NCAAF Trends and Indexes - Week 11 (Tuesday, November 10 - Saturday, November 14)

[Udog]

NCAAF
Armadillo's Write-Up

Week 11

Saturday's games
Top 13 games
Road team won pair of wild Duke-Pitt games last two years; Duke won 51-48 (+3) LY, lost 58-55 (-4) at home in '13. Both teams lost their last two games after 6-1 starts; Blue Devils are 0-3 as home faves this year- they allowed 46.3 ppg in last three games. Pitt won last three road games by total of 10 points; they're 3-0 as road underdogs this year. Last three Duke games went over total. ACC home favorites are 10-14 vs spread.

Houston is 9-0 but allowed 523 PY in 33-30 win over Cincinnati a week ago; Cougars won last five games with Memphis, covering three of last four- they won 25-15/55-14 in last two played here. Tigers gave up 374 rushing yards to Navy LW, losing 45-20, their first loss. Memphis is 4-0 on road, scoring 47.3 ppg. Houston ran ball for 214+ yards in eight of last nine games- Vandy held them to 150. Five of last seven Houston games stayed under the total.

Underdogs are 11-2-1 vs spread in last 14 NC State-Florida State games; Wolfpack lost last four visits here, losing 49-17/34-0 in last two; they're 2-6 SU in last eight series games (6-1-1 vs spread). FSU lost at Clemson LW, second loss in three games; they're 3-2 as HFs this year. NC State is 0-2 as an underdog this year, losing both by 15 points. Six of last eight FSU games stayed under total. ACC home favorites are 10-14 vs spread. Golson is back at QB for FSU after Maguire started last two games.

Washington State is 4-0 as road underdogs this year, going 6-2 SU in last eight games, after opening with loss to I-AA teams. Coogs lost last five games with UCLA, giving up 37 ppg but they covered last three, losing 28-25/42-28/28-3 in last three visits here. Bruins won last three games, coring 38.7 ppg; they blanked Oregon State LW, after giving up average of 37.8 ppg in previous five games- they're 1-4 as home favorite in '15.

Alabama won 20-7/24-7 in last two visits to Starkville; they beat Miss State 25-20 (-9) LY, when Bulldogs were #1 in country. MSU covered three of last four series games. Crimson Tide is off LSU win; they're 2-0 on road this season, winning at Georgia/A&M 38-10/41-23. State won last four games, scoring 41.8 ppg; they're 2-1 as an underdog. SEC home underdogs are 6-8 this year. Alabama held LSU to 54 yards rushing LW, but senior QB Prescott presents a more diverse threat.

North Carolina won its last eight games since losing 17-13 in opener to South Carolina; UNC covered four of last five games, is 3-1 as HF this year. Tar Heels lost four of last five games with Miami, losing last two here, 27-23/30-24. Hurricanes won three of last four games, are 2-1 as an underdog; four of their last six games stayed under. ACC home favorites are 10-14 vs spread. UNC hung 66 points on Duke LW; they've gained 1,148 yards in last two games combined.

LSU followed up LY's loss to Alabama with 17-0 loss to Arkansas; their first loss in last four games with Razorbacks, who lost 37-27/41-17 last two visits here. Tigers got spanked LW, are 2-2-1 as HFs this year- they allowed 19+ points in every game this year. Arkansas covered last four I-A games, winning last two in OT; they gave up 748 PY last two games and one of those was against I-AA team. SEC homr favorites are 12-14 against the spread this season.

Since 2010, Georgia is 0-6-1 vs spread as an underdog; they're dog here for first time this year. Georgia won three of last four games vs Auburn, but lost 43-38 in last visit here; Dawgs are 2-3 in last five games, 1-5 vs spread in last six- Auburn ran ball for 311 yards in win at Texas A&M after losing previous two games; they're 1-2 at home vs I-A foes. Five of last six Georgia games stayed under total- they were held under 300 yds in three of last five games.

