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Utah State vs. San Jose State:
What to Know
A Mountain West battle is on tap between the San Jose State Spartans and the Utah State Aggies at 9:45 p.m. ET on Saturday at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium. If the nothing to nothing final from the last time they met is any indication, this contest will be decided by the defense.Last week, SJSU lost to the San Diego State Aztecs on the road by a decisive 43-27 margin. QB Chevan Cordeiro put forth a good effort for the losing side as he passed for three TDs and 195 yards on 33 attempts in addition to punching in one rushing touchdown.
Meanwhile, Utah State netted a 41-34 win over the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors last week. Utah State's RB Calvin Tyler Jr. was one of the most active players for the team, rushing for one TD and 113 yards on 25 carries in addition to snatching one receiving TD.
The Aggies' defense was a presence as well, as it collected three interceptions and one fumble. S Ike Larsen picked up that interception and then proceeded to rub salt in the wound by taking it back the other way for a touchdown.
This next game is expected to be close, with the Spartans going off at just a 1-point favorite. Those playing the odds have seen things go back and forth with SJSU, who are 3-3 against the spread.
SJSU is now 6-3 while Utah State sits at 5-5. A pair of stats to keep an eye on: SJSU comes into the matchup boasting the fourth fewest thrown interceptions in the nation at three. But the Aggies enter the matchup having picked the ball off 11 times, good for 21st in the nation. These opposing strengths should make for an exciting matchup.
Arkansas vs. Ole Miss:
What to Know
The Ole Miss Rebels and the Arkansas Razorbacks are set to square off in an SEC matchup at 7:30 p.m. ET Nov. 19 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. If the contest is anything like the Rebels' 52-51 win from their previous meeting in October of last year, the scorekeeper will be kept real busy.Ole Miss entered their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide last week without any home losses -- but there's a first time for everything. Ole Miss was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 30-24 to Bama. The losing side was boosted by RB Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for two TDs and 135 yards on 25 carries.
Meanwhile, Arkansas was close but no cigar last week as they fell 13-10 to the LSU Tigers. No one had a standout game offensively for Arkansas, but they got scores from WR Matt Landers and QB Cade Fortin.
This next matchup is expected to be close, with the Rebels going off at just a 2.5-point favorite. But bettors beware: they are only 2-4-1 against the spread when favored.
Ole Miss is now 8-2 while the Razorbacks sit at 5-5. Two offensive numbers to keep in mind before kickoff: Ole Miss comes into the matchup boasting the third most rushing yards per game in the nation at 259.5. Arkansas is not quite as good, but they are no chumps, either: they enter the game with 223.3 rushing yards per game on average, good for 12th best in the nation.
Series History
Arkansas have won four out of their last seven games against Ole Miss.- Oct 09, 2021 - Ole Miss 52 vs. Arkansas 51
- Oct 17, 2020 - Arkansas 33 vs. Ole Miss 21
- Sep 07, 2019 - Ole Miss 31 vs. Arkansas 17
- Oct 13, 2018 - Ole Miss 37 vs. Arkansas 33
- Oct 28, 2017 - Arkansas 38 vs. Ole Miss 37
- Oct 15, 2016 - Arkansas 34 vs. Ole Miss 30
- Nov 07, 2015 - Arkansas 53 vs. Ole Miss 52
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Texas vs. Kansas.
Texas is looking to avoid back-to-back losses to Kansas, and the Jayhawks are trying to secure a winning record in the second year of the Lance Leipold era on Saturday in what should be an entertaining matchup in Lawrence, Kansas.After missing the opportunity to score a top-four win against TCU last weekend, the Longhorns have to pick themselves up off the mat in time to play the Jayhawks. If the defense plays the way it did last weekend, Texas will have an excellent shot to win the game, but the offense has to rebound after its worst performance of the year. Quarterback Quinn Ewers completed under 50% of his passes for 171 yards and an interception, and the usually strong backfield tandem of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson was held to a combined 43 yards. The Horns can't afford another down game from their top offensive players.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Kansas took down Oklahoma State to reach bowl eligibility, but it dropped a very winnable game against Texas Tech last weekend. In that game, the Jayhawks moved the ball well, but their defense allowed 43 points and 510 yards of offense to the Red Raiders. Even though Texas struggled to find the end zone against TCU, Kansas can't afford another defensive effort like that this weekend. If the Jayhawks can pull off the upset, that will guarantee the team's first winning record since 2008.
