JoePa might not be smiling after this week

AS THE NOOSE TIGHTENS

November is, unquestionably, the best time of the season for sports fans. The NFL enters its second-half race, College Football concludes with teams scurrying for bowl bids while the NBA and College Hoops tip off a new campaign. It's also a great time for handicappers as value-aplenty abounds.

Our focus in the world of College Football begins to center around postseason bowl games during Turkey Month. In particular, we like to zero in on undefeated teams at this stage of the season. That's because the deeper they get into the season, the more pressure there is on them to remain unbeaten. As a result, the noose certainly gets tighter and tighter each week, especially when these perfect teams take to the road.

This is confirmed by the fact that, since 1980, undefeated College Football teams playing on the road from Game Ten or later are 38-56-1 ATS. Put them up against a conference foe and they dip to 28-42-1 ATS. This week's qualifying team are Alabama and Penn State (note: should they remain perfect this week, we'll also be monitoring the progress of Ball State, Boise State and Utah next week).

Put them on a horse whose conference opponent is off a SUATS win and they slip to 8-22-1 ATS. And if they defeated this week's opponent last season they fall off the horse, going 4-16-1 ATS. Penn State figures to be suffering from neck burn this weekend. Gentlemen, mount your horses...

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