Ness
How does Larry Ness show Memphis as a win?
It was +6 1/2 everywhere..not 7, nevermind 7 1/2
Did anyone get a 7 1/2 or more yesterday?
Larry Ness :
Date W/L Sport Pick Units
10/10/08 WIN NCAAF Memphis 600
10/09/08 WIN MLB Philadelphia Phillies 1000
10/06/08 Loss NFL New Orleans Saints -660
10/06/08 Loss MLB Chicago White Sox -960
How does Larry Ness show Memphis as a win?
It was +6 1/2 everywhere..not 7, nevermind 7 1/2
Did anyone get a 7 1/2 or more yesterday?
Larry Ness :
Date W/L Sport Pick Units
10/10/08 WIN NCAAF Memphis 600
10/09/08 WIN MLB Philadelphia Phillies 1000
10/06/08 Loss NFL New Orleans Saints -660
10/06/08 Loss MLB Chicago White Sox -960
Stu Feiner
100 DIME WINNER #1(SF1)
Notre Dame (+8') at North Carolina (46') - 3:30 p.m. EST
This is just too many points to cover for a North Carolina team playing its first game as a ranked team in seven years. No longer are they playing the role of the underdog and they will not be able to cover this large spread against an Irish team that’s beginning to show a lot of fight. Both these teams are off of misleading finals as ND dominated Stanford last week until giving up some garbage TDs. UNC was actually out-gained 378-273 and out-first downed 23-13 by UConn last Saturday, but benefited from three turnovers and three blocked kicks. Provide Notre Dame can protect the punter today in Chapel Hill, the Irish will be in this game all day and could sneak out of the Tar Hill State with the victory. Two years ago in South Bend, the Irish routed the Heels 45-26 and this ND team knows that with a win today, it will climb into the national rankings. ND’s offense is playing with confidence as QB Jimmy Clausen is able to go downfield. The Irish have 19 passing plays of 20 or more yards this year and Clausen has played solid football the last two weeks. He’ll need to protect the football, but I expect ND, which appears to have found a RB in Armando Allen, to be able to move the ball on the ground against UNC stop unit that is giving up more than 144 yards per game on the ground. On the other side of the ball, UNC has several weapons and the Irish will have to take note at all times where Brandon Tate is on the field. But their running game has been inconsistent and it must be noted that QB Cam Sexton is still the Heels’ second choice under center with starter TJ Yates out with injury. Sexton is averaging 10 of 17 passing for 179 yards with three TDs and one pick in two starts (he also tossed a pair of interceptions off the bench in the Heels’ loss to Va Tech last month). With Tate under center, I’d give UNC a chance to cover this high spread, but without, UNC will not get the kind of quarterback play they need to get the job done. Bottom line is these two teams are relatively evenly matched and ND is getting some rare line value in this spot. Grab the points and watch the Irish make a game of this until the final gun.
NOTRE DAME (+8') 100 Dimes
100 DIME Winner #2(SF2)
Bowling Green (-1) at Akron (53) - 6 p.m. EST
Bounce back special this evening for Bowling Green as the Falcons, who opened the year with an upset win at Pittsburgh, will improve to 3-1 SU on the road with this win at the Rubber Bowl. By the way, Akron comes into this game having dropped SU four of its last five at home. I’m just not that sold on this Akron team that has been weak along the defensive front all season long. The Zips are permitting 222 yards per game rushing (4.6 ypc) and I expect the Falcons to have much success both through the air and on the ground. Falcon QB Tyler Sheehan has completed 66 percent of his passes for more than 1200 yards and six scores this year and this is a Bowling Green attack that racked up 517 total yards in beating Akron by 24 points a year ago. Look for BG to blitz Akron QB Chris Jacquemain and force the Zip passer into mistakes. The key here though is Bowling Green, the preseason favorites to win the MAC East division, rising up and rebounding after last week’s shocking loss to Eastern Michigan. This is a game the Falcons can not afford to lose if they want to win the conference crown. They are a veteran bunch that returned 17 starters back from last year’s bowl team. As they did in the opener against the Panthers, this is a game in which Bowling Green plays up to its capacity and wins this game by a touchdown.
