Texas A&M

[Irish]

Aggies (+9.5) vs. Utah

RB Courtney Lewis. Lewis was the lone bright spot on the offense last year rushing for 1,024 yards and 12 touchdowns showing a great speed burst and decent hands. He's a threat to hit a home-run every time he touches the ball.

This team had a lot of young players last year and with experience should turn heads. The key is QB McNeil, as he goes so do the aggies. The coach has a lot of JUCO players coming in to contribute. Utah is a very tough team with great talent. This team also lost to A&M last year.

9.5 is a lot of chalk in week one, with two teams that have a lot of experience coming back.

VT (+18) vs. USC

A scary play but IMO the hookies have some strong players returning this year. The coaches are both very good but USC has to come all the way across country to play a game that will be for the most part Hookie friendly. Randell is a very good QB and has shown he can lead this offense. Key losses at RB and WR hurt the hookies. One the other side injuries hurt the USC squad. USC is not hurting for talent - but they did lose some great players last year. Too early in the game to spot a team with 18 points.

Great to have NCAA football back!

GL
Irish

 

[Irish]

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VT (+8.5)

Hiting hard and the hookies have the crowd. Should be close down to the wire.

GL
Irish

 

[Irish]

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UTEP (+25) vs. Ariz St.

UTEP
Returning O Lettermen: 23
Returning D Lettermen: 30
Returning ST Lettermen: 5

RB Howard Jackson. The diminutive senior had a breakout 2003 season finishing fourth in the nation in total yards. Alot of returning players with decent talent a coach that will have these players believing they can win. Ariz st should win the game, but 25 points is a lot to spot a team with a coach like Price and a decent rushing attack. The longer the minors have the ball the less time the sun devils have to score.

E. Mich (-5.5) over Buffalo

teams were able to pound the ball on the UB using the clock and controling the game. The line should do OK, but they have inexperienced linebacking corps, the outside is a problem for UB and should be something E.Mich can use. That means RB Anthony Sherill. (leading the team in both rushing and receiving) should have a great game! This is an experienced team that will have to make the adjustment to the new coaching staff, and they should be better than last year. IMO Eagles at home with a good rushing game should control a Buffalo squad.

GL
Irish

 

[AR182]

irish,

i thought that i was the only one looking at utep.

nice analysis & good luck.

 

[baltimore buc]

With you on Texas A&M - been eyeing this one for a while now.

 

[Irish]

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Oregon St (+18.5) vs. LSU

Oregon State had the nation's seventh best run defense. This defense returns 7 starters including 3/4 of the secondary. Offensively they only return 5 starters but that includes QB, WR and the whole right side of the line. JUCO transfer Chris Miller should provide some aid to the left side of the line, this offensive scheme has produced some quality running backs. Wright will take over where Jackson left off. It is a drop off in power and size but not quickness. The defense can help keep this team in the game and closer than 18 points.

Rutger(+6)

Posted these thoughts before
(The are a team returning 50 letterman including the whole offense except the center. Defensively they took a hit with the loss of the 2 starting CB's and defensive end Orr. With that being said they return all the other players on defense and had true freshman playing in the secondary that should contribute this year. Aside from having 50 returning players the scarlet knights had a recruiting class of 21 including 13 players from NJ. Some real young talent in that group.)

MSU only returns 3 starters on offense, including 2 on a so-so offensive line which allowed sacks(32) and paving the way for the Big Ten's worst rushing offense. The defensive line isn't dominating and if the knights give their QB time, they can make plays.

GL
Irish

Also looking at Texas (-26) over NT and Notre Dame (-4) over BYU

 

[Blackman]

Good luck Irish --- I have ND on my short list as well.

 

[NY Reb]

Nice write-ups. Good luck!

 

[twofingers]

Reb - where abouts upstate NY?

I am outside of Rochester.

 

[winagainjoe]

for what it's worth. I think the UTEP play is a good one. I know some people that are close with to the program. The guys are really fired up and ready for a good showing. No way they win.. but they keep it w/in 3 td's.

 

[ajoytoy]

gl on the plays buddy!


toy

 

[Irish]

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ND(-4) over BYU
Ty has enough of his players in the system now for ND to start playing better. BYU has lost 32 letterman, 20 of which were on the offensive side of the ball. BUT they do return 8 starters. BYU has little talent at WR and have gaping holes on the left side of the line. BYU has returning QB's but they used a 5 man rotation last year, unstable situation at best. D-line is strong but in the 3-3-5 some unexperienced players will have to come up big.
ND returns 10 offensive starters! Also returns 8 defensive starters. Quinn now has a year under his belt and with the help of Grant(RB) the ND offense should be much improved.

Hawaii (-19) over FA
The warriors lose little from last years team on offense returning 12!!! starters, that being said FA cannot stop this offensive system. Defensively Hawaii returns 7 players but key loss is Travis LaBoy at DE. Elimenian and Ikalika Curnan are the heart and soul of this group. Chang, Owens, Bass /Brewster will all have big games. The offensive line is young but big and strong Playing in Aloha Stadium is unlike many experiences for these players. Plus to FA they will be taking the field at 1 AM.

Small play on Mich (-14) Miami OH is not ready to compete in the big house without Rothlesburger. Even with big Ben the wolverines would have my vote. Not a lot of experience at QB, and RB only downside for Mich, however Carr should have the boys on offense ready to produce.

GL
Irish

Final card for sept 2-6
Aggies (+9.5)
EMU (-5.5)
Utep (+25)
Oregon St (+18.5)
Rutgers (+6)
ND(-4)
Hawaii (-19)
Mich (-14)

 

[bamabuck44]

A&M

A&M

No, I have no love loss for Fran, but, after his team quit on him last year (Okla. game), I'll have to sit on the ole wallet for that one, and see if this team will play for him. Good luck on your plays gentleman. Buck

 

[TIDE2121]

I HAD VA TECH PICKED AS WELL GREAT WIN DONT KNOW IF USC IS THE #1 TEAM IN THE COUNTRY DIDNT LOOK LIKE IT BUT HAMMERING A&M WITH YOU LIKE THEM IN THIS ONE OVER THE UTES