Don’t fear Demon Deacons
Last week, Wake Forest lost to Louisville, 48-21, in one of the oddest games you’ll ever see. The Demon Deacons committed six turnovers … in the third quarter. Overall, Wake turned the ball over eight times and Louisville scored two defensive touchdowns.
I was on Louisville +4, but now, we have a great bounce-back spot for Wake Forest as a 3-point favorite at North Carolina State. We are getting some value on this line because of the debacle last Saturday. If the Demon Deacons had won that game, this line would be closer to -7. That’s the kind of performance I throw out the window because it’s not the norm for QB Sam Hartman and the Wake Forest offense.
The pick: Wake Forest -3. MEMPHIS (+3.5) over Central Florida: Memphis comes in the loser of three straight. The Tigers needed a mental break and now return home where they have been much more profitable under coach Ryan Silverfield.
The home team has also dominated this series over the last decade, going a remarkable 11-0 ATS. UCF’s starting quarterback John Rhys Plumlee is questionable with an injury, so it could be backup Mikey Keene getting the start on the road. I’ll back Memphis getting over a field goal at home.
NOTRE DAME (+3.5) over Clemson: There aren’t many tougher places to play a college football game than in South Bend at night. I think Clemson is the most overrated team in the country. The Tigers beat Wake Forest, Florida State and Syracuse each by six points. I expect another tight game on Saturday night.
This isn’t a great Notre Dame team by any means, but Clemson enters the game with question marks at quarterback and is laying more than a field goal in a hostile environment. To quote the great Lloyd Christmas in “Dumb and Dumber” — “I’m gonna go with my instincts on this one.” Saddle up, Notre Dame. KANSAS (-1) over Oklahoma State: My sources have been money with early quarterback information.
This week, I’m hearing Kansas QB Jalon Daniels is likely to return on Saturday. I’ll ride with the Jayhawks at home.
LAST WEEK: 1-2. Eastern Michigan (W), USC (L), Ohio State (L) SEASON: 15-13-1.
Thomas Casale handicaps college football for Action Network.