NCAAF Trends and Indexes - Week 1 (Thursday, September 3 - Monday, September 7)

[Udog]

NCAAF

Friday, September 4

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Washington at Boise State
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chris Petersen went 92-12 in eight seasons as the Broncos' coach before departing for Washington.

Washington Huskies at Boise State Broncos (-12, 55.5)

Washington coach Chris Petersen makes his highly anticipated return to the Blue Turf when the Huskies visit No. 24 Boise State in Friday's season-opening contest. Petersen went 92-12 in eight seasons as the Broncos' coach before departing for Washington and squares off against second-year Boise State coach Bryan Harsin, his offensive coordinator with the Broncos from 2006-10.

Boise State is 92-4 at home since the start of the 2000 season and Petersen is well aware of the atmosphere inside the 36,387-seat stadium. "It's a great place to play, unbelievable home-field advantage," Petersen told reporters. "The size of the stadium has nothing to do with it. Those are very passionate fans and a really good place to play a college football game." The Broncos went 12-2 in the first season of the post-Petersen era and are viewed as having the best shot of teams outside the Power Five conferences to reach a major bowl game. The Huskies went 8-6 in Petersen's first season and are rebuilding on defense after losing several key players.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Boise State -12.

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Broncos as 10.5-point faves but that has been moved to -12. The total opened at 57 but has come down to 55.5.

INJURY REPORT: N/A

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-60s with a 24 percent chance of thunderstorms.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Broncos are bringing back 17 starters from a 2014 squad that won 12 games, and they are the favorite to repeat as Mountain West Champions. They have a tough schedule though, opening the season at home against Washington, and playing BYU at Provo in Week 2." Covers Expert Jesse Schule.

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "Certainly a great Friday night matchup with Chris Peterson heading back to his old stomping grounds -- the handicapper has to decide who has the edge in that matchup. We haven't had many pros interested in this game but the public is always eager to back Boise as we have around 75 percent of our spread handle on the home squad. The early action came in on the under but it's moving back up to the original number, and there will be plenty of bettors backing the over on the Smurf Turf as kickoff approaches."

ABOUT WASHINGTON (2014: 8-6 SU, 7-7 ATS, 4-10 O/U): Petersen has declined to reveal his starting quarterback with the candidates being junior Jeff Lindquist (10-for-30, 162 yards last season), true freshman Jake Browning and redshirt freshman K.J. Carta-Samuels. Senior receiver Jaydon Mickens ranks sixth in school history with 145 receptions - one behind fifth-place Austin Seferian-Jenkins - and sophomore Lavon Coleman (565 yards in 2014) will be the main ball carrier. Four Huskies defenders were selected among the first 44 selections of the 2015 NFL Draft and players like senior linebacker Travis Feeney (191 career tackles) and sophomore safety Budda Baker (started every game as a true freshman) will be counted on to lead the unit.

ABOUT BOISE STATE (2014: 12-2 SU, 8-6 ATS, 10-4 O/U): Sophomore quarterback Ryan Finley makes his first career start after going 12-for-27 as a backup last season. The bigger concern is replacing all-everything running back Jay Ajayi (school records of 1,823 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2014) and the trio of sophomore Jeremy McNichols, senior Kelsey Young and junior Devan Demas will all see action in the opener. The defense is loaded with standouts in junior defensive end Kamalei Correa (12 sacks last season), junior middle linebacker Tanner Vallejo (team-best 100 tackles), senior cornerback Donte Deayon (13 career interceptions, six in 2014) and senior safety Darian Thompson (14 career picks, seven in 2014).

TRENDS:

* Huskies are 1-4 ATS in their last five Friday games.
* Broncos are 4-0 ATS in their last four non-conference games.
* Under is 9-2 in Huskies last 11 games in September.
* Over is 8-1 in Broncos last nine games overall.

CONSENSUS: This game is split down the middle according to Consensus.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Udog]

NCAAF

Friday, September 4


CFB roundup: Arizona loses Wright in opening win

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona scored twice on defense to overcome a sluggish performance and an injury to its best player as the 22nd-ranked Wildcats defeated Texas San Antonio 42-32 Thursday night.

Arizona junior linebacker Scooby Wright, the winner of the Bednarik and Nagurski awards last season as the nation's top defensive player, left the game in the first quarter. Trainers wrapped ice around his left knee, and he returned to the sideline in the second half in street clothes, walking with the help of one crutch.

There was no announcement during the game regarding the severity of the injury.

Arizona safety Jamar Allah returned a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter for a 35-20 lead. Wildcats safety Anthony Lopez scored 35 seconds into the game on a 23-yard interception return.

TCU 23, Minnesota 17

MINNEAPOLIS -- Trevone Boykin passed for a touchdown and ran for another as the second-ranked Horned Frogs beat the Golden Gophers.

Boykin, TCU's senior quarterback, finished with 246 yards through the air and 92 rushing yards. His 19-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the third quarter extended TCU's lead to 17-3, and the Frogs maintained a 10-point lead headed to the fourth quarter.

TCU's defense limited Minnesota's offense to 341 total yards -- many of those late in the game -- including 197 yards passing by Gophers junior quarterback Mitch Leidner. Minnesota got within a touchdown late in the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by freshman running back Rodney Smith.

Georgia Tech 69, Alcorn State 6

ATLANTA -- Running backs Patrick Skov and Marcus Marshall combined to rush for 256 yards and five touchdowns as the 16th-ranked Yellow Jackets routed the Braves.

Skov, a graduate transfer from Stanford, carried 12 times for 72 yards and three touchdowns, on runs of 3, 21 and 4 yards. Marshall, a freshman from Raleigh, N.C., carried eight times for 184 yards and touchdown runs of 49 and 64 yards.

Georgia Tech (1-0) totaled 553 yards, including 476 on the ground. The Yellow Jackets did not commit a penalty and had to punt only twice. Alcorn State (0-1) had 272 yards in offense -- 151 in the second half.

[Udog]

NCAAF

Friday, September 4


Baylor has owned Southern Methodist SU and ATS

The Baylor Bears open their season against the Southern Methodist Mustangs and have really had their number in recent meetings. Baylor is 10-0 straight up and against the spread in the last 10 meetings dating all the way back to the 1990 season.

The two programs opened their 2014 campaigns against one anoher with the Bears prevailing 45-0 as 31.5-point home favorites.

This time around, the Bears are 36-point road faves at SMU.

[Udog]

NCAAF

Friday, September 4


Huge jump in Fordham-Army

The college football season is in its infant stages, but there's been no shortage of big line moves at sportsbooks heading into Friday's action.

After opening Army -5.5 for their clash with Fordham, Pinnacle Sports has been forced to move that number to -12 as of 3 p.m. ET. The total has not yet hit the board.

[Udog]

College Cram Session: Alabama bettors fear no team in Week 1

On Saturday evening at AT&T Stadium, the third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will commence their football season with an opening-week matchup against a Power Five opponent for the sixth time in the last eight years.

Alabama’s approach to early-season scheduling is as refreshing as it is aggressive in that the Crimson Tide provide college football fans with exactly what they so desperately want to see following eight months away from the sport: marquee showdowns against upper-class competition as opposed to glorified scrimmages against FCS opponents.

Of course, this approach is not without its potentially lethal pitfalls, as a Week 1 loss can wreak havoc on a contender’s chances of qualifying for college football’s four-team playoff. Still, you would be hard-pressed to find a fan of the sport willing to go on the record with a preference of 40-point spreads over Top-25 showdowns.

Saturday night’s headliner between Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide and Wisconsin first-year boss Paul Chryst opened with Alabama assuming the role of a 10-point favorite before a slew of action forced an adjustment to as high as Alabama -12 at the Wynn Race & Sports Book in Las Vegas.

Perhaps even more important is the fact that the total for this matchup was hit even harder, with sharp action steaming an opening total of 55.5 points all the way down to as low as 48.5 at the MGM Mirage Race & Sports Book approximately one mile south of the Wynn.

Neither line move should come as a surprise, as the Crimson Tide have made it a habit of breaking from the gate in aggressive fashion.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Power Five opponents in Week 1 since 2008

*All games played at a neutral site location.

2014: 33-23 win over West Virginia (failed to cover as 22-point favorites)
2013: 35-10 win over Virginia Tech (covered as 21.5-point favorites)
2012: 41-14 win over Michigan (covered as 13-point favorites)
2009: 34-24 win over Virginia Tech (covered as 6-point favorites)
2008: 34-10 win over Clemson (covered as 4-point underdogs)

In opening-week tilts against Power Five opponents since 2008, the Tide boast a perfect 5-0 record straight-up and profitable 4-1 mark against the pointspread. Granted, college football rosters change nearly as frequently as America’s House of Representatives, but if there’s one important element to take away from the above information it is this: Nick Saban, who took over in Tuscaloosa in 2007, always has his team ready to play in Week 1 no matter the opponent.

The 63-year-old four-time national champion head coach begins his ninth season in Alabama once again feeling the love from sharp bettors around the globe.

SHARP VS. PUBLIC: BEHIND THE COUNTER

Each and every week this column will converse with a Las Vegas insider in an effort to provide you, our loyal and dedicated readers, with all the inside information possible to make more educated and informed wagers. This week we speak with Jeff Sherman, who serves as assistant manager of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. Follow Jeff on Twitter @golfodds.

*Pointspreads current as of Thursday evening.

Sharp sides: Georgia State (-7.5 vs. Charlotte), Western Michigan (+18 vs. Michigan State), Boise State (-13 vs. Washington), Northern Illinois (-22 vs. UNLV), Tennessee (-21 vs. Bowling Green), Texas (+10 at Notre Dame), Arkansas State (+28 at USC).

Public sides: Baylor (-37 at SMU), UCLA (-19 vs. Virginia), Texas A&M (-3 vs. Arizona State), Alabama (-11 vs. Wisconsin), Ohio State (-13 at Virginia Tech).

Sharp totals: Old Dominion/Eastern Michigan UNDER (64), Penn State/Temple OVER (43), Florida Atlantic/Tulsa OVER (67), BYU/Nebraska UNDER (61), Bowling Green/Tennessee OVER (68.5).

Public totals: Arizona State/Texas A&M OVER (69.5), Texas State/Florida State OVER (63).

Biggest Westgate Las Vegas line movements since opening: Georgia State vs. Charlotte (side), Tennessee vs. Bowling Green (total).

Game experiencing the most action: Alabama vs. Wisconsin (Arlington, Texas)

HOT TRENDS: TOP 25 POLL

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (-13 at Virginia Tech): 36-15-1 ATS over last 52 road games.
2. TCU Horned Frogs: failed to cover -17 in 23-17 win over Minnesota Thursday.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (-12 vs. Wisconsin): 9-4 ATS over last 13 neutral-site games.
4. Baylor Bears (-36 at SMU): 7-2 ATS over last nine non-conference games.
5. Michigan State Spartans (-17.5 at Western Michigan): 20-7-1 ATS over last 28 road games.
6. Auburn Tigers (-10.5 vs. Louisville): 5-2 ATS over last seven neutral-site games.
7. Oregon Ducks (-34.5 vs. Eastern Washington): 9-1 ATS in last 10 games overall.
8. USC Trojans (-27 vs. Arkansas State): Over 4-0-1 in last five non-conference games.
9. Georgia Bulldogs (-35 vs. UL Monroe): 4-1 ATS over last five non-conference games.
10. Florida State Seminoles (-30 vs. Texas State): Under 8-0 in last eight home games.
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-9.5 vs. Texas): Over 5-0 in last five non-conference games.
12. Clemson Tigers (-39.5 vs. Wofford): Under 6-0 in last six home games.
13. UCLA Bruins (-19 vs. Virginia): 7-3 ATS over last 10 played in September.
14. LSU Tigers (-36.5 vs. McNeese State): 4-1 ATS in last five non-conference games.
15. Arizona State Sun Devils (+3 at Texas A&M): Over 6-1 in last seven neutral-site games.
16. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Won 69-6 vs. Alcorn State Thursday.
17. Ole Miss Rebels (-40.5 vs. Tennessee-Martin): Under 13-3 in last 16 games.
18. Arkansas Razorbacks (-32.5 vs. UTEP): 6-1 ATS last seven home games.
19. Oklahoma Sooners (-31.5 vs. Akron): 5-0 ATS last five games played in September.
20. Wisconsin Badgers (+12 vs. Alabama): Over 3-0-1 in last four neutral-site games.
21. Stanford Cardinal (-12 at Northwestern): 14-6 ATS over last 20 non-conference games.
22. Arizona Wildcats: Beat UTSA 42-32 but failed to cover as 32.5-point favorites.
23. Boise State Broncos (-13 vs. Washington): 19-9 ATS over last 28 games played on Friday.
24. Missouri Tigers (-41.5 vs. SE Missouri State): Under 6-1 in last seven home games.
25. Tennessee Volunteers (-21.5 vs. Bowling Green): Over 4-0 in last four neutral-site games.

