MLB DUNKEL
San Diego at Pittsburgh
The Padres look to bounce back from last night's loss and build on their 7-1 record in their last 8 games following a defeat. San Diego is the pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Padres favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+130). Here are all of today's picks.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Game 951-952: San Diego at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Richard) 14.567; Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 14.218
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+130); Under
Game 953-954: Washington at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 13.761; NY Mets (Redding) 13.511
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+100); Under
Game 955-956: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 15.819; St. Louis (Carpenter) 14.697
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+170); Over
Game 957-958: San Francisco at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Penny) 15.397; LA Dodgers (Garland) 16.446
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-135); Under
Game 959-960: Houston at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Moehler) 15.226; Milwaukee (Suppan) 14.959
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+130); Under
Game 961-962: Philadelphia at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Martinez) 16.410; Atlanta (Vazquez) 15.364
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+130); Over
Game 963-964: Florida at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Nolasco) 16.178; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.970
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+105); Under
Game 965-966: Colorado at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Hammel) 14.845; Arizona (Scherzer) 15.224
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Over
Game 967-968: Cleveland at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Sowers) 14.122; Oakland (Gonzalez) 16.729
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 2 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-110); Under
Game 969-970: Detroit at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Verlander) 15.203; Minnesota (Pavano) 15.140
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-125); Under
Game 971-972: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Hughes) 15.505; White Sox (Peavy) 15.769
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 973-974: Toronto at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Romero) 15.676; Tampa Bay (Garza) 14.713
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-180); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (170); Over
Game 975-976: Boston at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 16.528; Baltimore (Hernandez) 14.839
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Boston (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-210); Under
Game 977-978: LA Angels at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 14.936; Texas (Feldman) 15.051
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-110); Under
Game 979-980: NY Yankees at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.377; Seattle (Fister) 15.658
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-200); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+180); Under
San Diego at Pittsburgh
The Padres look to bounce back from last night's loss and build on their 7-1 record in their last 8 games following a defeat. San Diego is the pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Padres favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+130). Here are all of today's picks.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Game 951-952: San Diego at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Richard) 14.567; Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 14.218
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+130); Under
Game 953-954: Washington at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 13.761; NY Mets (Redding) 13.511
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+100); Under
Game 955-956: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 15.819; St. Louis (Carpenter) 14.697
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+170); Over
Game 957-958: San Francisco at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Penny) 15.397; LA Dodgers (Garland) 16.446
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-135); Under
Game 959-960: Houston at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Moehler) 15.226; Milwaukee (Suppan) 14.959
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+130); Under
Game 961-962: Philadelphia at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Martinez) 16.410; Atlanta (Vazquez) 15.364
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+130); Over
Game 963-964: Florida at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Nolasco) 16.178; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.970
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+105); Under
Game 965-966: Colorado at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Hammel) 14.845; Arizona (Scherzer) 15.224
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Over
Game 967-968: Cleveland at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Sowers) 14.122; Oakland (Gonzalez) 16.729
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 2 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-110); Under
Game 969-970: Detroit at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Verlander) 15.203; Minnesota (Pavano) 15.140
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-125); Under
Game 971-972: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Hughes) 15.505; White Sox (Peavy) 15.769
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 973-974: Toronto at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Romero) 15.676; Tampa Bay (Garza) 14.713
