The bum's college football 2020-2021 season news,trends, picks !

[StarDust Bum]

COMPLETED PICKS

Past Completed Picks

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

09/10/2020 1-1-0 50.00% -50 Detail
09/07/2020 0-2-0 0.00% -1100 Detail
09/05/2020 4-2-0 66.67% +900 Detail

TOTALS............5-5-0........50.00%.....-2.50

[StarDust Bum]

College Football Tech Trends - Week 2
Bruce Marshall

SYRACUSE at NORTH CAROLINA (ACC, 12:00 p.m. ET)

Cuse only covered 2 of 8 in ACC last season as it also dropped 8 of last 11 overall vs. spread.
After 9-3 'dog mark in 2017-18, Orange just 2-6 as short in 2019.
UNC on positive 8-5-1 spread run since late 2018.

Tech Edge: Slight to North Carolina, based on team trends.


CHARLOTTE at APPALACHIAN STATE (ESPN2, 12:00 p.m. ET)

App has been consistent spread winner no matter the coaching regime, as Mounties 18-8-1 vs. spread since 2018.
Though App only 5-6 last 11 laying double digits, and Charlotte covered as 22 ½ -point dog last year.
Mounties have covered 4 of last 5 openers.

Tech Edge: Slight to App State, based on team trends.


GEORGIA TECH at FLORIDA STATE (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET)

Norvell debut at FSU.
Bumpy ride for GT in 2019 during Collins debut, Jackets only 3-8-1 vs. line, and now just 3-11-1 vs. number dating to late 2018.
Collins, however, a bit better on road at 2-2-1 vs. spread last season.
FSU a consistent money burner in recent years, 13-23-2 vs. line since 2017, and just 1-7 last 8 vs. points against non-ACC foes.
Note Norvell teams at Memphis just 2-5 their last seven as home chalk.

Tech Edge: Slight to Georgia Tech, based on extended FSU negatives.


COASTAL CAROLINA at KANSAS (FS1, 10:00 p.m. ET)

Coastal scored a 12-7 stunner at Lawrence last September, one of five covers in six tries as a visitor in 2019 season for the Chants.
Rare chalk role for Jayhawks, 0-2 laying points in the Les Miles debut season a year ago, and just 4-11 laying points since 2012 under a number of different coaches.

Tech Edge: Coastal, based on team trends.


WESTERN KENTUCKY at LOUISVILLE (ACC, 8:00 p.m. ET)

Louisville handily covered a 10 ½- point spread at Nashville vs. WKU a year ago, part of a 4-1 non-ACC spread mark for Cards in debut season of HC Satterfield, whose teams are 22-8-1 vs. the spread since late 2017 when still at App State.
Satterfield teams also 14-4-1 as chalk since late in 2017 dating to App State days (Cards 4-1 laying points in 2019).
The Tops rallied after the ‘Ville loss last season, sporting a 7-2-1 spread mark the rest of the way for new HC Helton, and WKU was 6-2 as a dog in 2019 despite the loss to the ‘Ville.

Tech Edge: Slight to Louisville, based on team trends.


CLEMSON at WAKE FOREST (ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET)

Dabo has won big vs. Wake the past two seasons by a combined 115-6 score after failing to cover previous four vs. Deacs.
Clemson is 16-4-1 as chalk away from Death Valley since 2017 and is 19-5-1 vs. spread overall since midway in 2018 season.
Wake 12-4 as double-digit dog for Clawson since 2016, though as noted was routed by Tigers past two seasons.

Tech Edge: Clemson, based on recent trends.


DUKE at NOTRE DAME (NBC, 2:30 p.m. ET)

Cutcliffe was only 2-4-1 as dog with Duke in 2019, including 38-7 home loss to ND, but was 25-12-1 in role the preceding six seasons (2013 thru 2018).
Blue Devils had also covered seven straight openers for Cutcliffe prior to 2019 loss vs. Bama.
Irish covered 5 of 7 as home chalk last season after recording just a 7-10 spread mark in role previous three terms.
Duke also “over” 10-4 last 14 dating to late 2018.

Tech Edge: Duke and “over,” based on extended team and “totals” trends.


UL MONROE at ARMY (CBSSN, 1:30 p.m. ET)

Into Sept. 5 opener vs. MTSU, Army only 3-7 last 10 vs. line at West Point, and just 9-15 as Michie Stadium chalk since 2015.
ULM just 4-10 last 14 on board since late 2018. Warhawks also 4-10 “under” since late 2018.

Tech Edge: Slight to ULM and “under,” based on team and “totals” trends.


LOUISIANA at IOWA STATE (ESPN, 12:00 p.m. ET)

Ragin’ Cajuns on 7-2-1 surge as an underdog since early 2018, and enter 2020 with 16-7-2 vs. spread mark last 25 on board.
Note ISU dropped its last four as Ames chalk last season and has failed to cover in three of last four openers.
Cyclones just 3-8 as home chalk since 2018.

Tech Edge: Louisiana, based on team trends.


UTEP at TEXAS (Longhorn, 8:00 p.m. ET)

While Tom Herman teams have been formidable as an underdog, they have underachieved as home chalk, just 5-10 in role with Texas since 2017, and only 8-18-1 in role since 2015 with Houston.
But Herman Longhorns teams are 8-3 vs. line last 11 against non-Big 12 foes.
UTEP enters 2020 on 10-26 spread skid since 2017, and just 3-12 vs. points overall since late in 2018, and 2-10 last 12 vs. spread outside of C-USA.

Tech Edge: Slight to Texas, based on UTEP negatives.


LOUISIANA TECH at BAYLOR (ESPN, 12:00 p.m. ET)

Skip Holtz teams at Tech are 19-8-1 as an underdog since he arrived at Ruston in 2014.
Bulldogs also 13-7-1 vs. line their last 21 away from Joe Aillet Stadium.
Baylor surprisingly just 2-8 as Waco chalk since 2017 and has only covered 1 of last 6 hosting non-Big 12 foes.

Tech Edge: La Tech, based on team trends.


UTSA at TEXAS STATE (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m. ET)

Traylor debut at UTSA. TSU just 3-8-1 vs. spread in 2019 for Spavital debut and no covers in four tries as host vs. FBS opposition.
Bobcats also on 11-4 “under” stretch dating to late 2018.
UTSA did cover its last four on the road a year ago and 9-5 vs. spread last 14 on board.

Tech Edge: Slight to UTSA and “under” based on team and “totals” trends.


ARKANSAS STATE at KANSAS STATE (FS1, 3:30 p.m. ET)

KSU on 11-4 spread uptick since late 2018 (9-4 vs. line in 2019 Klieman debut), and was “under” 9-3-1 last season.
Red Wolves only 3-10 vs. line last 13 outside of Sun Belt.

Tech Edge: Slight to K-State, based on team trends.


TULANE at SOUTH ALABAMA (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m. ET)

USA now on 5-1 spread ascent (all as dog) since late 2019 after opening upset win at USM, and 5-2 vs. number last 7 at Mobile.
Tulane, however, on 10-4 spread surge since late 2018, and Wave has covered all four openers since Fritz arrived in 2016.

