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Archive: 2008 Week 12 College Football Game Previews
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
# 17 Ball State Cardinals (9-0) @ Miami OH Redhawks (2-7)
Time: 7:00pm ET
Spread: Ball State – 17.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Cardinals are 9-0 on the season, and in a tie atop the MAC Conference – West Division. Ball State does not look to have any problems on Saturday as they will travel to Miami Ohio, but as all good teams know- do not take anyone lightly. Ball State has not had a final outcome in the single digits all season, with their closest game coming on September 9th, a 35-23 win over Navy. On the season the Cardinals have outscored opponents 345-138. The Cardinals are 4-0 when playing on the road this season; with wins over Akron, Indiana, Toledo and Western Kentucky. Ball State quarterback Nate Davis has thrown for well over 2,000 yards on the season, completing 19 touchdown passes. The Cardinals opponent; the Miami Ohio Redhawks have fallen on hard times in 2008. The Redhawks are losers of two straight games to Kent State and on the road at Buffalo. The Redhawks two wins this season have come over Charleston Southern and Bowling Green. The Redhawks have been outscored on the year 278-165. Miami has played four games at home, winning just one. Miami is near the bottom of the MAC East Division with their 1-4 conference mark.
Friday, November 14, 2008
# 22 Cincinnati Bearcats (7-2) @ Louisville Cardinals (5-4)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Cincinnati – 3
Over/Under:
Preview: The Bearcats have snuck into the Top 25 with Saturday’s win over West Virginia 26-23. On the year Cincinnati has won seven of nine games, and currently are tied with West Virginia and Pittsburgh atop the Big East standings. The Bearcats two losses this season has come to Oklahoma and Connecticut, both on the road. Cincinnati has scored 240 points on the year, allowing 187. The Bearcats are 3-2 when on the road. The Cardinals of Louisville come into the ball game 5-4 on the year, looking to snap their two game losing streak. After starting 5-2, the Cardinals have lost to Syracuse and Pittsburgh in consecutive weeks. The Cardinals are 1-3 in Big East play, and near the bottom. The Cardinals lone Big East win was on October 25th, over South Florida. Louisville has scored 241 points on the year and allowed 232. The Cardinals are 4-2 in home games in 2008.
Saturday, November
15, 2008
Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-6) @ # 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-0)
Time: 7:45pm ET
Spread: Alabama – 19.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Mississippi State Bulldogs would love to spoil the Alabama Crimson Tide’s undefeated season on Saturday. The Bulldogs have not had a lot to celebrate this season, starting the year 3-6. The Tigers are coming off their bye week, after their 14-13 loss to Kentucky. The three wins for the Bulldogs have been over Southeastern Louisiana, Vanderbilt, and Middle Tennessee State. In their nine games this season Mississippi State is getting outscored 191-145 on the season. The Bulldogs are fifth in the SEC West, with a 1-4 record. Alabama comes into the game after overtime win on the road at LSU. The Crimson Tide have outscored opponents 317-131 on the year. In the five home games Alabama have played this season, they have outscored opponents 137-47. The Crimson Tide has clinched the SEC West, and will play in the SEC title game against Florida.
# 3 Texas Longhorns (9-1) @ Kansas Jayhawks (6-4)
Time: 12:30pm ET
Spread: Texas –14
Over/Under:
Preview: The 9-1 Texas Longhorns will make a road appearance in Lawrence Kansas this Saturday and take on the 6-4 Kansas Jayhawks. Texas, at 5-1 in the Big 12 South, sit just a game behind conference leader Texas Tech. The Longhorns are coming off a 45-21 win over Baylor; after the week ten loss to Texas Tech 39-33. Quarterback Colt McCoy, who has thrown for 2879 yards, and 28 touchdowns, is leading the Longhorns. The Longhorns on the year have scored 443 points, and allowed 207. Texas is 3-1 in road games this year; with wins at UTEP, Colorado, and a neutral win over Oklahoma. The Kansas Jayhawks come into the game losers of three of their last four games. An October 18th loss to Oklahoma 45-31 started the trend, and it continued with an October 25th loss to Texas Tech 63-21, and then a November 8th loss to Nebraska 45-35. On the year Kansas is 5-1 at home.