Texas vs. Kansas: Three players to watch
Quinn Ewers, Texas QB: Ewers has had an uneven first season at Texas. Since returning from the injury he suffered against Alabama, Ewers has struggled to maintain any sort of consistency. Last week's loss to TCU was one of his worst performances of the year, and he has the opportunity to bounce back against a Kansas defense allowing more than 30 points per game. Ewers has all kinds of natural talent, and it will be fascinating to see how he responds to a miserable night against the Horned Frogs.Devin Neal, Kansas RB: Lance Leipold has immediately revamped this Kansas offense, and Neal has been the beneficiary of the new scheme. Neal has thrived as the Jayhawks' lead back in 2022. He is fifth in the Big 12 with 951 yards rushing, and his seven rushing touchdowns rank eighth. Just as impressive is that Neal has been efficient with his carries, averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. If the Texas defense can't slow down Neal, it will be a long day for the Longhorns.
Barryn Sorrell, Texas EDGE: It may have been an ugly night for the Texas offense against TCU, but it was just the opposite for the defense. Sorrell led a spectacular showing from the Longhorns' pass rush, which was all over Max Duggan from start to finish. In that game alone, Sorrell notched 11 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and a sack. If he can reproduce that effort against Kansas, then whoever starts at quarterback for the Jayhawks will be in for a sore Sunday morning.
These teams are both coming off tough losses, and it has been hard to trust either of them lately. On paper, Texas is the better team, but it has been unable to play its best game for a full 60 minutes. Kansas is clearly one of the most improved teams in the country, but there are still flaws, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Texas' defense was extremely impressive last week, and I doubt the offense is that bad two weeks in a row. The Longhorns will avoid two straight losses to Kansas, but the Jayhawks cover at home.
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North Carolina vs. Georgia.
What to Know
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the North Carolina Tar Heels are even-steven against one another since October of 2015 (3-3), but not for long. Georgia Tech and the Tar Heels will face off in an ACC battle at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Kenan Memorial Stadium. UNC should still be riding high after a victory, while Georgia Tech will be looking to right the ship.Georgia Tech has to be aching after a bruising 35-14 loss to the Miami (FL) Hurricanes last week. A silver lining for Georgia Tech was the play of WR Nate McCollum, who caught eight passes for one TD and 101 yards.
Meanwhile, UNC squeaked by the Wake Forest Demon Deacons by less than a field goal, winning 36-34. The team ran away with 27 points in the first half and mostly just sat on those in the second to pick up the win. QB Drake Maye was a one-man wrecking crew for the Tar Heels, passing for three TDs and 448 yards on 49 attempts in addition to rushing for one TD and 71 yards.
The Yellow Jackets have to know they'll be fighting an uphill battle given the 21-point spread they are up against. The odds have been favorable for them against the spread on the road this season, even if it's been tough sledding overall. They are 3-1 ATS in away games but only 4-4 all in all.
Georgia Tech is now 4-6 while UNC sits at 9-1. A pair of numbers to keep in mind before kickoff: Georgia Tech enters the game having picked the ball off ten times, good for 35th in the nation. But UNC ranks fourth in the nation when it comes to thrown interceptions, with only three on the season. These opposing strengths should make for an exciting matchup.
