Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 11-02-2010, 06:42 PM

Tuesday, November 2Game Score Status Pick Amount

Middle Tennessee St. - 7:00 PM ET Arkansas State +2 500
Arkansas State - Over 58 500

**StarDust Bum** · 11-02-2010, 07:09 PM

BCS odds on line in TCU, Utah tilt
By: Stephen Nover | Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Far more is at stake than first-place in the Mountain West Conference when Utah hosts TCU Saturday at 12:30 p.m. with the CBS College Sports Network televising.

The matchup also has national implications for the fourth-ranked Horned Frogs and sixth-rated Utes. If Oregon or Auburn should lose, the winner of this matchup could have a shot at playing for the national championship.

It’s the highest pairing of ranked teams ever scheduled for a game in Salt Lake City. TCU is 9-0 while Utah is 8-0.

Early money has shown on the Utes. College football oddsmakers opened TCU as six-point favorites with the Horned Frogs currently listed at minus 4 ½. The ‘over/under’ is 52 ½.

The Horned Frogs have never won in Salt Lake City. TCU coach Gary Patterson suffered one of his most disappointing losses of his career when his team lost, 13-10, on the road to Utah two years ago as 1 ½-point favorites. The Utes pulled the game out scoring in the final minute. Both teams were ranked in the top 11 at the time. The combined 23 points went ‘under’ the 42-point total.

That matchup was played on a Thursday night two years ago. The Horned Frogs had played a late game the previous Saturday at UNLV. TCU beat UNLV this past Saturday night, 48-6, covering as 34-point road favorites. The combined 54 points dipped ‘under’ the 57-point total.

TCU got its revenge last year defeating Utah, 55-28, in front of a record home crowd as 20-point favorites. The combined 83 points sailed ‘over’ the 48-point total.

“They know us,” Patterson said about the Utes in a published report. “We’ve been playing them for years. There’s no hiding in this game coming up. It is two good football teams playing for a championship. Each of us needs to win a few ballgames besides this one to get there.”

One streak is going to end. Utah has won 21 games in a row at home, the third-longest active streak in the country and the longest of any Mountain West team. The Horned Frogs have captured their past 21 regular-season games.

Utah may have been looking ahead to this one after escaping with a 28-23 road win at Air Force last Saturday. Utah led 28-10 in the fourth quarter, failing to cover as 6 ½-point favorites with the final score staying well ‘under’ the 55-point total.

It was the first time in their last seven conference games that Utah failed to cover. The Utes are 6-1-1 ATS on the season. Utah is 5-0 ATS the last five times it has been a home ‘dog. The home team has covered in four of the past five meetings.

Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn, who has thrown 13 touchdown passes, will be facing the No. 1 rated defense. TCU is first in total defense (217.3 yards per game) and in scoring defense holding foes to 8.7 points per game. The Horned Frogs also have the top pass defense holding foes to 119 yards per game through the air.

Utah ranks fourth in scoring, averaging 45.2 points per game.

TCU quarterback Andy Dalton is 38th in passing yards with 1,887. Horned Frogs running back Ed Wesley is tied for ninth in rushing with 938 yards while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. The Utes are sixth in total defense giving up 267.8 yards per contest.

TCU’s Bart Johnson has caught at least one pass in 31 consecutive games.

The Horned Frogs, which moved up to No. 3 in the latest Bowl Championship Series’ standings, are 23-9-1 ATS in their last 33 Mountain West matchups.

The early weather forecast is for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the 50s and south winds blowing 12 mph.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-02-2010, 07:10 PM

NCAAF Odds: Hot Hokies host Georgia Tech
By: Michael Robinson | Monday, November 1, 2010

The Virginia Tech Hokies have quietly made a great comeback after a disastrous start to the season. They look to stay hot while hosting the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Thursday night.

Bookmaker.com has Virginia Tech as 14 ½-point home ‘chalk’ with the total still to be released.

Virginia Tech (6-2 straight-up, 6-2 against the spread) opened with a tough 33-30 loss to Boise State in neutral Landover, Maryland. Division I-AA James Madison was the next opponent and Va. Tech lost 21-16 as 33-point favorites, one of the most embarrassing losses in school history.

Coach Frank Beamer’s team could have folded with its national title hopes, but there was plenty to play for, namely the ACC title. Virginia Tech is a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS since the James Madison game, four of those coming in-conference.

The Hokies (4-0) have a 1.5 game lead over Miami and Georgia Tech (both 3-2) in the ACC Coastal Division. The winner plays in the ACC Championship Game with an automatic BCS berth on the line.

Senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor is flying under the radar nationally. He’s fourth in the country in pass efficiency (171.1). His yards per attempt (9.7) are tied for fourth and he has 15 passing TDs versus three picks.

Taylor also leads the team in rushing with 527 yards. That wasn’t supposed to happen with Ryan Williams coming off 1,655 yard freshman campaign, but he’s missed four games with a hamstring injury. Williams had six carries against Duke before the bye week and should be close to 100 percent against Georgia Tech.

The Virginia Tech offense is averaging 37 PPG for the year and 45.5 the last four weeks. The defense is allowing 20 PPG (29th in the nation), which is 4.4 points higher than last year (15.6).

The higher scoring this year (31.9 PPG last season), and more points allowed, has caused the ‘over’ to go 6-2.

The Hokies have paid off handsomely on Thursday nights at 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games. The ‘under’ is 12-1 in their last 13 Thursday contests.

The Yellow Jackets are 5-3 SU and 3-5 ATS on the season. They last played at Clemson on Oct. 23, losing 27-13 as 3 ½-point road ‘dogs. They went 1-1 ATS in ACC road wins at North Carolina (30-24) and Wake Forest (24-20).

Coach Paul Johnson isn’t out to trick anyone offensively. The triple-option offense is 81 percent rushing and ranks first in the nation (317.4 YPG) in that category. That’s even ahead of last year’s pace of 295.4 YPG (also top-ranked).

Quarterback Josh Nesbitt has 651 rushing yards, just behind running back Anthony Allen (692). However, Nesbitt has seen his passing yards per attempt drop from 10.5 last year to 6.61 this season. Losing big play receiver Demaryius Thomas is the main reason.

Georgia Tech’s defense is allowing 23.6 PPG (ranked 57th nationally) and 354.2 YPG (ranked 53rd). Those numbers are very similar to last season. The run defense allowed a season-high 236 yards at Clemson and Va. Tech will try to exploit that on Thursday.

This is the first year under new defensive coordinator Al Groh, who runs a 3-4 defense. The team hopes the learning curve is over and the new scheme starts to pay dividends.

The Yellow Jackets are 1-1 SU and 2-0 ATS in Johnson’s two years against Va. Tech. They rushed for 309 yards last year, winning 28-23 at home. They lost 20-17 at Virginia Tech as 6 ½-point dogs in 2008.

Virginia Tech middle linebacker Bruce Taylor (ankle) is probable. Safety Eddie Whitley (foot) is questionable after missing the Duke game.

