Saturday 9-29-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Boise State at Wyoming

Boise State is seeking to rebound from a rare whipping and the No. 25 Broncos look for a better effort when they visit Wyoming on Saturday in the Mountain West opener for both schools. Boise State was routed 44-21 at Oklahoma State on Sept. 15 after averaging 59 points in its first two contests.

The Broncos are still one of the favorites to land in a New Year's Six bowl, but the loss certainly exposed the team. "The disappointment, we’ve talked enough about that, but move on," Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said at a press conference. "That’s what we need to do. Move on and learn from it. The sun came up.” Wyoming also knows how it feels to be outclassed by a Power Five conference school as it has been routed by Washington State (41-19) and Missouri (40-13). The Cowboys also are coming off a bye after edging Wofford 17-14 two Saturdays ago.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Boise State -17

ABOUT BOISE STATE (2-1, 0-0 Mountain West): Senior quarterback Brett Rypien hasn't thrown an interception in 112 attempts this season while completing 71.4 percent for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior wideout Sean Modster has emerged as Rypien's favorite target with 17 catches for 297 yards and two touchdowns, while junior running back Alexander Mattison has rushed for 224 yards and three scores. Junior defensive end Durrant Miles has a team-best three sacks and junior safety DeAndre Pierce has a team-high 18 tackles for a defense that gave up 422 yards in the loss to Oklahoma State.

ABOUT WYOMING (2-2, 0-0): The Cowboys are averaging just 19.5 points and redshirt freshman quarterback Tyler Vander Waal has thrown for just 588 yards as the replacement for NFL first-round draft pick Josh Allen. Senior Nico Evans (279 rushing yards) has a solid 6.6-yard average per carry, which is a better mark than junior wideout Austin Conway (6.5) possesses while leading the team with 19 receptions for 124 yards. Standout senior safety Andrew Wingard has a team-best 32 tackles along with an interception for a unit with a meager pass rush (five sacks) that is allowing 25.5 points per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Boise State is 11-1 all-time against the Cowboys and has won five of six visits to Wyoming.

2. Wingard has 399 career tackles and is closing in on the school mark held by Galand Thaxton (467 from 1984-87).

3. Broncos senior CB Tyler Horton (knee) could miss his second straight game.

PREDICTION: Boise State 31, Wyoming 20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Virginia Tech at Duke

Still picking up the pieces following a stunning loss to Old Dominion, No. 24 Virginia Tech looks to regroup in time for Saturday’s conference battle at No. 23 Duke. The Hokies allowed 632 yards of offense in last week’s 49-35 loss and will need a much stronger effort against the Blue Devils, who have started 4-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1952-53.

Virginia Tech opened the season with impressive wins over Florida State and William and Mary but struggled defensively against Old Dominion, which scored 35 points in the second half after entering the game as 28.5-point underdogs. “I was thoroughly embarrassed and disappointed in our play defensively, and I take full responsibility for it,” defensive coordinator Bud Foster told reporters. “That kind of display of just very inconsistent, poor-technique fundamentals, poor discipline — that’s just not who we are, and we’ll get that right.” Duke begins a stretch of eight consecutive ACC games after cruising to a 55-13 win over FCS-member N.C. Central last week. Quarterback Quentin Harris threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another score while defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo had a team-high 11 tackles for the Blue Devils, who rank second in the conference in scoring defense at 15.2 points per game.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Duke -5

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (2-1, 1-0 ACC): The Hokies’ tumultuous week began with last Saturday’s loss to Old Dominion and continued the next day when coach Justin Fuente dismissed starting defensive end Trevon Hill from the team for "not upholding the high standards that we have for our student-athletes at Virginia Tech.” The Hokies will also be without starting quarterback Josh Jackson for an extended period after the sophomore suffered a fractured left fibula late in last week’s loss. Junior Ryan Willis will make his first start since 2016, when he played for Kansas and threw nine touchdown passes and 10 interceptions as a true freshman.

