NCAAF: COLLEGE FOOTBALL THREE-PACK
Start your Saturday off right with three big college games leading up to the Missouri and Texas Super-Showdown on Saturday night.
Vanderbilt (+14.5) at Georgia 12:30 pm ET
Vanderbilt is enjoying one of its best seasons in history but is up against its toughest opponent to date on Saturday, Georgia. Playing in Athens, the Bulldogs are a 14-1/2 point favorite, but surprisingly, 60% of early bettors like the visiting underdogs.
After a minor Auburn upset, Vanderbilt (5-1, 5-1 ATS) struggled at Mississippi State losing by three points for their first loss. What the ‘Dores are is a well coached team under Bobby Johnson, now in his seventh campaign in Nashville. Johnson has been able to keep his staff together, which has bred continuity. The visitor is 12-4 ATS in this series since 1992.
Georgia (5-1, 2-1-2 ATS) started the second part of its gauntlet schedule with a 26-14 win over Tennessee last week. Matthew Stafford has NFL skills to play quarterback, yet as has been noticed, his interpretation of what he is seeing is not at an advanced level. He needs to pick out secondary receivers with greater aplomb and not always trust his arm so much. Knowshon Moreno is what keeps this team in-sync offensively. The Bulldogs are just 3-13 ATS in home games when playing against teams with a win percentage of 75% or higher.
Georgia is a mere 10-9 ATS as SEC home favorites since 2003 and 1-9 ATS in home games versus offensive teams averaging 285 or less yards per game.
CFB Free Prediction – Georgia covers
Ohio State (-3) at Michigan State 3:30 pm ET
Michigan faces its biggest test of the season Saturday when it hosts Ohio State as a three-point underdog.
The Spartans are 6-1 (4-3 ATS) and running back Javon Ringer is the bell-cow, leading a rushing attack that averages over 177 yards a game. Between Ringer and the Spartans offensive linemen, it’s like getting banged with a shovel on every running play. Michigan State is 7-3-2 ATS as a home underdog versus ranked opponents.
Ohio State (6-1, 1-5 ATS) was tossed to the side after being blasted by USC. However, they are now playing great defense, and have a solid running game led by Beanie Wells and freshman Terrelle Pryor. OSU has beaten Michigan State six straight times (4-2 ATS) and has come away winners 11 of the last 13. The Buckeyes are 10-1 ATS away versus teams with a .666 winning percentage or higher.
The Spartans are good enough to pull the upset if the Buckeyes look ahead to Penn State next week. Michigan State is 11-2 ATS as a home underdog off a win, but OSU is 6-0 ATS as a road favorite of seven points or less over the last three seasons, winning by an average of 15 PPG.
CFB Free Prediction – Michigan State covers
Kansas (+19.5) at Oklahoma 3:30 pm ET
Both Kansas and Oklahoma are 5-1, with each loss coming away from home against a tough opponent.
Both teams have solid quarterbacks leading balanced offensive attacks. Both defenses allow slightly less than 20 PPG. Kansas is 20-3 straight up and 17-4 ATS in its last 23 games overall. Oklahoma is 18-5 straight up and 13-9 ATS in its last 23 games. So why is OU an 18-point favorite?
Off the Red River Rivalry loss against Texas, Oklahoma looks to rebound with a tricky foe. Sam Bradford continues his amazing season, with more poise in 2008. While the offense receives most of the accolades, it is the defensive front four that had been controlled opposing offenses. They were exposed by the Longhorns, however, Kansas does not appear to have the personnel to take on the Sooners, especially on the road. Oklahoma is 11-1 and 8-4 ATS after a Texas matchup.
Kansas is 5-1 (4-1 ATS) and quarterback Todd Reesing is one of the top play-makers in the country, able to create on the run. He’s been the difference maker in each of the Jayhawks wins this season. The Jayhawks are 14-3 ATS in all games over the last two seasons.
Kansas is 2-11 in their last 13 trips to Norman but has covered the spread in four of the last five meetings. However, the Jayhawks are 8-19 ATS versus excellent defensive teams allowing 290 or fewer yards a game.
Oklahoma has never lost after Texas under Coach Bob Stoops and goes for their 10th straight win in this situation (6-3 ATS). This shows the Sooners don’t pout and get back to business and they are 11-3 ATS as home chalk.
CFB Free Prediction: – Kansas covers
