Week Three Card (Sept 15-17)

[Irish]

Miami (-2) over Ohio St
I am loving the Canes here. First they played very well with a back up QB against Maryland and I expect getting Harris back will be a big lift. The Miami offensive line is big and solid and should give Harris time and time with the speed of Miami means big passing. The Ohio state secondary has not looked extremely good against two mid tier teams in the horse shoe. Remember that this defense only returned four players from last year. Offensively I like the canes at offensive line, speed at running back, speed at WR But Harris is the question. Ohio state on offense has issues. Miami has one guy to cover. If they stick on number 11 the buckeyes are in big trouble. This is nice because Miami has the speed at LB to not let the OSU TE get open. If he tries the seem them I expect Telemaque will take it the other way. The canes have the ability to bring a lot of pressure and I think they have the OSU QB running more than he can. I like Miami on both side of the line, the QB, overall speed and the home field. Miller looked strong at running back for the Canes and I see him making some big plays with his break away speed. Even with all the issues at Miami this is still a dangerous team with a lot of talent. They just need to focus it and getting Ohio St at home might just get these guys on point and ready.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Oklahoma (-3.5) over FSU
Same story different day. Florida state is beating the teams they should be and get a big test. FSU tries to use the home field to erase the beating they got last year at the hands of the sooners. These teams are evenly matched with guys that can play but I like Oklahoma in the guys that have been there before. Landry Jones did very well against this secondary last year. They return a lot on offense and should look to play the same way. FSU returns a fast group but I question their linebackers. I question them but FSU always have a great LB in waiting. Biggest plus here is Manuel, I know this kid can play but I don't think he is ready for Oklahoma on defense. The FSU line has a couple flaws which plays into the teeth of Oklahoma front seven. I mean honestly Oklahoma handled the Tulsa offense and now gets a week off to prepare for this game. A bit worried about this being Oklahoma first road game but I think they are the better team. Broyles and Stills are small gash and dash guys that can make big plays using FSU aggressive run help defense against them. With the talent on both sides I think mistakes could be a major problem. Looking at that I give Oklahoma ability to get those mistakes from Manuel is key. With an inexperienced QB and wr group the defense can play run and gressice pass cover. That means the secondary can get in front of the route and quick throws the other way. Press and bump on the corner and get to the QB are what the sooners should bring and it's too much for FSU. As drives stall Oklahoma widens the gap and then it's all on Manuel and then it gets outside the number.

Cheers
Irish

 

[arrow]

irish

irish

like both plays and the miami line is just screaming ohio state money which should tell us something!

ARROW:toast:

 

[atmswim]

Irish....thanks for the write-ups.

I agree with your analysis on the Miama - OSU game. I am all over the "U" this weekend.

The only hestitation I have with OU-FSU game is that OU played horribly last year in all of their away games.

 

[CornHunka]

OU QB Landry Jones' record on the road as a starting QB is 3 up and 5 down.

I simply don't trust him on the road.

This is a no play for me.

 

[Irish]

I like the feedback guys. Thanks and good luck.

I agree Jones is a question same as manuel. Looking at the prices around them Jones is in a better position to lead his team having the experience and parts in skill positions. FSU is in my thoughts always over valued early in the year and then they lose a game because they don't know what it is like to be tested. That being said Oklahoma does the same. Still all this considered I'm looking at who has a little more experience/leadership, who has played the tougher teams this season, and who has the most impact guys. That is Oklahoma in my opinion. It won't be easy but I like the sooners to force FSU into a sloppy game while wearing down the defense.

Miss St (+3.5) over LSU
So I bought into the dogs last two weeks and I have not been overly impressed. They beat an terrible team and lost to a team that I think they had a clear advantage on. That's ok because tonight get the bells ready. LSU started very slow last week against a bad team and watching the Oregon game they over powered a small ducks defensive line while getting help in the turn over department. I don't think they have the same luck tonight. A bitter loss last year to LSU should have the dogs fired up coming off the heart breaker in auburn. They have the defense to make it very hard for LSU to run all day so can the QB beat this bulldog team? I personally think the dogs were not hungry last week and got exposed in a lot of areas. They still have a solid front group and experienced secondary. I like the match up for the dogs on the offensive line they have the size and ability to limit the LSU pressure. Both QB Jefferson and Reif have issues but both are pretty mich the same type of player. Jefferson a bit better running and Reif a bit better throwing. LSU is coming together as a whole team while I haven't really seen it from miss St. I think that's from the adversity off the field for LSU. This game could be won or lost at the LB level for miss St. That's where I think the home field comes into play. A little more energy and a little more fire tonight should get the dogs the win but after watching them and not being sold I like the points. The dogs had two loses at home last year. Auburn by 3 points and Arkansas but 7 in OT. The dogs play well at home LSU had two losses last year and they were road games. Both losses were to auburn and Arkansas and both were around the 7 point area. I like the home team here to have a big advantage and keep it close or even win it. Key to the game make Jefferson throw and miss St will win the turn over battle and get Ballard involved early. Miss St gets Ballard moving it wears down LSU and then Rief can do more running and throwing. PS LSU is breaking in a new kicker this year which might play a part. Key match u p #7 Matthiue vs Bumphis and Smith. Mathiue looked out right like Patterson against Oregon but can he fly in to help against this run as easy. Will the WR blocking and the tackles on Ballard add up to him being a little gassed and getting caught watching the ball on play action. Should be a fun game to watch and both teams will be sore tomorrow but I like the home dog being the one with more bite.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Corley1011]

