Pass for me tonight, I dont think I have hit a Sunbelt game in a couple of years.
North Carolina at VIRGINIA (Thursday)...Before LY?s ugly 7-5 loss at UNC, Virginia had covered 7 straight in series (6-1 SU). It was an ideal spot for Tar Heels psychologically in ?05, with Cavs off celebratory 26-21 upset vs. Florida State. UNC on major spread slide, having dropped 8 straight vs. number.
Utah at NEW MEXICO (Thursday)...NM has sprung 3 upsets in past 4 series meetings, including 31-27 victory in Salt Lake City LY. Utes outgained Lobos 441-285, but 5 costly TOs (int. & fumble returned for NM TDs) proved to be difference.
Miami-Ohio at AKRON...Akron seniors amped up to end 5-game losing streak to MAC rival M-O, including distorted 51-23 thumping LY. Zips trailed just 23-17 before avalanche of TOs (season-high 6) allowed RedHawks to blow it open, as Miami scored 21 unanswered pts. over final 8 minutes.
Mississippi at ARKANSAS...Ole Miss just 3-7-1 vs. spread last 11 overall, and Rebels just 1-4 vs. number last 5 vs. Arkansas. Expect highly-aroused effort from Hogs star RB McFadden, who was limited to season-low 22 YR in 13 carries in 28-17 win LY. Rebels led 17-14 in final period before Nutt?s squad scored 2 straight TDs in 11-point win.
Western Michigan at BALL STATE...BSU has sprung 4 upsets in past 5 meetings with WM, including wild 60-57 OT victory at Waldo Stadium LY (Cards were 11-point dog).
Rice at CENTRAL FLORIDA...Despite needing win to clinch C-USA East Division in final reg.-season game of ?05, highly-motivated UCF had to overcome 21-9 halftime deficit (only 1st-H TD came on 58-yd. punt return) in non-covering 31-28 win at Rice LY. Golden Knight "D" allowed Owl option to compile 237 YR on 49 tries. After 0-6 as road dog LY, Owls 2-1 in same role TY under rookie HC Graham.
North Carolina State at MARYLAND...Tightly-contested ACC series; last 6 decided by total of just 32 points. With bowl game on line for both teams in reg. season finale LY, Maryland outgained NCS 265-186, but couldn?t overcome 4-1 TO count, including crucial 28-yd. int. return for Wolfpack TD which gave State the final lead in eventual 20-14 win.
Texas Tech at IOWA STATE...No doubt ISU mentor McCarney will remind troops of embarrassing 52-21 blasting in Lubbock back in ?03, which was Cyclones' worst loss since ?97.
South Carolina at VANDERBILT...Vandy has been much better road dog (11-2) than home dog (2-4) since ?04. USC has captured 6 straight in series, but ?Cocks won?t overlook ?Dore squad that played them jam-up LY. Game was tied 28-28 before Carolina drove 77 yds. for winning TD with 1:41 left. Versatile ?Cock Newton was used at QB, WR & RB, accounting for 134 yds. & 3 TDs.
Colorado State at WYOMING...Wyo eager for another crack at border rival CSU following error-filled 39-31 loss at Fort Collins LY. Cowboys committed 5 TOs and managed only one 2nd-H score after taking 24-20 lead at H.
Ucla at NOTRE DAME...Good role for ?gutty little Bruins,? who are 10-2-2 as a 10-pt. or fewer road dog since 2000. ND just 6-11 as home chalk since 2003 (1-3 TY), and Irish not so lucky lately, going just 1-8-1 vs. spread last 10!
Buffalo at OHIO...Ohio?s top RB McCrae is licking his chops after scampering for 224 yds. and 2 TDs (31 carries) in 34-20 win at Buffalo LY. Bulls are 3-0 as a road dog TY.
Indiana at OHIO STATE...No.-1 ranked OSU has easily covered 5 of last 6 in series, and Buckeyes 12-1 vs. spread last 13 on board. In 41-10 bashing LY, IU scored its only TD on 57-yd. fumble return, while Buckeye RB Pittman (153 all-purpose yds.) outgained the entire Hoosier offense (137 yds.).
Texas A&M at OKLAHOMA STATE...OSU has circled this date following humiliating 62-23 debacle at College Station LY (Cowboys worst loss since ?03). OSU was forced to go with backup QB Pena, who threw 4 ints. & lost 3 fumbles.
