Season record: 6-3
Last week: 3-2 (SMU -2.5, Navy -21, Kentucky +10, South Florida +17.5, UNLV +2.5)
SMU started the day giving me a gut-wrenching loss. The Mustangs led 38-24 in the fourth quarter before falling 48-45 in overtime. Navy won, but did not cover. Then things turned around with Kentucky getting a field goal to get inside the number. South Florida and UNLV both won outright as underdogs.
3-2 gives us another winning week. Let’s keep it going!
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Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0) @ West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1) | September 13 | 2:30 PM CT | Milan Puskar Stadium
Line: Pittsburgh -7 | Total: 57.5
The “Backyard Brawl” being played during the day in September is truly a shame, but we will move past that. West Virginia losing last week also puts a dent on the matchup.
The West Virginia offense came out humming against Robert Morris. The Mountaineers rolled up 625 yards of offense in their 45-3 win. However, that was not the case as they were stymied in a 17-10 loss at Ohio.
The bad news is they will face a Pittsburgh defense that has been very stingy so far this season. The Panthers are allowing only 3.31 yards per play, which ranks sixth nationally.
Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein is off to a strong start this season. Holstein has completed 70.6% of his passes and is averaging 10.2 yards per attempt to go along with 8 passing touchdowns.
Pittsburgh also has a dynamic running back in Desmond Reid.
The all-purpose back has accounted for 288 yards on the season.
I am taking Pittsburgh -7 in this one. My apologies to John Denver.
Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0) @ #17 Ole Miss Rebels (2-0) | September 13 | 6:00 PM CT | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Line: Ole Miss -7 | Total: 60.5
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green has been putting up big numbers so far this season. Green is tied for first in the country in touchdown passes with 10.
He leads an offense that is third in the country in yards per play, at 8.82.
Ole Miss only allows 128 passing yards per game, but look for Arkansas to test the Rebels far more than their previous opponents, Georgia State and Kentucky.
Ole Miss has a talented quarterback of their own in Austin Simmons. However, Simmons faces questions heading into this matchup. He has already thrown for four interceptions on the season. Simmons is also dealing with an ankle injury that forced him out of the Kentucky game.
Give me Arkansas +7.
#16 Texas A&M Aggies (2-0) @ #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-1) | September 13 | 6:30 PM CT | Notre Dame Stadium
Line: Notre Dame -7 | Total: 49.5
After a season-opening loss, Notre Dame is now facing an uphill battle to make it back to the College Football Playoff. They will now play host to Texas A&M, whom they knocked off to begin last season. In that matchup, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love introduced himself to the country. Love had 91 rushing yards and the go-ahead touchdown in this matchup a season ago.
Love was not featured as much as expected in the loss at Miami. After a week off, expect a bigger workload for the star running back.
Love should be able to get back on track against Texas A&M. The Aggies allowed 203 rushing yards in their opener. Last week, they did hold Utah State to only 78 rushing yards. However, Utah State’s top two running backs averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has posted outstanding stats through two games. Reed is completing 66.1% of his passes for 509 yards and 7 touchdowns.
He will be taking a step up in class in the Notre Dame defense. While his receivers have had no problems getting free against the likes of UT-San Antonio and Utah State, that likely will not be the case with Notre Dame. Irish cornerbacks DaVonta Smith and Leonard Moore thrive in man coverage.
I am not confident in Reed’s passing ability just yet. I am taking Notre Dame -7.
Duke Blue Devils (1-1) @ Tulane Green Wave (2-0) | September 13 | 7:00 PM CT | Yulman Stadium
Line: Tulane -0.5 | Total: 54.5
After a dominant win in their opener, Tulane had to hold on to defeat South Alabama in Week 2. Now, they take on Duke and their former quarterback, Darian Mensah.
Mensah had a big week passing against Illinois, but it was not enough as the Illini won 45-19. He threw for 356 yards and 2 touchdowns in the loss.
Now Mensah will face a Tulane defense that was carved up by South Alabama quarterback Bishop Davenport. Davenport threw for a career-high 231 yards on 17 of 24 passing.
While the Green Wave showed weakness against the pass, Duke had issues of their own. Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Blue Devils last week.
Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff has pedestrian numbers so far. He has thrown for only 277 yards and 2 touchdowns this season. However, this matchup could be a catalyst to get the Tulane passing game going.
I am going over 54.5.
Texas State Bobcats (2-0) @ Arizona State Sun Devils (1-1) | September 13 | 9:30 PM CT | Mountain America Stadium
Line: Arizona State -14.5 | Total: 59
This game was an exciting battle last season when they met in San Marcos. Arizona State won 31-28 on their way to a College Football Playoff berth. Now, they host Texas State on the heels of a loss at Mississippi State.
When I saw this game on the slate, I thought it would be a fun, late night over play. However, both of these teams run the ball at a high rate. Arizona State runs the ball 68% of the time and Texas State runs the ball 63.4% of the time.
Under 59 is my pick.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 
One response to “Nado’s Notions: Week 3”
[…] Last week: 3-2 (Pittsburgh -7, Arkansas +7, Notre Dame -7, Duke/Tulane over 54.5, Texas State/Arizona State under 59) […]
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