The Bum's October's College Football Best Bets - Trends - Stats - News & More !!

[StarDust Bum]

Total Notes - Week 5

October 2, 2015


We're starting the second month of the college football season and with that being said, the total market is becoming very difficult to gauge. The oddsmakers have a better feel for these teams and both the sharps and syndicates have to put in the extra work to find value.

I hope everybody followed the Penn State-San Diego State OVER last week as it connected by halftime. Remember, just because a number moves doesn't mean the move is always right.

Here's what we got for Week 5.

1) Correct sharp movement: Vanderbilt/Middle Tennessee State UNDER

Bettors who got the opener on the Vanderbilt/MTSU game have a great UNDER wager as they caught the peak of 51.5. Vanderbilt is limited offensively but has shown so far this season that is does have some SEC caliber athletes on the defensive side of the ball. MTSU returns 8 defensive starters and only allowed 37 points at Alabama and 27 points at Illinois and their defense played better than both those numbers would indicate.

MTSU should have a home crowd that's excited to get a visit from an SEC school and this game will have a mini-rivalry feel to it. The Commodores may be even better defensively than we know as they've already faced Western Kentucky, Georgia, and Ole Miss (three very talented offenses) and allowed an average of 380 yds and 24 PPG.

Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason has shown he's more than willing to play very conservatively on offense and slow the game down, with this being one of the few remaining "winnable" games on the Commodores schedule, expect him to to take this game seriously and play to his team's strengths. This game has been bet down but with some 49's still out there, this game still holds some value on the UNDER.

2) Incorrect sharp movement: Temple/Charlotte UNDER

Some heavy movement on this game as it's one of the biggest total moves so far this week. Bettors have bet this game down from 48 to it's current position at 43. It's a little difficult to gauge where all of the UNDER money is coming from as a combination of events have occurred to help drive this number down.

Some bettors are likely playing the weather angle as severe weather is expected for the North Carolina area over the next few days and there has been rain in Charlotte already. In addition, you have the pitiful 49ers offense squaring off versus a talented and experienced Temple defense.

Charlotte's offense has been one of the worst in the FBS and they will likely struggle to score in this game but they are at home and did muster an average of 10.5 PPG vs the solid defenses of MTSU and FAU. Temple's offense is undervalued and should have a chance to explode vs a weak Charlotte defense. Charlotte has faced perhaps the weakest slate of opposing offenses in the country so far and surrendered 73 points to the one decent offense they did face.

Temple has had extra time to prepare for this contest and with only Tulane on deck should use this opportunity to gain some confidence and work on their run/pass balance. Talented Owl RB Jahad Thomas should have a field day here and I expect the Temple defense to score. UNDER bettors likely banking of the 49ers getting shutout but my numbers project them to muster 7-9 points and that should be enough to push this game OVER the lowered total. Sharps have reasons for this wager, I just don't think they'll get the results.

3) Public movement: East Carolina-SMU OVER

Easy for the public to back the OVER in this contest, especially with SMU allowing 48 points and over 700 yds of offense to FCS James Madison last week. However, what some don't realize is that JMU is a legit Top 15 FCS squad and is guided by a QB who transferred from Georgia Tech. In addition, the Mustang defense has faced a brutal schedule of opposing offenses having already faced both Baylor and TCU.

East Carolina continues to play well as head coach Ruffin McNeil continues to find offense despite graduation losses. The Pirates have played well offensively despite facing the quality defenses of both Florida and Virginia Tech, they should find the sledding much easier vs the SMU stop-unit. New SMU head coach Chad Morris is an offensive coordinator at heart and he likes to employ an up-tempo, multiple formation offense. This game should see plenty of snaps and I agree with the movement upward.

I made the number for this game 70 and that's where I think you'll see this close. At 67, I'd still play this game OVER and would likely be unwilling to fade the movement at any number lower than 73.

4) Market manipulation: Colorado State/Utah State OVER

Someone desperately trying to push this number to 51 and if it gets there you'll see immediate and swift buyback on the UNDER. Utah State is a dead UNDER squad and enter allowing just 14 PPG but producing under 300 yds of offense per game.

Colorado State has already played a similarly styled Minnesota team and that game was very slowly paced and lower scoring. I think the Rams will struggle against a quality Aggies stop unit and Utah State hasn't proven they can move the ball on anyone. This is a false move upward and I made the number 46 so anything above 47 offers value on the UNDER.

Aloha!

[StarDust Bum]

Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores

7:00 PM EDT

105 MEMPHIS -12.5 -7.5 / -7.5 -05 / -7 -15 -7 -15 -295
106 SOUTH FLORIDA 61 58o12 / 58 / 58.5 58 +235

TV: ESPN2, DTV: 209 | PARTLY CLOUDY, 20% CHANCE SHOWER/STORMS. NORTHWEST WIND 6-11. GAME TEMP 82, RH 66% HEAT INDEX 86

7:00 PM EDT

107 TEMPLE -24 -05 -20 / -20.5 / -20 -15 -19.5 -03 -1076
108 CHARLOTTE 48 44 / 43.5 / 43 43.5 +716

Time-change to 07:00pm EDT | TV: CBSC, DTV: 221 | CLOUDY, 80% CHANCE SHOWERS. NORTHEAST WIND 12-17, GUSTY. GAME TEMP 57, RH 90%

10:15 PM EDT

109 CONNECTICUT 46.5o21 44.5u28 / 44 / 44u11 44 +525
110 BYU -17.5 -14 -05 / -14 -09 / -14 -15 -14.5 -05 -700

BYU-RB-Adam Hine-Doubtful | BYU-QB-Taysom Hill-OUT | BYU-RB-Jamaal Williams-OUT | TV: ESPN2, DTV: 209 | MOSTLY CLOUDY, 30% CHANCE SHOWERS. NORTHWEST WIND 7-12. GAME TEMP 58, RH 64%

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

NCAAF Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

10:15 PM Connecticut +14.5 720 42.15% Brigham Young -14.5 988 57.85% View View

7:00 PM Temple -20 904 56.43% Charlotte +20 698 43.57% View View

7:00 PM Memphis -7.5 1060 60.30% South Florida +7.5 698 39.70% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

7:00 PM Memphis 58 659 55.85% South Florida 58 521 44.15% View View

10:15 PM Connecticut 44 706 59.63% Brigham Young 44 478 40.37% View View

7:00 PM Temple 43.5 713 63.95% Charlotte 43.5 402 36.05% View View

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Temple - 7:00 PM ET Charlotte +20 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Charlotte - Under 43.5 500 *****


Memphis - 7:00 PM ET South Florida +7.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

South Florida - Over 58 500 TRIPLE PLAY


Connecticut - 10:15 PM ET Brigham Young -14.5 500 *****

Brigham Young - Under 44 500 *****

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday's Top Action

October 2, 2015


WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS (3-0) at OKLAHOMA SOONERS (3-0)
Memorial Stadium - Norman, OK
Kickoff: Saturday, Noon ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Oklahoma -7, Total: 58

The October schedule heats up on Saturday when No. 23 West Virginia visits No. 15 Oklahoma in a matchup of Big 12 unbeatens.

The Mountaineers were expected to have a great offense under head coach Dana Holgorsen, and they haven't disappointed with 43.3 PPG and 543 total YPG during their 3-0 SU start to the season (2-1 ATS). But they have also displayed a suffocating defense that has limited opponents to a nation-low 7.7 PPG on a meager 307 total YPG. The Sooners are also 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS thanks to an offense producing 41.3 PPG and 553 total YPG. But their defense looked awful in the most recent game on Sept. 19, allowing Tulsa to score 38 points with an eye-popping 603 yards of offense.

Oklahoma has won all three meetings of these schools in Big 12 play, with the two games in Morgantown resulting in a combined 177 points, including a 45-33 victory last year. But in the lone Norman meeting in 2013, West Virginia managed only seven points in a 16-7 defeat that featured four turnovers for both schools. Speaking of miscues, the Mountaineers are part of the trend that road teams after 5+ forced turnovers facing an opponent with a negative turnover margin in two straight games are 75-32 ATS (70%) since 1992. And their Saturday opponent is 5-15 ATS (25%) at home when facing teams with a TO margin of at least +1 per game since 1992.

But the Sooners are 21-10 ATS (68%) after a game with a turnover margin of minus-2 or worse under Bob Stoops, and their opponent has struggled versus good passing teams in the past three seasons, going 0-6 ATS on the road against teams completing at least 58% of their passes such as Oklahoma, which has a hefty 66% completion rate. Neither team has any recent injuries to be concerned about for this matchup.

West Virginia junior QB Skyler Howard is off to a fast start this season with 916 passing yards on a 69% completion rate with 9 TD and only one interception. He's averaging 10.9 YPA and has also rushed for 88 yards despite taking six sacks. Much of his passing production has been achieved by throwing to his young receiver duo of sophomore WR Shelton Gibson (12 rec, 329 yds, 4 TD) and freshman WR Jovon Durante (12 rec, 199 yds, 2 TD). While none of these three players was involved in the shootout versus Oklahoma last year, the trio will all play a big role on Saturday considering WVU racked up 376 passing yards that day.

But the Mountaineers have thrived on a balanced attack this season with 220 rushing YPG on 4.6 YPC. Junior RB Wendell Smallwood has 331 rushing yards on 6.9 YPC and 4 TD, including 147 yards versus Maryland last week. Smallwood made the most of limited action versus Oklahoma last season with 82 yards on 11 touches (9 carries, 2 receptions). West Virginia's defense has been unbelievable this season with 11 takeaways already, including six last week. Opposing rushers have a pedestrian 4.0 YPC, while opposing quarterbacks have completed a pitiful 45% of their passes for 154 YPG (5.6 YPA). But these passing numbers will surely rise against a potent Sooners air attack.

Oklahoma has thrown for 371 YPG on 9.4 YPA this season, including 487 yards on 12.8 YPA in the last game versus Tulsa. Junior QB Baker Mayfield was shaky in a double-overtime win at Tennessee two games ago (19-of-39, 187 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT), but bounced back with a near-perfect performance against Tulsa, when he completed 32-of-38 throws for 487 yards, 4 TD and 0 INT. He also added 85 yards and 2 TD on the ground, giving him four rushing touchdowns this season. Mayfield will continue to look for star WR Sterling Shepard (18 rec, 286 yds, 2 TD) as his top option, especially considering how well Shepard played versus West Virginia last year with six catches for 101 yards.

But the most valuable player that day was Sooners RB Samaje Perine who carried the football 34 times for 242 yards (7.1 YPC) and 4 TD. The sophomore has also been a workhorse this year with 56 totes for 263 yards (4.7 YPC) and 2 TD, including 152 yards and a touchdown last game. Unlike the opportunistic WVU defense, Oklahoma has forced only two turnovers combined in its three games. However, the unit still has great per-play numbers of 4.6 yards per play, 5.9 yards per pass attempt and 3.4 yards per carry.

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (3-1) at GEORGIA BULLDOGS (4-0)
Sanford Stadium - Athens, GA
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 pm ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Georgia -2.5, Total: 54.5

No. 13 Alabama finds itself as a rare underdog when it visits No. 8 Georgia on Saturday afternoon.

The Crimson Tide enter this SEC showdown with three straight ATS defeats including a 43-37 home loss to Ole Miss two weeks ago. They bounced back last Saturday with a 34-0 win versus Louisiana-Monroe, but amassed only 303 total yards and failed to cover the 37-point spread. The Bulldogs improved to 4-0 SU after rolling over a non-conference opponent last week with a 48-6 drubbing of Southern, but fell to 2-2 ATS when they failed to cover the hefty 49-point spread.

These schools are meeting for the first time since the 2012 SEC Championship Game when Alabama prevailed 32-28, and the last time they met in the regular season was back in 2008, a 41-30 Tide victory. Bettors backing 'Bama can point to the team's 22-5 ATS road record off an SU win/ATS loss combination since 1992 or Georgia's 2-12 ATS mark at home versus top-level teams (75%+ win pct.) under head coach Mark Richt. But home teams with elite defenses (14 or less PPG allowed) after two straight wins by 28+ points are 38-11 ATS over the past 10 seasons, and the Bulldogs are 12-3 ATS after allowing 225 or less total YPG in their previous two contests under Richt.

The Crimson Tide will be without WR Robert Foster (116 rec yds, 2 TD) for the season due to a rotator cuff injury, and may also be missing DL Jonathan Allen (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for this matchup. The Bulldogs lost FB Christian Payne (fibula) indefinitely last week and LB Davin Bellamy (undisclosed) is questionable for Saturday. However, both DB Jabriel Washington (knee) and RB Bo Scarbrough (suspension served) have been upgraded to probable.

Alabama has scored at least 34 points in all four games this season, averaging 35.7 PPG on 460 total YPG. Senior QB Jake Coker has thrown for 786 yards (6.4 YPA) and eight touchdowns this year, but he has completed only 55% of his passes and tossed 4 INT over the past three weeks. None of his receivers have 200 yards this season, but six have already cracked the century mark, led by junior TE O.J. Howard (183 rec yds, 0 TD). Sophomore WR ArDarius Stewart leads the team with 21 receptions, but is averaging only 8.4 yards per catch.

Per usual, Alabama has a potent rushing attack with RBs Derrick Henry (422 rush yds, 6.3 YPC, 8 TD) and Kenyan Drake (215 rush yds, 5.8 YPC, 1 TD). The junior Henry has scored a touchdown in all four games, and has been much more effective against his two Power-5 opponents (274 rush yds, 7.6 YPC) than his two smaller conference opponents (148 rush yds, 4.8 YPC).

On the other side of the ball, Alabama has been incredibly stingy against the run this year, allowing only 57 YPG on 2.0 YPC. And although the unit has given up 210 passing YPG, it has done so on just 5.3 YPA. Even with the 43 points allowed to Ole Miss two weeks ago, the Tide are holding teams to 17.5 PPG with seven forced turnovers, but only one has come versus the Power-5 opponents. But the Bulldogs are not an easy team to take the ball away from, as they have committed only two turnovers in four games.

Georgia's offense has shown great balance all season with 491 total YPG broken down between 258 rushing YPG and 233 passing YPG. The team has rushed for over 240 yards in all four victories thanks to the legs of RBs Nick Chubb (599 rush yds, 8.4 YPC, 6 TD) and Sony Michel (223 rush yds, 7.0 YPC, 4 TD). Chubb has a current streak of 12 straight 100-yard games, including at least 120 in all four contests in 2015, but he has never faced a run-stop unit as powerful as Alabama's. Michel is the team's second-leading receiver with eight catches for 148 yards and 3 TD.

The Bulldogs ground game has remained effective because opponents have to respect junior QB Greyson Lambert who has completed 77% of his passes for 733 yards (10.8 YPA), 7 TD and 0 INT. He has taken only two sacks all year and has 13 receivers averaging at least 10 yards per catch. The top target is clearly senior WR Malcolm Mitchell (20 rec, 306 yds, 3 TD) who has 13 grabs for 218 yards and 2 TD in the past two contests. Georgia's defense has been tough to penetrate all season, giving up just 13.5 PPG on 273 total YPG and 4.2 yards per play. The run-stop unit has limited opponents to 107 YPG on 3.1 YPC, while the passing defense has allowed 166 YPG and 5.4 YPA. The Bulldogs will look to force some more turnovers than the one total takeaway they have in the past two games, as Alabama has eight giveaways in the past three contests.

OLE MISS REBELS (4-0) at FLORIDA GATORS (4-0)
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Gainesville, FL
Kickoff: Saturday, 7:00 pm ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Ole Miss -7, Total: 52


No. 3 Ole Miss makes a visit to No. 25 Florida on Saturday night in an SEC battle of unbeaten teams.

The Rebels are off to a flying start to the 2015 campaign with four double-digit wins, but they suffered their first ATS defeat of the season last week with a narrow 27-16 home victory versus 27-point underdog Vanderbilt. This followed an impressive 43-37 win at 8.5-point favorite Alabama one week earlier.

The Gators are also 4-0 SU, but three of their wins have come by seven points or less, leading to a 2-1-1 ATS mark. They won a 28-27 thriller at home versus Tennessee last week to improve to 2-0 in the SEC.

With these two schools in different divisions of their conference, their last meeting occurred way back in 2008 as Ole Miss pulled off the major road upset of 22-point favorite Florida, 31-30.

That marked the fourth straight meeting decided by six points or less, and the fifth straight ATS win for the Rebels in this series. They also have other positive trends for bettors to side with, such as an 18-5 ATS mark in the first half of the season under Hugh Freeze, including 9-1 ATS in the past two years. But the Gators are 38-26 ATS (59.4%) versus good throwing teams (250+ passing YPG) since 1992.

While Ole Miss is dealing with only one new injury with DB Tony Conner out 4-to-6 weeks with a knee injury, Florida has a much longer infirmary list with RB Case Harrison (thumb) out, LBs Jeremi Powell (foot) and Alex Anzalone (shoulder) both doubtful and K Austin Hardin (quad), TE C'yontai Lewis (hand), LB Matt Rolin (back) and DB Kylan Johnson (leg) all questionable.

Ole Miss has been an offensive juggernaut this season with 54.7 PPG and 544 total YPG. QB Chad Kelly is the main reason for that with 1,219 passing yards (10.6 YPA), 10 TD and 3 INT. He has completed 62% of his throws, and five receivers already have 10 catches. Junior WR Laquon Treadwell is the top target with team highs in receptions (22) and receiving yards (332), but senior WR Cody Core is close behind with 320 receiving yards (22.9 average) and 3 TD. Junior WR Quincy Adeboyejo leads the Rebels with five touchdown grabs, but was held without a catch last week.

Ole Miss has also cranked out 199 rushing YPG on 5.5 YPC, which is pretty impressive considering its paltry 25:05 offensive time of possession. Seven players already have rushing touchdowns including three from Kelly and two from 296-pound DT Robert Nkemdiche. Senior RB Jaylen Walton (269 rush yds, 6.4 YPC) leads the team in rushing and is coming off a monster game versus Vanderbilt when he rumbled for 133 yards on 21 carries (6.3 YPC) and a touchdown.

The talented Ole Miss defense continues to flourish despite being on the field nearly 10 minutes longer than the opposing defense has. The Rebels have limited teams to 19.2 PPG and 358 total YPG (4.3 yards per play) and forced 10 turnovers already. The run-stop unit is holding opponents to 155 YPG on 3.5 YPC, and faces a Florida opponent that has rushed for fewer yards in each subsequent week. Ole Miss has also been solid in pass coverage, allowing 202 passing YPG on just 5.3 YPA.

Florida's offense has been solid this season with 33.5 PPG and 404 total YPG on 5.9 yards per play. The ground game has sputtered in the past two weeks though with only 229 yards on 65 carries (3.5 YPC).

Junior RB Kelvin Taylor is the workhorse with 59 carries for 256 yards (4.3 YPC), and is coming off his best game of the season when he rumbled for 102 yards on 19 carries (5.4 YPC) and 2 TD versus Tennessee.

If the Gators' run game continues to decline, which is a strong possibility against an excellent Ole Miss front seven, freshman QB Will Grier will need to keep airing out the football. He attempted only 57 passes in his first three games, but threw 42 times last week, completing just 23 passes (55%) for 283 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT.

This production helped Florida erase a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, and four different players caught at least five passes in that victory. Freshman WR Antonio Callaway had a breakout game with 112 yards on five catches plus a game-winning, 63-yard TD grab with 1:26 remaining. Callaway now leads the team with 172 yards, while junior WR Demarcus Robinson has 20 receptions, which is eight more than any other teammate.

Defensively, Florida has been very tough against the run (107 YPG on 3.1 YPC) and solid against the pass. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 55% of their throws for 191 YPG (5.9 YPA) against the Gators secondary this season. That includes 346 passing yards by East Carolina, and over the past two games, that number has been cut to 146 passing YPG on a paltry 47% completion rate (20-of-43) for Florida opponents.

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (4-0) at CLEMSON TIGERS (3-0)
Memorial Stadium - Clemson, SC
Kickoff: Saturday, 8:00 pm ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Notre Dame -1, Total: 54

Two of the top dozen teams in the nation will try to avoid their first loss of the season on Saturday night when No. 6 Notre Dame visits No. 12 Clemson.

The Fighting Irish have lost both their top passer (QB Malik Zaire) and top rusher (RB Tarean Folston), but continue to find ways to win with a 4-0 SU record (3-1 ATS). They have scored at least 30 points in all four victories including 62 in a five-touchdown shellacking of UMass last week. The well-rested Tigers will have had 15 days off since barely escaping Louisville with a 20-17 win on Sept. 17, which made them 3-0 SU (2-1 ATS) heading into this showdown. These schools have split two all-time meetings that occurred way back in 1977 and 1979, and bettors on both sides have plenty of reason for optimism. Notre Dame is a stellar 26-7 ATS (79%) in October road games since 1992, and 8-1 ATS on the road in Weeks 5-to-9 under head coach Brian Kelly.

Clemson falls in the category of quick starting offensive teams (16+ PPG in first half) going 26-5 ATS (84%) at home where the line is +3 to -3 after holding three straight opponents to 17 points or less. The school is also 25-14 ATS (64%) in the first half of the season under head coach Dabo Swinney.

In addition to Zaire and Folston, the Irish still have plenty of injuries to contend with. TE Tyler Luatua (concussion) and DB Drue Tranquill (ACL) are both out, and DE Jay Hayes (suspension) and DB Avery Sebastian (foot) are both questionable for this matchup. But the passing game should get a nice boost with the probable return of WR Corey Robinson (539 rec yds, 5 TD last year) who missed last week's game with a knee injury. For the Tigers, their only recent injury is OL Ryan Norton, who injured his leg last week and is listed as questionable for Saturday.

Notre Dame's offense has been clicking all season with 41.0 PPG and 531 total YPG. The ground game has been particularly impressive with 285 YPG on a hefty 6.7 YPC. Senior RB C.J. Prosise has rushed for at least 98 yards in all four games, producing an even 600 yards and 8.1 YPC with six touchdowns. This includes three straight weeks of 149+ yards and 9.0+ YPC. If Clemson chooses to stack the box, the pressure will be on sophomore QB DeShone Kizer, who has been solid this season with a 68% completion rate, 541 passing yards (8.3 YPA), 5 TD and 2 INT. In his two full games, he has thrown for 449 yards and rushed for another 48. Superstar WR Will Fuller, who opened the season with three straight games of 120+ receiving yards, before posting a modest 57 yards in last week's blowout, has certainly aided Kizer's progression. Fuller averaged only 14.4 yards per catch last year, but has bolstered that to an impressive 20.6 this season.

The probable return of WR Corey Robinson should help keep the double teams away from Fuller. Defensively, Notre Dame has held opponents to 19.7 PPG and 342 YPG, and has been strong in all facets. The unit allows 138 rushing YPG on 4.1 YPC, and 204 passing YPG on 6.1 YPA and a low 53% completion rate. The one negative is that the Irish have produced only three takeaways all season, and they will likely have to force the issue more against a potent Tigers offense.

Clemson has churned out 36.7 PPG and 442 total YPG this season, but was held to 20 points and 401 yards in his last game at Louisville. Although sophomore QB Deshaun Watson has played well, evidenced by a 74% completion rate, 8.2 YPA and seven touchdowns, he has already thrown more interceptions this year (3) than last season (2). Two of those picks came last game at Louisville, and he can't afford to turn the ball over on Saturday. He also needs to get top WRs Artavis Scott (9.4 yards per reception) and Ray-Ray McCloud (8.7 yards per reception) in more catch-and-run situations to increase their average gains. The Tigers ground game has been sufficient with 188 rushing YPG on 4.4 YPC and six touchdowns.

Most of that production is due to junior RB Wayne Gallman, who has rushed for 310 yards (5.8 YPC) and 3 TD. He carried the football 24 times at Louisville, resulting in 139 yards on 5.8 YPC. The Tigers defense has been tremendous all season in holding opponents to 12.3 PPG and 261 total YPG on an impressive 3.9 yards per play. Opposing rushers have just 115 YPG on 2.9 YPC, which includes Louisville's 28 carries for 19 yards on Sept. 17. The unit has been even stingier against opposing passers, as quarterbacks have completed a paltry 43% of their passes for 146 YPG (5.4 YPA). After not forcing a turnover in the season opener versus Wofford, Clemson has racked up six takeaways over the past two contests.

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday's SEC Action

October 1, 2015


**Alabama at Georgia**

-- As of Thursday, most books had Georgia (4-0 straight up, 2-2 against the spread) listed as a two-point favorite with a total of 53.5. The Crimson Tide was +110 on the money line (risk $100 to win $110). Assuming the line doesn't adjust by three points in the next 48 hours, this will be the first time Nick Saban's team has been in the underdog role since the 2009 SEC Championship Game when it beat Florida by a 32-13 count at the Georgia Dome.

-- Georgia cruised to a 48-6 win over Southern last weekend, but it failed to cover the spread as a 48.5-point home favorite when it went scoreless in the fourth quarter. Greyson Lambert completed 9-of-10 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Nick Chubb rushed for 131 yards and two TDs on just 15 carries, while Sony Michel ran six times for 75 yards and a pair of scores. Chubb also had a 24-yard TD receptions, while Malcolm Mitchell had five catches for 96 yards and one TD.

-- Alabama (3-1 SU, 1-3 ATS) has wins over Wisconsin (35-17), Middle Tennessee (37-10) and ULM (34-0), but it lost a 43-37 decision to Ole Miss as a nine-point home favorite in Week 3. In the victory last weekend over the Warhawks, Jacob Coker connected on 17-of-31 throws for 158 yards with three TD passes and one interception. Kenyan Drake rushed 10 times for 65 yards, while Derrick Henry had 13 carries for 52 yards and one TD.

-- Saban had to be happy with his defense last week against ULM. This unit allowed only 92 yards of total offense, limiting its opponent to nine rushing yards on 31 attempts (0.3 YPC). However, the offense generated just 303 yards, went 2-for-13 on third-down attempts and twice failed to convert on fourth down.

-- Coker has completed 55.3 percent of his passes for 786 yards with an 8/4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Henry has run for 422 yards and eight TDs while averaging 6.3 YPC. Drake has rushed 37 times for 215 yards and one TD, averaging 5.8 YPC. Drake has seven catches for 139 yards and one TD. ArDarius Stewart has a team-high 21 receptions for 177 yards and two TDs, while TE O.J. Howard has 13 grabs for a team-best 183 yards.

-- Lambert, a transfer from Virginia, has thrived in an offense loaded with weapons. He has connected on 76.5 percent of his pass attempts for 733 yards and seven TDs without an interception. Chubb has rushed for 599 yards and six TDs while averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Michel has run for 223 yards and four TDs, averaging 7.0 YPC. Mitchell has a team-best 20 receptions for 306 yards and three TDs. Michel has eight catches for 148 yards and three TDs.

-- UGA is ranked 13th in the nation in scoring defense, giving up only 13.5 points per game. The Bulldogs are 14th in total defense, allowing 273.2 yards per game. They are 11th in the country in scoring offense, producing 45.5 PPG.

-- Alabama is 12th in the country in total defense and 25th in scoring defense (17.5 PPG). The offense is scoring at a 35.8 PPG clip.

-- Alabama has won 12 in a row and 17 of the last 18 against foes from the SEC East.

--These teams haven't met since the 2012 SEC Championship Game when Alabama captured a 32-28 win but failed to cover the number as an eight-point favorite in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome. In the last regular-season meeting at Sanford Stadium in 2008, Mark Richt called for a black-out with the fans wearing all-black clothes. As it turned out, UGA got shut out in the first half as the Tide raced out to a 31-0 advantage at intermission. The Bulldogs would mount a fruitless rally to make the final score (41-30) look more respectable.

-- Totals have been an overall wash (2-2) for both teams so far this season.

-- The 'over' has hit in five straight head-to-head meetings between these SEC rivals.

-- CBS will have the telecast at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

**Ole Miss at Florida**

-- As of Thursday, most books had Ole Miss (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) installed as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 51. The Gators were +240 on the money line (risk $100 to win $240).

-- Florida (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) has opened 2-0 in SEC play with wins at Kentucky (14-9) and vs. Tennessee (28-27), including the biggest come-from-behind win at The Swamp since Kerwin Bell guided UF to an 18-17 win over Auburn in 1986. Bell entered the game in the fourth quarter with the Gators trailing 17-0 after sitting out the first three quarters due to a knee injury. This past Saturday, it was Will Grier who orchestrated the comeback over the Volunteers by completing all five of his pass attempts on fourth down, including a 63-yard scoring strike to true freshman WR Antonio Callaway on a fourth-and-14 play. Callaway's TD put UF up 28-27 with 1:26 remaining. UT would get into field-goal range, but Butch Jones's clock management was atrocious and a 55-yard field goal attempt for the win was just barely wide right. The Gators won outright as one-point home underdogs.

-- Ole Miss has covered the number in five consecutive head-to-head meetings with Florida, including the last encounter, a 31-30 win at The Swamp over the eventual national champions as a 23-point road underdog. The Rebels clinched the victory by stuffing Tim Tebow on the only fourth-and-one play that I can ever remember him being stopped on during his collegiate career.

-- Ole Miss fell victim to a classic letdown situation in last week's 27-16 non-covering win as a 27-point home 'chalk.' The 43 combined points fell 'under' the 53.5-point tally. QB Chad Kelly threw for 321 yards and one TD, but he was intercepted twice. Laquon Treadwell appears to be getting healthier each week, as he hauled in eight receptions for 135 yards against the Commodores.

-- UF linebackers Alex Anzalone (shoulder) and Jeremi Powell (foot) are 'out' with injuries. Vernon Hargreaves III is dealing with a back injury but will play. Whether or not he's 100 percent will be key because if VH3 is right, the UF defense can allow him to play man coverage on Treadwell, which will allow for more blitzes to put pressure on Kelly.

-- The 'over' is 3-1 overall for the Gators, 3-0 in their home games.

-- The 'over' is 3-1 overall for the Rebels, 1-0 in their lone previous road assignment.

-- Kickoff on ESPN is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.'s Bonus Nuggets**

-- Vanderbilt star LB Nigel Bowden, the team's leading tackler in 2014, will most likely miss his third straight game due to a concussion Saturday at Middle Tennessee. The Commodores have lost three of their four games, but there's zero doubt in my mind that Derek Mason's team is vastly improved. Nevertheless, they are short underdogs (+1 or +1.5) against the Blue Raiders, who play in Murfreesboro about 35-40 minutes from Nashville.

-- Texas A&M will put its unbeaten record on the line Saturday night at home vs. Mississippi State. As of Thursday, most spots had the Aggies favored by 6.5 points with a total of 61.5. The SEC Network will have the broadcast at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. The Bulldogs are off a 17-9 win at Auburn. They have seen the 'under' go 3-1 overall, 2-0 in their road assignments.

-- LSU will host Eastern Michigan as a 44.5-point home favorite. Sophomore RB Leonard Fournette leads the SEC and is third in the nation in rushing yards (631), averaging 8.6 YPC. Fournette has eight rushing TDs and remember, he's only played in three games compared to four with the two other backs in the country who have more rushing yards than him.

-- Missouri QB Maty Mauk has been suspended for at least this Saturday's home game vs. South Carolina. The announcement Tuesday night prompted oddsmakers to adjust the Tigers from four-point favorites to 2.5-point 'chalk.' Gary Pinkel will give the starting nod to true freshman Drew Lock, who has appeared in all four games. Lock has completed 12-of-20 passes for 178 yards with one TD and one interception. LB Kentrell Brothers, who leads the nation in tackles, is 'questionable' with an ankle injury sustained in last week's 21-13 loss at Kentucky.

-- Missouri is 0-4 ATS and has seen the 'under' cash at a 4-0 clip.

-- A pair of South Carolina starters on offense, center Alan Knott and RB Brandon Wilds, haven't practiced this week and are listed as 'doubtful' at Missouri. The Gamecocks will also be starting a true freshman QB. Lorenzo Nunez made his first start in last week's 31-14 home win over UCF. Nunez connected on 12-of-22 passes for 184 yards and two TDs without an interception. He also ran 18 times for 123 yards. WR Pharoh Cooper had a TD run and a TD catch, producing 96 yards on seven touches.

-- As of Thursday, most spots had Tennessee listed as a 6.5-point home favorite vs. Arkansas. The winner saves the season -- for now. The loser? Put that team's fan base on suicide watch.

-- There's nothing wrong with being wrong as long as you own it. When I'm wrong about something, I'll be the first one to say so. Why? Because you look even dumber when you refuse to acknowledge a mistake. In this instance, we're referencing mistakes galore by Butch Jones in his team's 28-27 loss at Florida last week. When UT took a 26-14 lead with 10:19 remaining, Jones incomprehensibly decided to kick an extra point rather than go for two and give his squad a chance to go ahead by 14. I'm not second-guessing Jones; I first-guessed him.

