Cnotes College Football Week # 8 Rated Plays, Trends, News Etc. !!

[CNOTES]

Ole Miss is banged up, reeling after loss
October 19, 2015

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) Mississippi still controls its own fate in the Southeastern Conference Western Division thanks to its surprise victory over Alabama in September.


That's pretty much the end of the good news.


The bad news is that following a sobering 37-24 loss to Memphis last weekend, the Rebels don't look anything like a program that's going to contend for championships.


No. 24 Ole Miss (5-2, 2-1 SEC) is a beat-up team heading into its game against No. 15 Texas A&M (5-1, 2-1) on Saturday.


Coach Hugh Freeze said on Monday that defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche and safety Trae Elston are both going through concussion protocol and their availability for the Texas A&M game is uncertain. Starting center Robert Conyers is out for the season because of an ACL tear in right knee.


Injuries are just one major issue. Confidence and execution are a few others.


Freeze concedes that the four weeks since the Alabama win have been difficult, but the adversity is something the team must embrace with five games remaining in the season.


''Those things are a part of life and this is a great teaching time,'' Freeze said. ''We've got five great opportunities left. That's 300 minutes. Yesterday's team meeting was centered on how those minutes should look.''


One positive for Ole Miss is the return of starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound junior All-American will start against Texas A&M after being suspended seven games because the NCAA determined he received illegal benefits.


Tunsil's presence means Fahn Cooper can move back to his normal position at right tackle. The middle of the offensive line is still a work in progress - especially now that Conyers is gone for the season - but Ole Miss hopes Tunsil's presence can boost the Rebels' mediocre running game that gained just 40 yards on 24 attempts against Memphis.


Ole Miss is also trying to figure out some answers on defense. The Rebels have given up 30.3 points in SEC games, which ranks 13th out of 14 teams. They also gave up 384 yards passing against Memphis and the Tigers converted 12 of 20 third-down opportunities.


Freeze said the biggest issue was 30 missed tackles.


But the problems aren't just with injuries and personnel. Quarterback Chad Kelly acknowledges the team's confidence has been shaken after the Florida and Memphis losses.


Still, he's confident that the team that strolled into Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama on its home field hasn't completing disappeared.


''We have to be hungry every day on the practice field and in the weight room,'' Kelly said. ''That's what I've stressed to our guys. We know we're the best team in the land. I have no doubt about that. We have the players and the coaches. As long as everyone believes in that, then we're tough to stop.''

 

[CNOTES]

Status of Washington QB in question
October 19, 2015


SEATTLE (AP) The status of Washington freshman quarterback Jake Browning is in question for Saturday's game at No. 10 Stanford after he suffered a shoulder injury late in the Huskies' loss to Oregon.


Washington coach Chris Petersen said Browning was ''day-to-day'' on Monday, the typical designation Petersen gives for any player who has not suffered a long-term injury.


Browning appeared to injure his right shoulder on Washington's next-to-last possession, which ended with a touchdown pass from Browning to Jaydon Mickens to pull the Huskies within 26-20 with 3:35 left. Browning was hurt a few plays before the touchdown pass.


''That was probably one time he didn't need to escape out of the pocket. We had somebody open who he was trying to find, he just couldn't see him. And so he flushed out of there and got knocked to the turf,'' Petersen said. ''Maybe down the road he does find that guy, but he does a great job of finding guys. Things like that are going to happen.''


When Washington got the ball back with 1:11 remaining, K.J. Carta-Samuels was in at quarterback while Browning was having his shoulder tended to on the sideline. Petersen said after the game that he didn't believe it was a significant injury but did not elaborate Monday.


Carta-Samuels and Jeff Lindquist would both get significant reps in practice this week if Browning is slowed, Petersen said. The decision to go with Carta-Samuels for the final drive against Oregon - which ended with an interception by Ugo Amadi with 24 seconds left.- was an indication that Carta-Samuels was Washington's No. 2 quarterback.


Browning has started all six games for the Huskies and had big games the first month of the season against Sacramento State and Utah State, throwing for more than 300 yards against both.


But since the start of conference play, the Huskies pass game has been mostly grounded.


Browning threw for 152 yards and had two interceptions against California. He passed for 137 yards in the upset victory at USC and finished with 199 yards passing against Oregon.


It's the second time in Petersen's two seasons that the Huskies have had a stretch of at least three straight games without a 200-yard passer. The Huskies went the first five games last season without a quarterback throwing for 200 yards.


But Petersen is adamant Washington needs to get more from its pass game. The Huskies' longest pass play in the past three games is 31 yards. That won't be easy against Stanford's defense, which has allowed less than 200 yards passing in three of six games this season.


''It's not any one thing. It's just we're seeing some teams that play a little bit better defense,'' Petersen said. ''And so we would like to be more explosive there without question.''

 

[CNOTES]

Narduzzi has No. 25 Pitt ahead of schedule
October 19, 2015


PITTSBURGH (AP) Pat Narduzzi arrived at Pittsburgh last December. His job was to find a way to elevate a team seemingly stuck around .500 for years.


He's well ahead of schedule.


The Panthers are 5-1 and ranked at No. 25, cracking the poll for the first time in five years. An early sign of success, sure, but Narduzzi is not swayed by an arbitrary ranking.


''It's just a number,'' he said. ''We're more than a number.''


Pitt is 3-0 in the wide-open ACC Coastal Division and has played four of six games on the road, including a 31-28 win at Georgia Tech last Saturday.


''We've got goals and we've got places we want to go and our kids know that,'' Narduzzi said. ''If they look at the 25 and they walk out there, write it on their wristband `Oh, we're No. 25,' I don't think that's going to happen.''


Pitt's previous ranking was No. 15 in the 2010 preseason under coach Dave Wannstedt. The Panthers didn't last long - they were out of the poll after an opening loss to Utah.


Now, behind one of the nation's top defensive units and most accurate passers in the ACC in Nate Peterman, Pitt is one of the league's biggest surprises.


Narduzzi and his staff understand the importance of the ranking to the players. After all, the Panthers didn't receive a single vote in the previous week's poll.


''The great thing is they were nowhere on the radar,'' Narduzzi said. ''They weren't even a blip a week ago. We talk about earning respect and we do that every week and our kids earned it.''


Peterman ranks 13th in the nation with a 66.7 completion percentage. He completed 14 of 21 attempts for 162 yards and a career-high three touchdowns when the Panthers edged the Yellow Jackets on Chris Blewitt's school-record 56-yard field goal with just over a minute to go.


A transfer from Tennessee, Peterman took the starting job from incumbent Chad Voytik last month. He sees the ranking as a stepping stone.


''It's encouraging, for sure,'' Peterman said. ''I think even after the Virginia Tech game that was big when coach Narduzzi told us they don't give out midseason awards and there's no championship in the middle of the season.''


As Pitt begins the second half of its season, Narduzzi doesn't expect his players' approach to waver even if they aren't the no-name unit they were in August.


''I think that's who they are,'' Narduzzi said. ''I think that's what we've coached in this room and I don't think we'll be any different.''


On Saturday at Syracuse, the Panthers can reach the six-win mark in October. In other years, a sixth win wouldn't come until November. For Pitt, it's a foothold, a road to bigger things.


''The apple or whatever food is right in front of you,'' Peterman said. ''You've just got to go out and grab it.''

 

[CNOTES]

Texas feels good after win, but 'still 2-4'
October 19, 2015


AUSTIN, Texas (AP) If the Texas Longhorns are still giddy after their big win over Oklahoma that many called a program changer, junior defensive tackle Paul Boyette is happy to spoil the fun.


''We played our butts off against Oklahoma,'' Boyette said Monday. ''But we're still sitting here at 2-4.''


Boyette delivered a stark reminder that probably needs repeating to the young team that pulled off a shocking upset after getting blown out by TCU just a week earlier.


The Longhorns (2-4, 1-2 Big 12) had a week off to soak up the win, strut around the neighborhood and even start talking about reaching a bowl game.


But the reality is the Longhorns are still a long way from even a .500 record halfway through the season. Add a mention that the next opponent, Kansas State, just got blown out 55-0 at home by Oklahoma and coach Charlie Strong will be fighting to prevent a dangerous level of self-satisfaction from settling in.


Strong himself fielded only a handful of questions about Kansas State at his weekly news conference, which was dominated by the theme of whether his program had finally turned things around.


''So much has happened. We had never lost our team. It wasn't like the earth was falling,'' said Strong, who was tossed in the air in celebration by his players after the victory. ''Now that it has happened for them, you just hope the confidence continues to build on and on.''


But Strong can also tell his players to look in the mirror to size up what's coming next.


Kansas State (3-3, 0-3) has lost three in a row. Before the blowout by Oklahoma, the Wildcats had dropped excruciating late losses to Oklahoma State and TCU.


Like Texas did with Oklahoma, the Wildcats will be eyeing the Longhorns as a chance to turn their season around.


Strong watched only a few plays of Saturday's game, chalked it up as a bad day for Kansas State and paid no more attention.


''I know that's not who that football team is,'' Strong said. ''The same thing happened to us. We were able to bounce back. Be ready for a team that comes ready to play, a team that's mentally and physically tough.''


Texas players remember a 23-0 loss at Kansas State last year, arguably the low point for the Texas offense in Strong's two seasons. And they remember the beating they took from their own fans after getting blown out two weeks ago by TCU.


Kansas State will be going through the same thing.


''They're going to hear it all week,'' Texas senior wide receiver Marcus Johnson said. ''They'll be a different team.''

 

[CNOTES]

Penalties, punts among UCLA's many flaws
October 19, 2015


LOS ANGELES (AP) When everything is going well, struggles with penalties and punts might be a minor inconvenience.


In UCLA's current state, decimated by injuries and relying on a freshman quarterback, they can be the difference between having a Top 25 ranking and being knocked out of the polls by two straight losses.


The Bruins (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) did themselves no favors in their 56-35 loss at Stanford, too often giving the Cardinal favorable field position or sabotaging their own chances to stay in the game with poorly timed penalties.


''We just have to clean the mistakes up,'' receiver Jordan Payton said Sunday. ''Those little things are killing us.''


Payton was flagged for the first of UCLA's 10 penalties for 93 yards on an offensive pass interference call early in the first quarter at Stanford. Instead of converting a third-and-1, quarterback Josh Rosen threw an interception on third-and-16 that Stanford cornerback Alijah Holder returned 31 yards for a touchdown.


Payton wasn't sure why he was penalized, and coach Jim Mora said film review of the play showed the defender initiating contact after Payton tried to avoid it before making the catch that would have moved the chains.


Mora was far more troubled by an illegal formation penalty that negated Paul Perkins' touchdown run on the next series, leading to UCLA settling for a short field goal.


''The penalties that bother me are the non-aggressive penalties,'' Mora said. ''A false start bothers me. A misaligned formation bothers me, because those are concentration errors. Guys got to lock in and do a better job in those situations.''


Penalties have been a constant issue since Mora arrived at UCLA, which has ranked in the bottom 14 nationally in penalty yards per game in each of his four seasons. The Bruins are averaging 7.83 penalties for 75 yards per game this season, and two recent targeting fouls have Mora ready to re-examine how that penalty is assessed.


Receiver Kenneth Walker III was ejected for a high hit on Stanford linebacker Blake Martinez as he tried to block for Rosen, a rarity for an offensive player. Linebacker Kenny Young was tossed in the first quarter of the win over BYU for a hit on Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum.


''I don't know that it needs to be changed, but it needs to be evaluated,'' said Mora, who also pointed to the ejection of Michigan linebacker Joe Bolden in the Wolverines' loss to Michigan State. ''I just think the penalty is so severe sometimes that we have to really make sure it is being officiated right and being judged right and being interpreted right.''


Unlike Michigan, UCLA is at least getting its punts off successfully. How far they go is another matter. Matt Mengel ranks last in the Pac-12 with an average of 38.1 yards per punt, and the senior struggled again against Stanford.


After a solid first punt, Mengel's next try went out of bounds after just 32 yards and gave Stanford a short field. The Cardinal scored three plays later to take a commanding 28-10 lead.


Mora pointed to the bright side, as UCLA has allowed minus-1 yards on punt returns. He praised Mengel's work ethic while also keeping his options open.


''I know Matt is working very, very hard to do better,'' Mora said. ''It's important to him. He's a heck of a good kid and he doesn't take it lightly.''


With Utah holding a two-game lead over the rest of the Pac-12 South, UCLA is aware that a loss Thursday night to No. 20 California would effectively end its pursuit of the division title. Payton said cleaning up those little mistakes is vital to keeping those slim hopes alive.


''For us to beat them, we're going to have to come out and be mistake-free,'' Payton said. ''It's no rocket science. Penalty-free, turnover-free, and score touchdowns.''

 

[CNOTES]

No. 20 California looks to rebound after 1st loss of season
October 19, 2015


BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) California coach Sonny Dykes hopes his players took more than a loss from their recent trip to Utah.


He's counting on the Golden Bears having learned a lesson on how to deal with the big stage of college football after years of being at the bottom of the Pac-12.


The 20th-ranked Bears (5-1, 2-1) get their first chance to prove that this week when they return to the spotlight with a Thursday night game against rival UCLA (4-2, 1-2) that still has plenty on the line.


''I think our guys will handle this better,'' Dykes said Monday. ''At least I hope we will. You have to go through something like that to learn from it. As coaches we can talk about it and try to prepare our players as best that we can. But it's something completely different when you go through it. They went through it.''


And they almost came out on top despite a mistake-filled performance. Even with usually reliable quarterback Jared Goff throwing five interceptions and the Bears losing an additional fumble, they were in position late to beat then-No. 5 Utah before falling on the road 30-24 in the Oct. 10 game that had all the hoopla of a matchup between undefeated teams with ''College GameDay'' on hand.


With 11 days off before the game at the Rose Bowl against the Bruins, the Bears have had plenty of time to get past that loss and move on to the rest of their season.


''When I look back, we had a terrible game offensively and we were one possession away from beating the No. 5 team in the nation,'' receiver Stephen Anderson said. ''It's bad that we lost but there are a lot of positives we can take coming into this week.''


The one player who had almost no positives from that game was Goff, who came into it being mentioned as a Heisman Trophy contender and possible No. 1-overall draft pick only to throw the five interceptions. He also tied a season low with only two touchdown passes.


Goff said he moved on quickly from the loss and took advantage of the time off to clear his mind and freshen up his body for the second half of the season.


''Knowing Jared, seeing Jared these last couple of years I think it's a fluke,'' Anderson said. ''It happened. A lot of people like to say the lights were too bright for him or something like that. I don't think the lights were too bright for him. He just had a bad game.''


Even with the loss, there is plenty on the line for the Bears, who are once again a contender in the Pac-12 after winning just nine games overall the previous three seasons.


A win Thursday would make them bowl eligible for the first time since 2011, give them their first win at UCLA in 2009 and give Dykes his first win against one of Cal's three in-state conference rivals.


''There's a lot of reasons we want this game and becoming bowl eligible is one of them,'' safety Stefan McClure said. ''Since it's here right now that's something we can think about. ... There's stuff riding on this game. Getting a sixth win, beating UCLA, which we haven't down there in a few years. That type of stuff. There's some extra stuff to think about. That's one of the goals to get six wins and become bowl eligible. The sooner we can get that out of the way the better we'll be.''


The Bears had three shots at that elusive sixth win last year only to lose to USC, Stanford and BYU to end the season. They missed out again on the sixth win against Utah.


Now they get another chance. They will be the underdog despite having a better record and higher ranking than the banged-up Bruins, who have allowed 94 points in back-to-back losses to Arizona State and Stanford.


''That kind of bothers me,'' Anderson said. ''I feel like we haven't gotten the respect that we deserve to this point. In order to get that, you just have to keep winning. This is a game that everybody will be looking at.''

 

[CNOTES]

No. 17 Oklahoma's pass defense among nation's best
October 19, 2015


NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Oklahoma's pass defense was a liability last season, and it appeared more of the same was in store this year after Tulsa torched the Sooners for 427 yards through the air a month ago.


Since then, Oklahoma has been stellar against the pass. The Sooners intercepted West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard three times, made him fumble twice and sacked him seven times in Oklahoma's 44-24 win on Oct. 3. Though Texas focused on the ground game, the Longhorns got little out of the few passes they put up and were held to 55 yards on Oct. 10. Last week, the Sooners allowed just 45 yards passing in a 55-0 shutout of Kansas State.


The 17th-ranked Sooners (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) lead the conference in scoring defense, total defense, pass defense and interceptions, and are second in sacks in league play. Overall, Oklahoma ranks ninth nationally in pass defense.


Coach Bob Stoops likes what he's seeing.


''It's getting better,'' Stoops said. ''They're talented guys. They have experience on the field. They work hard in practice. They're playing in a good way.''


The unit will be tested Saturday against Texas Tech's Air Raid offense. The Red Raiders (5-2, 2-2) rank second nationally in passing yards per game (427.6), second in total offense (623.7) and third in scoring offense (49.4).


Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes already has thrown for 2,628 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, and he's rushed for six more scores.


''Mahomes is an excellent quarterback,'' Stoops said. ''Great arm, great thrower, great job scrambling and moving around and getting out of the pocket. He hurt us bad last year getting out of the pocket. They had several big plays on us from him scrambling around and finding people late, five, six seconds into the route. He's a really good athlete.''


He'll face a top-notch pass rusher in Eric Striker. Oklahoma's senior linebacker has the school record for sacks for a linebacker with 20. He leads the conference with four sacks during league games, with two against West Virginia and two against Texas.


Cornerback Zack Sanchez was the Big 12 defensive player of the week after intercepting two passes and returning one 38 yards for a score against Kansas State.


Cornerback Jordan Thomas was suspended for the Tulsa game for violating team rules, but he has been a difference maker since his return. He leads the Big 12 with three picks an seven passes defensed during league play.


''First, I was really surprised that I had to suspend him because that hasn't been his character, but he's playing the way we thought he would play,'' Stoops said. ''He's an excellent athlete, he's a smart young man, and he's playing at a much higher level. But we anticipated that. He's not a freshman anymore, he's played a lot of football, and he's getting better. I still think there's a lot more to come.''


Sanchez gets more action now that Thomas has established himself. Thomas intercepted two passes against West Virginia and picked off one against Kansas State.


''Yeah, he's kind of on a hot streak right now,'' Sanchez said of Thomas. ''Teams don't want to throw at a guy that's hot, especially a corner.''


Hatari Byrd, Ahmad Thomas and Steven Parker are starters in the secondary, and Will Johnson, made an impression against Kansas State. The experience and depth have prompted the coaches to allow the unit to play more aggressively.


''We try to,'' Stoops said. ''Again, with better execution, that happens. And in a lot of circumstances, we're playing tighter coverage because we have the confidence to do it.''

 

[CNOTES]

College FB Week 7 Recap


Watching Jalen Watts-Jackson's 38-yard game-winning fumble return linger for just a brief moment when he was slowed down by Michigan's Wayne Lyons around the 15-yard-line, I was expecting the Spartans redshirt freshman safety to step out of bounds and save his team those few seconds it needed to attempt a game-winning field goal.


Could you imagine having all that chaos transpire and it leading to no points? That's how it might have ended if Michigan tight end Jake Butt would've gotten to Watts-Jackson right before he reached the goal line with the clock on the verge of expiring. There was also a point where Michigan State's Jermaine Edmondson clearly holds Lyons down the sideline, allowing Watts-Jackson to steamroll ahead, cutting back inside and accelerating for the final yards before Butt finally runs him down and tackles him into the end zone, giving the Spartans a 27-23 walk-off win.


