Jim FeistFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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South Florida vs. Temple
Play: TempleFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Temple has a fine offense (27 ppg) behind QB Chris Coyer and Matt Brown, pounding out 155 yards rushing per game. They've had two weeks to prepare for this one. The Owls are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 conference games and 15-6-1 ATS in their last 22 games in October. South Florida comes in on a 3-game skid, off a physical loss to Florida State and even a 31-27 defeat at Ball State. QB B.J. Daniels continues to be turnover prone with 9 TDs and 7 picks. The Bulls are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 conference games as well as 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games overall. The Bulls are also 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games on grass. Play Temple!
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Wyoming vs NevadaFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: WyomingFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Nevada making conference debut this season already own a win on the Island pounding Hawaii 69-24. QB Farjardo is a slash type player runner and passer. The Cowboys can hang with most teams. They are 1-3 but have losses to powerful Texas 37-17 and a good Toledo team 34-31. The defense is suspect but the offense can ignite under QB Smith. Wyoming 6-2 ATS in last 8 in the MTN West. Wyoming will keep it closer than most expect.
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5 UNIT PLAYFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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POWER ANGLE PLAY
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FLORIDA +2.5 over LSU: The LSU Tigers are built on defense and yes they have a good one, but really how good is it. The Tigers have yet to face an offense that is any good at all and last week they did allow 22 points to FCS foe Towson. Idaho, Towson, Washington, and North Texas all at home would have any defense looking good. They did allow just 10 points at Auburn as well, but really how good is that offense anyway? Now on the other side I feel we have the best defense in the league, behind Alabama and they have been tested. Florida has allowed 37 points total in their last 3 games and that was vs a Powerful A&M and Tennessee offenses and a Kentucky No-huddle attack that has looked good this year and did put up 17 points on a very sound South Carolina defense, but was shutout by the Gators. This Florida defense is for real and has shown it vs better competition than LSU has faced. The Gator defense also gets stronger as the game goes on as they have allowed a mere 14 total points in the 2nd half this year. The Gator offense has also been solid and they have a strong ground game that racks up 224 ypg and that should open up some throwing lanes giving them a great shot at some big plays. LSU Has been solid on offense but also hasn't played the against very good defenses. The Gators have shown that their defense is for real, they are at home and playing with big time revenge after losing the last 2 in a row to LSU including by 30 points last year. The Gators have the edges in this game, they haven't lost 3 in a row in this series since the late 70's and they have that powerful angle below going for them as well. It won't be easy but Florida will start to pull away in the second half where they have outscored teams by a 63-14 count and have yet to allow a 4th quarter point on the year. POWER ANGLE FOR THIS PLAY--- Since 1983 Florida is a very impressive 17-1-3 ATS off a win of 8 or more with conference revenge if facing an opponent that allows 10 ppg or more on the year.
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Washington/ Oregon Under 64: Watching Washington last week on Thursday night it showed how defensively sound they are, but this pick isn't all about there defense, because the Ducks will get their points, but this play is more or less on the Washington offense. This is not a good offense as they come in averaging just 313 ypg and 23.3 ppg, but even worse is their average in games vs FBS foes which is just 13.7 ppg. Now they face an Oregon team that allowed 26 points to Washington State last week, so I look for them to really tighten up on the defensive side of the ball. Remember, this is an Oregon defense that shut out an Arizona squad, two weeks ago, that was averaging 46.3 ppg at the time of the game. I really look for the Oregon defense to bounce back after last week's lackluster performance. We know that Oregon will get their points, but I do believe this Washington defense is good enough to keep Oregon in the mid 40's at best. This is the BEST defense that the Ducks will have faced to date. So Im expecting mid 40's by Oregon and low teens by the Huskies. 58 points at most here.
