NCAAF News and Notes Saturday 10/30

"TRUST in TRESS...ATS!"
By Will Cover

Coach Tressel was born to be a football coach. His father, Lee, was an outstanding head coach in the State of Ohio. First, at the high school level at renowned Massillon where Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, the legendary Paul Brown got his start and then at Division III Baldwin-Wallace College where he won a National Championship and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Jim was the starting QB for his Dad at B-W in his senior year and went on to a coaching career that includes four Division I-AA National Titles at Youngstown State before taking over at Ohio State.

With his SU and ATS 38-10 (-23) win over Indiana, the "Vest" recorded his 100th win against just 21 losses at The Ohio State University, hitting the century mark faster than any coach in the history of Buckeye football, and that includes a man by the name of Wayne Woodrow Hayes. In fact, only Fielding Yost and Bo Schembechler of rival Michigan reached 100 wins faster in the long history of the Big Ten Conference.

I am certainly impressed with the job that Tressel has done during his ten-year tenure in Columbus, but one must also take notice of his outstanding performance "Against the Spread" as the head coach of the Bucks.

So far this season, OSU stands 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS...that's a fine 75 % winning clip ATS and we will take that any day. Add this year's 6-2 spread record to his previous ATS record at Ohio State and we find that Tress is covering at an excellent 63% rate over the last 10-years!

Last year, the Buckeyes went 9-3-1 ATS and have gone 46-23-1 ATS since 2005, that's an outstanding 66% against "the number" with the vast majority of those games as the chalk. You don't want to bet against Tressel on the road, as Jimmy has gone an incredible 18-6 ATS last 24 away from Columbus!

Get Bucks when you GO with the BUCKS!

Code Red CFB System of the Week
By Cajun Sports

Last week’s College Football System of the Week suffered a tough loss with Northwestern failing to cover versus Michigan State. NU jumped out to a 17 to 0 lead and our underdog was looking good. MSU was able to cut into the lead with a touchdown before the half ended making the score 17 to 7. It was downhill for us after that with the Wildcats losing 35 to 27 falling short of the cover losing by eight with a five-point line.

This week we look at teams coming off an embarrassing loss on the road in a weekday primetime affair. Home teams under the right conditions have been determined to give a much better showing and bounce back with a solid performance in their next game.

System: Play ON a Saturday home team (not an underdog of 26+ points) with 7+ days rest off a non-Saturday road SU loss of 25+ points. This system has a record of 15-0 SU winning by an average of 28.1 points per game and 14-0-1 ATS covering by an average of 16.6 points per game since 2000.

Our system has been active twice this season the first occurrence was on September 18 when UTEP hosted New Mexico State. Prior to this meeting UTEP traveled to Houston for a weeknight game and lost 54 to 24 as a 20-point road underdog. The system predicted a bounce back against New Mexico State and it delivered with UTEP winning 42 to 10 as a 15-point home favorite.

The second time the system was active this season was on October 16 when UAB hosted UTEP after going on the road and losing at Central Florida in a weeknight primetime affair 42 to 7 as an 11.5-point road underdog. The qualifying team delivered once again with UAB defeating UTEP 21 to 6 as a 3-point home favorite.

On Thursday October 21, UCLA traveled to the Pacific Northwest for a primetime meeting against the host Oregon Ducks as a 26.5-point road underdog. The outcome was certainly ugly for the Bruins as they were completely embarrassed losing 60 to 13 in front of a nationwide TV audience.

After taking that type of beating, they return home and order a Code Red, their next opponent becomes a victim, one that absorbs unrelenting punishment for the embarrassment these warriors suffered while everyone watched.

This week the system qualifies the UCLA Bruins in their meeting against the Arizona Wildcats in LA. The system seeks its third victory this season and the Bruins call for a Code Red against the Wildcats on Saturday.

NCAAF Saturday Preview

Highlighted games

Home teams won eight of last nine Michigan State-Iowa games; dogs are 4-1 vs spread in last five. State lost last four visits to Iowa by 7-22-8-5 points (underdogs 4-0 vs spread). Hawkeyes are +11 in turnovers over last six games- they allowed 28-31 points in last two games. Spartans fell behind in last two games, but outscored foes 51-10 in second half to win both-- undefeated team getting a TD? Interesting.

Home team lost last four Kentucky-Miss State games; Wildcats are 3-1 in last four visits here, winning 14-13/34-31 in last two visits. Underdogs are 4-1 vs spread in last five series games. Kentucky lost four of last five games, giving up 39.8 ppg; they're 0-2 as road dog this year. Last seven Kentucky games went over the total. Bulldogs won last five games after barely getting by UAB last week. SEC home favorites are 12-6.

Auburn won eight of last ten games vs Ole Miss, with dogs covering 3 of last 4 meetings; Tigers are 5-1 in last six visits here, but only one of their five wins there was by more than eight points. Auburn has 1,071 yards on ground in last three games; they're 2-0 on road, beating Miss State and Kentucky, both by a FG. Over is 4-1 in last five Auburn games, 3-1 in last four Ole Miss tilts. All three Ole Miss SEC losses are by 13+ pts.

Baylor became bowl eligible last week; will go bowling for first time in 16 years, but they've lost to Texas 12 straight times, with last 11 all by 21+ points. Last time Longhorns were single digit series favorite, Bears did upset them. Baylor lost last six visits here (4-2 vs spread); favorites are 6-1 vs spread in their '10 games, with Bears 0-2 as underdog. Baylor's last four games all went over the total.

Georgia won its last three games, Florida lost its last three, but Gators are 10-2 in last 12 series games and they had last week off. Average total in last three renewals of this neutral field rivalry is 63.0. Georgia was last a series favorite in 2004; over last 13 years, they're 1-2 as series favorite. Dawgs scored 41-43-44 points in last three games, hitting their stride as soon as star WR Green became eligible. Florida has been outgained on the ground in last three games by disturbing 544-323 margin.

East Carolina won last four games vs Central Florida; underdogs covered four of last five series games. Three of last four series totals were 33 or less. Pirates won last two visits here, 13-10/23-10. UCF won three in a row, outscoring foes 118-35; they outscored last five opponents 79-10 in first half. Five of seven ECU games went over the total. Home faves are 10-5-1 in Conference USA games this season.

Oklahoma State WR Blackmon is suspended for this game after his DUI arrest, second year in row Gundy had to suspend a star WR; home team won five of last six series games, with Cowboys losing last three visits to Little Apple, 31-27/44-9/52-20. OSU scored 88 points in winning road games at ULL, Texas Tech. Big 12 home underdogs are 2-8 vs spread. Last three K-State games went over the total.

Favorites covered last four Missouri-Nebraska games; last 11 games in series were all decided by 11+ points, with Mizzou 1-5 in last six visits here. Tigers are 2-0 as underdog this year; they outscored last four foes 80-17 in first half. Cornhuskers allowed 601 rushing yards in last couple games; they've scored 48+ points in four of six games against I-A teams. Mizzou is only allowing teams to run ball for 71.8 yards/game.