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-180); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (170); Over
Game 975-976: Boston at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 16.528; Baltimore (Hernandez) 14.839
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Boston (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-210); Under
Game 977-978: LA Angels at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 14.936; Texas (Feldman) 15.051
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-110); Under
Game 979-980: NY Yankees at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.377; Seattle (Fister) 15.658
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-200); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+180); Under
WNBA DUNKEL
San Antonio at Phoenix
The Mercury look to bounce back from their Game One loss and build on their 8-1 ATS record in their last 9 games following a SU loss. Phoenix is the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-7 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Game 613-614: Washington at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 106.017; Indiana 114.517
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 8 1/2; 152
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 8; 147
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-8); Over
Game 615-616: San Antonio at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 109.750; Phoenix 120.382
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 10 1/2; 173
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 7 1/2; 181
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-7 1/2); Under
San Antonio at Phoenix
The Mercury look to bounce back from their Game One loss and build on their 8-1 ATS record in their last 9 games following a SU loss. Phoenix is the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-7 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Game 613-614: Washington at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 106.017; Indiana 114.517
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 8 1/2; 152
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 8; 147
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-8); Over
Game 615-616: San Antonio at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 109.750; Phoenix 120.382
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 10 1/2; 173
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 7 1/2; 181
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-7 1/2); Under
SuperSportsGroup - 9/19
NCAAF
5-0 RUN THIS WEEK..Thank you for purchasing our picks for today
Nebraska v. Va Tech 3:30pm
PICK: OVER 49 Game (8*) Best Bet
PICK: Va Tech -3 1H (4*)
PICK: Va Tech -5 Game (7*)
Tennessee v. Florida 3:30pm
PICK: Florida -29.5 Game (7*)
Tulsa v. Oklahoma 3:30pm
PICK: OVER 58 Game (8*)
Cincinnati U v. Oregon St 6:45pm
PICK: Oregon St +1 Game (7*)
MLB
Saturday Sept 19th
Washington v. NY 1:10pm
PICK: Nats ML -110 (7*)
Cleveland v. Oakland 4pm
PICK: OVER 9 -105 (8*) Best Bet
LA v. Texas 7pm
PICK: Rangers ML -110 (7*)
NCAAF
5-0 RUN THIS WEEK..Thank you for purchasing our picks for today
Nebraska v. Va Tech 3:30pm
PICK: OVER 49 Game (8*) Best Bet
PICK: Va Tech -3 1H (4*)
PICK: Va Tech -5 Game (7*)
Tennessee v. Florida 3:30pm
PICK: Florida -29.5 Game (7*)
Tulsa v. Oklahoma 3:30pm
PICK: OVER 58 Game (8*)
Cincinnati U v. Oregon St 6:45pm
PICK: Oregon St +1 Game (7*)
MLB
Saturday Sept 19th
Washington v. NY 1:10pm
PICK: Nats ML -110 (7*)
Cleveland v. Oakland 4pm
PICK: OVER 9 -105 (8*) Best Bet
LA v. Texas 7pm
PICK: Rangers ML -110 (7*)
Ezwinners
EZWINNERS
Swept the board the last two days....
***** 5 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Cincinnati Bearcats @ Oregon State Beavers
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 5:45PM CST
Risk/Win: $550 to win $500
(190) Oregon State Beavers +1
(Line from Betjamaica)
Oregon State is a step up from Cincinnati’s first two opponents and the Beavers play very tough at home. Cincinnati's defense against the run is questionable and they are going to have a hard time with the Beaver’s running back Jacquizz Rodgers. This is a long road trip to the west coast and Corvallis is a very tough place to play (as USC can attest). The Bearcats have lost their last six games against non-conference BCS teams by an average of 21 points per game on the road and should not be favored here. Take the Beavers.
***** 3 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Connecticut Huskies @ Baylor Bears
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 4:00PM CST
Risk/Win: $330 to win $300
(168) Baylor Bears -10.5
(Line from Betjamaica)
Baylor has had two weeks to prepare for this revenge game with Connecticut who defeated the Bears last year in Storrs. The Huskies are struggling on offense. Starting quarterback Zach Frazer is out with a knee injury and their backup quarterback Cody Enders has been battling a stomach virus all week. I expect Connecticut to struggle to score against the improved Bear defense. On the offensive side of the ball Baylor's quarterback Robert Griffin should put on a show here in the Bears home opener. The Huskies usually don't fare very well when traveling this far west and I don't expect them to here. Lay the points.
***** 2 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Nevada Wolfpack @ Colorado State Rams
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 4:00PM CST
Risk/Win: $220 to win $200
(156) Colorado State Rams +3.5
(Line from Betjamaica)
The Wolfpack has had two weeks to prepare for this game after being shut out by Notre Dame in their opener, but I don't think this team should be laying points on the road. Colorado State's defense can shutdown the Nevada running game and the Rams quarterback Grant Stucker will be able to exploit the holes in the Nevada secondary. Nevada is only 1-6 against the spread as road favorite the last two seasons and the Rams are 4-0 against the spread as a home underdog under head coach Steve Fairchild. Take the points.
