NCAAF Week 2 Best Bets & Predictions | 9/7/24

Introduction and Hosts Our number two, week number two of this 2024 college football season. Live right here on this second full Saturday. It's college football today on sports grid. He is okay dubs that is Kevin Walsh. He is the mastermind of the college football pigskin. That's Joe Top 10 Teams and Waitlist Discussion Lisi. I am Ben Stevens. A little switcheroo for you to start off this second hour. And now it is time for my top ten entering weekend. Number two. But a small update to what we are going to do now in this new era of college football. With the expanded 12 team CFP when there was just four schools getting into the playoff, it made sense to do only ten. But that innovative mind of Kevin Walsh never stops. Now we present in college fashion the waitlist. Teams barely on the outside, but trying to get in. In no particular order, despite where you see them in the AP top 25, but just the teams. A group of five on the outside of the top ten Miami, Tennessee, USC, Utah and Oklahoma State. Kev. We start with you. The waitlist. Next up here. What do you make of this group of five schools? Truly it's I don't know this. Hopefully this will never happen again. Yeah I have all five of these teams in the College Football Playoff in my bracket. I have all of them in. I have Miami winning the ACC, Tennessee and USC outright or at large bids, if you will, and I think there's multiple teams from the big 12. I think this is the big 12 championship game. I can only chuckle. I don't look, I didn't think Miami was going to crash the party. I, USC and LSU Analysis I do wonder with USC and that win you weren't LSU wasn't in your top ten. So how you adjusted off of that since you're not in love with either football team? I'm not in love with either the Bayou Bengals or the Trojans this year, but that's incredibly impressive what they did. And one thing stood out to me above the rest USC limiting LSU to less than 115 yards on the ground for the worst Pac 12 rushing defense a season ago. They gave up a buck 84 against a stout LSU offensive line with a complementary trio of backs there. I thought that was impressive, making the stops when they needed to, and Miller Moss was darn good. Winning outright as a four and a half point underdog. And that's the start of maybe potentially a college Football Playoff run, because I have them with LSU in there as well. But their schedule is very difficult, right? They do play Michigan. They play Notre Dame. Those aren't going to be easy matchups. I am curious to see how they respond against Utah State tonight, but I they're deserving certainly deservif being there at 13. Overall I'm intrigued with Utah and Oklahoma State, respectively, because we talk about the top teams in the big 12. These are them and they have difficult matchups today. So Utah, Baylor I want to see how that matchup plays out and I want to see them shut down Arkansas that big heavy offensive line. And just to stick with it because I don't know how much changes you've made to your top ten. And this is the first time we've done the waitlist here. But I obviously look I can remember and you know, USC has three remaining games against teams inside your top ten. Correct. So everyone's like oh the tough schedule tough schedule. They beat LSU right now all of a sudden what if we go one and two in those games. Michigan's off a bye. People think Michigan could be down right. We'll see what happens today. But they're going to play Michigan off a bye. And they're hosting Penn State Notre Dame. Yeah at ten and two right now they'd have to avoid trip ups. And I understand that USC I think should have a shorter price to make the playoffs than they do right now. It's still a better than 3 to 1 number, but it's still USC right. That's I think that's the perception is that it's USC and they haven't done it right. It was a very impressive win over LSU. It's a resume builder week number one. And of course it speaks to the strength of what we expect this USC team to do against the ranked foes on the lineup. But that's a really compelling case. A ten and two USC team is a perfect mold, at least in my estimation, to earn one of those at large berths in the college Football Playoff. Two big 12 teams down here, by the way. But not my big 12 preseason pick in Kansas State. If there was a waitlist to the waitlist at this point, the Wildcats would be outside of that. We'll see what they do today in Nola. All right, let's get to the top ten. The teams ranked inside my top ten entering week two of this 2024 college football season. Now the committee thought long and hard, maybe a little bit short sided. On Sunday in our special edition of CFP of Keeping Oregon here, we had to move the ducks as the odds moved on. Oregon as well, still tied for the third best price to win a national championship alongside Texas. But you can't just beat Idaho as we use the odds as a 48.5 point favorite by ten and expect to remain in the top ten. So as we move up, Missouri is still here at number ten, Michigan up to number nine, Ole Miss at eight and Penn State at number seven. I think it's Michigan and Texas Matchup interesting Michigan, because let's just say it's a tight game. Let's say they lose 2320 in the big house are they not. Are they falling out of your top ten potentially. Because that is a critical matchup. Whether they make the college football Playoff or not, they still play Ohio State.y still have to play some other Big Ten teams that potentially can catapult them in. Oregon is on their schedule as well. What happens in regards to Michigan losing a close game tonight? Yeah, I think they would probably go down at least a ten, if not be one of those teams that I would consider 11 or 12 right in the waitlist. I would be interested to see what the national championship