As I said, feeling like I'm getting the lousy spread here, but this is a play that says Zach Abey, the Navy QB, continues to struggle, and that Will Worth(the guy he's replacing) will be missed quite a bit. Worth, a senior, ran the Navy offense efficiently and with excellent decision making. Abey had some nice moments in the Army game, but other than that, he looks pretty raw. This Friday's game is less than 2 weeks after the Army game, and I don't think he'll be up to snuff. I think there is a good chance he'll commit some turnovers- partly due to his inexperience, partly because he is one of those runners who stays upright too long pushing for extra yards and getting stripped. Navy is also missing a number of players on both sides of the ball due to injuries.
Skip Holtz is on a 3-0 run as a bowl coach, including an upset of Clemson, and two other wins that were very convincing. Obviously he knows how to prep his team for bowl games. His offense is almost up to the level of Western Kentucky, with a more mobile QB who has better accuracy than Mike White. I was thinking over at first due to LT's not so great defense, but I don't think Navy's offense will be clicking here. And with Abey's propensity to be a physical runner that enjoys contact, there's a possibility that he gets injured too. That's why I'll pass on the 1H bet. The Navy defense is 109th in defensive efficiency- right after Oregon, Charlotte and Ball State. I can't see them having much success vs. a team with a senior QB who has 37 TDs to 8 int, with 2 go-to receivers and a running game that can pick up 5-6 yards per carry. They have an OL that has developed well as the season progressed. I also like QB Ryan Higgins' story of redemption. Here he is in his final college game after all the trouble he has been through.
I also understand why bettors are hesitant to bet against the service academies in a bowl game(or other games too). It's difficult to prep for them in a one week period. But LT has 3 weeks and gets to face an injury-plagued offense with young QB that hasn't shown much.
3* Maryland -1 First off, I want to say that neither of these teams deserve a bowl game. But since Quick Lane wanted an empty stadium in Detroit to sell TV advertising to a few diehard fans of these 2 schools, and to degenerate gamblers, well…we got this s**tshow. This play says that BC has a bigger mess to deal with than Maryland. BC Coach Steve Addazio, and his coaching staff, seem to be clueless. Recruiting has been awful in their tenure(near the bottom of the ACC) the 1970s offensive game plans are strictly RRPP(run, run, pass, punt) and Addazio refuses to change anything, and that BC's defense is a shell of what it used to be. QB Patrick Towles, who has a dreadful OL, looks like a nervous wreck out there…he's slow and indecisive..and you couple that with a lack of playmakers, and even this poor Maryland defense should have some success.
One reason I like Maryland is that Perry Hills is playing. The drop off from Hills to Maryland's backup QBs is large. Hills is a senior QB that is an accurate passer, has good mobility(though not really a runner), and has playmakers and a running game that BC lacks. I also really think the Maryland coaching staff has a much smarter, more innovative outlook to the game, and now almost a month to prepare for this matchup. I'm especially impressed with Maryland OC Walt Bell. He doesn't have the players yet, but he'll likely be one of the next group of young assistant coaches considered for HC jobs. I think he'll have his team ready and unpredictable. BC's Addazio is more of a rah rah kind of coach, but from what I've read, it's grown tiresome with the players who are students at a school of high academic standing. Another bowl loss for the ACC.
One reason I like Maryland is that Perry Hills is playing. The drop off from Hills to Maryland's backup QBs is large. Hills is a senior QB that is an accurate passer, has good mobility(though not really a runner), and has playmakers and a running game that BC lacks. I also really think the Maryland coaching staff has a much smarter, more innovative outlook to the game, and now almost a month to prepare for this matchup. I'm especially impressed with Maryland OC Walt Bell. He doesn't have the players yet, but he'll likely be one of the next group of young assistant coaches considered for HC jobs. I think he'll have his team ready and unpredictable. BC's Addazio is more of a rah rah kind of coach, but from what I've read, it's grown tiresome with the players who are students at a school of high academic standing. Another bowl loss for the ACC.
Thanks Indy..same to you.
Looking at the MSU-Miami, OH game. Interesting and weird. Couldn't find any games in recent history of a MAC team playing a SEC team in a bowl. Also Tropicana Field might be the worst turf of any of the bowls, played at 11AM. Those retirees in St. Pete might call that mid-day, but sheesh..that's early for those college boys. Thought about playing the over, but the infield footing might be a problem making cuts.
Gl today Fred. Got lucky/unlucky on OD. They were inconsistent. Their D stunk it up the 2nd half.
Their O not as good as usual. OD should have won by dd but were to inconsistent and to me the play calling was not the best...
Navy O is looking good, LA Tech D looking very bad. La Tech O has been good. Abey looking really good for Navy.
Lots of points will be scored this game. La Tech will be very hard pressed to beat navy by a td, that's if they even win...
Lots of points will be scored all game....
That Colo St. game was a complete joke last night. Nothing happened the 1st half and all hell breaks out the 2nd...
Their O not as good as usual. OD should have won by dd but were to inconsistent and to me the play calling was not the best...
Navy O is looking good, LA Tech D looking very bad. La Tech O has been good. Abey looking really good for Navy.
Lots of points will be scored this game. La Tech will be very hard pressed to beat navy by a td, that's if they even win...
Lots of points will be scored all game....
That Colo St. game was a complete joke last night. Nothing happened the 1st half and all hell breaks out the 2nd...
2* Vanderbilt +6 NC State might have the advantage here for a regular season game, but I think Vandy will be the more motivated team in lovely Shreveport. NC State has played in bowls the previous 2 seasons, both better than this one. This is Vandy's first one in a few years. I doubt that many fans will travel from NC to Shreveport the day after Christmas for this one. Anyways, I know NC State has the good run defense, and that their ACC schedule was tougher than most. That being said, NC State's HC Dave Doeren doesn't exactly earn a lot of trust and loyalty from his players. Doeren is one of those coaches who publicly blames his players, the fans, the media, whomever for his team's losses. He would likely be out the door if not for his contract.
Vandy showed a lot in their last 6 games, beating Georgia, Tennessee and Ole Miss. They also scored a close win over WKU. Vandy's QB, Kyle Shurmur also came on late as a passer and decision maker. NC State's QB, Ryan Finley, is kind of an x factor here. He has had some very good games, but statistically is one of the weaker passers in the ACC. Vandy is #1 in the nation in red zone defense and 36th in defensive efficiency(which includes strength of schedule). Both teams have pretty good running games. I think Vandy stays in this game, and has a good chance for an outright upset.
Vandy showed a lot in their last 6 games, beating Georgia, Tennessee and Ole Miss. They also scored a close win over WKU. Vandy's QB, Kyle Shurmur also came on late as a passer and decision maker. NC State's QB, Ryan Finley, is kind of an x factor here. He has had some very good games, but statistically is one of the weaker passers in the ACC. Vandy is #1 in the nation in red zone defense and 36th in defensive efficiency(which includes strength of schedule). Both teams have pretty good running games. I think Vandy stays in this game, and has a good chance for an outright upset.
This La Tech game making me want to puke. lol La Tech will score every time they have the ball, they just don't have it much.
La Tech 1 possession in the 3rd, drove the field and fumbled at the Navy 6.
Took La Tech tt 2nd half over big and that's done with by Navy bleeding the Whole 3rd qtr.
I despise Navy!!!
Gl with the 1st half under in the last game
La Tech 1 possession in the 3rd, drove the field and fumbled at the Navy 6.
Took La Tech tt 2nd half over big and that's done with by Navy bleeding the Whole 3rd qtr.
I despise Navy!!!
Gl with the 1st half under in the last game
