CFB: West Virginia at Auburn (7:45 PM ET, ESPN2)

Auburn had West Virginia by the throat at 17-3 last season, but gave up 31 consecutive points to lose 34-17. In that game, the Mountaineers were the 3-1/2 point home favorite. The rematch is this year and oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com are giving the Tigers

2009-09-18

Auburn had West Virginia by the throat at 17-3 last season, but gave up 31 consecutive points to lose 34-17. In that game, the Mountaineers were the 3-1/2 point home favorite. The rematch is this year and oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com are giving the Tigers the benefit of the doubt, installing them as 7-1/2 point chalk. Over 2/3 of early bettors also back Auburn. Follow the breakdown for all of Saturday’s college games on the LIVE ODDS page.

This is a key conflict for West Virginia after the impressive 35-20 winning performance against East Carolina. Wins over SEC teams carry a lot of weight, especially when opponents can achieve success in enemy territory. West Virginia has knocked off four SEC teams the last four years; with three covers (two of the wins were over Miss. State). QB Jarrett Brown has been solid, if not spectacular thus far in replacing Pat White and has gotten the ball in the hands of playmakers like Jock Sanders and Noel Devine. Brown and the Mountaineers will be looking to extend a 24-12-1 ATS record on the road the seven seasons.

The hiring of Gene Chizik as Auburn Head Coach brought more frowns than applause, but so far the returns have been good. His offense has been more productive in the hands of quarterback Chris Todd, averaging 43 points and 572 yards per game. Auburn’s defense has been OK, but is fighting thru injuries and won’t be 100 percent to take on West Virginia’s multi-faceted attack. The Tigers are 0-6 ATS after playing a conference game.

These teams met last year in Morgantown, in contest that turned on a dime. Auburn led 17-3, when West Virginia’s offense exploded and scored the next 31 points to win going away 34-17. The Mountaineers are 5-2 ATS as underdogs but 3-7 against the number off a victory. The Tigers are 20-6-1 ATS after rushing for 200 or more yards.

This confrontation may not have national implications, nonetheless, for the respective programs, it could be a definite building block towards a successful campaign.

The StatFox Power Line says Auburn by 9, but it will take stomach to lay the TD plus the hook here. Perhaps the underdog play is the way to go. Either way, get all of the exciting wagering options for this game on Sportsbook.com.

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