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Stephen Vilardo’s 2022 Week 3 SuperWest CFB Notes

The 16 teams play 11 nonconference matchups with crossover games vs the Big Ten & ND
20 min read
California quarterback Jack Plummer and the Bears have a tremendous opportunity against Notre Dame in South Bend on Saturday. | Jed Jacobsohn

Posted on September 16, 2022


  By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
Week Three of the college football season traditionally marks the end of mostly nonconference games.

SuperWest teams play 11 nonconference matchups this weekend, with crossover games involving the Big Ten and Notre Dame, as well as in-region contests between Oregon-BYU, USC-Fresno State, and Utah-SDSU.

Here are some notes and numbers for this week’s games.

South Alabama Jaguars (2-0) at UCLA Bruins (2-0)
Pac-12 Network: 11:00 am (PDT) 
Series: First Meeting

South Alabama
  • The Jaguars are second in the nation in time of possession per game at 37:26.
  • South Alabama is 1-6 against the spread in their last seven on the road, did cover at CMU last week.
  • USA is 5-1 in their last six September games.
  • The over has hit in seven of the Jaguars last 10 games.
  • La’Damian Webb has had multiple touchdowns in each of his first two games as he now has four through the first two games this fall.
  • Last week Carter Bradley’s 354 passing yards were tied for fourth most in a single game USA history.
  • Carter Bradley is responsible for 25.0 points per game this season, the fifth most in the nation.
  • Jalen Wayne’s 10 receptions last week were the third most in a single game in Jags history.

UCLA 
  • The Bruins’ five-game win streak is the fifth-longest in the nation and longest among Pac-12 teams.
  • UCLA has outscored opponents 93-16 in the second half of games during their current five-game winning streak.
  • UCLA is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games.
  • UCLA has failed to cover in the third game of the season in each of the last seven seasons.
  • The over has hit in five of UCLA’s last seven games played.
  • UCLA is averaging 244.5 yards per game on the ground, 15th in the nation.
  • The Bruins have scored 40 or more points in five straight games for the first time since 1998, when they also recorded five in a row.
  • UCLA is +21 turnovers in wins and -27 in losses overall under head coach Chip Kelly.
  • The Bruins have scored in each of their last 19 quarters of football.
  • UCLA’s 90 points in their opening two games of the season are their most after two games since opening 2017 with 101.
  • Dorian Thompson-Robinson is currently 10th in the nation with a completion percentage of 75.9%
  • Dorian Thompson-Robinson is now third in UCLA history with 9,208 yards of total offense.

California Golden Bears (2-0) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-2)
NBC: 11:30 am (PDT)
Series: Notre Dame leads 4-0

California
  • The Bears are just 1-7 in their last eight games on the road.
  • Cal is 6-3 against the spread in their last nine games.
  • The Bears are unbeaten in week 3 over the last six years.
  • Four of Cal’s last five September games have seen the over hit.
  • The Bears are 2-0 in the Eastern Time Zone under Justin Wilcox.
  • Cal has held six of their last eight opponents to 14 points or less dating back to last season.
  • In four games against Notre Dame all-time, Cal has averaged 6.75 points per game.
  • Jack Plummer is ninth nationally with 25.5 completions per game.
  • Last week Jaydn Ott became the first Cal player to register both a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game since Christopher Brown Jr. did so against Washington State on Nov. 9, 2019.
  • Jaydn Ott’s 156 rushing yards this season are the sixth most of any freshman in the nation.

Notre Dame 
  • The Fighting Irish are 0-2 for the first time since 2011.
  • Marcus Freeman is the first Notre Dame head coach to ever open his tenure 0-3.
  • Notre Dame is the third team since 2000 to start the season in the preseason AP top 5 and lose its first 2 games of the season.
  • Notre Dame is 14-1 all-time at home against Pac-12 opponents not named Stanford or USC. (Lone loss was to Arizona in 1982)
  • The Irish are 5-1 the last six times they have worn green jerseys having won each of their last four.
  • The Irish are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games.
  • Notre Dame is 13-7 against the spread in their last 20 September games.
  • Since 1980, Notre Dame is 213-24 (.899) when it scores 30 or more points.
  • Michael Mayer’s 6.5 receptions per game are the most in the nation among TEs.
  • Notre Dame quarterbacks are 14-5 in their first career starts in Notre Dame Stadium since 1998, Drew Pyne will be making his first start this week.
  • Jon Sot is 24th in the country in punt average at 44.9 yards per punt.

