Indiana at Wisconsin (-40) Noon ESPN2: The addition of QB Wilson and the running of RB Ball and White make the Badgers one of the most balanced explosive teams in the nation. The improved defense allows just 10 PPG. As a result, they enter at 5-0 SU 4-1 ATS (+68) AFP. Every victory has been by 31 or more points. Whether they can translate this against teams from the SEC or the Big 12 remains to be seen. What we do know is that this is a carryover from the end of last season. They are now on an 11-1 ATS run that included an 83-20 romp over this Indiana team late last year. Though all the above is exciting news for Badger fans, it has increased this line over 2 touchdowns from where it would have been opening week. This is strictly Bielema’s whim which surely must be affected by his conscience.
Georgia Tech (-7) at Virginia 3:30 ESPNU: It looks like reality has set in for Tech now that they are no longer facing the defenses of W. Carolina, Mid Tenn State and Kansas. They covered those three contests by a combined 54 pts and averaged 59 PPG. But the last three weeks against ACC foes NC, NC State, and Maryland have shown far more modest victories by an average of just 7 PPG. Of further concern is the fact that defenses are taking away the downfield passing game of QB Washington. He has combined to throw for just 231 yards in the last two weeks. Not that those throws will be necessary against a VA defense that allowed Tech to rush for 477 yards LY in a 33-21 victory. The good news for the home team is, with an extra week to prepare, they will be far better schooled to stop this attack. And the run defense has clearly improved this season at just 116/3.5. Value accrues from VA’s recent 0-4 ATS slide, bringing them as a full qualifier for our contrarian angle of the week out of our lead article.
Arizona State at Oregon (-15 ½) 10:15 ESPN: It’s improbable that RB James, one of the nation’s best runners, will make post. Yet there has been little reflection of his absence in the betting line. Meet RB Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas. They are replacements in a long line of explosive Oregon skill position players. With the veteran leadership of QB Thomas the explosive Ducks will not miss a beat. Though the loss of a pair of starting linemen did not negatively impact AZ State in last week’s win at Utah, their loss may well be a factor against today’s quality opponent. Highly touted ASU QB Osweiler will lead the Sun Devils to what may approach their 35 PPG output. But it won’t be enough against a rowdy Autzen crowd who will have had the entire day to fill themselves with liquid confidence. The Ducks extend to 14-4 ATS at one of the nation’s toughest venues.
Free Picks: Baylor at Texas A&M - Best Bet from Marco DAngelo
Oct 13, 2011 - 6:34 PMWhat CFB bettors need to know about Virginia Tech at Wake Forest (Saturday, October 15, 2011) from Pregame.com - Including a free best bet from Marco D'Angelo and analysis from Vegas Runner.