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

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No. 15 Oklahoma to host No. 23 West Virginia

October 2, 2015

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield gets another chance to show his skills on the big stage.

He already led a dramatic comeback win over then-ranked Tennessee three weeks ago. Now, his 15th-ranked Sooners will host No. 23 West Virginia on Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams.

Mayfield, who ranks among the nation's leaders in passing offense and total offense, set Oklahoma's single-game total offense record with 572 yards against Tulsa. A strong performance against West Virginia's No. 1-ranked scoring defense could vault him toward the top of Heisman Trophy conversations.

Mayfield's elusiveness and running skills have drawn comparisons to former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. Because of that, Oklahoma's passing game is now as much of a concern for West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen as its running game.

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Michigan St's Cook can set school record with win vs Purdue

October 2, 2015

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) By the time Connor Cook solidified his hold on Michigan State's quarterback job in 2013, the Spartans had spent 1 1/2 seasons trying to replace Kirk Cousins.

Now, Cook has won 27 games as the starting quarterback, matching Cousins' mark at the top of the school's career list. He'll have a chance to move ahead this weekend.

Cook will try to set the record Saturday when the second-ranked Spartans host Purdue in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Since Cook took over as the No. 1 quarterback early in the 2013 season, Michigan State has won a conference title, a Rose Bowl and a Cotton Bowl. He's 27-3 as the starter.

His win total reflects how successful the Spartans have been as a team, and how well Cook has directed the offense.

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Worth Watching: Rain, wind could affect some Top 25 games

October 3, 2015

From Charleston to Boston, heavy rain and gusting winds could pose problems and likely will affect a whole bunch of college football games.

Five games matching Top 25 teams - eight of them unbeaten - are on tap Saturday, at least so far. They are:

- No. 23 West Virginia at No. 15 Oklahoma (FS1, noon)

- No. 13 Alabama at No. 8 Georgia (CBS, 3:30 p.m.)

- No. 3 Mississippi at No. 25 Florida (ESPN, 7 p.m.)

- No. 21 Mississippi State at No. 14 Texas A&M (SEC Network, 7:30 p.m.)

- No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 12 Clemson (ABC, 8 p.m.)

In addition to the games in Clemson, South Carolina, and Athens, Georgia, others involving Top 25 teams that could be affected by the weather are No. 22 Michigan at Maryland (noon) and No. 11 Florida State at Wake Forest (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.)

And now, what's worth watching:

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`BAMA CAN'T LOSE

Yes they can, actually. A loss to Georgia, though, would all but end Alabama's chances of returning to the College Football Playoff. A win by the Bulldogs (4-0, 2-0 SEC) could set them up for a run to the SEC title game. The rest of their schedule has just one ranked team, No. 25 Florida. Dawgs RB Nick Chubb looks to extend his 100-yard games streak to 13 against a defense allowing just 56.8 yards rushing per game. And QB Greyson Lambert has completed 33 of 35 passes the past two games. Alabama (3-1, 0-1) hasn't started 0-2 in the SEC since 1990.

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RAINY NIGHT IN CLEMSON

It appears there's rain, rain and more rain in the forecast. Nothing, though, will dampen the spirits of Tiger Paw nation when Clemson (3-0) races onto the field to take on Notre Dame (4-0). With ESPN College GameDay in town, Death Valley will be fired up morning, noon and night. Tickets? Clemson coach Dabo Swinney quipped he ''couldn't get Jesus a ticket.'' For history buffs, Joe Montana was throwing passes for Notre Dame and Dwight Clark was catching passes for Clemson the last time these teams played. For this game, the Irish feature RB C.J. Prosise (averaging 8.1 yards per carry) and the Tigers hope QB Deshaun Watson breaks through with a big game.

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MOUNTIES IN NORMAN

WVU opens a brutal road schedule in Norman, Oklahoma, in a game matching Big 12 unbeatens. This is a gigantic test for a veteran Mountaineers defense playing well - for now. Trying to slow down Sooners QB Baker Mayfield won't be easy, especially after he set a school record with 572 yards of total offense against Tulsa. And then there's RB Samaje Perine, who ran for 242 yards against WVU in OU's 45-33 win a year ago. QB Skyler Howard leads a high-scoring offense, but WVU's ball-hawking D will need to come through. After the Sooners, WVU's next three games are home to No. 20 Oklahoma State and on the road at No. 5 Baylor and No. 4 TCU. Ouch.

