Lowell's Locks: Week Seven

A 4-2 week pushes the Locks to 23-13 on the year, the first time getting ten games over .500 for the season. The surprises of the week were South Carolina topping Kentucky and UCLA taking it to Utah. Everything else went chalk, and hopefully, another perfect week is on the horizon this week. There are some very interesting matchups on the slate this week, so let’s get it!

Saturday, October 15th

#10 Penn State at #5 Michigan (-7):

These two teams are like someone looking in a mirror. Both have dynamic ground games, both have been very good at stopping the run, and both have found a groove through the air lately. I trust JJ McCarthy a little more than I trust Sean Clifford, and I’m looking for Michigan running back Blake Corum to seal the game with a late touchdown in the Big House...but it won’t be enough to cover the spread in what should be a slobber knocker. 

Lowell’s Lock: Penn State covers +7

#15 NC State at #18 Syracuse (-3.5):

Syracuse is looking to get a big win over NC State and set up a potential undefeated showdown with Clemson in Death Valley next week. NC State is coming off a close win over FSU in which starting quarterback Devin Leary went out hurt, and it seems unlikely he’ll return this week. The Syracuse defense has been suffocating this season; the offense has done just enough, and with Leary out, the Orange won’t need much more to escape with a huge win.

Lowell’s Lock: Syracuse covers -3.5

#3 Alabama (-9) at #6 Tennessee:

My initial instinct was to jump all over Tennessee for this game. The upstart program with dynamic players, a coach with a great mind who’s installed an explosive system, and a program that’s trying to get a huge win over Alabama and Nick Saban and establish itself as a new force in the SEC. Where have I seen this story before? 

Oh yeah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3MLIeMSAE

Does anyone remember how that one ended? I won’t be fooled again. Don’t bet against Saban in a big game.

Lowell’s Lock: Alabama covers -9

#8 Oklahoma State at #13 TCU (-4):

For the second straight week, TCU is going to find itself in a fun, good old-fashioned Big 12 game. TCU’s Max Duggan is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the country, and look for that to continue against an Oklahoma State secondary that has been shaky at times. However, Oklahoma State is great at getting pressure, and their offense is no slouch either, coming in at second overall in the Big 12 right behind TCU. The ability of the Cowboys to get pressure will make a difference as one of these two undefeated teams will fall.

Lowell’s Lock: Oklahoma State covers +4

#7 USC at #20 Utah (-3.5):

Wait...the #7 team in the country is a 3.5-point dog to the #20 team? How is that possible? 

Because despite the two losses, Utah is still a very good, physical team. They love to run the ball, and they’re going to run all over a USC defense that’s giving up over 150 yards per game on the ground alone. The Trojans will make their fair share of plays, but the Utes are going to keep that dynamic Lincoln Riley offense on the sidelines for too long for it to matter. We get a stunner in the Pac-12. 

Lowell’s Lock: Utah covers -3.5

#5 Clemson (-4.5) at Florida State:

This line doesn’t make much sense to me. Florida State loves to run the football, and Clemson is giving up just 63 YPG on the ground, good for second in the country. When forced to throw last week against NC State, the Seminoles managed to score just 17 points, completed just 50 percent of their attempts, and threw two interceptions. On the other side of the ball, Florida State is giving up 155 YPG on the ground, and Clemson has found a groove with its rushing attack over the past few weeks. Add in the improved play from both DJ Uiagalelei and the protection from the offensive line, and things swing heavily toward the Tigers.

To me, this all adds up to things going downhill, potentially quickly, if Clemson can get off to a hot start for once. Score prediction: Clemson, 34-17

Lowell’s Lock: Clemson covers -4.5