# 25 South Carolina Gamecocks (7-3) @ # 4 Florida Gators (8-1)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Florida -21
Over/Under:
Preview: The South Carolina Gamecocks are bowl eligible. After starting the season 1-2, South Carolina has won six of their last seven games, including two straight; over Tennessee and Arkansas. The Gamecocks three losses this season has come at Vanderbilt, with Georgia, and with LSU. Quarterback Chris Smelley has completed 118 of 200 passes for 1439 yards and completed 11 touchdowns on the year. South Carolina has outscored their opponents 240-156 on the year. In road games this season, the Gamecocks are 2-1 with wins at Mississippi and Kentucky. For the Gators, they have arguably been the hottest and best team in the country in the last five weeks. The Gators have won five straight since their September 27th loss to Mississippi. In those games, Florida is beating opponents 243-57. Quarterback Tim Tebow has thrown for 1740 yards and 17 touchdowns. On the year, the Gators are scoring 42.8 points per game, and allowing just 11.9. The Gators have locked up the SEC Eastern Division, and will play Alabama in the SEC title game, at the end of the season.
# 6 USC Trojans (8-1) @ Stanford Cardinals (5-5)
Time: 7:00pm ET
Spread: USC – 23
Over/Under:
Preview: The USC Trojans moved to 8-1 on the year on Saturday with a 17-3 win over California. The Trojans, in their six five games; all wins, have allowed just 23 points. With shut out wins over Arizona State, Washington State, and Washington, the Trojans have won games with their defense. On the year, in nine games, the Trojans have allowed just 60 points. USC is 3-1 so far this year on the road, with wins over Virginia, Washington State, and Arizona and their lone loss coming at Oregon State. The Trojans are ½ game ahead of Oregon State atop the Pac Ten standings. For Stanford, with two remaining games, the Cardinals would love to win out and be assured of a bowl game. The Cardinals are losers of two of their last three games; including a 23-20 loss at UCLA, and a 35-28 loss at Oregon. The Cardinals are 4-3 within the Pac Ten. The Cardinals have scored 276 points on the season, and allowed just 247. Stanford is 4-0 at home; with wins over Oregon State, San Jose State, Arizona, and Washington State.
# 7 Utah Utes (10-0) @ San Diego State Aztecs (1-9)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Utah – 28
Over/Under:
Preview: The Utah Utes are two wins away from a perfect regular season. With Thursday nights 13-10 win over TCU, the Utes moved to 10-0 on the season, and 6-0 in the Mountain West Conference. That 6-0 mark places the Utes ½ game ahead of TCU, and a full game up on BYU. The Utes will take on BYU in the last regular season game of the year, but before that, Utah must get by San Diego State. The Aztecs have had a rough 2008 season winning just one of ten games on the year. San Diego State’s lone win came on September 27th, a 45-17 win over Idaho. On the year the Aztecs are getting outscored 362-175. The Aztecs are 1-3 at home this season with the win over Idaho, along with losses to Cal Poly, Air Force, and Colorado State. The Aztecs are looking for their first Mountain West Conference win of the year.
Indiana Hoosiers (3-7) @ # 8 Penn State Nittany Lions (9-1)
Time: 12:00pm ET
Spread: Penn State – 34
Over/Under:
Preview: The Indiana Hoosiers are not going to be playing in a bowl game in 2008, but one thing they could do is possible add to the Penn State misery. The Hoosiers are 3-7 on the season, and 1-5, tied at the bottom of the Big Ten in 2008. Indiana’s three wins this year have come over Western Kentucky, Murray State, and Northwestern. The Hoosiers have last two straight games to Central Michigan, and Wisconsin. On the year, Indiana has allowed 327 points and scored 299. The Hoosiers are 0-2 on the road this year with losses at Minnesota (16-7) and Illinois (55-13). For Penn State, chances of a national title berth was put to rest on Sunday as the Iowa Hawkeyes kicked a game winning field goal as time expired to beat the Nittany Lions 24-23. The loss dropped Penn State to 9-1, and 5-1 in the Big Ten. Penn State is now tied with Ohio State in the conference, just ½ game behind Michigan State (6-1). The Nittany Lions have scored 399 points and allowed 124 on the year. In five games this year played in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions have knocked off Coastal Carolina, Oregon State, Temple, Illinois and Michigan. Running back Evan Royster has scored 11 touchdowns in 10 games so far this season for Penn State.
