Wilson, Arkansas should have no problems with anemic Vols
Tyler Wilson doesn’t get the media hype like other high-profile quarterbacks, but he deserves some. The junior has helped turn Arkansas into a money-making machine at home this season.
The Razorbacks are 5-0 straight up and 4-1 against the spread on their home field after thumping a quality South Carolina team with a stout defense 44-28 as 5-point favorites last week.
Wilson threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns, improving his touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio to 15-to-4. He has one of the nation’s premier set of wide receivers that includes Jarius Wright, who has 48 receptions for 812 yards and nine touchdowns.
Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino’s offense has balance with explosive running backs Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo. Johnson is averaging 6.2 yards per carry, while short-yardage specialists Broderick Green and Kody Walker have combined for nine rushing TDs.
The Razorbacks, who have won their five home games by an average of 28.6 points, have been 14-point favorites over Tennessee for most of the week. But on Friday, several books moved the number to 14½ on today’s Southeastern Conference game.
Whatever the case, I’ll back Arkansas to cruise to a victory over the Volunteers, who have been anemic on offense by scoring 28 total points in their past four SEC games.
Since quarterback Tyler Bray was injured versus Georgia on Oct. 8, Tennessee has only one touchdown pass, and that came in last week’s win over Middle Tennessee. The Vols are winless in league play, losing by double-digit margins in four of five games.
Four more plays for today (home team in CAPS):
■ IOWA (+2½) over Michigan State — Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz is unbeaten in six home games this season, posting a 4-2 spread record. Since 2007, Iowa is 4-0-1 ATS as a home underdog. Marcus Coker rushed for 132 yards to lead the Hawkeyes to a 24-16 win over Michigan as 3½-point ‘dogs a week ago.
Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg is quietly enjoying a stellar season with 18 touchdown passes and four interceptions. Michigan State has lost two of its three road games, scoring a total of 26 points. The wrong team is favored in this Big Ten matchup.
■ Florida (+3) over SOUTH CAROLINA — For the first time since the first half of a loss to Alabama on Oct. 1, the Gators will have quarterback John Brantley, running back Jeff Demps and wide receiver Chris Rainey at full speed.
The Gamecocks have a pedestrian offense without star running back Marcus Lattimore and quarterback Stephen Garcia, and Connor Shaw is one hit from forcing coach Steve Spurrier to go with a third-string quarterback. The Gators are looking to avenge a 36-14 home loss to South Carolina last season.
■ STANFORD (-3) over Oregon — Stanford has won eight of its nine games by margins of 25 points or more. The Cardinal jumped to a double-digit lead at Oregon last season, only to see the defense fall apart and get dominated. This time, look for Stanford’s offense to dominate behind a monster game from running back Stepfan Taylor.
■ Western Kentucky (+42) over LOUISIANA STATE — I’ll go with the enormous underdog that has all the situational factors in its favor. Obviously, this is a classic letdown situation for LSU off its overtime win at Alabama. The Tigers are flying high and completely overlooking the Hilltoppers, who have won five in a row and are 3-0 ATS on the road.
Last week: 1-4 against the spread
Season: 24-17-2
Brian Edwards of VegasInsider.com and BrianEdwardsSports.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
