The Red River Shootout headlines this week’s game. Though can you remember the last time OU and Texas played and both were unranked? I can’t either. Anyway, we have the best account from each of the Red River Shootout participants: Kyle Umlang (UT) and Blinkin Riley (OU).
Since UT is favored in this game, let’s give Kyle the floor first.
NC State -3.5 vs. Florida State
Both coming off of 10-point losses last week to ACC foes, this game should be a good one. While odd makers say it will be close, NC State is just the better team and with home field advantage as well should have no problem securing a win which I think will be greater than a FG. Besides, the Seminoles haven’t beaten the Wolfpack at Raleigh in 6 years.
Kansas State -2 vs. Iowa State
Adrian Martinez has been stellar in his last two conference games. Kansas St also is 4-1 this year against the spread. Even though this is a road game for the Wildcats, you won’t be able to tell by the score. Iowa State’s Dekkers has already thrown 6 interceptions this season, while Martinez has 0 so far. This game is a gimme at 2 points for the Wildcats.
Texas/Oklahoma OVER 65.5
Since 2018, the average score of the Red River Shootout has been 84.2 points. So far in 2022, they are averaging a combined 74 points per game. This will not be a defensive battle but a “Shootout”, hence the rivalry name. If you go back and compare this game to their season averages, they come out more in 2021 (season avg-74.3, RRS-103), 2020 (season avg-85.7, RRS-98 and 2018 (season avg-79.5, RRS-93)
Auburn +29.5 at Georgia
29.5 for an SEC conference matchup not involving Vanderbilt?! I know Auburn has its issues…from not being able to move the ball on offense to possible lack of buy-in within the program. But that is just too many points for a UGA team that has looked less-than-explosive against Kent State and Mizzou the past two weeks. Give me the Tigers to cover on the road
Rutgers +3 vs Nebraska
I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure Nebraska should be favored against anyone. Ok, maybe Colorado… But I sure don’t see it when the cornhuskers have to make a 1,300-mile trip to New Jersey to play on a Friday. Give me Rutgers to cover and possibly win outright.
Oklahoma +225 vs Texas
Listen, ladies and gentlemen. Spreads don’t matter in this one. Could be a blow out for either team, could be a multi-overtime thriller. Legends are made in this game and, despite the uncertainty for Oklahoma (and Texas to some extent) when it comes to injuries, we just might see some Sooner Magic on Saturday. I think +225 is honestly some good value in what is traditionally a 50/50 game. Boomer Sooner, baby!
Tennessee -3 at LSU
I watched LSU struggle against a terrible Auburn team last week, who could not give away a game more times than they did. I’m also a bit nervous about the mobility of Jayden Daniels coming off of a knee-to-knee hit, despite no structural damage to it. Tennessee’s offense is too strong for the Bayou Bengals.
TCU -7 at Kansas
There’s no way Kansas’s defense shows up the way they did last week vs Iowa State, right? I’m happy for sprawling metropolis of Lawrence that Gameday ponied up and will make their way down there but it’s going to be a sad day for Jayhawks fans. TCU has an elite offense under Sonny Dykes and Garrett Riley that will move the ball at will vs Kansas.
Oregon -13 at Arizona
There’s zero chance this game stays close, despite Oregon’s uh…troubles in the state of Arizona. Ducks will win big. Nothing more to say here.
Friday Night Special: Rutgers +3 vs Nebraska
As an Iowa fan, I feel like it is bad practice to reverse jinx a rival, but here we are. Husker fans, you’re welcome in advance.
Rutgers has a defense but no offense while Nebraska has an offense but no defense. The equalizer? Rutgers is playing at home. Take Rutgers with the points in a game that is almost guaranteed to be sloppy in some fashion.
Indiana +22 vs Michigan
Is Michigan really good or is Iowa just really bad? I would rather not answer that directly. Michigan has this game sandwiched between the aforementioned Iowa game and Penn State next week. Iowa isn’t a powerhouse (clearly), but Harbaugh likely had that game circled as he had never won in Kinnick prior to last weekend (that’s as a player or a coach). This is your classic trap game. Indiana doesn’t win, but they give Michigan a scare for a couple of quarters and keep the score within the 22 point spread.
Iowa +3.5 at Illinois
Illinois is probably better than most people thought, but the Big Ten West makes no sense. That said, my superstition of never picking an Iowa game correctly has been broken this year. My emotional pick is to take Iowa with the points.
Tennessee (-3) at LSU
Why the Vols? Because LSU barely beat Auburn. LSU needed bad play and big mistakes from Auburn to scratch out a win. LSU QB Jadyn Daniels went 8-for-20 for 80 yards passing against the nation’s 35th-ranked passing defense. Maybe more worrisome for Brian Kelly is that they couldn’t score in the fourth quarter against a tired defense. Tennessee meanwhile is coming off a bye week and Hendon Hooker, who’s finally getting some deserved attention, have an offense that can score. Take the Vols.
Maryland -3 vs Purdue
Purdue has the 55th-best pass defense while Maryland averages more than 300 passing yards a game. Purdue is 85th in rushing offense with 140.4 ypg and 28th in passing with 288.6 ypg. Maryland is 40th in passing efficiency defense and Purdue has three WRs questionable for the game. I like Maryland to cover at home.
UCLA +3.5 vs Utah
The Bruins are currently eighth in the country in total offense with 506.4 ypg. Utah is sixth in the country in total defense, giving up only 244 ypg. The teams average nearly identical rushing ypg. UCLA averages 293.2 passing ypg though and it’s hard to stop a balanced offense. Defense travels but Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a dynamic playmaker in a balanced, explosive offense and Utah’s defense has benefitted stats-wise from playing its past four games against lesser competition. The Bruins’ offense has done the same on offense but after their performance against Washington, including Zach Charbonnet’s 180 total yards, I’m finally believing in them. It’s a huge home game and the Bruins have momentum. I take them to win outright.
Texas -7 vs. OU
Things are bad for OU right now. They’re about to get worse. Texas wins easily.
North Carolina +3.5 at Miami
There is no way that Miami’s offense can score enough points to keep up with North Carolina.
USC -13 vs. Washington State
Lincoln has the Trojans rolling. They’ll keep rolling right over the Cougars.
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