Saturday 9-30-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Jones

Sep 30 '17, 12:00 PM in

NCAA-F | Vanderbilt vs Florida
Play on: Vanderbilt +10 -110 at betonline

Jack's Free Pick Saturday: Vanderbilt +10

The betting public wants nothing to do with Vanderbilt now after they were blown out 59-0 by the Alabama Crimson Tide last week. This is the perfect time to 'buy low' on the Commodores now as 10-point road underdogs to the Florida Gators.

People are quick to forget Vanderbilt's impressive 3-0 start now. They went on the road and won 28-6 as only 2.5-point favorites against a very good Middle Tennessee State team that actually had starting QB Brent Stockstill at that point. They then shut out Alabama A&M 42-0 before upsetting Kansas State 14-7 as 4-point dogs. Kansas State is very similar to Florida in my opinion.

Florida may be 2-1, but the Gators could easily be 0-3 and probably should be. They lost 17-33 to Michigan, then connected on a hail mary on the final play of the game to beat a bad Tennessee team 26-20. Then last week they extended their winning streak over Kentucky to 31 games with a 28-27 win, scoring a touchdown in the final seconds to grab victory from the jaws of defeat.

I've seen nothing from Florida this season that would warrant them being double-digit favorites here against a Vanderbilt team that is every bit as good as they are. This is a Florida team with a laundry list of suspensions and injuries right now, which has been a big reason for their early struggles, and it's not getting any better this week.

This is the best team Vanderbilt has had under Derek Mason, and the Commodores played much better Gators teams tough the last two years. They only lost 7-9 as 20.5-point road dogs in 2015, and lost 6-13 as 14-point home dogs last year. I think this game will be decided by a single possession once again.

The Commodores are 22-6 ATS in their last 28 games following an ATS loss, including a perfect 6-0 ATS in this situation over the last two seasons. The Gators are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 home games. The road team is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings. The Commodores are 4-0 ATS in their last four trips to Florida. Bet Vanderbilt Saturday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Alex Smart

Sep 30 '17, 3:30 PM

NCAA-F | South Carolina vs Texas A&M
Play on: South Carolina +8 -110 at 5Dimes

Both Texas A&M and South.Carolina enter this game with identical 3-1 records. but one team the Gamecocks, has played the better competition and has looked the more consistent of both teams.
After the Aggies went into OT to snatch a win vs Arkansas last time out a possible letdown scenario for Sumlin's troops could easily emerge .Add to that a look ahead scenario for next weeks game vs Alabama and I'm betting double jeopardy will be in play. With that said, taking the points here makes for viable betting option.
TEXAS A&M is 2-14 ATS L/16 after playing a conference game and are 0-9 ATS after the first month of the season.
CFB Road team like S.Carolina - off a home win, with 4+ more total starters and an experienced QB returning against team with new QB are 47-18 ATS over the L/5 seasons with a 72% conversion rate for bettors.
Play on South Carolina to cover

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ricky Tran

Sep 30 '17, 7:00 PM

NCAA-F | Clemson vs Virginia Tech
Play on: UNDER 51 -110

Both defenses have the goods to make points tough to generate. As good as the Hokies have been on offense they go up against a impressive Tigers defense Saturday night. The Tigers have been getting after the quarterback all year with their penetrating D-line.
The Hokies have been rock solid on defense (#28 FBS) despite playing two good offenses (West Virginia, East Carolina). Virginia Tech is ranked #6 in the FBS in 3rd down defense and are the only team in the FBS that has not given up a rushing TD yet this season.
The Clemson offense struggled vs a good Auburn defense and only had 7 points after three quarters vs Boston College.
Under 51

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Scott Spreitzer

Sep 30 '17, 12:00 PM

NCAA-F | Northwestern vs Wisconsin
Play on: Northwestern +14½ -105 at betonline

I'm recommending a play on Northwestern plus the points on Saturday. Wisconsin will get their first look at a decent passing game when they face the Wildcat offense ranked 28th through the air. QB Clayton Thorson has connected on 64% of his passes and nearly 9 yards per attempt. The ability in the passing game will force the Badgers' to play an honest brand of defense, which means the running game ought to find success with Justin Jackson, who has rushed for 248 yards on 4.5 yards per carry this season. This will be a step up in level of competition for the Badgers after facing Utah State, FAU, and BYU. None are playing too well on the offensive side of the football. Wiscy QB Alex Hornibrook is off to a strong start in the passing game, but he's not the kind of QB who escapes pressure on a consistent basis. Also, we expect FROSH RB Jonathan Taylor to finally find some resistance in the running game. Northwestern is a tough nut to crack on the road, covering 10 of their last 14, including a 6-1 ATS run as a road dog. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is on a 1-6 ATS slide after covering as double digit chalk under HC Paul Chryst. Bottom line: according to our power ratings, Wisconsin is laying 3 points more than they should. We're recommending a play on Northwestern plus the points on Saturday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dennis Macklin

