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Posts Tagged ‘South Carolina Gamecocks’

December 30th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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College football historians remember the days when a young buck name Steve Spurrier was leading the Florida Gators into battle against the Florida State Seminoles each and every year. He's traded in his blue and orange visor for a red and black one, and he is set to face his old nemesis for the first time since leaving Gainesville when he brings his South Carolina Gamecocks into the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl Matchup: South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Florida State Seminoles
Date: Friday, December 31st, 7:30 ET
Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
Chick-Fil-A Bowl Line: South Carolina -3
Over/Under 54.5

Gamecocks Notes: It was a year of firsts for the Gamecocks. They went into the Swamp in Gainesville with the Head Ball Coach and beat the Gators for the first time, and as a result, they went to the SEC Championship Game for the first time as well. Sure, SC was destroyed by the Auburn Tigers, but we're quite possibly talking about the BCS National Champions here that killed them. QB Stephen Garcia really took a major stride and was the difference maker in the game in which the Gamecocks beat the BCS Champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Garcia ended up throwing for 2,816 yards and 20 TDs against 11 picks this year, and he clearly had a breakout season. Of course, it really helps when you have a 6'5" target in WR Alshon Jeffrey to throw to. Jeffrey is really one of the best receivers in the land, and he showed his worth this year, catching 79 passes for 1,387 yards and nine trips to the end zone. This was a well balanced attack though, as RB Marcus Lattimore was a real workhorse. He rumbled 40 times in a game against the Gators, and he ended up carrying the football 248 times this year. Lattimore had 1,198 yards and 17 scores on the ground, and he was third on the team in receiving with 26 grabs, 364 yards, and two more TDs. This was a defense that was tremendous against the rush but horrid against the pass. The Cocks allowed less than 70 yards per game this year on the ground to every team save the Auburn Tigers, but the unit also gave up 253.6 yards per game through the air, ranking just No. 108 in the land.

Seminoles Notes: The Noles made it back to the ACC Championship Game for the second time in school history this year, but this time around, the Virginia Tech Hokies got the best of them and dropped them into the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Still, the garnet and gold aren't going to mind, as they really did have a great first season under the direction of new Head Coach Jimbo Fisher. FSU still has its problems and it isn't quite back to a position where it can dominate the ACC, but it is getting there. Allowing 347.9 yards per game this year is a marked improvement from a team that allowed over 400 yards per game a year ago. Still, there were some lapses this year against teams like the Virginia Tech Hokies, Oklahoma Sooners, and North Carolina Tar Heels that really hurt. When this team allowed more than 20 points, it went 0-4 SU and ATS. When it allowed 19 or fewer, it went 9-0 SU and 7-2 ATS. QB Christian Ponder is likely to be on the lineup after missing the ACC Championship Game with a bursa sac injury in his throwing elbow. He's going to need to improve upon his 20 TDs against eight picks on the year to make sure that the Noles can get going against this SC defense.

The Final Word: South Carolina really needs to have this game to carry some momentum into next season. Everything does set up perfectly for this crew, as there are plenty of returning members next year. However, if there is one knock of the Cocks, it is that they haven't played well in bowl games under Spurrier. Fisher had a great first year with FSU, and it would be pivotal to end this season with a 'W' to carry some mo' into 2011 as well. However, Carolina is the team that will snare it on New Year's Eve with its well balanced offensive attack.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl Free Pick: South Carolina -3
Chick-Fil-A Bowl Prediction: South Carolina 27 – Florida State 20

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December 3rd, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Two and a half months ago, the South Carolina Gamecocks could have ended the perfect season and most likely the BCS Championship dreams of the Auburn Tigers if they were able to finish off their game at Jordan Hare Stadium. Instead, Auburn found a way to come all the way back and win. Now, playing in the team's first SEC Championship Game, the Gamecocks are the only team standing between Auburn and a date with destiny in the BCS Championship Game.

