Brett Ludwiczak
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MC&J: Tennessee-Oklahoma is Week 4’s spotlight game nationally
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
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Oklahoma plays their first game in the SEC against a man who led them to a national title.
Last week ATS: 8-12 (3-4 National, 5-8 B1G)
Season ATS: 31-30 (9-9 National, 22-21 B1G)
You can find my picks for all this week’s games involving Big Ten teams here.
Stanford v. Syracuse (-8.5) - Friday 7:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
It hasn’t taken Kyle McCord long to get comfortable in Syracuse. The former Ohio State quarterback has thrown for over 700 yards and eight touchdowns in the first two games of the season. The Orange have a sneaky good offense with McCord, big target Orande Gadsden II and running back LeQuint Allen.
Following a loss to TCU to open the season, the Cardinal easily defeated Cal Poly 41-7. Quarterback Ashton Daniels has some play-making ability, the issue is Stanford doesn’t have much around him. A long trip east against a team that has started hot under new head coach Fran Brown isn’t a spot I like for the Cardinal.
McCord continues his torrid start to the season as the Orange look like they could be a sleeper in the ACC.
Syracuse 38, Stanford 20
Georgia Tech v. No. 19 Louisville (-10.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - ESPN2
It’s pretty wild that while some teams have only played two games heading into this week, Georgia Tech is getting ready to play their fifth game of the year. The Yellow Jackets got an early start to their season, playing Florida State in Ireland. The only setback of the season for Georgia Tech came on the road against Syracuse, but Haynes King and the Yellow Jackets fought all the way until the end.
I still have no idea what we have with Louisville. The Cardinals have only played Austin Peay and Jacksonville State, easily defeating both opponents. Taking the snaps for Louisville is former Oregon and Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough, who has thrown six touchdowns so far this year. With how much more Georgia Tech has been on the field, I feel like they could be a little sharper in this game.
Even if the Yellow Jackets don’t end up winning, I like them to cover the double-digit spread.
Georgia Tech 34, Louisville 31
No. 12 Utah (-1.5) v. No. 14 Oklahoma State - 4:00 p.m. ET - FOX
Utah hasn’t really looked all that sharp to start the season, letting Baylor hang around a couple weeks ago, followed by struggling early against Utah State with quarterback Cam Rising sidelined due to a finger injury. Having said all that, the Utes have won each of their three games by at least 11 points.
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Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Oklahoma State feels like they are all gas and no brakes with running back Ollie Gordon II and a trio of talented receivers led by Brennan Presley. Like Utah, the Cowboys have a quarterback that has been in college for nearly a decade. Alan Bowman has eight touchdown passes through three games, all of which were Oklahoma State wins. The Cowboys were tested in Stillwater a couple weeks ago as Arkansas took them to double overtime.
This game has the potential to be wild like the Arkansas game was. I give the edge to Utah because they feel a little more well-round on both sides of the football, and I trust Kyle Whittingham more than Mike Gundy. The Utes keep their CFP hopes alive with a big win.
Utah 35, Oklahoma State 27
Cal v. Florida State (-2.5) - 7:00 p.m. ET - ESPN2
Right now Florida State is the laughingstock of college football. Now is the perfect time to buy low! Unlike last week when they had a potent Memphis offense to prep for, Cal isn’t nearly as threatening on that side of the football. I know the Golden Bears have Jaydn Ott but the running back is banged up and didn’t play last week against San Diego State.
What the Seminoles have to do is limit mistakes from quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. If they can get the former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback to be a game manager, they can stop their slide. They don’t need a big play from Uiagalelei, they just need him to make the smart play. Uiagalelei limits the mistakes and Florida State finally wins one.
Florida State 28, Cal 20
No. 6 Tennessee (-6.5) v. No. 15 Oklahoma - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC
This is certainly the game I’m looking forward to most this week. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel welcoming his alma mater into the SEC is an incredible storyline. The Volunteers have been ruthless this year, beating their first three opponents by nearly 60 points per game. In their latest blowout, Tennessee shutout Kent State 71-0 last week. Running back Dylan Sampson already has nine rushing touchdowns this season.
