12 Jun 2019
We offer analysis and odds on a trio of this weekend’s NCAA Division 1 games, including Ohio State’s trip to Penn State.
MEMPHIS @ TULANE
After a 22-21 conference loss to Navy in Week 2, where the rain as much as anything affected the result, Memphis will hope to make up ground on Friday night against the Tulane Green Wave – and they would appear to have the horses to win in New Orleans.
Darrell Henderson is the nation’s leading rusher and Tulane has not done a great job of stopping the run. Henderson has had three big days of 212 yards, 223 yards and 188 yards, so going up against the Green Wave which has looked over-matched in conceding 187 rushing yards per game, would suggest that Henderson is in for another big night.
Memphis is not one-dimensional, either. QB Brady White has tossed 12 touchdowns (tied for seventh in the nation) and his 1,064 passing yards puts him 17th in the country.
It is true that they have not played marquee defenses, yet Tulane is far from that.
However their 1-3 start could so easily have been 3-1. They were 13 points from doing so, but failed to pull out wins against Wake Forest and UAB, continuing the theme of close losses from last season.
QB Jonathan Banks needs to improve on his throwing accuracy and while he can run, he has not been so effective this season.
The Tigers won 56-26 last season and their offense might be even better this season, so while some will think they may be able to cover the Genting Casino American Football handicap of 13.5-points at odds of 3/4.
While both defenses have their issues, if the Tigers can rebound from giving up 35 points in a win over South Alabama last week and play nearer to the one that was tight against Navy, some will feel the points total will go under the line set at 66.5 at odds of 3/4.
FLORIDA @ MISSISSIPPI STATE
Mississippi State’s offensive line was taught a lesson by Kentucky in a 28-7 loss last week, but there is better news for the Bulldogs, since the Florida Gators’ defense ranks 13th in the SEC and 97th in the nation, so new coach Joe Moorehead will hope to get his first SEC win.
It was a shock to the system, since Mississippi State went into the contest with Kentucky ranked No14 in the nation, but were gashed on the ground by UK’s Benny Snell, who churned out 165 yards on 25 carries. That was a far cry from a defense that had held opponents to a combined 26 points in their first three games.
The Bulldogs’ offense was also shackled, with QB Nick Fitzgerald completing only 50 percent of his passes and threw for only 145 yards. Things were so bad last week, that he called a players meeting this week to thrash some things out.
Fitzgerald is a running quarterback and Florida has problems when faced with QBs who have ability to make plays with their legs. MSU is now ranked 23 in the nation following their 3-1 start, but while Florida also lost to Kentucky, they rebounded with two wins, last week handing a 47-21 thrashing to Tennessee.
Florida have been great at forcing turnovers and have 14 in four games (10 on fumbles and four interceptions), while on the other side of the ball, QB Felipe Franks has made a strong start, with 742 yards and 12 touchdowns.
This could be a nail-biter and the Genting Casino American Football odds make the Bulldogs 3/10 Moneyline favourites, with the Gators at 21/10.
The Gators are 5.5-point underdogs at Evens, while there will be a few who think the home side can cover the Genting Casino College Football handicap at odds of 7/10.
The points total is set at 50.5 and with two usually opportunistic defenses, a few turnovers may ensue and some will take the unders at odds of 3/4
OHIO STATE @ PENN STATE
No4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes travel to No9 ranked Penn State with Buckeyes’ QB Dwayne Haskins already being talked about as a Heisman Trophy candidate after just four games.
The Ohio State passing game has been excellent thus far and Haskins is completing 76 percent of his passes and is averaging over 10 yards per throw.
His 16 passes and one pick leads the nation and while Penn State’s secondary has been good, they have not faced such an accurate passer or such a potent offense.
However, if the Buckeyes are to win, they need to run the ball – and the Nittany Lions’ run defense has looked woeful at times. It conceded 245 yards to Pittsburgh and 245 to Illinois, so expect Mike Weber and JK Dobbins to get more of the ball on Saturday.
While Ohio State has not been tested in three of four games, the defense did concede 308 yards through the air to TCU QB Shawn Robinson, so Trace McSorley could shine. The Lions’ offense is averaging over 55 points a game and leads the nation.
Their ground game, led by Miles Sanders, has averaged over 200 yards in every game thus far, so this could turn out into a mini classic and, as such, will serve as an early-season College Football Playoff eliminator.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are considered Genting Casino online College Football Moneyline favourites at 8/15, with the Penn State Nittany Lions at 5/4.
The Buckeyes are asked to concede 3.5-points on the handicap at 17/20, while the Lions can be supported in receipt of 3.5 points at odds of 4/5.
Those seeking College Football picks against the handicap spread may wish to take a look at Lindyssports.com, America’s leading football authority.
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