Both of these SEC strongholds have hit turbulence in recent weeks. The Florida Gators have lost consecutive games – badly to West division stalwarts Alabama and LSU. Auburn, meanwhile, is coming off a 38-14 spanking at the hands of Arkansas.
For a long time now, the Clemson Tigers’ performance has not been where the expectations have been set. Finally, in 2011, the Tigers are producing results befitting of their talent-laden roster.
After falling flat in losses to Baltimore and Houston early this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers got back on track with a statement win over Tennessee last week. Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdown passes as the Steelers romped 38-17 over a hyped Titans team.
A lot of people look at this year’s Manchester United side and see an unstoppable force. But if you look a little closer at their recent play, you will see a side that has at times shown its vulnerability. Something Liverpool will look to take full advantage on Saturday.
Many though that the Falcons (2-3) would have an unstoppable offense after they moved up in the draft to take WR Julio Jones, but that has not been the case this season, as they only rank 14th in the league in passing yards per game and they are also having problems running the ball.
The Bucs (3-2) have an uphill battle this week against a red-hot Saints team that has won 4 straight, as Tampa was blown out last week and they will likely be without RB LeGarrette Blount and DT Gerald McCoy, who are both questionable with injuries.
Oklahoma (5-0) comes into this game after a huge blowout win over rival Texas in the Red River Rivalry game and now they face a Kansas (2-3) squad that has lost their last 3 games, gave up 70 points in their last game, and has a defense ranked dead last in the FBS.
If anyone previously doubted how much Peyton Manning meant to the Colts, they shouldn’t after the team’s start to this season.
The Texans are coming off a draining home loss against the Raiders, while the Ravens are coming off a bye week. Both of these teams have high aspirations for the 2011-2012 season.
The Milwaukee Brewers did what they had to do after dropping Game 2 of a 2-3-2 series format: win a road game.
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.
The St. Louis Rams have to be hoping that the bye week cast a little magic on their team. This week, St. Louis is faced with the prospect of taking their winless record into Lambeau field to take on a Packers team that is absolutely on a role.
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
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