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Allen Eastman
Colorado (+9.5) over Fresno State
Vanderbilt (+13.5) over South Carolina
Utah (-3) over Oregon State
Kansas (+7) over Rice
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Raphael Esparza (VSI)'s
Louisville -13 ½ over Kentucky
Take Under 61 Alabama at Texas A&M
Arizona St -5 over Wisconsin
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Strike Point Sports
Arizona State (-5) over Wisconsin
Ball State (-3.5) over North Texas
Washington/Illinois 'Over' 62
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Jason Sharpe
#155 Mississippi State +6 over Auburn
#157 Washington -9.5 over Illinois
#128 Connecticut +6.5 over Maryland
178 Rice -6.5 over Kansas
USC -13.5 over Boston College
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DOC’S SPORTS
4 Unit Play. #117 TakeLouisville Cardinals -13.5 over Kentucky Wildcats (Saturday 12 pm ESPN) TheGovernor's Cup is on the line in this annual meeting between Louisville andKentucky. The Cardinals have won five of their last seven games in Lexington,and they have a much better team this year than does Kentucky. The Wildcatsalready lost to WKU, a team that got pounded by a middle-of-the-pack SEC teamin Tennessee. Louisville not only needs to win games, but they must do it inconvincing fashion in order to get noticed and move up in the polls. They winthis game by 20+ points, and we collect along with them. Louisville is 16-5 ATSin their last 21 road games. Kentucky just has not handled prosperity well,going 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a victory in their previousouting.
7 Unit Play. #127 TakeMaryland Terrapins -6 over Connecticut Huskies (Saturday 7:30 pm ESPN3.com)Non-Conference Game of the Year. Revenge will be best served onthe field tonight in Storrs. Maryland suffered numerous injuries last season,especially at the quarterback position, and every team was able to kick themaround. But that will not be the case this season. Maryland is loaded onoffense, and expect them to light up the scoreboard all night long against ateam that has quit on their coach in 2013. Nobody was real excited about thehiring of Paul Pasqualoni when current Maryland Coach Randy Edsall leftConnecticut. Things reached an epic low in week 1 of this season when they lostto Towson State by double-digits. The Huskies had a strong defense last season,but that is not the case in 2013 as four players off of the 2012 defensivesquad were NFL Draft picks.
Thisgame is all about Coach Randy Edsall as he struggled through some tough gamesin his first two years, including a loss at home to Connecticut in 2012. He isstill angry about that game and will not let off the gas for 60 minutestonight, wanting to show the crowd why he is the all-time winningest coach inUCONN history. UCONN is 2-7 ATS (1 push) in their last 10 games overall.Maryland is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 nonconference games. Expect Maryland tohave a great scouting report since Towson State's head coach used to work withCoach Edsall. The Maryland coach does not just want a victory in this game, hewants to make a statement, and he will by double-digits.
4 Unit Play. #151 TakeAlabama Crimson Tide -7.5 over Texas A & M Aggies (Saturday 3:30 pm CBS) Theplayers for Alabama will never admit it publically; however, they want revengein a big way against Texas A & M. They want to shut up Johnny Manziel andknock his team out of the national championship picture. I expect them to do itin a big way as the fact remains that Johnny Football just does not have theoffensive line or the playmakers around him to compete this year. I expect himto try and do too much and thus turn over the football and give Alabama a shortfield. The Crimson Tide are coming off a bye week and did not perform very wellon offense against Virginia Tech in their opener. I expect AJ McCarron to havea big bounce-back week as he likely has more draft potential than JohnnyFootball. A & M is the most overrated team in the country this season, andit will show today as they suffer the first of many losses this season bydouble-digits. Alabama is 20-8 ATS in their last 28 road games.
4 Unit Play. #173 TakeUMASS Minutemen +39 over Kansas State Wildcats (Saturday 7 pm) UMASSis a terrible team that is just getting used to FBS play. However, the Wildcatsare rebuilding this year, and I do not believe that they are good enough to belaying this many points to anybody. They already have a loss on their 2013resume to a FCS team in North Dakota State. The Minutemen lost to a much betterWisconsin team by 45 points, and I believe they will be able to score on KansasState. That means the Wildcats will likely have to score over 50 points tocover this spread. Kansas State is 11-23 ATS in their last 34 nonconferencegames. I see Kansas State winning this game by 28-32 points, giving us thecover.
4 Unit Play. #182 TakeUNDER 49 in Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Purdue Boilermakers (Saturday 8 pm ABC)For some reason, this game gets prime time billing even thoughPurdue is one of the worst teams in the Big Ten and maybe the country. TheIrish could not stop Michigan last week but should have a much easier time withPurdue in Week 3. Purdue has scored just 27 points in two games this season.Notre Dame has gone under the posted total in 18 of their last 26 games (onepush). Purdue has gone under the posted total in their last three games againstNotre Dame. Play the under and do not worry if Notre Dame can cover thisspread.
4 Unit Play. #184 TakeNew Mexico State Aggies +4.5 over UTEP Miners (8 pm) The Minerscomplete their New Mexico two-step playing the Aggies after facing the Lobos intheir opening game. UTEP lost to New Mexico, giving up 42 points, and yet theyare favored in this game on the road. The fact remains that UTEP is not a goodteam and that they have been terrible of late when it comes to ATS. They were3-9 last year and now have a new coach in Sean Kugler. The Miners have coveredjust four of their last 18 games. NMSU is nothing to write home about, but theyalso have a new coach in Doug Martin and are playing as an independent thisseason. That being said, they are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against teamswith a losing record. The Aggies win their home opener straight up, and wecollect big in the process as well!