Tech Edge: Slight to Tulane, based on team trends.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAF
Armadillo's Write-Up

Week 2

Saturday’s games

Syracuse @ North Carolina
— Syracuse has 7 starters back on offense, 4 back on defense.
— Orangemen have 74 returnng starts on the offensive line.
— Syracuse has a junior QB with 11 career starts.
— Orangemen were 1-4 ATS as a road dog LY; they were 9-3 from ’16-’18.

— North Carolina has 10 starters back on offense, 7 back on defense.
— Tar Heels have 62 returrnng starts on the offensive line.
— UNC has a soph QB with 13 career starts.
— Carolina covered once in its last five tries as a home favorite; underdogs are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 home games.

Syracuse (+10) upset UNC 40-37 in OT in their last meeting, two years ago in Carrier Dome.

Charlotte @ Appalachian State
— UNCC has 7 starters back on offense, 6 back on defense.
— 49ers have 94 returning starts on the offensive line.
— Charlotte has a junior QB with 18 career starts.
— Last three years, 49ers are 6-10 ATS as a road underdog.

—App State has 8 starters back on offense, 5 back on defense.
— AS has 115 returning starts on the offensive line.
— Mountaineers have senior QB with 26 career starts, but they’re also on their 3rd head coach in three years.
— ASU is 11-7-1 ATS in its last 19 games as a home favorite.

App State won last two series games, 41-17/45-9.

Georgia Tech @ Florida State
— Tech has 9 starters back on offense, 10 back on defense.
— Yellow Jackets have 123 starts returning on the offensive line.
— GT either has a new QB or a soph QB with 8 starts.
— Since 2014, Tech is 10-6-1 ATS as a road underdog.
— GT’s coach was DC at Florida in 2015-16; those Gators lost 27-2/31-13 to FSU

— Seminoles have 7 starters back on offense, 10 back on defense.
— FSU has 57 starts returning on the offensive line.
— Florida State has a junior QB (22 stats); they’re on their 4th OC in four years.
— Last three years, Seminoles are 18-20 SU; since ’15, they’re 9-15 ATS as a home favorite.
— FSU is on its 3rd HC in four years.

Last time these teams met, in 2015, Tech (+5) upset FSU 22-16 in Atlanta.

Coastal Carolina @ Kansas
Coastal Carolina (+9) upset Kansas 12-7 LY in Lawrence; CCU outgained the Jayhawks 296-280, were +2 in turnovers.

— Coastal has 8 starters back on offense, 6 starters back on defense.
— Chanticleers have 109 starts returning on the offensive line.
— CCU has three QB’s who have all started 8+ games.
— Coastal is 9-4-1 ATS in last 14 games as a road dog; they covered six of last eight games out of conference, but since 2017, they’re 13-23 SU.

— Kansas has 6 starters back on offense, 5 starters back on defense.
— Jayhawks have 54 starts returning on the offensive line.
— Kansas has a new QB this season.
— Jayhawks are 4-11 ATS in last 15 games as a home favorite; they’re 8-16 ATS in last 24 non-league games.

Clemson @ Wake Forest
— Clemson has 5 starters back on offense, 6 starters back on defense.
— Tigers have only 17 starts returning on the offensive line- they lost 4 starters.
— Clemson has a junior QB with 26 career starts.
— Last three years, Tigers are 10-6-1 ATS as a road favorite.

— Wake Forest was supposed to have a really good QB, but he transferred.
— Wake has 3 starters back on offense, 8 starters back on defense.
— Deacons have 59 starts returning on the offensive line.
— Wake has a soph QB with nine starts.
— Since ’15, Deacons are 19-8-1 ATS as a home underdog; they’re 30-22 SU the last four years.

Last two years, Clemson hammered Wake Forest 52-3/63-3; Deacons covered the three meetings previous to that.

Duke @ Notre Dame
— Duke has 7 starters back on offense, 7 starters back on defense.
— Blue Devils have 102 starts returning on the offensive line.
— Duke has a new QB; he was Clemson’s backups for two years.
— Since 2013, Blue Devils are 15-9 ATS as a road underdog; they’re 25-8 ATS in their last 33 non-league games.

— Notre Dame has 7 starters back on offense, 5 starters back on defense.
— Irish has 114 starts returning on the offensive line.
— Notre Dame has a senior QB with 23 career starts.
— Last three years, Irish is 12-8 ATS as a home favorite.

Notre Dame (-7) won the last meeting 38-7 in Durham, running ball for 285 yards; Blue Devils upset the Irish 38-35 in South Bend in 2016.

UL-Monroe @ Army
— ULM has 5 starters back on offense, 8 starters back on defense.
— Warhawks have 31 starts returning on the offensive line; they lost 4 starters.
— UL-Monroe has a new QB this year.
— Last three years, ULM is 7-9 as a road underdog; since ’14, they’re 25-48 SU.

— Army has 5 starters back on offense, 7 starters back on defense.
— Cadets have 55 starts returning on the offensive line.
— Army has a junior QB with 7 career starts; they 7-10 ATS in last 17 games as a home favorite.
— Army crushed Middle Tennessee 42-0 LW, running ball for 340 yards; they only threw 4 passes.

These teams haven’t met in the last five seasons.

UL-Lafayette @ Iowa State
— Louisiana has 7 starters back on offense, 7 starters back on defense.
— Ragin’ Cajuns have 101 starts returning on the offensive line.
— ULL has a senior QB with 17 starts; he threw 26 TD’s LY, with only four INT’s.
— Louisiana is 5-2-1 ATS in last eight games as a road underdog; they’re 7-3 ATS in last 10 non-conference games, and beat Miami OH in their bowl LY.

— Iowa State has 5 starters back on offense, 8 starters back on defense.
— ISU has 33 starts returning on the offensive line.
— Cyclones have a junior QB with 21 career starts.
— ISU is 11-9-1 ATS in its last 21 non-league games; they’re 3-8 ATS in last 11 games as a home favorite.

These teams haven’t met in the last five seasons.

Arkansas State @ Kansas State
— ASU has 9 starters back on offense, 6 starters back on defense.
— Red Wolves have 128 starts returning on the offensive line.
— ASU lost its first game 37-24 at Memphis; they were outgained 502-424; they threw for 299 yards but were -2 (3-1) in turnovers.
— Red Wolves used two QB’s LW; each guy threw 20+ passes.

— K-State has 3 starters back on offense, 6 starters back on defense.
— Wildcats have only 2 starts returning on the offensive line. Two.
— K-State has a senior QB with 14 starts.
— Wildcats are 6-13 ATS in last 19 games as a home favorite.

These teams haven’t met in the last five seasons.

Tulane @ South Alabama
— Tulane has 5 starters back on offense, 7 starters back on defense.
— Green Wave has 70 starts returning on the offensive line.
— Tulane has a senior QB who has started 9 games.
— Under Fritz, Tulane is 4-3 ATS as a road favorite.

— South Alabama has 8 starters back on offense, 7 starters back on defense.
— Jaguars have 66 starts returning on the offensive line.
— USA has a soph QB with 5 career starts- he is Ozzie Newsome’s grandson.
— Jaguars (+13) upset Southern Miss 32-21 in their opener, gaining 526 TY.