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REBELS VISIT THE SWAMP

The Gators look to ''restore the order,'' as coach Jim McElwain says, and win the SEC East, and beyond. They'll take a giant step toward that goal with a win over mighty Mississippi. The Rebels (4-0, 2-0) have won the last two meetings at The Swamp, which doesn't happen often. The task is a tough one because Ole Miss is led by star DT Robert Nkemdiche, who doubles as a 6-foot-4, 296-pound scoring machine with three TDs on offense. The offense isn't bad, either, with efficient QB Chad Kelly and exceptional WR Laquon Treadwell. Florida (4-0, 2-0) is hoping its inexperienced offensive line holds out and RB Kelvin Taylor, the son of former Gators great Fred Taylor, has a big game.

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PRESCOTT TAKES CENTER STAGE

Two years ago, it was Johnny Manziel day in this game (five TDs in Texas A&M's 51-41 win). Now, it's Mississippi State QB Zak Prescott's time to shine. He's ready, too, hitting nearly 67 percent of his passes for 1,069 yards and seven TDs. He's thrown 191 straight passes without an interception, one that dates back to the Orange Bowl. ''When he's on the field he just exudes confidence,'' A&M coach Kevin 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 Bulldogs are 3-1, 1-1 in the SEC; the Aggies are 4-0, 1-0.

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STANFORD'S SANDERS

Call him Barry J, but know he is the son of 1988 Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. Now a junior at No. 18 Stanford (3-1), Barry J. Sanders had a game to remember last week with seven carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns, including a 65-yarder, in the win over Oregon State. He is one of a trio of Cardinal backs, and looks forward to more playing time against Arizona. ''We continue to challenge Barry to show us, and he continues to respond,'' coach David Shaw said earlier this week. Also in the backfield are Christian McCaffrey, whose father Ed played in the NFL, and Remound Wright.

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NCAAF Consensus Picks


SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

3:30 PM Old Dominion +17.5 386 27.18% Marshall -17.5 1034 72.82% View View

3:30 PM Liberty +2 34 27.20% Georgia State -2 91 72.80% View View

7:00 PM Idaho +22.5 418 33.17% Arkansas State -22.5 842 66.83% View View

10:15 PM Hawaii +25.5 483 33.40% Boise State -25.5 963 66.60% View View

4:00 PM San Jose State +20.5 496 33.56% Auburn -20.5 982 66.44% View View

7:00 PM North Texas +16.5 437 34.33% Southern Mississippi -16.5 836 65.67% View View

12:00 PM Pittsburgh +3.5 632 35.47% Virginia Tech -3.5 1150 64.53% View View

8:00 PM New Mexico State +12 468 36.94% New Mexico -12 799 63.06% View View

12:00 PM Kansas +18.5 594 37.17% Iowa State -18.5 1004 62.83% View View

12:00 PM Purdue +21.5 664 37.35% Michigan State -21.5 1114 62.65% View View

12:00 PM Minnesota +4.5 710 37.45% Northwestern -4.5 1186 62.55% View View

7:00 PM UL Lafayette +16 463 38.04% Louisiana Tech -16 754 61.96% View View

7:30 PM Arizona State +12.5 637 38.35% UCLA -12.5 1024 61.65% View View

3:30 PM Air Force +5.5 615 38.61% Navy -5.5 978 61.39% View View

10:30 PM Fresno State +7.5 519 38.91% San Diego State -7.5 815 61.09% View View

7:00 PM UNLV +5.5 539 39.60% Nevada -5.5 822 60.40% View View

7:00 PM South Alabama +6.5 493 39.98% Troy -6.5 740 60.02% View View

3:30 PM Baylor -17.5 698 40.25% Texas Tech +17.5 1036 59.75% View View

3:00 PM Florida International +3 591 40.87% Massachusetts -3 855 59.13% View View

