Virginia Tech came within two minutes of upsetting No. 2 Boston College last week before Matt Ryan produced some late lightning. The Hokies will be looking for redemption and revenge when they travel to Georgia Tech for their second straight Thursday night encounter.
Virginia Tech had outscored its first four opponents last season 138-23 when it faced the Jackets at home as 9 1/2-point favorites. Georgia Tech struck early and often, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first 11 minutes, en route to a 39-27 upset victory.
The Jackets haven't played since a costly home victory on Oct. 20 over Army, 34-10. Leading rusher Tashard Choice and speedster Rashuan Grant were both hurt in the win over the Cadets and won't play against the Hokies.
That puts a lot of pressure on Jonathan Dwyer and Jamaal Evans, who will see the second best rush defense Georgia Tech has faced all season. The Eagles limited Tech to 63 rushing yards on Sept. 15 at Bobby Dodd Stadium en route to a 24-10 victory. Virginia Tech is ninth in the country against the run, allowing less than 90 yards per game.
Dwyer will assume the role of featured back. He has toted the ball must 10 times in the last four weeks, but he did take over when Choice exited with an injury against Virginia to gain 75 yards in 15 carries with a touchdown. Dwyer also erupted for 138 yards and a touchdown in the Jackets blowout win over outmanned Samford
Georgia Tech is 13th in the country, averaging 219 yards rushing per game, though 2/3 of those yards typically come from Choice and Grant. The Jackets have run the ball 61 percent of the time, but sophomore quarterback Taylor Bennett may have to step up if they expect to whip the Hokies.
Bennett has struggled in his first full season as a starter, completing just 51.4 percent of his passes for 1,337 yards and two touchdowns, while being picked off on three occasions. He could be in for a rough night against a stiff Virginia Tech defense that leads the ACC in sacks with 29.
Coach Frank Beamer hopes that redshirt freshman Tyrod Taylor is ready to return to action after missing last week's game with a high ankle sprain. Taylor, 5-0 as a starter, has much more mobility than Sean Glennon, a major asset against Georgia Tech. The Jackets are averaging 3.6 sacks per game, fourth in the nation.
Taylor has averaged 148 yards per game while Glennon is strictly a pocket passer and would likely be a sitting duck against Georgia Tech's fierce pass rush. Somehow the Hokies have managed to win six of eight games despite yielding 29 sacks.
The Jackets put up about 28 points per game against the Hokies 26. However, Georgia Tech has averaged almost 100 yards more offense per game.
Virginia Tech is on a 12-2 spread run on the Atlantic Coast Conference road. The Hokies have 'covered' 10 of their last dozen on the road overall and 15 of 21 versus ACC opponents. They have cashed nine of their last 11 as underdogs while the Jackets have failed at a 12-5-1 clip as favorites.
Georgia Tech has been on the low side in 17 of its last 21 Thursday tests. The Jackets have also ducked 'under' in 12 of 15 at home after winning three of their last four games.
Most offshore books opened Georgia Tech as a 1 1/2-point favorite, with the 'total' set at 42.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Ohio St. Vs Penn St.
Ohio State hasn’t lost a regular season football game in two years. Saturday night, they not only face their toughest test of the season to date, but the team that dealt them that last regular season loss. Three-point home underdog Penn State comes in having won three straight and would love nothing more than to repeat their 2005 17-10 win over the Buckeyes here in Happy Valley. To do so, the Nittany Lions must find a way to overcome the nation’s top-ranked defense.
History is on their side, however, as the home team is on a 9-0 ATS run in this series. With two easy wins already in ’07, Joe Pa’s club is on an 8-3 ATS run at home in Big Ten play. Last week, out on the road, things were more difficult in a 36-31 win over Indiana. Anthony Morelli threw two touchdowns against just one interception and Rodney Kinlaw iced the game with a five-yard TD run with just over four minutes to play for Penn State, which trailed by eight points midway through the second quarter. Ohio State, meanwhile, remained perfect on the year with a 24-17 home win over Michigan State last weekend. Chris "Beanie" Wells rushed for a career-high 221 yards and a touchdown for the Buckeyes, who did just enough to hang on after opening a 24-0 third-quarter lead. Todd Boeckman tossed two touchdowns but threw an interception that was returned for a score and lost a fumble that went for another in the third quarter.
Last year, OSU returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns in the final 2:31 for a 28-6 win.
