Northcoast Totals
4* N Mex St Over
3* C Mich Under
3* TCU Under
3* Arkansas Over
Jeff Benton
75 Dime Utah Utes
Litmus test for Kyle Whittingham's Utes, as they make their debut in the new Pac-12 South Division. Utah won their season-opener, defeating FCS Montana State by a 27-10 count. Don't read too much into the fact the Utes only scored 27 points, as new offensive coordinator Norm Chow was told to keep things vanilla in that game. With a couple of extra days to prepare for their Pac-12 opener, you can expect the former USC-UCLA offensive guru to "open things up" with his pro-style offense this evening.
Utah has been a quality underdoog investment versus the former Pac-10 going 18-7-1 when dressed as the pooch their last 26 games versus the Pacific Ten. The Utes have also finished higher-ranked than the Trojans the past two seasons in the final polls, so this is definitely an inflated number in my mind.
Southern Cal failed the spread yet again last week when they allowed a rebuilding Minnesota program to come within a 19-17 final of springing the upset as the double-digit underdog. That spread loss at the Coliseum dropped the Men of Troy to just 3-9 to the number their last dozen home games when listed as the favorite.
Jordan Wynn is now 12-4 as a starter for the Salt Lake City team, and while the Utes did fail in both tries as the underdog last season, they are 22-8 overall in that underdog role since the 2000 season, while S.C. is on a 7-17 in the favored role since the '09 campaign.
All signs point towards this one being a defensive-minded close game from wire-to-wire, so grab the very generous and valuable points with the Utes in La-La-Land this Saturday night, as the Trojans continue to be a money-burner.
Dom Chambers
60 Dime Michigan
20 Dime UNLV / Washington St Over
Notre Dame at Michigan
It’s a nighttime affair at the Big House and it’s none other than Notre Dame trying to spoil the party.
Both clubs are trying to regain the respect the used to have. Which one is closer? Give the nod to the Maize and Blue.
It is hard to handicap the opener for both clubs. They both played in downpours.
Michigan’s defense, which is new coach Brady Hoke’s specialty, came to play and made the plays to stop Western Michigan. Michigan also may have the best offenseve player in the game with quarterback Denard Robinson, who lit up Notre Dame last season.
Notre Dame is making a switch at quarterback, benching Dayne Crist. Coach Brian Kelly is going with Tommy Rees at quaorterback. Kelly said it gives the Irish the best chance to win now. I gotta believe such a late switch has to cause some disruption on offense.
Michigan is tough at home and getting points is a bonus.
UNLV at Washington State
Here are two teams that do not play much defense. The Rebels actually moved the ball in a 51-17 loss to Wisconsin. They had almost 300 yards offense, but gave up nearly 500 yards offense to Washington State.
The Cougars scored 64 points and gained 590 yards against Idaho State. But, they gave up 453 yards.
I see both teams trying to throw and having success. Neither defense is anythong to scare an offense. The total is a modest number for a college football game and both squads should get into the high 20s if not the 30s to cover this number. Washington State, even with its backup quarterback, could post similar numbers than it did last week.
The Rebels do not have much a running game, so to keep pace; they will have to air it out against Washington State.
KELSO
50 Units Virginia -7
Northcoast
Totals GOM
Minnesota Over 50.5
Dr. Bob
Washington State (-13.5) 3-Stars at -14 or less, 2-Stars up to -17 points.
Auburn (+6.5) 2-Stars at +6 or more.
Opinions
Oregon State (+20 1/2) Strong Opinion at +20 or more.
Kansas (+5.5) Strong Opinion at +4 or more.
Northern Illinois / Kansas Over (60.5) Strong Opinion Over 63 or less.
Cincinnati (+5) Strong Opinion at +4 or more, 2-Star Best Bet at +6 or more.
Vanderbilt (-1.5) Strong Opinion at -3 or less.
Central Florida (-7) Strong Opinion at -7 or less.
Michigan (+3.5) Strong Opinion at +3 or more, 2-Star Best Bet at +4 1/2 or more.
Leans
TCU
Arkansas
Michigan St
Rice
Kent St
San Jose St
Pure Lock
Alabama
Rocketman
Ball St
NORTHCOAST
Late Phones
4* Texas -7
4* S Miss - 7.5
3* Oregon -26.5
3* Auburn +5.5
3* Iowa -6.5
Lenny Stevens
20* TCU
20* Notre Dame
10* Stanford
10* Utah
Big Money
Alabama
ASA
5* Texas
4* W Forrest
3* Rice
3* S Miss
3* Georgia Under
Inside Info
3* Washington
2* Navy
Carolina Sports
5* Wash St,
4* USC
3* Cincinnati
3* S Miss
3* W Kentucky
Blazer
4* Cincinnati
4* Fresno St
4* Mid Tenn St
3* Oregon St
3* Utah
3* Florida Atlantic
3* N Texas