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Team to watch: Colorado State Rams (7-1 SU, 5-3 ATS)
This week: -6.5 at San Jose State
Don’t be fooled by the fact that San Jose State boasts the nation’s leading pass defense. After all, it just faced a Navy team that attempted eight passes. The Spartans have not yet played an opponent that has more pass attempts than rushes on the season.
Head coach Ron Caragher basically admitted in his most recent press conference that his team has not been tested through the air. That may not be a good thing when the trend suddenly changes against Colorado State. The Rams’ feature senior quarterback Garrett Grayson, who earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors after CSU’s 45-31 win over Wyoming last Saturday. He leads the Mountain West with 2,456 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.
If SJSU wants to keep the Rams’ offense off the field, it won’t be helped in that effort with the two running backs expected to lead the way heading into this season on the sideline. Jarrod Lawson is suspended and Thomas Tucker is out for the year with a foot injury.
Team to beware: Army Black Knights (2-5 SU, 2-5 ATS)
This week: +3.5 vs. Air Force
Army has some well-documented issues on its hands heading into this weekend’s home game against Air Force. A recent scandal emerged when it was reported that a recruiting trip in January included alcohol, women, and the general VIP treatment in order to impress possible incoming freshman. Starting quarterback Angel Santiago was allegedly among those involved.
A spokeswoman said the institution is coming down hard on the cadets with administrative punishments, but will not affect anyone athletically. Santiago and everyone else is expected to be on the field this Saturday.
It’s not like Army needs any distractions, either. It has lost two in a row by at least 20 points and fell 48-28 last season at Air Force. The Falcons are 7-1 ATS in their last eight trips to West Point.
Total team: Georgia Southern Eagles (6-2 SU, 5-3 O/U)
This week: vs. Troy
The college football week begins on Thursday with Georgia Southern vs. Troy (and FSU at Louisville, which also kicks off at 7:30 p.m.). Scoring should come in bunches in Statesboro, where the Eagles are coming off a 69-31 rout of Georgia State last Saturday. Behind an offensive line that has been awesome all season, six different GSU players scored rushing touchdowns and three had at least 12 carries.
It will be short week of preparation for both teams, which generally tends to hurt more on the defensive side of the ball. Troy at least got to play last Friday instead of Saturday (lost to South Alabama 27-13) but will have to travel on Wednesday—albeit a short distance. The over is 5-2 in the Eagles’ last seven overall and 4-0 in the Trojans’ last four Thursday games.
Team to watch: Colorado State Rams (7-1 SU, 5-3 ATS)
This week: -6.5 at San Jose State
Don’t be fooled by the fact that San Jose State boasts the nation’s leading pass defense. After all, it just faced a Navy team that attempted eight passes. The Spartans have not yet played an opponent that has more pass attempts than rushes on the season.
Head coach Ron Caragher basically admitted in his most recent press conference that his team has not been tested through the air. That may not be a good thing when the trend suddenly changes against Colorado State. The Rams’ feature senior quarterback Garrett Grayson, who earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors after CSU’s 45-31 win over Wyoming last Saturday. He leads the Mountain West with 2,456 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.
If SJSU wants to keep the Rams’ offense off the field, it won’t be helped in that effort with the two running backs expected to lead the way heading into this season on the sideline. Jarrod Lawson is suspended and Thomas Tucker is out for the year with a foot injury.
Team to beware: Army Black Knights (2-5 SU, 2-5 ATS)
This week: +3.5 vs. Air Force
Army has some well-documented issues on its hands heading into this weekend’s home game against Air Force. A recent scandal emerged when it was reported that a recruiting trip in January included alcohol, women, and the general VIP treatment in order to impress possible incoming freshman. Starting quarterback Angel Santiago was allegedly among those involved.
A spokeswoman said the institution is coming down hard on the cadets with administrative punishments, but will not affect anyone athletically. Santiago and everyone else is expected to be on the field this Saturday.
It’s not like Army needs any distractions, either. It has lost two in a row by at least 20 points and fell 48-28 last season at Air Force. The Falcons are 7-1 ATS in their last eight trips to West Point.
Total team: Georgia Southern Eagles (6-2 SU, 5-3 O/U)
This week: vs. Troy
The college football week begins on Thursday with Georgia Southern vs. Troy (and FSU at Louisville, which also kicks off at 7:30 p.m.). Scoring should come in bunches in Statesboro, where the Eagles are coming off a 69-31 rout of Georgia State last Saturday. Behind an offensive line that has been awesome all season, six different GSU players scored rushing touchdowns and three had at least 12 carries.
It will be short week of preparation for both teams, which generally tends to hurt more on the defensive side of the ball. Troy at least got to play last Friday instead of Saturday (lost to South Alabama 27-13) but will have to travel on Wednesday—albeit a short distance. The over is 5-2 in the Eagles’ last seven overall and 4-0 in the Trojans’ last four Thursday games.