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The underdog is howling. Stay for Steve and the Bear. Oh, yes. A home team getting points.
What's better than that? Welcome in week four. The Bear, how we feeling today? I'm kind of bitter right now.
I just hate San Francisco. The San Francisco Giants were put on this earth to make me miserable. They're the bane of my existence. I shouldn't have to be sweating the Dodgers division bet.
I shouldn't have to be sweating the Dodgers when total. Yet here I am. I numbers. You're not usually you.
It's one of those three and they stood despite being five and 12 and extra innings and under 501 run games. They still might get to run with like still not get there. But the freaking Giants are 28 and 15 and one run games and like in 19 and five in the last 24. I should not have to be slaves.
But yeah, I know what you are. I am. I can't start looking ahead to week four without looking back on week three because it ended. Actually, no, I think the San Luis State.
I stayed up for San Luis State. That ended the way. How the hell did he understand the game at? It is.
I've been trying to categorize this right. And because I text to do, we were trained text. I checked text. It's got after after that game.
Obviously, I know everybody's jokes. They're going to say they can see it because it's on the back 12 network. I watched it. It's the best September non-conference game.
I've watched in a long, long, long time. It was incredible how both teams kept answering. And I was I'm watching the live line and UCLA gives up a field goal. You know, they come out.
It's 23 10 and a half. They come out. They scored touch down 23 17. And I want to say around the seven minute mark, Fresno is live minus 180, 185.
They kick a field goal to go up nine. And it goes down to 160. So I jump on that. And sure enough, here comes you.
Every day. And then there's a fourth down stop. And there's a ball given right back. And then the fourth quarter is just absolute bananas.
I mean, the defenses were totally shredded. But just the ability of both teams to come back and forth that each other, there was two times late. I thought you still a was going to be like, I thought they were going to pull it out. I really did.
Once they scored the final touchdown, I thought they would they it was over. And Hainer just kept coming down and they found some in that defense where UCLA just had miscommunication and guys not in spots where they were and just kept going vertical. I thought Fresno did an unbelievable job at the beginning of that drive, getting the ball and getting out of bounds. They were so precise, credit to their coaching staff and players for knowing the situation and having a chance late in that game and pulling it off.
But yeah, I can't say enough about that game. It was it was that good. And I'm sorry to people that they didn't get to watch it. Couldn't or didn't.
But that got us to a tweet from you that said, Fresno State arguably the best Power Five team. Oh, why? Yeah, I think I think you have to make that case, don't you? I'm here for that case.
I'm here for that discussion. Who else is in that discussion that you would consider? Well, you have to remember that BYU is not Group Five. I think Fresno, what they've done so far this year, beating UCLA on the road, nearly beating Oregon on the road and blow out win over garbage Connecticut.
To me, that's more impressive than anything coastal Carolina or Cincinnati gets done. Indiana should be in. Cincinnati won the game. Yeah, probably should have been up 21 nothing in that game.
And then the horrible targeting call on the side completely changed that game. But again, they went out, they made the plays when they had to they won the game, Indiana imploded. And that's what they do. And coast of Carolina did get that win over Buffalo, but struggled.
I looked at Fresno. I think Fresno is the best team of the bunch. I totally get what you're saying. I think I need to touch on Cincinnati because I feel like it's a game that I spent too much time watching and I'm never going to get that time back.
I need a break from watching Indiana football. I love Allen. I love what he's done with the program. But when you watch them in Pennix and what they do offensively, I've never seen a guy just hold the ball forever.
And it just, I think it puts so much strain on his offensive line. His receivers are obviously trying to win down the field. He gets his arm batted all the time on third down, like shallow routes that are just hitting the ground. And you said it.
Indiana should have been up 21 nothing in that game. And they weren't. And I mean, the place was rocking. And I give Cincinnati credit.
They could have laid down and they kept fighting. Obviously, the targeting call did turn the whole thing out. I thought Dusty and the Borchet calling the game was all over it. He was going with that and mentioned it coming out in the second half saying this is where the whole game turned around because I think it was 14 nothing, right?
And then Cincinnati gets that lead interception by Pennix. It's just it's unacceptable. You can't do that. So if you're going to play on one of these teams.
So I give Cincinnati some credit for hanging in there. And I know the issue that lies ahead for them because when you look at Indiana and now you look at their schedule, I don't know if they're going to make a bolt. Cincinnati to hang on that win as what we thought it might be going into the season now you were on Indiana under from the start of the year. You called it saying last year, I think was one of those, you know, fortunate seasons and they made the most of it.
But when I look at Cincinnati and I look at, you know, obviously what, you know, their name has Wisconsin this weekend and they go to South Bend to play Notre Dame. Their name is as beat up as anybody on the injury front. And I just worry about Cincinnati's path where we thought they had these two games that were going to be monstrous. And now they don't look really enticing.
