Articles by Cappers Picks related to online NCAA Football betting, and handicapping live CFB matchups.
The SEC West division is a two-horse race. If LSU has a manageable game this week in travelling to Tennessee to play the hobbled Volunteers, then the other top dog – the Alabama Crimson Tide – have an even easier task ahead of them in dispatching the Ole Miss Rebels.
Two standard SEC powers clash at Rocky Top this Saturday afternoon, though the going has been much better lately for the visitors than the home side.
The never-ending saga of Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia finally came to (what should be) a decisive halt this week, as he was dismissed from the team.
It’s a bit of a role reversal for Ohio State and Illinois so far this year. Ohio State has typically been the team at the top of the Big Ten standings, but this year it is Ron Zook’s Fighting Illini at the top of the standings.
Illinois is off to an impressive 6-0 start, and they are definitely a team that could contend for the Big Ten Leaders Division title.
Ohio State vs. Illinois
Memorial Stadium
Saturday October 15, 3:30 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from Bookmaker
Moneyline: Illinois (-170) Ohio State (+150)
College Football Spread: Illinois -3.5 (-110) Ohio State +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 44
Ohio State is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Nebraska. The Buckeyes aren’t up to their normal standards this year, but they are still a dangerous team.
Last week’s loss at Nebraska was a bitter pill to swallow for Ohio State fans. The Buckeyes controlled the first two and a half quarters, but they fell apart late in the game. Braxton Miller showed his ability, but when he went down with an injury the Buckeyes were completely lost on offense. How will Ohio State rebound from last week’s tough loss?
The Buckeyes expect Miller to be ready for this game, which is definitely great news for the offense. Additionally, running back Boom Herron will make his season debut in this one. Ohio State will now have three very good running backs who will share duties in the backfield. It’s the Buckeyes passing game that has been non-existent this year. DeVier Posey is still suspended and the Buckeyes receivers just aren’t very good this year. What about the Buckeyes defense? Ohio State’s defense is pretty good, but they aren’t as good as they have been the last few years. Nebraska seemed to wear down the Buckeyes defense last weekend. Ohio State is giving up 17.8 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Ron Zook was on the hot seat at the beginning of this season, but the Illini have really outperformed expectations so far this year. The Fighting Illini get to play Ohio State, Michigan, and Illinois all at home this year, which should be a big benefit to this team’s chances. Nathan Scheelhaase might not get the hype that some other quarterbacks do in the Big Ten, but he is one of the league’s best. Scheelhaase has progressed a great deal from last year, and he is now a complete quarterback. He has thrown for 1,238 yards and rushed for 347 yards this season. Troy Pollard and Donovonn Young have emerged as the Fighting Illini’s most dangerous tailbacks this year. A.J. Jenkins is having a major breakout season at the wide receiver spot. Jenkins already has 46 receptions and seven touchdowns in 2011.
Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the superb play of the Illinois defense. This is a defense that lost its two best players from a year ago, but they are still shutting down their opponents very nicely. Illinois ranks ninth in the country against the run, but they will be tested this week by a solid Ohio State running game. Ironically, Illinois gives up 17.8 points per game as well, the exact same average Ohio State gives up.
The Buckeyes have struggled of late, but they are certainly capable of winning this game. At the same time, Zook’s teams have been very good against Ohio State. In the end, I think the best play here is the under. Look for a low scoring game.
Free College Football Pick: Under 44
Score Prediction: Illinois 20 Ohio State 17
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What the hell, Florida State? I still can’t believe this team was ranked fifth in the preseason coaches’ poll for 2011. Here we are in Week 7 and the Seminoles have a worse record than Duke of all teams. At least FSU can pull even with the Blue Devils if they win on Saturday.
NCAAF Week 7: Florida State vs Duke
Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Venue: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham NC
Broadcast: ACC/FSN Regional HD
Florida State Seminoles at Duke Blue Devils Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com
Money Line: Florida State -480, Duke +360
Spread: Florida State -13.5
Over/Under: 54.5
Florida State Seminoles (2-3)
After losing a 35-30 shootout at Wake Forest last week, the Seminoles have dropped three straight games. What’s wrong with this team? On paper, it isn’t that bad. The Seminoles actually have the country’s 10th-ranked defense and are top-25 against both the pass and the run. They’re 13th in passing, averaging 325.4 yards per game. They average 33.8 points and allow 20.6. Yet their offense fell flat when it mattered against Oklahoma and their defense couldn’t keep points off the board in consecutive losses to Clemson.
