College Football Game Postponements viz. Rescheduling due to Hurricane Isaac

Texas A&M at Lousiana Tech
originally scheduled at Independence Stadium
in Shreveport, Louisiana
has been postponed to October 13
due to Hurricane Isaac.
See Bleacher Report

Nicholls State at Oregon State at
Reser Stadium in Corvalis, Oregon
has been postponed indefinitely
due to travel issues related to Hurricane Isaac.
See Sports Illustrated

UTSA (Texas-San Antonio) vs.South Alabama
has been moved to Saturday 1 p.m. in Mobile, Alabama
due to Hurricane Isaac
See KENS5

The Stephen F. Austin game in Nacogdoches, Texas against Southwestern Oklahoma has been moved from Thursday to Friday night.
See USA Today and SFA Jacks

ESPN Names Husker Kicker Brett Maher Preseason 2012 All-American: The Kicking Game Can Make or Break a Season

One of the factors that contributed to our surprisingly high rank of the Huskers in our preseason 2012 college football rankings is the fact that they may well have the nation's best kicker in Brett Maher, and that is worth gold on the field, where the kicking game often decides whether a game goes one way, as a win, or the other way, as a loss.

As one can read at Bleacher Report in

Maher Named Preseason All-American,

ESPN has named Maher their Preseason All-American place-kicker.

Husker Freshman Running Back Imani Cross Reminds This Observer of Jim Brown: Wishful Thinking? or a Reason for Husker Hearts to Leap in 2012?

Do Husker football fans have legitimate reason for their hearts to leap in 2012?

We were watching high school football game films of freshman running back Imani Cross of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on YouTube and something reminded this observer of the running style of the legendary Jim Brown.

Hey, this guy is just a freshman, so you can not expect too much, but is there something unusual there?

Or is this just wishful thinking on our part?

In any case, if we happen to be right, with Imani Cross in the same backfield as a potential dual threat with gifted but sometimes overworked workhorse Rex Burkhead while a swift Taylor Martinez runs the offense using Beck elements of offensive mentor Tom Osborne's old/new option, including a passing option, that could prove to be devastating for opposing defenses.

As for the Husker Blackshirts defense, that is Pelini's specialty and we have no doubt that the defense will be up to the task.

Huskers Will Surely Run the Option More in 2012

Sam McKewon, World-Herald Bureau, has the story out of Lincoln, Nebraska at NU Taking Another Run at the Option.

There is no question that a modern option offense run to perfection is a nightmare for any defense, especially in college football, where defenses have much greater weaknesses than in the NFL, where an option offense is bound to be less effective. But the catch is "run to perfection". Tom Osborne's legendary Nebraska teams sometimes reached that perfection. But that was more than a decade ago.

We have always liked the option offense because to our thinking it most closely approximates the movement of the ball in rugby, the father of American football.

We shall see what 2012 brings.
A Cornhusker offense with an option will definitely be a cut above 2011.

Alabama, Georgia and Nebraska Each Place Nine Players on Senior Bowl Watch List

We got the news via Bleacher Report at Nine Huskers Named to Senior Bowl Watch List that Alabama, Georgia and Nebraska were the only teams in the nation this year to place nine players each on the Senior Bowl Watch List.

Can Winning Be Learned? Absolutely : Successful College Football Coaching via Nick Saban's "Process"

Can "winning" be learned?
Absolutely.

See Selected Secrets of Good Coaching

and read the article by Andy Staples at Sports Illustrated SI.com at

Sabanization of college football spreading Nick Saban's Process.

2012 College Football Week 1 Prediction Madness

Week 1 College Football Prediction Madness

YPPSYS SportPundit (Andis Kaulins)
v. Danny Vasta at Bleacher Report

This is posted in good fun in the spirit of competition.

"Danny V" and Bleacher Report are not affiliated in any way
with this posting and we thus link to each separate Bleacher Report page for each game since there is much useful information found there.

We happened to see the Danny V Week 1 college football predictions at Bleacher Report after posting our own predictions for Week 1 independently at SportPundit. We were surprised to see that prognosticated scores were quite similar, but there were also differences in predicting some game outcomes. 

We thus thought it would be interesting to match up the predictions in a competitive table and see who comes closer to the actual results the first week of the season, a week which is often very predictable because many strong teams play weak opponents, but there are always surprises. In 75 games, we call the winners differently in 11 games. 


If the print is too small for you to read, press Control plus the plus sign "+" to size it larger and Control plus the minus sign "-" to make it smaller again.

