?Perry?s Perspective? Linesmaker from BetWWTS
Will this be the week that ends the streak?
Riding a 25-game win streak, the national champion USC Trojans charge into Tempe on Saturday to take on No. 14 Arizona St. (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
The Trojans, who are 3-0 both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) this season, will be looking to break the PAC-10?s record for consecutive wins. The school holds the current record, which is set from 1931-1933.
But the No. 1 ranked Trojans will be facing their first big test of the season. The Sun Devils are 3-1 SU and ATS so far with their only loss coming against emotionally-inspired LSU, 35-31.
That game was supposed to be the Tigers? home-opener, but because of hurricane Katrina it was moved to Tempe, with proceeds of the game being donated to hurricane relief.
As was pointed out in an Associated Press article this week, a couple of notable winning streaks have ended at Sun Devil Stadium in recent years.
One of those winning streaks was a 34-game run by Miami that ended dramatically in the Fiesta Bowl back in 2003. In the national championship game, the Hurricanes were beaten by Ohio St. 31-24 in overtime to end their streak.
Seven years earlier, the Sun Devils, led by quarterback Jake Plummer, ended Nebraska?s 26-game run with a 19-0 thumping.
While the location may seem appropriate, the chances the Sun Devils will pull off an upset seems remote. The Trojans are in the midst of a dynasty having been crowned national champions two years running.
Led by reigning Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart at quarterback, USC has arguably one of the best teams in college football history.
Who do the Sun Devils have?
Well, they have a pretty solid quarterback themselves in Sam Keller. The 6-foot-4, 227-pound junior actually leads the nation with more than 1,400 yards passing and 16 TDs in four games.
While those numbers may be slightly skewed since Arizona St. has played four games compared to three for many others, the Sun Devils? offense is still No. 5 in the nation in scoring with 47 points per game (ppg).
The Trojans, meanwhile, are second overall in scoring (59.3 ppg) due in part to their 70-17 slaughter of the Razorbacks and their 63-17 wipeout of Hawaii.
With a couple of high-powered offenses squaring off, we?ve got the total posted at a lofty 72 points in this matchup. The Sun Devils are 3-1 on the under so far this year and USC is 2-1.
While Arizona St. may be USC?s toughest opponent to date, the Trojans seem to be in a different league than anyone else in college football. Thus, we?ve got them pegged as a 16-point favorite. Granted, that is their first spread under 20 this season.
The Trojans have won their last five meetings with the Sun Devils. The last time they faced each other in Tempe was in October 2003 when the Trojans won 37-17 as an 11.5-point chalk. That was the first victory of USC?s current win streak.
Other noteworthy games:
In Big Ten action, Michigan (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) visits archenemy No. 11 Michigan St. (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) at 12:00 p.m. ET (ABC). We?ve currently got the Spartans listed as 5.5-point favorites and the total pegged at 56.5. Michigan is 0-4 on the O/U this season.
In a battle of SEC unbeatens, Urban Meyer and his No. 5 Florida Gators (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) take on No. 15 Alabama (4-0 ATS, 1-3 ATS) at 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS). We have the Gators as 3.5-point road favorites in this contest and the total has been set at a mere 48 points. Combined, these two defense-oriented teams are 3-5 on the O/U.
And finally, the No. 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS), rejuvenated under coach Charlie Weis, head into the Big Ten to take on No. 22 Purdue (2-1 SU, 0-2-1 ATS) at 7:45 p.m. ET (ESPN). The Boilermakers are 3-point home favorites and the total is listed at 57. Purdue is 3-0 on the O/U this season.
Jones-Tarver trilogy
I?d be remiss if I did not mention the third installment of the Jones-Tarver trilogy, which takes place this Saturday in Tampa, Florida (HBO-PPV).
Jones, who once appeared unbeatable, was knocked out by Tarver in May 2004 for the light heavyweight title. That was the second meeting of these long-time rivals.
Six months earlier, Jones beat Tarver in a 12-round majority decision, a fight which many felt Tarver had won. Four months after losing to Tarver in fight No. 2, Jones was again KO?d, this time by little-known Glen Johnson.
That was a little over a year ago now, and Jones has not fought since. Tarver, meanwhile, went on to fight Johnson twice, losing the first time in a 12-round split decision and winning by unanimous decision in the rematch back in June.
Due in part to his long layoff and his devotion to TV rather than boxing, Jones (49-3, 38 KOs) is the underdog in this contest. We have him listed at +170, with Tarver (23-3, 18 KOs) at -200.
Good luck with your bets.
BetWWTS
Will this be the week that ends the streak?
Riding a 25-game win streak, the national champion USC Trojans charge into Tempe on Saturday to take on No. 14 Arizona St. (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
The Trojans, who are 3-0 both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) this season, will be looking to break the PAC-10?s record for consecutive wins. The school holds the current record, which is set from 1931-1933.
But the No. 1 ranked Trojans will be facing their first big test of the season. The Sun Devils are 3-1 SU and ATS so far with their only loss coming against emotionally-inspired LSU, 35-31.
That game was supposed to be the Tigers? home-opener, but because of hurricane Katrina it was moved to Tempe, with proceeds of the game being donated to hurricane relief.
As was pointed out in an Associated Press article this week, a couple of notable winning streaks have ended at Sun Devil Stadium in recent years.
One of those winning streaks was a 34-game run by Miami that ended dramatically in the Fiesta Bowl back in 2003. In the national championship game, the Hurricanes were beaten by Ohio St. 31-24 in overtime to end their streak.
Seven years earlier, the Sun Devils, led by quarterback Jake Plummer, ended Nebraska?s 26-game run with a 19-0 thumping.
While the location may seem appropriate, the chances the Sun Devils will pull off an upset seems remote. The Trojans are in the midst of a dynasty having been crowned national champions two years running.
Led by reigning Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart at quarterback, USC has arguably one of the best teams in college football history.
Who do the Sun Devils have?
Well, they have a pretty solid quarterback themselves in Sam Keller. The 6-foot-4, 227-pound junior actually leads the nation with more than 1,400 yards passing and 16 TDs in four games.
While those numbers may be slightly skewed since Arizona St. has played four games compared to three for many others, the Sun Devils? offense is still No. 5 in the nation in scoring with 47 points per game (ppg).
The Trojans, meanwhile, are second overall in scoring (59.3 ppg) due in part to their 70-17 slaughter of the Razorbacks and their 63-17 wipeout of Hawaii.
With a couple of high-powered offenses squaring off, we?ve got the total posted at a lofty 72 points in this matchup. The Sun Devils are 3-1 on the under so far this year and USC is 2-1.
While Arizona St. may be USC?s toughest opponent to date, the Trojans seem to be in a different league than anyone else in college football. Thus, we?ve got them pegged as a 16-point favorite. Granted, that is their first spread under 20 this season.
The Trojans have won their last five meetings with the Sun Devils. The last time they faced each other in Tempe was in October 2003 when the Trojans won 37-17 as an 11.5-point chalk. That was the first victory of USC?s current win streak.
Other noteworthy games:
In Big Ten action, Michigan (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) visits archenemy No. 11 Michigan St. (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) at 12:00 p.m. ET (ABC). We?ve currently got the Spartans listed as 5.5-point favorites and the total pegged at 56.5. Michigan is 0-4 on the O/U this season.
In a battle of SEC unbeatens, Urban Meyer and his No. 5 Florida Gators (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) take on No. 15 Alabama (4-0 ATS, 1-3 ATS) at 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS). We have the Gators as 3.5-point road favorites in this contest and the total has been set at a mere 48 points. Combined, these two defense-oriented teams are 3-5 on the O/U.
And finally, the No. 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS), rejuvenated under coach Charlie Weis, head into the Big Ten to take on No. 22 Purdue (2-1 SU, 0-2-1 ATS) at 7:45 p.m. ET (ESPN). The Boilermakers are 3-point home favorites and the total is listed at 57. Purdue is 3-0 on the O/U this season.
Jones-Tarver trilogy
I?d be remiss if I did not mention the third installment of the Jones-Tarver trilogy, which takes place this Saturday in Tampa, Florida (HBO-PPV).
Jones, who once appeared unbeatable, was knocked out by Tarver in May 2004 for the light heavyweight title. That was the second meeting of these long-time rivals.
Six months earlier, Jones beat Tarver in a 12-round majority decision, a fight which many felt Tarver had won. Four months after losing to Tarver in fight No. 2, Jones was again KO?d, this time by little-known Glen Johnson.
That was a little over a year ago now, and Jones has not fought since. Tarver, meanwhile, went on to fight Johnson twice, losing the first time in a 12-round split decision and winning by unanimous decision in the rematch back in June.
Due in part to his long layoff and his devotion to TV rather than boxing, Jones (49-3, 38 KOs) is the underdog in this contest. We have him listed at +170, with Tarver (23-3, 18 KOs) at -200.
Good luck with your bets.
BetWWTS
