The Bum's Sept. CFB POD's-Stats-News !

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NCAAF

Saturday, September 28

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Oklahoma at Notre Dame: What bettors need to know
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Oklahoma Sooners at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+3.5, 50.5)

Notre Dame used a victory at Oklahoma last season to catapult itself into the National Championship discussion. The 12th-ranked Sooners will look to return that favor when they visit the 22nd-ranked Fighting Irish on Saturday. The 2013 Notre Dame squad is taking a little longer to find itself than the 2012 version, though the defense began to make some big strides last week.

Oklahoma is getting its biggest test of the first month and had an off week to prepare for the Fighting Irish after trouncing Tulsa on Sept. 14. The Sooners have a different look than last year’s squad as well but are already displaying the type of defensive intensity that could turn the rematch in their favor. Notre Dame exploded for 17 points in the final 5:05 last year at Oklahoma to turn a tie game into a 30-13 victory.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC.

LINE: The Sooners opened as 3-point road faves and are now -3.5. The total opened at 48.5 and is up to 50.5.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the high-70s. Wind will blow from the south at 12 mph toward the north end zone.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (3-0): The Sooners, like the Irish, are bringing a different starting quarterback into this matchup, with junior Blake Bell proving himself the starter after passing for 413 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Tulsa. Oklahoma had a 356-yard passing effort from Landry Jones in the matchup last season but struggled to convert third downs against Notre Dame’s bend-don’t-break defense. “We weren’t nearly as good as we needed to be, and they were better at getting the stop, and that was a big factor,” Sooners coach Bob Stoops said of the Irish defense.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (3-1): The Irish used their passing game to stretch Michigan State and put pressure on the cornerbacks last week, drawing several penalties that kept drives alive and helped lead to a 17-13 triumph. Quarterback Tommy Rees was not the starter last year at Oklahoma but has plenty of experience, leaving the defense the biggest question mark. “We’re going up against an extremely skilled and talented football team,” coach Brian Kelly said of Oklahoma. “Their offensive depth at the skill position is as good as I’ve seen across the country.”

TRENDS:

* Fighting Irish are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Under is 5-1 in Sooners last six non-conference games.
* Under is 4-1 in Fighting Irish last five vs. Big 12.
* Sooners are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Notre Dame is looking for its 11th straight home win.

2. The Sooners have not lost a regular-season game since falling to the Irish (8-0).

3. The Irish are 27-4-1 all-time against schools that currently make up the Big 12.

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NCAAF

Saturday, September 28

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Mississippi at Alabama: What bettors need to know
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Mississippi Rebels at Alabama Crimson Tide (-14, 55)

Top-ranked Alabama survived the first major test of its latest title defense and looks to clear another hurdle when it hosts No. 21 Mississippi on Saturday. The Crimson Tide rolled to a 31-6 win over Colorado State last week after escaping with a 49-42 victory at Texas A&M a week earlier. The Rebels are after their first 4-0 start since 1970, but haven't beaten Alabama since 2003 and have only one victory in 25 trips to Tuscaloosa, Ala.

It's the first time the long-time rivals have met when both were undefeated since 1982, and that's only the case because the Rebels have staged two second-half rallies. After coming back from an 11-point halftime deficit for a 39-35 win over Vanderbilt in their season opener, they outscored Texas 27-0 in the second half of a 44-23 win two weeks ago. Alabama's defense and special teams have excelled en route to a 3-0 start for the 10th straight season.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Alabama opened as a 17-point fave and is now -14. The total opened at 57 and has come down to 55.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with clear skies.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI (3-0, 1-0 SEC West): Ole Miss has found balance on offense by using a combination of pass-first quarterback Bo Wallace and run-first backup Barry Brunetti. The Rebels also have an explosive star in running back Jeff Scott, who set career highs in rushing yards (164) and all-purpose yards (243) against Texas and ranks fifth in the SEC in rushing (110 yards per game) and fourth in all-purpose yards (151.7 per game).

ABOUT ALABAMA (3-0, 1-0): The Crimson Tide's offense has been inconsistent and struggled to get going in last week's win over Colorado State. Christion Jones, who turned the tide of Alabama's 33-14 win over Ole Miss a year ago with 99-yard kickoff return touchdown, has helped salvage the lack of offense by returning a kickoff and a punt for scores to go along with a touchdown reception. The defense has not been as dominant as in years past, but Vinnie Sunseri has a pair of interception returns for touchdowns to contribute to five non-offensive touchdowns in three games.

TRENDS:

* Rebels are 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
* Crimson Tide are 0-4 ATS in their last four games in September.
* Over is 6-1 in Rebels last seven games overall.
* Rebels are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings in Alabama.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Alabama has won 42 consecutive games when it commits fewer turnovers than its opponent.

2. Ole Miss is 0-9 all-time against top-ranked teams and 1-12 against defending national champions.

3. The Crimson Tide are 52-0 since the start of the 2008 season when rushing for at least 140 yards.

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Essential betting tidbits for Week 5 of college football

We dug up these vital betting tidbits for some of Saturday's college football action that will help you make the right call before kickoff.

- The South Florida Bulls are have just a 20 percent conversion rate on third downs. Only Florida International and Miami (OH) are worse. The Bulls are 19-point home dogs with the Miami Hurricanes in town.

- The West Virginia Mountaineers had six turnovers last week versus Maryland and are averaging 3.7 giveaways per game. Only Hawaii, Southern Mississippi and Western Kentucky are worse.

- Oklahoma State is tied for 10th in the nation in scoring with 45.3 ppg. The Cowboys are 19-point road faves at West Virginia Saturday.

- The worst offensive unit in the country? That would be the Miami (OH) Red Hawks who have just 448 total net yards through three games. Florida International is next-to-last with 603 total yards. The Red Hawks are 25-point road dogs at Illinois.

- Central Florida is a 7-point home dog with South Carolina visiting. The Knights will have to put their unblemished 3-0 ATS mark on the line without starting LB Willie Mitchell who will miss his second straight game following his DUI arrest on Sept. 7.

- The SMU Mustangs are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings with TCU. The Horned Frogs are 19.5-point home faves Saturday.

- Northern Illinois and Purdue have met once before. NIU won 28-21 and covered as 9.5-point dogs back in 2009. The Huskies are 3.5-point road faves Saturday.

- The Tennessee Volunteers host the South Alabama Jaguars Saturday. Tennessee is 8-0 all time against teams from the Sun Belt Conference and is an 18.5-point fave.

