Saturday's Top Action
October 17, 2014
TEXAS A&M AGGIES (5-2) at ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (5-1)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Alabama -14, Total: 63.5
In a tough SEC matchup, No. 21 Texas A&M travels to Tuscaloosa to take on No. 7 Alabama Saturday.
The Aggies opened the 2014 campaign in impressive fashion, as they were 5-0 SU (3-2 ATS) through their first five games before running into the meat of their schedule. They have lost their past two contests, both against top-three teams in the nation (No. 1 Mississippi State and No. 3 Ole Miss), by an average of 16.0 PPG while turning the ball over six times. Last week they were favorites at home against the Rebels, but despite an impressive 455 yards of offense, they fell 35-20 due to three giveaways and a meager 1.5 YPC on 35 rushing attempts. Alabama was upset when it traveled to Ole Miss a few weeks ago as a four-point favorite, losing by a score of 23-17 and continuing a poor season ATS. Overall the Tide are 1-4-1 ATS after once again failing to cover last week when they barely earned a 14-13 victory as 8.5-point favorites at Arkansas. They have actually lost the turnover battle this year as they have coughed up the pigskin 11 times compared to forcing eight turnovers, and have been held under 4.0 YPC in each of the past two weeks.
This matchup has not failed to live up to the hype in either of the past two seasons, as the road team has come away with a SU victory each time while Texas A&M is 2-0 ATS. Last year, the Crimson Tide were 49-42 victors as eight-point favorites on the road as the teams combined for 62 first downs and a jaw-dropping 1,164 yards of total offense. Bettors should know that Alabama is a meager 22-41 ATS (35%) in home game when coming off one or more consecutive Unders since 1992, while the Aggies are a woeful 1-11 ATS (8%) in road games after gaining 450+ total yards in three consecutive games over the same timeframe. Neither team has any significant injuries to keep an eye on heading into this game.
The Aggies said goodbye to Johnny Manziel this past offseason, but have kept their high-octane passing attack going with 396 YPG through the air (3rd in FBS) while scoring 43.9 PPG (6th in nation). QB Kenny Hill (2,511 pass yards, 23 TD, 7 INT) is to thank for much of the production, as he has thrown for 300+ yards in five of the seven games while passing for at least 365 yards with a total of 10 TD over the past three weeks. His turnovers have been worrisome since facing tougher competition though, as he has all of his seven picks in the past four weeks, including five over the two defeats. The duo of HBs Trey Williams (301 rush yards, 5 TD) and Tra Carson (273 rush yards, 4 TD) mans the backfield, as Carson has tallied double-digit attempts in each of the past two games while not scoring in the past four games. Hill likes to spread the ball around, as six different receivers have 23+ receptions with WR Josh Reynolds (476 rec yards, 8 TD) leading the team in receiving yards and touchdown grabs while averaging 16.4 yards per catch.
One area to be worried about on this team is the defense, as it has allowed 37.0 PPG over the past three weeks and is giving up 397 YPG of total offense to its opponents. The combo of DBs Deshazor Everett (47 tackles, 1 INT) and Howard Matthews (44 tackles, 2.5 TFL) with DL Myles Garrett (33 tackles, 7.5 sacks) should give the team hope for better performances to come.
Alabama is always one of the more balanced offenses in the nation, and this year is no different as it is gaining 288.7 passing YPG (28th in FBS) and 211.3 rushing YPG (30th in nation) while scoring 33.2 PPG. QB Blake Sims (1,480 pass yards, 10 TD, 3 INT) has thrown for more than 250 yards just once on the season, as he has done well keeping the ball out of the defense's hands and also contributes to the rushing attack (154 rush yards, 3 TD). Joining him in the backfield is the impressive tandem of HBs T.J. Yeldon (452 rush yards, 2 TD) and Derrick Henry (382 rush yards, 2 TD) who have each eclipsed the century mark twice this season. WR Amari Cooper has hauled in 54 of the 122 completions on the team (44%) for 768 yards (14.2 avg). But Cooper has failed to crack 100 yards in either of the past two games after averaging 163.8 YPG over the first four. As usual, the Crimson Tide defense has been stout, allowing a mere 15.3 PPG (6th in nation) to their opponents behind the play of DB Landon Collins (46 tackles, 2 INT) and DL Xzavier Dickson (20 tackles, 5 sacks).
