Saturday 10/22/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: North Carolina Tar Heels (5-2) at Virginia Cavaliers (2-4)

Date: October 22, 2016 3:00 PM EDT

North Carolina is not yet in control of its future when it comes to a return appearance in the ACC Championship Game as Virginia Tech holds the tiebreaker over the Tar Heels if those two teams end up tied at the top of the Coastal Division standings at the end of the regular season.

But the No. 22 Tar Heels are sitting in a much better position heading into Saturday's game against Virginia at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va., (3 p.m. ET, RSN) than they were a week ago when they were bound for Miami coming off the big loss to the Hokies.

The win over the Hurricanes put North Carolina (5-2, 3-1 ACC) alone in first place in the division when the Hokies lost at Syracuse to fall to 2-1 in league play.

Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, however, their 20-13 victory over the Hurricanes came with a price.

They lost wide receiver Mack Hollins to a broken collarbone and the senior will miss the rest of the season after having surgery. Hollins led North Carolina in touchdown catches with four among his 16 receptions. His 19.3 yards per catch average was tops among receivers with more than one catch.

Fortunately for the Tar Heels, they do have depth at the position. Wide receiver Ryan Switzer has 58 catches for 606 yards, Bug Howard 29 for 429 and Austin Proehl 24 for 302. Running backs T.J. Logan and Elijah Hood have a combined 34 catches for 229 yards.

"We still got some guys that can stretch the field vertically," North Carolina coach Larry Fedora said. "That doesn't overly concern me.

"We'll miss Mack's ability to do it. That's probably the thing he does best, but we've got some guys who can get behind people."

The Tar Heels, who have won six straight over Virginia, have gone through what arguably is the toughest part of their schedule with their four remaining conference games against teams with a combined 3-8 league mark. In addition to Virginia's 1-1 conference record, Georgia Tech is 1-3 in league play, Duke 0-3 and North Carolina State 1-1. North Carolina also has a non-conference affair against The Citadel.

None of the conference games figures to be pushovers, though the Tar Heels likely will be favored in all four.

If they are able to run the table, they still need Virginia Tech to lose at least one more time to get to the ACC title game. North Carolina already has beaten Pittsburgh (5-2, 2-1).

Virginia (2-4, 1-1) could be an interesting matchup. The Cavaliers began the season by losing their first three games (Richmond, Oregon, Connecticut) but notched a win over Central Michigan before opening conference play by beating Duke 24-10. They lost a high-scoring 45-31 affair to Pittsburgh last week.

"I like my team," first-year coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "I like how hard they try and how they've embraced the culture. And we're moving up the scale of the effort and intent to position mastery and execution.

"That's basically where our team is right now. So we're becoming better in terms of our position mastery and playing our spots. Execution is not holding yet long enough from beginning to end in all three phases to have the outcomes that we would like.

"But more and more plays are looking how we would like them to be."

Cavaliers quarterback Kurt Benkert, a transfer from East Carolina, has passed for 421, 336, and 278 yards the last three games but has seven interceptions against 14 touchdown passes for the season.

The Cavaliers have a two-back approach to the rushing game with Taquan Mizzell rushing for a team-best 355 yards and Albert Reid 346.

Defensively, the Cavaliers had some success at times stopping the run, holding Central Michigan to 93 yards rushing and Duke to 106, but gave up 209 yards to Pittsburgh their last outing and 301 to Oregon early in the season.

"We're still missing more plays in open field than what I would like," Mendenhall said. "But we're starting to make more than what we had before. So a work in progress."

The series, which North Carolina leads 63-53-4, began in 1892 and is billed as the oldest rivalry in the South.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

A brave new world for college football offenses
By JOE FORTENBAUGH

In the two college football seasons spanning the years 2014 and 2015, a grand total of 20 NCAA programs finished their respective campaigns averaging at least 40.0 points per game. And in those same two seasons, five games kicked-off with a Las Vegas over/under of at least 80.0 points.

Through the eight completed weeks of action in 2016, a staggering 19 teams are averaging at least 40.0 points per game and five matchups have kicked-off with a Las Vegas over/under of at least 80.0 points per game.

It’s a brave new world for college football offenses.

Led by a Big 12 conference that emphasizes a combination of high-octane, up-tempo offenses and leaky sieve defenses, the touchdowns have been coming at an alarming, yet highly entertaining rate this season. To illustrate our point, Texas Tech (48.8 pts/gm) alone has played in three contests this year that have featured an over/under of at least 80.0 points.

But the big question here is whether or not there’s any money to be made in regards to this information.

First, let’s take a look at the last five seasons in terms of how many games closed with a total of at least 80.0 points:

2012: 2
2013: 3
2014: 0
2015: 5
2016: 5

Unfortunately, despite the fact that scoring is on the rise, overs in games with a closing total of at least 80.0 points since 2012 have gone just 8-7, with a 2016 record of 3-2. That’s not the type of trend that we can take to the bank, but at the very least it does illustrate the swiftness with which bookmakers work when it comes to keeping up with the latest trends.

But you didn’t think we were going to just leave you hanging with nothing more than a few introductory paragraphs, did you?

Here’s our closer: In those aforementioned 15 games played over the last five seasons with a closing total of at least 80.0 points, the home team is 12-3 straight-up while averaging a staggering 48.6 points per game. That means we should pay close attention to the “team totals” wagering section this week in regards to two games:

Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET: Oregon at California (total of 89)

Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET: Oklahoma at Texas Tech (total of 84.5)

Keep a real close eye on the team totals for both California and Texas Tech this weekend.

TREND OF THE WEEK

The undefeated (6-0) and fifth-ranked Washington Huskies have been railroading the opposition as of late, with victories against Stanford and Oregon over the last two weeks by a combined score of 114-27.

Yes, you read that correctly. 114-27. Over Stanford. And Oregon.

But head coach Chris Petersen and quarterback Jake Browning are currently on the outside looking in at college football’s four-team playoff, so the Huskies will need to keep the pedal to the metal in an effort to land one of those coveted spots in the 2016 postseason.

Washington plays host to 2-4 Oregon State Saturday night (6:30 p.m. ET) in a game that currently features a total of 55 points. Take note that the over is 8-1 in Washington’s last nine games overall.

In addition, the over is 5-0 in Washington’s last five conference games and 5-1 in the Huskies’ last six home contests. As if those trends weren’t enticing enough, the over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between Washington and Oregon State.

With Browning currently listed at 8/1 to win the Heisman Trophy, don’t be surprised if the Huskies run up the score in an effort to pad their signal-caller’s stats, giving him a better chance of upsetting Louisville’s Lamar Jackson.

BIGGEST LINE MOVES OF THE WEEK

Charlotte 49ers (+18.5 to +13) at Marshall Thundering Herd: Charlotte has dropped four of its last five outings but somehow found a way to cover the number in back-to-back weeks against Florida Atlantic (October 9) and Florida International (October 15). But take note that the 49ers are still just 4-11-2 ATS over their last 17 games overall. As for Marshall, the Thundering Herd are 16-7-1 ATS over their last 24 homes games and are coming off a 27-21 win over Florida Atlantic, which broke a four-game losing streak.

New Mexico Lobos (-12.5 to -17) vs. UL Monroe Warhawks: After failing to cover the number in four straight contests, the Lobos busted loose last Saturday with a 45-40 upset road win at Air Force as 14-point underdogs. But at 2-6 ATS over their last eight games against Sun Belt opposition, you may be wondering why this line has moved 4.5 points in New Mexico’s favor. That’s because Warhawks quarterback Garrett Smith was lost for the season last Saturday against Texas State with a torn ACL in his right knee. As a result, UL-Monroe will turn the keys to the car over to redshirt freshman Will Collins, who has thrown a grand total of 18 career collegiate passes.

Louisville Cardinals (-15.5 to -19) vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack: No surprises here whatsoever as the action continues to pour in on Heisman Trophy frontrunner Lamar Jackson and his Louisville Cardinals, who are averaging 52.3 points per game this season and are 5-2-1 ATS over their last eight games overall. However, be advised that Louisville has scored just 60 total points over its last two outings, while North Carolina State is 4-0 ATS over its last four games overall and 9-4 ATS over its last 13 road dates.

Indiana Hoosiers (+4.5 to +1.5) at Northwestern Wildcats: Disregard the 3-3 record when it comes to Indiana because this team has been far more competitive than most expected entering 2016, as those three aforementioned losses came by 5 points against Wake Forest, 21 points at undefeated Ohio State (but they covered the spread!) and 5 points against Nebraska. Also note that Indiana is 5-1 ATS over its last six conference matchups, while Northwestern is 1-4 ATS over its last five home games. Further, the underdog in this series is 5-2 ATS over the last seven meetings between these two programs.

Wyoming Cowboys (-3.5 to -6) at Nevada Wolf Pack: If you haven’t noticed what head coach Craig Bohl has got cooking in his third year on the job at Wyoming, it’s time to stand up and take notice. Not only are the Cowboys 4-2 this season, but they are coming off back-to-back upset conference wins over Colorado State as 5.5-point underdogs and Air Force as 13.5-point underdogs. As a result, Wyoming is now 7-1 ATS over its last eight games played in the month of October. As for Nevada, the Wolf Pack are 0-4 ATS over their last four games overall and 8-20 ATS over their last 28 games played in the month of October.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: TCU Horned Frogs (4-2) at West Virginia Mountaineers (5-0)

Date: October 22, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

The No. 12 West Virginia Mountaineers will look to improve to 6-0 for the first time since 2006 and also stay on top of the Big 12 Conference standings when they host the TCU Horned Frogs in Morgantown, W.Va., on Saturday afternoon.

The Mountaineers (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) have developed a reputation for producing high-powered offenses in recent years, but come in off a sparkling defensive effort, winning 48-17 at Texas Tech last week. The Red Raiders entered the contest leading the nation in passing offense (544 yards per game) and were second in scoring offense (55.2).

"It's a good plane ride home but after that you settle in and get back to work," West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen said. "... It goes away really quick."

Tony Gibson's defensive unit held the Red Raiders 280 yards and 38 points below their season averages. The 17 points were a season-low for Tech and snapped a streak of nine consecutive home games where the Red Raiders had scored at least 50 points.

West Virginia, which lost nine starters from last year's defensive unit and arguably its best player in free safety Dravon Askew-Henry in fall camp to a torn ACL, has utilized the odd 3-3-5 stack and disguised its blitzing to create problems for opposing offenses.

"What we do defensively is hard for me to attack," Holgorsen said.

The Horned Frogs (4-2, 2-1) provide more of a running threat than Texas Tech. But if the season's first five games are any guide, Gibson will come up with a scheme to combat TCU's version of the spread.

"Because they move around so much, it looks like there are 12, 13 people out there sometimes," Holgorsen said. "Just being able to disguise stuff is very important. Only having three down linemen gives you more second-level players that you can move around and blitz people from different spaces."

It didn't hurt that the offense kept West Virginia ahead all day, establishing a season high for points despite occasional bouts of sloppiness that left Holgorsen frustrated on the sideline. But quarterback Skyler Howard threw for 318 yards, rushed for 89 and accounted for three scores in probably his best all-around game of the year.

The Mountaineers rolled up 332 yards on the ground at Texas Tech and nearly had three 100-yard rushers. Rushel Shell finished with 104, backup Kennedy McCoy gained 99 on just four carries and Howard added 89 on 12 attempts. Opponents are gaining 150.7 yards per game on the ground against TCU, so it's not an impossible defense on which to run.

West Virginia's defense will have to try and find a way to slow down TCU quarterback Kenny Hill, who passed for 2,142 yards and 12 touchdowns but is also experiencing interception issues. The junior threw three interceptions in the unexpectedly tight 24-23 win at lowly Kansas on Oct. 8 and has the most interceptions (eight) in the Big 12. Hill also can make things happen with his legs as he is tied for the team lead with seven rushing touchdowns.

The game against Kansas marked the second time Hill has thrown multiple interceptions in a game. And it increased chatter that his decision-making can be suspect.

"This offense, it's the nature of it," TCU coach Gary Patterson said of the interceptions. "You're not going to win very many ballgames if you do (throw interceptions), but that has a little bit more to do with us, how we call it and what we do."

Hill passed for a season-worst 206 yards against Kansas -- well off the pace expected from a quarterback who topped 400 yards in three of his first five starts for the Horned Frogs.

TCU (4-2, 2-1), which has had two weeks to prepare for this one, could certainly use the mistake-free version of Hill on Saturday. The Horned Frogs are averaging 40.2 points, but Patterson is aware it will be tough to approach that number after watching West Virginia limit Texas Tech's powerful offense to 17 points last Saturday.

"You have to make plays and tackle in space, and they were able to do that," Patterson said. "They got after Patrick (Mahomes II), who is a really good quarterback. They have great skill players.

"You have to be able to run the ball against them. Two years ago, we had to run the football to win. If you can't, you're going to get yourself in a lot of trouble."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Purdue Boilermakers (3-3) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0)

Date: October 22, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

Nebraska keeps moving up. Purdue is simply moving on.

The eighth-ranked Cornhuskers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) are one of nine unbeaten teams from the Power 5 conferences, reaching their highest AP ranking since Sept. 25, 2011, ahead of a Saturday home game against the Boilermakers (3-3, 1-2).

"Whether you start off good in a season or you start off bad in a season, your story is told by how you finish," said second-year Nebraska coach Mike Riley. "So all this stuff is fun for everybody else. For us, it's exactly the record we want, and now we have to get better."

Nebraska's biggest challenges are still to come -- road games at Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa -- but Saturday's home game at Memorial Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2) isn't one of them. Purdue heads to Lincoln, Neb., fresh off a coaching change.

A blowout loss to Iowa on Homecoming last Saturday marked the end for Purdue's Darrell Hazell. The 49-35 final didn't reflect the tone of the game -- it was 35-7 by halftime, and many of the fans had left before the Boilermakers made it more cosmetic at the finish.

A day later, athletic director Mike Bobinski announced the firing of Hazell, who went 9-33 in his three-plus seasons. Wide receivers coach Gerad Parker takes over as interim coach through the end of the season.

"From the first time I met Darrell, I could tell he was a man of high character -- a quality person who you would want leading a group of young men," Bobinski said. "But our inconsistent performance and inability to generate positive momentum thus far this season, along with the disappointing results of the past three seasons, made it clear to me that we needed to make a change."

As Bobinski noted, there's a lot of football left -- although Parker probably wishes he had an easier debut.

Lincoln is a tough place to play under any circumstances, let alone when the home team has College Football Playoff hopes and likely is still steamed over last season's 55-45 loss to the Boilermakers.

Nebraska has injuries along the offensive line -- tackles Nick Gates and David Knevel are questionable -- but the Huskers are likely to try to pound the ball anyway.

The Cornhuskers are 27th nationally in rushing, averaging 220.5 yards per game. Purdue, which played last week without defensive tackle Jake Replogle (headaches) and linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (ankle), allowed more than 300 rushing yards in each of its past four Big Ten games.

