Saturday 10-13-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Michigan State won three of last four games with Penn State; home side won last three series games. Spartans won two of last three visits to Happy Valley; they’re 3-2 this year, scoring 31+ points in their wins, 13-19 in losses- they were held to 63-96 rushing yards in their losses. MSU’s last three games went over total. Spartans are 8-3 in last 11 games as road underdogs. Nittany Lions had week off after tough 27-26 home loss to Ohio State; over is 4-1 in PSU’s games this year. Under Franklin, Lions are 12-8 vs spread as home favorites.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

UCLA is 0-5 in Chip Kelly’s first season here; they’re 0-2 on road, losing 49-21 at Oklahoma, 38-16 at Colorado. Bruins are 3-4 in last seven games as road underdogs- they allowed average of 461 TY in their last four games. UCLA won four of last five games with Cal, losing 36-10 in last visit here; average total in last four series games is 61.3. Golden Bears lost last two games after a 3-0 start, going -6 in turnovers in those two games; Cal is 6-3-1 in its last ten games as home favorites, 10-15 vs spread in game following its last 25 losses.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Games to Watch - Week 7

Week 6 of the college football season proved to be one of the most explosive in recent memory, with the results from Saturday having a major impact on the National Rankings outside of the Top 4 teams.

The top teams in the nation continued to roll, but it was what happened in the spot below them that caused a major shake-up. The losses by LSU and Oklahoma have opened things up in a big way, with a couple of teams set to make big jumps in this week’s rankings.

Instead of looking back, let’s look ahead at dome of the biggest games on the college football schedule for Week 7 with all odds, props and futures for each game.

Pittsburgh Panthers at Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The biggest beneficiary of the Week 6 results was the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, as they moved all the way up to the #5 spot after maintaining their unbeaten record on the season. The Irish are now on the brink of cracking the top 4, although they still need one of the top teams to slip up, which is certainly a possibility given some of the match-ups we have on tap this Saturday. While Notre Dame are an overwhelming favorite for this one, it is still a potential trip-up game for them, as they may let down a little after taking such a nice jump up the rankings. The Panthers are coming off a surprising win over Syracuse in Week 5, so they are sure to still be riding on a bit of a high. Still, Notre Dame should win this one.

Georgia Bulldogs at LSU Tigers

No doubt about it, this is the biggest game on the schedule this coming weekend. The LSU Tigers fell out of the #5 spot this week after losing on the road to the Florida Gators, and things are not going to get any easier with the #2 team in the nation coming to town on Saturday. Georgia rolled over Vanderbilt last week, scoring over 40 points for the 5th time in 6 games this season. The loss for the Tigers means that they now need some help if they are to catch Alabama in the West, and they could well be out of the SEC race altogether with another loss this weekend, which I believe is what is going to happen to them.

Washington Huskies at Oregon Ducks

There were no PAC-12 teams in the playoff last season and it’s fair to suggest that things are beginning to look as though we may see more of the same this year. As it stands right now, the Washington Huskies and the Colorado Buffaloes look like the best chance this conference has of getting a team into the final four, as both are still unbeaten in conference play, although Washington do have a loss on the season, going down to Auburn in Week 1. The Huskies need this one to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, while the Ducks, who are 1-1 in conference play. Need it to get back in the hunt in the North Division. I think it will be the Huskies who win here.

Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Wolverines

The Big Ten Conference is being controlled by the Ohio State Buckeyes right now, but that does not necessarily mean that they are going to get to the Championship Game totally unopposed. Their biggest threat right now would appear to be the Michigan Wolverines, which is perhaps a bit of a surprise given how poorly they started the season. As good as Michigan have been in recent weeks, they know they really cannot afford another loss if they are still to have a shot at the playoffs. Wisconsin have been poorer than expected this season, which is why I like the Wolverines to continue rolling this weekend.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Early Line Moves - Week 7

College Football Week 7 Opening Line Report

Where has the early money gone in college football for Week 7? The biggest line move in college football so far in Week 7 is on the winless Nebraska Cornhuskers. If you remember last week, one of the early live moves was on Nebraska in their game at Wisconsin and the Cornhuskers covered the 18-point spread.

Nebraska is visiting Northwestern this week and the line opened with Northwestern a 9-point favorite. That number is now down to 5.5 points. Let’s look at some of the big live moves for Week 7 and some of the line movement for the three marquee games this week.

Odds per BetDSI

Week 7 Early Line Moves

Nebraska +9 to +5.5 at Northwestern

The Cornhuskers are winless at 0-5, but they did cover the spread for the first time this season last week in a 41-24 loss at Wisconsin. The Cornhuskers have been arguably, the most disappointing team in all of college football this season, but Northwestern is coming off a big win against Michigan State and bettors are expecting a letdown.

Duke +3 to +1 at Georgia Tech

The Blue Devils are getting some love in this game, as the line has dropped from three points to just one point against Georgia Tech. The Blue Devils come into this game at 4-1, while the Yellow Jackets are 3-3.

