Season record: 20-19
Last week: 2-3 (Indiana -6.5, Arizona State +3.5, UCF +13.5, Colorado/Arizona over 57.5, Alabama -3)
It was another subpar week, but Indiana continues to deliver. The Hoosiers covered in fashion with a 56-7 win over Nebraska. Hopefully, I can emulate Coach Cignetti and win this week.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-3) @ Virginia Tech Hokies (4-3) | October 26 | 11:00 AM CT | Lane Stadium
Line: Virginia Tech -10.5 Total: 51.5
While Virginia Tech got off to a rough start, they have reeled off back-to-back double-digit victories. The Hokies knocked off Stanford by a score of 31-7, then defeated Boston College 42-21. Against Boston College, Virginia Tech put up a season-high 532 yards of offense.
Running back Bhayshul Tuten led the way in the victory over Boston College. Tuten ran for 266 yards and three touchdowns and had one catch for a touchdown. The senior running back has gone over 100 rushing yards in five games this season.
The Georgia Tech offense will likely be without quarterback Haynes King. King missed the Notre Dame game due to an injury.
In his absence, the Yellow Jackets were held to only 13 points. Backup quarterback Zach Pyron threw for 269 yards, but was picked off twice. The Georgia Tech run game also suffered without King, as they were held to a season-low 64 rushing yards.
On the other side of the ball, Georgia Tech opponents have had success on the ground. North Carolina rushed for 201 yards and Notre Dame rushed for 168.
Virginia Tech -10.5 is my pick.
#11 BYU Cougars (7-0) @ UCF Knights (3-4) | October 26 | 2:30 PM CT | FBC Mortgage Stadium
Line: BYU -2 Total: 55
BYU narrowly escaped with a 38-35 win against Oklahoma State last Friday night. Now, the Cougars head across the country to take on UCF.
A big reason that BYU was in danger of losing to Oklahoma State was their inability to defend the run. The Cowboys ran for 269 yards in the game.
UCF is one of the top rushing teams in the country. The Knights average 280.3 rushing yards per game, which is third in the country.
The Knights almost pulled off the upset against Iowa State last week, but could not finish it off as Rocco Becht and Iowa State stormed back. I expect a better fortune this week, so I am taking UCF +2.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-2) @ TCU Horned Frogs (4-3) | October 26 | 2:30 PM CT | Amon G. Carter Stadium
Line: TCU -6.5 Total: 66.5
The Texas Tech defense got lit up against Baylor. The Red Raiders gave up a whopping 8.14 yards per play and 529 yards in total.
Now they will face the Big 12’s leading passer in TCU quarterback Josh Hoover. Hoover averages 324.3 passing yards per game. His top target, Jack Bech, has seven receiving touchdowns, which is tied for the lead in the Big 12.
The TCU defense is coming off their best performance of the season. The Horned Frogs held the Utes to only 267 yards and seven points.
Give me TCU -6.5.
#3 Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0) @ Wisconsin Badgers (5-2) | October 26 | 6:30 PM CT | Camp Randall Stadium
Line: Penn State -6.5 Total: 48
Wisconsin has gotten into gear as of late. The Badgers have won three straight and their offense is rolling. Wisconsin is averaging 499 yards of offense in those games.
Running back Tawee Walker has given the Badgers offense a great deal of punch. Walker averages 5.43 yards per carry and has nine touchdowns this season.
Walker will face a Penn State defense that allowed 189 rushing yards against USC.
The Penn State offense has been very good this season. The Nittany Lions are tenth nationally in yards per game at 471.2. Quarterback Drew Allar is completing 70.2% of his passes.
The Wisconsin defense has done a good job of limiting opponents’ passing. The Badgers only allow 5.8 yards per attempt, which is eighth in the country.
Camp Randall…at night! Give me Wisconsin +6.5.
Cincinnati Bearcats (5-2) @ Colorado Buffaloes (5-2) | October 26 | 9:15 PM CT | Folsom Field
Line: Colorado -5 Total: 57.5
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is having a nice season. Sanders leads the Big 12 in passing touchdowns with 19.
While the Buffaloes’ passing game is what they are known for, their rushing attack got on track last week. Colorado ran for a season-high 148 yards in their win over Arizona.
The Colorado defense also showed up in their win. They held Arizona to 107 rushing yards on 34 attempts. They also held highly-touted wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to only 38 receiving yards.
Colorado is rounding into form and they should be able to take advantage of a weak Cincinnati defense. UCF, Texas Tech, Miami (OH), and Pittsburgh all had over 8.0 yards per attempt against the Bearcats. Their rush defense is not strong, either. Cincinnati opponents average 4.92 yards per carry, which is 111th nationally.
I am taking Colorado -5.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 