Posts Tagged ‘Iowa State Cyclones’

November 18th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor
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Here at Cappers Info, we are taking a weekly look at the teams that could be ones ripe to pull off some major upsets! Check out the potentially ugly dogs that could come up and bite you in the butt in you aren't careful for the Week 12 of college football betting action!

Underdog Pick #1: Iowa State Cyclones (+350 at Diamond Sportsbook) vs. Missouri Tigers, Saturday, 7:00 ET: We know that QB Austen Arnaud is out of the lineup for the Cyclones, but you won't find a more bi-polar team in the country than them. Missouri has not fared well on the road of late, and though games at the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Texas Tech Red Raiders have a heck of a lot more glitz and glamour than this one does, there isn't a team in the country that is going to fight with more desperation than ISU. The Cyclones know that a win in this one will send them to a coveted bowl game, and they could care less where they end up going as long as they go somewhere. The last game played here in Ames resulted in a narrow 31-30 loss in overtime to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. If the Cyclones can stick within a point on Big Red, we'll back them to win at least one out of three times against the Tigers.

Underdog Pick #2: Idaho Vandals (+120 at Diamond Sportsbook) @ Utah State Aggies, Saturday 3:00 ET: We're talking about motivation and perception here in this WAC showdown that won't get all that much press. The oddsmakers have totally bashed the Vandals just as badly as the Boise State Broncos, Nevada Wolf Pack, and Fresno State Bulldogs have over their last three games. However, this Utah State team isn't nearly as strong as those other three. QB Nathan Enderle finally got a taste of a bowl game for the first time last year, and you can bet that he wants that taste once again. Idaho isn't nearly finished this season, though it needs to win each of its last three games. QB Diondre Borel knows that this is Utah State's last straw before it fails to become bowl eligible, but when push comes to shove, we know that the Aggies are already finished since they haven't faced the Boise State Broncos yet. Idaho is the better team in this duel, and it will prove it by walking out of Logan with a comfortable 'W' on Saturday afternoon.

Underdog Pick #3: Arkansas State Red Wolves (+450 at Diamond Sportsbook) @ Navy Midshipmen, Saturday, 3:30 ET: Don't kid yourself about how even these two teams really might be. The Middies are on a roll right now and have found their offensive stride, putting up some obscene numbers in recent weeks. However, Arkansas State knows that it can still make a bowl game for the first time in team history, and it is going to require winning this game and the finale at the Florida International Golden Panthers to get the job done. QB Ryan Aplin might give the Midshipmen fits with his arm, as he can tear apart any defense in the Sun Belt. However, the one thing that is going against us right now is the fact that the Red Wolves are coming off of a terrible loss to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. It's going to take a huge offensive effort, but we'll take our chances that the Sun Belt reps can at least hang around with the Naval Academy and make things very, very interesting down the stretch to make our +450 pay off.

Underdog Pick #4: Troy Trojans (+1100 at Diamond Sportsbook) @ South Carolina Gamecocks, Saturday, 12:20 ET: Sure, we know that this is an 11 to 1 shot, but think about how competitive the Trojans have been over the years against some of the best teams in the country. They certainly would have been a great moneyline investment at the Oklahoma State Cowboys earlier this year when no one knew just how good HC Mike Gundy's squad really was. Troy only lost that game 41-38. The Trojans have fallen upon hard times in the Sun Belt, and thanks to getting absolutely blown away by the Florida International Golden Panthers last week, perception is terrible on them. Perception is great about SC though, and we know that these guys just aren't as good as that perception is showing. Beating the Florida Gators in the Swamp to win the SEC East was great for the Gamecocks, but they are in a vintage trap game right here. It's a perfect sandwich spot between the win at UF and the duel against the Clemson Tigers coming up next week. Don't be shocked if the Trojans make this one interesting, and if that's the case, they're more than worth the flyer for a small bet at 11 to 1.

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

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Matchup: Washington Huskies @ Oregon Ducks
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 3:30 ET
Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
Game Line: Oregon -34.5
Over/Under 67.5

Simply put, without QB Jake Locker in the lineup, the Huskies don't even remotely have a chance of hanging around in this game. Locker is the heart and soul of this team, and he has basically accounted for all of the offense this year. Now, QB Keith White is going to thrown into the mix having thrown just nine passes in his entire career. The true frosh won't last against an Oregon offense that has dropped 42 or more points on everyone it has faced this year and is averaging over 575 yards per game. This could be a real showcase for RB LaMichael James, who is gunning for his third 200+ yard rushing game this year, a feat which could certainly be had against a defense that was just run over last week to the tune of 41 points against the Stanford Cardinal. All you'll be hearing atop the BCS rankings for another week is Quack! Quack!

Free College Football Picks: Oregon -34.5
Prediction: Oregon 52 – Washington 10

Matchup: Alabama Crimson Tide @ LSU Tigers
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 3:30 ET
Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Game Line: LSU +6.5
Over/Under 44

We've already talked quite a bit about this big time tussle in the Bayou, and we think that we have already made our point clear that we love the Bayou Bengals. This is a rough scheduling spot for the Tide even though they are off of their bye week, as it was also a bye for LSU. Giving two weeks for HC Les Miles to draw up more tricks seems to be a little unfair. The question is going to be whether the offense for LSU can really get enough going to keep the Alabama offense out of sync. If the Tide get this game into the high 20s, there is no chance for LSU to survive. However, we've seen the "Mad Hatter" pull off stranger things, and we think the Tigers are going to roar loudly on Saturday.

Free College Football Picks: LSU +6.5
Prediction: LSU 20 – Alabama 16

Matchup: Hawaii Warriors @ Boise State Broncos
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 3:30 ET
Location: Bronco Stadium, Boise, ID
Game Line: Boise State -21
Over/Under 66

One would think that the only hope the Warriors have in this one is to try to make it a shootout. Their defense just isn't good enough to compete with Boise State, and the Broncos have one of the most high octane offenses in the land as well. This isn't a test like that of the Virginia Tech Hokies earlier in the season. This is a legitimate home game against a long time rival, and it isn't an opportunity that Boise State figures to pass on in its showcase season. QB Bryant Moniz is going to be in for his biggest test of the season, even bigger than when the USC Trojans paid a visit to the Big Island. Hawaii has the longest ATS winning streak in the nation coming into this week at six games, but that all comes to a close as QB Kellen Moore and the gang put the Warriors down and move one step closer to the BCS.

Free College Football Picks: Boise State -21
Prediction: Boise State 41 – Hawaii 17

Matchup: TCU Horned Frogs @ Utah Utes
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 3:30 ET
Location: Rice Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Game Line: Utah +4.5
Over/Under 51.5

Is this really the game of the year? The Horned Frogs know that the reward for winning this game on the road would probably be the coveted No. 2 ranking in the BCS next week, as they will probably hop over the Auburn Tigers, who are taking on an FCS opponent. TCU has a lot of great things going for it, including a defense that ranks No. 1 in the nation in three major statistical categories. HC Gary Patterson lives for games like this one, and he knows that QB Andy Dalton is the man that can get the job done by going on the road and taking care of the Utes. Don't think for one minute that the combination of QB Jordan Wynn, RB Eddie Wide, and RB Matt Asiata are just rolling over and dying, though. Rice Eccles Stadium is one of the more hellacious places to go play in the MWC. Here's the thing, though. Utah has struggled just a bit against some of the better teams on its schedule. Against better teams than that, the Horned Frogs just keep continuing to roll and really haven't had a close call this year. They might get challenged on Saturday afternoon, but when push really comes to shove, TCU is winning this game by two scores.

Free College Football Picks: TCU -4.5
Prediction: TCU 24 – Utah 13

Matchup: North Carolina Tar Heels @ Florida State Seminoles
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 3:30 ET
Location: Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Game Line: Florida State -10.5
Over/Under 49

If you really believe that the garnet and gold have the best team on their half of the ACC Atlantic Division, this is the game for you. Florida State is coming home for what should be an emotion tie just a week after getting beaten at the gun in a crushing defeat by the NC State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium on national TV. QB Christian Ponder is going to want to make amends for fumbling on the final drive of the game that could've won it, and the defense is certainly going to want to make up for its three second half touchdowns allowed to the Wolfpack. The Noles haven't even given up that many points in a full game this year at home. North Carolina is a mess right now, and it was lucky to survive against lowly William & Mary last weekend. The Heels are well on their way to another disappointing defeat in the Sunshine State after getting blown away by the Miami Hurricanes two weeks ago.

Free College Football Picks: Florida State -10.5
Prediction: Florida State 31 – North Carolina 16

Matchup: Northwestern Wildcats @ Penn State Nittany Lions
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 3:30 ET
Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Game Line: Penn State -6
Over/Under 48

Don't be overly shocked if this turns out to be a fantastic game in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions and Wildcats are both looking to improve their bowl positioning this year and they are both rock solid clubs. Northwestern has really slipped against the NCAA football odds of late, dropping five in a row. However, the Wildcats still have one of the most consistent dual threat quarterbacks in the Big Ten in QB Dan Persa, and he is figuring out on the job how he can win games in a very tough conference. The Nittany Lions are getting back QB Robert Bolden after his one week absence, and this is going to be one of the more difficult games for the youngster to deal with this year. It feels like every single season, Northwestern has this way of playing really, really tight games against Big Ten teams in games that maybe aren't of the utmost importance, and this sort of feels like one of those games. Fortunately, unlike last week against the Indiana Hoosiers, we don't have to pick a winner. We just need the Cats to stay close to stick in front of the number.

Free College Football Picks: Northwestern +6
Prediction: Penn State 28 – Northwestern 24

Matchup: Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Iowa State Cyclones
Date: Saturday, November 6th, 3:30 ET
Location: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA
Game Line: Iowa State +17.5
Over/Under 57.5

Here's the million dollar question in this NCAA football betting affair: Which Iowa State team is going to show up? Is the one going to take the field that was absolutely blown to bits by both the Utah Utes and Oklahoma Sooners in back to back weeks, or will the ISU that went on the road and beat the Texas Longhorns and smashed both the Kansas Jayhawks and Texas Tech Red Raiders be on the gridiron? It's not totally inconceivable to think that the Cyclones could still win the Big XII North, but obviously, this is a must win game. The Huskers are probably in no mood to screw around after finally making themselves the only team in this conference that really controlled their own destiny last week when they beat the Missouri Tigers. Still, we know that RB Roy Helu isn't rushing for 300 yards again this week, and we aren't so sure how healthy QB Taylor Martinez really is. On top of that, this is a ton of points to be giving a home team in a conference tussle, especially one that has the caliber enough to go bowling this year.

Free College Football Picks: Iowa State +17.5
Prediction: Nebraska 31 – Iowa State 20

 
September 10th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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San Jose State Spartans (+38.5) @ Wisconsin Badgers
Saturday, September 11th
12:00 ET, Camp Randall, Madison, WI

Look, we know that the Badgers are clearly the superior team in this game, but San Jose State showed at least a little bit of spunk last week against one of the best teams (and probably THE best team) in the country. Going into Camp Randall certainly is no more fun than going into Tuscaloosa, but there is no reason for this college football betting line to be higher than the one that Spartans had on their side against the defending champs last week. Wisconsin allowed 21 points to lowly UNLV this week, and only conceding half of that will probably result in a number that won't be conducive to covering this spread. Wisconsin's offense is as good as it has been this year, but asking this team to drop near 50 on anyone in the country is a tall, tall task.

Prediction: Wisconsin 41 – San Jose State 10

Georgia Bulldogs @ South Carolina Gamecocks (-3)
Saturday, September 11th
12:00 ET, Williams-Bryce Stadium, Columbia, SC

The Gamecocks were one of the more impressive teams in the land last week, which is why the AP Poll bounced them into the Top 25. Still, the coaches aren't on board yet with the Cocks, which sets up one of those prototypical situations where an unranked team is favored over a ranked team while playing at home. Even though we know we're exaggerating, it feels like this cashes in for the team favored team virtually 100% of the time, and we aren't ones to go against that trend. Congrats to the Bulldogs for beating Louisiana-Lafayette 55-7 last Saturday. You won't be so lucky this week without WR AJ Green once again, as South Carolina is out to prove that it is in the class of the SEC East this year and not a doormat like it has been for the majority of the Steve Spurrier era.

Prediction: South Carolina 34 – Georgia 16

Michigan State Spartans (-28) vs. Florida Atlantic Owls
Saturday, September 11th
12:00 ET, Ford Field, Detroit, MI

Some "home game" this is for the Owls, huh? You've always gotta love when the schedule makers try their best to make you feel better by telling you that you're the "host" of a game that is about 100 times further away from your campus than it is from the team that is technically "visiting" you… Anyway, FAU caught lightning in a bottle last week in a narrow win over UAB. Both of those teams are trying to do a huge rebuilding job. Last week, we saw that Michigan State does have an offense competent enough to score 40+ points against the worst teams on its schedule. That's been the problem for Sparty over the years, though. They're good enough to beat the worst teams down, but not good enough to even remotely compete with the big boys. Fortunately for MSU, this is a bad team that it is running up against on Saturday. Take the "visitors" here by a comfortable margin of more than four scores.

