Season record: 15-19-1

Last week: 2-3

Last week was another stinker. I put too much faith in both Oklahoma and Wisconsin’s defense. The Oklahoma defense reverted back to what it looked like in 2018, while Wisconsin was unable to hold down Ohio State for four quarters. I also picked Arizona over Stanford because of their status at quarterback, and I could not have been more wrong. K.J. Costello returned to action and threw for 322 yards and 3 touchdowns.

I hit on the Iowa-Northwestern under as Iowa blanked Northwestern, 20-0. TCU and Texas also hit their respective over.

I need to turn it around, and I am running out of time.

Virginia Tech Hokies (5-2) @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-2) | November 2 | 1:30 PM CT | Notre Dame Stadium

Line: Notre Dame -17.5 | Total: 57.5

Last time we saw Notre Dame they were getting embarrassed by Michigan. The Wolverines ran roughshod over the Irish in the 45-14 victory. Now, they must get back up off the mat and host Virginia Tech who has won three in a row. The Hokies are also coming off of a bye.

The Hokies’ winning streak has coincided with Hendon Hooker’s emergence at quarterback. Hooker left the North Carolina game, but will play this week.

I am taking Virginia Tech +17.5.

Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) vs. Florida Gators (7-1) | November 2 | 2:30 PM CT | TIAA Bank Field

Line: Georgia -6.5 | Total: 44.5

Georgia holds the edge in all of the major statistical categories: points scored, points allowed, yards gained, and yards allowed. The Bulldogs offense is powered by its rushing game, which averages 236.9 yards per game. They have been able to overpower opponents on the ground thus far.

The Florida defense presents a bigger challenge, however. The Gators enter this contest only allowing 124.1 yards per game on the ground. They also will get some key defenders back for this game; Jon Greenard and Jabari Zuniga will both return Saturday.

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm has been very efficient this season, but he has not had to carry the offense because the running game has been so effective. Against South Carolina, he was called upon and threw three interceptions.

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask has done well filling in for the injured Feleipe Franks. Trask has thrown for 14 touchdowns while completing 67.5% of his passes.

I think this game will be close, so I am taking Florida +6.5. I would even consider Florida winning outright because I trust Dan Mullen in crunch time more than I do Kirby Smart.

For reference:

Utah Utes (7-1) @ Washington Huskies (5-3) | November 2 | 3:00 PM CT | Husky Stadium

Line: Utah -3 | Total: 48

Utah is currently tied for first in the Pac 12 South, while Washington sits in fourth of the Pac 12 North.

The Pac 12 seems determined to beat themselves up, leaving no national championship contenders, so that has me leaning towards Washington. You tell me Chris Petersen had an extra week to prepare and I am sold.

Sorry for not going in depth, but Washington +3.

Northwestern Wildcats (1-6) @ Indiana Hoosiers (6-2) | November 2 | 6:00 PM CT | Memorial Stadium

Line: Indiana -11 | Total: 43

Indiana has been a surprise team as they have won six games for the first time since 2016. Meanwhile, Northwestern cannot get it going offensively.

The Wildcats were shut out last week against Iowa. Northwestern has not scored a touchdown since the third quarter of the Nebraska game. That was on October 5 in a 13-10 loss.

Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey is coming off of a career-high 351 passing yard game against Nebraska. Ramsey threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in the 38-31 victory. It was the fifth straight game that the Hoosiers scored at least 31 points.

Give me Indiana -11.

SMU Mustangs (8-0) @ Memphis Tigers (7-1) | November 2 | 6:30 PM CT | Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

Line: Memphis -6 | Total: 72

Both these teams were able to escape last week’s games with narrow victories. For SMU, it was a 34-31 road victory over Houston and for Memphis, it was a 42-41 win at Tulsa. Perhaps both teams were looking ahead to this week’s game, and rightfully so. This could be the biggest matchup of the weekend, as evidenced by it being the site of ESPN College Gameday.

Both schools find themselves in the top ten in scoring offense. SMU averages 43 points per game and Memphis 39.5 points per game. They are both led by their junior quarterbacks; SMU’s Shane Buechele and Memphis’s Brady White have each thrown for 20 touchdowns.

Neither defense has been great this season. Both are allowing at least 375 yards of offense per game. SMU has allowed more passing yards, while Memphis has allowed more rushing yards. Memphis has played Navy, while SMU has not so that definitely plays a factor.

SMU’s leading receiver Reggie Roberson left the Houston game with a foot injury, and his status is unknown. Roberson plays a big role in the Mustangs’ offense with 803 yards and 6 touchdowns. If he cannot go, it will be on receiver James Proche and tight end Kylen Granson to pick up his slack. Proche and Granson have 12 receiving touchdowns between them on the season.

I mentioned early that neither team is great defensively. However, SMU has been great in getting after the quarterback and that should play a role in a game that should feature plenty of passing. The Mustangs are second in the country in sacks with 36 on the season. SMU’s leader in sacks is linebacker Patrick Nelson. Nelson has 10 sacks on the season, including 4.5 in the past two games.

The game is in Memphis, but I am taking SMU +6 and I am also going to take over 72.

Oregon Ducks (7-1) @ USC Trojans (5-3) | November 2 | 7:00 PM CT | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Line: Oregon -4.5 | Total: 62.5

Oregon has reeled off seven straight wins after an opening week loss to Auburn. USC sits at 5-3, but still leads the Pac 12 South.

Not surprisingly, Oregon holds the edge in most major categories. Oregon is second in the Pac 12 in points per game (36.0) and second in points allowed (14.8).

However, Oregon has needed fourth quarter comebacks in their last two wins. Against Washington, the Ducks scored a late touchdown to get a 35-31 victory and against Washington State, they got a last second field goal to win 37-35.

This game will be played in the Coliseum, where USC has been very good. The Trojans are 4-0 at home and have outscored opponents 147-80 in those games.

Since returning from injury, USC quarterback Kedon Slovis has played well. Slovis is completing 68% of his passes and has thrown eight touchdowns and only one interception in that span.

Oregon has been living on the edge in recent weeks, so I am taking USC +4.5. If Bo Nix can lead a game-winning drive against Oregon, so can Kedon Slovis.

OUTTA HERE!