Colorado Buffaloes (0-2) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0)
ESPN2: 12:30 pm (PDT)
Series: Buffaloes lead 3-1

Colorado
  • The Buffs have lost their last six games away from Boulder, the ninth longest streak in the nation.
  • The Buffaloes are 0-2 for the first time since 2012.
  • Colorado is 1-6 against the spread in their last seven September games.
  • In the last 15 seasons, the under has hit in 12 of Colorado’s week three games.
  • In the loss last week Colorado limited Air Force to just 1 for 5 from the air for 8 yards. The last time CU allowed under 10 yards passing in a game was 1987 vs Nebraska—they did allow AFA 435 yards on the ground.
  • Last week Colorado gained just 38 yards of offense in the second half.
  • Colorado allowed 8.7 yards per play on first down last week.

Minnesota
  • The Gophers lead the nation with 582 yards per game and are second in the nation with 302 rushing yards per outing.
  • Minnesota also leads the nation with just 142.5 total yards allowed per game.
  • The Gophers are 16-4 in their last 20 games played in September.
  • Minnesota has won their last five games and covered in all five of them.
  • The Gophers are second nationally with a third down conversion rate of 68.0%, they are allowing a conversion on just 13.6% also second in the nation.
  • Tanner Morgan is second in the nation with 17.01 yards per completion.
  • Mohamed Ibrahim is averaging 131.0 rushing yards per game, the seventh most in the nation on the young season.
  • Mohamed Ibrahim has run for at least 100 yards in a Minnesota record 11 consecutive games.
  • Through two games, Minnesota has averaged 41:52 in time of possession, and the Gophers have recorded 66 first downs while allowing 14.
  • Chris Autman-Bell has at least one reception in 40 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the nation.
  • The 10 points allowed by the Gophers through the first two games is the fewest since the 1999 Gophers allowed seven points over the first two contests.
  • This season, Minnesota has allowed just nine plays from scrimmage of 10 yards or more, the second-fewest in the nation.
  • The Gophers have not allowed a sack this season.

BYU Cougars (2-0) at Oregon Ducks (1-1)
FOX: 12:30 pm (PDT)
Series: Tied 3-3

BYU
  • BYU’s four-game win streak in road games is the sixth longest active streak in the country.
  • The Cougars have won seven of their last eight games.
  • BYU is 5-1 in their last six road games.
  • BYU is 4-1 against the spread in their last five September games.
  • The Cougs are also 4-1 against the spread the last five times they have been an underdog.
  • BYU is 14-16 all-time when ranked and playing another ranked opponent. The Cougars have won 3 of their last 4 Top 25 matchups.
  • BYU is 20-5 under Kalani Sitake when playing as a ranked team.
  • Jaren Hall is 7-1 against Power 5 teams as a starting quarterback and 3-0 vs ranked opponents.
  • The Cougars limited Baylor to just 2.9 yards per carry on their 52 rush attempts last week.
  • Christopher Banks is 30th in the nation with 6.38 yards per carry this season.
  • Chase Roberts’ 122 receiving yards against Baylor was the first time a BYU freshman receiver had 100 yards since Cody Hoffman had 137 against UTEP in 2010.
Oregon Ducks Logo Pac-12

Oregon
  • The Ducks have won their last 20 games at Autzen Stadium, the third-longest active home field win streak in the nation.
  • Oregon is 9-1 in their last 10 September games.
  • Oregon is 2-4 against the spread over their last six games.
  • The Ducks have won 29-straight nonconference home games, the second-longest active streak in the nation.
  • Oregon’s offense gained 40 first downs vs. EWU, breaking the program record of 39 set on Oct. 20, 2007.
  • The Ducks have converted 58.6% of their third downs this season, 11th in the nation.
  • Oregon averaged 5.5 yards per carry last week.
  • Oregon is one of 10 teams that have not allowed a sack yet this season.

