Week 1 Card (Aug 30th)
- Thread starter Irish
- Start date
VT (-27.5) over ECU
A heavy heart will follow VT out of the locker room. The team and fans will take a moment of silence before the opening kick. Virginia Tech was dominant leading up to its bowl defeat, winning six games in a row and holding opponents to 4.8 points per contest, lowering its season average to 11.0. This defense will be facing an ECU QB that has never seen the college level and there is no chance he will be ready for the overall speed of the VT defense. Virginia Tech has won 25 consecutive games at Lane Stadium against non-conference opponents, and is 40-7-1 there against non-league teams. The Hokies have won the last five meetings with East Carolina, including a 45-28 victory on Sept. 7, 2000. This is a very solid offense if Glennon can improve on the field as he has done off it. The coaches are extremely impressed with glennon to the fact he beat out true freshman and special talent behind him. Brendon Ore is a good back that grinds away at teams and should be a big factor. ECU has a young o-line and that is the reason I like the hokies, they will be all over the ECU QB and force the pirates into bad positions. Then Glennon and the offense will take advantage. All the returning players for VT will be enough because not only do they play well at home but they will be pumped up with all the campus behind them after the tragedy. I like the defense to score for VT and Glennon to open up a passing attack. Plus if the hokies get ahead they might play Ike or Tyrod at QB and that is trouble for ECU as well.
Cheers
Irish
A heavy heart will follow VT out of the locker room. The team and fans will take a moment of silence before the opening kick. Virginia Tech was dominant leading up to its bowl defeat, winning six games in a row and holding opponents to 4.8 points per contest, lowering its season average to 11.0. This defense will be facing an ECU QB that has never seen the college level and there is no chance he will be ready for the overall speed of the VT defense. Virginia Tech has won 25 consecutive games at Lane Stadium against non-conference opponents, and is 40-7-1 there against non-league teams. The Hokies have won the last five meetings with East Carolina, including a 45-28 victory on Sept. 7, 2000. This is a very solid offense if Glennon can improve on the field as he has done off it. The coaches are extremely impressed with glennon to the fact he beat out true freshman and special talent behind him. Brendon Ore is a good back that grinds away at teams and should be a big factor. ECU has a young o-line and that is the reason I like the hokies, they will be all over the ECU QB and force the pirates into bad positions. Then Glennon and the offense will take advantage. All the returning players for VT will be enough because not only do they play well at home but they will be pumped up with all the campus behind them after the tragedy. I like the defense to score for VT and Glennon to open up a passing attack. Plus if the hokies get ahead they might play Ike or Tyrod at QB and that is trouble for ECU as well.
Cheers
Irish
Cuse (ML) over Wash
Both coaches have a ton to prove but Cuse is the better team. Not too much time for a write up but both teams start young QB's but Cuse has the edge in the skill department. This is a west coast offense team that has the players in place to make waves in the Big East. Now Wash playes well to start the season but not to finish. The lost a lot of players and Ty hasn't really done a great job reloading the gun. The talent on cuse plus the home crowd should be enough to win this contest out right. Both young QB's can play but Cuse has much more talent returning and avialable.
Cheers
Irish
Both coaches have a ton to prove but Cuse is the better team. Not too much time for a write up but both teams start young QB's but Cuse has the edge in the skill department. This is a west coast offense team that has the players in place to make waves in the Big East. Now Wash playes well to start the season but not to finish. The lost a lot of players and Ty hasn't really done a great job reloading the gun. The talent on cuse plus the home crowd should be enough to win this contest out right. Both young QB's can play but Cuse has much more talent returning and avialable.
Cheers
Irish
$$$$$
Still steaming off Ball st... they go for it on 4th right before the half from the Miami 12 yard line then after going ahead by 6 they allow a huge punt return to set up the Miami score with 17 second remaining in the game.... ouch
Small play
Cuse/Wash UNDER (44.5)
Cheers
Irish
Small play
Cuse/Wash UNDER (44.5)
Cheers
Irish
GT (ML) over ND
ND has a ton to replace on offense and the GT defense will take advantage. The yellowjacket defense shut down a far better ND offense last year. Yes the irish have the home field advantage but I am not sure it will be enough. Some Tech fans questioned how good Bennett could be if he was stuck playing for three seasons behind Reggie Ball, a frustratingly inconsistent quarterback. But Bennett played well against West Virginia in the Gator Bowl last season when Ball was ruled academically ineligible, completing 19 of 29 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Not only will the GT QB play be solid but Choice should grind the ball enough to take up the slack for Johnson being gone. I was on the fence in this game for a while but in the end I have to think ND just has too much to replace and even though Wies recruited well GT is the better team.
WVU (-23.5) over W. Mich
WVU always comes out with an easy opener and they should have a lot of gains on offense against a weak defense. WVU has a lot of speed and if the defense can replace players at LB they will be much improved this season. The weakness of WVU was on defense and they did some things to address those problem. White and Slayton should be enough but Schmidt, Renaud and Devine should also have big games. A lot of chalk but at home with a very good offense WVU will have no problem out scoring W. Mich the whole game. They need to get a few stops and the offense will do the rest. Force W. Mich to play catch up and they will not be able to find openings in the secondary. WVU is a very good home team and they normally turn it up, which is good in this game. A little worried about them being overly confident but a team with so much talent and older starters should come out looking to set the pace for the season.
