THE RED SHEET
RATINGS:
89 & ABOVE: SUPERIOR PLAY
88 & BELOW: ABOVE AVERAGE PLAY
SUMMARY OF PLAYS:
89* MISSOURI
89* BOISE STATE
88* PITTSBURGH
88* COLORADO
88* PHILADELPHIA (NFL)
88* CHICAGO (NFL)
ANALYSIS
MISSOURI 55 - Iowa State 7 - (1:00 EST - ABC) -- Line opened at Missouri minus 25, and is now minus 26. In the history of college football, there can't be many teams which can match the downturn of these Cyclones, over the past 1? seasons. A combined 16-8 in '00 & '01 (16-7 vs the spread), they opened at 6-1 SU & 6-0 ATS in '02. That's 24-7 SU, & 22-7 ATS, folks. But they were destroyed in their showdown at Oklahoma, LY, & thus began their current slide, which stands at 3-15 SU & 2-15 ATS. Enter the Tigers, who need this for an 8-4 campaign, & who have covered their last 3 home games by 24?, 35, & 10 pts, & who have run for 831yds in their last 2 HGs. Not only that, but Mizzou has a quadruple revenge factor in this one. By the way, those above Tiger covers all came after a SU loss.
RATING: MISSOURI 89
BOISE STATE 52 - Nevada-Reno 17 - (3:00) -- Line opened atBoise minus 21?, and is now minus 22. A win here clinches another WAC title for the Bulldogs. They have been one of the most explosive teams in the land over the past 5 seasons, no matter the coach, or the triggerman.They currently rank only behind behemoths Oklahoma & TexasTech, in scoring "O", with QB Dinwiddie #7 in passing efficiency (24 TD passes). However, Boise also rates as the 4th best team in rushing "D", & 10th in scoring "D". A formidable squad once more. The Wolfpack has had its moments, especially in its upset of Washington, but that only serves as a preventative vs any look-ahead to next week's trip to Hawaii. Boise owns this series.
RATING: BOISE STATE 89
PITTSBURGH 27 - Miami 20 - (8:00) -- Line opened at Miami minus 3, and is now minus 3?. This has been yet another stellar season for the rock-ribbed defense of the 'Canes, as they rank #2 in passing "D", #4 in total "D", & #5 in scoring "D". Those are numbers, to which the faithfulhave become accustomed. However, offensively, they rank no higherthan 45th in any category. A year ago, they ranked 6th & 4th in total & scoring "O". This season, they rank 49th & 46th respectively. And now have a huge QBing problem. The Panthers have disappointed at times, but the return of RB Miree last week (188 RYs) just makes the unstoppable Rutherford-to-Fitzgerald more potent. Pitt nails down a BCS bid here.
RATING: PITTSBURGH 88
COLORADO 24 - Nebraska 17 - (12:00 Friday - ABC) -- Lineopened at Nebraska minus 1?, and is now minus 3. The skinny says that this will be Nebraska coach Solich's final game as head man with the 'Huskers. Following in Tom Osborne's footsteps was an impossible task from the start. His combined 57-22 record is shaky enough, but the fact is Nebraska has reached 40 pts in only 2 of its last 22 games, has been soundly routed this year at both Missouri & Texas, & is in off its worst home loss in 45 years. The Buffs can salvage a non-losing season here, having turned their fortunes around, after a dismal start, especially on defense. Should be able to stifle the 'Huskers predictable offense. Mild upset.
RATING: COLORADO 88
Philadelphia 26 - CAROLINA 19 - (1:00) -- Line opened at Carolina minus 1?, and is still minus 1?. The Eagles were pretty much given up for dead, not only due to their 1-4 start, in which they were stung for at least 23 pts 3 times, but also because of key injuries, & the strange downward change in McNabb. He ranked dead last among NFL starting QBs through the first 7 games (7 INTs). But he has turned it around lately, and his leadership is now firmly entrenched. He is getting key help from RB Westbrook, & a suddenly solid WRing unit. Defensively, it is the same story, allowing only 15 ppg in Philly's current 6-game run, both SU & ATS. Panthers yet to cover as non-division hosts. Wrong team is favored.
RATING: PHILADELPHIA 88
CHICAGO 24 - Arizona 13 - (1:00) -- Line opened at Chicago minus 4?, and is still minus 4?. The Bears were the Cinderella squad of the '01 season, before losing to the Eagles in the playoffs. But injuries prevented a duplication of that magic in '02, as they went from 13-4 to 4-12. This season was more of the same thru Sept (0-3 SU & ATS, with a 111-43 pt deficit). However Chicago is 4-4 SU since, & 6-2 ATS (only 4 pts from an 8-0 spread run). This marks the Bears' 3rd chalk role in that run, & they've covered their first 2 fav setups. The utter futility of the Cards, when taking to the road (0-5 SU, with a 35-13 ppg deficit), is the final determinant here. Bears have held 4 of last 5 foes to 11 ppg. More of the same.
RATING: CHICAGO 88
NEAR CHOICES (Rated 87): West Virginia, Florida, Bowling Green - NFL: Cincinnati, New England, Jets