NCAA Footbal Betting Info 9/24

[TheGame]

Re: NCAA Footbal Betting Info 9/24

'CFB Streaks Tips, Notes'


Duke at Notre Dame September 24, 3:30 EST


Fighting Irish looking sloppy in a home stumble to Michigan State are being asked to spot Duke a whopping 21.5 points of offense. Rather generous, Fighting Irish have not been a peg to hang your hopes on when laying twenty or more at home posting a vig-losing 4-4 mark against the betting line during Brian Kelly's tenure. Fighting Irish are also 1-5 ATS in their last six hosting a team with a losing road record.




Houston at Texas State September 24, 7:00 EST


Little chance Texas State Bobcats shredded for 548.5 yards/game, 48.0 points will derail Houston Cougars racking up 38.3 points/game along with a styfling defense surrendering just 13.0 per/contest. Houston is the real deal, lay the expected -34.5, Cougs' have a habit of covering on the road (10-3 ATS) including 5-0 laying 20 or more.

[TheGame]

Re: NCAA Footbal Betting Info 9/24

'Big 12 Shootout Expected in Waco'


The eyes of most college football fans, as well as those with a penchant for sports gaming will be on what figures to be a Big 12 Shootout in Waco as Baylor (3-0, 0-3 ATS) hosts Oklahoma State (2-1 SU/ATS).


Baylor behind a balanced offense split between 275.3 passing, 282 rushing yards/game have scored 44.4 points/game. On the defensive end Bears are off to an outstanding start, ranking third nationally in scoring defense allowing 10.0 points/game on 249.3 total yards/contest.


Oklahoma State relying on it's air attack (359.3 PY) rather than gound game (97.3 RY) have been equally impressive on the scoreboard racking up 44.3 PPG. But, the defense is a work in progress with Cowboys shredded for 234.7 passing, 148.0 rushing yards/game and 25.0 points.


The teams have split the last six meetings showcasing their respective offenses with the schools combining to average 77.3 points/game posting 3 'Over', 2 'Under' and 1 'Push'.


Bears tough to topple in Waco have won 19 of their last 21 in front of the home audience with a 13-7 record at the betting window in lined games. Baylor should remain undefeated. However, you bet Jim Grobe's trrops at some risk. Bears have not been the correct choice recently laying points posting a money-burning 1-8 record against the betting line including 0-5 at McLain Stadium losing two games outright. Pokes on the other hand enter the contest 5-1 SU/ATS in Big 12 enemy territory.

[TheGame]

Re: NCAA Footbal Betting Info 9/24

NCAAF


Saturday’s best 13 games


Michigan is 11-4 in last 15 games with Penn State, winning 28-16, 18-13 in last two; favorites are 7-5 vs spread in series. Lions lost six of last seven visits here (dogs 4-3 vs spread); they scored 33+ points in all three games this month- they were -4 in turnovers last two games. PSU is 6-14 as road dog last 10+ years, 1-4 in Franklin era. Wolverines scored 53 ppg in winning first three games (2-1 vs spread)- they’re 7-3 as a home favorite under Harbaugh.


West Virginia is 5-3 in last 8 games as home favorite, 10-15 overall in Holgorsen era; Mountaineers covered only I-A game this year, but did give up 462 TY (282 PY) in 26-11 win over Mizzou. BYU is 11-4 as an underdog the last 4+ years; their three games this year were decided by total of six points, losing 20-19/17-14 last couple weeks. Being an independent, their schedule is front-loaded; this is their 4th tough game in row. Game is at Redskins Park, so long trip for Cougars, too.


Pitt ran ball for 631 yards last two games, scoring 80 points while splitting pair vs tough foes. Panthers gave up 872 PY, bad news vs North Carolina squad that scored 36 ppg in splitting its two games vs I-A teams. UNC won last three games with Pittsburgh by 7-5-7 points; UNC had 444/502 TY in last two meetings. Pitt lost last two visits to Chapel Hill 40-35/29-10. Tar Heels are 15-9 as home favorites under Fedora. Pitt is 4-2 as road underdogs under Narduzzi.