ESPN will have the 4:30 p.m. (PT) kickoff from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. Temperatures will only be in the 40s with showers likely.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-03-2010, 06:35 PM

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record
11/02/10 2-0-0 100.00% +1000 Detail
Totals 2-0-0 100.00% +1000

Wednesday, November 3Game Score Status Pick Amount

Rutgers - 7:00 PM ET South Florida -10 500
South Florida - Over 43.5 500

Good Luck !

**StarDust Bum** · 11-03-2010, 07:09 PM

Locker will not play at Oregon

WASHINGTON HUSKIES (3-5)
at OREGON DUCKS (8-0)

Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT, Line: Oregon -33.5, Total: 67.5

Washington QB Jake Locker will not play against BCS top-ranked Oregon on Saturday because of a rib injury. Locker has been bothered by sore ribs for the past three weeks and was diagnosed with a fractured rib on Monday. Freshman Keith Price will replace Locker in the starting lineup when the Huskies travel to Oregon to face the mighty Ducks.

******* take:
Considering Washington has been outscored 85 to 14 in its past two games -- losses to Arizona and Stanford -- this injury comes at quite an inopportune time. Price has played sparingly this year, but he did throw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass in the Huskies one-point win at USC this year. Overall, Price is 5-for-9 for 37 yards and that touchdown, plus 11 rushing yards on three carries. Sophomore RB Chris Polk needs to step up in a big way if Washington is going to keep this game fairly close. Polk has averaged 82 rushing YPG, but was held to 17 yards on 13 carries in the loss to Stanford.

Oregon scored 40-plus points for the eighth straight game last week as it rolled past USC 53-32. The Ducks lead the nation in scoring (54.9 PPG), yardage (573 YPG) and turnover margin per game (1.63). RB LaMichael James, whose 173 rushing YPG is tops in the nation, rushed for 154 yards and two scores on just 15 carries in last year’s 43-19 win at Washington. With the Huskies ranked 114th in rushing defense (212 YPG), James should have no problem gaining another 150-plus yards. Oregon also has a strong defense, limiting its opponents to 17.9 PPG (17th in nation) and racking up 2.6 sacks per game (21st in nation) this season.

Oregon has won the past six meetings in this series by an average score of 42 to 17. The FoxSheets provide two more reasons to pick Oregon to cover the monster spread on Saturday.

OREGON is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) after gaining 7.25 or more yards/play in 2 consecutive games since 1992. The average score was OREGON 50.3, OPPONENT 25.9 - (Rating = 3*).

WASHINGTON is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) after allowing 17 points or more in the first half in 2 straight games over the last 3 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 14.6, OPPONENT 38.3 - (Rating = 2*).

Six of seven lined Oregon games this year have gone Over, but this highly-rated FoxSheets trend expects the game to finish Under the lofty Total:

Play Under - Any team against the total (WASHINGTON) - after gaining 150 or less total yards in their previous game against opponent after gaining 6.25 or more yards/play in their previous game. (30-6 over the last 10 seasons.) (83.3%, +23.4 units. Rating = 4*).

**StarDust Bum** · 11-03-2010, 07:15 PM

Arizona, Stanford in key Pac-10 betting clash

Nick Foles is expected to start for Arizona on Saturday at Stanford.
Could a berth in the BCS really be on the line on Saturday night on "The Farm," when the Stanford Cardinal face the Arizona Wildcats? The Wildcats still hold destiny in their own hands at this point for a spot in the Rose Bowl, and it seems likely that Stanford will go to the BCS if it runs the table.

However, the loser of this college football betting battle can kiss all of those dreams goodbye.

The U of A is going to be thrilled to welcome back QB Nick Foles to the lineup after he missed two games with a knee injury. In those two, the Wildcats did go 2-0 SU and ATS, beating the UCLA Bruins 29-21 and the Washington Huskies 44-14, but things just didn't always feel up to par with the offense without its general on the field.

Foles has thrown for 1,600 yards this year and is completing 75.3 percent of his passes, one of the top marks in the country. He might only have nine TD passes to show for his work, but he is leading the country's No. 32 ranked scoring offense at 32.6 PPG. Arizona also ranks No. 19 in total offense at 453.4 YPG and No. 12 in passing at a shade over 300 YPG.

The defense has really had no issues this season, save that 29-27 loss to Oregon State at home. This unit is in the Top 10 in the land in scoring (14.4 PPG), rush defense (88.4 YPG), and total defense (286.9 YPG). Only three foes have scored in the 20s this year against the Cats, and no one has gotten into the 30s as of yet.

Of course, USC, Stanford and Oregon, the three best offenses in the Pac-10, have yet to come calling on the schedule either.

As for the Cardinal, they are coming off their second shutout of the season, a 41-0 blanking in Seattle of the Washington Huskies. Head coach John Harbaugh has to be trying to keep his team's feet on the ground in spite of the fact that Stanford ranks No. 13 in the BCS and very well should be the favorites on the NCAA football odds in each of its last four games.

Quarterback Andrew Luck is well on his way to being the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL Draft as well. Luck has put up some sparkling numbers, throwing for 1,920 yards and rushing for another 345. He has totaled 23 TDs and only has six picks to show for 226 pass attempts.

However, Luck would be nowhere without his ground game, and RB Stepfan Taylor is leading the way in that department. After rushing for just 157 yards in his first three games, Taylor has exploded. The sophomore has rumbled for at least 100 yards in five straight games, averaging 23 carries and 114.2 yards per game.

The Stanford offense is averaging 466.9 YPG and 42.4 PPG, and it is one of the few units in the nation that can claim to scoring at least 31 points in every game this season.

The road team has gone 7-3 ATS in the last 10 in this series, but the hosts have won the last two both SU and ATS. Arizona picked up a 43-38 'W' last season, which bucked the trend of lower scoring games in this series. These two Pac-10 foes had combined for five straight 'unders' before that 81 point explosion last year.

It seems a little surprising with these two high-octane offenses that the 'total' has only been set at 56 in this college football betting encounter. You can find this and a line of Stanford minus 9 ½ right now at 5Dimes.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-03-2010, 07:16 PM

Tigers draw early betting action at Red Raiders

Tommy Tuberville and the Red Raiders need a win this week to help their bowl chances.
Saturday's matchup between the Missouri Tigers and Texas Tech Red Raiders could ultimately decide where several Big 12 schools go bowling. In the case of Texas Tech, it might decide whether or not the Red Raiders go bowling at all.

Both squads come off embarrassing defeats on the road last Saturday to rivals with Missouri dropping its first game of the season in a 31-17 defeat at Nebraska and Tech falling 45-27 at Texas A&M. This week's showdown is a prime time ABC telecast (5 p.m. PT). Early betting action has been on the Tigers though the original spread has dropped.

Most offshore shops opened Missouri as a six-point betting favorite. That number has since dropped to four with the early 58½-point total holding as of Tuesday afternoon.

