Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Louisville Cardinals
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Louisville Cardinals will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Scarlet Knights listed as 3-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total is sitting at 44.
Rutgers was surprised by Syracuse, losing 31-13 at the Carrier Dome in Week 12.
Syracuse covered as a 10-point home underdog while the final score played UNDER the 45-point total.
Louisville was downed by South Florida 34-22 at Raymond James Stadium in Week 12.
Louisville covered as a 13-point road underdog while the final score played OVER the 45.5-point total.
Team records:
Rutgers: 7-3 SU, 4-4 ATS
Louisville: 4-7 SU, 4-6 ATS
Rutgers most recently:
When playing in November are 7-3
When playing on turf are 7-3
After being outgained are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 7-3
Louisville most recently:
When playing in November are 2-8
When playing on turf are 4-6
After being outgained are 2-8
When playing within the conference are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
Rutgers is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Rutgers is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games
Louisville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Louisville is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games
Next up:
Rutgers home to West Virginia, Saturday, December 5
Temple Owls vs. Ohio Bobcats
The Temple Owls and the Ohio Bobcats will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Peden Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Owls listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Bobcats, while the game's total is sitting at 46½.
Temple continue to surprise, defeating Kent State 46-10 at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 12.
Temple covered as a 10-point home favorite while the final score played OVER the 46-point total.
Ohio came out on top of a busy fourth quarter, taking a 38-31 victory over Northern Illinois at Peden Stadium in Week 12.
Ohio covered as a 1.5-point home favorite while the final score played OVER the 45-point total.
Current streak:
Temple has won 9 straight games.
Ohio has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Temple: 9-2 SU, 8-2 ATS
Ohio: 8-3 SU, 6-4 ATS
Temple most recently:
When playing in November are 6-4
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing within the conference are 9-1
Ohio most recently:
When playing in November are 7-3
When playing on turf are 8-2
After being outgained are 9-1
When playing within the conference are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Temple is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Temple is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Temple is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Temple's last 7 games on the road
Ohio is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Ohio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Cincinnati Bearcats will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Nippert Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bearcats listed as 20½-point favorites versus the Fighting Illini, while the game's total is sitting at 58.
Jacob Charest threw for 146 yards, one TD and two interceptions for Illinois in a 21-16 loss to Northwestern in Week 11.
The Illini did not cover the 6.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the day's posted total of 50.
Cincinnati gave up a late TD but managed to hang on and defeat West Virginia 24-21 in Week 11. Cincinnati failed to cover the 9.5-point spread, while the 45 points went UNDER the posted total of 57.
Jarrett Brown ran for 34 yards and a TD, while throwing for 177 yards with a touchdown in the loss.
Current streak:
Cincinnati has won 10 straight games.
Team records:
Illinois: 3-7 SU, 3-6 ATS
Cincinnati: 10-0 SU, 5-4 ATS
Illinois most recently:
When playing in November are 5-5
When playing on turf are 3-7
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 6-4
Cincinnati most recently:
When playing in November are 9-1
When playing on turf are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When playing outside the conference are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Illinois's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Illinois's last 6 games
Illinois is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Illinois is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
Cincinnati is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cincinnati is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Illinois home to Fresno State, Saturday, December 5
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, Saturday, December 5
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Central Michigan Chippewas
The Northern Illinois Huskies and the Central Michigan Chippewas will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Chippewas listed as 13-point favorites versus the Huskies, while the game's total is sitting at 50½.
Northern Illinois came out on the wrong end of a busy fourth quarter, losing 38-31 to Ohio at Peden Stadium in Week 12.
Ohio covered as a 1.5-point home favorite while the final score played OVER the 45-point total.
Central Michigan dominated from start-to-finish as they pounded Ball State 35-3 in Week 12. Central Michigan covered the 15-point spread, but the 38 points went UNDER the posted total of 51.
Current streak:
Central Michigan has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Northern Illinois: 7-4 SU, 5-5 ATS
Central Michigan: 9-2 SU, 8-2 ATS
Northern Illinois most recently:
When playing in November are 4-6
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing within the conference are 6-4
Central Michigan most recently:
When playing in November are 7-3
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing within the conference are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Northern Illinois is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Central Michigan
Northern Illinois is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Northern Illinois is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Central Michigan
Northern Illinois is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Central Michigan
Central Michigan is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Central Michigan is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Central Michigan is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Central Michigan's last 5 games
Toledo Rockets vs. Bowling Green Falcons
The fans at Doyt Perry Stadium will be treated to a game between the Toledo Rockets and the Bowling Green Falcons when they take their seats on Friday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Falcons listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Rockets, while the game's total is sitting at 64.
Toledo scored 23 points in the second quarter as they ripped apart Eastern Michigan 47-21 in Week 12. Toledo covered the 16-point spread, and the 68 points made it OVER the posted total of 62.
Bowling Green soared in the second half, scoring 27 points en route to a 36-20 victory over Akron in Week 12. Bowling Green covered the 12-point spread, and the 56 points made it OVER the posted total of 55.
Chris Bullock ran for 90 yards off eight carries with a touchdown.
Current streak:
Bowling Green has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Toledo: 5-6 SU, 5-6 ATS
Bowling Green: 6-5 SU, 6-5 ATS
Toledo most recently:
When playing in November are 4-6
When playing on turf are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 1-9
When playing within the conference are 4-6
Bowling Green most recently:
When playing in November are 9-1
When playing on turf are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toledo's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toledo's last 8 games
Toledo is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Toledo is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
Bowling Green is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Bowling Green is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Bowling Green is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toledo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Bowling Green's last 7 games at home
Buffalo Bulls vs. Kent State Golden Flashes
The Buffalo Bulls and the Kent State Golden Flashes will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Dix Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bulls listed as 3-point favorites versus the Golden Flashes, while the game's total is sitting at 48½.
Buffalo got out to an early lead and finished off Miami (Ohio) 42-17 in Week 12. Buffalo covered the 5-point spread, and the 59 points made it OVER the posted total of 53.
Brandon Thermilus rushed for two touchdowns and caught another for Buffalo.
Kent State was rolled over by Temple 46-10 at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 12.
Temple covered as a 10-point home favorite while the final score played OVER the 46-point total.
Current streak:
Kent State has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Buffalo: 4-7 SU, 4-6 ATS
Kent State: 5-6 SU, 6-4 ATS
Buffalo most recently:
When playing in November are 5-5
When playing on turf are 4-6
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing within the conference are 4-6
Kent State most recently:
When playing in November are 2-8
When playing on turf are 6-4
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing within the conference are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Buffalo is 12-3 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Buffalo's last 10 games on the road
Buffalo is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Kent State
Kent State is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games at home
Kent State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Buffalo
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Akron Zips
The Eastern Michigan Eagles and the Akron Zips will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Rubber Bowl.
Oddsmakers currently have the Zips listed as 16½-point favorites versus the Eagles, while the game's total is sitting at 50.
Eastern Michigan were defeated 47-21 by Toledo in Week 12 as a 16-point underdog. The game's 68 points made it OVER the posted total of 62.
Akron was defeated 36-20 in Week 12 by Bowling Green as a 12-point underdog. That game's 56 points made it OVER the posted total of 55.
