article courtesy of Nine.com
Hatboro, PA (BettorsReport) -- After "Separation Saturday," there is bound to
be a drop-off in the matchups and quality of play.
So, beware, college football fans.
With that disclaimer out of the way, there are several matchups worth keeping
an eye on, from what should be a brawl in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to what is
expected to be a blowout in Columbus, Ohio.
A coach struggling with his new program just may pull a surprise, with
Colorado heading out of state for the first time season.
If anything, the vibes lean heavily toward the dogs this week.
Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State (-16.5, 46) vs. : The Buckeyes are
prohibitive favorites, but maybe they shouldn't be. The Nittany Lions won this
matchup a year ago in State College and return most of the key defenders who
helped contain Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Antonio Pittman. Paul Posluzsny,
Dan Connor and Co. probably do not have enough help on offense, though, to
pull off the upset.
Only nine points separate the total points that each has scored in the last
five meetings.
The pick -- Take PSU plus the points.
Wisconsin at No. 6 Michigan (-14, 42): Following a phenomenal performance
at then-No. 2 Notre Dame last week, the Wolverines are ripe for a letdown.
Besides, the Badgers beat Michigan last season, have emerged as ATS winners in
the last two meetings in this rivalry in 2002 and 2005 and have the next Ron
Dayne in their backfield with freshman bowling ball P.J. Hill Jr., who has 415
yards and five TDs in Wisconsin's 3-0 start.
The pick -- Take Wisconsin plus the points.
Colorado at No. 9 Georgia (-27, 36.5): The Buffaloes are as bad on offense as
their 7.7 ppg would suggest, but there is no denying that they have some
serious talent on defense. Colorado, under embattled first-year coach Dan
Hawkins, held Arizona State -- arguably the most explosive offense in college
football -- to 14 points before the Sun Devils tacked on a meaningless
touchdown in the final moments following a turnover. The Bulldogs, national-
title contenders they may be, may pitch a shutout but get nowhere near 27
points.
The pick -- Take Colorado plus the points.
No. 12 Notre Dame (-3, 60) at Michigan State: Um, the Irish are favored after
that hideous display vs. Michigan a week ago? Granted, a rebound is in
order, but the lack of respect being shown to the Spartans here borders on the
ridiculous. They -- not the Irish or Ohio State or any other team -- possess
the best quarterback in the country in Drew Stanton, who can do anything asked
of him. The Irish know this better than anyone. The 6-3, 230-pound senior
threw for 327 yards and three scores and ran for another 48 yards and a TD in
a 44-41 win at South Bend last season.
The pick -- Take Michigan State plus the points.
No. 20 Arizona State at No. 21 California (-8, 58): The Bears are making their
way back from that emotional downer at Tennessee to start the season, having
won a pair of home games in the past two weeks. The opponent gets a little
tougher this week, as the Sun Devils just may be more difficult than the Vols
were. The game features the Pac-10's best quarterback (Arizona State's Rudy
Carpenter) and running back (Cal's Marshawn Lynch), so it should be quite
entertaining.
The pick -- Take Arizona State plus the points.
Hatboro, PA (BettorsReport) -- After "Separation Saturday," there is bound to
be a drop-off in the matchups and quality of play.
So, beware, college football fans.
With that disclaimer out of the way, there are several matchups worth keeping
an eye on, from what should be a brawl in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to what is
expected to be a blowout in Columbus, Ohio.
A coach struggling with his new program just may pull a surprise, with
Colorado heading out of state for the first time season.
If anything, the vibes lean heavily toward the dogs this week.
Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State (-16.5, 46) vs. : The Buckeyes are
prohibitive favorites, but maybe they shouldn't be. The Nittany Lions won this
matchup a year ago in State College and return most of the key defenders who
helped contain Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Antonio Pittman. Paul Posluzsny,
Dan Connor and Co. probably do not have enough help on offense, though, to
pull off the upset.
Only nine points separate the total points that each has scored in the last
five meetings.
The pick -- Take PSU plus the points.
Wisconsin at No. 6 Michigan (-14, 42): Following a phenomenal performance
at then-No. 2 Notre Dame last week, the Wolverines are ripe for a letdown.
Besides, the Badgers beat Michigan last season, have emerged as ATS winners in
the last two meetings in this rivalry in 2002 and 2005 and have the next Ron
Dayne in their backfield with freshman bowling ball P.J. Hill Jr., who has 415
yards and five TDs in Wisconsin's 3-0 start.
The pick -- Take Wisconsin plus the points.
Colorado at No. 9 Georgia (-27, 36.5): The Buffaloes are as bad on offense as
their 7.7 ppg would suggest, but there is no denying that they have some
serious talent on defense. Colorado, under embattled first-year coach Dan
Hawkins, held Arizona State -- arguably the most explosive offense in college
football -- to 14 points before the Sun Devils tacked on a meaningless
touchdown in the final moments following a turnover. The Bulldogs, national-
title contenders they may be, may pitch a shutout but get nowhere near 27
points.
The pick -- Take Colorado plus the points.
No. 12 Notre Dame (-3, 60) at Michigan State: Um, the Irish are favored after
that hideous display vs. Michigan a week ago? Granted, a rebound is in
order, but the lack of respect being shown to the Spartans here borders on the
ridiculous. They -- not the Irish or Ohio State or any other team -- possess
the best quarterback in the country in Drew Stanton, who can do anything asked
of him. The Irish know this better than anyone. The 6-3, 230-pound senior
threw for 327 yards and three scores and ran for another 48 yards and a TD in
a 44-41 win at South Bend last season.
The pick -- Take Michigan State plus the points.
No. 20 Arizona State at No. 21 California (-8, 58): The Bears are making their
way back from that emotional downer at Tennessee to start the season, having
won a pair of home games in the past two weeks. The opponent gets a little
tougher this week, as the Sun Devils just may be more difficult than the Vols
were. The game features the Pac-10's best quarterback (Arizona State's Rudy
Carpenter) and running back (Cal's Marshawn Lynch), so it should be quite
entertaining.
The pick -- Take Arizona State plus the points.
