Appalachian State (-7.5) at Old Dominion, 12:30 p.m.
The Mountaineers of Appalachian State come in as a 7.5-point favorite on the road against a 2-1 Old Dominion team that will cause Appalachian State (1-1) a lot of problems. Both teams have had similar seasons as each have beaten an FCS school and lost to an ACC school. Old Dominion does have an impressive win on the road over Eastern Michigan in Week One, but the Monarchs defense is allowing 381.7 yards per game, while Appalachian State is averaging 487 yards of offense per game. Those numbers don”t look good for ODU, and despite a home-field advantage, Appalachian State will sneak out with the “W.”
Ben”s prediction: Appalachian State 37, Old Dominion 27
Louisiana-Monroe at No. 12 Alabama (-38), 1 p.m., SEC Network
While Louisiana-Monroe hasn”t looked bad this year, it simply is not going to beat No. 12 Alabama (2-1) despite the Crimson Tide”s loss to No. 15 Ole Miss Saturday. ULM is coming off a win over Nicholls State, but the Warhawks (1-1) played a similar opponent in No. 9 Georgia earlier this year and lost 51-14. Expect that kind of score Saturday.
Ben”s prediction: No. 12 Alabama 45, Louisiana Monroe 14
Akron at Louisiana-Lafayette (-8.5), 4 p.m., ESPN3
After a close season-opening loss to Kentucky on the road, Louisiana-Lafayette (1-1) rebounded with a convincing win over Northwestern State and then had a bye last weekend. A win over a weak FBS team like Akron (2-1) is critical for ULL, and the Ragin” Cajuns have looked like one of the best Sun Belt Conference teams so far. As long as they don”t play stupid, ULL will win easily.
Ben”s prediction: Louisiana-Lafayette 34, Akron 20
Arkansas State at Toledo (-7.5), 4 p.m., ESPN3
In a rematch of last year”s GoDaddy.com Bowl (a 63-44 Toledo win), both Arkansas State (1-2) and Toledo (2-0) are heading into the game surging. ASU had an ugly loss against No. 8 USC in Week One and then nearly upset No. 21 Missouri at home the next week, losing 27-20. In Week Three, ASU let out all its frustration with a 70-7 win over Missouri State. Toledo on the other hand looks arguably like one of the best teams in the nation outside of the schools in the power conferences. Toledo won both its games against schools from the power five conferences. The Rockets upset No. 18 Arkansas in Week One before pulling another stunner last week over Iowa State. While both teams are playing well, Toledo is more talented than Arkansas State and will get another win.
Ben”s prediction: Toledo 33, Arkansas State 25
North Carolina State (-17) at South Alabama, 5 p.m., ESPNews
The Jaguars of South Alabama will treat their fans with a visit from an ACC school in North Carolina State (3-0) Saturday, but getting a win will be difficult. South Alabama (2-1) had an impressive road win at San Diego State in overtime last week to rebound from an ugly 48-9 defeat at Nebraska the week prior. NC State has not been battle tested, only playing Troy, Eastern Kentucky and Old Dominion so far this year and winning all by an average of 29 points. The Wolfpack shouldn”t have any difficulty making it four blowouts in a row Saturday.
Ben”s prediction: NC State 41, South Alabama 17
Texas State at Houston (-16.5), 5 p.m., ESPN3
Houston comes in as a heavy favorite hosting the Texas State Bobcats (1-2), a team that”s reeling from a 56-50 loss to Southern Miss. The Cougars (2-0) are enjoying a nice start to the season mainly due to a big upset on the road against Louisville in Week Two. The last time these schools met in Houston, Texas State upset the Cougars after Houston had gone 13-1 the year prior and finished 18th in the nation. It was also the very first game Texas State played as an FBS member. Houston won”t let that happen again, as its offense will rip apart the struggling Bobcats” defense.
Ben”s prediction: Houston 53, Texas State 35
Ben Evensen
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