Week 4 Card (20th-22nd)

[Irish]

Mict St (-13) over ND
REVENGE from a bad loss a year ago. Mich St has a good o-line and 2 strong running backs. They have a coach that is looking to establish Mich St as a big name program again. ND coming in an embarassing lose to Mich. The ND offense has not been able to score an offensive TD this season. Even at home I just don't think ND can get off the loss train against a good Mich St team with something to prove. The Irish will get full atention from Mich st and that is not good. Hoyer needs to be sharper in the passing game if the spartans want to cover this game but I think the rushing game will be the biggest factor. Ringer and Caulcrick and talented running backs and should be able to over power a hurting ND d-line. ND will play hard but the first poor play or mistake will get he helmets looking at the ground. ND will need an inspired QB performance to lead the offense but I just don't think they will get it. The o-line for ND will sturggle if Mich bring pressure, which I expect they will trying to force ND into mistakes. This biggest reason for this play is the ND o-line.... they have not been able to protect the QB nor have they opened any holes for the running game. Mich has every reason to get ahead by ALOT, after all they opened up a large lead last year only to lose. This is a heated rivarly and Mich st has the better team. Thirteen is a lot on the road but ND is a team in distress.

Along those same lines....
PSU(-2.5) over Mich
ANOTHER home game for michigan but you can expect the lions defense will not bow down to the rushing game as ND did last week. Not sure the QB status for this game but whom ever it is you can expect PSU to bring ALOT of pressure. Also PSU has the speed at WR to spread out Michigan and burn them like Oregon and App St. IMO this line is low because ND actually scored in the PSU game but that is sole result of poor specialteams play. Yes this game is at the big house but I think PSU is going to handle the pressure well. They have a good leader at QB, a good o-line and speed in the skill positions. This could be a close game but I don't think the Mich defense can keep it that close. The offense might be able to score on PSU but I am not impressed with the performance of the ND win. PLUS that was a huge emotion performace for Michigan and they might be a little drained. However even though Mich won an emotional game last week they will be ready but just not ready enough for a better PSU team in a big Ten grudge match.

Watch out Games for some interested....
Oregon - They play Cal next week
GT - They play Clemson next week


Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Texas A&M (+3) over Miami
The hurricanes at home with a very fast team. This is a statement game and they have the home field and talent to make such a statement. BUT Dennis Franchione started hearing his players talk about facing Miami several months ago during spring practice. So they will be ready for this contest. The hurricans are a bit lacking in the passing game and they can be completely shut down when a team with decent CB plays man and stacks the box. Offensively the A&M rushing game should be decent. The U is fast and they have a lot of talent on defense but the Hurricanes yielded 159 yards rushing against Florida International in a 23-9 win last week. Mixing up Lane and Goodson should give the Aggies the edge on offense and McGee makes good decisions on the ball and if he plays well the aggies thrive. With such talent at RB the QB needs to make a few throws to bring it all together and McGee has that ability, PLUS he is a threat to pull the ball in and run. The biggest KEY in this play is Kyle Wright.... if the aggies bring the pressure and get to him early he becomes a bad QB and at home the fans will not stand for a few 3 and outs. The RB speed, this being a statement game for both team, but A&M having the better teams over the past few years gives them the edge to win it. I think Texas A&M wins but I'll take the points.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Miami/TA&M UNDER (9.5) 1st Quarter
IMO this is going to be defense and the running game to start. Both teams should fear the early mistake and look to stick to better players... Goodson/Lane and James.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

HOLDING ON MIAMI's TD??????

Miami/TA&M OVER (13) 2nd quarter

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

TA&M/Miami OVER (7.5) 3rd Quarter

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

hahaha... A&M play calling down 24 is a joke. They hit a nice long scree but why try to out coach the aggressive miami defense... just run into them.