This is an unfathomable mistake that decent Madden players in the fourth grade know not to make. It is beyond inexcusable for $4 million per year head coach in the SEC to make this error. Making matters worse, he denied any wrongdoing at his postgame presser. In fact, Jones produced this gem, "We were very comfortable with the decision." Very? Dude! Anyway, it would get worse. The Vols took over at their own 32 with 1:26 left on the clock and two timeouts remaining. In other words, needing only a field goal, they had plenty of time. Yet somehow, UT only managed to run four plays, despite the fact that it converted three first downs that resulted in clock stoppages. Unreal. It doesn't matter what Jones does the rest of his career. His mistakes made last Saturday, coupled with his refusal to accept any semblance of blame for the obvious errors, will make him and his knucklehead AD Dave Hart look like fools for decades to come.

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Things to Watch: Soggy showdowns and unnoticed unbeatens

October 2, 2015

The biggest Saturday of the college football season so far will feature a rare SEC showdown, a big-time drawing card in Death Valley and lots of rain.

Five games matching ranked teams will provide some separation between the contenders and pretenders in the College Football Playoff race. Another three games between ranked teams and undefeated ones will give an idea if those unranked and unblemished teams have also been underrated.

Some things to watch for a huge Week 5 schedule:

WEATHER

The combination of Hurricane Joaquin headed for the United States and a rain storm already soaking the East Coast could make for some soggy showdowns. Most likely to be affected are two games sharing top billing this weekend, one in Athens, Georgia, and the other in Clemson, South Carolina.

No. 13 Alabama (3-1) visits Sanford Stadium for the first time since 2008 to face No. 8 Georgia (4-0). Both teams can rely on their running games if wind and rain make it tough for the quarterbacks. Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb has 12 straight 100-yard rushing games, one shy of Herschel Walker's school record. The sophomore is sixth in the nation, 149.8 yards per game. The Crimson Tide can give it to Derrick Henry, who is averaging 105 yards per game and has scored eight touchdowns.

No. 6 Notre Dame (4-0) is making its first trip to Clemson since 1977 for the third game ever between the Fighting Irish and 12th-ranked Tigers. Weather forecasts were calling for rain fall that could approach 20 inches in the area for a game that has been such a hot ticket that Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he couldn't get Jesus a ticket.

FOR REAL?

Indiana, Iowa and Kansas State have yet to impress poll voters with their perfect starts. One more win this weekend should change that.

The Hoosiers, 4-0 for the first time since 1990, have the toughest task with No. 1 Ohio State (4-0) coming to Bloomington. Indiana's offense features an NFL prospect at quarterback in Nate Sudfeld and the second-leading rusher in the country in Jordan Howard, but the defense ranks near the bottom of the Big Ten. To make things even more difficult for the Hoosiers, they will have to stop Ezekiel Elliott and Cardale Jones without suspended defensive lineman Darius Latham.

Iowa is 4-0 for the first time since 2009, which was also the last year the Hawkeyes beat No. 19 Wisconsin (3-1) in the battle of the Heartland Trophy. Iowa goes to Madison, Wisconsin, trying to break a three-game losing streak to the Badgers.

Kansas State (3-0) is off to its best start since 2012 as it heads to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to face No. 20 Oklahoma State (4-0). The Wildcats have the top defense in the Big 12 by yards per play and will need it to contain Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph, who is averaging 309 yards passing per game.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

After taking No. 4 TCU down the wire in a wild 55-52 loss last week, Texas Tech now faces No. 5 Baylor (3-0). Expect another point-a-minute type of game.

The Bears have surpassed 700 yards in each of their nonconference games and are averaging 64 points per game. The Red Raiders (3-1) are averaging 53.8 points per game and 595 yards.

Las Vegas odds makers have set the over/under at 88.

PAC-12 BOUNCE BACKS

Oregon and Arizona State are both 2-2 and out of the rankings after getting blown out at home last week. Both have conference road games to try to get back on track, but the Ducks seem to have the easier trip.

Oregon hopes QB Vernon Adams (finger) is healthy enough to play at Colorado. The Ducks have crushed the Buffaloes the last four times they have met, but Colorado (3-1) is off to its best start since 2009.

Arizona State goes to No. 7 UCLA (4-0), which beat the Sun Devils 62-27 in Tempe last year.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S TROPHY

The winner of the Air Force-Navy game has won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy every year since 1997.

The Falcons (2-1) visit star quarterback Keenan Reynolds and the Midshipmen (3-0) having won three of the last five meetings.

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Iowa, No. 19 Wisconsin out to get head start in Big Ten West

October 2, 2015

MADISON, Wis. (AP) Tuneup time is over in the Big Ten.

If unbeaten Iowa wants to set the tone in West Division, there is no better day to start than Saturday when the Hawkeyes visit No. 19 Wisconsin in the league opener for both teams.

The Badgers are the defending division champion, but their hopes for another first-place finish have already taken a hit following the injury to starting tailback Corey Clement.

''If you are going to be a contender, you're going to have to do well against them,'' Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. ''We're not going to let one game define the entire season, but it's an important game.''

No need any longer to pour over scouting reports over unfamiliar nonconference teams. The Hawkeyes (4-0) and Badgers (3-1) will meet for the 89th time in the series. Games are usually close, and play is physical.

Back in the Big Ten in his first year as Wisconsin's head coach, Paul Chryst doesn't need extra time to brush up on the Hawkeyes. He has coached previously in the rivalry as the Badgers' offensive coordinator, and played quarterback at Wisconsin as well.

''I think the one thing that jumps out is they're always big games,'' Chryst said. ''That's what I like when you play against a team like Iowa. You've got to earn everything you get, and you've got to go win it.''

Wisconsin has won three straight in the series, meaning it also has also retained the Heartland Trophy that goes to the victors of one of the Big Ten's trademark trophy games.

Other notes and things to watch ahead of the first game in the rivalry at Camp Randall Stadium since 2009:

CAN-DO CANZERI?: After wave after wave of great running backs at Wisconsin, the best back in Saturday's game might actually play for Iowa. Senior Jordan Canzeri is second in the country with eight rushing touchdowns. He's also on pace for 40 catches.

But the Hawkeyes haven't faced a defense yet like the one they'll see on the road in Madison. The Badgers have been dominant in nonconference play at home, having not allowed a touchdown in their last three games.

DARE DEAL: Wisconsin has turned its running game over to junior Dare Ogunbowale and redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal after the injury to Clement. The running game got off to a sluggish start, at least by Wisconsin standards, before erupting for 326 yards on the ground last week against Hawaii.

Iowa probably won't be as generous. It is one of two schools, along with Navy, that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season. The Hawkeyes are yielding just 84 yards on the ground.

JUST FOR KICKS: Special teams can play a critical role in a series that has had close games. For Iowa, kicker Marshall Koehn has made 15 of his last 16 attempts, including a 57-yarder to beat Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

For the Badgers, Alex Erickson and Natrell Jamerson have had solid years so far as returners, and Wisconsin's coverage units have improved after struggles last season.

BADGER BACKERS: Few outside linebacker tandems have had as productive a start to the season than Wisconsin's Joe Schobert and Vince Biegel. Schobert is tied for the national lead in tackles for a loss (9 1/2) and is tied for fourth with six sacks. Biegel isn't far behind with 5 1/2 tackles for a loss and 2 1/2 sacks.

''They just have a real good knack, and it's not something that comes natural,'' Ferentz said. ''So it starts with those guys. Blocking those guys is a big, big part of things.''

HEARTLAND TROPHY: The trophy has a depiction of a bull mounted on a walnut base inscribed with the scores of all previous games between the two schools. The Badgers are 5-4 since in the introduction of the trophy in 2009, though the series dates to 1946.

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No. 5 Baylor running into Big 12 opener vs. Texas Tech

October 2, 2015

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Even coach Art Briles finds it a bit mind-boggling that fifth-ranked Baylor is the nation's top rushing team.

What comes as no real surprise is that the Bears (3-0), the two-time defending Big 12 champions who play their league opener Saturday against Texas Tech, are still the highest-scoring team with the best overall offense.

''It just falls in place of what we've had happen, so far. If we're sitting after 12 games and we're still top 10 rushing, which is kind of what we'd like to be in year in and year out, then that's a pretty good deal,'' Briles said of their 379.7 rushing yards per game. ''I think it does say a lot about our O-line. Those guys are experienced.

''If somebody is talking ugly about me, I feel threatened, I'm not gonna go grab a quarterback or receiver,'' he said. ''I'm gonna go grab an O-lineman or D-lineman.''

Texas Tech (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) is third nationally and second in the Big 12 with 54 points a game. That is 10 below Baylor, the national leader the past two seasons in scoring and total offense.

The Bears' 767 total yards a game this season are 130 more than second-best TCU, which last week won 55-52 at Texas Tech after a diving catch of a deflected pass in the back of the end zone in the final minute.

