Sun Belt Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between South Alabama and Georgia Southern at 7:30 pm et on Thursday.

I like the way this one sets up as a relatively low-scoring affair. South Alabama has scored 30 or more points in consecutive games - both victories - but those came against two of the nation's weakest teams in Texas State and Louisiana Monroe - not to mention the fact that both games were played at home. Here, the Jaguars will face a tougher challenge as they hit the road to face Georgia Southern, which should be in a sour mood following a tough loss to Coastal Carolina last week. The Eagles have topped out at 42 points in a game this season but that came against a bad UMass squad that was playing its first game of the season. While the Eagles do have an experienced signal-caller in QB Shai Werts, I don't have a great deal of confidence in them running up the score here. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Minnesota plus the points over Michigan at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

I can't help but feel Michigan is overvalued in this nationally televised matchup to open Big Ten play on Saturday night. The line has flipped since opening, and I'm not sure the move is warranted as Minnesota is certainly capable of hanging with Big Blue here in its home opener. Not only was Minnesota a Bowl team last year but it played on New Year's Day, defeating SEC power Auburn 31-24 as a touchdown underdog in the Outback Bowl. Look for the Gophers to enjoy similar fortunes in an underdog role here. Take Minnesota (10*).

Big 12 Game of the Year. My selection is on Texas Tech plus the points over West Virginia at 5:30 pm et on Saturday.

I absolutely love the way this one sets up for home underdog Texas Tech. West Virginia was in a favorable spot last Saturday and delivered a blowout win over Kansas but that was to be expected. Here, the Mountaineers find themselves in a different situation, favored on the road against what will be a highly-motivated 1-3 Texas Tech squad. The Red Raiders got off to a fine start this season, beating quality FCS opponent Houston Baptist in their opener before giving Texas all it could handle the next week. Since then, it has gotten off track, falling in tough back-to-back road games against Kansas State and Iowa State. With that being said, really how much better could we have expected Texas Tech to perform over the course of this tough early slate. This is a legitimate opportunity for the Red Raiders to get back in the win column before the schedule gets much tougher again with a home date against Oklahoma followed by a road game against TCU. Look for them to take advantage of the opportunity against a beatable West Virginia squad. Take Texas Tech (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Temple and Memphis at 12 noon et on Saturday.

I've said from the start of the season that this Temple squad is built for shootouts and is likely to be involved in plenty of them this year. So far, so good as the Owls have played only two games but both were high-scoring - dropping a 31-29 decision against Navy before responding with a 39-37 victory over South Florida last week. Now comes another shootout in the making as the Owls travel to face Memphis. The Tigers are loaded on offense so it should come as no surprise that they've been involved in their share of high-scoring games already this season as well. Last week we saw Memphis return to the field following a bye week and proceed to score 50 points in a wild one-point victory over UCF. While the Tigers will be taking a step down in class here, I still expect their defense to struggle to contain the Owls attack. Last year's meeting saw just 58 total points but the potential is there for this one to get well into the 70's in my opinion. Take the over (10*).

AAC Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Tulsa and South Florida at 7:30 pm et on Friday.

This total has dropped into playable range since opening. We just haven't seen enough from Tulsa to get a true gauge of where the Golden Hurricane are at. After opening the season with a much lower-scoring than expected 16-7 loss at Oklahoma State they went on to stage a stunning upset of Central Florida in Orlando, scoring an impressive 34 points in the process. Here, I'm confident the Tulsa offense can ramp up again but I'm not sure the Golden Hurricane defense will hold up as well as it has to this point. It would be easy to suffer a bit of a letdown emotionally against a 1-4 South Florida squad. The Bulls are still trying to get their offense sorted but this is a fine breakout spot at home coming off an extra week of practice. While I'm not anticipating a shootout here, I do believe this one will ultimately climb over the very reasonable posted total. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Arkansas State and Appalachian State at 7:30 pm et on Thursday.

We missed the mark (badly) with the 'under' in Arkansas State's victory over Georgia State last week. I won't hesitate to go back to the well here, however as the Red Wolves head on the road to face Appalachian State. The Mountaineers are well-rested if nothing else, having not played a game since September due to COVID concerns. Prior to the shutdown Appalachian State had gone 2-1 but was largely inconsistent offensively, only truly breaking out against FCS opponent Campbell. Here, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if the Mountaineers showed a bit of rust offensively. Meanwhile, we can't count on another offensive explosion from the Arkansas State offense - not against a much tougher Appalachian State defense. The last time these two programs met two years ago they combined to score 44 points. Take the under (10*).

ACC Game of the Year. My selection is on North Carolina minus the points over Florida State at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

We won with North Carolina in its double-digit victory over Virginia Tech last Saturday and I'll back the Tar Heels again this week as they head out on the road to face 1-3 Florida State. The Tar Heels are one of the hottest teams in the nation in this unique 2020 college football season but it has gone largely unnoticed by most casual observers. The folks that matter have taken notice, however, giving North Carolina a lofty top-10 ranking. I look for the Tar Heels to live up to expectations for another week. Perhaps some bettors were put off by the Heels in their narrow four-point win as a two-touchdown favorite against Boston College two weeks ago - their only road game so far this season. UNC was clearly almost caught flat-footed in that contest but won't be caught off guard against a storied Florida State program here on Saturday. I don't believe the Seminoles have the personnel to keep up with the Tar Heels for four quarters. We saw UNC take Virginia Tech far away from its gameplan last Saturday and I expect a similar story to unfold here. Take North Carolina (10*).

My selection is on Texas A&M minus the points over Mississippi State at 4 pm et on Saturday.

Mississippi State came up with a huge upset win on the road against LSU in its season-opener but has accomplished very little since, dropping back-to-back games against Arkansas and Kentucky. I don't expect the Bulldogs to pick themselves up off the mat in this clash with Texas A&M. The Aggies are fresh off a big win over Florida last Saturday. Their lone blemish is a loss at Alabama - albeit in blowout fashion - back on October 3rd. This is the start of a stretch of three straight truly winnable games for Texas A&M and I look for it to make the most of the opportunity. There's a bigger gap between these two SEC squads than the oddsmakers are accounting for. Take Texas A&M (10*).

My selection is on Tennessee minus the points over Kentucky at 12 noon et on Saturday.

We won by fading Tennessee in an eventual lopsided loss at Georgia last week but I won't hesitate to switch gears and back the Vols this week as they return home to host Kentucky in SEC action. Kentucky is fresh off a 24-2 rout of upstart Mississippi State. Keep in mind, the Wildcats are still just 1-2 on the season, including a 29-13 loss at Auburn in their lone previous road game. The Vols meanwhile check in 2-1 with victories at South Carolina and at home against Missouri with the latter coming in blowout fashion. Off a poor showing against an elite Georgia defense last week I look for Vols QB Jarrett Guarantano to turn in a strong performance here. I don't see the Wildcats offense keeping pace for four quarters and believe we're dealing with a very reasonable pointspread here. Take Tennessee (10*).

CFB Non-Conference Game of the Month. My selection is on Houston plus the points over BYU at 9:30 pm et on Friday.

BYU remains undefeated on the season but after laying two touchdowns or more in three consecutive layups against inferior opposition, it will face a tough test on the road against Houston on Friday. With Houston having played just once it's not easy to for the oddsmakers to set an accurate line for this one and I feel they've missed the mark. QB Clayton Tune wasn't at his best in last week's rout of Tulane, but still managed to throw a pair of touchdown passes and run for another while amassing over 300 yards through the air. BYU certainly looked flat in last week's narrow 27-20 win over Texas-San Antonio. The Cougars will be taking a considerable step up in class here and I look for them to fall short of the mark in terms of the pointspread. Take Houston (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Georgia State and Arkansas State at 7:30 pm et on Thursday.

We won with the 'under' in last night's Sun Belt clash and I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the same play here. Georgia State is coming off a wild 49-29 shootout win last week but that came at the expense of East Carolina - a team that will be involved in plenty of shootouts this season. Likewise for Arkansas State as the Red Wolves are fresh off a 50-27 win over Central Arkansas - another team with a tendency to get involved in wild, high-scoring affairs. Add in the fact that last year's meeting between Georgia State and Arkansas State reached 90 total points and you can understand why I believe we're dealing with an inflated total here. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Coastal Carolina and Louisiana-Lafayette at 7:30 pm et on Wednesday.

I'll take a shot with the 'under' as the Chanticleers and Ragin' Cajuns do battle in Sun Belt action on Wednesday night. Coastal Carolina has put up a whopping 133 points in going a perfect 3-0 this season. However, this will be their toughest test to date (they did face a Big 12 opponent but that was a bottom of the barrel Kansas squad). Louisiana-Lafayette has given up just 63 points in going a perfect 3-0 to start the season. Keep in mind, the Chanticleers haven't played since October 3rd while the Ragin' Cajuns have been idle since way back on September 26th. In keeping with the tradition of playing midweek 'unders', I'm anticipating a lower-scoring affair than the oddsmakers here. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Florida International minus the points over Middle Tennessee State at 4 pm et on Saturday.

Middle Tennessee State has proven to be one of the weakest teams in the nation this season, opening with four straight ugly losses. Things don't figure to get much easier against an FIU squad that will be looking for its first victory as well on Saturday afternoon. The difference is, the Panthers have played just one game. They came close in that contest, falling in a wild 36-34 contest against favored Liberty. That was back on September 26th. They've had an extra week off to prepare and should be ready for whatever MTSU throws at them on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers will certainly have revenge on their minds after falling by a 50-17 score against the Blue Raiders a year ago. This should prove to be a much different matchup. Take Florida International (10*).

SEC Game of the Year. My selection is on Georgia minus the points over Tennessee at 3:30 pm et on Saturday.

