The Bum's College Football Week # 7 Rated Plays, Trends, News Etc. !!

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Big games may clear up Big Ten East race
October 13, 2015

Two important Big Ten games Saturday will ease the logjam atop the conference's East Division.

Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State all are 2-0 in league play. By Saturday night, two of those teams will be tied for third place.

Top-ranked Ohio State hosts the Nittany Lions under the lights, and No. 7 Michigan State faces the 12th-ranked Wolverines in Ann Arbor.

It's time for some separation at the top.

''Obviously this weekend clears it up a little bit in terms of who's the front-runner, at least,'' Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said Tuesday.

Ohio State has been the top dog in the conference for quite a while, but at this point in the season the Buckeyes have some company. Ohio State and Michigan State, at 6-0 overall, are already bowl eligible. Michigan (5-1) and Penn State (5-1) are only a victory away.

Only one of the four can earn a berth in the Big Ten title game, and Saturday's results will help clarify the competition for that prize.

''Two are going to lose, two are going to win,'' Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. ''The teams that win keep moving forward.''

And what of those that don't?

''The teams that lose, you're not out of it,'' Meyer said. ''I was in the SEC East (as coach of Florida) ... and that was a real rugged conference. This side of our conference right now is every bit of that. You can see it every Saturday.''

For Ohio State and Michigan State, success this season is merely a continuation of last year. Michigan, under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, is having a bounce-back season after going 5-7 last year and the Nittany Lions have already matched their 2014 win total in the conference.

Michigan always views its in-state game against Michigan State as significant, but Harbaugh isn't ready to label the matchup as pivotal to his team's chances of winning the East.

''The clarity, when the dust clears on Saturday night, I don't know about that,'' he said.

There's a big game Saturday in the West Division, too. Iowa (6-0, 2-0) the only unbeaten team in that half of the league, travels to Northwestern (5-1, 1-1). The Wildcats are coming off a 38-0 loss to Michigan, but Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz isn't sure that's a good thing.

''Historically, when Northwestern has experienced any disappointment - small scale or big scale - they rebound strong,'' Ferentz said. ''That's what good teams and good programs do.''

- Maryland interim coach Mike Locksley is scrutinizing every bit of the program during the bye week that follows head coach Randy Edsall's dismissal on Sunday. ''With the change, things have been a whirlwind,'' Locksley said. "We're using this time to self-evaluate where we are offensively, defensively, special teams.'' Locksley's first game comes on Oct. 24 against Penn State in Baltimore.

- Nebraska, which travels to Minnesota on Saturday, has lost four games by a total of 10 points. Coach Mike Riley said he couldn't remember ever being around a team that's had that so many close defeats in so short a time. But he insisted his players have ''maintained a good ethic about them,'' adding, ''I'm proud of that because it's a mental game for our team right now as far being able to overcome that stuff and get ready to play again.''

- Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald probably wanted to burn the game film of his team's loss to Michigan. Instead, he made his players watch it. ''You teach from the mistakes that we made,'' Fitzgerald said. ''We've got a good football team. We've just got to execute and play better.''

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Thursday's Tip Sheet
October 13, 2015


The Thursday night schedule in college football features three games this week including intriguing matchups in the SEC and Pac-12. The SEC contest features two programs fighting for the postseason while the late night Pac-12 game could be a conference championship preview.

Match-up: Auburn Tigers at Kentucky Wildcats
Venue: Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky
Time/TV: Thursday, October 15, 7:00 PM ET – ESPN
Line: Auburn -3, Over/Under 51½
Last Meeting: 2010, Auburn (-6) 37-34 at Kentucky

The last time these teams met was in 2010 when a 5-0 Auburn squad led by Cam Newton had just cracked the top 10 and was starting to generate some buzz. Auburn seemed to pull away in the second quarter with a 31-14 lead, but Kentucky hit a field goal just before the break and by the end of the third quarter the game was tied after back-to-back touchdowns by Randall Cobb. Auburn closed the game with a 19-play drive that led to a game winning field goal as time expired. The Tigers would go on to win the SEC and national titles that season while Kentucky finished 6-6 before losing to Pittsburgh in the Compass Bowl.

That was the last season in which Kentucky made the postseason, but hopes are high that this is the breakthrough year with a 4-1 start following up last season’s 5-7 campaign. Mark Stopps has already produced as many SEC wins this season as in the past two seasons combined with wins over South Carolina and Missouri, but there is a difficult schedule remaining and nothing is assured for a team that lost the final six games of the season last year after a 5-1 start and needed overtime to beat FCS Eastern Kentucky in its last game.

Junior quarterback Patrick Towles has thrown eight touchdown passes, but he also has six interceptions. He played his best game in the team’s biggest win, a 21-13 home win over Missouri that featured two late scoring drives from Towles. Kentucky is not a great rushing team averaging only 3.8 yards per carry, but sophomore Stanley Williams has featured big play potential with 343 rushing yards already this season. Four receivers have double-digit receptions already this season but this is not an imposing offense, ranking 94th nationally in total offense and 87th in scoring offense. The Kentucky defense has allowed fewer than 22 points per game through a respectable schedule.

Auburn made the national title game in 2013, the first season with Gus Malzahn as the head coach. Malzahn was the offensive coordinator for the 2010 championship season and he won 17 of his first 19 games as the head coach of the Tigers. Auburn lost five of the final eight last season, including the Outback Bowl for a disappointing finish. Many expected Auburn to be back in SEC and national contention this season, but at 3-2 and most of the toughest games still ahead it has been a very disappointing start. Like Kentucky, Auburn had to survive a scare vs. FCS competition, but the Tigers are 0-2 in SEC play with losses to LSU and Mississippi State, getting outscored 62-30 in those two games.

Quarterback Jeremy Johnson was expected to smoothly take over the offense but it has been a great struggle for the junior who dazzled in brief playing time in the 2014 season. After the disastrous LSU game, Johnson has sat out the last two weeks with freshman Sean White producing no better results the past two weeks. Auburn has not named a starter at quarterback at this point for Thursday’s critical conference game.

Auburn struggled defensively last season allowing nearly 400 yards per game and former Florida head coach Will Muschamp was seen as a great hire to lead the defense this season. The numbers are even worse so far this season and the challenge will only increase the rest of the way. After this game, the Tigers face SEC West powers Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas A&M before a tough crossover game with Georgia. Auburn will finish the season hosting Alabama as well and bowl eligibility is a serious question mark for this team despite projections of being a national playoff sleeper before the season started.

This game won’t have national playoff implications or likely even SEC implications in most scenarios, but the loser of this game will face serious questions about even making the postseason as wins will not be easy to come by the rest of the way. While this isn’t the most glamorous SEC matchup, the game comes at a critical juncture for both programs and it will certainly be a compelling game.

Match-up: UCLA Bruins at Stanford Cardinal
Venue: Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California
Time/TV: Thursday, October 15, 10:30 PM ET – ESPN
Line: Stanford -6½, Over/Under 55½
Last Meeting: 2014, Stanford (+5) 31-10 at UCLA

Stanford and UCLA both entered the season with 5/1 odds to win the Pac-12, both projected second in divisions trailing USC and Oregon. While Stanford’s opening week loss to Northwestern has crippled their national playoff hopes, the Cardinal are 3-0 in Pac-12 play and figure to be the heavy favorites the rest of the way in the North with Oregon already with two losses and Washington and California both having to visit Stanford. Hosting this difficult crossover game is definitely critical to any hopes to stay in the national picture as a two-loss Pac-12 champion wouldn’t be ruled out, it would take a lot of help around the rest of the nation.

UCLA opened the season 4-0, but a home loss to Arizona State has spoiled the season. While that loss on its own would not likely be overly damaging by season’s end, the rest of the Pac-12 schedule features three very difficult road games with this game, plus road tests at Utah and at USC. Utah has grabbed the headlines in the Pac-12 South, but the Utes have a long ways to go in a very deep division with the Utes 2-0 in league play with both games vs. the North.

At quarterback, UCLA freshman Josh Rosen took the nation by storm emerging as a Heisman candidate as a true freshman. His team survived his worst game of the season with a comeback win against BYU and he has played well in both Pac-12 games, though the turnovers are starting to add up. Paul Perkins is one of the top running backs in the nation with 577 yards already this season and Jordan Payton is among the top receivers in the conference. Defensive injuries have taken a toll with three starters already knocked out of action and taking on a physical Stanford offense will be a challenge.

Senior quarterback Kevin Hogan had a tough 2015 debut for Stanford with an ugly game against a very good Northwestern defense, but he has responded with nine touchdowns and just one interception in four games since. He had a great game in Stanford’s big win at USC and he is spreading the ball around while also leaning on sophomore running back Christian McCaffrey who has nearly doubled his production from last season already. Stanford ranks in the 30's nationally in scoring and total defense at this point in the season despite taking on a challenging schedule as well.

The Cardinal have won seven in a row in this series with a win every year back to 2009 and only one missed cover in that span. It was a blowout last season with Stanford winning 31-10 in Los Angeles. If Stanford wins this game they should be an even heavier favorite in every remaining Pac-12 game and with the finale against Notre Dame and then a potential Pac-12 championship game vs. a quality team, this is a team that will have a say in the national playoff picture if they win out. UCLA has a tougher path, but they will have the opportunity to wipe away the upset loss to the Sun Devils by adding up quality road wins as the Bruins should not be ruled out just yet and regardless of the Thursday night result these teams could definitely meet again in December.

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ACC Report - Week 7
October 14, 2015

2015 ACC STANDINGS

Team SU Conference ATS Over/Under

Boston College 3-3 0-3 2-3-1 1-5

Clemson 5-0 2-0 3-2 2-3

Duke 5-1 2-0 4-2 0-6

Florida State 5-0 3-0 2-3 1-4

Georgia Tech 2-4 0-3 2-4 4-2

Louisville 2-3 1-1 4-1 1-3-1

Miami (Fla.) 3-2 0-1 3-2 2-3

North Carolina 4-1 1-0 3-2 2-3

North Carolina State 4-2 0-2 4-2 2-4

Pittsburgh 4-1 2-0 3-2 2-2-1

Syracuse 3-2 1-0 3-2 5-0

Virginia 1-4 0-1 2-2-1 3-1-1

Virginia Tech 3-3 1-1 3-3 4-2

Wake Forest 3-3 1-2 3-3 2-3-1



Louisville at Florida State (ESPN, 12:00 p.m. ET)

