Brett Ludwiczak
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MC&J: Arizona-Kansas State is one of two ranked matchups nationally in Week 3
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The other is between Boston College and Missouri on Saturday.
Last week ATS: 10-8 (3-3 National, 7-5 B1G)
Season ATS: 23-18 (6-5 National, 17-13 B1G)
Picks against the spread for all games this week involving Big Ten teams can be found here.
No. 20 Arizona v. No. 14 Kansas State (-7.5) - Friday 9/13 8:00 p.m. ET - FOX
One of two matchups this week between ranked teams takes place tonight in Manhattan. New Big 12 member Arizona will be playing their first conference game, as they’ll take on a tough Kansas State squad. The visiting Wildcats feature one of the best quarterback/wide receiver combos in the country in Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan.
Replacing Will Howard at quarterback for Kansas State this year is Avery Johnson, who has four touchdown passes through the first two games. The Wildcats went on the road last week and won a tough game at Tulane, 34-27. DJ Giddens has been doing work in the backfield so far this season, rushing for nearly 240 yards.
Even though Arizona lost their head coach and number of key parts from last year’s team, I still love the explosiveness the offense possesses. This spread feels a little inflated because Arizona struggled with Northern Arizona, but they could have been looking ahead a bit to this game, especially since they knew it would be a short week.
Tonight’s game feels like the result will be up in the air late in the fourth quarter, so I’ll take the points.
Kansas State 34, Arizona 30
No. 16 LSU (-6.5) v. South Carolina - 12:00 p.m. ET - ABC
Jayden Who? The Tigers don’t look like they are missing Jayden Daniels all that much since Garrett Nussmeier has thrown for over 600 yards and eight touchdowns through the first two games of the season. The LSU offense was dealt a blow though, as running back John Emery Jr. will miss the rest of the season due to injury.
Even though South Carolina is 2-0 this season, they haven’t been playing pretty football. The offense of the Gamecocks has struggled to find a rhythm, leaving the defense to work a little harder. That strategy isn’t going to work on Saturday since LSU has the ability to put a big number up on the scoreboard. Shane Beamer is likely going to try and control the clock with running back Rahiem Sanders, keeping the football out of the Tigers hands as much as possible.
LSU’s loss to USC is actually looking better since the Trojans look like they are for real. Even though the Tigers are on the road this week, they’ll likely put forth a big effort to try and give the folks back home some happiness as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Francine.
LSU has a little too much offense for the Gamecocks.
LSU 31, South Carolina 21
Memphis v. Florida State (-6.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
While this matchup has lost a little bit of luster following Florida State’s 0-2 start to this season, this is still an intriguing matchup because of what it means to Memphis. If the Tigers are able to leave Tallahassee with a victory, they’ll be in the driver’s seat for the Group of Five spot in the College Football Playoff.
The bye week came at a perfect time for the Seminoles. D.J. Uiagalelei has looked terrible to start the season, so it’s obvious Mike Norvell is going to have to make some adjustments if they want to snap their two-game losing streak. Florida State lost a ton of talent to the NFL last year and it has definitely showed in the first two games.
Despite Florida State’s awful start to the season, this is still going to be a fun matchup since Mike Norvell will be going up against the team he used to coach. Sam Henigan isn’t going to be rattled by the atmosphere at Doak Campbell Stadium since he is a four-year starter.
I think the Tigers add to the woes of the Seminoles in this one.
Memphis 35, Florida State 31
No. 24 Boston College v. No. 6 Missouri (-16.5) - 12:45 p.m. ET - SEC Network
Remember a few years ago when Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz was crying about having to go to Boston College for a game? Now Drinkwitz and the Tigers will welcome a ranked Boston College team to Columbia for the other game this week between ranked teams. Missouri has dominated subpar competition so far this season, shutting out Murray State and Buffalo.
Bill O’Brien has wasted little time to get things rolling in Chestnut Hill, upsetting Florida State a couple weeks ago before shutting out Duquesne last week. Thomas Castellanos already has tossed six touchdowns this season for the Golden Eagles, while Florida State transfer Treshaun Ward has brought experience to the running back position.
We saw how good Missouri is last year when they shut down Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. The Tigers have a team that can contend for a College Football Playoff spot, but don’t sleep on Boston College. The Golden Eagles have already gone on the road to a tough environment and beat a ranked team, so heading to Columbia won’t scare them.
Bill O’Brien’s team tests Missouri on Saturday and stays within two touchdowns.
