Season record: 10-8

Last week: 4-1 (Liberty -6, Army -8.5, Louisville -2, UCLA/Stanford over 58.5, Kentucky -5)

I finally had a winning weekend and just like that I am over .500 for the season. Let’s keep it rolling!

Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0) @ Maryland Terrapins (4-0) | October 1 | 7:00 PM CT | Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium

Line: Iowa -3.5 | Total: 47.5

Iowa is undefeated and has two quality wins over Indiana and Iowa State. However, the Hawkeyes’ offense has not been great. Iowa ranks 108th nationally, averaging 4.5 yards per play. Because of their defense that only allows 11 points per game, it has not been a problem.

The Iowa defense will get a significant test in Maryland. Taulia Tagovailoa leads an offense that averages 519 yards per game, which is good for 13th in the country. Tagovailoa has compiled marvelous numbers thus far: 75.5% completion percentage, 9.1 yards per attempt, and a 10:1 touchdown to interception ratio.

In today’s game, give me the better offense. Not to mention, the Terrapins are home dogs on a Friday night. Oh, and they have this badass shell. Do not sleep on its powers.

Maryland +3.5

Michigan Wolverines (4-0) @ Wisconsin Badgers (1-2) | October 2 | 11:00 AM CT | Camp Randall Stadium

Line: Wisconsin -1 | Total: 43.5

Both teams come into this game after disappointing efforts. Wisconsin fell to Notre Dame by a score of 41-13 while Michigan held off Rutgers 20-13.

Michigan is undefeated thanks in part to a dominant running game. The Wolverines average 291 yards per game on the ground. However, Rutgers held them to only 112 rushing yards last week. Michigan gets an even stiffer test in Wisconsin this week. Wisconsin is leading the country in rush defense and opponents are averaging only 1.1 yards per carry.

While Wisconsin’s defense had been effective in slowing opponents, their offense still hasn’t gotten into gear. Quarterback Graham Mertz has really struggled as he has only one touchdown pass and six interceptions. Four of those came last week against Notre Dame.

With Mertz’s struggles and mediocre rushing attack, the Badgers have shown an inability to score points. Through three games, Wisconsin averages only 19 points per game. That will not get any easier as they face Michigan who is allowing only 11.8 points per game.

This should be a low scoring affair so I am going under 43.5.

Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1) @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-2) | October 2 | 11:00 AM CT | Bobby Dodd Stadium

Line: Pittsburgh -3.5 | Total: 58.5

Before I get into this game, I want to take a look back at the aftermath of last year’s game between Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech.

Pat Narduzzi & Geoff Collins are best friends

pic.twitter.com/Et0gGthdiY

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 11, 2020

You have to love the cold postgame handshake between head coaches. Both Geoff Collins and Pat Narduzzi said that they are good after talking at this year’s ACC media days.

Now back to 2021. Georgia Tech is coming off their biggest win off the Geoff Collins era, a 45-22 victory over North Carolina. Quarterback Jeff Sims came off the bench and threw for 112 yards and a touchdown and ran for 128 yards and 3 touchdowns. That and three North Carolina fumbles allowed the Yellow Jackets to cruise to a victory.

Can Georgia Tech pull off an upset for the second straight week?

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett has been stellar in 2021. Pickett has thrown 15 touchdowns while averaging 10.2 yards per attempt. While the Panthers have suffered one loss, nothing has slowed down Pickett.

While Georgia Tech only allows 189 passing yards per game, opponents are completing a healthy 67% of their passes. I do not see the Yellow Jackets succeeding in stopping the Pittsburgh passing game.

Pittsburgh -3.5 is my pick.

Bowling Green Falcons (2-2) @ Kent State Golden Flashes (1-3) | October 2 | 2:30 PM CT | Dix Stadium

Line: Kent State -17 | Total: 56

Remember Kent State from Week 1? Yeah, they failed to cover against Texas A&M. However, my reasoning was based on what they did in 2020 against a MAC-only schedule. Kent State led the country with 49.8 points per game in 2020.

After a rough go against the likes of Texas A&M, Iowa, and Maryland, the Golden Flashes finally a get a MAC opponent in Bowling Green.

Dustin Crum is going to show why he is the king of the MAC. Remember he threw for twelve touchdowns in only four games last season. He also added four on the ground.

With Bowling Green averaging only 4.0 yards per play, I do not see them keeping pace with Kent State when they get rolling.

Kent State -17 is my pick.

Army Black Knights (4-0) @ Ball State Cardinals (1-3) | October 2 | 4:00 PM CT | Scheumann Stadium

Line: Army -7.5 | Total: 47.5

Army rushes for 344.5 yards per game while Ball State is allowing 5.3 yards per rush. Say less…

Army -7.5

OUTTA HERE!