Season record: 12-8-1

Last week: 3-2 (Virginia Tech +5, Georgia -11.5, Arkansas +14, Kansas State +9, Mississippi State +1.5)

It was another winning week as my winning percentage increases to 59.5%. With a strong slate of games, let’s turn this October into lock-tober!

#14 BYU Cougars (4-0) @ Houston Cougars (1-0) | October 16 | 8:30 PM CT | TDECU Stadium

Line: BYU -5 | Total: 62

BYU has been simply dominant as they begin the season 4-0. The Cougars have outscored opponents 175-44. Their closest victory came last week in a 27-20 win over UT-San Antonio.

The BYU offense is led by quarterback Zach Wilson who leads the country in completing percentage at 81.2%. Wilson is averaging an eye-popping 12.3 yards per attempt. The Cougars also have a rushing attack to complement Wilson’s passing. BYU has four players with a minimum of eight attempts averaging at least five yards a carry.

Houston finally began their season last Thursday against Tulane. Despite turning the ball over five times, the Cougars came away with a 49-31 win. Perhaps they were fortunate to be playing against Tulane and a freshman backup quarterback.

They will not be as fortunate against BYU.

BYU -5

#1 Clemson Tigers (4-0) @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-2) | October 17 | 11:00 AM CT | Bobby Dodd Stadium

Line: Clemson -27 | Total: 64

Georgia Tech defeated Louisville 46-27 in their last game. The Yellow Jackets surrendered 471 yards of offense, but were the beneficiaries of three Louisville fumbles.

Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims is a dual threat. Sims has thrown for 944 yards and added 251 more on the ground.

The Clemson defense just saw one of the best dual threats in the country in Miami’s D’Eriq King. Outside of a 56-yard run, King was almost completely ineffective. King was 12 of 28 passing with 121 yards while being picked off twice.

I expect the Clemson defense to have similar success against Sims and the Yellow Jackets. Sims has thrown eight interceptions on the year.

Meanwhile, we know all about the Clemson offense with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne. Lawrence has thrown for 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. Etienne is averaging seven yards per carry.

This is a big spread and we may need the backups on offense to score. No worries, blue chip freshman quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is more than capable.

Clemson -27

Kentucky Wildcats (1-2) @ Tennessee Volunteers (2-1) | October 17 | 11:00 AM CT | Neyland Stadium

Line: Tennessee -6 | Total: 46

Kentucky rebounded to beat Mississippi State after losing their first two games. On the flipside, Tennessee suffered its first loss at the hands of Georgia.

Tennessee, which has relied on its rushing attack, was held to -1 rushing yards against Georgia.

Kentucky, like Georgia, is good against the run. The Wildcats are allowing only 83.3 rushing yards per game.

This has the makings of an ugly game and that favors Kentucky. The Wildcats defeated Mississippi State 24-2 despite only having 157 yards of offense.

Kentucky +6

LSU Tigers (1-2) @ #10 Florida Gators (2-1) | October 17 | 3:00 PM CT | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Line: Florida -11.5 | Total: 72

It looks like this game will not be played this weekend, but I was ready to take this over. The SEC’s top two leaders in passing touchdowns, Kyle Trask and Myles Brennan, against two very vulnerable defenses has all the makings of a shootout.

Over 72 just for shits and giggles.

#3 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) @ #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) | October 17 | 7:00 PM CT | Bryant-Denny Stadium

Line: Alabama -6.5 | Total: 57

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?

Perhaps we find out this weekend when the high-powered Alabama offense meets the dominant Georgia defense. Alabama leads the SEC in scoring offense with 51.0 points per game, while Georgia leads the SEC in scoring defense allowing 12.3 points per game. More impressively, Georgia only allows 3.7 yards per play, which is second in the country.

Alabama has put up gaudy stats in their first three games, averaging 560 yards per game. Quarterback Mac Jones is completing 79.5% of his passes and has thrown for 1,101 yards. Running back Najee Harris has run for 10 touchdowns.

The Crimson Tide also has a great trio of receivers in Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, and John Metchie. Waddle (20.8 yards per catch) and Metchie (27.1 yards per catch) are the big play receivers, while Smith (team-leading 27 catches) is the reliable option.

Alabama just defeated Ole Miss in a game where hardly any defense was played. The Crimson Tide eventually pulled away for a 63-48 victory.

Obviously, that changes this weekend. The Georgia defense will be the first real test for Alabama’s offense and vice versa.

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett could very well be the difference maker in this game. Bennett, the former walk-on, has not been flashy, but has been productive enough to win games. He is completing 63% of his passes and averages 8.2 yards per attempt.

I see Georgia’s defense slowing down, not stopping, the Alabama offense. Meanwhile, Bennett makes enough plays to keep the Bulldogs in this game.

Georgia +6.5

OUTTA HERE!