Series History
North Carolina and Georgia Tech both have three wins in their last six games.- Sep 25, 2021 - Georgia Tech 45 vs. North Carolina 22
- Oct 05, 2019 - North Carolina 38 vs. Georgia Tech 22
- Nov 03, 2018 - Georgia Tech 38 vs. North Carolina 28
- Sep 30, 2017 - Georgia Tech 33 vs. North Carolina 7
- Nov 05, 2016 - North Carolina 48 vs. Georgia Tech 20
- Oct 03, 2015 - North Carolina 38 vs. Georgia Tech 31
Temple vs. Cincinnati:
What to Know
The Cincinnati Bearcats have enjoyed the comforts of home their last two games, but now they must head out on the road. The Bearcats and the Temple Owls will face off in an American Athletic battle at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field. Cincinnati should still be feeling good after a victory, while Temple will be looking to right the ship.Cincinnati sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 27-25 win over the East Carolina Pirates last week. The team accrued 24 points in the first half and coasted on those for the victory. It was another big night for Cincinnati's WR Tyler Scott, who caught seven passes for one TD and 140 yards. Near the top of the highlight reel was Ben Bryant's 76-yard TD bomb to Scott in the second quarter.
Temple came within a touchdown against the Houston Cougars last week, but they wound up with a 43-36 loss. Temple's loss came about despite a quality game from QB E.J. Warner, who passed for three TDs and 486 yards on 59 attempts.
The Bearcats are the favorite in this one, with an expected 17-point margin of victory. But bettors beware: they are only 1-4-1 against the spread when favored.
Cincinnati is now 8-2 while the Owls sit at 3-7. Two defensive numbers to keep in mind before kickoff: Cincinnati enters the matchup with 32 sacks, good for eighth best in the nation. Temple is completely their equal: they also come into the contest with 32 sacks. With that kind of ball pressure, don't be surprised if there are a lot of short passes in this one.
Series History
Temple have won three out of their last six games against Cincinnati.- Oct 08, 2021 - Cincinnati 52 vs. Temple 3
- Nov 23, 2019 - Cincinnati 15 vs. Temple 13
- Oct 20, 2018 - Temple 24 vs. Cincinnati 17
- Nov 10, 2017 - Temple 35 vs. Cincinnati 24
- Oct 29, 2016 - Cincinnati 0 vs. Temple 0
- Sep 12, 2015 - Temple 34 vs. Cincinnati 26
Clemson vs. Miami.
The No. 9 Clemson Tigers will try to remain in the top 10 when they face the Miami (FL) Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon. Clemson was likely knocked out of the College Football Playoff hunt when it lost at Notre Dame two weeks ago, but it bounced back with a 31-16 win over Louisville last week. Miami has alternated between wins and losses in each of its last six games, picking up a win at Georgia Tech its last time out. Miami is 2-8 against the spread, while Clemson is 5-5 ATS in 2022.Why Clemson can cover
Clemson suffered a disappointing loss to Notre Dame two weeks ago, but it has won every other game on its schedule this season. The Tigers bounced back from their loss to the Fighting Irish by beating Louisville by 15 points last week. They have already taken care of business against a pair of ranked teams at home this season, so they are not going to be fazed by this opponent.The Tigers have won 39 consecutive home games, which is the longest streak in ACC history. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei threw for 185 yards and a touchdown while the rushing attack combined for 248 yards in the dominant win over Louisville. Miami has only covered the spread once in its last nine games, and Clemson has covered the number in six of the last seven meetings between these teams.
Why Miami (FL) can cover
Miami has been inconsistent during league play, but it is coming off its best performance of the season and has a chance to clinch bowl eligibility on Saturday. The Hurricanes blew out Georgia Tech in a 35-14 final last week, as true freshman Jacurri Brown threw for three touchdowns and rushed for 87 yards in his first collegiate start. Brown is going to start again on Saturday, while Tyler Van Dyke (shoulder) is "right at the cusp" of being available, according to head coach Mario Cristobal.Leading rusher Henry Parrish Jr. was sidelined last week due to an undisclosed injury, but he could return this week. Clemson is without junior defensive back Malcolm Greene and safety Tyler Venables. The Hurricanes have an opportunity to take advantage of those injury issues, particularly with a quarterback who is difficult to plan for.
