Brett Ludwiczak
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MC&J: Week 2 nationally sees Tennessee and NC State battle in primetime
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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Plus picks for five other interesting games this week outside the Big Ten.
Last week ATS: 13-10 (3-2 National, 10-8 B1G)
You can find predictions for all this week’s games with a point spread involving Big Ten teams here.
Arkansas v. No. 16 Oklahoma State (-7.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FOX
Both Arkansas and Oklahoma State cruised to victories over FCS opponents last week. Now the real fun begins with what is shaping up to be an entertaining contest in Stillwater.
Boise State transfer quarterback was efficient in his first start for the Razorbacks, throwing for 229 yards and two scores in the 70-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Alan Bowman put up similar numbers for Oklahoma State last week, while Heisman hopeful running back Ollie Gordon III found the end zone three times against South Dakota State.
The Cowboys definitely have the star power in Gordon and wide receiver Brennan Presley, while Arkansas will likely win the war in the trenches. I certainly can see the Razorbacks covering, and wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled the upset here.
Arkansas 31, Oklahoma State 28
No. 17 Kansas State (-9.5) v. Tulane - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
Neither team will look the same as two years ago when Tulane beat Kansas State in Manhattan. Will Howard is now at Ohio State, while former Tulane head coach Willie Fritz is at Houston and quarterback Michael Pratt has graduated. At quarterback for the Wildcats is Avery Johnson, who will likely lean on outstanding running back DJ Giddens, who rushed for 124 yards last week.
Tulane replaced Fritz with Troy’s Jon Sumrall. I wouldn’t really call what Tulane is going through now a rebuild, but they do have some work to do. Sumrall surprised a lot of people by going with Darian Mensah last week at quarterback in the opener. The move looked brilliant after Mensah was 10-of-12 for 205 yards and two touchdown passes. Mensah will face a lot more resistance from a gritty Kansas State defense this week.
Even though the Wildcats are on the road here, I like them in this spot against a Tulane team that will still be adjusting to life without Fritz and Pratt.
Kansas State 34, Tulane 21
No. 23 Georgia Tech (-2.5) v. Syracuse - 12:00 p.m. ET - ACC Network
You don’t just walk into the Carrier Dome (or whatever they are calling it now) and leave with a victory. I’m wondering if Georgia Tech might be a little overvalued after their win over Florida State. It’s obvious the Seminoles have some deep issues, so I’m not as impressed with the win as some others might be. Not to say Georgia Tech isn’t good, I’m just not a fan of them in this spot.
Our old friend Kyle McCord looked comfortable in a place where the lights aren’t as bright, passing for 354 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Ohio last week. The offense of the Orange could be really good this year with running back LeQuint Allen and tight end Orande Gadsden II complimenting McCord.
New head coach Fran Brown picks up his first ACC win at Syracuse.
Syracuse 35, Georgia Tech 27
Baylor v. No. 11 Utah (-14.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - FOX
Remember Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn? He is at Baylor now! Finn had some mixed results last week in the 45-3 win over Tarleton State, throwing two touchdowns but also tossing two picks. The mistakes didn’t hurt Finn and the Bears last week, but they won’t get away with plays like that on the road against Utah.
I’m really high on this Utah squad. I think Cam Rising caps off his 22-year college career with a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Last week Rising returned to the field for the first time in almost two years by throwing five touchdown passes. The Utes are so tough to beat in Salt Lake City, and even though this is a pretty big line, I think they overwhelm Finn and Baylor.
Utah 38, Baylor 17
No. 14 Tennessee (-9.5) v. No. 24 NC State - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC
Tennessee was pretty good with quarterback Joe Milton last year. What’s scary is they might be even better now that Nico Iamaleava is taking the snaps. Last week Iamaleava passed for 314 yards and three scores as the Volunteers cruised to victory over Chattanooga. Iamaleava has a tremendous group of receivers to help him find some comfort as the starter.
The Wolfpack will counter with Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall, who looked pretty good in his debut with the team last week. NC State has some talented skill position players, I’m just not convinced they have the beef and athleticism on the lines to keep up with the Volunteers.
Plus, I feel a lot better siding with Josh Heupel in the coaching battle over Dave Doeren.
Tennessee 37, NC State 24
Mississippi State v. Arizona State (-6.5) - 10:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
Arizona State surprised me a lot last week. I thought they would struggle with Wyoming. The Sun Devils proved me wrong by demolishing the Cowboys in Tempe, 48-7. While I’m not thinking Arizona State is going to be a contender in the Big 12, they should be able to keep the good vibes rolling for another week.
Jeff Lebby had a successful debut as Mississippi State head coach, beating Eastern Kentucky 56-7. What Lebby does have is a veteran quarterback in Baylor transfer Blake Shapen. What concerns me about the Bulldogs is they can’t really run the ball, which is going to be a problem against a nasty Sun Devil defense.
Arizona State should be able to win here by at least a touchdown.
