Papa Dudes Best Bets for College Football and the NFL 10/16/21, 10/17/21

Here are my five best bets for this Saturday (10/16) and Sunday (10/17). For the first time this year, I missed my LOCK OF THE WEEK as the Carolina Panthers blew a late lead and lost to the Eagles. I did manage to hit the UPSET SPECIAL and ran my record to 6-1 for this season. Let’s see what we like the best for this week.

Saturday’s Best Bets:

*PAPA DUDES LOCK OF THE WEEK* California at Oregon: The Ducks had last week off and host the California Bears on Friday night in Eugene. They are coming off a humiliating loss at Stanford and have had two weeks to think about it. Meanwhile, California is 1-4 and are coming off a home loss against Washington State. Oregon should roll in this one.

PAPA DUDES PICK: Oregon -13.5

Clemson at Syracuse: This is another Friday night game in the dome at Syracuse and the Orangemen usually play well in these games. We all know Clemson is struggling on offense but they have had 2 weeks to work on making some improvements. I’m a little worried about Syracuse to be emotionally worn out after playing well and losing in overtime last week against undefeated Wake Forest. I think Clemson wins but I’m going with the Orangemen and the points.

PAPA DUDES PICK: Syracuse +14

Florida at LSU: This an interesting SEC game between the Gators and the Tigers. Florida is 4-2 and have close losses to Alabama and Kentucky and have played pretty well. LSU is in turmoil and have an un-LSU 3-3 record. They have lost two in a row, losing at home to Auburn 24-19 and last week got blown out 42-21 at Kentucky. I look at this game where the Tigers circle the wagons and make one last stand at saving the season. The risk is if LSU has thrown in the towel. Again, I think Florida wins but they don’t cover.

PAPA DUDES PICK: LSU +12

Arizona State at Utah: This is a night game in Salt Lake City and Utah plays well in these games. They have won 2 in a row including a 42-26 thumping at USC last week. I’ve been impressed with Arizona State the last three weeks and they are playing at a high level. The Utes still have a shot to win the Pac-12 South and they need a win in this one. The same can be said for the Sun Devils. I’m going with the home team in a close one.

PAPA DUDES PICK Utah +1

TWO OTHERS I CONSIDERED:

Purdue +12 at Iowa: The Hawkeyes might have some trouble in this one after a big win last week. They win, but might not cover.

BYU +6 at Baylor: I’m not sold on Baylor and if BYU can bounce back from the loss to Boise State last week, I think they can beat this spread.

Sunday’s Best Bets:

Dallas at New England: The Cowboys head into New England to take on the Patriots. The Dallas offense has been unstoppable this year and should be able to score enough to win this one. I just don’t think New England’s offense can keep up with Dallas.

PAPA DUDES PICK DALLAS -3.5