Top 25 Capsules - College Football News

Top 25 Capsules
By Tom Hamson
Posted: 7:30 am PDT 2006-09-09

After going to 13-5 against the spread last week, including my lock of the week, I will press my luck with two locks of the week. Last week, the upset of the week didn't happen, but Georgia Tech did cover. I'm banking on the Ol' Ball Coach to get me an upset win.

No. 1 Ohio State (1-0) at No. 2 Texas (1-0)
When: Saturday, 8 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Texas -2 1/2
Storyline: Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he mistakenly made Texas his No. 1 choice on his ballot. This wasn't a mistake. He wanted to be the underdog . He was trying to psyche his team up after losing to the Longhorns last year in Columbus. This could be the week Texas misses Vince Young.
Analysis: The Buckeyes have now covered eight in a row. Ohio State has also covered its last three as an underdog, which hasn't happened since 2004. Ohio State 41, Texas 28.

No. 19 Penn State (1-0) at No. 4 Notre Dame (1-0)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Notre Dame - 7 1/2
Storyline: Notre Dame escaped with a victory on the road against Georgia Tech. The Irish needed the tune-up. Penn State had an easy time with Akron.
Analysis: The Irish have now failed to cover five in a row. But Notre Dame might be a bargain here after a sloppy performance against the Rambling Wreck. Defense should be the key. Notre Dame 24, Penn State 14.

No. 4 Auburn (1-0, 0-0) at Mississippi St (0-1, 0-0)
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Auburn -20
Storyline: Last year, the Tigers blanked Miss St. despite the fact RB Kenny Irons was held to just 28 yards on 13 carries. Auburn has now won 14 in a row dating back to last year. Miss. St. failed to score against South Carolina last week but also held the Gamecocks offense in check.
Analysis: Auburn has covered the last four times against Bulldogs. Miss St. only covered three times all of last season. 2ND LOCK OF THE WEEK. Auburn 38, Miss St. 3.

Eastern Washington (0-1) at No. 6 West Virginia (1-0)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: No line
Storyline: WV's Steve Slaton rushed for 203 yards in a decisive win over Marshall last week. He should get his third straight 200-yard game dating back to last year's Sugar Bowl.
Analysis: The Mountaineers should have it an easy time with Division I-AA squad. West Virginia 55, Eastern Washington 10

Central Florida (1-0) at No. 7 Florida (1-0)
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Florida -23
Storyline: A first-time meeting between these two schools. Could be a future rivalry, with the emphasis on future. Gators looked in midseason form in their Week 1 victory. The Knights aren't an upstart Division I program with George O'Leary at the helm.
Analysis: The Gators were 1-3 against the spread as three-touchdown favorites last season. Last year in a similar spot against South Carolina, Central Florida covered 20 points on the road. Florida 42, UCF 21.

Arizona (1-0) at No. 8 LSU (1-0)
When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: LSU -15
Storyline: LSU QB JaMarcus Russell solidified his starting spot, completing 76 percent and throwing for 3 TDs and 253 yards in the season opener. Arizona slipped past BYU at home in an ugly victory. Coaches are familiar with each other from their Big 12 days.
Analysis: LSU has to worry about looking ahead to Auburn next week. Look for the Tigers to make a statement. LSU 42, Arizona 10

Troy (1-0) at No. 9 Florida State (1-0)
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: no line
Storyline: Florida State is coming off a big but unimpressive win in the Orange Bowl against Miami on Monday. This is a real breather for the Seminoles. Troy hopes to survive in a town that loves Greeks.
Analysis: FSU's offense needs to work out the kinks. Bobby Bowden is famous for running it up on cupcakes. FSU 52, Troy 7.

Central Michigan (0-1) at No. 10 Michigan (1-0)
When: Saturday, noon
WagerWeb.com odds: Michigan - 28
Storyline: Michigan started out strong with a win against Vandy thanks in part to the re-emergence of running back Mike Hart. Central Michigan gave Boston College a run for its money with a backup quarterback, Dan LeFevour, running the offense.
Analysis: These two faced in 2003 with Michigan winning 45-7. Chippewas have daunting task of playing two D-I powers on the road two weeks in a row. Michigan 44, Central Michigan 14

Air Force (0-0) at No. 11 Tennessee (1-0)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Tennessee -19 1/2
Storyline: With David Cutcliffe back as the Tennessee offensive coordinator, the Vols look like SEC contenders. QB Erik Ainge is coming off his first ever four-touchdown performance. This will be Air Force's first game, which isn't particularly a good thing.
Analysis: The Vols had a 0-6 ATS stretch at home until last week. The new trend will continue. Tennessee 48, Air Force 21

No. 12 Georgia (1-0) at South Carolina (1-0)
When: Saturday, 7:45 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Georgia -3
Storyline: Both teams come in with struggling offenses. Georgia
QB Joe Tereshinski completed only 7 of 17 for 90 yards. South Carolina needed a trick play in the fourth quarter to get into the end zone against Miss. St.
Analysis: Georgia has failed to cover the last two times against the Gamecocks. Nothing will change. THE UPSET SPECIAL: South Carolina 27, Georgia 14

No. 13 Louisville (1-0) at Temple (0-1)
When: Saturday, noon
WagerWeb.com odds: Louisville - 40
Storyline: Louisville's life without running back Michael Bush begins this week. He shouldn't be missed against the hapless Owls. Temple gave up 356 yards to Buffalo in a 9-3 loss.
Analysis: This is the largest number Louisville ever had to cover. In the past three years the Cards are 1-2 when a favorite of more than 30 points Louisville 45, Temple 7.

