The Degenerate's Digest v.63

Does anyone remember Week 0? Not me. All those people getting their panties in a bunch over a 2-3 start sure are quiet now. 5-1 in Week 1 and we might just have our first wave pick of the season. How much of a better start can you have? ‘Well Joey Digest, you could have gone undefeated’. Honestly, I didn’t want to. I wanted to lose that Miami bet. That was a necessary sacrifice to get my chakras back in line as early as possible and serve as the never-ending reminder not to bet against Alabama. We got it out of our system in the first week of the season. You’re welcome. With all this said, this week is a new week. We can’t come in with our heads in the clouds like a road team fresh off a win against some dirt road program. No surrender, no mercy. That’s my industry, baby.

(13) Florida @ USF: Florida -28.5

USF is that bad. They didn’t put up one point in their season opener last week against NC State, losing 45-0. Can you pull the instate rivalry card? No, not really. USF doesn't sniff the talent level of the Gators. Not to mention the fact that this will more likely than not end up as a home game for Florida. USF isn’t selling out games. The amount of weapons Dan Mullen has on offense in Emory Jones, Dameon Pierce, Justin Shorter, and Jacob Copeland, they’ll be looking to score on every drive today. Even if this game is 38-10 with 5 minutes to go, expect the Gators to put the pedal to the metal and cover this one.

Final Score: Florida 45, USF 13

Purdue @ UConn: Purdue -34.5

You can’t bet against the wave my friends. You know it, I know it, all of us degenerates know it. UConn is B-R-O-K-E-N BROKEN. Their head coach Randy Edsall announced after last week's loss to Holy Cross (shoutout Brandy) that he would be retiring at the end of the season, but also that he would be stepping down immediately… but ALSO that he’s still going to be coaching on the sidelines? I honestly have no words for this team other than the building wave we’re experiencing. Don’t ask questions, we’re searching for the ultimate ride - let's see if we have it.

Final Score: Purdue 54, UConn 10

Ball State @ (11) Penn State: Penn State -22

If you hit the DMs last week for the #PremiumMemberTickleTeaser, you would have also gotten a little birdy in your ear for Penn State +5.5. I was that birdy. I actually like Penn State a lot this year and think they could potentially give Ohio State a run for their money for the Big Ten title. While I did like Ball State’s team last year, they almost got beat at home to open the season against Western Illinois. They are going to have their hands full in Happy Valley today. This could be one of those look ahead games for the Nittany Lions after a huge road win against Wisconsin… but the key term in there is ‘road win’. A home opener with Beaver Stadium full for the first time in 2 years? Like I said… the Cardinals are going to have their hands full today.

Final Score: Penn State 45, Ball State 13

Austin Peay @ (20) Ole Miss: Ole Miss -34.5

Ole Miss scores points. A lot of points. I can’t say Louisville's defense was anything close to impressive, but regardless - the Rebels have an offense. Lane Kiffin is back in the driver's seat for this home opener in front of the rowdy faithful just buzzin off hot toddy’s. It’s a lot of points to ask for, but it will be a lot of points we receive. Austin pee-pee might as well stay in the locker room.

Final Score: Ole Miss 57, Austin Peay 17

McNeese @ LSU: LSU -38.5

Oh boy. Here we go. Everyone who’s anyone knows my history with LSU bets on the Digest. Coach O and I, we have some history. We prank call one another, get under each others skin a bit, and just kind of be rivals with class and respect. I think for the most part the Coach O Curse on the Digest ended in the 2019 Championship Game, but if you know anything about the depths of Louisiana and the voodoo powers that can lerk in the swamps or in the cayenne spices sulking in the jambalaya - you know that this playful kinship can pop back up at any moment. With that said, this is a Hurricane Game and one where LSU has to blow the doors off the Cowboys in Tiger Stadium after a tough road loss to UCLA in order to stay relevant this season.

Final Score: LSU 54, McNeese 14

I’m sure most of you are scratching your heads, wondering where in the world are the two best games of the week. Well, the truth is, I absolutely hate them. I hate the lines, they could truthfully go either way, and that’s not how you win money. With that said, you are all degenerates and you deserve nothing but the best, we charge forward in the face of fear.

(12) Oregon @ (3) Ohio State: Ohio State -14.5

Do yourself a favor and by this down at least a half point if you can. Every ounce of my body wants to take the Ducks here, but you don’t get rich betting against Ohio State regardless of my predictions for their overall struggles this season. I hate it, but this is the pick I’m adding to my card - I don’t want to go into it any further.

Final Score: Ohio State 38, Oregon 21

(10) Iowa @ (9) Iowa State: Iowa State -4.5

Iowa wins this game 80% of the time. No actually, that’s the percentage. Iowa State comes into this season as a potential team to be a sleeper pick for the playoff. There’s no lie, they have dudes. But when you put corn fed American against corn fed American, you’re not going very far very quickly. And that’s why the only chance the Cyclones have to pull this one out at Jack Trice today is to have success in the throwing game. Brock Purdy needs to be able to find his receivers, and find them often. I think they will do that and get back on track to a widely successful season (might win 10 games for the first time in program history is they notch this one today). This game screams 3-4 point win, but I just can’t not take the dudes - it’s the dumbest bet but also the smartest.

Final Score: Iowa State 24, Iowa 17

Running Record: (99-74-3)

Shameless plug, we have a new-ish podcast out on Apple Podcasts and soon to be Spotify for NFL gambling content. Who Ya Got? will be out every Friday during the NFL season featuring myself, Sāmmy Spreads, and Stat Man Cam. You can find Week One's episode below. We go over the slate, what we like from a gambling perspective, and just shoot the shit. Guys being dudes. Check it out, I know you need to pay the phone bill.