College Football Betting News and Notes

Conference title game week! Lots of betting sharps will hit up their books to make wagers with the SEC, ACC and Big 12 on the line this Saturday.

(2) Auburn (12-0) vs (18) South Carolina (9-3)

We won’t see many if any changes form the Auburn lineup that rallied from a 27-0 deficit to stun Alabama last week. Running back Onterio McCalebb hobbled off the field in that game but coach Gene Chizik insists that he’s just “banged up” and will be fine this week. Wide receiver Darvin Adams’ arm injury won’t keep him out, either.

While South Carolina isn’t dealing with any new serious injuries, its two most important offensive weapons both look like they won’t be 100 per cent. Marcus Lattimore will try to shake off a leg injury and is expected to play this week. Stephen Garcia has a left thumb injury and a right shoulder injury but will play through both of them in the SEC title game. Still, college football betting fans should keep those injuries in mind.

(20) Florida State (9-3) vs (12) Virginia Tech (10-2)

Could Florida State have trouble moving the ball on Virginia Tech in the ACC title game? Christian Ponder will start at quarterback but is dealing with an elbow injury. Jermaine Thomas and Ty Jones, two of FSU’s top three rushers, are questionable with knee and ankle injuries, respectively.

Virginia Tech’s secondary could be a bit thin this week. Cornerbacks Chris Hill and Rashard Carmichael each missed last week’s game against Virginia with ankle injuries. Both are still questionable for Saturday.

(13) Nebraska (10-2) vs (10) Oklahoma (10-2)

Nebraska definitely won’t be at full strength against Oklahoma and has become a sportsbook underdog as a result. The Cornhuskers are already without top receiver Niles Paul, who broke his foot in practice last week and won’t be healed sufficiently to play on Saturday. Taylor Martinez missed last week’s game with a left turf toe injury and ankle sprain. He’ll start under center if he’s healthy enough to play but it’s too early to tell if he will be.

Oklahoma is much closer to full strength. Linebacker Austin Box bounced back with an ankle injury and was s crucial factor against Oklahoma State last week, making eight tackles and coming up with a huge fourth-quarter interception. Tight end Demarco Murray hurt his knee last week but walked off the field. The belief among sources close to the team is that the injury isn’t serious enough to keep him out this week.

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