Saturday's Top Action
September 12, 2014
GEORGIA BULLDOGS (1-0) at SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS (1-1)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Georgia -5.5, Total: 60
Sportsbook.ag Opening Line & Total: Georgia -5 & 56.5
No. 6 Georgia kicks off its SEC season Saturday with a matchup against No. 24 South Carolina, which is already 0-1 in conference play.
Georgia should be well-rested after already getting a week off following an easy defeat of Clemson in the season opener by a score of 45-21. In the contest, the Bulldogs came out of the half and scored 24 consecutive points while shutting out a tough Tigers team. Georgia finished with a mere 131 passing yards, but dominated the ground game and rushed for 328 yards on 41 attempts (8.0 YPC) while holding its opponent to a putrid 88 rushing yards on 2.0 YPC. While Georgia was taking the week off, South Carolina was playing a tough East Carolina team and coming away with a 33-23 victory as 14.5-point favorites. They held a four-point cushion going into halftime, but outscored the Pirates 13-7 in the second half to capture the win as kicker Elliot Fry hit all four of his field goal tries. The Gamecocks were actually outgained in the contest (453-441) with the only real difference maker being the two turnovers they forced.
These programs have plenty of history against each other with Georgia going 14-8 SU (8-12 ATS) since 1992 while each team has earned a win (both SU and ATS) at home over the past two seasons. Last year the Gamecocks hit the road and absorbed a 41-30 loss as three-point underdogs against their SEC rivals as they were torched through the air by QB Aaron Murray for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Trends show that South Carolina is 4-13 ATS (24%) in home games after allowing 6.75 yards or more per play in its previous game since 1992, but the team is also 6-1 ATS since 2012 after a two-game homestand. As far as injuries are concerned, Georgia WR Justin Scott-Wesley has a hurt ankle but may also not play due to a marijuana arrest, while fellow WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee) is doubtful for the game. The Gamecocks have no significant injuries.
In Georgia’s one contest, the team needed only 131 yards passing due to its impressive running game grinding out 328 yards (11th in FBS) and scoring five touchdowns. Although the rushing attack is solid, the Bulldogs will need to at least threaten through the air and senior QB Hutson Mason (131 pass yards) will be expected to do just that. He averaged a mere 5.0 YPA in the victory over Clemson, but should improve as he has averaged over 8.4 YPA in his past two seasons (140 attempts).
The star of the offense is Heisman hopeful HB Todd Gurley who had 198 yards on 18 carries (13.2 YPC) and 3 TD in the season opener while also adding a 100-yard kickoff return for a score. He is not alone back there, as HB Nick Chubb rattled off a 47-yard TD run against the Tigers and HB Sony Michel gained 33 yards on six carries (5.5 YPC). WR Michael Bennett (5 rec, 60 yards) earned the most targets in the first contest, while senior WR Chris Conley (2 rec, 14 yards) is expected to be the second option with Malcolm Mitchell on the mend. The Bulldogs defense allowed 29.0 PPG (79th in FBS) last year and put up a solid performance against a potent Clemson offense, while LB Ramik Wilson (7 tackles) should be the anchor on the defensive side of the ball.
Through the first two games of the year, the Gamecocks have shown impressive talent in the passing game (316 YPG, 26th in FBS) while struggling to get much production on the ground, picking up a mere 121 YPG. QB Dylan Thompson (632 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT) threw for 366 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT in the loss to Texas A&M to open the season, and was solid (266 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) in the win over East Carolina this past week. Behind him is a tandem of HBs led by Mike Davis (116 yards, 2 TD) who had 1,183 yards rushing and 11 TD in 2013.
Splitting the carries with the senior will be change-of-pace HB Brandon Wilds (94 yards) who has averaged 4.1 YPC in the first two games. WR Nick Jones (157 yards, 2 TD) leads a deep group of wide receivers for South Carolina, as Pharoh Copper (103 yards, 1 TD), Shaq Roland (96 yards) and Damiere Byrd (46 yards, 1 TD) are all expected to contribute. The defense is certainly missing number one pick Jadaveon Clowney, as LB Skai Moore (13 tackles, 1 sack) attempts to take over in the role as leader on this side of the ball. So far through the first couple of weeks they have given up far too many points (37.5 PPG) as have allowed the nation's third-most passing yards (416 YPG).
UCLA BRUINS (2-0) vs. TEXAS LONGHORNS (1-1)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: UCLA -7, Total: 50
Sportsbook.ag Opening Line & Total: UCLA -7 & 50
Texas looks to bounce back from a blowout loss to BYU as they meet No. 12 UCLA in Arlington, TX on Saturday night.
