New Bowl Week Card (Dec 29th - Jan 4th)
- Thread starter Irish
- Start date
Tulsa (+7.5) over Fresno & Tulsa (ML)
Nothing like momentum in this game, the Bulldogs riding 3 loses while Tulsa is coming in off the C-USA championship. Fresno State is 4-0 against Tulsa, its former conference rival. This will be the first meeting between the teams since 2002, though, and the Golden Hurricane are much-improved under third-year coach Steve Kragthorpe. Tulsa has a very good offense with multiple formations that should cause trouble for the fresno defense. Both teams have the ability to move the ball on the other and the running game of the biulldogs should get the ball moving. (OVER 13 1st quarter) Still Tulsa is hungry for this game and should come out and get on top of the dogs, while Fresno might come out flat as they have their last 3 games. Tulsa is underrated and should show they are contenders in any game they play. Mills WILL have a big day for Tulsa.
TCU (-2.5) over Iowa St
TCU a little flat with getting a 7-4 team IOWA St team, still the Cyclones have looked poor of late and TCU is a very good running and passing team which should keep I.St on thier heels. Ballard had an impressive season after replacing Gunn on Sept. 24, passing for 1526 yards (118-for-199), 12 touchdowns and throwing six interceptions in eight games, giving him a quarterback rating of 137.6. The Frogs' defense is also impressive, leading the nation with 30 takeaways and 19 interceptions. The Frogs have forced 20 turnovers in their last five games, while committing just seven. TCU holds a 2-0 series lead over Iowa State. The only other meeting was a 27-10 TCU victory in the 1995 season opener in Fort Worth. The frogs are the far better team and it will show.
NC St (-3.5) over S.FLA
DEFENSE and Running of NC st too much for a poor defense. Wolfpack defense will be all over the S. FLA QB with a poor line.
Cheers
Irish
Nothing like momentum in this game, the Bulldogs riding 3 loses while Tulsa is coming in off the C-USA championship. Fresno State is 4-0 against Tulsa, its former conference rival. This will be the first meeting between the teams since 2002, though, and the Golden Hurricane are much-improved under third-year coach Steve Kragthorpe. Tulsa has a very good offense with multiple formations that should cause trouble for the fresno defense. Both teams have the ability to move the ball on the other and the running game of the biulldogs should get the ball moving. (OVER 13 1st quarter) Still Tulsa is hungry for this game and should come out and get on top of the dogs, while Fresno might come out flat as they have their last 3 games. Tulsa is underrated and should show they are contenders in any game they play. Mills WILL have a big day for Tulsa.
TCU (-2.5) over Iowa St
TCU a little flat with getting a 7-4 team IOWA St team, still the Cyclones have looked poor of late and TCU is a very good running and passing team which should keep I.St on thier heels. Ballard had an impressive season after replacing Gunn on Sept. 24, passing for 1526 yards (118-for-199), 12 touchdowns and throwing six interceptions in eight games, giving him a quarterback rating of 137.6. The Frogs' defense is also impressive, leading the nation with 30 takeaways and 19 interceptions. The Frogs have forced 20 turnovers in their last five games, while committing just seven. TCU holds a 2-0 series lead over Iowa State. The only other meeting was a 27-10 TCU victory in the 1995 season opener in Fort Worth. The frogs are the far better team and it will show.
NC St (-3.5) over S.FLA
DEFENSE and Running of NC st too much for a poor defense. Wolfpack defense will be all over the S. FLA QB with a poor line.
Cheers
Irish
great call on Tulsa and Tulsa moneyline, Irish. played them +7.5 also, as i really like the way the finished the season and their play in the CUSA championship. actually met some people from that area the weekend of the game who informed what great team they had this year and how well they play in the second halves of games this season. good luck with the rest of your plays and have a safe and happy new year.........
Iowa (PK) over FLA
I was leaning toward FLA but IMO the hawkeyes defense will be trouble for the gators. FLA has a very good defense, the size of the Iowa WR will be difficult for FLA to match-up with and Tate can hit them deep. The Fla gator defense is very good and Tate will have to make plays which he can do. All-Americans Chad Greenway on the weakside and Abdul Hodge in the middle need to stop the run and get in Leaks grill all day. He is a good QB but has shown poor decisions in pressured situations and I'm sure he knows the heat is on with Tebow (sp) coming to spring drills. Hawkeye D line could get in the backfield and become disruptive, BUT IT HAS TO PLAY WELL. Florida is awful on third downs, Iowa is worse at stopping teams on third down allowing offenses to convert 44.8% :scared The Iowa corners can be toasted, while the safeties aren't afraid to give up yards after selling out to help against the run. All of this makes FLA a very tempting pick especially with Urban getting extra time to game plan but the hawkeyes are a scrappy bunch and they play hard, and hit even harder. I like Ferenz (sp) with the extra time and the hard nosed style of the Hawkeye in this tough game. FLA has struggled in big games and aside from the Georgia QB being out I think the gators lose that game as well. Look for some big blitz's all day from the hawkeyes and they need to take advantage on drives. UNDER (50) with both teams leaning heavy on the defense and Iowa likes to run the ball to get things started.
IOWA/FLA UNDER (10) 1st quarter
Bama (ML) over TT
TT gets too much respect for the wide open gun style they play. However the BAMA front 4 do not need help getting through the terrible TT line and forcing Hodges into a bad day. Loses to end the season for Bama means that team will be hungry to get back on the field. The finished the season with 2 very good team and came up short. Now that great defense is going to get a shot to redeem themselves and they will take it. The secondary of the tide lost a huge part with Simeon Castille being ineligible, still they should come out ready for this TT team just as Texas did and that defensive effort is what I'm counting on from the tide. Not too mention I like Darby in the match up with the Texas Tech defense, the bama line is big and strong and should lean on the raiders all day till they break late in the game. Also Croyle is a good QB with a good group of receivers at his disposal. He is healthy and he should get time to go down field because if the running game works the passing game will be open shortly after. The TT defense is much improved but they still over play and screen passes and play action should be available all afternoon.
VT (-8.5) over Louisville
The cards have not shown up to a big game all season, now they have to without the help of Brohm. VT coming off a loss and hungry to get into this game should own the cards on defense. The key stopping Bush, hard done than said but they have the speed at LB and the GREAT D-line to do it. The Tech O-line should have their way with the Louisville line. Yes the cards have talent but they are not as good as billed and they have not shown up against some good rushing teams. Look for the Hokies to have the run game all afternoon as WVU did in their match-up. Vick needs to have a better game and the time off should get him and the offense on the same page. The VT wr have a solid speed advantage when looking into the secondary of Louisville and the deep ball should be there often. I also like the QB draw because the LBs can't spy vick when they are in coverage and he can make big plays. Also in coverage they will try to shadow Vick but he loves to freeze defenses with the threat of a run then hit the dump pass. King TE should also have a big day with the LBs looking at vick he can sneak out into the flats and behind coverage for big plays and sustain drives. All in all IMO the Hokies have something to prove and even with a healthy Brohm I think they open it up on Louisville. Beamer has had a long time to get them ready and they have a lot to prove while I think Louisville is an over-billed team, with talent but no real Passion.
VT/UL UNDER (10.5) 1st quarter
Cheers
Irish
I was leaning toward FLA but IMO the hawkeyes defense will be trouble for the gators. FLA has a very good defense, the size of the Iowa WR will be difficult for FLA to match-up with and Tate can hit them deep. The Fla gator defense is very good and Tate will have to make plays which he can do. All-Americans Chad Greenway on the weakside and Abdul Hodge in the middle need to stop the run and get in Leaks grill all day. He is a good QB but has shown poor decisions in pressured situations and I'm sure he knows the heat is on with Tebow (sp) coming to spring drills. Hawkeye D line could get in the backfield and become disruptive, BUT IT HAS TO PLAY WELL. Florida is awful on third downs, Iowa is worse at stopping teams on third down allowing offenses to convert 44.8% :scared The Iowa corners can be toasted, while the safeties aren't afraid to give up yards after selling out to help against the run. All of this makes FLA a very tempting pick especially with Urban getting extra time to game plan but the hawkeyes are a scrappy bunch and they play hard, and hit even harder. I like Ferenz (sp) with the extra time and the hard nosed style of the Hawkeye in this tough game. FLA has struggled in big games and aside from the Georgia QB being out I think the gators lose that game as well. Look for some big blitz's all day from the hawkeyes and they need to take advantage on drives. UNDER (50) with both teams leaning heavy on the defense and Iowa likes to run the ball to get things started.
IOWA/FLA UNDER (10) 1st quarter
Bama (ML) over TT
TT gets too much respect for the wide open gun style they play. However the BAMA front 4 do not need help getting through the terrible TT line and forcing Hodges into a bad day. Loses to end the season for Bama means that team will be hungry to get back on the field. The finished the season with 2 very good team and came up short. Now that great defense is going to get a shot to redeem themselves and they will take it. The secondary of the tide lost a huge part with Simeon Castille being ineligible, still they should come out ready for this TT team just as Texas did and that defensive effort is what I'm counting on from the tide. Not too mention I like Darby in the match up with the Texas Tech defense, the bama line is big and strong and should lean on the raiders all day till they break late in the game. Also Croyle is a good QB with a good group of receivers at his disposal. He is healthy and he should get time to go down field because if the running game works the passing game will be open shortly after. The TT defense is much improved but they still over play and screen passes and play action should be available all afternoon.
VT (-8.5) over Louisville
The cards have not shown up to a big game all season, now they have to without the help of Brohm. VT coming off a loss and hungry to get into this game should own the cards on defense. The key stopping Bush, hard done than said but they have the speed at LB and the GREAT D-line to do it. The Tech O-line should have their way with the Louisville line. Yes the cards have talent but they are not as good as billed and they have not shown up against some good rushing teams. Look for the Hokies to have the run game all afternoon as WVU did in their match-up. Vick needs to have a better game and the time off should get him and the offense on the same page. The VT wr have a solid speed advantage when looking into the secondary of Louisville and the deep ball should be there often. I also like the QB draw because the LBs can't spy vick when they are in coverage and he can make big plays. Also in coverage they will try to shadow Vick but he loves to freeze defenses with the threat of a run then hit the dump pass. King TE should also have a big day with the LBs looking at vick he can sneak out into the flats and behind coverage for big plays and sustain drives. All in all IMO the Hokies have something to prove and even with a healthy Brohm I think they open it up on Louisville. Beamer has had a long time to get them ready and they have a lot to prove while I think Louisville is an over-billed team, with talent but no real Passion.
VT/UL UNDER (10.5) 1st quarter
Cheers
Irish
Irish,
I always watch and admire your work. That said, may I suggest "Urban" may be able to prepare for Wacky Wac, Mt West, or even weak Pitt Team last year but he has not ever prepared for a real bowl fow like he will see today.
Urban can prepare out the gills but without the "MOTIVATED" horses, motivated being the opperative word, he may be in for a long day. In fact, I dont even think he is the best coach on the field today.
Your on the right side, IMO, and this one will not be close. Hope you dont mind the $0.02.
I always watch and admire your work. That said, may I suggest "Urban" may be able to prepare for Wacky Wac, Mt West, or even weak Pitt Team last year but he has not ever prepared for a real bowl fow like he will see today.
Urban can prepare out the gills but without the "MOTIVATED" horses, motivated being the opperative word, he may be in for a long day. In fact, I dont even think he is the best coach on the field today.
Your on the right side, IMO, and this one will not be close. Hope you dont mind the $0.02.
Auburn (-10.5) over Wisc
Wisc has struggles on offense when they cannot run the ball. This is bad news for the badgers considering the Tigers defense is the 16th in NCAA. Against Iowa the badgers lost by 10 and Penn St had a 20 point win so the badgers are a tough team but struggle when the other team is a hard nosed defensive team and the Tigers have a very good defense (9th in NCAA). On the reverse side of the Ball Irons should have a HUGE day considering the D-line for Wisc is not good and rarely generate pressure in the backfield. This also helps Cox who has turned into a very good passer given time the WRs for Auburn will get open. The Key for the Tigers is to shut down Calhoun, they do that and the Wisc offense will sputter out. Also would like to see pressure on Stooco because he will force bad throws and he is not accurate when he get pressured. He gets EXTREME happy feet and misses targets he normally hits if the defense of Auburn sets the tempo and considering they have 1 lose they should come in with a bit of a swagger. STILL Wisconsin is traditionally one of the bowl season's hardest playing teams, while Auburn has won three straight in the post-season. Alvarez will retire to be the school's full-time athletic director. For all of his success, he's 0-3 against SEC teams (and 6-0 against non-SEC teams) in the post-season. The Auburn defense, running game, and both lines should be enough to score points and stop Wiscy from staying in this game.
Cheers
Irish
Wisc has struggles on offense when they cannot run the ball. This is bad news for the badgers considering the Tigers defense is the 16th in NCAA. Against Iowa the badgers lost by 10 and Penn St had a 20 point win so the badgers are a tough team but struggle when the other team is a hard nosed defensive team and the Tigers have a very good defense (9th in NCAA). On the reverse side of the Ball Irons should have a HUGE day considering the D-line for Wisc is not good and rarely generate pressure in the backfield. This also helps Cox who has turned into a very good passer given time the WRs for Auburn will get open. The Key for the Tigers is to shut down Calhoun, they do that and the Wisc offense will sputter out. Also would like to see pressure on Stooco because he will force bad throws and he is not accurate when he get pressured. He gets EXTREME happy feet and misses targets he normally hits if the defense of Auburn sets the tempo and considering they have 1 lose they should come in with a bit of a swagger. STILL Wisconsin is traditionally one of the bowl season's hardest playing teams, while Auburn has won three straight in the post-season. Alvarez will retire to be the school's full-time athletic director. For all of his success, he's 0-3 against SEC teams (and 6-0 against non-SEC teams) in the post-season. The Auburn defense, running game, and both lines should be enough to score points and stop Wiscy from staying in this game.
Cheers
Irish
ND (ML) over Ohio St
The ND offense is very good and the Ohio St defense is very good so both teams will be in a tough battle. Weis with all this time to game plan is going to have something special planned for the buckeyes. The bucks are a solid team but they did have a tough time on the road and might be in for a shootout style game. As solid as the LBs are for the buckeyes they struggle in coverage and they will have a tough time to match up with the WRs in the slots. Quinn is a good QB that should able to manage the drive and come away with points. The ND defense is not as bad as the numbers look, they have played a very tough schedule and they should be up to matching the speed and power of OSU. Mind you this ND team had USC to a 4th and 11 and OSU is no USC. Texas beat OSU at home because the buckeyes struggle in big games and should in this contest. The ND running game should have a little success gashing the OSU defense but they cannot try to run over the OSU LBS the best thing is the zone blocking and let the plays developer. Over pursuit of the play should open up plays down the middle and deep for the Irish. I like Wies, Quinn and the ND offense in this game to have enough in store for OSU that the bucks will be on their heels all night.
WVU (+7) over Georgia
WARNING bit of a homer play, still White and Slayton will be a very good one two punch for the neers. The defensive front for WVU should be able to get pressure but IMO it is going to be tough to stop Shockley, he should be able to make plays all night. The big TE for Georgia should have his way with the LBs for WVU. But the defensive scheme is solid for WVU and Lorello should be the spy on DJ and it should limit what his legs do. The Georgia defense is very well coached and they have a very good secondary, still the O-line and running game for WVU should open up the passing game. The Georgia defense will have to keep their eyes in the back field for the playaction or fake draw and WVU can then beat them deep. I would like to see the Neers win but I'll take the 7 in case. Coach Rod should have his boys foaming at the bit for this game and it should be a classic. Both are solid programs and should come in with a bit of a chip on the shoulders. The neers have to get out and establish the line of scrimmage they CANNOT allow the Bulldogs to control the line, if that happens it will be a long night, but the WVU o-line is very good and should be enough.
Cheers
Irish
The ND offense is very good and the Ohio St defense is very good so both teams will be in a tough battle. Weis with all this time to game plan is going to have something special planned for the buckeyes. The bucks are a solid team but they did have a tough time on the road and might be in for a shootout style game. As solid as the LBs are for the buckeyes they struggle in coverage and they will have a tough time to match up with the WRs in the slots. Quinn is a good QB that should able to manage the drive and come away with points. The ND defense is not as bad as the numbers look, they have played a very tough schedule and they should be up to matching the speed and power of OSU. Mind you this ND team had USC to a 4th and 11 and OSU is no USC. Texas beat OSU at home because the buckeyes struggle in big games and should in this contest. The ND running game should have a little success gashing the OSU defense but they cannot try to run over the OSU LBS the best thing is the zone blocking and let the plays developer. Over pursuit of the play should open up plays down the middle and deep for the Irish. I like Wies, Quinn and the ND offense in this game to have enough in store for OSU that the bucks will be on their heels all night.
WVU (+7) over Georgia
WARNING bit of a homer play, still White and Slayton will be a very good one two punch for the neers. The defensive front for WVU should be able to get pressure but IMO it is going to be tough to stop Shockley, he should be able to make plays all night. The big TE for Georgia should have his way with the LBs for WVU. But the defensive scheme is solid for WVU and Lorello should be the spy on DJ and it should limit what his legs do. The Georgia defense is very well coached and they have a very good secondary, still the O-line and running game for WVU should open up the passing game. The Georgia defense will have to keep their eyes in the back field for the playaction or fake draw and WVU can then beat them deep. I would like to see the Neers win but I'll take the 7 in case. Coach Rod should have his boys foaming at the bit for this game and it should be a classic. Both are solid programs and should come in with a bit of a chip on the shoulders. The neers have to get out and establish the line of scrimmage they CANNOT allow the Bulldogs to control the line, if that happens it will be a long night, but the WVU o-line is very good and should be enough.
Cheers
Irish
Irish said:
Irish, not to be picking on your analysis, but do really consider ND schedule tough....other than USC?
Come on: Cuse, Stanford, Navy, Pitt, Washington, BYU. Tenn, & Purdue....who is a "tough" oppenent in that list?
2nd point. I would consider the 2002 Nat'l Championship a big game, they did ok in that one. Other BIG game for OSU every year is Michigan. What is Tressels record in those games again???
GLTA