A yellow flag would've probably commanded free meals in Ann Arbor for the rest of time, but instead, a play that's going to live forever becomes the defining moment of the Michigan State-Michigan rivalry the same way Auburn/Alabama has their missed field goal return and Cal/Stanford have their trampling of the band. Timeless.


Spartans can turn break into monster season


Because this was Jim Harbaugh's first one of these rivalry games as head coach, it was always going to be historic. The fact the Wolverines have been better than anticipated and carried an impressive three-game shutout streak into the festivities added spice. They were favored by 7.5 points on a night when a primetime stage assured the full attention of the college football world. What we all got to see appeared destined.


Punter Blake O'Neill fumbled, sure, but what he did after that miscue compounded the entire situation. Instead of scooping it up in the direction his momentum was taking him, he circled the ball on a weird u-turn and nearly came up with it cleanly. If he'd just cut his losses by diving on the football and downing it there, he would've at least forced Michigan State to drive a few yards to set up a field goal. Instead, five Spartans converged and O'Neill didn't see them. He ends up batting the ball in the air, unintentionally lateraling it into Watts-Jackson's waiting hands.


Head coach Mark Dantonio called it "letting the lion out of the cage," putting 11 players up at the line of scrimmage and hoping for the best. It was one huge helping of madness in a college football season that has already offered up its share.


The question that looms now is what Michigan State is going to do with this gift, besides rub it in rival Michigan's face every chance they get over the next 12 months. They'll host Indiana next week before a Halloween hiatus, enjoying a bye week to prepare for a final stretch comprised of road games at Nebraska and Ohio State in addition to home dates against Maryland and Penn State. Running the table and defeating the Big Ten West champ in the conference title game would certainly guarantee the Spartans a spot in the College Football playoff.


Dantonio's team lost to only Oregon and Ohio State last season, so falling just short is a sour taste they know all about and want to avoid, which may turn this reprieve into a weapon. Connor Cook has already failed. Passes to Aaron Burbridge, Josiah Price and Macgarrett Kings late in Saturday night's comeback bid often missed their mark only barely. Avoiding a loss in Ann Arbor could be a galvanizing force in Lincoln and Columbus if Michigan State responds the right way. They know they'll never be out of any game, enjoying a shared belief in one another that few other teams can boast. Ironically, the Buckeyes are in that priviledged minority, looking for a 20th consecutive win this weekend at Rutgers.


Maybe an undefeated Michigan State coming into Ohio Stadium would simply serve to ensure the defending champs don't come out sleep-walking like they have for most of the season, but it will at least guarantee that the Big Ten will get another bid into the national semis. All the Spartans have to do over the next month is clear a few hurdles and get to Nov. 21 unscathed, but they've already done the heavy lifting on a special season.


Ironically, Watts-Jackson underwent surgery on Sunday after dislocating and fracturing his hip upon being tackled from behind. That he couldn't celebrate his season-altering heroics because he was writhing in pain added a strange twist to an unforgettable story. We'll see what post-script Michigan State writes the rest of the way.


NCAA Football Week 7 recap snapshot


Best games:


1. Michigan State 27 Michigan 23, 2. LSU 35 Florida 28, 3. Rutgers 55 Indiana 52


Best players:


1. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford: 25-243 4 TDs vs UCLA, 2. Seth Russell, Baylor: 20-33 380 yds 5 TD, 14-160 rushing yds, 1 TD vs. West Virginia, 3. Derrick Henry 32-236 yds 2 TD vs Texas A&M.


Best plays:


1. Whether you call it Anguish in Ann Arbor or side with Spartan miracle, it was worthy of all the hype it's gotten. 2. It looked like the play of the year until Saturday night, but Stanford's Francis Owusu will have to settle for a brilliant runner-up, catching a pass from Kevin Hogan behind the back of UCLA DB Jaleel Wadood. It might just be the catch of the year despite ranking second on the week. Hard to imagine anybody topping it. 3. LSU's Les Miles contributed a Mad Hatter Special by calling for a fake field goal that kicker Trent Domingue wound up taking into the end zone with 10:40 left in the fourth quarter, snapping a 28-28 tie against Florida. Domingue juggled the shovel pass for added drama but managed to secure it and race away from Gators corner Vernon Hargreaves.


Best coaching jobs:


1. Justin Fuente delivered the week's biggest upset, taking down Ole Miss at home. 2. With a 40-10 blowout of Northwestern, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz got his Hawkeyes past their most accomplished opponent remaining on their schedule. There are challenges ahead against Minnesota and at Indiana and Nebraska, but Iowa may run the table and set up a Big Ten Championship game between undefeated squads. 3. Nick Saban stared down a talented spread team in College Station and crushed it with his calling cards of defense and discipline. The Tide got three TDs on interception returns and a monster day from Henry in a 41-23 win over Texas A&M.


Worst coaching jobs:


1. Bryan Harsin saw his team lose control on the road, coming out and commiting seven first-half turnovers in Logan to fall behind Utah State 45-10 at the break. The Aggies forced three turnovers and scored 21 points in the last 1:25 of the half to shut the lights out. The Broncos may not lose again since this is a down year for the Mountain West, but the Aggies got themselves a great inside track. 2. Indiana's Kevin Wilson saw his Hoosiers shoot themselves in the foot with three consecutive fourth-quarter turnovers to help blow a 52-27 lead. 3. Kansas State's Bill Snyder always gets the most out of his kids, but they didn't show up as he got crushed by former pupil Bob Stoops. Oklahoma came into Manhattan and emerged with a 55-0 win, blanking K-State for the first time since 1996 and the first time at home since '91.


Close calls and bad beats:


That 55-0 Oklahoma win got over the posted total of 53 without the Wildcats help when Joe Mixon ran it in. At least the Sooners didn't let it linger, scoring their final points with about 10 minutes remaining.


Utah RB Devonta Booker scored on a 62-yard run with just 1:11 remaining to get the over in the Utes/Sun Devils game in. Booker took the game over as he has multiple times this season and has a chance to find himself a Heisman finalist with a big next few weeks.


Tulsa-ECU featured the cover changing hands twice in the final 1:24, The Pirates (-14) were rolling by a 23-0 count through three quarters, but surrendered the cover by giving up 10 quick fourth-quarter points. They took it back after having to go just four yards when the Golden Hurricane failed to convert on a 4th down inside their own 5-yard-line. QB Dane Evans then managed to hit Keyarris Garrett for a 47-yard score with just 30 seconds left and the Redford Jones PAT delivered Tulsa a 30-17 loss.


Auburn and Kentucky played a riveting game to open the week that came down to the final minutes for both the side and total. The Tigers closed as a two-point road favorite and the total landed at 56.5, so over bettors rejoiced when the 'Cats closed within 30-27 with only 4:06 left.


New Mexico State trailed Georgia Southern 56-14 as a 31-point underdog, but pulled off a 56-26 cover with a pair of late scores.


The cover that you're telling your friends about for weeks came thanks to Troy, which was getting 30/31 at Mississippi State and trailed 45-14 in a game where they were down 38-0 at the half. The Bulldogs clearly took their foot off the gas, but still had Troy beat until the Trojans sent out kicker Jed Solomon to make a 21-yard field goal with just 27 seconds to go, covering the spread and aggravating all chalk-eaters.


Key injuries:


Michigan State DB Jalen Watts-Jackson (Hip, OFY), Baylor DL Andrew Billings (Ankle, week-to-week), Miami (FL) LB Raphael Kirby (Knee, OFY), Ole Miss C Robert Conyers (ACL, OFY), Kentucky DT Melvin Lewis (Fibula, out indefinitely), LSU TE Dillon Gordon (Achilles, OFY).

 

[CNOTES]

Tuesday's Top Action
October 20, 2015



UL-LAFAYETTE RAGIN' CAJUNS (2-3) at ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES (3-3)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Arkansas State -6.5

A clash between two Sun Belt schools undefeated in conference play will occur Tuesday night in Jonesboro, AR when Louisiana-Lafayette visits Arkansas State.


Both schools have scored exactly 49 points in in all conference games this season, as the Ragin' Cajuns blew out Texas State 49-27 on Oct. 10, and the Red Wolves knocked off 22-point underdog Idaho 49-35 on Oct. 13 before winning by a similar 49-31 score at South Alabama last Tuesday. UL-Lafayette is now 3-2 ATS for the season (1-1 ATS on road) and Arkansas State is 3-3 ATS this year (2-1 ATS at home).


These Sun Belt foes are meeting for the 12th consecutive year with the home team prevailing in eight of those dozen matchups. While half of these 12 contests have been decided by single-digits, the past three meetings have all been lopsided. The Red Wolves won 50-27 on the road in 2012, and the Ragin' Cajuns prevailed 23-7 on the road in 2013 and 55-40 at home last season in a shootout that featured 1,116 total yards of offense (672 rushing yards).


Nearly all of the top betting trends expect UL-Lafayette to win again, at least ATS. The school is 14-4 ATS on the road in the second half of the season under head coach Mark Hudspeth, and college football underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points after a double-digit conference win facing an opponent coming off a game where both teams scored 31+ points are 42-14 ATS since 1992. Although Arkansas State is a dreadful 7-25 ATS versus good rushing teams (4.75 YPC) since 1992, the school is also 10-5 ATS at home in the past three seasons, including 9-5 ATS as a home favorite.


The Ragin' Cajuns are coming off a bye, but they still have five players questionable with injuries in RB Montrel Carter (shin), K Carlos Alvarez (hip) and DBs Christian Goodlett (shoulder), T.J. Worthy (hamstring) and Troy McCollum (ankle). With starting QB Fredi Knighten (groin) having returned last week, the Red Wolves are only concerned with OL Daniel Keith, who is questionable with an ankle injury.


