The conference play continues to heat up in NCAA football betting. Here are some news and notes for key games this week, some of which will put teams’ major bowl-game hopes on the line.
Penn State (6-3) vs (8) Ohio State (8-1)
Penn State travels to Ohio State riding its best offensive performance of the season, having totalled 528 yards of offense against Northwestern. But what will the quarterbacking situation be? Matt McGloin has replaced Rob Bolden off the bench twice in the last three games; he threw for four touchdowns last week. Joe Paterno said he always planned to rotate both quarterbacks into that game. Will he do the same this week?
The bye couldn’t have come at a better time for Ohio State. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor’s thigh strain should be fully healed now. The defense also gets a huge boost that betting sharps should note; linebacker, defensive captain and leading tackler Ross Homan will return from his foot injury. So should linebacker Dorian Bell, who is recovering from a concussion.
(22) South Carolina (6-3) vs (24) Florida (6-3)
Can South Carolina win its most important game since it joined the SEC 18 years ago? The winner of its matchup with Florida seals the SEC East and gets a berth in the title game. Concussions could stand in the Gamecocks’ way, though. Star offensive tackle Jarriel King is concussed and doubtful to play; same goes for cornerback C.C. Whitlock. Center T.J. Johnson and running back Marcus Lattimore both sprained their knees but have decent chances of playing this week.
Florida looks a bit healthier heading into this sportsbook matchup. Leading rusher Jeffery Demps didn’t play against Vanderbilt last week because of a foot sprain but looks good to go for Week 11. Will quarterback/tight end hybrid Jordan Reed steal snaps from John Brantley again at quarterback? He threw for 120 yards and ran for 84 more last week out of the Wildcat formation.
(17) Mississippi State (7-2) vs (11) Alabama (7-2)
The Mississippi State Bulldogs will have some extra emotion to their game this week after sophomore defensive end Nick Bell lost his battle with cancer. The Bulldogs are riding a six-game winning streak and have most of their personnel healthy. Linebacker Chris White earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors in their last win when he tallied 15 tackles and an interception.
An interesting question for the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide: will Greg McElroy play the entire game? Nick Saban stuck with his ho-hum quarterback all season with a BCS title game still within reach but, after last week’s loss to LSU ended their hopes, he could consider experimenting. Don’t be surprised if A.J. McCarron sees some action in this game.