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That’s more like it! A 4-2 week pushes the locks back above .500, and we’re looking for more in what’s a relatively quiet slate this weekend.
The Gamecocks, Buckeyes, Ducks, and Rebels all took care of business for me, while the Bulldogs fell to Alabama yet again at home, and USC couldn’t escape Illinois in a classic Lincoln Riley letdown game.
Onto this weekend!
Saturday, October 4th
#16 Vanderbilt at #10 Alabama (-11.5):
Alabama is at home with a chance to settle the season and take the air out of Vanderbilt’s tempo. The Tide should win early downs and keep Diego Pavia out of rhythm by forcing longer fields. Alabama’s defense has been nicked in the front seven, but the rotational hits are less damaging at home with crowd juice and better substitution patterns. Vanderbilt’s leap is real, just harder to sustain when the explosives are capped and red-zone trips shrink.
Lowell’s Lock: Alabama -11.5
#9 Texas (-5.5) at Florida:
Texas has answers on both lines and more ways to finish drives. If the Longhorns protect the ball, their explosives punish soft edges, and the third-down script tilts in their favor. Personnel matters here: CB Malik Muhammad is trending questionable, but Texas expects help back on offense with Quintrevion Wisner and Emmett Mosley V available, which keeps balance intact. Florida gets a few bodies back, but the Gators still need plus field position to keep pace late.
Lowell’s Lock: Texas -5.5
#24 Virginia at Louisville (-6.5)
Louisville’s balance plays clean at home. The Cards can lean on efficiency early, then layer in shots once Virginia’s pass protection has to hold up for longer. Health nudges the same way with Louisville’s top backs tracking to contribute, while Virginia’s availability up front keeps the third-down stress high. If Louisville gets the first lead, the middle quarters belong to them.
Lowell’s Lock: Louisville -6.5
#11 Texas Tech (-11.5) at Houston
Houston can trade for a bit, but Tech’s front should dictate field position and shorten drives. This matchup swings if the Cougars are patching protection again, because Tech’s pressure profile creates short fields and cheap points. Houston added starting RT Dalton Merryman and OL Derek Joiner to the report and still lists a long out column, while Tech loses its top returner, Tristian Gentry, but not core offensive pieces. If the Red Raiders get into plus territory early, the cover stays live all game.
Lowell’s Lock: Texas Tech -11.5
#3 Miami (-4.5) at #18 Florida State
Miami’s defense and run game travel. If the Canes play from in front and keep the pocket clean, they can make FSU play left-handed in the fourth. The injury reports lean modestly toward Miami with volume but not top-end losses, while FSU’s availability around the backfield and skill depth will matter on third down. First to 24 usually wins this rivalry.
Lowell’s Lock: Miami -4.5
Clemson (-14) at North Carolina
Clemson’s defense sets the terms if it wins first down and makes UNC string together long drives. The Tigers have come out of the bye in better health, while UNC’s quarterback situation is trending the wrong way, which tightens the Heels’ explosive ceiling. If Clemson avoids giveaways, the Tigers can stack punts, win field position, and let their run game close out the game.
Score Prediction: 31-14 Clemson
Lowell’s Lock: Clemson -14
Lowell’s Locks |
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| Weekly Results | Season Results | |
| Week 1 | 3-3 | 3-3 |
| Week 2 | 5-1 | 8-4 |
| Week 3 | 1-5 | 9-9 |
| Week 4 | 3-3 | 12-12 |
| Week 5 | 4-2 | 16-14 |
| Week 6 | ||
| Week 7 | ||
| Week 8 | ||
| Week 9 | ||
| Week 10 | ||
| Week 11 | ||
| Week 12 | ||
| Week 13 | ||
| Conference Championships | ||
