Houston (-3) over UCLA
Case Keenum, he is the Brett Farve of Houston. This being his sixth year at Houston. If your an NFL player in your sixth year you know a system in and out and thats what I expect from him tonight. Remember guys Houston was a national player when Keenum was under center two years ago. Looking over this game you have to look offense and can a defense stay with an offense. Well Joe Tresey was brought into UCLA to fix the problems but he will not have the peices to do it. I think they brought him in because Rick is just not the guy and they need other strong coaches to help out ala Norm Chow. Rick had his day but if you remember he was buying players and they were running the campus raping people. The Bruins can run the ball but that will not be enough, the cougars have far more speed to spread UCLA too thin and pick them apart. This is a huge game for Case because I think it was in a loss to UCLA last season he got hurt. I think that is a big difference this time and he throws all over the bruins. Houston was 103rd nationally in total D, thats out right bad. But in this game the cougar strength on defense is LB and UCLA runs the ball so I think they will be much improved getting to the runner to slow down the big run. That ability to stay ontop of UCLA will help the Houston offense pull away and get UCLA out of the game plan. I think in a game where players make plays Houtin has the advantage and they get a nice home field advantage.
Oregon (-4) over LSU
The folks in Eugene are saying this is bigger than the national championship. The ducks know they need this win if they are to stay in the big picture. Big holes on the offense and defensive lines scare me from making this a big play.Everyone knows about the suspensions in LSU but lossing Oregons Harris to an off the field thing hurts the ducks in the defensive secondary and special teams. That being said losing the start QB and LB for the tigers is a big slam. I think the Tigers might not be ready for the tempo at which Oregon runs the spread option. This will get players out of position and Blount and Barner will make big plays. What Oregon brings with the defense is speed. They can get off blocks and have motor to get to players with the ball. I think they are a good unit but they need a star. They have a lot of effort guys and this seems like an effort game. All the stuff surrounding these two teams takes some focus off the table but the ducks should bring the more involved offense. Kelly vs Miles, a good showdown but I like Kelly a bit more. I think losing Peterson will really hurt LSU in the special teams and oregon makes some plays in that department. Remember Thomas was really only a full time guy last season and getting him back in the Kelly system should only make him a bigger threat to run or throw. I expect he has a big game. After all Auburn stopped the run and he was able to handle that last season. Like the ducks to keep LSU on their heels and pull away.
Michigan (-14) over W. Mich
Hoke is a proven winner. He has the most dynamic player in NCAA in Robinson under center. Hoke has a proven system that works and works early. I think they come out on fire and look to get the crowd back in the big house. This is a statement game for Michigan. Too many years do they come out soft and the season is not up to the standard. Not today, Michigan comes out looking to get the Rich Rod taste out of the big blue mouth.
Boise (-3.5) over Georgia
Boise needs to replace WR thats gonna be an easier task then replacing what Georgia lost. Georgia was a different team with Green in the line up and even though I think Georgia has talent they do not have a play maker. Georgia has issues with depth at o-line and they have a questionable stable of runningbacks. Georgia has questions at secondary and Kellen will have a big day hitting a lot of different guys. Boise wins these opening games, they did it against oregon two years ago and VT last year. Peterson with all this time to get ready will out coach Georgia.
Tulsa (+25) over Oklahoma
GIKinne and the tulsa offense have enough guys to keep this under the number. I was not sold on the sooner offense last season and they lost Murray. Tulsa defense is bad but they have a different look and Landry might not be used to it. I look for the hurricanes to score in the 28 point area and Oklahoma to be around 40.
N'Wester (-3.5) over BC
BC lost a lot of o-line players. I dont like this a ton because N'Western is using their back up QB. Still I think they are the better team. Should be a close game.
S.Carolina (-20.5) over ECU
Like this cause Connor Shaw is under center. I think he is the better option in SC and they have 14 returning players including IMO the best running back in the NCAA. Look for ECU to be blown off the ball on the right because the gamecocks right tackle is a solid player and they can get into the second level before ECU can get to them. ECU has Domique Davis and some players but they do not have the ability to stop SC on defense. The gamecocks run over and throw by the pirates. Look for spurrir not to let up and they pull away. The SC defense is very strong up front and they have a solid LB group. What I love is the SC ability to cover. They are very good deep and have some great one on one cover guys. They can lock it down and bring heat and ECU will struggle to protect. Every one loving Jeffery I think Ace Sanders (small fast guy) can be a very good slot stretch the field guy today. Shaw has the keys now he needs to make plays.
Cheers
Irish