Arizona State won last eight games with Washington, winning 53-24 last time teams met here; ASU lost its last three games overall, allowing 43.3 ppg; three of their last four games went over total. Sun Devils gave up 812 PY in last two games- they lost two of last three at home, are 1-2 as a favorite. Huskies lost three of last four games; they're 2-1 as road dogs this season. Five of last six Washington games stayed under total. Pac-12 home favorites are 12-12 against the spread.

Baylor beat Oklahoma 48-14/41-12 last two years, after going 1-16 vs Sooners before that; Bears scored 59 ppg in winning three home games vs I-A foes, but they play Okla St/TCU after this- schedule is loaded at the end. Oklahoma scored 58 ppg in winning last four games against low half of league- six of last seven Sooner games went over- they're 8-4 as an underdog, over last 10+ years. Big X home favorites are 11-4 vs spread. Baylor freshman QB Stitham threw for 419 yards in his first start LW.

Arizona won last three games with Utah by 32-11-10 points; they beat Utes 42-10 at home LY- Wildcats ran for 298 yards. Wildcats allowed an average of 40.8 ppg last four games, losing last three, by 3-46-8 points; they're 1-3 as underdogs this season. 8-1 Utah's only loss was at USC; they're 3-3 as a favorite TY, all four of its road tilts were decided by 11+ points. Pac-12 home underdogs are 2-7 vs spread. Arizona gave up 430 YR last two games, 467+ TY in each of last four games.

8-1 Florida allowed 10 or less points in each of last four wins; they lost 23-20/19-14 to South Carolina last two years, losing last two visits to Columbia by 5 points each. Gators are 2-1 in true road games; favorites are 2-0-1 vs spread in those games. Gamecocks covered last three games, winning two of three at home TY; they're 2-3 as underdogs. Carolina is 0-6 this season when allowing more than 14 points. SEC home dogs are 6-8 vs spread.

Oregon won last three games, scoring 43.7 ppg after a 3-3 start; they are 3-2 in last five games with Stanford, losing 26-20 in last visit here, in '13. Ducks are 3-0 as an underdog this year, winning in OT at Arizona in last road tilt. Pac-12 home favorites are 12-12 vs spread. Last three Stanford games stayed under total. Cardinal won eight games in row since opening loss at Northwestern; Stanford is 4-0 as home favorite this year with all four wins by 17+ points.

Rest of card.........
-- Tulsa is 3-0 as road underdog this year; they scored 42-40-45 points in last three games. Cincinnati won last three home games by 11-24-45 poinrs. Last five Bearcat games stayed under total.

-- Charlotte lost its last seven games (1-4-2 vs spread), losing last four at home by average score of 33-8. UTSA lost last four games, allowing 33 ppg; they're 1-4 on road, 1-1 as a road favorite this year.

-- UMass (-14) beat Eastern Michigan 36-14 LY, outgaining UMass by 242 yards; Minutemen lost last five games; they were favored in two of them. Eagles lost their last eight games (1-7 against the spread).

-- Middle Tennessee won last seven games with Florida Atlantic (5-1 vs spread); they won 42-35/38-14/27-20 in last three visits here. MTSU is 0-4 on road this year, allowing 41.7 ppg.

-- Indiana lost its last five games, allowing 41 ppg after a 4-0 start; they lost 12 games in row to Michigan (2-5 vs spread last seven). Michigan is 7-1 in its last eight games, with six wins by 21+ points.

-- Marshall won its three games with FIU: 20-10/48-10/45-13, covering twice; Herd is 3-1 as home favorite this year- five of their last six games stayed under the total. Four of last five FIU games went over.

-- Favorites are 7-2-2 vs spread in last 11 Akron-Miami games; Akron won last two, 29-19/24-17. Six of last eight Akron games stayed under. Miami lost eight of last nine games, but covered last three.

