Marc Lawrence
Utah at Oregon
Prediction: Utah
The Utes travel to Eugene to meet the Ducks in a non-conference clash at Autzen Stadium knowing the Utes are 4-1-1 ATS in this series and 5-1 ATS in Game Three of the season. In addition, Utah is 12-2 ATS off a win against the PAC 10, including 10-0 when taking points. With Oregon scuffling under new head coach Chip Kelly and looking dead ahead to a revenge rematch with California, look for more of the same here today. Grab the points with the Utes.
Tom Freese
West Virginia at Auburn
Prediction: Auburn
Auburn is 5-0 ATS after scoring more than 40 points in their last game and they are 15-6-1 ATS off a win by more than 20 points. The Tigers are 19-8 ATS off an ATS win and they are 20-6-1 ATS after rushing for more than 200 yards in their last game. West Virginia is 3-7 ATS their last 10 games following a straight up win and they are 1-4 ATS their last 5 games vs. winning teams. The Mountaineers are 2-12 ATS their last 14 games following an ATS loss and they are 1-4 ATS after passing for more than 240 yards. PLAY ON AUBURN -
TEDDY COVERS
West Virginia @ Auburn
PICK: Over 53.5
After last year’s early season experiment with the spread offense turned into a sputtering disaster for Auburn, their return to the spread is working out much better in their second go-round here in 2009. Coordinator Gus Malzhan guided the #1 offense in the country at Tulsa last year – the Hurricane averaged 47 points and 570 yards per game in ’08. Malzhan’s schemes ensure that Auburn runs a very high volume of plays – with no huddle, they often snap the ball with 25-30 seconds left on the play clock, preventing tired opposing defenses from shuttling in fresh players. In two games with senior Chris Todd running the new offense, Auburn has produced 86 points and more than 1100 yards.
West Virginia’s version of the spread has been dramatically altered this year following the graduation of their four year starter at quarterback, Pat White. The Mountaineers have a QB who can throw downfield this year, senior Jarrett Brown. Brown threw for 334 yards, completing 24 of his 31 pass attempts last week against a solid East Carolina defense, with junior receiver Jock Sanders developing into his favorite downfield target.
Bad weather is expected in Alabama on Saturday night, which is a good thing for us. A thundershower or two isn’t likely to hurt either offense significantly, and a slick field is often useful for Over bettors, helping create some big plays. We’re not talking about high winds or snowy conditions, folks, but the forecast for rain is keeping this total from rising up to where it should be – in the 60’s. 2* Take the Over.
Jeff Hochman
Ul Monroe vs. Arizona State
Play: Arizona State -20
I really believe this line is off by at least 8 points. UL Monroe has been outscored 89-7 vs. the Pac-10. The Sun Devils have had two weeks to prepare and coming off a win. Those are sharp plays all the time and ASU is 4-1 ATS in game #2 of the season. QB Danny Sullivan should have a field day going up against one of the worst pass defenses in the nation. Sun Devils by 28!
Jim Feist
Middle Tenn St vs. Maryland
Play: Middle Tenn St +7
This is an interesting Middle Tennessee State (1-1 SU, 1-0 ATS) team, off a 5-7 SU/ATS season, but ten starters return, and that doesn't include QB Dwight Dasher, one of the stars of the 2007 team. 7 starters return to the defense. The receiving corps is very talented and the backfield is loaded with speed for new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. Dasher was outstanding Saturday in a 31-14 rout of Memphis, as MTS had the edge in yards 436 to 219. Middle Tennessee has been tough in non-conference play, upsetting Maryland last year (24-14) and losing 20-14 at Kentucky. Maryland (1-1 SU/0-1 ATS) got blasted at Cal in the opener, 52-13 defeat, and rallied Saturday for a 38-35 win over James Madison in OT, giving up 417 yards (268 rushing). Middle Tennessee rolled up 402 yards on Maryland last season. Play Middle Tennessee State.
Jimmy the Moose
Anaheim Angels at Texas Rangers
The under is 19-7-1 Anaheim's last 26 games overall. In their last 10 road games the under is a profitable 9-1 and in their last 6 games as a road dog the under is 5-1. In their last 6 games vs. a divisional opponent the under is 5-0-1. The under is a money making 8-1-1 in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning record. The under is 3-1-1 in Weaver's last 5 starts overall.
In the Rangers last 118 games overall the under is a profitable 78-34-6. The under is 37-14-4 in their last 55 home games and in their last 52 home games where the total has been set between 9-10.5 the under is 35-13-5. The under is 38-14-2 in the Rangers last 54 games vs. a team with a winning record. In Feldman's last 14 home starts the under is 10-3-1. The under is 35-16-1 in his last 52 starts overall and in his last 12 starts made on a Saturday the under is 11-1. The under is 10-2-1 in his last 13 home starts where the totals has been set between 9-10.5,
The under is 5-1 in Weaver's last 6 starts in Texas and in his last starts overall vs. the Rangers the under is 7-2-1. The teams have played under the total in their last 3 meetings and in 4 of their last 5 games. With these two pitcher's on the mound you can expect a low scoring game.
Play the under
EZWINNERS
Nevada Wolfpack @ Colorado State Rams
Play: Colorado State Rams +3.5
The Wolfpack has had two weeks to prepare for this game after being shut out by Notre Dame in their opener, but I don't think this team should be laying points on the road. Colorado State's defense can shutdown the Nevada running game and the Rams quarterback Grant Stucker will be able to exploit the holes in the Nevada secondary. Nevada is only 1-6 against the spread as road favorite the last two seasons and the Rams are 4-0 against the spread as a home underdog under head coach Steve Fairchild. Take the points.
OC Dooley
“1 UNIT” PRIMETIME FOOTBALL PERCENTAGE UNDERDOG
Syracuse +3 at home versus Northwestern
I will admit that Syracuse the past four years (10-37) has fielded among the worst teams in all of college football. However this moribound program got a much needed burst of energy in the offseason when a guy named Greg Paulus decided to return to his native Western New York and become the new Orange starting quarterback. This is the same Greg Paulus who spent four years as a basketball point guard at Duke where he started 100 games and appeared in 4 different NCAA Tournaments. In the offseason Paulus decided to become a graduate transfer and was granted an extra year of eligibility. Even though many at Syracuse felt this was nothing more than a publicity stunt, it should be noted that Paulus had a phenomenal high school FOOTBALL career in Western New York where he put up a dazzling “42-3” overall record. The Orange’s decision to bring in Paulus has looked good so far as he has completed 64.7% of his passes in two games against some serious competition. The new starting quarterback at Syracuse so impressed his teammates during camp that he was named one of team captains which shows me great leadership skills. Not only did Syracuse nab the services of Paulus, they also added new energy to the program by bringing in Doug Marrone as head coach. Most teams in the Big East Conference have littered their non-league early schedule with “cupcakes” but that is NOT the case with Syracuse who in the initial pair of games has had to deal with Penn State and Minnesota from the Big10/BCS league draw. Many of you will remember game one two weeks ago in front of the HOME fans when Syracuse extended Minnesota into overtime and successfully COVERED the spread. Last Saturday the Orange took to the road and registered another ATS triumph by staying close enough versus mighty Penn State. The situation for Northwestern is different as they barely survived a week ago against a less than inspiring opponent (Eastern Michigan). The Wildcats were actually outscored by a 21-6 count in the second-half which is one of the reasons why I feel they are ripe for the taking this evening. My database research indicates that Northwestern is a money-burning 4-13 ATS long term when coming off an outright victory, so they have traditionally had problems handling prosperity. Dating all the way back to 1992, Syracuse is an outstanding 23-5 ATS/HOME after a game where the defense allowed 100-or-less rushing yards and that just happened to be against Penn State! The Orangemen are 2-0 ATS out of the gate and now are determined to add a straight-up triumph to the resume
SPORTS ADVISORS
Arizona (2-0, 0-2 ATS) at Iowa (2-0, 1-0 ATS)
Arizona goes after its fifth straight victory when it travels to Iowa City for a non-conference clash with the Hawkeyes, who have won six in a row.
All four of the Wildcats’ victories during their current streak have come by double digits, including a 19-6 rout of Central Michigan in the season opener Sept. 5 followed by last week’s 34-17 rout of Northern Arizona in a non-lined contest. Arizona outgained both Central Michigan and Northern Arizona by an average of nearly 300 yards per game, including an average rushing edge of 305.5 to 70.5.
After barely squeaking past Division I-AA Northern Iowa 17-16 in its opener, Iowa throttled rival Iowa State 35-3 last week, easily cashing as a 6½-point road chalk. During the Hawkeyes’ six-game winning streak, they’ve had three double-digit blowouts and three other wins by a total of seven points, and they’ve cashed in three straight lined games. QB Richard Stanzi is off to a fine start, completing 58.8 percent of his passes for 439 yards with five TDs and two INTs.
These teams last met in 1998 in Arizona, with the Wildcats rolling to a 35-11 victory as an 11½-point home favorite.
Arizona, which failed to cover in its first lined game of the season against Central Michigan (15-point favorite), is in ATS funks of 1-4 overall, 1-4 on the road, 1-4-1 against the Big Ten, 1-6 in road-openers and 2-5 in non-conference play, but the Wildcats have cashed in 14 of thier last 22 as an underdog (6-1 ATS last seven as a pup).
The Hawkeyes are on pointspread upticks of 4-1 overall, 4-1 in non-conference play, 5-1 as a favorite, 9-2 when laying 3½ to 10 points at home and 5-0 against teams with a winning record, but they’re 1-5 ATS in their last six against the Pac-10, 4-9 ATS in their last 13 as a home favorite 0-3-1 ATS in their last four the week after beating Iowa State.
For Arizona, the “under” is on runs of 3-0 overall, 3-1 in September and 19-7 when playing on grass, and Iowa carries “under” streaks of 18-7-1 overall, 13-3 in non-conference action, 12-5 as a favorite and 16-5 in September.
ATS ADVANTAGE: IOWA and UNDER
(18) Utah (2-0, 0-2 ATS) at Oregon (1-1, 0-2 ATS)
Utah takes the nation’s longest winning streak to Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., for a non-conference battle with the Ducks.
The Utes held off San Jose State 24-14 last Saturday for their 16th consecutive victory, but for the second time this year, they failed to cover the number, coming up short as a 13½-point road favorite. Utah piled up 499 yards of total offense and outrushed the Spartans 251-22, but two fumbles kept the Utes from adding to their point total.
Oregon needed two defensive touchdowns and a missed two-point conversion in the final seconds by Purdue to hold off the Boilermakers 38-36 last week, coming up way short as a 13-point home favorite. The Ducks, who lost 19-8 at Boise State in their opener, were outgained 451-356 and are averaging just 254 total yards through two games while allowing 406 ypg.
Utah upset Oregon 17-13 as a 3½-point home underdog in the most recent meeting in 2003, and the teams have split six meetings since 1991, with the Utes going 4-2 ATS, all as an underdog.
In addition to winning 16 in a row overall, the Utes are on pointspread tears of 25-11-1 in non-conference play, 36-15-2 after a SU win, 7-2 when playing on artificial turf, 25-5-1 as an underdog, 18-5 as a road pup and 13-3-1 when catching between 3½ and 10 points. On the downside, Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last five against the Pac-10 and 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven in September.
Oregon is 1-4 ATS in its last five home games, its last five in September and its last five in non-conference action, and the Ducks have also failed to cover in 10 of their last 14 as a home favorite of 3½ to 10 points.
Both squads carry a bunch of “over” trends. For Utah, the over is on runs of 11-3-1 overall, 6-2 on the road, 4-1-1 in September and 8-1-1 in non-conference play, while Oregon is on “over” stretches of 5-0-1 at home, 5-2-1 versus non-Pac-10 foes, 17-5-2 in September and 7-1-2 as a favorite.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and OVER
(3) USC (2-0, 1-1 ATS) at Washington (1-1 SU and ATS)
A week after going to Ohio State and pulling out a last-minute victory, USC hits the road again, traveling to Seattle for meeting with Washington in the Pac-10 opener for both squads.
True freshman quarterback Matt Barkley led USC on an 86-yard drive late in the fourth quarter at Ohio State last week, with RB Stafon Johnson scoring on a 2-yard TD run with 1:05 remaining to steal an 18-15 victory. The Trojans failed to cover as a seven-point road favorite, but still won their 12th straight game thanks in large part to a defense that held the Buckeyes to just 265 yards (88 rushing).
Barkley suffered a shoulder injury against Ohio State and is expected to sit out today, leaving the QB duties in the hands of sophomore Aaron Corp.
Washington snapped a 15-game losing skid with last Saturday’s 42-23 rout of Idaho, but the Huskies came up just short of covering as a 20-point home favorite when they allowed a meaningless touchdown with 13 seconds left. QB Jake Locker, who missed most of last season with an injury, went 17-for-25 for 253 yards with three TDs and no INTs against Idaho, and the junior has already passed for 574 yards with five TDs and one INT in two games.
This game pits new Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian against his former mentor, USC coach Pete Carroll, under whom Sarkisian served as offensive coordinator before getting the Washington job. With Sarkisian calling the shots last year, the Trojans steamrolled Washington 56-0, covering as a massive 45½-point home favorite. USC had a 485-184 edge in total offense and never let the Huskies to get farther than the USC 45-yard line.
The Trojans have won seven in a row in this rivalry, all as a favorite, but prior to last season, Washington had cashed in three straight meetings (2-0 ATS at home), all as a double-digit underdog. The host is 5-2 ATS in the last seven clashes.
USC is 8-1 ATS in its last nine games after a non-cover, but otherwise it is in ATS slumps of 0-4 on the road (all as a favorite), 1-4 in Pac-10 action, 1-4 in conference road games (all last season), 1-4 as a double-digit road chalk and 2-5 on artificial turf. Similarly, despite covering as a 17½-point underdog in a Week 1 home loss to LSU, the Huskies are in ATS funks 26-55-2 overall, 15-36-2 at home, 22-53-2 in Pac-10 action, 4-10-1 after a SU win, 1-8 as an underdog and 1-5 as a home pup.