Cheers
Irish
ND has a ton to replace on offense and the GT defense will take advantage. The yellowjacket defense shut down a far better ND offense last year. Yes the irish have the home field advantage but I am not sure it will be enough. Some Tech fans questioned how good Bennett could be if he was stuck playing for three seasons behind Reggie Ball, a frustratingly inconsistent quarterback. But Bennett played well against West Virginia in the Gator Bowl last season when Ball was ruled academically ineligible, completing 19 of 29 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Not only will the GT QB play be solid but Choice should grind the ball enough to take up the slack for Johnson being gone. I was on the fence in this game for a while but in the end I have to think ND just has too much to replace and even though Wies recruited well GT is the better team.
WVU (-23.5) over W. Mich
WVU always comes out with an easy opener and they should have a lot of gains on offense against a weak defense. WVU has a lot of speed and if the defense can replace players at LB they will be much improved this season. The weakness of WVU was on defense and they did some things to address those problem. White and Slayton should be enough but Schmidt, Renaud and Devine should also have big games. A lot of chalk but at home with a very good offense WVU will have no problem out scoring W. Mich the whole game. They need to get a few stops and the offense will do the rest. Force W. Mich to play catch up and they will not be able to find openings in the secondary. WVU is a very good home team and they normally turn it up, which is good in this game. A little worried about them being overly confident but a team with so much talent and older starters should come out looking to set the pace for the season.
Cheers
Irish
Went against the one thought I had against Cuse.... coaching and wow that was a huge difference.
Iowa (-12) over N.Ill
The huskies lose a ton. Iowa is breaking in several key new starters and should need a little while before it plays up to its capability. NIU offensive line is one of the team's biggest concerns heading into the season, and Iowa's defensive line is one of the team's biggest strengths, there might not be time or room for the NIU skill players to operate. Iowa appeared to have a huge advantage coming into this game in the passing game, with a rising receiving corps almost certain to have its way with the mediocre Huskie secondary. While the loss of the two receivers will hurt the development of the Iowa passing game, Albert Young and the Hawkeye ground attack should be able to pick up the slack. The Iowa defensive front seven should be able to keep the Huskies from doing too much on the ground, and the passing game won't be quite up-to-snuff yet. Iowa has the edge in coaching and recruiting, they have players to come in and make plays. N.Ill will have too many holes to fill this season. This game is at solider field so it will be a nice atmosphere but Iowa is just a stronger team. The will have to help out the QB onsidering they suspended two of the better WRs. Still Christiansen is a good QB that can make plays, plus he has a good line and Young to fall back on. The DE for Iowa missed the season last year and he should return to generate pressure and that will be bad news for N.Ill. The D-line will force the tempo today and Iowa will come out looking to change the mentality that lead to a disappointing season last year.
Cheers
Irish
Iowa (-12) over N.Ill
The huskies lose a ton. Iowa is breaking in several key new starters and should need a little while before it plays up to its capability. NIU offensive line is one of the team's biggest concerns heading into the season, and Iowa's defensive line is one of the team's biggest strengths, there might not be time or room for the NIU skill players to operate. Iowa appeared to have a huge advantage coming into this game in the passing game, with a rising receiving corps almost certain to have its way with the mediocre Huskie secondary. While the loss of the two receivers will hurt the development of the Iowa passing game, Albert Young and the Hawkeye ground attack should be able to pick up the slack. The Iowa defensive front seven should be able to keep the Huskies from doing too much on the ground, and the passing game won't be quite up-to-snuff yet. Iowa has the edge in coaching and recruiting, they have players to come in and make plays. N.Ill will have too many holes to fill this season. This game is at solider field so it will be a nice atmosphere but Iowa is just a stronger team. The will have to help out the QB onsidering they suspended two of the better WRs. Still Christiansen is a good QB that can make plays, plus he has a good line and Young to fall back on. The DE for Iowa missed the season last year and he should return to generate pressure and that will be bad news for N.Ill. The D-line will force the tempo today and Iowa will come out looking to change the mentality that lead to a disappointing season last year.
Cheers
Irish
:shrug:
C.Mich (ML +250) over Kansas
Well I am gonna take this small but on the money line. C.Mich was young and good last season and they turned heads. They have a lot of talent and even though they are an up and comer they are getting a TD from Kansas. The jayhawks play well at home and I have played on them many times but I am not sure what they have to give them this type of advantage? They lost their RB and they have questions at QB. The o-line is not solid and their best player is a CB. CMU new head coach Butch Jones has a loaded team with 14 starters back including the league's best group of skill players. This will be a shootout and CMU is better built for that type of game, while kansas just does not have the consistancy on offense. I am truely confused by the spread on this game but I will take CMU to win because they are the more complete team. KU has a good group on defense but they are young and small, both teams have the defense to make stops but not to shut down. CMU also has the edge because they have nothing to lose.
