South Carolina was supposed to lose to Old Dominion in Week 1, but they won 23-19 in a game where they forced four turnovers despite being outgained 305-288 in total yards.
The Gamecocks played impressively in Week 2, beating Kentucky 31-6, but they completed just 28 percent of their shots and forced two turnovers in another win.
Say what you will about LSU, but Garrett Nussmeyer is a bona fide Heisman candidate.
He has completed 57 of 76 passes (75%) for 610 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception through two weeks, including a 308-yard heroics in a heartbreaking loss to USC.
There's no way South Carolina's secondary, which ranked 87th in passing completion percentage last year, can be expected to stop Nussmeyer and company.
On the flip side, I don't think LSU's defense will be an issue in this matchup.
South Carolina switched to a rushing-heavy offense this season (66.5 percent rushing percentage) with dual-threat quarterback LaNoris Sellers and running back Raheim Sanders, a transfer from Arkansas.
LSU's secondary is awful, but the Tigers have some quality personnel in their front seven behind star linebacker Harold Perkins.
The overrated Gamecocks are destined to lose, and LSU is destined for a commanding victory after a brutal primetime loss to USC two weeks ago, down just one possession on a buzzer-beater.
Your selection: LSU -6
Washington (-5.5) vs. Washington State University (Lumen Field)
Most projection systems have Washington as a double-digit favorite in this rivalry matchup.
My numbers have the Huskies favored by 11 points, but that's mainly because the Cougars are overrated due to their fortunate win over Texas Tech last week.
The Raiders outgained the Cougars by nearly 80 total yards (491-416), but lost by 21 yards due to four turnovers and three failed fourth-down conversions.
Making things worse was the absence of RB1 Taj Boyd.
Washington State comes into this game overrated, but the Cougars shouldn't be able to match up to coach Jedd Fisch and quarterback Will Rogers.
The Huskies have completely revamped their coaching staff and roster since last year's appearance in the national championship game, so it's difficult to judge the team's capabilities this early in the season.
But Fisch turned Arizona into an offensive powerhouse last year, and Rodgers had more than 12,000 passing yards in four seasons at Mississippi State.
I'd bet he can slice through Washington State's questionable defense.
Indiana (-3) beats UCLA
Indiana hired a talented head coach in Kurt Cignetti who wins wherever he goes.
Under Cignetti's guidance, James Madison University ranked second in the nation in upset rate last year.
The up-and-coming coach brought over a ton of defenders from JMU, and the revamped Hoosier defense forced nine hectic attempts against FIU in Week 1, including eight TFLs, four sacks and one interception.
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That could be problematic for UCLA, which has struggled offensively.
In contrast, Indiana University's new QB1, Curtis Luke, has been stellar in his first two games as a Hoosier (completing 73 percent of his passes, averaging 10.3 yards per attempt, three touchdowns and zero interceptions).
He dominated the MAC during his time at Ohio, and I believe he can do just as well in the Big Ten with Cignetti's guidance.
UCLA's offense may be pushed into the locker room on Saturday, but Luke should be more than capable in a crucial Hoosier win.
last week: 1-2. Oklahoma State University (L), Iowa State University (W), University of Oregon (L)
2024 season: 2-4.
Why trust New York Post Betting?
Tanner McGrath has been a professional sports handicapper since 2018. Specializing in college sports and baseball, McGrath is an avid fan of the Vermont Catmounts, Miami Marlins and any team that loses at home. He lost the Miami Miracle in 2018 but redeemed himself four years later by hitting a 40/1 long shot of Sandy Alcantara winning the National League Cy Young Award.