Buffalo -9 to -11.5 vs. Akron

The Bulls are getting some serious action this week from bettors, as they go on the road to Akron. The Bulls lead the MAC East Division at 2-0, while the Zips are 0-1 in the division.

San Jose State +17 to +14 vs. Army

Bettors are taking the points with another winless team this week. The Spartans come into this game at 0-5, but bettors are taking the big points with San Jose State against Army. The Black Knights come into this game at 3-2.

Louisiana Tech -11.5 to -14 at UTSA

This line move is a bit strange, as Louisiana Tech comes into this game at 3-2, while UTSA is 3-3. This game is also a road contest, but bettors really like the road squad here, as the line has moved from 11.5 to 14.

West Virginia -4.5 to -6.5 at Iowa State

This line moves makes a little more sense, as bettors are backing the unbeaten Mountaineers on the road at Iowa State. If you are going to bet this game that should worry you, as line moves that make sense are usually the ones that lose. It is the line moves that don’t make sense that normally win.

Indiana +6 to +4 vs. Iowa

Bettors are taking Indiana in their road contest at Iowa. The Hoosiers looked pretty good last week in a loss to Ohio State and Iowa hasn’t been impressive this season. The Hawkeyes are still 4-1 and they are playing at home, so this is a dangerous play on an Indiana team that still isn’t very good.

Baylor +17 to +14 at Texas

Bettors are counting on a letdown from Texas this week, as they are backing Baylor plus the big points. Texas is coming off a very emotional win against Oklahoma last week and it would be natural if they have a letdown. The Bears can score, but they can’t stop anyone, so this is likely to be a high scoring game. Baylor is 4-2 on the season, while Texas is 5-1.

Marquee Game Line Moves

There are three marquee games this week, as No. 2 Georgia visits No. 13 LSU on CBS, No. 7 Washington visits No. 17 Oregon on ABC or ESPN 2 and No. 15 Wisconsin visits No. 12 Michigan on ABC.

-- Georgia opened as a 7-point favorite at LSU and that number has moved slightly down to 6.5.
-- The Huskies opened up as a 3.5 point favorite at Oregon and that number has not moved, although the juice has Oregon laying -115.
-- The Wolverines opened up as a 6.5-point favorite against the Badgers and bettors are backing Michigan in the Big House, as the Wolverines are now laying 7.5 points.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GARY BACK FOR WOLVERINES?

The Michigan Wolverines could have their best defender back in the lineup for this weekend's pivotal encounter with visiting Wisconsin. Rashan Gary didn't dress last week due to a shoulder injury, but Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh says there is "hope" that the standout defensive end will return against the Badgers. Gary, who suffered the injury in the second half of a 20-17 win over Northwestern on Sept. 29, is considered one of the top defensive linemen in Division I and will almost certainly be tasked with slowing down superstar running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Jonathan Taylor if he plays Saturday.

The Wolverines enter Tuesday as 7.5-point favorites with an O/U of 48, putting Wisconsin's team total at roughly 20 points. The return of Gary would put a serious dent in the Badgers' chances of getting there, despite having averaged nearly 34 points through their first five games of the season.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

The Boise State defense is facing major voids following the loss of two starters to season-ending injuries. Safety DeAndre Pierce suffered a spleen injury in the Broncos' Sept. 29 triumph over Wyoming and will miss the remainder of the year. He'll be joined on the sidelines by senior defensive lineman David Moa, who has been dealing with a calf injury that has plagued him since fall camp. Pierce had a team-high 23 tackles through four games but missed last week's game against San Diego State. Moa has appeared in just one game this season, a 44-21 loss to Oklahoma State on Sept. 15.

Boise State has allowed 20 or fewer points in four of five games this season, and is a 17.5-point favorite for Saturday's encounter with visiting Nevada. But the loss of Pierce is a big one, and greatly enhances the Wolf Pack's chances of not only covering, but surpassing its team total, which sits at around 21.5 points.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

The Boston College Eagles might have to prepare for the possibility that their sensational starting running back will miss another week. A.J. Dillon remains day-to-day with an ankle injury that sidelined him for last Saturday's 28-23 setback against N.C. State. The team says he's making progress in his recovery, but the true test could be how much he practices ahead of this weekend's encounter with visiting Louisville. Ben Giles had 90 yards and a touchdown while substituting for Dillon, who enters the week with 652 rushing yards and seven scores on the season.

Dillon's return is critical for the Eagles against a Cardinals rush defense allowing an unfathomable 231 yards per game – one of the worst rates in the country. If he's good to go, bettors should strongly consider taking BC to cover at -13.5 while giving the over-61 play a long look, as well.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Zeb Noland is out and Brock Purdy is in at quarterback for Iowa State. Purdy took over for Noland early in last week's 48-42 loss to Oklahoma State and was simply sensational, throwing for 318 yards and four touchdowns while adding 84 yards and a score on the ground. The Cyclones turn to Purdy as they continue to wait for Kyle Kempt to return from a knee injury that has limited him to just one game this season, but he won't be ready to return this weekend. Purdy's four scoring passes equaled the output Noland and Kempt had compiled over Iowa State's previous four games.