:toast: GL buddy!!! GO DAWGS!!! Perfect football weather here in Starkville... the Crown will be flowin

 

[LDB]

good luck this week Irish.. :toast:

 

[Irish]

Boise (-17.5) over Toledo
Oh boy this is a game I like up to about 27. You have Boise off a week off playing on national tv. What does Boise know? They know before the season started they hung stregth of schedule on Georgia and TCU. Georgia is 0-2 and TCU is 1-1. That means not only do the blue cowboys have to have a perfect season but they have to win and dominate if they are to get any respect. Bring in Toledo on national TV. One way to impress is to win huge while being the only game on tv on a Friday night. I think Toledo is OVER valued coming off the close Ohio state game. Then again I think Ohio state is not up to snuff and in this game the broncos pass and run all over them. Guys these virtually same teams meet last year and Boise won 57-14. This reminds me A LOT of last year not only in match up but also circumstance. Boise beat VT and watched as VT lost the next week. So Boise dropped a hammer on Wyoming. Punting and kicking are questions for the rockets so those easy three won't be there and Boise will have good field position. Toledo has experience but so do the broncos, Kellen will have had time to work the offense and they will shown off that ability. Boise stopped the Georgia offense so I see Toledo struggling to move the ball while giving up a lot of yards. Boise will play with something to prove and. People to impress.

Maryland (-1.5) over WVU
I have watched WVU over the last two games and they should struggle to protect Geno. What I LOVE is I think O Brien has a huge game. WVU does not have a good pass rush and Maryland will own the line. A lot was made about the new WVU coach and game plan. They looked average at beat against marshal and wore down Norfolk. Guys Norfolk had a 12-10 lead or something going into half. WVU does not have a short yardage formation and they will go three and out unless they get big plays. I'm sure some WVU players noticed LSU is after the terps. WVU has never been the best road team and the terps are hungry. Remember Edsell was coaching Uconn last year and beat WVU. He has a good game plan always against WVU and now he has a lot more talent. I do not think WVU comes in too hot and the terps offensively show more. It should be interesting watching WVU try to work the terps offensive line. Terps control the line and game while that lack of WVU run game hurts them bad.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Some games with short write ups.

Teen (+9.5) over Florida
Not sure either team has been tested. Getting nine in an SEC battle is good value especially with a veteran QB and solid online in Tenn. They have speed at WR as well.

Houston (-8) over La tech
Going with the offense with the big returning group against a defense with lots of holes and youth and inexperience at QB for the dogs.

Texas (-3.5) over UCLA
The McCoy to Shipley 2K will help Texas move the ball. They looked better against BYU as the game went on and I think the other QB give them a better shot to move the ball.

Navy (-18.5) over S.Carolina
Georgia ran on them, east Carolina ran on them and navy will run on them. Also both teams run a lot so a high number is nice on long drives. Are the gamecocks relaxing after the win last week?

Texas A&M (-36.5) over Idaho
Cmon the vandals are just bad. Big game next week against okie state screams look ahead but I don't think the vandals can take advantage. It's been a couple weeks since afford played so they should be up to get out there and that's bad for the spuds.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Miss St/ LSU UNDER 50
This seems high because of the auburn miss St game. I think this ends in the forties.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Stanford (-10) over Arizona
Exactly what has Arizona done to be given so much respect? They have okie St in zona and that did not turn out well. Weeden was able to pick the Arizona secondary apart and now just because zona has been good in the past they get such a small number. I know Stanford has bot taken on the best teams in NCAA but they return a ton of players from last year and more than likely the number one pick in the NFL draft. Zona might be a bit banged up and Stanford is surprisingly physical. I think the defense will get to files and we saw that he struggles under pressure. I would have to think Arizona is getting some respect because thief best wr is back in action. Still the Stanford offensive line is very smart and should give Luck time and room. The Stanford wr are not the fastest group but they run great routes and the TE are both NFL caliber. Too much offense for Arizona to play against. I see this as tight early because of emotion but then Stanford get ahead stays ahead and pulls away. I know files runs hot and cold and in one of those cold streaks is when Stanford starts to apply pressure and distance on the scoreboard. I like Stanford on all sides of the ball and they have the smarter team which means I like them nit to hurt themselves with turn overs and penalties. Arizona might prove me wrong but I don't see the team getting better and in big games over the past few years Stanford plays consistently and zona does not.

VT (-25.5) over Arkansas St
Just think the homies run over this team and are too physical on defense. A lot of chaulk which I'm not happy about but I like this focused homie team to make it hard fir the Indians to score and continue drives to points with a tough running game.

Cheers
Irish