-- Michigan State lost 39-38 at Nebraska LW, its first loss of year; they have Ohio State/Penn State after this. Spartans ran for 242 yards LY in 37-15 win at Maryland. Terps are 2-7 but covered last four games.

-- Ohio State won last three games with Illini: 55-14/60-35/52-22. Seven of last eight Buckeye games, five of last seven Illini games stayed under. Illinois is 2-3 as an underdog this season, 0-1 at home.

-- Army won last two games with Tulane, 45-6/41-23; Cadets are 1-6 vs I-A teams this year. Tulane lost its last five games, scoring 9.7 ppg, not good. AAC non-conference road dogs are 7-6 vs spread.

-- Clemson beat Syracuse 16-6 LY after trailing 6-3 at half; Tigers are off emotional Florida State win, have to keep pedal on metal to keep rating at #1. Syracuse lost lost six games, allowing 38.7 ppg (3-3 vs spread).

-- 8-1 Temple covered five of last six games; they're 3-1 as road faves; Owls (+3.5) beat USF 37-28 in only series game, in 2012. Bulls are 4-1 in last five games overll, covering five of their last six.

-- Nebraska is 1-3 on road, 4-6 overall; they upset Michigan State LW, scored 45-39 points last two games. Rutgers lost last three games by a combined 146-33. Big 14 home underdogs are 9-7 vs spread.

-- Old Dominion lost five of last seven games, with wins by total of eight points; Monarchs lost three of last four home games. UTEP is 1-4 on the road, allowing 50 ppg. Last four ODU games went over total.

-- TCU lost star WR Doctson for season in first loss at Oklahoma State LW; Frogs are 2-1 as home favorites this year. Kansas allowed 59.7 ppg in last three games- they covered once in their last six games.

-- Texas Tech lost last three games, allowing 54.7 ppg; they lost last four games with Kansas State, losing 49-26/41-34 in last two played here. Big X home favorites are 11-4 vs spread. K-State lost its last five games.

-- Vanderbilt lost three of last four games, scoring 6.8 ppg; Vandy won three of last four games with Kentucky, winning 22-6/38-8 in last two at Nashville. Kentucky lost its last four games, allowing 37.8 ppg.

-- 7-2 Northwestern's last two wins were by two points each; Wildcats were underdog in five of eight I-A games (2-1F)- they won 38-14 LY at Purdue, which lost six of last seven games, allowing 93 points in last two

-- Utah State beat Air Force 34-16/52-20 last two years; Aggies are 0-4 vs I-A teams this year when they score less than 33 points. Falcons won last three games by a combined total of 120-24.

-- Texas State beat Georgia State 54-31/24-17 last two years; TSU is 1-6 vs I-A teams, 1-5 vs spread last six games- four of last five Bobcat games stayed under. Georgia State is 4-0 as road dog this season.

-- UL-Monroe is 0-8 vs I-A teams, covering once in last six games; they lost last five games with Arkansas State, four by 14+. ASU won last five games, scoring 44.6 ppg; all five of those games went over.

-- Texas is 0-3 on road this year, outscored by combined total of 112-10; Longhorns beat West Virginia last two seasons, 33-16/47-40. WVa lost four of last five games, allowing 237 rushing ypg in last three.

-- Notre Dame won 38-0/24-17 in last two games with Wake Forest; 8-1 ND covered six of last seven games- they're 4-0 as HFs this year. Wake covered four of its last five games; they're 1-2 as road dog this year.

-- Rice beat Southern Miss 41-23/44-17 last two meetings; Owls are 2-4 in last six games overall, are 1-3-1 as a dog this year. USM won three in row, all by 21+ points, allowing average of only 11 ppg.

-- Navy won its last three games by 17-12-25 points; handing Memphis its first loss LW; Middies ran ball for 802 yards last two games- they're 3-1 as home faves this year. SMU covered once in its last six games.