The Boilermakers are 124th out of 128 teams in rushing defense, allowing 264.3 yards per games.

Nebraska running back Terrell Newby has rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns in the past two games and leads the team with 71.5 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is second at 54.8 yards per game.

The Huskers held off Indiana 27-22 last Saturday after leading 17-0 in the first quarter. Nebraska finished with a 39-yard field goal in the final minute to cap a drive in which it ran the ball 14 consecutive times, taking 7:41 off the clock.

"This team has not faltered in the fourth quarter," Riley said.

"I think that we have worn some teams out and played better than them in the fourth quarter. Is that because of the mentality of the team? Is that because of the shape they're in?

"I'm not sure, but there are some things like that that I appreciate."

Nebraska, which lost four games last season in the final seconds or overtime, has outscored opponents 88-13 in the fourth quarter this season.

Armstrong was a bit banged up last week against Indiana, completing only 10 of 26 passes with two interceptions. Overall, though, he has been much more efficient as a senior, getting intercepted only once every 38.8 passes. His career mark entering the season was a pick once every 24.4 pass attempts.

Purdue was down three cornerbacks last week against Iowa, and it was unknown as of Tuesday whether Myles Norwood, Brandon Roberts and David Rose would play this week.

Boilermakers quarterback David Blough put up big numbers against the Hawkeyes, but most of his 458 yards and four of his five touchdowns came after Purdue fell behind 35-7 and the game was all but over.

"It's like having a newborn -- and I have a newborn as well," Parker said of the early-week whirlwind with the coaching change. "It's been pretty crazy. You wake up and you have some cold sweats and you're trying to think of everything in the world to help this staff and these players be OK."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Texas A&M Aggies (6-0) at Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)

Date: October 22, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

If it seems as if No. 1 Alabama is taking on a Top 25 opponent every week, that is because it keeps occurring.

The Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) take on their third ranked opponent in three weeks and fifth of the season when they host No. 6 Texas A&M (6-0, 4-0) on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS).

The Tide had little trouble in disposing of then-No. 16 Arkansas 49-30 and No. 9 Tennessee 49-10 its past two games, but the Aggies may present more problems than either of those opponents.

"They are highly ranked in a lot of categories, whether it's turnover ratio, scoring defense or their ability to run the ball," said Alabama coach Nick Saban, noting the Aggies' No. 12, No. 22, and No. 7 rankings in those categories, respectively. "They have a very high-powered, balanced offense."

Indeed, though Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight does not throw for a high completion rate (just 53.4 percent), he still averages 250 yards a game passing. That is complemented by Texas A&M's ability to rush the football. The Aggies are averaging over 274 yards a game on the ground with running back Trayveon Williams averaging just over 117 yards a game and Knight adding nearly 84.

Knight has a team-high nine rushing touchdowns to match his total of touchdown passes.

Then there is the A&M defense that is allowing more than 437 yards a game in total offense but still is holding opponents to fewer than 20 points a game. Some of that is due to the Aggies' ability to force turnovers. The Aggies have seven interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries for a turnover margin of plus-6 -- or plus-1 per game.

"They really have some dominating players on defense in Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall, the two defense ends that create a lot of problems in terms of being great edge rushers," Saban said. "They've been really opportunistic on defense in terms of getting turnovers.

"So, there are a lot of important things for us to do well in the game, and it's going to take all phases doing well to have a chance to be successful."

Garrett, who missed the win over South Carolina due to a leg injury sustained in a 45-24 win over Arkansas, has four sacks and six quarterback hurries in five games. Hall, his counterpart on the other end, has 3.5 sacks and 10 hurries.

"A year ago I said best thing that happened to Myles Garrett was Daeshon Hall," A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said. "When protection slid, Daeshon was able to put himself on map in a nationally televised, Top 25 game. Got three or four sacks. People realized they may have to block both those guys."

Against Alabama, however, the Aggies will be confronting what some are calling the best Crimson Tide team under Saban. And that includes four national championship teams in the past seven years.

"With the NFL Draft, I was hoping half of them would leave," Sumlin said, "but they stayed. And they are playing at a high level."

Actually, the Tide had seven players picked in the 2016 draft, including center Ryan Kelly in the first round, but replacements keep rolling in.

Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts leads the offense. Since taking over as the starter in the second game of the season, he is completing passes at a 63.5 percent clip while throwing for 198 yards a game with nine touchdowns against only three interceptions.

He has talented targets in wide receivers Calvin Ridley (39 catches, 477 yards) and ArDarius Stewart (26-379). If opposing defenses start to gang up on the passing game, the Tide simply turns to running backs Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs. They have rushed for 572 and 345 yards, respectively, totals that rank first and third on the team with Hurts at No. 2 with 428 yards.

Like his counterpart at A&M, Hurts leads his team in rushing touchdowns with eight.

"Opportunistic" might be the best way to describe the Tide's defense. The unit has scored eight touchdowns on interception and fumble recovery returns. The Tide also has three punt return TDs for a total of 11 non-offensive touchdowns, one more than they had all of last year.

"Like anything else, once you have success, it becomes contagious," Sumlin said. "Guys work at and take pride in it. Combination of all those things. Not just one thing. But it's certainly not luck."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Illinois Fighting Illini (2-4) at Michigan Wolverines (6-0)

Date: October 22, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

Third-ranked Michigan often looks unstoppable on offense while averaging 50 points per game.

And that side of the ball isn't even the Wolverines' most impressive unit.

The run stuffers, pass rushers and ball hawks have been superb through the first half of the campaign and Michigan looks to improve to 7-0 when it hosts Illinois in a Big Ten contest Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network).

The Wolverines (3-0 Big Ten) lead the nation in scoring defense (10.3 points per game), total defense (212.8 yards per game) and passing defense (113.7). They also rank ninth in rushing defense (99.2) and have held five opponents to 14 or fewer points.

The unit has been exceptional on third-down defense, allowing 10 of 82 opportunities (a national-low 12.2 percent) to be converted. Rutgers was 0 for 17 in such situations in Michigan's last contest -- a 78-0 victory Oct. 8.

Senior defensive end Taco Charlton said the players are aware of the superb statistical tidbits.

"We definitely care because it shows the hard work does pay off," Charlton told reporters. "It shows in the rankings and in the games we're a great defense and we've been able to prove that and we're proving out there we are that great defense we always talked about, that coaches talked us being."

Star outside linebacker Jabrill Peppers (10 tackles for losses) is the marquee player on the unit but he is far from the lone standout.

Defensive coordinator Don Brown has been the mastermind of the success. But even better is that nobody is satisfied -- even with all those stellar stats midway through the season.

"It's about not getting complacent and trying to perfect your craft every day, and I think we're doing a good job of that," senior defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow said. "We have a more mature team that's not going to let this go to their head, but we'll see in the second half of the season. We still have a ways to go."

Illinois coach Lovie Smith is well aware of the impressive nuggets -- both defensively and offensively and knows his squad is facing a formidable foe.

"We realize who we have this week," Smith said at a press conference. "They're one of the best teams in the country. We look forward to that challenge."

Making the task of springing an upset tougher is this fact: The Fighting Illini (2-4, 1-2) have dropped 14 consecutive games against ranked foes and 23 of their past 24.

Smith, the former NFL coach of the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recorded his first Big Ten victory when Illinois defeated Rutgers 24-7 last week. The victory halted a four-game skid.

Sophomore quarterback Chayce Crouch could be in for line for his second consecutive start. Senior starter Wes Lunt missed the Rutgers' game with a back injury and Smith hasn't indicated whether Lunt will return against the Wolverines.

Crouch replaced Lunt in the Oct. 8 loss to Purdue and was 6-of-14 passing for 92 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his start against the Scarlet Knights.

"Chayce Crouch was just gutting it out, playing good football again like he did the previous week," Smith said. "We would have liked that interception back, but just liked the energy he's brought to our football team."

Slowing down the Wolverines' offense figures to be a challenge for a team that allowed an average of 36.8 points during its four-game losing streak.

However, Illinois does a feature a trio of solid defenders in senior middle linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr. (58 tackles, two interceptions), and senior defensive ends Carroll Phillips (11 tackles for losses, including four sacks) and Dawuane Smoot (eight tackles for losses).

Michigan's rushing attack rolled up 481 yards and tied a school record of nine touchdowns in the rout of Rutgers. Freshman Chris Evans had a season-best 153 yards and leads the team with 400 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight has passed for 1,194 yards and 11 touchdowns but coach Jim Harbaugh is most impressed with the fact he has been intercepted only twice in 159 passes. Senior receiver Amara Darboh has team-best outputs of 25 receptions, 400 yards and five touchdowns.

The Wolverines continue to incorporate Peppers into the offense and he is averaging 19.6 yards on five rushes.

"He's just got really great instincts with the ball in his hands," Michigan offensive coordinator Tim Drevno said. "He kind of knows to feel something and it's second nature to him. He's got a special thing about him. You don't find guys like that."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Memphis Tigers (5-1) at Navy Midshipmen (4-1)

Date: October 22, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

No. 24 Navy is looking to capitalize on its home-field dominance in a pivotal matchup against conference rival Memphis on Saturday.

The winner takes over first place in the American Athletic Conference West Division and controls its own destiny for a spot in the league championships game. Only Navy, Memphis and South Florida, which leads the AAC East Division, remain unbeaten in conference play.

The Midshipmen are riding a 13-game winning streak at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, which ties the program record. Memphis, however, poses a huge challenge and leads the nation with 18 forced turnovers in six games.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how important this game is for both teams," Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said this week on the coaches' teleconference. "We both control our own destiny. Whoever wins is going to be in the driver's seat. Both schools started the season with high aspirations to represent the West then play and win the AAC championship."

Memphis (5-1 overall, 2-0 AAC) is making its first-ever trip to Annapolis. Navy (4-1, 3-0) upset the then No. 15 Tigers 45-20 last season in Tennessee. That also snapped Memphis' 15-game winning streak.

"I'm really pleased with where we are at the midpoint of the season," Tigers coach Mike Norvell said. "We have put ourselves in position for this week to be a huge game."

Navy quarterback Will Worth has been solid running the the triple option. He took over the starting job when Tago Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season-opener against Fordham.

In the Midshipmen's last game, Worth ran for a career-high 115 yards with a touchdown and passed for two scores in a 46-40 victory over former No. 6 Houston. Worth was named the AAC Player of the Week for that performance.

"I definitely put a lot of responsibility on myself to keep this thing running the way it has been over the years," Worth said. "It's always been next man up. Everyone has to be ready at all times, because just like that, something can happen."

Worth will face a stern test against a Memphis defense that has scored three defensive touchdowns this year -- tied for the fifth most in the country. In addition, the Tigers have recovered seven fumbles (eighth most) and picked off 11 passes (fifth most).

Memphis, which beat Tulane 24-14 on Friday, is also 10th in the nation in turnover margin at plus-1.17 per game.

"From the first day when I got here I talked to our defense about an identity, that's what we want to be known for," said Norvell, who is in his first year as the Tigers' head coach. "We are going to capitalize on every opportunity that we get to make plays. When you look at it, it's not just one guy. It's a variety of guys."

The Memphis offense is led by quarterback Riley Ferguson, a community college transfer who has completed 129 of his 197 pass attempts for 1,596 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Wide receiver Anthony Miller has caught 32 of those passes for 438 yards and two touchdowns.

Memphis running back Doroland Dorceus has also been solid with 427 yards on 59 carries with five touchdowns. The Tiger average 438.3 yards per game, compared to 392 by the Midshipmen.

"I think you're seeing growth in every area and a lot of guys that are playing at extremely high levels," Norvell said. "We know it is going to take our best effort this week and it's going to be a great opportunity."

The Midshipmen had two weeks to prepare after their last game against East Carolina was postponed to Nov. 19 because of flooding from Hurricane Matthew. The time off could help a pair of starters, fullback Chris High (hip) and cornerback Tyris Wooten (undisclosed), get back into the lineup.

Navy's defense suffered a blow when linebacker and co-captain Daniel Gonzales went down with a season-ending foot injury Oct. 1 against Air Force.

However, fellow linebacker Josiah Powell did well filling in for Gonzales against Houston and nabbed his first two career interceptions and had three tackles. As a result, Powell, a 6-foot-3, 224-pound senior from Providence, Ky., was named the Football Writers Association of America Defensive Player of the Week and the AAC Defensive Player of the Week.

He and the rest of the Midshipmen will need to have another big game this week against Memphis ... and perhaps a lift from the rest of the Brigade.

"We're going to need all the home field advantage we can get in this game," Niumatalolo said. "We're hoping for a big crowd, as much noise as we can get."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Utah Utes (6-1) at UCLA Bruins (3-4)

Date: October 22, 2016 4:00 PM EDT

UCLA was the pick of the Pac-12 media to win the conference's South division.

But the Bruins are 1-3 in the league for the first time in coach Jim Mora's five seasons, and they will be trying to salvage any long-shot conference hopes when they play host to No. 19 Utah at the Rose Bowl on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

The Utes (6-1, 3-1) are tied with upstart Colorado atop the South standings, with USC only a half-game behind.

"We have some tough games ahead of us looking us in the face," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.

As of early in the week, it was unknown if UCLA (3-4) would have quarterback Josh Rosen available Saturday. Mora said he was "very, very hopeful" Rosen would be able to play after missing last week's 27-21 loss at Washington State because of shoulder/leg injuries.

Former walk-on Mike Fafaul completed 24 for 40 for 258 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions, against the Cougars. The bigger issue for the Bruins is that they rushed for just 43 yards, which has become something of a trend.

UCLA is the third-worst rushing team in the country, averaging 91.1 yards per game. The Bruins have rushed 48 times for 42 yards in the past two games. Bad news for them: Utah is stout against the run, allowing 130.1 yards per game on the ground.

The talent at running back -- Nate Starks, Soso Jamabo and Bolu Olorunfunmi -- is not the problem.

Mora is promising changes to scheme, not necessarily personnel.

"When you can't run the ball it's tough to do anything consistent on offense," he said.

"We have looked at it very, very carefully. We think we've identified some things that we can do that can help us have more success running the football, which hopefully will help us throw the ball more effectively. Hopefully, it'll help us give the defense better field position, increase our time of possession ... do those types of things that can give us a better chance of winning."

Mora said the offense would be implementing different kinds of things in the run game, but that he "didn't want to talk about them."

Utah has had its own issues in the run game because of injuries.

The situation was so dire last week that the team coaxed running back Joe Williams back onto the team. He had retired because of injuries after the second game of the season, but he rushed 34 times for 179 yards as the Utes won 19-14 in wet and blustery conditions at Oregon State on Saturday.

"I made the decision more for the team than myself -- just put it all on the line for them," Williams said Monday.