Louisiana-Lafayette's offense has been strong with 30.8 PPG and 434 total YPG (6.2 yards per play), but those numbers are significantly worse on the road (23.5 PPG, 405 total YPG, 5.3 yards per play). Mistakes have been a major key for this team, which has zero giveaways in two wins and 11 turnovers in three losses. Junior QB Jalen Nixon is coming off his best game of the season versus Texas State when he completed 22-of-29 passes for 238 yards, 3 TD and 0 INT. He has also done a great job running the football in the past two games with 99 yards on 16 carries (6.2 YPC) and 2 TD.


But the big reason this team is averaging a strong 231 rushing YPG is the feet of senior RB Elijah McGuire (585 rush yds, 6.0 YPC, 7 TD). McGuire ran for 170 yards on 6.1 YPC and 1 TD against Texas State and totaled 154 yards on 18 touches in the most recent road game at Louisiana Tech on Oct. 3. McGuire was clearly the star of the rout versus Arkansas State last year when he carried the ball 19 times for 265 yards (13.9 YPC) and four touchdowns from 74, 54, 43 and 13 yards out.


Defensively, UL-Lafayette has had problems stopping opponents all year with 32.4 PPG allowed on 408 total YPG (6.0 yards per play). This includes surrendering 41.5 PPG on the road and 35.0 PPG in the past three contests. A subpar run-stop unit (189 YPG, 4.8 YPC) and generous secondary (220 pass YPG, 7.6 YPA) are both to blame for the large number of points allowed so far. Another reason for the deficiency is a lack of turnovers, as the Cajuns have only four takeaways through five games. They need to have that number rise quickly, especially playing a turnover-prone opponent with 16 giveaways in six games in 2015.


Arkansas State's offense has been strong this season with 33.5 PPG on 386 total YPG, and these numbers are even more impressive in three home games (46.3 PPG, 454 total YPG). The team has displayed great balance all season with 198 rushing YPG on 4.4 YPC and 188 passing YPG on 6.6 YPA. Senior RB Michael Gordon had only six carries last week, but opened October with a monster performance against Idaho where he ran for 221 yards on 26 carries (8.5 YPC) and three touchdowns. Gordon was also outstanding in last year's loss to Louisiana-Lafayette with 134 rushing yards on 15 carries (8.9 YPC) and a touchdown.


Senior QB Fredi Knighten was also huge in that 2014 meeting with 405 total yards (344 passing, 61 rushing) and 4 touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing). After missing three games with a groin injury, Knighten showed no rust in last week's win at South Alabama when he completed 10-of-17 passes for 117 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT. Another senior, WR JD McKissic, also did some damage in Lafayette last year (7 rec, 99 yds), but didn't do much last week with a season-low two catches for 27 yards.


Defensively, this unit has surrendered 32.0 PPG on 376 total YPG, but these numbers have been much better in three home games (23.0 PPG and 322 total YPG). The biggest deficiency has been stopping opposing quarterbacks who have thrown for 229 YPG. But after giving up 140+ rushing yards in each of the first five games, the run defense was outstanding last week in holding South Alabama to 29 yards on 32 carries. The Red Wolves also forced another five turnovers in last week's win, giving them 15 takeaways over the past five games.

 

[CNOTES]

NCAAF
Dunkel


Week 8




LA-Lafayette @ Arkansas St


Game 301-302
October 20, 2015 @ 8:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
LA-Lafayette
70.746
Arkansas St
83.673
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arkansas St
by 13
75
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arkansas St
by 8
62 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arkansas St
(-8); Over
----------------------


NCAAF
Long Sheet


Tuesday, October 20


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


LA LAFAYETTE (2 - 3) at ARKANSAS ST (3 - 3) - 10/20/2015, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAFAYETTE is 2-0 against the spread versus ARKANSAS ST over the last 3 seasons
LA LAFAYETTE is 2-0 straight up against ARKANSAS ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------








NCAAF
Armadillo's Write-Up


Week 8


Tuesday's game
Arkansas State scored 49 points in each of its I-A wins; they scored 33 points total in three losses. ASU is 5-2 as home favorite in Anderson era; they lost five of last seven games with UL-Lafayette, losing 55-40/23-7 last two years (dogs 3-1 last four vs spread). ULL is 4-6 last ten games as road underdog; they lost 40-33/43-14 in two road games, but got first win last game, at home over Texas State. Sun Belt home teams are 3-7 vs spread in conference play, 2-3 when favored.








NCAAF


Week 8


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Tuesday, October 20


8:00 PM
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE vs. ARKANSAS STATE
Louisiana-Lafayette is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Arkansas State
Louisiana-Lafayette is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Arkansas State
Arkansas State is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Arkansas State's last 13 games


---------------------

 

[CNOTES]

NCAAF


Tuesday, October 20



Baylor offense getting scarier by the week


WACO, Tex. -- The list of things opposing defensive coordinators have to worry about when they get ready to play the No. 2-ranked Baylor Bears keeps growing.


As Halloween approaches, Baylor is creating its own brand of horror story. This week the Bears (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) will try and haunt Iowa State's defensive unit.


Baylor has long-since established itself as a prolific offense, supposedly based around a pass-heavy spread scheme. But for years now the Bears have been just as dangerous on the ground as through the air.


This season, Baylor's go-to running back Shock Linwood has rushed for 100-plus yards in four of six games. On Saturday, though, quarterback Seth Russell subbed in as the ground-gainer and went for 160.


Baylor coach Art Briles said he likes seeing Russell run, as long as the QB protects himself.


"(Russell is) a good enough athlete that, if he's out in space and sees somebody, he can protect his body," Briles said. "I thought he did a really good job of doing that the other day."


Baylor also has a decent change-of-pace running back in Johnny Jefferson and the Bears are expecting another experienced rusher, Devin Chafin, to come back from a hamstring injury any week now.


But slowing down Baylor's rushing attack isn't something opponents can devote too much attention to, since the Bears can still burn just about any defense over the top.


Last Saturday, Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman kept up his video-game-like touchdown pace, scoring three times to bring his TD total to 16 for the season. By the end of the day, he had 10 catches for 199 yards to go along with the three scores.


"I've been saying it for two years, at least, that it's his passion, his energy, his toughness, and his skill level that allow him to separate himself from other people," Briles said of Coleman. "He's got all that with talent, and that's what allows him to separate and be different."


Even if a viewer knew nothing about Coleman's single-season-record-setting TD stats, one play in the second half versus West Virginia would be convincing enough.


Coleman caught a slant pass from the left side, about eight yards into the secondary. Instead of carrying out the play through the middle, Coleman stopped on a dime, causing the Mountaineers best corner, Rick Rumph, to fall down. With his defender on the ground, Coleman reversed field and raced to a 33-yard touchdown.


That's a nightmare in a nutshell.


NOTES, QUOTES


PLAYERS TO WATCH


--WR Corey Coleman has been unbelievable so far this season. On Saturday, Coleman caught three touchdown passes to re-establish Baylor's single-season record for receiving touchdowns with 16. Coleman passed former Bear Kendall Wright, who caught 14 touchdown passes in 2011. And Coleman still has half a season in front of him.


--QB Seth Russell becomes more of a dual threat with each passing week. Russell passed for 380 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 160 yards and a score with a long run of 46 yards against West Virginia. If Russell keeps up that kind of production, listen for his name in Heisman discussions before long.


--LB Taylor Young posted seven solo stops, including two tackles for loss against West Virginia. He's become a key cog in the Baylor defense over the last two seasons. Despite missing two games this season, he has compiled 17 tackles, including 12 solo stops and 3.5 tackles for losses. He'll likely keep moving up Baylor's team tackle chart as the season continues.


SERIES HISTORY:


Baylor leads Iowa State, 7-6.


QUOTE TO NOTE:


"I think we just try to be intelligent with (QB Seth Russell running). We realize it's a position that if you want to see grandma, while she's knitting, get up and scream, it's usually when they're tackling the quarterback. We understand that." -- Baylor coach Art Briles on whether or not it makes him nervous to have Russell running as much as he did on Saturday versus West Virginia.






Seminoles try to tie ACC record 29-game win streak


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- After Georgia Tech's remarkable 2014 campaign that ended just short of an ACC title (thanks to Florida State), most Seminole fans figured the rematch during the 2015 regular season might wind up being a battle of Top 25 unbeatens staking their claim on the conference crown.


Come Saturday, that scenario is still alive and well -- but only for one.


No. 9 Florida State (6-0 overall, 4-0 in the ACC) still has a lot at stake Saturday when it faces the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, where the Seminoles will look to stay perfect and remain on a crash course for a date in the ACC Championship game in December.


As for Georgia Tech? Well, at 2-5 overall -- and 0-4 in ACC play -- the Yellow Jackets will simply be looking for a win in what's been a woeful defense of the Coastal Division title.


And unfortunately for Florida State, a desperate team is often a dangerous team.


"I think all games are about toughness," Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said Monday. "But this one especially is."


Toughness would be a good way to describe what the Seminoles demonstrated in the face of adversity, both mentally and physically, last Saturday


After falling behind 7-6 at halftime to Louisville at Doak Campbell Stadium, Florida State came out of the locker room a completely different team, scoring on all five of its second-half drives and capping each with a touchdown to turn what looked like an upset into a 41-21 blowout.


Former Florida State quarterback and Heisman winner Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall pick of the Tampa Bay Bucs earlier this year, was even on hand to witness yet another Seminoles comeback against the Cardinals -- albeit slightly less prolific than Winston's.


It was Winston who last year led Florida State back from a 21-0 hole to topple Louisville in the program's biggest comeback win in school history. And Fisher was glad to see him and several other former players come back for the weekend to support the team in what ended up being the program's 28th straight ACC win.


"He ain't changed a lick ... that knucklehead," Fisher said of Winston, who was also joined on the sidelines last Saturday by two other former Florida State stars: current Atlanta Falcons starting running back Devonta Freeman and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrance Brooks.


