Saturday 10-6-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Saturday, Oct. 6

SOUTH ALABAMA at GEORGIA SOUTHERN...Eagles surprising 4-0 vs. line TY and 6-1 last seven vs. spread since last 2017.
Georgia Southern, based on recent trends.


SOUTH FLORIDA at UMASS...Mass just 2-5 as home dog since 2016. Charlie Strong only 2-4 as chalk away from Tampa since LY, also no covers last 7 laying DD.
Slight to UMass, based on team trends.


CLEMSON at WAKE FOREST...Dave Clawson 4-0 vs. line against Dabo since arriving at Wake. Deacs were 10-2-1 last two years as dog (0-2 TY). Clemson just 1-4 vs. line TY.
Slight to Wake Forest, based on team trends.


EAST CAROLINA at TEMPLE...ECU 8-19-1 vs. line for Montgomery since 2016. ECU 2-8-1 as rod dog since 2016. Owls 31-15 last 46 on board, though Collins 0-3 as DD chalk.
Temple, based on team trends.


NORTHERN ILLINOIS at BALL STATE...NIU has won last 9 SU and covered last 6 vs. Ball. Huskies destroyed Cards 63-17 LY. But NIU no covers last five away from DeKalb. Ball just 4-10 vs. spread last 14 at Muncie.
NIU, based on series trends.


SYRACUSE at PITTSBURGH...Cuse 4-0-1 vs. line TY. Babers 7-1 vs. spread last seven away, on 7-0-1 spread uptick since late 2017. Pitt 7-16 vs. line at Heinz Field since Narduzzi arrived in 2015.
Syracuse, based on team trends.


SMU at UCF... SMU has covered last two for Sonny Dykes, but Mustangs only 2-6-1 vs. line last nine away from Dallas.
Central Florida, based on team trends.


ODU at FAU...FAU 9-0 SU and 7-2 vs. line against C-USA in 2017, though he's 0-5 vs. line to open 2018. ODU had dropped five in a row vs. line prior to VPI upset. Monarchs 4-9 vs. spread as road dog since 2015.
FAU, based on team trends.


INDIANA at OHIO STATE...Tom Allen 0-3 as visiting dog for IU LY, also 0-3 as DD dog, and Hoosiers also 2-6 vs. spread last eight as visitor. Bucks 3-0 vs. line as home DD chalk TY, but just 1-6 vs. line last 7 vs. IU!
Slight to Indiana, based on series trends.


BOSTON COLLEGE at NC STATE...BC has covered 4 of last 5 in series, including SU wins last two as dog at Raleigh. Wolfpack 2-6 vs. spread last seven as home chalk. Eagles 10-3-1 as visiting dog since 2014.
Boston College, based on team and series trends.


LSU at FLORIDA...LSU has covered last five as a visitor and Coach O is 10-2 vs. spread last 12 away from Baton Rouge. But Dan Mullen covered last four years vs. LSU while at Miss State. If dog here note Mullen 14-7 in role past four+ years with MSU & Florida.
Slight to Florida, based on Mullen trends.


MISSOURI at SOUTH CAROLINA...Muschamp has won and covered last two years in series. Barry Odom, however, 4-1 last five as dog. Cocks only 3-4 last seven as Williams-Brice chalk.
Slight to Mizzou, based on team trends.


MARYLAND at MICHIGAN...Harbaugh just 2-6 vs. line last 8 at Ann Arbor though he has destroyed Terps last three years, winning and covering all three. Maryland 3-1 vs. line in 2018 (1-0 as dog).
Slight to Michigan, based on series trends.


TULANE at CINCINNATI... Willie Fritz 6-3 last nine as dog after Memphis upset, also 12-6 last 18 overall vs. line. Cincy only 2-6 as Nippert chalk since 2016 (1-1 TY).
Tulane, based on team trends.


OHIO at KENT STATE...Solich 10-3 vs. spread last 13 as visitor, 5-2 last seven as chalk away from Athens. Solich has won and covered last four vs. Kent State. Golden Flashes just 3-6 vs. spread last 9 as Dix Stadium.
Solich and Ohio, based on team trends.


EASTERN MICHIGAN at WESTERN MICHIGAN...EMU now 14-2-1 last 17 as dog away from Ypsilanti. 17-3-1 overall last 1 as dog. Also 8-2 last ten vs. spread on MAC road.
Eastern Michigan, based on team trends.


BUFFALO at CENTRAL MICHIGAN...Bulls now on 12-3-2 spread uptick since late 2016. Chips, however, on 9-1 spread surge last ten in reg season since mid 2017.
Slight to Buffalo, based on team trends.


MIAMI-OHIO at AKRON...RedHawks 1-5 vs. line last six away from Yager Stadium. Zips have covered last two this season but just 3-9-1 vs. points at Infocision since 2016.
Slight to Miami, based on team trends.


NOTRE DAME at VIRGINIA TECH...Fuente 11-2 SU at home with Hokies since 2016, if home chalk note 8-4 mark last 12 in role. Irish 5-2 vs. spread away since last season.
Slight to Notre Dame, based on team trends.


ILLINOIS at RUTGERS...Road dog has won outright last two in series. Lovie just 3-3 vs. spread last six away from Champaign-Urbana, though only 6-13 last 19 vs. line overall. ‘Gers 2-5 last seven vs. points.
Slight to Illinois, based on series trends.