Game (visiting team 1st)	Line viz. "spread" (via Danny V or Beyond the Bets)	Actual Game Winner & Score	YPPSYS Sport Pundit "Y" Call	ATS (against the spread)	Danny V Bleacher Report "V" Call	ATS (against the spread)	Closest Call to Actual Score "Y" vs. "V"
(Visitor v. Home)	(moving line may differ)		Prognosticator Andis Kaulins	1 won 0 lost	Prognosticator Danny Vasta	1 won 0 lost	"Y" or "V"
UCF v. Akron	UCF by 24		UCF 28-14		UCF 34-7
E. Michigan v. Ball St.	Ball St. by 3.5		E. Michigan 31-27		Ball State 24-23
S. Carolina v. Vanderbilt	SC by 7		S. Carolina 28-17		S. Carolina 24-20
SE Missouri St. v. C. Michigan	Chippewas by 18.5		C. Michigan 37-14		C. Michigan 37-17
Towson v. Kent State	Kent by 14.5		Kent State 24-17		Kent State 28-13
N. Colorado v. Utah	Utah by 34.5		Utah 48-10		Utah 49-7
UTSA v. S. Alabama	S. Alabama by 6.5		S. Alabama 27-24		S. Alabama 17-14
UMass v. UConn	UConn by 24.5		UConn 35-14		UConn 42-14
Texas A&M v. Louisiana Tech	Aggies by 7.5		Texas A&M 28-21		Texas A&M 35-31
UCLA v. Rice	Bruins by 15.5		UCLA 38-21		UCLA 27-13
McNeese St. v. Middle Tenn.	Blue Raiders by 20		Middle Tenn. 41-27		Middle Tenn. 30-14
Sacramento St. v. N. Mexico St.	NMS by 14.5		N. Mexico St. 30-13		N. Mexico St. 30-17
Southern Utah v. Utah State	Aggies by 16.5		Utah State 45-14		Utah State 34-14
E. Washington v. Idaho	Vandals by 7		E. Washington 38-31		Idaho 24-21
Washington St. v. BYU	BYU by 13.5		BYU 35 -20		BYU 38-31
N. Arizona v. Arizona St.	ASU by 27.5		Arizona St. 44-14		Arizona St. 42-17
Minnesota v. UNLV	Gophers by 8.5		Minnesota 31-21		Minnesota 31-17
Villanova v. Temple	Owls by 16.5		Temple 48-17		Temple 31-14
Tennessee v. N.C. State	Vols by 4		Tennessee 24-23		Tennessee 31-20
Boise State v. Michigan St.	Spartans by 7		Michigan St. 27-17		Michigan St. 24-21
Wagner v. Florida Atlantic	Owls by 9.5		Florida Atl. 31-10		Florida Atl. 23-14
San Jose St. v. Stanford	Cardinal by 25.5		Stanford 44-14		Stanford 45-7
Navy vs. Notre Dame in Ireland	Irish by 17		Notre Dame 31-17		Notre Dame 38-14
Troy State v. UAB	Troy by 5.5		UAB 27-26		Troy 24-20
Tulsa v. Iowa State	Tulsa by 1		Iowa State 24-23		Tulsa 28-26
Appalachian State v. East Carolina	Pirates by 15		Appalachian State 41-24		East Carolina 34-17
Northwestern v. Syracuse	Wildcats by 1		Northwestern 27-24		Wildcats 23-17
Miami of Ohio v. Ohio State	Buckeyes by 23		Ohio State 42-10		Ohio State 38-10
Ohio v. Penn State	Nittany Lions by 6		Penn State 28-27		Ohio 22-21
Marshall v. West Virginia	W. Virginia by 24		W. Virginia 39-17		W. Virginia 45-21
W. Michigan v. Illinois	Illini by 9.5		Illinois 31-21		Illinois 38-24
Buffalo v. Georgia	Bulldogs by 37.5		Georgia 35-0		Georgia 45-0
Elon v. North Carolina	Tar Heels by 39		N. Carolina 44-7		Tar Heels 42-7
Idaho State v. Air Force	Falcons by 31.5		Air Force 38-7		Air Force 38-7
Nevada v. Calilfornia	Cal by 11.5		California 31-27		California 28-17
Nicholls State v. Oregon State	Beavers by 28.5		Oregon St. 38-14		Oregon St. 31-7
William & Mary v. Maryland	Terps by 31		William & Mary24-23		Maryland 33-14
Richmond v. Virginia	Cavaliers by 28.5		Virginia 38-7		Virginia 41-10
Bowling Green v. Florida	Gators by 29		Florida 33-14		Florida 34-7
Miami (Florida) v. Boston Coll.	Eagles by 1		Hurricanes 24-14		Hurricanes 17-13
Southern Miss v. Nebraska	Huskers by 19.5		Cornhuskers 24-13		Nebraska 37-14
Northern Iowa v. Wisconsin	Badgers by 37		Wisconsin 49-7		Wisconsin 56-14
Iowa v. Northern Illinois	Hawkeyes by 9.5		NIU 31 -24		Iowa 30-17
E. Kentucky v. Purdue	Purdue by 27		Boilermakers 42-14		Purdue 35-13
Colorado v. Colorado State	Buffaloes by 5.5		Colorado St. 27-24		Colorado 28-20
Southern U. v. New Mexico	Lobos by 10		New Mexico 27-20		New Mexico 21-13
Murray St. v. Florida State	Seminoles by 49		Florida State 49-7		Florida State 52-0
Youngstown St. v. Pittsburgh	Panthers by 28		Pittsburgh 38-14		Pittsburgh 34-7
Liberty v. Wake Forest	D. Deacons by 27.5		Wake Forest 31-17		Wake Forest 38-10
Jacksonville St. v. Arkansas	Hogs by 36		Razorbacks 45-17		Arkansas 50-14
Austin Peay v. W. Kentucky	Hilltoppers by 21.5		W. Kentucky 38-7		W. Kentucky 24-6
North Texas v. LSU	Tigers by 43		LSU 38-7		LSU 45-3
SE Louisiana v. Missouri	Tigers by 42.5		Missouri 55-7		Missouri 48-10
C. Arkansas v. Mississippi	Rebels by 21		Ole Miss 37-14		Ole Miss 27-13
Tenn-Martin v. Memphis	Tigers by 10.5		Memphis 31-23		Memphis 23-10
S. Dakota St. v. Kansas	Jayhawks by 15.5		Kansas 38-17		Kansas 27-17
Missouri St. v. Kansas State	Wildcats by 35		Kansas State 41-10		Kansas State 42-10
Northwestern St. v. Texas Tech	Texas Tech by 35.5		Red Raiders 51-7		Texas Tech 42-10
Clemson v. Auburn	Clemson by 3		Auburn 24-23		Auburn 24-20
Chattanooga v. South Florida	Bulls by 30		S. Florida 38-17		S. Florida 38-12
Florida Int'l v. Duke	Duke by 4		FIU 31-30		Duke 21-20
Savannah State v. Oklahoma St.	Cowboys by 52		Oklahoma State 70-7		Oklahoma State 59-13
Lamar v. LA Lafayette	Cajuns by 25.5		LA Lafayette 49-7		LA Lafayette 42-7
Jackson State v. Mississippi St.	Bulldogs by 38.5		Mississippi St. 38 -17		Miss. State 48-10
Hawaii v. Southern Cal	USC by 39.5		Southern Cal 40-17		USC 52-7
Texas State v. Houston	Cougars by 36.5		Houston 49-7		Houston 49-17
Wyoming v. Texas	Longhorns by 29		Texas 33-14		Texas 42-6
Rutgers v. Tulane	Knights by 19.5		Rutgers 28-13		Rutgers 38-10
Indiana State v. Indiana	Hoosiers by 23.5		Indiana 31-17		Indiana 27-10
Michigan v. Alabama	Crimson Tide by 12.5		Michigan 27-26		Alabama 33-17
Weber State v. Fresno State	Bulldogs by 28		Fresno State 38-14		Fresno State 38-9
San Diego St. v. Washington	Huskies by 14		Washington 31-28		Washington 38-14
Oklahoma v. UTEP	Sooners by 30.5		Oklahoma 42-21		Oklahoma 48-14
Toledo v. Arizona	Wildcats by 11		Toledo 30-27		Arizona 38-35
Arkansas State v. Oregon	Ducks by 35.5		Oregon 38-21		Oregon 52-17
Kentucky v. Louisville	Cardinals by 14		Louisville 27-14		Louisville 30-17
SMU v. Baylor	Bears by 11		Baylor 34-24		SMU 31-30
Georgia Tech v. Virginia Tech	Hokies by 7.5		Virginia Tech 31-27		Virginia Tech 28-17

