Season record: 1-2

Last week: 0-2 (Ole Miss/Troy over 58, Utah -2.5)

Like LSU, I had a disastrous week 1. However, it is just one week, so let’s not hop off the wagon just yet. Allow me to redeem myself before you start calling me Clark-fade-o.

On to week two…

#24 Tennessee Volunteers (1-0) @ #17 Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0) | September 10 | 2:30 PM CT | Acrisure Stadium

Line: Tennessee -6.5 | Total: 66

Tennessee throttled Ball State by a score of 59-10. Now they head to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers who survived a wild Backyard Brawl over West Virginia.

Tennessee had no trouble moving the ball as they piled up 569 yards of offense. However, third downs were an issue as the Volunteers only converted five of thirteen attempts. They will face a Pittsburgh defense who gave up eight of sixteen third down conversion against West Virginia. I expect Narduzzi’s group to return to form this week. This was a unit that held opponents to a 33.5% third down conversion percentage in 2021.

This game should also feature quality quarterback play. Pittsburgh’s Kedon Slovis threw for 308 yards and a touchdown in his debut. That touchdown could not have come at a better time, either, as it tied the game late in the fourth quarter.

Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker lived up to his dual threat billing as threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more. He will get a significant test in the Pittsburgh defense who limited West Virginia to 5.4 yards per attempt.

Pittsburgh awaits the status Deslin Alexandre, who left the West Virginia with an apparent arm injury. The Panthers still have a stout defensive front with defensive end John Morgan III leading the way with three tackles for loss.

At home, I will take Pittsburgh +6.5.

#25 Houston Cougars (1-0) @ Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0) | September 10 | 3:00 PM CT | Jones AT&T Stadium

Line: Texas Tech -3 | Total: 65.5

Texas Tech lost quarterback Tyler Shough in their opener. That did not seem to be a problem as backup Donovan Smith came in and completed 14 of 16 passes.

The Houston Cougars won a thrilling 3OT game over UT-San Antonio. However, do not let the 37-35 score fool you. The Cougars did not exactly move the ball at will, as they only average 4.3 yards per play.

While Texas Tech has a reputation for not playing defense, defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter is out to change that.

While Dana Holgorsen and the Cougars are riding high, they will not be leaving Lubbock with a win. I am going Texas Tech -3.

#20 Kentucky Wildcats (1-0) @ #12 Florida Gators (1-0) | September 10 | 6:00 PM CT | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Line: Florida -5.5 | Total: 52.5

Speaking of riding high, no one is riding higher than Anthony Richardson and Florida after week 1. The quarterback has even garnered Heisman buzz after running for 108 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Florida also showed an inability to stop the run as the Gators gave up 230 on the ground against Utah. 91 of those yards came from Utes’ quarterback Cam Rising.

Kentucky struggled to run the ball in the absence of running back Chris Rodriguez. Rodriguez appears to be out against this week, which means someone will need to step up. Enter quarterback Will Levis. Levis threw for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns in the opener vs Miami (Ohio). He also found a new main target in Tayvion Robinson who had 6 grabs for 136 yards.

With Rodriguez out and given Rising’s success as a runner, I expect Levis to do more running in this game. He has had some big games on the ground, including a 113-yard game against Louisville and a 75-yard game against LSU.

This figures to be a game that Kentucky can win, so I am going against Florida again…Kentucky +5.5

#14 USC Trojans (1-0) @ Stanford Cardinal (1-0) | September 10 | 6:30 PM CT | Stanford Stadium

Line: USC -8 | Total: 67.5

Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee is the latest in the line of stellar Stanford quarterbacks. McKee was nearly perfect against Colgate as he completed 22 of 27 passes with 2 touchdowns, though he did have an interception. Running back E.J. Smith pitched in with 118 rushing yards. However, he had only 31 yards on his 10 other carries.

The Lincoln Riley era kicked off with a dominant 66-14 victory over Rice. Yes, it was Rice, but quarterback Caleb Williams looked extremely impressive. Williams finished 19 of 22 for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added 68 rushing yards.

I really wanted to side with Stanford here, but USC looks like the real deal. The Trojans had a whopping 9.3 yards per play. The defense also showed up big with three pick-sixes.

Sorry Stanford, but I am going with USC -8.

OUTTA HERE!