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NCAAF
Saturday, October 5
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Saturday's NCAAF Top 25 betting cheat sheet: Afternoon action
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Maryland Terrapins at Florida State Seminoles (-15.5, 56.5)
The Terrapins are 0-11 at Florida State and just 2-21 overall against the Seminoles, including a 41-14 setback at home last season. But after surrendering at least 40 points in three straight games to close out the 2012 campaign, Maryland remade itself into a defensive powerhouse thanks in part to the play of linebackers Marcus Whitfield and Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil.
In two games against ACC teams, Florida State QB Jameis Winston totaled 686 yards passing and eight touchdowns with just one interception. The Seminoles had three different receivers go over 90 yards in the win over Boston College and are averaging 239.5 yards on the ground to keep defenses honest.
LINE: The Noles opened as 15-point faves and have been bet up to 15.5. The total opened at 57 and is down to 56.5.
WEATHER: There is a 25 percent chance of thunderstorms and wind will blow toward the NW endzone at 6 mph.
TRENDS:
* Terrapins are 6-0 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Terrapins are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 meetings in Florida State.
* Seminoles are 1-4 ATS in their last five conference games.
Louisville Cardinals at Temple Owls (+32, 58)
Teddy Bridgewater looks to match last season’s performance against Temple when No. 7 Louisville opens its American Athletic Conference campaign by visiting the struggling Owls on Saturday. Bridgewater recorded a career-high five touchdown passes in a 45-17 rout of Temple in 2012 and equaled that effort against Ohio in the 2013 opener.
The Owls have lost the last three games by a total of 12 points and still kept the scoring against to an average of 26.5 overall despite giving up a lot of yardage. First-year starter Connor Reilly needs to improve his 52.5 completion percentage, but he has five players with at least 10 receptions.
LINE: The Cards opned as 33-point faves and are now 32. The total has remained at 58.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies.
TRENDS:
* Cardinals are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Owls are 0-5 ATS in their last five home games.
* Over is 7-2-1 in Owls last 10 home games.
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Kansas Jayhawks (+17, 53.5)
The Red Raiders are averaging 520 yards of offense and 38.8 points a game while the defense is holding opponents to an average of 13.3 points through four games this season, tied for 10th best in the FBS.
The Jayhawks open conference play looking to snap a 21-game losing streak in the Big 12. They ended another long skid — 22 losses in a row against FBS opponents — in their previous game, beating Louisiana Tech 13-10 on Sept. 21 on Matthew Wyman's 52-yard field goal as time expired.
LINE: Tech opened at -16 and is currently -17. The total opened at 54 but is down to 53.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-50s and wind will blow across the field at 13 mph.
TRENDS:
* Red Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Kansas.
* Road team is 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Over is 6-1 in Jayhawks last seven games following a bye week.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers (-10, 59.5)
Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit's unit is performing at a record-setting clip, as the Illini's 161 points are its most ever through four games — and the record through five games is 193 in 1903. Illinois averages 478.5 yards and 40.3 points with quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (1,162 yards passing, 12 TDs, three INTs) leading the revival.
The Huskers had a week off after trouncing South Dakota State 59-20 on Sept. 21, but the extra time might not have been enough to nurse quarterback Taylor Martinez back to health. The senior is considered day-to-day with turf toe, but senior Ron Kellogg III and freshman Tommy Armstrong Jr. filled in admirably against the Jackrabbits.
LINE: The Huskers opened as 10-point home faves. The total opened at 61 and is down to 59.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-50s and wind will whip across the field at 20 mph.
TRENDS:
* Fighting Illini are 0-6 ATS in their last six road games.
* Over is 4-1-1 in Cornhuskers last six home games.
* Cornhuskers are 18-4-2 ATS in their last 24 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Georgia State Panthers at Alabama Crimson Tide (-55, 61)
Panthers senior wide receiver Albert Wilson is off to a strong start with 22 catches for 457 yards and four touchdowns, and currently leads all active FBS players in yards per catch with a 19.6 career average. Wilson also ranks fourth among active FBS players in all-purpose yards.
