Cnotes 2018 College Football Thru The Bowl Games News- Trends-Stats-Best Bets !

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Thursday games

Central Florida went 13-0 LY, after going 0-12 in 2015; now they’ve got a new coach, with Frost off to Nebraska. UCF won 49-24, 24-16 in its last two games with UConn; Knights have QB with 23 career starts- their offensive line has 85 career starts, which is good. UCF covered seven of its last ten road games; they’re 10-5-1 vs spread in last 16 games as a favorite. UConn is 17-44 the last five years; since 2014, they’re 5-10 as home underdogs. Huskies have a senior QB with 4 career starts; their OL has 63 career starts.

Northwestern won its last four games with Purdue, winning 45-17/38-14 in last two visits here. Both teams have 100+ starts returning on OL; Wildcats have a senior QB with 39 career starts. Northwestern is 7-6 vs spread in its last 14 road games; they’ve got seven starters back on both sides of the ball. Purdue has nine starters back on offense, only four on defense; they covered seven of last eight tries as home favorites. Boilers lost three of last four season openers that were against I-A opponents. Purdue has two QB’s with experience; which one will start?

New Mexico State got whacked 29-7 at home by Wyoming Saturday; Aggies were outgained 449-135, had 51 penalty yards and minus-9 rushing yards- not good. Since 2015, State is 9-8 vs spread as road underdogs- they’ve got 17 starters back, 9 on defense, a new QB and an OL with 103 starts. Minnesota has 7 starters back on both sides of ball; they’ve got a new QB. Since 2015, Gophers are 4-11 vs spread as a home favorite.

Wake Forest QB Hinton (2 starts LY) is suspended for this game. Deacons (-17) nipped Tulane 7-3 at home in the 2016 season opener. Wake has 14 starters back (8 on offense, 4 on OL- 132 returning starts!!!); they are 1-3 as road favorites the last eight years (0-2 under Clawson)- they covered eight of last 10 non-ACC games. Tulane has 14 starters back, 9 on offense (91 starts on OL); Green Wave is 3-2 as home underdogs under Fritz. Tulane has a senior QB with 11 career starts. Last two years, ACC teams are 8-4 vs spread when facing an AAC opponent.

Friday/Saturday’s best 13 games

Colorado won its last three games with Colorado State 17-3/44-7/27-24; Buffaloes are 12-8 as favorites under MacIntyre, but were just 1-4 LY. Buffs’ QB Montez has 15 career starts; they’ve got only 10 starters back, four on offense. Colorado State (last week’s info). Under Bobo, Rams are 6-8 vs spread out of conference; they covered nine of last 12 games as an underdog. Last three year, Pac-12 teams are 18-15-1 vs spread when facing a Mountain West foe.

Northern Illinois (+3) upset Iowa 30-27 in last meeting five years ago; Huskies covered four of last five games vs Big 14 opponents. NIU has 14 starters back, 8 on offense- their OL has 111 starters back. Huskies are 10-3 vs spread as home underdogs under Carey; their QB is a sop with only 7 career starts. Iowa is 12-22-1 vs spread in its last 35 home games; they’ve got 13 starters back, 7 on offense. Hawkeyes’ QB is a junior with 13 starts. Last three years, MAC teams are 19-10-1 vs spread when playing a Big 14 opponent.

Maryland (+17) went to Austin LY and shocked Texas 51-41, running ball for 263 yards, but Terps had a terrible off-season, with a player dying in conditioning workouts. Hard to tell what effect that will have, but it won’t be good. Maryland is 5-7 vs spread at home with Durkin; their OL has 105 returning starts, but their QB has almost no experience. Texas covered four of five on road in Herman’s first year; Longhorns have two experienced QB’s- their OL has 102 starts. Last four years, Big X teams are 6-5-1 vs spread when playing a Big 14 opponent.

Vanderbilt won its last three games with Middle Tennessee, winning 47-24 (-3) in last meeting here in ‘16. Commodores have 12 starters back, 7 on offense- their senior QB Shurmur (30 starts) is son of the NJ Giants’ coach. Vandy is 13-14 vs spread at home under Mason, 4-8 when a home favorite. MTSU has 17 starters back, 9 on defense; senior QB Stockstill (32 starts) is the coach’s son. Blue Raiders are 6-10-1 in last 17 games as road underdogs. Last three years, SEC teams are 13-6-1 vs spread against Conference USA opponents.

Arizona (-1.5) beat BYU 18-16 in last meeting two years ago, on a neutral field. Arizona debut for Kevin Sumlin, who was 13-19-1 as home favorite in his last job (Tex A&M). Since 2012, Wildcats are 11-13-1 as home favorites; they’ve got 16 starters back, 9 on defense- their mobile junior QB Tate has 9 starts. Arizona’s OL has 66 returning starts. BYU has senior QB with 21 starts; their OL has only 39 returning starts. Cougars have 14 starters back, 7 on both sides of ball; they’re 7-3 as road underdogs under Sitake.

Long trip into SEC country (Atlanta) for Washington squad that has senior QB with 39 career starts, an OL with 97 career starts. Under Petersen, U-Dub is 17-14 vs spread away from home. Huskies have 17 starters back, 9 on defense. Since 2014, Auburn is just 5-14-1 vs spread in out of conference games; Tigers have junior QB with 17 starts- their OL has only 40 returning starts. Auburn has 13 returning starters, 7 on defense. Last seven years, SEC teams are 8-3 vs Pac-12 opponents, but Pac-12 teams won both matchups LY.

Ole Miss-Tex Tech haven’t met since 2009; last two years, Rebels were 2-6 vs spread outside the SEC. Ole Miss has 15 starters back, 8 on offense- their OL has 102 returning starts. Rebels’ QB is a senior with only 5 career starts. Tech has a new QB; they’ve got 10 starters back on defense- their OL has 93 returning starts, but only one starter is a senior. Under Kingsbury, Red Raiders are 9-8-1 vs spread out of conference. Last seven years, Big X teams are 11-10 vs spread when facing an SEC opponent. This game is in Houston, so Tech will have crowd edge.

West Virginia has 12 starters back, 7 on offense; their OL has 65 returning starts, the senior QB has 16 career starts. Mountaineers covered only one of last nine neutral field games. Tennessee has a new coach, their 5th coach in 11 years. Since 2012, Vols are 12-15 vs spread out of conference. Tennessee’s OL has 51 returning starts; their grad transfer QB had 13 career starts at Stanford. Last seven years, Big X teams are 11-10 vs spread when facing an SEC opponent. This game is in Charlotte, NC, so crowd support should be fairly even.

North Carolina QB Surratt is suspended here for selling his sneakers; some of UNC’s offensive line are also out. Cal (+12) won 35-30 in Chapel Hill last season, throwing for 363 yards. Tar Heels have 13 starters back, 8 on defense; their OL has only 19 returning starts- since 2015, UNC is 10-4 vs spread on road. California covered nine of its last 12 home games; they’ve got 18 starters back, 10 on offense. Bears’ junior QB has 12 starts; their OL has 76 returning starts. Last four years, ACC teams are 8-3 vs spread when facing a Pac-12 team.

Home side won last four Michigan-Notre Dame games; teams last met in 2014. Irish won 31-0 in last meeting here. Wolverines are 6-8 vs spread on road under Harbaugh; their new QB is Ole Miss transfer Patterson, who started 10 games at Ole Miss. Michigan has 17 returning starters, 9 on defense; their OL has 54 returning starts. Notre Dame has 15 returning starters, 9 on defense; their OL has 65 returning starters, their QB has 12. Since 2011, Irish are 14-11 vs spread at home- they covered their last three games as a home underdog.

Alabama hasn’t announced their starting QB yet; obviously both are good. Crimson Tide covered four of its last five season openers. Alabama has 103 returning starts on its OL, but has only three returning starters on defense- they’ve got injury problems at linebacker. Louisville is 6-4 vs spread in its last ten games as an underdog; Cardinals have a new QB- their OL has 79 returning starts, their defense has only four returning starters. Last three years, ACC teams are 20-14-1 vs spread when playing SEC opponents. This game is in Orlando.

Miami has 14 starters back, 7 on both sides of ball; Hurricanes’ OL has 55 returning starts, their QB has 14 starts. Miami covered only one of its last seven games on a neutral field. LSU has five starters back on both sides of ball; their OL has only 35 returning starts. Tigers will also have a new QB. Since 2012, LSU is 11-17 vs spread outside the SEC. Last three years, ACC teams are 20-14-1 vs spread when playing SEC opponents. This game is in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. These teams haven’t met since 2005.

Virginia Tech-Florida St split their last four meetings; they haven’t met since 2012. Tech has 12 starters back, 7 on offense; their OL has 51 returning starts. Hokies’ sophomore QB has 13 starts. Since 2013, Tech covered six of last eight games as road underdogs. First game at Florida State for Taggart, who is coaching his third different school in three years. Seminoles have 12 starters back, but only four on defense; their OL has 90 career starts. Looks like Francois returns at QB after missing almost all of LY with an injury. Since 2014, FSU is 10-14 as a home favorite.

[StarDust Bum]

Week 1 Upset Alert
August 29, 2018
By Sportsbetting.ag

NCAAF Week 1 Upset Alert

Now that the first full week of the 2018 college football season has finally arrived, it's an exciting time knowing that Saturday's for the next three months will be chalk-full of highly entertaining games and great betting opportunities. Yet, continually laying the “chalk” each week can get you and your bankroll in trouble if you're not being selective enough or doing the right amount of homework, as each week we see numerous upsets in the college football world.

This weekly piece at VegasInsider.com will take a look at some of those potentially 'live' underdogs from various point spread ranges, and hopefully those that aren't scared to expose themselves to a little more risk will back a few of these underdogs on the ML as well.

Upset Alert #1: Underdogs in the +1 to +9 point spread range

SMU +4.5 over North Texas

SMU opens up the 2018 campaign on the road against a North Texas team that's got eyes on returning to the Conference USA championship game. The Mean Green were flat out embarrassed in that title game against FAU last year (41-17) and let those down feelings affect them in their Bowl loss (50-30) against Troy. All of that should be water under the bridge to start this year off, but the did lose 54-32 at SMU last year and it's not like the Mustangs haven't gone out and made improvements themselves this off-season.

SMU went out and hired Sonny Dykes to be their new HC and his “air raid” attack should further the development of this program throughout 2018. SMU has also been a program that tends to play very well early on in the year before struggling mightily in conference play, and that also bodes well for them in this spot.

Sure, the revenge angle is working against the Mustangs after last year's win over North Texas, but it's not hard to see the same end result happening again. Dykes was brought in to SMU to win and win now, and we could easily see SMU start off the year 1-0 SU and ATS.

Upset Alert #2: Underdogs in the +10 to +19 point spread range

Cincinnati +14.5 over UCLA

Cincinnati is in Year 2 of the Luke Fickell era and they are hoping for much better results overall. The Bearcats were a disappointing 4-8 SU and ATS a season ago, but with a returning senior QB in Hayden Moore leading the attack, Cincinnati should improve on that record greatly this year. It could easily start with an upset win over a UCLA program that's going through plenty of changes themselves.

The Bruins are moving on from the Josh Rosen era and into the Chip Kelly era and that alone should make it an interesting season to be a UCLA fan. Kelly flamed out in the pro ranks after a very successful tenure at Oregon, and obviously both he and the administration at UCLA believe he can jump right back into that collegiate boat and keep on paddling downstream. The arrogance Kelly had about “his system” proved to be his downfall in the pros, and I would not be surprised to see it take a few weeks or so before this UCLA team really gets off the ground.

So not only are their drastic changes from a philosophical standpoint for this Bruins team, but handing over the reigns of the offense to sophomore QB Devon Modster might not be as smooth as expected either. This is also a situation where Kelly as inherited a program where he's done no recruiting in terms of the starters on the field, and if he becomes thick-headed like he was in the pros trying to force guys into doing things they aren't comfortable or even able to do, jamming those square pegs into round holes is going to equate to quite a few losses for UCLA early on.

Finally, with a huge game at Oklahoma on deck, chances are we see UCLA look past what was a bad Cincinnati team from a year ago. We've already seen some reverse line movement work in the Bearcats favor, but I'm not so sure an outright victory is completely out of the question either for Cincinnati.

Upset Alert #3: Underdogs in the +20 and above range

Rice +25.5 vs Houston

Calling for an outright upset with any underdog of +20 points is probably a little too ambitious, but grabbing all these points with a home dog that's already dealt with those “first game jitters” and probably had one eye looking ahead to this showdown with Houston.

Rice didn't look good at all last week as they need a 12-0 scoreline in the 4th quarter to come back and beat a Prairie View A&M team that was catching 23 points that day. Rice's one dimensional attack with RB's Emmanuel Esukpa and Austin Walter carrying the ball a collective 43 times for 256 yards and 3 TD's started to get bogged down in the middle portion of that contest and at the same time Rice's defense had rough 2nd quarter as well.

However, Rice went into that second frame with a 13-0 lead and then made the mistake of thinking the final 45 minutes would continue to be a cakewalk. It took them some time to get things back in high gear, but they did it just in time, and now that focus that I'm sure was already partially on this Houston – a program that obliterated Rice (38-3) a year ago – can come to fruition in a game that should be much closer than a line like this suggests.

Conversely, Houston is a program that many are high on this year, but I am not sure I see it. A middle of the back finish in the AAC is likely the end result for this team, and when you look at the Cougars schedule, this game has the feel of being one of those dreaded “trap” games. Yes, having a trap game out of the gate isn't likely given that every player is amped up for the start of a new season, but with games against Arizona and Texas Tech the next two weeks for the Cougars, can you really blame them if they look past a Rice program that they beat up on last year and just watched struggle against an FCS team last week?

That's how I envision this game playing out and while it will end up being another SU loss for Rice in the end, it won't be by more than three TD's.

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

UCF at CONN 07:00 PM
CONN +24.0
O 70.0

NMSU at MINN 07:00 PM
NMSU +21.5
U 47.5

WAKE at TULN 08:00 PM
TULN +6.5
U 56.5

NW at PUR 08:00 PM
NW +1.0
O 53.0

[StarDust Bum]

UCF wins14th straight, routs UConn
August 30, 2018

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) No. 21 UCF has a new coaching staff - and an offense that looks very similar to the one that helped the Knights go undefeated season a year ago.

McKenzie Milton threw for 346 yards and tied a career high with five touchdowns as the self-proclaimed defending national champions routed UConn 56-17 on Thursday night to extend the longest winning streak in the nation to 14 games.

The reigning American Athletic Conference offensive player of the year completed 24 of 32 passes and ran for another 50 yards on seven carries. Sophomore receiver Tre Nixon, a transfer from Mississippi, caught five passes for 101 yards and scored on plays of 34 and 11 yards.

Backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. came on in the fourth quarter and broke a 70-yard touchdown run down the left sideline, making him the team's leading rusher.

It was the first game for coach Josh Heupel, who took the reins after Scott Frost left for Nebraska.

''I don't know if we're going to miss a beat,'' Milton said. ''The schematics are a little different, but we're going to score a lot of points no matter what.''

UConn quarterback David Pindell was a bright spot for the Huskies, throwing for 266 yards and a touchdown and running for another 157 yards and a score.

But the Huskies had 30 freshmen and sophomores on their two-deep, and more than a dozen players saw their first live-game action on Thursday night.

''I thought we had some young men who played a bit tentative for their first time and just didn't let it go,'' coach Randy Edsall said. ''Now they understand how hard it is''

THE TAKEAWAY

UCF: Heupel's fast-paced offense is as advertised, putting up 652 yards and scoring eight touchdowns on 11 drives, with each scoring drive taking less than 3 minutes off the clock.

''I'm a big fan of coach Huep's system,'' Milton said. ''I think it exposes defenses and I think it's going to be very good for UCF.''

UConn: The Huskies seem to have found their quarterback in Pindell. In addition to completing 27 of 41 passes and running 22 times, he had another 50-yard touchdown run called back because of a holding penalty. The Huskies put up 486 yards of offense.

''We made some big plays on offense and we pushed the ball a lot,'' Pindell said. ''We just have to execute in the red zone and the tight red. That's the biggest thing.''

INJURY

The game was marred by what appeared to be a serious injury to UCF defensive back Aaron Robinson on the opening kickoff.

The sophomore transfer from Alabama appeared to collide head-first with another UCF player while making the tackle. He had to be cut from his shoulder and was taken off the field on a stretcher, giving the crowd the thumbs-up sign as he was wheeled to an ambulance. Heupel said Robinson is expected to be fine, but will be kept overnight at a local hospital for observation.

EFFICIENCY

UCF was 9 of 11 on third down and converted its only attempt on fourth down. The Knights had touchdown drives of 61, 81, 76, 74, 65, 73, and two of 90 yards all while having the ball for less than 22 minutes

FIRST GAME

Heupel said he felt surprisingly calm in his first game as a head coach. The team gave him a game ball in the locker room.

''You work for eight months for something and you want it to bear good fruit and tonight it did,'' he said.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Despite opening with a conference win on the road, UCF's poll position likely will only be impacted by losses higher up in the rankings.

UP NEXT:

UCF: The Knights head back to Orlando for their home opener next Saturday against South Carolina State.

UConn: The Huskies face another ranked team when they travel to Idaho to take on No. 22 Boise State on the blue turf.


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Minnesota routs New Mexico St. 48-10
August 30, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Zack Annexstad was less than one quarter into his debut for Minnesota when he lost a fumble deep in his own territory.

The brief sideline conversation afterward assured coach P.J. Fleck yet again that the true freshman walk-on quarterback has the confidence for the job.

''He puts his hand on my shoulder and says, `I think we're going to be all right,''' Fleck said. ''Usually it's me telling people, `Hey, you're going to be OK.' That's his personality. It's different, and I like it.''

Annexstad threw two touchdown passes to Tyler Johnson, and Minnesota opened the season by overwhelming New Mexico State in a 48-10 victory on Thursday.

Antoine Winfield Jr. pitched in the first punt return for a score by the Gophers in five years, a 76-yard zigzag through an Aggies coverage unit that missed six tackles during the play. Winfield, a third-year sophomore safety, had the third of four straight touchdowns for Minnesota in the second quarter.

''He's one of our best defensive players, but now when you look at him you're sitting there going, `OK, what else could we do with this guy on offense?''' said Fleck, who ordered the punt returner experiment with Winfield in spring practice.

Backup wide receiver Seth Green scored twice on direct snaps inside the 10-yard line, a clever twist from offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca that punctuated a 522-yard performance by the Gophers. Green is also the third-string quarterback.

''He's so big. He's so strong. He's so athletic,'' Fleck said.

Rodney Smith rushed 24 times for 153 yards, lightening the load on Annexstad in just the second time in major college football history that a true freshman walk-on quarterback started a season opener.

According to Minnesota's research, Baker Mayfield was the only other one for Texas Tech in 2013. The last true freshman quarterback to start a season for the Gophers was Tim Salem in 1980. Adam Weber, the program's all-time leading passer, was a redshirt freshman when he took over the job in 2007.

Annexstad completed 16 of 33 passes for 220 yards and no interceptions, before yielding to backup Tanner Morgan midway through the fourth quarter. After the botched shotgun snap that was recovered by Aggies linebacker Terrill Hanks at the 12-yard line, Matt Romero connected with Izaiah Lottie two plays later for the tying touchdown. Dylan Brown kicked a 45-yard field goal on the next drive to give New Mexico State a short-lived lead, before Annexstad and Smith took the Gophers 75 yards in seven plays on the ensuing possession.

''We got in a groove,'' Smith said. ''The offensive line picked up a little bit, and I'm proud of those guys up front.''

HANG ON

Romero finished 29 of 58 for 233 yards passing and one interception, a diving catch by linebacker Thomas Barber after one of several mishandled balls by Aggies receivers. Romero, a junior college transfer, made his debut on Saturday during a 29-7 defeat by Wyoming in an unusually early start to the schedule.

''Really, he was sharp tonight,'' Aggies coach Doug Martin said. ''We had 15 dropped passes, so that's hard to overcome for any quarterback. He didn't get much help, but had we caught those balls, I mean, he was looking at a 400-yard passing night.''

THE TAKEAWAY

New Mexico State: The Aggies capped 2017 with the program's first bowl game win since 1960, but they're the only FBS team to start 2018 without its leading passer, rusher, receiver and tackler from the previous season. The Aggies have allowed an astounding 607 rushing yards over their first two games, a sure sign that this will be a rebuilding project in Martin's sixth season. Their net rushing total on offense, too, is just 29 yards.

Minnesota: Annexstad will face much more daunting defenses this season, but this was exactly the way the Gophers needed their rookie quarterback to start. Demry Croft, who transferred to Tennessee State, totaled 262 passing yards over the final four games last season, and the Gophers didn't have a touchdown pass over the last five games. Annexstad had two of them before halftime.

''I just went up to him and told him, `Keep balling. This is only a start,''' said Johnson, who had five catches for 100 yards.

UP NEXT

New Mexico State visits Utah State on Sept. 8, a rematch of the Arizona Bowl game from last season. The Aggies are playing an independent schedule after a four-year appearance in the Sun Belt Conference ended.

Minnesota hosts Fresno State on Sept. 8, a game that ought to give the Gophers a truer nonconference test. The Bulldogs finished 10-4 last season, reaching the Mountain West Conference championship game and beating Houston in the Hawaii Bowl. Fresno State opens with Idaho on Saturday.


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Wake Forest survives to beat Tulane 23-17 in OT
August 30, 2018

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Wake Forest freshman Sam Hartman passed for 378 yards and two touchdowns in his collegiate debut, Cade Carney powered in for a short TD in overtime, and the Demon Deacons defeated Tulane 23-17 on Thursday night.

''Sam was so poised,'' Carney said. ''Of course, he made some rookie mistakes, like you do, but the way he played overall - super proud of him.

''They were going to dare him to throw the ball, and he threw some dimes.''

Jonathan Banks connected with Terren Encalade for touchdown passes of 52 and 74 yards for Tulane, which had the ball on the edge of game-winning field goal range in the last minute of regulation before stalling after a false-start penalty.

Tulane's Peter Woullard was flagged for a personal foul when the Green Wave began overtime with the ball. Tulane turned the ball over on downs soon after, setting up Wake Forest's winning score.

''This one stings, no doubt about it. But it's the first of a 12-game season,'' third-year Tulane coach Willie Fritz said. ''We had some momentum going in the second half, but we shot ourselves in the foot with a couple of penalties. You saw a lot of first-game mistakes by both squads. Unfortunately, they made one more play than us.''

Alex Bachman caught both of Hartman's first two touchdown passes, which went for 10 and 19 yards. Sage Surrratt had 11 catches for 150 yards and Greg Dortch caught 12 passes for 149 yards.

Hartman was starting the opener because projected starter Kendall Hinton was suspended three games for an unspecified violation of team rules. The Demon Deacons also had their starting tight end sent off the field within the first five minutes of the game when his hit to the head of Tulane returner Jacob Robertson was ruled a targeting foul.

Hartman wound up with a promising performance in a victory, but it was by no means mistake free. He finished 31 of 51 and threw two interceptions, the second of which could have cost Wake Forest the game.

The Demon Deacons were threatening to take a two-score lead when Hartman attempted a desperate, underhanded pass in an effort to avoid being sacked by Tulane's Tirise Barge. The ball went straight to linebacker Larry Graham for an interception.

Banks scrambled twice for first downs during the game-tying drive, once up the middle for 17 yards on third-and-5 and later scrambling 15 yards on fourth-and-11 from the Wake Forest 37.

That set up Merek Glover's career-long 39-yard field goal to tie it at 17 with 3:53 left.

Banks finished 18 of 37 for 281 yards, but constantly found himself spinning and scrambling away from pressure. He was sacked three times and often had to throw the ball away. Even his first TD pass to Encalade came after he was forced to scramble to his right and lofted a deep ball down the sideline.

The Green Wave repeatedly squandered good field position, punting seven times from Wake Forest's side of midfield. Tulane never ran a play from inside the Wake Forest 22.

THE TAKEAWAY

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons saw that Hartman can play well with protection and could become a prolific passer. Yet, as expected with young players, he struggled to maintain composure and made some regrettable decisions when defenders were able to get pressure in the backfield.

Tulane: The Green Wave can be encouraged by its ability to compete in the American Athletic Conference and vie for a bowl bid after taking a power-conference team to overtime in its opener. But Tulane will be disappointed it squandered chances to take a statement victory.

UP NEXT

Wake Forest: Hosts Towson of the second-tier FCS in its home opener on Sept. 8.

Tulane: Hosts FCS program Nicholls State on Sept. 8.


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Larkin helps Northwestern extend streak with win at Purdue
August 30, 2018

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) Jeremy Larkin ran for a career-high 143 yards and scored two touchdowns in his first game as Northwestern's feature back and the Wildcats' sealed Thursday night's 31-27 victory at Purdue by running off the final 7 minutes, 57 seconds.

Northwestern won its ninth straight overall and ninth straight in Big Ten play - matching the school's longest streak since the 1995 Rose Bowl season. The Wildcats still have the longest active streak among Power Five teams, too.

Purdue's three-game winning streak ended with its third opening-day loss in four years.

This one spoiled a record-breaking night for freshman receiver Rondale Moore, who had 313 all-purpose yards to break Otis Armstrong's school record of 312 in 1972. Moore had 302 yards including a 32-yard TD catch and a 76-yard run for Purdue in the first half of his college debut.

The Wildcats started fast and closed it out with a first down on a personal foul call against Lorenzo Neal with 2:31 left and the Boilermakers out of timeouts.

Larkin spent last season backing up Justin Jackson, the school's career rushing leader, but proved he could be a workhorse. Larkin carried 26 times and produced his second career 100-yard game.

The game also marked the return of Thorson, just about nine months after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

It was a wild first half.

Northwestern took a 14-0 lead with a 1-yard TD run from Larkin and a 2-yard run from John Moten IV on its first two possessions. And after breaking a 14-14 tie with Charlie Kuhbander's 34-yard field goal, it converted two of Elijah Sindelar's three interceptions into scores.

Quarterback TJ Green capped the first one with 1-yard TD plunge and Larkin scored on a 4-yard run with 37 seconds left in the half to give Northwestern a 31-17 lead.

But after D.J. Knox broke off a 45-yard run on Purdue's first play of the third quarter, things slowed. Knox capped the drive with a 2-yard TD run, and Spencer Evans made a 27-yard field goal to make it 31-27 just 4 seconds into the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.

THE TAKEAWAY

Northwestern: The Wildcats needed a change after slow starts the past two seasons. The win could help them emerge as a contender in the Big Ten West.

Purdue: The Boilermakers made too many mistakes in the first half and failed to finish with the flurry they needed. Sindelar was benched after his third pick and a home loss certainly won't help their momentum.

UP NEXT

Northwestern: Faces Duke in its home opener on Sept. 8.

Purdue: Hosts Eastern Michigan on Sept. 8.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAA FB 08/31/2018

Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores

7:00 PM EDT
141 UTAH STATE 50.5 51.5 / 51.5u13 / 51 50.5 +1111
142 MICHIGAN STATE -25 -22.5 / -23 / -23.5 -23 -1771
TV: BTN, DTV: 610

6:00 PM EDT
143 SYRACUSE -6 -4.5 / -5 / -5 -09 -4.5 -200
144 WESTERN MICHIGAN 64 65o16 / 66 / 65.5 65 +170
Time-change to 06:00pm EDT | TV: CBSC, DTV: 221

9:00 PM EDT
145 WESTERN KENTUCKY 51 51.5 / 52 / 52.5o12 52.5
146 WISCONSIN -32.5 -35.5 / -35.5 -15 / -36 -36.5
Time-change to 09:00pm EDT | TV: ESPN, DTV: 206

9:30 PM EDT
147 COLORADO STATE 61.5 61.5 / 65 65.5 +230
148 COLORADO -6 -06 -7 -24 / -7.5 -05 / -7.5 -06 -7.5 -05 -280
COS-QB-Colin Hill-OUT | TV: CBSC, DTV: 221

9:00 PM EDT
149 SAN DIEGO STATE 53 53 / 48.5 / 48.5o11 48.5 +410
150 STANFORD -15.5 -15 / -14.5 / -14 -13.5 -540
Time-change to 09:00pm EDT | TV: FS-1, DTV: 219

7:00 PM EDT
159 ARMY 48 45 / 45o14 / 45 45.5 +447
160 DUKE -11 -12.5 / -13.5 / -13.5 -11 -14 -600
Date/Time change to 08/31/18 07:00:00pm EDT | TV: ESPNU, DTV: 208


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COLLEGE FOOTBALL BEST BETS AUG-SEPT.