These teams haven’t met in the last five seasons.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s 6-pack

NFL teams with most room under the salary cap:

$34.74M— Cleveland

$32.24M— New England

$31.31M— NJ Jets

$30.95M— Jacksonville

$26.03M— Washington

$25.43M— Denver


Americans who have died from COVID-19: 190,589
Please wear a mask when you go out.

Tweet of the Day
“With the NFL starting, I find myself pulling for the offense so maybe someone will need a defensive coach!”
Wade Phillips, currently unemployed

Friday’s quiz
In the 1976 movie All the President’s Men, which famous actor played Bob Woodward?

Thursday’s quiz
William Henry Harrison was President for only 31 days, before he died of pneumonia.

Wednesday’s quiz
Kevin Durant began his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics, before they moved to Oklahoma and became the Thunder


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

Friday’s Den: Random stuff with the weekend here……..

13) Chiefs 34, Texans 20:
— Chiefs ran ball 34 times for 166 yards; they threw 32 passes.
— KC scored four of the first times they had the football.
— 15,895 fans attended this game on a drizzly night at Arrowhead Stadium.
— In first three series for both teams, KC ran 35 plays, Houston 16

12) With no teams having an off-season program, I’m thinking its going to take a few weeks for offenses to catch up to where they normally are. 34-20 sounds high-scoring, but Houston got couple of scores in garbage time. Pass patterns mostly seemed a lot shorter than normal.

11) Tigers 6, Cardinals 3— Detroit scored five runs in the top of the 7th to earn the split of this twinbill, after losing their previous two games by a combined score of 31-2.

10) Red Sox 3, Rays 2— Rookie Bobby Dalbec homered in his 5th consecutive game.

9) A’s 3, Houston 1— Sean Manaea got thru seven innings on 61 pitches; you just never see that anymore, less than 9 pitches per inning.

8) Miami 31, UAB 14:
— Total yardage was 495-285, Miami
— Hurricanes ran ball for 337 yards.

7) Royals 11, Indians 1— Rookie Brady Singer had a no-hitter into the 8th inning.

6) White Sox are 13-0 vs lefty pitchers; Arizona is 2-10.

5) Atlanta 7, Washington 6— Freddie Freeman knocked in 10 runs the last two games; he is the first Brave to knock in 4+ runs in consecutive games since Mark Teixeira, in 2007.

4) Arizona 5, Dodgers 2— If you have Mookie Betts on your fantasy team, last night was your lucky night; Betts played 2B, so now he’s eligible at 2B in a lot of fantasy leagues, which would be a large advantage over most teams. It was his 16th career game at second base, first one in two years.

LA put Walker Buehler (blister) on the IL before this game, then Dustin May left one inning after he was hit in the foot by a line drive.

3) Longest NFL playoff droughts:
17 years- Cleveland
12- Tampa Bay
9- NJ Jets

2) Lakers 110, Houston 100 (LA leads 3-1)
— Davis had 29 points, 12 rebounds five assists for LA.
— Harden was 2-11 from the floor, 16-20 on foul line. Harden was only Rocket starter with a =/- better than minus-10; he was even.

1) If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL East- Tampa Bay, Toronto
AL Central- Chicago, Minnesota
AL West- Oakland, Houston
AL Wild Cards- Cleveland, New York

NL East- Atlanta, Philadelphia
NL Central- Chicago, St Louis
NL West- Los Angeles, San Diego
NL Wild Cards- Miami, San Francisco

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday’s 6-pack

Major league leaders in OPS:

1.257— Juan Soto, Wash

1.089— Nelson Cruz, Minn

1.081— Freddie Freeman, Atl

1.065— Mike Trout, LAA

1.051— Dominic Smith, NYM

1.049— Trea Turner, Wash


Americans who have died from COVID-19: 192,616
Please wear a mask when you go out.

Quote of the Day
“It’s not real baseball, but it’s fine for this year, and I hope we never do it again.”
Clayton Kershaw, talking about the new extra inning rules

Saturday’s quiz
What eastern city did the LA Clippers call home, before they were known as the Clippers?

Friday’s quiz
In the 1976 movie All the President’s Men, Robert Redford played Bob Woodward.

Thursday’s quiz
William Henry Harrison was President for only 31 days, before he died of pneumonia.


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

Saturday’s Den: Wrapping up a busy Friday

13) Boston 92, Toronto 87 (Celtics win 4-3)
— Celtics held Toronto to 16 points in 4th quarter.
— Teams combined to make 17-66 on the arc.
— Jayson Tatum led Boston with 29 points.
— Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference final.

12) Nuggets 111, LA Clippers 105 (LA leads 3-2)
— Denver outscored LA 38-25 in 4th quarter to stay alive.
— Michael Porter scored Denver’s last 7 points, his only points of the game.

11) Tampa Bay 11, Red Sox 1— Rays are first team since at least 1900 to start nine lefty hitters in a game, with none of them switch-hitters.

10) Two more random facts from Thursday’s NFL games:
— There were only five plays of 20+ yards in Thursday’s game; Chiefs had two of them. Last year, Kansas City averaged 4.25 plays/game of 20+ yards
— Chiefs had a 15-yard advantage in average field position, which is unusually big.

9) Happy birthday to the great NBA player Bob Lanier, who turned 72 this week; to show how great Lanier was in college, he led St Bonaventure to the 1971 Final Four. Think about that; St Bonaventure is located in the middle of freakin’ nowhere, in the southern tier of central New York; for them to make the Final Four was amazing.

He was a great college player, but tore his knee up in the regional final, when Villanova’s Chris Ford rolled up on his knee. Ironically, Lanier/Ford later wound up as NBA teammates with the Pistons.

8) I was at an AAU tournament in Las Vegas a few years ago, at Bishop Gorman HS, two games going on at once. I’m sitting in the bleachers by myself, behind one couple.

Being AAU ball, when the coach’s cellphone buzzes that he got a text while the game is going on, the guy takes the phone out and reads the text. Why?

He turns around, looks at the couple in front of me and snaps, “If you text me again, he’ll never get in!!!”

The couple wanted their kid to play more; I couldn’t laugh in their faces, so I went to the concession stand. Good stuff.

7) Unsolicited opinions: best-ever play-by-play announcers by sport:
— MLB— Vin Scully
— NFL— Al Michaels
— NBA— Mike Breen
— NHL— Mike Emrick/Dan Kelly
— College hoop— Dick Enberg
— College football— Keith Jackson

6) Phillies’ pitcher Zach Wheeler makes $22M this year; he is now on the IL after tearing the fingernail on the middle finger of his pitching hand while he was putting his pants on.

Wheeler is 4-0, 2,47 in 8 starts; he is really good, but he got hurt putting his pants on.

5) Giant-Padre games for Friday/Saturday were postponed after a Giants’ player tested positive for COVID.

4) Dr Fauci was on TV today telling the truth, because someone needs to; the moderator said they were glad he was speaking, but they were also afraid he would get fired soon.

They can’t fire him; every TV network in the country (except FOX) would be throwing lucrative offers at him, to get his commentary on their station. He’d definitely get his own show, if he wanted one.

