Saturday's Games

Pitt-Rutgers is big game in Big East. Rutgers getting TD, despite being 6-0, with three road wins; they've outscored opponents 74-19 in second half of games. Pitt won last three games by combined score of 118-21; their only loss was home game vs. Michigan State, when Spartans ran ball for 334 yards and were 11-15 on third down. Knights beat Pitt LY 37-29, ending six-game series losing skid.

Penn State lost two QBs to injury last week, might be down to 3rd-stringer Cancel here; he threw TD on screen pass vs. Michigan LW. Lions won 11 of last 13 games vs. Illinois, crushing Illinois 63-10 LY (TY 438-244). Last three Illinois games were decided by total of eight points; Illinois dropped five of last six games (by 33-10-17-2-3 points).

Northwestern lost last four games, allowing 34 peg; QB play is issue, as Wildcats converted just 6 of 37 on 3rd down in last three games. Michigan State also lost last four games, having been outscored 69-20 last two weeks. Road team covered seven of last nine games in this series. Michigan State lost 49-14 to NW last year, as 13-pt favorite. Sparty as road favorite? Not sound investment plan.

Syracuse is 3-4 this year, losing at Wake (20-10), vs Iowa (20-13, but Tate didn't play for Iowa), vs Pitt (21-11) and WVa (41-17); they allowed 457 rushing yards last week, now face Louisville squad that struggled with Cincinnati last week (23-17, TY 429-341). Cardinals won last two series games (30-20/41-17; TY last year was 505-302.

Indiana upset Iowa last week, so Hoosiers improved team, but they got outgained 478-137 LY by Buckeyes, who are level or two above Iowa. IU lost last two visits to this site (45-17/30-7); road team is 10-3-1 vs spread in series. Ohio State covered 13 of last 14 games overall; they can coast until Nov 18 vs Michigan, as next four foes all lesser clubs.

Road team is 7-3-1 vs spread in last 11 NC State-Maryland tilts, , with teams splitting last two games at this site (24-21M/13-3N). Terps covered only three of last 10 ACC home openers; their last three games were decided by 4-4-2 points. Normally-tough NC State defense has just three takeaways in last five games; they lost only previous road game 37-17 at Southern Miss.

TCU been off for 16 days since 20-7 loss at Utah, Utes' second loss in row; they've scored only 13.3 ppg in four games vs I-A teams. Frogs won last five games vs Army by average score of 34-16, with Cadets covering last three- TCU is 8-15 vs spread in last 23 tries as road favorite. Army is -11 in turnovers their last five games, and 11-21 vs spread in last 32 tries as home dog.

Virginia Tech lost last two games, allowing 60 pts; they have ESPN Thursday night game with Clemson on deck. Southern Miss has been spunky underdog in past, but Eagles failed to cover last six road games. USM is 4-2 this year, losing 34-7 at Florida, 20-6 at Tulsa. Virginia Tech covered 14 of last 21 home games, but lack of mobile QB has hindered their offense.

Buffalo lost last five visits to Ohio U by average score of 41-12; Bulls lost last five games overall, giving up 42 peg- they're on short week here, having lost at home to previously winless Miami, 38-31 last Sunday. Ohio U just upset Western Michigan, Illinois, are 4-3; Illinois outgained them 413-252, but Bobcats forced 3+ turnovers for fourth time in last five games.

Ball State upset Western Michigan in five OTs last year, 60-57, running ball for 240 yards; total yardage in game was 546-544, Ball. Home side covered nine of last 13 Ball-Western Michigan games, as Broncos lost last two trips to Muncie (17-7/41-14). Broncos won four of last five games, holding Northern Illinois is zero rushing yards last week in 16-14 upset win.

Favorite is 10-3-1 vs. spread in last 14 Ole Miss-Arkansas tilts, with Rebels losing last two visits here, 48-28/35-3. Ole Miss lost in OT at Alabama last week- dogs covered their last four games. Rebels been outgained 839-464 last two games, and converted just five of last 34 third down plays. Arkansas won last five games, but they're 0-3 vs. spread as favorite this season.

UCLA covered 13 of last 19 non-league road games, but their backup QB got hit so hard in throat at Oregon last week, he's having trouble calling signals in practice. Bruins are 4-2, 0-2 on road, with both losses by 10 pts. Notre Dame covered eight of last ten after a bye; they've scored 35.3 peg in winning their last three games. Under is 5-0 in UCLA games this season.

Auburn off dramatic, Bear-like win over Florida, when Auburn scored last 16 points off game without offensive TD; they enter easy part (Tulane-OleMiss-Ark State) part of schedule now; two of their six wins (Miss St, Buffalo) are by 30+ points. Tulane lost 49-7 at LSU, but scored 28.7 peg in three games since. Green Wave giving up 35.7 ppg this season.

Spurrier is 13-0 vs. Vanderbilt as HC, but Vandy on high after rare win between hedges LW (TY 291-373). Commodores lost last five games vs. South Carolina by average score of 33-17, with Gamecocks winning last two visits here, 20-14/31-6. Look at Vandy's SEC games show highly competitive team: 10-13 at Bama, 19-21 vs. Hogs, 10-17 at Ole Miss, 24-22 at Georgia.

UNLV changed QBs in second quarter LW trailing 14-0, took a 28-14 lead at half before losing in OT; road team covered eight of last nine of their games vs. BYU, with Rebels winning last two visits here (24-3/24-20) both as 10-pt dogs. Sanford is former Utah aide, so well-versed in BYU. Cougars won last three games by combined score of 116-34; they're 3-0 vs. spread as favorite in '06.

Underdog covered last two Kansas-Baylor games, with home side winning both (28-21K/35-32B); Baylor lost 63-31 at Texas last week, but led 10-0 and was outgained just 437-347 (five TO's killed them). Kansas led Oklahoma State 14-0 at half in Lawrence last week and somehow lost 42-32, week after blowing lead in last minute to Aggies week before, now they venture back on road (0-2, both losses in OT).

Temple, which joins MAC next year, is 0-7, with five losses by 29+ points. Northern Illinois could look to get RB Wolfe big numbers after he was shut down by Western Mich LW in 16-14 loss, but Huskies could also be peeking ahead to Iowa game next week. Northern Illinois covered eight of its last nine Homecoming games.

East Carolina (+2) won 24-17 at SMU last year, using +4 TO ratio to swing close game (TY 354-352 SMU). Mustangs covered two of last ten games on grass, but QB Willis got out of doghouse LW, coming off bench to lead come-from-behind win over Marshall, SMU's fourth win in last five games. ECU is 2-0 vs. spread as favorite in '06, 13-4 vs. spread overall under Holtz.

Iowa is 6-1-2 vs. spread in last nine games vs. Michigan, losing last visit 30-17, but winning one before that, 34-9. Michigan won at Penn State LW, Iowa lost at Indiana, their second loss in last three games; run defense is problem for Iowa (allowed 191.3 rushing yds/game last three weeks). Hawkeyes covered 11 of last 16 as road dog, but Wolverines need to impress pollsters with big scores.

Miami has numerous players suspended after last week's fight, so no idea what they'll be like. 'canes beat Duke LY 52-7, holding Duke to 4-17/8 yards passing (TY 557-128). This is really not a game anyone should invest in. Duke is 0-6, just played Alabama, Florida State- who makes their schedule?

Texas beat Nebraska 31-7 LY; won last visit here, 27-24; this is their first true road game of year (Rice game had more Texas fans, Oklahoma game is split crowd in Dallas). Longhorns are amazing +13 in turnovers last three games (14-1), but trailed Baylor last week 10-0 early (won 63-31). Nebraska won last four games since USC loss; they're +9 in TOs in those four games.

Favorite covered five of last seven Wisconsin-Purdue games, with road team 8-4 vs. spread in last dozen; five of last six series games were won by seven or less pts. Badgers are hot, scoring 47 peg in three wins since loss to Michigan; they're 4-0-1 vs. spread as a fave this season. Purdue ended two-game skid LW; the losses were 35-21 at Notre Dame, 47-17 at Iowa; Boilers are 2-1 as dog this year.

Tough times in Athens after Georgia lost to Vandy LW, their second loss in row (allowed 51,24 pts); frosh QB Stafford gets start here, vs. MSU squad that is 0-3 in SEC (0-15 So. Car/0-34 Auburn/17-48 LSU). Home side covered five of last six Miss St-Georgia games, with UGa winning LY, 23-10 in Starkville (-15). Miss State was still just 11-25 passing LW, vs. I-AA foe.

Visitor is 13-1 vs. spread in Alabama-Tennessee game last 14 years, with Tide covering last two visits here (13-17 '04/34-14 '02). This is personal rivalry, as Fulmer turned Bama in for recruiting issues few years back. Alabama is 5-2, but struggled to beat Ole Miss, Duke last two games, and lost two before that (23-24 Ark/13-28 Fla). Vols had week to get ready, scored 92 pts in two road wins before that (Memphis, Georgia).

