We are back for another season of Nado’s Notions. The 2023 season did not go as well as I would have liked, but I did finish above .500. It was just barely, at 33-32-2 on the season.
Let’s get it rolling in 2024!
TCU Horned Frogs @ Stanford Cardinal | August 30 | 9:30 PM CT | Stanford Stadium
Line: TCU -9 | Total:60
I am high on TCU coming into this season as evidenced by what I wrote this summer. Quarterback Josh Hoover took the reins and led a potent offense down the stretch in 2023. The Horned Frogs averaged 470.3 yards per game last November. Hoover threw for at least 300 yards in all of those games.
This should bode well against a Stanford pass defense that finished last. Let me repeat, LAST! The Cardinal gave up 298 passing yards per game in 2023. Stanford also finished near the bottom of FBS in tackles for loss with only 53 on the season.
The Stanford offense, meanwhile, was rather inexplosive. In the final month of the season, the Cardinal average a modest 4.48 yards per play and 297.8 yards per game.
I am taking TCU -9.
Florida International Panthers @ Indiana Hoosiers | August 31 | 2:30 PM CT | Memorial Stadium
Line: Indiana -21.5 | Total: 51.5
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti does not lack confidence.
While he may get Indiana football back to relevance, Cignetti has his work cut out for him.
At quarterback, Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke is set to be the starter. Rourke was solid for the Bobcats, completing 63.5% for 2,207 yards and 11 touchdowns to only five interceptions. He will be surrounded by transfers at the skill positions in Justice Ellison (Wake Forest) at running back, and Elijah Sarratt (James Madison) and Myles Price (Texas Tech) at receiver.
Florida International had a rough go in 2023, but the Panthers return 17 starters. Of those starters, none is more critical than quarterback Keyone Jenkins. Jenkins started as a true freshman last season and his development is a source of optimism for Florida International.
Jenkins showed promise as he threw for 2,422 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023. He did, however, have 11 interceptions. With a year under his belt, it is not unreasonable to think that he will cut down on his mistakes.
The Indiana pass defense was rather porous in 2023. The Hoosiers gave up 8.0 yards per attempt to FBS opponents last season, which ranked 102nd in the country.
This is a big spread and I think Jenkins will make enough plays to keep it within the number. Florida International +21.5 is the pick.
UNLV Rebels @ Houston Cougars | August 31 | 6:00 PM CT | TDECU Stadium
Line: Houston -2.5 | Total: 54.5
Willie Fritz takes over in Houston and the Cougars return a host of offensive talent. That group is led by quarterback Donovan Smith who threw for 22 touchdowns in 2023. Along with Smith, Houston returns leading receiver in Joseph Manjack IV (577 yards, 6 touchdowns) as well as Stephon Johnson (277 yards, 3 touchdowns). You may remember Johnson from his Hail Mary catch against West Virginia last season.
The Cougars added another weapon in Georgia transfer Mekhi Mews. Mews was prominently a returner for Georgia, but he figures to be a receiving threat in Houston.
The Houston offense should get off to a good start this season against the UNLV defense. The Rebels allowed an average of 533.3 yards per game in their final three games last season.
UNLV lost a great deal of production this offseason. Quarterback Jayden Maiava is now at USC and two of their top three rushers graduated.
The Houston defense figures to improve under new defensive coordinator Shiel Wood. Last season at Tulane, Wood’s defense led the American Athletic Conference in interceptions and takeaways. The Green Wave were also second in the conference in yards per game allowed (341.3) and points per game allowed (20.5).
WHOSE HOUSE? COOGS HOUSE!
Houston -2.5 is the pick.
Wyoming Cowboys @ Arizona State Sun Devils | August 31 | 9:30 PM CT | Mountain America Stadium
Line: Arizona State -6.5 | Total: 48.5
Arizona State had a very forgetful 2023 season as the Sun Devils went 3-9. Head coach Kenny Dillingham, like many college coaches, had to shuffle his roster this offseason. The Sun Devils will have a new starting quarterback in Sam Leavitt. Leavitt is short on experience, with only 23 pass attempts in his career that began at Michigan State.
Arizona State struggled defensively in 2023. The Sun Devils allowed 396.8 yards per game, which ranked 92nd nationally. This season, they will have to replace three of their top six tacklers.
For Wyoming, Jay Sawvel begins his first season at head coach. Sawvel was the defensive coordinator under Craig Bohl, who retired following the 2023 season. He will look to continue the brand of football that warranted an unprovoked shoutout from All-American Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
In the game against Texas, Wyoming quarterback Evan Svoboda made his first career start for the Cowboys. Svoboda had modest numbers in 2023, but his build and athleticism have drawn comparisons to former Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen. Svoboda even wears the same jersey number, 17, as Allen.
Up front, the Cowboys return four starting offensive linemen. This is the group that Sweat complimented in his interview with Rich Eisen.
Wyoming will be without star running back Harrison Waylee who underwent knee surgery. While being without Waylee is not ideal, running back D.J. Jones is ready to step up.
I am going with Wyoming +6.5.
OUTTA HERE!
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