Lowell's Locks: College football week nine

Feel the difference - The best user experience on mobile devices or personal computers. Avoid clickbait and sites bloated with advertising!  Join us today for just $1 or get a full year for $63.17.

Register for a FREE ACCOUNT today and you are entered to win a LIMITED EDITION Clemson football. ← Learn More

Now that’s what I’m talking about! After back to back 2-4 weeks, I bounced back big time with a 5-1 record last week. The one loss was Washington covering against Oregon, and Washington actually led for much of that contest. On the bright side, while Jim Harbaugh may not have gotten a win against a top ten team, they did cover the spread. And you know what they say, good teams win, great teams cover. Michigan is great in my book.

After such a spectacular week, I think it’s fair to ask; has the greatness of Deshaun Watson finally rubbed off on Lowell’s Locks? Only one way to find out. In the immortal words of Deshaun Watson, let’s go be great in week nine.

Saturday, October 26th

#13 Wisconsin at #3 Ohio State (-14.5):

Wisconsin lost to Illinois last week, which puts a little bit of a damper on the hype for this game. Ohio State better not sleep on the Badgers, however. Wisconsin is the type of team that has caused major upsets of the Buckeyes over the past few seasons (Iowa, anyone?). With Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin will be able to control the clock, and the Badgers’ defense is unlike anything Ohio State has seen this season. That allows this game to go four quarters.

Lowell’s Lock: Wisconsin covers +14.5

Miami at Pittsburgh (-5.5):

It feels like Miami has quit in Manny Diaz’s first season. After losing to Georgia Tech, who is transitioning from the triple option to the spread, Diaz stated that Miami was, in fact, the team trying to rebuild. Not a great look. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is playing to try and tighten their grip on the ACC Coastal.

Lowell’s Lock: Pittsburgh covers -5.5

#6 Penn State (-6) at Michigan State:

Sometimes you look at a line and wonder what it is you’re missing, or what it is that Vegas knows. Michigan State’s offense has been offensive this season, scoring 23.9 points per game. Meanwhile, Penn State is dropping 40 per game and has shown the ability to be incredibly explosive. Michigan State has a good defense, but they won’t get any help from the offense, and Penn State will explode in the second half.

Lowell’s Lock: Penn State covers -6

#9 Auburn at #2 LSU (-10.5):

This is the perfect trap for LSU. They have a bye week on the horizon, in which they’ll get to rest up and plan for Alabama. Auburn is coming off a huge win against Arkansas in which they got their offensive groove back. Auburn’s defense will also be able to knock Joe Burrow around some. This feels like a four-quarter game and might end up as a very stressful game for the Bayou Bengals.

Lowell’s Lock: Auburn covers +10.5

South Carolina (-4.5) at Tennessee:

Both teams are struggling offensively, and both defenses are starting to find some footing. That, combined with a weather forecast of rain, should make you really like the under at 47.5. But that’s not why we’re here. Without Brian Maurer, it’s hard to see Tennessee being able to do much of anything offensively. In an environment that’s expected to be wet and sloppy, and without starting back Rico Dowdle, expect the Gamecocks to feed Tavien Feaster and bust off a few big runs to pull away.

Lowell’s Lock: South Carolina covers -4.5

Boston College at #4 Clemson (-34):

If you thought Clemson might be mad after dropping in the polls following their obliteration of Florida State, I shudder to think about the anger levels of the Tigers following another drop after a 45-10 win last weekend. Without quarterback Anthony Brown, Boston College will have no ability to stretch the field against a ferocious Clemson defense who will keep nine defenders in the box at all times. Boston College has struggled defensively this season as well, and Clemson has something to prove on that side of the ball. Tigers roll.

Lowell’s Lock: Clemson covers -34