Hey y’all, it’s Luke here. I don’t actually have a six-pack, of either variety (wish I did), but instead, I have six games you should be watching this weekend. It’s pretty straightforward. These are the game I am most excited for in the coming week. I’ll give you a preview and even a gambling pick at the end of each game! If you lose all your money this weekend, don’t blame me. But I do hope you tune into the games I will also be tuning into. Be sure to reach out to me on Twitter @LukeTheKid3 for the games you’re most looking forward to!
Arizona State at. 15 Cal (-4.5), Friday at 10:30 pm EST
Woah, woah, woah. Cal football at number 15 in the nation?! The Bears put themselves on the map with a 20-19 Week 2 win over Washington. Since then, they’ve handled North Texas and Ole Miss, both close finishes. I’m sold on that Cal defense, always have been. But is Chase Garbers really good enough to lead this team to the Pac-12 championship? I don’t think so. On the other side, the ASU Fightin’ Herm Edwards’ are 3-1 with the big win coming over Michigan State. But then last week, it was a 34-31 home loss against Colorado that took some wind out of the sails. Eno Benjamin has been disappointing, to say the least, but Jayden Daniels has been surprisingly solid. I’m sold on the Sun Devils’ defense. This is going to be a grind it out game to end an interesting Friday slate. Cal may come out on top, but I like the Devils to keep it close.
The pick: ASU (+4.5)
18 Virginia at. 10 Notre Dame (-12.5), Saturday at 3:30 pm EST
Virginia is a clear-cut number two in the ACC behind Clemson this season, for me at least. They are better than a 28-17 win over Old Dominion last week. Bryce Perkins is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country when he’s on. The Cavaliers march into Notre Dame Stadium with no expectations. They are 12.5 point underdogs. But their defense has been stout, especially against the run. The Irish rank 85th in rushing yards per game. This game is going to rely on the arm and decision making of Ian Book. I thought Book and the Irish proved they belonged in the Top 10 last week. Their defense has been solid but struggles against the run. With a QB as dynamic as Perkins, I think this game is more intriguing than people think.
The pick: Virginia (+12.5)
Wake Forest (-7) at. Boston College, Saturday at 3:30 pm EST
I’m way too high on Wake Forest. But how could you not be? The Deacs are 4-0 and open conference play after a weird non-conference game with North Carolina. If you haven’t seen QB Jamie Newman for Wake Forest, you should definitely illegally stream this game (don’t buy ACC Network, it ain’t worth it). Newman and the Deacs average 534 yards per game, good for 11th in the NCAA. This includes 330 through the air. Granted, two of those games came against Rice and Elon. Boston College is 3-1, but they got blown out by Kansas. It’s about time Wake Forest gets the respect they deserve.
The pick: Wake Forest (-7)
24 Kansas State at. Oklahoma State (-4.5), Saturday at 7 pm EST
How is this game only on ESPN+?! I said coming into the season that K-State would be far more interesting under new head coach Chris Klieman. And they have been. They passed their first test last weekend at Mississippi State and now face another tough road challenge. The Wildcats defense has been fierce, but they’ll have to score some points to keep up with the Pokes. James Gilbert has been a solid back, but Skylar Thompson has to be better throwing the ball. For Oklahoma State, it was a tough loss against Texas that had them fall to 3-1. They’d love nothing more than to avenge a 31-12 road loss to K-State last season. The Cowboys play seven straight winnable games before their final showdown with Oklahoma, and a win on Saturday would send them in the right direction. The QB/RB/WR combo of Spencer Sanders, Chuba Hubbard, and Tylan Wallace has been explosive this season. This Big 12 matchup pits a dynamic offense against a shutdown defense. Something has to give, and I promise you it will be entertaining. I like the Pokes offense to prevail, but a Texas hangover could definitely be seen.
The pick: Oklahoma State (-4.5)
5 Ohio State (-17.5) at. Nebraska, Saturday at 7:30 pm EST
Last year, Ohio State held off Nebraska 36-31. This year, the Huskers feel they have an even better team. It depends on who you ask. People in Nebraska (and some national idiots) picked the Huskers to make the College Football playoff. A 34-21 loss to Colorado calmed people down a little bit, but somehow a 42-38 win over mighty Illinois has people back on the bandwagon. Okay, enough Nebraska slander. They have a decent defense and Adrian Martinez has been far better than I expected. He’s thrown for 1,052 yards, 7 TD and 2 INT, completing 61.5% of his passes. Martinez ran for 118 yards in last week’s game vs. Illinois. I don’t buy into Nebraska, but this would be the game to convince me. On the other side, I love what Ohio State has done this season. They are outscoring their opponents 214-36. Granted, it’s been against FAU, Cincy, Indiana and Miami (OH), but impressive nonetheless. Justin Fields has been a Heisman contender (13 TD, 0 INT, 69.5 comp. %) and J.K. Dobbins (477 yards, 7.0 YPC, 5 TD) has been everything the Bucks expected and more. But the defense has been equally as impressive. Ohio State clocks in at second in the country in defensive yards allowed per game, right behind Wisconsin. Martinez will be the first real test for this defense. Even if Ohio State is leaps and bounds better than Nebraska, remember the Purdue upset over the Buckeyes in primetime last season. Memorial Stadium is bound to be rocking. But Nebraska is overhyped and Ohio State is too damn good.
The pick: Ohio State (-17.5)
Hawai’i at. Nevada (-2.5), Saturday at 10:30 pm EST
I’m gonna try to pick at least one non-Power 5 game per week, and how could this not be must-watch?! It’s not quite Pac-12 after dark, but it could have the same feel. Hawai’i is 2-1 against Pac-12 teams this season, while Nevada dropped a 77-6 game against Oregon. The Wolfpack have been a tough team to judge this season. They beat a stingy Purdue team but squeaked out a 19-13 win over Weber State. Overall, Nevada has not done anything all that well this season. For the Rainbow Warriors, QB Cole McDonald has been electric. He’s thrown for 1,317 yards and added 100 on the ground. This game is sure to be bet on. With only three games kicking after 10 pm, this is the time to get even before NFL Sunday. ESPN matchup predictor LOVES Hawai’i. The predictor gives them a 60.1% chance to win. But I love the home-field advantage for Nevada. Their offense has not been as good as the Rainbow Warriors, but the defense has been much better since 77 was hung on them by Oregon. Don’t forget the Pack won this game 40-22 last season.