7:30 PM Eastern Kentucky +31.5 47 40.87% Kentucky -31.5 68 59.13% View View

12:00 PM Iowa +6 795 41.21% Wisconsin -6 1134 58.79% View View

3:30 PM Miami (Ohio) +10 532 41.76% Kent State -10 742 58.24% View View

12:00 PM Texas +14 765 41.76% Texas Christian -14 1067 58.24% View View

12:30 PM Louisville +3 720 42.35% North Carolina State -3 980 57.65% View View

3:30 PM Boston College +4.5 698 42.51% Duke -4.5 944 57.49% View View

4:00 PM Washington State +17 642 43.47% California -17 835 56.53% View View

12:00 PM South Carolina +3 824 43.85% Missouri -3 1055 56.15% View View

4:00 PM Kansas State +7 715 44.97% Oklahoma State -7 875 55.03% View View

7:00 PM Colorado State +4 632 46.57% Utah State -4 725 53.43% View View

7:00 PM Vanderbilt +2.5 670 47.15% Middle Tennessee -2.5 751 52.85% View View

7:00 PM Arkansas +6.5 758 47.17% Tennessee -6.5 849 52.83% View View

8:00 PM Notre Dame +2 880 47.46% Clemson -2 974 52.54% View View

3:30 PM Wyoming +25 667 47.68% Appalachian State -25 732 52.32% View View

7:30 PM Mississippi State +4.5 791 47.77% Texas A&M -4.5 865 52.23% View View

3:30 PM North Carolina +6.5 808 49.51% Georgia Tech -6.5 824 50.49% View View

3:30 PM Ohio State -22.5 850 50.30% Indiana +22.5 840 49.70% View View

3:30 PM Alabama +1 990 50.59% Georgia -1 967 49.41% View View

12:00 PM West Virginia +6.5 986 51.17% Oklahoma -6.5 941 48.83% View View

8:00 PM Texas-San Antonio -3 634 51.67% Texas El Paso +3 593 48.33% View View

7:00 PM Eastern Michigan +45 680 51.99% Louisiana State -45 628 48.01% View View

10:30 PM Arizona +11.5 703 55.27% Stanford -11.5 569 44.73% View View

12:00 PM Central Florida -1 688 55.93% Tulane +1 542 44.07% View View

3:30 PM Bowling Green -8 852 56.46% Buffalo +8 657 43.54% View View

12:00 PM Michigan -14.5 935 56.70% Maryland +14.5 714 43.30% View View

4:00 PM East Carolina -6 818 58.06% Southern Methodist +6 591 41.94% View View

3:30 PM Western Kentucky -7 849 58.75% Rice +7 596 41.25% View View

4:00 PM Nebraska -3.5 913 59.44% Illinois +3.5 623 40.56% View View

7:00 PM Georgia Southern -5.5 765 60.96% UL Monroe +5.5 490 39.04% View View

3:30 PM Florida State -20 931 61.13% Wake Forest +20 592 38.87% View View

3:00 PM Toledo -5 923 61.29% Ball State +5 583 38.71% View View

7:00 PM Mississippi -6.5 1079 61.34% Florida +6.5 680 38.66% View View

12:00 PM Houston -9.5 1016 61.43% Tulsa +9.5 638 38.57% View View

2:00 PM Ohio -2.5 977 64.19% Akron +2.5 545 35.81% View View

12:00 PM Army +24.5 879 64.68% Penn State -24.5 480 35.32% View View

3:00 PM Northern Illinois -2.5 1140 68.67% Central Michigan +2.5 520 31.33% View View

10:00 PM Oregon -7 1166 68.91% Colorado +7 526 31.09% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

12:00 PM Pittsburgh 44.5 464 44.11% Virginia Tech 44.5 588 55.89% View View

3:00 PM Florida International 56 397 44.36% Massachusetts 56 498 55.64% View View

7:00 PM Vanderbilt 48 374 45.22% Middle Tennessee 48 453 54.78% View View

7:00 PM South Alabama 62 369 47.13% Troy 62 414 52.87% View View

8:00 PM Notre Dame 49 475 48.42% Clemson 49 506 51.58% View View

3:30 PM Alabama 50.5 512 49.04% Georgia 50.5 532 50.96% View View

3:30 PM Liberty 60.5 51 50.50% Georgia State 60.5 50 49.50% View View

12:00 PM Minnesota 40.5 547 50.55% Northwestern 40.5 535 49.45% View View

7:00 PM Mississippi 49.5 462 50.71% Florida 49.5 449 49.29% View View

7:00 PM Colorado State 49.5 409 50.87% Utah State 49.5 395 49.13% View View

3:30 PM Miami (Ohio) 43.5 434 50.94% Kent State 43.5 418 49.06% View View

8:00 PM Texas-San Antonio 57.5 400 51.55% Texas El Paso 57.5 376 48.45% View View

7:00 PM North Texas 66.5 425 51.83% Southern Mississippi 66.5 395 48.17% View View