ABOUT DUKE (4-0, 0-0): Harris started last week and completed 15-of-27 passes for 202 yards and three TDs in place of Daniel Jones, who has missed the last two games due to a broken left clavicle but could return Saturday Running back Brittain Brown is averaging 5.6 yards per carry for the Blue Devils, who have opened with wins over Army, Northwestern, Baylor and N.C. Central. Linebacker Ben Humphreys and safety Dylan Singleton have a combined 63 tackles to lead the defense, which has scored a total of 31 points off turnovers.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Virginia Tech is 12-2 against Duke since joining the ACC in 2004 – including 6-0 in Durham.

2. Duke is 15-4 in the month of September over the past four-plus seasons.

3. Virginia Tech has won 21 consecutive games when allowing 21 points or fewer.

PREDICTION: Duke 30, Virginia Tech 24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Iowa State at TCU

Following a disappointing road trip, TCU returns to Fort Worth on Saturday for a Big 12 matchup with Iowa State. The Horned Frogs dropped the final two games on their three-game trek and now must knock off the Cyclones to get back over .500.

TCU outscored its opponents 97-19 in jumping out to a 2-0 start this season, but a neutral-site loss to mighty Ohio State and a second-half meltdown in last weekend's loss to Texas have taken their toll. “Nobody is panicking,” coach Gary Patterson insisted on Tuesday, adding that he will stick with Shawn Robinson at quarterback. “Nobody is going anywhere. (We’re) going about our business. We’re going to grow people up. We’re going to get ready to go. That’s the way we’ve done things here." Robinson has struggled with turnovers the last two weeks, but perhaps he can get back on track at home, where the Horned Frogs have won seven straight games. Iowa State doubled up Akron last Saturday for its first win of the campaign.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: TCU -10.5

ABOUT IOWA STATE (1-2, 0-1 Big 12): Cyclones quarterback Zeb Noland has hovered around 70 percent completions in each of the last two games and has three touchdown passes over that span. Still, Iowa State is averaging a relatively modest 18.7 points per game on the year as the running game in particular has struggled to the tune of 2.7 yards per carry. David Montgomery has yet to surpass 21 yards on any of his 61 rushing attempts, while none of his teammates have gone over 13 yards on any carries this year.

ABOUT TCU (2-2, 0-1): The Horned Frogs have blown halftime leads in each of the last two weeks with Robinson's turnovers (six in the last two games) playing a major factor. On the bright side, Robinson has accounted for nine TDs (six passing, three rushing), while Darius Anderson contributes 7.4 yards per rushing attempt and scored twice against the Buckeyes. Garret Wallow has been a fixture on defense with a team-high 28 tackles, including 11 versus Texas.

EXTRA POINTS

1. TCU holds a 7-2 lead in the all-time series.

2. In Patterson's 18 seasons as coach, the Horned Frogs have lost three straight games in the same year only once - back in 2013.

3. The Cyclones only have one player with a rushing touchdown (Montgomery, 2) and one player with a receiving touchdown (Hakeem Butler, 3).

PREDICTION: TCU 27, Iowa State 13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Houston Baptist at SMU

First-year coach Sonny Dykes has a decision to make as SMU prepares for a non-conference meeting with visiting FCS-foe Houston Baptist on Saturday. The quarterback job is up in the air after making in-game changes the past two weeks.

Third-year starter Ben Hicks was benched late in a loss to Michigan and freshman William Brown started last week's American Athletic Conference-opener against Navy. Hicks returned to lead the Mustangs to an overtime touchdown and gaming-winning two-point conversion. "I've always been ready to play," Hicks told The Dallas Morning News. "I told myself to be ready, because if I wasn't it would have looked bad and I might not have ever gotten another shot." Huskies sophomore linebacker Langston Tunson leads the FCS with 17.7 tackles per game, including a school-record tying 19 stops against McNeese three weeks ago.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None

ABOUT HOUSTON BAPTIST (1-2): Sophomore quarterback Bailey Zappe has thrown for 789 yards, seven touchdowns, three interceptions and endured eight sacks. Bruising sophomore running back Dreshawn Minnieweather (296 yards, three TDs) while David Racine (seven catches, 212 yards) and Jeremy Smith (three catches, 14 yards) each have three touchdown catches. Junior defensive end Andre Walker boasts three tackles for loss and a sack for a defense that has forced eight turnovers and eight sacks.