- Pitt is a 5.5-point home fave with the Virginia Cavaliers visiting on Saturday.

- The UNC Tar Heels are 12-point home faves versus East Carolina. The Heels are 6-0 ATS in the past six meetings with the Pirates.

- Navy is the No. 1 rushing team in the nation with 398 yards per game. Western Kentucky's defense allows 200 rushing yards per game which ranks them 89th in the country. The Midshipmen are 3-point road faves.

- The favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings between Bowling Green and Akron. The Falcons are 14-point favorites at home.

- The Colorado Buffaloes have not played a game since Sept. 7. Their game versus Fresno State was postponed due to weather. The Buffaloes are 11-point dogs at Oregon State.

- The Duke Blue Devils are coming off a 58-55 loss to Pitt in the second-highest scoring game in ACC history. The host the Troy Trojans with a total of 68.5.

- The road team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings between Toledo and Ball State. The Cardinals are 2-point home faves Saturday.

- Buffalo hosts UConn with the game currently a pick. The Huskies are 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings with the Bulls.

- Clemson hosts Wake Forest with the total currently sitting at 58.5. The Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings between these two teams.

- The Colorado State Rams lead the all-time series with UTEP 24-10. The Rams are favored by two touchdowns at home Saturday.

- The Oklahoma Sooners haven't lost a regular season game since losing to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 30-13 in Week 9 last season. The Sooners are 3.5-road dogs at South Bend.

- The Iowa Hawkeyes are one of four teams with an Over/Under record of 4-0 (LSU, New Mexico State, Troy). The Hawkeyes are on the road to face Minnesota with a total of 46 Saturday.

- The North Carolina State Wolpack have played under the total in eight straight home games. They've allowed an average of 16.6 points in those eight home games. The Wolfpack host Central Michigan and the total is currently 52.

- Florida State QB Jameis Winston leads the nation with a 78.1 completion percentage and is second with a 210.5 QB rating. Winston will look to build on those numbers in Boston as the Noles are 23-point road faves at Boston College.

- A pair of SEC heavyweights face off as Georgia hosts LSU Saturday. The over is 5-1 in the last six meetings and Saturday's total is currently 62.

- Army and Louisiana Tech play in Dallas Saturday. The Under is 4-0 in Army's last four neutral site games. Total is 52.5.

- The UTSA Road Runners are one of five teams to start the season 4-0 ATS. Dating back to last season, the Road Runners are 8-0 ATS in their last eight games overall. UTSA is a 2.5-point home dog with the Houston Cougars in town Saturday.

- The Temple Owls are one of 10 squads that have failed to successfully kick a field goal. They are 0-4 this season. Temple is a 7-point road fave against Idaho with a total of 55.5.

- One of the most anticipated matchups of the weekend is Ole Miss at Bama. The Rebels are 14-point dogs, but are 4-0 ATS in their last four games at Alabama.

- The Over is 6-0 in the last six meetings between Arizona and Washington. Saturday's total is currently 61.

- A pair of anemic offenses take the field as Kent State visit Western Michigan. The Golden Flashes are ranked 120 on offense and the Broncos are ranked 115 on offense. The Broncos are 2.5-point home faves with a total of 49.5.

- The Florida Gators are 6-0 ATS in their last six games versus the Kentucky Wildcats. The Gators are 12-point road faves Saturday.

- Texas A&M, a 14-point road fave at Arkansas Saturday, has scored 40 points in its first four games of the season for the first time in school history.

- Florida Atlantic are 14-point underdogs at Rice Saturday, but are 9-0 ATS in their last nine road games.

- Wyoming is currently the top consensus pick (75%) as a 12-point road fave at Texas State Saturday.

- Louisiana-Monroe was a 63-10 winner at Tulane in Week 5 last year. The Warhawks are 12.5-point home faves in this weekend's matchup.

- The Missouri Tigers are 2-0 against Arkansas State, winning in 2004 and 2005 by a combined score of 96-37. Mizzou is favored by 21.5 at home against the Red Wolves.

- Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews needs one TD reception to become the school's all-time leader. He'll look get that against UAB who come in as a 19.5-point road dog at Vandy.

- Air Force will begin life without starting QB Jeleel Awini versus Nevada Saturday. The sophomore is "no longer a cadet in good standing and not eligible to represent the academy in any outside activities." Awini replaced No. 1 QB Kale Pearson who is out for the season with a knee injury. The Falcons have just two QBs left on the roster and are 11.5-point road dogs at Nevada.

- A pair of winless programs go face-to-face as San Diego state plays New Mexico State. The Aggies are 17.5-point home dogs and are 0-8 in their last eight games overall.

- UNLV and New Mexico have played under in the last four meetings in New Mexico. The total for Saturday is currently 54.

- An interesting Big Ten matchup has Wisconsin at Ohio State. The underdog is 10-3 ATS in the last 13 meetings and the Badgers are 6.5-point road dogs.

- The Stanford Cardinal are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games at Washington State. Stanford is a 9.5-point road fave Saturday night.

- Southern Miss has played Over in nine of its last 11 road games. The Golden Eagles are on the road at Boise State with a total of 49.5.

- The total for the Cal versus Oregon game currently sits at 82. Since 1985, there have been 11 games with totals of at least 80 points. Six of them have gone under.

- USC and Arizona State square off in a Pac-12 battle Saturday Night at Sun Devil Stadium. The Trojans are 3.5-point road dogs and are 0-8 ATS in their last eight games overall.

- Fresno State is 4-0 ATS in the last four games in Hawaii. The Bulldogs are big 17.5-point road dogs in the Aloha State.

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Where the action is: Saturday's NCAAF line moves

Week 5 of the college football season is going to be awesome. If the bevy of big-name matchups wasn’t evidence enough, the furious amount of action coming in at sportsbooks is. We talk with oddsmakers about the biggest line adjustments heading into the weekend and where those odds will end up come kickoff Saturday:

Florida State Seminoles at Boston College Eagles – Open: +22.5, Move: +23, Move: +21.5

This line has bounced between 23 and 21.5 points, with some markets opening on the low end and moving up to Florida State -22. According to Michael Stewart of CarbonSports.ag, semi-sharp action took the home side, trimming the line a bit before a wave of public money stormed in on the Noles.

“Combine the public perception that Boston College stinks, with the fact that they've been blown out in this series the past two years by a combined 75 points, it's understandable that this line has moved a bunch, “Stewart tells Covers. “We're currently dealing FSU -24 as 88 percent of all the early action is on the road favorite.”