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (5-1) at TCU HORNED FROGS (4-1)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: : TCU -10, Total: 62
No. 12 TCU looks to bounce back from a tough loss against Baylor when it hosts No. 15 Oklahoma State on Saturday.
The Cowboys are coming into this game off a surprisingly narrow 27-20 victory against 18-point underdog Kansas. The game was tied with seven minutes to go before Tyreek Hill took a kickoff 99 yards to help OSU prevail. As the Cowboys (3-3 ATS) have gotten deeper into the season, head coach Mike Gundy’s teams have shown the ability to play their best football, as Oklahoma State is 12-3 ATS in the second half of the season since 2012. For the Horned Frogs, they will be looking for redemption after last week's 61-58 loss to Baylor, when they blew a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter. But TCU (5-0 ATS) is clicking on offense this season, and that could play a big role in the game, as the team is 8-1 ATS when scoring at least 28 points in the past two seasons.
Last season, the Cowboys defeated the Horned Frogs, 24-10. It was a struggle for both offenses as each school committed four turnovers and nine penalties. The Cowboys were able to rattle QB Trevone Boykin, who threw for 188 yards and three interceptions. Boykin has reportedly been bothered by a wrist injury, but he is expected to start in this matchup. Oklahoma State is dealing with a couple new injuries with both CB Ashton Lampkin and OL Zachary Crabtree listed as questionable due to ankle injuries.
Despite the struggles in Lawrence last week, the Cowboys won their fifth straight game since a season-opening loss to Florida State. The Oklahoma State offense has been solid all season, ranking 26th in FBS scoring (37.2 PPG) and 40th in passing (265.7 YPG), but have just 155.0 rushing YPG (80th in nation). Junior QB Daxx Garman (1,361 passing yards, 10 TD and 5 INT) has filled in nicely for J.W. Walsh, who suffered a foot injury in Week 2 and remains out indefinitely. However, for Oklahoma State to be able to compete in this game, Garman will have to improve his accuracy (58% completion rate). On the ground, RB Desmond Roland (96 carries, 391 yards and 7 TD) is the workhorse on the offense. He is a big physical runner that can wear out his opponent late in the fourth quarter. RB Tyreek Hill (38 carries, 196 yards, 5.2 YPG) is one of the fastest players in all of the country. While the Cowboys use him as a decoy a lot of the time, the defense always has to know where he is on the field. WR Brandon Sheperd (18 catches, 299 yards and 2 TD) has shown the ability to make the big play, and he has an 87-yard touchdown on the season.
The Cowboys defense has had its moments this season, ranking 62nd in the country in scoring defense (24.7 PPG). LB Ryan Simmons (44 tackles, 3.5 TFL) is the leading tackler on the team, while LB Seth Jacobs (41 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT) will also be needed to contain the Horned Frogs. Sophomore DE Emmanuel Ogbah (27 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks) can cause a lot of havoc rushing the quarterback. The Horned Frogs were unable to get the victory last week, but showed how well they can play on offense with 58 points and 485 total yards. TCU now ranks third in the country in scoring (45.8 PPG), 12th in passing (325.2 YPG) and 52nd in rushing (184.8 YPG). QB Trevone Boykin (1,463 pass yards, 305 rush yards, 14 total TD) has taken his game to a completely new level, proving to be one of the most dynamic players in the country. There was a report early in the week that he had surgery on his wrist, but head coach Gary Patterson came out and said that wasn’t true, and he was able to practice this week. Running back B.J. Catalon (59 carries, 268 yards and 6 TD) has shown the ability to run the ball, helping the Horned Frogs have so many passing opportunities. Wide receiver Kolby Listenbee (18 catches, 418 yards and 3 TD) is averaging a very impressive 23.2 YPC, and will force the Cowboys defense to keep a safety over top.
