Week 2 Card (Sept 4th- 7th)

[Irish]

ECU (+8.5) over WVU
C'mon... ECU outright beats VT and yet they get more than a TD at home because WVU beat Vililnova? Virginia Tech's Stephan Hill had a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown and also returned a blocked extra-point for two points. So ECU did not allow VT to accomplish anything on opffense yet they hurt themselves but still won. I am a little worried about the hangover but I think they will be ready. East Carolina rushed for 158 yards against a Virginia Tech defense. That is GREAT considering Villanova actually controlled play offensively, compiling 28 first downs to WVU's 21 and totaling 399 yards. The one question Glennon is stuck in mud, how will ECU handle a scrambling QB like white? The speed and ability to fly around should allow the ECU defense to keep both Devine and White from being game changers. The WVU offense showed a little passing game but considering the past three years showed White in tough games will rather pull and run than throw. Holtz has a good fast team and they would like nothing more than to avenge the beatings at WVU hands over the past few years. They do say the most improvememnts come between week one and week two but both teams looked pretty good in the first game. The very interesting question is how will WVU handle the ECU home field. ECU has been building a nice little home field advantage over the past seasons and the win against Tech will just energize the fans and team. Considering ECU played well enough against a speedy Bud Foster defense they should find more room against WVU. This will have to be offense against offense, the ECU team cannot think they will shut out WVU so they have to stay stride for stride and hope for the mistake from WVU to get ahead and move forward if they want to win this game. I think ECU has the ability to win outright but I'll take the 8.5, home field and lack of defense for WVU to base my play. After all WVU has beaten them selves before, they get overly confident in games and they really struggle against aggressive defenses. Look at SF against them as well as Pitt in the last game. You blitz the hell out of White and get him off balence and he will fake an injury or just struggle out right.

Cheers
Irish

 

[dawgball]

I think this line is an over-reaction to ECU win. If I play this game, I'll be on WVU. Likely not to play, but these are the types of games I prefer.

 

[big papi]

GL Irish! I actually like West Virginia in this game. They did beat ECU 48-7 last yr. Both teams lost their star RB's but WV has Devine.

I am not impressed by ECU's win over a terrible Virginia Tech squad.

 

[Corley1011]

GL this week Irish!! Always love your write ups and value your opinion... Im not real sure about this game yet, I kinda agree with dawg and papi... WVU has a ton of speed and its hard too get up for a two big games in a row... Im not sure what Ill take but Im kinda leaning toward buying it down to 6.5

 

[MonkeyPants]

get it Irish!

On the Pirates with ya

 

[Irish]

Thanks guys,
I think you have good points that WVU beat them bad last year (I was at the game and on WVU), But that was a different team on both sides. Now I am just saying I think WVU is a little overrated and they will have a tough time on the road against a team that has a TON of confidence.

GT (+7) over BC
The option attack showed to be very dangerous last week. Yes that was against Jackson State but it was a very good tune up game for going to BC. BC will have its hands full with the GT defensive front. This is going to be a very interesting game considering GT has the triple option, and a passing threat. Navy really never passed a lot until last year when they had a QB that could handle the option and throw, which is what they have now. They also have top speed in positions that Navy made work. Both teams have a lot to prove but I just did not think BC looked as good last week as they should have to spot a full TD. After all the BC defense did hold Kent to a goose egg but MAN OH MAN they missed a ton of assignments and tackles. Those mistakes will be big issues against GT. BC QB Crane avoided mistakes but he did not see the type of pressure that he will see this week. We know BC lost some talent on defense from last season and it will not be easy keeping GT and its speed off the board. Remember that the defense of GT was not playing a bad QB, they were facing the starting QB for LSU before he made off the field mistakes, so they have a good look at a player that can make things happen. The issue I see is fumbles for GT, they put the ball on the turf WAY too many times to be a force in the ACC, this issue must be addressed if GT wants to make something happen this season. With 75 freshman and sophomores on the roster, the Yellow Jackets have the youngest squad in the ACC, that will last week should have thosse young players buying into the system and give them confidence to go into this game. If the defense of GT pressures Crane and GT avoids turnovers they should be in this game if not winning the game at the end.

Cheers
Irish

 

[djv]

GL to you, I think your G Th play is strong.

 

[AR182]

good luck this week irish...

