Sat, Oct 4

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YEAH SPREADER, I HAVE THE WRITE-UPS , BUT I HAVE NO TIME TO PUT A FORMAT OR TO PUT IN AN ORDER OF TIME THE GAMES, SO, THEY ARE JUST A COLLAGE

SO GOOD LUCK TO ALL, LATER MAYBE WITH MY PLAYZ!

Courtesy of Don Best Sports


Courtesy of Don Best Sports



By Jimmy Sirody
DonBest.com Senior Sports Writer



What?s the BCS going to do if Northern Illinois finishes the season 12-0? Don?t laugh. The Huskies are perfectly capable of running the table in the MAC despite sticky road tests at Bowling Green and Toledo after opening the season with four straight wins.

Northern Illinois snuck under the radar last season when it won and ?covered? seven straight before coming up short against the Rockets in its season finale. This year coach Joe Novak put the Huskies on the map following upset wins over Maryland and Alabama.

NIU has been the best bet on the board of late, getting the cash in 11 of its last dozen. They are one of just 11 teams that are perfect ATS. The rest of the elite 11: Fresno State, LSU, Minnesota, Rutgers, San Diego State, Stanford, Temple, Utah State and Virginia Tech.

VIRGINIA TECH (-28) at RUTGERS: After whipping Army, Navy and Buffalo the Scarlet Knights get a heat check against powerful Virginia Tech (4-0 SU, 3-0 ATS). Last year Rutgers (3-1 SU, 4-0 ATS) put up the good fight versus the Hokies, getting the money as 42 points dogs in Blacksburg, 35-14. They got the money in their first chance as a home dog this season after floundering in 33 of 50 in that role previously. The Scarlet Knights are a dismal 5-16 when getting between 21 ? and 31 points. Virginia Tech has ?covered? five of its last six series meetings with Rutgers by an average score of 50-10. The Hokies are 25-12 as road chalk and they have won 10 straight road openers, getting the money on nine occasions. They have also ?covered? 10 of their last 12 conference openers.

CLEMSON at MARYLAND (-8 ?): The Terrapins have ?covered? three straight against Clemson (3-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) after coming up short at an 0-6-1 clip in the previous seven encounters. Maryland (3-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) has outscored its last three opponents, 132-20 after opening the season with back-to-back losses at NIU and Florida State. The Terps have cashed 11 of their last 12 as home favorites. The Tigers had last week off to prepare for Maryland after running their winning streak to three with a 39-3 rout of Georgia Tech. Clemson lost at home to the Terps last season, 30-12 and in their last trip to Charm City dropped a 37-20 decision. The Tigers are only 8-15-2 ATS in their last 25 conference confrontations. The home team is 8-3-1 ATS in the last dozen series squabbles.

WISCONSIN (-1 ?) at PENN ST.: The Badgers opened Big 10 play by romping at Illinois, 38-20 while Penn State (2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS) fell to Minnesota, 20-14. Wisconsin (4-1 SU, 2-3 ATS) snapped a three-game ATS slide with their win over the Illini. The Nittany Lions have failed in four of their last six ATS versus the Badgers. They have cashed six of their last nine homecoming battles. Wisconsin will be looking for revenge after losing to Penn State at home last year, 34-31. The Nittany Lions haven?t failed in three straight ATS since turning the trick in their last three contests in ?99.

INDIANA at MICHIGAN ST. (-14 ?): The Hoosiers surprised Michigan State (4-1 SU, 2-3 ATS), 37-28, in their last visit to East Lansing, where they have cashed three of four. Indiana (1-4 SU, 1-3 ATS) has flopped in six of its last seven as a road dog of 14 ? to 17. The Spartans are no bargain as home chalk, failing in 12 of their last 14 in that role. They have also dropped six of eight ATS in homecoming games. The visitor has come away with the green in six of the last seven.