-- 9-0 Oklahoma State had big win over TCU LW; they've scored 59 ppg in last three games. Cowboys won last three games with Iowa State by 17-31-21 points. Cyclones allowed 45+ points in four of last five games.

-- Missouri had ton of distractions this week; they're using backup QB, scored total of 25 points in last four games. BYU split four road games, with three of four decided by five or less points.

-- Georgia Southern had 421 YR in 42-10 (-25) win over Troy LY; they held Trojans to 154 TY. Eagles won six of last seven games, are 2-0 as a HF-- all six of their wins this season are by 20+ points.

-- Nevada won last four games with San Jose State, winning 38-16/35-13 in last two played here; Wolf Pack won three of last four since losing to rival UNLV. Favorites covered three of four San Jose road games.

-- Call Bears lost last four games after 5-0 start, giving up 35.5 ppg; they lost six of last eight games with Oregon State, but won 46-31 in Corvallis LY. Beavers lost last six games, covering only once.

-- Appalachian State (-18) beat Idaho 45-28 LY; ASU is 7-2 but allowed 81 points in last two games- they're 3-0 as road favorites. Idaho scored 93 points in its last two games but still lost both, both by seven points.

-- Colorado State won last three games with UNLV by 22-3-33 points, but teams didn't meet last two years; Rams lost three of four home tilts vs I-A teams. Rebels are 3-0 as a road underdog this season.

-- Louisville won five of last six games after 0-3 start, allowing 19 or less points in all five wins; Cards (-5.5) lost 23-21 at Virginia LY, they're 1-2 as HFs this year. Virginia covered three of four as road dog this year.

-- Tennessee is 5-4, gets bowl-eligible here; they close with Mizzou and Vandy, can name score here vs 1-8 North Texas squad that fired coach last month and lost 56-13 last week at Louisiana Tech.

-- Boise State won last four games with New Mexico, winning 45-17 and 45-5 in last two played here. Broncos covered five of last seven, are 1-2 as HF this season. Lobos won four of last six; they're 2-2 as a dog.

-- Home side won four of last five Minnesota-Iowa games; Gophers won 51-14 at home LY, lost last visit here 31-13. 9-0 Iowa is 1-3 as home favorite this year. Five of last seven Hawkeye games went over total.

-- San Diego State won/covered all five MW games; 14 points was least they've won by. Road team won last four Aztec-Wyoming games, with Cowboys winning 30-27/30-27 here. Dogs are 5-3-1 vs spread in series.

-- Fresno State lost seven of last eight games, losing all four road games by 14+ points. Hawai'i lost last seven games, allowed 99 points in last two games. Mountain West home favorites are 10-6 vs spread.

[Udog]

NCAAF

Saturday, November 14

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Game of the Day: Alabama at Mississippi State
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The Bulldogs have averaged 40.75 points during their four-game winning streak and are coming off a 31-13 victory at Missouri in a driving rain

Alabama Crimson Tide at Mississippi State Bulldogs (+8, 51.5)

One of the biggest remaining hurdles between Alabama and the College Football Playoff awaits Saturday, when the Crimson Tide travels to face Mississippi State in the 100th all-time meeting between the SEC West rivals. The Crimson Tide jumped to No. 2 in the playoff rankings after last week’s impressive 30-16 win over LSU, and they face another stiff test against the 20th-ranked Bulldogs.

Alabama has reeled off six straight wins since a 43-37 setback against Ole Miss, including triumphs over three teams that were ranked in the top 10 at the time. Last week’s victory put the Crimson Tide in control in the SEC West – and gave them an inside track to the national semifinals – but they’ll have to knock off another red-hot team to stay there. The Bulldogs have averaged 40.75 points during their four-game winning streak and are coming off a 31-13 victory at Missouri in a driving rain. ”Any time you have an emotional win, you have to get your team ready to respond the right way and make sure they're focused on what they need to do just as well the next week – or better,” Alabama coach Nick Saban told reporters. “This is an outstanding team all the way around, and this is not the time for anyone to think that just because we had what some would call a ‘big win’ that there is any reason to think that the next game is not the most important game that we need to play.”

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

LINE HISTORY: Books opened Alabama anywhere from -7 to -8 and the line is currently -8. The total is up to 51.5 from the opening 50.

INJURY REPORT:

Alabama - RB Kenyan Drake (Questionable, head), WR Chris Black (Out for season, ankle), K Gunnar Raborn (Out indefinitely, suspension), WR Robert Foster (Out for season, shoulder).

Mississippi State - DB Will Redmond (Out for season, knee), LB Dezmond Harris (Out for season, knee), DB Kendrick Market (Out for season, knee).

WEATHER: Temperatures expected to be in the low-60s under clear skies. Wind will blow toward the south end zone at around 6 mph.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Alabama remains the team to beat in the SEC after defeating LSU by a score of 30-16. Derrick Henry ran for 210 yards and three TDs while Leornard Fournette was limited to just 31 yards on 19 carries. The Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 303 yards and four TDs in the win over Missouri, becoming the 6th player in SEC history to account for 100 or more TDs."

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "We opened this game Alabama -8 and have not had to move off our opening number as we are seeing solid two-way action at this number with 65 percent of the action favoring Alabama."

ABOUT ALABAMA (8-1 SU, 4-5 ATS, 3-6 O/U): The Crimson Tide shut down LSU star Leonard Fournette last week, holding him to a season-low 31 yards, and they hope to slow another potential Heisman Trophy candidate this week in Dak Prescott. Alabama has forced 13 turnovers during its winning streak – including 11 interceptions – and leads the SEC with 13 picks this season, four of which were returned for touchdowns. Derrick Henry also continued his impressive play against LSU, running for 210 yards and three touchdowns to give him 589 rushing yards and seven TDs in his last three games.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (7-2 SU, 6-3 ATS, 4-5 O/U): Prescott continued to put up big numbers despite unfavorable conditions last week, racking up 351 total yards with four touchdown passes against a Missouri team that entered the game ranked first in the SEC in scoring defense. Prescott has topped 300 yards passing in three straight games, and both of his favorite targets went over 100 yards receiving last week - with Fred Ross making 11 catches for 115 yards and De’Runnya Wilson adding four receptions for 102 yards. The Bulldogs could have their hands full slowing down Henry, as they rank 10th in the SEC against the run after allowing 215 rushing yards versus Missouri.

TRENDS:

* Under is 7-0 in the last seven meetings in Mississippi State.
* Under is 13-2-1 in the last 16 meetings.
* Crimson Tide are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games.
* Under is 8-1 in Bulldogs last nine conference games.

CONSENSUS: Fifty-five percent of users are backing Alabama.


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[Udog]

NCAAF

Saturday, November 14


FSU names Golson starting QB for Saturday

Everett Golson will be Florida State's starting quarterback against North Carolina State on Saturday after Sean Maguire started the previous two games for the Seminoles.

Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher named Golson the starter on Thursday.

Golson sustained a concussion in the Seminoles' Oct. 24 loss to Georgia Tech, and he missed the next game against Syracuse even though he had passed the concussion protocol.

Maguire had a good day as Golson's replacement against the Orange, passing for 348 yards and three touchdowns in the 45-21 victory.

Maguire remained the starting quarterback last week against No. 1 Clemson, but Florida State lost that game 23-13 as Maguire passed for 164 yards and no touchdowns with one interception.

So Fisher is going back to Golson, who was named the starter in preseason and has a 6-1 record this season.

Golson was Notre Dame's starting quarterback before transferring to Florida State as a graduate transfer.


Stanford dominant at home under head coach Shaw

The Stanford Cardinal have gone 28-3 at home under head coach David Shaw since he took over the job in 2011.

