NCAA KEY SELECTIONS:
4* FLORIDA ST over Maryland - We used Florida St as our Sept 5* LY and FSU
won convincingly 37-10 with a 435-298 yd edge. ?The Fridge? has done an
incredible job turning the Terp program around but has yet to figure out
how to beat Florida St. In 2001, Maryland stood 7-0 and became the first
ACC team to get less than DD?s (+8) in Tallahassee since the Noles joined
the conf in ?92. FSU pounded the Terps 52-31. LY FSU led 30-0 at the half.
Chris Rix has 8 TD?s in two games vs the Maryland D. Maryland has snuck up
on some teams the last few years, but FSU will be very focused for this as
the Terps are the only team besides FSU to win an outright ACC Title since
FSU joined the league. The Terps are coming off a very disappointing upset
loss to N Illinois, 20-13. MD was without starting RB Bruce Perry LW and
his replacement Josh Allen rushed for 67 yds (3.4) while QB Scott McBrien
threw for 110 yds (50%). Perry and standout WR/KR/PR Steve Suter are both
expected to practice this week (call the Northcoast Full Service Line for
inj updates). The Seminoles returned to Kenan Stadium LW to beat UNC 37-0
as a 3* Late Phone Selection for us. PS#1 Lorenzo Booker rushed for 87 yds
and Greg Jones looked good returning from injury. Will we use the Seminoles
as our Top Weekly Late Phone for a second straight year vs the Terps?
FORECAST: FLORIDA ST 40 Maryland 10
3* TENNESSEE over Marshall - Marshall is coming off a tune-up game vs IAA
Hofstra in which QB Stan Hill hit for 347 yds (68%), but also threw 3 int
and lost 2 fumbles. Now Hill must face UT?s #10 rated defense in front of
105,000+. Their O-line has just 2 starters back and should struggle with
the noise. Marshall is 0-4 SU & ATS vs the BCS schools the L/3Y and that
was WITH Leftwich at QB (lost to Florida by 35). UT is coming off a
dominating 24-6 win over Fresno St. Their defense held FSU to 117 total yds
(see Backdoor #####). They rushed for 274 yds (6.2) in a return to old
school UT FB. The Vols have a bye next week before playing Florida so they
should use this game to get both sides of the ball in tune they won?t
overlook a Marshall team that has won 5 straight bowl games. In Phil
Fulmer?s early years he was known in some circles as ?Phil Kills? for his
demolition of opp?s especially at home and is probably trying to get his
team to regain its swagger with blowouts helping the cause. Marshall is 0-6
as an AD the L/4Y and is a weaker team than the one UT dismantled LW.
FORECAST: TENNESSEE 45 Marshall 10
3* WASHINGTON over Indiana - The Huskies are off a 28-9 opening game loss
vs LY?s National Champs, a 2* Winner for us on these pages. Washington is
6-14 ATS S/?97 off of a SU loss. While LY?s loss to a Big 10 power
(Michigan) in the opener was demoralizing, this year?s nationally televised
whipping may motivate the Dawgs. They are 7-3 ATS in home openers. Indiana
is 6-14 as an AD. Travel could be a consideration here as well as Indiana
goes from the East Coast to the West Coast in 7 days. UW is just 6-13-1 ATS
L/12Y as a HF but should be stronger in that role under OC Keith
Gilbertson. Husky QB Cody Pickett (4458 yards, a Pac 10 record LY) faces a
secondary that has only one player taller than 5-11 on their two deep and
has finished #96, #95, and #117 the L/3Y in our pass D rankings. Three
projected secondary starters didn?t finish LW?s game for the Hoosiers in FS
Joe Gonzalez (knee), SS Herana-Daze Jones (neck) & CB Damien Jones
(academics) is out for the season. Both Gonzalez & Jones are ? for this
week. IU allowed UConn to rush for 201 yds. The Dawgs? running game was
nonexistent vs the Bucks (7 total yds) but has a chance to get healthy at
the Hoosiers? expense. For Indy, ND transfer QB Matt LoVecchio had just 35
