Sean Murphy – Sports Handicapper

Pac-12 Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Utah and Washington at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

We cashed a free play on the 'under' in Utah's season-opening loss to USC last Saturday and I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the same play here as the Utes head to Washington to face the Huskies. All things considered, Utah held up well defensively against the Trojans last week, allowing just 357 total yards while recording three sacks and forcing a pair of turnovers, including one they returned for a touchdown. Offensively, the Utes will need some time to mesh with a lot of new pieces in place this year. This is a tough second matchup against a good Huskies defense that comes in off a bye week due to a Covid-related cancellation last Saturday. Washington has allowed just 48 points through two games this season but that includes a punt return touchdown against Oregon State. Note that in the Huskies most recent game they actually pitched a shutout until the fourth quarter against Arizona. Offensively, Washington isn't all that threatening. It took advantage of a bad Wildcats defense last time out but will obviously be facing a difficult matchup against a perennially-tough Utes defense on Saturday. Take the under (10*).

My selection is on Furman minus the points over USC Upstate at 2 pm et on Saturday.

I'll lay the points with the Palladins as they look to move to 2-0 on the season and do so in convincing fashion against USC Upstate. Furman was enjoying a terrific 2019-20 season until Covid shut things down, going 25-8 overall and 13-5 in conference play. Contrast that with USC Upstate, which was one of the worst teams in the nation a year ago, going 1-15 in conference play and 6-26 overall. The Spartans won just once in 16 tries away from home. If their first game this year is any indication, 2020-21 is likely going to be a struggle as well. USC Upstate lost its opener by double-digits against little known Southern Wesleyan. Meanwhile, Furman is coming off a 95-62 rout of Tusculum, but certainly has room for improvement after shooting just 6-of-21 from three-point range and committing eight turnovers. Take Furman (10*).

CFB Blowout Game of the Year. My selection is on Boise State minus the points over San Jose State at 4 pm et on Saturday.

I'll lay the points with the Broncos as they return home to host undefeated San Jose State on Saturday afternoon. Credit Boise State for traveling to Hawaii and coming away with a win last week, despite missing 12 players due to Covid protocols. That game finished with an eight-point margin but it wasn't as close as the final score indicated as Boise entered the fourth quarter ahead by a 40-17 score. Here, the Broncos should have no problem getting up for San Jose State given the Spartans undefeated record. Keep in mind, the Spartans four victories have come at home against Air Force, New Mexico and UNLV and on the road against San Diego State - an Aztecs squad that hasn't been quite as good as advertised (we won fading SDSU at Nevada last Saturday). Note that SJSU racked up seven sacks and held a bad UNLV team to just 70 rushing yards last time out but still 'only' won by 17 points, failing to cover the closing pointspread. The Broncos have the superior talent on both sides of the football in this matchup and I believe we're dealing with a very reasonable line (by contrast SJSU was a 10-point underdog at SDSU earlier this month). Take Boise State (10*).

Saturday CFB Free play. My selection is on Boston College minus the points over Louisville at 4 pm et on Saturday.

This situation sets up well for Boston College as it comes off a bye week, which came on the heels of a tough nationally-televised two-touchdown loss to an elite Notre Dame squad. It's not all that surprising that most bettors have hopped off the Golden Eagles bandwagon, but I look for BC to bounce back in this spot at home against Louisville. The Cardinals are coming off a nationally-televised win last week, but that came at home at the expense of one of the nation's weakest teams in Syracuse. Note that Louisville has yet to win a game on the road this season. I suspect we'll see the Cardinals once again struggle to finish drives with touchdowns and ultimately fall short against the Eagles on Saturday. Take Boston College (8*).

Sean is attacking Saturday's college football board EARLY with a 10* TOP RATED o/u winner kicking off at 12 noon et! Plus his 10* CFB Blowout Game of the Year kicks off in late afternoon action! Your best bet is a weekly or monthly subscription package, giving you access to ALL of Murph's winners every day!

My selection is on the 'under' between Penn State and Michigan at 12 noon et on Saturday.

I'll back the 'under' at the Big House on Saturday afternoon as two disappointing Big Ten East squads do battle. Penn State has yet to post a victory this season but should come in with some confidence in this one. Note that last week the Nittany Lions scored a touchdown with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter against Iowa but then didn't find the end zone again until well over midway through the third quarter. Meanwhile, Michigan didn't manage to score a touchdown until the final four minutes of the first half against lowly Rutgers last week. That contest ultimately turned on a Michigan kick return touchdown to open the second half, ultimately turning into a shootout that took three overtimes to decide. I expect these two teams to revert to past form and step up defensively on Saturday afternoon. Both offenses have had a tough time putting it all together and I expect more of the same here. Take the under (10*).