Patrick Nicely threw for 259 yards with a TD in the loss.
Current streak:
Eastern Michigan has lost 11 straight games.
Akron has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Eastern Michigan: 0-11 SU, 3-8 ATS
Akron: 2-9 SU, 3-7 ATS
Eastern Michigan most recently:
When playing in November are 2-8
When playing on turf are 1-9
After being outgained are 0-10
When playing within the conference are 1-9
Akron most recently:
When playing in November are 3-7
When playing on turf are 2-8
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Eastern Michigan's last 5 games on the road
Eastern Michigan is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Akron
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Eastern Michigan's last 5 games
Eastern Michigan is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Akron
Akron is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Eastern Michigan
Akron is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games at home
Akron is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Akron is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Eastern Michigan
Wyoming Cowboys vs. Colorado State Rams
The Wyoming Cowboys and the Colorado State Rams will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Hughes Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rams listed as 3-point favorites versus the Cowboys, while the game's total is sitting at 51.
Wyoming was handled by TCU, losing 45-10 at War Memorial Stadium in Week 12.
TCU covered as a 30.5-point road favorites while the final score played OVER the 49.5-point total.
New Mexico took a three-point lead into halftime in Week 12 and held on for a 29-27 win over Colorado State.
The Rams had been listed as 4-point favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the day's posted total (54).
Current streak:
Colorado State has lost 8 straight games.
Team records:
Wyoming: 5-6 SU, 7-3 ATS
Colorado State: 3-8 SU, 4-6 ATS
Wyoming most recently:
When playing in November are 3-7
When playing on turf are 3-7
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 4-6
Colorado State most recently:
When playing in November are 4-6
When playing on turf are 4-6
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Wyoming is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Wyoming's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Wyoming's last 6 games when playing Colorado State
Wyoming is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games on the road
Colorado State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Wyoming
Colorado State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Wyoming
Colorado State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Wyoming
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado State's last 6 games when playing Wyoming
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Auburn Tigers
The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Crimson Tide listed as 10-point favorites versus the Tigers, while the game's total is sitting at 46½.
Chris Todd completed 20-for-28 for 238 yards with two touchdowns in Auburn's 31-24 loss to Georgia in Week 11 as a 4-point underdog. The 55 points went as a PUSH against the posted total of 55.
Current streak:
Alabama has won 11 straight games.
Team records:
Alabama: 11-0 SU, 7-4 ATS
Auburn: 7-4 SU, 5-5 ATS
Alabama most recently:
When playing in November are 7-3
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When playing within the conference are 9-1
Auburn most recently:
When playing in November are 5-5
When playing on grass are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing within the conference are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Alabama is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Alabama is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Alabama's last 5 games when playing Auburn
Auburn is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Alabama
Auburn is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Auburn's last 5 games when playing Alabama
Auburn is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Alabama
Next up:
Alabama home to Florida, Saturday, December 5
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Colorado Buffaloes
The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Colorado Buffaloes will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Folsom Field.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cornhuskers listed as 10½-point favorites versus the Buffaloes, while the game's total is sitting at 38.
The Nebraska defense was solid in not allowing a TD, as they went on to defeat Kansas State 17-3 in Week 12. Nebraska could not cover the 16.5-point spread, while the 20 points went UNDER the posted total of 45.
Roy Helu carried the ball 95 yards with a TD.
Colorado dropped a 31-28 decision to Oklahoma State in Week 12 as a 17.5-point underdog. That game's 59 points sailed OVER the posted total of 47.5.
Tyler Hansen completed 23-of-37 for 172 yards with a pair of TD passes for Colorado.
Current streak:
Nebraska has won 4 straight games.
Colorado has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Nebraska: 8-3 SU, 7-4 ATS
Colorado: 3-8 SU, 6-5 ATS
Nebraska most recently:
When playing in November are 7-3
When playing on grass are 4-6
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing within the conference are 8-2
Colorado most recently:
When playing in November are 3-7
When playing on grass are 4-6
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Nebraska is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Nebraska is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Nebraska is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Nebraska is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Nebraska
Colorado is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Colorado is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home
Colorado is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Nebraska home to Texas, Saturday, December 5
Memphis Tigers vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
The Memphis Tigers and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Chapman Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Golden Hurricane listed as 16½-point favorites versus the Tigers, while the game's total is sitting at 59.
Memphis was owned through the air, losing 55-14 to C-USA rival Houston at Robertson Stadium in Week 12.
Houston covered as 22-point home favorites while the final score played UNDER the 74.5-point total.
Tulsa gave up four touchdowns in the second quarter and lost 44-34 in Week 12 to Southern Miss as 8.5-point underdogs. The 78 points sailed OVER the posted total of 55.
Charles Clay had 144 yards receiving with a pair of touchdowns, while rushing for two more in the loss.
Current streak:
Memphis has lost 5 straight games.
Tulsa has lost 6 straight games.
Team records:
Memphis: 2-9 SU, 1-9 ATS
Tulsa: 4-7 SU, 4-5-1 ATS
Memphis most recently:
When playing in November are 5-5
When playing on turf are 3-7
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing within the conference are 3-7
Tulsa most recently:
When playing in November are 5-5
When playing on turf are 4-6
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing within the conference are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Tulsa is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games at home
Tulsa is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Tulsa is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
The Pittsburgh Panthers and the West Virginia Mountaineers will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Pittsburgh gave up 19 points in the fourth quarter, but managed to hold on for a 27-22 victory over Notre Dame in Week 11. Pittsburgh failed to cover the 6-point spread, while the 49 points went UNDER the posted total of 59.
Dion Lewis ran for 152 yards with a touchdown to lead the way.
West Virginia was defeated 24-21 by Cincinnati in Week 11 as a 9.5-point underdog. The 45 points went UNDER the posted total of 57.
Jarrett Brown ran for 34 yards and a TD, while throwing for 177 yards with a touchdown in the loss.
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 9-1 SU, 6-3 ATS
West Virginia: 7-3 SU, 3-6 ATS
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing in November are 6-4
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 8-2
West Virginia most recently:
When playing in November are 6-4
When playing on turf are 9-1
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing within the conference are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
West Virginia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
West Virginia is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
West Virginia is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of West Virginia's last 6 games
Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Cincinnati, Saturday, December 5
West Virginia at Rutgers, Saturday, December 5
Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Boise State Broncos
The Nevada Wolf Pack and the Boise State Broncos will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Bronco Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Broncos listed as 14-point favorites versus the Wolf Pack, while the game's total is sitting at 70.
Nevada scored four touchdowns in the opening quarter as they trounced New Mexico State 63-20 in Week 12. Nevada covered the 31-point spread, and the 83 points sailed OVER the posted total of 59.5.
Doug Martin ran for 121 yards and four touchdowns as Boise State ran over Utah State 52-21 in Week 12. Boise State covered the 23-point spread, while the 73 points sailed OVER the posted total of 62.
Kellen Moore threw for 233 yards with a TD in that win.
Current streak:
Nevada has won 8 straight games.
Boise State has won 11 straight games.
Team records:
Nevada: 8-3 SU, 6-5 ATS
Boise State: 11-0 SU, 8-2 ATS
Nevada most recently:
When playing in November are 7-3
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing within the conference are 9-1
Boise State most recently:
When playing in November are 9-1
When playing on turf are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When playing within the conference are 10-0
A few trends to consider:
Nevada is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nevada's last 6 games when playing Boise State
Nevada is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boise State
Nevada is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Boise State
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nevada
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Nevada
Next up:
Boise State home to New Mexico State, Saturday, December 5
Friday's Afternoon Action
By Judd Hall
Friday might signal the start of the holiday shopping season for some. For other, it’s a chance to make Christmas/Hanukah/Kwanzaa/whatever the hell you celebrate a lot better with more money to spend. We have 13 games on the day after Thanksgiving; let’s take a look at three of the matchups on the card.
Illinois at Cincinnati
I’m sure this game looked a lot better on paper when it was scheduled a few years ago, but things do change. Illinois (3-7 straight up, 3-6 against the spread) can attest to that as they play out the string as they fail to make a bowl game for the second straight year.
The Illini have been awful on the attack this year, averaging a Big Ten-worst 20.2 points per game. Part of the reason for that is some inconsistency in Juice Williams under center. The senior quarterback has only completed 57.6 percent of his passes this year and has nearly as many interceptions (5) as he does touchdowns (6).
There has only been one thing worse than the offense for Illinois, and it’s its defense. The Illini have certainly lacked the fight in 2009 as they rank 89th nationally in total defense (400.3 yards per game) and just gave up 305 passing yards last week to Northwestern.
That defense will certainly get a workout against Cincinnati’s (10-0 SU, 5-4 ATS) offense that currently ranks seventh nationally 314.3 YPG through the air. The Bearcats appear that they will be more lethal on the attack with Tony Pike scheduled to be their starting quarterback. Pike has completed 61 percent of his throws for 4,147 yards and 17 scores. He has also only been sacked six times all year. In fact, Cincy’s o-line is ninth in the country by allowing their QB to be sacked nine times.
The sportsbooks are expecting an ugly affair here as the Bearcats are listed as 20-point home favorites with a total of 56 ½. You can expect a big payday if you’re looking to back Illinois to win outright with a plus-1000 return (risk $100 to win $1000).
Normally we can glean something useful from previous matchups between the two schools, but that won’t be a damn thing since this is the first head-to-head meeting. What we can tell you is that Cincy is 1-3 SU, but 3-1 ATS when hosting a team from the Big Ten.
The Bearcats are practically automatic when favored at home, going 9-2. As far as our purposes are concerned, they’re just 5-6 ATS. The ‘under’ is 7-3-1 in those tilts as well.
Illinois has gone 4-17 SU when playing as a road underdog under Ron Zook. However, they are 10-11 ATS in that stretch and 4-1 ATS run in its last five spots.
Alabama at Auburn
It doesn’t seem too long ago that Auburn (7-4 SU, 5-6 ATS) was one of the better teams in the SEC. Now the Tigers are just looking to build on whatever positives there are from Gene Chizik’s first year at the helm.
The Tigers got a much needed week off after playing for 11 straight weeks. That time off helps a team that isn’t all that deep. What the lack in depth, however, they make up for in skill…especially on offense. Auburn currently ranks 16th in the nation with 441.5 YPG on offense this season. The majority of that success is coming from signal caller Chris Todd (59.9 completion percentage, 2,196 yards, 19 touchdowns) and tailback Ben Tate (1,209 yards, eight touchdowns).
Tate will have the toughest challenge going up against Alabama’s (11-0 SU, 7-3 ATS) defense. The Crimson Tide currently owns the second-best rush defense in all the land, allowing only 70.6 YPG on the ground in 2009. Nick Saban’s crew is also keeping teams from moving the chains by allowing opponents to convert just 28.6 percent of their third downs.
Offensively, the Tide are a tad one-sided, but it’s a hell of a side in Mark Ingram. The sophomore running back is the fifth-ranked rusher in the country as he’s picking up 127.2 YPG on the ground to go along with 12 scores in ’09. Ingram is no doubt licking his chops as he’ll face a defense that is giving up 169.7 rushing YPG to rank 88th nationally against the run.
Most sportsbooks have posted the Crimson Tide as 10 ½-point road favorites and a total of 47. Gamblers can get 3/1 on their money should they choose to back Auburn on the money line.
Something will have to give between these two teams as they’re good gambles on both sides. The Tigers have been a great wager to cover as home ‘dogs over the last four seasons, as evidenced by a 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS mark. Meanwhile, Alabama is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS since 2005 as a road “chalk” of 10 ½-points or higher.
This series has seen the home team go 3-2 SU, but 4-1 ATS. The ‘under’ has been a wise bet as it has cashed in eight of the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
Pittsburgh at West Virginia
Pittsburgh (9-1 SU, 6-3 ATS) has its BCS fate its own hands as they play the final two weeks of the season. That might have come into play on Nov. 14 in the Panthers’ 27-22 win over Notre Dame as six-point home favorites. Pitt took a 27-9 lead in the fourth quarter of that match, before holding on for the win.
The Panthers have been able to make it this far because of a fantastic ground game, headlined by Dion Lewis. This freshman phenom is the fourth-best runner in the country with 1,291 yards on the ground and 13 scores.
Pitt has also been quite effective through the air with Bill Stull under center. Since the Panthers’ loss to N.C. State, Stull has completed 67 percent of his pass attempts for 1,369 yards and 10 touchdowns.
West Virginia (7-3 SU, 3-6 ATS) enters this contest with hopes of catching the Panthers in a “look-ahead” spot for them. The Mountaineers have to feel somewhat upbeat for playing Cincy tight in their last game, a 24-21 defeat as 9 ½-point road pups.
Noel Devine has been a big part of the Mountaineers’ attack, picking up 1,098 rushing yards and 10 scores this year. Devine, however, has been held to no scores in his last two games and just 144 yards rushing.
It would appear that West Virginia will need to take its offense to the air in order to have a chance in this game. That means Jarrett Brown will be looked to come up big. Brown has connected on 62 percent of his passes for 282 yards and two scores over his last two starts.
The betting shops believe this game is too close to call by posting this game as a pick ‘em with a total of 49. Don’t bother on looking for value on the money line as both teams are listed minus-110 (risk $110 to win $100).
Pittsburgh and the ‘Neers have split the last 10 meetings, but the Panthers have claimed bragging rights in five of the last nine games. The home team has been the better wager as they are 6-4 ATS in that stretch.
What might sway some gamblers is how West Virginia plays versus Big East foes in Morgantown. The Mountaineers are 15-4 SU over the last five years in conference games at home. However, they are just 5-14 ATS in those same matches. Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU and ATS in its last eight games on the road in Big East play.
vegasinsider.com
Nevada at Boise St.
By Brian Edwards
When Nevada (8-3 straight up, 6-5 against the spread) went into South Bend and got slammed 35-0 in its season opener at Notre Dame, it appeared crystal clear that Chris Ault’s program wasn’t quite ready to compete with the big boys. That notion was further evidenced in losses at Colorado St. (35-20) and vs. Missouri (31-21) in Weeks 3 and 4, respectively.
