Posts Tagged ‘Illinois Fighting Illini’

December 28th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor
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Down in the Lone Star State, the field at Reliant Stadium should be alight with tons of green, gold, blue, and orange. The Illinois Fighting Illini and their prolific running attack will take on the Baylor Bears and their "Air Bear" assault on Wednesday afternoon, and NCAA football betting fans certainly aren't going to want to miss this one! Take a look at our Texas Bowl picks for Wednesday night.

Texas Bowl Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Baylor Bears
Date: Wednesday, December 29th, 6:00 ET
Location: Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
Texas Bowl Line: Baylor -1
Over/Under 62.5

Fighting Illini Notes: Head Coach Ron Zook knew that he was going to be up against it this year if he didn't bring Illinois to a bowl game this year. However, even with that in mind, he trusted a true freshman as his quarterback for the entire season, as QB Nathan Scheelhaase led the way for the Illini. Scheelhaase didn't make for a terrific passer this year, as he only completed 56.8 percent of his passes for 1,583 yards and 17 TDs against eight picks. There were some real moments of brilliance, and we have to remember that this was just a first year man that has a lot of growth still over the course of the next three years in Champaign. Scheelhaase ran all over the field though when his number was called, rumbling for 806 yards and four TDs. RB Mikel LeShoure was really the dominator, though, and without him, Illinois would never have been anywhere near bowl eligibility. He had the best game of the year on the ground in the country, accounting for 330 yards and three TDs against the Northwestern Wildcats, and when it was said and done, he finished with 1,522 yards and 14 TDs. In total, Illinois rushed for 243.5 yards per game this year, one of the best marks in the Big Ten and No. 13 in the nation. The real concern for Baylor in Texas Bowl betting action is that this Illinois defense really has played substantially better ball this year than in years past. Allowing 340.4 yards per game ranked No. 38 in the country, and the end result was giving up just 24.2 points per game.

Bears Notes: In the third year of his collegiate career, QB Robert Griffin did his job and took this team on his back to the Texas Bowl. He threw for 3,159 yards and 21 TDs against eight picks, and he rushed for 591 yards and eight tuddies. There were five different players that had at least 36 receptions this year for the Bears, and though only WR Josh Gordon averaged more than 12.5 yards per reception on this team, there was definitely no shortage of yardage. All five receivers had at least 379 yards. WR Kendall Wright led the way with 66 receptions, 825 yards, and six TDs. The running game has been key this year as well. RB Jay Finley had some tremendous games this year, and he ended the campaign with 1,155 yards and 11 trips to the end zone. The Bears ended up averaging 480.4 yards per game this year, ranking No. 13 in the country, and this was one of the handful of teams in the country that averaged over 200 yards per game both through the air and on the ground. The defense was terrible down the stretch, though, giving up at least 42 points in each of its last three games. In total, 420.2 yards per game was just too high, even by Big XII standards, and the end result was a lofty 29.8 points per game average. When push came to shove though, just getting to a bowl game was good enough for this team, which competed for the Big XII South title until the very end of the campaign.

The Final Word: Baylor just isn't as good as Illinois is this year, and if recent form was any indication, the Illini are the team that we have to go with. Griffin is inevitably going to end up playing his heart out, especially right in his own backyard in Houston, but there's going to be too much LeShoure for the Bears to stop. Scheelhaase has a breakout day and leads Illinois to victory.

Texas Bowl Free Pick: Illinois -1
Texas Bowl Prediction: Illinois 38 – Baylor 34

 
December 2nd, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini @ Fresno State Bulldogs
Date: Friday, December 3, 10:15 ET
Location: Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, CA
Game Line: Illinois -5.5
Over/Under 57.5

Pat Hill’s 7-4 Fresno State Bulldogs will look to add another BCS conference scalp on its mantle Friday night when it takes on the 6-5 Illinois Fighting Illini Friday night. Illinois became bowl eligible last week with a big 48-27 win over Northwestern on Saturday. The win may have solidified Zook’s job after a disastrous last two seasons in Champaign. Zook has a 27-44 record in his time at Illinois and this season will mark only the second time in six seasons he has been to a bowl game. Against Northwestern, the story was all about RB Mikel LeShoure, who put together one of the best games we’ve seen in all of college football this season. LeShoure carried the rock 33 times for an incredible 330 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Illini offense. All told, Illinois carried the ball 70 times for 519 yards and five touchdowns against the Wildcats defense. Priority one for the Bulldogs to win this game, will be to stop the Illinois running game. Fresno State bounced back after an embarrassing loss to Boise State and a heartbreaking loss to Nevada to beat Idaho 23-20 last week. Fresno State was ahead most of the game, but a late Idaho rally left them needing a 1-yard touchdown plunge from A.J. Ellis with 14 seconds left to get the victory. Fresno State dominated Idaho on the stat sheet, putting up 371 yards against Idaho’s 210 total yards, but four lost fumbles and an Idaho kickoff return for a touchdown kept the Vandals in the game throughout. Last year, Fresno State and Illinois played a thrilling game in Champaign. The Bulldogs scored a touchdown with two seconds left to make the score 52-51 Illinois and opted to go for two instead of the tie. On the two-point conversion, QB Ryan Colburn heaved a desperation pass in the air while being brought down by an Illinois defensive lineman that somehow found its way into the hands of G Devan Cunningham for the score and the win.

Free College Football Picks: Fresno State +5.5
Prediction: Fresno State 35 Illinois 32

 
November 5th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Wisconsin Badgers @ Purdue Boilermakers
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 12:00 ET
Location: Ross Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN
Game Line: Purdue +20
Over/Under 51.5

The Boilermakers have just been an offensive train wreck this year, and for good reason. QB Robert Marve was supposed to be the savior of the team, but he has since been knocked out for the season. Now, without a running game (RB Ralph Bolden has been out for the whole season as well) or a passing game, it's a miracle how Purdue scores anything. Wisconsin has had a bye week to get its feet back on the ground after taking care of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Iowa Hawkeyes in back to back weeks. There's no reason that a red hot bunch of Badgers should be winning this game by anything less than three TDs.