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

08/30/2018 5-3-0 62.50% +8.50
08/25/2018 4-0-0 100.00% +20.00

TOTAL..............9-3-0.........75.00%.....+28.50



BEST BETS ATS AND O/U

08/30/2018..................2 - 1..............+4.50...................2 -1...............+4.50...............4 - 2.........+9.00
08/25/2018..................2 - 0..............+10.00.................2 - 0..............+10.00..............4 - 0........+20.00

TOTAL..........................4 - 1..............+14.50.................4 - 1..............+14.50..............8 - 2.........+29.00

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Best Bet
August 30, 2018
By BetDSI


College Football Best Bet – Friday Action

As anticipation grows for the first full week of college football action to get going tonight, I'm shifting my focus to Friday's action as there are a few more games to break down. Three programs starting the year ranked in the Top 25 are double-digit home chalk on Friday evening (Michigan State, Wisconsin, Stanford), and we even get to see one of the first solid in-state rivalry games between Colorado State and Colorado.

These games serve as a great weekend appetizer for the first full slate of Saturday games, but there is one contest that sticks out to me in particular, so let's get right to the breakdown.

Odds: Utah State vs #11 Michigan State (-23.5); Total set at 50.5

Michigan State is always a program that has lofty expectations coming into a new campaign, and with the #11 rank entering the year, expectations are even a little higher than they have been the past few years. Finishing off 2017 with a 10-3 SU record sparked those lofty expectations for 2018, and a favorable conference schedule in a loaded Big 10 East division (the Spartans host Michigan and Ohio State this year) does make the path to a potential College Football Playoff appearance a little “easier” for Michigan State.

It's not going to be easy by any means with Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State as division rivals, but it's always better to have the majority of your toughest games at home.

Oddsmakers expect Michigan State's first contest of 2018 to end up being as easy win though as they are laying about three TD's and a FG against a Utah State team that is hoping for an improvement themselves. The Aggies went 6-7 SU last year after losing in OT in their Bowl game, but starting out on the road in Big 10 country is nothing new to them after last year began with a road trip to Wisconsin. That game didn't turn out well for Utah State (59-10 loss), but with nine returning starters on offense – including the majority of them being juniors or seniors – this is a team that could end up making a lot of noise in the Mountain West Conference.

Utah State wants to make some noise right from the get-go though and they did see some very early initial support here when the line opened up around -25 back in late July. But given how badly there defense was shredded against Wisconsin a year ago – and Michigan State's attack is cut from a similar cloth – taking the points with the Aggies is not something I'm looking to do here. Instead, I'm looking at this total and see a number that's probably a little too low and too heavily based on reputation more than anything.

Michigan State has always been a solid defense squad under Mark Dantonio and it's that reputation that has this number still sitting below a key number of 51. Betting percentage numbers at VegasInsider.com currently show nearly 80% of the action coming in on the 'under' based off Michigan State's defensive reputation, but even with all that action, the number has barely moved.

Yes, it's flipped around 49 through as high as 52 in recent weeks, but it's held steady for the majority of this week and that's when the bulk of the action has come in. Majority 'unders' are bets I always look to run away from because it's such a difference from the norm (typically the majority of action comes in on favorites and 'overs') and this contest seems to fit right in line with that train of thought.

Michigan State's massive improvement a year ago (were 3-9 SU in 2016) was due in large part to the play of QB Brian Lewerke taking that next step and becoming a bonafide weapon at this level. Teams could stack the box to solely focus on RB LJ Scott anymore (who is back for his senior season in 2018) and Lewerke too full advantage of those 'soft' looks in the passing game. The Spartans actually ranked 35th in the country in points per possession last year, so maybe it's time we start to think of this team as a more offensive-minded one that can slug it out defensively in Big 10 play when they need to.

The Spartans aren't going to need that defense to be lights out against Utah State this week, as they'll look to put the game in Lewerke and the offense's hands early and then basically cruise to the finish line after a double-digit lead's been established. Considering Wisconsin hung nearly 60 points on this Utah State defense a year ago, there's no reason to think Michigan State can't threaten the 40-point number.

Which leaves us with the Aggies needing to pull their weight only to the tune of about 10-14 points here and that should be easily attainable as well. Michigan State isn't out to put their best defensive looks out on film in Game 1 for rivals to study if they don't have too, so a soft shell defensive scheme should suffice enough for the Spartans to get the win.

That means that garbage time scores by Utah State are always a possibility, and it's not like they aren't capable of scoring in bunches as six of their 13 games a year ago saw the Aggies score 30+ points. Obviously those all came against much weaker competition than what Michigan State will bring, but we aren't asking Utah State to threaten 30 points here, two TD's and a FG will likely be more than enough to push this one 'over' the number.

Finally, if this game does turn out to be a lot closer than expected, well then, Utah State is likely having a strong offensive day and putting up even more than 14-17 points. Their defense is not going to be able to do anything but slow the Spartans down for the majority of this one, and you need both sides to play well defensively to cash any 'under' ticket. I don't believe the near 80% of bettors already on the 'under' in this game realize that, as they are confident in Michigan State's defense to not allow more than 10 points.

Yet, a 42-10 game in favor of Sparty could just as easily happen if that's the case, and we don't have to look any further than the 59-10 drubbing Wisconsin put on this Aggies team a year ago. That total closed at 52 as many followed a similar line of thought in thinking it would be an easy 'under' due to Wisconsin's superior defense, but the two teams simply needed to combine for five points in the final frame (Wisconsin ended up scoring 21) to cash that 'over' ticket. I see this year's trip to Big 10 country for Utah State playing out in a similar fashion as we get 55+ points scored.

Best Bet: Over 50.5 points

[StarDust Bum]

Total Talk - Week 1
August 30, 2018
By BetDSI

CFB Week 1 Total Talk

The excitement is palpable in the sports betting world with regular season football finally back in the mix and now that Week 1 of the college football season is here and lines on these games have been up for weeks, it never hurts to step back and take a full assessment of the betting board. And while many focus on the point spreads in that regard, it's often the totals – especially in college football – that see the most volatility each week in terms of movement.

That definitely shows up in Week 1 given how long the lines have been posted, but each week you'll see CFB totals make significant moves the closer you get to kick-off.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at some of the biggest movers in the totals for Saturday's full slate of CFB games , as there are some pretty significant moves to discuss.

Odds per - BetDSI.eu

Biggest Movers to the 'Over'

Cincinnati vs UCLA: Open: 59 – Current: 64.5
Louisville vs Alabama: Open: 55.5 – Current: 62.5

Here we've got a couple of games featuring big name schools getting plenty of love for the high side, and while those opening numbers are from a few weeks back (August 13th), we've still seen the UCLA total move up from 61.5 to 64.5 and the Alabama total move from 59.5 to 62.5 this week alone. Those are some pretty significant jumps, especially when the betting percentage numbers offered currently at VegasInsider.com show only 65% and 52% 'over' action respectively.

As intriguing as it may be to follow those moves, you've also got to keep in mind the possibility of these numbers being possible “set-ups” for more action right before kick-off. Wager limits tend to increase as the week goes on, so it doesn't take a lot of money bet early in the week to see a number make a significant jump.

The Louisville/Alabama game comes to mind as a strong candidate for that possibility given that the Cardinals are moving on without QB Lamar Jackson this year and Alabama's defense is always one of the best in the country. Alabama rarely likes to run up scores against opponents in the 2nd half of blowouts, and the conservative approach they use to preserve health – ie run the ball into the ground to shorten the game – is something that's not exactly ideal for taking an 'over' on a number that may be at or near it's peak.

So, of the two games, don't be surprised to see some buyback on the 'under' in that Alabama game, and if that's the side you're already leaning on, it's probably best to at least put some fractional number of your specific betting unit on the 'under' now. That's so if the number still continues to rise you can determine if you want to risk more, and if it drops, well you've already got some stake in the game at a solid number.

Odds per - BetDSI.eu

Biggest Movers to the 'Under'

Texas vs Maryland: Open: 56.5 – Current: 53

This is the only game really worth talking about here (although there are plenty others that have moved a full point or so) and it's not hard to see why the low side has been hit. Maryland's program has been under fire all off-season with the misconduct issues surrounding DJ Durkin, and it's hard to expect a team that's yet to name a starting QB for this game to really be confident and prepared in their attack.

On the flip side, Texas HC Tom Herman recently had his name dragged through the mud this week in relation to his past employment at Ohio State and everything that's going on with that school. However, the Longhorns players should be ready to ride a strong defense to whatever success they achieve in the Big 12 this year.

This move while seemingly large, really didn't pass through that many key numbers though (57 and 53 are important) as you can really only make an argument that 56/55.5 would have been the best of it for an 'under' play. The low side is getting about 65% of the action though and I believe some movement here has stopped because of Maryland's starting QB issue. In the end, it's probably best to sit back and see how both sides react and respond to whatever issues they've got surrounding the program, but if does drop even further, to below 51 say (another key number) it may be time to start looking the other way.

Odds per - BetDSI.eu

Best Total Bet for Week 1:

Akron/Nebraska Over 54.5

This is a game that should end up being an easy 1st win for new Nebraska HC Scott Frost as he tries to make his alma mater prominent in the world of collegiate football again. Frost comes over from a highly successful tenure as the head man at UCF and bettors should expect to see that uptempo, high-octane offensive mindset he had there transferred over to the Cornhuskers this year. Frost didn't necessarily recruit all the talent he's inherited, but it's not like he was getting 5-star recruits at UCF and look what he did there.