MINNESOTA (-8 ?) at NORTHWESTERN: This could be a perfect spot for a Minnesota (5-0 SU&ATS) after beating Penn State last week and with Michigan on tap next. Northwestern (2-3 SU, 4-1 ATS) gave the Gophers fits on the road last season before falling short, 45-42, as 16 ?-point dogs. The Wildcats have ?covered? 14 of 20 as home dogs in the Big 10. Minnesota has cashed four straight in Evanston and the visiting team in this series has ?covered? eight in a row. The Gophers are 3-9 SU and 0-12 ATS when playing the second of back- to-back tests on the highway.

VIRGINIA (-8 ?) at NORTH CAROLINA: Matt Schaub returned at quarterback last week to help the Cavaliers pull out a 27-24 win over Wake Forest. Virginia (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) has dominated against North Carolina (0-4 SU, 2-2 ATS) cashing five straight and eight of the last 10. They have lost and failed in three of the last four at Chapel Hill, however. The Tar Heels have slipped in seven of their last eight as home dogs and 12 of 14 at home, overall. North Carolina looks to cash three straight in the same season for the first time since ?98. The home team in this ACC rivalry has got the money in 14 of the last 17.

TENNESSEE at AUBURN (-2): The Vols and Tigers renew their rivalry for the first time since ?99. Tennessee (4-0 SU, 1-3 ATS) won the last three meetings. Auburn (2-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) gets its first chance to prove its high pre-season ranking was no fluke after opening the season with disappointing losses to USC and Georgia Tech. The Tigers got back into a groove with easy wins over bottom feeders Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky. The Volunteers have ?covered? eight of their last 10 on the highway.

AIR FORCE (-16 ?) at NAVY: Air Force (5-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) takes a week off from the Mountain West, hoping to pick up its seventh straight win over Navy (2-2 SU, 2-1 ATS). The Falcons have failed in three of the last four series scraps ATS and six of nine as favorites. Air Force has stumbled in eight of 11 as double-digit favorites and six of seven when giving up 10 ? to 21. The Middies are 7-4 ATS in their last 11 versus the Falcons.

WMU (-15) at EMU: Western Michigan (2-2 SU, 2-1 ATS) has won nine of its last 10 against the Eagles, but come up short in four of the last five ATS. Eastern Michigan (1-4 SU, 2-1 ATS) has lost five of its last six homecoming games, failing to cash in four of five.

BALL ST. at KENT (-3): Ball State (2-3 SU, 2-2 ATS) has won three straight at Kent (3-2 SU, 3-1 ATS) by an average score of 24-6. The Cardinals are 4-1 SU and 3-1-1 ATS in the last five series confrontations.

AKRON at MIAMI (O) (-21): The Zips have lost four of their last five against Miami (O) (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) but hung close enough to cash at a 3-1-1 clip. Akron (3-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) has won three straight for the first time since 2000, against suspect opposition. The Zips have folded in 11 of 14 ATS when playing their second straight game on the road. The Red Hawks are only 2-5-1 SU and 1-7 ATS in their last eight homecoming battles. The home team is 8-2 SU and 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 series clashes

 

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UAB at MEMPHIS (-11): UAB (1-3 SU, 0-4 ATS) has dropped four in a row ATS for the first time since joining Division-1 in ?99. The Blazers have ?covered? three straight versus Memphis (3-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) and at an 8-4-1 clip on the road in C-USA competition. They are also 5-1 ATS in their last six following a bye. The Tigers have cashed seven straight conference home openers.

VANDY at MISS ST. (-6 ?): The Tigers have a golden opportunity to snap their nine-game losing skid against hapless Vanderbilt (1-4 SU, 2-2 ATS). Mississippi State (0-4 SU&ATS) has cashed four straight against the Commodores. They have flopped in six of their last eight as home favorites in conference play and six of seven as chalk, overall. Vandy has lost eight straight and failed to cash six times as conference road dogs. They have also slipped in six of eight as road dogs, overall, and in five of their last six in October.