price is on the Maize and Blue. They still beat Fresno State by 20. They nearly covered thanks to a great defense and defensive performance. Will Johnson, one of the best corners in college football. That 86 yard pick six tied for the 10th best price now at 35 to 1 to win a national title. Kev, alongside LSU and Tennessee, would be fascinating to see how much larger that price grows. If they do lose to Texas at home today. Yeah, I mean, it's definitely going to grow quite a bit becaused it's going to depend on how the game looks. But the perception will be their home. You know, let's make this very clear a loss for Michigan by three. Right. They'll cover the number and maybe we'll be all right. Hey they're okay. They're home. If Michigan wants to win a national championship, they should be able to win this football game. And I won't, you know, spoil it. But since you asked the question on the Michigan side, if Michigan wins, where does Texas go? The we're dealing with small sample sizes, right? So if you shoot Texas out of a top ten, I don't think it's the craziest thing. Do you think Texas will be fine? I think they would stay in the top ten. They would be out of the top five. I would say in the 7 to 8 range if they were to lose. Today, they're seven and a half point favorite. You're right. Michigan's won 23 consecutive games inside the big house. The environment is something to be said, but they're still close to a touchdown favorite where that line ends up now under a touchdown in some spots. It's almost like the Alabama factor when they had Nick Saban right when Alabama used to lose a game. They would never fall out of the top ten unless they got blown out or completely embarrassed. Same thing now with Texas. They're looked at as the second best team in regards to the SEC behind Georgia. So how do they show it's going to be an intriguing battle? I am curious about Oregon because if they do cover that number against Boise State for you, what does that do to them? Does that put you do you put them then well into the top three? Oh God no no because they beat a G5. Good question. No, it's a fair question. But top three top no. Like here's my thing. If they beat Boise at home by 21, that's what one of the best teams in college football supposed to do. I think to my point what would that number be if it was Ohio State, what would that number be? If it was Georgia, I think it would be. I certainly 21 plus if they were home. And that's why I felt like Oregon was was incorrectly tiered through the odds. And again, it took one game against Idaho for a lot of people to start to see it my way. And the ducks were the biggest mover in my top ten outside from where they were at third last week. Now outside of the top five, Alabama into the top five, Notre Dame up to number four. Texn that third spot at 7 to 1. And I still have Ohio State ranked ahead of Georgia in my top ten. Kev. Here's my thing right again most unbiased man history of sports media. Everybody knows that Eagles picked him in the Super Bowl Notre Dame at four. Give me some hypothetical lines because the both of you were in on Notre Dame right. Yeah there's and I know sometimes you do predictive odds to make the playoff and everything. If Notre Dame plays Georgia who what's that line for you guys. Double digits at the least. Is that just how big the gap is though. Like is Notre Dame favored over this group here across the board for you guys. Neutral the odds neutral field you're saying yeah college football Playoff quarterfinal semifinal game I would say what's the line of the Penn State. But I don't think any of those lines I would put Notre Dame for minus four. I was going to say three and a half point favorite. I actually. And now maybe I'm I actually feel like Penn State would be favored in that game. They might be, but I don't I do not like Drew Miller. I'm down on Drew Miller even based off last year. So that's why I'm giving Ole Miss Notre Dame. I think Notre Dame is probably a one and a half point favorite. I love Notre Dame in that spot. Yeah, love Notre Dame in Notre Dame's Performance and Upcoming Game Some teams that made statements in week number one. How do they back it up now in weekend number two. Jolie's Kevin Walsh and Ben Stevens live right here on this second full Saturday of the 2024 college football season on CFT. The most unbiased man in sports media had to enjoy Saturday night in College Station, the Fighting Irish, plus the points is always the theme and it came through not needing the points, winning outright by double digits 23 to 13 against Texas A and M, Notre Dame back at home in South Bend for the home opener this year. Year number three under Marcus Freeman. So most unbiased man 27.5 point spread in favor of the Irish. A total only at 45 and a hook. Whato you think we see in game two for Notre Dame this season? I think it's an obvious northern Illinois spot with what we've seen from Marcus Freeman. You and I try not to use the year one too much. He was finding his rhythm. But and they go to Ohio State hang lose the Marshall out right next week they beat Clemson. Then all of a sudden the next week it's a three point game against Navy. But Navy had a backdoor that number. But they still did. And they covered comfortably. You go through some of the stuff. Last year they beat a ranked Duke. They lose next week. It was still a ranked Louisville. It's hard to trust Notre Dame here. The reason I didn't grab Northern Illinois, and maybe I am being influenced too much by a Marcus Freeman hype up video. Prior to the game against Texas A and M, but sometimes teams take a leap. And again, I'm I'm ready to be wrong. It's going to happen in a couple of spots. So just quickly but with the waitlist I'm like, wow, I have all those teams in. You know what that means? Your whole top ten. I'm like, I don't