***** 2 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Florida State Seminoles @ BYU Cougars
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 6:00PM CST
Risk/Win: $220 to win $200
(175) Florida State Seminoles +8
(Line from Betjamaica)
BYU upset the Sooners in their opener and hammered Tulane last week but I like FSU to be in this one down to the wire. Florida State defense plays their best against a pro style offense like the one BYU runs. I don’t see the BYU scoring at will against the Noles. On the other side of the ball, FSU's quarterback Christian Ponder is solid. I think he can take advantage of a BYU defense that is not great in coverage and tends to over pursue. I expect this one to be close all the way. Take the points.
***** 2 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Hawaii Warriors @ UNLV Rebels
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 10:00PM CST
Risk/Win: $220 to win $200
(186) UNLV Rebels -7
(Line from Betjamaica)
Hawaii is off to a 2-0 start, but they struggled to beat a FCS team in their first game and their score against Washington State last week is a bit misleading because the Cougars self inflected a lot of damage on themselves and Hawaii capitalized on those mistakes. The Warriors defense has been horrible on the road and I look for the Rebels to run it up here. Lay the points.
***** 1 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Los Angeles Angels @ Texas Rangers
Sport:: MLB
Time: 6:05PM CST
Risk/Win: $100 to win $102
(977) Los Angeles Angels +$102
(Action)
(Line from Betjamaica)
EZWINNERS
Swept the board the last two days....
***** 5 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Cincinnati Bearcats @ Oregon State Beavers
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 5:45PM CST
Risk/Win: $550 to win $500
(190) Oregon State Beavers +1
(Line from Betjamaica)
Oregon State is a step up from Cincinnati’s first two opponents and the Beavers play very tough at home. Cincinnati's defense against the run is questionable and they are going to have a hard time with the Beaver’s running back Jacquizz Rodgers. This is a long road trip to the west coast and Corvallis is a very tough place to play (as USC can attest). The Bearcats have lost their last six games against non-conference BCS teams by an average of 21 points per game on the road and should not be favored here. Take the Beavers.
***** 3 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Connecticut Huskies @ Baylor Bears
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 4:00PM CST
Risk/Win: $330 to win $300
(168) Baylor Bears -10.5
(Line from Betjamaica)
Baylor has had two weeks to prepare for this revenge game with Connecticut who defeated the Bears last year in Storrs. The Huskies are struggling on offense. Starting quarterback Zach Frazer is out with a knee injury and their backup quarterback Cody Enders has been battling a stomach virus all week. I expect Connecticut to struggle to score against the improved Bear defense. On the offensive side of the ball Baylor's quarterback Robert Griffin should put on a show here in the Bears home opener. The Huskies usually don't fare very well when traveling this far west and I don't expect them to here. Lay the points.
***** 2 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Nevada Wolfpack @ Colorado State Rams
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 4:00PM CST
Risk/Win: $220 to win $200
(156) Colorado State Rams +3.5
(Line from Betjamaica)
The Wolfpack has had two weeks to prepare for this game after being shut out by Notre Dame in their opener, but I don't think this team should be laying points on the road. Colorado State's defense can shutdown the Nevada running game and the Rams quarterback Grant Stucker will be able to exploit the holes in the Nevada secondary. Nevada is only 1-6 against the spread as road favorite the last two seasons and the Rams are 4-0 against the spread as a home underdog under head coach Steve Fairchild. Take the points.
***** 2 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Florida State Seminoles @ BYU Cougars
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 6:00PM CST
Risk/Win: $220 to win $200
(175) Florida State Seminoles +8
(Line from Betjamaica)
BYU upset the Sooners in their opener and hammered Tulane last week but I like FSU to be in this one down to the wire. Florida State defense plays their best against a pro style offense like the one BYU runs. I don’t see the BYU scoring at will against the Noles. On the other side of the ball, FSU's quarterback Christian Ponder is solid. I think he can take advantage of a BYU defense that is not great in coverage and tends to over pursue. I expect this one to be close all the way. Take the points.
***** 2 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Hawaii Warriors @ UNLV Rebels
Sport: NCAA Football
Time: 10:00PM CST
Risk/Win: $220 to win $200
(186) UNLV Rebels -7
(Line from Betjamaica)
Hawaii is off to a 2-0 start, but they struggled to beat a FCS team in their first game and their score against Washington State last week is a bit misleading because the Cougars self inflected a lot of damage on themselves and Hawaii capitalized on those mistakes. The Warriors defense has been horrible on the road and I look for the Rebels to run it up here. Lay the points.
***** 1 STAR SELECTION *****
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Game: Los Angeles Angels @ Texas Rangers
Sport:: MLB
Time: 6:05PM CST
Risk/Win: $100 to win $102
(977) Los Angeles Angels +$102
(Action)
(Line from Betjamaica)
Jim Feist's 5-Star Inner Circle CFB TV Blaster - Saturday!
CF (127) ARIZONA VS (128) IOWA
Take: 5-Star (127) ARIZONA
Reason: Inner Circle: Arizona. Iowa is not an explosive offense, a slow, plodding/running Big 10 team. Those Big 10 teams can struggle against clubs with speed on both sides of the ball, and that's the case here. Arizona (2-0 SU/1-0 ATS) comes to town playing great defense, plus they still have offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes, who helped get the passing game going the last few years (from Texas Tech). The Wildcat defense is loaded with speed. Iowa escaped with a 17-16 victory in the opener over Northern Iowa, getting outgained 354-329. Play Arizona.
CF (127) ARIZONA VS (128) IOWA
Take: 5-Star (127) ARIZONA
Reason: Inner Circle: Arizona. Iowa is not an explosive offense, a slow, plodding/running Big 10 team. Those Big 10 teams can struggle against clubs with speed on both sides of the ball, and that's the case here. Arizona (2-0 SU/1-0 ATS) comes to town playing great defense, plus they still have offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes, who helped get the passing game going the last few years (from Texas Tech). The Wildcat defense is loaded with speed. Iowa escaped with a 17-16 victory in the opener over Northern Iowa, getting outgained 354-329. Play Arizona.
Chris Jordan
Chris Jordan Saturday's winners ...
300♦ BAYLOR BEARS - Remember my free pick last week on UNLV and why my hometown Rebels would cover the number against Oregon State? It was an intangible no one else would dare think about ... especially in Vegas. The weather factor.
I'm linking the same comparison to this game, not to mention I love what coach Art Briles has done for Baylor and have been a big believer since going on ESPN Radio last season to pronounce him as having the biggest coaching impact in the Big 12 for a turnaround program.
Let's start with the weather though ... there's something about coming from a climate that has overnight lows in the 40's, and average temperatures in the cooler 70s, and having to play in the sticky, humid, hot weather. From Storrs, Connecticut to Waco, Texas in mid-September - it makes a difference.
So even though you saw the Huskies lose impressively to North Carolina, I'm telling you now, those big boys from UConn have no clue what they're in store for tonight in that weather, once the fourth quarter rolls around.
But Briles does. And he's going to have his finely tuned offensive scheme running and gunning the first three quarters. That way when the Huskies run out of gas, the hometown Bears can get grizzly and pull away for a win and cover.
And don't forget, the Bears have been hibernating for two weeks. After going to Wake Forest and winning 24-21, they took last week off. U Conn, in the meantime, has been challenged by Ohio, 23-16 in Week 1, and then lost to the Tar Heels last week.
UConn's passing offense has sputtered - it ranks 116th in the nation. The scoring offense is terrible - it ranks 101st in the nation. And the Pass Efficiency defense has been less than spectacular - it's 83rd in the nation.
Baylor on the other hand has plenty to play for in this one. With a win over an ACC foe, a win against a Big East opponent could go a long way when Bowl Committees get together in about 2-1/2 months. On deck are two more home games against Northwestern State and Kent State. Neither will send the Bears to an impressive bowl, as they should be expected to win those games. After that, the Big 12 schedule kicks in.
And don't think for a minute Baylor doesn't believe it can head into the conference slate 4-0. I know it can.
These two met last year and U Conn squeaked out the win up North. But here in the 95 percent humidity under 88 degrees of heat ... the Huskies will be done by mid-third quarter, while Briles' Bears will be heating up!!!
Lay the chalk.
100♦ SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES - Big nasty Virginia. I know all about its size. But I'm not concerned in the least bit.