BOISE ST. (-8) at LA TECH: After cashing 34 of 46 from ?99 to ?02 Boise State (3-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) has come up short in two of three this season. The Broncos are 13-3 ATS in the WAC the last two seasons and they have ?covered? three straight conference openers. Louisiana Tech (2-2 SU&ATS) had last week off following a 16-6 loss at Fresno. The Bulldogs have failed to get the dough in 10 of their last 11 following a bye.

COLORADO at BAYLOR: The Buffaloes may have to get by without quarterback Joel Klatt, who is nursing a shoulder injury. Colorado (2-2 SU& ATS) had last week off after getting trounced by Florida State, 47-7. The Buffaloes have won five straight against Baylor (2-2 SU, 2-1 ATS), getting the money in four of the five by an average score of 38-15. Colorado has ?covered? 10 of its last 15 following a bye. The Bears have hibernated in eight of their last 11 conference openers ATS.

FRESNO ST. at COLORADO ST. (-8): The Bulldogs have been exactly that away from home, getting the money in 10 of 12 as underdogs and seven of eight when getting 31/2 to 10. Colorado State (3-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) has cashed three straight at home versus Fresno State (2-2 SU, 4-0 ATS) in this series that has been dominated by the home team (7-1 ATS). The Rams are looking to avoid three straight losses for the first time since 1993. They have failed in six of their last eight conference tests ATS and in eight of nine as home chalk, including seven straight when favorites of 3 ? to seven. The Bulldogs have cashed four straight to open the season for only the second time in the last 10 years. Fresno State has floundered in 16 of its last 19 on the road in October.

MICHIGAN (-3) at IOWA: The Wolverines are hoping for better luck when they hit the road for the second time this season after dropping their debut at Oregon, 31-27. Iowa (4-1 SU&ATS) snapped a five-game SU losing skid versus Michigan (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) last season, romping at Ann Arbor, 34-9. The Hawkeyes have lost three straight at home to the Wolverines but they have cashed at a 5-0-1 clip in the last six series skirmishes. Iowa has ?covered? 13 of its last 16 at home but are just 1-7 as dogs of seven points or less. Michigan has flopped in seven of eight as road chalk of five or less and 13 of 40 as road favorites, overall. The Hawkeyes had a 10-game ATS winning binge come to a halt last week when they lost at Michigan State, 20-10.

ALABAMA at GEORGIA (-10 ?): The Bulldogs look to get back on track in the SEC following a week off to lick their wounds after losing at LSU. Georgia (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) has cashed 14 of its last 20 following a bye. The Bulldogs have failed in 27 of their last 40 ATS when playing their conference home opener. Alabama (2-3 SU&ATS) hits the road for the first time after five straight in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide have cashed 14 of their last 18 as road dogs and six of seven when getting 10 ? to 21 points. They lost to the Bulldogs, 27-25 at home in 2002 in the first series meetings since ?95.

NC ST. (-7) at GEORGIA TECH: The Yellow Jackets have tormented North Carolina State (3-2 SU, 2-2 ATS), winning four of five in Atlanta and cashing at a torrid 7-2-1 clip in the last 10 meetings. Georgia Tech (3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS) has won seven straight homecoming games, cashing in five of its last six. They are 7-1 at home when getting between 3 ? and 10 points. The Wolfpack has dropped seven of their last nine ATS the week after playing North Carolina.

OLE MISS at FLORIDA (-13 ?): The Gators will be looking to payback Ole Miss (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) after absorbing a 17-14 loss at home last season as 13 ?-point favorites in the first series clash since ?95. Florida (3-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) lost at home for only the eighth time in its last 56 in Gainesville on Sept 20 to Tennessee. The SU winner is 6-1 ATS in the seven series scraps with the visitor cashing five of seven.