Appalachian State vs. Old Dominion:
What to Know
After two games on the road, the Appalachian State Mountaineers are heading back home. The Mountaineers and the Old Dominion Monarchs will face off in a Sun Belt battle at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Appalachian State is out to keep their three-game home win streak alive.Appalachian State came up short against the Marshall Thundering Herd last week, falling 28-21. No one had a standout game offensively for Appalachian State, but they got scores from TE Henry Pearson and RB Daetrich Harrington.
Meanwhile, a win for Old Dominion just wasn't in the stars last week as the squad never even grasped a temporary lead. They suffered a grim 37-3 defeat to the James Madison Dukes. Old Dominion was down 30-3 at the end of the third quarter, which was just too much to recover from. QB Hayden Wolff had a memorable game, but not in the way you want to be remembered: besides failing to produce a single touchdown, he threw two interceptions with only 112 yards passing.
The Mountaineers are the favorite in this one, with an expected 16-point margin of victory. But bettors beware: they are only 2-6 against the spread when favored.
Appalachian State is now 5-5 while the Monarchs sit at 3-7. Two stats to keep in the back of your head while watching: Appalachian State ranks 14th in the nation when it comes to passing touchdowns, with 26 on the season. But Old Dominion enters the game with only 12 passing touchdowns allowed, good for 23rd best in the nation. These opposing strengths should make for an exciting matchup.
Series History
Appalachian State have won both of the games they've played against Old Dominion in the last eight years.- Sep 10, 2016 - Appalachian State 31 vs. Old Dominion 7
- Sep 26, 2015 - Appalachian State 49 vs. Old Dominion 0
Alabama vs. Austin Peay.
Following a dramatic win over Ole Miss, No. 8 Alabama comes back home for a game it can use to prepare for the 2022 Iron Bowl. Before Auburn comes to Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide will get a visit from the Austin Peay Governors of the FCS ranks.Alabama showed quite a bit of resilience in Oxford, Mississippi, last weekend by coming from behind in a hostile environment to pick up a big conference win. It was a hard fought battle, and the Crimson Tide might get the opportunity to provide some rest for its top players, assuming they handle business in the first half against Austin Peay. That would be good for Alabama, considering that a rivalry game against a re-energized Auburn team awaits on Thanksgiving weekend.
This game against Alabama will close out a solid regular season for Austin Peay. The Governors enter this game at 7-3 overall and 3-2 in ASUN play. In its only other game against an FBS program, Austin Peay gave Western Kentucky all it could handle before losing 38-27. This matchup against Alabama presents an infinitely more difficult challenge than playing the Hilltoppers, though.
Three players to watch
Ja'Corey Brooks, Alabama WR: In a season where the Alabama wide receivers haven't been quite as impressive, Ja'Corey Brooks has emerged as a steady option for quarterback Bryce Young. Brooks leads the Crimson Tide with 534 yards receiving and six touchdowns while averaging 16.7 yards per play. Brooks has only eclipsed 100 yards in one game this season, but he has been a steady presence in the Alabama offense.Dallas Turner, Alabama LB: Will Anderson gets a lot of attention, and for very good reason, but let's not overlook Dallas Turner's contributions to this defense. The sophomore linebacker is yet another weapon in Alabama's fearsome pass rush. Through 10 games, Turner has 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. Austin Peay has a decent passing attack, so expect Turner to be involved in trying to slow down the Governors.
Mike DiLiello, Austin Peay QB: The Governors' quarterback is second in the ASUN Conference with 230 passing yards per game and 21 touchdowns. Just a couple of weeks ago, in Austin Peay's shootout win over North Alabama, DiLello threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns. He has the ability to take advantage if the opposing defense makes a mistake. We'll see if he can strain the Alabama secondary at all.