Missouri 28, Boston College 17
Texas A&M (-4.5) v. Florida - 3:30 p.m. ET - ABC
The Swamp used to be a place opponents feared going to. I don’t get that vibe any more. Who knows how long it will be until Billy Napier is fired, since it is obvious he is in over his head in Gainesville. The Gators are still trying to decide between DJ Lagway or Graham Mertz, who is entering his second decade of college football. Florida is a mess.
Texas A&M had a rough start to the season, losing at home to Notre Dame in a very winnable game. At least Mike Elko knows who he is starting at quarterback, and he has a lot of talent of the defensive side of the football. Connor Weigman puts even more pressure on Napier and the Gators by handing Florida their second loss of the season.
Texas A&M 24, Florida 14
West Virginia (-2.5) v. Pitt - 3:30 p.m. ET - ESPN2
Enjoy the “Backyard Brawl” while you can, since this is the last scheduled meeting between the rivals until 2029. West Virginia got off to a rough start this year, getting throttled by Penn State in the opener before righting the ship a bit with an easy win over Albany. The Mountaineers still have plenty of talent on both sides of the football and could be a sleeper in the Big 12.
Pitt has definitely been entertaining this year, although I’m still not sure how good they actually are. The Panthers beat Kent State 55-24 in the opener before mounting a comeback last week to knock off Cincinnati 28-27. Although Eli Holstein has thrown six touchdowns this season, I think the West Virginia defense can keep him in check. The Mountaineers were torched by Penn State’s Drew Allar in the opener, and will show they aren’t as bad against the pass as they showed in that game.
West Virginia 35, Pitt 27
Colorado (-7.5) v. Colorado State - 7:30 p.m. ET - CBS
Remember last year at the height of DeionMania when everybody tuned into the Colorado State-Colorado game late one Saturday night? The game ended up being wild with an ejection for a hit on Travis Hunter and the Buffaloes eventually winning in double overtime. Now Deion is facing a bunch of criticism for the way he is handling the program, while Shedeur Sanders is making enemies with his offensive line.
Colorado State opened the season against Texas and suffered an ugly 52-0 loss. Then again, I wouldn’t put too much stock in the shutout since the Longhorns are a different animal. This Rams squad know they are tougher than Colorado and should have won last year’s game. I can’t see Colorado State rolling over in this game. Plus, Colorado looks like they are about to implode so I have no interest in laying more than a touchdown on the road with them.
I honestly think the Rams can get some revenge on the Buffaloes for last year’s loss.
Colorado State 38, Colorado 34
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Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The other is between Boston College and Missouri on Saturday.
Last week ATS: 10-8 (3-3 National, 7-5 B1G)
Season ATS: 23-18 (6-5 National, 17-13 B1G)
Picks against the spread for all games this week involving Big Ten teams can be found here.
National games (All games Saturday unless otherwise noted)
No. 20 Arizona v. No. 14 Kansas State (-7.5) - Friday 9/13 8:00 p.m. ET - FOX
One of two matchups this week between ranked teams takes place tonight in Manhattan. New Big 12 member Arizona will be playing their first conference game, as they’ll take on a tough Kansas State squad. The visiting Wildcats feature one of the best quarterback/wide receiver combos in the country in Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan.
Replacing Will Howard at quarterback for Kansas State this year is Avery Johnson, who has four touchdown passes through the first two games. The Wildcats went on the road last week and won a tough game at Tulane, 34-27. DJ Giddens has been doing work in the backfield so far this season, rushing for nearly 240 yards.
Even though Arizona lost their head coach and number of key parts from last year’s team, I still love the explosiveness the offense possesses. This spread feels a little inflated because Arizona struggled with Northern Arizona, but they could have been looking ahead a bit to this game, especially since they knew it would be a short week.
Tonight’s game feels like the result will be up in the air late in the fourth quarter, so I’ll take the points.
Kansas State 34, Arizona 30
No. 16 LSU (-6.5) v. South Carolina - 12:00 p.m. ET - ABC
Jayden Who? The Tigers don’t look like they are missing Jayden Daniels all that much since Garrett Nussmeier has thrown for over 600 yards and eight touchdowns through the first two games of the season. The LSU offense was dealt a blow though, as running back John Emery Jr. will miss the rest of the season due to injury.
Even though South Carolina is 2-0 this season, they haven’t been playing pretty football. The offense of the Gamecocks has struggled to find a rhythm, leaving the defense to work a little harder. That strategy isn’t going to work on Saturday since LSU has the ability to put a big number up on the scoreboard. Shane Beamer is likely going to try and control the clock with running back Rahiem Sanders, keeping the football out of the Tigers hands as much as possible.
LSU’s loss to USC is actually looking better since the Trojans look like they are for real. Even though the Tigers are on the road this week, they’ll likely put forth a big effort to try and give the folks back home some happiness as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Francine.