UCF averaged 48.2 points per game last year and while it's going to be impossible to reach that number playing in the Big 10 this year for Frost, Nebraska's new-look attack under him should look tremendous against this Akron squad. The Zips gave up 28 points per game a year ago, but their worst defensive performance of the year came in Week 1 at a Big 10 school when they lost 52-0 to Penn State. That wouldn't be enough to cash here, but Nebraska still has their short comings and I don't expect the Zips to get blanked.

Something like a 42-14 score sounds right about where this game should finish and it's my best total bet for the week.

Best Bet YTD Record: 0-0

[StarDust Bum]

Tech Trends - Week 1
August 30, 2018
By Bruce Marshall


FRIDAY, AUG. 31
Matchup Skinny Edge

UTAH STATE at MICHIGAN STATE...Utags only 4-11 last 15 as dog (since mid 2015), 1-4 getting DDs past two seasons. Also no covers last six vs. non-MW away from Logan. After a couple of subpar spread seasons, MSU 5-2 vs. line as host LY, also 3-1 vs. line non-league. But only 2-5 vs. spread last seven as non-Big 10 home chalk.
Slight to Michigan State, based on Utag negatives.

SYRACUSE at WESTERN MICHIGAN...Cuse hasn’t been road chalk since before Babers arrived (back to 2014 in Shafer era). Babers only 1-4 as chalk overall last season, though Orange was 4-1 vs. line away (all damage done as DD dog). WMU 4-1 vs. line last five openers. Broncos 5-1-1 vs. line last seven vs. Power 5 conf foes (counts Cotton Bowl with Fleck after 2016 vs. Wiscy as push). Also 7-3-1 vs. spread last 11 vs. non-MAC (counts Wiscy as push; but 2-2 LY for Lester).
Western Michigan, based on team trends.

WESTERN KENTUCKY at WISCONSIN...WKU a big letdown LY in Sanford debut, just 4-9 vs. line (1-1 as DD dog). Also just 1-6 vs. spread away from home. Chryst 7-4 laying DD LY, 10-5-1 in role since 2016, 5-3 laying 20 or more past two years.
Wisconsin, based on recent WKU negatives.

COLORADO STATE vs. COLORADO (Friday, August 31 at Broncos Stadium, Denver)...MacIntyre is 4-1 SU, 3-1-1 vs. line against CSU since arriving at Buffs in 2013. CU 9-6-1 vs. spread non-Pac 12 for Coach Mac. Rams dropped last 7 vs. line in 2017, and CSU 3-8-1 vs. points last 12 vs. non-MW.
Colorado, based on series and team trends.

SAN DIEGO STATE at STANFORD...Rocky Long 6-2 as dog since 2015 and has won last three outright vs. Pac-12. Aztecs on 23-12 spread uptick into 2018. Tree 3-8 last 11 as Farm chalk, no covers last three on Farm as chalk vs. non-Pac 12. Shaw just 2-4 vs. line last six openers.
San Diego State, based on team trends.

ARMY at DUKE...Army 14-7-2 last 23 as dog, though Monken just 4-4-1 getting DDs since 2014. Army covered 4 of last 5 LY, also 12-7-2 last 21 vs. line away from Michie. Duke had won and covered two straight from Army prior to 21-16 loss LY at West Point. Cutcliffe, however, 14-3 as DD chalk since 2011, and enters 2018 on 40-23-2 spread uptick.
Slight to Duke, based on team trends.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1
Matchup Skinny Edge

FAU at OKLAHOMA...Lane Kiffin 10-2-1 last 13 on board a year ago though only 1-1-1 as dog (all in non-conf play). Lincoln Riley 9-5 vs. spread in debut LY, 5-1 as Norman chalk, 5-3 overall as DD chalk.
Slight to FAU, based on team trends.

HOUSTON at RICE...Bloomgren debut at Rice! LY was first meeting since 2013, and UH has won and covered last four meetings (last Rice win 2008). Owls only 3-6 last nine as home dog in Bailiff years, and just 2-7 as DD dog LY. Applewhite, however, only 1-3 as road chalk LY (though this is not much of a road trip across town), and Cougs just 2-8 vs. spread last ten away from TDECU Stadium.
Slight to Houston, based on series trends.

OREGON STATE at OHIO STATE... Jonathan Smith debut for Beavs! OSU only 3-8-1 vs. line LY and 1-4-1 as road dog (though not-so-bad 3-3 as DD dog). Buckeyes only 8-13 as Big Horseshoe chalk since 2015, and 3-6 laying 30 or more than span (though 0-4 of that in 2015). Buckeyes are 6-3 vs. spread last 9 vs non-Big 10.
Slight to Ohio State, based on team trends.

APP STATE at PENN STATE...James Franklin 2-2 vs. line in Penn State openers, and 8-5 laying DD the past two seasons. Also 7-5 last 12 vs. spread against non-conf foes. App sagged to 1-5 vs. line as visitor LY after 9-3 spread mark away previous two years. Mounties 2-4 as DD dog since 2014.
Slight to Penn State, based on team trends.

AKRON at NEBRASKA...Frost Huskers debut! Lots of hype for Frost though he was just 7-7-1 vs. spread his last 15 with Golden Knights (that counts no play in Cincy game LY). Only 3-4 laying DD LY but was 3-0 in role previous 2016. Zips however only 2-4 as road dog LY and just 6-8 vs. spread last 14 away from Infocision Stadium. Bowden also no covers last five vs. power 5 foes.
Slight to Nebraska, based on team trends.

UMASS at BOSTON COLLEGE...Addazio 6-3 as chalk the past two years and 4-1 laying DD that span. Eagles covered their last 9 in reg season LY and enter 2016 on 12-4 spread run. Minutemen however are 7-3 as DD dog the past two seasons.
Slight to Boston College, based on team trends.

KENT STATE at ILLINOIS...Lewis Golden Flashes debut! Kent hasn’t had a winning spread mark since 2012 and is 7-11 as DD dog since 2015. Kent is 3-3 vs. line against Power 5 past three seasons but was whipped 52-3 at Illini back in pre-Lovie 2015. Lovie however on 4-11 spread skid and is just 4-10 vs. spread at Champaign-Urbana since 2016. Illini 2-4 vs. spread non-Big Ten as well past two years.
Slight to Kent State, based on team trends.

TEXAS STATE at RUTGERS...Bobcats big mediocre for Everett Withers, just 5-7 v.s line each of past two seasons, though holding own 6-6 as road dog that span. Average losing margin last five vs. non-Belt FBS foes in 199 points (39.8 pg!). Not stepping up too well! ‘Gers was 8-4 vs. line LY and 1-0 laying DD (vs. lowly Morgan State).
Rutgers, based on team trends.

INDIANA at FIU...Rematch from 2016 won by IU 34-13 in opener. Hoosiers were 2-1 as road chalk LY (though 0-3 as road dog). IU won and covered meetings in both 2015 & ‘16, pre-Butch Davis at FIU. Hoosiers 5-1 vs. spread last six vs. non-Big Ten on road. Butch was 4-0 as home dog LY, though overall spread mark just 6-7.
Slight to Indiana, based on team and series trends.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS at IOWA...NIU solid 10-3 as visiting dog since 2013 and has covered 6 of last 7 in reg season vs. Power 5 foes (not count bowl loss to Duke LY). Ferentz just 12-22-1 as Iowa City chalk since 2012, and 6-11 last 17 vs. line vs. non-Big 10 at Nile Kinnick Stadium.
Northern Illinois, based on team trends.

TEXAS vs. MARYLAND (at FedEx Field, Landover, MD)...Revenge for Tom Herman after 51-41 shock loss in opener LY. Horns did recover to cover 8 of next 12 and were 2-0 as road favorite last term. UT also covered last three vs. non-Big 12 LY. Terps dropped 6 of last 8 vs. line LY, and just 9-16 vs. spread past two seasons.
Texas, based on team trends.

BOISE STATE at TROY... Troy unfortunate not to get spread W out of that opener LY. But Trojans only 1-5 vs. line as host LY compared to covers last five away. Troy 6-1-1 as DD dog since 2015 (counts Boise LY as push). Broncos 11-5 as road chalk past three seasons but just 4-6 vs. spread last 10 non-MW.
Slight to Troy, based on team trends.

LA TECH at SOUTH ALABAMA...Campbell USA debut! Jags 8-16-1 vs. points at Mobile since 2014, just 17-32-1 vs. line the last four years of the Joey Jones regime. Skip 5-1 vs. spread away from Ruston LY and 5-2 as visiting chalk since 2016.
La Tech, based on team trends.

MARSHALL at MIAMI-OHIO...Herd recovered to 9-4 vs. line LY after bumpy 2016. Marshall 5-0 as dog away from home LY, and was 6-0 overall as dog in 2017. Meanwhile RedHawks just 2-5 vs. points last seven at Yager Stadium and no covers all four vs. non-MAC LY.
Marshall, based on team trends.

SMU at NORTH TEXAS...Dykes SMU debut (sort of, he was in place for bowl humiliation vs. La Tech LY). SMU just 1-4-1 vs. spread away from Dallas LY but did beat UNT 54-32 at Ford Stadium. Littrell 7-3 vs. line non-league for UNT past two years.
Slight to North Texas, based on team trends.

MTSU at VANDERBILT...Vandy has overpowered MTSU lately, won big last two and again in 2015. Dores 6-0 vs. spread against C-USA heavies Blue Raiders and WKU the past three years. Vandy 8-2 vs. spread last ten vs. non-SEC FBS opposition. Stockstill only 5-9-1 last 15 as dog.
Vanderbilt, based on series and team trends.

BYU at ARIZONA...Sumlin Cats debut! Sumlin covered openers the last four years at A&M and was 4-2 as chalk last season with Ags. Cougs 4-10 their last 14 on board for Sitake and 2-5 as dog LY.
Arizona, based on team trends.

