Friday 8-31-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Minnesota Twins vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
The Minnesota Twins are a second-place club while the Texas Rangers are buried in last place in their division, but neither team has much to play for as they close out the month of August. The Twins and Rangers are separated by only 4 1/2 games in the standings as they prepare to kick off a three-game series Friday night at Texas' Globe Life Park.

Minnesota lost two of three in Cleveland to open a nine-game road trip to fall 14 games behind the first-place Indians in the American League Central. The Twins are in a 1-5 slide and struggling to stay healthy - shortstop Jorge Polanco (hamstring) has missed the past three games and Eddie Rosario left Thursday's loss with a strained right quadriceps that could sideline him for the weekend series. The punchless Rangers have dropped four in a row and six of eight, scoring one run or fewer four times in that span. Adrian Beltre had an RBI double in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers to move into a tie with Robin Yount for 17th on the career hits list (3,142).

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Southwest Plus (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Stephen Gonsalves (0-2, 11.37 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Drew Hutchison (2-2, 6.52)

Gonsalves will make his third career start and first on the road after giving up four runs and seven hits, including a three-run homer, over five innings in a loss to Oakland on Saturday. He had a forgettable major-league debut against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 20, lasting only 1 1/3 innings while allowing four runs and six hits. Gonsalves was 9-3 with a 2.96 ERA at Triple-A Rochester.

After making 11 relief appearances with the Philadelphia Phillies, Hutchison is poised for his fifth start since joining the Rangers. A former 13-game winner with Toronto in 2015, he was tagged for six runs and seven hits in a no-decision at San Francisco last time out. Joe Mauer is 3-for-7 with four RBIs against Hutchison, who has failed to pitched past 5 1/3 innings in his four starts with Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 3B Miguel Sano homered Thursday but is 3-for-35 with 15 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

2. Rangers LHP Martin Perez, who was scheduled to start the series finale, was moved to the bullpen for the rest of the season.

3. Minnesota traded C Bobby Wilson to the Chicago Cubs for C Chris Gimenez.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Twins 4

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Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

The Los Angeles Angels began a 10-game road trip with a solid performance and attempt to defeat the Houston Astros for a second straight night when they visit the American League West leaders on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Andrelton Simmons recorded three hits, including a three-run double, as the Angels topped the Astros 5-2 on Thursday for just their third win in 12 games.

Houston has lost two of three games after recording six straight victories but still holds a 2 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the division. Tyler White belted a two-run homer in the ninth inning for the Astros as the 27-year-old improved to 14-for-34 with four blasts and 12 RBIs over his last eight contests. The victory was just Los Angeles' second in nine meetings with Houston, which holds an 8-5 advantage in the season series. Simmons is 5-for-8 over his last two games and has recorded 63 RBIs this season, leaving him six shy of matching the career high he set in 2017.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (8-8, 3.67 ERA) vs. Astros LH Framber Valdez (2-0, 0.96)

Barria lost to the Astros on Saturday as he gave up four runs and five hits over three innings. The 22-year-old Panamanian went 3-0 over his previous five turns, a stretch that followed six setbacks in a span of seven outings. Barria is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against Houston this season and has retired Carlos Correa in all five at-bats.

Valdez made his first career start on Sunday against the Angels, emerging victorious after allowing one run and two hits in five innings. The 24-year-old also registered a win in his major-league debut on Aug. 21, when he gave up an unearned run and two hits over 4 1/3 frames of relief against Seattle. Valdez went 6-5 with a 4.11 ERA in 22 combined appearances (14 starts) in Double- and Triple-A prior to being recalled.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels DH-RHP Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will start Sunday's game, his first pitching appearance since June 6.

2. Houston formally announced that MGR A.J. Hinch has signed a four-year contract extension through the 2022 season.

3. Los Angeles placed 1B Albert Pujols (knee) on the 10-day disabled list, activated LF Justin Upton (finger) from the DL and recalled C Jose Briceno from Triple-A Salt Lake.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Angels 4

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Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

Highly regarded prospect Michael Kopech faces his former organization for the first time when the Chicago White Sox host the Boston Red Sox on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. The 22-year-old right-hander was a first-round pick of the Red Sox in 2014 but was shipped to Chicago as part of the package for Chris Sale in December 2016.

Kopech refused to participate in the usual media session with reporters on Thursday, saying he would discuss the Red Sox after Friday's outing, but White Sox manager Rick Renteria was happy to dissect the youngster's arsenal of pitches. "Hopefully, he continues to develop, continues to command the zone," Renteria told reporters. "It's electric stuff. Hopefully, he'll just continue to trust himself, which he is doing, and just enjoy being here. Know that he's capable of doing what he's doing because of this tremendous gift he has." The Red Sox overcame a four-run deficit to post a 9-4 victory in Thursday's series opener to stretch their lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East to 8 1/2 games. J.D. Martinez slugged his 39th homer - a three-run shot - to tie Oakland's Khris Davis for the major-league lead.


TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (5-6, 4.15 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Michael Kopech (1-0, 1.13)

Eovaldi has lost consecutive starts and is winless his last four after winning his first two outings for the Red Sox. The 28-year-old was rocked for six runs - five earned - and eight hits over four innings by Tampa Bay in his last turn. Eovaldi is 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the White Sox.

Kopech earned his first major-league victory in his last turn, when he gave up one run and seven hits over six innings against Detroit. The phenom made his debut on Aug. 21 against Minnesota and struck out four in two scoreless innings but did not return after a 52-minute rain delay. Kopech went 7-7 with a 3.70 ERA and 170 strikeouts over 126 1/3 innings in 24 starts at Triple-A Charlotte.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox RF Mookie Betts hit a two-run blast in the series opener and is 7-for-12 with five walks, two homers and six RBIs over his last four games.

2. Chicago LF Avisail Garcia, who is batting just .159 this month, homered and drove in three runs in the series opener.

3. Boston 2B Ian Kinsler recorded three hits on Thursday for his fifth multi-hit performance in seven contests.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, White Sox 3

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Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
The Kansas City Royals have answered a five-game losing skid by erupting for 32 runs en route to winning four of their last five contests. The Royals (42-91) hope their bats remain hot on Friday as they play the opener of a three-game series versus the visiting Baltimore Orioles (40-94) in a matchup of the two worst teams in the majors.

Adalberto Mondesi highlighted a four-RBI performance by homering for the second straight game as Kansas City recorded an abbreviated two-game sweep of Detroit with a 9-2 romp on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has collected multi-hit efforts in each of his last three contests with five RBIs and as many runs scored. The Orioles, who took two of three from the Royals in May, answered an eight-game losing skid by exploding for 29 runs against Toronto en route to recording their first three-game sweep of the season. Adam Jones launched his second career grand slam in a 10-5 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday, improving to 7-for-13 with six RBIs and four runs scored in his last three games.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (4-12, 4.79 ERA) vs. Royals RH Brad Keller (6-5, 3.33)

Cashner recorded his second straight loss on Saturday despite allowing three earned runs over seven innings of a 5-1 setback versus the New York Yankees. The performance was the third quality start in four outings for the 31-year-old, who permitted three runs on six hits across six frames of a no-decision against Kansas City on May 9. Alex Gordon (1-for-8), Salvador Perez (2-for-12) and Alcides Escobar (2-for-11) have struggled versus Cashner, who sports an 0-2 mark with a 2.45 ERA in four career encounters.

Keller will be getting his first look at Baltimore after yielding two runs on six hits over five innings of a no-decision versus Cleveland last Friday. The performance was the third straight strong outing for the 23-year-old, who is 2-0 in that stretch after allowing four runs on 17 hits across 17 frames. Keller has been taken deep in each of those three trips to the mound after surrendering three homers in his previous 33 appearances (88 1/3 innings).

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore LF Trey Mancini is 10-for-20 with eight extra-base hits (four doubles, triple, three homers), eight RBIs and eight runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.

2. Gordon went 4-for-11 with a homer, three RBIs and two runs scored in the previous series versus the Orioles.

3. Jones went 5-for-12 with a homer, three RBIs and four runs scored against the Royals in May.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Orioles 2

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Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote
Immediately prior to rolling off 10 consecutive series victories, the St. Louis Cardinals dropped two of three on the road to the Cincinnati Reds. The Cardinals hope to avenge that setback and cap one of the most successful months in club history with a win on Friday, when they host the first of three games against the Reds.