We will compare the predictions
when the final scores of the actual games are known.

College Football Predictions 2012 Week 1 by YPPSYS, the Yards Per Play System

Six days to go:
And then let the college football season begin!

Will Alabama meet USC in the BCS championship game this football season? -- as Pat Forde boldy predicts at Yahoo! Sports.

We shall see down the road as the NCAA Division I FBS college football season opens in a week on August 30, 2012.

Nick Saban is quoted at USA Today Sports for basic athletic principles that apply to EVERY TEAM in the nation and to success in life in general:

"We've obviously learned a lot at Alabama over the last five years," Saban said. "The most important thing we've learned is you got to stay on top of the little things. Things don't happen by accident. You don't win a play by accident. You don't win a game by accident. You don't win a division by accident. You have to make it happen, and you have to make it happen by what you do every day."

College Football Predictions 2012 Week 1 by YPPSYS,
the Yards Per Play System

Our game predictions for the 1st week of College Football 2012 (Week One) rely in large part on our YPPSYS Preseason College Football Rankings 2012, as based largely on our YPPSYS Final 2011 Rankings, but also involving biased and subjective judgment on our part. YPPSYS means "yards per play system", as that is our main ranking component, based primarily on stats at cfbstats.com, but we also use schedule difficulty and conference rankings as based on calculations at Massey Ratings and Sagarin USA Today.  

CollegeFootballPoll.com compares preseason rankings by other sources as does SportPundit. Read also about four new teams in FBS.

The betting line ("odds" or "spread") used here is taken from the College Football Prediction Tracker as of Monday, August 20, 2012, 2:12:15 PM, or, if there is no line, from a crystal-balling website called Beyond the Bets.

The betting line or "official" spread is a "moving line" that can change at any time, but we do not adjust our predictions for that, but rather take the line as of a given date and time as listed at the College Football Prediction Tracker.

Caveat emptor (Buyer beware): We make this material available in good fun out of interest for the sport of college football. Please do not rely on our material to place bets or wagers of any kind. No one knows the exact outcome of a game or a season before it is played and that is what makes it so interesting. We disclaim any and all liability for the consequences of anyone relying in any way upon our postings, analysis, links or reasoning - for which we make no warranty of accuracy. May the best team win.



SportPundit Game Predictions for Week 1
of the 2012 college football season

SportPundit Game Predictions

for Thursday, August 30, 2012

Akron is the underdog at home against visiting UCF (Central Florida) by 23.5 points.  With new head coach Terry Bowden (lifetime record 140-62-2) at the helm, this Zips team should bear little resemblance to the team that had a 1-11 record last year, when Akron lost by an average of 24.3 points. Central Florida disappointed last season going 5-7. This year the Knights play with an NCAA postseason bowl ban as the result of recruiting violations. Loads of starters, seniors and talent return for the Knights, who could surprise this year with a much stronger team than in 2011. See USA Today Sports NCAA Football Matchup (henceforth "Matchup"). See also the interesting Accuscore Simulation Game Forecasts and Previews (henceforth "Accuscore"). See also OddsShark.
Our call: 28-14 for UCF  Result: 

Ball State is favored at home over visiting Eastern Michigan by 3.5 points. Our yards per play stats from last year favor the Eagles over the Cardinals by 7 minus the home field advantage makes 4 points in favor of an Eastern Michigan team that has been continuously improving under now fourth-year head coach Ron English. Matchup. Accuscore. OddsShark.
Our call: 31-27 for Eastern Michigan   Result:

Vanderbilt is the underdog at home against visiting South Carolina by 7 points.(7:00 p.m.) USA Today: "I hear they have been studying all our tapes this summer," USC coach Steve Spurrier said of Vanderbilt. "They are a very good team. Hopefully we will be ready." The Gamecocks have the player potential to be a national championship contender, given their impressive 30-13 bowl game victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Capital One Bowl on January 2, 2012. The Commodores lost to South Carolina 21-3 on the road last year but have been constantly improving under now 2nd year head coach James Franklin. Our yards per play stats favor the Gamecocks by 14 minus the Vandy home field advantage. Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 28-17 for South Carolina   Result: 

Central Michigan is at home against Southeast Missouri State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Chippewas by 18.5 points. The FCS Redhawks play in the Ohio Valley Conference and had a 3-8 record last season, losing 59-0 non-conference to Purdue, compared to a very disappointing 3-9 for Central Michigan in the MAC, losing non-conference to Michigan State 45-7. Matchup.
Our call: 37-14 for the Chippewas  Result:

Kent State is at home against Towson. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Golden Flashes by 14.5 points.The Golden Flashes were 5-7 last year playing in the MAC while Towson last year were champions of the FCS Colonial Athletic Association, making the Tigers the first NCAA team to make postseason playoffs in Division III, II and FCS Division I in the course of their football history (they lost 40-38 to Lehigh in the 2nd round as North Dakota State emerged as Division I FCS champions in 2011). Matchup. OddsShark.
Our call: 24-17 for Kent State  Result: 