The Cardinal have been a profitable option for bettors in those spots as well, carrying an impressive 20-11 record against the spread in Shaw's home games into Saturday's meeting with the Oregon Ducks at Stanford Stadium Saturday.

Stanford has hosted Oregon twice since Shaw has been at the helm (2013, 2011). Oregon won and covered in 2011 but it was Stanford with wins in both columns in the most recent meeting.

Books opened the Cardinal as 9-point home favorites but that has since moved to -10.


Wolfpack aim to match school record fifth road win

The North Carolina State Wolfpack will visit the Florida State Seminoles with a chance to match the school record with their fifth road victory of the season Saturday afternoon.

The Wolfpack have been an excellent wager against the spread in those road games as well, bringing a 4-1 ATS mark into Tallahassee.

Their only slipup on the road was in Week 6 when they lost 28-13 as 2.5-point road dogs at the Virginia Tech Hokies.

It won't be easy for N.C. State, however, as Florida State has won 19 consecutive games on home turf.

Books opened Florida State as a 9.5-point home favorite, but that has moved to -8 as of Friday evening.


TCU has yet to cover versus Kansas in Big 12

The TCU Horned Frogs, who joined the Big 12 conference ahead of the 2012 season, have faced the Kansas Jayhawks three times, defeated them outright three times, but has failed to cover the spread in each of those contests.

TCU has been a double-digit favorite in each of the contests and has won by single digits twice, including a 34-30 win as 28-point road favorites last season.

This time around, books opened the Frogs as lofty 44-point home favorites and that has since moved up to 45.


Florida State dominant SU at home, not so much ATS

The Florida State Seminoles have won an impressive 19 consecutive games on home soil at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee and host the North Carolina State Wolfpack as 8-point faves Saturday afternoon.

The impressive streak hasn't yielded a good return for Noles backers however. Florida State has put together a pedestrian record of 10-9 against the spread during their home win streak.

To make matters worse for hopeful FSU bettors, North Carolina State has gone 6-1 ATS in its last seven visits to Tallahassee, most recently covering as 34-point dogs in a 49-17 loss at FSU in 2013.

[Udog]

Essential Week 11 betting notes for college football's top games

Iowa heads into Saturday's action tied with Maryland and Northwestern with the best record against the spread in the Big Ten at 6-3.

(10) Florida Gators at South Carolina Gamecocks (+7.5, 46.5)

* While the Gators sputtered on offense in a 9-7 win versus Vanderbilt last week, they are sixth in the nation in total defense and have allowed 13 points of fewer in six of nine games.

* The Gamecocks took last year’s meeting 23-20 and have split the last 10 with the Gators, who had won 13 straight before that stretch. The Gamecocks have gone 6-4 ATS in those 10 games.


Kansas Jayhawks at (12) TCU Horned Frogs (-45, 71.5)

* The Jayhawks are trying to avoid a winless season under first-year coach David Beaty and follow the TCU game with contests against West Virginia and Kansas State.

* TCU possesses a 19-8-4 series lead and has won all three meetings since joining the Big 12. They have gone 0-3 ATS in those three meetings, however.


(1) Ohio State Buckeyes at Illinois Fighting Illini (+16.5, 55)

* J.T. Barrett will return under center for Ohio State after he was suspended for last week's game against Minnesota after being arrested for driving under the influence and has been reinstated and anointed the starter by coach Urban Meyer.

* Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt has been intercepted just four times while passing for 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he has a talented target in senior receiver Geronimo Allison (56 receptions for 756 yards).


Maryland Terrapins at (14) Michigan State Spartans (-15, 56)

* As the Terrapins play out a difficult season with an eye toward 2016, they see the visit to Michigan State as a potential building block. "They're kind of wounded coming off the loss from last week," wide receiver Levern Jacobs told reporters. "I just think we have a great opportunity to go in there and upset that team this weekend and build on what we can do next year."