12:00 PM Kansas 59 506 51.84% Iowa State 59 470 48.16% View View

12:00 PM Houston 80.5 545 51.90% Tulsa 80.5 505 48.10% View View

8:00 PM New Mexico State 65.5 424 52.15% New Mexico 65.5 389 47.85% View View

12:00 PM South Carolina 41.5 576 52.17% Missouri 41.5 528 47.83% View View

12:00 PM Army 44.5 452 52.38% Penn State 44.5 411 47.62% View View

7:00 PM Arkansas 52.5 468 52.76% Tennessee 52.5 419 47.24% View View

12:00 PM Central Florida 44 415 53.27% Tulane 44 364 46.73% View View

3:30 PM Air Force 49 489 53.80% Navy 49 420 46.20% View View

2:00 PM Ohio 44.5 486 54.24% Akron 44.5 410 45.76% View View

3:30 PM Bowling Green 67 500 55.31% Buffalo 67 404 44.69% View View

7:00 PM Idaho 60 447 56.23% Arkansas State 60 348 43.77% View View

3:30 PM Western Kentucky 70.5 517 56.44% Rice 70.5 399 43.56% View View

12:00 PM Iowa 46 596 56.60% Wisconsin 46 457 43.40% View View

3:00 PM Northern Illinois 51.5 502 56.92% Central Michigan 51.5 380 43.08% View View

10:30 PM Arizona 60.5 451 57.60% Stanford 60.5 332 42.40% View View

3:30 PM Boston College 38 562 57.64% Duke 38 413 42.36% View View

4:00 PM East Carolina 66 521 57.95% Southern Methodist 66 378 42.05% View View

3:30 PM North Carolina 61.5 563 58.28% Georgia Tech 61.5 403 41.72% View View

7:00 PM UNLV 56.5 477 58.53% Nevada 56.5 338 41.47% View View

12:00 PM Texas 71.5 674 58.71% Texas Christian 71.5 474 41.29% View View

3:30 PM Ohio State 65.5 581 58.81% Indiana 65.5 407 41.19% View View

10:30 PM Fresno State 52.5 498 59.14% San Diego State 52.5 344 40.86% View View

7:00 PM UL Lafayette 59 478 59.16% Louisiana Tech 59 330 40.84% View View

12:30 PM Louisville 46 607 60.04% North Carolina State 46 404 39.96% View View

4:00 PM Nebraska 56.5 535 60.45% Illinois 56.5 350 39.55% View View

12:00 PM Michigan 45 627 60.52% Maryland 45 409 39.48% View View

7:00 PM Georgia Southern 48 472 60.98% UL Monroe 48 302 39.02% View View

4:00 PM Washington State 74 587 61.15% California 74 373 38.85% View View

12:00 PM Purdue 54 637 61.37% Michigan State 54 401 38.63% View View

7:30 PM Eastern Kentucky 54.5 58 61.70% Kentucky 54.5 36 38.30% View View

3:30 PM Baylor 89 729 62.63% Texas Tech 89 435 37.37% View View

3:00 PM Toledo 54 572 62.86% Ball State 54 338 37.14% View View

7:00 PM Eastern Michigan 59.5 535 63.54% Louisiana State 59.5 307 36.46% View View

7:30 PM Mississippi State 62.5 568 63.61% Texas A&M 62.5 325 36.39% View View

3:30 PM Florida State 45 583 63.79% Wake Forest 45 331 36.21% View View

10:00 PM Oregon 69.5 592 63.79% Colorado 69.5 336 36.21% View View

4:00 PM San Jose State 56 544 64.08% Auburn 56 305 35.92% View View

3:30 PM Wyoming 52.5 575 64.46% Appalachian State 52.5 317 35.54% View View

3:30 PM Old Dominion 53.5 617 67.21% Marshall 53.5 301 32.79% View View

4:00 PM Kansas State 49 614 67.55% Oklahoma State 49 295 32.45% View View

12:00 PM West Virginia 59.5 763 67.70% Oklahoma 59.5 364 32.30% View View

10:15 PM Hawaii 56.5 658 71.29% Boise State 56.5 265 28.71% View View

7:30 PM Arizona State 61 684 74.27% UCLA 61 237 25.73% View View


Games are highlighted when more than 59% of all cash contests players choose outcome.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

Game Score Status Pick Amount

South Carolina - 12:00 PM ET South Carolina +3 500
Missouri - Over 42.5 500

Pittsburgh - 12:00 PM ET Virginia Tech -3.5 500 *****
Virginia Tech - Under 44.5 500