Alabama vs. Austin Peay prediction
After a thrilling road win over Ole Miss last weekend, Alabama could come out a little sluggish with an 11 a.m. local kickoff against Austin Peay. If that does happen, get those scoreboard screenshots in while you can because the Crimson Tide will likely start pulling away well before halftime. Bryce Young and the rest of the offense might try to pad some stats while they can, but I don't expect the Alabama starters to play all four quarters in a blowout victory.
Rice vs. UTSA:
What to Know
The UTSA Roadrunners and the Rice Owls will face off in a Conference USA clash at 1 p.m. ET Nov. 19 at Rice Stadium. If the nothing to nothing final from the last time they met is any indication, this contest will be decided by the defense.The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs typically have all the answers at home, but last week UTSA proved too difficult a challenge. The Roadrunners put a hurting on the Bulldogs at home to the tune of 51-7. The game was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 34-7. Among those leading the charge for UTSA was RB Kevorian Barnes, who rushed for two TDs and 103 yards on 11 carries.
UTSA's defense was a presence as well, as it collected three interceptions and one fumble. The picks came courtesy of LB Malik Jones and S Clifford Chattman.
Meanwhile,'s it's hard to picture a worse loss than the 45-10 bruising that Rice suffered against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers last week. Rice was down 31-10 at the end of the third quarter, which was just too much to recover from. Their only offensive touchdown came from RB Uriah West.
The Roadrunners are the favorite in this one, with an expected 13.5-point margin of victory. But bettors beware: they are only 2-4 against the spread when favored.
UTSA's win lifted them to 8-2 while Rice's defeat dropped them down to 5-5. Giving up six turnovers, the Owls had had trouble holding onto the ball. We'll see if UTSA can exploit that vulnerability.
Series History
UTSA won five games and tied one game in their last six contests with Rice.- Oct 16, 2021 - Rice 0 vs. UTSA 0
- Oct 19, 2019 - UTSA 31 vs. Rice 27
- Oct 06, 2018 - UTSA 20 vs. Rice 3
- Oct 21, 2017 - UTSA 20 vs. Rice 7
- Oct 15, 2016 - UTSA 14 vs. Rice 13
- Nov 21, 2015 - UTSA 34 vs. Rice 24
Nebraska vs. Wisconsin:
What to Know
The Wisconsin Badgers are 5-0-1 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers since October of 2015, and they'll have a chance to extend that success Saturday. The Badgers and Nebraska will face off in a Big Ten battle at noon ET at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium. Neither Wisconsin nor Nebraska could muster much offensive firepower in their last games, so look to the defense to decide this one.Wisconsin came up short against the Iowa Hawkeyes last week, falling 24-10. No one had a standout game offensively for Wisconsin, but they got one touchdown from QB Graham Mertz. Near the top of the highlight reel was Mertz's 51-yard TD bomb to WR Keontez Lewis in the second quarter.
Their defensive unit accumulated six sacks for a loss of 42 yards. Leading the way was LB Nick Herbig and his three sacks. Herbig now has 11 sacks this season.
Meanwhile, the Cornhuskers found themselves the reluctant recipients of an unfortunate 34-3 punch to the gut against the Michigan Wolverines last week. Nebraska was down 24-3 at the end of the third quarter, which was just too much to recover from. One thing holding Nebraska back was the mediocre play of RB Anthony Grant, who did not have his best game: he rushed for 22 yards on 11 carries.
Wisconsin is the favorite in this one, with an expected 10-point margin of victory. They have been consistent moneymakers against the spread when favored (5-2), so they might be worth a quick bet.
These two teams will surely be fighting tooth and nail to get back into the win column after losses last week. Check back to see which squad is able to work their way into the win column.
