anyone have espn insiders plays?
- Thread starter Chisler
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This has the feel of a bowl week with ESPN treating us to great matchups on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night. Miami (Ohio), off to a rough start after losing star QB Ben Rothlisberger, is finally coming around. We expect the RedHawks to give Marshall a battle on Wednesday night.
Thursday's best game features Navy at Air Force. New Mexico hosts Utah on Friday night, in a game that might decide this year's Mountain West champion. It's also our best bet.
Wednesday
Miami of Ohio +7 over Marshall: Miami has looked very un-Miami without Rothlisberger, who is now the starting QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After hanging in for three quarters against Michigan, the RedHawks succumbed in the final 15 minutes. While licking their wounds, they walked into a rival who was waiting for them, Cincinnati, and got pounded. They finally looked like the old Miami with a second quarter explosion against a decent Ohio team, winning 40-20.
Marshall has shown tremendous determination by staying close at Georgia and nearly winning at Ohio State. They've had 11 days to recover from those two games, and to think about the 45-6 trouncing the RedHawks handed them last year.
Marshall's big home games tend to be close. In a similar spot last year, they lost to Toledo. When you examine these two teams, they don't look all that different from last year.
The pick: Miami of Ohio in a near upset.
Thursday
Connecticut - 7 over Pittsburgh: Nothing like playing the Black Knights of Army to get your momentum back. That's what UConn did last week, thoroughly embarrassing Bobby Ross' troops, 40-3. The victory came after a 27-7 defeat to rival Boston College. With Dan Orlovsky throwing the ball against two freshman corners, and Cornell Brockington running against a suspect Pitt defense, the Huskies should score plenty of points.
Pitt lost three great players from last year's offense -- QB Rod Rutherford, WR Larry Fitzgerald and TE Kris Wilson. The Panthers came close to losing to I-AA Furman (ranked #4) last week. Pittsburgh won in OT, after trailing 31-14. The victory probably gave them a jolt of confidence, and featured the talents of new quarterback Tyler Palko. Unfortunately, it won't be enough to stop a fired up Connecticut bunch. This line opened with UConn favored by five and shot up to over a touchdown. It shouldn't make a difference.
The pick: Connecticut in a high scoring affair. Also over 45.
Air Force over Navy (pick 'em): Something just doesn't feel right about this Navy team. The Middies came from behind to beat Vanderbilt last week, but they don't look as powerful as the last year's squad. QB Aaron Polanco has adequately replaced Craig Candeto, but the kicking game is a mess.
Air Force has reloaded in a hurry, also replacing its quarterback. Freshman Shaun Carney has taken over for Chance Harridge. After getting an education against Cal in their opener, the Falcons disposed of Eastern Washington and won handily at UNLV. Last week, Air Force threw quite a scare into BCS hopeful Utah.
Don't expect the Falcons to suffer a letdown. While the Middies will take on Notre Dame in two weeks, Navy is also viewed as a big a game. Both teams run the triple option and are throwing the ball with success.
The pick: Air Force, which owns a 14-3 record over Navy at Colorado Springs and has won the their last three there by a combined score of 124-27.
New Mexico +10 over Utah: Star RB DonTrell Moore strained a knee ligament last Saturday, and was originally thought to be out for at least two weeks. But Moore was jogging comfortably on Sunday and might suit up. Regardless, New Mexico will be ready for the powerful Utah attack.
The Lobos have tightened up their pass defense this year. They defeated Texas Tech 27-24, and lost at Oregon State 17-7. Last year, the Lobos handed the Utes their only conference loss, 47-35. Utah nearly gave one away last week, having to come from behind to beat Air Force. The Falcons exposed plenty of chinks in the Utes' defense.
The pick: New Mexico. With or without Moore the Lobos are extremely tough at home. (Best bet)
Last Week: 5-5; Season: 19-20 Best Bets: 1-1; Season: 2-9
Rich Podolsky went 92-76-3 picking college football games for Insider last season.
Thursday's best game features Navy at Air Force. New Mexico hosts Utah on Friday night, in a game that might decide this year's Mountain West champion. It's also our best bet.
Wednesday
Miami of Ohio +7 over Marshall: Miami has looked very un-Miami without Rothlisberger, who is now the starting QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After hanging in for three quarters against Michigan, the RedHawks succumbed in the final 15 minutes. While licking their wounds, they walked into a rival who was waiting for them, Cincinnati, and got pounded. They finally looked like the old Miami with a second quarter explosion against a decent Ohio team, winning 40-20.
Marshall has shown tremendous determination by staying close at Georgia and nearly winning at Ohio State. They've had 11 days to recover from those two games, and to think about the 45-6 trouncing the RedHawks handed them last year.
Marshall's big home games tend to be close. In a similar spot last year, they lost to Toledo. When you examine these two teams, they don't look all that different from last year.
The pick: Miami of Ohio in a near upset.
Thursday
Connecticut - 7 over Pittsburgh: Nothing like playing the Black Knights of Army to get your momentum back. That's what UConn did last week, thoroughly embarrassing Bobby Ross' troops, 40-3. The victory came after a 27-7 defeat to rival Boston College. With Dan Orlovsky throwing the ball against two freshman corners, and Cornell Brockington running against a suspect Pitt defense, the Huskies should score plenty of points.
Pitt lost three great players from last year's offense -- QB Rod Rutherford, WR Larry Fitzgerald and TE Kris Wilson. The Panthers came close to losing to I-AA Furman (ranked #4) last week. Pittsburgh won in OT, after trailing 31-14. The victory probably gave them a jolt of confidence, and featured the talents of new quarterback Tyler Palko. Unfortunately, it won't be enough to stop a fired up Connecticut bunch. This line opened with UConn favored by five and shot up to over a touchdown. It shouldn't make a difference.
The pick: Connecticut in a high scoring affair. Also over 45.
Air Force over Navy (pick 'em): Something just doesn't feel right about this Navy team. The Middies came from behind to beat Vanderbilt last week, but they don't look as powerful as the last year's squad. QB Aaron Polanco has adequately replaced Craig Candeto, but the kicking game is a mess.
Air Force has reloaded in a hurry, also replacing its quarterback. Freshman Shaun Carney has taken over for Chance Harridge. After getting an education against Cal in their opener, the Falcons disposed of Eastern Washington and won handily at UNLV. Last week, Air Force threw quite a scare into BCS hopeful Utah.
Don't expect the Falcons to suffer a letdown. While the Middies will take on Notre Dame in two weeks, Navy is also viewed as a big a game. Both teams run the triple option and are throwing the ball with success.
The pick: Air Force, which owns a 14-3 record over Navy at Colorado Springs and has won the their last three there by a combined score of 124-27.
New Mexico +10 over Utah: Star RB DonTrell Moore strained a knee ligament last Saturday, and was originally thought to be out for at least two weeks. But Moore was jogging comfortably on Sunday and might suit up. Regardless, New Mexico will be ready for the powerful Utah attack.
The Lobos have tightened up their pass defense this year. They defeated Texas Tech 27-24, and lost at Oregon State 17-7. Last year, the Lobos handed the Utes their only conference loss, 47-35. Utah nearly gave one away last week, having to come from behind to beat Air Force. The Falcons exposed plenty of chinks in the Utes' defense.
The pick: New Mexico. With or without Moore the Lobos are extremely tough at home. (Best bet)
Last Week: 5-5; Season: 19-20 Best Bets: 1-1; Season: 2-9
Rich Podolsky went 92-76-3 picking college football games for Insider last season.