SAN DIEGO STATE at BOISE STATE...Rocky Long 12-7-1 last 20 as dog. Dog has also covered last four in this series. Aztecs 11-3 vs. points last 14 on MW road. Broncos 2-10 last 12 as blue carpet MW chalk.
San Diego State, based on team and series trends.


ARIZONA STATE at COLORADO...Herm 4-1 vs. line with ASU and 2-0 in dog role. ASU 7-3-1 as dog since LY. Home team has covered last five in series, however, and CU 3-0 vs. points against FBS foes this season.
Slight to Colorado, based on series trends.


LIBERTY at NEW MEXICO STATE...Ags, no covers last four in Las Cruces, 3-9 last 12 vs. spread in reg season.
Liberty, based on recent trends.


NORTH TEXAS at UTEP...UNT 7-3 vs. spread last 10 in reg season, 4-1 last five vs. line as visitor. UTEP 4-12-1 vs. line since 2017.
North Texas, based on team trends.


WASHINGTON at UCLA...Bruins on 5-12-1 spread skid. Also 5-11 vs. points last 16 at Rose Bowl.
Washington, based on UCLA negatives.


UTAH at STANFORD...Utes have covered all three times vs. Tree since entering Pac 12. Utah 10-2 against number last 12 as visiting dog. Tree 5-8 last 13 as Palo Alto chalk.
Utah, based on team and series trends.


FRESNO STATE at NEVADA...Tedford 13-3-1 vs. points since taking over FSU LY, and Bulldogs on 18-5-1 spread uptick. Pack 5-7 vs. spread as dog for Jay Norvell (though 2-1 as home dog).
Fresno State, based on team and series trends.


WASHINGTON STATE at OREGON STATE...Leach 11-4 vs. spread last 14 reg season games, 3-2 as road chalk since LY.
Washington State, based on team trends.


CAL at ARIZONA...Cal 8-4 as dog for Wilcox since LY. Cats just 2-4-1 last 7 as home chalk and Sumlin 11-18-1 last 30 in role dating to A&M days.
Cal, based on team trends.


NEW MEXICO at UNLV...Road team has covered last three in series. Sanchez just 4-8 last 12 as home chalk.
Slight to New Mexico, based on series and team trends.


NORTHWESTERN at MICHIGAN STATE...Ugh! Pat Fitz 11-3 last 14 as visiting dog. Won and covered last two years as dog vs. MSU. Dantonio 4-2 as home chalk since LY but was 12-20 in role preceding five seasons.
Northwestern, based on team trends.


KANSAS at WEST VIRGINIA...Road team has covered last four in series, though KU just 4-13-1 last 18 on Big 12 road. Mounties have covered first three in 2018, now 5-1 laying DD since 2017.
Slight to West Virginia, based on team trends.


ALABAMA at ARKANSAS...Hogs now on 5-13-1 spread skid since late 2016. Bama has only covered 1 of last 4 (1-2-1) vs. Hogs , and note Saban just 8-10-1 vs. spread last 19 on board.
Slight to Alabama, based on Arkansas woes.


UAB at LA TECH...Bill Clark 11-5 as dog with UAB since arriving in 2014. Skip just 3-5 last 8 vs. spread in Ruston.
Slight to UAB, based on team trends.


KENTUCKY at TEXAS A&M...Dog teams covered in first four UK games TY, and Mark Stoops 11-6 as dog since 2016.
Kentucky, based on team trends.


IOWA STATE at OKLAHOMA STATE...ISU 13-7-1 as dog since Matt Campbell arrived in 2016, also 6-2 vs. points last eight as visitor.
Iowa State, based on team trends.


VANDERBILT at GEORGIA...Derek Mason 3-1 vs. line against Dawgs, though Georgia romped LY. But Vandy just 3-8 last 11 as dog overall. Georgia on 14-7 spread uptick.
Georgia, based on recent trends.


IOWA at MINNESOTA...Iowa 5-1 SU, 4-1-1 vs. line last six in Floyd games. If chalk note Ferentz 12-2-1 on road in role since 2013. Fleck just 2-7-1 vs. spread in Big Ten games with Gophers since LY.
Iowa, based on team and series trends.


BOWLING GREEN at TOLEDO...Falcs 0-4-1 vs. line TY, Jinks now 7-21-1 vs. spread since taking over in 2016. Falcs haven’t beaten nearby rival Toledo SU since 2009. Rockets 4-1-1 last six vs. line in series, and 8-4 vs. spread last 12 in reg season.
Toledo, based on team and series trends.


AUBURN at MISSISSIPPI STATE...Malzahn 19-35-1 last 55 vs. number, but is 5-2-1 as visiting chalk since 2015. Malzahn whipped Dan Mullen last two years but failed to cover previous three vs. MSU. Under Mullen, MSU was 3-1 as Starkville dog past two years and 7-4 as dog.
Slight to Auburn, based on recent series trends.


NAVY at AIR FORCE...Navy was 7-2 as visiting chalk entering this season but 0-2 in that role in 2018. Teams have split last eight meetings SU and vs. line. If Calhoun a dog note 14-6 spread mark last 20 in role.
Slight to Air Force, based on team trends.


ULM at OLE MISS...Rebs 1-5 vs. line last six laying points to non-SEC at Oxford. Also just 3-6 vs. spread last 9 after facing hated LSU.
Louisiana-Monroe, based on team trends.


OKLAHOMA vs. TEXAS (at Cotton Bowl, Dallas)...Tom Herman now 11-1 as dog with Houston and Texas. Horns have covered last five in this old rivalry. Lincoln Riley just 1-4 vs. spread laying points away from Norman since LY.
Texas, based on team and series trends.


UCONN at MEMPHIS... Tigers now no covers 3 of last 4 TY but still 7-4 last 11 laying DD. UConn 0-4-1 vs. line TY, 5-11-1 for Edsall II since LY, 5-16-1 last 21 overall vs. spread since mid 2016.
Memphis, based on team trends.


ULL at TEXAS STATE... Cajuns won and covered big all three from 2014-16. Bobcats just 4-9 vs. line at home since 2016 (3-7 as home dog). Though Cajuns just 3-7 vs. line last nine away from Lafayette.
Slight to Louisiana-Lafayette, based on extended series trends.

UTSA at RICE... UTSA no covers last 9 or 12 of last 13 since mid 2017. Rice has covered 5 of last 6 in series.
Rice, based on team and series trends.


KANSAS STATE at BAYLOR...If chalk note Bill Snyder no covers last three as visitor in role. Dog team is 7-1 vs. points last eight meetings. Bears just 3-8 vs. line last 11 at Waco (3-6 for Rhule).
Slight to K-State, especially if dog, based on series and team trends.


FLORIDA STATE at MIAMI-FLA...Last four meetings all decided by 4 or fewer. Canes were just 1-4 as home chalk LY but 2-1 in role TY. Noles 0-3 as dog LY.
Miami, based on team trends.


NEBRASKA at WISCONSIN...Frost no wins or covers first four TY, Huskers on 4-14 spread skid dating to late 2016. Huskers only 1-6 SU and vs. line against Badgers since entering Big Ten. Huskers 4-9 last 13 as dog. Badgers, however, no covers first three TY at Camp Randall.
Wisconsin, based on team and series trends.


COLORADO STATE at SAN JOSE STATE...CSU really skidding, 1-4 vs. line TY, 1-11 last 12 vs. number. No covers last five away from Fort Collins. SJSU 4-0-1 vs. spread last five vs. BCS foes.
San Jose State, based on CSU negatives.


WYOMING at HAWAII...Hawaii no covers last four (0-2-1) after quick start. But Wyo no covers last four since opener vs. NMSU. Bohl however 12-7 last 19 as dog, and Bows 4-20-1 vs. line last 25 at Aloha (1-2 TY).
Slight to Wyoming, based on team trends.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Games to Watch - Week 6

It is becoming clear that it is going to be no easy feat to dislodge the Top 4 in college football, as they are all continuing to find ways to win, even though those victories are not always pretty. Ohio State and Clemson both needed to dig deep in Week 5 to get wins and maintain their top status, although things look to be a little easier for them with this weekend’s schedule.

The bigger games in Week 6 involve ranked teams going head to head in an effort to continue moving up and challenging the Big 4. Let’s take a look at some of the bigger games on the Week 6 college football schedule. As always, all odds, props and futures for each game sponsored by YouWager.eu.

No. 19 Texas Longhorns at No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners

The Red River Rivalry is always one of the games that these two teams circle on the calendar and tis one should be a real treat for the fans, too, as both teams are now ranked in the top 25. Texas have recovered nicely after losing their season opener, while the Oklahoma Sooners are still unbeaten through the first 5 weeks of the season. The line may change a little as the week progresses, but for now, the Sooners are in as a 7-point home favorite. This thing may end up being a little tighter than the line suggests, but either way, I think it will be Oklahoma who come out on top in this one.


No. 5 LSU Tigers at No. 22 Florida Gators

A huge SEC match-up here, especially for Florida who are coming into this game having already dropped a conference game. They are almost certainly out of the running to be in the SEC Championship Game if they lose this one, as it really doesn’t look as though Georgia are going to drop too many games in the East Division. For LSU, it’s all about remaining unbeaten and keeping the pressure on the high-flying Alabama Crimson Tide in the West. The bookies have this as a close one, with the LSU Tigers in as an early 3 ½ point favorite. It’s never easy to get a win on the road against the Gators, but I like LSU to get it.


Florida State Seminoles at No. 17 Miami Hurricanes

We have yet another big rivalry game on tap this coming Saturday, with the Florida State Seminoles making the short trip to Miami to face the Hurricanes. This is a match-up that the Seminoles dominated for a while, but it is clear that the tide is starting to turn. Florida State are in rebuilding mode at the moment, while the Hurricanes look as though they are going to be a permanent fixture in the top 25 for the foreseeable future. You can see the difference between these two in the early point spread, with the Hurricanes in as a 12 ½ point favorite. This should be a win for the home team.


No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No. 24 Virginia Tech Hokies

The Fighting Irish are one of a handful of teams who have a legitimate shot at running down the top 4 teams in the nation. They come into this one with a perfect 5-0 record this season, and while they are an early 5 ½ point favorite here, this is going to be a game that is far from easy for them. The Hokies took a tough loss a couple of weeks back against Old Dominion, but they bounced back with a big win in Week 5 over a ranked Duke team. They are going to give the Irish all they can handle this coming Saturday, although I do think the Hokies will come up a little short.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan



Overall Team Offense

The Western Michigan Broncos are ranked 22 on offense, averaging 489.2 yards per game. The Broncos are averaging 204.6 yards rushing and 284.6 yards passing so far this season.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles are ranked 81 on offense, averaging 395.2 yards per game. The Eagles are averaging 112.6 yards rushing and 282.6 yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Western Michigan Broncos are 1-1 at home this season, 1-0 against conference opponents and 6110-6110 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Broncos are averaging 55.0 scoring, and holding teams to 27.5 points scored on defense.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles are 1-2 while on the road this season, 0-2 against conference opponents and 6110-6110 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Eagles are averaging 22.7 scoring, and holding teams to 25.7 points scored on defense.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Kansas at West Virginia


West Virginia jumped into the top 10 in the FBS rankings but is still finding things to improve upon, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The eighth-ranked Mountaineers will try to put together four full quarters and stay undefeated when they host Kansas on Saturday.