These two teams last played in 2011, with the Longhorns traveling to California and winning 49-20. In that game, Texas RB Malcolm Brown (then a freshman) rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. The Longhorns outrushed the Bruins 284 to 141 in that win, and will look to dominate the line of scrimmage on Saturday. In last week's 41-7 loss to BYU, the Longhorns were outrushed 248 to 82. The team was missing starting QB David Ash (concussion) and three offensive linemen (C Dominic Espinosa, OT Desmond Harrison and OT Kennedy Estelle), and the offense could not do anything at all. The Bruins are still looking for that complete team performance, as they are coming off a narrow 42-35 win against 22-point underdog Memphis.
UCLA has one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Brett Hundley, who played much better after a tough first week. He will need a big performance, as the Bruins should be facing an angry Texas team. The Bruins are 3-1 (SU and ATS) in this series since 1997, and are 10-4 ATS in the past three seasons after playing a game where 70+ points were scored. The Longhorns are hoping that Charlie Strong's 9-0 ATS away mark coming off an SU loss as a college head coach will continue with his new team. In addition to Ash and three O-Linemen being out for this game, the Longhorns will likely be missing top WR Jaxon Shipley (head), RB Daje Johnson (disciplinary) and DB Josh Turner (suspension).
In the Bruins 42-35 victory last weekend against Memphis, QB Brett Hundley threw for 396 yards and three touchdowns. That was a change from Week 1, when three defensive touchdowns are what UCLA needed to get the narrow 28-20 victory at 19-point underdog Virginia. Entering Saturday, the Bruins rank 24th in passing (319 YPG), 55th in scoring (35.0 PPG) and 99th in rushing (130 YPG) in FBS. For UCLA to reach its full potential, the team needs to rush the football better, which will open things up even more for Hundley and the passing game. Paul Perkins (178 rushing yards, 2 TD) has the talent to be a very good ball carrier, rushing for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the win against Memphis. Hundley has shown the ability to run the ball (65 yards this season), but the team can’t have him be the leading rusher on the team.
WR Thomas Duarte (4 catches, 110 yards, 2 TD) had a breakout game against Memphis, providing the Bruins with a big-play threat. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Duarte is a big physical receiver who can also run away from the defense with speed. He will have opportunities against a Texas defense reeling from a tough performance. On defense for the Bruins, this is an opportunistic unit that thrives on making the big play. DB Ishmael Adams, who has 12 tackles and one interception for a touchdown, is an elite playmaker with the ability to change the game in a hurry. The Bruins rank 84th in the nation in scoring defense (27.5 PPG), and like the offense in Week 1, they are looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance where they allowed Memphis to gain 469 total yards.
The Charlie Strong era got off to a nice start with a season-opening 38-7 victory against North Texas, but took a major step back against BYU last week, allowing 429 total yards. The Longhorns currently rank 100th in FBS passing (183 YPG), 105th in rushing (122.5 YPG) and 106th in scoring (22.5 PPG). Last week against the Cougars, the Longhorns were missing three offensive linemen to suspension and injuries, while also missing starting QB David Ash (concussion). QB Tyrone Swoopes (176 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) is a very talented player, but as a sophomore, is still learning the game. He is similar to Hundley in his size (6-foot-4, 243 pounds), and has the ability to make plays with his legs as well. However, if the Longhorns are going to be in this game, they will have to get big performances from the running backs.
The duo of RBs Johnathan Gray (14 carries, 47 yards) and Malcolm Brown (14 carries, 28 yards) was very disappointing against the Cougars, but a large part of that is because of the offensive line. Wide receiver John Harris (8 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD in Week 2) is a nice playmaker, but an improved rushing game would make him a bigger weapon for the offense. As bad as the offense was against BYU, the defense was even worse. The Cougars for the second straight season just manhandled the Longhorns. The missed tackles of Texas played a huge role in this game, as the BYU offensive players made a lot of plays after contact. CB Quandre Diggs (eight tackles, 1 INT) is a talented player, and also one of the Texas leaders. After the loss to BYU, he questioned if his team has the heart to compete. A lot of times in sports when that happens, the team responds with a great effort. The Longhorns have the talent to compete with UCLA, but must play much harder.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (2-0) at OKLAHOMA SOONERS (2-0)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Oklahoma -21, Total: 55
Sportsbook.ag Opening Line & Total: Oklahoma -20.5 & 54.5
No. 4 Oklahoma looks to get a big non-conference win on Saturday when it entertains Tennessee.