Sep 30 '17, 12:00 PM

NCAA-F | New Mexico State vs Arkansas
Play on: New Mexico State +17 -110 at 5Dimes

DMack's Free Play for Saturday, September 30, 2017, is on the New Mexico State Aggies
Doug Martin has done a great job in an untenable situation and hopefully, he can win enough conference games to keep his job. Martin went the Juco route to get players for an all in year and it has paid dividends as the Aggies are 2-2 SU and 4-0 ATS with losses coming by six at Arizona State and by 3 to preseason SBC co-favorite Troy. This might be Brett Bielema's weakest team at Arkansas and the Razors are off a game they just gave away vs. Texas A&M. Quarterback play goes to NMSU with Rodgers who should do some business against a Razor secondary with just 10 picks in 15 games. Thinking that New Mexico State can possibly hang around and win this straight up with the worst case scenario being slipping in the back door. This is a one-score game.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cappers Club

Sep 30 '17, 3:30 PM

NCAA-F | UTEP vs Army
Play on: Army -24 -110 at betonline

Army -24
This play just missed out on our premium card. The Army Black Knights face one of the worst teams in college football and even at -24 they have good value.
The UTEP Miners have had the worst start in college football. They come into this game with an 0-4 record and they are also 0-4 ATS.
They have only averaged 12 points on offense so far this year, while giving up over 47 points per game on the defensive side.
They have given up over 270 yards per game on the ground, and that number will increase after Army is done with them.
The Black Knights will have no issue running the ball down their throats and they will cruse to an easy victory.
Back the Black Knights.
5* FREE Cappers Club Play on Army -24
Good Luck, Cappers Club

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jesse Schule

Sep 30 '17, 7:00 PM

NCAA-F | Clemson vs Virginia Tech
Play on: Virginia Tech +8 -110 at 5Dimes



The Tigers were just a slight favorite when they played #14 ranked Louisville on the road a few weeks ago, but they are asked to cover a far larger number here at Virginia Tech. I expect this to be a low scoring battle between two solid defensive teams. Clemson's defense has been impressive, ranking 3rd nationally, allowing opponents to average just over nine points per game. Virginia Tech ranks 6th nationally, allowing just over 10 points per game. The Hokies have outscored opponents 65-0 in two home games so far. Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant hasn't played poorly, but his stats aren't all that impressive. He's thrown for 873 yards and has completed 68 percent of his passes, but has just two TDs and three picks in four games. Freshman Josh Jackson has put up far more impressive numbers for the Hokies, throwing for 1,127 yards with 11 TDs and just one INT. This Virginia Tech team is far more experienced than the team that lost by a score of 42-35 to Clemson last year. I'll take the points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Teddy Davis

Sep 30 '17, 4:00 PM

NCAA-F | Eastern Michigan vs Kentucky
Play on: Eastern Michigan +14½ -110 at 5Dimes

This is the classic flat spot for Kentucky here. They are coming off such an emotional loss to Florida in which it was a series they have been dominated in. Given that situation they clearly won't have as much focus here on this game.
Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan would love nothing more than to come into an SEC stadium and escape with a win. EMU is a better than average MAC team and played one of the top tier MAC teams in Ohio very tough last week.
While I realize EMU hasn't played the toughest competition they are still holding their opponents to 4.6 yards per play. The Wildcats don't exactly have an explosive offense by any means. Give the tough situation I think this will be a lot closer than people expect.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Teddy Covers