Army - 12:00 PM ET Army +25.5 500 *****
Penn State - Under 44.5 500

Kansas - 12:00 PM ET Iowa State -19.5 500
Iowa State - Under 59 500

West Virginia - 12:00 PM ET West Virginia +6 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Oklahoma - Over 59.5 500

Texas - 12:00 PM ET Texas Christian -14 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Texas Christian - Over 71.5 500

Michigan - 12:00 PM ET Michigan -14.5 500 BLOW OUT
Maryland - Under 45 500

Purdue - 12:00 PM ET Purdue +21.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Michigan State - Over 54 500

Minnesota - 12:00 PM ET Northwestern -4.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Northwestern - Under 40.5 500

Iowa - 12:00 PM ET Iowa +6 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Wisconsin - Under 46 500

Central Florida - 12:00 PM ET Tulane +1.5 500
Tulane - Under 44 500

Houston - 12:00 PM ET Houston -9 500 BLOW OUT
Tulsa - Over 80.5 500

Louisville - 12:30 PM ET Louisville +3 500
North Carolina State - Under 46 500

Ohio - 2:00 PM ET Akron +2.5 500 *****
Akron - Over 44.5

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NCAAF

Saturday, October 3

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Game of the Day: Alabama at Georgia
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The Bulldogs, who have not won a national championship since 1980, fell five yards shy of beating the Crimson Tide for the conference title and a berth in the BCS title game three years ago.

Alabama Crimson Tide at Georgia Bulldogs (-1.5, 51)

Georgia head coach Mark Richt has tried all week to quell the buildup, but there is no denying plenty is on the line when his sixth-ranked Bulldogs host No. 13 Alabama on Saturday in an early-season showdown full of SEC and playoff implications. The Bulldogs are soaring after opening the season with four resounding victories but face their first true test against the Crimson Tide, the SEC’s gold standard who broke Georgia’s hearts when the two schools last met, in the 2012 SEC championship game.

The Bulldogs, who have not won a national championship since 1980, fell five yards shy of beating the Crimson Tide for the conference title and a berth in the BCS title game three years ago. Georgia features a potent offensive attack, fronted by running back Nick Chubb (fifth nationally in rushing) and quarterback Greyson Lambert (second nationally in completion percentage). Alabama, which saw its quest for a perfect season snuffed in a 43-37 loss to fifth-ranked Ole Miss on Sept. 19, finally has settled on Jake Coker at quarterback to provide much needed stability to the Crimson Tide offense. Alabama will provide the biggest challenge Georgia’s rushing game has faced this season, the Crimson Tide ranking fourth nationally by holding opponents to 56.8 rushing yards per contest.

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

LINE HISTORY: Books opened Georgia -2 but that has been adjusted to -1.5. The total is down to 51 from the opening 52.

INJURY REPORT: Alabama - DB Jabriel Washington (Probable, knee), DL Jonathan Allen (Questionable, shoulder), K Gunnar Raborn (Out indefinitely, suspension), WR Robert Foster (Out for season, shoulder). Georgia - LB Davin Bellamy (Probable, undisclosed), WR Isaiah McKenzie (Probable, personal), FB Christian Payne (Out indefinitely, leg), SE Justin Scott-Wesley (Out indefinitely, knee).

WEATHER: Temperatures are expected to be in the low-60s with a 100 percent chance of rain and wind blowing across the field around seven miles per hour.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Crimson Tide can not afford another loss if they want to challenge for another SEC title, but they are an underdog at Georgia on Saturday. Greyson Lambert has thrown for 476 yards and five touchdowns on 33-of-35 passing in his last two starts. The Bulldogs host Alabama this week, and this game will likely make or break their season."

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "The Tide are 1-1 SU against ranked teams so far this season and face the 4-0 (SU) No. 8-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. We opened Georgia as 2.5 point faves at home but took nothing but action on the Tide to cover that number on the road, forcing us to move to Georgia -2 and eventually to our current number of Georgia -1.5. Alabama is still receiving the majority of the action with 67 percent."

ABOUT ALABAMA (3-1 SU, 1-3 ATS, 2-2 O/U): Coker threw an interception for the third straight game in last week’s 34-0 shutout of ULM, but completed 17-of-31 passes for three touchdowns after splitting duty with Cooper Bateman in the first three games. The Crimson Tide’s offense has battled inconsistency since a crisp performance in the season-opening victory over Wisconsin, and a big day from running back Derrick Henry (422 yards rushing, 6.3 yards per carry) will be critical Saturday. So, too, will be the play of Alabama’s defensive front seven, considered one of the best units in the nation.

