The Sports Reporter
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13
WEST VIRGINIA over *CONNECTICUT by 10
Power running by WVU keeps the ball away from the UConn offense, and when it falls behind,
tricky defensive alignments confound QB Orlovsky into errors. West Virginia, 27-17.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14
*MIAMI-FL over LOUISVILLE by 7
Two years ago, the Cardinals came into Tallahassee as 15-point dogs and surprised undefeated
Florida State (26-20). Can they do that to the undefeated Hurricanes Maybe.
Louisville has a two-dimensional offense and two QBs who are better than the plodding
Brock Berlin and they?re a lot better team now than the one that confounded Bobby Bowden
& Co. The Hurricanes have feasted on their opponents mistakes, but the Cardinals are a
healthy +9 in the turnover ratio and are committing less than one turnover per game. Look
for a low scoring game with the big mistake determining the outcome. Miami, 20-13.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15
*UAB over TCU by 5
The Blazers finally return home after playing three of their last four games on the road and
have revenge on the table against one of the worst defenses in the country. Don?t be fooled
by the Horned Frogs 17-point effort in their previous game against Army before last weeks
bye. Meanwhile, the Blazers (4-1 SU and ATS) have won three straight against teams in their
class since being pummeled 34-7 at Florida State in the game following the Seminoles brutal
OT loss at Miami. A combination of the Frogs D and revenge gives the Blazers their
fourth straight win. UAB, 35-30.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
BOSTON COLLEGE over *PITTSBURGH by 7
It took Pittsburgh three quarters to figure out how to get into the end zone against a Temple
team that was missing its best defender because of an in-house suspension. So would
expect struggling Panthers offense to have even more trouble against BC team coming off
a bye, which gives Eagles more time to come up with different looks to confuse inexperienced
QB Tyler Palko. BC has allowed only one opponent (Wake Forest) to rush for over 100
yards, so Pitt could be facing a lot of second-and-longs. Boston College, 20-13.
*RUTGERS over TEMPLE by 9
The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers got some bodies back last Saturday and were able to roar
back from a 27-3 second-half deficit thanks to four Brian Leonard touchdowns and some
shaky refereeing. Temple QB Walter Washington is capable of getting hot (three TD passes in
27-22 loss-but-Midweek Update Best Bet cover against Pittsburgh last week), yet also very
capable of imploding when the defense isn?t playing a prevent. Rutgers, 31-22.
MICHIGAN over *ILLINOIS by 16
Illinois backup Chris Pazan made his first career start at QB last year in the Illini?s 56-14 loss
to the Wolverines, and he could get the nod again here as Jon Beutjer was benched at halftime
last week with Illinois down 23-9 to Michigan State. Of course, Pazan went 5-for-11 for
48 yards with no TDs against MSU, so its not as if he proved he?s the answer. Proverbial
sandwich game for Michigan with Purdue up next, but Wolverines covered Indiana in similar
situation two weeks ago. Michigan, 33-17.
RECOMMENDED
*MICHIGAN STATE over MINNESOTA by 1
Let?s quickly flash back to last season. Minnesota blew a fourth-quarter lead against
hated Michigan right before taking on the Spartans. Sounds familiar, right Well, the
Gophers then hosted Michigan State, and fell behind 17-0 in the first half before rallying.
They also trailed 44-24 in the fourth quarter before scoring two late TDs to make
the game appear closer than it was. MSU can take advantage of Minnesota again. With
the confident Drew Stanton now installed at QB, the Spartans have cut down on their
turnovers, going from a -5 ratio in the first three games to a +1 over the last three.
They dont need to stop the Minnesota ground game, just slow it down a little bit. That
will force first-year QB starter Bryan Cupito to make plays on the road, something he
couldn?t do against Michigan last week (8-for-22). Michigan State, 24-23.
*IOWA over OHIO STATE by 4
Ohio State scored two TDs on special teams in its 19-10 win over the Hawkeyes last season,
and the Buckeyes had no offensive TDs last week against Wisconsin, either. While we dont
expect proud OSU to pack it in just because it started 0-2 SU in the Big 10 for the first time in
12 years, the fact is their current offense scares no one, and QB Justin Zwick is nowhere near
the crunch-time performer that the underrated Craig Krenzel was. But Iowa has problems of
its own, as starting TB Jermelle Lewis is out for the season with a knee injury. Iowa, 20-16.
