September 16, 2006
Last Week: 5-8
Total Record: 13-13-1
Rough week, and made all the more rough by the fact that I came up. Unfortunately, I can only provide picks ahead of time. You must contact me for real time thoughts. This week, that would ahve worked out, as I made a lot of money on Notre Dame second half, Ohio State second half, and a Rice/Oregon parlay. Throw in big money on Pitt and then West Virginia last night, and there was a winning week that went under the radar. With that said, this week's picks!
*****A*****
Texas (-33) v. Rice: Texas is of course coming off of a major loss, and will be anxious to prove that they belong amongst the elite. They can run the ball effectively, and have a stingy defense that will be working with two weeks of game film to better understand the new spread offense that has been installed at Rice. Colt McCoy will be on a tighter leash as the Longhorns will run often, and both Sedrick Irvin and Jamaal Charles should top the century mark. Look for key second half turnovers to make this a laugher.
Predicted Score: Texas 51, Rice 3
Actual Score:
Texas Tech (-1.5) @ TCU: Amazingly, and I can attest to this as a Dallas denizen, this is the premier matchup in the Southwest this week. Texas Tech is anxious to show that they are for real, and TCU is looking for respect. However, as both Robert Merrill and Lonta Hobbs are, well, hobbled, TCU's running game has stalled. If Texas Tech can zero in on the underrated Jeff Ballard and control the TCU passing game, their own explosive attack should give them a sizeable advantage.
Predicted Score: Texas Tech 35, TCU 21
Actual Score:
Hawaii (-12) v UNLV: Traveling to Hawaii is always a problem, and it should be more so for a team with limited resources like UNLV. Quarterback Colt Brennan is the best passer you have never heard of. He should go for 400 and 4 scores and the Warriors roll.
Predicted Score: Hawaii 42, UNLV 17
Actual Score:
****B****
Boise St (-7.5) @ Wyoming: I am usually a victim of falling in love with a team based on their previous week's performance. This time, I believe I am warranted. Granted, Wyoming played tough in a hostile environment in Virginia, but that is a below average Cavalier team. Boise throttled a similar Oregon State team, and despite the fact it was accomplished on the Smurf Turf, I see no reason RB Ian Johnson won't see similar running lanes against the Cowboys. Wyoming will come out pumped early, but if they bring up their safeties to stop the run game, QB Jared Zabransky will make them pay.
Predicted Score: Boise St 35, Wyoming 24
Actual Score:
Miami (+4) @ Louisville: Hi, Im Louisville, and I am your trendy BCS pick. Forget it. Many will declare the Cardinals' running game fit after dropping 320 and 7 scores on Temple, but not so fast my friend. This is Miami we are talking about, and they are to defense what G Dubya is to malapropisms. They can't hold the Ville down completely, but they should be able to play enough defense to make this game a close one. Look for Kyle Wright to find more room to throw the ball and show off his improved passing skills. Upset city, baby.
Predicted Score: Miami 23, Louisville 20
Actual Score:
Nevada (-2) v. Colorado State: They had a tough time getting untracked last week, but the Pack should have no problems at home against an average Col St squad. This should be a fairly close game, but in even matchups, home field is worth three, making -2 a gift.
Predicted Score: Nevada 34, Col State 28
Actual Score:
***C***
Iowa St (+13) @ Iowa: Really an obvious pick, which makes it a potentially bad one. Will Drew Tate be back? Yes. But his top wideout, Charles Davis is out for the year. I love RB Albert Young, and the Iowa defense is always amongst the best. However, this is an Iowa State team with a good offense, a track record of hanging with the Hawkeyes, and too many points under its belt to ignore. They prob wont win this game, but there is little change they lose by two touchdowns.
Predicted Score: Iowa 31, Iowa State 21
Actual Score:
Florida (-3.5) @ Tennessee: Tennessee, you fickle creature. My current girlfriend doesn't have me this vexed, and I couldn't tell you her next move if she submitted it in writing. After crushing a very talented Cal squad, they laid the proverbial egg against Air Force. How I missed that obvious let down/look ahead game is beyond me. The bottom line is that Urban Meyer is a great offensive coach, and QB Chris Leak appears to get his offense. If they can continue to operate as efficiently as they have so far, they should out score Tennessee considerably, while a very good defense, lead by LB Brandon Siler helps QB Erik Ainge revert to his old ways. Pressure, pressure, and more pressure should help Florida swing momentum in their favor. And they will not be influenced by the Neyland Stadium faithful.
Predicted Score: Florida 28, Tennessee 21
Actual Score:
Auburn (-3.5) v. LSU: Looks even on paper, doesn't it? But Auburn does all the things it takes to beat LSU. This is as good, if not better, a team as the undefeated squad that was denied a shot at the national title. Kenny Irons went for 22o on the ground last year in this matchup, and this time, they are at home. Auburn's big receivers should make the tough catches to make Brandon Cox look good, while the Auburn defense, coming off of a shutout, should hold the limited LSU running game in check.
Predicted Score: Auburn 24, LSU 14
Actual Score:
**D**
Ohio St (-29) v Cincy:
Predicted Score:
Actual Score:
Michigan (+6) @ Notre Dame:
Predicted Score:
Actual Score:
Nebraska (+17.5) @ USC:
Predicted Score:
Actual Score:
Syracuse (+3) @ Illinois:
Predicted Score:
Actual Score:
Total Record: 13-13-1
Rough week, and made all the more rough by the fact that I came up. Unfortunately, I can only provide picks ahead of time. You must contact me for real time thoughts. This week, that would ahve worked out, as I made a lot of money on Notre Dame second half, Ohio State second half, and a Rice/Oregon parlay. Throw in big money on Pitt and then West Virginia last night, and there was a winning week that went under the radar. With that said, this week's picks!
*****A*****
Texas (-33) v. Rice: Texas is of course coming off of a major loss, and will be anxious to prove that they belong amongst the elite. They can run the ball effectively, and have a stingy defense that will be working with two weeks of game film to better understand the new spread offense that has been installed at Rice. Colt McCoy will be on a tighter leash as the Longhorns will run often, and both Sedrick Irvin and Jamaal Charles should top the century mark. Look for key second half turnovers to make this a laugher.
Predicted Score: Texas 51, Rice 3
Actual Score:
Texas Tech (-1.5) @ TCU: Amazingly, and I can attest to this as a Dallas denizen, this is the premier matchup in the Southwest this week. Texas Tech is anxious to show that they are for real, and TCU is looking for respect. However, as both Robert Merrill and Lonta Hobbs are, well, hobbled, TCU's running game has stalled. If Texas Tech can zero in on the underrated Jeff Ballard and control the TCU passing game, their own explosive attack should give them a sizeable advantage.
Predicted Score: Texas Tech 35, TCU 21
Actual Score:
Hawaii (-12) v UNLV: Traveling to Hawaii is always a problem, and it should be more so for a team with limited resources like UNLV. Quarterback Colt Brennan is the best passer you have never heard of. He should go for 400 and 4 scores and the Warriors roll.
Predicted Score: Hawaii 42, UNLV 17
Actual Score:
****B****
Boise St (-7.5) @ Wyoming: I am usually a victim of falling in love with a team based on their previous week's performance. This time, I believe I am warranted. Granted, Wyoming played tough in a hostile environment in Virginia, but that is a below average Cavalier team. Boise throttled a similar Oregon State team, and despite the fact it was accomplished on the Smurf Turf, I see no reason RB Ian Johnson won't see similar running lanes against the Cowboys. Wyoming will come out pumped early, but if they bring up their safeties to stop the run game, QB Jared Zabransky will make them pay.
Predicted Score: Boise St 35, Wyoming 24
Actual Score:
Miami (+4) @ Louisville: Hi, Im Louisville, and I am your trendy BCS pick. Forget it. Many will declare the Cardinals' running game fit after dropping 320 and 7 scores on Temple, but not so fast my friend. This is Miami we are talking about, and they are to defense what G Dubya is to malapropisms. They can't hold the Ville down completely, but they should be able to play enough defense to make this game a close one. Look for Kyle Wright to find more room to throw the ball and show off his improved passing skills. Upset city, baby.
Predicted Score: Miami 23, Louisville 20
Actual Score:
Nevada (-2) v. Colorado State: They had a tough time getting untracked last week, but the Pack should have no problems at home against an average Col St squad. This should be a fairly close game, but in even matchups, home field is worth three, making -2 a gift.
Predicted Score: Nevada 34, Col State 28
Actual Score:
***C***
Iowa St (+13) @ Iowa: Really an obvious pick, which makes it a potentially bad one. Will Drew Tate be back? Yes. But his top wideout, Charles Davis is out for the year. I love RB Albert Young, and the Iowa defense is always amongst the best. However, this is an Iowa State team with a good offense, a track record of hanging with the Hawkeyes, and too many points under its belt to ignore. They prob wont win this game, but there is little change they lose by two touchdowns.
Predicted Score: Iowa 31, Iowa State 21
Actual Score:
Florida (-3.5) @ Tennessee: Tennessee, you fickle creature. My current girlfriend doesn't have me this vexed, and I couldn't tell you her next move if she submitted it in writing. After crushing a very talented Cal squad, they laid the proverbial egg against Air Force. How I missed that obvious let down/look ahead game is beyond me. The bottom line is that Urban Meyer is a great offensive coach, and QB Chris Leak appears to get his offense. If they can continue to operate as efficiently as they have so far, they should out score Tennessee considerably, while a very good defense, lead by LB Brandon Siler helps QB Erik Ainge revert to his old ways. Pressure, pressure, and more pressure should help Florida swing momentum in their favor. And they will not be influenced by the Neyland Stadium faithful.
Predicted Score: Florida 28, Tennessee 21
Actual Score:
Auburn (-3.5) v. LSU: Looks even on paper, doesn't it? But Auburn does all the things it takes to beat LSU. This is as good, if not better, a team as the undefeated squad that was denied a shot at the national title. Kenny Irons went for 22o on the ground last year in this matchup, and this time, they are at home. Auburn's big receivers should make the tough catches to make Brandon Cox look good, while the Auburn defense, coming off of a shutout, should hold the limited LSU running game in check.
Predicted Score: Auburn 24, LSU 14
Actual Score:
**D**
Ohio St (-29) v Cincy:
Predicted Score:
Actual Score:
Michigan (+6) @ Notre Dame:
Predicted Score:
Actual Score:
Nebraska (+17.5) @ USC:
Predicted Score:
Actual Score:
Syracuse (+3) @ Illinois:
Predicted Score:
Actual Score:
posted by Consigliari at 4:13 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home