Bobby Maxwell
500-Unit NC State
North Carolina State has opened the 2010 season with back-to-back victories, including a 28-21 win at Central Florida on Saturday, winning outright as three-point underdogs. Cincinnati struggled in its opener when it had to take to the road and head West to Fresno. Look for the Bearcats to struggle in this one as well and fall to the Wolf Pack by at least a touchdown.
NC State had a 28-7 lead after three quarters against Central Florida on Saturday, but the Wolf Pack got every big play in the game, including a kick return for a score and an interception return. They managed just 239 total yards, but played stellar defensively, allowing just 95 yards in 34 tries, an average of 2.8 yards per carry.
This is a classic sandwich game for the Bearcats, who opened the season with four different games, including the opener at Fresno, tonight at N.C. State and then next week hosting Oklahoma. Cincinnati crushed Indiana State on Saturday, winning 40-7, but coming up short as 44-point favorites. They haven’t cashed a ticket since October 31 of last year, a streak of seven straight games without getting a cover.
N.C. State has Russell Wilson in his third year at the helm of the Wolf Pack offense, but he was very cold against Central Florida, completing just 10 of 30 for 105 yards.
Cincinnati’s Zach Collaros inherited the QB job with the graduation of Tony Pike. Collaros played several key games last year, but he’s been just average this season with 349 yards passing. In fact, this team didn’t score in the second half against Fresno State and they got off to a slow start against Indiana State, leading just 12-7 at halftime. This is an offense that was ranked in the Top-10 nationally in almost every offensive category, but now ranks 95th in the country in total offense.
N.C. State is allowing just 248 total yards a game through two games and if the Cincinnati offense doesn’t get better real quick, they could get dominated tonight. I’m going to play the home team in this one, lay the small chalk and go with the Wolf Pack. Play N.C. State.
KELSO
10 Units Minnesota Twins -110
5 Units Cleveland Indians -115
5 Units SD Padres +110
5 Unit Parlay Padres & Indians
ATS LOCK CLUB
4 Units Chicago White Sox +105
3 Units Cincinnati Bearcats +2
Trace Adams
1500* NC State
5 STAR SPORTS PICKS
North Carolina State -1.5
BEAT YOUR BOOKIE
10* Play Minnesota (-110) over Chicago White Sox (POD)
Minnesota is 10-1 over the last 11 games Minnesota is 12-3 in road games when the line posted is between -100 and -125Minnesota is 25-11 after having won 6 or 7 of the last 8 games
CHRIS JORDAN
400* NC State Wolfpack
Wunderdog
5 Units Minnesota Twins -110
5 Units Atlanta Dream/Seattle Storm Under 166
WAYNE ROOT
Millionaire - Cincinnati Bearcats +2
Billionaire - SF Giants
No Limit - Minnesota Twins
KELSO
25 Units NC State Wolfpack -2
Power Play Wins
Cincinnati +2
Bob Balfe
Minnesota Twins -112
The White Sox needed to win this series to have any hope at the postseason but they went out and got crushed in the first two games. It now looks like Chicago is dejected and packed it in for the season. The Twins have the better pitcher on the mound and the better bullpen. Minnesota is on a nice run and should win again tonight. Take the Twins.
Marc Lawrence
NC State -2
A pair of struggling conferences kick off Week Three play in NCAA action as both the Big East and the ACC have yet to claim any real quality non-conference wins this season. The Big East is just 3-5 SU versus non-league FBS opposition with wins coming over ‘highly touted’ Akron, FIU and Marshall. It hasn’t been any better for the ACC as their 4-6 non-league FBS mark includes victories over ‘powerhouses’ Kent State, North Texas, Navy and Central Florida. In fact, it’s probably NC State’s win over Central Florida that is the most impressive of all as the Wolfpack jumped out to a 21-0 lead before coming away with a 28-21 win as three-point road dogs. We targeted the Pack as a strong ‘Play On’ team in our 2010 Playbook Football Preview magazine and our assessment looks good early on. This week we note that NCSU Head coach Tom O’Brien is a solid 17-5-2 ATS off a SU dog win, including 10-1-1 ATS off BB SU wins and 21-7-1 ATS home off a SU and ATS win. With Cincy 0-6 SU all-time versus the ACC and new coaches just 22-36 ATS on the road in Game Three, we'll back the Pack here tonight. We recommend a 3-unit play on NC State.
MICHAEL CANNON
15 Dime North Carolina State
JOEL TYSON
30 Dime North Carolina State