ABOUT SMU (1-3): Brown (232 yards passing, four TDs, zero interceptions) threw for 150 and two scores in his first start while Hicks (492 yards, four TDs, two interceptions) was 3-for-3 on his overtime drive. Senior Braeden West has run for 274 yards and the team's only two rushing scores while SMU averages 100.8 yards on the ground. SMU is ranked 124th nationally in scoring defense at 40.8 points after allowing 40-plus points to ranked TCU and Michigan teams.

EXTRA POINTS

1. SMU has won eight of its last nine games against FCS teams, losing only to James Madison in 2015.

2. Houston Baptist, in its fifth season of football, is 0-3 against FBS opponents - allowing 112 points in those games.

3. Junior WR James Proche (28 catches, 357 yards, four TDs) has double the number of receptions as SMU's second-best receiver - West.

PREDICTION: SMU 31, Houston Baptist 13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: South Carolina at Kentucky

Behind the play of running back Benny Snell, Jr. and linebacker Josh Allen, No. 17 Kentucky is off to its best start in decades heading into Saturday's SEC matchup with visiting South Carolina. The Wildcats defeated their second ranked team of the season last week to open 2-0 in the conference for the first time since 1977 and can keep it going with a fifth straight victory over the Gamecocks.

Snell racked up 165 yards and four touchdowns in a win over No. 19 Mississippi State to pass Randall Cobb as the school's all-time leader in touchdowns with 39 and Allen was his usual disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball. Though neither was highly recruited coming out of high school as Snell was considered a three-star prospect and Allen received only a handful of offers from FBS schools, both are receiving national attention, including a recently launched Heisman Trophy campaign for Snell. "I know Josh and I know Benny. I know the type of player they are and the maturity that they have," Kentucky coach Mark Stoops told the media. "I don't anticipate anything different from those guys in their approach." The Gamecocks rebounded from a lopsided defeat to No. 3 Georgia in their SEC opener by defeating Vanderbilt last week behind 100-yard performances from running back Rico Dowdie and wide receiver Shi Smith.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Kentucky -1.5

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (2-1, 1-1 SEC): As was the case in last season's 23-13 victory for Kentucky, South Carolina's fate will likely rest with the arm of quarterback Jake Bentley. The Gamecocks were limited to 54 rushing yards and 2.7 yards per carry in last season's meeting and the Kentucky defense has been one of the better units against the run this season, permitting 106 yards per game (21st nationally). Bentley threw for 304 yards - the second 300-yard game of his career - in last season's meeting, including hooking up with Deebo Samuel for a 68-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, but also threw a pair of interceptions.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (4-0, 2-0 SEC): Allen is moving up the school record books, including currently being tied for fourth in career sacks with 17.5 and tied for 11th in tackles for loss with 25, but that is not why he returned for his senior season. "We came back to change the program," the 6-5, 260-pound native of Montclair, N.J. told the media. "We came back to make history. We came back to win the SEC. We just got to keep it up." Allen, who also has seven forced fumbles in his career, was an all-state wide receiver as a junior at Abbeville High School in Alabama before returning to play his senior season in his hometown of Montclair.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kentucky is 14th in the FBS at converting third downs (52.1 percent) while South Carolina is fourth in third-down conversion defense (24.2 percent).

2. Snell, who is poised to become the third Kentucky player to rush for 3,000 career yards, is seventh among FBS active career leading rushers with 2,964 yards and third in touchdowns.

3. Bentley ranks in the top 10 in South Carolina history in several statistics, including completions (441), attempts (688), yards (4,994) and touchdowns (33).

PREDICTION: Kentucky 28, South Carolina 24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Ohio State at Penn State

The winner of the Ohio State-Penn State game has gone on to win the Big Ten championship each of the last two years, and this Saturday's clash hosted by the Nittany Lions will again give one team a big leg up in that race. The fourth-ranked Buckeyes, who put forth a stirring rally to steal a 39-38 win over Penn State a year ago, have barely been challenged in a 4-0 start, including a 49-6 win over Tulane last week in head coach Urban Meyer's return from suspension.