I'll lay the points with the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon as they aim to remain undefeated in SEC play. While Tennessee checks in with an identical 2-0 record to that of Georgia, the Vols wins have come against the likes of South Carolina and Missouri. They'll be taking a major step up in class in this one. Georgia hasn't allowed a touchdown since the first five minutes of its season-opener against Arkansas two weeks ago. After struggling to get going in that contest, we saw the Bulldogs offense show signs of cohesion in last Saturday's 27-6 rout of Auburn. While there's certainly a look-ahead involved here as Georgia will travel to face Alabama next week, I believe that has been more than factored into this line. Look for the 'Dawgs defense to set the tone early and for their offense to ultimately come up with enough big play to put the game away late. Take Georgia (10*).

My selection is on North Carolina minus the points over Virginia Tech at 12 noon et on Saturday.

This line has come down into our play range as the Tar Heels host the Hokies on Saturday afternoon. North Carolina is off to a 2-0 start but didn't look at that impressive in its most recent victory over Boston College. This is an opportunity for the Tar Heels to make a real statement in ACC play against undefeated Virginia Tech. The Hokies are coming off an unimpressive single touchdown win over what had previously been a lifeless Duke squad. I'm just not convinced the Virginia Tech offense can keep up for four quarters against a North Carolina team that is underrated on both sides of the football in my opinion. Take North Carolina (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Louisville and Georgia Tech at 7 pm et on Friday.

We're dealing with a very high posted total for this one considering neither offense is all that complex or difficult to prepare for and both teams are coming off a bye week so they've had plenty of time to get ready. Louisville will be desperate to get back on track following consecutive losses to Miami and Pittsburgh. Likewise for Georgia Tech, even if its hopes weren't quite as high as those of the Cardinals entering the season. The Yellow Jackets have dropped consecutive games in blowout fashion against Central Florida and Syracuse. Note that Georgia Tech has yet to score more than 21 points in a game this season. The last meeting between these two teams totaled 94 points but that was back in 2018. Here, I'm anticipating a lower-scoring affair than most. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Tulane plus the points over Houston at 7:30 pm et on Thursday.

We know what we're getting with Tulane. The Green Wave are off to a 2-1 start with their lone loss coming in a stunning blown 24-0 halftime lead against Navy. Tulane successfully bounced back from that disappointing loss, delivering a 66-24 win over Southern Miss. Now the Green Wave come in well rested having not played since posting that blowout victory on September 26th. Meanwhile, we don't really know what we're going to get from Houston. The Cougars will be playing their first game of the season and I'm willing to bet that they might not be as good as advertised, or as the betting marketplace believes anyway. I'll grab all the points I can get in this Thursday night matchup. Take Tulane (10*).

My selection is on LSU minus the points over Vanderbilt at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

I'll lay the big number with LSU in a strong bounce-back spot on the road against Vanderbilt on Saturday. The Tigers fell short in a stunning 44-34 loss to Mississippi State last Saturday. They draw a far more favorable matchup here against the Commodores. Vandy held its own in a narrow 17-12 setback on the road against a good Texas A&M squad so there's reason to believe it will be full of confidence heading into this one. However, I'm not convinced the Commodores can stay competitive with another poor offensive showing in this one. Note that A&M was driving to potentially go up 21-5 in the third quarter of last week's game before fumbling the football and giving Vandy good field position in what led to the Commodores only touchdown of the game. I'm not sure that contest was quite as close as the final score indicated. LSU shook off the cobwebs last Saturday and I'm confident we'll see a far better performance on both sides of the football this week. Take LSU (10*).

CFB Revenge Game of the Month. My selection is on Central Florida minus the points over Tulsa at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

This game has blowout written all over it as Central Florida looks to move to 3-0 on the season. The Knights haven't been particularly sharp, or not as sharp as they'd like to be, on the defensive side of the football but they draw a terrific 'get right' matchup here. Tulsa has played just one game so far this season, falling in a very low-scoring affair against Oklahoma State two weeks ago. Credit the Golden Hurricane for keeping the Cowboys offense at bay in that contest but if their offensive performance (minus RB Shamari Brooks) was any indication, they could be in for a long year. Tulsa actually upset Central Florida by a 34-31 last season so revenge will be on the minds of the Knights here. UCF already appears to be in midseason form offensively after routing East Carolina last Saturday. QB Dillon Gabriel has been extremely efficient and consistent through two games, passing for 825 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception. I don't need to tell you that the Knights offense is absolutely loaded and should run wild against a very beatable Tulsa defense here. Without Brooks in the backfield I just don't see how the Golden Hurricane keep within arm's reach for four quarters on Saturday. Take Central Florida (10*).

My selection is on Virginia Tech minus the points over Duke at 4 pm et on Saturday.

I had Duke pegged as one of the ACC's worst teams at the onset of the season and we've already successfully faded the Blue Devils once, cashing with Boston College in a blowout two weeks ago. Here, I'll go back to the well and fade Duke again as it hosts Virginia Tech. The Hokies made their long-awaited season debut last Saturday, rolling to a 45-24 win over N.C. State. I like the fact that Virginia Tech has room for improvement here, however, particularly on the defensive side of the football. Duke shouldn't pose much of a threat offensively, noting that it has scored a grand total of just 39 points through three games - all losses - this season. While they did put up a season-high 20 points in last week's loss at Virginia, there were extended scoring droughts once again as they managed a touchdown on a defensive breakdown with one minute remaining in the first quarter but then didn't find the end zone again until over midway through the third quarter - their last score of the game. Take Virginia Tech (10*).

CFB AAC Game of the Year. My selection is on Memphis minus the points over SMU at 3:30 pm et on Saturday.

Since Memphis last played back on September 5th, SMU has played a pair of games, winning in blowout fashion against North Texas and Stephen F. Austin (scoring a whopping 115 points in the process). Most bettors have short memories so it's easy to understand why the idle Tigers are laying only a couple of points in this matchup. I certainly consider Memphis to be the superior team. Note that the Tigers season-opening win came over an Arkansas State squad that went on to defeat Kansas State on the road the very next week. That win looks a lot better now than it did in early September. I'm confident the Tigers will be able to shake off the rust and I believe they'll benefit from facing a familiar opponent in SMU here. Note that Memphis recorded a wild 54-48 win over SMU in the most recent meeting between the schools last November. I'm concerned about the SMU defense in this one after it allowed 59 points in its two previous games against FBS opponents this season. An experienced Memphis offense is capable of scoring at will in this game and I expect the Tigers defense to be flying all over the field after nearly a month off. Take Memphis (10*).

My selection is on Baylor minus the points over West Virginia at 12 noon et on Saturday.

Bettors seem to be a little low on Baylor in the early going this season. Last week they were laying a reasonable 17 points against a still-pitiful Kansas squad and went on to win the game by 34 points (we won with Baylor in that contest). Here, the Bears draw another favorable matchup against a rebuilding West Virginia squad. The Mountaineers dropped a 27-13 decision against Oklahoma State last Saturday. The fact that the Cowboys are still sleepwalking through their early season schedule played a factor in that game as far as I'm concerned. I'm not convinced West Virginia has the offense to keep pace with Baylor in this one. Take Baylor (10*).

My selection is on Baylor minus the points over Kansas at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

I think the only reason we're dealing with a somewhat reasonable pointspread here is due to the fact that Baylor hasn't played a game yet. The Bears are obviously eager to get going and get a cupcake matchup to open things up with Kansas coming off a lopsided loss to Coastal Carolina in its season opener two weeks ago. Baylor's defense shouldn't have much trouble gameplanning for a Kansas offense that can run the football but do little else. It should only be a matter of time before this one gets away from the Jayhawks. Take Baylor (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Stephen F. Austin and SMU at 7 pm et on Saturday.

This game has shootout written all over it as SMU looks to continue its hot start against FCS squad Stephen F. Austin. Mustangs QB Shane Buechele has picked up right where he left off last season, throwing for over 700 yards and five touchdowns through two games this season. There's little reason to expect him to ease up against the Lumberjacks on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the SMU backfield has been absolutely rolling and faces another favorable matchup here. On the flip side, SFA QB Trae Self showed some progression in last week's loss, passing for 285 yards and a touchdown after struggling in the season-opener. Keep in mind, the Mustangs have already given up 59 points in two games this season and it's not as if they've faced top level competition. SMU has posted victories against Texas State and North Texas. Take the over (10*).

CFB Blowout Game of the Month. My selection is on Cincinnati minus the points over Army at 3:30 pm et on Saturday.

I really like the way this one sets up for the Bearcats as they host an Army squad that has come roaring out of the gates, but against inferior opposition. Let's keep things in perspective. The Black Knights are a perfect 2-0 and have blown out each of their first two opponents but their schedule has afforded them very winnable matchups against Middle Tennessee State and Louisiana-Monroe. Things get an awful lot tougher this week as they hit the road for the first time to face an underrated Cincinnati squad that might be the second-best team in the AAC (behind UCF). Army has a national top-25 ranking entering this contest which may lead some bettors to back it with the generous helping of points but I expect this one to get away from the Black Knights. Their offense has been humming but there will be some bumps in the road and this is a tough matchup against an experienced and talented Cincinnati defense. The real key in this contest should be the Bearcats offense which has the tools to dominate a good but not great Army defense. Behind a big performance from QB Desmond Ridder as well as a loaded backfield, look for the Bearcats to roll. Take Cincinnati (10*).

C-USA Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'under' between Middle Tennessee State and UTSA at 8 pm et on Friday.

I'll back the 'under' at the Alamodome on Friday night as I don't expect a shootout between the Blue Raiders and Roadrunners. Middle Tennessee is off to an 0-2 start, scoring a grand total of 14 points in the process. While this is certainly the Blue Raiders most favorable matchup to date, I'm still not convinced we'll see their offense get rolling. Note that in last week's 47-14 rout at the hands of Troy they scored a touchdown in the final two minutes of the first quarter but then didn't find the end zone again until the game was completely out of hand with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. UTSA won a wild 51-48 overtime game against Texas State in its season-opener but reverted to low-scoring form in last week's 24-10 victory over Stephen F. Austin. In that win, the Roadrunners didn't score a touchdown until two minutes into the second quarter. Impressively, their defense gave up just a single touchdown, that coming in the dying seconds of the second quarter. The last meeting between these two teams reached 70 total points but that was back in 2016. Expect a different story to unfold here. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on UAB minus the points over South Alabama at 7:30 pm et on Thursday.