Free College Football Picks: Wisconsin -20
Prediction: Wisconsin 34 – Purdue 10

Matchup: Iowa Hawkeyes @ Indiana Hoosiers
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 12:00 ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
Game Line: Indiana +17.5
Over/Under 54

Last season, the Hoosiers were really in a prime position to knock off the Hawkeyes with an outright upset before the wheels fell off at Kinnick Stadium and Iowa ended up finding a way to cover a very similar point spread. We aren't so sure that that will be the case again this season. Yes, the Hawkeyes have a significantly better team than do the Hoosiers, but IU has always been a real thorn in the side to Iowa. As long as QB Ben Chappell proves to be healthy enough to give it a go in this one (and that's in doubt, so be sure to check the injury report before unloading), the Hoosiers have a real chance at pulling off the upset. We don't think that it will happen, but we aren't ready to take QB Ricky Stanzi on the road and laying over two TDs against a team that is good enough to be a bowl squad this year in a conference tussle.

Free College Football Picks: Indiana +17.5
Prediction: Iowa 28 – Indiana 20

Matchup: Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Michigan State Spartans
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 12:00 ET
Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
Game Line: Michigan State -24.5
Over/Under 57.5

The Spartans have to be angry after losing last week to the Iowa Hawkeyes in a bad way, and we tend to believe that this is a game in which they can exact some revenge. Sure, we know that these two teams don't like each other and that the Golden Gophers theoretically shouldn't just be taking a dive in a game like this even though they are 1-8 on the season, but what other result is really possible? QB Adam Weber needs to have a tremendous game to avoid Minnesota suffering what should be an absolutely brutal defeat. It will be a great bounce back game for QB Kirk Cousins, RB Le'Veon Bell, and RB Edwin Baker, all of which were absolutely shut down last week by Iowa.

Free College Football Picks: Michigan State -24.5
Prediction: Michigan State 41 – Minnesota 14

Matchup: North Carolina State Wolfpack @ Clemson Tigers
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 12:00 ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Game Line: Clemson -4
Over/Under 50.5

This could largely be considered the game of the year for the Wolfpack. If they win this one, the coast could be relatively clear towards the ACC Championship Game. They got some great news last week as well when Clemson was knocked off by the Boston College Eagles in Chestnut Hill. Depending on your belief, it could be that the Tigers just aren't that good, or that they were already looking forward to that duel against NC State. We're hoping that it's the latter. Death Valley is always a major pain to go into, and especially off of that tremendous win over the Florida State Seminoles, we can't help but wonder if the Wolfpack are going to crash back to earth in a game that is do or die for the Tigers if they have any hopes of bowling this season.

Free College Football Picks: Clemson -4
Prediction: Clemson 31 – NC State 24

Matchup: Baylor Bears @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 12:30 ET
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Game Line: Oklahoma State -8
Over/Under 72.5

There certainly isn't going to be any shortage of offense in this one, as both the Bears and Pokes have high octane offenses that can run up and down the field in a hurry. QB Robert Griffin and QB Brandon Weeden are two of the best signal callers in a great conference, and they should both be putting on a show on Saturday. Baylor is a sneaky team right now and is coming off of the big "upset" at the Texas Longhorns last week. Things just don't look quite as right for the Cowboys, and we aren't so sure how WR Justin Blackmon is going to come back to the lineup after his one game suspension. This is a big, big game in the Big XII South, and we tend to think that the Bears are going to be able to leave Stillwater with their magical season still intact.

Free College Football Picks: Baylor +8
Prediction: Baylor 41 – Oklahoma State 35

Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini @ Michigan Wolverines
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 12:00 ET
Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Game Line: Michigan -3
Over/Under 57.5

Uh-oh Michigan… Does this look familiar? The men in maize and blue got off to a fantastic start last season and ended up tanking last year, and this is an eerily familiar setting. The Wolverines have absolutely no defense right now to speak of, which really plays into the hands of an Illinois offense that is getting better and better every single week. This isn't exactly a bowl elimination game, as both teams theoretically should get there… but we can already see the noose getting tighter around HC Rich Rodriguez's neck. If he loses this one, the only thing that might save his job would be a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the biggest game of the season. Don't kid yourself about Illinois. This is a team that can ball. It did something a few weeks ago that Michigan couldn't do last week: Beat the Penn State Nittany Lions in Happy Valley.

Free College Football Picks: Illinois +3
Prediction: Illinois 33 – Michigan 30

Matchup: Louisville Cardinals @ Syracuse Orange
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 12:00 ET
Location: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
Game Line: Syracuse -6
Over/Under 44

College football betting action in the Big East hasn't exactly been sexy this year, but the Orange can win this one, they can lock down their bowl bid for the first time in years! We're not totally sure whether QB Adam Froman is going to be a go or not for the Cards, but we aren't as worried about him as we are about Syracuse's chances of stopping RB Bilal Powell, one of the few 1,000 yard rushers so far on the season. However, the Orange just keep finding ways to win games, and we tend to believe that this is going to be no exception. This is the first time that they have been favored in a game against the Cards since 2003, and the dog has covered every single time that these teams have met since 1985, but we aren't worried. The 'Cuse have covered five straight in this series and even have a pair of outright upsets (including once in Louisville as a 37 point dog!). Get your bowling shoes on Syracuse fans!

Free College Football Picks: Syracuse -6
Prediction: Syracuse 23 – Louisville 14

Matchup: Maryland Terrapins @ Miami Hurricanes
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 12:00 ET
Location: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL
Game Line: Miami -7.5
Over/Under 46

Simply put, the wrong team in favored in this game. The Terps are coming off of an absolute offensive explosion against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and they are still the forgotten team that is in the driver's seat in the ACC Atlantic Division. The Canes looked like they just gave up last week at the Virginia Cavaliers, and they are clearly playing to the level of their opponents right now. QB Jacory Harris is out of the lineup, and that just might be the death sentence for HC Randy Shannon. We're amazed that Shannon kept his job after two years ago when the Virginia Cavaliers came into South Beach and shut out Miami and its last ever game at the Orange Bowl. Don't be shocked if the outcome is awfully similar on Saturday.

Free College Football Picks: Maryland +7.5
Prediction: Maryland 17 – Miami 6

Matchup: Florida Gators @ Vanderbilt Commodores
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 12:20 ET
Location: Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, TN
Game Line: Vanderbilt +14
Over/Under 46

Sandwich game alert! The Gators are coming off of their emotional overtime win over the Georgia Bulldogs, and unless they lose this week and the South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Arkansas Razorbacks, next week's duel against the Cocks at home is for the SEC East title. Vanderbilt has been struggling all season long, but we wonder how much the Gators really want to show this week against a lowly bunch of 'Dores with the Ol' Ball Coach coming back to Gainesville next weekend. Will QB Trey Burton see more snaps? If he does, we tend to think that Florida will beat this line. But if he doesn't, we aren't even totally sure that the blue and orange escape the Music City with a victory. The Commodores always seem to play Florida tough, and this year will be no exception in what should be a real defensive struggle.

