Season record: 28-26-2
Last week: 0-5 (Vanderbilt/South Carolina over 58, Nebraska +2.5, Rutgers +1, Florida Atlantic -8, Houston -2.5)
There is no doubt that was the worst week I have ever had. 0-5! Yikes! It was a good week for the “Fade Nado” crowd, but to my my loyal followers, I will have to do better. Luckily, we are still over .500 for the season, but just barely. It is time to bounce back!
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (4-7) @ Wyoming Cowboys (6-4) | November 18 | 1:00 PM CT | Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium
Line: Wyoming -13.5 | Total: 46
Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager is playing well as of late. Schager has tossed four touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two games.
The result of Schager’s play has been back to back wins over Nevada and Air Force.
The Wyoming offense is the worst in the Mountain West, averaging only 301.6 yards per game. Cowboys quarterback Andrew Peasley is also completing 58.3% of his passes, which ranks ninth among Mountain West quarterbacks.
Both defenses are pretty comparable. Hawaii allows 373.8 yards per game, while Wyoming allows 377.7 yards per game.
While the thought of Hawaii playing in cold weather scares me, it is important to remember that this is a rivalry game. The Paniolo Trophy is on the line!
I am taking the points. Give me Hawaii +13.5.
Texas State Bobcats (6-4) @ Arkansas State Red Wolves (5-5) | November 18 | 2:00 PM CT | Centennial Bank Stadium
Line: Texas State -3.5 | Total: 59.5
Texas State was held to one of their lowest offensive outputs of the season last weekend. The Bobcats had only 280 yards of offense in their 31-23 loss to Coastal Carolina.
What are they do get to back on track? Get running back Ismail Mahdi going. Mahdi is third-leading rusher in the Sun Belt with 1,050 yards. He is averaging a whopping 6.6 yards per carry on the season.
Now Mahdi faces an Arkansas State defense that gashed regularly. Conference opponents are averaging 5.18 yards per carry against the Red Wolves. Some of the rushing totals that Arkansas State has allowed: 234 to Southern Miss; 351 to Troy; and 199 to South Alabama.
Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor burst onto the scene with a six-touchdown outburst against UMass. In the five games since, he has not reached that production. Raynor has thrown for four touchdowns and four interceptions in those games. Furthermore, in his last two games against UL-Lafayette and South Alabama, Raynor is averaging only 6.8 yards per attempt.
While Texas State has struggled against the pass, the Bobcats have shown improvement as of late. Their last two opponents, Georgia Southern and Coastal Carolina, were both held under 200 yards passing.
I am taking Texas State -3.5.
North Carolina State Wolfpack (7-3) @ Virginia Tech Hokies (5-5) | November 18 | 2:30 PM CT | Lane Stadium
Line: Virginia Tech -2.5 | Total: 43.5
North Carolina State and Virginia Tech both play good defense. North Carolina State ranks 20th in total defense, allowing 314.9 yards per game, and Virginia Tech ranks 21st in total defense, allowing 317.2 yards per game.
While this game is capable of becoming of a defensive battle, it will be the quarterback play that could decide it.
North Carolina State quarterback Brennan Armstrong has had an up and down year. Armstrong began the year as the starter, but was later benched, then returned to action last week against Wake Forest. Armstrong went a pedestrian 12 of 17 passing for 113 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 96 yards and a touchdown.
On the Virginia Tech side, Kyron Drones did not begin the season as the starting quarterback, but has entrenched himself as the leader of this Virginia Tech team. Drones has thrown for 1,525 yards and rushed for 541 more.
Last week against Boston College was one of Drones’s best performances to date. He threw for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns, while rushing for 135 yards in a 48-22 victory.
This game is also being played in Lane Stadium where the Hokies have been dominant. In their last three home games, Virginia Tech has defeated Pittsburgh 38-21, defeated Wake Forest 30-13, and defeated Syracuse 38-10.
I like the Hokies to keep that streak going. Give me Virginia Tech -2.5.
I have to admit that I am still a little shook by last week’s performance so I only have three picks this week. Let’s get back in the win column and finish strong!
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 