It's a big time battle in Boca Raton as the Owls host Marshall. FAU is 5-3 by virtue of a ground game that's averaging nearly 300 yards per game. They are keeping the ball and not allowing their porous defense to get involved. The problem is that Marshall's D has been good against the run for the most part outside of last week's loss to FIU. The Thundering Herd have a balanced offense of their own and a better defense between the two. They've won at Cincinnati, Charlotte and Middle Tennessee. The Owls are blitzing opponents so that's a concern here, but they've also beaten up on some of the weaker opponents in this conference. FAU has covered just four of their last 16 home games, but that was when they weren't as good as a team. As long as this stays at 7 or above, I think the road team can keep things close in this one 

Things couldn't get much worse for Tennessee who has scored just 33 points over their last four contests with three of those at home. John Kelly is suspended at running back and he was one of their best weapons. The passing game has been terrible and the team may have quit on Butch Jones. Kentucky's defense hasn't been great this season, but they've handled teams with lesser weapons. The Wildcats offense has struggled at times. Outside of a 40 point explosion against soft Missouri, they've hovered around 23 points per game. The under has hit in 10 combined games for these two this season. I think the Wildcats offense struggles to move it at times and we get an under. 

The Boilers are glad to be home after a rough trip through Wisconsin and Rutgers. The public is streaming in with money on Nebraska clearly because Purdue lost at Rutgers. What's lost in that game is that while they scored only 12 points, the team racked up nearly 500 yards of offense. They've defended homefield pretty nicely outside of a 28-10 loss to Michigan. The defense has been alright and might be able to force some turnovers of Tanner Lee. Nebraska has lost their last two home games 94-31 against Wisconsin and Ohio State. Their only wins have come against Arkansas State, Rutgers and Illinois. One has to wonder the team's psyche after two weeks hearing how awful they are. Nebraska has covered just 14 of their last 33 games. I'll bet on the home team especially if the line keeps coming down. 

Vandy's coming off a week off and now they play South Carolina who has won three of their last four. The Gamecocks have not exactly been an offensive juggernaut scoring 20 points or less in four of their last five. They don't run it well consistently which is how you take advantage of the Commodores. The numbers are ugly for Vandy's defense, but if you face Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Ole Miss, you'd struggle too. The last two years this game has been played in the teens which means the underdog always has a shot. South Carolina has covered half of their last 16 home games. I think with this number around seven, i'll take the road team who I'll hope will use Ralph Webb early and often. 

Georgia Southern just fired their head coach as they continue to struggle with their offense. On the road, they've lost by 34 to Auburn, 35 to Indiana and 35 at UMass. They have turned the ball over three times or more in three of their last four games. Troy is a monster of a team with two double digit wins including last time out 34-10 at Georgia State. They've got Idaho next at home so I don't see a lookahead factor here. Also, Troy has never beaten Georgia Southern so I think they win this one and win it easily. 

Sparty has won four straight and is looking at a huge game at home against Penn State next week. In between is a road game at Northwestern to play the Wildcats who are coming off a home win over Iowa. MSU is playing their third road game in their last four weeks. The offense hasn't been that great, but the defense has been carrying them. Northwestern has won two straight and will go as Justin Jackson goes on the ground. Their defense has been very good and I'm just not convinced that Michigan State won't have one eye on next week. The Wildcats have covered 10 of their last 16 games as an underdog and 14 of their last 21 Big 10 games. Sparty is 8-15 ATS as a favorite the last three seasons. Give me the home team. 

Colorado State is finally home for conference playing having won four straight. The Rams have had just one home conference game and their offense is rolling. They put up 51 in Hawaii and 44 at home against Nevada. Nick Stevens is doing well under center. The defense is alright and has not had extra time to prepare for the Falcons who are rolling themselves. Air Force has scored 38, 45, 34 and 45 in their last four games. They've scored double digits in the fourth quarter the last few contests as well. The problem is them is that their defense has been pretty bad and will be stressed by a balanced CSU attack. AFA has gone over in five of their seven contests this season while CSU has done so in three of their last five. This series has produced seven overs in their last 10 meetings in Fort Collins. 

Two of the worst teams in the country play just  a week after BYU played ECU in another snoozer. The Cougars have not won a game and have scored just 77 points so far this season. They struggled to move it into the end zone last week at ECU who was allowing 600 yards of offense per game. The Spartans aren't that good defensively either, but why should we gain confidence things will change. I can't imagine this game will have a great atmosphere and that BYU's confidence is that great. San Jose State's offense hasn't been much better although they did score 26 points last week in Hawaii. To me, this is a situation where both teams struggle to move the ball and if they do it will be on the ground where both are vulnerable. The Under has hit in 22 of BYU's last 34 games including six of eight this year. One could consider a potential parlay of the underdog and the under in this one as well. 