Free College Football Picks: Vanderbilt +14
Prediction: Florida 16 – Vanderbilt 10

 
October 15th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Missouri Tigers @ Texas A&M Aggies
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 12:00 ET
Location: Kyle Field, College Station, TX
Game Line: Texas A&M -3.5
Over/Under 57.5

There are plenty of cases this week where a ranked team is an underdog to an unranked team while playing on the road. This is perhaps the most dangerous of all of the spots, though. We continually talk about perception here at Cappers Info, and perception is key in this one as well. A&M is just a few plays away from being a 5-0 team, and if that were the case, the Aggies would have an even better ranking than the Tigers. There's a reason for that. Missouri might be fool's gold right now, especially since the toughest tasks on this schedule were both nearly failed against the Illinois Fighting Illini and the San Diego State Aztecs. This is clearly the toughest challenge. We love QB Blaine Gabbert, and we know that this offense could be good for 50 points against almost anyone in the nation, but we also know that there is a big problem on the horizon. HC Gary Pinkel's team might be looking forward to games against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Oklahoma Sooners. Gabbert might be great, but the star in this game is QB Jerrod Johnson. His legs are only good for 113 yards so far this year, but that doesn't mean that he isn't able to put together a 100+ yard performance against anyone in the nation. He has also thrown for 1,486 yards and 13 TDs. The problem is nine picks and the fact that the offensive line has struggled. When push comes to shove though, this is a game that will belong to the hosts, as the 12th Man is going to be incredibly loud at Kyle Field.

Free College Football Picks: Texas A&M -3.5
Prediction: Texas A&M 31 -Missouri 24

Matchup: North Carolina State Wolfpack @ East Carolina Pirates
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 12:00 ET
Location: Dowdy Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC
Game Line: East Carolina +7.5
Over/Under 67.5

This one has the real potential to be a shootout. The Pirates don't have a chance of stopping QB Russell Wilson and the Wolfpack offense, but they do have the abilities to run up and down the field themselves. NC State knows that it can put the pill wherever he wants to against a secondary that ranks No. 114 in the nation in total defense at 457.6 yards per game. ECU has only kept one foe under 42 points this year, and that was a very lowly Memphis Tigers team that put up a whopping 27 with no semblance of an offense. The Wolfpack rank No. 8 in passing in the country at 311.0 yards per game, and Saturday should be no exception. On the other side of the ball, QB Dominique Davis is going to have his work cut out for him. Davis is up against a defense that is holding foes to 326.2 yards per game this season. NC State has only given up more than 28 points once this year, which is very bad news for the hosts. The Wolfpack have already won games against the Conference USA favorites (Central Florida) and one of the better teams in the ACC (Georgia Tech) on the road this year by at least a touchdown. This should be no exception.

Free College Football Picks: East Carolina +7.5
Prediction: NC State 45 – East Carolina 27

Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini @ Michigan State Spartans
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 12:00 ET
Location: Spartans Stadium, East Lansing, MI
Game Line: Michigan State -7
Over/Under 50.5

The Illini and Spartans are both coming off of tremendous road wins that might make the difference in their seasons last week. For Illinois, it picked up a big 'W' against the Penn State Nittany Lions in what might have been one of the biggest games in the coaching career of HC Ron Zook. The Illini are still a young team, especially at the quarterback position with QB Nathan Scheelhaase. The good news is that he is holding on to the football, which is going to be vital this week against the Spartans as well. Michigan State is going to try to pick up a lot of yards on the ground in this one with RBs Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker. The two have just gone bananas this year, combining for over 1,200 total yards. They are the reason that the Spartans are 6-0 on the year and are right on the cusp of being ranked in the Top 10 in the country. This line is rather fishy, though. We know that Illinois has some potential, but what we don't know is whether it was a flash in the pan or not. We tend to believe that the Spartans are going to fall off the face of the earth eventually. They'll figure out how to win this game, but laying seven seems just too tempting. Don't fall into this trap on the NCAA football odds.

Free College Football Picks: Illinois +7
Prediction: Michigan State 28 – Illinois 24

Matchup: Boston College Eagles @ Florida State Seminoles
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 12:00 ET
Location: Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Game Line: Florida State -21.5
Over/Under 46.5

The Seminoles have absolutely dominated NCAA football betting action in the ACC this year, crippling all three teams that they have run into in the conference. The biggest game came last week against the Miami Hurricanes, a 45-17 thrashing in South Beach. The rushing game for the Noles is working well with the Pistol attack, though none of the three major backs, RB Ty Jones, RB Jermaine Thomas, and RB Chris Thompson have accounted for 500+ yards on the season. QB Christian Ponder is a warrior and has played well this year. The difference has been the defense, which is holding teams to half the points per game that it allowed last year and over 100 fewer yards per game. Rushing the passer is the key. QB Chase Rettig made his first career start against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish two weeks ago. He threw for 72 yards and a TD before getting injured, but he left that game down 21-7 and never really felt comfortable. With RB Montel Harris struggling, there really aren't any options for the Eagles to turn to offensively. This is the only team that has never lost a game at the Doak, and the Seminoles are going to want to make sure that their first 'L' comes in emphatic fashion. This is going to be one of the ugliest games of the weekend. There's a reason that Boston College is one of two winless ATS teams in the land.

Free College Football Picks: Florida State -21.5
Prediction: Florida State 51 – Boston College 7

Matchup: Western Michigan Broncos @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 2:30 ET
Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
Game Line: Notre Dame -24
Over/Under 53

The Broncos seem like they're overmatched heading into South Bend, but the oddsmakers have been generous and given us a whole bunch of points to work with. QB Alex Carder is a warrior, and he has the ability to throw for over 300 yards in every single game. The Notre Dame defense hasn't been good enough to stop this attack to the fullest extent. The only question in our minds is whether the Golden Domers are going to put enough points on the board to cover this spread. Though this is probably the easiest test of the season to date, Notre Dame will be playing without TE Kyle Rudolph for the first time. We also know that QB Nate Montana might be making just his second appearance in his freshman year if this one gets ugly, and that could leave the backdoor very, very open. QB Dayne Crist is solid, but RB Armando Allen hasn't proven that he can really salt a game away quite yet and there are no other viable options ready to take the ball behind him. There's no doubt that Notre Dame will win, but winning by at least four scores seems like a bit of a stretch.

