Season Record 4-3
Two very tough games to call here,both hit or miss,playing them small.
The Ole Miss Rebels of the SEC invade the Liberty Bowl on Monday afternoon for a season-opening battle with the Memphis Tigers of Conference USA. With David Cutcliffe out and Ed Orgeron in as head coach at Ole Miss, fans hope they have seen the last of 4-7 seasons. That was the result last year, as the Rebels began life after Eli Manning on a sour note. With only four starters back on offense, coach Orgeron will send a number of inexperienced players to the huddle to open the season. As for Memphis, head coach Tommy West has installed a new philosophy in a once overlooked program and has put together two of the most successful seasons in school history. The team has posted back-to-back bowl appearances and two straight eight-plus win seasons for the first time ever, in addition to being ranked in the AP Poll. Like Ole Miss, only four starters are back on offense for the Tigers, but one happens to be a premier tailback. Although Ole Miss owns a 42-10-2 lead in the all-time series with Memphis, the Tigers posted a 20-13 victory in last season's opener over the Rebels.
Considering that the '04 Rebels ranked 103rd in the nation in scoring offense and 77th in total offense, the fact that only four starters are back may be a blessing. If those figures are to improve, quarterback Michael Spurlock must be the catalyst. Orgeron has installed a West Coast offense, and he feels that Spurlock has been put in a position to be successful. Rather than ask Spurlock to take a five-step drop and deliver from the pocket as Manning had done with the Rebels, Orgeron will enable his signal caller to move around in an effort to get rid of the ball quickly. Mario Hill is the leading returning receiver with 36 grabs for 426 yards, but he is not the type of player capable of busting loose for long plays. Junior back Jamal Pittman figures to get the bulk of the carries in this opener, as he has a tremendous upside. Keep in mind, however, that Spurlock and Pittman will both struggle if an inexperienced offensive line doesn't mesh beginning with this contest.
There was nothing special about the Ole Miss defense last season, and while seven starters are back, expect more of the same in 2005. The best player on the unit is linebacker Patrick Willis, who will surely be around the ball all day against Memphis. He, more than anyone else on the roster, has a chance to be special. Another player who will be counted on heavily is corner Travis Johnson, a four-year starter with a wealth of big-game experience. He will attempt to cut the field in half on passing downs on Monday. He and Trumaine McBride, the other corner, will face some vaunted passing attacks in the first four games. They will be helped a great deal if players such as defensive end Jayme Mitchell are able to put some pressure on the quarterback
In 2004, the Memphis offense was sensational thanks to the dynamic duo of Danny Wimprine and DeAngelo Williams, each of whom helped Memphis rank ninth in the country in total offense (460.3 ypg) and 10th in scoring (35.8 ppg). Wimprine, the quarterback, has moved on, but Williams is back as one of the nation's top tailbacks. The 2005 Heisman Trophy candidate led the nation in rushing touchdowns (22) last season and also ranked third in rushing yards (1,948). He was voted the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, averaging an impressive 6.2 ypc, and he rushed for over 250 yards in a game on two occasions. Memphis has had to replace four of the five starters from last year's offensive line which allowed just five sacks and paved the way for 2,438 rushing yards, so it may be tough for Williams to duplicate his success. Junior Patrick Byrne takes over for Wimprine, and while he lacks the arm strength and experience of his predecessor, he is more athletic. He and receivers such as Maurice Avery will benefit both in this opener and all season long from Williams' ability to draw safeties to the line.
The Memphis defensive unit ranked 90th in total defense (417.8 ypg) and 114th against the pass (275.9 ypg) last season, and it is the hope of the coaching staff that seven returning starters can improve matters. Marcus West highlights the defensive line with his tremendous quickness and good size. Last season, West really came into his own and posted 52 tackles with a team- high six sacks. Linebacker may be a position of strength, as the unit welcomes back all three starters from the '04 squad. Tim Goodwell led the trio with 106 tackles, while Carlton Baker checked in with 96 stops and Quinton McCarary had 82. The secondary has the most to prove, so Dustin Lopez, O.C. Collins and Wesley Smith will all have targets on their back in this opener. Lopez played well in his first year at Memphis and was the team's biggest playmaker with four interceptions and 11 broken up passes at the corner. Smith earned all- conference honors in '04 after making 89 tackles and breaking up four passes.
Memphis will not be as good without Wimprine, but the presence of Williams makes the Tigers the pick in this contest.
BET ID=119952577
Straight Wager 09/05/05 01:34 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
Mississippi
Memphis 09/05/05 (16:35 ET)
Memphis -2.5
Looking back to last season, Miami was out-yarded in 7 of their 12 games and things like that normally catch up to a team. Miami is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 as road favorites of less than 7 points although granted, they have done well against FSU the last 6 years however, those were different teams.
Florida State has some big numbers on tap for tonight. They are 51-1 SU in their last 52 home games vs. the ACC and 26-1 SU in their home opening game the last 27 years.
BET ID=119952928
Straight Wager 09/05/05 01:45 ET
200.00/190.48 Result: Pending
MiamiFla
FloridaSt 09/05/05 (20:05 ET)
FloridaSt +3 (-105)
Two very tough games to call here,both hit or miss,playing them small.
The Ole Miss Rebels of the SEC invade the Liberty Bowl on Monday afternoon for a season-opening battle with the Memphis Tigers of Conference USA. With David Cutcliffe out and Ed Orgeron in as head coach at Ole Miss, fans hope they have seen the last of 4-7 seasons. That was the result last year, as the Rebels began life after Eli Manning on a sour note. With only four starters back on offense, coach Orgeron will send a number of inexperienced players to the huddle to open the season. As for Memphis, head coach Tommy West has installed a new philosophy in a once overlooked program and has put together two of the most successful seasons in school history. The team has posted back-to-back bowl appearances and two straight eight-plus win seasons for the first time ever, in addition to being ranked in the AP Poll. Like Ole Miss, only four starters are back on offense for the Tigers, but one happens to be a premier tailback. Although Ole Miss owns a 42-10-2 lead in the all-time series with Memphis, the Tigers posted a 20-13 victory in last season's opener over the Rebels.
Considering that the '04 Rebels ranked 103rd in the nation in scoring offense and 77th in total offense, the fact that only four starters are back may be a blessing. If those figures are to improve, quarterback Michael Spurlock must be the catalyst. Orgeron has installed a West Coast offense, and he feels that Spurlock has been put in a position to be successful. Rather than ask Spurlock to take a five-step drop and deliver from the pocket as Manning had done with the Rebels, Orgeron will enable his signal caller to move around in an effort to get rid of the ball quickly. Mario Hill is the leading returning receiver with 36 grabs for 426 yards, but he is not the type of player capable of busting loose for long plays. Junior back Jamal Pittman figures to get the bulk of the carries in this opener, as he has a tremendous upside. Keep in mind, however, that Spurlock and Pittman will both struggle if an inexperienced offensive line doesn't mesh beginning with this contest.
There was nothing special about the Ole Miss defense last season, and while seven starters are back, expect more of the same in 2005. The best player on the unit is linebacker Patrick Willis, who will surely be around the ball all day against Memphis. He, more than anyone else on the roster, has a chance to be special. Another player who will be counted on heavily is corner Travis Johnson, a four-year starter with a wealth of big-game experience. He will attempt to cut the field in half on passing downs on Monday. He and Trumaine McBride, the other corner, will face some vaunted passing attacks in the first four games. They will be helped a great deal if players such as defensive end Jayme Mitchell are able to put some pressure on the quarterback
In 2004, the Memphis offense was sensational thanks to the dynamic duo of Danny Wimprine and DeAngelo Williams, each of whom helped Memphis rank ninth in the country in total offense (460.3 ypg) and 10th in scoring (35.8 ppg). Wimprine, the quarterback, has moved on, but Williams is back as one of the nation's top tailbacks. The 2005 Heisman Trophy candidate led the nation in rushing touchdowns (22) last season and also ranked third in rushing yards (1,948). He was voted the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, averaging an impressive 6.2 ypc, and he rushed for over 250 yards in a game on two occasions. Memphis has had to replace four of the five starters from last year's offensive line which allowed just five sacks and paved the way for 2,438 rushing yards, so it may be tough for Williams to duplicate his success. Junior Patrick Byrne takes over for Wimprine, and while he lacks the arm strength and experience of his predecessor, he is more athletic. He and receivers such as Maurice Avery will benefit both in this opener and all season long from Williams' ability to draw safeties to the line.
The Memphis defensive unit ranked 90th in total defense (417.8 ypg) and 114th against the pass (275.9 ypg) last season, and it is the hope of the coaching staff that seven returning starters can improve matters. Marcus West highlights the defensive line with his tremendous quickness and good size. Last season, West really came into his own and posted 52 tackles with a team- high six sacks. Linebacker may be a position of strength, as the unit welcomes back all three starters from the '04 squad. Tim Goodwell led the trio with 106 tackles, while Carlton Baker checked in with 96 stops and Quinton McCarary had 82. The secondary has the most to prove, so Dustin Lopez, O.C. Collins and Wesley Smith will all have targets on their back in this opener. Lopez played well in his first year at Memphis and was the team's biggest playmaker with four interceptions and 11 broken up passes at the corner. Smith earned all- conference honors in '04 after making 89 tackles and breaking up four passes.
Memphis will not be as good without Wimprine, but the presence of Williams makes the Tigers the pick in this contest.
BET ID=119952577
Straight Wager 09/05/05 01:34 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
Mississippi
Memphis 09/05/05 (16:35 ET)
Memphis -2.5
Looking back to last season, Miami was out-yarded in 7 of their 12 games and things like that normally catch up to a team. Miami is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 as road favorites of less than 7 points although granted, they have done well against FSU the last 6 years however, those were different teams.
Florida State has some big numbers on tap for tonight. They are 51-1 SU in their last 52 home games vs. the ACC and 26-1 SU in their home opening game the last 27 years.
BET ID=119952928
Straight Wager 09/05/05 01:45 ET
200.00/190.48 Result: Pending
MiamiFla
FloridaSt 09/05/05 (20:05 ET)
FloridaSt +3 (-105)