The Crimson Tide, who enter this game on a seven-game win streak, are a combined 26-3 against their final eight opponents in the previous five seasons, including a 63-7 win over Georgia State in 2010.
LINE: The Tide opened as 55.5-point faves and are now -55. The total opened at 59.5 and is up to 61.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies.
TRENDS:
* Crimson Tide are 1-4 ATS in their last five vs. S-Belt.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Crimson Tide last eight home games.
* Under is 6-2 in Crimson Tide last eight vs. S-Belt.
Georgia Bulldogs at Tennessee Volunteers (+10, 64)
The Bulldogs have played one of the most challenging schedules in the nation thus far - facing three top-10 opponents - but have come through the brutal stretch in good shape. The offense has shined despite the stiff competition, averaging 41.2 points and 554 yards (sixth in the nation), but could be without leading rusher Todd Gurley (ankle).
Tennessee has won four straight at home, but it had plenty of trouble putting away South Alabama in a 31-24 victory last week. First-year coach Butch Jones accentuated the positive at Monday's media day - focusing on the success of the running game, the discipline in terms of penalties and the defense's penchant for forcing turnovers - but the Volunteers are still looking for a signature win.
LINE: The Bulldogs opened as 10.5-point road faves but are now -10. The total opened at 63.5 and is up to 64.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies.
TRENDS:
* Bulldogs are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six conference games.
* Volunteers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games.
* Over is 6-0 in Bulldogs last six games overall.
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Wolverines (-19, 50)
The Golden Gophers opened the season with four nonconference wins before falling to Iowa at home, 23-7, last week in their Big Ten opener. Minnesota, which is just 118th in the FBS in passing at 111.2 yards per game, relies heavily on a rushing attack that averages 231.8 yards per game, 23rd-best in the FBS.
No. 17 Michigan aims to move past two subpar performances when it hosts Minnesota in its Big Ten opener Saturday. After two impressive wins to open the season, the Wolverines struggled to put away Akron (28-24) and Connecticut (24-21) — a team that has since fired its coach.
LINE: Michigan opened -21 and is currently -19. The total opened at 50.
WEATHER: There is a 43 percent chance of thunderstorms.
TRENDS:
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Golden Gophers are 0-5 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Over is 9-1-1 in Wolverines last 11 games following a bye week.
Clemson Tigers at Syracuse Orange (+13.5, 64)
Tigers QB Tajh Boyd leads an offense that averages 491.8 yards and 43 points, supported by dangerous wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Boyd has thrown nine touchdown passes without an interception in four consecutive wins for the Tigers.
Syracuse has posted two straight victories going into its first-ever ACC game. The Orange beat standout quarterbacks Geno Smith of West Virginia in 2011 and Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater last year at the Carrier Dome.
LINE: Clemson opened as 13.5-point road faves. The total is 64.
WEATHER: N/A
TRENDS:
* Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.
* Orange are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven home games.
* Under is 13-3 in Orange last 16 games following a bye week.
Northern Illinois Huskes at Kent State Golden Flashes (+9, 62.5)
No. 23 Northern Illinois takes its high-powered offense and undefeated record on the road once again, traveling to Kent State for its Mid-American Conference opener. The Huskies, coming off a 55-24 rout at Purdue, have a national-best 17 straight wins in conference play, with their last league loss coming in October 2011.
The Golden Flashes had a bit of their flash back last week when senior running back/receiver Dri Archer played his first full game after being slowed by an ankle injury. Archer's big-play ability showed as he had two plays of over 30 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown reception.
LINE: Kent State opened as 9.5-point home dogs and are now +9. The total opened at 62.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms.
TRENDS:
* Huskies are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 conference games.
* Favorite is 4-1-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Huskies are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Miami Hurricanes (-5.5, 55)
Sophomore quarterback Vad Lee shined in the Yellow Jackets’ first three games – all victories – but he struggled mightily against the Virginia Tech Hokies, completing just seven passes while throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble. Georgia Tech ranks 10th nationally with 291.3 rushing yards per game.
Miami pens its conference slate against the Yellow Jackets and brings a six-game winning streak into the matchup. The Hurricanes have breezed through most of their early-season schedule - other than a five-point victory against Florida - and outscored their other three opponents 160-34.
