Week One Card (Sept 2nd-Sept 3rd)

[Irish]

pghpounder,

I see what your saying but I was looking at Nix, Pinkston, Gaskins and Jacobson. I know that Gaskins and Jacobson are not full time starters but they did see action a year ago. It is not as good as the entire starting four of last year but I like they they return four linemen that played together in games last season. We know the tackle are set so I am looking at those to guys to play well inside... if it is not them then someone has stepped up and thats a good thing too.

Thanks for the info and I still think Pitt is a good play in this game.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

So. Carolina (-14) over So Miss
This is going to be interesting. t is going to come down to can So Carolina put it together. They have talent on both sides of the ball but they under achieve almost three or four games a season. Lattimore is a very good runner and will be someone that make make some big plays for So Carolina even as a young guy. Can Garcia actually grow up and become a QB in the spurrir system, I mean honestly the ol ball coach does not need a great QB but the guy has to be a game manager and be able to run the offense. Does Garcia step up and do that this year. Can this O-line protect of open holes tonight. So Miss returns a lot of talenty on defense, but I am concerne4d that even though they have returners on offense they just do not have a good offensive game plan. Watching a few of their games last season this offense can be very predictable and the speed of the gamecocks on defense should be a big advantage in this contest. Even with the convcerns I have on So Carolinas line I think this will be a BIG game for the gamecock defense. The gamecocks play solid at home and feed off the crowd, even needing to replace some talent on D-line they should be in the backfield against So Miss all night. So Miss has to replace four starters on the line so both teams have some serious line issues to address. IMO the gamecocks will be more adapt to have the players to step up compared to the golden flashes. The defense will be solid on both sides but the playmakers on SC are a little bigger and faster. The players on the offense are faster. This comes down to one guy and thats Garcia, will he win or lose the game. The kid has the talent but it is time to put it to use, this is going to be his third year of action and he has to drive this car. Good defensive plays but I like the gamecocks at home to play with more energy and make more plays.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Full court press]

Always a good read, GL Irish

 

[RAYMOND]

GL:toast:

 

[Irish]

So Car/So Miss Under (46)
After looking at this So Carolina vs So Miss game I just like the defense I am seeing and I think it might be a low number. Two teams opening night on national TV. A little slow starting but what is a little scary is a defensive or even two defensive scores. Still I think this is a low scoring gamecock controled game.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Small play
USC (-21) over Hawaii
Lane will run it up if he can. USC has a lot to play for after the Carroll stuff and I think Hawaii even at home is just going down the drain with Jones at SMU.

Cheers
Irish

 

[ajoytoy]

all the best this season buddy!

 

[Irish]

Ariz (-16) over Toledo
Arizona returns the big name skill postions. The have a solid line that averages over 6'5 over 300 lbs per guy. Love this because the Toledo defensive line is just not a very strong group. They gave up 166 yards per game and they lost some good players from last year up front. This means the Arizona running game will be get stronger as the game wears on and they should be able to grind the Toledo defense out. Arizona needs to replace a lot of talent on defense but they bring back their top lineman and have a host of talent waiting to get their shot. The Linebackers do not have a lot of experience but they are impressive especially Fischer on the outside. The secondary returns it top ball hawks in Trevin Wade and Golden at SS. These two players allow for some learning. I think the defnbse of Arizona will be full of too much talent for the rokets to handle. I also like Foles coming in to lead this offense with his top runners and WR. This QB made big steps last year and I think he continues to get better. Looking at this you have to wonder can Toledo stop Arizona on defense, IMO they cannot the Cats should be able to throw and run at will. Can Arizona stop Toledo on defense, even with the returning players and depth at O-line IMO they can slow them down and gets some stops. If the LBs step up then they could shut Toledo down on offense but they might have some growing pains and that could lead to a few points. Still too much offense from the Cats and the defense should be able to get a few turnovers, or break a special team play. They played Toledo two years ago and won at home 41-16, looking at these two teams it might be the same type of situation. New starting QB (but he has some experience), new running back and needing to replace eight of their eleven receiving TD's from last year. Even though both back up QB's have played they have not looked good, they have a tendency to toss it to the otehr team which is why I think the defense makes a few big plays tonight. Stoops is a very aggressive coach and his defenses take chances. Too much talent for a Toledo team that just cannot stock the caliber they need. The Toledo coaching staff is good but they lack a ton of experience. Even with the chalk I think all the factors lean toward Arizona.

