Articles by Cappers Picks related to online NCAA Football betting, and handicapping live CFB matchups.
So, with the quite possibly the biggest game of the 2011 college football season right around the corner, I have flip flopped more times than a presidential candidate during a primary debate on picking the winner of Saturday’s match up between the No. 6 Oregon Ducks at No. 2 Stanford Cardinal.
This season has not gone according to plan with these 2 teams from the Sunshine State, as Miami is still one win away from being bowl eligible at 5-4 and FSU is at 6-3 and had legit BCS hopes this season.
Last time Penn State Nittany Lions played a football game, the game ended with everyone celebrating Joe Paterno’s record-setting 409th career victory.
This weekend Joe Paterno won’t be a part of the Penn State football program for the first time in 61 years.
Beaver Stadium
Saturday November 12, 12:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Nebraska (-170) Penn State (+150)
College Football Spread: Nebraska -3.5 (-110) Penn State +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 43
The last week has seen allegations of heinous crimes against children that has rocked an entire community. The last thing from most people’s minds right now is a football game. Even though it does seem so much smaller now than it did before, this weekend’s game against Nebraska is a crucial game in the Big Ten.
Penn State is the only team unbeaten in the Big Ten, and Nebraska is still fighting for the Big Ten Legends Division crown.
Bo Pellini and the Cornhuskers will look to rebound after a disappointing home loss at the hands of Northwestern last weekend. The Huskers were 17.5 point home favorites in that game, but they trailed all game and couldn’t quite pull out a comeback victory. Taylor Martinez had a great game throwing the football, but that really isn’t the team’s strength. Nebraska is at their best when they are running the football early and often. The Cornhuskers only picked up 122 yards on 35 carries last week. Rex Burkhead is a workhorse in the backfield, and it would be hard to find a runner who fights harder for every extra yard. Nebraska’s offense averages 35 points per contest.
The big disappointment this year has been the Nebraska defense. This unit was expected to be one of the best in the nation, but they haven’t been very good. Especially troubling is the fact that they are allowing 161 yards per game on the ground. The front seven will need to step up in this one. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The whirlwind that has gone on around Happy Valley over the last few days has to have affected the players in some way, but only time will tell how they will react. The Nittany Lions are 8-1 at this point in the season, and the defense is definitely the unit to thank for that impressive record. The defense ranks eighth in the nation in total defense. They are only giving up 12.4 points per game so far this year.
What about the Nittany Lions offense? Matt McGloin seems to have taken hold of the quarterback spot of late. McGloin is completing just 56% of his passes, but he has a nice touchdown/interception ratio of 7 to 3. Penn State relies heavily on the running game. Silas Redd has emerged as the team’s primary runner. Redd has already topped 1,000 yards on the season, and he is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. The offense should benefit from a healthy Derek Moye being ready to go for this one.
Emotions will be running high at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. I think both defenses will have the upper hand in this one. Look for a fairly low scoring contest.
Free College Football Pick: Under 43
Score Prediction: Nebraska 20 Penn State 17
CHECK OUT OUR College football betting forums today! Join us today and make College football picks against the spread for all Division 1 NCAA Football matchups!
After gutting out an ugly 24-17 win last week at Wake Forest, Notre Dame travels to FedEx Field to take on Maryland. The Irish shut out the Demon Deacons in the second half last week to claim the win and move to 6-3 on the season.
There’s ample of history in this game for two teams who have never been in the same conference before… and will only be in the same conference for this single season, since TCU will head to the Big 12 next year.
The Sooners moved up to #2 in the BCS polls with Alabama losing last week and to stay there they will have to beat Texas Tech in their house.
This game is a HUGE ACC match up, as the winner will be in the driver’s seat to win the Coastal Division and in an interesting fact the winner of the Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech game has represented that division in the ACC title game in the last 5 seasons.
It has been a nice first season for the Brady Hoke crew in Ann Arbour. They beat Notre Dame and should qualify for a bowl game that will give them a respite from the Michigan winter cold.
For those of you who may have lost track, Houston is one of only 5 teams still undefeated in FBS this season. They are certainly not the most talented of that bunch but with the schedule they have they might actually be the most likely team to finish the season that way.