have a lot of these these teams in. I'm going to be wrong in some spots here Notre Dame jumps off as one of them. And if this team is taking a leap Joe, you know what? Instead of no showing this game and it being ten seven at half Notre Dame routes, this football team here and that the fact that I think it's on the board, I backed off the game. I would certainly lean Northern Illinois. I would lay it with Notre Dame because again, I'm all in in regards to the offensive line play, you saw them wear down Texas A&M. They played that game last week in College Station almost like a prize fight, right? They were the counter puncher. They waited until maybe Texas A and M punched themselves out. And then once they had their opportunity with about eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, they scored and then took over from the defensive perspective. And I think they start fast and run the football on Northern Illinois. Now they're ten and zero all time. Notre Dame is against Mac opponents they've struggled in years past in regards to allowing these teams in the matchup, but they have the better quarterback in this ball game. But I don't even think it comes to Riley Leonard. I think it just comes down to the physicality of the offensive line. I think they're able to run it for 200 plus yards today with loving those backs. That's the difference. They cover this number easy. Last week, Notre Dame put up 198 rushing yards. All three of their guys led by Jeremiah Love who had 91 yards, had 44 plus on the ground. Darian Price finding the end zone as well. And Riley Leonard flashing the athleticism 63 rushing yards. But only 158 passing yards for Leonard in his Notre Dame debut. Northern Illinois under Thomas Hammock has been really, really good. Sixth best passing defense in the country last year, allowing less than 165 yards per game and Northern Illinois last year four and one against the spread as an underdog. Three victories outright last three years since the start of 2021, 13 five and one ATS as a dog. One of eight teams around the country in FBS college football to have a 70% cover percentage or better the last three years. It is a large spread. It's four touchdowns in favor of the Irish, but just something to keep in mind if you believe in Penn State and Bowling Green Preview Penn State, as I do, that it's college football Playoff or bust this year, you absolutely had to love what we saw last week against the Mountaineers of West Virginia. 34.5 point spread now in favor of the Nittany Lions. Joe, after a 3412 rout over the mountaineers last week in Morgantown. You said during the top ten as you looked at Penn State, number seven in my rankings, you still do not believe in drew after last week looked pretty good, though. In his first game with Andy Kotelnicki as the OC. He did, and he had a great game last year against West Virginia over 300 yards last year. This game 215, the offense of line took over. They were able to run it with Singleton and Allen and defense forced turnovers against Garrett Green. When you look at the just the Mac perspective with Penn State, they have dominated since 2014, eight and zero all time and have won those games by an average margin of victory of 29.7 points per game. But this Bowling Green team could score. Former Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak as the gunslinger again. I don't think they're going to win this matchup, but the over perception, I mean, West Virginia was a huge dog play by a lot of people. So they they bet West Virginia all of a sudden they they get smashed by Penn State. And now they're going to lay it with Penn State against a Bowling Green team. I'm going to take the 34.5. This line got up as high as 35.5 36 midweek. They brought it back down. Give me the 34.5 with Bowling Green. I'm on Kaytron Allen clearing. Obvious bounce back spot. Simple as that. Last season only two games with less than 50 rushing yards. In the follow up game, he had 68 on the ground and then 81 on the ground at no point last year did he have consecutive games with less than 62 rushing yards. His prop is 61.5. His number today is 16 yards lower than Nick Singleton. I know Singleton is a special back. Last year, season long total carries one more for Kaytron Allen. This is a split backfield here Allen gets his against bowling Green. Singleton was the big name a couple of big runs in that second half against WVU. 13 carries 114 yards and a touchdown. But Kaytron Allen although the yards were not they're still double digit carries a week ago Penn State when expected to beat a team. It's what they do. The Nittany Lions covered as a seven and a half point favorite last week, 18 four and one against the number as a favorite the last two years. Just in the last two years, they've lost to teams like Michigan and Ohio State in each of the last two. And Ole Miss and Middle Tennessee State Ole Miss in the bowl game. But as a favorite, the only team in the country covering in more than 80% of their games the last two seasons, Kev. Speaking of Ole Miss 772 yards last week against Furman, 76 total points, the most of any team in the country in college football. The running Rebs now a 42.5 point favorite in week number two against an FBS foe in Middle Tennessee State. Can the Runnin Rebels cover this large number? Based on what you saw last week, it's certainly possible. You guys know I'm not in on this team, but I'll tell you right now, Jaxson Dart will be the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at the end of the day. Last week, Middle Tennessee allowed Jordan Potts of Tennessee Tech to throw for three scores. Jaxson Dart is going to do whatever he wants to get Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss and definitely the over later tonight. Yeah, you see that number. It's 42.5 in favor of the rebels. It's 