Tonight's Pick: Penn St. +3.5
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Friday, October 19, 2007
Louisville / UCONN and Information
NCAA TonightI am going to pass on the first game on the night because Eastern Michigan has an injury at QB, and I cannot back Northwestern as chalk. Here is the news release on that issue.Eastern Michigan University quarterback Andy Schmitt will not play Friday night against Northwestern at Ford Field, still ailing from the sprained shoulder he suffered in a 48-42 loss last week against Ohio.Freshman Kyle McMahon will make his first collegiate start against the Wildcats, Eastern Michigan spokesman Jim Streeter confirmed Thursday night.He said Monday at his weekly press conference that if McMahon needed to play, it would be with a scaled-back playbook. Tyler Jones, who began last season as the starter, will move to the role of back-up against Northwestern."(McMahon's experience) has been in a limited role, it's been 10-20 plays and when defenses haven't been sophisticated," Genyk said Monday. "So in the event that he has to play more (against Northwestern) it will be a big change."
Uconn+3
They have a great record even though they have not beaten anyone. The weather tonight will be a factor and that should give the edge to the defense and it’s the Huskies that have a better defense and the home team that is an underdog is always something I like to look at.
When Connecticut team played as a Home team - Last 5 years - Playing on grass surface - Coming off a Road loss they are 9-1 ATS
When Connecticut team played as a Home team - Playing on grass surface - Coming off a lost on grass they are 12-4 ATS
Uconn+3
They have a great record even though they have not beaten anyone. The weather tonight will be a factor and that should give the edge to the defense and it’s the Huskies that have a better defense and the home team that is an underdog is always something I like to look at.
When Connecticut team played as a Home team - Last 5 years - Playing on grass surface - Coming off a Road loss they are 9-1 ATS
When Connecticut team played as a Home team - Playing on grass surface - Coming off a lost on grass they are 12-4 ATS
Thursday, October 18, 2007
South Florida @ Rutgers
Who says crime doesn't pay? South Florida has stolen enough recruits away from longtime powerhouses Florida, Florida State and Miami to soar to the No. 2 spot in the initial BCS rankings.
Coach Jim Leavitt's Bulls are looking to become the fastest program in Division 1-A history to play for a national championship. However, Rutgers could dash USF's historical run Thursday when the Big East rivals clash in front of a raucous crowd in Piscataway.
The Bulls' rise in some ways mirrors the rise of the Scarlet Knight's program. Rutgers was a Big East doormat for years before emerging on the national scene in 2006 by winning 11 of 13 games, including a Texas Bowl win over Kansas State.
USF, who moved to Division 1-A in 2001, has overcome every challenge scattered in its past thus far, but further tests await. The first comes Thursday against a Scarlet Knights team that will be looking to avoid losing three straight at home for the first time since 2003.
The game matches the 11th-best offense in the land against the 11th-ranked defense; Rutgers is averaging 489.7 yards a game, while South Florida is allowing an average of 284.3.
This Garden State showdown is as big a deal for the Scarlet Knights, who fell out of the Top-25 after back-to-back losses to Maryland and Cincinnati, as it is for USF.
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Rutgers is going to have to run effectively to keep Bulls quarterback Jim Grothe on the sidelines. Last season, Ray Rice gained 202 yards on 35 carries in a 22-10 victory against the Bulls. However, USF has gone 14 games since without allowing a runner to crack triple-digits.
Rice is not accumulating rushing yardage at the same pace he did last season, but he still has 818 yards rushing, only 81 fewer than he had after six games in 2006. He also has 17 receptions for 175 yards and is a ferocious pass blocker.
The Scarlet Knights defense will focus on containing Grothe, an elusive sophomore who leads the Bulls with 346 yards rushing.
The key to the game could boil down to the personal battle between Rutgers offensive tackle Pedro Sosa and USF defensive end George Selvie. Sosa, a fifth-year senior and three-year starter will be look to stop Selvie from harassing junior quarterback Mike Teel.
Selvie has been unstoppable in the Bulls' first six games, amassing 11.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, school records in both categories.
USF won at Auburn on Sept. 8 as 7-point dogs, 26-23, proving it can thrive in a hostile environment. Conversely, Rutgers has failed to prove it can defend its home turf. The Scarlet Knights had won 13 of 17 at home and cashed six of nine until this season, when they dropped back-to-back decisions to Maryland and Cincinnati.
The Bulls are hoping lightning won't strike twice. Louisville came to Rutgers Stadium ranked No. 3 in the country last season on a Thursday night before a national television audience and left on the short end of a 28-25 score.
The Scarlet Knights have thrived against elite teams recently, cashing 12 of 14 and outscoring them by more than 10 points per game. They have also cashed 29 of their last 45 as underdogs. South Florida has 'covered' seven of its last 10 as favorites and six of its last eight against conference foes.
Most offshore books opened the Bulls as 3-point favorites.
Play: UNDER 52.5
Coach Jim Leavitt's Bulls are looking to become the fastest program in Division 1-A history to play for a national championship. However, Rutgers could dash USF's historical run Thursday when the Big East rivals clash in front of a raucous crowd in Piscataway.
