2024 College Football - Week 6: Barking Dogs
Oct 4, 2024 22:24:30 GMT -6
HunterMorrow and legendsofthenorth like this
Post by Uncle on Oct 4, 2024 22:24:30 GMT -6
From a quick, driveby glance at the Week 6 lineup of the 2024 College Football season, it doesn't seem like there's much going on - we only have one matchup between Top 25 teams...8 of the Top 25 teams on a BYE...and most of the Top 10 teams in-action are double-digit favorites in their respective matchups...
...but if you get out of the car, open the gates and take a closer look, you might just see some "barking dogs" ready to make a little noise.
We had 3 teams in the Top 10 fall last week and many fans might think that the schedule-makers were giving everyone a week-off to take a doggy-nap and recuperate, but you know what they say about sleeping dogs: you don't let them lie...
...because they have a heck of a bite when you least expect it...
Saturday, October 5th - Early Afternoon Games
#9 Missouri @ #25 Texas A&M - Noon ET (ABC); spread is Texas A&M -2.5
The only matchup between Top 25 teams takes place early in the day in College Station as the #9 Tigers go on the road for the first time this season after some close calls against Boston College and Vandy the last 2 weeks. You'd think a Top 10 team like Missouri would be favored against the 25th ranked Aggies, even if A&M is playing at home, but Vegas doesn't think so. The Aggies had plenty of "bark" last week in Jerry's House as they took out Arkansas. A&M QB Conner Weigman might not play, but the Aggies had a solid game behind redshirt Freshman QB Marcel Reed last week and he gives the Aggie offense a solid ground attack against a Tigers defense that has given up some rushing yards this season. If Missouri is going to remain undefeated and a legit Playoff threat, they are going to need QB Brady Cook to perform better in the air than he's shown so far this season. This one could be an exciting shootout to get the day going.
SMU @ #22 Louisville - Noon ET (ESPN); spread is Louisville -6.5
The Mustangs came into 2024 with some momentum after a terrific 2023, but stubbed their toe vs BYU and nearly did in their opener @ Nevada. QB Preston Stone has been replaced by Kevin Jennings who has reignited their offense to a 66-42 win over TCU and a 42-16 win over FSU. On the other side, even though Louisville fell to Nortre Dame in South Bend last week, they outgained the Fighting Irish by 154 yds and only lost due to 3 turnovers. Both teams are fighting to gain relevancy in the ACC this season and just like the Missouri/Texas A&M matchup, this one could very well be an entertaining, high-scoring affair.
Saturday, October 5th - Mid Afternoon Games
#12 Ole Miss @ South Carolina - 3:30PM ET (ESPN); spread is Ole Miss -9.5
This was supposed to be the season in which Lane Kiffin and the Rebels finally break through in the SEC with Kiffin's former boss, Nick Saban, finally retired and out of the Conference...but Ole Miss fell to an underdog Kentucky team that took a big 'ol "bite" out of Kiffin's Playoff chances. Now the Rebels travel on the road to Columbia to take on another upstart underdog Gamecock squad that nearly upset LSU earlier this season. The Gamecocks have one of the better defensive fronts in the SEC and they play a very disciplined, ball-control style approach on offense, just the type of team Ole Miss lost to last weekend. If the Rebels offense can't get firing, Kiffin's Playoff dreams will turn into a nightmare halfway through the College Regular season.
Iowa @ #3 Ohio St - 3:30PM ET (CBS); spread is Ohio St -19.5
While the Buckeyes have a team loaded with NFL talent, they haven't played anyone in 2024 so far to prove how good they can be - that changes on Saturday as Iowa will be by far the biggest challenge Ohio St has faced so far in 2024. The Hawkeyes are known for playing a stout, disciplined defense, but they've also scored really well for them in 2024 with point totals of 40, 38 and 31 in their 3 wins. The Buckeyes have big games coming up on their schedule beyond Iowa with a big road trip to Eugene in Week 7 so this could serve as a bit of a trap for Ohio St if they aren't careful.
Rutgers @ Nebraska - 4PM ET (FS1); spread is Nebraska -7
The undefeated Scarlett Knights have a relatively easy schedule by BIG10 standards as they will be avoiding Ohio St, Michigan, Penn St and Oregon this year, and they have their eye on a possible spot in the BIG10 Championship. One possible speed bump in that plan? The Cornhuskers and the "Sea of Red" in Lincoln on Saturday, who have some big plans in 2024 of their own. Th Huskers are on pace to get into a decent Bowl Game this year and have an outside chance of gettingo the BIG10 Championship if they can win out. Rutgers has been one of the feel-good stories of the College Football season, but all dreams must end sooner or later and the it might be time for Rutgers to wake up.
