Saturday 10-21-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dennis Macklin

Oct 21 '17, 3:30 PM in 3h
NCAA-F | Arizona State vs Utah
Play on: Arizona State +9 -110 at 5Dimes

DMack's Free Play for Saturday, October 21, 2017, is on the Arizona State Sun Devils
Don't look now but the Arizona State Sun Devils look like they are playing to save Todd Graham's job. After a slow 1-2 start, ASU has beaten Oregon and Washington at home as a double-digit dog and gave Stanford all it wanted in Palo Alto, easily covering the 17 point spread in a 10-point loss. The Pitchforks will never be more confident then they are here coming off 13-7 upset of No.5 UWub in a game where the defense held the Huskies to 36 points and 202 yards below their season average. Granted, Utah is 6-0 ATS this year, and has won and covered four straight in the series but ... last year's game was 28-26 late second half before the Utes pulled away with three gimme late scores. State not fat and happy after the Washington win and Utah really shouldn't be laying double-digits to anyone with their LACK OF EXPLODICITY on offense. Let's grab the points and say Utah 28-24.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: BYU at East Carolina
Gracenote
Oct 19, 2017

BYU's offense is sick - and a trip to East Carolina could prove to be the cure. The Cougars carry a six-game losing skid into Saturday's date with the Pirates, an intriguing meeting between one of the country's worst offenses and Division I's most porous defense.

BYU has manufactured just 60 points during the skid, and couldn't do much of anything en route to a 35-10 drubbing at the hands of Mississippi State last weekend. The Cougars recorded a paltry 176 total yards and eight first downs, prompting a familiar refrain from starting quarterback Tanner Mangum: "We sustained some drives, but just couldn't finish. That's on us. We have to be able to convert on third and fourth down." But like manna from above, BYU has been gifted a date with a Pirates team that is surrendering a whopping 50 points per game, more than five points clear of any other team in Division I. East Carolina was humbled 63-21 by Central Florida last time out, marking the third time the Pirates have surrendered more than 60 points in a game this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: BYU -5.5

ABOUT BYU (1-6): Mangum will look to make Saturday's encounter in Greenville a get-right game; the junior signal-caller has yet to exceed 200 passing yards in a game so far in 2017, and has thrown seven interceptions over his previous four games. The running game averages 3.3 yards per carry, but BYU's two primary running backs - Ula Tolutau and Squally Canada - average 4.3 YPC between them while accounting for all three of the Cougars' rushing scores to date. The BYU defense has had trouble limiting opponent drive extensions, allowing foes to convert 44.2 percent of their third-down opportunities - good for 109th in the nation.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (1-6): The Pirates are not only the only NCAA team surrendering 50 points per contest - they're also allowing a Division I-worst 600 total yards per game. Quarterback Thomas Sirk has asserted himself well amid East Carolina's defensive struggles, throwing for 250 or more yards in three straight games before settling for just 91 yards in last week's loss to the Knights. The Pirates' running game has been abysmal, averaging just 3.2 yards per attempt; the team has been outgained by nearly 1,200 yards on the ground through the first seven games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. BYU ranks outside the top 100 nationally in third-down conversion rate (33.0 percent).

2. East Carolina has surrendered 37 red-zone scores in 42 opponent chances; both figures lead Division I.

3. Pirates WR Davon Grayson leads the AAC in receiving yards (631) and ranks fourth in receiving touchdowns (four).

PREDICTION: BYU 27, East Carolina 21

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Brigham Young at East Carolina

ATS Trends
Brigham Young

Cougars are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Cougars are 6-2 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Cougars are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Cougars are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Cougars are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Cougars are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Cougars are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
Cougars are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Cougars are 0-9 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points.
Cougars are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Cougars are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Cougars are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Cougars are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
Cougars are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.

East Carolina

Pirates are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Pirates are 9-23 ATS in their last 32 games on grass.
Pirates are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Pirates are 7-22 ATS in their last 29 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points.
Pirates are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 games following a ATS loss.
Pirates are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
Pirates are 5-17 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up loss.
Pirates are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Pirates are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game.
Pirates are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games in October.
Pirates are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Pirates are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Pirates are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
Pirates are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.

OU Trends
Brigham Young

Under is 5-0 in Cougars last 5 games in October.
Under is 6-1 in Cougars last 7 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Cougars last 7 road games.
Under is 12-2 in Cougars last 14 non-conference games.
Under is 6-1 in Cougars last 7 games on grass.
Over is 11-2 in Cougars last 13 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 12-3 in Cougars last 15 games overall.
Under is 22-6 in Cougars last 28 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 11-4 in Cougars last 15 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 19-7 in Cougars last 26 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points.
Under is 13-5 in Cougars last 18 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.

East Carolina

Over is 4-0 in Pirates last 4 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 5-0 in Pirates last 5 vs. INDEP.
Under is 6-1 in Pirates last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 5-1 in Pirates last 6 games overall.
Over is 5-1 in Pirates last 6 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points.
Over is 8-2 in Pirates last 10 non-conference games.
Under is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 games in October.
Over is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 games on grass.
Over is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 7-3 in Pirates last 10 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 7-3 in Pirates last 10 home games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: South Florida at Tulane
Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

No. 13 South Florida has had the luxury of learning while piling up mostly easy victories this season and looks to establish the best start in school history when it visits Tulane on Saturday night for an American Athletic Conference battle. The Bulls can top the 2007 team that began the season 6-0 with a victory after knocking off Cincinnati 33-3 last week to win their school-record 11th straight contest.

“We can improve, we can get much better. We haven’t arrived yet,” USF coach Charlie Strong told reporters. “I think sometimes that’s what we think and we have to get rid of that attitude. … We don’t know how far we can go. We haven’t put together a complete game on offense, on defense and in the kicking game.” Senior quarterback Quinton Flowers has still led the Bulls to at least 30 points in 23 straight games, which is tied with Oregon (2011-12) for the longest such streak since 1936. Tulane might not be able to end that impressive run Saturday, but the Green Wave’s triple-option offense will give South Florida a new challenge in the first meeting between the two teams. Senior running back Dontrell Hilliard leads Tulane with 607 yards and eight TDs on the ground, averaging 125.8 over the last four games, and the Green Wave are 3-0 at home.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: USF -11.5

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (6-0, 3-0 AAC): The Bulls lead the nation with 15 interceptions and have held two AAC opponents to single digits in the last three games, but gave up 606 yards against Navy’s triple-option attack in 2016. USF can match most teams in the nation offensively, averaging 492 yards and 42.8 points, with Flowers throwing for 1,118 yards and 10 TDs while rushing for another 475 and six scores. Flowers is one of three seniors who have rushed for at least 400 yards as running backs Darius Tice (493) and D’Ernest Johnson (485) have combined for 12 touchdowns on the ground.

ABOUT TULANE (3-3, 1-1): The Green Wave put up 62 points in their last AAC game against Tulsa, but struggled last week in a 23-10 loss at Florida International as they possessed the ball for 13:40 less than the Golden Panthers. Junior quarterback Jonathan Banks runs the show, accumulating 267 yards rushing with three touchdowns and 502 through the air with four scoring strikes, while senior Sherman Badie (244) and sophomore Darius Bradwell (223) have also been productive on the ground. Junior wide receiver Terren Encalade is four receiving yards from 1,000 in his career (218 this season on 15 catches).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Hilliard needs 53 rushing yards to move past Bill Banker (2,516) for fifth on the school’s all-time list.

2. South Florida LB Auggie Sanchez moved into second on the school’s all-time list in tackles (342) and is 25 behind Kawika Mitchell.

3. Green Wave senior CB Parry Nickerson, who has three interceptions this season, is expected to make his 40th straight start.

PREDICTION: South Florida 42, Tulane 24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - No. 13 South Florida at Tulane

ATS Trends
South Florida

Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Bulls are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Bulls are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Bulls are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 conference games.
Bulls are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Bulls are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games in October.

Tulane

Green Wave are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Green Wave are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
Green Wave are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf.
Green Wave are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
Green Wave are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 games in October.
Green Wave are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Green Wave are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Green Wave are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Green Wave are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

OU Trends
South Florida

Over is 4-0 in Bulls last 4 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Bulls last 7 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Bulls last 7 road games.

Tulane

Over is 4-0 in Green Wave last 4 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 5-0 in Green Wave last 5 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Green Wave last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 5-2 in Green Wave last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 5-2 in Green Wave last 7 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: LSU at Ole Miss
Gracenote
Oct 19, 2017

No. 25 LSU could be accused of playing to the level of its competition, given its two straight wins over ranked opponents following a stunning home loss to Troy. What that translates to on Saturday might depend on which Ole Miss team shows up to host the Tigers.


The Rebels had lost three straight before last week’s 57-35 home win over Vanderbilt, but the offense that has flourished versus weaker opponents has struggled against tougher competition. It’s a homecoming of sorts for LSU coach Ed Orgeron, whose first head-coaching position was at Ole Miss from 2005-07, but he says he has long since moved on and doesn’t see his return to Oxford playing a big role on Saturday. "I used to stop at the Exxon and get a chicken-on-a-stick, and they were fantastic,” Orgeron told reporters. “I hope that cook is still there, and I can stop and say hello to her. That's about all I remember.” The Rebels are facing their third ranked opponent in four weeks after losing to top-ranked Alabama (66-3) and then-No. 13 Auburn (44-23) in the two games prior to Saturday’s win over Vanderbilt.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: LSU -7


ABOUT LSU (5-2, 2-1 SEC): The Tigers are tough on defense - especially against the pass, as they have allowed just 170.6 yards per game to rank 14th in the nation. LSU has allowed only 28 points in the fourth quarter this season and shut out both Florida and Auburn in the final period in its last two contests. The question with the Tigers tends to be whether they can produce enough offense, but they’ve achieved a nice balance this season with quarterback Danny Etling and running back Derrius Guice leading the charge.

ABOUT OLE MISS (3-3, 1-2): The Rebels lead the SEC in passing (357.2 yards per game) by a wide margin and rank ninth nationally with quarterback Shea Patterson spreading the ball around to a talented receiving corps. That group includes the SEC’s leading receiver A.J. Brown, who averages 113 yards per game and has topped 100 four times. The defense hasn’t been as impressive, allowing 37 points per contest, but defensive end Marquis Haynes is a dominant pass rusher who last week broke the school’s career records for tackles for loss and sacks.


EXTRA POINTS

1. The home team has won each of the last five meetings in the series.

2. LSU has won 11 straight games in October dating to 2014.

3. Ole Miss RB Jordan Wilkins has topped 100 scrimmage yards in three straight games and gone over 100 rushing yards in two of his last three contests.


PREDICTION: LSU 31, Ole Miss 23

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - No. 25 Louisiana State at Mississippi

ATS Trends
Louisiana State

Tigers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games in October.
Tigers are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Tigers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Tigers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.

Mississippi

Rebels are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Rebels are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Rebels are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 conference games.
Rebels are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games in October.
Rebels are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
Rebels are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Rebels are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Rebels are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Rebels are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Rebels are 0-3-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

OU Trends
Louisiana State

Under is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 road games.
Under is 7-2-2 in Tigers last 11 games following a straight up win.
Under is 3-1-2 in Tigers last 6 games following a ATS win.
Over is 9-3-1 in Tigers last 13 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 16-6-2 in Tigers last 24 games overall.
Under is 13-5-2 in Tigers last 20 games on grass.
Under is 18-7-1 in Tigers last 26 conference games.
Over is 5-2-2 in Tigers last 9 games in October.

Mississippi

Over is 3-0-1 in Rebels last 4 games in October.
Over is 4-0 in Rebels last 4 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 7-0 in Rebels last 7 home games.
Over is 5-0 in Rebels last 5 games on grass.
Over is 5-0 in Rebels last 5 conference games.
Under is 8-1 in Rebels last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 7-1 in Rebels last 8 games overall.
Over is 6-1 in Rebels last 7 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 7-2 in Rebels last 9 games following a ATS win.
Under is 10-4 in Rebels last 14 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 21-9-1 in Rebels last 31 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 16-7 in Rebels last 23 games following a straight up win.

Head to Head

Under is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings.
Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Underdog is 13-4 ATS in their last 17 meetings.
Tigers are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Michigan at Penn State
Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

No. 2 Penn State begins the most difficult portion of its schedule Saturday night when it hosts a Michigan team looking to prove it belongs among the Big Ten elites. The 15th-ranked Wolverines are enduring a sluggish stretch that includes a home loss to Michigan State and an overtime win against East Division doormat Indiana, and they hope to hang around against a dominant Nittany Lions crew that's coming off a bye week.

"We're 11-point underdogs. I think we've only been beaten (by that many) in the (coach Jim Harbaugh) era one time," Michigan senior defensive lineman Chase Winovich told reporters. "It's just something we have to prove to ourselves and to the world. And for the season, it's tough to win the Big Ten with two losses." Penn State is coming off back-to-back routs of Indiana and Northwestern, but faces a daunting three-week run that also includes visits to No. 6 Ohio State and No. 19 Michigan State. The Nittany Lions have won 14 straight regular-season games since a 49-10 loss at Ann Arbor a year ago in which the Wolverines posted a 515-191 advantage in total yards - including 326-70 on the ground. "Yeah, was that loss a factor in what happened after that loss and how we moved forward, how we approached it? Yeah," Penn State coach James Franklin told reporters. "But I would say every win before, our current win streak, was a factor. Every loss was a factor. We learn, we grow."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Penn State -9.5

ABOUT MICHIGAN (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten): The Wolverines rank 11th in the Big Ten in passing offense and senior John O'Korn has struggled since taking over the starting job from the injured Wilton Speight. "I need to pick it up. There's no way around it," O'Korn - who has zero touchdowns, three interceptions and a completion percentage of 47.3 over the last two weeks - told reporters. Michigan's top three rushers - Ty Isaac, Karan Higdon and Chris Evans - combined for 211 yards and four TDs in last year's rout of Penn State.

ABOUT PENN STATE (6-0, 3-0): Stars like running back Saquon Barkley (Big Ten-leading 1,302 all-purpose yards) and quarterback Trace McSorley (Big Ten-leading 266.2 passing yards per game) get most of the headlines, but the Nittany Lions' defense is gaining more credit with every week and tops the country with an average of nine points allowed. "I think a lot of it is experience," Franklin said of his defense. "They always had the raw material to work with in terms of intelligence and body time and quickness and strength and power and explosion, things like that. But they played a lot of reps. With reps comes experience, and with experience comes confidence. That's kind of where we're at." Linebacker Jason Cabinda leads the way with 40 tackles and defensive end Shaka Toney has three of the team's 17 sacks and two of its nine forced fumbles.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Isaac is averaging 39 rushing yards over his last four games after producing at least 114 in each of the first two contests.

2. Barkley needs 100 rushing yards to surpass four others - D.J. Dozier, Curtis Enis, Blair Thomas and Tony Hunt - and move into third on Penn State's all-time list.

3. Michigan owns a 13-7 series advantage and has won three straight meetings.

PREDICTION: Penn State 24, Michigan 16

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - No. 15 Michigan at No. 2 Penn State

ATS Trends
Michigan

Wolverines are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Wolverines are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Wolverines are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games on grass.
Wolverines are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Wolverines are 1-4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Wolverines are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Wolverines are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Wolverines are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games in October.

Penn State

Nittany Lions are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Nittany Lions are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Nittany Lions are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Nittany Lions are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games in October.
Nittany Lions are 10-0-2 ATS in their last 12 games on grass.
Nittany Lions are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Nittany Lions are 13-1-2 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
Nittany Lions are 10-1-1 ATS in their last 12 conference games.
Nittany Lions are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS win.
Nittany Lions are 8-1-2 ATS in their last 11 home games.
Nittany Lions are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Nittany Lions are 7-1-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Nittany Lions are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Nittany Lions are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Nittany Lions are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games following a straight up win.

OU Trends
Michigan

Under is 3-0-1 in Wolverines last 4 games following a straight up win.
Over is 6-0 in Wolverines last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 9-2 in Wolverines last 11 road games.
Under is 3-1-1 in Wolverines last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Wolverines last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 19-7-1 in Wolverines last 27 games overall.
Over is 11-5 in Wolverines last 16 games in October.
Over is 13-6 in Wolverines last 19 conference games.

Penn State

Under is 4-0 in Nittany Lions last 4 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Nittany Lions last 6 games overall.
Under is 4-1 in Nittany Lions last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Nittany Lions last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 4-1 in Nittany Lions last 5 games on grass.
Over is 6-2 in Nittany Lions last 8 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Nittany Lions last 7 games following a bye week.
Over is 5-2 in Nittany Lions last 7 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Nittany Lions last 10 games in October.
Under is 7-3 in Nittany Lions last 10 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.

Head to Head

Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Penn State.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Home team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Favorite is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Wake Forest at Georgia Tech
Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

Georgia Tech is two one-point losses away from being undefeated on the season, but the Yellow Jackets enter Saturday’s home contest with Wake Forest with no time to wonder what could have been. The Yellow Jackets face a Wake Forest team that threw a scare into Clemson before having its bye last week, and Georgia Tech’s remaining schedule features matchups with the No. 8-ranked Tigers, No. 14 Virginia Tech, Virginia and No. 3 Georgia.

“You can’t go back and change it,” Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson told reporters Tuesday, four days after the Yellow Jackets led most of the way before a 25-24 defeat at No. 7 Miami. “You hope that it hurts, but you’ve got to learn to put it behind you and move on.” The Demon Deacons started the season 4-0 before suffering a pair of losses to Clemson and Florida State, and begin a pivotal stretch in which Wake Forest plays three of its next four games on the road. “This is the best football team I’ve been a part of in the four years here, and I think you can see that,” Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford told reporters last week. Wolford, who missed the Clemson game with a shoulder injury, and running back Cade Carney (rib) are expected back for Saturday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Georgia Tech -6.5

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (4-2, 1-2 ACC): Wolford has completed 63.2 percent of his passes this season with eight touchdowns and only one interception, while rushing for four touchdowns and 6.3 yards per carry. Redshirt freshman receiver Greg Dortch ranks second in the ACC and 19th nationally with 136 all-purpose yards per game, finishing with 156 yards against the Tigers. Wake Forest’s defense is surrendering only 16.7 points per game, third the conference and 12th in the country.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (3-2, 2-1): The Yellow Jackets scored fewer than 28 points last week for the first time in nine games, but still lead the ACC and rank third in the nation in rushing yards per game (362). Quarterback TaQuon Marshall has combined for 14 touchdowns (nine rushing, five passing) and leads the team in rushing, but was held to just 18 yards against the Hurricanes. Georgia Tech has allowed opponents to convert third downs just 22.4 percent of the time, ranking second in the nation.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wake Forest is two victories away from likely guaranteeing a second consecutive bowl appearance, the first time the Demon Deacons will have accomplished that since 2007-08.

2. Georgia Tech RB KirVonte Benson, who has three 100-yard rushing games this season, left the Miami game with a leg injury and his status for Saturday is unknown.

3. The two schools have not met since 2010; Georgia Tech leads the all-time series 22-8.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 27, Wake Forest 23

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Wake Forest at Georgia Tech

ATS Trends
Wake Forest

Demon Deacons are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 conference games.
Demon Deacons are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Demon Deacons are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Demon Deacons are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Demon Deacons are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
Demon Deacons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Demon Deacons are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Demon Deacons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
Demon Deacons are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Georgia Tech

Yellow Jackets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss.
Yellow Jackets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
Yellow Jackets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Yellow Jackets are 5-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Yellow Jackets are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Yellow Jackets are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 games on grass.
Yellow Jackets are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Yellow Jackets are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Yellow Jackets are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games following a ATS win.
Yellow Jackets are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Yellow Jackets are 9-21-2 ATS in their last 32 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

OU Trends
Wake Forest

Under is 4-0 in Demon Deacons last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-0 in Demon Deacons last 4 conference games.
Under is 5-1 in Demon Deacons last 6 games on grass.
Under is 17-4 in Demon Deacons last 21 games in October.
Under is 4-1 in Demon Deacons last 5 games overall.
Under is 6-2 in Demon Deacons last 8 games following a ATS win.
Under is 6-2 in Demon Deacons last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 36-14-1 in Demon Deacons last 51 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
Under is 36-15 in Demon Deacons last 51 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 36-17-1 in Demon Deacons last 54 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 35-17 in Demon Deacons last 52 road games.

Georgia Tech

Under is 4-0 in Yellow Jackets last 4 games overall.
Under is 4-0 in Yellow Jackets last 4 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Yellow Jackets last 4 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Yellow Jackets last 4 games on grass.
Under is 5-0 in Yellow Jackets last 5 games following a ATS win.
Under is 4-0 in Yellow Jackets last 4 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 5-0 in Yellow Jackets last 5 conference games.
Over is 4-1 in Yellow Jackets last 5 games in October.
Under is 4-1 in Yellow Jackets last 5 home games.
Under is 4-1 in Yellow Jackets last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 4-1 in Yellow Jackets last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.

Head to Head

Underdog is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Demon Deacons are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
Home team is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: USC at Notre Dame
Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

One of the highest-profile rivalries in college football will continue with its 91st edition Saturday when No. 16 Notre Dame hosts No. 10 USC. The Trojans won eight in a row in the series from 2002 to 2009, but haven't won two straight against the Fighting Irish since, something they can accomplish this year.

USC has been tied or trailed at the start of the fourth quarter in four of six games this season. The Trojans overcame a seven-point deficit in the final quarter last week against then-No. 23 Utah before holding on for a 28-27 victory when a two-point try by the Utes failed in the final seconds. Notre Dame hasn't faced that challenge in its victories, winning those five games by an average of 28 points, but the Fighting Irish came up short in its only meeting against a ranked opponent this season, losing 20-19 to then-No. 15 Georgia on Sept. 9. Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush sat out his team's last game against North Carolina two weeks ago because of a right foot injury, but coach Brian Kelly said earlier this week that Wimbush is 100 percent.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Notre Dame -3.5

ABOUT USC (6-1): The Trojans have a gifted ball carrier as well in Ronald Jones II, who also has four triple-digit rushing efforts this season. He's done big things against the Fighting Irish in his college career as well, rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in last season's win, and carrying the ball six times for 73 yards in a 41-31 loss at Notre Dame as a freshman two years ago, giving him a 9.4 per-carry average against the Irish. USC quarterback Sam Darnold had his first interception-free game last week against Utah, but the preseason Heisman Trophy candidate had three more fumbles, giving him 10 on the season, the most in the FBS.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (5-1): Regardless of Wimbush's health and mobility, the Trojans can expect to see plenty of Notre Dame running back Josh Adams, who rushed for 180 yards on 17 carries in last season's 45-27 loss to USC. Adams surpassed that career high with 229 rushing yards earlier this season against Boston College and he's gone over the 100-yard mark in three other games this season, posting touchdown runs of 60 yards or more in all four triple-digit efforts. Georgia was able to slow Adams, however, limiting the junior to 53 yards on 19 carries for a 2.8 average.

EXTRA POINTS

1. No USC players are from Indiana, but 11 for Notre Dame went to high school in California.

2. USC has scored 93 of its 241 total points (38.6 percent) in the fourth quarter this season.

3. Notre Dame ranks ninth in the nation in turnover margin with 14 takeaways against eight turnovers.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 38, USC 31

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - No. 10 Southern California at No. 16 Notre Dame

ATS Trends
Southern California

Trojans are 7-17 ATS in their last 24 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Trojans are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
Trojans are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games.
Trojans are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Trojans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Trojans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Trojans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games on fieldturf.
Trojans are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.
Trojans are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Trojans are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Notre Dame

Fighting Irish are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
Fighting Irish are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf.
Fighting Irish are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a bye week.
Fighting Irish are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Fighting Irish are 37-18-2 ATS in their last 57 games in October.
Fighting Irish are 3-7 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Fighting Irish are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Fighting Irish are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS win.
Fighting Irish are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Fighting Irish are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.

OU Trends
Southern California

Under is 6-1 in Trojans last 7 games in October.
Under is 5-1 in Trojans last 6 road games.
Under is 5-1 in Trojans last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-1 in Trojans last 5 games overall.
Over is 10-4-1 in Trojans last 15 non-conference games.
Under is 10-4 in Trojans last 14 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-2 in Trojans last 7 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 9-4 in Trojans last 13 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 34-16-2 in Trojans last 52 games following a ATS loss.