TALES FROM THE ROAD

I spent three years living in Las Vegas prior to taking a new job in San Francisco last December. At the conclusion of summer in 2012, I flew from McCarran Airport in Sin City to Philadelphia to stand up in the wedding of one of my best friends from grade school. The only problem was that this jibroni decided to get married on the first Saturday of the college football season.

The mission was simple: Keep the alcohol intake and gambling in check just enough to avoid suspicion from the dozens of family members and friends who gathered at a nearby church that Saturday afternoon. After all, I was in a rented tuxedo and needed to exhibit some level of class and sophistication to suit the event.

The problem, however, was that I received one of those few-and-far-between Vegas insider tips that suggested I lay a small fortune (by my standards) on Troy -6.5 vs. Alabama-Birmingham a few days prior to flying back east. Naturally, I shared this information with the groom and four other individuals who were chosen to stand by his side on that most monumental of occasions.

What we failed to account for was that the game would be entering the latter stages of the fourth quarter as we were required to usher guests to their seats in the church.

Long story short, don’t get married on a significant college football Saturday unless you want your groomsmen walking grandma to her seat with their left hands while constantly, yet stealthily, hitting “refresh” on their phones with their right hands, as it may send the wrong message to the hundreds of guests in attendance.

Sure, a few guests may somewhat understand that you’re tracking a college football score, but most will shake their heads in disgust when they find out that it’s Troy vs. Alabama-Birmingham rather than Alabama-Auburn.

Oh, and not only did Troy cover the number, but while I was tying one on the night before the wedding, the groom’s mother overheard me hollering about laying Troy -6.5. Just 10 minutes before her only son tied the knot, she came up to me and said, “Thanks for the tip on Troy.”

[Udog]

NCAAF

Saturday, September 5


Line on the move in UCLA-Virginia

Sportsbooks initially opened UCLA as 17-point home favorites against Virginia in Week 1 NCAAF action Saturday, but that line has steadily been on the move since in favor of the Bruins.

As of 7 p.m. ET Friday, books were dealing UCLA at -19.5. The total has fallen a full point since open from 53 to 52.


UL Monroe started last year ice cold ATS

When UL Monroe takes the field to kick off its college football season versus Georgia Saturday, Warhawks bettors will be hoping history doesn't repeat itself at the betting window.

The Warhawks started last year going 0-4 ATS in the month of September. UL Monroe is presently a huge +35 underdog at sportsbooks versus the No. 9 ranked Bulldogs.

[Udog]

NCAAF

Saturday, September 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Wisconsin at Alabama
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After opening the Tide as 10.5-point home favorites, sportsbooks have since adjusted that number to -12.

Wisconsin Badgers at Alabama Crimson Tide (-12, 51)

Third-ranked Alabama and No. 18 Wisconsin aren't timidly entering the season as the two powerhouses square off Saturday in a showdown in Arlington, Texas. The Crimson Tide are seeking to win 10 or more games for the eighth straight season while the Badgers are breaking in a new coach in Paul Chryst.

Chryst replaced Gary Andersen, who departed for Oregon State, after three seasons as coach of Pittsburgh and now finds himself facing Nick Saban and Alabama in his Wisconsin debut. "It's not about me and I've never gone into a game where I felt that it was about me," Chryst told reporters. "I think that this game is a big game and it's probably happening because of what both programs have done previous years." Saban had yet to announce a starting quarterback at mid-week and said senior Jake Coker, sophomore Cooper Bateman and junior Alec Morris are all still in the running. "We're going to make the decision when we think it's the right time to make the decision for this group of guys," Saban told reporters. "I would have liked to have made it three months ago."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC.

LINE HISTORY: After opening the Tide as 10.5-point home favorites, sportsbooks have since adjusted that number to -12.

INJURY REPORT: Wisconsin - T. McEvoy (probable), H. Biegel (out indefinitely). Alabama - K. Kirven (questionable), P. Barrineau (questionable).

WEATHER: At game time, the forecast is calling for temperatures of 91 degrees Fahrenheit with precipitation not expected to play a factor.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "It's the first time in a long time that Alabama isn't considered a favorite to win the title, but the Crimson Tide have to replace a long list of key contributors. They lose their starting quarterback, their top running back, and No. 1-wideout Amari Cooper. They still have a proven star in the backfield in Derrick Henry, and their defensive line ranks among the best in the nation."

ABOUT WISCONSIN (2014: 11-3): All-everything running back Melvin Gordon is on to the NFL but there's not an abundance of fear over that loss with junior Corey Clement (949 yards, nine touchdowns) coming off a highly productive backup season. Senior quarterback Joel Stave looks to rebound after throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (nine) last season and Chryst visions him returning to his 2013 form when he tossed 24 scoring passes. The Badgers ranked fourth nationally in total defense last season (294.1) and return two standout outside linebackers in junior Vince Biegel (team-best 16.5 tackles for losses) and senior Joe Schobert (13.5) as well senior safety Michael Caputo (team-high 106 tackles).

ABOUT ALABAMA (2014: 12-2): Coker passed for 403 yards and four touchdowns as a backup last season while neither Bateman nor Morris have thrown a pass in a college contest. As usual, The Crimson Tide will have a strong running game with junior Derrick Henry (990 yards, 11 touchdowns in 2014) and senior Kenyan Drake, who missed most of last season due to a broken leg. The Crimson Tide ranked sixth in scoring defense (18.4) defense last season and will be strong again with junior defensive end Jonathan Allen (11.5 tackles for loss) and senior inside linebacker Reggie Ragland (10.5 TFL) leading the way.

TRENDS:

*Over is 13-3-1 in Crimson Tide last 17 neutral site games.
*Crimson Tide are 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 non-conference games.
*Badgers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
*Over is 3-0-2 in Badgers last 5 games overall.

