by: Nate Underdog
Michigan vs. Maryland:
The Wolverines have gone through Sept with no adversity posting 50 on all 3 non-conference teams so it’s hard to tell how good they really are. Well, the competition is about to get a lot better as they face the 3-0 Terrapins Saturday. Maryland is ranked 29th in FPI with the 18th best offensive efficiency in college football and haven’t lost since the blowout loss to Michigan last November. Marylands Offense all starts with Taulia Tagovailoa who is 68-88 895 yards 6 TDs and two interceptions with another TD on the ground where he can hit you for huge chunks as well. The 1 real weakness I have seen in his game would be his decision-making he sometimes looks rattled when you put enough pressure on him. But he also has a group of weapons at the WR position in Rakim Jarrett, Jeshaun Jones, Jacob Copeland, and TE Corey Dyches that can all make big plays at any given time. Roman Hemby is no slouch in the backfield either with his 151 rushing yards and 62 receiving yards carrying Maryland over the Mustangs, Hembry takes advantage of a team that returned every starter on its offensive line last season. Michigan Offense all starts with the running game. You have a 3 headed monster with Corum leading the group on 34 carries for 235 yards and 7tds. This will be the first true test for a Michigan team that has finally decided on J.J. McCarthy as their starting QB, so far, he has not disappointed going 30-34 473 yards 3 TDs and no interceptions also adding 73 yards on the ground on 7 carries with a score. He’s facing a Maryland defense that gave up over 500 yards of offense last week, most came through the air. Michigan has won all six match-ups in the Jim Harbaugh era: 28-0 in 2015; 59-3 in 2016; 35-10 in 2017; 42-21 in 2018; 38-7 in 2019; 59-18 in 2021.
Prediction: Michigan 42 Maryland 17
Clemson vs Wake Forest:
It was Clemson’s six-season run as ACC champions ending in 2021 when Wake Forest emerged as the Atlantic Division champion. Ironically, the only conference loss for the Demon Deacons during the regular season came at Clemson. They will square off once again, with the winner grabbing the early edge in the division. Clemson has won the last 13 games against Wake Forest. Clemson Offense: Clemson offense runs as Sophomore Will Shipley goes, he’s come in and raised his play avg 7.8 yards a carry with 6 TDs through the first 3 games. DJ Uiagalelei is a dual threat QB that has thrown for 662 yards and 5 TDS while rushing for 117 yards and another score, he spreads the ball around having 4 WRs with at least 7 catches led by Beaux Collins 158 yards and 3 TDs. Wake Forest Offense: There were questions about Sam Hartman health entering the season after missing the opener, but he has come out the last 2 weeks throwing for 625 yards and 7 TDs. He spreads the ball around with 5 players having 8 catches led by their horse AT Perry who has 12 for 222 yards. The problem here is that Wake Forest has no run game to speak of and relies way too heavy on the passing game.
Prediction: Clemson 30-14
Florida vs Tennessee: Florida leads the all-time series 31-20. Last meeting: Florida won 38-14 in 2021. Florida Offense: Florida is a 1 trick pony in my opinion but that 1 thing that do very well. They pound the ball, and they pound it a lot they have 3 RBs with over 100 yards rushing led by Montrell Johnson Jr 240 yards and 2 TDs, Trevor Etienne follows him with 166 and 2TDs, finished with Nay’Quan Wright with 100 and a TD. The QB play by Anthony Richardson has been terrible only completing 53% of his passes with 0 TDs and 4 Picks, but he can also run with 134 yards on the ground and 3 TDs. Tennessee Offense: Tennessee has a balanced attack with Jaylen Wright at RB and his 231 yards and 3TDs, Hendon Hooker leads this offense completing 70% of his passes 6TDs 0 picks and racking up 844 yards in the air, his ability to move around in the pocket while running for 1st downs when the play breaks down makes him incredibly hard to stop. He has 2 very productive WRs in Jalin Hyatt 18-267 3TDS, Cedric Tillman 17-246 with a TD. Florida Defense has bent a lot this year without breaking but I think Tennessee breaks through.
Prediction Tennessee 28-21
Texas vs Texas Tech: The Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech Red Raiders have played, uninterrupted, since 1960 and battle for a trophy known as the Chancellor’s Spurs, which originated in 1996. Texas Offense: Who starts at QB? Will it be Hudson Card, Or Quinn Ewers, I believe Ewers has the higher upside and elevates this team to a higher level. If its Card on Saturday, I think Texas will lean heavy on the run game and well that’s not a problem. Texas has probably the best RB in college football in junior Bijan Robinson who last season had 1,422 yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns, running 5.8 a clip, before missing the last couple of games with a dislocated elbow. This season he looks like a man on a mission with 311 yards 5 TDs on the ground at 6.1 a clip, adding 7 receptions for 132 yards and another TD. Texas will go Heavy with Robinson and hope the Defense holds the Tech offense. Texas Tech Offense: How does Texas Tech respond after a tough loss last week in Raleigh? Red Raiders will return home and play their third-straight game against an opponent ranked in the AP Top 25Donovan Smith leads the Tech offense at QB with a pass 1st offense but has been rattled under pressure and rushed passes against much better competition mind you, and a questionable offensive line. He’s thrown for 785 yards with a TD-INT ration of 7/5 while being sacked 10 times. The running game has been steady led by Tahj Brooks 4.9 a carry and 132 yards 4 TDs. I think the game is closer than the numbers suggest with Tech WRs making big plays here and there.
Prediction: Texas 34-30
Arkansas vs Texas A&M: Arkansas leads the series 42–33–3. Southwest Classic. Arkansas Offense: Arkansas will lean heavy on the dual threat capable KJ Jefferson who has thrown for 770 yards and 6 TDs, while adding 169 on the ground with 3 more TDs, also Raheim Sanders who has been great in the early season rushing for 6.7 a carry with 440 yards and 3 TDs. This Arkansas team goes as its run game goes not much more to be said. Texas A&M Offense: Who plays QB? King, Johnson? Will they be able to run the ball? can the stop the Arkansas pass rush? The only chance is for the offense to stay on the field and run the clock something they haven’t done at all so far this season. Devon Achane is only running 4.3 a carry, as a team their 3.9 a carry on the season. It’s disappointing I’m sure that the A&M defense is so good, and the offense is so bad. the only chance they have is to run the ball effectively and get the lead for that defense.
Prediction: Arkansas 21-7