Free College Football Picks: Western Michigan +24
Prediction: Notre Dame 40 – Western Michigan 20

Matchup: Iowa Hawkeyes @ Michigan Wolverines
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 3:30 ET
Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Game Line: Michigan +3
Over/Under 53.5

After an iffy game against the Michigan State Spartans, there is a lot on the line this week for QB Denard Robinson and the Wolverines. A loss would send Michigan to 5-2, take it out of the Big Ten title race, and potentially continue a tailspin very similar to what happened last year when the team came out of the blocks at 4-0 before failing to make a bowl game. Odds have it, the Heisman Trophy campaign for QB Denard Robinson would taper out as well in spite of the fact that he was the favorite last week at this time. Iowa presents a foe that Big Blue is familiar with and nearly beat last year before we really knew that the Hawkeyes were going to be one of the best 5-10 teams in the country. Now, there is no doubt, and even though Iowa has a ranking at No. 15, we know that it is significantly better than a 4-1 record would indicate. We still have to remember that QB Ricky Stanzi just refuses to lose. He has only been defeated once, and whether it's pretty or not, he always seems to get the job done. The Hawkeyes are a whopping 12-2 ATS in their L/14 road games. Unlike Michigan, which really doesn't have a super quality win this year, the Hawkeyes have proven that they can play with some of the best in the land, especially after absolutely crippling the Penn State Nittany Lions last week. There's a reason that they are road favorites in this game. Iowa will roll in the Big House for the first time since 2002.

Free College Football Picks: Iowa -3
Prediction: Iowa 31 – Michigan 16

Matchup: California Golden Bears @ USC Trojans
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 3:30 ET
Location: Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles California
Game Line: USC -2.5
Over/Under 54

This is quite the interesting instate battle between two teams that really don't like each other. The problem is that neither the Trojans nor Bears are playing well enough for us to be thrilled about supporting them. The implication here is that Cal is a slightly better team than USC on a neutral field, something that we're not so sure is the case. What we are sure of is the fact that the Trojans could be on the verge of a collapse. They were tripped up right at the end of the game by the Stanford Cardinal last week, a game that proved to be very winnable. QB Matt Barkley has played his heart out, throwing for 1,517 yards and 15 scores against just four picks on the year. We like QB Kevin Riley as well, but his 931 yards and nine TDs aren't numbers that are as strong. Here's the biggest issue we have: Cal hasn't scored a touchdown on this defense in three games and hasn't scored more than two TDs in a game against the Men of Troy since 2003. HC Jeff Tedford has never had luck, whether it be as a head coach or as an offensive coordinator against USC. We're reluctant about it, but we'll take the Trojans in a very tightly run contest.

Free College Football Picks: USC -2.5
Prediction: USC 27 – Cal 21

Matchup: Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Texas Tech Red Raiders
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 3:30 ET
Location: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX
Game Line: Texas Tech -3
Over/Under 69

Fireworks could be flying when the Pokes and Red Raiders duke it out in Lubbock on Saturday afternoon. This is a dangerous spot for an Oklahoma State team that has yet to play a road game of any concern this year. There is no doubt that QB Brandon Weeden, RB Kendall Hunter, and WR Justin Blackmon are all superstars that can put up gaudy numbers, but numbers in the Big XII don't necessarily win you ball games. At some point, you have to play some defense. The 'D' did come up with four picks against QB Jerrod Johnson and the Texas A&M Aggies in the one real test this year, but that doesn't mean that the Okies can stop the Air Raid. QB Taylor Potts has tossed 17 TD passes this year and has thrown for 1,649 yards. HC Tommy Tuberville is getting more and more comfortable here as the weeks are going by, and a 45-38 win over the Baylor Bears last week was a good response to a 52-38 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones the week before. If this game were in Stillwater, we wouldn't bat an eyelash about taking the Pokes. However, in Lubbock, this Tech team gives it everything it has, and we don't want to get in the way of that one bit.

Free College Football Picks: Texas Tech -3
Prediction: Texas Tech 41 – Oklahoma State 34

Matchup: Texas Longhorns @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 3:30 ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE
Game Line: Nebraska -10
Over/Under 46.5

If you like defense, this is the game for you… at least if the Longhorns have any hope of survival in this one. Texas just doesn't have the offense to be able to compete with the Black Shirts defense. HC Bo Pelini has given this team a real shot in the arm, and there is a legitimate chance to win the National Championship on the back of this 'D'. Don't forget about QB Taylor Martinez either, as he is built very much so in the QB Denard Robinson mold. Martinez is No. 4 in the country in rushing on the year, and he can get the ball up the field if need be just like Robinson can as well. Heisman hopeful? Don't count out the possibility. Texas does rank No. 7 in the land in pass defense, but after letting both RB DeMarco Murray and RB Johnathan Franklin run all over it in recent weeks, we are pessimistic about how strong this rush 'D' really is. At the outset of the season, there's no doubt that the Longhorns would probably be right around +3 or so in this game, but they haven't proven that they are worthy of sticking within double digits. It might only take 17-20 points for the 'Huskers to cover the college football odds in this one.

Free College Football Picks: Nebraska -10
Prediction: Nebraska 23 – Texas 9

Matchup: Arkansas Razorbacks @ Auburn Tigers
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 3:30 ET
Location: Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
Game Line: Auburn -3.5
Over/Under 60

One of the many crucial SEC West affairs on the season will be kicking off on Saturday at Jordan Hare Stadium, as the No. 7 Tigers and No. 13 Razorbacks duke it out. Arkansas knows that this is a do or die game if it has any chance of winning the SEC West, while Auburn probably knows the same thing with the Iron Bowl being played in Tuscaloosa this season. The Hogs had the Alabama Crimson Tide dead to rights three weeks ago, but they fired back last week with a solid outing against the Texas A&M Aggies to restore their Top 15 ranking in the country. QB Ryan Mallett is probably in his last chance right now to become a Heisman Trophy candidate. Once again though, Auburn's QB Cam Newton is thinking the same thing. Newton is a great dual threat, and he can always turn around and hand the ball to either RB Michael Dyer or RB Onterio McCalebb. Either man has the ability to rush for 100 yards on any given Saturday. The Tigers just barely survived against the Clemson Tigers, South Carolina Gamecocks, and the Kentucky Wildcats this year, and they are just about running out of lives. It's high time that someone gives this team a run for its money that it cannot overcome. Arkansas might have the best defense in the SEC, and that's certainly saying something considering the fact that Alabama, LSU, and Florida all have premier 'D's. To us, it's an insult that the Razorbacks are underdogs here, and they'll prove it with a big "upset" on Saturday.