But since then, the Wolf Pack has won eight in a row and posted a 6-2 spread record in the process. Ault’s pistol offense led by junior quarterback Colin Kaepernick has produced the following scoring outputs during the eight-game surge: 63, 37, 35, 70, 31, 62, 52 and 63.
However, the question of whether or not Nevada can compete with the nation’s best remains iffy. The Wolf Pack will have the chance to show they can Friday night on the smurf turf in Boise.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Boise State (11-0 SU, 8-2 ATS) as a 10 ½-point favorite with a total of 74. As of Wednesday night, most sports books had the Broncos favored by 13 1/2 with the total in the 71-72 range. The Wolf Pack are plus-400 on the money line (risk $100 to win $400).
Chris Petersen’s team has won 23 of its last 24 games, including last week’s 52-21 win at Utah St. as a 22-point road favorite. Sophomore running back Doug Martin was the catalyst, rushing 13 times for 122 yards and four touchdowns. Jeremy Avery added 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
Kellen Moore completed 15-of-29 passes for 233 yards and one TD without an interception. Titus Young had five receptions for 102 yards, while Austin Pettis had four catches for 69 yards.
Moore is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender, producing monster numbers in his sophomore campaign. He has connected on 66.3 percent of his passes for 2,791 yards with an incredible 33/3 touchdown-interception ratio.
Pettis leads the country (along with Bowling Green’s Freddie Barnes) in touchdown catches with 14. He has a team-high 62 receptions for 850 yards, while Young has 60 catches for 808 yards and nine TDs.
Avery has 1,008 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He averages 6.0 yards per carry. Martin has rushed for 512 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.8 YPC.
Nevada is coming off a 63-20 win at New Mexico State as a 30 ½-point favorite. The Wolf Pack rushed for 581 yards and had 677 yards of total offense. Kaepernick ran for 114 yards and a pair of touchdowns, in addition to throwing two TD passes without an interception.
Luke Lippincott ran for 162 yards and two TDs on 19 carries, while Vai Taua had 126 rushing yards and one touchdown on just 13 totes.
For the season, Taua has rushed for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns on 148 carries for a 8.0 YPC average. Kaepernick needs just one rushing yard against the Broncos to eclipse his rushing tally (1,130 yards) of 2008. The veteran signal caller has 16 rushing TDs and averages 8.6 YPC.
After missing most of last season with a knee injury and given a sixth year of eligibility, Lippincott has rushed for 1,028 yards and nine TDs. He’s averaging 7.7 YPC. Lippincott also has a pair of TD catches to his credit, as does Taua.
BSU is 4-0 ATS in four lined home games this year. The Broncos have been dominant each time out, starting with a 19-8 win over Oregon in the season opener that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated. In Week 2, they destroyed Miami (OH.) 48-0 as 40-point favorites.
BSU crushed Idaho 63-25 as a 31 ½-point home ‘chalk’ in its last game on the blue carpet. Two weeks before that, Petersen’s squad stroked San Jose St. by a 45-7 count as a 36-point favorite.
Nevada has let down its backers in both previous underdogs situations. As we mentioned, Notre Dame clobbered the Wolf Pack 35-0 as a 14-point home favorite. In Week 4, Missouri won a 31-21 decision at Nevada as an eight-point road ‘chalk.’
During Ault’s second tour of duty at Nevada that dates back to 2004, the Wolf Pack are an abysmal 5-11 ATS.
BSU has won nine in a row over the Wolf Pack, cashing tickets at an 8-1 ATS clip during that stretch. The lone cover for Nevada came in its last trip when it lost 69-67 in four overtimes. (To be exactly accurate, Nevada’s last trip to Bronco Stadium was for last year’s Humanitarian Bowl in which it lost 42-35 to Maryland.)
The winner will take the WAC’s regular-season crown. A loss for Boise would eliminate it from BCS consideration, while a win would pad its resume to get a BCS invite. ESPN2 will provide television coverage at 10:00 p.m. Eastern on Friday night.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
Boise St. owns a 14-5-1 spread record in 20 lined home games on Petersen’s watch.
As of Wednesday, FSU was a 24 ½-point road underdog for Satuday’s game at Florida. This is the second-richest underdog spot for the Seminoles since Bobby Bowden took over the program in 1976. That same year, FSU was a 26-point underdog against Oklahoma.
Missouri is a 3 ½-point favorite for Saturday’s game against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Tigers have been single-digit favorites three times this year, taking the cash in each instance.
So. Miss owns a 7-1 spread record in its last eight head-to-head meetings against East Carolina, which is listed as a six-point home favorite for Saturday’s C-USA showdown against the Golden Eagles. Since QB Austin Davis went down with a season-ending knee injury, junior QB Martevious Young has stepped in and played brilliantly, producing a 12/1 TD-INT ratio.
vegasinsider.com
College Football Powers look to avoid Black Friday
By Doug Upstone
In case you missed it, tomorrow is considered a big shopping day and virtually every store in the country has a deal, no really it its true, saw it on the news and online. It's called Black Friday because of the frenzied pace of the day at these stores. Today in college football, several teams with high aspirations are looking to avoid the dark cloud that could ruin their dreams today. On this Black Friday, Temple, Cincinnati, Alabama and Pittsburgh all hope to sidestep and not come up empty like many people's debit accounts at the end of the day. Lines from BetUS.com.
Temple (-2.5, 46.5) at Ohio
After being kicked out of the Big East, Temple (9-2, 8-2 ATS), in just its third season in the MAC, plays for Eastern Division crown at Ohio U. The Owls are strong in the trenches, a mark of a successful football team and will seek to embark their will on the Bobcats. In last three years, Temple is 23-10 ATS in all games. The Bobcats (8-3, 6-4 ATS) have kept the pressure on Temple all season with just one MAC defeat and can play for second conference crown in four years. Ohio U. has split their last 10 home finales of the season, but is 7-3 ATS, including three in a row. Since this series began, the home team is 2-0 SU and ATS. The winner moves on to face Central Michigan next Friday for the MAC championship.
Illinois at Cincinnati (-21, 57.5)
Illinois (3-7, 2-7-1 ATS) evidently is the first Big Ten team to aggressively pursue playing games later in the year and not being caught having a month or more before playing a bowl game. Turns out it didn't matter this year, besides the Illini are 2-15 ATS vs. passing teams like the Bearcats (314 YPG) averaging 275 or more passing yards game. Cincinnati (10-0, 6-4 ATS) finishes off the home portion of schedule and needs this win to set up colossal battle with Pittsburgh for Big East title and more. The Bearcats are off a bye and 14-4 ATS after two home games. This is first ever meeting between these teams and first Big Ten team at Nippert Stadium since 2001.
This game doesn't directly affect Cincinnati as far as BCS bid goes, however should Texas be upset; the Bearcats want to be at the doorstep to possibly play for national championship. Bettors have a great deal of faith in Cincy, as they opened at -17.
Alabama (-10, 46.5) at Auburn
While Michigan State and Ohio State is known as the best college football rivalry, the amount of true hatred that divides the state of Alabama for this matchup is legendary. There is no game that has loyalties running deeper than Alabama and Auburn. This is a regionalized affair that is important to every Alabamian. In a state that has had a century-old love affair with college football, this one is about 60 minutes of football determining bragging rights in Alabama for the next 364 days.
