Saturday 09/01/2018 ... Comps / Bonus Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Requests Etc.

[bmd1803]

ATS Trends
Southern Methodist

Mustangs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
Mustangs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
Mustangs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games on fieldturf.
Mustangs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games.
Mustangs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.

North Texas

Mean Green are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf.
Mean Green are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games.
Mean Green are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in September.

OU Trends
Southern Methodist

Over is 4-1 in Mustangs last 5 games in September.
Over is 7-2 in Mustangs last 9 road games.

North Texas

Over is 4-0 in Mean Green last 4 home games.
Over is 6-1 in Mean Green last 7 non-conference games.
Over is 5-1 in Mean Green last 6 games in September.
Over is 11-5 in Mean Green last 16 games overall.

Head to Head

Favorite is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: Michigan at Notre Dame
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2018

No.11 Notre Dame will host 14th-ranked Michigan on Saturday as one of the most storied rivalries in college football is set to resume after a three-year hiatus. The Fighting Irish have won at least 10 games in two of the previous three seasons and hope their Citrus Bowl victory against LSU serves as a springboard to their second straight win against Michigan, after routing the Wolverines 31-0 in the last meeting in the series in South Bend in 2014.

"We're excited about it as this is something that Jim (Harbaugh) and I wanted to get back on the schedule," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly told reporters. "We think it's great for college football and I know our kids and our coaches can't wait for Saturday night." Michigan looks to bounce back from a disappointing campaign, which saw the Wolverines drop rivalry games to Michigan State and Ohio State en route to an 8-5 record. There is plenty of optimism in Ann Arbor despite a three-game losing streak to end the season as Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson was granted a waiver for immediate eligibility. The former five-star recruit hopes to lead Michigan to its first road win against Notre Dame since 2010. "I understand the shoes that I have to fill with so many good quarterbacks who have come through here," Patterson told reporters. "I'm so excited especially with the group of guys we have here."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Notre Dame -1

ABOUT MICHIGAN (2017: 8-5): Patterson, who threw for 2,259 yards and 17 touchdowns in seven games before a knee injury ended his season prematurely, beat out Brandon Peters for the starting job, but was stripped of a major weapon as No. 1 wide receiver Tarik Black was ruled out indefinitely with a fractured right foot. Michigan's defense, which gave up 18.3 points per game in 2017, promises to be fearsome once again as nine starters return, including preseason All-Americans Rashan Gary, a defensive end who is a projected top-10 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and linebacker Devin Bush. Karan Higdon flirted with the NFL after rushing for 994 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and will form a dynamic duo with Chris Evans, who accounted for 842 total yards and seven TDs.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (2017: 10-3): Brandon Wimbush passed for 1,870 yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with another 803 yards and 14 TDs on the ground last season, and was named the starter after beating out Ian Book, who relieved him during the win against LSU and could see some action if Wimbush struggles. Tony Jones Jr. is likely to replace last season's leading rusher Josh Adams, who bolted to the NFL after racking up 1,430 yards and nine touchdowns, while Dexter Williams' status is unclear following speculation of a university imposed four-game suspension. Offensive lineman Robert Hainsey is expected to play on Saturday after missing two weeks of practice with a calf strain.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Notre Dame has won 25 of its last 31 season openers.

2. Michigan has won nine straight regular-season games against non-conference opponents under Harbaugh.

3. The Fighting Irish have won five of the last six meetings with the Wolverines in South Bend.

PREDICTION: Michigan 23, Notre Dame 20

 

[bmd1803]

ATS Trends
Michigan

Wolverines are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. INDEP.
Wolverines are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Wolverines are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.

Notre Dame

Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
Fighting Irish are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.
Fighting Irish are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Fighting Irish are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big Ten.
Fighting Irish are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.

OU Trends
Michigan

Over is 7-1-1 in Wolverines last 9 non-conference games.
Over is 11-4 in Wolverines last 15 road games.
Over is 24-9-1 in Wolverines last 34 games overall.
Over is 5-2-1 in Wolverines last 8 games in September.
Over is 19-8-1 in Wolverines last 28 games on fieldturf.

Notre Dame

Under is 4-0 in Fighting Irish last 4 games overall.
Over is 4-0 in Fighting Irish last 4 vs. Big Ten.
Under is 4-0 in Fighting Irish last 4 non-conference games.
Over is 6-1 in Fighting Irish last 7 games in September.

Head to Head

Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Underdog is 11-5 ATS in their last 16 meetings.
Wolverines are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 meetings in Notre Dame.

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: Bowling Green at Oregon
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2018

For a program entering the season with its third head coach in the last three years, Oregon boasts a surprising amount of stability. The Ducks begin the Mario Cristobal era on Saturday against visiting Bowling Green eager to show why many experts believe they could contend for the Pac-12 title.

