Top NCAA Matchups Week 13
This Thanksgiving weekend will mark the third to last week of NCAA college football. The holiday always brings about great matchups that have sports bettors and fans alike chomping at the bit. Three of the top four ranked teams will play ranked opponents on Black Friday, the Big East hosts its Backyard Brawl, and some heated rivalries.
Pittsburgh Panthers (-2 ½) @ West Virginia Mountaineers
Friday, November 26 – 12:00 PM
The backyard brawl is always one of the most entertaining games of the year. These two Big East rivals don’t like each other and the Black Friday game is always a knock-down-drag-out battle. Pitt comes into the game with a 6-4 record overall and 4-1 in Big East to top the conference. The Mountaineers are 7-3 overall and 3-2 in the conference sitting in third place.
The Sportsbooks and experts have a lot of confidence in Pitt for this game for a few reason. To start, Pitt has home field advantage, which is huge factor when you are involved in a rivalry this intense at a sold out stadium. They also have a two headed rush attack with Dion Lewis and Ray Graham at the RB position. Despite Dion Lewis failure to be a Heisman candidate this season, both running backs have still been very effective.
Pitt also has a good bit of influence from previous games. After blowing a trip to a BCS bowl game last season in a meltdown to Cincinnati, The Panthers are not about to blow another chance at winning the Big East. Also, there are still some players from the 2007 season when Pitt crushed WVU dreams of a national championship appearance.
But WVU is not to be taken lightly. Lest not forget that despite behind in the Big East, they still have a better record than Pitt overall, and they are coming off two big wins over Cincinnati and Louisville. QB Geno Smith seems to struggle with good defenses though. In last week’s win over Louisville he had just 133 yards passing and no TD.
Betting Trends
West Virginia is 18-7 SU in the last 25 games and in 4 of the last 6 games when playing Pitt, the total has gone UNDER. Pitt is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games and 13-2 SU in its last 15 games at home. In its last 15 games against West Virginia, Pitt has gone 5-10 ATS.
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Michigan Wolverines @ Ohio State Buckeyes (-17 ½)
Saturday, November 27 – 12:00 PM
Fans and sports bettors are treated to another huge rivalry this coming Saturday when Michigan travels to Ohio to take on the Buckeyes. This is a battle of the fallen as Michigan has dropped from the top 25 rankings after climbing their way to No. 18, and The Buckeyes cost themselves the No. 1 position and the BCS Championship with a loss to Wisconsin. Regardless of what they are playing for individually, winning this game means everything to both of them and bragging rights for the next twelve months.
OSU is without a doubt the stronger team here. QB Terrelle Pryor has been very good this season with 2331 pass yards and 23 TD. He is extremely hard for defenses to get hold of due to his speed and agility in the pocket. The Michigan defense will need to contain him while simultaneously keeping his receivers in check.
Michigan is coming off a rough game against Wisconsin in which they lost 48-28 after being dogged by 4 points. Wisconsin running backs James White and Montee Ball made short work of the Michigan defense as they combined for 354 and 6 TD on the day. Michigan QB Denard Robinson had some success as he passed for 239 yards and 2 TD and also rushed for 121 yards and 2 TD.
If Michigan wants to even stay in this game they will need to be better against Terrelle Pryor. If they play anything like they did against Wisconsin they will get blown out.
Betting Trends
Michigan is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games and 2-4 SU in its last 6. In its last 6 games against Ohio State Michigan is 1-5 ATS and 0-5 SU in its last 5. Ohio State is 18-4-1 ATS in its last 23 games and 16-1 SU in its last 17 games. In the last 7 meetings between these teams the total has gone OVER 5 in 5 of them.
Auburn Tigers @ Alabama Crimson Tide (-4 ½)
Friday, November 26 – 2:30 PM
When it comes to the national spot light for college ball, this is without a doubt the big game for Friday. The previously No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide will take on No. 2 Auburn in a show down. Everything is on the line for Auburn in this game. With an 11-0 record a win could seal their place in reservation in the BCS championship – a loss will mean they’re out.
Although Alabama will not be playing in the BCS Championship again or even an SEC title game, they are an extremely talented team, which is probably why the sportsbooks have chosen them as four and a half point favorites. QB Greg McElroy has racked up nearly 2400 yards this season and 17 TD. As for Mark Ingram, after returning from an injury he has put up 780 yards and 10 TD. The offense is high powered and potent, and all the pressure is on Auburn which may give Alabama the edge they need to win.
But give credit where credit is due. Auburn is undefeated this year and for good reason. QB Cameron Newton has thrown for over 2000 yards and 21 TD while rushing for another 1300 with 17 TD. He is the key to this offense and he will need to have a big game to win this battle.
Much of the doubt in Auburn derives from their scores over the season. They have pulled out a number of close games including three games that were won by the margin of a field goal. Many say that those games could have just as easily been losses.
Betting Trends
Auburn is 11-0 SU in its last 11 games but 3-9 ATS in its last 12. It is 6-2 SU in its last 8 against Alabama and 4-1 SU in its last 5 against Alabama on the road. Alabama is 22-2 in its last 24 games but 1-4 ATS when playing Auburn. In 5 of the last 6 meetings between these two teams the total has gone UNDER.
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