UT Martin Skyhawks (1-1) at Boise State Broncos (1-1)
FS1: 1:00 pm (PDT)
Series: Boise State leads 1-0

UT Martin
  • Jason Simpson’s 77 wins at UTM are the third most in Ohio Valley Conference history.
  • The Skyhawks are 0-4-1 against the spread in their last five games.
  • UT Martin has not covered in any of their last 10 games.
  • Dresser Winn has thrown for 330.5 yards per game in the first two weeks of the season.
  • John H. Ford II leads the OVC in tackles (25), tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (2.0)
  • Colton Dowell’s 2,019 career receiving yards are the fourth most in Skyhawk history.

Boise State
  • Boise State has won 20-straight home openers, the fifth-longest active streak in the nation.
  • BSU is 14-6 in their last 20 games played in September.
  • The under has hit in eight of the Broncos last nine home games.
  • Boise State is 14-2 in week three in the last 16 years.
  • Since 2000, Boise State is 125-13 at home, the .906-win percentage during that time is second in the nation.
  • The Broncos have scored in 313 consecutive such games, the eighth longest streak in NCAA history.
  • Boise State is 7-0 under Andy Avalos when rushing for at least 140 yards.
  • BSU collected 12 tackles for loss last week.
  • Boise State’s six sacks last week were their most in a single game since Sept. 14, 2019, against Portland State.

Colorado State Rams (0-2) at Washington State Cougars (2-0)
Pac-12 Network: 2:00 pm (PDT)
Series: Rams lead 1-0

Colorado State
  • CSU is 1-5 in their last six games away from Fort Collins.
  • The Rams have failed to cover in any of their last eight games.
  • Colorado State is 1-6 against the spread in their last seven against Pac-12 opponents.
  • Troy Horton is sixth in the nation with an MWC-leading 127.5 receiving yards per game.
  • The Rams are allowing 8.0 sacks per game, the worst mark in the country.
  • Tory Horton has four touchdown receptions – tied for 3rd most in the nation.
  • Tory Horton is the only CSU player to score a TD this season.

Washington State
  • Jake Dickert is looking to become the 9th WSU head coach to start 3-0 in his 1st full season and 1st since Mike Price opened 1989 at 4-0.
  • Washington State is 9-3 against the spread in their last 12.
  • The Cougars are looking to open 3-0 for the first time since 2019.
  • Six of Washington State’s last seven September games have seen the under hit.
  • Last week was the first time Washington State got a win over a ranked opponent in a true road game since a 2003 win at No.17 Colorado.
  • WSU has 18 TFL and seven sacks this season, the second most in the Pac-12 in both categories.
  • Washington State has had at least two takeaways in 12 of their last 15 games.
  • Ranard Bell has at least one reception in each of the last 20 games.
  • Cameron Ward is looking to become the 4th Cougar quarterback to win his 1st three starts at WSU since 1976; The other three were: Chad Davis (1994), Steve Birnbaum (1998), and Anthony Gordon (2019).

Michigan State Spartans (2-0) at Washington Huskies (2-0)
ABC: 4:30 pm PDT
Series: Washington leads 2-1

Michigan State
  • Spartans are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games.
  • Four of MSU’s last six on the road have seen the under hit.
  • Michigan State is 13-2 in their last 15 games played.
  • The Spartans have won their third game of the season in 16 of the last 20 years.
  • Jalen Berger has four rushing touchdowns this season, tied for the third most in the nation.
  • Jacoby Windmon leads the nation with 2.75 sacks per game.
  • The Spartans 10 tackles for loss per game is tied for the fifth most in the nation.
  • MSU has allowed just 2.5 tackles for loss per game this season, the seventh-fewest in the nation.
Washington football pac-12

