Roger Murdock (15-9 record)
Notre Dame +2 @ #16 Syracuse
This Syracuse team is extremely overvalued right now. They were undefeated coming into a huge matchup vs Clemson last week and not only covered, but had a real shot to win. However, read into that game and you’ll see that Clemson turned it over 4 times and probably should’ve won by multiple scores. Now, they have the toughest task any ACC team faces: playing the week after Clemson. ACC teams just do not face the physicality of Clemson anywhere else in the league, and Syracuse shows it this week; as they are down several starters on defense. Notre Dame matches up well, they will dominate this one 28-10.
Kansas State is the better team and at home. This Oklahoma State defense is overrated, especially on the road. Adrian Martinez will exploit them with read options and control the game. This also feels like a huge let down spot for Ok State after some very emotional, close games the last few weeks.
Texas A&M +2 vs #15 Ole Miss
Rinse & repeat my thoughts about close, emotional games from above to Ole Miss. They are a tired team who just took a blow to their season and has to be looking forward to a bye next week. Meanwhile, A&M makes a much needed return home; they haven’t played in College Station since the Miami game. And this is a great opportunity to score a nice win in an otherwise down year. Also, Ole Miss has a terrible defense. A&M will get more stops in this one than Ole Miss.
Henry Porter (12-12 record)
Nebraska +7.5 vs #17 Illinois
The Cornhuskers have battled back this season after the firing of former Head Coach Scott Frost. They are 3-4 but they unfathomably still have a chance at a bowl game but they have to win this game to get there. This team will go how QB Casey Thompson goes and that starts with not turning the ball over. Illinois has vaulted up to an impressive #17 ranking in this week’s top 25. This can be attributed to their stingy defense and also not having to play the top teams in the Big Ten yet. Both teams are coming off of a bye so I expect both teams to have a good game plan ready which should lead to a closer contest. I like Nebraska at home here to keep it tight throughout but I have the Fighting Illini ultimately getting the win 27-24.
Boston College -7.5 @ UCONN
Boston College is limping their way to a bowl-less 2022 campaign after last week's shellacking at the hands of #13 ranked Wake Forest. The offense just hasn’t been good enough under veteran quarterback Phil Jurkovec which is why their record stands at 2-5. Luckily for the Eagles, they face one of the worst college football teams of the last five years in the UCONN Huskies. But give credit where it’s due, this team has improved under Head Coach Jim Mora as they have already won three games for the first time since 2017. But at the end of the day, Boston College is an ACC team with ACC players and I think they take advantage of a UCONN team that has already hit their peak this season. Look for WR Zay Flowers to have a field day and for the Eagles to leave Storrs with a 31-20 victory.
UTEP -1.5 vs Middle Tennessee State
Despite being 4-4, UTEP has played some good football the last four weeks going 3-1 in that span. A field goal at the buzzer last week gave them the victory over FAU and moved them up the Conference USA standings. Since the Blue Raider’s dominant victory at Miami (FL), they have lost three straight games all to conference opponents by an average of 20 points. Does this speak more to how bad Miami is or how bad Middle Tennessee State is? Probably both. In what is essentially a pick em, I like the Miners to ride the momentum from last week and get another close win at home. Miners pull it out 23-17.
Peter Cornell (9-12-3 record)
Kansas St -1 vs Oklahoma St
This is a spot where I think we are going to get a motivated Kansas State team at home. Last week they were up 11 at the half on the road at undefeated top ten TCU. I venture to bet this is not sitting well with this Wildcats football team and they are chomping at the bit. Oklahoma St can not stop the run and what is K State really good at doing? Running the football. I think the Wildcats get a big turnover at some point to set up a TD and win this game 34-28. Take the Wildcats.
Pittsburgh +3 @ North Carolina
Desperation mode engaged for this Pittsburgh squad coming off of an ugly loss at Louisville 24-10. The final was not indicative on how the game went to say the least. Pittsburgh lost the turnover battle a massive 4-1 margin which is hard to overcome. I expect a better performance with holding onto the football better from the Panthers against a Carolina defense that just isn't that great. The common theme with Carolina in their close games/losses this year have been that they have struggled to stop the run. The Panthers might have the best running back in the country in Israel Abanikanda. I expect him to run it at least 30 times and keep this Carolina offense off the field. Coach Pat Narduzzi knows they need this one if they are to have any chance of going back to Charlotte for the ACC Championship. Pittsburgh wins this one 31-30. Take the Panthers.
USC/Arizona Ov 76
I want points with a side of points to go with it. I have a solid question when handicapping this game. Does either one of these teams even need to bother with dressing their punter? I don't see any way either one of these defenses gets a stop in this one. USC boasts one of the best offenses in the country with Heisman finalist candidate Caleb Williams and solid back Travis Dye. I also really like what I have seen from the Wildcats who are led by QB Jayden De Laura and top wide out Jacob Cowing. I see this being an absolute shootout with the only points not being scored from turnovers and 4th down failures. I think USC wins this one but a little closer than most think, 44-41. Take the Over.
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