St. Louis (75-59) found itself sitting at .500 after 102 games following a series loss against its National League Central rival, but the 11-time World Series champion has been the best team in baseball since then, going 24-8 to ascend to the top of the NL wild-card standings. The Cardinals improved to 21-6 in August following Thursday's 5-0 victory against Pittsburgh, giving the club its most wins in the month since 2004. While St. Louis remained 4 1/2 games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati is in last place in the Central and has dropped three straight series. The Reds got former MVP Joey Votto back from the disabled list Thursday, but he went 0-for-5 in a 2-1 loss to Milwaukee - their seventh setback in eight contests.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-12, 6.17 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Austin Gomber (4-0, 2.79)

Bailey is in the midst of a nine-game winless streak and fell to 0-7 during that stretch with Sunday's loss to the Cubs in which he surrendered six runs - three earned - over five innings. The 32-year-old Texan has struggled keeping the ball in the park in 18 starts this season, giving up 21 home runs over 96 1/3 frames. Yadier Molina (19-for-47, three homers) and Matt Carpenter (19-for-42) have thrived versus Bailey, who is 6-14 with a 5.57 RA in 26 career starts against St. Louis.

Gomber continued his seamless transition from the bullpen to the rotation in Sunday's win at Colorado, allowing two runs - one earned - over six innings to improve to 3-0 with a 2.51 ERA in six career starts. The Florida Atlantic product has yielded more than two runs only once in 23 appearances during his rookie campaign. Gomber has issued 24 walks in only 48 1/3 innings but was sharp in a no-decision at Cincinnati on July 24, permitting two runs while striking out six in 6 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 1B Jose Martinez has hit safely in 20 of 25 games this month and leads his club with 18 multi-RBI performances.

2. The Reds have won five of the last seven meetings after dropping nine in a row to St. Louis to begin the season.

3. Gomber is 14-0 in August during his professional career (minors and majors) and can become the first St. Louis rookie left-hander ever to win five games in the month with a victory on Friday.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 8, Reds 3

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Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote
The Seattle Mariners proved early in their series-opening win against the Oakland Athletics that they're not prepared to give up on a spot in the postseason. Seattle looks to draw even closer in the American League wild-card race on Friday as it visits AL West-rival Oakland for the second contest of their four-game set.

The Mariners scored five runs in the first inning en route to Thursday's 7-1 victory, ending their three-game slide and pulling within 4 1/2 games of the Athletics for the second wild-card berth. Robinson Cano was one of four players on Seattle to register two hits and an RBI, with one of his hits being his 526th career double - tying him with Dave Parker for 44th place on the all-time list. Oakland was limited to four hits as it suffered its third loss in four contests and remained 2 1/2 games behind division-leading Houston. Jed Lowrie drove in the Athletics' lone run Thursday with an eighth-inning single, giving him eight RBIs in his last 10 games.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-8, 4.03 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Mike Fiers (10-6, 3.15)

Leake's winless streak reached 10 starts on Sunday as he suffered a loss at Arizona after surrendering five runs and seven hits in six innings. The 30-year-old Californian has allowed three runs or fewer seven times and worked at least six frames on eight occasions during the drought while settling for six no-decisions since winning at Boston on June 23. Leake is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in six career starts against Oakland, including three no-decisions this season in which he has given up five runs - four earned - over 20 2/3 innings.

Fiers has been everything Oakland hoped for since being acquired from Detroit, posting a 3-0 record and 1.50 ERA with 28 strikeouts and three walks over 24 innings in four starts. The 33-year-old Floridian is coming off a victory at Minnesota on Saturday in which he allowed one run and five hits over 5 2/3 frames. Fiers is 2-1 with a 5.66 ERA in seven career turns versus Seattle after splitting a pair of starts this season, with the win coming at home on Aug. 14.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners SS Jean Segura was scratched from Thursday's starting lineup a day after suffering a bruised left shin.

2. Oakland recalled J.B. Wendelken and Frankie Montas, who yielded seven runs - four earned - over six innings in the series opener, from Triple-A Nashville and optioned fellow RHP Ryan Dull and OF Nick Martini to the Sounds.