Utah rushing leader Armand Shyne is out for the rest of the season, but freshman Zack Moss might be back this week from an undisclosed injury and freshman Devonta'e Henry-Cole has been taken out of a planned redshirt season.

More injury news for the Utes: Safety Marcus Williams and linebacker Sunia Tauteoli left last week's game with undisclosed injuries and were not on Monday's depth chart. Whittingham, always tight-lipped about injuries, only said that the injuries we're not season-ending.

The Utes rely more on efficiency than explosiveness on offense. They rank No. 79 nationally in scoring (26.7 points per game) and No. 61 in total offense (417.9 yards per game). Quarterback Troy Williams is completing just 56.6 percent of his passes, but he has not thrown an interception in the last four games, a span of 119 passes.

Leading wide receiver Tim Patrick, who has caught five of Williams' seven touchdown passes, missed the Arizona game two weeks ago and played sparingly last week because of an unspecified injury.

UCLA's strength is its defense. The Bruins have not allowed an opponent to reach 400 yards in six consecutive games, the first time that has happened since 2010. Only one opponent all season has completed better than 53 percent of its passes against UCLA; that was Washington State at 58 percent.

"They have a lot of speed, a lot of athleticism," Whittingham said of UCLA. "Our guys can't be fooled by the record because they're a good football team and have a lot of good players."

With no clear-cut leader in the South, it's not out of the question that the Bruins could get themselves into a tie for first by the end of the season. They play the division leaders -- Utah and Colorado -- in consecutive games.

"Things are tough for us right now," said linebacker Jayon Brown. "We have to see what we're made of."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Oregon State Beavers (2-4) at Washington Huskies (6-0)

Date: October 22, 2016 6:30 PM EDT

Fifth-ranked Washington had high expectations coming into this season, but the bar has been raised even higher as the Huskies try to stay on a path to the College Football Playoff.

The Huskies (6-0, 3-0 Pac-12) are coming off a bye week and shouldn't have to worry about much other than style points Saturday when they take on Oregon State (2-4, 1-2) at Husky Stadium, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

If Washington can run the table, win its first conference title since 2000 and go 13-0, it would be a virtual lock for one of the four spots in the playoff.

Washington entered the season at No. 14 in the AP poll, which was a lot of faith following the program's 7-6 record in 2015.

"We've had that since the start of this season," Washington coach Chris Petersen said about expectations at his Monday press conference. "I was so irritated with you guys and you were so irritated with me. So, it hasn't changed. I mean that sincerely. You guys want to keep putting these expectations on these kids and all this stuff. All we're trying to do is win the next game. ...

"That's one of the big battles that we have as a team, as a coaching staff, is to keep these guys focused on being focused. We had that exact conversation yesterday."

The last time out, Washington sophomore quarterback Jake Browning threw for a school-record six touchdown passes and ran for two more scores when the Huskies smacked Oregon 70-21, snapping a 12-game skid to the Ducks.

Oregon State has a win over California and a narrow loss to 19th-ranked Utah in its last two games.

"We have confidence in ourselves," OSU senior receiver Victor Bolden said. "We know we can compete with any team in the country."

The Beavers' challenge is increased because Oregon State's top two quarterbacks are unable to play. Starter Darell Garretson will miss the rest of the season with a left ankle injury, and backup Conor Blount is sidelined indefinitely with a left knee injury. Both were hurt in Saturday's 19-14 loss to Utah in wet and windy conditions.

That means the Beavers will start third-stringer Marcus McMaryion, a sophomore who has completed only 41 percent of his passes (32 of 76) in his brief playing time over two seasons. True freshman Mason Moran will be pulled off the scout team so he will be ready to play. Coaches still hope to preserve his redshirt season.

Another option could be wide receiver Seth Collins, an athletic threat who started seven games at quarterback last season. He has a team-high 26 receptions this season, and has also taken direct snaps from center.

Washington is first in the conference in scoring (49.5 points per game) and scoring defense (14.2).

The Huskies, after a cupcake non-conference schedule of Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State, needed overtime to win at Arizona, but then beat Stanford and Oregon by a combined 114-27.

"They are very dominant for most of the time," said Oregon State coach Gary Andersen.

"They are dominant physically; they are dominant from a speed standpoint. Their quarterback is very, very good at handling the offense, making the plays when they need to, good touch on the ball ... and he has very talented players that he's throwing the ball to and handing off to.

"On defense, they play with some juice, energy and excitement. There is a lot of talent."

Washington has several defensive players who are expected to high NFL draft picks, including five in NFLDraftScout.com's top 100 overall prospects -- safety Budda Baker (No. 32), cornerback Sidney Jones (No. 36), defensive tackle Vita Vea (No. 40), defensive tackle Elijah Qualls (No. 65) and linebacker Azeem Victor (No. 98).

Speedy receiver/returner John Ross (30 catches for 371 yards and nine touchdowns) is rated No. 52 by NFLDraftScout.com. Browning (No. 1 nationally in passing efficiency with a rating of 204.9) and running back Myles Gaskin (team-high 599 rushing yards) are true sophomores and not eligible until the 2018 draft.

On defense, Washington is able to apply pressure with its front four, allowing it to devote extra personnel in coverage. That's one of the reasons the Huskies allow only 177.3 passing yards per game, and they figure to make life difficult Saturday for Oregon State's new quarterback.

This week, Petersen is definitely dealing with high expectations for an easy win.

"I think one of the things that's been so great about these guys is how they've competed with an edge," he said. "Everything on the outside kind of works against that right now."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Houston Cougars (6-1) at SMU Mustangs (2-4)

Date: October 22, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

SMU coach Chad Morris is still looking for a signature win to jump-start the Mustangs' program. An upset of No. 11 Houston would certainly qualify.

SMU hosts the Cougars on Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. The Mustangs have lost three in a row, including an emotionally-draining 43-40 overtime defeat to Tulsa two weeks ago.

"It was as hurt as I've seen the locker room (after the Tulsa loss) since I've been here in 18 games," Morris said during his Monday press conference. "I firmly believe this program is exceptionally close, extremely close. We just need a break."

SMU (2-4, 0-2 AAC) had a bye week to get over the loss, but there's still plenty to fix if the Mustangs are to knock off the talented Cougars. Tulsa rushed for 315 yards against the Mustangs, who are 91st against the run, surrendering 195 yards on the ground per game. They are last in the AAC in total defense.

"It demoralizes you," Morris said of the inability to stop the run.

Houston (6-1, 3-1 AAC) will test the Mustangs' shortcomings on defense. The Cougars are averaging 200.0 yards on the ground and could get top running back Duke Catalon back.

Catalon missed the last four games with a concussion, but was cleared to return to practice this week and could play Saturday.

Houston coach Tom Herman told the Houston Chronicle this week that if Catalon shows signs of another concussion while at the school, "they are going to shut him down."

With Catalon out, even more of the offensive load has been put on the shoulders of quarterback Greg Ward Jr., who has already carried the football 100 times for 414 yards and six touchdowns in seven games. Ward also has completed 70.1 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns.

"He's our best player," Herman said of Ward. "When the game is on the line, I want the ball in the hands of our best player. We're continuing to find ways to run the football without him having to read people or be the designed character. But if we need to win the game, we'll use him."

Behind the 396 yards of offense from Ward, Houston was able to bounce back from its upset loss to Navy two weeks ago with a hard-fought win over Tulsa last week.

The loss to Navy likely derailed the Cougars' hopes of crashing the four-team playoff, but Houston is still in line for a New Year's bowl. A showcase game against No. 7 Louisville on Nov. 17 is sandwiched between the Cougars' remaining four AAC games.

Herman says he isn't having any trouble keeping his team motivated.

"The motivation is easy because every week there is something about how we are overrated or not good enough," Herman told reporters this week. "We were the underdogs, we were this and we were that. The chip on our shoulder never had to be manufactured. It was there organically from last year, which creates a toughness and edge about you.

"This year our team is tough and physical, but our team is learning how to be the hunter, not the hunted. We are learning to be the overdog instead of the underdog."

The Cougars are heavy "overdogs" this week against an SMU team that has lost eight players for the season to injury, including senior starting quarterback Matt Davis to an ACL injury in the first game of the season.

"We're as healthy as we can be," Morris said.

Freshman quarterback Ben Hicks has completed 51.9 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and nine interceptions since taking over for Davis.

Hicks starts behind one of the youngest offensive lines in the nation and keeping him upright will be a priority against the Cougars, who have 19 sacks on the season.

"I expect it to be physical and the only thing we can control is how we respond," Morris said.

Houston has won 10 of the last 11 games against SMU, including last season's 49-28 victory. Ward picked apart the Mustangs in the win, completing 16 of 18 passes for 243 yards with a rushing and passing touchdown.

"No one has stopped him yet," Morris said of Ward.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Arkansas Razorbacks (5-2) at Auburn Tigers (4-2)

Date: October 22, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

Auburn goes into the second half of its season on a much more optimistic note after closing out the first half on a three-game winning streak.

The 21st-ranked Tigers (4-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) are coming off a bye week, and now they face key challenges starting Saturday, when No. 17 Arkansas (5-2, 1-2) visits the Loveliest Village on the Plains. Kickoff at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn is set for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN).

The next week, the Tigers go to No. 23 Ole Miss.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn credits a resurgence in the offense to the bounce-back by his team, which lost two of its first three games to a pair of highly ranked teams, Clemson and Texas A&M.

Quarterback Sean White, an accurate passer, is beginning to play with more confidence, senior receiver Tony Stephens is stepping up his game, and Kamryn Pettway is joining with starter Kerryon Johnson to give the Tigers a one-two punch at running back.

Pettway was particularly key in a 38-14 win over Mississippi State in Auburn's last outing after Johnson went out with an ankle injury. A sophomore, Pettway responded with a career-high 169 yards rushing against the Bulldogs. Johnson is expected back for the game against Arkansas.

Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee took over play-calling from Malzahn during the winning streak and went back to a run-first mentality. Lashlee noted that even with an emphasis on the running game behind Johnson and Pettway, the Tigers haven't forgotten how to pass and are capable of throwing it more than the 18 times they did against Mississippi State.

"That time is coming," he said.

Auburn's defense has been pretty solid all year, giving up only 10 touchdowns in all. Four of those scores came long after the issue was already decided in Auburn's favor.

"The truth of the matter is, I think every player you coach wants to be able to look at something and say, 'You know what, we're doing this pretty well and we're getting better, we're making progress and we got a lot of ways that we can improve,'" first-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said. "We've done a really nice job, but how can we make it better?"

Arkansas is coming off its first SEC win of the season after holding on for a 34-30 victory over Ole Miss. The Razorbacks lost two of their previous three outings, sandwiching a rout of Alcorn State in between losses to SEC West leaders Texas A&M and Alabama.

"You have to keep it in perspective," Hogs coach Bret Bielema said. "I told those guys on Sunday, you lost to two teams that are undefeated, might be the two best teams in college football. Keep in perspective where we are, keep working, keep grinding, and someday we'll be there."

The win over the Rebels, secured when defensive back Santos Ramirez's hit on Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly forced Kelly to cough up the football on the Rebels' final drive, did help bring restore some confidence to a team that was disappointed it didn't have enough to upset the No. 1 Crimson Tide the previous week.

"I thought our guys really rebounded well," Bielema said. "I've always said with high expectations comes a high price when you don't reach those things. Our guys responded really well."

Junior quarterback Austin Allen continued his solid play in his first season as a starter by completing 19 of 32 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns and sophomore running back Rawleigh Williams III rushed for 180 yards on just 27 carries against the Rebels.

The Auburn-Arkansas series has been closely competitive since the Razorbacks joined the SEC in 1992 with Auburn holding a slight 12-11-1 edge since then. The only other time they met was in the 1984 Liberty Bowl, won by Auburn 21-15.

In the 25 meetings overall, Auburn has outscored Arkansas by just 633-629, though 11 of the past 15 meetings were decided by 17 points or more. Last year it took four overtimes before the Razorbacks escaped with a 54-46 win after the teams finished regulation deadlocked at 24-24.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Oklahoma Sooners (4-2) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-3)

Date: October 22, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has his share of pleasant memories of his time in Lubbock, Texas. He also has some bad ones.

Mayfield was named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2013 when he played in eight games as a freshman walk-on for the Red Raiders, passing for 2,315 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing 64.1 percent of his passes.

But Mayfield decided to transfer when he said the Texas Tech coaching staff did not guarantee him playing time in the Holiday Bowl or a scholarship for the following season. He eventually walked on at Oklahoma, lobbing some verbal jabs at Texas Tech and Red Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury along the way.

Now Mayfield returns to Jones AT&T Stadium leading the 16th-ranked Sooners (4-2, 3-0 Big 12) against his former team and head coach.

"They'll be ready for me when I get down there, that's for sure," Mayfield said. "I'm excited for it. It's always fun to play in Lubbock. This time, I'm on the other side of it."

This isn't the first time Mayfield, who finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting a year ago, has been back to Lubbock with the Sooners since his ugly split. He also accompanied the squad there in 2014 while sitting out because of NCAA transfer rules and didn't exactly receive the warmest of welcomes.

The night before the game, Mayfield was asked to leave a Lubbock restaurant and booed on his way out the door. Texas Tech fans barraged Mayfield with verbal barbs as he came out for warm-ups and as he watched from the sideline during the game. After the game, an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman escorted Mayfield to his vehicle for safety.

Over the past year, tensions have cooled.

Mayfield hasn't said anything negative about Texas Tech publicly recently and Kingsbury even praised Mayfield during Big 12 Media Days in July.

Texas Tech was also among the schools that voted to approve a rule that granted Mayfield an additional year of eligibility over the summer.

"I've gotten over everything," Mayfield said. "It's all in the past, which is what I said last year. It's about settling in and being ready to play."

The move appears to have paid off all around as Mayfield has flourished with the Sooners and Patrick Mahomes II has become one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the country at Texas Tech (3-3, 1-2). Mahomes enters Saturday's contest as he nation's leader in passing yards (2,579, 429.8 ypg) and total offense (455.2 ypg). He also ranks second in points responsible for (168) and leads the Big 12 in touchdown passes (21).

But just because things are better doesn't mean Mayfield doesn't expect harsh treatment.

"We'll see how our guys handle the violent environment we're gonna be in," Mayfield said.

The contest is a key one for Texas Tech, which plays just two of its final six games at home and needs three wins to become bowl eligible. The Red Raiders, who still have road games with TCU, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Baylor, come in off a 48-17 home loss to No. 12 West Virginia.

"There is a lot to fix," Kingsbury said. "There is no doubt. (We need to) reassess what we're doing, how we're doing it as far as practice goes., personnel-wise, who we're playing ... I think we took a look at everything on Sunday, and are trying to figure out what we need to tighten up and who needs to be playing and what changes we need to make in this last part of the season to be the most effective."

Last week was by far the least effective the Red Raiders have been at home. The Mountaineers held Tech to 17 points, the first time all year the team had been held under 50 in Lubbock. Mahomes threw for 305 yards, but didn't look as effective as he did early in the season. He is battling an injured shoulder, and the injury and the lightened load in practice may be taking its toll.

"I think his lack of practicing caught up to him," Kingsbury said. "I think that first week he was still kind of in that streak, in that zone. And this last week not practicing as much as we would have liked probably caught up to him. Then he tried to do a little bit too much, I felt like, in the second half."

Oklahoma, which will be trying for its first 4-0 start in Big 12 play since 2004, will be without starting running back Samaje Perine who is expected to be sidelined two to three weeks with a hamstring injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0) at Penn State Nittany Lions (4-2)
By Doug Bean, The Sports Xchange
Date: October 22, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio - No. 2 Ohio State barely made it through its first big challenge of the season on Saturday night, escaping Wisconsin with a 30-23 overtime victory after a clutch second-half rally.

Now it's on to Penn State for another prime-time matchup this Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC) against a Big Ten opponent.

Coach Urban Meyer summed up the attitude of the Buckeyes after the hard-fought win at Wisconsin when he said, "That was a ballgame."

Indeed it was. Ohio State fell behind 16-6 at halftime but outscored Wisconsin 23-7 in the second half and overtime to remain unbeaten and atop the Big Ten East Division standings with Michigan.

"We did get outplayed," Meyer said. "I wouldn't say we got out-toughed. They didn't out-effort us. They had some very good stuff. Very good team, very good coaches, and you keep swinging.

"As anguished as that was, as much of a root canal as that was, I'd much rather have it that way for that kind of game, for the development of your team."

This week, Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) will be trying to extend its road winning streak to 21 games, the longest in the country, when it visits Happy Valley. Penn State (4-2, 2-1) is not quite up to its usual standards of the Joe Paterno era but always seems to give Ohio State a game in State College.

Two years ago, quarterback J.T. Barrett and defensive lineman Joey Bosa helped the Buckeyes get out of town with a double-overtime road victory before a raucous white-out crowd. Barrett turned in a gutty performance after suffering a sprained MCL, leading the Buckeyes to the comeback win.

Meyer thought that game was lost.

"I just remember thinking what am I going to say to this team afterwards? It crossed my mind," Meyer recalled. "And he kind of just took it on his shoulders. I get to see things that all fans do not get to see. I get to see him about six inches from my face and see the intensity and the focus and the human spirit that is as good as I've ever been around."

Barrett did the same Saturday night against Wisconsin, where he led a second-half comeback against the formidable Badgers.

The redshirt junior ran for 92 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries and completed 17 of 29 passes for 226 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Barrett's 7-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Noah Brown in the overtime was the difference.

In the win, Barrett set a school record for touchdowns responsible for with 89, breaking the mark set by former quarterback and wide receiver Braxton Miller from 2011 to 2015.

"I've been lucky, you know. You look at some of the quarterbacks that I've been blessed to coach and I've been around and I know in that situation that's who I want behind center," Meyer said of Barrett. "He didn't play his best game, when he does it's incredible. The absolute test of a leader is to raise the level of play of those around you and he's surrounded by a bunch of guys who are newbies this year.

"It's a quarterback's responsibility to pick up his level of play, same with a bunch of new receivers so that's what makes J.T. so special."

Ohio State's defense gave up 236 yards on the ground and 45 total yards against Wisconsin. But like the offense, the Buckeyes made adjustments at halftime and limited the Badgers to one touchdown in the second half.

This week, Ohio State will see one of the Big Ten's best running backs. Sequon Barkley has rushed for 582 yards and eight touchdowns on 117 carries. Barkley ran for 202 yards against Maryland a week ago.

"That's number one on the hit parade as far as Penn State, to stop them," Meyer said of Barkley. "You won't stop him, but minimize the impact the running back has on us."

Penn State is hoping that a bye week and a "White-Out" game with 107,000 fans in Beaver Stadium will inspire an upset. The Nittany Lions, though, are just 1-4 in "White-Outs" since 2011, including two losses to the Buckeyes.

"We're going to need the fans," Penn State coach James Franklin said. "We're going to need the alumni. We're going to need everybody. This is a tremendous challenge we have that we're facing all together, and we're going to need the stadium to be the most difficult environment in the history of college football come Saturday night."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mississippi Rebels (3-3) at LSU Tigers (4-2)

Date: October 22, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Ole Miss must readjust its goals.

So must LSU -- albeit in a much different way -- as No. 23 Ole Miss and No. 25 LSU prepare for their annual encounter Saturday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN) in Baton Rouge, La.

The Rebels (3-3, 1-2 SEC) entered the 2016 campaign hopeful the season would end in some kind of championship, but after six games they are sitting at .500 with that title talk in all likelihood muted for good.

The Tigers (4-2, 2-1) came into the fall with a preseason No. 5 ranking and harboring hopes of making the College Football Playoff, but started 2-2.

Coach Les Miles was fired at that point, but suddenly LSU caught fire under interim coach Ed Orgeron, posting big wins in their last two games (42-7 over Missouri and 45-10 over Southern Mississippi).

With only one conference defeat and games remaining against West Division leaders Alabama and Texas A&M, the Tigers see themselves back in the title picture, if not nationally at least in the conference.

"You can see a little pep in their step. Guys are making plays, guys are having fun," Orgeron said this week. "I know they feel good about being 2-0."

OIe Miss, coming off a 34-30 loss to Arkansas that dropped it to 1-3 against ranked opponents, are a bit of a mystery. How will quarterback Chad Kelly and company react to the loss at Arkansas that was sealed when he lost a fumble on the Rebels' final drive, ending hopes for a comeback win?

"I think this is when you find out a lot about yourself, a lot about your team, and a lot about your kids," Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said.

The Rebels figure to see their defense, which doesn't rank any better than 74th nationally in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense or pass defense, severely tested by an LSU offense that has come to life the last two games.

The Tigers put up 634 yards in total yards against Missouri -- an LSU high against an SEC foe -- and followed that up with 45 points and 459 yards against Southern Mississippi. The Tigers have the SEC's fourth-best rushing attack even though they have been operating without star running back and Heisman hopeful Leonard Fournette, who missed the last two games with a left ankle injury.

Derrius Guice has filled in admirably for Fournette with 564 yards on 62 carries. Fournette will rejoin him this week to give the Tigers a 1-2 punch that will go right at an Ole Miss defense that ranks 12th in the league against the run.

"This will be the ultimate test for us playing against Leonard Fournette," Ole Miss defensive end Marquis Haynes said.

Orgeron is even toying with the idea of using Guice and Fournette in the backfield at the same time.

"We want to rotate our guys, we want them to keep fresh," Orgeron said. "It might be a possibility of putting them both in the backfield at the same time."

Fournette, Orgeron indicated, is anxious to get back on the field.

"We're going to let him do all he can," Orgeron said, "and he's going to tell me, 'Hey, coach. I'm 100 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent. These are the things I can do.'

"We'll run the plays he's able to run. The plays he's not able to run, we won't run them. But we'll play both. I think they're both outstanding backs."

Adding a side note to the matchup is the relationship between the two coaches.

Orgeron went 10-25 as Ole Miss' coach from 2005-07 and gave Freeze, his first on-field college coaching job in 2006.

"I really don't know that my career does what it does without the opportunity he gave me," Freeze said.

Orgeron said his ties to the program and Freeze won't be a factor this week, however. This is about his players, he said.

"I won't mention it," he said. "That's the furthest from my mind. This is about the LSU Tigers. This is about this football team. This is about a very good opponent coming into Tiger Stadium."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Texas A&M at Alabama
By Brian Edwards

Alabama and Texas A&M will both take unbeaten records into Saturday’s crucial SEC showdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Nevertheless, the oddsmakers aren’t expecting a competitive game.

As of late Friday afternoon, most betting shops had Alabama (7-0 straight up, 5-2 against the spread) installed as an 18-point favorite with a total of 60.5 points. The number for the side opened at 16.5, but it has drifted as high as 19 or 19.5 at a few books this week. The total opened at 58.5 but moved into the low 60s at around 12:50 p.m. Eastern on Friday. The Aggies were +700 to win outright (risk $100 to win $700).

Nick Saban’s squad return home after a pair of road wins at Arkansas (49-30) and at Tennessee (49-10). The Crimson Tide beat up on the Volunteers for the 10th consecutive season, easily taking the cash as a 13.5-point road favorite. The 59 combined points went ‘over’ the 54.5-point total on an 85-yard touchdown scamper by Bo Scarbrough with 11:38 remaining.

As usual, Alabama was able to get points from both its defense and special teams. The Tide took a 14-0 advantage when Ronnie Harrison intercepted UT’s Josh Dobbs and returned the pick for six (58 yards) with 14 seconds left in the first quarter. With 14:42 remaining in the final stanza, Eddie Jackson returned a Vols’ punt 79 yards for a TD.

Jalen Hurts, the true freshman signal caller for the nation’s top-ranked team, did most of his work at UT with his legs. Hurts rushed 12 times for 132 yards and three TDs. Scarbrough needed only five attempts to gain 109 yards, while Damien Harris produced 94 rushing yards on 14 carries.

Before collecting its two recent road scalps, Alabama captured wins vs. Southern Cal (52-6 at Jerry World), vs. Western Kentucky (38-10), at Ole Miss (48-43), vs. Kent State (48-0) and vs. Kentucky (34-6).

The Tide has benefited from 11 TDs from its defense and special teams so far this year. That’s the most during Saban’s 10-year tenure.

Hurts won the QB job in early September and nobody should expect him to lose it until his days in Tuscaloosa are over. Hurts has completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 1,385 yards with a 9/3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also provides a big-time scrambling dynamic, rushing for 428 yards and eight TDs with a 5.8 yards-per-carry average.

Harris has rushed for a team-high 572 yards and one TD, averaging 8.3 YPC. Joshua Jacobs, a true freshman RB, has contributed 345 rushing yards and three TDs while averaging 8.0 YPC. Scarbrought has 273 rushing yards and five TDs with a 6.3 YPC average.

Calvin Ridley is one of the country’s top wideouts, hauling in 39 receptions for 477 yards and four TDs. ArDarius Stewart missed 2.5 games with an injury, but he’s still produced 26 catches for 379 yards and three TDs.

Alabama’s defense features All-American candidates and future NFL players galore. Senior DE Jonathan Allen is most likely going to be a top-five pick this spring. Other expected 2017 first-round selections from this defense include LB Rueben Foster and CB Marlon Humphrey, while DT Da’Ron Payne, CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, DE Da’Shawn Hand and Harris will likely be first-rounders in 2018.

Foster has a team-high 41 tackles to go with four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four QB hurries and two passes broken up. Allen has recorded 29 tackles, 5.5 TFL’s, five sacks, six QB hurries, two PBU, one blocked kick and one 75-yard scoop and score.

Texas A&M (6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) has had two weeks to prepare for Alabama after beating Tennessee 45-38 in a wild, double-overtime affair. The Aggies led 28-7 midway through the third quarter and appeared poised to cash tickets as 7.5-point home favorites. However, the Vols scored with 2:07 remaining to get ahead of the number with a 35-28 deficit.

Moments later, A&M true freshman RB Trayveon Williams coasted into the second level and was ahead of the pack down the sidelines seemingly on his way to a 73-yard TD run. But as Williams was less than two yards away from tasting paydirt, UT’s Malik Foreman made an incredible play by diving at Williams and knocking the ball out of his hands and through the back of the end zone. This resulted in a touchback and ended all hopes of A&M covering the number.

Trevor Knight’s one-yard TD run and a subsequent interception by Armani Watts in double OT secure the victory for the Aggies. The 83 combined points went ‘over’ the 60.5-point total, but UT’s TD with just over two minutes left in regulation was needed for ‘over’ supporters.

Knight ran for 110 yards and three TDs against UT. The grad transfer from Oklahoma also threw for 239 yards and a pair of TDs, though we should note that he was also intercepted twice. Williams rushed for 217 yards and one TD on 28 carries. Josh Reynolds had five catches for 89 yards and one TD, while Christian Kirk had seven receptions for 80 yards and one TD.

Texas A&M’s other victories this year have come vs. UCLA (31-24 in OT), vs. Prairie View A&M (67-0), at Auburn (29-16), vs. Arkansas (45-24 at Jerry World) and at South Carolina (24-13).

Knight has only completed only 53.5 percent of his throws, but he has 1,500 passing yards with a 9/5 TD-INT ratio. His unexpected impact has come in the ground game, as he’s rushed for 502 yards and nine TDs while averaging 7.7 YPC. Knight’s favorite target has been Kirk, who has 40 catches for 352 yards and four TDs. Reynolds has 25 receptions for 488 yards and four TDs, while Ricky Seals-Jones has 10 catches for 175 yards. Seals-Jones has missed back-to-back games with a leg injury and he remains a question mark at Alabama.

Williams leads the Aggies in rushing, tallying 704 yards and five TDs while averaging 8.6 YPC. Keith has run for 242 yards and three TDs in relief of Williams.

Alabama isn’t the only defense that’ll be on the field Saturday. Texas A&M is ranked No. 22 in the nation in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 19.2 PPG.

This unit is led by junior DE Myles Garrett, who many consider the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Garrett has registered 14 tackles, six TFL’s, four sacks, six QB hurries and one forced fumble despite missing one game. He didn’t make the trip to Columbia for the win over South Carolina, but he was back against Tennessee and has had two weeks since then for his ankle to get better.

We should also mention that this won’t be the first time Knight has faced Alabama. When he was a redshirt freshman at OU, he led the Sooners to a 45-31 win over Alabama as 16.5-point underdogs at the 2014 Sugar Bowl. Knight completed 32-of-44 passes for 348 yards and four TDs.

Texas A&M has been a double-digit underdog just four times since Kevin Sumlin took over in 2012. The Aggies have thrived in those instances, producing a 3-1 record both SU and ATS. They beat Alabama 29-24 in ’12, smashed South Carolina 52-28 in the ’14 season opener and edged Auburn 41-38 as 23-point ‘dogs two years ago.

Alabama has lost outright only four times in 77 games as a double-digit favorite since Saban took over. The Tide lost to ULM in his first season (2007) as a 24.5-point home ‘chalk.’ They also lost to the Aggies as 13.5-point home favorites, in addition to defeats vs. Oklahoma (-16.5 at Sugar Bowl in January of ’14) and at Auburn (-10 in ’13). The loss to Utah at the Sugar Bowl came when ‘Bama was favored by 9.5 points.

The ‘under’ is 3-2-1 overall for the Aggies, going 2-0 in their road assignments. Their games have averaged combined scores of 59.3 PPG.

The ‘over’ is 4-3 overall for the Tide, but the ‘under’ is a perfect 3-0 in its home outings. They’ve seen their games play to an average combined score of 60.4 PPG.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

-- The updated odds to win the SEC look like this: Alabama -220 (risk $220 to win $100), Florida 4/1, Texas A&M 4/1, LSU 9/1, Tennessee 9/1, Auburn 30/1, Kentucky 100/1 and Ole Miss 100/1.

-- How many SEC head-coaching jobs are going to open in the next two months? We came into the year with six coaches needing to have quality seasons. This group included Derek Mason, Mark Stoops, Les Miles, Gus Malzahn, Kevin Sumlin and Butch Jones. There was also the status of Hugh Freeze, who is the middle of an NCAA saga. To be clear, Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork has stood tall in support of Freeze, but that’s a fluid situation in Oxford. The Dan Mullen situation in Starkville was also on the radar somewhat because he showed interest in the Miami job last December and Dak Prescott was no longer around to provide victories on the regular. To update these situations, Miles has already been dismissed, while Jones and Sumlin are clearly secure to return in 2017. With Auburn trending up in recent weeks, Malzahn looks good for now but a loss at home to Arkansas, coupled with a few others down the stretch, could rapidly change things. Many think Stoops has to get to six wins for a bowl invite and that would make Saturday’s home game vs. Mississippi State a must win. We’ll have more on Mason below, while the developments in the Magnolia State deserve monitoring in the coming weeks.

-- Kentucky has limped to a 1-9-1 against-the-spread record in 11 games as a home underdog during Stoops’s tenure. UK will be in that role again Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium when it hosts Mississippi State. The Bulldogs, who are 2-4 straight up, are off a 28-21 overtime loss at BYU in double overtime. Bettors backing MSU as a seven-point underdog took a push last Friday night in Provo. Mullen’s team is in danger of missing a bowl for the first time since 2009, his first year in Starkville. The Bulldogs are 9-6-1 ATS in 16 games as a road favorite on Mullen’s watch.

-- Vanderbilt is 0-4 ATS in four games as a double-digit favorite since Derek Mason arrived in 2014. The Commodores were 26.5-point home favorites vs. Tennessee State on Friday. Vandy is off the biggest win of Mason’s career, a 17-16 victory at Georgia as a 13.5-point underdog. Zach Cunningham made one of his game-high 17 tackles on a fourth-and-one play to seal the deal. If Cunningham isn’t a first-team All-American this year, it’ll be a crime. Cunningham has 81 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one forced fumble. One pass broken up and one QB hurry. Mason will probably be safe with a win Saturday even if the ‘Dores lose their last four to finish 4-8. The meaning of last week’s win in Athens can’t possibly be overstated.

-- According to Jim McElwain, Florida might be without starting senior DT Bryan Cox Jr. for the rest of the season. Cox is dealing with a hand injury. In better news for UF, DE Jordan Sherit and DT Joey Ivie might be available against Georgia next week. Both are listed as ‘questionable.’ The Westgate SuperBook has the Gators favored by one over UGA this week. The betting shop also has UF favored by 4.5 at Arkansas and McElwain’s bunch is listed as a 7.5-point underdog for the regular-season finale at FSU.

-- Other notable SEC Games of the Year spreads from The Westgate include Ole Miss -5.5 vs. Auburn, Alabama -10 at LSU, LSU -9.5 vs. Arkansas, Texas A&M -2 vs. LSU, Arkansas -3 at Missouri, Tennessee -13.5 at Vandy, Ole Miss -15.5 vs. Mississippi State and Alabama -19.5 vs. Auburn.

-- Arkansas is 6-0 ATS with five outright wins in its last six games as a road underdog. The Razorbacks, who are fresh off a 34-30 home win over Ole Miss, are 10.5-point ‘dogs at Auburn this weekend. The Tigers have had two weeks to prepare for this spot after drilling Mississippi St. by a 38-14 count in Starkville.

-- LSU was a six-point home favorite vs. Ole Miss for most of the week, but the number increased to 7.5 early Friday afternoon. The Tigers are off a 45-10 home win over Southern Miss as 25.5-point home favorites. After missing three games, star RB Leonard Fournette is poised to return to the lineup. The Rebels have compiled a 6-2 spread record in eight games as road ‘dogs under Freeze.

-- After losing 28-27 at Boise State on Thursday night, BYU fell to 4-4 for the season. The Cougars' four losses have come by 10 combined points to BSU, WVU, UCLA and Utah. The Broncos, Utes and Mountaineers have one loss between them. BYU also lost by one (7-6) at BSU in 2012. I had the Broncos -6.5 that night and they failed to score on 5-6 trips inside of BYU's 35 yard line. The Cougars got their score (to get ahead of the number) with about three minutes left and went for two (and failed). I was not a happy camper that night.

-- North Carolina had a rough Thursday. The Tar Heels needed Miami to win at Virginia Tech and that didn't happen when the Hokies cruised to a 37-16 win at Lane Stadium. Even worse for Larry Fedora's squad, UNC announced that senior OG Caleb Peterson is done for the season with an injury. Peterson had started 42 career games and was a second-team All-ACC selection last year.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAF Game of the Day: Texas A&M at Alabama

Texas A&M Aggies at Alabama Crimson Tide (-18.5, 58.5)

Even the tougher opponents are finding it hard to compete with top-ranked Alabama, which looks for its 12th straight victory over ranked programs when it hosts No. 6 Texas A&M in Saturday's SEC showdown. The Crimson Tide are looking for their 20th consecutive overall win and are coming off a complete dismantling of then-No. 11 Tennessee as they delivered a 49-10 shellacking.

Alabama has scored an amazing 11 non-offensive touchdowns (eight on defense, three on punt returns) and even hard-to-please Nick Saban had to acknowledge his squad played superb football against Tennessee. "Well, after watching the last game, we probably approached playing the most complete game all year," Saban said at a press conference. "There are obviously many things we can improve on. I think the question is: Do you rest on your laurels, or do you stay hungry to try to improve on the things you did correctly and fix the ones that you didn't? You can either build on it or rest on it." Unbeaten Texas A&M is Alabama's lone remaining challenger in the SEC West and coach Kevin Sumlin hears the chatter about his team being huge underdogs and refuses to get caught up in it. "This team has done a great job of blocking out the noise and going on about it and trying to be one game better," Sumlin said at a press conference. "We haven't played our best football yet. Comes a time where maybe you go into situations and you just play. That's where we are right now."

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.

LINE HISTORY: How impressive is Alabama this season? They're going up against the No. 6 team in the contry and oddsmakers opened them as 17-point favorites. Since then, bettors have moved the line to Crimson Tide -18.5. As for the total, it has yet to move off the opening number of 58.5.

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "We opened Alabama as 16.5 point favourites in this game and it was bet up to -18 with some sharp action. With the spread that high the action has been coming in on Texas A&M moving us back to Alabama -17.5 with over 75 percent of the action on Texas A&M to cover the spread." - Michael Stewart

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "Battle of undefeated Top 10 ranked SEC foes finds both team having just faced Tennessee in each of their last contests. The Tide trounced the injury depleted Vols, 49-10, at Rocky Top while the Aggies slipped past Tennessee in overtime, 45-38, two weeks ago in College Station. While the common opponent edge goes the Bama, revenge incentive is strong in A&M’s favor as they’ve taken it on the chops three straight times in this series, including a 59-0 whitewash in their last visit here in 2014. Winner here assumes the pole position in the rugged SEC West." - Marc Lawrence.

WEATHER REPORT: It should be a beautiful day for football in Tuscaloosa, Alamaba on Saturday. The forecast is calling for clear skies and temperatures in the high 60's for the game. There will be a five-to-seven mile per hour wind gusting towards the southern endzone.

INJURY REPORT:

Texas A&M - WR R. Seals-Jones (questionable Saturday, leg), DL M. Garrett (questionable Saturday, ankle).

Alabama - OL A. Taylor (questionable Saturday, concussion).

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (6-0, 4-2 ATS, 2-3-1 O/U): The Aggies lead the SEC in total offense (532.8 yards per game) and rushing offense (274.3) and will be trying to penetrate an Alabama unit that leads the nation in rushing defense (69.2) and allows just 2.2 yards per carry. Standout freshman running back Trayveon Williams (SEC-leading 704 rushing yards, five touchdowns) has been superb with an 8.6 average per carry while senior quarterback Travis Knight has been effective as both a runner (502 yards, nine scores) and a passer (1,500 yards, nine touchdowns). Junior defensive end Myles Garrett (28 career sacks, team-leading four this season) is getting closer to full strength from an ankle injury and senior strong safety Justin Evans leads Texas A&M with 48 tackles and three interceptions.

ABOUT ALABAMA (7-0, 5-2 ATS, 4-3 O/U): Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts has become a big-time star and has accounted for 17 touchdowns (nine passing, eight rushing) while passing for 1,385 yards and rushing for 428. Sophomore running back Damien Harris (572 yards) averages an impressive 8.3 yards per carry while sophomore wideout Calvin Ridley has 39 receptions for 477 yards and four touchdowns. Senior defensive end Jonathan Allen has five sacks to raise his career total to 23, two behind second-place Kindal Moorehead (1998-2002) on the Crimson Tide's all-time list while senior safety Eddie Jackson has a superb 25.8 punt-return average and has scored three total touchdowns (two on punt returns, one on an interception).

TRENDS:

* Texas A&M is 1-6 ATS in its last seven games following an ATS loss.
* Alabama is 10-2 ATS versus a team with a winning record.
* Under is 7-0 in Texas A&M's last seven road games.
* Under is 4-1 in Alabama's last last home games.

CONSENSUS: Even though the line has moved in Alabama's favor, the public is siding with Texas A&M, as 63 percent of wagers are on the Aggies. As for the total, bettors are hammering the Over, with 71 percent of wagers backing it.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAF

Saturday’s best 13 games

Syracuse had a very emotional upset win at home over Va Tech LW; underdogs covered five of their last six games with Boston College. Orange lost three of last four visits here, gained less than 250 TY in three of last four games with BC. Syracuse is 8-15 in its last 23 games as a road underdog, 1-1 this year. Eagles had last week off after getting crushed by Clemson; BC is 7-5 as a home favorite under Addazio, 1-0 this season. Four of last five Syracuse games stayed under total. Home favorites are 4-10 against the spread in ACC games this season.

Rutgers was outscored 160-7 the last three games, losing 24-7 LW to an Illinois team that hadn’t beaten a I-A opponent. Scarlet Knights lost their first two road games by combined score of 96-3- they’re 1-5 in last six games as a road underdog. Minnesota (+3.5) was +4 in turnovers, upset Maryland LW behind backup QB Rhoda, a junior; Gophers are 1-6 in their last seven games as a home favorite, 0-3 this season. Under is 3-0-1 in Gophers’ last four games, 3-1 in Rutgers’ last four. Big 14 home favorites are 3-9 against the spread this season.

TCU won three of its last four games with West Virginia, winning 31-30/39-38 in last two visits to Morgantown. Underdogs covered three of last four series games. Pass-happy WV had less than 170 PY vs Horned Frogs last two years. TCU had last week off after getting outgained by 104 yards in a shaky 24-23 win over dismal Kansas; since 2009, Frogs are 10-2 as road underdogs. West Virginia won its last two home games by total of four points but had big 48-17 win at Texas Tech LW. WV is 10-17 as a home favorite under Holgorsen. Big X home favorites are 6-4 this year.

Northwestern scored 92 points in road wins at Iowa/Michigan State in its last two games; odd thing is, they’re 1-3 at home, with a loss to a I-AA team. Wildcats won four in row, eight of their last nine games with Indiana; Hoosiers lost its last six visits to Evanston, with four of last five losses by 7 or less points. Underdogs covered five of last seven series games. Hoosiers are 9-13 as road underdog under Wilson, 1-0 this season. Wildcats had 394/317 rushing yards in last two games vs Indiana. Northwestern is 5-11 in its last 16 games as a home favorite.

Wisconsin lost last two games, to Michigan/Ohio State, both by 7 points; Badgers are 6-4 in last 10 games as a road favorite- they led OSU 16-6 at half last week but couldn’t finish the job. Three of last four Wisconsin-Iowa games were decided by 4 or less points; underdogs covered four of last five series games, with road team winning all five. Badgers won last three visits to Iowa City by 1-19-2 points. Iowa lost its last two home games; since ’07, Hawkeyes are 6-2-1 as a home underdog. Purdue threw for 458 yards against them last week in a 49-35 Iowa win.

Washington State (-2) beat Arizona State 38-24 LY, just 2nd win for Coogs in last 12 games with ASU. Wazzu lost its last six visits to Tempe; its last win here was in 2001. Favorites covered five of last six series games. WSU won its last four games after an 0-2 start; with a win at Stanford. Coogs are 1-2 as home favorites under Leach. Sun Devils allowed 35.5 pts/game, 545.8 yds/game last four weeks, losing two of last three- ASU is 7-3-1 in last 11 games as a home dog, 2-0 this season- they’re 3-0 at home vs I-A teams. Pac-12 home underdogs are 6-3 against the spread.

Oklahoma QB Mayfield started his college career as a walk-on at Texas Tech, left when they did not give him a scholarship. Sooners are 12-4 in its last 16 games with Tech, winning last four (3-1 vs spread); they won 42-30/41-20 in last two visits to Lubbock. Oklahoma scored 45 pts/game in winning last three games after a 1-2 start- they’re 7-3 in last ten games as a road fave, 1-1 this year. Red Raiders gave up 563 rushing yards, 92 points in losing last two games; they got drilled 48-17 at home by West Va LW. Tech is 4-3 as a home underdog under Kingsbury.

Favorites covered last four Texas-Kansas State games; Longhorns lost last four visits to Little Apple, last three by 18+ points. K-State is 6-2 overall in its last eight games with Longhorns. Texas allowed 48 pts/game in losing all three games away from Austin this year; they’re 1-5 as road underdogs under Strong. Wildcats allowed 901 PY in its last two games; their QB Ertz got hurt LW- backup QB isn’t good enough to exploit Texas’ shaky pass defense. K-State is 1-4 in its last five games as a home favorite- they scored 17 or less points in their three losses this year.

Colorado is having a breakthrough year at 5-2, with losses at Michigan/USC; they ran ball for 247+ yards in the wins, were held under 100 RY in losses. Buffs are 6-2 vs spread in last eight games as a road underdog, 3-0 this year. Stanford outgunned Colorado 472-231 in 42-10 win over Buffs LY, their third series win in a row; this is Colorado’s first visit to Palo Alto since 2011. Cardinal scored total of 39 points in last three games; they’re 11-5 in last 16 games as a home favorite, 2-1 this year. Last three Colorado games stayed under the total.

Utah is an underdog for first time this season; they’re 6-1 with only loss 28-23 at Cal. Utes are 6-1 in last seven games as a road underdog. UCLA lost three of last four games and now QB Rosen is hurt; Bruins are 4-9 in last 13 games as a home favorite. Home side lost last three UCLA-Utah games; Utes split last two visits to Pasadena, winning 30-28, losing 21-14- they had total of only 21- passing yards in last two meetings. UCLA is 4-3 in last seven games overall vs Utah. Pac-12 home favorites are 9-4 against the spread this season.

Home side won six of last seven Ole Miss-LSU games; underdogs are 7-3 vs spread in last ten series games. Rebels lost six of last seven visits to Baton Rouge, losing last three by 3-6-7 points. Tigers won last two games 42-7/45-10 since the coaching change, but that was against cruddy teams- Ole Miss is team that Orgeron used to coach, so you know this means extra to him, and he is emotional on a normal day. Rebels lost first true road game 34-30 LW at Arkanas; Ole Miss allowed 200+ RY in four of last five games, bad news with Fournette expected back here.

Arkansas allowed 79 points in splitting last two games vs Bama/Ole Miss; Hogs beat TCU 41-38 in their only true road game this year. Arkansas covered its last six games as a road underdog. Auburn is 4-10 in its last 14 games as a home favorite; they held LSU/Miss State to 27 points in last two SEC games, but is their offense good enough to cover a big spread? SEC home favorites are 9-4 against the spread. Home team won five of last seven Auburn-Arkansas games; favorites covered last three series games. Razorbacks are 5-4 in last nine visits here.

Alabama is so much better than everyone else; they ran ball for 702 yards the last couple weeks, winning 49-30/49-10 at Arkansas/Tennessee. Crimson Tide ran ball for 263 yards/game, won its last three games with Texas A&M by 7-59-18 points; Aggies lost 59-0 last time they visited Tuscaloosa. Alabama is 24-21 vs spread in its last 45 games as a home favorite. A&M is 4-6 as a road underdog under Sumlin. Aggies had last week off after giving up 684 yards in a 45-38 win over Tennessee, the same Vols team Alabama beat 49-10 last Saturday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAF

Saturday’s best 13 games

Syracuse had a very emotional upset win at home over Va Tech LW; underdogs covered five of their last six games with Boston College. Orange lost three of last four visits here, gained less than 250 TY in three of last four games with BC. Syracuse is 8-15 in its last 23 games as a road underdog, 1-1 this year. Eagles had last week off after getting crushed by Clemson; BC is 7-5 as a home favorite under Addazio, 1-0 this season. Four of last five Syracuse games stayed under total. Home favorites are 4-10 against the spread in ACC games this season.

Rutgers was outscored 160-7 the last three games, losing 24-7 LW to an Illinois team that hadn’t beaten a I-A opponent. Scarlet Knights lost their first two road games by combined score of 96-3- they’re 1-5 in last six games as a road underdog. Minnesota (+3.5) was +4 in turnovers, upset Maryland LW behind backup QB Rhoda, a junior; Gophers are 1-6 in their last seven games as a home favorite, 0-3 this season. Under is 3-0-1 in Gophers’ last four games, 3-1 in Rutgers’ last four. Big 14 home favorites are 3-9 against the spread this season.

TCU won three of its last four games with West Virginia, winning 31-30/39-38 in last two visits to Morgantown. Underdogs covered three of last four series games. Pass-happy WV had less than 170 PY vs Horned Frogs last two years. TCU had last week off after getting outgained by 104 yards in a shaky 24-23 win over dismal Kansas; since 2009, Frogs are 10-2 as road underdogs. West Virginia won its last two home games by total of four points but had big 48-17 win at Texas Tech LW. WV is 10-17 as a home favorite under Holgorsen. Big X home favorites are 6-4 this year.

Northwestern scored 92 points in road wins at Iowa/Michigan State in its last two games; odd thing is, they’re 1-3 at home, with a loss to a I-AA team. Wildcats won four in row, eight of their last nine games with Indiana; Hoosiers lost its last six visits to Evanston, with four of last five losses by 7 or less points. Underdogs covered five of last seven series games. Hoosiers are 9-13 as road underdog under Wilson, 1-0 this season. Wildcats had 394/317 rushing yards in last two games vs Indiana. Northwestern is 5-11 in its last 16 games as a home favorite.

Wisconsin lost last two games, to Michigan/Ohio State, both by 7 points; Badgers are 6-4 in last 10 games as a road favorite- they led OSU 16-6 at half last week but couldn’t finish the job. Three of last four Wisconsin-Iowa games were decided by 4 or less points; underdogs covered four of last five series games, with road team winning all five. Badgers won last three visits to Iowa City by 1-19-2 points. Iowa lost its last two home games; since ’07, Hawkeyes are 6-2-1 as a home underdog. Purdue threw for 458 yards against them last week in a 49-35 Iowa win.

Washington State (-2) beat Arizona State 38-24 LY, just 2nd win for Coogs in last 12 games with ASU. Wazzu lost its last six visits to Tempe; its last win here was in 2001. Favorites covered five of last six series games. WSU won its last four games after an 0-2 start; with a win at Stanford. Coogs are 1-2 as home favorites under Leach. Sun Devils allowed 35.5 pts/game, 545.8 yds/game last four weeks, losing two of last three- ASU is 7-3-1 in last 11 games as a home dog, 2-0 this season- they’re 3-0 at home vs I-A teams. Pac-12 home underdogs are 6-3 against the spread.

Oklahoma QB Mayfield started his college career as a walk-on at Texas Tech, left when they did not give him a scholarship. Sooners are 12-4 in its last 16 games with Tech, winning last four (3-1 vs spread); they won 42-30/41-20 in last two visits to Lubbock. Oklahoma scored 45 pts/game in winning last three games after a 1-2 start- they’re 7-3 in last ten games as a road fave, 1-1 this year. Red Raiders gave up 563 rushing yards, 92 points in losing last two games; they got drilled 48-17 at home by West Va LW. Tech is 4-3 as a home underdog under Kingsbury.

Favorites covered last four Texas-Kansas State games; Longhorns lost last four visits to Little Apple, last three by 18+ points. K-State is 6-2 overall in its last eight games with Longhorns. Texas allowed 48 pts/game in losing all three games away from Austin this year; they’re 1-5 as road underdogs under Strong. Wildcats allowed 901 PY in its last two games; their QB Ertz got hurt LW- backup QB isn’t good enough to exploit Texas’ shaky pass defense. K-State is 1-4 in its last five games as a home favorite- they scored 17 or less points in their three losses this year.

Colorado is having a breakthrough year at 5-2, with losses at Michigan/USC; they ran ball for 247+ yards in the wins, were held under 100 RY in losses. Buffs are 6-2 vs spread in last eight games as a road underdog, 3-0 this year. Stanford outgunned Colorado 472-231 in 42-10 win over Buffs LY, their third series win in a row; this is Colorado’s first visit to Palo Alto since 2011. Cardinal scored total of 39 points in last three games; they’re 11-5 in last 16 games as a home favorite, 2-1 this year. Last three Colorado games stayed under the total.

Utah is an underdog for first time this season; they’re 6-1 with only loss 28-23 at Cal. Utes are 6-1 in last seven games as a road underdog. UCLA lost three of last four games and now QB Rosen is hurt; Bruins are 4-9 in last 13 games as a home favorite. Home side lost last three UCLA-Utah games; Utes split last two visits to Pasadena, winning 30-28, losing 21-14- they had total of only 21- passing yards in last two meetings. UCLA is 4-3 in last seven games overall vs Utah. Pac-12 home favorites are 9-4 against the spread this season.

Home side won six of last seven Ole Miss-LSU games; underdogs are 7-3 vs spread in last ten series games. Rebels lost six of last seven visits to Baton Rouge, losing last three by 3-6-7 points. Tigers won last two games 42-7/45-10 since the coaching change, but that was against cruddy teams- Ole Miss is team that Orgeron used to coach, so you know this means extra to him, and he is emotional on a normal day. Rebels lost first true road game 34-30 LW at Arkanas; Ole Miss allowed 200+ RY in four of last five games, bad news with Fournette expected back here.

Arkansas allowed 79 points in splitting last two games vs Bama/Ole Miss; Hogs beat TCU 41-38 in their only true road game this year. Arkansas covered its last six games as a road underdog. Auburn is 4-10 in its last 14 games as a home favorite; they held LSU/Miss State to 27 points in last two SEC games, but is their offense good enough to cover a big spread? SEC home favorites are 9-4 against the spread. Home team won five of last seven Auburn-Arkansas games; favorites covered last three series games. Razorbacks are 5-4 in last nine visits here.

Alabama is so much better than everyone else; they ran ball for 702 yards the last couple weeks, winning 49-30/49-10 at Arkansas/Tennessee. Crimson Tide ran ball for 263 yards/game, won its last three games with Texas A&M by 7-59-18 points; Aggies lost 59-0 last time they visited Tuscaloosa. Alabama is 24-21 vs spread in its last 45 games as a home favorite. A&M is 4-6 as a road underdog under Sumlin. Aggies had last week off after giving up 684 yards in a 45-38 win over Tennessee, the same Vols team Alabama beat 49-10 last Saturday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Saturday's NCAAF Top 25 betting cheat sheet and odds: Week 8

We're on to Week 8 of the college football season and the full slate of games can be tough to navigate for bettors. So we bring you our Top 25 betting cheat sheet to handicap the best games of the day.

North Carolina State Wolfpack at No. 7 Louisville Cardinals (-19, 65)

* Ryan Finley has quickly emerged as one of the conference's finest passers despite throwing two interceptions last week - his first two turnovers of the season - to end his streak of not throwing a pick to begin his Wolfpack career at 139 attempts, besting Philip Rivers' previous mark by 40. The sophomore signal-caller has benefited greatly from the presence of 5-11, 223-pound junior tight end Jaylen Samuels, who tied a personal best with eight catches and set another with 100 yards receiving versus Clemson. Matthew Dayes churned out his fifth 100-yard rushing day in six outings this season last weekend while also moving past Torry Holt for sole possession of fourth place on the school's all-time touchdown list with 34.

* Jackson, who has rushed and passed for at least one touchdown in a FBS-best nine consecutive games, leads the nation in TDs scored (15), points scored (90) and points per game (15), and he leads all quarterbacks in rushing yards per game (138.7). Jackson (832 yards rushing) and Brandon Radcliff (534) are both on pace to become the school's first 1,000-yard rusher since Bilal Powell ran for 1,405 in 2010, and Radcliffe's 80-yard TD burst in last week's win was the longest scoring run since Powell's 85-yard scamper six years ago. Defensive tackle Drew Bailey was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after totaling a career-best 11 tackles (three for loss), matching the most by a Cardinals' defensive lineman since Elvis Dumervil in 2005.

LINE HISTORY: Louisville opened as 18-point home favorites and the spread moved as high as -20 before settling back down to -19. The total opened at 65 and has yet to move. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Wolfpack are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games on fieldturf.
* Cardinals are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 4-1 in Wolfpack last 5 games following a straight up loss.
* Over is 6-1 in Cardinals last 7 conference games.

No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa Hawkeyes (+3.5, 42.5)

* The Badgers rolled up 236 yards on the ground against Ohio State last week as senior Corey Clement recorded a season-high 164 to push his total to 483 in five games. Hornibrook finished with a career-high 214 yards passing versus the Buckeyes as well and owns a touchdown pass in five straight games, but could be without senior receiver Robert Wheelwright (leg). Junior Jazz Peavy is the top target for the Badgers with 21 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns while junior tight end Troy Fumagalli notched seven of his team-high 23 catches last week.

* Wadley (592 yards) and Daniels (589) are both among the top five in the Big Ten in rushing while combining for 14 touchdowns to lead the Hawkeyes’ ground attack. That has been a welcome development after losing top receiver Matt VandeBerg for the season due to injury, and it has given senior quarterback C.J. Beathard some breathing room. Beathard is completing 60.1 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns through the air and senior Riley McCarron has stepped up to catch 18 balls over the last three games, but tight end George Kittle (arm) is questionable for Saturday.

LINE HISTORY: Wisconsin opened as 3-point road favorites and the line crept higher to 3.5 on Tuesday morning. The total hit the board at 41.5 and went up a full point to 42.5. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Badgers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
* Hawkeyes are 1-8-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.
* Under is 4-0 in Badgers last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Under is 4-1 in Hawkeyes last 5 games on fieldturf.
* Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

No. 21 North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Cavaliers (+9.5, 69)

* Junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky will be without a major weapon Saturday after senior receiver Mack Hollins (20 career touchdown receptions) was lost for the season with a broken collarbone. Trubisky has completed 70.5 percent of his passes with 15 touchdown strikes and senior Ryan Switzer (58 catches, 606 yards) is his favorite target. The Tar Heels gave up 363 yards (54 under its current average) against Miami last week while forcing a fumble, recording two sacks, breaking up five passes and holding the Hurricanes to 4-of-15 on third down.

* The Cavaliers totaled 700 yards through the air in losing the first three games and have registered 1,035 to win two of the past three contests. Benkert owns all but two of the passing yards and has thrown for 14 touchdowns along with seven interceptions while sophomore Olamide Zaccheaus (29 catches, 423 yards, five TDs) and senior Keeon Johnson (31, 305, three) are his top targets. Mendenhall would like to get more from a ground attack that is averaging 3.8 yards per run, but has produced nine touchdowns from seniors Taquan Mizzell and Albert Reid.

LINE HISTORY: North Carolina opened the week as 10-point road favorites. The spread dropped down as low as 7.5 before rebounding to the current number of 9.5. The total began the week at 68 and went up a full point to 69 on Thursday. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Tar Heels are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games in October.
* Cavaliers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 conference games.
* Under is 5-0 in Tar Heels last 5 games in October.
* Over is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Tar Heels are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

Eastern Michigan Eagles at No. 20 Western Michigan Broncos (-23.5, 58.5)

* The Eagles, who were 7-41 from 2012-15, are turning the program around with the help of junior quarterback Brogan Roback and senior defensive end Pat O'Connor. Roback set career highs with 347 yards and 29 completions (39 attempts) while throwing three touchdown passes against Ohio to earn MAC West Division co-Offensive Player of the Week honors with Franklin. O'Connor recorded a sack last week and has 5.5 this season (tied for 24th nationally) and 17 in his career as he poised to break the school record of 17.5 set by Kevin Howe from 2003-06.

* Senior wide receiver Corey Davis is tied for the national lead in touchdown catches with 10 after hauling in a pair versus Akron - his third straight game with multiple TDs - as he winds down his record-setting career. Davis has 279 career receptions and needs 28 to break the school record set by Jordan White from 2007-11. The Broncos already surpassed last season's sack total with 21 - led by senior defensive end Keion Adams' 5.5 - while junior linebacker Robert Spillane, senior safety Justin Ferguson and junior cornerback Darius Phillips have two interceptions apiece.

LINE HISTORY: Western Michigan hit the board at the beginning of the week as 22.5-point home favorites and by Thursday that number was up to -23.5. The total opened at 62 and dropped sharply to 58.5. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Eagles are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
* Broncos are 17-4 ATS in their last 21 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 5-0 in Eagles last 5 games overall.
* Over is 9-1-1 in Broncos last 11 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.