Saturday, October 5th - Evening Games
#15 Clemson @ FSU - 7PM ET (ESPN); spread is Clemson -14.5
Going into the 2024 season, many thought this Regular Season matchup could determine a spot in the ACC Championship, but after FSU's struggles early as they started 0-3, this game lost its luster. After getting blasted by Georgia in the opener, Clemson has really turned it on and has become a factor for a Playoff spot, so on paper this one doesn't look like it will be a good matchup. But FSU is still loaded with talent, even if it hasn't lived up to expectations, and these are the types of games that can be more dangerous for the favorite as the underdog has nothing to play for and will likely pull out all the stops. I wouldn't be surprised if, for one night, the Seminoles resemble the team they were expected to be in 2024 and stun the Tigers.
#4 Tennessee @ Arkansas - 7:30PM (ABC); spread is Tennessee -13.5
Speaking of teams that are backed up into a corner, Arkansas HC Sam Pittman is seemingly on his last legs in Fayetteville and needs a big win to keep him in Ozark country beyond 2024. While the Razorbacks have already dropped 2 games, those losses were a close loss at Oklahoma St and a hard-fought loss to Texas A&M @ Jerry's House in Week 5, and they are a team that can put up a good fight vs anyone in the country. Tennessee has been one of the best teams in the country in 2024 and look to be a Playoff team, but their redshirt Freshman phenom QB, Nico Iamaleava, is ripe for a "learning experience" type of game and that could come on Saturday night in primetime at Razorback Stadium.
Saturday, October 5th - Late Game
#8 Miami @ Cal - 10:30PM ET (ESPN); spread is Miami -10
ESPN College Gameday will be at Berkeley on Saturday morning, on-the-air at 6AM local time, which will be about 12+ hours before this game kicks-off at 7:30PM in California. The Hurricanes miraculously survived at home in Week 5 vs Virginia Tech, and now they travel all the way from South Florida to the West Coast to take on a rejuvinated Golden Bears program that has played really well this season with the exception of a loss @ FSU in their ACC opener. Cal should have RB Jaydn Ott - one of the better RB's in the country - back for this one as they continue to look and make some noise this year. The Golden Bears defense has been pretty good this year, ranking in the Top 20 in yards per play and points allowed, and they'll need it because Miami QB Cam Ward is used to playing out West (played for Washington St the last 2 yrs) and has the Canes at the top in the ACC and in-the-hunt for a Playoff spot. Since we don't have the "PAC-12 After Dark" this season, this will be the "ACC After Dark".
A "barking dog" in betting slang is an underdog team who is attractive to bet due to an overably favorable pointspread....
...which "barking dog" do you think will be "biting" a win in Week 6?
...but if you get out of the car, open the gates and take a closer look, you might just see some "barking dogs" ready to make a little noise.
We had 3 teams in the Top 10 fall last week and many fans might think that the schedule-makers were giving everyone a week-off to take a doggy-nap and recuperate, but you know what they say about sleeping dogs: you don't let them lie...
...because they have a heck of a bite when you least expect it...
Saturday, October 5th - Early Afternoon Games
#9 Missouri @ #25 Texas A&M - Noon ET (ABC); spread is Texas A&M -2.5
The only matchup between Top 25 teams takes place early in the day in College Station as the #9 Tigers go on the road for the first time this season after some close calls against Boston College and Vandy the last 2 weeks. You'd think a Top 10 team like Missouri would be favored against the 25th ranked Aggies, even if A&M is playing at home, but Vegas doesn't think so. The Aggies had plenty of "bark" last week in Jerry's House as they took out Arkansas. A&M QB Conner Weigman might not play, but the Aggies had a solid game behind redshirt Freshman QB Marcel Reed last week and he gives the Aggie offense a solid ground attack against a Tigers defense that has given up some rushing yards this season. If Missouri is going to remain undefeated and a legit Playoff threat, they are going to need QB Brady Cook to perform better in the air than he's shown so far this season. This one could be an exciting shootout to get the day going.
SMU @ #22 Louisville - Noon ET (ESPN); spread is Louisville -6.5
The Mustangs came into 2024 with some momentum after a terrific 2023, but stubbed their toe vs BYU and nearly did in their opener @ Nevada. QB Preston Stone has been replaced by Kevin Jennings who has reignited their offense to a 66-42 win over TCU and a 42-16 win over FSU. On the other side, even though Louisville fell to Nortre Dame in South Bend last week, they outgained the Fighting Irish by 154 yds and only lost due to 3 turnovers. Both teams are fighting to gain relevancy in the ACC this season and just like the Missouri/Texas A&M matchup, this one could very well be an entertaining, high-scoring affair.