3. Seattle sent cash to Arizona on Thursday for 2B Kristopher Negron, who went 1-for-3 with an RBI in two games with the Diamondbacks this year, and assigned him to Triple-A Tacoma.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Mariners 1

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote
Zack Greinke looks to defeat his former team for the third straight time this season when the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Greinke registered 17 strikeouts over 12 1/3 innings in the two wins and will attempt to help Arizona beat Los Angeles for the 10th time in 14 meetings this season.

David Peralta hammered a three-run homer as the Diamondbacks recorded a 3-1 victory in the series opener, halting the Dodgers' five-game winning streak. "We always come with a purpose, we always come to win," Peralta said during a postgame television interview. "We always come to compete and give 100 percent every day. We got the 'W.' Now we got to turn the page." Arizona holds a 1 1/2-game lead over second-place Colorado in the National League West and is two ahead of Los Angeles, which also trails Milwaukee by 2 1/2 games for the NL's second wild-card spot. The Dodgers scored 34 runs during their winning streak, but Manny Machado's solo homer was all the offense they could manage on Thursday.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, SportsNet LA, KTLA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (13-8, 2.93 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-1, 2.18)

Greinke went 0-3 over a four-start span before defeating Seattle in his last turn, when he gave up an unearned run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old is a superb 30-7 with a 2.34 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 51 career outings at Dodger Stadium, which was his home from 2013-15. Greinke is 6-4 with a 3.84 ERA in 13 career turns against the Dodgers.

Ryu defeated San Diego in his last turn, when he gave up two runs - one earned - and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old South Korean has struck out 18 and walked just two over 15 2/3 frames in three starts since returning from a groin injury. Ryu, who is 3-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 12 career starts versus Arizona, suffered the injury on May 2 in the second inning of an outing against the Diamondbacks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Peralta's homer was his first at Dodger Stadium, where he is 23-for-102 in 33 games.

2. Los Angeles batters struck out 15 times in the series opener, with SS-CF Chris Taylor leading the way with four.

3. Arizona CF A.J. Pollock was hitless in five at-bats on Thursday and is just 3-for-33 over his last nine contests.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Diamondbacks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote
Rockies vs. Padres Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/31/2018

The San Diego Padres carry a rare three-game winning streak into Friday's contest against the visiting Colorado Rockies, who sit 1 1/2 games behind first-place Arizona in the National League West and two games behind Milwaukee for the second wild-card spot. San Diego opened the four-game series with Thursday's 3-2, 13-inning victory after Franmil Reyes delivered the team's first walk-off home run of the season.

Padres third baseman Wil Myers committed three errors and went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts, but left fielder Hunter Renfroe had two hits and is 11-for-30 during his seven-game hitting streak. Reyes continued to impress with his 12th home run for the Padres, who are aiming for their first four-game winning streak of the season. The Rockies began a 23-game stretch against divisional foes by collecting just three hits in the extra-inning affair as the top three batters in the order - Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story - went a combined 0-for-21. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to seven games (12-for-32) and the Rockies received another stellar outing from German Marquez, who recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts over eight innings.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (4-4, 5.24 ERA) vs. Padres RH Brett Kennedy (0-2, 7.58)

Senzatela is looking to bounce back from a rough start last Friday, when he allowed seven runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings against St. Louis. The 23-year-old native of Venezuela is 1-3 on the road this season, posting a 5.46 ERA in 10 games (four starts). Myers is 6-for-9 with a home run against Senzatela, who owns a 4-0 record and 4.00 ERA in nine career games (three starts) versus San Diego - including 1-0 with a 6.14 mark in four relief appearances this season.

Kennedy is still seeking his first career win after allowing three runs on five hits over five innings last Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of many promising young pitchers in the San Diego system, the 24-year-old rookie was recalled from Triple-A El Paso early this month after going 10-0 with a 2.72 ERA across 16 starts with the Chihuahuas. Kennedy has given up 31 hits over his first four career starts covering 19 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego improved to 3-10 in extra innings with Thursday's victory.

2. Colorado 1B Ian Desmond is hitless in his last 14 at-bats after going 0-for-6 on Thursday.

3. The Padres activated LHP Eric Lauer (forearm) from the 10-day disabled list - he pitched five innings on Thursday - and optioned RHP Colten Brewer to Triple-A El Paso.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Padres 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
Mets vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/30/2018

Zack Wheeler has been downright dominant in his last seven starts, sporting a 6-0 mark with a rail-thin 1.17 ERA. Wheeler will look to avenge his lone "blemish" in that stretch - a well-pitched effort that resulted in a no-decision versus San Francisco - as the New York Mets (59-74) continue their nine-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series against the Giants (67-68) on Friday.