Notre Dame

Under is 4-0 in Fighting Irish last 4 games in October.
Over is 4-0 in Fighting Irish last 4 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Fighting Irish last 7 games on fieldturf.
Over is 5-1 in Fighting Irish last 6 vs. Pac-12.
Over is 5-1 in Fighting Irish last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 5-1 in Fighting Irish last 6 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Fighting Irish last 5 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 17-5-1 in Fighting Irish last 23 games following a bye week.
Over is 6-2 in Fighting Irish last 8 games overall.
Over is 6-2 in Fighting Irish last 8 non-conference games.

Head to Head

Favorite is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Auburn at Arkansas
Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

Auburn kicked off a challenging six-week stretch on a sour note last week - and with things about to get a whole lot more difficult, the No. 21 Tigers can ill afford another letdown Saturday at Arkansas. A 27-23 setback at LSU put Auburn a game back of top-ranked Alabama in the SEC West, and a bounceback effort against the Razorbacks is the only shot the Tigers have of not falling out of contention altogether.

Auburn had a dream start to the conference schedule - winning each of its first three games by at least three touchdowns - but couldn't sustain a hot start against LSU, getting outscored 27-6 after the first quarter. "This is an extremely tough loss from the standpoint that we got off to an extremely good start," head coach Gus Malzahn told reporters afterward. Auburn is in an ideal bounceback situation, however, with Arkansas playing less-than-inspired football. The Razorbacks are coming off a 41-9 rout at the hands of the powerhouse Crimson Tide, keeping them winless in conference play.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Auburn -15.5

ABOUT AUBURN (5-2, 3-1 SEC): The Tigers will look to regroup offensively after averaging just 3.3 yards per play in the final three quarters against LSU - a significant drop from the 9.9 yards per play they posted in the opening 15 minutes. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham has been a picture of consistency for the majority of the season but will need to rebound after being held to 165 passing yards and one touchdown in the LSU defeat. On the plus side, running back Kerryon Johnson appears to have hit his stride after injuries and inconsistency plagued him over the first month of the season; he has 476 rushing yards and seven touchdowns over his past three games.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (2-4, 0-3): Razorback fans will likely be treated to another start from freshman quarterback Cole Kelley, who asserted himself well in rough circumstances last week with starter Austin Allen on the shelf. Head coach Bret Bielema isn't expecting Allen to return against Auburn, telling reporters: "If it came to a point later in the week where he could practice Thursday, I think there's merit to (Allen returning this week). Where he's at right now, I'd say we're still a couple of weeks away, but Austin is a guy who surprises a lot of people, and if he can go and do things, it's a positive for us." The Razorbacks have had few answers on defense, surrendering at least 40 points in each of their first three conference games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Johnson's 13 rushing touchdowns lead the nation, one ahead of Navy QB Zach Abey.

2. Auburn crushed Arkansas 56-3 in last year's meeting.

3. Arkansas WR Jonathan Nance had his streak of games with a receiving TD snapped at four last week vs. Alabama, managing just one catch for three yards.

PREDICTION: Auburn 45, Arkansas 28

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - No. 21 Auburn at Arkansas

ATS Trends
Auburn

Tigers are 5-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Tigers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games in October.
Tigers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games.

Arkansas

Razorbacks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Razorbacks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game.
Razorbacks are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Razorbacks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
Razorbacks are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Razorbacks are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss.
Razorbacks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in October.
Razorbacks are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points.
Razorbacks are 1-6 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Razorbacks are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Razorbacks are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Razorbacks are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Razorbacks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Razorbacks are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on fieldturf.

OU Trends
Auburn

Over is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 games overall.
Over is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 games in October.
Over is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 conference games.
Over is 7-1 in Tigers last 8 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 6-1 in Tigers last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 12-3-1 in Tigers last 16 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 22-8-1 in Tigers last 31 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Tigers last 10 road games.

Arkansas

Under is 7-1 in Razorbacks last 8 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Razorbacks last 5 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 11-4 in Razorbacks last 15 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 5-2 in Razorbacks last 7 games following a ATS win.
Under is 5-2 in Razorbacks last 7 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 11-5 in Razorbacks last 16 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.

Head to Head

Favorite is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Home team is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Arizona at California
Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

After pulling a stunning upset of Washington State last week, California faces another challenging matchup Saturday against visiting Arizona and emerging star Khalil Tate. The sophomore quarterback led the Wildcats to a 47-30 win over UCLA last Saturday in his first start of the season while Cal forced seven turnovers and recorded nine sacks in a 37-3 win over the Cougars.