Washington
  • Washington is 74-14 at home vs non-conference opponents since 1981.
  • Huskies are 5-11 against the spread in their last 16 played.
  • The over has hit in five of UW’s last seven home games.
  • Washington has won their third game of the season in each of the last nine years.
  • Michael Penix leads the Pac-12 with 682 passing yards and 6 passing touchdowns.
  • Michal Penix is 14-5 in his career as a starter.
  • Jalen McMillan is 15th in the nation with 23.78 yards per reception.
  • Washington has allowed just 3.0 tackles for loss per game this season, the 17th fewest in the nation.

Montana State Bobcats (2-0) vs Oregon State Beavers (2-0) in Portland
Pac-12 Network: 5:00 pm (PDT)
Series: First meeting

Montana State
  • The Bobcats are 0-8 in their last eight road openers.
  • Montana State has topped 40 points in each of its first two games of 2022, the fifth time in history for such a milestone.
  • Montana State has 15 sacks through two games.
  • Tommy Mellott stands sixth in the FCS in passing efficiency, 22nd in completion percentage (.667), and 25th in passing yards per game (232.0).
  • Sebastian Valdez has 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in MSU’s first two contests.

Oregon State
  • Oregon State is 2-0 for the first time since the 2014 season when the Beavers opened that season 3-0.
  • The Beavers are 4-2 against the spread in their last six.
  • The Beavs are 5-0 against the spread in their last five in the month of September.
  • Oregon State’s defense has forced seven 3-and-out possessions in two games this season. Last year the Beaver defense didn’t force its seventh until the fifth game of the year.
  • OSU’s five plays of 40+ yards this season are the seventh most nationally.
  • The Beavers are a perfect 7-for-7 in the red zone this season.
  • Oregon State has outscored opponents 38-13 in the first half this season.
  • Luke Musgrave’s 84.5 receiving yards per game are the most of any TE in the nation.
  • Luke Musgrave has 21 receptions over his last four games after totaling 26 in his first 16.
  • Chance Nolan is third in the nation with 16.79 yards per completion this season.

San Diego State Aztecs (1-1) at Utah Utes (2-0)
ESPN2: 7:00 pm PDT
Series: Utah leads 17-13-1

  • The last two meetings have been decided by a combined six points.
  • 11 of the last 13 between the teams have been single-digit games.

San Diego State
  • The Aztecs have won their last five road games, the third longest streak in the nation.
  • SDSU is 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games.
  • Since the start of the 2019 campaign, San Diego State is 18-5 in games decided by seven or more points.
  • The Aztecs are 7-3 against Pac-12 teams since the start of the 2016 season.
  • San Deigo State is 53-2 the last 55 games they have run for at least 200 yards in a game.
  • The Aztecs have held 19 of their last 30 opponents to 17 points or less.

Utah
  • Utah has won nine straight home games the 13th longest streak in the nation.
  • The Utes are 20-1 in their last 21 home games.
  • The Utes are 5-1 in their last six against San Diego State in Salt Lake City.
  • Utah is 8-4 against the spread in their last 12 games played.
  • Utah is 28-4 in regular season non-conference games since joining the Pac-12 in 2011 and is 19-0 at home during that era.
  • Brant Kuithe has at least one reception in 30 consecutive games, the fifth-longest active streak in the nation. It is the longest streak of any TE in the nation.
  • The Utes allowed just 85 total yards last week, the second-fewest by a Pac-12 team in the four seasons.

Fresno State Bulldogs (1-1) at USC Trojans (2-0)
FOX: 7:30 pm PDT
Series: USC leads 4-1

Fresno State
  • The Bulldogs are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games on the road.
  • Jake Haener is fifth in the nation with 368.5 yards passing per game.
  • Nikko Remigio’s 191 all-purpose yards per game are the second most nationally.
  • The Bulldogs are facing a top-10 opponent for the first time since 2017.
  • Fresno State has not beaten a top-10 opponent since a 2001 win over No. 10 Oregon State.
  • Fresno State is 28-47 all-time against current members of the Pac-12.
  • Jake Haener has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 21 consecutive games, the third longest streak in MWC history.