Baylor steps up in class here after winning by 27-28 over inferior foes last two weeks. Bears won three of last four games with Oklahoma State, with an average total of 79.5. Underdogs covered last three in series. OSU lost 49-28 in last visit to Waco. Baylor ran ball for 617 yards in last two meetings; they’re 2-5 vs spread in last seven games as a home favorite. Cowboys are 8-5 as road underdog last 8+ years; this is their first road game this year.


Underdogs covered seven of last eight Michigan St.-Wisconsin games; teams last met in 2012. Badgers lost last four visits here, by 6-10-1-35 points. Dogs won three of last four series games SU. Badgers switched QBs LW in 23-17 struggle over Georgia State; Wisconsin is 5-2 as road underdog last 6+ years- this is their first road game of year. Spatans had big win over Notre Dame LW, running ball for 260 yards; they’re 11-16 as home favorites last four years.


Texas A&M ran ball for 434 yards in wins over UCLA/Auburn; they’ve won last four games with Arkansas; underdogs are 3-1-1 in last five meetings. Hogs ran ball for 718 yards in last three series games, but are also -7 in turnovers in last four games. A&M is 10-14 as home favorite under Sumlin. Arkansas covered its last eight games as an underdog; they already have road win at TCU this month. Hogs won first two games by total of 4 points before pummeling Texas State 42-3 LW.


Washington is 3-1 as home favorite under Petersen; this is their first road game after whacking three stiffs. Huskies crushed Arizona 49-3 in Seattle LY, but home side is 8-0 in last eight series games; U-Dub lost last four trips to Tucson- their last win here was in ’06. Five of last six series games were decided by 11+ points. Huskies ran ball for 690 yards in last three vs Arizona. Wildcats are 12-4 as home dogs last decade, 5-1 under RichRod.


Ole Miss led Florida State 28-6, Alabama 24-3, but lost both, bad way to start year. Rebels are 13-7-1 as home faves under Freeze. Georgia won its last two games by total of 3 points, surviving trip to Mizzou LW after 26-24 win over I-AA team week before. Ole Miss lost its last ten games with Dawgs (last meeting in ’12); six of last seven were by 10+ points. Georgia won last its five visits to Oxford; Dawgs are 1-5 in last six games as a road underdog.


Tennessee lost its last 11 games with Florida; immense pressure on them to win this game, especially with Gators starting Appleby (backup) at QB with Del Rio hurt. Dogs covered last three series games. Tennessee is 6-11 as home favorite under Jones; Vols are 3-0 but looked shaky in wins over Appalachian St, Ohio U. Purdue transfer Appleby started 11 games for Boilers; Florida is 6-2-1 in its last nine games as a road underdog.


Florida State lost 63-20 LW, worst loss for FSU in decades; how do they bounce back here, in another road game with a frosh QB? USF (+28) lost 34-14 at Florida State LY; Seminoles ran ball for 278 yards. Bulls covered all three series games. FSU is 8-6 as road favorite last 3+ years; they completed only 8-24 passes LW- this game is more about them than USF. Bulls ran ball for 532 yards in winning last two games- they covered last three as a home dog.


LSU found a competent QB LW with Etling taking over- they led Miss State 23-3 at half. LSU is 3-8 in last 11 games as road faves. Favorites are 6-2 vs spread in last eight LSU-Auburn games; LSU is 2-6 in last eight visits here, winning by 2-5 points. LSU is 2-2 as a road favorite at Auburn- they ran ball for 411 yards in LY’s home win (LSU is 7-2 in last nine games vs Auburn). Auburn is playing 4th home game in row; they were held to 13-16 points in losses to Clemson/Tex A&M. Auburn is 3-2 as home dog under Malzahn.


Cal won 50-43 LW, lost 45-40 the week before; Bears allowed 889 rushing yards in three games- not good. Cal won nine of last 11 games with Arizona State; favorites are 6-3 vs spread last nine years. Bears won four of last five visits here- Goff had 542 passing yards vs ASU LY. Sun Devils are 4-5 vs spread as a series favorite, ASU is 3-0 but was life/death to win at UTSA LW and allowed I-AA team to pass for 369 yards in their opener. Sun Devils are 15-9 as home favorite under Graham.