The Bulls' rise in some ways mirrors the rise of the Scarlet Knight's program. Rutgers was a Big East doormat for years before emerging on the national scene in 2006 by winning 11 of 13 games, including a Texas Bowl win over Kansas State.
USF, who moved to Division 1-A in 2001, has overcome every challenge scattered in its past thus far, but further tests await. The first comes Thursday against a Scarlet Knights team that will be looking to avoid losing three straight at home for the first time since 2003.
The game matches the 11th-best offense in the land against the 11th-ranked defense; Rutgers is averaging 489.7 yards a game, while South Florida is allowing an average of 284.3.
This Garden State showdown is as big a deal for the Scarlet Knights, who fell out of the Top-25 after back-to-back losses to Maryland and Cincinnati, as it is for USF.
GET THE BEST LINE HERE!
Rutgers is going to have to run effectively to keep Bulls quarterback Jim Grothe on the sidelines. Last season, Ray Rice gained 202 yards on 35 carries in a 22-10 victory against the Bulls. However, USF has gone 14 games since without allowing a runner to crack triple-digits.
Rice is not accumulating rushing yardage at the same pace he did last season, but he still has 818 yards rushing, only 81 fewer than he had after six games in 2006. He also has 17 receptions for 175 yards and is a ferocious pass blocker.
The Scarlet Knights defense will focus on containing Grothe, an elusive sophomore who leads the Bulls with 346 yards rushing.
The key to the game could boil down to the personal battle between Rutgers offensive tackle Pedro Sosa and USF defensive end George Selvie. Sosa, a fifth-year senior and three-year starter will be look to stop Selvie from harassing junior quarterback Mike Teel.
Selvie has been unstoppable in the Bulls' first six games, amassing 11.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, school records in both categories.
USF won at Auburn on Sept. 8 as 7-point dogs, 26-23, proving it can thrive in a hostile environment. Conversely, Rutgers has failed to prove it can defend its home turf. The Scarlet Knights had won 13 of 17 at home and cashed six of nine until this season, when they dropped back-to-back decisions to Maryland and Cincinnati.
The Bulls are hoping lightning won't strike twice. Louisville came to Rutgers Stadium ranked No. 3 in the country last season on a Thursday night before a national television audience and left on the short end of a 28-25 score.
The Scarlet Knights have thrived against elite teams recently, cashing 12 of 14 and outscoring them by more than 10 points per game. They have also cashed 29 of their last 45 as underdogs. South Florida has 'covered' seven of its last 10 as favorites and six of its last eight against conference foes.
Most offshore books opened the Bulls as 3-point favorites.
Play: UNDER 52.5
Monday, October 15, 2007
New Polls are out
Upsets brought some great changes!!
BCS Standings
1. Ohio State
2. South Florida
3. Boston College
4. LSU
5. Oklahoma
6. South Carolina
7. Kentucky
8. Arizona State
9. West Virginia
10. Oregon
11. Virginia Tech
12. California
13. Kansas
14. USC
15. Florida
16. Missouri
17. Auburn
18. Hawaii
19. Virginia
20. Georgia
21. Tennessee
22. Texas
23. Cincinnati
24. Texas Tech
25. Michigan
BCS Standings
1. Ohio State
2. South Florida
3. Boston College
4. LSU
5. Oklahoma
6. South Carolina
7. Kentucky
8. Arizona State
9. West Virginia
10. Oregon
11. Virginia Tech
12. California
13. Kansas
14. USC
15. Florida
16. Missouri
17. Auburn
18. Hawaii
19. Virginia
20. Georgia
21. Tennessee
22. Texas
23. Cincinnati
24. Texas Tech
25. Michigan
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Florida St @ Wake Forest ESPN
The Seminoles and the demon Deacons face each other tonight on ESPN in the lone game in college football. This game is being highlighted by folks because of the revenge that Florida St. would have after losing 30-0 last year to the Deacons. Keep this in mind, if the same team won 30-0 just a year ago they may be very confident against that team and they are home on national television. If you like the revenge angles, then you’re probably siding with Florida State. However, be aware that Bobby Bowden’s team is just 3-8 ATS in that role recently. Earlier this year, they failed at Clemson, losing outright 24-18.
The Deacons had a lack luster performance against Duke letting them get the back door cover last week but it was most likely because they were looking ahead to this one against Florida St. The Deacons thrive in the home dog role and are 10-5 ATS in the last 15 as home pups.
Trends:
Florida State: 1-6 ATS off a win by 17+ points
When Wake Forest team played as a Home team - After a division game - Allowed 38 points or less AGAINST in their last game they are 21-14 ATS
Florida St. 1-6 ATS as a favorite of 3.5-10
Florida St 2-6 ATS off a win against a conference rival
Florida St 7-13 ATS with 6 or less days rest
Wake +5
Both of these defenses are solid and I look for them to shine tonight. Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews defense is trying to carry this club still in search of an offensive identity. Florida State yields only 15.6 points a game, which in 9th in the country. They have been abundantly proficient in stopping the run, holding opponents to 2.6 yards per carry compared to regular average of 3.8. Opposing passers are gaining just 5.5 yards per pass attempt, placing the ‘Noles 14th in this category. The Deacons defense has forced opponents to slowly move down the field to score. Teams gain just three yards per carry versus Wake Forest, whose strategy is to force the opposition put together 10 or more play drives without making mistakes to beat them.
