DILLION ON THE MEND
One of the top rushers in the nation is hoping to return to action this week. Boston College sophomore, A.J. Dillon's status is up in the air after he rolled his ankle early in the third quarter of last weekend's 45-35 victory over Temple and didn't return. Head coach Steve Addazio had no update for reporters Monday, but Dillon was headed for a historic game at the time of his injury, having racked up 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 28 carries to that point. Dillon enters Week 6 ranked third in the nation in rushing yards (652), putting him on pace to blow past the 1,589 rushing yards he put up as a freshman.
Bettors should monitor Dillon's progress throughout the week as the Eagles prepare to visit N.C. State. If he misses the game or is hobbled going into the weekend, the Wolfpack suddenly become a terrific cover option; they're -4 as of Tuesday.
LAWRENCE BATTLING A NECK STRAIN
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has one more ailment to deal with as the Tigers prepare for Saturday's showdown with Wake Forest. In addition to being placed in the concussion protocol, Lawrence is recovering from a neck strain; both injuries were suffered on the same play, one that knocked Lawrence from the game in Clemson's come-from-behind 27-23 win over Syracuse. Lawrence will need to get clearance for the concussion before he can return to practice. Chase Brice, who led the Tigers' late rally against the Orange, would get the start if Lawrence isn't able to return in time.
More quarterback uncertainty could be a problem for Clemson, which has gone just 1-4 ATS on the season and very nearly lost outright at home to Syracuse. Wake Forest is getting 17 points at home, and that number might climb if Lawrence is delayed in his return to practice; the Demon Deacons fell 28-14 to Clemson in last year's meeting.
GANGI OUT FOR NEVADA?
The Nevada Wolf Pack could be without their starting quarterback for Saturday's pivotal Mountain West showdown with visiting Fresno State. Ty Gangi suffered a leg injury in last week's 28-25 triumph over Air Force and missed Monday's practice as a result. Head coach Jay Norvell has suggested that Gangi won't return to the field Tuesday, either. Gangi has been the lynch pin for a Wolf Pack pass offense ranked in the Top 30 in yards per game, having completed nearly 73 percent of his passes for 1,338 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. He finished with four TD tosses in the win over Air Force.
The downgrade from Gangi to No. 2 option Cristian Solano is significant enough for us to recommend taking Fresno State -12 if Gangi can't go. His absence would also impact Nevada's shot at reaching its team total, which sits at ~24 points as of Tuesday.
NORTHWESTERN ABOUT TO BE GROUNDED
It could be a long, difficult day for Northwestern running backs Saturday as the Wildcats visit the Michigan State Spartans. The Northwestern rush attack has been dismal through the first four games of the season; the Wildcats rank 122nd out of 129 Division I schools in average yards on the ground (94.8) and are one of only 10 programs not averaging triple digits. That mark isn't likely to improve this weekend at Spartan Stadium, with Michigan State having held foes to just 161 rushing yards on 108 carries – good for a microscopic 1.49 yards per attempt. Their 40.3 rushing yards allowed per game is the fewest in the nation.
Granted, the Wildcats had just 64 yards on 28 carries (2.3 YPC) in last year's encounter and still pulled out a 39-31 overtime win. But a similar showing Saturday at Spartan Stadium would make the home side an attractive cover option at -11.5.
One of the top rushers in the nation is hoping to return to action this week. Boston College sophomore, A.J. Dillon's status is up in the air after he rolled his ankle early in the third quarter of last weekend's 45-35 victory over Temple and didn't return. Head coach Steve Addazio had no update for reporters Monday, but Dillon was headed for a historic game at the time of his injury, having racked up 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 28 carries to that point. Dillon enters Week 6 ranked third in the nation in rushing yards (652), putting him on pace to blow past the 1,589 rushing yards he put up as a freshman.
Bettors should monitor Dillon's progress throughout the week as the Eagles prepare to visit N.C. State. If he misses the game or is hobbled going into the weekend, the Wolfpack suddenly become a terrific cover option; they're -4 as of Tuesday.
LAWRENCE BATTLING A NECK STRAIN
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has one more ailment to deal with as the Tigers prepare for Saturday's showdown with Wake Forest. In addition to being placed in the concussion protocol, Lawrence is recovering from a neck strain; both injuries were suffered on the same play, one that knocked Lawrence from the game in Clemson's come-from-behind 27-23 win over Syracuse. Lawrence will need to get clearance for the concussion before he can return to practice. Chase Brice, who led the Tigers' late rally against the Orange, would get the start if Lawrence isn't able to return in time.
More quarterback uncertainty could be a problem for Clemson, which has gone just 1-4 ATS on the season and very nearly lost outright at home to Syracuse. Wake Forest is getting 17 points at home, and that number might climb if Lawrence is delayed in his return to practice; the Demon Deacons fell 28-14 to Clemson in last year's meeting.
GANGI OUT FOR NEVADA?
The Nevada Wolf Pack could be without their starting quarterback for Saturday's pivotal Mountain West showdown with visiting Fresno State. Ty Gangi suffered a leg injury in last week's 28-25 triumph over Air Force and missed Monday's practice as a result. Head coach Jay Norvell has suggested that Gangi won't return to the field Tuesday, either. Gangi has been the lynch pin for a Wolf Pack pass offense ranked in the Top 30 in yards per game, having completed nearly 73 percent of his passes for 1,338 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. He finished with four TD tosses in the win over Air Force.
The downgrade from Gangi to No. 2 option Cristian Solano is significant enough for us to recommend taking Fresno State -12 if Gangi can't go. His absence would also impact Nevada's shot at reaching its team total, which sits at ~24 points as of Tuesday.
NORTHWESTERN ABOUT TO BE GROUNDED
It could be a long, difficult day for Northwestern running backs Saturday as the Wildcats visit the Michigan State Spartans. The Northwestern rush attack has been dismal through the first four games of the season; the Wildcats rank 122nd out of 129 Division I schools in average yards on the ground (94.8) and are one of only 10 programs not averaging triple digits. That mark isn't likely to improve this weekend at Spartan Stadium, with Michigan State having held foes to just 161 rushing yards on 108 carries – good for a microscopic 1.49 yards per attempt. Their 40.3 rushing yards allowed per game is the fewest in the nation.
Granted, the Wildcats had just 64 yards on 28 carries (2.3 YPC) in last year's encounter and still pulled out a 39-31 overtime win. But a similar showing Saturday at Spartan Stadium would make the home side an attractive cover option at -11.5.
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