West Virginia took a 35-10 lead into the half at Texas Tech last week but did not score an offensive touchdown after the break and needed an interception return for a score late in the fourth quarter to hold on for a 42-34 triumph. "I don’t think it’s a recurring problem," Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen told reporters of the second-half struggles. "It didn’t happen in the other three games, so I don’t think it’s a recurring problem. They know it. We came in here on Sunday, and we watched the video. All you have to do is watch the video. The first half, it looks really good. The second half, it looks like crap. So, they know, and we have to go out, and we have to do better." Kansas is an improving team but is still looking for success in the Big 12 after falling to Baylor and Oklahoma State in the last two games. "Well, you're in the Big 12. It's a whole different monster," Jayhawks coach David Beaty told reporters. "I think one of the things is knowing that people are smart. They know exactly where your strengths lie, so understanding where you're going to devote numbers is something that we obviously know that is going to come our way."

TV: Noon, ET, ESPN2. LINE: West Virginia -28.5

ABOUT KANSAS (2-3, 0-2 Big 12): Jayhawks quarterback Carter Stanley threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-24 loss to Oklahoma State last week but also was sacked five times. "We've got to stay out of those (obvious passing) situations as best we can and being efficient on first down helps us do that," Beaty told reporters. "Not just sitting in situations where they know we're going to have to drop back and they have to pin their ears back. That can give us problems." Kansas is not enjoying much success pressuring the opposing passer either, with the defense recording a total of five sacks in the first five games.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (4-0, 2-0): Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier is completing 72.1 percent of his passes for 1,487 yards and 17 TDs through the first four games but feels there is room for improvement. "It's a long season, and you have to continue to get better," Grier told reporters. "The teams that end up winning championships and being remembered are the teams that play well in November and December, so we've got to continue to play better as the season goes and learn from things like that (second half at Texas Tech)." Grier threw for 347 yards and two TDs and recorded his only two rushing scores of 2017 in a 56-34 win at Kansas last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kansas freshman RB Pooka Williams Jr., who sat out the season opener, has rushed for 474 in the last four games, passing Gale Sayers (403) for the most in school history through his first four contests.

2. West Virginia is converting 59 percent of its third-down attempts and is 15-of-15 when it comes to scoring on its red-zone opportunities.

3. The Mountaineers have taken the last four meetings by an average of 29.3 points.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 51, Kansas 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Alabama at Arkansas


Top-ranked Alabama looks to continue its dominating season on Saturday when it visits SEC opponent Arkansas, which has dropped four consecutive games. The Crimson Tide have outscored their foes 271-65 over the first five games while thriving behind sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Alabama's offense has been rolling by topping 500 yards in each game and Tagovailoa has been superb with 14 touchdown passes without tossing an interception. "We have a lot of confidence in Tua," Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said during a press conference. "He has played extremely well in every game. He's right on target most of the time, not only in where he delivers the ball but who he delivers it to and why he should do it that way." The Razorbacks are struggling under first-year coach Chad Morris and have allowed 34 or more points on three occasions, including 44 in a 27-point loss to North Texas. "Everybody wants to have success, and we get it and we understand that," Morris said at a press conference in regards to fan unrest over a 1-4 start. "They also see that there is growth and there is progress being made."

TV: Noon ET, ESPN. LINE: Alabama -35

ABOUT ALABAMA (5-0, 2-0 SEC): Tagovailoa has completed a remarkable 75 percent of his passes for 1,161 yards to help the Crimson Tide score 45 or more points in five straight games for the first time in program history. Sophomore receiver Jerry Jeudy is off to a strong start with 19 receptions for 423 yards and six touchdowns, while freshman Jaylen Waddle (11 receptions, 264 yards) got into the act by accounting for three touchdowns (two receiving, one punt return) in last Saturday's 56-14 rout of Louisiana. Alabama's defense has racked up nine interceptions and 18 sacks with senior defensive end Isaiah Buggs (5.5) and senior linebacker Christian Miller (4.5) combining for 10 of the latter.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (1-4, 0-2): Junior quarterback Ty Storey is making his third consecutive start and has season numbers of 631 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. Junior running back Devwah Whaley (team-best 231 rushing yards) missed last Saturday's game against Texas A&M with a concussion, and his status for the Crimson Tide will be determined later this week. Senior linebacker Dre Greenlaw had two interceptions in the 24-17 loss to the Aggies, while junior linebacker De'Jon Harris has a team-best 53 tackles to lead a unit allowing an average of 31.2 points.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Alabama has won the past 11 meetings and leads the series 18-8.

2. Razorbacks senior TE Jeremy Patton (ankle) will miss the contest.

3. The Crimson Tide have scored five non-offensive touchdowns -- three on interceptions, one kickoff return and Waddle's punt return.