CONSENSUS: According to Consensus, 51 percent of spread wagers are currently on the visiting Badgers.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Udog]

NCAAF

Saturday, September 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday's college football Top 25 betting cheat sheet: Week 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

USC boasts an offense that averaged 36 points last year and could be even more potent this season.

A handful of Top 25 programs have already played but the vast majority take the field to get their respective seasons underway Saturday. We break down all the need-to-know facts and figures for Saturday's Top 25 contests:

Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at (15) Mississippi Rebels (Off, Off)

* The FCS-member Skyhawks were picked to finish fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll and are led by fifth-year senior quarterback Jarod Neal, who completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 1,880 yards and 14 touchdowns against six interceptions last season.

* Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said Chad Kelly will start at quarterback, culminating a troubled return to the FBS level for the junior. Kelly, who led East Mississippi CC to the NJCAA national championship in 2014 after being dismissed from Clemson for conduct detrimental to the team, was arrested on assault, harassment, menacing, obstruction and resisting arrest charges in January after an incident outside a Buffalo nightclub.


(21) Stanford Cardinal at Northwestern Wildcats (+11, 47.5)

* Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan flirted with the idea of declaring for the NFL draft after throwing for 2,792 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2014 but decided on deadline day to return for his senior season. "I felt like I've grown up a lot in the last year and can help other guys on the team and lead us in the right direction," Hogan told reporters. "I've got a better grip on my emotions and can calm myself down."

* Redshirt freshman Clayton Thorson has been named the Wildcats' quarterback after an intense three-man battle and hopes to ignite an offense that averaged just 216.5 passing yards per game. "Obviously, I feel for the other guys as they are my friends," Thorson told reporters. "But at the same time, I was determined and I knew it was my time to be the quarterback."


UL Monroe Warhawks at (9) Georgia Bulldogs (-35, 53.5)

* The Warhawks rushed for just 834 yards last season, so ULM will look to the passing game as senior receiver Rashon Ceaser seeks to build on his strong finish last season. ULM’s top receiver averaged 107 yards per contest in his final five games while second-leading rusher Tyler Cain moves back to receiver this season.

* Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert will start the opener under center for Georgia. Lambert passed for 1,632 yards and 10 scores in nine games for Virginia in 2014, but threw 11 interceptions and lost his starting job in the spring.


Wofford Terriers at (12) Clemson Tigers (Off, Off)

* Wofford is coming off a somewhat disappointing season (6-5 SU) after missing the FCS playoffs but returns 10 starters on offense and eight on defense.

* Clemson has won its last 27 games against unranked opponents by at least four points, the longest current streak in the nation.


Virginia Cavaliers at (14) UCLA Bruins (-19.5, 52)

* Virginia’s run defense is expected to be anchored by defensive tackle David Dean, who helped limit two of the nation’s top rushers last season, James Conner of Pittsburgh and Duke Johnson of Miami, to season-low rush totals.

* UCLA running back Paul Perkins finished the season with 1,575 rushing yards, the second most in program history, and if he can come close to duplicating those numbers, he’ll take a lot of pressure off true-freshman quarterback Josh Rosen.


UTEP Miners at (20) Arkansas Razorbacks (-33, 49.5)

* Mack Leftwich won the Miners' starting quarterback job after redshirting last season and is hoping to help revive a passing attack that ranked last in the league in yards (1,858). Five starters return for a defense that led the conference against the pass (191.2 yards).

* Building upon the strong finish last season will depend on his time-tested formula of pounding the football behind Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, who made the Razorbacks the only team in the country to return two 1,000-yard rushers, and a beefy line that returns four starters.


Louisville Cardinals at (7) Auburn Tigers (-10.5, 58)

* The Cardinals have limited experience returning at the quarterback position as well and have listed four different players as potential starters on Saturday. "I know who is starting, yeah," Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino told reporters. "I think we're good with it, we feel comfortable with it. There's just really no advantage to announce it.”

* The Tigers will have to replace Nick Marshall at quarterback, but their offense should be in good shape with Jeremy Johnson who looked quite sharp as a backup the last two seasons.


SE Missouri State Redhawks at (23) Missouri Tigers (Off, Off)

* Southeast Missouri might have the most dynamic individual player on the field in preseason All-America wide receiver Paul McRoberts, who has 99 receptions for 1,495 yards and 20 TDs during his three-year career despite missing five games last season.

* The Tigers and Redhawks have met only twice previously, with Missouri winning both by a combined score of 72-3. The Tigers have won 13 straight season-openers and 17 of 18 dating back to 1997.


Bowling Green Falcons at (25) Tennessee Volunteers (-21.5, 69)

* Quarterback Matt Johnson, who is back for the Falcons after suffering a season-ending hip injury in last year’s season opener, passed for 3,467 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2013.

* Tennessee suspended leading receiver Alton Howard (54 catches, 618 yards in 2014) for Saturday’s game for an unspecified violation of team rules.


(16) Arizona State Sun Devils at Texas A&M Aggies (-3.5, 70)

* Arizona State, picked by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit to make the four-team College Football Playoff this year, returns 17 starters from a squad that defeated USC (38-34), Stanford (26-10), Utah (19-16 in OT) and Notre Dame (55-31) a year ago.

* "We challenged him in January to become a better leader, and his knowledge not only of our offense, but of (opposing) defenses," A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said fo sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen. "He's had an excellent spring ... he got a number of quality reps, then Kyler (Murray) showed up and he's had great competition, and he's accepted that."


Akron Zips at (19) Oklahoma Sooners (-33, 56.5)

* Two-time first-team all-conference performer Jatavis Brown (99 tackles, 14.5 for loss) is the only returning starter at linebacker for the Zips while nose tackle Cody Grice, a Lombardi Award candidate, anchors the front four of the nation’s 28th-ranked scoring defense from a season ago.

* New offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley – a 32-year-old former Texas Tech and East Carolina assistant – was hired to bring his “Air Raid” offense to Oklahoma and breathe some life into the country’s 83rd-ranked passing attack from a season ago.


Texas Longhorns at (11) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-10, 49)

* The Longhorns held a competition for the starting quarterback spot between incumbent Tyrone Swoopes and freshman Jerrod Heard, with Swoopes hanging onto the job. “I’m convinced (Swoopes’) won over the locker room, just the way he’s played and how he really came on and just his leadership ability right now,” first-year coach Charlie Strong told reporters. “Even the players will tell you that…It’s going to be fun to watch him.”

