S. Carolina (-6) over Kentucky
Emotional let down yes, bad match up yes, feisty home dog yes. The old ball coach is 17-0 against Kentucky in his years. Now that means that spurrier knows how to coach against the wildcats. This is a situation where can south Carolina play as hard as last week. I think with 9 returners on offense and 7 on defense this is an experienced group. What I LOVE is SC got over a hundred yards last year. Go ahead take a look at last years rushing per game. It's not too bad at over 110, go and look against SEC teams. That number goes to about 70 yards per game. The difference for this gamecock team is the running ability of lattimore. They can lean on this kid and even with a little emotional draw they have a ton of experience, talent and a runner. The world think SC can't put a few games together but I think that motivates them and continue to play well. As much as the Kent offense causes problems with Cobb and Locke but I think SC has the big receivers that Kentucky can not cover. SC needs to make the step if they want to be a big named team and they will play hard.
Texas A&M (-3) over mizzou
It has been a while since these two have met and going to Texas AM is not going to make it easy for the tigers. A&M is 14-5 in conference home openers. The AM offense plays a lot better at home and I think mizzou will struggle. The home team has won the last three but AM has won three of the last four. Texas AM is 4-1 as a home fav ATS. So we have seen A&M lose against it's two chances this season vs okie st and arky. This is a must win for A&M. They will have all the weapons to run any which way they want on offense. I have not a lot of faith in the mizzou defense and as this goes on A&M pulls away. Unless the aggies hurt them selves I cannot see the tigers in this game. I know the tigers have a good group on offense and a very gifted WR hut I think they can be bullied. Just the type of game Q&M can do at home in a conference game where they feel a little hungry for a win.
Nebraska (-9.5) over Texas
Texas has won 8 of 9 in this series. They have been the better team those years. I think this is nebraskas year. If you can imagine less talented cornhusker teams have made BIG games against Texas. Now they are home, they have the better team and they are all pissed off that the refs gave Texas a win last season. Be whatever you think if you saw Pelini after the game you know his feelings. Now Nebraska is 31-0 in conference home openers but I bet they haven't had this type of test. Still Nebraska was in charge last season they return the entire offense with a QB that has scramble ability. That is one of the reasons I like this play. Can texas keep an eye on Martinez? I don't think so because that means someone has to spy him and this kid can throw. Scary part is he is young and has made mistakes but I think they play inspired and with it's last shot at Texas before they leave they put it on them for years past.
Texas tech (-3.5) over okie state
Gotta love what I saw last week against Baylor. Weedle is not nearly as talented as griffin so Texas tech should have the ability to cover the pass. You want to know a pretty good game plan for Texas tech on defense. Blitz because the cowboy line is awful and has killed Hunter all year and double Blackmon. Do that and the offense is in deep trouble. On the other side I am pretty sure the okie defense will not stop the raiders at all! Look at how A&M lite up okie secondary, the raiders are far more efficient and they have the home field advantage. They have a coach that has kept the spread offense and added a little SEC touch to the defense. They are not great but they will get to Weedle. Just so much value here because I think okie state is way overrated and have been lucky more so than good in the wins this season. They will have that offensive luck Saturday but so will Texas tech and the red raiders are better suited this year.
Iowa (-4) over Michigan
A little scary because Iowa was a little stronger last season and they needed a defensive stop to seal TE deal. This year it is how the smaller Iowa line get to robinson. If you have seen the Iowa they used speed to move around the Oline andget the the QB. Problem, stuns open big holes for a running QB. Mich has been solid against Iowa. Last three loses against Iowa have been under three points and those were better Hawkeye teams and worse Michigan teams. Still I like Iowa not hanging it's whole offense on one guy. They do have a fast quick defense. Scary being in the big house but I just think Iowa is a better team and IMO better coached. They have something to prove and even though the last big road game was a smack by Arizona I think the hawkeyes can put more points on the board and stop Michigan. I think this is one of the better defenses and they can do a little confusing to Robinson. Then stanza and a veteran crew should have their way with the poor Michigan defense. State game showed the offense can be slowed but the defense can not slow anyone.