BOWLING GREEN (-1) 100 Dimes
100 DIME College Game of the Month(SF3)
LSU (+6) at Florida (46) - 8 p.m. EST
As it was two weeks ago when Alabama marched into Athens and whipped Georgia, I like the road dog getting nearly a TD in this prime time SEC matchup. This is my College Game of the Month and the Bayou Bengals from LSU will win this game outright. This is an LSU team that is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games. They’re off a bye and will have some extra wrinkles to throw at this underachieving Gators outfit. The dog has covered five of the last six meetings and the visitor is on a 12-4 spread run in this longtime rivalry. Three of the last four meetings have been decided by four points or less and all three were LSU wins. Tim Tebow is just not the same this year and his OL is a bit banged up and opponents have devised a plan just how to slow him down. Add to that the fact that RB Percy Harvin hasn’t been healthy and tweaked his ankle in last week’s win at Arkansas and it will be difficult for the Gators (who totaled just 314 yards in last year’s loss in Baton Rouge and have averaged just 270 ypg the last three meetings) to move the football on this very quick and aggressive LSU defense that welcomes back stud LB Darry Beckwith. The Tigers enter this game with the nation’s No. 8 rushing defense. LSU will shut down Harvin and make Tebow beat them with his arm. But he won’t have much time to throw as this Gator OL has been dominated of late, including two weeks ago in a home loss to Ole Miss. If Brandon James doesn’t give the Gators prime field position every time he touches the ball, this Gator offense will not be able to produce long 12-play, 85-yard marches against this LSU defense. Two weeks ago, Ole Miss put 35 points on the board against the Gators. Last week, a weak Arkansas team pushed the Gators around at times and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Look for the LSU OL to win the battle up front as the Tigers will control the clock with RB Charles Scott (averages 7.5 ypc and leads the SEC at 134 ypg) having a big night. Florida has an advantage at the QB spot, but the Tigers’ won’t put their passers Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch in too precarious of situations. Defense and running the football will be the order of the night. The Tigers have already won at Auburn and under Les Miles are 12-3 SU on the road. They’ve had an extra week to prepare for this one and there’s no way Florida can cover this many points. They won’t and in fact, LSU, behind a dominating defensive performance and solid game from the OL and running game, will win this one outright.
LSU (+6) 100 Dimes
100 DIME Winner #4(SF4)
Boise State (-10') at Southern Miss (56') - 8 p.m. EST
Lots of points expected tonight in Deep South Mississippi as the scoreboard will light up in this non-conference battle that will sail over. The Broncos can score as we saw last game in which they put 38 on the board against La Tech, a game after they tallied 37 at Oregon. They’ll score their share tonight against a porous Southern Miss team that is allowing 29.2 points and 406 yards per game. Look fro Boise QB Kellen Moore (72% passing) to continue to distribute the ball over the field to a plethora of receivers, backs and tight ends. In the last two games alone, Moore has passed for 711 yards and five scores. But Southern Miss and QB Austin Davis (over 200 yards passing each game) can move the football, too, as they racked up 541 yards last time out against UTEP. They lead C-USA in rushing (198 ypg), fourth in total offense (451 ypg) and seventh in passing (253 ypg). In their last three games, they have scored 37, 27 and 24 points. This is a long travel game for the Broncos and in such similar situations in the past (most notably when they play at La Tech) they have gotten in shootouts. Last year in Boise, the Golden Eagles racked up 506 yards of total offense. Tonight on a nice evening for football, look for Southern Miss to post a big number as this one will turn into a shootout as well. Plenty of points in this game as this game sails over the total with no problem.