Missouri has the advantage in the Big 12 history between the two schools, winning five of seven straight up and holding the same record in the ATS column. But it's the first time the two have met in over three years. Missouri is also 3-1 at Jones Stadium in Lubbock, once more the same 3-1 versus the number. But again, it's been four years since the Tigers visited the dusty Texas Panhandle.

Gary Pinkel had a tough task last week getting his Missouri squad ready to take on the 'Huskers in Nebraska. Sitting sixth in the BCS, the Tigers were ripe for a downer after their upset win over then-BCS No. 1 Oklahoma the previous week, 36-27. Pinkel took full responsibility for the lopsided loss in Lincoln that saw Mizzou fall behind 24-zip in the opening stanza and allow Nebraska tailback Roy Helu Jr. to rush for a Cornhuskers record 307 yards and three touchdowns. Helu's three scoring jaunts averaged 64 yards. Averaged 64 yards, I repeat.

Eight hundred miles or so south of Lincoln, the Red Raiders were also watching an opponent have a big day. Texas A&M junior Ryan Tannehill set a school record with 449 passing yards, which might not be a big deal to a lot of junior QBs at this level. But that's because most of them probably started a college football game before. This was Tannehill's first start for the Aggies, and he shredded the Red Raiders defense to give A&M a 38-14 lead entering the last 15 minutes.

Blaine Gabbert will look to exploit the Texas Tech pass defense once again. Gabbert's hip pointer in the loss last week seems fine for the moment. Even wounded, he's facing a Tech pass defense that ranks next to last in the country giving up over 300 yards to game now.

Tommy Tuberville and the Red Raiders really need this win if they want to go to a bowl game. Getting to six wins in order to qualify under the rules with six wins could be a problem for the Red Raiders given their schedule. Tech has I-AA Weber State at home on Nov. 20, and that should be a win. A week later the Houston Cougar come to Lubbock. That could be another win.

If Tech is thinking about making a statement to punch its way into the college football bowl season, a win over Missouri this week or next week at Oklahoma is practically a requirement.

A clear, cool autumn evening is in the forecast for Lubbock on Saturday, probably looking at the mid-60s for kickoff and then falling through the 50s during the game. Check closer to the start for wind conditions.

Missouri will return home after this one and host Kansas State the following Saturday (Nov. 13) while the Red Raiders travel to Norman to meet the Sooners.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2010, 06:20 PM

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record
11/03/10 1-1-0 50.00% -50 Detail
11/02/10 2-0-0 100.00% +1000 Detail
Totals 3-1-0 75.00% +950

Thursday, November 4Game Score Status Pick Amount

Buffalo - 7:30 PM ET Ohio -16 500
Ohio - Under 46.5 500

Georgia Tech - 7:30 PM ET Georgia Tech +13 500
Virginia Tech - Over 56.5 500

Good Luck !!

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2010, 06:22 PM

Hokies in search of 7th straight win vs. Ga. Tech

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (5-3)
at VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (6-2)

Kickoff: Thursday, 7:45 p.m. EDT, Line: Virginia Tech -13, Total: 56

Virginia Tech goes for its seventh straight win (SU and ATS) when it hosts Georgia Tech on Thursday night. The Hokies have outscored their past six opponents 250-106 and are 13-3 ATS (15-1 SU) in the past four Novembers. The Jackets won last year’s meeting 28-23 despite only one completed pass (in seven pass attempts), as GT rushed for 309 yards and four touchdowns. QB Josh Nesbitt had three of those scores.

Georgia Tech has sustained its rushing prowess this year with a nation-leading 317.4 rushing yards per game. RB Anthony Allen (87 rush YPG, 5 TD) and Nesbitt (81 rush YPG, 8 TD) have combined for 62 percent of the team’s carries. The Yellow Jackets have the second-fewest pass attempts (105) and passing yards (678) in the nation, ahead of only Army. The defense has been adequate in terms of yardage, ranked 53rd in nation with 354 YPG allowed, but it has been better against the pass (192 YPG).

Virginia Tech has been a beast in conference play, posting a 26-12 ATS record (68%) over the past five seasons against ACC opponents. QB Tyrod Taylor is the main reason the Hokies have won six in a row. He has 12 TD and just two interceptions during the win streak and has also chipped in two 100-yard rushing games and three rushing touchdowns. RB Ryan Williams finally returned to the field last week after missing four games, but only had six carries in the 44-7 win over Duke. Williams is expected to see more action on Thursday, which makes sense considering he rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries against the Yellow Jackets last year.

The underdog is 4-0 ATS (3-1 SU) in the past four series meetings, but the FoxSheets show two more reasons why favored Virginia Tech will win and cover on Thursday night.

Play On - A home team (VIRGINIA TECH) - dominant team (outgain opp. by 1.2+ YPP) against an average team (+/- 0.6 YPP), after gaining 6.75 or more yards/play in 2 consecutive games. (50-20 since 1992.) (71.4%, +28 units. Rating = 3*).

VIRGINIA TECH is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite over the last 2 seasons. The average score was VIRGINIA TECH 42.7, OPPONENT 16.6 - (Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also lean towards the Over:

Play Over - All teams where the total is between 49.5 and 56 (VIRGINIA TECH) - after beating the spread by 21 or more points total in their last three games, in November games. (68-30 over the last 5 seasons.) (69.4%, +35 units. Rating = 3*).

Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson is 16-3 OVER (+12.7 Units) after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses in all games he has coached since 1992. The average score was Johnson 31.8, OPPONENT 27.4 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2010, 07:10 PM

Alabama, LSU in SEC betting showdown

The Alabama Crimson Tide are ‘moving on up’ in the BCS Standings as they visit the LSU Tigers on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are coming off a bye week.

Bookmaker.com has Alabama as 6 ½-point road ‘chalk’ with a total of 44-points. LSU is plus 215 to pull off the upset.

The defending champion Crimson Tide (7-1 straight-up, 5-3 against the spread) have moved up to No. 6 in the BCS, the highest ranked of any one-loss team. They’re almost guaranteed to move up with a win this week as No. 3 TCU plays No. 5 Utah.

Coach Nick Saban knows his team is in good shape if it wins out. The Crimson Tide host No. 2 Auburn on Nov. 26 and will have played eight top-25 teams if they reach the SEC Championship Game. That means there’s a good chance they leapfrog an undefeated small conference school like Boise State or TCU.

The oddsmakers agree with Alabama (plus 300) only trailing Oregon (plus 170) in national title odds. Boise State (plus 400), Auburn (plus 600) and TCU (plus 700) follow.

Alabama has a great running back combination with Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. However, they combined for just 169 yards on 43 yards in recent games versus South Carolina and Mississippi.

The duo did much better last game against Tennessee (207 yards), but the team is ranked only 30th in the country for the year (186.7 YPG).

The Crimson Tide are 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS in SEC road games. They were also 6 ½-point favorites at Arkansas and South Carolina. They needed a dramatic comeback to pull out a 24-20 win at Arkansas and lost outright to Steve Spurrier and South Carolina (35-21).

