“Picks With Nick” CFB selections ATS Week 14
Selections (for entertainment purposes only) for TCU-Oklahoma, Georgia-Auburn and Wisconsin-Ohio State included ATS
By: Nick Camino
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
CLEVELAND – Conference Championship weekend kicks off Friday evening when Stanford and USC meet at Levi’s Stadium to decide who will win the PAC-12. “Picks With Nick” is back to making selections against the spread (for entertainment purposes only, of course) in both college and NFL football following a two week break, enjoying some vacation time in a warmer climate. The good news is, we are still enjoying a second-straight winning season in both college football and NFL picking games against the spread.
Following our first season, in which we nailed 54% of the games we selected against the spread (ATS), we are back at it again enjoying another winning season so far. In fact, here’s our numbers through 13 weeks of college football and 12 weeks of the NFL against the number for full transparency:
CFB: 31-25-2 (55%)
NFL: 25-19-1 (57%)
Total: 56-44-3 (56%)
Our picks are made against Las Vegas oddsmakers merely helping create football interactions on Facebook and Twitter, as well as online and on-air content for Newsradio WTAM 1100 and WTAM.com.
Similar to last football season, our goal is to win 53% of our picks against the spread. Las Vegas sports books, give us 11/10 odds or -110, so in order to break even in picking games against the spread (ATS) we must win 52.4% of the games we select. Winning 58% of picks ATS would place you among the most elite sports handicappers in the world. We’ll shoot for somewhere between 53% - 58% again this season.
We are again keeping our college and NFL selections separate, but we will update the results weekly with full transparency seeing how we stack up against the Las Vegas oddsmakers. We are coming off a winning first season in which we hit 54% ATS in college football and NFL combined in 2016.
“Picks With Nick” will also feature a radio segment weekly on Newsradio WTAM 1100 discussing our selections.
Below is our full slate of college football picks featuring five selections ATS for Conference Championship weekend:
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Game: Stanford Cardinal vs. USC Trojans
Where: Santa Clara, California – Levi’s Stadium
Kickoff: 8:00 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: USC -4
Nick’s Pick: This will be a rematch from earlier in the season in which the Trojans trounced Stanford 42-24. Yes, that was back on Sept. 9, however these teams have not changed much since that first match up. The Cardinal are on a short week after beating Notre Dame, while USC has enjoyed nearly two weeks off to prepare for this showdown. And how healthy is Stanford running back Bryce Love? Yes, Stanford has won three out of the last six PAC-12 title games, but Friday won’t be number four. Nick’s Pick is USC -4.
Game: Akron Zips vs. Toledo Rockets
Where: Detroit, Michigan – Ford Field
Kickoff: 12:00 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Toledo -21.5
Nick’s Pick: Many college football fans expected Toledo to be playing for a MAC Championship this season. Terry Bowden and the Zips have come out of nowhere shocking everybody, maybe even themselves. It’s hardly a debate. Toledo is a better overall football team and should win this football game. However, spotting Akron over three touchdowns is probably too much disrespect to the Zips who may actually find a way to make this a close game. Nick’s Pick is Akron +21.5.
Game: TCU Horned Frogs vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Where: Arlington, Texas – AT&T Stadium
Kickoff: 12:30 pm ET
TV: FOX
Spread: Oklahoma -7
Nick’s Pick: These two teams played only a few weeks ago with Oklahoma winning 38-20 in Norman, a game much closer than the final score might indicate. It is always difficult to beat a team twice and while Baker Mayfield and the Sooners boast speed and athleticism, the Horned Frogs may just be the best overall team top-to-bottom in the Big 12, especially defensively. Oklahoma may win, but TCU does enough to keep this game close. Nick’s Pick is TCU +7.
Game: Georgia Bulldogs vs. Auburn Tigers
Where: Atlanta, Georgia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Kickoff: 4:00 pm ET
TV: CBS
Spread: Auburn -1.5
Nick’s Pick: The SEC Championship Game in Atlanta won’t be a blowout, like the beat-down Auburn put on Georgia 40-17 just three weeks ago, but the better team will still prevail. And that team is Auburn. The Tigers may just be the best overall team in the country. Nick’s Pick is Auburn -1.5.
Game: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana – Lucas Oil Stadium
Kickoff: 8:00 pm ET
TV: FOX
Spread: Ohio State -6.5
Nick’s Pick: Is it possible that the wrong team is favored in this spot? Yes, Wisconsin has played a cupcake schedule up until this point, but now questions are swirling around JT Barrett’s health and the Badgers will line up, similar to Iowa and Michigan and look to control the overall tempo with ball control. A Wisconsin victory would not surprise at all, and even if Ohio State wins, it will be closer than a touchdown. Nick’s Pick is Wisconsin +6.5.
- Nick Camino
Record in college football ATS to date: 31-25-2 (55%)
Record in NFL ATS to date: 25-19-1 (57%)
Total record ATS to date: 56-44-3 (56%)
Note from Nick: All betting lines used will come from The Wynn Race & Sports Book in Las Vegas. The lines can change at any time, but we will only use lines 72 hours in advance and closer. Picks will be made based on the lines when we post.
DISCLAIMER: Newsradio WTAM 1100 and Nick Camino do not accept or place bets. This is not a gambling website. WTAM 1100 and Nick Camino do not condone illegal sports wagering. Any information shared on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes, as well as on-air and online content.