Stanford won its last eight games (7-1 vs spread) vs UCLA, with three straight wins here, all by 18+ points. Cardinal allowed total of 23 points in winning first two games- they threw for only 109 wins in 27-10 win over USC LW. Stanford is 5-8 in last 13 games as a road favorite. Bruins had good road win at BYU LW; UCLA is 0-4 vs spread in last four games as an underdog. Nation-wide, home underdogs are 2-3 vs spread in conference games.

[TheGame]

Re: NCAA Footbal Betting Info 9/24

Tech Trends - Week 4
By Bruce Marshall


Saturday, Sept. 24


Matchup Skinny Edge


CENTRAL MICHIGAN at VIRGINIA...If CMU chalk note 8-1 road in role as visitor since 2012! Chips 13-4 last 17 on board since late 2014. If ‘Hoos a dog note 14-7 mark in role for Bronco Mendenhall since 2011 at BYU. Cavs were 10-4 vs. line past two seasons at home though Bronco lost opener TY.


Slight to Central Michigan, based on team trends.




BALL STATE at FLORIDA ATLANTIC... Ball 2-0 vs. line TY, both as road dog for Neu, upping mark to 24-11 since 2009 (including 1-4 LY). Cards 7-3 vs. spread last 10 as non-MAC visitor. Owls no covers first three TY and now on 3-10-1 spread skid since early 2015.


Ball State, based on team trends.




UCF at FIU...Ron Turner won in upset LY in opener 17-15. FIU on 1-6-1 spread skid since late LY. Turner now just 6-10 as home dog since taking over in 2013.


UCF, based on team trends.




ARMY at BUFFALO...West Point now 6-0-2 vs. line away from Michie since LY. Leipold only 5-9 vs. spread since taking over Bulls LY.


Army, based on team trends.




EAST CAROLINA at VIRGINIA TECH... ECU beat Beamer SU past two years and has covered last three years vs. VPI. Pirates 6-2 vs. line in series since 2006. ECU 8-4 as dog since 2013. Fuente 1-0 vs. line at home TY but Hokies were just 8-17-1 as home chalk for Beamer from 2011-15.


ECU, based on team trends.




SYRACUSE at UCONN...Note UConn 0-8 chalk mark for Diaco since 2014 and 0-14 in role back to 2012 and Pasqualoni era! Dino 10-5-1 vs. line since LY with BGSU & Cuse.


Syracuse, based on UConn spread woes.




PENN STATE at MICHIGAN...James Franklin 0-6 SU last six away and 2-9 vs. number away from Happy Valley under Franklin. Franklin 0-2 SU and vs. line against Michigan. Harbaugh 2-1 vs. line TY and now 6-3 as Ann Arbor chalk since LY.


Michigan, based on team and series trends.




IOWA at RUTGERS...Ferentz 5-0 vs. line as visitor LY and 9-0 as visiting chalk since 2013! ‘Gers 2-6 as dog since LY (0-1 for Ash).


Iowa, based on team trends.




WAKE FOREST at INDIANA...Wake on 7-3 spread uptick since mid 2015 and has covered last three on road, all as dog. Deacs also “under” 5-1 last six since late 2014. Hoosiers now 2-4 last six as home chalk since late 2013.


Wake Forest and slight to “under”, based on recent team and “totals” trends.




SAN JOSE STATE at IOWA STATE...Spartans not traveling well lately, 0-1 vs. line away TY, 1-10 in role since 2014 for Caragher. SJSU also 2-14 overall as dog since 2014. Matt Campbell has started slow at ISU but Cyclones were 2-0 as home chalk LY and Campbell was 11-3-1 last 15 on line with Toledo.


Iowa State, based on SJSU negatives.




MISSISSIPPI STATE at UMASS...Dan Mullen 9-5 vs. line as visiting chalk since 2009. Mullen on 22-11-1 spread run since late 2013.


Mississippi State, based on team trends.




