Quarterback availability is always a key factor when it comes to college football’s biggest spread and total movements and this week, that certainly rings true.
NC State at Syracuse, 7 p.m. ESPN2
Open: -1 Syracuse
Current: -2.5 NC State
It wasn’t a surprise to see Syracuse as a slim home favorite for this good ACC matchup when the lines opened, but there are questions about the Orange now.
Related: College Football Betting Guide
There is the old saying of if you have two quarterbacks you really have none and Syracuse has that problem with Tommy DeVito stepping in for Eric Dungey in a win against North Carolina.
But also on the injury front Syracuse has question marks at both cornerback spots with Scoop Bradshaw and Chris Frederick leaving the UNC game early and unsure about this weekend’s availability.
UNLV at San Jose State, 6:30 p.m.
Open: -1 UNLV
Current: -2.5 SJSU
UNLV entered this week’s game at San Jose State as a slim road favorite, but the Rebels have really struggled with quarterback Armani Rogers on the sidelines.
The Spartans are desperate for a win this season and perhaps this is the week with a bad UNLV team coming to town.
Vanderbilt at Arkansas, Noon SEC Network
Open: -1.5 Arkansas
Current: -1.5 Vandy
Arkansas entered as a slim road favorite and then announced that quarterback Ty Storey would be returning off of an injury.
Normally good news, but the Razorbacks have since dropped as slim underdogs now at Vanderbilt.
Vandy is returning home after a tight 14-7 loss to a good Kentucky team and losing 37-27 at home to a good Florida team in the game prior. The Razorbacks did just get a convincing win, but it came at home against 1-6 Tulsa, 23-0.
Clemson at Florida State, Noon ABC
Open: -14 Clemson
Current: -17 Clemson
There isn’t any news around this one to really explain why Clemson went from -14 favorites to -17 expect maybe realizing Florida State’s turnaround is due to quality of opponent.
After starting 1-2 with blowout losses to Virginia Tech and Syracuse, the Seminoles are 3-1 with the one loss coming against Miami, 28-27.
The three wins? Wake Forest, Louisville and Northern Illinois who have a combined record of 9-12.
Arizona State at USC, 3:30 p.m. ESPN2/ABC
Open: -4 USC
Current: -6.5 USC
The availability of quarterback JT Daniels is up in the air, but the latest reports have been encouraging for USC as the Trojans prepare to host Arizona State.
Daniels has been going through the concussion protocol and has been passing tests throughout the week, but his availability is still a bit of a question.
If Daniels takes a turn for the worse, USC will be without backup Matt Fink due to broken ribs meaning Jack Sears will be under center.