The numbers clearly show that FSU’s talent should yield a better record but this team seems to wilt in clutch situations. Turnovers have been a problem, too. E.J. Manuel and Clint Trickett combined for four interceptions last week.
Duke Blue Devils (3-2)
Duke enters Saturday’s home game headed in the opposite direction of FSU; the Blue Devils have rattled off three straight victories. With the gunslinging Sean Renfree leading the charge, Duke has ridden a strong passing game to victory. Last week, he threw for 335 yards and two scores as Duke rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat Florida International on the road.
Duke is not without its faults, however. The Blue Devils have struggled to run the ball all season, ranking 107th with just 97.8 yards per game. They’ve allowed 278.8 passing yards per game, good for 106th; and they allow 28 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The pick:
See a pattern here? Florida State and Duke are the perfect inverse of each other. The Seminoles’ numbers suggest they’re vastly underperforming and even unlucky; the Blue Devils’ numbers suggest they’re overachieving and lucky.
The more I look at this matchup, the more I believe FSU covers the 13.5 points – easily. Duke’s offense is one-dimensional and could get bottled up by a well-rounded FSU defense. Despite the turnovers, the Seminoles have still moved the ball through the air, so they should score on Duke’s Swiss-cheese defense.
Look for Florida State to take out a month’s worth of frustration on a Duke team that may be a bit overconfident.
Florida State vs Duke prediction: Florida State 38, Duke 17
Money Line: Florida State -480
Spread: Florida State -13.5
Over/Under: OVER 54.5
The 2011 CFB Season is finally here. Welcome to the CappersPicks.com college football weekly predictions pages! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly college football picks, tips, betting advice,
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The Hawaii Warriors seemingly fixed their most persistent and urgent problem a few weeks ago. They traveled to Ruston, Louisiana, making the longest commute within the Western Athletic Conference, and found a way to decisively win a road game on the mainland United States.
The Longhorns were blown out last week in the big Red River Rivalry game with Oklahoma giving up 55 points and this Saturday they host a Oklahoma State team that is the highest scoring team in the nation (51.4 ppg) and have the nation’s 2nd ranked passing offense (431.2 passing yards per game).
This Big 12 rivalry is known as the “Battle of the Brazos” and this game should have a ton of fireworks since Baylor ranks 4th in the nation in scoring and Texas A&M ranks 18th.
Kansas State (5-0) is off to their best start in 11 years and look to snap their 5-game losing streak to a Texas Tech (4-1) team that, shocker, has one of the best passing offenses ranked 6th in the nation in passing yards per game.
You wouldn’t have thought so at the beginning of the season but this is an important game in the ACC right now. Virginia Tech has to still be considered the favourite in their division but with one loss already they can not really afford another one.
This is the first Mountain West Conference game for the Broncos. Right now it is looking like they will slice right through the conference en route to another perfect season.
This is a huge game for the Knights. They are the only undefeated team in the Eastern division of Conference USA and they need to prove to themselves that they can beat some of the good teams on their schedule after losing to both FIU and BYU.
Wisconsin 83 Indiana 20 is what the scoreboard read after last year’s meeting between these two. The Badgers absolutely annihilated the Hoosiers, and they set several Big Ten records in the process.
Indiana is just as bad as they were last year, and Wisconsin may even be better than last year.
Indiana vs. Wisconsin
Camp Randall Stadium
Saturday October 15, 12:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from Bookmaker
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Wisconsin -40 (-110) Indiana +40 (-110)
Over/Under: 60
Can we expect the same type of massive blowout in this matchup?
Kevin Wilson took over the Hoosiers football program in the offseason. Wilson has implemented a new faster paced offense, but it hasn’t done anything to help the team’s results as of yet. The quarterback spot has been a big question mark this year after Ben Chappell graduated at the end of 2010. Edward Wright-Baker started the year at quarterback, but he has missed the last few games with an ankle injury. Wright-Baker is expected back this weekend, but don’t be surprised if Tre Roberson gets some time under center as well. The Hoosiers really don’t have an established running back, and that really hurts this offense. The two main play makers for this offense are Demarlo Belcher and Kofi Hughes on the outside, and they need to get the ball more often.