Iowa Hawkeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers – Open: -1, Move: +2

The Golden Gophers 4-0 record isn’t fooling wiseguys. Minnesota is undefeated against the likes of UNLV, New Mexico State, FCS Western Illinois and San Jose State. Action has moved this game off the fence and towards the visitor.

“Sharp money likes Iowa and the early post of Minny as a small fave has flipped,” says Aron Black of Bet365.com. “Our action sees both sides backed, but we’re considering the sharps on Iowa.”


Arizona Wildcats at Washington Huskies – Open: -7, Move: -10

Early money showed up on the home side and moved this spread off one key number to another. According to Black, the probable status of Huskies RB Bishop Sankey is behind this move along with some key injuries to Arizona. That kept steady action coming in on Washington.

The total has come down from 63.5 to as low as 61.5 with rain in the forecast for CenturyLink Field Saturday.


USC Trojans at Arizona State Sun Devils – Open: -7, Move: -3.5

Sharp action on the Trojans in their first true road test of the year has trimmed as many as 3.5 points off this line at some books. According to Stewart, CarbonSports.ag is dealing ASU -5 and says that the rest of the market may have taken on too much sharp action and expects wiseguys to buy back the Sun Devils at the discount price.

“I might be completely misreading the markets here, but I can't see why anyone would support USC in this game,” he says. “That said, while we've seen sharp action that drove our price from -6.5 down to -5, we've since booked a bunch of recreational action on the favorite and we're currently dealing ASU -5.5.”


Mississippi Rebels at Alabama Crimson Tide – Open: -17, Move: -14

There’s a chink in the Crimson Tide’s armor and bettors no longer believe Alabama is invincible. Early action has taken this down from one key number to the next, with money on Ole Miss swaying the market place.

“Money is coming in on both sides, and although Alabama has done nothing wrong, the sharp money likes Ole Miss plus the points,” says Black, who points out that the Rebels are 6-3 ATS in their last nine meetings with the Crimson Tide. “Bettors seem to like Ole Miss to at least cover. but Bama is a banker for SU parlay action, which is nothing new.”


Texas A&M Aggies at Arkansas Razorbacks – Open: +14, Move: +16

Arkansas QB Brandon Allen is expected to miss Saturday’s showdown with the Aggies, which kept books from posting a line of this game most of the week. That injury as well as the overall popularity of Texas A&M and reigning Heisman winner Johnny Manziel has made this a very one-sided handle.

“We couldn't stop the bleeding and we decided right then, this is going to be a runaway game where our customers are all going to line up and bet the road favorite,” says Stewart. “Currently over 85 percent of the early action is on Texas A&M and I wouldn't be surprised if we closed this line as high as -17.”

Stewart does report that since making a direct jump from Aggies -14.5 to -16, some sharp money has come back to take the Razorbacks at the discounted spread.


Air Force Falcons at Nevada Wolf Pack – Open: -7, Move: -10

This MWC matchup leapt from one key number to the next with the suspension of Air Force QB Jaleel Awini moving the line as many as three points. The Falcons are also missing WR Ty MacArthur due to a concussion. Nevada got good news pertaining to QB Cody Fajardo and RB Don Jackson, who are probable for Week 5.

“Action is quiet as it’s not a sexy matchup, but we are pretty split for what we have, and actually a bit more on Air Force,” says Black.

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College football betting weather report: Saturday's forecasts

South Carolina Gamecocks at Central Florida Knights (+6.5, 54)

Temperatures will be in the low-80s with a 20 percent chance of showers and wind blowing diagonally out of the northeast at 13 mph.


Southern Methodist Mustangs at Texas Christian Horned Frogs (-17.5, 52.5)

Fans at Amon G. Carter Stadium should expect temperatures in the mid-80s with a 70 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow from south to north at 9 mph.


Colorado Buffaloes at Oregon State Beavers (-12, 60)

Rain will fall throughout the afternoon at Reser Stadium with temperatures in the low-60s. Wind will blow diagonally out of the south at 15 mph.


Iowa Hawkeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers (+2, 46)

Temperatures at TCF Bank Stadium will be in the high-50s with a 95 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow from west to east at 11 mph.


Army Black Knights at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (+2, 52)

Temperatures at the Cotton Bowl will be in the high-80s with a 60 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms.


Kent State Golden Flashes at Western Michigan Broncos (Pick, 50.5)

Temperatures will be in the high-60s with a 20 percent chance of showers. Wind will blow diagonally out of the south at 11 mph.


Texas A&M Aggies at Arkansas Razorbacks (+14, 62)

Temperatures at Reynolds Razorback Stadium will be in the low-70s with a 60 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms.


Tulane Green Wave at Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (-12.5, 54.5)

There will be a 20 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms at James L. Malone Stadium. Temperatures will be in the high-70s.


Florida Atlantic Owls at Rice Owls (-14, 52.5)

Fans at Rice Stadium face a 30 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms with temperatures in the mid-80s.


Wyoming Cowboys at Texas State Bobcats (+12, 55.5)

Temperatures at Bobcat Stadium will be in the mid-80s with a 40 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms.


Arizona Wildcats at Washington Huskies (-9.5, 61)

Husky Stadium will see persistent rain throughout the evening with temperatures in the high-50s and wind blowing out of the southwest at 11 mph.


Stanford Cardinal at Washington State Cougars (+9.5, 46.5)

Temperatures at CenturyLink Field will be in the mid-50s with steady rain expected throughout the evening. Wind will blow out of the southwest at 11 mph.


California Golden Bears at Oregon Ducks (-37, 82)

Fans at Autzen Stadium face a 90 percent chance of showers with temperatures in the mid-50s and wind blowing out of the south at 12 mph.


** Odds and weather forecasts as of 7:25 p.m. ET Friday.

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ESPN's College GameDay returns to Athens for Georgia-LSU game


Paul Finebaum remembers distinctly his last visit to Athens.

The well-known sports talk radio host, who recently inked a deal to move over to ESPN, was doing a live shot from Athens for a news station in Birmingham after then-No. 8 Alabama creamed then-No. 3 Georgia 41-30 in 2008.

“Right in the middle of (the live shot), a lovely frat boy poured a beer can over my head,” said Finebaum, who met with local reporters Friday near Myers Quad as ESPN set up its College GameDay set. “I’m still waiting for somebody to reimburse me for that sport coat.”

That loss was the last time College GameDay broadcast in Athens.

The show was in Clemson, though, for the Bulldogs’ 38-35 loss to the Tigers on Aug. 31, which made Georgia’s record 3-12 when GameDay is on hand.

That poor record makes some Bulldog fans uneasy.

“It’s just a part of sports,” College GameDay co-host and former Michigan player Desmond Howard said Friday of unfounded superstitions. “It’s something that people, I guess, like to blame for their team’s poor performances.”

Former Georgia All-American David Pollack, who is also featured on College GameDay, said the record isn’t something the players should be thinking about. He dismissed the notion of fan superstition that comes along with the picks that College GameDay’s Kirk Herbstriet and Lee Corso make during the show.

“(The show) doesn’t determine the outcome of the game,” Pollack said. “Whoever picks who, if Herbsteit picks Georgia (Saturday) and they win, it had nothing to do with Herbstreit picking Georgia.

“I know it’s hard to disassociate yourfrom that or not pay attention to it, but people are giving their opinion on who they think will win the game. Are they always right? Lord, no. Does it matter? No.”

On top of College GameDay constructing its presence in the heart of the University of Georgia’s campus for Saturday’s game, the return of Zach Mettenberger to play the team he was dismissed from has dominated the story lines.

Mettenberger, who was dismissed in the spring of 2010 after a spring-break arrest, returns to play his first game between the hedges as LSU’s starting quarterback. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Watkinsville native and former Oconee County standout has thrown 10 touchdown passes, just one interception and guided the Tigers to an average of 480 yards per outing through four games. Finebaum said he expects Georgia fans in Sanford Stadium to give Mettenberger an ovation to show support for Mettenberger making good on his second chance.

“I’ll tell you this, if Zach Mettenberger is booed tomorrow then I think it would be disgraceful because I think as a Georgia fan you should embrace the fact that he’s coming back, he’s done the right thing,” Finebaum said. “... I think it’s a positive in college football as opposed to some of the other issues that we talk about.”

Finebaum, known for not holding back when he has an opinion, didn’t pull any punches when he continued on the subject.

“If some knucklehead in the upper deck who’s been drinking all day wants to boo Zach Mettenberger, go ahead. But I think you’re an idiot if he boo him,” Finebaum said. “I’m not praising what he did, don’t misunderstand me. But I’m praising the fact that he was able to make something or turn a wrong into a right and now he’s coming back.”

Pollack said Mettenberger has to put aside the emotional gamut and keep a level mindset if the Tigers want to put an end to the Bulldogs’ 14-game home winning streak.

“You can’t just talk at the line of scrimmage and assign more things,” Pollack said. “It will be tough for him, but how he handles it will be big. They play in Tuscaloosa down the road, so this is a big game for LSU.”

Mettenberger and Georgia’s starting quarterback, Aaron Murray, competed for the starting job in the spring of 2010 before Mettenberger’s arrest and dismissal, but Finebaum said Murray is the right guy for Georgia’s system.

“Mettenberger is unproven. Aaron Murray has one signature win, so he’s on a roll,” Finebaum deadpanned.

Howard, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1991, said a sleeper in the game will be the wide receivers on both squads. LSU’s Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, who have combined for 44 catches for 753 yards and 10 touchdowns, will have to opportunity to exploit the Bulldogs’ young and somewhat inexperienced secondary of cornerback Brendan Langley, safeties Tray Matthews and Corey Moore.

“I think the wide receivers can play a big part in this game. Obviously, when you have two just excellent running backs in (Todd) Gurley and (Jeremy) Hill, it sets up play-action passes,” Howard said. “Both quarterbacks are very effective in the play-action passing game. I believe that the wide receivers can be very big in this game. I would pay attention to those guys out there on the perimeter.”

Pollack said the Bulldogs’ third time out against a top-10 team has huge national championship implications. And there’s no way around that.

“If Georgia loses they’re out of the mix,” Pollack said. “I think it’s already tough because of who you lost to. You lose to Clemson, and if Clemson is a one loss team and in the mix, they could be ranked ahead of you. I think it’s definitely an elimination game for Georgia.”

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Big Ten Report - Week 5

September 27, 2013


In Week 4, the 12 schools in the Big Ten went 8-3 straight up and 5-5-1 against the spread. Wisconsin took care of Purdue in the first conference game of the season while Ohio State, Nebraska, Penn State, and Iowa all cruised to non-conference home blowout. The 'over' went 5-5 last weekend.

2013 BIG TEN STANDINGS
Team SU Conference ATS Over/Under
Illinois 2-1 0-0 2-1 2-1
Indiana 2-2 0-0 2-2 3-1
Iowa 3-1 0-0 2-2 3-1
Michigan 4-0 0-0 2-2 2-2
Michigan State 3-1 0-0 1-2-1 1-3
Minnesota 4-0 0-0 3-1 3-1
Nebraska 3-1 0-0 2-2 3-1
Northwestern 4-0 0-0 2-2 2-2
Ohio State 4-0 0-0 3-1 3-1
Penn State 3-1 0-0 2-2 2-2
Purdue 1-3 0-1 1-3 2-2
Wisconsin 3-1 1-0 4-0 2-2


Ohio State (-7, 54.5) vs. Wisconsin - 8:00 PM EST
With Penn State banned and Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue looking like also-rans in the Big Ten, this is arguably the Leaders Division championship between the Buckeyes and Badgers. Ohio State will get QB Braxton Miller back for its Big Ten opener against Wisconsin, but we're not so sure they aren't better off starting backup Kenny Guiton, who has 664 passing yards and 13 TD in Millers absence in less than three full games. If anything it proves that OSU's offense is much more than a one-man show this year as there its lots of talent at the RB & WR spots to help lead the team this season. Defensively the Buckeyes have been great (13th in total "D"), but they will face its toughest test this week. More specifically, that 9th ranked rush defense will be tested against Wisconsin's 3rd ranked rushing offense. The Badgers average 349.8 rush yards per game this season and UW RB Gordon leads the nation with 624 yards on a ridiculous 11.8 YPC average. Wisconsin notched 206 rushing yards against the Bucks last year and has averaged 155.6 YPG over the last five meetings (only once were they held below 118 yards). Wisconsin bounced back nicely last week against Purdue after that controversial loss at Arizona State the week prior. The Badgers had +366 yards and +10 first downs over the Boilers. They rushed for 388 yards (8.1 YPC) and five touchdowns in the 31-point victory. Defensively UW is playing at a high level. The Badgers rank 6th in total defense, 6th against the rush, and 10th in points allowed. The most concerning aspect for the Badgers heading into Ohio State is QB Stave, who has been suspect at best this season. UW has always favored rushing over passing and that's no different this season (174 rush attempts to 99 pass attempts). But if the Badgers rushing attack is stifled, Stave hasn't proven that he can be depended on. Stave has had four uneven performances with 63.2% completions and 6 TD & 3 INT through four games. OSU is 5-1 SU & ATS in the last six meetings with Wisconsin and they are 3-0 SU & ATS the last three games at the Horseshoe.

Minnesota (+1, 47) vs. Iowa - 3:30 PM EST
Minnesota had its biggest win of the year to date in a 43-24 win over a quality San Jose State squad. Credit the Gophers for overcoming a big game from SJSU's QB and NFL prospect Fales. Fales had 439 passing yards and three scores, but the Goph's were able to pick him off twice and limit the Spartans to just 11% conversions on 3rd down. Minnesota used its running game to keep Fales off the field. The Gophers only passed the ball 12 times compared to 67 rush attempts. QB Leidner and RB Cobb combined to rush for 276 yards and six touchdowns. That helped Minny hold onto the ball for 41 minutes (compared to just 19 for SJSU). Minnesota opens Big Ten play this week as Iowa travels to Minneapolis for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy. Kirk Ferentz's team is on the rise after its most complete performance of the season. Iowa had four offensive touchdowns, two defensive touchdowns, and two special teams' touchdowns in its 59-3 blowout over Western Michigan. The Hawks "D" held WMU to just 209 total yards and nine first downs while forcing four turnovers. Many were skeptical that Iowa would have a letdown game after its win over in-state rival Iowa State, but the Hawks silenced critics with a momentum building win. Iowa is 9-3 SU in the last 12 meetings with the Gophers, but Minnesota is 5-2 ATS in the last seven and that includes a 3-1 ATS mark at home.

Illinois (-24.5, 50.5) vs. Miami (OH) - 12:00 PM EST
The Illini host Miami of Ohio this Saturday in their final non-conference game. Illinois will be playing its fourth straight home game (September 14th game was at Soldier Field in Chicago against Washington, so basically a home game). They are off of a bye and hungry for redemption after suffering their first loss of the season in their last game. Illinois has been much better offensively this season than they were a year ago. QB Scheelhaase is finally starting to realize his potential and is completing 64% of his passes with 7 TD and just 2 INT. They've already scored 111 points this season, more than half of what they scored through 12 games a season ago. Defensively they still need work, but Miami won't present much of a challenge here. The Redhawks had just 87 total yards in last week's loss to Cincinnati. They've scored just 21 points through three games and rank near the bottom in every major offensive statistical category. They're getting outgained by an average of 395 yards per game and outscored by 28 points per game this season. QB Boucher is completing just 40.4% and their leading rusher has 59 yards. This offense is on pace to be historically bad. Illinois is 0-9 SU following its bye since 2004 and they are just 3-8 ATS over the previous 11 as a 20+ point favorite.

Purdue (+3.5, 58) vs. Northern Illinois - 12:00 PM EST
Road trips to Madison to take on Wisconsin have not been kind to Purdue recently, and last week was no exception. The Boilers gained just 180 yards and tallied 12 first downs offensively. QB Henry completed just 18-of-36 attempts with 1 INT and they notched just 45 rushing yards on 2.1 YPC. The defense was arguably worse. PU allowed 546 total yards, including 388 on the ground en route to a 41-point output from Wisconsin. It was a discouraging result after such an encouraging performance against Notre Dame the week before. Purdue has problems across the board right now as they rank 123rd nationally in total offense (out of 126 teams) and 80th in total defense. The schedule doesn't do the Boilers any favors as 2012 BCS Busters Northern Illinois and star QB Jordan Lynch come to town. NIU is 3-0 and has already beaten Big Ten Iowa. QB Lynch has 662 passing yards, 404 rushing yards, and 9 total touchdowns. The Huskies have scored 30 points or more in each of their three games while the Boilers have yet to surpass 24 points. If anything the Boilers should see some success against this NIU "D" that ranks 115th in total defense and 101st in scoring defense. This is only the fifth time since 1997 that the Boilers are home 'dogs against a non-conference opponent. They are 3-1 ATS in the previous four occurrences.

Northwestern - BYE
Northwestern seemed to sleepwalk through its game against FCS Maine last week. The Wildcats of last week did not resemble the same squad that dominated Cal, Syracuse, and Western Michigan the prior three games. Against Maine they were outgained and had fewer first downs. They were never in serious danger of losing the game, but it was an odd sight to see Northwestern look so mediocre. Maybe they were flat or maybe coaches were limiting the playbook as they have a big game against Ohio State on deck. When OSU comes to town it will be a ruckus crowd that greets them for an early season statement game. RB Venric Mark is expected back for that contest.

Michigan - BYE
Almost losing to Akron at home could've been dismissed as a letdown from a big win over Notre Dame the week prior. A near defeat at UConn last week is cause for concern for the Wolverines. Michigan won't stay perfect much longer if QB Gardner keeps turning over the ball (he leads the nation with 10 turnovers). Last week he completed just 11-of-23 passes for 97 yards with 2 INT. The defense is there, but Coach Brady Hoke and his staff have plenty of issues to address this week before the Jug game against Minnesota.

Nebraska - BYE
Following a turbulent week that featured a bad home loss to UCLA and release of a recording of coach Pelini blasting the Husker faithful, Nebraska got a much needed blowout victory over FCS South Dakota State. QB Martinez did not play but the offense still racked up 645 yards and 59 points - eclipsing 300 pass yards and 300 rush yards. The defense still needs a lot of improvement. This unit surrendered 465 yards and 25 first downs to the Jackrabbits. The sample size is large enough now to show that this defense hasn't improved from a year ago. Illinois visits Lincoln next week.

Michigan State - BYE
The Spartans suffered their first defeat of the season at Notre Dame last week. They arguably outplayed the Irish, but couldn't put points on the board when it mattered in the 13-17 loss. Defensively there aren't many teams stronger than MSU. Sparty held ND to just 220 yards and 14 first downs and now ranks 1st in total defense, 3rd against the pass, and 2nd against the rush. The Big Ten legends race is wide-open, but MSU won't make much noise until they get consistent QB play and results from the offense. Next up is a road trip to Iowa.

Penn State - BYE
After suffering a home defeat vs. Central Florida two weeks ago, Coach Obrien had his troops ready for redemption against Kent State last week. Penn State shut out KSU and held them to 190 yards and nine first downs. Offensively this was one of the first full games that QB Hackenberg really looked like a true freshman. He completed just 13-of-35 passes for 176 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. The offense rode the running game that tallied 287 yards on 5.4 YPC. Next up for the Nittany Lions is a road trip to Indiana.

Indiana - BYE
Indiana was abysmal in last week's 17-point loss to Missouri. The Hoosiers fell behind early and never really got things going on offense or defense. QB Sudfeld threw three interceptions and IU mustered just 98 rushing yards on 3.8 YPC. Defensively they allowed Mizzou to gain 623 total yards and 33 first downs (the 623 yards was a record for opponent yards given up at Memorial Stadiium). There's a lot to fix in the open week before Penn State comes to town for the Big Ten opener.

[StarDust Bum]

Pac-12 Report - Week 5

September 27, 2013

The Pac-12 has a few teams with some really ugly records against the spread. California has yet to cover in three tries, while Oregon State and USC are just 1-3 ATS. On the flip side, Oregon, UCLA and Washington State are perfect against the number, and have made bettors quite the profit thus far.

This weekend marks a full slate of conference games, with 10 of the league's 12 teams hitting the gridiron. The aforementioned UCLA Bruins, who are a perfect 3-0 SU and ATS, will have off this weekend before heading for Salt Lake City to face Utah Thursday, Oct. 3.

Last weekend, the league went 7-1 straight up and 5-3 ATS. The home teams were 5-0 straight up and 4-1 ATS, while road teams were 2-1 straight up and 1-2 ATS. The 'over' went 5-3 last week, with the 'over' going 3-2 for the home teams.
2013 PAC-12 STANDINGS
Team SU Conference ATS Over/Under
Arizona 3-0 0-0 2-1 1-2
Arizona State 2-1 0-1 1-2 3-0
California 1-2 0-0 0-3 3-0
Colorado 2-0 0-0 2-0 1-1
Oregon 3-0 0-0 3-0 3-0
Oregon State 3-1 1-0 1-3 3-1
Southern California 3-1 0-1 1-3 0-4
Stanford 3-0 1-0 1-2 2-1
UCLA 3-0 0-0 3-0 2-1
Utah 3-1 0-1 3-1 3-1
Washington 3-0 0-0 2-1 1-2
Washington State 3-1 1-0 4-0 1-3


Colorado at Oregon State (Pac-12 Network, 3:00 p.m. ET)
The Buffaloes have been quite the surprise this season, with QB Connor Wood and WR Paul Richardson combining to form quite the dynamic duo. It's a far cry from what we have seen from CU the past two years, when the cupboard has been mostly bare. It remains to be seen whether or not the Buffs have any rust, however, as they haven't taken the field since Sept. 7 due to a cancelled game Sept. 14 due to the Colorado floods, and a bye the following week. In fact, Oregon State has played twice as many games as Colorado, and they're battle tested on the road, and at home. Colorado has covered each of its two games this season, while it has been a slow-go for the Beavers. They're just 1-3 against the number. The 'over' has been the play in Beav games this season, with QB Sean Mannion and RB Brandin Cooks making for quite a tandem. RB Storm Woods (concussion) returned to practice this week, but is sidelined again, meaning RB Terron Ward would draw his second straight start.

Arizona at Washington (FOX, 7:00 p.m. ET)
It's a battle of 3-0 teams in Seattle when the Wildcats and Huskies do battle. If Arizona is to have success, they'll need RB Ka'Deem Carey to do exactly what he did last season in the meeting with U-Dub. Carey rolled for 172 rushing yards on 29 attempts. A stout running game would help to take the pressure off QB B.J. Denker. The offense starts and stops with RB Bishop Sankey for Washington. He has been a machine this season, rolling up 148.7 yards per game on the ground, which is second in the nation. QB Keith Price is no slouch either, tossing for seven scores through the first three games. Arizona is just 2-5 ATS in their past seven games against a team with a winning record, while Washington is 13-3 ATS in their past 16 home games, and 4-1 ATS in their past five outings against teams with a winning mark.

Stanford at Washington State (ESPN, 10:00 p.m. ET)
Stanford meets up with surprising WaZu in Seattle, and it is a really tricky spot. However, if you can get the Cardinal in single digits, you might be doing yourself a huge favor. The Cardinal are 7-1 ATS in their past eight meetings as a road team against the Cougars, with the favorite going 5-2 ATS in the past seven meetings, and the road team cashing in each of the past four. Keep an eye on the total in this one. The under is 5-2 in Stanford's past seven road games, while the under has gone 1-3 in Washington State's four games this season. The under is 5-0-1 in the past six meetings at Washington State, and 8-2-1 in the past 11 meetings in this series overall.

California at Oregon (Pac-12 Network, 10:30 p.m. ET)
The scoreboard operator at Autzen Stadium has had plenty of practice keeping pace with Oregon's fast-paced attack, and he/she will be working hard early and often this week. The Ducks have scored in less than two minutes in 23 of their past 28 scoring possessions this season, and they have outscored their opponents 184-27 through three games. Freshman QB Jared Goff was unable to engineer an upset of Ohio State in their last game two weeks ago, but he looked good in throwing for 371 yards and three scores. He will need to outproduce Oregon QB Marcus Mariota if the Bears are to pull off the monumental upset. Cal is 0-5 ATS in the past five Pac-12 games, 4-11 ATS in their past 15 road contests, and 3-13 ATS in the past 16 games overall. Meanwhile, Oregon has covered 10 of its past 11. The total is set at 84 points, but be careful with that. The 'under' has cashed in six straight meetings in Eugene, and five of the past six overall.

Southern California at Arizona State (ESPN2, 10:30 p.m. ET)
USC looks to level its conference record at 1-1, and, more importantly, a victory would go a long way in restroring credibility for the Trojans. They're just not viewed as a power following a 10-7 setback to Washington State earlier in the season. AZ State was dropped down a peg last week in Palo Alto, proving they're not quite ready for prime time in a 42-28 loss. They made a valiant comeback after trailing 39-7 in that game. If the Sun Devils are to get untracked, RB Marion Grice would need to post triple-digit yards. This will be interesting as far as the total is concerned. The 'under' has cashed in all four of USC's games, while the 'over' has connected in each of AZ State's three tilts. The Trojans are 2-5 ATS in their past seven trips to Tempe, and 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings overall. The 'over' has come through in five of the past seven meetings in Tempe.