Todd Frazier hit a grand slam and drove in a season-high five runs as New York improved to 15-11 over its last 26 games with a 10-3 win over Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. The 32-year-old went deep in his last two contests versus San Francisco, with the teams settling for a split of their four-game series last week. The Giants got it in gear soon after that, rolling off four wins - including two shutouts - before dropping a 3-1 decision on Wednesday in the finale of their three-game series against Arizona. Andrew McCutchen, who had an RBI single versus the Diamondbacks Wednesday, went 1-for-12 with five strikeouts in the previous series against the Mets.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (9-6, 3.46 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (5-9, 4.42)

Wheeler allowed one run on five hits and reached double-digit strikeouts for the first time since 2014 when he fanned 10 against San Francisco on Aug. 20. The 28-year-old owns a 2-1 career mark in five encounters against the Giants, who selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft before later trading him to New York for Carlos Beltran. Wheeler once again found the winner's circle on Saturday after scattering six hits over seven innings in a 3-0 win versus Washington.

Suarez put an end to his 0-3 mark in a four-start stretch with a scintillating performance versus Texas, against which he scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 5-3 victory on Saturday. "Once I know I'm getting a lot of ground balls, I know that's when I'm in my game," said the 25-year-old, who induced 12 groundouts and two double plays. Suarez will be making his 24th career start and first appearance versus the Mets on Friday.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco 3B Evan Longoria went 5-for-16 with two homers in the previous series versus New York.

2. Mets 3B David Wright rejoined the team on Thursday as he continues his rehabilitation from back, neck and shoulder injuries.

3. Giants 2B Joe Panik has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Mets 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Syracuse Orange vs. Western Michigan Broncos Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
With 15 total victories in the last four seasons, Syracuse is counting on veteran quarterback Eric Dungey to lead a renaissance. Dungey and the Orange visit Western Michigan on Friday in the season opener for both teams.

Dungey is back for his senior season but no longer has star wideouts Steve Ishmael and Ervin Phillips, who combined for 194 catches and 2,251 yards last season. Dungey once again missed some time due to injury but still threw for 2,495 yards and ran for a team-high 595, accounting for 23 total touchdowns. "I'm really trying to make the most of this last season. I'm trying to leave a legacy," said Dungey, who was challenged by redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy DeVito in the offseason. Western Michigan lost four of six to close its 2017 campaign en route to a 6-6 record as injuries took their toll on the Broncos' depth.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Syracuse -5.5

ABOUT SYRACUSE (2017: 4-8): Dungey averages 296.6 total yards per game for his career, fourth in ACC history behind NFL quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston, but the Orange likely will be more of a running team in 2018. Syracuse returns 94 percent of its rushing yards from a season ago with junior Moe Neal (488 rushing yards) and senior Dontae Strickland (482) joining Dungy in the backfield. Defense likely will be the bigger issue for Syracuse after the team gave up 64, 56 and 42 points in its final three games of 2017.

ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN (2017: 6-6): Injuries were a major issue for the Broncos in 2017, as they suffered 21 season-ending injuries, including quarterback Jon Wassink's broken collarbone that ended his campaign after eight games. The versatile junior caught two touchdown passes last season to go with 14 touchdown passes and three rushing scores, although he'll have to shoulder a heavy load. Jarvion Franklin, the school's all-time leading rusher, will be replaced primarily by senior Jamauri Bogan, who ranks among the school's all-time leaders in rushing yards (eighth with 2,563) and rushing TDs (fourth with 27).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Western Michigan coach Tim Lester served on the Syracuse coaching staff from 2013-15.