And with this Fresno steam coming, it's a real interesting point you bring up about Fresno now because of what they've done. I still have Cincinnati there because I know the schedules are different and that's going to get bigger as we go. And then sits at a factor in a doing Gabriel injury. Like it doesn't look great.
I'm totally with you. I have a neck and neck right there. That's the thing. I think if you look at the Mountain West and the American, like is the American definitely better?
No, I don't mean why only looks like a really good team there in the Utah State looks much better with the transfers and the coach who changed the state is what they normally are. We see that screwed out of the win last week and that we look so even going on that you can put a call on the state at the top of the list of most unimpressive three-note teams in the country. But because three-note they won the games, I would not automatically say that the American is better than the Mountain West. Not right now.
No way. No way. There is that. And I, you know, Cincinnati, what they have ahead of them.
And I think it's just fascinating to play out. And we talked, I brought up Fresno in the season when totals in the year. And I said, I love every single thing about them. Do they have enough to withstand the schedule?
I love the quarterback. I love if you're looking for a head coach, the board's got to be at the top of your list. So what how fine to his team is you bring up the game and Eugene. I was on that week and just brought up the scenario about an early game at Otsen.
I understand Thibodeau got hurt and Fresno benefited from that. But it has been a jump starts in the season from the boys from Fresno. So with that, I would figure you're going to give out UNLV plus the 31, right? Fresno big let down spot.
It's got to be UNLV or not. Or pass, right? I see what you're saying, but I watched that. Fresno I was thinking.
I really don't think UNLV. I, I, I, they are more than huge. That's anything. Yeah.
Okay. All right. I got you on a pass there. I thought theSmack was better than Happy Valley last Saturday.
What? It was not just because you were at Happy Valley. Well, I was, but it was still better. I was, okay.
I think the optics of everything means better to night game, dark. everyone in white loud. Okay. I'm not with you.
All right. There's people out there with me. Do you think any less of ammo? No.
Okay. This is like the biggest like ridiculous hot take knee jerk reaction over yet. Like they went on the road, didn't play their best game and beat a top 10 team. You're not gonna win every game by three touchdowns.
Like Florida's game. And by the way, people are of course insecure, fam or fans and everything on Twitter all out. Like what a job I freaking mauled man. I mean, that guy playing with the quarterback who cannot couldn't throw it.
What should say can you throw the ball who is not suited to be a pass for us all offense using legs and the running like I can call that in game plan, man. Here's my hey, as a buddy, hey, he has a beat Alabama. So we don't worry. Who has beat Alabama?
Nobody beats Alabama. So that's the standard to be good. Oh, he can't be shot up. I will say this.
Now I know this Ole Miss thing is catching a lot of steam. I mean, they've been tremendous. You know, and they've there's fun to watch is anybody in that league. But in back of my mind, I'm almost thinking like that was the time to get Bama of a kid making his third star all time at quarterback on the road in that environment.
The linebackers from Alabama put into predicament time after time by Mullen, whether it was the speed option, whether it was ride decide, I just they were not good. And I do not want to know what happened in that film session with them and and old Nick watching that one because it was not pretty watching that one back. And that's what I think like that. Alabama is not going to be that bad.
I mean, guys running into each other when they're trying to blitz defensive tackles going the wrong way and running into each other. It was not pretty and not succinct to Nick Saban defense. So it is it is really interesting to come out. I do have a circle this week as I do not think that much of Southern Miss.
But when I saw our boy McElroy making some headlines in the happy Valley with his comments about Penn State and. Well, I miss this. He said I believe he said Penn State would be the sixth or seventh best team in the SEC. Six or seven or maybe he said fifth or sixth.
So with that is the conversation around Auburn. And what a terrible, terrible play call on for a terrible series there at the end of the game. You're trying to stay in our execution, both everything. It was almost like they called that play with one purpose to get a pass in a fair call.
I had zero chance of succeeding. Okay. With that, where do you have Auburn? Were you kind of where you expected?
Yeah, maybe a little bit better than what I expected. Big they can run man. They can run football. They're going to get somebody I think of SEC.
They're going to be a problem. I think I was I was always a little bit more impressed than I thought I would be so I really didn't know what to expect off a plane in Akron and Alabama and Hammer. Yeah, I just I love that look of them. They just more buttoned up with Harrison in control.
I think if Gus is still there, they get they get white with all that that comes with that. So with that, the big one this week, obviously, the ranked teams, it's 330, it's CBS, it's seven a and M against 16 Arkansas at Jerry World. And this one's tough man because when I think about it, all I could think about is the A&M defensive line and what they've done and being a boulder and losing pains King and then just saying you're not going to get a yard. And then they come out and take care of business last week against Mexico.