Indiana’s defense has been terrible for several years in a row, and things really aren’t any different this season. Despite playing a weak schedule so far this year, the defense has given up 27 points per game. The front seven continually has a horrible time stopping the run, and that will be a real issue against the Badgers.
Wisconsin’s offense was only missing a quarterback as they headed into the offseason after last year’s Rose Bowl loss. Russell Wilson transferred in to the program and the Badgers picked up a Heisman Trophy type quarterback that has become the center of the team’s offense. The Badgers offensive line continues to be dominating, and the running game is as strong as ever. Now, the Badgers also have a solid passing game to go along with the running attack. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Wilson has the mobility to keep plays alive, and he also has the big arm to stretch the defense. Wisconsin is averaging 48 points per game so far this year. This is an offense without a weakness, and they are clearly one of the best in the country.
The Wisconsin defense has been much better than most expected them to be so far this season. Wisconsin is giving up just 10.2 points per game, and they rank seventh in the nation in total defense. Chris Borland has emerged as a leader for this defense. The Badgers secondary has been great against the pass this year. If Wisconsin’s defense continues to be dominant, the Badgers will be extremely difficult to beat this year.
It’s hard to imagine Wisconsin winning this one by 63 points like they did last year, but this game should get very ugly. I think the Badgers have a good chance of getting to 55 or 60 by themselves, so I like the over in this one.
Free College Football Pick: Over 60
Score Prediction: Wisconsin 56 Indiana 10
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The state of Michigan loves its football, but there is absolutely no love between Michigan and Michigan State fans. While Michigan’s primary rival is Ohio State, Michigan State is another major rival of the school.
Michigan State has beaten the Wolverines three straight times, but Brady Hoke has engineered an impressive turnaround at Michigan this year.
Michigan vs. Michigan State
Spartan Stadium
Saturday October 15, 12:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Michigan State (-125) Michigan (+105)
College Football Spread: Michigan State -1.5 (-110) Michigan +1.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 49
The tenth ranked Wolverines will invade East Lansing this Saturday.
The Michigan offense is terrific once again this year, even if it does look a little different than it did last year. Denard Robinson is averaging an impressive 7.1 yards per carry, which is slightly better than his average from last year. Fitzgerald Touissant has emerged as a solid tailback for the team, and that helps relieve a bit of the pressure that was on Robinson. The passing game still needs to improve quite a bit. Robinson has already thrown nine interceptions in just six games, and he is completing just 57% of his passes. The Wolverines are scoring 38 points per game.
The main reason for Michigan’s 6-0 start is the much improved play of the defense. This unit was the worst in school history last year, but they have been very good so far this season. Michigan has given up quite a few yards, but they have forced more turnovers than any other defense in the conference. The defense will get some much bigger tests in the next few weeks, and it will be interesting to see how they hold up.
Michigan State is coming off a year where they tied for the Big Ten title, but they embarrassed themselves against Alabama in the Capital One Bowl. Mark Dantonio’s team is trying to continue to improve and take that next step. Kirk Cousins is the senior under center for the Spartans. Cousins makes good decisions with the football and he knows the offense very well. B.J. Cunningham already has 38 receptions in just five games, and he is a big play threat on the outside. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Spartans are extremely deep in the backfield, but the offensive line has been dinged up this year. They’ll need to be able to run the ball well against the Wolverines front seven in this one.
Who would have thought that Michigan State would have the top ranked defense in the nation half way through the college football season? The Spartans are allowing just 173 yards per contest. Jerrell Worthy is a beast in the middle of the defensive line, and he often takes up two or three blockers.
The Spartans are second in the nation in pass defense and third in run defense, but those numbers will be tested this week.
I expect a very hard fought game this weekend between these intrastate rivals. Michigan is definitely on the way up, but I believe Michigan State is a solid value here at home.
Free College Football Pick: Michigan State -1.5
Score Prediction: Michigan State 27 Michigan 24
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The PAC-12’s Utah Utes, playing out of their new conference, will be in Heinz Field this Saturday afternoon for a tilt with the Big East’s Pittsburgh Panthers in a battle of two teams desperate for a win. The game is slated to get underway at 12 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.
If the #18 ASU Sun Devils (5-1, 3-0) can overcome the #9 Oregon Ducks (4-1, 2-0) they’ve got a pretty good shot at running the table for the rest of the season. But getting by the hurry up Duck offense is no small hurdle.