Sep 30 '17, 10:00 PM

NCAA-F | Nevada vs Fresno State
Play on: Fresno State -9½ -110 at BMaker

Take Fresno State (#204)
If you want to be proactive instead of reactive -- as any serious sportsbettor should strive to do – the time to jump on the Fresno State Bulldogs is right now! The betting markets don’t have a strong sense of where Jeff Tedford’s squad should be power rated right now. Fresno was truly a bottom feeder by the end of the Tim DeRuyter era. They went 20-6 in DeRuyter’s first two years on the job with Derek Carr at QB, but dropped to 4-20 in his last two seasons with two of those four wins coming against FCS level competition. The markets did what they do slow to adjust, but eventually adjusting Fresno waaaaay down from where the program had been for the better part of the previous two decades.
DeRuyter, mercifully, was relieved of his duties by the time November rolled around, and Tedford took over as head coach. Tedford is a legitimate offensive guru with a strong track record as a program builder based on his successful tenure at Cal. But we haven’t seen the Bulldogs take the lid off their new offense yet. Fresno opened with FCS Incarnate Word in a 66-0 shutout over inferior competition. Then they played ‘paycheck’ games at Alabama and Washington, prior to their bye week. Fresno’s season long stats are completely meaningless – one ‘step way down in class’ game and two ‘step way up in class’ games; none of which matter one iota moving forward. With a new coach and a new direction for the program, last year’s stats are meaningless as well. Hence the betting market struggles to price them appropriately.
But make no mistake about it – Fresno is better than they were last year, potentially a lot better. They are already 3-0 ATS, showing clear signs of being undervalued in the markets off last year’s debacle This is most assuredly a statement game for the Bulldogs at home, off a bye, under the lights. Fresno hasn’t beaten an FBS level opponent since 2015 & they’ve got this game circled on their schedule as their ‘coming out party’ for the Tedford era.
And there are a lot of things to like already. Fresno was able to throw the football in those two step-up games against the Crimson Tide and the Huskies. Tedford’s preaching on taking care of the football has worked, with only two offensive turnovers thusfar. His preaching on discipline has worked as well, with Fresno sitting in the Top 5 in fewest penalties and fewest penalty yards. The Bulldogs have solid skill position talent, and a pair of decent QB’s – Chason Virgil as the better runner, Oregon State transfer Marcus McMaryion as the better thrower. But more than any other factor, this is a standout spot to bet the Bulldogs ‘on the come’.
While Fresno is rested and ready, Nevada is playing for the fifth straight week after an ugly road loss at Washington State last Saturday. Make no mistake about it – this Wolfpack program is in complete rebuild mode right now in Jay Norvell’s first year on the job; still cleaning up the mess from the Brian Polian era. The offense has committed multiple turnovers in every game. The defense just allowed more than 500 passing yards last week, on the heels of giving up 30 points to FCS Idaho State at home the previous week, a game they lost in SU fashion as 35 point favorites. Clear ‘bet-on’ vs. clear ‘bet-against’ here. Take Fresno.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 30, 2017
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


Preview: Houston at Temple

Gracenote
Sep 28, 2017

Quarterback jobs are up in the air at both Houston and host Temple as the teams prepare for Saturday's American Athletic Conference matchup. The Cougars' offense was inconsistent in a home loss to Texas Tech last week, while the Owls' was nearly nonexistent against South Florida.

Three quarterbacks combined for four interceptions while the Owls finished with six turnovers and minus-4 rushing yards in a 43-7 loss to USF, leaving plenty of questions for the defending AAC champs. "Everything will be determined by how (the quarterbacks) perform in practice," first-year coach Geoff Collins told reporters on Monday. First-year coach Major Applewhite had a similar quote in Houston, where starter Kyle Allen has committed six turnovers in three starts and backup Kyle Postma led the Cougars to two late scores last week. Applewhite listed turnovers, dropped passes and bad snaps on the things the Cougars need to correct as league play begins for them.

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: Houston -13.5

ABOUT HOUSTON (2-1): Allen (80-of-104, 771 yards, four touchdowns, four interceptions) and Postma (11-of-18, 145, one, zero and 58 rushing yards) also may share time with quarterback-turned-receiver D'Eriq King, who made five catches for 50 yards and a TD last week. King, who missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury, could be used at quarterback in some packages. Linebacker Matthew Adams leads the AAC with 11.3 tackles while the Cougars, who are 5-0 against Temple, are ranked 18th nationally in scoring defense (15.3 points).

ABOUT TEMPLE (2-2, 0-1 AAC): Sophomore Logan Marchi (64-of-119, 799 yards, five TDs, three INTs) and junior Frank Nutile (4-of-12, 57 yards, INT) have taken the majority of snaps for a team ranked 122nd in total offense (288.8 yards) and 115th in scoring (17 points). Ryquell Armstead leads the Owls with 180 yards on the ground while fullback Nick Sharga (12 carries, 37 yards) has scored the team's lone rushing touchdown. Keith Kirkwood (12 receptions, 185 yards, two TDs) leads four wide receivers with at least 10 catches.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Houston WR Linell Bonner leads the AAC with 8.7 receptions and is third with 85.7 yards.

2. Temple ranks 127th out of 129 FBS teams in rushing yards with 69.8.

3. Collins (director of player personnel) and Applewhite (offensive coordinator) worked together on Alabama's staff in 2007.