Matchup: Auburn Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Date: Saturday, December 4th, 4:00 ET
Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
Game Line: Auburn -5.5
Over/Under 61.5

Tigers Notes: Is it just us, or do the Tigers seem to have the look of a team that is just touched and is destined to find its way to the National Championship this year? These Tigers have certainly had nine lives, as they have found ways to put away games in which they looked to be dead in the water. Up until last week against the Alabama Crimson Tide though, it appeared as though all of those games were happening at home. Now, the biggest test in Tuscaloosa against the defending National Champions has been passed, and my, how was it passed! The Tide had a 24-0 lead in the second quarter and watched it evaporate, as Auburn stormed back and won the game 28-27 for arguably the biggest win in the school's history and certainly the biggest ever for HC Gene Chizik. QB Cameron Newton also seems to be an untouchable force this year. The NCAA has tried its best, but it can't find anything to suspend him for at this point that would make him ineligible for this game or for the rest of the season, and as long as that remains the case, he is clearly the odds on choice for the Heisman Trophy, if he isn't a lock for the honor already. Newton has rushed for 1,336 yards and thrown for 2,254 more, and between his passing TDs and rushing TDs (and his one receiving TD!), he has visiting the end zone 43 times, by far the most in college football. This isn't just a one man team, though. On the ground, both RB Michael Dyer and RB Onterio McCalebb are capable of taking games over in a heartbeat. Dyer has rushed for 886 yards, while McCalebb is at 733 for the campaign, and the two have 14 scores combined. There's a reason that Auburn is averaging 292.5 yards per game on the ground and is scoring 41.6 points per game, one of the top marks in the entire country. The key this week though, is going to be the defense. This unit has some great numbers on the year, but it just doesn't pass the eye test. There are too many mental lapses, like allowing over 300 yards in the first half through the air to QB Greg McElroy or the 43 points conceded, mostly to a backup quarterback for the Arkansas Razorbacks. If this unit falters, title dreams could be smashed to smithereens.

Gamecocks Notes: The Ol' Ball Coach, HC Steve Spurrier, has been waiting for this moment at South Carolina for a long, long time. It has clearly been a special season for the Gamecocks, as they have embarked upon a number of firsts. It was the first time that they have been in the SEC Championship Game, the first time in which they beat the Florida Gators in the Swamp, and is probably the first time that the offense has been this good in school history. RB Marcus Lattimore has arguably been the best freshman in the entire country this year, and the argument could certainly be made that if he isn't the best, he is the most valuable. Lattimore has come up huge with three straight games in triple digits in rushing yards, and he now has 1,114 yards and 19 TDs on the season. He was held in check against Auburn the first time around, but we must remember that that was really his first true road game in his career. Now, he has significantly more experience and is ready to rock and roll on the SEC's biggest stage to try to pull off this upset. QB Stephen Garcia feels like he has been the butt of every joke in Columbia for years, but he is the last one laughing now. Garcia has thrown for 2,646 yards and 18 TDs on the season, and he has only been picked off nine times, something that Spurrier has been begging him for years about. However, it really helps when you have a 6'5" 240+ pounder that has springs for legs like WR Alshon Jeffrey to throw the ball to. There is no doubt that this young man will be playing on Sundays soon enough, as he is arguably the top receiver in the SEC, which is saying something considering that he shares a division with WR AJ Green of the Georgia Bulldogs. Jeffrey has 75 receptions for 1,351 yards and eight scores this year. Just like Auburn though, we're more worried about the South Carolina defense. This unit did not play well at Jordan Hare Stadium, allowing over 330 rushing yards on the day to the Tigers. Still, this is a team that has held a number of great offenses in check this year, and it has held foes to just 91.6 yards per game on the ground. If you take out that huge performance for Auburn, others have only averaged right around 70 yards per game, and if that's where SC can keep the Tigers, it has a chance for the upset.

