No. 1 Ohio State at. No. 18 Wisconsin, 7:00PM ET
Thanks to Alabama’s collapse at South Carolina last Saturday, the Buckeyes have moved into the No. 1 spot in the top-25. But there’s no time to celebrate with a trip to Madison coming up this weekend and a clash with fellow Big Ten foe Wisconsin. The Badgers have been tough to beat at home, going 40-4 at Camp Randall Stadium since the start of the 2004 season. They’ve also won 25 of their last 28 night games and this contest takes on extra meaning because one more loss will likely knock them out of the Big Ten title race. (They suffered their first loss to weeks ago at Michigan State.)
Current Point Spread: Ohio State –3.5

No. 12 Arkansas at. No. 7 Auburn, 3:30PM ET
The Tigers have won three games this year by only three points, so obviously they’re accustomed to winning close games. That’s good, because they may have another tight one on their hands this Saturday when they host No. 12 Arkansas, who has beaten Auburn in three of the last four meetings. In October of last year, the Hogs crushed the Tigers 44-23 and they’ll be looking for a similar effort this Saturday in order to leapfrog into the top-10.
Current Point Spread: Auburn –4

No. 15 Iowa at. Michigan, 3:30PM ET
The Wolverines had a golden opportunity slip through their fingers last weekend when they lost to Michigan State at home. But they get another chance to prove that they’re legitimate Big Ten contenders if they can knock off a well-rested Iowa team with one of the best defenses in the nation. The Hawkeyes are allowing a nation’s best 10.2 points per game, although they’ll face a unique challenge this week in talented quarterback Denard Robinson. The Spartans limited Robinson to a season-low 86 yards on 21 carries and also intercepted him three times last Saturday. He was also only 6-of-14 passing in the second half and that’s not going to cut it against the Hawkeyes’ stingy defense.
Current Point Spread: Iowa –3.5

No. 10 South Carolina at. Kentucky, 6:00PM ET
All eyes will be on the Gamecocks this week after they knocked off previously No. 1 Alabama last Saturday. The Wildcats enter this weekend with a 3-3 record, but there’s no doubt they have enough talent to pull off an upset at home. That said, running back Derrick Locke is doubtful after he suffered a shoulder stinger against Auburn last week, so an upset will be harder to come by for Kentucky. South Carolina has lost six consecutive conference road games since it last beat the Wildcats in Lexington on October 11, 2008. Yet another road loss this weekend will certainly erase what the Gamecocks did last week at home against the Tide in terms of the top-25.
Current Posting Spread: South Carolina –4.5

2010 College Football Week 7 Opening Point Spreads:

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We’re still days away from another Saturday in college football, but here are some point spreads that jumped out at me in this weekend’s slate of action.

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 1 Alabama, 8:00PM ET
This is the second of three games the Crimson Tide will play against top 25 teams (assuming South Carolina stays in the top 25 after this week) and their second big SEC challenge. They escaped disaster last weekend in Fayetteville with a come-from-behind win over Arkansas and now take on a Florida team that crushed Kentucky last Saturday. Pundits have noted that the Gators’ offense hasn’t been as explosive as it has in years past and that may be the case. But they’ve scored at least 31 points in each of their first four games, including 48 last week against Kentucky and 31 against Tennessee two weekends ago. Nine points seems a tad high for a game of this magnitude.
THE LEAN: FLORIDA +9

No. 21 Texas vs. No. 8 Oklahoma, 3:30PM ET
Whether they were caught looking ahead or just had an off day, the Longhorns’ loss to UCLA last Saturday was devastating. The good thing is that they can’t dwell on the defeat for too long with the “Red River Rivalry” set to renew this weekend. The Sooners’ have only won by a touchdown or less in three of their four games to start the season, but they could be catching the Longhorns at an opportune time. Texas actually matches up pretty well with OU, but 4.5 points isn’t much to lay with the favorite here and the spread could go down closer to game time.
THE LEAN: OKLAHOMA –4.5

No. 11 Wisconsin vs. No. 24 Michigan State, 3:30PM ET
The Badgers are off to a perfect start on the new year, but have failed to cover against the three FBS teams they’ve faced thus far. The Spartans play tough at home and should get a huge lift with the return of head coach Mark Dantonio, who is expected to coach from the press box after he suffered a heart attack two weeks ago. Wisconsin looks awfully tempting at –1, but I fear this game could be a trap. I like MSU.
THE LEAN: MICHIGAN STATE +1

No. 22 Penn State vs. No. 17 Iowa, 8:05PM ET
I think Penn State is playing exactly how everyone should have expected them to play. They’re a young team overall and while they’ve managed to win three of their first four games, they’ve suffered plenty of ups and downs. They needed a strong second half to knock off Temple last weekend and now they have to go into hostile environment to take on the Hawkeyes team that has looked great at home (albeit against Eastern Illinois, Iowa State and Ball State) thus far. The only time the Nittany Lions played on the road this year they looked completely helpless against Alabama. It shouldn’t be total domination like it was in Tuscaloosa that day, but Iowa should wear PSU down in the fourth quarter and pull away.
THE LEAN: IOWA -7

Below is a complete list of point spreads for Week 5 in college football.

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We’ve still got a couple of days before another Saturday in college football kicks off, but here are some point spreads that jumped out at me in this weekend’s slate of action.

