Power Sweep College Other Games
OTHER GAMES
W Virginia at VIRGINIA TECH - This game is being played on Wed Nov 20th on
espn2. Both teams didn’t play on the 16th, so they each have had additional
time to prep. VT is off 2 SU & ATS losses (5 straight ATS losses overall).
WV is on a roll winning the L/5 games ATS but VT won in Morgantown 35-0
last year. This is the Wednesday Night ESPN Play and is available on Phil
Steele’s Private Play Hotline for only $9! The Wednesday Night ESPN Plays
are 1-0 this year!! Call 1-900-903-9467 or log onto www.ncsports.com and go
to the NCstore after 5:00 pm EST on game day for the Wednesday Night Winner!
Pittsburgh at MIAMI, FL - The home team is 8-2 ATS the L/10 in this series.
This game should determine the Big East Champ (although WV could still be
in the mix). Since Pitt upset Miami in 1997, UM has outscored Pitt by a
combined score of 149-41. Pitt is 7-2 ATS the L/8 as a DD dog including
this year’s 28-21 outright upset at VT as 12’ pt dogs This is the Thursday
Night ESPN Play and is available for $9 on Phil Steele’s Private Play
Hotline. The Thursday Night ESPN Plays are an OUTSTANDING 10-3 77% this
year and 18-6 75% the L/24!!! Call 1-900-903-9467 or log onto the NCstore
at www.ncsports.com after 5:00 pm EST on game day for this proven Thursday
Night Winner!!!
WAKE FOREST 37 Navy 10 - These two have met 5 times since ‘91 with WF being
4-1 SU & ATS and the winning team has won by an avg of 23 ppg. The Deacons
have not played since Nov 2nd and are 2-5-1 their L/8 after a bye. HC Jim
Grobe gave his players week 1 of the 2 week bye off. Grobe was an asst at
Air Force for 10 years from 1984 to ‘94. Grobe brought the AF running game
to Ohio U and now to WF and this brand of offense has similarities with
Paul Johnson’s Navy offense. WF needs a win to be bowl eligible and their
season finale is at Maryland. WR Fabian Davis has been nursing a hip
pointer the L/2 weeks but should be available. He is one of the top
all-purpose players in the ACC as he has 32 catches (16.0) & 344 yds
rushing (9.3), as well as avg 24.3 yds on KR’s & 9.1 on PR’s. Wake’s rush D
is only allowing 136 ypg (3.8) and 13 TD’s. The Midshipmen were crushed
38-0 LW by UConn being outgained 509-82 and having only 3 FD’s. They were
without their QB Craig Candeto and top FB Kyle Eckel (check Northcoast Full
Service Line for their status). Will Wake be rusty after not playing for 21
days? That is the only question here.
Boston College 27 TEMPLE 13 - TU is 5-3 ATS the L/8 in this series with a
pair of SU losses by 1 pt and 2 outright upsets as DD dogs. The last time
these 2 met in Philly, TU pulled a 24-14 upset as 14 pt HD’s. BC avenged
that loss the L/2Y winning 31-3 in 2000 (-9’), and 33-10 LY (-13). LY’s
game was actually closer than the final indicated as TU had a 17-16 FD
edge. The Owls are 6-2-1 ATS since 1993 in their final home game. BC is
5-11 ATS as an AF since 1994, and surprisingly haven’t been favored on the
road all year. TU is 5-12 as a HD since 1998. TU is playing their 7th
consecutive week. This is BC’s 4th road game in the L/5. QB Brian St Pierre
has avg 228 ypg (59%) with a 13-13 ratio. BC RB Derrick Knight has 1089 yds
(5.5). BC has allowed 193 ypg rush (4.3) and 250 ypg rush (4.9) in the L/6
since losing their top 2 DL’s to inj. Still BC has our #29 ranked defense
which faces TU’s #83 offense. TU QB Mike McGann has avg 169 ypg (49%) with
a 13-19 ratio. RB Tanardo Sharps has 1244 yds (4.2). TU came back from a 14
pt halftime deficit in their win and outFD’d Rutgers 26-9. TU’s D has
allowed only 105 ypg rush (2.8), but have been burned by the pass allowing
208 ypg (60%) with a 20-10 ratio which puts them at #100 in our pass def
rankings. The Owls expected more out of this season and are disappointed to
be 4-7. While they caught Pitt in a flat spot and almost upset them 2 weeks
ago, BC will come in well prepared this week.
DUKE 28 N Carolina 21 - This is the Battle of The Victory Bell. Duke has
now lost 24 consecutive ACC games. NC has won 12 in a row SU and 5 straight
ATS in this series, the L/5 by an avg of 33.8 ppg. LY the game was close in
the 3Q as NC only led 24-17 but then they had consecutive 80, 55 & 68 yd TD
drives to win 52-17. This will be the 1st time in 34 games that the Blue
Devils will be favored & the last time that happened was vs the Heels as
Duke lost 38-0. Duke is 3-5 as a HF L/8Y while the dog is 14-6 ATS in this
series. Duke lost the team’s only senior, LB Jamyon Small, LW with a torn
ACL so they have ZERO seniors playing in their home finale! QB Adam Smith
avg 169 ypg (55%) with a 10-9 ratio. RB Alex Wade has 841 yds (4.8) & Chris
Douglas has 598 (4.9). DE Shawn Johnson leads the ACC with 10 sacks and
Duke leads the ACC & is ranked 28th nationally in rush D (119.2 ypg), YES
DUKE! LY the Blue Devils ranked last in the ACC & 113th nationally allowing
245.6 ypg. The Heels, who rank #110 in total D TY, lost their best coverman
PS#5DB CB Michael Waddell for the season with a broken leg & he is being
replaced by a true frosh, Cedrick Holt (PS#91). NC has been outscored
172-33 their L/4. NC did score a TD with :40 LW for the backdoor cover. QB
CJ Stephens avg 131 ypg (51%) with a 4-5 ratio. NC’s OL has struggled only
gaining 2.9 ypc rushing & have given up 41 sks.
