Brett Ludwiczak
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MC&J: Georgia and Alabama’s clash is the star of Week 5’s national slate
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Picks for the Bulldogs-Crimson Tide and six other fun games nationally on Saturday’s schedule.
Last week ATS: 11-8 (4-3 National, 7-5 B1G)
Season ATS: 42-38 (13-12 National, 29-26 B1G)
My picks for this week’s games involving Big Ten teams can be found here.
No. 20 Oklahoma State v. No. 23 Kansas State (-4.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
Both Oklahoma State and Kansas State enter this game coming off tough losses. The fourth quarter rally of the Cowboys against Utah fell short, while the Wildcats were dominated by BYU in Provo. With each team having a conference loss, this has the feel of an elimination game in the Big 12.
Where has Ollie Gordon II been this season? After rushing for 126 yards in the opener against South Dakota State, the Oklahoma State running back hasn’t cracked 50 yards on the ground in the last three games. The Cowboys need Gordon to get back on track since Alan Bowman is a decent quarterback, he’s just not a game-changer.
On the other hand, Avery Johnson has the potential to be the difference in games. I’ll chalk up his performance against BYU to it being his first real road test. The Wildcats completely shut down Arizona in Manhattan a couple of weeks ago and I can see them making life miserable for Mike Gundy and company.
Kansas State 35, Oklahoma State 20
No. 22 BYU v. Baylor (-3.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FS1
What am I missing here? Sure BYU has to hit the road, but it’s not like Waco has any mystique as a place that is tough to win at. Also, you have to wonder what letting Colorado tie the game on a hail mary on the last play of the fourth quarter, followed by losing in overtime will do to the Bears.
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
BYU is looking better with each outing. The Cougars have won three of four games by at least 20 points, with their only tight game being an 18-15 win at SMU. Could we have a Jake Retzlaff Heisman campaign starting? Even though I’m joking about that, the BYU quarterback has been very impressive this season. Retzlaff adds to his legend by keeping the Cougars undefeated with a win in Waco on Saturday
BYU 27, Baylor 17
No. 15 Louisville v. No. 16 Notre Dame (-6.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - Peacock
Notre Dame has rebounded from their shocking loss to Northern Illinois with wins over Purdue and Miami (OH). I’m still not sold on the Fighting Irish, though. Riley Leonard is very pedestrian at quarterback, which could make a huge difference in this game. We saw in their loss earlier this season just how much Leonard can’t be trusted when the pressure is raised.
Do you want to know who has been sneaky good this year? Louisville’s Tyler Shough. The former Oregon and Texas Tech quarterback hasn’t thrown a pick so far in three games this year while tossing eight touchdowns. After doubting the Cardinals last week against Georgia Tech, I joined the bandwagon and backed them to add to Marcus Freeman’s problems.
Louisville 31, Notre Dame 27
Arkansas v. No. 24 Texas A&M (-3.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
I’m trying to figure out why Texas A&M is ranked aside from the voters trying to pack the poll with SEC teams. The Aggies lost at home to Notre Dame, won in Gainesville against a weak Florida team, and struggled with Bowling Green. You can’t honestly tell me they are one of the best 25 teams in the country.
Arkansas has to be kicking themselves for not finishing off Oklahoma State in Stillwater. Imagine where a 5-0 Razorbacks team would be ranked! Taylen Green has been entertaining this year. It hasn’t all been good, but at least it has been fun to watch. Running back Ja’Quindon Johnson already has eight rushing touchdowns this year, cracking 100 yards on the ground in three of four games.
The annual meeting in JerryWorld so be another interesting contest. This feels like SEC version of El Assico. I like how Arkansas has been playing more than the Aggies this year, so I’ll grab the points on the neutral field.
Arkansas 28, Texas A&M 24
No. 21 Oklahoma (-2.5) v. Auburn - 3:40 p.m. ET - ABC
This game has beautiful disaster written all over it. Oklahoma had an SEC debut they would love to forget, not putting up much of a fight in Norman against former quarterback and assistant coach Josh Heupel and his Tennessee Volunteers. Adding to their issues, there are quarterback issues with Jackson Arnold having some underwhelming performances.
