Saturday 9-22-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 06:59 AM

Preview: Nebraska at Michigan

No. 21 Michigan looks to make it three wins in a row when it hosts Nebraska in the Big Ten opener for both teams on Saturday. The Wolverines bounced back from a Week 1 defeat to eighth-ranked Notre Dame by besting Western Michigan (49-3) and SMU (45-20) to extend their non-conference home winning streak to 10 games. They are searching for their 12th win in their last 13 Big Ten openers as they meet Nebraska for the first time since 2013.

"I don't think they have a win yet so they're going to come out hungry," Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson told reporters. "They're going to really try to get that first one so we got to come ready to play." The Scott Frost era in Lincoln is off to a rocky start after Nebraska suffered a disappointing 24-19 defeat to Troy last weekend to fall to 0-2 for the first time since 1957. Nebraska has dropped six straight games dating back to last season, including four in a row in conference play, and the Huskers hope to turn their fortunes around by knocking off a ranked opponent for the first time in over two years. "I think we're a better team than the results say we are but that doesn't matter," Frost told reporters. "It might get worse before it gets better but it's always darkest before dawn and I know where this is going so I want every guy in the locker room on board."

TV: Noon ET, Fox Sports1. LINE: Michigan -18.5.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (0-2): Freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez sat out the loss to Troy with a knee injury and will be a game-time decision on Saturday, and walk-on Andrew Bunch will make his second career start if Martinez is unable to play. Stanley Morgan Jr. caught five passes for 64 yards and a score against the Trojans to move into a fifth-place tie on the program's all-time receiving touchdowns list while extending his streak of games with at least one reception to 28 in a row -- the fourth-longest in school history. Safety Aaron Williams, who made five tackles against Troy, was awarded a Blackshirt earlier in the week to become the eighth defensive player to earn the honorary distinction this season.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (2-1): Donovan Peoples-Jones had an afternoon to remember as he caught four passes for 90 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the win over SMU. Karan Higdon, who leads the Wolverines in rushing yards (228), is questionable for Saturday due to an undisclosed injury last weekend while fellow running back Chris Evans will be a game-time decision with a pulled muscle. The Wolverines will be without starting hybrid linebacker Khaleke Hudson for the first half against the Cornhuskers after he was ejected for targeting against the Mustangs. Defensive end Aubrey Solomon will miss his second straight contest as he continues to recover from a minor knee procedure.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan has won 34 of its last 36 conference openers.

2. Nebraska has lost eight of its last nine games overall dating back to last season.

3. The Wolverines are 13-2 in the month of September under Jim Harbaugh.

PREDICTION: Michigan 27, Nebraska 13

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:00 AM

Preview: Minnesota at Maryland

Minnesota has reeled off 14 straight nonconference wins after last week’s 26-3 thumping of Miami (Ohio), but Big Ten success hasn’t been as easy to come by. The Golden Gophers have gone 9-17 in conference play over the last three seasons and are hoping for better results, starting Saturday when they kick off their Big Ten schedule at Maryland.

The Gophers enter the weekend as one of five 3-0 Big Ten teams, but all of the games have been at home with a 21-14 victory over Fresno State on Sept. 8 ranking as their most impressive win. Injuries also have already thinned Minnesota’s ranks as three-year starting tailback Rodney Smith went down with a season-ending knee injury against Fresno State and impressive freshman quarterback Zack Annexstad was in and out last week after injuring his left ankle on the Gophers’ first offensive series against the RedHawks. “It seems like Zack’s going to be OK, according to what our people say, so (I’m) hopeful,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said Monday. It’ll also be the Big Ten opener for Maryland, which started off strong with wins over nationally-ranked Texas (34-29) and Bowling Green (45-14) before a puzzling 35-14 home setback last Saturday to previously winless Temple.

TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Maryland -3

ABOUT MINNESOTA (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten): Annexstad has thrown for 537 yards and four touchdowns without an interception so far, and his favorite target has been wideout Tyler Johnson, who has 20 receptions for 283 yards and has been on the receiving end of all five of the team’s passing TDs. Freshman Bryce Williams has stepped in for the injured Smith and has rushed for 228 yards on 58 carries over the last two games. The Gophers’ calling card, though, has been defense as they rank in the top 16 nationally in points allowed (9.0 per game), rushing defense (72.0 yards), pass-efficiency defense (97.70 rating) and total defense (256.3 yards).

