We’re back this week with a trio of games that I like. As always, feel free to comment or reach out on Twitter @Smithers513. Good luck!

Troy @ South Alabama -13.5

At this point in the season, we can start to identify teams that have packed it in for the year, and I think Troy falls into this category. The Trojans longtime coach retired a few weeks ago, and given the product Troy has run out there, I can’t say I blame him. Outside of beating an awful New Mexico State team, the Trojans have lost every game this season, and most of them in ugly fashion. It’s not going to get any easier for them Friday night at South Alabama, who has their sights set on a Sun Belt title. If this game was a noon kickoff on a Saturday, I would be concerned about the flat spot for the Jaguars, but given the game is a  prime time Friday night nationally televised game, I think we’ll get the Jaguars best effort. South Alabama has a lot of experience and a talented defense that should keep Troy under 14 points with relative ease. The Trojans haven’t been able to keep anybody out of the end zone, surrendering over 40 points a game. South Alabama is no juggernaut offensively, but I think they’ll control this game at every aspect and run away with this one. It’s chalky, but I’m okay swallowing the points here.

Memphis -23 @ SMU

Similar theme here with the play on the Tigers. I am not exaggerating when I write that SMU may be the worst football team I’ve ever seen. When I look at this spot, I look at a Memphis team that should be hungry for a good performance after losing as a favorite over Houston two weeks ago. With the bye last week, they’ve had that bad taste in their mouths for two weeks, and a good ole whipping against SMU is what they need. I don’t know how SMU scores against a talented Memphis defense, given the Mustangs only mustered up 3 points against Cincinnati last week, who is allowing 34.5 points a game. If Memphis scores 31 points, which I think they eclipse by the end of the first half more than likely, they’ll cover this game.

Louisiana Tech @ Southern Miss +9.5

Louisiana Tech has to be one of the hardest teams in the country to figure out, given they destroyed Lousiana-Lafayette and also lost to Northwestern State. But this week, I think they are simply laying too many points in a sandwich spot. The Bulldogs are coming off two straight home wins, and have Western Kentucky at home next week, with a trip to lowly Southern Miss in between. I think a good deal of Louisiana Tech’s success can be attributed to their turnover margin, given they are not impressive statistically on offense or defense, but rank 17th in the country in turnover margin. Southern Miss is a team that I thought would present opportunity this year given how bad they’ve been the last couple years. The Golden Eagles are coming off a road win at North Texas, and I think they’ll carry that momentum into Saturday and be able to keep this one within the number. If nothing else, the backdoor should be wide open given the Golden Eagles propensity to air it out.