Pointwise College Write-ups
Thursday
CINCINNATI 26 - South Florida 23 - (7:45 - ESPN) -- Sporadically impressive
Bulls managed just 8 RYs at Louisville (5 sacks), & altho Grothe was 30-of-40,
note 2 picks, & he had 4 LY vs these 'Cats. A 6-0 TO deficit for Cincy in loss to
UConn, but still a solid run "D", while just 30 pts from a 27-3 ATS run. Host call.
SATURDAY
BOWLING GREEN 31 - Kent State 30 - (2:00) -- Flashes in off snapping 0-12
ATS run, with 54-21 shocker at Miami. Checks 932 RYs for KSt last 4 games,
& +31 pts ATS last 4. All BG's MAC games have been decided within a TD, &
the visitor is 8-0 ATS in Falcon tilts TY, by 129½ pts. In off 233-76 RY deficit.
Central Michigan 34 - INDIANA 24 - (12:00) -- Nice one to avoid. Indy snapped
5-game slide LW, thanks mainly to 5 TOs by N'western. IU allowed 245 RYpg
previous 4 outings, & can't run. LeFevour back for Chips: 24-of-31 (2/0) LW,
but CM not at its best in this setup, with 44 ppg "D" in its 2 non-MAC roadsters.
Air Force 38 - ARMY 17 - (12:00 - ESPNC) -- Resurgent Cadets keep motoring
on: 280, 291, 341, 320, & 203 RYs last 5 games (Mooney: 645 yds last 4), &
covering all 5 by 89 pts. But Falcs held 420 RY edge LY (Wise Points), & are
at 974 RYs last 3 outings. Visitor is plus 105 pts ATS in Army's last 7 games.
Louisville 34 - SYRACUSE 10 - (7:00) -- Definite corner turning for Cards, who
allow just 75 RYpg, rank 17th in rushing "O", & in off holding SoFla to 8 RYs.
Rested 'Cuse managed no FDs & 9 yds in 2nd half of loss to SoFla. They were
decent in previous 14 quarters, but a 33-15 ppg deficit last 25 tilts. Revenger!
VIRGINIA 23 - Miami-Fla 20 - (12:00) -- Four straight wins & covers for Cavs,
who opened at 0-3, with a 128-20 pt deficit in first 3 lined tilts. Are 3-0 home of
late, & by 72½ pts ATS. Check QB Verica at 29-of-39 vs GaTech. 'Canes in
off outlasting Wake, but just 11 FDs & <300 yds. Can't run, but 19th best "D".
CONNECTICUT 20 - West Virginia 17 - (12:00) -- Finally! After failing to top 17
pts in previous 4 outings, Mounties turned 17-3 deficit, into 34-17 win vs Aub,
with 207 RYs from Devine (sweet 12.2 ypr). And WV has owned the Huskies
(Wise Points). But host is 12-2 ATS in UConn games, so worth a minor shot.
ILLINOIS 25 - Iowa 20 - (12:30) -- Let's see. The rested Hawkeyes covered their
last RG by 30 pts, while the Illini covered their last HG by 26 (both vs Indiana).
Illini came from 538 ypg in previous 3 outings, to just 309 at Wisconsin, while
Iowa RB Greene now at 1,154 yds (6.5 ypr - 217 last game). Near the spread.
MINNESOTA 27 - Northwestern 17 - (12:00) -- A 5-0 TO deficit for 'Cats in loss
to Indy, & now may have lost QB Bacher (leg). Have OhioSt up next, but run
into avenging Gophers (Wise Points), whose turnaround has been splendid:
from 1-11 LY, to 7-1 TY. Held all but Buckeyes under 139 RYs. Weber leads it.
WAKE FOREST 17 - Duke 10 - (3:30) -- It continues. Just 10 ppg for Wake in
last 5 tilts. Opened with 25 straight running plays in loss to Miami. One of the
worst HF plays, & Imps remember last 2 years. Duke still can't run (74 RYpg
last 5), despite win over Vandy, & averaging only 5 ppg away. But a puppy call.
OKLAHOMA STATE 55 - Iowa State 10 - (3:30) -- Quick bounceback shot for
'Boys, who nearly took Texas (217-112 RY edge), & who have TexTech up next.
Drained, while Cycs in off 34 FD, 574 yd effort (49-35 loss). IowaSt allowing 38
ppg last 5 games, & rank 99th in total "D". 'Pokes not about to let this get away.