Ill (-3) over Indy
Illinois hasn't won a Big Ten opener since 1993. Indiana has won only one of its last 15 Big Ten openers. Indiana is a good ball club but theydo not have the explosive ability that Ill has on offense. The defenses are about equal, but Indiana's balanced offense gives it the advantage. Like most other teams, Illinois will likely struggle matching up with Indiana receiver James Hardy. Hardy is the best weapon Lewis has an he will look to him in big situations. Lewis is completing about 60% of his throws but they really have not been tested on defense and even though they haven't played tough defenses Lewis still has 3 picks. The biggest key for Indy is the Lewis to Hardy or Lewis scrabling on the defense. But what better way for Ill to get adjusted for a scrambling qb then to go against Juice Williams. He is a good QB with big play potential on every play. BUT he is inconsistant and needs to change that for Ill to be a factor this season. Mendenhall is the threat to rush or catch for a game changer and against the weaker Indy defense he should have a big day. Who plays better at QB will be a big decider in this game Juice or Lewis.... IMO other than Hardy Ill has more speed and talent in the skill positions. This being an away game for Ill with Penn St on the door step scares me but the big play potential helps ease that pain. Ron Zook needs to game plan if he wants to beat a team he has not in two years. I think Zook, Mendenhall, Williams, Benn and their experience (six third- and fourth-year starters) on defense get it done saturday.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Wake (-3) over Maryland
Wake is the better team then thier 1-2 record states. Plus they have home field advantage in this game. Maryland coming off the big loss to WVU. Considering they have a week off after this game some of the pobable players will give it a go on saturday. That includes QB Skinner, which will give the demon decons a nice boost. It will be important for the Wake defense to step up or this will be a long game. The emotion that will be in this game should be intense since Wake needs to win this game and Maryland is coming in off a loss. Getting the ball to Kenneth Moore is a must for Wake and finding a way to line him up all over the field is important to creat mismatches. Last year Wake ran all over the terps and they need to attempt that again if they want to be successful. The Maryland defense is much improved but the playmaker of that group is Henderson and he is banged up. Steffy is a good QB but has not become a leader on offense, that role is given to Latimore. He is the play maker and it is important for Wake to match speed with Bay and get all over the run. Doing that will force turn overs while Wake and Skinner move the ball keeping the Maryland offense off the field. Should be a good game but I like Wake to outplay and out want this win and if they come out with fire the cover should follow.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

wvu (-25) over ecu
this one is going to be a tough cover. ecu has a good defense vut i think the speed of wvu is too much. ecu will look to rush white but he has good wheels and will pull it down and run. slayton, devine and reynaud are by far faster than anyone ecu has seen to date. that speed is something coach rod needs to take advantage of in the passing game. wvu has such talent rushing the ball they do not take advantage of deep throws. even though white can be very accurate throwing the deep ball. also screens will be huge for wvu..... the ecu defensive co will bull rush white with his d-line, so white can dump it off in screen passes and you have speed in the open with a few linemen to block lbs. the wvu defense is always going to be in question, howere wick and andrews are good safties. they need more production from the lbs and d-line. those are the positions in this defense that must show up inorder to be a factor. home field and speed should be enough considering ecu runs some of the wvu offense....you have to expect the defense to play better.

cheers
irish

 

[Irish]

arizona st (-12) over oregon st
the beavers are out right bad in the passing game, neither qb has come along as expected. bernard is a huge weapon for the beavers but the way to stop him is score and force the beavers to the air to play cath up. this is what asu will be looking to accomplish at home against a poor road team. osu has a good secondary but not good enough to keep the asu passing attack out of the endzone. the scary factor is erickson has his kids playing solid team defense. that defense should be strong enough to limit the beavers running attack. the beaver qb will not be able to carry his team if bernard is held in check. they have a very talented wr but do to some personal issues he still is not the threat he once was for the beavers. asu is clicking on offense, that efficency is far better than what org st brings to the table. this is a divison game that means alot for both teams but the better team is asu. they are clicking, at home and should have enough defense...that and the miscues from osu qbs...to beat up on the beavers.

i will be out all day saturday so i will have more plays posted during tonights game..... i will also have a write up on the okie game but still looking at some numbers

good luck to you all
cheers
irish

 

[Irish]

Oklahoma (-23.5) over Tulsa

Tulsa is a very good team with a very capible QB and an offensive game plan that can be effective. This is an instate battle and Tulsa will give Oklahoma everything they have tonight. This is also the sooners first road game, so it will be interesting to see how this powerful team can play outside their home. Bradford is a VERY good qb and he has been play smart and effectively in this offensive set. The you have to look, can any one on tulsa actually cover Kelly and the other sooner WRs? That is considering they let BYU score a lot of points last week and go for almost 700 HUNDRED yards of offense.. BUT BYU defense that Tulsa carved up for 595 yards and 55 points last Saturday is the same one that allowed just 34 points in its first two games against teams from the Pac-10. This oklahoma game is a tune up for the road ahead but I am just not sure tusla has the horse power to stay in this game. Smith is capable but he can get rattled if the pressure gets to him as it did in the first game of the season. Many current Tulsa players, including QB Paul Smith, were on the 2005 team that nearly shocked Oklahoma in Norman, so intimidation shouldn?t be a factor this week. So what we know, Tulsa can score, Oklahoma can score as well. But Oklahoma has the defense in this game and even with the home field advantage I think the sooners defense will be focused and ready... a focused defense that held Miami in complete check. Pressure Smith, not letting him get comfortable should lead to turnovers and the sooners capitalize in the end.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Okie/Tulsa OVER (14) 1st quarter

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Re-hit
Penn St (-3) over Mich
Big play... revenge for losing 8 straight. Yes Penn St hasn't played anyone but Mich LOST to a 1-AA school, got smoked by Oregon and beat ND. Now everyone is talking about heart taking this team on him back well that will be the ground and pound the penn st defense is looking to stop. Again if PSU gets ahead of Mich you might see some downed helmets... best way to kill michigan is to score and score a lot. Should be a good game.