COLORADO STATE at MINNESOTA...Bobo 0-2-1 as dog away from home with Rams, also 5-8 last 13 overall vs. spread. CSU 2-5 last seven as dog dating to late 2014. Gophers 8-1 “over” last nine in reg season though only 2-4 last six as home chalk.


Slight to Minnesota and "over" based on team and "totals" trends.




BYU vs. WEST VIRGINIA (at FedEx Field, Landover, Md)...Cougs 11-5 vs. line since last season, 14-7 as dog since 2011. WVU 12-22 as chalk since 2012 (1-1 TY).


BYU, based on team trends.




NORTH TEXAS at RICE...Rice has won and covered last two meetings but Owls 3-8-1 spread skid since early 2015. Note Bailiff 11-2-1 as chalk since 2014. Mean Green 3-11 as road dog since 2014.


Rice, based on team and recent series trends.




APP STATE at AKRON...Bowden just 3-9 as home dog since 2012. App 8-1 vs. line last nine as visitor.


App State, based on team trends.




GEORGIA SOUTHERN at WESTERN MICHIGAN... Eagles 6-2 vs. line away from Statesboro since 2015. WMU 19-10 vs. line since 2014, though only 2-3 as Waldo chalk since LY.


Slight to Georgia Southern, based on team trends.




CHARLOTTE at TEMPLE... 49ers 3-8-2 as dog since LY. Rhule 13-5 last 18 vs. line, 5-3 last 14 laying DD.


Temple, based on team trends.




PITT at NORTH CAROLINA...Heels have won and covered last three years in series. Panthers just 6-12 last 18 vs. spread (6-11 for Narduzzi). Heels 9-4 as chalk since LY, 6-2 laying points at Chapel Hill.


North Carolina, based on new trends.




SOUTHERN MISS at UTEP...USM 11-6 vs. line since LY and 6-2 vs. spread as visitor since 2015. Golden Eagles 7-1 as chalk since LY, though Miners 9-3 vs. spread at Sun Bowl since 2014.


Slight to USM, based on team trends.




OKLAHOMA STATE at BAYLOR...OSU has covered 2 of last 3 meetings but did lose and no cover at home LY vs. Bears. Gundy only 8-7 as dog since 2012. Baylor 1-8 last 9 vs. spread in reg season (0-3 for Grobe) and only 2-6 as Waco chalk since 2015.


Oklahoma State, based on recent trends.




LOUISVILLE at MARSHALL...Cards 1-1- vs. line last two years after Noles. Petrino 7-3 last 10 vs. line as visitor, and has covered last five sicne late 2015. Herd rare dog, 1-1-1 in role since 2-13, but 13-5-1 vs. points at Huntington since 2013 and 10-4-3 last 17 against points vs. non-CUSA.


Slight to Louisville, based on recent trends.




KENT STATE at ALABAMA...Nick vs. alma mater! Tide however only 2-5-1 as home chalk since LY. But Golden Flashes just 4-6-1 as dog since LY and 2-5 last 7 as DD dog.


Slight to Alabama, based on team trends.




DUKE at NOTRE DAME...Cutcliffe 12-6 last 18 as dog, 9-3 last 12 vs. number away. Blue Devils haven’t been a DD dog since 2013. Brian Kelly 5-2 as South Bend chalk since LY but only 5-12 last 17 as DD chalk.


Duke, based on team trends.




NEW MEXICO STATE at TROY...Ags improved to 4-2 as road dog LY (0-1 TY) after 4-13-1 mark in role 2012-14. Troy won big 52-7 LY at Las Cruces. Trojans 0-2-1 laying DD since 2014.


Slight to NMSU, based on team trends.




VANDERBILT at WESTERN KENTUCKY...Derek Mason 4-3 last 7 vs. spread non-SEC, also 11-8 as dog since 2014. Dores are 22-14 as dog since 2011. WKU 13-7-1 last 21 on board since late 2014.


Slight to Vandy, based on team trends.




WISCONSIN at MICHIGAN STATE...Teams haven’t met since 2012. Badgers 5-1 as dog since 2014 (1-0 TY; 3-1 for Chryst). Dantonio covered last three as home chalk LY but just 11-17 as East Lansing favorite since 2012 (0-6 mark that year).


