JR TIPS
USC vs. OHIO ST.
The third ranked USC Trojans will take on the No. 8 Ohio Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium before a crowd of more than 106,000 with revenge on their mind tonight. The Trojans have beaten the Buckeyes six times in a row but tonight they will have to take on Ohio State with true Freshman quarterback and several starters who have never played in a big game that this in front of this type of crowd. The Trojans strength is their offense with their talented offensive line and an array of quality running backs led by Joe Mc Night and receivers. USC's 19-year old quarterback Matt Barkley admitted he was a little shell-shocked to start the game last week against San Jose St. at home but got into a groove to lead the Trojans to a 56-3 rout. Ohio State hopes will hinge on their star sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor who saw limited time in last years loss to USC but the 6-6, 235 pound will have to use his ability to escape the pocket to keep the USC defense honest and limit the blitz. Ohio State had a narrow win over Navy last week but in all honesty was preparing for tonight's big matchup against the Trojans. The Trojans weakness is definitely on defense where they lost most of there big names from a year ago although the same can be said for Ohio St. All the talent for both teams is on offense and with the crowd noise which will be the difference in this game, there will be a lot of big plays made on offense against these inexperienced defense for both teams tonight early and often. Some of these big time offenses players will make names for themselves tonight in front of the entire nation. This line is way to low as they will reach 35 points by the first half.
TAKE OVER 45.5
Chris Jordan
Oregon State at UNLV +7
Headed to my own backyard for this one, and siding with the Rebels.
There are a slew of intangibles I will touch upon, but the biggest one is an off-the-field factor that not too many people are taking in consideration ... WEATHER.
I've been keeping an eye on the temperatures up in Corvallis, and what I've seen is average highs in the mid-70s. The low has been in the 50s, and it's been lucky to get into the 80s. The average this time a year up there ... High of 79 and low of 50.
Why is this a big deal? Well, it's 5 a.m. in Vegas right now and it's 80 degrees. The average this time a year is 96 for the high and 71 for the low. Yesterday it got as high as 103 degrees. It's supposed to be between 95 and 98 degrees at kickoff, and it's nasty in that gully that we call Sam Boyd Stadium. The Beavers are going to be one hot and tired bunch against these revamped Rebels, believe that.
Now, with that out of the way, let's talk about this game ...
I went out to see the Rebels last week, and watched Channing Trotter rush for 102 yards and three goal-line touchdowns to lead UNLV to a 38-3 victory over little Sacramento State.
The Rebels limited the Hornets to 228 yards, so the defense was impressive as well. It was a good tune-up, as Oregon State is bringing in Jazquizz Rodgers, who just might be the best running back the Rebels face this season.
But for OSU, its three returning defensive starters must deal with a veteran offensive lineup, including quarterback Omar Clayton. And even though the Beavers won 34-7 last Saturday against Portland State, the Vikings' offense produced 351 yards, 17 first downs (OSU had 18) and completed 22-of-41 passes.
Granted, this is no Sacto State coming to Sin City, but Oregon State isn't facing Portland State.
And let's not forget what the Rebels did to nationally ranked Arizona State and Iowa State last season in back-to-back weeks. Some might say the loss to UNLV abruptly ended the premature talks of the Sun Devils challenging USC for the Pac 10 title.
And it's no secret Oregon State is horrendous early on in the season, and picks up steam about midway though the campaign. The Beavers have lost their last six road openers by an average final of 36-18, while the Rebels have won two of the last three games they've hosted BCS teams.
Some are calling UNLV the sleeper out West this year ... a win tonight would wake everyone up.
Take the points, and do yourself a favor with this game sitting on a flat-7, buy the half-point up to 7-1/2 and in the event of a shootout, steal this one by the half point.
3♦ UNLV
Tony Weston
How easy was THAT winner last night? Colorado and Toledo blow Over the Total easily.
Today’s winner on Alabama will be just as easy as last night’s winner.
The Crimson Tide are laying about 33 1/2 points tonight against visiting Florida International and will cruise past that.
Last week laying about 6 points the Tide picked up a solid win against Virginia Tech.
Including last week’s cover, the Crimson Tide has now covered in 6 of its last 8 games overall and is now 5-2 ATS its last 7 games outside the SEC.
Keep in mind, too, Alabama has covered in 6 of its last 7 games when installed as a favorite and is on a 4-1 ATS run at home.
Florida International, on the other hand, is just 5-12 ATS its last 17 games when installed as a road underdog and now has to deal with an Alabama team that may be way better than the 2006 version that beat FIU 38-3 as a 32 1/2 point favorite.
This one will be ridiculous as Alabama cruises to an easy win tonight.
3♦ ALABAMA
Craig Davis
My current free play record stands at 38-12 in my last 50. Think about that for a minute... 38 of 50 over the last two months. Insane. After USC makes mince meat of Ohio State tonight, it will be 39-12 in my last 51. As many of you know, I'm a huge Ohio State fan and I know this team better than anyone on this site. I gave you Navy as an easy 10-dime winner last Saturday and I plan on giving you another winner against OSU tonight. The focus on the Trojans from the media is on frosh QB Matt Barkely when it should be on their massive offensive line, their new secondary and linebackers, their running game and their special teams. In all those areas, the Trojans have the advantage. In fact, if Pryor struggles they might have the advantage at QB too... even with a freshman. USC has dominated the Buckeyes in this series lately, including last year's 35-3 debacle in Los Angeles. Tonight's margin may not be as great, but the result will be the same... a USC win and cover.