Oregon was picked to finish third in the Pac-12 North but could surprise with an explosive offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Tony Brooks-James. “With coach Cristobal behind the wheel, it’s full speed, right down your throat, take your blank-blank-blank,” Brooks-James told reporters. “There ain’t no, ‘It’s a first-year coach, we’re just trying to fill things out.’ We’re going for everything.” Oregon has averaged 41.2 points over Herbert’s 15 career starts, and the 6-foot-6, 233-pound junior begins the season as a Heisman Trophy candidate after completing 67.5 percent of his passes last year. Oregon has won 13 straight home openers and are heavy favorites versus Bowling Green, which was picked to finish fifth in the East Division in the Mid-American Conference preseason media poll.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Oregon -31.5

ABOUT BOWLING GREEN (2-10 in 2017): The Falcons have the firepower to keep pace early with Oregon but will need to take care of the football after committing 25 turnovers last season. Sophomore quarterback Jarret Doege returns after completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 12 touchdowns against three interceptions last season, while Andrew Clair will be the starting tailback after averaging 6.8 yards per carry as a freshman. The Falcons replaced their entire defensive coaching staff after allowing 506.6 yards per game last season and could easily be overwhelmed by Oregon’s high-powered attack.

ABOUT OREGON (7-6 in 2017): The Ducks again have plenty of speed at the skill positions with Brooks-James expected to carry a heavy workload and wide receivers Dillon Mitchell and Tabari Hines primed to build on last season’s strong finish, when they combined for 544 receiving yards and eight touchdowns over the final three games. The defense showed dramatic improvement last year under new coordinator Jim Leavitt and should continue to thrive with inside linebacker Troy Dye leading the way. The junior is Oregon’s active leader in tackles (198) and tackles for loss (26.5), while ranking second in sacks (10.5).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oregon has won 20 consecutive home non-conference games dating back to 2008.

2. Bowling Green is seeking its first season-opening victory since defeating Tulsa in 2013.

3. Oregon went 6-2 and averaged 49.1 points with Herbert in the starting lineup last season.

PREDICTION: Oregon 51, Bowling Green 17

 

[bmd1803]

ATS Trends
Bowling Green

Falcons are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games on fieldturf.
Falcons are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
Falcons are 0-9 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games.
Falcons are 0-9 ATS in their last 9 games in September.

Oregon

Ducks are 8-18-1 ATS in their last 27 games overall.
Ducks are 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 games in September.
Ducks are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games.

OU Trends
Bowling Green

Under is 4-0-1 in Falcons last 5 games in September.
Over is 7-0 in Falcons last 7 games overall.
Over is 7-0 in Falcons last 7 games on fieldturf.
Over is 4-0 in Falcons last 4 road games.
Under is 3-0-1 in Falcons last 4 non-conference games.

Oregon

Over is 52-19-1 in Ducks last 72 home games.
Over is 12-5 in Ducks last 17 games on fieldturf.
Over is 37-18-2 in Ducks last 57 games in September.

Head to Head
No trends available.

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: Abilene Christian at Baylor
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2018

Year two of the Matt Rhule Era of Baylor football kicks off Saturday night when the Bears host an FCS team, Abilene Christian of the Southland Conference. And after suffering through a 1-11 campaign that included a season-opening 48-45 loss to Liberty, the Wildcats will have Baylor’s undivided attention.

Rhule expects the Bears, who had to deal with the frequent distractions from the school’s ugly sexual assault scandal last season, to reach a bowl game this season. He performed similar magic in his second year at Temple where the Owls progressed from a 2-10 record in his first year in 2013 to 6-6 in 2014 en route to back-to-back 10-4 finishes in 2015 and 2016. Armed with his second straight top-25-ranked recruiting class and a solid group of returnees, Rhule believes taking the next step may be more mental than physical. “I don’t want to have a team that goes out there … scared, that’s like, ‘Oh, remember last year,’” Rhule told the Waco Tribune. “I don’t care about last year. I want a team that goes out there confident and ready to play.” TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: None