UTSA at ARIZONA STATE...Herm ASU debut! Under Graham, Sun Devils just 2-6 vs. spread last eight non-Pac 12 at Tempe. But they were 11-4 vs. spread last 15 as host. Roadrunners dropped 7 of last 8 vs. line LY, but are 5-1 as DD dog under Wilson since 2016 and covered pretty handily at Alamodome vs. ASU in 2016.
Slight to Arizona State, based on team trends.

UNLV at USC...Sanchez has covered these Power 5 road games (at Mich, UCLA, Ohio State) each of past three years. Rebs 9-4 as dog since 2016 and Sanchez 11-4 as road dog since arriving in 2015. Trojans only 2-5 as Coliseum chalk LY and SC on 4-11 spread skid since late 2016. Also 1-6 as DD chalk LY and no covers last five vs. non-Pac 12.
UNLV, based on team trends.

CINCINNATI at UCLA...Chip Bruins debut! With Ducks note Chip was just 1-3 vs. line in openers. His teams were 19-13-1 laying DD, however. Mora was awful in last few years at Rose Bowl, just 5-13 vs. spread since 2015, and just 1-7-1 last 9 vs. non-Pac 12. Cincy just 5-6 vs. spread in 2017 but Bearcats were 4-1 as road dog for Fickell LY.
Slight to Cincinnati, based on team trends.

WASHINGTON vs. AUBURN (at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)...Huskies have failed to cover last four vs. non-Pac 12 BCS opposition. Petersen just 2-5 vs. spread since 2015 as dog. Malzahn, however, 0-6-1 vs. points last seven vs. non-SEC, and just 5-12-2 last 19 on board since late 2016.
Slight to Washington, based on recent Malzahn negatives.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN at KENTUCKY...Chippies covered last five reg season LY (though all in MAC) before losing to Wyo in bowl. But no covers last six against non-MAC foes not named Kansas. Mark Stoops, however, 0-5 as Lexington chalk LY, 2-8 in role since 2016, and just 2-9 last 11 vs. number against non-SEC.
Slight to Central Michigan, based on UK negatives.

OLE MISS vs. TEXAS TECH (at NRG Stadium, Houston)...Rebs covered their last three away LY but are only 2-6 vs. spread against non-SEC past two seasons. Tech 5-2 vs. line last nine openers and 6-2-1 vs. number last 9 reg season vs. non-Big 12 foes.
Slight to Texas Tech, based on team trends.

COASTAL CAROLINA at SOUTH CAROLINA...Coastal 3-1-1 as road dog LY and almost won SU at Arkansas. Muschamp 0-3 as DD chalk since 2016 and no covers last three as host vs. non-SEC.
Coastal Carolina, based on team trends.

WEST VIRGINIA vs. TENNESSEE (at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte)...Pruitt Vol debut! UT was 2-10 vs. spread for Butch LY and 7-17-1 past two seasons. Also 1-6-1 as road dog that span. Though WVU just 2-7 vs. spread last nine outside of Big 12.
Slight to West Virginia, based on team trends.

NORTH CAROLINA at CAL...Depleted Heels have failed to cover their opener the last five seasons. Also lost in one of those vs. Cal at Chapel Hill LY. UNC did cover its last four in 2017, however. UNC 6-9-1 vs. spread last 16 non-ACC. Wilcox 5-1 vs. line at Berkeley in 2017 debut, and Bears have covered 6 of last 7 at Strawberry Canyon since late 2016. Cal 7-2-1 vs. points last ten non-Pac 12 games.
California, based on team trends.

WASHINGTON STATE at WYOMING...Leach just 2-8 vs. spread last ten away from Pullman, and 6-10 last 16 vs. non-Pac 12. Bohl 8-2 last ten as Laramie dog and 19-8 overall as dog since 2015.
Wyoming, based on team trends.

BOWLING GREEN at OREGON...Cristobal sort-of debut for Ducks (named before Las Vegas Bowl last December). Webfoots 4-2 laying DD LY after 0-8 mark in preceding two seasons. Also 4-1 as Eugene chalk in 2017. Jinks poor 7-17 vs. spread last two seasons with Falcs who were also 2-5 as DD dog in 2017.
Oregon, based on team trends.

OLD DOMINION at LIBERTY...ODU just 4-8 vs. line LY but Monarchs are 4-0 as visiting chalk the past two years.
Slight to Old Dominion, based on team trends.

MICHIGAN at NOTRE DAME...Harbaugh just 7-13 last 20 vs. line since mid 2016. Mich has not faced Irish since 2014. If Kelly stays as a dog here note 10-5 mark last 15 as short.
Notre Dame, based on team trends.

LOUISVILLE vs. ALABAMA (at Camping World Stadium, Orlando)...Nick pretty good in these neutral-field openers, has won six straight, covering five. Bama 9-1 vs. line last ten openers. Petrino on 5-12 spread skid since late 2016.
Alabama, based on Saban opening-game trends.

NAVY at HAWAII...Not much home edge lately for Hawaii just 4-18-1 last 23 at Aloha Stadium (3-9-1 for Rolovich). Bows were 0-2-1 as DD dog LY. Mids 7-2 as visiting chalk since 2015 and 5-2 last seven as DD chalk.
Navy, based on team trends.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 2
Matchup Skinny Edge

MIAMI-FLA. vs. LSU (at Jerry Jones Stadium, Arlington, TX)...Orgeron was 3-0 as dog LY, and is a surprising 14-7 vs. spread since taking over LSU midway in 2016. Richt no covers last 4 or 7 of last 9 LY, Canes just 3-6 as chalk in 2017.
LSU, based on team trends.

MONDAY, SEPT. 3
Matchup Skinny Edge

VIRGINIA TECH at FLORIDA STATE...Taggart FSU debut! VPI just 1-4 last 5 and 3-6 last 9 vs. line LY, also 0-2 as dog, though Fuente is 10-7 last 17 on board since late 2017. Noles no covers first nine LY. Taggart teams 11-2-1 as home chalk at USF & Oregon the past three seasons.
Slight to Florida State, based on Taggart marks.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Underdog Action
August 31, 2018
By YouWager.eu

NCAAF Best Bet - San Diego State Aztecs @ Stanford Cardinal

Every year in college football we see surprise results that essentially kill out betting slips and give a negative hit to the bankroll. When the same two teams meet the following season, it is easy to be a little gun shy about playing that game again.

You believe that the favorite will find a way to exact revenge, but then you also think about the possibility of lightning striking twice. The Stanford Cardinal are starting the season with the #13 ranking and are probably hoping that number doesn’t prove to be unlucky. They will open their season on Friday night by welcoming in the San Diego State Aztecs, a team that beat them last season early in the year.

There is a good bit of buzz surrounding the Cardinal heading into this season, but that could all disappear very quickly if they fall at the first hurdle to a team that hurt them last season.

The Cardinal are in as a 13 ½ point favorite for the season opener, with the point total set at 48 ½. As usual, YouWager.eu has all the betting details and odds listed.

What: San Diego State Aztecs at Stanford Cardinal
When: Fri. Aug 31, 2018, 9:00 PM ET
Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
YouWager Line: Stanford Cardinal -13½ -110 | -525 | U 48½ -110
TV: FoxSport1

Why bet on the San Diego State Aztecs

When the Aztecs hosted Stanford last season, they opened as an 8 ½ point underdog at home. San Diego State had built some momentum prior to that game, winning their opening two games, including a big one on the road versus Arizona State. They used that confidence to outduel the Cardinal to take a 20-17 win on their way to an impressive 10-3 season.

The problem for the Aztecs this season is that the return game will come on the road in a stadium where Stanford simply don’t lose very often. That said, we should probably remember that San Diego State went 5-1 SU and ATS in road games last season, so this will by no means be a slam dunk for the home team. If we look beyond last season, the Aztecs have won 7 of their last 8 on the road.

Why bet on the Stanford Cardinal

The buzz surrounding the Cardinal heading into the new season is all about RB Bryce Love, a young man who will be on Heisman alert this season. He helped the Cardinal average over 200 YPG on the ground last season, but they fell short of that number in their game versus the Aztecs, rushing for 174 yards in that one.

It was the passing game that hurt in that last meeting, with Stanford completing just 45% of their passes. That needs to change, not just in this game, for the Cardinal if they are to make a playoff push this season. The Cardinal went a perfect 6-0 in home games last season, covering the spread in 4 of those wins. You have to like them to win here, but is that the best bet to go with?

Expert Pick and Series Prediction

I think the Cardinal are going to win this one, but I am not totally sold on that spread. I think the Aztecs can keep this one a little closer, which is why my best for this game is to take the Aztecs to cover +13 ½.

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

SYR at WMU 06:00 PM
WMU +5.0
U 66.0

USU at MSU 07:00 PM
USU +23.5
U 52.5

ARMY at DUKE 07:00 PM
DUKE -13.5
O 46.5

SDSU at STAN 09:00 PM
SDSU +13.5
U 49.0

WKU at WIS 09:00 PM
WIS -36.5
O 51.5

COLO at CSU 09:30 PM
CSU +7.5
O 65.5

[StarDust Bum]

No. 11 Michigan State rallies to beat Utah State 38-31
August 31, 2018

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Connor Heyward scored his second touchdown with 2 minutes left to put No. 11 Michigan State ahead and the Spartans held on to beat Utah State 38-31 on Friday night.

The Spartans trailed until the second quarter, built a 13-point lead late in the third and fell behind late in the opener for both teams.