Louisville might not be getting it done regularly in wins and losses, but they are getting it done at the counter, cashing four of five times against the number. And they are an impressive 26-8 ATS in their past 34 road games, while going 19-7 ATS in their past 26 conference tilts. Florida State continues to win games, but they are just 2-3 ATS against the spread this season, including 0-2 ATS in their past two conference games. FSU is also just 1-6 ATS in the past seven home games, and 2-7 ATS in their past nine dating back to last season. Still, people might be surprised to see them open as just a seven-point favorite given the overall records. Really, their success depends on the health of RB Dalvin Cook's hamstring and if he is ready to go full throttle. The under is 8-1 in Louisville's past nine on grass, and 4-1-1 in their past six overall. The under is also 9-3-1 in Louisville's past 13 road games. For FSU, the under is a perfect 4-0 in the past four, 10-1 in their past 11 at the Doak, and 6-1 in their past seven ACC tilts.

Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech (ESPN3, 12:30 p.m. ET)

Both of these teams are hard to figure. Pitt lost ACC Player of the Year James Conner in the opener to a knee injury, but they have persevered. That's because the defense has stepped up and allowed just 264.6 yards per game, seventh-best in all of FBS. That includes an average of just 15.7 points per game in three road contests this season. Pitt has covered four in a row on the road, while the Yellow Jackets are 6-1 ATS in their past seven home contests. However, Georgia Tech has failed to cover in four straight, and they're 0-4 ATS in their past four against teams with a winning overall record. The over has been hot for each, going 7-3-1 in the past 11 for Pitt, though the under is 7-2-1 in their past 10 against losing teams. The over is a perfect 5-0 in Georgia Tech's past five home games, and 6-2 in their past eight overall.

Virginia Tech at Miami-Florida (ESPNU, 3:30p.m. ET)

This is an elimination game of sorts, as the Hokies and Hurricanes renew their rivalry. Virginia Tech saved their season last Friday with a 28-13 win over N.C. State. Miami had a valiant effort, coming up just short in a loss and cover at Florida State. The Canes are suddenly on a two-game losing streak, with both of those setbacks on the road in Cincinnati and Tallahassee. Virginia Tech is just 6-14 ATS in their past 20 away from home, while the Canes are 5-11 ATS in their past 16 ACC tilts. Something's gotta give. The road team has cashed in four of the past five meetings, with the Hokies going 6-1 ATS in their past seven trips to Miami. The underdog is also a sparkling 10-4 in the past 14 meetings. The under has been the play, too, going 5-1 in the past six in Miami, and 9-3 in the past 12 meetings overall. The under is also 8-1 in Miami's past nine ACC games, and 9-2 in Va. Tech's past 11 against conference foes.

Syracuse at Virginia (ESPN3, 3:30 p.m.)

Syracuse got off to a 3-0 start this season, but fell and fell hard at South Florida last week in a 45-24 flop. They're now just 1-2 ATS over the past three, too, after covering their first two. One thing that has been consistent for the Orange - the over. It has cashed in all five games, as they have scored 24 or more points in every game, and allowed 27 or more points in each of the past three. The defense has been slipping lately, too, giving up more points than the previous game in each of the past four. 'Cuse is just 2-7 ATS in the past nine road games against a team with a losing home record, and 1-4 ATS in their past five ACC battles. Virginia is a dismal 1-4 SU, but they're 7-3-1 ATS in their past 11 home games, and 9-4-1 ATS in the past 14 against a team with a winning overall record.

Boston College at Clemson (ESPNU, 7:00 p.m.)

Boston College is coming off one of the lowest scoring games in years, and they were on the short end. BC's defense came up huge again, but their offense sputtered in a 3-0 loss against Wake Forest last Saturday at home. Now, the Eagles hit the road. The under is a perfect 5-0 for BC this season, and they're allowing just 7.2 points per game. Clemson is their biggest offensive test, and they'll have to key on shutting down RB Wayne Gallman who has rambled for at least 111 yards in three in a row. Clemson is averaging 35.4 points per game, so this will be an interesting battle to see if defense or offense prevails. BC is 5-2 ATS in their past seven on the road, including 5-1 ATS in their past six against a team with a winning home record. Clemson has covered five of their past seven overall, but they're just 1-6 ATS in their past seven ACC battles. The underdog has hit in seven of the past 10 meetings. For the total, the under is a perfect 5-0 in the past five meetings at Death Valley, and 5-1 in the past six meetings overall.

Wake Forest at North Carolina (ESPN3, 7:00 p.m.)

Wake Forest evened up its record with a hard-fought 3-0 win at Boston College last weekend. It was their first road cover in six tries. Despite the win and cover, the Deacs are still 7-17 ATS in their past 24 road games against a team with a winning home record. The Tar Heels are working on a 5-2 ATS mark over their past seven conference games, and they're 9-4 ATS in their past 13 following a cover in the previous game. The under has been the play for both lately, as it is 21-8 in the past 29 for Wake and 13-6 in their past 19 road outings. The under is 4-1 in UNC's past five at Kenan, and 6-2 in their past eight games overall. In this series, the home team has covered each of the past four meetings.

