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February 11th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Syracuse Orange @ Louisville Cardinals
Date: Saturday, February 11th, 12:00 ET
Location: KFC Yum! Arena, Louisville, KY

The Redbirds have a real chance here to make a statement at home against a Syracuse team that has underachieved in recent weeks. Head Coach Jim Boeheim knows that he is up against it in this one, especially on the road where his team has already lost to the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Pitt Panthers over the course of the last month. Louisville is coming off of that crushing loss at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but things are definitely looking up. This is a team that generally plays remarkable defense, and that 'D' should really shine on Saturday. The home team is 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight clashes in this series, while Syracuse is just 5-12 ATS in its last 17 games played on Saturday. The Cards have also won and six in a row in this series and are 5-0-1 ATS in those meetings. Back Louisville.

Free College Basketball Picks: Louisville Cardinals

Matchup: Kentucky Wildcats @ Vanderbilt Commodores
Date: Saturday, February 11th, 1:00 ET
Location: Memorial Arena, Nashville, TN

This is a mighty interesting clash for the Wildcats, who really haven't played all that well on the road this year. Perhaps a different program with less of a history wouldn't even have a ranking right now at 17-6, just like this Vanderbilt team is just barely hanging on to the Top 25. The Cats, believe it or not, only have one win on the road in the SEC this year, and if they lose this one, there is a good chance that they will only end up beating one SEC East team on the road. Head Coach John Calipari has a talented bunch, but these youngsters just haven't figured out how to consistently put it together on the road. The 'Dores, on the other hand, are 13-1 at home on the campaign, and they do have some wins against some very quality foes here. Don't be shocked if the big men for Vandy, while are far more experienced, end up outworking the Wildcats in the Music City.

Free NCAA Basketball Picks: Vanderbilt Commodores

Matchup: Ohio State Buckeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers
Date: Saturday, February 11th, 2:00 ET
Location: Kohl Center, Madison, WI

Seemingly everyone and their brother is going to be backing the Badgers in this one, and the college basketball odds might even have the hosts as short favorites over the undisputed No. 1 team in the country. The problem is perception. No one really believes that OSU is that good of a team this year. Sure, Jared Sullinger is amazing, but the rest of this cast really doesn't look like a Final Four team, does it? Then again, does Wisconsin look like a Final Four team either? If Head Coach Thad Motta can figure out how to take the ball out of the hands of Jon Leuer and Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin is in a ton of trouble in this one. The Buckeyes have some big time mojo on their side, and there is a reason that they have withstood the first 24 challenges this year. They'll survive and get win No. 25, which should start the talks about a perfect season in a hurry.

College Basketball Free Picks: Ohio State Buckeyes

Matchup: Baylor Bears @ Texas Longhorns
Date: Saturday, February 11th, 4:00 ET
Location: Frank Erwin Special Events Center, Austin, TX

Texas needs to be particularly careful in this one, as the Bears are a dangerous club. There is a point that the No. 3 team in the country is overrated. We know that Texas is good, and that there is a good chance that this will be at least an Elite 8 team, if not more. However, the point of desperation is going to be kicking in at some point for the Bears, and this is a bit of a bipolar bunch of Longhorns that we are dealing with. Remember, this is a beatable team here in Austin; UConn proved that, and it did so with a big time game from Kemba Walker. Though there is no one quite like Walker in the country, Baylor does have some legit stars like LaceDarius Dunn to rely on. He's capable of going off for 30 in any game that he plays, and he has enough help around him to be able to take down some of the best and brightest in the country. Still, Baylor has struggled and has limped to a marginal record in conference and a terrible record against the NCAA basketball odds. The Bears might be good enough to stick inside of what is sure to be a hefty number, though.

NCAA Basketball Free Picks: Baylor Bears

Matchup: Pitt Panthers @ Villanova Wildcats
Date: Saturday, February 11th, 9:00 ET
Location: The Palestra, Philadelphia, PA

The Wildcats are going to be inevitably be getting very little respect from the oddsmakers thanks to the fact that they were upset in horrifying fashion by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights earlier this week at home as tremendous chalks. Many will think that this is the start of another one of these patented Villanova swoons, just like the team went on a few weeks ago, and just like the one that the squad had just before the NCAA Tournament last year. However, that was clearly a look ahead game, and it was a game in which the Cats were just flat the whole way through because they knew that there were bigger and better on the horizon. U-Pitt is a great team, but even the best and brightest in the Big East end up getting picked off in roadies like this one eventually. If this is anywhere even close to a pick 'em like we are thinking, we have no choice but to go with the hosts.

College Basketball Expert Picks: Villanova Wildcats

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January 3rd, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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A pair of teams that probably felt like they were going to be in better shape this season meet up as the second best teams in the Big Ten and the SEC respectively in the 2011 Sugar Bowl. The SEC has really put a whooping on the Big Ten so far in this bowl season, but the Buckeyes have a great chance to buck the trend in this one, as they are short favorites down in New Orleans. Is it justified, though? Check out our 2011 Sugar Bowl picks.