Darwin Thompson put the Aggies ahead with a 1-yard run, his second go-ahead score of the game, with 5:05 remaining. Their defense couldn't make one more stop to beat the highest-ranked team in school history, surpassing the victory over No. 18 BYU in 2014.

Utah State did have one more chance to send the game to overtime - or possibly pull off the upset - but Joe Bachie tipped and intercepted a pass at midfield with 1:15 remaining.

Michigan State's Brian Lewerke was 23 of 33 for 287 yards with two TDs, an interception and a fumble.

Jordan Love completed 29 of 44 passes for 319 yards with two interceptions.

Heyward scored on a 13-yard run in the fourth quarter and a 17-yard run in the third. He is the son of late NFL running back Craig ''Ironhead'' Heyward.

NO. 4 WISCONSIN 34, WESTERN KENTUCKY 3

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Jonathan Taylor had two long touchdown runs, Alex Hornibrook threw for 257 yards and two scores and Wisconsin beat Western Kentucky to open the season.

A young defense working in seven new starters forced two turnovers inside Wisconsin's 5. A.J. Taylor paced the short-handed receiving corps with five catches for 85 yards, while Garrett Groshek turned a screen pass into a 43-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for a 31-point lead.

The Badgers finished with a flurry, scoring on five of six drives after punting on three of their first four possessions. Jonathan Taylor finished with 145 yards on 18 carries.

Drew Eckels was 15 of 26 for 167 yards in his first career start for the Hilltoppers.

NO. 13 STANFORD 31, SAN DIEGO STATE 10

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - JJ Arcega-Whiteside caught three TD passes from K.J. Costello to overcome a slow night by Heisman Trophy runner-up Bryce Love and Stanford beat San Diego State.

Love was held to 29 yards on 18 carries as the Aztecs focused their defense on stopping the man who led all Power 5 backs with 2,118 yards rushing last season.

After a slow start in the opener for both teams, the Cardinal made San Diego State pay for that decision. Costello connected with Arcega-Whiteside on a 38-yard score in the second quarter and then on plays from 19 and 80 yards in the third quarter as the Aztecs defensive backs struggled to contend with Stanford's big receiver. Arcega-Whiteside finished with six catches for 226 yards.

Costello added a 19-yard TD pass to Colby Parkinson in the fourth quarter to break open what had been a close game for more than a half. Costello finished 21 for 31 for 332 yards and four TDs.

[StarDust Bum]

Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Score

12:00 PM EDT
151 FLORIDA ATLANTIC 65.5 70 / 72 / 72.5 73 +876
152 OKLAHOMA -21 -20 -16 / -20.5 / -20.5 -08 -20 -1500
OKL-QB-Kyler Murray- | TV: FOX

12:00 PM EDT
153 HOUSTON -21 -24 / -24.5 / -25 -26 -3200
154 RICE 56 55 / 55o16 / 55.5 56 +1322
TV: CBSC, DTV: 221

12:00 PM EDT
155 OREGON STATE 60.5 61.5 / 64 / 65u26 63
156 OHIO STATE -37.5 -38 -15 / -38.5 / -39.5 -40
ORs-QB-Jake Luton-Probable | OHS-QB-Dwayne Haskins-Probable | TV: ABC

3:30 PM EDT
157 APPALACHIAN ST 57 53.5 / 54 / 57 55 +1175
158 PENN STATE -23.5 -23 / -24 / -23.5 -24 -2500
Time-change to 03:30pm EDT | TV: BTN, DTV: 610

8:00 PM EDT
161 AKRON 55.5 54.5 / 54u16 / 53.5o15 55.5 +1243
162 NEBRASKA -20.5 -26 / -26 -08 / -25 -25.5 -2800
Time-change to 08:00pm EDT | NEB-RB-Tre Bryant-OUT | NEB-QB-Adrian Martinez-probable | TV: FOX

1:00 PM EDT
163 MASSACHUSETTS 60 59o15 / 59.5o13 / 60 63 +711
164 BOSTON COLLEGE -18 -18 / -18 -07 / -18 -05 -17.5 -1100
Time-change to 01:00pm EDT | BSC-QB-Anthony Brown-Probable

12:00 PM EDT
165 KENT STATE 50.5 55.5 / 54.5 / 55 55.5 +588
166 ILLINOIS -17 -15.5 / -16.5 / -16.5 -16 -16.5 -850
TV: BTN, DTV: 610

12:00 PM EDT
167 TEXAS STATE 50 47 / 46.5 / 47 47.5 +588
168 RUTGERS -18.5 -16.5 / -16 / -15.5 -16.5 -850
TSS-QB-Willie Jones III-Probable | RUT-QB-Artur Sitkowski- | TV: BTN, DTV: 610

7:00 PM EDT
169 INDIANA -10 -10.5 / -10.5 -16 / -10.5 -11 -410
170 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 59 55.5 / 55.5o16 / 56.5 57 +324
Time-change to 07:00pm EDT | IND-QB-Peyton Ramsey-Probable | TV: CBSC, DTV: 221

3:30 PM EDT
171 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 51 48 / 48.5 / 51 47.5 +278
172 IOWA -14.5 -10 / -10.5 / -10 -9.5 -345
Time-change to 03:30pm EDT | TV: BTN, DTV: 610

12:00 PM EDT
173 TEXAS -8.5 -13.5 / -13 / -13.5 -14 -600
174 MARYLAND 56.5 54 / 53 / 54 55 +447 HOT PICK
TV: FS-1, DTV: 219

6:00 PM EDT
175 BOISE STATE -10.5 -9.5 / -9.5 -16 / -9.5 -10 -365
176 TROY 52 48.5 / 48 / 48u11 48 +292
Time-change to 06:00pm EDT | TRY-QB-Kaleb Barker-Probable | TV: ESPNN, DTV: 207

7:00 PM EDT
177 LOUISIANA TECH -10 -10 / -9.5 / -10 -10.5 -385
178 SOUTH ALABAMA 51 51 / 51o11 / 51 52 +306
Time-change to 07:00pm EDT

3:30 PM EDT
179 MARSHALL 47 -2 / -1.5 / -2 -1.5 -120
180 MIAMI OHIO -1.5 49 / 51.5 / 51.5u14 51 +100

7:30 PM EDT
181 SMU 74 70.5 / 70.5o11 / 70.5 71.5 +188
182 NORTH TEXAS -3.5 -4.5 -09 / -4.5 / -5 -5.5 -225
Time-change to 07:30pm EDT

7:30 PM EDT
183 MID TENNESSEE STATE 57.5 56.5 / 57 / 56.5 56 +125
184 VANDERBILT -6.5 -3 -15 / -3 / -3 -05 -2.5 -15 -145
Time-change to 07:30pm EDT | TV: SEC, DTV: 611

10:45 PM EDT
185 BYU 62.5 60.5 / 61 / 61u12 61 +324
186 ARIZONA -15 -11 / -11.5 / -11.5 -08 -11 -410
Time-change to 10:45pm EDT | BYU-QB-Tanner Mangum-Probable | TV: ESPN, DTV: 206

10:30 PM EDT
187 TEX SAN ANTONIO 54 53.5 / 53 / 53.5 54.5 +664
188 ARIZONA STATE -16.5 -17.5 +02 / -17.5 / -17.5 -08 -17 -1000
Time-change to 10:30pm EDT | TV: FS-1, DTV: 219

4:00 PM EDT
189 UNLV 60 63 / 63.5 / 64 63.5 +1322
190 USC -28 -26.5 / -26.5 -08 / -26 -27 -3200
Time-change to 04:00pm EDT | USC-QB-JT Daniels-Probable | TV: Pac-12

7:00 PM EDT
191 CINCINNATI 57 64 / 64u20 / 63 63.5 +492
192 UCLA -15.5 -15 -15 / -15 / -14 -14.5 -675
Time-change to 07:00pm EDT | TV: ESPN, DTV: 206

3:30 PM EDT
193 WASHINGTON 54 48.5 / 48 / 54 48.5 +100
194 AUBURN -2.5 -2.5 -15 / -2.5 / -2 -1.5 -120
TV: ABC

3:30 PM EDT
195 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 50.5 50.5 / 49 / 50.5 49 +711
196 KENTUCKY -17 -17 -17.5 -1100
TV: ESPNU, DTV: 208

12:00 PM EDT
197 MISSISSIPPI -1 68.5 / 67.5 / 66.5 67.5 +115
198 TEXAS TECH 62 -2 / -2.5 / -3 -05 -2.5 -135
Time-change to 12:00pm EDT | MIS-WR-A.J. Brown-Probable | TV: ESPN, DTV: 206

12:00 PM EDT
199 COASTAL CAROLINA 52.5 57 / 58 / 57.5 58
200 SOUTH CAROLINA -29.5 -29.5 -30
Time-change to 12:00pm EDT | TV: SEC, DTV: 611

3:30 PM EDT
201 WEST VIRGINIA -8 -10 / -9.5 / -9.5 -11 -9.5 -335
202 TENNESSEE U 61 60 / 61.5 / 61 61.5 +271
TV: CBS

4:00 PM EDT
203 NORTH CAROLINA 58.5o07 58.5o07 / 61 60 +234
204 CALIFORNIA -5 -7.5 / -7.5 -05 / -7 -15 -7.5 -05 -285
Time-change to 04:00pm EDT | UNC-QB-Nathan Elliott-Probable | TV: FOX

3:30 PM EDT
205 WASHINGTON STATE -3.5 -05 -3 / -3 -02 / -3 -05 -2.5 -140
206 WYOMING 48 47 / 46.5 / 45 45.5 +120
TV: CBSC, DTV: 221

8:00 PM EDT
207 BOWLING GREEN 69 72.5 / 72 / 71.5 72.5
208 OREGON -26.5 -26.5 / -32 / -32 -12 -32
Time-change to 08:00pm EDT | TV: Pac-12

6:00 PM EDT
209 OLD DOMINION -4.5 -4.5 / -4.5 -26 / -5.5 -6 -235
210 LIBERTY 59.5 59.5 / 59 / 59u21 58.5 +195
TV: ESPN3.com

7:30 PM EDT
211 MICHIGAN -1 47.5 / 47 / 46.5 46 -105
212 NOTRE DAME 48 -1 / -2 / -1 PK -115
TV: NBC

8:00 PM EDT
213 LOUISVILLE 53.5 62.5 / 61.5 / 62 62.5 +1175
214 ALABAMA -25.5 -24 / -24.5 / -24.5 -04 -24 -2500
LOU-WR-Jaylen Smith-Probable | TV: ABC

11:00 PM EDT
215 NAVY -14 -10 / -10 -13 / -10 -11.5 -440
216 HAWAII 59 62 / 62u14 / 62 61 +344
TV: CBSC, DTV: 221

[StarDust Bum]

college football best bets aug-sept.