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Saturday's NCAAF Top 25 betting cheat sheet: Evening action
Check out quick-hitting betting notes for Saturday's evening college football Week 3 action:
Washington Huskies at Illinois Fighting Illini (+9.5, 62.5)
*Game to be played at Soldier Field in Chicago.
No. 23 Washington seeks to prove its season-opening thrashing of Boise State wasn’t a fluke and Illinois looks to start 3-0 for only the second time in 12 seasons when the teams meet Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Huskies shot into the national rankings after their convincing 38-6 win in their opener but went 3-10 away from Seattle over the previous two seasons. Illinois is playing at Soldier Field for only the second time.
The Fighting Illini brought in former Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit to revamp the offense, and the results were favorable in victories over Southern Illinois and Cincinnati. Illinois is averaging 43.5 points and 493 yards and has posted 17 plays of 20-plus yards after having just 34 last season. The Huskies will have All-American tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (69 receptions, 850 yards in 2012) back on the field after he was suspended for the Boise State game due to an offseason DUI charge.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the high-60s with sunny skies over Chicago's Soldier Field.
LINE: Washington opened as a 10-point road favorite and is currently -9.5. The total is 62.5.
TRENDS:
* Huskies are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall.
* Fighting Illini are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.
* The over is 4-0 in Fighting Illini last 4 non-conference games.
Vanderbilt Commodores at South Carolina Gamecocks (-13.5, 51)
Vanderbilt is trying to climb into the upper echelon of the Southern Conference's Eastern Division while No. 14 South Carolina is trying to stay there. The Commodores enter Saturday's road game with 14 straight losses to division powers Florida, Georgia and South Carolina and 14 consecutive losses to ranked opponents. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier expressed concerns about his defense - which has been strong against Vanderbilt recently - after a dismal showing in a 41-30 loss to Georgia.
"There's nothing embarrassing about losing as long as you play smart and play with a lot of effort," Spurrier told the media Tuesday. "We didn't do those two things." The Gamecocks' defensive frustrations were evident on the sideline during that loss when two assistant coaches got into an argument and after the game when junior defensive end Jadeveon Clowney complained about how he was used. "Very frustrating," Clowney told ESPN after the Georgia game. "I told the coaches you got to put me somewhere else - in the middle if you want to - somewhere I can make some plays (to) help my team get in position to win. But (Georgia) took me right out of the game."
WEATHER: Skies will be partly cloudy to start and should clear up by the second half and temperatures will be in the low-70s.
LINE: Most books opened with the Gamecocks as 13.5-point home favorites. The total is currently 51.
TRENDS:
* The Gamecocks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games.
* The under is 5-1 in the Commodores last six games in September.
* The under is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
Ohio State Buckeyes at California Golden Bears (+15.5, 65)
Heisman Trophy candidate Braxton Miller is expected to be available Saturday when Ohio State looks to extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 15 games against California. The junior quarterback exited last week’s 42-7 victory over San Diego State in the first quarter with a sprained left knee, but he’s hoping to return against a California team that tested Ohio State in Columbus last season before falling 35-28. If Miller isn’t cleared to play, senior Kenny Guiton will get the start.
The Golden Bears followed their season-opening loss to Northwestern with an uninspiring 37-30 win over FCS opponent Portland State last week. Ohio State allowed a season-high 512 yards against California in last year’s matchup, and the Golden Bears’ offense is even more explosive this season under new coach Sonny Dykes. California’s running attack has struggled early, but freshman quarterback Jared Goff has been a revelation with 930 passing yards in his first two games.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the high-60s and skies will be clear in Berkeley. Wind will blow from SW at 11 mph across the field.
LINE: Cal opened as a 14.5-point home dog and that line is currently +15.5. The total is currently 65.
TRENDS:
* The Buckeyes are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 versus the Pac-12.
* The Golden Bears are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* The over is 5-0 in the Golden Bears last five versus the Big Ten.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Louisiana State Tigers (-37, 55)
The Golden Flashes averaged 33.1 points in 2012 en route to an 11-3 record and were led by a dominant rushing attack that piled up an average of more than 225 yards. That ground game has yet to find its footing in 2013 without starter Dri Archer, who was hurt three carries into the season opener against Liberty and is day-to-day with an ankle injury. Archer piled up 1990 yards from scrimmage in 2012 and averaged nine yards per carry.
The Tigers opened things up in the passing game under new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and quarterback Zach Mettenberger. The senior set a school record with five touchdown passes in a 56-17 demolition of Alabama-Birmingham last week thanks in part to a strong connection with junior wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Beckham is averaging 251.5 all-purpose yards and had 331 last week - the eighth-best mark in SEC history.
WEATHER: There is a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast for Baton Rouge. Skies will be cloudy and temperatures will be in the mid-80s.
LINE: The Tigers opened as 37.5-point home faves and have moved to -37. The total is 55.
TRENDS:
* The Golden Flashes are 0-4 ATS in their last four versus the SEC.
* The over is 5-1 in Tigers last six home games.
* The over is 4-1 in Golden Flashes last five games in September.
Lamar Cardinals at Oklahoma State Cowboys (-46, 61.5)
Oklahoma State will try to return to making news on the field Saturday when the No. 11 Cowboys host Lamar in their home opener. Oklahoma State is the subject of an ongoing series in Sports Illustrated that alleges numerous NCAA violations from 2001-11, including payments to players. “We're all committed to playing by the rules and doing things the right way,” said athletic director Mike Holder, adding that “for people to say that is not what's happening is very disturbing.”
Lamar WR Jordan Edwards has stepped up with seven catches for 164 yards and three touchdowns through the first two games, giving quarterback Caleb Berry two deep threats against Oklahoma State. Size could be a problem on defense, however, as Lamar's leading tackler is 5-8, 175-pound defensive back Tyrus McGlothen.
WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the high-70s. Wind will blow from SE across the field at 6 mph.
LINE: Oklahoma State opened as a 46.6-point favorite and is currently -46. The total opened at 60.5 and is up to 61.5.
Mississippi Rebels at Texas Longhorns (-3, 65.5)
Mississippi will try to avenge an embarrassing loss from last season when the 25th-ranked Rebels visit reeling Texas on Saturday. Texas whipped Ole Miss 66-31 on the Rebels' home field last year, but the Longhorns enter this contest in disarray. Texas gave up 550 rushing yards in a 40-21 loss at Brigham Young last week, prompting coach Mack Brown to replace defensive coordinator Manny Diaz with Greg Robinson. Starting QB David Ash (head) did not practice Tuesday and the Longhorns could call on backup Case McCoy get the start.
The Rebels will pose a stiff test for Robinson as they are averaging 35 points behind quarterback Bo Wallace (471 passing yards, 2 TDs) and running back Jeff Scott (10.4 yards per carry). This is Ole Miss’ first trip to Austin since 1925 and it marks the start of a three-game road swing, with visits to Alabama and Auburn next. With a win over Texas, Ole Miss will improve to 3-0 for the first time since 1989.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-90s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow from the east across the field at 6 mph.
LINE: The Longhorns opened as 2.5-point home favorites and have since been bet up to -3. The total is 65.5.
TRENDS:
* The Rebels are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.
* The Longhorns are 4-1 ATS in their last five non-conference games.
* The over is 4-0 in Longhorns last four games overall.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purdue Boilermakers (+20.5, 49)
This year's Notre Dame defense isn't as good as the one that propelled the Fighting Irish into last year's BCS National Championship game. But the 41-30 loss at Michigan won't force Irish coach Brian Kelly to make drastic changes before the No. 21 Irish travel to Purdue on Saturday. "We're not a finished product," Kelly said during an early-week press conference. "We got some work to do."
The Boilermakers are ranked 116th out of 123 FBS teams in total offense (255 yards) and tied for 113th in points (13.5) and have just four scores (two touchdowns and two field goals) in seven red-zone trips. Purdue lost junior safety Landon Feichter to a broken leg and sophomore Anthony Brown will likely take his place. The Boilermakers' schedule doesn't get any easier with three ranked teams in the next five games (No. 18 Wisconsin, No. 15 Nebraska and No. 3 Ohio State) after Notre Dame.
WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for clear skies and temperatures in the low-60s.
LINE: Notre Dame opened as a 20.5-point road fave. The total opened at 50 and has moved to 49.
TRENDS:
* The Boilermakers are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
* The under is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings.
* The Fighting Irish are 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings in Purdue.
Western Michigan Broncos at Northwestern Wildcats (-30.5, 59)
No. 16 Northwestern goes for its 15th straight non-conference home win when it hosts Western Michigan on Saturday in the teams’ first-ever meeting. The Wildcats averaged 46 points and 544.5 total yards in beating California and Syracuse with quarterbacks Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian both playing at a high level. Kolter, who suffered a concussion in the opener, is listed as questionable but expected to suit up again like he did last week.
The Broncos are staggering after a 27-23 home loss to FCS opponent Nicholls State. First-year coach P.J. Fleck knew he was in for a rebuilding job as the team returned just 10 starters, two on offense. Senior quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen has thrown four interceptions without a touchdown pass.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-60s with wind blowing from the south towards the north endzone at 6 mph.
LINE: The Wildcats opened as 31.5-point home favorites and are currently -30.5. The total opened at 59.5 and has since moved to 59.
TRENDS:
* The Broncos are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 versus the Big Ten.
* The Wildcats are 9-0 ATS in their last nine home games.
* The under is 4-0 in the Broncos last four games overall.
Wisconsin Badgers at Arizona State Sun Devils (-5.5, 54.5)
Arizona State will host its first ranked opponent of the season in No. 18 Wisconsin on Saturday. The Badgers are coming off two blowout road victories against Massachusetts and Tennessee Tech and are preparing for their first true test of the season in the Sun Devils. Arizona State lost a heartbreaker to then-ranked No. 11 Wisconsin in 2010 - the last time these teams met - after a blocked extra point resulted in a 20-19 win at Camp Randall Stadium.
Defense will play a pivotal role in this matchup as the teams rank first and second nationally in yards allowed with Wisconsin giving up just 162.5 and Arizona State only 167. The Sun Devils will need that second-ranked defense to stop a trio of running backs in James White, Melvin Gordon and Corey Clement, who have rushed for more than 100 yards apiece in each of the last two games for the Badgers. Saturday's matchup will also feature two quarterbacks that have thrown for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns in Arizona State junior Taylor Kelly and Wisconsin sophomore Joel Stave.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-90s with clear skies. Wind will blow from the west across the field at 5 mph.
LINE: The Sun Devils opened as 5.5-poin home faves. The total opened at 52.5 and has moved to 54.5.
TRENDS:
* Sun Devils are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.
* Badgers are 1-4 ATS in their last five versus the Pac-12.
* The over is 11-4 in the Sun Devils last 15 home games.
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Goodfella
190 Utah -3.0 (-120) BetOnline vs 189 Oregon St.
Analysis:
"PAC-12 Conference GOM" 3* on UTAH -3
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Stephen Nover | CFB Side - Saturday, Sep 14 2013 3:30PM
151 Alabama-7.5(-110) Bookmaker.com vs 152 Texas A&M double-dime bet
Analysis:Sure revenge is huge. Texas A&M dealt Alabama its only loss last year. But revenge is factored into the line. I like the Crimson Tide for other less obvious reasons besides them being the superior team.