Utah is at home against Northern Colorado. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Utes by 34.5 points. This game looks easy for the Utes against the overmatched Bears, who play in the Big Sky Conference. Matchup.
Our call: 48-10 for Utah  Result:  

South Alabama is favored at home over visiting UTSA (Texas-San Antonio) by 6 points. UTSA was a first-year program in the WAC last year under former Miami Hurricanes head coach Larry Coker and the Roadrunners lost at home in two overtimes 30-27 to the Jaguars, who went 6-4 last year. 21 starters return for the Roadrunners this season as the team in 2011 set NCAA start-up records for 1st game attendance (56,743) and also average home attendance (35,521). The status of South Alabama as a new FBS football team eluded EA Sports NCAA Football 13. EA Sports as a gesture of good will for the mistake is to roll out a red carpet for the South Alabama Jaguars in 2014. As for this game in 2012 between the Jaguars and the Roadrunners, it may be as close as it was last year, and we give the Jaguars only the home field edge.
Our call: 27-24 for South Alabama  Result: 

Connecticut is favored at home over visiting Massachusetts by 25 points.
OddsShark. The UConn Huskies were 5-7 in 2011 while the UMass Minutemen, now playing an FBS schedule in the MAC East, were 5-6 overall, playing a 3-5 won-loss record in the strong FCS Colonial Athletic Association.
Our call: 35-14 for UConn  Result:

Louisiana Tech is the underdog at home against visiting Texas A&M by 7.5 points. Our stats favor the Aggies by 10.5 minus the home field advantage makes 7.5 points, i.e. equal to the spread. Texas A&M under new head coach Kevin Sumlin (from Houston) better not be looking ahead to their first year in the SEC, as this could be a much tougher game against the Bulldogs than the Aggies might imagine. Louisiana Tech closed an 8-5 season last year with 7 straight wins and a loss to TCU 31-24 in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. A&M beat Northwestern 33-22 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas to finish 7-6. We think this game could be close, given the constant improvement of the Bulldogs under Sonny Dykes.
Matchup. OddsShark. AccuScore.
Our call: 28-21 for Texas A&M   Result: 

Rice is the underdog at home against visiting UCLA by 15.5 points. Jim Mora is the new head coach at UCLA, inheriting a talented team that former head coach Rick Neuheisel could not make a winner. Our stats favor the Bruins by 13 points minus the Owls home field advantage would make 10, but we sense that UCLA is better in terms of player potential than its record last year and Mora seems to be tapping motivation that was not there previously.
Matchup. OddsShark.
Our call: 38-21 for UCLA  Result: 

Middle Tennessee State is at home against McNeese State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Blue Raiders by 20 points. The Blue Raiders dropped their last six games last season, including a season-ending blow-out loss 59-7 at North Texas, while a strong FCS McNeese State team won its last three. New offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner has introduced offensive improvements for Middle Tennessee so that this team should be much better than in 2011.
Matchup.
Our call: 41-27 for Middle Tennessee State  Result:  

New Mexico State is at home against Sacramento State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Aggies, 2-10 last season, over the FCS Hornets by 14.5 points. Sacramento State started out its season last year with a sensational 29-28 win over FBS Oregon State but ran out of gas the rest of the season, losing seven games. Head coach DeWayne Walker, a former UCLA defensive coordinator, thinks New Mexico State will have a top defense in 2012, partially because of junior college recruiting.
Matchup.
Our call: 30-13 for New Mexico State  Result:  

Utah State is at home against Southern Utah. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Aggies by 16.5 points. The 7-6 Aggies went bowling last year, losing 24-23 to MAC Ohio 24-23 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Thunderbirds play in the Big Sky Conference and last year were 6-5.
Matchup.
Our call: 45-14 for Utah State  Result:  

Idaho is at home against Eastern Washington. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the FBS Vandals, 2-10 last season, over the FCS Eagles, 6-5 last year, by 7 points. Eastern Washington will this year be headed at quarterback by SMU transfer Kyle Padron, who started 21 games for the Mustangs and should change Eagles football fortunes immediately for the better. 
Our call: 38-31 for Eastern Washington  Result:  

BYU is favored at home over visiting Washington State by 13.5 points. The Brigham Young capped a 10-3 season last year by beating Tulsa 24-21 in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. Washington State could care less about last year, as new and controversial head coach Mike Leach has brought a new excitement to Pullmann. Our stats favor Brigham Young by 12 plus the home field advantage makes 15, but we expect this Washington State team to put up so many more points than last year that BYU may be hard-pressed to win.
Matchup. AccuScore.
Our call: 35-20 for BYU  Result:

Arizona State is at home against Northern Arizona. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Sun Devils by 27.5 points. Our stats favor the Sun Devils by 27 plus the home field advantage makes 30 points. Arizona State self-destructed in its last four regular season games in 2011 and was blown out 56-24 by Boise State in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas to finish the season 6-7. The Wildcats will be led by new head coach Todd Graham, who has declared Taylor Kelly to be the new starting QB and has instilled a new -- needed -- "high-octane" culture in Tempe. The Big Sky Conference Lumberjacks of Flagstaff went 4-7 in 2011 and are no match for the talent always found at Arizona State -- but it has to be tapped, and Graham seems to be doing that. Matchup.
Our call: 44-14 for Arizona State  Result:

UNLV is the underdog at home against visiting Minnesota by 8 points. Our stats favor the Golden Gophers by 13 minus the Rebels home field advantage makes 10 points. UNLV will be better as the young team that Bobby Hauck has recruited will be getting more mature in his 3rd year of rebuilding.
Matchup. AccuScore. Gopher head coach Jerry Kill is now also in his 2nd year at Minnesota and hopes to see progress this season, with wins in the first four games likely, already eclipsing last year's 3-9 record.
Our call: 31-21 for Minnesota   Result: 

