Thursday - Saturday Card (Oct -12th-14th)

[Irish]

Ball St (+8.5) over C. Mich
Youth movement in Ball state with sophmore Hill running the ball and Davis throwing the ball. The Chips struggle in the 1st quarter and the way Ball St can score quickly that might be a problem. C. Mich is a decent team and have played solid competition and Ball st is not the greatest team. Still they have made the movement to the young players and that brings energy. Both QB's are good enough to get things done and both can make plays when the coverage is tight. Nate Davis threw his first interception of the season against Buffalo. He offset that mistake by completing 11 passes for an average of 22.5 yards per completion. C. Mich set this game for homecoming weekend, and I am sure the cards would like nothing more than to give C. Mich thier 1st confrence loss on homecoming. CMU is off a very emotional game against Toledo and they might have spent a little too much on that game. Plus the Chips might be thinking about BG coming in in 5 days because this is the 1st of 2 games in 5 days. CMU has won two straight over the Cardinals, both come-from-behind wins in the 2004 and 2005 season finales, and leads the all-time series 19-18-1. The Chippewas have not defeated Ball State in three consecutive seasons since 1984-86. The Chippewas improved to 3-3 overall and 3-0 in the Mid-American Conference with a 42-20 win at Toledo Saturday. Central Michigan opened the season with a 31-24 home loss to Boston College and a 41-17 loss at Michigan. The Chippewas defeated Akron in Mount Pleasant, Mich., by a 24-21 margin, won at Eastern Michigan 24-17 in overtime and lost 45-36 at Kentucky before the win over Toledo. CMU ranks 17th in the country in passing with 262.5 yards per game. Ball State Among the Nation's Passing Elite: Ball State ranks fourth in the nation in passing efficiency this season with a 174.36 mark. The Cardinals are behind only Pittsburgh (186.51), Nebraska (176.36) and Tennessee (175.82). Ball State has completed 121-of-185 passes. These are two teams that can play football but I still like the passing game and the points in this big MAC game.

Gman or Spang anythoughts?

Cheers
Irish

 

[ajoytoy]

Irish

gl this week(end)

 

[Irish]

Mich (-6.5) over Penn St
Penn St has not looked too strong lately, while Michigan has found the deep ball to go along with the running game. This will be the 12th meeting between the two schools, with Michigan holding an 8-3 series advantage. This will be Michigan?s first trip to Penn State in five years. Michigan shut out Penn State 20-0 last time they squared off in State College. Michigan has compiled an impressive 397-113-13 (.772) all-time record in October. The Wolverines have a 34-8 mark in the 10th month of the year under head coach Lloyd Carr and have won 20 of their last 24 contests in October. U-M is 4-1 vs. Penn State in October. The Michigan run defense has been nothing short of sensational eading the nation by allowing just 36.4 yards per game. Yes Penn St will be fired up, but Michigan should be equally as ready for this game. The offensive and defensive firepower is too much for Penn St. Michigan won last years contest and that was a far better Penn St team. The defense should get to Morelli and force him to throw early. The WR of penn St are fast but the deep routes will not have the time enough to develope. The Michigan secondary is also up to creating a few turnovers. The wolverines should stop the run and the offense should be able to throw the home run ball because the LB's for state will be committed to the run. Also the speed of Michigan should be a problem if the LB's are matched up against skilled positions. The defense and the Offense for Michigan is firing and as long as they are not looking ahead they should be too tough for the Lions.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Parlay
WVU (-25.5) & Ohio St (-15.5)
Just a play on the better teams even though I don't like all the chalk, both teams are playing well.

Cheers
Irish

 

[tulah]

I'm on Mich already (big play for me this week)

Nice write up!!

