Da Bum's 2013 Preview NCAAFB News Notes Rumors !

[StarDust Bum]

Golson news latest jolt for Notre Dame in nightmarish 2013

May 26, 2013 12:52 am ET

As much as the 2012 season seemed magical for Notre Dame, 2013 has produced one nightmare after another for the Irish.

It started fast with Notre Dame getting blasted by Alabama 42-14 in the BCS title game that wasn't even that close. Then later that month came the revelation of Manti Te'o's infamous fake girlfriend and a media circus that ensued.

The spring hasn't been kind to the Irish, either. Earlier this month, rumors have swirled that Notre Dame's top incoming recruit, powerhouse defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, may not want to enroll at ND and is looking to play somewhere else.

Saturday night brought an even bigger haymaker: Everett Golson, the Irish's dynamic young starting quarterback, who reportedly had blossomed during spring ball, is no longer enrolled in school, leaving the Notre Dame QB situation in even more doubt than it was heading into 2012.

The root of Golson's stunning departure: an academic violation, according to the Chicago Tribune. As the news swirled around the Internet on Saturday night, so did the barbs. Several people noted that Notre Dame's No. 5 jersey (the one worn by by Te'o and Golson) seems to be jinxed, at least it has been since the calendar turned to 2013.

What made the Golson news sting even more for many Fighting Irish fans was the fact that earlier this year, Gunner Kiel, a touted former five-star QB recruit ND had signed in 2012, just transferred out of Notre Dame to Cincinnati in large part because he realized he would've had to sit behind Golson for the next three seasons.

The site Bylaw Blog, written by a former NCAA compliance officer, had a column Saturday night about how technically Kiel could play for ND this year and how he also does not need a release from Cincinnati to play for Notre Dame next year. Regardless of that, I'd be surprised if Kiel ends up back in South Bend or even if Brian Kelly would want the 6-foot-4, 220-pound QB back. After all, Kiel bailed on the ND program. He didn't even stick around to go through spring ball to see how things might develop. Word is, folks inside the program were higher on early enrolled freshman Malik Zaire than they were on Kiel. Zaire has dual-threat skills, much like Golson's, and his ability to extend plays suits Kelly's system well.

On Sunday morning Kiel told reporters that he's staying a Bearcat and dismissed any speculation that he wants to return to ND.

Back to Zaire, it's a stretch to think he will be ready to compete for the now-vacant Irish QB spot. Last year, Golson was able to lean on a true go-to receiver in star tight end Tyler Eifert. The athletic 6-7, 250-pound target, is now a Cincinnati Bengal.

Eifert, a veteran O-line and a physical defense enabled Golson time to grow into the position. Golson went from averaging 175 yards of total offense for the first half of the season to more than 275 for the second half of 2012. Golson only widened the gap between himself and the other ND QBs this spring, and it seemed like Kelly, after three seasons in South Bend, finally had his ideal triggerman ready to attack defenses. Golson appeared to be a budding star for an Irish team that figured to open the season somewhere around No. 10 in the preseason polls.

Now, only that defense (minus Te'o) is back for 2013 for a team that relied heavily on its grit to go 5-0 in games decided by seven points or less last fall.

Kelly does have some experienced options to replace Golson. Senior Tommy Rees has thrown 34 touchdowns and started 18 games at Notre Dame. His skill set doesn't wow anyone, but he's won a bunch of games and won't get rattled by anything. Andrew Hendrix, another senior, has a stronger arm and better feet than Rees, but less seasoning.

Hendrix has been used as more of a running quarterback, having only thrown 44 passes in eight career games, but Kelly proved repeatedly in his previous coaching stops, especially at Cincinnati, that he's resourceful and can get a QB ready in a hurry. He's going to need to do it again if he hopes to get his team back in the top 10 in 2013. It's less than 100 days till ND's opener against Temple and there's a road trip to Michigan lurking in Week 2.

[StarDust Bum]

Gunner Kiel on possible return to Notre Dame: 'I'm a Bearcat'

May 26, 2013 11:19 am ET

Following Saturday night's news that Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson was no longer enrolled at Notre Dame there was speculation that Gunner Kiel could leave Cincinnati to return to South Bend.

Speculation that Kiel seemingly put an end to in a text message to the Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday morning.

"I'm a Bearcat," Kiel told the paper via a text message.

Kiel transferred to Cincinnati from Notre Dame in April, but as John Infante, a former NCAA compliance officer, wrote on Saturday night, Kiel could technically return to Notre Dame and play in 2013 and wouldn't need a release from Cincinnati. Though it certainly doesn't look like that's what Kiel is planning on doing.

Plus, even if Kiel did want to return to Notre Dame, it's not a guarantee that Brian Kelly and the coaching staff would welcome him back after his decision to leave this spring.

Without Kiel and Golson, Notre Dame has three quarterbacks remaining on scholarship in former starter Tommy Rees, Andrew Hendrix and incoming freshman Malik Zaire.

[StarDust Bum]

5Dimes posts Week 1 lines

May 2, 2013


5Dimes is ready for your college football wagers already. The offshore betting shop posted Week 1 lines for college football earlier this week.

Let's start with Alabama, which will be seeking its fourth national title in five seasons in 2013. 5Dimes has the Crimson Tide as the +355 'chalk' at the future book (risk $100 to win $355).

In its season opener at the Ga. Dome, 5Dimes had Alabama installed as an enormous 22.5-point favorite vs. Va. Tech as of Wednesday afternoon. By lunch on Thursday, the number was up to 24.

Clemson was a two-point home favorite vs. Georgia yesterday. That number has bee adjusted to 3.5.

LSU and TCU will collide at Cowboys Stadium on Aug. 31. The Tigers, who saw nearly their entire defense from last season drafted last weekend, are 7.5-point favorites versus the Horned Frogs.

Florida St. will face Pittsburgh in its opener at Heinz Field on Monday, Sept. 2. The Seminoles are currently listed as 8.5-point road favorites.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Vanderbilt was a 6.5-point home favorite vs. Ole Miss. The Commodores are now four-point 'chalk.'

South Carolina will host North Carolina in its opener at Williams-Brice Stadium. 5Dimes had the Gamecocks favored by 14.5 yesterday, but the number is now 13.5.

Other numbers include Oklahoma St. -11.5 vs. Mississippi St. (in Houston), USC -19 at Hawaii, Auburn -12 vs. Washington St. and Penn St. -5 at Syracuse.

All games have 40-cent lines (-120 either way).

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAF Top 4: High-profile program coaching changes

Many high-profile coaching jobs were filled in the college football ranks this offseason. For some programs, a new head coach can breathe life into a struggling team. For others, it’s a painful learning curve early in the schedule.