No. 10 LSU is 7-1 SU this season, but only 3-5 ATS. It last played at Auburn on Oct. 23. The result was a 24-17 loss as 5 ½-point ‘dogs. Auburn quarterback Cam Newton rushed for 217 yards and Auburn totaled 440 yards on the ground.

That game was an aberration as the run defense was allowing well under 100 YPG beforehand. Also, few quarterbacks can run like Newton and the Tigers won’t have to worry about Alabama’s Greg McElroy scrambling.

LSU will stack the line of scrimmage and pressure McElroy when he throws. Alabama has been susceptible to the blitz this year, allowing 22 sacks. McElroy does have a big-play receiver in Julio Jones (221 receiving yards last game) but LSU has an elite corner in Patrick Peterson, who can match up man-to-man.

Offensively, LSU needs to establish the run with Stevan Ridley. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson can also scramble, but he’s not an accurate passer and Jarrett Lee will see time as well. LSU has just the nation’s 113th ranked passing attack (138.8 YPG) and is 73rd in scoring 25.5 PPG.

The Tigers rely on a defense allowing 15.6 PPG. Four of their wins have been by a touchdown or less, some in fortunate circumstances.

LSU is 1-3 ATS at home this year and 7-18-1 ATS in its last 26 at home. The ‘under’ is 11-1 in its last 12 home games.

Alabama is 2-0 SU and ATS the last two years against LSU. That includes a 27-21 OT road win in 2008. Alabama is 6-1 ATS in the last seven games at LSU. The ‘over’ is 4-0 in the last four meetings overall.

This is always a big game for Saban, who coached five years with LSU, winning a national title in 2003.

Alabama starting right tackle D.J. Fluker (groin injury) is questionable to return this week. LSU senior defensive tackle Lazarius Levingston (ankle) is questionable as well.

Alabama gets a huge break with this game at 12:30 p.m. (PT). Under coach Les Miles, LSU is 28-2 in home night games and 6-5 during the day. Weather should be sunny and in the 50s.

Alabama has another tough game next week, hosting a rested No. 20 Mississippi State. LSU should have a breather, facing Sun Belt Louisiana-Monroe.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2010, 07:11 PM

Gophers in big hole against Michigan State

The Vikings aren’t the only football team struggling in Minnesota.

Things aren’t going well with the Gophers either. They’ve lost eight in a row, have multiple suspensions and are on their second head coach as they travel to Spartan Stadium for a 9 a.m. PT Saturday matchup against Michigan State.

The 16th-ranked Spartans are 24-point favorites with the ‘over/under’ at 57 ½.

Michigan State had any national titles derailed following a 37-6 road loss last Saturday to Iowa. The Spartans were 6 ½-point ‘dogs. The combined 43 points went ‘under’ the 50-point total. It was the fewest points Michigan State had scored since a 17-3 loss in the Alamo Bowl to Nebraska in 2003.

The Spartans, though, still can win their first Big Ten Conference title in 20 years. They are 8-1 overall and tied for first place in the Big Ten.

Minnesota was pounded last week, too, losing to Ohio State, 52-10. The Gophers were 25-point home ‘dogs. The combined 62 points went ‘over’ the 55-point total.

Since Jeff Horton replaced fired Tim Brewster as head coach, the Gophers have lost to Ohio State and Penn State by a collective score of 85-31. They were outgained by the Buckeyes, 507-232 yards.

Gophers quarterback Adam Weber was nine-for-20 for 162 yards and was sacked a season-high five times. He had thrown at least two touchdown passes in his seven previous games before being shut out by the Buckeyes. The senior has a 17-to-eight touchdown-to-interception ratio.

DeLeon Eskridge ran 23 times for 79 yards and scored the lone touchdown versus the Buckeyes. He is Minnesota’s leading rusher with 523 yards.

“I don’t think we had one area that we did well at all,” interim coach Horton was quoted as saying following the Ohio State loss.

Three Minnesota defensive players have been suspended for this game – tackle and team captain Brandon Kirksey, cornerback Michael Carter and lineman Ra’Shede Hageman.

The Spartans were held to 31 yards rushing last week, way beneath their average of 243.5 yards entering the Iowa matchup. Kirk Cousins completed 21-of-29 for 198 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted three times as the Spartans trailed 30-0 at halftime.

Cousins hadn’t committed a turnover during his previous three games. Michigan State is averaging only 76 yards rushing and three yards per carry during its past three games. Minnesota, however, ranks 106th in run defense and is last in the NCAA in yards per play giving up 6.9 yards. The Gophers only have three sacks.

The Gophers do have history and several trends in their favor.

Minnesota has defeated Michigan State three consecutive times, including 42-34 last year as 3 ½-point home ‘dogs. The combined 76 points sailed ‘over’ the 46-point total. Weber threw for 416 yards and five touchdowns in the victory. He is the Gophers’ all-time passing leader.

That was probably Minnesota’s best game last year. Since that victory, however, the Gophers have lost all seven of their Big Ten games.

Minnesota has beaten Michigan State in six of the past eight meetings. The Gophers are 7-2 ATS during the last nine games in the series. The underdog has covered eight of the last nine times in the series.

The Gophers have covered nine of the last 13 times as a road ‘dog. Michigan State is 2-8 ATS when hosting an opponent with a losing road mark.

The ‘over’ has cashed in 12 of the Gophers’ last 15 conference matchups. The ‘over’ has cashed in five of Minnesota’s last six contests. The ‘under,’ though, has cashed 11 of the last 14 times when Michigan State has been home ‘chalk.’

The early weather forecast is for temperatures in the 30s with a 10 percent chance of rain and six mph winds.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2010, 07:22 PM

Trends to Watch - Week 10
November 2, 2010

BUFFALO at OHIO (Thursday, November 4)... Solich on serious uptick, 5-1 vs. line last 6 TY. Bulls 1-6 vs. line last 7 TY, 6-13 last 19 on board. Tech edge-Solich, based on recent trends.

GEORGIA TECH at VIRGINIA YECH (Thursday, November 4)... Paul Johnson has covered the last two years vs. Beamer, and the dog team has covered the last 4 in this series. GT, however, just 3-5 vs. line TY and just 1-3 on road after covering 10 of 14 away from home previous two years. Beamer hot with wins and covers last 6 TY. Tech edge-slight to Beamer, based on recent trends.

WESTERN MICHIGAN at CENTRAL MICHIGAN (Friday, November 5)... CMU is the Chippe-flaws again, winless SU last 6 and no covers last 5 in ‘10. Tech edge-WMU, based on recent trends.

UCF at HOUSTON (Friday, November 5)... O’Leary on quite an uptick, he’s won and covered last 6 TY and is 7-1 SU and vs. number in 2010. UCF now 16-4 vs. line since LY, and has covered 10 straight as visitor dating to late ‘08. Sumlin 5-0-1 last 5, 8-1-1 last 10 vs. line as C-USA host, however, and 6-1 last 7 as dog. Tech edge-UCF, based on extended trends.