ABOUT MARYLAND (2-1, 0-0): Mastering the forward pass has been a struggle so far for the Terrapins as quarterbacks Kasim Hill and Tyrrell Pigrome have completed only 36-of-70 attempts for 428 yards, three TDs and a pair of interceptions. That puts the emphasis on maintaining a positive game script as Maryland can then rely on its ground attack which already features four rushers with at least 84 yards, led by tailbacks Anthony McFarland (179 yards on 21 carries) and Ty Johnson (177 on 29 rushes). The Terrapins’ defense ranks 10th nationally in yards allowed per play (4.72), and is led by senior safety Darnell Savage who has notched a team-most four tackles for loss so far and also returned an interception 23 yards for a score for one of the few highlights against Temple.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Maryland leads the series 2-1 after opening Big Ten play a season ago with a 31-24 win in Minneapolis.

2. Minnesota has lost six straight Big Ten road games since a win at Illinois on Oct. 29, 2016.

3. The Terrapins threw for only 63 yards on 8-of-21 passing against Temple and converted one of 12 third-down attempts.

PREDICTION: Maryland 22, Minnesota 19

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:00 AM

Preview: Akron at Iowa State

The optimism that was building among the Iowa State faithful following its most successful season since 2000 has stalled thanks to a pair of 10-point losses to undefeated teams. The Cyclones hope to get in the win column before jumping back into Big 12 play Saturday when they host Akron.

Iowa State overcame a 2-2 start in 2017 to finish with eight victories and a victory in the Liberty Bowl, but its season opener against FCS foe South Dakota State was canceled, leaving the team in a precarious spot for a couple of rivalry games against Iowa (13-3 loss) and Oklahoma (37-27 loss). The Cyclones also haven't had the benefit of relying on quarterback Kyle Kempt (knee) either, as the sixth-year senior was forced from the loss to the Hawkeyes in the second half and did not play against the Sooners. The Zips' season opener against Nebraska was also canceled due to weather, but they moved to 2-0 for the first time since 1993 after rallying from a 21-3 halftime deficit to stun Northwestern on the road 39-34 last weekend. Akron overcame 15 penalties in the upset by forcing three turnovers, returning each miscue for a touchdown over the final 18-plus minutes of the contest.

TV: Noon ET, FSN. LINE: Iowa State -18.5

ABOUT AKRON (2-0): Sophomore quarterback Kato Nelson (33-of-54 for 509 yards and five TDs) has thrown for 13 touchdowns versus three interceptions through his first seven career starts and ranks 13th in FBS in passing yards per completion (15.4) this season. He has spread the wealth over the first two games, as Kwadarrius Smith, Jonah Morris and Andre Williams all have seven catches for at least 100 yards. Van Edwards Jr. paces the team with 162 yards rushing and two scores. Junior cornerback Alvin Davis is tied for the FBS lead with three interceptions and was named the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week after returning two interceptions (97 and 50 yards) for touchdowns in last weekend's upset.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (0-2): Kempt has already been ruled out this week, paving the way for Zeb Noland to make another start after becoming the third Cyclone quarterback over the past two seasons to throw for more than 300 yards after passing for a career-high 360 yards and two TDs against the Sooners. Hakeem Butler was the beneficiary of both of those scoring tosses (51 and 57 yards) en route to 174 yards receiving - the 10th-highest single-game total in school history. The 6-6 junior has scored 11 career touchdowns - six of which have covered more than 50 yards - while his 26.1 yards per catch average this season ranks fourth nationally.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Iowa State is 25-5 all-time against Mid-American Conference foes, including last season's 41-14 victory over Akron in the first meeting between the schools.

2. The Zips are 10th in FBS in rush defense (81 yards per game), holding opponents to 2.1 yards per carry (sixth best in FBS).

3. All four of Noland's career TD passes have covered at least 35 yards.

PREDICTION: Iowa State 27, Akron 20

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:01 AM

Preview: Kent State at Ole Miss

Ole Miss will try to put the disappointment of last week's beating behind when it hosts Kent State on Saturday. "It's not how many times you get knocked down, it's how many times you can get back up," Rebels coach Matt Luke told the media Monday. "(We need) the resilience to get up off the mat and go prepare."

The Rebels will try to clean up miscommunications and execution problems that led to big Alabama plays in the 62-7 loss to the country's top-ranked team. That might be tough for a defense - ranked 126th out of 129 FBS teams in total defense - which has lost its second secondary starter to a knee injury. Junior Montrell Custis was injured against Alabama after junior Jaylon Jones was lost in the season opener. The Golden Flashes, winless this year against a pair of Big Ten foes, have never beaten a team from the SEC (0-13).

