The Sidehustle Bets crew have things rolling right now with a 7-1 week last week across the board in CFB. Best of the Best bets are 3-0 over the last two weeks and we have cooked up some more great picks for our followers. Not only is this a great gambling slate but it’s a great slate of games to watch so grab your popcorn and start counting your money.

Q’s Best Bets (9-10 Overall)
Iowa @ Wisconsin – Saturday, 10/30 (12:00 PM EST)
Pick: Iowa +3.5

This feels like an overreaction to both teams’ games against Purdue. Sure, Purdue handed Iowa its first loss of the year then proceeded to get throttled by Wisconsin at home the very next week. That said, I’m having trouble wrapping my head around why Purdue of all schools is such a defining factor in the power rankings of any team in the Big Ten right now. It’s much easier to digest the possibility that Iowa’s loss to Purdue was simply a down week for a team that direly needed some rest vs a measuring scale amongst the rest of the conference. Well, Iowa got that rest from their bye week last week and has had two weeks to prepare for Wisconsin in a game that will have heavy divisional ramifications. Iowa has been absolutely dismantling opponents this year and has already taken down three different ranked teams, two of which are top 10 opponents (Iowa State/Penn State). Wisconsin on the other hand has struggled with almost every decent opponent they’ve faced (with the exception of Purdue), going 1-3 against ranked opponents this year for a combined score of 70-108 (-38 point differential). For comparison, Iowa has gone 3-0 against ranked teams this year for a combined score of 84-49 (+35 point differential). Iowa’s defense has been stingy this year, ranking towards the top in the country in most defensive categories and already causing 21 takeaways up to this point. Mertz’s play under center has been highly volatile and he’s done a terrible job protecting the ball this year, rocking a sub 35 QBR so far this season and already having thrown 7 picks. Because of this stellar consistency… I fully expect Iowa to focus on the run and make Mertz beat them over the top. Petras and this Hawkeyes offense will be eager to redeem themselves after their worst showing of the season in week 7 against Purdue and it’s worth mentioning that Petras has actually played better in away games this year than at home. Given the fact that Wisconsin has a great run defense, it’s logical to think this game will be a showdown between Petras and Mertz. I have more confidence in Petras’ ability to beat the Badgers through the air than Mertz’s ability to pick apart this talented Hawkeyes secondary. Give me the one loss #9 team in the country plus the points, although I’m predicting a Hawkeyes “upset” in this one. 

DPJ’s Best Bets (7-8-1 Overall) (2-0 Week 8)
Virginia @ BYU – Saturday, 10/30 (10:15 PM EST)
Pick: Virginia +3

The Cavaliers head to Provo for a showdown with BYU in what should be great follow up programming to the Ohio State/Penn State game on Saturday night. Both these teams are fairly evenly matched on paper but I love the way Virginia has been playing and Brennan Armstrong looks like a 2022 first round pick. They’ve shown they can win both close games and blowouts, and they’re fighting for the top spot in the ACC coastal division so each of their last four games will essentially be must wins. It’s never easy going on the road in Provo but I think this BYU team can be beat. Most CFB fans would probably be surprised to hear that UVA is 5th in passing yards and 4th in total yards across the whole FBS. The Cavs can move the ball with the best of ‘em and BYUs defense doesn’t have the juice to slow them down. I like the over in this one too but I’m sitting on UVA +3 and sprinkling the money line.

Best of the Best Bets – DPJ & Q approved (5-8 Overall) (3-0 since Week 7)
Kentucky @ Mississippi State – Saturday, 10/30 (7:00 PM EST)
Pick: Kentucky +2

This game is going to start and end with the Kentucky Wildcats running the football. That is what they have done all year and I don’t see Saturday’s matchup with the Bulldogs in Starkville looking much different. Mississippi State is a formidable opponent against the run but Kentucky had two weeks to prepare and a chance to avenge their tough loss at Georgia. Let’s not forget that Mark Stoops had the Wildcats within reach of Georgia at halftime in that game, in what was Georgia’s most competitive game of the season. That’s gotta be a moral victory at the least. Kentucky also beat MSU 24-2 last year proving that Stoops’ defense knows how to shut down Mike Leach’s gimmicky offense. When the point total is only 47 points with a Mike Leach team involved you know something funky is in the water. Kentucky should control this game, pound the rock and squeeze every second of possession on way to their 7th win of the season. – DPJ

Duke @ Wake Forest – Saturday, 10/30 (4:00 PM EST)
Pick: Wake Forest -15

Ok “QB1 Beyond the Lights” fans… this is your moment. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, “QB1 Beyond the Lights” is a Netflix show that follows three highly recruited high school senior quarterbacks in their quest to obtain D-1 offers (there’s been three seasons, three QBs each season). I’ll go ahead and list off the names (I feel like you’ll recognize a few): Jake Fromm, Justin Fields, Tate Martel, Tayvon Bowers, Spencer Rattler, Nik Scalzo, Re’al Mitchell, Lance Legendre and SAM HARTMAN. Out of those QBs listed, only THREE have never entered the transfer portal before. Out of those three, one will more than likely enter the transfer portal after this year *cough* Spencer Rattler *cough*. And then there were two… Jake Fromm and Sam Hartman. I’m not trying to attack the transfer culture we have in college football now… it has its benefits and I believe every player is obligated to look out for their best interests, especially when they want to make a career out of football. That said, there’s still something to be said for players that dedicate themselves fully to a program and stick it out there regardless of the circumstances. Hartman’s path to this point has been far from smooth or conventional. He was asked to take the reins of the Demon Deacons offense as a true freshman (probably before he was truly ready) and ultimately sustained a season ending injury, he lost his starting job while recovering, he was forced to become a leader from the sidelines and then all of his patience paid off. Jamie Newman (the starter that had taken his job) surprised everyone when he announced his transfer to Georgia, inadvertently opening the doors to Hartman’s destiny. With Newman gone, Hartman immediately took advantage of his opportunity and became the clear leader of this Wake Forest team. That year he broke multiple school records, was voted team captain and was placed on numerous watchlists for 2021. Cut to today… he’s put the entire country on notice and is sneaking into Heisman consideration… It’s the type of story you tell your kids about. Ok so I’m clearly a Sam Hartman fan, there’s only so much to cheer for in the ACC this year. Background aside, Duke is currently the worst team in the ACC and they’ll be playing Wake Forest, currently the best team in the ACC. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say Wake could make the CFP, I’d be blown away if they struggle with Duke at home. Putting my faith in the process, putting my faith in Hartman, go Demon Deacons. – Q

Other Action (7-8 Overall)

Ole Miss @ Auburn: Ole Miss +3

Cincinnati @ Tulane: Cincinnati -24.5

Risky Business (3-10 Overall) (2-0 Week 8)

3 Team – 6 Point Teaser (+180 odds): Coastal Carolina (-12.5), Wake Forest (-9), Michigan State (+11)

3 Team – 7 Point Teaser (+130 odds): Texas (+10), Ole Miss (+10), Cincinnati (-17.5)

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