SuperBook Sports previews the weekend ahead

CFB: No. 6 Ohio State @ No. 9 Notre Dame

The 2023 college football season has been filled with an unusual number of early season “classics.” It’s atypical that September matchups feature the likes of Texas and Alabama going head-to-head – blue bloods that more often are busily pummeling patsies. But it seems like this fall has already been a rare treat. And while conference play will be taking full flight this week around the country, one game could only be dreamed up by a Disney movie maker.

Undefeated Ohio State at undefeated Notre Dame on September 23?

Pinch us already. This is one for the ages.

As rare as this battle royale might sound, there is precedence – last season, in fact – as the two met up in the season opener. Ohio State, then ranked No. 2, held home serve, beating the fifth-ranked Irish 21-10.

That was then, this is now. Both teams are still in the top-10, both teams still boast an embarrassment of riches. Both teams are unblemished as of yet.

However, this year’s contest takes place in South Bend, and don’t think the Golden Domers have forgetten last year. Can the Irish defend their home turf in this home-and-home treat? Let’s assess.

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: Notre Dame M/L (+130)

With Ohio State slated as a 3-point road favorite, the prevailing notion is that the Buckeyes are a significantly better team. Getting three points against another heavyweight away from home is a major vote of confidence, but if one looks closely, there’s cause for concern. Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord will be getting his second career start for Buckeyes. In his first, he looked good – okay, great – but that was against Western Kentucky at Ohio Stadium. Nobody’s knocking McCord, but that isn’t this. Notre Dame hasn’t scored less than 41 points in a game since November 19, 2022 and has looked more than adequate defensively thus far this season; they’ll also have previously injured stars DJ Brown and JD Bertrand returning from injury. For any opponent, Easy Street doesn’t pass by Touchdown Jesus, and it won’t this week for young Kyle McCord, who will be tossed into the deep end for a test he may not pass. Take the Irish to win outright and find the gold.

CFB: No. 19 Colorado @ No. 10 Oregon

In case you’ve been living either under a rock or perhaps on another planet, there’s an American sports story that absolutely nobody could have predicted at this time last year.

Here’s the headline: Colorado Buffaloes Are The Biggest Story in Sports

That’s no joke, as Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has taken one of the worst football programs in the country and placed it squarely under the national spotlight. Again, that’s not locally, it’s nationally. Prime’s Buffs are a miraculous “worst to first” type of story, they’ve gone 0-to-100, they’ve garnered the attention of The Rock, Lil Wayne, Stephen A., Shannon Sharpe and Offset. If you don’t know some or all of those names, well, you’re more likely to remember the Buffs of the ‘90s (it’s okay, just know that CU is a national phenomenon, beloved by the biggest names in sports and entertainment). They’re 3-0 and justifiably ranked No. 19 in the country.

But does that mean they’re ready to beat one of the better teams and best offenses in the entire country? TCU might have been overrated. Nebraska isn’t the same Big Red. Colorado State gave the Buffs everything they could handle.

Oregon? Well, the Ducks are legit.

Colorado-Oregon is one of the most intriguing games on the slate, and certainly worth a closer look.

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: Colorado +21.0 (-110)

Hear this: Oregon is Colorado’s first “real” test of the season. The Ducks can put up points in a hurry (Oregon is averaging 58 points per game) and have the chance to expose Colorado’s somewhat-suspect defense (CU gave up 499 yards against a Colorado State team that was a +23.5 dog). In other words, there’s a real reason why the line between two top-20 programs is set at 21. But Deion Sanders has not made a career of getting embarrassed. Furthermore, Shedeur Sanders showed last week that he’s a warrior that won’t go down easily. The Buffs might not win but bet confidently that they won’t be embarrassed. Take the Buffs to cover.

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota Vikings

The Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings have both started the 2023 season with an 0-2 record. The Chargers have lost by a combined five points, while the Vikings have lost by a combined nine. That’s almost hard to do.

Now, the two will play each other in what might be the best, and certainly the most-pivotal, game of the entire week. One of them will get a much-needed win in order to move to 1-2, and the other will be 0-3. And starting 0-3 in the NFL creates an upward hill that is almost impossible to climb up.

The Chargers, despite being 0-2, have one of the most-dynamic offenses in the league. Justin Herbert has thrown for 534 yards and three touchdowns, with zero interceptions. Austin Ekeler had 117 yards and a touchdown in the single game he has played; they will be hoping to get him back this week. Keenan Allen has 14 catches for 187 receiving yards and two scores. Needless to say, these guys are balling, even though their record doesn’t reflect it.

On the flip side, the Vikings also have a high-powered offense. Kirk Cousins has already thrown for 708 yards and six TDs, with just one INT. Justin Jefferson leads all receivers in yards with 309. And to top it off, rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson both have two scores.

Two 0-2 teams with explosive offenses will play in what feels like a must-win game on Sunday. It is currently a 1-point game and it feels like it. Both quarterbacks have played well, both defenses have not lived up to expectations and both teams have an abundance of playmakers.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Los Angeles Chargers M/L (-105)

Overall, the Chargers seem like a more complete team. Los Angeles was one play away from beating both the Dolphins and Titans. Meanwhile, the Vikings lost to the Buccaneers and, excluding the last-minute touchdown, got handled by the Eagles. This game will be close but take the Chargers in a shootout.

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Las Vegas Raiders

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders both come into this matchup with 1-1 records. The Steelers got humiliated by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, but had a much-needed bounce-back win against the Cleveland Browns thanks to two defensive touchdowns. The Raiders, on the other hand, beat the Denver Broncos by one point in their opener and got torched by the Bills in Week 2.

At a glance, these two teams are nothing more than average. But, when two average teams play each other, it often makes for pretty entertaining football.

The Steelers offense is led by quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickett’s main weapons include running back Najee Harris, wide receiver George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth. However, it’s the defense that is currently leading the charge for the Steelers. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Patrick Peterson, Kwon Alexander, Alex Highsmith and of course T.J. Watt are the notable names. Watt has four sacks, two forced fumbles and a touchdown through just two games.

The Raiders look a little different this year than last. The most-obvious change is at quarterback. Last year, it was Derek Carr, who performed well enough to make it to the Pro Bowl. Nevertheless, Las Vegas decided to move on and sign Jimmy Garoppolo from the San Francisco 49ers. Garoppolo has been decent to start the season. He has thrown for 385 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Davante Adams are the main stars of their offense. Their best defensive players include Maxx Crosby and Marcus Peters.

The Raiders are the home team for this matchup, and the 2.5-point spread is a reflection of that advantage. However, the Steelers looked like a better team in Week 2 than in Week 1. And as for the Raiders, the opposite is true. They looked good in Week 1, good enough to get a win. But in Week 2, things seemed to be falling apart.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Pittsburgh M/L (+125)

Follow the trends. Pittsburgh got better. Las Vegas got worse. Much worse. Sure, Pickett can be up and down, as most young quarterbacks are at times. But he’s guiding a team that simply knows how to win, a reflection of head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers will win this football game.