The Horned Frogs allow 23.0 PPG (51st in FBS), but had been known as a terrific defense before last week's debacle where they allowed 61 points and 782 total yards. They entered the game giving up only 54 points in the first four games combined. Linebacker Paul Dawson (55 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 INT) is one of the best playmakers in the country on defense. He does a terrific job against the run, but can also defend well in pass coverage. S Chris Hackett (37 tackles, 2 PD, 2 INT) is the leader of the secondary, who will be key to helping his unit recover from the dismal performance last week.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (6-0) at FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (6-0)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Florida State -12.5
Saturday's marquee matchup takes place in Tallahassee when No. 5 Notre Dame visits defending national champion No. 2 Florida State.
The Irish have started their 2014 campaign with six straight SU wins by an average of 17.3 PPG while going 4-2 ATS. In that time they have done well on defense, forcing teams to turn the ball over multiple times in 5-of-6 contests while having their worst performance to date last week against North Carolina. They went into the weekend as large 16.5-point favorites over the Tar Heels at home and actually trailed by a point (36-35) heading into the final quarter before eventually prevailing in a 50-43 victory. The two teams combined for 1,029 yards of total offense while Notre Dame looked sloppy and turned the ball over on three occasions. Florida State also brings a perfect record into this one but has not been as dominant as most would have thought, going 1-5 ATS. The 'Noles have not really faced a team of top caliber yet, with Clemson being the only spread near single digits (-10), and they did not overwhelm Syracuse last week as expected. As 23.5-point favorites on the road, the Seminoles captured a 38-20 victory from the Orange as they totaled 482 yards of offense while forcing three turnovers. Their defense did not do its job though, allowing 412 yards of offense to their opponent with 256 of those yards coming through the air from a team that ranks in the bottom half of FBS in that category.
These programs have faced each other just once in the past decade when they met in the 2011 Citrus Bowl when FSU came away with an 18-14 win despite rushing for a meager 41 yards on 1.4 YPC. Trends show us that the Fighting Irish are a solid 25-7 ATS (78%) in October road games since 1992 while the Seminoles are 21-8 ATS (75%) after failing to cover the spread in four of their past five games over this same timeframe. As far as injuries go, Notre Dame has no significant ones to speak of, while WR Rashad Greene (foot) and HB Karlos Williams (ankle) have both been upgraded to probable for Florida State.
Notre Dame has been able to conquer opposing defense with a balanced offense that has posted 34.5 PPG while gaining 280.5 YPG through the air (34th in FBS) and 163.8 YPG on the ground (69th in nation). QB Everett Golson (1,683 pass yards, 16 TD, 4 INT) started out the season without a turnover in the first three contests, but since has thrown four picks while seeing his completion percentage drop to 51% in the past two games. Still, his overall season has been impressive, as Golson has thrown for 295+ yards in 3-of-6 games while having multiple passing touchdowns in each contest and contributing to the run game with 209 yards (3.6 YPC) and four scores. HB Tarean Folston (263 rush yards, 2 TD) leads the backfield with 60 attempts (4.4 YPC) while being the workhorse last week with 98 yards on 18 attempts (5.4 YPC) with 2 TD.
HBs Greg Bryant (201 rush yards, 2 TD) and Cam McDaniel (181 rush yards, 2 TD) also contribute plenty to the rushing attack with 43+ attempts each. WR William Fuller (504 rec yards, 7 TD) has 16 more receptions (35) than the next closest receiver while grabbing at least six balls in 4-of-6 games and reaching the century mark in two of the past three contests. Through the first five games of the year, the defense for the program allowed a miniscule 12.0 PPG to its opponents, and despite last week's poor performance, still ranks eighth in the nation in scoring defense (17.2 PPG). The duo of LBs Jaylon Smith (49 tackles, 2 sacks) and Joe Schmidt (48 tackles) hope they can get the Irish back on track this week.