Michigan (-2.5) over UConn
This is it for Rod, the off season crap the lack of wins and the team split. So what can Rod do this year that he has not done in the past two. Well he returns seven starters on offense and eight starters on defense. That means NO excusses about his system and the team not knowing. I noramlly do not like the Rod system in the Big Ten but this is old hat for Rod going against a firmilar team in Big East UConn. It hurts that Mich lost the numer one and two running backs, but they do return the QB that fits in Rods system and they have some skill around him. So that means what about the UConn defense are they fit to stop Mich. Well they return eight on each side of the ball so I think they have a great shot. I think Edsall is ten times better of a coach than Rod. He has a full stable of retunring, they want to start the season strong, they never back down from playing hard against any team. So why back Michigan? Well with the exception of the Appalachian St game Mich has won four of the last five home openers. Mich typically play much better at home (40 - 19 under Rod). This will be a very good game, and I think both teams have a lot of reaosn to play. Two reasons that weight in my mind about Michigan are do the kids like the coach and will thye play hard for him this year and this is Michigan, they want to win and they like to pack the Big house and impress. Put up or shut up Rod, this isn't a walk through. UConn is going to play tough but I think Mich at home will have the emotional advantage and play just a tad harder.

Navy (-6) over MAryland
Five returning terp defenders from a 2-10 team. Navy returns eight starters from a 10-4 team. The midshipmen have the ability to run around and through the Terp defense. They also have the option to pass over them. Dobbs is a duel threat and they do not mind throwing the ball a little in this group. Maryland going to lean heavy on the running game but the middies should be up to stopping them. All in all I think this is a great spot for Navy based out of Maryland to hit on the older brother. They are the better team and they will prove it on offense.

Small play
LSU (-6.5) over UNC
Can UNC even field a team right now? I liked the heels before all the issues. Last report was 16 players are out including some big name players including the best defensive lineman. LSU 83-28 in home openers and NC has lost 5 out of the last six against LSU. I know UNC returns ten starters on offense but they struggle to find a running game and they lost some guys to these suspensions.

Cheers
Irish

 

[rubiconed]

GL Irish, and thanks for the great write ups !!! :0074

 

[Hersh24]

Love the write up as always Irish.

Totally agree with you on Co St. Got them at +12.5 at the Hilton a little while back, wayyyyy too much chalk for a Dan Hawkins team on a neutral field against IMO a better coach in Fairchild.

One quick thing, LSU is not at home in this one though, game is in ATL.

GL this year!

 

[Irish]

Thanks guys good luck to you all. I am glad the write ups are useful to some.

K. St (-1.5) over UCLA
So it is year three for Neuheisel, just about the time when he starts getting some guys he wanted from the recruiting. LIKE Malcolm Jones and Odighizuwa, these are true freshman that should be in the line up. If they are not starting they are in soon after. The Bruins return eight on offense, this is the best group so far at UCLA in the past few years. Is Prince the leader to drive this offense? The kid has not shown me the ability to read and make the right throw in a game situation. On the other side of the coin K St brings back five offense and six defense players. I like the o-line returns eight of the top ten linemen and this is year two in the system. Syder is back in town for another go around and under him the wildcats are 94-22 at home. At home last season the Cats beat Tex A&M, and Kansas thats why I like them today. They lost to UCLA last season in UCLA but I am sure they have a different game plan for this team at home in the opener. After all have won twenty straight home openers. So pretty much I see this as both teams return good players, K St has a HUGE advantage with home field, The UCLA QB is nothing to write home about, UCLA is starting a freshman RB, K St returns a solid runner, the majority of the o-line, A QB with experience but one I am not sold on, K St returns some talent on D-line, The LB and secondary are not the best to lean on, AND K ST Experience (possible the worlds longest run on sentence). K St has pretty much an all Junior/ Senior starting group, that experience at home should have them getting the win in this game by the number.