61.5 for that total. How about some other teams USC vs. Utah State Preview Teams that made statements in week number one. Now in week two. USC on Sunday night in Las Vegas. Knocking off LSU outright as an underdog. Miami going into the swamp and absolutely lambasting the Gators on the season debut of 2024. We start with Southern Cal and the Trojans home debut this year inside the la memorial Coliseum. Hosting Utah State. Now Utah State last week against Robert Morris put up 646 yards but only scored 36 points. A couple of familiar quarterback names for the Aggies Spencer Petrus, the former Iowa quarterback, got the start but then was a little bit banged up so Bryson Barnes, the former Utah starter at the quarterback spot now for Utah State. USC of course last week impressive Kev in their performance in Sin City. Now greater than a four touchdown favorite against Utah State back in downtown LA. What do the Trojans do for a response. I think they'll obviously handle business in terms of winning the football game, because that is most important, though it is a tough spot with how I mean, I feel like that game against LSU ended up being the best game of the week. The back and forth nature of it all, the trip to Vegas for USC. I know it's not a lot of distance, but I'm just I just there's so much into it. Right? It's going to be really difficult to cover a four touchdown number like this. Hard not to lean the Aggies way. But one thing that I am interested in is does USC at all have a chip on their shoulder? You know, again a preseason ranking for USC barely inside the top 25. I mean, they're scratching and clawing with Kansas for pole position in Kansas football. And I have people telling me that this is normal. I'm deaf. People telling me Lincoln Riley's never done it before. I mean, can you believe people were saying such such things? One game. One. Here we go. We're going. I have them in the College Football Playoff. No. And I know because sometimes I think the genius brain of yours wins out over the beautiful place to be around Lincoln, Riley and USC showing him some respect accidentally. Here. Here's my question. Want me to pray? Pray to the Church of Lincoln. Riley. No, I just want you to stop ranking. You know, Joe Schmoes over me. Here's my story. Let's. No, no, no. Miller. Moss. Yes. Okay. How much of it is him? How much of it is Lincoln? And does it matter? Because after one game. Oh, by the way, Lincoln Riley has one of the ten best quarterbacks in college football again. Well, I think Miller Moss is a very good quarterback. He proved that last year in regards to the bowl win over Louisville 360 yards, 70 yards, six touchdowns. And that was a pretty good top 25 Louisville defense heading into that matchup with Jeff Brohm. So he picked them apart and we know they have weapons and we know they can score. I will say this Miller Moss what you see is what you get. Meaning he plays within the scheme where Caleb maybe created too much just to make plays out of nothing. It's either going to be there or it's not what Miller Moss and he does a great job. Great touch on his ball. And again they have a rushing attack. Now the biggest thing for me big picture is their defense with Lin. Big ball game right. Big big matchup. They can run the football Woody marks. They can shut down the run the way they did against Louisville LSU last week. And that's the difference in regards to big picture I think they're going to be they're they're going to be a contender in the Big Ten. And I'll say this Ben 63.5 for tonight's number I think a dead under us because of that defense. Wow Under 63.5 USC held LSU to only 113 rushing yards last week in Las Vegas. Still four and a half yards per carry. But that's a statement for a team that gave up a buck 84 per game. A season ago. Utah State, albeit against FCS Robert Morris, ran for 303 yards last week. Another test, perhaps for the Trojans, just nine and 13 against the number in the two years under Lincoln Riley when Miami vs. Florida A&M booked as a favorite. This is almost your segment. Miami last week, a statement in the swamp 41 to 17 the victory for the canes 44.5 point favorite. This week against perhaps the best team from Tallahassee, Florida A&M, a nine win football team each of the last three years at the FCS level, each of the last four years. Last year played in the Celebration Bowl to kick off bowl season after a 12 win campaign. Florida A&M has won 13 straight games. Kev. Are the canes tested today? Maybe not really. This total was 59.5. It went down to 53.5. It was still 59.5. I would look under. I think it's the move correctly. You say it's my segment. I have nothing to say. At some point this will come around right? I want to know what? I'm just curious where you at? I mean, Miami, we did a lot of it last week. Week one performance. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Let me ask you. Had a great week. One I was terrible. It's not even seeing the board wasn't even. It wasn't even about the picks. It was about teams that I just I'm high on I know. Here's my serious question. God right now. Yes. Who do you think wins the ACC? I still think Clemson and Miami right now. I think because of Clemson's defense, they bounce back in regards to this great number because Miami's ten and one all time against Famu, they've won by 45.2 points per game right. On the number today I think Famu covers only five and ten against the spread for Miami as a Syracuse vs. Georgia Tech Again, it bears repeating that we have 75 FBS college football games on this second full Saturday of the 2024 season, so we must go fast once again. We're kind of becoming a little bit predictable with this offense. No we're not. This is the second time we've done it. It's the first time we've ever done it twice. What if we do it three times next week? You