Saturday 11-17-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Syracuse at Notre Dame
Kyle Markus

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were able to roll to a victory last week against Florida State without their quarterback, but don’t want to tempt fate with a College Football Playoff berth in their view. If Notre Dame can win its final two games it should have a great shot at making the national championship semifinals, and is expected to have star QB Ian Book back for this weekend’s matchup against the Syracuse Orange.

It is critical for him to be in the fold as Syracuse is ranked 8-2 on the season and nationally ranked. While the Orange isn’t a traditional college football power, it has put together a great year and will be a worthy foe in this one.

Notre Dame is the more talented team and will play at home, so it will be favored, but this will be no cakewalk. The Fighting Irish needs to play well in order to put Syracuse away in NCAA football odds.

This NCAA football game between the Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be held at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana at 2:30 p.m ET on Saturday, November 17th, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.

Odds Analysis

Notre Dame is listed as the 9-point favorite to pick up this win. A slightly higher percentage of the bettors are backing Syracuse to stay within one possession when the final horn blows and to cover the spread. The scoring total is listed at 61.5 points as the oddsmakers see quite a few scoring chances in this one in NCAA football wagering.

Injury Update

Book hurt his ribs two weeks ago in a victory over the Northwestern Wildcats. He didn’t play at all in the win over Florida State. Notre Dame was fine because backup quarterback Brandon Wimbush stepped up, throwing for 130 yards and three touchdowns while adding 68 rushing yards.

However, Wimbush threw two interceptions and completed less than 50 percent of his passes, reminding fans why the switch to Book was made early in the season despite Notre Dame boasting an undefeated record. The Fighting Irish enters this one at 10-0 and Book should start and play the whole game provided he doesn’t suffer a setback.

Book has thrown for 1,824 yards with 15 touchdowns against only four interceptions on the season and Syracuse will have to handle him in order to have an upset chance.

Key Stat

44.4. That’s the number of points Syracuse is averaging this season. The Orange is hoping its offense can rev up once again in this one, although it won’t be easy against a stout Notre Dame defense. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey has put together an impressive season, throwing for 2,193 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Running back Moe Neal has 716 yards and five touchdowns on the ground while the team’s leading receiver is Jamal Custis, who has 748 receiving yards and five scores on the year. Syracuse has scored 40 points or more in each of its victories during its current four-game winning streak.

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WVU at Oklahoma State
Tom Wilkinson

The West Virginia Mountaineers will look to win their fourth straight game, as they visit the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday on ABC. The Mountaineers come into this game ranked No. 7 in the country and they have a good chance to play in a New Year’s Day bowl. They do have a dangerous game on Saturday against a potent Oklahoma State offense. Let’s look at this matchup and college football picks.

Date and Time: Saturday, November 17, 2018, 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Odds: West Virginia -5.5, O/U 71
West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State TV Coverage: ABC

The Mountaineers are coming off a rout over TCU last week, as they rolled by a score of 47-10. West Virginia has outgained all but one of their opponents this season and last week it was massive, as they outgained TUC 535-222. The Mountaineers are 6-1 in the Big 12 and can clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game if they win on Saturday and Iowa State loses to Texas.

West Virginia is 2-1-1 ATS on the road, with two games going over and two going under. The Mountaineers are averaging almost 41 points per game and giving up about 21 points per contest.

The Cowboys are coming off a very difficult loss last week, as they were outscored 48-47 by Oklahoma. It could be tough for the Cowboys to get over that defeat. Oklahoma State is 5-5 on the season and needs to win one of their remaining two games to become bowl eligible.

Oklahoma State is 3-3 ATS at home this season, with four games going over and two going under. They are scoring about 39 points per game and giving up nearly 32 points per contest.

Key Numbers

Keep an eye on the halftime score in this game, as Oklahoma State has won 20 of their last 21 games when leading at the half. As is the case with many teams, when Oklahoma State wins the turnover battle they normally win. They have won 58 of their last 63 games when winning the turnover battle.

This will be the 10th meeting between OSU and West Virginia. Oklahoma State leads the series 5-4, with the teams splitting their four meetings in Stillwater. West Virginia won the last meeting in Stillwater by a score of 37-20.

Key Stats

The Cowboys won against West Virginia last season by a score of 50-39. The Mountaineers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf. The Cowboys are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

Looking at the total, the Over is 4-1 in the Mountaineers last 5 games on fieldturf. The Over is 9-3 in the Cowboys last 12 conference games. The Over is 74-34-2 in the Cowboys last 110 home games.

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Duke at Clemson
Tom Wilkinson

The No. 2 Clemson Tigers are heavily favored on Saturday night, as they host the Duke Blue Devils in a game that can be seen on ESPN. The Tigers look to be well on their way to an undefeated regular season and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

They have this game against Clemson at home, a home game against South Carolina next week and then the ACC Championship Game. Clemson is nearly a four-touchdown favorite in this game against Duke. Let’s look at this matchup and college football picks.

