50* Powerhouse Play on Arizona State -8 -110

Coming off two overtime games, the Colorado Buffaloes (2-1) are headed on the road to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils (3-0).

Many expected the momentum from a huge come-from-behind win versus #25 Nebraska to carry over into Colorado’s contest against Air Force. It didn’t. The Falcons won the game by seven in another overtime thriller.

The Buffaloes are averaging 36 points on the back of 421 yards per game. Defensively, Colorado is allowing 30 points per game and giving up 472 yards of total offense on average.

With Arizona State’s suffocating defense, Buffalo quarterback Steven Montez will need to be careful as he attacks through the air. On the season, Montez is 67 of 104 for 827 yards, six touchdowns, and two picks.

The aforementioned defense of the Sun Devils is why Arizona State has gotten off to a flawless 3-0 start. In each of the teams three games, the opponent has been held to just seven points, and that includes #18 Michigan State.

The Sun Devils are averaging just 20 points a game, but that’s just fine when they’re only giving up a touchdown every time they step on the field.

With one of the best scoring defenses in the nation, Arizona State would love to get more production out of the offense and quarterback Jayden Daniels. The freshman is 47 of 77 for 728 yards and three touchdowns on the season.

50* Powerhouse Play on New Mexico -4 -109

Saturday features an all-New Mexico affair as the New Mexico University Lobos (1-1) host the New Mexico State Aggies (0-3).

New Mexico State started off the season with a brutal schedule, taking on #23 Washington State and #2 Alabama. However, the Aggies will have wanted a better performance against San Diego State, to whom they lost by a score of 31-10.

Through three games, New Mexico State is scoring an average of nine points while allowing opponents to score 50.

Aggies quarterback Josh Adkins needs to have a good game, which includes protecting the football. On the season, Adkins is 73 of 113 for 665 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions.

New Mexico edged out Sam Houston State by eight in the season opener before falling to #7 Notre Dame by a score of 66-14. Those two results won’t scare many teams, as the Lobos are averaging 26 points per game while giving up 48.

While the Lobos have allowed 438 passing yards per game, they’ll be looking to pick off a turnover-prone Adkins and hand their offense extra possessions. If New Mexico can contain an Aggies rushing attack that’s averaging just 75 yards per game, they should be able to put pressure on Adkins.

50* Powerhouse Play on UL-Monroe +18½ -109

Identical records will be put on the line Saturday when the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks (1-1) go on the road to take on the Cyclones of Iowa State (1-1).

Both teams are coming off heartbreaking losses in their last contest. Let’s start with UL Monroe, who lost to Florida State 45-44 in overtime. That near-stunner came on September 7, so the Warhawks will have had an extra week to prepare for Saturday’s game.

Through two games, UL Monroe is scoring 37.5 points per game on 460 yards of total offense. Defensively, the Warhawks are allowing 27 points while opponents are racking up 454 yards per game.

Senior quarterback Caleb Evans has looked good for UL Monroe thus far, tossing three touchdowns and a pick while putting up 424 yards through the air. Although Iowa State presents a formidable rush defense, Warkawks running back Josh Johnson was able to run for 126 yards against FSU two weeks ago.

Despite two very close games to start the season – a three-point win in triple overtime before the one-point loss to Iowa – Iowa State is favored by 18.5 points.

To cover, the Cyclones will need a big performance out of quarterback Brock Purdy, who’s thrown for 554 yards and three touchdowns through the first two games of the season. Yet even with Purdy’s success so far in 2019, Iowa State is scoring just one more point per game than they’re allowing (23-22).

One reason Iowa State hasn’t enjoyed more offensive production this year is the lack of a running game. Kene Nwangwu is the team’s leading back with just 84 yards on the season.

In the last seven games, the Cyclones are 1-6 against the spread.

50* Powerhouse Play on Southern Miss +39½ -110

The Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi (2-1) have a tough task ahead of them as they go into Tuscaloosa to take on the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0).

In the team’s lone loss, which came against Mississippi State, Southern Miss only managed 15 points. However, the Golden Eagles were able to score 38 and 47 points in wins over Alcorn State and Troy. On average, Southern Miss is scoring 33 points and allowing 30 points per game.

Much of the Golden Eagles’ 453 yards per game come from the arm of QB Jack Abraham. Abraham has thrown for 990 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions on the season. With 347 passing yards per game, Southern Miss is ranked 12thin the nation.

The Golden Eagles will be hoping for another kickoff return for a touchdown from Jaylond Adams, who’s averaging one per game this season.

Alabama has yet to truly struggle this season, scoring at least 42 points in every game. On average, the Crimson Tide put up 50 points while holding opponents to 12 points per game. Alabama is also holding opponents to 308 yards of offense while racking up 562 yards themselves.

Already over the 1,000-yard mark, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is 70 of 91 for 1,007 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jerry Jeudy is on the receiving end of most Tagovailoa passes, earning 308 yards and four touchdowns thus far.

Southern Miss will point to a tight first quarter for Alabama against South Carolina in which the Crimson Tide only led by a score of 14-10. If Alabama has another slow start, the Golden Eagles will be sitting pretty with regard to the 39.5-point spread.