TV: Noon ET, SEC Network. LINE: Ole Miss -28.5

ABOUT KENT STATE (1-2): The Golden Flashes' balanced offense is led by sophomore quarterback Woody Barrett (602 passing yards with four touchdowns and 117 rushing yards with two scores) while Justin Rankin and Jo-El Shaw (three TDs) have chipped in 326 yards on the ground combined. Mike Carrigan (team-high 13 catches for 117 yards) had a touchdown catch against Illinois and Penn State. Fifth-year linebacker Matt Bahr (27 tackles, two for loss) leads a Kent State defense that has recorded eight sacks and forced six turnovers - including four of each in a 54-14 win against Howard.

ABOUT OLE MISS (2-1): Junior Scottie Phillips (355 rushing yards) is tied for the lead in the SEC with four rushing touchdowns and is ranked sixth nationally at 8.3 yards per carry. Senior quarterback Jordan Ta'amu has thrown for 917 yards and eight touchdowns - including three each to A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf - but was under a lot of pressure against Alabama. The Rebels have forced at least two turnovers in back-to-back games - including an interception and fumble recovery by senior safety C.J. Moore last week - for the first time since 2016.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Rebels are ranked third in the country with six scoring drives of less than one minute.

2. Ole Miss is perfect in the red zone with four rushing touchdowns, one passing and four field goals in nine attempts.

3. Kent State WR Antwan Dixon (eight catches, 107 yards, TD) returned to the team after missing two seasons to battle aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder that required a bone marrow transplant from his father.

PREDICTION: Ole Miss 57, Kent State 17

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:01 AM

Preview: Boston College at Purdue

Boston College is nationally ranked for the first time in nearly 10 years and it will try to keep the hot start going when it visits a desperate Purdue squad Saturday afternoon. The 25th-ranked Eagles weathered the onset of Hurricane Florence and the Wake Forest crowd with a wild 41-34 win last Thursday in North Carolina, improving to 3-0 for the first time since 2007.

"To be in the Top 25 means you're bringing attention nationwide to your school and to your team," running back AJ Dillon told reporters. "It's good for the program but it's even bigger for the university. We talk about representing ourselves, and having the opportunity to be among the nation's best is to shine light on everybody else (at BC)." Dillon continued his dominant start with 185 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Demon Deacons and the sophomore standout has 334 yards on the ground over the last two games. He and the sixth-ranked Eagles' scoring offense (52.7 points per game) will take aim at a Purdue team that gave up 233 rushing yards while falling 40-37 to Missouri last week. David Blough's school-record 572 passing yards went for naught as the Boilermakers fell to 0-3 for the first time in 22 years, although the losses have come by a combined eight points.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN2. LINE: Boston College -6.5

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (3-0): While Dillon has been virtually unstoppable since emerging as the starter early last year, the ability of sophomore quarterback Anthony Brown to hit the ground running in 2018 following a major knee injury has been the key to the Eagles' fast start on offense. Brown tossed a career-high five TD passes against Wake Forest and boasts nine TDs with zero interceptions on the year while completing 68.8 percent of his passes. Former quarterback Jeff Smith is the top target with eight catches for 168 yards and two scores - both against the Demon Deacons.

ABOUT PURDUE (0-3): Blough, who took over for starter Elijah Sindelar when the latter was hurt mid-week, was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his effort against Missouri, which included three TDs through the air and another on the ground. Sindelar had yet to resume throwing as of Tuesday and it appears as if Blough will get another chance to run with a job that has been shared since the start of last year. Rondale Moore will be the top choice for either passer and his 25 catches leaves him tied for sixth in the country.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Boilermakers RB D.J. Knox had 23 yards on seven carries last week after amassing 229 in 28 carries over the first two games.

2. Brown leads FBS quarterbacks in passing efficiency (240.2).

3. This marks the first meeting between the teams.

PREDICTION: Boston College 38, Purdue 34

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:01 AM

Preview: Notre Dame at Wake Forest

Notre Dame takes to the road for the first time this season and puts its undefeated record on the line Saturday at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are coming off their first loss of the season but will be well-rested after their Week 3 game was played last Thursday.

Wake Forest couldn’t stop Boston College quarterback Anthony Brown as the Eagles’ sophomore threw for 304 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-34 win. The Demon Deacons’ secondary has been a soft spot all season, with Tulane connecting for two touchdowns of 50-plus yards in their opener. The eighth-ranked Fighting Irish snuck by Vanderbilt with a 22-17 home win last week in what was yet another game in which they came out hot but were outplayed in the second half. Through three games, Notre Dame has outscored its opponents 51-19 in the first half but has been outscored 31-19 in the second half.

TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Notre Dame -7.5.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (3-0): The run game was a focus for the Irish heading into the Vanderbilt game and they found success, rushing for 245 total yards - including 118 on 17 carries from Tony Jones Jr. and 84 on 19 attempts from quarterback Brandon Wimbush. Notre Dame’s senior quarterback was better than his three-interception performance in Week 2 against Ball State but is still struggling in the passing game with only 589 yards and one touchdown through the air on the season. Wimbush protected the ball against Vanderbilt and it wound up being key to the victory as Notre Dame won the turnover battle 3-0.

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (2-1): In addition to its secondary, Wake Forest’s offensive line will be under the microscope against Notre Dame’s pass rush, which has five sacks on the season - including three in the opener against Michigan. The Demon Deacons had done a great job protecting freshman quarterback Sam Hartman through the first two games, giving up just one sack, but BC was able to bust through for four sacks last week. Hartman has thrown for 834 yards and his favorite target has been sophomore receiver Greg Dortch, who has an impressive 28 catches (first in FBS among players who have played three or fewer games) for 336 yards and a touchdown this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. After opening on the road, Wake Forest is playing in the third of five straight games at home.

2. Notre Dame PK Justin Yoon kicked three field goals last week to move into third place on the school’s all-time scoring list.

3. Fighting Irish LB Drue Tranquill is averaging seven solo tackles per game, ranking him fourth in the nation among all defensive players.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 31, Wake Forest 24

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:02 AM

Preview: Ohio at Cincinnati

Ohio and Cincinnati will renew their in-state rivalry when they meet for the first time in 37 years on Saturday at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Bearcats have been impressive so far, knocking off UCLA and Miami (Ohio) on the road to start the season, then blowing out Alabama A&M at home last weekend.

Cincinnati freshman quarterback Desmond Ridder has also been impressive since taking over for Hayden Moore in the first quarter against UCLA, passing for 344 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. He should find some open receivers downfield against an Ohio secondary that allowed 379 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air last week in a 45-31 loss at Virginia. Ohio junior quarterback Nathan Rourke has the experience edge on Ridder, earning second-team all-MAC last season and he's already in the all-time top 10 in several passing categories at the school. He can also do damage with his legs, rushing for 21 touchdowns last season, setting a program record and tying for third-most in the FBS among all positions.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Cincinnati -8.5

ABOUT OHIO (1-1): The Bobcats are averaging just 3.8 yards a carry after averaging 5.7 last season. A.J. Ouellette rushed for 1,006 yards last season to become the first Ohio running back to hit the 1,000-yard mark since 2012, but he's still looking to crack the 100-yard barrier after three games thanks to a backfield that's more crowded with the addition of senior Maleek Irons, who redshirted last season. Ouellette, a former walk-on, needs 36 rushing yards to pass Kevin Babcock (1976-79) for seventh-most in program history.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (3-0): Michael Warren II is getting a lot more opportunities to show what he can do in the offense, and he should be fresh after getting just six carries last week against Alabama A&M. He showed he can handle a big load when he carried 35 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns in the win against UCLA, then came back with 29 carries for 91 yards against Miami. The Bearcats seem to be in good hands if anything should happen to Warren, as freshman Tavion Thomas ran for 141 yards on 18 carries last week and scored two touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cincinnati has 11 rushing touchdowns this season, matching its total from 2017.

2. Cincinnati's 741 yards of total offense last week were the second most in school history behind the 752 generated in a 53-46 loss to Memphis on Sept. 24, 2014.

3, Ohio is the only FBS program with the same head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator over the past 14 years

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 28, Ohio 17

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:02 AM

Preview: Navy at SMU

Navy has plenty of room for improvement in all phases of its game, according to coach Ken Niumatalolo, as it visits SMU on Saturday in an American Athletic Conference game. The Midshipmen ran wild for 484 yards in a 51-21 victory over FCS member Lehigh last week but it's the passing attack -- namely behind junior quarterback Malcolm Perry -- that appears to be holding them back.

Perry, who scored three rushing touchdowns last week and has six this season, is 5-for-15 with a TD and an interception as off-season work to improve accuracy and touch hasn't paid off yet. “Teams aren’t stupid. They’re going to see we run the ball a lot. Being able to pass the ball over their heads is a key to being able to run our offense,” Perry admitted. “That’s something I’ve got to work on, for sure.” The Mustangs have been outscored 133-55 in three losses to start the season, including a 42-12 setback versus No. 17 TCU and a 45-20 loss at No. 21 Michigan. SMU coach Sonny Dykes hasn't publicly decided on who will start at quarterback Saturday as freshman William Brown took over from junior Ben Hicks in the second half last week and went 11-of-17 for 82 yards and two touchdown passes.