The Cyclones are six-point home underdogs against Will Grier and the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday. But if Purdy is anywhere near as effective as he was last week, this game should soar past the total of 57.5.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tech Trends - Week 7

Bruce Marshall

Saturday, Oct. 13

LOUISVILLE at BOSTON COLLEGE...’Ville 1-6 vs. spread since late 2017, on 6-17 spread skid since late 2016. BC 15-6 last 21 on board since late 2016. Road team, however, has covered last four meetings.
Boston College, based on team trends.


MIAMI-FLORIDA at VIRGINIA...Canes 3-2 vs. line since dropping opener vs. LSU. Richt 13-10 last 23 on board, 7-3 last ten as visiting chalk. Cavs however 4-1 vs. line in 2018.
Slight to Virginia, based on team trends.


TOLEDO at EASTERN MICHIGAN...If Rockets chalk note 8-2 vs. line in role as visitor since 2015. EMU just 2-5-1 vs. spread last 8 at Ypsilanti vs. MAC foes.
Slight to Toledo, based on team trends.


TEXAS A&M at SOUTH CAROLINA...Muschamp 2-3 vs. line last four at home, but did cover narrowly at A&M LY. Gamecocks have covered last three in series. Jimbo 5-1 vs. line TY.
Slight to Texas A&M based on recent trends.


ULM at COASTAL CAROLINA...ULM just 1-7 vs. spread last eight since late 2017. Coastal on 5-2 spread uptick since late 2017.
Coastal Carolina, based on team trends.


PURDUE at ILLINOIS...Lovie 2-8 vs. spread at home in Big Ten action. Lost and failed to cover last two vs. Purdue. Boilermakers surprising 15-5 last 20 vs. points as visitor (back to Hazell regime), and Purdue 6-2 vs. line away from Ross-Ade for Brohm.
Purdue, based on team and recent series trends.


BALL STATE at CENTRAL MICHIGAN...Ball 2-6 last 8 vs. spread away and no covers last four away in MAC. Cards have covered 3 of last 4 vs. CMU but Chips rolled 56-9 LY. Chips 9-2 vs. spread last 11 reg season games.
Central Michigan, based on team trends.


DUKE at GEORGIA TECH...Duke has covered last 4 in series. GT 6-2 vs. spread last 8 at home. Duke 21-11 as dog since 2013.
Duke, based on series trends.


RUTGERS at MARYLAND...Ash 4-2 vs. line on Big Ten road since LY though Scarlet Knights just 2-6 vs. line last eight overall since late 2017. Terps 5-3 as DD chalk since 2016. Home team has won and covered last two meetings.
Slight to Maryland, based on team and series trends.


VIRGINIA TECH at NORTH CAROLINA...Fedora 6-2 last 8 vs. spread though just 2-2 TY. Fuente has crushed Heels last two years by 93-10 total score. Fedora just 2-5 last 7 as Chapel Hill dog.
Virginia Tech, based on recent series trends.


WESTERN KENTUCKY at CHARLOTTE...Tops have covered 3 in a row and 4 straight in 2018. Though WKU was 0-5 as chalk away from home LY. 49ers 5-2 vs. line last seven at home.
Slight to Charlotte, based on team trends.


HOUSTON at EAST CAROLINA...Cougs 1-6 as chalk away from home since LY. But ECU just 8-20-1 vs. spread for Montgomery.
Houston, based on team trends.


AKRON at BUFFALO...Zips 8-4-1 last 13 vs. spread in reg season. But Bulls have covered last five as MAC host. Home team 4-0 SU, 2-0-1 vs. line last four meetings.
Buffalo, based on team and series home trends.


MARSHALL at OLD DOMINION...Herd no covers last four TY. Home team has won and covered last three in series. But Monarchs only 6-13-1 last 20 on board overall.
Slight to Old Dominion, based on series trends.


MTSU at FIU...MTSU now 5-1 vs. points last six C-USA games. Blue Raiders have won last three SU vs. FIU though have only covered one of last four in series. Butch Davis 6-0 last 6, 9-2 last 11 vs. spread in reg season vs. FBS-level foes.
Slight to FIU, based on team trends.


KENT STATE at MIAMI-OHIO...Kent State 4-8 vs. line last 12 MAC games dating to late 2016 (1-1 TY). Low-scoring series past five years, 5-0 “under” in those games. RedHawks just 3-7 last ten as Yager chalk.
“Under” based on series “totals” trends.


UNLV at UTAH STATE...Sanchez now 13-4 as road dog since arriving at UNLV in 2015. Also 11-4 last 15 as dog overall. Utags however 4-0-1 vs. line TY and 7-2-1 last ten as Logan chalk, and beat Rebs 52-24 LY.
Slight to Utah State, based on team trends.