The Trojans are on “under” streaks of 18-7-1 overall, 21-5-1 in Pac-10 play, 5-1 in September and 22-9-1 as a favorite. On the flip side, the over is on runs of 10-3 at home, 5-0 in September and 12-5 on artificial turf. Finally, the under is 3-1-1 in the last five head-to-head meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: USC
Kansas State (1-1, 0-1 ATS) at UCLA (2-0 SU and ATS)
UCLA looks to get off to a surprising 3-0 start when it welcomes the Wildcats to the Rose Bowl for a Pac-10 vs. Big 12 showdown.
Legendary coach Bill Snyder is back for his second tour of duty with Kansas State, but the first two games haven’t gone very well, as the Wildcats barely edged Massachusetts 21-17 in a non-lined game then lost at Louisiana Lafayette 17-15 as a 6½-point road favorite a week ago. Despite averaging just 18 ppg, the Wildcats are piling up 392 total yards per contest (210.5 rushing ypg).
UCLA went to Tennessee last week as a 10½-point road underdog and pulled out a 19-15 victory, but lost starting quarterback Kevin Prince to a broken jaw late in the fourth quarter. The Bruins won despite mustering just 186 total yards (85 rushing), but the defense limited the Vols to 208 yards, including 93 passing yards and 2.6 yards per rush, and forced four turnovers. Prince is out for this game and will be replaced by redshirt freshman Richard Brehaut.
K-State is 1-5 ATS in its last six games overall, 1-4 ATS in its last five in September, 5-16 ATS in its last 21 non-conference games and 1-7 ATS in its last eight when facing teams with a winning record. On the bright side, the Wildcats have covered in five of their last six as a road pup.
The Bruins have cashed in three straight games dating to last year’s regular-season finale against USC, and they’re on further ATS runs of 24-7-1 at the Rose Bowl since early 2004, 23-9-1 in September, 5-1 in non-conference play, 12-4 as a home favorite and 5-2 as a double-digit chalk.
Kansas State is on “over” streaks of 40-17 overall, 19-7 on the highway, 20-7 as an underdog, 13-3 as a road pup, 22-5 after a SU loss and 4-1 in September. Conversely, UCLA carries “under” trends of 5-1 overall, 4-1 at home and 4-1 in September, but the over is 7-1 in the Bruins’ last eight against Big 12 opponents, 7-2 in their last nine in September and 4-1 in their last five non-league contests.
This is the first meeting between these schools.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UCLA
(19) Nebraska (2-0 SU and ATS) at (13) Virginia Tech (1-1 SU and ATS)
On the heels of two impressive home victories, Nebraska hits the highway for the first time in 2009 when it pays a visit to Blacksburg, Va., looking for a little payback against the Hokies.
The Cornhuskers throttled both Florida Atlantic (49-3) and Arkansas State (38-9) the last two weeks, covering easily as a 20-plus-point favorite in both games. Nebraska, which has won six in a row (5-1 ATS) since last November, is averaging 492.5 yards per game (197.5 rushing) and allowing 319 ypg (136.5 rushing). Also, QB Zac Lee is completing 73.7 percent of his passes for 554 yards with six TD passes against just one INT.
Virginia Tech bounced back from a season-opening 34-24 loss to Alabama in Atlanta with last week’s 52-10 rout of Marshall, easily cashing as a 19½-point home favorite. After getting outgained by 343 yards against Alabama (498-155), the Hokies finished with a 605-252 total yardage edge against Marshall.
The Hokies went to Lincoln, Neb., last September and built a 28-10 second-half lead en route to a 35-30 victory as a seven-point road underdog. The Hokies rushed for 206 yards and held Nebraska to 55 yards on the ground.
Although the Cornhuskers have covered in five of six overall and four of five against non-conference opponents, they’re also in pointspread slumps of 4-11 after a SU win, 2-7 as a road ‘dog and 1-5 when catching between 3½ and 10 points as a visitor. The Hokies have covered in five straight against winning teams, but they’re 3-9 ATS in their past 12 non-conference contests, 1-6 ATS in their last seven at home against non-ACC opponents and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 September outings.
The under is on runs of 5-1 for Nebraska in non-conference play, 5-1 for Nebraska in September, 7-2 for Nebraska when playing on grass, 13-4 for Virginia Tech at home and 8-3 for Va-Tech on grass. However, last year’s matchup in Lincoln easily cleared the 47½-point total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Tennessee (1-1 SU and ATS) at (1) Florida (2-0, 1-0 ATS)
Tennessee takes the field in Gainesville today as the biggest underdog in school history when it matches up against Tim Tebow and archrival Florida in the SEC debut for both squads.
The Volunteers’ defense held UCLA to just 186 total yards, but the offense produced just 208 and one touchdown and had four turnovers in last Saturday’s 19-15 loss to the Bruins as a 10½-point home favorite. The Vols, who opened the Lane Kiffin era with a 63-7 rout of Western Kentucky, had a three-game SU and ATS winning streak halted by UCLA. Through two games, Tennessee’s defense is yielding 13 points and 134.5 total yards per game (59.5 rushing ypg).
Florida followed up a 62-3 thumping of Charleston Southern with last week’s 56-6 beat-down of Troy, covering as a 36½-point home favorite. The defending national champions have won 12 games in a row, all by double digits, and they’re 10-0 ATS in lined action during the winning streak. In crushing their first two opponents of 2009, the Gators have averaged 643.5 yards per game (313.5 passing, 330 rushing) and allowed 231 yards per game (147 passing, 84 rushing). Also, Tebow is completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 425 yards and five TDs while adding 72 rushing yards and two scores.
Florida has won four in a row in this rivalry and is 4-1 ATS in the last five clashes. After barely edging the Volunteers by five points (16-7) and one point (21-20) in 2005 and 2006, the Gators have embarrassed Tennessee the last two years, rolling 59-20 as a seven-point home favorite in 2007 and 30-6 as a seven-point road chalk last year. Florida has cashed in five of seven against the Vols in The Swamp.
Tennessee is on ATS runs of 5-2 in SEC action, 4-1-1 as a road underdog and 5-0 as a double-digit road pup. Meanwhile, in addition to cashing in 10 straight games, the Gators are on pointspread rolls of 22-6 overall, 7-0 at home, 20-6 as a favorite, 6-0 as a double-digit chalk , 9-2 as a double-digit home favorite, 10-1 when facing SEC rivals and 11-3-1 in SEC openers since 1994.
The Vols sport nothing but “under” trends, including 17-4-1 overall, 4-0 on the road, 7-0 as an underdog, 11-1-1 versus winning teams and 21-8-2 in SEC contests. On the flip side, the over for Florida is on streaks of 20-8 overall, 5-1 at home, 5-0 as a double-digit favorite and 5-1 in conference play. Finally, the under is 5-2 in the last seven Florida-Tennessee tussles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: FLORIDA and UNDER
(8) California (2-0, 1-0 ATS) at Minnesota (2-0, 1-1 ATS)
California looks to snap a four-game road losing streak when it invades the new TCF Bank Stadium for a non-conference clash with the Golden Gophers, who are trying to start 3-0 for the second straight season.
The Golden Bears cruised to season-opening home victories over Maryland (52-13 as a 21-point favorite) and Eastern Washington (59-7 in a non-lined game), and they’ve now won five in a row dating to last season (4-1 ATS). However, Cal has lost four in a row and eight of nine on the highway, with the lone victory being a 66-3 rout of lowly Washington State in their road opener last season.
QB Kevin Riley (446 passing yards, 5 TDs and no INTs) and RB Jahvid Best (281 rushing yards, 10.4 ypc, 3 TDs; 42 receiving yards, 1 TD) are off to strong starts for Cal, and the defense is yielding just 10 points and 269 yards per game (75 rushing ypg).
The Golden Gophers ended last year on a five-game losing skid, but they’ve come out strong in 2009, outlasting Syracuse 23-20 in overtime as a seven-point road chalk, then rallying to beat Air Force 20-13 as a three-point favorite last week as they opened their new on-campus stadium. Against Air Force, Minnesota rallied from a 10-3 fourth-quarter deficit and scored the winning touchdown on a 51-yard fumble return.
These teams last met in 2006, with Cal hammering the Gophers 42-17 as an 8½-point home favorite. In fact, the Bears have won five straight games against Big Ten opponents (4-1 ATS) by an average of 16 ppg.
Cal has failed to cover in six of its last eight games prior to its Pac-10 opener and is in further ATS slumps of 2-7 on the road, 1-7 as a road chalk and 2-16 as a double-digit favorite. However, the Bears are on positive pointspread runs of 11-4 overall, 5-1 in September and 5-1 as a favorite overall.
Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in its last seven overall and 3-8 ATS in its last 11 as a road underdog, but the Gophers have cashed in five of six in September, six of eight as an underdog and five straight when catching double digits.
For Cal, the over is on runs of 5-1 overall, 4-1 on the road, 5-1 against the Big Ten and 9-3 in non-conference action. The over is also 9-3 in Minnesota’s last 12 non-Big Ten games and 6-1 in its last seven as a pup, but the Gophers have stayed low in seven of 10 overall and five of six at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Tulsa (2-0 SU and ATS) at (12) Oklahoma (1-1, 0-1 ATS)
After a pair of blowout road wins over inferior competition to kickoff the season, Tulsa hits the highway for the third week in a row, this time making the short instate trek to Norman for meeting with the 12th-ranked Sooners.
The Golden Hurricane destroyed Tulane 37-13 as a 14-point road chalk on Sept. 4, then traveled to New Mexico last Saturday and lambasted the Lobos 44-10 as a 17-point favorite. Tulsa has won and covered three in a row, including a 45-13 International Bowl win over Ball State in January. This year, the Hurricane are averaging 450.5 ypg (176 rushing ypg) and allowing 267.5 ypg (47 rushing ypg).
Oklahoma bounced back from a shocking 14-13 loss to BYU as a 22½-point favorite in Dallas with a 64-0 rout of Idaho State in a non-lined home game. After getting outgained 357-265 in the loss to BYU, the Sooners – with QB Sam Bradford out with a shoulder injury – rolled up 564 total yards (278 rushing), while the defense held Idaho State to 44 total net yards (minus-22 rushing). Landry Jones, subbing for Bradford, went 18-for-32 for 286 yards with three TDs and one INT.
The Sooners have won all four meetings with Tulsa this decade (2-1-1 ATS), all under coach Bob Stoops, and those victories have come by the combined score of 188-36, including a pair of shutouts in 2001 and 2002. In the most recent battle in 2007 at Tulsa, Oklahoma cruised 62-21 as a 23-point road chalk. The Sooners are 9-1 SU in the last 10 meetings.
The Golden Hurricane, who started out 10-0 last season, are on ATS runs of 11-5 overall, 5-1 outside of Conference USA, 4-0 in September and 5-0 as a road ‘dog of more than 10 points. However, they’re 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight against Big 12 opponents and 1-4 ATS in their last five as an underdog of any price.
Despite the upset loss to BYU, Oklahoma is still on pointspread surges of 6-2 overall in lined games, 9-4 in non-conference action, 9-2 in September, 6-1 as a favorite and 8-2 as a double-digit favorite.
The under is 4-0 in Tulsa’s last four games and 4-1 in its last five as visiting ‘dog, but OU carries “over” trends of 12-3 overall, 10-3 in non-league contests and 8-2 as a favorite.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA
Florida State (1-1, 0-1 ATS) at (7) BYU (2-0 SU and ATS)
Boasting its highest ranking since the end of the 1996 season, BYU goes after its 19th consecutive win at LaVell Edwards Stadium as it hosts Bobby Bowden and Florida State.
The Seminoles barely avoided one of their worst losses in decades last week, scoring 12 points in the final 35 seconds to turn a 9-7 loss to Division I-AA Jacksonville State into a misleading 19-9 victory in a non-lined home game. Florida State, which suffered a 38-34 last-second home loss to Miami, Fla., in its season opener, gained 400 yards against Jacksonville State, but lost three fumbles and had just one touchdown until Ty Jones scored on a 1-yard run with 35 seconds to play. The Seminoles then added a 33-yard fumble recovery for a score to pad their margin of victory.
A week after shocking second-ranked Oklahoma 14-13 as a 22½-point underdog in Dallas, BYU came back last week and displayed no signs of a letdown, pummeling Tulane 54-3 and easily covering as an 18½-point road favorite. The Cougars led just 3-0 after the first quarter and 6-0 at the midway point of the second before exploding, and they finished with 527 yards of offense (206 rushing) and held Tulane to just 150 (25 rushing on 24 carries).
BYU quarterback Max Hall is making an early run at the Heisman Trophy, as he’s completed 71.4 percent of his throws for 638 yards, four TDs and three INTs. Last week versus Tulane, he went 24-for-32 for 309 yards, two TDs and one INT.
These teams have played twice since 1991 – both in Provo, Utah – and Florida State scored easy road wins both times (44-28 as a 15-point chalk in 1991; 29-3 as a 27½-point favorite in 2000).
The Seminoles are on ATS runs of 7-3-2 as an underdog (6-2-2 as a road pup), 5-1-1 as an underdog of 3½ to 10 points and 6-1-1 after a non-cover. Meanwhile, the Cougars’ 2-0 ATS start this season follows a 1-7 ATS nosedive that closed out the 2008 campaign. BYU has cashed in four straight in September, but although it has won 18 consecutive home games, it failed to cover in its final three at LaVell Edwards Stadium last year (all as a 20-plus-point favorite).
