Leroy's College Challenge
<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH>Selection</TH><TH># of Times Selected</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR><TD>BALL ST +7.5</TD><TD>10</TD><TR><TD>ARMY -7.5</TD><TD>32</TD><TR><TD>NO ILL +12.5</TD><TD>17</TD><TR><TD>PURDUE -12.5</TD><TD>10</TD><TR><TD>E MICH +24.5</TD><TD>5</TD><TR><TD>MICH -24.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>NAVY +7.5</TD><TD>41</TD><TR><TD>PITT -7.5</TD><TD>21</TD><TR><TD>N'WESTERN -3.5</TD><TD>6</TD><TR><TD>SYRACUSE +3.5</TD><TD>44</TD><TR><TD>BOS COL +6.5</TD><TD>19</TD><TR><TD>CLEMSON -6.5</TD><TD>51</TD><TR><TD>TEMPLE +29.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>PENN ST -29.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>E CAR +7.5</TD><TD>23</TD><TR><TD>N CAR -7.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>MIAMI-OH +16.5</TD><TD>2</TD><TR><TD>W MICH -16.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>MISS ST +9.5</TD><TD>16</TD><TR><TD>VANDY -9.5</TD><TD>8</TD><TR><TD>WYOMING +7.5</TD><TD>29</TD><TR><TD>COLORADO -7.5</TD><TD>25</TD><TR><TD>ARIZONA +4.5</TD><TD>32</TD><TR><TD>IOWA -4.5</TD><TD>18</TD><TR><TD>INDIANA +4.5</TD><TD>19</TD><TR><TD>AKRON -4.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>DUKE +22.5</TD><TD>4</TD><TR><TD>KANSAS -22.5</TD><TD>53</TD><TR><TD>VIRGINIA +16.5</TD><TD>4</TD><TR><TD>SO MISS -16.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>UTAH +4.5</TD><TD>41</TD><TR><TD>OREGON -4.5</TD><TD>8</TD><TR><TD>USC -19.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>WASH +19.5</TD><TD>37</TD><TR><TD>KANSAS ST+11.5</TD><TD>14</TD><TR><TD>UCLA -11.5</TD><TD>50</TD><TR><TD>NEBRASKA +4.5</TD><TD>26</TD><TR><TD>VA TECH -4.5</TD><TD>41</TD><TR><TD>MICH ST +9.5</TD><TD>35</TD><TR><TD>NOTREDAME -9.5</TD><TD>27</TD><TR><TD>OHIO ST -20.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>TOLEDO +20.5</TD><TD>31</TD><TR><TD>W VA +6.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>AUBURN -6.5</TD><TD>80</TD><TR><TD>TENN +29.5</TD><TD>25</TD><TR><TD>FLA -29.5</TD><TD>40</TD><TR><TD>SMU -6.5</TD><TD>24</TD><TR><TD>WASH ST +6.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>S D ST -3.5</TD><TD>16</TD><TR><TD>IDAHO +3.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>NEVADA -2.5</TD><TD>62</TD><TR><TD>COL ST +2.5</TD><TD>8</TD><TR><TD>BOWL GRN -2.5</TD><TD>47</TD><TR><TD>MARSHALL +2.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>CALIF -13.5</TD><TD>39</TD><TR><TD>MINN +13.5</TD><TD>18</TD><TR><TD>BUFFALO +4.5</TD><TD>20</TD><TR><TD>CENT FLA -4.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>RICE +31.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>OK ST -31.5</TD><TD>35</TD><TR><TD>TULSA +16.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>OKLA -16.5</TD><TD>58</TD><TR><TD>CONN +10.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>BAYLOR -10.5</TD><TD>40</TD><TR><TD>UTAH ST +18.5</TD><TD>4</TD><TR><TD>TEXAS A&M-18.5</TD><TD>41</TD><TR><TD>LOUSVLLE+13.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>KENTUCKY -13.5</TD><TD>15</TD><TR><TD>IOWA ST -2.5</TD><TD>24</TD><TR><TD>KENT ST +2.5</TD><TD>10</TD><TR><TD>FLA ST +7.5</TD><TD>23</TD><TR><TD>BYU -7.5</TD><TD>71</TD><TR><TD>GEORGIA +1.5</TD><TD>21</TD><TR><TD>ARKANSAS -1.5</TD><TD>32</TD><TR><TD>AIR FORCE-16.5</TD><TD>49</TD><TR><TD>NEW MEX +16.5</TD><TD>1</TD><TR><TD>UTEP -13.5</TD><TD>15</TD><TR><TD>N MEX ST+13.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>TEXASTECH+17.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>TEXAS -17.5</TD><TD>47</TD><TR><TD>HAWAII +7.5</TD><TD>25</TD><TR><TD>UNLV -7.5</TD><TD>23</TD><TR><TD>S JOSE ST+17.5</TD><TD>12</TD><TR><TD>STANFORD -17.5</TD><TD>12</TD><TR><TD>CINCY -1.5</TD><TD>53</TD><TR><TD>OREGON ST+1.5</TD><TD>39</TD><TR><TD>FL INTER+14.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>RUTGERS -14.5</TD><TD>24</TD><TR><TD>N TEXAS +38.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>ALABAMA -38.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>MD TEN ST +6.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>MARYLAND -6.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>FLA ATL +20.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>S CAROLNA-20.5</TD><TD>16</TD><TR><TD>UAB +6.5</TD><TD>21</TD><TR><TD>TROY -6.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>UL LAF +26.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>LSU -26.5</TD><TD>4</TD><TR><TD>UL MONROE+19.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>AZ STATE -19.5</TD><TD>12</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH>Selection</TH><TH># of Times Selected</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR><TD>BALL ST +7.5</TD><TD>10</TD><TR><TD>ARMY -7.5</TD><TD>32</TD><TR><TD>NO ILL +12.5</TD><TD>17</TD><TR><TD>PURDUE -12.5</TD><TD>10</TD><TR><TD>E MICH +24.5</TD><TD>5</TD><TR><TD>MICH -24.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>NAVY +7.5</TD><TD>41</TD><TR><TD>PITT -7.5</TD><TD>21</TD><TR><TD>N'WESTERN -3.5</TD><TD>6</TD><TR><TD>SYRACUSE +3.5</TD><TD>44</TD><TR><TD>BOS COL +6.5</TD><TD>19</TD><TR><TD>CLEMSON -6.5</TD><TD>51</TD><TR><TD>TEMPLE +29.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>PENN ST -29.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>E CAR +7.5</TD><TD>23</TD><TR><TD>N CAR -7.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>MIAMI-OH +16.5</TD><TD>2</TD><TR><TD>W MICH -16.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>MISS ST +9.5</TD><TD>16</TD><TR><TD>VANDY -9.5</TD><TD>8</TD><TR><TD>WYOMING +7.5</TD><TD>29</TD><TR><TD>COLORADO -7.5</TD><TD>25</TD><TR><TD>ARIZONA +4.5</TD><TD>32</TD><TR><TD>IOWA -4.5</TD><TD>18</TD><TR><TD>INDIANA +4.5</TD><TD>19</TD><TR><TD>AKRON -4.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>DUKE +22.5</TD><TD>4</TD><TR><TD>KANSAS -22.5</TD><TD>53</TD><TR><TD>VIRGINIA +16.5</TD><TD>4</TD><TR><TD>SO MISS -16.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>UTAH +4.5</TD><TD>41</TD><TR><TD>OREGON -4.5</TD><TD>8</TD><TR><TD>USC -19.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>WASH +19.5</TD><TD>37</TD><TR><TD>KANSAS ST+11.5</TD><TD>14</TD><TR><TD>UCLA -11.5</TD><TD>50</TD><TR><TD>NEBRASKA +4.5</TD><TD>26</TD><TR><TD>VA TECH -4.5</TD><TD>41</TD><TR><TD>MICH ST +9.5</TD><TD>35</TD><TR><TD>NOTREDAME -9.5</TD><TD>27</TD><TR><TD>OHIO ST -20.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>TOLEDO +20.5</TD><TD>31</TD><TR><TD>W VA +6.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>AUBURN -6.5</TD><TD>80</TD><TR><TD>TENN +29.5</TD><TD>25</TD><TR><TD>FLA -29.5</TD><TD>40</TD><TR><TD>SMU -6.5</TD><TD>24</TD><TR><TD>WASH ST +6.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>S D ST -3.5</TD><TD>16</TD><TR><TD>IDAHO +3.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>NEVADA -2.5</TD><TD>62</TD><TR><TD>COL ST +2.5</TD><TD>8</TD><TR><TD>BOWL GRN -2.5</TD><TD>47</TD><TR><TD>MARSHALL +2.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>CALIF -13.5</TD><TD>39</TD><TR><TD>MINN +13.5</TD><TD>18</TD><TR><TD>BUFFALO +4.5</TD><TD>20</TD><TR><TD>CENT FLA -4.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>RICE +31.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>OK ST -31.5</TD><TD>35</TD><TR><TD>TULSA +16.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>OKLA -16.5</TD><TD>58</TD><TR><TD>CONN +10.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>BAYLOR -10.5</TD><TD>40</TD><TR><TD>UTAH ST +18.5</TD><TD>4</TD><TR><TD>TEXAS A&M-18.5</TD><TD>41</TD><TR><TD>LOUSVLLE+13.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>KENTUCKY -13.5</TD><TD>15</TD><TR><TD>IOWA ST -2.5</TD><TD>24</TD><TR><TD>KENT ST +2.5</TD><TD>10</TD><TR><TD>FLA ST +7.5</TD><TD>23</TD><TR><TD>BYU -7.5</TD><TD>71</TD><TR><TD>GEORGIA +1.5</TD><TD>21</TD><TR><TD>ARKANSAS -1.5</TD><TD>32</TD><TR><TD>AIR FORCE-16.5</TD><TD>49</TD><TR><TD>NEW MEX +16.5</TD><TD>1</TD><TR><TD>UTEP -13.5</TD><TD>15</TD><TR><TD>N MEX ST+13.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>TEXASTECH+17.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>TEXAS -17.5</TD><TD>47</TD><TR><TD>HAWAII +7.5</TD><TD>25</TD><TR><TD>UNLV -7.5</TD><TD>23</TD><TR><TD>S JOSE ST+17.5</TD><TD>12</TD><TR><TD>STANFORD -17.5</TD><TD>12</TD><TR><TD>CINCY -1.5</TD><TD>53</TD><TR><TD>OREGON ST+1.5</TD><TD>39</TD><TR><TD>FL INTER+14.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>RUTGERS -14.5</TD><TD>24</TD><TR><TD>N TEXAS +38.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>ALABAMA -38.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>MD TEN ST +6.5</TD><TD>13</TD><TR><TD>MARYLAND -6.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>FLA ATL +20.5</TD><TD>9</TD><TR><TD>S CAROLNA-20.5</TD><TD>16</TD><TR><TD>UAB +6.5</TD><TD>21</TD><TR><TD>TROY -6.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TR><TD>UL LAF +26.5</TD><TD>7</TD><TR><TD>LSU -26.5</TD><TD>4</TD><TR><TD>UL MONROE+19.5</TD><TD>3</TD><TR><TD>AZ STATE -19.5</TD><TD>12</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Brandon Lang
20 DIMER - UTAH UTES - Over the last few years this Utah team has been a fantastic underdog, and today I feel they will be good again.
The last 7 times this Utah team has been a dog they have delivered the money 6 of those times and overall, how about an 18-5 run as an underdog since 1999.
Granted, they are 2-0 SU but 0-2 ATS failing to cover their opener at home to Utah State, and then a very sluggish and poor effort at San Jose State winning 24-14 but failing to cover the double digit road number. But today they are back in the familiar role of a hunting dog.
This dog finds themselves getting a generous number from an Oregon team that imploded at Boise State and should have lost at home to Purdue, allowing over 350 yards total offense in both games.
You can count on the fact Utah is not going to come in here and lay down, and considering the early struggles of this Ducks team, the value is with the live dog who has shown they can play with anybody.
I am grabbing the Utes this afternoon in Eugene.
20 DIMER - WASHINGTON HUSKIES - As good a spot for the Huskies as you can ask for.
First of all, they catch the Trojans off the monumental win at Ohio State, and now get the Trojans on back-to-back road games which also happens to be their Pac-10 opener, where they have covered just once in their last 7 tries.
Now for the good stuff.
You know ex-offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who spent 2 years running the Trojans offense knows every single way in which to attack this Trojans defense having faced over the last 2 years everyday.
You know he left with Pete Carroll's blessing, and his knowledge of every single thing USC does is as good an advantage as you can have plus getting close to 20 points at home.
As big a flat spot for the Trojans as they have had for sometime, and if you think for one second Pete Carroll will look to score in the 4th quarter and run up the score against his former coach, well I beg to differ.