 

[Irish]

So. Car (-10) over Vandy
Wow, thats a lot of chalk with Georgia on the door step and after a game where the gamecocks did not look too good until the 2nd half. One reason I like the play is because Smelley did not see action until the second and he showed the offense a little life and more importantly made the right reads against an NC st defense that was just out maned. That will not happen tonight as Vandy has a pretty good defense but this game will mean a little bit considering Vandy beat the gamecocks last season and that was in South Carolina. This away game will be a much tougher test for So.Carolina and what they need to do is shadow Nickson. Commodores senior quarterback Chris Nickson rushed for a career-high 166 yards and two touchdowns, and passed for another TD. I have one word for the old ball coach and that is SPY, use Jasper Brinkly as a Nickson spy and completely take him out of the game rushing the ball. If the senior has to beat SC by passing he will not be able to do it without making some mistakes and the SC secondary can take advantage. The new defensive Co showed a lot of looks last week but a big theme was pressure and getting said pressure with the guys on the D-line. He needs another effort upfront to make the QB very uneasy. After all Nickson was only about 50% throwing the ball and that was against a pretty poor Miami OH defense. A defense that got very tired chasing the QB around and with CB and safeties spying him he was able to complete short passes and a couple long ones. I mean seriously, look at this stat...9-of-16 for 91 yards.... so how do you stop vandy... make them throw. I would think if Vandy watched the SC/NCst game film Nickson saw how hard the State qb's were hit when they scrambled. Those hits will eventually take thier toll and I am sure are something the QB is thinking about going into tonight. I mean this is a very dangerous spot, scrambling QB, at home, look ahead game and a lot of chalk. Still revenge of last years loss when SC was number 6th in the country, a very tough run defense and a lot to prove still before georgia make me think the gamecocks can do this. Mike Davis showed some tough running ability against NC state. Tonight the keys are SC offense must take advantage of the gaping holes in the Vandy secondary (gave up 244 yards aginst Miami), and the defense must take away the running attack of Vandy. Another this I like is on special teams, Miami OH had 159 return yards on kicks and the speed and vision of SC on returns might have an explosive oppertunity tonight.

Also
Redskins (+4.5) over Giants
This is a homer play but I think after winning a superbowl the g-men might be a little fat and happy. They lost thier rush ends and leaders on defense. It will be up to Eli to lead this team this year. The redskins, well I would say 6-10 would be a good season. I can't stand Campbell as a QB because he over thinks everything and takes too long. Zorns offense requires quick reads and I am not sure he had that ability, Colt Brennen does but he is too green. Also remember the skins were putting it to the G-men last season until the second half and blew a big lead and eventually lost on a last second goalline play, which changed the giants season.

Cheers
Irish

 

[ajoytoy]

gl this weekend buddy

 

[Blackman]

Best of luck -- rooting for both of your plays tonight. I've capped the NFL game, and forcast it to be a 72-3 loss for the GMen :mj07: :0corn :mj07:

 

[Irish]

UConn (-7) over Temple
Seven points, I guess this is because Temple beat up on Army last week. Still I do not think Army is anywhere near the team UConn is and they have the upper hand in this game. Temples QB played well and threw 2 TD's, he also threw a pick. I think they will not have it that easy against a pretty good UConn defense. IMO it will not come down to stopping Temple, it will come down to Temple not being able to stop UConn. Brown and his big O-line should be able to push Temple around and find open space. I mean the size difference between Army and UConn is a big one and that difference is why I do not think Temple will be as solid in moving the ball. The scariest aspect of this play is the THREE INT UConn QB threw against Hofsta. That is just outright bad and needs to be forgotten or temple can make a game of it. When UConn played Temple a year ago it was a dodgy call in the endzone that lead to the huskies win. I do not think they will over look this team like they may have a year ago. If anything I think UConn is a team that will clean up some of the sloppy plays from a week ago and make strides into becoming a solid football team this week. You saw a lot of mistakes that week one players make, but I am sure Edsell will not allow those mistakes this week.

Ariz St (-14) over Stanford
Stanford play well last week against the beavers. I am not sold on Stanford as I watched the beaver recievers get wideopen and a TERRIBLE qb under or over throw then. I was shocked how bad Org st's QB looked and I think Carpenter will be a little sharper and make Stanford pay in thos missed assignment. Also I watched TERRIBLE LB play (especially from #41) as the Stanford white RB tore them up. I do not know how many tackles the beavers had at the guy and missed but Gerhart was the soul of everything Stanford wanted to do. Since Org state allowed him to get about 6 yards per carry I think he derseved to be the center of attention in that game. However I just do not think Stanford has the defense to keep Ariz St close in this race. The Cardinal have given up an average of 45.7 points in losing their last three trips to Tempe. Carpenter looked sharp last game but the sun devils need a running game. When Rudy Carpenter has 40 yards rushing you know something is not right. One reason is because Keegan Herring was held out of the game with a hamstring injury, it is up in the air if he plays this weekend but he is a big boost for that team at RB. One other thing I like is the speed of Ariz st on the defensive line, I am not sure if people realize how quick these guys are and as soon as they get some TV time you will see they have a fast aggressive line that is gonna be pretty good this season. I like the passing attack, and home field to be just too much for a stanford team that struggles on defense. I am not sure they can get things done in the passing game either. If Ariz st limits Stanfords running game (which is doubtful) they might be in a lot of trouble.