NEW MEXICO at COLORADO STATE...Bobo on 2-11 spread skid, 1-8 last nine as chalk. Davie 0-6 SU, 1-5 vs. Rams since taking over Lobos in 2012 (cover came LY), but 3-0 vs. line away in 2018.
New Mexico, based on recent CSU woes.


TROY at LIBERTY...Troy has covered last four in 2018 and 8-1 last nine vs. number since late 2017.
Troy, based on recent trends.


PITT at NOTRE DAME...Irish only 1-3-1 vs. line last five in series (since 2010; haven’t played since 2015 when ND won) and just 2-2 vs. line at South Bend in 2018. Pitt 5-2 last seven as visiting dog.
Slight to Pitt, based on team and series trends.


COLORADO at USC...Buffs yet to beat SC SU since entering Pac in 2011 but have covered 2 of last 3 meetings. Coach Mac 6-3 last nine as visiting dog and CU 4-0 vs. spread against FBS foes in 2018. Helton 5-14 last 19 vs. points, 1-6 last 7 as Coliseum chalk.
Colorado, based on team trends.


ARMY at SAN JOSE STATE... Scrappy Spartans 5-1 vs. line last six against FBS-level foes, all as dog. Army on 7-2-1 spread run since mid 2017 but just 3-4-1 last eight as chalk for Monken.
Slight to SJSU, based on team trends.


WASHINGTON at OREGON...U-Dub has destroyed Ducks last two years by 108-24 total score after not having beaten UO since the brief Keith Gilbertson era in 2003. Petersen 5-3 vs. points last seven as Pac-12 visitor though just 3-4 last six as visiting chalk. Webfoots 1-4 as Autzen dog since 2016.
Washington, based on recent trends.


OHIO at NORTHERN ILLINOIS...Solich 7-3 last ten as visiting dog and 9-6 last 15 vs. points in MAC action. Solich 11-4 last 15 as dog overall. NIU just 2-4 last six as DeKalb chalk.
Ohio, based on team trends.


LA TECH at UTSA...Skip Holtz 7-2 vs. spread last 9 away from Ruston. Also won and covered last 2 years vs. UTSA. Roadrunners 1-9 last ten vs. spread since late 2017.
La Tech, based on team and series trends.


WESTERN MICHIGAN at BOWLING GREEN...The Mike Jinks Jinx, not to be confused with the Michael Spinks Jinx, as BGSU now 1-4-1 vs. line TY, 4-13-1 since 2017, 8-21-1 since 2016, all under Jinks.
Western Michigan, based on BGSU negatives.


OLE MISS at Arkansas (at Little Rock)...Rebs 4-9 as visiting chalk since 2013. Tight series lately here with last three decided by 6 points total. Hogs have covered last five in series but that was all Bielema.
Slight to Arkansas, based on series trends.


WISCONSIN at MICHIGAN... Paul Chryst 6-2 as dog with Badgers and has covered last two years vs. Harbaugh. Wiscy 12-1 vs. spread on road in reg seas. since 2015. Harbaugh 10-18-1 last 29 vs. line since mid 2016.
Wisconsin, based on team trends.


MINNESOTA at OHIO STATE...Last Golden Goofs SU win in series was in 2000, Bucks have won 9 in a row SU since. Last meeting 2015. Goofs 0-2 as DD dog for Fleck and Minn just 2-6-1 as visiting dog since 2016 (1-4-1 for Fleck). Home team has covered all five Buckeyes games TY (counting TCU at Jerry Jones), but Urban 11-6 last 17 laying DD.
Ohio State, based on team trends.


TEMPLE at NAVY... Owls have handled Navy the past two years, winning and covering both, and Temple now on 3-game cover streak in 2018. Collins now 10-4 last 14 on board since early 2017, and have covered 7 straight away from Linc. Mids 2-0 vs. line at Annapolis TY after 1-6 spread mark prior seven at home.
Temple, based on team and recent series trends.


WEST VIRGINIA at IOWA STATE...Holgorsen has won and covered four in a row vs. Cyclones, though Matt Campbell on 14-6-1 run as dog since early 2016 at Toledo & ISU. Mounties 4-0 vs. line in 2018.
Slight to Iowa State, based on team trends.


SOUTHERN MISS at NORTH TEXAS...UNT has won and covered last two meetings. USM however is 4-1 last five as visiting dog. Mean Green on 7-4 run last nine vs. FBS foes in reg season.
Slight to North Texas, based on team and recent series trends.


NEBRASKA at NORTHWESTERN...Frost, 0-5 SU and 1-4 vs. line TY. Huskers on 5-14 spread skid since late 2016. Pat Fitz 5-2 vs. line last seven years in series, and Cats 14-6 last 20 on board vs. points.
Northwestern, based on team and series trends.


IOWA at INDIANA... Ferentz has won and covered last three vs. Hoosiers though teams didn’t meet LY. Ferentz 13-2-1 as visiting chalk since 2013. Indiana on 4-8 spread downturn since mid 2017.
Iowa, based on team and extended series trends.


