Archive for September 24th, 2010

September 24th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Oklahoma Sooners (-13.5) @ Cincinnati Bearcats
Saturday, September 25th
6:00 ET, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

The Sooners are simply the better team in this game, but that doesn't always mean a cover against the college football spreads. The Bearcats have been brutal this season and they have been incredibly unlucky as well. Losing WR Vidal Hazelton to injury is something that just won't be overcome easily. QB Zach Collaros can put points on the board in bunches when he has the help, but he just doesn't have that help anymore. Oklahoma has been playing at the level of its opponents all season long, as demonstrated by the close calls against Air Force and Utah State and the domination of Florida State. Will this defense be able to pick up the intensity in the team's first road game of the year? HC Bob Stoops had better hope so. We look for good things from QB Landry Jones, WR Ryan Broyles, and RB DeMarco Murray on Saturday night, which should lead to an NCAA football betting victory by a comfortable margin.

Prediction: Oklahoma 38 – Cincinnati 13

Nevada Wolfpack (-4.5) @ BYU Cougars
Saturday, September 25th
6:00 ET, Lavell Edwards Family Stadium, Provo, UT

If BYU is legitimately one of the best mid-major programs in the country, this game should be a snap at home against one of the other best mid-major programs in the country. However, we're not so sold on the Cougs yet. True freshman QB Jake Heaps might be phenomenal in the future, but he isn't now. He is only completing 50.0 percent of his passes and really has yet to have a truly good game. There's a reason that BYU is only averaging 15.7 points per game this year. As for Nevada, it is averaging somewhere around 15.7 points per QUARTER. There is no stopping this team right now, as the Pistol attack is putting together well over 500 yards per game of offense and has averaged over 50 points per game. QB Colin Kaepernick showed the whole world last week that he was a stud in a nationally televised duel against Cal at home. Now, he'll prove that he's that much better than the Cougs are in a romp in Provo.

Prediction: Nevada 48 – BYU 20

Kentucky Wildcats @ Florida Gators (-14)
Saturday, September 25th
7:00 ET, Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

The Gators have never really had any trouble disposing of the Wildcats, so we're trying to figure out why the oddsmakers are wondering whether they're going to have some issues at home on Saturday night. Kentucky might be a 3-0 team, but playing teams like Western Kentucky and Akron aren't going to win over many votes in the polls. This is the big leagues now that the Wildcats are about to enter into. UF fought off a stingy Tennessee team last weekend in a win that was a lot better than we probably give it credit for. The Gators might not look their best yet, but they are only going to get better and have surprisingly covered back to back games. QB Jeff Brantley is familiar with this UK squad, as this was the team he ran up against last year when QB Tim Tebow was injured. That was on the road and he did just fine. At Florida Field, this won't be an issue.

Prediction: Florida 41 – Kentucky 14

South Carolina Gamecocks (+3) @ Auburn Tigers
Saturday, September 25th
7:45 ET, Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL

The Gamecocks badly need to prove that they are legitimate contenders in the SEC East, and this game could be the absolutely perfect way to do just that. They are going to be going on the road to try to take out an Auburn team that is red hot as well and looking to make a statement of its own. However, we tend to like the Ol' Ball Coach in this one, as HC Steve Spurrier knows exactly how the game of QB Cam Newton works; after all, he coached up his brother, Syvelle for four years in Columbia. This was the recruit that South Carolina missed out on, and the Gamecocks would love nothing more than to punish Newton and wreck his Heisman Trophy campaign in one swoop. The oddsmakers know that this game is going to be a close call, which is why SC is only a pup by three points. We don't think the Cocks need it. They'll take this one outright against a bunch of Tigers that are due to be tamed after playing a very weak schedule to start the year.

Prediction: South Carolina 24 – Auburn 21

Oregon State Beavers @ Boise State Broncos (-18)
Saturday, September 25th
8:00 ET, Bronco Stadium, Boise, ID

The Broncos have simply demolished opponents that dare step foot on the Smurf Turf. Oregon State has done in three times, and three times, it has left with its tails between its legs .This version of the Broncos is better than any other that that OSU team has ever seen, and at least so far this year, we aren't certain that this is the best bunch of Beavers we've ever laid eyes upon. The Rodgers brothers, Jacquizz and James, just haven't produced enough offense this year, and a lot of that is probably due to the fact that QB Andy Katz just hasn't really produced at the same level of QB Sean Canfield from years past. This isn't a good time to be asking questions, now is it? The Broncos know exactly what they are doing, and they're coming off of a big time beat down on the road of a Wyoming Cowboys team that is still probably going to be good enough to go bowling this year. It just means more to Boise to win this game and win it with a statement than it does for Oregon State, and the end result is going to be exactly what we expect. It's going to be any blue field beat down.