3) Sounds like November will be a very quiet month TV-wise, with only football going on until maybe college hoop starts around Thanksgiving. Good news, then, that the NBA now plans to hold their draft November 18, so that’ll provide one night of entertainment.

2) September 11, 1985— Pete Rose set the all-time hits record, getting a hit off of Eric Show of the Padres. Sadly, September 11 is now an infamous date in American history, because of the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon.

1) If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL East- Tampa Bay, Toronto
AL Central- Chicago, Minnesota
AL West- Oakland, Houston
AL Wild Cards- Cleveland, New York

NL East- Atlanta, Philadelphia
NL Central- Chicago, St Louis
NL West- Los Angeles, San Diego
NL Wild Cards- Miami, San Francisco

[StarDust Bum]

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

SYR at UNC 12:00 PM
UNC -23.0
U 65.5
+500 +500

ULL at ISU 12:00 PM
ULL +11.5
O 56.0
+500 +500

ARST at KSU 12:00 PM
ARST +13.0
O 54.5
+500 +500

CHAR at APP 12:00 PM
APP -17.0
U 59.0
+500 +500

ULM at ARMY 01:30 PM
ARMY -22.5
U 53.5
+500 +500

DUKE at ND 02:30 PM
DUKE +20.5
O 52.5
+500 +500

GT at FSU 03:30 PM
GT +11.5
O 51.5
+500 +500

UTSA at TXST 03:30 PM
UTSA +7.0
U 57.5
+500 +500

TULN at USA 07:30 PM
USA +11.0
O 52.0
+500 +500

CLEM at WAKE 07:30 PM
CLEM -33.5
U 60.5
+500 +500

UTEP at TEX 08:00 PM
UTEP +43.0
O 57.5
+500 +500

WKU at LOU 08:00 PM
LOU -11.5
U 57.0
+500 +500

CC at KU 10:00 PM
CC +6.5
U 56.0
+500 +500

[StarDust Bum]

COMPLETED PICKS

Past Completed Picks

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

09/12/2020 17-9-0 65.38% +3550 Detail
09/10/2020 1-1-0 50.00% -50 Detail
09/07/2020 0-2-0 0.00% -1100 Detail
09/05/2020 4-2-0 66.67% +900 Detail

TOTALS.......22-14-0......61.11%.....+33.00

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday’s 6-pack
Major league leaders in runs scored:

46— Fernando Tatis, SD
43— Dansby Swanson, Atl
39— Mike Trout, LAA
38— Freeman Atl, TAnderson CWS, TTurner Wash
37— Manny Machado, SD
35— Story Col, Abreu CWS, Yastrzemski SF, Conforto NYM, Hoskins Phil


Americans who have died from COVID-19: 193,482
Please wear a mask when you go out.

Quote of the Day
“It’s not real baseball, but it’s fine for this year, and I hope we never do it again.”
Clayton Kershaw, talking about the new extra inning rules

Saturday’s quiz
LA Clippers started out as the Buffalo Braves; they had Bob McAdoo, Jim McMillian, Ernie DiGregorio, some good players- they went 49-33 in 1974-75 under Jack Ramsay, who two years later won the NBA title coaching Portland.

Friday’s quiz
In the 1976 movie All the President’s Men, Robert Redford played Bob Woodward.

Thursday’s quiz
William Henry Harrison was President for only 31 days, before he died of pneumonia.


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

Sunday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports Saturday

13) Like everything else in 2020, the first real Saturday of college football was odd, capped off by a Coastal Carolina-Kansas game that kicked off at 9pm local time in Lawrence, followed by a 1am ET Korean baseball game. Fun for the whole family.

I’m not a scientist, but I’m pretty sure playing football in this environment isn’t a great idea, especially when the players do not get paid, but college sports is big business, and if you don’t believe that, well Oklahoma charged $55 or so on pay-per-view for their opener against I-AA juggernaut Missouri State. Sooners won 48-0; thrilling.

12) If the presidents/AD’s in the Big X knew what was going to happen on the field Saturday, they might’ve thought a quarantine wasn’t such a bad idea.

Coastal Carolina 38, Kansas 23— Second year in row the Chanticleers upset Kansas in Lawrence; this game was 28-0 until just before halftime.

11) Texas Tech 35, Houston Baptist 33— Houston Baptist is I-AA, so this is kind of like a loss for Tech, except it isn’t officially a loss. I mean, Tech was a 40-point favorite and won by 2.

10) Louisiana 31, Iowa State 14— Ragin’ Cajuns’ DB’s dominated the Iowa State receivers; it helped that the refs didn’t seem interested in throwing any flags for defensive holding or PI. Iowa State was a 13-point favorite.

Louisiana missed two easy field goals, but ran a punt back for a TD and also ran a kickoff back for a TD. Saturday looked like it was a very rough day for placekickers, especially young ones.

9) Arkansas State (+14.5) 35, Kansas State 31— Arkansas State’s coach is Blake Anderson; he deserves some joy in his life- his wife passed away just before last season started, and then he lost his dad this offseason. Guy is a good coach who could be moving up soon.

8) Game of the Day: Tex-San Antonio 51, Texas State 48 OT— Down 41-35, Texas State ran a punt back 91 yards for a TD with 1:13 left, but they missed the PAT, then missed a short FG in overtime, and the Roadrunners escaped with a win in Jeff Traylor’s debut as USTA’s coach.

Texas State played without its starting QB, who sat out with COVID-related issues.

7) Saturday’s football upsets:
— Louisiana (+13) 31, Iowa State 14
— Arkansas State (+14.5) 35, Kansas State 31
— Georgia Tech (+13) 16, Florida State 13
— Coastal Carolina (+6) 38, Kansas 23

6) Kansas State (8-1) won the SouthPoint’s prop bet by scoring the first touchdown of the day; the favorites were North Carolina (3-1), Appalachian State (7-2).

5) Some NFL guys had big paydays Saturday; Saints’ RB Alvin Kamara, Vikings’ RB Dalvin Cook and Rams’ WR Cooper Kupp all got contract extensions.

4) Oakland A’s got some very bad news; 3B Matt Chapman will have hip surgery, is out for the season. Thats a big loss- they somehow acquired Jake Lamb from Arizona right before I typed this. They must pay Arizona under the table to cut him, then they signed Lamb up when no one else claimed him.

3) Arizona/Red Sox are first two teams to clinch their under bets in season win total wagering.

2) Lakers 119, Rockets 96— Lakers win series 4-1; you get the feeling Mike D’Antoni will be the scapegoat for Houston’s 2nd-round exit. Now the Lakers hope Denver can force a Game 7 against the Clippers tonight, just to tire both teams out.

1) If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL East- Tampa Bay, Toronto
AL Central- Chicago, Minnesota
AL West- Oakland, Houston
AL Wild Cards- Cleveland, New York

NL East- Atlanta, Philadelphia
NL Central- Chicago, St Louis
NL West- Los Angeles, San Diego
NL Wild Cards- Miami, San Francisco

15 days left in the season, and the Marlins are still a playoff team.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

Most popular picks this week in the Westgate SuperContest:
344— Buffalo +6.5- W
337— LA Rams +3- W
304— Atlanta +2.5- L
303— Tennessee -2.5
280— Arizona +6.5- W
243— Pittsburgh -6- W

Americans who have died from COVID-19: 194,367
Please wear a mask when you go out.