No. 19 Miami vs. Pittsburgh +3.5, Thursday, 7:30PM ET
This is a pretty even matchup across the board, which is why I like PITT getting the points at home in a nationally televised game. The only thing I caution is that the Panthers just lost star defensive end Greg Romeus to an injury and have been dealing with some off-field issues. But truth be told, that’s why I like them even more. The Hurricanes have won six straight over the Panthers and the public is going to be all over Miami. This line could move up to +4 or even +4.5 by kickoff and again, this is more of an even matchup than people think.
LEAN: PITTSBURGH +3.5

No. 24 Oregon State +17 vs. No. 3 Boise State, Saturday, 8:00PM ET
I always hesitate fading Boise State in nationally televised games against good opponents (and in the case of Oregon State, a ranked opponent) because they like to use these opportunities to showcase themselves to BCS voters (see the Virginia Tech game in Week 1 as a prime example). But Oregon State is no joke and went toe-to-toe with TCU in the opening weekend before eventually falling, 30-21. I think odds makers have the line set high because in the last meeting between these two teams, the Broncos crushed the Beavers, 42-14. But there’s something about getting 17 points with a ranked team that intrigues me.
LEAN: OREGON STATE +17

No. 12 South Carolina +3 vs. No. 17 Auburn, Saturday, 7:45PM ET
Maybe they were looking ahead to this game, but the Tigers were fortunate to get a win last week against Clemson at home. Auburn has won three of their past four games by a field goal dating back to a thrilling overtime win over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl last season. Seeing as how they’re a little beat up right now, I like the Gamecocks getting points here, although keep in mind that they’ve lost four straight since last beating the Tigers in 1933.
LEAN: SOUTH CAROLINA +3

No. 1 Alabama -7 vs. No. 10 Arkansas, Saturday, 3:30PM ET
I keep going back and forth on this one, but now that ‘Bama is back at full strength offensively with Mark Ingram I have a slight lean towards the Tide – even in Fayetteville. Last year, Arkansas’ quarterback Ryan Mallett threw for just 160 yards in a loss to the Tide. ‘Bama has also won three straight games in this series and although I hesitate laying a touchdown on the road against a good Razorback team, I like the Tide as of right now. (Although I admit this will probably be a game I scratch off my list and just enjoy the action on Saturday.)
LEAN: ALABAMA –7

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We’ve still got a couple of days before another Saturday in college football kicks off, but here are some point spreads that jumped out at me for this weekend’s slate of action.

East Carolina +19 at. Virginia Tech, 1:30PM ET
The Hokies are reeling after dropping their opener against Boise State and then being shocked by James Madison at home last Saturday. While they’re still very much alive in the ACC, I’m not sure what kind of mental condition Frank Beamer’s squad is in right now. So getting almost three touchdowns with an underrated, undefeated East Carolina team is a gift. This smells a little bit like a trap, but still…19 points? I like the Pirates.

USC vs. Minnesota +12, 3:30PM ET
Virginia Tech’s defeat to James Madison overshadowed the Gophers’ embarrassing 41-38 home loss to FCS South Dakota. But USC is 0-2 ATS to start the year and barely squeaked by Virginia at home last weekend. I generally like taking home teams getting points and considering this is unfamiliar territory for USC, I like Minnesota. (Although I’d like them a lot more if they were getting two touchdowns instead of 12 points.)

Texas vs. Texas Tech +3, 8:00PM ET
This is a statement game for the Red Raiders, who would love to earn a victory and catapult into the top 25. The Longhorns are only 3-3 in Lubbock under Mack Brown and we all remember what happened the last time Texas traveled to Tech. The Raiders won’t have Michael Crabtree for this game, but I see an outright victory.

Utah -22 at. New Mexico, 8:00PM ET
Twenty-two points is a ton to give up when taking a road team, but the Lobos have allowed 124 points this season, which is the most of any FBS team. Utah has won three straight over New Mexico and leads the all-time series 32-17-2. Yes, I think the Lobos are as bad as they played in the first two weeks of the season, which includes a 72-0 loss at Oregon and a 52-17 loss to Texas Tech at home last week.

Read on for the rest of this weekend’s point spreads.

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Schedule, game times and interesting tidbits about the top 25 action in Week 2 of college football…

(Games are listed by date and time)

Thursday, September 9

No. 21 Auburn vs. Mississippi State, 7:30PM ET
The Tigers have won eight of the last nine meetings between these two teams, including four straight on the road. After throwing for 186 yards and three touchdowns as well as rushing for 171 yards and two scores in a 52-26 win over Arkansas State last Saturday, Auburn’s Cameron Netwon was named the SEC’s offensive player of the week. He’ll have to be on top of his game tonight in Starkville, after Mississippi State held Memphis to only 41 yards rushing last Saturday in a 49-7 victory. This will be both teams’ conference opener.
Odds: Auburn –1.5 (56.5)

Friday, September 10

No. 23 West Virginia vs. Marshall, 7:00PM ET
This will be the fifth straight meeting between these two teams, as the Mountaineers have won the previous four meetings by a combined score of 141-43. Marshall was crushed 45-7 by Ohio State last week, while West Virginia routed Coastal Carolina, 38-0. Thundering Herd head coach Doc Holliday faces his alma mater and former boss Bill Stewart in this contest, and hopes that Marshall’s defense can improve on the 529 yards of total offense they allowed last week to the Buckeyes.
Odds: West Virginia –12 (47)

Saturday, September 11

San Jose State vs. No. 11 Wisconsin, 12:00PM ET
One week after getting crushed by Alabama, the Spartans will once again play the cupcake role when they take on a Badgers team that rolled UNLV 41-21 last Saturday. Wisconsin hasn’t lost a home opener since Colorado beat them 43-7 in 1995. This will only be the second meeting between these two programs, as the Badgers lead the all-time series 1-0. For San Jose State to have a chance, it’ll have to slow down a Wisconsin running game that amassed 278 yards on the ground last week.
Odds: Wisconsin –38 (56)

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