) | CFB 1-0 ($20) | Week: 3-2 ($70) | Overall: 3-2 ($70)
  • Week 02: NFL: 2-1 ($40) | CFB 0-2 (-$50) | Week: 2-3 (-$10) | Overall: 5-5 ($60)
  • Week 03: NFL: 1-2 (-$40) | CFB 1-1 (-$10) | Week: 2-3 (-$50) | Overall: 7-8 ($10)
  • Week 04: NFL: 1-1 (-$30) | CFB 2-1 ($0) | Week: 3-2 (-$30) | Overall: 10-10 (-$20)
  • Week 05: NFL: 0-2 (-$70) | CFB 1-2 ($20) | Week: 1-4 (-$50) | Overall: 11-14 (-$70)
  • Week 06: NFL: 1-2 (-$40) | CFB 2-0 ($30) | Week: 3-2 (-$10) | Overall: 14-16 (-$80)
  • Week 07: NFL: 3-0 ($120) | CFB 1-1 (-$10) | Week: 4-1 ($110) | Overall: 18-17 ($30)

 

Chime in with your top picks for the week.  Thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!

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