OVER DRIVE IN WEEK FIVE

 

We rebounded quite nicely last Saturday, posting a 6-2 mark. So for the season to date we're now sitting at 59% of our picks.

We have another great slate of games with a couple of tasty UPSET SPECIALS sprinkled in.

THE GREAT EIGHT™ for WEEK FIVE

#7 STANFORD @ #8 NOTRE DAME…this is probably the best matchup of the day so grab a cold one. Stanford’s Bryce Love leads the Cardinal into Notre Dame Stadium after rushing for 125 yards in last year’s 38-20 win. This doesn’t bode well for an Irish defense that gave up 259 rushing yards last week to Wake Forest. In an UPSET SPECIAL take the Cardinal over the Irish.

OLE MISS @ #5 LSU…this game pits strength against strength. The Rebels lead the SEC in passing offense and their air game is red hot with several receivers NFL-bound (AJ Brown and DK Metcalf). Meanwhile, LSU has one of the toughest secondarys in the country. The key to this game is which teams starts fast. LSU has a history of jumping out to a lead then struggling late to hang on. If they can play tough for 60 minutes, the Crazy Cajun wins again. Take the Tigers in Baton Rouge.

#4 OHIO STATE @ #9 PENN STATE…this will be a great game featuring two undefeated teams, both 4-0.  We like the Buckeyes in this specifically because of their qb, Dwayne Haskins, who has completed 76% of his passes. Penn State has not faced anyone of his caliber so the Nittany Lion defense will be well tested. But Ohio State also has a fairly strong run offense with two outstanding rbs, Mike Weber and JK Dobbins, so this could be a long night in Happy Valley. The loser of this game could very well be out of the CFP mix. It’s that kind of game. Bet on the Buckeyes over Penn State.

FLORIDA @ #23 MISSISSIPPI STATE…get your cowbells ready for this one. Dan Mullen returns to Starkville, leading his 3-1 Gators into the fray with his old Bulldogs. The Gator defense needs to work more of its turnover magic if the Gators are to win against the nation’s eighth best offense, averaging almost 600 yards nad 50 points per game. Despite a dismal showing against Kentucky, this Bulldog group looks pretty potent. Put your cash on the Cowbells. Missy State over the Gators.

#20 BYU @ #11 WASHINGTON…neither team’s offense is lighting it up so this game may very well be decided by the defense. Or, perhaps, by an offense that decides to wake up. BYU’s strategy is to hang around in games and come up with an opportunistic score. And they won’t be intimidated by playing on the road given their success against Wisconsin and Arizona. If the Huskies can play four quarters, we like their defense to win in it. Take the Huskies over the Mormons.

#19 OREGON @ #24 CAL…the Ducks are not the Ducks of old with high flying offenses but they can still put up points in a hurry. Meanwhile, Cal is slow and steady. They lack a flashy offense but their defense has been excellent, forcing turnovers and setting up scoring opportunities. With two weeks off, we think the Bears pull off the upset. In an UPSET SPECIAL, take the Golden Bears of Berkeley.

VIRGINIA TECH @ #22 DUKE…the Blue Devils are riding high and off to a fast start, undefeated with 2 Power 5 wins. Meanwhile the Hokies were embarrassed last week losing to previously winless Old Dominion. Yikes. To make things worse, Va Tech starting qb broke his leg in that game, so VT is relying on Kansas transfer, Ryan Willis, to ignite the Hokie offense. Key to the game is Duke’s passing vs VT’s sloppy secondary that was torched by ODU.  Put your chips on Coach Cut’s Devils.

SYRACUSE @ #3 CLEMSON…the Cuse rolls into Death Vallye riding a 4 game win streak but will be facing a Clemson team that just played their most complete game dismantling the Georgia Tech Rambling Wreak. Syracuse will be relying on their dual threat qb Eric Dungey. They need his arm to open up the running game. Their defense is much improved, with 13 sacks thru 4 games, albeit against weaker opponents. The line on this game (23 points) is so tempting but we think Clemson will come out on top, especially if qb Trevor Lawrence gets hot early. Tigers bite the Orange.

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