Series History
Wisconsin won five games and tied one game in their last six contests with Nebraska.- Nov 20, 2021 - Wisconsin 35 vs. Nebraska 28
- Nov 16, 2019 - Wisconsin 0 vs. Nebraska 0
- Oct 06, 2018 - Wisconsin 41 vs. Nebraska 24
- Oct 07, 2017 - Wisconsin 38 vs. Nebraska 17
- Oct 29, 2016 - Wisconsin 23 vs. Nebraska 17
- Oct 10, 2015 - Wisconsin 23 vs. Nebraska 21
Pittsburgh vs. Duke.
The Pittsburgh Panthers and Duke Blue Devils will both be looking to extend their respective winning streaks when they square off on Saturday afternoon. Pittsburgh has won two straight games following a 37-7 win at Virginia. Duke, meanwhile, has won its last three contests, including a 24-7 win against Virginia Tech last week.Why Pittsburgh can cover
Pittsburgh lost a pair of road games at the end of October, but it has responded with two of its best outings this season. The Panthers picked up a 10-point win over Syracuse two weeks ago before blowing out Virginia in a 37-7 final last week.Star running back Israel Abanikanda has rushed for at least 100 yards in seven games this season to lead Pittsburgh's offense. The Panthers showed up defensively last week as well, picking up a pair of defensive touchdowns in the opening minute of the game. They have center Bub Means back on the field after he missed seven games due to an injury,
which gives Abanikanda even more room to run.
Why Duke can cover
Duke has put together an excellent campaign under first-year coach Mike Elko, enjoying its best season since 2015. The Blue Devils had not won four conference games since that year, and this is also their first seven-win regular season since 2018. Elko is Duke's first coach to win seven games in his first season since Fred Goldsmith went 8-4 in 1994.The Blue Devils shut down Virginia Tech's rushing attack last week, allowing just 104 rushing yards. They have now won all six of their games when they have held opponents under 105 rushing yards. Duke has covered the spread in four of its last six games, so the betting market has not adequately adjusted to how well the team is performing under Elko.
Purdue vs. Northwestern.
Why Purdue can cover
Purdue was able to snap a two-game losing streak and remain in contention for the Big Ten West title with its win at Illinois last week as a 6-point underdog. Quarterback Aidan O'Connell threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with wide receiver Payne Durham for two scores. Running back Devin Mockobee had an excellent showing as well, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown.Northwestern has been a terrible team this year, losing nine straight games since beating Nebraska in its opener. The Wildcats have been outscored 256-122 during that stretch, and they are coming off a 31-3 loss at Minnesota. They have only covered the spread four times in their last 13 games, so they have been even worse than what the betting market has accounted for.
Why Northwestern can cover
Purdue is coming off a huge road win against a ranked opponent and has a showdown with Indiana coming up next week, making this a trap game on the schedule. The Boilermakers have struggled as favorites multiple times this season, including a 24-3 loss against Iowa two weeks ago. They also put together a disappointing showing against Nebraska at home last month, coming nowhere close to covering the 14-point spread in a 43-37 final.The Boilermakers could be shorthanded on the defensive side of the ball, as linebackers Kieren Douglas and Clyde Washington were both injured against Illinois. Northwestern has been using multiple quarterbacks of late, giving the Wildcats some options on Saturday. They have covered the spread in four of the last six meetings between these teams.
Akron-Buffalo game postponed due to storm.
Georgia vs. Kentucky.
The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs will try to extend their winning streak to 13 when they take on the rival Kentucky Wildcats in a SEC on CBS game on Saturday at Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky. The Bulldogs (10-0, 7-0 in SEC) have won 12 straight games and 28 of their last 29. The only blemish over that stretch was a loss to Alabama in last season's SEC Championship Game. Meanwhile the Wildcats (6-4, 3-4) have lost two of their last three games and are coming off a loss to Vanderbilt. They are in a three-way tie for third in the SEC East.Why Georgia can cover
Georgia has a proven winner at quarterback in Stetson Bennett. A former walk-on whose story has been well documented, Bennett is 24-3 as a starter at Georgia and has completed 64.4% of his passes in his career. This season, despite playing in a run-based offense, Bennett ranks second in the conference in passing yards per game (289.5)In addition, the Bulldogs have an elite tight end duo in sophomore Brock Bowers and junior Darnell Washington. Bowers, an All-American last season, has 39 catches for a team-high 615 yards and four touchdowns while Washington has 24 catches for 392 yards and a touchdown. Both are semifinalists for the Mackey Award, which goes to the country's best tight end.