Sugar Bowl Matchup: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
Date: Tuesday, January 4th, 8:30 ET
Location: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Sugar Bowl Line: Ohio State -3.5
Over/Under 57

Buckeyes Notes: The Buckeyes are going to have a lot of issues to set aside in this one. QB Terrelle Pryor, WR DeVier Posey, and RB Daniel Herron are amongst the five players that are going to be suspended for the first five games for next year. However, this could be the last stand for all five players, especially the three offensive superstars. Pryor had his best season this year to date, throwing for 2,551 yards and 25 TDs against 11 picks, and he rushed for 639 yards and four TDs. Herron was fantastic this year on the ground, rushing the ball 192 times for 1,068 yards and 15 scores. Posey was the second leading receiver with 50 catches, 778 yards, and six scores. WR Dane Sanzenbacher led the team in all of the receiving categories in 2010. He caught 52 passes for 889 yards and 10 tuddies. OSU's defense ranked No. 2 in the country this year at 251.6 yards per game, and though that was quite a ways behind the TCU Horned Frogs for No. 1, this was clearly a tougher schedule that the Buckeyes had to face. There is no doubt that this would have been the top scoring team in the land if not for the fact that the defense and special teams really gave up too many scores either directly or indirectly. Still, the Wisconsin Badgers were the only team on the docket this year that scored more than 24 points against this unit this year, and half of the dozen teams ended up scoring ten points or fewer.

Razorbacks Notes: Head Coach Bobby Petrino was really looked upon as one of the biggest skunks in football after bailing both on the Louisville Cardinals and then the Atlanta Falcons, but we have to admit that everywhere this man goes in college, he just continues to produce winners. This year, he beat the LSU Tigers in the regular season finale in the game that inevitably put this team here in the BCS for the first time in the history of the program. Of course, it helps that QB Ryan Mallett is one of the best signal callers in the entire country. Mallett threw for 3,592 yards and 30 TDs against 11 picks, but more importantly, he averaged a whopping 9.9 yards per pass attempt. Of course, that means that there are a lot of receivers on this club that can stretch the field. The three receivers that are healthy on this team, WR Jarius Wright, WR Joe Adams, and WR Cobi Hamilton, are all averaging at least 17 yards per reception this year, while TE DJ Williams was the possession receiver of the bunch at 49 catches, 589 yards, and four scores. Six different receivers caught at least four TD passes this year, while five men had at least 580 yards. RB Brodrick Green was really expected to come to the forefront this year in the SEC, but he never really panned out, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry and amassing three scores. RB Knile Davis had his back though, rushing for 1,183 yards and 13 scores to lead the team in both categories. Arkansas had a very underappreciated defense this year, allowing just 338.4 yards and 22.8 points per game, and if you take out that ridiculous 65-43 loss to the Auburn Tigers, the team allowed just 19.0 points per game.

The Final Word: We've already mentioned how badly the SEC has beaten the Big Ten this year, but the Buckeyes are bound to get some revenge in this one. The scoring might not be nearly as high as many are expecting in this one though, as both of these defenses are built like rocks. We tend to believe that this is the last time we see Pryor in a college uniform, and we think that he is going to go out on top with a 'W' in the Sugar Bowl.

Sugar Bowl Free Pick: Ohio State -3.5
Sugar Bowl Prediction: Ohio State 24 – Arkansas 16

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November 26th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Virginia Cavaliers @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 12:00 ET
Location: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
Game Line: Virginia Tech Hokies -23.5
Over/Under 57.5

The rivalry in the state of Virginia this year doesn't have all that much meaning to it, as the Hokies are already going to the ACC Championship Game next week, while the Cavaliers can't make it to a bowl game one way or the other. Both of these teams are solid ATS squads as well, as they are a combined 14-8 in that department. The Hokies have dominated this series, going 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS since 2003, and there is little reason to believe that that won't continue. The Hoos are trying out a bunch of new things this year, and unless QB Marc Verica plans on getting to the 3,000 yard mark this year (which requires 369 passing yards), we don't see how UVA is sticking around with the red hot Hokies, who just want to keep their mojo going into the conference title game.

Free College Football Picks: Virginia Tech -23.5
Prediction: Virginia Tech 38 – Virginia 10

Matchup: Michigan State Spartans @ Penn State Nittany Lions
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 12:00 ET
Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Game Line: Michigan State -1.5
Over/Under 51

This is the game that will essentially lock up the Big Ten for the Wisconsin Badgers. The Spartans are just barely hanging on by a thread this season, as they have already had to post major comebacks against both the Northwestern Wildcats and the Purdue Boilermakers to hold on for victories. If those games went the other way and nothing else changed, we know that Penn State would be favored by close to a TD in this one. The bottom line here is that we've had this game circled for quite some time. The Spartans have killed off a number of National Championship hopes for the Nittany Lions over the years, and now Penn State can return the favor and end the Rose Bowl dreams of Michigan State. You know that Joe Pa's crew isn't going to want to pass up on that opportunity.

Free College Football Picks: Penn State +1.5
Prediction: Penn State 23 – Michigan State 17

Matchup: Michigan Wolverines @ Ohio State Buckeyes
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 12:00 ET
Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Game Line: Ohio State -16.5
Over/Under 63.5

Ohio State has a chance to finish off an 11 win season if it can continue dominance over the Wolverines. Previous Michigan HC Lloyd Carr was canned because he couldn't beat the Buckeyes, and though we know that HC Rich Rodriguez is safe this year after winning seven games and taking Big Blue to a bowl game, eventually, a win over OSU is going to be required for him to keep his job. QB Denard Robinson is going to have to go wild against one of the top defenses in the country to pull off this upset, but with what we've seen thus far with the Buckeyes at home, where they are 7-0 SU and 7-0 ATS, the NCAA football odds aren't looking so good for the visitors.

Free College Football Picks: Ohio State -16.5
Prediction: Ohio State 41 – Michigan 21

Matchup: BYU Cougars @ Utah Utes
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 3:30 ET
Location: Rice Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Game Line: Utah -8.5
Over/Under 50

This is going to be one of the most interesting Holy Wars in years. The Utes are really slumping right now, as they only stopped a brutal two game skid in which they scored a total of just nine points last week. BYU, on the other hand, really has its offense in high gear right now, and it has salvaged a bowl bid in a year in which looked like it was going to be a disaster. This is the last meeting of these two teams as members of the MWC. The Cougs will be going independent next year, while Utah is headed to the Pac-10. QB Jake Heaps has really figured it out of late, as he is up to 1,824 yards and ten TDs on the campaign, while his counterpart in this one, QB Jordan Wynn, really hasn't gotten it together this year for the Utes to the fullest capability. Last year's game was an epic 26-23 overtime win for BYU in Provo, and this year's encounter should be every bit as entertaining. We think that Rice Eccles Stadium will claim another foe, but that the Cougs are going to find a way to get out of Salt Lake City with another cover.

Free College Football Picks: BYU +8.5
Prediction: Utah 27 – BYU 21

Matchup: Northwestern Wildcats @ Wisconsin Badgers
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 3:30 ET
Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
Game Line: Wisconsin -23.5
Over/Under 57

As long as nothing else screwy happens in the Big Ten over the course of the day, this is going to be the farewell song for the Badgers at home this year, as they head to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl or to Glendale for the BCS Championship Game. The equation in this one is painfully simply. The Wildcats gave up 360 rushing yards last week to Illinois' RB Mikel LeShoure. Last week, Wisconsin's RB Montee Ball and RB James White both rumbled for at least 170 yards apiece. Now, RB John Clay is going to be back in the fold this week as well. At this pace, all three of them could end up with 150 on the ground, especially since the Northwestern offense has totally fallen apart with QB Dan Persa out of the lineup with an Achilles tear. RB Jacob Schmidt and RB Mike Trumpy probably aren't playing either, and if this is the case, QB Evan Watkins is going to be looking like a deer in headlights. Camp Randall will be Jumpin' Around on Saturday afternoon, as their Badgers will have roses between their teeth when this one is over with.

Free College Football Picks: Wisconsin -23.5
Prediction: Wisconsin 63 – Northwestern 17

Matchup: NC State Wolfpack @ Maryland Terrapins
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 3:30 ET
Location: Byrd Stadium, College Park, MD
Game Line: NC State -1.5
Over/Under 52

The Wolfpack haven't played all that well on the road this year, but they knew coming into last week's clash with the North Carolina Tar Heels that they needed to win twice in order to lock up the ACC Atlantic Division to go to their first ACC Championship Game. The equation is simple. An NCSU win sends the Wolfpack to the game. A loss puts the Florida State Seminoles there for the second time in school history. QB Russell Wilson has all of the pressure on his shoulders to try to take down a team that has played incredibly well at home this year. The Terps don't have anything to really play for except positioning in bowl games, but you can bet that after a great season, Maryland doesn't want to see it all come crashing down with a pair of home losses. Back the hosts, which will send FSU to the league title game.

Free College Football Picks: Maryland Terrapins +1.5
Prediction: Maryland 21 – NC State 20

Matchup: Florida Gators @ Florida State Seminoles
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 3:30 ET
Location: Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Game Line: Florida State -2
Over/Under 51

The truth of the matter is that this game really doesn't mean much to either one of these teams from the perspective of where they are going to go to a bowl game. Odds have it, Florida's fate will be in the hands of the Outback Bowl, which may or may not take it. If not, there will be a lot of bowl games that surpass the Gators before they land one way or the other. The Noles though, are probably going to be the No. 2 or No. 3 team in the conference, which means that they will either be in the Gator Bowl or the Champs Sports Bowl unless they win the ACC. You know that there will be plenty of scoreboard watching in Tallahassee, win or lose against UF. The Maryland Terrapins will be rooted on just as hard as the Noles will at the Doak on Saturday. A win for the team that FSU disposed of last week will send it to the ACC Championship Game. Still, this game takes top priority for the men on the field, as the Seminoles haven't beaten the Gators in six tries. Florida just doesn't look like it has the oomph right now, particularly offensively, to be able to take down the men in garnet and gold. Florida State will get the job done, and there will be a ton of celebrating on the streets of Tallahassee for the first time in years.

Free College Football Picks: Florida State -2
Prediction: Florida State 30 – Florida 21

Matchup: LSU Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 3:30 ET
Location: War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR
Game Line: Arkansas -3
Over/Under 54

These two teams really hate each other, as the battle for the Golden Boot is always one of the most brutal battles to watch on the collegiate gridiron all season long. Depending on what happens with the Iron Bowl on Friday afternoon, Arkansas might think that it has a great chance of playing for a BCS bowl game, as a second team from the SEC is likely going to find its way to a major bowl game. LSU knows that a spot in the BCS is guaranteed with a win, as a one loss SEC team is not going to be passed upon under any circumstance. The chance is still there for the Mad Hatter, HC Les Miles and company to go the National Championship Game, especially if they are impressive in this one on the road. We know that statistically speaking, all signs point to Arkansas winning this game, but we're not so sure. LSU just has this knack of winning games like this one, while the Hogs have had the nature to lose them. That parlayed with the fact that the Bayou Bengals have been the dominant team in this series over the years has us waving around purple and gold flags in college football betting action.

Free College Football Picks: LSU +3
Prediction: LSU 23 – Arkansas 20

Matchup: Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Mississippi Rebels
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 7:00 ET
Location: Vaught Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS
Game Line: Mississippi State -2.5
Over/Under 54

The annual Egg Bowl is usually a very close run thing, and this year is probably going to be no exception whatsoever. The Bulldogs have lost a pair of games in a row, but no one is blaming them after having a fantastic first nine games of the year. Ole Miss has been disappointing, losing close game after close game. HC Houston Nutt needs something to bring into next season, but we tend to think that the combination of QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB Brandon Bolden are going to get stuffed up. MSU has no fear about going on the road and winning games like this one. Just ask the Florida Gators. The Bulldogs are going to find a way to sneak out of Oxford with a big time win to hopefully snare a bid in a strong bowl like they deserve after a great regular season.

Free College Football Picks: Mississippi State -2.5
Prediction: Mississippi State 27 – Mississippi 20

Matchup: South Carolina Gamecocks @ Clemson Tigers
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 3:30 ET
Location: Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Game Line: South Carolina -2.5
Over/Under 45

Winning in Death Valley is never an easy thing to do, but the Tigers just haven't looked like a team all season long that can beat a team the quality of the Gamecocks. South Carolina didn't take its foot off of the gas pedal last week in the demolition of the Troy Trojans, and we don't see it doing anything of the sorts again this week even though the SEC Championship Game is on deck. The Gamecocks are a legitimate team, and they are going to give Auburn fits for the second time this year inevitably. But before any of that takes place, RB Marcus Lattimore is once again going to prove that he is the best freshman in the entire country, as he leads Cocky over the Tigers in Death Valley on the road.

Free College Football Picks: South Carolina -2.5
Prediction: South Carolina 26 – Clemson 17

Matchup: Oregon State Beavers @ Stanford Cardinal
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 7:30 ET
Location: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
Game Line: Stanford -13
Over/Under 57

HC Mike Riley has his work cut out for him for his Beavers, as they need to beat either the Cardinal or the Oregon Ducks to go to a bowl game this year. The problem that the Beavs have is that they just can't win games on the road. They've had too many close calls to deal with and have just consistently found ways to drop. Stanford knows that this could be a play in game for the BCS, and maybe even for the BCS Championship if enough you know what breaks loose. The Cardinal are going to be locked in this dog fight with teams like the TCU Horned Frogs, LSU Tigers, and Ohio State Buckeyes for the last at large bowl bids to the BCS, and an impressive victory here against a former Top 25 team would go a long, long way. The offense for Stanford is just too strong, as it has put at least 42 on the board in three of the last four. The Cardinal are 3-0-1 ATS in those four games, and there is no reason that we can see that they would do anything less than come away with a three score victory against Oregon State.

Free College Football Picks: Stanford -13
Prediction: Stanford 38 – Oregon State 21

Matchup: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ Georgia Bulldogs
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 7:45 ET
Location: Bulldog Stadium, Athens, GA
Game Line: Georgia -13.5
Over/Under 58.5

The winner of this game is certainly going bowling, while the loser might be in a bit of trouble. We already know that Georgia is playing for its bowl life, something that the Texas Longhorns failed at on Thanksgiving night. One of the most proud programs in the SEC posting a losing season would be fatal for the career of HC Mark Richt, as he will almost certainly be fired by the end of the weekend if the Dawgs don't come out on top in this one. QB Josh Nesbitt has been out of the lineup for the Ramblin' Wreck though, and he isn't going to be back in the fold for the rest of the year. Even though Georgia Tech already has the six wins required to be eligible for a bowl game, there is still a huge question as to whether or not anyone would take the Yellow Jackets if there are more bowl eligible teams than there are tie ins to these bowl games in the ACC. Some weird results have happened in this rivalry game, just like last year when UGA pulled off the upset in Atlanta in a game in which no one really gave the Bulldogs a shot. Don't be overly surprised if HC Paul Johnson has something in store for the Georgia offense that it hasn't seen this year. Take all the points you can get, as un upset might be in the cards.

Free College Football Picks: Georgia Tech +13.5
Prediction: Georgia Tech 21 – Georgia 17

Matchup: Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ USC Trojans
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 8:00 ET
Location: Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Game Line: USC -4.5
Over/Under 49.5

We're not so sure what in the heck the Fighting Irish have been doing in recent weeks, but even without five of their offensive stars, they just keep continuing to find ways to win games. The Golden Domers fortunately locked up their bowl berth before this game kicked off. But now that that has happened, does USC really have much in the way of motivation to finish off this year? The Trojans slumped down the end of the season last year, and that was with a bowl game coming up. Now, they don't even have one of those to look forward to. These are two of the most bi-polar teams in the entire country that we're dealing with, and as long as that remains the case, we'll take the hotter team with the points and pull for the Irish.

Free College Football Picks: Notre Dame +4.5
Prediction: Notre Dame 20 – USC 13

Matchup: Oklahoma Sooners @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 8:00 ET
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Game Line: Oklahoma State -2.5
Over/Under 67.5

Unless the BCS rankings have some tricks up their sleeves that we don't see coming, the winner of this game is going to be taking down the Big XII South and heading to the Big XII Championship Game, where they will be facing with the Nebraska Cornhuskers or Missouri Tigers. This is the first time that Okie State has been favored in this series in well over a decade, and for good reason. The men from Norman have won Bedlam 80 times in 104 meetings and have beaten up the Pokes seven times in a row. That all changes this year, though. This offense for Okie State is just downright scary, as QB Brandon Weeden, WR Justin Blackmon, and RB Kendall Hunter are all capable of putting up absolutely bananas numbers on a regular basis against anyone in the country. Though things have gotten better for Oklahoma, they still aren't where they should be. This defense is still certainly down from what we were expecting at the outset of the season. The team that deserves to win the Big XII South is Oklahoma State, and that's exactly how it is going to be playing out at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday night, as the goalposts are coming down in Stillwater.