Meyer's team dropped a 24-21 decision in its last visit to Happy Valley in 2016 and knows it will be tested by another "White Out" at Beaver Stadium. "It's just a difficult place," Meyer told reporters. "Certainly one of the top five stadiums to play in, hard to play in. Very loud and the fans are into it. And very good environment. Great environment." No. 9 Penn State has rebounded from an early slugfest with Appalachian State to defeat its last three opponents by a combined 177-40 margin, although it trailed early in the second half at Illinois last week before erupting in the fourth quarter. "I think we're close," Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley told reporters. "Obviously, you're putting up 63 points and not playing full, complete games - you're close to that. When we talk about a complete game, it's having the success for the full four quarters."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Ohio State - 3.5

ABOUT OHIO STATE (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten): The big story this week in Columbus is the absence of star defensive end Nick Bosa, who will miss this contest and perhaps several more after undergoing core muscle surgery. However, fellow junior Robert Landers returns from an undisclosed injury to help bolster the defensive line and running back Mike Weber - who had 186 yards rushing and four total touchdowns in the season opener against Oregon State - will play after leaving the Tulane win with a sprained foot. Dwayne Haskins ranks second among FBS passers with both 16 touchdowns - against one interception - and a completion percentage of 75.7.

ABOUT PENN STATE (4-0, 1-0): McSorley has completed just 53.8 percent of his passes and has a pick in each of the last two games, but he is doing significant damage on the ground with 235 yards - on 5.7 per carry - and six scores through the first four games. Miles Sanders had 200 of the Nittany Lions' 387 rushing yards last week and he added three TDs after failing to reach the end zone in routs of Pittsburgh and Kent State. Penn State's depth at the position will be challenged by the loss of senior Mark Allen (99 yards, two TDs), who is out for the rest of the year with an unspecified injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Penn State enters the week leading all FBS teams in scoring (55.5 points per game) and Ohio State is second (54.5).

2. Nittany Lions WR KJ Hamler has touched the ball on offense 11 times and boasts four TDs.

3. Ohio State outgained Penn State 201-91 on the ground in last year's meeting.

PREDICTION: Penn State 41, Ohio State 40

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Stanford at Notre Dame

Stanford visits Notre Dame on Saturday evening in one of the biggest college football games of the season to date between two undefeated top-10 teams. This game will have significant College Football Playoff implications come season’s end, especially for the eighth-ranked Fighting Irish as the seventh-ranked Cardinal are, for the time being, the only ranked team left on their schedule.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly surprised many by benching senior quarterback Brandon Wimbush in favor of Ian Book before last weekend’s game against Wake Forest, and the decision paid off in spades as Book accounted for five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) as the Fighting Irish crushed the Demon Deacons 56-27. "I didn't sleep great (on Friday night), because that's a pretty big decision to make when you're 3-0 and your quarterback that was leading your football team was 13-3 as a starter," Kelly told reporters of his decision to sit Wimbush. Stanford trailed 24-7 at the half against No. 20 Oregon last week, but an 80-yard fumble return in the third quarter by linebacker Joey Alfieri helped sparked the Cardinal’s comeback in the 38-31 overtime win. "This game was pretty awesome. It was one of the coolest games I've been a part of in terms of highs and lows, and really just staying steady throughout the entire night," quarterback K.J. Costello told reporters after the game.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Notre Dame -5.5.

ABOUT STANFORD (4-0): Costello threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns, including a 23-yarder to tight end Colby Parkinson in overtime that gave Stanford the lead before cornerback Alameen Murphy's interception in the end zone sealed it. Senior running back Bryce Love, a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, ran for 89 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and should be well-rested after sitting out Week 3 to rest some minor undisclosed injuries. Love figures to be heavily involved in this week’s game plan, as he gashed the Fighting Irish for 125 yards on 20 carries in last year’s 38-20 home win over Notre Dame.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (4-0): Book sparked the Fighting Irish offense by getting the ball into the hands of Notre Dame’s perimeter playmakers and the result was 59 points and 566 total yards, both season highs. Notre Dame’s receivers made 25 catches on the day and that opened up huge holes for the running game, where sophomore Jafar Armstrong piled up 98 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. The Irish offense is clicking at the right time and could receive a big boost on Saturday as senior running back Dexter Williams, who averaged 9.2 yards per carry in a backup role last season, is expected to return from a four-game suspension.

EXTRA POINTS

1. This is the 22nd consecutive year that these two teams will face off. The Irish lead the all-time series 18-13 (with one vacated win), but Stanford has won the last three contests.