LINE: The Canes opened as 4.5-point faves and are up to -5.5. The total opened at 55.5 and is now 55.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms.
TRENDS:
* Hurricanes are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 conference games.
* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Miami.
* Yellow Jackets are 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings.
Kansas State Wildcats at Oklahoma State Cowboys (-14, 59.5)
The Wildcats finished first in the conference in scoring and rushing defense and third in total defense last season, but rank seventh or worse in all three categories this season. All three areas figure to be tested by the Cowboys, who rank second in the league in scoring and are one of five Big 12 teams averaging at least 474 total yards.
Coming off an uncharacteristic loss in its conference opener versus West Virginia, No. 20 Oklahoma State seeks it first Big 12 victory of the season on Saturday when it hosts Kansas State. Working in the Cowboys’ favor this weekend is the fact that coach Mike Gundy’s teams have fared well in regular-season games following a loss (13-2 since the start of 2007).
LINE: The Cowboys opened as 15-point faves and are now -14. The total opened at 57.5 and is up to 59.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-60s with wind blowing across the field at 10 mph.
TRENDS:
* Cowboys are 7-0 ATS in their last seven home games.
* Under is 7-1 in Wildcats last eight road games.
* Over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.
Fresno State Bulldgos at Idaho Vandals (+27, 67)
The No. 21 Bulldogs are 4-0 for their best start since the 2001 squad quarterbacked by David Carr won its first six games. Now it is senior Derek Carr as the star attraction and the younger brother of the Fresno State legend has thrown 14 touchdown passes for an offense that ranks 12th nationally by averaging 44 points per game.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Chad Chalich is showing a lot of promise as both a passer (1,111 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions) and runner (team-best 202 yards). Chalich had 424 yards of total offense -- eighth-best in program history – in the victory over Temple by throwing for 310 yards and rushing for 114.
LINE: The Bulldogs opened as 24-point road faves are are now -27. The total opened at 65 and is up to 67.
WEATHER: N/A
TRENDS:
* Bulldogs are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Road team is 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Favorite is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.
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Saturday, October 5
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Saturday's NCAAF Top 25 betting cheat sheet: Afternoon action
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Maryland Terrapins at Florida State Seminoles (-15.5, 56.5)
The Terrapins are 0-11 at Florida State and just 2-21 overall against the Seminoles, including a 41-14 setback at home last season. But after surrendering at least 40 points in three straight games to close out the 2012 campaign, Maryland remade itself into a defensive powerhouse thanks in part to the play of linebackers Marcus Whitfield and Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil.
In two games against ACC teams, Florida State QB Jameis Winston totaled 686 yards passing and eight touchdowns with just one interception. The Seminoles had three different receivers go over 90 yards in the win over Boston College and are averaging 239.5 yards on the ground to keep defenses honest.
LINE: The Noles opened as 15-point faves and have been bet up to 15.5. The total opened at 57 and is down to 56.5.
WEATHER: There is a 25 percent chance of thunderstorms and wind will blow toward the NW endzone at 6 mph.
TRENDS:
* Terrapins are 6-0 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Terrapins are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 meetings in Florida State.
* Seminoles are 1-4 ATS in their last five conference games.
Louisville Cardinals at Temple Owls (+32, 58)
Teddy Bridgewater looks to match last season’s performance against Temple when No. 7 Louisville opens its American Athletic Conference campaign by visiting the struggling Owls on Saturday. Bridgewater recorded a career-high five touchdown passes in a 45-17 rout of Temple in 2012 and equaled that effort against Ohio in the 2013 opener.
The Owls have lost the last three games by a total of 12 points and still kept the scoring against to an average of 26.5 overall despite giving up a lot of yardage. First-year starter Connor Reilly needs to improve his 52.5 completion percentage, but he has five players with at least 10 receptions.
LINE: The Cards opned as 33-point faves and are now 32. The total has remained at 58.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies.
TRENDS:
* Cardinals are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Owls are 0-5 ATS in their last five home games.
* Over is 7-2-1 in Owls last 10 home games.
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Kansas Jayhawks (+17, 53.5)
The Red Raiders are averaging 520 yards of offense and 38.8 points a game while the defense is holding opponents to an average of 13.3 points through four games this season, tied for 10th best in the FBS.
The Jayhawks open conference play looking to snap a 21-game losing streak in the Big 12. They ended another long skid — 22 losses in a row against FBS opponents — in their previous game, beating Louisiana Tech 13-10 on Sept. 21 on Matthew Wyman's 52-yard field goal as time expired.
LINE: Tech opened at -16 and is currently -17. The total opened at 54 but is down to 53.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-50s and wind will blow across the field at 13 mph.
TRENDS:
* Red Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Kansas.
* Road team is 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Over is 6-1 in Jayhawks last seven games following a bye week.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers (-10, 59.5)
Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit's unit is performing at a record-setting clip, as the Illini's 161 points are its most ever through four games — and the record through five games is 193 in 1903. Illinois averages 478.5 yards and 40.3 points with quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (1,162 yards passing, 12 TDs, three INTs) leading the revival.
The Huskers had a week off after trouncing South Dakota State 59-20 on Sept. 21, but the extra time might not have been enough to nurse quarterback Taylor Martinez back to health. The senior is considered day-to-day with turf toe, but senior Ron Kellogg III and freshman Tommy Armstrong Jr. filled in admirably against the Jackrabbits.
LINE: The Huskers opened as 10-point home faves. The total opened at 61 and is down to 59.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-50s and wind will whip across the field at 20 mph.
TRENDS:
* Fighting Illini are 0-6 ATS in their last six road games.
* Over is 4-1-1 in Cornhuskers last six home games.
* Cornhuskers are 18-4-2 ATS in their last 24 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Georgia State Panthers at Alabama Crimson Tide (-55, 61)
Panthers senior wide receiver Albert Wilson is off to a strong start with 22 catches for 457 yards and four touchdowns, and currently leads all active FBS players in yards per catch with a 19.6 career average. Wilson also ranks fourth among active FBS players in all-purpose yards.
The Crimson Tide, who enter this game on a seven-game win streak, are a combined 26-3 against their final eight opponents in the previous five seasons, including a 63-7 win over Georgia State in 2010.
LINE: The Tide opened as 55.5-point faves and are now -55. The total opened at 59.5 and is up to 61.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies.
TRENDS:
* Crimson Tide are 1-4 ATS in their last five vs. S-Belt.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Crimson Tide last eight home games.
* Under is 6-2 in Crimson Tide last eight vs. S-Belt.
Georgia Bulldogs at Tennessee Volunteers (+10, 64)
The Bulldogs have played one of the most challenging schedules in the nation thus far - facing three top-10 opponents - but have come through the brutal stretch in good shape. The offense has shined despite the stiff competition, averaging 41.2 points and 554 yards (sixth in the nation), but could be without leading rusher Todd Gurley (ankle).
Tennessee has won four straight at home, but it had plenty of trouble putting away South Alabama in a 31-24 victory last week. First-year coach Butch Jones accentuated the positive at Monday's media day - focusing on the success of the running game, the discipline in terms of penalties and the defense's penchant for forcing turnovers - but the Volunteers are still looking for a signature win.
LINE: The Bulldogs opened as 10.5-point road faves but are now -10. The total opened at 63.5 and is up to 64.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies.
TRENDS:
* Bulldogs are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six conference games.
* Volunteers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games.
* Over is 6-0 in Bulldogs last six games overall.
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Wolverines (-19, 50)
The Golden Gophers opened the season with four nonconference wins before falling to Iowa at home, 23-7, last week in their Big Ten opener. Minnesota, which is just 118th in the FBS in passing at 111.2 yards per game, relies heavily on a rushing attack that averages 231.8 yards per game, 23rd-best in the FBS.
No. 17 Michigan aims to move past two subpar performances when it hosts Minnesota in its Big Ten opener Saturday. After two impressive wins to open the season, the Wolverines struggled to put away Akron (28-24) and Connecticut (24-21) — a team that has since fired its coach.
LINE: Michigan opened -21 and is currently -19. The total opened at 50.
WEATHER: There is a 43 percent chance of thunderstorms.