Florida State enters as only a five-point favorite, but that's likely only due to the unpredictability of star running back's Dalvin Cook's hamstring, which he pulled two weeks ago in the first quarter against Wake Forest and has become tight -- causing him to head to the sideline for treatment -- during both games since. Cook, a Heisman Trophy contender, has amassed 955 yards and 11 total touchdowns so far this season.


The Seminoles will have a chance to tie the ACC record for consecutive wins -- a record it set from 1992-95 -- Saturday at Georgia Tech, which is on a five-game skid and hasn't won a game since beating Tulane on Sept. 12. That's pretty stunning considering the Yellow Jackets -- who rose to No. 14 in the AP Top 25 poll after season-opening blowout wins -- were the near-consensus pick to win the ACC title this season during ACC Media Days over the summer.


"I wish the outcomes had been different, but they haven't," said Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson, whose program will be guaranteed a losing ACC season for the first time in 20 years if it can't find a way to pull the upset Saturday. "We're sitting here, I think the last five teams we've played are 27-4 and we got another one coming in (in Florida State) that's Top 10 and 6-0, so that makes (the opponents' record) in the last six games 33-4. We're playing good teams, the games are close ... but we just have to find a way to break through and win one.


"So maybe it's this week."


Or maybe Florida State -- just like it did in 1995 when it won its record 29th straight against, coincidentally, Georgia Tech -- will make the Yellow Jackets a footnote to history once again.


"I feel like we're the best defense in the country and nobody can stop what we do or what we bring," said Florida State linebacker Jacob Pugh, who has been one of the shining stars on a unit that ranks ninth in the nation in scoring allowed at 15.2 points per game and is coming off a five-sack outing against Louisville. "We're going to keep on bringing it every week and every Saturday"


NOTES, QUOTES


PLAYERS TO WATCH


--WR Kermit Whitfield is one of the most explosive players in college football. Yup, that's right, Whitfield, the ACC's Receiver of the Week on Monday, is back and better than ever all the sudden for the Seminoles, who got a career-high 172 receiving yards and a touchdown from the junior wideout in last week's win against Louisville. You have to use the word "back" when referring to Whitfield because, as a freshman, he became a hero to Florida State fans when his kickoff return for a TD late in the fourth quarter against Auburn in the BCS title game helped propel the Seminoles to the championship. But as a sophomore he fell off the map in terms of playing time and possibly in the doghouse with Fisher, only to return this season and become the team's breakout star. He's now emerged as Florida State's top receiver with 29 catches for 379 yards and two TDs, as well its best kick returner, averaging 30 yards a return. What may be most impressive about Whitfield is how he's able to get open and handle a lot of contact despite his diminutive stature: He's just 5-foot-8 and 184 pounds. He's arguably the fastest player on the team, and Fisher is now singing the Orlando native's praises. "If you go back and watch Kermit, he's been asked to play a position (receiver) he never really played in high school, or his whole life," Fisher said. "The comfort level of doing it; now he's done it enough, he's had some success with it, his confidence is growing and he feels more comfortable. He's getting much better and (I'm) very proud of the work and the time he's put in."


--LB Jacob Pugh, a former Tallahassee prep star from Godby High, is giving the hometown fans a heck of a season. Pugh was named the ACC's Linebacker of the Week on Monday after he led the Seminoles in tackles against Louisville with seven to go along with two sacks -- both career highs. He's now second on the team in sacks and fifth in tackles, despite starting only three games -- the fewest of any of Florida State's Top 5 defensive leaders.


--DB Derwin James had been waiting for his chance to shine all season, and that time came last Saturday against Louisville. Getting his first career start, James made the most of it with six tackles (second-most on the team), including a sack and a forced fumble on Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson in the third quarter that permanently flipped the momentum in the Seminoles' favor. He's now seventh on the team in tackles and tied for third in sacks.

 

[rolltide]

New Mexico State trailed Georgia Southern 56-14 as a 31-point underdog, but pulled off a 56-26 cover with a pair of late scores.


The cover that you're telling your friends about for weeks came thanks to Troy, which was getting 30/31 at Mississippi State and trailed 45-14 in a game where they were down 38-0 at the half. The Bulldogs clearly took their foot off the gas, but still had Troy beat until the Trojans sent out kicker Jed Solomon to make a 21-yard field goal with just 27 seconds to go, covering the spread and aggravating all chalk-eaters.

both of those are pretty rough

that troy one is nuts. kick fg on 4th and goal from the 4 when down 31 with :27 remaining?

 

[CNOTES]

RECORD GOING INTO TUESDAY GAMES : ( 10/20/15)




CFB: 13 - 18 SATURDAY DAY/NIGHT




*****............................... 3 - 0
double play.........................2 - 6
triple play...........................6 - 5
blow out.............................1 - 2
gom....................................0 - 1
god.....................................0 - 1
gow....................................1 - 1
goy.....................................0 - 1
upset..................................0 - 1




COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECORD:




single play:.......................................29 - 25 - 1
double play:......................................42 - 48
triple play:........................................33 - 26
blow out:..........................................16 - 15
gow:.............................................. . ..2 - 1
gom:.............................................. . .0 - 1
goy............................................... .. ..0 - 1
upsets............................................ ....0 - 3
game of the day..................................1 - 2

 

[CNOTES]

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20


Game Score Status Pick Amount


UL Lafayette - 8:00 PM ET Arkansas State -6.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY


Arkansas State - Under 57.5 500 *****

 

[CNOTES]

RECORD GOING INTO THURSDAY GAMES : ( 10/22/15)




CFB: 1 - 1 TUESDAY NIGHT




*****............................... 0 - 1
double play.........................0 - 0
triple play...........................1 - 0
blow out.............................0 - 0
gom....................................0 - 0
god.....................................0 - 0
gow....................................0 - 0
goy.....................................0 - 0
upset..................................0 - 0




COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECORD:




single play:.......................................29 - 26 - 1
double play:......................................42 - 48
triple play:........................................34 - 26
blow out:..........................................16 - 15
gow:.............................................. . ..2 - 1
gom:.............................................. . .0 - 1
goy............................................... .. ..0 - 1
upsets............................................ ....0 - 3
game of the day..................................1 - 2

 

[CNOTES]

Tech Trends - Week 8


THURSDAY, OCT. 22


Matchup Skinny Edge

GEORGIA SOUTHERN at APP STATE
GS 10-6 vs. line since last season and did beat App 34-14 LY. Mounties only 3-5 vs. line at Boone since LY (1-1 TY).
Slight to GS, based on team trends.


TEMPLE at EAST CAROLINA
Temple on 8-3 spread run since late LY. Owls 14-5 vs. spread last 19 on road. Pirates 2-0 as dog in 2015.
Temple, based on team trends.

CAL at UCLA
Bruins have lost two straight, 0-2-1 vs. line at Rose Bowl TY, 2-7-1 last 10 vs. number at Pasadena. Sonny Dykes 7-2 as dog since LY.
Cal, based on team trends.




FRIDAY, OCT. 23


Matchup Skinny Edge


MEMPHIS at TULSA
Tigers 6-2-2 vs. line last 10 away from Liberty Bowl.
Slight to Memphis, based on team trends.

UTAH STATE at SAN DIEGO STATE
First time these two have met in a long while. Rocky Long 2-0-1 last three as home dog, and has covered four straight and five of last six at Qualcomm vs. MW foes. Utags 7-1 as road chalk for Matt Wells since 2013.
Slight to SDSU, based on team trends.

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, OCT. 24


Matchup Skinny Edge


EASTERN MICHIGAN at NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Creighton 7-11-1 vs. line since arriving at EMU LY. NIU has covered 5 of last 6 TY though only 5-8 vs. line at DeKalb since 2013, 8-8 as DD chalk that span.
Slight to NIU, based on team trends.


CENTRAL MICHIGAN at BALL STATE
CMU 6-0-1 vs. line TY and is 12-3-1 last 16 on board. Lembo, however, is 4-0 SU vs. CMU and Ball has won last 5 SU vs. Chips. Lembo 3-5 as Muncie dog since arriving in 2011.
CMU, based on recent trends.


TOLEDO at UMASS (at Foxborough)
Rockets are 5-0-1 vs. line TY, 8-0-2 last ten on board. Mass 6-2 vs. line as host (Gillette, where this one is played, and McGuirk since LY.
Slight to Toledo, based on team trends.


OHIO at BUFFALO
Solich 5-2 vs. line TY, though only 1-1 as road chalk. Solich 2-1 vs. line away TY after 4-12-1 spread mark as visitor previous three years. Bulls 9-6 vs. spread last 15 at UB Stadium.
Slight to Ohio, based on recent trends.


PITT at SYRACUSE
Narduzzi 4-1 vs. line last five TY as the road team has covered all six Pitt games to date (Panthers 4-0 vs. line away). Pitt has covered last six in series.
Pitt, based on team trends.


INDIANA at MICHIGAN STATE
MSU 1-6 vs. line TY. Last IU SU win in series 2006, five straight Spartans SU wins since. Dantonio 8-16 last 24 as East Lansing chalk. Hoosiers just 5-10 last 15 as road dog.
Slight to IU, based on recent MSU spread woes.


CLEMSON at MIAMI-FLA
Dabo 6-1-1 vs. line last eight on board. But he is 0-4 as visiting chalk since LY. Al Golden was 1-6 as dog past two years before recent cover vs. FSU.
Slight to Clemson, based on team trends.


NC STATE at WAKE FOREST
After seven straight covers dating to late 2014, NCS has lost and failed to cover last two. Home team has won and covered last eight in series. Pack has covered last three as road chalk after dropping previous seven in role. Deacs 7-3-1 last 11 as home dog.
Slight to Wake, based on team and series home trends.


MISSOURI at VANDERBILT
Dores 9-5-1 last 15 on board. Derek Mason 7-3 last ten as dog. Pinkel 0-1 as road chalk TY but was 5-0 in role previous two seasons.
Vandy, based on team trends.