Southern Miss has tuned up nicely with a 52-0 win over Alcorn State and a 26-19 knock off of Central Florida. For its efforts, USM ranks 13th in the country with its offense and 22nd with the scoring offense. And the stop uinit, 9th overall, 16th in scoring and 7th against the rush.
Now, that being said, I understand this is the ACC. Those were cupcakes with icing. But I also know the Cavaliers are struggling to get into a groove with their new 3-4 defensive scheme, and are still looking for consistency with the special teams unit.
After two losses - including a 26-14 setback to William and Mary - Virginia's scoring defense ranks 91st in scoring and 71st overall. With its special teams, how's about 116th in kick returns and 53 in punt returns. Now here's where it gets worse: Passing offense (113th), Rushing offense (99th), Scoring offense (103rd) and Total offense (112th).
Not exactly a ring-a-ding-ding start to the 2009 season.
I don't see Virginia hanging tough at all with Southern Miss and will gladly lay the points with this one
Off of Another Forum
Chris Jordan Saturday's winners ...
300♦ BAYLOR BEARS - Remember my free pick last week on UNLV and why my hometown Rebels would cover the number against Oregon State? It was an intangible no one else would dare think about ... especially in Vegas. The weather factor.
I'm linking the same comparison to this game, not to mention I love what coach Art Briles has done for Baylor and have been a big believer since going on ESPN Radio last season to pronounce him as having the biggest coaching impact in the Big 12 for a turnaround program.
Let's start with the weather though ... there's something about coming from a climate that has overnight lows in the 40's, and average temperatures in the cooler 70s, and having to play in the sticky, humid, hot weather. From Storrs, Connecticut to Waco, Texas in mid-September - it makes a difference.
So even though you saw the Huskies lose impressively to North Carolina, I'm telling you now, those big boys from UConn have no clue what they're in store for tonight in that weather, once the fourth quarter rolls around.
But Briles does. And he's going to have his finely tuned offensive scheme running and gunning the first three quarters. That way when the Huskies run out of gas, the hometown Bears can get grizzly and pull away for a win and cover.
And don't forget, the Bears have been hibernating for two weeks. After going to Wake Forest and winning 24-21, they took last week off. U Conn, in the meantime, has been challenged by Ohio, 23-16 in Week 1, and then lost to the Tar Heels last week.
UConn's passing offense has sputtered - it ranks 116th in the nation. The scoring offense is terrible - it ranks 101st in the nation. And the Pass Efficiency defense has been less than spectacular - it's 83rd in the nation.
Baylor on the other hand has plenty to play for in this one. With a win over an ACC foe, a win against a Big East opponent could go a long way when Bowl Committees get together in about 2-1/2 months. On deck are two more home games against Northwestern State and Kent State. Neither will send the Bears to an impressive bowl, as they should be expected to win those games. After that, the Big 12 schedule kicks in.
And don't think for a minute Baylor doesn't believe it can head into the conference slate 4-0. I know it can.
These two met last year and U Conn squeaked out the win up North. But here in the 95 percent humidity under 88 degrees of heat ... the Huskies will be done by mid-third quarter, while Briles' Bears will be heating up!!!
Lay the chalk.
100♦ SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES - Big nasty Virginia. I know all about its size. But I'm not concerned in the least bit.
Southern Miss has tuned up nicely with a 52-0 win over Alcorn State and a 26-19 knock off of Central Florida. For its efforts, USM ranks 13th in the country with its offense and 22nd with the scoring offense. And the stop uinit, 9th overall, 16th in scoring and 7th against the rush.
Now, that being said, I understand this is the ACC. Those were cupcakes with icing. But I also know the Cavaliers are struggling to get into a groove with their new 3-4 defensive scheme, and are still looking for consistency with the special teams unit.
After two losses - including a 26-14 setback to William and Mary - Virginia's scoring defense ranks 91st in scoring and 71st overall. With its special teams, how's about 116th in kick returns and 53 in punt returns. Now here's where it gets worse: Passing offense (113th), Rushing offense (99th), Scoring offense (103rd) and Total offense (112th).
Not exactly a ring-a-ding-ding start to the 2009 season.
I don't see Virginia hanging tough at all with Southern Miss and will gladly lay the points with this one
Off of Another Forum