Free College Football Picks: Arkansas +3.5
Prediction: Arkansas 28 – Auburn 17

Matchup: BYU Cougars @ TCU Horned Frogs
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 4:00 ET
Location: Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Game Line: TCU -29
Over/Under 48.5

If BYU's offense weren't terrible, we'd still think that the unit would have a hard time putting any points up against this defense. The Horned Frogs have just been untouchable of late, as they have pitched back to back shutouts and haven't allowed a single point in over 130 minutes of NCAA football betting action. The offense behind QB Andy Dalton, RB Ed Wesley, and RB Matthew Tucker is absolutely one of the best in the Mountain West as well. QB Jake Heaps is going to try to do something that his predecessor, QB Max Hall, couldn't do: Beat the Horned Frogs. Good luck, kid. TCU might have the best team it has ever had, while BYU has one of its worst in years. The Horned Frogs won 39-7 last year in Provo and 32-7 in Fort Worth the year before. What do you think is going to happen this time around???

Free College Football Picks: TCU -29
Prediction: TCU 41 – BYU 3

 
October 8th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Indiana Hoosiers @ Ohio State Buckeyes
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 12:00 ET
Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Game Line: Ohio State -22.5
Over/Under 57.5

Many might think that the way to go in this NCAA football betting battle is by taking the visiting Hoosiers due to the nature of what they did last week in nearly upsetting the Michigan Wolverines. However, we must remember that IU hasn't faced a team that plays defense like Ohio State all season long, and it also hasn't played a real road test against a legitimate conference contender at this point either. We love QB Ben Chappell and think that he has the goods to be a professional quarterback at some level, but this is too tough of a matchup for him to excel. The Buckeyes had their slip last week against Illinois and lived to tell about it. Unless there is a bit of a look ahead syndrome going on with the Wisconsin Badgers coming up next week, we are sure that OSU is going to want to come back and absolutely throw the gauntlet down. QB Denard Robinson absolutely shredded this Indiana defense last week. QB Terrelle Pryor might be able to do the same. The difference is that the Hoosiers won't be scoring 35 points this weekend like they did last weekend.

Free College Football Picks: Ohio State -22.5
Prediction: Ohio State 45 – Indiana 17

Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini @ Penn State Nittany Lions
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 12:00 ET
Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Game Line: Penn State -7.5
Over/Under 42

The Nittany Lions are out of the Top 25 this week, while the Illini nearly snuck into it after a near miss against the Ohio State Buckeyes last weekend. The bottom line for the Nittany Lions is that they are going to be overmatched by the best teams in the Big Ten all season long due to the fact that QB Robert Bolden, as a freshman, just isn't able to keep up with what the conference is throwing his way. However, Illinois isn't a top notch Big Ten team, nor is it even remotely close. This is also a team with a freshman QB Nathan Scheelhaase. Yes, Scheelhaase put together a respectable performance last weekend against the Bucks, but this game will be significantly different on the road in front of 90,000+ screaming fans in Happy Valley. PSU is going to be eager to prove that last week's loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road was merely a bump in the road, and it will do so by stomping Illinois with a strong second half, just like the Bucks did last weekend.

Free College Football Picks: Penn State -7.5
Prediction: Penn State 27 – Illinois 13

Matchup: Tennessee Volunteers @ Georgia Bulldogs
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 12:21 ET
Location: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Game Line: Georgia -11
Over/Under 48

"Between the Hedges" we go for another SEC betting battle between the Dawgs and the Vols. These two teams really don't like each other, and the Bulldogs are going to want to get some big time payback for last season's 45-19 blowout on Rocky Top. The Dawgs only have one win in this series since 2005, including when the Vols came here and won 51-33 in 2006. Tennessee has covered the NCAA football betting lines in four straight between these SEC East rivals. Georgia has never gotten off to this bad of a start in SEC play, nor has it ever endured a four game losing streak under HC Mark Richt. Is this team better than its record? Probably. Is it significantly better than its record? Probably not. UGA has gotten a real shot in the arm with the return of WR AJ Green to the lineup, but the Volunteers are only going to have to key in on him to stop on this offense. Last week, when faced with a similar situation with the LSU Tigers and RB Steven Ridley, Tennessee came just one play away from pulling off the ultimate upset in the Bayou. Don't be so surprised if an upset is in the cards, and if that's the case, Richt might find himself out of a job before the beginning of next week, as 1-5 won't sit well with the Georgia boosters.

Free College Football Picks: Tennessee +11
Prediction: Tennessee 20 – Georgia 17

Matchup: Alabama Crimson Tide @ South Carolina Gamecocks
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 3:30 ET
Location: Williams Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
Game Line: South Carolina +7
Over/Under 47.5

It's easy to just make college football picks on the Crimson Tide after destroying the Florida Gators last weekend, but this is a type of challenge of the likes that has not been seen before by this team. Yes, the Tide rolled into Fayetteville and took care of the Arkansas Razorbacks with a nice surge at the end of the game. We must note that that was Alabama's one failed cover of the season to date. The difference here? The Gamecocks have had two weeks to prepare for this game and haven't really had anything on their minds but getting revenge for the game two weeks ago at Jordan Hare Stadium, a narrow defeat against the Texas A&M Aggies. We know that RB Mark Ingram is still probably the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. We still know that QB Greg McElroy hasn't lost a game as a starting quarterback since he was in eighth grade. We still know that the Tide just absolutely crippled the Florida offense last week and has the top scoring 'D' in the land. But there's something about this game that just feels different. The Ol' Ball Coach, HC Steve Spurrier has to have some things up his sleeve, and all of the tricks will be coming out of the bag in this one. This would be a defining moment in South Carolina football history if it could win this game, and we think that the upset just might be in the cards on Saturday afternoon.