Auburn is also coming off a 10-point loss at home in their SEC opener against Arkansas. The Tigers already have two losses at Jordan-Hare after falling to Cal a few weeks ago. Even though Auburn’s offense hasn’t look good, I just think Oklahoma has some problems right now on offense. This feels like a low-scoring game with some shenanigans.
Auburn 23, Oklahoma 20
No. 2 Georgia (-2.5) v. No. 4 Alabama - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC
Normally we would be salivating for this matchup. With the expansion of the playoff, the game loses a bit of luster just because there’s a very good chance we could see this in the SEC Championship Game, and in the playoff. This will be the first installment of Kirby Smart against Kalen DeBoer.
Last time we saw the Crimson Tide they were toying with Wisconsin in Madison. Jalen Milroe has yet to throw an interception this year and rushed for two touchdowns in each of Alabama’s first three games. The level of difficulty will turn up on Saturday night when he tries to solve a Georgia defense that has yet to allow a touchdown.
Both teams will be coming off bye weeks, so they are fresh. I have a feeling Georgia is going to respond a little better. I’m sure Kirby Smart wasn’t too happy with a 13-12 win last time out at Kentucky and he likely let his team know about it the last two weeks. The same mistakes won’t be made on Saturday.
Georgia 31, Alabama 21
Washington State v. No. 25 Boise State (-7.5) - 10:00 p.m. ET - FS1
This matchup is fascinating to me. Washington State is undefeated and if they beat the Broncos they would have an inside track to the Group of Five playoff spot since they have a manageable schedule the rest of the way. John Mateer has been a fun watch this season. The quarterback has 16 total touchdowns for the Cougars, who are coming off a thrilling 54-52 overtime win against San Jose State.
Photo by Oliver McKenna/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Winning in Boise won’t be easy. The Broncos are 2-1 this year, with their only setback being a close loss in Eugene to Oregon. Running back Ashton Jeanty has run wild so far this season, rolling up nearly 600 yards and nine touchdowns this year.
I’m rooting for the Washington State magic to continue so I’ll take the points here. Mateer outduels Jeanty on the blue turf in a high-scoring thriller.
Washington State 38, Boise State 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
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Picks for the Bulldogs-Crimson Tide and six other fun games nationally on Saturday’s schedule.
Last week ATS: 11-8 (4-3 National, 7-5 B1G)
Season ATS: 42-38 (13-12 National, 29-26 B1G)
My picks for this week’s games involving Big Ten teams can be found here.
National games:
No. 20 Oklahoma State v. No. 23 Kansas State (-4.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
Both Oklahoma State and Kansas State enter this game coming off tough losses. The fourth quarter rally of the Cowboys against Utah fell short, while the Wildcats were dominated by BYU in Provo. With each team having a conference loss, this has the feel of an elimination game in the Big 12.
Where has Ollie Gordon II been this season? After rushing for 126 yards in the opener against South Dakota State, the Oklahoma State running back hasn’t cracked 50 yards on the ground in the last three games. The Cowboys need Gordon to get back on track since Alan Bowman is a decent quarterback, he’s just not a game-changer.
On the other hand, Avery Johnson has the potential to be the difference in games. I’ll chalk up his performance against BYU to it being his first real road test. The Wildcats completely shut down Arizona in Manhattan a couple of weeks ago and I can see them making life miserable for Mike Gundy and company.
Kansas State 35, Oklahoma State 20
No. 22 BYU v. Baylor (-3.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FS1
What am I missing here? Sure BYU has to hit the road, but it’s not like Waco has any mystique as a place that is tough to win at. Also, you have to wonder what letting Colorado tie the game on a hail mary on the last play of the fourth quarter, followed by losing in overtime will do to the Bears.
BYU is looking better with each outing. The Cougars have won three of four games by at least 20 points, with their only tight game being an 18-15 win at SMU. Could we have a Jake Retzlaff Heisman campaign starting? Even though I’m joking about that, the BYU quarterback has been very impressive this season. Retzlaff adds to his legend by keeping the Cougars undefeated with a win in Waco on Saturday
BYU 27, Baylor 17
No. 15 Louisville v. No. 16 Notre Dame (-6.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - Peacock
Notre Dame has rebounded from their shocking loss to Northern Illinois with wins over Purdue and Miami (OH). I’m still not sold on the Fighting Irish, though. Riley Leonard is very pedestrian at quarterback, which could make a huge difference in this game. We saw in their loss earlier this season just how much Leonard can’t be trusted when the pressure is raised.
Do you want to know who has been sneaky good this year? Louisville’s Tyler Shough. The former Oregon and Texas Tech quarterback hasn’t thrown a pick so far in three games this year while tossing eight touchdowns. After doubting the Cardinals last week against Georgia Tech, I joined the bandwagon and backed them to add to Marcus Freeman’s problems.
Louisville 31, Notre Dame 27
Arkansas v. No. 24 Texas A&M (-3.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
I’m trying to figure out why Texas A&M is ranked aside from the voters trying to pack the poll with SEC teams. The Aggies lost at home to Notre Dame, won in Gainesville against a weak Florida team, and struggled with Bowling Green. You can’t honestly tell me they are one of the best 25 teams in the country.
Arkansas has to be kicking themselves for not finishing off Oklahoma State in Stillwater. Imagine where a 5-0 Razorbacks team would be ranked! Taylen Green has been entertaining this year. It hasn’t all been good, but at least it has been fun to watch. Running back Ja’Quindon Johnson already has eight rushing touchdowns this year, cracking 100 yards on the ground in three of four games.
The annual meeting in JerryWorld so be another interesting contest. This feels like SEC version of El Assico. I like how Arkansas has been playing more than the Aggies this year, so I’ll grab the points on the neutral field.
Arkansas 28, Texas A&M 24
No. 21 Oklahoma (-2.5) v. Auburn - 3:40 p.m. ET - ABC
This game has beautiful disaster written all over it. Oklahoma had an SEC debut they would love to forget, not putting up much of a fight in Norman against former quarterback and assistant coach Josh Heupel and his Tennessee Volunteers. Adding to their issues, there are quarterback issues with Jackson Arnold having some underwhelming performances.
Auburn is also coming off a 10-point loss at home in their SEC opener against Arkansas. The Tigers already have two losses at Jordan-Hare after falling to Cal a few weeks ago. Even though Auburn’s offense hasn’t look good, I just think Oklahoma has some problems right now on offense. This feels like a low-scoring game with some shenanigans.
Auburn 23, Oklahoma 20
No. 2 Georgia (-2.5) v. No. 4 Alabama - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC
Normally we would be salivating for this matchup. With the expansion of the playoff, the game loses a bit of luster just because there’s a very good chance we could see this in the SEC Championship Game, and in the playoff. This will be the first installment of Kirby Smart against Kalen DeBoer.
Last time we saw the Crimson Tide they were toying with Wisconsin in Madison. Jalen Milroe has yet to throw an interception this year and rushed for two touchdowns in each of Alabama’s first three games. The level of difficulty will turn up on Saturday night when he tries to solve a Georgia defense that has yet to allow a touchdown.
Both teams will be coming off bye weeks, so they are fresh. I have a feeling Georgia is going to respond a little better. I’m sure Kirby Smart wasn’t too happy with a 13-12 win last time out at Kentucky and he likely let his team know about it the last two weeks. The same mistakes won’t be made on Saturday.
Georgia 31, Alabama 21
Washington State v. No. 25 Boise State (-7.5) - 10:00 p.m. ET - FS1
This matchup is fascinating to me. Washington State is undefeated and if they beat the Broncos they would have an inside track to the Group of Five playoff spot since they have a manageable schedule the rest of the way. John Mateer has been a fun watch this season. The quarterback has 16 total touchdowns for the Cougars, who are coming off a thrilling 54-52 overtime win against San Jose State.
Winning in Boise won’t be easy. The Broncos are 2-1 this year, with their only setback being a close loss in Eugene to Oregon. Running back Ashton Jeanty has run wild so far this season, rolling up nearly 600 yards and nine touchdowns this year.
I’m rooting for the Washington State magic to continue so I’ll take the points here. Mateer outduels Jeanty on the blue turf in a high-scoring thriller.
Washington State 38, Boise State 34
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