LSU has a little too much offense for the Gamecocks.
LSU 31, South Carolina 21
Memphis v. Florida State (-6.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
While this matchup has lost a little bit of luster following Florida State’s 0-2 start to this season, this is still an intriguing matchup because of what it means to Memphis. If the Tigers are able to leave Tallahassee with a victory, they’ll be in the driver’s seat for the Group of Five spot in the College Football Playoff.
The bye week came at a perfect time for the Seminoles. D.J. Uiagalelei has looked terrible to start the season, so it’s obvious Mike Norvell is going to have to make some adjustments if they want to snap their two-game losing streak. Florida State lost a ton of talent to the NFL last year and it has definitely showed in the first two games.
Despite Florida State’s awful start to the season, this is still going to be a fun matchup since Mike Norvell will be going up against the team he used to coach. Sam Henigan isn’t going to be rattled by the atmosphere at Doak Campbell Stadium since he is a four-year starter.
I think the Tigers add to the woes of the Seminoles in this one.
Memphis 35, Florida State 31
No. 24 Boston College v. No. 6 Missouri (-16.5) - 12:45 p.m. ET - SEC Network
Remember a few years ago when Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz was crying about having to go to Boston College for a game? Now Drinkwitz and the Tigers will welcome a ranked Boston College team to Columbia for the other game this week between ranked teams. Missouri has dominated subpar competition so far this season, shutting out Murray State and Buffalo.
Bill O’Brien has wasted little time to get things rolling in Chestnut Hill, upsetting Florida State a couple weeks ago before shutting out Duquesne last week. Thomas Castellanos already has tossed six touchdowns this season for the Golden Eagles, while Florida State transfer Treshaun Ward has brought experience to the running back position.
We saw how good Missouri is last year when they shut down Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. The Tigers have a team that can contend for a College Football Playoff spot, but don’t sleep on Boston College. The Golden Eagles have already gone on the road to a tough environment and beat a ranked team, so heading to Columbia won’t scare them.
Bill O’Brien’s team tests Missouri on Saturday and stays within two touchdowns.
Missouri 28, Boston College 17
Texas A&M (-4.5) v. Florida - 3:30 p.m. ET - ABC
The Swamp used to be a place opponents feared going to. I don’t get that vibe any more. Who knows how long it will be until Billy Napier is fired, since it is obvious he is in over his head in Gainesville. The Gators are still trying to decide between DJ Lagway or Graham Mertz, who is entering his second decade of college football. Florida is a mess.
Texas A&M had a rough start to the season, losing at home to Notre Dame in a very winnable game. At least Mike Elko knows who he is starting at quarterback, and he has a lot of talent of the defensive side of the football. Connor Weigman puts even more pressure on Napier and the Gators by handing Florida their second loss of the season.
Texas A&M 24, Florida 14
West Virginia (-2.5) v. Pitt - 3:30 p.m. ET - ESPN2
Enjoy the “Backyard Brawl” while you can, since this is the last scheduled meeting between the rivals until 2029. West Virginia got off to a rough start this year, getting throttled by Penn State in the opener before righting the ship a bit with an easy win over Albany. The Mountaineers still have plenty of talent on both sides of the football and could be a sleeper in the Big 12.
Pitt has definitely been entertaining this year, although I’m still not sure how good they actually are. The Panthers beat Kent State 55-24 in the opener before mounting a comeback last week to knock off Cincinnati 28-27. Although Eli Holstein has thrown six touchdowns this season, I think the West Virginia defense can keep him in check. The Mountaineers were torched by Penn State’s Drew Allar in the opener, and will show they aren’t as bad against the pass as they showed in that game.
West Virginia 35, Pitt 27
Colorado (-7.5) v. Colorado State - 7:30 p.m. ET - CBS
Remember last year at the height of DeionMania when everybody tuned into the Colorado State-Colorado game late one Saturday night? The game ended up being wild with an ejection for a hit on Travis Hunter and the Buffaloes eventually winning in double overtime. Now Deion is facing a bunch of criticism for the way he is handling the program, while Shedeur Sanders is making enemies with his offensive line.
Colorado State opened the season against Texas and suffered an ugly 52-0 loss. Then again, I wouldn’t put too much stock in the shutout since the Longhorns are a different animal. This Rams squad know they are tougher than Colorado and should have won last year’s game. I can’t see Colorado State rolling over in this game. Plus, Colorado looks like they are about to implode so I have no interest in laying more than a touchdown on the road with them.
I honestly think the Rams can get some revenge on the Buffaloes for last year’s loss.
Colorado State 38, Colorado 34
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