PREDICTION: Houston 27, Temple 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Houston at Temple

ATS Trends

Houston

Cougars are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September. Cougars are 20-5-1 ATS in their last 26 road games. Cougars are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games on grass. Cougars are 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. Cougars are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Cougars are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss. Cougars are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. Cougars are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 conference games.

Temple

Owls are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game. Owls are 6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Owls are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games on grass. Owls are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game. Owls are 25-8 ATS in their last 33 conference games. Owls are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss. Owls are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games. Owls are 36-15-1 ATS in their last 52 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game. Owls are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points. Owls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game. Owls are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.

OU Trends

Houston

Under is 4-0 in Cougars last 4 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. Under is 4-0 in Cougars last 4 games overall. Under is 5-0 in Cougars last 5 games following a ATS loss. Under is 6-1 in Cougars last 7 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game. Under is 6-2-1 in Cougars last 9 games in September. Under is 6-2 in Cougars last 8 games on grass. Over is 5-2 in Cougars last 7 games following a straight up loss. Over is 5-2 in Cougars last 7 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.

Temple

Under is 4-0 in Owls last 4 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game. Under is 5-0 in Owls last 5 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game. Under is 4-0 in Owls last 4 home games. Under is 5-0 in Owls last 5 games on grass. Under is 8-0 in Owls last 8 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game. Under is 5-0 in Owls last 5 conference games. Under is 5-1 in Owls last 6 games following a straight up loss. Under is 5-1 in Owls last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Under is 9-2 in Owls last 11 vs. a team with a winning record. Under is 13-3 in Owls last 16 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game. Under is 8-2 in Owls last 10 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Owls last 5 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game. Under is 7-2 in Owls last 9 games overall. Under is 19-7 in Owls last 26 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points. Under is 17-8 in Owls last 25 games in September.

Head to Head

No trends available.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 30, 2017
Where: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, North Carolina


Preview: South Florida at East Carolina

Gracenote
Sep 27, 2017

South Florida’s defense is starting to make as many headlines as its experienced, productive offense and the 17th-ranked Bulls hope that trend continues when they visit East Carolina on Saturday for an American Athletic Conference battle. USF has scored at least 30 points in 21 consecutive games with senior quarterback Quinton Flowers leading the way, but its defense is leading the nation in interceptions (12) and tied for the most takeaways (14).

The Bulls forced six turnovers and gave up 85 total yards - a school record against FBS teams - in the 43-7 victory over Temple on Sept. 21 to open the AAC season and are averaging 40.8 points per contest on offense. “We go into games and want to apply pressure,” USF’s senior linebacker Auggie Sanchez (325 career tackles) told reporters. “We want to make them feel uncomfortable and get the ball out, and that’s what you saw (against Temple).” The Bulls face an East Carolina team coming off its first win of the season as AAC offensive player of the week Thomas Sirk threw for 426 yards and three scores in a 41-38 victory at Connecticut in its league opener. “After our first three games, we said we’re going to focus on conference play, and we have another one (this week),” Sirk, a Duke transfer, told reporters. “So, we look forward to that.”

TV: Noon ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: USF -23

SOUTH FLORIDA (4-0, 1-0 AAC): Senior corner Deatrick Nichols intercepted two passes and forced a fumble to be named AAC defensive player of the week Monday while senior safety Devin Abraham has picked off a team-best three balls. Flowers has thrown for eight scores while being intercepted twice in the first four games and will need receivers to step up if junior Tyre McCants (knee) and sophomore Deangelo Antoine (leg) can’t go, but senior Marquez Valdes-Scantling leads the way with 16 catches for 228 yards. Senior running backs Darius Tice and D’Ernest Johnson each rushed for 100 yards in the last two games and have combined for almost 700 yards on the ground.

EAST CAROLINA (1-3, 1-0): Sirk, who missed the 64-17 loss to Virginia Tech on Sept. 16 while recovering from a concussion, completed 37-of-69 passes in his first two games before connecting on 30 of his 39 attempts against UConn with 31 rushing yards. Senior wide receiver Davon Grayson also had huge day last time out when he registered career highs with 11 receptions for 223 yards and three scores after hauling in 13 passes for 171 yards in the first three contests. The Pirates hope to get more from their ground attack, which is averaging 3.0 yards per attempt and is led by senior Tyshon Dye (123 yards, three games) and sophomore Hussein Howe (103).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Flowers needs 104 yards rushing to reach 3,000 in his career and is 111 yards shy of 9,000 in total offense.

2. East Carolina’s junior WR Trevon Brown has recorded at least 92 yards receiving in three straight games and boasts 345 for the season.

