NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

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Preview: UCLA at Texas A&M

When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas


UCLA coach Jim Mora will face his most formidable season-opening opponent in five seasons at the school when the No. 24 Bruins travel Saturday to Texas A&M, where crowds of 100,000 typically fill Kyle Field. Mora will also be matched against his offensive coordinator the last four years, Noel Mazzone, who moved into the same role with Texas A&M this season.

Mazzone will have an experienced quarterback to guide in Trevor Knight, a graduate transfer from Oklahoma who beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to cap the 2013 season, but transferred during the off-season after he was beaten out for the starting job by Baker Mayfield. The Aggies will be somewhat thin at wide receiver, as Devante "Speedy" Noil is suspended for the season opener following his arrest last spring, and freshman Quartney Davis tore his ACL over the summer. UCLA will also lean heavily on its passing game, led by outspoken sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen, who threw for 3,670 yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions last season. What remains uncertain for the Bruins is which running back will get the bulk of the carries, as Soso Jamabo, Nate Starks and Bolu Olorunfunmi each received considerable reps with the first-team offense, and freshmen Brandon Stephens and Jalen Starks are in the mix as well.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Texas A&M -3.

ABOUT UCLA (2015: 8-5): Kennedy Polamalu was promoted to offensive coordinator after spending the last two seasons as running backs coach for the Bruins, and Marques Tuiasosopo takes over as the quarterbacks coach after working the last two seasons as an assistant at USC. Polamalu has added his own touches to the offensive system, though he and Rosen have kept those alterations mostly under wraps in the weeks leading up to Saturday's game. On the other side of the ball, UCLA has spent a big chunk of the off-season shoring up its run defense, and a big part of that responsibility has been handed to defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season opener last year against Virginia. He'll be counted on to fill the void opened up by the departure of Kenny Clark, who was drafted in the first round by the Green Bay Packers last spring.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (2015: 8-5): The Aggies have won their first five games in each of the last two seasons, but went 3-5 the rest of the way to throw a bucket of cold water on their BCS championship hopes. Texas A&M will rely heavily on its pass rush to stymie opposing quarterbacks, and the Aggies have one of the nation's best in defensive end Myles Garrett, who led the SEC last season with 12 1/2 sacks, 19 1/2 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles. On the opposite end is Daeshon Hall, who contributed seven sacks, 14 1/2 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last season, including four sacks and both forced fumbles in the season opener against Arizona State. In the secondary, Rosen needs to keep an eye out for safeties Justin Evans and Armani Watts, the latter of whom produced a team-high 126 tackles last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas A&M LB Josh Walker is suspended for the opening month following his August arrest on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend and interfering with her 911 call. Walker has started five games over the previous two seasons.

2. UCLA will have freshmen at place kicker (JJ Molson), long snapper (Johnny Den Bleyker) and punter (Austin Kent) for the season opener.

3. OT Conor McDermott returns to anchor a UCLA offensive line that allowed 14 sacks last season, the second lowest total in school history.

PREDICTION: UCLA 34, Texas A&M 30

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Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Trends - No. 24 UCLA at Texas A&M
ATS Trends

UCLA

Bruins are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 vs. SEC. Bruins are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games in September. Bruins are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games. Bruins are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games on grass.

Texas A&M

Aggies are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games in September. Aggies are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall. Aggies are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games. Aggies are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.

OU Trends

UCLA

Under is 3-1-1 in Bruins last 5 games overall.

Texas A&M

Under is 5-0 in Aggies last 5 games overall. Under is 4-0 in Aggies last 4 games on grass.

Head to Head

No trends available.

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Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Preview: Murray State at Illinois

When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois



Former NFL coach Lovie Smith's first year at Illinois, which begins with a non-conference game against visiting Murray State on Saturday, marks the 127th season for the Illini. That addition has generated plenty of optimism at the Big Ten school as the teams meet for the first time.

