We all know I’m a genius, humbly, and that the football gods just didn’t want me to have a good week. That means one thing, I’m due this week. We’re still over .500 for the year so don’t lose faith in me yet – like a good huntin’ dog, I just gotta get on the scent.
– 24 Illinois at 22 Nebraska
Nebraska is 7-26 in 1-score games since 2019 and we should now expect that when it’s a close one, and the Cornhuskers are on the field, they will disappoint.
– NC St. at 21 Clemson
This game was not nearly as close as the scoreboard said, and the scoreboard had Clemson up 24 against the Pack when the clock hit 0. Takeaway the 3 TDs scored in the 4th on Clemson’s back-ups’, back-ups, and NC St. may not have been let back into Raleigh.
– 11 USC at 18 Michigan
The narrative from this game is that USC isn’t ready for the Big 10…this couldn’t be further than the truth as the Wolverines needed to drive the field to win the game in this one. USC needs to be better against the run, but this is not indicative of USC being bad (or Michigan being good).
– Georgia Tech at 19 Louisville
Welcome back to reality Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets stung me to the tune of 98 yards rushing in their double-digit loss to Louisville. Georgia Tech is a decent team, but they are not ACC contenders yet.
– 6 Tennessee at 15 Oklahoma
Tennessee’s defense is legit, but I think this game showed more about Oklahoma’s team than it did about Tennessee’s. Oklahoma’s defense is tough to score on, but man that offense is plain as vanilla. We’ll see what happens with the QB change from Jackson Arnold to Michael Hawkins, but I don’t think it’ll make much of a difference.
1. Maryland at Indiana
Kurtis Rourke, better known as the Maple Missile, has already eclipsed 1000 pass yards this year and he gets the privilege of facing the 103rd ranked pass defense this weekend – what’d you expect a turtle to do against the passing game? I think the Terps are looking good this year, but at the end of the day the sold-out Indiana crow will be chanting “Hoosier Daddy.”
Indiana 42 Maryland 28
Indiana -7
Over 55.5
2. 15 Louisville at 16 Notre Dame
The Cardinals are coming off of their first real test against Georgia Tech, holding them to less than 100 yards rushing (98 to be exact). This tells me that the Cardinals and their defensive line, led by Ashton Gillotte, will fare well against a Notre Dame team that makes their hay from running the football. I think the Notre Dame defense will hold their own against the Louisville offense, but will tire out from the Irish offense failing to keep them off the field.
Louisville 24 Notre Dame 13
Louisville +6.5
Under 48.5
3. Stanford at 17 Clemson
The last time the Cardinal and Tigers faced off, it was the 1986 Gator Bowl – a game in which the Tigers won 27-21. The only thing similar to the previous matchup is that Stanford will be traveling across the country for this game. Stanford has an extremely talented receiver in Elic Ayomanorwho will be able to give the Tiger defense trouble, however, he won’t be able to do enough to make up for the Cardinal’s 129th ranked pass defense. I hate to say this, but I think the Clemson offense resurgence marches on this weekend with its third straight 50 burger.
Clemson 52 Stanford 24
Clemson -21.5
Over 58
4. 19 Illinois at 9 Penn St.
Penn St. is calling for a White Out, but for legal purposes, they can’t call it a White Out…nothing like some suits having their teeth sunk in our beautiful game. I digress. Luke Altmyer and the Fighting Illini are having a pretty good first quarter of the season with victories over Kansas and Nebraska on their resume already. Penn St. handled business against West Virginia and looked shaky against Bowling Green. I think Penn St. puts a lot of pressure on Illinois’s 35th ranked rush defense and ends up winning a close one in Happy Valley…remember, it’s a White Out but don’t you dare call it that!
Penn St. 31 Illinois 21
Illinois +17.5
Over 47.5
5. 2 Georgia at 4 Alabama
The game of the week, what everyone will be calling a playoff preview. The Dawgs head to Tuscaloosa to take on the Saban-less Tide. Gameday will be there, and you know that crowd will be amped every time ole St. Nick speaks. Alabama and Georgia are very similar teams this year, but the biggest difference in these two teams is the rushing attacks – Alabama averages almost 100 more yards per game on the ground. If Alabama gets that running game going, I think they’re able to win this one behind a rowdy home crowd.
Alabama 27 Georgia 23
Alabama +2.5
Over 49.5
You must be logged in to post a comment.