Florida State has topped the total in four straight non-league games, four straight as an underdog and six of seven as a road pup. The over is also 5-2 in BYU’s last seven overall, but the Cougars have stayed low in eight of 11 in Provo and four of five against teams from the ACC.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
(23) Georgia (1-1, 0-2 ATS) at Arkansas (1-0, 0-0 ATS)
The Bulldogs will try to make it five in a row over Arkansas when they travel to Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark., for this SEC showdown.
After opening the season with a 24-10 loss at Oklahoma State as a 5½-point underdog, Mark Richt’s Bulldogs avoided an 0-2 start with a 41-37 victory over South Carolina on Saturday, coming up short as a seven-point favorite in what all experts thought would be a defensive struggle. Georgia’s defense gave up 427 yards of offense on Saturday but held on the final play of the game to outlast South Carolina. QB Joe Cox was 17-of-24 for 201 yards, two TDs and an INT.
Arkansas crushed Missouri State 49-10 in a non-lined contest back on Sept. 5, getting 447 passing yards, including 309 yards and a TD from Michigan transfer Ryan Mallet. Coach Bobby Petrino’s squad was idle last weekend after putting up 591 yards of total offense against Missouri State, its highest total in two years.
Georgia hasn’t lost to Arkansas since 1993 and the Bulldogs are 8-1 SU (5-4 ATS) against the Razorbacks dating to 1987. They’ve also won three in a row in Fayetteville where the Razorbacks have lost eight of their last 10 to ranked SEC squads.
The Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last five as a road pup and 4-2 ATS in their last six as a ‘dog anywhere, but they are just 1-6 ATS in their last seven overall and 0-4 ATS in their last four SEC contests. Arkansas is 5-2 ATS in its last seven overall, but otherwise is on ATS slides of 2-9 in September and 1-4 coming off a SU victory.
Georgia has stayed under the number is 24 of 33 September games, but it is on “over” streaks of 4-1 in SEC play and 5-1 as an underdog. It’s been mostly “overs” for Arkansas, including 9-4 at home, 7-3 in SEC action, 7-3 with conference games and 8-0 in September. Finally, the “under” is 4-1 in the last five series clashes between these two.
ATS ADVANTAGE: GEORGIA
Texas Tech (2-0, 1-0 ATS) at (2) Texas (2-0, 0-2 ATS)
Texas Tech heads to Texas Memorial Stadium to face the Longhorns in not only the Big 12 opener for both sides, but a rematch of arguably the best college football game of 2008.
Last year, Texas scored a touchdown with 1:29 left to take a 33-32 lead, only to see the defense allow QB Graham Harrell and WR Michael Crabtree hook up for the college football play of the year on a 28-yard TD pass with one second left to give Texas Tech a 39-33 win and outright upset as 3½-point home ‘dogs. The loss kept the Longhorns out of the Big 12 title game and eventually out of the BCS championship game.
Tech’s victory last year snapped a five-game SU winning streak in this rivalry for the Longhorns (3-2 ATS). The home team is on a four-game ATS run in this series, with the ‘dog cashing in five of the last seven meetings.
Texas Tech has opened the season with two easy victories, beating North Dakota 38-13 in an unlined season opener, then crushing Rice 55-10 as a 27-point favorite last weekend. QB Taylor Potts has picked up where the record-setting Harrell left off, throwing for 861 yards, nine TDs and three INTs.
The Longhorns destroyed the Louisiana-Monroe 59-20 in their opener, failing to cover as 41½-point favorites. Last week they went to Wyoming and grabbed a 41-10 victory, but again came up short as a whopping 31½-point road chalk. QB Colt McCoy, who threw for 294 yards and two TDs against the Red Raiders a year ago, has thrown for 654 yards, five TDs and two INTs in the first two games
Texas Tech is 5-2-1 ATS in September, but otherwise on negative ATS runs of 0-4 as a road underdog, 0-5 on grass and 3-8-1 ATS following a spread-cover. Texas has had trouble covering a number lately, going 2-6 ATS in its last eight overall and 1-4 ATS in its last five at home (all as a favorite).
The Red Raiders are riding several “over” streaks, including 7-1 overall, 4-0 on the highway, 27-8 after an ATS win and 5-0 against teams with a winning record. The Longhorns have topped the total in eight of their last 11 conference games, but they are on “under” streaks of 4-1 overall, 4-0 after a straight-up win and 4-1 against teams with a winning record. Finally, in this rivalry, the “over” is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS and OVER
(17) Cincinnati (2-0, 1-0 ATS) at Oregon State (2-0, 0-1 ATS)
The high-scoring Bearcats take their show on the road for a non-conference matchup with Oregon State at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.
Cincinnati has come out of the gate with a pair of dominating efforts, crushing Big East rival Rutgers 47-15 as a 4½-point road ‘dog, then returning home to stomp Southeast Missouri State 70-3 in a non-lined outing, scoring the third-most points in school history.
Bearcats’ QB Tony Pike has completed 77.2 percent of his throws this season for 591 yards, six TDs and just one INT. Coach Brian Kelly has also got a game-breaker at WR in Mardy Gilyard who has 14 catches for 200 yards and three TDs, plus a punt return for a score.
After opening with an easy 34-7 win over Portland State in an non-lined contest, Oregon State went to Las Vegas a week ago and edged UNLV 23-21, falling short as a 6½-point chalk. Mike Riley’s offense drove the ball down the field 64 yards in 12 plays with two minutes left to set up the game-winning 33-yard field goal with seven seconds left.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers has rushed for 269 yards and four TDs this season after finishing second in the Pac-10 last season with 1,253 yards on the ground. The Beavers have won 26 straight non-conference home games since 1996 and they have beaten 15 of the past 17 ranked visitors to come in to Reser Stadium (including a stunning win over No. 1 USC last year).
Back in 2007, Oregon State committed seven turnovers in a 34-3 loss to the Bearcats, with Cincinnati cashing as a three-point home ‘dog.
The Bearcats are on ATS runs of 9-2 in September games, 8-3-1 on the road against a team with a winning home mark and 14-6-1 against teams with a winning record. However, Cincy is just 6-14-1 ATS in its last 21 as a road chalk and 2-5 ATS in its last seven in non-conference action. Oregon State struggles in September at just 5-16-1 ATS in its last 22, but otherwise the Beavers are on pointspread streaks of 16-5 overall, 40-19-1 at home, 5-1 as an underdog and 9-2 after a SU victory.
Cincinnati has topped the total in five of seven as a favorite, eight of 11 as a road chalk, seven of eight in September and five straight on the road. On the flip side, Oregon State is on “under” runs of 5-2 overall, 8-3 in September, 9-3 in non-conference action and 5-2 as a home pup.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
AMERICAN LEAGUE
L.A. Angels (88-59) at Texas (80-66)
The Angels are looking to hand the Rangers their sixth straight loss and move 8½ games ahead in the A.L. West standings when they send right-hander Jered Weaver (15-6, 3.71 ERA) to the mound at Rangers Ballpark opposite Texas righty Scott Feldman (16-5, 3.65).