UCF at MEMPHIS... UCF has covered last five vs. FBS-level foes. Golden Knights 5-1 as visiting chalk since LY and beat Memphis twice in 2017. Mike Norvell 2-1-1 as dog since 2016 with Memphis (but 0-1-1 vs. UCF).
UCF, based on team trends.


TENNESSEE at AUBURN...Malzahn 1-3 vs. line at home TY, 5-14-1 as Jordan-Hare chalk since 2015. But Vols only 5-13 vs. line since 2016 (2-3 for Pruitt) and 2-8-1 last 11 as dog.
Slight to Auburn, based on UT negatives.


BAYLOR at TEXAS...Horns have won and covered last three in series. UT has also covered last three years following OU.
Texas, based on recent trends.


MISSOURI at ALABAMA...Tigers on 10-3 reg season spread run. Also 4-1 last five as dog. Nick has failed to cover last three this season and only 9-11-1 last 21 on board since late 2016.
Slight to Mizzou, based on team trends.


FLORIDA at VANDERBILT...Dan Mullen on 12-6 spread run at MSU and Florida, 5-1 with Gators. Vandy 2-7 vs. line last 9 vs. SEC.
Florida, based on team trends.


OKLAHOMA STATE at KANSAS STATE... Bill Snyder 1-1 as home dog TY but 7-3 in role since 2013. Snyder 2-2 as dog TY but 32-15 last 47 In role. Snyder has covered 6 of last 7 vs. Mike Gundy as well.
K-State, based on Snyder and series trends.


UAB at RICE...Owls 6-12 vs. number since LY. Blazers however 0-2 in rare road chalk role since LY for Bill Clark. But Blazers are 4-0-1 as DD chalk since 2017, including 52-21 over Owls LY.
UAB, based on team trends.


GEORGIA at LSU...Orgeron has covered five straight as dog, though only 1 of those at home. He’s only 3-6 vs. points since LY at Baton Rouge. Kirby Smart 4-2 as visiting chalk since LY, but 6-2 last 8 vs. SEC foes away from Athens.
Slight to LSU, based on Orgeron dog mark.


NEW MEXICO STATE at UL-LAFAYETTE...NMSU 2-7 vs. points last 9 reg.-season games. Ags 2-4 as visiting dog since LY. Cajuns 2-4 as Lafayette home chalk since LY (1-1 TY, cover vs. Grambling).
Slight to ULL, based on team trends.


MICHIGAN STATE at PENN STATE...Dantoio 3-1 SU and vs. line against James Franklin since 2014. Dantonio 19-7 as dog since 2011 though just 3-7 vs. spread last 10 as Big Ten visitor. Franklin has covered last four TY.
Slight to Michigan State, based on series and Dantonio extended dog trends.


HAWAII at BYU...Sitake now 2-7 vs. line last 9 at Provo after Utag loss. BYU 3-7 last ten as chalk. Rolovich 6-5-1 as visiting dog.
Hawaii, based on team trends.


UCLA at CAL... Bruins SU losing streak away from Rose Bowl on road now at 13 (3-10 vs. line in those). Bruins now on 5-13-1 spread skid since late 2016. Home team has won last 8 and covered last seven in series. Bears however just 1-4 vs. line TY (0-3 at Berkeley).
Slight to California, based on UCLA negatives.


WYOMING at FRESNO STATE...Wyo 1-7 vs. spread last eight in reg season (all of those minus Josh Allen). Bohl was 12-4 as dog with Allen past two years but 0-3 in role without him in 2018. Tedford 14-3-2 vs. spread since arriving at Fresno LY, Dawgs on 19-5-2 spread run since mid 2016 (post-DeRuyter).
Fresno State, based on team trends.


BOISE STATE at NEVADA...Pack just 8-10 overall vs. line since LY. Boise 38-16 as visiting chalk since 2008!
Boise State, based on team trends

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Rutgers at Maryland


Ty Johnson will look to join some select company when Maryland celebrates homecoming Saturday in a Big Ten game against visiting Rutgers. The senior needs 65 yards to become the fourth player to amass 4,000 career all-purpose yards for the Terrapins, who have split four games with the Scarlet Knights since becoming conference foes in 2014.

Johnson, who can join Torrey Smith, LaMont Jordan and Stefon Diggs in the 4,000-yard club, and backfield mates Anthony McFarland and Tayon Fleet-Davis, could be primed for a big day against one of the worst rushing defenses in the country. The trio has racked up 839 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground while giving the Terrapins three different players with a 100-yard game in the same season for the first time since 1984. The Scarlet Knights have dropped five straight games and have allowed 229 rushing yards per game overall, which ranks 117 out of 130 teams in the FBS. The offense, which is run by freshman quarterback Artur Sitkowski, hasn't been much better as it has failed to crack 17 points in six straight conference games dating back to a 31-24 victory over the Terrapins last season at home.

TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Maryland -25.5

ABOUT RUTGERS (1-5, 0-3 Big Ten): After having senior Giovanni Rescigno come on in relief of Sitkowski in three straight games, the Scarlet Knights and coach Chris Ash have stuck with the 6-5, 224-pound New Jersey native in the last two games to mixed results. Sitkowski had career-highs in completions (29), attempts (46) and yards (267) in last week's loss to Illinois, but also threw three interceptions for the third time this season and has 11 picks overall. Raheem Blackshear has been the top weapon as he is first in rushing yards and third in receiving yards but will be going against one of the better run defenses in the FBS.

ABOUT MARYLAND (3-2, 1-1): The Terrapins don't have much choice but to run the ball on average 40.5 times per game as the passing attack has been anemic, particularly in their two defeats. Freshman quarterback Kasim Hill has had his moments, especially in wins against No. 14 Texas and Minnesota, but all told the Terrapins have 638 passing yards, which is better than only six teams in the FBS -- none from a Power Five conference. "There will be a game - I don't have any doubt in my mind - when we throw for a whole bunch of yards and we don't run for many," interim coach Matt Canada told the media. "I have great faith in our wideouts, great faith in our quarterbacks and great faith in our pass protection."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Maryland hasn't had three players rush for 100 yards in the same game since Richard Jennings, Steve Atkins and Jamie Franklin did so in 1975.

2. Jonathan Hilliman, who played four seasons at Boston College, has a team-leading five rushing touchdowns this season for Rutgers to give him 31 for his career, which ranks eighth among active career leaders in the FBS.

3. The Terrapins, who lead the series 7-6, have won seven straight games when leading at halftime.

PREDICTION: Maryland 44, Rutgers 16

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Florida at Vanderbilt

After four consecutive wins, including two straight against ranked opponents, No. 16 Florida will try to avoid a letdown when it visits Vanderbilt on Saturday for an SEC East matchup. The Commodores are seeking their first win over a ranked SEC opponent since knocking off Tennessee in 2016.


The Gators are coming off a 27-19 home victory over LSU – their first win against a top-five team since 2015 – that gave them back-to-back triumphs over ranked opponents for the first time since 2008. First-year Florida coach Dan Mullen reminded his team how quickly its outlook could change with a slip-up against the Commodores. “If you like being told how great you are, get back to work, and let’s win again,” Mullen told reporters. “If you like being told that you stink, well then you don’t have to work very hard, and everyone will tell us we won’t win the game and they’ll tell us how bad we are. Everyone is patting you on the back, only about six inches lower that they’re kicking you in the rear end. I like the pat on the back rather than the kick in the rear end, so let’s just keep working to keep it six inches higher.” The Commodores were smacked around in a 41-13 loss at Georgia last week and have been outscored 78-27 in their first two SEC contests.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN. LINE: Florida -7


ABOUT FLORIDA (5-1, 3-1 SEC): The Gators’ offense has shown improvement in Mullen’s initial season at the helm, as quarterback Feleipe Franks is guiding a more explosive passing game and taking better care of the ball. The offense still ranks near the bottom of the SEC in most categories, but Florida is fifth in the league in scoring, in part because of a defense that has given the team favorable field position. The Gators possess the nation’s sixth-best passing defense and rank third in sacks (20) while tying for 11th in tackles for loss (48).

ABOUT VANDERBILT (3-3, 0-2): The Commodores’ offense also is outperforming last year’s version, but the team still ranks 13th in the SEC in scoring (25.2 points) and rushing (159 yards). Vanderbilt does have a dynamic passing attack led by Kyle Shurmur (1,400 yards, nine touchdowns, four interceptions) and Kalija Lipscomb, who has registered six touchdowns while topping the SEC in receptions (45) and receiving yards (496). The defense played well early in the season, including a tough 22-17 loss at Notre Dame, but has allowed an average of 35 points over the last three games - a stretch that includes a narrow 31-27 win over FCS opponent Tennessee State.


EXTRA POINTS

1. Florida has recorded 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in its last two games.

2. Vanderbilt is 5-for-26 on third-down conversions in its two SEC contests.

3. The Gators rank second in the nation with 17 takeaways, matching last season’s amount, and have scored 50 points off turnovers to surpass their 2017 total of 44.


PREDICTION: Florida 31, Vanderbilt 20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Minnesota at Ohio State

Third-ranked Ohio State is midway through a possible undefeated regular season and quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. is halfway to a 50-touchdown campaign as the Buckeyes enter Saturday's home game against Minnesota. The Buckeyes are scoring an average of 49 points behind Haskins, who has won conference player of the week honors after each of the past three games and has 25 touchdowns against just four interceptions.

Haskins matched the school record of six touchdown passes and had 455 yards -- three short of the mark set by Art Schlichter (1981) -- while continuing his stunning performance in his first season as a starter. "I think you guys are witnessing a legend in the making," senior receiver Parris Campbell told reporters. "The things that he can do throwing the ball, the leader he's becoming, he's just really developing into a great leader, and obviously the stats speak for themselves." Minnesota will be hard-pressed to slow the Buckeyes after allowing an average of 45 points while losing its past two games to Maryland and Iowa. Standout sophomore safety Antoine Winfield Jr. suffered a season-ending foot injury on the first drive of the Maryland contest, a major blow for the unit.

