A NY Perspective -- 9/30 -- 10/4

[NY Reb]

Last week: 7-6 +20.8*
Season: 37-36 -10.6*

Still around 50% in the won-loss column, but won my 7th straight 10* with LSU in a romper, and 7*s went 3-1, so I had a really good week as far as units go. Here's hoping I get ahead in units for the season this week.

Tuesday:

5* Houston -3
Houston and East Carolina are going in opposite directions. New Houston coach Art Briles, who guided his high school team to four state titles as they went 90-2-1 in six years, has introduced a new concept in offensive football. It's hard to explain, but it'll be fun to watch in a rare televised game for the Cougars. It's an intense version of the hurry-up offense as they keep the defense on their heels. True freshman QB Kevin Kolb runs it to perfection, connecting on 60 of 99 passes for 788 yards and 7 TDs to only 1 int. As a team, the Cougars score 28.5 points and average 377.5 yards a game -- and that would be a lot more if not for the misadventure at Michigan. East Carolina, meanwhile, has one of their weakest squads in years, allowing 40 points and 453 yards per game. John Thompson is known as a defensive guru, but so far his magic hasn't sunk in. I think what we'll have here is a very impressive victory for Houston. If they were at home I'd rate it much higher.

This was edited in an attempt to include my GOY in the subject. I do not know if it worked, but we'll see.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

I like the Houston play. Great job on Sat. GL

HORNS

 

[ajoytoy]

gl reb!!

keep kicking :moon: buddy!!

toy

 

[Master Capper]

good luck!!

 

[The Mover]

NY whats withthe Houston line opened at -3' down to-1'? I know ECU has had a tougher schedule, I just don't understand. Good Luck!

 

[NY Reb]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your support a great deal.

Looks like the line is going the wrong way in my game. Oh well. I stick by my pick anyway. Houston wins.

 

[NY Reb]

Saturday:

5* Vanderbilt +5
Something is dreadfully wrong in Starkville. After two winless seasons in the SEC, Sherrill brought in all new assistants. The new assistants were amazed at how much talent was available. And still things haven't meshed. It seems to be a matter of chemistry, or a lack of it. These guys just don't play well together. They make a lot of mistakes. OL is weak. For one thing, two OL standouts that should be senior starters, one a 4-year starter, flunked out of school and are playing 1-AA. Of the guys still there, the starting guards still haven't played this year. One, a returning 2-year starter, looks to be redshirted. On defense, they are starting 3 true freshmen, including 2 in the secondary. Imagine going from high school straight to starting in the SEC. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, plays with intelligence and doesn't make mistakes. They stick to the things they can do and they do them. They play with heart and give it their all. None of these things apply to the Bulldogs. I wouldn't be surprised if Vandy wins outright.

 

[NY Reb]

Thursday:

5* West Virginia +28
OK, just for safety's sake, I bought myself a point here. Miami certainly has the potential to win by 4 TDs. It's just that I don't think this is the game they will do that. West Virginia is not that bad, certainly not as bad as the recent Maryland score would indicate. They'll play well enough to keep the game interesting. After all, the visiting team in this series is 9-3 ATS over the past 12 years, and the favorite is 2-6 ATS the last 8 years. And although Miami will have nine days before they play FSU, there's got to be some degree of looking ahead. The FSU game is always a big game for them, and they know they are going to have their hands full in Tallahassee. But that's next week's story. This week, I look for the Mountaineers to keep it under the line.

 

[BASON]

I would be careful on the W VA. Actually the MD score should have been much worse than it really was (I was there). They had four dropped passes in the first half (one for a TD) and had a TD called back. W VA scored with 5 minutes to go after a fumble in MD territory with their 3rd team OL. W VA was totally dominated in that game and lucky they did not lose by 50.

Enjoy your write-ups and respect your plays, but I felt I had to pass that along.

 

[NY Reb]

Thanks, BASON. I always appreciate it when people pass on info. What you say is good to know.

Nice beginning to week again with Houston win It always helps to start off the week with a win instead of a loss. Hope all who read this made out well tonight.

 

[NY Reb]

7* Oklahoma -21
What am I missing here? Why aren't the Sooners favored by about 40? OK, so they have a lookahead to Texas, but in order for that to be effective they have to be playing someone that their second team couldn't cover against. I don't even know what to say to analyze this game. If Iowa can beat the Cyclones by 19, why can't the Sooners handle a 21-point spread? Last year the Sooners won this game 49-3, and the Cyclones have lost a lot of good players off last year's team. Oklahoma by 40.

7* Tennessee +2
Why do I still doubt Auburn? There's something I can't quite put my finger on that leads me to go with the Vols in this tussle. Is it because Tennessee is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings? No, they haven't even played the last 3 years. Is it Tuberville? Maybe. I know it's not Fulmer. Maybe it's Kevin Simon and Robert Peace. They'll rack up lots of tackles against Auburn's RBs. Maybe its Jason Campbell, dripping with talent but never quite utilizing it when a game is on the line. Maybe it's Cedric Houston, who might prove to be the most effective RB in this particular game. Maybe it's James Banks' savy at WR, while the Tigers can't even find one. I like the Vol's balanced attack and their ability to win on the road. Auburn needs this game like nobody's business, but can you trust them? No. Tennessee wins.

 

[Cie]

Nice write-ups. I am on Tenn bigtime. GL...................

 

[The Mover]

NY nice pick on houston, also like tn. Thanks for the write ups. Good Luck!

 

[Rebel21]

Ole Miss/ Florida

Ole Miss/ Florida

NY, I'm sorry to say that Florida -12 looks like a very appealing play. The Rebels just have absolutely no defense or motivation from the coaching staff. I dont see any reason why this game would be close. Florida will have, by far, the best defense the Rebels have seen all year. Unless we match Florida strike for strike, which won't happen, we will get blown out. I see no close game here. Your opinion?

 

[NY Reb]

Rebel21, I think you are absolutely right.

 

[NY Reb]

15* GOY Florida -12
OK, guys, I'm going for it this week. This is that game that I feel you can comfortably load up on. The Gators did not enjoy being upset by Ole Miss last year in Oxford, and the Rebs will no doubt experience some payback in the Swamp on Saturday. After giving up 661 passing yards to B J Symons and the Red Raiders of Texas Tech at home, how are the Rebs going to handle Chris Leak and the Gators' high powered attack in Gainesville? Florida can even run the ball with Ron Carthon and DaShawn Wynn toting the pigskin, and a huge OL opening holes for them. This will be a dimension that the Rebs did not have to face against Texas Tech. Rebs are banged up, physically and emotionally. Just about every starter on the OL is slowed by minor injuries, but they will all play. They might not be as effective as usual. The secondary has lost confidence in their own ability as well as the coachs' ability to prepare them. Florida has some talented WRs who will enjoy going against the Rebels' DBs. Like most teams, the Gators will shut down the Rebs' rushing attack and force Eli to throw. The strength of Ole Miss is Eli and his talented stable of WRs. They will move the ball against Florida and get some points. However they will not stand up well to the intimidation of playing in the Swamp, and the Gators should gradually overwhelm and out-depth them. This game will get ugly early. Florida will win by at least 20 and probably more!

 

[Nickelback]

Good luck bud on your GOY! Looks like I have a new game to look into. . .

 

[NY Reb]

Thanks, Nickleback. Hope you have a great weekend!

 

[NY Reb]

Nice week so far. Since Monday I've won 3 straight in football and 4 straight in baseball, with no losses. Hopefully I'll continue in this vein Friday night.

7* Oregon -2.5
Utah is pretty good, winning against California and Colorado St, but this is the wrong time to be playing the Ducks. I expect we'll see more of the team who beat Michigan and less of the team that lost to Wash St. Ducks will control both lines of scrimmage, and their speedy WRs will give the Utes fits in the secondary. Maybe on another night Utah could have pulled the upset, but tonight is not that night. Oregon should walk out of this one with a double digit victory.

 

[TDP]

NY Reb, I always read your posts and have great respect for your advice always. Having said that, I say the following with complete respect. I think you will find on saturday in the game between Tennessee/Auburn that senior wr McIntyre for Auburn is developing into an very effective playmaker for Campbell, as he is not afraid to catch the ball over the middle and is basically a running back once he does. Granted, against weaker comp than tennessee, but along with emerging frosh Courtney Taylor, campbell now has a few options in my opinion. I do not expect you (or anyone here for that matter) to put ant stock in what I say, as I have not earned respect here, but wanted to post this before hand instead of after the fact. I could be wrong as I have been before and most certainly will be again, but going with Auburn -1 (got it at pick earlier in week). Once again, thank you sir for your much respected advice and GOOD LUCK AND CONTINUED SUCCESS TO YOU...p.s look for young Auburn TE's to make some contribution on saturday as well...