Doc Sports
4 Unit Play. Take #117 Iowa Hawkeyes +3.5 over Wisconsin Badgers (12 p.m., Saturday, October 30 ESPN) You have an unranked team that is favored over a ranked team, but I do not buy the metrics on Wisconsin. The Badgers have a terrible quarterback. And if the Hawkeyes can stop the run, Wisconsin will have trouble moving the football. Iowa is solid on defense as well. And if they can take care of the football, they should win this game straight-up. Wisconsin got 5 turnovers last week against Purdue and only had to throw 8 passes. Iowa turned it over 4 times two weeks ago against Purdue and lost to them. Do you see a trend about what Iowa needs to do to win this game? The road team is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 meetings between Iowa and Wisconsin.
4 Unit Play. Take #124 Michigan State Spartans +4 over Michigan Wolverines (12 p.m., Saturday, October 30 FOX) This is just too many points for a true road game against a team Michigan has not done well against in the past. Michigan State is 9-4 straight-up and 11-2 ATS against Michigan since 2008. Both defenses are tough against the run, and whomever can make plays in the passing game will likely win this game. I feel Michigan State has the best player on the field in Heisman candidate Kenneth Walker III, and a strong showing in this game will vault him up the odds board. Michigan State is coming off a bye week to get healthy, and I just do not see them getting run off the field against Michigan. Coach Harbaugh still has a terrible record against ranked teams. And if this game is close in the fourth quarter, I expect Michigan State to win it straight-up. Michigan is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against teams with a winning record. Michigan State is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games played during the month of October. Take the points in this game, as I believe the wrong team is favored.
4 Unit Play. Take #139 Rutgers Scarlet Knights -1.5 over Illinois Fighting Illini (12 p.m., Saturday, October 30 BTN) Just do not know how Illinois will bounce back after a 9 overtime win last time out against Penn State. Rutgers is coming off a bye last week, and Illinois still has major issues at quarterback. Illinois has proven they can lose to anyone, and I just feel Rutgers is further along in year two with Greg Schiano compared to year 1 of Bret Bielema. The road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between Rutgers and Illinois.
4 Unit Play. Take #142 Northwestern Wildcats +7.5 over Minnesota Golden Gophers (3:30 p.m., Saturday, October 23 BTN) Northwestern is having a down year, but they are well coached and will play hard each and every week. The underdog is 8-1 ATS in the last 9 games Minnesota has played. Northwestern will have to stop the run to be competitive in this game. Minnesota is not a strong team as a favorite, and they do not light up the scoreboard with their offense. Northwestern has bounced back this season after losses, and today at home should be no different. Northwestern is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games. Expect this game to go down to the wire, and it will be decided by just a field goal.
6 Unit Play. Take #190 Ohio State Buckeyes -18.5 over Penn State Nittany Lions (7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 30 ABC) TOP NCAA GAME OF THE WEEK Ohio State has been rolling of late, winning 5 straight games, and all of them have come by more points than tonight's posted number. Penn State could not run the football against Illinois, and they are gassed after losing to the Illini in 9 overtimes. QB Clifford did return from an injury against Iowa but did not look good, throwing for just 165 yards on 56% completions. Penn State is going to have to score points to stay in this game, and I just do not believe that is something they can do at this stage of the season. Ohio State still has a great chance to make the college football playoff if they win out and win convincingly. They have scored at least 52 points in their last four games. And if they hit that number on Saturday, they will win this game with ease. Penn State is 4-20 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 26 games following a loss in their previous game. Ohio State is 13-5 ATS in tier last 18 games following an ATS win in their previous game. The James Franklin to USC rumors heat up and Penn State continues to lose games, this one coming by 20+ points.
4 Unit Play. Take #196 Take Auburn Tigers -2.5 over Ole Miss Rebels (7p.m., Saturday, October 30 ESPN)
4 Unit Play. Take #210 Notre Dame Fighting Irish -3.5 over North Carolina Tar Heels (7:30p.m., Saturday, October 30 NBC)