ABOUT ABILENE CHRISTIAN (2-9 in 2017): The Wildcats were picked to finish seventh in the Southland Conference preseason poll after going 2-7 in head coach Adam Dorrel’s first season. Sophomore Luke Anthony, who took over starting quarterback duties late last season, returns after throwing for 776 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Also back is the team’s top rusher, Tracy James, who finished with 638 yards on 113 carries and scored two touchdowns, as well as explosive wide receiver D.J. Fuller, who sat out the 2017 season for academic reasons after leading ACU with 51 receptions for 749 yards and six TDs in 2016. ABOUT BAYLOR (1-11 in 2017): Sophomore Charlie Brewer, who started at the end of last season and led the Bears to their only win against Kansas, and North Carolina State grad transfer Jalan McClendon were listed as quarterback co-starters on the team’s first two-deep depth and will be throwing to fast and talented group of receivers led by Denzel Mims, Chris Platt and Tennessee transfer Jalen Hurd. “You put on the 2013, 2014, 2015 Baylor teams and the one thing that stands out is Bryce (Petty) and all those guys throwing to Corey Coleman and those guys,” Rhule said. “The ability to throw the ball down the field was special. We think we have those kinds of receivers.” Baylor’s ground attack, led by powerful junior running back JaMycal Hasty and talented sophomores Trestan Ebner and John Lovett, should benefit from an upgraded offensive line that includes Clemson-transfer Jake Fruhmorgen and UCF transfer Christian Beard.

EXTRA POINTS 1. Baylor is 16-1 all-time against current Southland Conference teams with the lone loss coming to Lamar, 18-17, in 1981. 2. The Bears return 39 players that started at least one game in 2017 -- 21 on defense and 18 on offense. 3. Platt led the nation in receptions of 70-plus yards (four) despite playing in only four games due to injury.

PREDICTION: Baylor 56, Abilene Christian 7

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: South Dakota State at Iowa State
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2018

Following a breakthrough season that included two wins over top-five-ranked opponents including a stunning 38-31 victory at No. 3 Oklahoma, Iowa State is a popular sleeper pick to win the Big 12 Conference this season. The Cyclones open their 2018 campaign against one of the top teams in the FCS when South Dakota State visits Ames on Saturday night.

A number of key pieces return from a Cyclones squad defeated the Sooners and No. 4 TCU (14-7) over a four-game span en route to 21-20 Liberty Bowl victory over No. 19 Memphis. Perhaps the biggest is head coach Matt Campbell who returns for his third season after garnering Big 12 Coach of the Year honors and having his name linked with several top coaching openings. Campbell, who inherited a team that finished 3-9 in 2015, says the key now is to build on the team’s first eight-victory season since 2000. “I really like this team,” Campbell said. “Our kids have had a really good summer. I’m proud of what we’ve done. The next step for us is the consistency piece of it.” TV: 8 p.m. ET, None. LINE: None

ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (11-3 in 2017): The Jackrabbits return 14 starters from a squad that won a program record 11 games and reached the FCS semifinals for the first time where they lost to James Madison, 51-16. Senior quarterback Taryn Christion leads the way, passing for 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in consecutive seasons and also rushing for 500 and nine more TDs last year. All-American linebacker Christian Rozeboom returns to anchor a defense that features an NFL cornerback prospect in Jordan Brown and former Iowa safety Brandon Snyder. ABOUT IOWA STATE (8-5 in 2017): The Cyclones got big news in the off-season when quarterback Kyle Kempt, who broke the school’s completion mark (66.3 percent) and knocked off three ranked opponents in his eight starts, was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. He enters the season with a streak of 130 consecutive passes without an interception, 25 shy of the school record, and will lead an offense that returns 11 players who started four games or more and features a pair of running backs in Mike Warren (1,339 in 2015) and David Montgomery (1,146 in 2017) who have recorded 1,000-yard rushing seasons. The defense returns six players who earned All-Big 12 honors led by cornerback Brian Peavy who is included on some preseason All-America lists.

EXTRA POINTS 1. Iowa State led the nation in fewest fumbles (one) last season, tying the NCAA FBS record for fewest lost fumbles in a season. 2. The Cyclones were 1-56-2 all-time against top-five opponents before going 2-0 in 2017. 3. South Dakota State was ranked No. 3 in the preseason FCS poll after finishing sixth last season.

PREDICTION: Iowa State 38, South Dakota State 17

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: Akron at Nebraska
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2018

After watching Scott Frost turn Central Florida from a winless team into an undefeated one in two seasons, Nebraska would like nothing more than to watch its last national championship-winning quarterback spark a similar revival following their worst season since 1961. The Cornhuskers hope their native son can get them pointed back in the right direction starting Saturday when they host Akron.

