Three previews for the Week 3 NCAAF games and our picks based on spreads for 10 games on the slate.
(1) Alabama vs (11) Florida
In this week’s NCAAF “Game of the Week”, No. 1 Alabama travels to Gainesville to take on No. 11 Gators. Despite playing at home, Florida (2-0) is currently listed as a 14-point underdog to the Crimson Tide (also 2-0).
Florida beat Florida Atlantic (35-14) and USF (42-20) to open the year. On the season, Junior quarterback Emory Jones has completed 31 of 49 pass attempts for 264 yards and two touchdowns (four interceptions). Despite the slow start,, Jones has rushed 23 times for 155 yards and an additional TD.
Fellow quarterback (RS) Anthony Richardson leads the team in rushing with 275 yards on 11 carries. Senior RB Malik Davis has rushed 21 times for 126 yards and one TD. Senior RB Dameon Pierce has pitched in 11 carries for 86 yards and three touchdowns. Junior WR Jacob Copeland leads the team in receiving with six catches for 190 yards and two TDs.
Alabama has started the season with back-to-back wins over Miami FL (44-13) and Mercer (48-14). Highly regarded Sophomore QB Bryce Young has completed 46 of 65 passes for 571 yards and seven touchdowns.
In the backfield, Senior RB Brian Robinson Jr has led a balanced rushing attack with 22 carries for 130 yards and one TD. Fellow Sophomores Trey Sanders (15 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown) and Jase McClellan (13 carries for 49 yards and a TD) have also contributed. The following three wide receivers have contributed more than seven catches and over 100 yards receiving on the season:
- Junior transfer (Ohio State) Jameson Williams (7 catches for 157 yards and two TD’s)
- Junior John Metchie (11 catches for 146 yards and 1 TD)
- Freshman JoJo Earle (nine catches for 110 yards)
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Emory Jones – QB – Florida: Jones was the preseason QB34 per Undroppables, but will need to limit his interceptions for the Gators to be competitive in this one.
- Bryce Young – QB – Alabama: Young moved up to my QB2 (behind only Spencer Rattler) after the Tide’s thrashing of Miami. Unlike Emory Jones, Young has not thrown an interception on the season.
- JoJo Earle – WR – Alabama: one of five preseason Alabama WRs in the top-50, Earle (WR23) is coming off a seven-catch/85-yard performance vs Mercer.
Staff Picks
Florida +14
- Brandon @hayeb3: Alabama -14
- Brian @vandygrad92: Alabama -14
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Alabama -14
(22) Auburn vs (10) Penn State
It’s going to be whiteout conditions down in Happy Valley on Saturday night. No. 22 Auburn (2-0) faces 10th ranked Penn State (2-0) in Primetime. Auburn has gotten off to a fast start this year, but the Tigers haven’t faced the toughest competition in wins over Akron and Alabama State.
Junior quarterback Bo Nix has looked good against lesser competition, completing 74.4 percent of his passes. He’s thrown for 383 yards and five touchdowns to zero interceptions. Star Sophomore running back Tank Bigsby is the catalyst for the Tigers. Bigsby is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing efforts and is averaging a stellar ten yards per carry through two games. They will need him to deliver once again on the road Saturday night.
For Penn State, Senior quarterback Sean Clifford is a steady veteran presence. He hasn’t been asked to do a ton, but he’s completed 63 percent of his passes for 477 yards and two touchdowns, to zero interceptions. Clifford has playmakers at the wide receiver position. Jahan Dotson (10/167/2) and Parker Washington (10/104) lead the charge. They will be relied on heavily for the Nittany Lions.
We will find out on Saturday night if Auburn is for real or not. Bo Nix will have to continue his resurgence for the Tigers to win. Both defenses have been excellent so far. Saturday will be the biggest challenge each has faced. The winner of this game is hoping this game is a springboard for making a run at the NCAAF playoffs.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Jahan Dotson – WR – Penn State: Senior wideout Jahan Dotson is off to a terrific start in 2021. Through two games, Dotson has accounted for ten receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Dotson is an explosive playmaker who possesses the ability to get behind the defense with blazing speed. He’s a guy to keep a close eye on as he continues to climb in the 2022 wide receiver rankings.
- Tank Bigsby – RB – Auburn: Tank Bigsby is one of the more elite devy assets. The 2023 eligible running back is off to a roaring start to his 2021 campaign with back-to-back 100 yard rushing efforts. The only thing lacking in his game so far is production via the receiving game. Bigsby has totaled only twelve receptions in twelve career games. That’s not to say he’s not capable of it though, some college teams just don’t use their running backs in that regard. Overall, Bigsby is a locked in top ten devy star.
Staff Picks
Penn State -5
- Brandon @hayeb3: Auburn +5
- Brian @vandygrad92: Penn St -5
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Auburn +5
(8) Cincinnati vs Indiana
This NCAAF game had more hype before the season from Indiana’s strong 2020. Indiana played very poorly against Iowa in Week 1 and they have been forgotten about. The Cincinnati hype train is still going with huge margin of victories against Miami of Ohio and Murray State. This is a big game for both teams to gain momentum for the rest of the season.
Cincinnati has scored over 40 points in both games and is about to embark on a crucial two game stretch against Indiana and Notre Dame. Although Indiana has fallen from grace, this is still a Big 10 team that can help them gain respect. Cincinnati is top-30 in the NCAAF in both passing and rushing yards per game, so the Indiana defense will have its hands full.
Michael Pennix did not look sharp in his first game against Iowa coming off a knee injury, and threw two pick-sixes. Indiana was beaten soundly but was only out-gained by 70 yards. Against Idaho, Indiana rebounded and relied on the run game, rushing 50 times. Indiana is 121st in yards per game so they will need to make sure to not get in a track match with Cincinnatti because they will not be able to keep up.
NCAAF Devy Players to Watch
- Desmond Ridder – QB – Cincinnati: Against inferior competition, Ridder has over 500 passing yards, 6 TDs, and only 1 INT. In his first big test of the season, he may use his legs more as he only has had 10 rushes in 2 games. This is the beginning of a two-game stretch where Ridder and Cincinnati can make their statement for a chance at the playoff.
- Jerome Ford – RB – Cincinnati: Ford has taken over the lead back role this year and has over 200 yards, 4 TDs, and averaging almost 8 yards per carry. To Beat Indiana, Ford will have to stay productive to keep the offense balanced.
- Michael Penix Jr – QB – Indiana: Last year Penix was off to a great year through six games with 1600 yards, 14 TDs, and 4 INTs. This year, he has not looked the same but a big game vs Cincinnati could help in getting him right for the rest of the year. He will need to be in rhythm and have a big game for Indiana to win
Staff Picks
Indiana + 4
- Brandon @hayeb3: Cincy -4
- Brian @vandygrad92: Cincy -4
- Joe @TheHQNerd: Cincy -4
Other NCAAF Game Picks Based on the Spread
Brandon Haye
Brandon grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and works as a health insurance data analyst. He has no children, but two fur babies - Squirt and Brownie. He and his wife, Katie, spend their time playing poker and enjoying time with their pups. Brandon is a huge Michigan Wolverine and Jacksonville Jaguars fan. He at one time was in 77 fantasy leagues and loves the game of football. Brandon started writing for The Leauge Winners in 2021.