Date and Time: Saturday, November 17, 2018, 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, NC
Odds: Clemson -27.5
Duke vs. Clemson TV Coverage: ESPN

Even though Duke and Clemson are ACC rivals, they have not met since 2012. The teams played for 40 straight years from 1965 to 2005, but they have met just three times since and all three were Clemson routs. Another rout is expected on Saturday, with the Tigers heavily favored at home.

Duke comes into this game at 7-3 overall and 3-3 in the ACC, while Clemson is 10-0 overall and 7-0 in the conference. Clemson is 6-4 ATS, with five of their games going over the total and five going under. Duke is 5-5 ATS, with five games going over and five going under the total.

What we do know about Duke is that they can score and that is the only way any team is going to beat Clemson and that is to stay with them offensively. Duke is averaging just over 31 points per game this season. They have redshirt quarterback Daniel Jones who has played well when healthy. He accounted for 547 yards last week in the win over North Carolina. He threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns.

Duke Injury Concerns

If you are thinking about taking Duke in this game you should know they have a lot of defensive injuries. Duke lost Dylan Singleton to a broken ankle in the win over North Carolina. He is the third defensive starter lost for the season, as cornerback Mark Gilbert and tackle Edgar Cerenod are already out. It is also worth noting that starters Marquis Waters (safety) and Michael Carter II (cornerback) left the UNC game, and All-ACC linebacker Joe Giles-Harris missed the North Carolina game.

Despite all of the injuries, Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said to the media that he knows his team will find the answers. “We’ve got a lot of fight left in us. Somebody is going to step up. I believe that in my heart. I couldn’t be more proud of players and staff and everybody that’s involved with Duke.”

Key Stats

Clemson leads the all-time series against the Blue Devils 36-16-1 and they have won 23 of the last 27 meetings. The Blue Devils are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Clemson. The Blue Devils are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games. The Tigers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 conference games.

Looking at the total, the Under is 11-3 in the Blue Devils last 14 conference games. The Under is 8-3 in the Blue Devils last 11 road games. The Under is 6-1 in the Tigers last 7 home games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Scott Delaney

My free pick for Saturday is on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, as I love them minus the points against the visiting Virginia Cavaliers.
I remember when Georgia Tech was headed for a dismal season. Now, the Yellow Jackets have ripped off three straight victories, locked up bowl eligibility and with a win over Virginia, would clinch a winning season.
And the Jackets are getting things done with a ground attack that is averaging nearly 386 yards in their last three games. That attack has helped with an average time of possession of 37:45.
Think about that momentarily: opponents are holding the ball merely 22:15.
Virginia uses a triple-option, which means it runs the ball. So five-minute possessions would mean the Cavs will handle the ball four or five times - tops, if the Jackets' defense comes to play.
And why wouldn't it?
Virginia is scoring just 21.7 points per road game. Georgia Tech limits teams to just 324.4 yards per game on its own field, and 23 points per game. Over their last three games, the Jackets have scored an average of 38 points, a bit more than their season average of 37.6.
The home team has won and covered four straight in this series, and Georgia Tech will carry the momentum from this three-game streak into this critical showdown. Lay the points.

2* GEORGIA TECH

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tommy Brunson

Comp play release for Saturday on Georgia minus the redwood tree over Massachusetts.
The fact UGa is laying over 40 points assure UMass of being in this game for a spell, but in reality, the final score could very well be 58-7 in favor of the host Bulldogs.
The 'Dawgs are in a "holding pattern" until they face Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, as they have a date with Georgia Tech up next. Again, no worries laying this wood, as Georgia has won and cover 3 in a row now since their lone loss at LSU, and Kirby Smart has Georgia at 17-8 overall their last 25 versus the number.
Expect to see a little more of highly-touted quarterback Justin Fields in this game, and expect Fields to use this opportunity to showcase his goods.
As for UMass, the Minutemen simply do not have the talent or the depth to mount any kind of a threat either straight up or against the spread. This will be a nice paycheck for the University, but that's about it as the UMass season will conclude today. Massachusetts stands at just 4-8 against the spread their last dozen games played.
I am sure a lot of folks will line up for a play on Massachusetts, as they may be of the opinion that Georgia will be working past UMass as they get ready for Georgia Tech's triple-option next week, but I am not one of them!
Just a matter of time before this big number gets covered, as Georgia will not allow more than a touchdown at home today to Massachusetts.
58-7 final here.

2* GEORGIA

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Alex Smart

Nov 17 '18, 2:00 PM in 1h
NCAA-F | Utah State vs Colorado State
Play on: Utah State -27 -109 at GTBets

Utah State is a merciless offensive juggernaut averaging 51 ppg in offensive production this season while allowing an average of 22.7 ppg. They are being asked to lay almost 4 TDS in this MWC road game vs the Colorado State Rams, but because of their lack of respect for opposing teams and their refusal to take their proverbial foot off the gas, Im betting they are a viable wager here to cover vs a side that allows an average of more than 38 ppg.
HC Wells last 6 games as a 21.5 to 31 point favorite have seen his team average 53.5 ppg while allowing just 18.2 ppg, with the point differential coming in at 35.3 ppg for a perfect 6-0 ATS record.
CFB Favorites of 21.5 to 31 points (UTAH ST) - good rushing team - averaging 200 or more rushing yards/game, after allowing 125 or less rushing yards in 3 straight games are 32-8 ATS L/10 seasons for a 80% conversion rate for bettors on the blind.
Play on Utah State to cover

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Doug Upstone

Nov 17 '18, 2:00 PM in 1h
NCAA-F | Florida International vs Charlotte
Play on: Florida International -5½ -111 at BMaker

On Saturday, Play On a road team like FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL, allowing 330-390 YPG, against a good defensive team (280 to 330 YPG allowed) after 7+ games, after outgaining foe by 175 or more total yards in their previous game. In the past nine years, teams like FIU are 24-3 ATS, 88.9 percent.

