Oregon St / FSU

[Irish]

Oregon St (+7.5) over Boise St

LET DOWN game for the beavers, but is it really a let down or are these player going to come out hungry? 3 extra points missed in a loss against co-national champion in death valley, one of the toughest places to play. Playing on the smurf turf Boise is tough, but spotting a hungry team a TD and hook is a lot. Boise hangs 65 on a not so good Idaho team. Jared Zabransky & TB Lee Marks will not have the option of rushing for many TD's against OS defense. The inexperience of Zabransky will come out on Friday.

FSU (+2) over Miami

The time is now for Chris Rix, Miami doesn't have the weapons on defense they did a year ago. Berlin is not the QB Miami expected to replace Dorsey. Thorpe should have an easier time making plays with out safety Sean Taylor shadowing him.

GL
Irish

 

[pirate fan]

Irish, do you feel the sloppy field slowed and thus nuetralized LSU's speed? Biose has speed and may exploit the beaver defense a little more. Just interested on your take as I was leaning towards Boise. Thanks.

 

[Irish]

good point Pirate Fan, let me explain my though:

The field conditions helped slow the speed of LSU. BUT the beavers have a very quick d-line, good at making open field tackles and getting pressure on the QB. Bill Swancutt and his teammates dominated the o-line, some of that I will account for sloppiness, the other to skill. Sloppy games normally favor the defense. With all this being said Oregon St was able to read and react very well, they showed the toughness they had on defense last year.

Boise starting a sophomore QB against Idaho rushed for 3 td's and threw for a pick. IMHO Oregon is a turf team (home field turf) so I think playing on the smurf turf will help the beavers overall defensive speed.

Last years meeting came down to a 2 point victory by the beavers at home. I think giving this hungry beaver team 7.5 is a lot for a team which needs to replace several starters (3 return) and several all-stars.

GL
Irish

 

[pirate fan]

thanks for the insight. I'm definately riding FSU with you. Any thoughts on ND this weekend? Saw the line dropped to 13 from 13.5. I can't bet on ND because I know I am to biased, I think ND can win them all

 

[Irish]

after watching ND vs. BYU I'll give them the benefit of my doubt being the first game, in altitude, away and any other excuse I can think of, BUT don't think the Irish could beat De La Salle high school. They are not even close to where they should be on offense. I'm kind of leaning in Mich favor, but being that the game is in south bend, I haven't made up my mind. If the flanker screen is the only working play ND has it is going to be a long season.

 

[CWood97]

Heavy lean to ND for me. UM's running game was non-existent vs Miami OH last Sat. ND's defense looked very tough at BYU. UM will be improved but so will ND. I see a VERY low scoring game. 14-10 either way would not surprise me. If Ryan Grant plays I see some value on the ND money line also.

Also, before playing UM be sure to check Lloyd's record in road openers. Haven't covered since @ Indiana in 1997 and lost all but one since then (@ 'Cuse in '99). Only solid performance road opener under Carr was in '96 at Colorado. :cursin:

 

[ajoytoy]

gl on plays buddy...hate to be on the other side...hopefully we will agree on a few later this week

 

[plt123]

I am pounding FSU this year. I can honestly say that FSU has not treated me well ATS in the past. The time is now for Chris Rix and these hungary Noles

When you breakdown the positions here is what I see.

QB- Rix and Berlin are a wash, both make questionable decisions

RB- Edge FSU--Washington and Booker are very fast and are injury free. Gore for UM is coming off of second ACL in 2 years. Moss is a decent North south runner. Nothing special..

OL- Very slight edge to UM--FSU returns all 5 and is vastly improved, though the starting Center and Guard may miss due to injury. The backups for these two are more talented, but lack the experience, though both started a couple of games last year. UM has a great OL coach who has consistently made chicken shit into chicken salad. UM also will be missing a starter from the game due to injury, and possibly 2 starters..

TE- EVEN--UM uses their TE's better, but Winslow gone, and Everett is the guy who choked and dropped that pass in the WVU game on the fake punt. Jury is out on him.. FSU returns all the TE, though Donnie Carter went down with an injury and is lost for the season. Irons and Henshaw return along with Notre Dame transfer Matt Root. TE by committee.

WR- Edge-FSU--4-5 top WR return for FSU--UM returns group, but were very inconsistent last year. Thorpe for FSU has major star potential.. Moore for UM is a player..

DL--Edge UM-- Lost Wilfork--Orien Harris steps in as next great UM DL.. Ends return and are solid... FSU replaces 3-4 but this group saw a ton of action in 03...

LB- Edge FSU-- FSU replaces all 3, but watch out for this group--all 3 shouldve started last year.. Coach Bowden believes in seniority to some extent. UM replaces all 3 as well.. Sims and Nicholson for FSU will be all-Americans before they leave..

DB- Edge-FSU- FSU returns 3-4 Miami returns Antrel Rolle-best CB in America.. With Sean Taylor gone, though, any little mistake won't be covered by his prowess as a ball hawk.. I like FSU here.

Special Teams-- UM---Wide Rt. 1-3 for FSU --Need I say more..

I could go into more detail, but when FSU wins they win by double digits.. When UM wins it is by a touchdown or less. This is the year where FSU returns almost intact and UM lost 6 first rounders.. Something has got to give, and the LBers for UM will be chasing Booker and Washington all day.. I like FSU--27-14--
10 unit play...(No Wide Rt. this year.

 

[Glferboy21]

I like FSU -2, because all of Miami's losses on the defensive side of the ball, and because of Miami's off-season battles.

 

[bej0101]

miami in miami is sooooooooo tough!!

 

[Glferboy21]

I like FSU -2, because all of Miami's losses on the defensive side of the ball, and because of Miami's off-season battles.

 

[plt123]

FSU, historically, has done better in MIami than at home.. FWIW..

 

[Irish]

Adding

Adding

Troy St (+11) vs. Mizzou

Quick Troy st team should be able to keeps Mizzou close. A lot of emotional baggage running for Troy, Big TV game, at Home, vs. top 20 team! What player wouldn't get up for a game like this? Will Mizzou shake the defensive funk they were in last week. If a hard week of practice was held and the defense comes out, this unit of 9 returning starters might get the goose egg. Have to think Troy comes out with something to prove.

GL
Irish