newyorkwolverine.com

“Defense wins championships.” It’s a cliche used in football circles for eons. A quick look at Northwestern’s coaching staff makes it clear. The Wildcats have some pretty familiar names on their defensive coaching staff. Safeties coach Harlan Barnett played at Michigan State, where he was named a first team All-American in 1989. Cornerbacks coach LaMarcus Hicks played at Iowa State, where he led the conference in interceptions during his senior year. 

With these coaches on the sideline, Northwestern has quietly built a very strong defense. This defense was on display last Saturday at Penn State. That defense should lead the way to a win over Purdue tomorrow. 

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

LSU 24, Vanderbilt 17 (V -2.5; O/U: 48.5)

James Madison 24, Old Dominion 22 (JMU -1.5; O/U: 47.5)

Northwestern 25, Purdue 21 (NW -3; O/U: 46.5)

Cornell 28, Bucknell 25 (C -2.5; O/U: 57.5)

NO SPREAD

Slippery Rock 30, Indiana University (PA) 21

(Season record, 12 wins, 11 losses, 1 push. .521 winning percentage)

After the first  couple of games this season, I would have picked Missouri to knock off Alabama. Things are slowly trending up for the Crimson Tide. Kalen DeBoer seems like he’s figuring out how to coach in the SEC. 

It also helps that he has the right quarterback now. Ty Simpson is a better QB for the DeBoer system than Jalen Milroe, and it shows. Alabama is now connecting on more deep throws. Those long connections will be critical as Alabama tops Missouri. 

Iowa State lost for the first time last weekend, but don’t expect the Cyclones to lose two in a row. Look for Iowa State QB Rocco Becht to get back on track against the Colorado defense. 

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

Alabama 28, Missouri 24 (A -3; O/U: 51.5)

Hawaii 30, Utah State 27 (H -1.5; O/U: 58.5)

Iowa State 27, Colorado 23 (ISU -3; O/U: 51.5)

Initially, I only predicted three games for this past weekend, then I added the Iowa State vs. Cincinnati game. Bottom line, I should have stopped at three predictions. 

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

Oregon State 28, Appalachian State 27 (OSU -1.5; O/U: 54.5)

𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝟐𝟕, 𝐎𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟐𝟑 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

San Jose State 28, New Mexico 26 (SHSU -2.5; O/U: 53.5)

𝐒𝐀𝐍 𝐉𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝟑𝟓, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝟐𝟖 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

Delaware 31, Western Kentucky 30 (D -2.5; O/U: 61.5)

𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐘 𝟐𝟕, 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝟐𝟒 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Iowa State 27, Cincinnati 24 (C -1.5; O/U: 55.5)

𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈 𝟑𝟖, 𝐈𝐨𝐰𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟑𝟎 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

(2 wins, 2 losses, .500 winning percentage)

(Season record, 11 wins, 10 losses, .524 winning percentage)

Western Kentucky has been scoring points in droves, and graduate student quarterback Maverick McIvor is having quite a season. Delaware is led by quarterback Nick Minicucci, a native of Midland Park, N.J. Minicucci has passed for 1,058 yards, with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. It’ll be a barnburner, and Delaware should win, but Western Kentucky will cover. 

Iowa State and Cincinnati have both enjoyed quietly strong seasons to this point. Cincinnati is fresh off an upset win at Kansas. Matt Campbell has Iowa State playing consistently strong football, and the Hawkeyes win this one outright. 

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

Oregon State 28, Appalachian State 27 (OSU -1.5; O/U: 54.5)

San Jose State 28, New Mexico State 26 (SHSU -2.5; O/U: 53.5)

Delaware 31, Western Kentucky 30 (D -2.5; O/U: 61.5)

Iowa State 27, Cincinnati 24 (C -1.5; O/U: 55.5)

As expected, Army wasn’t able to contain the athleticism of North Texas. That game turned into a track meet. North Texas had a big advantage. In Salt Lake City, the rabid Utah fan base had little effect on Texas Tech, which dominated Utah. Duke used three touchdown passes from Darian Mensah and three rushing touchdowns from Anderson Castle to top a mistake-prone North Carolina State squad. 

As always, the results are directly beneath the predictions, with the winners in ALL CAPS. ENJOY!