TV: Noon ET, FS1. LINE: Ohio State -29.5

ABOUT MINNESOTA (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten): Zack Annexstad is one of the few true freshmen walk-ons to open a college season as a starting quarterback and has eight touchdowns against five interceptions while completing just 52.1 percent of his passes. Junior receiver Tyler Johnson is having a strong season with team-leading figures of 28 catches for 402 yards and six scores, and his 14 career receiving touchdowns tie for ninth in program history. Junior linebacker Carter Coughlin is tied for first in the Big Ten with five sacks and has recorded nine in his past 11 games dating back to last season.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (6-0, 3-0): Haskins has completed 71.7 percent of his passes for 1,919 yards and Campbell has been the biggest recipient as he leads the team with 35 receptions for 501 yards and seven touchdowns. The running back duo of sophomore J.K. Dobbins (462) and junior Mike Weber (420) continue to click as the Buckeyes average 201 yards on the ground per game. The defense certainly misses junior defense end Nick Bosa (abdominal surgery) as the unit has allowed 26 or more points on four occasions overall, but junior defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones (4.5 sacks) and sophomore defensive end Chase Young (four) are having strong campaigns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ohio State has won the past nine meetings and holds a 44-7 edge in the series.

2. The Golden Gophers have been flagged for just 20 penalties this season.

3. The Buckeyes have topped 500 yards in five of their six contests.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 52, Minnesota 21

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Tennessee at Auburn

Auburn is supposed to be an offensive powerhouse under head coach Gus Malzahn, but the results aren't meeting expectations so far in 2018. The 21st-ranked Tigers will look for new ways to put points on the board and bounce back from a big loss when they host Tennessee on Saturday.

Auburn is 11th in the SEC in scoring at an average of 28.7 points and is coming off a 23-9 loss at Mississippi State in which it failed to find the end zone - a setback that made it more difficult for the Tigers to contend for another SEC West title. "We know what we have, and we do have some strengths," Malzahn told reporters. "We've got some guys that are capable of scoring points. We've just got to seize the moment when we have those opportunities." Auburn should have the opportunity to fix some of the things that ail the offense against the Volunteers, who surrendered an average of 42.5 points in losses to Florida and Georgia to begin SEC play before getting a bye last weekend. "We worked really hard on tackling," Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt told reporters of the team's focus during the bye. "We worked really hard on the fundamentals of blocking and block protection. We went back to the 'A, B, C's' that you do during spring ball and fall camp, which we need. ... The only way I know how to get better at something is to go do it, and that is what we did this past week."

TV: Noon, ET, SEC Network. LINE: Auburn - 15.5

ABOUT TENNESSEE (2-3, 0-2 SEC): The Volunteers are one spot below the Tigers in 12th place in the SEC in scoring at an average of 26 points and a large part of the problem is the play of the offensive line. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has yet to record 200 passing yards in a game and the line surrendered six tackles for loss in Week 5's 38-12 setback at Georgia. "To me, the big thing is that you've got to get the guys to play hard," Pruitt told reporters of the line. "You've got to get them to know what to do. You've got to get them to play with the right technique, the right body angles and learn to finish, and you just have to do what they know. Don't ask them to do things they can't do."

ABOUT AUBURN (4-2, 1-2): The Tigers ended up winning five in a row - capped by a win over Alabama in the Iron Bowl - to win the SEC West in 2017, and the hope is that the 2018 version of the team can show similar improvement. "Our team is in a good spot mentally for everything that we went through the first half of the season," Malzahn told reporters. "And I think we're set up to improve each week. We've done that the last few seasons. I think we'll do that again this year." That improvement has to start with quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who is completing 56.8 percent of his passes with one TD and two interceptions in SEC play.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Auburn enters the week ranked sixth in FBS in scoring defense, allowing an average of 14.3 points.

2. Tennessee LB Darrell Taylor recorded three sacks and two forced fumbles in the loss to Georgia.

3. The Tigers took the last six meetings, most recently claiming a 55-23 win at the Volunteers on Nov. 9, 2013.

PREDICTION: Auburn 35, Tennessee 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Iowa at Indiana

Iowa's mistake-prone ways over the last two games has coach Kirk Ferentz slightly concerned, although his team showed last week it could earn a Big Ten win on the road despite playing far from perfect. The Hawkeyes will attempt to continue their best start since winning 12 in a row to begin 2015 on Saturday when they visit Indiana.