Johnny Manziel snuck up on people last season. This is the second time the Crimson Tide are facing him. They know what to expect. They won't be ambushed like last year.
The timing also is much better for Alabama. If you recall, the Tide had to play the Aggies the week after a tough 21-17 road win against LSU in a rematch of the 2011 national title game. This time Alabama comes into the matchup against Texas A&M following a bye.
The Crimson Tide is 20-8 ATS in its last 28 road contests. The Crimson Tide also has covered 70 percent of its last 20 September matchups.
Nick Saban has a tremendous record in revenge games winning 15 of 17 times (88 percent) at Alabama and LSU in same season or next season revenge spots.
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Stephen Nover | CFB Side - Saturday, Sep 14 2013 12:00PM
123 Bowling Green 3.0(-115) BetOnline vs 124 Indiana triple-dime bet
Analysis:
There are reasons why Indiana hasn't played in a bowl game si „nce 2007. The Hooisers just aren't very good.
Bowling Green is a very solid team - on both sides of the ball. The Falcons have won nine of their last 10, including beating Kent State on the road by 19 and Tulsa at home by 27 this season. The Falcons return 18 starters and very well could be the class of the MAC.
Indiana doesn't deserve to be favored with its lack of defense. The Hooisers rank 110th in scoring defense and 119th in run defense. They surrendered 35 points to Indiana State, a FCS team, and 41 points to Navy. Bowling Green is far superior to those teams. Indiana has now lost to Navy two consecutive years. The Midshipmen controlled the game from the start leading all the way while piling up 444 yards on the ground in beating the Hoosiers, 41-35.
Bowling Green has held eight of its last 11 foes to 14 points or less. The Falcons have won and covered in their last four away matchups.
The Falcons will be highly motivated to play in this non-conference game taking on a Big Ten team. The Hooisers, on the other hand, have a bigger matchup the following week when they host Missouri of the SEC.
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Stephen Nover | CFB Side - Saturday, Sep 14 2013 3:00PM
148 Southern Cal -13.5(-110) Bookmaker.com vs 147 Boston College double-dime bet
Analysis:
Now that the whole world is down on USC and Lane Kiffin this is the time to back the Trojans.
It's easy to focus on the Trojans' struggles throwing the ball, but their defense has been top rate. The Trojans are in a desperate spot. They are at home and catch Boston College traveling cross-country while stepping up in class after playing Villanova and Wake Forest.
USC entered this week No. 1 in rushing defense and had the most sacks with 11. The Trojans also were 11th in total defense and 19th in scoring defense holding foes to less than 12 points per game.
The Trojans can run the ball, play great defense and have perhaps the top wi ƒde receiver in the country, Marqise Lee. Kiffin has had enough of Max Wittek, who was splitting quarterback duties with Cody Kessler. That should mean more downfield throws to the magnificent Lee.
Boston College is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 September games. The Eagles also have failed to cover during their past six road contests.
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The Gold Sheet Extra
COLORADO over Fresno State...What a change for the better in Boulder as the arrival of new HC Mike MacIntyre has immediately lifted the fortunes of the Buffs, 2-0 for the first time since 2008. Note that “Coach Mac’s” San Jose State and CU teams are 15-2-1 their last 18 spread decisions and 12-1 their last 13 as a dog.
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The Gold Sheet
Key Releases
MARYLAND by 19 over Connecticut
NORTHERN ILLINOIS by 38 over Idaho
AUBURN by 18 over Mississippi State
VANDERBILT Plus over South Carolina
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THE RED SHEET
RICE 48 - Kansas 27 - (7:30 EDT) -- Line opened at Rice minus 4½, and is now minus 6½. Owls got the much needed
bye week, after chasing Johnny Manziel over the 2nd half of their opener. Fact is that Rice topped
500 yds in that one, now averaging 37.7 ppg over its last 5 games, & is a profitable 119½ pts ahead
of the spread in its last 8 outings (7-1 ATS, with only miss by scant 4 pts). An overland force for what
seems forever, the Owls also move it overhead behind McHargue, & should penetrate always vulner-
able Jay secondary. KU is a pronounced road flop, currently allowing 49.8 ppg in its last 5 ventures
away from Lawrence. LW, Jays managed their 1st TD catch by a WR since 10-22-11. Still not there.
RATING: RICE 89
Maryland 34 - CONNECTICUT 14 - (7:30) -- Line opened at Maryland minus 7, and is still minus 7. We originally laid off
placing this one as a rated play, due to UConn's covering 29 of its last 44 home games, including a
sparkling 14-3 line log in the host dog role. However, since the departure of Edsall to Maryland, the
Huskies stand at just 6-6 ATS at home, losing their last HD setup by 12½ pts. Averaging just 16 ppg
in their last 11 games, & lost opener to Towson, 33-18. The Terps are healthy for the 1st time in 2
years (QB Brown is back), & thus far have shown that they have the potential to become true force.
Edsall wants this one more than any, & with the heart of UConn "D" depleted, he should get it in style.
RATING: MARYLAND 89
Stanford 55 - ARMY 13 - (12:00 - CBSC) -- Line opened at Stanford minus 30, and is now minus 29. Yes, we have a
triad of heavy chalks gracing this week's edition, but as can be seen, the foes of our choices could
hardly expect any more respect. Last week's Cadet wipeout loss to BallSt was typical Army, namely
piling up impressive overland stats, only to be on the wrong end of a lopsided final score (368 RYs,
but a 40-14 setback). In '12, Knights led the nation in rushing (370 RYpg); result: a 5-7 log (4-7 ATS).
