Week 3 Card (Sept 13-15)

[Irish]

WVU (-16) over Maryland
The terps always play WVU tough and at home it should be no different. WVU looked outright bad on defense against Marshall and they normally do not start well on the road. So why spot all this chalk, well they are coming off a terrible performance in the Marshall game. Coach Rod will more than likely be all over them this week and Maryland just is not that good against the run. I said it last year but Slayton was a Maryland scolarship player and had his money taken out of his hand something that will motivate him more than normal and he is coming off a less that slaytonesq performace last week. Marshall gave a nice blue print on stopping WVU's run but White has the arm to make VERY big plays when the WR get 1v1 coverage. Wins over Villanova and Florida Int do not speak volumes about Maryland and especially because they did not dominate those games. I cannot stad the WVU defense, in the 3-3 stack the blitz needs to be used because if not a good qb will pick apart the secondary. STILL WVU can shut down Marylands offense if they commit to stopping the run. The terps have not PASSED for a td in the two games. Both QB's have picks and if Lattamore is shut down the terps offense will be hard pressed to score. Florida was able to pass and run against Marylands defense and WVU needs to mix up the play calling if they are to dominate this game. This is the biggest challenge for both teams and imo it is more important for WVU to look VERY good than it is just to win. I also think you will see more and more of Devine and Sanders which is good for WVU and moving the ball. The overall team speed of WVU should be the difference. WVU needs to focus on stopping the run and they should be able to have a big day. Naty TV game needs to be a hisman commercial for White and Slayton.

Cheers
Irish

 

[AR182]

irish...

you probably have a winner with this play but i have a rule that i will not lay dd on the road...

good luck with your plays this week....

 

[Blackman]

Best of luck Irish.

 

[Irish]

BIG PLAY
Oklahoma (-46) over Utah St
1st this is a hang over game for the sooners, after the big win over Miami. Second they did beat MIAMI 51-13, thats 38 points over Miami.... so looking at that and the 79-10 win in week one the sooners can score points in big numbers. Bradford is a very good QB (83% Comp) and he has solid depth at RB and WR to take a lot of pressure off. Plus they have a fast aggressive defense and that was seen in the past 2 weeks. This is a home game and the sooners play very well at home. This is not a look ahead game with Tulsa on the door step. Bradford and Kelly are dangerous and the sooners have way too many weapons for Utah st to contend against. Lets look at the Aggies defense, they allowed 300 plus yards through the air against Wyoming and over 180 on the ground. Another stat to look at is the Aggies were 0-13 on third down last week against a defense not nearly as strong as oklahoma. This will be a statement game for the sooners and even though last week was emotional they have a young team that will look to out play week to week. They should control this game in every aspect and I like Stoops not to pull up on the offense until he is satisfied... which is you look at week one doesn't come until many points are scored.


**edited the line .....it was a 6 not a 9 but I like it either way***
Cheers
Irish

 

[autt_4]

Big fan of WV play.
GL Irish

 

[Morris]

irish...

you probably have a winner with this play but i have a rule that i will not lay dd on the road...

good luck with your plays this week....

Hmmmm.....Good rule.

 

[Irish]

AF (+8) over TCU
AF is banged up but they have home field. But they have an offense that can keep you quessing. the Falcons (2-0) ran the ball 63 times for 334 yards in their 20-12 win over Utah last week and quarterback Shaun Carney passed just 14 times, completing eight of them for a mere 54 yards. Patterson, who is 9-0 against service academies at TCU with only one of those wins by fewer than two touchdowns, was scheming for Air Force even before the Horned Frogs' 34-13 loss at Texas on Saturday that got them knocked out of the Top 25. Patterson called this the toughest task for TCU (1-1) in the last three years. "They're actually more difficult to defend now than they used to be because they do everything else conventional, plus they do the triple option," Patterson said. "To try to get ready for them on a short week is unbelievable.". AF is going to be a challenge for TCU with a young QB and no Brown at RB. AF brings a lot of leadership to the table and be very up for a national TV game at home. TCU comes off an emotional loss to Texas that was VERY close until the 4th quarter, when the offense for TCU out right died. AF was a triple option team and still has that threat but they also will throw the ball under the new coach and that makes them a very difficult team to face. You cannot just stack the box now and they have a proven leader at QB. This is a big game for both programs but IMO I think AF just might want it more. The majority of people I have spoken with like TCU because they recuit better talent and have a good coaching staff but after watching them last week I am just not sure if they have the talent. Texas was able to run all over them and they don't really have a scrambling QB but he made big plays when he pulled the ball down. Now I think Carney and McCarthy can do the same. I am not saying AF line is as good as texas but I think they can be just as productive. The key is sealing the LBs. TCU plays wide gap on the three man front and need the LBs to come in and make tackles. They are more so built for coving the short pass and thats where I think AF can beat them. Using a solid rushing game plan then sucking the LBs in for support the can beat them deep especially because the TCU secondary will spy QB and the play action and pump and go could be there for carney. Home field, heart and imo a stronger team are my reasons and I think the falcons could WIN this game but I'll take the eight points.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

