Michigan a live dog at home vs. Penn State
Joe Paterno's Penn State squad travels to Ann Arbor this weekend where the Nittany Lions will put their 6-1 record and No. 13 ranking on the line against Rich Rodriguez and the underdog Michigan Wolverines (5-2) who have cashed four of six times this season. A Top 25 matchup awaits bettors on Saturday evening when the unbeaten TCU Horned Frogs are a small favorite in Provo against Max Hall and the BYU Cougars.
It’s been a rough week for college football fans. The off-field headlines are about as bad as they’ve ever been, from the fatal stabbing of UConn CB Jasper Howard to the increasing alarm over CTE – Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. It’s almost a relief now to hear stories of bad officiating instead, like the phantom personal foul called against Arkansas DT Malcolm Sheppard in Florida’s come-from-behind 23-20 victory. The entire officiating crew from that game has been suspended by the SEC.
Teddy Roosevelt once saved the sport of football from itself back in its infancy. Barack Obama, the bully pulpit is yours. Meanwhile, we’ve got two home dogs in heated Rivalry games to look at this week.
No. 13 Penn State at Michigan (+4.5, 47.5)
Saturday, Oct 24, 3:30 p.m. (ET) ABC
The Nittany Lions were one of last year’s truly underrated teams at 11-2 SU and 7-4-1 ATS. The Wolverines were a complete disaster at 3-9 SU and 2-10 ATS. Ah, memories. Penn State is still a very good football team at 6-1, but the surprise and the betting value is all worn off at 2-4 ATS. Michigan, on the other hand, is a money machine at 5-2 SU and 4-2 ATS in the second year of Rich Rodriguez’ reign as head coach.
The advanced stats say the wrong team is getting the points in this matchup. Brian Fremeau has Michigan ranked No. 23 in the FBS in efficiency, followed by Penn State at No. 25. The key difference between the two clubs is in their strength of schedule; the Wolverines have had to deal with Notre Dame, plus they faced Iowa and Michigan State on the road and nearly won both. Penn State had a cupcake non-conference schedule and has played on the road just once, at lowly Illinois. Going to the Big House in Ann Arbor will be PSU’s toughest test to date.
In a convenient bit of scheduling, Michigan warmed up for Saturday’s matchup by playing MEAC representative Delaware State from the FCS. It was a 63-6 walkover that allowed Rodriguez to get all his players on the field and ease the starting unit’s workload for this week. All this while Penn State was busy putting on its best performance of the season in a 20-0 whitewash of Minnesota (+17).
The buzz on the injury front is about Michigan RB Carlos Brown (7.6 yards per carry) rejoining the team after missing a couple of games. Fellow tailback Brandon Minor (4.8 yards per carry) is expected to play after both he and Brown sat out last week, although Minor’s ankle injury might limit him against the Lions, who themselves will be missing No. 2 RB Stephfon Green (5.1 yards per carry) to an ankle problem. But value-conscious ‘cappers will be intrigued to hear that Michigan center David Molk (foot) is due to return Saturday after missing the past four games. That’ll allow David Moosman to slide back to right guard and give the potent UM rushing attack the protection it needs against PSU’s outstanding run defense.
No. 8 TCU at No. 16 BYU (+2.5, 51)
Saturday, Oct 24, 7:30 p.m. (ET)
The betting odds look just as vulnerable in this matchup. Texas Christian (6-0 SU, 3-3 ATS) is currently the best of the BCS busters at No. 7 on the efficiency charts, well ahead of Brigham Young (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS) at No. 46. Again, strength of schedule plays a role, as BYU’s season-opening win against Oklahoma (-22.5) looks less impressive in hindsight. But the biggest discrepancy is on defense, where the Horned Frogs are No. 13 in the FBS with 5.5 yards allowed per attempt and the Cougars are No. 68 at 7.0 yards a pop.
Brigham Young has the flashier offense with QB Max Hall (16 TDs, 10 INTs) at the helm. But he’s been fattening up against substandard opposition, and the Cougars defense isn’t doing him any favors. The over is 5-1 for BYU since the Sooners matchup. However, the Frogs have the under at 2-0-2 the past month, and they beat the Cougars 32-7 last year as 1.5-point home faves to slide under the posted total of 44. TCU was available at –2 at press time for those willing to shop around.
