Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett has quietly led North Carolina State to a 4-0 straight-up record and back-to-back covers. If Brissett can make some noise this weekend, his play for the Wolfpack won't be a secret any longer. The junior quarterback, who sat out the 2013 season after leaving Gainesville for Raleigh, has completed 83-of-119 passes (69.7 percent) for 1,005 yards with a 10/1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Brissett has also rushed for 118 yards and one score, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. N.C. State takes on Florida State as a 21.5-point home underdog Saturday. The Seminoles are 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS in their last four trips to Carter-Finley Stadium. They haven't won at N.C. State since 2008.
Quick Hitters
-- Clemson true freshman QB Deshaun Watson will get his first career start in Saturday's home game vs. North Carolina. In relief of Cole Stoudt in the first three games, Watson has connected on 29-of-41 throws (70.7 percent) for 479 yards and four TDs without an interception. Watson performed well in Saturday night's 23-17 overtime loss at FSU. The five-star recruit from Gainesville, Ga., threw for 262 yards, and his two-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter put the Tigers ahead, 17-10.
-- Oregon State owns an incredible 21-6 spread record in its last 27 games as a road underdog dating back to November of 2007. The 3-0 Beavers are 11.5-point underdogs Saturday at Southern Cal. They won't have their leading receiver against the Trojans, however. Sophomore Victor Bolden is out for 10-14 days after injuring his finger in Saturday's 28-7 win over San Diego State. Bolden has made 18 catches for 192 yards.
-- Rutgers star RB Paul James is out for the season after tearing his ACL in a 31-24 win at Navy. James was off to a great start against the Midshipmen, rushing for 96 yards and one touchdown until getting injured on just his seventh carry. His season ends with 363 rushing yards, five TDs and a 5.8 yards-per-carry average. James led the Scarlet Knights to an upset win at Washington State in Week 1 by rushing for 173 yards and three TDs.
-- Maryland has dealt with injuries galore during Randy Edsall's tenure, and the 2014 season has been no exception. Junior DE Quinton Jefferson is out for the season with a torn ACL, finishing the year with eight tackles and one sack. As a sophomore in 2013, Jefferson had 47 tackles and three sacks. Also, starting TE Andrew Isaacs is done for the year due to a knee injury. The Terrapins, who make their Big Ten debut Saturday at Indiana as short underdogs, have eight players out for the season due to injuries or suspensions.
-- Vanderbilt junior RB Brian Kimbrow rushed for 754 yards and six TDs in his first two seasons in Nashville. In 2014, however, the four-star recruit out of Memphis has only had one 'touch.' The result was a six-yard loss and a lost fumble in a season-opening loss to Temple. Now you have to wonder if Kimbrow will ever touch the field as a Commodore again, as he has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team.
-- Since 2007, Missouri is 22-9 ATS in 31 road assignments. The Tigers are 6-point underdogs Saturday at South Carolina.
Picks
Texas A&M -9 vs. Arkansas. As much as I've been impressed with Arkansas this season, there are only about 10 opponents that would make me hesitate to lay a single-digit number with Texas A&M on a neutral field. The Razorbacks aren't one of them. In an extremely high-scoring affair (take the OVER if the total is 75 or less!), the Aggies win by two touchdowns.
Oklahoma State -13 or 13.5 vs. Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have a horrible defense, one that's going to be exploited by the Cowboys early and often. I made Oklahoma State 17-point 'chalk' and love the 'Boys at home at -14 or less.
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Brian Edwards is a college football handicapper who contributes weekly columns to The Linemakers on Sporting News. For more valuable information and insight, follow him on Twitter @vegasbedwards and visit his website, BrianEdwardsSports.com .
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