College Football Week 11 Odds

Maryland at Ohio State odds

Nov.9, 2019

Maryland Terrapins Preview

Maryland scored 142 points while winning its first two games, but not much has gone right since then, with the only other victory coming against woeful Rutgers. The Terrapins’ offense has gone south, with five games scoring 17 points or fewer, but they do have good memories to draw on from last season, when they took Ohio State to overtime before losing 52-51. Anthony McFarland ran for 298 yards in that game, including early TD runs of 81 and 75 yards. He has 438 rushing yards this season on a team-high 90 carries. Former Ohio State linebacker Keandre Jones, who played sparingly in three season with the Buckeyes, is a playmaker for the Terps, with 11 tackles for loss, including six sacks. 

Ohio State Buckeyes Preview

The College Football Playoff selection committee put Ohio State at No. 1 in its first rankings of the season, explaining that it was a combination of resume, consistent high level of play and balance that tipped the scales for the Buckeyes. Coach Ryan Day’s team leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing 7.9 points per game, and has given up a total of three touchdowns in the past five games. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are third nationally in scoring (48.3 points per game), led by quarterback Justin Fields (24 touchdown passes, one interception) and running back J.K. Dobbins (1,110 yards, 7.2 per carry). Defensive end Chase Young (15.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks) is a Heisman candidate, along with Fields. 

Trends

• Maryland is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games when they recorded less than 300 yards in their last game 
• Maryland is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games when they scored less than 14 points last game 
• Ohio State is 9-0 ATS in their last 9 games when they ran for more than 200 yards in their last game 
• Ohio State is 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games when they scored more than 31 points last game 
• The Over is 6-2 in the last 8 Maryland games when Maryland scored less than 14 points last game 

LSU at Alabama odds

Nov.9, 2019

LSU Tigers Preview

The Tigers will have to replace their sack leader with linebacker Michael Divinity Jr.’s decision to leave the team earlier this week. Divinity had a trio of sacks as well as being credited a like number of quarterback hurries. Coach Ed Orgeron expressed confidence in juniors Andre Anthony (nine tackles, one sack) and Ray Thornton, who doesn’t have a sack among his three stops. The Tigers have the SEC’s most prolific offense (539.9 yards per game) but will be up against the league’s No. 2 defense statistically. Alabama has held opponents to an average of 307.5 yards but hasn’t faced a quarterback (Joe Burrow) or receivers (Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall Jr.) the quality of LSU’s. 

Alabama Crimson Tide Preview

The question for the past few weeks has been if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would be ready after undergoing surgery after injuring his ankle against Tennessee on Oct. 19. He did not play the following week against Arkansas, and Alabama had an open date last week. Coach Nick Saban says it will be a game-time decision on Tagovailoa, but the junior (309.4 passing yards per game) is expected to at least give it a go. Either he or Mac Jones will have the nation’s best group of wideouts — Jerry Jeudy 52 catches for 682 yards, eight touchdowns), DeVonta Smith (43 for 721 yards and nine scores) and Henry Ruggs III, who has 513 yards and six scores among his 26 catches. 

Trends

• Alabama is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games when their opponent is averaging less than 200 rush yards per game 

• LSU is 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games when their opponent is averaging more than 225 pass yards per game 
• The Over is 6-0 in the last 6 LSU games when their opponent is averaging less than 170 rush yards per game 

Penn State at Minnesotaodds

Nov.9, 2019

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Penn State got a breather last week with an open date after surviving a gauntlet of Iowa, Michigan and Michigan State — three national Top 20 teams in total defense. Quarterback Sean Clifford didn’t reach 200 yards passing in any of those slogs, but he also was intercepted only once in 81 pass attempts, a key factor as the Nittany Lions lean on their defense and take advantage of a plus-7 turnover margin for the season. Penn State has been impenetrable up front, ranking second nationally in rushing defense by yielding 68.4 yards per game. Linebacker Micah Parsons leads the way with 57 stops, including six for loss. 

Minnesota Gophers Preview

Minnesota is off to its first 8-0 start since 1941 and got good news Tuesday when coach P.J. fleck agreed to a new seven-year deal that gives him a raise to $4.6 million starting next season and extends his contract through the 2026 season. The short-term upshot is that everyone can take his name out of current and impending coaching searches, while focusing on what’s left to be accomplished. Minnesota is getting it done with a combination of defense (No. 13 in the country in total defense) and a running game led by senior Rodney Smith, who comes in with five consecutive 100-yard games. He leads the Gophers with 889 yards. 