One week after setting the FBS record for rushing for a quarterback with 327 yards against Colorado, Tate rushed for 230 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 148 yards and a score against the Bruins. The future is suddenly bright for the explosive Wildcats, who have won three of their last four games and sit tied with Arizona State for second place in the Pac-12 South after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason media poll. The Wildcats look to maintain their momentum against a Cal team that snapped a three-game losing streak with their surprising win over Washington State. The Bears had five interceptions in the victory but will need to adjust without inside linebacker and leading tackler Devante Downs, who suffered a season-ending injury against the Cougars.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Arizona -3

ABOUT ARIZONA (4-2, 2-1 Pac-12): Tate has received back-to-back Pac-12 offensive player of the week honors and helped open up a running game led by Nick Wilson, who posted his best numbers since the 2016 opener with 135 yards and two touchdowns against UCLA. Freshman Kylan Wilborn had four of the Wildcats’ five sacks against the Bruins while cornerback Jace Whittaker added two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. The defense has forced 13 turnovers but will be without tackle Parker Zellers for the first half Saturday after the senior was ejected for targeting last week.

ABOUT CAL (4-3, 1-3): Downs’ injury is a huge blow for the resurgent Cal defense and will place a greater burden on the front line and inside linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk, who was named Pac-12 defensive player of the week after recording 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception against Washington State. The Bears’ offense remains inconsistent but looked sharp against the Cougars as Vic Enwere replaced injured starter Patrick Laird and rushed for season highs of 22 carries for 102 yards with a score. Sophomore quarterback Ross Bowers has thrown 104 consecutive passes without an interception and hopes to build on a strong performance against UCLA.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona has won the last three meetings by a total 10 points.

2. Cal is 12-4 in home games at Memorial Stadium since 2015 and 3-1 this season.

3. The Wildcats have scored 45 or more points in four of their first six games for the first time in school history.

PREDICTION: Arizona 38, Cal 27

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Arizona at California

ATS Trends
Arizona

Wildcats are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Wildcats are 19-42 ATS in their last 61 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
Wildcats are 2-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Wildcats are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 conference games.
Wildcats are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Wildcats are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games in October.
Wildcats are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 road games.
Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Wildcats are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Wildcats are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games on fieldturf.

California

Golden Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Golden Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Golden Bears are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Golden Bears are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Golden Bears are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 conference games.
Golden Bears are 3-7 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Golden Bears are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Golden Bears are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.

OU Trends
Arizona

Over is 5-0 in Wildcats last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 5-1 in Wildcats last 6 road games.
Over is 5-1 in Wildcats last 6 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 9-2 in Wildcats last 11 games following a straight up win.
Over is 8-2 in Wildcats last 10 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 10-3 in Wildcats last 13 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 12-4 in Wildcats last 16 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Wildcats last 7 games overall.
Over is 10-4 in Wildcats last 14 conference games.
Over is 18-8 in Wildcats last 26 games in October.

California

Under is 4-0 in Golden Bears last 4 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-0 in Golden Bears last 5 home games.
Under is 8-1 in Golden Bears last 9 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Golden Bears last 7 games on fieldturf.
Under is 5-1 in Golden Bears last 6 games overall.
Under is 5-1 in Golden Bears last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-1 in Golden Bears last 5 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Golden Bears last 5 conference games.
Under is 20-6-1 in Golden Bears last 27 games in October.
Under is 7-3 in Golden Bears last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.

Head to Head

Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Home team is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings.
Wildcats are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Wildcats are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 meetings in California.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: West Virginia at Baylor
Gracenote
Oct 18, 2017

Situated in between a stirring comeback win over Texas Tech and an Oct. 28 home showdown against No. 11 Oklahoma State is a classic trap game for West Virginia. The 23rd-ranked Mountaineers visit winless Baylor on Saturday night, and West Virginia – well at least coach Dana Holgorsen – seemingly is well aware of the potential pratfall that awaits in Waco.


“I don’t care who you’re playing in the Big 12,” Holgorsen was quoted Monday on the West Virginia Diehards web site. “You can’t look past anybody.” At 2-1 in the Big 12, the Mountaineers are one of five one-loss teams chasing undefeated TCU in the conference, and the top two teams will play in the reinstituted Big 12 Championship Game in December. In addition to 0-3 Baylor and 2-1 Oklahoma State, West Virginia still has games remaining against 2-1 Iowa State, 1-2 Kansas State, 2-1 Texas and 2-1 Oklahoma. First up, though, are the Bears, who at 0-6 overall, are the only winless Power Five conference team.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS1/FS2. LINE: West Virginia -9


ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (4-2, 2-1 Big 12): Quarterback Will Grier completed 32-of-41 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns last Saturday in helping the Mountaineers overcome a 35-17 third quarter deficit and beat the visiting Red Raiders. The performance earned Grier the nod as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and placed him in a tie with Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett atop the FBS passing-TD leaders list at 21. On the other side of the ball, senior linebacker Al Benton ranks among the conference leaders in total tackles (8.7 per game) and tackles for loss (1.7) to lead a defense that ranks in the Big 12’s bottom four in both points (27.8) and yards (453.8) allowed.