Wisconsin had higher hopes for this season, but they still have plenty to play for. The Badgers suffered two last minute losses in a row against Michigan State and Ohio State, but this is still a team capable of finishing in the top ten in the nation.
Wisconsin must now try to right the ship and win the Big Ten Leaders Division.
TCF Bank Stadium
Saturday November 12, 3:30 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from 5Dimes
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Wisconsin -27 (-110) Minnesota +27 (-110)
Over/Under: 63.5
Minnesota has a solid new coach in Jerry Kill, but this team is a long ways from competing for a league title. The last couple weeks have been very positive steps for the Golden Gophers. These teams will meet Saturday afternoon in Minnesota.
Russell Wilson transferred to Wisconsin just weeks before the beginning of the season, and he has been terrific this year. Wilson is putting up Heisman Trophy type numbers for the Badgers. He has thrown 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He is also completing 72% of his passes. Even with Wilson under center, the strength of this team is the running game. The Badgers offensive line is dominating every single year, and this season is no different. Montee Ball is racking up huge numbers at the tailback spot. Ball is averaging 6.6 yards per carry, and he already has 24 touchdowns. This offense may be the most balanced in the nation. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Badgers defense has been good statistically this year, though they have allowed a couple of last minute touchdowns that cost the team dearly. This is a unit that wasn’t expected to be all that great this year, but they have done a nice job overall. The secondary has been terrific, while the front seven has struggled at times against the best running teams.
Minnesota looked lost when MarQueis Gray was out of the lineup, but with him back and healthy under center the team has looked much better in their last couple games. Gray isn’t a very efficient passer at this point in his career, but he is definitely a play maker. Despite injury trouble, Gray is easily the Golden Gophers leading rusher. The team has one elite receiver in Da’Jon McKnight, but they are lacking a solid second option. This offense is averaging just 18.7 points per game.
The Golden Gophers defense has been terrible the last few years, and this season is no different. To be fair, this is a defense that has been decimated by injuries this season. Troy Stoudemire is the team’s best cover corner, but he has missed the last five games with a wrist injury. He is listed as questionable for this contest. The rushing defense is allowing opponents to run for 191 yards per game this year. The run defense will be tested in a big way this weekend.
I expect Wisconsin to move the football at will on Saturday afternoon. I don’t like laying this many points, but Wisconsin is so much better than Minnesota at this point that I feel like this is still a solid value.
Free College Football Pick: Wisconsin -27
Score Prediction: Wisconsin 48 Minnesota 17
CHECK OUT OUR College football betting forums today! Join us today and make College football picks against the spread for all Division 1 NCAA Football matchups!
Last time Ohio State came to Purdue, they lost despite being 12 point favorites. The Buckeyes enter this one with a young team, but they are playing pretty well after a slow start to the season. Purdue is 0-4 on the road this year, but they are 4-1 at home.
The Boilers will look to get back on track with the help of their home crowd in this one.
Ross-Ade Stadium
Saturday November 12, 12:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from TopBet
Moneyline: Ohio State (-285) Purdue (+245)
College Football Spread: Ohio State -7.5 (-110) Purdue +7.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 45
Ohio State lost three out of four games earlier this year, and it appeared the season was going to fall apart in no time. Coach Luke Fickell turned to Braxton Miller as the starting quarterback, and the team re-dedicated itself to the running game. The Buckeyes pulled a couple upsets over Illinois and Wisconsin, and then defeated Indiana at home last week. Ohio State hasn’t been throwing the football much at all, but they really haven’t needed to throw the ball. The offensive line is healthy and they are blocking very well. Dan Herron has been extremely impressive since returning from his suspension. Herron has 415 yards in just three games.
The Ohio State defense isn’t quite as dominating as they have been in the last couple years, but they are still very good. The Buckeyes come into this game ranked 16th in the nation in total defense. John Simon has emerged as a star on the defensive front, and Bradley Roby has stepped up in the secondary. Expect Ohio State to key in on the run this week.
Purdue was absolutely blasted in their last two games at Michigan and at Wisconsin. The Boilermakers offense has never really gotten going very well this year. The running game is pretty good, but the passing game has been very inconsistent. Caleb TerBush has seen most of the playing time at quarterback this year. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Antavian Edison, Justin Siller, and OJ Ross are all solid receivers, but Purdue is lacking a deep threat. The Boilermakers rely heavily on Ralph Bolden and Akeem Shavers in the running game. If Purdue is going to be successful this weekend, they’ll need to be able to run the football on Ohio State.