Card has been golden over past few years, & run "D" rock-ribbed as usual (#5 rush "D" in '12).
RATING: STANFORD 88
FLORIDA STATE 56 - Nevada 14 - (3:30) -- Line opened at FloridaSt minus 34, and is now minus 32. Yet another play
that was passed over earlier in the week, due to the 'Noles penchant for a bit of a letdown following a
romp victory. However, the Sems have had 12 days since that rout of Pitt, & have BethuneCookman
up next. Thus, pity the 'Pack, as FSU will be fully focused for this. Loss of Manuel at QB hasn't hurt,
with Winston an awesome 25-of-27 for 356 yds & 4 TDs. And that against a Panther "D" which
ranked 17th in the land yr ago. Nevada allowing 38.3 ppg in its last 10 lined tilts, & won't contain 'em.
RATING: FLORIDA STATE 88
Northern Illinois 48 - IDAHO 7 - (5:00) -- Line opened at NoIllinois minus 25½, and is now minus 28. As we told you,
top heavy chalks dominate our college releases this week. This one is yet another case of a highly
productive offense taking on a sieve defense. All things must come to an end, but from here, the
oddsmakers don't seem to be able to post a high enough number, when the Vandals take the field, as
they're allowing 45.8 ppg in their last dozen lined affairs (1-10-1 ATS). Reached the redzone twice at
Wyoming last week. Huskies the opposite, behind QB Lynch: 40+ pts in 23 of their last 38 lined tilts.
RATING: NORTHERN ILLINOIS 88
NEAR CHOICES (Rated 87): Oregon, OleMiss, Alabama, Auburn
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SB Professor
NCAAF Original Picks
12 PM
126. East Carolina +8.5
3:30 PM
142. Duke +9
7 PM
175. Florida Atlantic +13
Rest Of Games
136. Colorado +6
152. Texas A&M +7.5
162. North Texas +3
150. Iowa St. +2
158. Illinois +10
128. Connecticut +6
120. Ohio +8
163. Memphis +8.5
191. Central Michigan +7.5
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SB Professor
NCAAF 3.0 Picks
8 PM
184. New Mexico St. +4.5
Rest of Games
189. Oregon St. +3
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Bryan Leonard ACC GOM
Ga Tech -8.5
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RATINGS AND WRITE UPS FOR
ROBERT FERRINGO
SATURDAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
3-Unit Play. Take #113 Stanford (-29) over Army (Noon, Saturday, Sept. 14)
3-Unit Play. FIRST HALF: Take #113 Stanford (-16.5) over Army (Noon, Saturday, Sept. 14)
Note: These are both KING System Plays.
This game is men against boys. Stanford has a host of future pro players along the offensive line and throughout their front seven. Army's option attack will not rattle this bunch because, frankly, that is the style of football that the Cardinal wants to play. Stanford has only played one game so they will be rested and ready. And they did enough things wrong against San Jose State that David Shaw will have cracked the whip this week. Army lost to Ball State by 26 points last week and I think that it should be even uglier in this one. There isn't really much to say here. Stanford should flex its muscles and I can see them taking this one by 40 or more.
3-Unit Play. Take #171 Ohio State (-15.5) over Cal (7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
Note: This is a KING System pick.
There has been some uncertainty about this line because of the status of Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller. I don't think that he will play and I don't even really care. Backup Kenny Guiton isn't some doe-eyed freshman. He gained experience last year and has already thrown for three touchdowns this season. He'll be fine. Cal is horrible right now. They are in the middle of a major rebuilding job and the cupboards are bare. They needed a late comeback against Portland State last week and in Week 1 they were overmatched by Northwestern, losing by 14. Urban Meyer is going to have his team focused for this road game, no matter who it is against. But I think the key here will be the Buckeye defense containing Cal's overmatched freshman quarterback. The key here is that Ohio State is loaded in the secondary so they won't be caught off guad by the ?Bear Raid? offense that Sonny Dykes has in place. Cal put a scare into Ohio State last year so they won't take this game lightly. And Meyer is a healthy 32-9 ATS in his last 41 nonconference games. If Miller were healthy and in form - and remember, he still may play and be fine - I thought that this line would be around 22 or 23. I think Ohio State takes this one somewhere in the 40-10 neighborhood.
3-Unit Play. Take #120 Ohio (+8) over Marshall (8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
Note: This is a KING System pick.
I really think that this is a game that Ohio can win outright. These two teams played even last year, with Ohio pulling off the road upset as a six-point favorite. If they won last year on the road they can certainly beat Marshall this year at home. These two teams used to be conference rivals and Ohio really dominated the series, going 6-3 ATS in the last nine meetings dating back to 2000. That includes five straight ATS wins by Ohio when hosting. The Bobcats are the same core that went to Penn State and won last year. They have some guys that can play. And Tyler Tettleton and Ohio's running game will do a good job playing keep away and will try to keep Rakeem Cato off the field. Marshall has scored 107 points in the first two weeks. But both of those games were at home against inferior competition. Marshall lost at ECU, at UAB and at Purdue last year. They also barely beat a bad Rice team. And going back to 2011 they were pretty bad on the road as well (including a 44-7 loss at Ohio). This is one of the few games this year Cato may not be the best quarterback on the field so I will take the points and look for a high-scoring shootout.
3-Unit Play. Take #177 Kansas (+7) over Rice (7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
Note: This is a KING System pick.