2. Notre Dame is 1-6 in this rivalry with Kelly as head coach (with one vacated win), while Cardinal coach David Shaw is 5-2 against the Irish.

3. Stanford’s defense is allowing 13.5 points per game, which is tied for the 10th-best mark in FBS.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 24, Stanford 21

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: BYU at Washington

No. 11 Washington, which opened its non-league schedule with a 21-16 loss to then No. 9-ranked Auburn, closes outs its non-conference schedule with another top-notch opponent as BYU visits Husky Stadium on Saturday night. The Cougars, who were just one spot out of being ranked in this week's coaches' poll, already own road wins over a top-10 team as well as a Pac-12 team.

BYU, which stumbled through an 0-4 September in 2017, opened its season with 28-23 victory at Arizona and, after a narrow 21-18 loss at Cal, pulled off a stunning 24-21 upset of then-No. 6 ranked Wisconsin in Madison on Sept. 15. Toss in the fact the Cougars run a much more wide-open offensive attack than Arizona State, whom Washington defeated, 27-20, last Saturday, and Huskies coach Chris Petersen says his defense will be up for a big challenge. "Completely different than what we just saw. I mean, 180 degrees different," Petersen said of a Sun Devils offense that completed just 17 passes for 104 yards but ran the ball 40 times for 164 yards. BYU, meanwhile, keeps opponents off balanced with an array of fly sweeps and a conventional old-school passing attack led by quarterback Tanner Mangum. "You're going to see a quarterback take a snap under center and drop back and throw a pass," Petersen said. "How often do you see that? With no play-action. He takes a straight drop and throws it."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Washington -17.5

ABOUT BYU (3-1): The Cougars, who cruised to 30-3 victory over FCS opponent McNeese State last week, are off to their best start since beginning 4-0 in 2014. Mangum, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound redshirt senior, has started 25 games in his career and has six 300-yard games and 5,770 career passing yards. The defense, which held McNeese State to just 10 first downs and 0-of-10 on third down conversions, is led by 6-9, 275-pound defensive end Corbin Kaufusi, who had a team-best seven tackles and a sack at Arizona, and senior linebackers in Zayne Anderson (28 tackles, one interception) and Sione Takitaki (25 tackles, one sack).

ABOUT WASHINGTON (3-1): Quarterback Jake Browning comes in off arguably his best game of the season. completing 15-of-22 passes for 202 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Sun Devils. Senior Myles Gaskin broke Napoleon Kaufman's school career rushing record in the opener against Auburn and has rushed for more than 1,300 yards in three consecutive seasons. The defense is led by senior linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven who had a career-high 20 tackles and forced two fumbles against Arizona State and has won back-to-back Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Burr-Kirven has 53 tackles this season, 30 more than any other Washington player.

2. Washington ranks second in the Pac-12 behind national leader Utah and 11th nationally in passing yards allowed per game (154.0).

3. The Huskies are 14-1 since 2016 when they have a player rush for 100 yards in a game.

PREDICTION: Washington 24, BYU 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Ole Miss at LSU

LSU is bringing College Football Playoff aspirations into every game it plays, and even wins are proving to be unsatisfying for a team that wants to be the best. The sixth-ranked Tigers will try to find their highest gear for 60 minutes when they return to SEC play by hosting Ole Miss on Saturday night.

LSU already has two wins over top-10 opponents on its resume but didn't feel like it played its best during a 38-21 win over Louisiana Tech last week, especially in the defensive backfield. "(Defensive backs) coach (Corey) Raymond, he expects us to play at a high level every game, no matter the opponent," cornerback Greedy Williams told the team's website. "We didn’t excel to that standard (against Louisiana Tech). We have to be better than last week, move on, and prove ourselves this week." That Tigers defensive backfield will need to right itself quickly against the Rebels, who are coming off a 38-17 victory over Kent State in which quarterback Jordan Ta'amu threw for 442 yards. That performance marked a big bounce-back for Ole Miss, which was trounced 62-7 at home against top-ranked Alabama in its previous contest.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: LSU -12

ABOUT OLE MISS (3-1, 0-1 SEC): While Ta'amu's performance got the offense clicking last week, it was the big improvement from the defense that gives the team some encouragement moving forward. "The confidence we found was in each other," defensive end Markel Winters told reporters. "Just to see everyone knew their job and that they could do it. Play for each other. That was a big thing. Playing with a purpose is important. Our theme this week was that you have your what and your why. You have your job and you know what you are supposed to do, but there is a reason why you are doing that job." The Rebels held Kent State off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter last week, and the 17 points allowed marked a season low.