OVER (56') 100 Dimes
Tony Smith's VIP Release #1
Texas (56) at Oklahoma (-6') - NOON, EST
OKLAHOMA (-6') VIP SELECTION
Tony Smith's VIP Release #2
LSU (46) at Florida (-6) - 8:00 p.m. EST
FLORIDA (-6) VIP SELECTION
Tony Smith's VIP Release #3
Penn State (47) at Wisconsin (+6) - 8:00 p.m. EST
WISCONSIN (+6) VIP SELECTION
King's 50 DIME Big 12 Game of the Week (BK1)
Texas (56) at Oklahoma (-6') - 12:00 p.m. EST
Oklahoma is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 outings in Big 12 Revenge when laying less than ten points. Bob Stoops is 3-0 SU and ATS versus Texas coach Mack Brown when their two teams meet undefeated.
While I don't think Oklahoma will blow out Texas I do believe a solid double digit win will make the statement to the pollsters that Stoops wants his team to deliver. Texas has covered the last three in this series but this is a much better and more mature Oklahoma team than previous installments. Just look at QB Sam Bradford who has 18 TD's against just 3 picks and is completing 73% of his passes.
I realize Colt McCoy has similar numbers but he has no support in the backfield and has yet to face a defense as tough as the one he will be facing today. Oklahoma has the edge in rushing the passer and in the secondary and with Colt McCoy the leading Texas rusher this means trouble for this one dimensional Texas offense. Oklahoma has the better overall team and are at home in this Red River Rivalry Game. The Sooners were convincing last week in their disposition of Baylor last week.
Stoops has this team focused and ready and they will get the job done today to solidify their hold on the number one ranking.
Take Oklahoma minus the points today. Oklahoma -6.5 is the play.
OKLAHOMA (-6') 50 Dimes
King's 100 DIME College Football Game of the Month (BK3)
Air Force (-10') at San Diego State (48) - 9:30 p.m. EST
For every surprise victory by San Diego State there are four nightmares like when they let Air Force run for 569 yards in last years blowout win by the Falcons.
San Diego State has the 118th rushing team in the nation and the likelihood that they will be without Red Shirt Freshman QB Lindley or that he will not be at 100% means a long day for the one dimensional San Diego State offense.
Since the arrival of new head coach Calhoun Air Force is 12-2 ATS when playing opponents besides Navy. As a matter of fact Air Force is 5-1 ATS the game after Navy and bounce back well from that match up.
Five of the last seven of these games have gone the way of the upset. I will side with the bounce back factor with Air Force here. San Diego State is catching Air Force off a tough loss to a big time rival. With an air show in San Diego today you better believe this Falcons team will want to put on a show against the Aztecs.
San Diego State has taken on some average rushing teams and had trouble allowing 245 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry. Air Force averages 325 and 4.9. No way a San Diego State team that cannot stop the run and has a one dimensional offense slows down a focused Air Force team looking to bounce back from last weeks let down.
Lay the number with the Falcons tonight for our 100 DIME Game of the Month.
AIR FORCE (-10') 100 Dimes
Howie's Godfather Pick #1
Vanderbilt (39) at Mississippi State (+2') - 2:30 p.m. EST
Howie Feiner's CFB Godfather Pick for Saturday
Mississippi State (+2') 70 Dimes
Howie's Godfather Pick #2
Boston Red Sox (Beckett) at Tampa Bay Rays (Kazmir) - 7:30 p.m. EST
Howie Feiner's MLB Godfather Pick for Saturday
Boston Red Sox (Beckett) (Line Currently Not Posted) 30 Dimes<!-- / message -->
100 DIME WINNER #1(SF1)
Notre Dame (+8') at North Carolina (46') - 3:30 p.m. EST
This is just too many points to cover for a North Carolina team playing its first game as a ranked team in seven years. No longer are they playing the role of the underdog and they will not be able to cover this large spread against an Irish team that’s beginning to show a lot of fight. Both these teams are off of misleading finals as ND dominated Stanford last week until giving up some garbage TDs. UNC was actually out-gained 378-273 and out-first downed 23-13 by UConn last Saturday, but benefited from three turnovers and three blocked kicks. Provide Notre Dame can protect the punter today in Chapel Hill, the Irish will be in this game all day and could sneak out of the Tar Hill State with the victory. Two years ago in South Bend, the Irish routed the Heels 45-26 and this ND team knows that with a win today, it will climb into the national rankings. ND’s offense is playing with confidence as QB Jimmy Clausen is able to go downfield. The Irish have 19 passing plays of 20 or more yards this year and Clausen has played solid football the last two weeks. He’ll need to protect the football, but I expect ND, which appears to have found a RB in Armando Allen, to be able to move the ball on the ground against UNC stop unit that is giving up more than 144 yards per game on the ground. On the other side of the ball, UNC has several weapons and the Irish will have to take note at all times where Brandon Tate is on the field. But their running game has been inconsistent and it must be noted that QB Cam Sexton is still the Heels’ second choice under center with starter TJ Yates out with injury. Sexton is averaging 10 of 17 passing for 179 yards with three TDs and one pick in two starts (he also tossed a pair of interceptions off the bench in the Heels’ loss to Va Tech last month). With Tate under center, I’d give UNC a chance to cover this high spread, but without, UNC will not get the kind of quarterback play they need to get the job done. Bottom line is these two teams are relatively evenly matched and ND is getting some rare line value in this spot. Grab the points and watch the Irish make a game of this until the final gun.
NOTRE DAME (+8') 100 Dimes
100 DIME Winner #2(SF2)
Bowling Green (-1) at Akron (53) - 6 p.m. EST
Bounce back special this evening for Bowling Green as the Falcons, who opened the year with an upset win at Pittsburgh, will improve to 3-1 SU on the road with this win at the Rubber Bowl. By the way, Akron comes into this game having dropped SU four of its last five at home. I’m just not that sold on this Akron team that has been weak along the defensive front all season long. The Zips are permitting 222 yards per game rushing (4.6 ypc) and I expect the Falcons to have much success both through the air and on the ground. Falcon QB Tyler Sheehan has completed 66 percent of his passes for more than 1200 yards and six scores this year and this is a Bowling Green attack that racked up 517 total yards in beating Akron by 24 points a year ago. Look for BG to blitz Akron QB Chris Jacquemain and force the Zip passer into mistakes. The key here though is Bowling Green, the preseason favorites to win the MAC East division, rising up and rebounding after last week’s shocking loss to Eastern Michigan. This is a game the Falcons can not afford to lose if they want to win the conference crown. They are a veteran bunch that returned 17 starters back from last year’s bowl team. As they did in the opener against the Panthers, this is a game in which Bowling Green plays up to its capacity and wins this game by a touchdown.
BOWLING GREEN (-1) 100 Dimes
100 DIME College Game of the Month(SF3)
LSU (+6) at Florida (46) - 8 p.m. EST
As it was two weeks ago when Alabama marched into Athens and whipped Georgia, I like the road dog getting nearly a TD in this prime time SEC matchup. This is my College Game of the Month and the Bayou Bengals from LSU will win this game outright. This is an LSU team that is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games. They’re off a bye and will have some extra wrinkles to throw at this underachieving Gators outfit. The dog has covered five of the last six meetings and the visitor is on a 12-4 spread run in this longtime rivalry. Three of the last four meetings have been decided by four points or less and all three were LSU wins. Tim Tebow is just not the same this year and his OL is a bit banged up and opponents have devised a plan just how to slow him down. Add to that the fact that RB Percy Harvin hasn’t been healthy and tweaked his ankle in last week’s win at Arkansas and it will be difficult for the Gators (who totaled just 314 yards in last year’s loss in Baton Rouge and have averaged just 270 ypg the last three meetings) to move the football on this very quick and aggressive LSU defense that welcomes back stud LB Darry Beckwith. The Tigers enter this game with the nation’s No. 8 rushing defense. LSU will shut down Harvin and make Tebow beat them with his arm. But he won’t have much time to throw as this Gator OL has been dominated of late, including two weeks ago in a home loss to Ole Miss. If Brandon James doesn’t give the Gators prime field position every time he touches the ball, this Gator offense will not be able to produce long 12-play, 85-yard marches against this LSU defense. Two weeks ago, Ole Miss put 35 points on the board against the Gators. Last week, a weak Arkansas team pushed the Gators around at times and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Look for the LSU OL to win the battle up front as the Tigers will control the clock with RB Charles Scott (averages 7.5 ypc and leads the SEC at 134 ypg) having a big night. Florida has an advantage at the QB spot, but the Tigers’ won’t put their passers Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch in too precarious of situations. Defense and running the football will be the order of the night. The Tigers have already won at Auburn and under Les Miles are 12-3 SU on the road. They’ve had an extra week to prepare for this one and there’s no way Florida can cover this many points. They won’t and in fact, LSU, behind a dominating defensive performance and solid game from the OL and running game, will win this one outright.