Florida State is once again among the elite in passing this season, whipping the pigskin around for 324 YPG (13th in nation) while scoring 39.0 PPG (20th in FBS). QB Jameis Winston (1,605 pass yards, 11 TD, 5 INT) has not looked quite as composed this season amongst a one-game suspension and now allegations that he accepted money for his autograph, but was able to put all of that aside last week against Syracuse as he had his best performance of the year. He was an efficient 30-for-36 (83.3%) with 317 yards (8.8 YPA) and three touchdowns (0 INTs) in the road victory. HB Karlos Williams (353 rush yards, 5 TD) missed last week due to an ankle injury after having double-digit carries in four of the first five games, but is expected to suit up for this tough battle. If he is not able to play, or is still less than 100 percent, expect freshman HB Dalvin Cook (250 rush yards, 3 TD) to take on the starter’s role after an impressive performance (23 attempts, 122 yards, 1 TD) as the lead back last week when he gained 122 yards on 23 carries (5.3 YPC) with a touchdown.
WR Rashad Greene (683 rec yards, 3 TD) is the team’s leader in receptions (44) while getting six or more catches in four of the six games on the year. He has not been the team’s biggest red-zone threat though, as WR Jesus Wilson (262 rec yards, 4 TD) has the most scores through the air while playing in the slot. The Seminoles defense ranks among the nation's top-50 in yards allowed (358.5 YPG) while giving up 20.7 PPG (30th in FBS) behind the leadership of LBs Reggie Northrup (50 tackles, 1 sack), Terrance Smith (49 tackles, 2 TFL) and DB Jalen Ramsey (45 tackles, 1 INT, 5 TFL).
October 17, 2014
TEXAS A&M AGGIES (5-2) at ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (5-1)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Alabama -14, Total: 63.5
In a tough SEC matchup, No. 21 Texas A&M travels to Tuscaloosa to take on No. 7 Alabama Saturday.
The Aggies opened the 2014 campaign in impressive fashion, as they were 5-0 SU (3-2 ATS) through their first five games before running into the meat of their schedule. They have lost their past two contests, both against top-three teams in the nation (No. 1 Mississippi State and No. 3 Ole Miss), by an average of 16.0 PPG while turning the ball over six times. Last week they were favorites at home against the Rebels, but despite an impressive 455 yards of offense, they fell 35-20 due to three giveaways and a meager 1.5 YPC on 35 rushing attempts. Alabama was upset when it traveled to Ole Miss a few weeks ago as a four-point favorite, losing by a score of 23-17 and continuing a poor season ATS. Overall the Tide are 1-4-1 ATS after once again failing to cover last week when they barely earned a 14-13 victory as 8.5-point favorites at Arkansas. They have actually lost the turnover battle this year as they have coughed up the pigskin 11 times compared to forcing eight turnovers, and have been held under 4.0 YPC in each of the past two weeks.
This matchup has not failed to live up to the hype in either of the past two seasons, as the road team has come away with a SU victory each time while Texas A&M is 2-0 ATS. Last year, the Crimson Tide were 49-42 victors as eight-point favorites on the road as the teams combined for 62 first downs and a jaw-dropping 1,164 yards of total offense. Bettors should know that Alabama is a meager 22-41 ATS (35%) in home game when coming off one or more consecutive Unders since 1992, while the Aggies are a woeful 1-11 ATS (8%) in road games after gaining 450+ total yards in three consecutive games over the same timeframe. Neither team has any significant injuries to keep an eye on heading into this game.