Trends:
When Florida State team played as a Road team - Vs Division Opponent - Coming off a Win over Atlantic Coast opponent - Coming off a win on grass the under is 22-8
When Florida State team played as a Road team - Vs Atlantic Coast opponent - Coming off a Home win - Scored more than 20 points in back to back games the under is 10-6
When ANY NCAAF Team played as a Road team - Vs Atlantic Coast opponent - Coming off a Home win - Scored more than 20 points in back to back games the under is 127-79 (Fla St.)
When Wake Forest team played as a Home team - After a division game - Allowed 38 points or less AGAINST in their last game the under is 26-8When Wake Forest team played as Home team as a Underdog - During Week 4 to 8 - Allowed 38 points or less AGAINST in their last game the under is 11-3
UNDER 44
The Deacons had a lack luster performance against Duke letting them get the back door cover last week but it was most likely because they were looking ahead to this one against Florida St. The Deacons thrive in the home dog role and are 10-5 ATS in the last 15 as home pups.
Trends:
Florida State: 1-6 ATS off a win by 17+ points
When Wake Forest team played as a Home team - After a division game - Allowed 38 points or less AGAINST in their last game they are 21-14 ATS
Florida St. 1-6 ATS as a favorite of 3.5-10
Florida St 2-6 ATS off a win against a conference rival
Florida St 7-13 ATS with 6 or less days rest
Wake +5
Both of these defenses are solid and I look for them to shine tonight. Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews defense is trying to carry this club still in search of an offensive identity. Florida State yields only 15.6 points a game, which in 9th in the country. They have been abundantly proficient in stopping the run, holding opponents to 2.6 yards per carry compared to regular average of 3.8. Opposing passers are gaining just 5.5 yards per pass attempt, placing the ‘Noles 14th in this category. The Deacons defense has forced opponents to slowly move down the field to score. Teams gain just three yards per carry versus Wake Forest, whose strategy is to force the opposition put together 10 or more play drives without making mistakes to beat them.
Trends:
When Florida State team played as a Road team - Vs Division Opponent - Coming off a Win over Atlantic Coast opponent - Coming off a win on grass the under is 22-8
When Florida State team played as a Road team - Vs Atlantic Coast opponent - Coming off a Home win - Scored more than 20 points in back to back games the under is 10-6
When ANY NCAAF Team played as a Road team - Vs Atlantic Coast opponent - Coming off a Home win - Scored more than 20 points in back to back games the under is 127-79 (Fla St.)
When Wake Forest team played as a Home team - After a division game - Allowed 38 points or less AGAINST in their last game the under is 26-8When Wake Forest team played as Home team as a Underdog - During Week 4 to 8 - Allowed 38 points or less AGAINST in their last game the under is 11-3
UNDER 44
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Stanford pulls the upset!!!
LOS ANGELES -- Led by a backup quarterback, Stanford pulled off a stunner.
Tavita Pritchard threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mark Bradford on a fourth-and-goal with 49 seconds remaining Saturday night, giving the 40-point underdog Cardinal a 24-23 victory over No. 1 Southern California.
The Cardinal (2-4, 1-3 Pac-10) moved 45 yards in 11 plays for the winning touchdown after John David Booty threw the third of his four interceptions.
A leaping Bradford caught the ball over cornerback Mozique McCurtis in the corner of the end zone, leaving the crowd of 85,125 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in stunned silence.
In the days leading up to the game, first-year Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh stuck to his preseason assessment that USC might be the greatest college football team ever. In the end, the Trojans weren't the best team in the Coliseum field.
The Trojans will drop in the rankings this week after losing to a team that was playing its first road game of the season and had been outscored 141-51 in previous Pac-10 action.
USC's 35-game winning streak at the Coliseum is done. The Trojans hadn't lost at home since Stanford beat them 21-16 on Sept. 29, 2001 in the first year of the Pete Carroll era.
Pritchard, a sophomore from Tacoma, Wash., filling in for the injured T.C. Ostrander, completed 11-of-30 for 149 yards and the winning TD in his first college start. The numbers weren't great, but he was awfully good when it counted, leading Stanford to 17 fourth-quarter points.
Check out today's NFL selections by clicking HERE!
Tavita Pritchard threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mark Bradford on a fourth-and-goal with 49 seconds remaining Saturday night, giving the 40-point underdog Cardinal a 24-23 victory over No. 1 Southern California.
The Cardinal (2-4, 1-3 Pac-10) moved 45 yards in 11 plays for the winning touchdown after John David Booty threw the third of his four interceptions.
A leaping Bradford caught the ball over cornerback Mozique McCurtis in the corner of the end zone, leaving the crowd of 85,125 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in stunned silence.
In the days leading up to the game, first-year Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh stuck to his preseason assessment that USC might be the greatest college football team ever. In the end, the Trojans weren't the best team in the Coliseum field.
The Trojans will drop in the rankings this week after losing to a team that was playing its first road game of the season and had been outscored 141-51 in previous Pac-10 action.
USC's 35-game winning streak at the Coliseum is done. The Trojans hadn't lost at home since Stanford beat them 21-16 on Sept. 29, 2001 in the first year of the Pete Carroll era.
Pritchard, a sophomore from Tacoma, Wash., filling in for the injured T.C. Ostrander, completed 11-of-30 for 149 yards and the winning TD in his first college start. The numbers weren't great, but he was awfully good when it counted, leading Stanford to 17 fourth-quarter points.
Check out today's NFL selections by clicking HERE!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Utah At Louisville who is going to win
The trick for this game is to figure out which team from both sides is going to show up. Utah has looked brilliant in stomping UCLA and then will look disappointing to lesser teams and the same can be said could be said for Louisville.
The strength of Louisville is the pass but Utah is 9th in the country against the pass, but that may be because they are so bad against the run (95th). The question for Louisville is what defense will show up. The undisciplined nature of this defense has them allowing 275.6 YPG at 8.2 yards per attempt (108th ranking) which Utah has the tools to take advantage of. The Utes are 14-4 ATS in road games when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 75%).Those seeking a quality parlay in Friday night action should be aware Utah is 15-4 UNDER in road games in non-conference games.
The Cardinals got back on track against another non-conference opponent, NC State, last week with a 29-10 win and cover as nine-point road chalk. It was Louisville’s first ATS win of the season and the team now stands at 3-2 SU & 1-3 ATS, with an average point margin of 50.0-32.2. While the offensive output was expected, the struggles on defense have been dramatic. However, having given up just 10 points last week, perhaps that unit has found its groove.
These schools have not met since 1998, however, new Cardinals Coach Steve Kragthorpe lost to Utah in last year’s Armed Forces Bowl, 25-13, as Tulsa’s head man.
The Utes boast a 44-6 win against UCLA, but also a 27-0 loss to UNLV. They are 2-3 SU & 1-4 ATS overall. Typically a strong play as an underdog, Utah is 3-1 SU & 4-0 ATS when getting more than a TD under HC Whittingham.
Utah is a perfect 5-0 all-time against current Big East members, including a 2 for 2 mark against Louisville.
Louisville is a whopping 67-37 ATS when they score 28 or more points over that time frame. Over the last two seasons Louisville is 6-0 'over' the 'total' when they gain 500 or more total yards and has gone 'over' 36 of the last 54 games when scoring at least 28 points.
This season is no different for Utah, as the Utes have a tendency to start slow, especially against the spread. The Utes are 4-14 ATS in the first half of the season the last three years.
Quarterback Brian Brohm and the Louisville offense will be Utah's toughest test all thus far and most likely the rest of the season. Brohm leads the Big East in passing yards (1,948), touchdowns (16) and is third in passer rating (170.37). The six-foot-four quarterback will be a Top-3 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, but he could struggle more than people think against Utah. The Utes' secondary has held teams to an average of 151.6 yards per game.
Brohm will get the Big East's leading receiver Harry Douglas back from an ankle injury. Douglas didn't play last week versus NC State, yet he still leads the conference with 679 receiving yards and is tied for the most receiving touchdowns with 5.
Trends that are good and bad for both sides I just found posted everyone I came across:
Utah is 16-2 ATS after playing in-state rival Utah State.
Utah: 4-14 ATS in the first half of the season
Louisville: 10-4 ATS as a home favorite
Utah is 24-10 Under when coming off a home win as well as 11-2 Under coming off a no-cover where the team won straight up.
The Cardinals double digit faves, they are 14-7 ATS when in this spot.
When Utah team played as Road team as a Underdog - After a non conference game - Coming off a Win over Western Athletic opponent they are 7-3 ATS
When Louisville team played as a -10.0 or more Favorite - Playing on artificial surface - Coming off a 1 under the over is 14-6
When Louisville team played as a Home team - Last 5 years - Coming off a 1 under the over is 8-2
Utah / Louisville OVER 61
The strength of Louisville is the pass but Utah is 9th in the country against the pass, but that may be because they are so bad against the run (95th). The question for Louisville is what defense will show up. The undisciplined nature of this defense has them allowing 275.6 YPG at 8.2 yards per attempt (108th ranking) which Utah has the tools to take advantage of. The Utes are 14-4 ATS in road games when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 75%).Those seeking a quality parlay in Friday night action should be aware Utah is 15-4 UNDER in road games in non-conference games.