**********

Armadillo: Tuesday's Den: Nobody asked me, but…….

13) Steelers 26, Giants 16:
— Pitt led 16-10 late in 3rd quarter; Giants had a 19-play drive that ended on an end zone INT.
— Last five years, Pittsburgh is 15-6 ATS against NFC teams.
— 11 of Steelers’ last 14 road openers stayed under the total.

— Barkley carried ball 15 times for 6 yards; he caught 6 passes for 60 yards.
— Giants started one drive on Pittsburgh’s 3-yard line but only kicked a FG.
— Giants started out 0-1 eight of last nine years.
— Giants are 4-14 ATS in last 18 games as a home underdog.

12) Titans 16, Denver 14
— Titans missed three FG’s and a PAT, but kicked 25-yard FG with 0:17 left for the win.
— The was the Oilers/Titans’ first win in Denver since 1980 (they also won a 1987 replacement game, but I don’t count that)
— Tennessee won seven of last eight road openers, covered nine of last 13.

— Broncos were stopped on downs on the Tennessee 1-yard line in 2nd quarter.
— Titans converted 7-16 on 3rd down, Denver only 3-9.
— Denver is 21-10-1 ATS in its last 32 home openers.

11) Why did the Houston Texans trade DeAndre Hopkins? Isn’t it important to keep your best players, especially when your young QB is growing into being an elite player? Going to be a lot of heat on Texans’ management if they regress on offense this season.

My high school Chemistry teacher was Bill Warner (no relation to Kurt); he was a great teacher, also a licensed pilot, a basketball referee, a brilliant guy. When something made no sense to him, he would call it “nonsensical” He is the only person I’ve ever heard use that word.

To me, the Texans trading Hopkins was nonsensical.

10) No NFL head coach has ever won Super Bowls with two different teams.

Only two guys (Bill Parcells, Mike Holmgren) made it to a Super Bowl with another team, after winning a title somewhere else.

9) NFL supposedly wants more scoring in their games, but two huge offensive plays in the last minute of close games were nullified Sunday by offensive pass interference calls. If you want more points to be scored, why would you point the officials towards calling more offensive PI?

Bengals scored a TD with 0:06 left that was negated; Dallas completed a long pass that would’ve set up a game-tying field goal. Wide receivers pushing off has been overlooked for decades; Michael Irvin is in the Hall of Fame because of that.

The NFL makes their rules, the officials just enforce them; I don’t understand this apparent change in direction.

8) Last 16 years, Cleveland Browns are 0-15-1 in their season openers; they threw 10 passes to Odell Beckham Sunday in Baltimore, but completed only three of them.

7) Mike D’Antoni’s NBA coaching record: 16 years, 672-527 in regular season games, 54-56 in playoff games. If he still wants to coach, hard to believe someone won’t hire him.

6) Denver Nuggets are first NBA team ever to have four straight playoff series go 7 games.

5) Overlooked with all the football Sunday was Alec Mills throwing a no-hitter for the Cubs in Milwaukee, in his 15th career start.

Earlier this season, Lucas Giolito threw a no-hitter for the White Sox; this is the first season ever that both Chicago franchises had a pitcher throw a no-hitter in the same season.

4) Over the last 21 years, Washington Redskins have started 13 different quarterbacks in their season opener. This isn’t a good thing.

3) Big day for Mets fans; the Wilpon family and Saul Katz have agreed to sell the Mets to billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen, which has to help the team a lot. The Wilpons were horrendous owners.

Trivia: If you watch Billions on Showtime, Damian Lewis’ character Bobby Axelrod is loosely based on Cohen. He is a rich guy, really rich.

2) Atlanta Braves signed Pablo Sandoval to a minor league deal, after the Giants released him. Sandoval could be a DH for the Braves down the stretch.

1) If the baseball playoffs started today (they don’t):
AL East: Tampa Bay, Toronto
AL Central: Chicago, Minnesota
AL West: Oakland, Houston
AL wild cards: Cleveland, New York

NL East: Atlanta, Miami
NL Central: Chicago, St Louis
NL West: Los Angeles, San Diego
NL wild cards: Philadelphia, San Francisco

[StarDust Bum]

College football odds Week 3: Opening lines & odds movement
Patrick Everson

Quarterback Ian Book and Notre Dame, coming off a win but failing to cover against Duke, host South Florida in Week 3. PointsBet USA opened the Fighting Irish as 26-point favorites.

College football odds for Week 3 are on the betting board and already getting action. The ACC dots the list of key matchups, including No. 13 Central Florida facing a Georgia Tech team coming off a road upset of Florida State.

PointsBet USA provided insights on college football Week 3 opening lines, early line movement, sharp money and public betting for this week's matchups.

College football Week 3 odds

These are the current College football Week 3 odds for the premier games on the schedule, as of September 14.



Wake Forest at NC State odds

Opening line
North Carolina State -3, Over/Under 55.5

Why the line moved
PointsBet USA's Patrick Eichner said Monday that the Wolfpack moved to -2.5 this morning on interesting early betting splits. Sixty-five percent of tickets are on North Carolina State, but 60 percent of the point-spread money is on Wake Forest.


(13) UCF at Georgia Tech odds

Opening line
Georgia Tech +7.5, Over/Under 60

Why the line moved
PointsBet USA's Eichner said there was an early move to Central Florida -7, but more to stay in line with the market. Still, an opinion is forming. Ticket count is split 50/50, but about 80 percent of the early money is on UCF.


Charlotte at (11) North Carolina odds

Opening line
North Carolina -27, Over/Under 61

Why the line moved
This line bounced around quite a bit early at PointsBet USA, stretching to 28.5 Monday morning before pulling back to 27.5. Seventy percent of early spread bets and money are on big underdog Charlotte to cover.


(18) Miami at (16) Louisville odds

Opening line
Louisville -1.5, Over/Under 61

Why the line moved
This line is already up a full point Monday at PointsBet USA, with host Louisville 2.5-point chalk. But Miami has its share of takers, landing 70 percent of early money on the point spread, while Louisville is getting 65 percent of early tickets.


Syracuse at Pittsburgh odds

Opening line
Pittsburgh -20.5, Over/Under 50.5

Why the line moved
PointsBet USA moved to Pitt -21.5, thanks to early interest in the Panthers. "All Pitt in this one," Eichner said. "About 90 percent of spread tickets and handle are on the Panthers."


South Florida at (7) Notre Dame odds

Opening line
Notre Dame -26, Over/Under 53

Why the line moved
PointsBet USA's Eichner said this game is similar to Syracuse-Pitt early, with Notre Dame taking 90 percent of tickets and bets by Monday. However, there's not enough money in the pot to move the line yet.


Tulsa at (12) Oklahoma State odds

Opening line
Oklahoma State -22.5, Over/Under 65

Why the line moved
There was limited action and no movement yet on this game by Monday afternoon at PointsBet USA.

