Season record: 23-20-2
Last week: 1-3-1 (Arizona +3.5, Illinois/Maryland over 54.5, Kansas +6, Arizona State +16.5, Purdue +9.5)
We stumbled last week to a record of 1-3-1. Arizona held a 10-point lead over Texas Tech before failing to cover, and we never recovered as the day went along. 1-3-1 is a good defense in basketball, but it is unacceptable for a weekly record. Let’s regroup and it may be time to go on the offense…
TCU Horned Frogs (4-4) @ #22 Arizona Wildcats (6-2) | November 6 | 9:15 PM CT | Casino Del Sol Stadium
Line: Arizona -7.5 | Total: 45.5
Arizona lost last week, but quarterback Noah Fifita continues to put up big numbers. Fifita threw for 417 yards in the loss.
Ultimately, it was not enough as Texas Tech ran away to a 34-26 victory. This was largely in part to what Texas Tech did on the ground. The Red Raiders rushed for 328 yards. That was the most yards the Wildcats have given up in a game this season.
Expect a lighter task this week against TCU. TCU is the Big 12’s worst rushing offense, averaging 114.6 rushing yards per game.
Give me Arizona -7.5.
#23 Oregon Ducks (5-3) @ #12 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-2) | November 7 | 2:30 PM CT | Ohio Stadium
Line: Ohio State -7.5 | Total: 46.5
With Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin sidelined with injury, Luke Fahey has taken the reigns for the Buckeyes. It has not been a smooth transition as the Buckeyes suffered a loss at USC last week. Fahey led Ohio State to just one touchdown drive which came in the fourth quarter.
Oregon has also had to a backup quarterback in Dylan Raiola. Raiola, however, had a much better day in Oregon’s win over Northwestern last week. Raiola threw for 3 touchdowns while averaging 10.8 yards per attempt. Oregon receiver Dakorien Moore was heavily featured and finished with 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Oregon passing attack could see some success again this week against the Ohio State secondary that had trouble containing USC’s talented pass catchers last week. In the first minute of action, USC receiver Trent Mosley got loose for a 69-yard touchdown.
I am going with Oregon +7.5.
#6 Kentucky Wildcats (7-1) @ #13 Tennessee Volunteers (6-2) | November 7 | 5:15 PM CT | Neyland Stadium
Line: Tennessee -6.5 | Total: 50.5
Tennessee is a rather no-nonsense team this season. The Volunteers run the ball and play really good defense. However, their lack of passing game remains a big question. Tennessee ranks last in the SEC in passing yards. In conference play, they average only 163.4 passing yards per game.
The Kentucky defense has proven they can stop the run in recent weeks. In their last three games they have held LSU, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt to 94, 76, and 15 rushing yards, respectively.
The Kentucky offense has a more potent passing attack with Kenny Minchey. Minchey is completing 69% of his passes and has thrown for 14 touchdowns on the season. He is also taking care of the ball, with only one interception on the season.
The Kentucky offense will get another boost with running back CJ Baxter off the injury report.
Baxter, Kentucky’s leading rusher, missed the Oklahoma game and recorded only one carry against Vanderbilt.
I will take the better offense in this matchup. Give me Kentucky +6.5.
Oklahoma Sooners (4-4) @ #24 Florida Gators (5-3) | November 7 | 6:45 PM CT | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Line: Florida -6.5 | Total: 44.5
The Oklahoma offense was starting to look like it had turned the corner against Mississippi State. Unfortunately, that was short-lived as they fell to South Carolina. That resulted in the dismissal of offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten will serve as playcaller moving forward. Witten inherits an offense that ranks near the bottom of the SEC in yards per game and points per game.
The Oklahoma defense has largely carried the Sooners through most of the season. However, they were no match for South Carolina last week. The Gamecocks tallied 521 total yards of offense on their way to their 42-25 victory over Oklahoma.
The Florida offense has also dwindled in recent weeks. After a hot start, the Gators have been slowed in recent weeks. In the month of October, Florida averaged only 4.56 yards of offense per play.
Can the Gators get their groove back against a reeling Oklahoma defense? I think so. Florida -6.5 is the pick.
West Virginia Mountaineers (5-3) @ #15 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-1) | November 7 | 8:30 PM CT | Galaxy Stadium
Line: Texas Tech -16.5 | Total: 65.5
West Virginia might be the most fun team in the country thanks to their offense that can score in bunches and their defense that also gives up scores in bunches. The Mountaineers average 35.9 points per game, while allowing 32.3 points per game.
The West Virginia offense has a dynamic running attack with quarterback Michael Hawkins and running back Cam Cook who both average over 100 rushing yards per game.
While the West Virginia defense may not get many stops, the Texas Tech defense is no juggernaut, either. The Red Raiders rank 94th in total defense, allowing 379.9 yards per game.
I am taking West Virginia +16.5.
OUTTA HERE!