Missouri 49 - BAYLOR 17 - (12:30) -- Loved it! Tigs came storming back with
58-0 shutout of Colorado, behind 5 more Daniel TDs (32-of-38). Now at 42
ppg last 22 outings. Bears still moving it behind Griffin, who checked in at 7.6
ypr in loss to Neb, but the fav is 6-0 ATS in Baylor hosters by 109 pts. Again!
Auburn 20 - MISSISSIPPI 19 - (12:30) -- Seven straight line losses for Tigs, who
were outgunned at WVa LW. Stagnant "O", but 13th best "D" resulting in very
tight games, with their SEC tilts decided by 1, 5, 2, 1, 3 pts SU. Won't run on
Rebs, who are in off 2 wrenchers. Dog is +58 pts ATS in last 5 OleMiss gms.
WYOMING 27 - San Diego State 24 - (2:00) -- Wise Points explains meaning of
this score. 'Pokes, unbelievably, haven't' come within single digits of the spread
all year. Are 0-15 ATS, with a 207-30 pt deficit last 5 tilts. Henderson breathed
life into SDSt LW (188 RYs), but Aztecs lost last 3 RGs by 48-9 ppg. Scary.
WESTERN MICHIGAN 37 - Eastern Michigan 24 - (2:00) -- Broncs rested off
having 6-game run snapped, despite a 471-PY effort from Hiller. Not much,
overland (<53 yds 3 of last 4), so EM, which is +27 pts ATS on the MAC road,
& which is in off an admirable 163 rushing "D" vs BallSt, may just hang around.
Tulsa 48 - ARKANSAS 31 - (2:00) -- Realize 'Canes are stepping up in class, &
that they lost their last RG by 18 pts ATS, but can see no reason not to light it
up vs Hogs' 106th ranked scoring "D". Arkies have allowed 36 ppg in their last
11 lined affairs, so despite running of Smith (487 yds last 3 wks), it's the 'Canes.
TEXAS A&M 27 - Colorado 26 - (2:00) -- Buffs in off first shutout loss in 242
games. Certainly a scoring midget, at 13 ppg last 6 games, & at 57 RYpg 3 of
last 4. Ags off much needed win over IowaSt, behind 4 Johnson TDs, but note
allowing 34 FDs & 583 yds to Cyclones' previously 93rd rated "O". Interested?
Pittsburgh 27 - NOTRE DAME 24 - (2:30 - NBC) -- Pitt allowed 6 TD tosses in
54-34 loss to Rutgers, despite 486-442 yd edge, thereby snapping 5-gm win
streak. McCoy last 4: 593 RYs. Irish QB Clausen at 1,206 PYs (9/3) last 4,
while "D" ceding 18 ppg last 8 tilts. But Pitt covered last 2 RGs by 18½ &18.
LOUISIANA TECH 30 - Fresno State 27 - (2:30) -- Talk about living on borrowed
time. FSt in off winning on 58-yd FG on final play, with 5 of last 6 decided by 3,
1, 5, 3, 2 pts SU. No rushing "D", & on 0-6 ATS slide, despite 5-2 SU log. The
host is 7-0 ATS in Tech games by 85½ pts, & LT can move it overland. Upset.
Hawaii 24 - UTAH STATE 21 - (3:00) -- Wrenching loss for Ags (Fresno), after
taking lead in final 0:38. Rank #100 on "O", but host is 5-0 ATS by 56 pts in Ag
tilts. A 308-452 RY deficit for 'Bows LW, & a 263-145 pt deficit last 8 lined tilts.
SOUTH CAROLINA 22 - Tennessee 19 - (7:00) -- 'Cocks rested off having 4-gm
run snapped. Own 6th best "D" in land, & well remember LY's heartbreak, but
can't run (64 ypg last 3), so not to be trusted. Ditto Vols, who are at 78 RYpg
last 6 outings, & at 11 ppg 5 of last 6, but have 11th best "D". Visiting series.
Florida 37 - Georgia 20 - (3:30 - CBS - @ Jacksonville) -- Had Gators on both
RedSheet & Phones, but not high enuff in 63-5 rout of KY. Have a 152-33 pt
edge since loss to OleMiss, & chalk now 10-2 ATS in Fla tilts. Moreno off 172,
163 RY gms for 'Dawgs, but note GA allowing 500 yds LW. Color it revenge!
SO CALIFORNIA 60 - Washington 6 - (3:30) -- Katie, bar the door! Catching the
Trojans off narrow escape not the healthiest of propositions for Huskies, who
have yet to win (0-7), & who allowed 252 RYs to NoDame's previously 109th
ranked run "O". SC has a 154-20 pt edge since loss to OregSt. Over already!
OKLAHOMA 61 - Nebraska 27 - (5:00) -- Sure, 'Huskers QB Ganz has thrown
for 1,013 yds last 3 wks, & stands at 26/6 for the season. And sure, Neb is
+35 pts ATS in its 2 RGs. Sure, sure, sure. But Okies in off setting school
record with 55 first-half pts, despite mere 13-of-32 for Bradford. A slaughter.
Oregon 33 - CALIFORNIA 30 - (3:30) -- Fifteen takeaways in Bears' 5 wins, with
another 4 LW, turning tight game vs Ucla, into 41-20 win. RB Best a keeper,
but QBing is a ? Ducks back on track, with 54-20 rout of ArizSt (537 yds), &
now at 44 ppg in 19 of last 21 tilts. Healthy at QB, & remember LY's tuff loss.
NAVY 30 - Temple 17 - (3:30 - CBSC) -- Not a single pass thrown in Navy's 417
RY edge vs SMU (15-pt cover). Thus, Owls, who've allowed 36, 91, 55, & 47
RYs last 4 games, have their work cut out. Just 143 yds for Temple last week.
KANSAS 41 - Kansas State 27 - (12:30) -- Consecutive setbacks for KU, while
allowing 108 pts, 65 FDs, & 1,230 yds. Reesing just 2/3 vs TexTech, a 42-pt
home loss, both SU & ATS. But 'Cats allowed similar 116 pts to those same 2
teams. In off 5 TO deficit, but visitor is 5-0 ATS in KSt games by 54 pts ATS.
TEXAS TECH 47 - Texas 45 - (8:00) -- Raiders entered LW's game with Kansas
at 418 PYpg. That's right, an exact 418 PYs for Harrell (5 TDs, & 26/5 for the
year) in that 63-21 annihilation. 'Horn QB McCoy at 21/4 & 82% for the year, &
how about astounding 87% last 2 wks. Revenge call in this ultimate shootout.
PURDUE 20 - Michigan 17 - (12:00) -- Don't get near this. Wolves in off 39-0 &
21-0 deficits to wind up last 2 games, rank 107th on "O", & 3 more INTs for QB
Threet LW. And how about a 118-55 pt deficit in last 3 RGs? Boilers may have
lost QB Painter (arm) in loss to Minny, so it just may be RB Sheets or nothing.
MICHIGAN STATE 38 - Wisconsin 17 - (12:00) -- Yes, we know full well, that the
Spartans dropped their last HG, 45-7, but 5 TO greased the skids. Back on
track now, with another 194 RYs for Ringer LW (1,157 last 7). Badgers have
been stung for 31, 38, 38, 34, 27, & 38 pts in their last 6 Big10 RGs. Romper
Clemson 22 - BOSTON COLLEGE 17 - (3:30) -- New coach for rested Tigers
(Swinney). Just 21 & 51 RYs last 2 outings, & no Spiller. But long memories
of 3 straight wrenching losses to BC. Eags saw 10-0 lead over UNC, turn into
45-17 deficit. Eleven TOs last 3, 61 RYpg last 2, & QB Crane a project. Tigs!
San Jose State 31 - IDAHO 17 - (5:00) -- Only TDs for Spartans vs Boise came
on INT return & 60-yd run. Decent "D", but 101st ranked "O". Signs of life in
Vandal camp: 215, 271 RYs 2 of last 3 (McCarty: 160 LW), thus hope survives.
Byu 30 - COLORADO STATE 20 - (6:00) -- Nearly 2 straight losses for Coogs,
off 16-gm run, with 4th Hall TD (in last 1:46) providing winning margin vs Unlv.
Minus 39 pts ATS last 2. Rams can't run, & can't stop the run (226 yds for
SDSt's 120th ranked rushing "O" LW), but they're +30 pts ATS in last 3 HGs.
STANFORD 54 - Washington State 13 - (5:00) -- Time for Cardinal to take full
advantage of the gift that is WashSt. Stanford: 229 RYpg last 5, with Gerhart
at 779. And check 13 TOs in Cards' 4 losses. Coogs rested off worst loss in
school history (69-0), & in possession of 54-9 ppg deficit in lined affairs this yr.
Boise State 38 - NEW MEXICO STATE 10 - (7:00) -- No question that Broncos
playing their best ball on the road TY. Have held 5 of 7 foes to 7 pts or less, &
in off 9 FD "D" showing at SanJoseSt (39:26-20:34 time edge). Ag QB Holbrook
LW: 79% (37-of-47), but just 14, 14 pts last 2 weeks. A home series no more.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 20 - Kentucky 16 - (2:30) -- Bulldogs have been outstatted
by all SEC foes except Vandy, & have yet to reach 170 RYs in a lined affair. But
UK is hurting at RB & DB, with resultant 66-5 loss to Florida a far cry from their
previously 4th rated scoring "D". Covered 1st 2 RGs by 40½ pts. Ends here.