* Everett Golson is gone after a transfer to Florida State and Malik Zaire, who started a win over LSU in the Music City Bowl last season, will take over under center. Zaire threw for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Music City Bowl and ran for another 96 and a score.


McNeese State Cowboys at (13) LSU Tigers (Off, Off)

* The Cowboys had won two straight games against FBS opponents before falling to Nebraska, 31-24, in last year's season opener - a game in which they allowed a 58-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left. They return 16 starters this season, including a shifty quarterback in senior Daniel Sams, who rushed for 711 yards in 10 games a season ago.

* The 13th-ranked Tigers aim to win their season opener for the 13th straight year while extending their national-best streak to 50 consecutive regular-season victories against non-conference foes.


Texas State Bobcats at (8) Florida State Seminoles (-30, 63.5)

* The Bobcats were 31st in the nation in scoring at 33.8 points per game last season and Tyler Jones was the biggest reason. The junior quarterback threw for 2,670 yards and 22 touchdowns against only seven interceptions and set a school record by completing 65.4 percent of his passes.

* Golson replaces Jameis Winston - the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft - and has a fellow weapon in the backfield in running back Dalvin Cook, who was suspended a month and a half before being reinstated Aug. 25 after he was found not guilty on a misdemeanor battery charge.


Eastern Washington Eagles at (5) Oregon Ducks (Off, Off)

* The Eagles are switching to a 4-2-5 defensive alignment with junior safety Zach Bruce (two interceptions in 2014) and sophomore cornerback Victor Gamboa (three interceptions) leading the back end and junior linebacker Miquiyah Zamora (102 tackles) and junior defensive end Samson Ebukam (team-best 7.5 sacks) highlighting the front six.

* Fifth-ranked Oregon breaks in new quarterback Vernon Adams on Saturday and his home debut comes against the same Eastern Washington team that he starred for the past three seasons.


(18) Wisconsin Badgers at (3) Alabama Crimson Tide (-14, 51)

* The Badgers ranked fourth nationally in total defense last season (294.1) and return two standout outside linebackers in junior Vince Biegel (team-best 16.5 tackles for losses) and senior Joe Schobert (13.5) as well senior safety Michael Caputo (team-high 106 tackles).

* Alabama head coach Nick Saban had yet to announce a starting quarterback at mid-week and said senior Jake Coker, sophomore Cooper Bateman and junior Alec Morris are all still in the running. "We're going to make the decision when we think it's the right time to make the decision for this group of guys," Saban told reporters. "I would have liked to have made it three months ago."


Arkansas State Red Wolves at (10) USC Trojans (-27.5, 69)

* Dual-threat quarterback Fredi Knighten, a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference First Team selection, leads an up-tempo Red Wolves offense that averaged 476.5 yards in total offense last season.

* Coach Steve Sarkisian drew plenty of attention for his drunken appearance at a booster event last month, but that shouldn’t overshadow the Trojans’ formidable talent on the field. USC, which returns 16 starters and was picked to finish first in the Pac-12 South Division, boasts an offense that averaged 36 points last year and could be even more potent this season.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Udog]

NCAAF

Saturday, September 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where the action is: Betting the biggest games of college football Week 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sportsbooks will be cheering for Texas to at least cover against Notre Dame, with the Irish drawing a loyal backing of bettors in Week 1.

Breathe it in football fans. College is back. And while Week 1 may be littered with uninteresting matchups, like barn burners such as Charlotte at Georgia State, that’s why the good gambling gods created pointspreads. It isn’t all crap either. Here’s a look at the action coming in on some of the biggest games on the Week 1 college football board, according to sportsbooks online and in Las Vegas.

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide – Open: -10, Move: -12

Bettors love them some SEC schools in the early goings, and they get no bigger than Alabama. The Crimson Tide stake a claim for the national title right out of the gate and the market likes their chances enough to tack on as much as two extra points to this spread.

At the MGM Mirage in Las Vegas, there is a little bit of Alabama money making its way to the window but the majority of the action has Wisconsin linked in parlays. That’s put Jay Rood, vice president of race and sports at MGM, in a funny spot this Saturday.

“We are going to need Alabama in this, which is odd,” Rood, who is dealing Alabama -11, tells Covers. “Much of that is because of the quarterback issues with them this year.”

Online at offshore book GTBets.eu, the money is coming in on the Crimson Tide at a 4/1 clip and they could see this spread going past 12 before kickoff Saturday night.

“If you like Bama, now is the time to grab them,” Mick Sloan, lines manager for GTBets.eu tells Covers.

Texas Longhorns at Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Open: -8.5, Move: -10, Move: -9.5

This matchup of college football royalty opened as low as Notre Dame -8.5 but has settled between 9.5 and 10 at most shops. Offshore, there hasn’t been the same public push for the Irish as past season, with Notre Dame money holding a 2/1 edge on Longhorns bets.

In Vegas, it’s been all Notre Dame at the Mirage but some sharp money has shown on Texas, which was enough for Rood to trim his spread from Longhorns +10 to +9.5.

“Ticket count is about 3/2 in favor of Notre Dame and all the parlay money is tied into the Irish,” he says. “We’re going to be big Texas fans for this one. Hopefully Charlie Strong gets a good start.”

Louisville Cardinals at Auburn Tigers – Open: -11, Move: -11.5, Move: -10.5

“This one’s not getting much attention really,” says Rood. “There’s good balance with this game, only about $200 separates the bets on both sides. We took some pops on this one a couple weeks ago, with some sharp players taking Louisville.”

Rood says they opened Auburn as a 11-point favorite and dropped to 10.5 when those wiseguys hit, but expects the weekend crowd at the Mirage to side with the SEC member, and will eventually leave the book cheering for Louisville.

Online, underdog bettors have been drawn to the Cardinals getting 10.5 points. Sloan says the handle is split with half the money riding on UL as of Friday night but agrees with his Nevada counterpart.

“The late action will likely come in on Auburn, but I don’t see this line really moving much,” he says.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Udog]

NCAAF

Saturday, September 5


Underdogs have had the edge heading into Saturday

Heading into the first college football Saturday of the NCAAF season, it's the underdogs that have had the upper hand at the betting window.

Dogs have gone 14-10-1 ATS so far in the first 25 games, good enough to cash at a sizzling 71 percent clip.