small
WVU/Mary OVER (14) 1st Quarter
Scripted plays for both teams should get the terps some passing options while WVU just does what they do... score points and terrible coverage.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

PROP

Steve Slayton OVER (150.5) rushing yards

Just think he will have a very good game after last week not playing very well and this was the team that bailed on him.

Cheers
Irish

 

[bert07]

nice to see you on WVU too

lets get it

 

[tulah]

I'm tailing you on your 1st QTR play.
If my memory serves me correct the score was 28-0 at the end of the 1st QTR ly.

GL with your plays.

 

[Irish]

WVU/Mary OVER (13.5) 3rd quarter

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

WVU/Mary OVER (14) 4th quarter

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Okie St (-10) over Troy
The cowboys come in off their first win against Fla Atl. They showed the offense that was talked about before the georgia game. Zac Robinson showed the accuracy that is needed in this type offense and I would like to see a little more production out of the running game but that will not bother me in this play. Okie defense was tough against the run last week but that is where my concern comes into play. Haugabook can scramble and the Troy running game is unpredictable but can power over some teams. Troy has played two good SEC teams and have been away in both games yet they showed up. Granted the florida score is misleading because most points came with 3rd teamers in and the game too far out of reach. Troy has a good defense but they just don't have enough to make me play the otehr way. Okie lost one early so they cannot afford a let up and they should be focuse for the national TV game. Troy loves the spotlight and has made some memorable moments given the chance but the key for the cowboys is to strike early and often... get ahead and not to look back. I am not worried about the points if both teams bring their a games but that is hardly the case in okie games because they often run hot and cold. Still the offensive firepower and the ability to shutdown teams running the ball is a reason for my selection.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Oregon (-16) over Fresno
The line is a result of the mich game, it is VERY high and the ducks are coming in off an emotional win last week. Fresno also had a lot of emotion losing to A&M last week and I am banking it took a lot out of the bulldogs. Still they have talent and play hard. Playing in his second season in a system known for its quarterbacks - including former stars David Carr and Trent Dilfer - Brandstater had a career-high 260 yards passing and three touchdowns against Texas A&M. The Ducks have a TON of weapons and have a nice +7 in the turnover department meaning the defense is making plays when they get the chance to do so. I am not saying the ducks defense is good but they do have some recuited talent and I think they could put together a defense if they are coached correctly. But we are getting off track, focus on the best reason to lay the ducks, thats the offense. They are clicking right now and this is a team that FEEDS of confidence and success. If they continue to play well Dixon will be a VERY good QB. But the reverse is also true, if he gets down he could easliy have a 4 int day. Still at home, playing with confisence, understanding this is a good bulldog team should have the ducks ready for this contest. This is a high line almost too much IMO but I think the way they are playing gives them a swagger and at home they will look to run past a hard nosed bulldog team off a tough loss.

Hawaii (-17) over UNLV
Away from home scares me but this is a rebound game and the secondary for UNLV is a good target. Hawaii coach June Jones said winning by a point did more for the team than winning by 30 or 40. FOCUSED! More than 10,000 Hawaii fans are expected to attend the game at Sam Boyd Stadium. Las Vegas is often referred to as the "Ninth Hawaiian Island," because of the large number of island expatriates and visitors. FAN SUPPORT! UNLV is driven by Dixon.... running/throwing it is Dixon, the KEY. Hawaii can shut him down, score and force him to throw (not his strong suit) and are focused. Now because they are not at home this is not a big play but I have to think that close call last week gets hawaii aware they are going to be in for a dog fight week in and out. They cannot afford to come in and think they will win, they have to play and thats the difference for me on saturday.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