We look at four big-name college football teams under new head coaches this season and how they stack up in the NCAAF conference futures:

Auburn Tigers (+8,000 to win SEC)

Out: Gene Chizik
In: Gus Malzahn

Malzahn is back at Auburn after a brief stop at Arkansas State. The mastermind behind the Tigers’ potent offense during their BCS title run in 2010, inherits a young team packed with potential. Auburn is still trying to lock down a No. 1 quarterback, with Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace as the frontrunners. But don’t rule out JuCo transfer Nick Marshall, who has followed a similar troubled path to Auburn as former star Cam Newton.

Oregon Ducks (+150 to win Pac-12)

Out: Chip Kelly
In: Mark Helfrich

The Ducks lose Kelly to the NFL and turn the keys over to former offensive coordinator Helfrich. Oregon’s plan of attack should remain the same, leaving opposing defenses with their hands on their knees by the fourth quarter. Perhaps the biggest difference will be on those close calls that Kelly was so apt to go for. This is Helfrich first go-around as a head coach and those fourth-and-short and 2-point conversion decisions could weigh heavy on him in a competitive Pac-12.

Texas Tech Red Raiders (+1,500 to win Big 12)

Out: Tommy Tuberville
In: Kliff Kingsbury

Kingsbury brings some serious QB pedigree to Lubbock, where he played his college ball. The former NFL passer was the man behind the curtain for Johnny Manziel’s Heisman campaign at Texas A&M last season and served as offensive coordinator for record-setting QB Case Keenum at Houston. However, the 33 year old doesn’t have that same talent at Texas Tech, with redshirt sophomore Michael Brewer tabbed as a soft No. 1. Kingsbury will have to prove that it was him, and not all that ample talent, that got him where he is.

Wisconsin Badgers (+350 to win Big Ten)

Out: Brett Bielema
In: Gary Andersen

Andersen made Utah State the best bet in college football last season, going 11-2 SU and 11-1-1 ATS. He’s built a reputation of turning around lost programs but now has a history of success to follow and steps into a different world in Madison. Andersen is a Big Ten outsider and will quickly learn about performing on the big stage. He’s done well with little pressure in past jobs. Now he has a ton of expectations to keep the wins coming at Wisconsin.

[StarDust Bum]

Larrow, 3 others no longer with Rutgers

May 27, 2013



PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Troubled defensive end Michael Larrow is among four players who are no longer with the Rutgers football team.

Citing disciplinary reasons, coach Kyle Flood dismissed Larrow from the team on May 6. But the move was not made public until Monday, one day after school officials say Larrow was arrested for allegedly punching his girlfriend.

Larrow had missed four games last year after being suspended following another arrest.

Flood also announced Monday that reserve offensive linemen Matt McBride and Jorge Vicioso and punter Anthony DiPaula are no longer with the team.

McBride, who graduated this month, had missed spring practice following shoulder surgery. He has not decided whether he wants to play a fifth year at another school.

[Ldawg]

Wow the Bum was busy today! Thanks for ALL of your contributions and hard work getting this stuff posted. It is great info and greatly appreciated

[StarDust Bum]

Yep its busy lately.......hate those late day meetings.......

[StarDust Bum]

Grading the Coaching Hire

May 30, 2013


1-Kliff Kingsbury: (Texas Tech) - Tommy Tuberville was obviously dying to get out of Lubbock and that’s never a good thing for the long-term future of a program. With Kingsbury, the school’s second all-time leading passer, that won’t ever be a concern. If things go swimmingly, he could be there for the next 2-3 decades. Kingsbury has reunited a fractured fan base that was divided by the Mike Leach controversy in 2009. His age – he’ll be 34 in August – is the only criticism that can possibly be levied to this choice. In three seasons as an offensive coordinator, his units finished third, first and 11th in the nation (2012 at Texas A&M, 2010-2011 at Houston).

2-Gary Andersen: (Wisconsin) – This was a home-run hire by Barry Alvarez and remember, he got a late start to the process. Andersen caught my eye for the long haul while nearly orchestrating an upset of Auburn on The Plains in the 2011 season opener for Utah St. and the defending national champions. Andersen took the Aggies to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1960-61. I’ve always felt that against-the-spread records are a good barometer for the type of job a head coach is doing. On that note, we’ll inform you that Utah St. compiled an 11-1-1 spread record last season.

3-Willie Taggart: (South Florida) – Sticking to that same ATS theme, Western Kentucky went 18-6 versus the number in the last 24 games coached by Taggart. For whatever reasons, the Skip Holtz Era was a disaster. But it’s not as if Holtz didn’t have plenty of talent. The Bulls just lost too many close games. In 2011, they dropped five games by 18 combined points. My point is that the cupboard is far from bare. Taggart can recruit and he has a dynamic personality. I’ll be stunned if this hire doesn’t work out extremely well for USF.

4-Mike MacIntyre: (Colorado) – San Jose St. went 11-2 both straight up and ATS last season. In the Spartans’ season opener, they almost pulled a monster upset in a 20-17 loss at Stanford. CU has a hard time hiring coaches because it is financially strapped and the football program has come upon hard times since the glory days of Darian Hagan and Eric Bienemy in the early 1990s. But the school got it right with this hire and I believe brighter things are on the horizon in Boulder, which is one of the best college towns in America.

5-Gus Malzahn: (Auburn) – The 2010 national championship gets further into the rearview mirror with each national title Nick Saban collects at arch-rival Alabama. The AU program fell into the toilet in its one season without Malzahn, resulting in Gene Chizik’s pink slip. The school, which could still be looking at NCAA sanctions in the not-too-distant future, passed on the temptation to hire Bobby Petrino and instead chose Malzahn, who was the real architect behind the success in 2010. In his lone year as a college head coach, Malzahn led Arkansas St. to seven straight victories to close the regular season. This is a solid hire for Auburn. With what’s going on at Alabama, however, and the potential of facing the NCAA’s wrath, the better question is if this was the right choice by Malzahn?

6-Bobby Petrino: (Western Kentucky) – We slot this hire at sixth only because we know BP’s stay in Bowling Green will be a brief one. Western Kentucky knows this, though, and the school has protected itself well with the contractual terms. But doesn’t it always end in a mess when Petrino is involved? Tom Jurich, Arthur Blank and Jeff Long can attest to that. Petrino is what he is -- a terrific head coach and a snake for a human being. The Hilltoppers just hope they can get one or two quality seasons (and minimal controversy) from BP before he bolts for a bigger job.

7-Bret Bielema: (Arkansas) – The reality is that Jeff Long ran the perfect coaching search. He swung for the fences by offering big-time dollars to Les Miles and Chris Petersen and then took quality cuts at James Franklin and Mike Gundy. Just when it appeared as if all hope was lost, Long reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out the head coach of the last three Big Ten championship teams. Long had something Barry Alvarez couldn’t provide – an SEC job and everything that comes with it. Certainly, Bielema faces challenges galore at what is probably the fifth-best program in a seven-team division. But he’s in his prime and has already enjoyed success. Well done, Jeff Long.

