Gridiron Player Club NCAAF 1-2 Units (10/5/24)

NCAAF

3 Picks.

4:00PM EST: RU/NEB Under 39.5 (2 Units).

Nebraska's 4-1 with a tough overtime loss to Illinois. In their 4 wins they've held each of their opponents to 10 points or less. Rutgers scored 21 on a good Washington defense at Home last night but was held under 300 yards. They were also gifted 7 points after a blocked FG at the end of the first half was negated by a player coming onto the field to celebrate before the play was ruled dead. Rutgers has 175 rushing attempts to 96 passing. They will run the football. Nebraska ranked 7th in rushing yards allowed per carry at 3 last season and are 6th so far this season at 2.5. Rutgers starting QB Athan Kaliakmanis is not a great passer. He completed 14 of 24 passes against Washington for just 115 yards. Rutgers does play quality defense, allowing no more than 23 points in a game this season. They were 32nd last year allowing 22.8 PPG to FBS opponents. Weather will also play a factor in this one as there's near 20 MPH winds throughout. Going to make throwing it even tougher. This is poised for your typical ugly Big 10 snooze fest.

4:15PM EST: Vanderbilt +22.5 (2 Units).

HC Clark Lea's in year number 4 at Vanderbilt and he's had the chance to build up the program his way. They totally flopped in 2023 after a decent 2022 campaign but 4 games into 2024 and they're competing. They're 3-1 ATS and 3-0 as underdogs. They nearly upset #9 Missouri last week getting 17.5 but lost by 3 in double overtime. They also beat Virginia Tech by a touchdown at Home getting 14 to start the season. They did lose at Georgia State 32-36 but made a nice comeback before allowing a last-minute TD drive. Georgia State's a solid football program and that was played in their house. Vandy is competing and playing inspired football. They're going to come out ready to play as they host the #1 team in the country. This is also let down spot for Alabama. They're coming off a massive win at Home over Georgia. May have a bit of a hangover coming into this game before they settle in. Either way this Alabama defense isn't exactly stellar, and the Commodores have proven they can score. Transfer QB Diego Pavia has led the way, throwing for 638 yards and running for 228 in 3 games against FBS opponents. He has the only Vanderbilt turnover this season the ability to protect the ball will go a long way in this one.

7:30PM: Arkansas +14 (2 Units).

Tennessee is a vastly different team when playing on the road. They tend to blow the doors off at Neyland Stadium but under Heupel they're 7-6 on the road after picking up a couple wins this year @ NC State and @ Oklahoma. They beat the Sooners 25-15 despite Oklahoma getting next to nothing from their offense. Arkansas's last two games have come on the road at Texas A&M and Auburn, and they moved the ball just fine. Their offense also combined for 1,762 yards in their first 3 non-conference games. The Vols have one of the better defenses, but it'll be a bit tougher for them on the road here. With Bobby Petrino, one of the most experienced play callers in College Football, and QB Taylen Green's legs, they should find ways to score. Just a few too many points to lay to a decent Arkansas team in their own house.