Cheers
Irish
Emotional let down yes, bad match up yes, feisty home dog yes. The old ball coach is 17-0 against Kentucky in his years. Now that means that spurrier knows how to coach against the wildcats. This is a situation where can south Carolina play as hard as last week. I think with 9 returners on offense and 7 on defense this is an experienced group. What I LOVE is SC got over a hundred yards last year. Go ahead take a look at last years rushing per game. It's not too bad at over 110, go and look against SEC teams. That number goes to about 70 yards per game. The difference for this gamecock team is the running ability of lattimore. They can lean on this kid and even with a little emotional draw they have a ton of experience, talent and a runner. The world think SC can't put a few games together but I think that motivates them and continue to play well. As much as the Kent offense causes problems with Cobb and Locke but I think SC has the big receivers that Kentucky can not cover. SC needs to make the step if they want to be a big named team and they will play hard.
Texas A&M (-3) over mizzou
It has been a while since these two have met and going to Texas AM is not going to make it easy for the tigers. A&M is 14-5 in conference home openers. The AM offense plays a lot better at home and I think mizzou will struggle. The home team has won the last three but AM has won three of the last four. Texas AM is 4-1 as a home fav ATS. So we have seen A&M lose against it's two chances this season vs okie st and arky. This is a must win for A&M. They will have all the weapons to run any which way they want on offense. I have not a lot of faith in the mizzou defense and as this goes on A&M pulls away. Unless the aggies hurt them selves I cannot see the tigers in this game. I know the tigers have a good group on offense and a very gifted WR hut I think they can be bullied. Just the type of game Q&M can do at home in a conference game where they feel a little hungry for a win.
Nebraska (-9.5) over Texas
Texas has won 8 of 9 in this series. They have been the better team those years. I think this is nebraskas year. If you can imagine less talented cornhusker teams have made BIG games against Texas. Now they are home, they have the better team and they are all pissed off that the refs gave Texas a win last season. Be whatever you think if you saw Pelini after the game you know his feelings. Now Nebraska is 31-0 in conference home openers but I bet they haven't had this type of test. Still Nebraska was in charge last season they return the entire offense with a QB that has scramble ability. That is one of the reasons I like this play. Can texas keep an eye on Martinez? I don't think so because that means someone has to spy him and this kid can throw. Scary part is he is young and has made mistakes but I think they play inspired and with it's last shot at Texas before they leave they put it on them for years past.
Texas tech (-3.5) over okie state
Gotta love what I saw last week against Baylor. Weedle is not nearly as talented as griffin so Texas tech should have the ability to cover the pass. You want to know a pretty good game plan for Texas tech on defense. Blitz because the cowboy line is awful and has killed Hunter all year and double Blackmon. Do that and the offense is in deep trouble. On the other side I am pretty sure the okie defense will not stop the raiders at all! Look at how A&M lite up okie secondary, the raiders are far more efficient and they have the home field advantage. They have a coach that has kept the spread offense and added a little SEC touch to the defense. They are not great but they will get to Weedle. Just so much value here because I think okie state is way overrated and have been lucky more so than good in the wins this season. They will have that offensive luck Saturday but so will Texas tech and the red raiders are better suited this year.
Iowa (-4) over Michigan
A little scary because Iowa was a little stronger last season and they needed a defensive stop to seal TE deal. This year it is how the smaller Iowa line get to robinson. If you have seen the Iowa they used speed to move around the Oline andget the the QB. Problem, stuns open big holes for a running QB. Mich has been solid against Iowa. Last three loses against Iowa have been under three points and those were better Hawkeye teams and worse Michigan teams. Still I like Iowa not hanging it's whole offense on one guy. They do have a fast quick defense. Scary being in the big house but I just think Iowa is a better team and IMO better coached. They have something to prove and even though the last big road game was a smack by Arizona I think the hawkeyes can put more points on the board and stop Michigan. I think this is one of the better defenses and they can do a little confusing to Robinson. Then stanza and a veteran crew should have their way with the poor Michigan defense. State game showed the offense can be slowed but the defense can not slow anyone.
Cheers
Irish
