Season record: 7-12
Last week: 2-3 (Mississippi State +6, Indiana -28, Rutgers +3.5, Georgia Tech/Louisville over 57.5, Arizona State +3)
It was another subpar week as I went 2-3 and fall even farther below .500. Shout out to Indiana and Rutgers for getting me my only wins of the day.
Time to dive into another week, shall we?
Maryland Terrapins (3-1) @ Indiana Hoosiers (4-0) | September 28 | 11:00 AM CT | Memorial Stadium
Line: Indiana -6.5 | Total: 54.5
Indiana is now 4-0 and still has not cracked the Top 25. Perhaps that is fuel for the Hoosiers, who have dominated the competition thus far this season. Indiana is seventh nationally in scoring margin, outscoring opponents by an average of 30.3 points per game.
Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a catalyst. Rourke averages 10.8 yards per attempt, which is eighth in the country.
Rourke’s success should continue against Maryland. The Terrapins defense has given up explosive plays in the passing games this season. Maryland ranks 117th in the country in yards per completion, at 14.1. In their only Big Ten game so far, they surrendered 363 yards through the air against Michigan State. That mark was a season-high for the Spartans.
The Indiana defense has been stellar so far this season. The Hoosiers are holding opponents to only 199.3 yards per game.
I am going with Indiana -6.5.
Kentucky Wildcats (2-2) @ #6 Ole Miss Rebels (4-0) | September 28 | 11:00 AM CT | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Line: Ole Miss -17.5 | Total: 53
Ole Miss has been laying waste to everyone in their path, but things get tougher this week. Kentucky is 2-2, but the Wildcats are improving week after week.
After being embarrassed by South Carolina, Kentucky took Georgia to the wire. Last week, the Wildcats dominated Ohio and won 41-6. Kentucky exploded for a season-high 488 yards.
The Kentucky defense has also been very good. They are holding opponents to only 217 yards per game.
Expect things to get tougher this week for Ole Miss. Give me the points, Kentucky +17.5.
TCU Horned Frogs (2-2) @ Kansas Jayhawks (1-3) | September 28 | 11:00 AM CT | Arrowhead Stadium
Line: Kansas -2 | Total: 59
This is a matchup of two teams that have to be disappointed with early season results. Kansas is on a three-game losing streak and TCU is on a two-game losing streak. Both have suffered heartbreaking losses. Last week, Kansas blew a 28-17 lead before falling 32-28 to West Virginia. Two weeks ago, TCU led UCF by a score of 28-7 before falling 35-34.
While the two teams have had similar results on the field, their styles could not be any more different. Kansas relies on their ground game, while TCU gets it done through the air. Kansas averages 210.7 rushing yards per game, ranked 24th in the country, and TCU averages 367 passing yards per game, ranked third in the country.
Conversely, the strength of the two offenses is a weaknesses for the opposing defense. TCU has been gashed against the run in their past two games. UCF ran for 289 yards and SMU ran for 238 yards. Kansas, meanwhile, allows 15.1 yards per completion.
In a game where neither team will likely be able to stop the other, I will take over 59. In addition, I will take TCU +2, because in a game that could come down to the final possession, I want the better passer. TCU quarterback Josh Hoover is far superior to Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels in that department.
#19 Illinois Illini (4-0) @ #9 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) | September 28 | 6:30 PM CT | Beaver Stadium
Line: Penn State -18 | Total: 48
Penn State created buzz in the season-opening win over West Virginia. The following week, the Nittany Lions were in a battle with Bowling Green. Last week, they demolished Kent State, who is apparently one of the worst teams in the FBS.
Illinois comes in fresh off of an overtime win over Nebraska. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has been instrumental in leading the Illini offense. Altmyer is completing 71.4% of his passes and has 10 touchdowns and no interceptions this season.
Altmyer showed poise on the road at Nebraska last week, and I think he will do it again this week. Give me Illinois +18.
#2 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) @ #4 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) | September 28 | 6:30 PM CT | Bryant-Denny Stadium
Line: Georgia -2 | Total: 48.5
As you probably know, Alabama is not an underdog very often, especially at home. This week, Georgia comes in as a small favorite.
This is the first SEC game for new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. Early returns are good, as the Crimson Tide averages 49 points per game, which ranks sixth nationally. A big reason for that is the play of quarterback Jalen Milroe. DeBoer has maximized his ability as a passer while also letting him do damage with his legs. Milroe has accounted for 14 touchdowns through three games, eight passing and six rushing.
Last time we saw Georgia, the Bulldogs survived a valiant upset attempt in Lexington. The Bulldogs offense was only able to generate 262 yards of offense.
I expect Kirby Smart’s squad to figure things out, but ultimately, I think Milroe is the difference in this game, so I will take Alabama +2.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 