GL to you this week

 

[Irish]

Oregon (-10.5) over UCLA

The bruins got past Arizona at home with their back up QB playing but the Arizona offense was crushed with the Zona QB going down as well. Well now they go into Oregon and get a ducks team fresh off a beating at the hands of Cal in which they played out right terrible. Cowan faces an Oregon defense which was shredded for 424 yards by Cal last week, easily the most it has given up all season. The offense wasn't much better with 70 yards on 29 rushing attempts, and Dennis Dixon had three interceptions after throwing only two through the season's first four games. Last week?s 21-point loss to Cal was Oregon?s most lopsided loss since a 45-13 setback vs. then-No. 1 USC last season; Following that loss, Oregon defeated its next three opponents by an average of 20.6 points and also won seven straight contests. Something?s gotta give: Oregon leads the Pac-10 in rushing offense (197.0 ypg) while the Bruins rank first in rushing defense, allowing just 50 yards per game.That something will be the Bruins defense because they have not played this caliber of rushing attack to date. The Ducks are averaging 469.20 yards on offense (fourth in the nation) -- 196.00 on the ground (16th) and 273.20 in the air (14th) and 37.00 points per game (9th). Defensively, Oregon is allowing 332.00 yards (63rd in the NCAA) -- 178.00 on the ground (104th) and 154.00 in the air (11th). This should be a very motivated Ducks team, looking to rebound on UCLA and their back up QB. They have also only played one away game which was their loss to Washington a game in which the Bruins lost by 10. IMO this ducks team is better and looking to take advantage. Belotti will use this loss to fuel the ducks this week and I do not think the offense has as tough of a time getting rolling on this defense.

Cheers
Irish

 

[PAX]

Totally agree with you on Michigan. I took them also. They are the much better team right now even without their top WR.

PAX

 

[Blackman]

Best of luck this weekend Irish.

 

[Ronnie]

Good Luck Irish! Really enjoy reading your writeups.

 

[CWood97]

Glad to see you on Michigan this week Irish, best of luck.

 

[Irish]

VT (-2.5) over BC
I am not sold on the VT offense, I do not really care they are very good on thursday night. I care that this VT team is coming off a loss and this game is huge for them. Also this is Beamers 300th game and I am sure his boys want to make it special. Virginia Tech?s 10 interceptions are tied for ninth nationally among Division I-A teams. The Hokies are ranked eighth nationally in total defense (243.8 ypg). Tech has given up just six offensive touchdowns in its five games.The Hokies have won on their last five visits to Boston College. BC is a solid team but I think the Tech defense might be a bit much for them, especially if the Hokies come to play tonight. The offense has ability in Glennon passing but has yet to find the run game. That is something VT has to establish tonight and Orr should be able to get some gains to free up the pass against a team that has had a tough time against the pass. Don't get me wrong, I like the fact that this is a thursday night game because it adds to the hokies swagger but this team HAS to play hard and off a long week thinking about the by IMO the Hokies will come out looking to show the nation they are not as bad as they looked against GT. This will be a good game and a lot of smash mouth but I'm looking to beamer to throw everything at BC considering this is a HUGE game not just in the ACC but in VT hopes for a big bowl. Yes BC will have the same passion but if both teams come to play and bring their A games I like VT. Plus BC is looking to a freshman walk on to kick and considering VT has a way of disrupting kicks it might lead to a big play.

GLENNON needs to transfer, you need 4.2 speed to play behind that line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The kid can throw but that line is bad and he wants to hold the ball too long.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Clemson (-44) over Temple
Temple is BAD, Clemson knows how lucky they were last game and at home they should look to work out the kinks. Plus the defense is way too tough for Temple to move the ball. On National TV at home Clemson will look to turn it loose on the owls. The Tiger offense will have the opportunity to spread out carries amongst its three running backs, as they did against Louisiana Tech when James Davis, CJ Spiller and Demerick Chancellor all rushed for over 100 yards against a run D that's giving up 233 yards per outing. QB Will Proctor threw three picks at Wake Forest, but he should be able to get back on track quickly against a shaky Owl secondary. With conference matchups against No. 13 Georgia Tech and 22nd-ranked Virginia Tech following Thursday's game this might and is a look ahead game but being at home I still think they have enough to dominate Temple. Temple has already played one ranked team this year, a 62-0 loss to then-No. 13 Louisville on Sept. 9. Considering the Tigers did not exactly play well last week this will be a work out game for the games to come and I expect the Temple Owls to play the part of the scout team well. Fast defense creating turnovers, offense running the ball with ease and Proctor should find his throwing lanes and space.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