# 9 Boise State Broncos (9-0) @ Idaho Vandals (2-8)
Time: 5:00pm ET
Spread: Boise State – 34.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Boise State Broncos moved to 9-0 on the season on Saturday. The Broncos were a 49-14 winner over Utah State. In the win quarterback Kellen Moore threw for 362 yards, and has now thrown for 2427 on the year, and 20 touchdowns. The Broncos continue to lead the Western Athletic Conference with a 5-0 mark, ahead of 4-2 San Jose State. The Broncos have allowed just 93 points so far on the year. Boise State is 4-0 on the road this year; with wins over Oregon, Southern Miss, San Jose State, and New Mexico State. For Idaho, the Vandals have just two wins on the season. Idaho State is coming off a 30-24 loss to San Jose State on Saturday. On the year Idaho’s two wins have come over Idaho State and New Mexico State. The Vandals are 2-3 in 2008 at home.
# 10 Georgia Bulldogs (8-2) @ Auburn Tigers (5-5)
Time: 12:30pm ET
Spread: Georgia – 8
Over/Under:
Preview: The Georgia Bulldogs were 42-38 winners over Kentucky Saturday moving them to 8-2 overall, and 5-2 inside the SEC East. Matthew Stafford threw for 376 yards in the win on Saturday, and was aided by running back Knowshon Moreno’s 123 yards and three touchdowns. The Bulldogs two losses this season has come to Alabama and Florida, two teams within the top five in the country. Saturday’s game will be the last game for the Bulldogs within the SEC. For Auburn, after high expectations, the Tigers have struggled during 2008. Coming into this home game with # 10 Georgia, the Tigers are coming off a 37-20 win over Tennessee Martin, the win snapped the Tigers four game losing streak. During that time, losses to Vanderbilt, Arkansas, West Virginia and Mississippi were assisted by a lack of offense. In ten games this season, the Tigers are averaging just 19.5 points per game. Auburn is 2-4 inside the SEC. The Tigers are 4-2 in home games this season with wins over Louisiana Monroe, Southern Mississippi, Tennessee, and Tennessee Martin.
# 11 Ohio State Buckeyes (8-2) @ Illinois Fighting Illini (5-5)
Time: 12:00pm ET
Spread: Ohio State – 10
Over/Under:
Preview: The 8-2 Ohio State Buckeyes watched closely on Saturday night as Iowa was able to knock off the Big Ten leader Penn State. Now the Buckeyes are in a virtual tie with Penn State and Michigan State. The Buckeyes will have to get by Illinois, and Michigan and hope for Michigan State to knock off Penn State, in order to win another Big Ten title. The Buckeyes are coming off a 45-10 pounding of Northwestern on Saturday. Ohio State’s two losses have come on the road to USC, and at home to Penn State. The Buckeyes have outscored opponents 266-130 on the year. Ohio State is 3-1 when playing on the road this season. For Illinois, a disappointing season has marred Ron Zook once again. After high expectations, the Illini are in danger of sitting on the outside looking in at a bowl game. The Illini have five wins, and five losses. Their five wins have come over Eastern Illinois, Louisiana Lafayette, Michigan, Indiana and Iowa. Their five losses have come to Missouri, Penn State, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Western Michigan. The Illini have outscored opponents 314-262. Juice Williams, the Illinois quarterback has completed 182 of 319, for 2769 yards and 20 touchdowns. Illinois is in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten with a 3-3 mark. The Fighting Illini are 4-1 in home games this season with their lone loss coming to Minnesota.