Los Angeles blanked the Rangers 2-0 on Friday, with Vladimir Guerrero providing the offense and Scott Kazmir and three relievers combining for the shutout. The Angels remain just 2-5 in Texas this season, but they are on positive streaks of 6-2 against A.L. West teams, 12-5 in the second game of a series and 10-2 on Saturdays.
Friday’s shutout was the fourth time in this five-game losing streak the Rangers have failed to plate a run and they’ve been outscored 26-1 during the skid. Texas is 17-8 at home against teams with winning records, but otherwise, this team is fading fast, on negative streaks of 3-12 on Saturdays, 1-4 as a favorite, 0-5 at home and 0-5 against the A.L. West.
The Angels have lost three of Weaver’s last five starts, including Monday in New York when he allowed three runs in 7 1/3 innings of a 5-3 loss to the Yankees. Los Angeles has split his four starts against the Rangers this season, losing both in Texas and winning both in California. In Arlington, he’s allowed 10 runs on 14 hits in 13 1/3 innings. With Weaver on the hill, the Angels are on positive runs of 16-6 overall, 8-3 on the road, 20-8 in the second game of a series and 10-4 when he gets four days between starts.
The Rangers have won seven of Feldman’s last nine outings, but they lost his Monday start at home against the A’s as he gave up six runs in 6 1/3 innings of a 9-0 loss. They have won all three of his outings against the Angels this season, including two in Texas where he’s given up three runs on 10 hits over 12 innings. Texas is on a host of positive streaks when Feldman toes the rubber, including 20-8 overall and 8-3 in the second game of a series, but just 1-4 in his last five at home.
Los Angeles is on a plethora of “under” streaks, including 19-7-1 overall, 5-0-1 against the A.L. West, 9-1 on the road, 5-1 on Saturdays, 3-1-1 in Weaver’s last five starts overall and 19-6-3 when he starts the second game of a series. It’s also been a host of “unders” for Texas, including 37-14-4 at home, 78-34-6 overall, 18-6-2 on Saturdays, 26-9-3 at home against righties, 11-1 when Feldman starts on a Saturday, 10-3-1 when he starts at home and 12-4 when he pitches on Saturdays.
Finally, this series has stayed under the total in seven of 10 outings with Weaver on the hill and five of the last six when he pitches in Texas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
DUNKEL
San Diego at Pittsburgh
The Padres look to bounce back from last night's loss and build on their 7-1 record in their last 8 games following a defeat. San Diego is the pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Padres favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+130)
Game 951-952: San Diego at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Richard) 14.567; Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 14.218
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+130); Under
Game 953-954: Washington at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 13.761; NY Mets (Redding) 13.511
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+100); Under
Game 955-956: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 15.819; St. Louis (Carpenter) 14.697
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+170); Over
Game 957-958: San Francisco at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Penny) 15.397; LA Dodgers (Garland) 16.446
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-135); Under
Game 959-960: Houston at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Moehler) 15.226; Milwaukee (Suppan) 14.959
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+130); Under
Game 961-962: Philadelphia at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Martinez) 16.410; Atlanta (Vazquez) 15.364
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+130); Over
Game 963-964: Florida at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Nolasco) 16.178; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.970
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+105); Under
Game 965-966: Colorado at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Hammel) 14.845; Arizona (Scherzer) 15.224
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Over
Game 967-968: Cleveland at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Sowers) 14.122; Oakland (Gonzalez) 16.729
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 2 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-110); Under
Game 969-970: Detroit at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Verlander) 15.203; Minnesota (Pavano) 15.140
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-125); Under
Game 971-972: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Hughes) 15.505; White Sox (Peavy) 15.769
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 973-974: Toronto at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Romero) 15.676; Tampa Bay (Garza) 14.713
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-180); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (170); Over
Game 975-976: Boston at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 16.528; Baltimore (Hernandez) 14.839
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Boston (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-210); Under
Game 977-978: LA Angels at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 14.936; Texas (Feldman) 15.051
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-110); Under
Game 979-980: NY Yankees at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.377; Seattle (Fister) 15.658
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-200); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+180); Under
NCAA
Game 105-106: Ball State at Army
Dunkel Ratings: Ball State 66.547; Army 78.346
Dunkel Line: Army by 12; 44
Vegas Line: Army by 7 1/2; 43 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Army (-7 1/2); Over
Game 107-108: Northern Illinois at Purdue
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Illinois 76.540; Purdue 95.269
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 18 1/2; 64
Vegas Line: Purdue by 13; 55 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Purdue (-13); Over
Game 109-110: Eastern Michigan at Michigan
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Michigan 66.751; Michigan 94.676
Dunkel Line: Michigan by 28; 51
Vegas Line: Michigan by 24; 54 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Michigan (-24); Under
Game 111-112: Navy at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Navy 91.804; Pittsburgh 96.665
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 5; 51
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 8; 52
Dunkel Pick: Navy (+8); Under
Game 113-114: Northwestern at Syracuse
Dunkel Ratings: Northwestern 87.074; Syracuse 83.911
Dunkel Line: Northwestern by 3; 42 1/2
Vegas Line: Northwestern by 3 1/2; 46
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (+3 1/2); Under
Game 115-116: Boston College at Clemson
Dunkel Ratings: Boston College 93.894; Clemson 95.395
Dunkel Line: Clemson by 1 1/2; 46 1/2
Vegas Line: Clemson by 7; 45
Dunkel Pick: Boston College (+7); Over
Game 117-118: Temple at Penn State
Dunkel Ratings: Temple 75.981; Penn State 110.447
Dunkel Line: Penn State by 34 1/2; 48 1/2
Vegas Line: Penn State by 29; 48
Dunkel Pick: Penn State (-29); Over
Game 119-120: East Carolina at North Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: East Carolina 88.234; North Carolina 92.308
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 4; 38 1/2
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 7 1/2; 42
Dunkel Pick: East Carolina (+7 1/2); Under
Game 121-122: Miami (OH) at Western Michigan
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (OH) 62.496; Western Michigan 82.018
Dunkel Line: Western Michigan by 19 1/2; 47
Vegas Line: Western Michigan by 16 1/2; 44
Dunkel Pick: Western Michigan (-16 1/2); Over
Game 123-124: Mississippi State at Vanderbilt
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi State 80.126; Vanderbilt 91.818
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 11 1/2; 39
Vegas Line: Vanderbilt by 9; 45
Dunkel Pick: Vanderbilt (-9); Under
