Four out of five ain’t bad, and that’s what I was last week (blinked on the Auburn call). Here are my picks for this week.
Cincinnati @ #6 Ohio State
Spread: Ohio State by 16.5
Ryan Day leads the Bucks (photo, O-Zone)
Justin Fields seems to have settled in nicely as the starter for the Bucks, but this game could test him. Cincinnati returns several players from its top-10 defense, and the Bearcats held UCLA to under 220 yards last week in a home win.
In the end, though, I think Ryan Day has more talent on his side of the field. OSU will have just enough to win.
Cincinnati covers, but is put away.
Ohio State 34, Cincinnati 21
#25 Nebraska @ Colorado
Spread: Nebraska by 3.5
Here’s QB Steven Montez in action last year against the Huskers (photo, Nigel Amstock/CU Independent)
After scraping by bottom-feeding South Alabama, the Huskers will face a test against CU. The Buffs beat rival CSU last week 52-31 and look much improved from last year’s 5-7 team. Two reasons are senior quarterback Steven Montez and wideout Laviska Shenault.
Of course, there’s always hype surrounding the Huskers’ program despite last year’s 4-8 record and struggling against USA in the opener. The biggest problem is Nebraska’s moribund offense. QB Adrian Martinez went 13 of 22 with no TDs last week, and the running game failed to reach 100 yards.
What’s it mean? I predict this game will prove that Nebraska isn’t ready to be a contender. From this angle, a more motivated Colorado team covers and wins outright.
Colorado 35, Nebraska 27
#13 Texas A&M @ #1 Clemson
Spread: Clemson by 17.5
He’s back! (photo, Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports & The Atlantic)
It’s a marquee match-up…I think. Many are writing off A&M because Clemson is on the other side of the line. Yes, Clemson has their dogs–Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, a lot of NFL-level talent, and a young, but capable, defense. But the stakes are high for Jimbo and the boys. It’s an opportunity for the Aggies to show they can hang with the big boys.
In the past, I’ve praised Kellen Mond about his ability to play well in intense moments. And this WILL BE the most intense moment of his playing career!
A&M certainly has the talent, and the program is definitely on the rise, but I think this game will be a bad look for them. Clemson will win comfortably over an Aggie team that’s a year away.
Clemson 42, Texas A&M 21
#19 Stanford @ USC
Spread: USC by 1
Courtesy: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Stanford put away a good Northwestern team comfortably last week, but the Cardinal’s comfort level will get another test on Saturday–especially because QB KJ Costello is questionable for the game. On the other side, USC’s JT Daniels is out for the season with a knee injury.
In what could be a sloppy, yet close, game, watch for the battle at running back between Stanford’s Cameron Scarlett and USC’s Vavae Malepeai. Scarlett did a good job last week against a solid Northwestern defense. Malepeai is lesser-known, but capable, too. He had over 130 yards rushing against a respectable Fresno State defense.
Both teams look pretty close to even. USC has home field and “Pac-12 Late Night” tends to be a show where ranked teams fall. I’ll take the home team in this one. USC will barely cover.
USC 23, Stanford 21
rAME OF THE WEEK
#5 LSU @ #9 Texas
Spread: LSU by 5.5
LSU’s Joe Burrow (photo, CBS Sports)
Hyped for months, this match-up is finally here. And it’s UT’s first top-10 matchup in a decade (can you believe it?). The stakes are high, too. Many believe that the Longhorns need to win to sustain playoff aspirations.
But Texas doesn’t look even against the Tigers, despite having home-field advantage. Heisman hopeful Sam Ehlinger is going to have to carry the load for the ‘Horns this game without having a strong corps of running backs.
On the other hand, LSU’s defense is stacked with Grant Delpit & friends. And on offense, Joe Burrow is as sharp as ever. He has a top-flight receiving corps and will go up against a mostly inexperienced defense.
I think LSU has a big advantage in this one. It’s a win for the Tigers unless Ehlinger has the night of his life. LSU covers.
LSU 30, Texas 20
