CFB
1 Pick.
7:30PM EST: South Alabama +7.5 (3 Units).
South Alabama had a decent few years under HC Kane Wommack, but he just departed for the Alabama defensive coordinator job. S. ALA ranked 28th in scoring defense 2 years back and 23rd last year. They were 21st in scoring offense last year and it was their OC Major Applewhite that they promoted to HC. He in turn promoted LB coach Will Windham to DC. Both came to South Alabama as hires under HC Kane Wommack in 2021. Despite new names and coaches not too much has changed outside of a philosophical switch to a more offensive approach. They struggled in week 1 against North Texas but their defense found its footing a bit in Week 2. They went into Ohio and lost 20-27 but that's one of the MAC's strongest teams since HC Tim Albin took over, specifically on offense. 7 of Ohio's 27 points also came courtesy of great field position on a muffed punt.
Their offense just dropped a school record 87 points against Northwestern State. That's an FCS opponent but this offense has been able to score under Applewhite, ranking 21st in PPG last season. App State had the 68th ranked scoring defense last season and hasn’t been great so far. They beat up an FCS opponent in week 1 but got boat raced by Clemson Week 2. Some of that's just a talent disparity but Clemson hasn't scored more than 50 points against an FBS team since 2020, when Trevor Lawrence was QB. They beat East Carolina 21-19 last week but still surrendered 324 yards to an ECU offense that ranked 130th in yards per game and 131st in PPG a season ago.
This is going to be a higher scoring game as both teams like to push the pace. So far this season App State's tied 9th and S.ALA is tied 20th in plays per game. They were 23rd and 35th last season. Trust South Alabama's offense to hang around in this one, even if their defensive performance against Ohio was a fluke. This had backdoor cover potential all over it with tired defense and cushy prevent defense late.
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