PREDICTION: Alabama 52, Arkansas 13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Maryland at Michigan

No. 16 Michigan looks to continue its mastery of Maryland when it hosts the Terrapins in Ben Ten play on Saturday. The Wolverines have won the last three meetings by a combined score of 122-13, including a 59-3 rout in their last matchup in Ann Arbor in 2016, and they hope to stay on the winning track by improving to 4-0 at home this season.

Michigan erased a 17-point deficit en route to a 20-17 road victory against Northwestern in Week 5 to complete the third-biggest comeback in program history, and the Wolverines hope to use it as a springboard to success with three straight games against ranked opponents on deck. Maryland bounced back from a disappointing 35-14 loss to Temple with a convincing 42-13 win over Minnesota on Sept. 22 before going on a bye. The Terrapins have averaged 40 points in their three wins, but haven't beaten the Wolverines since 2014, and hope to make a case for moving into the top 25 by knocking off their second ranked opponent after a 45-14 opening-week victory against No. 23 Texas. "These kids are special and what they've gone through and how they came back they are awesome," Maryland interim coach Matt Canada told reporters. "We are so proud of our players and how hard they play and stick together."

TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Michigan -17.5.

ABOUT MARYLAND (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten): Ty Johnson racked up 123 yards on the ground, including a career-long 81-yard touchdown, in the win against Minnesota to move into sixth place on the program's all-time rushing list with 2,429 yards. Anthony McFarland added 112 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Golden Gophers to become the first freshman at Maryland to notch back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since 1986. Junior running back Lorenzo Harrison, who has racked up 1,339 yards and nine touchdowns in his career, suffered a knee injury during practice last week and will miss the remainder of the season.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (4-1, 2-0): Defensive end Chase Winovich was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after recording nine tackles, three for loss, and a sack in the comeback win against Northwestern. Karan Higdon rushed for 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Wildcats to go over the century mark for the third straight game. Defensive end Rashan Gary left the game in the first half after re-aggravating a shoulder injury and is questionable for Saturday while running back Chris Evans, who has missed the last two contests with a hamstring injury, will be a game-time decision.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Winovich is ranked third nationally in tackles for loss with 10.5.

2. Johnson has registered ten 100-yard rushing games in his career.

3. Michigan leads the nation in total defense at 232.6 yards per game.

PREDICTION: Michigan 38, Maryland 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Illinois at Rutgers


Illinois and Rutgers both limp into Saturday afternoon's contest in Piscataway, N.J., searching for their first Big Ten victory and hoping to snap losing streaks. And considering what lies ahead for both teams on their conference schedules, this might be the best bet for both teams when it comes to garnering a league win this season.

That fact hasn't gone unnoticed by either head coach. "This is as big of a game as we've had in a long time as we see it," said Illinois coach Lovie Smith, whose team has had an extra week to prepare for the "showdown" after getting hammered 63-24 by visiting Penn State on Sept. 21. "Right now, the one thing that can help our program is to get a win against a Big Ten opponent this week. That's the best thing we can do right now to help our program." Rutgers, which has been outscored, 173-47, during four consecutive losses dating back to last season, has designated the contest as its annual "Blackout" game and will wear special all-black uniforms. "We're on a streak that we've got to get stopped," Scarlet Knights coach Chris Ash told NJ.com. "We've lost four in a row, and (are) disappointed in it."

TV: Noon, Big Ten Network LINE: Illinois -5

6ABOUT ILLINOIS (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten): The Illini are averaging a Big Ten-leading 47.5 rush attempts per game and an average of 243.5 yards per game rushing which ranks 18th nationally under offensive coordinator Rod Smith, a longtime assistant under zone-read guru Rich Rodriguez. Junior running back Reggie Corbin (327 yards, 6.81 ypc, 4 TDs) and sophomore RB Mike Epstein (324 yards, 6.75 ypc, 2 TDs) both rank in the top-20 nationally in yards per carry and give Illinois a formidable 1-2 punch. Freshman QB M.J. Rivers, who grew up in New Jersey when his father, tight end Marcellus Rivers, played for the New York Giants, took over starting duties the past two weeks with senior AJ Bush (142 rushing yards) out with a hamstring injury, completing 46-of-73 passes for 422 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception, but there is a possibility that Bush might be able to return this week.

ABOUT RUTGERS (1-4, 0-2): After opening the season with a 35-7 home win over Texas State, the Scarlet Knights have dropped four in a row including back-to-back home games to Buffalo (42-13) and last week against Indiana (24-17). True freshman Arthur Sitkowski starts at quarterback and has completed just 57-of-115 passes (49.6 percent) for 483 yards, two TDs and eight interceptions. The defense, led by linebacker Trevor Morris (45 tackles, four pass breakups), hasn't been much better, allowing an average of 36.0 points and 437.6 yards per game and an average of 25 first-half points.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Illinois leads the Big Ten and ranks ninth nationally in turnovers gained per game (2.25).

2. Rutgers, which blocked two field goals in its 55-14 loss at Kansas on Sept. 15, has blocked 52 kicks since 2009, 10 more than any other program over that span.

3. Epstein became the first Illinois back to post back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since 2013 with 105 yards against Western Illinois on Sept. 8 and 113 against USF on Sept. 15.

