Week 9 Card (Oct21st-25th)

[Irish]

Temple (-4) over Ohio PUSH... they could have won by 21 if they were a better deep ball team
Will the owls look to impress during their "Pink out". The question about DiMichele is important but I cannot say it really effect my reasons on this play. What a lot of folks do not understand is Chester Stewart is a redshirt freshman and he has come in off the bench and had to replace a redshirt senior and team leader. You are going to lose productivity and chemestry. And this kid has not played extremely bad, he gave up 3 picks to Penn St and 3 to C.Mich so it is not like he gave turnovers to bad teams. For some reason Temple loves to sched away games. They have had 2 home games and look at those closely... 6-2 W.Mich and 5-2 UConn (before they got an injured QB). Western Mich averages over THIRTY FIVE points a game and Temple defense allowed 1 TD. They beat Ohio by 21. And UConn before they got hit by the injury bug was a pretty tough out averaging over 30 points per game in the first 4 games of the season including the win against Temple where the owls allowed TWELVE points to them. Now I watched the Temple/ UConn game and the defense was all over the UConn QB and he forced a few throws into coverage for picks and fumbled a few times. The weather was not great but still Temple was able to show up on defense and really give them a test and truthfully the should have won that game. I am just looking defensively right now because the offense has not shown up at all this season but the defense at home is extremely tough. I think Ohio is a little overrated considering the looked good against OSU and N'Western but that was OSU looking at USC and N'Western looking at Mich St so I cannot be impressed by those efforts. These teams have played C.Mich and W. Mich and both lost to them. Both teams are towards the bottom with one win in conference each. What I really like here is home field advantage and normally I would pay attention to it with TEmple but they are doing EVERYTHING possible to get people to this game to support the fight against breast cancer. They are giving discounts to philly fans, they are giving students pink pom poms, thunder sticks and shirts and I would think on a nationally televised game they should get a pretty good turn out. I think the defense is going to play Ohio tough and it will be up to Chester and the offense to win the game. Chester has seen some tough defenses and he should be productive in this game. He has been in there enough to get used to the speed of the game and now it is time for him to pick up the pace. This is a good QB with some good wheels and arm. I would like to see him take to the scramble more tonight because I think he could rip some big gains. I am sure Boo Jackson can make plays but all in all both teams aren't extremely strong on offense but Ohio has the edge. Donte Harden vs Kee-arye Griffen is truely where this match-up will be won or lost. I think it will be close but I like the Owls to get it done. Another reason to like the Owls......... Dr. William H. Cosby (that's right, he will be doing the coin toss) AND Vince Papale (Invincible.. Thats almost as big as Rocky in this town, at least he is a real philly local hero) will be at this game!

Cheers
Irish

 

[rubiconed]

GL Tonight Irish, and thanks for the great write ups !!! :toast:

Played Temple early this morning and got it at -3, and I bought a half !!!

GO OWLS !!! :00hour

 

[Blackman]

Good luck tonight Irish. I swore to stay away from these weekday matchups but I think you've got the right side here. Temple has flaws but from the little bit I've seen, a good coaching staff and a sound gameplan.

 

[Cie]

GL buddy:toast:

 

[ajoytoy]

gl tonight and the weekend buddy

 

[Irish]

BIG PLAYS!!
Michigan State (-5.5) over Michigan W
Do not be fooled by the ohio State game last week, this is a better football team than showed against the Buckeyes. Coach D has a count down clock to this game in the football center and his boys should be ready to lay one on the wolverines. Last meeting: Michigan 28, Michigan State 24. Michigan is in a down season, they do not have the talent to run that offense. Not only are they without the talent but the starting QB hurt his elbow and I cannot see him being in any shape to light up the passing attack. They use that misdirection well but the MSU defense has to play better than they did against Ohio St if they want to stop the wolverines. I think they have much more of an edge on defense than Michigan. The Nittany Lions finished with 482 yards, led by running back Evan Royster, who averaged 9.7 yards per carry in piling up 174 rushing yards. This is good news for Mich St backers because you would think Ringer saw these numbers and will be looking to do some of the same. I think this game has a similar feel to the ND/Mich game and should have the same result. Mich St will come out hot and run over a mich defense that has had issues stopping the run.

Alabama (-6.5) over Tennessee WRocky top is not as hard of a place to play as it used to be. Tenn is just not a very good team and even though they have a good running back they lack experience on the o-line and should not be able to run on bama. Bama got hit hard at DT last game and without the bigman in the middle I would think the defense will have a tough time stopping the run against a good team but Tenn is not the team to take advantage. Watching Bama I am just stick because they are the backdoor boys. They get up early and then let a team stay in the game and take drives off but you would have to think Saban is going to fix that aspect. The offense led by a great rushing attack should run all over Tenn bad defensive front. I would like to see Parker get a little more action passing but he should be able to mix it up enough to be a problem for Tenn. I think the best options for Tenn are Hardesty and Stephens but you will see more of foster and Crompton (I think). Both of those players have not shown the ability to take games over and against the Bama defense I cannot see them doing that this week. Loses to Georgia by more than 10 and florida by more than 10 makes me think the tide should take this by more than 10. The heat is on Fulmer, the stadium is not as scary as the past and bama playing the best of the SEC teams should result in a cover. Nothing on the door for Bama to be worried about so they should be focused on this game.

South Florida (-4.5) over Louisville L
Is home field advantage worth that much? Did the Mid Ten St win push this line lower? I mean after all it took a 21 point fourth quarter to win that game by a high number. This team lost to UConn without a QB. The memphis game should not have been that close but I have to say Louisville is the jekel and hyde this season. I do not think Cantwell is good enough to be a factor in this game. He has shown no ability to move on the scramble and it has caused him to get banged up this season. Cantwell is throwing a lot of picks right now, he is not confident and this is a bad spot to get a rested and ready South Florida defense. South Florida improved defensively, allowing Syracuse just 9 yards of offense in the second half and keeping it from picking up a first down. This defense needed a big rest and after they got it they showed some of the playmake ability people thought they had to start the season. The loss to Pitt was disappointing but the panthers have been showing they don't stink as much as I thought and are a tough out. Still in that game the offense couldn't move the ball and the banged up defense couldn't get them off the field. It will not be the same in this game. This will be a huge game for SF in conference with a loss already. The bulls should go into Papa john stadium with confidence, rested legs and the ability to hammer this team if they don't hurt themselves. Grothe should be all over this defense if his head is in the right place. I think the loss to Pitt was the worest thing to happen for the rest of the big east because the bulls were a little over confident and they tend to play best when they have something to prove.

North Carolina (-3) over Boston College W
OK so VT is just awful on offense. 14 of the 17 points came off interceptions returned for TD's and BC spotted VT 10 points in the first two drives of the game. Chris Crane is showing a good ability to command this young offense while the defense has looked solid. That defense took a big hit when Toal got injured and is now out for the season. I think if VT could throw the ball they would have killed BC but Taylor could not even hit a five yard out route. Sexton will not be as kind to BC. Sexton completing almost 60% and has looked sharp in the passing attack until the UVA game. But you have to like this QB coming out and taking blame for the loss and saying he let the UNC nation down and it won't happen again. You know the tarheels will be looking forward to this game, they are at home against a team that beat VT (who beat UNC during a terrible second half of football for the heels) and after a loss. Whats hard for me to figure out is how is BC winning games. They don't really do anything great, they run an option attack with an unmobile QB and they have good LB's but a poor secondary. This will be a rebound spot for UNC but they cannot let a bad game get in their heads, if they come to play in this game they should win easy. The UNC defense was able to stick with a hot UVA offense and they should be able to dominate the line of scrimage on offense and defense. It hurts to have Tate out of the line up but they still have Nicks and he is a very good reciever. I am still jumping mad they don't want to move Little back to WR but thats their choice and I understand they think he can be special if he touches the ball more but he is a very good WR. The defense, rebounding from a bad game, being home and a BC team I am not sold on are why I think UNC is the play.

