QB’s return makes Mississippi State solid play at Kansas State

By Brent Musburger Special to the Review-Journal

6 years ago

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald drops back to pass against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald throws the go ahead touchdown pass against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) is tackled by Mississippi’s Zedrick Woods during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

FILE – In this Nov. 18, 2017, file photo, Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald slips past Arkansas defender Grant Morgan to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark. Mississippi State plays Kansas State this week; Fitzgerald did non play in the team’s opening game last week. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald scrambles out of the pocket as he tries to get away from the Arkansas defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead celebrates his team’s 63-6 win in their NCAA college football game against Stephen. F. Austin on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead celebrates his team’s 63-6 win in their NCAA college football game against Stephen. F. Austin, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Cashing tickets is what it’s all about, so here’s two picks for Saturday and three for Sunday.

Mississippi State (-9) at Kansas State

9 a.m. Saturday

I usually don’t recommend betting against Kansas State coach Bill Snyder as a home underdog. But first-year coach Joe Moorhead welcomes quarterback Nick Fitzgerald back from suspension for Mississippi State. In his last two years, Fitzgerald has thrown for 36 touchdowns. Moorhead did a superb job as the offensive coordinator at Penn State. Under his guidance, the Nittany Lions’ offense improved from 342 to 447 yards and from 22 to 39½ points per game. The Bulldogs also have one of the better defensive lines in the Southeastern Conference.

Southern California at Stanford (-5)

5:30 p.m. Saturday

Don’t be fooled into thinking that Stanford is simply the Bryce Love show. The Cardinal proved that in last week’s win over San Diego State, showcasing quarterback K.J. Costello. USC has a true freshman quarterback in JT Daniels, who is going to be a great player — but not this weekend. David Shaw is one of my favorite coaches. In his eighth year at Stanford, he is 55-37-2 against the spread. Running behind an offensive line that has everyone back from last season, Love should have a big day.

Jacksonville (-3) at New York Giants

10 a.m. Sunday

It’s sometimes difficult to back Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles, but he might be better than that perception. While the Giants gave Odell Beckham Jr. the highest salary ever for a wide receiver, the Jaguars feature the best pair of cornerbacks in the NFL in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. Will either of them make like Josh Norman and get into Beckham’s head?

Cincinnati (+3) at Indianapolis

10 a.m. Sunday

We think they have the wrong favorite. It’s great that quarterback Andrew Luck is back, but this line is an overreaction, because the Colts still have to stop somebody. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has star receiver A.J. Green, running back Joe Mixon and healthy tight end Tyler Eifert. Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis might be one of the short prices to be the first NFL coach fired, but he redid his staff and is facing an Indianapolis defense that was the third-worst in the league in yardage and scoring last season, blowing five double-digit leads.

Chicago (+7½) at Green Bay

5:20 p.m. Sunday

The hook means everything in this game. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been lethal against the Bears, going 15-4 against the Packers’ biggest rival. But the Bears defense will keep them in a lot of games, especially with the addition of defensive end Khalil Mack. If the team is right about quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s upside, and with a reloaded receiving corps and decent running backs, it’s all about grabbing an attractive number.

Brent Musburger’s betting column appears Saturday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His show on the Vegas Stats & Information Network can be heard on SiriusXM 204 and livestreamed at reviewjournal.com/vegas-stats-information-network.