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TCU/ Iowa State Under 41.5: Gotta love the Under in this one, especially with the suspension of TCU QB Casey Pachall. This TCU team will really struggle on offense without their QB. The Horned Frogs do put up 403 ypg on offense, but a lot of that was through the air (255 ypg), while they come in ranked 78th in the nation in Running the ball, averaging 148 ypg on the ground. Trevone Boykin is Casey's likely replacement, but his is a red shirt freshmen and has just 94 yards passing on the year, while rushing for 112 yards. I look for a simple game plan from TCU, with more running than throwing and that should eat plenty of clock. Now with all the offensive problems that TCU has, I look for an even more intense effort from this defense that comes in allowing just 255.8 ypg and a mere 7.3 ppg on the year. That defense should have little problems in slowing down an Iowa State team that ranks 10th in the Big 12 and 90th overall. In their opener the Cyclones did put up 38 points on Tulsa, but vs Iowa and Texas Tech they have been able to muster just 11 ppg. Not a very good offense and it won't get better vs TCU in this one. On defense ISU has surprised as they rank 19th overall (308.8 ypg) and 17th in points allowed (14 ppg) and I see that continuing vs this TCU squad that is without their leader, plus they have had injuries to the running game as well. This really has the feel of a 17-10 type game and that would put us way under this total.
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Notre Dame -14 over Miami: The Miami offense has been very good in the early going, but they have yet to face a defense the likes of which they will see tonight. This Notre Dame defense is stifling and will put plenty of pressure on Morris and company. Notre Dame’s defense ranks as one of the better units in the nation and it really showed when they allowed just 10 points to navy in the opener and then allowed no TD’s in their last 2 games, which were vs Michigan State and Michigan. The Notre Dame offense has not been that explosive this year, but Kelly has had a week to come up with a game plan that will exploit this porous Miami defense that is 118th in total defense (495.6 ypg) and 100th in points allowed (33.4 ppg). The Irish have had the extra week to get ready for this one, while Miami was involved in a shootout last week vs ACC foe NC State. This game will be played in Chicago, but it still has the feel of an Irish home game, plus the game time temperature should be in the 30’s and that just give the Irish another advantage over this team that has been practicing in 80 degree weather for much of the week. The weather, the defensive edge the Irish have, the week off and the home field edge that Notre Dame should have in this one will be just too much for Miami to overcome. Notre Dame by 17+ here.
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UNLV +27.5 over LOUISIANA TECH: This is a big flat spot for the Bulldogs here. Louisiana Tech is off BB road wins over BCS schools and they have Texas A&M on deck in what could be a game (if they win it) that may get them into the BCS buster talk. The La Tech offense has been unstoppable this year, but because they usually score so quickly their defense is usually on the field too much and that has allowed them to give up plenty of big plays. UNLV is not a great offense, but they did put up 27 on Washington State and 38 on air Force so they can score on a weak defense and the Bulldogs have that. LA Tech is one of just 5 teams in the nation that have allowed 500 or more yards per game. Their pass defense is 123rd in the nation (367 ypg) and they have allowed 37 ppg, which is 109th in the nation. Last week the Bulldogs allowed a weak Virginia squad to put up 38 points on them and the Rebels offense is just slightly worse than that of the Cavs. I just don't expect the Bulldogs to come out firing on all cylinders and that plus there defense should allow the Rebels to stay within the number.
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Illinois/ Wisconsin Under 45: The Illinois offense isn't clicking right now and has averaged just 15 ppg in their last 3 games vs FBS foes. It won’t be easier for them in this one as they have averaged just 16 ppg in their last 3 trips here. The Wisconsin defense has been tough on their own field, allowing just 316 ypg and 20.3 ppg and they will make it very hard for this Illinois offense to get going. The Illinois defense has not been all that good this year, but the Wisconsin offense is not all that explosive and has struggled this year, averaging just 309 ypg and 22 ppg. The Illinois run defense has been exposed last week vs PSU and I expect Wisconsin to finally establish the run in this one and that will chew up plenty of clock. I really expect this game to land somewhere in the mid 30’s at most.
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POWER ANGLES FOR TODAY
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Since 1992 Georgia Tech is just 3-16 ATS when playing a game off 2 consecutive Overs. Play on Clemson -10.5 over Georgia Tech
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Play AGAINST any road dogs off a conference win as dogs of +6 or more and are playing an opponent that is off a win of 10+ vs a conference rival. This play is 29-5 ATS over the last 10 seasons. Play on Oregon -25 over Washington.
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PLAY AGAINST any college football favorite off three consecutive SU underdog wins if they are facing a foe that failed to score 50 points and did not lose by 30 or more points in that game game. Teams in this spot are 2-20 ATS. Play on Washington State +15.5
Ross KingFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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LSU vs. Florida
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LSU 5-1 as a road favorite the last 3 seasons.Florida 3-12 versus teams with a winning record the last 3 seasons.Florida is 1-7 the last 3 seasons as an underdog.Florida is 1-7 in October the last 3 seasons.Take #4 ranked LSU to win by a field goal as your Saturday freeplay winner.
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Kent State vs. Eastern MichiganFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: Kent StateFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Kent State Golden Flashes (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS) will travel to Rynearson Stadium on Saturday to face off with the Eastern Michigan Eagles (0-4 SU, 1-3 ATS).
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The Golden Flashes picked up a thrilling 45-43 win over Ball State in their last outing thanks to a 25 yard field goal with 6 seconds left in regulation. QB Spencer Keith was decent last week, completing 16-31 passes for 295 yards with 3 TD and 1 INT.
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Kent State has a strong ground game, led by the tandem of Trayion Durham and Dri Archer. Both have over 300 yards on the ground this season. Archer is also a threat from the air and currently sits 3rd on the team in receptions, 2nd in receiving yards and has caught 2 of the 4 TD passes that Kent State has this season.
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The defense has allowed an average of 29.5 PPG, good for 81st in the nation. They have produced 11 turnovers in 2012 which is good for 2nd in the MAC. The Flashes are 7-3 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 overall and 5-4 SU and 4-5 ATS all time vs. the Eagles.
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The East Michigan Eagles were beaten 23-7 by the Michigan State Spartans their last time out. Offense has not been one of the strengths of the Eagles this season. They are last in the MAC in total offense (277.5 YPG) and 2nd to last in PPG (15.8).
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In their game two weeks ago vs. the Spartans they managed 183 total yards including just 46 on the ground. Garrett Hoskins has been a good target for the QBs. He has 16 receptions, more than double of any other player and is the only receiver with over 100 yards in 2012.
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If the offense has been bad the defense hasn’t been much better. They give up a massive 492.8 yards and 36.3 points per game. They have put little pressure on opposing quarterbacks and have registered just 4 sacks on the year.
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They are 5-5 SU and 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.
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The Eagles have been poor all season and I see no reason why that should change in this game. Take “Kent State” to win ATS.
Andy IskoeFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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LSU / Florida Under 42FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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It's been true for a long time that good defenses stop good offenses and f as good as the two that will take the field in this SEC showdown. By almore every measure these are two of the top defenses in the country. Using only games played against FBS competition and ignoring stats accumulated against lower level FCS foes, these teams rand # 3 and 13 in total defense, # 5 and 9 in scoring defense and # 2 and 10 in yards per play defense. Both quarterbacky inexperienced which further suggests both coaches will utilize conservative game plans on offense to limit the chance of turnovers. This game has all the ingredients for a low scoring contest which handicaps as producing between 31 and 38 total points.
Rob VincilettiFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Oklahoma vs. Texas TechFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Oklahoma is rested and ready her off their huge upset loss to a Kansas St Team they blasted and out yarded by over 500 yards last season. Now they come off the loss as a 15 point favorite vs a Texas Tech squad off a nice conference road win at Iowa St. The Sooners are 6-1 to the spread as a favorite of less than 17 vs a winning team and 8-2 ats off a double digit loss. Coach Stoops has won and covered 7 straight vs a team that is undefeated if his team allowed 24 or more points last out. Tech coach Tubberville has never covered the spread as a home dog in this range if the opposing team comes in with revenge. How bad do you think the Sooners want this one after losing to Texas Tech 41-38 last season as a 29 point favorite. They were 6-0 at the time and had their season ruined. The Very next week they woke up and Slaughtered Kansas St. Look for Texas Tech to suffer a similar fate. Lay the Points in this one.