PREDICTION: Illinois 34, Rutgers 27

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Texas vs. Oklahoma


Even though the Red River Showdown has not meant as much in terms of deciding the Big 12 champion lately as it did a few years ago, the rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma has not lacked in terms of producing thrilling games. Second-year coach Tom Herman appears to be working his magic with the 20th-ranked Longhorns this year, and they'll try to prove their resurgence is for real Saturday when they meet the fifth-ranked Sooners at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

After wallowing in mediocrity for the better part of the last decade, Texas has knocked off ranked teams in USC and TCU during a four-game winning streak on the strength of the conference's second-best scoring defense (19.8 points per game). The Longhorns are coming off a 19-14 victory at Kansas State last week despite committing 10 penalties for 104 yards - an area they'll need to clean up against the Big 12's highest-scoring offense (48.6). Oklahoma moved to 5-0 for the first time since 2013 last weekend, scoring at least 14 points in every quarter while routing Baylor 66-33. Despite the Sooners' recent run of dominance inside the conference, each of the archrivals' last four meetings has been decided by seven points or fewer.

TV: Noon ET, FOX. LINE: Oklahoma -8.

ABOUT TEXAS (4-1, 2-0 Big 12): Sophomore Sam Ehlinger established a personal best by completing 80.6 percent of his passes at Kansas State and has thrown 128 consecutive passes without an interception, good for the third-longest streak in school history. Lil'Jordan Humphrey ranks seventh in the conference in receptions (26) and receiving yards (402), while fellow junior Collin Johnson is tied for eighth and ranks 11th in those respective categories (24, 350). Senior defensive end Charles Omenihu had five tackles - three for loss and two sacks - last weekend, while receiver/defensive back D'Shawn Jamison earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday after becoming the first Longhorn true freshman with a punt return for a touchdown since Selvin Young in 2002.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (5-0, 2-0): Kyler Murray sat out the opening drive against Baylor for disciplinary reasons but still managed to tie a school record by accounting for seven touchdowns while setting Big 12 marks in passing efficiency (348.0), yards per pass attempt (20.8) and yards per completion (25.4). Marquise Brown ranks first nationally with six catches of at least 40 yards and eighth in FBS in receiving yards per game (108.8), while his 22.7 yards per catch is second in the country among players averaging at least four receptions per game. Sophomore linebacker Kenneth Murray followed up his school-record 28-tackle performance against Army with 17 more last weekend and ranks third in FBS with 12.8 per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas is the only Big 12 program with a winning record against Oklahoma (61-46-5), although the Sooners have won six of the last eight meetings.

2. Through only five starts with Oklahoma, Murray has accounted for two of the six instances since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996 in which a Sooner has thrown for at least 300 yards and rushed for at least 65 in a game.

3. Saturday will mark the first time since 2012 both schools enter this game inside the top 25.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 34, Texas 27

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: East Carolina at Temple


After winning three games last season, East Carolina has a chance to match that total Saturday against host Temple. The Pirates rallied in the final six minutes to upend Old Dominion last week and now must contend with an Owls team that has knocked off the Pirates in each of the last four seasons.

East Carolina scored nine points in the final 5:22 last week with Jake Verity kicking the decisive field goal in the final minute. Reid Herring threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns, but the Pirates may turn to the running game in their matchup with Temple. The Owls allowed 275 rushing yards in last week's 45-35 setback against Boston College, wasting a strong rushing performance of their own. Ryquell Armstead had 171 yards and four TDs on the ground for Temple, which is looking to get back to .500 on the season.

TV: Noon ET. LINE: Temple -11.5

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (2-2, 0-1 AAC): The Pirates have recorded 15 sacks in the last two games and have given up one sack or less in eight of their last 10 outings - a solid formula for success for any football team. Herring averages nearly 47 passing attempts per game with Trevon Brown, Blake Proehl and Deondre Farrier all reeling in between 18 and 21 catches this year. Anthony Scott, the team's leading rusher at only 208 yards, has scored a TD in the Pirates' two wins and been held out of the end zone in their two losses.

ABOUT TEMPLE (2-3, 1-0): Anthony Russo is expected to see the bulk of the action Saturday despite struggling the last two weeks to the tune of 27-of-65 passing with no touchdowns and four interceptions. On the bright side, no team in the nation has more defensive touchdowns than the Owls (five). They have scored a non-offensive touchdown in every game, including fumble recoveries, blocked kicks and interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Temple's 35 points last week were its most in a defeat since 2013.

2. Armstead is seeking his fifth straight game with at least 100 rushing yards.

3. East Carolina is 20-3 in its last 23 games where the team has amassed at least 200 rushing yards.

PREDICTION: Temple 29, East Carolina 24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Buffalo at Central Michigan
When: 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, October 6, 2018
Where: Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Michigan



Overall Team Offense

The Central Michigan Chippewas are ranked 130 on offense, averaging 255.8 yards per game. The Chippewas are averaging 108.6 yards rushing and 147.2 yards passing so far this season.
The Buffalo Bulls are ranked 82 on offense, averaging 394.0 yards per game. The Bulls are averaging 151.0 yards rushing and 243.0 yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Central Michigan Chippewas are 1-1 at home this season, 0-1 against conference opponents and 6110-6110 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Chippewas are averaging 12.0 scoring, and holding teams to 18.0 points scored on defense.
The Buffalo Bulls are 2-0 while on the road this season, 1-0 against conference opponents and 6110-6110 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Bulls are averaging 39.0 scoring, and holding teams to 21.0 points scored on defense.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Missouri at South Carolina


South Carolina is off to a disappointing start to what looked to be a promising season, and the Gamecocks need a home win over SEC East rival Missouri on Saturday to turn things around. The Tigers are looking for their fifth consecutive road win dating to last season.