ABOUT GEORGIA (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS, 2-2 O/U): Lambert has completed 33 of his past 35 passes for 476 yards and five touchdowns in his past two games, directing a Bulldogs offense scoring 45.5 points per contest (11th nationally). Chubb is a legitimate Heisman candidate who enters Saturday having rushed for 100-plus yards in 12 consecutive contests, and has combined with Sony Michel for 10 rushing scores. The Bulldogs have allowed 13.5 points per game and will need to keep Henry and Coker in check in order to pull off one of their biggest victories in recent history.

TRENDS:

* Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
* Crimson Tide are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Bulldogs are 5-2 ATS in their last seven conference games.
* Over is 21-8 in Bulldogs last 29 home games.

CONSENSUS: Users are split with each team seeing 50 percent of the support.

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NCAAF

Saturday, October 3


Florida QB Grier could sit against Ole Miss

Florida starting quarterback Will Grier is ill and may not play in Saturday's game against No. 3 Mississippi, multiple media outlets reported.

Whether Grier plays or starts will be a game-time decision.

A flu bug has circulated through the Gators' roster, and it's unclear whether Grier is suffering from that illness.

If Grier can't play, Treon Harris is expected to start for No. 25 Florida. Harris did not play in last week's victory over Tennessee because he was serving a one-game suspension.

Before Grier's health became an issue, head coach Jim McElwain had planned to start Grier and use Harris if needed to run the option.

Grier rotated with Harris the first two games, but Grier played the entire games against Kentucky and Tennessee.

Grier has completed 62.6 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and three interceptions.


DE Tuaua could return for TCU

Defensive end Mike Tuaua and wide receiver Andre Petties-Wilson returned to practice and could play for TCU on Saturday.

The Horned Frogs would welcome reinforcements, but coach Gary Patterson won't make the call on the players arrested last week on robbery and assault charges.

He said Wednesday they have completed TCU's disciplinary process.

"As an ambassador for this university, I'm sad for all parties, not just my guys, that the incident happened," Patterson told the Star-Telegram. "They've had a three-game suspension. I'm saddened that the whole situation went down. Hopefully my guys learn from it."

Tuaua would likely start if he's available with TCU missing two defensive ends. He had half a sack at Minnesota before being suspended.


Pac-12 visiting teams dominating in conference play

Road teams have been the hot trend to begin Pac-12 conference play in 2015, going 6-0 both straight up and against the spread to begin the campaign.

Cal, UCLA, Utah and USC have each gone 1-0 away from home while Stanford has been a true road warrior winning both of their road games SU and ATS as we head into Week 5 of the college football schedule.

This week, Washington State visits Cal (-17.5), Arizona State travels to UCLA (-13), Colorado hosts Oregon (-7.5), and Arizona ventures to Stanford (-13.5) in Pac-12 action.


Purdue backers have fond memories of Michigan State

Purdue has struggled to win games against Michigan State in recent seasons but haven't been such a bad wager. The Boilermakers have lost five-straight meetings but have gone 3-1-1 ATS in those games, covering the spread in three straight.

The Boilermakers have been lofty underdogs in those past three matchups, closing +20.5, +28 and +21 in 2010, 2013 and 2014 respectively and Saturday will be no different. Purdue is presently a 21.5-point road dog after opening +24 for their Week 5 visit to Michigan State.


Minnesota has been a red-hot wager in Big Ten play

With a victory over Northwestern on Saturday, the Minnesota Golden Gophers would improve to 10-5 over its last 15 Big Ten contests – matching the school’s best 15-game league stretch since Nov. 11, 1972-Oct. 26, 1974.

Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that the Gophers are 12-2 ATS in the previous 14 showdowns with opponents from the Big Ten.

The Gophers rattled off a record of 4-2 SU but 6-0 ATS to close Big Ten play in 2013 before going 5-3 SU and 6-2 ATS last season.

For the trip to Northwestern, the Gophers are tabbed as 4.5-point road dogs.


Colorado stumbling SU, but not ATS versus Pac-12

The Colorado Buffaloes begin their Pac-12 schedule against Oregon riding a three-game winning streak, but they have not fared well against conference opponents.

The Buffaloes have lost 11-consecutive conference games, comprised of all nine games in 2014 after dropping their final two to USC and Utah in 2013. But they've been a productive wager in those conference games heading into Saturday, going 7-4 against the spread in those spots.

The Oregon Ducks head into Folsom Field as 7.5-point road faves after opening -10.5.

