College football is back in a big way. After an entertaining week one, there’s another slate of marquee matchups on the buffet this weekend. Sports Editor Joshua Clayton and News Editor Griffin Neal guide you in the right direction.
No. 12 Texas A&M at No. 1 Clemson (-17.5), O/U 64.5
Joshua: The Aggies looked solid last weekend against North Texas, but this is big-time football, gentlemen. I can never pick against Trevor “Sunshine” Lawrence, Travis Etienne and the boys. Clemson wins but it’ll be a close one.
Griffin: Drive to the bank, find the nearest ATM, drain your bank account for all it’s worth and hammer the Texas A&M spread. The Aggies nearly defeated Clemson last fall, if not for a failed two-point conversion as time expired. They looked strong against North Texas, and Trevor Lawrence is en route to a sophomore hangover. Clemson wins, but the Aggies cover.
No. 6 LSU (-6.5) at No. 9 Texas, O/U 55.5
Joshua: The Texas boys got a little petty wearing those DBU shirts. Big mistake. HUGE. Joe Burrow tosses three touchdowns and Grant Delpit gets a pick. The Bayou Bengals cover this one.
Griffin: Texas is back, back, back, back, back and gone! After drubbing Louisiana Tech last weekend, there seems to be some legitimate optimism in Austin that Texas might actually, finally, be back. But it’s a flash in the pan. The Bayou Bengals will waltz into Darrell Royal on Saturday and walk out with at least a 17 point win. McConaughey can’t save you, horns.
Southern Miss at Mississippi State (-16.5), O/U 51.5
Joshua: This game will be close, but the Bulldogs will win. They didn’t look good against Louisiana- Lafayette in the Superdome, but I think Kylin Hill will be too much for the Golden Eagle defense. Whatever, who cares?
Griffin: Mississippi State was my lock of the week last week, and they failed me, miserably. They barely squeaked by an average Sun Belt team in ULL, but I’m not giving up on them yet. Back at Davis-Wade, where they won’t sell alcohol (lol), I think State hangs 45 on Southern and covers that spread.
Arkansas at Ole Miss (-6.5), O/U 51
Joshua: I’m not a gambling man, but if I was… I wouldn’t touch this game with a 10-foot pole. Would anyone actually watch this game if they weren’t affiliated with either school? I wouldn’t. I refuse to believe this Ole Miss offense can outscore anybody until I see it. I don’t think Memphis is a good team and everyone saw that game. That SEC front could be trouble for the Rebels.
Griffin: I am a gambling man, and I am laying the points here. Ole Miss is back in Oxford, and despite the gut-wrenchingly poor performance against Memphis, I think the Rebels respond forcefully. After all, Arkansas barely eked out a win against Portland State last week. Corral throws for over 300, Jonathan Mingo breaks onto the scene with five catches and a touchdown, and we’re all singing the fight song Saturday night with arms locked and smiles on our faces.