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Sean Murphy

Nov 17 '18, 2:00 PM in 1h
NCAA-F | Utah State vs Colorado State
Play on: OVER 68 -109

Saturday NCAAF Free play. My selection is on the 'over' between Utah State and Colorado State at 2 pm et on Saturday.

Utah State finally broke into the top 25 rankings this week, on the strength of an offense that has been firing on all cylinders this season, well beneath the national radar. The Aggies have a good opportunity to go off again on Saturday afternoon as they take on a listless Colorado State defense that has been getting lit up repeatedly this season. The Rams have given up at least 43 points on five different occasions this season, starting with a stunning 43-34 home loss against Hawaii way back on August 25th. Things obviously haven't gotten much better as they just suffered a 49-10 loss at Nevada last week. Utah State's offense has been the team's engine. The defense has been 'good enough' but certainly not great. This is a unit that has given up 38 points against Michigan State, 32 points against Air Force, 28 points against UNLV and most recently, 24 points against lowly San Jose State. In other words, I do believe we'll see Colorado State put some points on the board on Senior Day. We're dealing with a high total in a game that should get out of hand in a hurry, but I don't expect Utah State to take the air out of the ball in this one. The lofty total is warranted. Take the over (10*).

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Pro Computer Gambler

Nov 17 '18, 2:00 PM in 1h
NCAA-F | Utah State vs Colorado State
Play on: Utah State -26 -109 at GTBets

NCAAF SYSTEM OF FOR WEEK 12: Since 1989, teams off of 2+ straight >27 pt. blowout wins is 112-44-1 71.8% ATS against a team that just allowed over 36 points last game.

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Hunter Price

Nov 17 '18, 2:30 PM in 1h
NCAA-F | Georgia State vs Appalachian State
Play on: Georgia State +28½ -110 at sportsbook

1* Free Pick on Georgia State +28½ -110

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Jesse Schule

Nov 17 '18, 2:30 PM in 1h
NCAA-F | Syracuse vs Notre Dame
Play on: Syracuse +9 -108 at pinnacle

This is a Free #NCAAF play on the Syracuse Orange. The Notre Dame Irish have been cruising through a rather average schedule, and they are currently ranked #3 overall with their sights set on the College Football Playoffs. Standing in their way are the #13 ranked Syracuse Orange, who have lost two games by an average margin of 5.5 points. Their loss to Clemson by a score of 27-23 is more impressive than most of Notre Dame's wins. This a team that has already proved it can hang with the big boys, last year they handed Clemson it's only regular season loss. Senior quarterback Eric Dungey has been lighting it up with his arm and his legs. He's got a dozen rushing TDs and 690 rushing yards so far this season. The Orange have covered the spread in five straight non conference games, and they are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 against teams with a winning record. I'll take the points with Syracuse. Take CUSE. GL, Jesse Schule

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Bobby Conn

Nov 17 '18, 3:30 PM in 2h
NCAA-F | Boston College vs Florida State
Play on: Florida State +1 +102 at 5Dimes

1* Free Play on Florida State +1 +102

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Mike Williams

Nov 17 '18, 3:30 PM in 2h
NCAA-F | Iowa vs Illinois
Play on: Illinois +14½ -105 at sportsbook

1* on Illinois +14½ -105

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John Martin

Nov 17 '18, 3:30 PM in 2h
NCAA-F | Iowa vs Illinois
Play on: Illinois +16 -108 at pinnacle

1 Unit FREE PLAY on Illinois +16
The Iowa Hawkeyes have lost three in a row coming in. They were all winnable games as they lost all three by 6 or fewer points. But the fact of the matter is they choked when they had a golden opportunity to win the wide open Big Ten West Division. Now they will have a hard time finding any reason to be motivated to face Illinois this week. And yet they’re still laying 16 points to the Fighting Illini. Illinois has played three of their last four on the road, but in their lone home games during this stretch they slaughtered Minnesota 55-31 as 9.5-point underdogs. Iowa gave up 184 rushing yards to Northwestern last week, a team not known for running the football. And now they have to face a Fighting Illini rushing attack that is producing 263 yards per game and 6.3 per carry, including 313.8 yards per game in their last four Big Ten games coming in. This is also Senior Day for the Fighting Illini, so I can’t help but think they’ll want this game more. Give me Illinois.

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Totals Guru

Nov 17 '18, 3:30 PM in 2h
NCAA-F | Texas Tech vs Kansas State
Play on: OVER 56½ -110

Free Total Annihilator On Texas Tech vs Kansas State over 56½ -110