I had South Alabama pegged as one of the nation's worst teams prior to the Jaguars surprising season-opening win at Southern Miss (we won with the 'under' in that game). USA followed up that performance with a hard-fought loss at home against Tulane and then had last week off. I look for the Jaguars to fall short of the mark as they host UAB here. The Blazers looked rather unimpressive offensively in their most recent game - a 31-14 loss at Miami. Keep in mind, that loss doesn't look so bad now as the Canes are off to a strong start, fresh off an impressive road win over Louisville. I expect to see the UAB defense rise up and contain the Jaguars aerial attack in this one while the offense does enough to secure the win and cover. Both teams are without their starting QB's but as I mentioned, this is more about the Blazers stepping up and taking over the game. Take UAB (10*).

CFB ACC Game of the Month. My selection is on Louisville minus the points over Miami at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

Miami was fortunate to face a disjointed UAB squad in its season-opener last week, ultimately winning and covering the spread in the process. Here, the Canes will face a much tougher challenge as they hit the road to take on the Louisville Cardinals. The Cards got their season off to a resounding start with a 35-21 win over Western Kentucky. That game wasn't as close as the final score indicated as Louisville jumped ahead 28-7 before halftime and never looked back. While the Miami offense promises to be much better with QB D'Eriq King at the helm this season, it certainly didn't look completely in sync last week. I have Louisville pegged as one of the best teams in the entire nation in this unique 2020 college football campaign and will gladly back it as a short favorite here. Take Louisville (10*).

My selection is on Appalachian State minus the points over Marshall at 3:30 pm et on Saturday.

We'll back the Mountaineers as it's early and they remain undervalued in this unique 2020 college football season. Appalachian State actually has a good shot at reaching a New Year's Day Bowl game this year thanks to so many teams sitting on the sidelines. That's not a knock on the Mountaineers, as they're the real deal. Last week Appalachian State came up with a 35-20 win over Charlotte, completely manhandling the 49ers in the trenches. The Mountaineers running game appeared to be in midseason form which spells trouble for Marshall this week. I also liked what I saw from a new-look Appalachian State defense as it came up big on a number of occasions, including a pair of interceptions. Here, the Mountaineers face a much tougher challenge but I like they fact they'll be going up against a freshman quarterback. Keep in mind, Marshall turned in a near-flawless performance in its season debut two weeks ago. Unfortunately that means there's nowhere to go but down in this one. Look for the Thundering Herd to get a wake-up call. Take Appalachian State (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Tulsa and Oklahoma State at 12 noon et on Saturday.

We should see an old-fashioned shootout between the Golden Hurricane and Cowboys in this early start matchup on Saturday. Tulsa boasts a truly underrated offense entering the 2020 season with a loaded stable of running backs keyed by Shamari Brooks and Corey Taylor II not to mention an experienced senior quarterback in Zach Smith. He passed for over 3,200 yards and 19 touchdowns to go along with nine interceptions last season. He has his top target back in Keylon Stokes who hauled in 62 catches for over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns a year ago. Oklahoma State is obviously loaded on offense, led by RB Chuba Hubbard. QB Spencer Sanders was the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year last season, although this will be his third year with the Cowboys. Expect fireworks on Saturday afternoon. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on Boston College plus the points over Duke at 12 noon et on Saturday.

The case can be made that Boston College is the better team in this matchup but I think the fact that Duke played in a national tv game last week on the road against Notre Dame, and hung relatively tough, plays into the line. The Eagles return a lot of experience on both sides of the football and will be eager to get on the field and face some actual competition here. I don't believe there's any intimidation factor at play with this edition of the Blue Devils. Look for the Eagles to hang tough for four quarters. Take Boston College (10*).

CFB Sun Belt Conference Game of the Year. My selection is on Georgia State plus the points over UL-Lafayette at 12 noon et on Saturday.

The Ragin' Cajuns of UL-Lafayette are coming off a big upset win over Iowa State last Saturday so it's not surprising that they're laying such a big number in their Sun Belt opener this week. I believe the number will prove too high. Georgia State is no pushover. The Panthers reached a Bowl game with a 7-6 overall record last season, making significant progress relatively early in their FBS career. Georgia State returns plenty of talent on both sides of the football - particularly when it comes to defense, where it will obviously need to be stout against an experienced and explosive Ragin' Cajuns offense. Meanwhile, the Panthers offense has a terrific stable of wide receivers to stretch the field against a beatable Lafayette defense. Look for Georgia State to stay within arm's reach all afternoon long. Take Georgia State (10*).

My selection is on Tulane minus the points over South Alabama at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

South Alabama pulled off a stunning upset win at Southern Miss last week (we won with the 'under') so don't expect Tulane to get caught off guard in its season debut. The Jaguars were able to orchestrate the upset thanks to a number of big plays in the passing game, taking full advantage of a very weak Southern Miss secondary. Here, the Jags won't be so fortunate. Tulane's defense let it down at times last season but should be stronger here in 2020, with its pass defense serving as a strength. There are a number of changes on offense but I do think the Green Wave can hit the ground running with a week of game film to work with when it comes to the South Alabama defense. I had the Jaguars pegged as one of the weakest teams in FBS entering this unique 2020 season and I won't stray from that thinking, even after last week's strong performance. Tulane has become a perennial Bowl team while South Alabama is still trying to find its way as an FBS program. While I'd like to be dealing with a lower number, I still see value with the Green Wave here. Take Tulane (10*).

CFB Game of the Week. My selection is on Louisiana-Monroe plus the points over Army at 1:30 pm et on Saturday.

I'll grab the generous helping of points with Louisiana-Monroe at it heads to West Point to take on Army on Saturday afternoon. The Black Knights have the benefit of having already worked out the early season kinks in a stunning 42-0 blowout win over Middle Tennessee last week. Keep in mind, the Black Knights were favored by just north of a field goal in that game. They overachieved in that contest as the Blue Raiders had absolutely no answer to Army's triple-option offense. Here, I look for a different story to unfold. Don't count on the Black Knights running roughshod against a Warhawks defense that has plenty of talent and experience in the second level. On the flip side, the Army defense was never really tested in last week's game as it jumped ahead early and never looked back. The Black Knights were able to force three turnovers in that victory but I look for Louisiana-Monroe to do a better job of taking care of the football here. Look for the Warhawks to play smart with an inexperienced quarterback but serviceable ground attack against an Army defense that shouldn't generate much pressure in the backfield. Army should get the win here, but I simply feel it is being asked to lay too many points. Take Louisiana-Monroe (10*).

CFB ACC Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Syracuse and North Carolina at 12 noon et on Saturday.

Most have this ACC opener pegged as a wild shootout between two offensive-minded teams in Syracuse and North Carolina. I feel the total has simply been set too high. The Orange certainly have a lot of work to do if they want to improve on last year's 5-7 squad that won just two games in ACC play. Their offensive line wasn't good and doesn't figure to be a whole lot better this year. The jury is still out on QB Tommy DeVito, who has shown flashes of brilliance but a real lack of consistency, albeit under duress most of the time. I do expect Syracuse to do a better job of keeping DeVito upright by leaning a little more on the ground game and the quick, short passing attack. The Tar Heels have a better defense than advertised as far as I'm concerned but they do have pass-funnel tendencies, particularly underneath, which could help keep the clock moving in this one. With that being said, I'm not convinced we'll see the Orange offense end many drives with 7's on the board as the Heels have an opportunistic defense that has the ability to tighten up in their own end of the field. The North Carolina offense is loaded. The strength of the offense is obviously their passing game with future NFL prospect QB Sam Howell and a talented group of wide receivers. The good news for Syracuse is that the strength of its defense is in the secondary where it boasts an experienced, underrated group. Like the Heels defense, the Orange secondary has also shown a knack for forcing turnovers. I believe we'll see the Orange do just enough to keep the Heels big play ability at bay for stretches. With a sky-high total, I'll call for enough stalled drives to keep this one 'under' the number. Take the under (10*).

CFB Non-Conference Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between UAB and Miami at 8 pm et on Thursday.

The Miami offense was absolutely dreadful a year ago, but perhaps that should have been expected (we noted the Canes offense would likely struggle right out of the gates in a season-opening play on the 'under' against Florida). We should see a different story unfold in 2020, however. QB D'Eriq King gives the Canes a bonafide veteran leader and star on offense. While the cupboard has been cleaned out in terms of the wide receiving corps, it's by no means bare. The Canes are loaded with speed all over the field on offense and King should have no trouble building a solid rapport with terrific TE Brevin Jordan. UAB's defense was terrific stat-wise last season, but that's playing most of its games against C-USA opponents. On the flip side, the Miami defense loses a number of key cogs after a strong 2019 campaign. I'm higher on the UAB offense than most. While the Blazers 45-point outburst last week came against an FCS squad in Central Arkansas, I saw plenty of positives, namely the performance of RB Spencer Brown, who ran for 127 yards and a score on 24 carries. He's in line for a big bounce-back season after playing hurt much of last year. In WR Austin Watkins Jr., the Blazers have a home run threat veteran QB Tyler Johnston can bank on as well. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between BYU and Navy at 8 pm et on Monday.

This total has obviously dropped considerably since opening but I still see some value playing the 'under' at the current number. BYU will be missing TE Matt Bushman - who was expected to be one of the best tight ends in FBS this season. The Cougars are also replacing most of their receiving corps from a year ago. While QB Zach Wilson has plenty of upside, I'm not convinced we'll see him come out bombing away here on Monday night. Navy is also turning to a number of new faces on offense, which is pretty much par for the course for the Midshipmen every year. QB Dalen Morris takes over the reins under center and we can expect a fairly conservative version of the option attack against a solid BYU defense. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Arkansas State and Memphis at 8 pm et on Saturday.

