Season record: 23-22-1
Last week: 4-3 (Oklahoma -8, Kansas +20, Penn State -14.5, LSU -6.5, Purdue +13.5, Washington State -3, Kentucky -11)
Another positive week in the books, if only slightly. Here is a look back.
TCU was able to hang with Oklahoma for a half, but the Sooners were simply too much for the Horned Frogs in the second half. Oklahoma led 28-24 at half, and went on a 52-27 victory. Kyler Murray completed 19 of 24 passes for 213 yards and 4 touchdowns. The running game was a big factor for the Sooners as Kennedy Brooks ran for 168 yards, and Trey Sermon ran for 110 yards.
The Oklahoma defense, in its first game since the firing of defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, had a strong performance. The Sooners limited to 275 yards and only 3 points in the second half.
TCU’s star of the game was KaVontae Turpin, who had two touchdowns – one kick return and another receiving. However, Turpin was arrested Sunday and dismissed from the team on Tuesday. It was just another setback for TCU, as they now sit at 3-4 overall, and 1-3 in Big XII play.
20 points was not enough cushion for Kansas as they fell 48-16 at the hands of Texas Tech. The Kansas defense had three takeaways, but Texas Tech overcame them, as their offense piled on 553 yards. Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman threw for 408 yards and 3 touchdowns after missing the TCU game due to a partially collapsed lung suffered in the West Virginia game.
It is time for me to stop picking Penn State.
The Nittany Lions won a close one in Bloomington, Indiana on Saturday to end their two-game losing streak. It took until the fourth quarter for Penn State to take control in this back-and-forth affair. Penn State took a 33-21 lead with a Trace McSorley touchdown run with 10:25 remaining. Indiana scored in the final minute to make it 33-28 on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Ramsey to J-Shun Harris.
For the game, Indiana outgained Penn State 554 to 417 in yardage.
It was a defensive showdown in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. LSU defeated Mississippi State 19-3 in a game that featured only one touchdown. Neither offense got into much of a rhythm on a sloppy field against two of the best defenses in the country. The only touchdown of the game was set up by a Michael Divinity interception return to the Mississippi State 3-yard line. Three plays later, LSU running back Nick Brossette scored on a one yard run.
The story of this game was takeaways. Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald threw four interceptions as he struggled to throw the ball. For the game, Fitzgerald completed only 8 of 24 passes for 59 yards. However, the biggest takeaway was the controversial targeting call on Devin White late in the fourth quarter. Because of the penalty, White was ejected from the game, and is set to serve a first half suspension when LSU plays Alabama on November 3.
I knew Purdue had a chance in this game, but I never expected the Boilermakers to dominate in the fashion they did on Saturday night. Purdue took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, and never trailed as they defeated Ohio State 49-20.
Purdue’s offense put on a show. Purdue quarterback Blough threw for 378 yards and 3 touchdowns, running back D.J. Knox ran for 128 yards and a season-high 3 touchdowns, and receiver Rondale Moore had 170 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins threw for 470 yards, but it took him 73 attempts to get there. The game was also capped off when a Haskins’ pass was picked off by Purdue linebacker Markus Bailey and returned 41 yards for a touchdown.
It may have been the biggest game in Washington State football history, and the Cougars were up to the task. Washington State came out hot, and scored on four of their first five drives as they took a 27-0 lead into halftime. Oregon would cut the lead to 27-20 in the fourth quarter, but Washington State answered with a touchdown on their next possession. The Cougars went on to win by a final score of 34-20.
Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew had the bigger day of the two quarterbacks. Minshew completed 39 of 51 passes for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns. The four touchdowns went to four different receivers. Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert completed 25 of 44 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown. Herbert also ran for another touchdown.
Kentucky got the win with a 14-7 victory over Vanderbilt, but it was not enough to get the cover. The Wildcats have a strong running game and defense, however, their passing game is almost nonexistent. Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson threw for only 18 yards.
Benny Snell delivered once again, with 169 yards on 32 carries and a touchdown. Wilson also added 91 rushing yards.
The Kentucky defense limited Vanderbilt to 284 yards. Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen had eight total tackles, total sacks, and a pass deflection.
Now, for Week 9, I need another good week to stay above .500. Here are the picks.
Miami Hurricanes @ Boston College Eagles | 6:00 PM CT | October 26 | Alumni Stadium
Line: Miami -3.5 | Total: 49.5
Some Friday night action to get things started this week.
Miami enters this game second nationally in total defense, allowing only 237 yards per game. However, the Hurricanes find themselves sputtering after a 16-13 loss to Virginia on October 13. Both quarterbacks N’Kosi Perry and Malik Rosier struggled in the loss, combining to throw for three interceptions.
For Boston College, running back AJ Dillon returns to action after missing the previous two games due to an ankle injury. Dillon averaged 130 rushing yards per game before the injury. In the Eagles’ previous game against Louisville, David Bailey and Ben Glines combined to rush for 219 yards, each scoring a rushing touchdown.
Aside from a horrific game against Purdue, in which he threw four interceptions, Boston College quarterback has been quite efficient. The sophomore is completing 58.7% of his passes with 14 touchdowns on the year.