VT (-21) over Ohio
Wow, feel bad for the bobcats here, going into Blacksburg against a good defense that was embarassed last week AND freshman sensation Taylor gets the nod at QB. Now understand this against LSU taylor has a limited package and Beamer did NOT want to go to him but they really had no choice because Glennon is rubbish. Every player on VT when you talk about Taylor lights up and know he is something special. OK so if VT had an offense they would be dangerous..... well they just got one. Not only does this mean Ore will get some openings now off misdirection after Telyor shows Pat White ability. The hokies have talent at WR but Glennon held the ball too long and did not take advantage something Taylor will not do. He will throw it or run it but not hold it. Then there is the defense.... adding Taylor completes the VT team. Bobcats off a VT loss will get all they can handle and the crowd.

Tenn (+7.5) over Fla
Small play, Tenn has been challeged, Florida has not Tenn stinks in the secondary, but the weather will help them. The have some weapons but no where near the speed the gators have, still like the Vols to fight and claw and try to keep this close.

USC (-9.5) over Neb
2 weeks to prepare for Neb, a team with twice the overall team speed Wake has on offense. Some banged up linemen but they will go. People doubting USC will only make them come out harder. Yes Neb has a good offense, and defense plus the home field advantage but the line last year was closer to 17 if I am not mistaken and Neb needed help to cover. Carroll will have the guys ready and they will come out looking to prove something. This game means a lot to Neb but it also means a great deal to USC and I think it will come down to coaching and Carroll is a far better coach compared to Calahan plus he has had the time to gameplan.

Ark (+3) over Bama
McFadden and Felix Jones combined for 177 rushing yards in Arkansas' 24-23 overtime win over Alabama last Sept. 23. The victory was part of the Razorbacks' 10-game win streak, helping them to the No. 15 spot in the final AP poll - their highest finish since they were ranked 13th after the 1989 season. Arkansas has won 3 of the last 4 meetings. Yes they go to Bama but the razor backs had 2 weeks to prepare. Something that will be nice because they will rush Parker Wilson all day and if they force him, he will make mistakes. Plus Bama will look to establish the run and Ark defense has to show up and not allow that to happen. Casey Dick is a good QB when it comes to taking care of the ball, then again he has Felix and McFadden. Both should have a decent day considering teams have had success throwing on Bama the razorbacks need to pass to open the run. Bama will look to shut down the running backs but that will open up the pass and Dick has to make plays if Ark has a shot at winning. This will be a hard faught game but with the extra time to prepare and the talent in the backfield for Ark, the razorbacks should battle the hostile crowd and win this game. Still, I'll grab the three points because this should be a close hard SEC game.

Kent (+5.5) over Louisville
Interhighway battle and a lot of bad blood. Kent will come out hard for this game and I just don't like what I saw from Louisville last week. I am not sure the defense will be able to make any stops and Woodson will take advantage. This game will be a trackmeet but I think Kent will give the home fans something to cheer about. Two years ago, the last time the teams faced off in Lexington, Woodson let Kentucky's shot at an upset slip through his fingers. Down by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Woodson fumbled at the 2. The Cardinals went on to win 31-24. This is a better Kent team with a lot to play for and they should show people something. Emotion and talent should get UK up to a level to play with Louisville.... STILL Kent has started slow in its games and that is not a good thing. They have to come out and play all game...... thats why I think the home field will be big, it will help them dig down when they come out and all game.

Other Leans...
Boise
Washington
BC
UNC
Arizona St

BASEBALL
Took
Bo Sox (ML) over Yankees
Dice has to shake off the bad mojo.

Cheers
Irish

 

[RexBudler]

Nice night last night, gl the rest of the weekend buddy

 

[2biguns]

I have to wonder if the off week hurts Arkansas. New offensive coordinator and they have not had time to gel. Bama has had 2 weak games (if we consider Vandy to be weak) to get folks on same page.

Would not put too much stock in last years AK win as Bama won the game 3 or 4 times. But for the autistic kicking of Tiffin it would have been over, and have to keep in mind that was a Shula coached team.

Still have not decided on this game. I figure Saban stacks the box and shadows AK RBs and forces Dick to pass, which could spell trouble for the visitors.

 

[Irish]

Okie St/Troy UNDER (63)

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Okie St/Troy UNDER (31) 2nd half
Punt return for a TD, Fumble on the first possesion, Fake punt from inside their own territory.... easy scores in the first, less motivation IMO in the second. Then again Okie St looks terrible!

Cheers
Irish