[StarDust Bum]

103LA LAFAYETTE -104 GEORGIA ST
LA LAFAYETTE is 41-21 ATS (17.9 Units) in road games after a game where they committed 1 or less turnovers since 1992.

107WAKE FOREST -108 NC STATE
NC STATE is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) when the total is 56.5-63 in the last 3 seasons.

109UCF -110 GEORGIA TECH
GEORGIA TECH is 9-1 ATS (7.9 Units) off an extremely close road win by 3 points or less since 1992.

113BOSTON COLLEGE -114 DUKE
DUKE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games as an favorite of 3.5-10 in the last 3 seasons.

115MIAMI -116 LOUISVILLE
MIAMI is 16-5 ATS (10.5 Units) after gaining 300 or more rushing yards last game since 1992.

119SYRACUSE -120 PITTSBURGH
SYRACUSE is 20-36 ATS (-19.6 Units) as an underdog of 10.5-21 since 1992.

121APPALACHIAN ST -122 MARSHALL
APPALACHIAN ST is 10-2 ATS (7.8 Units) in road games in the last 3 seasons.

123LIBERTY -124 W KENTUCKY
LIBERTY is 13-3 ATS (9.7 Units) in road games in the first half of the season since 1992.

125LOUISIANA TECH -126 SOUTHERN MISS
SOUTHERN MISS are 51-33 ATS (14.7 Units) in the first month of the season since 1992.

127TEXAS ST -128 LA MONROE
LA MONROE is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) after playing their last game on the road in the last 3 seasons.

129SMU -130 NORTH TEXAS
SMU is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in road games when the total >=63 in the last 3 seasons.

133NAVY -134 TULANE
TULANE is 6-0 ATS (6 Units) after playing their last game on the road over the last 2 seasons.

135TROY -136 MIDDLE TENN ST
MIDDLE TENN ST is 16-5 ATS (10.5 Units) after gaining 225 or less total yards in their previous game since 1992.

141TULSA -142 OKLAHOMA ST
OKLAHOMA ST is 13-2 ATS (10.8 Units) in home games as an favorite of 21.5-31 since 1992.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAF
Long Sheet

Saturday, September 19

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

LA LAFAYETTE (1 - 0) at GEORGIA ST (0 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAFAYETTE is 46-27 ATS (+16.3 Units) in road games against conference opponents since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAFAYETTE is 1-0 against the spread versus GEORGIA ST over the last 3 seasons
LA LAFAYETTE is 1-0 straight up against GEORGIA ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

FLA ATLANTIC (0 - 0) at GA SOUTHERN (1 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 4:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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

WAKE FOREST (0 - 1) at NC STATE (0 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WAKE FOREST is 2-0 against the spread versus NC STATE over the last 3 seasons
WAKE FOREST is 2-0 straight up against NC STATE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

UCF (0 - 0) at GEORGIA TECH (1 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 3:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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

CHARLOTTE (0 - 1) at N CAROLINA (1 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 3:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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

BOSTON COLLEGE (0 - 0) at DUKE (0 - 1) - 9/19/2020, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DUKE is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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

MIAMI (1 - 0) at LOUISVILLE (1 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 3:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 1-0 against the spread versus LOUISVILLE over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 1-0 straight up against LOUISVILLE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SYRACUSE (0 - 1) at PITTSBURGH (1 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SYRACUSE is 20-36 ATS (-19.6 Units) as an underdog of 10.5 to 21 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 2-0 against the spread versus SYRACUSE over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 2-0 straight up against SYRACUSE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

APPALACHIAN ST (1 - 0) at MARSHALL (1 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
APPALACHIAN ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
APPALACHIAN ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
MARSHALL is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) when playing on a Saturday over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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

LIBERTY (0 - 0) at W KENTUCKY (0 - 1) - 9/19/2020, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LIBERTY is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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

LOUISIANA TECH (0 - 0) at SOUTHERN MISS (0 - 1) - 9/19/2020, 7:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOUISIANA TECH is 2-0 against the spread versus SOUTHERN MISS over the last 3 seasons
SOUTHERN MISS is 1-1 straight up against LOUISIANA TECH over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

TEXAS ST (0 - 2) at LA MONROE (0 - 1) - 9/19/2020, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA MONROE is 35-54 ATS (-24.4 Units) in home games since 1992.
LA MONROE is 35-54 ATS (-24.4 Units) in home lined games since 1992.
LA MONROE is 32-51 ATS (-24.1 Units) in home games when playing on a Saturday since 1992.
LA MONROE is 22-39 ATS (-20.9 Units) in home games in games played on turf since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA MONROE is 1-1 against the spread versus TEXAS ST over the last 3 seasons
LA MONROE is 2-0 straight up against TEXAS ST over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SMU (1 - 0) at NORTH TEXAS (1 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NORTH TEXAS is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NORTH TEXAS is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
NORTH TEXAS is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in games played on turf over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NORTH TEXAS is 1-1 against the spread versus SMU over the last 3 seasons
NORTH TEXAS is 1-1 straight up against SMU over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

NAVY (0 - 1) at TULANE (1 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NAVY is 183-135 ATS (+34.5 Units) in all games since 1992.
NAVY is 183-135 ATS (+34.5 Units) in all lined games since 1992.
NAVY is 101-63 ATS (+31.7 Units) as an underdog since 1992.
NAVY is 86-47 ATS (+34.3 Units) in road games since 1992.
NAVY is 86-47 ATS (+34.3 Units) in road lined games since 1992.
NAVY is 55-31 ATS (+20.9 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.
NAVY is 165-120 ATS (+33.0 Units) when playing on a Saturday since 1992.
NAVY is 69-45 ATS (+19.5 Units) in games played on turf since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
TULANE is 1-1 against the spread versus NAVY over the last 3 seasons
TULANE is 1-1 straight up against NAVY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

TROY (0 - 0) at MIDDLE TENN ST (0 - 1) - 9/19/2020, 4:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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

S FLORIDA (1 - 0) at NOTRE DAME (1 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 2:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NOTRE DAME is 9-23 ATS (-16.3 Units) as a favorite of 21.5 to 31 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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

TULSA (0 - 0) at OKLAHOMA ST (0 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA ST is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) as a favorite of 21.5 to 31 points since 1992.
OKLAHOMA ST is 95-69 ATS (+19.1 Units) as a favorite since 1992.
TULSA is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in a road game where the total is between 63.5 and 70 since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA ST is 1-0 against the spread versus TULSA over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA ST is 1-0 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

HOUSTON (0 - 0) at BAYLOR (0 - 0) - 9/19/2020, 12:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAF

Week 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, September 19

Tulsa @ Oklahoma State
Tulsa
Tulsa is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Tulsa's last 15 games on the road
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tulsa
Oklahoma State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tulsa

Syracuse @ Pittsburgh
Syracuse
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Syracuse's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Syracuse's last 8 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Syracuse
Pittsburgh is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing Syracuse

Liberty @ Western Kentucky
Liberty
Liberty is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Liberty is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Western Kentucky is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

Austin Peay @ Cincinnati
Austin Peay
Austin Peay is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Austin Peay is 1-20 SU in its last 21 games on the road
Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games at home