Frost took over UCF in 2016 following a 0-12 campaign and guided the Knights to a six-win season before they became the darlings of FBS in '17 by going 13-0, including a 30-27 victory over Auburn in the Peach Bowl. The 43-year-old, who led Nebraska to the last of its five national titles in 1997, assumes control of a program that has suffered losing campaigns in two of the past three years - including a 4-8 mark in 2017 - after finishing 49 of the previous 53 seasons with at least nine wins. Frost wasted little time making his first notable decision last weekend, naming Adrian Martinez as the starting quarterback and making him the first true freshman signal-caller to open the season as the starter in school history. The Zips proved to be more than the sum of their parts in 2017, winning the East Division of the Mid-American Conference despite sporting the 121st-ranked offense and 103rd-ranked defense in FBS by leading the league in turnover margin and winning three of their games by a total of five points.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Nebraska -24.5

ABOUT AKRON (2017: 7-7): Sophomore quarterback Kato Nelson sparked the offense with four touchdown passes in a critical conference victory over Ohio last season and faces the daunting task of trying to improve after losing four of his top five pass-catchers from a season ago. The one returning receiver is senior Kwadarrius Smith, who averaged a MAC-best 21.4 yards per catch and led the team in receiving yards (726) and receiving scores (seven) despite finishing with only 34 receptions. First-team all-conference linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III tallied 140 tackles, five sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions as a junior; he is one of nine returning players back from a defense that led the MAC with 19 interceptions.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (2017: 4-8): Martinez should have no shortage of weapons at his disposal as senior Stanley Morgan Jr. (61 catches for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns) and sophomore JD Spielman (55, 830 and two) ranked second and fifth, respectively, in the Big Ten in receiving yards. Junior college transfer Greg Bell is expected to get the first shot at being the next in a long line of great running backs for the Cornhuskers after averaging over six yards per carry and rushing for at least 1,187 yards in each of his two seasons at Arizona Western. The Cornhuskers struggled mightily on defense in 2017, surrendering nearly twice as many rushing yards as the offense gained on the ground (2,577-1,290) and recording a Big-Ten low 14 sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Nebraska gave up at least 54 points in each of its final three games last season.

2. Akron failed to rush for 180 yards against any FBS team and allowed a FBS-worst 328 first downs last season.

3. The Cornhuskers' only other matchup against the Zips came in the aforementioned 1997 national championship season. Ironically, Nebraska's second game that season was against UCF.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 38, Akron 20

 

[bmd1803]

ATS Trends
Akron

Zips are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf.
Zips are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
Zips are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Zips are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big Ten.

Nebraska

Cornhuskers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
Cornhuskers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
Cornhuskers are 1-9-2 ATS in their last 12 home games.
Cornhuskers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf.

OU Trends
Akron

Under is 5-0 in Zips last 5 games in September.
Under is 5-0 in Zips last 5 non-conference games.
Under is 15-3 in Zips last 18 games on fieldturf.
Under is 5-1 in Zips last 6 vs. Big Ten.
Under is 9-2 in Zips last 11 road games.
Under is 49-21 in Zips last 70 games overall.

Nebraska

Over is 3-0-1 in Cornhuskers last 4 home games.
Over is 3-0-1 in Cornhuskers last 4 games overall.
Over is 4-0-1 in Cornhuskers last 5 games on fieldturf.
Over is 11-4 in Cornhuskers last 15 non-conference games.
Under is 5-2 in Cornhuskers last 7 games in September.

Head to Head
No trends available.

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: Louisville vs. Alabama
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2018

Top-ranked Alabama begins its quest for its sixth national championship under coach Nick Saban when the Crimson Tide oppose Louisville on Saturday in Orlando, Fla. Alabama, which defeated Georgia in last season's College Football Playoff title game, is looking to win 12 or more games for the fifth consecutive season.

The quarterback situation remains in flux with junior Jalen Hurts and sophomore Tua Tagovailoa listed as co-No. 1s on the depth chart, and Saban has not indicated which way he's leaning in terms of a starter. "They've both done a good job in fall camp," Saban said at a press conference. "We're excited about the progress both guys have made and what they're capable of doing." Louisville is breaking in a new starting signal-caller in sophomore Jawon Pass and coach Bobby Petrino understands what a huge challenge Pass and his team are facing. "The No. 1 thing we have to do is believe that we can go down there and beat them so that when you truly believe in something, then you go out and play your best, play to the best of your ability, and that's what's important for us," Petrino said at a press conference. "If there's any disbelief at all, usually you underachieve, and that's the main thing we can't do. We need to go play our best game to give us an opportunity to win."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Alabama -24.5

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (2017: 8-5): Pass (33 career passing attempts) has big shoes to fill as the replacement for 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, and Petrino said he has been pleased with the youngster's accuracy and decision-making during fall camp. Senior receiver Jaylen Smith (appendectomy on Aug. 3) is expected to play against the Crimson Tide and aims to build on a stellar 2017 campaign in which he caught 60 passes for 980 yards and seven touchdowns. Sophomore linebacker Dorian Etheridge (team-high 83 tackles last season) and junior defensive end Jonathan Greenard (team-best 15.5 tackles for loss, including seven sacks) lead the defensive unit under new coordinator Brian VanGorder.