It’s a matchup of the SEC’s best passing offense, as Drew Lock and Missouri average 347 yards through the air, against the league’s second-best pass defense, with the Gamecocks allowing just 159.5 passing yards per game. Missouri is coming off a bye week following a 43-29 home loss to No. 2 Georgia. South Carolina fell flat in a 24-10 loss at No. 15 Kentucky last week, as Jake Bentley threw three interceptions. The all-time series is tied at four wins apiece, but the Gamecocks have captured the last two meetings.

TV: Noon ET, SEC Network. LINE: South Carolina -1


ABOUT MISSOURI (3-1, 0-1 SEC): Lock is on his way to another prolific season, having passed for 1,283 yards with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions, and he has several dangerous weapons - including speedster Emanuel Hall and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. The running game has been effective, too, as the trio of Larry Rountree III (293 yards, two touchdowns), Damarea Crockett (199, two) and freshman Tyler Badie (189, one) have done damage. The rushing defense has been excellent, but the secondary has been suspect at times, allowing 572 passing yards in a 40-37 win at Purdue in Week 3.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (2-2, 1-2): The Gamecocks’ offense has been inconsistent, rolling up more than 500 total yards in the team's two wins but fewer than 350 in the two losses. Bentley, who has thrown six interceptions against seven touchdowns, left last week’s game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury but is expected to start - although if he is less than 100 percent, the Gamecocks could lean on running back Rico Dowdle (279 yards, two TDs). The defense has been outstanding against the pass, which has contributed to the team ranking fourth in the nation in third-down defense as it has allowed conversions just 25 percent of the time.


EXTRA POINTS

1. Lock needs just 22 passing yards to become the 10th SEC quarterback to surpass 10,000 in his career and first since Georgia’s Aaron Murray in 2013.

2. South Carolina is seeking its 400th home victory.

3. The Gamecocks have not allowed a point in the second half of their last two games.


PREDICTION: Missouri 30, South Carolina 27

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Tulane at Cincinnati


Cincinnati will try to continue piling up offense and playing stingy defense when the Bearcats host Tulane in an American Athletic Conference game on Saturday. Cincinnati has produced at least 400 yards of total offense in its past four games and is coming off a 49-7 win against Connecticut, its most points produced in a game since the 2015 season.

The Bearcats are receiving plenty of attention in the coaches' poll, but they could use a quality win to get them into the top 25, and a win over Tulane probably won't be enough. Cincinnati's first five wins have come against opponents with a combined 6-17 record, and the Bearcats won't face a team that came into this week with a winning mark until they host unbeaten South Florida on Nov. 9. The Green Wave played a tougher nonconference schedule than Cincinnati, hosting Wake Forest from the ACC in the season opener and visiting No. 3 Ohio State on Sept. 22. Both those games resulted in losses, but Tulane certainly has something to build on after beating Memphis 40-24 last weekend in the conference opener, snapping an 11-game losing streak in the series.

TV: 12 p.m., ET, ESPNU. LINE: Cincinnati -7

ABOUT TULANE (2-3, 1-0 AAC): The Green Wave's strength was expected to lie in their passing game, but they've been difficult to stop on the ground behind their 1-2 punch of running backs Darius Bradwell and Corey Dauphine. Bradwell had 143 yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns against Memphis, and Bradwell also scored twice while piling up 87 rushing yards on 12 carries. Tulane quarterback Jonathan Banks had one of his best games against Cincinnati last season, throwing for 226 yards and rushing for 75, including a 53-yard touchdown scamper, in the 17-16 loss.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (5-0, 1-0): Bearcats freshman quarterback Desmond Ridder seems to be getting more comfortable with every snap, especially after completing 20-of-26 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns against Connecticut. Ridder has 888 passing yards this season and 250 rushing yards, and his ability to make plays with his legs has been especially valuable in keeping defenses off balance. Tulane struggled to defend a similar freshman quarterback in the season opener against Wake Forest, allowing 356 passing yards and 64 rushing yards to Sam Hartman in the overtime loss.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cincinnati has combined for 1,824 yards of total offense in the past three games.

2. The Bearcats are allowing the second fewest points in the nation at 12.2 per game. Washington is first at 11.6.

3. Tulane has had 31 plays of 20 yards or more this season, including 11 that have resulted in touchdowns.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 30, Tulane 21

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Syracuse at Pittsburgh


Syracuse was 13 minutes away from upending No. 4 Clemson last week for a second consecutive season and entering the top-25 rankings for the first time since 2001 before the Tigers rallied for two touchdowns and a 27-23 victory. Orange coach Dino Babers said his team needs to take a page from the Clemson playbook and battle through adversity this Saturday when it visits a struggling Pittsburgh team.


“The big thing about Clemson (last year) is they didn't let Syracuse beat them twice," Babers said during his weekly press conference "We've got to take a page out of that book. They beat us once, but we can't make that football team good enough to beat us twice. We need to lock in, refocus, and put all of our attention and energy into the Pitt Panthers." Pittsburgh holds a 38-32-3 edge in the all-time series that has taken place annually since 1955, although Syracuse won 27-24 last season behind 413 total yards by quarterback Eric Dungey. Following last season’s contest with the Panthers, the Orange knocked off the Tigers 27-24 to improve to 4-3 and match their most wins in a season since 2014, but they dropped their final five games of the season, albeit the last three without their star signal-caller. Pitt was reminded last week how far it sits from the top-25 in coach Pat Narduzzi’s fourth season when it got clobbered 45-14 by No. 13 Central Florida after an earlier 51-6 loss to No. 11 Penn State.