*GEORGIA TECH over DUKE by 18
Theres revenge and then theres revenge. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have the latter
here following last years 41-17 loss at two-TD underdog Duke and the return last week
of running back P.J. Daniels continues to spark the Techsters here. Daniels ran the ball 26
times for 91 yards in that 20-7 upset as +13.5 road dogs and the GT offense didn?t commit
a single turnover after committing a dozen in its first four games this season. Even last
weeks bye doesnt help the Dookies, who enter this game allowing 31 points per game.
Georgia Tech, 34-16.
NOTRE DAME over NAVY by 6 (at Meadowlands, NJ)
Got burned on this one last season, when the Middies sent South Benders to their knees to
pray against the near-upset. This time, Navy has the added advantage of a bye last week, for
extra prep time in their attempt to kick the door in following 7- and 3-point losses the last
two seasons. And the game is not at Notre Dame, but on FieldTurf in a New Jersey neutral
site, with Tyrone?s Irish roses stuck between fighting off a revenge-seeking visit by his former
school Stanford, and a revenge home date with Boston College. Navy, with no linebackers
over 6?, nevertheless has no fear, a difficult offensive scheme to prepare for, and Notre
Dame may not have an offense that can open up a margin. Notre Dame, 23-17.
TENNESSEE over *MISSISSIPPI by 5
Head coaches David Cutcliffe of Ol? Miss and Philip Fulmer of Tennessee are bonded for life,
having served as Vols? assistants under Johnny Majors, with Cutcliffe then a long-time
Fulmer assistant at Tennessee before he accepted the Ol Miss job. But Cutcliffe left prior to
Tennessees appearance in a National Title Game vs. Florida State, and Fulmer was not
pleased. I asked Ole Miss to respect the fact that were playing for a championship. I would
have liked for all that to have been handled differently. Both coaches have stagnant offenses
with two kids not getting done for each what Eli Manning and Casey Clausen got done by
themselves last season, so theyll be looking to smash-mouth the other into submission.
Tennessee, 20-15.
*NEBRASKA over BAYLOR by 23
The Baylor Bears have been clawed in consecutive weeks by bigger and tougher Texas and
Missouri. Nebraska used to reside in that tier of teams with a ?bully? tag, but that was many,
many moons ago. In fact, the Huskers were bullied 70-10 by Texas Tech in last weeks
largest college football point-spread blowout, appropriately the Sports Reporter Super Best
Bet. (Hey, we dont mess around here.) Nebraska allowed seven consecutive TDs in its worst
loss since before Bob Devaney put them on the college football map. But Baylor gets what
little offense it has on the ground, where Nebraskas D still has some bite. Nebraska, 30-7.
*GEORGIA over VANDERBILT by 20
Do the Georgia Bulldogs have enough fight in em? to regroup and still make a run at a BCS
game? No doubt that when the Dawgs write their memoirs from this 2004 season they?d like
to leave out the part about that October 9 game against Tennessee as QB David Greene was
miserable (15-of-34 yards and no TDs against the Vols? zone defense), but smash-mouth
ground game appears to be winning formula and RB Danny Ware is get-it-done guy when it
counts. Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler was razor sharp for most of last weeks 37-34 home loss
against Rutgers as he completed 14-of-18 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown but he?s
lacking a supporting cast. Georgia, 34-14.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
MIAMI-OHIO over *BUFFALO by 19
Bulls have been tougher at home, but now that Josh Betts has settled in as Miami?s QB, the
RedHawks should be able to move the ball very well against this home underdog. Buffalo
coach Jim Hofher has changed QBs on the fly and is now using tandem of Chris Moore and
Datwan Hemingway, but that only means RedHawks now have tape on both of them. Perhaps
Hofher should have unveiled that gambit for this game. Miami-Ohio, 39-20.
*MEMPHIS over TULANE by 22
Green Wave finally showed some offensive life against East Carolina, but doubt Tulane can
carry that over against rested Memphis team that figures to move the ball quite effectively
against them. Memphis limited a much more polished Houston offense to two TDs on this
field. Memphis, 35-13.
*OKLAHOMA STATE over TEXAS A&M by 13
The Cowboys are home vs. red-hot A&M (four straight win/covers after opening the year with
a loss at undefeated Utah). The Aggies have a new and improved offense (32.5 PPG) in those
four wins and are seeking revenge for last years four TD loss at home, but this is their second
straight conference road game and Boys (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS) have been almost perfect so
far. Oklahoma State, 29-16.