The Aggies said goodbye to Johnny Manziel this past offseason, but have kept their high-octane passing attack going with 396 YPG through the air (3rd in FBS) while scoring 43.9 PPG (6th in nation). QB Kenny Hill (2,511 pass yards, 23 TD, 7 INT) is to thank for much of the production, as he has thrown for 300+ yards in five of the seven games while passing for at least 365 yards with a total of 10 TD over the past three weeks. His turnovers have been worrisome since facing tougher competition though, as he has all of his seven picks in the past four weeks, including five over the two defeats. The duo of HBs Trey Williams (301 rush yards, 5 TD) and Tra Carson (273 rush yards, 4 TD) mans the backfield, as Carson has tallied double-digit attempts in each of the past two games while not scoring in the past four games. Hill likes to spread the ball around, as six different receivers have 23+ receptions with WR Josh Reynolds (476 rec yards, 8 TD) leading the team in receiving yards and touchdown grabs while averaging 16.4 yards per catch.
One area to be worried about on this team is the defense, as it has allowed 37.0 PPG over the past three weeks and is giving up 397 YPG of total offense to its opponents. The combo of DBs Deshazor Everett (47 tackles, 1 INT) and Howard Matthews (44 tackles, 2.5 TFL) with DL Myles Garrett (33 tackles, 7.5 sacks) should give the team hope for better performances to come.
Alabama is always one of the more balanced offenses in the nation, and this year is no different as it is gaining 288.7 passing YPG (28th in FBS) and 211.3 rushing YPG (30th in nation) while scoring 33.2 PPG. QB Blake Sims (1,480 pass yards, 10 TD, 3 INT) has thrown for more than 250 yards just once on the season, as he has done well keeping the ball out of the defense's hands and also contributes to the rushing attack (154 rush yards, 3 TD). Joining him in the backfield is the impressive tandem of HBs T.J. Yeldon (452 rush yards, 2 TD) and Derrick Henry (382 rush yards, 2 TD) who have each eclipsed the century mark twice this season. WR Amari Cooper has hauled in 54 of the 122 completions on the team (44%) for 768 yards (14.2 avg). But Cooper has failed to crack 100 yards in either of the past two games after averaging 163.8 YPG over the first four. As usual, the Crimson Tide defense has been stout, allowing a mere 15.3 PPG (6th in nation) to their opponents behind the play of DB Landon Collins (46 tackles, 2 INT) and DL Xzavier Dickson (20 tackles, 5 sacks).
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (5-1) at TCU HORNED FROGS (4-1)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: : TCU -10, Total: 62
No. 12 TCU looks to bounce back from a tough loss against Baylor when it hosts No. 15 Oklahoma State on Saturday.
The Cowboys are coming into this game off a surprisingly narrow 27-20 victory against 18-point underdog Kansas. The game was tied with seven minutes to go before Tyreek Hill took a kickoff 99 yards to help OSU prevail. As the Cowboys (3-3 ATS) have gotten deeper into the season, head coach Mike Gundy’s teams have shown the ability to play their best football, as Oklahoma State is 12-3 ATS in the second half of the season since 2012. For the Horned Frogs, they will be looking for redemption after last week's 61-58 loss to Baylor, when they blew a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter. But TCU (5-0 ATS) is clicking on offense this season, and that could play a big role in the game, as the team is 8-1 ATS when scoring at least 28 points in the past two seasons.
Last season, the Cowboys defeated the Horned Frogs, 24-10. It was a struggle for both offenses as each school committed four turnovers and nine penalties. The Cowboys were able to rattle QB Trevone Boykin, who threw for 188 yards and three interceptions. Boykin has reportedly been bothered by a wrist injury, but he is expected to start in this matchup. Oklahoma State is dealing with a couple new injuries with both CB Ashton Lampkin and OL Zachary Crabtree listed as questionable due to ankle injuries.