2♦ USC
Bill Bravenec
Navy –7 vs. Louisiana Tech
Navy had a solid offensive performance at Ohio State last week, scoring 4 TDs, gaining 342 yards, and converting 67% of its 3rd down attempts against Ohio State’s defense. Navy’s ground game should have an easier time of it against a Louisiana Tech defense that allowed 301 rushing yards (5.8 ypc) to Auburn last week. Navy’s passing game has improved, making their offense more difficult to defend. Louisiana Tech’s offense should be easier for Navy to defend than Ohio State and QB Pryor.
Southern Mississippi – 14½ vs. UCF
Southern Miss returns 10 starters from last year’s high-powered offense, which put up 631 yards (the 2nd highest total in school history) last week against FCS competition. Southern Miss RB Fletcher is the nation’s active leader in rushing yards (4,413) and yards per game (113.2), and the passing game should be effective against a very young UCF secondary. UCF has everyone back from the nation’s worst offense in terms of yardage gained last year and they didn’t look much better last week, putting up only 282 total yards against FCS competition. I don’t expect UCF to generate much offense against a Southern Miss defense that returns 9 starters from a unit that improved as the season went on last year
Rocketman Sports
Western Michigan @ Indiana
Play: Indiana
Indiana is 4-0 SU and 3-0 ATS overall vs Western Michigan since 1992. Broncos are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog. Broncos are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a SU loss of more than 20 points. Broncos are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games. Broncos are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall. Hoosiers are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a home favorite. Hoosiers are 9-4-2 ATS in their last 15 vs. MAC. We'll recommend a small play on Indiana today!
Tom Stryker
NOTRE DAME (-) over Michigan
It's hard to ignore the fact that the underdog in this series has cashed 18 of the past 21. Because of that, we're getting some tremendous line value here. In my mind, Notre Dame is ready to take the next step in its return to respectability. Michigan is still a work in progress.
The Wolverines have posted a soft 5-11 SU and 4-12 ATS record in their last 16 games and enter this contest off a surprising 31-7 blowout win over Western Michigan in their season opener. This matchup against the Irish will be a huge step up in class for the Maize and Blue. The Dame has plenty of NFL-caliber athletes at the offensive skill positions and they're going to be a monster to defend.
Irish QB Jimmy Clausen hasn't forgotten about his last trip to the Big House. Notre Dame left Ann Arbor his freshman year with a 38-0 whipping in its pocket. Clausen has a few more weapons on this visit and he's looking for a much better outing on this return visit.
Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis remains on the hot seat. A loss to the Maize and Blue would have Weis in a heap of trouble. Michigan may have the emotional edge early. But, the team with the better talent usually prevails in college football and that would be the Irish at this point in time. Take Notre Dame.
Bob Balfe
Washington State +2.5 over Hawaii
If there ever was a game WState could win it would be today. Hawaii is the most inexperienced team in all of College Football with a young defense and an offense not as scary as we have been used to in the past. Hawaii has to rally late last week to beat Central Arkansas and are not a good road team losing the last six to CFB teams. Washington State has more experience and should win at Qwest Field today. Take the Cougars.
Triple Threat Sports
Rice at Texas Tech
Pick: Texas Tech
Rice's defense should struggle here, not just because they are facing a high powered Tech offense, but becasue they are making a style switch after trying to defend the conservative UAB offense last week. Rice has lost by 42-25-44-10-48-42 and 41 points of late against BCS schools and that pattern should continue here, as we all know Leach is not at all afraid to run things up.
Jimmy Moore
UCLA @ Tennessee
Pick: UCLA +10
Tennessee has been a very bad team ATS against winning teams lately and they are going to be very interested in looking ahead to the big battle with Florida on deck next week. UCLA is awesome ATS as an underdog with coach Neuheisel and they are 3-0 SU against the SEC. Take this generous amount of points to get a win with the Bruins on Saturday.
O.C. Dooley
Nevada-Las Vegas +7
For those of you who may not be aware, UNLV is a member of the Mountain West Conference which continues to wreak havoc in "non" league setups such as this. The biggest upset on opening week was when Brigham Young pulled off a stunning upset of Oklahoma. It was just one year ago when Utah became the only team in the country to run the table including a BCS Bowl blowout victory against Alabama. The bottom line is that Nevada-Las Vegas has quietly been building towards a breakout season in the competitive Mountain West draw and tonight is an opportunity for the Rebels to show they are indeed prepared to challenge top teams. Visting Oregon State checks in with a #24 national ranking even though they have question marks at the critical quarterback spot. Sean Canfield is expected to start again this evening as former #1 signal caller Lyle Moevao continues to nurse a sore shoulder. The Beavers attack is led by star Jacquizz Rodgers who led the Pac-10 in rushing a year ago. But Rodgers may have some problems finding open holes this evening with 240-POUND power back Ryan McCants OUT with an injury. While Oregon State has some question marks behind center, Nevada-Las Vegas has a VETERAN presence at quarterback with Omar Clayton leading the way. My database research indicates that Nevada-Las Vegas is a stirling 13-3 ATS after gaining at least 6.25 yards per play in the previous outing. On the flipside Oregon State is a horrible 1-10 ATS/ROAD since Mike Riley has been head coach during the opening month of September