Slight to Wisconsin, based on team trends.




ARKANSAS vs. TEXAS A&M (at Jerry Jones AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX)...Ags have won last four SU in series (last two in OT) that commenced before A&M moved into SEC. If dog note Ags 0-4 in role LY. Bielema has covered five straight away from home.


Slight to Texas A&M, based on recent series trends.




NEVADA at PURDUE...Purdue 2-0 as home chalk since LY, both vs. FCS. Otherwise no covers last four vs. non-Big Ten BCS foes. Pack was 5-0 as dog away from home LY before narrow non-cover at ND.


Nevada, based on team trends.




UL-LAFAYETTE at TULANE...Willie Fritz 10-4 vs. line since LY at Ga So. ULL on 4-8-1 spread skid, 1-3-1 last five away.


Tulane, based on recent trends.




COLORADO at OREGON...Ducks have won and covered big all five meetings since Buffs entered Pac-12 in 2011. Though OU 0-2 vs. line at home TY and 2-7 at Eugene vs. spread since 2015. MacIntyre 10-5-1 vs. line since LY and 6-2 last eight as dog.


Slight to Colorado, based on recent trends.




WASHINGTON at ARIZONA...U-Dub destroyed Cats 49-3 LY. Huskies have won and covered 5 of 6 since late LY, and U-Dub has covered last three in series. Rich-Rod only 2-6 last 8 as dog.


Washington, based on team and series trends.




GEORGIA at OLE MISS...Richt was only 5-11-1 as dog from 2009-15, and UGa only 6-8 vs. spread last 13 away. Freeze 44-22-1 vs. line since 2011 and 34-20-1 with Ole Miss sicne 2012.


Slight to Ole Miss, based on team trends.




MIAMI-OHIO at CINCINNATI...Old rivalry between these nearby foes. Miami hasn’t beaten Cincy since 2005 but has covered last three meetings. Chuck Martin 9-4 as road dog since 2014 with RedHawks. Tuberville 3-6 last 9 as chalk.


Miami-Ohio, based on team and recent series trends.




LA TECH at MIDDLE TENNESSEE...Skip rolled 45-16 LY and if dog in this one note 7-1 mark in role on road since 2014. Skip 19-11 vs. points overall since 2014. MTSU is 16-3 SU at Murfreesboro since 2013.


La Tech, based on team trends.




UTSA at OLD DOMINION...If ODU chalk note 1-6 mark in role since 2014. Though Monarchs did win at Alamodome LY.


UTSA, based on team trends.




SOUTH CAROLINA at KENTUCKY...Stoops has covered last three vs. Cocks and won last two outright. Muschamp 9-4-1 as dog e since 2012 (Gators & SC). Stoops on 1-9 spread skid and 2-7-1 vs. line last 10 as SEC host.


South Carolina, based on team trends.




FLORIDA at TENNESSEE...Still the bogey game for Vols, losers by 1 each of last two seasons vs. Gators. Florida has won last 11 SU vs. UT! McElwain 9-5 last 14 as dog. Butch Jones 7-11 as home chalk with Vols and UT 8-18 last 26 in role dating to 2012.


Florida, based on team and series trends.




BOWLING GREEN at MEMPHIS...Jinks 0-3 vs. line at BGSU, which has yet to cover in 4 since Dino left before bowl LY. Falcs 8-2 last 10 vs. line as visitor but 0-1 TY and be careful with the Babers marks.


Memphis, based on recent BG woes.




FLORIDA STATE at SOUTH FLORIDA...Jimbo could not cover vs. USF LY and only 4-7 as chalk away from home since 2014. Bulls on 11-1 reg season spread surge and 5-2 last seven as dog. USF covers last 8 at Tampa!


USF, based on team trends.




NEBRASKA at NORTHWESTERN...Huskers have won last four SU in series and crushed Cats last two years. Fitz just 7-16 vs. spread since 2013 at Evanston, 3-4 last seven as home dog. Huskers 5-1-1 vs. line last seven since late LY. Riley 1-2 as road chalk LY.