Despite the struggles in Lawrence last week, the Cowboys won their fifth straight game since a season-opening loss to Florida State. The Oklahoma State offense has been solid all season, ranking 26th in FBS scoring (37.2 PPG) and 40th in passing (265.7 YPG), but have just 155.0 rushing YPG (80th in nation). Junior QB Daxx Garman (1,361 passing yards, 10 TD and 5 INT) has filled in nicely for J.W. Walsh, who suffered a foot injury in Week 2 and remains out indefinitely. However, for Oklahoma State to be able to compete in this game, Garman will have to improve his accuracy (58% completion rate). On the ground, RB Desmond Roland (96 carries, 391 yards and 7 TD) is the workhorse on the offense. He is a big physical runner that can wear out his opponent late in the fourth quarter. RB Tyreek Hill (38 carries, 196 yards, 5.2 YPG) is one of the fastest players in all of the country. While the Cowboys use him as a decoy a lot of the time, the defense always has to know where he is on the field. WR Brandon Sheperd (18 catches, 299 yards and 2 TD) has shown the ability to make the big play, and he has an 87-yard touchdown on the season.
The Cowboys defense has had its moments this season, ranking 62nd in the country in scoring defense (24.7 PPG). LB Ryan Simmons (44 tackles, 3.5 TFL) is the leading tackler on the team, while LB Seth Jacobs (41 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT) will also be needed to contain the Horned Frogs. Sophomore DE Emmanuel Ogbah (27 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks) can cause a lot of havoc rushing the quarterback. The Horned Frogs were unable to get the victory last week, but showed how well they can play on offense with 58 points and 485 total yards. TCU now ranks third in the country in scoring (45.8 PPG), 12th in passing (325.2 YPG) and 52nd in rushing (184.8 YPG). QB Trevone Boykin (1,463 pass yards, 305 rush yards, 14 total TD) has taken his game to a completely new level, proving to be one of the most dynamic players in the country. There was a report early in the week that he had surgery on his wrist, but head coach Gary Patterson came out and said that wasn’t true, and he was able to practice this week. Running back B.J. Catalon (59 carries, 268 yards and 6 TD) has shown the ability to run the ball, helping the Horned Frogs have so many passing opportunities. Wide receiver Kolby Listenbee (18 catches, 418 yards and 3 TD) is averaging a very impressive 23.2 YPC, and will force the Cowboys defense to keep a safety over top.
The Horned Frogs allow 23.0 PPG (51st in FBS), but had been known as a terrific defense before last week's debacle where they allowed 61 points and 782 total yards. They entered the game giving up only 54 points in the first four games combined. Linebacker Paul Dawson (55 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 INT) is one of the best playmakers in the country on defense. He does a terrific job against the run, but can also defend well in pass coverage. S Chris Hackett (37 tackles, 2 PD, 2 INT) is the leader of the secondary, who will be key to helping his unit recover from the dismal performance last week.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (6-0) at FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (6-0)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Florida State -12.5
Saturday's marquee matchup takes place in Tallahassee when No. 5 Notre Dame visits defending national champion No. 2 Florida State.
The Irish have started their 2014 campaign with six straight SU wins by an average of 17.3 PPG while going 4-2 ATS. In that time they have done well on defense, forcing teams to turn the ball over multiple times in 5-of-6 contests while having their worst performance to date last week against North Carolina. They went into the weekend as large 16.5-point favorites over the Tar Heels at home and actually trailed by a point (36-35) heading into the final quarter before eventually prevailing in a 50-43 victory. The two teams combined for 1,029 yards of total offense while Notre Dame looked sloppy and turned the ball over on three occasions. Florida State also brings a perfect record into this one but has not been as dominant as most would have thought, going 1-5 ATS. The 'Noles have not really faced a team of top caliber yet, with Clemson being the only spread near single digits (-10), and they did not overwhelm Syracuse last week as expected. As 23.5-point favorites on the road, the Seminoles captured a 38-20 victory from the Orange as they totaled 482 yards of offense while forcing three turnovers. Their defense did not do its job though, allowing 412 yards of offense to their opponent with 256 of those yards coming through the air from a team that ranks in the bottom half of FBS in that category.