Prediction: Michigan State 41 – Georgia 10

Iowa State Cyclones @ Iowa Hawkeyes (-13.5)
Saturday, September 11th
3:30 ET, Kinnick Field, Iowa City, IA

The annual rivalry between Iowa and Iowa State heads to Kinnick this season, a place where the Hawkeyes have won in this series every year since 2002. The home team had won five straight before last year when the Hawkeyes opened a can on ISU 35-3. That also stopped a run of five straight covers for the Cyclones. This year is probably largely going to be the same story as last season. Iowa just has a superior team, and we aren't so sure why the oddsmakers aren't giving the hosts a tad more respect. Do they think this is a look ahead game for the Hawkeyes with Arizona coming up next week? We can't imagine a Kirk Ferentz coached team being caught with its pants down. ISU is okay, and it is clearly that defensively, there have been some changes. But if QB Austen Arnaud can only put 27 points up on Northern Iowa, we tend to think that he is going to struggle to do a lot more than the three he managed last year at home against Iowa. The Hawkeyes should be ready to make their statement after handling Eastern Illinois without incident last week.

Prediction: Iowa 27 – Iowa State 7

Florida State Seminoles (+7) @ Oklahoma Sooners
Saturday, September 11th
3:30 ET, Oklahoma Stadium, Norman, OK

It's sad to think that this is legitimately the undercard game for the Canes and Buckeyes going on at the same time. Still, the Noles are going to go in search of their first major victory of the Jimbo Fisher era, and if it comes, it'll be at the expense of an Oklahoma team that will officially be in a tailspin. That tailspin came close to being underway last week against Utah State, a team that had no business only losing 31-24 in Norman. If QB Landry Jones has any hopes of becoming the Heisman Trophy winner this year, he needs to have the game of his life in a beat down of the garnet and gold. Unfortunately for him, FSU's QB Christian Ponder is saying the exact same thing. Though we haven't seen either team take on legitimate competition this year, we know that OU's strengths have yet to shine, while Florida State looks like a team on the rise. Don't be shocked to see the upset here in what should be a very, very fun game that you should be keeping a close eye on while flipping back to UM/OSU.

Prediction: Florida State 31 – Oklahoma 27

Michigan Wolverines (+3.5) @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Saturday, September 11th
3:30 ET, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN

We are never too keen about a game that pits the Irish and Wolverines against each other, because at least as of recent years, we haven't been thrilled about the way either team is playing. We continued to not be overly impressed with the Irish last week, as they needed to slip past a Purdue team that was playing without its best player and is clearly in rebuilding mode. However, Big Blue was a story of big difference. All of a sudden, QB Denard Robinson looked like Pat White Jr. out there for HC Rich Rodriguez, as he was making the throws necessary to take down the Connecticut Huskies and when nothing was available in the pocket, he was running and doing so for huge chunks of yards. Granted, a lot of people got excited when QB Tate Forcier largely did the same thing at the beginning of last season, so we're still tempered. However, it's clear that between these two squads, Michigan is the lesser of the evils at this point.

Prediction: Michigan 38 – Notre Dame 30

Miami Hurricanes @ Ohio State Buckeyes (-8.5)
Saturday, September 11th
3:40 ET, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

This is the second game going on at the exact same time that is a rematch of a previous National Championship Game. The Buckeyes looked the role of one of the best teams in the country last week in a virtually flawless domination of the Marshall Thundering Herd. The problem is, you could say the same thing about the Canes in their destruction of the Florida A&M Rattlers. Unfortunately, neither team has really proven much yet. Here's what we do know, though. We know that this game is in Columbus, a place where most good teams not named Texas and USC come to die. We know that the Buckeyes have a stifling defense that can stop anyone in the country (see: 2009 Oregon Ducks). We also know that QB Terrelle Pryor for OSU and QB Jacory Harris for Miami are largely on a level playing field. Harris will do a bit more with his arm. Pryor a bit more with his legs. Still, Miami's defense has a bunch of talent and speed, but a lot of question marks. This could be a real slug fest from the get go. Still, in the end, we tend to believe that Harris, while using that cannon of a right arm, is going to make that one mistake that "The U" doesn't recover from, as Ohio State makes its case to be the No. 1 team in the country.

Prediction: Ohio State 21 – Miami 10

BYU Cougars @ Air Force Falcons (-1)
Saturday, September 11th
4:00 ET, Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO

We know that the Cougars have won six straight in this series both SU and ATS. We know that Air Force's defense didn't put up the most stellar effort in the world against a lousy Northwestern State team last week. We know that the Cougars stomped QB Jake Locker and the Washington Huskies in Week 1 as well. However, there's something about taking a true freshman quarterback on the road for his first real test that scares us. It's true that both QBs Jake Heaps and Riley Nelson looked good last week against U-Dub, but this could be a significantly different challenge. Air Force is going to deploy about a million different players on offense, and a ton of them are returners that have a lot of experience. These Falcons have never beaten BYU, and you have to believe that this is a game that has been circled on the calendar for quite some time for them. Air Force is 11-5 ATS in its L/16 games played at home… This is a very, very interesting line that we tend to want to take advantage of.

Prediction: Air Force 37 – BYU 31