College FB Picks (8/30-9/3), YTD 0-0, +0.0 units

[BGFalcon]

Florida Atlantic -2 over Middle Tennessee State--I got this one at -1.5 and there are still some -2's out there but those will be gone soon. MTSU is probably still reeling from their implosion against Troy last year that cost them the Sun Belt title. They also were hit hard by graduation. FAU has some talent back on offense (keep in mind "talent" means by Sun Belt standards) and should be solid on defense. They finished last year playing pretty well and should be in the mix for the SBC championship. MTSU's defense might be the best in the conference but they will struggle to score. I'm laying the small chalk with Schnellenberger and the Owls while I wait for the total to come out. The under might also be a good play.

 

[#cruncher]

I'd be careful with this one BG...I think Middle had a habit of getting maximum points out of minimum yardage. They only averaged about 283 total yards per game but somehow managed to average 23.5 points per game and this figure shot to 29.5 against conference opponents. But that was last year and I don't know anything about graduation losses. I just know they were a road conference terror last year.

 

[BGFalcon]

YSU +31 over Ohio St.--Buckeyes may struggle a bit on offense with the new QB. Also, Tressel may not be looking to put one on the school where he previously coached. The big question is whether or not YSU can score against the OSU defense. I think they will get one TD and that will get the cover.

Sparty -21 over UAB--Got this one at -20 yesterday but didn't post it. Now it is 21 everywhere but that should still be good. Sparty's new coach Mark Dantonio will have them playing hard and Ringer should rack up some yardage. QB Hoyer got some reps last year and, while not Drew Stanton, will be a solid replacement. UAB was not good last year and I don't see much improvement this year.

 

[Carl Spackler]

I really agree with the play on Sparty. They will not be nearly as bad with Dantonio as they were with John LLLLLL. Smith. Good point on Hoyer and many people forget that Ringer and other key players (including Stanton) were really banged up last year. This one will get ugly

 

[BGFalcon]

Thursday Total

Thursday Total

Buffalo/Rutgers over 49--This number is going fast...

 

[Raitdog]

Minnesota to take it to Bowling Green? I see blowout written all over this game. BG has lots of holes on offense, and the worst special teams in D1.

 

[BGFalcon]

and the worst special teams in D1

You obviously haven't watched much Sun Belt Conference football.:brows:

 

[BGFalcon]

A couple of more totals

A couple of more totals

Get these before they move down...

Oklahoma St./UGA under 55.5

N. Texas/Oklahoma under 57

 

[BGFalcon]

Fading the steam...

Fading the steam...

Tulsa/ULM under 54

 

[BGFalcon]

Thursday results: 1-1

 

[BGFalcon]

Totals:
UVA/Wyoming under 42
FIU/Penn St. under 55.5
Arkansas St./Texas over 53.5

 

[BGFalcon]

Missouri -4.5 over Illinois--I was hoping to catch the 4 and it still might show closer to kickoff. Anyway... I haven't bought into the Illinois hype. They have a lot of returning starters and Juice Williams is an exciting player. But I don't know that they have turned the corner yet. 4 wins in 2 years doesn't do much to change the losing mindset. After this game they have 2 or 3 games they can win but I don't see it happening here. Missouri should be better defensively this year even though they lost some people and the offense should be very good with Daniel at QB. This game is being played in St. Louis so home field is not a huge factor. I think Missouri wins this one by a TD or more.

 

[BGFalcon]

Saturday results: 5-4

YTD: 6-5, +0.5 units