Season record: 19-19-1

Last week: 4-2 (Minnesota +29.5, Baylor +14, Penn State -13.5, LSU +7.5, Michigan -9.5,  Auburn -15.5)

Good to get back on track after a horrible Week 6. This was a solid week, but there is still work to be done. Time to take a look back.

Minnesota came out and challenged Ohio State on Saturday. The Golden Gophers held a 14-10 lead in the second quarter, but it did not last. Minnesota would not score for the remainder of the game and would go on to lose 30-14. Minnesota did hold Ohio State to a season-low 92 rushing yards.

It was not a win, but remember that the Golden Gophers were 29.5 point underdogs, so it was a cover.

I figured that Texas would not have their best performance due to this game coming on the heels of the Oklahoma game. However, there was another reason. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger was injured in the first quarter. Shane Buechele replaced Ehlinger, and completed 20 of 34 passes for 184 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Buechele played well enough to get the win, but did not have the offense in its usual rhythm. The Longhorns hung on to win 23-17, which was short of the 14 point spread.

Penn State looked to be in control as they took a 14-7 lead into halftime. However, that would not hold. Michigan State rallied for a 21-17 victory.

Penn State was held to a season-low in points. The Nittany Lions struggled on third downs, only converting three of fourteen attempts.

LSU came into this game as a 7.5 point underdog. LSU defeated Georgia 36-16. Was it an upset? No, this was a whoopin’.

LSU controlled the game throughout, and took a 16-0 lead into halftime. The Tigers remained in control, even as Georgia rallied. The Bulldogs cut the lead to 19-9 with an Elijah Holyfield touchdown run, but LSU stopped the two point conversion attempt. LSU would go on to add another touchdown and a pair of field goals while Georgia scored another touchdown.

LSU put on a dominant performance Saturday. The Tigers established a physical running game which gained 275 yards on the ground. LSU also took advantage of Georgia miscues, which included two interceptions and two special teams fumbles. One of the fumbles came on an ill-advised fake field goal attempt. On 4th and 9 from the LSU 14 yard line, Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship took a flip and trotted towards the sideline where he was met by LSU safety Grant Delpit and other LSU defenders. Blankenship promptly fumbled and LSU took over.

Michigan dominated in Ann Arbor Saturday night. The Michigan defense put together another great performance only allowing 283 yards, most of which came in garbage time, as they cruised to a 38-13 victory. Michigan got it done on the ground offensively, as they rushed for 320 yards as a team. Both quarterbacks, Shea Patterson and Dylan McCaffrey, ran for long touchdowns. Patterson had a touchdown run of 81 yards, while McCaffrey had one for 44 yards.

Wisconsin had some success on the ground with running back Jonathan Taylor rushing for 101 yards. However, the Wisconsin offense was too one dimensional as quarterback Alex Hornibrook only completed 7 of 20 passes for 100 yards. Hornibrook was also intercepted twice.

Things went from bad to worse in Auburn as they were defeated by Tennessee on Saturday. The Tigers came into the game as 15.5 point favorites and lost 30-24.

The Auburn offense was able to put up 448 yards, but three turnovers cost them the game. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw two interceptions and fumbled once.

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano had a career day with 328 yards and two touchdowns.

And now for this week’s picks.

Oklahoma Sooners @ TCU Horned Frogs | 11:00 AM CT | October 20 | Amon G. Carter Stadium

Line: Oklahoma – 8 | Total: 61

Oklahoma comes into this game off of a bye week. In the previous week, the Sooners were defeated 48-45 by the Texas Longhorns. After the game, Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops was fired. I look for an inspired defensive effort Saturday when they face a TCU offense who has had problems coming into this game. The Horned Frogs are averaging just under 15 points per game in their last three outings.

The Oklahoma offense has been excellent, averaging 525 yards per game. Kyler Murray is continuing to put up eye-popping numbers, completing 71.1% of his passes with 21 touchdowns.

I am taking Oklahoma -8 as I see them getting back on track.

Kansas Jayhawks @ Texas Tech Red Raiders | 2:30 PM CT | October 20 | Jones AT&T Stadium

Line: Texas Tech -20 | Total: 58.5

Texas Tech has come on strong, winning four of its last five. Kansas has lost three straight after winning two in a row. Both teams have had extra time to prepare for this game, Kansas is coming off of a bye week while Texas Tech played last Thursday night.

If we are comparing offenses, Texas Tech has a far superior unit. The Red Raiders average 552 yards per game while the Jayhawks average 348. However, Kansas has been great at getting turnovers, with 18 thus far in the season.