I know this sounds ridiculous, but this is a big game for Kansas. Charlie Weis is trying to rebuild this program. He brought in a bunch of transfers and is trying to mold them into something useful and at least competitive in the Big 12. I think that he finally has his system in place and now he will have at least a little talent to work with. It starts with former BYU quarterback Jake Heaps. He at least gives the Jayhawks something to work with under center and he will be better after an ugly first game. A big factor at work here is that Kansas has revenge in this game. They lost at home at the buzzer on a 45-yard field goal last year, and that was a humiliating defeat. Yes, they are on the road here. But this is also a better Jayhawk squad and they will play with some purpose here. Rice lost at Texas A&M two weeks ago and they have Houston on deck. I think their focus will be more on those two bigger in-state rivalry games than here on Kansas. I like the Jayhawks to snap their 19-game road losing streak and take this one outright.
2-Unit Play. Take #116 West Virginia (-39.5) over Georgia State (Noon, Saturday, Sept. 14)
The Mountaineers almost lost to William & Mary at home in their opening game. Do you think that Dana Holgorsen will allow his team to be unprepared for this game against feeble Georgia State? I say no way. Georgia State lost by 28 points against Tennessee-Chattanooga this year. They also lost by 38 at Tennessee last season and 56-0 at Houston back in 2011. This game is just a paycheck for this team. For Holgorsen it is a chance to spread wings on offense and to put some points on the board to placate a restless fan base. WVU's defense played tough in Oklahoma last week. I was impressed. And I think that they will have their way with the Georgia State attack. This one is a paycheck game. But we'll cash in on this meeting as well.
2-Unit Play. Take #141 Georgia Tech (-8.5) over Duke (3:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
The time to bet on Georgia Tech is when no one is talking about Georgia Tech. Well, no one is talking about the Jackets right now and I think that they are headed for a blowout here. Tech has won nine straight meetings and they are 7-3 ATS against Duke. Georgia Tech won by 18 points at home in this game last year and they outgained the Blue Devils by 175 yards. This is a better Tech team and a worse Duke team, so that thsould more than offset the change in venue. The Jackets have also won by seven, 10, 39, 27, 17, 28, 25 and 17 points when these two play. Duke covered for us against Memphis last week. But they were never able to separate in that game. That's not a good sign. I like Paul Johnson's crew to control this tempo and to put on a clinic against a young Duke defense.
2-Unit Play. Take #127 Maryland (-6) over Connecticut (7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
I always thought that it was a mistake that Randy Edsall left Connecticut. And he may or may not work out at Maryland. (I am leaning toward him not.) But right now there is absolutely no doubt who has the better program. Let's remember: UConn football used to be a joke before Edsall got there. And it is kind of a joke now that he's gone, with the Huskies losing to FCS foe Towson in their lone game this year. Connecticut has had two weeks to stew on that loss and they simply can't feel that good about themselves. Maryland has been beating up cream puffs. But that's still more than the Huskies can hang their hat on. This is a revenge game for Maryland after losing to Connecticut at home last year. I absolutely think that the Terps want to win this one for their coach. Connecticut has perhaps the worst quarterback situation in the entire country and their offense won't have enough pop if/when Maryland get a lead. And that is all but certain after seeing Towson light up that allegedly solid Huskies defense for 33 points in the opener.
2-Unit Play. Take #260 Oklahoma State (-47) over Lamar (7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
So, apparently Oklahoma State's program is filled with sex-crazed, drug-addled cheaters. Tat is if you believe what has been printed in Sports Illustrated's five-part series about Ok. State this week. If this story had broke in the middle of conference play it might be a distraction. But breaking just before Lamar gives the Cowboys the opportunity to go out and make a statement against a completely overmatched opponent. Last year Lamar lost 40-0 to Lafayette and 54-2 at Hawaii. It's safe to say this is a whole different animal. I am pretty sure that Mike Gundy wants to make a statement here. He is going to turn this week's story into some prime motivation for his club and I don't expect Gundy to call off the dogs in this one. I will be surprised if Oklahoma State doesn't threaten 70 points in this one and I think that it will be an absolute bloodbath.
2-Unit Play. Take #194 Arizona State (-5) over Wisconsin (10:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
This fits into one of my favorite systems: we have an unranked team favored against a ranked opponent. That is a huge red flag and I think that Arizona State is going to come to play in this one. The Badgers lost at Oregon State last year in nonconference play and I think that Arizona State can score another win for the Pac-12. Wisconsin has covered the number each of the past two weeks, but those wins have come against pathetic competition. Arizona State is a team that can score quickly and in bunches. And if they get a lead they should be able to put a lot of game pressure on the visitors. The Sun Devils were very good at home last year, winning by 57, 31, 30, and 39 points. I think that the travel and especially the heat will play a factor against the Badgers. The public is all over the ranked Badgers. But you know this is a huge game for Arizona State before conference play and I think they will go bonkers at home in this one.
2-Unit Play. Take #151 Alabama (-7.5) over Texas A&M (3:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
Note: This is our Pick-A-Play Game.
I am going with the revenge-minded Crimson Tide in this one. There is a lot of drama in this game. But the fact of the matter is that Alabama can get stops and A&M can't. I don't trust this young Texas A&M defense and I felt like this Aggies team was overrated coming into the season. They were not as good as their ranking suggested last year and now they have a big bull's eye on their back. Alabama has had two weeks to prepare for this one and I think that they will take advantage. They dominated Virginia Tech, but did so in a way that left Nick Saban with plenty of things to work on leading up to this week's action. A&M lost at home to Florida and LSU last season. They are not unstoppable in College Station. And I just think that everything surrounding this game - all the hype and circus and drama surrounding everyone - is going to be too much for A&M. Alabama is used to playing in these games. A&M is used to failing in this games. Alabama will impose its will and they will take care of business, winning by at least two touchdowns.
