Written by Trevor Ritchie
Our first slate of picks yielded a 60 percent success rate, and we’re back for more against all odds. HITP has five new plays, three favorites, one dog, an over and another Lock of the Week (2-0 in 2023) to get you out of the nosebleeds and into the Club Level. Run up the digits, run up the money.
Best Bets for Week 3
Georgia Tech +18 at No. 17 Ole Miss
Ole Miss managed to cover last week against Tulane during the game’s final stretch, but we’re going back to the well and fading the Rebels once again. Georgia Tech certainly isn’t a juggernaut, but the Yellow Jackets have still looked better than expected and should have more than enough to stay within 18 points here.
Quarterback Haynes King has logged seven touchdown passes through two games for Georgia Tech, including three in a 34-point performance against Louisville to open the season. Meanwhile, Ole Miss was down at the half a week ago against a backup quarterback and rode a 20-point fourth to create its 17-point margin against Tulane. Too much value left to pass on this number.
No. 7 Penn State -14.5 at Illinois
Simply playing the number. Penn State is 2-0 ATS this season with covers against a 21-point and 43.5-point spread. Illinois is 0-2 ATS thus far, failing both as a favorite and an underdog. Best case scenario for the Fighting Illini is likely around 20 points or so, and while the Nittany Lions are averaging more than 50 through their first two games, inside 15 on this line should be a comfortable place to sit.
Over 48.5 No. 4 Texas-Wyoming
Both teams are undefeated. Both are averaging 33 or more points per game. You’ve got Texas riding the high of its 34-24 road win at Alabama in which went over its 53.5-point total, and the Cowboys also went over a 50.5-point total themselves in their last matchup against a team from the Lone Star state (35-33 W v. Texas Tech). If the Longhorns can score 30-plus, which is the expectation, asking the Cowboys to flirt with 17-20 points is absolutely a doable request. Life’s short, take the over.
No. 18 Colorado -23.5 v. Colorado State
It’s personal. Enough said? Not sure why anyone wouldn’t ride the Buffaloes until the wheels fall off at this point. Colorado State gave up 50 points to WSU in a 26-point loss earlier this month, and now the Rams face their must-watch, in-state rival which has posted 45 points at TCU and 36 points against Nebraska. Once Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell said, “When I talk to grown ups, I take my hat and glasses off. That’s what I’m mother taught me” — this one was already over. Sanders and company cruise to another easy cover at Folsom Field this weekend.
LOCK OF THE WEEK
Tulane -11.5 at Southern Miss
Tulane will be back for vengeance this week without question. Not only due to how last week played out with Ole Miss, but also given its surprising 27-24 loss to Southern Miss in 2022. The Green Wave’s 37-17 victory against South Alabama in the opener is probably your best reference point here, because if they could topple the Jaguars by 20 points with ease fresh out of the gate — let alone lead the Rebels at half behind their backup to follow that up — it’s safe to assume they can cover 11.5 points against a Golden Eagles squad coming off a 53-point blowout at Florida State. Without hesitation, hammer Tulane anywhere inside 13 points.
