Five Things You Need to Know for Sat., Sept. 15
Atssportsline.com
Five Things You Need to Know in Sports
Want to start your day off right? Looking for the most interesting events of the day and a few games to lay action on? This day is all about college football. Let's take a look at the top five matchups of the day..
1)#3 USC at #16 Stanford, 7:30pmET at Stanford Stadim, Stanford, Cal. (FOX)
Both teams are 2-0 SU coming into this game. Last year, Stanford (-7.5) beat USC, 56-48 on the road. USC is certainly talented but they are a little overvalued at this point. Last week, the second-ranked Trojans beat Syracuse 42-29 but didn’t cover the 25 points. Despite not having Andrew Luck, the Cardinal have a very strong running game and QB Josh Nunes looked better in Game 2, tossing for 275 yards and three touchdowns. RB Stepfan Taylor added 185 yards and seeks his third straight 1,000-yard season. Stanford is 9-4 ATS L13 in series. USC is an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 57.
2)#19 Notre Dame at #10 Michigan State, 8pmET, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich. (ABC)
Both teams are 2-0 coming into this game. Last year, Notre Dame (-5) beat Michigan State, 31-13 at home. The Spartans are looking to win a big game against a team that is having qb issues. Notre Dame plans to start sophomore Everett Golson with junior Tommy Rees coming off the bench. Rees replaced Golson late in the fourth quarter on to lead the Irish to a game-winning FG against Purdue, 20-17. MSU is #8 in defense in FBS, allowing opponents to average just 225.5 ypg. That included a win over Boise State (17-13) and Central Michigan (41-7). RB Le’Veon Bell has 280 rushing yards and four TDs in the first two games. Michigan State is 5-1 ATS L6 in series. Michigan State is a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 44.
3)#1 Alabama at #21 Arkansas, 3:30pmET, Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark. (CBS)
Alabama is ranked #1 after starting off 2-0, while Arkansas is limping in to this one after being shocked by UL Monroe at home last week. Last year, Alabama (-11) dropped Arkansas, 38-14 at home. Arkansas dropped from #8 to out of the AP poll, which was the second-largest drop in the history of the poll. QB Tyler Wilson (head) is out and the Razorbacks will also be without cornerback Tevin Mitchel. Freshman Brandon Allen, who was just 6-for-20 last week or junior Brandon Mitchell, a former receiver, will take over. Alabama QB A.J. McCarron threw for 4 TDs last week in a win over Western Ky . Arkansas is 2-5 ATS L7 SEC openers. Alabama is a 20-point favorite with a total of 53.5.
4)#17 Florida at Tennessee, 6pmET, Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn, (ESPN)
Once again, both teams are looking to go to 3-0. Last year, Florida (-9.5) downed Tennessee, 33-23 at home. Florida had an impressive win last week over Texas A&M on the road, 20-17. They scored 13 unanswered points after coming back from a 17-7 lead. RB Mike Gillislee (231 rushing yards) is coming off rushing for 2 TDs for the second straight games though is battling a groin injury. Tennessee has their own injury issues with LB Jelani Jenkins (thumb) out and CB Cody Riggs (broken foot) also out. This could be one of the best games of the day. Florida is 6-2 ATS L8 in series. Tennessee is a 3-point favorite with a total of 47.5
5)North Carolina at #20 Louisville, 3:30pmET, Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Ky, (ABC)
North Carolina is playing for pride considering they are on probation. Louisville needs to make a statement that they are for real. Last year, North Carolina (-13.5) beat Louisville 14-7 at home. Louisville is seeking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2006. This will be a tougher test than Missouri State (35-7) win or probably Kentucky (32-14). The Heels are coming off a 28-27 loss at Wake Forest in their conference opener. QB Teddy Bridgewater has been outstanding for the Cards, completing 82% of his passes, throwing for 576 yards. Louisville is 12-5 ATS L17 as a fave of 3 or less. Louisville is a 3-point favorite and the total is 55.5.