MIAMI-OHIO at WESTERN MICHIGAN
After 5-1 as road dog LY, Miami 1-3 in role thus far in 2015. Which makes RedHawks 8-15-1 vs. line in role since 2012. WMU 14-5 vs. line since 2014, 4-0 laying DD.
WMU, based on team trends.


TULANE at NAVY
Mids have now covered last five at Annapolis. Also 4-0 as chalk TY. Wave 6-12 last 18 on board.
Navy, based on team trends.

WYOMING at BOISE STATE
Bohl surprising 3-0 vs. line away TY as Cowboys have covered four of last five. Also 5-1 last six as road dog. Boise has won last five years vs. Wyo by 22 or more, 4-1 vs. line in those games.
Wyo, based on team trends.

FRESNO STATE at AIR FORCE
DeRuyter 2-5 vs. line TY, 2-6 last eight, 13-21-1 last 35 on board. FSU 0-3 as DD dog TY, 2-6 last 8 in role. Force 6-2 last 8 vs. line at home.
Air Force, based on team trends.


NORTH TEXAS at MARSHALL
UNT broke 6-game spread skid with backdoor cover vs. WKU. Mean Green 0-9 as road dog since LY (0-3 TY)! Herd 12-4-1 as home chalk since 2013 (3-1 TY).
Marshall, based on team trends.

UTAH at SOUTHERN CAL
Utes 8-1 vs. spread last nine away from home. Whittingham 7-2 last nine as dog. Trojans no covers last two at Coliseum.
Utah, based on team trends.


WASHINGTON at STANFORD
Hot Tree has won and covered five straight and Shaw is 9-3 vs. line last 12 on Farm. Huskies, however, have covered last 3 in series.
Slight to Stanford, based on recent trends.


TENNESSEE at ALABAMA
Nick had covered four straight vs. Vols prior to LY. Butch Jones 3-1 as dog since LY. Nick no covers first four at home TY and just 1-6 last seven vs. spread at Tuscaloosa.
UT, based on recent trends.


KANSAS STATE at TEXAS
Bill Snyder has won and covered four of last five vs. Texas since 2010. Horns 2-4-1 last seven as home dog, Snyder 15-5 vs. spread last 20 as visitor.
KSU, based on team and series trends.

TEXAS A&M at OLE MISS
Hugh Freeze has covered four of last five at Oxford. He's also covered last three vs. A&M. Ags 3-6 vs. spread as visitor since 2013, 4-6 last ten as dog.
Ole Miss, based on team trends.


VIRGINIA at NORTH CAROLINA
Five straight wins and covers in series for UNC. Fedora 5-2 vs. line last seven at Chapel Hill. Though Mike London is 7-3-1 last 11 as dog.
UNC, based on series trends.


NORTHWESTERN at NEBRASKA
Mike Riley 5-14 last 19 on board at OSU and Nebraska. Cats have covered 3 of last 4 years vs. Huskers with the loss LY. Huskers 1-6 vs. spread last 7 at Lincoln.
Northwestern, based on recent trends.


WISCONSIN at ILLINOIS
Cubit 4-2 vs. line with Illini, which is 8-4 vs. spread last 12 in reg. season. Illini 8-3 last 11 as Champaign-Urbana dog. Badgers covering every-other-week for Chryst.
Slight to Illini, based on team trends.


DUKE at VIRGINIA TECH
Beamer 10-18-1 vs. spread last 29 at Blacksburg. Duke 11-3-1 vs. line away from Durham since 2013.
Duke, based on team trends.


UL-MONROE at IDAHO
Vandals 5-13 vs. spread last 18 at Kibbie Dome. Road team 13-4 vs. line in Idaho games since LY.
ULM, based on road-in-Idaho trends.


HOUSTON at UCF
O'Leary 0-8 SU, 1-7 vs. line last 8 since late 2014. Though UCF has won last 2 SU vs. UH. Cougs 23-10-1 vs. line since end of 2012, and 13-0-1 vs. spread last 13 as visitor.
UH, based on team trends.


COLORADO at OREGON STATE
Buffs no covers last five as visitor. Beavs 3-7 last 10 as home chalk (1-1 TY) but just 3-15 vs. spread since 2014.
CU, based on recent OSU woes.


IOWA STATE at BAYLOR
ISU 4-13-1 as DD dog since 2012. Baylor 18-7-1 as DD chalk since 2013, and 10-2 last 12 laying 30 or more. Though Briles only 1-1-1 vs. line last three vs. ISU.
Baylor, based on team trends.


PENN STATE vs. MARYLAND (at Baltimore)
The return of Mike Locksley as head coach! With Lobos, he was 2-26 SU and 9-19 vs. line from 2009-11 (fired after four in 2011). Assuming Terps home here, no covers last three as home dog. James Franklin 0-6 vs. line as visitor with Nittany Lions.
Penn State, based on team trends.

ARMY at RICE
All of a sudden, Army can't lose vs. number on road, covering last three as visitor after extended road slump. But Rice battered West Point 41-21 LY and is 10-3 its last 13 as home chalk. Bailiff on 30-16-1 spread run for Owls.
Rice, based on team trends.

SOUTHERN MISS at CHARLOTTE
Golden Eagles 6-1 vs. line this season, 49ers 1-3 last four vs. spread.
USM, based on team trends.


BOSTON COLLEGE at LOUISVILLE
Ugh! Rugged BC has covered four straight as road dog and Addazio 17-12 last 29 on board. Cards 5-9 last 14 as Papa John's chalk.
BC, based on team trends.


MIDDLE TENNESSEE at LA TECH
Skip 3-4 vs. line TY but 14-7 vs. spread since 2014. Also 4-1 vs. spread last five at Ruston. Stockstill no covers last three TY after opening 4-0 vs. line.
La Tech, based on team trends.


UCONN at CINCINNATI
UConn 5-14 vs. line since LY (3-4 TY). Cincy has won and covered last four meetings but is 1-4-1 last six as home chalk (Paul Brown and Nippert).
Slight to Uconn, based on recent trends.

SMU at SOUTH FLORIDA
Chad Morris is 4-2 vs. line with SMU though recent efforts not overwhelming. USF 5-1 vs. line TY and 2-0 as home chalk.
USF, based on recent trends.


OLD DOMINION at FIU
ODU no covers first six TY and 2-12 last 14 on board. FIU 14-6 last 20 overall and covers last 3 as home chalk.
FIU, based on team trends.

KENTUCKY at MISSISSIPPI STATE
Dan Mullen is 4-1-1 vs. line against UK since 2009 and 7-1 vs. spread last 8 SEC home games. Mark Stoops has covered last two as road dog.
Slight to MSU, based on team and series trends.


AUBURN at ARKANSAS
Malzahn is 2-0 SU and vs. line against Bielema, Auburn did break 10-game spread skid with win at UK. Bielema 7-1 vs. spread last 8 at Fayetteville.
Arkansas, based on team trends.


TEXAS TECH at OKLAHOMA
Kingsbury 5-1 last six as dog. Tech's last SU win vs. Stoops was in 2011.
Texas Tech, based on team trends.


KANSAS at OKLAHOMA STATE
Jayhawks 2-7-1 vs. spread last 10 on road. KU has covered 2 of last 3 in series, however, and OSU just 1-4 vs. spread last five at Stillwater.
Slight to OSU, based on team trends.


FLORIDA STATE at GEORGIA TECH
Rematch of LY's ACC title game that was part of GT's nine-game cover streak. Since then however Jackets have dropped last 5 SU and vs. line. Jimbo just 6-15 his last 21 on board. Paul Johnson still 6-2 last 9 as dog.
Slight to GT, based on team trends.


OHIO STATE at RUTGERS
Urban just 2-5 last seven as visiting chalk. Rutgers 11-5 last 16 as dog.
Slight to Rutgers, based on team trends.


WESTERN KENTUCKY at LSU
Tops 7-2-1 vs. line last ten in regular season. Les Miles 5-10 last 15 laying DD, no covers last three vs. non-SEC.
WKU, based on team trends.


FAU at UTEP
Miners 1-5 vs. line TY, 1-7-1 last 9 on board. FAU 5-2 vs. line last seven away, 17-3 last 20 vs. spread on road!
FAU, based on team trends.

TROY at NEW MEXICO STATE
NMSU 6-12-1 vs. line last 19 in Las Cruces. Ags 2-6-1 vs. number last nine games with single-digit spreads. Troy has covered 3 of last 4 on road.
Slight to Troy, based on NMSU woes.

NEW MEXICO at SAN JOSE STATE
Lobos 7-2-1 last 10 vs. spread on road.
Slight to UNM, based on team trends.


HAWAII at NEVADA
Norm Chow 0-3 SU and vs. line vs. Wolf Pack since 2012. Pack 4-0 SU last four in series.
Nevada, based on series trends.

WASHINGTON STATE at ARIZONA
Leach 3-0 as road dog TY and 10-2 in role since 2013.
WSU, based on team trends.

 

[CNOTES]

Thursday's Top Action
October 20, 2015




TEMPLE OWLS (6-0) at EAST CAROLINA PIRATES (4-3)
Dowdy-Ficken Stadium - Greenville, NC
Kickoff: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: East Carolina -3, Total: 53.5


No. 22 Temple aims for the best start in school history when it visits a dangerous East Carolina team on Thursday night.


The Owls (4-2 ATS) are 6-0 SU for the first time since 1974 and are ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since 1979. After a close call at UMass on Sept. 19 (25-23 win as a 13.5-point favorite), Temple has crushed its past three opponents by a combined score of 116 to 29. The Pirates (4-3 ATS) have won three of their past four contests and barely missed securing a fourth straight ATS victory last week with a 30-17 win over 14-point underdog Tulsa.