Let's face it, we're dealing with a diminished opening week slate of games due to Covid-19 but this primetime matchup between Arkansas State and Memphis does have the potential to be one of the week's most entertaining affairs. We're looking at a massive posted total for this one and while both offenses have proven explosive in recent years while the defenses have left a lot to be desired, I'm not convinced we're going to see the type of shootout the oddsmakers are projecting. Arkansas State knows it will be hard-pressed to win a shootout with Memphis - it simply doesn't have enough big-time playmakers to come away victorious in that sort of back-and-forth battle. Instead, I look for the Red Wolves to focus on trying to sustain long drives with an experienced offensive line capable of helping them move the chains with some consistency. The issue is that the Memphis defense has plenty of talent and experience, and lots of room for improvement, not to mention motivation get off to a strong start here in the season-opener at home. Memphis is loaded once again on offense but will have to replace star RB Kenneth Gainwell, who has opted out this season. The Tigers will generate plenty of offense but I don't believe it will be enough to get this one north of the sky-high total. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Middle Tennessee State and Army at 1:30 pm et on Saturday.

While I'll admit this total has settled out a little higher than I would like, I still see value playing the 'over' at the current number. Neither squad was an offensive juggernaut a year ago but I'm confident we'll see both teams get off to a positive start thanks to this favorable matchup on Saturday. The real key here is that neither defense showed the ability to get into the backfield with any consistency a year ago, and both units lose a number of key pieces entering the new season. Both teams have plenty of dynamic playmakers at the skill positions on offense and given enough time - as should be the case here - I look for the two offenses to feast. Expect to see enough 'home run plays' to help send this one 'over' the total. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between South Alabama and Southern Miss at 9 pm et on Thursday.

I'm not expecting a great deal of offensive fireworks as South Alabama and Southern Miss open what promises to be a unique college football season on Thursday night. Southern Miss should be able to name its score against a Jaguars squad that might be one of the weakest teams in the nation (of those playing that is). With that being said, the Golden Eagles are dealing with a number of key departures on offense and might just focus on pounding away on the ground and controlling the clock in this very winnable contest. QB Jack Abraham has shown plenty of promise but he likely won't be asked to do too much in the season-opener. South Alabama's spread offense is going to continue to go through some growing pains. While the Jaguars do boast considerable talent at the wide receiver position, I'm not sure they have the quarterback to make it happen on the scoreboard. Most will be looking for an entertaining, high-scoring affair to open the campaign with this total set in the 50's. I'm find with going the other way and grabbing some perceived value with the 'under'. Take the under (10*).

CFB Game of the Month. My selection is on Clemson plus the points over LSU at 8 pm et on Monday.

If you've followed my plays regularly, you know that I've been high on Clemson all season, and particularly down the stretch. The Tigers have reeled off five straight ATS wins entering this game and I'm confident they can go toe-to-toe with mighty Joe Burrow and the LSU Tigers on Monday night. LSU has looked simply unstoppable, destroying Georgia in the SEC Championship Game before crushing an overmatched Oklahoma squad in the CFP semi-final. This will certainly be the Tigers toughest test since facing Alabama on November 9th, however - a game they won by five points. This one has all the makings of a classic showdown. I'll grab all the points I can get with Dabo Swinney's Tigers. Take Clemson (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Miami-Ohio and Louisiana-Lafayette at 7:30 pm et on Monday.

I'll back the 'under' on Monday night as the Redhawks and Ragin' Cajuns meet at the tail-end of Bowl season. Both teams will obviously be well-rested and well-prepared for this one having been idle for over a month. Miami-Ohio does not have an explosive offense by any means and will be best suited to turn this into a slugfest. That may be easier said than done as the Ragin' Cajuns do possess a high-octane offense. With that being said, we've seen the Redhawks rise to the occasion a number of times this season and I'm confident they can do so again here. Louisiana-Lafayette thrived against a number of punchless defenses in the Sun Belt over the course of the season but should find the sledding a little tougher here. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Boston College and Cincinnati at 3 pm et on Thursday.

I absolutely love the way this one sets up as a lower-scoring game than expected on Thursday afternoon. Boston College will be without elite NFL-ready RB A.J. Dillon in this one, severely hampering its offensive attack. Defensively, we saw the Eagles stiffen up down the stretch. Over their final three games they didn't allow a touchdown until the final five minutes of the first half against Florida State, held Notre Dame out of the end zone until the final three minutes of the first half, and didn't allow a Pitt touchdown until the third quarter. Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder has impressed over the course of his Bearcat career but didn't enjoy a banner season in 2019, particularly down the stretch. Whether due to injury or otherwise, Ridder threw multiple touchdown passes just once in his last six games. He also threw for more than 200 yards only once over that stretch. While I do respect the Cincinnati offense, I don't expect to see it go off in this matchup. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Baylor plus the points over Georgia at 8:45 pm et on Wednesday.

Baylor has suffered just two losses this season, both coming at the hands of Oklahoma by a combined 10 points. While Georgia certainly has championship pedigree and gets the edge almost by default coming out of the mighty SEC, I believe the Bulldogs will be in for a fight here. Of course, Georgia comes into this game seriously undermanned with a number of key cogs dealing with injuries. Even if the Bulldogs did have all hands on deck I suspect they would have a tough time against the Baylor defense. Georgia QB Jake Fromm didn't look like himself all season, struggling in key situations time after time. Baylor on the other hand seemed to answer the bell at all the key moments and all indications are that they'll have QB Charlie Brewer back after he suffered a concussion in the Big 12 Championship Game. Take Baylor (10*).

CFB Bowl Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Minnesota and Auburn at 1 pm et on Wednesday.

This game has shootout potential as the upstart Golden Gophers challenge SEC stalwarts Auburn in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day. Minnesota actually put up some solid defensive numbers during the regular season but was certainly buoyed by a schedule that boasted few offensive juggernauts. There is plenty of reason to be confident in the Golden Gophers offense, however. QB Tanner Morgan threw for at least one touchdown pass in all 12 games this season. While RB Rodney Smith cooled off down the stretch, there's no question the Gophers backfield is capable of busting out here. Auburn took on all comers during the regular season, culminating with a 48-45 win over Alabama on November 30th. QB Bo Nix had his ups and downs and didn't throw multiple touchdown passes in any of his last five games. I do think he can take advantage of a middle of the road Minnesota defense here, however. I've been high on Tigers RB JaTarvious Whitlow all season. He wasn't given a heavy workload but showed flashes of brilliance, most recently running for 114 yards on 16 carries against Alabama. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Texas and Utah at 7:30 pm et on Tuesday.

I'm anticipating a back-and-forth shootout between the Longhorns and Utes in the Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night. Even though Texas stumbled down the stretch, losing two of its last three games, QB Sam Ehlinger kept rolling along, throwing for over 800 yards and five touchdowns over that stretch. His exploits should be on full display once again here, even against a stellar Utah defense. The Utes won't back down from a shootout. They got caught flat-footed in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Oregon (we won with the Ducks in that game) but should be well prepared and well-suited to go toe-to-toe with the Longhorns. QB Tyler Huntley had just two games where he didn't throw a touchdown pass this season. RB Zack Moss had only four games where he didn't run for over 100 yards and scored at least one touchdown in 10 of 12 games he appeared in. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on Kansas State plus the points over Navy at 3:45 pm et on Tuesday.

When we last saw Navy play it faced little resistance in a 31-7 rout of Army (we won with the under in that game). I expect a different story to unfold this time around, however. I'm confident that the Wildcats defense can keep the Midshipmen offense in check in this one, at least to some extent. On the flip side, while I'm not all that high on Kansas State QB Skylar Thompson, I do feel the Wildcats are a well-coached team and that the extra preparation time should result in a fine performance from their well-balanced offensive attack against a very beatable Navy defense. I'll grab all the points I can get with Kansas State here. Take Kansas State (10*).

My selection is on Kentucky plus the points over Virginia Tech at 12 noon et on Tuesday.

There's not a lot separating these two teams although they ended their respective regular seasons on much different notes. Kentucky closed with three consecutive wins, culminating with a 45-13 rout of in-state rival Louisville which looks better than it did back in November after the Cardinals got past Mississippi State yesterday (we won with Louisville in that game). Virginia Tech suffered a 39-30 loss against rival Virginia in its regular season finale. I don't have a great deal of confidence in the Hokies offense led by QB Hendon Hooker. On the flip side, the Wildcats offense really got rolling down the stretch with the emergence of dual-threat Lynn Bowden Jr. This is simply a case of Kentucky boasting more upside here in late December. Take Kentucky (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Illinois and California at 4 pm et on Monday.

This is a defensive struggle waiting to happen as the Illini face the Golden Bears on Monday afternoon. While we are dealing with a relatively low total, it's warranted in my opinion. These two teams are essentially mirror images of one another with Cal owning the stronger defense statistically. Offensively, both teams were inconsistent over the course of the regular season. While Cal closed things out on a high note, Illinois managed to score just 20 points combined in its final two regular season contests. I'm not convinced we'll see either team open things up on Monday afternoon, knowing that this is a 'first to 20 wins' type of affair. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Louisville plus the points over Mississippi State at 4 pm et on Monday.

I'll grab all the points I can get with the Cardinals in this game which really amounts to a toss-up as far as I'm concerned. Mississippi State certainly doesn't boast an overly impressive resume but its SEC pedigree plays a factor in it being favored by more than a field goal here. The Bulldogs got here thanks to winning three of their final four regular season games but come into this one banged up with a number of key injuries. Meanwhile, Louisville came up empty in an ugly 45-13 rout at the hands of Kentucky in its regular season finale but that doesn't change the fact that it was a fine 2019 campaign with the Cardinals winning seven of 12 games overall. While their defense leaves a lot to be desired, their offense has been electric at times and I certainly feel they'll come up big on that side of the football in this game. The Bulldogs are laying too many points. Take Louisville (10*).