ACC teams on bye
Duke, North Carolina State

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Kentucky prepares for first Thursday home game in 76 years
October 14, 2015

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Kentucky has not hosted a Thursday football game in 76 years, so Wildcats players have had their nationally televised matchup with Auburn circled on their calendars for a while now.

While Kentucky had a weekend off to get ready the Southeastern Conference showdown, the Wildcats (4-1, 2-1 SEC) haven't beaten the Tigers (3-2, 0-2) at home since 1966. After upsetting then-No. 25 Missouri last month, Kentucky players believe this game can help define the program's quest for respectability.

The Wildcats' challenge is avoiding stage fright against an Auburn program unexpectedly facing urgency.

''We got caught up in the moment against Florida, and that didn't work out for us,'' Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles said. ''If we take the same mentality that we did against Missouri, we'll have a good time and it'll be a good result.''

Kentucky seeks a second straight 5-1 start and enters its first Thursday night home game at Commonwealth Stadium with a two-game winning streak. Auburn is also coming off a bye as it seeks its first conference win following losses to LSU and Mississippi State.

The Tigers have dominated this series 25-6-1 and won eight straight in Lexington, including a 37-34 victory in 2010. That was the last season the Wildcats went to a bowl game, and they've made it clear their goal is getting back to postseason.

Auburn has the same mission, but what seemed like a given when the season started is now a must-win situation for the Tigers.

''I think they understand that it's a big game,'' Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. ''Our guys understand that we are playing a good team, a team that's played three SEC games and won two of them. We've got to be ready and play good football.''

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Here are other things to watch when Kentucky hosts Auburn:

FROM GOAT TO GO-TO:

Since an early end-zone drop quickly switched momentum in Kentucky's loss to Florida, receiver Dorian Baker has become the Wildcats' clutch performer. After his touchdown catch in the back of the end zone forced overtime against Eastern Kentucky, he caught the game-winner to finish with a career bests of eight catches for 86 yards. His three TDs have come in the past two games.

QB COIN-FLIP:

Auburn's choice under center could be a game-time decision between redshirt freshman Sean White - who has started the past two contests - and junior Jeremy Johnson. Malzahn hinted at a package for both QBs, and linebacker Justin Garrett said the team is in good hands either way. ''Whoever gets out there is who we trust and who the team is going to rally behind,'' Garrett said.

BOOM IS BACK:

Leading rusher Stanley ''Boom'' Williams is back atop Kentucky's depth chart after missing the EKU game to deal with personal issues, and the sophomore's mission is improving a ground game that mustered just 55 yards in his absence. Williams leads Kentucky with 343 yards rushing and his return provides a speedy complement to hard-running Jojo Kemp. Coach Mark Stoops looks forward to seeing what Williams can do for the offense following his break and said this week, ''we are a lot better with him out there.''

RUN DEFENSE:

Both teams rank near the bottom in the SEC against the run, but last-place Auburn has struggled in particular under former Florida coach and first-year defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. The Tigers are yielding nearly 209.6 yards per game, nearly 40 more than the Wildcats (170.6).

STILL PERFECT:

Kentucky remains one of five teams to convert all of its chances inside the 20, having scored 12 touchdowns on 16 opportunities this season and 27 straight going back to last October.

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Ohio St dons black unis for Penn St game
October 14, 2015

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) One of the first questions for Ohio State coach Urban Meyer at his press conference Monday was not about the use of dual quarterbacks in the red zone, or how Braxton Miller is being utilized as a receiver.

It wasn't even a query on the importance of the top-ranked Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) game against Penn State (5-1, 2-0) on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

No, what seemingly all Ohio State fans are talking about is the reaction to breaking tradition and wearing all black uniforms for the first time.

Forget scarlet and gray, there's very little of either in the Nike alternative pants, jerseys and black matte helmet that will be worn one-time only vs. the Nittany Lions.

Does Meyer like the look?

''I haven't seen them,'' he said.

Meyer was probably being coy because Nike representatives first approached the university two years ago with the idea of black uniforms. The finished product was unveiled Oct. 3.

''I'm indifferent about it. Very indifferent,'' safety Tyvis Powell said. ''I appreciate the jersey, period. Just being able to put the Ohio State jersey on is good enough for me.''

Others, including Meyer, think otherwise. The special uniform is part of the package to entice recruits and create an electric environment in the ''Horseshoe'' for the first home night game of the season.

''We love night games and obviously the new unis and the crowd,'' Meyer said. ''I just hear our players talk about it.''

Ohio State has worn a special uniform on occasions and last season donned all white for the first time in recent history at Penn State in a break from the usual gray pants.

''It's just a special opportunity to be one of the first teams that switches up Ohio State's traditional jerseys,'' defensive end Sam Hubbard said. ''We have a great responsibility to play well in it.''

In today's world, flashiness matters, although Penn State with its standard issue blue and white uniforms would disagree. But Oregon has made great strides in football in part because its numerous uniform combinations attract the attention of high school athletes.