No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies at No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (-18.5, 58.5)

* The Aggies lead the SEC in total offense (532.8 yards per game) and rushing offense (274.3) and will be trying to penetrate an Alabama unit that leads the nation in rushing defense (69.2) and allows just 2.2 yards per carry. Standout freshman running back Trayveon Williams (SEC-leading 704 rushing yards, five touchdowns) has been superb with an 8.6 average per carry while senior quarterback Travis Knight has been effective as both a runner (502 yards, nine scores) and a passer (1,500 yards, nine touchdowns). Junior defensive end Myles Garrett (28 career sacks, team-leading four this season) is getting closer to full strength from an ankle injury and senior strong safety Justin Evans leads Texas A&M with 48 tackles and three interceptions.

* Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts has become a big-time star and has accounted for 17 touchdowns (nine passing, eight rushing) while passing for 1,385 yards and rushing for 428. Sophomore running back Damien Harris (572 yards) averages an impressive 8.3 yards per carry while sophomore wideout Calvin Ridley has 39 receptions for 477 yards and four touchdowns. Senior defensive end Jonathan Allen has five sacks to raise his career total to 23, two behind second-place Kindal Moorehead (1998-2002) on the Crimson Tide's all-time list while senior safety Eddie Jackson has a superb 25.8 punt-return average and has scored three total touchdowns (two on punt returns, one on an interception).

LINE HISTORY: Alabama opened the week as 17-point home favorites and that spread was up to -18.5 by Thursday. The total opened at 58.5 and hasn't moved all week. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Aggies are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
* Crimson Tide are 10-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 7-0 in Aggies last 7 road games.
* Under is 4-1 in Crimson Tide last 5 home games.

Texas Christian Horned Frogs at No. 13 West Virginia Mountaineers (-6.5, 65)

* Junior quarterback Kenny Hill has topped 400 passing yards three times and has passed for 2,142 yards and 12 touchdowns but has also thrown a Big 12-worst eight interceptions. Junior running back Kyle Hicks has a team-leading 479 rushing yards and has scored nine touchdowns (seven rushing, two receiving) but the Horned Frogs have sorely missed Turpin, who caught 16 passes and stood out on kickoff (32.8 average) and punt returns (28.8, one touchdown) before injuring a knee against Iowa State on Sept. 17. Sophomore outside linebacker Ty Summers (64 tackles) and sophomore middle linebacker Travin Howard (58 stops) are the top two tacklers in the Big 12 while junior safety Nick Orr has a team-best three interceptions.

* Howard has been highly accurate with a 66.1 percentage and has thrown for 1,590 yards and eight touchdowns against four interceptions. Junior running back Justin Crawford (373 yards, three touchdowns) is expected to play despite injuring an ankle against Texas Tech and he has formed a good combo with senior Rushel Shell III (348 rushing yards, five touchdowns). The defense allows just 19.4 points per game with senior safety Jarrod Harper (team-best 30 tackles), senior strong-side linebacker Justin Arndt (team-high four tackles for loss) and senior cornerback Rasul Douglas (team-leading two interceptions) enjoying good campaigns.

LINE HISTORY: West Virginia opened the week as 4.5-point home favorites and are currently at -6.5. The total opened at 66 and dropped a full point to 65. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Horned Frogs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
* Mountaineers are 1-7 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 4-1 in Horned Frogs last 5 road games.
* Under is 12-3 in Mountaineers last 15 home games.

Illinois Fighting Illini at No. 4 Michigan Wolverines (-38.5, 55)

* Safety Patrick Nelson was named the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week after registering a game-high 14 tackles in the win against Rutgers. Backup quarterback Chayce Crouch was thrust into a starting role after Wes Lunt went down with a leg injury in the second half against Purdue on Oct. 8 and the sophomore has performed admirably, throwing for 234 yards and a touchdown pass against the Boilermakers and Scarlet Knights. Hardy Nickerson, who is a graduate transfer from California, had 11 total tackles versus Rutgers to bump up his average to a Big Ten-best 9.7 per game.

* Running back Drake Johnson, who has missed the first six games with a muscle strain, practiced with the team during the week and is expected to make his first appearance of the season on Saturday. Fullback Khalid Hill ran for three touchdowns while Karan Higdon, Jabrill Peppers and Ty Isaac added two each as the Wolverines tied a program record by rushing for nine TDs in the victory over Rutgers. Michigan did not attempt a field goal against the Scarlet Knights but head coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated that the kicking competition was still open after Kenny Allen missed three FGs against Wisconsin.

LINE HISTORY: Michigan opened as big 37-point home faves and by Thursday that spread was up to -39. The total hit the board at 55.5 and came down to 55. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Fighting Illini are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Wolverines are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a bye week.
* Under is 9-2 in Fighting Illini last 11 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Over is 12-1 in Wolverines last 13 games on fieldturf.

Purdue Boilermakers at No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers (-24, 61.5)

* David Blough, who helped orchestrate last year's upset with 274 yards passing and four touchdowns, became the first Boilermaker to throw for five touchdowns since 2008, and he also passed for a career-high 458 yards last weekend. Fellow sophomore Cole Herdman easily topped his career bests with seven catches for 104 yards, becoming the first Purdue tight end to record a 100-yard receiving game since Dustin Keller in 2007. The Boilermakers were without linebacker Ja'Whan Bentley (ankle) and defensive tackle Jake Replogle (migraine) versus Iowa - both are questionable against Nebraska - but their absence allowed others to shine as linebacker Marcus Bailey had 11 tackles for the second straight game and defensive end Evan Panfil doubled his previous season total with two sacks.

* Second-year coach Mike Riley praised running back Terrell Newby for "really (being) a man there at the end"; the senior has logged a pair of 100-yard games in each of the last two weeks, churning out 170 of his 242 yards rushing over that stretch in the fourth quarter alone. Sophomore wideout Stanley Morgan Jr., who leads the team with 16 catches, finished with a career-high 93 yards receiving against the Hoosiers, including a 72-yard reception in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game-winner. The emergence of both players has helped soften the blow created by the absences of tight end Cethan Carter, who has been ruled out for Purdue with an elbow injury, and last year's leading receiver Jordan Westerkamp, who could miss his second straight game with a back injury.

LINE HISTORY: Nebraska opened the week as 24-point home favorites and were still at that -24 number on Thursday. The total opened at 61.5 and didn't move all week. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Boilermakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
* Cornhuskers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* Over is 7-1 in Boilermakers last 8 games overall.
* Under is 6-1 in Cornhuskers last 7 games on fieldturf.

Memphis Tigers at No. 25 Navy Midshipmen (+2.5, 57)

* The Tigers held one of the best rushing offenses in the AAC to 169 yards in a 24-14 win at Tulane last week as freshman defensive back Austin Hall emerged with 12 tackles. Hall and the defense are taking some of the weight off quarterback Riley Ferguson, who recorded 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions in the first three games but managed only one scoring strike with four interceptions in the last three. Freshman running back Darrell Henderson is becoming Ferguson's favorite weapon and totaled 142 yards while rushing for a touchdown and catching a scoring pass last week.

* Worth completed only three passes (in five attempts) against Houston, but two of those completions ended up in the end zone to add a different dimension to the offense. The Midshipmen will always rely mostly on the run, and Worth did his part in that regard with 115 rushing yards and a score on the ground in the 46-40 stunner. Linebacker Josiah Powell recorded a pair of interceptions - one for a touchdown - in the win and owns a sack and 3.5 tackles for a loss on the season.

LINE HISTORY: Memphis opened the week as 2.5-point home favorites and, despite a brief jump to 3, the spread is still 2.5 on Thursday. The total opened at 55.5 and was up to 56.5 by Thursday evening. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Tigers are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Midshipmen are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
* Under is 21-4-1 in Tigers last 26 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Over is 7-1 in Midshipmen last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

No. 18 Utah Utes at UCLA Bruins (-7, 46)

* The Utes enter this game tied with Colorado atop the Pac-12 South Division standings and two games ahead of USC. Scoring at least 25 points seems to their benchmark, as Utah is 9-1 over the past two seasons when scoring that many, while UCLA is 2-9 in that span when surrendering at least 25. One area Utah figures to dominate is special teams, as the Utes rank second in the nation in net punting average, have a four-year starter at place kicker who owns the school's career field-goal record and even their long snapper has been on the field for every snap over the last four seasons.

* The Bruins were the preseason pick to win the South Division this season, but instead have lost three of their first four in conference play for the first time in coach Jim Mora's five-year tenure. UCLA will likely need to lean on its defense, as the run game is struggling and Rosen might be shaking off some rust, and the entire defensive unit has been solid so far, not allowing an opponent to amass 400 total yards in the last six games. Just one opponent has managed to complete at least 53 percent of its passes this season, and the secondary has accounted for eight interceptions on the year.

LINE HISTORY: UCLA opened as 7-point home favorites and the total hit the betting board at 46 and neither number has moved all week. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Utes are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
* Bruins are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 5-1 in Utes last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
* Under is 6-0 in Bruins last 6 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.

No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 24 Auburn Tigers (-10, 55.5)

* The Razorbacks possess the SEC’s leading rusher in Rawleigh Williams III, who rolled up 180 yards and added a receiving touchdown against Ole Miss. Austin Allen also leads the conference in passing yards (1,861) and scoring passes (18), and is the only player in the nation with multiple touchdown tosses in seven games this season. The Razorbacks have put up mediocre defensive numbers and have struggled to stop top-flight offenses, allowing 41.3 points per game in conference play.

* The Tigers’ youthful offense steadily has improved as the season has progressed, as sophomore quarterback Sean White has thrown six touchdown passes and just one interception since an uneven performance in a season-opening loss to Clemson. The sophomore tandem of Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway provides a solid one-two punch in the backfield, with each averaging over five yards per carry. Auburn’s improved defense has held six of its last seven opponents under 20 points dating to last season and has been especially tough on third down, holding opponents to a 31.5 percent conversion rate to rank 21st in the nation.

LINE HISTORY: Auburn opened the week as 7.5-point home faves and by the end of the week that number was all of the way up to -10. The total hit the board at 55.5 and hasn't moved all week. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Razorbacks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
* Tigers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* Under is 7-1 in Razorbacks last 8 games following a bye week.
* Under is 7-0 in Tigers last 7 conference games.

Oregon State Beavers at No. 5 Washington Huskies (-36.5, 53.5)

* The Beavers have played their best football the past two weeks, stunning Cal 47-44 in overtime and then taking No. 19 Utah to the wire before losing 19-14. But OSU limps into this one without its two top quarterbacks -- starter Darell Garretson, who will miss the rest of the season with a left ankle injury, and backup Conor Blount, who has a left-knee injury -- meaning sophomore third-stringer Marcus McMaryion, who has completed just 41 percent of his passes (32-of-76) during brief playing time the last two seasons, gets the nod against the Huskies. Making matters worse is the Beavers also could be without their two top running backs, Ryan Nall (ankle), who rushed for 221 yards in the win over Cal, and backup Art Pierce (shoulder), which puts even more of the workload on standout wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr., who actually had a team-high 61 yards rushing on reverses and fly sweeps against the Utes.

* The Huskies have scored at least 35 points in every game this season and come in off a 70-21 thrashing of Oregon. Sophomore quarterback Jake Browning ranks No. 1 in the FBS in pass efficiency (204.9) and completion percentage (72.2) and has thrown 23 touchdown passes while being intercepted just twice in 144 pass attempts while wide receiver John Ross has 30 receptions for 371 yards and a Pac-12-best nine touchdown receptions. Linebacker Azeem Victor leads the team in tackles (46) but the strength of the unit is a secondary led by junior safety Budda Baker (29 tackles, 1 interception) and junior cornerback Sidney Jones (18 tackles, 1 interception), both returning first team all-conference players who are considered potential first-round NFL picks.

LINE HISTORY: Washington started the week as big 36.5-point home favorites and the spread has not moved. The total began at 54.5 and came down a full point to 53.5 on Thursday. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Beavers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
* Huskies are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games following a bye week.
* Under is 4-0-1 in Beavers last 5 games following a bye week.
* Over is 8-0 in Huskies last 8 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.

No. 11 Houston Cougars at Southern Methodist Mustangs (+21, 63)

* Freshman defensive tackle Ed Oliver leads the Cougar defense with 43 tackles, five pass breakups and 9.5 tackles for loss after a career-high 12 stops last week against Tulsa. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1,938 passing yards, 11 TDs and team-high 414 rushing yards, six TDs) ranks fourth nationally in total offense (392 yards) while leading a team that has scored at least 33 points in each of its six games. Dillon Birden is coming off a career-best 82 rushing yards and three scores while Linell Bonner bumped his team-leading total to 653 receiving yards with a career-high 13 catches for 97 yards.

* Hicks (1,284 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions) had career highs in completions (29), attempts (52) and yards (258) against Tulsa - the first game the offensive line did not allow a sack. Braeden West has a team-high 521 rushing yards and three scores while Courtland Sutton is averaging 98.3 receiving yards with four TDs. SMU is ranked second nationally with 13 interceptions - including four by Jordan Wyatt and Horace Richardson - but is allowing 454.8 yards.

LINE HISTORY: Houston began the betting week as 21.5-point road favorites and by the end of the week that number was down to 21. The total started out at 63 and hasn't moved. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Cougars are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
* Under is 5-1-1 in Cougars last 7 games following a bye week.
* Over is 12-3 in Mustangs last 15 games in October.
* Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Southern Methodist.

No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners at Texas Tech Red Raiders (+13.5, 84)

* The Sooners have been dealing with defensive injuries, and now have a notable one on the other side of the ball as starting tailback Samaje Perine suffered an unidentified muscle pull in last week’s 38-17 win over Kansas State and will be primarily replaced by Joe Mixon. Mayfield, meanwhile, has completed 76.1 percent of his passes with nine TDs during the team’s three-game win streak, with eight of those scoring passes going to wide receiver Dede Westbrook, who has accumulated 574 yards during that span. The Oklahoma defense is led by linebackers Jordan Evans (7.8 tackles per game) and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (six sacks) and is coming off one of its better showings of the season in holding Kansas State to 17 points and 335 total yards.

* Although dinged up a bit of late, quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads the nation in passing (429.8 yards per game) and total offense (455.2 yards) as the Red Raiders rank fifth nationally in scoring (48.8 points), but they were held to a full 38 points below their per-game average last week against the Mountaineers. Like Oklahoma, Texas Tech also possesses a dynamic wide receiver in sophomore Jonathan Giles, who is pacing the conference with 750 yards and nine receiving TDs. Defense, though, remains another matter as the Kris Williams-led unit ranks in the FBS bottom 30 in points allowed (40.2 per game), total defense (479.2), rushing defense (204.8) and passing defense (274.3) while forcing only five turnovers.