These programs have faced each other just once in the past decade when they met in the 2011 Citrus Bowl when FSU came away with an 18-14 win despite rushing for a meager 41 yards on 1.4 YPC. Trends show us that the Fighting Irish are a solid 25-7 ATS (78%) in October road games since 1992 while the Seminoles are 21-8 ATS (75%) after failing to cover the spread in four of their past five games over this same timeframe. As far as injuries go, Notre Dame has no significant ones to speak of, while WR Rashad Greene (foot) and HB Karlos Williams (ankle) have both been upgraded to probable for Florida State.
Notre Dame has been able to conquer opposing defense with a balanced offense that has posted 34.5 PPG while gaining 280.5 YPG through the air (34th in FBS) and 163.8 YPG on the ground (69th in nation). QB Everett Golson (1,683 pass yards, 16 TD, 4 INT) started out the season without a turnover in the first three contests, but since has thrown four picks while seeing his completion percentage drop to 51% in the past two games. Still, his overall season has been impressive, as Golson has thrown for 295+ yards in 3-of-6 games while having multiple passing touchdowns in each contest and contributing to the run game with 209 yards (3.6 YPC) and four scores. HB Tarean Folston (263 rush yards, 2 TD) leads the backfield with 60 attempts (4.4 YPC) while being the workhorse last week with 98 yards on 18 attempts (5.4 YPC) with 2 TD.
HBs Greg Bryant (201 rush yards, 2 TD) and Cam McDaniel (181 rush yards, 2 TD) also contribute plenty to the rushing attack with 43+ attempts each. WR William Fuller (504 rec yards, 7 TD) has 16 more receptions (35) than the next closest receiver while grabbing at least six balls in 4-of-6 games and reaching the century mark in two of the past three contests. Through the first five games of the year, the defense for the program allowed a miniscule 12.0 PPG to its opponents, and despite last week's poor performance, still ranks eighth in the nation in scoring defense (17.2 PPG). The duo of LBs Jaylon Smith (49 tackles, 2 sacks) and Joe Schmidt (48 tackles) hope they can get the Irish back on track this week.
Florida State is once again among the elite in passing this season, whipping the pigskin around for 324 YPG (13th in nation) while scoring 39.0 PPG (20th in FBS). QB Jameis Winston (1,605 pass yards, 11 TD, 5 INT) has not looked quite as composed this season amongst a one-game suspension and now allegations that he accepted money for his autograph, but was able to put all of that aside last week against Syracuse as he had his best performance of the year. He was an efficient 30-for-36 (83.3%) with 317 yards (8.8 YPA) and three touchdowns (0 INTs) in the road victory. HB Karlos Williams (353 rush yards, 5 TD) missed last week due to an ankle injury after having double-digit carries in four of the first five games, but is expected to suit up for this tough battle. If he is not able to play, or is still less than 100 percent, expect freshman HB Dalvin Cook (250 rush yards, 3 TD) to take on the starter’s role after an impressive performance (23 attempts, 122 yards, 1 TD) as the lead back last week when he gained 122 yards on 23 carries (5.3 YPC) with a touchdown.
WR Rashad Greene (683 rec yards, 3 TD) is the team’s leader in receptions (44) while getting six or more catches in four of the six games on the year. He has not been the team’s biggest red-zone threat though, as WR Jesus Wilson (262 rec yards, 4 TD) has the most scores through the air while playing in the slot. The Seminoles defense ranks among the nation's top-50 in yards allowed (358.5 YPG) while giving up 20.7 PPG (30th in FBS) behind the leadership of LBs Reggie Northrup (50 tackles, 1 sack), Terrance Smith (49 tackles, 2 TFL) and DB Jalen Ramsey (45 tackles, 1 INT, 5 TFL).
