Season record: 25-24-1
Last week: 3-2-1 (Ohio State -3.5, Vanderbilt +6.5, Arizona State -2.5, Texas A&M/South Carolina under 44.5, TCU +3, Pittsburgh +7.5)
We are still teetering around .500. Saturday got off to a great start, but Texas A&M and South Carolina flew over and SMU laid the wood against Pittsburgh. The message remains the same…FINISH!
#3 Georgia Bulldogs (7-1) @ #16 Ole Miss Rebels (7-2) | November 9 | 2:30 PM CT | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Line: Georgia -2.5 Total: 54.5
Ole Miss put up eye-popping numbers in their win over Arkansas last week. Ole Miss quarterback threw for 515 yards and six touchdowns in their 63-31 victory.
The Georgia defense struggled in their first big test of the season at Alabama. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe completed 27 of 33 passes for 374 yards in that game, two of which went for touchdowns.
Georgia did show improvement in their win at Texas. Longhorns quarterbacks completed 28 of 49 passes for 230 yards. The Bulldogs also had seven sacks in their 30-15 win.
Ole Miss also had protection issues in their loss at LSU. The Rebels surrendered six sacks in that game.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has struggled with interceptions this season. Beck has been picked off 11 times, which is the most in the SEC. He also has 10 passing touchdowns, which is tied for first in the SEC.
They say water always finds its level. I believe the Bulldogs get it done this weekend. Give me Georgia -2.5.
#17 Iowa State Cyclones (7-1) @ Kansas Jayhawks (2-6) | November 9 | 2:30 PM CT | Arrowhead Stadium
Line: Iowa State -3 Total: 50.5
Both schools are coming off tough losses. For Iowa State, it was a last-minute loss against Texas Tech last week. A late field goal by Kansas State did Kansas in two weeks ago.
The Kansas offense has really played well as of late. A big reason for that is quarterback Jalon Daniels. Over his last three games, Daniels is completing 62.7% of his passes, with six touchdowns to only one interception. He also has a rushing touchdown in each of his last three games.
Kansas, as a team, finds a great deal of success running the ball. On the season, the Jayhawks average 5.75 yards per carry, which ranks ninth in the country.
The Iowa State defense showed vulnerability against the run in their win against UCF. The Knights were able to run for 354 yards in that game.
The Jayhawks have shown they are still playing hard, so give me Kansas +3.
South Carolina Gamecocks (5-3) @ Vanderbilt Commodores (6-3) | November 9 | 3:15 PM CT | FirstBank Stadium
Line: South Carolina -3.5 Total: 45.5
Last week I took Vanderbilt against Auburn. The Commodores were 6.5-point underdogs and they won outright. This week, they welcome in South Carolina.
The Gamecocks are coming off a big win over Texas A&M. It was their rushing attack that exploded for 286 yards and three touchdowns.
Last week, I also talked about Vanderbilt’s ability to win time of possession. They were able to do just that against Auburn. The Commodores possessed the ball for 31:57 as they gutted out a 17-7 win. This week, that will be a more difficult challenge. Quarterback Diego Pavia is listed as probable with an undisclosed injury.
While Pavia has proven to be a warrior leading Vanderbilt, he is facing a stout South Carolina defense. The Gamecocks allow only 304.8 yards per game, which is 16th in the country. A big reason why is their ability to get tackles for loss, with 63 on the season.
I am going with South Carolina -3.5.
UCF Knights (4-5) @ Arizona State Sun Devils (6-2) | November 9 | 6:00 PM CT | Mountain America Stadium
Line: Arizona State -3 Total: 55.5
This is a matchup of two of the Big 12’s best rushing offenses. UCF leads the league with 272.3 rushing yards per game, while Arizona State is third with 210.4 rushing yards per game.
While both teams do most of their damage on the ground, they got really good performances out of their quarterbacks last week. For UCF, Dylan Rizk put on a dazzling performance, completing 20 of 25 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt also threw three touchdowns on 20 of 29 passing for 304 yards. While both teams can feel good about their quarterback play, they did so against two of the league’s worst defenses in Arizona and Oklahoma State.
UCF running back RJ Harvey has been on a tear as of late. Harvey has 507 rushing yards and seven touchdowns over his last three games.
There is also a really good running back on the Arizona State side. His name is Cam Skattebo and he has rushed for 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
Where these teams differ is on the defensive side. Arizona State has been quite a bit better on that side of the ball. The Sun Devils allow 321.4 yards per game, while the Knights allow 366 yards per game.
While UCF held Arizona to only five rushing yards last week, they have struggled against the run against better competition. Iowa State ran for 256 yards and BYU ran for 252 against the Knights.
Once again, give me Arizona State -3.
Utah State Aggies (2-6) @ #21 Washington State Cougars (7-1) | November 9 | 9:30 PM CT | Martin Stadium
Line: Washington State -20.5 Total: 70
The Utah State has not really stopped anyone this season. The Aggies give up 498 yards per game, which ranks 132nd out of 134 FBS schools.
The Washington State offense is led by quarterback John Mateer. Mateer has been on fire in his last two games, completing 42 of 54 passes for 552 yards and five touchdowns. He also has four touchdowns in those games.
Utah State quarterback Spencer Petras, formerly of Iowa, now finds himself in a pass-heavy offense. Petras has 40.8 pass attempts per game, which is fourth in the country. Quite a few of those throws find their way to opponents’ hands as Petras has thrown seven interceptions on the season. Meanwhile, the Washington State defense has 10 interceptions on the season.
I believe this one could get ugly, so I am taking Washington State -20.5.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 