The Crimson Tide (7-3 ATS) is in a precarious position, thinking about next week's mega-matchup with Florida, while trying to get there having to visit a dangerous Auburn squad on the road. Alabama is 11-0 for the second straight year and appears to have regained offensive rhythm, with quarterback Greg McElroy back to previous form. The defense is relentless and it will be intriguing to see what Auburn's offense does against the Crimson Tide. Alabama routed Chattanooga last week in tune-up 45-0 and is 13-4 ATS in road games after scoring 37 points or more in last game.
Auburn's offensive firepower has been stymied in last six SEC games, averaging just 21.6 points per contest. Quarterback Chris Todd hasn't been as effective against stronger competition and turnovers have manifested themselves as a part of the offense. The Tigers (7-4, 5-5 ATS) have started fast the last three games, which would help before crowd looking for blood after Auburn was shutout 36-0 last year in Tuscaloosa, the most lopsided game in 47 years. The Tigers are 2-8 ATS in last 10 contests off a loss.
The Tigers are 7-4 ATS in last 11 encounters with Alabama and the home team 4-1 against the number.
Pittsburgh (-1, 49) at West Virginia
This is known as the Backyard Brawl and it has grown in stature nationally, with West Virginia (7-3, 3-6 ATS) being a national contender in recent years and Pittsburgh (9-1, 6-2-1 ATS) improving steadily. This year shows a changing of the guard, with the Panthers the high ranked team, playing for a BCS bowl berth. This places the Mountaineers in the enviable position of being the home underdog, as least perception wise and they will look to end two game losing streak to Pitt. West Virginia's defense will have to prevent Dion Lewis from attacking the weak side like Cincinnati did (9.7 yards per carry) and get pressure on quarterback Bill Stull. The offensive line has to open up more running lanes for Noel Devine and QB Jarrett Brown needs to find the magic touch he had early in the year. The Teers are 2-6 ATS in home finales.
As much as this game means to Pittsburgh from emotional perspective, the matchup with Cincinnati offers even more with Big East title on the line and BCS bowl berth. Coach Dave Wannstedt won't want his troops going to battle next week off a loss. Pittsburgh will try to use proven formula this season, have the defensive front four control the other teams offense and keep everything in front of them. On offense, stay balanced, moving the chains and hit enough big plays to surprise the opposing team. The Panthers are 3-8 ATS before their final home game.
This is the 102nd meeting between these bitter rivals and Pittsburgh hasn't won three straight in 27 years. The Panthers are dismal 5-15 ATS in road games after a two-game home stand
What Bettors Need To Know: Pittsburgh at West Virginia
By Lee Kostroski
Line movement
West Virginia opened as a small home underdog. The line has shifted in the Mountaineers favor throughout the week and WVU is now a pick’em or even a small favorite at some places. The O/U opened at 49 and that’s where it currently stands.
The skinny
The 102nd edition of the Backyard Brawl is WVU’s chance to get some payback. Pitt came into Morgantown in 2007 and pulled a shocking 13-9 upset to knock then No. 2 WVU out of the 2007 National Championship game. Now, it’s West Virginia with an opportunity for payback.
WVU lost its last game to Cincinnati, 21-24, marking the Mountaineers’ third loss of the season and their second in their last three games. Each of those setbacks came on the road but West Virginia is still a disappointing 1-4 and is outscoring opponents by just 11 points per game on its home field.
Pittsburgh got a big home victory against Notre Dame in its last game. It was the Panthers sixth consecutive victory after losing to North Carolina State back in late September. This will be their first road game since October 16th and their toughest road game of the season.
The Panthers have a de-facto Big East championship game when they face undefeated Cincinnati next week regardless of the outcome of this game. Will they get caught looking ahead against this dangerous Mountaineer squad?
Running attack
For WVU, the week off was time to get its most important players healthy. QB Jarrett Brown and RB Noel Devine, most notably, were both battling injuries. Devine has rushed 56 times for just 183 yards and no touchdowns in the past three games (WVU was 1-2 in those games). In WVU’s previous seven games, Devine ran 137 times for 912 yards and 10 touchdowns. When he’s healthy he’s a home-run factor whenever the ball gets in his hands.
Pitt RB Dion Lewis is finally starting to get the national recognition he deserves this season. Lewis is leading the Big East with 129.1 rush yards per game this season with 13 touchdowns. He is the perfect complement to QB Bill Stull and he seems to be getting stronger as the year progresses. He’s rushed for 553 yards on a 5.9 YPC average with six touchdowns in the last four games.
West Virginia has struggled to stop the run in its past three games. The team has given up an average of 202 yards after allowing just 86.2 rush YPG in its first seven games.
Quarterback consistency
Stull has been the epitome of consistency this season, leading the Panthers to a 9-1 record when Pitt was a Big East afterthought at the beginning of the year. He’s completing 66 percent of his passes with 18 touchdowns and just four picks.
WVU QB Jarrett Brown has been slowed by an ankle injury this season but he’s completing 65 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns and has five rushing touchdowns.
Trends
A lot of times the stats and records can be thrown out the window when two rivals meet and that’s been the case the past few seasons. West Virginia has won 11 of the past 17 meetings but the Panthers have won the two most recent meetings.
Pitt is 5-0 ATS in its last five Friday games and 10-4 ATS in its last 14 road games. West Virginia is just 2-5 ATS in its last seven games following a bye week and 0-4 ATS in its last four home games.
Pitt has finished below the total in six of the last seven conference games. The under is 5-2 in the last seven conference games for WVU.
Weather
Morgantown is supposed to get a mix of rain and snow all day Friday and conditions could be ugly for the game. Temperatures will be in the upper 30s to lower 40s.
(8) Pittsburgh (9-1, 6-3 ATS) at West Virginia (7-3, 3-6 ATS)
The Panthers head to Morgantown for the 102nd edition of the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia, with Pitt looking to set up a Big East conference title showdown with Cincinnati on Dec. 5.
Pittsburgh sits at 5-0 in Big East play, half a game behind undefeated and fifth-ranked Cincinnati with next weekend’s matchup looming. The Panthers have won six straight overall (4-2 ATS) and come in to this one off their bye week. Back on Nov. 14, they beat Notre Dame 27-22 in Pittsburgh but came up just short as 5½-point favorites.
The Panthers are averaging 35 points a game this season and racking up 465.3 yards per contest over the last three, including 218 ypg on the ground. They are No. 19 in the country for points allowed, giving up just 17.6 points a game, and the defense leads the nation in sacks, totaling 41 to this point in the season.
West Virginia is also coming off its bye, but the Mountaineers dropped two of three (SU and ATS) before the week off. They fell in Cincinnati 24-21 and cashed as 9½-point underdogs on Nov. 13, but they’d failed to cover in four straight prior and six of the previous seven. The Mountaineers struggles have come on defense where they allow 220.7 yards per game through the air and 21.2 points per game.