The catalyst on the Kansas offense has been Pooka Williams. After sitting out the opener, the diminutive 170 pound Williams averages 125 yards from scrimmage per game. Against a Texas Tech defense that has been suspect at times, I look for Williams to make enough big plays to ignite the Jayhawks offense.

I am going with Kansas +20. The Jayhawks find a way to keep this game close.

Penn State Nittany Lions @ Indiana Hoosiers | 2:30 PM CT | October 20 | Memorial Stadium

Line: Penn State -14.5 | Total: 60.5

As mentioned earlier, Penn State fell at home to Michigan State, 21-17. After stumbling in two straight games, Indiana is a welcomed opponent. Indiana has been pushed around for two straight games. Ohio State defeated the Hoosiers 49-26 and then it was Iowa beating them 42-16. The Indiana defense gave up six touchdowns in each of those games.

For Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, this is exactly the opponent he needs to get going. McSorley and the Penn State offense were slowed down against Michigan State, only gaining 397 total yards, well under their season average of 491.

I like Penn State -14.5 as I expect the Nittany Lions to run it up on the Hoosiers on Saturday.

Mississippi State Bulldogs @ LSU Tigers | 6:00 PM CT | October 20 | LSU Tiger Stadium

Line: LSU -6.5 | Total: 45

Both LSU and Mississippi State are coming off their most impressive victories of the season. For LSU, it was a 36-16 thrashing of then #2 Georgia. For Mississippi State, it was a 23-9 romping of then #8 Auburn. These are two physical teams that play great defense.

LSU gives up 16.9 points per game while Mississippi State only gives up 12.7 points per game. It figures to be tough sledding for both offenses in this game.

LSU’s offense has continued to grow. The Tigers have done it with great balance, as they average 404 yards per game offensively, 202 coming on the ground and another 202 coming through the air. Quarterback Joe Burrow’s stats will not jump out at you, but he has put the Tigers in position to win every game this season. Burrow is completing 53% of his passes with 6 touchdowns. LSU’s duo of running backs, Nick Brossette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, have provided a punch. They have 1,115 yards between the two.

Mississippi State got back to what it does best, running the ball. The Bulldogs rushed for 349 yards in their victory over Auburn. In the previous setbacks against Kentucky and Florida, Mississippi State averaged only 80 rushing yards.

While the Mississippi State offense has regained its identity, I feel the LSU defense is too good to be beaten by an offense that its one dimensional. LSU is at home, and their offense will make the plays necessary. LSU -6.5 is my pick.

Ohio State Buckeyes @ Purdue Boilermakers | 6:30 PM CT | October 20 | Ross-Ade Stadium

Line: Ohio State -13.5 | Total: 67

After starting 0-3, Purdue has won three straight games. In those games, quarterback David Blough has become a force. Blough has completed 71 of 106 passes for 1,001 yards and 7 touchdowns against Boston College, Nebraska, and Illinois.

The Boilermakers are gaining confidence going into their toughest competition to date, the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes have won every game by double digits with the exception of one, their 27-26 road victory at Penn State. This will be Ohio State’s first road game since then.

I am going with Purdue +13.5. You do not just walk into Ross-Ade Stadium and expect to cover!

Oregon Ducks @ Washington State Cougars | 6:30 PM CT | October 20 | Martin Stadium

Line: Washington State -3 | Total: 67.5

Saturday could be one of the biggest football games in the history of Pullman. #12 Oregon meets #25 Washington State in a game that could decide the Pac-12 North. More importantly, the ESPN College GameDay crews rolls into town for the first time ever. You can read more about that here.

These teams are very similar stats-wise offensively, Oregon averages 483 yards per game while Washington State averages 486 yards per game. Both teams have had great quarterback play as well. Oregon’s Justin Herbert has thrown for 1,613 yards and 17 interceptions while Washington State’s Gardner Minshew has thrown for 2,422 yards and 10 touchdowns.

This game figures to feature an abundance of passing, so I look at the pass defense of each team. Washington State has a significant edge here. Washington State allows 163 passing yards per game and their pass efficiency against is 112.24. For Oregon, they allow 239 passing yards per game and a pass efficiency against of 134.13.

I am taking Washington State -3.

Vanderbilt Commodores @ Kentucky Wildcats | 6:30 PM CT | October 20 | Kroger Field

Line: Kentucky -11 | Total: 48.5

Kentucky suffered its first loss of the season in overtime two weeks ago at Texas A&M. With a bye week, last week I like their chances against Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt gave up over 292 rushing yards to Florida last week and 219 rushing yards to Georgia the week before. That spells trouble against a Kentucky team who runs the ball to a tune of 224 yards per game.

Once again, I am taking Kentucky -11.

OUTTA HERE!