AIR FORCE at ARMY... Force can win first Commander-in-Chief Trophy since 2002 with a win here! Falcs have won and covered six straight at West Point and are 12-1 SU, 11-2 vs. line last 13 meetings. Tech edge-Air Force, based on series trends.

MARYLAND at MIAMI-FLORIDA... Can it really be 26 years since that Frank Reich comeback game? Miami just 11-22 as FBS chalk under Randy Shannon (since ‘07), and 3-8 as DD chalk vs. FBS that span. Ralph failed to cover first two as DD dog TY but still 7-4 vs. line in role on road since ‘05. Teams haven’t met since ‘06. Tech edge-slight to Maryland, based on extended trends.

NC STATE at CLEMSON... Interestingly, the road team has covered the last 5, 9 of the last 10, and 11 of the last 13 meetings. O’Brien 2-0 as road dog TY and 11-6 in role at NCS since ‘07. Tech edge-NCS, based on series road trends.

VIRGINIA at DUKE... Duke has won the last two and covered the last three in this series. All of those three "under" as well. But Cutcliffe just 2-6-1 vs. points his last 9 at Durham. If favored, note Mike London is a surprising 3-0 as chalk in Virginia debut TY. Tech edge-slight to Duke, based on series trends.

LOUISVILLE at SYRACUSE... Cuse has covered a surprising 5 in a row vs. Cards, although note Charlie Strong has covered 4 of last 6 TY and Cards have covered last two on road. Tech edge-slight to Cuse, based on series trends.

IOWA at INDIANA... Ugh! Note that last five are "over" in this series. Hawkeyes have won and covered big the last two years. . Ferentz 9-1 vs. spread last 10 away from Iowa City, and Hawkeyes 6-1 as road chalk since ‘7 (1-0 TY). Tech edge-Iowa, based on recent trends.

ILLINOIS at MICHIGAN... Zook has pounded Rodriguez the past two years in a pair of 25-point shellackings, and is now 5-2 last 7 as dog away from home since LY. Rodriguez no covers last 4 or 5 of last 6 TY. Tech edge-Illinois, based on team and series trends.

BOSTON COLLEGE at WAKE FOREST... Eagles just 1-8 vs. spread last 9 away from Chestnut Hill. BC, however, has covered last 3 vs. Deacs, with all of those "over" as well. Grobe 2-0-1 vs. line at home vs. FBS foes TY. Tech edge-slight to Wake, based on recent BC woes.

NORTHWESTERN at PENN STATE... Teams didn’t meet ‘07-08, but Shades got the win and cover LY. Fitzgerald 9-0 as dog away from home since ‘08. Cats also 10-4 vs. spread last 14 away from Evanston. Shades 3-9 vs. line as host since LY. Tech edge-NU, based on team trends.

WISCONSIN at PURDUE...Teams didn’t meet ‘07-08, but Badgers have still won and covered last 4 meetings back to ‘04, all of those "under" as well. Purdue 2-0 as home dog for Danny Hope (both LY). Bielema only 3-7 vs. line as road chalk since ‘07. Tech edge-slight to Purdue, based on recent trends.

MINNESOTA at MICHIGAN STATE… Minnesota has covered last 3 meetings (although teams didn’t meet ‘07-08). Spartans 2-0 as DD East Lansing chalk TY, and had covered 5nstraight TY until iowa loss. Tech edge-slight to MSU, based on recent trends.

NORTH CAROLINA at FLORIDA STATE... Teams have only met once since ‘04, that was FSU’s 30-27 win LY. Butch is 12-6 as dog since taking over Heels in 2007. Butch had also covered 4 straight prior to loss vs. Canes. Tech edge-UNC, based on team trends.

BAYLOR at OKLAHOMA STATE... Ok State has crushed the last four years, big wins and covers all by 27 or more. Baylor improved but Gundy 3-1 as home chalk TY and 5-2 vs. line overall. Tech edge-OSU, based on series trends.

ARKANSAS at SOUTH CAROLINA... One of the "crossover" games in SEC. Mostly controlled by Arkansas, 7-1-1 vs. line last 9 meetings, and 3-0-1 vs. line last 4 at Williams-Brice. Petrino 9-3-1 last 13 as dog. Tech edge-Arkansas, based on series and team trends.

FLORIDA at VANDERBILT... Florida only 3-5 vs. line last 8 vs. Dores, who haven’t beaten Gators since 1988. But Vandy home woes vs. SEC continue, however, 0-2 vs. line TY, 0-8 last 8, 6-15 last 21 in role. Tech edge-slight to Florida, based on Vandy SEC home woes.

COLORADO at KANSAS... Jayhawks now 2-10 vs. line last 12 Big XII games since LY. Buffs, visiting chalk? They’re actually 4-2 as road chalk (counting Denver vs. CSU) snce ‘07. Tech edge-slight to CU, based on recent KU woes.

AKRON at BALL STATE... Note road team 17-4 vs. line in Ball State games since LY (7-1 TY), with Cards 0-4 vs. spread at Muncie TY and 1-9 since year ago. Ball State also no covers last 9 as chalk (0-8 for Stan Parrish). Tech edge-Akron, based on road-in-Ball State trends.

UNLV at BYU... Rebs not exactly road warriors, 0-4 vs. line away TY, 1-9 last 10 away (only cover was LY at New Mexico). But UNLV has covered 6 of last 7 trips to Provo! Cougs only 2-8 their last 10 as home chalk (1–1 TY). Tech edge-slight to UNLV, based on series trends.

RICE at TULSA... This recalls a Rice trip to Tulsa in 2002 when only 100 or so fans showed up in a downpour. Owls have covered 3 of last 4 in series, but Owls only 4-6 as dog away from home since LY. Tulsa on 5-game cover streak at moment. Tech edge-Tulsa, based on recent trends.

HAWAII at BOISE STATE... Hawaii is hot with 5 straight covers and 7-1 vs. line TY. McMackin now 10-4 vs. line on mainland including cover on blue carpet in 2008. Leahey has covered last 2 trips to Boise and is 4-1 vs. line last 5 in series, with the loss a year ago in one of Moniz’ early starts. Broncos only 1-4 vs. line last 5 on blue carpet. Tech edge-Hawaii, based on recent team and series trends.

TEMPLE at KENT STATE... Home team has covered last 3 meetings, but that also means Temple has covered 2 of last 3 in series. Al "Touch of" Golden 3-1 vs. line away TY, 8-3 since LY, 12-6 away since ‘08. Owls also 5-1 as road chalk since LY. Tech edge-Temple, based on team trends.

NEW MEXICO STATE at UTAH STATE... DeWayne Walker actually beat Utags LY, so this is revenge for USU. NMSU has covered 3 in a row after 5 Ls to open season. DeWayne Walker actually 7-4 vs. line away since LY! Tech edge-slight to NMSU, based on team trends.

NAVY at EAST CAROLINA... Mids now 42-22 vs. line away from Annapolis since 2002. Ruffin McNeill, however, is 4-0 SU and vs. line at Greenville TY. Tech edge-Navy, based on extended trends.

