Jim Feist Handicapper Review & Free Sports Picks

The No. 18 Miami Hurricanes (6-2, 2-2 ACC) will face the Syracuse Orange (3-6, 1-5 ACC) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The game will start at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Hurricanes are 28.5-point favorites, with the total set at 45.5 points.

Miami will look to get back on track at home against the Orange. Quarterback Carson Beck had a strong game in the Hurricanes’ 26-20 road loss at SMU last Saturday, completing 25-of-41 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns. He threw two interceptions in the loss. Miami should have a bounce-back game behind its top-15 scoring defense (15.6 points per game) and third-ranked run defense (79.3 yards per game) in the FBS. Beck will have talented weapons in Joshisa Trader, who caught eight passes for 81 yards and a score last week, and running back Mark Fletcher, who averaged 5.3 yards per carry on nine rushes against SMU.

Syracuse has been spiraling down the standings. The Orange looked to be in good shape with a 3-0 start, highlighted by their win over Clemson in Week 3. They have since lost five in a row, most recently a 27-10 loss at North Carolina. Quarterback Joseph Filardi was a non-factor, going 4-of-18 passing for 39 yards. Syracuse has struggled offensively, ranking 97th nationally in scoring (23.7 points per game). The Orange have also been gouged on defense, allowing 435.7 yards per game (125th FBS) and a whopping 267.8 yards per game through the air.

This game is clearly a get-right spot for Miami. The Hurricanes need to win out and get some help to have a shot at the playoff. It will look to get back to dominating opponents on defense and throwing on offense. Beck will have good matchups in the Syracuse secondary. Miami’s defense is also better than Syracuse’s offense and will be able to limit the Orange’s production on offense. The under 45.5 could be popular in this game.

Miami should have no problem covering the spread in this one.

Jim's Play: 142. Miami Florida

Mississippi State will host No. 5 Georgia in Saturday’s SEC showdown.  Georgia Bulldogs (7-1, 5-1 SEC) look to be at a big advantage here on Saturday over  Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-4, 1-4 SEC).  The Bulldogs of Mississippi State and Bulldogs of Georgia meet in a home game in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Davis Wade Stadium in Mississippi. Georgia will take the field with an 8.5-point or 9-point advantage over Mississippi State. Mississippi State overcame a four-game losing streak the previous week by defeating Arkansas in the final seconds, 38-35, after quarterback Will Rogers completed passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Jo’Quavious Marks rushed for 92 yards. Georgia’s season is still going strong, despite the 24-20 loss to Florida. Defensive end Jordan Hall broke his knee in the game and will miss the rest of the season. Georgia is led by quarterback Gunner Stockton, who has thrown for 764 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions this year.

Georgia is missing key pieces after last week’s hard-fought 24-20 win over Florida. The Bulldogs’ defense is reeling after losing defensive tackle Jordan Hall to a season-ending knee injury. Linebacker Chris Cole and cornerback Demello Jones are both questionable to play. Mississippi State’s offense is firing on all cylinders with QB Will Rogers throwing for 289 yards and 3 TDs last week in a 38-35 victory over Arkansas. RB Jo’Quavious Marks chipped in with 92 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs’ offensive line also performed admirably last week, holding up against the Razorbacks’ pass rush. Georgia’s defense, which is still in the top 25 nationally, has been susceptible to big plays this year, and Mississippi State’s fast-paced, vertical passing attack could make them pay. On offense, Georgia has been solid but unspectacular. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has been efficient, and running back Chauncey Bowens has emerged as a reliable target, but Mississippi State’s defensive front has improved in recent weeks, particularly in limiting yards after contact. Expect Georgia to win, but expect Mississippi State to keep it close enough to cover at home.

Jim's Play: 156. Mississippi State (Early Game)

The Connecticut Huskies (6-3) host the Duke Blue Devils (5-3) at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford on Saturday, November 8, 2025, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. Duke enters as an 8.5-point favorite, but the Huskies have quietly built a strong resume, especially at home where they’re undefeated this season. UConn is coming off a dominant 38-19 win over UAB, led by quarterback Joe Fagnano, who threw for 267 yards and four touchdowns while surpassing the 10,000-yard career passing mark. Wide receiver Skyler Bell was electric, hauling in eight catches for 149 yards and three scores, while running back Camryn Edwards added 62 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Duke, meanwhile, is riding high after a dramatic 46-45 win over Clemson, sealed by a gutsy two-point conversion dubbed the “Waffle House” play. Quarterback Darian Mensah was sensational, throwing for 361 yards and four touchdowns, but the Blue Devils’ defense showed vulnerability, surrendering 385 passing yards and nearly 200 rushing yards. That porous performance could be exploited by a UConn offense that ranks 12th nationally in passing yards per game and thrives on explosive plays.

While Duke boasts the fourth-ranked passing offense in the country, UConn’s secondary has held opponents under 250 passing yards in four of its last five games. The Huskies’ ability to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers at home makes this matchup intriguing. With both teams capable of lighting up the scoreboard, the total is set high at 65.5, but the real value lies in UConn’s ability to keep pace and capitalize on Duke’s defensive lapses.