2. Broncos CB Juwan Dowels is a graduate transfer from Syracuse who played in 24 games for the Orange.

3. Syracuse has won four straight season openers.

PREDICTION: Syracuse 33, Western Michigan 31

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Army Black Knights vs. Duke Blue Devils Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
Duke looks to build off a strong finish to last season with an experienced group on both sides of the ball when it hosts Army on Friday night to open the 2018 campaign. The Blue Devils lost six straight contests in the middle of 2017, including a 21-16 setback at Army, but averaged 36.7 points in three consecutive wins that culminated with a victory over Northern Illinois in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Junior quarterback Daniel Jones threw six touchdown passes and ran for three more in the final three games for Duke last season and leads the offense while preseason All-American cornerback Mark Gilbert keys a well-seasoned defense that will take on Army's triple-option attack. The Black Knights rushed for 226 yards against the Blue Devils in last year's win, but they must introduce a new quarterback with standout Ahmad Bradshaw (1,746 yards on the ground in 2017) gone. Army won eight of the last nine games a year ago, including the Armed Forces Bowl, and won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the first time since 1996. The Black Knights, who went 18-8 in the last two seasons after winning 14 combined in the previous five years, still should be able to move the ball on the ground with a stable of productive and experienced running backs while they search for more consistency on defense.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Duke -13.5

ABOUT ARMY (2017: 10-3): Junior Kelvin Hopkins Jr. from Charlotte, N.C., who ran seven times for 40 yards and passed for 76 more last year, will get the first chance of filling Bradshaw's shoes at quarterback and he can rely on veteran running backs. Seniors Darnell Woolfolk (812 yards rushing, 14 TDs last year) and Andy Davidson (627, five), along with junior Kell Walker (629, six), all have loads of experience to carry the load while Hopkins settles in. The Black Knights' defense gave up at least 28 points in three of its last six games last season and will be led by talented senior linebacker James Nachtigal, who finished with 103 tackles and five sacks in 2017.

ABOUT DUKE (2017: 7-6): Jones will have to improve on his efficiency after throwing 30 touchdown passes while getting intercepted 20 times in his career and completing just 56.7 percent of his attempts in 2017. Jones has plenty of experienced targets with seniors T.J. Rahming (65 catches, 795 yards in 2017), Johnathan Lloyd (39, 367) and Chris Taylor (25, 332), and a group of impressive freshmen who will get chances. Gilbert had six interceptions last year while junior linebacker Joe Giles-Harris (125 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and senior linebacker Ben Humphreys also return for a defense which allowed 20.4 points per game in the last seven of 2017.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Sophomore RB Brittain Brown (701 yards, seven TDs) is the top rusher returning for the Blue Devils.

2. Woolfolk, Davidson and Walker have combined for 48 career TDs on the ground and each ran for 100 yards in a game twice last year.

3. Rahming is fifth all time at Duke in receptions (178) and ninth in receiving yards (2,108), but has just five career TDs.

PREDICTION: Duke 31, Army 14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Utah State Aggies vs. Michigan State Spartans Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
No. 12 Michigan State enters this season with hopes of contending for a Big Ten title and possibly a national championship, but will have to prove it on the field starting with a home game versus Utah State on Friday night. Coach Mark Dantonio returns 19 of 22 starters from last season's 10-3 campaign including junior quarterback Brian Lewerke, who threw for 2,793 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2017.

The Spartans' offense features a number of playmakers, led by senior running back LJ Scott (898 yards, eight touchdowns on the ground in 2017) and senior receiver Felton Davis III (55 catches, 776 yards, nine touchdowns last season). Defensively, Michigan State may be even better, having allowed only 20 points per game in 2017 and returning nearly every starter. Junior linebacker Joe Bachie is the leader for Dantonio's defense, having paced the Spartans in tackles (100) and forced fumbles (two), and earning team MVP honors a season ago. The Aggies return 18 starters and could provide some troubles if the Michigan State offense isn't sharp, having ranked tied for sixth in the nation in 2017 with 29 forced turnovers.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Michigan State -23.5

ABOUT UTAH STATE (2017: 6-7): The Aggies' quarterback duties are sophomore Jordan Love's this season, after he displaced then-senior Kent Myers partway through the 2017 campaign, finishing with 1,631 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. Love has had an offseason to better learn coach Matt Wells' system, and he'll have plenty of experienced targets to look for in the passing game. The biggest question is how well the Aggies can protect the passer - something the team has struggled with over the past few years - though Love is nimble on his feet and has shown the ability to pick up yards on the ground when he needs.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (2017: 10-3): Despite his team-high rushing yards in 2017, Scott - and many around the team - viewed his junior season as a disappointment, considering he rushed for 96 more yards on 17 fewer carries as a sophomore. The Spartans juggled three running backs in 2017 but this season, Scott should get the bulk of the carries and is hoping to avoid the fumble troubles that plagued him as a junior. Having a more experienced Lewerke under center will make defenses have to respect the Spartans' passing game more, so Scott may be able to find more holes and finally get his first collegiate 1,000-yard rushing campaign.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Lewerke became the first quarterback in school history to throw for more than 2,500 yards and rush for more than 500 (559) in 2017.