North Texas 33, Army 21 (NT -3; O/U: 50.5)

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐒 𝟒𝟓, 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲 𝟑𝟖 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Utah 31, Texas Tech 27 (U -3; O/U: 57.5)

𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇 𝟑𝟒, 𝐔𝐭𝐚𝐡 𝟏𝟎 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

Duke 28, North Carolina State 25 (D -2.5; O/U: 59.5)

𝐃𝐔𝐊𝐄 𝟒𝟓, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟑𝟑 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

(2 wins, 1 loss, .667 winning percentage)

(Season record, 9 wins, 8 losses, .529 winning percentage)

NO POINT SPREAD

Slippery Rock 42, Shippensburg 3

𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝟒𝟐, 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠 𝟎 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Well, I said that Pitt would win the game, but I also had West Virginia winning the spread, so I won that one. I also got my coach prediction a little wrong. It seems that Rich Rodriguez may be recapturing his old magic. Meanwhile, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi looks like he’s running out of time. 

Georgia won, but the Bulldogs did not cover the spread. If I were going to hire a defensive coordinator, I don’t think I’d put Glenn Schumann at the top of my list. 

I didn’t write about it, but the early indications are the LSU coach Brian Kelly suddenly looks like he’s recovered his old spark. Of course, each season is different. 

As always, results are directly beneath the predictions, with the winners in ALL CAPS. Enjoy!

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

Clemson 28, Georgia Tech 26 (C -3.5; O/U: 54.5)

𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐀 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇 𝟐𝟒, 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟏 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Georgia 28, Tennessee 24 (G -3.5; O/U: 49.5)

𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐀 𝟒𝟒, 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝟒𝟏 (𝐎𝐓) (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

Pitt 31, West Virginia 27 (P -7; O/U: 57.5)

𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐀 𝟑𝟏, 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐭 𝟐𝟒 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

(2 wins, 1 loss, .667 winning percentage)

(Season record, 7 wins, 7 losses, .500 winning percentage)

Clemson has struggled on offense this season, and the schedule won’t be a cakewalk from this point. Quarterback Cade Klubnik will find assistance in tight end Olsen Patt-Henry, and the Tigers should survive against Georgia Tech, but they won’t cover the spread. 

The Georgia defense will get a boost when Raylen Wilson and Gabe Harris, Jr. find a way to pressure the Tennessee passing game. The Bulldogs should win and cover in a smashmouth contest against Florida. 

Pitt and West Virginia feature two coaches who have recent struggles. Rich Rodriguez is finding the honeymoon is brief in his second tour of duty at West Virginia coach. His team will play Pitt tough, but his seat will get warmer after this weekend. 

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

Clemson 28, Georgia Tech 26 (C -3.5; O/U: 54.5)

Georgia 28, Tennessee 24 (G -3.5; O/U: 49.5)

Pitt 31, West Virginia 27 (P -7; O/U: 57.5)

The results were a little disappointing this week, but there is a lot to learn from. 

Matt Campbell and Iowa State have clearly taken the upper hand in their in-state rivalry with Iowa. The Cyclones used tough defense and a clutch 54-yard field goal by Kyle Konrardy to top Iowa by three points. 

In West Viriginia, Rich Rodriguez is still struggling to regain the swagger from his first tour as the Mountaineers’ head coach, as Ohio topped West Virginia 17-10. 

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

Iowa 24, Iowa State 23 (ISU -3; O/U: 41.5)

𝐈𝐎𝐖𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝟏𝟔, 𝐈𝐨𝐰𝐚 𝟏𝟑 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

Illinois 28, Duke 24 (I -3; O/U: 49.5)

𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐒 𝟒𝟓, 𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝟏𝟗 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

UNLV 28, UCLA 27 (UCLA -2.5; O/U: 55.5)

𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐕 𝟑𝟎, 𝐔𝐂𝐋𝐀 𝟐𝟑 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

West Virginia 33, Ohio 28 (WVU -3.5; O/U: 60.5)

𝐎𝐇𝐈𝐎 𝟏𝟕, 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝟏𝟎 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

Louisville 34, James Madison 22 (L -13.5; O/U: 55.5)

𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐈𝐒𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝟐𝟖, 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟒 (𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬)

(2 wins, 3 losses, .400 winning percentage

(For the season, 5 wins, 6 losses, .456 winning percentage)

NO POINT SPREAD:

Slippery Rock 35, Franklin Pierce 10

𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝟐𝟒, 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝟏𝟑 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)

Hamden-Sydney 30, Delaware Valley 18

𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐃𝐄𝐍-𝐒𝐘𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐘 𝟑𝟖, 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝟗 (𝐰𝐢𝐧)