Cold very cold but here we go...
VT (-14) over FSU
FSU showed signs that they have little to no offense and when this QB is pressured he makes big mistakes. The Noles had a kick blocked against FLA and I'm sure the Hokies are eager to to the same. The VT offense is not very explosive but they have a solid o-line and should be able to push the Noles d-line around. Branden Ore and Cedric Humes both had 100-yard games in each of the last two games, combining for 8 TD's, while the Hokies compiled 610 yards on the ground. One thing I have noticed watching VT is they typically come out slow and they make adjustments at half to light the opposition up. FSU is looking for someone to take control of the offense, they tried a running game plan and it did not work they tried passing attacks but they lack skill at the receiver spot (Virginia Tech owns the top passing defense in the country). The only positive for FSU is they have a ball hawking safety and very quick LBs. FSU is off 3 loses and the Seminoles have been outscored 89-36 in losses to North Carolina State, Clemson and Florida. Bowden is 13-0 all-time against Virginia Tech - Beamer is 0-6 against Florida State. Still this is a different Tech team that should be up for the challenge they want this ACC title and should be able to stop FSU while scoring on them with speed on the outside and power in the middle not forgetting the TE King that should have a big day off playaction. The FSU defense will come out very aggressive and they can be beaten over the top off playaction. Would be something I would like to see in the first quarter but I don't think beamer takes that chance till 2nd or 3rd. Regardless FSU is not a good road team and even though it is JAX it still is away and Tech fans travel. VT should come out from the opening kick while FSU struggles.
Texas (-28) over Colorado
Surprised to see this line move down considering that last year Colorado did the same thing only to be crushed in this game. The have looked awful in their last few games and should continue considering this will be a much better defense than Nebraska and Iowa St. Also Neb and ISU scored at will on the Buffalos and the Longhorns have twice the amount of talent than those teams and everything the longhorns want to do should be done. This should be no different than the last time these two met in a 42-17 texas win. The longhorns got a little scare last week from the Aggies so I would think Brown has them a little more ready for this game. The difference is the Aggies QB was a scrambling type young and willing to sell out to make the play, while Kllatt is a good passer, not very mobile and gets frazzled easy. The horns start getting pressure on him and he starts to play like he did in the Neb game, he does not handle big games well at all. Even though this is a very big game for Colorado they stink on the road, they are 2-3 on the road with wins at Okla St and a close call at Kstate. As much as Colorado wants to come out and play hard they just don't have the talent. Kllatt loves his TE and if you cover him all day Kllatt struggles. This could also be the last game for the colorado coach, if they lose. There is a lot of pressure on the Bufs and I don't think they play up to it, as they folded in the last 2 games of the season. Still this is there one chance and they may come out guns blazing but IMO the longhorns have the bigger gun in this fight.
Hawaii (-3.5) over SDSU
Good home team gets a solid SDSU team in their aloha stadium. The time difference isn't really a factor but the place is and Hawaii has a good edge at home. This is not the best hawaii team but they have talent and they should be able to move the ball on SDSU. The Aztecs rank in the middle of the Mountain West Conference in most offense categories, including scoring (25.9 ppg), passing offense (214.4 yards per game) and rushing offense (148.8 yards per game). The Aztecs are second in the nation in fewest touchdown passes allowed (five) and haven't allowed a scoring pass in 13 quarters. Regardless this will be a huge test for that defense and it should be quiet a shoot out in Hawaii but the Warriors are a very good home team. The spread formation Hawaii will bring to the table should open up this defense and Colt Brennan should be able to find some players deep. Ilaoa and Brennan will be able to move the ball with their feet and they should have too much at home for the Aztecs.
WVU (-8) over SFU
This is a big game for both programs I expect SF to come out ready to play but IMO the defense and O-line of WVU is too much they have a great game plan and the Neers are fighters. SFU showed some weakness last week against UConn and WVU can exploit the same holes. But regardless of all that SFU is rubbish on the road and they are a different team at home but I still think the Neers running game with Slayton and Pat White are too quick for the Bull defense. The WVU Stack defense is also going to be a tough formation for QB Julmiste to read. Lorello should be all over the place in this game. This SFU QB has only 6 TD passes to his credit as well as 6 Picks. So this WVU team will be in gear to stopping the run something they do well. Also the bulls might be a little deflated that they lost their shot at the BE championship last week. Still should be a good game but I am going with the size and Quickness of WVU. In the redzone if I am Coach Rod I am looking at Hill and Julmiste they will run it either way and those are the two guys to focus on watch the bootlegs. WVU's defense should be up to shutting down the bull team completely.
UConn (+18) over Louisville
No Brohm at QB (some walk on), A hurting Bush (never good in any situation), Louisville a bad road team, very cold weather, and a very gritty Uconn team that is up to the challege of anyone in their house. Wouldn't be surprised if there is an upset but I'll take the 18 because the Cards have the edge in talent.
A side note little Rant :cursin:
A little mad at the way fresno came out last night, surprised that Coach Pat would not throw considering Idaho and Utah threw all day on Latech. Coming out and trying to establish the run over and over again was just flat out poor. Then the pressure was on and it got ugly.... bad game plan. As the games go down the stretch you can really separate good coaches and bad one and it is sad to see some of these bad coaches get a lot of money and credit because they have great talent but then when it comes to adjustments and play calling they lose the game. Now if you will excuse me.... I have a bottle of Tullamore Dew and half a bottle of Bushmills waiting for me, all I need is a glass and ice....Good luck to you all and I hope I start to heat up today!
Cheers
Irish