USC
  • Southern California is 3-6 ATS in their last nine games.
  • The over has hit in each of USC’s last seven in the Coliseum.
  • USC leads the nation with a turnover margin of 4.5 per game.
  • Caleb WIlliams is second in the nation with a passing efficiency of 221.1
  • USC’s five plays of 40+ yards this season are tied for the seventh most nationally.
  • The Trojans 10 tackles for loss per game is tied for the fifth most in the nation.
  • USC is 33-1-1 (.955) against current Mountain West Conference teams.
  • The Trojans did not have a third down against Stanford until the final minute of the game

Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-1) at Arizona State Sun Devils (1-1)
Pac-12 Network: 8:00 pm PDT
Series: First Meeting

Eastern Michigan
  • Chris Creighton has directed his EMU teams to three Power Five wins during his tenure in Ypsilanti.
  • Creighton is the only active MAC coach with multiple wins over Power Five foes.
  • Eastern Michigan has had a non-conference road win in every season since 2015, looking for their first one this season.
  • The program has won 12 non-conference road games since 1976—seven have been in Chris Creighton’s nine seasons.
  • The Eagles are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games.
  • Eastern Michigan is 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games played in September.
  • The Eagles have played one game against a Pac-12 opponent, a 1988 55-0 loss to Arizona.
  • The total has gone over in six of Eastern Michigan’s last nine games.
  • The Eagles have yet to allow a first-quarter point this season.
  • Dylan Drummond has at least one reception in each of his last 33 games, the fourth longest streak in the nation.

Arizona State
  • The Sun Devils are 7-1 in their last eight home games.
  • Arizona State has gone 17 games without allowing a 50+-yard play – the longest active streak in the nation.
  • ASU has held opponents to less than 30 points in 31 of 45 games under Herm Edwards.
  • The Sun Devils have an interception in four straight games dating back to last season and nine of the last 10 games.
  • Eddie Czaplicki’s 75-yard punt is the third longest in the nation this season.
  • Arizona State’s 7.5 passes defended per game are the seventh most in the nation.
  • The Sun Devils have run for at least 100 yards in each of their last 20 games, the sixth-longest active streak in the nation.
  • Merlin Robertson has six career interceptions, which leads all FBS linebackers.
  • X Valladay leads all active FBS running backs with 3,515 career yards.

North Dakota State Bison (2-0) at Arizona Wildcats (1-1)
FS1: 8:00 pm (PDT)
Series: First meeting

North Dakota State
  • The Bison are 7-0 against the spread in their last seven games played.
  • North Dakota State is 9-3 against FBS opponents and has won six in a row since 2010.
  • Eleven different players have scored touchdowns in the first two games for North Dakota State.
  • North Dakota State has a 47-6 record in true road games since 2011.
  • The Bison have outscored their opponents 99-17 this season.
  • NDSU’s 204 yards allowed per game this season is fifth in the FCS.
  • The Bison have a turnover margin of +2.5 this season, second in the FCS.
  • North Dakota State has allowed 84.5 passing yards per game this season.
  • The Bison have won nine of the last 11 National Championships at the FCS level.
Arizona football Pac-12

Arizona
  • Arizona is 15-1 all-time against FCS opponents, lone loss last season to NAU.
  • Arizona is 1-11 in their last 12 at home.
  • The Wildcats are tied for 13th nationally with five total turnovers forced.
  • Jacob Cowing has caught a pass in 34 consecutive games, the second longest streak in the country.
  • Jacob Cowing has tallied four touchdown catches through two games, tied for the Pac-12 lead. He has already matched the Wildcats 2021 leader in touchdown receptions, running back Michael Wiley.
  • Jerry Roberts 11.0 tackles per game are the second most in the Pac-12.
  • Jayden de Laura is 6-0 in his career when throwing for 3+ touchdowns.

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