Season record: 16-13
Last week: 3-1 (North Carolina State -5, Pittsburgh -3, Indiana -14, Arizona State -3)
North Carolina State blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter for my only loss of the week. However, I got big fourth quarters out of Pittsburgh, Indiana, and Arizona State.
Big shout out to the boys from Tempe for their go-ahead touchdown in the final seconds.
We finally have some momentum, let’s build on it!
#16 Utah Utes (4-1) @ Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1) | October 11 | 9:30 PM CT | Mountain America Stadium
Line: Utah -6.5 | Total: 45.5
We are starting off where we left off last Saturday. This Arizona State team showed real poise in their victory over Kansas. Quarterback Sam Leavitt proved he is a gamer with four touchdown passes and another 77 yards on the ground.
Leavitt has a fine backfield mate in running back Cam Skattebo. Skattebo ran for 182 yards and a touchdown last week.
Utah is coming off of a bye. However, their last time out was a loss at the hands of Arizona. The Wildcats found success running against the Utes defense, averaging 5.4 yards per rush.
The status of quarterback Cam Rising is still in question. That leaves a void in the Utah offense and Isaac Wilson has struggled in Rising’s absence. Wilson has thrown two interceptions in each of his last two games.
You do NOT just waltz into Mountain America Stadium and expect to win. Give me Arizona State +6.5.
Wisconsin Badgers (3-2) @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-1) | October 12 | 11:00 AM CT | SHI Stadium
Line: Rutgers -2.5 | Total: 40.5
Wisconsin put up huge numbers in their 52-6 win over Purdue last week. The Badgers rolled up 589 yards of offense in their stress-free victory.
That appears to be a bit of an aberration as Wisconsin was not nearly as successful offensively in any other game. In their other four games, the Badgers averaged only 4.94 yards per play. That mark ranks 115th in the country.
The Rutgers defense has also done a great job at limiting opponents’ scoring. The Scarlet Knights are holding opponents to only 18 points per game, which coincidentally ranks 18th in the country.
Last week, Rutgers held Nebraska to only 261 yards of offense.
The Rutgers offense is led by running back Kyle Monangai, who comes into this game with 667 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Monangai will face a Wisconsin rush defense that has allowed 4.33 yards per carry (86th in the country).
Give me Rutgers -3.
#10 Clemson Tigers (4-1) @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-3) | October 12 | 11:00 AM CT | Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
Line: Clemson -20 | Total: 60.5
Since being held to three points in the opener against Georgia, the Clemson offense has caught fire. The Tigers average a cool 7.12 yards per play and have not had much trouble scoring. Clemson is 16th in the country in scoring at 39.4 points per game.
Now, they face Wake Forest who has scored at least 30 points in four of five games.
While the Demon Deacons can score, they do little to stop their opponents. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging 8.2 yards per attempt, which is tied for 112th in the country. Furthermore, Wake Forest is allowing 31 points per game.
Over 60.5 is the play.
California Golden Bears (3-2) @ #23 Pittsburgh Panthers (5-0) | October 12 | 2:30 PM CT | Acrisure Stadium
Line: Pittsburgh -3 | Total: 59.5
The California defense feasted on bad offenses early on. The Bears held UC-Davis, Auburn, San Diego State, and Florida State to an average of 287.5 yards per game. That all changed when they played Miami last week. The Hurricanes put up 575 yards of offense as they mounted a comeback win.
Pittsburgh has a potent offense, averaging 522.2 yards per game. Quarterback Eli Holstein is leading the way with 1,567 passing yards and 15 touchdowns.
California has to fly across the country after suffering a tough loss. That is a tall task that I do not think they will be up for.
Pittsburgh -3 is my pick.
Florida Gators (3-2) @ #8 Tennessee Volunteers (4-1) | October 12 | 6:00 PM CT | Neyland Stadium
Line: Tennessee -15.5 | Total: 55.5
Two straight wins have to have the Gators feeling better about themselves. Quarterback Graham Mertz has been instrumental in Florida’s recent success. Mertz is completing 86.4% of his passes with four touchdowns over his last two games.
However, this was against Mississippi State and Central Florida. Expect a more significant challenge against Tennessee. Though the Volunteers did not have their best performance at Arkansas, allowing quarterback Taylen Green to complete 19 of 27 passes for 266 yards, they have been stingy most of the way. Opposing offenses are averaging only 3.81 yards per play, which ranks fourth nationally.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has not lived up his lofty expectations so far. The talented Iamaleava has thrown seven touchdowns this season, and three of those came against UT-Chattanooga in the opener.
Everyone, myself included, is waiting for this Tennessee passing offense to explode.
This may be the week to do it. While Florida has shown better in recent weeks, their passing defense gave up 10.7 yards per attempt against Miami and 10.5 yards per attempt against Texas A&M.
I am taking Tennessee -15.5.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 