Season record: 10-4
Last week: 4-1 (Kansas State -5, Rutgers -7, South Carolina +27.5, Washington -16, West Virginia +1)
We started the day with a loss with Kansas State losing outright. Coming into the game, I knew it would take a big effort from Missouri receiver Luther Burden. He was spectacular with 114 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, it was kicker Harrison Mevis who stole the show with his walk-off 61-yard kick to win the game.
After that setback, we rolled through the rest of the slate with Rutgers taking care of Virginia Tech, South Carolina keeping it within the number at Georgia, Michael Penix and Washington pouring it on Michigan State, and West Virginia wearing down Pitt in the backyard brawl.
Sitting at 10-4, the pressure is on to keep winning. As winners say, “pressure is a privilege”.
Let’s get to Week 4!
North Carolina State Wolfpack (2-1) @ Virginia Cavaliers (0-3) | September 22 | 6:30 PM CT | Scott Stadium
Line: North Carolina State -9.5 | Total: 49
Brennan Armstrong returns to Charlottesville as the starting quarterback for North Carolina State. After starting three years at Virginia, Armstrong will take on his former school.
Armstrong bounced back from a rough game against Notre Dame as he completed 27 of 32 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown against VMI. He should have some success again this week against Virginia, the ACC’s worst defense in yards per game allowed (451.7).
Last Friday, Virginia was torched through the air by Maryland to the tune of 342 yards.
Things are not good for the Cavaliers on the offensive side of the ball, either. Virginia ranks 115th in total offense at 316.7 yards per game. They are also not certain which quarterback will start this week.
Colandrea got off to a hot start against Maryland, but it did not last as he would go on to throw three picks.
I will take the team with Brennan Armstrong at quarterback. North Carolina State -9.5 is my pick.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0) @ #2 Michigan Wolverines (3-0) | September 23 | 11:00 AM CT | Michigan Stadium
Line: Michigan -24 | Total: 44
It is a battle of two undefeated teams as Rutgers heads to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan. It is also the return of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, coming off his three-game suspension.
While Rutgers is 3-0, their passing game is still a work in progress. Last week, quarterback Gavin Wimsatt completed only 7 of 16 passes for 46 yards.
Fortunately for the Scarlet Knights, they have a reliable ground game. Running back Kyle Monangai comes into this game averaging 6.2 yards per carry and has eclipsed 100 yards in his last two games. In the win over Virginia Tech, he reached the endzone three times.
Like Rutgers, Michigan has a strong rushing attack. Michigan enters this matchup averaging 4.95 yards per rush as a team. Running back Blake Corum leads the way with 254 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Both these teams have been elite defensively so far this season. Michigan allows 3.95 per play, which is 7th nationally, while Rutgers allows 3.99 yards per play, which is 11th nationally.
I really want to take Rutgers here, but with a passing game as errant as Jackie Aprile Jr’s decision making, it makes me nervous. However, I cannot go against the Scarlet Knights, so I am taking under 44.
#16 Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) @ Cincinnati Bearcats (2-1) | September 23 | 11:00 AM CT | Nippert Stadium
Line: Oklahoma -14.5 | Total: 57.5
Nippert Stadium will be the site of Cincinnati and Oklahoma’s first and only meeting as Big 12 foes, assuming the two will not meet in the Big 12 Championship Game.
After a disappointing 2022 campaign, it seems that the Sooners have their swagger back. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been stellar to start the season, with 905 yards and 11 passing touchdowns. Gabriel is also averaging a whopping 11.3 yards per attempt. His most recent performance landed him the highest ESPN total QBR in Week 3.
Now Gabriel will get a crack at Cincinnati defense which has given up 18.9 yards per completion, worst in the country.
A big reason that Oklahoma disappointed in 2022 was their defense. Last year, the Sooners allowed 461 yards per game, which was 122nd in the country. They enter this week’s game allowing only 287.7 yards per game. While the competition figures to pick up, Oklahoma is trending in the right direction. Look no further than their five interception game last week against Tulsa.
Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones (yes, that Emory Jones) better be careful considering he threw two last week.
Oklahoma -14.5 is my pick.
Army Black Knights (2-1) @ Syracuse Orange (3-0) | September 23 | 11:00 AM CT | JMA Wireless Stadium
Line: Syracuse -13.5 | Total: 51
Both teams are riding high after big road wins in Week 3. Army knocked off UT-San Antonio while Syracuse took down Purdue.
Army got its ground game going, running for 254 yards in their victory last week. The Black Knights also dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 44:25.
Ball control is the name of the game for Army as the aim to do what Purdue did not. Purdue quarterback Hudson Card turned over the ball four times in their loss to Syracuse. While Army had five turnovers in their opener, the Black Knights have only one in their last two games.
Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader is coming off of a 25-carry, 195 yard performance.
Certainly an impressive performance, but with Clemson on deck, how much running can we expect from Shrader this week?
We are once again respecting the troops. Army +13.5 is the pick.
#6 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) @ #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0) | September 23 | 6:30 PM CT | Notre Dame Stadium
Line: Ohio State -3 | Total: 55.5
One of the biggest games of the weekend will be when Ohio State takes on Notre Dame.
Notre Dame found themselves a quarterback in Sam Hartman. Hartman has been impressive, with 13 touchdown passes and no interceptions, while completing 71.1% of his passes.
The Notre Dame offense also features the nation’s leading rusher in Audric Estime, who has run for 521 yards this season.
Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord is coming off his best game of his career against Western Kentucky. McCord completed 19 of 23 passes for 318 yards and 3 touchdowns. Receivers Marvin Harrison Jr and Emeka Egbuka were heavily involved. Harrison Jr had 126 yards and a touchdown and Egbuka caught a pair of touchdowns.
This game also features two really good defenses. Ohio State allows only 223.7 yards per game, while Notre Dame allows only 234.3 yards per game, good for 3rd and 4th nationally, respectively. Both are especially good against the run. Ohio State allows only 2.53 yards per carry and Notre Dame allows only 2.91 yards per carry.
With two dominant run defenses, I expect to see these offenses to elect for more passing. That means we should get plenty of points with Hartman tossing it around for Notre Dame and Ohio State’s receivers making plays. Give me over 55.5.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 
One response to “Nado’s Notions: Week 4”
[…] Last week: 2-3 (North Carolina State -9.5, Rutgers/Michigan under 44, Oklahoma -14.5, Army +13.5, Ohio State/Notre Dame over 55.5 ) […]
LikeLike