2. The Spartans have won 19 straight home openers and are 10-1 under Dantonio in season-opening contests.

3. Michigan State's defense ranked No. 2 in FBS in rushing defense in 2017, allowing 95.3 yards per contest.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 42, Utah State 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in NCAAF

Seventh-ranked Wisconsin looks to live up to its lofty ranking when it kicks off the new season at home against Western Kentucky on Friday. The Badgers went unbeaten in the regular season en route to their third Big Ten West Division title in the last four years before falling to Ohio State in the conference championship game, and the Badgers hope to build on their record-breaking 13-win season by earning a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.

Wisconsin returns several key players on offense, including Heisman Trophy candidate Jonathan Taylor, who set an NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,977 yards. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook is back after throwing 25 touchdowns passes, but the lefthander will be without two major weapons. Junior Quintez Cephus, who was the team's top returning receiver, was suspended indefinitely after he was charged with two counts of sexual assault while Danny Davis will sit out the first two games for his role in the alleged incidents. Wisconsin has won 22 consecutive home openers and can extend its non-conference winning streak at Camp Randall to 40 games with another victory. Western Kentucky is coming off its first losing season since 2010 and hopes to earn the biggest win of Mike Sanford Jr.'s two-season tenure by knocking off a Big Ten opponent for the first time in school history after losing its previous seven meetings.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Wisconsin -36

ABOUT WESTERN KENTUCKY (2017: 6-7): Senior quarterback Drew Eckels will replace Mike White, who threw for 4,177 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. Eckels hopes to prove the critics wrong after the Hilltoppers were picked to finish fifth in Conference USA's East Division. Senior D'Andre Ferby is the favorite to start at running back after rushing for a team-high 373 yards in 2017, but there are four other players vying for playing time in a crowded backfield. "I think that all five guys are going to play against Wisconsin," Sanford told reporters. "We've had opportunities in scrimmages to see who ran the best and that was going to decide the starter but all five of them have done really good things."

ABOUT WISCONSIN (2017: 13-1): Taylor racked up ten 100-yard games to go along with 13 touchdowns in his record-breaking freshman campaign and is poised for another big year with all five starters returning on the offensive line, including All-Americans Beau Benzschawel, Michael Deiter and David Edwards. A.J. Taylor, who caught 31 passes for 475 yards and five touchdowns last season, and Kendric Pryor will be counted on to fill the void left by Cephus and Davis. "It's something we can't control and everybody's accepted it and we're moving forward trying to get better every day," linebacker and team captain T.J. Edwards told reporters. "Those two guys have done a lot in the past but we have a game on Friday and that's our main focus."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wisconsin has won 10 or more games in four straight seasons.

2. Hornibrook is 20-3 as a starter.

3. The Badgers are 85-10 at home since the start of the 2004 season.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 41, Western Kentucky 13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Diego State Aztecs vs. Stanford Cardinal Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Most fans expected Stanford running back Bryce Love to be in the NFL this week, but instead the scholar-athlete will be in the lineup Friday when the 13th-ranked Cardinal hosts San Diego State in the season opener for both teams. Love returns for his senior season after leading all Power 5 running backs last year in yards rushing (2,118), yards per carry (8.1) and 100-yard games (12).