The Boilermakers defense lost its star from last year when Ryan Kerrigan graduated. Ricardo Allen leads a very talented Purdue secondary, but the front seven has struggled in the last few weeks. Purdue is giving up 191 yards per on the ground. Ohio State will test the Boilermakers run defense in this one. Purdue will have to load the box and attempt to make Braxton Miller beat them with his arm.
Ohio State is very happy to control the football and run it every single time right now. Purdue will also look to run the football almost every time. The clock should be rolling along quickly in this one. I think this game stays low scoring.
Free College Football Pick: Under 45
Score Prediction: Ohio State 21 Purdue 13
CHECK OUT OUR College football betting forums today! Join us today and make College football picks against the spread for all Division 1 NCAA Football matchups!
After a horrendous 0-4 start Miami has won 4 of 5 and is currently tied for first in the MAC East. Win and they control their own destiny, setting up a showdown with Ohio the last week of the season.
Michigan State went into Kinnick Stadium with a lot on the line last year, and they were absolutely humiliated. Iowa led 30-0 at halftime, and they went on to win 37-6.
Michigan State is now in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten Legends Division, but they must come out ready to play this Saturday against a tough Iowa squad.
Michigan State vs. Iowa
Kinnick Stadium
Saturday November 12, 12:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Michigan State -3 (-110) Iowa +3 (-110)
Over/Under: 46.5
Michigan State wasn’t impressive in a 31-24 win over Minnesota last weekend, but they benefited in a big way from Nebraska’s upset loss at the hands of Northwestern. The Spartans now control their own destiny, and this may well be the most difficult game on the rest of their regular season schedule. Kirk Cousins is the senior leader at quarterback for Michigan State. He gives the team a virtual coach on the field because he knows the offense so well. The Spartans are at their best when they are running the football well. Le’Veon Bell and Edwin Baker are a great one-two punch in the backfield. The offensive line has struggled with injuries this year, but they’ll need to come up big this weekend.
How have the Spartans been able to be so successful despite a less than stellar offense? Michigan State’s defense has been amazing all season. This is a unit that ranks second in the nation in total defense. Jerrell Worthy is an absolute beast along the defensive line, and he draws double-teams on a consistent basis. Isaiah Lewis leads the team with four interceptions. The Spartans are allowing just 16 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Two weeks ago Iowa suffered an extremely disappointing loss to Minnesota. Last weekend the team upset the Michigan Wolverines. Which Iowa team will show up this weekend? This Iowa team isn’t as talented as some of their recent squads, but Kirk Ferentz and this coaching staff do a very good job preparing them. James Vandenburg has quietly put up some terrific numbers this year at the quarterback spot. The first-year starter has thrown 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Marvin McNutt has already set a career high in receptions, and he has nine touchdown catches. The Iowa running game has been inconsistent this year. Marcus Coker is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, but he has struggled against the top defenses in the league.
The Hawkeyes defense has been mediocre this year. They are 72nd in the nation in total defense. The team has done a good job keeping the opponent out of the end zone, which has helped them allow only 22.3 points per game. The biggest disappointment in this unit has been the pass defense, which is giving up 234 yards per game through the air despite returning two veteran cover corners.
Michigan State’s offense has been hit or miss, but the defense is for real. Iowa should show up and give a great effort in front of their home crowd. Expect a hard fought defensive battle in this one.
Free College Football Pick: Under 46.5
Score Prediction: Michigan State 20 Iowa 17
CHECK OUT OUR College football betting forums today! Join us today and make College football picks against the spread for all Division 1 NCAA Football matchups!
The Florida Gators will look to salvage their season when they square-off against the South Carolina Gamecocks this Saturday afternoon in a SEC East Division clash.
The South Florida Bulls will look to snap a four-game slide this Friday night when they invade the Carrier Dome to square-off against the Syracuse Orange in this Big East matchup.
The West Virginia Mountaineers will try and keep their faint Big East title hopes alive when they tangle the Cincinnati Bearcats this Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium.