WASHINGTON at OREGON... Ducks have owned U-Dub lately, winning and covering last 6, all by 20 points or more. Ducks 4-0 vs. line at Autzen Stadium TY, 9-2 since LY, 23-9 last 32. Huskies just 4-12 as road dog since ‘07 (3-5 for Sarkisian since LY). Tech edge-Oregon, based on series and team trends.

SOUTHERN MISS at TULANE... USM has crushed Tulane the past two years and not allowed Green Wave to score DD the last). Wave 2-10 vs. line last 12 at Superdome. Tech edge-USM, based on Tulane woes.

NEBRASKA at IOWA STATE... Revenge for Bo Pelini after mistake-filled loss vs. Cyclones LY. Pelini 3-1 vs. line in revenge (lost in role recently vs. Texas). Note that road team has covered the last four in series, with all of those "under" as well. Huskers 3-0 vs. line away TY, 9-2 vs. spread last 11 away from Lincoln. Tech edge-Nebraska, based on team trends.

OKLAHOMA at TEXAS A&M... OU has won and covered big the last three years vs. A&M, scoring 66 and 65 the last two years, respectively. Sooners, however, just 2-7 vs. line last 9 away from Norman. Ags 8-16 as dog since ‘07 (4-4 as home dog that span). Tech edge-slight to OU, based on recent series trends.

TEXAS at KANSAS STATE... Teams haven’t met since ‘07, at which point KSU had won last 2 (Ron Prince’s highlights at KSU) and covered last 3 in series. Mack 2-9 vs. line last 10 on board, and he’s 1-3 his last 4 vs. line as chalk away from Austin. Bill Snyder 6-3 his last 9 as dog. Tech edge-KSU, based on recent trends.

ARIZONA at STANFORD... This series had gone "under" five straight prior to LY’s wild 43-38 UA win at Tucson. In fact, the last three games in this series have featured wild finishes. Stoops 19-12 his last 31 as dog. Tech edge-UA, based on team trends.

TCU at UTAH… Utes had won and covered 3 straight vs. TCU prior to getting bombed LY at Fort Worth, 55-28. Utes 9-1-1 vs. line last 11 on board since late LY. Tech edge-slight to Utah, based on team trends.

FRESNO STATE at LA TECH... Fresno has not covered in last 7 vs. LT, with LT getting the money in the last 6 (6-0-1 last 7). Pat Hill 6-13 vs. line last 19 as chalk away from Fresno. LT has covered last 7 and 9 of last 10 hosting WAC foes (2-0 TY). La Tech also 14-4 vs. line last 18 at Joe Aillet Stadium. Tech edge-LT, based on series and team trends.

MARSHALL at UAB... Herd 0-4 vs. line away TY. Meanwhile, UAB on 4-1 spread run last 5, and Blazers actually 4-2 as chalk for Callaway since ‘07. Tech edge-UAB, based on herd negatives.

NEVADA at IDAHO... Pack has destroyed Vandals last two years by 119-59 total score. Pack 5-0 SU and 4-1 vs. line against Idaho since Vandals joined WAC in ‘05, all wins by 16 or more. Tech edge-Nevada, based on series trends.

CAL at WASHINGTON STATE... Note that road team has covered last 6 in series. Cal, however, just 4-12 its last 16 as road chalk. Tech edge-slight to WSU, based on recent trends.

WYOMING at NEW MEXICO... Wyo in very rare chalk role, just 2-0 in role for Christensen since LY but only 3-8 last 11 in role dating to late ‘06. Tech edge-slight to UNM, based on team trends.

MISSOURI at TEXAS TECH... Teams haven’t met since ‘07, but note that Pinkel had ripped Leach in three most-recent meetings. Tuberville 0-3 vs. line at Lubbock TY. Pinkel 8-1 as true visiting chalk (not the neutral sites) since ‘07. Tech edge-Mizzou, based on team trends.

TENNESSEE at MEMPHIS... UT won and covered last two meetings including 56-18 rout LY. Tigers no covers last 4 TY and now just 4-16 last 20 on board. Dooley yet to be road chalk TY but Vols 8-3 in role since ‘05. Tech edge-UT, based on UM woes.

SMU at UTEP... UTEP has covered last three meetings. Ponies still struggling as chalk, just 2-14 last 16 in role since late ‘06. Tech edge-UTEP, based on SMU chalk woes.

COLORADO STATE at SAN DIEGO STATE... Advantage Aztecs, who have covered last 5 vs. CSU. Rams just 3-7 vs. line away since LY (1-3 TY). SDSU 3-0 vs. points at Qualcomm TY. Tech edge-slight to SDSU, based on series trends.

ARIZONA STATE at SOUTHERN CAL... ASU hasn’t beaten Troy since Paul Hackett era of 1999, but Sun Devils have covered 4 of last 5 meetings. SC just 4-8 vs. line last 12 as host. Tech edge- ASU, based on recent team and series trends.

UL-LAFAYETTE at OLE MISS... Cajuns just 1-4 vs. line last 5 vs. SEC. Rebs 10-4 as home chalk vs. FBS foes since ‘07, and 4-0 as home DD chalk vs. FBS foes since ‘07. Tech edge-Ole Miss, based on team trends.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC at WESTERN KENTUCKY... Tops have covered 3 of last 4 TY but still looking for first cover at Bowling Green TY (0-3 at home). Tech edge-slight to FAU, based on recent trends.

UL-MONROE at FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL... ULM has gotten physical lately vs. FIU, winning and covering last four meetings. FIU just 1-4 as home chalk since LY. Tech edge-slight to ULM, based on series trends.

TROY at NORTH TEXAS... Troy won and covered big the last 3 vs. UNT, all wins by 28 or more. Mean Green 0-4 vs. line at home TY, now 8-21 vs. line as host since ‘05. But Troy 0-4 as DD chalk TY. Tech edge-Troy, based on series trends.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2010, 07:26 PM

Games to Watch - Week 10
November 1, 2010

Michigan State and Missouri were knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten and out of national championship contention. That herd of perfection will be thinned by at least one this Saturday when the Utes and Horned Frogs hit the field in Salt Lake City. What other games are worth keeping an eye on this Saturday on the college gridiron? Let’s find out…

Saturday - TCU at Utah (CBS College Sports, 3:30 p.m. EDT)
Matchup Skinny Gambling Notes

TCU at Utah
All eyes are on the Mountain West this weekend as No. 4 TCU (9-0 straight up, 4-4 against the spread) heads to Salt Lake City to face off with No. 6 Utah (8-0 SU, 6-1-1 ATS) in what looks like a battle for a BCS Bowl and maybe more. These squads sit atop the conference standings and a win by either team virtually guarantees them the Mountain West crown. A win for either team here gives them a better Top 10 triumph than what Boise State has on its schedule. Utah can really make a name for itself with a win this week and then a win at Notre Dame next weekend. Looking at this week's battle, this has all the marking of a classic. The Horned Frogs (40.8 PPG) and Utes (45.3 PPG) know how to score in bunches. TCU is a much more ground oriented team, evidenced by 270.9 yards per game on the ground to rank 9th nationally. They rely on Ed Wesley (938 yards, 10 TDs) to pace them on the ground. But the Horned Frogs can also take to the air with some effectiveness with Andy Dalton (16 TDs) under center. Utah possesses a more balanced attack on offense 191.5 YPG on the ground and 258.1 YPG through the air. But they do have the advantage of having two solid quarterbacks with Jordan Wynn (13 TD, 6 INTs) and Terrance Cain (6 TD, O INT). The Utes will be looking for some revenge from last year's 55-28 whipping they took in Fort Worth last year. While that sounds awful, keep in mind that Wynn was starting his third game for Utah.