They let Calzada throw it around a little bit because Arkansas is not going to be able to push around and like they did Texas. And I don't think they expect to. But that that's where it is to me. And when I look at it as a whole, I think it's gonna awesome atmosphere.
Obviously, it's nine straight for A&M in this series. And you got to think if there's a time for Arkansas, it's this I just I'm not sure about KJ Jefferson against that A&M defense. I would lean under in this game. Yeah, this is my oh, I guess what three or four weeks whatever that is now for the season.
This is my I hate this week. I do not see ton honestly at all. I would tend to agree with you. You gotta remember that.
These are all things a bit weird. Yes, very weird. Most of all, you've gone to overtime or but decided in the in the final few minutes, I would lean towards laying the points because I agree, I think the best unit by far on the field is the A&M defense. And I know you have to respect that minute is it is an offensive line coach to kind of coach those guys up and figure something out to slow them down a little bit.
But I think with Spiller, I think with the A&M defense, I would lean towards A&M in this game. All right. And that's at five and a half right now for over under 47 and a half. Really, really big game with some some following week implications.
Yes, just leave it at that. But it's a game with significant game. Wouldn't it wouldn't have said that before the start of the year? No, no.
You mentioned Fresno playing on Friday night, a couple I have circled just to get because Virginia football does it again last week and playing just an absolute wild one against North Carolina. They host a team that we were both on last week, Wake Forest. I still don't understand the knowledge of the people that took floor state last week. And I want to talk and touch on the floor state this week too, because that's that's getting real stinky.
But Wake Forest in a big spot here. Their defense is obviously going to be tested against that Virginia offense, the Virginia defense can't be worse than it was last week against Carolina. Do you have any lean for that Friday night game? Wake Forest UVI.
I don't. It feels like a spot for Virginia to come back and play a lot better. I think my initial instinct would be lay the points with Virginia. But I actually do like a Friday game.
I'm not sure if it's going in the column yet or not. Okay. I kind of like Syracuse at home getting six against Liberty. Right there with you.
Why are they only getting six? I did their defense is played kind of well this year, or offensive line hasn't allowed nearly as many sacks. Like, it's interesting, Liberty is kind of an undervalued. It's a law.
It's a bit lower than what you would have expected in some of these earlier season games. I don't know. Like, remember what the couple years ago, like, was it last year or two years ago, when everybody went on the road and was a big favor, and then they lose to records or something like that. It was a game that they were a big favor.
Yeah. I'm not sure. I kind of like the orange defense there to kind of hang around and maybe not win the game ever, but at least keep it close. I'm with you.
I think now this is a two year anniversary, right? The hospital bed game? That was right. Syracuse went to Liberty.
We got that game. That's that one. You freeze up from the press box. I do want to touch it.
This is this is also why I like Syracuse. I think the run game's legit. This Sean Tucker, he's got 367 yards, six touchdowns average in seven yards a carry. That's the recipe.
When you talk about Syracuse's defense now, you only beat Ohio 26 to six week one. We didn't know Ohio was going to be this Ohio. I think, you know, Syracuse was all that happened last year, getting up off the deck and going to the Mac and getting away on the road. And I watched a lot of that Rutgers game.
They battled. They battled and we'll touch on Rutgers in a bit, but it was I've seen obvious improvement, but the combination of the defense and the run game, I think keeps Willis off the field enough to keep this keep this. I think Syracuse has to have the lead, obviously, knowing what Liberty's capable. But yeah, I'm I'm on Syracuse plus six in this one for sure.
I think there might be a six. I think it's all six and a half there. Yeah, I did six, six and a half and a six and a half of whiskey six and a half with a band band or six and a half and also six and a half and a fan gate with band band gate. Yes, not handle one whiskey.
Yeah. And then six and other places. So I want to say hello to John Murray at the Westgate Superbook and ask him to take Syracuse plus six and a half. Yeah.
And you know, I love taking field goals, t-shirt. It's interesting noon slate on Saturday. I'll get this one out of the way. I watched Vandy against Stanford.
Yeesh. Why? Why? I mean, you watch Georgia, you see Daniels look good against South Carolina.
You say what you want about South Carolina, but Georgia is look and looks good. And that's what I you know, we were on a text thread. And I was just talking about the Georgia defense, everything they do when you compare it to Bama is just more crisp. And it's it's an attack style.
I was talking about that with with with the get the Georgia defense is crisper than Alabama. Mm. But I would I would think about lane a 35 there. Notre Dame, Wisconsin.
I see it right now. Notre Dame plus six 46 and a half. I see a lot of six and a half. Okay.
That's that's starting to make me think there because I have a question for you. Yes. If Jack Cohn is the quarterback for Wisconsin, week one, does Wisconsin beat Penn State? Yes.