TV: Noon ET, ESPNews. LINE: Navy -6.5

ABOUT NAVY (2-1, 1-0 AAC): The Midshipmen are No. 2 nationally in rushing offense at 358 yards per game led by Perry, who averages 6.9 yards on 72 carries. Niumatalolo employs three quarterbacks including senior Garret Lewis (10-for-16, 159 yards), who is the best passer, and senior Zach Abey (35 rushing yards, six touchdowns), the goal-line specialist. Senior linebacker Taylor Heflin and junior linebacker Nizaire Cromartie spearhead the defense with two sacks apiece.

ABOUT SMU (0-3, 0-0): The Mustangs are near the bottom nationally in total offense (125th among the 129 FBS teams at 272.3 yards per game) and total defense (103rd, 452.0). Hicks was 37-of-78 for 476 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions prior to his demotion. Junior wide receiver James Proche has team bests of 15.4 yards per 19 receptions and three touchdowns while senior Braeden West (129 yards, two TDs) paces the ground attack.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Navy is fifth nationally in time of possession at 36 minutes, 37 seconds while SMU is second-to-last at 22:55.

2. The Midshipmen had a rusher and receiver each total more than 100 yards last week for the first time since 2010 as Perry rushed for 223 yards and sophomore tight end CJ Williams caught three passes for 104 yards.

3. Navy leads the series 12-7 and has won all three meetings since joining the AAC, including 43-40 last season when Perry rushed for 282 yards and four touchdowns.

PREDICTION: Navy 45, SMU 20

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:03 AM

Preview: Georgia at Missouri

Third-ranked Georgia has looked every bit the national championship contender through three games - although two were against overmatched opponents – but is wary of what awaits at Missouri on Saturday. Tigers quarterback Drew Lock is one of the more prolific passers in the nation and showed that last season against the Bulldogs by throwing for four touchdowns in a defeat - and Missouri has not lost a regular-season game since, recording nine straight victories.

“He can get the ball out so quick, and he does such a good job of keying your defenders and knowing where to go with the ball,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart told reporters on Monday. Lock certainly has lived up to his reputation through three games, passing for 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns to fuel the Tigers' 3-0 start. The challenge for Missouri will be slowing down a Georgia offense that has run roughshod over the opposition thus far, averaging 488.3 yards of total offense, and dealing with a defense that has surrendered a total of 24 points in three games. “The bigger we make this game, the tougher it can get,” Lock told reporters on Tuesday. “Why not just come in and do your job?”

TV: Noon ET, ESPN. LINE: Georgia -14

ABOUT GEORGIA (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Jake Fromm fired three touchdown passes and Elijah Holyfield rushed for a career-high 100 yards in a 49-7 rout of Middle Tennessee State last week, and now the Bulldogs begin a stretch of seven consecutive conference games. Wide receiver Mecole Hardman found the end zone twice, making a 5-yard touchdown catch and returning a punt 70 yards for a score. Cornerback Deandre Baker has made two interceptions and a fumble recovery in his last two games.

ABOUT MISSOURI (3-0): The Tigers squandered a 17-point lead against Purdue last week but survived, escaping with a 40-37 victory on Tucker McCann’s fourth field goal of the game as time expired. Lock completed 26-of-43 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns as Missouri rolled up 608 yards of total offense, including a career-best 168 rushing on 23 carries by Larry Rountree III. Safety Adam Sparks recorded a career-high 11 tackles last week, but Missouri allowed 572 yards passing.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Missouri WR Jalen Knox earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after catching five passes for 110 yards and a touchdown against Purdue.

2. Fromm leads the nation in completion percentage (80 percent), while freshman QB Justin Fields is 14-of-17 for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

3. Missouri WR Emanuel Hall (groin/hip), who leads the SEC in receiving yards per game at 143.3, and CB DeMarkus Acy (concussion) practiced Tuesday and could return to the starting lineup versus Georgia.

PREDICTION: Georgia 38, South Carolina 21

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:04 AM

Preview: Pittsburgh at North Carolina

Pittsburgh was determined to make up for an embarrassing loss on national television against Penn State in Week 2 and did so with a strong performance against Georgia Tech. When the Panthers visit North Carolina on Saturday in its home opener, the Tar Heels are hoping to do the same after a humiliating 41-19 loss to East Carolina on Sept. 8 followed by a cancellation of last week's game against Central Florida due to Hurricane Florence.