Outside of last year's blowout, this series has remained a close one. Utah has won four of the last six head-to-head meetings with a 4-2 ATS mark. Three of these games have been decided by no more than seven points. The home squad has been the right bet here as they're 4-1 SU and ATS. TCU has been a covering machine as of late, posting a 3-1 ATS record in its last four games. That will tend to happen when you outscore opponents 162-16. The Horned Frogs have also gone 3-1 ATS at home this season. Utah suffered its first ATS loss last weekend against the Falcons in what was a classic look ahead spot. Yet the Utes are a stellar 3-0-1 ATS at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Totals players would do well to focus on a low score as the 'under' is 4-1. The lone 'over' came in last year's blowout.

Saturday - Alabama at LSU (3:30 p.m.)
Matchup Skinny Gambling Notes

Alabama at LSU
The national title hunt is still alive and well in the SEC. Well, just alive and well in the SEC West, anyway. Somebody's title hopes will be dashed in Baton Rouge on Saturday afternoon as fifth-ranked Alabama (7-1 SU, 5-3 ATS) takes on No. 12 LSU (7-1 SU, 3-4 ATS). This is the fourth edition of the "Saban Bowl" and we have a good chance at another nail biter. The first two meetings between these programs since Nick Saban took over the Crimson Tide in 2007 saw the road teams leave triumphant. Last year's battle saw 'Bama force the Tigers into two three-and-outs and an interception in the fourth quarter for a 24-15 win in Tuscaloosa. Most experts would tell you that this game could be one where points are at a premium as the Tide are 2nd (12.5 PPG) and the Bayou Bengals are 10th (15.6 PPG) in scoring defense. LSU is coming into this game after a 24-17 road loss to Auburn in the first big SEC West battle of the year. While the Tigers stayed close in the final score, they were toyed with by Auburn for 526 total yards with 440 of that on the ground. That has no doubt made Mark Ingram (544 yards, 8 TDs) and Trent Richardson (606 yards, 5 TDs) salivate at the thought of taking on Les Miles' defense. Alabama has bounced back strong with two comfortable wins over Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Could we have an upset brewing down in Tiger Stadium? Totally possible with the Tigers as 6.5-point home pups. However, Les Miles and Company have gone 0-3 SU and 0-2-1 ATS in their last three games as home underdogs over the last five years. Alabama has been a great wager for gamblers when posted as a road "chalk" against SEC foes since Saban took over in '07, evidenced by a 11-2 SU and 8-5 ATS record. However, the Tide have struggled in this role recently with a 1-3 ATS mark in their last four games in this role. Plus, LSU has gone a 2-5 SU and ATS when listed as a 6.5-point or less underdog over the last five years.

Other Games to Watch
Matchup Skinny

Baylor at Oklahoma St.
Who would have guessed that the Bears and Cowboys would be playing an elimination game for the Big XII South title? I sure as hell didn't think it would happen. Baylor is coming off of a huge 30-22 win in Austin over the Longhorns. They've gone 2-1 ATS on the road in conference play. Oklahoma State came back last week with a 24-14 win over K-State in Manhattan. Important win for them after losing a shoot out to the Cornhuskers in Stillwater. The Cowpokes have won and covered the last four meetings with the Bears. However, Baylor is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games as a road 'dog in Big XII games.

Arkansas vs.South Carolina
The Gamecocks in an unfamiliar position as they control their own destiny to win the SEC East. The only problem for Steve Spurrier's club is that the Razorbacks have won three of the last four meetings. The margin of victory has been big in the last three games with margins of 17, 13 and 12.

Arizona at Stanford
If it weren't for a second half collapse, Stanford could be sitting in the No. 1 spot in the BCS standings. Yet the Cardinal don't control their own destiny to win the Pac-10. Arizona is still trying to make the Rose Bowl for the first time in school history. The 'Cats have a better chance to do it than most other seasons with Nick Foles expected to be back under center. The home team has won and covered the last two times these clubs have faced off. The 'under' have gone 5-1 in the last six meetings.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-04-2010, 07:27 PM

SEC Showdowns
November 4, 2010

There are just three SEC games in Week 10, as five schools venture out of conference to face cupcake opponents. Let’s take a look at all three contests and touch on a number of other SEC-related topics.

**Florida at Vanderbilt**

--Most betting shops opened Florida (5-3 straight up, 4-4 against the spread) as a 14-point favorite, but most spots had adjusted to 14 ½ by Wednesday due to the news of Warren Norman’s season-ending injury. The total is 46 at most books. Bettors can take the Commodores on the money line for a plus-430 payout (risk $100 to win $430).

--Vanderbilt (2-6 SU, 3-5 ATS) has lost three straight games both SU and ATS, including last week’s 49-14 loss at Arkansas as a 19 ½-point underdog. The Commodores actually jumped out to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter, only to allow the Razorbacks to score 43 unanswered points.

--Vandy’s Norman, a sophomore RB who is also a standout on special teams, rushed for 64 yards on just 11 carries and had a 40-yard kick return before suffering a wrist injury that’ll sideline him for the rest of the year. Norman had rushed for a team-high 459 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry.

--UF snapped its first three-game losing streak in the regular season since 1988 by beating Georgia 34-31 in overtime last week. The Gators took the cash as one-point underdogs, but those who got their money-line wagers in during the week brought home at least a plus-120 payout (risk $100 to win $120). There was no ‘plus’ money available Saturday as the line moved from UGA minus 2 ½ to UGA minus one or even pick ‘em at some books.

--Chas Henry, a senior punter who has had an excellent career but has been thrust into the place-kicking role this year due to Caleb Sturgis’ back injury, buried a 37-yard field goal to lift the Gators past the Dawgs in the extra session. UGA had the ball first in OT, but Will Hill intercepted an Aaron Murray pass and nearly took it back for a walk-off pick-six. However, he stepped out of bounds at the four yard line.

--The ‘over’ is 5-3 overall for the Gators, 1-1 in their road assignments. Meanwhile, totals have been a wash for Vandy both overall (4-4) and in its home games (2-2).

--Florida has won 19 in a row over Vandy, beating the Commodores 27-3 as a 35-point home favorite last season. When these schools met in Nashville two years ago, UF took the cash in a 42-14 triumph as a 23 ½-point road ‘chalk.’