I believe I think you're right. To me, it's it's it's Notre Dame's offensive line here. I mean, they they lost obviously the left tackle did their best with different schemes and helping on how to say Carl after this for Purdue. He could play.
Oh, George. I believe they're down the Notre names on like a third string tackle. And that's that's what makes me think it's both sides of the line scrimmage in this game. Can Notre Dame gives Cohen enough time to take those today?
Because I mean, you can obviously win in the secondary against Wisconsin as Penn State showed they need a couple of big plays and they got them. I think Notre Dame has the goods to do that. But we saw, you know, McElroy on the call against Florida State Notre Dame and and why is Notre Dame only going three down guys in Florida States around the ball down their throat if Florida States going to run the ball Notre Dame, Wisconsin's going to run the ball on Notre Dame with Chris knowing how good how good he is in the run game. I don't want any business to give points in this game.
So I guess I would take Notre Dame plus the point I don't feel great at all about it. But I think they have enough to hang around. I expect a lot of field goals in this game knowing how how stout the defenses can be. But I just it's a sit back and watch for me.
I don't really have a side. I don't want to give that many points with Wisconsin seeing how they haven't been great offensively. The caribouille in the red zone. I'm not sure it's automatically run the ball up and down the field on Notre Dame.
You look at the red zone struggles and what they have 540 yards or something like that against Eastern Michigan and they and they only were able to put 34 points on the board to the poor execution and the red zone again. I think I think it's an under game. I'd be looking at under I see what 46 of 47 46 and a half are looking at. So maybe you buy a big but they pay the pay the tax and buy it up to 47 get that number.
Yeah, I don't I don't think Wisconsin is going to score a ton of points. And at the same time, you're going to give Jimmy Leonard and that defensive unit and off with an off week to prepare for shambles of what Notre Dame's offensive line has been and Kyron Williams and ability to kind of run the ball. This feels like it could be a very low scoring game. So that I would be on the other here.
I think 24 points wins this game. No doubt. I don't see much happening. I know the name could spring a couple of those runs with it with the speed they have in the backfield.
That's that's what it is to me is obviously Wisconsin women that big play. Also at noon LSU minus two and a half at Starkville. This one is really interesting seeing what happened last year in LSU starting here and getting you know handled by Mississippi State Mississippi State coming off a brutal loss at Memphis last week. I really liked what I saw from Roger Stronable.
I know it's Memphis defense LSU's defense did get back. How about Jim McElwain flying into Baton Rouge the day of the game and then flying out not even spending a day just getting in and out that that was interesting to me. I wish I knew that before the game. But LSU here when they obviously are going to have the guys in defensive line to get pressure Mike Lee system built off of guys getting rid of the football and getting them in space and making plays.
You love your LSU secondary not as much as a lot of other people to me. To me it's Max Johnson. It's he's going to be facing a defense that basically is one of those teams that comes with something different almost. I mean they adapt to who they're playing.
And when you look at Max, I think he's a tough kid. I think he's got the guys to get the ball to. But I don't want I don't like this game. I love this game.
This was the first game that I saw that like there isn't a whole lot like this is like the only thing I know that I am absolutely playing right now. And I love this city state getting two and a half. I'll play him on the body line as well. LSU going since they won the national title in the role of favorite away from home or three and three.
So they're there. They're just kind of actually I take that back. I read the where the note incorrect. It's a three and three as a favorite not just a road favorite three is a favorite versus power five competition.
So like they are kind of an average team right now. I think the narrative is going to be like you brought up a game last year got shredded. Oh, they're going to get revenge. Like revenge for what they stuck on defense this year too.
You see all the average on the state yard to play. Yeah. I guess in beating the key state in central Michigan doesn't mean all as well. I think the defense is problems.
I think the offense has problems. I think the way Mississippi State got screwed out of that game last week with an terrible call by the official going down one. I think you're going to see an average team. You hit on Rogers.
I think he's starting to get it. I think he's going to throw them all over him again. I like I like the bullies to get that win. So I'll take them two and a half.
I'll be taking a little bit. Okay. I mean, we talk about new kickoff should be in ready when you team need you. I'm sure they'll be ready.
They'll be ready. They'll be ready. It's start goal. I'm not sure how much they'll be ready in in chess not Hill.
Not really big home field advantage for the old BC Eagles as they get minus two from Missouri on the road here. What a bummer about your coverage. It sucks. It's so brutal.
Everything kind of lined up for them to have a nine-wing year potential like and to lose him and glad we're running on the last week to it. That was you talking about a no sweat that worked out well. Yeah. And that's what I was going to say.
Like I think that's a rallying cry here. Is it's BC going back to I think the way half Lee wants it. You know, relying on that defense. I know last week was Temple and Basil that comes in with coach drink in Missouri.
But I watch Missouri. Their offensive line is not good. Basil looks good. But he gets hit a lot.