You throw in the fact you are rolling with your backup QB as Barkley misses this game with his shoulder and you have all the more reason USC sticks to their ground game more in this one.
Locker has been great running Sarkasian's offense so far, and having faced LSU on this field to start the year, played very well.
They put up 478 yards total offense against SEC speed and probably could have won that game outright as a 17 point home dog.
Do I think Washington can win this game outright? No, but getting a boatload of points with a coach who is breathing new life into this program already, I will gladly grab the points in this battle this afternoon.
Washington gets it done.
20 DIMER - BAYLOR BEARS - Off their solid win at Wake, and a nice week off afterwards, you couldn't ask for a better spot for Baylor to deliver a huge home knockout of a deflated Uconn team.
The Huskies come in to this game off a heartbreaking loss at home in the 4th quarter on a safety and now have to lace them up without their starting QB and possibly without their star linebacker Scott Lutrus.
as a Uconn team that was offensively-challenged to begin with now must go to war with their backup QB Endres and traveling to Waco, I firmly believe a blowout is in order.
This is a damn good Baylor team to begin with as evidenced by having 16 starters back from last year including 8 on the defensive side of the football, including three all Big 12 first teamers and I really like this kid Griffin at QB for the Bears.
This is their home opener (4-0 as home favorite) and with the crowd ready to roll and to see head coach Art Briles 2009 addition, this as perfect a spot as you can ask for.
Uconn is 1-7 ATS as an away dog and considering the task in front of them today, I will lay it with a focused and angry Baylor bunch looking for revenge for last years loss at Uconn, a game they know they should have won.
Lay it with Baylor.
10 DIMER - FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES - This dog is looking to hunt today.
The Seminoles travel well out of the ACC as their 6-2-1 mark on the road will tell you, and yes they looked really flat against Jacksonville State but who could blame them off the Miami/Florida home loss.
I can't remember the last time a Mountain West team was laying more than a touchdown to a team out of the ACC, but that is the case with this game today and as of this writing the number continues to climb.
Yes, BYU did beat the Sooners on a neutral field, and knock out Sam Bradford while they were at it but Ponder is a lot more mobile than Bradford and he can keep plays alive and the chains moving.
Now to the line of scrimmage. The Seminoles can bring it which I expect them to do, and they will be able to slow down the BYU offense enough to keep this game close.
Team speed favors Florida State here, and I truly believe they will be a highly motivated bunch knowing they are more than a touchdown underdog in this game getting no respect from the linemaker whatsoever.
I will gladly take the Seminoles plus more than a touchdown any day of the week and that is exactly the case here.
Florida State is the play.
FREE SELECTION - BOWLING GREEN FALCONS
20 DIMER - UTAH UTES - Over the last few years this Utah team has been a fantastic underdog, and today I feel they will be good again.
The last 7 times this Utah team has been a dog they have delivered the money 6 of those times and overall, how about an 18-5 run as an underdog since 1999.
Granted, they are 2-0 SU but 0-2 ATS failing to cover their opener at home to Utah State, and then a very sluggish and poor effort at San Jose State winning 24-14 but failing to cover the double digit road number. But today they are back in the familiar role of a hunting dog.
This dog finds themselves getting a generous number from an Oregon team that imploded at Boise State and should have lost at home to Purdue, allowing over 350 yards total offense in both games.
You can count on the fact Utah is not going to come in here and lay down, and considering the early struggles of this Ducks team, the value is with the live dog who has shown they can play with anybody.
I am grabbing the Utes this afternoon in Eugene.
20 DIMER - WASHINGTON HUSKIES - As good a spot for the Huskies as you can ask for.
First of all, they catch the Trojans off the monumental win at Ohio State, and now get the Trojans on back-to-back road games which also happens to be their Pac-10 opener, where they have covered just once in their last 7 tries.
Now for the good stuff.
You know ex-offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who spent 2 years running the Trojans offense knows every single way in which to attack this Trojans defense having faced over the last 2 years everyday.
You know he left with Pete Carroll's blessing, and his knowledge of every single thing USC does is as good an advantage as you can have plus getting close to 20 points at home.
As big a flat spot for the Trojans as they have had for sometime, and if you think for one second Pete Carroll will look to score in the 4th quarter and run up the score against his former coach, well I beg to differ.
You throw in the fact you are rolling with your backup QB as Barkley misses this game with his shoulder and you have all the more reason USC sticks to their ground game more in this one.
Locker has been great running Sarkasian's offense so far, and having faced LSU on this field to start the year, played very well.
They put up 478 yards total offense against SEC speed and probably could have won that game outright as a 17 point home dog.
Do I think Washington can win this game outright? No, but getting a boatload of points with a coach who is breathing new life into this program already, I will gladly grab the points in this battle this afternoon.
Washington gets it done.
20 DIMER - BAYLOR BEARS - Off their solid win at Wake, and a nice week off afterwards, you couldn't ask for a better spot for Baylor to deliver a huge home knockout of a deflated Uconn team.
The Huskies come in to this game off a heartbreaking loss at home in the 4th quarter on a safety and now have to lace them up without their starting QB and possibly without their star linebacker Scott Lutrus.
as a Uconn team that was offensively-challenged to begin with now must go to war with their backup QB Endres and traveling to Waco, I firmly believe a blowout is in order.
This is a damn good Baylor team to begin with as evidenced by having 16 starters back from last year including 8 on the defensive side of the football, including three all Big 12 first teamers and I really like this kid Griffin at QB for the Bears.
This is their home opener (4-0 as home favorite) and with the crowd ready to roll and to see head coach Art Briles 2009 addition, this as perfect a spot as you can ask for.
Uconn is 1-7 ATS as an away dog and considering the task in front of them today, I will lay it with a focused and angry Baylor bunch looking for revenge for last years loss at Uconn, a game they know they should have won.
Lay it with Baylor.
10 DIMER - FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES - This dog is looking to hunt today.
The Seminoles travel well out of the ACC as their 6-2-1 mark on the road will tell you, and yes they looked really flat against Jacksonville State but who could blame them off the Miami/Florida home loss.
I can't remember the last time a Mountain West team was laying more than a touchdown to a team out of the ACC, but that is the case with this game today and as of this writing the number continues to climb.
Yes, BYU did beat the Sooners on a neutral field, and knock out Sam Bradford while they were at it but Ponder is a lot more mobile than Bradford and he can keep plays alive and the chains moving.
Now to the line of scrimmage. The Seminoles can bring it which I expect them to do, and they will be able to slow down the BYU offense enough to keep this game close.