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Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

Some college football trends for Saturday's games........

-- Underdogs are 10-1-1 vs spread in last 12 Air Force-Navy games.

-- Ohio State is 7-10-1 vs spread in last 18 games as a road favorite.

-- Since 2005, Ole Miss is 5-13 vs spread as a road favorite.

-- Arkansas lost its last six games at Tennessee by average score of 43-22

-- Average total in last five Arizona State-UCLA games is 78.8.

-- Colorado covered five in row as home dog; Oregon is 13-3 as a road favorite.

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NCAAF

Saturday, October 3


Missouri backers desperate for first ATS win in 2015

The Missouri Tigers were a solid play against the spread in 2014, going 9-5 ATS in their 14 games. This season, however, the Tigers have turned into a frustrating bet for dedicated Mizzou backers.

Missouri heads into its Week 5 tilt with the South Carolina Gamecocks as one of seven programs with an 0-4 ATS record.

A silver lining could potentially be that the Tigers covered as 6.5-point underdogs against South Carolina last season and has gone 2-2 ATS versus the Gamecocks dating back to 2005.

This time around, Mizzou is tabbed as a 3-point home fave after opening -3.5.


Baylor-Texas Tech total the highest ever

The Baylor Bears and Texas Tech Red Raiders have gone 5-0 Over/Under in their previous five meetings.

The total for the matchup between the Baylor Bears and Texas Tech Red Raiders is presently at a towering 89 and is currently the highest of all time in the college game.

If it closes there, or 88.5 for that matter, it would eclipse the previous high that our records indicate, which was the 2012 meeting between Oklahoma State and Baylor, which closed at 88. The Cowboys and Bears combined for 75 points in that game, finishing under the number.

But how do totals play out in games with a closing total of 80 or greater?

Well, our records show that 18 games have been played with a total of at least 80 and the Over/Under count is 7-11.

Baylor has played in a whopping nine of those games and is 5-4 O/U in those matchups.

The Red Raiders are no slouches either, playing in four of those games and going 4-0 O/U in those spots.

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Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but.........

13) I'm not smart enough to know what the solutions are, but I know damn well that something needs to be done about guns in this country.

I had never heard of Umpqua Community College; now it is yet just another example of some sorry bastard who lost his mind and tragically ended multiple lives with an act of criminal stupidity. If there were less guns around, maybe this doesn't happen.

They showed a map on CNN of where the shootings have happened in this country; they are all over: Chicago-Baltimore-Blacksburg-Oregon-St Louis-Charleston. This is not a regional problem it is a national problem and it needs to be fixed.

12) Angels 2, Rangers 1-- Halos kept pace with Houston, prevented Rangers from clinching the division title. Strong effort by Jared Weaver.

11) Nice article about how Redskins' RB Alfred Morris spends 10-15 minutes before every home game talking with group of ushers/stadium workers, just talking like friends do- they even communicate in the offseason. Good to read stuff like that.

10) Most minutes played in the NBA, last five years (counts playoffs)
Lebron James-- 18,135
Kevin Durant-- 15,595
James Harden-- 15,187
Blake Griffin-- 14,907
Monta Ellis-- 14,743

9) Toronto Blue Jays were 50-51 on July 29; Texas Rangers were 8-16 in early May; both are in the playoffs. Baseball teams seem to be streakier now; the season is now in two pieces, though- Opening Day til July 31, then when teams supplement rosters and others sell off players, the haves/have-nots go their separate ways. Quickly.

8) This is very, very unusual in major college basketball; every St Joe's practice is open to the public. That doesn't happen in most high school programs.

7) July 2, 2013, Jake Arrieta was traded from the Orioles to the Cubs with Pedro Strop and money for Steve Clevenger and Scott Feldman. Arrieta is 11-0, 0.41 since August 1 and may have just had the best second half by any pitcher, ever. Nice trade.

6) Jordan Spieth's caddy made $1,120,000 this season, which would've put him at #91 this year on the players' money earned list.

5) I don't like NFL games on Thursday; don't think football was meant to be played on three days' rest, but the one good thing the NFL does is that the Thursday games are most always divisional games, easier for coaches to prepare for on a short week.

4) Miami Hurricanes have been in ACC since 2004, but have never played in ACC football championship game. Alumni are less than thrilled with the program.

3) John Elway might be the best QB I've ever seem but he never played in a college bowl game; he was going to his senior year, but the infamous Stanford Band play on the last play of the 1982 season cost Stanford a bowl bid that year, and that was the last college game Elway played in.