Illinois lost its top three tacklers to graduation, but its strength along the defensive line is anchored by NFL prospect Dawuane Smoot, Carroll Phillips, Ryan Bain and Chunky Clements. Hardy Nickerson Jr., son of the former NFL star and current Illini defensive coordinator, transferred to Champaign and adds a boost to the linebacking crew. Both teams open with terrific returning quarterbacks in KD Humphries (Murray State) and Wes Lunt. Humphries threw for 3,778 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions last year, while Lunt enters his third season as a starter after throwing for 2,761 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: None

ABOUT MURRAY STATE (2015: 3-8): Humphries can be a dual threat with the read-option, but begins the season without his top three receivers from 2015. The senior led the nation's second-ranked passing offense, which averaged 347.3 yards per game. The running game may ride on the unproven talents of Mark Dodson, who transferred from Ole Miss to Memphis to Murray State, but the former four-star recruit has not carried the ball since 2014.ABOUT ILLINOIS (2015: 5-7): The Illini hope to replace the production of graduated wide receiver Geronimo Allison (65 catches, 882 yards) with Desmond Cain, who caught 53 passes as as freshman. Balancing Lunt's talents in the offensive backfield will be Ke'Shawn Vaughn, of whom Smith told reporters: "In order for us to have success at the running game, Vaughn has to have a good year. He realizes it.'' His chance comes against the seventh-place finisher in the Ohio Valley Football Conference and draws to close the excitement of a preseason that's “been a long time coming getting to game week, and we’ve been through a lot getting to know one another, and we know a lot more about our football team now as a result,” Smith said.


EXTRA POINTS
1. The Illini have nine teams on their schedule that went to a bowl game in 2015 and four ranked in the preseason top 25.
2. Smith's coaching staff has a combined 56 years experience as a head or assistant coach in the NFL.
3. Illinois has won 18 consecutive home openers, the fourth-longest streak in the nation.


PREDICTION: Illinois 41, Murray State 13

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Preview: Southeastern Louisiana at Oklahoma State

When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma


The path to a Big 12 title figures to be another grind this season, and Oklahoma State plans to be right in the mix. The 19th-ranked Cowboys bring back quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington to head an offense that averaged 39.5 points last season and will kick off the 2016 campaign by hosting Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.

Oklahoma State returns its top four tacklers on defense as well but is hoping to stay at the top of the nation in offense with a bigger focus on the running game. Departed backup quarterback J.W. Walsh led the team with 13 rushing scores last season but leading rusher Chris Carson (517 yards) returns and is joined by graduate transfer Barry J. Sanders and highly-touted freshman Justice Hill. “We think that the group that we have now, the three or four, is better than what we were using last year with really two to three,” Cowboys coach Mike Gundy told reporters of the running back group. “So (Hill’s) part of that group that we think makes us better.” Sanders, whose NFL Hall of Fame father won the Heisman Trophy for Oklahoma State in 1988, could also be used to return kicks.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Off

ABOUT SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA (2015: 4-6): The Lions expect to take a step forward in 2016 and were one of four Southland Conference teams to receive votes in the preseason FCS coaches poll, though they just missed out on the top 25. SLU returns senior quarterback D’Shaie Landor, who threw for 1,228 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions and added four rushing scores in his first season as a starter last year. The Lions could use some improvement in ball security after losing 20 fumbles in 2015.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (2015: 10-3): The Cowboys are looking at the opener as an opportunity to test themselves against a type of team they won’t figure to see much during conference play. “(The Southeastern Louisiana) offense will be completely different than what we see when we get in conference play,” Gundy told reporters. “As we move through nonconference play, we'll see three different types of offenses and then we get into what we see in this league. So the flexibility of the speed we have at linebacker and adjusting to the different offenses will be really important for our team.” Oklahoma State ranked 90th out of 128 teams in the nation in yards allowed last season and is intent on taking a step forward on defense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oklahoma State is 45-5 in its last 50 games against unranked opponents and has won 20 straight home openers.

2. The Lions are 0-20 against FBS foes since 2003.

3. Cowboys LB Josh Mabin announced his retirement on Monday due to a heart condition.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 51, Southeastern Louisiana 17

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Preview: Louisiana Tech at Arkansas

When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Arkansas


For the first time in three seasons, the Arkansas Razorbacks will have a new starting quarterback under center when they host Louisiana Tech in their 2016 opener on Saturday. Junior Austin Allen, who threw a total of just three passes last season, will make his first college start and try to fill the big shoes left by older brother Brandon Allen, a sixth round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Austin Allen has completed just 9 of 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown in mop-up duty the last two seasons behind his brother, who passed for 3,440 yards, 30 touchdowns and was intercepted eight times while leading the Razorbacks to an 8-5 record and 45-23 Liberty Bowl win over Kansas State last season. Now he gets his chance to run an offense that returns only four starters. He excelled in a pair of intra-squad scrimmages, completing 70 percent of his passes while throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions. "I think he's (ready)," Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. "I tell you, the guys have really rallied (around him) ... He's showed me a lot more composure, a little bit more maturity, this year in the fall than at any other time."

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network LINE: Arkansas -26

ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (2015: 9-4): This is a homecoming for Bulldogs head coach Skip Holtz who played quarterback at Fayetteville High School in the late 70's and early 80's when his father, Lou, was head coach at Arkansas. The Bulldogs, one of 18 FBS schools to win nine or more games in each of the last two seasons, lost a number of key players to the NFL from last year's team including quarterback Jeff Driskel, running back Kenneth Dixon and defensive tackle Vernon Butler, a first round pick of the Carolina Panthers. Redshirt freshman J'Mar Smith will get the start at quarterback in place of senior Ryan Higgins, who was expected to take Driskel's place but is being punished for a DWI he picked up earlier in the month.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (2015: 8-5): Look for the Hogs to rely on a strong running game behind a big, physical offensive line while breaking Allen into the starting lineup. Sophomore Rawleigh Williams will get the start at running back ahead of senior Kody Walker who aggravated scar tissue from a broken foot he suffered last season. The defense returns nine starters and is led by nose guard Taiwan Johnson and end Deatrich Wise Jr.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arkansas has a 95-23-4 record in season openers and is 3-0 all-time against Louisiana Tech.

2. Starting CB DJ Dean is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for the Razorbacks.

3. Arkansas OT Dan Skipper is listed at 6-foot-10 and 319-pounds and was a first team preseason all-SEC pick by the media.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 38, Louisiana Tech 10

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Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Trends - Louisiana Tech at Arkansas
ATS Trends

Louisiana Tech

Bulldogs are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games. Bulldogs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. SEC. Bulldogs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on fieldturf. Bulldogs are 23-11 ATS in their last 34 road games.

Arkansas

Razorbacks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Razorbacks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games. Razorbacks are 12-25 ATS in their last 37 games in September.

OU Trends

Louisiana Tech

Over is 4-1 in Bulldogs last 5 games in September. Over is 4-1 in Bulldogs last 5 non-conference games.

Arkansas

Over is 5-1 in Razorbacks last 6 games on fieldturf. Under is 4-1 in Razorbacks last 5 games in September. Over is 4-1 in Razorbacks last 5 home games. Over is 8-3 in Razorbacks last 11 non-conference games. Over is 5-2 in Razorbacks last 7 games overall.

Head to Head

No trends available.

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Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Preview: UC - Davis at Oregon

When: 5:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon



Another year, another former FCS quarterback from the Big Sky Conference at the controls of the high-powered Oregon offense. Montana State graduate transfer Dakota Prukop makes his debut Saturday for the 22^nd-ranked Ducks as they kick off the season by hosting the Big Sky’s UC Davis at Autzen Stadium.


Last season, Oregon was piloted by Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams, and now it’s Prukop’s turn after rolling up 3,822 yards of total offense and 39 touchdowns (28 passing) a season ago at Montana State. And Job No. 1 for the Ducks might be keeping their new QB healthy as Adams missed three games last season, and Oregon struggled as a result, finishing 9-4 and hitting a six-year low with 43 points per game. New offensive coordinator Matt Lubick, though, says Prukop will have plenty of help. “All our quarterback has to do – because we’ve got some good playmakers around him – is make good decisions and be a good leader,” Lubick told the (Salem, Ore.) Statesman Journal. “He doesn’t have to win the football game for us.”
TV: 5 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: None


ABOUT UC DAVIS (2015: 2-9): The Aggies are an experienced bunch with 48 returning letterwinners, including 22 starters (10 offense, eight defense and four specialists). Coach Ron Gould has yet to announce the opening-day starting quarterback and will be choosing from two players – senior Ben Scott and sophomore C.J. Spencer – both of whom have started multiple games and played in at least seven contests last season. Defensively, UC Davis’ strength lies with safeties Darryl Graham and Keleen Culberson – the latter who missed all but two games due to injury last season
ABOUT OREGON (2015: 9-4): While Lubick is taking over the offense, the Ducks also have a new defensive coordinator in former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke, who is bringing a 4-3 scheme to Eugene. Hoke will only have four returning starters to work with from a unit which surrendered a Pac-12-most 37.5 points per game last season, but one of them is safety Tyree Robinson, who averaged 4.9 tackles per outing and paced the team with three interceptions. On the other side of the ball, expect to see plenty of junior tailback Royce Freeman who set the Ducks’ single-season record with 1,836 rushing yards a year ago.


EXTRA POINTS
1. This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
2. Freeman has gained at least 1,365 yards in each of the last two campaigns, extending Oregon’s FBS-best streak of consecutive seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher to nine.
3. Gould is a 1988 Oregon graduate who played defensive back and later served as graduate assistant coach for the Ducks.


PREDICTION: Oregon 66, UC Davis 24

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Preview: Georgia at North Carolina

When: 5:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia


The storylines do not lack for No. 16-ranked Georgia entering Saturday’s season opener against No. 20 North Carolina in Atlanta, but the biggest is on the sidelines as former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart returns home to coach his alma mater. A return to health for running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel could push Georgia toward the top of the SEC East, but the Tar Heels pose a stiff opening challenge in Smart’s head coaching debut.

“When it comes to game day, I think the confidence in what we’ve done to this point allows me to be comfortable with where we are,” said Smart, who has yet to name either freshman Jacob Eason or senior Greyson Lambert the starter at quarterback. The Tar Heels finished unbeaten in ACC play last season, winning 11 games in a row before falling to eventual national runner-up Clemson in the ACC championship game. Tailback Elijah Hood leads a host of returners but the big question rests at quarterback, where Mitch Trubisky takes over for the graduated Marquise Williams. “I’m convinced he’s our guy,” UNC coach Larry Fedora said of Trubisky. “Coming off the bench in a relief role and being the starter, there’s a difference there … but his role doesn’t change.”

TV: 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Georgia -2.5

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (2015: 11-3): Trubisky completed 40-of-47 passes in 2015 and has thrown 11 touchdowns while spelling Williams the past two seasons. Hood looks to build on an outstanding sophomore season in which he rushed for 17 scores and averaged 6.7 yards per carry en route to rushing for 1,463 yards. The Tar Heels had issues at times on defense last season in allowing 24.5 points per game (14.5 points fewer than 2014), but are returning leading tackler Donnie Miles to anchor the secondary.

ABOUT GEORGIA (2015: 10-3): Eason will end up starting at some point in the season – potentially as soon as Saturday – but the return of Chubb (747 yards, 8.1 per carry) from a ghastly knee injury and Michel from a broken arm suffered last month are critical. Strong safety Dominick Sanders intercepted six passes last season, tying for the SEC lead and setting a school record with 205 yards on interception returns. Any hopes to win the East rest on a five-game stretch starting in late September against Ole Miss, and includes matchups with division foes Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UNC WR Ryan Switzer holds the ACC record for most punts returned for a touchdown (seven), one off the NCAA record held by Wes Welker (Texas Tech) and Antonio Perkins (Oklahoma).

2. Chubb was cleared Monday for the opener; he has rushed for 2,294 yards and 21 touchdowns in 19 career games.

3. Tar Heels WR Mack Hollins – who averaged a NCAA-best 24.8 yards per catch last season – is suspended for the first half Saturday due to a targeting penalty in UNC’s loss to Baylor in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

PREDICTION: Georgia 24, UNC 21

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Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Trends - No. 16 Georgia vs No. 20 North Carolina
ATS Trends

Georgia

Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. ACC. Bulldogs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf. Bulldogs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games.

North Carolina

Tar Heels are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games. Tar Heels are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games in September. Tar Heels are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games. Tar Heels are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games on fieldturf.

OU Trends

Georgia

Under is 7-0 in Bulldogs last 7 games overall. Under is 4-0 in Bulldogs last 4 non-conference games. Over is 20-6 in Bulldogs last 26 games in September. Under is 5-2 in Bulldogs last 7 neutral site games.

North Carolina

Over is 5-1 in Tar Heels last 6 games overall.

Head to Head

No trends available.

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Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Preview: Western Carolina at East Carolina

When: 6:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, North Carolina


East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill was fired after his run of three straight bowl appearances came to an end last season while losing four of the last five games on the schedule. Thus, the Scottie Montgomery era begins Saturday when the former Duke offensive coordinator guides the Pirates in their season opener against visiting Western Carolina.

Montgomery helped Duke rise from a pure basketball power into a legitimate ACC contender on the gridiron with a quarterback-central attack that lit up the scoreboard to the tune of 31.5 points last season. He doesn't have that skill set in Greenville, S.C., so look for the Pirates to be more balanced with Tennessee transfer Derrell Scott leading the running game and a bevy of receivers paced by Zay Jones (98 catches in 2015) sparking the offense. Western Carolina enjoyed its second consecutive winning season in 2015, but the Catamounts have lost their last seven matchups against the Pirates.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None

ABOUT WESTERN CAROLINA (2015: 7-4): The Catamounts return six starters each on offense and defense but lost one of their best players, tight end Tyler Sexton, to a knee injury in the preseason. They also don't know who's playing quarterback yet as junior Wes Holcombe and redshirt freshman Tyrie Adams split camp snaps with mixed results and neither was ordained the starter. Running back and Southern Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Detrez Newsome is their catalyst as the swift junior has racked up seven career 100-yard rushing games and 1,597 yards on the ground.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (2015: 5-7): Philip Nelson is the apparent starter at quarterback after incumbent Kurt Benkert followed McNeill to Virginia and Blake Kemp transferred to Northern Arizona. Nelson, whose checkered past includes an arrest and subsequent expulsion from Rutgers after transferring from Minnesota, hasn't played a game in nearly three years. On the bright side, Jones is an NFL talent, Derrell Scott and Anthony Scott appear to be budding stars in the backfield, and the Pirates have six starters back on a defense that should be the strength of the squad.

EXTRA POINTS

1. East Carolina DL Darius Commissiong was dismissed from the team following his arrest for animal cruelty last week.

2. Following Saturday's opener, East Carolina plays three straight games against Power Five conference opponents North Carolina State, South Carolina and Virginia Tech.

3. Western Carolina is 0-51 against FBS schools.

PREDICTION: East Carolina 37, Western Carolina 10

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Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Preview: North Carolina Central at Duke

When: 6:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, North Carolina


Another catastrophic injury to quarterback Thomas Sirk has cast a pall over the Duke football program heading into its season opener Saturday against visiting North Carolina Central. Sirk will miss the entire season after suffering a serious re-injury to the left Achilles tendon he tore back in February - leaving Duke scrambling to address the position just days before kicking off its campaign.

With Sirk - the team's leading passer and rusher last season - on the shelf, the Blue Devils are turning to freshman Daniel Jones for Saturday's opener. Jones has handled the majority of first-team work in Sirk's absence, and threw a pair of touchdown passes in a team scrimmage earlier this month. Despite the issues under center, Duke should have little trouble against a North Carolina Central team that has won back-to-back Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles but will be in tough against a solid FBS squad. The Eagles finished last season with seven straight wins and return 13 starters from last year's team.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL (2015: 8-3): Head coach Jerry Mack has 15 wins in two seasons at the helm, and he's expected to pad that total this season behind the exploits of preseason All-MEAC first team quarterback Malcolm Bell. The senior led a balanced attack that saw the Eagles post 1,980 passing yards and add another 1,922 on the ground. Bell should feel secure behind an offensive line that features a pair of All-MEAC first teamers - center Carl Jones and left tackle Desmond Cooper, who helped limit North Carolina Central to one sack allowed per game in 2015.

ABOUT DUKE (2015: 8-5): Jones isn't the only Blue Devils player getting his feet wet Saturday evening, as seven players on the offensive side of the ball will be making their first NCAA starts. Jela Duncan and Shaun Wilson will be counted on to replace the rushing yards lost by the injury to Sirk and the departure of Shaquille Powell, and it appears they have the ability; Duncan averaged 6.9 yards per carry last season, while Wilson added 5.0. Duke also returns most of its starting defense from last season, anchored by DeVon Edwards, Breon Borders and Deondre Singleton.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Duke has outscored North Carolina Central 100-0 in their previous two meetings, including a 55-0 drubbing last season.

2. Sirk has suffered three significant injuries - including tears in both Achilles - since joining the Blue Devils.

3. Last season, the Eagles led the FCS in fourth-down conversion rate, connecting on 9-of-11 opportunities.

PREDICTION: Duke 48, North Carolina Central 10

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Preview: Florida A&M at Miami

When: 6:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida


The Mark Richt era at Miami begins Saturday when the Hurricanes host instate FCS foe Florida A&M at the the newly named and renovated Hard Rock Stadium. The former Georgia coach and Hurricanes quarterback brought new energy to the program's fan base - 11,000 more season tickets have been sold than in 2015 - and heightened expectations given his past success and a seemingly potent offense led by quarterback Brad Kaaya.

Richt, one of only four major college coaches to win 135 or more games in his first 14 seasons (145-51 in 15 years at Georgia), is known for developing quarterbacks and has inherited one of the nation's best in Kaaya. The junior passed for 6,436 yards in two seasons and threw only five interceptions in 389 pass attempts as a sophomore. However, with anticipation building for the opener, bad news came last Saturday when it was announced that two of the team's top defensive returners - linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad and defensive lineman Jermaine Grace - were dismissed from the squad after an investigation into their dealings with a local luxury rental car dealership. That shouldn't matter too much against the Rattlers, who are coming off a one-win season that included nine losses by 10 or more points.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None

FLORIDA A&M (2015: 1-11): Second-year coach Alex Wood expects the Rattlers to be improved, but that isn't saying much considering their quarterbacks completed 49 percent of their passes, the ground game averaged 2.5 yards per carry and opponents scored 33.5 points per game last season. Starting quarterback Carson Royal was moved to tight end, leaving it up to sophomore Kenneth Coleman and redshirt freshman Ryan Stanley to upgrade the passing game. Wide receiver Montavious Williams (45 catches, 627 yards) is the team's most explosive weapon while the defense is led by end Curtis Alexander (51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss) up front and cornerback Jacques Bryant (75 tackles, one interception) in the secondary.
MIAMI (2015: 8-5): Kaaya has plenty of targets including explosive tight end David Njoku (team-leading 17.2 yards per catch last season), speedy wide receiver Stacy Coley (47 catches, 689 yards) and running backs Mark Walton (22 receptions) and Joe Yearby (23). Walton, Yearby and power back Gus Edwards, who missed last season, share the ball-carrying duties and should benefit from having a more experienced offensive line. The losses of Muhammad and Grace mean that defensive coordinator Manny Diaz will count on first-year players earlier than anticipated, with highly touted Shaquille Quarterman expected to anchor an all-freshman starting linebacker corps.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Marquez Williams, Miami's new starting fullback, has created a buzz in camp, and it's no wonder given that the blocking back weighs at 280 pounds.

2. Miami's Michael Badgley led the nation with 2.8 field goals per game, highlighting his ability but also the team's red-zone troubles problems last season.

3. Since Florida A&M shocked Miami 16-13 in 1979, the Hurricanes have won eight in a row in the series by a combined score of 400-49.

PREDICTION: Miami 48, Florida A&M 7

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Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Preview: San Jose State at Tulsa

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, Oklahoma


Tulsa’s high-powered offense figures to be tested Saturday as the Golden Hurricane host San Jose State in the season opener for both teams. Senior quarterback Dane Evans ranked seventh nationally with 333.2 passing yards per game last season to lead a Tulsa offense that averaged 37.2 points and returns six starters, including wide receivers Josh Atkinson and Keevan Lucas.

Tulsa gained at least 600 yards in each of its first three games a year ago and will look for another fast start against San Jose State, which ranked second nationally in pass defense last season at 157.8 yards per game. While the Golden Hurricane should continue to post record-setting numbers on offense, the defense remains a concern after allowing 39.8 points per game last season and finishing on a sour note with a 55-52 loss to Virginia Tech in the Independence Bowl. Tulsa prepares for its road trip to Ohio State on Sept. 10 by facing a San Jose State team that was picked to finish third in the West Division of the Mountain West but struggled against the run last season. That could result in large openings for running back D’Angelo Brewer, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry as a sophomore last year and closed the season with 105 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the bowl game.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Tulsa -5.5

ABOUT SAN JOSE STATE (2015: 6-7): Evans might be the game’s marquee quarterback, but don’t sleep on Spartans senior Kenny Potter, who rushed for 415 yards and seven touchdowns last season and ranked as the Mountain West’s most accurate passer. “He has all the intangibles,” head coach Ron Caragher told reporters. “He makes good decisions with the football, keeps his composure, throws catchable passes and knows when to run the ball. He’s a dynamic quarterback who makes plays with his arm just like he makes plays with his feet.” The Spartans have replaced record-setting running back Tyler Ervin with Washington transfer Deontae Cooper, who averaged 5.4 yards per rush during his injury-plagued Huskies career.

ABOUT TULSA (2015: 6-7): If the Golden Hurricane are serious about contending in the American Athletic Conference, they’ll need dramatic improvement from a defense that allowed 536.6 yards per game last season. Questions persist on the defensive line, but there is reason for optimism at linebacker with returning starters Craig Suits, Trent Martin and Matt Linscott, a former walk-on who had 107 tackles and five sacks as a junior last season. The secondary struggled mightily last year but has the potential to surprise with the addition of junior college transfer Keanu Hill along with returning safeties Jeremy Brady and Jordan Mitchell.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tulsa has won each of its last two openers in overtime.

2. San Jose State has gone 1-9 in its last 10 season openers on the road.

3. The teams are meeting for the first time since 2004, when Tulsa evened the series at three games apiece with a 34-24 home victory.

PREDICTION: Tulsa 38, San Jose State 34

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Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Trends - San Jose State at Tulsa
ATS Trends

San Jose State

Spartans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. Spartans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games. Spartans are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Spartans are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games in September.

Tulsa

Golden Hurricane are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games. Golden Hurricane are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games in September. Golden Hurricane are 3-14-1 ATS in their last 18 home games.

OU Trends

San Jose State

Over is 11-5 in Spartans last 16 games on fieldturf.

Tulsa

Over is 9-1 in Golden Hurricane last 10 games in September. Under is 5-1 in Golden Hurricane last 6 vs. MWC. Over is 16-5 in Golden Hurricane last 21 home games. Over is 19-7 in Golden Hurricane last 26 games overall. Over is 20-8 in Golden Hurricane last 28 games on fieldturf. Over is 7-3 in Golden Hurricane last 10 non-conference games.

Head to Head

Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

[Satch]

Re: NCAA football Betting Info 9/3

Preview: Southern Methodist at North Texas

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2016
Where: Apogee Stadium, Denton, Texas


SMU will get a new look from an old rival when it opens the season at North Texas on Saturday. The experienced Mustangs have most of their offensive weapons returning, while the Mean Green feature plenty of new faces.

Senior quarterback Matt Davis (3,024 total yards, 26 total touchdowns last year) is joined by SMU's top two running backs and top receiver from a year ago. Former North Carolina assistant coach Seth Littrell has far less experience in his first year with the Mean Green. Senior transfer Alec Morris will make his first start after being the third-string quarterback at Alabama the past two seasons. The Mustangs lead the series 29-5-1 and have won nine of the last 12, but those three losses were at North Texas.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, American Sports Network. LINE: SMU -9.5

ABOUT SMU (2015: 2-10): Davis threw for 2,263 yards and 16 TDs and rushed for a team-high 761 yards and 10 scores. Xavier Jones (63shing yards, 27 catches for 214 yards) set the school's freshman record with 10 rushing TDs last year while Courtland Sutton set another freshman school record in receiving yards (862) and tied the freshman mark for touchdown catches (nine). Redshirt freshman receiver Myron Gailliard emerged during camp as another exciting option, coach Chad Morris told the media Tuesday.

ABOUT NORTH TEXAS (2015: 1-11): Morris, who appeared in seven games and attempted one pass during his time with Alabama, is working under offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, who was a record-setting quarterback at Texas Tech. Running back Jeffrey Wilson (830 yards, one TD) returns to the backfield while senior Kenny Buyers moved from cornerback to receiver during the offseason. A defense that allowed 502.6 yards and 41.2 points returns safeties Kishawn McClain (77 solo tackles) and James Gray, who combined for 214 total tackles last year.

EXTRA POINTS

1. SMU had to reshuffle its offensive line after losing returning LT Chad Pursley (knee) late in fall camp.

2. Davis is the only returning quarterback in the country to lead his team in rushing in each of the last two seasons.

3. The Mustangs improved their offensive rankings - 269 yards of total offense (ranked 124th) to 382.8 (76th) and 11.1 points (125th) to 27.8 (73) - during Morris' first season.

PREDICTION: SMU 40, North Texas 24