3. The Bulls have won six of the previous seven meetings, including 38-22 at home last season, and are 3-0 at East Carolina.

PREDICTION: South Florida 45, East Carolina 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - No. 17 South Florida at East Carolina

ATS Trends

South Florida

Bulls are 5-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game. Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game. Bulls are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game. Bulls are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 conference games. Bulls are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Bulls are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games in September. Bulls are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points. Bulls are 13-5-1 ATS in their last 19 games on grass. Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game. Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game. Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games. Bulls are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game. Bulls are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.

East Carolina

Pirates are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. Pirates are 10-27 ATS in their last 37 games overall. Pirates are 8-27 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Pirates are 5-20 ATS in their last 25 conference games. Pirates are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win. Pirates are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win. Pirates are 5-21 ATS in their last 26 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. Pirates are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games in September. Pirates are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games on grass. Pirates are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game. Pirates are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games. Pirates are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.

OU Trends

South Florida

Over is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game. Over is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 games on grass. Over is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 conference games. Over is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game. Under is 4-1-1 in Bulls last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Over is 6-2 in Bulls last 8 games following a straight up win. Under is 25-10-1 in Bulls last 36 vs. a team with a losing record. Under is 5-2-1 in Bulls last 8 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game. Over is 12-5 in Bulls last 17 games overall. Under is 17-8-1 in Bulls last 26 road games.

East Carolina

Over is 4-0 in Pirates last 4 games after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. Over is 9-2 in Pirates last 11 games in September. Under is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 games following a straight up win. Under is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 games following a ATS win. Over is 10-3 in Pirates last 13 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 6-2 in Pirates last 8 home games. Under is 11-4 in Pirates last 15 conference games. Over is 5-2 in Pirates last 7 games overall. Under is 7-3 in Pirates last 10 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game.

Head to Head

• Bulls are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
• Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Home team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

When: 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 30, 2017
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


Preview: Rice at Pittsburgh

Gracenote
Sep 27, 2017

In his first two years at Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi returned the Panthers to respectability, but so far into his third season at the helm, his offense has sputtered and the defense remains a sore spot. Pittsburgh will try to snap its first three-game losing streak since 2014 when struggling Rice of Conference USA visits Saturday in a non-conference contest.

The Panthers entered 2017 with consecutive eight-win seasons for the first time since 2009-10, but they lost to highly-ranked Penn State and Oklahoma State by a combined 57 points after an opening the campaign with a win over Youngstown State. Last week, despite recovering four Georgia Tech fumbles, the defense yielded 436 rushing yards in a 35-17 loss. Pitt quarterbacks Max Browne and Ben DiNucci have failed to lead an offense that averaged 40.9 points last season with Nathan Peterman under center. Rice sandwiched a 31-14 win over UTEP on Sept. 9 around losses to Stanford and Houston by a combined score of 100-10 before dropping a 13-7 decision to Florida International last week.

TV: Noon ET, ACC Network. LINE: Pittsburgh -20.

ABOUT RICE (1-3): Through four contests, the Owls rank 119th in FBS in total offense (292 yards per game) and 122nd in passing offense (121.8). Jackson Tyner, who started against FIU in place of the injured Sam Glaesmann (shoulder), completed 15-of-26 passes for 131 yards and ran for a touchdown. Running back Samuel Stewart leads the team in rushing (191 yards) and receptions (10 for 109 yards), but freshman wideout Aaron Cephus is the lone receiver to surpass 100 yards for the season (133) and has the only TD reception. Linebacker Brian Womac had two of the Owls’ five sacks last week and cornerback Justin Bickham snared the first interception of the season for a defense that yields 274.5 yards through the air and 410 total yards per outing.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (1-3): The Panthers, who rank 111th in FBS in scoring (20 points per game), were held to just 37 rushing yards – their lowest output in nearly four years - and converted 1-of-13 tries on third down against the Yellow Jackets. DiNucci got the start at quarterback for the first time this season and completed 12-of-19 passes for 110 yards before Browne took over in the fourth and completed 10-of-15 for 89 yards; the duo has combined for three TD passes and four interceptions this season. A defense that surrendered 35.2 points per game last season is giving up 37 points and 472.5 yards a contest in 2017, but versatile junior safety Jordan Whitehead made his season debut last week, recorded seven tackles, recovered a fumble and ran the ball once for 35 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rice leads the all-time series 2-0, but the schools have not met since 1951.

2. Pittsburgh is off to its first 1-3 start since 2005.

3. Panthers P Ryan Winslow is fourth in FBS averaging 47.3 yards per punt and unleashed four punts that traveled over 50 yards last week.

PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 31, Rice 17