This will be the third-ever meeting between these teams, with each school winning once. The Butch Jones era has begun in Tennessee, and after two weeks, it is off to a good start. The Volunteers beat Arkansas State 34-19 last weekend, but this will be a much more difficult test against Oklahoma. Tennessee has really struggled to win on the road against ranked teams, losing its past 20 games in this scenario, with its last victory coming against Georgia on Oct. 7, 2007. That streak will be very difficult to break as Bob Stoops-coached Oklahoma teams have an incredible record of 87-5 at home during his tenure as the head man.
The Sooners were one of the trendy College Playoff picks coming into this season after a big win against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and after two weeks, they appear to be fully capable of contending for a national title. In the team’s first two victories, Oklahoma has outscored its opponents, 100-23. However, like the Volunteers, the Sooners will be facing a much more difficult test on Saturday. Favorites of 10.5 to 21 points who won at least 80% of their games from the previous season are 46-17 ATS (73%) in the past 10 seasons, but Tennessee is 39-19 ATS (67%) on the road after forcing one or less turnovers since 1992. The Sooners are dealing with some off-field problems as CB Cortez Johnson and DL Quincy Russell are both questionable due to personal problems, OL Dionte Savage may have to serve a suspension, and DTs Jordan Wade (questionable) and Charles Walker (out) are dealing with undisclosed injuries. The Vols have no significant injuries.
For the Volunteers, the past couple of seasons have been rough, as the offense has not been able to compete with the SEC defenses. The offense comes into the game 51st in FBS scoring (36 points) and 55th in passing (260 passing YPG). While it has been only two weeks, QB Justin Worley (49-of-76, 520 yards and five touchdowns) has been terrific. He has showed great command of the offense, and done a nice job of spreading the ball around to many different receivers, as 11 Volunteers have catches in the first two weeks. His No. 1 target is sophomore WR Marquez North (8 catches, 106 yards, 2 TD). At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, North is a matchup nightmare on the perimeter. He is too big and strong for cornerbacks to guard him one-on-one on the outside. However, the Volunteers do a great job of moving him around, and will put him in the slot against linebackers. If that matchup happens, the Volunteers could be in great shape, as linebackers just can’t run with him. The fact that the passing game is playing so well is big because the Volunteers have some home-run threats in the backfield.
Freshman Jalen Hurd (112 yards, 1 TD) and Marlin Lane (95 yards, 1 TD) are both capable of taking the ball 80 yards on any given play. With the passing game continuing to improve, that should only open things up for the running game, as defenses have to take one guy out of the box. The defense of Tennessee has also been strong, allowing only 13 points (21st in nation). LB A.J. Johnson (18 tackles, 1 INT) is one of the elite defensive players in the country. He is an extremely versatile player that can play against the run, but also does a tremendous job of guarding the opposing tight ends. He is a game-changer for the Volunteers on defense, and will have an opportunity to show his talents on Saturday.
Two weeks into the college football season, the Sooners seem to be in midseason form. The offense ranks 10th in the nation in scoring (50.0 PPG), while ranking 41st in passing (286 YPG) and 42nd in rushing (222 YPG). Quarterback Trevor Knight (40-of-68, 552 passing yards and 3 TD) looks like the quarterback that took over the Sugar Bowl last season. While he is still only a sophomore, he is a different quarterback when it comes to controlling the offense. The Sooners have playmakers all over the field, with Sterling Shepard (12 catches, 226 yards, 2 TD) leading the way. Shepard is the type of receiver that can take a quick slant 80 yards, but he also has the ability to beat the defense over the top. That playmaking ability is crucial with the way the Sooners have rushed the ball. Keith Ford (19 carries, 138 yards, 4 TD) and Alex Ross (16 carries, 126 yards, 3 TD) are a threat to score every time they touch the ball. Last week, Ross rushed for an 82-yard touchdown against Tulsa. The Sooners are averaging 6.3 yards per carry on the season, with four players scoring at least one touchdown on the ground.
The Sooners offense has put up points in recent years, but the best Bob Stoops teams are the ones that have been elite on the defensive side of the ball. The Sooners have allowed only 11.5 PPG in two games (14th in FBS). LB Caleb Gastelum (12 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) is coming off a big performance against Tulsa that saw him land a scholarship after the game. He does a great job of just flying around to the ball, and is the guy that teammates see playing hard and it causes them to take their game to another level. CB Zack Sanchez (2 INT) is expected to play despite a shoulder injury, and he will get a lot of time against North.
