Lowell's Locks: Week Ten

Week Ten shows up on the heels of a slightly flat Week Nine. After runs of 4-2, 4-2, 5-1, and 4-2, we finally settled at 3-3. Wins were Texas A&M, Washington, and Vanderbilt. Losses were Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Florida. The season sits at 32–22 (59.3%). No reset button needed, just back to the drawing board.

Saturday, November 1st:

Penn State at #1 Ohio State (-18.5)

Ohio State’s defense squeezes you from the jump. If the Buckeyes win first down and keep Penn State in long fields, the middle quarters tilt fast. The scarlet script is more about field position and finishing drives than yardage totals.

Lowell’s Lock: Ohio State covers -18.5.

#9 Vanderbilt at #20 Texas (-3.5)

Texas is at home with more answers on third down. Vanderbilt can trade early if they hit explosives, but sustained drives are a tougher ask if the Longhorns control the line and avoid giveaways. If Texas plays from in front, depth shows up after halftime.

Lowell’s Lock: Texas covers -3.5.

#5 Georgia (-7.5) vs Florida (Jacksonville):

Georgia’s front four and red-zone defense travel to Jacksonville just fine. If the Bulldogs keep a lid on Florida’s shot plays and stay on schedule offensively, they grind this into a two-score game by the fourth. Short fields seal it.

Lowell’s Lock: Georgia covers -7.5.

#18 Oklahoma at #14 Tennessee (-2.5)

Neyland tilts the script if Tennessee stays clean. Oklahoma can punch with explosives, but the Vols’ best path is pace plus crowd pressure, forcing money-down mistakes. If Tennessee wins early downs, the last two possessions lean orange.

Lowell’s Lock: Tennessee covers -2.5.

South Carolina at #7 Ole Miss (-11.5):

Ole Miss can pull you wide, then hit shots once the run threatens leverage. South Carolina needs short fields to hang; if the Rebels cap LaNorris Sellers’ explosives and avoid the sudden-change giveaway, this can separate out of the break.

Lowell’s Lock: Ole Miss covers -11.5.

Duke at Clemson (-3.5):

Duke’s defense rallies and tackles, and the offense has lived in the quick game with enough shot equity to punish single coverage. If Duke stays ahead of the sticks and avoids the one ugly turnover that flips Death Valley, they can keep Clemson chasing. Fourth quarter favors the team that finishes red-zone trips.

Score Prediction: 31-24 Duke

Lowell’s Lock: Duke +3.5