Free College Football Picks: South Carolina +7
Prediction: South Carolina 27 – Alabama 26

Matchup: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 3:30 ET
Location: Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX
Game Line: Texas A&M +5.5
Over/Under 62.5

The Hogs and Aggies have ties going back to the olden days, and this is the second straight year that they will play at a neutral site to renew old ties. Last year, QB Ryan Mallett went absolutely bananas, throwing for 271 yards and four TDs against a Texas A&M team that just had no answers. Arkansas is coming off of that crushing fourth quarter rally of a defeat at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide, something that clearly will not be forgotten easily. A&M has struggled trying to protect QB Jerrod Johnson, who is one of the best dual threat signal callers in the land. HC Bobby Petrino has been scheming for this one for two weeks. We also tend to believe that the Hogs have the ability to play with the Crimson Tide, therefore they can beat anyone in America. This game will probably be no exception. Last week was a shootout in which Johnson threw four picks against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and if he makes those same types of mistakes this weekend, it is going to be one heck of a lot afternoon in "Big D."

Free College Football Picks: Arkansas -5.5
Prediction: Arkansas 37 – Texas A&M 21

Matchup: Michigan State Spartans @ Michigan Wolverines
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 3:30 ET
Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Game Line: Michigan -4.5
Over/Under 62.5

This game has the potential to have some real fireworks in it, as the "Big Game" has really not been this big in a number of years. The Wolverines and Spartans are both 5-0 and both think that this is the year that they can go to the Rose Bowl. However, both have a history of this being the time of year that they fold up shop and are never heard from again, and that's exactly what they're both trying to avoid. For HC Rich Rodriguez, this game is even more important. The Spartans are on house money, and regardless of whether every single game down the stretch is lost or not, HC Mark Dantonio's job is safe after that fake field goal call that beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Rodriguez… not so much. What Rich Rod does have on his side is the most dynamic player in the country, QB Denard Robinson. He'll become the first man to get to 1,000 rushing yards in all likelihood in this game, and he'll also be well over the 2,000 yard mark for the year between rushing and passing when it's all said and done. The Spartans have never faced a team with this type of an offense and haven't played a true road game this year (the one "road game" was "at" Florida Atlantic… at Ford Field). It will be up to RB Edwin Baker and RB Le'Veon Bell to control the clock and keep Robinson off the field. However, Big Blue has struggled trying to stop the pass this year, not the rush. In fact, this is the worst rated pass defense in the nation at over 307 yards per game. Still, if QB Kirk Cousins can't get going in a big way, Michigan is going to end up rolling over the Spartans. This game means too much to the maize and blue to be beaten. A bowl game will be a guarantee when Saturday is over.

Free College Football Picks: Michigan -4.5
Prediction: Michigan 40 – Michigan State 28

Matchup: Virginia Cavaliers @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 3:30 ET
Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Game Line: Georgia Tech -10
Over/Under 47

The Cavvies were steamrolled last week by the Florida State Seminoles, but they have a shred of promise for the rest of this season. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets are still trying to figure out how they have been stung twice this year and why they are just 1-4 ATS a year after going to the Orange Bowl as the ACC champs. QB Josh Nesbitt is just as dangerous now as he was last season when he led this team to a fantastic season, but his 880 total yards in five games just isn't reflecting that. He needs to find a way to get more involved in the offense, which ranks just 58th in the land in total yards at 388.2 yards per game. Virginia hasn't been great, but sticking in front of a double digit spread, even on the road, seems like a legitimate possibility. Something's wrong with the Ramblin' Wreck right now, and we're determined to take advantage of that. GT might win it, but the Cavs are sticking around for the full 60 minutes.

Free College Football Picks: Virginia +10
Prediction: Georgia Tech 24 – Virginia 20

Matchup: Pittsburgh Panthers @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 3:30 ET
Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
Game Line: Notre Dame -6
Over/Under 49.5

Is something really wrong with the Panthers right now, or have they just run across a tough spot in the schedule? Their two losses are very respectable ones against the Miami Hurricanes and Utah Utes, and their two wins were both by respectable margins even though they were against sub-par teams. This is the first time this year that they are really on a team in their weight class, per se. The Irish finally got a big win together last week against the Boston College Eagles, and maybe that will jumpstart the season, as the next portion of the schedule just isn't that difficult. The Panthers have health concerns with RB Dion Lewis, while the Irish are still rolling offensively to the tune of 24.6 points per game. We tend to believe that that will be enough to take care of U-Pitt, which really needs to find an identity going into the Big East campaign next week.

Free College Football Picks: Notre Dame -6
Prediction: Notre Dame 28 – Pittsburgh 17

Matchup: Clemson Tigers @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 3:30 ET
Location: Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
Game Line: North Carolina -2.5
Over/Under 52.5

The Tar Heels are still dealing with a plethora of defensive suspensions, but they seemed to overcome all of those problems last week when they really shut down the powerful East Carolina Pirates with a 42-17 victory. Clemson comes to town now with a slew of questions. The Tigers have two losses, but are defeats against the Auburn Tigers and Miami Hurricanes really that bad? However, they have two wins as well. We already know that beating the North Texas Mean Green and the Presbyterian Blue Hose is nothing to write home about. This is a very good litmus test for both teams. The difference here is that North Carolina is very battle tested and already knows what it takes to win in the ACC. The home game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets might have been a defeat, but it certainly might have set the tone for the rest of the season. UNC is the better team in this battle, and as long as QB TJ Yates doesn't put on his pick face all of a sudden, the Tar Heels should be able to snare a win.

Free College Football Picks: North Carolina -2.5
Prediction: North Carolina 27 – Clemson 20

 
October 1st, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Ohio State Buckeyes @ Illinois Fighting Illini
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 12:00 ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
Game Line: Illinois +17
Over/Under 50.5

This game has the makings to be a very interesting one. The 2010 Buckeyes have never seen what it's like to play on the road, while the 2010 Illini have never felt what it is like to go up against a defense on this caliber. Here's what we do know. QB Terrelle Pryor is going to get his yards and his points, and there's nothing that Illinois can do about it. Pryor is just that good. There's a reason that he leads this team in rushing and is starting to put up passing numbers that can rival anyone in the nation. Pryor is completing 66.4 percent of his passes, is averaging right around 235 passing yards per game, and a 10/2 TD/INT ratio. Here's what else we know. The Buckeyes have an amazing defense. The 'D' did look relatively mortal last week, allowing three TDs to the Eastern Michigan Eagles, the lowliest team on the schedule, but prior to that, the unit had only allowed three TDs all season. The other three scores came via special teams blunders. For Illinois, RB Mikel LeShoure is going to have to take the pressure off of freshman QB Nathan Scheelhaase. If Scheelhaase is forced into trying to make things happen, he is going to be in for an incredibly long day. The frosh is only completing 54.4 percent of his passes, and he is just barely over 120 yards per game on average. However, the Fighting Illini had two weeks to prepare for this game, and the Buckeyes might be caught napping just a tad. This could be closer than the experts think.