These American Athletic Conference schools have met just once since 1996, which was a 20-10 Temple home win last season, its first victory over a ranked opponent since 1998. Then-No. 21 East Carolina compiled 30 first downs, but was done in by five lost fumbles and 12 penalties for 120 yards. Nearly all of the betting trends in this rematch point to the Owls, including college football home teams with a winning record being 14-44 ATS in the past five seasons where the line is +3 to -3 after the first month of the season and Ruffin McNeil's awful 5-17 ATS mark versus winning teams as the Pirates head coach.


For those bettors not convinced the Owls will remain unbeaten, the wager could be for the Over, as East Carolina is 10-0 Over when the line is +3 to -3, and 23-8 Over in the second half of the year under McNeil. Both teams have players with questionable designations as RB Jager Gardner (shoulder) and S Will Hayes (hamstring) may not play for the Owls, and WR DaQuan Barnes (hip), OL Dontae Levingston (shoulder), DE Mike Myers (hip) and DB Corey Seargent (undisclsosed) may be sidelined for the Pirates.


Temple is known for a suffocating defense, but the offense has also thrived this season with 33.7 PPG on 350 total YPG. The team has held the ball for an average of 34:07 per game thanks to a balanced attack that has 188 passing YPG (7.1 YPA) and 162 rushing YPG (162 YPG). Junior RB Jahad Thomas has 756 rushing yards (5.2 YPC) and 10 touchdowns this season, and is coming off a season-high 199 yards and 3 TD versus Central Florida. He also has 15 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown, and is looking to redeem himself after a poor performance versus East Carolina last season when he carried the ball 14 times for 28 yards.


Junior QB P.J. Walker also played poorly in the 2014 meeting when he completed 7-of-19 passes for 70 yards (3.7 YPA) while running for only eight yards on 11 carries. Walker has had a quality 2015 season though with 1,063 passing yards (7.0 YPA) on 61% completions, 8 TD and 3 INT. He has taken only eight sacks total in six games and will continue to frequently target top WR Robby Anderson (23 rec, 262 yds, 4 TD) who has three touchdown grabs in three October games.


The big reason Temple remains unbeaten is its defense that is limiting opponents to a mere 14.7 PPG and 296 total YPG. The run-stop unit has given up only 92 YPG on 3.0 YPC while the passing defense is allowing 204 YPG (5.6 YPA) on 50% completions. Even though the yardage total has ballooned to 450 YPG in three road games, eight forced turnovers in those three contests has kept teams to 17.3 PPG. With the Pirates coughing up multi-turnovers in five of the past six games, turnovers could once again be the determining factor in this matchup, just like last season.


East Carolina started the year slowly on offense, but has ripped off four straight 30-point games where it has averaged 38.0 PPG and 466 total YPG. For the season, the team is gaining a pedestrian 149 rushing YPG on 4.2 YPC and a hefty 286 passing YPG on 7.7 YPA and 71% completions. Junior QB Blake Kemp has completed at least 63% of his throws in all seven games this season, totaling 1,556 yards (7.2 YPA), 10 TD and 6 INT. But even though he has 325+ passing yards on three different occasions, he also has less than 125 passing yards in three other contests.


Five Pirates have multiple touchdown catches this season and four have more than 250 receiving yards, led by junior WR Isaiah Jones (51 rec, 595 yds, 3 TD). Jones has double-digit receptions in three games this season, but has yet to reach 80 receiving yards in any of his three home tilts. Senior RB Chris Hairston has done a nice job of keeping the ground game relevant over the past three games with 250 yards on 51 carries (4.9 YPC) and 2 TD. Hairston was also the best offensive player on the rainy field in Philadelphia last year when he ran for 153 yards (7.3 YPC) against Temple, but he did have one of his team's five lost fumbles.


The ECU defense hasn't been great this season in allowing 29.9 PPG and 426 total YPG. Neither the rushing defense (186 YPG, 4.1 YPC) nor the passing defense (240 YPG, 7.8 YPA) has offered much resistance. But the defense has done a decent job of forcing turnovers with four games of two takeaways this season.


CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS (5-1) at UCLA BRUINS (4-2)
Rose Bowl - Pasadena, CA
Kickoff: Thursday, 9:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: UCLA -3, Total: 65.5


No. 20 California looks to stay in contention for the Pac-12 conference crown when it visits slumping UCLA on Thursday night.


The Golden Bears lost their first game of the season last week (30-24 at Utah), but are 2-1 in Pac-12 play and still have a shot to win the North division with only Stanford (4-0 in Pac-12) to catch. The Bruins have dropped two straight conference games to Arizona State and Stanford by a combined score of 94 to 58, and cannot afford any more losses if they want to overtake Utah for the Pac-12 South title. California is 4-2 ATS overall and 2-1 ATS on the road this season, while UCLA is 2-3-1 ATS overall, including a winless 0-2-1 ATS at home.


All eight matchups in this series from 2006 to 2013 were decided by at least nine points with an average margin of 20.1 PPG, but last year's game was a 36-34 nail-biter road win for the Bruins. The Golden Bears have two big trends in their favor with a 7-0 ATS mark as a road underdog in the past two seasons and their opponent's 0-6 ATS record in October games in this same timeframe. But UCLA is 12-3 ATS at home in projected shootouts (63+ total) since 1992 and Sonny Dykes is 4-12 ATS after an SU loss as Cal's head coach.


While Dykes will field a full and healthy roster on Thursday, the Bruins lost two players to season-ending injuries last week -- WR Tyler Scott (knee) and OT Simon Goines (undisclosed) -- while OL Conor McDermott (knee) is doubtful and RB Nate Starks (head) and LB Deon Hollins (knee) are both questionable.


California has averaged a hefty 40.2 PPG and 518 total YPG this season, but scored a season-low 24 points at Utah last week thanks in large part to six turnovers. Five of those were interceptions thrown by star QB Jared Goff, who had tossed only four picks combined in his first five games of 2015. Goff has totaled 1,970 passing yards (328 YPG) and 17 touchdowns this year with at least 2 TD in all six games and 300+ passing yards in five contests. Goff kept his team in the game versus UCLA last year with 303 passing yards and 2 TD.


The top receiver in that narrow loss was WR Kenny Lawler, who gained 88 yards and touchdown on just three receptions. Lawler is in the midst of a monster junior season in which he has 465 receiving yards and 8 TD, including three multi-touchdown efforts. Although the Bears prefer to air it out, they have also shown the ability to run the football with 182 YPG on 4.5 YPC. The running back combination of 170-pound speedy RB Khalfani Muhammad (374 rush yds, 8.7 YPC, 1 TD) and 230-pound bruising RB Vic Enwere (290 rush yds, 4.6 YPC, 5 TD) has been difficult for opponents to handle.


Defensively, Cal hasn't been terrible in giving up 24.5 PPG and 395 total YPG. The run-stop unit has allowed a pedestrian 158 YPG on 4.1 YPC, but opposing quarterbacks have thrown for 236 YPG (7.2 YPA) on 58% completions. The Golden Bears have done a wonderful job in forcing mistakes though, racking up 21 takeaways through six contests. With the Bruins having three multi-turnovers games already this season, this could be a major problem on Thursday.


Despite the miscues, UCLA is still averaging a hefty 34.8 PPG and 463 total YPG on 6.2 yards per play. This is even more impressive when you consider its 25:57 time of possession overall and 22:27 at home. The Bruins have been efficient with 196 rushing YPG on 5.2 YPC and 266 passing YPG on 7.2 YPA. Junior RB Paul Perkins, who has 681 rushing yards (6.0 YPC) and eight touchdowns, leads the way on the ground. Perkins ripped off his third 100-yard effort last week at Stanford, needing only 14 carries to pick up 104 yards (7.4 YPC) and a touchdown. He had an outstanding game at Cal last season too with 169 total yards (94 rushing, 75 receiving) and caught two touchdowns.


Freshman QB Josh Rosen (1,569 pass yds, 7.5 YPA, 12 TD, 7 INT) continues to improve and has thrown for at least 280 yards in each of the past three games, totaling 7 TD and only 3 INT. He loves targeting both senior WR Jordan Payton (486 rec yds, 4 TD) and junior WR Thomas Duarte (348 rec yds, 5 TD) who each had 47 receiving yards in the win at Berkeley last year.


The UCLA defense is giving up 27.7 PPG on 392 total YPG, but those numbers have jumped to a brutal 41.3 PPG and 458 total YPG in conference play. The run-stop unit is mostly to blame having been gashed for 216 YPG on 4.8 YPC while the passing defense is allowing only 176 YPG on 5.5 YPA and 53% completions. UCLA has helped itself greatly by forcing at least one turnover in all six games, totaling nine takeaways.

 

[CNOTES]

Thursday's Tip Sheet
October 20, 2015


The Thursday night schedule in college football features three games this week with important closely-lined matchups in the Sun Belt, AAC, and Pac-12. A lot is at stake in the conference races in these Thursday night games that will feature six quality teams with a combined record of 29-8.


Match-up: Georgia Southern Eagles at Appalachian State Mountaineers
Venue: Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina
Time/TV: Thursday, October 22, 7:30 PM ET – ESPNU
Line: Appalachian State -6, Over/Under 63
Last Meeting: 2014, at Georgia Southern (-19½) 34, Appalachian State 14


Both Georgia Southern and Appalachian State had quick success joining the FBS level last season. Willie Fritz took over the Georgia Southern program last season after Jeff Monken left to take the Army head coaching position and right out of gate the Eagles looked like they belonged, giving NC State and Georgia Tech tough games in non-conference action. The Eagles wound up 9-3 on the season with a perfect 8-0 record in the Sun Belt, but the team was not eligible for the postseason.


Appalachian State did not appear quite ready to for the jump in competition with losses in five of the first six games, including losing by 20 at Georgia Southern in the first Sun Belt game for both teams. In the second half of the season, the Mountaineers rattled off six consecutive wins posting big numbers in the process as well and the Mountaineers opened the 2015 season as the favorites in the Sun Belt.