Joseph D'AmicoFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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LSU vs. FloridaFOR THE FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: FloridaFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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LSU went from averaging 48.3 PPG vs. North Texas, Washington, and Idaho to averaging 25 PPG against Auburn and Towson. The Tigers played sloppy LW in their 38-22 win over Towson, fumbling five times and losing three of those fumbles. QB, Mettenberger was also sacked 4 times. Since losing OL, Faulk in Week 1, the offensive unit hasn't been the same. In comes Florida and their physical and fast stop unit. The Gators will get to Mettenberger and slow down RB, Hilliard. UF has the 10th ranked scoring defense in the nation as they have held Bowling Green. A&M, Tennessee, and Kentucky all to 20 points or less. QB, Driskel has a 69.6% CR and 698 YP while RB, Gillislee has 402 TR and 5 TDs. Playing at home, getting points…tells me to take Florida.
DUNKEL INDEX
MLB
Oakland at Detroit
The A's look to build on their 8-2 record in Jarrod Parker's last 10 road starts. Oakland is the pick (+170) according to Dunkel, which has the A's favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+170)
Game 905-906: Cincinnati at San Francisco (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cueto) 15.119; San Francisco (Cain) 15.960
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 6
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-125); Under
Game 907-908: Oakland at Detroit (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Parker) 17.061; Detroit (Verlander) 15.133
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-200); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+170); Over
CFL
Calgary at BC
The Stampeders look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 road games. Calgary is the pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Lions favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+4 1/2)
Game 493-494: Calgary at BC (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 118.550; BC 119.761
Dunkel Line: BC by 1; 54
Vegas Line: BC by 4 1/2; 49
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+4 1/2); Over
SPORTS WAGERS
TEMPLE +149 over South Florida
South Florida is coming off a tough game at home against #4 Florida State. They hung in there for a while before falling by 13 but more importantly, it was a physically and emotionally draining game. Going up to Philadelphia to face the Owls sure can’t be very appetizing for the Bulls, especially with another home game next week against another ranked opponent in Louisville.
Additionally, we’re not even convinced USF is the superior team here. They’ve lost three in a row, including a home loss to Rutgers. Its only two wins on the year came against Chattanooga and Nevada. Now this struggling and poor traveling club is in an awful spot and favored on the road?
This line is way off. The Owls have had two weeks to prepare for this one after a smarting loss at Penn State. Previously, they made a furious comeback against Maryland but just fell short. Those two losses impact this number but Temple has consistently covered spreads at home over the last few seasons and they appear to be undervalued in this spot yet again. Owls outright.
Northwestern +112 over PENN STATE
The Nittany Lions were supposed to struggle miserably this season but they have responded with three wins in a row to improve to 3-2. The Lions are getting solid quarterback play from Matt McGloin, however, PSU’s wins came against three cupcakes in Navy, Illinois and Temple. One could argue that this year’s Illini is the worst Illinois team ever assembled.
Northwestern is 5-0. Motivation is no factor, as games at State College are always televised to a large audience, not to mention the 100,000+ that’ll be in attendance. NU has wins over Syracuse, Boston College and Vandy among its five wins.
With PSU having reeled off three wins in a row, combined with its popularity, they’re wrongly favored over the 24th ranked Wildcats. We're still down on the Nittany Lions current personnel and will continue to fade them. This time, we'll have a much better hammer in a Northwestern outfit that's running (ranked 9th in the nation) and defending the run as well as any team in Pat Fitzgerald's tenure.
TCU -7 vs. Iowa State
This line opened at -11 and dropped to -7 as soon as TCU coach Gary Patterson announced quarterback Casey Pachall has been suspended indefinitely after he was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Trevone Boykin takes over at QB and now Iowa State has to get prepared for something they weren't ready to be prepared for. Said coach Patterson, “We actually have more offense with Trevone Boykin in the game than we do with Casey Pachall in the game because he can throw all the throws. He’s a very athletic guy that can do a lot of other things that Casey can't do”.
