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Week Eight shows up with some juice. Last week, the Locks landed a massive 5-1 record with Clemson, LSU, Alabama, Ohio State, and Indiana as the hits and Oklahoma as the miss, and the season sits at 25-17. No chest thumping, just a cleaner read on early downs, field position, and who finishes drives. The board tightens in late October, so we stay selective and look for spots that let us pull away in the second half of the season.
Some more huge games are on the way this week. Let's dive into it.
Saturday, October 17th
#10 LSU at #17 Vanderbilt (-1.5):
Vanderbilt has been cooking at home, and this number says the market respects the Commodores’ jump. LSU can win the explosives battle, but longer fields in Nashville are a different ask if Vandy controls early downs and tempo. If the ‘Dores keep red-zone trips to sevens, they can squeeze the middle quarters and make LSU chase.
Lowell’s Lock: Vanderbilt covers -1.5
#5 Ole Miss at #9 Georgia (-7.5)
Georgia gets this in Athens, but Ole Miss has the shots to make them defend grass. If the Bulldogs win with four and keep a lid on explosives, they can grind it into their game in the second half. If Ole Miss lands two haymakers, the cover is live all the way. Market and most previews lean tight, with some outlets seeing value on the Rebels to the number, others trusting Georgia’s depth late. I trust the home front to finish drives.
Lowell’s Lock: Georgia covers -7.5
#11 Tennessee at #6 Alabama (-7.5)
Bryant-Denny is a problem, and Alabama’s recent form backs it up. If the Tide stay ahead of the sticks and protect the ball, the crowd and defense do a lot of the work. Tennessee can trade if they hit explosives, but sustained drives are tougher here. Ty Simpson’s surge has steadied Alabama’s offense, and if the run game is competent, the Vols are the ones chasing late.
Lowell’s Lock: Alabama -7.5
#23 Utah (-3.5) at #15 BYU
Holy War usually turns on field position and third down. Utah brings the sturdier defense right now, and that travels. BYU’s path is pace plus explosives; if Utah limits the freebies and wins the money downs, the cover sits inside normal game flow.
Lowell’s Lock: Utah covers -3.5
#13 Oklahoma (-4.5) at South Carolina:
Oklahoma’s defense can set the terms if they keep South Carolina behind the sticks. The Sooners get their quarterback, John Mateer, fully available after returning for Red River, which restores QB run and second-reaction throws. If OU finishes a couple of short fields, the number holds up even in a road spot.
Lowell’s Lock: Oklahoma covers -4.5
SMU at Clemson (-5.5)
Clemson’s defense has settled in, and that’s the side that travels. The question is under center: Cade Klubnik has been listed as questionable this week, and local reports expect Clemson to be prepared for a backup plan. If the Tigers avoid giveaways and play on a short field or two, the defense can carry the cover. If Klubnik is ruled in and reasonably mobile, this moves from lean to lock.
Score Prediction: 27-20 Clemson
Lowell’s Lock: Clemson covers -5.5
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 | 4-2 | 20-16 |
| Week 7 | 5-1 | 25-17 |
| Week 8 | ||
| Week 9 | ||
| Week 10 | ||
| Week 11 | ||
| Week 12 | ||
| Week 13 | ||
| Conference Championships | ||
