The Real Animal
Marshall/Kent Over 50.5
Had a Best Bet on Marshall 'OVER' two weeks ago versus Miami of Ohio. The Herd is 2-0 'OVER' and are capable of putting up 40-plus here. They threw for 350 yards (43 attempts) at NC State last week. But defensively in two games Marshall has allowed 639 passing yards and 915 yards overall. Kent can't throw but they can throw w/ 294 rushing yards versus Howard last week. Two years ago this matchup had a total of 47 with the final score 36-29. The Golden Flashes had 247 yards on the ground and even threw for 189 (13-of-34). This is an extremely low total by home standards in Huntington. The Herd is 6-0 OVER' in non-conference games the past two years getting outscored 38-34 on average. Marshall also 11-1 'OVER' at home coming off two or more consecutive 'OVERS'.
OC Dooley
SMU / TCU Under 64.5
As of this typing shortly after the noon hour in the east zone there has been NO inflation regarding this total which opened at 64-and-a-half points and has held solid. Considering that Southern Methodist put up 58 and 54 points in a pair of victories out of the gate the LACK of offshore movement has caught my attention. Regular clients are aware I personally unloaded on TCU last week when they won by a large margin on the road holding Arkansas to just 7 points on the scoreboard. Prior to their move to the wide open Big 12 Conference the Horned Frogs used to be one of the country's elite defenses under Gary Patterson and they come into today ranked #4 nationally in "scoring defense". Here is a "30-8" NON-CONFERENCE SYSTEM (79% the past decade with a posted total of 63 points or higher) which takes two solid running teams from Division I-A conferences that are winning the ground game by an average of 50+ yards versus opposing attacks UNDER the number
Bruce Marshall
Rice at Houston
Pick: Rice
Very underwhelmed with Houston in the game at Arizona, if Cat QBs had just a bit of accuracy then Arizona wins that game. Can't see Cougs blowing out anyone for a while, and Rice showed something in the UTEP romp. Stanford was just a horrific matchup and we know that Bailiff is a capable coach. Houston has pulled out of this game vs. crosstown foe in recent years and Rice was not too happy, Owls finally get another shot. Rice can play within 3 TDs.
SCOTT RICKENBACH
Edmonton vs. Toronto
Play: Edmonton -135
This is a reasonable price on the money line and I am willing to lay it here. The dominance of the West over the East is no secret in CFL and the numbers fully support a road win here. Edmonton is a perfect 5-0 against the East this season while Toronto is an ugly 0-5 against the West this year! Even though the Argonauts are off of a bye week they are just 2-4 (both SU and ATS) when off of a bye week in recent seasons. Also, Toronto is on a 5-16 ATS run in home games and 4-15 ATS run against teams with a winning record. The Eskimos are on a 19-5 SU run in their last 24 games against teams with a losing record. More of the same here as the Eskimos put an end to their recent losing streak.
Nelly
Marshall - over Kent State
After using three non-offensive scores to best Miami, OH in Week 1, Marshall momentarily looked like a threat for an even more impressive upset last week, leading 20-10 early at NC State. The Wolfpack scored twice just before halftime to shift the momentum and Marshall lost by 17 but the yardage numbers were quite even, offering promise for a comeback season for the Thundering Herd in Conference USA play. This week Marshall hosts a former conference foe Kent State with the flashes hanging on for a narrow win vs. FCS Howard last week, the team that upset UNLV in Week 1. Kent State was out-gained in that contest and the season statistics are ugly having been battered by Clemson in Week 1. The Flashes have just nine completions in two games and could be a threat to have a rushing edge in this matchup with Marshall quarterback Chase Litton already throwing 73 passes this season. Marshall may still be a bit underrated coming off last season’s 3-9 season and while the win over the Redhawks was lucky, last week’s performance was encouraging. Kent State has never won in this series and Marshall is on a steady 14-8-1 ATS run in the home favorite role.
MICHAEL ALEXANDER
Mississippi vs. California
Play: Mississippi -3.5
The number in his one opened at Mississippi minus 3½, and is still holds at minus 3½. Mississippi was impressive in last week's 45-23 win over Tenn-Martin. So the Rebels have a pair of 3 touchdown wins to start the season. QB Patterson has been outstanding so far, but their running game is horrible (78 yards per game against Southern Alabama and Tennessee Martin.....not your powerhouse schools), with all other skill personnel gone from last year's balanced attack. California has proven their toughness, with their opening win at North Carolina, good balance behind QB Bowers and running back Laird, the latter who ran for 191 yards (15.9 yards per rush) last week. Mississippi is on a 1-7 ATS run, while the underdog has covered 5 straight Mississippi games.
Doc's Sports
St. Louis at Chicago
Play: Under 9.5
The Chicago Cubs have really struggled to plate runs over the last couple of weeks. They are missing the spark plug at the top of the lineup that they had with Dexter Fowler last year, who is now on the St. Louis Cardinals - Saturday's opponent. This is going to be an intense series that will go a long way in determining the winner of the NL Central with the teams just a couple of games apart. Michael Wacha and Kyle Hendricks are slated to go on Saturday, and I love the way these two are throwing the ball right now. Expect a playoff-type atmosphere, which should make runs harder to come by.