Season record: 28-29-2
Last week: 0-3 (Hawaii +13.5, Texas State -3.5, Virginia Tech -2.5)
Another terrible week as I went winless.
My 0-9 record over the past two weeks has me under .500 for the first time this season.
Since Thanksgiving is this week, I just want to say I am thankful for all of you for riding with me this season. We have seen both highs and lows, and thank you to everyone who has stuck with me.
We took the hits, and now we just have to keep going.
#9 Missouri Tigers (9-2) @ Arkansas Razorbacks (4-7) | November 24 | 3:00 PM CT | Razorback Stadium
Line: Missouri -7.5 | Total: 54.5
Missouri comes into this game after a last-minute 33-31 win over Florida.
Off an emotional win, what will Missouri have in the tank for a road trip to Arkansas? The Battle Line Trophy is on the line and we know how much Arkansas loves trophies shaped like states.
While Sam Pittman may have limitations as a coach, I generally believe his players like him. It was announced earlier in the week that he would return for the 2024 season, so that could give the Razorbacks a boost.
The Arkansas offense has been better since the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Dan Enos. The Razorbacks laid an egg against Auburn, but put up 481 yards against Florida and 510 yards against Florida International.
This will also be the last game as a Razorback for quarterback KJ Jefferson, who now owns the school’s record for passing yards and passing touchdowns.
I expect Jefferson and the Arkansas to find some success against the Missouri defense, which gave up 500 yards to Florida last week.
Give me Arkansas +7.5 and over 54.5.
Texas A&M Aggies (7-4) @ #15 LSU Tigers (8-3) | November 25 | 11:00 AM CT | Tiger Stadium
Line: LSU -11.5 | Total: 66.5
I have stayed away from LSU all season, but desperate times for desperate measures. I am looking for winners, and I believe LSU is just that.
Texas A&M is statistically the best defense that LSU has played all season. The Aggies allow only 286.5 yards per game. However, it appears that they achieved that by beating up on bad offenses. The good passing offenses that they have faced have all enjoyed success. Texas A&M gave up 12.5 yards per attempt against Miami, 9.7 yards per attempt against Alabama, and 11.7 yards per attempt against Ole Miss.
Do I need to tell you how good the LSU offense is?
While the LSU defense has issues, I believe they will get enough stops against Texas A&M. The Aggies will start either Max Johnson or Jaylen Henderson at quarterback. Johnson is not overly accurate, completing 62.1% of his passes, and has thrown five interceptions in five starts. As for Henderson, he has only two starts in his career. If he is named the starter, his first career road start will be in Tiger Stadium.
I am taking LSU -11.5.
#25 Kansas Jayhawks (7-4) @ Cincinnati Bearcats (3-8) | November 25 | 6:30 PM CT | Nippert Stadium
Line: Kansas -6.5 | Total: 58.5
Kansas quarterback Jason Bean is expected to return to action this week. While Bean was announced as the starter for the Kansas State game, he did not play a single snap. That should change against Cincinnati.
Bean is obviously a focal part of the Kansas offense when he is in the lineup. In the last three games that he started and finished, he averaged 326 yards of total offense. The Jayhawks also averaged 32.7 points per game in that stretch.
They will take on a Cincinnati defense that looks like it may have tapped out last week. The Bearcats gave up 634 yards in a 42-21 loss to West Virginia. The Mountaineers averaged 9.75 yards per play.
While the Bearcats defense took it on the chin last week, the offense has been solid as of late. In the month of November, Cincinnati is averaging 405 yards per game. A big part of that success has been the play of quarterback Emory Jones. Jones is completing 69.4% of his passes and averages 8.3 yards per attempt during this month.
The Kansas pass defense has been feast or famine for the most part. The Jayhawks have 11 interceptions on the year, but opposing quarterbacks are completing 67.4% of passes against them.
It looks like forecast is calling for cold weather with some wind, and these teams are also suited for that. Cincinnati is 7th in the country in rushing offense at 215.8 yards per game and Kansas is 15th at 202.2 yards per game.
I am going over 58.5.
#20 North Carolina Tar Heels (8-3) @ North Carolina State Wolfpack (8-3) | November 25 | 7:00 PM CT | Carter-Finley Stadium
Line: North Carolina -3 | Total: 55.5
As you are probably aware, I bet against North Carolina State last week. Well, quarterback Brennan Armstrong and the Wolfpack burned me. Armstrong had a stellar game, completing 18 of 26 passes for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushing for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Now he will face off against a North Carolina defense that is reeling. In their last three ACC games, the Tar Heels are giving up an average of 493.3 yards per game.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye leads the ACC with 304.9 passing yards per game and is second in touchdown passes with 22.
The North Carolina offense also features a talented running back in Omarion Hampton. Hampton is tied with Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon as the nation’s leading rusher with 1,414 yards on the season.
North Carolina State enters this contest with one of the ACC’s top defenses, allowing 318 yards per game. However, the Wolfpack has yet to face an offense in the top 20 in offensive yards per game. North Carolina is third in offensive yards per game at 514.8 yards per game.
This is probably the last time I get to take an over in a Drake Maye game. Let’s make it count!
Over 55.5 is the pick.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 