Cheers
Irish
C.Mich (ML +250) over Kansas
Well I am gonna take this small but on the money line. C.Mich was young and good last season and they turned heads. They have a lot of talent and even though they are an up and comer they are getting a TD from Kansas. The jayhawks play well at home and I have played on them many times but I am not sure what they have to give them this type of advantage? They lost their RB and they have questions at QB. The o-line is not solid and their best player is a CB. CMU new head coach Butch Jones has a loaded team with 14 starters back including the league's best group of skill players. This will be a shootout and CMU is better built for that type of game, while kansas just does not have the consistancy on offense. I am truely confused by the spread on this game but I will take CMU to win because they are the more complete team. KU has a good group on defense but they are young and small, both teams have the defense to make stops but not to shut down. CMU also has the edge because they have nothing to lose.
Cheers
Irish
I hate Sean Glennon
No time for write ups but.....
Cal (-7) over Tenn
Revenge, at home, returning players for Cal and less for Tenn. Like call in this spot to make a statement. Fulmer has the record but cal has the motivation. You would have to think Cal dials up the presure sonsidering Ainge is banged up and the RB is out.
Georgia (-6.5) over Okie St
Like the bulldogs defense and lumpkins to make this happen. Yes Okie has a lot of talent but georgia is a very good team and they have the players to win by a TD in a loud home field.
Need to have some hits on GT and WVU!! Also played UCLA!
Beers are flowing and football is back baby!
Might have a late night hamer beers play
Cheers
Irish
No time for write ups but.....
Cal (-7) over Tenn
Revenge, at home, returning players for Cal and less for Tenn. Like call in this spot to make a statement. Fulmer has the record but cal has the motivation. You would have to think Cal dials up the presure sonsidering Ainge is banged up and the RB is out.
Georgia (-6.5) over Okie St
Like the bulldogs defense and lumpkins to make this happen. Yes Okie has a lot of talent but georgia is a very good team and they have the players to win by a TD in a loud home field.
Need to have some hits on GT and WVU!! Also played UCLA!
Beers are flowing and football is back baby!
Might have a late night hamer beers play
Cheers
Irish
N. Mex (-3.5) over UTEP
Price did a good job rebuilding but they have gown down over the past few years. They lose Palmer who was the best QB even though he was turn over prone. They also lose Higgins whichs kills the recieving group. The Utep defense has always been a question mark and they will remain uncertain. N.Mex will bring a very good defense to the table. Baldwin brings a good offense for N.Mex from Mich St. That will not matter if the N.Mex QB is on his back....Tackles Anthony Kilby, Devin Clark, Chris Mark and Brian Ramsey have to do a better job of giving Porterie time. Still N.Mex beat Utep last season and now the lobos return a lot of the players from that team and should be solid enough to make big plays. The key for the lobos is starting the pass....then Furguson can open up the field with big runs. He is a very good running back but is not going to be able to make teams play only him. The weak Utep defense and the rebuilding offense will not have enough to face N.Mex and after last season if the lobos come out strong the miners my struggle to maintain composure.
Cheers
Irish
Price did a good job rebuilding but they have gown down over the past few years. They lose Palmer who was the best QB even though he was turn over prone. They also lose Higgins whichs kills the recieving group. The Utep defense has always been a question mark and they will remain uncertain. N.Mex will bring a very good defense to the table. Baldwin brings a good offense for N.Mex from Mich St. That will not matter if the N.Mex QB is on his back....Tackles Anthony Kilby, Devin Clark, Chris Mark and Brian Ramsey have to do a better job of giving Porterie time. Still N.Mex beat Utep last season and now the lobos return a lot of the players from that team and should be solid enough to make big plays. The key for the lobos is starting the pass....then Furguson can open up the field with big runs. He is a very good running back but is not going to be able to make teams play only him. The weak Utep defense and the rebuilding offense will not have enough to face N.Mex and after last season if the lobos come out strong the miners my struggle to maintain composure.
Cheers
Irish
ASU (-16.5) over SJS
small play but Eirkson and the offsence should be enough. The sun devils have all the pieces in place to turn heads on offense, they just need to make improvements on defense. At home they should out score SJS and in the end SJS won't be able to keep up. Because ASU runs hot and cold and they do have a new coach makes this a small play.
Speaking of Erickson....
USC (-49) over Idaho
This Idaho team was going in the right direction but losing a big part of that coaching staff will not help them tonight. USC at home with a boat load of talent on offense and defense should make it a long night for the vandals. PLUS the trojans have 3 times the speed of Idaho and it will show when in the open field and when big plays are made on USC side.
Cheers
Irish
small play but Eirkson and the offsence should be enough. The sun devils have all the pieces in place to turn heads on offense, they just need to make improvements on defense. At home they should out score SJS and in the end SJS won't be able to keep up. Because ASU runs hot and cold and they do have a new coach makes this a small play.
Speaking of Erickson....
USC (-49) over Idaho
This Idaho team was going in the right direction but losing a big part of that coaching staff will not help them tonight. USC at home with a boat load of talent on offense and defense should make it a long night for the vandals. PLUS the trojans have 3 times the speed of Idaho and it will show when in the open field and when big plays are made on USC side.
Cheers
Irish