Team speed favors Florida State here, and I truly believe they will be a highly motivated bunch knowing they are more than a touchdown underdog in this game getting no respect from the linemaker whatsoever.
I will gladly take the Seminoles plus more than a touchdown any day of the week and that is exactly the case here.
Florida State is the play.
FREE SELECTION - BOWLING GREEN FALCONS
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Larry Ness
The Pirates are suffering through their 17th consecutive losing season but a rare bright spot in yet another dismal year has been the pitching of Ross Ohlendorf. Ohlendorf is 11-10 with a 4.03 ERA on the season. However, his home and away breakdowns show he's 3-8 with a 5.56 ERA on the road (team is 3-10) but 8-2 with a 2.74 ERA at home (team is 11-4). The Pirates are a horrendous 19-55 on the road this year but a respectable 37-34 at home, so his record makes sense but Ohlendor's home and away dichotomy is even greater than his team's. He hasn't lost at home since May 29, going 5-0 with a 1.69 ERA in nine starts since June 14 (team is 7-2). Ohlendor has pitched 169.2 innings so far, well above his professional baseball high of 131.2 and there is talk of "shutting him down" for the year. In fact, this may be his final start of 2009. If so, Ohlendor should 'LOVE' the opponent. Charlie Morton allowed just one run over seven innings in Pittsburgh's 5-1 victory last night over the Padres and what else is new? It was the 29th time the Padres, who average a major league-worst 3.86 RPG and are batting a ML-low .243 as a team, had been held to one run or fewer. The Padres are 41-56 ve right-handers on the year, including a 1-9 mark in road day games (like this is!). Meanwhile, San Diego will counter Ohlendor and his outstanding home record with Clayton Richard, one of four pitchers the Padres acquired in the deal that sent Peavy to the Chicago White Sox on July 31. Richard has made nine starts for the Padres since the trade, going 4-2 (team is 6-3) but with a 5.40 ERA. FOUR of those nine starts have come on the road, where he's lasted more than four innings just ONCE! His totals are, 16 IP, 29 hits allowed and 19 ERs (10.69 ERA). The lefty will face a Pittsburgh team which may be 4-16 on the road vs lefties but is 12-7 at home vs left-handers. Daytime Dominator 9* Pit Pirates
My 7* Value Game of the Week is on Colorado at 3:30 ET. The Buffs' 'ugly' 0-2 start allows us a to take full advantage of a 'cheap' number against the "still learning" Wyoming Cowboys.
My 7* Payback Punisher is on Baylor at 5:00 ET. In LY's meeting, Baylor QB Griffin was making his first-ever road start (accounted for four TDs). That wasn't a bad debut and this year an experienced and very dynamic Griffin leads a Baylor team with some high expectations under highly respected HC Art Briles. The Bears won at Wake on Sep 5 and had last week off. Baylor returns 16 starters while U Conn makes a rare visit to Texas, coming off back-to-back unimpressive wins. The Huskies slipped by Ohio 23-16 two weeks ago and last week edged North Carolina 12-10, late. U Conn has a new QB and RB Donald Brown (over 2,000 YR last year) is with the Ind Colts. Baylor's covered NINE of its last 11 games and makes it 10 of 12 here.
Mike Riley is in his "second tour" at Corvallis, returning in 2003. He's led the Beavers to FIVE bowl appearances in those six seasons, winning all five times. Few people will forget last year's team which opened with a Pac 10 road loss at Stanford and then an embarrassing 45-14 loss to Penn State at Happy Valley. However, just two games later on a Thursday night, the Beavers DOMINATED then-No. 1 USC on both lines of scrimmage, winning 27-21 as 25-point dogs. The Beavers won EIGHT of nine games (three-point loss at Utah, 2009's lone unbeaten team in CFB '08) after that 0-2 start but then with a chance at a spot the Rose Bowl, lost 65-38 at home to Oregon. Ore St opened this year with a 34-7 win over Portland St and then last Saturday night in Las Vegas, almost blew a 20-7 third-quarter lead. UNLV backup QB Mike Clausen rallied the Rebels with two fourth-quarter TD passes, giving UNLV a 21-20 lead with 4:16 left. However, OSU answered with a 12-play, 87-yard drive that culminated in a game-winning 33-yard FG with seven seconds remaining. Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 166 yards and a TD on 26 carries, adding 65 receiving yards on 10 receptions. His brother, James, finished with 109 total yards and a receiving TD. Last year's starting QB Kyle Moevao (59.3% / 2,534 yards / 19-13 ratio) has been sidelined with a shoulder injury but Sean Canfield really came through for the Beavers at Las Vegas, completing 25-of-31 for 198 yards with two TDs and no INTs. He's completing 78.6% after two games with three TDs and no INTs. The OSU defense returns just three starters from last year's team but that was the case last year as well and that unit was more than adequate (312 YPG allowed and 23.1 PPG). This year's unit hasn't really been tested yet but I expect it will be as good, if not better, than last year's. Coming to Corvallis this Saturday is 17th-ranked Cincinnati. The Bearcats are the lone AP top-25 from the Big East and last year's team set a school record with 11 wins and played in its first-ever BCS bowl (20-7 Orange Bowl loss to Va Tech). Brian Kelly is a wonderful coach who spent 13 years at Div II Grand Valley State (118-35-2) and since coming to FBS, led CMU to two winning seasons in three years (two bowls and a MAC title) before going 21-6 these last two years at Cincinnati. QB Tony Pike is off to a terrific start (77.2% / 591 yards / 6-1 ratio) and with Ramsey (142 YR / 9.5 YPC) and Pead (92 YR) both contributing at RB, the Bearcats have averaged 197.5 YPG on the ground (5.2 YPC). WR Gilyard (14 catches / 14.3 YPC / 3 TDs) became the first FBS player to score on a punt return, catch a TD pass and rush for a TD in the same game since 2005 last week vs SE Mo St. Are the Bearcats as good as they've looked in winning 47-15 at Rutgers and 70-3 over SE Mo St (578 yards-to-176)? I say the jury is still out and let's not forget, the Bearcats return just ONE starter from LY's defensive side (20.1 PPG). Let's check in on some history. Going back to 2004, Cincinnati has played five non-conference BCS schools on the road, plus played Va Tech in last year's bowl game. The Bearcats are 0-6 SU in those games, getting outscored 207-83. Let me note that OSU has gone 28-12 the last three seasons (2006-08) overall, including 15-4 at home, with all four losses coming to Pac 10 rivals. Oregon State has won 26 consecutive non-conference games at home, dating back to 1996. These schools are meeting for just the second time. Oregon State came to the Queen City back in 2007 for a Thursday night game. Cincy won that game 34-3, as the Beavers turned the ball over SEVEN times. Think Riley remembers? The Beavers own a HUGE edge in hosting this game and I expect the Bearcats will not be prepared for the crowd noise at Reser Stadium (Cincy should check in with USC!), LEGEND play on Oregon State (10*).