Trends

• Minnesota is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games when their opponent averages more than 28 points per game 
• Minnesota is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games when they are averaging more than 350 yards per game 
• Penn State is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games when their opponent is averaging more than 400 yards per game 
• The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 Penn State games when their opponent has a home winning streak of more than 2 games 

Clemson at North Carolina State odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Clemson Tigers Preview

If coach Dabo Swinney was looking for any motivation for his players going against a heavy underdog, he may have gotten it when his defending national champion Tigers were placed No. 5 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. That likely will change later with teams in the Top 4 facing head-to-head match-ups that should whittle the field, but it is a strong indication that the Tigers can’t afford any slip-ups as they go for their 25th consecutive win. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence seems to be getting back into form with three touchdown passes in each of his last three games. Running back Travis Etienne has rushed for 654 yards over the past four outings. 

North Carolina State Wolfpack Preview

Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren is taking a “nothing to lose” and “anything can happen” approach to the meeting with the Tigers. His team has lost 14 of the past 15 meetings with the Tigers and are coming off big losses at Boston College and Wake Forest. Redshirt freshman Devin Leary will be making his second start at quarterback after going 17 of 45 for 149 yards with a pair of picks last Saturday against Wake Forest. Injuries have taken a huge toll on the Wolfpack with five starters lost for the season and three other starters having missed games.  

Trends

• Clemson is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when their opponent recorded less than 450 yards last game 
• The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 NC State games when NC State recorded less than 400 yards in their last game 

Missouri at Georgia odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Missouri Tigers Preview

The Tigers have put themselves in a surprising position in the SEC East race. By winning out, they would earn a spot in the conference championship game. If that is the good news, the bad concerns the status of quarterback Kelly Bryant, the Clemson transfer who has passed for nearly 231 yards per game. Bryant is nursing a hamstring injury and is considered “day-to-day” for Saturday. If Bryant, who hasn’t missed a game despite spraining a knee earlier, can’t go, little-used Taylor Powell (11 of 26 for 27 yards) would become the first backup forced to start because of injury at Missouri since Maty Mauk took over for James Franklin in 2013. 

The Bulldogs got back on track last week with their 24-17 win over Florida, and the “sense of urgency” instilled by a loss to South Carolina is still with his players, coach Kirby Smart said. Quarterback Jake Fromm, who threw three interceptions against the Gamecocks, passed for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Gators and hasn’t thrown an interception in his last 44 attempts. The Bulldogs have yet to give up a rushing touchdown and are No. 4 in the nation in rushing defense, holding their opponents to just 621 yards total, an average of 77.6 per game. Missouri has averaged 184.4 rushing yards per game, but a huge chunk of that came in three wins over West Virginia (232), Southeast Missouri State (259) and Ole Miss (233). 

Trends

• Georgia is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games when they recorded less than 450 yards in their last game 
• Missouri is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when their opponent passed for more than 200 yards last game 
• The Under is 9-1 in the last 10 Missouri games when their opponent ran for less than 200 yards last game 

Iowa State at Oklahoma odds

Nov.9, 2019 

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Iowa State Cyclones Preview

Iowa State is looking to repeat the moment that started the program’s current surge — a 38-31 upset at No. 3 Oklahoma in October 2017. Starting with that game, the Cyclones have gone 19-11 and have been in and out of the Top 25, including this season. They were working on a three-game winning streak before losing 34-27 to Oklahoma State in their most recent game on Oct. 26, but Iowa State still has hopes of reaching the Big 12 title game if it wins Saturday. Brock Purdy has 760 passing yards in the past two games (albeit with four interceptions) to power the nation’s sixth-ranked passing game. 

Oklahoma Sooners Preview

The defense of first-year coordinator Alex Grinch had shown significant improvement this season, until Oct. 26, when the Sooners stumbled 48-41 at Kansas State for their first loss of the season. OU allowed K-State to score on eight consecutive possessions and rush and pass for 213 yards each. Coach Lincoln Riley said the Wildcats didn’t exploit anything; they merely played better. Meanwhile, it’s full speed ahead for the Oklahoma offense, which has scored 40-plus points in all but one game (34, Texas). Jalen Hurts leads the nation in passing efficiency (224.3 rating) while directing a big-play attack in which CeeDee Lamb is averaging 22.7 yards on 36 catches and Charleston Rambo gets an average of 22.4 yards on his 25 receptions. 