Red Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury quickly dismissed the notion that there would be an emotional or physical challenge getting over that heartbreaker.

''We're good where we're at,'' he said.

As far as comparing Baylor's offense to TCU, Kingsbury noted how different they really are though both score a lot of points with a lot of yards.

''Baylor does what they do,'' he said. ''Nobody in the country does what they do with the spacing, the way they space you out, run the ball very well, play up tempo and find ways to get those receivers to the ball in space.''

Some things to know when the Red Raiders and Bears play in the Dallas Cowboys' NFL stadium for the sixth time in seven seasons:

MAYBE MAHOMES: Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes set a Big 12 freshman record when he threw for 598 yards and six touchdowns in a 48-46 loss to Baylor last November. His status for Saturday was uncertain after hurting his left knee against TCU, and wearing a brace to finish that game. Davis Webb would start if Mahomes is not ready.

DOUBLE CENTURY: Baylor and Texas Tech are two of the four Big 12 teams that have both a running back and receiver averaging more than 100 yards per game. The Bears lead in both categories with Shock Linwood at 121 yards rushing per game, and Corey Coleman with 153 yards receiving per game. Baylor also has another 100-yard rusher in Terence Williams (101.7 ypg). Tech's DeAndre Washington is second in the Big 12 at 118.8 yards rushing per game, while Jakeem Grant's 103.2 yards tops three Red Raiders among the league's top 10 in that category.

SETH STARTING: This will be Baylor quarterback Seth Russell's third game vs. the Red Raiders, his first starting. Russell had three runs for 29 yards at the end of a lopsided game in 2013, and was 8-of-17 passing for 82 yards and a TD last season as Baylor held on to win after Bryce Petty sustained a concussion. While winning all three games this season, Russell leads FBS in passing TDs (15), yards per completion (19.9) and points responsible for game (32).

THE 700 MARK: There has been only one other time since 1996 that an FBS team had 700 total yards in three consecutive games - that was Baylor in 2013. These Bears have had at least 723 yards in every game this season.

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No. 3 Mississippi, 25th-ranked Florida try to stay unbeaten

October 2, 2015

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Florida defensive end Alex McCalister sensed it across campus all week.

A smile here, a nod there. A handshake one second, a high-five the next. A brief conversation with a stranger, a lengthy exchange with a friend.

It was decidedly different, something the 25th-ranked Gators haven't felt in years.

''We're getting a little bit more love,'' McCalister said. ''It's supposed to be like this.''

McCalister would like to see what an even bigger victory would do for the Gators (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference). He gets a chance Saturday night when third-ranked Mississippi (4-0, 2-0) visits Florida Field for the first time in seven years.

A win would put Florida at the forefront of the conference conversation and back in the national picture. It's no easy task, especially considering the Rebels are playing as well as anyone in the SEC and looking for a victory to squash talk about their win at Alabama two weeks ago being a fluke.

''These games test you and your team,'' Rebels coach Hugh Freeze said. ''The environment tests you. When you have a quality opponent that is very well coached and very confident right now, a team that is ranked in the Top 25 right now, it is going to test you.''

Mississippi appears ready for the challenge. The Rebels beat Vanderbilt 27-16 last week, avoiding a potential letdown after knocking off the Crimson Tide for the second consecutive season.

Chad Kelly has been efficiently effective, throwing for 1,219 yards and 10 touchdowns in four games. Laquon Treadwell has been as good as advertised, catching 22 passes for 332 yards and a touchdown. And the defense, led by potential top-five draft pick Robert Nkemdiche, has been stingy and stout.

So it's no surprise the Rebels opened as 6 1/2-point favorites on the road.

Florida, meanwhile, held on to beat East Carolina, eked out a win at Kentucky and then rallied from a 13-point deficit with less than 5 minutes remaining to defeat Tennessee for the 11th consecutive year. Still, that was enough to get Florida back in the polls for the first time in nearly two years and with the program's first Top 25 matchup in three seasons.

''It gets us excited. You can feel it in the air,'' Gators receiver Valdez Showers said. ''We've been sick of not being ranked and not playing Top 25 opponents and stuff like that, so we're not taking this lightly.

''When you start winning games and get on a four-game win streak, that gives us momentum going into the fifth game and gives us a lot of confidence. You feel like you can definitely take these guys, too.''

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Some other things to watch when Mississippi and Florida meet:

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GRIER'S GAME: It took longer than expected, but Florida coach Jim McElwain finally named Will Grier his starting quarterback for this game. Grier led the Gators on two touchdown drives in the final 5 minutes against Tennessee, but it wasn't good enough to get the starting nod until after practice Wednesday. ''He knows that he's got a lot to learn and a long ways to go as far as understanding how to play the position,'' McElwain said.

TAKEAWAYS WANTED: Ole Miss forced 10 turnovers through its first three games, including five in a 43-37 victory over Alabama. One reason the Rebels struggled so much against Vanderbilt is they didn't force the Commodores into any turnovers. Safety Trae Elston leads Ole Miss with three interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns.

TUNSIL WATCH: The Rebels have managed to win without starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who is the subject of an ongoing NCAA investigation. Freeze said Monday he was told ''a lot of progress has been made'' on Tunsil's case, but he wasn't sure when he'd return to the field.

FLU BUG: The Gators had about a dozen players affected by a virus earlier this week. The team responded with flu shots all around, and McElwain believes ''it has run its course.''

NOT JUST TREADWELL: Treadwell gets a lot of publicity, but the Rebels have been very deep at receiver. Quincy Adeboyejo leads the team with five touchdown catches and Cody Core is averaging nearly 23 yards per reception. Sophomore Markell Pack had a breakout game against Vanderbilt with six catches for 52 yards.

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No. 11 Florida State hopes to avoid 'double-whammy' at Wake

October 2, 2015

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) No. 11 Florida State had a pretty rough time in its last visit to a mid-level Atlantic Division opponent.

The Seminoles (3-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) would rather not endure another one Saturday at Wake Forest (2-2, 0-1).

Boston College gave them fits two weeks ago before Florida State scratched out a 14-0 win. Coach Jimbo Fisher said this trip to Wake Forest is a ''double-whammy game'' because it's one the Seminoles can't afford to lose if they want to remain atop the division.

''We have to go up there, play well, keep continuing to get better, improve on the things we need to improve on,'' Fisher said. ''The things we are doing well, we have to keep continuing to get better. We have to grow each week and take the steps necessary to keep being a better football team, so by the end of the year, we want to be who we want to be.''

The Seminoles haven't had much trouble with Wake Forest lately, winning the last three matchups by an average of 49 points.

They haven't allowed more than 16 points or 300 yards in any of their three wins - and that poses a huge problem for a Demon Deacons team that has 11 freshmen or redshirt freshmen on its offensive depth chart.

An offensive line that starts two redshirt freshmen has allowed an ACC-worst 15 sacks so far, including six in last week's loss to Indiana. Yet Wake Forest leads the ACC in passing, averaging 300 yards.

Coach Dave Clawson said, ''I think it's clear we're better'' than in 2014 - when the Demon Deacons had the same record after four games.

''This team is better and has a better chance to knock people off going down the stretch than last year's team,'' Clawson said. ''But we've got to play the games and see how it plays out. What you want, year to year, is a net gain. ... By every measure statistically, (Wake Forest is) better from this point a year ago. ... But what matters is wins and losses.''

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Some things to know about the Florida State-Wake Forest game:

FSU OFFENSE: The Seminoles are looking for more consistency on offense, and they hope having the past week off helped. Notre Dame graduate transfer Everett Golson has thrown for 282 yards and two touchdowns in his past two games after throwing for 302 with four TDs in the opener.

NO PENDER: Florida State won't have RB Mario Pender, who is dealing with a collapsed lung. That means Dalvin Cook will shoulder even more of the load for the Seminoles. Clawson says Cook - the ACC's leading rusher at 158 yards per game - ''might be the best running back we've faced in our two years here.''

QB QUESTIONS: Wake Forest hasn't decided whether sophomore John Wolford or freshman Kendall Hinton will start at quarterback. Clawson says Wolford is the unquestioned starter if he's healthy, but added that Hinton is the best option if Wolford is anything less than 100 percent. Wolford threw for more than 300 yards in each of the first two games, while Hinton led the team in rushing in the last two.

TURNOVER TROUBLES: The Demon Deacons are one of two teams in the FBS who have yet to force a turnover. They may have a hard time generating one this week - Florida State has just one, and Golson has yet to throw an interception.