won't see it coming. Either way, it's RPO time. So we're. Now listen, folks, at the end of the day, this is the biggest slate that we have. And it puts us in a position to try and go through as many of these games as we possibly can. And it even allows us to give some time to the Syracuse Orange. Go ahead. No, no, no, I know, I know, everyone likes me. Go right now. It goes right back to you. It doesn't go one, 2 to 3. It goes one, two, back to one. Talk to me here on Syracuse. Two and a half point spread in favor of the bees. Georgia Tech now ranked 23rd in the country. My Syracuse Orange at home in the JMA dome. Looking for an upset to now start ACC play for su. I'm nervous, though, because of what Syracuse put on tape last week. See, this is what I mean. I can't even talk on air. Whoa whoa whoa. I can't even say he's just trying to get a read on the three shot up. He's trying to get a read on the three shot up. Because when you go solo, shot our audience does not see I am being bullied by my coworkers in namely the mastermind over there. You guys looked at each other, by the way. I think Georgia Tech runs the football a lot today. They ran for 225 yards last week against Georgia State, 6.6 yards per carry. Jamal Haynes and the Haynes backfield 75 yards. At least in both games for G tech this year. Three total touchdowns. Syracuse allowed Anthony Taylor's the third for Ohio last week to have 203 yards on the ground and two TD. Syracuse allowed 147 yards per game last year, and Marlowe Wax, the orange is leading scorer or leading tackler last year with more than 100 tackles, is now out Georgia Tech vs Syracuse Analysis for at least a month and a half. I'm scared. Yeah, don't be scared. I think listen, I've heard you. I've heard from some good people here today that Cuse could be the side. What say you? I like Georgia Tech. I'm not betting this game in any capacity, in any capacity. Now That could be all in on the orange. Georgia Tech can run it. Averaging over 200 yards per game. This is their third game of the of the season. I think that's the difference. They have the more experienced quarterback in regards to the scheme with Haynes King McCord stepped up. But you talk about Syracuse. That allowed 6.7 yards per carry last week. That was a blue collar offense in Ohio, not an elite offense. They're going to be challenged today and only laying two and a half on the road. I'm going to lay it with Georgia Tech. But again no play for right Michigan State vs Maryland Breakdown now. We'll see how it plays out I feel like Rondo with e upside down headband. I'm in full facilitator mode. Let's keep it in the Big Ten here. Even though we were just doing the ACC. But anytime Ben's around we're always in the Big Ten Michigan State, Maryland, Lacey, Sparty. Terps where someone's sneaky best bet. They didn't even tell people about that last week. That's beatable. Yeah. But yeah but it wasn't I know but we were doing like the big game. Best bets. I just but nevertheless dominated. All right. So you're all over Maryland tonight I like them today. They've won two straight in the series. They won last year 31 to 9 I think that defensive front could step up. Held opponents right now 88 rushing yards per game. That's the difference to me. We know that Michigan State wants to run it when Nate Carter and Lynch Edwards he's a beast. Let me tell you. But again the game is going to fall on Aiden Childs. That is the difference. And that's why I like Maryland Aiden Childs not great. Last week in his Michigan State debut. Just ten of 20 for 114 yards, two picks. His first collegiate start played at Oregon State under Jonathan Smith in his true freshman season, did not get a start over. D.J. Uiagalelei did have a rushing touchdown. Kieran Lynch Adams, the transfer from UMass, 101 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Here is the concern for Maryland. It was the reason I was on the Terps last week against UConn in nonconference play. Maryland has a 13 game win streak straight up and under. Mike. Mike Locksley, who became the head coach in College Park in 2019, in four they're 12 and four against the spread in nonconference play. But this is the Big Ten opener for both teams. The Terps just 15 and 26 ATS in Big Ten play under Mike Locksley. That's the seventh worst in all of FBS college football against conference foes in that span, second worst for Kentucky vs South Carolina Preview a power conference team. Kev only Stanford is worse. An SEC opener, the first SEC game of the year. Kentucky and South Carolina, the cats looking pretty good in a rain and weather shortened game last week against Southern Miss, 31 zip covering as a 25.5 point favorite. One of three schools, along with Texas and Alabama, to shut out an FBS opponent in week number one. They get South Carolina today, tested last week by Old Dominion, had a lead with seven minutes left in that football game, and you can see in Lexington, Kentucky greater than a touchdown favorite. How does the SEC opener this year go for both the Gamecocks and the cats? Looks like a sneaky sizzle over here for me. Vandergriff was letting it rip last week. South Carolina has to bounce back. Offensively. They bring in Rocket Sanders. We know the kid has juice. Beamer has got to get this group on the roll here. They were nearly upset by ODU due to a really slow start for that offense. I think we can get points. You might get me on that over, but I'm starting to like South Carolina. I think you're getting an inflated number. South Carolina has won two straight in the series, including last year, 17 to 14. The reason why I think you're seeing the number so inflated is that South Carolina last week, last year was zero and five on the road or on a neutral field. I think there's very little even in regards to both of these teams. Sellers needs to step up. But give me the points and Kev, you might get me in on the over later. 