by Aidan Bennett ’24 on November 10, 2023

Sports

Greetings fellow sports bettors. I know you’ve been missing me these last few weeks. All I do is spread winners and this entire school knows it. I have been contemplating over the past few days; so many games and so many winners means there is money to be made. All we need to do is go out there and take it. We need to stay focused and disciplined and the money will flow. Sometimes it’s too easy. You just need to not be a sheep where Vegas can rip you apart, which is why you need the Shepherd to guide you in this cruel world. We do have a great weekend of college football in front of us, so it is locks galore out there if you ask me.  

The biggest game this week is clearly when the Penn State Nittany Lions travel to Columbus to play the Ohio State Buckeyes. This is going to be an electric atmosphere in the shoe which is going to be really tough for Penn State to overcome. The simple fact is that Penn State is a better team than Ohio State. I like their quarterback more and their defense is much more sound. The Buckeyes have been struggling to run the ball this year, which I see as being their downfall. Without a solid run game there will be too much pressure on Kyle McCord, which he cannot handle. I don’t trust him to put this game on his shoulders and win it for the Buckeyes. Notre Dame was their best win, and it was a quality win on the road to who I think is a great football team. The problem is Penn State is better than both Notre Dame and Ohio State. McCord is going to struggle this weekend and will look pedestrian compared to Drew Allar. If this game was in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions would win by more than seven points, but this will be a nailbiter in Columbus. I’ll take Penn State to win a narrow game 31–30 in what could be the game of the year.  

The next game that has me salivating is UCLA at Stanford. I know: who cares about this game? It’s going to be boring , which is what we like. You can’t just bet the big games, you make money in the stinkers. The spread right now is UCLA –16.5 and I don’t just like it, I love it. Stanford just had a crazy comeback from 29–0 against Colorado, eventually winning 46—43. These are college kids who are playing. They will always come out flat after a huge game in a win or loss. The emotional rollercoaster that was their win last week means they will come out unbelievably flat this week. This is a team that lost to Sacramento State earlier this year at home. Stanford is not a good team, and they are in a letdown spot. UCLA is coming off of a tough road loss and this will be a great right game for them. I see this as a blowout for UCLA. Stanford is a team that has already had the peak of their season, while UCLA still has a lot to play for. I don’t see them scoring many points so look for the under, too. I’ll take UCLA to dominate 37–6.  

My last lock for you fine people comes from the Iowa Minnesota game this Saturday afternoon. This game is only for the sickos out there. This is the epitome of slugfest Big 10 football. Right now the total is at 32.5 which is some of the lowest that I have ever seen. Minnesota comes into this game at only a four-point underdog, which has my interest. Now that Cade McNamara is gone, Iowa’s offense has gone from bad to worse. They couldn’t score if the defense wasn’t on the field. Minnesota’s offense isn’t much better, but I still like them to keep it really close. With such a low scoring rivalry game, it will be the underdog to pull off the upset and win in Kinnick Stadium. Give me the Golden Gophers to win this game 12–5 in what could be the worst game of the week. 

For those of you with the memory of a UConn student, I’m taking Penn State moneyline +155 in the best game of the week. Next, I have Minnesota +150 moneyline over Iowa. I’ll finish that up with UCLA –16.5 over Stanford in the night game. A parlay of what I’m cooking is currently sitting at +1117 and let me say, I love how tasty that is. 

As always, gambling can be addictive and if you feel you have an issue call 1-800-GAMBLER for help. Gambling should only be done within your means with money you can afford to lose.  

Till next time. Happy betting. 

Sincerely, The Shepherd.