Season record: 12-12-2
Last week: 3-2 (Missouri +11, Louisville/Virginia over 50.5, Wisconsin -10, Texas Tech +9.5, Washington -14)
I got off to a great start with Missouri covering, Louisville and Virginia going over, and Wisconsin demolishing Northwestern. However, that is where it ended. Texas Tech could not hold onto a second half lead and to make matters worse, they even failed to cover as they lost 41-31. Finally, Washington lost for the second straight week thanks to a poor defensive outing and this strange pick-six.
It was another winning week as I now find myself at an even .500. As you know, it is not how you start, but how you finish. On to week 7!
#10 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0) @ #5 Michigan Wolverines (6-0) | October 15 | 11:00 AM CT | Michigan Stadium
Line: Michigan -7 | Total: 51.5
Penn State and Michigan square off in a potential Big Ten East de-facto elimination game. Both teams enter undefeated and the winner will likely take on Ohio State with a Big Ten Championship game and potential College Football Playoff appearance on the line.
Back to the game in Ann Arbor this weekend. Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy has lived up to the hype as Michigan’s starting quarterback. McCarthy is averaging 9.6 yards per attempt with 9 touchdowns and only 1 interception. McCarthy’s success has been a nice complement to the Wolverine ground game.
The Michigan rushing attack is led by Blake Corum. Corum has gone over the century mark in ever Big Ten game this season. In his most recent outing, he ran for 124 yards and a score.
Running the ball will be a challenge for Michigan as they face a Penn State rushing defense that allows only 79.8 rushing yards per game. However, the Nittany Lions have not faced much when it comes to teams that can run the ball. Their most formidable opponent in rushing yards per game was Auburn, who ranks 75th in the country at 148.2 rushing yards per game.
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is still taking snaps for the Nittany Lions. While Clifford has been playing in college forever, he still cannot seem to master an offense. Look no further than his most recent performance against Northwestern. Clifford completed only 10 of 20 passes for 140 yards with a touchdown and an interception. I wanted to be fair so I have added a clip of that interception.
That putrid throw illustrates why I do not trust Sean Clifford. With regards to his stats against Northwestern, keep in mind that Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz went 20 of 29 for 299 yards and 5 touchdowns against that same team a week later.
The Michigan defense has done a great job in limiting opponents. The Wolverines are allowing only 3.87 yards per play. A large reason for that is their ability to get to the quarterback. Michigan is getting sacks on 10% of passing plays.
At home, give me Michigan -7.
#3 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) @ #6 Tennessee Volunteers (5-0) | October 15 | 2:30 PM CT | Neyland Stadium
Line: Alabama -7.5 | Total: 65.5
I slept on Tennessee coming into the season. I was not sure the Volunteers were ready to make a run at the SEC East and possibly more. After a win at LSU, has my position changed?
The Volunteer offense is as good as you will find in college football as evidenced by their 547.8 yards of offense per game, which leads the country.
However, the Volunteer defense is still a question mark. Both Florida’s Anthony Richardson and LSU’s Jayden Daniels had a season-high in passing yards against Tennessee. If those guys are able to throw on them, what is Bryce Young going to be able to do? Yeah, I know he has a shoulder issue, but I still like his chances.
I expect this to be a high-scoring affair, so give me over 65.5. This is not your father’s SEC anymore.
#8 Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0) @ #13 TCU Horned Frogs (5-0) | October 15 | 2:30 PM CT | Amon G. Carter Stadium
Line: TCU -3.5 | Total: 68.5
Another matchup on undefeated teams, this time in Fort Worth.
I have doubted Oklahoma State the past two weeks and been wrong twice. However, I cannot look past the fact that they have been outgained offensively against both Baylor and Texas Tech.
TCU is quite simply, a wagon. The Horned Frogs, much like their moniker, are very dangerous. TCU quarterback Max Duggan is averaging 10.3 yards per attempt, which ranks second in the country. I expect him to have a big day against the Oklahoma State defense, which ranks last in the Big 12 in passing yards allowed per game (304).
To be fair, TCU was also outgained against Kansas last week. The Jayhawks threw for 351 yards and ran for 189 in a losing effort.
I expect these offenses to take over. Give me over 68.5.
#15 North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-1) @ #18 Syracuse Orange (5-0) | October 15 | 2:30 PM CT | JMA Wireless Stadium
Line: Syracuse -3.5 | Total: 43
Syracuse had an off-week to get ready for the incoming North Carolina State. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack were lucky to get out of Tallahassee with a win.
The North Carolina State offense has struggled in recent weeks. The Wolfpack offense averaged only 4.25 yards per play against Clemson and Florida State. Quarterback Devin Leary had trouble completing passes against Florida, going 10 for 21. Leary would also leave the game with an apparent shoulder injury.
While Leary left the game with an injury, I am curious to know what he thought of his performance.
Wondering if Syracuse running back Sean Tucker is pleased with his performance is never an issue as he updates everyone after each game.
Tucker is a big factor in the Syracuse offense, however, as you can see the team has won even when he is not pleased with his performance. A big reason for that is the play of quarterback Garrett Shrader. Shrader has completed 70.9% of his passes, thrown for 10 touchdowns, and added 5 more on the ground.
The North Carolina State defense has been solid to start the season. They were a big reason the Wolfpack held onto win over Florida State last weekend. However, they did surrender some big plays in the running game. Florida State had three runs for over 20 yards, including a 71-yard run by Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis.
The Syracuse defense currently leads the ACC respective to yards allowed per game (271.6). While those numbers are aided by a recent win over outmatched Wagner, Syracuse has limited ACC opponents, Louisville and Virginia, to 334 yards and 287 yards, respectively.
With Leary questionable and the Orange coming off a bye, I am taking Syracuse -3.5.
#7 USC Trojans (6-0) @ #20 Utah Utes (4-2) | October 15 | 7:00 PM CT | Rice-Eccles Stadium
Line: Utah -3.5 | Total: 65
Utah is looking to get back on track while USC is trying to keep trying to stay undefeated.
Utah is coming off a loss in which UCLA put up 42 points. The Utah defense simply had no answer for UCLA’s offense as the Bruins tallied 502 yards of offense.
The Utes have been potent offensively. Utah averages 36.0 points per game in conference play. Quarterback Cam Rising is having a nice year, completing 69% of his passes.
As mentioned earlier, USC is still undefeated. The Trojans have won in both close games and blowouts.
Their most recent win was a workman-like performance. Quarterback Caleb Williams went 15 of 29 passing with 2 touchdowns in a victory over Washington State. Running back Travis Dye ran for 149 yards and a touchdown. Dye has been a big part of the USC offense as he ranks third in the Pac-12 with 95.2 rushing yards per game.
The USC defense has been better than expected as they currently lead the Pac-12 in both total defense and scoring defense in conference play.
Maybe I am a sucker, but I am taking the road underdog with USC +3.5.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 