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Our Mike Marteny lays out the confidence points in ESPN College Pick Em for week 10 of the 2021 season.
There are some big prizes on the line in the revamped ESPN College Pick Em game this season. $13,200 across their three entry modes. So we here at Rotoballer will try and help you win some money, because that's what we do. I have created a group for you Rotoballer readers out there. Once based on the confidence game mode, where you pick the winner of each of the ten games they pick and then assign a point value from 1-10 based on how confident you are on each pick. You can play along with me and other Rotoballer readers here. The other group has ten games that you have to pick the winner of against the spread. You can play along with that group here. They are free to enter, so come on and match wits with the rest of the readers of Rotoballer!
This was another tough week all around for the group. Bamarick led the way with 35 points. Only four members broke 30 points this week. left handed freshman still leads the group with 331 points, but his lead has shrunk to three points after another strong week from 2pretty4orange! I moved back into the top three, four points out of second. Judith6074 and lbockenek are two points behind me to round out the top 5. BKNoleGirl is only one point behind them in sixth place. Bamarick moved up to seventh with his group leading week. keepingthelittlehumansalive, Kev Shep, and Kdstacks85 round out the top ten this week. There is now just 22 points separating first from 10th. It's tightening up!
This article will follow be for the confidence game mode. You can also read my against the spread picks here every week for every game so you know how I'm leaning for that version of the game. Each week, I will recap who's dominating the group before I get into the picks. If you're going to beat everyone, all of the readers will know about it!
Let's get to the countdown! I will count them up from least confident (1) to most (10). You know, for dramatic effect. If I do change my pick or points at sometime during the week, I will try to update the article or post it on Twitter. Otherwise, you know all of my picks each week. Good luck out there. It looks like there are a few gimmes this week!
(1) Auburn over Texas A&M
Do I have the Corso Curse? I don't pick Auburn often. It's not by design. I promise. It's going to be a tough trip to Kyle Field, but Bo Nix has arguably played better on the road this year. I know there's a couple of Auburn fans that follow me, so I hope I don't curse you. It just feels like Auburn is the more complete team and their run defense is good enough to hold Isaiah Spiller and Devin Achane in check for the most part.
(2) Mississippi Over Liberty
Liberty throttled UMass, but I'm pretty sure there are about a dozen high school teams in the country that could do the same. Hugh Freeze comes back to Oxford, so you know he would really like to get a win here. I just have a problem believing that he can do it with Auburn transfer Malik Willis and one good receiver.
(3) Oklahoma State over West Virginia
If you were to argue that the Cowboys are the team to beat in the Big 12(10) right now, I would have a hard time arguing with you. This offense is finally figuring things out and the defense is a strong unit. I know this is in Morgantown, but there's a reason the Mountaineers are 4-4. They have played everyone tough, but Oklahoma State can do tough. They've survived it. They will again.
(4) Wake Forest over North Carolina
They better charge up the battery in the ol' scoreboard in Chapel Hill. Wake's going to need it. Carolina likely will too. Whatever the number is, bet the over. These are two potent offenses and two subpar defenses. If you love offense, make sure you watch this one. I just trust the Wake offense not to make a mistake a little more than I trust the Tarheels.
(5) Oregon over Washington
I only have this one this low because there are still five better spots, as hard as that is to believe. Oregon's defense has lapses at the end of games, but I don't trust that the Washington mess of an offense can take advantage. Stay tuned. This may be moved up the list.
(6) UTSA over UTEP
I've been a UTSA truther all year. I'm not stopping now! UTEP is a much-improved team in their own right, but I don't see the Roadrunners stumbling here.
(7) Baylor over TCU
TCU's run defense has taken a pounding lately. It wont get any better here. Baylor has re-established their run game over the last month or so and Gerry Bohanon still is not making many mistakes. You can't say the same for Max Duggan. Baylor's defense is going to have their way with the Toadies.
(8) Michigan State over Purdue
Purdue handling an overrated Iowa team is one thing. Yes, Spartacus may be a little hung over from the emotional come from behind win against Michigan, but Kenneth Walker III is still going to trample this defense. Just look at what the Wisconsin run game did to poor little Purdue. I really like George Karloftis, but there are enough other holes in this defense that the Spartans can just move plays away from him.
(9) Alabama over LSU
The 28.5 point spread might be a little much, but the talent differential between these two teams is astronomical right now. And it's in Tuscaloosa. Sorry LSU fans, this is going to be a really rough one.
(10) Ohio State over Nebraska
The Cornhuskers still keep finding ways to lose by one score. That streak is over. They'll be lucky to keep this within three touchdowns. The last time Ohio State played in Lincoln, that stadium famed for its sellout streak was more than half empty by halftime. It could happen again.
