Five Things You Need to Know for Sat., Oct. 20
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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 and there are several top 25 matchups that should be enticing. Let's take a look at the top five matchups of the day.
1)#6 LSU (6-1) at #19 Texas A&M (5-1), 12pmET,Kyle Field, College Station, Tx
LSU is coming off a 23-21 home win over South Carolina, That’s impressive but the Tigers now have to go on the road, where they have put up just 18 points this year, including a 14-6 loss at Gainesville two weeks ago. Texas &M is led by freshman QB Johnny Manziel. The frosh phenom accounted for 576 yards (SEC-record) to lead the Aggies to a 59-57 win over Louisiana Tech on the road last week. LSU is 0-4 ATS L4 overall. LSU is a 3-point favorite with a total of 52.
2)#23 Stanford (4-2) at California (3-4), 3pmET, Memorial Stadium, Berkely, Calif.
Last year: STANFORD (-17) over California, 31-28. Throw out the records in this rivalry. Stanford will rely on their running game, led by Stepfan Taylor, who rushed for 102 yards last week against a very tough Notre Dame defense. Stanford lost to the Irish, 20-13 in overtime last week. Taylor appeared to have scored on fourth-and-goal in OT, but was ruled to be short. Cal is coming off a 31-17 win at Washington State. Cal is averaging 195 yards per game on the ground and will need a big game on the ground. Stanford is 13-2-1 ATS L16 road games. Stanford is a 3-point favorite with a total of 48.5.
3)#8 South Carolina (6-1) at #4 Florida (6-0), Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla
Last year: SOUTH CAROLINA (-3) over Florida, 17-12. Florida is looking to continue their conference domination but it will like end against an angry South Carolina team. The Gamecocks fell 23-21 at LSU last Saturday and will need a big game from QB Connor Shaw, who struggled last week against a great LSU defense, as he was picked off twice. Even RB Marcus Lattimore, who has 584 yards and 10 touchdowns, was held to 35 yards on 13 carries. But Lattimore (hip) may not play this week. South Carolina is 6-0 ATS L6 following an ATS win. Florida is a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 41.
4)#20 Texas Tech (5-1) at #21 TCU (5-1), Amon G. Carter Stadium, Ft. Worth, Tx
TCU’s tough defense gets challenged by a Red Raiders’ offense that averages 40.7 ppg and 537.3 ypg. The TCU offense has been strong, averaging 33.2ppg and 429.3ypg. QB Trevone Boykin has taken over for Casey Pachall and was fantastic last week in their 49-21 road win over Baylor. Josh Boyce (30 rec. for 381yds) and Brandon Carter (26 for 425yds) make up one of the better receiving duos in the Big 12. Texas Tech have won 28 of their last 30 at TCU. Texas Tech has gone from the 114th-ranked defense to #4 in the nation. TCU is 7-1 ATS L8 after allowing more than 280 yds passing last game. Texas Tech is a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 55.
5)#3 Kansas State (6-0) at #15 West Virginia (5-1), Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, Wva
Kansas State is led by QB Collin Klein, who might not be Heisman-worthy (1,074 yards passing, and 510 yards rushing, 17 combined TDs), but there's nobody more important to their offense. They need to control the ball to keep it away from the West Virginia offense. The Mountaineers offense was shut down by a very good Texas Tech defense last week (49-14) and are facing another quality defense. Always tough to win in Morgantown. Kansas State is 6-1-1 ATS L8 road games. West Virginia is a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 73.5.