Nebraska, based on recent series trends and Cat home negatives.




HOUSTON at TEXAS STATE...Bobcats were 6-3 as home dog 2012-15. UH 11-5 vs. line since LY, 6-1 vs. line away from home.


Houston, based on recent trends.




LSU at AUBURN...Take the Tigers! Auburn 3-1 vs. line last four meetings, the loss coming LY. Miles 0-5 vs. spread as visitor since 2015 (counts Wiscy as visitor in Green Bay). LSU 5-10-1 last 16 vs. line. But Malzahn still just 5-16 last 21 on board. If dog note Malzahn 3-7 since 2014 after 5-0 in 2013 debut. Lots of negatives here.


Slight to Auburn, based on LSU negatives.




BOISE STATE at OREGON STATE...Boise 9-4 last 13 as chalk away from home but most of that was vs. non-Power 5 opposition. Broncos no covers last two vs. Pac-12 since LY. Beavs might be improved TY and 1-0 vs. line but just 5-19 vs. line past two seasons. .


Slight to Boise State, based on recent trends.




AIR FORCE at UTAH STATE...Force on 14-7-1 spread uptick since early 2014, beat USU at Falc Stadium LY. If Utags dog note 5-9 mark in role since 2013.


Air Force, based on recent trends.




IDAHO at UNLV...UNLV 3-0 as home chalk since LY for Sanchez. Idaho no covers first three TY.


UNLV, based on recent trends.




CAL at ARIZONA STATE...Dykes 7-3 as road dog since 2014, 8-4 last 12 as visitor. Sun Devils just 6-7 last 13 as Tempe chalk.


Cal, based on team trends.




STANFORD at UCLA...Tree has brutalized Bruins lately, won last 8 SU and 7-1 vs. line in those games. Tree has won and covered last three at Pasadena vs. Bruins by 24.7 ppg. Mora 0-4 as dog since 2014. Tree 8-2 vs. line last 10 away from Farm.


Stanford, based on series and team trends.




TULSA at FRESNO STATE...FSU 3-13 vs. line last 16 vs. non-MW, covers only vs. FCS and Idaho. Fresno 6-15 last 21 as dog, 8-11 last 19 vs. line at home. Tulsa covered all 7 away form home LY (7-1 last 8 after Ohio State).


Tulsa, based on team trends.

[TheGame]

Re: NCAA Footbal Betting Info 9/24

NCAA Football Betting Odds: Week 4 Line Movements & Last-Minute News
by Alan Matthews


The Week 4 college football schedule isn't as tantalizing as last week's, but I do think this could go down as "Trap Weekend."


Top-ranked Alabama is a whopping 44-point favorite over Kent State, but I'd jump all over the points there for a few reasons. The first is that the Tide are likely still physically and emotionally spent following last week's huge comeback win in their SEC opener at Ole Miss. That is even bigger considering the Rebels had won two straight in the series, and you know that ticked off Nick Saban. Shoot, he was smiling after the win. Smiling! Speaking of Saban, I think he takes it easy this week because Kent State is his alma mater. He played and got his coaching start there. No need to embarrass the school. Finally, Bama might be without its No. 2 receiver in ArDarius Stewart due to a knee injury. Not like the Tide need him to win.


I'll be curious how No. 13 Florida State plays in Tampa against a very good South Florida program that is on the rise under Coach Willie Taggart. The Bulls run an up-tempo Gulf Coast offense that has been the nation's second-highest scoring over the past seven games. While this game means everything to a program like USF, it's a nuisance game for the Noles and they might be flat off last Saturday's blowout loss in Louisville and ahead of a tough game vs. North Carolina back in ACC play. USF is just a 5-point dog.


No. 3 Louisville also seems likely to suffer a letdown effort this week off that mega-impressive destruction of FSU in perhaps the biggest game in school history. Now the Cardinals go into the mountains of West Virginia as 27-point favorites at Marshall. I'm not saying the Thundering Herd will win as they were crushed at home last week by Akron and have a lone win over a ranked opponent since joining the FBS in 1997. But there's no way Louisville isn't looking to next week's Clemson game.