North Carolina at VIRGINIA (Thursday)...Before LY?s ugly 7-5 loss at UNC, Virginia had covered 7 straight in series (6-1 SU). It was an ideal spot for Tar Heels psychologically in ?05, with Cavs off celebratory 26-21 upset vs. Florida State. UNC on major spread slide, having dropped 8 straight vs. number.
Utah at NEW MEXICO (Thursday)...NM has sprung 3 upsets in past 4 series meetings, including 31-27 victory in Salt Lake City LY. Utes outgained Lobos 441-285, but 5 costly TOs (int. & fumble returned for NM TDs) proved to be difference.
Miami-Ohio at AKRON...Akron seniors amped up to end 5-game losing streak to MAC rival M-O, including distorted 51-23 thumping LY. Zips trailed just 23-17 before avalanche of TOs (season-high 6) allowed RedHawks to blow it open, as Miami scored 21 unanswered pts. over final 8 minutes.
Mississippi at ARKANSAS...Ole Miss just 3-7-1 vs. spread last 11 overall, and Rebels just 1-4 vs. number last 5 vs. Arkansas. Expect highly-aroused effort from Hogs star RB McFadden, who was limited to season-low 22 YR in 13 carries in 28-17 win LY. Rebels led 17-14 in final period before Nutt?s squad scored 2 straight TDs in 11-point win.
Western Michigan at BALL STATE...BSU has sprung 4 upsets in past 5 meetings with WM, including wild 60-57 OT victory at Waldo Stadium LY (Cards were 11-point dog).
Rice at CENTRAL FLORIDA...Despite needing win to clinch C-USA East Division in final reg.-season game of ?05, highly-motivated UCF had to overcome 21-9 halftime deficit (only 1st-H TD came on 58-yd. punt return) in non-covering 31-28 win at Rice LY. Golden Knight "D" allowed Owl option to compile 237 YR on 49 tries. After 0-6 as road dog LY, Owls 2-1 in same role TY under rookie HC Graham.
North Carolina State at MARYLAND...Tightly-contested ACC series; last 6 decided by total of just 32 points. With bowl game on line for both teams in reg. season finale LY, Maryland outgained NCS 265-186, but couldn?t overcome 4-1 TO count, including crucial 28-yd. int. return for Wolfpack TD which gave State the final lead in eventual 20-14 win.
Texas Tech at IOWA STATE...No doubt ISU mentor McCarney will remind troops of embarrassing 52-21 blasting in Lubbock back in ?03, which was Cyclones' worst loss since ?97.
South Carolina at VANDERBILT...Vandy has been much better road dog (11-2) than home dog (2-4) since ?04. USC has captured 6 straight in series, but ?Cocks won?t overlook ?Dore squad that played them jam-up LY. Game was tied 28-28 before Carolina drove 77 yds. for winning TD with 1:41 left. Versatile ?Cock Newton was used at QB, WR & RB, accounting for 134 yds. & 3 TDs.
Colorado State at WYOMING...Wyo eager for another crack at border rival CSU following error-filled 39-31 loss at Fort Collins LY. Cowboys committed 5 TOs and managed only one 2nd-H score after taking 24-20 lead at H.
Ucla at NOTRE DAME...Good role for ?gutty little Bruins,? who are 10-2-2 as a 10-pt. or fewer road dog since 2000. ND just 6-11 as home chalk since 2003 (1-3 TY), and Irish not so lucky lately, going just 1-8-1 vs. spread last 10!
Buffalo at OHIO...Ohio?s top RB McCrae is licking his chops after scampering for 224 yds. and 2 TDs (31 carries) in 34-20 win at Buffalo LY. Bulls are 3-0 as a road dog TY.
Indiana at OHIO STATE...No.-1 ranked OSU has easily covered 5 of last 6 in series, and Buckeyes 12-1 vs. spread last 13 on board. In 41-10 bashing LY, IU scored its only TD on 57-yd. fumble return, while Buckeye RB Pittman (153 all-purpose yds.) outgained the entire Hoosier offense (137 yds.).
Texas A&M at OKLAHOMA STATE...OSU has circled this date following humiliating 62-23 debacle at College Station LY (Cowboys worst loss since ?03). OSU was forced to go with backup QB Pena, who threw 4 ints. & lost 3 fumbles.