''We're not going to be Oregon,'' Ohio State director of athletics Gene Smith said. ''We're Ohio State University, and we're going to pick one game every year where we try to do this.''

He knows there's a segment of fans that are upset by the uniforms. Some simply don't like the move away from scarlet and gray while others see them as indistinguishable from what Cincinnati, Louisville, Rutgers or countless highs schools with black and red colors might wear.

''We're blessed here, (that) an institution has such great tradition and history,'' Smith said. ''You have to make sure you respect that. And there are certain things that become untouchable in that regard.

''At the same time, you have to recognize that our demographic is changing. Our world is changing. . Recruits are impressionable today and have a great deal of materialistic interest. So reality is we're going to respond to that.''

Linebacker Raekwon McMillan said Meyer showed him an early design for a black outfit during the recruiting process.

''When he brought in the uniform he was trying to impress me,'' McMillan said.

Defensive end Joey Bosa said the new look is ''sick'' but doesn't think his brother, Nick, a 2016 commit to Ohio State, is swayed by a school's choice in clothing.

''I don't know about other recruits but my brother, that's probably the last thing in the world he's worried about, the color of the uniforms,'' Bosa said. ''He'd go to Oregon if that's what he's worried about.''

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Big 12 Report - Week 7
October 15, 2015

2015 BIG 12 STANDINGS

Team SU Conference ATS Over/Under

Baylor 5-0 2-0 3-1 4-1

Iowa State 2-3 1-1 2-2-1 1-3-1

Kansas 0-5 0-2 1-4 2-3

Kansas State 3-2 0-2 3-2 3-2

Oklahoma 4-1 1-1 3-2 2-3

Oklahoma State 6-0 3-0 3-3 2-4

Texas 2-4 1-2 2-4 2-4

Texas Christian 6-0 3-0 2-4 4-2

Texas Tech 4-2 1-2 4-1-1 5-1

West Virginia 3-2 0-2 2-3 1-4


West Virginia at Baylor (FOX, 12:00 p.m. ET)

Baylor puts their 18-game home winning streak on the line against an angry West Virginia team coming off a loss last weekend at home against Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers were sloppy in that loss, turning the ball over four times, including three fumbles. They can ill-afford any miscues against a Baylor team averaging 64.2 points per game, including 68.0 PPG in two home games. West Virginia slides into this game 1-5 ATS in their past six against teams with a winning record, and 1-4 ATS in their past five conference tilts. Baylor is 25-6 ATS in their past 31 at home, and 4-1 ATS in their past five against teams with a winning overall mark. In addition, they're 5-2 ATS in their past seven conference games and 25-10-1 ATS in their past 36 overall.

Texas Tech at Kansas (FOX Sports 1, 12:00 p.m. ET)

Texas Tech heads to Lawrence to battle a Kansas team which might be one of the worst squads in FBS. The Jayhawks are reeling after a 66-7 pounding at the hands of Baylor, a team with a similar high-powered offense. Kansas will give QB Ryan Willis a second straight start, as the third-stringer fills in for the injured Montell Cozart (shoulder) and Deondre Ford (thumb). While Kansas might be able to keep it slightly closer than last week, the defense will have its hands full against a Texas Tech offense with 30 plays of 30 or more yards. TTU is 7-1-1 ATS in the past nine games overall, and 5-1 ATS in their past six conference battles. KU is 1-6 ATS in their past seven games overall, and 0-4 ATS in their past four Big 12 outings.

Oklahoma at Kansas State (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET)

Oklahoma is coming off a stunning and disappointing loss to Texas in the Red River rivalry last weekend. K-State has tasted defeat in each of the past two games, and they believe they should have won each of those outings at Oklahoma State and at home against TCU. It will be a tall order to get back on track against an Oklahoma team which has won five straight trips to Manhattan by double digits. In addition, Oklahoma is 15-1 in the past 16 games following their rivalry game with Texas. Oklahoma might be 3-7 ATS in the past 10 conference tilts, but they're 6-2 ATS in their past eight road games against a team with a winning home record. K-State is 7-2 ATS in the past nine home games and 21-7-1 ATS in the past 29 against a team with a winning record. However, the Wildcats are 1-5 ATS in their past six at home against the Sooners, and the road team has cashed in six in a row in this series. The over has hit in six of the past seven meetings, and four of the past five in Manhattan.

Texas Christian at Iowa State (ESPN2, 7:00 p.m.)

TCU is back on the road one week after a scare at K-State. The Horned Frogs have averaged 51.0 points per game through six outings, while the Cyclones have allowed 29.4 points per game. TCU annihilated Iowa State 55-3 in Fort Worth last season as Trevone Boykin rolled up 460 yards and a career-high total of 559 yards. TCU is 2-1 ATS at home this season, but they're 0-3 ATS in three road outings. Iowa State has covered two of their three games in Ames. The Horned Frogs have covered 15 of the past 21 games, but they're 1-5 ATS in the past six dating back to last season. The Cyclones are 1-6 ATS in their past seven conference tilts, and 2-7-1 ATS in the past 10 games overall.