Louisville (-36.5) over Cuse
At home, off a loss, against a VERY bad defense. This is made for louisville to open up and take out the loss on the orange. You have to think the louisville defense had got a chewing all week long over that blown assignment in the winning kentucky TD. Louisville is OUT of the national championship race but they still have a shot at the Big East AND Brohm winning the Hiesman, be it a long shot still a shot. The terrible Cuse o-line might just be what the louisville defensive front needs to show they are able to play at this level. Orange defense that?s allowing 266 yards a game on the ground. NOT good considering Allen is a RB that can take advantage. Then Brohm can pass all day on the orane secondary. There is not one way to stop Louisville on offense if you are wearing orange. Louisville can beat themselves but nothing Cuse can do in this game. The problem for the Cards this season has not been the offense, which leads the country in total offense and has been forced to punt just three times all year. Only way the orange stay in this game is by taking advantage of the bad louisville defense which they will not be able to do. This will be a home track meet for louisville as always against a team set up more for a fast walk.

Arky (-7) over Kent
The wildcats might be still booming over the win against louisville, that will soon come to and end against an angry razorbacks team at home off a heart breaker to Bama. Kentucky's run defense is mediocre, at best. The defensive line doesn't make enough plays up front, while the back seven will make a few too many tackles after a big run. McFadden will of course have a big game. We need to have Dick make some plays when one on one coverage emerges when the wildcats committ to stopping the run. Using Felix Jones in the short out routes will be huge too, the WR can run the secondary down field and the speed of Jones against the LB of Kentucky is a big mismatch. I think the Arkansas defense is better than the wildcats expect and they will make some key stops while the razorbacks in the wildhog formation will be too much. Woodson is unreal with 9 TD's and no picks but they have not faced a mean defense. The hangover from the louisville game will hurt them early and the hogs come out strong at home.

Cheers
Irish

 

[AR182]

good luck this week irish...of course except those games where we clash....

 

[trolln4walii]

GL this week Irish. Opposite you tonight but as always wishing you the best. With you tomorrow on Wake and Penn St. :mj06:

 

[Irish]

Okla/Tulsa OVER (17) 2nd quarter

Thanks guys... GL this weekend

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Okie/Tulsa OVER (14.5) 3rd quarter

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Missed FG to end tghe 3rd hurt the night but overall not bad.....

So.Car (+18) over LSU
This is a big game for both team, a lot of pressure on LSU in conference and a lot of hype. They have some players banged up and will not be at 100%. Early Ducet is out and so is one of the better players on defense. Looking at this game I have to say So.Car is the best team LSU has faced and this is a lot of chalk. The only team LSU has faced with decent talent was VT and they had no offense. So.Car has Boyd and Mitchell to go along with a good o-line. plus they bring a fast aggressive defense to the table tomorrow. I am not saying the gamecocks win this game but with spurrir calling the plays it would not surprise me. The gamecocks has the spoiler role in mind. LSU is remarkable at home but SC will not be intimidated by the crowd or the LSU hype. All in all this will be an SEC battle and SC is too good to spot all that chalk to even if this is a better LSU team than last year. Flynn will be slowed by the ankle injury. Not saying he won't be effective but a bum peg will hurt his mobility and that hurts his overall game. Still the rest he got last week will help the FAST LSU offense, but the fast SC defense will have to play fundimentally sound to avoid spurrir throwing his visor and having to polay catch up against a pin their ears back defense. Staying in the game is the key if SC wants to win, they will go into this game with the mindset of winning so I expect they will try and stay ahead of the chains all day. Not beating themselves with turnovers or penalties is huge but I think the ol ball bag... I mean coach will have his kids ready. Boyd really has to take advantage and run behind his pads to get some of the pressure off mitchell. Blake can make more throws than I thought he could if given time and not running for his life.

Leaving early and getting home late.... might be here to post some late night plays but untill then GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE HERE!

Cheers
Irish

 

[ryanmcgwyer]

great write up

great write up

I am with you on South Carolina. I don't have the numbers but LSU is horrible in Day games, Death Valley is not the same and Mike the Tiger will not be there this is a scary game with Doucet out. I think the under is the play here and South Carolina

 

[Irish]

Stopped in to post two late plays.

Purdue (-14) over Minny
Both teams show purdue is by far the better squad.

Iowa (+7) over Wisky
The badgers have not shown me anything but neither have the hawkeyes... however they should both want to win this game and fight hard to do so. IMO this is a close game.

Cheers
Irish