AF (-6) over Colo St
Air Force's two losses this season have come to teams that are a combined 10-2. Both Tennessee and Navy are 5-1 this season. Air Force is 1-8 all-time in Thursday night games. The Falcons have lost seven straight on Thursday night dating back to a victory over Colorado State in Fort Collins in 1998. The Falcons have played Colorado State six times on Thursday night and are 1-5 in those games Air Force is 3rd/55th in scoring offense with a 25.5 average. Colorado State is 2nd/22nd scoring defense, allowing 14.8 points per game. Air Force is 1st/4th in rushing with a 265.8 average. Colorado State is 2nd/13th in rushing defense with a 75.0. Colorado State is 2nd/18th in passing efficiency with a 153.1. Air Force is 8th/109th in passing efficiency defense with a 151.3. Air Force is 1st/1st in third-down conversions with a 60.0. Colorado State is 1st/6th in third-down conversion defense with a 26.6. Colorado State is 2nd/14th in time of possession with a 32:33. Air Force is 3rd/16th in time of possession with a 32:21. Air Force has three of the top four rushers in the MWC this season. Rams' coach Sonny Lubick has a 4-3 record against the Falcons in Colorado Springs. AFA has won three of the last home games between the teams including a 47-17 decision to end the 2004 season. In two of the past three games, Colorado State has scored a defensive or special teams touchdown. IMO AF has played the tougher teams and have played them better. This is a big game for the falcons but they should be ready. The offense for AF should be able to run the ball and they will use the energy of home field to keep things going. Defensively they should be able to get some stops and I think the falcons out play Colorado St tonight.

Thanks for taking the first half OFF

Cheers
Irish

 

[DeadPrez]

gl this weekend irish :SIB

 

[Irish]

Pitt (-10) over UCF
Like the speed of the Pitt defense and think they will be a big problem for the knights offense. Moffett is a poor QB, not only does he make mistakes but he only completes about 50% of his passes. Despite gaining 488 yards in all, UCF scored on only four of six trips into the red zone and had to settle for four field-goal attempts.The Pitt defense will hold the knights offense and the return game for Pitt might make a few big plays tonight. Stevens Howling will be able to run on UCF and when he gets moving Palko has the ability to throw a decent ball. I like the ability of the Pitt WR to make big plays after the catch. They should get the ball and keep drives alive, plus the jump ball should be available. Kinder and Turner will get a good match up tonight and Palko have to take advantage. The coaching staff knows in order to get the offense moving they have to let Palko throw or he gets fustrated and can kill him self. He also is a decent running but has the fumbles in the open field, still I think he'll get some yards tonight making things happen as the play breaks down. Dislike the fact this game is the week before homecoming and a big showdown against Rutgers but I still like the team speed and lunch pale mentality that should help Pitt get through this game. UCF enters the Pittsburgh game allowing 406.2 yards per game, 10th in C-USA. They allowed Marshall to rush for 230 yards, and Marshall is NOT good IMO. The Pitt offense should be far more productive than Marshall and they should get on the scoreboad. The RB for UCF was banged up last week and the Pitt defense should be out there to stop the run and if they do that then the secondary can generate turnovers. Pitt is the better team and even though this is an away game and Pitt isn't the best away team they still have more talent and speed.

Cheers
Irish

 

[thom24ad]

Great write-ups as usual...opposite of MICH/PSU...the way I look at this one is game is in two ways...its going to be close and who ever has the ball last wins just like the game they played last year...or similar to OSU/Iowa with MICH taking control over the game...PSU will have to play thee best game of their season if they want to stay with MICH...

Good luck Irish!

 

[trolln4walii]

GL this week Irish. With you on Mich and Ball St. Have the Panthers in a tease tonight :mj06:

 

[Irish]

Pitt/UCF UNDER 23 second half
small play
Think Pitt calls off the dogs and UCF wants to just finish the game. Plus TO's might not lead to Pitt having about 5 possesions starting in RZ.

Cheers
Irish

 

[JimNeale]

Well done, Irish

Well done, Irish

Win, or lose, I love reading your writeups. Keep up the hard work.

 

[roymunson]

Cowherd

Cowherd

Neb -9
Rutgers +3
Wash St. +8
FLA -2
Oregon -9

Pro Plays for Sun
ATL -3 coming off bye
Jets -2 coming home after a GIAGANTIC ASS BEATING last weekend

I am going to bed,,,sick as a dog