Stanford won the Pac-12 North for the fourth time in the past six seasons last year and returns 18 starters, including Love, the Heisman Trophy runner-up who finished with 19 touchdowns and had 13 rushes of at least 50 yards. "I've never seen anything like what Bryce did last year," coach David Shaw told reporters. "We don't want to take it for granted. We try not to, but you end up doing it. At some point in the game, he's going to leave everybody behind and we line up for a PAT." The loaded Cardinal offense also features their top four receivers from last year and junior quarterback K.J. Costello, who took over as the starter midway through last season. Stanford is looking to avenge last year's 20-17 loss to San Diego State, which has relied on its stellar running game to go 32-9 over the past three seasons.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Stanford -14.5

ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE (2017: 10-3): The Aztecs have had back-to-back 2,000-yard rushers in D.J. Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny and could extend the streak with Juwan Washington, who will receive a heavy workload after rushing for 759 yards seven touchdowns last season. Senior quarterback Christian Chapman returns behind a strong offensive line for the Aztecs, who were picked to finish second in the West Division of the Mountain West. San Diego State ranked 21st nationally in scoring defense last season and returns a strong secondary led by safety Tariq Thompson, who finished with five interceptions.

ABOUT STANFORD (2017: 9-5): The Cardinal was picked to finish second in the North Division of the Pac-12 behind Washington but could surprise if they're able to answer questions on the defensive line, where sophomore Jovan Swann is hoping to build on a strong performance in the Pac-12 championship game. Costello has plenty of weapons on offense with receivers JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Trenton Irwin and tight ends Kaden Smith and Colby Parkinson primed for big seasons. Stanford has allowed only nine sacks over the past 10 games and will be strong up front again with tackle Walker Little and guard Nate Herbig leading the way.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Stanford has won its last 10 home openers, including last season's 58-34 victory over UCLA.

2. San Diego State has won three consecutive games against Pac-12 teams, beating California (2016), winning at Arizona State (2017) and downing Stanford (2017).

3. Stanford is 14-0 at home under Shaw against non-conference opponents.

PREDICTION: Stanford 31, San Diego State 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Colorado Buffaloes vs. Colorado State Rams Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in NCAAF

Colorado was unable to follow up on its surprising run to the Pac-12 South division title in 2016, tumbling to the basement a year ago as part of a disappointing campaign that did not include a bowl game. Now, the Buffaloes are looking to bounce back as they kick off the new season Friday night against rival Colorado State at Broncos Stadium in Denver.

Colorado's 5-7 record in 2017 marked the program's 11th losing season in the last 12 and the fourth in five years under coach Mike MacIntyre, who is 12-33 in league play since coming to Boulder from San Jose State. The Buffaloes must rebuild after losing 12 starters, including running back Phillip Lindsay, the program's all-purpose yards leader, and a talented trio of wide receivers. "Yeah, it's a lot more fun to be in first place than down where we were (in 2017)," MacIntyre told reporters in July during his Pac-12 media days news conference. "... We lost a lot of good players (from) the year before and so we had some guys out there who were a little bit newer. We didn't quite make enough situational plays in some games." Colorado State has its own questions to answer following a disappointing 43-34 season-opening home loss Saturday to Hawaii, which entered the game as a two-touchdown underdog.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Colorado -7.5

ABOUT COLORADO (2017: 5-7): The Buffaloes will at least have an experienced starter returning under center in junior Steven Montez, who threw for 2,975 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and is second among the Pac-12 returning total-offense leaders at 276.1 yards per game. Only three other offensive starters are back, though, and none of them are wide receivers Bryce Bobo, Shay Fields or Devin Ross - who combined for 151 catches, 1,824 yards and 11 TDs a season ago. The defensive picture is brighter for Colorado with its top three tacklers returning in linebackers Drew Lewis and Rick Gamboa and safety Evan Worthington.

ABOUT COLORADO STATE (0-1): A dearth of defense was the primary issue in the Rams' loss Saturday as Hawaii jumped out to a 37-7 lead and finished with 617 yards of total offense, including 514 and five total TDs from quarterback Cole McDonald. New starting quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels, a graduate transfer from Washington, nearly rallied the Rams - completing 34-of-50 passes for 537 yards and five TDs. Colorado State head coach Mike Bobo called offensive plays from the coaches box after returning to practice late last week following a 10-day stay in the hospital while dealing with peripheral neuropathy.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Colorado owns a 65-22-2 advantage in the Rocky Mountain Showdown series, including 17-3 and 44-7 wins the last two seasons.

2. Worthington was an All-Pac 12 honorable mention selection in 2017 and is the latest standout in the Colorado secondary, which has produced a quartet of top four-round NFL Draft picks in the last two drafts.

3. Colorado State enters the season with a run of five straight bowl appearances and is looking to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2013.

PREDICTION: Colorado 34, Colorado State 16