Texas A&M lost seven of last nine games vs Texas Tech, with dogs 5-2 vs spread in last seven; Tech won three of last four trips here, with dogs 4-2 vs spread in their six visits. Red Raiders are on road for fourth time in last five weeks; they're -6 in turnovers last four games. Aggies ended a 3-game skid last week, winning big at Kansas; they're 2-2 as favorite this year. Big 12 home favorites are 3-5-1 against the spread.

Oregon State is 9-2 in last 11 games vs California, winning last three by 17-13-3 points; favorites are 4-0 vs spread in Bears' last four visits here, with Cal 2-4 in last six (all four losses by 9+ points). Bears are 0-3 away from home, 3-0 at home, losing road games at Nevada (52-31), Arizona (10-9) and USC (48-14). Beavers' last three games were all decided by 3 or less points; they had last week off after OT loss at Washington.

Underdogs are 10-1 vs spread in last 11 Air Force-Utah games; Utes are 4-1 in last five visits here, but dogs are 4-1 vs spread in those games. Air Force lost last two games, getting waxed 38-7 by TCU last week; their other two losses were by total of five points. Six of Utah's last seven wins in series were by 7 or less points- they beat Falcons in OT in LY's meeting. MWC home teams are 11-5 vs spread in conference games.

Michigan won four of last five visits to Penn State, with favorites 3-0 vs spread in last three, but Wolverines lost the last two years to Penn State, 35-10/46-17, after winning previous nine series games. Michigan lost last two games after 5-0 start; they've allowed 35-34-38 points in last three games, with three of their last four games going over total. Penn State got outscored 34-12 in second half of their last three games- they're 0-2 as a dog this year. Big 11 home underdogs are 5-3 vs spread.

Oregon is 7-0, scoring 49.3 ppg in last four games; they're 3-0 on road, winning 48-13 at Tennessee (-11), 42-31 at Arizona State (-11), 43-23 at Washington State (-36). Ducks are 6-4 in its last ten games vs USC, with favorites covering seven of last nine series games. Oregon lost last couple visits here, 44-10/35-10. 5-2 Trojans scored 31+ points six times in their seven games, losing 32-31 to Washington (-10), 37-35 at Stanford (+9.5). Last four Oregon games went over the total.

Rest of the Card

-- Cincinnati won last five games vs Syracuse (4-1 vs spread); Orange lost last three visits here, 30-10/17-3/12-10. Average total in last seven series games is 37.7. Orange has upset USF, West Virginia this year.
-- Southern Miss won nine of last 10 games vs UAB, winning last four here by average score of 31-14. Over is 3-1-1 in Blazers' last five games. Average total in last five series games is 57.
-- Purdue won last five games vs Illinois, winning last two games here by 42-31/38-30 scores; dogs covered five of last seven in series. Illini scored three TDs on defense in its last three games.
-- Miami is 4-2 in last six games vs Virginia; dogs covered five of last six in series. Canes are 2-1 in last three visits here, winning by 7-10 points. Virginia is 0-3 vs spread in ACC games, losing by 20-12-34 points.
-- Favorite covered four of last five Pitt-Louisville games, with favorites covering last two played here. Cardinals are +9 in turnovers in last four games. Favorites are 5-1 vs spread in Louisville's 2010 games.

-- Northwestern won five of last six games vs Indiana, with four of six decided by 4 or less points; dogs covered last four series games. Indiana lost three of its last four games, allowing average of 39.3 ppg.
-- Clemson is 0-2 on road, losing at Auburn, North Carolina. BC lost last five games (1-4 vs spread); they're 1-3 as a dog this season, 0-2 at home, with losses by 19 (Va Tech), 18 (Notre Dame), 3 (Maryland).
-- Wake Forest won three of last four vs Maryland, after losing seven in row before that. Dogs covered four of last five in series. Terps returned punt for TD in each of their home games, both wins (FAU/Duke).
-- Northern Illinois won its last five games, all by 11+ points; they're 4-0 as a favorite this year, and 5-1 as fave in this series. NIU's last four wins in this series all came by 21+ points.
-- Favorites are 3-0-1 vs spread in last four Tennessee-So Carolina tilts; Vols are 11-2 in series, with losses by 1-21 points, but they've lost five of last six games, losing last two games 41-14 and 41-10.

-- Vanderbilt actually won its last visit here, 28-24 after losing 21-19 at home in previous meeting (Vandy covered both). Arkansas gave up total of 59 second half points in last two games, allowing 515 rushing yards.
-- Iowa State upset Texas last week after giving up 120 points in losing previous two games; average total in last four series games is 62. Kansas lost its last three games by an average score of 53-8.
-- Akron is 0-8; they're 2-2 as road dog, but are -8 in turnovers last three games; they lost last three games vs Temple by 56-17/27-6/24-20 scores. Three of last four Akron games went over the total.
-- Ball State won last three games vs Kent State, 41-20/30-6/34-17; dogs covered three of last four series games. Kent split last four games (led all four at half). Last four Ball State games went over the total.
-- San Diego State lost last three visits to Wyoming; average total in last five series games, 51.8. Underdogs are 4-2 vs spread in last six games of series. Dogs covered four of Aztecs' last five games overall.

-- Tough week at Notre Dame, where manager died while filming practice in a high tower in horrific winds; hard to know what effect that has here. Three of four Irish wins this season are by 11+ points.
-- Home faves covered last three UTEP-Marshall games; Herd lost three games in row, allowing 37.7 ppg. Marshall was outscored 62-17 in first half of last three games; their only win this year was 24-23 over Ohio.
-- SMU lost six of last eight games vs Tulane, with last four all decided by 7 or less points (dogs covered the last three). Four of last five Tulane games went over total, with average total in last three, 66.0.
-- Favorites covered last three Bowling Green-Central Michigan games. Falcons lost last five games (1-4 vs spread), getting outscored 69-15 in 1st half of last three. Chippewas also lost their last five games.
-- Stanford won four of last five games vs Washington; underdogs are 4-0 vs spread in their last four trips to Seattle, with Cardinal winning the last two by 7-17 points. Huskies allowed 37.8 ppg in last five games.

-- Arizona won last three games vs UCLA by 14-21-7 points; favorites are 5-0 vs spread in Wildcats' last five visits here. Arizona won both its road games this year, 41-2 at Toledo (-15), 24-7 at Washington St (-23).
-- Colorado lost QB Hansen last week, turns to backup QB Hawkins to save his dad's job; Buffs just lost winnable home games by 5-3 points. Oklahoma won five of last six series games, winning last two played here 24-3/27-11. Buffs are 0-2 as road dog, losing 52-7/26-0.
-- Miami OH lost 42-17/37-17 in last two games vs Buffalo, after taking previous nine series games. Bulls are 1-5 vs I-A teams, were outscored in secind half of last two games, 38-0. Last three Miami tilts stayed under.
-- Navy won four of last five games vs Duke, which lost last two visits here, 46-43/27-12; Blue Devils are -13 in turnovers last four games, 1-1-1 as road dog this year, losing on foreign soil by 6-5-37 points. Only one of five Navy wins this year was by more than 14 points.
-- Toledo is 9-1 in last 10 games vs Eastern Michigan, winning last three by 26-24-24 points; favorites are 6-1 vs spread in last seven series tilts. Five of last six EMU games went over the total.

