College football picks against the spread for Rivalry Week

Time to lock in our picks against the spread with one more chance to impress the Selection Committee as college football's contenders head into Rivalry Week

It's time for Rivalry Week, the most exciting date on the college football schedule, especially this year as there are still some Championship Saturday details to still be sorted out, and some chances for contenders to pull off statement upsets and throw a monkey wrench into the playoff picture. With that in mind, let's lock in our latest predictions against the spread.

How are we doing? After going an even 5-5 last week, College Football HQ is 46-61-1 (.431) against the spread heading into the finale.

Lines courtesy of SI Sportsbook

North Carolina at NC State

USA Today Images

Line: North Carolina -2.5

ATS pick: UNC -2.5. The Wolfpack comes in ranked No. 111 nationally with 4.7 yards per play, which should cut into their ability to keep pace with the Tar Heels' offense in quarterback Drake Maye's swan song.

Apple Cup

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Line: Washington -15.5

ATS pick: Washington State +15.5. The Cougars are getting healthier and quarterback Cameron Ward helped torch Colorado a week ago, exorcising some demons from earlier losses. Washington should win, but it's playing closer games of late and will get Wazzu's best in the finale.

Clemson at South Carolina

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Line: Clemson -7.5

ATS pick: Clemson -7.5. The question for the Gamecocks, as it's been since the opener, will be if the line can adequately protect Spencer Rattler in the pocket. Against the Tigers' stout front seven, that's a tough ask. Running the ball on Clemson won't fare any better, either.

Florida State at Florida

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Line: Florida State -6.5

ATS pick: Florida State -6.5. Quarterback play will be of immense interest for the Seminoles as Tate Rodemaker steps in for the injured Jordan Travis. Expect more running with the ball as a result, something which plays into a marked Florida weakness, as it ranks 123rd nationally in yards per carry allowed. The Seminoles are 7th in that category.

Texas A&M at LSU

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Line: LSU -11.5

ATS pick: Texas A&M +11.5. Heisman hopeful Jayden Daniels will go up against an A&M defense that might be the best LSU has faced all year, ranking 16th nationally in total production and 9th by allowing just 3.0 yards per carry. And with how the Tigers have defended the pass, that should leave some holes open for the Aggies to plug throwing the ball. LSU wins, but inside 10 points.

Alabama at Auburn

Alabama Athletics

Line: Alabama -13

ATS pick: Alabama -13. Stranger things have happened at the Iron Bowl, God knows. But it's hard to see a scenario in which Auburn's skill weapons and protection can hold up against the Tide in either phase. Combined with Auburn's woeful passing production, Alabama should stay at one loss, and just hovering around the playoff hunt, as it plays for the SEC title against Georgia next week.

Ohio State at Michigan

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Line: Michigan -3.5

ATS pick: Michigan -3.5. Ohio State's superb defensive line should find some angles against Michigan's edge blockers, but the Wolverines have the superior quarterback and front seven, which should help contain OSU's run game over time, and the coverage pieces to prevent Marvin Harrison, Jr. from doing anything he wants.

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