Georgia Southern lost badly in its opening game against West Virginia, but quarterback Kevin Ellison was suspended for the first two weeks. The Week 2 win over Western Michigan looks pretty impressive at this point in the season although the four wins since that game have not come against quality competition. After being shutout in the opening week, the Eagles have scored at least 43 points in all five games and Georgia Southern is the #1 rushing team in the nation with 399 yards per game.


Appalachian State also took a lopsided non-conference loss, losing 41-10 at Clemson but the statistics were respectable in that game. The 5-1 start has not featured stiff competition either, but three of the wins have come on the road for the Mountaineers. The Appalachian State defense is allowing fewer than 12 points per game and the Mountaineers are 17th nationally in total offense and 15th in scoring offense.


Some players to keep an eye on are Georgia Southern running back Matt Breida who has rushed for 875 yards this season on an incredible 10.3 yards per carry. Appalachian State running back Marcus Cox has impressed as well with 687 yards on 5.9 yards per carry with both players coming off over 1,400-yard seasons last year. Georgia Southern safety Antonio Glover and Appalachian State corner Latrell Gibbs are both among the national leaders with five interceptions each with Gibbs returning two picks for touchdowns.


Match-up: Temple Owls at East Carolina Pirates
Venue: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina
Time/TV: Thursday, October 22, 7:00 PM ET – ESPN2
Line: East Carolina -3, Over/Under 53
Last Meeting: 2014, at Temple (+10) 20, East Carolina 10


The American Athletic Conference has been an afterthought in the national picture, but the conference is starting to build its reputation with a group of former Big East squads and some promising newcomers. Three AAC teams currently sit in the AP top 25 with undefeated 6-0 records and the league can collectively boast about non-conference wins over Miami, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Louisville, and Ole Miss.


The AAC is split into two divisions this season and there will be a championship game in December after three teams split the conference title last season at 7-1. In the East division, the top contenders appear to be Temple and East Carolina and this Thursday night matchup will likely play a big role in that race. Temple is 3-0 in league play and the Owls already have a win over the preseason division favorite Cincinnati. Temple will have a tough crossover game with Memphis in November, as there is not a great margin for error and this head-to-head battle will determine the tiebreaker in most scenarios. East Carolina lost at Navy for its lone miss in conference play, but a win this week would put the Pirates in the driver’s seat and the home finale with Cincinnati will be the toughest remaining test.


With wins over Penn State and Cincinnati in the first two weeks, Temple made national headlines, but the schedule has been very weak since and the Owls have had some inconsistent performances, including nearly losing to Massachusetts. The Owls have a veteran defense that is allowing fewer than 15 points per game, but the offensive numbers are marginal although running back Jahad Thomas already has 756 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker is a third year starter and he has transformed into a pure pocket passer after being much more of a runner early in his career. Walker has only topped 200 yards passing once this season as this is a team that leans on the running game and defense.


East Carolina is just 4-3, but the schedule has been difficult with losses against Florida, Navy, and BYU, all of which were on the road. Projected starting quarterback Kurt Benkert was injured just before the season started, but Blake Kemp has done a capable job leading the offense with 71 percent completions and over 1,500 yards passing. He does have six interceptions but also 10 touchdown passes. The Pirates are starting to more consistently use two quarterbacks as James Summers played a lot of snaps last week and he provides a significant rushing presence that will be a change of pace and a challenge for the Temple defense.


Match-up: California Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins
Venue: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
Time/TV: Thursday, October 22, 9:00 PM ET – ESPN
Line: UCLA -3, Over/Under 67½
Last Meeting: 2014, UCLA (-7) 36, at California 34


A few weeks ago, UCLA was the #7 ranked team in the nation and considered a national playoff contender. The Bruins have now lost back-to-back games by lopsided margins and the defense has been crippled with injuries. At 1-2 in league play, UCLA is staring up at Utah who is 3-0 in conference play and the Bruins will head to Salt Lake City in November and then close the season across town at USC as there are still tough games ahead.


California already has as many wins last season with a 5-0 start that turned to 5-1 losing at Utah in the last game for the Bears. It seems likely that California will make its first bowl appearance since 2011 and the first under Sony Dykes who is in his third season in Berkeley. The second half schedule features five very difficult games as the home game with Oregon State looks like possibly the only game in which the Bears will be favored.


These teams played at a similar juncture last season as it was a very entertaining game with Cal erasing a 24-14 deficit in the second half and UCLA kicking a field goal in the final minutes to go ahead while Cal quarterback Jared Goff was intercepted near the end zone to end the game after the Bears moved near field goal range. Goff and current Packers reserve Brett Hundley both threw for over 300 yards in that game with UCLA also doing great damage on the ground, but needing to overcome a 3-1 turnover deficit.


Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen had a very impressive start to the season for UCLA, but he now has seven interceptions with some shaky performances in the two defeats. Running back Paul Perkins has done his part with nearly 700 yards rushing on 6.0 yards per carry. UCLA has faced a very difficult schedule overall and the next several weeks should provide an opportunity for the Bruins to rebuild their record as they will be favored each of the next four games although playing as just a slight favorite this week.


The non-conference win at Texas was big for the California program and taking care of business in tight games with wins over Washington and Washington State to start the Pac-12 season were critical to getting the Bears back to respectability following a 1-11 season in 2013. Beating one of the Pac-12 powers on the road would be a huge step and this has to be viewed as one of the biggest games of the season for the Bears. USC and Oregon are next on the schedule as the Bears could be in a delicate position as a four-game slide to wipe away the strong start is certainly a realistic possibility.


Goff is emerging as a NFL prospect in his junior season, completing 67 percent of his passes while almost eclipsing 2,000 yards already this season. Goff has 17 touchdowns, but also nine interceptions as he is asked to carry a heavy load for the offense, averaging nearly 40 throws per game. Kenny Lawler has 34 receptions and eight touchdowns as the junior has been the favorite target.


Both teams have fairly average defensive numbers with the schedule for UCLA certainly rating as a tougher overall slate at this point. California has actually won S/U in four of the past seven meetings and nine of the last 16 meetings, covering as well in five of the last seven. California has only won one of the last seven meetings at the Rose Bowl, going 1-5-1 ATS in that span since 2001 including losing by 27 two years ago.

 

[CNOTES]

Ohio State will start JT Barrett at QB
October 20, 2015


The starting quarterback job at Ohio State is J.T. Barrett's now. Though maybe FOR now is more appropriate.


The never-ending story of this college football season entered a new chapter Tuesday. Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer announced that Barrett would replace Cardale Jones as the starter when No. 1 Ohio State plays at Rutgers on Saturday.


This was no unexpected plot twist. The move seemed inevitable after Barrett accounted for four touchdowns in relief of Jones against Penn State on Saturday.


Conceivably, Barrett could take the job and run with it and the quarterback questions will end in Columbus. But as Meyer said after the 38-10 victory against the Nittany Lions: Whatever it takes to win.


''Cardale is going to be a very active part, too,'' Meyer said Tuesday during the Big Ten coaches' conference call. ''Hopefully, we'll keep him very much involved. So, it was a difficult decision. But red-zone production and third-down production were the two areas that made the difference. (Barrett) earned that with the way he played Saturday.''


Barrett helped the Buckeyes break out of a red-zone funk, guiding the offense from inside the 20 into the end zone six times in six trips two weeks ago against Maryland. The trend continued against Penn State. Barrett ran for two touchdowns and threw two more in six red-zone trips for the Buckeyes. The other resulted in a field goal.


The Buckeyes (7-0) are 81st in the nation in converting third downs into first downs at 37.5 percent. They are 72nd in converting red-zone trips into touchdowns at 60.7 percent (17 for 28), and most of those TDs have come with Barrett on the field.


The way the Ohio State offense is built this season Barrett seems the better fit. He is nifty runner and quick decision-maker in the zone-read option. He ran for 102 yards on 11 carries against Penn State, neutralizing a good pass rush that was giving Jones problems.


The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones has one of the strongest arms in college football, but the Buckeyes have not been able to use it to exploit defenses down the field. Last season, when Jones took over in the postseason, field-stretching receiver Devin Smith became a force. Theses Buckeyes don't have that kind of vertical threat.


''I have two great guys that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. I'm just trying to do the right thing,'' Meyer said.


Barrett lost a closely watched quarterback competition to Jones that started not long after the Buckeyes won the national championship in January. Jones started the last three games of Ohio State's title run, beating Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon, after Barrett was brilliant in the regular season. Barrett accounted for a Big Ten-record 45 touchdowns and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.


Braxton Miller, a two-time Big Ten player of the year, also figured to be in the mix at quarterback if his surgically repaired shoulder allowed. He dropped out of the race in July to become a receiver.


Not until the Buckeyes offense took the field for the first time this season on the Labor Day night at Virginia Tech did the quarterbacks know who would start. Jones was the man, but he never took firm hold of the job.


He has seven touchdowns passes against five interceptions and ranks 48th in the nation with a passer rating of 141.23. He threw for just 84 yards in last week's win over Penn State and was replaced by Barrett for good after two series in the third quarter.


Jones also was benched in the second half of the Northern Illinois game, but Barrett wasn't particularly effective, either, and Jones continued to start.


Against Maryland two weeks ago, Jones played the big part of the field and Barrett entered when the Buckeyes reached the red zone. Barrett ran for three touchdowns in that game.


A two-quarterback system, like the one Meyer used to win a national title at Florida in 2006 with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow, seemed to be emerging. Not quite, though at this point it seems reasonable to expect anything from Meyer. If Barrett struggles or Jones is a better matchup in a particular spot, Meyer seems more than willing to switch things up again.


There have been no signs that this game of quarterback roulette is causing problems. Tackle Taylor Decker said as much before Meyer made his decision public.


''It's not creating a divide in the locker room, which would be a downfall if that were to happen,'' he said.


It's hard to be unhappy when undefeated.