Year To Date: 5-4 (+0.5 units)

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re officially back in the black after back-to-back solid weeks. It hasn’t always been the prettiest, but you don’t get to the good days without some bad mixed in. It was a wild week in college football, and while this weeks games aren’t as appealing, there are some really solid matchups and a few games that I think we could look back at as possible games of the year. But the one constant in this week’s slate? Points, points, points.  Let’s get into it.

TCU vs SMU Over 62.5 -110

A very important early season matchup between two teams looking to keep pace in their respective conferences, SMU takes the in state trip to Forth Worth to face off against TCU. SMU is at a crossroads, with an early season loss to Baylor, another loss would really put them behind the eight ball in an ACC conference that has seen some supposed cellar dwellers take a step forward. The offense has had no issue putting up points, but what’s holding them back is the constant turnovers that have put their defensive unit in a tough spot. Kevin Jennings has not fixed the turnover issues that plagued him last year, but the addition of a solid rush attack highlighted by TJ Harden at least makes defenses respect the run game. Be on the lookout for standout transfer wide receiver Jordan Hudson to return to the Mustangs offense this week as he has been nursing a shoulder injury he sustained the first snap of the season. It’s not a certainty, but Hudson has been practicing and his addition alongside freshman Jalen Cooper can only help Jennings. On the other side, TCU is off to a strong 3-0 start in what looks to be a wide open Big 12 conference. Josh Hoover has taken another step forward this season, looking confident in the pocket and trusting his strong receiver core of Jordan Dwyer, Eric McAlister, and Joseph Manjack IV. The Horned Frogs rushing attack will be a key to this game if starter Kevorian Barnes is not healthy enough to play after leaving last week with a lower leg injury. If Barnes can’t suit up expect Hoover to really let it fly, and going up against a very suspect TCU defense, he could put up a crooked number.

Ole Miss vs Tulane Over 60.5 -110

Everyone and their mothers have been talking about the USF Bulls being a lock to be the Group of 5 team that will make the playoffs due to their strong start to the season, but keep an eye out for the Tulane Green Wave to crash the party. After all of the off field drama surrounding Jake Retzlaf has subsided, he looks like he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder and has put up very strong numbers to start the season. It’s still up in the air if we will see Ole Miss starting quarterback Austin Simmons suit up this week after missing his previous game against Arkansas, but Lane Kiffin should feel comfortable going with backup Trinidad Chambliss after he torched the Razorbacks defense for 353 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown and also chipping in 62 yards on the ground and 2 rushing touchdowns. The Rebels defense hasn’t looked too impressive to start the year, constantly getting pushed back and allowing opponents run game to thrive, something that I can see Retzlaf targeting early and often with his mobility. Tulane has shown that they are susceptible to explosive plays both on the ground and in the air, allowing Duke to hang around the game last week. I understand the number is high, but with two offenses willing to go for the home run, I think we get there.

Nebraska vs Michigan Over 44.5 -115 

Is Sharone Moore about to be Wally Pipp’d by the best name in college football in Biff Poggi? Probably not, but one can dream. It’s only been one game under Poggi during Moore’s suspension, but he’s shown the willingness to take the training wheels off of star recruit Bryce Underwood and allow him to do what he does best, run over defenses. Nebraska ranks in the bottom 10 of FBS programs on run defense, and for Michigan to put up points they are going to have to let Underwood and running back Justice Haynes take over and get dirty. Nebraska hasn’t played anyone of any notoriety in the last two weeks, but it does look like the game has slowed down for Dylan Raiola as he has thrown for 586 yards, 6 touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two weeks. The Cornhuskers are top 10 in quality drives and have shown the ability to finish once they get in the red zone, with Dane Key looking like Raiola’s top option in practically any situation on the field, the Michigan defense could have their hands full. 

On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon.