NCAA WEEK 8: part II
- Thread starter TORONTO-VIGILANTE
- Start date
LEANS:
GTech / maryland UNDER
n.texas / arkie st UNDER HUGE...!! ( 17 - 9 game...???)
SJ st vs ohio st UNDER
boise st / tulsa OVER
GTech / maryland UNDER
n.texas / arkie st UNDER HUGE...!! ( 17 - 9 game...???)
SJ st vs ohio st UNDER
boise st / tulsa OVER
V.TECH vs B.C :
Following a week off and continual rise up the national polls, the now fourth-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies begin conference play this Thursday, when they make the trip north to take on Big East foe Boston College. The Hokies are two weeks removed from a 30-0 blanking of Western Michigan to close out a perfect run through their non-conference slate. Victories have included routs of Arkansas State (63-7), LSU (26-8) and Marshall (47-21), as well as a tough battle at Texas A&M (13-3). Boston College comes into this contest under similar circumstances. The Eagles also enjoyed a bye last week, following their own whitewashing of an opponent, a 43-0 whipping of Central Michigan on September 28th. This is BC's second league game of the season, after suffering its only loss of the season, a 38-6 setback to top-ranked Miami a few weeks ago. This marks the 10th meeting between these two teams. Tech has posted wins in seven of the previous nine affairs, including last season's 34-20 decision in Blacksburg. In all, the Hokies have won six straight in this series and haven't lost to Boston College since 1995 (20-14). Virginia Tech has won four of the five meetings at Alumni Stadium.
Frank Beamer has a simple offensive philosophy and it hasn't failed him yet. The Hokies will run the ball early and often and hope to wear down the opposition. Thus far, it has worked, as Tech is averaging a gaudy 221.2 yards per game on the ground. The passing game (119.2 ypg) is a secondary concern and with talent like Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones in the backfield, it isn't surprising. The duo have been solid this season and while neither will likely rush for 1,500+ yards, both could eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. The All- American Suggs leads the team in rushing with 430 yards (5.4 ypc), but Jones is right behind at 356 (5.0 ypc). The two have combined for 13 of the team's 16 rushing scores on the season and are netting over 150 yards rushing per game between them. When forced to pass, quarterback Bryan Randall has done a nice job, completing over 66 percent of his tosses, for 527 yards and two TDs, but he hasn't been asked to pass all that often (59 attempts in the first five games). As expected, there hasn't been a go-to-guy established in the vertical game, but wideouts Ernest Wilford (eight receptions, for 176 yards), Shawn Witten (seven receptions, for 118 yards) and Terrell Parham (seven receptions, for 54 yards) are there when called upon. The offensive line is big with only center Jake Grove under 300+ pounds (295). The unit is particularly good in run-blocking, paving the way for 4.5 yards per carry.
Stifling defense is something that the Tech faithful have grown accustomed to in Blacksburg and nothing has changed in 2002. The Hokies boast one of the top defensive units in the nation once again, as the team is yielding a mere 7.8 points per game, on a miniscule 226.0 yards of total offense. Running the ball against the Hokies is almost impossible, as the team is allowing just 42.2 yards per game on the ground, at 1.6 yards per carry. In addition, this aggressive group has tallied 36 TFLs, 17 sacks and recorded 16 turnovers. Veteran safety Willie Pile leads the team in tackles (35) and is followed closely by the entire linebacking unit in Vegas Robinson (32 tackles), Mikal Baaqee (29 tackles) and Brandon Manning (27 tackles). The defensive line is chock-full of talent as well, including pass rushing demons Nathaniel Adibi (five sacks), Cols Colas (four sacks) and Jim Davis (three sacks). Adibi and Baaqee are both nursing foot injuries and are questionable for this contest, but there is more than enough talent on this side of the football to compensate, should they not suit up.
The Eagles have the kind of offensive balance that could give Tech some trouble on Thursday. The team certainly gave top-ranked Miami all it could handle in the first half of their game. BC is averaging a solid 26.8 points per game thus far, moving the chains both with the run (148.8 ypg) and the pass (241.8 ypg). Tailback Derrick Knight has taken over for now Cleveland Brown William Green, and has done a nice job, averaging 92.0 yards per game (fifth in the Big East). Knight is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and leads the team with 368 yards and three TDs. Knight's ability to run the football well is a direct result of what quarterback Brian St. Pierre has been able to accomplish through the air. The veteran signal-caller leads the conference in passing (237.8 ypg) and in total offense (251.5 ypg). St. Pierre has completed over 62 percent of his passes, for 951 yards and seven TDs. He has thrown six interceptions and that could be a bit of a concern against an opportunistic defense like the Hokies this week. Wideouts Keith Hemmings and Jamal Burke give St. Pierre a pair of reliable targets downfield. The two are tied for the team-lead in receptions (15) and TD catches (two). Hemmings leads the Eagles with 225 receiving yards, while Burke is a close second at 194 yards. A big, strong offensive line has done a remarkable job keeping the pressure away from St. Pierre this season. The unit has allowed just four sacks, tops in the Big East.
The BC defense has been as good as it has had to be this season. This unit is allowing 20.2 points per game, and been solid against the run and the pass, allowing under 300 yards of total offense per game (294.2). Where the defense has struggled, is in making big plays. The team does have 32 TFLs on the season, but only eight sacks. In addition, the Eagles have forced only eight turnovers in the first four games, with four INTs and four fumble recoveries. Along the defensive front, the player that opponents must account for is 6-4, 290-pound end Antonio Garay. A monster off the edge, Garay (24 tackles) leads the team in TFLs (4.5) and sacks (three). Help up front comes in the form of junior tackle Doug Goodwin (eight tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks). Veteran linebackers Josh Ott (junior) and Vinny Ciurciu (senior) are the top tacklers on the defense with 28 stops apiece. Strong safety Doug Bessette is close behind at 24 total tackles.
The Big East may just boast the top two teams in the nation in Miami and Virginia Tech. Unfortunately for Boston College, it must play both in the span of three weeks. The first chapter wasn't pleasant (38-6 loss to Miami). The second might not be much better.
Predicted Outcome: Virginia Tech 34, Boston College 17
Following a week off and continual rise up the national polls, the now fourth-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies begin conference play this Thursday, when they make the trip north to take on Big East foe Boston College. The Hokies are two weeks removed from a 30-0 blanking of Western Michigan to close out a perfect run through their non-conference slate. Victories have included routs of Arkansas State (63-7), LSU (26-8) and Marshall (47-21), as well as a tough battle at Texas A&M (13-3). Boston College comes into this contest under similar circumstances. The Eagles also enjoyed a bye last week, following their own whitewashing of an opponent, a 43-0 whipping of Central Michigan on September 28th. This is BC's second league game of the season, after suffering its only loss of the season, a 38-6 setback to top-ranked Miami a few weeks ago. This marks the 10th meeting between these two teams. Tech has posted wins in seven of the previous nine affairs, including last season's 34-20 decision in Blacksburg. In all, the Hokies have won six straight in this series and haven't lost to Boston College since 1995 (20-14). Virginia Tech has won four of the five meetings at Alumni Stadium.
Frank Beamer has a simple offensive philosophy and it hasn't failed him yet. The Hokies will run the ball early and often and hope to wear down the opposition. Thus far, it has worked, as Tech is averaging a gaudy 221.2 yards per game on the ground. The passing game (119.2 ypg) is a secondary concern and with talent like Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones in the backfield, it isn't surprising. The duo have been solid this season and while neither will likely rush for 1,500+ yards, both could eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. The All- American Suggs leads the team in rushing with 430 yards (5.4 ypc), but Jones is right behind at 356 (5.0 ypc). The two have combined for 13 of the team's 16 rushing scores on the season and are netting over 150 yards rushing per game between them. When forced to pass, quarterback Bryan Randall has done a nice job, completing over 66 percent of his tosses, for 527 yards and two TDs, but he hasn't been asked to pass all that often (59 attempts in the first five games). As expected, there hasn't been a go-to-guy established in the vertical game, but wideouts Ernest Wilford (eight receptions, for 176 yards), Shawn Witten (seven receptions, for 118 yards) and Terrell Parham (seven receptions, for 54 yards) are there when called upon. The offensive line is big with only center Jake Grove under 300+ pounds (295). The unit is particularly good in run-blocking, paving the way for 4.5 yards per carry.
Stifling defense is something that the Tech faithful have grown accustomed to in Blacksburg and nothing has changed in 2002. The Hokies boast one of the top defensive units in the nation once again, as the team is yielding a mere 7.8 points per game, on a miniscule 226.0 yards of total offense. Running the ball against the Hokies is almost impossible, as the team is allowing just 42.2 yards per game on the ground, at 1.6 yards per carry. In addition, this aggressive group has tallied 36 TFLs, 17 sacks and recorded 16 turnovers. Veteran safety Willie Pile leads the team in tackles (35) and is followed closely by the entire linebacking unit in Vegas Robinson (32 tackles), Mikal Baaqee (29 tackles) and Brandon Manning (27 tackles). The defensive line is chock-full of talent as well, including pass rushing demons Nathaniel Adibi (five sacks), Cols Colas (four sacks) and Jim Davis (three sacks). Adibi and Baaqee are both nursing foot injuries and are questionable for this contest, but there is more than enough talent on this side of the football to compensate, should they not suit up.
The Eagles have the kind of offensive balance that could give Tech some trouble on Thursday. The team certainly gave top-ranked Miami all it could handle in the first half of their game. BC is averaging a solid 26.8 points per game thus far, moving the chains both with the run (148.8 ypg) and the pass (241.8 ypg). Tailback Derrick Knight has taken over for now Cleveland Brown William Green, and has done a nice job, averaging 92.0 yards per game (fifth in the Big East). Knight is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and leads the team with 368 yards and three TDs. Knight's ability to run the football well is a direct result of what quarterback Brian St. Pierre has been able to accomplish through the air. The veteran signal-caller leads the conference in passing (237.8 ypg) and in total offense (251.5 ypg). St. Pierre has completed over 62 percent of his passes, for 951 yards and seven TDs. He has thrown six interceptions and that could be a bit of a concern against an opportunistic defense like the Hokies this week. Wideouts Keith Hemmings and Jamal Burke give St. Pierre a pair of reliable targets downfield. The two are tied for the team-lead in receptions (15) and TD catches (two). Hemmings leads the Eagles with 225 receiving yards, while Burke is a close second at 194 yards. A big, strong offensive line has done a remarkable job keeping the pressure away from St. Pierre this season. The unit has allowed just four sacks, tops in the Big East.
The BC defense has been as good as it has had to be this season. This unit is allowing 20.2 points per game, and been solid against the run and the pass, allowing under 300 yards of total offense per game (294.2). Where the defense has struggled, is in making big plays. The team does have 32 TFLs on the season, but only eight sacks. In addition, the Eagles have forced only eight turnovers in the first four games, with four INTs and four fumble recoveries. Along the defensive front, the player that opponents must account for is 6-4, 290-pound end Antonio Garay. A monster off the edge, Garay (24 tackles) leads the team in TFLs (4.5) and sacks (three). Help up front comes in the form of junior tackle Doug Goodwin (eight tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks). Veteran linebackers Josh Ott (junior) and Vinny Ciurciu (senior) are the top tacklers on the defense with 28 stops apiece. Strong safety Doug Bessette is close behind at 24 total tackles.
The Big East may just boast the top two teams in the nation in Miami and Virginia Tech. Unfortunately for Boston College, it must play both in the span of three weeks. The first chapter wasn't pleasant (38-6 loss to Miami). The second might not be much better.
Predicted Outcome: Virginia Tech 34, Boston College 17
other leans:
Northwestern at Minnesota Under 60
rice moneyline ( navy, you guys SAWK!!!!)
PENN ST +5 ( large)
South Carolina at Kentucky Under 50
Georgia -3...tenn's first game on the road...
Northwestern at Minnesota Under 60
rice moneyline ( navy, you guys SAWK!!!!)
PENN ST +5 ( large)
South Carolina at Kentucky Under 50
Georgia -3...tenn's first game on the road...
