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Posts Tagged ‘Texas A&M Aggies’

February 18th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Matchup: St. John's Red Storm @ Pittsburgh Panthers
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 12:00 ET
Location: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Game Line: Pittsburgh -3.5
Over/Under 133

The Johnnies have had a history of slaying some real giants here at Madison Square Garden, and if they can pull this one off on Saturday afternoon, they'll surely be dancing regardless of what happens for the rest of the year. However, history really doesn't bode well in this one for the hosts. Pittsburgh has won and covered five in a row in this series. The two trips to MSG before that in 2005 and 2006 did end with St. John's upsets, but that doesn't mean that this is going to be the case again today. U-Pitt just doesn't have an immediate history of tripping up on the road, posting wins against the Villanova Wildcats and West Virginia Mountaineers there in recent weeks. Sure, St. John's now has two road wins after beating both the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Marquette Golden Eagles away from MSG over the course of the last few weeks, but that doesn't mean that Head Coach Steve Lavin's team is really ready for this challenge. You can bet that the Panthers have been watching intently as teams like the Duke Blue Devils and UConn Huskies have come in here and pulled off upsets. The oddsmakers are sure to not give us a break for backing the Red Storm, so we'll have no choice but to pull the trigger on the Panthers and hope that Brad Wanamaker can carry us to another victory since Ashton Gibbs is out of the lineup with an MCL sprain.

Free College Basketball Picks: Pittsburgh Panthers

Matchup: Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ West Virginia Mountaineers
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 1:00 ET
Location: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV
Game Line: West Virginia -4
Over/Under 130

Home teams have had a fantastic history in this series, winning seven straight outright and nine out of the last 10 meetings dating back to 2004. Notre Dame has had a bit of a history of falling flat in games like this one, getting dropped by the St. John's Red Storm and the Marquette Golden Eagles on the road. Of course, since that point, the Irish are 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS, and they are now in serious contention for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The 'Neers are coming off of a horrifying loss to the Syracuse Orange, their second straight road game in which they scored in the low 50s in points. However, one thing is for sure, and that's that Head Coach Bob Huggins isn't going to let Notre Dame drop three pointers all over the place on them, as demonstrated by last year's 53-51 win at Madison Square Garden in the Big East Tournament. WVU has a great team that matches up well with this Notre Dame squad, and the hosts badly need one more feather in their cap for the March Madness run. Don't be shocked if they get that feather on Saturday.

Free NCAA Basketball Picks: West Virginia Mountaineers

Matchup: Washington Huskies @ Arizona Wildcats
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 6:00 ET
Location: McKale Center, Tucson, AZ
Game Line: Arizona -2.5
Over/Under 157.5

If the Huskies are going to add a big time road win to their resume for the NCAA Tournament, this is where they're going to have to get it. Unfortunately, history really isn't on their side, as the home team is 6-2 ATS over the course of the last eight meetings, and the U of A will be a decided favorite on the college basketball odds. Washington was absolutely dreadful on the road on a trip that include a stop against the Washington State Cougars and two against the Oregon schools, going 0-3 SU and ATS even though it was a heavy favorite in all three games. Playing at home is just a different story. Arizona is playing significantly better ball right now, and it really should show up on the scoreboard on Saturday. The Cats would have no problem if they made it that they were the only Pac-10 team that got a bid to the NCAA Tournament, and if that happens to be the case, they could turn out to be a legitimate favorite to win the whole enchilada.

College Basketball Free Picks: Arizona Wildcats

Matchup: Utah State Aggies @ St. Mary's Gaels
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 9:00 ET
Location: McKeon Pavilion, Moraga, CA
Game Line: St. Mary's -4
Over/Under 136

Believe it or not, this BracketBusters showdown is the only battle of the entire day that pits a pair of teams ranked in the Top 25 against each other. The winner of this game is likely to keep their spot in the Top 25, though if the winner is St. Mary's, both might fall out. The Gaels have had a miserable week leading up to this point, as they were beaten down by the San Diego Toreros on Wednesday night in one of the biggest upsets of the entire season. This was a team that really should have been manhandled, and in the long run, if the Gaels don't end up making the NCAA Tournament, they can look back and shake their head at that loss as 17 point favorites to a team that won't finish with a Top 200 RPI ranking. Utah State suffered a similar loss two weeks ago against the Idaho Vandals, and this is their only chance to pick up an RPI Top 100 victory this entire season. They know that they aren't likely to get accepted to the dance in spite of the fact that they would have 27 wins under their belt without this win, and even then, the only sure route is going to be winning the WAC Tournament. This game means worlds more to Utah State than it does to St. Mary's, and we tend to believe that that will show on Saturday night. Will the Aggies pull off the upset? Probably not. But that doesn't mean they won't stick inside the number.

NCAA Basketball Free Picks: Utah State Aggies

Matchup: Texas A&M Aggies @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
Date: Saturday, February 19th, 9:00 ET
Location: Gallagher IBA Arena, Stillwater, OK
Game Line: Oklahoma State -2
Over/Under 127

It's a big, big day for the Pokes, as they really need this one to at least feel like they're on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble at the moment. They've dropped five of their last seven and seven of their last 10, but the good news is that the only home loss in this run has come to one of the best teams in the country, the Texas Longhorns. However, there's a point that we have to wonder whether this team is any good or not. After all, the Aggies slammed Okie State 71-48 back on January 12th in one of the worst beat downs of the season. The Cowboys were held to just 16-of-46 shooting from the field, and no one scored more than 11 points. The bench was kept incredibly quiet as well, so there were just no sparks that were able to fly. The scarier part about that win? Khris Middleton only had nine points and only took eight shots. Don't be surprised if the second verse goes the same as the first in this one, as the superior Aggies should be able to come into Stillwater and walk out victorious.

College Basketball Expert Picks: Texas A&M Aggies

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January 6th, 2011 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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The Cotton Bowl is one of the oldest bowl games that we, the college football betting nation, has a chance to catch on an annual basis. This year, two old division rivals meet up in Arlington, as the LSU Tigers try to tame the Texas A&M Aggies.

Cotton Bowl Matchup: Texas A&M Aggies vs. LSU Tigers
Date: Friday, January 6th, 8:00 ET
Location: Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX
Cotton Bowl Line: LSU -2
Over/Under 49

Aggies Notes: This season really changed on the heels of arguably the most important decision of the entire NCAA football betting campaign. Head Coach Mike Sherman decided that he was going to bench the man that was a Heisman Trophy candidate once upon a time in QB Jerrod Johnson. All of a sudden when QB Ryan Tannehill took over, A&M went on a tear, covering the college football odds in its last six games, all of which ended in Aggies' outright victories. Tannehill, a junior, is going to be ready to lead this team to bigger and better next year. He threw for 1,434 yards and 11 TDs against just three picks. He doesn't quite have the legs that Johnson had, but RB Cyrus Gray made up for that. Gray rumbled for 1,033 yards and a dozen scores on the campaign. What we have to remember is that this team lost RB Christine Michael relatively early in the year after he rushed for 631 yards. Watch out for WR Jeff Fuller and WR Ryan Swope in this one. Fuller had 65 catches for 983 yards on the year with a dozen TDs, while Swope had 67 catches for 780 yards and four scores. Defensively, Sherman's bunch really came on strong as well at the end of the year. The team ultimately only allowed 356.8 yards and 20.3 yards per game.

Tigers Notes: The Bayou Bengals have a lot of work to do in the locker room right now. Head Coach Les Miles is being connected in the media to the job available with the Michigan Wolverines, and though he is denying any interest right now, it is clearly going to be causing a distraction in Arlington on Friday night. RB Stevan Ridley, the heart and soul of this offense, was listed as "out" for this game just two weeks ago, but now, he is considered "probably eligible" for the game. Assuming that he gets his academics in order before this one kicks off, Ridley is going to be the man to watch out for when LSU is on offense. He carried the ball 225 times this year for 1,043 yards and 14 scores this year, and he is capable of being a huge force in this one against A&M. If he either can't go or isn't effective, there is a major problem under center that must be worked out. QB Jordan Jefferson and QB Jarrett Lee only threw for a combined 1,826 yards and just six scores against 10 picks between them. It's amazing that LSU won as many games as it did this year, but when you look at its defense, you can see why the Tigers have been so dangerous. The Bayou Bengals held teams to just 297.2 yards and 17.8 points per game this year, numbers which are absolutely remarkable considering how difficult the SEC West turned out to be this year.

The Final Word: The Aggies know that they are in great shape in this game, especially if there is really some inner turmoil with the Tigers. The reps from the Big XII are going to want to pick up a huge win, and if the offenses start to get going, this is going to be a big problem for LSU. The defense is the key to the game for the Bayou Bengals, and if A&M finds a way to keep the ball moving up the field, regardless of whether or not it is scoring all that many points, we could be in line for an upset, especially with the slight home field advantage coming for the Aggies.

Cotton Bowl Free Pick: Texas A&M +2.5
Cotton Bowl Prediction: Texas A&M 26 – LSU 24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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 29th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

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Texas A&M Aggies @ Oklahoma State Cowboys (-3.5)
Thursday, September 30th
7:30 ET, Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK

Both the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Texas A&M Aggies will look to start their seasons at 4-0 this Thursday night in Stillwater, OK. The Cowboys come into this game with one of the most high powered offenses in the country, averaging 57 PPG in their first three victories this season. They are led by QB Brandon Weeden who had the best game of his young career in the Cowboys’65-28 thrashing of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane last Saturday. Weeden completed 23 of 32 passes for 409 yards and threw for six touchdowns without turning the ball over once. WR Justin Blackmon was the main beneficiary of Weeden’s dominant performance and hauled in six balls for 174 yards and three scores on the night. On the other side of the ball, the Texas A&M Aggies really struggled last Saturday against the lowly Florida International Golden Panthers. The Golden Panthers led the Aggies by two touchdowns heading into the fourth quarter, before HC Mike Sherman’s squad rallied for a 27-20 win. QB Jerrod Johnson played one of the worst games of his career, completing a paltry 11 of his 31 pass attempts for 194 yards with a touchdown and four interceptions. The lone bright spots on the Aggies offense last week were the running tandem of Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray who carried the ball a combined 30 times for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Expect a lot of points in this Big 12 betting affair Thursday night as both offenses are capable of dropping 50 in this game.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 45 Texas A&M 31

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March 20th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

 

The #4 and #5 seeds in the South Bracket take aim at a slot in the Sweet 16 on Sunday afternoon's March Madness betting battle between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Purdue Boilermakers.

What's At Stake: The #1 seed in this bracket, the Duke Blue Devils, most likely await the winner of this NCAA basketball betting affair in the Sweet 16, though the #8 California Golden Bears could also be the opponent in Houston.

College Basketball Odds: Texas A&M -1.5 at BoDog Sportsbook.

Texas A&M Notes: The Aggies are playing well right now, having picked up wins in ten of their L/13, with the only losses in the bunch coming @ Baylor and against Kansas (twice). They're not a particularly strong offensive team at 71.7 points per game, and at times they struggle to shoot the ball (44.4% from the field and 33.7% from downtown). However, their defense has kicked it up a notch in these recent wins, holding their L/6 defeated enemies to just 57.7 points per game. Scoring options are harder since December when G Derrick Roland was lost for the season with a leg injury.

Purdue Notes: Things just haven't looked the same for the Boilermakers since F Robbie Hummel saw his season come to a close with a knee injury at the end of February. The team has been miserable at three point shooting, especially with Hummel out of the lineup, as they shoot just 31.8% from long range as a team. It's defensively intensity that has kept Purdue plugging along, as it is holding teams to just 61.0 points per game and 40.0% shooting from the field this year. Both numbers rank the Boilers in the Top 10 defensive teams of the 32 left standing heading into this weekend.

Players to Watch

F Khris Middleton, Texas A&M Aggies: It's not often that we highlight a player that is averaging just 6.4 points per game, but Middleton has been on fire since the regular season finale, scoring at least 14 points in all four games. He put up 19 against Utah State in the first round win on Friday, and he did so without committing a single turnover. Since March 6th, Middleton is averaging 16.3 points per game.

F JaJuan Johnson, Purdue Boilermakers: The man that has really had to step up in Hummel's absence is Johnson, who is scoring 14.9 points per game this year for the black and gold. He put together his third 20+ point game in his L/4 overall by scoring 23 points against Siena on Friday, and his 15 boards gave him his fourth double-double in his L/10 games. Since the Hummel knee injury, Johnson has averaged 19.4 points per game.

Trends of Note

-Texas A&M is 9-1 ATS in its L/10 games against teams with a winning percentage of at least .600
-Texas A&M is 8-2 ATS in its L/10 NCAA Tournament betting battles
-Texas A&M is 26-10 ATS in its L/36 games as favorites of less than 6.5 points
-Purdue is 5-1 ATS in its L/6 NCAA Tournament games as an underdog
-Purdue is 14-6-1 ATS in its L/21 games as an underdog
-Purdue is 0-5-1 ATS in its L/6 games following an SU victory.

Final Analysis: The Boilermakers are going to have to play the defensive game of their lives to be able to stop the Aggies without Hummel in the starting five. Texas A&M is just playing too well right now to be stopped. This is also a matter of conference superiority. The Big XII has looked good in this tournament, as Oklahoma State and Texas were the only two first round casualties in the dance. The Big Ten was largely known as a weaker power conference this year, and it'll show once again in a Texas A&M triumph, as the Aggies march on to Houston in the Sweet 16.

Selection: Texas A&M -1.5

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