Season record: 13-12
Last week: 6-0! (Indiana -6.5, Kentucky +17.5, TCU +2, TCU/Kansas over 59, Illinois +18, Alabama +2)
What a week! Nothing but winners, but time stops for no one. Let’s keep it rolling!
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-3) @ North Carolina State Wolfpack (3-2) | October 5 | 11:00 AM CT | Carter-Finley Stadium
Line: North Carolina State -5 | Total: 54.5
North Carolina State struggled offensively last week. In their win over Northern Illinois, the Wolfpack only mustered up 171 yards of offense.
I expect things to get easier this week as they take on Wake Forest. In their last three games, the Demon Deacons have allowed 515.3 yards per game.
While the Wake Forest defense has been subpar, the offense has produced at a higher level. The Demon Deacons average 442.3 yards per game, good for 32nd nationally. They do, however, fall short when it comes to allowing sacks. Against “Power 4” conference opposition, quarterback Hank Bachmeier has been sacked nine times in two games.
They will face a North Carolina State defense that had four sacks last week. The Wolfpack pass rush will be back at home and ready to get after Bachmeier Saturday.
Give me North Carolina State -5.
Pittsburgh Panthers (4-0) @ North Carolina Tar Heels (3-2) | October 5 | 11:00 AM CT | Kenan Stadium
Line: Pittsburgh -3 | Total: 63.5
One of the biggest surprises in this college football season has been the emergence of the Pittsburgh passing attack. Quarterback Eli Holstein is off to a hot start with 1,183 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to only two interceptions. Holstein also averages 9.2 yards per attempt, which ranks 17th nationally. North Carolina has struggled against the pass. Opponents are averaging 8.9 yards per attempt against the Tar Heels, which is 113th nationally.
Also, do not forget there may still be bad blood between Pittsburgh head coach and North Carolina defensive coordinator Geoff Collins. Narduzzi can deliver more blows to an already wounded Tar Heel defense.
North Carolina has a solid running game, averaging 178.3 yards per game. However, they will face a rigid rush defense in Pittsburgh. The Panthers only allow 3.08 yards per attempt against FBS opponents, ranked 17th nationally.
Pittsburgh -3 is the pick.
#23 Indiana Hoosiers (5-0) @ Northwestern Wildcats (2-2) | October 5 | 2:30 PM CT | Lanny & Sharon Martin Stadium
Line: Indiana -14 | Total: 47.5
Indiana continues to roll. Last week, the Hoosiers overcame quarterback Kurtis Rourke’s first two interceptions of the season as they defeated Maryland 42-28. Rourke also threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns on the day.
The Northwestern defense put up little resistance against Washington in their Big Ten opener. Washington quarterback Will Rogers completed 20 of 28 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.
The Northwestern offense also has issues of their own. The Wildcats averaged 2.11 yards per play against Washington. On the season, Northwestern has the worst per play offense in the Big Ten at 4.64 yards per play.
Here we go again, Indiana -14.
Kansas Jayhawks (1-4) @ Arizona State Sun Devils (3-1) | October 5 | 7:00 PM CT | Mountain America Stadium
Line: Arizona State -3 | Total: 50.5
Kansas came into the season with hopes of winning the Big 12. As we begin the month of October, those hopes are all but gone. Meanwhile, Arizona State has to be pleased with their 3-1 start despite losing at Texas Tech.
A big difference in these two teams’ fortunes is due to the play of their defenses. Kansas is giving up 475 yards per game to conference opponents. Arizona State, meanwhile, held Texas Tech to only 334 yards on an average of 4.02 yards per play.
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo is looking to get back on track after being slowed in recent weeks. Skattebo has been held to 62 and 60 yards by Texas State and Texas Tech, respectively. Now, he gets a crack at Kansas’ defense which has given up an average of 160 yards per game in the past three weeks.
I am taking Arizona State -3.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 