Free College Football Picks: Oklahoma State -2.5
Prediction: Oklahoma State 37 – Oklahoma 31

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November 12th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Georgia Bulldogs @ Auburn Tigers
Date: Saturday, November 13th, 3:30 ET
Location: Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
Game Line: Auburn -7
Over/Under 62.5

Allegations around QB Cam Newton could really be hurting the college football betting lines in this one, as the Tigers continue to drop like a rock through the day on Friday. We just don't buy into the hype, though. At some point, we all have to realize that there is a reason that the Tigers are 10-0 this year, and a reason why they are considered such heavy favorites against a .500 Georgia team. The Bulldogs just aren't that great. Sure, QB Aaron Murray is going to be a star one day, but he isn't right now, and the only way he becomes a star is if WR AJ Green makes him one. Green is great and will surely get his yards and touches, but that doesn't mean that he can single handedly beat Auburn. There is just too much on the line for HC Gene Chizik, and we aren't buying the fact that the Tigers can't go 12-0 and that they can't figure out how to win the SEC or the National Championship. Newton is one of the best 2-3 players in the entire country, and as long as he is on the field and the NCAA doesn't put the boom down against him in this whole issue with "pay to play" at Auburn, the Tigers are certainly seven points better than the Bulldogs are on any field, especially their own.

Free College Football Picks: Auburn -7
Prediction: Auburn 41 – Georgia 24

Matchup: Penn State Nittany Lions @ Ohio State Buckeyes
Date: Saturday, November 13th, 3:30 ET
Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Game Line: Ohio State -18.5
Over/Under 49.5

The Buckeyes have gone a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS at home this year, and they really don't seem like they're going to get stopped any time in the near future. They have looked relatively flawless, short of that loss to the Wisconsin Badgers, yet the oddsmakers and the pollsters don't seem to be giving them the respect that they deserve. It appears as though the time really is not now for QB Robert Bolden, as he has been replaced by QB Matthew McGloin by HC Joe Paterno. McGloin has played well this year, throwing for 551 yards and seven TDs against just one pick in limited action. However, that limited action doesn't normally include going against a defense anywhere near as good as that of Ohio State. The Nittany Lions were spanked 24-3 on the road by both the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Alabama Crimson Tide this year, and there's no reason to think that a relatively similar score line won't be the end result on Saturday. Don't fall into the trap and assume that this is a lot of points to be giving a 6-3 Penn State team. The Buckeyes really are that good.

Free College Football Picks: Ohio State -18.5
Prediction: Ohio State 30 – Penn State 6

Matchup: Texas Tech Red Raiders @ Oklahoma Sooners
Date: Saturday, November 13th, 3:30 ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Game Line: Oklahoma -15
Over/Under 63.5

The Sooners have played down to the level of their competition all season long, and there's no reason to believe that that won't continue on Saturday. There is a major matchup issue here between the Oklahoma secondary, which is allowing over 230 yards per game in ranks in the 80s in the country, going against the Air Raid passing attack, which is always one of the best in the country. Normally, it has been talent at the corner position that has kept the Red Raiders at bay when these two teams meet, but now, we aren't so sure what's going to happen with the Sooners struggling so much. What isn't a question to us is that QB Landry Jones is going to get to the 3,000 yard barrier this week and that he is going to put points on the board. He probably needs to drop at least 40 to stop the Red Raiders at this kind of a college football line, though. Do you have confidence that he can do it and that Texas Tech isn't going to find a way to put 24 or so on the board? We sure don't. We'll take the points.

Free College Football Picks: Texas Tech +15
Prediction: Oklahoma 31 – Texas Tech 27

Matchup: Virginia Tech Hokies @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Date: Saturday, November 13th, 3:30 ET
Location: Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
Game Line: North Carolina +3.5
Over/Under 51.5

We're really amazed that the Tar Heels have really been able to keep up this year with the rest of the ACC in spite of the fact that they have 23 men on scholarship that are either suspended on the injured list at the current moment. HC Butch Davis has done a yeoman's job putting North Carolina on the verge of the Top 25 and potentially within one or two steps of the ACC Championship Game if it can pull off the mild upset here on Saturday. Just one problem: Virginia Tech probably has one of the best ten teams in the country and certainly has the best team in the ACC. The Hokies have been on fire, winning nine straight and going 6-1 ATS since losing to the James Madison Dukes, and with QB Tyrod Taylor finally putting together a fantastic season, we have no reason to believe that the men in purple won't be able to come on the road and pull off a victory by more than a field goal. The Hokies have too much to lose to screw around here, and though the ACC Coastal will still be won if they win out after this game, it could be all over but the crying with a win. HC Frank Beamer won't miss this chance.

Free College Football Picks: Virginia Tech -3.5
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28 – North Carolina 20

Matchup: San Diego State Aztecs @ TCU Horned Frogs
Date: Saturday, November 13th, 4:00 ET
Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Game Line: TCU -27
Over/Under 53.5

Way to go Horned Frogs! TCU really has seized control of the BCS Championship picture, and though right now, it would be on the outside looking into the big game and playing in the Rose Bowl instead, we know that this is probably the biggest favorite of it, the Auburn Tigers, and Oregon Ducks to be in the desert for the National Championship Game. San Diego State really couldn't have asked for a better time to run into the Horned Frogs though, as they are coming off of that huge 47-7 win over the Utah Utes on the road. Just one problem: This is TCU's final home game of the season. Do you think that it really wants to leave Fort Worth with anything less than another incredibly dominating victory? Sure, the Aztecs have already played well at the Missouri Tigers this year, but this is a totally different challenge. This year at home, TCU has outscored its foes 221-27 in five games. Without a doubt, this has to be one of the most impressive statistics in the country. Even more impressive? The Horned Frogs are allowing just 8.5 PPG on the season. No way they win this one by less than four TDs.

Free College Football Picks: TCU -27
Prediction: TCU 45 – San Diego State 13

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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

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October 22nd, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Navy Midshipmen
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 12:00 ET
Location: New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Game Line: Notre Dame -6.5
Over/Under 49.5

The Middies are still struggling, though they're finding ways to scratch wins together of late. The Irish, on the other hand, have been dominating games lately, going 1-0-2 ATS and 3-0 SU in their L/3. QB Dayne Crist hasn't missed a beat without TE Kyle Rudolph in the lineup, and the offense blew up last week for 44 points in spite of the fact that WR Theo Riddick was largely missing in action. WR Michael Floyd is going to be the most dangerous weapon on the field for the Middies to try to defend. This is a game that is historically owned by the Fighting Irish, though Navy has taken the L/2 meetings in South Bend. You have to go back five decades to find the last victory that didn't occur in front of the watchful eyes of Touchdown Jesus, though. This will be a legitimate neutral site game, which probably favors the Fighting Irish just a tad. Go with the Golden Domers to take care of this one on the "road," as it appears as though HC Brian Kelly finally has enough going to get a real winning streak in the works.

Free College Football Picks: Notre Dame -6.5
Prediction: Notre Dame 27 – Navy 19

Matchup: Syracuse Orange @ West Virginia Mountaineers
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 12:00 ET
Location: Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV
Game Line: West Virginia -13.5
Over/Under 43.5

Don't let the 4-2 mark beside the name "Syracuse" fool you. Instead, remember that this program is still just that… "Syracuse." The Orange probably aren't going bowling this year, though in the pathetic Big East, you never really know what's going to happen from Saturday to Saturday. However, one thing that we do know is that West Virginia is the only team in this conference that would stand a chance of even remotely competing in the other divisions in college football. WVU is clearly head and shoulders the better team here, and QB Geno Smith and one of the best defenses in the country is probably going to prove it. The 'Neers are 7-2 ATS in their L/9 against the Orange, and in spite of the fact that those two duds came in the L/2 meetings in Morgantown, we aren't afraid of just a two score NCAA football spread.

Free College Football Picks: West Virginia -13.5
Prediction: West Virginia 31 – Syracuse 10

Matchup: Purdue Boilermakers @ Ohio State Buckeyes
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 12:00 ET
Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Game Line: Ohio State -24
Over/Under 47.5

The Buckeyes have quite a lot to be angry about in this game. They lost last week to the Wisconsin Badgers in a game in which they were totally dominated until about halftime when they decided to finally wake up and play some football. HC Jim Tressel can also point to the fact that this is one of the last Big Ten teams standing without a conference loss. Oh yes, this was also the same Purdue team that spoiled any hopes of OSU winning the National Championship last year… You think this one is going to be ugly? The Boilers have just had the Buckeyes' numbers in recent years, as they have pulled some upsets and done a lot of good work against the college football odds as well. However, this one just won't be the same. Without QB Robert Marve and RB Ralph Bolden in the fold, Purdue is just dead in the water. There's no semblance of an offense that can do any sort of damage against this potent 'D' that has to still be angry about the huge number that Wisky dropped on the board last weekend in Camp Randall. In the end, too much QB Terrelle Pryor, too much OSU defense, and not nearly enough Purdue offense. This should be a laugher.

Free College Football Picks: Ohio State -24
Prediction: Ohio State 41 – Purdue 6

Matchup: Michigan State Spartans @ Northwestern Wildcats
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 12:00 ET
Location: Ryan Field, Evanston, IN
Game Line: Michigan State -6
Over/Under 53

Northwestern was upset by the Purdue Boilermakers last week at home in what clearly amounted to be the worst game of the season. The Cats were scratched in a big way, but they are clearly rabid right now. Remember that this was the same team that ended the perfect campaign of the Iowa Hawkeyes last season. Michigan State needs to watch out and watch out in a big time way. The rush defense for the Wildcats is going to be tested by RBs Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell. We're not so sure that QB Dan Persa really has what it takes to beat this team, but this is a passing attack that ranks No. 20 in the nation against one of the country's worst secondaries. At some point, Sparty is going to get picked off, and it might get picked off a few times. This could just be the beginning of the end.

