*Early leans for Week 1.....*

[markymark+]

The lines are out and I started my homework for Week 1 games. I found some that stand out to me right now as just early leans. Still doing some research, but definetly like these games....


Washington St. pck'm
West Virginia -28
South Carolina -4
UAB -13
N.Illinois +13
Navy -7
Mississippi -3.5
Mississippi St. -6
Notre Dame -3 (vs.Byu)
Marshall -17
Texas -25
Houston -3
Florida St. pck'm


Any opinions?

 

[markymark+]

Also looking into Virginia Tech plus those points really hard....I think USC is going to be the "publics" pick and that's why the lines on their games will be inflated all year long. Don't get me wrong..they are awsome, but I like Tech's coach and they have a SR OB who's not that bad at all. In the spotlight and on national TV..I really don't see them getting blown out. Still looking into it, but as of now think they can cover that 17.5 pts. I think it'll go up even more....

 

[ElIguana]

I agree that 17.5 is a lot of points for what is essentially a "home" game for VT, Rightside, and if the line keeps creeping up, I might take VT for a small amount.

BUT--USC was a scoring machine last season. Late in the year they continually beat spreads of 20+ points, made me a lot of $$$, so I'm leery about going against them.

 

[bearmz]

Love the ND pick. Trashed BYU LY and have an experienced OL back. QB and one RB back returns, although lost RB Jones. Lost some key players on D, but will be OK. Not sold on ND being much better overall this year, but BYU is flat out bad. Willingham thinks he has players in place for West Coast offense to thrive. He totally misused Julious Jones LY and his recruits are not NFL caliber. Can see ND at 2-9 in '04.

 

[bearmz]

Got early leans on:
9/2 Bf+4,BC-19 and TCU-8'
9/3 NMx+1

 

[FairWarning]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bearmz:
Love the ND pick. Trashed BYU LY and have an experienced OL back. QB and one RB back returns, although lost RB Jones. Lost some key players on D, but will be OK. Not sold on ND being much better overall this year, but BYU is flat out bad. Willingham thinks he has players in place for West Coast offense to thrive. He totally misused Julious Jones LY and his recruits are not NFL caliber. Can see ND at 2-9 in '04. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

ND will not be 2-9 this year. I would like to know who the 2 wins are against? Their biggest problem is the DL and its pass rush.

I peosonally like taking home dogs with returning starting QB's vs a team who has to replace theirs. I like Rutgers vs Mich St, ND vs BYU, and Mich-Miami Oh under (week before ND for Mich, and both teams replacing starting QB's).

 

[markymark+]

Yeah, that Rutgers pick seems very tempting. They are really talking that team up this year (atleast a lot more than previous years). They said it's the best team they've had in a VERY long time..not saying they'll go out and go undefeated or something, but definetly worth looking at in this first game with major revenge from LY..they actually got the cover in that game. Mich St. lost a lot and I could maybe see outright win in that game at home....

 

[FairWarning]

Right Side - Kind of scary that people talk up Rutgers. Seems like every time that them or Temple get built up, bad things happen. Still remember when McMahon was being built up at Rutgers and they won a game or two.

 

[sillykeys]

I think Rutgers is going to be a solid team this year....but being that I know Michigan State inside and out, I don't think there is a chance Rutgers will win this game outright, let alone cover.

The only place Rutgers MIGHT stack up against MSU is at QB. They have thiers coming back, MSU doesn't. Big competition in camp for MSU at QB though. The only reason Rutgers stayed in that game last year was the "Big Plays". MSU has a MUCH improved defense, very fast and hard hitting.

The MSU receiving corp is not as TALENTED as the Maize and Blue down the road....but one of the Big Ten's TOP.

I would take MSU up to 9.5 points.

Appreciate any comments or questions.