LOUISVILLE +10 (-115) VS MIAMI (8 UNITS) (PINNACLE)
The BCS sleeper Louisville Cardinals travel to the Orange Bowl to take on the Hurricanes. The Louisville offense is led by JR QB Stefan Lefors. Lefors ranks eighth nationally in passing efficiency and has completed 75 percent of his passes this season. Making him only one of three quarterbacks in the nation to complete 70% of his passes.
I know all about the Canes defense and how they are probably one of the fastest and toughest defenses in the entire country. But my question in a game that involves a 10-point spread is how will the Miami offense fair?
We all know what Brock Berlin can do. After throwing 17 interceptions last year, has Berlin done anything this year to impress you yet? I hope people banking on Miami are not just looking at the box score of their last game vs Georgia Tech. Berlin threw three touchdown passes in one game for the first time in his collegiate career. It was also the first time he threw more than one TD pass in a game since 11/22/03 vs. Rutgers. One game doesn’t prove it to me. I’m not going to forget his 99 yard performance versus Houston.
Berlin also needs to take the blame for already being sacked 14 times this year. Things could get even worse as the Canes loss their best offensive lineman, T Eric Winston to a season ending injury. Berlin and the Cane offense rank 94<SUP>th</SUP> overall in total offense.
Statistically speaking the Cardinals have been dominant on both side of the ball against some suspect competition though. The Cardinal offense is averaging 42.3 points per game and 503.8 total yards per game and a defense that is allowing only 7.0 points per game, and ranks 10<SUP>th</SUP> overall.
I think this game will be low scoring, as both offenses may have a tough time moving the ball. Having 10 points in your back pocket will help in this match-up.
TCU VS UAB –6.5 (-119) (7 UNITS) (PINNACLE)
The folks in Birmingham will be fired up as UAB looks to win its fourth game in a row on national television. TCU is 1-4 ATS, and UAB is 4-1 ATS so far on the young season.
The UAB passing attack is led by QB Darrell Hackney and his 991 yards passing through the air and 11 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions. Hackney’s go-to-guy has been standout WR Rodney White. White has caught 27 balls for 503 yards (18.6) and 7 touchdowns.
They’ll be facing a TCU defense that ranks dead last in passing defense, and 97<SUP>th</SUP> overall. TCU is also giving up 35.4 points per game ranking 104<SUP>th</SUP>.
But my main reasoning for taking this play are the nagging injuries TCU has endured all season long. There top wide-out Reggie Harrell has been dinged up, RB Robert Merrill doesn’t look like the same runner from last year due to nagging hamstring injuries, QB Ty Gunn’s high ankle sprain has limited his mobility, and QB Brandon Hassell is recovering from a separated shoulder that will limit him somewhat in the option attack.
UAB has just jumped all over opponents in the first half and seem to put it on cruise control in the second half letting teams back in the game. With this game being at home on national television, conference rival, and a definite revenge game from last year’s loss that knocked Hackney out for the year, I expect UAB to be focused and ready to go for four quarters.
The BCS sleeper Louisville Cardinals travel to the Orange Bowl to take on the Hurricanes. The Louisville offense is led by JR QB Stefan Lefors. Lefors ranks eighth nationally in passing efficiency and has completed 75 percent of his passes this season. Making him only one of three quarterbacks in the nation to complete 70% of his passes.
I know all about the Canes defense and how they are probably one of the fastest and toughest defenses in the entire country. But my question in a game that involves a 10-point spread is how will the Miami offense fair?
We all know what Brock Berlin can do. After throwing 17 interceptions last year, has Berlin done anything this year to impress you yet? I hope people banking on Miami are not just looking at the box score of their last game vs Georgia Tech. Berlin threw three touchdown passes in one game for the first time in his collegiate career. It was also the first time he threw more than one TD pass in a game since 11/22/03 vs. Rutgers. One game doesn’t prove it to me. I’m not going to forget his 99 yard performance versus Houston.
Berlin also needs to take the blame for already being sacked 14 times this year. Things could get even worse as the Canes loss their best offensive lineman, T Eric Winston to a season ending injury. Berlin and the Cane offense rank 94<SUP>th</SUP> overall in total offense.
Statistically speaking the Cardinals have been dominant on both side of the ball against some suspect competition though. The Cardinal offense is averaging 42.3 points per game and 503.8 total yards per game and a defense that is allowing only 7.0 points per game, and ranks 10<SUP>th</SUP> overall.
I think this game will be low scoring, as both offenses may have a tough time moving the ball. Having 10 points in your back pocket will help in this match-up.
TCU VS UAB –6.5 (-119) (7 UNITS) (PINNACLE)
The folks in Birmingham will be fired up as UAB looks to win its fourth game in a row on national television. TCU is 1-4 ATS, and UAB is 4-1 ATS so far on the young season.
The UAB passing attack is led by QB Darrell Hackney and his 991 yards passing through the air and 11 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions. Hackney’s go-to-guy has been standout WR Rodney White. White has caught 27 balls for 503 yards (18.6) and 7 touchdowns.
They’ll be facing a TCU defense that ranks dead last in passing defense, and 97<SUP>th</SUP> overall. TCU is also giving up 35.4 points per game ranking 104<SUP>th</SUP>.
But my main reasoning for taking this play are the nagging injuries TCU has endured all season long. There top wide-out Reggie Harrell has been dinged up, RB Robert Merrill doesn’t look like the same runner from last year due to nagging hamstring injuries, QB Ty Gunn’s high ankle sprain has limited his mobility, and QB Brandon Hassell is recovering from a separated shoulder that will limit him somewhat in the option attack.
UAB has just jumped all over opponents in the first half and seem to put it on cruise control in the second half letting teams back in the game. With this game being at home on national television, conference rival, and a definite revenge game from last year’s loss that knocked Hackney out for the year, I expect UAB to be focused and ready to go for four quarters.