Oregon (-4) over Arizona State WThe Sun Devils have struggled against the Ducks, losing seven of the last 10 games, including three straight. The sun devils are in a tailspin. They have lost four in a row and have not looked good on offense at all. A team that was supposed to turn games into track meets have not had enough juice to run with teams. Then again Oregon has not been impressive in their last few games barely wining against UCLA and losing to USC by a ton. Still this has to be a game the Ducks want more than the devils. Injuries have hurt both teams but I think Carpenter is now without confidence and that means he is dangerous to his own team. He tried to win games on his own and make impossible throws and that is where the ducks can get a few turnovers. But I have heard he will NOT go in this game and the other two QBs are splitting snaps at practice. This is trouble because that means Erickson does not have faith in one or the other to come in yet and he is hoping that one takes the spot. This is trouble because they need the pass to stay in games if the want a shot at a win. A lot of that has to do with ASU not being able to run the ball at all. So will ASU be able to pass, with a young inexperienced QB he will need time to throw and he will not get that. offensive line, which ranks 101st in sacks allowed. On the other side of the ball Oregon will run and run heavy. ASU has 3 freshman on the defensive front and I do not think they will be able to stop Johnson and Blount. This game should be Oregons to lose, they need to get the passing game going a little more but they have enough in the running department to cause ASU fits. Masoli is a good QB and he can scramble so that should be an issue for ASU. Now don't let the USC score fool you because USC gave the ball away a ton and Sanchez was hurt, this will be a different battle. The ducks are far more effective, they have some serious edge in defense and from the history the coach knows how to game plan for this team. ASU has the home field but they just don't have the offense or defense and without Rudy they lack some leadership.


Cheers
Irish

 

[tulah]

I agree with you on the Tarheels. I really love the D.Line. I'm still considering Oregon as a play.

GL this week Irish

 

[Punch23]

GL Irish-


some thoughts from tide nation--

We may have lost Cody but Josh Chapman isn't a bad backup. Additionally, I believe Tenn's best offensive lineman is out. I also heard that one of their top WR's is out as well. hopefully, this will be an easy W.

Take care


wes

 

[TontoKowalski]

isnt donte hardon out for the year?

 

[AR182]

good luck this week irish...

 

[Irish]

Air Force (-6) over New Mexico (W)
Air Force is 8-3 at home and 7-7 at New Mexico. Not so fast... New Mexico is 31-11 in regular-season games played on Oct. 12 or later. Still Tim Jefferson is the new answer for the Falcons offense. He played only in the fourth quarter and he was 6-of-7 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran 13 times for 99 yards. He showed a lot of command and the abilty to play under pressure. IMO he is in position to take over where Carney left. As a freshman it is pretty amazing he has come along in this system so well but he is a good strong factor in why I think Air Force is going to get better in the weeks to come. The Falcons rank 1st in the MWC and 3rd in the nation in rushing offense at 300.1 yards a game. They are 3-9 all-time in Thursday night games, including a 34-31 loss to New Mexico last season. REMEMBER though a big reason for that loss was poor play, AF lost five fumbles inside their own 30-yard line. But it also looks like the lobos found some help in the QB department with Brad Gruner. Considering the lobos offense has been hot and cold this season Gruner hs added a nice dimension because he can scramble well and always needs to be accounted for or he will beat you. But considering he splits time with Tate Smith, I am not sure if he will play enough to be the X factor. New Mexico is as rested as it has been all season, thanks to a game last weekend that got out of hand in the first half. The lopsided victory allowed the Lobos to rest their starters for the majority of second half. They'll go into a game for only the second time this season in which all the players they're counting on are expected to play. If this becomes a field position game I might be in trouble because New Mexico leads the MWC and is 1st nationally in kickoff return average at 25.4 yards. So it will be important for AF if they score not to let down on the kick coverage because New Mexico will be looking to bounce right back into action. The Lobos have averaged 293 rushing yards over their last four games, a lot of that is do to the QB's now being able to scramble. But will the Lobos defense be up to the task of stoping the AF offense. The lack of preparation time against the triple-option also invites the possibility of giving up more big plays. UNM has perhaps its fastest unit in Long's tenure. Rocky Long is counting on playing his regular defense because they have not had a ton of time to prepare for the option. This is a reason I like Air Force because the triple option is far from the normal spread offenses New Mexico is used to seeing. The Air Force defense has been good at finding a way to get the ball back for their offense. The Falcons had created at lest two in each of their first six contests. This is a big time home game for Air Force. They are a goiod team and need to put pressure on New Mexico. Considering the Lobos have had about 12 freshman players counted on if the falcons put pressure on them they might not be able to show enough poise to keep up. Even though I think the New Mexico defense is fast the one thing that can burn them is being too fast against the option. Fast players have a tendancy to over run plays and be very aggressive trying to get to the ball. The option likes to exploit that and take advantage of speed to force the play. Air Force should be able to really confuse that speedy New Mexico defense and ground them into submission. The reason I like AF is because the freshman QB has shown a good arm on the run. In the option he has the ability to pull it down and make throws. So if the fast new mexico see's run they will try and attack it and Jefferson can go over the top for some big passing plays. The flacons play well at home, they seem to be moving along right now and have gotten some of the kinks out against so/so teams in the Mountain West. I think that the passing attack will be open all night and the falcons should take a look at how Tulsa hammered New Mexico as a blue print. New Mexico knows this is a big game but they also have a Utah team next week so will alot of kids be really focused on Air Force? Jefferson and the Kyles at runningback need to have big nights. The Air Force defense will bend but they shouldn't break and they should get some turnovers. Going to be a good game considering the standings but Air Force has more upside to confuse the speedy unprepared lobo defense. Which freshman QB will take a step backwards, I would think the one playing on the road and knows he will be rotated if he under preforms and that Gruner.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Kansas (-2.5) over Texas Tech L
KU has won 13 consecutive home games for the fourth longest current home winning streak in the country. The Jayhawks are 41-48-5 all-time in homecoming games, but have won four of their last five, including last year's 76-39 victory against Nebraska. This is the first time Texas Tech is a KU homecoming opponent. Texas Tech leads the all-time series by a 9-1 count, including a 5-0 advantage in games played in Lawrence. This is going to be a shoot out and the team that does not hurt themselves should be the winner. Looking at Kansas they are battle tested, they have played Oklahoma, and South florida both loses but they have played tough teams. Texas Tech has not really been tested by a good team. The best team the red raiders faced was Nebraska and we all know they did not blow the doors off them and therefor I have to think they are a little overvalued here. This is gonna be a tough game for Tech but they might notice they have Texas, okie st and oklahome in the next three weeks. They had a bit of a battle against Texas A&M until the second half as well. The Tech kicking game is pretty bad as well and they are even worried about extra points with this kicker, that might play a big part in this game as drives not resulting in points might hurt in a game of keep up. Harrell is the nation's leader in passing yardage with 2,761 while Reesing is seventh with 2,322. Each one is completing more than 69f his passes while Harrell has the edge in touchdown passes, 23-17. Crabtree was a little banged up after he rolled and ankle last week. He should be fine though but a bum peg might slow down his explosiveness. SCARY for Kansas backers is the terrible pass rush the jayhawks showed against Oklahoma, the sooners just picked apart the jayhawk secondary all day (674 yards total off the 97 snaps ). One big key for Kansas is how A&M and Nebraska hurt Texas Tech, long drives resulting in points. Texas Tech is a fast high powered offense and if you keep them off the field they lose rythem. Also it never hurts to not allow TT to have the ball because they are dangerous. Still the ability for Reesing and the jayhawks offense to keep drives alive should get Harell cold on some drives. This is a big game for Kansas that has yet to win a big game, this is a big game for Tech because they have yet to be in a big game. Pressure on both teams, but the home field advantage should be enough to keep TT in check. Plus the texas game on deck I think Kansas is in a spot to do some damage.

Oklahoma (-19) over Kansas State W
Oklahoma needs to keep pace with Texas and KSt should offer no resistance. Considering the sooners dismantled Kansas they should have no problem running over the wildcats that are just not a very good team. Oklahomas defense has something to prove and they should look to hold a bad KState team to less than the season average of 39 points. I do not think they will smell that total because this is a better defense and they would be lucky to get 21 and I am pretty sure the Oklahoma could be 40 plus. Even without Manuel Johnson in the line up Bradford should be able to really pick this secondary apart as Louisville and Texas Tech did vs State. I think this is going to be a copy of the Texas Tech game and I think Oklahoma is running hot right now and the wildcats don't have the answers even at home. Average Score 30-12 OU so it could get close. Last meeting was on 10/1/05 the result was 43-21OU and I have to think that is on key to where it should be this season.

N'Western (-9) over Indiana LIndiana lost its last two games against Iowa and Illinois by a total score of 100 to 21. 21 points is pretty low especially if you look at they are averaging a solid 387 yards per game. Kellen Lewis is back after missing last week but he is not 100% and it will hrt his best attribute which is his ability to scramble. Considering he is the only option the hoosiers have on offense it is no good to be injured. Where I like this game is in the trenches, N'Westerns o-line and d-line should handle Indiana. This is key because N'Westerns offense is very good when given time and space to work. In the last two games Indiana has just looked bad on the lines and teams are blocking them and running over them with ease and I think the blocking ability will allow Sutton to have a huge day. Northwestern continues to lead the Big Ten and rank among the nation's leaders in sacks (3.0 per game) and sacks allowed (0.7 pg). The Wildcats rank 11th and fourth, respectively, in those two categories nationally. NU is also second in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (7.0 pg). Now thats a lot to do with the d-line but the rest of the defense has picked up as well. Here is where N'Western ranks defensively, scoring defense (28th, 17.9 ppg), rushing defense (39th, 120.6 ypg), pass efficiency defense (35th, 113.1 rating) and total defense (49th, 337.4 ypg). Last year, the highest that NU ranked in any of those four categories was rushing defense (74th, 167.1). Now you have a good defense going against a bad offense with one weapon being its QB. Then you have the Wildcat offense going against a poor Indiana defense. The Wildcats average 27.6 points each time out and rank third in the Big Ten with 389.3 yards of total offense per game, 230.1 coming through the air and 159.1 on the ground. Senior quarterback C.J. Bacher has thrown for 222.1 yards per game (fourth in Big Ten) and has completed 58.7 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Bacher is second in the Big Ten with 247.9 yards of total offense per game. Bacher's protection has only surrendered five sacks, which leads the Big Ten and is fourth in the country. This should be a team on the rise against a team on the demise and even homecoming cannot stop N'Western from trying to get this win a secure a bowl berth before a few tough games on the horizon.

Oklahoma St (+12.5) over Texas W
Texas leads the all-time series with the Cowboys, 20-2, including 10 straight wins over Oklahoma State. Texas escaped Stillwater with a 38-35 victory last season. Oklahoma State held a 35-14 entering the final period before Texas rallied for the win. So this team knows they can play with Texas and knows they can beat Texas but they need to go an execute. Can oklahoma state be effective against the Texas defense that has looked pretty good against some good teams. The Longhorns are averaging 48.1 points per game and allowing just 17.6 points per contest. Texas has the Big 12?s best scoring defense. But for some strange reason the oklahoma state defense has decided to come to play lately. The Cowboys began the season by forcing just three turnovers through the first three games. Over the last four games, however, they has forced 12 turnovers. These turn overs have allowed to rack up the time of possession and yards per game for Okie St (46 points per game and 33:19 of possession per game). What is scary is even though Oklahoma state can get the ball and keep the ball, Texas can do the same. Texas is second nationally at 48 points per game. Texas is third nationally in time of possession at 33:20 per game. So both of these teams have the offense and ball control to win the game if the are effective. I think Oklahoma has a very good shot at winning this game. Texas has had two very emotional games and have another this week and then Texas Tech next. At some point in time a team that have been as light out as Texas should lose a bit of emotion. I think Oklahoma St can punch and counter punch in this game and if they want to win they need to use the game plan against Mizzou by not forcing the tempo and letting Texas make a mistake. The question is, will texas make that mistake considering they have not done it yet. At home they will be fired up but I like the cowboys to stay within reach because they have good leadership and are playing extremely well right now.

Cheers
Irish

 

[trolln4walii]

With you on Bama, SFla, and Kansas this week Irish. Rethinking my play on the Longhorns and may go with the Cowboys :0corn Only really differ with you on the NC/BC game. I can live with one loss for the week

GL :mj06:

 

[Irish]