My 9* Team Mismatch is on Oklahoma St at 7:00 ET. The Cowboys opened the 2009 season with a 24-10 win over then-No. 13 Georgia and rose to 5th in the AP poll, their highest ranking since 1985. However, the Cowboys lost 45-35 last Saturday at home to Houston, the Cougars' first win over a top-25 team since 1984. It was a CRUSHING loss but the talented Cowboys get Rice this week, playing its THIRD straight road game. The Owls went 10-3 last year but in 2009, QB Chase Clement (over 4,000 YP / 44 TDs 7 INTs) is gone, as are WRs Casey (111 catches / 13 TDs) and Dillard (87 catches / 20 TDs). Rice has opened with a 44-24 loss at UAB and 55-10 at Texas Tech. Here, the Owls draw OSU off its shocking loss to Houston with teh Cowboys only having Grambling and a bye on deck. Talk about being in the WRONG place at the WRONG time.! By the way, Rice is 0-15 SU vs Big 12 teams with seven consecutive ATS losses by an average score of 46-14. Rice WON'T come that close, here!
I've had the Auburn Tigers each of the last two Saturdays and will 'ride' the Tigers for a third straight weekend on Saturday night. Here's what I wrote before Auburn's opening game of 2009.
"Auburn is coming off a 5-7 season. However, this program went 42-9 the previous four seasons, including 25-5 here at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers have a new coach in Gene Chizik, who just completed a two-year stay at Iowa St, where the Cyclones went 5-19. Pay no attention that record. This guy was a terrific DC, who was at Auburn for the Tigers' 13-0 season in 2004. He then moved to Texas in 2005, the year the Longhorns won the national title by beating USC in that classic Rose Bowl. Chizik will be just fine at Auburn and he's brought in quality coordinators. Phil Roof is the DC, a former HC at Duke, who took over a Minnesota defense last year, cutting its PPG average to 24.8 in 2008, from 36.7 in 2007 (don't forget, Chizik knows a little something about defense, as well). The defense returns eight starters from last year and will be typically tough SEC unit. Auburn's new OC is Gus Malzahn and the team needs a new one after barely averaging over 300 YPG in 2008 (302) and just 17.3 PPG. What's Malzahn been doing the last two years? He's been at Tulsa where his offense averaged 268 YPG rushing and 302 YPG passing last year (47.2 PPG), after averaging 173 YPG rushing and 371 YPG passing in 2007 (41.1 PPG). Auburn's had sub-par QBs the last couple of years but look for Malzahn to get that turned around. Chris Todd has won the starting job and reports are he's healthy (off shoulder surgery) and set for a good year, Also expect the running game to be greatly improved with a healthy Ben Tate (had 903 YR two years ago and owns a 4.7 YPC average in his career) plus freshman Ontario McCalebb, who is the fastest player the team has had in a few years. Chizik needs a fast start at Auburn to erase the team's 5-7 season of 2008 (last seen losing 36-0 at Alabama) and to let everyone know his 5-19 mark at Ames has no relevance to his tenure here at Auburn."
The Tigers have beaten La Tech 37-13 and Miss St 49-24 to open 2009. They've outscored La Tech 24-3 in the second half and Miss St by 21-7. That 45-10 second-half domination is attributed to the Tigers beng able to wear their opponents down (weather this time of year in Alabama helps, even at night). QB Todd has completed 55.1 percent for 441 yards and most importantly, has not thrown a single INT. Backup QB Burns has been used in the "wildcat formation," adding four TDs runs (three LW) and a 13-yard TD pass. Tate has run for 274 yards (6.9 YPC) and freshman McCalebb for 262 (also 6.9 YPC). Under Malzahn and Chizik, the Tigers are averaging 43.0 PPG and 572.5 YPG. As for the Chizik/Roof defense, the Tigers are allowing 271.0 YPG and 18.5 PPG. So far, so good! West Va is also 2-0, having beaten Liberty 33-20 and East Carolina 35-20. The Mountaineers used last year's 24-3 loss at East Carolina as motivation and improved to 13-0 all time at home against the Pirates. QB Jarrett Brown threw for a career-high 334 yards and had four TD passes. While West Va had all the motivation last week vs East Carolina, "the shoe is on the other foot" regarding motivation in this game. Auburn jumped out to a 17-3 last year at Morgantown, only to see West Va score the final 31 points of the game, led by Pat White (now gone to the NFL) who had three TD passes and Noel Devine (207 yards rushing). Auburn was held to 33 yards in the second half and was held scoreless the final 40 minutes. As mentioned at the top, this is a VERY different Auburn team. Believe it not, this will be Brown's first-ever road start and let me also note that this will be the first time in 31 regular season games that the Mountaineers have been an underdog. West Va was a one-point underdog at Louisville in 2006, losing 44-34. The Mountaineers have played 30 regular season games since, laying point each time. West Va has a young OL (three sophs start), a QB making his first road start and let me note that while LW's win over East Carolina was a good one, the Mountaineers did commit 11 penalties plus turned the ball over four times. Auburn only has Ball St up next (4th straight home game to open '09) and a win here gets Chizik off to just the kind of start he needed, as SEC play begins Oct 3 at Tennessee. Las Vegas Insider on Auburn (8*).