8-Sonny Dykes: (California) – Jeff Tedford had it going in his first seven seasons, but things steadily went south for the Bears over the last four seasons. Dykes had a really nice run at La. Tech and inherited a program with a freshly refurbished stadium in Berkeley. There are plenty of recruits in California and Dykes brings an exciting brand of football to the Bay Area. Cal did well to get Dykes.

9-Tommy Tuberville: (Cincinnati) – This hire gets a 10 on the Shock Scale. Obviously, Tuberville realized he was never going to get another SEC job (Arkansas didn’t even call when it was getting desperate) and he wanted out of West Texas in the worst way. This space has always had a soft spot for The Riverboat Gambler who knows on how to coach, plain and simple. It won’t be easy at Cincy, particularly with the uncertainty of its league in the future. But ‘Tubs’ is as good a game coach as there is and the Bearcats couldn’t possibly have done better.

There were plenty of other hires, but the nine above were the only ones I was bullish on. We will concede that some of the hires for the smaller schools involve coaches that this space simply isn’t knowledgeable about yet.

Of course, there was the exception in FIU hiring Ron Turner. What, Ray Goff wasn’t taking calls that day?

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAF Top 4: Small programs with big QB problems

Notre Dame joined the long list of big-name college football programs looking to replace stud quarterbacks with the recent suspension of Everett Golson.

The Irish join the likes of Florida State, Syracuse, USC and West Virginia, who are all moving on after the loss of exceptional passers. But the big boys aren’t the only ones with QB questions. Many smaller football programs are trying to plug the hole under center.

Here are four smaller programs with big QB problems this season:

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (2012: 9-3 SU, 5-6-1 ATS)

The Bulldogs boasted the No. 1 scoring offense in the land, averaging 51.5 points per game under the guidance of QB Colby Cameron. He’s now in Carolina trying to hold a clip board for the Panthers and new head coach Skip Holtz is trying to iron out that wrinkle in his depth chart. He has redshirt junior Scotty Young, currently tabbed No. 1, or redshirt freshman Ryan Higgins.

Miami (Ohio) Redhawks (2012: 4-8 SU, 3-8-1 ATS)

Former QB Zac Dysert is going to the “Peyton Manning School of Quarterbacking” in Denver and the Redhawks are on the hunt for a No. 1 QB for the first time in four years. Miami (Ohio) head coach Don Treadwell will hand the ball to Austin Boucher but he could share snaps with Austin Gearing with the Redhawks expected to dumb down the passing game and run more. Miami (Ohio) averaged only 88 yards per game on the ground – 121st - last season.

Duke Blue Devils (2012: 6-7 SU, 6-7 ATS)

Duke isn’t technically a small school but the football team is treated as such in Durham. The Blue Devils had a steady start to the year with QB Sean Renfree making throws and even managed to make a bowl game for the first time since 1995. Now, head coach David Cutcliffe is putting his faith into Anthony Boone. He makes the offense more dangerous, making plays with his legs, but was shaky passing the ball in the spring.

Arkansas State Red Wolves (2012: 10-3 SU, 9-4 ATS)

Arkansas State had a big year in 2012, thanks in part to QB Ryan Aplin, who was one of the most accurate arms in college football. Aplin parlayed that success into an undrafted free-agent deal with Cleveland. The Red Wolves new head coach Bryan Harsin has plenty of experience grooming QBs at Boise State and Texas, but has his work cut out for him with sophomores Fredi Knighten and Stephen Hogan, and senior Phillip Butterfield.
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[StarDust Bum]

NCAAF Week 1 betting lookahead: SMU live home dog vs. Texas Tech

Odds are out for Week 1 of the college football season. Covers Expert Bryan Power gives you his insight into some of the marquee opening matchups and predicts where the odds could move before kickoff.

NCAAF Week 1: Texas Tech Red Raiders at SMU Mustangs (+2)

Recent history: Texas Tech defeated SMU 35-27 back in the 2010 season opener, but that game was in Lubbock.

Early look at Texas Tech: Even in a pretty weak Big 12, the Red Raiders aren’t expected to be a contender. Kliff Kingsbury, a former QB at the school, takes over as head coach for the departed Tommy Tuberville. After ranking second in the nation in passing a year ago, Texas Tech loses a lot of firepower on offense, most notably QB Seth Doege. Defense remains Kingsbury’s primary concern, however, he has eight starters coming back from a unit that ranked 92nd in points allowed (31.8 PPG) which may not be a good thing.

Early look at SMU: This will be the Mustangs' first year in the “new” American Athletic Conference, which consists of the old Big East holdovers and some Conference USA refugees. With road trips looming later in the month against Texas A&M and TCU (both on the road), it is imperative June Jones’ team wins this game or it will likely be an ugly 1-3 start in Dallas.

How this line will move: Since Texas Tech is the “name” program from the bigger conference, they are likely to draw the action. But if SMU gets up to +3 or higher, you may want to consider the home underdog in this scenario.

[StarDust Bum]

2013 AAC Preview

June 3, 2013



A bad day at the office is nothing compared to the bad year the Big East has been forced to endure.

Losing foundation blocks Pittsburgh and Syracuse to the ACC was just the start. The conference officially began to fall apart at the seams when West Virginia bailed out and left for the Big 12 last year.

TCU then reneged and did a u-turn, that on the heels of the announcement that Louisville and Rutgers were headed out as well, with the Cardinals off the ACC and the Scarlet Knight to the Big Ten next year.

To top it off the once powerful Big East Basketball Conference made like a shrinking violet and instead became the Catholic 7.

Yeah, it's safe to say the Big East had a bad year.

New kids on the block this football season include Houston, Memphis, SMU and UCF. In addition, next year they will take in East Carolina, Tulane and Tulsa, while Navy will join forces in 2015.

Hence, by the time the 2015 football season arrives the conference that started playing football in 1991 will be comprised of 12 teams, only two of who (Rutgers and Temple) were original members. And starting July 1st this season they officially will become known as the American Athletic Conference.

From that point forward they will look to stand tall and forever be known as… THE AMERICAN.

Truth be told, the new moniker is in place for one simple reason: so as not to confuse the AAC with the ACC.

Lost in the turmoil is the fact that the Big East was the only FBS conference that had seen each of its members play in at least one bowl game the past three seasons, and the only league which saw each team with at least one bowl win the last five years.

Then there was 2011, when every Big East team won at least five games last season - the first time since 1905 that an existing Bowl Subdivision conference had every member finish with at least five wins.

And let's not forget the conference also owned the best postseason record (46-29, .613) of any Bowl Subdivision conference since the inception of the BCS in 1998, including a stellar 10-3 SUATS mark against the powerful SEC.

So where did it all go wrong?

Blame is on the newest disease to enter the world of college athletics: expansion.

And for that we can thank the cable networks for killing the golden goose.

Note: Numbers following team name represent the amount of returning starters on offense and defense, with an asterisk (*) designating a returning quarterback. Potential designated 'Play On' and 'Play Against' Best Bets follow each team's preview.

