Season record: 5-9-2
Last week: 0-3-1 (Maryland-Michigan over 65, North Carolina -2, Arkansas +2, Oklahoma -13)
Just a brutal week. Maryland and Michigan fell short of the total with a score of 34-27 and things never got better. Drake Maye and North Carolina put up points, but their defense did very little to stop Notre Dame as they lost 45-32. Arkansas was a push, but they blew a 14-0 lead. Finally, Oklahoma lost outright to Kansas State.
It was a Clark-fade-O weekend, indeed. Let’s put that behind us and hope it never happens again.
#15 Washington Huskies (4-0) @ UCLA Bruins (4-0) | September 30 | 9:30 PM CT | Rose Bowl
Line: Washington -3 | Total: 66
Pac-12 after dark is back! Washington quarterback Michael Penix leads the country in passing yards per game with 347 per game. Meanwhile, UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is 5th in the country in completion percentage at 74.8%.
This one has the makings of a shootout. UCLA allowed 5.7 yards per play in their win against South Alabama. Washington allowed 286 passing yards against Stanford last week.
Give me over 66.
#7 Kentucky Wildcats (4-0) @ #14 Ole Miss Rebels | October 1 | 11:00 AM CT | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Line: Ole Miss -6.5 | Total: 54.5
This is a matchup of two undefeated SEC schools looking to factor in their respective divisional races.
Ole Miss is off to a hot start, but the Rebels showed some vulnerabilities in their win over Tulsa. Tulsa ran for 262 yards last week. Quarterback Jaxson Dart has only completed 57.5% of his passes in the past two weeks.
The Kentucky defense has been really good in the early going. The Wildcats are only allowing 163.8 passing yards per game. They also only allow 3.7 yards per carry.
The Kentucky offense gets a huge boost as running back Chris Rodriguez returns.
Kentucky has already won at Florida this season, and that was without Rodriguez. I am taking Kentucky +6.5.
Illinois Illini (3-1) @ Wisconsin Badgers (2-2) | October 1 | 11:00 AM CT | Camp Randall Stadium
Line: Wisconsin -7 | Total: 43
Wisconsin finds themselves at 2-2 after being thrashed by Ohio State, 52-21. The Badgers were uncharacteristically bludgeoned by Ohio State’s run game to a tune of 258 yards.
This week they could get another heavy dose of running. Illinois running back Chase Brown leads the country with 151 rushing yards per game.
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz continues to be a disappointment. In games against Power 5 opponents, Mertz is 29/51 with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito has been solid this season. In each of the Illini’s four games, he has thrown for at least two touchdowns.
This is Bret Bielema’s first visit to Wisconsin since taking over at Illinois and I am taking Illinois +7.
#9 Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0) @ #16 Baylor Bears (3-1) | October 1 | 2:30 PM CT | McLane Stadium
Line: Baylor -2.5 | Total: 56
Oklahoma State enters this matchup undefeated. However, they have not played much competition. Their wins include Central Michigan, Arizona State (who has since fired head coach Herm Edwards), and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
This game should have good quarterback play. Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders has thrown for ten touchdowns to one interception. Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen had three touchdown passes in their 31-24 victory over Iowa State.
While Oklahoma State held their most recent opponent, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, to only 230 yards and 7 points, they allowed 44 points and 546 yards against Central Michigan. I expect that there will be something there for Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes to take advantage of.
The Baylor defense appears to be a solid unit, which should come at no surprise under Dave Aranda. The Bears come into this contest allowing only 4.59 yards per play. That puts them 20th nationally in that category.
With a win at Iowa State and an overtime loss at BYU, Baylor enters this game more battle-tested. I am taking Baylor -2.5.
Michigan State Spartans (2-2) @ Maryland Terrapins (3-1) | October 1 | 2:30 PM CT | Maryland Stadium
Line: Maryland -7.5 | Total: 60.5
Maryland lost to Michigan, but they showed that they can hang with anyone. The Terrapins were within a possession for most of the contest as they fell 34-27. Maryland moved the ball effectively, but were hurt by two interceptions. Both were questionable and did not even get reviewed.
On that Michigan game, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley was complimentary of the way his team put the loss behind them.
Also, good to see that quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and receiver Rakim Jarrett are expected to play despite going out with injuries.
Michigan State has not stopped anyone lately. Their last two opponents, Washington and Minnesota, have both put up over 500 yards of offense. The Spartans lost both games by double-digits.
Michigan State has also struggled to run the ball. The Spartans have only 80 rushing yards in their last two games.
Giving up big plays and not being able to run the ball is just not going to get it done. I am taking Maryland -7.5.
OUTTA HERE!
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