CFB Bowl Game of the Year. My selection is on Western Michigan plus the points over Western Kentucky at 12:30 pm et on Monday.

I've actually been fairly high on the Sun Belt Conference all season but I don't like the way this game sets up for Western Kentucky - a team that has struggled to score points at the best of times this season. The Hilltoppers do draw a favorable matchup against a weak Western Michigan defense but can they take advantage? I'm not so sure. Western Michigan toughened up when it had to down the stretch and a narrow 17-14 loss to Northern Illinois served as its only loss over its final four regular season contests. Broncos QB Jon Wassink didn't perform particularly well down the stretch save for a 322-yard three-touchdown performance against Ohio on November 12th, but his overall numbers were solid and he is certainly capable of keeping this offense on schedule against WKU on Monday. RB LeVante Bellamy is the real story for the Broncos as he gained just shy of 1,500 yards on the ground while finding the end zone on 23 occasions during the regular season. Simply put, I don't believe the Broncos will ever be out of this game with their outstanding offense. Take Western Michigan (10*).

My selection is on Clemson minus the points over Ohio State at 8 pm et on Saturday.

I was very high on Clemson down the stretch and I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the Tigers here as they face a tough challenge in the Ohio State Buckeyes. I don't need to tell you that Clemson is absolutely loaded with talent on both sides of the football. The same goes for Ohio State, but the difference is, I don't believe that the Buckeyes have faced a team even close to the caliber of the Tigers this season. Clemson is obviously highly familiar with playing in the College Football Playoff and that should help its cause here as well. I really don't believe this game is going to be all that close and feel we're being given an extremely favorable line with the superior squad. take Clemson (10*).

My selection is on USC plus the points over Iowa at 8 pm et on Friday.

Iowa got into this Bowl game thanks to winning its final three regular season contests but that wasn't unexpected as it was favored in all three of those games. The Hawkeyes are of course favored again here, but I'm not sure it's warranted. Everyone seems to be sleeping on USC despite the fact that it posted a solid 8-4 SU and 6-5-1 ATS record this season, facing one of the tougher schedules in the entire nation. After almost a month off I'm just not sure we're going to see the Hawkeyes bring the same defensive intensity to the table we've seen from them all season and that could spell trouble as their offense simply isn't capable of shouldering the load. Take USC (10*).

My selection is on North Carolina minus the points over Temple at 12 noon et on Friday.

Temple may enter this game sporting the better overall record but I don't think there's any question that North Carolina brings more upside to the table. Credit the Tar Heels for managing to go 6-6 after a dismal 2018 campaign. They became Bowl eligible with a 41-10 rout of N.C. State in their final regular season game. Temple peaked in a 30-28 win over Memphis way back on October 12th. From that point on the Owls went an even 3-3. I like the advantage the Tar Heels possess at the quarterback position and in the backfield. Look for North Carolina to take care of business and cover the reasonable pointspread here. Take North Carolina (10*).

My selection is on Eastern Michigan plus the points over Pittsburgh at 8 pm et on Thursday.

Just feel that the Eagles are being given too many points in this matchup as I question how motivated Pitt will be for the Quick Lane Bowl. The Panthers Bowl standing was hurt by back-to-back losses at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan gained Bowl eligibility thanks to a couple of late road wins in the MAC before falling in a letdown situation at home against Kent State in its regular season finale. The Eagles haven't had the opportunity to go Bowling very often in recent years. I look for them to give the Panthers a run here. Take Eastern Michigan (10*).

CFB Bowl Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'under' between BYU and Hawaii at 8 pm et on Monday.

When these two teams met a year ago they got into the 70's but I believe we're going to see a lower-scoring affair this time around and we're dealing with a lofty total approaching the mid-60's. BYU QB Zach Wilson appeared in eight games this season and threw more than two touchdowns on only one occasion - that coming against a horrible UMass defense. Meanwhile, Hawaii QB Cole MacDonald is a legend in his own right but had a bit of a tough time once the schedule toughened up this season, failing to throw for 300+ yards since way back on October 20th while throwing more than a single touchdown pass only once over his last six games. BYU is the better defensive team in this matchup but I do think Hawaii can hold its own in that regard here as well, noting that in the Rainbow Warriors most recent game - the MWC Championship - they didn't allow a touchdown until the final two minutes of the first half against Boise State. BYU held all 12 opponents to 27 points or less this season. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Marshall and Central Florida at 2:30 pm et on Monday.

Central Florida didn't receive quite as much hype this season than it has in previous years but it was an offensive juggernaut nonetheless, ranking fourth in the nation in total yardage per game and sixth in points scored per game. The Knights are going to get theirs offensively in this matchup. Marshall's good run of defensive play down the stretch had everything to do with a weak slate of opponents. With that being said, the Thundering Herd are a perennial Bowl team - or at least they have been over the last decade. More often than not they're able to generate plenty of offense, scoring 30+ points in three of their last four Bowl appearances. I don't expect them to roll over in this daunting matchup and that should set us up for a relatively high-scoring affair. Take the over (10*).

CFB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between UAB and Appalachian State at 9 pm et on Saturday.

My first look is usually to the 'over' in the New Orleans Bowl as we've seen plenty of shootouts on the fast track of the Superdome over the years. However, in this case, I believe we'll see a lower-scoring game than the oddsmakers are calling for. UAB topped out at 38 points this season, and generally struggled offensively with some lackluster talent at the skill positions on offense. Keep in mind, the Blazers benefited from facing the likes of Akron, Rice and UTEP during the regular season - arguably three of the weakest teams in the nation. Here, they'll be facing a stiff challenge in Appalachian State. The Mountaineers could be forgiven for not being all that interested in this Bowl game. After all their head coach has bolted, and they just played in this same Bowl game a year ago, winning in a walk. Just not sure we're going to see a great deal of offensive fireworks in this one. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Florida International and Arkansas State at 5:30 pm et on Saturday.

This one will be pegged as a shootout and while it may develop into just that, I'm not sure it will eclipse the lofty posted total. I actually think the two defenses in this matchup can make the opposing offenses rather one-dimensional. I have a lot of respect for the Arkansas State offense led by QB Layne Hatcher but while he's capable of bombing away, they're also going to need to move the football on the ground, which could be a tall task with RB Marcel Murray nursing a bad ankle. Meanwhile, the FIU offense has been inconsistent at best, coming up big for stretches but not able to really sustain anything for much of the campaign. Arkansas State actually faced some explosive offenses in the Sun Belt Conference this season and will be better for it in this matchup with the Panthers. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Kent State and Utah State at 7:30 pm et on Friday.

Utah State should absolutely have its way with the Kent State defense in this game. As I've said on numerous occasions this season, I really do believe the Golden Flashes have one of the worst defenses in the country. With Aggies QB Jordan Love and RB Gerold Bright cleared to play, they should absolutely shred an overmatched Kent State defense. The pointspread does say a lot in this particular matchup, however. I think Utah State is a relatively short favorite for a reason. Kent State seemed to get stronger and more consistent offensively as the season went on, and it should find plenty of success against a beatable Utah State defense that has allowed 30+ points in four of its last six games. This total is high but it's warranted in my opinion. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on Utah State minus the points over Kent State at 7:30 pm et on Friday.

Just think there's a major class difference that isn't being properly accounted for in this pointspread. If you've followed my plays regularly this season, you know I'm not very high on Kent State, particularly on the defensive side of the football, where I feel they're among the worst teams in the nation. With that being said, this is an awfully tough matchup against a dynamic Utah State offense led by NFL prospect QB Jordan Love. There was talk of several Aggies offensive playmakers, including Love, being suspended due to a marijuana possession offence, but that isn't going to be the case. Unless Utah State completely overlooks Kent State or is disinterested in the Frisco Bowl altogether, which is always a possibility, I expect the Aggies to roll. Take Utah State (10*).

My selection is on Buffalo minus the points over Charlotte at 2 pm et on Friday.

Credit Charlotte for rallying late in the season to reach a Bowl game for the first time in program history. However, I believe we'll see the 49ers run end here. Buffalo possesses a three-headed rushing attack that should have little trouble moving the chains against a Charlotte defense that allows five yards per rush. On the flip side, the 49ers offense is led by QB Chris Reynolds who hasn't thrown for more than two touchdowns in a game since October. He was turnover-prone all season and faces a Buffalo defense that puts a ton of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, racking up 38 sacks during the regular season to tie a school record. I simply feel it's only a matter of time before the Bulls put this one away for good and eventually win by margin. Take Buffalo (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Army and Navy at 3 pm et on Saturday.

Another year, another Army-Navy 'under'. We've been in on virtually all of the 'unders' during the current streak in this series and there's no reason to jump ship here. Yes, Navy put up some gawdy offensive numbers this season but that was largely schedule-based. Army showed flashes of brilliance at times, but really struggled when stepping up in class, as is the case here. These two teams couldn't be any more familiar with one another and that familiarity leads to low-scoring results every year. If anything things are getting tighter, with each of the last five meetings totaling 38 points or less and all five of those games being decided by a touchdown or less. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Clemson minus the points over Virginia at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

Clemson enters this game playing its best football of the season. We won with the Tigers in last week's rout of South Carolina and I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the same play here. As has often been the case in recent years, the ACC Championship Game amounts to a complete mismatch. The Tigers should be able to dominate this game on both sides of the football. This is certainly a difficult spot for the Cavaliers coming off an outright underdog win over rival Virginia Tech last week. We won with Virginia in its rout of Liberty two weeks ago but I have no problem jumping ship here. Take Clemson (10*).

My selection is on Georgia plus the points over LSU at 4 pm et on Saturday.