OHIO ST 16 Michigan 13 - The Wolves had dominated this rivalry under former
OSU HC John Cooper with 11-2-1 SU record. LY in Ann Arbor, a Tressel-led
OSU contingent jumped out to a 23-0 halftime lead & held on to get their
first SU win there since 1987 in the 26-20 victory as 8’ dogs. The home
team is 12-7-1 ATS in this series (but 0-3 the L/3). The dog has covered
the L/3 & 5 of the L/7. OSU is now playing their home finale (1-5 ATS L/6)
in their 12th straight game and is off of 2 thrillers. OSU is 6-1 ATS at
home this year & have allowed just 11.2 ppg in the ‘Shoe including just 17
TOTAL pts in their L/3. Pretty impressive numbers when you consider that
they’ve faced the #2 (TT), #7 (PSU) & #17 (Wash St) offenses in the NCAA
according to our rankings! They’ve won their L/5 in this price range (a
single digit HF). OSU’s top rated defense (according to our rankings) has
held the Maize & Blue’s rushing game to 1.9 ypc in their L/5 contests and
in fact OSU has outrushed the Wolves 160-71 ypg in those 5. Both teams’
leading rushers have been banged up in OSU’s Maurice Clarett (shoulder) and
UM’s Chris Perry (ankle). Clarett did not play LW vs Illinois for the 2nd
time in 3 weeks while a healthier Perry ran for a season high 175 yds vs
Wisky. UM’s top 2 run blockers (Matt Lentz & Adam Stenavich) did not play
LW for precautionary reasons but are expected to play in this one. LY UM
did have a 323-255 yard edge but with two Top 15 defenses this should be a
tough hard nosed game bringing back memories of the Woody/Bo matchups. This
is also a matchup of underrated QB’s as beleaguered UM QB John Navarre had
a 12-1 ratio in Big 10 play this year until throwing 2 int’s with 1 TD pass
LW while OSU’s Craig Krentzel is #7 in the NCAA in pass efficiency.
Michigan does have the advantage of playing loose while OSU has the
pressure of knowing a win puts them in the National Title Game and that
pressure has downed A LOT of teams the L/2Y. Should this go down to the
wire (& what OSU game hasn’t recently?) remember that OSU has one of the
nation’s top K’s in Mike Nugent (24-26 FG’s L/51) while UM has used 3 FG
K’s this year & they’ve combined to hit 8-20 with a L/44.
PENN ST 48 Mich St 17 - We won a 3* Key Selection in Power Sweep on PSU LY
as they stormed back from a 31-14 deficit to win the Land Grant Trophy
42-37 as 2’ road dogs. We also used a 4* College Totals Club Play on the
game to go over 50 & it was over by halftime with the score being 31-21.
The home team is 7-2 ATS the L/9 in this series with PSU dominating the
last time these two met in Happy Valley 42-23. PSU is playing their 11th
straight & are 9-2 ATS in Beaver Stadium finales. MSU is playing its 7th
straight & have clinched a losing season. MSU is off a misleading final
(see front page). After that game PSU’s players & coaches compared MSU’s
run defense to NW’s which is the NCAA’s worst. That has to be good news for
the Big 10’s leading rusher Larry Johnson as he’s avg’d 169 ypg (8.1!) in
Big 10 play. He is up to #2 in the NCAA rankings in rushing & trails
Colorado’s Chris Brown by just 8 yds for the NCAA lead. This is the
senior’s final HG & he now needs just 264 yds for 2000 on the season which
could legitimately make his claim on the Heisman. MSU WR Charles Rogers has
63 rec (20.4!). QB Damon Dowdell has upped his production every week since
becoming the starter & avg’s 199 ypg (56%) with an 8-3 ratio in his 4
starts. MSU did beat Indy by 35 at Indy two weeks ago just like PSU. MSU
has run for 74 ypg (2.4) vs teams with respectable run defenses this year.
Not good news when you’re facing the conference’s top DL in PSU who have
allowed 103 ypg (2.7) with 21 sks in Big 10 play. Both Jimmy Kennedy &
Michael Haynes look to be among the top DL chosen in next April’s draft.
PSU came through in a big way for us LW as they won a 3* Key Selection on
these pgs & a 4* Late Phone Play thanks to their dominating edges on the
line scrimmage over a battered & bruised Indy team that had already
clinched a losing season. That scenario sounds familiar here as PSU romps
again.
WISCONSIN 34 Minnesota 24 - Wisky came into LY’s clash off of their
disappointing loss to Michigan which left the Badgers home for the holidays
for the first time since 1995. The Gophers took advantage and compiled 479
yds including 208 yds rushing in a 42-31 win that allowed them to regain
possession of the Paul Bunyan Axe for the first time since ‘94. The win
upped the home team’s record in this series to 7-4 ATS in the last 11
meetings & dog’s mark to 10-5 the L/15. Wisky used to have one of the Big
10’s biggest home field advantages but in the L/3Y have gone 4-11 ATS in
Camp Randall (3-3 this year). They are, however, 10-1 ATS in their L/11
Randall finales. Minny is 2-8 in their L/10 road trips of the year and have
struggled recently as a AD going 3-8 ATS. Wisky has played their entire 13
game schedule without a bye & tired legs could be a factor at this
juncture. They need to win this game to become bowl eligible. Minny has
already clinched a Post Season bid but probably need a shot of confidence
after being trampled on the line of scrimmage by the conferences’ top dogs
as they’ve been outrushed by a 796-270 yd margin & outscored 120-48 vs OSU,
UM & UI. We easily won a 3* Late Phone Play on Iowa LW as the Hawks’ huge
OL dominated Minny’s small defensive front and they outrushed the Gophers
365-80. UW RB Anthony Davis left LY’s contest with 6:00 left in the 3Q and
the score tied at 28. He had a huge game (208 yds & 3 TD’s) before becoming
ill. LW he returned to the lineup to rush for 154 yds vs a tough Michigan
run defense. QB Brooks Bollinger also returned from his 2nd concussion of
the season & is avg 133 ypg (54%) with an 11-3 ratio this year. UW’s OL has
allowed a conference leading 45 sks while Minny has 24 sks but UW does have
the size edge needed to control the Minny DL. Minny QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq
had a huge game vs UW accounting for 4 TD’s hitting 17 of 25 for 265 yds
LW. Wisky pulls out a Post Season berth and wins back the Axe.
LSU 30 Mississippi 16 - The home team is 5-13 ATS the L/18 in this series
and there have been 7 outright upsets the L/12. Ole Miss has won 3 in a row
both SU and ATS here in Baton Rouge including 1997 when they won as the
Underdog Play of the Week. LY LSU TB LaBrandon Toefield missed most of this
game with an ankle inj, and Rohan Davey was ineffective hitting just 9 of
23 for 183 yards. Ole Miss took advantage of some sp tms miscues & fumbles
to upset the Tigers 35-21 as 9’ pt AD’s. Eli Manning hit 28 of 44 for 249
yds with a 3-1 ratio here LY. LSU is 4-0 ATS as a HF this season. LSU has a
short week coming up as they must travel to Little Rock to face Arkansas
next Friday in the game that should determine the official SEC West Champ.
Ole Miss also has a short week with their usual Thanksgiving matchup with
Miss St on deck. They are 2-5 ATS the L/7 prior to Miss St. UM is 3-10 SU
in Nov under Cutcliffe and 0-7 SU the L/2 years. Ole Miss is 1-3 ATS, 0-4
SU on the road this year and have lost all of their road games by at least
14 pts. During the bye week UM HC Cutcliffe dismissed the team’s best RB
Robert Williams and bkup WR Trey Fryfogle. The lack of a running game has
put extra pressure on Manning who is avg 266 ypg (60%) with a 17-11 ratio.
The Rebels may get MLB Lanier Goethie back for this game as he’s been out
since Sept with a broken bone in his foot, and he’s a 2 yr starter who was
awarded the Chucky Mullins Courage Award. LSU QB Marcus Randall has avg 150
ypg (45%) with a 3-4 ratio. TB Domanick Davis has 692 yds (4.6) and should
be helped by the return of Toefield (345 yds, 5.5). LSU was ranked #1 in
the NCAA in total defense prior to LW’s game (we had them #10), but The
Tide roughed them up for 477 total yds including 300 yds rush (5.6) which
dropped the Tigers to #4 in the NCAA and #13 in our defensive rankings. LSU
has a huge advantage as their OL starters avg 6-4 308 compared with Ole
Miss’ small DL which avg 6-3 255. The Rebels have lost 4 games in a row SU
and have allowed 235 ypg rush (5.2) in those 4.
LOUISVILLE 30 Uab 13 - This will mark the home finale for the Cards and
they are 11-3 ATS the L/7Y in the final two games of the season. The Cards
have a huge talent edge and they will have extra time to prepare with their
last game being a 20-17 win at S Miss last Thursday. The Cards are 4-1 SU
and 3-2 ATS vs teams who are at or below .500 this year winning by an avg
margin of 36-19. UAB 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS on the road with the win coming
with :08 vs CUSA bottom feeder Army. QB Dave Ragone has 230 ypg (54%) with
a super 19-6 ratio despite playing behind an OL that has dealt with
inexperience and injuries allowing 38 sacks. UAB QB Darrell Hackney is avg
195 ypg (52%) and a super 14-4 ratio and is off of his best career game LW
with 429 yds and 3 TD. The UAB defense has shown improvement as of late
allowing just 297 ypg total D in their L/4. UL has our #5 special teams
unit and they have blocked an NCAA best 8 punts. UAB’s wins have come over
teams that are a combined 15-39 SU.
NOTRE DAME 30 Rutgers 6 - ND is 2-9-1 ATS in their L/12 home finales. They
are off a bye and have a trip to rival USC on deck. ND is 6-12 the L/17 as
a DD fav including 2-6 the L/7 and as a HC Willingham has never covered as
a fav of 20 or more in his career (0-4 ATS including the Irish’s closer
than expected battle with Navy 2 weeks ago). RB Ryan Grant finished the
Navy game on the bench after 2 fumble filled performances in a row & has
920 yds (4.6). ND has qualified for a BCS at-large bid with their 9 wins on
the season but really welcomed LW’s bye as injuries to DT Cedric Hilliard &
SS Gerome Sapp & ‘unbeaten letdown’ were a factor in their sluggish
performance vs Navy. RU has had good showings vs some tough teams this year
covering vs Tenn, VT & Miami, FL. RU held a 221-63 yd edge and a 14-3 FD
edge in the 1H vs Tenn. They led UM 17-14 in the 4Q before Miami put up 28
4Q pts (3 on short drives following TO’s and a stopped fake FG). True frosh
QB Ryan Hart has started the L/2 games with Ryan Cubit inj’d. Hart has avg
133 ypg (46%) with a 2-3 ratio and the team almost pulled 2 outright
upsets. ND has the talent for a blowout but RU has shown they can play with
a disinterested power.
BALL ST 35 Buffalo 10 - This is Buffalo’s 2nd straight road game (covered
at Akron LW). This is BSU’s home finale with Marshall on deck. Off a bye
BSU beat CM 38-21 as a 3’ pt AD LW. The Cards have now won 4 straight ATS.
BSU made a QB change 5 weeks ago to Andy Roesch who is avg 201 ypg (56%)
with a 13-3 ratio. RB Marcus Merriweather has 1307 yds (4.8). BSU has our
#87 defense (Buffalo #109). Buffalo’s QB Randall Secky is avg 173 ypg (48%)
with a 12-13 ratio. BSU needs this game to clinch their 1st winning season
since 1996 and plays much better in the 2H of the year each season.
MIAMI, OH 34 Ucf 20 - First meeting. Both teams have very slim hopes for
the MAC East Title. The RedHawks are 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS the L/10 final
lined home games. MU lost a last second heart breaker 36-34 to Marshall in
a rare Tuesday Night Game but had LW off while UCF is playing for the 7th
straight week. MU has had some further distraction with 2 coaches suspended
after post game incidents. UCF is coming off an easy win over a Cribbs-less
Kent St team. UCF is 3-0 ATS in MAC road games losing by 5 at Marshall as
an 11 pt AD. They lost to NI by 20 three years ago in their only game in
snowy weather recently. MU QB Ben Roethlisberger avg 270 ypg (64%) with a
21-9 ratio. RB Luke Clemens has 942 yds (4.6) and 16 rushing TD’s. UCF QB
Ryan Schneider is avg 307 ypg (61%) with a 24-14 ratio. RB Alex Haynes is
back to health with a career high 149 yds vs a beat up Kent St. MU has our
#58 defense while UCF’s is #73. UCF can be dangerous here but cold weather
would be the clincher for MU.
C MICHIGAN 23 W Michigan 16 - LY WM pulled out the victory on a final play
FG 20-17. WM has won only ONCE in Kelly/Shorts Stadium since it opened in
1972 (1-13-1 SU), and that was in 1973. In fact in the last game played
here the Broncos were 35’ pt favs but lost out right 21-17!!! This is a
true rivalry game. WM has lost 4 straight ATS this year. CM RB Robbie Mixon
has 1,355 yds (5.4) and we cannot ignore CM’s DOMINANCE in this stadium
(2000 was a shocker!).