The Panthers have won the last two in this rivalry, including a stunning 13-9 upset in Morgantown in 2007 as whopping 28½-point underdogs, a result that kept West Virginia from getting a berth in the national championship game. Last year Pitt scored a 19-15 home victory as three-point underdogs.
Pittsburgh is on ATS runs of 6-1 in Big East play, 10-4 on the road, 5-0 after a non-cover and 5-0 on Fridays. Meanwhile, West Virginia is on ATS slides of 0-4 at home, 0-7 at home against teams with winning road marks, 2-7 in Big East games, 2-5 after their bye week and 2-8 against winning teams.
For the Panthers, the “under” is on runs of 5-1 overall, 6-1 in conference play, 9-2 after a non-cover and 4-1 in November contests. The Mountaineers have topped the total in 17 of 24 November contests and eight of 10 coming off a bye week, but they are on “under” runs of 5-2 in Big East action and 4-1 on Fridays. The “under” has been the play in the last two series clashes in five of the last eight.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PITTSBURGH
Temple (9-2, 8-2 ATS) at Ohio (8-3, 7-4 ATS)
The Mid-American Conference’s East Division is up for grabs as Temple travels to Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio, to take on the Bobcats.
The Owls have a one-game lead in the conference standings over Ohio, with the winner today grabbing the berth in next week’s MAC title game against Central Michigan.
Temple has won nine straight (7-2 ATS) and crushed Kent State 47-13 last week, easily covering as a 10-point home favorite. The Owls got 156 yards rushing from Matt Brown and two touchdowns and returned an interception for a touchdown. They are averaging 45.7 points and 252.3 rushing yards per game in their last three.
Ohio has won three straight (2-1 ATS) and six of seven overall (5-2 ATS), including Saturday’s 38-31 home win over Northern Illinois, cashing as a 1½-point favorite to keep its division title hopes alive. The Bobcats used a punt return and an interception return to put points on the board and QB Theo Scott threw three scoring strikes to take down Northern Illinois.
These teams have split their two all-time meetings the last two years, with Temple scoring a 14-10 win last year, pushing as a four-point favorite, and Ohio getting a 23-7 home victory in 2007, cashing as a nine-point chalk.
Temple is on a plethora of ATS streaks, including 20-8-1 overall, 19-7-1 in MAC contests, 5-0 on the road, 5-1 on Fridays, 4-1 as a road favorite and 6-2 as a favorite. Ohio hasn’t been bad at the betting window wither, currently riding ATS runs of 7-2 overall, 7-2 in conference play, 5-0 on Fridays, 6-2 against winning teams and 4-1 as an underdog.
The Owls are on “over” streaks of 5-2 on the road, 6-0 overall, 4-0 as a favorite, 6-1 in November games and 4-0 after a spread-cover. Meanwhile, the Bobcats have stayed under the posted number in four of five at home, but topped the total in four of five as ‘dogs and four straight in November action.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
(2) Alabama (11-0, 7-3 ATS) at Auburn (7-4, 5-6 ATS)
The Crimson Tide roll into Jordan Hare Stadium to take on Auburn in the annual Iron Bowl, with Alabama trying to stay focused on the Tigers before next weekend’s SEC Championship Game against top-ranked Florida.
Alabama fields the most dominant defense in the country, allowing just 9.9 points, 225.2 total yards and 70.5 rushing yards per game (all good for second-best in the country) and 154.6 passing ypg (No. 5 in the country). The Crimson Tide tuned up for this game with a 45-0 rout of Division I-AA Chattanooga on Saturday in a non-lined game.
The Alabama offense is led by Heisman Trophy candidate Mark Ingram, who has rushed for 1,399 yards and 12 TDs and caught 25 passes for 225 yards and three scores. The sophomore has topped the 100-yard rushing mark in each of his last three games, averaging 9.3 yards a carry and scoring twice against Chattanooga on Saturday.
Auburn has lost four of its last six contests (1-5 ATS) but had last weekend off to get ready for this one. In their most recent contest, the Tigers went to Georgia and fell 31-24 on Nov. 14, coming up short as a four-point underdog. Auburn’s defense has been getting torched for 27 points and 359.2 yards per outing this season. Offensively, the Tigers have been especially dominant at home, amassing 496.6 total ypg and 246 rushing ypg.
The Crimson Tide snapped a six-game Iron Bowl losing streak (2-4 ATS) last year with a 36-0 drubbing at home, easily cashing as a 14½-point favorite. The straight-up winner in this rivalry has gotten the cash in eight of the last 10 meetings. Alabama is 5-2 ATS in its last seven trips to Auburn, but the home team is on a 4-1 ATS roll in this series, with the favorite a perfect 4-0 ATS the last four years.
It’s been all positives at the betting window lately for Alabama, including runs of 9-3 against SEC teams, 8-1 on the road, 6-1 in November, 12-5 as a favorite, 6-0 as a road favorite and 11-5 after a straight-up win. The Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last five as a home ‘dog, but otherwise they’re on negative pointspread trends of 1-5 overall, 2-10 after a non-cover, 1-4 in SEC action, 1-4 in November and 1-7 after a straight-up loss.
Alabama is on several “under” streaks, including 8-2 in November, 8-2 in SEC contests, 5-1 overall, 5-1 as a favorite and 34-11-1 when favored by 10½ points or more. Auburn has topped the total in six of seven at home, and seven of 11 overall, but it is also on “under” runs of 16-7-1 in SEC action, 7-3 as a home ‘dog and 4-1-1 in November. Finally, the “under” is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these two rivals.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ALABAMA and UNDER
Illinois (3-7 SU and ATS) at (5) Cincinnati (10-0, 6-4 ATS)
With a showdown for the Big East conference championship looming next week at Pittburgh, the home-standing Bearcats will try to avoid a letdown and dispose of struggling Illinois in a non-conference matchup at Nippert Stadium.
Despite its perfect record, Cincinnati comes into today only a half-game ahead of Pitt in the Big East standings. The Bearcats will travel to Pittsburgh on Dec. 5 in the much-anticipated battle for the league crown and automatic BCS Bowl berth.
Cincinnati’s Tony Pike will return to the starting QB spot today for the first time since Oct. 15. Before suffering an injury to his non-throwing forearm, Pike threw for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions in six games, and he leads an offense that’s ranked sixth nationally in scoring at 38.4 points per game. The Bearcats are also in the top 10 in passing offense, but they can also run the ball, as sophomore RB Isaiah Pead showed two weeks ago when he racked up 175 yards rushing on 18 carries in a 24-21 home win over West Virginia, failing to cover as 9½-point favorites.
Illinois dropped six of its first seven games – with the one win coming against Division I-AA Illinois State – but the Illini have since won two of their last three, with conference victories against Michigan (38-13 as a seven-point home underdog) and Minnesota (35-32 as a 6½-point road pup). QB Juice Williams has had a miserable senior season for Illinois, throwing for just 1,139 yards with six TDs and five INTs. Illinois has scored 17 points or less in seven of its last nine outings, including a 21-16 home loss to Northwestern as a six-point favorite on Nov. 14.
This is the first-even meeting between these two schools.
