From ESPN's David Hale:
You know 2020 is a wild year when Rutgers -- yes, Rutgers! -- is favored to win a Big Ten game. But that is what happened Saturday, as the Scarlet Knights kicked off against Illinois as a 6.5-point favorite, the first time they were favored in a conference game since 2015. That was two coaching staffs ago. It was just the fourth time since joining the Big Ten in 2014 that Rutgers was favored to win. So, what happened? Illinois not only covered the spread, but won outright, 23-20. At least some things in 2020 still feel normal.
It was an emotional roller-coaster ride in Chapel Hill on Saturday. North Carolina was a 13.5-point favorite against Wake Forest, but as the Tar Heels have done so often this year, they struggled badly on defense and fell behind big -- trailing the Deacons by 21 in the third quarter. It is the third time this season that has happened, including a 31-7 deficit to open the second half against Florida State and a 41-20 deficit against Virginia. The Heels nearly pulled off a come-from-behind win in both of those, but this time, they actually finished the job. In fact, they should have still covered. UNC scored with 2:39 to play to go up 14, and Heels backers were celebrating an unexpected cover. Ah, but in a game that included 1,348 yards, they clearly left too much time on the clock. Wake QB Sam Hartman converted a third-and-18, then completed five more passes in a row as the Deacons marched down the field and scored with just 57 seconds to play, securing the blown lead/backdoor cover.
Utah State wasn't going to win its first game after firing Gary Andersen, but the Aggies could have at least helped out bettors with the over. Trailing 36-16, Utah State was set up with a first-and-goal at the Fresno State 2 with 2:21 to play. Even a field goal would have pushed the total over the closing number of 51.5. Instead, an illegal formation, two incompletions and two sacks added up to zero points, and the under held by a half-point.
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