GEORGIA TECH 24 - Florida State 23 - (3:30) -- Jackets let us down, big time,
in 24-17 loss to Virginia, but they still own a 1,465-639 RY edge in lined games.
'Noles KO'ed VaTech's first 2 QBs in LW's win. Check 6 sacks for nation's #3
"D" in that one. QB Ponder, RB Smith, along with that defense, takes it to wire.
LSU 34 - Tulane 10 - (8:00) -- Call this along lines of LY's Tiger win. Bayous ran
for 188 yds vs GA's #3 rush "D" (Scott: 144 yds), but were killed by 3 Lee INTs,
including 1 taken in for TD on game's 1st play. The Wave came from 318 RYs
to 34 in a week, thus the dog is now 6-1 ATS in Greenie games, by 104½ pts.
Tcu 38 - UNLV 10 - (8:00 - CBSC) -- Rebs on 4-game slide, blowing 4th quarter
leads in last 3 (final 1:46 LW, despite 321 PYs from Clayton). Move the ball,
but maybe not here, as Frogs rank #1 on "D", holding 7 foes to 7 pts or less. An
82-14 pt edge last 2 wks, but a 10-pt ATS loss in last RG. But can't buck 'em.
SO MISSISSIPPI 33 - Uab 27 - (8:00) -- Five straight losses for SoMiss, allowing
516 yds to a Memphis squad, which is down to its 3rd string QB. Balanced on
"O" (#17), but can't stop anyone. Blazers also own moldy "D" (31 ppg last 13),
& Webb has 5 INTs last 2 wks, but Uab normally close to the spot. Tite series.
Rice 48 - UTEP 45 - (9:00) -- Shootout alert! Owls' Clement has thrown for 15
TDs the past 4 games, while Rebs' Vittatoe checks in with 14 in his last 4 tilts.
Utep has a 36-35 ppg edge in its last 15 games, but saw a 28-21 lead turn into
a 77-35 loss in its last outing (Tulsa). Owls: 42 or more pts 5 times this year.
Utah 28 - NEW MEXICO 24 - (9:30) -- Rested Utes are cruising at 8-0 so far,
averaging 41 ppg in their last 7, behind QB Johnson's leadership. But may not
be all that easy here, as the Lobos are plus 77 pts ATS in their last 3 HGs, &
check 271 RYpg in their last 4 gms. Not involved, but give Lobos bit of a peek.
OREGON STATE 44 - Arizona State 17 - (10:15) -- Let's see. Five straight wins
& covers (by 91 pts ATS) for the Beavers, compared to five straight losses for
the Devils (-69 pts ATS). Only 64 RYpg in Suns' last 4 outings, & Carpenter
just 10/6 for the season. Rodgers duet aids in extending home trend of series.
SUNDAY
East Carolina 27 - CENTRAL FLORIDA 26 - (8:00 - ESPN) -- Pirates had an
extra week to prepare for this, while the Knights are in off battling Tulsa. The dog
is 7-1 ATS in ECU games of late, with Pirates minus 42 pts ATS in their last 3
RGs. UCF down a huge notch this year, but has covered it 2 HGs. This to wire.
TUESDAY
BUFFALO 24 - Miami-Ohio 23 - (7:30 - ESPN2) -- Bulls surely needed their bye
week, following a pair of OT contests. The dog is the way to go with both teams:
6-0 ATS in UB games, & 16-5 ATS in MU contests. Tight series, so we go along.
WEDNESDAY
BALL STATE 27 - Northern Illinois 20 - (8:00 - ESPNU) -- Cards now 8-0 (best
start in more than 4 decades). Balanced behind QB Davis (15/5), but just +2
pts ATS at home. NIU's "D": only 3 offensive TDs allowed in last 25 quarters.
AKRON 34 - Toledo 28 - (8:00 - ESPN2) -- Not much breathing room in Zip tilts
(2, 3, 4, 7 pt SU margins last 4). Exploded for 339 RYs vs EM (Kennedy: 277).
Rockets stayed with Central, but lost their last RG by 22 pts ATS. Mild Zip call.
ADDED GAMES
WESTERN KY 41 - North Texas 10
ALABAMA 39 - Arkansas State 10
Fla International 27 - LAFAYETTE 24
Troy 35 - LA-MONROE 21