And I would be scared off of laying those points on the road here. I think BC could do some things. I'm not touching it. But if I, you know, if that's office full game, I'd take that short home dog as you did with Mississippi State, I would take with BC in that one.
Yeah, I'm not sure Missouri should be laying points on the road. I don't know if that 59s, that seems really high. Really? Yeah, I know.
Like what's BC's ceiling, I think, why would it be gross? Like 24? I was gonna say, I maybe with a defensive touchdown 27th, maybe. That's your 30 or 30, 79.
Sure is. Yeah, that's interesting. I'm trying to stay away from over under s after my god awful call of Oklahoma and Nebraska over that. Nothing better than a missed field all fest when you have the over like you're just looking for something to get the ball back.
One heavy favorite I'm not thinking about much and I'm just laying is Minnesota went to Colorado last week and 130 enough in an early kick altitude the whole nine. They're laying 31 to your bowling green squad this week at home. I'll lay the 31 of Minnesota. Yeah, playing playing.
How about the first time Utah State's gonna be on CBS this week 10 a.m. local. That's what they got to do to get out. CBS Utah State hosted Boise State early early out there in Logan Boise.
Man, I still play over last week. That was a four and one week engine on a review that as soon as I went through a view and you saw the replay of the ref blowing whistle with his arms up was going, you know, it was gonna be a catastrophe. Yeah, it was a lot of officiating catastrophe all over the country last week. Yeah, it's it's not great.
No, not great. It's not. How about your San Jose State squad going to Western Michigan without their head coach Tim Lester? That's a intriguing game.
I'm looking forward to following along on that game. I'm not sure I'm gonna watch a lot of the beam that I've got to go from Chicago to Oklahoma, but yeah, we're Western Michigan, especially off of the that nice win last week on the road against in the every classic pick game the SEC team on the road come back north of a double digit favorite against the back team. That's what picked us. That's why I picked six and six of the year.
I would be interesting. I would initially, the instinct would be take San Jose State and that running game and that defense against Western Michigan, but at the same time, talk about that travel. You got to go from San Jose a couple weeks ago. San Jose to Hawaii and back to San Jose and I go all across the country to Kalamazoo.
That's that's rough. You talk about body, body coffee and all out of sorts, but I would I probably if I had to play this game with one of my pool sheets, I would I take I think I would trust San Jose State's defense in this game to to get some stops and any old veteran next circle in a couple of plays that I would take I would take the other sports. That's a two Eastern kick at Old Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo. Do you want anything to do with Clemson given 10 on the road and no I want nothing to do with nothing in that game.
Typically I would this would be a spot where I would be all over Clemson given NC State's lack of success under the during against top 10 teams, but I have genuine concerns of it. Maybe you play the under? I have genuine concerns about genuine concerns about Clemson's office. I think there were issues there with the personnel.
Don't have that slot receiver that we talked about. Like I think Shipley's kind of just a guy a hyper group, but I don't know if the offensive line is a problem. Yeah, the offensive fan said he was the next Christian McCaffrey. Yeah, yeah, I wonder why they said that.
I can imagine that. See from the Charlotte area and one of the reasons. I can imagine that. Go figure.
Like defensively, they're fine. I mean, you lose Tyler Davis. I think he out now for for a good season. That's a problem.
That's a real key defense. I think the quarterback run is kind of not a threat. No. I think offensively they have problems and I would be very hesitant on thinking Clemson gets this turned around this week and maybe this year.
I actually, I wouldn't play this game right now, but I would actually take a look and consider maybe playing North Carolina when the SEC. I know the playoffs are going to need help and need Virginia Tech to lose twice to get into that SEC championship game, but offensively last week they're getting it together now. Obviously, you guys just going to have to play better, but I think in a one game scenario against a team like that, I think Clemson could be in trouble and I think they're already last in the pecking order in terms of the college football playoff, just based on how they've looked so far in addition to the law. The law doesn't bother me as much as they lost to one of the two best teams in the country.
But I think if you're comparing them right now to Oregon or both SEC teams or Penn State or Clemson, Clemson is at the back of the line. Maybe Oklahoma is a little bit behind and just the, I mean, maybe Oklahoma is a little bit ahead just starting to feed right now, but I think Clemson has to work cut out for it to get back to playoff. Yeah, I totally agree with there. If you were, if you were going to take, you still think Oklahoma has the lean, if you were going to take a team to make playoffs, Clemson, Ohio State or Oklahoma?
Of those three. I mean, I'll have to. Yes. Okay.
Yeah. Wow. Yeah. I think you just woke up the producer with that comment.
No, I think they're still, I mean, the fact that they get Penn State at home, I think it's a big deal. The Michigan game could quite could be a lot tougher and closer than anything that Ohio State had to deal with. In the last couple of years, it's a good solution. But I saw the offense a late and that's another thing.