Despite forcing a season-high four turnovers and amassing more than 400 total yards of offense, Ferentz lamented Iowa's two giveaways that led to 14 of Minnesota's first 24 points before his team buckled down for a 48-31 victory. "There were two critical errors that made this game tougher than it needed to be, but the good news is we played through those things. I am not saying we gave them 14 points, but we set the ball up on the tee for them for two touchdowns," Ferentz said one week after the Hawkeyes committed three turnovers in a loss to No. 10 Wisconsin. The Hoosiers hung with No. 3 Ohio State for a little over three quarters last weekend before falling 49-26, allowing Heisman hopeful Dwayne Haskins to tie multiple single-game school passing records while also throwing for a career-high 455 yards. "No moral victories - that's in the past. We didn't execute to our standard all the time and it cost us in some critical situations. But the kids battled. Proud of that," Indiana coach Tom Allen said.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN2. LINE: Iowa -5.5.

ABOUT IOWA (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten): Junior Nate Stanley threw for four touchdowns last weekend to increase his career total to 35, two shy of tying Chuck Hartlieb (1995-98) for seventh in program history. Junior Noah Fant collected his 17th career TD reception last weekend, extending his own personal school record for a tight end while moving into a tie with Wisconsin's Jacob Pedersen (2010-13) for third place in Big Ten history for a tight end. Junior defensive end Anthony Nelson was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week after notching three of the Hawkeyes' five sacks versus Minnesota, while true freshman cornerback Riley Moss took home freshman of the week honors after recording two of Iowa's four interceptions in his first career start.

ABOUT INDIANA (4-2, 1-2): Peyton Ramsey set career highs with 322 yards passing while tying another with three touchdowns versus the Buckeyes; the sophomore quarterback ranks eighth in FBS in completions (141) and second in the Big Ten in TD passes (11). Junior Nick Westbrook eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark for the fourth time in his career, while senior J-Shun Harris II set career highs with eight receptions and 104 yards receiving. Running back Stevie Scott enjoyed his finest day in three conference games with 64 yards rushing, but he has run for only 254 yards in the last four contests overall since rushing for 204 - three shy of a school record for a true freshman - in his second career game against Virginia on Sept. 8.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Iowa is second in the conference in total defense (272.4 yards), rushing defense (84.4) and passing defense (188.0), leaving it as the only Big Ten school to rank in the top two in all three categories.

2. Scott ranks second among FBS freshmen with 107 carries and third with 528 rushing yards.

3. The Hawkeyes are second in the Big Ten with 18 sacks, notching at least three in four of their first five games.

PREDICTION: Iowa 34, Indiana 27

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Nebraska at Northwestern

Northwestern and Nebraska may only be separated by two wins through five games, but the gap between the Big Ten West division rivals could not be much larger than it has at any point since they began playing each other annually in 2011. Coming off an impressive win on the road against a ranked opponent, the Wildcats seek their 10th conference victory in 11 tries Saturday when they host the winless Cornhuskers.

The only thing keeping Northwestern from sharing the division lead with Wisconsin has been an inability to finish, as the Wildcats blew an 18-point second-half advantage in a 39-34 home loss to Akron and coughed up an early 17-point edge in a 20-17 setback against No. 13 Michigan two weeks later. Northwestern again flirted with danger last weekend, giving up 16 unanswered points after racing out to an early double-digit lead before rallying for a 29-19 triumph at Michigan State. Nebraska continued its undisciplined ways and extended a dubious program record by losing its ninth straight game, committing 10 penalties for 100 yards, in a 41-24 defeat at No. 10 Wisconsin last weekend. The Cornhuskers have drawn at least 10 flags in every game during the first 0-5 start in school history and lead FBS with 97.4 penalty yards per game.

TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Northwestern -3.5.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (0-5, 0-3 Big Ten): The Cornhuskers were able to take some positives away from their most recent loss, as sophomore JD Spielman caught nine passes for a school-record 209 yards and a touchdown to break his own school record. Fellow receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. tied his personal best with eight catches to run his career total to 144, passing former Heisman Trophy winner and Hall of Famer Johnny Rodgers (143) for fourth place on the school's all-time list. Adrian Martinez, who accounted for 441 yards of total offense against Wisconsin to set a Nebraska freshman record, has topped 400 yards of total offense in each of the past two weeks and ranks second nationally among freshmen in total offense (292.3 yards).

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (2-3, 2-1): Clayton Thorson, who has taken every snap over the last two games after splitting time over the first three contests while finishing his recovery from offseason surgery, is the only quarterback in the Big Ten with two games of 350-plus passing yards this season. Flynn Nagel is one of two Big Ten players with multiple 10-catch games in 2018 and ranks second in the conference with 36 receptions; he has recorded at least one catch in 23 straight games - good for the second-longest active streak in the league. Sophomore linebacker Blake Gallagher has tallied at least 11 tackles in two straight games and is one of two players in the conference (Mohamed Barry, Nebraska) with three such games this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Five of the seven meetings between the schools since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011 have been decided by three or fewer points or gone into overtime.

2. The Cornhuskers, who have won three straight in Evanston, have produced 500 total yards in back-to-back conference games for the first time since 2007.

3. Three of the Wildcats' four touchdown drives last week took less than a minute, marking the first time they registered three such possessions in a game in 10 years.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 34, Nebraska 31