The Illini have cashed in four of their last five games as road ‘dogs, but otherwise they are on ATS slides of 3-10 overall, 2-5 on the road, 11-27 after a non-cover, 1-4 in November and 1-10 in non-conference action. Cincinnati is 3-1-1 ATS after a bye week, but on ATS skids of 1-4 in non-conference games, 2-5 as a home favorite and 1-5 at home against teams with losing road records.
Illinois has topped the total in seven of nine as a road ‘dog, but it is on “under” streaks of 5-1 overall, 5-1-1 after a non-cover and 13-6 on the road against teams with a winning home record. The Bearcats have gone “over” the posted number in 10 of their last 14 November games and five straight after a bye week, but they are on “under” runs of 6-2 overall, 4-1 in Big Ten games, 6-0 at home against teams with a losing road record and 4-0 in non-conference action.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CINCINNATI and UNDER
Nevada (8-3, 6-5 ATS) at (6) Boise State (11-0, 8-3 ATS)
The top two teams in the Western Athletic Conference square off on the “Smurf Turf” at Bronco Stadium, as red-hot Nevada takes on unbeaten Boise State in the most anticipated conference game of the season.
Nevada leads the WAC at 7-0, a half-game ahead of Boise State as the Broncos have one league contest remaining next week at lowly New Mexico State. The Broncos are looking for not only a WAC title but also an at-large berth in a BCS bowl game.
The Wolf Pack have college football’s No. 1 rushing offense (373.8 yards per game) and second-ranked overall offense (534.8 total yards per contest). Nevada, winners of eight straight (6-2 ATS), averages 41.3 points a game on the season, including 55.6 ppg over the last five. The Wolf Pack have scored 52 or more points in each of their last three games (3-0 ATS) while the defense has held the opposition to 20 points or less in those three.
Nevada went to New Mexico State on Saturday and scored a 63-20 win as 30½-point favorites. The Wolf Pack rushed for 581 yards in the win with three players topping the 100-yard mark in Luke Lippincott (19 carries for 162 yards), Vai Taua (13 carries for 126 yards) and QB Colin Kaepernick (nine carries for 114 yards). All three of those players have more than 1,000 rushing yards on the season, an NCAA record for one team..
Boise State, winners of 56 straight on its crazy home field, is looking for a least a share of its sixth WAC title in the last eight years. The Broncos lead the nation at 44.4 points per game and are in the Top 10 in total offense (456 ypg), thanks to QB Kellen Moore, who is second in the nation with 33 touchdown passes against just three interceptions. A week ago tonight, Moore’s offense rushed for a season-high 323 yards in a 52-21 win over Utah State, with the Broncos cashing as a 22-point favorite. Doug Martin had a team-high 121 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 13 carries while Jeremy Avery added two more scores on the ground.
Boise State has a nine-game winning streak (8-1 ATS) against Nevada, including last year’s 41-34 win in Reno, narrowly cashing as a 6½-point favorite. However, last time these two met in Boise, it was a four-overtime thriller that the Broncos ended up winning 69-67, but they came nowhere near covering the 25-point line. In this rivalry, the favorite is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings, while the road team has cashed in four of the last five.
Nevada is on ATS runs of 4-1 overall, 5-2 in November and 4-1 after a straight-up win, but it is on ATS skids of 2-5 on the road, 1-6 as an underdog, 0-5 on the road against teams with winning home records and 6-13 as a road ‘dog. Boise State is on a plethora of positive ATS trends, including 20-8-1 overall, 44-18-2 at home, 18-7-1 as a favorite, 31-10-2 in November, 7-1 in WAC games and 4-1 on Fridays.
The Wolf Pack have stayed “under” the total in four straight Friday outings, but they’re otherwise on “over” streaks of 7-3 versus WAC teams, 5-2 on the road, 5-1 in November and 9-3 following a straight-up win. The Broncos are on “under” runs of 5-1 at home and 4-1 as a home favorite, but they have topped the total in four of five overall, seven of eight within the WAC and five straight on Friday. Finally, these two have easily gone “over” the number in the last two series clashes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
The Backyard Brawl
By AllStar.com
West Virginia (7-3, 3-2 Big East) faces Pitt (9-1, 5-0) Friday night in primetime on ESPN 2 in the 102nd edition of the Backyard Brawl, one of college football's longest rivalries. These two campuses are separated by 75 miles of interstate highway and West Virginia is a home dog in this year’s version of what is one of the most underrated rivalries in college football.
The Mountaineers are trying to snap a two-game losing streak to the Panthers, who on their last trip to Morgantown pulled a shocking 13-9 upset to knock WVU out of the 2007 national championship game. West Virginia can't do that type of damage to Pitt this season, even on a smaller scale. The Panthers will play Cincinnati on Dec. 5 for the Big East championship and the league's automatic BCS bowl berth regardless of the outcome of Friday's Brawl. The Mountaineers can, though, frustrate the Panthers on the eve of that league showdown and reclaim some of their swagger after a season of lost opportunities.
Pittsburgh was favored by many in the pre season polls to win the Big East but this weekend’s trip to West Virginia for the “Backyard Brawl” has significant meaning because a win allows the Panthers to play the undefeated No. 5 Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5th at home for the Big East Championship. The Big East has proven to be a tough, competitive conference all season and The Panthers had better not look past the next door neighbor and rival Mountaineers or a the entire 2009 season could go up in flames in Morgantown.
Quarterbacks: Pitt QB Bill Stull has exhibited vast improvement this season. Stull is the nation's No. 4 QB in terms of passing efficiency. Pitt tries to keep things simple in the passing game, giving QB Stull a simple progression in his reads. It begins with WR Jonathan Baldwin and ends with TE Dorin Dickerson, who has 10 TDs. In between there are a number of talented other receivers. Stull has been careful with the ball, throwing 18 TDs and only four interceptions. The senior QB leads the Big East with 211.5 passing yards per game. Against West Virginia last year, Stull went 12 of 23 for 156 yards with two interceptions, a fumble and two drives inside the West Virginia 10 that didn't produce points.
WVU's 6-foot-4, 223-pound QB Jarrett Brown is a good athlete and can make plays with his feet or with his arm. Brown is currently more likely to do damage through the air. Brown has passed for 1,849 yards and 11 touchdowns this season while rushing for 366 yards and five touchdowns on 87 carries. Brown is West Virginia's second-leading rusher, but his season high was 73 yards against East Carolina in the second game of the season. Brown is going to have to be at his best against Pitt. Brown‘s greatest skill is his mobility, and that is crucial against a Pitt team that presents a strong pass rush. If Brown can keep his sacks to two or fewer, he might be able to make some big plays while on the move. The Mountaineers have failed to reach 200 passing yards in four of the last five games, averaging just over 160 yards passing per game during that span.
Running backs: Pitt RB Dion Lewis. Lewis enters Friday’s game against UWU as the Big East’s leading rusher and is third nationally at 131.4 yards per game. Lewis has rushed for a Big East Conference-best 1,291 yards and 13 touchdowns. Lewis is averaging 5.76 yards per carry. The Panthers use a strong offensive line and a lead blocker in 260-pound FB Henry Hynoski to open lanes for super frosh RB Lewis and his talented backup, Ray Graham.
