LARRY NESS
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Cincinnati @ Rutgers
PICK: Rutgers -4.5
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Brian Kelly can coach. He spent 13 years at Div II Grand Valley St going 118-35-2 with two national titles (finished 2nd once). He then led Central Michigan to winning seasons in two of his three seasons at Mount Pleasant, including the MAC title in 2006. In his two years at Cincinnati, he's 21-6, the school's highest win total ever over a two year stretch. The Bearcats won a school-record 11 games in 2008, captured their first outright Big East Conference title with a 6-1 mark and made the school's first-ever appearance in a BCS bowl game (lost 20-7 to Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl). As for Rutgers, it has become a consistent winner under head coach Greg Schiano. Schiano has taken the Scarlet Knights to four straight bowl games, after the school had been to just one bowl in its history (a 34-18 loss to Arizona St in the 1978 Garden State Bowl). How far Rutgers has come was illustrated last year when the team lost FIVE of its first six games but ended the season with SEVEN straight wins, including a 29-23 win over NC State in the Papajohns.com Bowl. This is a showcase game for the Big East, last year's champ (Cincy), facing this year's preseason favorite. The Big East is still 'steaming' from the fact that it was the only BCS conference to NOT have a single school ranked in the preseason top-25 poll (AP or Coaches'). QB Tony Pike passed for 2,407 yards and 19 TDs a year ago, even though he entered the season as a backup. He's "the man" in 2009 and has a talented group of wideouts, highlighted by Mardy Gilyard (81 catches for 11 TDs). RBs John Goebel and Jacob Ramsey combined for 1,271 rushing yards last season but they will be pushed for playing time by explosive sophomore Isaiah Pead. Cincy's offense will be fine but the defense returns just ONE starter. Rutgers has a huge challenge on offense this year, having to replace QB Mike Teel and WR Kenny Britt. Fifth-year senior Domenic Natale will replace Teel but he has only eight career pass attempts to his credit. More bad news is that the WR corps returns only one player with any experience (Tim Brown / 27 catches). The good news is that a trio of RBs return in Kordell Young, Joe Martinek and Jourdan Brooks and they accounted for just under 1,500 yards with 15 TDs. Not only that but all FIVE starters return on the OL! Rutgers ranked 19th in scoring defense last season, allowing just 18.9 PPG and despite the loss of five starters, many believe this year's 'D" will be just as good. In this early-season matchup, I'm taking the home team and laying the points.
Jorge Gonzalez
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Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Play: Chicago Cubs
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A play here is more of a play against the Pirates than a play on the Cubs. The he Pirates have traded away five everyday starters since the beginning of the season and are one game away from being the only team in the four major sports to have a losing record in 17 straight seasons. The current mix of prospects and and low salaries have contributed to over 1500 loses since 1993. The Chicago Cubs still have a winning record on the season, but the lofty goals of making the playoffs and finally winning a world series for the Windy City will have to wait another year. The Cubs will send veteran Tom Lilly (10-8, 3.17) to face the Pirates' rookie Daniel McCuthen (0-0, 4.50 ERA). McCuthen will be making just his second start of his career. The Pirates beat the Cardinals yesterday 6-5 to break a nine-game losing streak. The Pirates have called up the youngsters while the Cubs still have a very talented line-up that will play hard under manager Lou Pinnela. Take the Cubs.
Jeff Alexander
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1 Unit on Texas Rangers -128
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After 2 straight losses to the lowly Orioles, including a 7-0 jaw buster Sunday, expect the wild card chasing Rangers to come storming back against an Indians club they have beaten in 5 of 6 meetings this season. Plus, the Rangers are 8-2 in their last 10 games as a favorite of -110 to -150, 9-4 in their last 13 games following a loss, and 5-1 in Hunter's last 6 starts as a favorite. Bet the Rangers.
Indian Cowboy
Take Over 9 between the LA Dodgers @ Arizona Diamondbacks
These two pitchers just met recently in LA. Padilla went five innings and gave up just four hits and one run for his new ballclub against the Dbacks. Scherzer went seven innings and gave up one run. Both of these pitchers help defeat the other team while in Los Angeles. But, I look for the hitters to have success this time around. The pitchers had the edge the first time but I suspect both offenses should have a beat on the opposing pitcher today. I have no idea as to who will win this game but I suspect there should be some offensive output considering that these pitchers just faced these hitters recently. The line itself indicates that it should be a competitive game as despite the public hammering LA to a tune of 65% or better, the line still has not budged much. The over is 8-1 for Scherzer following a quality start in his last appearance and the Over is 7-3 in the last ten meetings in Arizona between these two teams.
Mr. Vegas Wins
Cincinnati at Rutgers
Cincy is a strong team with a terrific coach in Brian Kelly and a senior QB in Tony Pike.They rolled to a 10-3 SU, 9-3 ATS 2007 season and topped that last season going 11-3 with a Big East championship.They are catching points tonight and note that Cincy is 4-2 SU, 5-1 ATS as a dog the last two seasons. Rebuilding Rutgers lost their 4-year starting QB. Play the Cincy Bearcats.
Handicapping Tip of the Day: The Miami Hurricanes have gone 18-29 ATS the last four seasons. Miami is 1-3 ATS the last four meetings with Florida State.