yds until mid-3Q LW and finished hitting for 211 yds (45%). The Hoosiers
piled up 205 of their 321 total yds in the game?s final 16:00. UW is still
our pick to win the Pac 10 and regains confidence here. FORECAST:
WASHINGTON 49 Indiana 10
NCAA OTHER SELECTIONS:
2* Oklahoma over ALABAMA - We used Alabama +12 as our Underdog Play of the
Week on these pages LY and they didn?t disappoint despite a very misleading
37-27 final (see Past History). LY?s meeting was the first between these 2
powers that have combined for 13 National Titles since ?70 & Bama held OU
to -23 yds rushing. Keep in mind that OU went on to rush for 191 ypg (4.5)
LY. Bama is 0-2 ATS as a HD the L/3Y. OU is surprisingly just 2-6 ATS & 3-5
SU as an AF of 15 or less since ?98. New Bama HC Mike Shula takes on the
first big test of his career here vs one of the NCAA?s best coaches &
teams. OU QB Jason White (ACL inj vs Bama LY) hit for 248 yds (66%) with 3
TD?s in the opener. OU rushed for just 105 yds (3.3) vs N Texas. Bama has
been in turmoil with Shula being their 4th HC in 42 months. QB Brodie
Croyle is in his 3rd offensive system in less than a year. Bama started out
slow LW vs S Florida trailing 17-7 in the 2Q. LY Bama could?ve been the
better team, but still lost, and TY there is no doubt OU is superior.
FORECAST: Oklahoma 27 ALABAMA 10
2* NEBRASKA over Utah St - Utah St is coming off a loss to instate rival
Utah 40-20 as a 20 pt AD. First year starting QB Travis Cox threw for 280
yds (46%) with a 1-1 ratio. USU is 1-5 ATS vs the Big 12 S/?96 and 4-16 ATS
their L/20 as a DD dog. Nebraska came through as a 3* Late Phone Play
beating 24th ranked Oklahoma St. The Blackshirts held the potent Cowboy
offense to under 200 yards. This is a sandwich spot for the Huskers as they
are off a big conf game with Penn St on deck. NU is just 3-7 ATS as a 30+
fav vs non-conf foes under HC Frank Solich. The Aggies failed to cover as a
30? pt AD LY losing 44-13. This is a much stronger Nebraska team which
needs to regain their swagger and we continue to play on the Huskers.
FORECAST: NEBRASKA 48 Utah St 6
2* OKLAHOMA ST over Wyoming - Joe Glenn got his first win as a IA HC vs
Montana St LW, 21-10. These two last met in 1995 and WY won 45-25 as 10 pt
fav?s (3* Winner on these pages). That was WY?s only SU & ATS win ever vs
Okla St. WY has only played on art turf 5 times S/?98 and lost ATS each
time. WY is 7-4 ATS their L/11 vs the Big 12. LW we went against OSU with
Nebraska which was a 2* Winner for us on these pages & a 3* Late Phone
Winner. OSU?s offense is potent with QB Josh Fields and WR Rashaun Woods
and after being shutdown by the Blackshirts LW (just 11 FD?s, 183 yds) they
will enjoy facing our #116 rated defense. They only have SW MO St on deck
but maybe in a letdown spot as all August they talked about how HUGE LW?s
game vs Nebraska was (biggest opener in school history). WY has lost 6
straight ATS on the road vs BCS teams. OSU HC Les Miles has won his last 4
as a fav covering imposts of 28 and 23 LY so he takes care of business vs
this class. Look for OSU?s offense to pour it on after being stifled LW vs
our #10 rated defense. FORECAST: OKLAHOMA ST 49 Wyoming 13
NCAA OTHER GAMES:
S Miss at UAB - The Golden Eagles are 3-0 SU but only 0-2-1 ATS in this
series and the games have been decided by a total of just 13 pts. In LY?s
meeting SM was without star RB Derrick Nix and backup James Walley had 100
yds rushing as SM won 20-13 as a 7 pt AF. LW SM lost 34-2 at Cal, their
lowest point total since being shut out by Tennessee in 1995. UAB beat
Baylor 24-19 as QB Darrell Hackney hit 238 yds (45%) with a 50 yd TD pass
with just :40 remaining despite suffering a knee injury on the previous
series. RB Bo Moncur added 136 yds (6.5) and a TD in his first career game.
S Miss is traveling back from California, having to play on a short week
but always plays well in Alabama where many of their recruits are from.
This is the Thursday Night espn2 game. There is also an NFL game on ABC.
Call Phil Steele?s Private Play Hotline on Thursday after 5:00 ET
1-900-903-9467 and get the TV game he selects for just $9! Phil?s Marquee
Private Play Hotline Plays are 23-4 85% so far this year!
Oregon St 31 FRESNO ST 30 - The home team is 9-1 ATS in this series and the
fav 7-3 ATS. In the last meeting here in 2000, OSU came in as SI?s
Preseason #1 team and FSU simply embarrassed the Beavers 44-24 as a 3? pt
HD, their only time as a HD in this series. In that game FSU outgained them
458-323 as our PPH Sunday Night ESPN Play Winner. LY OSU rolled 59-19 as a
11? pt HF as RB Steven Jackson ran for 227 yds with 2 TD?s, but while QB
Derek Anderson was only 9 of 20. The Bulldogs are 10-4 ATS in their L/14 vs
Pac 10 foes. Since ?99 OSU is 2-7 ATS as an AF but 9-3 ATS as an AD. FSU is
very dangerous as a HD going 7-0 ATS their L/7 with SIX outright upsets
covering by 21.6 ppg!! FSU QB Paul Pinegar missed LW and the team generated
just 4 FD?s at Tennessee. This is the Friday Night ESPN game. Phil?s
Marquee Private Play Hotline Plays are 23-4 85% so far this year and you
can get tonight?s Friday Night ESPN play for just $9 at 1-900-903-9467
after 5:00 ET on Friday.
4* FLORIDA ST over Maryland - We used Florida St as our Sept 5* LY and FSU
won convincingly 37-10 with a 435-298 yd edge. ?The Fridge? has done an
incredible job turning the Terp program around but has yet to figure out
how to beat Florida St. In 2001, Maryland stood 7-0 and became the first
ACC team to get less than DD?s (+8) in Tallahassee since the Noles joined
the conf in ?92. FSU pounded the Terps 52-31. LY FSU led 30-0 at the half.
Chris Rix has 8 TD?s in two games vs the Maryland D. Maryland has snuck up
on some teams the last few years, but FSU will be very focused for this as
the Terps are the only team besides FSU to win an outright ACC Title since
FSU joined the league. The Terps are coming off a very disappointing upset
loss to N Illinois, 20-13. MD was without starting RB Bruce Perry LW and
his replacement Josh Allen rushed for 67 yds (3.4) while QB Scott McBrien
threw for 110 yds (50%). Perry and standout WR/KR/PR Steve Suter are both
expected to practice this week (call the Northcoast Full Service Line for
inj updates). The Seminoles returned to Kenan Stadium LW to beat UNC 37-0
as a 3* Late Phone Selection for us. PS#1 Lorenzo Booker rushed for 87 yds
and Greg Jones looked good returning from injury. Will we use the Seminoles
as our Top Weekly Late Phone for a second straight year vs the Terps?
FORECAST: FLORIDA ST 40 Maryland 10
3* TENNESSEE over Marshall - Marshall is coming off a tune-up game vs IAA
Hofstra in which QB Stan Hill hit for 347 yds (68%), but also threw 3 int
and lost 2 fumbles. Now Hill must face UT?s #10 rated defense in front of
105,000+. Their O-line has just 2 starters back and should struggle with
the noise. Marshall is 0-4 SU & ATS vs the BCS schools the L/3Y and that
was WITH Leftwich at QB (lost to Florida by 35). UT is coming off a
dominating 24-6 win over Fresno St. Their defense held FSU to 117 total yds
(see Backdoor #####). They rushed for 274 yds (6.2) in a return to old
school UT FB. The Vols have a bye next week before playing Florida so they
should use this game to get both sides of the ball in tune they won?t
overlook a Marshall team that has won 5 straight bowl games. In Phil
Fulmer?s early years he was known in some circles as ?Phil Kills? for his
demolition of opp?s especially at home and is probably trying to get his
team to regain its swagger with blowouts helping the cause. Marshall is 0-6
as an AD the L/4Y and is a weaker team than the one UT dismantled LW.
FORECAST: TENNESSEE 45 Marshall 10
3* WASHINGTON over Indiana - The Huskies are off a 28-9 opening game loss
vs LY?s National Champs, a 2* Winner for us on these pages. Washington is
6-14 ATS S/?97 off of a SU loss. While LY?s loss to a Big 10 power
(Michigan) in the opener was demoralizing, this year?s nationally televised
whipping may motivate the Dawgs. They are 7-3 ATS in home openers. Indiana
is 6-14 as an AD. Travel could be a consideration here as well as Indiana
goes from the East Coast to the West Coast in 7 days. UW is just 6-13-1 ATS
L/12Y as a HF but should be stronger in that role under OC Keith
Gilbertson. Husky QB Cody Pickett (4458 yards, a Pac 10 record LY) faces a
secondary that has only one player taller than 5-11 on their two deep and
has finished #96, #95, and #117 the L/3Y in our pass D rankings. Three
projected secondary starters didn?t finish LW?s game for the Hoosiers in FS
Joe Gonzalez (knee), SS Herana-Daze Jones (neck) & CB Damien Jones
(academics) is out for the season. Both Gonzalez & Jones are ? for this
week. IU allowed UConn to rush for 201 yds. The Dawgs? running game was
nonexistent vs the Bucks (7 total yds) but has a chance to get healthy at
the Hoosiers? expense. For Indy, ND transfer QB Matt LoVecchio had just 35
yds until mid-3Q LW and finished hitting for 211 yds (45%). The Hoosiers
piled up 205 of their 321 total yds in the game?s final 16:00. UW is still
our pick to win the Pac 10 and regains confidence here. FORECAST:
WASHINGTON 49 Indiana 10
NCAA OTHER SELECTIONS:
2* Oklahoma over ALABAMA - We used Alabama +12 as our Underdog Play of the
Week on these pages LY and they didn?t disappoint despite a very misleading
37-27 final (see Past History). LY?s meeting was the first between these 2
powers that have combined for 13 National Titles since ?70 & Bama held OU
to -23 yds rushing. Keep in mind that OU went on to rush for 191 ypg (4.5)
LY. Bama is 0-2 ATS as a HD the L/3Y. OU is surprisingly just 2-6 ATS & 3-5
SU as an AF of 15 or less since ?98. New Bama HC Mike Shula takes on the
first big test of his career here vs one of the NCAA?s best coaches &
teams. OU QB Jason White (ACL inj vs Bama LY) hit for 248 yds (66%) with 3
TD?s in the opener. OU rushed for just 105 yds (3.3) vs N Texas. Bama has
been in turmoil with Shula being their 4th HC in 42 months. QB Brodie
Croyle is in his 3rd offensive system in less than a year. Bama started out
slow LW vs S Florida trailing 17-7 in the 2Q. LY Bama could?ve been the
better team, but still lost, and TY there is no doubt OU is superior.
FORECAST: Oklahoma 27 ALABAMA 10
2* NEBRASKA over Utah St - Utah St is coming off a loss to instate rival
Utah 40-20 as a 20 pt AD. First year starting QB Travis Cox threw for 280
yds (46%) with a 1-1 ratio. USU is 1-5 ATS vs the Big 12 S/?96 and 4-16 ATS
their L/20 as a DD dog. Nebraska came through as a 3* Late Phone Play
beating 24th ranked Oklahoma St. The Blackshirts held the potent Cowboy
offense to under 200 yards. This is a sandwich spot for the Huskers as they
are off a big conf game with Penn St on deck. NU is just 3-7 ATS as a 30+
fav vs non-conf foes under HC Frank Solich. The Aggies failed to cover as a
30? pt AD LY losing 44-13. This is a much stronger Nebraska team which
needs to regain their swagger and we continue to play on the Huskers.
FORECAST: NEBRASKA 48 Utah St 6
2* OKLAHOMA ST over Wyoming - Joe Glenn got his first win as a IA HC vs
Montana St LW, 21-10. These two last met in 1995 and WY won 45-25 as 10 pt
fav?s (3* Winner on these pages). That was WY?s only SU & ATS win ever vs
Okla St. WY has only played on art turf 5 times S/?98 and lost ATS each
time. WY is 7-4 ATS their L/11 vs the Big 12. LW we went against OSU with
Nebraska which was a 2* Winner for us on these pages & a 3* Late Phone
Winner. OSU?s offense is potent with QB Josh Fields and WR Rashaun Woods
and after being shutdown by the Blackshirts LW (just 11 FD?s, 183 yds) they
will enjoy facing our #116 rated defense. They only have SW MO St on deck
but maybe in a letdown spot as all August they talked about how HUGE LW?s
game vs Nebraska was (biggest opener in school history). WY has lost 6
straight ATS on the road vs BCS teams. OSU HC Les Miles has won his last 4
as a fav covering imposts of 28 and 23 LY so he takes care of business vs
this class. Look for OSU?s offense to pour it on after being stifled LW vs
our #10 rated defense. FORECAST: OKLAHOMA ST 49 Wyoming 13
NCAA OTHER GAMES:
S Miss at UAB - The Golden Eagles are 3-0 SU but only 0-2-1 ATS in this
series and the games have been decided by a total of just 13 pts. In LY?s
meeting SM was without star RB Derrick Nix and backup James Walley had 100
yds rushing as SM won 20-13 as a 7 pt AF. LW SM lost 34-2 at Cal, their
lowest point total since being shut out by Tennessee in 1995. UAB beat
Baylor 24-19 as QB Darrell Hackney hit 238 yds (45%) with a 50 yd TD pass
with just :40 remaining despite suffering a knee injury on the previous
series. RB Bo Moncur added 136 yds (6.5) and a TD in his first career game.
S Miss is traveling back from California, having to play on a short week
but always plays well in Alabama where many of their recruits are from.
This is the Thursday Night espn2 game. There is also an NFL game on ABC.
Call Phil Steele?s Private Play Hotline on Thursday after 5:00 ET
1-900-903-9467 and get the TV game he selects for just $9! Phil?s Marquee
Private Play Hotline Plays are 23-4 85% so far this year!
Oregon St 31 FRESNO ST 30 - The home team is 9-1 ATS in this series and the
fav 7-3 ATS. In the last meeting here in 2000, OSU came in as SI?s
Preseason #1 team and FSU simply embarrassed the Beavers 44-24 as a 3? pt
HD, their only time as a HD in this series. In that game FSU outgained them
458-323 as our PPH Sunday Night ESPN Play Winner. LY OSU rolled 59-19 as a
11? pt HF as RB Steven Jackson ran for 227 yds with 2 TD?s, but while QB
Derek Anderson was only 9 of 20. The Bulldogs are 10-4 ATS in their L/14 vs
Pac 10 foes. Since ?99 OSU is 2-7 ATS as an AF but 9-3 ATS as an AD. FSU is
very dangerous as a HD going 7-0 ATS their L/7 with SIX outright upsets
covering by 21.6 ppg!! FSU QB Paul Pinegar missed LW and the team generated
just 4 FD?s at Tennessee. This is the Friday Night ESPN game. Phil?s
Marquee Private Play Hotline Plays are 23-4 85% so far this year and you
can get tonight?s Friday Night ESPN play for just $9 at 1-900-903-9467
after 5:00 ET on Friday.