# 12 Missouri Tigers (8-2) @ Iowa State Cyclones (2-8)
Time: 6:30pm ET
Spread: Missouri – 26.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Missouri Tigers need to win their last two games to win the Big 12 North, and play Texas Tech, Texas or Oklahoma in the Big 12 Title Game. The Tigers have won three straight games, 58-0 over Colorado, 31-28 over Baylor and 41-24 over Kansas State. Chase Daniel, a Heisman candidate to start the season has thrown for over 3,000 yards, completing 28 touchdown passes, nine of them to his favorite receiver Jeremy Maclin. Missouri’s two losses this season have come to Oklahoma State and Texas in back to back weeks. The Tigers are scoring 45.1 points per game, while only allowing 23.6. For Iowa State, the entire 2008 season has been a struggle. Winners of just two of ten games the Cyclones are being outscored on the year 340-254. Iowa State has lost eight straight games after starting the year 2-0. The two wins to start the year were non-conference games over South Dakota State and Kent State. The Cyclones are 2-3 this season when playing at home.
# 13 Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-2) @ Colorado Buffaloes (5-5)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Oklahoma State – 18
Over/Under:
Preview: The Cowboys fell for the second time on the year on Saturday; losing 56-20 to Texas Tech. The Cowboys are now two games back of the Red Raiders, but a full game behind Texas and Oklahoma in the Big 12 South. The Cowboys quarterback Zac Robinson has completed 145 of 215 passes for 2264 yards and 20 touchdowns. Wide receiver Dez Bryant has caught 64 passes for 1140 yards, and caught 15 touchdown passes. The Cowboys are outscoring opponents 428-245 on the year. Oklahoma State is 2-2 so far this season on the road. For the home team, the Colorado Buffaloes, they are coming off a 28-24 win over Iowa State. The Buffaloes are 5-5 on the year and 2-4 inside the Big 12 North. Colorado’s quarterback Cody Hawkins has thrown for 1472 yards and 15 touchdowns on the year. The Buffaloes are 5-1 at home this season.
# 16 North Carolina Tar Heels (7-2) @ # 23 Maryland Terrapins (6-3)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: North Carolina – 3
Over/Under:
Preview: The Atlantic Coast Conference has eight teams with an overall .500 record, or better. Two of those teams will square off Saturday afternoon in College Park Maryland. The North Carolina Tar Heels, winners of two straight games come in with a 7-2 mark, leading the ACC – Coastal; tied with Virginia Tech, and Miami. The Tar Heels two losses this year have come to Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Tar Heels are outscoring opponents 277-166 on the season. North Carolina is 2-1 when playing in road games in 2008. For Maryland, coming off a 23-13 loss at Virginia Tech, the Terps are 6-3 on the year, and 3-2 in the ACC – Atlantic. That conference marks puts them just ½ game behind the leaders Florida State and Wake Forest. Maryland’s three losses this year have come to Middle Tennessee State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech. Maryland is 5-0 in home games this season.
# 17 Brigham Young Cougars (9-1) @ Air Force Falcons (8-2)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: BYU – 4
Over/Under:
Preview: The Brigham Young Cougars were 41-12 winners on Saturday over San Diego State. The win for BYU was their third straight since their 32-7 loss to TCU. Quarterback Max Hall, who has thrown for 3070 yards and 32 touchdowns, leads the Cougars. The Cougars are a full game behind Utah in the Mountain West Conference. With a win over Air Force, the Cougars will set up a chance to tie for the conference title at Utah on November 22nd. BYU is averaging 36.2 points per game, and allowing 18.2. The Cougars week 12 opponent is most definitely a formidable one. The Air Force Falcons come in with an overall record of 8-2. The two losses for Air Force have come to Utah and Navy in back to back weeks. Air Force will take on BYU and TCU in their last two regular season games of the year. The Falcons are averaging 28.6 points per game, while allowing 17.3. Air Force is 3-2 at home this season.
