OR By these two picks for $20 Guaranteed or Sunday's NFL POD is FREE!
I'm the #1 handicapper when it comes to NCAAF on Sportscapping.com, #3 on Trackpicks.com + more! A slow season start has resulted in 8 straight profitable weeks and 9 of 10!
Northwestern @ Illinois (12:00pm et)
3 Dime Play
Clemson @ NC State (12:00pm et)
3 Dime Play
[img:19ww2oim]http://www.sportsbetcapping.com/images/ncaaf/Clemson.gif[/img:19ww2oim] vs. [img:19ww2oim]http://www.sportsbetcapping.com/images/ncaaf/NC%20State.gif[/img:19ww2oim][/]
I'm going with Illinois to continue their surge and make a bid for a bowl bid by the end of the year. Illinois has one of the more talented teams around, but had gotten off to a dreadful start. I took them a couple times I paid once and cashed in another spot. Here it's my favorite spot for them hosting Illinois. It has not been an easy schedule for Illinois thus far and now they finally can breathe a bit at home against Northwestern a team that is just asking for a let down here on Saturday off their first upste of a top 5 ranked team in 50+ years when they took down Iowa last week. Although they got some help when they knocked Ricky Stanzi out of the game.
Well as I mentioned before they have been victim of a tough schedule they really have not had the advantage of playing MAC teams like Northwestern. Northwestern has looked awful against even those such as Miami OH. However what makes me like this the best is the way Illinois is playing in their last two games. They also have faced an average offensive attack ranked 59th which is nothing to brag home about but playing the Big 10 that is a solid opponent. Just compare it to Northwestern's average opponent ranked 76th. That just shows me Illinois has had the stronger schedule. In a recent win over Minnesota on the road Illinois out gained them by 80 yards and that game could had been much worse as they surrendered 22 points late. On the other hand Northwestern got clobbered by Minnesota at home 24-35 just a sign of the talent that is on Illinois team if and when they can put it together.
Running the ball. Illinois ranked 25th in the nation at running the ball will have room to be optimistic despite facing the 33rd ranked rush defense. That is a little bit of a fraud rank as Northwestern has faced an average rushing attack ranked 88th. Illinois is running the ball better than they ever have before with Sophmores Jason Ford and Mikel Leshoure both are big boys and bruisers in the backfield. At QB Juice Williams will start, but the reigns will be turned over to freshmen Jacob Charest who in relief of Williams threw for 185 yards and a TD on 10-19. He's 6-4 and a 220lb he has a live arm and has the ability to utitlize the talent and depth of receivers on this team allowing them to throw on Northwestern's suspect secondary.
Yes Illinois has woken up finally! They produced just seven sacks in its first seven games, but now posted four sacks against Michigan and then seven against Minnesota. I think DT Josh Brent and DE Clay Nurse will give Northwestern's line and Mike Kafka who is not as mobile as he normally is with his hamstring issue a lot of issues! Illinois wins by 10+ in this spot in my opinion.
I'm going with Clemson in this game they are maybe the hottest team in the ACC right now, winning four in a row. The defense has been great and RB C.J. Spiller is allover the place. QB Kyle Parker also has throw 7 TD in last two games against FSU and Miami. I look for him to have another big game here against the Wolfpack which is really banged up and they have given up at least 30 points in their last six games. Don't forget WR Jacoby Ford, he also will be too much for this defense. Coach Swinney has challenged his team saying that they have yet to go on the road and play a complete game. With that challenge out there I think it will be enough motivation for a 10+ point win. Clemson has faced far better offensive attack this year and their defense is ranked 12th in the nation. NC State has similar games against Boston College where thye lost 20-52 and were -86 total yards while Clemson whooped BC 25-7 and were +199 yards. Another common opponent Wake Forest was a loss for NC State 24-30, while Clemson handled them 38-3 and were +204 yards. Clearly the better team and I don't think they will lose focus or anything. The last two meetings @ NC State Clemson has out scored the Wolfpack 73-30.
