The Real Animal
Baylor -21
Iowa State is off a bye week after knocking off Iowa 20-17 two weeks ago as a +13-point underdog. The week before they were very competitive at home losing 32-28 to K-State and easily covering as a 12-point dog. It would appear this team is ready to give Baylor a serious fight right? Think again. I had to laugh this week when I noticed the #2 quarterback in the nation in terms of efficiency is Seth Russell, the back-up for Bryce Petty. Not like they need them, but Baylor gets back today #1 receiver Antwan Goodley and WR Corey Coleman. Goodley led the team last year with 71 catches for 1,334 yards and 13 touchdowns. Coleman pulled a hamstring in camp soon after winning the starting job. Plus power running back Devin Chafin is back with a high ankle sprain. Iowa State is allowing 150 more yards and 18 more points per game than Baylor. Baylor beat Iowa State last year 71-7 in Waco. The Beas are out-passing Iowa State by more than four yards per attempt and out-rushing them by 1.9 a carry. Did I mention Iowa State lost their opener to North Dakota State 34-14 at home? Iowa Stae is #92 in passing and #116 in rushing averaging just 20.7 points a game. That puts them at #107 in the country in scoring. QB Sam Richardson only has a 3-3 ratio of touchdowns to picks while he’s also the leading Cyclone rusher at 3.4 a carry. OUCH! Baylor is #3 in passing, #29 in rushing, #1 in scoring, and #2 in points against. Sure you can say they haven’t played anybody. So who is Iowa State? The Clones were 3-9 last year with a defense that allowed 36 points per game. Russell and Petty have a combined 13-1 ratio and Baylor has three running backs who have gained more yards than QB Richardson of Iowa State. But maybe the reason I like Baylor the most is the fact the Bears actually lost in this stadium two years ago 35-21. Of course they were also a 2 ½-point underdog in that game. Much has changed since then. I just don’t see how Iowa State has the personnel to keep this game competitive. The Bears also had last week off and are looking to pad their unbelievable 178-27 point advantage thus far.
Will Rogers
Notre Dame vs. Syracuse
Play: Notre Dame -8
The Notre Dame Irish are quietly establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the country, coming off three very impressive wins to start the season. The Irish will play the Orange at Met Life Stadium tonight, and I think they should have little trouble winning this one by double-digits.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Everett Golson - After sitting out last season due to academic issues, the Irish QB has been very sharp so far in 2014. He's yet to throw an INT, and he's passed for 780 yards and seven TDs, while running for four more.
2. Irish Defense - Currently ranked #3 overall in the nation, the Irish shutout rivals Michigan, and are only allowing an average of 10.3 poitns per game.
3. X-Factor - The Orange will miss their leading receiver (Broyld), who will not play after suffering a leg injury in the loss to Maryland last week.
OC Dooley
Buffalo -6.5
At the bottom of this analysis an UNDEFEATED two-year database angle that supports Buffalo who is a HOME for the fourth time in five weeks. Most who took the time to read this analysis segment remember a National TV weeknight appearance by Buffalo who lost a 63-21 decision versus Baylor and promptly failed to cover the spread. But the host Bulls have a conference opponent that they can handle and a year ago they traveled to Miami-Ohio and rolled in a 44-7 romp as they successfully covered a large twenty-four point spread. Buffalo checks into today’s game with a PASS OFFENSE that is ranked in the national Top-25 as they can put points on the scoreboard in quick fashion. While Miami-Ohio has some spot triumphs they enter today with an 0-4 outright record. In the past two years when facing an opponent with a below .500 overall mark Buffalo is UNDEFEATED (6-0 against the spread) where it counts