The Cardinals got back on track against another non-conference opponent, NC State, last week with a 29-10 win and cover as nine-point road chalk. It was Louisville’s first ATS win of the season and the team now stands at 3-2 SU & 1-3 ATS, with an average point margin of 50.0-32.2. While the offensive output was expected, the struggles on defense have been dramatic. However, having given up just 10 points last week, perhaps that unit has found its groove.
These schools have not met since 1998, however, new Cardinals Coach Steve Kragthorpe lost to Utah in last year’s Armed Forces Bowl, 25-13, as Tulsa’s head man.
The Utes boast a 44-6 win against UCLA, but also a 27-0 loss to UNLV. They are 2-3 SU & 1-4 ATS overall. Typically a strong play as an underdog, Utah is 3-1 SU & 4-0 ATS when getting more than a TD under HC Whittingham.
Utah is a perfect 5-0 all-time against current Big East members, including a 2 for 2 mark against Louisville.
Louisville is a whopping 67-37 ATS when they score 28 or more points over that time frame. Over the last two seasons Louisville is 6-0 'over' the 'total' when they gain 500 or more total yards and has gone 'over' 36 of the last 54 games when scoring at least 28 points.
This season is no different for Utah, as the Utes have a tendency to start slow, especially against the spread. The Utes are 4-14 ATS in the first half of the season the last three years.
Quarterback Brian Brohm and the Louisville offense will be Utah's toughest test all thus far and most likely the rest of the season. Brohm leads the Big East in passing yards (1,948), touchdowns (16) and is third in passer rating (170.37). The six-foot-four quarterback will be a Top-3 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, but he could struggle more than people think against Utah. The Utes' secondary has held teams to an average of 151.6 yards per game.
Brohm will get the Big East's leading receiver Harry Douglas back from an ankle injury. Douglas didn't play last week versus NC State, yet he still leads the conference with 679 receiving yards and is tied for the most receiving touchdowns with 5.
Trends that are good and bad for both sides I just found posted everyone I came across:
Utah is 16-2 ATS after playing in-state rival Utah State.
Utah: 4-14 ATS in the first half of the season
Louisville: 10-4 ATS as a home favorite
Utah is 24-10 Under when coming off a home win as well as 11-2 Under coming off a no-cover where the team won straight up.
The Cardinals double digit faves, they are 14-7 ATS when in this spot.
When Utah team played as Road team as a Underdog - After a non conference game - Coming off a Win over Western Athletic opponent they are 7-3 ATS
When Louisville team played as a -10.0 or more Favorite - Playing on artificial surface - Coming off a 1 under the over is 14-6
When Louisville team played as a Home team - Last 5 years - Coming off a 1 under the over is 8-2
Utah / Louisville OVER 61
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Rice At Southern Miss Who will win? ESPN
On to tonight’s game:
Line: Eagles -20.5 / 54.5
First Half: Eagles -11.5 / 27.5O20
Rice at Southern Miss, 8:00 EST ESPN2Rice: 10-0 Over off a non-conference gameSouthern Miss: 19-5 ATS off a loss by 17+ points
Southern Miss will dominate this game, I hate to take two favorites in back to back games, but a good friend of mine once said that if you take bad teams you can expect bad things, and the 20 points look tempting, but Rice is that bad.
If Rice is going to compete in conference they will need All-America wide receiver Jarett Dillard, who was on the sidelines for most of the Texas game with a strained left hamstring. Quarterback Chase Clement has been under heavy pressure all season, since the opposing team has no fear of a running game that is averaging 88 yards per game at 2.4 yards per carry. The Rice pass defense would scare most owls away, as they have given up an average of 412.3 YPG the last three contests, yielding 53 PPG in the process. The Owls are 3-13 ATS in road games after allowing 325 or more passing yards in their last game.
Southern Mississippi has a short week of preparation after being bounced 38-16 at Boise State last Thursday. The Golden Eagles will try go back to work in conference play off recent important win over East Carolina in attempt to win the East Division. Senior quarterback Jeremy Young was the weak link in the offense in prior years, yet this season has stepped up his game, meaning USM is better equipped to play in higher scoring games than in the past. Coach Jeff Bower in his 17th season in Hattiesburg will always want to run the ball effectively and has running back Damion Fletcher to do so. Fletcher is averaging five yards a carry on a team gaining 172 yards per game on the ground in 41 attempts. That figure is less impressive when considering the teams they have played have allowed 188 YPG on the ground. Young will be looking towards his primary outlet is Chris Johnson, who has 21 pass catches this season.