The Wahoos came back to earth last week after laying an egg against Boston College. They played terrible in all aspects of the game. Now they need to beat Pittsburgh to get bowl eligibility. The Panthers are coming off a road win at Duke. Their defense is pretty awful allowing over 400 yards per game. The offense has failed to find consistency especially at quarterback. They've already lost to Oklahoma State and NC State at home while struggling to beat Youngstown State there. The Hoos are getting Malcolm Cook back in the lineup and that will strength up the defense. I think Jordan Ellis goes wild and UVA gets the win on Saturday. 

This should be a Big 12 special as the Cowboys take on the Mountaineers. Bedlam is next week so focus could be a bit of an issue in this tough road game. Oklahoma State has put up 50 or more three times already and should be able to do that against West Virginia who has allowed 30 or more in four straight and five of their seven games overall. We hit with the over in the Baylor and Kansas games as the offense did some work, but the defense was like a sieve. The over has hit in all but one Mountaineer game this season. It's very simple, I think both sides get it done offensively and we see a ton of points. 

Boston College has won two straight and three of their last four, but they've struggled against the class of their schedule. They've scored 20 against Notre Dame, 7 against Clemson and 10 against the Hokies. BC wants to grind you out with the run so they don't have to burden Anthony Brown and the passing game. The defense has been good at times this season. On the other side you have a FSU team that's rapidly losing motivation this season. They picked up a tough three point loss at home to Louisville and are now in danger of not even making a bowl game. The offense has struggled with James Blackman under center while the defense has not lived up to it's potential either. The last two seasons we've seen BC score a total of seven points against the Noles. FSU has gone under in nine of their last 12 road games while BC has gone under in 12 of their last 17 at home. Low scoring contest on a Friday night in Chestnut Hill. 

Boise State has to be flying high after two straight road wins at BYU and San Diego State. Their offense has been solid all season long, but they have struggled throwing the ball. Five of their six games saw them put up less then 250 yards through the air. The defense has been fantastic, but is due for a letdown. Ironically, they've had one of their two worst performances as a group at home against Virginia. Wyoming has won three straight and is coming off a road win at Utah State in which the defense forced five turnovers. The Cowboys need to get more from Josh Allen who has been the much hyped quarterback. The defense has what it takes to keep this game closer then you think. Boise has covered just two of their last 15 at home and 10 of their last 29 as a favorite. I think this one is closer and probably a one score game. 

Baylor continues to look for their first win of the season. There's a chance it comes Saturday against West Virginia. The problem is that the Bears can't stop anyone. Everyone has racked up over 30 points per game except for UTSA in week two. Baylor's offense is starting to perk up a little bit and playing WVU is going to help. They are ranked 111th as a unit and have given up 30 points or more in three straight including 34 to Kansas at their place. The Mountaineers should have no problems scoring or moving the ball on the road. The question is whether there will be a lack of focus with the big home game against Oklahoma State coming up next. This one should see plenty of fireworks and maybe West Virginia has to sweat out a win. 

There are several factors in play for this wager. Wake Forest had two weeks to prepare for Georgia Tech's triple option. They are coming off two close losses to Florida State and Clemson and have their QB and RB healthy for this one. The offense has cooled off after a hot start, but they can go on time consuming drives. Defensively, no one is really going to slow down GT's triple option, but with extra time to prepare, it always helps. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a tough one point loss to Miami and have a road trip to Clemson coming up next week. It's hard to believe that Paul Johnson's team will ever look ahead, but it's something small to consider. Wake has covered 10 of their last 16 in this series. I think they have a shot to keep it close in this one. 

Two of the worst teams in college football play as East Carolina hosts BYU. ECU has one of the worst defenses in the country and has allowed 55 points four times already this season. The only positive I guess you can point to is that they have a decent offense and should be able to put up some points in this one. They managed 31 against South Florida and 41 against UConn already this season. BYU has lost six straight and has scored just 60 points over that span. They can't run it and they can't really throw it well either. The team has managed to put up less then 200 yards per game through the air this seson. Their defense is just as bad in places AND it's their second straight road game after playing poorly at Mississippi State. Two years ago, ECU lost by seven on the road in this series. It's two different teams, but I think the homefield here helps and ECU keeps this thing close. 

It's been fun fading Rice this season as they are one of the worst teams in the country. The Owls have lost four straight scoring just 32 points over that span. The defense has been gouged by most of their opponents outside of two games against UTEP and FIU. UTSA has lost two straight tough games to Southern Miss and North Texas. They are an uber talented team that pounds bad teams. They beat Texas State by 30 on the road and Southern by 34 as a 34.5 point favorite. There's not much analysis needed here. The Roadrunners roll easily.

The Green Wave have their biggest game of the season as South Florida comes to town. Tulane's triple option attack has been tough to stop at home with wins over Grambling, Army and Tulsa. Now USF isn't any of those three teams, but the Green Wave know how to play in front of their fans. The team's defense isn't that terrible outside of a 56 point explosion by Oklahoma on the road. USF has been rolling offensively and it's not even Quentin Flowers throwing it much. This team wants to run the ball and they've been doing that well. The defense is pretty solid although they did allow 31 to ECU and 22 to San Jose State on the road. I think the home team is a live dog in this one. 

North Carolina has lost four straight, all unders as they enter Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech. The Tar Heels offense has scored just 48 points over that span hanging their defense out to dry. This is a team that has been ravaged by injuries and seem like a bunch who are ready to go home. Virginia Tech is coming off a bye week and has an inconsistent offense. They've scored just 40 points the last two weeks and have gone under in four of their last five. The Hokies defense has been awesome allowing just 82 points overall with 55 of those coming against West Virginia and Clemson. They've held down their poorer opponents defensively. Virginia Tech has gone under in 13 of their last 19 ACC games. UNC has gone under in eight of their last 10 in October. This one should be a bit lower scoring. 

Akron has played nothing but unders so far this season and it's either been because of an anemic offensive effort or a fantastic defense. The last few weeks it's been a defense that has held down Troy, Bowling Green, Ball State and Western Michigan. Toledo has bounced back as well now that they are in MAC play. The Rockets have an underrated defense to go along with an offense that moves the ball. Cody Thompson is gone so Logan Woodside has to fin someone new to go along with running back Terry Swanson. Toledo has gone under in 19 of their last 31 games including 14 of their last 23 as a favorite. Akron has gone under in 15 of their last 19 games as an underdog and 14 of their last 19 in the MAC. This line continues to go up so i'll go against the move and go under the total. 

For the first time this season Air Force's secondary will be stressed by the opponent. The most passes they've faced was 27 last week against UNLV. Nevada's Air Raid offense has started to get on track the past few weeks putting up 98 points over their last three. The problem for the home team is the one less day to prepare for Air Force's triple option. The Falcons have played four overs in their six games and have scored 34 or more in three straight. Their defense has had an issue against the run, but Nevada is down to like their fifth or sixth running back. Air Force has gone over in 21 of their last 33 including seven of their last eight as a road favorite. I think this is a last team to hold the ball situation and it's going over the total as well. 

The Golden Gophers have lost two straight after starting out the year 3-0. They've struggled to slow down Maryland and Purdue who are two of the lesser teams in the conference. The Boilermakers had four turnovers and still won 31-17. Minnesota's quarterback play hasn't been as good so that's probably why they aren't favored. Still, this is a classic trap play as the Spartans are coming off the emotional 14-10 road win at Michigan in which they didn't play that great themselves offensively. Sparty is playing their second straight road game and is coming into a night road atmosphere. Over their last three games, MSU has managed 18, 17 and 14 points. I think this one is a struggle for the road team and the home squad gets back on the winning track.

In what figures to be a defensive struggle, USC is hosting Utah. The Trojans have massive injury woes up front on offense and that will play right into the Utes strength with a very good defensive line. They are holding opponents to just 108 rushing yards per game. Utah's quarterback situation is up in the air for this one so I think the Trojans defense can hold them down as well. USC has gone under in 10 of their last 11 games as a favorite of 10.5 to 21 points. The underdog could be live in this one, but I think this is a lower scoring game.

FIU is coming off a tough 20 point road loss against Middle Tennessee and now welcomes Tulane to town. The Golden Panthers defense allowed almost 350 yards on the ground to Charlotte so I think the Green Wave should be able to move the ball well. FIU's offense will be able to move the ball with Thomas Owens out wide. Tulane's focus could be an issue with USF coming to town next week. They've been scoring the ball well against lesser defenses who havent seen their style before. FIU has gone over in eight of their last 14 home games. Tulane has gone over in six of their last eight games as a favorite. I think this one goes over.