Prediction: Boise State 52 – Oregon State 27

West Virginia Mountaineers (+10) @ LSU Tigers
Saturday, September 25th
9:00 ET, Tigers Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA

We must be out of our minds to think that the Mountaineers can play their first major road game of the year in the Bayou at night and tame the Tigers, right? We just don't believe in LSU this year. QB Jordon Jefferson should be a backup at a middle of the road FBS conference school, not a starter here in big boy college football, and the rest of this offense, save RB Steven Ridley, is questionable at best. The defense is strong for HC Les Miles, but games against a depleted North Carolina Tar Heels squad and two of the worst teams in the SEC (Mississippi State Bulldogs and Vanderbilt Commodores) just doesn't say anything to us. What does speak to us is the fact that the 'Neers have shown some grit this year. The Maryland Terrapins were at the top of their game when they came to Morgantown last week, and WVU sent them packing. The Marshall Thundering Herd gave everything to the blue and gold they had, but that ultimately wasn't enough either. This is a team that just finds ways to win games. QB Geno Smith could surprise everyone in the nation, and maybe some of his teammates as well, by proving that he is good enough to go out and win this game outright. This is going to be the most unlikely upset of the day in the NCAA football betting world.

Prediction: West Virginia 26 – LSU Tigers 20

California Golden Bears (+6.5) @ Arizona Wildcats
Saturday, September 25th
10:00 ET, Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ

It's all about perception, my friends. If the Wildcats don't get that last touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes last week, they probably lose that game and are favored by just 3-4 points instead of 6.5 in this one. If the California Golden Bears go into Reno and take out a very underrated Nevada Wolfpack team last week, there is probably also a 2-3 point swing in the NCAA football lines. However, nothing has really changed with these squads. Arizona is still very good, while Cal is still a legitimate contender for the Pac-10 title as well. This is a winnable fixture for the Golden Bears. QB Kevin Riley has played well this year and has thrown for 732 yards. He's going to be able to bring over some magic to the desert on Saturday night and help lead Cal to what maybe should be a relatively predictable upset over an Arizona team that has to be full of itself after last week's triumph. The Cats get caught napping and get nipped for the first time on Saturday.

Prediction: California 34 – Arizona 28

Oregon Ducks (-11.5) @ Arizona State Sun Devils
Saturday, September 25th
10:30 ET, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ

There is some more perception here that could be implied incorrectly. Arizona State is getting a lot of respect after nearly going into Camp Randall and upsetting the Wisconsin Badgers last week. Wisky hasn't looked that great this year though, and we still can't base what ASU has accomplished off of a pair of FCS wins and one close call against an opponent that very well could be overrated. What we do know in this game is that the Ducks are as good as it gets in the country. Sure, there are going to be games where the U of O could get challenged and perhaps even picked off. However, this isn't one of those games. This is the first time that HC Chip Kelly gets to bring the Quack Attack on the road this year, and with the running of RB LaMichael James, QB Steven Threet and company just won't be able to keep up. It might be interesting for a little while, but when push comes to shove, these two teams don't belong on the same field.

Prediction: Oregon 44 – Arizona State 20

 
September 24th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Bowling Green Falcons (+25.5) @ Michigan Wolverines
Saturday, September 25th
12:00 ET, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI

A week after the Wolverines really struggled with the Massachusetts Minutemen, they have to get right back at it against a relatively potent Bowling Green offense. We all know how good QB Denard Robinson is, and we aren't doubting that he is going to go off for 400+ yards of total offense and five scores in this one, as Bowling Green's defense is flat out terrible. However, the Falcons are a 3-0 ATS team this year for a reason. The oddsmakers still aren't giving them nearly enough respect. Yes, QB Tyler Sheehan and WR Freddie Barnes are both gone, but the combination of QB Aaron Pankratz and WR Kamar Jorden should be enough to beat this number. QB Matt Schilz is out of action in this one, but are we really going to miss a guy who has thrown for just two scores and four picks on the year? We think not. The Falcons will stick around in this game and improve to 8-0-1 ATS in their L/9 overall.

Prediction: Michigan 41 – Bowling Green 24

NC State Wolfpack (+8) @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Saturday, September 25th
12:00 ET, Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA

The Techsters need to be awfully careful in this game. The team with the best rush defense right now in the ACC has been NC State, and this is a team that really can do some damage this year. QB Russell Wilson just doesn't throw interceptions, and this year has been no exception to the rule that he started in his freshman season three years ago. If HC Tom O'Brien's defense can force just a couple turnovers and ground the triple option of Georgia Tech for just a few drives, Wilson and the offense have the skill to do some real damage here. Don't be so sure that the Ramblin' Wreck are rolling to 2-0 in conference play. This NC State team reminds us a lot of the team that O'Brien left a few years ago, as his first season away from Boston College was when the Eagles moved up as high as No. 2 in the land. A college football upset might be in the cards on Saturday.

Prediction: NC State 30 – Georgia Tech 27

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Arkansas Razorbacks (+7)
Saturday, September 25th
3:30 ET, Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR

Yesterday, we called for QB Ryan Mallett to lead the Hogs to an upset of the Crimson Tide, and for good reason. He is the only 1,000 yard passer in the nation coming into this week, and he is going to test the newly constructed Alabama defense for the first time all season. This isn't a freshman quarterback coming to Tuscaloosa under the lights like it was a few weeks ago for the Tide against the Penn State Nittany Lions, and though QB Sean Renfree is solid for the Duke Blue Devils, the Razorbacks are certainly several steps up from the ACC cellar dwellers. Alabama is the best team in the nation and we aren't taking anything away from it. However, HC Nick Saban knows that his team has one get out of jail free card under its belt this year, as even an 11-1 (or as the case may have it, 12-1) Crimson Tide team is probably heading to the BCS Championship. The duel with Florida next week might still be first and foremost in the Tide's minds, which could lead for the shocking upset that will shake the nation.

Prediction: Arkansas 35 – Alabama 31

Eastern Michigan Eagles (+44.5) @ Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday, September 25th
3:30 ET, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

We aren't exactly calling for an outright upset here, but we have plenty of reason to believe that the Eagles can stick around and at least make this final score look somewhat respectable on Saturday afternoon. First of all, the Buckeyes clearly have bigger fish to fry, as there are plenty of upcoming games against Big Ten foes that are going to be significantly more challenging than this. But the play of Eastern Michigan is improving week by week, and we think that it's only a matter of time until this dreaded losing streak that dates back to 2008 will go by the boards. QB Alex Gillett and RB Dwayne Priest are capable of putting a TD on the board against this defense in garbage time, and if that happens, it's going to take quite the effort from the standpoint of the Buckeyes to beat this hefty spread. We tend to think that OSU is going to leave EMU with a shred of confidence to back to Ypsilanti with.

Prediction: Ohio State 41 – Eastern Michigan 7

UCLA Bruins @ Texas Longhorns (-15.5)
Saturday, September 25th
3:30 ET, Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX

Many are going to be on the bandwagon of HC Rick Neuheisel and company this weekend due to the fact that the Bruins are coming off of a big 31-13 upset of the Houston Cougars from last week. However, we know that without the services of QB Case Keenum (let alone his backup), Houston is nothing more than a mediocre team from a mediocre (at best) conference. This is a totally new challenge. Laying this many points with a Texas offense that has looked shaky in all three of its games is dangerous, but how on earth is UCLA scoring in this one? The Bruins have RB Johnathan Franklin, but the 'Horns have the top rushing 'D' in the land now two years running. Is QB Kevin Prince going to put points on the board? We don't think so. It's going to take a lot more than 45 percent completions to score on the men in burnt orange, and the end result here should be a whitewashing. If the Longhorns find even some sort of an offense, this NCAA football spread will never be in doubt.

Prediction: Texas 31 – UCLA 3

Stanford Cardinal @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+4.5)
Saturday, September 25th
3:30 ET, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN

Bottom line: The wrong team is favored in this game. Without WR Ryan Whalen in the lineup, the Cardinal are going to be missing a key component in the passing game, and this is going to be the first time their defense is going to run up against a formidable opponent all season long. Irish eyes haven't been smiling on Notre Dame yet this year, but that could all change on Saturday. The Irish are a miserable team in front of their hometown crowd, going just 4-10 ATS in their L/14 overall there, but all of that is going to change on Saturday. The Golden Domers have covered three straight and seven out of nine in this series. Make it four straight and eight out of ten on Saturday with an easy outright upset that makes the oddsmakers cry about the line they set. This one might never be that close either and certainly doesn't qualify as a huge upset in our eyes.

Prediction: Notre Dame 37 – Stanford 20

Temple Owls (+14) @ Penn State Nittany Lions
Saturday, September 25th
3:30 ET, Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA

Last week, the Kent State Golden Flashes were three TD underdogs to the Nittany Lions and came up just short of the cover. Is Temple really only seven points better than Kent State? We tend to believe not. These two teams have a history against each other, and it isn't a good one for the Owls. PSU has absolutely owned them over the last two decades, and don't think for one second that this isn't going to be used as motivation in that Temple locker room. The Owls are solid this year and could legitimately be a Top 25 team by season's end. RB Bernard Pierce and QB Chester Stewart are as good as anything that the Nittany Lions are trotting out there right now. If the running game with RB Evan Royster can't get going, Penn State is going to be on major upset alert. We tend to think that the Nittany Lions are going to escape Happy Valley with another 'W', but this is going to be significantly closer than recent history suggests.

Prediction: Penn State 27 – Temple 21

Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ Florida State Seminoles (-19)
Saturday, September 25th
3:30 ET, Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL

Welcome to our beat down of the week! The Seminoles absolutely have the Demon Deacons outmatched this week, and it should show on the field. QB Christian Ponder has really yet to have a rock solid game this season, and that could change against a Wake Forest defense that has been absolutely mauled all season long. Is Florida State as good as Stanford was last week in a 68-24 win? Nah. But we don't need a 44 point beating. We just need a three TD beating. The Noles are coming off of their best defensive game in years, a 34-10 victory over the BYU Cougars. Keep in mind that the last two trips to Tallahassee for the Deacs have resulted in upset wins of 12-3 and 30-0. That's going to be all that HC Jimbo Fisher is talking about all week and all day leading up to that 3:30 kickoff. The heat will be too much for Wake Forest to take this time around, and as long as the garnet and gold show up with at least a few stops, the offense is going to be able to slam this defense time and time again. The cover won't be in doubt in the fourth quarter at any point.

Prediction: Florida State 51 – Wake Forest 20