CINCINNATI (*8/5)
Team Theme: A COMMITMENT, OF SORTS
A day after promising Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt that he would return to coach the Red Raiders in 2013, Tommy Tuberville agreed to a $2.2M per year contract with Cincinnati. That goes hand in hand with former 5-star quarterback recruit Gunner Kiel coming to Cincinnati. Kiel originally committed to Indiana, switched to LSU and eventually went to Notre Dame for one season before bailing out and coming aboard with Tuberville in Cincinnati. The good news for the Bearcats is that regardless of who is behind center (6th-year senior Brendon Kay and senior Munchie Legaux are also in the mix), they will be well protected by the best offensive line in the Big East, one that returns intact after allowing just 15 sacks in 2012. Also on the positive side, UC opens the Tuberville era against eight straight teams that ended the 2012 season with a losing record.

Stat You Will Like: The Bearcats will face five foes that will be playing with a week of rest this season, tying Memphis for the most in the FBS in 2013.

PLAY AGAINST: vs. SMU (11/9)

CONNECTICUT (*8/5)
Team Theme: HOWLING AT THE MOON
The Huskies failed to regain their bite in a 'mission' season in 2012 when a season-ending loss to home Cincinnati kept them home for the holidays for a 2nd straight year. The biggest downfall was the shoddy showing at home at Rentschler Field where a 3-3 effort paled in comparison to the Huskies' 46-18 all-time overall mark here, including 8-0 SU and ATS off back-to-back losses. Even stranger, head coach Paul Pasqualoni, the Big East career leader with 117 wins (including 67 in conference play) has seen the home team log a 109-70-1 SU and 100-71-5 ATS mark in his career. If the defense once again holds up its end of the bargain, and behind an experienced offense, the Huskies could do well switching from a missionary to the doggie position in 2013.

Stat You Will Like: The Huskies are 8-0 SU and ATS at Rentschler Field when playing off back-to-back losses.

PLAY ON: vs. Cincinnati (10/19) - *Key

HOUSTON (*9/5)
Team Theme: POTTY TRAINED
After beating Penn State, 30-14, in the 2011 Ticket City Bowl in his first game on the sidelines for the Cougars, Tony Levine proceeded to pee his pants in his first start of the season last year when he laid a Texas-sized egg in a 30-13 loss to Texas State as a 34.5-point home favorite! It didn't go much better thereafter as the Cougars' offense and defense each slipped over 100 YPG on the season en route to a precipitous 5-win campaign. Not unexpectedly, a new OC and DC were promptly hired. An experienced group of 43 juniors and seniors will dot this year's roster, as 21 letter-winners (including eight who received all-conference honors) return with a combined 303 career starts: 181 on offense and 122 on defense. As they move to the Big East, it's time this group sheds the Pampers.

Stat You Will Like: The Cougars' 48,315 total yards of offense is tops in the nation since 2006.

PLAY ON: vs. SMU (11/29) - *Key

LOUISVILLE (*6/9)
Team Theme: STRONG NUMBERS
Claiming back-to-back Big East titles the last 2 seasons, including an 11-win campaign for the 4th time in school history last year, the Cardinals are indeed the team to beat in the conference in 2013. Led by Big East Offensive Player of the Year QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville won back-to-back games against ranked teams for the first time ever in 2012. Bridgewater welcomes back his top three receivers - all of whom caught 40 or more passes last year - plus 9 starters on defense. Thus the question begs: is their room for improvement or is a crash-and-burn in order? We say that knowing the last Big East team to win 11 games (Cincinnati) went 4-8 SU and 4-7 ATS the next season in 2010. You may call it paranoia. We call it precautious. However, given the neighborhood in which they reside, along with a soft Charmin-like schedule, don't be surprised to see this team in another BCS bowl.

Stat You Will Like: Strong has coached in 23 bowl games in his collegiate career.

PLAY ON: vs. Connecticut (11/8) - *Key

MEMPHIS (*8/8)
Team Theme: CODE: BCS
The Tigers made huge strides under first-year head coach Justin Fuente last season, doubling their 2011 win-total while winning each of its final three games of the 2012 season. After ranking next-to-last in rushing yards in 2011, the Tigers nearly doubled that total last year. With 16 starters back this campaign, including QB Jacob Karam, excitement resonates with Memphis moving up to the Big East conference this season. "We have taken a step forward but we have to understand when you take a step forward, you don't take a break. We will play bigger, more physical teams," said Fuente. His demand of 'Tiger Code': 1. Fundamentally Sound, 2. Physically Fit, 3. Mentally Tough - will be put to the test in 2013.

Stat You Will Like: The Tigers' 3 Interceptions thrown last year were the fewest in school history.

PLAY AGAINST: vs. Houston (10/12)

RUTGERS (*7/5)
Team Theme: FLOODING THE WIN COLUMN
When Kyle Flood led his troops onto the field against Kent State last season he was in select company. That's because since 1990 there were a total of only 13 first-year Division-1 coaches to open a season 7-0 heading into Game Eight. Not only did Flood become the first to lose straight-up as a favorite (-13.5) in this role, his perfect start ended in a disappointing 2-4 finish. To make matters worse, a school-record seven players were drafted into the NFL, including three by the New England Patriots. The good news is six of the seven home games this year will be against teams that ended the 2012 season with a losing record.

Stat You Will Like: Rutgers is 51-4 SU in games in which it outrushes its opponent.

PLAY ON: vs. Louisville (10/10)

SMU (*6/6)
Team Theme: JUNE IS IN BLOOM
After a head-scratching 1-11 debut with the Mustangs in 2008, SMU head coach June Jones has led his charges to bowl games each year since, setting a school-record in the process. QB Garrett Gilbert, former high school player of the year, returns after throwing for 2,952 yards on 53% completions with 15 TDs and 15 INTs. To his credit his numbers increased with alarming precision over the second-half of the season when the Ponies rallied from a 2-4 start to close the campaign with a 5-2 flurry. One of six teams to leave CUSA for the Big East, the heat will be on early this season with SMU taking on teams coming off winning campaigns in each of its first five games of the season.

Stat You Will Like: June Jones is 6-0 ATS as a 'dog of less than 18 points versus undefeated opposition.

PLAY ON: vs. TCU (9/28)

TEMPLE (*8/6)
Team Theme: RETURN TO THE GOLDEN RHULES
When Matt Rhule decided to vacate his position as OL coach with the NY Giants and accept the head coaching position at Temple, he became the 3rd new head coach for the Owls in the last four years. A former 6-year assistant at the school, including the last three seasons under Al Golden, Rhule is a disciplinarian and will command the respect of his team. He inherits a veteran squad that sank like the Titanic in its debut in a BCS conference last year. After opening the Big East season with a pair of wins, Temple lost its next five conference games en route to a 4-win season, thus making them a 'mission team' in 2013. Thus, we're betting they win more than the one game they did 'In The Stats' last season. It's our rule.

Stat You Will Like: Temple won 26 games the previous three seasons prior to last year.