2-Unit Play. Take #159 Central Florida (+5.5) over Penn State (6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
I really think that Central Florida has a chance to win this game. Penn State has two nice wins so far this year. But it took them a little while to pull away from a bad Eastern Michigan club last week. Central Florida is one of the best mid-major programs in the country. They are in the AAC now and they are more than capable of playing Big Boy football. Last year the Knights went to Columbus and gave Ohio State everything it could handle. And that Buckeyes team was better than Penn State's unit this time around. The public is predictably pouring their money onto Penn State in this one. But I see plenty of reasons why the visitors can stay competitive this one and take it into the final minutes.
2-Unit Play. Take #117 Louisville (-13.5) over Kentucky (Noon, Saturday, Sept. 14)
This one fits into one of my bigger themes of nonconference football this year: the SEC is overrated. These SEC teams are not better than the other quality teams in top conferences throughout the country. And we've seen that to this point, with teams like Georgia and Florida losing games outright and several other SEC teams failing ATS. Louisville is extremely motivated for this game, not just because it is a rivalry game but also because it is a chance for them to flex their muscle against an SEC squad. Hey, who cares that it isn't a ?real? SEC school. The fact is that Louisville is one of the best teams in the country and Kentucky is an afterthought. What would this spread be if Kentucky - which lost to Western Kentucky, by the way - was hosting Alabama or Florida? It would be in the 20's. Home field advantage hasn't meant much in this series, as the road team has won three of the last five meetings. Also if you look back at the series the favorite has dominated when there was a wide separation between the teams. The chalk is 5-2 ATS in this series when one team was favored by 10 or more points. I think Louisville lays the wood.
2-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #157 Washington (-2.5) over Illinois (6 p.m.) AND Take #176 South Florida (-5.5) over Florida Atlantic (7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
1-Unit Play. Take #161 Ball State (-3) over North Texas (4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
1-Unit Play. Take #268 Utah State (-36) over Weber State (8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
1-Unit Play. Take #190 Utah (-3) over Oregon State (10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
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RATINGS AND WRITE UPS FOR
ALLEN EASTMAN
6-Unit Play. Take #136 Colorado (+9.5) over Fresno State (2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
This is my College Game of the Month.
This spread is starting to come down. There are a lot of guys making moneyline bets on Colorado. And I think that is a great value because I think that the Buffaloes can win this game. Fresno State is a very good team. They have a really good quarterback in Derek Carr, David Carr's brother. But Fresno State is overrated. They barely beat Rutgers at home in the opening game, winning 52-51. The Fresno defense gave up 25 points to Cal Poly last week. I know Fresno rested starters in the second half. But the Bulldogs are 0-3 ATS in their last three games going back to their blowout bowl loss to SMU. I think that this team is not as strong as the public thinks. Colorado has revenge in this game. They lost 69-14 last year. But that gives the home team revenge. This is a proud Buffaloes team. Mike MacIntyre is trying to build this program back up and trying to give them a new attitude. This team upset Mountain West foe and rival Colorado State in the opener. They are 2-0 under MacIntyre and the Colorado offense has been potent. I think that Colorado will put a scare into the visiting Bulldogs. I think that Colorado will have a chance to win this one and the points will be good. Take Colorado here.
4-Unit Play. Take #167 Vanderbilt (+13.5) over South Carolina (7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
South Carolina is disappointed about their loss in the big game at Georgia last week. They have some problems off the field and in the locker room. And they are facing a very tough Vanderbilt team. This is not your dad's Vanderbilt team. This is a strong program and the Commodores have had South Carolina's number in recent years. Vanderbilt is 4-2 ATS in their last six meetings. They upset South Carolina in 2007 and 2008. They only lost by 4 in 2009 and they only lost by 4 in 2012. I think that this is great value on the underdog. This is a very experienced Vanderbilt team. They have South Carolina letting down here. I think that this is a one-score game and I will take the points. Play Vanderbilt.
4-Unit Play. Take #190 Utah (-3) over Oregon State (10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
This spread opened with Oregon State -3 and now the spread has gone six points the other way to Utah -3. That tells me all I need to know! The sharp money is on the home team in this one. Utah beat a very good Utah State team at home this year and they blew out Weber State 70-7 last week. Kyle Whittingham is ready to have his team compete in the Pac-12. And they need to win games like this to do that. Utah won 27-8 against Oregon State at home in 2011. I think they can do the same thing here. The Beavers lost to Eastern Washington and did not cover against Hawaii. The Beavers are just 3-6 ATS in their last nine games and they are 8-19-1 ATS in their last 28 September games. Utah is 6-1 ATS at home and I like the Utes to get the job done.
3-Unit Play. Take #177 Kansas (+7) over Rice (7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14)
I am taking a chance with Kansas here. They have revenge after losing to Rice last year at home 25-24. I think that this Kansas team can be better. They are still learning under Charlie Weis. They have lost 19 straight road games but I think that they can snap the streak here. Rice has a very good quarterback in Taylor McHarque. But he is the only player on the offense that is on a Big 12 level. I think that the Kansas defense will have more success against McHarque this year. They saw this same team and this same offense last year. They will be more prepared. Weis knows he needs to win this game. And Kansas needs this win if they want to have any shot at a bowl game. They will get the job done. Take the points.
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RATINGS AND WRITE UPS FOR
JASON SHARPE
5 Unit Take #155 Mississippi State +6 over Auburn (7:00pm est):
Not sure what most folks are looking at in this one as Mississippi State should at worst be priced around even for this game here at Auburn. The Bulldogs hammered Auburn last season by a 28-10 score. They quietly posted a very solid 8-4 regular season record with their four defeats coming at the hands of Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU and against a revenge minded state rival in Ole Miss who wanted that game badly. It doesn't get any tougher for a team in CFB than a group like those four opponents. Outside of a hard fought road win at Troy by six, Mississippi State won all of their games by double digit points last season.