Auburn(+3.5) over WVU (L - nice tackling)
Auburn allowing just 13 points a game, and have been equally tough against the run as the pass. WVU is averaging only 17 points over the last five games. Auburn ranks 107th nationally in total offense. WVU defense is just bad IMO they have played NO ONE with the speed on defense as the tigers bring tonight. Maybe the closest in speed wise could be ECU when they played because they were a hot team then and WVU could do nothing. Auburn averages 19.1 points a game, WVU has averaged 22.2 points a game. Now I am looking at this and I see 22 points against teams like Rutgers, Cuse, Villinova and Marshall. While Auburn's points have come against the likes of LSU, Vandy and some SEC lower tiers. The loss to Arkansas should be enough to fire this team up and get them hungry for this game. WVU does not have the o-line to hold the tigers defensive line at Bay. The offense Co was booted from Auburn and last game you could see some serious problems but another week of practice should iron some things out. Last week WVU fans were boo-ing the offense, this is the first time in a few years that the fans are showing unhappiness, normally they will stick behind the play calling because the running game is explosive. But is WVU explosive on the run as they were in years past? The o-line has not been as good a they need to be to open up those spread holes. Especially when the WVU offense does not throw the ball often enough or well enough to get the safety out of the box. The Tiger defense, ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense (13.1) and 14th in total defense (272.7) will attempt to slow down the West Virginia offensive unit that is ranked 14th nationally in rushing offense (224.8). Offensively Auburn should look to power WVU with the running game. Tate and Lester should be able to take them into the second levels and move the chains. This is a must win for both teams, WVU is just not as good as advertised and Pat White is a little banged up. I think he is about 85% but he still has some issues. Plus with the amount of carries he has during a game any injury will be exposed. Both teams have had some time off to heal the bumps and bruises and that means the Auburn defense has had a chance to get healthy. I think the Tigers defense makes it almost impossible for this struggle WVU offense to reach 14 points and considering the WVU defense has not been that impressive I could see Auburn power rushing to the victory. I really think Auburn WINS this game outright, but I will take the points because the questions I worry about the tigers offense. I expect more of a power running attack from Auburn. Plays out of the old system that should result in positive yards. I formation! I think the spread will be put to bed and only brought out for certain passing situations. Kodi Burns needs to step up, 2 picks against Arkansas is not going to get it done. He has a nice ability to scramble and with WVU best LB out he should be able to use his feet to pick up big plays. Still I think the running game will be used to take the pressure of him. Remember the Pitt defense Co is now the guy at Auburn and remember he put together one hell of a game plan last season to allow Pitt to get the win against WVU (with a better team). The Tigers have produced 49 tackles for losses, 14 sacks and 12 turnovers through seven games. Auburn has one of the best third-down defenses in the country giving up just 25 first downs in 110 attempts for a 22.7-percent success rate. The Tigers are 11th nationally in scoring defense, giving up 13.1 points per game and are ranked 14th in total defense. Bottom line is the defense gets it done tonight for the tigers. I would really like Burns to make plays to take some heat off the defense but I think the running game should help.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Florida State (-4.5) over Virginia Tech WIf you watched VT vs BC last week you should already be on this game. Virginia Tech is just flat out TERRIBLE on offense, from play calling to execution. Taylor had issues throwing even 8 yard passes accurately, the running game was just garbage AND the defense was just not that impressive with regard to stopping the run or getting pressure on the BC QB. Florida State or should I call them holding penality University should look to correct those mistakes from last week and really just dominate VT. For as much crap that Macho Harris talks he got burned for the big plays in the BC game. So I see the best defensive player for VT as a liability in coverage deep. Yes he did pick off one and take it to the house but then turned around and got smoked for a huge gainer right before half. BC spotted VT 10 points in the first 7 mins and 14 points in the game came from the defense. The Hokies have allowed 122.5 rushing yards per game, but have forced 10 fumbles this season. This game is simple, FSU should run the ball well enough to put the hokies behind and without outstanding play from Taylor they should be too much on defense to allow VT to stay in this game. I would think that even though Taylor is the biggest threat for VT offense Ponder is just as much of a threat scrambling. With Ponder and Smith running the ball and the speed on FSU defense it will be a tough task for the hokies on the road.

Notre Dame (-11.5) over Washington W
Just a play on Notre Dame being able to rebound and beat the huskies through the air. I think the huskies are a team on the down and they don't have their best player. This is a lot of chalk for me to spot ND but I just don't know where any scoring will come from on the huskies sideline. Ty is out and he has motivation to play ND but does he really have enough motivation to beat a team that let him go while being on a team that is going to let him go? The Irish have beaten Washington by at least 19 points in five of the six all-time games. ND is their own enemy, The Irish committed five turnovers (two interceptions, three fumbles) against the Tar Heels, while North Carolina failed to commit one. If they eliminate those misques they should be too much for Washington and the series should continue to be one where the irish win by 2 TD's plus. Notre Dame has won more than 80 percent of its games (61-14-2, .805) when it plays after a bye week (since 1900). The Irish have an even higher percentage (28-5, .848) playing after an off week since 1984.

