Volume Three

Recap
Toledo San Jose State Over 57.5 – Loss. Toledo 21 San Jose State 17
Falcons -1 v Packers – Push. Falcons 25 Packers 24
Steelers +2.5 v Browns – WIN! Steelers 26 Browns 22
Season record 1-3-1
NFL 1-1-1
NCAAF 0-2

The board stays cloudy for me as I have only one NCAA and one NFL play. But as always, lets tap in with the Scarlet Knights first.

Michigan -24 v Rutgers
Your Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 3-0! They have blown out the three teams with a win margin of 21, and you cannot exactly say they were playing that bad of competition when they were basically 7 point favorites vs all three. That’s now the past, and the present is to play Michigan at Michigan. Let’s get a quick recap of Rutgers v Michigan. 2020 @ Rutgers we lost in triple OT where a 45 yard field goal would have won Rutgers the game in double OT. 2021 @ Michigan, a year where Michigan went to the college football playoffs, Rutgers lost 20-13. 2022 @ Rutgers, Rutgers took a 17-14 half time lead, before Michigan turned it around and won 52-17. For a team as good as Michigan that’s been to the CFP, and a team like Rutgers that struggles to make a bowl game, that’s good history!
That being said, I’d back Michigan here. Rutgers played three home games, now they have to go on the road for the first time this season. Michigan has been rallying behind the suspended Jim Harbaugh who will be back this weekend. The boys in Ann Arbor must be fired up and the coach won’t let them come out flat. What I love about Michigan is their balance on offense. JJ McCarthy has his two RBs to hand off to but he can also sling the rock unlike past Michigan QBs. You cannot load the box anymore vs this Michigan team and key in on the run. I really like Rutgers secondary, but the Rutgers defensive line hasn’t generated the pressure I’ve been expecting and now against an A+ offensive line I’m not sure how long these corners can hold on. I’ve said it on twitter plenty, this isn’t your same old Rutgers. I just think in this spot, where the Scarlet Knights are flying high, we falter this weekend.
Michigan 38 Rutgers 7

Notre Dame +3.5 v Ohio State
We head to the game of the weekend for my Korner pick between the #6 and #9 (niceee) teams in the Nation. Last year Ohio State averaged 44 points a game, and Notre Dame held them to 21. These are totally different teams this year, but the Notre Dame defense is still a strong unit. Through four games, eleven players on Notre Dame have either forced a fumble or caught an interception. The numbers aren’t there for the sacks because Notre Dame has played some run heavy teams, but they have talent on all three levels. Javontae Jean-Baptiste is an Ohio State transfer on the defensive line adding needed edge help. He has yet to have a sack but he’s been stellar vs the run. Notre Dame has strong linebackers and they just need their defensive lineman to eat blocks. Jack Kiser is off a 10 tackle game last week, and I expect him to be involved in slowing down TreVeyon Henderson and the run game. New Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord looks like a level below Ohio State’s excellent run of Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, and CJ Stroud. Notre Dame is allowing teams to complete 46.67% on them, and ball hawk Benjamin Morrison has been leading this unit. He now has 7 interceptions in his last 9 games, dating back to last year. Yes, Marvin Harrison Jr is the best receiver in football, but with all the guys Notre Dame can throw at him, I like the Irish’s defensive chances.
Ohio State got punked by Michigan the last two years. This Notre Dame offense reminds me so much of those two Michigan teams. Audric Estime is leading the nation in running, and has one stellar offensive line. Ohio State always recruits speed, but the physicality of Notre Dame should eat at them. The engine that makes this Notre Dame team a playoff caliber team to me is quarterback Sam Hartman. Now playing in his 53rd college game, Hartman is the ACC’s all time leader in passing touchdowns from his time at Wake Forest. He’s been spreading the ball around at Notre Dame as five of his targets are averaging at least 30 yards a game. This is a vulnerable Ohio State secondary and Hartman has the experience to take his shots. Notre Dame should wear down the speed of Ohio State’s defense as the game wears on, and I see the Irish coming out victorious.
Notre Dame 27 Ohio State 24

Steelers +2.5 at Raiders
Josh McDaniels is good at scripting but once the game settles in this offense hasn’t been humming. If you take away their 2 game script opening touchdowns, they have 1 touchdown, 2 field goals, 4 punts, 3 interceptions, and 1 drive ending in a fumble. This week they face a Steelers team that just sacked Deshaun Watson 6 times, recovered 3 fumbles, picked him off once, and scored twice on defense! Josh Jacobs is rushing for 1.6 yards per carry, and Jimmy G is throwing for under 200 a game. I get its only two games, but this Steeler defense can play and the way the Raiders are looking I just do not expect many points.
The Steelers have their own offensive struggle, but I see the talent and believe a bounce back is in the making. The Raiders have 4 sacks through 2 games, and have yet to force a turnover. This Steelers team had a great preseason, and Pickett finished strong last season, but he has 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Part of his struggles is that Harris and Warren have a combined 100 yards rushing. Through two Raider games, the Broncos and Bills running backs rushed 51 times for 271 yards, which is a stellar 5.3 yards per rush. If the Steelers cannot get back on track vs this defense then I’ll join the crowd with their “Fire Canada” (their OC) chant. The run game should open up the passing game, and Pickett will be able to take shots to George Pickens and co. Last week the Steelers pulled it out for me, I’m thinking things stay the same this week.
Steelers 21 Raiders 17

Thank you,
Goose