College Football Betting Weekend Previews – Week 4 2013
Here is a look at the top college football games of the weekend which have football bettors’ interest piqued courtesy of RocketManSports.net.
(305) BOISE STATE at (306) FRESNO STATE (-3.5, 68)
Fresno State has dropped seven in a row to Boise State (0-7 ATS) and second-year head coach Tim DeRuyter would have preferred to play at Colorado last week, but the floods around Boulder made that a mute point. Instead, the Bulldogs picked up extra practice time for what figures to be their biggest game of the regular season. Fresno State is led by quarterback Derek Carr, who should put up points against a Broncos defense which is not nearly as talented as prior years. The real question about Fresno State is will their defense hold up, allowing 38 points a game. This is the first time the Bulldogs have been favored in this contest in eight years.
Boise State has put together two good outings since the Washington debacle. Quarterback Joe Southwick, who struggled badly against the Huskies, rebounded to set a school and Mountain West single-game record for passing efficiency (93.1 percent) against Air Force, completing 27 of 29 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown and he’ll have to deal with the Bulldogs consistent blitzing. Coach Chris Peterson will have to dial up the defense to throw Carr off his game. How the Boise State defense plays will be a determining factor if they are to improve upon 5-2 and 5-1-1 ATS record at Bulldog Stadium.
(315) TENNESSEE at (316) FLORIDA (-16.5, 49)
The Volunteers have to regroup and prepare for Florida after the 59-14 pasting Oregon laid on them, their worst defeat in over a century. Coach Butch Jones has not been enthralled with quarterback Justin Worley and sent out this message on Monday. "Whatever quarterback has the best week of practice will be the starter for Tennessee when we play Florida," Jones said. At least Florida does not have as many explosive players as the Ducks and they will not play at Oregon’s lightning quick pace. The Vols have dropped eight straight to the Gators and are 2-6-1 ATS since 2004.
If Florida wants to be a factor in the SEC East, the offense has to pick up the pace which was evident in the Miami defeat. The Gators were 2-for-6 in the red zone and committed three turnovers, all of their own doing. Offensive coordinator Brent Pease has hinted he might simplify the offense in the red zone for QB Jeff Driskel. Based on what Pease saw by Tennessee against Oregon, using direct snaps to Trey Burton might be the ideal change of pace way to score in Vols territory. What is concerning about Florida is their 3-11 ATS record after one or more losses against the spread.
(355) MICHIGAN STATE at (356) NOTRE DAME (-6, 42.5)
Notre Dame fans at least thought their team would have an easy time at Purdue, but that was not the case. Once again the run game was anemic and the supposed stellar defense was picked apart by a below average Purdue passing game and Fighting Irish left West LaFayette with the 91st ranked pass defense. Next up is an old nemesis in Michigan State, who is 7-1 ATS at Notre Dame Stadium. Tommy Rees and the defense are going to play well to avoid the upset.
Michigan State finally put a good offensive game together in scoring 55 points against an overmatched Youngstown State team. Sophomore Conner Cook completed 15 of 22 passes for 202 yards and four touchdowns, winning the starting nod on the road this week. Cook doesn’t have to be great for the Spartans to win, just efficient and avoid turnovers. The defense is capable of doing the rest. Sparty is 9-1 ATS in road games against a team with a winning record the last three seasons.
(357) KANSAS STATE at (358) TEXAS (-5, 58)
Longhorns head coach Mack Brown is on the hot seat like never before after starting 1-2, his worst opening season record since he arrived in Austin. Texas fans expect wins and to be saddled with third-worst run defense in the country is not what teams which are supposed to be competing for conference champions do. Texas players have been talking like they are anxious to play; however, the Horns are 0-5 SU and ATS in last five prior meetings with Kansas State.
The Wildcats play has been spotty this season, much to the chagrin of coach Bill Synder. If K-State is going to make it six in a row over beleaguered Texas, the offensive line has to control the line of scrimmage, leading to touchdowns and the defense has to come up with turnovers to deflate Texas, who will succumb to adversity. The Wildcats are 6-0 ATS as road underdogs.
(367) ARIZONA STATE at (368) STANFORD (-7, 52)
It will be a tall order for Arizona State after their close victory over Wisconsin to make the trip Stanford, hoping to pull out a victory. If talented signal caller Taylor Kelly has time to throw, he can move the ball against the Stanford defense, which is believed to be the best in Pac-12. ASU is just 9-17-2 ATS as conference road dogs the last decade.
Stanford has not played like a Top 5 team, failing to cover both victories. Look for the Cardinal to establish the power run game, as ASU was vulnerable to the Badgers rushing the ball. Stanford has a very good defensive front seven, but they have not played up to their own standards thus far. The secondary is less effective defending the pass when their Cardinal teammates are not generating a pass rush. The Cardinal come into this clash 13-3 ATS after two or more SU wins.
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