Expect a shootout, but with UConn’s home-field advantage and offensive balance, the Huskies are well-positioned to cover the spread and push Duke to the brink in a high-scoring affair.

Jim's Play: 192. U Conn  (midday Game)

San Diego State (7-1, 4-0 MWC) travels to Honolulu to face Hawai‘i (6-3, 3-2 MWC) at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on Saturday, November 8, 2025, with kickoff set for 11 p.m. ET. The Aztecs are listed as 6.5-point favorites, but the Rainbow Warriors have the offensive firepower and home-field edge to keep this one close. Hawai‘i boasts the sixth-ranked passing offense in the FBS, averaging over 307 yards per game through the air, led by quarterback Micah Alejado, who threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s narrow 45-38 loss to San Jose State.

San Diego State counters with a stingy defense, ranked sixth nationally in total yards allowed and eighth against the pass. However, the Aztecs’ offense has been pedestrian, ranking 84th in total yards and 112th in passing. Quarterback Jayden Denegal has struggled with consistency, throwing two interceptions last week despite a win over Wyoming. Running back Lucky Sutton remains the focal point, rushing for 158 yards on 28 carries in that game, but Hawai‘i’s improving run defense could limit his impact.

The Rainbow Warriors are 4-1 at home this season and tend to thrive in late-night kickoffs, especially against mainland teams. Their ability to stretch the field vertically and score quickly makes them a dangerous underdog. While San Diego State’s defense will keep this from becoming a shootout, Hawai‘i’s tempo and passing rhythm should generate enough offense to stay within the number.

Expect a competitive contest under the lights in Honolulu, with Hawai‘i covering the spread and pushing the Aztecs deep into the fourth quarter.

Jim's Play: 204. Hawaii (Late night game)

The LSU Tigers (5-3, 2-3 SEC) head to Tuscaloosa to face the Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1, 5-0 SEC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, November 8, 2025, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Alabama is a 10-point favorite, but LSU’s recent coaching shakeup and defensive strengths suggest this game could be tighter than expected. After parting ways with head coach Brian Kelly, LSU enters the matchup with a fresh mindset and a chance to play spoiler in one of the SEC’s most storied rivalries.

Alabama is riding a five-game win streak, most recently edging South Carolina 29-22 behind quarterback Ty Simpson’s 253 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Tide’s defense ranks 20th nationally in scoring (18.3 points per game) and 12th against the pass, but they’ve shown vulnerability against mobile quarterbacks and quick-strike offenses. LSU, despite its recent 49-25 loss to Texas A&M, has the tools to exploit those gaps. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier leads a passing attack averaging 249 yards per game, and wideout Kyren Lacy remains a deep threat capable of flipping field position.

Defensively, LSU ranks 22nd in scoring defense and 35th in total yards allowed, with a front seven that can pressure Simpson and contain Alabama’s run game.

The Tigers have held opponents under 20 points in four of their last six contests, and their ability to generate turnovers could be pivotal in keeping this game close. Interim coach Frank Wilson has emphasized aggressive play-calling and tempo, which could catch Alabama off guard early.

While Alabama has dominated unranked opponents at home-winning 84 straight in such matchups-LSU is no ordinary underdog. With renewed focus, a capable defense, and explosive offensive pieces, the Tigers are well-positioned to stay within the number. Expect Alabama to win, but LSU to cover in a gritty, emotionally charged SEC battle.

Jim's Play: 169. LSU

The Kentucky Wildcats (3-5, 1-5 SEC) host the Florida Gators (3-5, 2-3 SEC) at Kroger Field in Lexington on Saturday, November 8, 2025, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network. Florida enters as a slight 3-point road favorite, but both teams are fighting for bowl eligibility, and Kentucky’s recent defensive performance suggests they’re ready to rise to the occasion. The Wildcats are coming off a gritty 10-3 win at Auburn, where their defense held the Tigers to just 217 total yards and forced two turnovers. Linebacker Alex Afari Jr. continues to anchor the unit with 49 tackles and six tackles for loss on the season.

Offensively, Kentucky leans on running back Seth McGowan, who has rushed for 529 yards and seven touchdowns, while quarterback Cutter Boley has shown flashes of promise despite some inconsistency, throwing for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns. Wideout Kendrick Law has emerged as a reliable target, leading the team with 351 receiving yards.

Florida, meanwhile, is still adjusting under interim head coach Billy Gonzales and is coming off a narrow 24-20 loss to Georgia. Quarterback DJ Lagway has thrown for 1,679 yards and 10 touchdowns but has also tossed nine interceptions, raising concerns about ball security on the road. The Gators have struggled away from Gainesville, and Kroger Field has proven to be a tough venue for visiting teams, especially in night games. Kentucky’s defense ranks 44th nationally against the run and has the personnel to contain Florida’s ground game, led by Jaden Baugh. If the Wildcats can force Lagway into mistakes and control the tempo with McGowan’s running, they’ll have a real shot to win outright.

In a matchup of evenly matched teams with postseason hopes hanging in the balance, expect a low-scoring, physical contest. Kentucky’s defensive edge and home-field advantage make them a smart play to cover the number in what could be a pivotal game for both programs.

Jim's Play: 126. Kentucky