Here are todays selections:
7 Units Michigan State +7 -110
The Big Ten race is a wide open affair at this point, making Saturday's Michigan State-Ohio State battle a virtual elimination game. The surprising Spartans suffered their first league defeat last week to Michigan in a game not as close as the 27-20 final score indicated. But Michigan State doesn't figure to suddenly collapse off the one poor showing, and QB Jeff Smoker could have some success airing it out in Columbus against the Buckeyes. Nobody can run on Ohio State, as evidenced by their permitting a stingy 49 ypg on the ground. But they can be occasionally vulnerable to aerial assaults, which means trouble against the Spartans. Meanwhile, Ohio State's somewhat stodgy attack continues to struggle, although this team still finds a way to win almost every week, and probably will do so again here. Laying points with Ohio State has been bad business, as the Buckeyes have covered only three games all season. Look for another nail biter in this important clash, with the Buckeyes staying in the conference title chase in very close fashion.
5 Units South Florida -11 -107
Conference USA battle featuring a strong South Florida defense against a bad all-around team. South Florida (5-3 SU, 3-3 ATS) has a balanced offense (137 yards rushing, 193 passing yards per game) that is averaging 24 points pg. They've struggled to score points against good defensive teams, but that won't be a concern here because East Carolina can't stop anybody, giving up 36 points pg. East Carolina (1-9) has one win (against a bad Army team, 38-32), and that's a lot of points to give up to Army's brutal offense. Also, their QB play of Desmond Robinson and Paul Troth has been erratic and they will struggle against a strong South Florida 'D'. South Florida won 46-30 at East Carolina last year (and covered) and they should have little trouble again.
5 Units Nebraska -18 -101
Can the Huskers bounce back from a 31-7 pasting by Texas last week? Nebraska (7-2 SU, 5-4 ATS) was shredded for 353 yards rushing by Texas. And its own running game, a Nebraska staple for years, was limited to 300 yards less than the Longhorns gained. That won't happen here. This week the running game should feel more like its old self as the Kansas (4-4 SU, 5-3 ATS) defense has given up 32 points a game and tons of yardage on the ground. Nebraska should have more than enough firepower, and the Huskers will feel some of the comforts of home when red-clad fans make the relatively short drive to fill the north end zone at KU. The last three years, Nebraska is 3-0 SU/ATS against Kansas, winning 45-7, 51-7 and 56-17.
5 Units Texas Tech -27.5 -105
The haves and the have nots meet up in Waco on Saturday. Texas Tech (6-3 SU, ATS) defense, ranked last nationally rose up against Colorado last Saturday as the Red Raiders allowed just 294 yards and a game-saving interception that stopped Colorado's final drive with 2:11 remaining for a 26-21 victory. The pro-efficient Red Raider offense took the week off after averaging 600 yards per game put up a seemingly miniscule 490 yards for the game. B.J. Symons was intercepted on each of the Red Raiders' first four series against Colorado (five picks overall). He still went 30 of 51 for 399 yards, and turnovers won't be a concern against a poor Baylor 'D'. Entrenched in the slime and mud of the bowels of the Big XII, the Baylor Bears have now lost 31 in a row in league play after a 38-10 defeat at Kansas State. Texas Tech won 62-11 a year ago, as a 32-point favorite and expect more of the same here.
5 Units Tennessee U +12.5 -108
Tennessee led only 9-6 early in the fourth quarter before downing Duke 23-9 in a non-conference game last Saturday as Jabari Davis rushed for a season-high 113 yards. The Vols were without starting tailback Cedric Houston (sprained ankle) and they seemed to be preoccupied with the game being simultaneously played in Jacksonville as Georgia’s loss to Florida put Tennessee in a tie for first place with the three teams. Casey Clausen was 16-of-27 for 208 yards with no interceptions. This will be an unusual feeling for Miami-Florida as it is coming off a regular season loss for the first time in 39 games after last week’s 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes were held to 116 rushing yards on 38 carries and quarterback Brock Berlin was 16-of-25 for 164 yards with two interceptions.
Good Luck Today
ALLSTAR
**Back after 4:00 EST**
7 Units Michigan State +7 -110
The Big Ten race is a wide open affair at this point, making Saturday's Michigan State-Ohio State battle a virtual elimination game. The surprising Spartans suffered their first league defeat last week to Michigan in a game not as close as the 27-20 final score indicated. But Michigan State doesn't figure to suddenly collapse off the one poor showing, and QB Jeff Smoker could have some success airing it out in Columbus against the Buckeyes. Nobody can run on Ohio State, as evidenced by their permitting a stingy 49 ypg on the ground. But they can be occasionally vulnerable to aerial assaults, which means trouble against the Spartans. Meanwhile, Ohio State's somewhat stodgy attack continues to struggle, although this team still finds a way to win almost every week, and probably will do so again here. Laying points with Ohio State has been bad business, as the Buckeyes have covered only three games all season. Look for another nail biter in this important clash, with the Buckeyes staying in the conference title chase in very close fashion.
5 Units South Florida -11 -107
Conference USA battle featuring a strong South Florida defense against a bad all-around team. South Florida (5-3 SU, 3-3 ATS) has a balanced offense (137 yards rushing, 193 passing yards per game) that is averaging 24 points pg. They've struggled to score points against good defensive teams, but that won't be a concern here because East Carolina can't stop anybody, giving up 36 points pg. East Carolina (1-9) has one win (against a bad Army team, 38-32), and that's a lot of points to give up to Army's brutal offense. Also, their QB play of Desmond Robinson and Paul Troth has been erratic and they will struggle against a strong South Florida 'D'. South Florida won 46-30 at East Carolina last year (and covered) and they should have little trouble again.
5 Units Nebraska -18 -101
Can the Huskers bounce back from a 31-7 pasting by Texas last week? Nebraska (7-2 SU, 5-4 ATS) was shredded for 353 yards rushing by Texas. And its own running game, a Nebraska staple for years, was limited to 300 yards less than the Longhorns gained. That won't happen here. This week the running game should feel more like its old self as the Kansas (4-4 SU, 5-3 ATS) defense has given up 32 points a game and tons of yardage on the ground. Nebraska should have more than enough firepower, and the Huskers will feel some of the comforts of home when red-clad fans make the relatively short drive to fill the north end zone at KU. The last three years, Nebraska is 3-0 SU/ATS against Kansas, winning 45-7, 51-7 and 56-17.
5 Units Texas Tech -27.5 -105
The haves and the have nots meet up in Waco on Saturday. Texas Tech (6-3 SU, ATS) defense, ranked last nationally rose up against Colorado last Saturday as the Red Raiders allowed just 294 yards and a game-saving interception that stopped Colorado's final drive with 2:11 remaining for a 26-21 victory. The pro-efficient Red Raider offense took the week off after averaging 600 yards per game put up a seemingly miniscule 490 yards for the game. B.J. Symons was intercepted on each of the Red Raiders' first four series against Colorado (five picks overall). He still went 30 of 51 for 399 yards, and turnovers won't be a concern against a poor Baylor 'D'. Entrenched in the slime and mud of the bowels of the Big XII, the Baylor Bears have now lost 31 in a row in league play after a 38-10 defeat at Kansas State. Texas Tech won 62-11 a year ago, as a 32-point favorite and expect more of the same here.
5 Units Tennessee U +12.5 -108
Tennessee led only 9-6 early in the fourth quarter before downing Duke 23-9 in a non-conference game last Saturday as Jabari Davis rushed for a season-high 113 yards. The Vols were without starting tailback Cedric Houston (sprained ankle) and they seemed to be preoccupied with the game being simultaneously played in Jacksonville as Georgia’s loss to Florida put Tennessee in a tie for first place with the three teams. Casey Clausen was 16-of-27 for 208 yards with no interceptions. This will be an unusual feeling for Miami-Florida as it is coming off a regular season loss for the first time in 39 games after last week’s 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes were held to 116 rushing yards on 38 carries and quarterback Brock Berlin was 16-of-25 for 164 yards with two interceptions.
Good Luck Today
ALLSTAR
**Back after 4:00 EST**