Trends

• Iowa State is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games when their opponent is averaging more than 300 pass yards per game 
• The Over is 6-0 in the last 6 Oklahoma games when their opponent passed for more than 250 yards last game 

Vanderbilt at Florida odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Vanderbilt does have an upset over then-No. 22 Missouri on Oct. 19, but the Commodores fell 24-7 to South Carolina last week and is undergoing upheaval at quarterback. Mo Hasan (concussion) was out last week and then Riley Neal also suffered a concussion as his replacement last week, and neither is expected to be cleared for Saturday. That leaves sixth-year coach Derek Mason, on a bit of a hot seat, with redshirt junior Deuce Wallace (33 of 76, 217 yards, three interceptions) and redshirt freshman Allan Walters, who would be making his college debut if he played. Mason likes the mobility of both of those players compared to his top two QBs. Wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb, who sat out last week due to a personal matter, will play. 

Florida Gators Preview

Florida will be trying to bounce back from a 24-17 loss to rival Georgia that put the Gators in a bad way in the SEC East race. Vandy is usually Florida’s “get well” game as the Gators have won 27 of the past 28 matchups. Florida will be trying to find replacements at linebacker after likely losing Jeremiah Moon for the rest of the regular season due to a foot injury suffered last week, and Amari Burney (knee) figures to sit Saturday. Also, the offensive line is paper thin after this week’s departure of right guard Chris Bleich, who had started eight games this season but was losing time playing time recently. Kyle Trask has thrown for 1,648 yards with 16 TDs with four interceptions. 

Trends

• Florida is 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games when their opponent averages less than 30 points per game 
• Florida is 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games when their opponent is averaging less than 400 yards per game 
• The Under is 7-0 in the last 7 Vanderbilt games when their opponent ran for less than 75 yards last game 

Baylor at TCU odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Baylor Bears Preview

Baylor is off to its third 8-0 mark in school history and sits atop the Big 12 standings with a 5-0 record, with games coming up against Oklahoma and Texas. But this weekend’s game against TCU is not one to overlook for the Bears, who have won three of their conference games by a combined nine points, including an overtime decision against Texas Tech. Denzel Mims is one of the most productive receivers in the league (38 catches, 618 yards, six TDs), while Charlie Brewer has completed 150 of 222 passes for 2,143 yards, with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. Defensive end James Lynch (8 1/2 sacks) leads the charge for a unit allowing 18.5 points per game. 

TCU Horned Frogs Preview

TCU is dealing with an uncertain quarterback situation as starter Max Duggan and backup Michael Collins were injured late in last week’s loss at Oklahoma State, and then Alex Delton, who lost the starting job after two games, left the program this week. Coach Gary Patterson said Wednesday he thinks Duggan will be able to recover from his finger injury in time to play Saturday. On defense, TCU leads the Big 12 in yards allowed (324 per game) but will be trying to shore up run defense that gave up 223 yards to the Cowboys’ Chuba Hubbard last week, the best individual mark against the Frogs in Patterson’s 19 seasons. 

Trends

• Baylor is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games when opponent’s winning percentage is more than .450 
• TCU is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games when they have a home winning streak of more than 2 games 
• The Over is 7-0 in the last 7 TCU games when opponent’s winning percentage is more than .700 

Iowa at Wisconsin odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Iowa Hawkeyes Preview

Iowa rebounded from a two-game losing streak to beat Purdue and Northwestern, mostly thanks to a defensive unit that has been consistently outstanding. The Hawkeyes rank high across the board, including scoring defense (third nationally, 10.1 points per game), led by defensive end A.J. Epenesa, whose 3 1/2 sacks don’t fully paint the picture of how disruptive he is in the backfield. Senior Nate Stanley, who has made 34 consecutive starts, has a Big Ten-best 1,950 passing yards but has largely had a modest season at quarterback. Iowa is at its best when it is running the ball behind Mekhi Sargent (443 yards), Toren Young (357) and Tyler Goodson (316).  

Wisconsin Badgers Preview

Jonathan Taylor is coming off a 52-yard performance against Ohio State on Oct. 26, the third-worst outing of the junior’s career. This will be another tough challenge as Iowa is eighth in the country against the run, but Taylor has a combined 270 rushing yards in two games against the Hawkeyes. He is at 1,009 yards this season and has expanded his pass-catching game with four scores among his 17 grabs. Wisconsin should be refreshed after a bye that followed road losses at Illinois and Ohio State. Jack Coan is efficient — completing 74.5 percent of his passes — but Wisconsin doesn’t have a lot of chunk plays, with only seven gains of 30-plus yards from players other than Taylor. 