Game 125-126: Wyoming at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Wyoming 76.161; Colorado 78.403
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 2; 46 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado by 7; 53
Dunkel Pick: Wyoming (+7); Under
Game 127-128: Arizona at Iowa
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 96.154; Iowa 99.756
Dunkel Line: Iowa by 3 1/2; 38
Vegas Line: Iowa by 5; 41 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+5); Under
Game 129-130: Indiana at Akron
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 76.313; Akron 79.365
Dunkel Line: Akron by 3; 43 1/2
Vegas Line: Akron by 4 1/2; 45 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+4 1/2); Under
Game 131-132: Duke at Kansas
Dunkel Ratings: Duke 77.739; Kansas 101.276
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 23 1/2; 51 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas by 22; 50 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas (-22); Over
Game 133-134: Virginia at Southern Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: Virginia 76.532; Southern Mississippi 93.952
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 17 1/2; 40 1/2
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 16; 44 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (-16); Under
Game 135-136: Utah at Oregon
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 101.144; Oregon 102.269
Dunkel Line: Oregon by 1; 56 1/2
Vegas Line: Oregon by 5; 53
Dunkel Pick: Utah (+5); Over
Game 137-138: USC at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: USC 108.521; Washington 90.115
Dunkel Line: USC by 18 1/2; 57
Vegas Line: USC by 20; 53 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+20); Over
Game 139-140: Kansas State at UCLA
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas State 81.740; UCLA 94.438
Dunkel Line: UCLA by 12 1/2; 42
Vegas Line: UCLA by 12; 43
Dunkel Pick: UCLA (-12); Under
Game 141-142: Nebraska at Virginia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 97.004; Virginia Tech 101.604
Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 4 1/2; 53
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 5; 51
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (+5); Over
Game 143-144: Michigan State at Notre Dame
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 88.235; Notre Dame 97.949
Dunkel Line: Notre Dame by 9 1/2; 50 1/2
Vegas Line: Notre Dame by 10; 55
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (+10); Under
Game 145-146: Ohio State at Toledo
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio State 106.107; Toledo 81.489
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 24 1/2; 52
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 20 1/2; 58
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-20 1/2); Under
Game 147-148: West Virginia at Auburn
Dunkel Ratings: West Virginia 93.790; Auburn 94.686
Dunkel Line: Auburn by 1; 49
Vegas Line: Auburn by 7; 53
Dunkel Pick: West Virginia (+7); Under
Game 149-150: Tennessee at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 88.628; Florida 121.190
Dunkel Line: Florida by 32 1/2; 58
Vegas Line: Florida by 29 1/2; 52
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-29 1/2); Over
Game 151-152: SMU at Washington State
Dunkel Ratings: SMU 71.037; Washington State 68.546
Dunkel Line: SMU by 2 1/2; 55 1/2
Vegas Line: SMU by 6; 58 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington State (+6); Under
Game 153-154: San Diego State at Idaho
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego State 68.025; Idaho 68.161
Dunkel Line: Even; 51
Vegas Line: San Diego State by 3 1/2; 54
Dunkel Pick: Idaho (+3 1/2); Under
Game 155-156: Nevada at Colorado State
Dunkel Ratings: Nevada 86.573; Colorado State 83.010
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 3 1/2; 52
Vegas Line: Nevada by 3; 57
Dunkel Pick: Nevada (-3); Under
Game 157-158: Bowling Green at Marshall
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 82.131; Marshall 80.064
Dunkel Line: Bowling Green by 2; 56
Vegas Line: Bowling Green by 3; 50
Dunkel Pick: Marshall (+3); Over
Game 159-160: California at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: California 108.391; Minnesota 89.004
Dunkel Line: California by 19 1/2; 50
Vegas Line: California by 13 1/2; 53
Dunkel Pick: California (-13 1/2); Under
Game 161-162: Buffalo at Central Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 78.689; Central Florida 79.252
Dunkel Line: Central Florida by 1; 45 1/2
Vegas Line: Central Florida by 4 1/2; 48 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+4 1/2); Under
Game 163-164: Rice at Oklahoma State
Dunkel Ratings: Rice 70.635; Oklahoma State 107.727
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 37; 70
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 32 1/2; 66
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma State (-32 1/2); Over
Game 165-166: Tulsa at Oklahoma
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 97.657; Oklahoma 115.143
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma by 17 1/2; 56 1/2
Vegas Line: Oklahoma by 17; 58
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma (-17); Under
Game 167-168: Connecticut at Baylor
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 88.399; Baylor 97.143
Dunkel Line: Baylor by 8 1/2; 51
Vegas Line: Baylor by 10 1/2; 45
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+10 1/2); Over
Game 169-170: Utah State at Texas A&M
Dunkel Ratings: Utah State 72.503; Texas A&M 91.007
Dunkel Line: Texas A&M by 18 1/2; 55 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas A&M by 19 1/2; 57 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (+19 1/2); Under
Game 171-172: Louisville at Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Louisville 75.631; Kentucky 94.111
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 18 1/2; 43 1/2
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 13 1/2; 46 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (-13 1/2); Under
Game 173-174: Iowa State at Kent State
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa State 78.584; Kent State 76.196
Dunkel Line: Iowa State by 2 1/2; 39
Vegas Line: Iowa State by 3; 44
Dunkel Pick: Kent State (+3); Under
Game 175-176: Florida State at BYU
Dunkel Ratings: Florida State 90.032; BYU 110.976
Dunkel Line: BYU by 21; 51
Vegas Line: BYU by 7; 56
Dunkel Pick: BYU (-7); Under
Game 177-178: Georgia at Arkansas
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia 97.391; Arkansas 93.537
Dunkel Line: Georgia by 4; 56 1/2
Vegas Line: Arkansas by 1 1/2; 54
Dunkel Pick: Georgia (+1 1/2); Over
Game 179-180: Air Force at New Mexico
Dunkel Ratings: Air Force 93.079; New Mexico 74.464
Dunkel Line: Air Force by 18 1/2; 48 1/2
Vegas Line: Air Force by 17; 46
Dunkel Pick: Air Force (-17); Over
Game 181-182: UTEP at New Mexico State
Dunkel Ratings: UTEP 80.721; New Mexico State 59.400
Dunkel Line: UTEP by 21 1/2; 49 1/2
Vegas Line: UTEP by 13 1/2; 46 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UTEP (-13 1/2); Over
Game 183-184: Texas Tech at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Texas Tech 100.832; Texas 114.838
Dunkel Line: Texas by 14; 64
Vegas Line: Texas by 18; 67
Dunkel Pick: Texas Tech (+18); Under
Game 185-186: Hawaii at UNLV
Dunkel Ratings: Hawaii 80.069; UNLV 81.837
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 2; 51 1/2
Vegas Line: UNLV by 7 1/2; 55 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (+7 1/2); Under
Game 187-188: San Jose State at Stanford
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose State 76.956; Stanford 95.442
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 18 1/2; 45 1/2
Vegas Line: Stanford by 17; 46 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-17); Under
Game 189-190: Cincinnati at Oregon State
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 100.566; Oregon State 97.503
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 3; 60 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick; 56 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati; Over
Game 191-192: Florida International at Rutgers
Dunkel Ratings: Florida International 74.343; Rutgers 90.410
Dunkel Line: Rutgers by 16; 53
Vegas Line: Rutgers by 14; 55 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rutgers (-14); Under
Game 193-194: North Texas at Alabama
Dunkel Ratings: North Texas 69.688; Alabama 107.525
Dunkel Line: Alabama by 38; 50
Vegas Line: Alabama by 38 1/2; 52 1/2
Dunkel Pick: North Texas (+38 1/2); Under
Game 195-196: Middle Tennessee State at Maryland
Dunkel Ratings: Middle Tennessee State 78.695; Maryland 87.999
Dunkel Line: Maryland by 9 1/2; 48
Vegas Line: Maryland by 6; 50
Dunkel Pick: Maryland (-6); Under
Game 197-198: Florida Atlantic at South Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Florida Atlantic 70.424; South Carolina 94.781
Dunkel Line: South Carolina by 24 1/2; 53
Vegas Line: South Carolina by 20 1/2; 50 1/2
Dunkel Pick: South Carolina (-20 1/2); Over
Game 199-200: UAB at Troy
Dunkel Ratings: UAB 77.013; Troy 79.627
Dunkel Line: Troy by 2 1/2; 63 1/2
Vegas Line: Troy by 6 1/2; 60 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UAB (+6 1/2); Over
Game 201-202: UL Lafayette at LSU
Dunkel Ratings: UL Lafayette 74.759; LSU 102.545
Dunkel Line: LSU by 28; 48
Vegas Line: LSU by 27; 51
Dunkel Pick: LSU (-27); Under
Game 203-204: UL Monroe at Arizona State
Dunkel Ratings: UL Monroe 71.231; Arizona State 93.631
Dunkel Line: Arizona State by 22 1/2; 48 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona State by 19 1/2; 54 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona State (-19 1/2); Under
WNBA
San Antonio at Phoenix
The Mercury look to bounce back from their Game One loss and build on their 8-1 ATS record in their last 9 games following a SU loss. Phoenix is the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-7 1/2)
Game 613-614: Washington at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 106.017; Indiana 114.517
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 8 1/2; 152
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 8; 147
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-8); Over
Game 615-616: San Antonio at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 109.750; Phoenix 120.382
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 10 1/2; 173
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 7 1/2; 181
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-7 1/2); Under
CFL
Game 473-474: Toronto at BC
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 101.776; BC 112.438
Dunkel Line: BC by 10 1/2; 50 1/2
Vegas Line: BC by 7 1/2; 48 1/2
Dunkel Pick: BC (-7 1/2); Over
Stephen Nover
Eastern Michigan +24 at MICHIGAN
Michigan had its biggest win of the Rich Rodriguez era last week, pulling out a victory in the final minute against Notre Dame. The Wolverines open Big Ten Conference play next week hosting Indiana followed by road games against Big Ten rivals Michigan State and Iowa.
This is a huge flat spot for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines aren't secure enough under Rodriguez to cover this big of a spread when they don't bring their "A" game. Teams that upset Notre Dame are only 1-12-1 against the spread as favorites the following week when meeting foes that are .500 or worse.
It's only a six mile trip for Eastern Michigan so the travel factor is negated. The game means far more to Eastern Michigan. Ron English is in his first season as head coach of the Eagles. He's well acquainted with Michigan having been the Wolverines' defensive coordinator from 2006-2007. So expect the Eagles to be focused. They weren't intimidated in Michigan's Big House when they covered two years ago in Ann Arbor, losing by 11 as a 29-point 'dog.
Four-year starting quarterback Andy Schmitt played in that game. Schmitt threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-24 loss to Northwestern of the Big Ten last week. The Wildcats escaped overtime by kicking a late 49-yard field goal. The Eagles easily covered as three-touchdown underdogs.
2♦ EASTERN MICHIGAN
Dominic Fazzini
Wyoming at COLORADO -7
I'm sure many of you are wondering what in the hell I'm doing making a play on the Buffaloes, who have been an embarassment so far this season.
Well, if Colorado is going to try and salvage its season, this is the spot where it needs to come alive, and I think the team is going to rally around coach Dan Hawkins.
Hawkins needs a win today like a pig needs slop. The Buffs struggled offensively in their 23-17 loss to Colorado State to open the season, and took a while to get going in their 54-38 loss at Toledo last week. Colorado is 60th in the nation in points scored (27.5 ppg).
Wyoming has been even worse offensively, ranking 100th in the nation with 19.5 points per game. The Cowboys edged Weber State 29-22 in their first game before getting beat 41-10 last week by No. 2 Texas.
Wyoming is 2-10 ATS vs. teams with losing records, 5-22-1 ATS in its last 28 games overall, 5-16 ATS in its last 21 road games, 3-13 as a road underdog and 1-4 ATS in its last five games in September.
Buffs QB Cody Hawkins is completing just 51.9 percent of his passes for 580 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions, but he's going to be especially fired up to get his dad off of the hot seat, if just for one week. Take Colorado to cover the points today.
3♦ COLORADO
Sports Gambling Hotline
USC at WASHINGTON +19'
34-21-3 comp play run the last 58 days.
We just feel this is too many points to give to a team whose head coach used to be your former offensive coordinator.
That is the case in Seattle this afternoon, as Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian probably knows more about this Trojans' offense than anyone on the field this afternoon.
U-Dub just busted their 15-game losing streak cherry, and should be plenty ramped up to compete hard in this spot.
The Huskies have been able to cover 3 of the last 4 series meetings plus the generous number, and that includes the last pair played at home.
Southern Cal has struggled with the big imposts, as they failed again last week at Ohio State, and they covered just 1 of their 5 Pac 10 roadies last year, and are also a lowly 5-8 against the spread when laying double-digits.
All signs point towards an underdog play in this one, so let's take the home team Huskies as they keep this one respectable.
Play on Washington.
1♦ WASHINGTON
Bobby Maxwell
Nebraska at VIRGINIA TECH -4'
Handing out a FREE winner on the college gridiron today as I'm going with Virginia Tech at home to get it done against Nebraska.
Hasn't Nebraska learned anything all these years - playing cupcakes the first two weeks of the season is useless, but leave it to the Cornhuskers to schedule Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State the first two weeks to make them feel good about themselves and pile up a combined 87-12 score.
So they go into Blacksburg tonight to take on this Virgina Tech squad that has already been in a tough one against Alabama and then came home to destroy Marshall last Saturday, 52-10, covering as 19.5-point home favorites.
Doesn't this scenario sound familiar to a season ago when Nebraska beat up the weaklings in Western Michigan, San Jose State and New Mexico State, then Virginia Tech went to Lincoln, Neb. and beat the Huskers 35-30 outright as seven-point 'dogs. When they face a real team, the Cornuskers struggle.
Virginia Tech ran for 206 yards in last year's win in Lincoln, and gave up just 55 yards on the ground to Nebraska. The Hokies can still dominate the ball with QB Tyrod Taylor making the correct decisions on offense, they are a dangerous team to meet.
Nebraska is just 2-7 ATS as a road 'dog, 4-11 ATS following a SU win and 3-9-1 ATS following a spread-cover. Meanwhile VaTech is 24-11 ATS in its last 35 as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points, 5-0 ATS against teams with winning records and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 after covering in the previous contest.
Saw a determined Hokies' squad bounce back from that tough loss to Alabama to open the season and deliver a beatdown to Marshall. They will carry that determination over to today and take care of Nebraska. Play Virginia Tech in this one.
4♦ VIRGINIA TECH