*WESTERN MICHIGAN over EASTERN MICHIGAN by 7
Can?t recommend defenseless Western laying this many points against anyone, and Eastern actually
demonstrated some resilience at Ball State, holding the Cardinals scoreless for the final 20
minutes and rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit. Clock is ticking for Western coach Gary Darnell
and we could be looking to step in against Broncos down the road.Western Michigan, 27-20.
RECOMMENDED
AUBURN* over ARKANSAS by 3
The Razorbacks were lucky to have last week off to get over their second close-butno-
cigar loss to Florida in as many years. This is the Tigers seventh straight game
without a break unless, of course, you want to count last weekend?s 52-7 walkover vs.
Louisiana Tech as a day off. But, the SEC is topsy-turvy what with LSU and Tennessee
playing their worst games of the year and following it up the next week with their best
games, so why can?t a solid team with an excellent coach in a revenge game with
extra prep time do it again Take the road dog in this one. Auburn, 24-21.
*COLORADO over IOWA STATE by 13
Recent history suggests that Colorado is way to go here as Buffaloes have won/covered
last three duels with the I-State Cyclones and note CUs scored 40-plus points in all three of
those Big 12 tilts. However, this years club doesnt have great explosiveness and was downright
miserable in or near the red zone last week in that 42-14 Homecoming Game loss to
Oklahoma State. Colorado, 27-14.
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI over *ALABAMA by 1
That wild and wacky Houston offense sure had the Golden Eagles running around like it was,
to quote old Kansas City Chiefs coach Hank Stram in a Chinese fire drill, didnt it But, the
?Bama offense, despite looking revitalized after rolling up 304 yards on the ground vs.
Kentucky, cant pass a lick with Brodie Croyle on the sidelines, and pass defense is what got
the Eagles in trouble against Houston. Southern Mississippi, 17-16.
*BYU over WYOMING by 4
BYU?s sloppy tackling and so-so running game makes them a shaky favorite and a take-able
underdog when the opponent isnt high-class. Wyoming has thus far been proven to be better
than what the public thought, especially their defense, as evidenced by their holding San
Diego State scoreless in the final 30 minutes. One offensive touchdown for 67 pass attempts
isn?t a good ratio, as BYU demonstrated last Friday. BYU, 20-16.
*OREGON over ARIZONA by 12
This is the second straight away game for the youthful Wildcats, who looked overmatched in
their first road test at UCLA allowing season highs in points, yards and first downs. This
weeks opponent has just as good an offense as the Bruins; In fact Oregon and UCLA are tied
at #15 in the country in total yards (445.6 per game), so a similar ending wouldnt be a surprise.
Oregon, 34-22.
OREGON STATE over *WASHINGTON by 10
Oregon State has had extra time to prepare for the Huskies with the added motivation of
triple revenge and is coming off a pair of beatings by Arizona State and California by a combined
score of 76-21. Thats a tall order for a poor Washington team that could score only 21
points against San Jose State a team allowing 38.2 PPG ? while its staff is in the administration?s
crosshairs . Oregon State, 31-21.
BEST BET
ARIZONA STATE over *USC by 1
This is the Sun Devils first real test of the year and we have a feeling they just might
ace it. They were off last week, while USC went toe-to-toe with the team responsible
for handing them their only loss in the last 26 games. State hasn?t defeated the Trojans
since 1999, which means that Dirk Koetter is 0-3 SU (and 0-3 ATS) against Pete
Carroll, but he?s bringing a much improved defense and, in Andrew Walter, the most
improved signal caller in the country. The Men of Troy went down to the wire for the
second straight time and barely held off California. They were outplayed for most of
the day, their offensive line isnt showing the improvement Pete Carroll was hoping for
and the running game is a sometime thing.Walters maturation and a vastly improved
defense keep the Devils in position to win it in the final stanza. Arizona State, 28-27.
SUPER BEST BET
OKLAHOMA over *KANSAS STATE by 40
What post-Longhorn letdown They EXPECT to beat Texas, and perhaps thats why the
Oklahoma Sooners have covered four of their five after-Texas games during the Bob
Stoops Era and the only game OU didnt cover was still a 21-point win last year versus
four-TD underdog Missouri, a team that can create points with its QB. Dylan Meier
of K-State is nowhere near where Ell Roberson was as a playmaker, and the production
reduction has resulted in three losses already, and 0-4 ATS. Oklahoma is gunning
for shot at national title game (again). Maybe Oklahomas frosh back Adrian Peterson
won?t run for 225 yards as he did last week in 12-0 slam-shut win against Texas, but
remember that the Sooners have some business to conduct here after the Wildcats
whupped em 35-7 in last years Big 12 Championship Game. KSUs Darren Sproles
hasnt come up big since that aforementioned game against Oklahoma last December
and hes silenced here by stiff Okie rush defense that limited Texas Cedric Benson to
92 yards rushing (he entered last weeks game averaging nations best 186.5 yards a
game on the ground). Stoops and crew seem to save their best for Texas, and revenge
games (77-0, 52-9 in their only two 2003 revenge games). Oklahoma, 47-7.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
*FLORIDA STATE over VIRGINIA by 7
There?s lots of growing sentiment to anoint this year?s 5-0 SU Virginia Cavaliers as the now
team in the ACC, but you simply cannot ignore the following facts: Al Grohs club has played
four of its five games home this season and the opponents have hardly been vintage fighting
foes unless you consider the quintet of Temple, North Carolina, Akron, Syracuse and
Clemson to be special we dont. The Cavs have about 48 hours extra prep time for this
Saturday night tilt in Tallahassee but Florida States got momentum following thrill-a-minute
17-13 non-cover win at Syracuse last week. Underrated FSU defense comes into this game
on emotional high after stepping it up to lead the way to a win in the always difficult Carrier
Dome. Florida State, 24-17.
*MARYLAND over N.C. STATE by 4
We must protect this house You just know there are folks getting a chuckle from the commercials
starring Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen these days as the Terrapins come off
their worst home showing in the three-plus year reign of The Fridge.? Friedgen must
address growing QB problems and what he?s got going for him this week is clubs undivided
attention. Same cant be said for NC State crew that thought T.A. McLendon scored go-ahead
TD last week against North Carolina and then watched McLendon lose fumble on goal-line
dive one play later. Maryland, 24-20.
MARSHALL over *KENT STATE by 15
Kent State QB Josh Cribbs played one excellent half last week (the first) and one rotten one
(the second), and it added up to a 20-point loss at Miami-Ohio.Would expect the good Cribbs
to be more in evidence this time around, but Golden Flashes haven?t come close to stopping
Marshall in recent seasons. Marshall, 38-23.
RECOMMENDED
*BOWLING GREEN over BALL STATE by 33
Maybe Ball State thought it was on the road last week when it lost SU at home to
lowly Eastern Michigan. Or more likely, the Cardinals just cant handle the favorites
role. Well, they are back in their preferred mode of an underdog, but theyre also
on the road, where they have lost their three contests by an average of 53-7.
Bowling Green has almost as much firepower as Purdue, Missouri and Toledo, so
another rout should be on the way. Falcons obviously demonstrated against Temple
two weeks ago that they arent afraid to run it up, and Cardinals have displayed no
ability to stop BG?s offense (they lost 41-14 at home to these guys last season).
Only Ohio up next for BG, so no lookahead problems. Bowling Green blanked
Central Michigan in the fourth quarter last week to slam the back door shut in a
38-14 win, so it seems as if Falcons (3-1 ATS) are spread-conscious. Bowling
Green, 40-7.
*NORTHERN ILLINOIS over CENTRAL MICHIGAN by 23
Northern Illinois got careless last week against Central Florida, blowing the cover and almost
the actual game. So want no part of Huskies as big chalk against a Central Michigan team
that can eat some clock with a quality RB. Northern Illinois, 37-14.
BEST BET
*CALIFORNIA over UCLA by 25
We?re just aware as you that the Golden Bears had a tough game at USC last week,
but there are a number of reasons to lay it with them here. Jeff Tedford is 4-0 SU and
ATS in revenge games since coming to Berkeley and this weeks opponent dealt him
a particularly aggravating 23-20 OT loss in Los Angeles two days short of an exact
year ago. The Bears were 2-6 in field goal attempts in that loss, including two blocks
and the potential OT-tying attempt hit the crossbar and bounced away. The Bears are
a much better team now and QB Aaron Rodgers is just one ingredient of a multifaceted
offense that gave a superior defense like the Trojans? all that it wanted. It?s
been five weeks since UCLA faced a better than average offense, and they allowed 31
points at home to Oklahoma State, a team that is content to run the ball 80% of the
time. The Bruins wont know what hit them this week. California, 46-21.