Highest total of the day belongs to Sun Devils-Aggies

The total in Arizona State-Texas A&M has steadily been on the rise at sportsbooks since opening, making it the highest number on Saturday's college football board.

Offshore shop Pinnacle Sports opened the Over/Under at 66 for the tilt, but that's risen all the way to 70 as of 8 a.m. ET.


Chance of thunderstorms in Troy-NC State

Inclement weather could play a factor in Saturday's Troy-North Carolina State contest.

At game time, the forecast is currently calling for a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms with northeastern winds of 7-12 mph in the Raleigh area. Temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit are expected at kickoff.

Sportsbooks are dealing NC State as healthy 26-point home favorites for the clash. The total opened at 59.5 but has spiked to 62 at most shops.


Line on the move in favor of Crimson Tide

The perennial powerhouse Alabama Crimson Tide kick off the college football campaign at home against the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday, and it appears bettors are liking the Tide's chances.

Online book Sports Interaction opened 'Bama as 10.5-point chalk but had adjusted that number all the way to -13.5 at 9 a.m. ET Saturday.


Line on the move in UCLA-Virginia

Sportsbooks initially opened UCLA as 17-point home favorites against Virginia in Week 1 NCAAF action Saturday, but that line has steadily been on the move since in favor of the Bruins.

As of 7 p.m. ET Friday, books were dealing UCLA at -19.5. The total has fallen a full point since open from 53 to 52.

[Udog]

NCAAF

Sunday, September 6

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Purdue at Marshall
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marshall narrowly missed a spot in a New Year’s Day Bowl last season when a 67-66 overtime loss to Western Kentucky served as the team’s lone setback in an otherwise stellar campaign.

Purdue Boilermakers at Marshall Thundering Herd (-7.5, 61.5)

Purdue improved from one win to three last season and is hoping for a bigger step forward in 2015. The Boilermakers will get an early preview of how they stack up Sunday when they visit Conference USA power Marshall.

The Thundering Herd narrowly missed a spot in a New Year’s Day Bowl last season when a 67-66 overtime loss to Western Kentucky served as the team’s lone setback in an otherwise stellar campaign. While Purdue had trouble scoring down the stretch in 2014, Marshall put up an average of 45.6 points but will be replacing record-setting quarterback Rakeem Cato with Michael Birdsong. The Boilermakers will turn their offense over to junior Austin Appleby, who started seven games last season but marks Purdue’s fifth different starting quarterback in as many season openers. “Nothing changes now,” Appleby told reporters after officially being named the starter last week. “It’s just kind of business is usual. I’m glad it’s official, and now I can focus on getting this team ready to be 1-0.”

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1.

LINE HISTORY: Books opened Marshall -7.5. The total opened at 63 but is down to 61.5.

INJURY REPORT: Purdue - Danny Anthrop (Probable, knee), LB Ja'Whan Bentley (Questionable, back), LB Jimmy Herman (Questionable, hamstring), LB Danny Ezechukwu (Questionable, knee), DE Gelen Robinson (Eligible Sept. 19). Marshall - N/A.

WEATHER: Temperatures in the low-80s under partly cloudy skies. There is a small 22 percent chance of rain.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Marshall only returns 11 starters, and they must replace quarterback Rakeem Cato who threw for 3,903 yards and 40 touchdown passes in 2014. Marshall’s offense averaged 45.6 points per game in 2014, and it’s highly unlikely they’ll repeat that in 2015. Purdue is in their third season under head coach Darrell Hazell, and the Boilermakers return 15 overall starters. Purdue improved on both sides of the ball in 2014, so they should make another forward move in 2015." Covers Expert Steve Merril.

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "The spread has bounced around between the key number and 7.5 since the regular bettors began getting involved this week. The very early, sharper action came in on Purdue, but we're not seeing that as much the last couple of days. The biggest draw for both the smarts and squares is the under as we've dropped the total three points since Monday. We're largely one-sided regarding the total so we'll be rooting for a shootout."

ABOUT PURDUE (2014: 3-9 SU, 6-5-1 ATS, 6-6 O/U): One reason coach Darrell Hazell expects Appleby to have more success in 2015 is consistency along the offensive line, where all five starters return. "I can't tell you how big that is for us," Hazell told reporters of the offensive line. "It's been a blessing. We talk about not being able to evaluate quarterbacks or running backs because we were always breaking down up front. That hasn't been the case." The line should also benefit freshman running back Markell Jones, a top recruit who is expected to see plenty of time in the backfield.

ABOUT MARSHALL (13-1 SU, 9-5 ATS, 8-6 O/U): Birdsong is surrounded by talent at the offensive skill positions, including running back Devon Johnson and senior wide receiver Davonte Allen. Johnson pounded his way to 1,767 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground in 2014 and added a pair of receiving scores as a key component of the offense. “I know our guys are ready to go play somebody else, so it’s time to start our preparation and we’ve got to do a great job starting (Sunday),” Thundering Herd coach Doc Holliday told reporters after closing training camp.

TRENDS:

* Thundering Herd are 4-0 ATS in their last four non-conference games.
* Over is 5-0 in Thundering Herd last five vs. Big Ten.
* Over is 4-1 in Thundering Herd last five non-conference games.

CONSENSUS: Users are split own the middle on this matchup.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



NCAAF

Sunday, September 6


BYU's Taysom Hill out for the season

BYU quarterback Taysom Hill will miss the rest of the season after suffering a Lisfranc fracture in his foot in the Cougars' 33-28 victory over Nebraska.

Hill was replaced by backup Tanner Mangum, who went onto complete 7-of-11 passes for 112, including the Hail Mary that won BYU the game.

Next up for BYU is a matchup with Boise State.

[Udog]

NCAAF

Sunday, September 6


Top 25 roundup: Henry paces Tide over Badgers

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Third-ranked Alabama broke the game open in the second half with 21 points and began the season with a 35-17 victory over No. 20 Wisconsin on Saturday night.

Crimson Tide tailback Derrick Henry carried the load with 147 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. Henry's day was over in the third quarter once Alabama went up by 25 points.

Wisconsin running back Corey Clement never got started. Clement totaled 16 yards on eight carries.

Jake Coker started at quarterback for Alabama and played the entire first half and the majority of the third quarter. He finished 16-of-22 passing for 219 yards and a touchdown -- a 17-yard strike to Robert Foster.

Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave completed 14 of 16 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown in the first half but cooled off and finished with 228 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

No. 6 Auburn 31, Louisville 24

ATLANTA -- Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson ran for a touchdown and threw for another as the Tigers held off a late Cardinals challenge in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome.

Louisville lost, but after an offseason of uncertainty may have found its quarterback. Freshman Lamar Jackson sparked the Cardinals' offense in the second half, leading three scoring drives to get Louisville back in the game.

Sophomore running back Peyton Barber led the Tigers with 109 yards on the ground. Johnson completed 11-of- 21 passes for 140 yards.

No. 7 Oregon 61, Eastern Washington 42

EUGENE, Ore. - Vernon Adams threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 94 yards to beat his old team as the Ducks opened with a win.

Adams threw for 10,438 yards and 110 touchdowns in three seasons at Eastern Washington before transferring to Oregon as a graduate for his senior season. He completed 19 of 25 passes and extended his personal streak of throwing multiple touchdown passes in 27 straight games before leaving late in the fourth when he was injured on a rush attempt.

Oregon running back Royce Freeman ran for a career-high 180 yards on 21 carries with three touchdowns.

No. 9 Georgia 51, Louisiana-Monroe 14

ATHENS, Ga. -- Although the Bulldogs weren't perfect and mistakes were made, they simply had too much offensive firepower and used it to roll over the Warhawks.

Georgia sophomore Heisman Trophy candidate Nick Chubb picked up where he left off from last year, rushing 16 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

Greyson Lambert made his debut as the Bulldogs' starting quarterback and completed 8 of 12 passes for 144 yards and two scores, including one each to Malcolm Mitchell and Jeb Blazevich.

No. 10 Florida State 59, Texas State 16

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Seminoles began the post-Jameis Winston era with a convincing victory.

Everett Golson -- who joined the Seminoles this offseason by way of Notre Dame -- took over under center and looked every bit as good as Winston did in his Florida State debut two years ago.

Golson went 19-for-25 for 302 yards and four touchdowns for Florida State, while Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook, who saw less than two weeks of practice after returning from suspension, didn't show any rust as he rushed for 156 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns to pace Florida State.

11 Notre Dame 38, Texas 3

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Quarterback Malik Zaire completed 19 of 22 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns as the Fighting Irish crushed the Longhorns.

Fighting Irish wide receiver Will Fuller caught seven passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

Freshman running back Josh Adams added two touchdowns on the ground, including a 14-yard score on his first collegiate rushing attempt.

No. 12 Clemson 49, Wofford 10

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Sophomore Deshaun Watson, playing in his first game since suffering a torn ACL in November, got off to a solid start, completing 18 of 22 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns in limited action.

Junior wide receiver Mike Williams, who lead Clemson with 1,030 receiving yards last season, suffered a neck injury on the first drive of the game when he caught a 4-yard touchdown pass and collided with the goalpost support.

Williams remained on the ground for approximately 15 minutes before being placed on a stretcher and carted off the field. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

No. 13 UCLA 34, Virginia 16

PASADENA, Calif. -- True freshman Josh Rosen threw three touchdowns as the Bruins cruised past the Cavaliers.

The 18-year-old Rosen completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards, connecting with 11 receivers. He was sacked only once and attributed that to himself and not to the Bruins' experienced offensive line.

Rosen was the first Bruins true freshman to start at quarterback since 2002, when Drew Olson started and won against Washington.

No. 14 LSU-McNeese State, postponed

BATON ROUGE, La. -- A series of thunderstorms and lightning strikes forced cancelation of the LSU-McNeese State game.

The teams combined for only 10 plays when the game was suspended at 6:50 p.m. CDT because of lightning in the area.

Both teams went to their locker rooms and never were able to come back on the field.

Texas A&M 38, No. 15 Arizona State 17

HOUSTON -- Freshman receiver Christian Kirk, the best recruit in the state of Arizona, showed up Arizona State and lead Texas A&M to the win.

Kirk, who enrolled at Texas A&M in January and earned a starting spot in August, caught six passes for 106 yards, with a 66-yard zig-zag of a touchdown to break open the game for the Aggies with 3:45 to play.

Kirk also reeled off a 79-yard punt return early in the second quarter to give his team an early 14-0 cushion.

No. 17 Ole Miss 76, UT-Marin 3

OXFORD, Miss. -- Chad Kelly threw two touchdowns in the first half and the Rebels rolled to a convincing win.

Kelly, the nephew of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, completed his first touchdown pass to Markell Pack, covering 56 yards.

He finished the first half 6-for-10 for 178 yards and he made up for an interception he threw in the third by running for a score a few minutes later.

No 18 Arkansas 48, Texas-El Paso 13

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Senior quarterback Brandon Allen completed 14 of 18 passes for career-high 308 yards and four touchdowns as the Razorbacks eased past the Miners.

Arkansas, which ranked 99th nationally after averaging 188 yards per game passing last season, scored its first four touchdowns through the air and led 28-10 at the half.

The Razorbacks put the game out of reach with 14 points in the opening 2:03 of the second half.

No. 19 Oklahoma 41, Akron 3

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Sooners’ return to the Air Raid offense was a slow burn against Akron, but once it got started, Oklahoma put up touchdown after touchdown and turned the game into a rout.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield started off slow but came on strong and finished with 388 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Mayfield's passing total was the most for an OU quarterback in a season-opener, beating Sam Bradford's 363 yards to start the 2007 season. Mayfield also added a rushing touchdown.

Northwestern 16, No. 21 Stanford

EVANSTON -- The Wildcats got three field goals by Jack Mitchell and a touchdown run by quarterback Clayton Thorson to upset the Cardinal.

Thorson, a redshirt freshman making his first career start, completed 12 of 24 passes for 105 yards. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback rushed for 68 yards on eight carries, including a 42-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Sophomore Justin Jackson rushed the ball 28 times for 134 yards to lead the Wildcats, while Stanford starting running back Christian McCaffery carried 12 times for 66 yards and fumbled once.

No. 24 Missouri 34, Southeast Missouri 3

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Junior quarterback Maty Mauk threw two first-quarter touchdown passes and senior linebacker Kentrell Brothers led a stingy defense with a career-best 16 tackles, helping the Tigers to an easy victory.

Since the beginning of the 2007 season, Missouri has won 77 games, trailing only Oregon, Alabama, Oklahoma and LSU during that period.