ABOUT ALABAMA (2017: 13-1): The quarterback competition is intriguing as Hurts is 26-2 as a starter and ranks fourth in school history with 40 career touchdown passes, while Tagovailoa (no career starts) threw three touchdowns in the national title game to rally the Crimson Tide to the victory. Saban declined to reveal if both quarterbacks will see action, cutting off a question with this: “Look, none of that’s been decided yet. I wish we could talk about something else because I don’t really have anything else to say about it.” The defense will again be strong with junior defensive end Raekwon Davis (team-best 8.5 sacks last season) being the best of the bunch, but the secondary is breaking in four new starters and two outside linebackers - junior Terrell Lewis and sophomore Christopher Allen - have been lost with season-ending knee injuries.

EXTRA POINTS
1. Alabama has won two of the three previous meetings, but the Cardinals routed the Crimson Tide 34-7 in the Fiesta Bowl following the 1990 regular season.
2. Smith is 45 yards away from becoming the 11th Louisville player to reach 2,000 career receiving yards.
3. Crimson Tide senior RB Damien Harris (2,194 career rushing yards) has a career average of 6.7 yards per carry, third in program history behind Wilbur Jackson (7.2 from 1971-73) and Eddie Lacy (6.8 from 2010-12).

PREDICTION: Alabama 38, Louisville 19

 

[bmd1803]

ATS Trends
Louisville

Cardinals are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games overall.
Cardinals are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September.
Cardinals are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games on fieldturf.
Cardinals are 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games.

Alabama

Crimson Tide are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf.
Crimson Tide are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. ACC.
Crimson Tide are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.

OU Trends
Louisville

Under is 4-0 in Cardinals last 4 games overall.
Under is 6-0-1 in Cardinals last 7 neutral site games.
Under is 5-1 in Cardinals last 6 non-conference games.
Under is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 vs. SEC.
Over is 7-2 in Cardinals last 9 games in September.

Alabama

Under is 8-2 in Crimson Tide last 10 non-conference games.
Over is 19-6-1 in Crimson Tide last 26 neutral site games.
Over is 14-5-1 in Crimson Tide last 20 games on fieldturf.

Head to Head
No trends available.

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: Texas-San Antonio at Arizona State
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2018

Herm Edwards is set to make his debut as coach at Arizona State when the Sun Devils host Texas-San Antonio on Saturday night, his first time back on the sideline in 10 years. Edwards was the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2006-08, then spent nine years as a studio analyst for ESPN before he was hired by the Sun Devils on Dec. 3.

Edwards inherited a team that returns 14 starters, including quarterback Manny Wilkins and his top two receivers N’Keal Harry and Kyle Williams. Wilkins overcame an injury-filled 2016 season -- and the arrival of a high-profile transfer from Alabama who seemed destined to steal his job -- to confidently pass for 3,270 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, while also running for another 282 yards and seven scores. Harry figures to benefit the most from Edwards' pro-style offense and the junior from nearby Chandler, Ariz., should improve on last season's totals of 82 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns. UTSA will be young and mostly inexperienced on offense, but the Roadrunners hired former Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges to fill the same role and he should bring out the best in that group.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Arizona State -18.5

ABOUT TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO (2017: 6-5): The Roadrunners return four starters on offense and six on defense, led by senior defensive lineman Kevin Strong Jr. and junior linebacker Josiah Tauaefa, both preseason All-Conference USA selections. Strong had seven tackles for loss and three sacks for a UTSA defense that led Conference USA in seven categories. Tauaefa set a freshman school record with 115 tackles in 2016 and was named to the C-USA all-freshman team, but he was slowed by a knee injury that caused him to sit out three games last season.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (2017: 7-6): The Sun Devils will be short-handed on defense in their season opener, as senior linebacker Jay Jay Wilson has been suspended for an incident that occurred during a closed practice Aug. 15. Arizona State was already thin at linebacker because Koron Crump, a second-team all Pac-12 pick in 2016, is still not 100 percent after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the third game last season. Merlin Robertson, who played at Serra High School just outside of Los Angeles last season, is set to become the first true freshman to start at linebacker for the Sun Devils since Vontaze Burfict in 2009.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona State has won its past 19 home openers, tied for the fourth-longest active win streak in the country.

2. Arizona State, North Carolina State and West Virginia are the only FBS teams that return two receivers with at least 60 receptions last year.

3. The warmest temperature the Roadrunners have experienced at kickoff was 92 degrees in the 2013 season opener at New Mexico. Temperatures are expected to be near 100 at kickoff Saturday.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 45, UTSA 17

 

[bmd1803]

ATS Trends
Texas-San Antonio

Roadrunners are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Pac-12.
Roadrunners are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
Roadrunners are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Roadrunners are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.