Navy @ Tulane
Navy
Navy is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tulane
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Navy's last 6 games on the road
Tulane
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tulane's last 5 games
Tulane is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home

Louisiana-Lafayette @ Georgia State
Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Lafayette is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Louisiana-Lafayette is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Georgia State
Georgia State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Georgia State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home

Boston College @ Duke
Boston College
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Boston College's last 11 games on the road
Boston College is 12-6 ATS in its last 18 games on the road
Duke
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Duke's last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Duke's last 12 games

Houston @ Baylor
Houston
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Houston's last 14 games on the road
Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Baylor
Baylor is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baylor's last 6 games at home

Appalachian State @ Marshall
Appalachian State
Appalachian State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Appalachian State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Marshall
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Marshall's last 9 games at home
Marshall is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

South Florida @ Notre Dame
South Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of South Florida's last 5 games
South Florida is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Notre Dame
Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Stephen F. Austin @ Texas-San Antonio
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Stephen F. Austin is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Texas-San Antonio
Texas-San Antonio is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas-San Antonio's last 7 games

Central Florida @ Georgia Tech
Central Florida
Central Florida is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Central Florida is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Georgia Tech
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Georgia Tech's last 9 games
Georgia Tech is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games

Florida Atlantic @ Georgia Southern
Florida Atlantic
Florida Atlantic is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Florida Atlantic is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Georgia Southern's last 5 games at home

Charlotte @ North Carolina
Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Charlotte's last 6 games
Charlotte is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
North Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of North Carolina's last 5 games at home
North Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

Troy @ Middle Tennessee
Troy
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Troy's last 8 games when playing Middle Tennessee
Troy is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Middle Tennessee's last 8 games when playing Troy
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Middle Tennessee's last 7 games at home

The Citadel @ Clemson
The Citadel
The Citadel is 2-23 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The Citadel is 2-23 SU in its last 25 games
Clemson
Clemson is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Clemson is 24-1 SU in its last 25 games

Southern Methodist @ North Texas
Southern Methodist
Southern Methodist is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing North Texas
Southern Methodist is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing North Texas
North Texas
North Texas is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of North Texas's last 5 games at home

Central Arkansas @ Arkansas State
Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Central Arkansas is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Arkansas State
Arkansas State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Arkansas State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

Louisiana Tech @ Southern Miss
Louisiana Tech
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Louisiana Tech's last 13 games on the road
Louisiana Tech is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
Southern Miss
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Southern Miss's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Southern Miss's last 7 games at home

Texas State @ Louisiana-Monroe
Texas State
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Texas State's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Texas State's last 21 games
Louisiana-Monroe
Louisiana-Monroe is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas State
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Louisiana-Monroe's last 7 games when playing Texas State

Miami-FL @ Louisville
Miami-FL
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Miami-FL's last 20 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Miami-FL's last 21 games
Louisville
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Louisville's last 5 games
Louisville is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home

Wake Forest @ North Carolina State
Wake Forest
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Wake Forest's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wake Forest's last 6 games when playing on the road against North Carolina St
North Carolina State
North Carolina State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Wake Forest
North Carolina State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Wake Forest

Abilene Christian @ Texas El Paso
Abilene Christian
Abilene Christian is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Abilene Christian is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Texas El Paso
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas El Paso's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas El Paso's last 9 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAF
Dunkel

Week 3

Saturday, September 19

Syracuse @ Pittsburgh

Game 119-120
September 19, 2020 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Syracuse
81.960
Pittsburgh
89.919
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 8
58
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
by 22
50
Dunkel Pick:
Syracuse
(+22); Over

Liberty @ Western Kentucky

Game 123-124
September 19, 2020 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Liberty
71.561
Western Kentucky
88.242
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Western Kentucky
by 16 1/2
62
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Western Kentucky
by 13
54 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Western Kentucky
(-13); Over

Houston @ Baylor

Game 143-144
September 19, 2020 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
84.192
Baylor
104.682
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baylor
by 20 1/2
71
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baylor
by 4 1/2
62 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Baylor
(-4 1/2); Over

Navy @ Tulane

Game 133-134
September 19, 2020 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Navy
78.629
Tulane
78.510
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Navy
Even
55
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tulane
by 8
49
Dunkel Pick:
Navy
(+8); Over

Austin Peay @ Cincinnati

Game 147-148
September 19, 2020 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Austin Peay
65.573
Cincinnati
94.204
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 28 1/2
48
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cincinnati
by 33 1/2
52 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Austin Peay
(+33 1/2); Under

LA-Lafayette @ Georgia State

Game 103-104
September 19, 2020 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA-Lafayette
97.646
Georgia State
69.212
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA-Lafayette
by 28 1/2
54
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA-Lafayette
by 17
61
Dunkel Pick:
LA-Lafayette
(-17); Under

Boston College @ Duke

Game 113-114
September 19, 2020 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston College
83.395
Duke
83.142
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston College
Even
54
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Duke
by 6
51
Dunkel Pick:
Boston College
(+6); Over

Tulsa @ Oklahoma State

Game 141-142
September 19, 2020 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tulsa
77.695
Oklahoma State
102.464
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma State
by 25
61
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma State
by 20 1/2
66
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma State
(-20 1/2); Over

Appalachian St @ Marshall

Game 121-122
September 19, 2020 @ 1:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Appalachian St
94.079
Marshall
84.823
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Appalachian St
by 9 1/2
56
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Appalachian St
by 3 1/2
59
Dunkel Pick:
Appalachian St
(-3 1/2); Under

South Florida @ Notre Dame

Game 139-140
September 19, 2020 @ 2:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
South Florida
73.632
Notre Dame
105.616
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Notre Dame
by 32
42
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Notre Dame
by 24 1/2
51 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Notre Dame
(-24 1/2); Under

Stephen F Austin @ TX-San Antonio

Game 149-150
September 19, 2020 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Stephen F Austin
52.926
TX-San Antonio
65.264
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
TX-San Antonio
by 12 1/2
47
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
TX-San Antonio
by 14 12
53 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Stephen F Austin
(+14 1/2); Under

Florida Atlantic @ Georgia Southern

Game 105-106
September 19, 2020 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Florida Atlantic
84.807
Georgia Southern
82.602
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida Atlantic
by 2
63
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida Atlantic
by 5 1/2
50
Dunkel Pick:
Georgia Southern
(+5 1/2); Over

Central Florida @ Georgia Tech

Game 109-110
September 19, 2020 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Central Florida
90.308
Georgia Tech
85.565
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Central Florida
by 5
64
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Central Florida
by 7 1/2
60
Dunkel Pick:
Georgia Tech
(+7 1/2); Over

Charlotte @ North Carolina

Game 111-112
September 19, 2020 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Charlotte
70.241
North Carolina
103.147
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
North Carolina
by 33
51
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
North Carolina
by 26 1/2
64
Dunkel Pick:
North Carolina
(-26 1/2); Under

The Citadel @ Clemson

Game 151-152
September 19, 2020 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
The Citadel
58.964
Clemson
119.932
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Clemson
by 61
61
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Clemson
by 43 1/2
57 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Clemson
(-43 1/2); Over