LSU (+6) 100 Dimes
100 DIME Winner #4(SF4)
Boise State (-10') at Southern Miss (56') - 8 p.m. EST
Lots of points expected tonight in Deep South Mississippi as the scoreboard will light up in this non-conference battle that will sail over. The Broncos can score as we saw last game in which they put 38 on the board against La Tech, a game after they tallied 37 at Oregon. They’ll score their share tonight against a porous Southern Miss team that is allowing 29.2 points and 406 yards per game. Look fro Boise QB Kellen Moore (72% passing) to continue to distribute the ball over the field to a plethora of receivers, backs and tight ends. In the last two games alone, Moore has passed for 711 yards and five scores. But Southern Miss and QB Austin Davis (over 200 yards passing each game) can move the football, too, as they racked up 541 yards last time out against UTEP. They lead C-USA in rushing (198 ypg), fourth in total offense (451 ypg) and seventh in passing (253 ypg). In their last three games, they have scored 37, 27 and 24 points. This is a long travel game for the Broncos and in such similar situations in the past (most notably when they play at La Tech) they have gotten in shootouts. Last year in Boise, the Golden Eagles racked up 506 yards of total offense. Tonight on a nice evening for football, look for Southern Miss to post a big number as this one will turn into a shootout as well. Plenty of points in this game as this game sails over the total with no problem.
OVER (56') 100 Dimes
Tony Smith's VIP Release #1
Texas (56) at Oklahoma (-6') - NOON, EST
OKLAHOMA (-6') VIP SELECTION
Tony Smith's VIP Release #2
LSU (46) at Florida (-6) - 8:00 p.m. EST
FLORIDA (-6) VIP SELECTION
Tony Smith's VIP Release #3
Penn State (47) at Wisconsin (+6) - 8:00 p.m. EST
WISCONSIN (+6) VIP SELECTION
King's 50 DIME Big 12 Game of the Week (BK1)
Texas (56) at Oklahoma (-6') - 12:00 p.m. EST
Oklahoma is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 outings in Big 12 Revenge when laying less than ten points. Bob Stoops is 3-0 SU and ATS versus Texas coach Mack Brown when their two teams meet undefeated.
While I don't think Oklahoma will blow out Texas I do believe a solid double digit win will make the statement to the pollsters that Stoops wants his team to deliver. Texas has covered the last three in this series but this is a much better and more mature Oklahoma team than previous installments. Just look at QB Sam Bradford who has 18 TD's against just 3 picks and is completing 73% of his passes.
I realize Colt McCoy has similar numbers but he has no support in the backfield and has yet to face a defense as tough as the one he will be facing today. Oklahoma has the edge in rushing the passer and in the secondary and with Colt McCoy the leading Texas rusher this means trouble for this one dimensional Texas offense. Oklahoma has the better overall team and are at home in this Red River Rivalry Game. The Sooners were convincing last week in their disposition of Baylor last week.
Stoops has this team focused and ready and they will get the job done today to solidify their hold on the number one ranking.
Take Oklahoma minus the points today. Oklahoma -6.5 is the play.
OKLAHOMA (-6') 50 Dimes
King's 100 DIME College Football Game of the Month (BK3)
Air Force (-10') at San Diego State (48) - 9:30 p.m. EST
For every surprise victory by San Diego State there are four nightmares like when they let Air Force run for 569 yards in last years blowout win by the Falcons.
San Diego State has the 118th rushing team in the nation and the likelihood that they will be without Red Shirt Freshman QB Lindley or that he will not be at 100% means a long day for the one dimensional San Diego State offense.
Since the arrival of new head coach Calhoun Air Force is 12-2 ATS when playing opponents besides Navy. As a matter of fact Air Force is 5-1 ATS the game after Navy and bounce back well from that match up.
Five of the last seven of these games have gone the way of the upset. I will side with the bounce back factor with Air Force here. San Diego State is catching Air Force off a tough loss to a big time rival. With an air show in San Diego today you better believe this Falcons team will want to put on a show against the Aztecs.
San Diego State has taken on some average rushing teams and had trouble allowing 245 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry. Air Force averages 325 and 4.9. No way a San Diego State team that cannot stop the run and has a one dimensional offense slows down a focused Air Force team looking to bounce back from last weeks let down.
Lay the number with the Falcons tonight for our 100 DIME Game of the Month.
AIR FORCE (-10') 100 Dimes
Howie's Godfather Pick #1
Vanderbilt (39) at Mississippi State (+2') - 2:30 p.m. EST
Howie Feiner's CFB Godfather Pick for Saturday
Mississippi State (+2') 70 Dimes
Howie's Godfather Pick #2
Boston Red Sox (Beckett) at Tampa Bay Rays (Kazmir) - 7:30 p.m. EST
Howie Feiner's MLB Godfather Pick for Saturday
Boston Red Sox (Beckett) (Line Currently Not Posted) 30 Dimes<!-- / message -->
POWER RATINGS
1. Michigan* -16 over Toledo (Saturday)
Michigan will welcome a weak Toledo defense to Ann Arbor. For an offense that is still finding its way, this game represents an opportunity to roll down the field and gain some confidence. Against tough defenses, the Wolverines have predictably struggled, but they should find plenty of success in this game and Coach Rodriguez is likely to want his team to roll it up in preparation for future challenges.
2. Oklahoma** -6½ over Texas (Saturday)
We are happy to get in on this one at -6½. Giving 7 is far less desireable. Both teams have played their way into the top 5 and sport talented units on both sides of the ball. It is our hunch that the talent at OU is superior. QB Bradford is very steady under center and has a current passer rating of 204.97. Yep, that's off the charts. It is safe to say that the Texas defense has seen nothing like this. No one has seen anything like this. If OU gets their passing game in gear, the Longhorns will be toast.
3. Mississippi State* +2½ over Vanderbilt (Saturday)
Programs that are looking to move way up in stature often slip when things are looking just great. Vandy managed a 14-13 win last week over Auburn to move to 5-0 for the first time since FDR was in office. Mississippi State is only 1-4 and looks like a pushover on paper. Not so fast, my friend. MSU played well against LSU and looks to be capable of the upset win here. Vandy relies primarily on their ground game and MSU may yield some significant yardage to the 'Dores. The Bulldog offense is not prone to making many mistakes and may be able to produce enough to win outright in a game clearly out of the spotlight.
4. Utah State +14 over San Jose State* (Saturday Night)
Utah State fell behind BYU last week 24-0 almost immediately. Most teams would have packed it in at that point. The Aggies did not do that. Instead, they fought hard to the final gun, putting up 14 late points and threatening to put up more. The Spartans do not possess an overpowering offense and have relied on their defense to win games. In such a game as this, we expect Utah State to play hard again and make a game of it. These guys actually gained some confidence against BYU.
5. Oklahoma State +14 over Missouri* (Saturday Night)
Missouri looked unbeatable last week at Nebraska. We expected the Huskers to concentrate on running the ball in order to keep the Tiger offense on the sideline. Instead, Nebraska threw the ball all over the place in a strategy that guaranteed a huge loss. Oklahoma State runs the ball and they do it with authority. The Cowboys have the talent to eat some clock and move the ball on Mizzou. We expect a competitive game.
6. Penn State -5½ over Wisconsin* (Saturday Night)
Penn State rolls into Madison with an impressive 6-0 record. The Nittany Lion offense has been able to move the ball both through the air and on the ground. That is important here as Wisconsin has struggled against the run. If Penn State can get their running game in gear, Wisconsin will be hard pressed to stay close with an offense that is only average.
7. Air Force -10½ over San Diego State* (Saturday Night)
San Diego State ranks 117th nationally against the run. Now the Aztecs will be facing a talented offense that only passes the ball for comic relief. Air Force lost a tough one last week to Navy, largely because of two punt blocks returned for TDs. The Falcons just figure here, as the Aztec offense is in disarray and their defense looks hopeless against the run.
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1. Michigan* -16 over Toledo (Saturday)
Michigan will welcome a weak Toledo defense to Ann Arbor. For an offense that is still finding its way, this game represents an opportunity to roll down the field and gain some confidence. Against tough defenses, the Wolverines have predictably struggled, but they should find plenty of success in this game and Coach Rodriguez is likely to want his team to roll it up in preparation for future challenges.
2. Oklahoma** -6½ over Texas (Saturday)
We are happy to get in on this one at -6½. Giving 7 is far less desireable. Both teams have played their way into the top 5 and sport talented units on both sides of the ball. It is our hunch that the talent at OU is superior. QB Bradford is very steady under center and has a current passer rating of 204.97. Yep, that's off the charts. It is safe to say that the Texas defense has seen nothing like this. No one has seen anything like this. If OU gets their passing game in gear, the Longhorns will be toast.
3. Mississippi State* +2½ over Vanderbilt (Saturday)
Programs that are looking to move way up in stature often slip when things are looking just great. Vandy managed a 14-13 win last week over Auburn to move to 5-0 for the first time since FDR was in office. Mississippi State is only 1-4 and looks like a pushover on paper. Not so fast, my friend. MSU played well against LSU and looks to be capable of the upset win here. Vandy relies primarily on their ground game and MSU may yield some significant yardage to the 'Dores. The Bulldog offense is not prone to making many mistakes and may be able to produce enough to win outright in a game clearly out of the spotlight.
4. Utah State +14 over San Jose State* (Saturday Night)
Utah State fell behind BYU last week 24-0 almost immediately. Most teams would have packed it in at that point. The Aggies did not do that. Instead, they fought hard to the final gun, putting up 14 late points and threatening to put up more. The Spartans do not possess an overpowering offense and have relied on their defense to win games. In such a game as this, we expect Utah State to play hard again and make a game of it. These guys actually gained some confidence against BYU.
5. Oklahoma State +14 over Missouri* (Saturday Night)
Missouri looked unbeatable last week at Nebraska. We expected the Huskers to concentrate on running the ball in order to keep the Tiger offense on the sideline. Instead, Nebraska threw the ball all over the place in a strategy that guaranteed a huge loss. Oklahoma State runs the ball and they do it with authority. The Cowboys have the talent to eat some clock and move the ball on Mizzou. We expect a competitive game.
6. Penn State -5½ over Wisconsin* (Saturday Night)
Penn State rolls into Madison with an impressive 6-0 record. The Nittany Lion offense has been able to move the ball both through the air and on the ground. That is important here as Wisconsin has struggled against the run. If Penn State can get their running game in gear, Wisconsin will be hard pressed to stay close with an offense that is only average.
7. Air Force -10½ over San Diego State* (Saturday Night)
San Diego State ranks 117th nationally against the run. Now the Aztecs will be facing a talented offense that only passes the ball for comic relief. Air Force lost a tough one last week to Navy, largely because of two punt blocks returned for TDs. The Falcons just figure here, as the Aztec offense is in disarray and their defense looks hopeless against the run.
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