After surrendering 44 unanswered points against the Nittany Lions in a 51-6 thumper in a primetime Saturday night game two weeks ago, Pitt jumped to a three-score lead in the first half and beat Georgia Tech 24-19 last week. The Yellow Jackets finished with over 300 yards rushing but made it into the red zone just twice, and the Panthers defense recovered a fumble, had an interception and made two stops on fourth down. "Obviously a great week. At least a lot better Sunday this Sunday than last week," Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi told reporters earlier this week. "Defensively, it's only been two other teams that you look at in the last 39 games that played as good as our Panthers played this weekend. They were the likes of defenses like Clemson and Georgia. You look at the last 39 games against them, shutout in the first half, only Georgia and Clemson has done that to them. North Carolina lost its opener 24-17 at California and then was blasted at East Carolina, surrendering 510 yards of total offense and 11-of-19 third-down conversions in addition to being outscored 20-0 after intermission.

TV: 12:20 p.m. ET, Raycom Sports. LINE: Pitt -4.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (2-1, 1-0 ACC): Senior Qadree Ollison ran for 91 yards and two TDs on 17 carries against the Yellow Jackets and has 283 yards for the season to go along a 6.3 yards-per-carry average. However, junior Darrin Hall may get extra reps this week after gashing the Tar Heels for 121 yards and four touchdowns last season. After a horrible outing against Penn State (55 yards passing), sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett completed 16-of-23 passes for 197 yards and an interception against the Yellow Jackets.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (0-2, 0-0): In addition to the Tar Heels' defensive struggles, Antonio Williams rushed six times for 96 yards before getting ejected for targeting and the rest of the backs managed 65 yards on 19 carries (14 in the second half), prompting Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora to push reset after an extra week off to deal with their performance and the effect of Florence. "We've got to make it that way," Fedora told reporters this week. "It's an unforeseen break, and we've got to turn it into a positive. It enabled some guys to maybe get healed up, get extra rest, as we go into the rest of the season. Every game we've played against Pitt in the past has always been close, every single one of them …we've got to have our team prepared to play and we're going to have to do the best job we can." Quarterback Nathan Elliott completed 22-of-38 passes for 219 yards and defensive back Myles Wolfolk led the defense with 11 tackles against the Pirates.

EXTRA POINTS

1. North Carolina is 9-3 in the all-time series, including 5-0 in Chapel Hill, and has wins in five straight overall, including 34-31 last season. The last seven meetings, however, have been decided by a combined 28 points.

2. Pitt DE Rashad Weaver recovered a fumble against Georgia Tech, his third of the season, which ties him for the national lead.

3. North Carolina WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams had 230 all-purpose yards against Pitt last year, including a 99-yard kick return for a TD. "Ratliff-Williams will make plays, he'll go up and get it. He's the guy we're going to have to stop," Narduzzi told reporters.

PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 27, North Carolina 23

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:04 AM

Preview: Louisville at Virginia

Malik Cunningham will make his first start of the season at quarterback for Louisville as the Cardinals travel to Virginia in ACC opener for both schools. Cunningham has come off the bench in the last two games, rallying the Cardinals to come-from-behind victories in both.

Louisville trailed 14-3 at half against Western Kentucky last weekend before Cunningham got the call, and the redshirt freshman threw for 88 yards and ran for 129 in the 20-17 win. "I have to do what I think is best for the team and I think this is best," Louisville coach Bobby Petrino told reporters in making the quarterback announcement on Monday. Virginia returns to Charlottesville, Va., after Hurricane Florence forced the Cavaliers to host Ohio in Nashville last weekend. The 545-mile trip didn’t seem to faze Virginia as it scored on its first two offensive plays of the game and dropped 38 points in the first half in the 45-31 win.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, RSN. LINE: Virginia -5.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (2-1): Cunningham replaces sophomore Jawon Pass, who was decent in Week 1 against No. 1 Alabama (20-of-39, 252 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions) but was 8-of-14 for 89 yards and an interception in Week 2 before being relieved and 0-for-3 with an interception last week. Cunningham’s ability to run - he’s the team’s leading rusher with 183 yards on 33 carries - opens up the passing game, and he has completed 64 percent of his passes on the season. Running back Dae Williams is another emerging threat for Louisville, as the sophomore rumbled for 58 yards and two touchdowns on nine attempts against Western Kentucky after having just seven rushing yards on 10 carries in the first two weeks.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (2-1): Junior-college transfer quarterback Bryce Perkins has been spectacular all season and was again in Week 3, throwing for 379 yards and three touchdowns to bring his season total to 670 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception and a 163.3 passer rating. Halfback Olamide Zaccheaus caught nine passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio, breaking the school's single-game receiving record and extending his streak to 32 consecutive games with at least one catch. Running back Jordan Ellis added 171 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s offensive explosion and is averaging 7.5 yards per carry on the season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Louisville owns a 4-2 all-time edge in the series against Virginia and is 3-1 against the Cavaliers since joining the ACC in 2015, including a 38-21 home win last season.