Kansas (-20.5) over La Monroe
I think folks are giving La Mon a little too much credit for their win last week. And then there is Kansas, talk about not looking sharp to start the season. They lost a fumble on their first possession, and Reesing threw a pick. Thats not great but they should improve, the Jayhawk defense look very good and considering the bulldogs had three turnovers in their win it might be the defense that makes a few plays in this game. This is a home game for Kansas, they will draw a big crowd, they have the edge in talent, the last time these two played it was in 2005 and Kansas won by 20. This is a far better offensive team and even though the bulldogs won that week, I do not see them going into Kansas and shutting down this offense which has something to prove and kinks to work out. You want an advantage, that would be the lack of the bulldogs passing attack vs the defense of Kansas. La Mon connected on only 34% of its passes. That will just not keep the chains moving in this game and punts to Kansas should equal points on the board if Reesing and company improved on last weeks performance. Also La Mon average 2.9 yards per carry last week, thats ok but without a passing game that will just not get it done. Kansas will show up in this game, they have a lot to improve on and they have the defense that will be box loaded to shut ddown the bulldogs running game. With no running game and IMO a poor passing game the bulldogs will just be out gunned.

Cheers
Irish

 

[devil dave]

i assume you mean kansas-20 over louisiana tech.

 

[Irish]

Yes Sir, I'm in la la land when I was typing. What can I say... my pre game warm ups require some whiskey shots and a couple pints to chase. that effects my concentration..... I did get the bulldogs part right

Cheers
Irish

 

[taoist]

GL this weekend...not tonight. LOL


I like Ga Tech too. I may play them on the ML +

 

[Cie]

GL Irish:weed:

 

[bert07]

nice south carolina write up
thanks

 

[Irish]

Wow.... 9-13 is not how I wanted to start this season.

Ball St (-7) over Navy
This play is based on one thing and one thing only. Kaipo Noa Kaheaku Enhana is out. He is IMO the leader of the team on offense. Back-up turned starter was able to manage the game well and handled the reads of this offense. He did complete only 50% of his passes for a big 44 yards. Granted that did not mean anything as Navy ran all over Towson. I worry about Ball St getting steam rolled because they are a bit smaller. The Cardinals allowed Navy 521 rushing yards last season :scared . But that was with the QB leader at the helm. Personally he has run the offense to the point where he does not make the wrong reads, he is a coach on the field. With Johnson gone and Noa out it will be up to White to carry the team on his back. It will be all about assignment football and Hoke needs to have his boys ready to stay true. Also it does not hurt to have Nate Davis behind center. The kid has speed and the ability to throw the ball and he had a very good game last week against N'Eastern, the question is can his line give him time. If he gets time then he can pick and choose speedy recievers. After all he did complete 87% of his passes, even though they played a cupcake, thats not too shabby. So what should happen, well there should be a lot of offense in this game. Ball St defense needs to play assignment true lane football or the misdirection will shred them. Nate Davis needs to have another big game and be effective moving the ball for points. Navys offense is a grinder, so you need to score points when you can because Navy will limit your touches. A little home field advanyage would help but it will not be a factor and last but not least coaching, and I have to give the edge to Hoke over Navy's first year guy.

Need to turn this around!!
I am not going to cry about the Vandy game because they fought and clawed in that game and deserved the win. Does anyone else think Sc is just underachievers? I mean last week 4 picks to keep the game close but then pull away, this week they throw a few picks, make a bone head play on special teams and have a kick blocked. Just wondering if they will string it together.

GL All
Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Wake (-8) over Ol Miss
This will be a very interesting game. Wake looked very good moving the ball at will at Baylor. The Nutt era began with a big win against Memphis. Nutt has a good QB in Sneed but he did only complete 45% of this attemps against a poor memphis defense. The rebels have LOST 13 out of their last 14 road games. They will be going up against a very good defense that forced five turnovers against Baylor. Mind you it was Baylor but it was on the road and a good win for the deacons that did have some question marks. I think the Rebels win was nice in Nutts first game but on the road he will have a much harder test. Wake has a very effective offense. The run the ball well enough and with Skinner at QB the Decons are very good at making good decisions. Will Wake be able to stop the Ol Miss running game which racked up over 200 yards in its first game. The defense is ggood enough to limit Ol Miss and IMO Nutt does not have the players there yet to make enough plays to keep this close on the road. Wake will need to establish more of a running game to take pressure off Skinner. That running game might find a little more open room considering Ol Miss gave up 188 yards to Memphis on the ground. The play call for Wake should keep the defense off balance and be enough to score often. I do not see the Ol Miss offense having the same type of success against Wake and on the road the home field should get on the Rebels and keep them down until their is nothing left. Grob has built a good team that has a lot of veteran leadership. I think the ACC is down this year but Wake is a good bright spot. They can get it done on both sides of the ball.

Cheers
Irish

 

[cooz3]

Irish, I could be wrong but im pretty sure that the backup Bryant at Q.B. did play the second half against ball state last year and brought them back from a defecit.

im sure you already know that but just a heads up. he is not as effective as the starter but the kid is pretty decent in this offense.


best of luck
cooz