Troy @ Middle Tennessee St

Game 135-136
September 19, 2020 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Troy
69.443
Middle Tennessee
68.633
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Troy
by 1
67
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Troy
by 3 1/2
64
Dunkel Pick:
Middle Tennessee
(+3 1/2); Over

SMU @ North Texas

Game 129-130
September 19, 2020 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
SMU
82.508
North Texas
70.753
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
SMU
by 12
66
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
SMU
by 14 1/2
71
Dunkel Pick:
North Texas
(+14 1/2); Under

Central Arkansas @ Arkansas St

Game 153-154
September 19, 2020 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Central Arkansas
65.277
Arkansas St
86.463
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arkansas St
by 21
64
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arkansas St
by 17
61 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arkansas St
(-17); Over

Louisiana Tech @ Southern Miss

Game 125-126
September 19, 2020 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Louisiana Tech
72.259
Southern Miss
80.258
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Southern Miss
by 8
42
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Southern Miss
by 5
57 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Southern Miss
(-5); Under

Miami-FL @ Louisville

Game 115-116
September 19, 2020 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami-FL
87.952
Louisville
85.611
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami-FL
by 2 1/2
40
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Louisville
by 2 1/2
64
Dunkel Pick:
Miami-FL
(+2 1/2); Under

Texas State @ LA-Monroe

Game 127-128
September 19, 2020 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas State
64.943
LA-Monroe
72.452
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA-Monroe
by 7 1/2
73
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas State
by 5
62 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA-Monroe
(+5); Over

Wake Forest @ NC State

Game 107-108
September 19, 2020 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Wake Forest
85.368
NC State
71.544
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Wake Forest
by 14
52
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NC State
by 3
55 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Wake Forest
(+3); Under

Abilene Christian @ UTEP

Game 155-156
September 19, 2020 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Abilene Christian
49.530
UTEP
60.389
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
UTEP
by 11
49
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
UTEP
by 4
51 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
UTEP
(-4); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s 6-pack

Odds to win the US Open golf tourney this week:

8-1— Dustin Johnson

9-1— Jon Rahm

14-1— McIlroy, Schauffele, Thomas

16-1— Collin Morikawa

25-1— Bryson DeChambeau, Webb Simpson

30-1— Matsuyama, Fleetwood, Day, Reed, Finau


Americans who have died from COVID-19: 195,354
Please wear a mask when you go out.

Quote of the Day
“It begins and ends with the general manager. You can talk to me all day long. I personally wouldn’t know what coach to hire. That’s why you have a basketball operations team that’s made of a half a dozen people that use all kinds of analytics and experience. They’ll make a recommendation to me. They do about everything. I’m the sign-off guy. That’s it.

“I wouldn’t know how to interview a basketball coach. You want me to go interview a CEO for a company, I’m the first one to tell you I think [I’m] better than anybody else. To be successful in business, and I say this in my book, you better know what you know and you better know what you don’t know. I surely know what I don’t know when it comes to basketball.”
Houston Rockets’ owner Tilman Fertitta

Wednesday’s quiz
Who coached the Steelers before Mike Tomlin?

Tuesday’s quiz
Joe Girardi has managed the Marlins, Bronx, Philadelphia.

Monday’s quiz
Rams’ owner Stan Kroenke also owns the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.


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

Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings……

13) ESPN finally found its Monday Night Football crew; Steve Levy, Brian Greise, Louis Riddick are an excellent 3-man team. Smart, unassuming, easy to listen to.

12) Baseball announced its playoff plan; AL bubble in California, NL bubble in Texas, no days off in the division or league championship series, which is a big deal. Pitching depth is going to be a lot more important than usual. Aces will only pitch once in a best-of-5 series, unless they pitch a game on short rest.

Air quality in southern California could be become a problem; I’m assuming the backup plan is Arizona’s dome, but that wasn’t mentioned Monday.

World Series will be in the Rangers’ new domed stadium in Arlington.

11) Nuggets 104, Clippers 89 (Denver wins 4-3)
— Denver held LA to 33 points in 2nd half.
— Nuggets were down 3-1 in both series this year, but won both.
— Jokic had 16 points, 22 rebounds, 13 assists. Wow.
— In their 50-year history, Clippers are now 0-8 in games where they had a chance to reach the conference final.

10) Cincinnati Bengals’ kicker Randy Bullock missed a game-tying 31-yard field goal at the end of Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Chargers; Bullock then grabbed his leg— a calf strain was given as the reason. Bengals need a new kicker.

Problem is, Cincinnati plays on Thursday this week and if you bring someone into Ohio from another state, there is a 72-hour thing because of COVID, so the Bengals quickly scooped up kicker Austin Seibert, who was shown the door by the Browns after he missed a PAT and a field goal in Cleveland’s 38-6 loss in Baltimore Sunday.

Seibert will see his old friends Thursday, when the Bengals visit Cleveland.

9) Unusual fact: Five QB’s whose team won in Week 1 were led in rushing by their QB. More and more teams are going to running back-by-committee.

I cringe every time a quarterback takes a hit while running; they’re very valuable players, so there is a fine line between a running QB making his offense more explosive while also risking the whole thing blowing up, if that QB gets hurt.

8) NFL officials called two huge offensive pass interference penalties Sunday, but they only called offensive holding 18 times in 16 games last week, so that’s an improvement. Thats the 2nd-fewest amount of Week 1 holding calls since 2001.

7) Why some teams don’t want their head coach also being a coordinator:

Denver Broncos totally screwed up clock management in the last minute Monday night; once Tennessee got within field goal range, Denver had to use its timeouts, to preserve some time for their offense if the Titans took the lead, which they did.

Head coach Vic Fangio also coordinates Denver’s defense, and that was what he was thinking about while Tennessee was driving at the end. Game management was botched, depriving the Broncos of a last-gasp chance at a win- remember, the game was in Denver, so longer field goals are more possible.

6) Orlando’s NBA bubble on the Disney grounds will also host eight early season college basketball tournament:

— Champions Classic, Jimmy V Classic
— Wooden Legacy, preseason NIT
— Orlando Invitational, Charleston Classic
— Myrtle Beach invitational, Diamond Head Classic

5) Over the last 10 years, when NFL teams went for it on 4th and 1, they got the first down 64% of the time.

4) Tennessee Titans missed three field goals and an extra point Monday night; last year, they made only 44.4% of their FG’s, by far the worst %age in the NFL. 2nd-worst %age last year was the Jets, who made 67.9% of their field goals.

3) My preference for the NFL schedule would be Monday night doubleheaders every week but no Thursday games, except for Week 1 and Thanksgiving Day. Football wasn’t meant to be played on three days’ rest.

2) Michael O’Keefe, the actor who played Danny Noonan in Caddyshack 40 years ago, caddied for club pro Danny Balin this week at practice rounds for the US Open.

1) If you baseball playoffs started today (they don’t):
AL East: Tampa Bay, New York
AL Central: Chicago, Minnesota
AL West: Oakland, Houston
AL wild cards: Cleveland, Toronto

NL East: Atlanta, Miami
NL Central: Chicago, St Louis
NL West: Los Angeles, San Diego
NL wild cards: Philadelphia, San Francisco