West Virginia’s Junior RB Noel Devine is a freak type talent and The Mountaineers are hoping that a week off has allowed his hamstring, hip and ankle heal up so that he can be at full speed against a team that has put the shackles on him over the past two years. Pitt has held Devine to only 28 yards on 19 carries in two games. Devine, has gone a month without a 100-yard rushing effort after recording five in his first seven contests. Devine has gained only 42, 56 and 88 yards in the past three games, far below his average. WVU’s Head Coach Bill Stewart said Devine gave no indication of whether he will be anyway near full speed for Pitt.
Wide Receivers: Pitt tight end Dorin Dickerson, whose 10 TD passes, 43 receptions for 496 yards are second among the nations tight ends is one of three players named finalists for the John Mackey Award, which annually goes to the nation's best tight end. WR Jonathan Baldwin, is one of the great game-breakers in college football, and there are a number of talented other receivers. WR Baldwin a deep threat against shorter corners will probably force WVU to do some double-teaming in the secondary, which could widen the running lanes for RB Dion Lewis and open the under routes for TE Dorin Dickerson.
WVU’s Slot Back Jock Sanders needs to average the 6.2 catches per game in the final three games to break the schools reception record of 77 catches set by David Sanders and Shawn Foreman. Alric Arnett has 33receptions for 463 yards and 3TD’s and Bradley Starks has 24 receptions for 359 yards and 2 TD’s.
Defenses: Pitt does not have a defensive weakness. The Panthers are solid against the run with a strong front seven and especially are tough with their front four and solid line-backing corps. The secondary is strong and CB Aaron Berry is a star. The Panthers lead the nation, averaging 4.0 sacks per game. If they can control the line of scrimmage and force QB Jarrett Brown out of the pocket without help, it will allow the linebackers to concentrate on the running of Noel Devine, who has not hurt Pitt at all over the last two seasons.
The Mountaineers defense has sprung a leak after allowing only one 100-yard rusher in their first seven games. They've given up three straight big rushing performances since. Lewis ran for 152 yards in a 27-22 win over Notre Dame and leads the Big East with 1,291 yards. So it might be the worst time of the year for No. 8 Pitt and true freshman running back Dion Lewis to come to town. WVU’s 6-5 safety Robert Sands may play a big role in the game, Sands is leading the team with four interceptions.
Team Notes: The Mountaineers are 60-2 since 2000 when scoring 30 or more points but have gone five games without scoring 30 and have lost two of them. WVU is 6-0 at home this season with all three of its losses coming on the road. WVU lost at home only once last year, in overtime to Cincinnati, and has not lost two home games in a season since 2003.
Pitt has only nine turnovers all season, five fumbles and four interceptions, to rank third in the country in that department.
The Mountaineers are 2-2 in the games in which they allow an opposing rusher to gain 100 yards. There were only three 100-yard rushers against the Mountaineers all of last season.
SERIES HISTORY: Pittsburgh leads, 61-37-3. (Last meeting in 2008, 19-15, Pitt).
KEYS TO THE GAME: West Virginia at night is a hostile environment. For Pitt to beat West Virginia, it is important to take the crowd out of the game early. Controlling the tempo of the game with the running game is important, with QB Bill Stull mixing in some deep passes to WR Jonathan Baldwin to keep the Mountaineers from crowding the line of scrimmage against RB Dion Lewis. Defensively, Pitt must continue to control WVU RB Noel Devine.
Injuries: Pitt: Aaron Berry DB Probable Shoulder, Tony Tucker DE Out Personal, Andrew Taglianetti DB Out Knee.
WVU: None
Betting Trends:
Pitt is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games
West Virginia is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
West Virginia is 2-8 ATS against a team with a winning record
The UNDER is 5-1 in Pitt’s last 6 games
NCAA Football News and Notes
Best Games
Underdog won SU in five of last seven Pitt-West Virginia games, which is a big rivalry, with Pitt winning last two year, 19-15/13-9. WVa is 6-5 in last 11 series games, scoring 45+ points in five of the six wins. Pitt is 3-1 on road this year; they've won last six games overall, with nine INTs in its last three games (+6). Mountaineers lost two of last three games. Big East home dogs are 2-6. Five of last six Pitt tilts stayed under total.
Favorite covered last four Iron Bowls; Bama's 36-0 win LY ended their 6-game series losing streak. Alabama is in SEC title game next week, but needs win here to remain in national title hunt; they're 6-3-1 vs spread as a favorite this year. Auburn lost four of last five vs D-I teams; they are 2-2 as a dog in '09. Alabama outscored opponents 163-56 in second half of games. Four of last five Crimson Tide games stayed under total. SEC home underdogs are 6-8 vs spread.
Nevada won its last eight games (6-2 vs spread), averaging 51.6 ppg and 446 rushing yards/game; this is same team that started season 0-3, losing 35-0 to Notre Dame, 35-20 to Colorado State. Wolf Pack lost last nine to Boise, with 38-7 loss least amount of points they allowed in those nine. Broncos are 4-0 as a home favorite in 2009; they scored 45+ points in each of last five games. Six of last eight Boise games went over total. WAC home favorites are 11-7 vs spread.
Rest of card
-- Louisville is 2-5 vs spread in last seven games as dog; they won three in row at home. Rutgers was awful in 31-13 loss at Syracuse last week, their first loss in four road games; under is 6-1 in their last seven games.
-- Eastern Michigan is 0-11 (2-7 vs spread in last nine); they allowed 49 ppg in last four. Akron lost eight of last nine games, with its only win 28-20 over rival Kent State. Last three Zip games went over total.
-- Kent State allowed 19 or less points in its five wins, 28+ in its losses; they threw nine INTs in last five games. Buffalo scored average of 31.5 ppg in last four games, but lost three of four. MAC home dogs are 8-13.
-- Colorado State lost last eight games (1-7 vs spread) yet they're favored for fourth time in last five games; they're 0-4 as fave in '09. Wyoming lost four of last five games; they're 3-1-1 as road underdog this season.
-- Winner of Temple-Ohio U game goes to MAC title game next week; Owls won last nine games, are 4-0 on road since losing at Penn State on 9/19. Ohio U won six of last seven games; they're 2-1 as underdog.
-- Tulsa lost last six games (favored in three of last five); they have a -8 turnover ratio in last three games, allowing 46-44-44 points. Memphis is in tank since firing coach; they covered one of their last eight games.
-- Cincinnati is 10-0, angling for BCS bowl; they have huge Big East tilt with Pitt next week. Bearcats are 1-3 vs spread as home favorite. Illinois covered its last three games as dog. Big 11 non-conference dogs are 6-2.
-- Nebraska won last four games since 8-turnover debacle vs Iowa State; Huskers allowed 33 points in the four wins, are 3-1 on road, winning all three by 10+. Colorado's last three games were decided by 11 points.
-- Bowling Green won last three games, scoring 30-35-36 points; they've covered last three tries as favorite. Toledo lost three of last four games-- they're 2-3 as underdog. Eight of eleven Toledo games went over total.
-- Central Michigan has MAC title game next week; they covered five in a row as a favorite. Northern Illinois had 4-game win streak snapped at Ohio last week; they're 2-0 as underdog. MAC home faves are 14-9.