Date w-l-t % units record

08/31/2018 4-8-0 33.33% -24.00
08/30/2018 5-3-0 62.50% +8.50
08/25/2018 4-0-0 100.00% +20.00

total..........13-11-0.........54.16%.....+4.50



best bets ats and o/u

08/31/2018..................1 - 3..............-11.50..................2 - 4...............-12.00..............3 - 7.........-23.50
08/30/2018..................2 - 1..............+4.50...................2 -1...............+4.50...............4 - 2.........+9.00
08/25/2018..................2 - 0..............+10.00.................2 - 0..............+10.00..............4 - 0........+20.00

total..........................5 - 4..............+3.00.................6 - 5..............+2.50..............11 - 9.........+5.50

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday’s six-pack

— Rams signed DT Aaron Donald to a contract extension with $87M guaranteed in it.

— Nationals traded P Gio Gonzalez to Milwaukee; he has a 7.47 ERA in six August starts.

— Texans released 7-time Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler, who is 42 years old.

— Chiefs traded OL Parker Ehinger to Dallas for CB Charvarius Ward; Cowboys have a need on the offensive line right now.

— SF Giants dumped $1.2M in salary by dealing Andrew McCutchen to New York.

— Blue Jays traded oft-injured 3B Josh Donaldson to Cleveland; he hasn’t played since May 28 (calf).

Quote of the Day
“I hope one of Jalen Ramsey’s coaches or teammates tells him that he is a player and not a broadcaster at this point in his career. He’s a great player. He needs to concentrate on his job and leave the analysis of other players to the media.”
Tony Dungy

Saturday’s quiz
Who was the Chargers’ coach last time they finished 1st (or tied for 1st) in AFC West?

Friday’s quiz
Next week, Sam Darnold will become the youngest QB since 1970 to start a Week 1 game; Drew Bledsoe currently holds that record.

Thursday’s quiz
Wyoming is the least populated state in this country.


***********************


Saturday’s List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind…….

13) According to the Sacramento Bee, a former top executive of the Sacramento Kings is suspected of siphoning off $13.4M from two of the team’s top sponsors and using the funds to buy beachfront property in Southern California.

FBI and federal prosecutors are investigating Jeffrey R. David, 44, the former chief revenue officer for the Kings who currently holds the same job with the Miami Heat.

12) There have been 81 walk-off homers in the major leagues this season, which is a new record.

11) Florida Atlantic has a QB named Chris Robison, a 4-star recruit from Texas who originally signed with Oklahoma out of high school and enrolled in Norman in January 2017, He was arrested for public intoxication three months later and was later tossed in August 2017 for another unspecified violation.

Now Robison is playing for Lane Kiffin at FAU; the Owls haven’t announced who the starting QB will be for their opener at Oklahoma, and most figure they’ll play more than one QB anyway, but has to be emotional for this kid to start his college career against the Sooners.

10) Phillies lost a game 5-4 this week when they had the tying run on 2nd base with one out; batter hits a fly ball to center, the pinch-runner on second (pitcher Vince Velasquez) tags up and goes to third, but he left second too early and Washington appealed the play and the game ended. Not the ideal way to lose a game when you’re in a pennant race.

9) A’s pitcher Trevor Cahill has started 17 games this year:
— Home: eight starts, 0.85 ERA
— Road: nine starts, 7.02 ERA

8) Houston Astros finally gave manager AJ Hinch a contract extension, which he earned by winning the World Series last year.

7) Giants dealt OF Andrew McCutchen to the Bronx for two prospects; does this mean Aaron Judge might not be ready for the playoffs?

6) David Price got hit on his left (pitching) wrist by a 102 mph line drive Wednesday and left the game. Last thing the Red Sox (or anyone) needs right now is an injury to a pitcher.

5) Albert Pujols had knee surgery, is done for this year. Shohei Ohtani will pitch for the Angels against Houston on the Sunday night ESPN game, his first start since June 6.

4) Memo to TV people; don’t show roughing-the-passer penalties in slow motion. EVERY hit looks like roughing if you don’t show it at game speed.

3) Royals traded 1B Lucas Duda to Atlanta; teams will equally divide the $600K Duda is due the rest of this season.

2) LSU’s starting QB Joe Burrow is a transfer from Ohio State; he threw 11 passes LY as the Buckeyes’ 3rd-string QB. Two of the three guys he beat out for the starting job have already transferred out of Baton Rouge.

Wonder how Bayou Bengal fans feel about Ohio State’s 3rd-string QB being their starter.

1) NFL teams will cut their rosters down from 90 players to 53 this weekend; to lot of us, those are just names on a computer screen, but those are 1,184 young guys who are looking for a job- guys with families and friends. Much respect to anyone who even made it to a training camp.

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday’s six-pack

— Rams signed DT Aaron Donald to a contract extension with $87M guaranteed in it.

— Nationals traded P Gio Gonzalez to Milwaukee; he has a 7.47 ERA in six August starts.

— Texans released 7-time Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler, who is 42 years old.

— Chiefs traded OL Parker Ehinger to Dallas for CB Charvarius Ward; Cowboys have a need on the offensive line right now.

— SF Giants dumped $1.2M in salary by dealing Andrew McCutchen to New York.

— Blue Jays traded oft-injured 3B Josh Donaldson to Cleveland; he hasn’t played since May 28 (calf).

Quote of the Day
“I hope one of Jalen Ramsey’s coaches or teammates tells him that he is a player and not a broadcaster at this point in his career. He’s a great player. He needs to concentrate on his job and leave the analysis of other players to the media.”
Tony Dungy

Saturday’s quiz
Who was the Chargers’ coach last time they finished 1st (or tied for 1st) in AFC West?

Friday’s quiz
Next week, Sam Darnold will become the youngest QB since 1970 to start a Week 1 game; Drew Bledsoe currently holds that record.

Thursday’s quiz
Wyoming is the least populated state in this country.


***********************


Saturday’s List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind…….

13) According to the Sacramento Bee, a former top executive of the Sacramento Kings is suspected of siphoning off $13.4M from two of the team’s top sponsors and using the funds to buy beachfront property in Southern California.

FBI and federal prosecutors are investigating Jeffrey R. David, 44, the former chief revenue officer for the Kings who currently holds the same job with the Miami Heat.

12) There have been 81 walk-off homers in the major leagues this season, which is a new record.

11) Florida Atlantic has a QB named Chris Robison, a 4-star recruit from Texas who originally signed with Oklahoma out of high school and enrolled in Norman in January 2017, He was arrested for public intoxication three months later and was later tossed in August 2017 for another unspecified violation.

Now Robison is playing for Lane Kiffin at FAU; the Owls haven’t announced who the starting QB will be for their opener at Oklahoma, and most figure they’ll play more than one QB anyway, but has to be emotional for this kid to start his college career against the Sooners.

10) Phillies lost a game 5-4 this week when they had the tying run on 2nd base with one out; batter hits a fly ball to center, the pinch-runner on second (pitcher Vince Velasquez) tags up and goes to third, but he left second too early and Washington appealed the play and the game ended. Not the ideal way to lose a game when you’re in a pennant race.

9) A’s pitcher Trevor Cahill has started 17 games this year:
— Home: eight starts, 0.85 ERA
— Road: nine starts, 7.02 ERA

8) Houston Astros finally gave manager AJ Hinch a contract extension, which he earned by winning the World Series last year.

7) Giants dealt OF Andrew McCutchen to the Bronx for two prospects; does this mean Aaron Judge might not be ready for the playoffs?

6) David Price got hit on his left (pitching) wrist by a 102 mph line drive Wednesday and left the game. Last thing the Red Sox (or anyone) needs right now is an injury to a pitcher.

5) Albert Pujols had knee surgery, is done for this year. Shohei Ohtani will pitch for the Angels against Houston on the Sunday night ESPN game, his first start since June 6.

4) Memo to TV people; don’t show roughing-the-passer penalties in slow motion. EVERY hit looks like roughing if you don’t show it at game speed.

3) Royals traded 1B Lucas Duda to Atlanta; teams will equally divide the $600K Duda is due the rest of this season.

2) LSU’s starting QB Joe Burrow is a transfer from Ohio State; he threw 11 passes LY as the Buckeyes’ 3rd-string QB. Two of the three guys he beat out for the starting job have already transferred out of Baton Rouge.

Wonder how Bayou Bengal fans feel about Ohio State’s 3rd-string QB being their starter.

1) NFL teams will cut their rosters down from 90 players to 53 this weekend; to lot of us, those are just names on a computer screen, but those are 1,184 young guys who are looking for a job- guys with families and friends. Much respect to anyone who even made it to a training camp.