If you've followed my plays regularly this season you know that I've been high on Georgia. After cashing with the Bulldogs in last week's rout of Georgia Tech I see this as another excellent spot to back them as they check in as an underdog against mighty LSU. The Tigers obviously possess an explosive offense but I do think Georgia is capable of at the very least keeping them in check. I also like the Bulldogs ability to effectively shorten this game with their tremendous ground attack. QB Jake Fromm hasn't had to be great this season but I'm confident he'll turn in a solid performance here in what should be a tightly-contested affair. Take Georgia (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Oregon and Utah at 8 pm et on Friday.

This is a relatively low total but I believe it's warranted. Oregon hasn't been the offensive juggernaut we've been accustomed to seeing in previous years this season, even with top NFL QB prospect Justin Herbert at the helm of the offense. On the flip side, the Ducks defense has held its own - this isn't a team that got involved in a ton of track meets this season. Utah meanwhile closed out the regular season with some strong performances offensively, but the story is its elite defense, which I believe can handle this matchup with the Ducks. The Utes come in having allowed a grand total of 25 points over their last three contests. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Oregon plus the points over Utah at 8 pm et on Friday.

I can't help but feel there is a lot of undue added pressure on the Utes heading into this one as they aim to secure their best season since 2008 and put themselves into the conversation for a College Football Playoff spot with a victory on Friday night. I simply feel the Ducks are being overlooked, largely due to their collapse against Auburn in front of a national audiences way back in Week 1 (we won with the Tigers in that game) and a stunning upset loss to Arizona State two weeks ago. Oregon has a terrific shot at earning an ounce of redemption, not to mention improving its Bowl standing with a victory here. I'm not overly concerned by the Ducks less than impressive low-scoring win over Oregon State last time out. There was certainly a hangover effect at play in that one as they were coming off what could have been a season-wrecking loss to the Sun Devils. Oregon faces a tough challenge here but I don't think there's any reason intimidation factor at play with the Ducks having taken four of the last six meetings since 2013 and falling by just a single touchdown in a true road game last year. Take Oregon (10*).

My selection is on Georgia minus the points over Georgia Tech at 12 noon et on Saturday.

We won with Georgia Tech in last week's narrow victory over N.C. State while missing the mark with Georgia as they won but failed to cover against Texas A&M. I do feel I have a pretty good read on both of these squads as they close out the regular season with this annual in-state rivalry matchup, and I'm confident laying the big number with the Bulldogs in what should be an old-fashioned blowout. Credit the Yellow Jackets for not giving up on the campaign but there's no question it's been a long season with eight losses in 11 games. They'll try to muck things up on Saturday and turn this into an ugly affair but I don't see them succeeding. The Bulldogs have been a little uneven offensively in recent weeks but they can absolutely get loose against this Georgia Tech defense. I certainly don't expect to see Georgia take it easy on the Jackets. Take Georgia (10*).

My selection is on Clemson minus the points over South Carolina at 12 noon et on Saturday.

Despite its flawless 11-0 record and despite the fact that it has scored 50+ points in four straight games, it almost seems as if Clemson is flying under the radar a little bit with the likes of LSU, Alabama and Ohio State garnering much of the national attention this season. The Tigers have certainly rounded into form after a relatively slow start to the season and they're in excellent position to absolutely annihilate an overmatched South Carolina squad here. This is the end of the line for the four-win Gamecocks, whose season highlight was undoubtedly a stunning 20-17 win over Georgia between the hedges back on October 12th. Since then, the Gamecocks have just one win to their credit and that came at home against lowly Vanderbilt. Take Clemson (10*).

My selection is on Washington State plus the points over Washington at 4 pm et on Friday.

Washington has owned the Apple Cup in recent years, taking each of the last six meetings but I believe that streak is in jeopardy this year. The Cougars and Huskies check in sporting identical 6-5 records but it's Washington State that comes in with some positive momentum off back-to-back wins, scoring a whopping 103 points in the process. The Cougars defense has reverted to old form, giving up a ton of points this season, but I actually feel they can hold their own in this particular matchup. Even two weeks ago against one of the worst defenses in the nation in Oregon State, Washington managed to score only 19 points. Despite the pro-Huskies crowd, I look for the Cougars to stay inside the number in this one. Take Washington State (10*).

My selection is on Missouri minus the points over Arkansas at 2:30 pm et on Friday.

This is a true 'get right' spot for Missouri and it couldn't come at a more opportune time as the Tigers need a victory to become Bowl eligible. It's easy to forget that Missouri got off to a terrific 5-1 start this season before the wheels came off in October. A tough schedule has led them to five straight losses but all is not lost. I like the Tigers chances of absolutely going off in this smash spot against a very weak Arkansas defense. The Razorbacks have lost eight games in a row and have been outgained by 240+ yards in four of their last five contests. They're unsettled at quarterback and I just don't see them keeping up in a potential shootout on Friday. Keep in mind Arkansas is allowing a staggering 5.8 yards per rush this season. This one could get out of hand in a hurry. Take Missouri (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Western Michigan and Northern Illinois at 7 pm et on Tuesday.

There's little reason to have much faith in either of these offenses even though the 'over' has cashed in each of Western Michigan's last two games and six straight contests involving Northern Illinois. Keep in mind, Broncos QB Jon Wassink had thrown for under 200 yards in four straight games prior to last week's 322-yard, three-touchdown outburst against Ohio. On Senior Night, I do expect to see the Northern Illinois defense show up as the Huskies wrap up what has been a highly-disappointing campaign. NIU QB Marcus Childers has been ineffective since taking over for Ryan Bowers, who continues to recover from a concussion. Childers has thrown for more than 100 yards just once this season. While he is gaining 6.5 yards per rush, that's largely due to a relatively small sample size. In the last two seasons he averaged 3.3 and 2.7 yards per rush. Both offenses are capable of moving the football on the ground with terrific lead backs. That should only serve to keep the clock moving in this one, however, as Western Michigan looks to pick up a win and move on to postseason play. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Troy and Louisiana-Lafayette at 5 pm et on Saturday.

Regardless how this game plays out, I expect it to find its way 'over' the lofty total. We won with Troy last week as it rolled to a 63-27 win over what I consider to be one of the nation's worst teams in Texas State. Here, the Trojans should find the going a lot tougher, although I do have faith in QB Kaleb Barker to get them into the end zone early and often. Barker has now thrown for at least 330 yards in four straight games, racking up 14 touchdowns compared to just one interception over that stretch. Louisiana-Lafayette will pose a challenge defensively to be sure, but with Troy likely to be forced into comeback mode, I'm confident we'll see Barker bomb away with his excellent group of receivers all afternoon long. The Ragin' Cajuns have more of a run-oriented offensive attack with Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas leading the way. With that in mind, they should be able to run wild against a very beatable Troy defense here. We're talking about a Troy defense that even against a usually punchless Texas State offense allowed around 400 yards of total offense and 27 points last week. Note that Louisiana-Lafayette has scored over 30 points in eight of 10 games this season and should be able to better than number here. Take the over (10*).

CFB SEC Game of the Month. My selection is on Georgia minus the points over Texas A&M at 3:30 pm et on Saturday.

Georgia has quietly strung together four straight quality wins, allowing a grand total of just 31 points in the process, since suffering that stunning home loss to South Carolina back on October 12th. Here, I believe the Bulldogs are in a smash spot against Texas A&M. The Aggies are off to a 7-3 start but they've certainly struggled when stepping up in class this season, going winless against the likes of Clemson, Auburn and Alabama. This is another big step-up spot and I look for them to struggle once again. The Aggies will undoubtedly need more from QB Kellen Mond in this one as Georgia will focus on shutting down A&M's vaunted ground attack. Note that Mond hasn't thrown for over 300 yards since September. Georgia's offense hasn't had to be great over the last month or so but I'm confident it can rise to the occasion when needed in this game, which features a relatively low total. Bulldogs QB Jake Fromm completed only 13 passes and threw for just 110 yards in last week's win over Auburn. That was on the road against a better defense than he'll face here, however. Expect a strong bounce-back performance. Take Georgia (10*).

CFB Blowout Game of the Week. My selection is on Virginia minus the points over Liberty at 12 noon et on Saturday.

While the Cavaliers defense stood out early in the season it has been their offense that has really taken off over the last couple of weeks with QB Bryce Perkins rounding into form, RB Wayne Taulapapa remaining a touchdown-machine and WR Terrell Jana developing into a gamebreaker over the last few games. Upstart Liberty has already gained Bowl eligibility but it will be hard-pressed to even stay competitive in this one. While Liberty has won six games, it has also shown some inconsistency, giving up 40+ points against FCS squad Maine and losing outright to lowly Rutgers. After traveling to Provo for a loss to BYU last week, now they stay on the road for a fourth consecutive game - a stretch that has taken the Flames all over the map. I don't think there's any chance Virginia overlooks Liberty here, not after almost suffering an upset loss at the hands of an improving Georgia Tech squad (we won with Georgia Tech on Thursday) last week. Take Virginia (10*).

My selection is on Wyoming minus the points over Colorado State at 9:30 pm et on Friday.

Wyoming became Bowl eligible with a blowout win over Nevada back on October 26th but has gone winless since. That's not overly concerning though as its last two losses came on the road against Boise State and Utah State, and those two setbacks came by a combined eight points. Colorado State can still gain Bowl eligibility by running the table over the final two weeks of the season but that's highly unlikely with this date followed by a home game against Boise State. Simply put, I feel Colorado State owns one of the weakest defenses in the nation and even though Wyoming is by no means an offensive powerhouse, and currently going with backup QB Tyler Vander Waal, who threw three interceptions last time out, I'm confident the Cowboys can inflict some damage here. RB Xzavian Valladay has taken over since the Cowboys starting QB went down, shouldering the bulk of the load on offense running for 444 yards over the last three games. This is a smash spot for him against a Rams defense that allows over five yards per rush this season. Take Wyoming (10*).

CFB ACC Game of the Year. My selection is on Georgia Tech minus the points over N.C. State at 8 pm et on Thursday.

