The Sports Reporter
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
BEST BET
*FLORIDA over MIAMI-FL by 9[Miami-FL, plus the points.]
A possible Hurricane named Hanna could wreak havoc with this game, but let?s proceed as if it will be prepped for and played without interruption. Florida may have scored 56 on a transitional Hawaii club, but the total was courtesy of 3 defensive/special teams TD?s and 3 more scores of 33, 48, and 62 yards. They?ll have to work much harder against an ultra-athletic intra-state opponent trying to re-build their
reputation. What better way than to battle the poster child for Sunshine State football in their own house? The ?Canes? staff has had months to prepare given last week?s softball of a game against Charleston Southern. How do they hit the 94 mile-per-hour slider that is the Gators? Look for Shannon and crew to run the ball right at the Florida defensive front, an area manned by unproven youngsters. Before they fell behind, Hawaii had some
success doing just that with their backs and UGA gashed a better Gator defensive front in 2007. Success here will keep the ball out of Tebow?s hands ? a key to hanging with Meyer?s bunch. Miami was blasted 51-13 at Oklahoma in week two last year and will not oblige the Swamp faithful with an encore. FLORDIA, 27-18.
BEST BET
*WESTERN MICHIGAN over NORTHERN ILLINOIS by 20
The Westerns have dominated Time of Possession but managed only consecutive narrow wins vs. NIU the last two seasons. This time around, perhaps they?ll continue to dominate the clock while also putting a scoreboard gap between themselves and the visitor. To help them create it, they are employing a 24-season mole from NIU, Mike Sabock. As the Huskies? former recruiting coordinator for the last 12 seasons during the since-exiled
Novak regime, he knows where all the holes exist in a defense that allowed 434 yards per game last season, and 425 yards to Minnesota last Saturday. NIU?s offense went nowhere on the ground in the Metrodome. Although they transition back into the MAC, they are actually facing a better pass defense in this match-up and probably a better defense overall. Western has pocketed $800,000 from the trip to Nebraska, where they stiffed us. They owe us, and they are dropping in class. WESTERN MICHIGAN, 41-21.
BEST BET
CONNECTICUT over *TEMPLE by 21
UConn head coach Randy Edsall was furious following last Thursday?s opening 35-3 win vs. Hofstra, which is exactly the mindset you want from your road-favorite head coach going against a relatively phony upstart home dog. From Edsall?s point of view, the Huskies have a lot of messes to clean up from that game, especially on offense. But they have a veteran crew and are very eligible to take a step forward. The UConn defense allowed only a field goal after being bait-and-switched by the Long Island boys, who used a quarterback that Connecticut didn?t prepare for. Which is basically how Army?s offense goes into its games, so you give Temple zero bonus points for what might have appeared to be an impressive, 35-7 win against the hapless Cadets last Friday night, where they generated only 265 offensive yards. As suggested here in the projection, several Temple scores were the result of gifts presented to them by Army. Last season?s ultra-sweaty, 22-17 home win vs. Temple in Week 3, which was pre-Pitt, is all the more reason for the Big East boys to take this trip seriously. CONNECTICUT, 31-10.
BEST BET
*KANSAS over LOUISIANA TECH by 35
The Bulldogs? outright win when getting 7.5 at home against Mississippi State sets them up nicely for a painful fall. La. Tech coach Dooley knows the SEC and why not ? his dad is a Georgia legend that played his ball at Auburn. The Big 12 ? not so much knowledge there. As noted in last week?s Recommended winner, Sylvester Croom?s offense stalled, turned it over, and was about as dynamic as a career librarian. Kansas is more the 3 am underground nightclub type and will create matchup problems for a less athletic Bulldog defense. QB Reesing was ultra-efficient against FIU and that trend will continue as he
manages drives, protects the ball, and makes plays this week. Should the Jayhawk offense fail to fly at times ? no sweat ? La Tech QB (Georgia Tech transfer) Taylor Bennett was 15-of-40 last week and historically struggles against speed due to his heavy feet and weak arm. Lawrence, Kansas was rocking last week as the fan base reacts to last year?s 12-1 mark. That was for FIU, arguably the worst team in D1-A ? or whatever they call it these days. The visitors are in for a rude awakening. KANSAS, 42-7.
BEST BET
TEXAS over *UTEP by 12[UTEP, plus the points.]
There will be no knee-jerking based on Texas? rout of FAU, and UTEP?s being routed by Buffalo. Different week, different teams, and UTEP's new 3-3-5 defense was the wrong defense to go into Buffalo with, given UB?s ability to run, run, run against wispy defenders like UTEP?s. All is far from perfect in the UTEPian society, as three INTs, a dropped punt snap, and two 100-yard rushers for Buffalo attest. But Mike Price was worried that his Miners would be looking ahead to this rare opportunity to host a ranked, intra-state power on ESPN2.Was he was worried because he was one of those looking ahead, and didn?t bother preparing them for the ho-hum trip to Buffalo? Against Texas, Florida Atlantic converted four of its first five third downs to start the game, with big pass plays of 22, 15, 33 and 62 yards on each conversion. After FAU scored 10 firsthalf points, new Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp made some adjustments and the Owls were shut out in the second half, but they had given Texas some full-game
ammo when their coach suggested the Longhorns were soft. ?We brought it to 'em, showed 'em we were tough and can play a full 60 minutes," said one Texas RB. But is Texas prepared to do that for a second straight game when they are looking ahead to hosting Arkansas in Austin? UTEP will not stop playing in this one. TEXAS, 42-30.
RECOMMENDED
*OKLAHOMA over CINCINNATI by 30
Sooner coach Bob Stoops is on a mission to avenge last year?s Fiesta Bowl loss to West Virginia. He couldn?t prove anything against Chattanooga last week, so the Bearcats will serve as the sacrifice to the football gods. Stoops put his starters back in last week when leading 50-2 in the second half because as he stated, they ?still needed to be sharp next week?. Cinci is a good squad, but they rely heavily on their athleticism and ability to create
turnovers to win ballgames. Easier to take advantage of average Big East teams than against a national power. QB Bradford will have plenty of time to find his targets, especially given the fact that the Bearcats are replacing their starting defensive ends from last year ? one who chalked up 13 sacks. After losing to Boise State two years ago, the Sooners put up no fewer than 51 points in the four games that followed. They may not hit the half century mark this go-round, but the same statement will be made. OKLAHOMA,
44-14.
RECOMMENDED
*OKLAHOMA STATE over HOUSTON by 25
First-year Cougar chief Sumlin was the co-offensive coordinator for Oklahoma the last two years, so neither coaching staff will be surprised by much. Edge rolls towards the fourth-year coach with more talent playing at home. Gundy?s Cowboys have lost only to ranked teams at home in the last two years. Last we checked, Houston wasn?t sniffing the top 25. Okie St.?s offense sputtered at times on the road last week with their no-huddle spread, but got things rolling in the fourth quarter. Gundy took over play-calling duties this season so some hiccups were to be expected out of the chute. Houston switched to a 4-3 this season and will struggle with the new system against a talented and veteran offensive line that is used to paving the way for big-time yards, especially at home.
OKLAHOMA STATE, 49-24.
RECOMMENDED
*WASHINGTON over BYU by 3
An ?also ran? in their own class, the Huskies should fare better by dropping down and facing one of the non-BCS conference?s best. It worked for Willingham?s club last year when they took out Boise State in Seattle, 24-10. Washington QB Locker will be much better against this young defense that returns only three from last year, than he was against Oregon?s excellent defensive unit (12/28 for 103 yards). His giant o-line will also appreciate the change in scenery as they use their bulk to control the offensive front, giving
the dynamic signal caller the opportunity to run or throw. BYU chucked it all around the field in Week 1, but will face an experienced secondary that will keep the ball in front. This week in the national media? Willingham will by synonymous with pink slips, BYU with BCS buster.We kinda like Washington, plus points, and cash.WASHINGTON, 30-27.
RECOMMENDED
*PITTSBURGH over BUFFALO by 21
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
SOUTH CAROLINA over *VANDERBILT by 11
Of South Carolina?s 34 points last week, 21 came in the fourth quarter against a tired defense that realized that the offense was not about to chip in. Spurrier?s offense lacks play-makers, but should find some success between the tackles and via play-action. Vandy?s resurgent QB Nickson can create problems with his legs, but his squad won?t come close to the 5.4 ypc
that they hit against Miami-OH. Both teams put up 34 points in week one, so if Vegas gets lazy, the UNDER could be a solid play. SOUTH CAROLINA, 24-13.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
*BALL STATE over NAVY by 3
Ball State head coach Brady Hoke has his sights set on a MAC Championship, which the team lacks since he got there. But last time anyone looked, Navy was an Independent. Always-effective Navy senior QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada missed last Saturday's season opener against Towson, which gave senior Jarod Bryant 29 minutes of clock time to trigger 602 rushing yards in the frustrating option. Both Navy QBs played in last season?s meeting in Annapolis, which was tied 31-31 at the end of 60 minutes, with each team topping 500 offensive yards. Navy?s defense is a little older and much healthier now than it was then, and when they take it up the middle on offense, the new clock rules of ?08 will enable them to let it bleed and eventually deny some time to the Ball boys when the productive home team
offense gets its chance to play with the piggie. BALL STATE, 34-31.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
*MICHIGAN STATE over EASTERN MICHIGAN by 18
The starters who helped power Eastern Michigan?s 52-0 home win vs. Indiana State last week were matched against an opponent that was playing its first game under a new head coach, and using a second-string QB in place of a suspended starter. Ya? think that of the two teams here, Michigan State might have had the better opening tester out on the Pac 10 road at Cal? But one warning about laying points with the Big Ten home favorite: EMU?s little-play offense, which had a longer week of prep time after playing home Thursday (vs. Sparty?s Saturday late-night West Coast commitment which rendered Sunday near-useless for them), can be a very pesky big underdog due to one of its few strengths ? ball security. MICHIGAN STATE, 34-16.
*SYRACUSE over AKRON by 3
The Orange offense is still crawling, with just a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for new offensive coordinator Mitch Browning. Besides pounding it with the tailbacks (there is only one ball), and all the short passing stuff, there isn?t much else there. Akron?s defense won?t mind this too much. Put Syracuse?s offense on a long field, and more than half the battle is won. SYRACUSE, 16-13.
*MICHIGAN over MIAMI OH by 9
At least the Miami-OH defense won?t have to deal with a QB like Chris Nickson of Vanderbilt, who ran around and through them last Thursday night. Michigan?s defense will continue to play ultra-inspired ball to help protect that currently very lousy transitioning offense. Redhawks coach Montgomery to Rich Rodriguez: ?We?ve seen your offense when we played Cincinnati in ?06 and Central Michigan in ?07 and frankly, they do it better than you do right
now.? It?s hard to ??Under??-stand how the Wolverines didn?t lose by much more than 2 points to Utah. MICHIGAN, 19-10.
NORTHWESTERN over *DUKE by 8
David Cutcliffe will ask his Dukies for more than they gave for anyone else in the last decade. But that isn?t Tennessee?s oversized linemen and chiseled running backs out there providing stability for him. The visitors got caught with their pants down vs. Duke last season, out-gaining them by 200 yards and still losing while racking up 13 penalties. Northwestern will show up better prepared, and, unlike last year?s outing when he was injured and out, with all important Tyrell Sutton in the backfield. NORTHWESTERN, 28-20.
*BOSTON COLLEGE over GEORGIA TECH by 2
?There?s just too many issues with this offense for people to deal with,? said losing head coach Crowe of Jacksonville State last week, regarding Paul Johnson?s new, option-based attack at Georgia Tech. ?We had two and a half weeks to deal with it. The rest of these folks will get two days. Good luck, ACC.? Hmmm, will Johnson have immediate success with something different in a stale league, like Joe Tiller did at Purdue? Even if the BC?s decent defense stings the Jackets? offense, don?t expect a comfortable victory with a BC offense that managed just 21 points against a MAC foe. BOSTON COLLEGE, 22-20.
