How bad does Pierce being out hurt Temple???

[Destructor D]

Just curious as this team has been rolling... 7-0 in the MAC and looks ready to face C. Michigan in the Title game. However, their stud RB is doubtful and not sure they have anyone close to capable of replacing him. Ohio has also been playing well and will win the MAC East with a win at home vs. Temple. So obviously huge game for each and now Pierce is injured... throws a huge curveball in my handicapping. I still like Temple by 27-24 without Pierce, but like them more with a capable backup. Owls are playing like no Temple team in years.

Thoughts? I know Temple's offense is capable of destroying Ohio, but without Pierce???

Took Rutgers -3 for 6.5* - Don't see the Scarlet Knights laying another egg and don't see L'ville being too excited playing in front of 20,000 fans with half of them booing. Even without Brown, Rutgers will still control the game defensively and love Schiano as a coach. His kids will be ready to play.Rutgers 24-17 sounds about right, but 24-10 is possible as well.

Bowling Green -7 (-115) for 4* - Toledo is okay, but they typically suck on the road and BG needs this win to ensure a bowl game. Toledo is a traditionally poor traveling team and they give up 37.6 PPG defensively. I see BG 45-27 as Toledo's defense is a sieve.

Illinois +21 for 6.5* - Cincy has been living uineasy defensively in recent weeks and don't see why the Illini lay down tomorrow unless they want Zook fired. Line seems steep IMHO. Let's remember that preseason the Illini were ranked and Cincy wasn't... Okay, rethink what I said and you realize the Illini have talent & should keep this game close if they come ready to play. How do you not come ready to play when you can RUIN another team's Undefeated dream season??? Cincy 27-17

Pitt Pick for 7* - Sorry Mountaineers fans, but really like this play. Dion Lewis is a difference maker and a much better between than tackles back than the home run hitter Devine. Noel needs a nice hole otherwise he's not getting a 5 yard carry. Bill Stull is also a better QB than Jarrett Brown IMHO as Stull has a 18-4 TD/INT ratio while Brown is 11-8. Lewis is listed at 190, Devine @ a generous 175. Just prefer the Panthers in this backyard brawl as they still have an outside shot at a BCS berth with a win. Seriously, win @ West Vagina and beat Cincy... hard to argue at 11-1.

Pitt 27-20

GLTA for now, will have more picks tomorrow. Leaning towards Colorado +10.5 or better, Nevada +14 or better, Auburn at +10 or better.

GLTA

 

[rocky mountain]

LOVE PITT! THE ARE SOLID AT ALL POSITIONS, NDAME GAME SHOULD HAVE WOKE THEM UP. WV IS ON A DOWN YR! OH BY THE WAY, I HATE THE WORD LOVE BUT THINK THIS IS A VERY STRONG PLAY.:SIB

 

[Destructor D]

Okay, thought about taking Auburn more just now, but their rush defense SUCKS! Hate laying a big number with Bama is my problem with saying Roll Tide, but could see the classic look ahead like most people... Auburn's defense sucks against the run.

Still, tough to lay Bama double digits in the classic look ahead spot. Will wait and try to figure this game more tomorrow rather than making a quick decision. Both QB's McElroy & Todd have excellent TD/INT ratios at 14-4 & 19-5. However, line started at 12.5 for a reason & is now 9.5 & 10 at my offshore books. Bama could roll if they jump up early, but if Auburn goes up 7-0, game ON!

 

[rocky mountain]

Just curious as this team has been rolling... 7-0 in the MAC and looks ready to face C. Michigan in the Title game. However, their stud RB is doubtful and not sure they have anyone close to capable of replacing him. Ohio has also been playing well and will win the MAC East with a win at home vs. Temple. So obviously huge game for each and now Pierce is injured... throws a huge curveball in my handicapping. I still like Temple by 27-24 without Pierce, but like them more with a capable backup. Owls are playing like no Temple team in years.

Thoughts? I know Temple's offense is capable of destroying Ohio, but without Pierce???

Took Rutgers -3 for 6.5* - Don't see the Scarlet Knights laying another egg and don't see L'ville being too excited playing in front of 20,000 fans with half of them booing. Even without Brown, Rutgers will still control the game defensively and love Schiano as a coach. His kids will be ready to play.Rutgers 24-17 sounds about right, but 24-10 is possible as well.

Bowling Green -7 (-115) for 4* - Toledo is okay, but they typically suck on the road and BG needs this win to ensure a bowl game. Toledo is a traditionally poor traveling team and they give up 37.6 PPG defensively. I see BG 45-27 as Toledo's defense is a sieve.

Illinois +21 for 6.5* - Cincy has been living uineasy defensively in recent weeks and don't see why the Illini lay down tomorrow unless they want Zook fired. Line seems steep IMHO. Let's remember that preseason the Illini were ranked and Cincy wasn't... Okay, rethink what I said and you realize the Illini have talent & should keep this game close if they come ready to play. How do you not come ready to play when you can RUIN another team's Undefeated dream season??? Cincy 27-17

Pitt Pick for 7* - Sorry Mountaineers fans, but really like this play. Dion Lewis is a difference maker and a much better between than tackles back than the home run hitter Devine. Noel needs a nice hole otherwise he's not getting a 5 yard carry. Bill Stull is also a better QB than Jarrett Brown IMHO as Stull has a 18-4 TD/INT ratio while Brown is 11-8. Lewis is listed at 190, Devine @ a generous 175. Just prefer the Panthers in this backyard brawl as they still have an outside shot at a BCS berth with a win. Seriously, win @ West Vagina and beat Cincy... hard to argue at 11-1.