Free College Football Picks: Illinois +17
Prediction: Ohio State 31 – Illinois 20

Matchup: Louisiana Monroe Warhawks @ Auburn Tigers
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 12:00 ET
Location: Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
Game Line: Auburn -35
Over/Under 54

The Warhawks might be coming into this battle at 1-2, but they are clearly going to be outmatched by a very strong Auburn team. Perception on the Tigers is awfully high right now after they took out both the South Carolina teams, the South Carolina Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers in close calls at home in the L/2 weeks. QB Cam Newton is still in the discussion for the Heisman Trophy, and for good reason. It's not what Newton is doing with his arm that is so dangerous. It's what his legs are accomplishing. Newton has rushed for 485 yards and five TDs, and he has directly accounted for all but three scores for Auburn all season long. Newton parlayed with RBs Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb creates a backfield that cannot be stopped by a team from the Sun Belt. The three are the majority of the Tigers' seventh ranked rushing attack in the land. The defense has been shoddy at times, but when push comes to shove, Auburn knows how to buckle down and get three and outs and turnovers when need be. The same just can't be said about ULM. The Warhawks are averaging just 16.0 points per game offensively and are conceding 413.0 yards per game in total, a number that is significantly higher against FBS foes. This will be a blowout from the start.

Free College Football Picks: Auburn -35
Prediction: Auburn 41 – Louisiana Monroe 3

Matchup: Miami Hurricanes @ Clemson Tigers
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 12:00 ET
Location: Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Game Line: Clemson +3
Over/Under 50.5

These two ACC foes have only locked horns three times in their existence, and all three games have been classics won by the road team in overtime. Clemson is already 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS against Miami all-time. However, the Tigers have some real problems right now. QB Kyle Parker was supposed to be the savior this year, but that just hasn't been the case since he decided to come back and play another year at quarterback for Clemson instead of pursuing a baseball career. Though Parker's 6:1 TD/INT ratio is rock solid, he is only completing 58.3 percent of his passes and has just 504 yards through the air in three games. The defense has been even more questionable, allowing 388.3 yards per game and 19.3 points per game. Those numbers might not all seem that bad, but the game against the Auburn Tigers was the only game of substance on the schedule. For the Canes, they took care of the Pitt Panthers last week in resounding fashion with a 31-3 victory on primetime football on Thursday night. The victory more than atoned for the 36-24 defeat at the Horseshoe back on September 11th. QB Jacory Harris has an outside shot at winning the Heisman Trophy this year, but the defense is going to have to carry this team. This unit has only allowed 131.7 passing yards per game, a number that Parker had better test for the Tigers to have a shot at victory in this one. Don't be shocked if Miami jumps out to another quick start in this one and runs away with it in the second half.

Free College Football Picks: Miami -3
Prediction: Miami 27 – Clemson 13

Matchup: Northwestern Wildcats @ Minnesota Golden Gophers
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 12:00 ET
Location: Mall of America Field, Minneapolis, MN
Game Line: Minnesota +5.5
Over/Under 53.5

There's something fishy that's bothering us about this game. The Wildcats are 4-0 this year, and even though they haven't looked all that great in doing so, there's a great chance for them to crack into the Top 25 with wins in these next few weeks. QB Dan Persa has been one of the most efficient signal callers in the entire land, as he has accounted for 1,221 yards of offense and ten total scores against just one pick on the year. His 80.2 completion percentage is also the tops that the country has to offer for QBs with at least 100 attempts. The Northwestern defense also ranks 22nd in the nation in scoring defense at 15.5 points per game and hasn't allowed more than 25 all season long to a foe. Meanwhile, Minnesota is a mess. The Gophers have lost three straight, all at home, and they haven't covered any of the three games. The offense has totally lost its identity after rumbling all over the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders on opening night on the ground. As for the defense, is it ever a good thing to give up 41 points to South Dakota? 32 to USC was remotely acceptable, but 34 to Northern Illinois really wasn't either. So why on earth are the Wildcats only short favorites? Logic tells you that at some point, the Golden Gophers are winning a game at home, and with the only home dates left after this one coming against Penn State, Ohio State, and Iowa, there is certainly a desperation to avoid a winless season at home. Don't be shocked if this one ends with the mild upset.

Free College Football Picks: Minnesota +5.5
Prediction: Minnesota 37 – Northwestern 31

Matchup: Navy Midshipmen @ Air Force Falcons
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 2:30 ET
Location: Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO
Game Line: Air Force -10
Over/Under 49.5

If you like the triple option, this is the game for you! The Middies and Falcons clearly do it as well as anyone in the country, and they'll do it down after down after down regardless of what the situation is. The bottom line here is that these offenses are both stellar and both know exactly what the other defense is up to. For Navy, it's QB Ricky Dobbs that is going to be leading the way one year after he led the nation in rushing TDs. For Air Force, QB Tim Jefferson has the ability to throw some as well as running the option to a high level of success. The question that is going to separate these two teams is whether either can really stop the other or not. So far this year, no team is holding foes to fewer passing yards per game than the Naval Academy at 99.3, while the defense ranks in the Top 25 in both total 'D' (262.0 YPG, 12th) and scoring 'D' (15.7 PPG, 24th). For Air Force, the unit has been a little bit more modest at 306.8 yards per game and 19.0 points per game. The difference that we must consider though, is strength of schedule. The Falcons have already taken on BYU, Oklahoma, and Wyoming this year, a far cry from Louisiana Tech and Maryland Terrapins for Navy. This is a lot of points, but we are going to trust the hosts to sink the Middies in what could be a big statement game towards the Commander in Chief Trophy.

Free College Football Picks: Air Force -10
Prediction: Air Force 45 – Navy 28

Matchup: Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 3:30 ET
Location: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX
Game Line: Oklahoma -3
Over/Under 45

Speaking of games that look a little fishy… Ok, we'll be the first to admit that the two combatants in the Red River Rivalry this year haven't played up to par, especially last week when the 'Horns were trashed at home by the UCLA Bruins 34-12. Oklahoma hasn't played well either, except when good competition comes calling. The Florida State Seminoles were dumped 47-17. Aside from that, the Sooners haven't beaten anyone by more than a TD this year. Still, we tend to think that DC Will Muschamp is going to be the difference maker in this game. We aren't quite sure how he does it game in and game out, but Muschamp always finds a way to frustrate opposing quarterbacks and come up with great game plans. He got a great look at QB Landry Jones last year and knows what the sophomore is up to. Now, it will be up to the likes of DE Sam Acho to get to Jones and pressure the OU offense into some dumb decisions. The season is on the line for the Longhorns, who absolutely will not be able to recover from defeat. We tend to believe that Texas got its wake up call last weekend and will be able to shake it off. Oklahoma has had some close calls, but has yet to be defeated. If the Sooners just try to coast by in this one, they'll get beaten and potentially beaten bad. We love the Longhorns on Saturday afternoon.

