Season record: 3-7
Last week: 1-5 (UConn +12.5, Kentucky +9.5, Pittsburgh -7, South Alabama +9.5, Texas -1.5, Ohio State/Texas over 49.5)
Oh boy, last week was a disaster! After strong starts, both UConn and Kentucky got throttled and were not able to cover large spreads. The Pittsburgh offense was not its usual self in a heavy downpour and won by five against UCF. South Alabama was our only winner with a loss within the number to Tulane. Finally, Texas pulled off an epic comeback, but it was not enough to cover nor hit the over.
Let’s buckle down for a new week!
Arizona State Sun Devils (1-1) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (1-1) | September 19 | 11:00 AM CT | Wembley Stadium
Line: Arizona State -5.5 | Total: 50.5
Just when you think the Big 12 cannot get any weirder, they have two teams facing off in another continent. Both Arizona State and Kansas come into this game off a loss. However, the losses could not be much more different.
Kansas was outgained by Missouri by a margin of 469 to 255. The Jayhawks’ first points came by way of a blocked field goal. The Kansas offense struggled most of the way, especially on third down where they converted only three of fifteen opportunities.
Arizona State had little trouble moving the ball last week, but were done in by turnovers. Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley had two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Texas A&M would pull away, winning 48-20.
Nevertheless, Boley and the Sun Devils should have success this week. Dynamic wide receiver Reed Harris is a big reason why. The senior receiver has two touchdowns in each of his first two games this season. Harris, who finished with 189 receiving yards last week, should find success against a Kansas defense that allowed 15.4 yards per completion last week.
Harris is not the only weapon for Arizona State, either. Look for Omarion Miller and Kyson Brown to be involved for the Sun Devils.
I like the Sun Devils to bounce back here. Give me Arizona State -5.5.
Tulane Green Wave (1-1) @ Kansas State Wildcats (2-0) | September 19 | 11:00 AM CT | Bill Snyder Family Stadium
Line: Kansas State -20.5 | Total: 49.5
The Wildcats are off and running two games into the Collin Klein era. Kansas State has outscored opponents 105 to 10 so far this season. The Kansas State defense is holding teams to a paltry 2.67 yards per play.
This week, the Wildcats host a Tulane team which has not been as impressive on the defensive side of the ball. Last week, the Green Wave surrendered 478 yards of offense against South Alabama. Once again, Tulane struggled to stop the run as South Alabama ran for 182 yards.
It will get even tougher for Tulane against the Kansas State ground game. The Wildcats have one of the top rushing offenses in the country thus far. Kansas State is averaging 7.23 yards per rushing attempt.
This appears to be quite the mismatch, so I am going with Kansas State -20.5.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-0) @ South Carolina Gamecocks (2-0) | September 19 | 3:15 PM CT | Williams-Brice Stadium
Line: South Carolina -4 | Total: 58.5
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor started to enter everyone’s radar this offseason following an impressive showing at the Manning Passing Academy. Unlike most quarterbacks who show promise in Thibodaux, Taylor has actually delivered on his offseason hype. He is completing 67.9% of his passes, with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. As if the stats are not enough, just watch the ease at which Taylor does it with.
Now, he enters his biggest test of the season at South Carolina. The Gamecocks have been dominant in their first two matchups against Kent State and Towson.
However, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has not performed as well as his counterpart in the leadup to this game. Last week, Sellers completed only 10 of 23 passes for 96 yards and an interception.
Mississippi State will present challenges to the South Carolina passing game. Cornerback Kelley Jones is a big reason why.
I am going with the team with the quarterback who has been playing at a higher level. I am taking the road ‘dogs in Mississippi State +4.
Florida Gators (2-0) @ Auburn Tigers (2-0) | September 19 | 6:00 PM CT | Jordan-Hare Stadium
Line: Florida -2.5 | Total: 53.5
Florida heads to Auburn as the two teams meet for the first team since 2019. Now, we get first-year head coaches Jon Sumrall and Alex Golesh squaring off after 2-0 starts with their respective teams.
Auburn survived a nailbiter in their season-opening win over Baylor. While the Tigers’ offense was sluggish, they got the win thanks to a stop on a Baylor two-point conversion attempt. Perhaps, last week they turned a corner offensively, rolling up 613 yards of offense in a win over Southern Miss. Quarterback Byrum Brown threw his first two touchdowns as a Tiger, and even caught a touchdown last week.
Sumrall brought in offensive coordinator Buster Faulker and quarterback Aaron Philo to run the Gator offense and it has been so far, so good. Florida has been explosive, averaging 8.82 yards per play. Philo’s passing has been a big reason why and so has the running of Jadan Baugh.
Baugh averages 148 rushing yards per game, which is second in the country.
I expect both offenses to get going in this one, give me over 53.5.
Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0) @ Maryland Terrapins (2-0) | September 19 | 6:30 PM CT | SECU Stadium
Line: Virginia Tech -3 | Total: 53.5
This is going to be what I call a “show me respect” pick. After picking against Maryland last week, I am ready to get on board with the Terrapins. As old nemesis James Franklin heads back to the “Snake Pit” and the glorious shell where Maryland runs out of, this is a perfect opportunity to make a statement.
Speaking of respect, earlier this week Franklin got into this strange tiff with a reporter in a press conference.
I do not expect pleasantries to be exchanged as he leads Virginia Tech into College Park. The Hokies will encounter a Maryland defense that has been rude in its own right. Last week, the Terrapins held UConn to only 223 yards and 12 first downs. They also had five sacks.
The Maryland pass rush will be something to keep an eye on as Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer was sacked four times against Old Dominion last week.
Maryland quarterback Malik Washington turned in a stellar performance in last week’s win over UConn. Washington threw for 347 yards and 2 touchdowns on 34 of 41 attempts.
It is time to respect the Terrapins! Give me Maryland +3!
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 