I think as the year goes on, I think you'll probably see Ohio State continue to play a little bit more complimentary type football to help that defense, that keep it on the field as much. And that means for me, I truly, I'm head of some Heisman that yeah, 277, 279, whatever it was. I think they're going to continue to feed him. I think he's going to put up huge numbers.
And I think a lot of state possibility of them going 12 and one, bringing the big, the big 10, potentially in the Rose Bowl or the actual championship and the college football. I think that would put Henderson squarely in the mix because if Georgia wins the SEC, and goes undefeated, 50 tangles is going to rise. It's not going to be a high, it's going to be a high, it's going to be a win from Georgia. But voters probably wouldn't vote for Bryce Young, like when you both are anyway off of the team, all the SEC championship loss.
I don't think Spencer Adams has a trippy kind of guy, like who, Matt Corral will have a loss or two. Like I think there were a lot of people a couple of years ago who kind of regretted their vote for Lamar Jackson after a little bit of a kind of wet in the tank, late in the year with a couple of losses. So I don't know, I think Henderson could be a really good high subject right now about what you want. Okay, mentioned Michigan, 20 point favorites.
To a team they had to go to multiple over times last year in Piscataway. We ran the vault last night, showed the 2006 game. First time Rutgers has been in a game with both teams three and over better since that night in Piscataway. And now they're catching 20 in the big house.
Michigan's that good? I'm surprised it's a little high. Usually when these games are higher than I thought it would be that that kind of send clicks a little switch in my head. And I would certainly not take the underdog in this game when these numbers are higher than that.
I think it would be Michigan or past. I think Michigan is pretty good. I think they are running the ball very well right now. I know they haven't necessarily beat.
Washington is a powerful team. Western Michigan beat. Northern is terrible. But they're unlike previous years that they are moving the ball.
They are scoring points and they look competent and functional on offense. I think they are just getting to right. But I think options are the only teams in the country that have just grown fewer classes. And Michigan, I think Harbaugh is pretty good.
And I think all the changes that they made on this average are like, well, we're making change, but this is what we're doing. I think that for the first time in a few years, I think they're all on the same page there. I wouldn't feel super great about it. But I would I would lead towards the point.
I think there is a little bit of appeal as well with the game last year and Rutgers and Seattle turn that program around being free. I know that I can see Rutgers being a little bit of a little bit of a help. All right. I can't lay 20 there.
I'd have to take the 20. But it's not it's not a play for me. I do have 230 plays. I will have one of them.
Is the Roadrunners only catching three at undefeated Memphis Memphis. I like that. This week Memphis 17 straight. They've won in the Liberty Bowl.
I think that comes to an end. I think is that team. I think they have a talent. I love what trailers done with that program and building up from them.
I mean, that thing was rock bottom when he took over and they have I mean, they got a belief there. And I understand, you know, yes, they went to Illinois and went, but that's a big deal for school from Congress USA to still go do that. I imagine Illinois is not going to fare too well as they lost again last week. But I like UTSA and speaking of Illinois, the team that beat them last week, Maryland.
Maryland is in a brutal spot this week. All they're talking about is getting undefeated. You know, I were coming in on Friday night next week. And here comes little Kent State.
Little Kent State who I went back and watched battle that A&M battled at Iowa last week. And I'll take the 14 and a half of Kent State all day. I think Maryland wins a tough one, but I'll take the 14 and a half with Kent State. That team puts pressure on you man offensively.
And I know it Maryland really impressed because they've lost that game a million times the last couple of years on the road down seven in the fourth quarter in Champaign on a Friday night. They come back. They win. Great for them.
I just think too many people are telling, you know, asking for tickets for that Iowa game. Little forgetting that they got a game against Kent State. It was more than a formidable opponent. I will take Kent State plus the 14 and a half.
Only thing that I would say about your brought up Kent State playing well is the cumulative effect of that non conference scheduling where you got to go to A&M and face that physical running game in that defense. And then you go to Iowa and face that physical defense and that offense of mine. Like that probably has a tendency to wear a little bit. I was in front of a team I can't say maybe this could be one of those high that you fall behind a little early and I don't want to say you're punked on the game.
But it's like, all right, my kids are stank. Let's worry about maybe getting to the max championship game and winning the league. Yeah, it's it is a different dynamic. You bring that up with Maryland with their firepower to have offensively.
I've said it all year. They've got NFL talent at the skill positions. They really do. And you know, A&M, you know, kind of a weird, you know, week one, you know, Hanes Kings first starred in play well and then Iowa obviously is going to beat you with defense and strangely the whole game.
And that's what they did against Kent State. So it is a different dynamic there. I just I like what the Kent State offense brings to the table. I know they didn't score a lot of points against either of those teams, but going back and watching they did some things that I think will be successful against Maryland.
