College picks
Sun Devil Stadium has been a streak stopper Southern California brings a 25-game winning streak into Sun Devil Stadium, a place where college football’s two most recent notable winning streaks have come to an end.
Six games matching unbeaten teams are on the schedule Saturday, but top-ranked USC’s game at No. 14 Arizona State (2-1) is probably the most significant.
The two-time defending champion Trojans (3-0) have looked unbeatable, outscoring opponents 178-47, but history and location might be on the side of the Sun Devils.
The picks”
Saturday, Oct. 1
No. 1 Southern California (minus 16) at No. 14 Arizona State
Trojans down to three scholarship CBs … ARIZONA ST. 44-38.
No. 2 Texas (minus 141/2) at Missouri
Tigers’ Brad Smith needs 108 yards rushing to set Big 12 record for QBs … TEXAS 39-14.
No. 3 Virginia Tech (minus 101/2) at West Virginia
Hokies have won eight of 11 against Mountaineers … VIRGINIA TECH 33-13.
No. 4 LSU (minus 141/2) at Mississippi State
LSU has won five straight against Bulldogs, averaging 42 points … LSU 35-10.
No. 5 Florida (minus 31/2) at No. 15 Alabama
Gators have won seven of 10 against Tide … ALABAMA 20-16.
Syracuse (plus 21) at No. 6 Florida State
Seminoles making strides offensively … FLORIDA STATE 33-10.
South Florida (plus 21) at No. 9 Miami
Bulls go for second straight stunner … MIAMI 30-17.
Mississippi (plus 21) at No. 10 Tennessee
Rebels play in Knoxville for first time since 1997 … TENNESSEE 36-13.
Michigan (plus 51/2) at No. 11 Michigan State
Wolverines have won seven of 10 against Spartans … MICHIGAN STATE 33-24.
Arizona (plus 16) at No. 12 California
Cal RB Marshawn Lynch expected to play … CAL 27-14.
No. 13 Notre Dame (plus 3) at No. 22 Purdue
Purdue looking to win three straight in series for first time since 1967-69 … NOTRE DAME 27-24.
Kansas (plus 171/2) at No. 16 Texas Tech
Finally, a little competition for Red Raiders – very little … TEXAS TECH 50-20.
Indiana (plus 171/2) at No. 17 Wisconsin
Haven’t met since ’02, but Hoosiers won previous two … WISCONSIN 37-10.
No. 18 Minnesota (minus 21/2) at Penn State
Gophers have won four straight against Lions … PENN STATE 31-24.
No. 19 Virginia (minus 31/2) at Maryland
Home team has won last four meetings … MARYLAND 21-17.
Washington (plus 211/2) at No. 20 UCLA
Bruins have won last four and seven of eight meetings … UCLA 54-23.
Ball State (plus 38) at No. 21 Boston College
Cardinals allowing 53 points per game … BOSTON COLLEGE 53-14.
No. 23 Iowa State (plus 31/2) at Nebraska
Cyclones have lost 13 straight in Lincoln … IOWA STATE 26-17.
Florida Atlantic (plus 38) at No. 24 Louisville
Cardinals bounce back … LOUISVILLE 60-14.
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Last week 14-4 (straight); 6-11 (vs. points).
Season 57-18 (straight); 38-29-3 (vs. points).