TRENDS:
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Golden Gophers are 0-5 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Over is 9-1-1 in Wolverines last 11 games following a bye week.
Clemson Tigers at Syracuse Orange (+13.5, 64)
Tigers QB Tajh Boyd leads an offense that averages 491.8 yards and 43 points, supported by dangerous wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Boyd has thrown nine touchdown passes without an interception in four consecutive wins for the Tigers.
Syracuse has posted two straight victories going into its first-ever ACC game. The Orange beat standout quarterbacks Geno Smith of West Virginia in 2011 and Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater last year at the Carrier Dome.
LINE: Clemson opened as 13.5-point road faves. The total is 64.
WEATHER: N/A
TRENDS:
* Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.
* Orange are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven home games.
* Under is 13-3 in Orange last 16 games following a bye week.
Northern Illinois Huskes at Kent State Golden Flashes (+9, 62.5)
No. 23 Northern Illinois takes its high-powered offense and undefeated record on the road once again, traveling to Kent State for its Mid-American Conference opener. The Huskies, coming off a 55-24 rout at Purdue, have a national-best 17 straight wins in conference play, with their last league loss coming in October 2011.
The Golden Flashes had a bit of their flash back last week when senior running back/receiver Dri Archer played his first full game after being slowed by an ankle injury. Archer's big-play ability showed as he had two plays of over 30 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown reception.
LINE: Kent State opened as 9.5-point home dogs and are now +9. The total opened at 62.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms.
TRENDS:
* Huskies are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 conference games.
* Favorite is 4-1-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Huskies are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Miami Hurricanes (-5.5, 55)
Sophomore quarterback Vad Lee shined in the Yellow Jackets’ first three games – all victories – but he struggled mightily against the Virginia Tech Hokies, completing just seven passes while throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble. Georgia Tech ranks 10th nationally with 291.3 rushing yards per game.
Miami pens its conference slate against the Yellow Jackets and brings a six-game winning streak into the matchup. The Hurricanes have breezed through most of their early-season schedule - other than a five-point victory against Florida - and outscored their other three opponents 160-34.
LINE: The Canes opened as 4.5-point faves and are up to -5.5. The total opened at 55.5 and is now 55.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms.
TRENDS:
* Hurricanes are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 conference games.
* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Miami.
* Yellow Jackets are 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings.
Kansas State Wildcats at Oklahoma State Cowboys (-14, 59.5)
The Wildcats finished first in the conference in scoring and rushing defense and third in total defense last season, but rank seventh or worse in all three categories this season. All three areas figure to be tested by the Cowboys, who rank second in the league in scoring and are one of five Big 12 teams averaging at least 474 total yards.
Coming off an uncharacteristic loss in its conference opener versus West Virginia, No. 20 Oklahoma State seeks it first Big 12 victory of the season on Saturday when it hosts Kansas State. Working in the Cowboys’ favor this weekend is the fact that coach Mike Gundy’s teams have fared well in regular-season games following a loss (13-2 since the start of 2007).
LINE: The Cowboys opened as 15-point faves and are now -14. The total opened at 57.5 and is up to 59.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-60s with wind blowing across the field at 10 mph.
TRENDS:
* Cowboys are 7-0 ATS in their last seven home games.
* Under is 7-1 in Wildcats last eight road games.
* Over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.
Fresno State Bulldgos at Idaho Vandals (+27, 67)
The No. 21 Bulldogs are 4-0 for their best start since the 2001 squad quarterbacked by David Carr won its first six games. Now it is senior Derek Carr as the star attraction and the younger brother of the Fresno State legend has thrown 14 touchdown passes for an offense that ranks 12th nationally by averaging 44 points per game.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Chad Chalich is showing a lot of promise as both a passer (1,111 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions) and runner (team-best 202 yards). Chalich had 424 yards of total offense -- eighth-best in program history – in the victory over Temple by throwing for 310 yards and rushing for 114.
LINE: The Bulldogs opened as 24-point road faves are are now -27. The total opened at 65 and is up to 67.
WEATHER: N/A
TRENDS:
* Bulldogs are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Road team is 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Favorite is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.
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