SportPundit Game Predictions

for Friday, August 31, 2012

Temple is at home against Villanova. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Steve Addazio coached Owls over 'Nova by 16.5 points. The Owls beat Wyoming 37-15 in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl to finish 9-4 in 2011 while the CAA FCS Wildcats had a terrible 2-9 year, including a 42-7 loss to Temple. Temple moves to the Big East in 2012 despite roadblocks from Villanova, so Temple will be highly motivated to blow out the Wildcats.
Matchup.
Our call: 48-17 for Temple  Result:

North Carolina State is the underdog at home against visiting Tennessee by 4 points. After deducting the home field advantage, our stats make this game a toss-up, but we go with the SEC Rocky Top Volunteers, although the Vols will have to find the offense that was missing in 2011, or they could easily lose this game to a Wolfpack team that may be even better than last season's 8-5 squad, which was a 31-24 Belk Bowl winner over Louisville. If Tennessee can not win this game against the ACC N.C. State, they are likely due for a rough season.
Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 24-23 for Tennessee  Result: 

Michigan State is favored at home over visiting Boise State by 7 points.
The Spartans lost 24-3 to Nebraska last year but won their division as the Huskers lost games they should have won. A loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game then sent Michigan State to the Outback Bowl, where they beat SEC Georgia 33-30 in overtime. Boise State torpedoed an undefeated season for a top group of seniors by losing to TCU 36-35 and was then relegated to the MAACO Bowl in Las Vegas, where they blew away Arizona State 56-24. The Broncos have only four starters returning on offense and may find it hard to maneuver against a near nation's best Spartan defense, although the Michigan State offense may greatly miss Kirk Cousins, now in the NFL. Boise State's QB Kellen Moore is with the Detroit Lions, leaving that position possibly open for Joe Southwick or one of 3 other candidates for quarterback. It could be close, but we just can not see Big Ten Michigan State losing here. Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 27-17 for Michigan State  Result: 

Florida Atlantic is at home against Wagner (Staten Island, New York). Beyond the Bets favors the Owls by 9.5 points over the FCS Seahawks of the Northeast Conference NEC, one of the smallest schools in NCAA Division I. Florida Atlantic went 1-11 in 2011 but should start out with a clear win here due to the new system brought in by new head coach Carl Pelini, brother of Husker head coach Bo Pelini, and a defensive specialist in his own right.
Matchup. OddsShark.
Our call: 31-10 for Florida Atlantic   Result:

Stanford is favored at home over visiting San Jose State by 25.5 points.
How good will the Cardinal be without Andrew Luck? We will know more after this game against the Spartans, who will move from the WAC to the Mountain West Conference in 2013. Stanford has named Josh Nunes as the starting QB. The Spartans have a well done splash page and it will be interesting to see how their actual play stacks up this year against a talented Stanford team.
Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 44-14 for Stanford  Result: 

SportPundit Game Predictions

for Saturday, September 1, 2012

Navy is the underdog against Notre Dame by 17 points. You have to get up early for this 9 a.m. game (ET) as the Midshipmen square off against the Fighting Irish in Dublin, Ireland at the Emerald Isle Classic , which reports via Cheryl Hall at The Dallas Morning News that "This is the first regular-season collegiate football game played outside the United States in 16 years." Brian Kelly still can not get his starting quarterback straight, which greatly tarnishes our view of Notre Dame chances. On the other hand, the one-sided Navy offense is unlikely to beat the Irish. Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 31-17 for Notre Dame  Result: 

UAB is the underdog at home against visiting Troy State by 5.5 points. The Blazers lost to the Trojans on the road last year 24-23, as in the last four meetings the home team has won. New UAB head coach Garrick McGee (from Arkansas, where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach) says the team is better than he thought it could be. Troy State dropped from championship status to a 3-9 season in 2011 and has nowhere to go but up. Our last-season stats make this game a tossup so we pick the home team.
Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 27-26 for UAB  Result:

Iowa State is the underdog at home against visiting Tulsa by 1 point. The Cyclones, who played the 2nd toughest schedule in the country last year, are improved and will be a hard foe for the Golden Hurricane on the road, especially in view of the loss of a superb G.J. Kinne at quarterback.
Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 24-23 for Iowa State   Result:

East Carolina is at home against Appalachian State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Pirates by 15 points. East Carolina won 29-24 at home in 2009 against the Mountaineers. In 2012, Scott Satterfield -- "the offensive juggernaut" -- is back for the Mountaineers as offensive coordinator, which ought to send shivers down the backs of the competition. Look for quarterback Jamal Jackson especially to profit from the change here in coaching staff.
Matchup. OddsShark.
Our call: 41-24 for Appalachian State  Result:

Syracuse is the underdog at home against visiting Northwestern by 1 point. Our stats rate these two teams even, but Syracuse under Doug Marrone has not developed long-term as well as expected, while the Northwestern win over Nebraska last year has the Wildcats optimistic for improvement.
Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 27-24 for Northwestern  Result: 

Ohio State is favored at home over visiting Miami of Ohio by 22.5 points. Don Treadwell enters his second season for the RedHawks who went from 10-4 in 2010 to 4-8 in 2011. The Buckeyes lost 7 games last season including the 24-17 loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl but 6 of those games were by 7 points or less, so that a head coach who can make up that 1 touchdown deficit or more will put Ohio State right back near the top of the pack, and that coach is surely Urban Meyer
Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 42-10 for Ohio State  Result:  

Penn State is favored at home over visiting Ohio by 6 points. The Bobcats had one of its best seasons ever in winning 10 games in 2011. The Nittany Lions find new head coach Bill O'Brien leading the team through adversity that they did not create as the NCAA once again punishes innocent persons rather than the guilty ones.
Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 28-27 for Penn State  Result:

West Virginia is favored at home over visiting Marshall by 24 points. The Mountaineers gave notice that head coach Dana Holgorsen and "artistic" QB Geno Smith have arrived big-time and that they are a team to watch given their virtual destruction of Clemson in last season's BCS Discover Orange Bowl 70-33. Our stats favor the Mountaineers by 19 plus the home field advantage makes 22 points. Marshall has some new coaches, however, who should make the team stronger. Last year the Thundering Herd lost on the road 34-13.
Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 39-17 for West Virginia Result:

Illinois is favored at home over visiting Western Michigan by 9.5 points. Former Toledo coach Tiim Beckman takes over the reigns of a quality recruited Illini who Ron Zook could not coach to success. The Broncos faded on defense at the end of last season and have changed defensive coach and system, so that they will be playing "a new hybrid 3-3-5 defense". Our stats favor the Illini by 7 plus the home field advantage makes 10. Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 31-21 for Illinois  Result:

Georgia is favored at home over visiting Buffalo by 37.5 points. The Bulls have 2-10 and 3-9 seasons under head coach Jeff Quinn. The Bulldogs have a defense that is potentially second to none under Todd Grantham, while the offense averaged a strong 32 points a game last year and could score even more this year. Georgia outgained LSU 296 yards to 237 and still lost the SEC championship game 42-10 through wishful coaching. To win, you maximize your own strengths and minimize the strengths of the opposition. You do not play into the teeth of another team's strength, as Georgia did in that contest by kicking directly to a dangerous punt returner, who changed the flow the game. In any case, Buffalo will be lucky to score in this game. Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 35-0 for Georgia  Result:

North Carolina is at home against Elon. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors North Carolina by 39 points. The Tar Heels are another team that is forbidden a bowl game by ill-conceived NCAA sanctions that punish the innocent, rather than imposing penalties on guilty persons. Only 13 starters return from last season's 7-6 team. FCS Elon was 5-6 in 2011 and should be no match for North Carolina. Matchup. OddsShark.
Our call: 44-7 for North Carolina  Result:

Air Force is at home against Idaho State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Falcons by 31.5 points. Air Force was 7-6 in 2011 and FCS Idaho State was 2-9. The Falcons have a strictly ground attack, which, simply by elementary logic, is psychologically a poor football strategy for the nation's military pilots, who should be a primarily "through the air" passing team, but the "Army-like" attack will be enough to subdue the Bengals easily. Matchup.
Our call: 38-7 for Air Force  Result:

California is favored at home over visiting Nevada by 11.5 points. The Golden Bears were 7-6 last season, losing 21-10 to Texas in the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl. The Wolf Pack lost 24-17 to Southern Miss in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl and has a whole entourage of new coaches under Chris Ault, who enters his 28th season as Nevada head coach, and will have a young team on his hands. Our stats favor Cal by 1 point plus the home field advantage.
Matchup. AccuScore.
Our call: 31-27 for California  Result:

Oregon State is at home against Nicholls State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Beavers by 28.5 points. The Colonels of the FCS Southland Conference were 1-10 last year while the Beavers were 3-9.
Matchup. OddsShark.
Our call: 38-14 for Oregon State  Result:

Maryland is at home against William & Mary. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Terrapins by 31 points. Maryland was 2-10 last year, while the Tribe was 5-6 overall playing in the CAA (3-5). 25 players left the Terps last year so that the team does not have much depth. Will it be enough to beat the Tribe?
Matchup.
Our call: 24-23 for William & Mary  Result:

Virginia is at home against Richmond. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Cavaliers by 28.5 points. Mike London in his 2nd season as head coach led Virginia to an 8-4 record and a spot in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Auburn, where they lost 43-24. The Cavaliers played Richmond at home in 2010 and won 34-13. Since then, Virginia has gotten better and Richmond is not as good.
Matchup.
Our call: 38-7 for Virginia   Result: 

Florida is favored at home over visiting Bowling Green by 29 points. Following their worst season (7-6) since 1987, the Gators have a new look in 2012 with first-year offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brent Pease, who succeeded Charlie Weis, now head coach at Kansas. The Falcons were 5-7 in 2011 and weak on defense.
Matchup.
Our call: 33-14 for Florida  Result: 

Boston College is favored at home over visiting Miami of Florida by 1 point. The Hurricanes are the subject of an NCAA investigation and are faced with numerous problems in rebuilding a once great football program. The Eagles have their own problems, having put up a 4-8 record in 2011, thus breaking a string of 12 straight bowl game appearances.
Matchup.
Our call: 24-14 for Miami of Florida  Result: 

Nebraska is favored at home against visiting Southern Miss by 17 points.
As written at USA Today Sports "Nebraska's nonconference schedule features three straight games to open the season against teams with new coaches -- Southern Miss (Ellis Johnson), UCLA (Jim Mora) and Arkansas State (Gus Malzahn)." We might add that two of those are returning conference champions, while UCLA played in the Pac 12 championship game and lost to Oregon. Few teams have a more difficult schedule than the Huskers this year. On paper, the Huskers would appear stronger than the Golden Eagles, but Southern Miss has had a winning record each of the last 13 years, going to bowls in 9 of the last 10 years. The Cornhuskers are one of few FBS teams to win at least 9 games each of the last 4 seasons, and should win on the strength of their vaunted Blackshirt defense, but last year that defense was porous. Quo vadis 2012? Our own yards per play stats from 2011 would even favor Southern Miss by 7 points over the Big Red. As a Husker alum, we give NU the win as a strong team from a much stronger conference, but it may not be that easy on the field. Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 24-13 for Nebraska  Result: 

Wisconsin is at home against Northern Iowa. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Badgers by 37 points. The FCS Panthers were 10-3 last season but should be no match for the powerful Badgers, who were 11-3 last year in FBS and separated by a mere 17 points from an undefeated season.
Matchup.
Our call: 49-7 for Wisconsin  Result:

Northern Illinois (NIU) is the underdog at home against visiting Iowa by 8 points. The MAC champion Huskies sport a 9-game winning streak from an 11-3 2011 season in which they beat Arkansas State 38-20 in the GODADDY.com BOWL. The Hawkeyes finished 7-6 after a 31-14 loss to Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl. Our stats from last year favor the Huskies by 4 plus the home field advantage. We quote USA Today: ""No offense to the media, but they don't know what they are talking about." -- NIU second-year coach Dave Doeren, perhaps indulging on winning the MAC Championship in his first year, or talking about NIU getting picked second in the MAC West by the conference media." Will NIU win the MAC in 2012? We think so.
See Dave Doeren & Fact Sheet. Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 31-24 for Northern Illinois    Result:

Purdue is at home against Eastern Kentucky. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Boilermakers by 27 points. Our own stats favor Purdue by 24 plus the home field advantage also makes 27 or more.
Matchup.
Our call: 42-14 for Purdue  Result: 

Colorado State is the underdog at home against visiting Colorado by 5.5 points. The 3-10 Buffaloes won this match last year 28-14 but 2012 may be a different story. First-year head coach Jim McElwain, formerly offensive coordinator at Alabama, is being low key about the Rams upcoming season, but Colorado may face an unexpected loss to the Rams.
Matchup. AccuScore.
Our call: 27-24 for Colorado State  Result: 

New Mexico is at home against Southern University. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Lobos by 10 points over the Jaguars. New Mexico has lost 37 of their last 40 games but has a good chance to open with a win over FCS Southern U.
Matchup.
Our call: 27-20 for New Mexico  Result: 

Florida State is at home against Murray State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the very strong Seminoles by 49 points. Last year the Racers lost 21-9 to Louisville to open their season. How good will the Seminoles be this year?
Matchup.
Our call: 49-7 for Florida State  Result: 
 
Pittsburgh is at home against Youngstown State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Panthers by 28 points over the FCS Penguins. Pitt will finish its last year in the Big East this year under first-year had coach Paul Chryst, formerly offensive coordinator at Wisconsin, before joining the ACC in 2013.
Matchup.
Our call: 38-14 for Pittsburgh  Result: 

Wake Forest is at home against Liberty. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Demon Deacons by 27.5 points. The Flames lost 43-21 to N.C. State to open their season last year. This year Liberty is led by first-year head coach Turner Gill, a Husker QB alum, formerly head coach at Kansas.
Matchup.
Our call: 31-17 for Wake Forest  Result: 

Arkansas is at home against Jacksonville State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Razorbacks by 36 points.The FCS Gamecocks were 7-4 last season, while Arkansas was 11-2 with a 29-16 win over Kansas State in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. Whether the Hogs can keep up a high level of play under John L. Smith, replacing Bobby Petrino, remains to be seen.
Matchup.
Our call: 45-17 for Arkansas  Result: 

Western Kentucky is at home against Austin Peay. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Hilltoppers by 21.5 points. Willie Taggart has taken a Western Kentucky team that was 0-12 when he started and reached 7-5 last year in his 2nd year of coaching. Various additions have improved the team, but super running back Bobby Rainey must be replaced. The Governors were 3-8 last year.
Matchup.
Our call: 38-7 for Western Kentucky  Result: 

LSU is favored at home against visiting North Texas by 43 points. The highly rated Tigers are playing a Mean Green team that has become stronger under the head coaching of Dan McCarney.
Matchup. AccuScore.
Our call: 38-7 for LSU  Result: 

Missouri is at home against Southeastern Louisiana. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Tigers by 42.5 points. The FCS Lions were 3-8 last year while new SEC addition Missouri was 8-5, beating North Carolina 41-24 in the Independence Bowl.
Matchup.
Our call: 55-7 for Missouri  Result: 

Mississippi is at home against Central Arkansas. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors Ole Miss by 21 points. The Rebels have a new coach in Hugh Freeze from Arkansas State, so things are looking up at Ole Miss. The Central Arkansas Bears were 9-4 in 2011.
Matchup.
Our call: 37-14 for Ole Miss  Result: 

Memphis is at home against Tennessee-Martin. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Tigers by 10.5 points. Memphis was 2-10 last year and the Skyhawks were 5-6, losing 55-17 at Mississippi State.
Matchup.
Our call: 31-23 for Memphis  Result: 

Kansas is at home against South Dakota State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Jayhawks by 15.5 points. The Jackrabbits were 5-6, losing 56-3 to Illinois in 2011. Kansas was 2-10 in the Big 12. Dayne Crist -- a transfer from Notre Dame -- will take over as KU quarterback.
Matchup.
Our call: 38-17 for Kansas  Result: 

Kansas State is at home against Missouri State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Wildcats by 35 points. The Wildcats won a lot of close games last year but can they do it again in 2012? The Missouri State Bears were 2-9 in 2011.
Matchup.
Our call: 41-10 for Kansas State  Result:

Texas Tech is at home against Northwestern State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Red Raiders by 35.5 points. If Texas Tech could shore up their defense, they would be formidable, and new defensive coordinator Art Kaufman is trying to do just that. The FCS Demons were 5-6 last year.
Matchup.
Our call: 51-7 for Texas Tech  Result: 

Auburn is the underdog at home against visiting Clemson by 3 points.
Matchup. AccuScore. Auburn has a first-rate new defensive coordinator in Brian VanGorder for a defense that was porous last season. That hire may greatly improve Auburn fortunes in 2012. Scott Loeffler of Temple is replacing Gus Malzahn, who is taking over as head coach at Arkansas State. Clemson, which has some rebuilding to do, has a new defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
Our call: 24-23 for Auburn  Result:  

South Florida is at home against Chattanooga. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Bulls by 30 points. The Bulls in 2011 lost many close games in unexpectedly losing seven games. There is a new defensive coordinator, Chris Cosh, from Kansas State. The FCS Mocs were 5-6 in 2011.
Matchup.
Our call: 38-17 for South Florida  Result: 

Duke is favored at home over visiting FIU (Florida International) by 4 points. The Blue Devils appear to be on about the same level as last year's 3-9 team and are bringing a 7-game losing streak into this contest. Last year, they beat FIU 31-27 on the road. FIU's head coach Mario Cristobal has a new QB in sophomore Jake Medlock. FIU was 8-5 last year.
Matchup.
Our call: 31-30 for FIU  Result: 

Oklahoma State is at home against Savannah State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Cowboys by 52 points. The FCS Tigers were 1-10 last season while the Cowboys were among the top 5 teams in FBS. Oklahoma State lost some top players and is unlikely to be as strong as in 2011.
Matchup.
Our call: 70-7 for Oklahoma State  Result: 