PASS

UCF (*6/5)
Team Theme: TRICK OR TREAT
With nary a revenge game on this year's schedule, head coach George O'Leary will need to dig deep into his bag of tricks to keep his team inspired. After all, the Knights won their fourth CUSA Eastern division title last season with just eight years in the league. Plenty of talent returns with no less than six all-conference performers back in 2013, led by QB Blake Bortles who tossed for over 3,000 yards last year. Bortles is joined by five of his top six wide receivers. Meanwhile former Miami RB Storm Johnson is anxious for a breakout season after gaining over 500 yards in a backup role behind departed star RB Latavious Murray (1106 yards and 15 TDs). Lots of talent here with little motivation. No thanks.

Stat You Will Like: The Knights ranked 16th in FBS turnover margin last season.

PASS

USF (5/7)
Team Theme: GOOD BULL HUNTING
When South Florida hired Skip Holtz in 2010 he went on record as saying, "We can win conference championships here. We can win national championships here." But it did not happen. The Bulls dismissed Skip Holtz and hired Willie Taggart as its new head coach last winter following the worst season in the program's 16-year history. The bottom line was turnovers (-19 net) along with Injuries that decimated the Bulls last season when they lost quarterback B. J. Daniels, #3 on the Big East's career total yardage list. By the end of the season tight end and emergency backup QB Evan Landi was taking snaps. Taggart was a prep standout at Bradenton Manatee High School and returns home after having taken the Western Kentucky program from 0-20 to its first bowl appearance in 2012. The Bulls are in good hands.

Stat You Will Like: USF has lost 14 of its past 16 contests against Big East opponents and were 5-16 overall in league play under Holtz.

PLAY AGAINST: vs. Connecticut (10/12)

[StarDust Bum]

Preseason magazines forecast a tough fall for UH

Football magazine author Phil Steele has earned something of a cult following here by presciently forecasting several University of Hawaii rebounds.

In 1999, for example, he listed UH among the teams expected to make significant turnarounds, and darned if the Rainbow Warriors didn’t go from 0-12 to 9-3 for the biggest single-season major college football about-face in NCAA history to that point.

In 2001, when UH was coming off a 3-9 season, Steele tabbed UH a rising second amid a magazine consensus fifth in what became a 9-3 revival.

This year, it is revealing that while Steele touts UH as “clearly one of the most improved teams in the country …” he is nevertheless picking the Rainbow Warriors fifth in the six-member Mountain West Conference West Division.

And therein is the dilemma confronting the ’Bows, who could be significantly improved over their 3-9, ninth-place finish of 2012 but, thanks to an upgraded schedule, likely won’t have a winning season or a high finish to show for it.

Welcome to the new Mountain West and a schedule sans Lamar and South Alabama.

The sporting news talks up UH’s season-ending “two-game winning streak and a little momentum heading into this season,” and notes UH had “32 first-time starters last year, including six true freshmen.”

It lists UH as having had the third-best recruiting class in the Mountain West, but still projects the ’Bows sixth behind Nevada-Las Vegas, one of their three 2012 victims.

For what might be the first time in its history, UH opens a season with five consecutive opponents (Southern California,

Oregon State, Nevada, Fresno State and San Jose State) coming off bowl game appearances. The three — USC, Fresno and Nevada — that played UH in 2012 beat the ’Bows by an average of 39.6 points.

Overall, UH draws eight foes who played in the postseason, and is fortunate to have had encounters with three other bowl teams — Boise State, Brigham Young and Air Force — stricken from the schedule due to offseason conference changes.

Still, the result is “the schedule is brutal the first five weeks, so it might be difficult to find many signs of progress,” Lindy Sports suggests. It says, UH “could exit Sept. with an 0-4 record (for the month).”

Small wonder then that, except for Steele, the other major preseason football guides due out this month all have UH picked sixth in a division expected to be won by Fresno State.

Boise State is the choice to win the Mountain Division in this inaugural year of a 12-team, two division format.

Overall, publications have so far ranked UH from 105th to 119th among the 125 schools that will play in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision this season.

Hope for the Rainbow Warriors to overtake somebody is being pinned on projected starting quarterback Taylor Graham. Lindy’s lists the Ohio State transfer as its “newcomer of the year” in the conference, and the magazine says, “the biggest thing at quarterback for Hawaii since Colt Brennan has to be junior Taylor Graham.”

If the ’Bows are to pull another major surprise this season, Graham might have to be.

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2013 College Football Outlook - ESPN Video - ESPN

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Coaching Hot Seat

June 5, 2013

In a sense, every college football coach is on the hot seat. But there's no question that entering every gridiron campaign, some mentors are in more trouble than others. And, in a handicapping sense, it's always a good idea to know which coaches are sitting on the "hottest" of seats, as history has shown that it has been worthwhile to identify such potential trouble spots as early as possible in anticipation of possible meltdowns and strings of point-spread losses that often result.

Following is an early look at those coaches who look to be in the most danger entering this fall...

Lane Kiffin, Southern Cal...Add this tidbit to the trail of destruction Lake Kiffin has left in his wake throughout his coaching career; some Pac-12 insiders suggest that Kiffin actually had more than a bit to do with the dismissal of Southern Cal basketball coach Kevin O'Neill last January. Not directly, mind you, but the chain of events that led to the ouster of O'Neill in January might have indeed included controversies surrounding Kiffin and the support he had received from now-embattled AD Pat Haden. Many well-heeled Trojan boosters had seen all they needed last season from Kiffin, whose supposed national title-contending squad instead dropped off the national radar in November, allowed a school-worst 62 points vs. Oregon, lost to old and nasty rivals UCLA and Notre Dame, watched QB Matt Barkley's potential Heisman Trophy campaign go up in smoke, and ended up humiliating itself at the Sun Bowl when losing to a .500 Georgia Tech side to finish a dubious 7-6. Along the way were more curious incidents involving Kiffin and rumors of internal discord that surfaced after the bowl loss, part of an embarrassing adventure to El Paso. More than a few Trojan cigars were demanding action be taken by Haden, whose public pronouncement of "150%" support for Kiffin in early November was coming back to bite him hard. Enough so, according to various sources, that Haden was likely motivated to hit the eject button early at midseason on O'Neill, who was widely expected to get his pink slip anyway once the hoop season concludes. By jettisoning O'Neill just as the criticism of Kiffin was reaching its loudest, however, Haden at least temporarily quieted his growing legion of critics who suspected he didn't have the nerve to make a bold move befitting a top-flight AD. Whatever reprieve given Haden (and Kiffin) is expected to be short-lived, however; Haden will not be able to throw his new basketball coach Andy Enfield under a similar bus to deflect criticism any criticism directed at Kiffin this fall. Now Barkley is gone and a new QB must be groomed (heir apparent Max Wittek didn't get any pulses racing when subbing for a hurt Barkley last year) and the Trojans must quickly rediscover the swagger they lost a year ago. True, Kiffin has been operating with scholarship reductions dating to the Reggie Bush-related penalties from 2010, and a more-forgiving Pac-12 schedule (no Oregon or Washington this season) might help this fall, but the program needs to rebound quickly from last year's fiasco and for Kiffin to at least stay away from more unwanted controversies for Haden to justify staying the current course.

Bobby Hauck, UNLV...Talk about a predicament! You've compiled a 6-32 record in your first three seasons on the job, and your team has yet to win a road game during that span of time. The AD who hired you, maybe the only person in your corner in the entire city of Las Vegas, issues a must-win edict (at least a 6-6 record and a bowl bid) for your upcoming fourth season. Then, just after spring practice, that AD resigns under pressure, partly due to a reported dust-up with the school president who demanded an immediate upgrade in the football program and a dismissal of the coach if things didn't turn around by the third game of the season. According to some well-placed Mountain West sources, none of the above is fiction at UNLV, with the characters involved being HC Bobby Hauck, former AD Jim Livengood, and school prexy Neil Smatresk. While no one in the region doubts the magnitude of the rebuilding job Hauck inherited from predecessor Mike Sanford in 2010, and the signs of some palpable progress being made throughout the 2012 campaign, the Rebels collapsed once more at the end of last season, with humiliating road losses at Colorado State and Hawaii capping Hauck's third straight 2-win effort. Another slow start from UNLV could put Hauck in lame-duck status or a candidate for dismissal before Columbus Day, in which case the Rebel season could go up in a mushroom cloud as the remaining staff sends out feelers for future employment and the players themselves wonder about scholarship renewals with a new regime on the way. For Hauck to survive, the defense must plug its many leaks, promising soph QB Nick Sherry and sr. RB Tim Cornett cannot succumb to injury, and every break that has gone against UNLV the past quarter-century must turn around in a hurry. Given the specifics of this dire situation, Hauck appears the coach most likely to not make it to end of the regular season.

Mack Brown, Texas...A 22-16 record over the past three seasons and a growing collection of lopsided losses to eternal rival Oklahoma (the last of those by a 63-21 wipeout margin last October) are usually not the stuff of stability for a Longhorns football coach. So it's no wonder that a growing legion of Texas-exes are starting to believe that Brown is past his sell-by date, especially since the crowning glory of his 16-season tenure in Austin (the Vince Young-led 2005 national title) is looking a lot further back in the rear-view mirror these days. In Brown's defense, the Horns did show some signs of recovery last season, improving to 9-4, but this is Texas, where standards are awfully high and where sorts such as Fred Akers, David McWilliams, and John Mackovic have been dismissed for less. Making matters more complicated for Brown is that an annual haul of top-rated recruits has not delivered as expected. Some of the recent slump since the 2009 season BCS title game vs. Alabama can be blamed on QB problems post-Colt McCoy, though jr. David Ash performed with some flair last season and appears poised for a potential breakout this fall. If he doesn't, however, the pressure ratches up exponentially on Brown. But as most Big 12 insiders are quick to remind us, Mack will have a built-in safety blanket at Austin as long as AD DeLoss Dodds stays on the job. At 73, however, Dodds would seem to be looking at retirement sooner rather than later. Their relationship likely keeps Brown safe as long as the Horns stay above .500 and continue to qualify for bowls, but a popular belief among many in the region is that whenever Dodds rides off into the sunset, Brown rides with him.

Gary Pinkel, Missouri...Pinkel's career mark with the Tigers is nothing to sneeze at, as he's 12 wins from being the all-time school leader in coaching victories. But many in Columbia are wondering if Pinkel is going to stick around long enough at Faurot Field to set the mark. That's because Mizzou's move to the SEC started off more than a bit bumpy last season, made to look even worse by comparison to Texas A&M, which also made the switch (with a new head coach and frosh Heisman winner) from the Big 12 but flourished in its new and supposedly more-treacherous environs. Another round of beatings this fall might convince Tiger backers that Pinkel is not the guy to lead Mizzou on this new and difficult SEC adventure. A forgiving non-conference slate gives Pinkel a chance to gain some momentum this fall before SEC actions swings into gear, but keeping QB James Franklin in one piece and improvements on defense will be necessary for the Tigers to get back into the postseason mix. This season looks like a referendum on Pinkel, and anything less than a bowl invitation likely puts his 13-season tenure in jeopardy.

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa...Ferentz is signed thru 2020 in Iowa City, but the natives are nonetheless getting increasingly restless as the Hawkeyes have slipped to a 19-19 mark over the past three seasons and just 10-14 vs. mostly-modest Big Ten opposition during that span. Off-field issues and missing a bowl game last year have added to the angst among Iowa backers. Which has contributed to an growing belief among many Hawkeyes supporters that the program has already hit its apex for Ferentz, who was been able to keep his Iowa teams at least in Big Ten contention and in the bowl mix for most of his tenure. Not last year, however, with offensive problems looking acute in a 4-8 debacle, prompting Ferentz to answer critics by making several adjustments on his coaching staff. Ferentz, who in past years has often been the subject of interest from elsewhere (including the NFL) but has always remained loyal to Iowa, has not yet endured consecutive sub-.500 seasons with the Hawkeyes. But that could change, and soon. Expect the heat to turn up significantly if Iowa doesn't go "bowling" again this fall.

Mike Leach, Washington State...After Leach became the highest-paid employee in the history of the school last fall, Wazzu backers had reason to expect more than a 3-9 record that marked a regression from the end of the troubled Paul Wulff regime that preceded Leach's hire. Making matters more complicated for Leach were a series of negative storylines and accusations (many of those unproven ones from deposed WR Marquess Wilson) that offered unneeded distractions from the actions on the field. Which on their own were bad enough, with little resemblance to the Leach "Air Raids" that terrorized foes in his previous high-profile (and controversial) tenure at Texas Tech...or, for that matter, the last year of the Wulff regime in 2011. Along the way, Leach's besieged QBs endured a nation's-worst 57 sacks, the running game gained inches per carry, and the defense wasn't much good, either. With everything having gone so unexpectedly pear-shaped in the Palouse, some Pac-12 sources wondered if Leach might get the quick hook if the Cougs didn't rally for a dramatic Apple Cup win over rival U-Dub in the regular-season finale. The off-field distractions were responsible for much of that conjecture last season, and Leach must avoid similar controversies this fall. Although Leach's defense lacked playmakers last season, it was a surprise to see the offense stumble so badly. A repeat of 2012 would seem unlikely, especially if jr. QB Conner Halliday can stay healthy, but anything resembling last year's mess could put Leach in the soup.

Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech...Believe it or not, Beamer's name has been on this list before, and near the top of it, in fact, back in 1993. That was Beamer's seventh season on the job, and at the time, the Hokies had yet to qualify for a bowl game on his watch. But '93 was a breakthrough campaign, as QB Maurice DeShazo led VPI to the postseason and a rousing Independence Bowl win over Indiana, and the Hokies had taken flight, with a bowl streak that remains intact today. Although it took a narrow season-ending win over disappointing Virginia to keep the streak alive a year ago in a terribly-disappointing campaign at Blacksburg, causing many Hokie backers to wonder if the old coach and alum might be past his sell-by date, especially with few hints of the old "Beamer Ball" (defensive and special teams opportunism) anywhere to be seen last fall. Now, the pressure will be on those old Beamer staples, as well as much-hyped QB Logan Thomas, to deliver this fall. At the least, expect some public discussion about the future of d.c. Bud Foster, long considered Beamer's heir apparent but as of yet not aligned with any official successor plan at VPI. If the Hokies continue to flounder as they did a year ago, the eventual transition to Foster might become more problematic, too, and Bud might be more tempted than usual to seek employment elsewhere (he's been rumored for several jobs in recent years, including North Carolina's opening after 2011). Some in the region suspect that Beamer might want to stay through what would be his 30th season in 2016; if that is indeed the case, don't be surprised if VPI at least announces some successor plan with Foster.

Mike London, Virginia...After what seemed a breakthrough campaign in 2011 and a Chick-Fil-A Bowl berth vs. Auburn, UVa took several steps backward last fall when slumping to an ugly 4-8 mark. The pressure thus mounts on London, now in his fourth year, to stop the bleeding ASAP. His answer is a return to his preferred power-football style which will require a lot more from his infantry than its 129 ypg (and 96th ranking nationally) from a year ago. To that end, London has revamped his coaching staff, especially on the offensive end where several former FBS head coaches (including ex-NC State HC Tom O'Brien and ex-Colorado State HC Steve Fairchild) are now on staff. Unfortunately, both of last year's QBs have left the program; Michael Rocco transferred to Richmond and former Alabama transfer QB Phillip Sims, in contention for the starting job in spring, subsequently became academically ineligible, likely leaving the job to soph David Watford. There is some encouragement, however, as another respected assistant, Jon Tenuta, takes over a defense that on paper looks to be menacing, especially with seven starters (including the entire secondary) in the fold. But ACC sources almost all suggest that another bowl miss puts London in the crosshairs.

Charlie Weis, Kansas...Kansas is getting what it deserves with Weis, whose Notre Dame tenure ended in shambles, as did his brief stint as o.c. with the NFL Kansas City Chiefs and even more-desultory one-year run as o.c. at Florida, where HC Will Muschamp was relieved that Weis was able to escape Gainesville and become the Jayhawks' problem instead. After showing little patience for predecessor Turner Gill, the Weis hire was the brainchild of new AD Sheahon Zenger, who was rewarded with a 1-11 record (only win vs. FCS South Dakota State) in Weis' debut season that had many wondering why the plug had to be pulled so quickly on predecessor Gill. Now, Weis is banking hopes for a resurgence on BYU transfer QB Jake Heaps, who started some games for the Cougs as a frosh in 2011 before getting beaten out for the job by journeyman Riley nelson, and deciding to transfer thereafter. A bevy of juco transfers has also been enlisted for a hopeful quick fix, but this was not supposed to be the plan in Lawrence. Moreover, Weis' reputation as an offensive genius has taken quite a battering since his long-ago days as Bill Belichick's o.c. with the Super Bowl Patriots a decade ago, and the "D" didn't exactly respond to ex-Dallas Cowboys HC and d.c. Dave Campo in 2012, ranking 113th nationally. The memory of BCS-level teams in the not-so-long-ago Mark Mangino regime look a lot further back in the rear-view mirror these days. Can Weis survive another winless Big 12 season? And can AD Zenger survive another debacle with his hand-picked coach?

Tim Beckman, Illinois...The honeymoon period for new head coaches is not as long as it used to be; the aforementioned Turner Gill only got two years in Kansas, and he's not the only one who has been given a lot less rope by win-hungry fans and ADs in recent years. The next such example could be Beckman, who arrived in Champaign-Urbana amid much fanfare last season after a successful run at Toledo, but immediately had Illini fans wishing for a return to the Ron Zook years after an ugly 2-10 collapse that featured a complete meltdown on the offensive end and a winless mark in the Big Ten. Now, there are more than a few Illinois backers who wonder if Beckman is up to the job. The hope this season is that new o.c. and former Western Michigan HC Bill Cubit can straighten out the attack that floundered badly with co-coordinators Chris Beatty and Billy Gonzalez last season (both are no longer with the program). For Cubit to succeed he'll have to coax something more than inconsistency from forth-year starting QB Nathan Scheelhaase (learning his third different offensive system in four season), and the defense is also in rebuild mode after finishing a poor 93rd in scoring (32.1 ppg). Mostly, however, improvements need to happen fast with a desultory strike (out) force that ranked an awful 119th in scoring and total offense in 2012. Otherwise, more Illini backers will begin to suspect that Beckman isn't up to the job. After all, even Zook was able to get the Illini into minor-bowl territory during the later years of his tenure.

Randy Edsall, Maryland...The Terps have had egg on their face ever since the ham-handed handling of Ralph Friedgen's dismissal (engineered by new AD Kevin Anderson) following a successful 2010 campaign. Hired away from an impressive run at UConn that featured a Big East title and BCS berth (Fiesta) in 2010, Randy Edsall's College Park adventure has resulted in a 6-18 nightmare the past two seasons. Although the specifics of each campaign differed (mass defections gutting the 2011 team, eventual firing of both coordinators, and injuries that decimated the QB position wrecking 2012), no Terp backers are happy, and Edsall has to begin showing some progress this season as Maryland prepares for a move to the Big Ten in 2014. Keeping QB C.J. Brown healthy, and the ongoing improvement of homerun soph WR Stefon Diggs, would go a long way to solving many of the recent offensive woes, and the "D" performed with some flair for d.c. Brian Stewart (ex-Dallas Cowboys) last season. Still, a winning record and bowl berth are minimum expectations this season.

Others on the hot seat: Paul Pasqualoni, UConn; Jeff Quinn, Buffalo, Don Treadwell, Miami-Ohio; Ron English, Eastern Michigan; Doc Holliday, Marshall.; Kevin Wilson, Indiana.

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Golden Nugget's NCAAF 'Games of the Year' odds on the move

The pool wasn’t the only place sharks were swimming at the Golden Nugget this past weekend.

Las Vegas sharps and Nevada wiseguys, along with average football fanatics, poured into the sportsbook to bet on the college football “Games of the Year”, which were released Friday. A weekend’s worth of wagering has forced the oddsmakers to make some adjustments to their opening numbers.

