Lowell's Locks: Week Six

Clemson Sports Talk

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What a tough weekend last weekend for the Locks. Utah had no answers on offense against Oregon State, Kansas lost starting quarterback Jalon Daniels to back tightness in pregame warmups and never got going against Texas. Then Notre Dame crushed my hopes and dreams from the other side by rallying and scoring to beat and cover against Duke late, plus LSU decided that defense is fully optional in losing 55-49 to Ole Miss. Clemson and Tennessee were the only ones to handle business last weekend. But it’s how you bounce back.

On to this weekend’s games.

Saturday, October 7th

#12 Oklahoma vs. #3 Texas (-5.5) in Dallas:

Other than last season’s blowout, this always ends up being a tight game. Oklahoma’s defense is finally showing signs of the Brent Venables touch, allowing just 10.8 points per game and looking faster and more disciplined than in the past. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been outstanding for an explosive offense as well. The big knock on the Sooners is the lack of true competition on the schedule so far. Texas has a win over Alabama on the resume, so that isn’t an issue for them. The Longhorns may be the most complete team in the country, and Quinn Ewers is playing as well as anyone, but I really like how the Sooners are playing ball right now. Expect a field goal game one way or the other,

Lowell’s Lock: Oklahoma covers +5.5

#11 Alabama (-2) at Texas A&M:

It’s hard not to notice how emphatically the Crimson Tide have bounced back from that loss to Texas. The defense, in particular, has been playing out of their minds. Since giving up 34 points to Texas, they’ve given up 30 combined over the last three games, including holding the sixth-ranked scoring offense and eighth-ranked total offense in Ole Miss to just 10 points and 301 yards. The Aggies have home-field, and maybe with Conner Weigman playing quarterback in this one, they can pull it off, but it’s hard to trust A&M in this spot with him lost for the season due to a foot injury. 

Lowell’s Lock: Alabama covers -2

#20 Kentucky at #1 Georgia (-14.5):

The recent games in this series have been rooted in defense, and you can expect that to continue in this one. The Kentucky rushing attack ran wild last weekend against Florida, but you can probably expect that to tighten up some in this one. The Bulldogs aren’t winning pretty, but they’re winning, and the rushing attack has started to wake up with Daijun Edwards’ return from injury. I like Georgia at home too much here in a defensive slugfest where they pull away late.

Lowell’s Lock: Georgia covers -14.5

#10 Notre Dame (-6.5) at #25 Louisville::

Notre Dame survived what I thought was a sure upset by rallying and scoring late against Duke last weekend. With that game out of the way, I think the Irish are in a good spot here. Louisville has gotten off to a 5-0 start, but I’m sure not fully a believer in their offense. Notre Dame outclasses them on both sides of the ball, and it shows in a double-digit win on the road.

Lowell’s Lock: Notre Dame covers -6.5

Wake Forest at Clemson (-21):

Clemson is starting to look better by the week. I actually think the Tigers played a better-looking game against Florida State, but there was a workmanlike feeling to the performance last week against Syracuse, where it felt like you knew from start to finish who the superior team was. Wake Forest quarterback Mitch Griffs will be making his first power-five road start in Death Valley, and he’ll do it behind an offensive line that is giving up four and a half sacks per game. The Tigers just got five sacks last weekend against Syracuse. The Demon Deacons just don’t have the horses as a surging Clemson cruises in this one.

Score Prediction: 41-13 Clemson

Lowell’s Lock: Clemson covers -21

Until next week, folks.