41.5 is that number. Kentucky under Mark Stoops in SEC play is one for conference games in five of the last eight seasons, but just three and five straight up each of the last two years under Shane Beamer. The first losing season last year in Columbia in SEC play, the last three seasons, 12 and 12 against the spread hand up, I was wrong. You called Evans Svoboda, I believe his first name is Josh Allen. Light Yeah, he's Josh Allen light. Two interceptions, one loss fumble, three total turnovers against Arizona Mississippi State vs Arizona State Insights State who absolutely hammered Wyoming last week. The Sun Devils stay in Tempe five and a half point favorite against Mississippi State. First ever meeting between these two teams. The Bulldogs played Arizona in the last few seasons, but ft time against ASU under a touchdown. Kev, what do you like hold on a second. I need to ask who do you where do you lean in this game? I mean, if you had to if you had to, where would you lean? I'd actually probably go Mississippi State as an underdog. What do you what do you think? I love Arizona State in this matchup. This state. All right. Even better I feel I feel I think Kenny Dillingham I got you something here. Yeah I do yeah. And I'll say this Blake Shapen the former Baylor quarterback, is now leading the Miss State offense. He threw for 247 and three touchdowns going on the road in the desert. That's going to be a cause of concern 90 degree weather. Sam Leavitt could be the real deal. 258 last week and that Arizona front seven held their opponents last week 44 yards rushing. That is the difference to me. Listen, I can give people two levels of breakdowns here. The very serious breakdown is last week. This is basically the same number it was against Wyoming. I think we're over inflated now due to the fact that they smashed Wyoming. The non serious is and I know you think at times there's poking and prodding. In the beginning of the segment there wasn't him chuckling laughing when you brought that game up is because he fully believes that last week you saved his Saturday by the Arizona State Wyoming game. No no no no no no no. Hold on a minute. Trust me. You're on the opposite side here. What goes around comes around. Mis state Bulldogs. Woof woof woof. I hope your brothers in arms. And that's God bless. But I'll say this. What what goes on in regards to behind the scenes? He was going like this, this Swoboda, this Swoboda. So that is fine. And you didn't hear it. So I he said it, he said it last week. He said it fully. I said, I said it on air. I said it Evan Svoboda guy. And he was just so let me let me chuckle. Then Texas Tech played a big number last week against Abilene Christian, 34.5 point underdog. They nearly lost. If AQ would have converted on the two point conversion in overtime would have been the ninth biggest upset in FBS history. Now, a virtual pick'em on the Palouse tonight. Lacey, give us a quick pick. This is a sledgehammer play. They might be without Tahj Brooks. I think they dominate this ballgame. Ten double digit win for tech tonight Jake Dickert I don't leave you behind. Brother wazoo is never left behind. Give me the Cougs alt line Heisman Trophy Contenders Discussion minus nine and a half some Heisman Trophy Week number two of the 2024 college football season. He is Kevin Walsh. He is Joe Lisi I am Ben Stevens. Time for some Heisman talk. In the updated odds following week. Number one, we now have Co-favorites in a three way tie at the top of the odds board to strike that pe in early December. Dillon Gabriel was the short favorite entering week one. Still threw for 380 yards, but in a tough victory against Idaho, Jaxson Dart a huge day. We'll talk to him in just a second. But Kev, I didn't want to start with cam Ward plus 850. The Miami quarterback, now a co favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. It represents a ton of positive odds movement for the hurricanes in the last seven days. A 60 to 1 price to win a national championship. Down by a third. It is 20 to 1 now for the hurricanes correlate those props the odds market optimistic about Miami. So my belief this year with the Heisman Trophy is you have to be in the playoff and you have to be statistically a monster. So I think that this week's game against Famu is almost as important as Florida. Last week for Miami, because this is where you can bring those numbers way out of range. We don't have to get into all the. Listen, here's my point. Dillon Gabriel last week missed a huge opportunity. They were supposed to score 50 points. I know the yards were good. The completion percentage was good. Jaxson Dart 400 yards, five touchdowns, one on the ground as well. So six total scores. Yeah that's going to matter. It won't when we're doing the counting stats nobody will be like whoa whoa whoa. Five of those were against Furman. Eliminate those. So for cam Ward today last week boom I'm in the conversation this week four touchdowns at the break. Cam Ward's got Miami at a whole nother lev. He scores two right. 