Some of the biggest moves include:

Thursday August 29: UNLV at Minnesota (-13 to -15)
Saturday September 14: Wisconsin at Arizona State (Pick to -3)
Saturday September 14: Ohio State at California (+21 to +19.5)
Saturday September 21: Tennessee at Florida (-12 to -14)
Saturday September 21: Auburn at LSU (-18 to -16.5)
Saturday September 21: Arkansas at Rutgers (Pick to +2.5)
Saturday September 28: Texas A&M at Arkansas (+17 to +15)
Saturday September 28: Wisconsin at Ohio State (-11, 45 to -10, 47)
Saturday October 5: Minnesota at Michigan (-15 to -17)
Saturday October 5: TCU at Oklahoma (-9 to -7.5)
Saturday October 12: South Carolina at Arkansas (+13 to +11)
Saturday October 12: Missouri at Georgia (-18 to -16.5)
Saturday October 12: Boston College at Clemson (-22 to -20.5)
Saturday October 19: Auburn at Texas A&M (-24 to -22.5)
Friday October 25: Boise State at BYU (-1 to -3)
Saturday October 26: Notre Dame at Air Force (+18 to +16.5)
Saturday October 26: Northwestern at Iowa (+12 to +8.5)
Saturday November 2: Navy at Notre Dame (-18 to -21)
Saturday November 8: Penn State at Minnesota (+8 to +6.5)
Saturday November 8:: Texas at West Virginia (+12 to +10)
Friday November 15: Washington at UCLA (-2 to -4)
Saturday November 16: Washington State at Arizona (-19 to -17)

Here are all the "Games of the Year" odds that moved since opening:

Thursday August 29, 2013

UNLV at Minnesota (-13 to -15)
Mississippi at Vanderbilt (+4 to +2)

Saturday August 31, 2013

Washington State at Auburn (-11.5 to -12)
Northwestern at California (+10.5 to +9)
Nevada at UCLA (-15 to -16)
Colorado vs. Colorado State (-3.5 to -2.5)
Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma State (-14 to -12.5)
Boise State at Washington (-2 to -3)
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (+17, 48.4 to 47.5)
Georgia at Clemson (+3.5 to +2.5)
LSU vs. TCU (+4 to +3)

Monday September 2, 2013

Florida State at Pittsburgh (+13 to +12)

Saturday September 7, 2013

South Florida at Michigan State (-16 to -15.5)
Notre Dame at Michigan (Pick to -1)
West Virginia at Oklahoma (-16 to -15)
Texas at BYU (+7.5 to +6.5)
Oregon at Virginia (+21 to +22.5)

Saturday September 14, 2013

Wisconsin at Arizona State (Pick to -3)
Ohio State at California (+21 to +19.5)
Nevada at Florida State (-26 to -27.5)
Iowa at Iowa State (-4 to -2)
UCLA at Nebraska (-6 to -6.5)
Washington vs. Illinois (+11 to +12)
Tennessee at Oregon (-25 to -23.5)
Notre Dame at Purdue (+14 to +13)
Vanderbilt at South Carolina (-11 to -12)

Saturday September 21, 2013

Arizona State at Stanford (-10 to -9)
Tennessee at Florida (-12 to -14)
North Carolina at Georgia Tech (-4.5 to -3.5)
Auburn at LSU (-18 to -16.5)
Arkansas at Rutgers (Pick to +2.5)

Saturday September 28, 2013

Texas A&M at Arkansas (+17 to +15)
USC at Arizona State (Pick to -1)
LSU at Georgia (-6, 52 to -7)
Oklahoma at Notre Dame (-2 to -3)
Florida State at Boston College (+17 to +16)
Wisconsin at Ohio State (-11, 45 to -10, 47)
Arizona at Washington (-5 to -5.5)

Saturday October 5, 2013

Washington at Stanford (-10 to -11.5)
Oregon at Colorado (+37 to +35.5)
Ohio State at Northwestern (+8 to +7)
Arizona State vs. Notre Dame (-4 to -3.5)
Minnesota at Michigan (-15 to -17)
TCU at Oklahoma (-9 to -7.5)
West Virginia at Baylor (-7 to -8)
LSU at Mississippi State (+9 to +8)
Michigan State at Iowa (+9 to +8)
Georgia Tech at Miami (-7 to -6)
Georgia at Tennessee (+11 to +12)

Thursday October 10, 2013

Arizona at USC (-7 to -8)

Saturday October 12, 2013

South Carolina at Arkansas (+13 to +11)
Missouri at Georgia (-18 to -16.5)
Florida at LSU (-4, 41.5 to -3)
Boston College at Clemson (-22 to -20.5)
Oklahoma vs. Texas (Pick to -1.5)
Oregon at Washington (+14 to +13)
Northwestern at Wisconsin (-6 to -7)

Thursday October 17, 2013

Miami at North Carolina (Pick to -1)

Saturday October 19, 2013

Minnesota at Northwestern (-15 to -14)
Florida at Missouri (+6 to +7)
LSU at Mississippi (-2 to -1.5)
TCU at Oklahoma State (-10 to -9)
Florida State at Clemson (-2 to -2.5)
Auburn at Texas A&M (-24 to -22.5)

Friday October 25, 2013

Boise State at BYU (-1 to -3)

Saturday October 26, 2013S

Utah at USC (-18 to -19.5)
Arizona at Colorado (+20 to +18.5)
Notre Dame at Air Force (+18 to +16.5)
Northwestern at Iowa (+12 to +8.5)
Arizona State at Washington State (+15 to +14)

Saturday November 2, 2013

Arizona at California (+11 to +10)
Miami at Florida State (-8 to -7)
Georgia vs. Florida (+4, 44.5 to 45.5)
Navy at Notre Dame (-18 to -21)
Michigan at Michigan State (-3 to -2)
Clemson at Virginia (+13.5 to +12.5)
West Virginia at TCU (-10 to -11)

Thursday November 7, 2013

Oregon at Stanford (+4 to +3)

Saturday November 9, 2013

UCLA at Arizona (-4 to -3)
TCU at Iowa State (+9.5 to +10.5)
Penn State at Minnesota (+8 to +6.5)
Texas at West Virginia (+12 to +10)
Virginia Tech at Miami (-3.5 to -4)
Auburn at Tennessee (-8 to -7)

Friday November 15, 2013

Washington at UCLA (-2 to -4)

Saturday November 16, 2013

Georgia at Auburn (+15 to +14)
Washington State at Arizona (-19 to -17)
Syracuse at Florida State (-16 to -17)
Michigan at Northwestern (-3 to -2.5)
Houston at Louisville (-17 to -17.5)

Saturday November 23, 2013

Arizona State at UCLA (-3 to -2)
Texas A&M at LSU (-1, 47.5 to -2)
Washington at Oregon State (-5 to -6)
Michigan at Iowa (+10.5 to +9.5)
Virginia at Miami (-15 to -14.5)

Friday November 29, 2013

Washington State at Washington (-14 to -13)

Saturday November 30, 2013

Florida State at Florida (-2, 44 to -2.5)
Ohio State at Michigan (+6, 50.5 to +5)
Texas A&M at Missouri (+13 to +12)
Penn State at Wisconsin (-9 to -10)
Baylor at TCU (-5 to -6)

Thursday December 5, 2013

Louisville at Cincinnati (+3 to +3.5)

Saturday December 7, 2013

Texas at Baylor (+8 to +7)
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