Trends

• Iowa is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games when their opponent passed for less than 125 yards last game 
• Iowa is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games when they scored less than 21 points last game 
• The Under is 6-0 in the last 6 Wisconsin games when their opponent averages less than 28 points per game 

Notre Dame at Duke odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview

Quarterback Ian Book bounced back from a sub-par performance in a loss to Michigan (8-of-25 passing, 73 yards) to engineer a critical, 87-yard drive for the decisive touchdown in the 21-20 win over Virginia Tech last week. He was only 6-of-14 passing in that stretch, but the completions accounted for 63 yards, and he capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds remaining in the game. Coach Brian Kelly said the senior hasn’t lost his confidence nor has the coach lost confidence in the player. Going to Duke, Book has passed for 1,833 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 251 and four scores. 

Duke Blue Devils Preview

The Blue Devils need a win to get back on the track they had been on when they won three of their first four games. They have lost three of their last four, including their last two — at Virginia (48-14) and at North Carolina (20-17). Senior quarterback Quentin Harris leads the offense. He has passed for 1,403 yards over the past seven games since being held to just 97 yards in the opening loss at Alabama. His favorite target has been wide receiver Jake Calhoun, who has 37 catches for 294 yards. The Blue Devils have done a decent job protecting Harris, yielding only 12 sacks, fourth-fewest in the ACC. 

Trends

• Notre Dame is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when their opponent ran for less than 100 yards last game 
• The Over is 6-0 in the last 6 Duke games when Duke is playing at home 

Kansas State at Texas odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Kansas State Wildcats Preview

Vanderbilt does have an upset over then-No. 22 Missouri on Oct. 19, but the Commodores fell 24-7 to South Carolina last week and is undergoing upheaval at quarterback. Mo Hasan (concussion) was out last week and then Riley Neal also suffered a concussion as his replacement last week, and neither is expected to be cleared for Saturday. That leaves sixth-year coach Derek Mason, on a bit of a hot seat, with redshirt junior Deuce Wallace (33 of 76, 217 yards, three interceptions) and redshirt freshman Allan Walters, who would be making his college debut if he played. Mason likes the mobility of both of those players compared to his top two QBs. Wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb, who sat out last week due to a personal matter, will play. 

Texas Longhorns Preview

Texas has lost two of its last three games and needs to run the table in its final four games to have a shot at the Big 12 title game. The good news is that a bye week seemed to provide the cushion for the Longhorns to get back a couple of key players in an injury-ravaged secondary. Coach Tom Herman said Caden Sterns (out since Sept. 21) and B.J. Foster (missed a total of three games) are probable for this week. Herman says his team remains confident, and nobody doubts the offense, led by quarterback Sam Ehlinger and receiver Devin Duvernay, who leads the country with 8.6 catches per game — 69 for 800 yards and seven scores. 

Trends

• Kansas State is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games when they average less than 35 points per game 
• Kansas State is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games when they are averaging less than 400 yards per game 
• Texas is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games when they have a winning percentage of less than .700 on the season 
• The Over is 5-1 in the last 6 Texas games when their opponent is averaging less than 225 pass yards per game 

Wake Forest at Virginia Tech odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Wake Forest Demon Deacons Preview

The Demon Deacons have reached the seven-win level for the fourth consecutive season, a program first, and continue to dog Atlantic Division leader Clemson. They also are coming off their most impressive showing of the season, a 44-10 thumping of N.C. State that marked the return of quarterback Jamie Newman from a shoulder injury. Newman passed for 287 yards and three scores and also rushed for two touchdowns in the romp. The Deacons have amassed over 400 yards of offense in 10 consecutive games dating to last season, with last week’s output of 418 yards the lowest in the stretch. 

Virginia Tech Hokies Preview

The Hokies look to welcome back quarterback Hendon Hooker after a one-game absence because of a knee injury. If Hooker (no picks in 61 pass attempts) does well in practice, coach Justin Fuente said, he will start against the Demon Deacons. Bud Foster, who is retiring after 33 seasons at Tech (the last 24 as defensive coordinator) will be honored at the game. His defense will be without cornerback Jermaine Waller for the first half after his suspension for a targeting violation last week. The Hokies have the ACC’s leading tackler, linebacker Rayshard Ashby (10.6 stops per game). These teams have not met since 2014, when Wake Forest won 6-3 in double overtime with all the points coming in the extra periods. 