Auburn comes in off two wins to start off the Gus Malzahn era. I am not as enamored with this Auburn squad as most other folks are right now. The Tigers still look to be a year away from any serious talk and are still a half a notch behind a solid program like Mississippi State right now. It wasn't just that the fact they lost to the Bulldogs last year that makes me feel this way but instead it has more to do with how badly they were beaten, allowing over 170 more yards in the game. The Tigers have covered just one of their last six conference games overall coming into this one.
Take Mississippi State and the points here in this game.
4 Unit Take #157 Washington -9.5 over Illinois (6:00pm est):
Every year the goal of a college football bettor is to try and find a team who you feel is undervalued heading into a season, a team that you have ranked much higher than the general public does. The Washington Huskies look to be that team for me this year. This team is loaded and has a top notch quality quarterback running the show in Keith Price. The Huskies hammered a good Boise State team in week one as Price was magnificent in that contest. Price played exceptionally well in that game and did so without the services of his top weapon in tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins who should be playing here in this game. Sometimes it's hard for teams to come back following such an emotional victory like the win over Boise State but that shouldn't be the case at all here as Washington had a bye last week and with two weeks to prepare, they should be more than ready for this game. This is a very experienced team as it was ranked number four in all of CFB on Phil Steele's experience chart coming into the season.
Speaking of teams having to come back off of emotional victories, this Illinois team qualifies for that here in this game. The Illini pulled off maybe the biggest shocker of week two by winning last week at home in convincing fashion over what's suppose to be a decent Cincinnati Bearcats squad. Despite the big win I still feel this Illinois team is at the very bottom of the Big Ten this season. They were a very ugly 2-10 last season including getting trounced in their one game versus a Pac-12 opponent (45-14 at Arizona State). Combine that loss to their 28 point home defeat against Penn State, 17 point loss at Wisconsin, 45 point loss at Michigan, 30 point loss at Ohio State and 36 point loss at Northwestern. Added all up and the Illini loss by an average of 31 points in their six games last season against teams at the caliber of this Washington team that they face here in this one.
I am expecting an extremely focused Huskies team in this one. Lay the points and take Washington here.
3 Unit Take #128 Connecticut +6.5 over Maryland (7:30pm est):
These two teams faced off almost a year ago to the day last season with UConn winning by three points in that one on the road and doing so as a road favorite.
Maryland won their first game over arguably a bottom three FBS team at home versus Florida International. It was pure dominance from the start of the game but keep in mind FIU was hammered just as bad the following week as well. The Terrapins came back in their 2nd game against another bad team and had no problems with them. Sure those were nice wins for this Maryland program that badly needed some confidence following last season's miserable campaign but let's not lose sight of the fact how bad those teams were. Even though there were a ton of excuses last season on why Maryland won just four games overall, they were just a 2-10 team the year before that.
UConn comes into this game a furious football team. They dropped their opener to an FCS opponent to start the season but that loss came to a Towson squad that is rated as one of the better FCS teams in the country and as we have seen a lot this year so far, this isn't as uncommon of an outcome as it used to be in past year's. UConn has had two long weeks to think about that defeat and to also prepare for this game here against Maryland. The Huskies are in year three of the Paul Pasqualoni program and though they were just 5-7 last season, four of those seven defeats came by just a touchdown or less.
With two weeks to prepare and coming off a bad loss this is a nice spot to back the home underdog. Take Connecticut in this game.
3 Unit Take #178 Rice -6.5 over Kansas (7:30pm est):
The Kansas Jayhawks are still in rebuilding mode as they enter year two of the Charlie Weiss era. This is a team that won just one game last season, their opener against FCS opponent South Dakota State. The Jayhawks led off this season last weekend with a 17 point win over yet another FCS foe beating South Dakota 31-14. Kansas has very little experience back on what is already a bad football team as just nine starters from last year's squad were listed back for this season.
The Rice Owls opened up their regular season with a hard fought battle against a very what is a strong Texas A&M squad. The Owls were outmanned in that game but they stayed within the point spread and lost by just 21 points. I love where this program is going as it comes into this season off a winning season last year and a nice bowl victory as well. They are loaded with returning starters and come into this contest with an extra week to prepare for it also as they were off last week with a bye.
Rice beat Kansas last season and did so while on the road as well. A year later the Owls program has taken a couple steps forward while Kansas has stayed right where they were at, a bottom feeder type of team. Lay the points and take Rice in this one.
3 Unit Play Take #148 USC -13.5 over Boston College (3:00pm est):
This one is all about buying low here with USC. Lost in last week's ugly loss to Washington State was the fact that WSU has looked pretty impressive and much improved in their first two games so far this season. USC did put up 30 points in a road win at Hawaii in their opening game the week before. The Trojans also dropped a couple of passes that could have gone for possible touchdowns in that game also. For as bad as the USC offense has been thus far look at how strong they have been on the defensive side of the football as they held a high powered WSU offense out of the end zone in that game and look to be a top caliber defense this season.
Boston College travels way out west for this one which is never an easy spot for any team. The Eagles come in off an emotional Friday night national television win the week before against Wake Forest. They struggled a bit against FCS foe Villanova in their opener the opening week.
I like the fact that the Trojans have finally settled on a quarterback for this game and won't go with the two headed monster they have been attempting to go with early on this season. They need this game badly and I expect a big time showing here from a team with a ton of talent. It's way too early in the season for a team to have quit on their season and the Trojans sound like a team with some fight still left in them. Were getting an awfully cheap price in this one, way too cheap too pass on. This line would have been around -24 just two weeks ago. Take USC in this one.
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