Xam’s Gem(s):
Tennessee Money Line -156
The Aggies and Volunteers match up pretty evenly when you look at the stats for each team. Both teams are averaging over 36 points per game and both teams giving up less than 19 points per game, on average. However, there’s some signs that Tennessee has the edge in this matchup. Just last week, Alabama went into Texas A&M and had a solid game offensively. Alabama isn’t known for their offensive prowess or elite QB play this year, but it didn’t stop Jalen Milroe from having arguably his best game of the year. Joe Milton had an up and down performance last week, but Tennessee has more offensive talent than Alabama and should be able to move the ball. The key here will be Tennessee’s running game. They have one of the best rushing attacks in the country and will surely lean on the ground game today. Max Johnson will eventually need to make a play for the Aggies today, and in that hostile environment, it’s not clear Johnson has the skills to do that against an elite Tennessee defense allowing just over 300 yards per game.
Auburn/LSU Over 60.5 Points -115
These are two teams that don’t have an issue scoring points. LSU in particular has been dominant on offense this year, averaging just under 45 points and almost 550 yards per game! Auburn is no slouch either, averaging just under 30 points per game. Auburn has a solid defense, but they’ve shown cracks when facing top offenses this year. In the last 2 weeks, they’ve given up 54 points, 27 each to Texas A&M and Georgia. LSU hasn’t exactly been a wall defensively this year, either. They’re giving up 32 points and almost 450 yards per game. Simply put, LSU just likes to overwhelm teams with their offense. Jayden Daniels couldn’t be much hotter, with 22 total touchdowns coming into this game and vaulting himself into the Heisman Trophy discussions for his efforts. Payton Thorne has thrown for less than 100 yards in 3 of his last 4 games, but his legs are a big part of this game. He will eventually need to make some big plays in this game, which may lead to turnovers and short fields for the Tigers.
Notre Dame -2.5 -118
Saying Notre Dame has had an up and down year would be an understatement. After 3 dominant wins to start the year, they had a brutal last second loss to Ohio State, bounced back to beat a previously unbeaten Duke team on the road, and then had a bit of a letdown against Louisville last week. We know Notre Dame has an elite defense, but they seem to be even better at home. They’re going to need this elite defense to play like tonight, as Caleb Williams and USC has arguably the best offense in the country. USC is a whopping 6-0 and averaging over 51 points per game, and over 523 yards for good measure. However, they pair that elite offense with a horrid defense. Despite being 6-0, they’re surrendering 27 points per game and over 420 yards per game. They’ve been even worse recently, giving up a whopping 82 points in their last 2 games, the last of which was at home to the Arizona Wildcats. Sam Hartman has been up and down a little bit this year for the Fighting Irish, but he should find success against a porous USC defense. Expect Notre Dame to try and pound the rock as well to keep Caleb Williams on the sidelines. Notre Dame should be able to slow USC down just enough tonight. Hartman doesn’t need to outduel Williams tonight. He just has to avoid turnovers and giving USC short fields to work with.