Trends

• Virginia Tech is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when their opponent passed for more than 250 yards last game 
• Wake Forest is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games when their opponent is averaging less than 170 rush yards per game 
• The Over is 8-1 in the last 9 Virginia Tech games when their opponent recorded more than 300 yards last game 

UConn at Cincinnati odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Connecticut Huskies Preview

After ending a losing streak at six games with a 56-35 win over UMass, the Huskies got back to their losing ways last week in absorbing a 56-10 pounding from Navy, their 16th consecutive loss in conference play. The Huskies had a triple-digit rusher in running back Kevin Mensah (107 yards) and a 200-yard passer in quarterback Jack Zergiotis (207), but they had three turnovers and gave up 408 yards on the ground to the Midshipmen. For the season, they have been gashed for 219.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks No. 122 among the 130 FBS teams. Offensively, the Huskies rank No. 110 in yardage with an average of 340.6 yards. 

Cincinnati Bearcats Preview

The Bearcats find themselves the highest-ranked team among the Group of 5 contenders after garnering a No. 20 spot in the first College Football Playoff rankings. Though UConn doesn’t look to challenge them this week, the Bearcats need only to look back to last Saturday when they trailed by 12 points with nine minutes remaining before rallying for a 46-43 win over East Carolina. The defense allowed the Pirates to run and pass for 638 yards with quarterback Holton Ahlers passing for a school-record 535. Coach Luke Fickell, however, said his Bearcats are “going to be a lot better because of this game.” 

Trends

• Cincinnati is 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games when their opponent is averaging less than 225 pass yards per game 
• The Over is 6-1 in the last 7 UConn games when their opponent is averaging less than 400 yards per game 

Wyoming at Boise State odds

Nov.9, 2019

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Wyoming Cowboys Preview

The Cowboys will be going into Boise counting on a backup quarterback to lead an offense that has averaged 240.9 rushing yards per game (No. 14 nationally) but only 124.9 yards passing (No. 125). Sean Chambers sustained a season-ending knee injury in last week’s 31-3 win over Nevada, which means that Tyler Vander Waal will get the job back that he held for nine games last season. Vander Waal is only 4 of 16 for 94 yards for the season. Chambers wasn’t all that much better, completing only 43 percent of his passes for 114.4 yards per game, but he was a key contributor in Wyoming’s run-oriented offense with 567 yards rushing. 

Boise State Broncos Preview

The Broncos are very much back in the race for the Group of 5’s New Year’s Six bowl spot as no undefeated candidate remains following SMU’s loss. The once-beaten Broncos rebounded from a loss to BYU for a 52-42 win over improved San Jose State last week behind freshman running back George Holani’s four touchdowns and 126 yards on 28 rushes. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier returned after missing the loss to BYU with a hip pointer to complete 13 of 17 passes for 213 yards. Bachmeier has completed 63.2 percent of his passes for the season for 251.4 yards per game with just four interceptions in 192 attempts. 

Trends

• Boise State is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games when they recorded less than 500 yards in their last game 
• Wyoming is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when their opponent ran for more than 100 yards last game 
• The Under is 6-1 in the last 7 Wyoming games when their opponent is averaging more than 150 pass yards per game 

East Carolina at SMU odds

Nov.9, 2019

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East Carolina Pirates Preview

After four consecutive double-digit setbacks, the Pirates were on the verge of a big win last week before folding in the fourth quarter and losing 46-43 to Cincinnati. But coach Mike Houston said the game “continues to validate everything we’re doing.” Quarterback Holton Ahlers passed for a school single-game record 535 yards and freshman C.J. Johnson set school and conference records with 283 receiving yards. Even with the loss, the Pirates remain alive to qualify for a bowl, but they would have to win out to get to six wins. Once-beaten SMU is the biggest obstacle, as a trip to UConn and regular-season finale at home against Tulsa follow. 

SMU Mustangs Preview

Coach Sonny Dykes thinks his Mustangs will “respond well” as they try to bounce back from last week’s loss at Memphis that ended their winning streak at eight games. He couldn’t blame his offense. Quarterback Shane Buechele was 34 of 54 passing for 456 yards, and receivers James Proche (149) and Rashee Rice (122) both recorded 100-yard receiving games in the 54-48 shootout. Even with the loss, the Mustangs remain in contention for the Group of 5’s New Year’s Six bowl spot with a No. 25 spot in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. Their offense ranks No. 8 nationally with 509.6 yards per game, and Buechele is the No. 8 passer at 309 yards per game. 

Trends

• East Carolina is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games when their opponent scored more than 24 points in their last game 
• The Over is 7-0 in the last 7 SMU games when their opponent is averaging less than 200 rush yards per game