Mauk finished 12 of 22 for 181 yards and the two scores. He was intercepted once.

No. 25 Tennessee 59, Bowling Green 30

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Running back Jalen Hurd rushed for three touchdowns while quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw for a pair as the Volunteers defeated the Falcons.

Running back Alvin Kamara recorded 144 yards and a pair of scores for the Volunteers, who recorded their 21st straight season-opening victory.

Tennessee answered an early field goal by the Falcons by scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions -- two following dynamic punt returns by Cam Sutton that left the Volunteers with short scoring drives.

[Udog]

NCAAF

Sunday, September 6


Home dogs were a great bet in Week 1

Home underdogs kicked off the opening weekend of the college football season with a bang, going an impressive 11-2 against the spread.

That is a success rate of a crazy 84.62 percent.

There are just two games left in Week 1 and just one with a home dog,
when Virgina Tech hosts defending champs Ohio State as 14-point pups.

[Udog]

NCAAF

Sunday, September 6


BYU's QB Hill out for season, but books aren't worried

BYU quarterback Taysom Hill will miss the rest of the season after suffering a Lisfranc fracture in his foot in the Cougars' 33-28 victory over Nebraska.

Hill was replaced by backup Tanner Mangum, who went onto complete 7-of-11 passes for 112, including the Hail Mary that won BYU the game and with the strong performance at least one book will stand pat with BYU odds.

"We were very impressed with Tanner Mangum both times he had to replace Hill," Jerome Perry of topbet told Covers. "So we are not going to make any adjustments to BYU futures or future lines now that he is the new Cougars QB."

Next up for BYU is a matchup with Boise State.


Notre Dame RB Folston lost for season

Notre Dame running back Tarean Folston, the team's leading rusher last season, will be sidelined for the rest of this season after tearing the MCL in his right knee in Saturday's game against Texas, coach Brian Kelly said Sunday.

Folston is scheduled to undergo surgery in the next 10 days, Kelly said.

Folston rushed for 889 yards and six touchdowns last season, and he had three carries for 19 yards in Saturday's 38-3 victory over the Longhorns before leaving the game on the Irish's second possession with a knee injury.

Redshirt junior C.J. Prosise and freshman Josh Adams had most of the carries after Folston left the game.

Prosise, a converted receiver, had 98 yards on 20 attempts, while Adams had five carries for 49 yards with two touchdowns.


First and 20: Transfer QBs make opening strikes

If you don't like how your favorite team has developed quarterbacks, no problem.

Six teams in the Associated Press' preseason Top 25 started transfer quarterbacks in their season opener, included three immediately eligible graduate students at Top 10 programs -- Vernon Adams at No. 7 Oregon, Greyson Lambert at No. 9 Georgia and Everett Golson at No. 10 Florida State.

Elsewhere, Jake Coker finally got the reins at Alabama, Chad Kelly took over at Ole Miss and Baker Mayfield supplanted returning starter Trevor Knight at Oklahoma.

Yes, the chase for the College Football Playoff could very well be decided by the quarterback transaction wire.

All six of those aforementioned quarterbacks who began their careers at another four-year school won on Saturday, including two (Adams and Golson) who replaced Heisman winners.

[Udog]

NCAAF

Monday, September 7

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Ohio State at Virginia Tech
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sportsbooks opened the Hokies as 12.5-point underdogs, but that's since been bumped up to +14.

Ohio State at Virginia Tech (+14, 53)

Top-ranked Ohio State starts its quest to repeat as national champion when it visits Virginia Tech on Monday. The Buckeyes will certainly be gunning for the Hokies as their lone defeat of their championship season came when Virginia Tech posted a 35-21 victory at Ohio Stadium.

The Buckeyes haven't decided whether J.T. Barrett or Cardale Jones will start but it will be no surprise if both quarterbacks see action. Barrett was Ohio State's signal caller most of last season and passed for 34 touchdowns and ran for 11 more before fracturing an ankle and Jones guided the Buckeyes to their final three wins, including the title-game triumph over Oregon. "We've still got time to decide," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer told reporters. "I think a lot of it is going to be in-game, how's it going, and do we need a change." Virginia Tech has been to 22 consecutive bowl games but the program has slid in recent campaigns and is 22-17 over the past three seasons.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: Sportsbooks opened the Hokies as 12.5-point underdogs, but that's since been bumped up to +14.

INJURY REPORT: Ohio State - C. Jones (probable), N. Brown (out for season), M. Weber (late September), J. Bosa (eligible), J. Marshall (eligible Sept. 12), C. Smith (eligible Sept. 12), D. Wilson (eligible Sept. 12). Virginia Tech - S. McKenzie (eligible Sept. 12).

WEATHER: The forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with eastern winds of 5-10 mph.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (2014: 14-1): There are no questions at running back with title game MVP Ezekiel Elliott back for his junior campaign. Elliott rushed for 696 yards and eight touchdowns in the Buckeyes' final three contests last season and totaled 1,878 rushing yards - second in school history behind Eddie George's 1,927 in 1995 - and 18 rushing touchdowns. The defense absorbs a hit for the opener due to the suspension of 2014 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Joey Bosa (a junior end who had 13.5 sacks in 2014) but still has plenty of talent in senior defensive tackle Adolphus Washington (10.5 tackles for losses), senior weak-side linebacker Joshua Perry (team-best 124 tackles), sophomore strong-side linebacker Darron Lee (7.5 sacks) and sophomore cornerback Eli Apple (three interceptions).

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (2014: 7-6): Senior quarterback Michael Brewer is striving to be more consistent this season after throwing 15 interceptions to go with 2,692 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Senior running back J.C. Coleman (533 yards in 2014) won the starting gig and injury-prone junior Trey Edmunds will also get some work, while sophomore receiver Isaiah Ford (56 receptions, six touchdowns) and sophomore tight end Bucky Hodges (45 catches, seven touchdowns) are solid targets. The top player on the defense is junior cornerback Kendall Fuller (eight career interceptions), who is on his way to becoming the fourth brother in his family to be selected in the NFL Draft and each of them (Vincent, Corey, Kyle) also starred at Virginia Tech.

TRENDS:

*Hokies are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.
*Over is 4-1 in Hokies last 5 home games.
*Buckeyes are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
*Buckeyes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.

CONSENSUS: According to Consensus, 57 percent of users are backing the reigning champion Buckeyes.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------