SMU (+13.5) over Texas Tech
For some reason I like this game and expect a possible upset here. The raiders return eight offensive and six defensive starters. The question is Tommy Tuberville, he did not really run the spread at Auburn so all these starters play in a system that is not firmilar, so are they returners starters? I know the offensive co is from Troy and they are going to keep the Air Raid offense, well I think they will have some bumps in the road and this is a dangerous team coming into town. SMU returns a ton of players from last years 8-5 team. Now in Jones third year you should continue to see the turn around for SMU. Gone is Levi Mitchell and IMO thank goodness, this kid Padron is going to be a stud for SMU. The sophmore eventually took over for mitchell and threw for almost two thousand yards and ten TD's. The biggest question is can SMU replace McNeal and Sanders in game one. That is a lot of offense and they will need someone to set up. Well Jones got a VERY speedy option in freshman Fields and returns three out of the top four recievers. Defense, haha, what defense, this is a can you get the occasional stop by the offense. I give the edge to Texas Tech here but I still do not think this game comes down to defense. All in all you have two pass happy teams they both return big skill players, however SMU is not replacing a coach, but then again TT is at home. Still I am looking at all of this and I think SMU has good value.

Small play
Tulsa (-7) over ECU
I like Tulsa this season to make some waves but typically they are not a good road team. ECU needing a whole new defense and half of an offense should mean if Tusla overcomes the other teams home field advantage they should be in control. NINE starters on offense is the reason I like Tusla, just worried on what they bring on the road.

Org St (+13.5) over TCU
Big game for both teams, both have talent both return big players on offense and defense. TCU needs to replace its running back but that really is not too concerning with what they have in the stable. The question for Org St is QB, all signs point to Katz. Dr. Katz has all the weapons and one of the reason that they have a greeat shot is they return nine of the top ten lineman on offense. A ton of experience but questions at QB make this a small play but man Org st, if they get QB play could surprise a lot of people.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Not too much to write up plays
BC -24 over webber
a ton of emotion, BC plays well at home and they have a VERY good o-line. Think BC has a good year this year and the defense will respond to big #94 back in pads.

Coastal Carolina (+41.5) over WVU
new qb and not sure if Stewart motivates these guys as much as he should. Do not think WVU has the explosive offense to cover this when they make mental mistakes. Just think with a running team like wvu they will struggle to get the home run but if they prove me wrong they have a lot to work on in the defense. Questions at LB and CB but wvu wins just not by 41.

Texas A&M (-33.5) over SF Austion
this offense can be explosive. At home they will not let up and they should have their way offensively and defensively and crowd should hurt sa Austin all day.

Duke (-7) over Elon
blue devils play hard at home. The coaching staff has made good steps over the past few years but the must make big strides this year. I think they can make those steps and Elon is a get through team. They ate tough but Duke is in a show me type role and they need to start well.

Cheers
Irish

 

[trolln4walii]

Some of the best info and analysis on the net. Thanks for sharing Irish :toast: Wishing you a great year my friend :0074

Have Kentucky and K-State on my card today :0corn

 

[Irish]

Texas tech/ SMU over (57.5)
Should be some points scored here, a little worried because this seems a little low for a total between these two high scoring offenses but I'll bite.

LSU is a bad football team.. can't believe I got hooked at 6.5 Talk about a team that got lucky that the game was not 1 min longer!

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

I'll try to keep a record but it gets a little hard durning the corse of the year. I think I am at 13-7 right now.

