ASA's College Football Notes

 

Indiana (-7.5) @ Nebraska - Hoosiers win 20-17 despite running 39 fewer offensive snaps (83 to 44 in favor of Nebraska). IU averaged 7.5 YPP to just 4.7 YPP for the Huskers. Hoosiers were 1 of 10 on 3rd down and Huskers were 10 of 19, thus all of the extra snaps for Nebraska as they were extending drives.  Indiana opens as a 4 point home dog vs Ohio State this weekend while Nebraska heads to Oregon and the Ducks opened -7.  

 

UCLA @ Oregon (-11.5) – UCLA pulls the upset 17-15 but the Bruins were more dominant than the final score indicated.  UCLA outgained Oregon by 100 yards and had a +1.0 YPP margin.  Ducks back up QB Raiola started the game (Moore injured) and was terrible completing 6 of 19 for 43 yards and 2 interceptions before he was yanked and replaced by Brock Thomas.  Will be interested to see of Raiola gets the start this weekend vs his old team Nebraska or if they go with Thomas (if Moore is still not available).

 

Arizona (-3.5) @ West Virginia – In one of the stranger box scores you’ll see, WVU ran a ridiculous 104 offensive snaps to just 51 for Arizona and LOST by 21 points (Arizona won 52-31).  The Mountaineers had 76 rushing attempts (never seen that before?) and outrushed the Wildcats 303 to 141 but Arizona had a huge edge in YPP at 9.4 to 5.0 for WVU. Arizona had 4 offensive TD’s of 30 yards or more.

 

South Carolina @ Florida (-11.5) – The Gators have gone from National Title contender to most likely out of the playoffs in the span of 2 weeks.  Even if they run the table it’s going to be tough with 2 blowout losses.  They were the talk of the town beating Ole Miss 52-28 a few weeks ago to move to 4-0.  They’ve since last back to back games in embarrassing fashion at Missouri 45-17 and at home vs South Carolina 38-19.  Their defense has been really poor allowing 7.0, 8.5, and 5.5 YPP over the last 3 games.  They’ve allowed almost 1,000 total yards in the last 2 games alone.  South Carolina loses at home to Kentucky and then blows out Florida on the road.  Go figure.

 

San Diego State @ Oregon State (-15.5) – The Beavers offense is exceptional as they roll over the Aztecs 66-14.  After losing their first 2 games vs Houston and Texas Tech, they’ve ripped off 4 straight wins outscoring their opponents 207 to 64 in that 4 game stretch.  They’ve averaged 7.5, 7.9, 8.9, and 7.1 YPP in those games.  What isn’t being talked about is their defense which has been very good.  Oregon State held Texas Tech to just 4.8 YPP and 4 of their last 5 opponents have been held to 4.8 YPP or less.  That includes limiting San Diego State to a season low 3.1 YPP last Saturday.

 

Florida State @ Louisville (-3) – FSU led 14-0 at the end of the 1st quarter and had 4th and goal from the Cards 2-yard line early in the 2nd quarter.  The Noles went for trying to make the score 21-0 but were held.  1 play later, Louisville scored on a 97 yard TD run making it 14-7 in favor of FSU but it was all downhill from there for the Seminoles.  After getting held at the goal line Florida State was outscored 44-6 from that point on (44-20 Louisville final score).  If we take out running out the clock possessions at the end of the half and game, the Cardinals scored points on 7 of their final 8 possessions.  FSU’s defense allowed a whopping 9.3 YPP for the game and is was the 3rd time in the last 5 games they’ve allowed at least 8.5 YPP.  

 

Houston @ Kansas State (-2.5) – The bloom might be off the KSU rose after they started the season 4-0.  They have since lost 2 straight including a 35-16 home setback vs Houston last Saturday.  A week prior they lost 31-26 vs Cincinnati but the Wildcats were outgained by 3.0 YPP in that game (8.6 YPP allowed and 5.6 YPP gained) but KSU ran 29 more offensive snaps and still lost.  After facing 3 opponents ranked outside the top 90 to start the year, their step up in competition hasn’t gone well.  Their defense has been shredded for 8.6 and 6.5 YPP the last 2 games and what had been their offensive strength has flipped as they’ve been outrushed 504 to 272 in those 2 losses.  This Saturday they host rival Kansas to try and extend their 17 game winning streak over the Jayhawks.  Houston’s only loss on the season was 28-26 vs Texas Tech and this weekend they host Oklahoma State 4-1 record) who is tied for 2nd place in the Big 12 with 4 teams one game behind BYU in the win column.