Free College Football Picks: Texas +3
Prediction: Texas 27 – Oklahoma 16

Matchup: Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan State Spartans
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 3:30 ET
Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
Game Line: Michigan State +2
Over/Under 50.5

Will the real Wisconsin Badgers please stand up? The Badgers have had three very questionable games and one totally dominating one this year, but that doesn't instill a lot of confidence in us that this is a squad that is really ready for Big Ten play this year. We know what we're getting out of Michigan State, a team that we are convinced is incredibly overrated. Without that "Little Giants" play, the Spartans are 3-1 right now and are probably 5-6 point underdogs against the Badgers, particularly off of their 70-3 romp over Austin Peay last week. We tend to believe that we've seen as good as it gets out of HC Mark Dantonio's men. We know that we haven't seen the best from Wisconsin yet. There's a reason that this is a Top 10 team in the nation. The combination of a massive, veteran offensive line, a second year quarterback that many think is a pro prospect (QB Scott Tolzein), a Heisman Trophy caliber running back (RB John Clay), and a defense that is historically stifling should be too tough to tame. If the Badgers can give this one everything that they have, they'll pick up a monstrous win in Big Ten play to start off their march towards the Rose Bowl this year.

Free College Football Picks: Wisconsin -2
Prediction: Wisconsin 34 – Michigan State 16

Matchup: Tennessee Volunteers @ LSU Tigers
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 3:30 ET
Location: Tigers Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Game Line: LSU -16.5
Over/Under 42.5

Perception is certainly down right now on HC Derek Dooley's team, especially after needing OT to just narrowly knock off a bad UAB Blazers squad last week. However, this is a team that finds ways to scrap and claw in games and just stick around to be a thorn in the opposition's side, something that the Bayou Bengals will be finding out on Saturday afternoon. We still have absolutely zero confidence in QB Jordon Jefferson's abilities to run this offense. The Tigers rank 116th in the nation in passing 'O' at 110.0 yards per game and just 102nd overall at 299.8 yards per game. The toughest part of this schedule hasn't even gotten started yet. In order to cover 16.5 points in NCAA football betting action, you have to find a way to score at least 17 points. Though this is a team that has scored at least 20 in all four of its games, it is also one that has not scored more than 30 against anyone either. Meanwhile in Rocky Top, QB Matt Simms is starting to round into his own, and it could get scary for the opposition as this season wears on. Simms has a 6/3 TD/INT ratio and has thrown for 836 yards in four games. No, he's not better than his departed brethren QB Jonathan Crompton, but he is doing the little things to make this work. The Vols were victorious here in 2005, so they know that beating the Bayou is possible. We might be a little adventurous to be calling for the outright upset, but this is certain a ton of points that we are catching regardless.

Free College Football Picks: Tennessee +16.5
Prediction: Tennessee 17 – LSU 14

Matchup: Michigan Wolverines @ Indiana Hoosiers
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 3:30 ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
Game Line: Indiana +10.5
Over/Under 65

Last year, it was a 36-33 win by the Michigan Wolverines in this series that really started the downward spiral for Big Blue, as things never really got better from there. The Hoosiers have to be beaming with confidence right now from the standpoint that they are 3-0, albeit against lousy competition, but that they have a legitimate chance to go bowling, especially if they can pull off this upset. QB Ben Chappell, again, against bad competition, has been stellar this year and is really learning how to take care of the football. He is completing 72.4 percent of his passes for 890 yards and nine scores without an INT. Meanwhile, all eyes are going to be fixated on Heisman Trophy favorite QB Denard Robinson. All of a sudden, Robinson went from being the second best signal caller on his team to one of the best in the country. He still leads the nation in rushing with 688 yards, and his six rushing scores leads the team. Michigan ranks second in the country in rushing offense at 331.2 yards per game and is tops overall at 562.8 yards per game. An experienced Indiana offense which returns the majority of the players from last year's team that also went into Ann Arbor at 3-0 should be able to move the ball against the offense. The key last year was keeping QB Tate Forcier, and eventually Robinson in the pocket. The two quarterbacks only combined for 21 carries, 39 yards, and a TD. If that's all that Robinson comes up with on Saturday on the road, the Wolverines are in a boatload of trouble. There could be an upset brewing in the Big Ten, but we tend to believe that Big Blue will find a way to narrow survive, just like last year.

Free College Football Picks: Indiana +10.5
Prediction: Michigan 42 – Indiana 38

Matchup: Virginia Tech Hokies @ NC State Wolfpack
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 3:30 ET
Location: Carter Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Game Line: NC State +3.5
Over/Under 53

When are the oddsmakers going to learn that the Wolfpack are for real? HC Tom O'Brien has a winning team that gained all sorts of momentum from last year's narrow escape at home against the North Carolina Tar Heels to end the year. Since that point, the Wolfpack are 5-0 SU and ATS. QB Russell Wilson is largely to thank for that. The third year starter has thrown for 1,112 yards and 11 TDs against just one INT this year. Many probably don't realize it, but NC State is averaging 434.2 yards per game against a respectable schedule that includes games against C-USA favorites, the UCF Knights, a team that went undefeated last year in the regular season, the Cincinnati Bearcats, and last year's ACC champs, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Though it is fairly clear that this Virginia Tech team is significantly better than your average unranked 2-2 team, we still don't quite buy in yet. RB Ryan Williams is out once again from this game, which really leaves some big question marks at running back. QB Tyrod Taylor is the only man averaging more than 45 rushing yards per game on the season. If NCSU can lock down Taylor in the pocket and keep him from finding deep threats WR Jarrett Boykin and WR Danny Coale, this game will be relatively easy. Time for some R-E-S-P-E-C-T for the Wolfpack in a game in which the wrong team is favored by the oddsmakers.

Free College Football Picks: NC State +3.5
Prediction: NC State 31 – Virginia Tech 20