SERIES HISTORY: The last Top 25 opponent Wake Forest beat was Florida State in 2011. The Seminoles were No. 23 when the Demon Deacons won 35-30.

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Clemson's Deshaun, Notre Dame's DeShone: QBs look to shine

October 2, 2015

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Clemson's Deshaun Watson and Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer share similar names, the leadership of two high-performing offenses - and the pressure to succeed when the sixth-ranked Fighting Irish (4-0) and 12th-ranked Tigers (3-0) play Saturday night.

Both Watson and Kizer have played well, although neither has faced the quality defense - or the enormous hoopla - they will at Death Valley this week.

''There's always some sort of hype. We're Notre Dame,'' Kizer said. ''Every game is going to be a big game in its own sense, and obviously this is the first time that I'll really be playing in front of 90,000-plus screaming fans from down South.''

Watson is accustomed to those crowds, bringing a 5-0 record at Memorial Stadium into the contest. The preseason pick for Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year considered a Heisman Trophy contender when the season began, Watson has completed nearly 75 percent of his passes this year for 641 yards and seven touchdowns.

This game won't impact Clemson's chances to win the ACC, win or lose. Still, Watson understands the bigger picture out there with Notre Dame.

''It's kind of just another stepping stone to what we're capable of, being one of those teams in the playoff,'' Watson said. ''Just embrace the moment and know your priorities and what you really have to focus on.''

Kizer got thrown into the lineup with the injury to Fighting Irish starter Malik Zaire, out for the year with a fractured ankle.

Kizer rallied Notre Dame to victory at Virginia on a TD pass to Will Fuller with 12 seconds left. Kizer has continued his strong play since, completing 67.7 percent of his throws for 541 yards and five touchdowns this year.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is duly impressed by Kizer's play, calling him ''an ice-water in his veins kind of guy.''

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Things to watch when No. 6 Notre Dame plays No. 12 Clemson:

SOGGY FIELD: The fast, clean track these two high-powered offenses expected at Memorial Stadium will likely be a slick field with several inches of rain forecast to fall on Clemson on Friday and Saturday. Hurricane Joaquin is lurking off the South Carolina coast and the storm's uncertain track could mean an even wetter outlook. Clemson officials are consulting with the National Weather Service to monitor the storm.

BACKUP TO STAR: Notre Dame running back C.J. Prosise has gone from defense to wide receiver to the fastest-starting tailback in school history. Prosise has run for 600 yards this season, the most ever for an Irish player through the first four games of the season. By contrast, Clemson has run for just 564 yards this fall.

CLEMSON STEADY DEFENSE: The Tigers lost eight starters on defense including first-round NFL picks in defensive end Vic Beasley and linebacker Stephone Anthony, yet have picked up where they left off a year ago when they led the country in yards allowed. Clemson has given up the same, 260-yards a game it did in 2014, which ranks ninth nationally this week. Defense end Shaq Lawson leads the charge with 2.5 sacks and six tackles for loss.

NOTRE DAME'S QUICK STRIKES: The Irish have scored seven touchdowns of 50 yards or more so far this season, the most in a season under coach Brian Kelly. Notre Dame has rushed for 1,139 yards. The last time the Irish had more through four games was in 1992, when it had 1,264 yards.

MONTANA TO CLARK: Before they teamed up on ''The Catch'' in the 1982 NFC title game, San Francisco teammates Joe Montana and Dwight Clark were on opposites sidelines the only other time Notre Dame played at Clemson. Montana rallied the Irish from a 17-7 fourth-quarter deficit with two touchdown runs. He passed for 192 yards against the Tigers. Clark has 17 catches that season but none that game. Both were selected by the 49ers in the 1979 NFL draft.

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No. 9 LSU and Fournette ready to run vs. Eastern Michigan

October 2, 2015

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) There will be no shortage of interested observers this weekend, not to mention Heisman Trophy voters, eager to see what LSU's Leonard Fournette will do next.

And it doesn't sound like coach Les Miles intends to disappoint them by backing off the workload on his star running back when the ninth-ranked Tigers (3-0) host Eastern Michigan (1-3) on Saturday night.

LSU is favored by about six touchdowns, but Miles made it clear he wants victory virtually assured on the field before he starts making lineup changes.

''I've never seen a game decided or won before you arrive,'' Miles said. ''If that's the case, I just want you to know, we'll call our starting lineup much differently.''

But as long as games begin in a scoreless ties with 60 minutes on the clock, Miles said, his regime ''would invite - and insist on inviting - all of the best to the field.''

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Fournette might very well be the best of the best. The sophomore from New Orleans has already piled up 631 yards and eight touchdowns rushing in only three games - and those totals represent only those runs which weren't wiped out by teammates' penalties.

''We were sloppy in our penalties and some corrections need to be made,'' Miles said.

Eastern Michigan has struggled to win games but has consistently moved the ball and scored points. So Eagles coach Chris Creighton hopes his team can put together its best performance of the season and stay close by sustaining long offensive drives.

''They have very few weaknesses,'' Creighton said of the Tigers. ''We're going to have to be able to spread them out and be balanced and somehow keep them off balance and muster yards and move the chains. But it'll be a tall task.''

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Some things to watch when Eastern Michigan plays at LSU:

FOURNETTE'S FATE: While all signs point to Miles giving Fournette his share of carries early, there may be wisdom to resting him if the Tigers succeed in building the type of lead odds makers expect. LSU has a pair of SEC contests coming up, starting at South Carolina and then at home against currently unbeaten Florida this month. Then come four more conference clashes in November, including road games against No. 13 Alabama and No. 3 Mississippi.

ACTION JACKSON: The Eagles have a workhorse running back of their own in 6-foot, 220-pound Darius Jackson. He leads the MAC with 103 yards rushing per game. ''He doesn't really bring a lot of attention to himself, but he really, really wants this bad and is playing lights out,'' Creighton said. ''He's got a pretty rare combination of speed and size. ... He outruns people and runs people over.''

PENALTY PROBLEMS: LSU has been penalized 28 times for 258 yards in three games this season, and some of those flags have wiped out touchdowns. Fournette had an 87-yard TD called back at Syracuse last weekend for illegal formation. If not for the penalty, Fournette, who finished the game with 244 yards rushing, would have shattered LSU's single-game rushing record of 250 yards, set by Alley Broussard in 2004.

MOVEABLE OBJECTS: The Eagles expect to have their hands full with Fournette, given how they've struggled to stop the run. Eastern Michigan is allowing a MAC-worst 383.2 yards per game on the ground.

PASSING QUESTIONS: LSU hasn't had to throw much to win so far and might not have to this weekend, either. But the Tigers eventually would like to see more from quarterback Brandon Harris and highly regarded receivers Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre. So far, LSU is passing for 100.7 yards per game and has two TDs through the air.

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Undefeated No. 14 Texas A&M hosts Prescott, Mississippi St

October 2, 2015

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) As Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott prepares for Saturday's game at No. 14 Texas A&M, he's in a much better place than he was the last time he visited Kyle Field.

When Prescott played the Aggies on Nov. 9, 2013, it was just days after his mother died of cancer. Prescott missed practice that week and didn't start. He came in early and threw for 149 yards and two scores and ran for 154 yards. He and the Bulldogs were unable to overcome a five-touchdown performance by Johnny Manziel in the 51-41 win by the Aggies.

''I'm completely different, night and day,'' Prescott said. ''That was a stressful time in my life. It was a big game coming off of (my mother passing away) ... I'm excited to go back again. It's another road trip but I'm planning for different results.''

No. 21 Mississippi St. (3-1, 1-1 SEC) are coming off a win over Auburn. No. 14 Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0) is looking for a 2-0 start in conference play for the first time since doing so in the Big 12 in 1997-98.

Prescott is off to a solid start this season and has completed almost 67 percent of his passes for 1,069 yards and seven touchdowns. He's thrown 191 straight passes without an interception, a streak that is the longest in the nation and the sixth longest in SEC history and that dates back to the Orange Bowl.

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin knows the key to success against the Bulldogs is to contain the dual-threat quarterback.

''When he's on the field he just exudes confidence,'' Sumlin said. ''Team feeds off that. Won't be intimidated. Been on big stages. And he's a good player. Everything will run through him offensively.''

The Aggies' defense, led by defensive end Myles Garrett, is tied for second in the country with 17 sacks. Garrett is tied for second in the country with 6 1/2 sacks and teammate Daeshon Hall has four. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen knows all about the two pass rushers and has a plan to deal with them.