VT (+1) over Boise
Honestly it is really hard to cap this game. Boise returns practically everyone. VT has to replace some good players but they return two oif americas most dangerous runners. Still you have two unreal players but only one can carry the rock at a time. The good thought is the eight retuning starters on VT offense. Tyrod Taylor needs to put up this year. No more growing, your grown or your not good. They have a monster at Wr in Boykins, he is 6'2 but the guy has huge hands, he can be a difference maker. The big question is on the guys Bud has on defense. Foster is one of the best defensive minds in the country but he only has four returning starters. Still I am looking forawrd to seeing some of these young guys that broke into the starting line up. Hopkins, Winslow and Gibson are three of the guys that are impressive, but this is not a team you can learn against. Boise is a GREAT team, but they are coming across counrty to play in virginia where VT should have a HUGE home feild advantage. I mean Boiuse lost FIVE total players from last year, FIVE!!! That's unreal to retun fifty five players and twenty starters. So this comes down to VT running ball, Boise stoping the run, VT deffensive mind Bud Foster vs a great Boise offense. So this is a why is the line so low play, I mean this game is practically a pick. Why with all the reasons to play boise why so close, I know home field is worth three but I think Boise is more of a six point fav so why a pick. I like the coaching and game plan of VT. I like the coaches for VT but I am not saying Boise coach is bad. Should be a great game can't wait but I'll be on the hookies. Running game and a running QB something Boise handled last year with the ducks in the opener but I think the defense is key for VT. They need to show crazy looks and show the QB stuff he is not used to seeing. Thats tough because Moore probably has see it all thats why this is going to be a great chess match. This can go two ways IMO, VT hangs with Boise and seek out a win on the strength of running defense and special teams OR Boise just takes VT behind the woodshed. Hopefully the Home field elevates VT on every side of the ball and get the win.

Cheers
Irish

 

[ankh4all]

I'll try to keep a record but it gets a little hard durning the corse of the year. I think I am at 13-7 right now.

VT (+1) over Boise
Honestly it is really hard to cap this game. Boise returns practically everyone. VT has to replace some good players but they return two oif americas most dangerous runners. Still you have two unreal players but only one can carry the rock at a time. The good thought is the eight retuning starters on VT offense. Tyrod Taylor needs to put up this year. No more growing, your grown or your not good. They have a monster at Wr in Boykins, he is 6'2 but the guy has huge hands, he can be a difference maker. The big question is on the guys Bud has on defense. Foster is one of the best defensive minds in the country but he only has four returning starters. Still I am looking forawrd to seeing some of these young guys that broke into the starting line up. Hopkins, Winslow and Gibson are three of the guys that are impressive, but this is not a team you can learn against. Boise is a GREAT team, but they are coming across counrty to play in virginia where VT should have a HUGE home feild advantage. I mean Boiuse lost FIVE total players from last year, FIVE!!! That's unreal to retun fifty five players and twenty starters. So this comes down to VT running ball, Boise stoping the run, VT deffensive mind Bud Foster vs a great Boise offense. So this is a why is the line so low play, I mean this game is practically a pick. Why with all the reasons to play boise why so close, I know home field is worth three but I think Boise is more of a six point fav so why a pick. I like the coaching and game plan of VT. I like the coaches for VT but I am not saying Boise coach is bad. Should be a great game can't wait but I'll be on the hookies. Running game and a running QB something Boise handled last year with the ducks in the opener but I think the defense is key for VT. They need to show crazy looks and show the QB stuff he is not used to seeing. Thats tough because Moore probably has see it all thats why this is going to be a great chess match. This can go two ways IMO, VT hangs with Boise and seek out a win on the strength of running defense and special teams OR Boise just takes VT behind the woodshed. Hopefully the Home field elevates VT on every side of the ball and get the win.

Cheers
Irish

Irish,
Where are you? Everything alright??