Big 12 teams on a bye
Oklahoma State, Texas

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No. 2 Baylor gets revenge shot at home vs. West Virginia

October 15, 2015

Things to watch in Week 7 in the Big 12:

GAME OF THE WEEK:

West Virginia (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) at No. 2 Baylor (5-0, 2-0). The Bears were snubbed from the first College Football Playoff after losing only once in the regular season last year, 41-27 at West Virginia. Baylor's motivation is a bit different than most would expect with the Bears again undefeated in October and facing the Mountaineers. ''Are we going to blame them for beating us? The way we look at it is that it's our fault,'' coach Art Briles said. ''We didn't take care of business.'' Baylor again has the nation's best offense, with 725 total yards and 64.2 points a game. West Virginia, coming off a 33-26 overtime loss to Oklahoma State, allows a Big 12-low 20 points a game and 342 yards.

BEST MATCHUP:

No. 19 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1) at Kansas State (3-2, 0-2). Sooners coach Bob Stoops worked on Bill Snyder's staff at K-State from 1989-95, and is 5-0 as a head coach when returning there. The Wildcats had won 49 consecutive games when leading at halftime until losing the last two - they blew a 35-17 halftime lead at home last Saturday in a 52-45 loss to TCU. Oklahoma, coming off an unexpected loss to Texas, is averaging 37 points and K-State 36.4. The Sooners have given up 22.6 points a game, the Wildcats 24.8.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Baylor, Oklahoma State and TCU, the league's three undefeated teams, are a combined 9-0 away from their home stadiums. ... Oklahoma State is 6-0 for the fourth time in 11 seasons under Mike Gundy. The Cowboys had only two 6-0 starts in the 103 seasons before that. ... Texas Tech (4-2, 1-2) is the only Big 12 team to go this far in the season without a weekend off. The Red Raiders' open date comes in Week 12.

LONG SHOT:

No. 3 TCU (6-0, 3-0) needing another late road rally, like at Texas Tech and Kansas State in its Big 12 road games so far. The Horned Frogs are nearly three-TD favorites at Iowa State, and beat the Cyclones 55-3 in the regular season finale last December.

IMPACT PLAYER:

Texas Tech sophomore quarterback Patrick Mahomes, facing winless Kansas and the league's worst pass defense, leads all power-five conference quarterbacks with 377.3 yards passing per game. His 167 completions and 257 attempts are the most in the Big 12, and he has thrown 19 touchdowns with five interceptions. He threw for 428 yards and five TDs last week against Iowa State, both season highs.

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MSU-Michigan winner to be top threat to Ohio St. in B10 East
October 15, 2015

Some things to watch in the Big Ten Conference during Week 7 of the season:

GAME OF THE WEEK:

No. 7 Michigan State (6-0, 2-0) at No. 12 Michigan (5-1, 2-0). The winner of this game gains the inside track to challenging Ohio State for superiority in the East Division. The Spartans have won six of the last seven meetings, but Michigan has come on so strong under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh that the Wolverines actually are favored. Michigan State struggled at Rutgers last week and its defense hasn't been nearly as stout as in years past. Michigan, meanwhile, has posted three straight shutouts and would merit joining the College Football Playoff discussion with a win at the Big House.

BEST MATCHUP:

Northwestern defense vs. Iowa offense. The Wildcats (5-1, 1-1) are smarting after losing 38-0 at Michigan. Their defense still is allowing just 12.2 points and 269.5 yards a game and has a chance to atone at home. The Hawkeyes (6-0, 2-0) have shown great balance while generating 31.7 points and 409.3 yards a game. They probably will be without four offensive starters, and QB C.J. Beathard is banged up but said he'll play.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Wisconsin (4-2, 1-1) will be going for a 10th straight win against Purdue (1-5, 0-2). That would extend the longest win streak by either team in the 83-game series. The Badgers' average winning margin over the last nine meetings is 23.4 points. Wisconsin has outscored the Boilermakers 140-27 in the last three games in Madison. ... WR Leonte Carroo of Rutgers (2-3, 0-2) goes into the game at Indiana (4-2, 0-2) with six touchdowns in 10 quarters played. He's averaging a TD every 3.88 receptions in his career.

LONG SHOT:

Penn State (5-1, 2-0), which pushed Ohio State to two overtimes before losing 31-24 in Happy Valley last year, has an opportunity to put its program back on the national radar. No one has been impressed with any of Penn State's wins to date, and the Lions go to the Horseshoe as 17-point underdogs. Ohio State (6-0, 2-0) still is looking for that breakout game, and you can be sure Joey Bosa and the rest of the Buckeyes' front seven will be coming hard after Christian Hackenberg.

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner is going to be asked to pass, maybe a lot, against Nebraska (2-4, 0-2). It makes sense. The Cornhuskers have the nation's worst pass defense and last week Wisconsin did the unthinkable for its program by throwing 50 times in Lincoln. The Gophers (4-2, 1-1) have run on 57 percent of their plays, and Leidner is 11th in Big Ten passer rating. If he's even decent against the Huskers, that just might be good enough for Minnesota.