N.C. State may own the better overall record, but its a dead heat between these two struggling squads from an ATS perspective with both checking in at a miserable 2-8. I simply feel that the Yellow Jackets have a lot more upside at this point of the season and should defend their home field successfully on Thursday night in Atlanta. N.C. State has lost four games in a row both SU and ATS with its last victory coming in an ugly 16-10 affair against a disappointing Syracuse squad way back on October 10th. The Wolfpack's only other win over the course of their current 2-6 slide came in a non-cover against Ball State. Even though Georgia Tech is coming off a 45-0 drubbing at the hands of Virginia Tech, it hasn't given up on the season, as evidenced by its 2-2 ATS record over its last four games, including a stunning overtime win at Miami and a narrow five-point loss at Virginia. I expect a strong bounce-back from the Jackets here in what is essentially their last shot at a victory this season before taking on Georgia in their annual regular season finale. Take Georgia Tech (10*).

My selection is on Akron plus the points over Miami-Ohio at 7:30 pm et on Wednesday.

Akron is winless on the season, not just straight-up but against the spread as well. I believe the Zips end their streak of futility here, however, as they travel to face a Redhawks squad that couldn't be blamed for being a little complacent in this the back-half of consecutive home games against the MAC's two worst teams. The one positive I'll point to as far as Akron goes is QB Kato Nelson. He has actually managed to throw for over 1,600 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions this season and has now tossed 33 touchdowns compared to just 16 interceptions over the course of his three-year career with the Zips. When these two teams met last season the Redhawks were actually the underdog. Akron has delivered the cash in three of the last four meetings in this series. Take Akron (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Toledo and Buffalo at 7:30 pm et on Wednesday.

Toledo is coming off a string of high-scoring games, with the 'over' cashing in each of its last four contests. I look for that streak to end here, however, as the Rockets face a tough challenge in the form of the Buffalo Bulls on Wednesday night. Note that the Rockets offense has been far better at home than on the road this season. Save for a big performance at Colorado State (who owns one of the weakest defenses in the nation), Toledo has scored just 45 points combined in its other three road tilts. Last year, Buffalo went into the Glass Bowl and held the Rockets to only 17 points in a game that featured a closing total of 63 points. The 'over' has cashed in the Bulls last three games, with their offense getting loose against the likes of Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Kent State. They should find the going a little tougher here, even if Toledo hasn't looked particularly stout on the defensive side of the football over its last few games. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Eastern Michigan minus the points over Northern Illinois at 7:30 pm et on Tuesday.

Northern Illinois pulled out a win at Toledo last week to keep its slim hopes of reaching a Bowl game alive. Of course, those hopes aren't quite as slim now as they need to win out over their final two regular season games to get to six victories. I believe they'll be hard-pressed to string together a second straight win here, however. Eastern Michigan can likely pick up its sixth win at home against Kent State on Black Friday, but will certainly be motivated to take care of that on Tuesday night in DeKalb. The Eagles are an even 3-3 on the road this season, including a notable win at Illinois and a tough three-point loss at Toledo. I like the progression we've seen from Eagles QB Mike Glass III. While he was throwing more touchdowns earlier in the season he was also throwing a lot more interceptions. In fact, he hasn't tossed a single interception in his last three games. Huskies QB Ross Bowers is back healthy but has thrown just two touchdowns compared to three interceptions since returning and hasn't thrown multiple touchdown passes in a game since August 31st against FCS opponent Illinois State. Take Eastern Michigan (10*).

CFB MAC Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois at 7:30 pm et on Tuesday.

We missed the mark with the 'under' in Northern Illinois' 31-28 win over Toledo last week but I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the same play on Tuesday night as the Huskies return home to host Eastern Michigan. I did like what I saw from the Huskies defense for the first three quarters in that game anyway. Northern Illinois allowed a touchdown with just under six minutes remaining in the first quarter against Toledo but then didn't give up any more points until a minute into the fourth quarter. The Huskies know they can't become complacent defensively in this one after giving up 21 fourth quarter points before kicking a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds last week. Eastern Michigan will certainly be up for this one, knowing that a win would make it Bowl eligible with a game to spare. Note that Northern Illinois has scored 24 points or less in six of 10 games this season. The Huskies put up 26 points the last time they faced the Eagles last season, but that was a stronger NIU squad that won eight games. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Utah minus the points over UCLA at 8 pm et on Saturday.

UCLA has strung together three straight wins to put itself back in the Bowl conversation but it faces an uphill battle, starting with Saturday's game at Utah. The Bruins have scored 30+ points in four straight contests but are highly unlikely to approach that number here. The Utes have given up a grand total of just 33 points in five home games this season. Their lone loss came way back in mid-September at USC. I like the consistency the Utes have shown on both sides of the football, with QB Tyler Huntley having thrown just one interception all season. By contrast, UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson already thrown a whopping eight picks. The last time these two teams met it was no contest as Utah rolled to a 41-10 victory last season. Expect another dominant performance from the Utes on Saturday. Take Utah (10*).

My selection is on Iowa minus the points over Minnesota at 4 pm et on Saturday.

This is obviously a massive letdown spot for Minnesota coming off that huge win over Penn State last Saturday. The Golden Gophers enter this game with a perfect 9-0 record but it's not as if they're been slaying giants all season. This will certainly be a tough test against a terrific Iowa defense that has held its own against the best of the best this season. The Hawkeyes check in 6-3 on the campaign but have dropped three of their last five overall. That has had more to do with their schedule than anything else as they've suffered losses at Michigan, vs. Penn State and last week by just two points at Wisconsin. I look for the Iowa offense to finally get going a bit today, while the defense does its thing and guides the Hawkeyes to a big victory. Take Iowa (10*).

CFB Blowout Game of the Week. My selection is on Troy minus the points over Texas State at 3 pm et on Saturday.

Troy has its work cut out for it in order to gain Bowl eligibility this season but it all starts with this very winnable game against Texas State. With the Trojans highly-unlikely to beat both Louisiana-Lafayette and Appalachian State over their final two games, this almost becomes a must-win. I'm confident we'll see the Trojans perform accordingly. If you follow my plays regularly, you know that I'm not very high on Texas State, even though it has shown up and battled on occasion this season, even managing to win three games outright. I still believe the Bobcats have one of the weakest offenses in the entire FBS. They did score 30 points in a win last week, but that came against lowly South Alabama (1-8). Troy possesses a far more dynamic offense with QB Kaleb Barker having thrown for over 300 yards on five different occasions, while tossing at least two touchdown passes in eight of nine games this season. RB DK Billingsley has made the most of relatively limited touches, rushing for over 100 yards on four different occasions. He's coming off his best performance of the season last time out, running for 163 yards and two touchdowns on only 14 carries. The Trojans defense leaves a lot to be desired but I'm not convinced Texas State will be able to take full advantage. Take Troy (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Louisiana Tech and Marshall at 7 pm et on Friday.

Louisiana Tech has been absolutely mowing down the competition in C-USA play, but has also faced an extremely light schedule recently. Since the start of October, the Bulldogs have gone bye week, UMass, Southern Miss, UTEP and North Texas. Those four opponents represent four of the weakest defensive teams in the country. While the Bulldogs have absolutely scored at will over the last month, this is the same team that was held to 20 points against Grambling State and put up only 23 points at Rice. Marshall isn't likely to blow the doors off of Louisiana Tech here, and that should lend itself to a lower-scoring affair than the oddsmakers are calling for. The Thundering Herd were in an absolute smash spot offensively last time out against Rice, but could only muster 20 points. QB Isaiah Green has proven to be a game manager more than anything else, throwing for fewer than 270 yards in all but one game this season, while managing more than single touchdown pass on just three occasions. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between North Carolina and Pittsburgh at 8 pm et on Thursday.

Both of these teams come in well-rested having not played since November 2nd, giving them ample time to gameplan for this key mid-November showdown. North Carolina QB Sam Howell has thrown for over 340 yards in three of his last four games, compiling an incredible 15 touchdown passes over that stretch. That's not to mention the Tar Heels very capable backfield tandem of Javonte Williams and Michael Carter. Pitt's offense has left a lot to be desired over its last few games, all of the lower-scoring variety, but I expect a big bounce-back here. QB Kenny Pickett has thrown four interceptions over his last two games, but I don't expect him to simply be a game manager in this contest. The Panthers know they'll need to go on the attack to keep pace with an improving Tar Heels offense, and I look for them to find some success with the Pickett-to-Ffrench connection. Maurice Ffrench hasn't hauled in a touchdown in his last two games, but should find the end zone against a beatable Tar Heels secondary here. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on Buffalo minus the points over Kent State at 7 pm et on Thursday.

I've said it on a few occasions this season and I'll say it again here; Kent State is one of the nation's weakest teams, particularly on the defensive side of the football, and I look for the Golden Flashes to get gashed once again here. Most jumped off the Buffalo bandwagon early this season as the Bulls dropped their first two MAC contests. Since then, all they've done is reel off three straight wins, outscoring the opposition by an incredible 107-34 margin. Of course their opposition has left a lot to be desired but you can only play the teams in front of you, and they catch another favorable matchup here, noting that the Bulls routed the Golden Flashes 48-14 in their most recent meeting last November. Buffalo will undoubtedly gain Bowl eligibility at some point, but it would certainly rather take care of that right here tonight. Take Buffalo (10*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Northern Illinois and Toledo at 8 pm et on Wednesday.

Toledo has been involved in back-to-back high-scoring shootouts, flaming a couple of bad defenses in Eastern Michigan and Kent State in posting consecutive victories. I expect the Rockets to face a little more resistance against rival Northern Illinois here. The Huskies are fresh off a beatdown at the hands of Central Michigan but will undoubtedly get up for this game, knowing they need to run the table over their final three games to become Bowl eligible. With a win here, that would certainly still be well within the realm of possibility, noting they have two home games to close out the regular season. Note that Northern Illinois has held five of nine opponents this season to 27 points or less. The Huskies biggest issue has been their lack of consistent offensive production, scoring 24 points or less in seven of nine contests. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Eastern Michigan and Akron at 6 pm et on Tuesday.

