The Oregon Ducks have propelled themselves into the No. 2 spot in the country following Alabama’s shocking loss last weekend, which means if they win out, they are in the BCS National Championship game.
The California Golden Bears have had a disappointing year in 2012, and at this point, they’re simply trying to get out of the season with their heads held high. At just 3-8, the team from Berekely, Calif. travels to Reser Stadium this weekend, where they’ll take on the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers.
The USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins have a rich, storied rivalry, and while the series has been completely dominated by the Trojans in recent years, the Bruins are hoping to change that trend November 17. USC has fallen from grace this season, as they’ve dropped 16 spots from their preseason ranking, while UCLA has surprisingly climbed the ladder of the BCS to No. 17. Both teams are fighting for a spot in the Pac-12 championship game.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins enter this game with identical 3-6 records. The Eagles started 3-1, but have lost their last five games. The Redskins started 3-3, but they have lost their last three games.
Northern Illinois is back in the same position they seemingly are in every year. Northern Illinois sits at the top of the MAC standings with a record of 6-0 in the league.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Nippert Stadium
Saturday November 17, 12:00 PM EST on Big East Network
College Football Betting Odds from Bookmaker
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Cincinnati -6.5 (-110) vs. Rutgers +6.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 47
ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight! | Buy Ray’s Picks!
Rutgers has been one of the biggest surprises in the country this season. Greg Schiano is now in Tampa Bay, but the Scarlet Knights have continued on with a hugely successful year. Rutgers comes into this one at 8-1 and ranked 22nd in the country. Cincinnati enters at 7-2, and the Bearcats are 6-0 at home this season. Cincinnati is nearly a touchdown favorite here. Let’s take a look at this Big East matchup.
Rutgers
How has Rutgers put together such a big season once again in 2012? It has been their stellar defense leading the way all season long. Rutgers is 14th in the nation in total defense, and they are fifth in the nation in points allowed per game.
Opponents are only scoring 13.4 points per contest on this tough Scarlet Knights defense. This is a well-balanced defense that has fared well against both running and passing teams. In addition, they are very opportunistic. Not many people expected this defense to be so tough.
Gary Nova is a huge key to the Rutgers offense success. Nova has had one really bad game this year, and that was the game that Rutgers lost. Nova threw six interceptions in the team’s loss to Kent State. Excluding that game, Nova has thrown 16 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions. Jawan Jamison is the team’s leading rusher, but Savon Huggins showed he is capable of stepping in and providing the team with a nice option at tailback as well. Rutgers is averaging 26.2 points per game.
Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bearcats have made a change at the quarterback position. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Munchie Legeaux was turning the ball over too much, and the Bearcats have decided to go with Brendon Kay under center. Kay was spectacular in last week’s win at Temple, but he’ll face a much tougher test this weekend when Cincinnati plays against a very good Rutgers defense. Kay has rushed for 138 yards on only 15 carries, so his running ability is definitely a plus for this team. Cincinnati hasn’t been able to throw the ball down the field much this year, which has allowed opponents to sit on their short yardage passing game too often. The Bearcats average 34.2 points per game.
Cincinnati’s defense has given up a decent amount of yards, but they have been great at keeping their opponent out of the end zone. Cincinnati has a good pass rush which can really make life difficult on the opposing quarterback. This unit has done a great job bearing down and forcing field goal attempts instead of touchdowns, which is a large reason why the team is 7-2 right now.
Rutgers has been underrated all year, and I don’t think the oddsmakers are giving them enough credit in this one. Look for this game to go right down to the wire.
Free College Football Pick: Rutgers +6.5
Wisconsin (7-3) has already clinched their spot in the Big 10 title game since both Ohio State (10-0) and Penn State are bowl ineligible this season.
Louisiana Tech (9-1) and Utah State (8-2) are each 4-0 in WAC play and the Bulldogs still have an outside chance to play for a BCS bowl game.
Texas Tech (7-3) has not been playing well, as they barely escaped a weak Kansas team in their last game and lost their previous 2 games. On top of that they have lost 3 straight games to Oklahoma State (6-3).
Oklahoma (7-2) looks to keep their slight BCS hopes alive with a win over a reeling WVU (5-4) team that needs one more win to be bowl eligible. The Sooners not only need to win out, but have Kansas State lose their last 2 games.
Kansas State (10-0) is the top ranked team in the nation and if they can win this game and then next week facing a ranked Texas team they should play in their first ever BCS title game.
Surprising Colts Renew Storied Rivalry With Patriots in Week 11
Two of the best AFC teams so far this season meet in what nobody could have imagined being the marquee matchup of Week 11. The Indianapolis Colts, riding a four game win streak head to Gillette Stadium to take on a New England Patriots team that still has to be considered elite but has looked a tad vulnerable at times this season.
Headline: Battered Steelers Host Rival Ravens for AFC North Supremacy
One of the more anticipated Week 11 matchups has been significantly watered down with the news that Ben Roethlisberger is highly doubtful to play after sustaining a separated shoulder on Monday night.
Headline: Key AFC West Showdown on Week 11 Schedule – Chargers Visit Broncos
Is there any team in the NFL that does a better job of shooting themselves in the foot than the San Diego Chargers? The Bolts head out on the road this week to try to keep their ever-fading playoff hopes alive. Their chore this week – to derail a Denver Broncos team that has won four of five and is knocking on the door of elite status in the NFL.
The Bills (3-6) have lost 3 straight and 5 of their last 6 games and they sit in the basement of the AFC East. The Bills have lost 2 straight to the Dolphins (4-5) and they will be without RB Fred Jackson, but they did play decent in their last game.
When you play in the SEC it sometimes can be hard to tell just how good you really are. The Rebels have won all the games they were favoured in save one and the same has been true with them as the underdogs, losing all except one.
What a Week 10! The landscape of the NFL may significantly change the next few weeks because of the happenings in Week 10 – injuries to a host of QBs threaten to derail the plight of many teams near the top.