Southern Miss hosts UTEP in a mismatch on Saturday. The Miners have not won a game this year and are coming off a tough one point loss at home to Western Kentucky. They've gone through a coaching change already and have had issues on both sides of the ball. Quadraiz Wadley is questionable with a knee injury and he represents UTEP's best shot at moving the ball. Southern Miss has not really had a game where it can flex it's muscles yet this season. They won 31-29 at Texas San Antonio in a contest that saw them show some real balance. They do have a road game against Louisiana Tech, but UTEP is so bad that even a half focused home team wins easily. Rice has covered just 13 of their last 30 games overall. I think this one gets real ugly.

It has not been a bad first season back to football for the Blazers who are 3-2 and are coming off a home win over Louisiana Tech as a 9.5 point underdog. The offense has shown it can ground and pound opponents as it's racked up over 150 rushing yards four times already. The team's defense isn't great, but for the most part, MTSU has been real sketchy with Brett Stockstill and Richie James hurt. The Blue Raiders are coming off a 20 point home win over FIU while a Friday night tilt with Marshall awaits them next week. I think UAB can win this one outright potentially.

Georgia Tech is flying high off a three game win streak and a bye week. The offense is clicking right now and the defense is showing up in a big way. They are kinda flying under the radar right now with a lot of the talk centering on Virginia Tech and Miami. This is a rare time when the defense matches the offense in terms of talent and success. Miami is coming off an emotional road win at Florida State 24-20, but will do so without several starters. Mark Walton is out for the season while NaVaughn Donaldson, Dee Delaney and Sheldrick Redwine are also on the sidelines for this one. The Canes have dominated this series as of late, but I like the Yellow Jackets to keep it close.

There are a lot of trends that support the under in this one. CMU has gone under in 13 of their last 17 games as an underdog and 19 of their last 32 overall. The Chips offense isn't that good as they've scored just 65 points over their last four games. The defense hasn't been that bad as of late as they have done well against BC and Ohio. Toledo's offense has cooled off a little and may struggle without Cody Thompson out wide. He was their number one receiver. The Rockets defense has had their issues, but not against their lesser opponents. Toledo has gone under in eight of their last 12 road games and five of their last six as a road favorite. I think that this one is a lower scoring game.

Florida State's season is spiraling out of control after they gave up a late touchdown to Miami to lose at home. Now they have to pick up the pieces and head to Duke to play a Blue Devils team that has lost two straight. FSU doesn't have a ton to play for right now other then the development of their young quarterback. The defense played well until that last drive against the Canes. Duke's not feeling great right now either as their hot start has cooled off a bit. Still, their offense has some weapons and as long as we can get the hook, I think they can keep it within a score. One has to wonder what's going on in Tallahassee.

The Hoosiers get Michigan at home this weekend after the Wolverines gagged away a game at home against their rival Michigan State.  One has to wonder what the team's mindset is especially since the offense is kinda broken right now. John O'Korn couldn't beat Wilton Speight who was already struggling. Yes, Indiana's defense isn't great, but there's not a lot you can count on with Michigan. Thankfully, their defense has been great allowing just 213 total yards per game. The Wolverines are just 14-14 ATS in their last 28 games as a favorite. I'm considering a parlay of Indiana and the under. The Hoosiers are in a better spot right now with clearer heads.

The Hoosiers get Michigan at home this weekend after the Wolverines gagged away a game at home against their rival Michigan State.  One has to wonder what the team's mindset is especially since the offense is kinda broken right now. John O'Korn couldn't beat Wilton Speight who was already struggling. Yes, Indiana's defense isn't great, but there's not a lot you can count on with Michigan. Thankfully, their defense has been great allowing just 213 total yards per game. The Wolverines are just 14-14 ATS in their last 28 games as a favorite. I'm considering a parlay of Indiana and the under. The Hoosiers are in a better spot right now with clearer heads.

West Virginia's secondary is going to get their first stiff test of the season from Texas Tech. The Mountaineers have put up good numbers in the back end but that's because of their opponents so far. ECU threw it 47 times for 328 yards, but everyone else has been doing their work on the ground. West Virginia's offense has cracked the 50 point mark three times this season. They should be able to do it again against a Texas Tech defense that struggled with Arizona State and Oklahoma State and those games were at home. To me, this one seems like a last team to have the ball wins type of game. Both teams want to play with some pace so there will be plenty of possessions as well.