The Sports Auditor

Rational and definitely never bias football analysis, picks, blogs, and commentary. 2026 CFB Picks 17-13 NFL 5-3

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

My Splash Sports NFL 5 ATS picks:

Bears -4.5
Buccaneers -8.5
Texans -2.5
Broncos -2.5
Raiders +6.5

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

If I had NC State +3.5 I might jump off my balcony

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

@jakemalasek Odds the team isn’t able to get all the way down the field to score and get the two point conversion is higher than the odds of you converting that two point conversion. I think it’s that simple.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

My picks for the Splash Sports CFB Pick 7 ATS Contests:

Kansas State -20.5
Ohio State -52.5
Alabama -19.5
Indiana -44.5
Stanford +9.5
Georgia State +18.5
Virginia Tech -2.5

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Bears -2.5

I don’t think the Bears defense will be very good this year but I think they still will cause turnovers at a high level.

Bryce Young and this Panthers offense are a definitely a tier or two below the Bears and Ben Johnson.

I think this will be a touchdown game that will lead to a Bryce Young pick late to seal the deal.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Steelers -3.5

This is purely a numbers play. I think Cooper Rush won’t be awful because of the supporting cast around him.

The Steelers will eventually stop Bijan and then once that happens I don’t think Rush will be able to make enough plays to keep this within a touchdown late.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Jets +2.5

I think this Jets team from a roster perspective is just better than the Titans.

Geno Smith is a serviceable starter despite how bad he looked against the Raiders last year.

The weakness of this Titans team that did not address in the offseason enough is this offensive line. That is where I think the Jets will take advantage.

Give me the Jets to win the stinky poo poo bowl of Week 1.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

My picks for week one of the NFL Splash Sports 5 ATS contest:

Bears -2.5
Steelers -3.5 (spreads lock at noon on Wednesday so got lucky here)
Jets +2.5
Texans +1.5
Packers +1.5

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Packers +1.5

This is another numbers play for me as Matt LaFleur is an incredible ATS coach early in the season.

He is 17-4 ATS during the first 3 games of the season since he’s taken over. I think the Packers will be ready to go in this one.

The Vikings are trying to work in their new starter in Kyler Murray who I don’t think is going to be very good. The defense for them will keep this close but I think the offense will hurt them tremendously.

Give me the Pack in Week 1.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Texans +1.5

Josh Allen does not play well in Houston and it’s just that simple. He’s 0-4 at NRG Stadium with ugly offensive stats as well.

I expect this Texans defense to be just as ferocious as last year and I think we will get just enough from Stroud and this offense I think this game be under 30 total points.

Give me the home dog.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Jets +2.5

I think this Jets team from a roster perspective is just better than the Titans.

Geno Smith is a serviceable starter despite how bad he looked against the Raiders last year.

The weakness of this Titans team that did not address in the offseason enough is this offensive line. That is where I think the Jets will take advantage.

Give me the Jets to win the stinky poo poo bowl of Week 1.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Steelers -3.5

This is purely a numbers play. I think Cooper Rush won’t be awful because of the supporting cast around him.

The Steelers will eventually stop Bijan and then once that happens I don’t think Rush will be able to make enough plays to keep this within a touchdown late.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Bears -2.5

I don’t think the Bears defense will be very good this year but I think they still will cause turnovers at a high level.

Bryce Young and this Panthers offense are a definitely a tier or two below the Bears and Ben Johnson.

I think this will be a touchdown game that will lead to a Bryce Young pick late to seal the deal.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Sark is such a fucking douche answer two questions and move on buddy not hard. Don’t need to disrespect the 🐐 Holly Rowe

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Wait a minute how come in the CyHawk game they said replay review can’t put time on the clock unless it’s more than 3 seconds but last week Michigan and WMU they were able to put 1 second on the clock?

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Nebraska -29.5

The Cornhuskers took a minute to build a big lead against Ohio last week but eventually got the job done.

Meanwhile Bowling Green lost to FCS school Tarleton State giving up 258 yards on the ground.

Ohio was only able to muster 165 yards through the air against the Cornhuskers with around the same on the ground.

Bowling Green is a worse team than Ohio and Nebraska running game is definitely better than Tarelton State.

I think Nebraska may run for 300+ yards and win this by 35+ points.

Give me a bowl of sweet corn and a sweet victory.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Iowa State +14.5

The CyHawk is a matchup that is historically low scoring going under the total in 17 of the last 20 matchups.

The underdog in this matchup has gone 13-7 against the spread with the margin of victory being above 14 points only 4 times.

I know Iowa has a superior roster but in this matchup I think you have to throw everything out the window. I think this game will stay within the number just by the matchup history alone.

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

I am also playing Iowa State +14.5 for about 2u, let’s go Cyclones!

[The Sports Auditor @SmokingDatCig]

Virginia Tech -19.5

This is another Franklin being a cover machine against inferior opponents pick.

We saw it last week against an awful VMI team where they ran up the score plenty in both halves.

Old Dominion played Norfolk State last week and got the double digit win but was really only effective on the ground as their QB Henicle didn’t provide much through the air.

I think Virginia Tech will limit Old Dominions ground attack and force their QB to beat them. I don’t think he’s up to the task. I think Virginia Tech gets up early and keeps the foot on the gas

Give me the Hokies by 28-35 points.