--The SEC Network will have the telecast at 12:20 p.m. Eastern.

**Alabama at LSU**

--These bitter rivals have had two weeks to prep for this crucial SEC West battle. The winner stays in the division race, the SEC title hunt and the national-title picture. The loser? Well, the loser is hatin’ it, headed to the Sugar Bowl (at best) but more likely en route to a New Year’s Day game in the Sunshine State (that might start before noon Eastern).

--As of Thursday morning, most books were listing Alabama (7-1 SU, 5-3 ATS) as the favorite by six or 6 ½, while the total was either 44 or 44 ½. The home underdog can be had to win outright for a plus-210 payout (risk $100 to win $210).

--Sportsbook.com has ‘Bama listed as a little richer ‘chalk’ than other spots. The website’s Senior Oddsmaker Mike Perry told VI on Wednesday, “We opened Alabama at 6 ½ but have already moved to seven. We started the total at 44 but are now at 44 ½. On the side, 88% of our action has been on the Crimson Tide.”

--Nick Saban’s team is coming off a 41-10 win at Tennessee as a 17-point road favorite. Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram combined to rush 26 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Greg McElroy completed 21-of-32 passes for 264 yards without throwing an interception.

--Les Miles’ squad is in bounce-back mode after seeing its unbeaten record go up in smoke in a 24-17 loss at Auburn as a 5 ½-point road underdog. As it tends to do, LSU hung in there on The Plains, tying the game at 10-10 just before halftime and also knotting the score at 17-17 early in the final stanza. But a 70-yard TD run by Onterio McCalebb midway through the fourth quarter proved to be the undoing for the Bayou Bengals, who were out-yarded 526-243 in the game.

--As a home underdog during Miles’ six-year tenure, LSU is 0-2 both SU and ATS. The losses came to ‘Bama in ’08 (see below) and to Florida (13-3) last season.

--Alabama is 9-5 ATS as a road favorite on Saban’s watch.

--There’s enough on the line in this contest, but we’d be remiss to not bring up the fact that this is Saban’s second trip to Baton Rouge since leaving LSU for the Dolphins, only to end up back in the SEC West a few years later. Since Saban got to Alabama, the Tide has won two of three head-to-head meetings, going 2-0-1 ATS. When these schools squared off at Tiger Stadium in 2008, LSU was the better team in every facet of the game except for the final score. The Tigers couldn’t overcome QB Jarrett Lee’s inept play (in fairness to Lee, who was a true freshman, he wasn’t ready for this type of game yet and the blame should actually fall on Ryan Perrilloux, whose dismissal from the program led to Lee becoming the starter) and lost a 27-21 decision in overtime as three-point home underdogs.

--Alabama beat LSU by a 24-15 count as a 7 ½-point home favorite in last year’s encounter that was much closer than the final score indicated. A late field goal from the Crimson Tide gave ‘Bama backers the cover.

--The ‘under’ is 6-2 overall for LSU, 4-0 in its home games that haven’t seen more than 42 combined points. Meanwhile, ‘Bama has seen the ‘under’ go 4-3-1 overall, but the ‘over’ is 3-1 in its road contests.

--The ‘over’ has hit in four consecutive head-to-head meetings between these schools.

--CBS will provide television coverage at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

**Arkansas at South Carolina**

--Most books opened South Carolina (6-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) as a three-point favorite for this key SEC clash. When Arkansas wide receiver Greg Childs was ruled out for the season on Tuesday, gamblers saw the number move to 3 ½ or 4 at most spots. The total is 59 and the Razorbacks are plus-160 on the money line (risk $100 to win $160).

--Arkansas (6-2 SU, 5-2 ATS) has covered the number in five of its last six games, including back-to-back home wins over Ole Miss (38-24) and Vandy (49-14) since losing at Auburn in Week 7.

--South Carolina failed to cover the number in last week’s 38-24 home win over Tennessee as a 17 ½-point home ‘chalk.’ Junior QB Stephen Garcia rushed for a pair of touchdowns and hit Alshon Jeffrey for a 70-yard scoring strike that put the Gamecocks up 31-24 early in the fourth quarter.

--South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore has probably been the nation’s premier true freshman this year. Despite missing 1 ½ games, Lattimore is second in the SEC in rushing with 722 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Lattimore came back against UT last week after missing the win over Vandy in Week 8 with a sprained ankle. He torched the Vols for 184 rushing yards and one TD on 29 carries.

--Arkansas is led by senior QB Ryan Mallett, who has 2,449 passing yards and an 18/7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The Michigan transfer threw for 409 yards and three TDs without being intercepted in last week’s win over Vandy. However, Mallett will be without Childs this week and might also be missing WR Joe Adams, who is “questionable” with an ankle sprain. Adams has 30 receptions for 544 yards and four TDs this year.

--The Hogs are 5-5 ATS as road underdogs during Petrino’s three-year tenure. They are 1-1 both SU and ATS on the road this year, winning at Georgia (31-24) before losing at Auburn (65-43).

--The ‘over’ is 5-2 overall for the Gamecocks, 3-1 in their home games. They are 5-0 SU and 3-1 ATS at Williams-Brice Stadium this season.

--During Steve Spurrier’s six-year tenure, South Carolina owns a 12-8 spread record as a home favorite.

--South Carolina senior safety and special-teams ace Chris Culliver was lost for the season in last week’s win over UT. Culliver sustained a torn pectoral muscle. Junior C.C. Whitlock is expected to move into the starting lineup against the SEC’s top-ranked passing offense.

--Kick-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--Arkansas is second in the SEC in scoring offense, averaging 35.0 points per game.

--South Carolina’s Garcia is enjoying the best season of his up-and-down collegiate career. The Tampa product is second in the SEC in passing efficiency and third in passing yards. Garcia has a 13/7 TD-INT ratio and has rushed for four TDs.

--Although Kentucky is just 4-5 this year, the team is still alive to go to a bowl game for a fifth straight year (an unheard of accomplishment before Rich Brooks’ arrival in Lexington). The Wildcats, who host Charleston Southern this week (no line yet as of Thursday), finish at home vs. Vandy and then get an open date before going to Knoxville in an attempt to end a 25-game losing streak against Tennessee. Senior QB Mike Hartline has enjoyed a banner year and deserves props galore. He came into 2010 with more career interceptions than touchdowns, but he has an excellent 19/8 TD-INT ratio this year.

--If Vandy upsets Florida and South Carolina beats Arkansas, the Gamecocks will win the SEC East for the first time since coming into the league in 1992. If the Gators beat the Commodores, they will host South Carolina at The Swamp next week for the division title and a trip to Atlanta (regardless of what happens in the Ark-SC game).

--Perry of Sportsbook.com, who is now a weekly guest on the Power Hours, told VI on Wednesday that Oregon was the most one-sided bet on the college football board for the website this week. Perry said, “We opened at Oregon -28 but moved all the way up to 35 ½ when it was announced that Washington QB Jake Locker was out. The line move has not impacted the players one bit, as 96% are behind the Ducks.

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