ABOUT BAYLOR (0-6, 0-3): The Bears did open conference play with respectable efforts against Oklahoma (a 49-41 loss) and Kansas State (33-20), but were blitzed 59-16 last Saturday by host Oklahoma State, which rolled up a school-record 747 total yards. Sophomore quarterback Zach Smith ranks eighth in Big 12 total offense (187.2 yards), while John Lovett (63.8 yards) and Terence Williams (49.3) are the leading rushers. Defensively, Baylor ranks last in the Big 12 and 125th out of 129 teams nationally in surrendering 517.7 total yards per game and has allowed at least 33 points in five of its six outings.


EXTRA POINTS

1. West Virginia holds a 3-2 edge in the series which began in 2012, but Baylor posted 62-38 and 73-41 wins in the two previous meetings in Waco.

2. The Mountaineers’ Gary Jennings leads the Big 12 with his average of 8.0 receptions per game while teammate David Sills V is averaging 100.2 receiving yards to rank third in the conference.

3. Baylor has lost five straight home games, including nonconference defeats against Liberty (48-45) and UTSA (17-10) to open this season.


PREDICTION: West Virginia 42, Baylor 31

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - No. 23 West Virginia at Baylor

ATS Trends
West Virginia

Mountaineers are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Mountaineers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in October.
Mountaineers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Mountaineers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Mountaineers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
Mountaineers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Mountaineers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games on grass.
Mountaineers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.

Baylor

Bears are 31-15 ATS in their last 46 home games.
Bears are 8-18 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
Bears are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points.
Bears are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Bears are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss.
Bears are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Bears are 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games on grass.
Bears are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Bears are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in October.
Bears are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.

OU Trends
West Virginia

Over is 6-0 in Mountaineers last 6 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 6-1 in Mountaineers last 7 games in October.
Over is 4-1-1 in Mountaineers last 6 games overall.
Over is 4-1 in Mountaineers last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Mountaineers last 5 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 10-3-1 in Mountaineers last 14 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Mountaineers last 5 games on grass.
Under is 9-3 in Mountaineers last 12 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
Over is 15-5-1 in Mountaineers last 21 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Mountaineers last 11 games following a straight up win.
Under is 21-8 in Mountaineers last 29 conference games.
Under is 5-2-1 in Mountaineers last 8 road games.

Baylor

Under is 12-3 in Bears last 15 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 19-7 in Bears last 26 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 38-15-1 in Bears last 54 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Bears last 7 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Bears last 7 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Bears last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 35-15-1 in Bears last 51 home games.
Under is 7-3 in Bears last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.

Head to Head

Mountaineers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Kansas at TCU
Gracenote
Oct 19, 2017

TCU is the lone undefeated team remaining in the Big 12 and jumped all the way to No. 4 in the country following an impressive win at Kansas State last week. The Horned Frogs will try to avoid a letdown when they host Kansas on Saturday night.

TCU has the inside track at a spot in the College Football Playoff, though a trip to Oklahoma looms next month, and can run the table in the Big 12 behind a defense that held Kansas State to 70 rushing yards on 29 attempts last week. “I think it is really good, we have got some talent," senior defensive end Mat Boesen told reporters of the Horned Frogs' defensive front. "We are only six games in and have a lot left to go this season. We are off to a great start and have a lot of potential." The Jayhawks are not quite as stout on defense and were shellacked 45-0 at Iowa State last week - the fifth straight game in which the team surrendered at least 42 points. Kansas ranks 128th out of 129 FBS teams in scoring defense at an average of 44.8 points allowed and has surrendered 17 rushing touchdowns.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: TCU -39

ABOUT KANSAS (1-5, 0-3 Big 12): While the defense has been an issue all season, the offense is beginning to deteriorate as well and hit bottom while being held scoreless at Iowa State. "Last week's offensive performance is unacceptable," Jayhawks coach David Beaty told reporters. "There is just no other way to say it. We all shoulder that burden -- myself, our staff, all of our players -- and we have to do a good job of looking inside. Really, our entire team does." Quarterback Peyton Bender was just 8-of-19 for 18 yards with a long of six and one interception last week and is completing 55.2 percent of his passes on the season with four TDs and seven interceptions during the five-game slide.

ABOUT TCU (6-0, 3-0): The Horned Frogs are 11th in FBS in scoring offense at an average of 41.3 points behind senior quarterback Kenny Hill, who is completing 69.8 percent of his passes for 1,450 yards, 10TDs and three INTs. Hill, who added rushing scores in each of the last two games, gets plenty of help from a rushing attack that averages 199.5 yards and scored a total of 17 touchdowns. Darius Anderson (470 yards, six TDs) is the team's leading rusher but 225-pound sophomore Sewo Olonilua is a handful at the goal line with six TDs as well and senior Kyle Hicks is beginning to get more involved in the offense as he makes his way back from injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. TCU took each of the five meetings with Kansas since joining the Big 12, though it escaped last season with a 24-23 road win and each of the last three matchups were within six points.

2. Jayhawks RB Khalil Herbert (hamstring) is expected to miss his second straight game.

3. The Horned Frogs are averaging 50 points at home.

PREDICTION: TCU 56, Kansas 10