No. 14 Iowa (1-0) at Syracuse (0-1)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Iowa -19
Storyline: After manhandling Montana, Iowa will try to not have a let down like last season as it travels to Syracuse. The Orange got squeezed last week by Wake Forest.
Analysis: Syracuse managed only 141 yards of offense last week. Iowa was sloppy with two fumbles and still won. Iowa 38, Syracuse 12

Washington (1-0) at No. 15 Oklahoma (1-0)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Oklahoma -15 1/2
Storyline: Oklahoma barely nipped UAB, but RB Adrian Peterson looked like a freshman again with 208 total yards of offense and two touchdowns. Washington outlasted golfing power San Jose State, 35-29.
Analysis: Washington has only had one road win in the last two seasons. Sooner quarterback Paul Thompson didn't look spectacular last week, but he will get better. LOCK OF THE WEEK: Oklahoma 49, Washington 21

No. 16 Virginia Tech (1-0, 0-0) at North Carolina (0-1, 00)
When: Saturday, noon
WagerWeb.com odds: Va. Tech - 12 1/2
Storyline: Virginia Tech will try to continue roll without one its top offensive lineman, left tackle Brandon Frye. North Carolina got embarrassed by Rutgers last week.
Analysis: Hokies were 3-1 as a road favorite last season in the ACC. But North Carolina's defense should get better. Virginia Tech 21, North Carolina 10.

Florida A&M at No. 17 Miami (0-1)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: no line
Storyline: Miami head coach Larry Coker is now on the hot seat. So what's better than a bucket of ice than the Rattlers from Florida A&M. Hopefully it stays dry and the Florida A&M band can show off at halftime.
Analysis: Don't look for Coker and Miami to have any sympathy. Miami 63, Florida A&M 3.

No. 18 Clemson (1-0, 0-0) at Boston College (1-0, 0-0)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Clemson - 2 1/2
Storyline: Clemson looked terrific against Florida Atlantic last week, and Boston College struggled against Central Michigan. Clemson has to worry about looking ahead to Florida State in Week 3.
Analysis: As a 3-point road dog, Boston College defeated Clemson in OT last year. But BC's defense isn't the same. Clemson is for real. Clemson 38, BC 14

No. 20 Oregon (1-0) at Fresno State (1-0)
When: Saturday, 10 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Oregon -4
Storyline: Oregon handled Stanford in Week 1 with ease. Fresno State, led by running back Dwayne Wright, bested Nevada.
Analysis: Oregon has beaten Fresno State in the last four meetings but the last two have been close. Oregon 24, Fresno State 21.

Nicholls State (0-1) at No. 21 Nebraska (1-0)
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: no line
Storyline: Nebraska is coming off one of its best games offensively, rolling up 584 yards. Nicholls State won 35-0 but only got 261 yards of offense.
Analysis: This one isn't even fair. Nebraska 72, Nicholls St. 7

Minnesota (1-0) at No. 22 California (0-1)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Cal -7 1/2
Storyline: Minnesota may have picked a bad time to face a disappointed Cal team. The Golden Gophers rolled over Kent State last week, but then again it was Kent State. Cal got upset against Tennessee and looks to salvage its season already in Game 2.
Analysis: Cal was 1-4 ATS at home last season. Minnesota was 1-1 as a road dog last season. Cal's offense should wake up. Cal 42, Minnesota 14.

UC Davis( 1-0) at No. 23 TCU (1-0)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: no line
Storyline: TCU had to rely on backup quarterback Marcus Jackson, a redshirt freshman, to run its win streak to 11 last week. Horned Frogs are expected to be without four starters due to injury, but they picked a good week to miss.
Analysis: UC Davis, which is a Division I-AA team, beat Stanford last year. TCU subs will be hungry. TCU 26, UC Davis 10

No. 24 Texas Tech (1-0) at UTEP (1-0)
When: Saturday, 9 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: Texas Tech - 7
Storyline: In win over SMU, Texas Tech showed it has another quarterback in Graham Harrell who can run the explosive offense. UTEP is coming off a win over San Diego State but is overmatched here.
Analysis: Texas Tech has offense and 7 points don't seem like a lot to cover. Texas Tech 55, UTEP 37.

Nevada (0-1) at No. 25 Arizona State (1-0)
When: Saturday, 10 p.m.
WagerWeb.com odds: ASU - 14 1/2
Storyline: Arizona State struggled for three quarters against Div. II Northern Arizona. ASU QB Rudy Carpenter completed 70 percent without top tight end Jamaal Lewis (suspension). Lewis is expected to miss this game too. Nevada couldn't beat Fresno State in Week 1.
Analysis: ASU gets a cheap number here after sluggish first week. Sun Devils score at will this week. Arizona State 49, Nevada 17.

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