College mismatches: Where to find the edge in Saturday’s games
Covers.com
There are no guarantees in sport, just as there are none in life as a whole. That is especially true in college football where upsets are practically the norm.
It’s almost impossible to tell how one team will fare against another. It is possible, however, to find statistical mismatches that can point bettors in the right direction.
A number of this Saturday’s college games feature statistical mismatches that can give bettors a huge edge. The most significant are listed below:
South Florida’s pass offense vs. Connecticut’s pass defense
South Florida isn’t dominating opponents through the air this season. The Bulls average less than 220 passing yards per game. They meet a stout Huskies defense that ranks ninth in the country with 175 passing yards allowed per game.
Bulls quarterback Matt Grothe has used his legs more than his arm this season. The sophomore has fewer than 1,400 passing yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Taurus Johnson, the Bulls’ best receiver, has a minute 260 yards with one touchdown this season. All other Bulls receivers have recorded just 10 touchdowns this season.
The Huskies rank third in the country with 16 total interceptions this season. Cornerback Robert Vaughn and linebacker Scott Lutrus have accounted for five of the Huskies nine interceptions this campaign.
Michigan’s turnovers gained vs. Minnesota’s turnovers lost
The lowly Golden Gophers can’t seem to protect the ball this season. They now face a Wolverines club that’s been feeding off opponents’ errors all season.
Minnesota freshman quarterback Adam Weber has thrown 15 interceptions to go along with the Gophers’ eight fumbles. Surprisingly, Minnesota is averaging 258.2 passing yards and 438.2 total yards per game this season. Minnesota’s defense, though, is allowing a lofty 342 passing yards per game and 533.6 total yards per game this season.
Michigan has recorded 12 interceptions this season with no player recording more than two. The program also ranks first in the country with 13 recovered fumbles this season.
Ohio State’s pass defense vs. Penn State’s pass offense
Ohio State has allowed just two of its eight opponents to score in double figures this season.
The Buckeyes have limited their opponents to less than 210 yards of total offense per game. That is 24 yards fewer than the second-ranked LSU Tigers. The Buckeyes have also held their opponents to less than 148 passing yards per game and grabbed nine interceptions. Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins leads the team with two interceptions. Sophomore Vernon Gholston has pitched in with five sacks this season.
Penn State senior quarterback Anthony Morelli has thrown 13 touchdowns with seven interceptions this season. Five of those interceptions have come in the Nittany Lions’ last four outings.
Texas A&M’s pass offense vs. Kansas’ pass defense
The Aggies haven’t received much production from their quarterback and receiving corps. The Aggies rank a disappointing 111th in passing yards this season and face a dominating Jayhawks defense that is ranked 10th defending opponents’ aerial attacks.
The Aggies’ passing attack has compiled just over 1,200 yards with seven touchdowns this season. Quarterback Stephen McGee has five touchdowns and four interceptions this season and has passed for under 150 yards in three of his last five outings. Senior receiver Kerry Franks leads the Aggies with fewer than 350 receiving yards and one touchdown.
The Jayhawks have limited their opponents to fewer than 180 passing yards this season. They also rank fifth in the country with 14 interceptions – three coming at the hands of cornerback Aqib Talib. Talib also leads the Jayhawks with eight defended passes this season.