220 Passing this number is coming down. No I agree with that. I'll just say this in regards to this value at plus 850. Let's say he does 385. Just what he did in four touchdowns. Is he moving in your opinion from plus 850 to 4 to one? I say no I agree. So I think when you look at the value on the board right now, I'm looking at Milroe, I'm looking at Carson Beck. The reason why is meaningful games as well. When you look at Miami's schedule, they don't have, I believe FSU is early October, so that that is their first real game that obviously outside of Florida. So I don't think we'll see a lot of fluctuation from now till maybe October. In regards to Ward at these prices, let me, let me let me ask you, Ben, do you think that cam Ward. Because because Joe's right. With the way FSU has dropped off Clemson not on the schedule. Vortech a disaster. They might end up ranked at some point. I don't recall if they play NC state. They don't. They don't. Louisville Right. Would be that other team possibly who did get themselves ranked. Do you think cam Ward though could get the lift of he brought Miami back because we know we knew this would be great. We knew this would be great. This is come on. We know Miami in a way. When you look at these logos, it's like, whoa, we got a guy in the top five for sure. It's part of the reason people love the you. The conversations around college football the last decade is Texas back, is Miami back. And right now, at least after a one game sample size cam Ward has the canes on that charter path. It was part of the optimism for Mario Cristobal and the canes entering year number three. To your point about the ACC slate, Florida State at the end of October, they have that game at home. And Miami does not have to play Clemson nor NC state in this college football season. Plus 850 for cam Ward a ton of movement. Now this is the top five. Jalen Milroe also saw his price shortened by four bucks at 10 to 1 nine pass attempts. Only nine last week against Western Kentucky still threw for more than 220 yards. Multiple touchdown passes, multiple rushing scores and more than 70 on the ground as well. An intriguing game that we'll talk about a little bit later against South Florida today, Joe, where last year, if you remember, Bama at USF tested by the Bulls Byron Brown also a really good running quarterback for USF, an opportunity today for Milroe to continue to make those statements in Kalen Deboer's offense. It is they struggled completely in regards to Tampa. And in that matchup, they laid 32.5. They barely covered in regards to that matchup. And again this is another opportunity for Jalen Milroe to not just put up numbers, but to get more acclimated. And Kalen DeBoer his offense. So I expect them to put up numbers today. I think from the spread perspective, I might take at on USF, plus the 29.5 and 30. But again, he's going to have that opportunity now. He has a rushing attack with them and the way that defense stepped up and held Western Kentucky, they're going to have multiple opportunities to score. I'll just throw this out as well. If yours wins today, where does he go in regards to the equation? I love the question. And this is kind of where I'm at on the Heisman. I think he'll move if they win. Right. But if you tell me he look it's a low total today right? Yeah. 262 scores picked. He'll move I think more than he should. I really like if you were to tell me hey does the Heisman go to one of the top two seeds. I would say no. I don't think there's a reason. Will Howard's not up here, right? I mean, he's at he's at he's at 20 to 1. That's a big drop off when you think about where Ohio State is. Right I know I know Beck is up there with the Bulldogs. I think some of that is his NFL prospects kind of carrying him up to that window there. I think Niko could be a big mover today for sure with what we saw from that team. And you I still don't know if Hunter can get there, man. I still don't know if Hunter if he if he goes to a buck 50 and three touches tonight and they win. Listen Colorado is the story of September, right? You've said this before. They're good is as good as you will see. But people also give them that notoriety hoping that they falter. We'll see what happens today in Lincoln. We'll get to Travis in just a moment. The 11 to 1 price on Quinn Ewers is interesting. We saw that group of 14 to 1 quarterbacks, Nico Will Howard and Jalen Milroe. We saw the positive movement on Jalen Milroe. Not much for Quinn. Ewers threw for 260 in Texas's opener. Arch comes in because they were hammering Colorado State. Arch Manning throws his first touchdown in Austin. Runs for one as well. We'll talk about this as we continue to break down the big games of the week, Joe. But Ewers last year in the five matchups for Texas against a ranked foe threw for at least 317 yards in all five, averaging over 350. Quinn Ewers can stack it up. Will be very difficult against a stout Michigan secondary, and that's why I think he he can move right. Because if he puts up a 350 yard performance, they tack on 40 and snap the 23 game home win streak. Maybe he goes from 11 to 1 to like 6 to 1. I'll just say this again. You're not getting out of any of these segments without me bringing it up. Ali Gordon again we look for these big games, right? We're talking about guys having big games against bad teams. One 30.5 is his prop against an SEC team. It is a different level of back man. The Razorbacks the fifth worst rushing defense in the SEC a season ago. More breakdowns coming your way next. On the Bostonian versus the book. Would it make you feel better as a bettor or as a sports fan? If they said after the game we were trying to cover the spread? Oh God, to say it out loud, oh my God, know what to say. It out loud. Oh my God, you can't say that out loud. No you can't even you can't do that okay, so what is the big deal either way. Oh play the game the right way. The Bostonian versus the book. I feel like the first person to take a kicker in fantasy football is somebody that feels like, man, I had a really bad draft. Let me make sure I get the best kicker out of the way. I always I've always looked at it that way, like, oh, I did so bad. So let me take Justin Tucker. The key for me is though, I make marks, okay. This guy, I I'll highlight him because I don't want 3 or 4 of these guys. I draftr 4 of these guys and they all get hurt. I have no one to blame, but me. Fantasy sports today only on sports grid. When you're really, really amazing like this, people kind of take it for granted. Same