Ego CFB Weekend ytd 2-3 (-7.85 units) ouch

[Ego74]

Texas A & M, my top play last week, totally wrecked my record :finger: ....hopng for a nice rebound

Top Play: Iowa -8 1/2 over Iowa State

DEFENSE

That's the difference here, namely Iowa's defense. Just don't see this Cyclones club being able to establish much of a run game, and I know their QB Meyer can't pass this team to victory in this spot.

I am usually wary of laying almost double digits on the road, especially in a rivalry game. But, the talent gap has grown between this two teams compared to previous years. Ferentz has turned this program into one of the most talented in the country. Yeah, they get overhyped at times, but that's because they take care of teams in these situations.

Even though Iowa State is a Big 12 North contender, they aren't close to being one of the best teams in that conference. Iowa, on the other hand, is among the elite in likely the toughest conference in the NCAA's.

Drew Tate is the real deal at QB, and he's even more dangerous now that he's got healthy running backs to help shoulder the load. I expect the Iowa O-Line to knock the Iowa St defense off the ball all day long.

Give me the better team on both sides of the ball, the more efficent quarterback, better special teams, and better coach. I see very little that impresses me about Iowa State here, except they do play hard for McCarney.

They'll have to make this an ugly defensive battle to stay close, because they certainly don't have the firepower to move up and down the field against this defense. Doubtful.

Top Play: Iowa -8 1/2

 

[Ego74]

Michigan/Notre Dame UNDER 59

59 can still be had at -115 at matchbook (when i bet it, now -123), the exchange backed by WSEX.

Went ahead and grabbed it up. Both these defenses looked stronger past the 1st quarter of their repective games last week.

Michigan is a lot more physical than Pittsburgh, and will make plays and not miss the kind of tackles the Panthers did. The Michigan D struggled with mobile QB's like Troy Smith and Vince Young, but this won't be as much a problem with Brady Quinn who is a classic drop back passer.

On the other side, Michigan has some nice weapons with Hart, Avant, and Breaston, but Carr is still a stubborn guy who likes to establish the run. These two offenses are more ball control than meets the eye. I believe the Irish will hit, and hold their own against this offense. Weis has stressed they cut down on the penalties though.

My projected total looks closer to 48, I see some of these drives being stalled and both teams having to settle for field goal attempts a handful of times.

I give Michigan a slight edge here, but can't take the 7 at the Big House. Don't see ND pulling off the SU win.

Regular play: Michigan/Notre Dame UNDER 59

 

[Ego74]

Regular Play: Nebraska -6 over Wake Forest

Yes, I understand the Cornhuskers are struggling with the West Coast offense again to start 2005, but I'm not going to shy away from this nice spot.

Wake comes in beatup injury-wise and demoralized after losing their home opener and now go to an awfully tough place to play. The difference here will be the Nebraska run D, against these two good RB's. Barclay is back from suspension, and should get the bulk of the action. They won't be able to run over Nebraska the way they did Vandy.

No excuse not to beat Vandy, keep making dumb mistakes; turnovers at the worst possible moments. penalties, special teams miscues. One thing about the Nebraska D, they will capitilize on your mistakes.

Nebraska's west coast attack will be much improved with Taylor at QB. I'm sure he's especially looking forward to playing the Deacons, since he "wasn't good enough" to play there a couple years ago.

I'm not expecting Nebraska to challenge for the Big 12 title, but I believe in Callahan more than most, and the talent he is recruiting is impressive. They'll put up some clunkers like they did last week, too many turnovers and FG's, instead of TD's, but gotta like them as a less than TD favorite in front of their rowdy fans.

Regular Play: Nebraska -6

 

[Ego74]

Small play: Mississippi State/Auburn UNDER 45 1/2

A team that struggled on offense vs. a team that wil struggle on offense

The title pretty much sums this one up. I'm looking for both these teams to attempt to run the ball first, throw when necessary. MSU began the season as expected, shutting down I-AA Murray St.

Auburn began the season, not as much as expected, being beaten at home vs. a good Ga Tech team, where new QB Brandon Cox was intercepted three times, and at many times, wasn't protected very well.

Auburn coach Tubberville more or less gave up on the run, and Tech took advantage. I believe he gets back to basics on Saturday, and tries to put his QB in better and more manageable situations.

For coach Croom and his Bulldogs team, he understands where his strength is, and it's the running of RB Norwood. His QB Conner put up some nice numbers on an overmatched defense, but he's not a big time passer by any stretch.

This would be a bigger play, except for the turnover factor. Hopefully the QB's hang onto the ball and don't allow the defenses to score points. I'm looking for these defenses to be the star's of the game, but by forcing puts and not running INT's back to the house.

Neither club's special teams standout in my opinion, pretty basic.

Auburn has dominated recent meetings, but the gap is closing, don't trust Auburn laying double digits till they get Cox (or someone else) on track behind center.

Small play: MSU/Auburn under 45 1/2

 

[Arodd]

interestingcall on the under for michigan ND....i like it. i'm viewing a game along the lines of 27-24 or 31-27, which still puts you in the win column.
Should be a good game regardless.
not sure if ill touch the O/U but good luck to you.

 

[AlwaysKeen]

GL ego...

 

[Ego74]

thanks a lot, guys!!

 

[AlwaysKeen]

am on the other side of Nebraska...

 

[Ego74]

That's okay Pags. Hope you win the rest of your games anyway :toast:

 

[Ego74]

arty:2 sweet unders to start things off, COME ON IOWA!!!!

 

[Ego74]

Texas A & M, my top play last week, totally wrecked my record :finger: ....hopng for a nice rebound

Top Play: Iowa -8 1/2 over Iowa State

DEFENSE

That's the difference here, namely Iowa's defense. Just don't see this Cyclones club being able to establish much of a run game, and I know their QB Meyer can't pass this team to victory in this spot.

I am usually wary of laying almost double digits on the road, especially in a rivalry game. But, the talent gap has grown between this two teams compared to previous years. Ferentz has turned this program into one of the most talented in the country. Yeah, they get overhyped at times, but that's because they take care of teams in these situations.

Even though Iowa State is a Big 12 North contender, they aren't close to being one of the best teams in that conference. Iowa, on the other hand, is among the elite in likely the toughest conference in the NCAA's.

Drew Tate is the real deal at QB, and he's even more dangerous now that he's got healthy running backs to help shoulder the load. I expect the Iowa O-Line to knock the Iowa St defense off the ball all day long.

Give me the better team on both sides of the ball, the more efficent quarterback, better special teams, and better coach. I see very little that impresses me about Iowa State here, except they do play hard for McCarney.

They'll have to make this an ugly defensive battle to stay close, because they certainly don't have the firepower to move up and down the field against this defense. Doubtful.

Top Play: Iowa -8 1/2

damn, that was tough to watch. Even with Tate, they wouldn't have covered, may have lost anyway. :drink:

Let's go Nebraska. i can handle 3 out of 4 heading into NFL Week 1

 

[Ego74]

after last weeks tough beats, I'll take 3 out of 4 and be satisfied.

Week 1 of NFL awaits on Sunday arty: