12 Jun 2019
Can Stanford survive a trip to Arizona? Will Oklahoma cover the handicap when they face TCU? Are we set for a shootout between Ohio State and Purdue? We offer analysis and odds on some of this week’s NCAA Division 1 games.
STANFORD @ ARIZONA
A crucial clash in the Pac-12 title race sees the Stanford Cardinal take on the Arizona State Wildcats. The Cardinal made a fine start, but have lost their last two, while Arizona has lost two of their last three.
On Thursday night, the Cardinal can join Washington at the top of the North division with a win, while the Wildcats will get back into the thick of the crowded South Division race with victory.
Stanford gained double-digit wins over San Diego State and USC, then battled back from 17 points down to defeat Oregon in overtime.
But they subsequently crashed to Notre Dame and lost 40-21 to Utah. They badly missed running back Bryce Love, who is still struggling to be fit for this clash with an ankle injury.
Arizona State have a signature win on their CV, beating Michigan State 16-13 as a six-point home underdog in Week 2 and that same Spartans team beat Penn State on the road last week.
Last time out, Arizona State (3-3) took previously unbeaten Colorado to the wire before succumbing 28-21 to the Buffaloes. It seems clear that Herm Edwards has the Sun Devils on the right track.
The Sun Devils will rely on RB Eno Benjamin, who has 715 yards for the year at 5.7 yards per carry, while Manny Wilkins is an experienced QB at this level, with 43 career TDs and has thrown 11 scores with just one interception this season.
There is little to choose between the two and Stanford are 4/6 on the Genting Casino Moneyline, with Arizona at 21/20 and the handicap is at 0.5 points, so it is in effect a pick ’em game.
Some will think the points total line might be a little too high as the bar is set at 57.5 points and it is 17/20 that the total points will fall under.
COLORADO STATE @ BOISE STATE
The Boise State Broncos are heavy favourites to beat the Colorado State Rams on Friday night in a clash that could be something of a Mountain West eliminator. Both teams are 2-1 in the conference and are chasing Mountain Division leaders Utah State.
Boise State passer Brett Rypien has had a rough couple of weeks. Having thrown 12 TDs and no interceptions through the first four games, he was picked off five times and scored only twice in the next two contests, a close loss to San Diego State and a narrow win over Nevada. He will be hopeful of feasting on the Rams, who are not as good as their record suggests.
The Rams have a great receiver in Preston Williams, but lack defensive nous and the only question is whether the Broncos can cover the Genting Casino handicap that sits at 23.5 points. It is a lofty number to cover, but the odds of 17/20 suggest they should.
OKLAHOMA @ TCU
No.9 Oklahoma Sooners head to Fort Worth to face Texas Christian Union’s imposing defense. Both teams are coming off a loss, but Oklahoma has had two weeks to prepare for Gary Patterson’s defense, having had a bye week.
Oklahoma will have a new face at the defensive coordinator position as interim Ruffin McNeill replaces Bob Stoops, who was fired following the Sooners’ 48-45 defeat by Red River Rival Texas Longhorns.
The Horned Frogs also have to make adjustments after an ugly loss to Texas Tech Red Raiders last week and Patterson cannot be thrilled with the state of his offense, which has not produced more than 17 points in its last three outings.
Oklahoma will key in on TCU QB Shawn Robinson, who is playing with a nagging shoulder injury and likewise Sooners’ QB Kyler Murray will be under fire from TCU, although he has done a decent job so far behind centre, leading the nation’s most prolific attack.
This should be a great game, but while TCU’s attack may get better production this week, it may not be enough to keep pace with Oklahoma. The Sooners are 1/4 Moneyline favourites and are asked to concede 7.5-points on the GentingGet College Football handicap at odds of 3/4.
ALABAMA @ TENNESSEE
After a huge 30-24 win on the road at Auburn, Tennessee returns home to face top-ranked Alabama on Saturday.
Such is the strength of the Crimson Tide, the Genting Casino College Football Handicap line sits at 28.5 points in favour of the visitors. This is perhaps Nick Saban’s best team in all the time he has been in Tuscaloosa and while his teams have always been among the best in the nation defensively, this year he appears to have a Heisman Trophy candidate in QB Tua Tagovailoa.
In seven games, he has completed 88 of his 123 passes for 1,760 yards and 21 TDs, without throwing an interception.
Alabama moved to 7-0 for the season last week with a 39-10 win over Missouri and Tennessee’s young secondary will do well to stop WR Jerry Jeudy, who has 705 yards on 26 receptions. He is fast becoming Tagovailoa’s favourite deep threat.
Alabama are likely to do what they have done all season and steamroller another opponent, and the points total, which sits at 56.5 points, may be eclipsed . Those who feel it will, can take the 3/4 available.
OHIO STATE @ PURDUE
Ohio State needs to fix its running game and defense if it wants to think about the College Football Playoffs. Last week, they earned another grind-it-out win against an inferior opponent in the form of Minnesota.
Had it not been for the golden arm of Dwayne Haskins, the Buckeyes may have lost their unbeaten record, but as it stands, they take on the Boilermakers with a perfect 7-0 mark.
The offensive line has not opened up too many holes for the running backs and injuries have been a major factor in opponents scoring more than they should, yet they are still giving up too many big plays through poor technique.
The Boilermakers are 7/2 on the Genting Casino Moneyline and are in receipt of 12.5 points on the handicap at odds of 17/20. They have not beaten a No.2-ranked team since beating Ohio State 28-23 in West Lafayette during the 1984 season.
There is no doubt that the Buckeyes are the class of the Big Ten, but West Lafayette has not been kind to them – in 13 road losses since the turn of the century, four have come at Ross-Ade Stadium.
This would be a huge upset, but while only Penn State and Minnesota have held this Buckeyes’ attack to less than 40 points, this could be something of a trap game for them. They have not faced an offense as good as Purdue’s so far and this has the makings of a shootout.
The points total sits at 67.5 and some will think it could go over. The odds for that to happen are 17/20.
Those seeking College Football picks against the handicap spread may wish to take a look at Lindyssports.com, America’s leading football authority.
Watch live College Football action in your local Genting casino. Find your nearest casino here.