with Ohtani, right? People will sort of see Ohtani did this. Ohtani did that. And it's sort of, you know, becomes normalized a little bit. But to put it in context, Aaron Judge joins the 1000 hit club, reaches, gets it done. So earlier this month he was the fastest player to reach 300 home runs ever. Sports rage late night only on sports grid. Let's go. Welcome to the Liv Golf team championship. The golf has been mesmerizing. They are the Liv golf team champions. Team golf is back. Oh, yes. Top Games of the Week Predictions Are you ready? Let's go. That's what champions do. Our three games of the week for week number two live right here on college football today in the individuals that will impact the outcome and the score. If they can find the end zone. Kev. Listen, folks, it's time for a couple of pylon plays. We'll do our paydirt picks right now. Touchdown. All right. Let's get straight to it. Michigan Texas here. And there is only one spot where we're seeing minus money. And it's actually not on Donovan Edwards Joe we're looking for the big man in the end zone. He might get there, but I'm not going to bet him I'm on his rushing prop in regards to yardage 70 up to 110 plus. But I go to the tight end in regards to this matchup. If you're back in Michigan, look for goal line type of situations. I think Loveland, the tight end at plus 285 guys could be great in regards to that. And I'll take a shot on the Michigan defense. They got the pick six last week. Why not do it again in back to back weeks against Quinn Ewers a Michigan defensive touchdown prop did not take you long, my friend. A six and a half point spread in favor of Texas. Total now at 41 and a hook Jayden Blue not the leading rusher last week for Texas Jared Gibson was the leading rusher. A couple of backs that we expected to probably be the workhorse for their team, not necessarily in this matchup, Donovan Edwards had less carries and less yards than that of Khalil Mullins, who has that second best touchdown price for Michigan. Next up we go to one of our other games of the week tonight in Lincoln, Nebraska. It's Colorado and the Huskers. The best price on the board slightly in minus money. Travis Hunter he had three receiving scores last week against North Dakota State. Yeah it's a little surprising the Hunter price isn't more with this total here. And the fact that he seemingly is just automatic to get the football thrown his way. I am trying to pick my spot with a shooter. Sanders rushing touchdown there. He's not the most mobile quarterback, but he has kind of a nose for the end zone inside that five or so yard line at plus 370. Price is not a terrible number on shudder. No I'll take a shot on Jimmy Horn. Right. We talk about Travis Hunter. Shudder. Give me Jimmy Horn. I think he's hot. You ride e hot hand entering this matchup. And if you're on Nebraska, how about Dylan Raiola to potentially hit paydirt with his legs? He's carrying this team on his shoulders. If he gets inside the goal line or inside red zone opportunities inside the five, he might tuck it and run. Raiola two touchdown passes last week, the first of his Nebraska career into the arms of Isaiah Naya. And what a ball it was. Plus 125 Emmitt Johnson keep an eye on him. Both his touchdown price scored last week was and used leading rusher and his rushing yards prop. We'll talk about that in our three. Lastly here we go to the top 25 tilt tonight in Charlotte. It's NC State and Tennessee Joe the volunteers nine and a half point favorite. Last week it was Dylan Sampson three rushing touchdowns. He's got a -280 price to find paydirt against the Wolf Pack. YeahI mean I like the look they're going to feed him. He's the one back. The last year they had three. He was the number three behind right and small. He's going to get touches Concepcion is a is a Swiss Army knife that Jaylen Samuels type right for NC state. But again we have a mobile quarterback in Grayson McCall I think in this type of situation McCall steps up I'll just say it was just weird. McCall for three years had a three year window of 17 rushing touchdowns. And then last year at coastal was just one. I don't know if something is up with that, but it would. It's a good number. I just don't know if he's willing to run. It was it was weird. Quickly here on Nico Leyva before we give you some even bigger plus money prices, three rushing touchdowns against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. Keep an eye on the number today. No rushing yards prop out yet on Nikki. Treats that I can find I will be looking out for the legs. Cole Gonzalez 75 rushing yards last week for Western Carolina, but now even bigger plus money price folks. Let's make it happen here. Time for us to go for the loot. Ball to open. We're looking for money line dogs or whatever I do. Basically whatever I want. Riley Leonard two plus touchdowns is 6 to 1. He likes to score against mismatched teams. He had two plus last year against northwestern, two plus against NCAA two years ago, two plus on the ground in a matchup against Virginia as well. His debut at home as the Notre Dame quarterback. I think he finds the end zone twice. I like Ul-monroe outright. They're catching 13.5, but General Booty is there, the former Oklahoma quarterback, only 104 yards through the air. I think they open it up today. Very inexperienced secondary for UAB. That's the difference. You're really flirting with the integrity of this segment. We started looking for big plus money prices in terms of props and game specials, when we didn't have a ton of money lines during bowl season. I digress. App state plus 540 commence Joe leases smile. I do think the mountaineers keep this game within the nr against the Tigers, and I think Joey Aguilar is going to throw for a lot against Clemson and Kaden Robinson. His top target is going to be the