Why Kentucky can cover
Kentucky has an NFL-caliber quarterback in Will Levis. Widely regarded as a first round pick in next year's NFL Draft, Levis is ranked third in the SEC and 25th in the nation in passing efficiency (153.6). He also is sixth in the conference and 29th in the nation in completion percentage (66.1).In addition, the Wildcats have one of the best defenses in the conference. Kentucky ranks 20th in the nation in total defense (317.0 yards per game) and 21st in scoring defense (20.0 points per game). The Wildcats have held 13 of their last 14 opponents to 24 points or fewer.
TCU vs. Baylor.
The fourth-ranked TCU Horned Frogs aim to keep their perfect record intact when they visit the Big 12-rival Baylor Bears on Saturday. TCU (10-0, 7-0 Big 12) has finished without a loss or tie twice in the history of the program, last doing so when it went 13-0 in 2010. The Horned Frogs had their worst offensive performance of the season last week but still managed to post a 17-10 victory at then-No. 18 Texas. Baylor (6-4, 4-3) had its three-game winning streak halted last Saturday as it was thrashed at home 31-3 by 19th-ranked Kansas State.Why TCU can cover
The Horned Frogs own a 57-53-7 record in the all-time series and have actually had more success on the road, where they've gone 29-24-1 as opposed to 28-29-4 at home. TCU has won six of the last seven overall meetings, with the only loss during that span coming in triple overtime in 2019. It has performed well of late offensively, scoring at least 30 points in four of its last five victories against the Bears.TCU is becoming known for big plays as it is first in the nation with 15 that have gone for at least 50 yards. The Horned Frogs also are No. 1 in the FBS with nine plays of 60 or more yards and lead all Power 5 schools with 13 touchdowns of 50 or more yards while senior Max Duggan ranks first among Power 5 quarterbacks with 15 TD passes of at least 20 yards. Junior running back Kendre Miller has posted five straight 100-yard performances, the program's longest streak since Lonta Hobbs had a five-gamer in 2002, and has run for at least one touchdown in every contest this year.
Why Baylor can cover
The Bears will be motivated by the fact they still have a chance to reach the Big 12 championship game and defend their title. They also will be looking to return to form offensively as they scored at least 35 points in four consecutive games before being limited to just a field goal last week. Despite that performance, Baylor is averaging 34.8 points this season.Richard Reese also is hoping to get back on track as he has rushed for only 61 yards over his last two outings after posting back-to-back 100-yard efforts. He leads the Bears with 852 yards and needs 30 to break the program record by a freshman set in 2013 by Shock Linwood. Reese is second in the nation among freshmen in both rushing yards and rushing TDs (13).
Michigan vs. Illinois.
With a showdown against rival Ohio State looming, the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines will try to avoid looking ahead when they host the Illinois Fighting Illini in a Big Ten game on Saturday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wolverines (10-0, 7-0 in Big Ten) enter Saturday tied with the No. 2 Buckeyes for the lead in the Big Ten East. The rivals are set to meet on Nov. 26 in what could end up being an elimination game for the College Football Playoff. But Michigan must first take care of the Illini (7-3, 4-3), who are looking to bounce back after back-to-back losses to Michigan State and Purdue.Why Michigan can cover
Michigan has one of the most productive running backs in the country in Blake Corum. The 5-foot-8 junior from Marshall, Va., leads the nation in total touchdowns (18) and ranks fifth in rushing yards per game (134.9). Led by Corum, the Wolverines lead the Big Ten and rank fourth in the country in rushing yards per game (251.4).In addition, Michigan is one of the least penalized teams in the country while Illinois is one of the most. The Wolverines rank fourth in the FBS in penalty yards per game (34.0). Meanwhile the Illini are 119th (69.1).