KANSAS ST. at TEXAS (-6): Texas (3-1 SU&ATS) took out its frustration on Rice and Tulane the last two weeks by a combined score of 111-25, following its upset loss to Arkansas. Kansas State (4-1 SU, 0-3 ATS) coach Bill Snyder had last week off to prepare his Wildcats after a stunning home loss to MAC upstart Marshall. The Wildcats have only lost two or more in a row twice in the last 10 years. The Longhorns edged Kansas State, 17-14 in Manhattan last season in the first meetings between the two perennial powers since ?99. Texas has cashed eight of 12 as single-digit favorites and nine of 13 the week before playing Oklahoma. The Wildcats are only 1-4 ATS in their last five road openers. They have cashed six of their last eight in the State of Texas.

WASHINGTON (-1) at UCLA: Washington (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) has a golden opportunity for revenge after losing five of its last six to the Bruins. The Huskies have had trouble in October, dropping seven of eight ATS and 10 of 11 in weeks five through nine. UCLA (2-2 SU, 0-4 ATS) has come up short in six straight ATS for the first time since ?94. The Bruins are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six versus Washington, cashing three straight in the Rose Bowl. They are only 3-10-2 ATS at home in Pac-10 play.

CMU at BGSU (-27): Central Michigan (2-2 SU, 0-2 ATS) usually gives the Falcons fits, getting the green in five of the last six series encounters. Bowling Green (3-1 SU, 2-0 ATS) has ?covered? 14 of its last 19 at home against MAC foes and five of seven following a bye. The Chippewas are only 7-19 as road dogs.

ILLINOIS at PURDUE (-14): Illinois (1-4 SU, 1-3 ATS) looks to avoid it first four-game SU losing skid since ?98. The Fighting Illini have won and ?covered? three of their last four at Purdue (3-1 SU&ATS). They have also cashed seven of their last eight as road dogs of 10 ? to 14. The Boilermakers are trying to cash four straight for the first time since ?97. Purdue has cashed five of its last six conference openers. The SU winner is 10-1-1 ATS in the last dozen series clashes.

ARIZONA at WASHINGTON ST. (-30): Defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz makes his debut at the Arizona (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) after coach John Mackovic was sent packing after losing 11 of 13. The Wildcats have ?covered? three of their last four but came up short in three of four ATS at Washington State (4-1 SU& ATS). The Cougars have clicked in 13 of 19 in Pac-10 play ATS, getting the cash in 12 of 14 conference home openers. Arizona has failed in 21 of its last 33 conference clashes. They have managed to get the cheese in 27 of 39 as road dogs and 14 of 18 in October.

OREGON ST. at CALIFORNIA (-2): Coach Jeff Tedford hopes his Golden Bears avoid a letdown after one of the biggest wins in school history, a 34-31 upset over then third-ranked USC. California (3-3 SU, 4-2 ATS) meets Oregon State (4-1 SU, 1-3 ATS) at home for the first time since 2000 after back-to- back losses in Corvallis. The Beavers are 10-5 ATS against the Golden Bears since ?84. Cal has lost and failed in five of its last seven conference home openers. Oregon State has dropped eight of its last nine ATS on grass.

BUFFALO at UCF: Central Florida (1-3 SU, 0-3 ATS) won three of four SU at home last season but dropped three of four ATS in its first season in the MAC. The Knights have won 10 straight and ?covered? eight of 10 when favored by double-digits. Buffalo (0-5 SU, 0-4 ATS) has lost 15 straight and failed to get the cheddar in nine of its last 11.

SO. MISS at CINCINNATI (-7): The Bearcats rewarded their supporters with a ?backdoor cover? last week at Miami (O). Cincinnati has cashed five of its last six versus Southern Miss (2-2 SU&ATS) including three straight. They are 10-2 as home chalk of 3 ? to 10. The Golden Eagles have slipped in six of their last seven as road dogs and eight of nine as underdogs, overall. They have also floundered in 10 of 13 ATS away from home. The dog has barked in five of the last six series tussles.

 

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OKLAHOMA (-21) at IOWA ST.: The Sooners have been caught looking ahead to Texas, dropping nine of 11 the week before. Oklahoma (4-0 SU, 1-3 ATS) had last week off after trashing UCLA. They have won 10 of 11 SU versus Iowa State (2-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) but only got the money in three of the 11. The Cyclones have stumbled in nine of their last 13 as home dogs but they are 28-13 ATS in Ames against conference competition.

LOUISVILLE at SO. FLA: Louisville (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) quarterback Stefan Lefors is expected to see action after suffering a concussion last week against Temple. The Cardinals haven?t opened the season with five straight wins since ?93. South Florida (2-1 SU, 1-1 ATS) plays its first game as a member of Conference-USA. The Bulls have won 19 straight in Tampa and 31 of their last 33. They have cashed seven of their last eight. Louisville is 4-1 ATS in its last five conference road openers.

HAWAII (-12 ? ) at TULSA: After getting outslugged 94-23 in their first two games Tulsa (2-2 SU, 2-1 ATS) bounced back with consecutive wins against SW Texas St and Arkansas State. The Golden Hurricanes have lost nine of 11 and failed in eight of 10 ATS following a bye. They have lost three of their last four to Hawaii (2-2 SU, 0-2-1 ATS).

ARMY at TCU: TCU (4-0 SU, 1-3 ATS) coach Gary Patterson expects to have quarterback Ty Gunn and running back Lonta Hobbs back in uniform for Army (0-4 SU&ATS). The Cadets have lost 14 straight and failed to cash in 10 of the 14 on grass. Army has also slipped in six straight road openers (1-5 ATS). The Horned Frogs won and cashed their last two versus Army by a combined score of 84-47. TCU has won six of its last seven conference home openers, getting the green in five of seven.

TEXAS A&M at TEXAS TECH (-6 ?): The Red Raiders have held all the aces versus Texas A&M (1-3 SU, 0-4 ATS), getting the money in nine of the last 11. Texas Tech (3-1 SU&ATS) has ?covered? six straight as favorites of 3 ? to 10. They have also clicked in 10 of their last 15 versus Big-12 South rivals. The Aggies have dropped eight of their last nine ATS. They have only loss three straight once in the last 10 seasons. Texas A&M has come up short in seven of its last eight as road dogs of seven or less and 11 of 14 as away puppies, overall. They have also faltered in nine of their last 11 conference road openers ATS.

OHIO at NIU (-22): This could be a perfect spot for Northern Illinois (4-0 SU, 3-0) to ease up but don?t count on it. Ohio U. (1-3 SU, 0-3 ATS) simply isn?t in their class. The Huskies have cashed 16 of their last 22 as favorites and 17 of 21 in October. NIU has also won 11 of its last 15 MAC openers, getting the cheddar in 10 of the 15. The Bobcats, on the other hand, have dropped five straight conference road debuts ATS.

SAN JOSE ST. at RICE (-3): Playing the Owls was a wise move last when they snuck in under the number if you wagered early. Rice (0-4 SU, 1-2-1 ATS) has a golden opportunity to snap its six game losing slide when it faces San Jose State (1-3 SU, 0-3 ATS) for the first time since 2000. The Owls have won and ?covered? eight of their last 10 at home in conference play and in 15 of 18 in Houston during October. The Spartans have bumbled in six of their last seven coming off a bye.

UTEP at SMU (-9 ?): SMU (0-4 SU, 1-3 ATS) is another bottom feeder that looks to break into the win column. The Mustangs are averaging only eight points per game but figure to get well against a UTEP (1-4 SU, 1-2 ATS) that has allowed 118 points in three games against Division-1 competition. The Miners have crumbled in 17 of their last 23 as dogs and 18 of 23 when getting 3 ? to 10. They have also slipped in eight of their last 10 conference openers ATS. SMU has won four of its last six versus UTEP, cashing in the last two meetings. The Ponies have gagged in 24 of their last 36 in the rare role of favorites and in five of six as home chalk of 3 ? to 10.