The 23rd-ranked Bulldogs will visit Fayetteville Saturday night to take on the Razorbacks. Georgia opened the 2009 season with a disappointing road loss to Oklahoma State, 24-10. Georgia led 7-0 after the first quarter in Stillwater but scored just three points the rest of the way. The Bulldogs followed that road loss with a four-point home win last Saturday over South Carolina. In a game expected to be low scoring, the Bulldogs prevailed, 41-37. QB Joe Cox played well with a supposed bad shoulder (17-of-24 for 201 yards with two TDs and an INT) but the Georgia 'D' was quite disappointing. South Carolina had opened the CFB season on September 3 with a 7-3 win at NC State, gaining a paltry 256 total yards, as QB Garcia threw for just 148 yards (0 TDs and one INT). The Gamecocks gained 427 yards vs the Bulldogs and Garcia threw for 313. Good news may be coming Georgia's way this Saturday. Caleb King, Knowshon Moreno's top backup last season, has missed the first two games for the Bulldogs with a hamstring injury but may play on Saturday night. Richard Samuel has run for 152 yards in the first two games (4.3 YPC) but he's no Moreno and King would be a HUGE upgrade. Cox has looked OK at QB for Georgia but it's safe to say he's no Stafford, either. Richt's teams own an impressive 30-5 SU in true road games but the Bulldogs have opened the '09 season with a brutal three-game stretch. The Razorbacks are "lying in wait," having last played on September 5, routing Missouri St 48-10. Arkansas returned the season's opening kickoff for a TD against the Bears and wound up with a 591-205 edge in total yards. The Razorbacks set a school record with 447 yards passing in the victory which is saying something, as the school had never thrown for over 400 yards in a game in its history, Ryan Mallett, who sat out last season after transferring from Michigan, went 17 for 22 for 309 yards and a TD while backup Tyler Wilson also played and threw for 138 yards and two TDs. Coming off a 5-7 season, the Razorbacks are expecting a HUGE improvement in Bobby Petrino's second year. Mallett hadn't played in a game since November 2007 and Petrino let both him and Wilson throw the ball, choosing to rest RB Michael Smith (1,072 YR / 5.2 YPC / 8 TDs), who carried only four times for 43 yards. Last year was a tough one for the Hogs, as Petrino was the subject of a lot of controversy after leaving the Atlanta Falcons during the season to accept the Arkansas job two years ago (quit on the Falcons with three games still left in the season). However, this guy can coach (41-9 in four years / four bowl games / two, top-6 AP finishes) and almost everyone anticipates for things to turn around this fall. Petrino's Louisville teams always put up big passing numbers and expect that to be the case in 2009 with Mallet in charge. Don't forget about RB Smith though, as while he's no McFadden, he figures to be a solid 1,000-yard-plus rusher. Georgia's defense has not looked sound in the early going and while Arkansas is home and playing for just the second time in three weeks, the Bulldogs have been to Stillwater, back to Athens and now on to Fayetteville these last three Saturdays. Weekend Wipeout Winner on Arkansas. (7.5*).
The Pirates are suffering through their 17th consecutive losing season but a rare bright spot in yet another dismal year has been the pitching of Ross Ohlendorf. Ohlendorf is 11-10 with a 4.03 ERA on the season. However, his home and away breakdowns show he's 3-8 with a 5.56 ERA on the road (team is 3-10) but 8-2 with a 2.74 ERA at home (team is 11-4). The Pirates are a horrendous 19-55 on the road this year but a respectable 37-34 at home, so his record makes sense but Ohlendor's home and away dichotomy is even greater than his team's. He hasn't lost at home since May 29, going 5-0 with a 1.69 ERA in nine starts since June 14 (team is 7-2). Ohlendor has pitched 169.2 innings so far, well above his professional baseball high of 131.2 and there is talk of "shutting him down" for the year. In fact, this may be his final start of 2009. If so, Ohlendor should 'LOVE' the opponent. Charlie Morton allowed just one run over seven innings in Pittsburgh's 5-1 victory last night over the Padres and what else is new? It was the 29th time the Padres, who average a major league-worst 3.86 RPG and are batting a ML-low .243 as a team, had been held to one run or fewer. The Padres are 41-56 ve right-handers on the year, including a 1-9 mark in road day games (like this is!). Meanwhile, San Diego will counter Ohlendor and his outstanding home record with Clayton Richard, one of four pitchers the Padres acquired in the deal that sent Peavy to the Chicago White Sox on July 31. Richard has made nine starts for the Padres since the trade, going 4-2 (team is 6-3) but with a 5.40 ERA. FOUR of those nine starts have come on the road, where he's lasted more than four innings just ONCE! His totals are, 16 IP, 29 hits allowed and 19 ERs (10.69 ERA). The lefty will face a Pittsburgh team which may be 4-16 on the road vs lefties but is 12-7 at home vs left-handers. Daytime Dominator 9* Pit Pirates
My 7* Value Game of the Week is on Colorado at 3:30 ET. The Buffs' 'ugly' 0-2 start allows us a to take full advantage of a 'cheap' number against the "still learning" Wyoming Cowboys.
My 7* Payback Punisher is on Baylor at 5:00 ET. In LY's meeting, Baylor QB Griffin was making his first-ever road start (accounted for four TDs). That wasn't a bad debut and this year an experienced and very dynamic Griffin leads a Baylor team with some high expectations under highly respected HC Art Briles. The Bears won at Wake on Sep 5 and had last week off. Baylor returns 16 starters while U Conn makes a rare visit to Texas, coming off back-to-back unimpressive wins. The Huskies slipped by Ohio 23-16 two weeks ago and last week edged North Carolina 12-10, late. U Conn has a new QB and RB Donald Brown (over 2,000 YR last year) is with the Ind Colts. Baylor's covered NINE of its last 11 games and makes it 10 of 12 here.