Akron has scored a grand total of just nine points over its last four games but here the Zips have a fine opportunity to bust out against a weak Eastern Michigan defense. The Eagles have allowed 30+ points in five of nine contests this season, while also giving up 29 points against FCS opponent Central Connecticut State. Prior to its current lull, Akron had scored 60 points over its previous three games. Defensively, the Zips have only managed to limit their points allowed thanks to game script. Make no mistake, this is one of the worst defensive teams in the nation. Eastern Michigan is in a clear 'get-right' spot offensively after getting trounced by Buffalo at home last time out. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on Kentucky minus the points over Tennessee at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

Kentucky controls its own destiny as far as Bowl eligibility goes with a relatively light schedule remaining. The Wildcats have won two of their last three games following a three-game slide and enter this contest off their bye week. While they were idle last week, Tennessee was steamrolling a solid UAB squad by a 30-7 score at home. Even off back-to-back wins, I'm not convinced the Vols are all the way back after a rough start to the season. With only three games left on the schedule and in need of two victories, they're facing an uphill battle toward Bowl eligibility. When these two teams met last year the Vols secured a 24-7 victory but I won't be surprised if the script is flipped this time around. Take Kentucky (10*).

My selection is on Alabama minus the points over LSU at 3:30 pm et on Saturday.

We've picked our spots going against the Crimson Tide in recent years, but not during the regular season. Once again, I look for Alabama to prove itself in this massive showdown with LSU. Yes, this is the best Tigers squad we've seen in years but I'm not sure that means they can hang with the Tide for 60 minutes. The key here should be the Alabama defense, as it will clamp down on LSU QB Joe Burrow. The Tigers haven't had to play from behind much at all this season but that's almost a certainty on Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. All indications are that Alabama will have Tua back at its disposal and I look for him to lead the Tide to another convincing win over an SEC rival. Take Alabama (10*).

CFB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between UTSA and Old Dominion at 2 pm et on Saturday.

I'm not anticipating much in the way of offensive fireworks in this matchup on Saturday afternoon. The UTSA defense hasn't been performing well lately but has also faced the likes of UAB and Texas A&M in two of its last three games. Here, it takes a big step down in class against a punchless Old Dominion offense. The Monarchs battled hard but ultimately fell a touchdown short in a 24-17 setback at Florida International last week. ODU has now been held to 17 points or less in five consecutive games. The Monarchs haven't always been stout defensively this season but catch a favorable matchup against a banged-up and talent-shy Roadrunners offense. Take the under (10*).

CFB Pac-12 Game of the Month. My selection is on Oregon State plus the points over Washington at 10:30 pm et on Friday.

This isn't the same Washington squad we've seen in years past, as evidenced by the fact that the Huskies have already dropped four games in Pac-12 play. They should be on upset alert again on Friday night as they face an upstart Oregon State squad that needs two victories in its final four games to become Bowl eligible. Given it still has to play Arizona State, Washington State and Oregon, with the latter two matchups coming on the road, this game is virtually a must-win. The Beavers are fresh off a 56-point explosion at Arizona last week. While their defense leaves a lot to be desired, their offense has shown the ability to score at will. I'm comfortable grabbing a generous helping of points with the home side here. Take Oregon State (10*).

My selection is on Toledo minus the points over Kent State at 7 pm et on Tuesday.

Toledo hasn't been very good since losing QB Mitchell Guadagni to injury but it is coming off a much-needed win over Eastern Michigan last time out and I look for it to keep things rolling at home against Kent State in another big MAC affair on Tuesday night. The key here will be the Rockets ground attack. They have a dynamic running game that should be able to control proceedings against the Golden Flashes. Kent State has a rather punchless offense and while the Flashes have faced a pretty tough schedule to be sure, I simply feel they're one of the weakest teams in the MAC and the nation. We're being asked to lay a reasonable number with the superior team at home. Take Toledo (10*).

My selection is on Louisiana-Lafayette minus the points over Texas State at 5 pm et on Saturday.

We cashed a ticket fading Texas State last Saturday against Arkansas State and I won’t hesitate to go back to the well with the same play here. The Bobcats have two wins to their credit this season but I still believe they’re one of the weakest teams in FBS. Not surprisingly, their limited offense struggled to get anything going last Saturday against the Red Wolves, scoring a pair of second quarter touchdowns but that was it. They’ll be hard-pressed to improve on that performance against a good Ragin’ Cajuns defense here. Louisiana-Lafayette is fresh off its bye week, which came on the heels of a big 17-point road win over rival Arkansas State. RB Trey Ragas’ health is in question as he recovers from an ankle injury but even if he can’t go, the Ragin’ Cajuns still have a terrific stable of dynamic running backs to lean on. I’m confident we’ll see them build an early lead in this one and let their defense and ground attack take care of the rest, ultimately pulling away for a cover on Saturday. Take Louisiana-Lafayette (10*).

My selection is on the ‘under’ between TCU and Oklahoma State at 3:30 pm et on Saturday.

TCU is coming off a huge 37-27 win over Texas last Saturday and fresh off that offensive breakout, most are expecting a shootout in Stillwater this week. I’m not so easily convinced. Keep in mind, prior to last week’s win, the Horned Frogs had scored just 41 points combined in dropping back-to-back games against Iowa State and Kansas State – both on the road. Oklahoma State by no means possesses an elite defense but I do think the Cowboys can keep the Horned Frogs inconsistent offense in check on Saturday. On the flip side, the TCU defense has shown signs of turning things around over the last couple of weeks. They didn’t give up a touchdown until four minutes into the second quarter last week against Texas and when it mattered most they stepped up, allowing just one second half touchdown. The Horned Frogs will undoubtedly have their hands full trying to slow down dynamic Cowboys RB Chuba Hubbard on Saturday but it’s worth noting that they’ve allowed just one 100+ yard rusher this season and that was Iowa State QB Brock Purdy, who gained 102 yards on the ground against them. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Marshall minus the points over Rice at 3:30 pm et on Saturday.

This was a blowout last year as Marshall rolled to a 41-14 victory and I’m expecting more of the same on Saturday. Rice checks in 0-8 on the campaign but the fact that it has at least kept things somewhat competitive helps keep the line in check here. RB Aston Walter suffered a shoulder injury last week and while he is expected to play, he won’t be at full strength. You can be sure the Thundering Herd have been keying their defensive gameplan on Walter as he’s proven to be the Owls only true playmaker on offense this season. Marshall hasn’t been able to take a breath in a few weeks, coming off back-to-back tightly-contested affairs against Florida Atlantic and Western Kentucky (it won both games). The Thundering Herd have faced a truly difficult schedule to this point but now get four straight winnable games to close out the season to improve their Bowl positioning. Look for them to take full advantage of this blowout waiting to happen against one of the nation’s weakest FBS teams. Take Marshall (10*).

My selection is on the ‘under’ between Northern Illinois and Central Michigan at 12 noon et on Saturday.

We missed the mark with the ‘under’ in Northern Illinois’ last game, a 49-0 rout of lowly Akron last Saturday. I won’t hesitate to go back to the well with the same play here, however. The Huskies offense has been inconsistent this season and will certainly be stepping up in class here off the win over the Zips. I’m confident we’ll see them keep their offensive gameplan focused on the ground where RB Tre Harbison has been terrific. That strategy should help keep the chains, and more important for us, the clock moving. Central Michigan entered last week’s date with Buffalo on a serious roll offensively but that had more to do with the level of opposition it had faced through the first three weeks of October than anything else (the Chippewas faced Eastern Michigan, New Mexico State and Bowling Green over a three-week stretch). Last week, the Chips could only manage 20 points in a blowout loss to Buffalo, turning the football over four times in the process. Much like NIU, I look for CMU to keep the football on the ground for much of the afternoon on Saturday, with RB Jonathan Ward having rushed for over 100 yards in four of his last five games. Take the under (10*).

CFB C-USA Game of the Year. My selection is on Florida International minus the points over Old Dominion at 12 noon et on Saturday.

I love the bounce back spot for FIU here as it returns home following a beatdown at the hands of Middle Tennessee State last week. The loss dropped the Panthers to 4-4 on the season but they remain very much in contention for a Bowl game. That certainly depends on getting a win here, and I’m confident we’ll see them secure the victory in convincing fashion. At 1-7, Old Dominion is a true doormat this season. The Monarchs lone victory came back in August against FCS squad Norfolk State. They check into this one having scored just one offensive touchdown in their last 11 quarters of football. FIU has certainly shown blowout potential here at home this season, where it owns victories by 13, 44, 25 and 15-point margins, its lone home loss coming against a quality opponent in Western Kentucky – a game in which it covered the spread. Note that Panthers QB James Morgan has been quietly efficient, throwing seven touchdowns and no interceptions over his last four games. Meanwhile, RB Anthony Jones has rushed for 421 yards on just 72 carries, while finding the end zone five times over that same stretch. The Panthers are heavily favored for a reason in this early start matchup. I’ll lay the points. Take Florida International (10*).

CFB AAC Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Navy and Connecticut at 8 pm et on Friday.

We missed the mark with the 'under' in Navy's high-scoring win over Tulane last week but I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the same play as the Midshipmen hit the road to face lowly UConn on a short week. Last week's high-scoring result was certainly game script dependent as Tulane simply couldn't stop the Navy offense early on, digging a 24-0 hole just five minutes into the second quarter. From there things really opened up. I expect a different story to unfold here. Connecticut stunningly put up 56 points in a win at UMass last week but will face a much tougher challenge here. Note that prior to last week's performance, the Huskies had scored 22 points or less in five straight games and had topped out at 24 points, that coming in a season-opening win over FCS squad Wagner. Take the under (10*).