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Alabama-Texas A&M; Florida-LSU meet in Top 25 SEC showdowns
October 15, 2015

Here are some things to watch in week seven of the Southeastern Conference:

GAME OF THE WEEK:

No. 10 Alabama at No. 9 Texas A&M. Alabama has appeared to right itself after a surprising home loss to Ole Miss on Sept. 19. Since then, Alabama has three straight convincing victories against Louisiana-Monroe, Georgia and Arkansas. Texas A&M - one of three remaining undefeated teams in the league - was pounded by Alabama 59-0 last season, but gets the Tide in College Station this time.

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK:

LSU running back Leonard Fournette vs. Florida run defense: Fournette has rushed for 1,022 yards to lead the nation and is averaging 204.4 yards rushing per game. He's the quickest player to reach 1,000 yards rushing in SEC history. Fournette faces his toughest test of the season Saturday against No. 8 Florida, which ranks 12th nationally in run defense and allows only 3.05 yards per carry.

NUMBERS GAME:

South Carolina's Steve Spurrier stepped down with 131 career wins in SEC competition (including five SEC championship game victories) to rank behind only Paul ''Bear'' Bryant's 159 SEC wins. ... Saturday will mark the 61st time No. 13 Ole Miss has faced Memphis. Ole Miss has played Memphis more often than any other school that isn't a current or former member of the SEC. ... Florida is 6-0. Each of the five previous times Florida has started 6-0 since 1995, the Gators have gone on to win at least 11 games.

UPSET WATCH:

There are a few intriguing matchups this weekend: South Carolina is a three-point favorite at home against Vanderbilt, but it's hard to know how the Gamecocks will respond to Spurrier's retirement. Ole Miss is a 10 1/2-point favorite on the road against Memphis even though the Tigers have won 12 straight games dating back to last season and are among the nation's leaders in scoring.

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Florida QB Treon Harris: Florida has been the SEC's biggest surprise this season, but the Gators had played their best football since Will Grier had taken over as the starting quarterback. Now that Grier has been suspended for violating the NCAA's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the Gators are relying on Harris to direct the offense. Harris started six games as a freshman last year and started Florida's season opener this year, but he hasn't thrown a pass since a Sept. 12 victory over East Carolina.

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Wake-UNC, BC-Clemson headline ACC's Week 7
October 15, 2015

A look at things to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference for Week 7:

GAME OF THE WEEK:

Wake Forest at North Carolina looks to be the best of a soft schedule in which there are no matchups of teams with winning records. The Tar Heels (4-1) have the ACC's best offense and the longest active winning streak among Coastal Division teams, reeling off four straight victories since an opening loss to South Carolina that looks more bizarre with each passing week. Speaking of bizarre, the Demon Deacons (3-3) earned a strange distinction at Boston College: In each of their ACC wins under second-year coach Dave Clawson, they've failed to score a touchdown. Said UNC coach Larry Fedora: ''Being in a close game ... isn't going to scare them.''

BEST MATCHUP:

Boston College's defense vs. Clemson's offense. The Eagles have the nation's best total defense (140.3 ypg) by a wide margin, and are the only team in the country allowing fewer than three yards per play. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney calls the Eagles' D ''the standard in college football.'' They're sure to face a test from a Clemson offense that has gained at least 392 yards in four of five games.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

There are 10 ACC schools ranked among the nation's top 50 in total defense, led by those Eagles and including four among the top seven. Impressive, but some of the stats for those upper-tier defenses might be a bit skewed: BC played two FCS teams while three of third-ranked North Carolina State's opponents were in the FCS a few years ago (two have since jumped to the top level).

LONG SHOT:

Maybe Virginia Tech can exact some revenge on Miami - or at least cover the spread. The Hokies are six-point road underdogs to a Hurricanes team that came into Lane Stadium last year and beat Tech 30-6 for its worst home loss since 1989. Coach Frank Beamer says those Hurricanes ''came in here and kicked us like we don't get kicked very much.'' The Hokies showed progress in beating North Carolina State last week and hopes to take advantage if Miami slips into yet another post-Florida State tailspin.

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Pittsburgh WR Tyler Boyd leads the league in receptions (33) and is second in yards receiving (82 ypg), one behind Miami's Rashawn Scott. He'll look to find some holes in a Georgia Tech secondary that allowed 336 yards passing last week against Clemson, its fourth straight defeat.

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Lengthy injury list becoming a coach's headache in Big Ten
October 15, 2015

The Big Ten is hurtin' for certain.

Last week, top Iowa defensive lineman Drew Ott tore the ACL in his right knee and is out the rest of the season.

The week before, Big Ten rushing leader Jordan Howard and his Indiana teammate, quarterback Nate Sudfeld, injured ankles and haven't played since.

Three weeks ago, Minnesota all-conference cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun went down with an injury to his right knee and is yet to return.

The injury list has been long across the nation, especially so in the Big Ten.

''You look across the landscape of college football, guys are dropping left and right, and it's a lot of different things, it's not one particular thing,'' Purdue coach Darrell Hazell said. ''You are seeing ACLs, concussions, shoulders, ankles, all those things. I don't know if there is a magical formula to keep guys healthy other than you gotta watch the amount of reps that you give them.''

While defending national champion Ohio State has not had any starters miss a game because of injury, Minnesota had eight out in last week's win over Purdue.

''I've never seen anything like it in my 32 years of coaching,'' Gophers coach Jerry Kill said. ''Just one of those years. What do you do? Like I tell our guys, you can't get down. You just coach them. We're going to play with some young players probably, and that's part of it. They'll have to grow up, and we'll be better down the road for it.''

Michigan State has lost three starters on offense and three on defense, and that was after rising star linebacker Ed Davis went out for the season when he hurt a knee in preseason practice.

Michigan's defense was without three starters last week, and its running backs have been dinged up all season.

Nebraska's defense has started 20 different players and has had 19 man-games lost to injury by projected starters or top reserves. Maryland, Rutgers and Purdue also have had a bunch of key defensive players out.

Penn State running backs Saquon Barkley and Akeel Lynch have missed the last two games, a top linebacker was lost in the opener and its secondary has had starters in and out of the lineup.

Ott is the latest in a line of Iowa players who are hurt. The Hawkeyes also could be without a starting receiver, running back and two offensive linemen when they play at Northwestern on Saturday.

Northwestern, bitten hard by the injury bug last year, had cornerback Matthew Harris go out with broken bones in his face after he was hit in the head by a knee last week against Michigan, and receiver Austin Carr is among other Wildcats who have been banged up.

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said all but a few of the injuries have occurred in games, so it's not as if the practice regimen has been a cause.

''When you get limited numbers - last year we had close to 40 players out for our last couple weeks - that totally changes the way you can practice,'' Fitzgerald said. ''You can't get reps from a full-speed standpoint. You have to practice smarter and have to try to find a way to get the guys to the race. It's tough to develop a team when you have to practice that way.''

Illinois lost top running back Josh Ferguson to a shoulder injury Oct. 3, and wide receiver Geronimo Allison has gone through concussion protocol tests after getting hit hard last week against Iowa.

Wisconsin tailback Corey Clement had sports hernia surgery a month ago, and the Badgers have played four different starting offensive lines. Center Dan Voltz, who has started 26 games over three seasons, injured an arm last week against Nebraska and is questionable this week for Purdue.

''I don't know how to explain the trend, if that's what it is,'' Badgers coach Paul Chryst said. ''I've been around teams and years here where you see kind of the same injury popping up, and maybe it's something you're doing with the way you're training or practicing. But when it's kind of all over the place, it's a little bit harder to pinpoint.''

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NCAAF Consensus Picks

SIDES (ATS)

Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds

7:00 PM Auburn -2 836 47.66% Kentucky +2 918 52.34% View View

10:30 PM UCLA +7 865 49.37% Stanford -7 887 50.63% View View

7:30 PM Western Kentucky -34.5 874 58.27% North Texas +34.5 626 41.73% View View


TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)

Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds

10:30 PM UCLA 56 519 47.83% Stanford 56 566 52.17% View View

7:00 PM Auburn 56 545 49.59% Kentucky 56 554 50.41% View View

7:30 PM Western Kentucky 71 644 61.98% North Texas 71 395 38.02% View View

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Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores


7:00 PM EDT

105 AUBURN -1.5 -2 / -2 -15 / -2 -2 -130
106 KENTUCKY 50 55.5 / 55.5o11 / 55.5 56 +110

AUB-WR-D'haquille Williams-OUT | KEN-RB-Stanley Boom Williams-Probable | TV: ESPN, DTV: 206 | MOSTLY FAIR, SOUTHWEST WIND 4-9. GAME TEMP 66, RH 41%

7:30 PM EDT

107 WESTERN KENTUCKY -30.5 -34 / -34.5 -05 / -34 -15 -34.5
108 NORTH TEXAS 68 71 / 71.5 / 71 71.5

WKY-RB-Leon Allen-OUT | TV: CBSC, DTV: 221 | CLEAR, SOUTH WIND 10-15. GAME TEMP 89, RH 18% HEAT INDEX 85

10:30 PM EDT

109 UCLA 56 55 / 54.5 / 55.5 56 +210
110 STANFORD -5 -7 +02 / -7 -05 / -6.5 -15 -6.5 -15 -260

TV: ESPN, DTV: 206 | PARTLY CLOUDY, NORTHWEST WIND 7-12. GAME TEMP 69, RH 73%

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

Game Score Status Pick Amount


Auburn - 7:00 PM ET Kentucky +2 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Kentucky - Under 56 500 DOUBLE PLAY


Western Kentucky - 7:30 PM ET North Texas +34.5 500 *****

North Texas - Over 71 500 TRIPLE PLAY


UCLA - 10:30 PM ET UCLA +7 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Stanford - Under 56 500 DOUBLE PLAY

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RECORD GOING INTO FRIDAY GAMES : ( 10/16/15)


CFB: 2 - 4 THURSDAY NIGHT


*****............................... 1 - 0
double play.........................0 - 4
triple play...........................1 - 0
blow out.............................0 - 0


COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECORD:


single play:.......................................26 - 25 - 1
double play:......................................39 - 41
triple play:........................................27 - 18
blow out:..........................................14 - 12
gow:.............................................. . ..1 - 0
gom:.............................................. . .0 - 0
goy............................................... .. ..0 - 0
upsets............................................ ....0 - 1
game of the day..................................1 - 1