Boston College Eagles (6-3) @ # 19 Florida State Seminoles (7-2)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Florida State – 7
Over/Under:
Preview: The Boston College Eagles are coming off a 17-0 blanking of Notre Dame on Saturday. The win snapped the two game losing streak for the Eagles. Boston College had fallen to North Carolina (45-24) and Clemson in weeks nine and ten. Boston College’s other lone loss came September 6th to Georgia Tech. The Eagles are in fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference – Atlantic Division at 2-3, trailing Florida State and Wake Forest (4-2) and Maryland (3-2). On the year Boston College is on average, beating opponents 26.8 – 16.9. The Eagles are 2-1 on the road this season. For Florida State, the Seminoles have quietly put together a very solid season. At 7-2, and 4-2 in the ACC – Atlantic Division, the Seminoles are looking to put together another 10 win season. The Seminoles are coming off a 41-27 win over Clemson on Saturday. Florida State’s two losses this season have come to Wake Forest and Georgia Tech; both ACC foes. On the year, Florida State has scored 323 points, and allowed 174. Florida State is 5-1 this year at home with their lone home loss coming September 20th in a 12-3 decision to Wake Forest.
Troy Trojans (6-3) @ # 20 LSU Tigers (6-3)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: LSU – 19.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Troy Trojans have won six of their first nine games to start the season, and are 4-1 inside the Sun Belt conference. That 4-1 mark in conference play places them ½ game behind conference leader Louisiana Lafayette. On the year the Trojans have lost to two ranked teams; Ohio State and Oklahoma State, while their third loss was a 31-30 loss to Louisiana Monroe. The Trojans are outscoring opponents 285-195 on the year. On Saturday, the Trojans were 17-7 winners over Western Kentucky. For LSU, the Tigers appear to be one of the best three loss teams in the country. The three Tigers losses have come to Florida, Georgia and Alabama- three teams within the top ten. In nine games played the Tigers have scored 281 points, and allowed 218. LSU is 3-3 in the SEC – Western Division. This game is a make-up game originally schedule for September 6th.
# 23 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (8-1) @ Houston Cougars (5-4)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Tulsa – 5.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, at 8-1, have a chance to win the Conference USA with a win on Saturday. Tulsa is 5-0 thus far in conference play, leading Rice at 5-1, and Houston at 4-1. Tulsa’s lone loss came on November 1st, in a 30-23 loss at Arkansas. The Golden Hurricanes are outscoring opponents on the year 468-239. Five times this season Tulsa has scored over 56 points in one game. The Houston Cougars are 5-4, and 4-1 inside Conference USA. Houston is coming off a 42-14 win over Tulane on Saturday. Houston’s losses this year have come to Oklahoma State, Air Force, Colorado State and Marshall. The Cougars are outscoring opponents 340-251 on the season. Houston quarterback Case Keenum has thrown for 3,392 yards on 280 for 414 passing, and 29 touchdowns. The Cougars are 3-1 when playing at home in 2008.
# 24 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-3) @ North Carolina State Wolfpack (3-6)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Wake Forest – 4
Over/Under:
Preview: The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have won two straight games over Virginia and Duke. On the year Wake Forest is 6-3, and 4-2 inside conference play. At 4-2, Wake Forest is sitting atop the Atlantic Coast Conference – Atlantic Division. The three losses for Wake Forest came to Navy, Maryland and Miami Florida. On the year, in nine games play, Wake Forest has scored 183 points and allowed 164. Wake Forest is 2-2 in road games this year, winning at Baylor and Florida State. The Demon Deacons week 12 opponent- the North Carolina State Wolfpack come in with a 3-6 mark, and losers of four of five games. On Saturday North Carolina State was able to knock off Duke 27-17 on the road. The Wolfpack sit at the bottom of the ACC – Atlantic Division with a 1-4 mark.
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