Free College Football Picks: Northwestern +6
Prediction: Northwestern 26 – Michigan State 24

Matchup: Mississippi Rebels @ Arkansas Razorbacks
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 12:20 ET
Location: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR
Game Line: Arkansas -9.5
Over/Under 58

Last week, we warned that this Ole Miss team was good enough to pull some big time upsets, even in the SEC West this year, and we at least got a close game against the Alabama Crimson Tide to show for it. QB Jeremiah Masoli has all the talent in the world, and if the defense for the Rebs can start to show up like it has in recent weeks, this could be a very interesting ball game. Who knows how much QB Ryan Mallett is going to be affected by that concussion he suffered last weekend? One thing we do know is that the running quarterback, QB Cameron Newton, absolutely destroyed this defense for the Hogs. Masoli is built in the exact same mold, and he just had to be loving watching that game tape this week. Arkansas can be had. This is a team that might just be poised to fall flat. If the Rebs want to go bowling this year, this is the type of game that they are going to have to win at some point. There's no better time that the present to pick of a wounded Arkansas team that has played in three straight very tight ball games against good teams and could really use a breather. They're not getting one.

Free College Football Picks: Ole Miss +9.5
Prediction: Mississippi 41 – Arkansas 31

Matchup: Wisconsin Badgers @ Iowa Hawkeyes
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 3:30 ET
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
Game Line: Iowa -6
Over/Under 48

If you look up the definition of an awful scheduling spot, you're going to see Bucky the Badger's face plastered right there in the dictionary. Wisconsin is just in so much trouble in this game, it's not even funny. This team is clearly high on life after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes last week at home. Fantastic. Now, the test is certainly more difficult. The Hawkeyes might not only be just as good, if not better than the Buckeyes, but they are also going to be playing at home as well. Iowa has absolutely owned the Badgers in recent years, and we don't expect that to change any. HC Kirk Ferentz really used last year's win at Camp Randall as the boosting point for the fantastic season that ended with an Orange Bowl victory. This could be the start of a National Championship run if the Hawkeyes get some lucky bounces from other teams along the way. There's too much on the line for Iowa to get beaten at home. This game will look a lot like the game against the hapless Penn State Nittany Lions for Iowa.

Free College Football Picks: Iowa -6
Prediction: Iowa 30 – Wisconsin 10

Matchup: Kansas State Wildcats @ Baylor Bears
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 3:30 ET
Location: Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco, TX
Game Line: Baylor -6.5
Over/Under 56.5

Would you even imagine that Baylor would be favored over Kansas State by basically a full touchdown in a game? All of a sudden the Bears, the program that became the whipping boy for so many other teams in the Big XII over the years, have figured out how to make the most out of their QB Robert Griffin. This offense is absolutely tearing through teams this season. K-State is a very one dimensional team, as it is RB Daniel Thomas or bust. If that doesn't work, its defense is going to be in a ton of trouble. You'd better believe that this game is the equivalent of the Super Bowl in Waco, as a win for the Bears would ensure a bowl game for the first time in eons. Remember, this team has won games this year 34-3, 34-6, and 55-7 at home and hasn't played any other games there… Yet, it is still 5-2 on the season. You'd better believe that the crowd will be out in full force. The Wildcats won't know what hit them in this one, as this could be on the more entertaining displays to watch on Saturday.

Free College Football Picks: Baylor -6.5
Prediction: Baylor 34 – Kansas State 17

Matchup: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ Clemson Tigers
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 3:30 ET
Location: Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Game Line: Clemson -5.5
Over/Under 52

Death Valley is a horrifying place for opponents to go into, as it is one of the loudest venues in the nation. However, we still just aren't so sold on QB Kyle Parker and the men in orange. Georgia Tech hasn't really had much in the way of success defensively this season, but that doesn't mean that it can't muster up just a tad in this one. QB Josh Nesbitt's triple option attack absolutely blew up this Clemson defense last year twice, and if Nesbitt can get out in some open space, he can really hush the crowd in Death Valley once, and potentially for all. The Ramblin' Wreck have something to prove with the ACC Coastal Division title once again within reach. Winning out will take care of that. For Clemson, the only goal is a bowl game. The wrong team is favored in this one.

Free College Football Picks: Georgia Tech +5.5
Prediction: Georgia Tech 28 – Clemson 20

Matchup: LSU Tigers @ Auburn Tigers
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 3:30 ET
Location: Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
Game Line: Auburn -5.5
Over/Under 51.5

We've already discussed this game just a tad, and we are going dig just a bit deeper right now. The Bayou Bengals have all of the tools that it takes to stop this Auburn offense, so the only question in our mind on this side of the ball is whether the combined rushing force of RB Michael Dyer, RB Onterio McCalebb, and QB Cam Newton is going to be able to do enough to penetrate this defense. So far, no one has really been tremendously successful. If you take away one bad quarter, the LSU defense has looked phenomenal, even on the road against the Florida Gators. Last week, know that Auburn's secondary got exposed by a backup quarterback, and if that's the case, perhaps the combination of QB Jarret Lee and QB Jordon Jefferson actually has a chance of making some headway. We'll say this… If the LSU offense can get anywhere near the 30 point barrier, this game is as good as over. HC Les Miles and his team know what it takes to win big games like this one. HC Gene Chizik and his Tigers aren't anywhere near that level yet. One of these teams is a legitimate contender for the National Championship. The other one, we believe to be fool's gold.