Washington QB Stanback (foot) out for year, tough blow for improved Washington team that now has to scramble for bowl bid. Cal covered eight of last 11 series games, winning last time here, 54-7- they won last four games vs. U-Dub by average score of 47-16. Huskies are 4-3, with losses at Oklahoma (37-20), USC (26-20) and at home vs. Oregon State (27-17). Cal covered its last four games.

Underdog covered 10 of last 14 Colorado State-Wyoming games, local rivalry (teams an hour apart); frosh QB Sween has sparked Wyoming to pair of wins after 1-4 start; figure Cowboys held Boise State to 17 pts, so they must be OK on defense. Rams covered four of last five games, are 2-1 as road dog. Average total in last five series games in hefty 61.2.

Rice pulled out win with 0:03 left vs. UAB LW, now face UCF squad that lost four of last five games, with only win 23-22 at Marshall. Knights (-10) won 31-28 at Rice last year, but Owls outgained them 451-354. New passing offense seems to suit Rice; they scored 35.3 peg last three games. UCF has just three takeaways in six games; they trailed 38-0 at half on ESPN last week vs. Pitt. Knights scored 12.2 ppg in last five games.

Visitor is 7-3-1 vs. spread in last 11 EMichigan-Toledo games, with Rockets winning last five series games by average score of 43-14; they won last two visits here, 65-13/42-32, but this is down Toledo squad, having lost three games in row, allowing 45-42-40 pts. Rockets turned ball over four times in four of last six games. Eastern is 0-6 TY, but only one of last four losses was by more than eight points.

Home side is 9-3-1 vs. spread in last 13 Miami-Akron games, with hawks winning last five meetings by average score of 42-26, but Miami traveling on short week after getting first win of year, 38-31 at Buffalo. Akron covered last six games when they had bye week before, but Zips lost three of last four games SU. Average total in last four series games is 70.5.

Stanford is 0-7; they've been outscored 60-10 in first half of last four games, and have covered once in seven tries this year (four losses by 26+ pts). Cardinal has covered seven of last eight vs. underachieving Arizona State, which fought hard vs. USC LW, but lost 28-21, their third loss in row. Touted ASU offense has total of 424 yards in last two games.

San Jose won its last four games, as former Arizona coach Tomey leads remarkable turnaround; they're 0-4 vs. spread in last four games vs. Nevada, losing last two visits here, 52-24/42-24. Wolf Pack covered last eight tries as home favorite, with home wins this year, 28-10 (Colo St), 31-21 (NWern). Spartans are 3-0 vs. spread as underdog in '06.

Arizona's top two QBs are banged-up; they resorted to Heavner LW, former starter under Mackovic who mostly handed off in second half at Stanford. Favorite is 8-2 vs. spread in last 10 Arizona-Oregon State games, with Beavers covering six of last seven and winning last visit here, 28-14, but OSU covered just four of last 14 games on natural grass.

UTEP trailed 19-5 in third quarter at Houston LY, before rallying for 44-41 OT win; both teams had 500+ total yards. Cougars lost last three games, by 1,3,4 pts after promising 4-0 start; five of their six lined games went over total. UTEP scored 34 ppg in winning last three games; they covered nine of last 14 league road games, and have nine takeaways in last two games.

Louisiana Tech won 27-17 at Utah State LY, despite being outgained 478-276; Tech had +3 edge in TOs, but they're 0-5 vs. D-I teams TY, allowing 44.8 ppg. Aggies covered just two of last seven as road dog; they're 1-6, but covered last two games, Five of USU's seven lined games stayed under total. Neither side is worth backing here.

Fresno State's freefall since leading in fourth quarter at USC last fall is weird; Bulldogs lost five games in row and nine of last 10- they trailed Hawai'i 42-17 at half LW, losing 68-37, bad news vs. bully LSU squad whose five wins are all by 31+ points. Fresno is 10-6 vs. spread as road dog, with six SU upsets, but if you can't win at Utah State, how do you win in Baton Rouge?

Texas Tech struggling without senior QB at helm; they're 0-3 if they score less than 31 points, but Iowa State lost four of last five games, so something going to give here. Favorite covered all four series games, with Tech winning last meeting 52-21, but losing last visit here, 31-17. Cyclones have one takeaway, no INTs in last three games, not a good sign.

Home side covered five of last seven Texas A&M-Okla State games; Aggies beat OSU 62-23 LY, gaining 694 total yards to go with +5 turnover ratio, but Cowboys scored 42 pts in second half LW, erasing 14-0 halftime deficit in win at Kansas. One of OSU's WRs had 13 catches for 300 yards, so Reid leading explosive offense. Four of Aggies' last five games were decided by six or less pts.

How does Missouri bounce back from first loss, vs. team that's beat them 13 times in row? Tigers are 2-0 as HFs in '06 (31-6 vs. Ohio/28-13 vs. Colorado). K-State won last two visits to Mizzou (38-0/35-24) and covered the last 12 times they lost to Nebraska the week before, but Wildcats scored six or less points in three of their last four games.

Colorado got first win in seven tries LW vs. Texas Tech, now face Sooner squad smarting from Peterson injury. Oklahoma won last three series games by average score of 34-11; they're 4-0 at home TY, with wins by 7-17-59-25 pts (2-1-1 vs. spread). Buffs are 0-2 on road (13-14 at Georgia/13-28 at Mizzou) but Georgia game not looking as good since Dawgs lost to Vandy.

UAB picked off pass to seal Rice win LW, but DB ran with ball, fumbled, Rice recovered, then threw GW TD pass with :03 left to put Blazers' winning season in serious jeopardy. Marshall is
9-24-1 vs. spread in last 34 road games; they lost last four games overall by average score of 27-14. UAB scored 35,33 pts in last two games, but not sure how they react to horrible loss LW.

Underdog covered 16 of last 17 Clemson-Georgia Tech games, with nine of last ten series games decided by five or less points. Jackets won five games in row since Notre Dame loss in opener; dogs are 4-0-1 vs. spread in their games TY. Tech won here in last visit, 28-24, lost one before that, 24-19, and beat Clemson LY, 10-9 (TY 325-308 Clemson). Tigers scored 48.3 ppg in last four games.

Boston College QB Ryan a ? with foot injury; Eagles lost 28-17 at home to Seminoles LY, even though they outrushed Florida State 140-13, outgained them 380-244. FSU is 0-3 vs. spread after a win TY; best team they've beaten is mediocre Miami, while losing to Clemson, NC State. Eagles covered seven of last nine tries as road underdog.

New Mexico State still winless vs. I-A teams under Mumme, but they're on rise, losing 40-28 to Boise Sunday night. Hawai'i waxed Fresno State last week, 68-37, grabbing 42-17 lead at half; they beat Aggies 49-28 LY, outgaining State 628-503. Hawai'i covered three of last eight as road favorite. Aggies are 2-4 TY, with losses by 6,6,8,12 points.

Memphis lost to Arkansas State LW, extending winless streak since DC Dunn was fired on bye week. Tulsa won its last four games, allowing 10.5 peg; they're 3-0 vs. spread as favorite TY. Memphis lost 37-31 in OT at Tulsa LY; road team is 7-1-1 vs. spread in last nine series games. Tigers covered nine of last ten conference home openers.

Underdog is 9-4 vs. spread in last 13 Air Force-San Diego St games, with clubs splitting last two games here (45-21AF/24-3SD). Aztecs still winless under Long, as injuries have team down to 3rd-string QB (son of former coach). Falcons had 272 rushing yards LW in 41-29 win; they won three of last four games, scored 30.5 peg in two road games.

Erickson has Idaho tied for WAC lead and 4-3 overall, but Vandals covered just two of last nine vs. Boise State, losing last five games by average score of 48-17, with Broncos' last two visits here ending in 45-13/24-10 wins. Boise has ESPN game with Fresno on deck, but this game is for WAC lead. Question is, does Boise need to run up scores to make BCS, even if undefeated?

Dixon got banged up vs. UCLA LW, Oregon could be in trouble if backup Leaf has to play on field where his brother starred in college. Underdog covered five of last six Oregon-Wazzu games, with Ducks taking three of last four in Pullman (last five played at WSU were decided by total of 27 pts). Average total in this game over last decade is a hefty 64.

North Texas coach ****ey had heart attack during bye week, after 7 OT win over FIU, so UNT adjusting to adversity here. Favorite covered six of their last seven games vs. Arkansas State, fresh off upset vs. local rival Memphis, big win for ASU. North Texas won last two visits to Jonesboro (13-10/31-7), but they're 2-4 this year, 0-3 on road, losing by combined score of 117-23.

Middle Tennessee won three of last four games vs. UL-Monroe, winning last visit here, 38-20 (-20); average total in last four series games is 64. ULM lost last five games, with only one of losses by more than five points- they're 3-1 vs. spread as dog this season. Blue Raiders have 12 takeaways in last four games; they scored 17 or less in four of five games vs. I-A foes.