Considering Penn State’s stronger running game, superior defense, and recent betting trends, they have the edge in this matchup. After a less-than-stellar performance last week, we anticipate a more focused effort from the Nittany Lions. The away game also provides a more favorable spread. Our pick is Penn State, minus the points.

Boston College owns a four-game winning streak, while Syracuse owns a rather dismal four-game losing streak. The Eagles are averaging over 200 yards per game on the ground and they own the better defense. And that’s enough for us. We’re betting BC Friday night, for the win on the money line.

South Alabama looked like it was gearing up for a run, then just blew that game last week. We’re thinking the Jaguars might be prime for a bounce-back effort - or at least a cleaner one - this week. Meanwhile, Troy looks good, especially on defense. These teams look darn close, and they played a couple of close games in the last two seasons. We’re thinking this one will play close, too, so we’ll take Jags plus the points.

Ohio State is just the better team in this match-up and should win this game. The one thing the Buckeyes are not doing too well at the moment is rushing the football; perhaps they can remedy that against a Wisconsin defense that just gave up 223 yards on the ground to Illinois. Also, the Badgers are playing with a QB making his second career start. Also, playing on the road means the spread is a little friendlier toward OSU. We’re betting the Buckeyes Saturday night, minus the points.

Florida Atlantic was playing some good ball, then laid an egg last week. We consider the Owls good candidates to bounce back this week. Meanwhile, Charlotte was playing losing ball, then pulled a short upset on the road last week. We consider the 49ers good candidates for a letdown here. Also, FAU beat the 49ers soundly last season, and not a ton has changed since then. We’re betting on the Owls on Friday night.

We give Tennessee the edge in the QB match-up and with the better running game, and while Alabama might own the better defense, it's close. Also, the Volunteers outlasted the Tide last season, and basically, not all that much has changed since then. Also, Alabama has allowed 19 sacks over its last four games. We're taking Tennessee plus the points for Saturday.

SMU is just the better team in this matchup, at QB, with the running game and on defense, and should win this game outright. The Mustangs already own three wins by 20-plus points this season while Temple already owns four 3-touchdown losses. And playing on the road keeps the spread just a little friendlier for SMU. We’ll give the points with the ‘Stangs Friday night.

These teams look very close in talent and ability, but one thing sticks out to us; James Madison, thanks mainly to a stiff run defense, is out-rushing opponents by 112 YPG this season while Marshall is getting out-rushed 36 YPG. And when one team is stuffing the run and the other is getting run over, that means a lot to us. We like the Dukes for Thursday night, minus the points.

Wisconsin is the more complete team in this match-up and should win this game outright. But we won't be surprised when something strange happens - a pick-6, a blocked kick, a broken play - that keeps Iowa close. And Johnson's return should help. We'll take the Hawkeyes plus the points.

Tulane got caught napping a bit last time out against UAB. We expect a sharper performance from the Green Wave Friday night. Meanwhile, Memphis needed a blocked kick return for a score to win last time out. We consider the Tigers good candidates for a letdown here. Also, Tulane beat Memphis comfortably last year - that game wasn’t as close as that final score might indicate - and not all that much has changed since then. We’re riding the Green Wave Friday night.

Our conclusion is that both teams have their strengths, but Tulane appears to have the edge in key metrics. Keep an eye on the situational and head-to-head data to make the most informed bet.

Despite its performance last week, we give Nebraska the edges in the running games and on defense. And that's usually enough for us. Also, getting kicked by Michigan is better than getting kicked by Purdue. We like the 'Huskers plus the points for Friday night.

Louisiana Tech runs the more balanced offensive attack, which we like, and it's playing better defense than Western Kentucky. And while the Bulldogs are operating without their starting QB, backup Turner hasn't looked too bad in relief. We see a close game coming Thursday night, so we'll take Tech and the points.

In this closely contested matchup, we believe LSU is the stronger team. The Tigers have a more effective running game and are likely to deliver a better defensive performance compared to last week. Moreover, LSU has a recent history of outplaying Ole Miss. We're siding with the Tigers for Saturday night's game.

 <p>Coming off an emotional home win over UCLA, Utah is banged up and may be vulnerable to a letdown. Meanwhile, Oregon State aims to bounce back from their loss to Washington State. We like the Beavers' chances in this matchup and are betting on Oregon State on Friday night.</p>
 

Tulsa is a work in progress, but we're thinking those
games against Washington and Oklahoma might have
toughened them up a bit. Temple, meanwhile, lost to
Rutgers by four touchdowns. Also, the line moved in a
good direction. We're giving the points with the Golden
Hurricane Thursday night.

We give Notre Dame our handicapping check-marks in the QB comparison and with the better running game, while these defenses look about even. So we're thinking the wrong team may be favored here. Also, the Irish have been good bets lately both against the Big 10 and as home dogs. We like Notre Dame for Saturday, plus the points.

Taking into account the level of defenses both teams have faced so far, Ball State seems to be undervalued here. Their offense has shown potential against a lesser defense, and they now have the home advantage. The Eagles, on the other hand, have had relatively easy matchups, and facing the Cardinals at their home ground might be a tougher challenge for them. Given these factors, betting on the Ball State Cardinals to cover a 6.5 spread at -110 odds seems like a sound choice. 

While Boise State Broncos come into this game as favorites, the San Diego State Aztecs have several factors playing in their favor, including a commendable defense and a historically strong performance against the Broncos. It would be a smart move to keep an eye on the Aztecs, who might just pull off a surprise. Make your bets wisely!

Georgia State owns the better running game in this match-up, and we prefer more balanced offensive approaches. Meanwhile, the defenses look about even. Trends-wise, the visitors hold the upper hand in this rivalry, and it's the Panthers turn to win this game. We expect a close one Thursday night, so we're betting Georgia State plus the points.