I said we'd touch on it Louisville minus two at Florida State assess. Stay away. Like, like, all because the game is on the board doesn't mean you need to bet. I mean, maybe in the next, the father advice from the bear, maybe in the next three days or so, uncover something that will appeal this game as a possibility.
But look, I hit on it last week, we talked about Florida State. We all want to see Milton do well, but he's averaging like five yards in a 10. They are in mess on offense with turnovers, six turnovers last week. And now you're just it's going to probably be ugly at go Campbell, in terms of the two weeks.
Yeah, the it's already being thrown out of, we've fired really tired for for a lot less. I think it's a bad situation down there. And maybe Louisville kind of kind of salvage season once we can turn it around. I mean, you get you get a gift like that.
Unfortunately, don't get able to get hurt in the process there, which sucks. Like, now all of a sudden you're you're confident with your offense going on the road against the defense, which is giving up a ton of points this year and an offense that turns the ball over will be given your offense the ball in the ensure people do this. This feels like an over game to me, if anything, because I think I think the possibilities here are either a Louisville wins something in the line of 40, 42, 24 or something like that. And when easily, or you get one of those like 3835 Florida State suckles, the weddings, and the midst of all the the hate down there right now.
And I know over is probably the public side there. I think it's gone up like the in half to 62 already already. Yeah, I haven't gotten the best number, but I still think that's very doable in this game. And if I had to play one thing, it would be over 62.
Okay. One smelly road dog. I texted you, I think on Sunday night. I know it just doesn't make sense to me.
Nebraska plus five at Michigan State, Michigan State, nothing but good things. And they should be getting up with good things said about them going to Miami and winning going to Northwestern and winning, but they should be given more here. And it just smells to me. I got to take Nebraska plus the five.
Oh, I don't know how many people have reached out on Twitter about this. This wise, wise Michigan State only a four and a half point favorite over over to Nebraska. And I think it's because the power ratings see the numbers from the from the games Northwestern might stick. Yeah, might really, really stick.
But they did win the game and SES game. So what? And then you're in a 17 14 game last week in the fourth quarter. And Miami turns the ball over inside its own 25 twice in the fourth quarter.
So like it sees those things and realizes that while the final score of that game was 38 21 or whatever the hell it was, it was not a 17 point game. Miami, a fraternity was in the game at the red zone trips as well. It sees all that. And I think they understand.
And I think Nebraska has gotten moved up a click and the Illinois game was what it was terrible. Terrible stretch with turnovers and it's stupid penalty. But since then they played better and they were in that game last week at Oklahoma and baby, there is a a thought now that Nebraska is kind of on the improve and I'm going to wait on this game. For me, it's Nebraska or past.
I'm going to hope this number moves six. I think it's probably going to move up a little bit because I think most people will be on Michigan State in this game. So I'm going to wait. Hopefully get a quarter point for a hospital in the breast.
And we don't get it. But I probably still will hop in the breast. But you're right. This is this is a this is Nebraska.
Oklahoma State laying six at home to Kansas State. Kansas State got a much needed win for another one about my season. When totals last week against Nevada, they really brought the defense. I think it was 21 nothing in the fourth quarter.
But they're back. They're back to the old one. We will Howard at quarterback or back to the bill Snyder. Let's just let's just snap it and figure it out.
But hey, if it gets wins, it gets wins. I I will take away. I thought Oklahoma State showed me a little something last week. I didn't expect them to run the ball on boys.
They ran the ball really well. And I just feel like this is the same thing. I don't know why Kansas State. I don't think they should be right.
I mean, I get it. They beat Stanford. That wasn't the Stanford team. They beat now.
Yeah, it's Stanford with with the key is totally different than West. But it's it's it's really it stands out to me. I don't know if I'm going to get Oklahoma State in the column, but I am leaning that way. Really?
Good. Gonna leave those points. Yeah, I think I think so. I shouldn't say I I'm leaning that way.
Not sure it's official, but I don't Kansas State going on the road. I believe for the first time. I think Oklahoma State funnel something does Kentucky minus only five at South Carolina smell known the success they've had in South Carolina. Yeah, I think that's another game that's probably going to move up a little bit too.
Yeah, and Kentucky hasn't really played its best. It's best football yet. So yeah, I can that line is a little snuggly. I agree.
I'm I said I'm gonna lay the 45 and a half with Bama. I don't care. I'm not thinking twice. You'll be at West Virginia plus 16 and a half in Oklahoma.
You think Oklahoma finds it? I don't know. To me, to me, it's day to get quarterback for West Virginia. I can't trust him.
I and now you got a night game in in in in Norman. That's that's asking a lot. Can you get Lenny Brown going? I don't know.