LINE HISTORY: The Oklahoma Sooners began the week as 13.5-point road favorites. The spread went up as high as 14 but by Thursday has settled back to the opening number of 13.5. The total opened at a massive 84 and hasn't moved all week. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Sooners are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 conference games.
* Red Raiders are 0-6 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 4-0 in Sooners last 4 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
* Over is 9-1 in Red Raiders last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.

No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes at Penn State Nittany Lions (+19.5, 58.5)

* The Buckeyes have won 20 straight road games - a school record and the longest active streak in the country - thanks to a balanced dominance on both sides of the ball. In addition to its top-notch offense, Ohio State yields 12.8 points per game and has given up only one touchdown on the ground all season, not to mention 13 turnovers forced in six games. Mike Weber averages 102 rushing yards for the Buckeyes, who have scored a rushing TD in 58 of 60 games under Meyer.

* The Nittany Lions were off last week following a resounding 24-point triumph against Maryland thanks in large part to Saquon Barkley (career-high 202 rushing yards). Barkley has eight rushing TDs this season, although he had averaged under four yards per carry in each of his previous two games before his breakthrough performance against Maryland. Trace McSorley has contributed 154 rushing yards over the last two games while leading the Penn State air attack that ranks third in the Big Ten in passing.

LINE HISTORY: Ohio State opened as 19.5-point road favorites and, despite a wobble in each direction, the spread was still at 19.5 on Thursday. The total opened at 59.5 and came down a full point to 58.5. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a bye week.
* Nittany Lions are 1-12 ATS in their last 13 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Over is 7-0 in Buckeyes last 7 games on grass.
* Over is 6-0 in Nittany Lions last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.

No. 22 Mississippi Rebels at No. 23 Louisiana State Tigers (-6.5, 60.5)

* Quarterback Chad Kelly suffered through his worst passing day of the season at Arkansas last week, completing 46.2 percent of his passes against a strong rush, but still sits second in the SEC with 1,849 passing yards. Kelly's favorite target is tight end Evan Engram, who leads the SEC with 590 yards but counts his three biggest receiving games of the season in the team's three losses. Engram caught five passes for 58 yards and a score in a 38-17 home win over LSU last season but the star was Kelly, who passed for 280 yards and two touchdowns and added 81 yards and a pair of scores on the ground.

* Fournette's absence opened up the door for Derrius Guice, who piled up 325 yards and five touchdowns on 33 carries in the last two games, and 480 yards and six TDs in the three that Fournette sat out this season. Guice's strong rushing against Southern Miss last week opened things up for quarterback Danny Etling, who threw for 276 yards and three TDs in the 45-10 win. The Tigers have yet to allow an opponent to score more than 20 points and defensive end Arden Key leads the SEC with seven sacks while Kendell Beckwith (60) ranks second in tackles.

LINE HISTORY: LSU opened the week as 4.5-point home favorites and that spread grew steadily all week to settle in at -6.5 by Thursday night. The total began the betting week at 60.5 and hasn't moved. View complete line history here.

TRENDS:

* Rebels are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.
* Tigers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in October.
* Under is 13-3 in Rebels last 16 games in October.
* Under is 13-3 in Tigers last 16 conference games.
* Underdog is 13-3 ATS in their last 16 meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tech Trends - Week 8
By Bruce Marshall

Saturday, Oct. 21

NORTH TEXAS at ARMY...UNT 4-0-1 vs. line last five for Seth Littrell. Army 2-1 as chalk TY but 5-11 laying points since 2011.

UNT, based on recent trends.


EASTERN MICHIGAN at WESTERN MICHIGAN...EMU covers last 5 and 6 of last 7 TY. But rampaging WMU 6-1 vs. line TY, 8-1 dating to late 2015 Broncos have crushed EMU last two but did lose to Eagles in 2013.

WMU, based on team trends.


SYRACUSE at BOSTON COLLEGE...Home team has won and covered last three in series. But BC just 3-5 last 8 as chalk and 2-5 vs. spread last seven at Chestnut Hill.

Syracuse, based on team trends.


RUTGERS at MINNESOTA...‘Gers now no covers last 8 Big Ten games. Scarlet Knights 3-9 as dog since LY, 3-10 last 13 as DD dog.

Minnesota, based on recent Rutgers negatives.


EAST CAROLINA at CINCINNATI...Tuberville 1-5 vs. line TY, 7-13-1 last 21 on board. Also 2-7-1 vs. line last 10 at Nippert. Pirates were 7-3 L10 as dog entering 2015 but 1-2-1 in role TY.

Slight to ECU, based on Cincy negatives.


TCU at WEST VIRGINIA...Frogs 7-3 as dog since 2013. Holgorsen just 7-14 last 21 vs. line and 10-17 as home chalk since 2011.

TCU, based on team trends.


INDIANA at NORTHWESTERN...Cats 1-3 vs. line at home TY, 8-17 vs. spread at Dyche/Ryan Field since 2013. IU 4-1 last five as dog.

Indiana, based on team trends.


PURDUE at NEBRASKA...Purdue 8-3 in road dog role (1-1 TY) since 2014. Also covered last 2 vs. Huskers and beat Riley LY. Huskers 2-1-1 as home chalk TY but were just 7-12 in role prior three seasons.

Slight to Purdue, based on team trends.


OKLAHOMA STATE at KANSAS...Home team has covered last five in series, which means Gundy couldn’t cover last two at Lawrence. OSU 1-3-1 last five as visiting chalk. Gundy only 5-8 last 13 laying DD. KU just 2-7 last 9 vs. spread in Big 12 but 1-0 as home dog TY.

Slight to Kansas, based on series home trends.


WISCONSIN at IOWA...If Hawks chalk note 9-20 mark in role at Iowa City since 2012. Badgers 5-1 vs. spread last six as visitor for Chryst, who is 7-1 last eight on board. If dog note Wiscy 8-1 last 9 in role.

Wisconsin, especially if dog, based on team trends.


NORTH CAROLINA at VIRGINIA...Bronco Mendenhall, now 16-8 as dog with BYU and UVa since 2011. Cavs 7-2 as home dog since 2014. But Heels have won and covered 5 of last 6 meetings.

Slight to Virginia, based on team trends.


NC STATE at LOUISVILLE...Pack was 0-5 as dog LY, and favored team is 15-4 in NCS games since LY. ‘Ville 6-2 L8 on board .

Louisville, based on recent trends.


CENTRAL MICHIGAN at TOLEDO... Toledo has won SU last six meetings, 5-1 vs. line in those. Rockets 12-4 last 16 on board, though only 2-3 last five as Glass Bowl chalk. CMU 7-1 as visiting dog since 2014.

Slight to Toledo, based on series trends.


AKRON at BALL STATE...Ball 5-2 vs. line for Neu, though Cards just 1-1 at home. Ball 4-10 vs. spread at Muncie since 2014. But Akron just 4-11 vs. line last 15 as visitor.

Slight to Ball State, based on recent trends.


LA TECH at FIU...FIU 3-0 SU for Ron Cooper! LT 13-6 vs. spread last 19 away from home but only 2-3 as road chalk since LY.

Slight to Louisiana Tech, based on team trends.


HAWAII at AIR FORCE...Rolovich 3-1 vs. line away TY. But Force 11-3-1 vs. line at Falcon Stadium since 2014.

Slight to Air Force, based on team trends.


UL-LAFAYETTE at TEXAS STATE...Ugh! ULL has romped last three seasons but Cajuns only 4-5-1 as chalk since LY. TSU on 4-11 spread skid since early LY (2-3 for Withers).

Slight to ULL, based on series trends.


IDAHO at APP STATE... App only 3-5 as Boone chalk since LY, 5-8 in role since 2014. Vandals 8-1 vs. points last nine as Sun Belt visitor! Also 12-3 last 15 as away dog since 2014.

Idaho, based on team trends.


UMASS at SOUTH CAROLINA...Muschamp 1-0 as chalk TY but Cocks 5-9 L14 in role and Mushamp was 8-15 as chalk his last three years at Florida.

Slight to UMass, based on extended SC and Muschamp chalk trends.


CHARLOTTE at MARSHALL...Herd 1-3 vs. line at home TY after 13-4-1 mark previous three seasons as host.

Slight to Charlotte, based on recent trends.


ULM at NEW MEXICO...Davie just 2-4 last six as home chalk. ULM 4-1 as dog since late 2015 (2-1 in role TY for Matt Viator).

ULM, based on recent trends.


BUFFALO at NORTHERN ILLINOIS...Leipold really skidding, Bulls 2-9 vs. spread last 11 on board. No covers last six on road.

NIU, based on UB negatives.


UCF at UCONN...If UConn chalk note 0-15 mark in role dating to Pasqualoni in 2012! Diaco 0-9 as chalk since 2014 though he has won and covered last two vs. UCF! But Huskies covers last three TY.

UCF, especially of dog, based on team trends.


OHIO at KENT STATE...Solich has won and covered last two vs. Kent after failing to cover previous five vs. Golden Flashes. Solich now six straight covers away from home!

Ohio, based on recent trends.


WASHINGTON STATE at ARIZONA STATE...Leach on 13-3 spread uptick last 16 on board! Leach also 8-1 last nine vs. points away from Pullman! Graham just 7-13 as dog since 2012 with Sun Devils (1-2 TY).

WSU, based on team trends.


OKLAHOMA at TEXAS TECH...Sooners 1-3 vs. line last four away from Norman but are 7-3 last 10 as visiting favorite (counts UH game at NRG). Red Raiders 8-3 vs. line last 11 at Lubbock.

Slight to Texas Tech, based on team trends.


ILLINOIS at MICHIGAN...Wolves only 3-2 as home chalk TY, 7-4 since LY. Harbaugh is 3-0 laying 30 or more TY. Illini 6-15 vs. spread away since 2012 (includes 0-5 in 2012).

Michigan and Harbaugh, based on team trends.


HOUSTON at SMU...Cougs 20-3-1 vs. line last 24 away from TDECU Stadium! SMU 2-9 as home dog since 2014.

Houston, based on team trends.


MEMPHIS at NAVY...Mids 9-4 last 13 as dog and 8-1-1 vs. spread last ten at Annapolis. Memphis no covers last 4 on road.

Navy, based on team trends.


WYOMING at NEVADA...Bohl 8-5-1 last 14 on board, but only 1-4 vs. spread away from Laramie. Cowboys haven’t covered as road chalk since 2013 (0-2 since). Polian lost at Wyo LY and just 1-6 vs. line in 2016.

Wyoming, based on recent trends.


TULANE at TULSA...Wave 2-0 vs. line on road for Willie Fritz, whose Ga So and Wave teams are 10-5 vs. points as visitor since 2014. Tulsa 2-7 vs. line as host since LY.

Tulane, based on team trends.


OREGON STATE at WASHINGTON...Huskies 8-3 last 11 as home chalk and 7-2 vs. spread last nine overall since late 2015. U-Dub has also won and covered last four vs. Beavs with routs last three.

Washington, based on team and series trends.


MIAMI-OHIO at BOWLING GREEN...Falcs covers last 2 TY but had failed to cover previous six on board since Babers left before bowl LY. Miami 10-5 vs. line on road for Chuck Martin since 2014.

Miami-Ohio, based on team trends.


MISSISSIPPI STATE at KENTUCKY...Dan Mullen 5-1-1 vs. line against UK since arriving in 2009. Bulldogs 7-2-1 last ten vs. line on SEC road. UK 4-9-1 vs. spread last 14 at Lexington.

Miss State, based on series and team trends.


UTEP at UTSA...Strange series with road dog winning big last three meetings. But Miners 2-6-1 vs. spread last 9 away and UTSA has covered last two at Alamodome TY.

UTSA, based on recent team trends.


ODU at WESTERN KENTUCKY...ODU has covered last three TY and is 7-3 last ten on board. WKU won and covered shootouts past two years. Tops 7-3 as home chalk past two years but 1-4-1 vs. spread last 6 TY.

Slight to ODU, based on recent trends.


TEXAS at KANSAS STATE...Home team has won and covered last four in series, and Snyder has won and covered big last three at home vs. Texas. Charlie 1-5 last six as visiting dog.

Kansas State, based on team and series trends.


COLORADO at STANFORD...CU 7-0 vs. line TY, 12-2 last 14 on board and covers last 4 as dog. Tree 2-4 vs. line last six in Palo Alto.

Colorado, based on recent trends.


MICHIGAN STATE at MARYLAND... Dantonio has won and covered last two vs. Terps but Spartans currently on 1-7 spread skid and 6-14 last 20 on board. MSU 0-5 as road chalk since LY.

Slight to Maryland, based on recent MSU negatives.


MTSU at MISSOURI...Barry Odom 2-0 as chalk (counting Delaware State) TY. MTSU 4-9-1 last 14 as dog away from Murfreesboro.

Mizzou, based on recent trends.


GEORGIA SOUTHERN at NEW MEXICO STATE...GaSo 4-1 as visiting chalk since LY but 1-4 overall vs. line for Summers TY. Home team has covered last two in series. Ags won outright first two as home dog TY.

Slight to NMSU, based on recent trends.


UTAH at UCLA... Mora 2-7 last 9 on board. Bruins 2-8 vs. spread last ten at Rose Bowl. Visiting team has covered last four in series. Utes 11-5 vs. line away since 2014.

Utah, based on team and series road trends.


OLE MISS at LSU...Orgeron 7-3 vs. line as interim since 2013 with SC and LSU. Home team has covered last three in series. Freeze 12-6 as dog for Rebs since 2012. LSU 10-5-1 as Baton Rouge chalk since 2014.

Slight to LSU, based on recent series home trends.


ARKANSAS at AUBURN...Malzahn 5-1 vs. line TY after 3-15 spread skid. Bielema 10-2 previous 12 as dog before A&M & Bama Ls.

Slight to Arkansas, based on team trends.


OHIO STATE at PENN STATE...Urban 4-0 SU, 3-1 vs. line against PSU since 2012. Bucks on 6-2 spread uptick since late 2015. Urban 9-2 vs. spread last ten away from Big Horseshoe. James Franklin 9-18-1 last 28 on board, no covers last two as home dog, 1-6 last seven as dog overall.

Ohio State, based on team and series trends.


TEXAS A&M at ALABAMA... Nick has won last 3 SU and covered last two vs. A&M. Ags 3-6 as visiting dog since 2013 (1-0 TY). Bama just 3-6-1 as home chalk since LY.

Slight to Alabama, based on recent series trends.


COLORADO STATE at UNLV... Rebs 5-9 vs. spread last 14, though 4-3 as chalk since LY. Rams 4-1 vs. line last 4 as visitor.

Slight to Colorado State, based on team trends.


FRESNO STATE at UTAH STATE...FSU 2-9 vs. line last 11 as dog away from home. Utags romped 56-14 LY at Dog House.

Utah State, based on FSU negatives.