Week 11 Card (Nov 7th-11th)

[Irish]

Maryland (-3.5) over Miami
Throughout this season, QB Sam Hollenbach has let the game come to him. He hasn?t forced his throws lately allowing the running game to be the focus of the offense, but when the Terps needed a big performance from their senior leader, he gave it to them completing 23 of 34 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown against Clemson. Finally, he?s becoming the quarterback the offense has needed all season. The Miami secondary suffered a huge blow with the injury to safety Kenny Phillips making life even easier for the Terp passing game. The Hurricanes will have to deal with the aftermath of the shocking death of senior lineman Bryan Pata when they visit No. 23 Maryland. SS Kenny Phillips, who leads the Hurricanes in interceptions with four, probably will miss the rest of the season because he will have wrist surgery. TB Javarris James (hip), OLT Reggie Youngblood (knee), and TE Greg Olsen (ankle) likely will be available for the Maryland game BUT they all are still banged up which will effect their play. The Hurricanes have been inconsistent all season and against ACC competition are only 10th in the league in total offense, averaging 268 yards in their five conference games. They are producing only 80 yards a game rushing against league foes, 11th in the league ahead of only Duke (49). Their 22 points-per-game average for all games (only 77th in the country) is five points under last season's average. Opponents are still getting 5.7 yards per play against Maryland's defense, which ranks 10th in the ACC in total defense, 11th in rushing defense. But in the past two games, Maryland's defense has been good enough to shut down Clemson and FSU. The fact that Maryland is playing some of their better ball of late and Miami having a down year means Maryland at home will have a good bit of an advantage. The death of a VERY popular team mate, a lame duck coach (IMO) will not have his guys up for this game. Coming off a toss loss against VT and going into their second straight tough road game is also not a good position for Miami. Should be a good game but for Maryland to go into clemson and play that well and getting a down Miami team at home, I'll spot the 3.5.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Oregon (+8) over USC
The Ducks are far more explosive, at least talent-wise, and are battle-tested enough to not be the slighted bit fazed by playing in L.A. Unlike recent editions of Pete Carroll defenses, these Trojans are a wee bit soft and don?t create nearly as many turnovers. At more than 36 points a game, the Ducks possess the weapons to out duel the high-powered USC offense. Stanford is a bad barometer for success, but USC appears to be a bit more focused and motivated after losing for the first time in the regular season in over three years. John David Booty, for one, has begun to heat up, throwing eight touchdown passes over the last three games while leading the team back to within range of beating the Beavers a few weeks ago in a wild comeback. Now that he has WRs Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith healthy again, the junior will carve up a young and underrated Oregon secondary that?ll be facing its toughest challenge of the year. The Ducks are coming off a 34-14 win over Washington last week, giving them back-to-back wins for the first time since starting the season 4-0. Quarterback Dennis Dixon was 14-of-25 for 109 yards and two interceptions, but Jonathan Stewart and the running game more than compensated, accounting for 316 yards. Stewart's return provides a big boost, Dixon's role in the offense seems has been negligible. He hasn't thrown for more than 150 yards in four consecutive games, and his two interceptions resulted in Washington's scores. This is a GREAT spot for the ducks, yes it is not good they go to USC but USC has CAL on deck and thast might be a little look ahead. Not a lot because Oregon is a good team but CAL throtled Oregon and USC might think that is the team they have to beat. TURNOVERS will be the difference, if Oregon stops turning the ball over they have an explosive offense and enough to give USC a very big run for the money.Oregon will come in with every intention this is the big game for them. Every team seems to give USC their best and Oregon will be no differnt. The ducks will bring their A game and after seeing USC have trouble with mid tier PAC-10 teams I would think this would be no exception. If Oregon does not play out side themselves and Dixon makes good decisions with the ball I would be shocked to se Oregon win this game. I'll take the points because Oregon on the road has not been as offensively strong but they should turn it on in this game. I don't expect the duck defense to be the difference but the offense should be able to go score for score.

Cheers
Irish

 

[thom24ad]

Wow, Irish great write-ups on your plays...Nice job on the Rutgers game...
:clap:

 

[Irish]

Org st (-2) over UCLA
Offensively and defensively, everything has been clicking for the Beavers during the winning streak. The return of premier back Yvenson Bernard gives them balance against a Bruin defense that all of a sudden is impersonating last year?s motley crew. While Oregon State has scored 77 points over the last two games, UCLA has surrendered 75, a telling trend that?ll continue Saturday night. QB Ben Olson is finally healthy, but Patrick Cowan will once again get the nod, a sign the coaching staff is happy with the sophomore?s progress. Cowan can hurt the Beavers with his arm, but has also shown a knack for making plays when the pocket breaks down, something that?ll happen often with Oregon State in town. The way to beat UCLA is through the air, however, former Bruin Matt Moore is still one of the more inconsistent quarterbacks in the league despite playing well over the last few weeks. Its defense no longer an attribute, UCLA is incapable of beating a solid opponent at this stage of the year. The Beavers will increase their league-leading sack total. The Beavers are playing with confidence, this is big because they have a lot of returning talent. In a preseason thread I talked about Oregon St and they are playing like I thought they would. They are hitting stride and even going into UCLA they are IMO the better team. They have a very good defense and an solid offense to boot. Like them even though I have a lot of respect for the bruins I am just not sold they are the better team today. Home field advantage will help but I think the veteran leadership gets the job done for the beavers.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Small Play
Wake (+9.5) over FSU
Tough with Lee at QB adds a different aspect to the Nole offense but I'll take the 9 for a team that is top 20. Even though it smells a bit fishy I'll bite because I think Wake (never winning at FSU) comes out ready to play.

Cheers
Irish

 

[boilermaker]

Good to see you on Wake Irish. Good Luck

 

[Irish]

Re-hit
Hawaii (-37.5) over La Tech
:SIB

Thanks BM... wondering how the #18 team in the NCAA can go into FSU and be given 10??? Seems like I am on the outside of some information?

Cheers
Irish

 

[boilermaker]

Public percepcction?:shrug:

 

[Irish]

BM
Like Hawaii at home and after watching Nevada play Utah to a 48 -0 score I thinka pissed Hawaii team will take to the air often with a lot of success. Granted don't like the fact that the public love that game but the high pread does not scare me considering the past few games were won by aroud the forty to fifty margin.

Cheers
Irish

 

[boilermaker]

Hawaii is an offensive machine. Did not play this game, but looking at the numbers it would not surprise me in the least that they would cover the large number.

 

[Irish]

BM
Also take into consideration it is going to be kicking off about 11:00 La Tech Time. That spell tired in the later stages of the game. IMO Brennan and the WR for Hawaii should be trying to earn a bit of respect and Jones and Glanville will be motivated in this contest.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Small
Oregon (ML) over USC
Only cause I am bloody hammered and can get the game on Sports Net.... :shrug:
Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Looking early at a possible upset in the SEC not playing until I see a few more aspects.
But Vandy at home against Tenn, Waiting to se if Crompton or Ainge is playing.

Well 10-5 on the card, not bad but Oregon and turnovers AND here is an idea PLEASE work on your redzone offense....jezz

Cheers
Irish