Cheers
Irish

 

[rubiconed]

GL Tonight Irish !!! :toast:

Already played Auburn and the Under, and getting ready to pull the trigger on AF - 5 !!! :00hour

 

[Irish]

Boise (-7) over San Jose State W
Boise State leads the series, 8-0. The Broncos won last year?s game, 42-7, in Boise. These teams last played in Spartan Stadium in 2006. Boise State emerged with a 23-20 victory. San Jose State has won 15 out of its last 17 home games. Boise has been getting it done with a pretty good defense, holding five of six opponents to no more than seven points and going three straight games without allowing a touchdown pass. THEN Spartans lead the WAC in total defense, sacks, and turnover margin, while giving up just 16 points a game. So OVER backers beware this could be a defensive game a little bit more than the public expects. Considering The Broncos still have a strong offense, ranking third in the WAC with 32.5 points per game. This is where I really think the advantage is, Boise can match them on defense but is the more impressive team on offense. SJS has a good win against Hawaii but that was a 3 point win, while the broncos beat them by 20. Boise also beat Oregon at the duck pond by 5, this Boise team is well coached and used to big games so I think they are up to play SJS and show them who is number one in the WAC. The boise coaches know the last times they have gone to SJS they have been in for a dog fight and I expect they are up and ready to do some damage tonight. As good of a team that SJS may be at home they still lost to Stanford and Nebraska. I would think that even though both teams can pick off the ball, Kellen Moore and his 72% completition rating 13 TD's to 3 INTs has more of a chance of NOT making the big turnover compared to SJS. SJS Qb Reed is has a good completition rating (69%) but has thrown 6 picks to 7TD's. So in a game that will take throws to keep it close Reed's decission making might cost them. Boise has the edge on offense, they are pretty close on defense but Boise looked good against better teams and I think they have the better coaching staff, even though SJS has done a good job with what they have. This is a big game in the conference and Boise will come out firing to keep themselves in the BCS discussion. Boise states offense has not been running or passing as efficent as years past but even with that lack of consistancy they are winning. They need Johnson to have a big game considering he had a collapsed lung in this contest last season. Boise is trying out another combination at the o-line and they need to put something together, they can be very dangerous on the ground if they get the o-line on the same page.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Georgia (+2.5) over LSU W
Scott is averaging 105.2 yards per game on the ground, fourth in the SEC, but he'll only be the second-most proficient rusher on the field Saturday. Georgia's Knowshon Moreno is averaging 108.9 ypg and has 11 touchdowns, tops in the SEC. So we know both teams are going to run the ball. But which team will have more success in the passing game. Lee and Hatch are IMO not as good as Stafford under pressure and I think Georgia has a lot more talent at WR which will be a broblem for the LSU secondary. I know LSU beat SC but I do not think SC is a very good team this season, they are ok but not great and if Auburn played them well and last night Auburn looked awful in the tackling department. The question in my mind is can Georgia's young O-line handle the d-line of LSU and the "Express package" all DE grouping. The Bulldogs start only freshmen and sophomores up front. LSU starts three seniors and a junior. Georgia averages 31.7 points per game, and are giving up 17.7 points per game. The are angry at LSU making the title game. This will be a game where Georgia just makes a few more plays than LSU. It will be a tough hard hitting game, but I like georgia to win it. LSU is tough at home and thats while I will take the points but I think Georgia is the better team.

Cheers
Irish

 

[tulah]

Boise (-7) over San Jose State
SJS has a good win against Hawaii but that was a 3 point win, while the broncos beat them by 20. Boise also beat Oregon at the duck pond by 5,
Cheers
Irish

SJ St played @Hawaii. A very tough place to remain focused for a football game.
BTW SJ St was a 3 pt dog
Whie BSU got UH on the Blue Turf and opened up a can of whoop ass. IMO the best home field advantage I've seen in a while.

GL with your play

 

[Irish]

tulah
agreed SJS beat Hawaii in a tougher spot but I would have to think Boise got Hawaii playing their best football after LaTech and Fresno. JMHO.

GL to you tonight
Cheers
Irish