* Despite coming off a gut-punching and controversial loss, Michigan State can still control its own destiny in the Big Ten. The Spartans start down a potential road to redemption Saturday when they host a reeling Maryland squad that could be a target for some of the frustration in East Lansing.


Purdue Boilermakers at (24) Northwestern Wildcats (16, 49)

* Purdue's Markell Jones continued his impressive season with 84 yards rushing against Illinois; his 634 yards on the ground and seven rushing touchdowns rank him ninth and tied for fifth, respectively, nationally among freshmen running backs.

* Northwestern gave up a total of 35 points through five games before getting outscored 78-10 in back-to-back losses to Big Ten powers Michigan and Iowa, but have steadied the ship recently with a pair of two-point wins at Nebraska (30-28) on Oct. 24 and versus Penn State last weekend (23-21).


North Carolina State Wolfpack at (18) Florida State Seminoles (-10, 54)

* The Wolfpack can match a school record with their fifth road win of the season on Saturday. They are 4-1 SU and ATS five road games so far this season.

* The Seminoles have won 19 straight home games but are just 10-9 ATS in those games.


(2) Clemson Tigers at Syracuse Orange (+28, 57.5)

* Deshaun Watson led three second-half scoring drives against the Seminoles and finished with 297 passing yards and a touchdown, no interceptions, and 107 yards on the ground. "Everything starts with Deshaun Watson," said Orange coach Scott Shafer. "He's a great football player. ... You can see he has been eager to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country."

* Since joining the ACC, Syracuse has scored a total of 20 points in two games versus Clemson. The Under has cashed in both games.


Miami Hurricanes at (17) North Carolina Tar Heels (-13, 65.5)

* Miami QB Brad Kaaya returned after a one-week absence due to a concussion to complete 20-of-26 passes for 286 yards last week in Miami’s 27-21 victory over Virginia.

* With a victory Saturday, the Tar Heels can become the eighth team to finish undefeated at Kenan Stadium in a single season since it opened in 1927 and the first since 1996. They've gone 4-2 ATS in their six home games heading into Saturday's game.


Wake Forest Demon Deacons at (6) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-27, 52)

* The Demon Deacons are enduring a rough season but still have a chance to impact the College Football Playoff with the next two games against No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 1 Clemson. “This will be a great challenge for our football team,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson told reporters. “This is why people come to Wake Forest. You get to play in games like this, in a venue like this, and our players are excited about it.”

* Notre Dame took the first two meetings in 2011 and 2012. The teams split each ATS but the Under has cashed in both contests.


(4) Alabama Crimson Tide at (2) Mississippi State Bulldogs (+8, 51.5)

* Alabama has won seven straight in the series and allowed 10 or fewer points in six of the last seven meetings. The Tide have gone just 4-3 ATS in the last seven, but the Under has gone 6-0-1.

* Mississippi State leads the SEC and ranks third nationally in the red zone, producing touchdowns on 75 percent of its drives inside the 20.


(5) Oklahoma State Cowboys at Iowa State Cyclones (+14, 61)

* Oklahoma State is trying for its 12th straight victory, which would be the second-longest streak behind the school-record 13 in a row set from 1944-46. The Cowboys have gone 8-3 ATS in the last 11.

* The Cyclones will likely try to keep the vaunted Cowboys' offense off the field and have the means to do so with Lawton, Okla., native Mike Warren, the top freshman rusher in the nation with 997 yards.


(15) Michigan Wolverines at Indiana Hoosiers (+13, 56)

* The Wolverines have beaten Indiana 19 consecutive times, including the last eight games in Bloomington, and have scored at least 34 points in the past seven meetings overall.

* "When we play we can play with anybody and we're going for seven wins now," Indiana running back Jordan Howard told reporters. "We just have to make the plays when they come to us and step up and not be afraid of the moment."