-- Nevada won last five games vs Utah State, winning 44-17/42-0 in last two played here; Wolf Pack covered last two times they spotted Aggies 20+ points (0-6 if they gave them less than 20). Nevada failed to cover its last three games as a favorite.
-- San Jose State won last five games vs New Mexico State, covering last five trips here (won 31-14/31-21 in last two). Aggies are 0-2 as a home dog, losing 41-21 to San Diego State, 59-0 to Boise State. Last four New Mexico State games stayed under total.
-- Underdog covered last 10 New Mexico-Colorado State games, winning seven of 10 SU; Lobos are 2-3 in last five visits to Fort Collins, losing by 14-8-3 points. Lobos are 0-3 on road in '10, losing by average of 44-8.
-- Arizona State won last six games vs Washington State, with dogs 4-0 vs spread in last four; Sun Devils are 1-4 vs I-A teams this year- they're -10 in turnovers last four games. Wazzu covered its last four games.

-- Memphis was outscored 79-13 in first half of last three games, losing last two home games by combined 89-26. Tigers allowed 773 yards on ground in last three games. Houston is 0-2 as road favorite, is using its 3rd-string QB. Underdogs are 3-1 in Houston's last four visits here.
-- Ohio State won last seven games vs Minnesota, covering five; they've won last five visits here (4-1 vs spread). Gophers are 0-4 at home, but none of the losses were by more than 12 points (2-1 as home dog).
-- TCU won last six games vs UNLV, covering five; Frogs won last three visits here, 44-14/25-10/41-18. Rebels were outscored 97-24 in first half of last three games; they allowed 44-49-43 points in last three games.
-- Hawai'i won five of last six games vs Idaho; favorites covered four of last five in series. Vandals lost last three visits here, 49-17/68-10/52-21. Hawai'i won its last five games, picking off 12 enemy passes.

-- UL-Lafayette allowed 46.3 ppg in its last three games; five of their last seven games went over total. Sun Belt road underdogs are 7-9 vs spread in non-conference games. ULL lost 31-23 here three years ago.
-- North Texas won last three games vs Western Kentucky by 19-1-11 points, with average total of 87 in those games. WKU snapped 25-game losing streak last week. UNT is 1-3-1 as an underdog this year.
-- Home side won last six Troy-ULMonroe games; Trojans lost last two visits here, 31-30/27-3. ULM is just 6-32 on 3rd down last two games, and was outscored 45-10 in first half of those games.
-- Florida Int'l lost last four games vs Florida Atlantic; favorites are 4-1 vs spread in last five, with average total of 78.0 in last three. FAU lost its last five games, with three of the losses by 13+ points.

Big 10 Football Preview
By Tom Stryker

Planning on purchasing Rose Bowl tickets after the action this week in the Big Ten? Don’t do it. There are too many games involving high-power teams and the chase for the title is still up for grabs. Only unbeaten Michigan State can control its own Big Ten – and maybe BCS destiny after the Spartans came from behind to beat Northwestern and move to 8-0 for the season. Michigan State is ranked 5th in the polls this week.

Let’s take a look at this week’s games.

Purdue at ILLINOIS

Coach Ron Zook is getting some impressive play from his young Illini team, 4-3 and 2-2. After beating Indiana handily last week, the Illinois defense should have a field day against injury-battered Purdue, 4-3, 2-1. The NCAA shows that Illinois has played the toughest schedule in the nation at this point of the season, and Purdue should not be much of a test. The three Illinois losses were to teams with a combined record of 22-1.

Illinois has only allowed 17.7 points per game, 15th nationally, and the Illini are 18th in rushing defense at 112.4 yards per game. Purdue has all kinds of problems on offense, losing during the season its top wide receiver, its starting quarterback and its top running back.

Purdue has won five straight from Illinois, but redshirt freshman QB Rob Henry will have to have the game of his young career to hurt the Illini. Henry is the first quarterback in modern time to lead Purdue in rushing three times in the same season. There is a chance that Henry might not go against Illinois too. Rob hurt the right index finger (laceration and lost the fingernail) on his throwing hand last week against Ohio State. If he has trouble, the Boilers will turn to freshman Sean Robinson.

SERIES TRENDS OF NOTE: Illinois 12-12 SU and 10-13- ATS last 24 and 2-8 SU and 4-6 ATS last 10 against Purdue.

KEY ANGLES: Illinois 5-19 ATS L24 at home facing a foe that checks in off a blowout loss of 10 points or more.

Purdue 3-52-1 SU and 20-34-2 ATS priced as a road dog and battling a foe that enters off a straight up win.

Michigan State at IOWA

This is clearly the top game in the conference on Saturday. Kirk Ferentz’ Hawkeyes lost to Wisconsin last week and now stand 5-2, 2-1. Another Big Ten loss will remove them from championship hopes in all likelihood.

Michigan State, however, is 4-0 in the league and fifth in the current BCS standings. The Spartans have scored at least 26 points in each game – the first Michigan State team to do so through the first 8 games. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has added some passing to the always-rugged Michigan State running game. This game is so big for the Spartans, who only have Minnesota, Purdue and Penn State remaining on the schedule.

The Hawkeyes, who beat the Spartans in East Lansing on the last play of the game a year ago, will have to rely on its defense if they are to bounce back from the loss to Wisconsin. Iowa is 8th in the nation in rushing defense at 92.1 yards per game, and 11th in scoring defense at 15.7. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi continues to lead the Big Ten in passing efficiency at 174.88.

SERIES TRENDS OF NOTE: Iowa 15-8-1 SU and 17-7 ATS last 24 including 7-3 SU and 9-1 ATS in this role coming off a straight up loss.

KEY ANGLES: Iowa is 23-8-2 ATS in conference play coming off a straight up loss including 12-3-2 ATS in this role facing a foe that arrives off a straight up victory.

Michigan State 17-4 ATS last 21 as a guest checking in with momentum off two or more straight up wins including a perfect 9-0 ATS in this role priced as an underdog of +9 or less.

Northwestern at INDIANA

Take cover. There will be nothing but footballs in the air when these two pass-happy teams square off in Bloomington Saturday.

Stinging from two straight home losses, Northwestern (5-2, 1-2) has won seven of its last nine road Big Ten games and needs its sixth victory to become bowl eligible. Northwestern closes with games at Penn State, home against Iowa and Illinois and on the road at Wisconsin – a rugged closing slate.

Junior quarterback Dan Person continues to lead the nation in pass completion percentage, and his counterpart for Indiana, Ben Chappell, is first in passing yards per game at 313.6. Junior wide receiver Tandon Doss also is a major part of the I.U. offensive arsenal. He leads the country in all-purpose yards at 183.3 per game for the 4-3, 0-3 Hoosiers of Bill Lynch.

SERIES TRENDS OF NOTE: Indiana 15-11 SU and 15-10-1 ATS last 26 including 8-4 SU and ATS in their last 12 at Bloomington.

KEY ANGLES: Indiana 29-57 SU and 32-54 ATS as a Big 10 host provided the Hoosiers check in off a straight up loss. As an underdog in this role, the Big Red have posted a miserable 9-44 SU and 15-38 ATS record in their last 53 tries.

Northwestern 48-24-1 ATS as a guest facing a foe that checks in off a straight up loss including a blistering 38-11 ATS in this role priced as a favorite or an underdog of +17 or less.

Ohio State at MINNESOTA

Interim head coach Jeff Horton of Minnesota really has his hands full. After hosting Ohio State this Saturday, the Gophers close with games against Michigan State, Illinois and Iowa. The current 1-7, 0-4 could be much worse a month from now.

Jim Tressel’s Buckeyes (7-1, 3-1) hope to keep their Big Ten title hopes alive when they play the Gophers under the lights Saturday night. The Buckeyes are 6th in the nation in scoring offense and 9th in the nation in scoring defense. The Bucks are averaging 40.8 points in Big Ten play.

Quarterbacks Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State (6,998 career total yards) and senior captain Adam Weber of Minnesota will be the players to watch in this one.

SERIES TRENDS OF NOTE: Ohio State 23-3 SU and 16-10 ATS last 26 against Minnesota.

KEY ANGLES: Minnesota 5-20 SU and 7-16-2 ATS as a conference host tackling an opponent that checks in with momentum off a SU and ATS win.

Ohio State 54-9 SU and 41-21-1 ATS as a guest facing a foe that enters off a straight up loss including 36-15 ATS in this role priced as a favorite of -25 or less.

Michigan at PENN STATE

After two stinging defeats to Michigan State and Iowa, the 5-2, 1-2 Wolverines will be hoping their explosive offense can get them back on the winning side of the ledger. Michigan tops the Big Ten with 532 yards per game.

The Nittany Lions (4-3, 1-2) beat Minnesota a week ago in a game that saw freshman quarterback Rob Bolden go down in the second quarter. If Bolden cannot go Saturday, the burden will fall to Matt McGloin, who saw his first extended playing time in the win over Minnesota. Look for Evan Royster (5.1 yards per carry) to get plenty of work against the Michigan defense – the sore spot for Rich Rodriguez’ crew thus far in 2010.

Penn State’s Paterno, with 396 career victories, still has to play Ohio State and Michigan State.

SERIES TRENDS OF NOTE: Michigan 10-5 SU and 8-7 ATS last 15 but just 1-5 ATS last six in this role if Penn State enters with momentum off a SU and ATS win.

KEY ANGLES: Penn State 35-4 SU and 23-14 ATS last 39 facing a foe that enters off back-to-back straight up losses.

Michigan 13-27-2 ATS last 42 road favorite roles including 5-16-1 ATS in this role matched up against an opponent that checks in off a straight up win.

College Fade Alert
By Bruce Marshall

Several college teams are beginning to lose momentum as the season passes its halfway point. The following sides could be candidates to "fade" in Saturday action. Teams appear in schedule order...

Indiana... That lopsided 43-13 loss a week ago at Illinois looks a bit ominous for the Hoosiers, whose spotless 4-0 mark vs. a very soft non-conference schedule looks to have once again camouflaged the squad’s shortcomings. But they’re being exposed again in Big Ten play, where the Hoosiers are winless in three league games, with their outmanned defense (which has allowed 34 points or more in each of the last four games) in the midst of collapse. Regional sources indicate HC Bill Lynch would probably be safe as long as IU qualified for a bowl, but unless the Hoosiers can beat Northwestern tomorrow in Bloomington, a postseason trip begins to look very unlikely, and the vultures might start circling IU Memorial Stadium. This week hosts Northwestern

Boston College... We’ve been fading the Eagles for the last month and see no reason to stop anytime soon. BC’s only cover in its last 11 games was gifted to it a few weeks ago by Florida State, which committed a season’s worth of mistakes to allow the Eagles to hang within five points. But BC lost again last week at home vs. a mediocre Maryland squad, the Eagles’ 10th loss in their last 11 pointspread decisions. And since few upgrades are likely to emerge at this stage for a punchless offense that ranks 112th in the nation at just 294 ypg and is now starting a true frosh (Chase Rettig) at QB, prospects do not look good for extending BC’s bowl streak to 12 in a row. The Eagles now sit at 2-5 and need 4 wins in their next 5 to get back into the bowl discussion. Wait ‘til next year. This week hosts Clemson

Kansas... Should the Jayhawks make a call to Mark Mangino? Maybe, as things keep going downhill for KU, a 45-10 loser at home to Texas A&M last week and now outscored 159-24 in its last 3 games. If all of that wasn’t bad enough, now first-year HC Turner Gill is down to his 3rd-string QB, juco Quinn Meacham, after starter Jordan Webb and backup Kale Pick were both KO’d last week vs. the Aggies. This week at Iowa State

Akron... The 0-8 Zips are arguably the nation’s worst team, and we’ve got some oceanfront property in Phoenix to sell anyone who who believes there were really 10,073 fans in attendance at InfoCision Stadium during last week’s 56-10 loss to...Western Michigan. We wouldn’t be holding our breath for a revival anytime soon, either, given that Akron ranks 118th in total offense and 112th in total defense. And the Zips, only 2-6 vs. the line, are now 5-17 vs. the spread its last 22 on the board since late in the 2008 campaign. Maybe nobody told AD Tom Wistrcill that his new head football coach, Rob Ianello, was about to get canned like the rest of Charlie Weis’ staff at Notre Dame after last season. This week at Temple

UTEP... That sixth win needed for bowl eligibility is becoming about as hard to grasp for the Miners as a greased pig. If UTEP couldn’t beat Tulane at home last week, can we expect the Miners to get as much as one win the rest of the way that would get them to 6-6? The defense was never any good this season and as such didn’t really disappoint last week when allowing the Green Wave to play some smashmouth and rush for 260 yards (Tulane? 260 yards rushing?) after allowing UAB (UAB?) to also rush for over 200 yards the previous week. But it’s been the UTEP offense and sr. QB Trevor Vittatoe (just 25 of 54 with only 1 TDP and 5 picks the past two weeks) that have really been letting down HC Mike Price lately. By the way, maybe the Miners don’t deserve a bowl bid after all...check out that list of victims (Arkansas-Pine Bluff, New Mexico State, Memphis, New Mexico, and Rice!). This week at Marshall

Central Michigan... They’re starting to recall the old pre-Brian Kelly and Butch Jones days at Mt. Pleasant, where CMU used to be more accurately described as the Chippe-flaws. That seems an appropriate label for the current CMU team that has dropped off the map under new HC Dan Enos (which was to be expected, perhaps, with the departure of HC Jones and longtime QB Dan LeFevour), winless straight up since September 18 and without a cover in four straight games. As long as the "Flaws" keep killing themselves with TOs (a whopping 21 already; only Buffalo and New Mexico worse with 22), any quick turnaround is unlikely. This week hosts Bowling Green

Florida... The Gators were off last week but bring a 3-game losing streak into Jacksonville for what used to be called "The World Biggest Outdoor Cocktail Party" and the annual blood war vs, Georgia. It’s a whole lot of firsts of the wrong kind for Florida, which hasn’t lost three straight since Galen Hall’s 1988 team lost four in a row at midseason 22 years ago, and the Gators also haven’t been an underdog vs. the Dawgs since 2004, Ron Zook’s last year in charge. It’s also the first time an Urban Meyer-coached team has lost 3 in a row. SEC scouts seem to think they know why the Gators are struggling, too...QB John Brantley is a poor fit for Urban Meyer’s spread option offense that was made to order for Tim Tebow. Brantley can’t run, and the Gators have become more predictable with him on the field. Has Meyer noticed the same thing, or not? This week vs. Georgia at Jacksonville

UCLA... The Bruins might be the nation’s most bipolar team, looking great when wiping out Houston and Texas (the latter in Austin), but already smashed to smithereens on three different occasions, including last week at Oregon in a 60-13 slaughter, the third-most points allowed by a Bruin team since World War II. And now, QB Kevin Prince looks to be sidelined for the year with a knee injury, leaving the unconvincing Richard Brehaut to pilot the Bruins’ unbalanced Revolver that ranks 117th nationally in passing. Pac-10 sources note that UCLA hasn’t been as muffled with its passing game since Pepper Rodgers’ teams were running the wishbone in the early ‘70s. The Bruins are also hurting themselves with a whopping 19 TOs, which makes it hard enough for a good team to survive, much less a mediocre one like the Bruins. Westwood folk are said to be quickly losing patience with HC Rick Neuheisel, yet to make much progress in 2+ seasons (he’s only 14-18 overall), as the program if anything seems to have slipped from the Karl Dorrell years. Regional observers believe Neuheisel probably gets only one more chance to straighten everything out next year, or else. This week hosts Arizona

Buffalo... We warned last week that the Bulls were about to wave the white flag and go with true frosh Alex Zordich at QB. Which they did against Temple in an eventual 42-0 loss. The campaign has now gone completely pear-shaped for new HC Jeff Quinn and UB, which only two years ago won the MAC title game and played in the International Bowl. Now, that brief flash of success feels like a dream, especially with architect Turner Gill having left town for Kansas since. This week hosts Miami-Ohio

Utah State... Cluster injuries at the skill positions have put too much burden on QB Diondre Borel and forced the Utag offense into too many 3-and-outs. Which has placed the USU defense under way too much pressure, and it has cracked, as it did in last week’s 45-7 home loss to Hawaii, USU’s low point in the 2-year run of HC Gary Andersen. The Utags’ one-time pointspread prowess has also disappeared, dropping 5 of their last 6 spread decisions, with the offense failing to crack the double-digit barrier in 3 of its last 4 games. This week at Nevada

Arizona State... The war drums are also beating in Tempe, where HC Dennis Erickson fell back into the hot water when his Sun Devils were blasted 50-17 at Cal last week, a scoreline that flatters ASU, considering how the Bears could have made it much worse. QB Steven Threet, KO’d with a mild concussion last week at Berkeley, is likely to get the start this week at home vs. improved Washington State, but another concern for Erickson and d.c. Craig Bray is some alarming inconsistency from a defense that was supposed to be the Pac-10’s best. Thus far, the stop unit hasn’t come close to posting the numbers it did a year ago. Although the loss at Cal was also the Sun Devils’ first spread loss after four straight covers, the potential distractions regarding Erickson’s future (Mike Leach and Mike Bellotti already being mentioned in the Valley) could easily undermine ASU in the coming weeks. This week hosts Washington State

UL-Lafayette... The not-so Ragin’ Cajuns were happy it was Halloween week, as the team could go out in disguise on campus and in town after suffering the humiliation of a 54-21 defeat at the hands of visiting Western Kentucky, ending the Hilltoppers’ 26-game losing streak in the process. But there’s still more than a month to go in a season that is quickly turning into a nightmare on the bayou, with the running game non-existent, the defensive depleted with injuries, and the team now embarking on an unwelcome 3-game road trip beginning this week at Ohio U, maybe the MAC’s hottest team at the moment. It’s all bad news for longtime HC Ricky Bustle, yet to win more than 6 games in his previous 8 years at ULL and operating with the knowledge that the Cajuns’ sister school in Monroe canned its HC, Charlie Weatherbie, for a lot less after last season. This week at Ohio

Where the action is: NCAAF Week 9 Line Moves

It’s the last weekend of October, which means teams are turning up the intensity with just over a month left on the schedule. There are some tight contests on the Week 9 board along with some numbers that took immediate action and have moved from their opening post.

We talk to Todd Fuhrman, race and sports analyst for Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, about the biggest line moves heading into Saturday’s college football action.

Oklahoma State Cowboys at Kansas State Wildcats – Open: +6 Move: +4.5

Bettors are fading the Pokes following the suspension of top receiver Justin Blackmon, who leads OSU in touchdowns (14) and receiving yards (1,112). This number has dropped about a point and a half at most books and Fuhrman expects the spread to continue to fall by kickoff.

“This move has everything to do with Blackmon,” he says. “But I think Oklahoma State will still be able to run the ball against KSU.”

Michigan Wolverines at Penn State Nittany Lions – Open: +1.5 Move: +3

This Big Ten battle opened with the Lions as small home underdogs. However, public money on the Wolverines has pushed this spread to a field goal. Penn State is also dealing with an injury to QB Robert Bolden. The freshman pivot is listed as questionable after taking a hard hit last weekend.

“Much of this money is from the public perception that Denard Robinson is a do-everything quarterback for Michigan,” says Fuhrman. “Penn State hasn’t looked that good. But if you look at the teams they have played, there have been some tough defenses there. I think Evan Royster can get going against this Michigan ‘D.”

Texas Tech Red Raiders at Texas A&M Aggies – Open: -5.5 Move: -7.5

Plenty of factors are playing into this move to the key number. Reports out of Lubbock are that some of the Red Raiders are dealing with illness heading into the weekend. Also convincing bettors is the performance of Aggies backup QB, Ryan Tannehill, against Kansas last weekend. With starter Jerrod Johnson falling out of favor with Texas A&M’s coaches, Tannehill could get the nod this Saturday.

“Texas A&M looks like it is going with its backup, which sparked the offense last week,” says Fuhrman. “There hasn’t been a lot of sharp money on this game, but this move isn’t exactly due to public money.”

Northern Illinois Huskies at Western Michigan Broncos – Open: +9.5 Move: +7.5

The Huskies have been crowned the team to beat in the MAC since stomping Temple a few weeks back. That win over the Owls, which was the third victory in the team’s current five-game winning streak, isn’t convincing bettors, who have dropped NIU to a near-touchdown fave.

“I think the opening number may have been a bit steep on NIU,” says Fuhrman. “Western Michigan had a rash of injuries early on but seems to be coming around and picked up a big win last weekend.”

Syracuse Orange at Cincinnati Bearcats – Line is closed

Oddsmakers are playing it cool with this game, waiting to hear more on the status of Cincy QB Zach Collaros. The Bearcats told the media the Big East’s top passer is listed as a game-time decision, which isn’t giving books much to go on. Fuhrman says they will eventually post a spread but will be very cautious with the number and the betting limits for this conference clash.

“I’d have to think, if (Collaros) were playing, we’d see -6.5 or -7 for Cincinnati,” he says. “This injury becomes very hard to define and his backup is a big drop off. None of the Vegas sportsbooks are giving a consensus on this game, especially after how good Cuse looked last week.”

Game of the day: Michigan State at Iowa

No. 5 Michigan State faces its biggest remaining threat to an undefeated regular season when it visits No. 19 Iowa in a Big Ten Conference matchup Saturday.

Odds

Oddsmakers set the Hawkeyes as 6.5-point home favorites early this week, and that number has remained steady heading into Saturday. The total has slightly moved from its opening post of 50 to 50.5 as of Friday afternoon.

Iowa has covered in four straight meetings with MSU and is 7-1 ATS in the past eight meetings going back to 2000. The over/under count in that span is 4-4 with last season’s game, an 15-13 win for the Hawkeyes, playing under the 42-point total.

The green mile

The Spartans (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten), who rose to No. 5 in the BCS rankings with their comeback 35-27 win at Northwestern, close with an easy schedule following the Hawkeyes: Minnesota and Purdue at home, and a visit to struggling Penn State. They do not have to play Ohio State this year.

Michigan State hasn’t exactly been dominant. It trailed 17-0 to Northwestern and earlier beat Notre Dame on a fake field goal in overtime.

But the Spartans remain unblemished and as a result have earned the highest BCS ranking in school history.

Making his Mark

Coach Mark Dantonio, who suffered a heart attack following the win over Notre Dame, returned to the sidelines last week at Northwestern. He called a fake punt in the fourth quarter that worked to perfection, helping his team cut the deficit to three points.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins played brilliantly. He threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. The junior engineered an 88-yard, game-winning touchdown drive and capped it with a 9-yard strike to B.J. Cunningham with two minutes left.

The defense registered eight sacks, the most since Dantonio took over in 2007. Johnathan Strayhorn and Tyler Hoover had two each and Jerel Worthy added 1.5.

Bad taste

While the Spartans are flying high, the Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-1) are trying to erase the memory of last Saturday’s 31-30 home loss to Wisconsin. Iowa was victimized by a Badgers fake punt and by its own clock mismanagement.

The Hawkeyes are putting up 413 yards of offense per game, with quarterback Ricky Stanzi ranking second nationally in pass efficiency. He’s thrown for 1,732 yards and 16 touchdowns against two interceptions. Adam Robinson has run for 737 yards and nine scores.

Keeping an eye out

Iowa also brings a stingy rush defense that ranks eighth nationally, giving up 92.1 yards per game. However, the Hawkeyes have given up five rushing touchdowns in their last two games.

Both teams excel at creating turnovers and minimizing their own. Both are plus-9 in turnover margin.

Iowa still harbors hopes of winning the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are favored at home and they can get their season back on track with a win Saturday.

Iowa leads the all-time series 21-18-2, including a 15-13 thriller last year when Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt for a 7-yard touchdown as time expired. The Hawkeyes have won eight of the last 12 meetings.

Weather

The forecast is calling for partially cloudy skies with game-time temperatures in the low 60s. There will be a 12-mph wind blowing WSW across the field.

Oregon at USC: What Bettors Need to Know
By Marc Lawrence

Oregon, the new No. 1 ranked team in the country, faces probation-laden USC (5-2, 2-2) at the Coliseum in Los Angeles Saturday evening in a crucial Pac-10 showdown on ABC. Let’s take a look.

SOUND BITES

USC coach Lane Kiffin took offense at Oregon coach Chip Kelly's recounting of how many five-star recruits Kiffin has on his team.

"USC is the most talented team in our league, by far," Kelly said. "They've got more four and five-star recruits than anybody. It's going to be a challenge."

Kiffin’s response: "I really wish that I had good enough players, or we were good enough coaches, that we could spend enough time counting how many four- and five-star players we have on each other's rosters. I don't have time for that, unfortunately."

Then, USC defensive lineman Jurrell Casey sounded off to ESPNLosAngeles.com, saying the Ducks "have a good running back and a good quarterback. Other than that, they're really not that good."

Hmm…

When asked about the Ducks’ blazing team speed, Southern Cal receiver Ronald Johnson told the Los Angeles Times the Trojans have a lot fast guys, too.

"We have speed also and we're going to utilize it and show this [Oregon] defense what they haven't been seeing this whole season," Johnson said.

Do you sense the Trojans are getting sick of hearing about how fast Oregon is, how unstoppable the Ducks are, and how much Oregon coach Chip Kelly is being lauded in the media?

EARLY BOWL GAME?

USC QB Matt Barkley recognizes it and so do his teammates.

With the Trojans banned from the postseason by the NCAA this season, this becomes Southern Cal’s ‘bowl game’.

“This could be, in a sense, our bowl game with the No. 1 team coming into our house on Halloween under the lights.”

Barkley also realizes his team is just three points from being 7-0 this campaign.

“The losses stink. I don’t want to use the word ‘comforting,’ but knowing that we were that close to being undefeated and being a great team, it didn’t drag us down. I think that’s why we bounced back with a great game against Cal,” said Barkley.

ONE THAT GOT AWAY

You would think USC might have reserved a scholarship for linebacker Casey Matthews strictly based on his genes.

His dad, Clay, and his uncle, Bruce, both were All-Americans for the Trojans a generation ago before embarking on long NFL careers. His brother, Kyle, lettered at safety for the 2003 national championship team and his other brother, Clay, worked his way up from walk-on to starter. Now, he’s one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers.

As Oregon LB Casey Matthews notes, he comes from a long line of late-blooming Matthewses.

“If you had asked me four years ago if I would have accepted an offer from USC, I would have jumped at it,” Matthews said. “But I’m really glad the way things worked out.”

Matthews is third in tackles, tied for third in sacks, second in interceptions and leads the defense with three fumble recoveries.

ESPN college football analyst Robert Smith called the Oregon defense a “fraud,” and predicted it eventually would be exposed this season.

The Ducks are No. 30 in the NCAA in total defense, and they lead the nation in turnovers with 25.

They can thank Matthews for being a main cog in the mix.

IN DEFENSE OF

When Lane Kiffin was hired as the Trojans’ new coach and brought along his dad, the highly respected Monte Kiffin, and fiery defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, the belief was that a young but talented defense would regain its spark.

But things have not gone as planned. Not by any measure. USC’s defense has been a porous, poor-tackling and undisciplined group.

It ranks 87th in the nation in total defense (402.6 yards per game) and 60th in scoring defense (24.3 ppg). The young secondary has been ripped apart, ranking 89th in the nation in pass-efficiency defense.

However, there is some good news for the Trojans' defense as it for Oregon.

The Southern Cal defense is coming off its best performance: A dominant effort in a 48-14 win over California two weeks ago in which it held the Bears, who trailed 42-0 at the half, to a season low 245 yards and 10 first downs.

And the bye week has helped the Trojans heal up. DE Wes Horton will return from a back injury that knocked him out of the past three games, and Linemates Nick Perry Armond Armstead got time to rest various bumps and bruises. Linebacker Malcolm Smith is still nursing a knee injury but he is expected to play.

But rest wasn't what the Trojans focused on during the bye week. In fact, there was extra running, live tackling - something Kiffin has avoided until now due to injury worries for a team that lacks depth - and fast-paced practices that attempted to match the pace with which Oregon plays.

"We worked harder during the bye week," cornerback Shareece Wright said. "We actually didn't take a break."

The question is can they slow Oregon? The younger Kiffin, once known for bluster, was almost worshipful describing the Ducks' offense.

"They are so explosive," Kiffin said. "The style they play is like something we haven't seen. Or probably anybody's ever seen."

GRID BITS

Though the Ducks spooked USC on Halloween night in Eugene last fall as 3-point home dogs, USC's stadium is known for being a tough opposing venue.

"Nobody wins in the Coliseum," Ducks’ sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas said. "That's one of the big things about it. It's going be a big test."

The last time Oregon won at USC was Oct. 14, 2000 behind QB Joey Harrington.

• The men of Troy are 51-4 straight up at home since 2001.

• USC is 23-5 straight all-time home versus Oregon by an average score 29-11.

• Southern Cal is 10-1 ATS as a home dog of three or more points.

• The Trojans are 2-6 against the spread both as a dog and with revenge versus an undefeated opponent.

• Oregon is 35-20 straight up as a visitor since 2000, including 30-2 straight up and 24-8 against the spread in games in which it scores 28 or more points.

SEC Showdowns
By Brian Edwards

We’ve got three SEC games that’ll be played under the lights Saturday in Week 9. Let’s take a quick look at all three contests and also review some late-night gambling options.

**Auburn at Ole Miss**

Here we go again? Houston Nutt has led an unranked team to three outright wins over top-five foes in the last four years. Might it happen again in Oxford this weekend? Most books have been listing Auburn (8-0 straight up, 5-3 against the spread) as a seven-point favorite throughout the week. During Thursday’s edition of the Power Hours, Sportsbook.com Senior Oddsmaker Mike Perry said that “89% of our action has come in on the Tigers for the side.” As for the total, most spots had it at 61 as of late Friday afternoon.

Ole Miss (3-4 SU, 3-3 ATS) returns home in this spot after back-to-back road losses at Alabama and at Arkansas. Two weeks ago, the Crimson Tide won a 23-10 decision but the Rebels took the cash as 20-point underdogs.

Nutt led Ole Miss to wins over his former team in his first two seasons at the helm. However, the Razorbacks jumped out to a 21-3 lead last week and held on for a 38-24 triumph. Arkansas covered the number as a 10-point home favorite. Despite falling behind early, senior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli led the Rebels back into the game with his best performance since coming to the SEC. Masoli produced 425 yards of total offense, guiding his squad to within seven points of the Hogs on two separate occasions in the second half. The Oregon transfer connected on 21-of-36 pass attempts for 327 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Masoli also rushed for 98 yards on 15 carries.

Auburn is coming off a 24-17 win over LSU as a 5 ½-point home favorite. Onterio McCalebb ripped off a 70-yard touchdown run with 5:05 remaining to give the Tigers the win and the cover. Cam Newton was brilliant again, rushing 28 times for 217 yards and a pair of TDs.

Newton has a 13/5 touchdown-to-interception ratio, while Masoli has a 10/6 TD-INT ratio.

Ole Miss has been an underdog eight times on Nutt’s watch, going 6-2 ATS in those situations.

When these SEC rivals met last year on The Plains, Auburn captured a 33-20 win as a six-point home underdog.

Ole Miss is 2-2 SU and 2-1 ATS at home this year. Meanwhile, Gene Chizik’s team is 2-0 SU and 1-1 ATS on the road.

Totals have been a wash for Auburn overall (4-4) and in its road games (1-1). As for Ole Miss, it has seen the ‘over’ go 2-1 in its home games and 3-3 overall.

Gamblers can take Ole Miss to win outright for a plus-250 payout (risk $100 to win $250).

ESPN2 will have the telecast at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

**Vanderbilt at Arkansas**

Most books are listing Arkansas (5-2 SU, 4-2 ATS) as a 20 ½-point favorite with a total of 54 ½. Bettors can take the Commodores to win outright for a 10/1 return at the Las Vegas Hilton (risk $100 to win $1,000).

Bobby Petrino’s team has won three of its four home games, posting a 2-1 spread record in the three lined games. In last week’s win over Ole Miss, RB Knile Davis exploded for 176 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 22 carries.

Vanderbilt (2-5 SU, 3-4 ATS) squandered a chance to take sole possession of first place in the SEC East by losing 21-7 vs. South Carolina last week. The loss dropped the Commodores to 1-3 in SEC play, as they failed to cover the number as 12-point home underdogs.

Senior QB Ryan Mallett returned to the field in the win over the Rebels just one week removed from sustaining a concussion in a 65-43 loss at Auburn. The Michigan transfer then left last week’s game with a shoulder injury, only to return later in the game. Despite missing parts of the last two games, Mallett still has 2,040 passing yards and a 15/7 TD-INT ratio.

Since 2004, Vandy owns an incredible 21-7-1 spread record in 29 games as a road underdog. However, the ‘Dores are just 1-2 both SU and ATS as road ‘dogs this year, failing to cover their last two times out in losses at UConn and at UGA.

As a home favorite during Petrino’s tenure, Arkansas is 5-3-1 ATS.

These schools haven’t met since 2006. In 2005, Jay Cutler led Vandy to a 28-24 comeback win in Fayetteville as a 10 ½-point road underdog. Then in ’06, Arkansas collected a 21-19 win but the ‘Dores covered the spread as six-point home ‘dogs.

For those that have Direct TV, check channel number 788 for this 7:00 p.m. Eastern kick-off.

**Kentucky at Mississippi State**

Most books are listing Mississippi St. (6-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) as a 6 ½-point favorite with a total of 57. Bettors can take the Wildcats to pull the moderate upset for a plus-210 payout (risk $100 to win $210).

Dan Mullen’s team was in a letdown spot last week and it cost its backers. The Bulldogs prevailed 29-24 over UAB, but the Blazers easily took the cash as 19 ½-point road underdogs.

Kentucky (4-4 SU, 5-3 ATS) also fell into a letdown spot last week after beating South Carolina 31-28 the previous weekend. The Wildcats couldn’t pull the same trick at home against Georgia last week, dropping a 44-31 decision as 6 ½-point home underdogs.

Although the ‘Cats lost to UGA last week, we’d be remiss to not mention the excellent play of UK senior QB Mike Hartline. He threw for 353 yards and four touchdowns compared to just one interception. For the season, Hartline has an outstanding 17/4 TD-INT ratio.

UK senior RB Derrick Locke, who I have often said is a poor man’s Darren Sproles, is going to miss his third consecutive game with a shoulder stinger.

The ‘over’ has hit in seven consecutive games for UK after the ‘under’ cashed in its season-opening win at Louisville. The ‘over’ is 2-1 in its road assignments.

The ‘under’ is 5-2 overall for MSU, 3-1 in its home games at Scott Field in Starkville.

ESPNU will have television coverage at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

Auburn’s legendary alumnus Bo Jackson, who is perhaps the greatest athlete to ever step on this planet, has already stated that his Heisman vote will go to Cam Newton.

Newton is the minus-200 favorite to win the award at Sportsbook.com.

For what it’s worth, I think Arkansas and South Carolina are the best two-loss teams in the nation. They meet next week in Columbia.

I also like South Carolina laying the big number in the early SEC game against Tennessee. Steve Spurrier will relish the chance to give out woodshed treatment to the Vols, who took many pimpslaps from COACH during his glorious 12-year tenure at Florida.

Tips and Trends

Missouri Tigers at Nebraska Cornhuskers

TIGERS: Missouri is coming off one of their biggest wins in school history, a 36-27 SU win over Oklahoma. The Tigers find themselves ranked 6th in the country, thanks to a 7-0 SU and 5-2 ATS season record. Today will mark only the 2nd true road game of the season for the Tigers. Revenge is on the mind of Missouri as well today, as they lost 12-27 SU last year at home to Nebraska. The Tigers defense is what is leading this team, as they are only allowing 13.1 PPG this season, 5th best in the nation. Only 2 opponents have scored more than 13 PTS against the Tigers this season. QB Blaine Gabbert directs a passing game that is averaging 286 YPG, 16th best in the nation. Gabbert is completing better than 67% of his passes, as well as 11 TD's against 3 turnovers. Missouri plays 3 of their 5 final games on the road, so their path to an unbeaten season is quite difficult. The Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a SU win. Missouri is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in October. The Tigers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games on fieldturf. The Tigers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games following an ATS win. Missouri is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.

Tigers are 4-0 ATS against a team with a winning record.
Under is 10-3 last 13 games against a team with a winning record.

Key Injuries - LB Luke Lambert (knee) is questionable.

Projected Score: 20

CORNHUSKERS: (-7.5, O/U 55) Nebraska bounced back from their home loss to Texas by scoring 51 points in a road win at Oklahoma St last week. The Cornhuskers are trying to improve on their #14th national ranking. Beating unbeaten Missouri will likely put Nebraska back in the top 10 national polls. Nebraska is 6-1 SU and 3-3-1 ATS overall this season. To avoid losing consecutive home games SU, Nebraska will have to produce on offense like they did in their last game. The Cornhuskers are averaging 290 YPG rushing this year, 5th best in the nation. QB Taylor Martinez will have to lead his team to victory, both through the air and the ground. Even after allowing 41 points last week, Nebraska is still only allowing 17.9 PPG, 17th in the nation. Today's contest against Missouri is likely to be the last ranked opponent the Cornhuskers play during the regular season. The Cornhuskers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game. The Cornhuskers are 16-36 ATS in their last 52 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game. Nebraska is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite between 3.5 and 10 points.

Cornhuskers are 11-5 ATS against a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-0 last 5 neutral site games.

Key Injuries - WR Khiry Cooper (illness) is questionable.

Projected Score: 27 (UNDER-Total of the Day)

Oregon Ducks at USC Trojans

DUCKS: (-7, O/U 70.5) Oregon can't help but be a little nervous, as the top ranked team has lost now for the 3rd consecutive week. Playing on the road has been the Achilles heel for these top ranked teams, exactly the situation facing the Ducks tonight. Not only is Oregon a perfect 7-0 SU, they've won every game by double digits. The Ducks are 5-2 ATS this season, with tonight's contest marking only the 2nd time this year they are a single digit favorite. Oregon is averaging a nation best 55.1 PPG this season, thanks to the exploits of QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James. Thomas is a duel threat QB that has thrown for more than 15 TD's this year, including 19 total TD's. James is becoming a Heisman candidate this year, thanks to leading the nation in rushing at 971 YDS, including 11 TD's. As great as their offense is, their defense isn't too shabby in their own right. Oregon is holding opponents to 15.9 PPG this season, 12th best in the nation. The Ducks are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games played in October. Oregon is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite. The Ducks are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games following a SU win. Oregon is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road favorite. The Ducks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played on grass.

Ducks are 9-2 ATS last 11 games following a bye week.
Over is 5-0 last 5 road games against a team with a winning home record.

Key Injuries - RB LaMichael James (leg) is probable.

Projected Score: 35

TROJANS: USC is back in familiar territory, as they are back in the national polls at #24. USC is coming off their bye week, which has enabled this team to get even more accustomed to the unique Oregon offense. The Trojans aren't going to be intimidated playing #1 ranked Oregon, since they face them every year in conference play. In fact, USC is treating this game like their very own bowl game, since they are ineligible from the postseason. USC is 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS overall this season. The Trojans will be the listed underdog for the 2nd time this season. They won ATS wise in their other game as the listed underdog this year at Stanford. QB Matt Barkley is having an outstanding season, as he's thrown for nearly 1,900 YDS and 20 TD's this season. Barkley leads a balanced offense that is averaging 37.4 PPG, 14th in the nation. Defensively, 3 of the Trojans 7 opponents have scored at least 30 PTS this year. The Trojans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games against a team with a winning road record. USC is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog. The Trojans are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games following a bye week. USC is 7-16 ATS in their last 23 games played in October. The Trojans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win of more than 20 points. USC is 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS win.

Trojans are 5-0 ATS last 5 games as an underdog between 3.5 and 10 points.
Over is 10-1 last 11 home games against a team with a winning road record.

Key Injuries - RB Dillon Baxter (toe) is probable.

Projected Score: 34 (SIDE of the Day)