[StarDust Bum]

ACC Report - Week 5

September 27, 2013

The Atlantic Coast Conference has two teams in the top eight of The Associated Press Top 25 poll, and three teams in the Top 15. Barring any unlikely setbacks, that should continue into next week, as all three teams face inferior opponents. The only other ACC unbeaten team, Maryland, will rest up and enjoy a bye.

If you're looking for pure enjoyment, and no action, then this weekend's slate of ACC games isn't for you. With the exception of the UVA-Pitt game, all favorites in this weekend's ACC slate are favored by at least 12 or more points. In Thursday's action, Virginia Tech hit the road and tripped up Georgia Tech by a 17-10 score, handing the Ramblin' Wreck its first straight-up loss, conference loss and ATS setback. Since a beatdown from Alabama, the Hokies are getting increasingly stronger, winning four straight games, and covering for the first time this season.

If you're looking for entertainment, it might come in the way of the Troy-Duke game. The Trojans have rolled up 34 or more points in three of the past four games, and Duke scored 55 points in last week's loss at home to Pitt. The 'over' has cashed in 10 of the past 11 for Troy. Enjoy the weekend!
2013 ACC STANDINGS
Team SU Conference ATS Over/Under
Boston College 2-1 1-0 1-2 0-3
Clemson 3-0 1-0 1-2 2-1
Duke 2-2 0-2 3-1 1-3
Florida State 3-0 1-0 3-0 3-0
Georgia Tech 3-1 2-1 3-1 1-3
Maryland 4-0 0-0 4-0 2-2
Miami (Fla.) 3-0 0-0 2-1 1-2
North Carolina 1-2 0-1 1-2 0-3
North Carolina State 2-1 0-1 2-1 0-3
Pittsburgh 2-1 1-1 1-2 3-0
Syracuse 2-2 0-0 3-1 3-1
Virginia 2-1 0-0 2-1 2-1
Virginia Tech 4-1 1-0 1-3-1 1-3-1
Wake Forest 2-2 0-1 1-3 0-4


Miami, Fl. at South Florida (ESPNU - 12:00 p.m. ET)
The Hurricanes blow into Raymond James Stadium looking to keep their record unblemished, while the Bulls look to finally get into the win column. These teams have a common opponent, Florida Atlantic. While Miami tuned up the Owls by a 34-6 score Aug. 30, USF was taken down by FAU at home by a 28-10 score Sept. 14. A much better USF team was steamrolled 40-9 by the Canes Nov. 17, 2012, so covering a 19-point spread at home might be a tall order. The Hurricanes are 8-1 ATS over their past nine games, they're 8-2 ATS in their past 10 road contests, and they are 4-1 ATS in their past five against a team with a losing record. The Bulls are just 7-19-1 ATS in their past 27 home games, and 7-18-1 ATS in their past 26 non-conference contests. QB Stephen Morris (leg), who left the blowout win against Savannah State, is expected to play in this one.

East Carolina at North Carolina (12:30 p.m. ET)
The little cousin heads west looking for a little respect from the injured, but still dangerous, older relative in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels are licking their wounds after a stunning loss in Atlanta last weekend. UNC appeared to have the game in command, but frittered away a 20-7 lead in the rain, allowing 21 unanswered points to Georgia Tech. The Pirates are 3-9 ATS in their past 12 games against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents, although they covered against Virginia Tech earlier this season in Greenville. The Pirates are 1-5 ATS in their past six non-conference games, and 1-4 ATS in their past five road games overall. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels are a perfect 6-0 ATS in their past six against Conference USA foes, and 8-2 ATS in their past 10 games at Kenan Stadium.

Virginia at Pittsburgh (12:30 p.m. ET)
Pittsburgh QB Tom Savage has really come into his own over the past couple of games, especially last week in Durham. The Panthers rolled up a 58-55 win, lighting up the scoreboard like a pinball game. Unfortunately for bettors laying three and a hook, a bad taste was left in mouths everywhere after the Panthers frittered away a 58-41 lead midway through the fourth quarter. It isn't surprising to see Pitt fail to cover, as they've only done so once in three tries. Virginia isn't much better, going 2-7 ATS in their past nine ACC games, and 8-20 ATS in their past 28 games against teams with a winning record. The 'over' has cashed in each of Pittsburgh's three games this season, and is 2-1 in UVA's three contests.

Wake Forest at Clemson (ESPNU, 3:30 p.m. ET)
The Demon Deacons are a four-touchdown dog in Death Valley, and by all accounts they might not come close to covering that number. Wake is 3-13 ATS in their past 16 road games against a team with a winning home record, 1-6 ATS in their past seven games overall, and 0-7 ATS in their past seven games against a team with a winning record. Wake's only cover this season in four tries came in a 23-11 snoozefest at West Point last weekend. Clemson failed to cover on the road last week in Raleigh against NC State, but they are 9-4 ATS in their past 13 games, and 8-2 ATS in their past 10 ACC battles. The talent difference is stark, but watch out for Wake WR Michael Campanaro. If the Deacs are to have any chance to stay in the game, Campanaro and QB Riley Skinner need to bring their 'A' games.

Florida State at Boston College (ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 p.m. ET)
The Jameis Winston show heads to the northeast, as the Top 10 Seminoles look to stay perfect. The Seminoles have covered each of their past four, but they are just 1-6 ATS in their past seven road games, and 0-4 ATS in their past four road games against a team with a winning home record. However, that lone road cover came Sept. 2 at Pittsburgh in a 41-13 rout. Don't put too much stock into past year's trends, and focus on what has been going on this season. The 'Noles are 3-0 SU, ATS and the 'over' has cashed in each of their three tilts. BC can get it done offensively, as QB Chase Rettig is adequate, WR Alex Amidon is a reliable receiver, and RB Andre Williams can be a grinder However, the defense has been the key for BC, helping the 'under' cash in each of their three battles.

Other Games
Troy at Duke (3:00 p.m. ET)
Central Michigan at North Carolina State (3:30 p.m. ET)

Byes
Maryland, Syracuse

[StarDust Bum]

Line Moves - Week 5

September 27, 2013


Week 4 Recap

Favorites: 3-0 ATS (3-0 SU)
Underdogs: 1-2 ATS (0-3 SU)
Totals: 3-3

For the third consecutive week, bettors riding the ‘chalk’ were able to find themselves a few easy tickets. At the same time, the underdogs failed to show up again in Week 4. Massachusetts was the only ‘dog to keep it close in its home matchup against Vanderbilt while both Hawaii and Idaho were pasted on the road. The early action on the totals resulted in a stalemate. Through three weeks of monitoring the total moves have resulted in a 7-9 record.