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


ABOUT SYRACUSE (4-1, 1-1 ACC): Dungey completed 26-of-41 passes for 250 yards and scored two rushing TDs against Clemson, and the senior has accounted for 15 TDs (nine passing, two interceptions) while compiling 1,378 yards of total offense this season. The Orange defense tallied four quarterback sacks against the Tigers and are averaging 4.7 over their last three contests with junior defensive end Kendall Coleman accounting for two sacks in two of the last three games. The biggest surprise on defense has been the nation-leading four interceptions by Andre Sisco, the first true freshman to start a season opener at safety for the Orange since 1985.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (2-3, 1-1): Narduzzi, known for his tenacious defenses at Michigan State, has not been able to duplicate that in the Steel City (457.5 total yards per game in last four FBS contests), but he’s as equally frustrated by increased penalties, including 11 last week against Clemson. “The last two years, we’ve been one of the least penalized football teams in the country and I think the least penalized in the ACC,” he said during his weekly press conference. “All of a sudden, we’re one of the highest. That just doesn’t calculate with me. I don’t understand, I don’t have an answer for that and it bothers me.” The Panthers also felt they had their quarterback issues resolved with Kenny Pickett, but the sophomore hasn’t thrown for 200 yards in any of his six career starts (he did throw for 242 yards off the bench vs. Virginia Tech last season) and 58 of his 163 yards passing last week came on a short pass at the line of scrimmage in which Maurice Ffrench turned into his second TD of the season.



EXTRA POINTS

1. Pitt has jumped from sixth in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game last year (38.2) to No. 112 this season (75.8).

2. Syracuse K Andre Szmyt has converted multiple field goals in all five games this season, making 13-of-14 while drilling all 26 extra points. He ranks first in the ACC and third in the FBS in scoring (13 points per game) while leading FBS with 2.6 field goals per game.

3. With his two TDs last week, Dungey passed all-time leading rusher Joe Morris for sixth in school history with 26 rushing TDs.

PREDICTION: Syracuse 41, Pittsburgh 20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Boston College at North Carolina State


No. 25 North Carolina State seeks its first 5-0 start since 2002 when it hosts Boston College on Saturday in an intriguing ACC matchup. The Wolfpack opened conference play with a 35-21 win over Virginia behind a bruising ground game and another steady showing from senior quarterback Ryan Finley, who threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Head coach Dave Doeren was pleased with his team's balance on offense and energy on defense that led to four sacks and two forced turnovers, but he senses a bigger challenge this week. "This team we’re playing this week, Boston College, will be the best team we've played," he told reporters at his weekly press conference. "There's no doubt. Statistically, they're a very impressive team. And they have great players. They're very experienced." Doeren went on to call Eagles sophomore AJ Dillon "the nation's best running back," but Dillon suffered an ankle injury in last week's 45-35 win over Temple and his status is up in the air for this one. The road team has won each of the last four meetings between Boston College and N.C. State.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network. LINE: N.C. State -5

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (4-1, 1-0 ACC): Also injured last week was receiver Jeff Smith, who leads the Eagles with 12 receptions and also threw a TD pass to quarterback Anthony Brown against Temple. Brown has completed just 28-of-60 passes over his last two games but leads all ACC passers with 12 touchdowns through the air. Defensive ends Wyatt Ray and Zach Allen have combined for nine sacks and linebacker Connor Strachan is tied for fourth in the conference with 36 total tackles.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (4-0, 1-0): The Wolfpack ran 39 times for 176 yards against the Cavaliers and the catalyst was freshman Ricky Person Jr.'s triumphant return (108 yards on 14 carries) from a hamstring injury. "I thought the line and the tight ends did a nice job for all the backs, but there was a lot of yards after contact that Ricky deserves, too," Doeren told the media. Finley tops the ACC with a 68.6 completion percentage and 328.3 yards per game, and his top target is Kelvin Harmon (24 catches, 406 yards).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Dillon had 196 yards and a TD in last year's 17-14 loss to the Wolfpack.

2. N.C. State ranks third among FBS teams in third-down conversion rate at 59.3 percent.

3. Wolfpack DT Larrell Murchison had three sacks, a pass deflection and six tackles against Virginia.

PREDICTION: North Carolina State 35, Boston College 28

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Northern Illinois at Ball State
When: 3:00 PM ET, Saturday, October 6, 2018
Where: Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, Indiana



Overall Team Offense

The Ball State Cardinals are ranked 33 on offense, averaging 472.2 yards per game. The Cardinals are averaging 194.2 yards rushing and 278.0 yards passing so far this season.
The Northern Illinois Huskies are ranked 129 on offense, averaging 260.0 yards per game. The Huskies are averaging 127.8 yards rushing and 132.2 yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Ball State Cardinals are 2-1 at home this season, 1-0 against conference opponents and 6110-6110 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Cardinals are averaging 38.0 scoring, and holding teams to 19.3 points scored on defense.
The Northern Illinois Huskies are 1-2 while on the road this season, 2-0 against conference opponents and 6110-6110 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Huskies are averaging 17.3 scoring, and holding teams to 31.0 points scored on defense.