Let’s also not ignore that the Cyclones offense is stuck in neutral and has a huge game next week at home against Kansas. ISU scored a combined 22 points against Iowa and Texas Tech and now face a defense that has allowed just 29 points all year in four games. The Horned Frogs have been sloppy, yet they’re still 4-0 and we expect them to dig down deep in response to all the problems they’ve endured over the past eight months, capped by this latest one. This is an overreaction to that suspension, giving us a favorable number.
MISSISSIPPI +13½ -105 over Texas A&M
The Aggies are coming off that incredible offensive showing last week against Arkansas. They won 58-10 and rookie QB Johnny Manziel broke the SEC record for total yards in a game, amassing 557 yards (454 passing, 104 rushing) to go along with four total touchdowns. In total, the Aggies amassed an eye-popping 716 yards of total offense. With that showing comes all the publicity, hype and recognition. It also creates an inflated line here.
The Aggies skewed offensive numbers have come against SMU, South Carolina State and Arkansas. Had this game been played prior to last weeks’ blowout, they would’ve likely been a 7½-8½ point choice here.
Ole Miss has already surpassed last year’s win total. Its wins have also come against fire-sale competition but last week’s very decent showing at #1 Alabama had to be a giant boost. Ole Miss is an improving team that plays hard and gains confidence even in defeat. The Rebels may not be ready to beat a more talented team but they're primed to take one to the fourth quarter.
PORTS WAGERS
Series - San Francisco +115 over CINCINNATI
The Reds have home field advantage but the first two games are in San Fran and that bodes well for the Giants with Matt Cain going, followed by Madison Bumgarner. The Reds’ also clinched early, which allowed them to set up their rotation of 19-game winner Johnny Cueto, followed by Bronson Arroyo and Mat Latos.
Still, the edge on the hill has to go to this talented and experienced starting staff of the Giants. Cain won his final six regular-season decisions and struck out 193 batters in 219 1/3 innings this season. He hasn't lost in 10 starts since Aug. 6 at St. Louis and has plenty of post-season cred to fall back on. Madison Bumgarner went 10-3 at AT&T with a 2.38 ERA. Tim Lincecum and his outstanding playoff profile will start game three in Cincinnati. Despite Lincecum’s struggles this season, that’s still a daunting trio to have to face.
Cueto is a Cy Young candidate that is coming off his best season but he has a history of late season struggles and this year was no different. He lost his first three September starts to Philly, Houston and Miami before beating the Cubbies, Brewers and Pirates. Those were six very winnable games but Cueto won just two while surrendering 14 runs to the former three. Untrustworthy Bronson Arroyo starts game two followed by Mat Latos in game three.
The Reds enter this series still looking for their first playoff win — that’s game not series — since sweeping the Dodgers in the Division Series back in 1995. They could come in tentative and ripe to get beat. The Giants come in peaking at precisely the right time. San Fran had the best record in baseball (18-8) and hit .295 as a team in September. Since August 1, they’ve averaged 5.2 runs per game. That gives them an edge at the plate, not to mention its already established edge on the hill, edge in experience and a definite managerial edge over what some are calling the worst playoff manager ever in Dusty Baker. Give the Reds an edge in the pen but all other signs point in the Giants direction. If Cinci wins this series, so be it but we’re going with the best of it by taking back a tag on the team with fewer weaknesses.
BOB BALFE
Central Michigan +11.5 over Toledo
Again I think this is a game in which the wrong team is favored. Last week I advised you to take the CMU money line and they did not cash against N. Illinois, but I am not giving up on this veteran team. Toledo has won the past few years with ease and I think this is the year CMU gets a victory. Toledo has a young offensive line and their center might not play today. Central Michigan’s Offensive Line has been one of the best in the nation since last year as they do not allow many sacks. The key for me is Toledo’s Defensive line which is banged up and on the young side. The Line play should be dominated by Central Michigan. I like the money line here at +340 especially with all those defensive line injuries for the Rockets. CMU has good experienced targets at WR and an experienced QB. If they cant get it done today then we will write this team off as a failure. Take Central Michigan.