Week 5 Line Moves

CRIS, one of the biggest offshore sportsbooks, opened up their college football lines around 12:00 p.m. ET last Sunday. Normally, we inform you of major moves of “Four Points” or more but this week’s installment will feature moves of at least “Three Points” or more off the opening line from CRIS.

Favorites

North Carolina vs. East Carolina
Open: Tar Heels -10
Friday: Tar Heels -13

Iowa at Minnesota
Open: Hawkeyes +3 ½
Friday: Hawkeyes -2 ½

Oregon vs. California
Open: Ducks -31
Friday: Ducks -37

Nevada vs. Air Force
Open: Wolf Pack -7
Friday: Wolf Pack -11

UNLV at New Mexico
Open: PK
Friday: Rebels -2

Underdogs

UAB at Vanderbilt
Open: Blazers +23
Friday: Blazers +19 ½

South Alabama at Tennessee
Open: Jaguars +21
Friday: Jaguars +17 ½

South Florida vs. Miami, Fl.
Open: Bulls +20
Friday: Bulls +16

Idaho vs. Temple
Open: Vandals +10 ½
Friday: Vandals +7 ½

Week 5 Total Moves

CRIS opened their ‘over/under’ numbers on Monday evening. Similar to the sides, there hasn’t been a lot of movement this week with the college football totals so we’re listing all of the moves of just “2 ½ Points” or more off the opening line. As mentioned above in the Recap, the total results have been hovering a tad under .500 through three weeks of monitoring.

East Carolina at North Carolina
Open: 58 ½
Friday: 61

UAB at Vanderbilt
Open: 55
Friday: 58

Iowa at Minnesota
Open: 48
Friday: 45 ½

Temple at Idaho
Open: 52 ½
Friday: 55

Stanford at Washington State
Open: 50
Friday: 47 ½

[StarDust Bum]

My GAME OF THE MONTH goes today....And my NFL GAME OF THE MONTH tomorrow........

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAF

Saturday, September 28

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Wisconsin at Ohio State: What bettors need to know
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Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio State Buckeyes (-6.5, 55.5)

Few rivalries have produced more drama recently than the battles between Ohio State and Wisconsin. The third-ranked Buckeyes, who will host the No. 24 Badgers on Saturday in search of their BCS-best 17th straight victory, needed overtime in their second-to-last game last season to preserve a 12-0 campaign. In 2011, a six-win Ohio State team notched its biggest victory of the year over an 11-3 Wisconsin squad on a go-ahead 40-yard touchdown pass from Braxton Miller with 20 seconds remaining.

Ohio State cruised through its non-conference schedule and looks to end Wisconsin’s three-year run of Rose Bowl berths with its 2012 postseason ban no longer an issue. The Badgers rebounded from their controversial loss at Arizona State two weeks ago with a 41-10 rout of Purdue to open Big Ten play. "The fact that we have gone on the road once and traveled is big for us. … I know it's a tough place to play, but our kids will be prepared," first-year Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen said.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC.

LINE: The Buckeyes opened as 7-point faves at most shops and are currently -6.5. the total opened at 54 and is now 55.5.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with partly cloudy skies.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten): Melvin Gordon – the conference’s Offensive Co-Player of the Week – leads the nation with 624 yards on the ground while his seven rushing touchdowns rank third in the country. He is joined by senior running back James White – who is the FBS' active career leader in rushing yards (3,013) – and ranks 10th nationally this season with 442 yards, keying the third-ranked rushing attack in FBS. “They're great backs and both have a big part in the offense. … and will continue to. It's a great balance,” Andersen said.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (4-0, 0-0): Although backup Kenny Guiton has thrown for a school-record 12 touchdowns over the past three weeks in place of Miller (sprained left MCL), coach Urban Meyer will likely turn back to his regular starter. "If Braxton has a good week of practice, he will start. … he is 13-0 as a starter and has done very well with his improvements," Meyer said. Guiton, who shared last week’s conference honors with Gordon, led the Buckeyes to an average of 64 points in his two starts.

TRENDS:

* Under is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings.
* Badgers are 1-5 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
* Over is 20-8 in Badgers last 28 road games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Gordon’s career per-carry average (9.9 yards) is the best mark of any player with at least 100 carries in the BCS era (1998-present).

2. Ohio State has the fourth-highest scoring offense in the country (52.5 points).

3. Wisconsin has rushed for 387 yards or more in three of its four games while the Buckeyes – the nation’s ninth-best run defense – have held three of their opponents below 73.

[Udog]

My GAME OF THE MONTH goes today....And my NFL GAME OF THE MONTH tomorrow........

Alright! Good luck!

[gimmemoney]

Alright! Good luck!

ok guys! im ready for the plays. 45 min. until tip off. bring on the POD'S & THE BIG PLAYS!!!

[StarDust Bum]

Early Games:


Saturday, September 28
Game Score Status Pick Amount

Miami - 12:00 PM ET South Florida +17.5 500
South Florida - Under 48 500

Oklahoma State - 12:00 PM ET Oklahoma State -18.5 500
West Virginia - Under 59 500

Miami (Ohio) - 12:00 PM ET Illinois -27 500 POD # 5
Illinois - Over 50.5 500

South Carolina - 12:00 PM ET South Carolina -6.5 500 POD # 1
Central Florida - Under 54 500

Southern Methodist - 12:00 PM ET Southern Methodist +17.5 500
Texas Christian - Under 50 500

Northern Illinois - 12:00 PM ET Purdue +3.5 500 POD # 2
Purdue - Under 59.5 500

South Alabama - 12:21 PM ET Tennessee -16.5 500
Tennessee - Under 54.5 500

East Carolina - 12:30 PM ET East Carolina +13 500
North Carolina - Under 60 500

Virginia - 12:30 PM ET Pittsburgh -5.5 500 POD # 3
Pittsburgh - Under 50.5 500

Navy - 2:00 PM ET Navy -3.5 500 POD # 4
Western Kentucky - Under 60.5 500

Akron - 2:30 PM ET Akron +15.5 500
Bowling Green - Under 55.5 500


Good Luck with the early games.......keeping and eye on the GOM........will post midday games by halftime of the early games......