Arizona State

Sun Devils are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games on grass.
Sun Devils are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 home games.
Sun Devils are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Sun Devils are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.

OU Trends
Texas-San Antonio

Under is 7-0 in Roadrunners last 7 games overall.
Under is 4-0 in Roadrunners last 4 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Roadrunners last 5 games in September.
Under is 8-2 in Roadrunners last 10 games on grass.

Arizona State

Over is 5-1 in Sun Devils last 6 games overall.

Head to Head
No trends available.

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: BYU at Arizona
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2018

Kevin Sumlin will make his debut as coach at Arizona when the Wildcats host BYU in the season opener Saturday night. Sumlin was hired in January after spending the past six seasons as coach at Texas A&M, where he posted a 51-26 record.

Sumlin inherits one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in college football as Khalil Tate has already put his name in the hat for Heisman Trophy consideration. Tate threw for 1,591 yards as a sophomore last season and ran for another 1,411 yards, including an FBS quarterback record 327 against Colorado after entering the game for the injured starter in the first quarter. Tate will have some inexperienced blockers in front of him, as the Wildcats lost three offensive linemen to graduation, left tackle Layth Friekh is suspended the first two games and center Nathan Eldridge is struggling with a recurring knee ailment. BYU kicked a 33-yard field goal with four seconds left to beat Arizona 18-16 in the season opener two years ago, and the Cougars return seven starters from a defense that held seven opponents to 21 points or fewer and limited the opposing run game to 3.7 yards per carry last season.

TV: 10:45 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Arizona -11.5

ABOUT BYU (2017: 4-9): Tanner Mangum won a tense competition against freshman Zach Wilson for the starting nod at quarterback in the season opener, and the senior hopes to replicate his 2015 season, when he passed for 3,377 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Cougars will mostly rely on their defense, and they've got some big players in the trenches, namely 6-foot-4, 340-pound defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, who is difficult to move, even with a double team. Anchoring the defensive end positions are brothers Corbin and Devin Kaufusi, who not only have the size to cause problems, but the length.

ABOUT ARIZONA (2017: 7-6): Tate was the leading rusher for the Wildcats last season, but they also return their top running back in sophomore J.J. Taylor, the co-offensive player of the year among Pac-12 freshmen last season. Taylor set out to improve his speed in the offseason and getting around the corners against BYU would help Arizona overcome its size disadvantage in the middle. The player who's expected to back up Taylor and get meaningful carries as well is sophomore Gary Brightwell, who played slot receiver last season but is shifting back to his natural running back role.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona PK Lucas Havrisik sent 63 of his 93 kickoffs into the end zone last season, fifth-best in the nation.

2. Sumlin has had only one losing season in 10 years as a head coach.

3. BYU is coming off its worst season record-wise since 1970.

PREDICTION: Arizona 35, BYU 24

 

[bmd1803]

ATS Trends
Brigham Young

Cougars are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Cougars are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. Pac-12.
Cougars are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games on grass.
Cougars are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games in September.

Arizona

Wildcats are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Wildcats are 13-27 ATS in their last 40 games on grass.
Wildcats are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games in September.
Wildcats are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

OU Trends
Brigham Young

Under is 4-0 in Cougars last 4 vs. Pac-12.
Under is 8-2 in Cougars last 10 games on grass.
Under is 14-5 in Cougars last 19 non-conference games.
Under is 8-3 in Cougars last 11 road games.
Under is 15-6 in Cougars last 21 games overall.

Arizona

Over is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 games on grass.
Over is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 non-conference games.
Over is 7-2 in Wildcats last 9 games overall.
Over is 6-2 in Wildcats last 8 home games.
Over is 9-4 in Wildcats last 13 games in September.

Head to Head

Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: Navy at Hawaii
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2018

Navy opens its 2018 season at Hawaii on Saturday, but the groundwork for a campaign that has coach Ken Niumatalolo brimming with confidence already was being established after the Midshipmen's 14-13 loss to Army in December. Navy routed Virginia 49-7 in its next game - the 2017 Military Bowl - after tougher-than-usual preparation and hopes to carry the momentum into a season that will feature junior Malcolm Perry at quarterback.

"From what I saw in the bowl game, what I saw during spring ball and what I’ve seen in August camp, I couldn’t be more pleased,” Niumatalolo told the Capital Gazette. “I feel as good as I’ve ever felt in my 11 years of being the head coach.” Perry took over from Zach Abey, who switched to wide receiver, and rushed for a combined 364 yards and three touchdowns versus Army and Virginia without throwing a pass. Navy, which was second nationally to Army in rushing yards per game last season (351.4), could have an easy time against a Rainbow Warriors' defense that permitted an average of 210.2 yards on the ground - 110th among the 129 FBS teams in 2017. Hawaii opened its season with a 43-34 victory at Colorado State on Aug. 25 as sophomore quarterback Cole McDonald threw for 418 yards and accounted for five touchdowns.

TV: 11 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Navy -11

ABOUT NAVY (2017: 7-6): Perry rushed for 1,182 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, including a 68-yard score versus Army, and averaged 8.6 yards per carry while attempting only two passes. He also was the Midshipmen's top kickoff returner at 24.5 yards per try but doesn't appear on the depth chart at that position with his role as the starting quarterback. Navy's defense took a hit with the graduation of linebacker Micah Thomas (team highs of 81 tackles and three interceptions last season), but senior defensive end Josh Webb returns with his team-best four sacks.

ABOUT HAWAII (1-0): McDonald also is a threat running the ball as his 96 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries versus Colorado State attest. Juniors Cedric Byrd and John Ursua appear to be McDonald's favorite targets after combining for 304 yards and three TDs on 18 receptions. Junior linebacker Solomon Matautia spearheaded the Rainbow Warriors' defense with a team-high 10 tackles, including six solo.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rainbow Warriors coach Nick Rolovich (2000-01) and Niumatalolo (1986-87, 1989) are former Hawaii quarterbacks.

2. Navy was 6-0 when scoring more than 30 points in 2017 and 1-6 when totaling fewer than 30.

3. Navy was picked to finish third in the West Division in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll while Hawaii was tabbed to wind up fifth in the six-team West Division of the Mountain West Conference.

PREDICTION: Navy 35, Hawaii 31

 

[bmd1803]

ATS Trends
Navy

Midshipmen are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games in September.
Midshipmen are 18-6-3 ATS in their last 27 games on fieldturf.
Midshipmen are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 vs. MWC.

Hawaii

Rainbow Warriors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
Rainbow Warriors are 16-33-2 ATS in their last 51 games overall.
Rainbow Warriors are 22-46-1 ATS in their last 69 games on fieldturf.
Rainbow Warriors are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
Rainbow Warriors are 2-5-2 ATS in their last 9 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Rainbow Warriors are 8-21-1 ATS in their last 30 home games.
Rainbow Warriors are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Rainbow Warriors are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
Rainbow Warriors are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Rainbow Warriors are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games in September.
Rainbow Warriors are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.

OU Trends
Navy

Under is 6-1 in Midshipmen last 7 road games.
Under is 5-1 in Midshipmen last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-1 in Midshipmen last 5 games in September.
Under is 5-2 in Midshipmen last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Hawaii

Under is 6-0 in Rainbow Warriors last 6 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Rainbow Warriors last 4 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
Over is 9-1 in Rainbow Warriors last 10 non-conference games.
Under is 4-1 in Rainbow Warriors last 5 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Rainbow Warriors last 5 games following a ATS win.
Under is 6-2 in Rainbow Warriors last 8 games overall.
Under is 6-2 in Rainbow Warriors last 8 games on fieldturf.
Over is 14-6 in Rainbow Warriors last 20 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 13-6 in Rainbow Warriors last 19 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.

Head to Head
No trends available.

 

[bmd1803]

Preview: Miami vs. LSU
Gracenote
Aug 30, 2018

It won't take long for No. 8 Miami (Fla.) and No. 24 LSU to find out whether they will be contenders for the national championship. They come right out of the gate with their first challenge in a rare primetime Sunday night matchup in Arlington, Texas.

"Until you play somebody, you really don't know," Miami third-year coach Mark Richt told reporters. "There are no warm-up games here. We will be physically and mentally tested. It will be a gut check, at the very least. … When you play LSU, Game 1, in this type of game, in this setting that we're going to be in, you can't help but think, 'I better get ready.'" The Hurricanes were surprisingly ready last year, running out to wins in their first 10 games to earn their first-ever ACC Coastal crown and putting themselves smack in the middle of the national title talk before a not-so-fabulous 0-3 finish dashed their hopes. LSU had the opposite kind of season with a 3-2 start followed by a 6-2 conclusion, but it is hoping to avoid a repeat by getting off on the right foot in a venue that is supposed to be neutral although it may be decidedly pro Tigers based on its vicinity to Louisiana. "I know our fans are going to be excited to take over that stadium and turn it into Death Valley," said coach Ed Orgeron, whose Tigers are 3-0 at AT&T Stadium, with all wins coming over ranked teams.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Miami -3.5

