@EdgySam: #Wisconsin vs. #Northwestern, #ThePick

Well, I picked Northwestern early on as my surprise team in the Big 10. The Wildcats disappointed me early, but, they did so in non-league play. In their first league matchup, the Pat Fitzgerald-coached team won pretty decisively on the road vs. Penn State. It's time for the Wildcats to continue playing like I thought they could.
I have Northwestern rated higher than Wisconsin under my CollegeEdge ratings, and, still they come into their home game as an underdog. Have to go with my ratings!

Take Northwestern

@EdgySam: #UtahState vs. #BYU, #ThePick!

Sometimes a bargain is a bargain. Don't over-think the decision. With QB Keeton out for UtahSt, I don't see how the Aggies can stay close. Take BYU.

@EdgySam: #SanDiegoState vs. #FresnoState, #ThePick

Two inexperienced QBs start tonight for Fresno St. and SDSU, respectively. The Bulldogs lose the fabulous, #2 DC, Derek Carr, and the Aztecs lose underrated returning starter from '13, Kaehler, to an injury. SDSU has that goofy 4-2-5 defense, which I believe will give new starter Burrell lots of trouble, and I believe the 8.5 returning starters from the Bulldogs squad will give the young Aztec, QB starter trouble as well. As a result, I believe both offenses will play conservatively, keeping the score under the fairly high totals.
Take the under

With the loss of QB Kaehler tonight, my CollegeEdge ratings favor FresnoSt. strongly. I'm going to ride my ratings, and believe we'll see FresnoSt continue to improve from their slow start this year, albeit, a slow start vs. an unbelievably difficult early schedule.

Take the home team. Fresno St.

#EdgySam: #Louisville vs. #Syracuse, #ThePick

One of the most amazing stats of the year: Syracuse ran for 370 yards vs. Maryland ( 7.3 yards per carry!), and gave up only 89 on the ground vs. the Terps. Somehow, the Orange figured out a way to trail by 13-31 at the half of that game, and eventually lose by the score of 20-34. That game shows me what Syracuse is capable of accomplishing.
Syracuse is the home underdog, but, is the higher rated team under my CollegeEdge ratings. I don't think we'll see a letdown and I like the fact the Orange are home for a Friday night, ESPN game.
By the way, Louisville will start a freshman tonight. I think that helps my (our?) cause.
Take the team I think should be the slight favorite in this ACC matchup: Syracuse.

Pay attention for potential plays tonight.

@EdgySam: #FAU vs #FIU, #ThePick

@EdgySam works on his team ratings starting in early July. Those ratings are my most important handicapping tool. Tonight, I have FIU as the higher rated team in their contest vs.FAU. That would normally make the Golden Panthers my pick. Higher rated team getting points at home would normally be the almost automatic play.
FIU has loads of returning starters from '13. The problem is those returning starters played on an absolutely horrible team. They had a horrible rush attack last year. They've shown little improvement this year. They had a horrible passing attack last year. They've shown little improvement this year. They had a horrible defense last year. What scares me a little is the FIU defense has shown improvement in '14.
FAU, in competition similar to FIU, has beaten Tulsa, played well in a 19-20 loss to Wyoming, and in the most impressive game of their year, beat an up and coming UTSA squad, 41-37.
The Owls have also displayed something the Golden Panthers have yet to display: leadership at the offensive, talent positions. They have gotten good play from QB Jaquez Johnson (he can pass and throw), and, very important, have gotten rushing stats from RB Warren. It's great the Owls have two definite threats on the offensive side of the ball.
It doesn't hurt that FIU beat UAB last week playing an absolute dreadful game offensively. I think that's brought the pointspread down tonight.
Take FAU(Florida Atlantic).

In the other 7:00p.m. contest, two defenses that have a combined 19 starters back face two, respective offenses that have struggled so far this year.
Take the under in the UCF - Houston contest.
I'll be back late tonight for a potential play on Oregon - Arizona game.

@EdgySam: Two NightTime #Picks(one at 10:30p.m.!)

In the #Missouri vs.#SouthCarolina game, my college edge ratings will govern my selection. I believed before the season this would be a difficult year for the Tigers after such a great performance last year. They lost an experienced QB, a 1000-yard rusher, their top 3 receivers, 20+sacks in the defensive line and both cornerbacks(Gaines was a 2nd team AA!). That's too much to lose vs. a team that I think still has a chance to win the SEC East. It doesn't hurt that the Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, is very good in the role of home favorite.
Take South Carolina

Oregon St. is 3-0, but, they've gotten their wins vs. Potland ST, Hawaii, and SDSU. None of the those teams could expose the losses the Beavers experienced from their '13 squad. Oregon St. won't run the ball vs. USC, and they don't have the weapons in the passing game to to make up the difference like they did in '13.USC will run the ball vs.OrSU, and with the loss of a 2x Pac12 CB, I believe they will pass the ball as well. Throw in the fact the Trojans were embarrassed the last time out on national TV by BC, and let's say I'm very happy the public seems to betting Oregon State.
Take the USC Trojans.

@EdgySam: #WakeForest vs. #Louisville, #ThePick

@EdgySam likes to look at bad teams as well looking for good teams. I think Wake Forest will prove to be  the worst team in the ACC, if not one of the worst teams in the FBS. The Demon Deacons only ran for 100 yards vs. Army and ran for -25 yards vs. Utah St. When Louisville stops Wake's running game, which I believe they will, they have almost no strength in their passing attack.
It will not help Wake's cause that they only have 1.5 starters back in the defensive interior. Innovative HC of Cardinals, Bobby Petrino, will exploit the Demon Deacons' weaknesses.
Not worried about the spread. Take Louisville.