2. Perkins has been sacked seven times on the season, second-most in the ACC.

3. The Cardinals' offensive average of 308 yards of total offense ranks last in the conference and is 237 yards per game lower than last year's offense.

PREDICTION: Virginia 45, Louisville 28

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:34 AM

Preview: Kansas at Baylor

Fourth-year Kansas coach David Beaty won a total of three games in his first three years as Jayhawks head coach. He can match that total in the span of just three weeks with a win in Saturday afternoon's Big 12 Conference opener at Baylor.

The Jayhawks have been one of the early surprise stories of the season, opening with a shocking 26-23 overtime home loss to FCS opponent Nicholls to drop Beaty's record in Lawrence, Kan., to 3-34 with two of those wins coming over FCS foes Rhode Island and Southeast Missouri State. But the Jayhawks have made a stunning turnaround in the last two weeks, winning at Central Michigan, 31-7, to snap a 46-game road losing streak and then blowing out the Big Ten's Rutgers, 55-14, at home, the team's largest margin of victory over an FBS school since a 58-10 win over Baylor in 2007. Now Kansas, which has won back-to-back games over FBS opponents for the first time since 2009, will try to make it three in a row against a Baylor squad that started 2-0 but was soundly defeated at home by Duke, 40-27, last weekend. "I've gotten to know coach Beaty quite a bit," Baylor coach Matt Rhule said. "I think he's a class act and what he's done there, taking over a program with all the roster issues and turnover they've had. ... What they did against Rutgers on Saturday, they've done a great job. He's doing it the right way, rebuilding that program. It will be a heck of a test on Saturday."

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 LINE: Baylor -7.5

ABOUT KANSAS (2-1, 0-0 Big 12): A big reason for the turnaround has been turnovers. The Jayhawks are plus-12 in turnover margin -- which leads the FBS with 13 takeaways and just one turnover of their own -- and they forced six turnovers in the win over Rutgers including a pair of pick-6's by safety Mike Lee and linebacker Bryce Torneden. Running back Pooka Williams, who missed the opening loss because of eligibility questions, is the first freshman in Jayhawk history to rush for back-to-back 100-yard rushing games to open his career and has 283 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries (8.7 avg.) to lead the offense.

ABOUT BAYLOR (2-1, 0-0): The Bears have forced just two turnovers while losing four which puts the spotlight on that category heading into Saturday's game. "Until we win the turnover battle we're not going to win," Rhule said. "We as coaches have stressed that, but it hasn't worked at the level we need it at." Rhule hasn't decided whether he'll play both sophomore Charlie Brewer (45-of-75, 641 yards, 3 TDs, one interception, 69 yards rushing) and North Carolina State transfer Jalan McClendon (23-of-35, 95 yards, 3 TDs, one interception, 56 yards rushing) at quarterback or stay with just one against Kansas.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kansas has lost 38 consecutive Big 12 road games dating back to a 35-33 victory at Iowa State on Oct. 4, 2008.

2. Jayhawks senior LB Joe Dineen Jr. leads the Big 12 and FBS in solo tackles (8.7 per game) and ranks third nationally in total tackles (13.3 per game).

3. Baylor leads the series with Kansas 13-4 and has won the last eight by an average of 37 points.

PREDICTION: Baylor 31, Kansas 21

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:35 AM

Preview: Kansas State at West Virginia

Coming off an unscheduled bye week courtesy of Hurricane Florence, 13th-ranked West Virginia returns to action Saturday by hosting Kansas State. The contest will serve as the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams.

After opening the season with one-sided wins against Tennessee (40-14) and Youngstown State (52-17), the Mountaineers were supposed to play at N.C. State last Saturday, but Mother Nature had other ideas and the game was called off early last week. So, instead, coach Dana Holgorsen and his charges got in some extra intrasquad work. “Tuesday and Wednesday we pretty much just turned them back into camp practices and went against each other,”Holgorsen said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. “You have to keep playing, you need timing, you need conditioning and just a whole bunch of things. If you want them to improve or if you want them to stay the same, you have to keep doing it. So, we did that on Tuesday and Wednesday and then practiced them over the weekend, which gave us a little bit of time to prepare.” Kansas State, meanwhile, will be playing for a fourth straight Saturday and also will be hitting the road for the first time this season after a 2-1 start, including a 41-17 win over UTSA last Saturday.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: West Virginia -16

ABOUT KANSAS STATE (2-1, 0-0 Big 12): Sophomore Skylar Thompson and junior Alex Delton have split snaps at quarterback in all three games so far, but it was Thompson who seemingly grabbed hold of the starting job against UTSA, completing 13-of-18 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns while pacing the Wildcats on the ground with 66 yards and a score on 14 rushes. With 228 yards and a TD on 51 carries, Alex Barnes is Kansas State’s leading rusher while wide receivers Isaiah Zuber and Dalton Schoen have combined for 20 receptions for 353 yards and five TDs. Cornerback Duke Shelley is pacing the team with 15 total tackles and six pass breakups, but stopping the run has been troublesome for the Wildcats so far as they’re surrendering 201.3 yards per game and 6.1 per carry.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (2-0, 0-0): Senior quarterback Will Grier’s Heisman Trophy campaign is off to a flying start as he’s completed 46-of-60 attempts (76.7 percent) for 761 yards and nine TDs while tossing only one interception. Senior wideouts Gary Jennings Jr. and David Sills V have been Grier’s top targets, combining for 383 yards and six scores on 21 receptions. Defensively, junior linebacker David Long Jr. is pacing the team with 23 total tackles, including 13 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kansas State holds a 4-2 series edge since West Virginia joined the Big 12 in 2012, but the Mountaineers have won the last two, following a 28-23 victory late last season in Manhattan.

2. The Wildcats have won six of their last seven Big 12 road games, including a 45-40 victory over No. 10 Oklahoma State last November.

3. In Grier’s 13 starts at West Virginia, the Mountaineers are averaging 38.2 points per contest.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 34, Kansas State 20

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-22-2018, 07:36 AM

Preview: Florida International at Miami

No. 20 Miami returns home from a 49-24 victory over Toledo to kick off a three-game homestand with a visit from crosstown foe Florida International. The Panthers and Hurricanes have met just twice before -- both Miami victories -- but the rivalry got off to an emotional start in 2006, when 13 players (eight FIU, five Miami) were ejected due to a bench-clearing brawl in the third quarter.

"It'll be an emotional game for sure," Hurricanes coach Mark Richt told reporters. "But that's where everybody's got to be disciplined and do a good job. … But everybody knows you do something stupid then you don't get to play." The schools are less than 10 miles apart and many of the local players grew up competing against each other in high school and youth programs. And then there's FIU coach Butch Davis, who coached the Hurricanes for six seasons from 1995-2000, helping recruit many of the players that went on to win Miami's 2001 national championship. In his first season with FIU last year, Davis got the Panthers into their first bowl game in six years but he will have his work cut out for him against these Hurricanes, who have teed off on their last two overmatched opponents -- Savannah State (77-0) and Toledo -- after a season-opening loss to LSU.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Miami -26.5.

ABOUT FIU (2-1): Led by running back Shawndarrius Phillips, who rushed for a career-high 117 yards and two touchdowns and had 56 yards receiving, FIU scored 63 points against UMass last week to tie the team high that was set against the Minutemen last season. The Panthers scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams, marking just the fourth time in school history they turned that trick. The Panthers topped the nation in red-zone scoring last year, converting on 40-of-41 attempts, and they have picked up where they left off with 10 touchdowns in 12 trips to the red zone this season.

ABOUT MIAMI (2-1): Quarterback Malik Rosier enjoyed a career day against Toledo with five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) and he will get another chance to pad his stats against FIU although Richt figures to also give young backup N'Kosi Perry valuable playing time under center. Sophomore receiver Jeff Thomas has been turning heads with his explosive play and he not only leads Miami in receptions (11) and receiving yards (304) but paces the nation in yards per catch (27.6). The defense, ranked fourth in the nation (236 yards per game), doesn't figure to be challenged by FIU but the unit may be without safety Jaquan Johnson, who left the Toledo game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury and the defense wasn't the same without him, giving four up straight scoring drives.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The teams last met almost exactly 11 years ago, with Miami coming away with a 23-9 win on Sept. 23, 2007 at the Orange Bowl.

2. The Hurricanes had 14 tackles for loss against Toledo and they rank first in the nation in that category (11.7 per game).

3. Davis is 3-1 against the Hurricanes, all coming while he coached North Carolina.

PREDICTION: Miami 57, FIU 10

Saturday 9-22-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Saturday 9-22-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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