ABOUT MIAMI (2017: 10-3): The Hurricanes are set at quarterback with returning starter Malik Rosier, who emerged as a dual threat last year with 3,120 yards passing and 468 running while setting the school single-season record for total touchdowns (31), but he has something to prove after a dismal showing during the team's 0-3 finish with five interceptions and a 44.9 completion percentage. Rosier's receiving corps will be bolstered by the return to health of Ahmmon Richards, who followed up his record-setting freshman season with an injury-plagued sophomore campaign, while even bigger things are expected from running back Travis Homer (966 yards rushing in 2017). The Canes defense will be fast and aggressive as usual, with each defender hungry to wear the famed turnover chain - 11 of the 16 players who wore it in 2017 return, including preseason All-American safety Jaquan Johnson (four interceptions, two fumble recoveries) - and they may have their chances against an inexperienced LSU offense.

ABOUT LSU (2017: 9-4): The Tigers will have a different starting quarterback for the season opener for the 16th time in the last 21 seasons and they open with a new quarterback-running back combination for the third straight year. Graduate transfer Joe Burrow (Ohio State) will make his first college start behind center in new coordinator Steve Ensminger's more pass-oriented offense, winning the job over sophomore Myles Brennan, while senior Nick Brossette finally gets his chance after making just one start for the Tigers but he has big shoes to fill with the departure of star running back Derrius Guice. After surrendering just 18.9 points and 316 yards per game last year, defense is where the team will excel immediately and give Rosier his first big test, spearheaded by a pair of preseason first team All-Americans - junior linebacker Devin White and sophomore cornerback Greedy Williams.

EXTRA POINTS

1. LSU leads the all-time series with Miami 9-3 after defeating the Hurricanes 40-3 in the 2005 Peach Bowl.

2. The Hurricanes are kicking off the season with their first true neutral-site matchup since Aug. 29, 1999, when they defeated Ohio State 23-12.

3. Orgeron won two national titles as a University of Miami assistant from 1988 to 1992.

PREDICTION: Miami 20, LSU 13

 

[bmd1803]

ATS Trends
Miami

Hurricanes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September.
Hurricanes are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games on fieldturf.
Hurricanes are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.
Hurricanes are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.

Louisiana State

Tigers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Tigers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. ACC.
Tigers are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
Tigers are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games in September.

OU Trends
Miami

Under is 6-0 in Hurricanes last 6 neutral site games.
Under is 5-1 in Hurricanes last 6 vs. SEC.
Under is 9-2 in Hurricanes last 11 games overall.
Under is 45-21 in Hurricanes last 66 non-conference games.

Louisiana State

Under is 4-0 in Tigers last 4 neutral site games.
Under is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 games on fieldturf.
Under is 7-2 in Tigers last 9 games in September.
Under is 6-2-1 in Tigers last 9 non-conference games.
Under is 20-8-2 in Tigers last 30 games overall.

Head to Head
No trends available.

 

[bmd1803]

8-Unit Future. Take Over 7 Wins for Florida Gators in the 2018 Season. (WHEN WE RELEASED IT WAS AT 7 WINS, NOW IT IS AT 8 WINS, WE STILL LIKE THIS PLAY AS WE HAVE FLORIDA AT 9 WINS THIS YEAR)

Florida is going to be much, much better this year. With Mullen returning to his stomping grounds after the old AD Foley left and with him leaving, Florida paved the way for Mullen to come back to the Gators and take over a program that is primed for a huge year. Remember, Mullen knows Florida and Florida recruiting very well and he is an elite coach. He used to have Mississippi State #1 in the Nation for a week if you remember with Dak Prescott - and he did that with Mississippi State! Imagine what he can do with the rich crop of talent in Florida as well as the facilities in Florida. This is a guy that is an elite offensive mind and he gets great speed to work with here and he left a program with 16 returning starters in Mississippi State which was primed to be a 10 win team but he decided to leave because he knows how good Florida can be and that he can fight for a National Championship in Florida. Remember, Florida will be an elite offense this year and their strength is their defense with returning starters on the outside which works really well for an offensive minded coach like Mullen. Florida will beat Charleston Southern, Kentucky, Colorado State, Tennessee, LSU, maybe Miss State (he faces his former team), Vanderbilt, likey lose to Georgia this year, but beat Missouri, South Carolina, Idaho and have a 50/50 dog fight against Florida State. We have possibly as high as 9 wins this year with potential losses to Miss State, Georgia and FSU and even the Miss State and FSU games they can be highly competitive in. Who is to say this team can't run the table except for the Georgia game. Mullen will be SEC Coach of the Year possibly (along with Joe Moorehead his successor at Mississiippi State) and this sets up very well for him and his team to do well as Florida comes back to prominence in a very fast rebuild.