Mike Riley is in his "second tour" at Corvallis, returning in 2003. He's led the Beavers to FIVE bowl appearances in those six seasons, winning all five times. Few people will forget last year's team which opened with a Pac 10 road loss at Stanford and then an embarrassing 45-14 loss to Penn State at Happy Valley. However, just two games later on a Thursday night, the Beavers DOMINATED then-No. 1 USC on both lines of scrimmage, winning 27-21 as 25-point dogs. The Beavers won EIGHT of nine games (three-point loss at Utah, 2009's lone unbeaten team in CFB '08) after that 0-2 start but then with a chance at a spot the Rose Bowl, lost 65-38 at home to Oregon. Ore St opened this year with a 34-7 win over Portland St and then last Saturday night in Las Vegas, almost blew a 20-7 third-quarter lead. UNLV backup QB Mike Clausen rallied the Rebels with two fourth-quarter TD passes, giving UNLV a 21-20 lead with 4:16 left. However, OSU answered with a 12-play, 87-yard drive that culminated in a game-winning 33-yard FG with seven seconds remaining. Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 166 yards and a TD on 26 carries, adding 65 receiving yards on 10 receptions. His brother, James, finished with 109 total yards and a receiving TD. Last year's starting QB Kyle Moevao (59.3% / 2,534 yards / 19-13 ratio) has been sidelined with a shoulder injury but Sean Canfield really came through for the Beavers at Las Vegas, completing 25-of-31 for 198 yards with two TDs and no INTs. He's completing 78.6% after two games with three TDs and no INTs. The OSU defense returns just three starters from last year's team but that was the case last year as well and that unit was more than adequate (312 YPG allowed and 23.1 PPG). This year's unit hasn't really been tested yet but I expect it will be as good, if not better, than last year's. Coming to Corvallis this Saturday is 17th-ranked Cincinnati. The Bearcats are the lone AP top-25 from the Big East and last year's team set a school record with 11 wins and played in its first-ever BCS bowl (20-7 Orange Bowl loss to Va Tech). Brian Kelly is a wonderful coach who spent 13 years at Div II Grand Valley State (118-35-2) and since coming to FBS, led CMU to two winning seasons in three years (two bowls and a MAC title) before going 21-6 these last two years at Cincinnati. QB Tony Pike is off to a terrific start (77.2% / 591 yards / 6-1 ratio) and with Ramsey (142 YR / 9.5 YPC) and Pead (92 YR) both contributing at RB, the Bearcats have averaged 197.5 YPG on the ground (5.2 YPC). WR Gilyard (14 catches / 14.3 YPC / 3 TDs) became the first FBS player to score on a punt return, catch a TD pass and rush for a TD in the same game since 2005 last week vs SE Mo St. Are the Bearcats as good as they've looked in winning 47-15 at Rutgers and 70-3 over SE Mo St (578 yards-to-176)? I say the jury is still out and let's not forget, the Bearcats return just ONE starter from LY's defensive side (20.1 PPG). Let's check in on some history. Going back to 2004, Cincinnati has played five non-conference BCS schools on the road, plus played Va Tech in last year's bowl game. The Bearcats are 0-6 SU in those games, getting outscored 207-83. Let me note that OSU has gone 28-12 the last three seasons (2006-08) overall, including 15-4 at home, with all four losses coming to Pac 10 rivals. Oregon State has won 26 consecutive non-conference games at home, dating back to 1996. These schools are meeting for just the second time. Oregon State came to the Queen City back in 2007 for a Thursday night game. Cincy won that game 34-3, as the Beavers turned the ball over SEVEN times. Think Riley remembers? The Beavers own a HUGE edge in hosting this game and I expect the Bearcats will not be prepared for the crowd noise at Reser Stadium (Cincy should check in with USC!), LEGEND play on Oregon State (10*).
My 9* Team Mismatch is on Oklahoma St at 7:00 ET. The Cowboys opened the 2009 season with a 24-10 win over then-No. 13 Georgia and rose to 5th in the AP poll, their highest ranking since 1985. However, the Cowboys lost 45-35 last Saturday at home to Houston, the Cougars' first win over a top-25 team since 1984. It was a CRUSHING loss but the talented Cowboys get Rice this week, playing its THIRD straight road game. The Owls went 10-3 last year but in 2009, QB Chase Clement (over 4,000 YP / 44 TDs 7 INTs) is gone, as are WRs Casey (111 catches / 13 TDs) and Dillard (87 catches / 20 TDs). Rice has opened with a 44-24 loss at UAB and 55-10 at Texas Tech. Here, the Owls draw OSU off its shocking loss to Houston with teh Cowboys only having Grambling and a bye on deck. Talk about being in the WRONG place at the WRONG time.! By the way, Rice is 0-15 SU vs Big 12 teams with seven consecutive ATS losses by an average score of 46-14. Rice WON'T come that close, here!
I've had the Auburn Tigers each of the last two Saturdays and will 'ride' the Tigers for a third straight weekend on Saturday night. Here's what I wrote before Auburn's opening game of 2009.
"Auburn is coming off a 5-7 season. However, this program went 42-9 the previous four seasons, including 25-5 here at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers have a new coach in Gene Chizik, who just completed a two-year stay at Iowa St, where the Cyclones went 5-19. Pay no attention that record. This guy was a terrific DC, who was at Auburn for the Tigers' 13-0 season in 2004. He then moved to Texas in 2005, the year the Longhorns won the national title by beating USC in that classic Rose Bowl. Chizik will be just fine at Auburn and he's brought in quality coordinators. Phil Roof is the DC, a former HC at Duke, who took over a Minnesota defense last year, cutting its PPG average to 24.8 in 2008, from 36.7 in 2007 (don't forget, Chizik knows a little something about defense, as well). The defense returns eight starters from last year and will be typically tough SEC unit. Auburn's new OC is Gus Malzahn and the team needs a new one after barely averaging over 300 YPG in 2008 (302) and just 17.3 PPG. What's Malzahn been doing the last two years? He's been at Tulsa where his offense averaged 268 YPG rushing and 302 YPG passing last year (47.2 PPG), after averaging 173 YPG rushing and 371 YPG passing in 2007 (41.1 PPG). Auburn's had sub-par QBs the last couple of years but look for Malzahn to get that turned around. Chris Todd has won the starting job and reports are he's healthy (off shoulder surgery) and set for a good year, Also expect the running game to be greatly improved with a healthy Ben Tate (had 903 YR two years ago and owns a 4.7 YPC average in his career) plus freshman Ontario McCalebb, who is the fastest player the team has had in a few years. Chizik needs a fast start at Auburn to erase the team's 5-7 season of 2008 (last seen losing 36-0 at Alabama) and to let everyone know his 5-19 mark at Ames has no relevance to his tenure here at Auburn."
The Tigers have beaten La Tech 37-13 and Miss St 49-24 to open 2009. They've outscored La Tech 24-3 in the second half and Miss St by 21-7. That 45-10 second-half domination is attributed to the Tigers beng able to wear their opponents down (weather this time of year in Alabama helps, even at night). QB Todd has completed 55.1 percent for 441 yards and most importantly, has not thrown a single INT. Backup QB Burns has been used in the "wildcat formation," adding four TDs runs (three LW) and a 13-yard TD pass. Tate has run for 274 yards (6.9 YPC) and freshman McCalebb for 262 (also 6.9 YPC). Under Malzahn and Chizik, the Tigers are averaging 43.0 PPG and 572.5 YPG. As for the Chizik/Roof defense, the Tigers are allowing 271.0 YPG and 18.5 PPG. So far, so good! West Va is also 2-0, having beaten Liberty 33-20 and East Carolina 35-20. The Mountaineers used last year's 24-3 loss at East Carolina as motivation and improved to 13-0 all time at home against the Pirates. QB Jarrett Brown threw for a career-high 334 yards and had four TD passes. While West Va had all the motivation last week vs East Carolina, "the shoe is on the other foot" regarding motivation in this game. Auburn jumped out to a 17-3 last year at Morgantown, only to see West Va score the final 31 points of the game, led by Pat White (now gone to the NFL) who had three TD passes and Noel Devine (207 yards rushing). Auburn was held to 33 yards in the second half and was held scoreless the final 40 minutes. As mentioned at the top, this is a VERY different Auburn team. Believe it not, this will be Brown's first-ever road start and let me also note that this will be the first time in 31 regular season games that the Mountaineers have been an underdog. West Va was a one-point underdog at Louisville in 2006, losing 44-34. The Mountaineers have played 30 regular season games since, laying point each time. West Va has a young OL (three sophs start), a QB making his first road start and let me note that while LW's win over East Carolina was a good one, the Mountaineers did commit 11 penalties plus turned the ball over four times. Auburn only has Ball St up next (4th straight home game to open '09) and a win here gets Chizik off to just the kind of start he needed, as SEC play begins Oct 3 at Tennessee. Las Vegas Insider on Auburn (8*).
The 23rd-ranked Bulldogs will visit Fayetteville Saturday night to take on the Razorbacks. Georgia opened the 2009 season with a disappointing road loss to Oklahoma State, 24-10. Georgia led 7-0 after the first quarter in Stillwater but scored just three points the rest of the way. The Bulldogs followed that road loss with a four-point home win last Saturday over South Carolina. In a game expected to be low scoring, the Bulldogs prevailed, 41-37. QB Joe Cox played well with a supposed bad shoulder (17-of-24 for 201 yards with two TDs and an INT) but the Georgia 'D' was quite disappointing. South Carolina had opened the CFB season on September 3 with a 7-3 win at NC State, gaining a paltry 256 total yards, as QB Garcia threw for just 148 yards (0 TDs and one INT). The Gamecocks gained 427 yards vs the Bulldogs and Garcia threw for 313. Good news may be coming Georgia's way this Saturday. Caleb King, Knowshon Moreno's top backup last season, has missed the first two games for the Bulldogs with a hamstring injury but may play on Saturday night. Richard Samuel has run for 152 yards in the first two games (4.3 YPC) but he's no Moreno and King would be a HUGE upgrade. Cox has looked OK at QB for Georgia but it's safe to say he's no Stafford, either. Richt's teams own an impressive 30-5 SU in true road games but the Bulldogs have opened the '09 season with a brutal three-game stretch. The Razorbacks are "lying in wait," having last played on September 5, routing Missouri St 48-10. Arkansas returned the season's opening kickoff for a TD against the Bears and wound up with a 591-205 edge in total yards. The Razorbacks set a school record with 447 yards passing in the victory which is saying something, as the school had never thrown for over 400 yards in a game in its history, Ryan Mallett, who sat out last season after transferring from Michigan, went 17 for 22 for 309 yards and a TD while backup Tyler Wilson also played and threw for 138 yards and two TDs. Coming off a 5-7 season, the Razorbacks are expecting a HUGE improvement in Bobby Petrino's second year. Mallett hadn't played in a game since November 2007 and Petrino let both him and Wilson throw the ball, choosing to rest RB Michael Smith (1,072 YR / 5.2 YPC / 8 TDs), who carried only four times for 43 yards. Last year was a tough one for the Hogs, as Petrino was the subject of a lot of controversy after leaving the Atlanta Falcons during the season to accept the Arkansas job two years ago (quit on the Falcons with three games still left in the season). However, this guy can coach (41-9 in four years / four bowl games / two, top-6 AP finishes) and almost everyone anticipates for things to turn around this fall. Petrino's Louisville teams always put up big passing numbers and expect that to be the case in 2009 with Mallet in charge. Don't forget about RB Smith though, as while he's no McFadden, he figures to be a solid 1,000-yard-plus rusher. Georgia's defense has not looked sound in the early going and while Arkansas is home and playing for just the second time in three weeks, the Bulldogs have been to Stillwater, back to Athens and now on to Fayetteville these last three Saturdays. Weekend Wipeout Winner on Arkansas. (7.5*).
Marc Lawrence
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
Play: Michigan State +10
The Spartans, our No. 1 College Underdog play this week, is 6-0 SU and ATS in their last six visits to South Bend. In addition, MSU is 5-0 ATS on the road as a favorite or dog of 14 or less points under head coach Mark Dantonio versus a .500 or greater opponent. With the Irish 0-4 SU and ATS in Game Three of season under Charlie Weis, and 0-6 ATS as double-digit home favorites with a win percentage of less than .900 against an opponent off loss, we'll grab the points with the Spartans. Play On: Michigan State
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
Play: Michigan State +10
The Spartans, our No. 1 College Underdog play this week, is 6-0 SU and ATS in their last six visits to South Bend. In addition, MSU is 5-0 ATS on the road as a favorite or dog of 14 or less points under head coach Mark Dantonio versus a .500 or greater opponent. With the Irish 0-4 SU and ATS in Game Three of season under Charlie Weis, and 0-6 ATS as double-digit home favorites with a win percentage of less than .900 against an opponent off loss, we'll grab the points with the Spartans. Play On: Michigan State
BOB BALFE
Eastern Michigan vs. Michigan
Play: Eastern Michigan +24
Michigan came away with a big win last week in come from behind fashion against Notre Dame. Michigan Freshman QB Tate Forcier burst onto the scene and played a great game getting the win as there was just seconds left on the clock. If they blew out Notre Dame I would say that this team is back on top, but they were seconds away from losing this game. Michigan is a very young team and they should not be over a three TD favorite to anybody. Rich Rodriguez is going to play a bunch of young guys in a tune up game before they get ready for Big Ten play. Eastern Michigan has a good veteran QB in Andy Schmitt and so many players that were overlooked in the recruiting at Michigan. This game will be close. Take Eastern Michigan.
Eastern Michigan vs. Michigan
Play: Eastern Michigan +24
Michigan came away with a big win last week in come from behind fashion against Notre Dame. Michigan Freshman QB Tate Forcier burst onto the scene and played a great game getting the win as there was just seconds left on the clock. If they blew out Notre Dame I would say that this team is back on top, but they were seconds away from losing this game. Michigan is a very young team and they should not be over a three TD favorite to anybody. Rich Rodriguez is going to play a bunch of young guys in a tune up game before they get ready for Big Ten play. Eastern Michigan has a good veteran QB in Andy Schmitt and so many players that were overlooked in the recruiting at Michigan. This game will be close. Take Eastern Michigan.