Tcu 34 E CAROLINA 17 - LY ECU won 37-30 in a game they led big at the half
(see Past History). They also met recently in the 1999 Mobile Alabama Bowl
with TCU winning that one 28-14 as a 4’ pt dog. The Pirates are off of
three road games in four weeks while TCU has had two byes in the last
month. TCU has won 8 in a row SU. While the offenses are about even here
TCU does have our #14 D (EC #108). TCU QB Sean Stilley reclaimed the job
after Tye Gunn suffered a torn ACL vs S Miss and has 161 ypg (57%) and a
4-5 ratio. He will be facing the EC DB’s that are allowing 315 ypg passing
in their L/5. RB Lonta Hobbs has 101 ypg (6.2) and he did not play until
their fifth game. EC may see the return of rFr LB Chris Moore who was their
#1 tackler but missed the L/3 due to inj and they have allowed 558 ypg
total D without him after allowing 389 ypg in their first 6. TCU is also
very solid on special teams with our #28 rated unit. A win here will give
TCU the CUSA Title while EC would have to win their L/3 to become bowl
eligible. TCU should be fresh and ready after their bye.
MEMPHIS 31 Army 24 - Memphis is 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in the short history of
this series. They met here LY and the Tigers rolled winning 42-10 as a 16
pt HF. Memphis is off of a bye but teams off a bye with two wins and three
games remaining or less are just 5-11 ATS after the bye the L/4Y and
Memphis is just 1-3 ATS in their L/4 as a DD HF. Army won at Tulane LW and
pulled the outright upset and broke the nation’s longest current losing
streak. Memphis QB Danny Wimprine has 244 ypg (55%) and a 20-17 ratio and
will be facing our #112 team in pass efficiency D that are allowing 252 ypg
(62%) and a 19-6 ratio. While Memphis is the stronger team they have really
played just one good game this year and that was in September vs Tulane.
Army has covered three straight CUSA games.
OKLAHOMA ST 34 Baylor 17 - A win here would clinch a bowl bid for one of
the nation’s more post season starved programs as the Cowboys have been to
bowl just once (1997) since Barry Sanders left Stillwater in 1988. This is
also the last game for well liked BU Coach Kevin Steele who will leave Waco
with the program in much better shape than it was when he arrived there.
OSU is 6-1 SU and 5-0-2 ATS vs Baylor since 1994. In 1999 we used OSU as a
3* Key Selection and they delivered a 50-22 (OSU led 50-6) win as 16 pt
favs in Waco. LY BU outgained a B12 opp for the first time in 4 years
finishing with a 517-323 yd edge, but it still wasn’t enough as the Bears
fell 22-38 as 7 pt HD’s. Baylor is 1-35 SU and 6-30 ATS the L/36 B12 games
including 0-7 ATS vs conf foes this year and their avg road loss this year
is by 46-6 margin. OSU’s #39 rated offense has been on a roll lately. BU
has given up 35 TO’s this year which is tied for #115 in the NCAA. QB Aaron
Karas is avg 163 ypg (60%) with a 6-13 ratio. OSU has a HUGE game on deck
and LW BU had 21 FD’s vs Okla and should give an inspired effort in their
coach’s final game. BU also will be confident after playing well vs Cowboys
LY.
Tennessee 37 VANDERBILT 10 - Vandy is 0-19 SU vs Tenn since 1983 and the
Commodores have been outscored by an avg of 33.4-12 in that time period.
The last time these two met in Nashville, UT escaped with a 28-26 win as 18
pt AF’s. Vandy was our Underdog POW in 1996 & ‘97 delivering 2 victories
losing by 7 each time as 25 & 28 pt dogs. In 1998 we used a 4* Key
Selection on UT and they rolled 41-0. LY UT was off a near-loss at
Kentucky, and they dominated Vandy with a 484-205 yd edge and won 38-0 as
25’ pt HF’s. UT is 2-6 ATS the L/8 as a DD fav. Even when this game is
played at Vandy, it is almost like another UT home game as the UT fans
normally outnumber the Vandy fans and the crowd is a sea of Orange. This is
UT’s 2nd game of the year in Adelphia as they smashed WY 47-7 as 30’ pt
favs in the opener and they will clearly have the home edge. UT may hold
out QB Casey Clausen this week as he will be needed next week vs KY (Check
his status on our Full Service Lines). True frosh QB James Banks started
LW. RB Cedric Houston has been impressive since returning from inj with 3
consecutive 100 yds games. WR Kelley Washington won’t return this season.
UT’s defense has kept them competitive despite the team’s numerous injuries
as they rank #10 in our rankings. VU is off a misleading final vs UK as
they were only down by 7 with 4:32 left in the game. VU’s secondary has
been banged up, with 3 of the top 4 CB’s missing time the L/2 wks but held
Florida to 393 total yds & 21 pts 2 weeks ago. Normally the Vols don’t need
to emphasize this game, but they are still battling for a decent bowl slot
in a subpar year.
Akron 27 KENT ST 10 - LY Akron (-16’) won 14-10. Kent fumbled two balls
into the EZ for TB’s. Akron is now 5-0 SU but only 2-3 ATS vs Kent the L/5.
This is a rivalry game (15 miles apart). Kent will likely be without QB
Josh Cribbs and Coach Pees is looking to play his young players for
experience. Akron is trying to close out the season on a good note. Kent
has been outscored 95-27 the L/2 games without Cribbs and has lost the L/7
straight ATS. Akron QB Charlie Frye is avg 241 ypg (66%) with a 13-9 ratio.
Akron grabs its 4th win of year.
N ILLINOIS 28 Toledo 21 - This game could decide the MAC West Title as NI
clinches it with a win here. The Huskies could still lose this and still
take the Title if Toledo loses next week vs BG. The Huskies are avg over
21,000 at home and for the 1st time in stadium history, the student section
was sold out for the BG game 2 weeks ago. LY Toledo won 41-20 covering as a
17 pt HF. That is actually a misleading final as it was 27-20 in the 3Q,
and Toledo got a frontdoor cover TD with only 1:47 left after stopping N
Illinois on downs in Husky territory. That defense, which gave up an avg of
only 99 ypg on the ground LY, returned only 4 starters this year and has
given up an avg of 155 ypg. N Illinois, with a veteran line, is avg 196 ypg
on the ground. RB Michael Turner has 1702 yds (5.7) for #3 in the NCAA. N
Illinois is 9-1 ATS this year and has won 8 straight ATS. Toledo QB Brian
Jones leads the nation in comp % and he is avg 231 ypg (71%) with a 15-4
ratio. We picked the Huskies to win the West at the start of the year and
we think they accomplish it this week.
SMU 37 Tulsa 23 - The Ponies are 6-1 both SU & ATS in the L/7 in this
series. LY SMU won 24-14 as an 8 pt AF despite being outgained and outFD’d
by TU who could not overcome 5 TO’s including an int return for a TD. The
Mustangs had a bye two weeks ago. Tulsa is on the road for the second time
in three weeks and they are playing for the seventh consecutive week. Tulsa
is off a misleading final (see front page). SMU was at UTEP LW and won
42-35 on a 66 yd PR TD with 1:22 remaining. SMU does rate a slight edge on
D at #82 (Tulsa #107). Tulsa’s QB Tyler Gooch ret’d LW. SMU QB Richard
Bartel is 2-2 both SU & ATS as the starter and has 240 ypg (60%) and an 8-7
ratio. RB Keylon Kincade has 1174 yds (3.8) and is the NCAA leader in rush
attempts. SMU does rate a solid edge on special teams at #51 (Tulsa #101)
and that was the deciding factor in LW’s game vs a similar and weak UTEP
squad. TU is a much weaker road team and their avg road loss has been by a
36-16 margin.
LOUISIANA TECH 44 Utep 20 - LT is 6-1 SU & 5-0 ATS in their L/7 home
finales (2 were unlined). LW UTEP hosted SMU and lost 42-35 as a 5’ pt HD
on a PR with 1:22 remaining despite actually having a 397-348 yardage edge.
LT was at Boise and actually trailed just 14-10 at the half and for the
game the FD’s were even. LT does rate a huge edge on offense with our #51
rated unit (UTEP #109). QB Luke McCown has 290 ypg (59%) but with only a
16-15 ratio. He did struggle earlier in the year but has 349 ypg in his L/3
and will be taking on the UTEP DB’s that have allowed a 29-7 ratio. LT avg
489 ypg at home. UTEP is 1-5 ATS away and have been outscored by an avg of
49-12. UTEP QB Omar Duarte has 107 ypg (46%) and a 6-4 ratio, but he is
coming off of his best career game LW with 347 yds and 3 TD’s. Miner RB
Howard Jackson has 774 yds (4.8) but has worn down with just 47 yds (2.4)
in the L/3.
AIR FORCE 38 San Diego St 17 - The Aztecs are 7-4 ATS the L/11 in this
series, delivering us three * rated winners. The dog is 6-3 ATS in the L/9
meetings in this series. The L/2Y AF has run away with 21 and 24 pt wins.
LY a 4-0 TO margin led to SDS’ demise as AF upset the Aztecs 45-21 as 3’ pt
AD’s. This is the Falcons’ home finale and they are 5-0 SU, but 3-2 ATS the
L/5 years. SDS is on their 4th road game in 6 weeks. AF’s win over UNLV was
closer then the final score (see Misleading Finals). The Falcons’ pass D
ranks #36 in the NCAA only giving up 193 ypg, but may take a drop here as
they have lost CB Wes Crawley, the MWC int leader, with a broken
collarbone. The Falcons continue to lead the nation in rush offense (305.6
ypg). QB Chance Harridge has rushed for 1042 yds (4.9, 19 TD’s) & passed
for 836 yds (48%) with a 9-5 ratio. SDS’s rush D is only allowing 149 ypg
(3.5). QB Adam Hall was carted of the field LW in the Aztecs’ loss to CSU
in the 2Q with a concussion & is questionable here. Lon Sheriff finished at
QB & completed 17 of 32 for 228 yds with 2 TD’s. SDS has the NCAA’s #2 rec,
JR Tovler who has 97 catches (14.2), & the #3 rec, Kassim Osgood with 91
catches (14.3) in the NCAA and the Aztecs are avg 319 pass ypg. SDS’
running game avg just 65 ypg. The Aztecs have been exposed as of late with
3 straight ATS losses and cold weather gives AF an even bigger home edge
especially in windy conditions which would affect SDS pass attack.
COLORADO ST 28 New Mexico 17 - This is for the MWC Title. The Rams have
won 4 in a row SU and are 6-2 ATS in the L/8 in this series. LY CSU won
24-17 as a 3 pt AD as they were outgained 411-309 and outFD’d 21-15 but
they had 5 int’s to get the victory. The Rams are now 3-7 ATS in their L/10
as HF’s. Down the stretch under Lubick they are 35-13 ATS their final 5
games since ‘96. LW NM upset BYU in Provo and pulling upsets in consecutive
weeks on the road is tough. NM QB Casey Kelly avg 138 ypg (57%) with a 9-6
ratio. CSU ranks #18 in the country in rush offense & is led by Cecil “The
Diesel” Sapp, who has 1302 yds (4.6). CSU QB Bradlee Van Pelt avg 156 ypg
(53%) with a 9-7 ratio & has broke a school QB rush record with 707 yds
(5.7). Lobos have the defense to keep this close if the linesmaker is
generous enough.
Boise St 33 NEVADA 23 - The visitor is 1-8 SU in this series and 0-3 ATS.
Boise has won the last two by a combined 101-24. LY Boise was -22 at home
and off of an emotional upset win at Fresno but won 49-7 despite being
outFD’d as they had a 488-382 yard edge. Boise QB Ryan Dinwiddie is avg 280
ypg (68%) and a super 18-3 ratio despite injuries, and the UN DB’s have
allowed an 18-9 ratio. RB Brock Forsey has 1346 yds (5.5) and is #1 in the
NCAA in scoring with 24 TD’s. They avg 46.8 ppg and 518.5 ypg total
offense. They are #1 in the NCAA in scoring offense and #2 in total
offense. On defense they allow a solid 363 ypg total D and 19.7 ppg. Nevada
QB Zack Threadgill has 308 ypg (62%) and a 26-16 ratio. WR Nate Burleson
has 131 rec (11.9). RB Matt Milton has 1092 yds (5.0). On defense Nevada
allows 416 ypg and 29.7 ppg. The Pack are 4-1 ATS at home. Nevada beat BYU
and nearly beat Colo St here and they need a win to be bowl eligible.
CALIFORNIA 35 Stanford 20 - This will be the 20th anniversary of “The
Play”, the 5 lateral kickoff return into the Stanford band for a TD that
gave Cal a 25-20 win. The visitor has done well in this series with a 9-1
ATS mark while the dog is just as successful covering 10 of the last 12.
Ex-Stan HC Willingham was a perfect 7-0 SU in the Big Game, so can Teevens
continue the streak? LY the Cardinal retained the Axe but it wasn’t decided
until a Cal Hail Mary pass was batted down in Stanford’s 35-28 non-covering
wild win. This is their road finale and they are an outstanding 12-0 ATS in
that game! This is a matchup of teams that installed new offenses under new
HC’s at the start of the season with one working as Cal QB Kyle Boller is
avg 219 ypg (54%) with a 21-8 ratio. Stanford’s Fun and Gun is still in
neutral as in the L/4 weeks Kyle Matter has avg’d 122 ypg (49%) with a 4-4
ratio. The Cardinal avg 37 ppg LY but under Teevens Fun & Gun only avg 22
ppg TY despite having almost everyone back. Stan is avg only 273 ypg total
offense on the road this year. Cal needs the win here to give them a
winning season, which is quite a turnaround from LY’s 1-10 record. They
have still not heard on their bowl probation appeal so they still have some
hopes there. We see the Bears getting it done and retrieving the Axe which
they have not held for quite some time.
ALABAMA 27 Auburn 13 - Bama has covered 9 of the L/12 in this series. The
dog is 15-8 ATS in the Iron Bowl S/’79. The visitor is 6-1 ATS the L/7 in
this instate rivalry. LY was the largest margin of victory in this series
since 1977 as the Tide pulled a 31-7 upset at Auburn as 3 pt dogs. Aub RB
Carnell Williams missed most of the game, and the running game was shut
down as Bama outrushed them 328-41. Tuberville took a lot of flak for that
game which led to the dismissal of both of his coordinators in the
offseason. Aub is 2-0 as an AD this year, and 4-0 ATS on the road overall.
They are off a crushing loss to their other main rival Georgia (see News
and Notes). The loss to UGA basically ended Aub’s chance of winning the SEC
West. Aub QB Jason Campbell is avg 134 ypg (58%) with a 5-2 ratio as the
starter in the L/4 gms. RB Ronnie Brown has 824 yds (6.0). Aub’s #23 ranked
D has played well with the exception of vs Ark where they allowed 426 yds
(9.5), but the DL has improved health-wise since then. Bama’s #6 offense is
led by QB Tyler Watts who has avg 192 ypg (67%) the L/3 with a 4-1 ratio.
RB Shaud Williams has 713 yds (7.1) sharing carries with Santonio Beard who
has 684 yds (5.0). Bama proved they were best in the SEC LW beating LSU in
Baton Rouge at night 31-0. Bama’s D shutdown LSU allowing only 196 total
yds which makes them #3 in our def rankings. The Tide D has only allowed 84
ypg rush (2.7) which could force Auburn to throw. Bama DT Kenny King
suffered a back inj vs LSU and is ?.
Florida St 31 NC STATE 17 - FSU is now 7-3 ATS the L/10 vs NCSt. LY the
Wolfpack became the first team in the ACC to beat the Noles twice and they
ended FSU’s 39 game ACC home winning streak in a 34-28 win. The last time
NCSt beat FSU in ‘98 the Noles came back the next year and got some revenge
winning 42-11 as 28 pt favs. FSU is tough in ACC play going 16-7 ATS the
L/3Y. They are 12-6 ATS since ‘99 as AF’s. Just like LY they have Florida
on deck and FSU has lost 3 of the L/4 ATS the week before the Gators. FSU
has our #4 rated off & #25 def, compared to NCSt who is rated just #48 on
off & #32 def. NCSt is 0-3 ATS under Amato as HD’s. The Wolfpack were held
to just 9 pts LW vs UVA, 28 pts below their avg TY & have now dropped 3
straight games. QB Philip Rivers avg 246 ypg (62%) with an 18-10 ratio. TA
McLendon was not 100% LW & his backup Josh Brown left the game with a
concussion. DB Greg Golden, who was the RB starter at the beginning of the
year before being moved back to the DB’s, played on offense & defense vs
UVA. Playing in his 3rd start and first at home, QB Adrian McPherson threw
4 TD’s in FSU’s win over NC LW which clinched at least a tie for the ACC
Title. The Noles rested RB Nick Maddox LW. FSU has won many games for us
this year when they’re on the road facing an ACC foe. We used them as our
Sept 5* vs Maryland, as a 4* Key Selection on these pages vs Wake Forest &
again as a 4* Key Selection at GA Tech. We will go with them again.
S Mississippi 28 TULANE 27 - In the L/3 meetings in this series the Golden
Eagles have won both SU & ATS by a combined score of 163-44. The home team
is 6-1 ATS in the L/7. SM is on the road for the third time in four games.
Against L’ville SM actually had a 302-223 yard edge but could not overcome
4 missed FG’s. Tulane hosted Army and was upset 14-10 as a 19 pt HF. LY’s
Lou Groza Winner K Seth Marler missed 3 FG’s and the offense sputtered for
the fourth straight game. Tulane, in their L/4 games, have avg’d just 257
ypg on offense. SM’s DB’s are #3 in our pass efficiency D ratings allowing
171 ypg (46%) and a super 3-14 ratio. While both of these teams are already
bowl eligible, the outcome here will have an impact on their positioning.
Tulane has done well for us going 7-1 ATS as our CUSA Play on Phil Steele’s
PPH.
Arkansas 27 MISS ST 17 - The underdog is 9-1 ATS in this series since 1992.
The home team is a surprising 3-7 ATS. In 2000, Ark snapped a 9 game SEC
road losing streak and MSU’s 16 game home win streak in an outright upset
as 17 pt AD’s. LY Ark had a 23-13 FD edge and a 463-257 yd edge, and
squeaked out a 24-21 SU win but lost ATS as 7’ pt HF’s in a game they
should have covered. MSU QB Kevin Fant made his very first start in an
unfriendly place throwing for 192 yds with a 1-3 ratio. Ark is off a home
game vs UL Lafayette which was closer than expected because of 3 Ark
fumbles and 2 blk’d punts by ULL. Nutt had tried to rest some of the
starters and get some backups action, but was forced to play QB Matt Jones
most of the game. Ark has a huge Friday matchup with LSU on deck that could
determine the SEC West Champ. MSU faced Tenn at home LW, and has to travel
on a short week to rival Ole Miss for their usual Thanksgiving Egg Bowl
matchup. Nutt said that his young team has had better focus on the road
this year and the Hogs are 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS. MSU is 0-3 as a HD this
year. The best way to attack Joe Lee Dunn’s blitzing schemes is with the
option, and QB Jones excels in that area as he has averaged 120 ypg (55%)
with a 12-5 ratio and has 548 yds rush (5.6). Ark’s D had posted
back-to-back shutouts before LW. MSU QB Fant has struggled with an ankle
inj and has avg 183 ypg (52%) with a 9-8 ratio. Jackie Sherrill had his
best recruiting class in years this season, and unfortunately has been
forced to use most of his younger players because of inj’s this season.
Unfortunately MSU has clinched back-to-back losing seasons, and the AD and
boosters are only so patient.
OKLAHOMA 33 Texas Tech 16 - Including a bowl matchup, OU is 7-2 SU and 6-3
ATS vs Texas Tech. The underdog is 6-1 ATS the L/7 in this series including
3 outright upsets with the average price being +15. In 1999, one of those
outright upsets provided a Big 4* Late Phone Winner for us as TT pulled a
38-28 upset as 13 pt HD’s in Spike Dykes’ final home game. TT Coach Leach
brought the pass attack to OU as the OC in 1999 under Stoops, so he knows
the OU system very well. Leach is 0-2 SU, 1-1 ATS vs his former boss. LY we
used a 3* College Totals Play on the Under (50), and OU held TT to 9 FD’s
and 247 net yds in their 30-13 win as 7’ pt AF’s. OU has a revenge trip to
Okla St on deck but with this being for the Big 12 South Title, it will
have their full attention. TT is off a 3 game home stretch which culminated
in LW’s huge upset of Texas. They are now playing in their 12th week in a
row while OU last had a bye four weeks ago. TT is 1-3 as an AD this year.
Kingsbury had a huge day (473 yds & 6 TD’s) vs the nation’s top pass
defense which puts him back into the Heisman chase. The biggest difference
down the stretch for the Raiders has been the emergence of Taurean
Henderson, who has 716 yds (5.2). He’s also caught a Big 12 high 86 rec’s
(6.3). TT has doubled their sack total for the year in the L/4 games. The
Sooners were without 2 starting OL for most of the Baylor game but C Vince
Carter (ankle) is expected to return for this one. Also sitting vs BU were
DT Tommy Harris (groin) & DE Dan Cody (concussions) which may help explain
why OU allowed the Bears 378 yds. Both are expected to play this week. OU
ranks #4 in our pass eff defense rankings. Stoops has lost just once to a
Top 25 team SU in the L/3Y as a HC while Leach is 4-11 SU vs Top 25 foes.
Marshall 34 OHIO U 24 - The home team is 4-1 ATS in this series with the
lone loss by a half pt. Last year Marshall came into this game looking to
avenge a rare MAC loss and won 42-18 but failed to cover as a 24’ pt HF.
The last meeting here at Peden Stadium was an outright win for OU 38-28 as
a 3 pt HF (UM was in a flat spot having just clinched the MAC Title game
with said game on deck). Marshall did win a thriller on the prior Tuesday
Night, 36-34 over Miami, Oh without QB Byron Leftwich. In his 1st start QB
Stan Hill threw for 292 yds (64%) with a 4-2 ratio and ran in the winning
TD with :05 left. Marshall lost their last road game outright at Akron
34-20. Ohio beat that same Akron team a week later 27-10. Ohio still has a
shot at the MAC East Title. The extra week should help Marshall prep for
the bone.
UTAH 24 Byu 17 - These instate rivals do not have to travel far and are
used to the playing conditions (grass and altitude) so it comes as no
surprise that the visitor has now covered TEN straight in this series, and
the dog 8 of the L/9. LY in Provo the Utes led unbeaten BYU 21-10 in the 4Q
until the Cougars got two late TD’s to pull out the victory 24-21 as a 7 pt
HF. The Utes are also just 4-9 ATS as a HF while BYU has a 5-2-1 ATS mark
as an AD. BYU needs this win to become bowl eligible but this is probably
HC McBride’s last game & his players will want to send him out with a win.
BYU is playing for the eighth straight week while Utah had a bye just three
weeks ago. Utah has a tough defense in our ratings at #39 & is the most
physical D in the MWC, but struggled most of the year to get wins. RB
Brandon Warfield rushed for 164 yds LW. BYU had rolled up 935 yds of
offense in their 2 gms prior to NM, but the Lobos held them to just 188
total yds. Utah held BYU under 100 yds passing in ‘97. DE Brady Poppinga,
the MWC sack leader, suffered a MCL inj vs NM in the 1H & did not return
(check Northcoast Full Service Line for status). QB Matt Berry avg’s 192
ypg (59%) with a 7-9 ratio. Call for the superior team to win.
Fresno St 42 SAN JOSE ST 23 - Fresno St is 10-1 SU in this series but only
3-5 ATS in the L/8. FSU has won the last 3 meetings by a combined 140-39!
LY they won 40-21 but failed to cover as a 28’ pt HF. FSU is very familiar
with this field as they have appeared here in the L/3 Silicon Valley
Classics, and that is what is on the line here. SJS is 6-6 SU and in need
of one more victory to play in the bowl. SJS is avg just 9,101 fans per
home game so FSU will have the crowd edge. FSU QB Paul Pinegar has 204 ypg
(58%) with a 16-10 ratio. SJS QB Scott Rislov has 258 ypg (62%) and a 23-13
ratio on the year. They have a bend but don’t break D that is allowing 509
ypg total D and 37.3 ppg. FSU is simply the stronger team and more
accustomed to winning big games.
WASHINGTON ST 31 Washington 24 - The winner here gets the coveted Apple
Cup. WSU had covered 6 straight in this series but UW has now covered the
L/2Y. LY WSU had 4 TO’s and was 1st & goal 3 times without scoring in the
Huskies 26-14 win. WSU is 3-0 as HF’s TY and at #3 have their highest
ranking ever. In their last meeting here, UW won 51-3 the largest margin of
victory in the 94 year series history. Only once in this series have we
used one of our fabled 5* Late Phone Selections and it was 1993 when
Washington (-9’) delivered a 26-3 Winner for us as our College Play of the
Year. Wash St is off a key late season bye LW while UW is playing for a
10th straight week with 2 consecutive big wins for us here at Northcoast as
our 5* College Play of the Year vs Oregon St then our Underdog Play of the
Week in Power Sweep LW vs Oregon BOTH OUTRIGHT UPSETS, making themselves
bowl eligible no matter what they do here. Wash QB Cody Pickett has thrown
for 3818 yds, a Pac 10 record, and is avg 347 ypg (61%) with a 25-13. The
rush attack only avg 82 ypg (2.3). WSU QB Jason Gesser is avg 270 ypg (59%)
with a 24-8 and has gotten far more publicity than Pickett with WSU’s
impressive record. Their running game is avg 135 ypg (4.0 ypc & 5.0 at
home) led by JC trans Jermaine Green has 661 yds (5.3). WSU has the
slightly better D (#26 vs #33) & spec tms (#22 vs #71) while Wash has the
off edge (#14 vs #17).
BOWLING GREEN 55 E Michigan 17 - EM is the worst team in Div IA ball and LW
scored a TD with :41 left to only lose by 28. BG was in the Top 25 two
weeks ago before losing 2 in a row SU and ATS and is playing in their home
finale. EM has backdoor potential with QB Troy Edwards who is avg 230 ypg
(58%) with a 21-16 ratio and RB Ime Akpan who has 1155 yds (4.6) and 13
TD’s. BG could score 70 if they wanted but they do have Toledo on deck.
HAWAII 35 Cincinnati 34 - UC is on the road for the third time in four
weeks and not only are making a very long trip but are in a CUSA sandwich
and are a cold weather team playing in a warm place. The Bearcats are a
super 16-7 ATS as an AD. Cincy is off of a win vs Houston 47-14 where they
outgained the Cougars by a 492-293 margin. UH has their bowl fate already
decided and have Alabama on deck. QB Tommy Chang got off to a very slow
start due to injury TY but has 390 ypg in his L/6. Cincy QB Gino Guidugli
has 252 ypg (55%) with a 14-14 ratio and has been very inconsistent.
Cincy’s D as a whole has gotten progressively better on a weekly basis and
they have held three straight opponents under 100 yds rushing after
allowing 334 to West Virginia in their second game. They are allowing just
231 total ypg in their L/5 and three of those have come vs bowl eligible
teams.
IOWA ST 37 Connecticut 20 - ISU is 9-2 ATS the L/11 home finales. The
Huskies are 6-2 ATS vs BCS conference teams since 2000 (4-0 TY), and 9-2
ATS the L/11 as a DD dog. ISU is 13-6 ATS as a HF since 1995 and 4-1 TY
although should be 5-0 as they dominated Missouri their last game at home
but only won by 7 as a 9 pt fav. ISU is 7-1 ATS as a DD fav and is 11-2 ATS
vs non-conf teams both since 1998. UConn is off an impressive 38-0 win over
Navy where they outgained the Midshipmen 509-82! QB Dan Orlovsky has thrown
for 205 ypg (61%) with a 16-10 ratio and RB Terry Caulley has 1056 rush yds
(5.6). However, against BC, GT & Miami, FL the UConn offense only avg 227
ypg. This will be the final home game for Cyclone QB Senneca Wallace. ISU
has had a rough go as of late losing 4 of their last 5 to the Big 12 big
boys by an avg score of 42-12. They have a good sized ranking advantage on
offense (#38 vs #88) but the defenses are close (#51 vs #62). ISU could
roll BUT UConn has been the king of the backdoor cover since their entry
into IA football. HOUSTON 26 S Florida 24 - LY SF won 45-6 as an 11 pt HF.
This is their seventh game vs their future conference foes and they are 4-2
SU. HC’s Jim Leavitt and Dana Dimel both coached together at Kansas St and
UH’s OL Coach, Eric Wolford, held the same position at USF from 1996-99.
Bulls QB Blackwell is avg 229 ypg (56%) and a super 16-3 ratio. He has
attempted 199 passes without an interception and has also added 285 net
rush yds. They are #55 on D (UH #101) and are allowing just 299 ypg total
D. UH must win this game and next week when they host Louisville to become
bowl eligible but were crushed at Cincy LW. RB Joffrey Reynolds has 1337
yds (5.3). They have allowed just 14 sacks running behind a HUGE OL that
avg’s 328 lbs per man. UH won at Memphis 26-21 as a 5 pt dog while SF won
just 31-28 as a 16’ pt HF vs the Tigers. We won with SF as the Early Bird
Play of the Week and LW’s disparate results give the home team line value
here.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE 24 N Texas 20 - With their 38-27 win over NMSt as a 6 pt
HF, NT has clinched the New Orleans Bowl for the 2nd straight year. LY NT
stunned MTSU 24-21 as a 14 pt HD. MTSU sat home with an 8-3 SU record while
NT with a 5-6 record went to the Bowl Game. MTSU has been looking at this
game since the final second ticked off the clock LY. MTSU’s top RB’s were
banged up and only combined for 7 carries in LY’s game. NT has won 10
straight conference games (8-2 ATS). MTSU’s QB Andrico Hines returned and
led to a romp LW (see Backdoor Covers) with 239 yds. RB Dwone Hicks with
735 yds (5.2) is also now healthy. NT wins with defense and the running
game led by RB Kevin Galbreath 1105 yds (4.9). NT gave up 440 yards LW in a
frontdoor cover but they got what they wanted and MTSU gets what they
waited for for over a year and salvages a poor season.
New Mexico St 34 IDAHO 31 - LY NMSt won an offensive battle 46-39 but
failed to cover as a 13 pt HF. It is the 3rd straight road game for the
Aggies while Idaho is in the Kibbie Dome for their home and season finale
(2-1 ATS here TY). The Vandals are 0-6 ATS their L/6 home finales. The
Aggies need a win here to have their 1st winning season since 1999. NMSt
blew a 4Q lead and had a 440-320 yard edge but gave up four 4Q turnovers in
LW’s loss which cost them a bowl bid. They have lost 6 straight ATS. The
Vandals offense took a major blow with the loss of staring QB Brian
Lindgren 2 weeks ago and, in the 1st game without him this season, 2 backup
QB’s combined for just 185 yds (45%) with a poor 1-5 ratio. A motivated
Aggie team has the ability to romp but will they up for this one be with
their bowl hopes gone?
Louisiana-Lft 27 UL MONROE 20 - Last yr in this instate rivalry game, ULL
won 17-12 but failed to cover as an 8 pt HF making the visitor a perfect
5-0 ATS. ULL is 2-0 ATS as a AF but those 2 wins were in ‘95 & this is
their first time in that role since. ULM true frosh QB Steven Jyles is avg
194 ypg (49%) with a 15-9 ratio. RB Bryant Jacobs has 904 yds (5.3). ULL QB
Jon Van Cleave returned in the 2H LW in their narrow loss at Arkansas. ULL
has the defensive edge, is the stronger team and should be well motivated
for this rivalry game.