The defense has contained weak offensive teams like Rice and been taken apart by clubs better equipped to move the ball. When facing teams like Tennessee-Martin and East Carolina, they held them to under 300 total yards offense. While on the other hand Boise State and Tennessee both surpassed the 470 total yards mark. The Golden Eagles are 19-5 ATS after a loss by 17 or more points
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When Rice team played as a Road team - Last 4 years - Coming off a lost on artificial Rice is 5-11 ATS
When Southern Mississippi team played as a Home team - Playing on grass surface - Coming off 1 game loss they are 12-5 ATS
No Look ahead here for the Eagles as they have a game against SMU next week for homecoming. The practices leading up to this game have looked great.
The Golden Eagles, which will face Rice in a 7 p.m., kickoff at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at "The Rock," started their preparations for the Owls (0-4, 0-0) Saturday night with an hour and a half practice and returned to work Sunday night with a two-hour workout in shorts and shoulder pads at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
Head coach Jeff Bower liked the way his team has responded in practice over the last two days.
"It was a pretty good practice," Bower said of his team's Sunday night workout. "The energy level was where we needed to be."
I am going to keep this a small play for just ½ unit with QB issues with the Eagles.
Eagles -20.5
Line: Eagles -20.5 / 54.5
First Half: Eagles -11.5 / 27.5O20
Rice at Southern Miss, 8:00 EST ESPN2Rice: 10-0 Over off a non-conference gameSouthern Miss: 19-5 ATS off a loss by 17+ points
Southern Miss will dominate this game, I hate to take two favorites in back to back games, but a good friend of mine once said that if you take bad teams you can expect bad things, and the 20 points look tempting, but Rice is that bad.
If Rice is going to compete in conference they will need All-America wide receiver Jarett Dillard, who was on the sidelines for most of the Texas game with a strained left hamstring. Quarterback Chase Clement has been under heavy pressure all season, since the opposing team has no fear of a running game that is averaging 88 yards per game at 2.4 yards per carry. The Rice pass defense would scare most owls away, as they have given up an average of 412.3 YPG the last three contests, yielding 53 PPG in the process. The Owls are 3-13 ATS in road games after allowing 325 or more passing yards in their last game.
Southern Mississippi has a short week of preparation after being bounced 38-16 at Boise State last Thursday. The Golden Eagles will try go back to work in conference play off recent important win over East Carolina in attempt to win the East Division. Senior quarterback Jeremy Young was the weak link in the offense in prior years, yet this season has stepped up his game, meaning USM is better equipped to play in higher scoring games than in the past. Coach Jeff Bower in his 17th season in Hattiesburg will always want to run the ball effectively and has running back Damion Fletcher to do so. Fletcher is averaging five yards a carry on a team gaining 172 yards per game on the ground in 41 attempts. That figure is less impressive when considering the teams they have played have allowed 188 YPG on the ground. Young will be looking towards his primary outlet is Chris Johnson, who has 21 pass catches this season.
The defense has contained weak offensive teams like Rice and been taken apart by clubs better equipped to move the ball. When facing teams like Tennessee-Martin and East Carolina, they held them to under 300 total yards offense. While on the other hand Boise State and Tennessee both surpassed the 470 total yards mark. The Golden Eagles are 19-5 ATS after a loss by 17 or more points
GET THE BEST LINE HERE!
When Rice team played as a Road team - Last 4 years - Coming off a lost on artificial Rice is 5-11 ATS
When Southern Mississippi team played as a Home team - Playing on grass surface - Coming off 1 game loss they are 12-5 ATS
No Look ahead here for the Eagles as they have a game against SMU next week for homecoming. The practices leading up to this game have looked great.
The Golden Eagles, which will face Rice in a 7 p.m., kickoff at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at "The Rock," started their preparations for the Owls (0-4, 0-0) Saturday night with an hour and a half practice and returned to work Sunday night with a two-hour workout in shorts and shoulder pads at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
Head coach Jeff Bower liked the way his team has responded in practice over the last two days.
"It was a pretty good practice," Bower said of his team's Sunday night workout. "The energy level was where we needed to be."
I am going to keep this a small play for just ½ unit with QB issues with the Eagles.
Eagles -20.5
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Marshall At Memphis ESPN 2 Who will win!
Marshall At Memphis ESPN 2 I would be remiss if I did not mention Taylor Bradford and the tragedy that unfolded in the last several days. My prayers go out to everyone involved especially his family, the death of such a young man no matter what the circumstance is unfortunate.
There will be stickers with Bradford's number 93 printed on them handed out around the stadium and available in First Tennessee Tiger Town. In addition, there will be a giant card located in Tiger Town for fans to sign that will presented to Bradford's family
When it comes to the game the line jumped from 1.5 to up and over 3 in some places and one look at consensus will tell you why.
