Cover 4: Give Me Offense Or Give Me Death
Cover 4: Give Me Offense Or Give Me Death
Six winners against the spread for week two of the college football season.
Week one has finally arrived -- and, thanks to week zero, we're "starting" the season with a winning record.
The theme for this week is the underrated underdog. Three teams with three offensive-minded new coaches are being given lots of points and that (maybe, potentially, we hope) is a recipe for success.
Dig in.
Tulsa loses virtually every skill player from a unit that ranked fourth in total offense a season ago. And, while a veteran offensive line figures to smooth the transition for the Golden Hurricane, the host 'Pokes are strong on offense and will score virtually at will against the visitors. Even if Philip Montgomery's new guys are quick studies, this one doesn't figure to be their one shining moment.
Did I talk you into it? Great. Now let me ruin it: I don't know if I've ever picked an Oklahoma State game correctly in my life.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC (+14.5) over Navy
Friday, Sept. 1 | 8 PM ET | Boca Raton, FL (FAU Stadium)
Lane Kiffin still hasn't announced whether his starting quarterback will be De'Andre Johnson or Jason Driskel, but you have to like the choice either way. Twelve of the team's top 13 pass catchers return from last season, Kiffin and Kendal Briles are in charge of the offense, and Navy's secondary was a weak point for the Midshipmen in 2016.
At the very least, Florida Atlantic playing on a Friday night is genuinely compelling television. When has anyone ever been able to say that?
Nevada (+24) over NORTHWESTERN
Saturday, Sept. 2 | 2:30 PM CT | Evanston, IL (Ryan Field)
Alternatively, lovers of offense should definitely check in on Jay Norvell's debut as Nevada's head coach against a solid Northwestern team.
The Wolfpack were really bad on defense a year ago, and host Northwestern has all of the pieces necessary to exploit that weakness in its opener. But I'm totally taking the bait on Norvell's bright, shiny new Air Raid offense in Reno -- without even knowing who Nevada's quarterback will be Saturday. The Wolfpack will play good because they feel good because they look good in one of the best new uniforms of 2017.
Former Western Kentucky head coach Jeff Brohm is the new sheriff at Purdue, which leaves Boilermaker fans with visions of Hilltopper offenses dancing through their heads.
Will Brohm's new guys make the jump from also-ran to awesome that quickly? Probably not. And will Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson do his thing? Absolutely. Still, in a neutral venue which so happens to be a virtual home game for Purdue, 24.5 is a big spread for this shootout.
Season Record: 2-2 -- As it turns out, Stanford is pretty good.
The theme for this week is the underrated underdog. Three teams with three offensive-minded new coaches are being given lots of points and that (maybe, potentially, we hope) is a recipe for success.
Dig in.
OKLAHOMA STATE (-17.5) over Tulsa
Thursday, Aug. 31 | 6:30 PM CT | Stillwater, OK (Boone Pickens Stadium)Tulsa loses virtually every skill player from a unit that ranked fourth in total offense a season ago. And, while a veteran offensive line figures to smooth the transition for the Golden Hurricane, the host 'Pokes are strong on offense and will score virtually at will against the visitors. Even if Philip Montgomery's new guys are quick studies, this one doesn't figure to be their one shining moment.
Did I talk you into it? Great. Now let me ruin it: I don't know if I've ever picked an Oklahoma State game correctly in my life.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC (+14.5) over Navy
Friday, Sept. 1 | 8 PM ET | Boca Raton, FL (FAU Stadium)Lane Kiffin still hasn't announced whether his starting quarterback will be De'Andre Johnson or Jason Driskel, but you have to like the choice either way. Twelve of the team's top 13 pass catchers return from last season, Kiffin and Kendal Briles are in charge of the offense, and Navy's secondary was a weak point for the Midshipmen in 2016.
At the very least, Florida Atlantic playing on a Friday night is genuinely compelling television. When has anyone ever been able to say that?
Nevada (+24) over NORTHWESTERN
Saturday, Sept. 2 | 2:30 PM CT | Evanston, IL (Ryan Field)Alternatively, lovers of offense should definitely check in on Jay Norvell's debut as Nevada's head coach against a solid Northwestern team.
The Wolfpack were really bad on defense a year ago, and host Northwestern has all of the pieces necessary to exploit that weakness in its opener. But I'm totally taking the bait on Norvell's bright, shiny new Air Raid offense in Reno -- without even knowing who Nevada's quarterback will be Saturday. The Wolfpack will play good because they feel good because they look good in one of the best new uniforms of 2017.
Purdue (+24.5) over Louisville
Saturday, Sept. 2 | 7:30 PM ET | Indianapolis, IN (Lucas Oil Stadium)Former Western Kentucky head coach Jeff Brohm is the new sheriff at Purdue, which leaves Boilermaker fans with visions of Hilltopper offenses dancing through their heads.
Will Brohm's new guys make the jump from also-ran to awesome that quickly? Probably not. And will Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson do his thing? Absolutely. Still, in a neutral venue which so happens to be a virtual home game for Purdue, 24.5 is a big spread for this shootout.
Last Week in a GIF:
Season Record: 2-2 -- As it turns out, Stanford is pretty good.