Arizona State 33, Mississippi State 21
Continue reading...
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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Plus picks for five other interesting games this week outside the Big Ten.
Last week ATS: 13-10 (3-2 National, 10-8 B1G)
You can find predictions for all this week’s games with a point spread involving Big Ten teams here.
National games:
Arkansas v. No. 16 Oklahoma State (-7.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FOX
Both Arkansas and Oklahoma State cruised to victories over FCS opponents last week. Now the real fun begins with what is shaping up to be an entertaining contest in Stillwater.
Boise State transfer quarterback was efficient in his first start for the Razorbacks, throwing for 229 yards and two scores in the 70-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Alan Bowman put up similar numbers for Oklahoma State last week, while Heisman hopeful running back Ollie Gordon III found the end zone three times against South Dakota State.
The Cowboys definitely have the star power in Gordon and wide receiver Brennan Presley, while Arkansas will likely win the war in the trenches. I certainly can see the Razorbacks covering, and wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled the upset here.
Arkansas 31, Oklahoma State 28
No. 17 Kansas State (-9.5) v. Tulane - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
Neither team will look the same as two years ago when Tulane beat Kansas State in Manhattan. Will Howard is now at Ohio State, while former Tulane head coach Willie Fritz is at Houston and quarterback Michael Pratt has graduated. At quarterback for the Wildcats is Avery Johnson, who will likely lean on outstanding running back DJ Giddens, who rushed for 124 yards last week.
Tulane replaced Fritz with Troy’s Jon Sumrall. I wouldn’t really call what Tulane is going through now a rebuild, but they do have some work to do. Sumrall surprised a lot of people by going with Darian Mensah last week at quarterback in the opener. The move looked brilliant after Mensah was 10-of-12 for 205 yards and two touchdown passes. Mensah will face a lot more resistance from a gritty Kansas State defense this week.
Even though the Wildcats are on the road here, I like them in this spot against a Tulane team that will still be adjusting to life without Fritz and Pratt.
Kansas State 34, Tulane 21
No. 23 Georgia Tech (-2.5) v. Syracuse - 12:00 p.m. ET - ACC Network
You don’t just walk into the Carrier Dome (or whatever they are calling it now) and leave with a victory. I’m wondering if Georgia Tech might be a little overvalued after their win over Florida State. It’s obvious the Seminoles have some deep issues, so I’m not as impressed with the win as some others might be. Not to say Georgia Tech isn’t good, I’m just not a fan of them in this spot.
Our old friend Kyle McCord looked comfortable in a place where the lights aren’t as bright, passing for 354 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Ohio last week. The offense of the Orange could be really good this year with running back LeQuint Allen and tight end Orande Gadsden II complimenting McCord.
New head coach Fran Brown picks up his first ACC win at Syracuse.
Syracuse 35, Georgia Tech 27
Baylor v. No. 11 Utah (-14.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - FOX
Remember Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn? He is at Baylor now! Finn had some mixed results last week in the 45-3 win over Tarleton State, throwing two touchdowns but also tossing two picks. The mistakes didn’t hurt Finn and the Bears last week, but they won’t get away with plays like that on the road against Utah.
I’m really high on this Utah squad. I think Cam Rising caps off his 22-year college career with a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Last week Rising returned to the field for the first time in almost two years by throwing five touchdown passes. The Utes are so tough to beat in Salt Lake City, and even though this is a pretty big line, I think they overwhelm Finn and Baylor.
Utah 38, Baylor 17
No. 14 Tennessee (-9.5) v. No. 24 NC State - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC
Tennessee was pretty good with quarterback Joe Milton last year. What’s scary is they might be even better now that Nico Iamaleava is taking the snaps. Last week Iamaleava passed for 314 yards and three scores as the Volunteers cruised to victory over Chattanooga. Iamaleava has a tremendous group of receivers to help him find some comfort as the starter.
The Wolfpack will counter with Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall, who looked pretty good in his debut with the team last week. NC State has some talented skill position players, I’m just not convinced they have the beef and athleticism on the lines to keep up with the Volunteers.
Plus, I feel a lot better siding with Josh Heupel in the coaching battle over Dave Doeren.
Tennessee 37, NC State 24
Mississippi State v. Arizona State (-6.5) - 10:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
Arizona State surprised me a lot last week. I thought they would struggle with Wyoming. The Sun Devils proved me wrong by demolishing the Cowboys in Tempe, 48-7. While I’m not thinking Arizona State is going to be a contender in the Big 12, they should be able to keep the good vibes rolling for another week.
Jeff Lebby had a successful debut as Mississippi State head coach, beating Eastern Kentucky 56-7. What Lebby does have is a veteran quarterback in Baylor transfer Blake Shapen. What concerns me about the Bulldogs is they can’t really run the ball, which is going to be a problem against a nasty Sun Devil defense.
Arizona State should be able to win here by at least a touchdown.
Arizona State 33, Mississippi State 21
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