Friday night is one of the biggest games on Boston College’s schedule. That is because it is the Red Bandana Game which honors former Boston College alumnus Welles Crowther. Crowther was a former Boston College lacrosse player who went onto play a heroic role in the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. Among the ways Crowther is honored is the Red Bandana Game. In last year’s game, Boston College defeated Florida State 35-3.
I’m going with Boston College +3.5. How could I not?
Vanderbilt Commodores @ Arkansas Razorbacks | 11:00 AM CT | October 27 | Razorback Stadium
Line: Vanderbilt -1 | Total: 52
Both teams enter this game searching for their first SEC win of the season. Vanderbilt comes into the game with a record of 3-5. If the Commodores are to reach a bowl game, this is a must-win game.
Statistically, these teams appear very even. Vanderbilt averages 377 yards per game while Arkansas averages 370 yards per game. The Commodores give up 408 yards per game while the Razorbacks give up 409 yards per game.
I am taking Vanderbilt -1. The Commodores have a third-year starter in Kyle Shurmur at quarterback while Arkansas quarterback Ty Storey is coming back after suffering a concussion. In what appears to be a close game, I am putting my faith in the veteran quarterback to come through in the end.
Florida Gators vs Georgia Bulldogs | 2:30 PM CT | October 27 | TIAA Bank Stadium
Line: Georgia -6.5 | Total: 52
Florida and Georgia both enter the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party off of a bye. Both teams are looking to improve on their last outings; Georgia was dominated by LSU, 36-16, and Florida had to comeback to defeat Vanderbilt by a score of 37-27.
The bye week comes at a great time for Georgia as they need to regroup after the loss to LSU. Quarterback Jake Fromm had one of his worse games ever completing 16 of 34 passes with 2 interceptions. I expect Fromm to bounce back, as he has in the past. Even after the poor performance, Fromm averages 9.5 yards per attempt on the season. I also look for the Bulldogs to feature more of Elijah Holyfield, who averaged 8.0 yards per carry in the LSU game. Despite his effectiveness, Holyfield only had seven carries.
There is no question Dan Mullen is making the most of Feleipe Franks at quarterback. In SEC play, Franks is completing 55% of his passes. Complementing Franks are two good running backs in Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine, who both average 5.4 yards per carry and have 3 touchdowns each.
I expect the Georgia defense to still be stewing over LSU rushing for 275 yards two weeks ago. Last year, after a similar result against Auburn, the Bulldogs bounced back and defeated Kentucky, 42-13. This Florida team is better than last year’s Kentucky team, but I believe in their resiliency under Kirby Smart. I am taking Georgia -6.5 and I also expect it to be a low-scoring affair, so under 52 as well.
Arizona State Sun Devils @ USC Trojans | 2:30 PM CT | October 27 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Line: USC -6.5 | Total: 54.5
I have no faith in this USC team week-to-week. They have beat good teams, but been dominated by some mediocre teams. Now this week, the Trojans are turning to a third-string quarterback in Jack Sears who has not attempted a pass this year.
Arizona State enters the game at 3-4, but every loss has been a single possession. Herm Edwards has the Sun Devils competing. Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins has been an effective passer completing 63.2% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. He figures to have some success this week against a Trojan defense giving up 229 yards through the air per game.
Arizona State +6.5 is my pick. After three losses, all the USC fans have jumped ship, and will not show up to the Coliseum until Sunday when the Rams play.
Tennessee Volunteers @ South Carolina Gamecocks | 6:30 PM CT | October 27 | Williams-Brice Stadium
Line: South Carolina -8.5 | Total: 53.5
Will Muschamp does not lose to Tennessee. Muschamp was 4-0 vs. Tennessee as head coach of Florida, and is 2-0 vs. Tennessee as head coach of South Carolina.
With the exception of the mish-mosh of their game at Auburn, Tennessee has been defeated handily in their other SEC games. The Volunteers were defeated by an average of 48-18 in games against Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. I understand those teams among the elite in the SEC, but the Volunteers have failed to compete.
After a slow start, Deebo Samuel has re-emerged in the South Carolina offense. Samuel has a touchdown in each of the last three games.
South Carolina -8.5 is my pick as I expect Muschamp to continue his domination of Tennessee to continue.
Texas Longhorns @ Oklahoma State Cowboys | 7:00 PM CT | October 27 | Boone Pickens Stadium
Line: Texas -3.5 | Total: 59.5
This is another game where both teams enter coming off of a bye. Texas is currently on a six game winning streak while Oklahoma State is on a two game losing streak.
Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger is dealing with a shoulder sprain on his throwing arm. The Texas offense goes as Ehlinger goes. Without Ehlinger, Texas squeaked by Baylor, 23-17.
Oklahoma State usually has no trouble scoring points, averaging 39 points a game. However, that was not the case against Kansas State, as they only scored 12 points.
Saturday the Cowboys will be wearing throwbacks(shown above) from Barry Sanders’ Heisman Trophy winning year. Just look below to see how great Sanders’ 1988 season was.
I am siding with Oklahoma State +3.5 as they pay tribute to an all-time great.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 
One response to “Week 9 College Football Picks”
[…] Last week: 5-2 (Boston College +3.5, Vanderbilt -1, Georgia -6.5, Florida/Georgia under 52, Arizona State +6.5, South Carolina -8.5, Oklahoma State +3.5) […]
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