College Football Week 14 Preview

For a brief time on Wednesday morning Auburn supporters were in a panic - Tigers quarterback and Heisman favorite Cam Newton was ruled ineligible for this Saturday’s SEC title game against South Carolina due to his father’s money-grubbing dealings with Mississippi State.

But just as suddenly as that punishment was handed down a statement from the NCAA was released, clearing Newton for Saturday’s contest and claiming he had no knowledge of his father’s actions.

That abrupt flip-flop barely made waves at the sportsbooks, where most markets didn’t react to the early news. Some books including BetUS dropped the line from its opening of -5, in favor of Auburn, to -4.5, but it was bet back up to the original post and beyond Wednesday afternoon.

The Tigers have a win over the Gamecocks already this season, coming back from six points down with two touchdowns from the arm of Newton in the fourth quarter to steal a 35-27 victory as 3-point home favorites. Newton finished that game with 158 passing yards, 176 rushing yards, and five touchdowns in total.

Here are the other big games on the Saturday slate:

Oregon Ducks at Oregon State Beavers (+16.5, 64 at BetUS Sportsbook)

Points haven’t been a problem in this Pac-10 rivalry. The Civil War between Oregon schools has played over the betting total in eight straight years. The weather in Corvallis could slow down the offensive production, though. The forecast is calling for showers, making the field slick for these two run-heavy attacks.

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Oklahoma Sooners (-6.5, 54.5)

The Huskers are keeping hush-hush on the status of quarterback Taylor Martinez, currently listing the playmaking passer as day-to-day with the Big 12 title on the line this weekend. Books are setting Nebraska as a 6.5-point underdog in Arlington, Texas. The Cornhuskers’ pivot is nursing ankle and toe injuries, so even if Martinez does start his ability to break off big gains with his legs might be limited. Sophomore Cody Green is the likely replacement.

Florida State Seminoles vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (-3.5, 52.5)

The ACC title is up for grabs when FSU and Virginia Tech collide in Charlotte this Saturday. Oddsmakers at BetUS are siding with the Hokies, setting them as 3.5-point favorites. Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor was named Conference Player of the Year earlier this week and is out to give his program a rare win over the 'Noles. In the last 10 meetings between these ACC rivals VT has only won once and boasts a 4-6 record against the spread.