LA Lafayette (ULL, Louisiana Lafayette) is at home against Lamar. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Ragin' Cajuns by 25.5 points. Mark Hudspeth has led ULL from an inherited 3-9 program to a 9-4 winning record, including a 32-30 win over San Diego State in the New Orleans Bowl. The Cardinals were 4-7 last year.
Matchup.
Our call:  49-7 for LA Lafayette Result:

Mississippi State is at home against Jackson State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Bulldogs by 38.5 points. Mississippi State was 7-6 in 2011. The Tigers were 9-2. Our state make this game closer than 38.5 points.
Matchup.
Our call: 38-17 for Mississippi State  Result: 

USC (Southern Cal) is favored at home over visiting Hawaii by 39 points. USC has a top senior quarterback and has a lot of talent, but depth and the defense are suspect. The Warriors, 6-7 in 2011, are now led by new head coach Norm Chow.
Matchup.
Our call: 40-17 for USC  Result: 

Houston is favored at home over visiting Texas State by 37 points.The Cougars were 13-1 last year, including a 30-14 win over Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl, but super-quarterback Case Keenum and head coach Kevin Sumlin are gone. Tony Levine is the new man at the helm and he appears to be a good one, but he still has to find a quarterback for a high-octane system. If he can do that, Houston will be off and running viz. passing again. The Bobcats were 6-6 last year before now entering FBS competition.
OddsShark.
Our call: 49-7 for Houston   Result: 

Texas is favored at home over visiting Wyoming by 29 points. Ultimately, the offensive coordinating talents of Bryan Harsin are going to start putting up points for the Longhorns, even though the coaching staff's inability to settle on a (or the right) starting quarterback hurts the team offense in the long run. The Cowboys had a strong 8-5 season in 2011 and have an excellent sophomore QB in Brett Smith, whereas the team defense is porous, as shown by the 37-15 loss of Wyoming to Temple in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
Matchup.
Our call: 33-14 for Texas  Result:

Tulane is the underdog at home against visiting Rutgers by 17.5 points. The Green Wave was 2-11 last year and now are under the tutelage of new head coach Curtis Johnson. The Scarlet Knights, 9-4 last year, also have a new head coach, Kyle Flood, taking over from Greg Schiano who has gone to coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.
Matchup.
Our call: 28-13 for Rutgers  Result: 

Indiana is at home against Indiana State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Hoosiers by 23.5 points. Indiana was 1-11 in 2011. The FCS Sycamores were 6-5, losing to Penn State 41-7.
Matchup.
Our call: 31-17 for Indiana  Result:

Alabama is favored over Michigan by 12.5 points on a "neutral field" at Cowboys Stadium im Arlington, Texas. Michigan holds a 2-1 edge in previous bowl games played between the two schools, none of which have been decided by more than four points. This is the first regular season meeting. Right now, this is the game of the year for this observer, especially after reading that veteran Michigan players went through Navy Seals training in the off-season. Look out. We rank the Crimson Tide Nr. 1 in our preseason poll and they could well win the SEC title and the BCS championship down the road, but the Wolverines have a chance to win here at season start when Alabama may not yet be in top form, having to adapt to the style of a new offensive coordinator in Doug Nussmeier.
Matchup. AccuScore. OddsShark.
Our call: 27-26 for Michigan  Result:

Fresno State is at home against Weber State. There is no line. Beyond the Bets favors the Bulldogs by 28 points. Fresno State has a new head coach in Tim DeRuyter from Texas A&M. The Weber State Wildcats were 5-6 last year, losing to Utah State 54-17.
Matchup.
Our call: 38-14 for Fresno State  Result:

Washington is favored at home over visiting San Diego State by 14.5 points. The Huskies have finished 7-6 the last two years. The Aztecs finished 8-5. Our stats rank these two teams nearly even so we go with the home field advantage.
Matchup.
Our call: 31-28 for Washington  Result: 

UTEP is the underdog at home against visiting Oklahoma by 31 points. Just how good the Sooners could be is unclear. They have to find wide receivers adn shore up the defense. UTEP has a similar problem: good offense, weak defense. Defense is what keeps Oklahoma behind the SEC.
Matchup.
Our call: 42-21 for Oklahoma  Result:

Arizona is favored at home over visiting Toledo by 10.5 points. The Wildcats will be led this year by new head coach Rich Rodriguez, who should be a much better fit at Arizona than he was at Michigan. Toledo has a new coach in Matt Campbell, who earned his spurs initially at Division III powerhouse Mount  Union.
Matchup.
Our call: 30-27 for Toledo  Result:

Oregon is favored at home over visiting Arkansas State by 35.5 points. The Ducks lost QB Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James to the NFL draft and may not be as strong in 2012 as they were in 2011. The already strong Red Wolves will prosper under Gus Malzahn.
Our call: 38-21 for Oregon  Result:

SportPundit Game Predictions

for Sunday, September 2, 2012

Louisville is favored at home against visiting Kentucky by 14 points. (3:30 p.m. ET). The Cardinals are being touted as the Big East conference favorites. The Wildcats were 5-7 last year, losing 24-17 at home to Louisville.
Matchup.
Our call: 27-14 for Louisville  Result: 

Baylor is favored at home over visiting SMU by 11 points.  (6:30 p.m. ET).  The 10-3 Bears won the Valero Alamo Bowl 67-56 against Washington, showing a weakness on defense (37 points per game) that the offense this year will not be able to neutralize. SMU was 8-5 in 2011 and beat Pittsburgh 28-6 in the Compass Bowl. Matchup.
Our call: 34-24 for Baylor  Result:

SportPundit Game Predictions

for Monday, September 3, 2012

September 3, 2012 (8 p.m. ET)

Virginia Tech is favored at home over visiting Georgia Tech by 7.5 points. The Hokies, 11-3 last season, are always strong on defense and nine starters return. The Yellow Jackets, 8-5 in 2011, excel at the option offense. Last year, Virginia Tech won on the road 37-26.
Matchup.
Our call: 31-27 for Virginia Tech  Result: