


































Top Dog
A veteran sportswriter whose work appears periodically in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, Mike Tierney has covered the NFL for decades and reported from seven Super Bowls. Mike does not consider himself a pet lover. But he likes 'dogs, preferring to evaluate each game from the underdog's point of view. Mike is 235-189-13 in the NFL the past three seasons, returning $2,505 to $100 players (every bet 1 unit). He hit 61.2 percent of his ATS picks (61-39-3) last season. Mike also authored a tremendous 2024 college football season in which he finished 62-41 (plus $1,649 for $100 players). For Mike Tierney media inquiries, contact SportsLine@CBSInteractive.com.
@MTierneySportsThough Navy has displayed more offensive oomph than in recent seasons, the Midshipman's O still averages just 61.7 snaps each game, fewer than all but seven FBS teams. Notre Dame's pace is not much quicker at 64.6 plays per, which ranks 113th. The Middies throw more than usual yet have increased their passing rate to just 14 per outing. With rain and wind gusts in the forecast, they likely won't exceed the norm. The Fighting Irish figure to play it safe offensively against an inferior foe. It all adds up to a probable Under.
Hate giving the hook with the touchdown, but no major sportsbooks are posting a straight seven points on Saturday morn. The Belichick Effect is finally kicking in at North Carolina, with an OT loss to ranked Virginia and a win over Syracuse the past two weeks partly salvaging Wild Bill's first season as the Tar Heels coach. Travel-weary Stanford makes its third-cross country trek of the season while having also played in Texas and Hawaii. All have resulted in losses, and the margins in four ranged from 24 to 35 points. Here's hoping a low-scoring game doesn't make the hook a factor.
Wisconsin's offense is in shambles. It has scored all of seven points in the past three games. During the two prior to those, they managed a pair of 10s. It does not help that RB Dillon Jones and C Jake Renfro were ruled out this week for the season. Washington is riding high from a 42-point game against ranked Illinois and slapped around Rutgers with 38 three weeks ago. The Huskies hardly need a pile of points to cover and should find enough.
The Ns. 3 and 4 defenses in FBS, plus almost certain rain -- with possibly high winds and snow mixed in. That's an ideal formula for an Under, even with this low total. Oregon's offense is potent, but the Ducks are coming off a 21-7 win in inclement conditions. They have not exceed that point output in three of the last four games. Iowa pitched a shutout three games ago and held last week's opponent to a field goal. Expect both offenses to stick to the ground so everyone can repair to the warmth of the locker room as quickly as possible.
Ole Miis does not need to embarrass The Citadel in order to enhance its CFP status. A solid win will suffice in the midst of the SEC schedule gauntlet that resumes next week against Florida. Expect the Rebels to build a safe lead, then call off the dogs. They could be a bit sleepy for the morning kickoff. The Bulldogs enter on a high after having rallied past rival VMI with 28 straight points in the fourth quarter last Saturday.
Curiously, the higher ranked team -- which also happens to be unbeaten SU -- is receiving double-digit points. Say what? BYU most assuredly doesn't have Texas Tech's flash; after all, its QB, Bear Bachmeier, wears 47 on his jersey. He produces and should have Big 12 rushing leader LJ Martin back after the TB missed one game wth an injury. The Cougars are as feisty as their QB, with seven covers in their last eight outings as underdogs. Their defense can curtail Tech's big-play potential and keep the margin in single figures.
James Madison's offense has been hotter than the school's namesake when he was drafting the Constitution. The Dukes have rolled up 115 points and 1,135 yards in the latest two outings. They should have their way against Marshall's so-so defense. The Thundering Herd are elite offensively, too, but bump into a D ranked eighth in yardage allowed and 11th in points allowed in FBS. The Dukes have been friendly to ATS backers, going 6-2.
Already this week, Colorado coach Deion Sanders has changed play-callers on his staff and QBs. Freshman Julian Lewis has come off the bench twice -- once just briefly -- and has looked sharp, but a first start in a tough environment is daunting. What's more, kickoff is at 10 a.m. (MT) for the Buffaloes. They have been outpointed 105-24 in the past two weeks. West Virginia comes off its most impressive showing of the season -- an upset at ranked Houston -- to halt a five-game SU slide. Momentum is real.