Joe Paterno's Penn State squad travels to Ann Arbor this weekend where the Nittany Lions will put their 6-1 record and No. 13 ranking on the line against Rich Rodriguez and the underdog Michigan Wolverines (5-2) who have cashed four of six times this season. A Top 25 matchup awaits bettors on Saturday evening when the unbeaten TCU Horned Frogs are a small favorite in Provo against Max Hall and the BYU Cougars.
It’s been a rough week for college football fans. The off-field headlines are about as bad as they’ve ever been, from the fatal stabbing of UConn CB Jasper Howard to the increasing alarm over CTE – Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. It’s almost a relief now to hear stories of bad officiating instead, like the phantom personal foul called against Arkansas DT Malcolm Sheppard in Florida’s come-from-behind 23-20 victory. The entire officiating crew from that game has been suspended by the SEC.
Teddy Roosevelt once saved the sport of football from itself back in its infancy. Barack Obama, the bully pulpit is yours. Meanwhile, we’ve got two home dogs in heated Rivalry games to look at this week.
No. 13 Penn State at Michigan (+4.5, 47.5)
Saturday, Oct 24, 3:30 p.m. (ET) ABC
The Nittany Lions were one of last year’s truly underrated teams at 11-2 SU and 7-4-1 ATS. The Wolverines were a complete disaster at 3-9 SU and 2-10 ATS. Ah, memories. Penn State is still a very good football team at 6-1, but the surprise and the betting value is all worn off at 2-4 ATS. Michigan, on the other hand, is a money machine at 5-2 SU and 4-2 ATS in the second year of Rich Rodriguez’ reign as head coach.
The advanced stats say the wrong team is getting the points in this matchup. Brian Fremeau has Michigan ranked No. 23 in the FBS in efficiency, followed by Penn State at No. 25. The key difference between the two clubs is in their strength of schedule; the Wolverines have had to deal with Notre Dame, plus they faced Iowa and Michigan State on the road and nearly won both. Penn State had a cupcake non-conference schedule and has played on the road just once, at lowly Illinois. Going to the Big House in Ann Arbor will be PSU’s toughest test to date.
In a convenient bit of scheduling, Michigan warmed up for Saturday’s matchup by playing MEAC representative Delaware State from the FCS. It was a 63-6 walkover that allowed Rodriguez to get all his players on the field and ease the starting unit’s workload for this week. All this while Penn State was busy putting on its best performance of the season in a 20-0 whitewash of Minnesota (+17).
The buzz on the injury front is about Michigan RB Carlos Brown (7.6 yards per carry) rejoining the team after missing a couple of games. Fellow tailback Brandon Minor (4.8 yards per carry) is expected to play after both he and Brown sat out last week, although Minor’s ankle injury might limit him against the Lions, who themselves will be missing No. 2 RB Stephfon Green (5.1 yards per carry) to an ankle problem. But value-conscious ‘cappers will be intrigued to hear that Michigan center David Molk (foot) is due to return Saturday after missing the past four games. That’ll allow David Moosman to slide back to right guard and give the potent UM rushing attack the protection it needs against PSU’s outstanding run defense.
No. 8 TCU at No. 16 BYU (+2.5, 51)
Saturday, Oct 24, 7:30 p.m. (ET)
The betting odds look just as vulnerable in this matchup. Texas Christian (6-0 SU, 3-3 ATS) is currently the best of the BCS busters at No. 7 on the efficiency charts, well ahead of Brigham Young (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS) at No. 46. Again, strength of schedule plays a role, as BYU’s season-opening win against Oklahoma (-22.5) looks less impressive in hindsight. But the biggest discrepancy is on defense, where the Horned Frogs are No. 13 in the FBS with 5.5 yards allowed per attempt and the Cougars are No. 68 at 7.0 yards a pop.
Brigham Young has the flashier offense with QB Max Hall (16 TDs, 10 INTs) at the helm. But he’s been fattening up against substandard opposition, and the Cougars defense isn’t doing him any favors. The over is 5-1 for BYU since the Sooners matchup. However, the Frogs have the under at 2-0-2 the past month, and they beat the Cougars 32-7 last year as 1.5-point home faves to slide under the posted total of 44. TCU was available at –2 at press time for those willing to shop around.