STANFORD over *WASHINGTON STATE by 3
Washington State is a turnover-seeking defense, especially against the pass, and QB Trent
Edwards of Stanford best be careful in his attempts to locate good receivers. Banged-up WSU
Cougars are coming off a bad home loss vs. Oregon in which they surrendered 27 fourthquarter
points. They play fourth home game in last five weeks, but covered only one of the
three with roster way down from last seasons. Stanford, 27-24.
*PURDUE over WISCONSIN by 4
Wisconsin is a well-coached team that is extremely tough on defense, and pits its big, experienced
offensive line against a new Purdue defensive front that faces its stiffest challenge
of the season. The Badgers dont have as many playmakers on offense as they?ve had in
recent seasons, but Joe Tiller?s offense hasnt overwhelmed Barry Alvarez & Co., averaging
?only? 25 points in the last four meetings. Purdue, 23-19.
*CENTRAL FLORIDA over AKRON by 2
A difficult year for 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS UCF got even tougher when Golden Knights blew late
lead and potential first win against Northern Illinois. But at least they displayed an offense in
the second half. Akron doesnt have much of a defense either, so last team with the ball could
again be the winner. Central Florida, 29-27.
LOUISIANA TECH over *SMU by 7
This was going to all be about Ryan Moats runs left, Ryan Moats goes right but last weeks
first-quarter ankle sprain kayoed kid from Louisiana Tech?s 52-7 loss at Auburn (zero yards
on three carries) and so his status here remains up-in-air at press time. Tech will need every
yard of his 185.6 yards per game average to get past a scrappy, big home dog with revenge.
Louisiana Tech 27-20.
RECOMMENDED
BOISE STATE over *TULSA by 9
Both teams come off bye, so no edge there, right Well, we believe there is an
advantage for home underdog Tulsa. As weve discussed, Tulsa (1-3 ATS) has been
struggling in the early going despite returning much of its starting personnel from
last season. The problem is that opponents have now had an entire off-season to go
to school on the schemes of second-year Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe. Well, now
he has a week to adjust to all the adjustments, and gets to face a Boise defense that
has plenty of holes. Consider that BYU passed for 390 yards against the Broncos,
and it wasnt as if it was garbage yardage, because that game was close most of
the way. Weve also told you how Boise is straining to cover bloated numbers
because the betting bandwagon has gotten so large. They also are at a motivational
disadvantage, as the Bronco players may have spent part of their bye week thinking
about upcoming opponent Fresno State, the team they will face next week. Take
the points. Boise State, 32-23.
*UNLV over NEW MEXICO by 6
As head coach John Robinson told everyone, UNLV would improve as the season progressed,
and it has coincided with his retirement announcement. The Rebs didnt allow BYU to score
go-ahead TD despite fact Cougars had a first-and-goal late and now momentum carries over
against a New Mexico team that scored two TDs on Air Force punt mishaps last week in 28-
23 Falcons win/cover, in which starting QB did not play due to effects of a concussion. The
Lobos defense did hold AF to five three-and-outs in the second half, but when does this UNM
stop unit ever play a full 60-minute game UNLV, 26-20.
RECOMMENDED
SOUTH CAROLINA over *KENTUCKY by 18
Backers of South Carolina suffered a grueling ATS loss last year when the Gamecocks
surrendered a pair of fourth quarter TDs and the Wildcats (getting eight) stole the
money in a 27-20 loss/cover. Carolina knocked former Kentucky QB senseless at the
end of the third quarter and in came current QB Shane Boyd to run an option offense,
one Lou Holtz obviously had not game planned for. A year later and a year wiser now,
the tough Gamecocks? defense is sure to adopt the Who?s, ?We Won?t Get Fooled
Again?, rock and roll philosophy. After last weeks shocking loss to mediocre
Mississippi, maybe the Beatles, Help would be more appropriate. If Holtz follows
Alabama?s game plan and runs the ball down the Wildcats? throat, he?ll get just as satisfying
a win as Mike Shula did last week and Shula did it without a quarterback. South
Carolina, 28-10.
*TEXAS over MISSOURI by 17
The Longhorns are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS after their last four losses to the Sooners. Only two
of the five teams that the Tigers have amassed a 4-1 record against (3-1-1 ATS) are over
.500 SU; Two of those five opponents play in the Sun Belt and another resides in the MAC.
Texas, 34-17.