Oklahoma has had a bit of an odd start to the season. Even though the Sooners have won their first three games, they haven’t been all that impressive. Quarterback Jackson Arnold has made some plays, but nothing about what I’ve seen so far makes me think they can keep pace with Tennessee. While the atmosphere in Norman could help them a little bit, it’s not anything the Volunteers haven’t seen playing in the SEC.
Heupel and company continue to look like a serious playoff contender with a big road win.
Tennessee 41, Oklahoma 24
Baylor v. Colorado (-1.5) - 8:00 p.m. ET - FOX
I’ve picked against Colorado the last two games, splitting those contests. While I’m not in love with Deion Sanders’ team, I recognize they are more talented than Baylor. Last week Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter had a relatively easy win and will go into this game with confidence as Deion does all he can to keep these two relevant in the Heisman Trophy race.
After playing the first two games of the season, Toledo transfer quarterback Dequan Finn didn’t see any action last week in the win over Air Force, as Sawyer Robertson took the snaps for the Bears. No matter who plays this week for Baylor, I think they are going to have a tough time keep pace with the Buffaloes in Boulder.
Colorado keeps people caring for a little while longer with another win.
Colorado 37, Baylor 23
No. 13 Kansas State (-6.5) v. BYU - 10:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
Kansas State looked really good last Friday, dismantling Arizona in Manhattan. Now the Wildcats head to Provo, where it’s never easy to win. Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens have been a great one-two punch for Kansas State, allowing the Wildcats to wear down opposing defenses. Add in an opportunistic Kansas State defense and the Wildcats definitely are going to be a factor in the Big 12 this year.
On offense, BYU has quarterback Jake Retzlaff and not much else. Along with throwing seven touchdowns, Retzlaff is also the team’s leading rusher. Honestly though, the offense hasn’t had to do so much since the defense of the Cougars has been dominant, not allowing more than 15 points in a game so far this year.
Normally I might put more stock into BYU as a home dog, but Kansas State has already hit the road and beat a game Tulane squad. The Wildcats are a little too dynamic for the Cougars in this one.
Kansas State 33, BYU 21
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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 Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images
Oklahoma plays their first game in the SEC against a man who led them to a national title.
Last week ATS: 8-12 (3-4 National, 5-8 B1G)
Season ATS: 31-30 (9-9 National, 22-21 B1G)
You can find my picks for all this week’s games involving Big Ten teams here.
National games (All games Saturday unless otherwise noted)
Stanford v. Syracuse (-8.5) - Friday 7:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
It hasn’t taken Kyle McCord long to get comfortable in Syracuse. The former Ohio State quarterback has thrown for over 700 yards and eight touchdowns in the first two games of the season. The Orange have a sneaky good offense with McCord, big target Orande Gadsden II and running back LeQuint Allen.
Following a loss to TCU to open the season, the Cardinal easily defeated Cal Poly 41-7. Quarterback Ashton Daniels has some play-making ability, the issue is Stanford doesn’t have much around him. A long trip east against a team that has started hot under new head coach Fran Brown isn’t a spot I like for the Cardinal.
McCord continues his torrid start to the season as the Orange look like they could be a sleeper in the ACC.
Syracuse 38, Stanford 20
Georgia Tech v. No. 19 Louisville (-10.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - ESPN2
It’s pretty wild that while some teams have only played two games heading into this week, Georgia Tech is getting ready to play their fifth game of the year. The Yellow Jackets got an early start to their season, playing Florida State in Ireland. The only setback of the season for Georgia Tech came on the road against Syracuse, but Haynes King and the Yellow Jackets fought all the way until the end.
I still have no idea what we have with Louisville. The Cardinals have only played Austin Peay and Jacksonville State, easily defeating both opponents. Taking the snaps for Louisville is former Oregon and Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough, who has thrown six touchdowns so far this year. With how much more Georgia Tech has been on the field, I feel like they could be a little sharper in this game.
Even if the Yellow Jackets don’t end up winning, I like them to cover the double-digit spread.
Georgia Tech 34, Louisville 31
No. 12 Utah (-1.5) v. No. 14 Oklahoma State - 4:00 p.m. ET - FOX
Utah hasn’t really looked all that sharp to start the season, letting Baylor hang around a couple weeks ago, followed by struggling early against Utah State with quarterback Cam Rising sidelined due to a finger injury. Having said all that, the Utes have won each of their three games by at least 11 points.
Oklahoma State feels like they are all gas and no brakes with running back Ollie Gordon II and a trio of talented receivers led by Brennan Presley. Like Utah, the Cowboys have a quarterback that has been in college for nearly a decade. Alan Bowman has eight touchdown passes through three games, all of which were Oklahoma State wins. The Cowboys were tested in Stillwater a couple weeks ago as Arkansas took them to double overtime.
This game has the potential to be wild like the Arkansas game was. I give the edge to Utah because they feel a little more well-round on both sides of the football, and I trust Kyle Whittingham more than Mike Gundy. The Utes keep their CFP hopes alive with a big win.
Utah 35, Oklahoma State 27
Cal v. Florida State (-2.5) - 7:00 p.m. ET - ESPN2
Right now Florida State is the laughingstock of college football. Now is the perfect time to buy low! Unlike last week when they had a potent Memphis offense to prep for, Cal isn’t nearly as threatening on that side of the football. I know the Golden Bears have Jaydn Ott but the running back is banged up and didn’t play last week against San Diego State.
What the Seminoles have to do is limit mistakes from quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. If they can get the former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback to be a game manager, they can stop their slide. They don’t need a big play from Uiagalelei, they just need him to make the smart play. Uiagalelei limits the mistakes and Florida State finally wins one.
Florida State 28, Cal 20
No. 6 Tennessee (-6.5) v. No. 15 Oklahoma - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC
This is certainly the game I’m looking forward to most this week. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel welcoming his alma mater into the SEC is an incredible storyline. The Volunteers have been ruthless this year, beating their first three opponents by nearly 60 points per game. In their latest blowout, Tennessee shutout Kent State 71-0 last week. Running back Dylan Sampson already has nine rushing touchdowns this season.
Oklahoma has had a bit of an odd start to the season. Even though the Sooners have won their first three games, they haven’t been all that impressive. Quarterback Jackson Arnold has made some plays, but nothing about what I’ve seen so far makes me think they can keep pace with Tennessee. While the atmosphere in Norman could help them a little bit, it’s not anything the Volunteers haven’t seen playing in the SEC.
Heupel and company continue to look like a serious playoff contender with a big road win.
Tennessee 41, Oklahoma 24
Baylor v. Colorado (-1.5) - 8:00 p.m. ET - FOX
I’ve picked against Colorado the last two games, splitting those contests. While I’m not in love with Deion Sanders’ team, I recognize they are more talented than Baylor. Last week Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter had a relatively easy win and will go into this game with confidence as Deion does all he can to keep these two relevant in the Heisman Trophy race.
After playing the first two games of the season, Toledo transfer quarterback Dequan Finn didn’t see any action last week in the win over Air Force, as Sawyer Robertson took the snaps for the Bears. No matter who plays this week for Baylor, I think they are going to have a tough time keep pace with the Buffaloes in Boulder.
Colorado keeps people caring for a little while longer with another win.
Colorado 37, Baylor 23
No. 13 Kansas State (-6.5) v. BYU - 10:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
Kansas State looked really good last Friday, dismantling Arizona in Manhattan. Now the Wildcats head to Provo, where it’s never easy to win. Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens have been a great one-two punch for Kansas State, allowing the Wildcats to wear down opposing defenses. Add in an opportunistic Kansas State defense and the Wildcats definitely are going to be a factor in the Big 12 this year.
On offense, BYU has quarterback Jake Retzlaff and not much else. Along with throwing seven touchdowns, Retzlaff is also the team’s leading rusher. Honestly though, the offense hasn’t had to do so much since the defense of the Cougars has been dominant, not allowing more than 15 points in a game so far this year.
Normally I might put more stock into BYU as a home dog, but Kansas State has already hit the road and beat a game Tulane squad. The Wildcats are a little too dynamic for the Cougars in this one.
Kansas State 33, BYU 21
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