Pitt 27-20

GLTA for now, will have more picks tomorrow. Leaning towards Colorado +10.5 or better, Nevada +14 or better, Auburn at +10 or better.

GLTA

LOUISVILLE D IS TOUGH AT HOME . I DO SEE RUTGERS TEAM TOTAL UNDER 24, IN A DOG FIGHT! LAST AGME FOR LOUISVILLE, THEY WILL PLAY HARD AND THEIR OFF IS CONSERATIVE--TICK-TOCK-TICK...

 

[Destructor D]

Thanks Rocky Mountain. Don't feel overly confident as Morgantown is a TOUGH place to play. However, Pitt had their hickup @ NC State. Just don't see the Stach having his team not ready to play tomorrow and Bill Stewart had been weak ATS and will probably be outcoached tomorrow IMHO.

 

[Destructor D]

Yeah, but Kragthorpe is on his last legs and they should have lost to the Orangemen @ home. Tough to not like Rutgers laying 3 IMHO. Glad we can disagree, but we'll see what happens.

Rutgers has the far better defense, better coach who is not being threatened with being fired, and the Scarlet Knights should have a dirty taste in their mouth after last week.

 

[fletcher]

Not having Pierce is a big blow to a major part of the O, but temple plays as a team and their deff. is solid, they have not had a team like this since damn can't remember the rb , it was paul palmer back in early 80"s I am glad they are doing good, saw many games with them in morgantown in 70's and a few in early 80's. I took them

 

[Destructor D]

Going to bed, but Fletcher, you took Pitt. Pitt looks like the right side IMHO.

Also, shouldn't play the Temple game without Pierce as TB. They have knowone else who has proven themselves. I have the game as Temple -5 or -6 with Pierce... but w/o him... tough call. Still lean Temple as Theo Scott should make a key mistake or two IMO.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Temple is a fraud built by beating bad teams. Combined record of the nine teams Temple beat is 32-69 for a .316 winning percentage. Only one winning team among them -- Navy at 8-3.

OU's record is also fraudulent as it has defeated just two winning teams and one of its win came against a Division II team or whatever they are calling them now. The combined record of OU's foes is almost the same as Temple, 28-62 for a .311 winning percentage.

Each went 5-0 against common foes Akron, Miami, Kent, Buffalo, and Ball State. Only two of those teams have more than two wins. OU beat them by an average of 23-13; Temple by a 40-19 average.

Based on that, it seems that Temple has the better offense, OU the better defense. Plenty for both teams to play for with the conference title game berth on the line. RBs are easily replaceable; Temple's backup gained 156 yards and scored twice last week. Even though each team will have incentive, I think Temple's going to come out more fired up having been a dog team for so long. They can match the school record for wins and their coach says the season could still be a disaster if they lose. OU has won its last three by a combined 13 points thanks in part to a punt return TD and a fumble recovery in the end zone in different games. Seems like some sleight of hand involved in Bobcat victories.

The more I look, the more I like Temple. I'll make it 31-21 for the Owls.

 

[EagleGreen]

Temple is a fraud built by beating bad teams. Combined record of the nine teams Temple beat is 32-69 for a .316 winning percentage. Only one winning team among them -- Navy at 8-3.

OU's record is also fraudulent as it has defeated just two winning teams and one of its win came against a Division II team or whatever they are calling them now. The combined record of OU's foes is almost the same as Temple, 28-62 for a .311 winning percentage.

Each went 5-0 against common foes Akron, Miami, Kent, Buffalo, and Ball State. Only two of those teams have more than two wins. OU beat them by an average of 23-13; Temple by a 40-19 average.

Based on that, it seems that Temple has the better offense, OU the better defense. Plenty for both teams to play for with the conference title game berth on the line. RBs are easily replaceable; Temple's backup gained 156 yards and scored twice last week. Even though each team will have incentive, I think Temple's going to come out more fired up having been a dog team for so long. They can match the school record for wins and their coach says the season could still be a disaster if they lose. OU has won its last three by a combined 13 points thanks in part to a punt return TD and a fumble recovery in the end zone in different games. Seems like some sleight of hand involved in Bobcat victories.

The more I look, the more I like Temple. I'll make it 31-21 for the Owls.

TSP - not defending Temple here, but you can only beat the teams on your schedule. Golden has done a remarkable job getting this program rebuilt and for Temple to be undefeated in MAC play it is truly amazing (been 3 decades since Owls played a bowl game). The MAC sucks this year and Temple record is a by-product of the conference and it's downturn, all that said Temple will still be able to run the football effectiviely with the little main at HB and will win this by double digits!