50* Powerhouse Play on Central Michigan +30 -110

The Chippewas of Central Michigan (2-1) bounced back from a 61-0 thrashing at the hands of #17 Wisconsin to take down Akron. Saturday, Central Michigan takes on the Hurricanes (1-2) in Miami.

Although Central Michigan puts up just 373 yards of total offense per game, they’ve scored 38 and 45 points in their two victories this season. The team’s average of 35 points allowed is skewed heavily by the loss to Wisconsin.

Quarterback David Moore performed well in the start last week. Against the Zips, Moore threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns without a pick. Alongside running back Kobe Lewis, who rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns a week ago, the Chippewas offer a balanced offensive attack.

The Hurricanes appear to be in the midst of a decline. After a 10-3 season in 2017, Miami went 7-6 a year ago before starting off the 2019 season with a record of 1-2. Before blowing out Bethune Cookman, the Hurricanes fell to #8 Florida and North Carolina.

Offensively, Miami scores an average of 36 points on 459 total yards. Defensively, the Hurricanes allow 17 points a game on 276 yards. Sticking to those averages won’t be enough to cover the 30 points Miami is giving Central Michigan.

In fact, Miami has failed to reach 30 points in two of its first three games.

So far, Miami quarterback Jarren Williams has thrown for 777 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. However, half of Williams’ TDs came against Bethune Cookman last week.

50* Powerhouse Play on South Carolina +9½ -110

A pair of SEC foes will go head to head in Missouri as the South Carolina Gamecocks (1-2) try to take down the Missouri Tigers (2-1).

Although South Carolina’s record is the worse of the two, the two defeats have come against a good North Carolina squad and the #2 team in the country, Alabama. Missouri has beaten up on inferior competition, but also lost a shocker to Wyoming in the season opener.

By the numbers, we’re looking at an offensive strength versus a defensive strength in this matchup. While South Carolina has put up 501 yards a game, Missouri is averaging 473 yards of offense. However, the Tigers are allowing just 218 yards per game while the Gamecocks are giving up 440 on average.

Rico Dowdle was a solid performer last week against Alabama. On just 12 carries, Dowdle ran for 102 yards. That brings the running back’s season total up to 251 yards with a pair of scores.

Also encouraging for South Carolina is the play of freshman quarterback Ryan Helinski, who’s thrown for 606 yards, four touchdowns, and two picks in the two games he’s played. 324 of those yards and two of those TDs came against the Crimson Tide.

Kelly Bryant looked decent for Missouri against Southeast Missouri State a week ago. The senior QB threw for 225 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

9.5 points feels like a lot to lay for a Missouri team that failed to beat Wyoming.

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on Rutgers +8½ -109

Each with one loss on the record, the Boston College Eagles (2-1) are set to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-1) on Saturday.

Thus far, Boston College has had very little trouble putting points on the board. Since an impressive 35-28 win over Virginia Tech to start the season, the Eagles have scored 45 and 48 points. Although Boston College is allowing 30 points per game, they’re scoring an average of 35.

After a strong start, Boston College suffered an embarrassing loss to Kansas after coming into the matchup as 21-point favorites. Against the Jayhawks, Boston College allowed 329 yards on the ground and 567 yards of total offense.

Eagles quarterback Anthony Brown completed just half his passes for 195 yards and a TD. Running back AJ Dillon rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown, but the Boston College offense was scoreless in the second half.

After a 48-21 win over UMass to start the 2019 season, Rutgers was demolished by #20 Iowa in the team’s second contest. With an extra week to prepare, Rutgers will attempt to improve its 24 points a game and 25 points allowed per game.

Against superior competition, Rutgers only managed 125 yards of offense. Now going up against a Boston College team that struggled to finish tackles a week ago, the Scarlet Knights should have more success on the back of Isaih Pacheco, who’s rushed for 223 yards and four TDs through the first two games of the year.

1* Free Play on TCU -8½ -110

The Southern Methodist Mustangs (3-0) will face the team’s first ranked opponent as they go on the road to play the #25 TCU Horned Frogs (2-0) in Fort Worth.

You won’t find a loss on the record of SMU after three straight victories to open the season, although none came against particularly good competition. Nonetheless, the Mustangs are scoring 44 points per game while allowing just 25.

Despite three picks on the year, SMU quarterback Shane Buechele has looked good with 871 yards and five touchdowns. The arm of Buechele has paired well with the Mustangs’ ground game, led by the 291 yards and seven touchdowns of senior running back Xavier Jones.

SMU will need Buechele to protect the ball better than he has if they’ll pull the upset over TCU.

The toughest game for the Horned Frogs thus far has been Purdue – a game which TCU won by a score of 34-13. Laying 8.5 points, the Horned Frogs will need its defense, which has held opponents to just 209 yards per game, to maintain its great form.

With sub-par production from quarterback Max Duggan (235 yards, two TDs, zero picks), TCU will need another big game out of running back Darius Anderson. Against Purdue, Anderson ran for 179 and two touchdowns.