Free College Football Picks: LSU +5.5
Prediction: LSU 27 – Auburn 21

Matchup: Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 3:30 ET
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Game Line: Nebraska -6
Over/Under 60

If the Pokes find a way to really start torching the Nebraska defense, this could be one heck of a rodeo in Stillwater. Nebraska has the offensive weapons to get through a defense that really hasn't had much success stopping anyone this year. You can bet that QB Taylor Martinez is going to want to make amends for failing last week against the Texas Longhorns. This is also a very, very dangerous game for the Huskers because a second loss in Big XII play parlayed with a win by the Missouri Tigers over the Oklahoma Sooners later that night takes the Big XII North race out of their hands. They'll need the 'Zou to come back to the pack to be able to head back to the Big XII Championship for another go around. The matchup to watch is the hookup of QB Brandon Weeden to WR Justin Blackmon against the Nebraska defense. Blackmon might be the best receiver in college football, and he certainly has the stats that back that claim up. If he gets going, watch out! This should be a great one, but we tend to think that there's too much defense for Big Red to get beaten here even though Stillwater is one hellacious place to go place college football.

Free College Football Picks: Oklahoma State +6
Prediction: Nebraska 34 – Oklahoma State 31

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October 13th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Ohio State Buckeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 7:00 ET
Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
Game Line: Ohio State -4
Over/Under 49

When Ohio State has the ball… Statistically speaking this season, the Buckeyes have been absolutely fantastic on offense. QB Terrelle Pryor is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at a number of different sportsbooks, and for good reason. He is certainly the best player on what might be the best team in the country. Pryor is just a yard shy of the team lead in rushing with 354 yards and three TDs, and he has thrown for a whopping 15 TD passes in just six games. His 1,349 yards through the air is validating himself as a legitimate passing quarterback that can run, as opposed to just a runner that can do some throwing of the pill. There are three legitimate rushing threats as well out of the backfield, as RB Daniel Herron, RB Jamal Berry, and RB Brandon Saine have combined for 757 rushing yards between them. Watch out for WR Dane Sanzenbacher as well. He might only have 27 catches, but he has 411 yards and a team high seven TDs to show for his work. This team is very well rounded and is scoring 43.2 points per game thus far on the season, the sixth best mark in the country. The Badgers just haven't looked great defensively in recent weeks, allowing big play after big play against the Michigan State Spartans and giving up 23 points to a Minnesota Golden Gophers offense that has struggled all season long. Still, at 308.3 yards per game allowed and 19.0 points per game allowed, this is the strength of the Badgers. There are just too many weapons to not give the Buckeyes the edge in this department.
Final Grades
Ohio State Buckeyes: A
Wisconsin Badgers: B-

When Wisconsin has the ball… There's no doubt what the Badgers are going to try to accomplish when they step on the field offensively. They plan on running the ball and running it right at you. No gimmicks. No trickeration. Just straight handoffs, and come try to tackle us. RB John Clay has rumbled for 692 yards on 115 carries with nine scores on the season, but unlike last year when there really wasn't anything else in the backfield to take off some of the load, he now has RB James White to rely on as well. White has 485 yards and eight scores, and he is averaging 7.7 yards per carry. QB Scott Tolzien definitely doesn't quite have a complete grade this year. We love the fact that he is averaging 9.1 yards per pass attempt, but only seven TDs against two picks doesn't give us all that much confidence, especially since he only has one receiver that has more than 15 catches for 172 yards. The good news is that WR Nick Toon is back, and he has already caught 11 passes in just three games on the season. Of late, there have at least been a few chinks in the Ohio State armor defensively. Yes, this team still ranks No. 13 in pass defense, No. 4 in rush defense, No. 3 in total defense, and No. 6 in scoring, but that doesn't mean that there haven't been some flaws that are notable. The Buckeyes might have one of the best defenses in the land, but at least based on performances of late, we're going to give a slight edge here to the Badgers.
Final Grades
Ohio State Buckeyes: B+
Wisconsin Badgers: A-

Intangibles…. The first intangible that must be noted is the fact that we aren't so sure that the Buckeyes can play on the road. They only have one road game this year, and they were tested every single step of the way by the Illinois Fighting Illini. Of course, what we do know is that Illinois turned around the next week, marched into Happy Valley, and beat down the Penn State Nittany Lions. Maybe the Illini really are that good. What else we know is that Ohio State's special teams have been nothing to write home about. A field goal has already been blocked and returned for a TD this season, and there have been two kick returns for scores as well. The Badgers might not have a fantastic special teams unit, but they do know that they have a head coach that is gritty and won't let his team quit in HC Brett Bielema. There's also definitely an aura surrounding Camp Randall that cannot be ignored, especially at night. Since the middle of October 2008, there has only been one team to march into Madison and come away with a victory, and that was a very special Iowa Hawkeyes team last year. We also know that Wisconsin isn't going to be intimidated, as it has wins in 2004, 2003, 2001, and 1999 against Ohio State. Needless to say, the edge here is going to the hosts.
Final Grades
Ohio State Buckeyes: C
Wisconsin Badgers: B+

The Final Report Card… This is a very, very tough game for Ohio State, especially with that No. 1 ranking sitting on its plate. That will only amp up the Camp Randall crowd, which will be "jumping around" from the very first kickoff. If the Badgers can figure out how to slow down Pryor, this game has the potential to be very, very bloody. The Buckeyes tripped in an inexcusable way last year to the Purdue Boilermakers, and a very similar type of offensive outing would not only see them get beaten in Camp Randall, but beaten down in a bad way to the point that they would not be able to return to the National Championship picture. With the spread being so close, we have to have confidence that the Badgers can win this game, and our final grades give them the edge even though the Buckeyes have the better team.
Final Overall Grades
Ohio State Buckeyes: B+
Wisconsin Badgers: A

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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

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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

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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

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