ABOUT LSU (4-0, 1-0): The Tigers were able to overcome the problems in the secondary last week thanks to the running game on offense, which churned out 218 yards and totaled five touchdowns. Sophomore Clyde Edwards-Helaire broke out with career bests of 136 yards and 20 carries while Nick Brossette continued to be a weapon on the goal line with TD runs of one, one and two yards. Quarterback Joe Burrow is completing 49.1 percent of his passes but has yet to turn the ball over and enjoyed his best single-game completion percentage of the season when he connected on 16-of-28 passes against Louisiana Tech.

EXTRA POINTS

1. LSU OG Garrett Brumfield (knee) is not expected to play this week.

2. The Rebels' defense has forced at least two turnovers in each of the last three games.

3. The Tigers have captured the last two meetings and six of the last eight in the series.

PREDICTION: LSU 35, Ole Miss 14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Oregon State at Arizona State

Arizona State should stay committed to the run game when it hosts Oregon State in a Pac-12 game on Saturday night. After combining for 80 rushing yards in their previous two games, the Sun Devils rushed for 164 yards in a 27-20 loss to No. 11 Washington last weekend, and they'll be up against an Oregon State defense that allowed 442 rushing yards in a 35-14 loss to visiting Arizona on Saturday.

The loss to Washington was the second straight seven-point road defeat for Arizona State, which had moved to No. 25 in the coaches' poll after knocking off No. 18 Michigan State 16-13 on Sept. 8. Eno Benjamin should play a big role for the Sun Devils on Saturday, and the sophomore running back showed he's up for the task by rushing for 104 yards on 26 carries and scoring a touchdown against Washington. Oregon State freshman running back Jermar Jefferson is off to a great start, totaling 473 rushing yards through four games, four yards behind Pac-12 leader J.J. Taylor of Arizona, who rushed for a Reser Stadium-record 284 yards against the Beavers last week. Oregon State welcomed back wide receiver Trevon Bradford last weekend after he missed the Nevada game on Sept. 15 with an injury, and he caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Arizona State -22

ABOUT OREGON STATE (1-3, 0-1 Pac-12): After rotating quarterbacks the first three games, Conor Blount took most of the snaps on Saturday after Jake Luton was sidelined with an ankle injury, though Luton is expected back this week. Blount has been steady so far, completing at least 60 percent of his passes in every game with six touchdown throws and just one interception. Isaiah Hodgins and Timmy Hernandez seemed to have better chemistry with Luton when he passed for 284 yards and a touchdown in the 37-35 loss to Nevada, both recording double-digit reception totals.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (2-2, 0-1): Manny Wilkins should be motivated to play well after the Sun Devils quarterback passed for just 104 yards last weekend, the lowest total of his four-year career when playing the entire game. Wilkins has shown he can put up big numbers, evident by 380 yards he passed for against Michigan State and the 341 yards against San Diego State. Wilkins has one of the top receivers in the Pac-12 in junior N'Keal Harry, who was mostly invisible against Washington as well, catching five balls for just 20 yards and going without a touchdown for the first time this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Benjamin has caused defenders to miss 21 tackles this season, tops in the Pac-12 and eighth-most in the nation.

2. The Sun Devils have two turnovers this season, tied for third-fewest in the nation.

3. Oregon State has 23 plays of at least 25 yards this season.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 48, Oregon State 24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Oregon at California

After losing its conference opener in heartbreaking fashion, No. 20 Oregon looks to bounce back Saturday when the Ducks play their first road game of the season against unbeaten California. The Ducks led Stanford by a 24-7 margin late in the third quarter last week before falling 38-31 in overtime, while Cal is playing for the first time since recording a 45-23 victory over FCS-member Idaho State on Sept. 15.

Justin Herbert threw for 346 yards and a touchdown while receiver Dillon Mitchell caught 14 passes for 239 yards in Oregon’s loss to Stanford, which recovered a fumble in the final minute of regulation and kicked a tying field goal to force overtime. Herbert and the Ducks’ vaunted aerial attack will be tested by Cal, which has intercepted seven passes and is second in the Pac-12 and fifth nationally in pass-efficiency defense. The Bears are ranked for the first time since 2015 and facing an Oregon team eager to move past last week’s stunning loss to the Cardinal. “I feel like all my brothers are like caged animals. We’re just ready to get loose,” Mitchell told reporters. “I definitely know the guys in the locker room are upset. We’ve put the loss behind us, but it’s not off our minds at all.”

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Oregon -3

ABOUT OREGON (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12): After opening with wins over Bowling Green, Portland State and San Jose State, the Ducks took a step up in competition against No. 7 Stanford and dominated most of the contest, with Herbert finishing 26-for-33 passing for 346 yards and a score. Linebacker Troy Dye has a team-high 25 tackles to lead the defense, which held Stanford’s Bryce Love to 89 yards rushing but allowed 327 yards through the air. Linebacker Justin Hollins has forced three fumbles and ranks second in the Pac-12 in sacks (4.0) and tackles-for-loss (7.5).

ABOUT CAL (3-0, 0-0): Linebackers Jordan Kunaszyk and Evan Weaver (team-best 39 tackles) are key to the impressive Bears’ defense, which has led the team to wins over North Carolina, BYU and Idaho State. Safety Jaylinn Hawkins has three of the Bears’ seven interceptions, while the offense revolves around Patrick Laird, who rushed for 1,127 yards last season but is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry through three games. Quarterback Ross Bowers began the season as the starter but has been replaced by the tandem of Chase Garbers and Brandon McIlwain as coach Justin Wilcox looks for more mobility from the position.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oregon has won eight of the last nine games against Cal dating back to 2009 and has scored 40-plus points in seven consecutive meetings.

2. Cal has allowed a total of six points in the first half through the first three games of the season.

3. Oregon’s defense is allowing 2.13 yards per carry, which ranks third nationally.

PREDICTION: Oregon 31, Cal 24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: USC at Arizona

After stumbling out of the gate with back-to-back losses to BYU and Houston to start the Kevin Sumlin Era, the Arizona Wildcats will bring a two-game winning streak into Saturday night's key Pac-12 South Division home game with defending conference champion USC. The contest with the Trojans kicks off a tough five-week stretch for the Wildcats that includes home games with nationally-ranked Oregon and California and road dates at Utah and UCLA.

First up is a game with USC which also is 2-2 and comes in off a wild, 39-36 victory over previously unbeaten Washington State last Friday night. If last year's game between the Trojans and Wildcats is any indication, don't be surprised to see a similar high-scoring shootout on Saturday night. Arizona, with quarterback Khalil Tate running 32 yards for one touchdown and passing for two more, rallied from a 22-point third quarter deficit to tie USC before the Trojans, behind a pair of one-yard scoring runs by Ronald Jones II, pulled out a 49-35 victory in a contest that featured 57 second-half points. "USC is a very, very talented team," Sumlin said at his weekly news conference. "They're explosive on the perimeter. Special teams-wise, they're up near the top of the league. They're big and athletic up front (on defense) and have a lot of guys who can run. We've got our work cut out for us this week."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: USC -3

ABOUT USC (2-2, 1-1 Pac-12): After managing a total of 109 yards rushing in back-to-back losses at Stanford (17-3) and Texas (37-14) where they finished with a net minus-5 yards on the ground, the Trojans got their run game going in the comeback win over the Cougars with Vavae Malepeai (13 carries, 78 yards) and Stephen Carr (eight carries, 77 yards) combining for 155 yards on 21 carries, including a two-yard TD run by Malepeai that proved to be the game-winner. That took some pressure off improving true freshman quarterback JT Daniels who had the best game of his young career, completing 17-of-26 passes for 241 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. "It was critical for our confidence and our psyche," USC coach Clay Helton said of rallying from a 30-17 deficit to pull out the victory. "To be able to fight back like that in the second half and be able to finish a game like that in the fourth quarter, it can only build confidence and help your football team."