Look for No. 6 Houston to also be sluggish off its big win at Cincinnati last Thursday. The Cougars are at Texas State, which is the biggest home dog on the board at +35. It's the school's first home game against a ranked team since joining the FBS.


My potential upset of the week? Northwestern getting +7.5 at home against No. 20 Nebraska. The Huskers are off a home upset of Oregon and are just 1-4 in road openers in the past five years. NU won last year in Lincoln as a 7-point underdog and has covered four of the past five meetings.


Here are some news, notes and any major line moves for some of Saturday's games around the country, in no particular order.


South Carolina at Kentucky (-2.5, 59): Opened with UK at -1 and total has risen 3.5 points. I'm pretty shocked that Kentucky is favored here. Have the oddsmakers not seen the Wildcats play? They allowed 34 straight points at home in a Week 1 loss to Southern Miss, were utterly dominated Week 2 in Florida and gave up 42 points last week at home to New Mexico State in a 20-point win. The Cats also have lost starting quarterback Drew Barker for a "significant" amount of time to a back injury. Barker was sidelined after the first series of UK's win over New Mexico State. He was the first UK quarterback to be named the starter after spring practice in the Mark Stoops era. JuCo transfer Stephen Johnson takes over, and he was very good vs. NMSU -- but consider the competition. It will be the second career start for USC true freshman QB Brandon McIlwain. He made his first last week in a 20-15 win over East Carolina. McIlwain was one of Coach Will Muschamp's first big recruiting wins when taking over at USC. I absolutely love the "under" here even as bad as UK's defense has been.


Colorado at Oregon (-10.5, 68.5): Lot of injury questions in this game. For sure out for the Ducks are speedster receiver Devon Allen, who ran the 110-meter hurdles in the Rio Olympics, and starting left tackle Tyrell Crosby as both suffered season-ending injuries in last week's tough loss at Nebraska. Allen has 141 yards receiving and a TD. All-American running back Royce Freeman is questionable with a knee injury. He left in the first quarter vs. the Huskers. Oregon is deep at running back, but there are few home-run talents in college football like Freeman. For the Buffs, quarterback Sefo Liufau is questionable with an ankle injury. He will be a game-time decision. Liufau has completed 71.1 percent of his passes for 768 yards, six TDs and no picks while rushing 28 times for 124 yards and a score. If he can't go, it's redshirt freshman Steven Montez, who is 6-for-17 for 117 yards and two scores. One of the team's top defensive players, junior outside linebacker Derek McCartney, is done for the year with a torn ACL suffered in last week's loss to Michigan.


New Mexico State at Troy (-20, 65): Spread has risen 2.5 points and total dropped 2.5. Perhaps not a game you would pay much attention to, but NMSU's best offensive player, running back Larry Rose III, is expected to make his season debut. Rose won the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year award in 2015 after he rushed for 1,651 yards and 14 touchdowns. He missed the first three games off sports hernia surgery. In addition, perhaps the team's best defender, junior linebacker Derek Ibekwe, also should debut off his own sports hernia surgery. He led the team in tackles in 2015.


No. 9 Washington at Arizona (+12.5, TBA): Line has risen 1.5 points. This is your latest-starting game of the night at 10:30 p.m. ET. Is Washington any good? The Huskies were a chic pick to win the Pac-12 this year, and they just might. But they have played a Baylor-type schedule thus far, ripping Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State, all in Seattle. Dating to last season, UW has scored at least 40 points in six straight games, and Jake Browning is the highest-rated QB in the nation this year. Arizona is 7-5 at home against Top-10 teams since 2005 but probably will be without starting QB Anu Solomon again, while top tailback Nick Wilson is questionable at best. Solomon probably has lost his job as Brandon Dawkins has been great passing and running in starting the past two games with Solomon injured. Wilson has rushed 43 times for 257 yards and three TDs. He was hurt last week in the win over Hawaii. True freshman J.J. Taylor blew up when Wilson left as Taylor rushed 18 times for 168 yards and a TD. That Washington defense is just a tad better than Hawaii's, however.