New coach pumping up Duke

The most common question asked on the Duke campus used to be, when does basketball season start?

But first-year football coach David Cutcliffe has given fans and sports bettors reasons for backing the Blue Devils earlier in the fall.

Duke snapped a 25-game Atlantic Coast Conference losing streak last week by trouncing Virginia, 31-3.

The Blue Devils, behind improved play from junior quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, ran their record to 3-1.

Georgia Tech (3-1) also has a first-year coach in Paul Johnson, who was at Navy the past six years. Johnson uses the triple-option offense, which Duke also faced two weeks ago when it hosted Navy. The familiarity should help the Blue Devils, who defeated the Midshipmen 41-31 and held them to 207 yards rushing and 13 first downs.

Duke might not win today's game, but as a 131/2-point road underdog, it should be able to cover the number.

Other selections for today's games (Home team in CAPS):

• Iowa (+7) over MICHIGAN STATE: This is a matchup of the top two running backs in the Big Ten in Michigan State's Javon Ringer and Iowa's Shonn Greene. Five turnovers hurt the Hawkeyes last week as they squandered a 17-3 lead against Northwestern and lost 22-17. Iowa has been alternating quarterbacks but will start Ricky Stanzi this week.

• Connecticut (+8) over NORTH CAROLINA: The Huskies might be the most overlooked undefeated team in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Connecticut found a way to win at Louisville last week despite losing its starting quarterback and trailing by 11 late in the third quarter. The Huskies have the nation's leading rusher, Donald Brown, and will lean on him in this game. Notre Dame transfer Zach Frazer gets the start at quarterback.

North Carolina escaped Miami 28-24 behind backup quarterback Cameron Sexton's fourth-quarter heroics. The Tar Heels host a big game with Notre Dame next week.

• COLORADO (+13) over Texas: After a light nonconference schedule, the Longhorns get their first test by going to Boulder to begin Big 12 play, and the Red River Rivalry with Oklahoma looms next week. The Buffaloes have won big games at home. They shocked Oklahoma as 23-point underdogs last year and beat West Virginia last month.

• Arizona State (+91/2) over CALIFORNIA: The Sun Devils (2-2) are off a much-needed bye that should help them regroup for their final eight Pac-10 games. Cal's 42-7 victory over Colorado State last week is much less impressive than the final score. The Golden Bears' first two touchdowns were on a blocked punt return and an interception return. Cal running back Jahvid Best is injured and not expected to play.

• WISCONSIN (+2) over Ohio State: After a meltdown at Michigan, the Badgers will welcome the friendly confines of Camp Randall Stadium, where they are 25-1 since 2004. Wisconsin blew a 19-0 lead by allowing the Wolverines to score 27 straight points. Buckeyes freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor makes his first road start in a tough environment.

• Wyoming (+12) over NEW MEXICO: Both teams run the ball well but aren't as successful for different reasons. Cowboys coach Joe Glenn has been playing musical quarterbacks, using four in last week's loss to Bowling Green. The Lobos lost starting quarterback Donovan Porterie against Tulsa. Backup Brad Gruner filled in last week and was 7-for-16 passing for a paltry 55 yards.

Last week: 4-2 against the spread

Season: 12-14

Barry Holthaus, a handicapper for VegasInsider.com, is providing college football analysis for the Review-Journal this season. He can be heard on the Leroy's Sports Hour at 10 p.m. Saturdays on KLAV-AM (1230).