ABOUT ARIZONA (2-2, 1-0): Like the Trojans, Arizona appeared to make big strides in the run game in a 35-14 victory at Oregon State last week, finishing with 442 yards on 51 attempts (8.7 average) including a Reser Stadium-record 284 yards and two scores on 27 attempts by sophomore tailback J.J. Taylor. Tate, who entered the season as a Heisman Trophy candidate after rushing for 1,411 yards and 12 touchdowns and throwing for 1,541 yards and 14 TDs in 2017, has thrown eight TD passes this season but has rushed for only 31 yards and two scores on 23 attempts as Sumlin has focused on Tate's pocket-passing development so far this season. Linebacker Colin Schooler has 44 tackles, including a career-high four for loss against the Beavers, and leads a defense that could be minus top cornerback Jace Whittaker who has only played in part of one game this season because of an arm injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Schooler is tied for the NCAA lead for tackles for loss with an average of 2.5 per game.

2. The Trojans are 17-1 in their last 18 games against Pac-12 teams.

2. USC leads the series with Arizona 32-8 (not including a 2005 home win later vacated due to an NCAA penalty) and has won the last five meetings with the Wildcats and 14 of the last 16.

PREDICTION: USC 35, Arizona 31

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Camarero Race Track
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 5 - Maiden Claiming - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $6000 Class Rating: 19

FOR NATIVE MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 120 LBS. ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 9 ESKIMALITA 15/1

# 5 CALETA 20/1

# 1 LA PRIMERIZA 20/1

My selection in this race is ESKIMALITA and could score at a price in here.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Century Downs
Century Downs - Race 2

Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta


Claiming $8,000 • 1 1/16 Miles • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 73 • Purse: $8,500 • Post: 1:45P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE JUNE 29 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $8,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Front-runner. SOLON'S WARNING is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * SOLON'S WARNING: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. KEY TO GLORY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
1
SOLON'S WARNING
5/2

2/1
6
KEY TO GLORY
3/1

9/2




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
SOLON'S WARNING
1

5/2
Front-runner
83

70

89.0

63.4

59.4
2
DANCE MARIAH
2

2/1
Stalker
67

66

39.0

63.3

56.8
6
KEY TO GLORY
6

3/1
Alternator/Stalker
78

84

56.0

65.8

61.8
5
STELLA ELLA OLA
5

15/1
Trailer
60

50

40.4

48.2

39.2
3
ROADSIDE KISSES
3

4/1
Trailer
73

63

39.3

58.7

51.7
4
SUNDAY CONFESSIONS
4

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
63

58

46.2

43.4

29.9
7
WILKO LOVESONG
7

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
60

55

35.8

51.0

39.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

09/29/18, GP, Race 9, 3.55 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.08.01 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $75,000.
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 9-10-11) / $.20 Rainbow 6 (Races 9-14)
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 23.26, $1 ROI 0.70, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 9 Malibu Rainbow 8-1 Jaramillo E Joseph. Jr. Saffie A. T
098.9572 12 Dana Grace 8-1 Vasquez M A Ritvo Katherine WL
097.8387 14 Speed Bump 6-1 Zayas E J Gargan Danny FEC
096.7380 8 Incredible Miss 9/2 Maragh R Pletcher Todd A.
096.0400 13 Tizzire 10-1 Juarez N Campitelli Jessica J.
095.6355 7 Rosepath 10-1 Batista J A Summers Chad
095.4352 1 Bossy Bride 5-1 Cancel E Pletcher Todd A.
095.3948 5 Avenida Manana 12-1 Maragh R R Fawkes David
095.2665 4 Eva's Gift 15-1 Lopez P Plesa. Jr. Edward J
094.8007 11 Paula Andrea 15-1 Reyes L Sano Antonio
094.7678 6 Platinumcents 15-1 Montalvo C Kurtinecz Lilli
093.5906 16 Little Doo 20-1 Gutierrez R Gold Stanley I.
093.1891 2 Busy Signal 20-1 Camacho S Wolfson Milton W. S
093.1860 3 Talkback 20-1 Panici L Nicks Ralph E.
091.5539 10 West Horizen 30-1 Meneses M Negrete Javier
091.3231 15 Lucky Little Lady 30-1 Maragh R R Simon Charles