''If your quarterback is making good decisions and they have the opportunity to get rid of the ball quickly, it helps your pass protection as much as anything,'' Mullen said. ''We don't want our quarterback holding the ball too long. A guy like Dak, who can get through his progression reads pretty quickly, helps keep those sack numbers down.''

Some things to know about Mississippi State's game against Texas A&M:

FABULOUS FRESHMAN: Texas A&M WR/PR/KR Christian Kirk had a career-high 173 yards receiving last week for his third 100-yard receiving game, which tied a school record. He leads SEC freshmen in touchdowns (5), yards receiving a game (110.5), punt return yards (149), kickoff return yards (209) and all-purpose yards (201.2). ''He will start seeing different coverages and things,'' Sumlin said. ''After about game four or five, people figure out it's not a fluke. He's got some real talent. Defenses will change.''

JEFFERSON THRIVING: Mississippi State junior defensive lineman A.J. Jefferson is playing very well in his first season as a starter. The 6-foot-3, 277-pounder leads the team and is third in the SEC with 7 1/2 tackles for a loss and also has 3 1/2 sacks. The Bulldogs rank third in the SEC with 12 sacks as a team.

FAST START: Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen needs just 48 yards to reach 1,000 this season. Allen is 7-2 as a starter dating back to last season and has won five in a row. Allen completed 21 of 28 passes for a career-high 358 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against Arkansas last week. ''He should get better, it's just the progression of things,'' Sumlin said. ''Think he understands personnel a lot more. Saw that in the fourth quarter and making the right decisions. All that comes with the growth of quarterback.''

WHERE IS MSU'S RUNNING GAME?: Mississippi State's teams have earned a reputation for a run-based offense during coach Dan Mullen's seven-year tenure. But the Bulldogs have just 112 rushing attempts through four games, which is the lowest amount in the league. Part of that is because Prescott has had a good start throwing the ball, but it's also partly because of an inexperienced offensive line and mediocre production from starting running back Ashton Shumpert, who is averaging just eight carries and 32 yards per game.

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Georgia Tech looks to regroup against North Carolina

October 2, 2015

ATLANTA (AP) Georgia Tech will try to recover from two straight losses and regain offensive momentum on Saturday when it plays North Carolina, which will try to show that recent signs of defensive improvement are no mirage.

The Yellow Jackets (2-2, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) fell out of the Top 25 with losses to Notre Dame and Duke. Georgia Tech was hurt by special teams breakdowns and an uncharacteristic hiccup in its running game in last week's 34-20 loss at Duke.

The challenge for the offense is to return to form without injured running backs Broderick Snoddy, the team's leading rusher, and Qua Searcy. Snoddy has a hand injury and coach Paul Johnson said this week Searcy will miss ''eight weeks or so'' with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, wide receiver Michael Summers is out with a shoulder injury.

Johnson said the injuries are a factor but are no excuse.

''Nobody cares,'' Johnson said. ''Next guy up, and you've got to play him. We've got guys that are capable. We've just got to figure it out.''

The Tar Heels (3-1, 0-0 ACC) gave up only 14 points in each of their last two wins over Illinois and Delaware. Despite those signs of defensive improvement, North Carolina ranks last in the ACC in rushing defense with its average of 229 yards rushing allowed.

North Carolina turned to former Auburn coach Gene Chizik to rebuild its defense. Coach Larry Fedora said he'll learn more about his defense this week.

''I think our defense has been solid in actually all four weeks of the season,'' Fedora said. ''They've been very solid, very consistent. ... Obviously, the team we'll play this week will really stress them, and we'll find out a little bit more about us.''

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Here are some things to know about Saturday's North Carolina-Georgia Tech game:

STAY WITHIN THE SYSTEM: Johnson said his players, including quarterback Justin Thomas, have to play within the spread-option scheme and avoid trying to do too much. Thomas said he has to rely on his young running backs and his veteran offensive line. ''We're down but at the same time the best way to get off the down side is to win,'' Thomas said. ''We've still got a long season ahead of us and our expectations are still there.''

DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT: UNC's defense has made some clear improvements through the first four games, namely in playing physically and having defensive backs in better position to make tackles and pass breakups. Stopping the triple-option is a different challenge. The Tar Heels have worked each week since training camp on stopping Georgia Tech's offense. ''They've got answers for everything that you do,'' Chizik said.

QUARTERBACK ROTATION? UNC pulled starter Marquise Williams during the win against Delaware for backup Mitch Trubisky, with head coach Larry Fedora saying he wasn't thrilled with some of Williams' decisions. That came after Williams had a disastrous outing in the opening loss against South Carolina, but Fedora reiterated this week that Williams is his starter. Still, if Williams struggles, will UNC go to Trubisky quicker than before?

RUNNING ON FUMES: The Yellow Jackets were held to 173 yards rushing by Duke. That's good production for more offenses but it was about 200 yards below Georgia Tech's average. It was the Yellow Jackets' low total since they ran for 151 yards in a loss to Mississippi in the 2013 Music City Bowl. Johnson said he's looking for skill position players with big-play potential, but he said Duke's strong defense deserved credit.

NO DEFENSE: There has been little defense from either team in recent games in the series. Georgia Tech won 68-50 in 2012 in the highest scoring game in ACC history. North Carolina won last year's game 48-43 but hasn't won in Atlanta since 1997.

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Auburn hopes to get back on track against San Jose State

October 2, 2015

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) The Auburn Tigers can't afford to overlook any opponent.

Sure, it's the standard coach speak spiel from any heavily favored team but this time it rings especially true.

The struggling Tigers (2-2) face a San Jose State team Saturday that they presumably should be able to handle with a bigger, faster, deeper Southeastern Conference-style roster.

An overtime scare against FCS Jacksonville State, followed by back-to-back SEC losses, should curb any tendency to presume a victory over the Spartans (2-2). The Tigers are 20-point favorites and won last season's meeting 59-13, but that Auburn team was ranked fifth.

This group is looking to fix glaring problems offensively and defensively heading into an open date. And to avoid absorbing a loss that could give a disastrous turn to a disappointing season

''Our focus is on us getting better and us getting a victory, and that's what we're focused on,'' Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said.

With that in mind, he'll start quarterback Sean White for the second straight game. White faces a defense that is holding opposing quarterbacks to less than a 50 percent completion rate and is averaging six tackles for loss per game.

San Jose State has started quarterbacks Joe Gray and Kenny Potter two games each, with Gray listed as the starter for this one. Auburn's inconsistent defense will face prolific tailback Tyler Ervin, who already has 641 rushing yards and nine touchdowns while catching 16 passes.

The Spartans do have the benefit, as coach Ron Caragher said, of having ''been there, done that'' at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

''It's not as eye-opener of an experience because they have been there,'' Caragher said.

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Here are some potential story lines for the game:

WHITE'S ENCORE: Auburn could open up the playbook more for White in his second college game - or at least focus more on speeding up the tempo as Malzahn favors. If the Tigers do manage a big lead, former starter Jeremy Johnson might get a chance to get back on the field and rebuild his confidence.

TOP RUNNER: Pummeled by LSU's Leonard Fournette two weeks ago, Auburn faces another running threat in Ervin. He ran for 300 yards on 42 carries last week against Fresno State. It's the highest total of the season for an FBS back. The 5-foot-10, 177-pound Ervin is much less physically imposing than Fournette but has impressed the Tigers. ''Coach is like, `He could be an SEC back,''' Auburn defensive tackle Montravius Adams said.

BORGES RETURNS: San Jose State offensive coordinator Al Borges held the same position at Auburn, including the Tigers' unbeaten season in 2004 with quarterback Jason Campbell emerging as a star and NFL first-round pick. He worked under Tommy Tuberville at Auburn from 2004-2007.

SEC ENVIRONMENT: Given recent events, it's not clear how full Jordan-Hare will be, though it's homecoming and Auburn has sold out every home game this season. Caragher, a former Kentucky assistant, has an idea of what to expect in an SEC stadium. ''There wasn't a game that I went to that wasn't frenzied, spirited and festive leading up to it,'' said Caragher, who worked for the Wildcats from 2003-2006. ''It's part of the culture, and I respect that. There's some very strong football enthusiasts down there.''

AUBURN PLAYMAKERS: The Tigers would love to get receiver Duke Williams going, and maybe tailback Jovon Robinson or Roc Thomas, if they're healthy. Freshman tailback Kerryon Johnson is also an emerging threat trying to build experience.