SMU Mustangs at (23) Navy Midshipmen (-21.5, 61)

* The Mustangs rank 122nd in the FBS in average rushing yards allowed, surrendering 259.6 to go along with 32 touchdowns allowed on the ground.

* The Midshipmen rank third nationally with an average of 326.5 rushing yards and use a triple-option offense that has seen seven different players score on the ground this season. Quarterback Keenan Reynolds was held out of the end zone on the ground last week and remains tied with former Wisconsin star Montee Ball for the NCAA career rushing touchdowns lead at 77.


(25) Memphis Tigers at (16) Houston Cougars (-7, 71)

* Memphis is 4-0 on the road this season and has won eight straight, the nation's second-longest road winning streak behind Ohio State's 16. The Tigers are 2-1-1 ATS on the road this season and 5-2-1 ATS in during their road streak.

* Houston has won 10 straight games, the fourth longest active streak behind Ohio State (22), Clemson (12) and Oklahoma State (11). They are 7-3 ATS during their streak.


(21) Temple Owls at South Florida Bulls (+2.5, 44.5)

* The Owls can clinch the East Division and a berth in the first American Athletic Conference championship game with a win Saturday. They would love to match their effort against SMU last week, when they rolled to a 60-40 victory behind five total touchdowns from quarterback P.J. Walker.

* Quinton Flowers has accounted for 19 touchdowns this season - 12 passing scores - while ranking second on the team in rushing yards. Backfield mate Marlon Mack has surpassed 100 rushing yards in four of his last five outings - a key for the Bulls, who are 4-0 this year when he runs for at least 110 yards.


Arkansas Razorbacks at (9) LSU Tigers (-7.5, 54)

* The Razorbacks held LSU to 36 yards rushing in last season’s 17-0 home victory, limiting Fournette to career lows in yardage (nine) and carries (five).

* The Tigers are 27-2 following a loss in Miles’ 11 years as head coach and have only lost back-to-back games twice; Arkansas was the second straight loss both times (2008, 2014).


Oregon Ducks at (7) Stanford Cardinal (-10, 69.5)

* The Ducks’ offense began clicking three games ago, when Adams returned from a broken finger and wide receiver Darren Carrington made his season debut after sitting out the first six games due to suspension.

* Stanford is 28-3 at home under coach David Shaw. The Cardinal have gone 20-11 ATS in those games.


(11) Oklahoma Sooners at (3) Baylor Bears (-2.5, 76)

* The Sooners have gone over 600 yards of total offense in each of the last three games and have covered the spread in four straight.

* Baylor’s 20-game home winning streak is the longest current run in FBS. The Bears have gone 16-3 ATS during their home winning streak (This season's contest versus Lamar had no line).


Minnesota Golden Gophers at (8) Iowa Hawkeyes (-11, 45.5)

* Tracy Claeys went 4-3 as interim coach in 2013 when Jerry Kill was on leave after suffering a seizure during a game. The Gophers went 6-1 ATS in those seven games.

* The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten in takeaways (20), interceptions (13) and turnover margin (plus-11).


(13) Utah Utes at Arizona Wildcats (+6, 62)

* The Utes have a one-game lead over both UCLA and USC in the division race and winning their final three games would assure them of a spot in the Pac-12 title game.

* The Wildcats have lost three consecutive games but routed Utah last season and have covered the spread in three straight meetings with the Utes.


Washington State Cougars at (23) UCLA Bruins (-10.5, 65.5)

* The Cougars' pass-heavy offense continues to lead the Pac-12 with 417.3 passing yards per game, the second-highest average in the FBS. Luke Falk, just a sophomore, already has as many touchdown passes (46) as Drew Bledsoe had in his Washington State career and is halfway to the school's career mark of 90, set by Connor Halliday last season.

* The biggest sign the Bruins are gaining momentum is their near-flawless 41-0 win at Oregon State last weekend, when they churned out 676 yards of total offense and posted their first shutout on the road since 1987.