Chuck O'Brien
Now, let's get to your first free pick for Saturday, as I feed off last night's rock-solid Under in the Utah State-BYU game, which upped my comp run to 117-84-3.
Tonight I take you down to Ruston, Louisiana, where the UNLV Rebels are in town to play the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Joe Aillet Stadium. And believe me when I tell you, the Dawgs are going to shred the Rebels, making them look like the dismal UNLV team we're all used to, not the scrappy program that has could easily be 3-2, not 1-4.
I watched all four of UNLV's home games, and know exactly what happened in its lone road game so far, last week at Utah State. And I can tell you this is an entirely different 'losing team' than we've seen in past years. It's not secret Bobby Hauck is likely on the hot seat, but truthfully, this might be the most talented 1-4 team he's had since arriving in Las Vegas.
Now, that all being said, if there is one game the Rebels are going to get roughed up in, it's this one. After traveling up to Utah last week, and now having to come down to Louisiana, I don't think the Rebels have enough firepower to keep up with the Bulldogs.
Honestly, La Tech possesses one of the nation's most dangerous attacks, one that has embarrassed Illinois, 52-24; came back on Virginia, 44-38; and that struck for more than 50 points in its first three games.
That won't bode well for a UNLV defense that ranks 92nd in the nation and that is tied for 85th in the country in allowing 30.4 points per game. UNLV has now given up exactly 35 points in three straight games, to: Washington State, Air Force and Utah State. I can only imagine what the Bulldogs, who average 52 points a game, will put up today. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see them score double what the Rebels have given up in those three contests.
Yes, Louisiana Tech could very well score 70 points in this game.
After all, the Dawgs have won two straight against teams from BCS automatic qualifying conferences by a combined margin of 96-62. And with this being only the second home game for La Tech, in five weeks, but one that starts a three-game homestand, I have to believe it'll be more than ready to run it up.
The Bulldogs are looking to move to 5-0 and would match the program's best start since opening the 1975 season 5-0. It will also extend its regular season winning streak to 12 games with this blowout win.
Lay the big number with confidence, as the Bulldogs romp.
5♦ LOUISIANA TECH
Matt Rivers
Utah State a free play winner last night, now 31-16 with my comp play selections.
Saturday's free play is the Cincinnati Bearcats to run over the Miami-Ohio Redhawks.
Miami-Ohio comes in Nippert Stadium with wins in their last pair of games, but they have not had much luck in this series, as the Redhawks are winless versus the Bearcats since the 2005 season.
Cincy is on a six game series winning streak, covering in five of those six, and five of the wins have come by 24-points or more! That is what I call domination, and that is why I have no issue laying the near three touchdowns in this spot.
Cincinnati has won all three of their games thus far, including a pulsating 27-24 upset win over Virginia Tech last Saturday at FedEx Field.
Could the Bearcats be a little high on themselves coming into this game?
Possibly, but with only Fordham on their schedule next weekend, I don't think it will take long for Butch Jones to get his teams attention and have the Bearcats pile the points on the Redhawks.
Go ahead and lay the wood as Cincy keeps their perfect record intact.
3♦ CINCINNATI
Jeff Benton
Your Saturday freebie is the Miss State Bulldogs to add to Kentucky's season of misery.
Wildcats lost their Starting QB Maxwell Smith last week, and also lost one of their best defensive players against South Carolina, all the while the Bulldogs were resting after their 34-10 pasting of South Alabama on September 22nd.
The stingy defense of Mississippi State has given up 10 points or less in three of their four games this season - ALL straight up wins by the way.
Dan Mullen's team leads the nation in turnover margin at 3.25 per game. The Bulldogs have nine interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
Miss State has not lost in Lexington since 2005, covering each of their last three visits to the Bluegrass State.
The bye week under their belts, and the fact Kentucky has been battered and bruised the past two weeks playing South Carolina and Florida adds up to a comfortable Mississippi State road win and cover.
Lay it as State improves to 5-0 on the year.
5♦ MISS STATE