Saturday, October 5th - Mid Afternoon Games
#12 Ole Miss @ South Carolina - 3:30PM ET (ESPN); spread is Ole Miss -9.5
This was supposed to be the season in which Lane Kiffin and the Rebels finally break through in the SEC with Kiffin's former boss, Nick Saban, finally retired and out of the Conference...but Ole Miss fell to an underdog Kentucky team that took a big 'ol "bite" out of Kiffin's Playoff chances. Now the Rebels travel on the road to Columbia to take on another upstart underdog Gamecock squad that nearly upset LSU earlier this season. The Gamecocks have one of the better defensive fronts in the SEC and they play a very disciplined, ball-control style approach on offense, just the type of team Ole Miss lost to last weekend. If the Rebels offense can't get firing, Kiffin's Playoff dreams will turn into a nightmare halfway through the College Regular season.
Iowa @ #3 Ohio St - 3:30PM ET (CBS); spread is Ohio St -19.5
While the Buckeyes have a team loaded with NFL talent, they haven't played anyone in 2024 so far to prove how good they can be - that changes on Saturday as Iowa will be by far the biggest challenge Ohio St has faced so far in 2024. The Hawkeyes are known for playing a stout, disciplined defense, but they've also scored really well for them in 2024 with point totals of 40, 38 and 31 in their 3 wins. The Buckeyes have big games coming up on their schedule beyond Iowa with a big road trip to Eugene in Week 7 so this could serve as a bit of a trap for Ohio St if they aren't careful.
Rutgers @ Nebraska - 4PM ET (FS1); spread is Nebraska -7
The undefeated Scarlett Knights have a relatively easy schedule by BIG10 standards as they will be avoiding Ohio St, Michigan, Penn St and Oregon this year, and they have their eye on a possible spot in the BIG10 Championship. One possible speed bump in that plan? The Cornhuskers and the "Sea of Red" in Lincoln on Saturday, who have some big plans in 2024 of their own. Th Huskers are on pace to get into a decent Bowl Game this year and have an outside chance of gettingo the BIG10 Championship if they can win out. Rutgers has been one of the feel-good stories of the College Football season, but all dreams must end sooner or later and the it might be time for Rutgers to wake up.
Saturday, October 5th - Evening Games
#15 Clemson @ FSU - 7PM ET (ESPN); spread is Clemson -14.5
Going into the 2024 season, many thought this Regular Season matchup could determine a spot in the ACC Championship, but after FSU's struggles early as they started 0-3, this game lost its luster. After getting blasted by Georgia in the opener, Clemson has really turned it on and has become a factor for a Playoff spot, so on paper this one doesn't look like it will be a good matchup. But FSU is still loaded with talent, even if it hasn't lived up to expectations, and these are the types of games that can be more dangerous for the favorite as the underdog has nothing to play for and will likely pull out all the stops. I wouldn't be surprised if, for one night, the Seminoles resemble the team they were expected to be in 2024 and stun the Tigers.
#4 Tennessee @ Arkansas - 7:30PM (ABC); spread is Tennessee -13.5
Speaking of teams that are backed up into a corner, Arkansas HC Sam Pittman is seemingly on his last legs in Fayetteville and needs a big win to keep him in Ozark country beyond 2024. While the Razorbacks have already dropped 2 games, those losses were a close loss at Oklahoma St and a hard-fought loss to Texas A&M @ Jerry's House in Week 5, and they are a team that can put up a good fight vs anyone in the country. Tennessee has been one of the best teams in the country in 2024 and look to be a Playoff team, but their redshirt Freshman phenom QB, Nico Iamaleava, is ripe for a "learning experience" type of game and that could come on Saturday night in primetime at Razorback Stadium.
Saturday, October 5th - Late Game
#8 Miami @ Cal - 10:30PM ET (ESPN); spread is Miami -10
ESPN College Gameday will be at Berkeley on Saturday morning, on-the-air at 6AM local time, which will be about 12+ hours before this game kicks-off at 7:30PM in California. The Hurricanes miraculously survived at home in Week 5 vs Virginia Tech, and now they travel all the way from South Florida to the West Coast to take on a rejuvinated Golden Bears program that has played really well this season with the exception of a loss @ FSU in their ACC opener. Cal should have RB Jaydn Ott - one of the better RB's in the country - back for this one as they continue to look and make some noise this year. The Golden Bears defense has been pretty good this year, ranking in the Top 20 in yards per play and points allowed, and they'll need it because Miami QB Cam Ward is used to playing out West (played for Washington St the last 2 yrs) and has the Canes at the top in the ACC and in-the-hunt for a Playoff spot. Since we don't have the "PAC-12 After Dark" this season, this will be the "ACC After Dark".
A "barking dog" in betting slang is an underdog team who is attractive to bet due to an overably favorable pointspread....
...which "barking dog" do you think will be "biting" a win in Week 6?
... and neither is this Chris guy.