WEST VIRGINIA over *EAST CAROLINA by 4
If you can?t beat ?em, join ?em? Well, not quite. ECU seemed to take its win against Virginia Tech in stride, so there doesn?t figure to be the emotional letdown that many handicappers fantisize about, but often does not materialize after a big upset win like the Pirates pulled vs. Virginia Tech. But the offense that they beat is pretty bland, and West Virginia?s is very varied
and will be doing some different things for the first time, unlike Virginia Tech, which was doing the same old things for the zillionth time. Against very good Va. Tech defensive personnel, ECU?s offense gained 369 yards, 100 more than we expected. This is a much bigger game for ECU than it is for West Virginia, because the Pirates are eyeing the BCS bowl bid and West Virginia can win the Big East to get theirs. You might want to dare West Virginia to
throw it for 245 yards again, as they did vs. Villanova. That could be a fake stat, and ECU is a proven turnover-getter. WEST VIRGINIA, 31-27.
*BOWLING GREEN over MINNESOTA by 5 The BeeGees led last season?s opener in the Metrodome 21-0 at halftime in the trying-times debut of a new Golden Gophers coaching regime, when the UM defense had few real players
and BG?s offense had it way too easy. But Minnesota came all the way back and took a short lead before blowing it and losing in overtime. Still, that was Tyler Sheehan?s first career start under center for Bowling Green. He hasn?t done much to be negative about against bad opposing defenses. So, until Minnesota proves it has a pass defense, we?ll avoid needing them. BOWLING GREEN, 35-30.
*AUBURN over SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI by 17
427 rushing yards will make Southern Miss backers forget they have a first-year coach who installed a new offensive system. RB Fletcher put it simply, ?The holes were there, all I had to do was run through them?. Auburn?s defense won?t be quite as forgiving as Louisiana- Lafayette?s. It better not be because the Tiger offense is a work in progress. Through three
quarters against Louisiana-Monroe, Tony Franklin?s offense had no play longer than seven yards and they converted just 5-of-15 third downs for the game. AUBURN, 30-13.
*ALABAMA over TULANE by 27
Mr. Saban and crew had 7 months to prepare for last week?s Georgia Dome battle and it showed. His offense controlled the ball for an insane 41 minutes, had no turnovers, and converted 11-of-17 on third down. At Tulane, Bob Toledo?s offense requires an intimate knowledge of the system ? something that just was not possible last year in year one. The skill players and o-line are now vets of the system and despite losing their RB horse, will fare okay vs. their own class. But the hurricane thing threatened to ruin their prep week for this, and Alabama already owned a game under the belt edge. On defense, the visitors are likely to play more zone defense after struggling at times with man. Tide QB JP Wilson has struggled in his career when forced to make multiple reads against zone defense. ALABAMA, 37-10.
*NEBRASKA over SAN JOSE STATE by 25
If Nebraska?s offense can run all over the inferior foes like this one, scoring and eating clock, then there isn?t enough time for that opponent to get ?er done. The onus is upon Yonus [Davis], San Jose?s sixth-year senior running back, to help keep the ball away from Nebraska. But reports say that two offensive line starters, Leatiota and Castillo, almost certainly won't play until the third game. Hey, they can?t fool us, this is only the second game! Still, no pointspread lead is safe with Nebraska?s defense. NEBRASKA, 48-23.
*OREGON over UTAH STATE by 38
Utah State will collect their game check along with some serious bruises after matching up with a much more athletic Duck team in Autzen Stadium. Aggie fans should consider it a wiif they score double digits and/or if they score some free Nike gear. It is likely that the Belotti will be playing his two freshmen QB?s ? so be patient if siding with team glow-in-the-dark.
OREGON, 45-7.n
*OHIO STATE over OHIO by 35
Visiting Ohio coach Solich and his popgun offense had 1.8 rushing yards per attempt in last week?s close game at Wyoming, and look ahead to the home and MAC opener vs. Central Michigan. They won?t get much on the ground here, either. When they try to pass after not being able to run, they will suffer a pick-pick here and a pick-pick there. Does Solich sacrifice his starters for four quarters in what appears to be a non-winnable game before it starts? The Buckeyes? back-ups could start for Ohio, so they?ll always be in a 1s vs. 2s situation despite an absence from #1 RB Beanie Wells with USC on deck. OHIO STATE, 45-10.
*WISCONSIN over MARSHALL by 24
The Marshall defensive front should improve upon their 4.8 yard per carry mark from a year ago, but this week won?t help the average. Wisky?s o-line averages 316 pounds and has 100+ starts under their elastic waistlines. Throw in the fact that the visitors just made the switch to a 3-4 defense in the spring and you get a recipe for a Madison-style stampede.
WISCONSIN, 35-11.
TEXAS TECH over *NEVADA by 11
Red Raider QB Harrell will seek to play keep away from a Nevada offense that can easily rack up 200+ yards rushing and passing. Unfortunately for the home dog, the secondary lacks experience and will be chasing Tech WRs all over the field ? after they catch the ball. TEXAS TECH, 42-31.
*GEORGIA over CENTRAL MICHIGAN by 24
The Dawgs may let the Chips hang around for a quarter or two, but based on the rate that BCS schools scored on Central last year ? Kansas (52), Purdue (45), Clemson (70) ? UGA will pull away to win by 6-8 lengths. Central Mich head coach Butch Jones let the young, backup matadors attempt to take care of business vs. opponents like this last season, while the guaranteed money in the bank was gaining interest for the university. A first half play with the Vegas dog may not be a bad play, as the land?s #1 could be looking ahead to next week?s clash with South Carolina. GEORGIA, 48-24.
*PENN STATE over OREGON STATE by 19
The Happy Valley faithful will leave ecstatic after PSU controls the line of scrimmage on both sides and uses their 2005?esque dynamic offense to put up points early and often. The Beavers have some athletes on offense, who basically provided all of the offense against Stanford. JoePa has athletes to match on defense and will force OSU to sustain drives. The visitors have turned in some of the most ill-prepped, mistake-prone road performances
under this particular head coach, and opened the season with one of those against a highstandard admission Pac 10 foe, no less. Oregon State players make too many bad decisions to be able to provide much of a consistent challenge. PENN STATE, 36-17.
*WYOMING over AIR FORCE by 6
The Falcons played their game in week one ? (1) 76 runs/12 passes and (2) short 3rd down tries leading to 11-of-19 on third down conversions. Life won?t be quite as easy this week for a young offense and first year QB who?s replacing a 4-year starter. The Cowboys play tough defense at home and will play ball control with a big/experienced o-line. Home team is battle tested after a one-point win vs. Ohio and will use that experience to go 2-0.
WYOMING, 27-21.
*NOTRE DAME over SAN DIEGO STATE by 17
The most striking feature of Aztec civilization was human sacrifice, a primitive tradition nevertheless carried on by the San Diego State football program via scheduling too hard, then losing bodies and battles early and often. But as Year Three of Chuck Long?s regime hits, they are almost as healthy, and almost as mysterious, as they can be. New faces have been
groomed to be there for a while, and the old ones weren?t much. One of the old ones who was a little something, QB Kevin O?Connell, was dissed by Long when the coach stated that current starter Ryan Lindley stays in the pocket and looks for the third check-down, unlike his fearful predecessor. After working the kinks out vs. triple-option terrors Cal Poly last Saturday, the Aztecs also own a game-under-the-belt edge against the Irish, whose ?highly
ranked recruits? have all the pressure coming out of the gate. NOTRE DAME, 31-14.
*NEW MEXICO over TEXAS A&M by 1
More teams will lose 26-3 to TCU this season, so New Mexico shouldn?t be too dissed for that. After all, it?s almost as exactly as we expected it to be, was it not (27-7 Best Bet call)? A&M?s new coaching staff ? not one we?d have assembled but we?re not Mike Sherman -- couldn?t prepare ?em well enough for a home opener vs. Arkansas State of the Sun Belt, so seven days and a trip to Albuquerque to face another stranger is not enough time. Sherman to staff: ?What?s a 3-3-5 defense?? Staff to Sherman: ?What?? During the off-season, A&M?s Year One head coach said of Dennis Franchione?s last team: ?I think we played down to the level of the opponent last year.? Strange, considering the Aggies played the nation?s #1-ranked schedule on the strength scale. If the coach has no idea about what he speaks, you probably don?t want to be on him. NEW MEXICO, 17-16.
*IOWA STATE over KENT STATE by 3
QB Austen Arnaud basically needed only to turn around and execute the handoff in his ISU debut, after South Dakota State?s aborted drives (six of them five plays or fewer). Put him on a longer field, with less time to work with following more effective drives and a score or two by the Kents, and home favorite players might not like what they see. IOWA STATE, 19-16.
*WAKE FOREST over MISSISSIPPI by 7
Wake?s average margin of victory in 2007 was 6 points, so last week?s 28-point Best Bet thrashing of Baylor ain?t the norm. Ole Miss will push back a bit more, but will find the goings tough against a quirky offense manned by an ultra-efficient QB. First-year Rebel coach Houston Nutt doesn?t know what sort of road personality his team might have, making preparation a bit more difficult. Deacon QB Skinner will make fewer mistakes than Rebel QB
Snead, and that?ll be the difference. WAKE FOREST, 24-17.
CALIFORNIA over *WASHINGTON STATE by 15
Washington State?s spread offense was a disaster against a very average Okie State defense. Their reward ? a date with Cal?s much better D. The Cougars will be a double-digit home dog this time and will have trouble keeping it around the number if their defense isn?t up for the challenge. They hung in there for three quarters last week, but it gets tough to stay motivated when your offense is stuck in cement. CAL, 34-19.
SOUTH FLORIDA over *CENTRAL FLORIDA by 12
Since declaring war on his Sunshine State neighbor to the southwest for the purpose of starting a rivalry ? to which USF responded with a yawn and some under-the-thumb beat-backs? UCF head coach George O?Leary is 0-3 SU and ATS, resembling the sliced-up Monty Python warrior in the beginning of the Holy Grail movie. They invite USF back for more. But does UCF know what it?s about on offense yet, when they can?t give the ball to Kevin (I?m on the Detroit Lions now) Smith on every other play? If they have to start throwing it around, USF?s pass rush is something to fear. But when USF isn?t getting turnovers, their offense still needs to prove a few things. What we?re rooting for here is a game that plays right to the number, so as not to create any tip-offs about either overrated side. SOUTH FLORIDA, 24-12.
RICE over *MEMPHIS by 2
On C-USA battlegrounds, Rice?s offense tends to leave its mark, as long as QB Chase Clement is the guy pulling the trigger. Memphis has weaponry, a potentially more devastating array than Rice?s, but they haven?t figured out how to maximize it consistently and the defense is on a par with Rice?s matadors, who tend to get flattened by the kind of decent rushing attacks that Memphis doesn?t have. As pointed out in last week?s SMU-Rice projection, which then materialized before the nation?s eyes on ESPN, Rice?s defense has an uncanny knack for coming up with the big pick against inexperienced, or experienced-idiot opposing quarterbacks. Memphis has both ? newbie Arkelon Hall, and holdover Hudgens. RICE, 38-36.
*UTAH over UNLV by 24
The Rebels will have to improve on last week?s 353-yard performance against Utah State if covering is in the cards. Despite a win in the Big House, the Utes averaged a paltry 0.8 yards per carry and had 15 penalties. Match that in week two and the media Cinderella could become an evil step sister overnight. That said, Utah has too many athletes and too much experience to drop the ball at home. Did you know that after losing 27-0 loss to UNLV last season during their injury-recovery period, Utah allowed just 7, 14, 3, 0 10 and 17 points to Mountain West opponents the rest of the way? UTAH, 34-10.
*ARIZONA over TOLEDO by 20
?Zona went anti-passing spread offense by rushing 49 times to 31 passes en route to 70 points last Saturday night. Playing Idaho allows you to do that. Toledo packs more athletes in their travel bag and they have eight in the secondary with starting experience to combat what the Cats really want to do. Problem for the Rockets ? other than having an apparent gambling problem within the sports programs -- is that their pass rush couldn?t bust a grape last year (9 sacks) and won?t do much against an offensive front that is better than most they will see in the MAC. Points, yards, athletes ? that?ll be the general theme of the post-game summary. ARIZONA, 41-21.
*ARIZONA STATE over STANFORD by 16
Lost in the Cardinal?s upset win against Oregon State. was their lack of secondary speed. Beaver wideouts regularly burned the high-IQ safeties using nothing more than superior athleticism. The Devils will provide similar matchup problems in the passing game. Unfortunately for Harbaugh, mounting a comeback will be difficult with a lackluster aerial attack that went sub-100 yards in game one. Look for the visitors to hang through the half on determination alone. It won?t be enough. ARIZONA ST. 33-17.
*IOWA over FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL by 27
FIU?s fledgling football program is not to be trusted on the power conference road. They gained 2.5 yards per play at Kansas last Saturday. Iowa?s defense is better, but Kirk Ferentz will juggle quarterbacks Christiansen and Stanzi. Christiansen is pouting about it. Coach Cristobal to IU?s AD: ?Please send that sizable check to: FIU, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL?IOWA, 30-3.
*ARKANSAS over LOUISIANA-MONROE by 14
Sure, the Hogs were two minutes away from becoming pulled pork at the hands of Western Illinois. For those expecting the same or worse, check out the following: (1) starting tailback Michael Smith was served with a pre-game suspension, meaning that a true freshman was to carry the running load; and (2) Western Illinois started six of eleven possessions in Arkansas territory ? that?s ridiculous and won?t be repeated. Petrino?s team won?t be worldbeaters, but ULM beaters. they have the better talent and the home field. ARKANSAS, 28-14.
TULSA over *NORTH TEXAS by 19
Miraculously, UNT?s Giovanni Vizza did not throw an interception at Kansas State. He evened things out by averaging only 3.4 yards per attempt. A hurry-up offense that gets only 56 plays cannot be trusted when Tulsa?s offense is shooting for 90. "Tulsa is one of those teams you just really have to be prepared for," UAB safety Will Dunbar said. "If you're not in the right spot, you're going to get burned.? North Texas? defense hasn?t been in the right spot for two years. TULSA, 48-29.
*FLORIDA ATLANTIC over UAB by 11
FAU starting QB Rusty (Big Play) Smith did not get sacked in 31 pass attempts at Texas, and managed to throw for 8.2 Yards Per Attempt. But don?t underestimate UAB?s overall team speed and the cumulative effect that chasing QB Joe Webb around might have on the FAU defense. FLORIDA ATLANTIC, 34-23.
MARYLAND over *MIDDLE TENNESSEE by 11
Holding Delaware?s offense to just seven? points was pretty good for the Maryland defense? or was it, considering that the Blue Hens were playing their first game since 2005 without Joe Flacco as the QB? Maryland?s QBs Steffy and Portis are not to be trusted as they are juggled around by Ralphie Boy as a team from the maligned ACC journeys into a strange land (and what appears to be a bad team, but Troy knew where most of the holes were). MARYLAND, 24-13.
*LSU over TROY by 20
With inexperienced QBs, LSU?s comfort zone involves handing the ball off to super-talented RBs behind a massive offensive front. They will rely on this until the beginning of conference play. Translation?the Trojan front seven is in for a long, bruising Saturday. Troy does have athletes ? many of them power-conference casualties who needed a place to land. The depth isn?t enough to hang with the SEC elite for 60 minutes, but don?t be surprised if they cover a sizeable number in Death Valley, with LSU distracted earlier in the week by Hurricane Gustav stuff. LSU, 34-14.