2) Pirates 6, Reds 4 (12)-- Cubs at Pirates in Wild Card game; Pittsburgh hosts a Wild Card game for the third year in a row.

1) Every baseball game Sunday starts at 3pm ET, in an attempt to maximize drama, if there is any. Looks like Angels/Astros could still have work to do then.

[StarDust Bum]

MID-DAY GAMES:


Florida International - 3:00 PM ET Florida International +3 500
Massachusetts - Over 56.5 500

Northern Illinois - 3:00 PM ET Northern Illinois -2.5 500 *****
Central Michigan - Under 51.5 500

Toledo - 3:00 PM ET Ball State +5 500
Ball State - Over 54 500

Old Dominion - 3:30 PM ET Marshall -17 500
Marshall - Over 53.5 500

Wyoming - 3:30 PM ET Appalachian State -25 500
Appalachian State - Under 52.5 500

Bowling Green - 3:30 PM ET Buffalo +8 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Buffalo - Over 69 500

Liberty - 3:30 PM ET Georgia State -2 500
Georgia State - Under 60.5 500

Alabama - 3:30 PM ET Alabama +1 500 GAME OF THE DAY
Georgia - Under 50.5 500

Boston College - 3:30 PM ET Duke -5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Duke - Under 38 500

Florida State - 3:30 PM ET Wake Forest +20 500
Wake Forest - Under 45 500

North Carolina - 3:30 PM ET Georgia Tech -6.5 500
Georgia Tech - Over 61.5 500

Baylor - 3:30 PM ET Texas Tech +17.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Texas Tech - Over 89 500

Ohio State - 3:30 PM ET Indiana +22.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Indiana - Under 65.5 500

Western Kentucky - 3:30 PM ET Rice +7 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Rice - Over 70.5 500

Air Force - 3:30 PM ET Air Force +5 500 UPSET OF THE DAY
Navy - Under 49 500

Miami (Ohio) - 3:30 PM ET Kent State -10 500
Kent State - Over 43 500

[Udog]

Good luck today, Bum! Thanks!

[StarDust Bum]

EVENING CFB RATED PLAYS:

North Texas - 7:00 PM ET North Texas +16.5 500
Southern Mississippi - Over 66.5 500

UL Lafayette - 7:00 PM ET UL Lafayette +14.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Louisiana Tech - Over 59.5 500

UNLV - 7:00 PM ET UNLV +5.5 500
Nevada - Over 56 500

Idaho - 7:00 PM ET Arkansas State -22 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Arkansas State - Under 59.5 500

Georgia Southern - 7:00 PM ET UL Monroe +5.5 500
UL Monroe - Under 48 500

South Alabama - 7:00 PM ET South Alabama +6 500
Troy - Under 61.5 500

Mississippi - 7:00 PM ET Mississippi -6 500 BLOW OUT
Florida - Under 50.5 500

Eastern Michigan - 7:00 PM ET Louisiana State -45 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Louisiana State - Under 63 500

Vanderbilt - 7:00 PM ET Vanderbilt +2 500
Middle Tennessee - Over 49 500

Arkansas - 7:00 PM ET Tennessee -6.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Tennessee - Over 53 500

Colorado State - 7:00 PM ET Colorado State +5.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Utah State - Over 50.5 500

Eastern Kentucky - 7:30 PM ET Eastern Kentucky +27.5 500
Kentucky - Over 54.5 500

Mississippi State - 7:30 PM ET Mississippi State +4 500 *****
Texas A&M - Over 62.5 500

Arizona State - 7:30 PM ET UCLA -13.5 500 BLOW OUT
UCLA - Under 61 500

[StarDust Bum]

LATE EVENING GAMES:

Texas-San Antonio - 8:00 PM ET Texas-San Antonio -3.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Texas El Paso - Over 58 500

New Mexico State - 8:00 PM ET New Mexico -12 500
New Mexico - Under 66 500

Notre Dame - 8:00 PM ET Clemson -3 500 GAME OF THE WEEK
Clemson - Under 50 500

Oregon - 10:00 PM ET Oregon -6.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Colorado - Over 69.5 500

Hawaii - 10:15 PM ET Boise State -25.5 500 BLOW OUT
Boise State - Under 56.5 500

Arizona - 10:30 PM ET Stanford -11 500
Stanford - Under 60 500

Fresno State - 10:30 PM ET San Diego State -7 500
San Diego State - Over 51.5 500