Week 13 Card (Nov 21st-25th)

[Irish]

ND (+9) over USC
Brady Quinn has been able to use the last several weeks to sharpen his skills playing flawlessly and making just about every right decision. The Irish offensive line has improved a little bit since almost getting Quinn killed in the UCLA game, and USC doesn't have a consistent, fearsome pass rush. USC's receiving corps is the best in the nation with Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith playing at an All-America level and Chris McFoy likely to return after having shoulder problems. Quinn hasn't had much success in three games against the Trojans, completing only 50 percent of his passes for 537 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. USC defense which has been outstanding recently, allowing a total of 19 points and forcing eight turnovers over its past three games. The Trojans have won four in a row over the Irish in a series that dates back to 1926, with Notre Dame leading 42-30-5. All the numbers say USC is a better football team than ND, and I agree but I do not think ND rolls over and they have a solid running game and the talent at WR and QB to make some noise in the game. Yes ND has not played the tough teams but I am not so sure USC has either. A convincing win over a Cal Team and Oregon team, Washington should have beat them, Nebraska gave the game away, Arizona St and Washington St both stayed in the game. And yes the did crush Arkansas without its best player and a QB. This is ND biggest game, they gave all they had last year in this contest and a much better USC team was a push away from losing. USC is good but I am not so sure they are that good and ND has the role of underdog so there is nothing to lose. I would like to see Quinn show up today, this typically is a game he hides from but I am thinking he comes to play. Wies needs to have a MONSTER game plan on defense, I think ND has a chance to stay with them on offense but the defense needs to make a few plays which honestly I am not sure they can do. Still I have watched USC all season they are tough but I can't help but think in this position getting chalk ND doesn't come out in the last game of ALOT of seniors and give them a game. Little play ND (ML).

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

VT(-17) over UVA
Yes UVA beat Miami but they did have 12 men on the field and I don't think Groh will be calling that play again. I have underestimated VT the past few weeks and gotten burned for it. They RAN over Clemson and threw over Wake. The defense has been all over teams. Freshman QB Sewell will be under a lot of heat today and I expect him to make mistakes. The offense of VT is coming on, it does take a big step back with Ore being banged up but they are by far the better team and at home. I cannot see the UVA offense scoring on this team but I am sure in this rivalry Groh will throw everything at the hokies he can and the defense has to be ready. Still as I just said this is a rivalry and a heated one. The Cavaliers defense has improved during the second half of the season, holding three of its last four opponents to seven points or less. The unit held Miami to 263 total yards. Virginia Tech leads the all-time series with Virginia 45-37-5, and has won six of the last seven meetings. Defense once again is carrying Virginia Tech. The Hokies rank second in the country in total defense, allowing only 231 yards a game overall, and are holding opponents to just under 98 yards a game on the ground. They also are in the Top 20 in the country with 15 interceptions. At home, better defense, slightly better offense, extremely better special teams and a battle for recruits. This is a lot of chalk but VT at home will play to the level of the crowd and that is bad news for the Wahoos.

Arizona (-3) over ASU
LOVE THIS GAME. Arizona at home, being the better team, coming on of late with the better defense should have no problem stopping ASU and then scoring on them. Arizona has won 4 of thier last 5, in that string includes wins over Cal at Wash St and at Oregon. ASU is a hot and cold team but IMO at home the wildcat defense will make them run cold. This is a huge game and the coaches know it. ASU has won two straight at home in the series and three of four, but is only 14-9-1 lifetime at Sun Devil Stadium. **By beating arch-rival Arizona State, the Wildcats could knock the Devils out of any consideration for a bowl** Arizona ruined ASU's bowl chances in 1982, 1985, 1995 and 1997. Cats are playing with as much confidence and intensity as the program has seen in a decade. Winning four of five games and getting into the bowl discussion can have that effect on an impressionable team. The defense has played exceptionally well during that stretch, creating turnovers and holding opponents to an average of just 14 points a game. Basically, the team is on a roll. This will be a hard faught game but if Arizona can get on them and get on them early the devils will fold and more than likely will be looking for a new coach next season.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Rockvegas]

THX

THX

Been following you all year Irish, keep up the good work!!

 

[A1Capper]

Ouch, nice write ups, but not fairing too well. Hang in there, it can only get better.

 

[SouthBayCougar]

admin edit - 3 day ban for bashing!

 

[A1Capper]

admin edit - 3 day ban for bashing!

U kidding? settle down and quit being so sensitive. I wished him well, just had a run of bad luck. Not bashing, sheesh.

 

[MadJack]

U kidding? settle down and quit being so sensitive. I wished him well, just had a run of bad luck. Not bashing, sheesh.

the admin wasn't talking to you so "settle down". nobody said you were bashing.

 

[MadJack]

the admin wasn't talking to you so "settle down". nobody said you were bashing.

although you were close. i think he knows how he did, why do you have to remind him? sheese!

 

[Irish]

Jack not trying to start anything but just wondering what was said? I am wondering because as of today I am 4-6 included in that is a parlay. Got beat on a terrible fresno team, backdoored on Oregon and Arsas what can I say? Just wondering what was said? Jack if you want to e-mail me the comment please do, I never shy away from someones comments. And just an FYI, if you lost tailing my play, that means I lost too and thats not something I am try to accomplish. Thanks

Louisville (-10) over Pitt
The Cards have too much passing for Pitt. The panthers have struggled on defense against the pass and the run all year. In losses to Connecticut and West Virginia, the Panthers have been bullied for 91 points and more than 1,100 yards, mostly on the ground. Louisville will unleash its 11th-ranked running game, opening things up for QB Brian Brohm to play pitch-and-catch with receivers Mario Urrutia and Harry Douglas. The Panther defense simply hasn?t been consistent enough to handle the Cards once they get rolling. Palko is the third-rated passer in the country, thanks in part to a young receiving corps that just keeps getting better as the season nears its end. Derek Kinder, Oderick Turner and Marcel Pestano form a challenging trio that?ll allow Pittsburgh to go stride-for-stride with Louisville in a game that should feature plenty of points. AND with the rutgers loss Louisville has been given new life in the big east and in a three way tie for firt in the league. After opening the season 6-1, Pittsburgh has dropped its last four games. Even before last year's game, the Cardinals had dominated the recent series with the Panthers. Louisville has won five straight over Pittsburgh, and three of the last four have been decided by 15 points or more. The Panthers have not defeated the Cardinals since a 55-10 road win Oct. 15, 1983. Too much offense for Pitt to stay with, Brohm must have a good game, they have the running backs to make plays against a speedy but overly aggressive Pitt defense. Misdirection worked well for WVU and it should today. Not thinking the Pitt home field advantage will be enough as Louisville runs by the Pitt offense and Palko makes one or two mistakes that he will make when he gets fustrated. Louisville has to be well disipled on special teams as Pitt is always up to the challege in that department. Still with a breath of new life and offensive production the cards are my play.

Cheers
Irish

 

[MadJack]

irish, i don't know. admin alerted me to a bash and i approved a 3 day ban. i think he was rubbing it in and i'm sick of people bashing around here.

 

[Irish]

Thanks Jack.... I appreciate the hard work. Hope all is well during the holiday season.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Kramer]

Irish, trust me, if you knew what he said, it may
not have pissed you off, but it pissed me off and
obviously others. We are all here to help each
other, not throw salt at someone's loss. Keep
posting the info, we all are better off because of
it. Thanks.

 

[Irish]

Okie St (-5.5) over Okla
Great passing attack vs a very aggressive defense. That puts the Cowboys in position to be a spoiler, like they were in 2001 and 2002. Oklahoma State's 16-13 win in Norman in 2001 knocked Oklahoma out of the national title picture and the BCS. The next season, the Cowboys eliminated any lingering chances a once-beaten Oklahoma team could play for the national title. That means there is even more motivation for Okie st to show up and give the sooners all they can handle. While Oklahoma has dominated the series over the past century, it's far closer of late. Oklahoma State has won five of the last 11 games, including two of the last four in Stillwater. The Sooners enter the game riding a six-game winning streak with their last loss coming in the Cotton Bowl against Texas on Oct. 7. Oklahoma enters the week still alive for the Big 12 South title. The Cowboys already own a win over the Big 12?s 2006 North champion, Nebraska. The Cowboys and Sooners have hooked up for some exciting finishes and dramatic games in Stillwater over the past few years. OU?s last four visits to OSU have produced a 38-35 Sooner victory (2004), a 38-28 Cowboy win (2002), a 12-7 OU win (2000) and a 41-26 OSU victory (1998). In fact, going back even further, to 1992, Oklahoma has outscored Oklahoma State in seven Stillwater meetings by a total of 179-167. Shorten the curve and the Cowboys have outscored the Sooners, 121-104, in the last four games played in Stillwater. Oklahoma State has scored 38 and 35 points against Oklahoma during the Sooners? last two visits to the OSU campus and the Cowboys scored 41 against OU in a 1998 Cowboy win. Those three games represent Oklahoma State?s three best point totals against OU in Stillwater and they rank as the second, third and fourth best point totals ever by the Cowboys against the Sooners. Oklahoma brings a 9-2 record to Stillwater, including a 6-1 record in conference play. OU averages 375.7 yards of total offense per game to rank eighth in the Big 12th and 34th nationally in that category. The Sooners lead the Big 12 and are No. 10 nationally in total defense, allowing just 265 yards per game. This will be a good game and I expect the cowboys to have to bring the A game in order to win. Okla looked solid in the last few contests without Petterson. Okie st has looked good and bad but I would think in this type of rivalry they will come out to play.

Kramer
Thanks, over the past few years I expect a level of bashing. Unless you bat 100% someone is going to be upset. I will continue to post as long as it doesn't get too ugly, but Jack and the Mods do a good job of avoiding that and there are a lot of guys in this forum that are class acts and positive words from you and others far out weight the shinanigans of others.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Boise (-2) over Nevada
the Wolf Pack's defense has been dominated by the Broncos in the last six meetings. Boise State averaged 51 points and 501 yards of total offense in those games, and the Broncos have won every matchup since 1999 by at least 35 points. Boise State leads the all-time series 20-12. Nevada leads the nation with a plus-15 turnover margin. the Wolf Pack have experience playing the role of spoiler. They upset Fresno State 38-35 in last year's final regular-season game to earn a share of the conference title. Boise with an outright WAC championship, an undefeated regular season and a potential spot in a BCS bowl on the line. Having Johnson available to play is a big boost to Boise State's offense. The sophomore running back is averaging 147 rushing yards per game, third in the nation, and has scored 21 touchdowns. He sat out last week's 49-10 win over Utah State with a partially collapsed left lung suffered two weeks ago against San Jose State. Both are good teams, I have been riding Nevada of late because they have really been playing solid football. Boise is a very good team, they have a decent defense and the ability to run and throw. Today they will need both and it will come down to IMO QB Z and his ability to run the ball and hit WR's in stride. Johnson should be a big factor but the broncos should have enough motivation to get up for this game. Nevada will love the role they have but I think the Broncos have the overall better team and the ability to beat nevada which they have done for a few years in a row. Should be a good game and a back and forth battle but I like Boise to get it done.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Small play
Wake (+1.5) over Maryland
Not sure I am sold on the terps and this game means a lot to both teams. Yes Home field is in the terps corner but the defense and running back for Wake should take that advantage away.

As I mentioned earlier about maybe taking ND (ML)... I did :scared

Arizona is killing me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers
Irish