Why Illinois can cover
Illinois has one of the best running backs in the country in Chase Brown. The 5-foot-11 junior from Ontario ranks second in the nation in rushing yards per game (144.2) and third in all-purpose yards per game (161.5). After leaving the final minute of last week's game with a right leg injury, coach Bret Bielema said Monday that Brown is "trending in the right direction" to play against Michigan.In addition, the Illini have one of the best pass defenses in the country. Illinois leads the nation in pass efficiency defense (90.37) as well as interceptions (17). Sydney Brown and Kendall Smith share the team lead with four interceptions each.
Tennessee vs. South Carolina.
The No. 5 Tennessee Vols will be looking to stay in the national title hunt when they face the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday night. Tennessee bounced back from its loss at Georgia with a 66-24 win against Missouri last week. South Carolina earned its bowl eligibility with a win against Vanderbilt before losing to Florida on the road.Why South Carolina can cover
South Carolina has dealt with inconsistency at times this season, but it has won five of its last seven games. The Gamecocks recorded consecutive wins against then-No. 13 Kentucky and Texas A&M, so they are capable of hanging around against quality opponents. They have been without leading rusher MarShawn Lloyd the past two games due to a bruised thigh and he's been ruled out for this one as well.Quarterback Spencer Rattler has thrown for 1,982 yards and eight touchdowns, finding junior wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. 43 times for 590 yards and four scores. South Carolina is 8-3 in its last 11 home games, so this is not an easy place for opposing teams to visit.
Why Tennessee can cover
Tennessee is one spot away from a College Football Playoff position, so it is extremely motivated to win with margin. The Vols did just that last week, scoring multiple touchdowns late in the game in a 66-24 win over Missouri. They set a school record with 724 yards of total offense and also topped 50 points in a game for the fifth time this season.Quarterback Hendon Hooker added to his Heisman Trophy resume by throwing for 355 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 50 yards and a score. He leads an offense that ranks first nationally in scoring (47.4 points per game) and total offense (543.7). The Vols have covered the spread in eight of their 10 games this season, making them one of the most profitable teams in the country.
Florida vs. Vanderbilt.
The Vanderbilt Commodores will try to build on their first conference win in three years when they face the Florida Gators on Saturday afternoon. Vanderbilt had lost 26 consecutive games against SEC teams prior to its 24-21 win at then-No. 24 Kentucky last week. Florida is on a two-game winning streak after beating Texas A&M and South Carolina.Why Vanderbilt can cover
Vanderbilt had not experienced the feeling of winning a league game since 2019, but it picked up a huge upset as a 17-point underdog at Kentucky last week. The Commodores were without starting quarterback AJ Swann, but Mike Wright threw for 184 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 126 yards and a score. Senior running back Ray Davis rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.The Commodores still have an outside shot at keeping their bowl hopes alive, and they will have more confidence after finally snapping their SEC losing skid. Davis and Wright have combined to rush for more than 1,300 yards this season, which allows them to control the pace of this game. Vanderbilt has covered the spread in six of its last eight division games, and it only needs to stay within two touchdowns on Saturday afternoon.
Why Florida can cover
This is a massive letdown spot for Vanderbilt, as it is coming off its first SEC win in three years, so the Commodores were certainly celebrating that victory. They have had no success against Florida in recent decades, losing 13 straight home games against the Gators. Florida has also covered the spread in four of the last five meetings between these teams, usually winning in blowout fashion.Vanderbilt is 2-14 in its last 16 home games and has only covered the spread three times in its last nine games this season. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson has cleaned things up as the season has progressed, not throwing an interception since Oct. 8. He has also rushed for 588 yards and nine touchdowns this season, which will make him very difficult for Vanderbilt's defense to slow down.
Sources: West Virginia to start Greene at QB