It's a stay away from me. If anything, I would lean Oklahoma, but I had yeah, it's Oklahoma or past for me. I think it's one of those you hit on that day you go on the road here. Oklahoma hasn't really been impressive offensively and defensively.
They played a little bit of last week against the press. But this is one of those games I think night prime time national TV. This is a chance for them to kind of get excited and show out some but I have I do have concern about Oklahoma long term moving forward in this conference once they face better teams. I'm with you.
I I love the skill guys. I don't like the offensive line in for Oklahoma at all. You want any part of Akron catching 49 from Ohio State? Yes, yes I do.
Yes. Did you know? I'm in the sports center. Did you know?
Yes. Did you know? I'll do my voice a voice. Did you know?
Dating back to 1996? There have been 13 favorites of at least 49 points in games between two FES teams. Those 13 favorites went one and 12 against the number and going back to 1993 they're just two and 16 ATS. The last team that was this big of a favorite versus an FES team was the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2019 when the Buckeyes did not cover as a 52 point favorite versus Rutgers.
Did you know? I don't know who was actually going to give them a there you go. Give me a we give you five. Did you know every week on this podcast?
Carolina land double digits at Georgia Tech after Georgia Tech almost Oh, what a great like it was one of those. It's like once they came back from the from the delay. Yeah, did it ever rain there by the way? I don't even think it went did it?
I don't know. I think it was just Davos sweating in the fourth quarter because he had the coach. I couldn't tell if that was rain or or Davos sweating a little bit ripping the headset off. There's a late one out in Colorado uh 80 o'clock Eastern kick Florida Atlantic plus four and a half against Air Force Bear.
I'm I'm gonna lay it here with Air Force. I I look at the numbers of what obviously what they rushed for. I know Florida Atlantic played Florida and they played Georgia Southern. I don't think much of Georgia Southern even though it's my favorite uniform in the sport.
I just think it's a bad a bad deal going out going out there and getting a dose from Air Force. So I'm gonna I'm gonna lay the four and a half with Air Force there. I had nothing for you there. I got nothing.
All right, you might be too late in anything. No, no, this is not this is not a week where I like I like the whole whole lot. Anything in the pack 12 late. I'm curious about the UCLA Stanford game.
I'm curious to see how UCLA's event responds. Yeah, from from that Stanford has owned this series lately. Be very curious to see if they can put together a third straight really good performance on offense. Surprise UCLA.
Surprise UCLA's four and a half. Yeah, I've got three runbacks out and some returners. The kid who's broken the big place Pete at running back is gonna get the bulk of the carries. Now he also returns kicks.
I don't know how that's gonna affect his workload. But yeah, I mean, UCLA that last year, Stanford was brutal. Had no business losing that game. UCLA's obviously I think the best that Stanford's gonna play so far and I know they played USC.
But I think the world UCLA's offense, I would lean towards me down to four and a half. I would lean there. Stanford's first home game in a really long time, but we know that doesn't matter. It's gonna be home game for UCLA.
I was surprised at USC last week going down 14 nothing. It's poor and rain sideways. They get dark coming the game. He obviously goes down with an injury, but to give him some credit there, find something.
I don't want any part of them given 12 now. It's slow. This looks like he's gonna be back a quarterback against Oregon State at home. Arizona State just a not great effort.
What was that? What good? 16 penalties. Yeah.
Four turn like whoosh go on the road. Crazy things happen. I will say I almost thought about giving out Cal plus seven and a half at Seattle against Washington who got up off the deck against Arkansas State. I don't want any part of laying nine with Indiana at Western Kentucky.
And I was thinking about taking some big favorites in Atlanta 28 with Oregon against Arizona because Arizona is as bad as as you could be. Anything else? Kansas Duke got anything for me there? You've got you've got to lay it with.
29 and a half point Wyoming as a favor. I wish I could go to that game. I want to take a week off a game day and stay back and go to the rent and go watch the mustard and brown boys. All right.
Why don't we factor them out in West? They sure are. There's a couple people too that reached out before the year when we were talking out in West. I think they got some good numbers on them.
Yeah, I think we liked it. It was just kind of the schedule a little bit and put the quarterback stay healthy. By the way, you mentioned Kansas Duke. Did you know this is the 107 time in the last 108 games versus how far the team's at Kansas is an underdog favorite once the last hundred games.
All right. It's time for the Big Mike happy recap brought to you by all state. Save money like a champion with all states new lower auto rates. Visit allstate.com or call an agent for a quote today.
Championship savings for the win. All right. For the Big Mike happy recap, I'll give you a Friday night Syracuse. I'll give you Minnesota lane of 30 or 31 UTSA plus the three Kent state plus the 14 and a half Nebraska plus the five Alabama minus the 45 Air Force minus the four and a half.
Stay tuned to the column. I know people always ask into about the column. It's on the chorox section ESPN calm. It's posted Thursday late morning.