Week Three

After Friday night when I talked about the KState defense having a backbone I was feeling good about the weekend. Virginia, who I also thought would win outright, was a no-show on Saturday and did not hold up their end of the bargain for scoring and the over. As for Sunday, I was worried Joe Burrow’s wrist was cooked. He looked healthy which is great for football but was bad for our pockets.

In my fandom state of football … I’m so glad the Jaguars trapped Trevor Lawrence. Their 0-2 start shows how bad the team is when they have a top10 QB in the NFL. As we get further and further from the Eagles 2017 Super Bowl run it flat out confuses me how a Doug Pederson coached team won, and won with Nick Foles. He’s stubborn and doesn’t seem like he has Trevor’s back, which is also supported by his beef with Carson Wentz. Now the Jags have to go to Buffalo who looks as complete as years passed and faces 0-3. Whatever.

Huge Rutgers Football game this weekend. VaTech is very balanced and people discredit them for losing Week 0 to a Vandy team that runs a triple option style offense. They got popped by a veteran QB and it happens. VaTech will have a White Out and I’m sure their stadium will be more than rocking. I will be at a wedding that day but best believe I’ll be checking my phone for updates. Last year, linebacker Tyreem Powell had 11 tackles v VaTech, this year he has yet to play, and honestly with how secretive college injury reports are, I do not know if he will play this weekend. Rutgers needs him slowing down this great run attack. VaTech will pound a run and stretch your secondary out vertically. It always seems like Rutgers plays the run better than the pass, but Sciano has a little something cooking with this year’s secondary. Seniors Rob Longerbeam, Eric Rogers, Shaq Loyal, and Desmond Igbinosun have had a fine start to the season, Flip Dixon has yet to make an impact but I know it’s coming, and freshman Kaj Sanders is getting acclimated and I really believe in his talent. You need to play great on the road to come away with victories, and I believe our secondary is ready to do their part and steal a turnover or two vs the dynamic Kyron Drones. Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis has some nice zip on his ball, but the decision making has been interesting at times. He’s a veteran and I hope he’s reminded to not be a hero. Pound the rock with hopeful Heisman candidate Kyle Monangai, get the ball in the receivers hands, and don’t force your shots. It’s go time baby LETS CHOP.

Kansas State -7 – HIT!
Virginia Maryland o57.5 – Miss.
Chiefs -5 – Miss.
2024 NCAA 2-3
2024 NFL 1-1
NCAA 110-113-5
NFL 144-119-10
254-233-15

Navy +9 v Memphis
Memphis is riding high after going to FSU and taking a victory. Navy is a very hard team to prepare for, so sign me up for a team off an emotional high. Navy’s new OC is paying early dividends and they are getting the hang of what they call the “millennial Wing T.” This incorporates a little more passing, as their QB has back to back 100 yard passing games, and really emphasizes the outside runs. Navy also got a full extra week to prepare for the Memphis game as they had an early bye week. Navy is usually one of the least penalized teams in the nation and they normally don’t turn the ball over. Memphis won’t have many mistakes to capitalize off of so they will have to make the most out of their opportunities to go to Annapolis and win by double digits. Navy put up 49 vs Bucknell and 38 vs Temple, and while they are inferior to Memphis, this offense can score. I look for Navy to keep this at a one possession game.

USF +17 v Miami
Miami isn’t the only team in this matchup with an exciting quarterback. USF’s Byrum Brown is a true dual threat QB. His passing numbers might not be there at just 150 yards a game, but he rushes for 85 yards a game! USF keeps the ball on the ground and only has one turnover this season. They recently went to Alabama where Bama had a narrow 14-13 lead after 3 before routing them scoring 28 in the 4th, but you’ll get that fatigue when an AAC school goes to an SEC school. USF will not be intimidated by the opposing team’s helmet. Miami has looked dominant but they’ve had a weak schedule to start the year. But, they were -2.5 at Florida, and now -16.5 vs USF. The line feels a little inflated since they punched Florida in the mouth and beat up on FAMU and Ball State. I’m not saying USF has better athletes than Miami, but I think USF’s speed on both sides of the ball will keep them within shouting distance. Their 3 RBs and QB average 6 yards a carry and this allows them to cycle through fresh legs throughout the game. Their speed on defense shouldn’t be overlooked either. They were swarming the ball vs Alabama through three quarters, forcing three fumbles and giving it their all. Bring that same effort, with what their home crowd will treat as their Super Bowl, and I see a nail biter in Tampa.

Colts -1.5 v Bears
The Colts got embarrassed last week giving up 261 rush yards to the Jordan LoveLess Packers. Good news for them, Chicago does not want to run the ball. They are bottom 7 in run percentage, and are averaging a third worst 3.5 yards per carry. D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert can play, but they aren’t calling their number, and the Bears OLine has been surprisingly horrible. The Bears defense has been great, and I’m sure they’ll make the loose cannon Anthony Richardson chalk up the ball once or twice, but you can run on this Bears front. Colts coach Shane Steichen ran a masterclass when Richardson went down last season, with a RPO heavy system peppering Michael Pittman Jr. Gardner Minshew and Anthony Richardson are two extremely different QBs but I trust the coach to get back to what made them a borderline playoff team last season and slow it down for Richardson. Get the ball to Taylor, get the ball to Pittman, and take shots but not every darn play. The Colts are too talented to start 0-3 and I expect a coaching masterclass.

Thank you,
Goose