Welcome back to Nado’s Notions!

I wanted to spend the first two weeks actually watching football before I put my name on anything. Of course this week’s slate is mostly crap, but I will try my best to make the most of it.

Kansas Jayhawks (1-1) @ Boston College Eagles (2-0) | September 13 | 6:30 PM CT | Alumni Stadium

Line: Boston College -21 | Total: 53

I typically save Boston College for the famed Red Bandana Game, but this opportunity is too sweet to pass up. Kansas comes to town with an anemic offense. The Jayhawks squeaked by Indiana State in their opening game by a score of 24-17. Last week, they were defeated by Coastal Carolina, 12-7. Through two games, Kansas is ranked 110th in total offense with 312 yards per game. I do not see that changing any time soon with who they have roaming the sideline.

Boston College cruised to an easy victory over Richmond, 45-13, last week. Their offense rolled up 518 yards in the win. I expect more of the same on Friday, so I am taking Boston College -21.

Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-1) @ Georgia Bulldogs (2-0) | September 14 | 11:00 AM CT | Sanford Stadium

Line: Georgia -33 | Total: 58

This is an early kickoff in Athens and a potential look-ahead spot for Georgia, who hosts #7 Notre Dame next week. The Bulldogs have cruised to a 2-0 start with wins over Vanderbilt and Murray State.

Arkansas State has been able to put the ball in the endzone, scoring 36.5 points per game to open the season.

The Red Wolves also have the emotion angle. Head coach Blake Anderson’s wife passed away last month. Anderson returned last Saturday and coached Arkansas State to a 43-17 victory over UNLV.

Here was the scene when Anderson returned to his team:

Yeah, I am taking Arkansas State +33.

Alabama Crimson Tide @ South Carolina Gamecocks | September 14 | 2:30 PM CT | Williams-Brice Stadium

Line: Alabama -24.5 | Total: 60.5

South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski is making the second start of his career. While he was great in his first start against Charleston Southern, he faces a huge step-up in competition with Alabama coming to town.

The Alabama defense has dominated thus far into this season, giving up only 3.79 yards per play. Nick Saban is known to give freshman quarterbacks, with the exception of Trevor Lawrence, nightmares.

On the other side, we know about Tua Tagovailoa and his outstanding receivers. So far he has thrown 7 touchdowns and completed over 76% of his passes.

I do not see South Carolina keeping pace, so the pick is Alabama -24.5.

Florida Gators (2-0) @ Kentucky Wildcats (2-0) | September 14 | 6:00 PM CT | Kroger Field

Line: Florida -8 | Total: 50.5

Kentucky lost starting quarterback Terry  Wilson for the season due to a knee injury in their win over Eastern Michigan. Kentucky not having their starting quarterback seems like it would spell trouble going up against an aggressive Florida defense, but the Wildcats have an experienced backup in Sawyer Smith. Smith transferred to Kentucky this offseason from Troy, where he played in thirteen games and threw for fourteen touchdowns. Last week, after taking over for Wilson, Smith completed five of nine passes for seventy-six yards and two touchdowns.

Florida has been one of the best defenses in the country so far this season. The Gators are only allowing ten points per game and lead the nation in sacks with fifteen.

While the Florida defense has been great, their offense still has question marks. While they put up big numbers against FCS opponents like UT-Martin, the Gators do not have the same bite against conference opponents. In eight SEC games last season, quarterback Feleipe Franks completed 56% of his passes with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The Gators will also be without playmaker Kadarius Toney. Toney, who is big play threat every time he touches the ball, will miss a few weeks due to a wrist injury he suffered in their win over UT-Martin.

Kentucky is at home and I think they keep it close and possibly win. Kentucky +8 is my pick.

OUTTA HERE!