Consensus
Memphis 71%
Under 63%
This is a go against for me 90% of the time, but a consensus does not always mean that team is going to lose (see Patriots last night) the question is how is the team dealing with the death of a teammate. Take a look at some of the quotes from the head coach.
GET THE BEST LINE HERE:
Talk about tomorrow's game and the thought process that went into continuing it.Well I talked to them. I really want our team to be a part of this. I told them this isn't a situation where I make every decision for them. I think they need to make it. That's part of getting through. They know that we have to move on. You can't just stop. They understand that. I think it's important that they talk and they make decisions. They made the decision. I talked to them this morning. (Athletic Director) R.C. (Johnson) and I talked. We met about the game, and we talked to a lot of the players. They were in favor of playing the game.
At this time, they say they need a little bit of time. We're going to stay together. We're going to try to be together tonight. We probably won't get anything done today football wise. We're going to take today and do what we have to do. Then tomorrow morning we'll start working on football. It won't be a practice, but we'll have a walk-through tomorrow morning and then start back with film. We don't play until 7 o'clock so we have some time tomorrow to try and catch up.
Talk about tomorrow's game and the thought process that went into continuing it.Well I talked to them. I really want our team to be a part of this. I told them this isn't a situation where I make every decision for them. I think they need to make it. That's part of getting through. They know that we have to move on. You can't just stop. They understand that. I think it's important that they talk and they make decisions. They made the decision. I talked to them this morning. (Athletic Director) R.C. (Johnson) and I talked. We met about the game, and we talked to a lot of the players. They were in favor of playing the game.
At this time, they say they need a little bit of time. We're going to stay together. We're going to try to be together tonight. We probably won't get anything done today football wise. We're going to take today and do what we have to do. Then tomorrow morning we'll start working on football. It won't be a practice, but we'll have a walk-through tomorrow morning and then start back with film. We don't play until 7 o'clock so we have some time tomorrow to try and catch up.
Are there any big plans before the game?Yeah. (Our) players had a page and a half of ways--I wanted them to have ways of how you honor one of your guys. They had some really good stuff. I know we're going to try and get something to put on our helmets. But we wanted to do something. They brought up a million different things, some really good stuff--trying to maybe after this season doing something to raise some money for his parents, or for a scholarship fund or an award named after him for the spring game. They had a page and a half of ways we could honor one of our guys. They're really, really good kids.
Too things stuck out to me, the team wants to stay together during this tragedy, for each other, for the family, for the team. This strikes me as a positive when it comes to tonight and when asked how to pay tribute to Bradford and they had countless ways to do and as a team they all wanted to play. I am not buying the tired from playing in a bunch of games in a limited time frame because they VOTED to play tonight, they WANT to play tonight’s game.
MEMPHIS -1.5 first half
MEMPHIS -3 GAME
The herd cannot stop this team on the rush and are pathetic con the road. They are 2-11 ATS in the last 13 road games and average giving up 6.0 yards per carry. The defense is even better for Memphis when it comes to pure numbers.
Memphis is 9-2 ATS in C-USA home lid-lifters, averaging 412 yards of total offense. The defense has offered little help giving up 32 points a game and 414 YPG. Of course that seems like a bargain compared to Marshall, who has rolled over in allowing 41.7 PPG and 447 YPG. It is far from a thundering herd for Marshall, who is10-26-1 ATS mark on the conference road.
When Marshall team played as a Road team - Vs Division Opponent - Coming off 1 ATS lost Marshall is 3-7 ATS
When Memphis team played as a Home team - After a non conference game - Coming off a Loss over Sun Belt opponent they are 15-9 ATS
Marshall is 1-8 ATS as a road underdog and Memphis is 23-10 ATS off a loss by 6 points or less.
After the last game against Cincinnati even Marshall’s head coach new they were in trouble. "There were a few gutsy individual performances out there," Marshall coach Mark Snyder said. "But as a whole, I think we're a very poorly coached football team right now." To be fair the Herd has four starters gone on defense, however it has been turnovers and penalties that have placed the defense in the hole and the false starts and holding penalties stalling the offense.
Even worse for the Thundering Herd is the fact they’ve failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine road games, all of which came as underdogs. In C-USA play, they’ve gone just 2-6 ATS off campus, with the average loss coming by 20 PPG and the average win coming by just 4 PPG. The Marshall run defense has been porous. Incredibly, they have already allowed 1052 yards on the ground this season. Therefore, the Memphis RB tandem of T.J. Pitts and Joseph Doss should have a productive evening.
The home side has won and covered in each of the two previous meetings between the schools, with the average win coming by 19 points. Last year, Memphis posted a season high 469 total yards, but lost 41-27 due to four costly turnovers, which resulted in 14 Marshall points.
Penalties and turnovers are against this team and momentum is too. Revenge and emotion will win out in this one.
FINAL: Memphis 44 Marshall 17
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