6
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
*TOLEDO over OHIO by 9
These teams have played only once in the past seven seasons. That was in 2002, when
Toledo won a 48-41 game against a Bobcats team that was run-first, ask-questions later at
that time. Since then, Ohio has switched to a much more balanced attack and has covered
its last three heading into this one. Could be a bit of a trap, at least ATS-wise, for the Rockets.
Toledo, 30-21.
*SOUTH FLORIDA over ARMY by 17
The Cadets have definitely shown improvement under Bobby Ross but lets face it, they have
a long journey ahead just to reach mediocrity. The Bulls were off last week and have yet to
win home. South Florida, 31-14.
HAWAII over *UTEP by 1
The Fighting Rainbows dont do too much scuffling on the road having gone 1-7 ATS in their
last eight trips to the mainland. The question is whether the Miners are capable of playing
well for the third straight week after bettering the spread by 38 points and 21 points the
last two Saturdays. With triple revenge on the table, wouldnt say that the answer is no.
Hawaii, 27-26.
RICE over *NEVADA by 10
Who can forget last years 52-42 Rice win/cover against 5.5-point fav Nevada as Owls
rushed for 387 yards and still lost clock?! Rice, 34-24.
RECOMMENDED
*UTAH over NORTH CAROLINA by 26
Talk about your great scheduling! The Utah Utes haven?t played since a 28-7
win/cover against +10 home underdog New Mexico on October 1. Plenty of film
study and plenty of practice time will have Urban Meyers guys geeked for North
Carolina club in the potential letdown spot after getting revenge of their Young Adult
lifetime in 30-24 nail-biter vs. NC State, with all the home celebration that comes
with the territory. Utah enters with electric 14-3 ATS record since Meyers arrival
on the scene prior to the start of last year and this club is big, plays hard, plays
smart and has a plan. The best plan is making sure QB Alex Smith has options and
you can expect his run/pass yardage totals here to be nearing 400 yards in expected
blowout win against Tar Heels team that may just have saved head coach John
Bunting?s job. Utah continues to eyeball BCS-buster status in the days and weeks
ahead. Utah, 42-16.
*SAN DIEGO STATE over COLORADO STATE by 4
Sonny, once so true, is now blue. CSU Rams are an atypical 1-4 SU, 1-3 ATS in Mr.
Lubicks 12th season and when his guys beat San Diego State 21-6 last year, it was with
big plays a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown, a 67-yard pass play and a 42-
yard scoring run ? near the end of the season, when San Diego State was a real
M*A*S*H unit and had just lost their top running back the prior week. Lubick and
Company hoping this is the start of something big, but hopes don?t cover all the bases.
San Diego State, 24-20.
*CLEMSON over UTAH STATE by 20
After three conference losses already, the season?s officially shot for Clemson kids who
are money-burning 0-5 ATS thus far to go along with shabby 1-4 SU mark, as the university
gets a low return rate on the investment they made on Tommy Bowden?s latest contract.
Clemson, 37-17.
*UL-MONROE over FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL by 7
It should be noted that in FIUs first board game two weeks ago, it was tied with UL-Lafayette
before ULL scored twice in last 25 seconds for the cover. Monrovians did nice job, however,
holding Idaho to 14 points and 293 yards of offense. UL-Monroe, 29-22.
UL-LAFAYETTE over *IDAHO by 2
Professional sports handicappers know exactly what to do when a team like the Lafalots
plays a third straight road game as a favorite or small underdog off two prior wins: Either
draw a circle around the home team like eventual betting-winner Penn State plus the
points vs. third-straight-road off two-wins Purdue last week or don?t play the game. Any
other thoughts, ideas or comparisons are just over-analysis when the handbook is already
telling you how to proceed. UL-Lafayette, 26-24.
TROY STATE over *ARKANSAS STATE by 8
The Trojans from Alabama, coming off their most impressive win, a (49-21) rout of Utah State
on October 2, probably did not want a bye last week. Now Troy has to beat the improving
Indians on their field, a team finally coming off the road after three straight road games (five
road games in their first six contests). And, the Indians lost their only home game so theyll
be even more determined. Troy State, 31-23.
*FLORIDA over MIDDLE TENNESSEE by 32
After beating Arkansas State in a conference home game, with another Sun Belt home
game on deck, this is the last place Middle Tennessee players need to be. It?s always
easier to coach a good team coming off a loss, and losing to fellow SEC side LSU, when
LSU was the revenge-seeking team, was not really a negative for Zookies talented
Gators, whose second-stringers get the opportunity to ?go hard? in the second half.
FLORIDA, 39-7<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
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