BYU (-1 ?) at SAN DIEGO ST.: BYU (2-3 SU, 3-2 ATS) has won seven of its last eight against the Aztecs, getting the green in five of the last six encounters and three straight on the road. San Diego State (3-2 SU, 3-0 ATS) hasn?t managed to cash four straight in over 10 years. They have ?covered? 11 of their last 12 conference openers. The Cougars are 2-8 as road chalk the last three years while the Aztecs have fallen short in five of six as home dogs.

USC (-10 ?) at ARIZONA ST.: Sun Devils quarterback Ryan Walter doesn?t look like the same player that threw for over 3,800 yards last season and that?s why Arizona State (2-2 SU, 0-3 ATS) is struggling. They could be in for a long afternoon against the angry Trojans, who had their 10-game regular season winning streak end at California. USC (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) has ?covered? four of its last five versus ASU. The Trojans have also cashed nine of 13 in the second of back-to-back road outings. The Sun Devils have won and cashed four straight conference home openers. They are 6-1-1 in their last eight as home dogs and 12-5 ATS in the Pac-10.

UNLV (-3) at NEVADA: The Rebels and Wolf Pack engage in their annual battle for the Fremont Cannon. UNLV (3-1 SU&ATS) are off to its fastest start in John Robinson?s six years at the helm. Nevada (3-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) is also off to its best start since 1994 but it hasn?t faced the caliber of opposition the Rebels have. The Wolf Pack have won five of the last six in Reno SU but UNLV has won and cashed the last three meetings. The Rebels have lost seven straight conference openers.

TROY ST. at NEBRASKA (-27 ?): It wouldn?t be a big surprise if Nebraska (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) looks ahead to Missouri next week. The Cornhuskers outscored Troy State (3-2 SU, 3-1 ATS) 73-30 the last two seasons but failed to get the money in either game. The Trojans have won three straight, including a stunning upset here against Marshall in their last trip to the post.

UL-LAFAYETTE at OKLAHOMA ST. (-37): Louisiana-Lafayette (0-5 SU, 2-3 ATS) has lost six straight against Big-12 competition but got the green every time. Oklahoma State (3-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) has won three straight by a combined score of 142-33 since losing to Nebraska in its season opener. The Cowboys have Kansas State on tap next so the players at the end of the bench should see plenty of action against the Ragin? Cajuns.

TEMPLE at MTSU (-4 ?): The Owls play on the road for the third straight week and they are just 1-5-1 ATS under those circumstances. Middle Tennessee State (1-3 SU, 2-1 ATS) faces a Big East team for the first time.

UL-MONROE vs. ARKANSAS ST. (-8) at Little Rock: UL Monroe (0-5 SU, 0-3 ATS) has cashed five of its last six as a road dog of 3 ? to 10 points. Arkansas State (2-3 SU, 1-2 ATS) was 6-0 ATS in the Sun Belt last season.

UTAH ST. at NEW MEXICO (-14): Utah State (1-3 SU, 4-0 ATS) and New Mexico (2-3 SU, 1-3 ATS) have gone into overtime in its last two meetings and the last three have been decided by a field goal or less. The Agggies have gagged in six of their last eight ATS off a SU win. The Lobos are 6-3 ATS prior to a bye.

IDAHO at NEW MEXICO ST. (-11): New Mexico State (1-3 SU, 2-1 ATS) has won nine of their last 10 as conference favorites but dropped nine of the 10 ATS. Idaho (0-5 SU, 1-2 ATS) has lost seven straight on grass. They have managed to get the cheese in five of six as road dogs of 7 ? to 14 and in six of their last seven as underdogs, overall. New Mexico State has failed in 10 of its last 12 conference tests and six of seven as home favorites.