The Final Word: Say goodbye to your National Championship dreams, Auburn. If there is justice in this world, the Tigers are going to get beat, as it seems like it is only a matter of time before the NCAA drops the hammer on the program and wipes this season clean regardless. South Carolina looks like the team full of good ol' boys right now, led by a good ol' coach who knows how to get the job done in games like this. There is absolutely no pressure whatsoever on the Gamecocks on Saturday afternoon, and we love them for it. Their rush defense is the difference on Saturday. Jeffrey and Lattimore both have huge games, while Newton, Dyer, and company just don't get anything going. Not only is South Carolina winning this game. It's winning it in a huge way.

SEC Championship Game Picks: South Carolina +5.5
Prediction: South Carolina 41 – Auburn 17

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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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October 27th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Kansas State Wildcats
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 12:00 ET
Location: Bill Snyder Family Field, Manhattan, KS
Game Line: Kansas State +5
Over/Under 66

Had the Pokes won last weekend, we would be a lot more inclined to think that the Wildcats would be able to wake up just a tad and beat one of the top teams in the country. Now, we're not so sure, though. The Oklahoma State offense is a finely tuned machine, and the fact that WR Justin Blackmon is out of the lineup in this one isn't going to be a killer. Yes, Blackmon is the best receiver in the entire country, and yes, a DUI is going to prove to be costly, but QB Brandon Weeden has plenty of other options to throw the ball to. K-State is still a one man band with RB Daniel Thomas, if the Cowboys can just remotely contain him, the offense should prove to be good enough to score enough to win this one by at least a somewhat comfortable margin. If Okie State can score 41 on the Nebraska Cornhuskers with Blackmon, it can surely find a way to score at least in the 30s against Kansas State without him.

Free College Football Picks: Oklahoma State -5
Prediction: Oklahoma State 38 – Kansas State 30

Matchup: Miami Hurricanes @ Virginia Cavaliers
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 12:00 ET
Location: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA
Game Line: Virginia +15
Over/Under 51

The Hoos have three wins this year, but those three wins have come against the Eastern Michigan Eagles and a pair of teams from the FCS. We were fooled last week by the Canes, who came out and absolutely dominated the North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, we aren't so sure which Miami team is going to show up on Saturday. We know that the last time "The U" played on the road, it struggled mightily with the Duke Blue Devils for the full 60 minutes and only won by two scores. QB Marc Verica really isn't taking too many strides in the right direction, but we do believe that this Virginia team is good enough to get its act together and at least make this one respectable at home on Saturday afternoon, especially if the defense can find a way to put at least a tad bit of pressure on QB Jacory Harris.

Free College Football Picks: Virginia +15
Prediction: Miami 30 – Virginia 17

Matchup: Louisville Cardinals @ Pittsburgh Panthers
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 12:00 ET
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Game Line: Pittsburgh -10
Over/Under 56

We've already talked about just how good RB Bilal Powell is turning out to be, as he is probably the best back in the Big East. We have totally forgotten about the Panthers, as they are probably the best of the worst in a very questionable conference. However, we just aren't so sure that QB Tino Sunseri and the U-Pitt offense are good enough to keep up with Powell and the gang, especially if the Redbirds keep pushing like this. The Panthers have proven nothing quite yet, and though this one won't necessarily showcase anything one way or the other, we do tend to believe that Louisville is taking one giant step towards a bowl game in HC Charlie Strong's first season on the job.

Free College Football Picks: Louisville +10
Prediction: Louisville 28 – Pittsburgh 24

Matchup: Northwestern Wildcats @ Indiana Hoosiers
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 12:00 ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
Game Line: Indiana +3.5
Over/Under 58.5

It's hard to think that this could be one of the best games of the day. Both of these teams love running up and down the field, and neither one can really play defense that well when push comes to shove. Indiana's QB Ben Chappell could be in for a huge day against his instate rivals, and if that's the case, the Hoosiers are going to be tough to beat. There's something about the way that the Wildcats lost last week to the Michigan State Spartans that scares the wits out of us. We'll give Northwestern the slight nod here, because QB Dan Persa can take care of the football quite well, but we'll go with the fact that it should be decided at the gun. This arguably the toughest game on the entire board to try to handicap.

Free College Football Picks: Indiana +3.5
Prediction: Northwestern 41 – Indiana 39

Matchup: Tennessee Volunteers @ South Carolina Gamecocks
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 12:20 ET
Location: Williams Bryce Stadium, Columbia, SC
Game Line: South Carolina -18
Over/Under 48.5

We got burned by the Vols last week, as they really had no answers for WR Julio Jones and the offense of the Alabama Crimson Tide. That game at home might have finally been the backbreaker for this Tennessee team that we have been riding all season long. They're good enough to stick around in this game, but the combination of QB Stephen Garcia and WR Alshon Jeffrey are just going to be too tough to take out. Jeffrey is every bit as good as Jones is, and you can bet that HC Steve Spurrier was sitting back and watching this game last weekend and smirking. The SEC East is still wide open, but South Carolina is going to finally put away the Volunteers once and for all with a big time beat down to send a message to the rest of the teams in this conference.

Free College Football Picks: South Carolina -18
Prediction: South Carolina 35 – Tennessee 10

Matchup: Tulsa Golden Hurricane @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 2:30 ET
Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
Game Line: Notre Dame -8.5
Over/Under 63

The Irish are in dire need of a win here, especially with four losses already to their name and games against the USC Trojans and Utah Utes sitting there on the schedule for the rest of the season. Still, this doesn't appear to be the first year in South Bend that HC Brian Kelly really envisioned, and the prospects of missing a bowl game are starting to look more and more real. There are just too many injuries on the offense to account for in South Bend, especially if WR Michael Floyd can't play as well. WR Theo Riddick and TE Kyle Rudolph, two of the top targets in America, are already both on the sidelines in this one. Tulsa has had a week to prepare for its first ever trip to South Bend, and QB GJ Kinne and the crew are licking their chops at going against this defense, which several teams have torched this year, even on the road. Tulsa is ready to pounce, and there's no reason that it should be such a sizeable underdog in this game.

Free College Football Picks: Tulsa +8.5
Prediction: Tulsa 33 – Notre Dame 20

Matchup: Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 3:30 ET
Location: Ever Life Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Game Line: Georgia -3
Over/Under 47

This is another game that we have already called the outright upset for, and there is no reason to believe that this won't be a game that goes in the way of the "visitors." First off, remember that Jacksonville is always the home of more Gator fans than Bulldog fans when these teams meet in the World's Largest Cocktail Party, and this season will be no exception even though Florida is down this year. Perception on the Gators took a total flop when they lost to the Mississippi State Bulldogs two weeks ago, but this team is still one of the best 25 in America, and we have no reservations about saying that. Bad coaching has kept this team down all season long, something that is uncharacteristic for an Urban Meyer coached team. Florida's game plan in this one is simple: Stop WR AJ Green. If you can take Green out of the game, you can stop the Bulldogs. Yes, RB Washaun Ealey has the ability to crack the century mark on the ground in this one, but we don't see it happening. Florida has the better defense, and it has the better talent level on offense. It won't take a ton from the 'O' to win this one outright, and we think that the 'D' will come up with just enough to put together the upset.

Free College Football Picks: Florida +3
Prediction: Florida 23 – Georgia 17

Matchup: Michigan State Spartans @ Iowa Hawkeyes
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 3:30 ET
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
Game Line: Iowa -6.5
Over/Under 50.5

They're calling this day "Roadblock Saturday," right? For whatever reason, we just aren't so sure that this game is going to be a "roadblock" for Michigan State after all. We have no choice but to believe in the Spartans at this point. They've won every game on their schedule, and regardless of how weak that slate is, they are still one of just seven clubs in the country with donuts in their loss column. Don't count this team out. Kinnick is an absolutely bear to play in, but the Wisconsin Badgers proved last week that it was doable to win there, even against QB Ricky Stanzi, who had never lost a game he both started and finished there in his career. The Spartans are a trendy pick to go down and go down in a big way on Saturday, but we aren't so sure that that's the case. The combination of QB Kirk Cousins throwing the ball with RB Le'Veon Bell and RB Edwin Baker running it is just enough for the Spartans to overcome a defense that has been shoddy every step of the way this year. Just don't count these guys out. Don't be shocked to see another Sparty upset, and you might even see MSU at No. 1 in the country by the time this week is said and done!

Free College Football Picks: Michigan State +6.5
Prediction: Michigan State 30 – Iowa 27

Matchup: East Carolina Pirates @ UCF Knights
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 3:30 ET
Location: Bright House Stadium, Orlando, FL
Game Line: UCF -7.5
Over/Under 53

Conference USA isn't a place that we take a look at games often, but this one has too much importance to let go. The Knights are already eyeing a trip to the Liberty Bowl this year to take on the Florida Gators in a game that could shift the balance of power of programs in the Sunshine State, but that can't happen unless they take care of business in games like this one against ECU. The Pirates have the best offense that UCF has run into all season long, but the same could be said about the ECU offense running into the Knights' 'D'. Bright House should be rocking on Saturday, and take it from this Orlando boy. The Knights are not getting beaten at home in this type of an environment by anyone in Conference USA on Saturday afternoon. Back UCF with confidence to shut down QB Dominique Davis and the Pirates.

Free College Football Picks: UCF -7.5
Prediction: UCF 28 – East Carolina 14

Matchup: Texas Tech Red Raiders @ Texas A&M Aggies
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 3:30 ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, College Station, TX
Game Line: Texas A&M -7
Over/Under 59.5

The Red Raiders and Aggies don't have the greatest teams this year, but both of these squads still feel as though they at least have a remote chance of winning the Big XII this season. HC Tommy Tuberville would just be content getting to a bowl game in his first season to help take the pressure off of him after replacing the loved HC Mike Leach. QB Jerrod Johnson is totally a hit or miss guy for the Aggies this year, and if he's on, there isn't a team in the country that he can't single handedly beat. QB Taylor Potts has a great arm as well, and in the gimmicky "Air Raid" offense, he is destined to put up some huge numbers. Seven is a lot of points to be giving in a rivalry game, especially to a Texas Tech team that was upset as whopping 22 point favorites last year in Lubbock. We're not so sure that Tech is going to win outright, but it should keep A&M within this number.

Free College Football Picks: Texas Tech +7
Prediction: Texas A&M 31 – Texas Tech 30

Matchup: Cal Golden Bears @ Oregon State Beavers
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 3:30 ET
Location: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, OR
Game Line: Oregon State -2.5
Over/Under 53

Don't kid yourself about the Beavers. These guys are the best 3-3 team in the country, and they know it. QB Ryan Katz is starting to get his feet underneath him after replacing the departed QB Sean Canfield, and even though WR James Rodgers is out for the season, we still think that his brother, RB Jacquizz Rodgers, is set for a breakout game. The Golden Bears have lost all three times that they have gone on the road this year, including getting crippled by both the USC Trojans and the Nevada Wolf Pack. Oregon State is every bit as good as both of these teams are, and Reser Stadium is one of the most devastating places to travel in the country. A converted two point conversion two weeks ago against the Washington Huskies would probably have OSU favored by a touchdown in this game, as the Pac-10 title would still reasonably be a possibility. The Beavers have had two weeks to prepare and haven't had a home game since October 2nd. You'd better believe that they're bringing their 'A' game on Saturday.

Free College Football Picks: Oregon State -2.5
Prediction: Oregon State 34 – Cal 24

Matchup: Missouri Tigers @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 3:30 ET
Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE
Game Line: Nebraska -7.5
Over/Under 55.5

Here's another case of one of those teams that could be facing a "roadblock" on Saturday… The difference here is that the Tigers are going to get tamed. There's just no way that QB Taylor Martinez is going to let his Huskers lose this game, even if he is just a freshman. This young man has already done some truly remarkable things as a freshman, and he will likely become one of the handful of 1,000 yard rushers on the season this week with a good game against a suspect Missouri defense. We're sorry, Mizzou, but we just don't buy you yet. We know that you can play in Columbia, but struggling with the San Diego State Aztecs and Illinois Fighting Illini just doesn't do it for us. Big Red knows that this is the last shot to win the Big XII before heading on to the Big Ten next season. There's no way that they lose this opportunity and relegate themselves to a lesser bowl game this year.

Free College Football Picks: Nebraska -7.5
Prediction: Nebraska 38 – Missouri 24

Matchup: Arizona Wildcats @ UCLA Bruins
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 3:30 ET
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA
Game Line: UCLA +9
Over/Under 49.5

We could really care less whether or not QB Nick Foles plays in this game or not. QB Matt Scott proved to be a viable replacement last week against the Washington Huskies, and he really surprised us by outdueling QB Jake Locker and company. The bottom line is that this is a bet against UCLA, not a bet on Arizona. The Bruins have failed to cover five straight in conference dating back to last year, and the only two covers that they have this season have come via sheer luck, not total skill. As long as Foles and Scott don't get hurt, we don't see any way that there is enough offense with QB Richard Brehaut at quarterback for the Bruins to make it out of this one alive. There should be a big claw mark from the scratch that Arizona is going to leave UCLA when this one is over with.

Free College Football Picks: Arizona -9
Prediction: Arizona 28 – UCLA 6

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

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

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

Prediction: Oklahoma 38 – Cincinnati 13
Nevada Wolfpack (-4.5) @ BYU Cougars
Saturday, September 25th
6:00 ET, Lavell Edwards Family Stadium, Provo, UT

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

Prediction: Nevada 48 – BYU 20
Kentucky Wildcats @ Florida Gators (-14)
Saturday, September 25th
7:00 ET, Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

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

Prediction: Florida 41 – Kentucky 14
South Carolina Gamecocks (+3) @ Auburn Tigers
Saturday, September 25th
7:45 ET, Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL

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

Prediction: South Carolina 24 – Auburn 21
Oregon State Beavers @ Boise State Broncos (-18)
Saturday, September 25th
8:00 ET, Bronco Stadium, Boise, ID

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

Prediction: Boise State 52 – Oregon State 27
West Virginia Mountaineers (+10) @ LSU Tigers
Saturday, September 25th
9:00 ET, Tigers Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA

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

Prediction: West Virginia 26 – LSU Tigers 20
California Golden Bears (+6.5) @ Arizona Wildcats
Saturday, September 25th
10:00 ET, Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ

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

Prediction: California 34 – Arizona 28
Oregon Ducks (-11.5) @ Arizona State Sun Devils
Saturday, September 25th
10:30 ET, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ

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

Prediction: Oregon 44 – Arizona State 20

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

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

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

Prediction: Wisconsin 41 – San Jose State 10
Georgia Bulldogs @ South Carolina Gamecocks (-3)
Saturday, September 11th
12:00 ET, Williams-Bryce Stadium, Columbia, SC

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

Prediction: South Carolina 34 – Georgia 16
Michigan State Spartans (-28) vs. Florida Atlantic Owls
Saturday, September 11th
12:00 ET, Ford Field, Detroit, MI

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

Prediction: Michigan State 41 – Georgia 10
Iowa State Cyclones @ Iowa Hawkeyes (-13.5)
Saturday, September 11th
3:30 ET, Kinnick Field, Iowa City, IA

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

Prediction: Iowa 27 – Iowa State 7
Florida State Seminoles (+7) @ Oklahoma Sooners
Saturday, September 11th
3:30 ET, Oklahoma Stadium, Norman, OK

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

Prediction: Florida State 31 – Oklahoma 27
Michigan Wolverines (+3.5) @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Saturday, September 11th
3:30 ET, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN

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

Prediction: Michigan 38 – Notre Dame 30
Miami Hurricanes @ Ohio State Buckeyes (-8.5)
Saturday, September 11th
3:40 ET, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

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

Prediction: Ohio State 21 – Miami 10
BYU Cougars @ Air Force Falcons (-1)
Saturday, September 11th
4:00 ET, Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO

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

Prediction: Air Force 37 – BYU 31

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

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Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (+14) @ South Carolina Gamecocks
Thursday, September 2nd
7:30 ET, Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC

The Gamecocks are going to come into this one full of question marks. Yes, we know that QB Stephen Garcia is going to be the man under center and that he is a very dangerous threat every time he drops back to throw the pigskin, but there are as many as seven starters that could be suspended before the game kicks off. TE Weslye Saunders has already been informed of his suspension, and in Saunders, the Cocks are losing their second best returning receiver from a year ago. HC Larry Fedora always believes that his team can hit the road and take out the big boys across the country, and this will be no exception. QB Austin Davis is back from his foot injury that kept him out of the final two thirds of last season, and many think that he could be amongst the best QBs in Conference USA. SC HC Steve Spurrier has never lost to an non-BCS conference foe (38-0), but that could be in some serious jeopardy on Thursday night. We'll give the Gamecocks the slight upper hand, but our NCAA football picks are clearly on Southern Miss to stick in front of this two TD spread.

Prediction: South Carolina 31 – Southern Miss 27
#15 Pittsburgh Panthers (+3) @ #24 Utah Utes
Thursday, September 2nd
8:30 ET, Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT

QB Jordan Wynn really made a name for himself at the end of last season, and we think that by the end of this year, he could be in store for great things at Utah. Just one problem: This isn't the end of the year. The Utes are going to have all sorts of problems trying to keep the Pittsburgh front four off of Wynn's back, and if that unit can successfully get pressure and leave seven guys back in the secondary to cause havoc, there are going to be plenty of turnovers. At that point, all HC Dave Wannstedt has to do is put the ball into the hands of RB Dion Lewis. Lewis rushed for just short of 1,800 yards a year ago and could be a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate by the time the season is said and done. Even though QB Tino Sunseri is taking over for the departed Bill Stull, we still don't think that the Panthers have any major problems getting out of Salt Lake City with an upset that will avenge the 2005 Fiesta Bowl loss to the Utes.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 27 – Utah 17
USC Trojans (-21) @ Hawaii Warriors
Thursday, September 2nd
11:00 ET, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

For all intents and purposes, this game is the equivalent of USC's bowl game this year, since the Men of Troy have been ruled ineligible for postseason play this year. If the Trojans are ready and raring to go, this game won't be close from the get go. HC Lane Kiffin has had months to get ready for this crazy passing attack that Hawaii is going to be bringing to the table, and as long as QB Brett Moniz and WR Greg Salas are at least mildly contained, the Trojans should have no problems. Look for QB Matt Barkley to get his second season in So Cal off to a good start, as USC should be able to handle the Warriors with ease. Had this been a normal year for the Trojans, they would be five TD favorites. The adjustment for the bowl suspension is just too much.

Prediction: USC 55 – Hawaii 17

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July 30th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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The 2010 college football betting season is almost here, and here at Cappers Info, we have the inside skinny on the five teams that you should be banking on going 'over' their season win totals and should be trying to cash in with all season long!

South Carolina Gamecocks over 7 wins (even @ Brobury Sports): The Gamecocks are primed to do some damage in the SEC this season. The offense will be led again by QB Stephen Garcia, who struggled somewhat last year, due in part to trouble on the offensive line. However, now with nine starters back on offense, things are looking up. Returning at wide receiver are Alshon Jeffrey and Tori Curley, who averaged 16.6 and 14.2 yards per catch respectively. Running back Kenny Miles also returns. Miles led last year’s team in rushing yards, but scored only once. With a more experienced offensive line, both the ground and passing offenses stand a much better chance. Defensively, the Gamecocks are in great shape. DE Cliff Matthews returns, leading last year’s squad in sacks and earning all-conference honors. The linebackers run deep, with Shaq Wilson leading the way. Senior safety Chris Culliver will lead a strong secondary. As for the schedule, it’s no cakewalk. However, the toughest opponents all come to Columbia, with Georgia and Alabama showing up early in the year. The most challenging road game will be at Florida in November. The Gamecocks could easily see nine wins.

Nevada Wolfpack over 9.5 wins (+105 @ Brobury Sports): The Wolfpack went on an eight game win streak after losing all three of their non-conference games last year. This season, the nation’s top dual threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick returns with plenty of offensive talent. Kaepernick was just one of three 1,000 yard rushers, and running back Vai Taua will rejoin him. The team’s passing attack was lackluster a year ago, but all three leading receivers return, with Brandon Wimberly, Tray Session, and Chris Wellington. On defense, the Wolfpack may finally be on the rise. Last year’s 119th ranked passing defense returns seven starters and a new defensive coordinator in Andy Buh promises a more aggressive scheme. Both cornerbacks are back, and juniors Brandon Marshall and James-Michael Johnson will lead the linebackers. The schedule appears a bit easier than last year’s, with four of five non-conference games being highly winnable. The Wolfpack will travel to Hawaii and Fresno State, in a tough conference schedule, but host Boise State. Ten wins should be this season’s expectation for Nevada.

Florida State Seminoles over 7.5 wins (-140 @ Brobury Sports): The Seminoles are poised to be strong ACC contenders. Returning at quarterback is Heisman hopeful Christian Ponder, who was impressive through nine games before injuring his shoulder. He will have plenty of talented options to work with, starting with a strong group of wide receivers. Bert Reed is expected to become the top target. Strong second and third options exist in Taiwan Easterling and Jarmon Fortson. The ground attack will be led by senior Jermaine Thomas, who was good for nine scores last season. Behind him will be Chris Thompson and Ty Jones. Defensively, the Seminoles are completely retooling. New coordinator Mark Stoops will have to jumpstart a defense which allowed 433.8 yards and 30 points per game last season. Up front, FSU returns three linemen. Two starting linebackers are also back, which should improve the running defense. At cornerback, Ochucko Jenije will make a huge impact on opponents’ passing games. The schedule is favorable, minus a few monstrous games. The Seminoles will travel to Oklahoma in week two, followed by a home contest with BYU. A final week home game against Florida will not be easy. In conference, things aren’t so bad, with the toughest game at Miami.

Washington Huskies over 7 wins (-130 @ Brobury Sports): The Huskies return nine starters on offense, with QB Jake Locker leading the way. Locker’s strengths are twofold; he threw for 21 touchdowns while running for seven last year. Sophomore tailback Chris Polk had one of the best rookie rushing seasons in school history. At wide receiver, the Huskies will rely primarily on Jermaine Kearse, who averaged 17.3 yards per catch last year. Devin Aguilar provides a strong second target. Four starting linemen return, which will be a huge key for this unit’s success. On defense, the Huskies have some questions up front. Due to some injuries, Washington may need to find two new DEs. Mason Foster will lead the linebackers as last season’s interception leader. U-Dub faces a tough non-conference schedule, with an opening week game at BYU and two weeks later hosting Nebraska. In the Pac 10, the Huskies will have to go to Oregon and Arizona. A high powered offense will offset the question marks on defense; Washington could take eight or nine wins easily.

Virginia Tech Hokies over 9.5 wins (-120 @ Brobury Sports): The Hokies are poised to win the ACC this year. Returning at quarterback is Tyrod Taylor, who has shown the ability to throw as well as scramble. The bulk of the ground attack will be led by Ryan Williams and Zac Evans, who is returning from injury. All three top wide receivers return in Jarrett Boykin, Danny Coale, and Dyrell Roberts. Boykin and Coale both averaged over 20 yards per reception in 2009. Defensively, the Hokies also stay strong. Despite just five starters returning, the team has plenty to build around. All three starting linebackers are back, led by Barquell Rivers, who should be back from a leg injury by September. Team interceptions leader Rashad Carmichael returns at cornerback. The Hokies will have little time to gel, as Boise State comes calling in week one. Virginia Tech has a three game losing streak going in week one non-conference games. After that, though, the schedule eases considerably, with only four road games. Their toughest test in the ACC will be at Miami. Expect a ten win season.

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