SERVICE PLAYS FOR WEDNESDAY 1/2

[GIANTS007]

Burns
Main Event- West Virginia

Game: West Virginia at Oklahoma Jan 2 2008 8:00PM
Prediction: West Virginia
Reason: I'm taking the points with WEST VIRGINIA. These are both excellent teams. Both are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and both could have easily been playing for the national title. Naturally, you've heard all about the West Virginia "coaching situation" by now. I won't try and argue that this is a "positive" thing for the Mountaineers. However, I don't think it will have as big a "negative" effect as most people are expecting. This is an experienced team with a lot of pride and I really think that they'll come into this game with something to prove. The Mountaineers' two losses came when their leader (Pat White NOT coach Rich Rodriguez) wasn't 100% and had gotten hurt. White, the Big East record holder for rushing yards by a quarterback, is reportedly back to 100% now though. He had another terrific season and the combination of he and tailback Steve Slaton, who ran for 17 TDs and his third straight 1,000-yard season, are as deadly as any duo in the game. White, the two-time reigning Big East player of the year, can also throw the ball though, as evidenced by his 12 touchdown passes (he ran for 14) to only four interceptions. He'll have the advantage of facing an Oklahoma secondary which is missing All-Big 12 cornerback Reggie Smith. Lendy Holmes, who usually starts at safety, would have replaced him. However, he's been ruled academically ineligible, leaving the Sooners without a couple of key members from their secondary. While the Sooners are still strong defensively, I expect those losses to be felt. While not many people talk about the Mountaineers' defense, they are also outstanding on that side of the ball. In fact, they only allowed an average of 16.3 points in their six road games and a mere 12.7 points (only 285 yards per game!) in their three games played on grass. The Sooners lost here last season and have just one win in their past four Bowl games. Their last two Bowls have been decided by a single point (42-43 here last year) and by a field goal, 17-14 two seasons ago. The Mountaineers, on the other hand, have won their past two Bowl games. Note that both of them were both decided by a field goal. White and co. really want to show the world that they're a better team than the one that lost to Pittsburgh and also that they were the ones that made this team Big East champions, not Coach Rodriguez. Look for an inspired effort as they take this game down to the wire, earning at least the cover and improving to 5-2 ATS the last seven times they were listed as underdogs. *Main Event

 

[GIANTS007]

******* Edge

OVERVIEW: The third leg of the BCS, the Fiesta Bowl, offers perhaps the best matchup of any bowl game in 2007-08, West Virginia and Oklahoma. Both teams were frontrunners for the national title for much of the season, and come into this game with two losses. Oklahoma played and won one more game, which could prove significant since an amazing trend has formed in the Fiesta Bowl in which the team with the better straight up record has won ten games in a row, both SU & ATS! WVU has struggled defensively in bowl games, allowing at least 30 points & 37 PPG in its L8. The Mountaineers are also just 2-10 ATS in L12 road games vs. teams outscoring opponents by 17+ PPG. HC Bob Stoops? team has lost three straight BCS bowl games, both SU & ATS, including this same one a year ago to Boise State.
******* Forecaster: OKLAHOMA 32, W VIRGINIA 29

******* Bryan says: The Fiesta Bowl may be the most exciting BCS offering this year. Oklahoma is playing as well as any team in the country, trouncing #1 Missouri 38-17 to get here. Epic disappointment and shattered National Championship dreams follow West Virginia. For fans from Morgantown, two questions must be answered: (a) Is QB Pat White healthy, and (b) has the nationwide manhunt for RB Steve Slaton proven successful? The infamous Rich Rodriguez offense fell well short of expectation vs. Pitt without White at the helm and Slaton was an abject failure, a bad sign with the nation?s 8th-ranked rush defense up next. Oklahoma carries one of the most balanced offensive attacks in college football supported by what may be the best offensive line in the business. The Sooners also carry a significant advantage in the WR corps, averaging over 100 receiving yards more per game than the Mountaineers. If Rodriguez can motivate and get the West Virginia offense flowing, this will be a historic battle for ages. If not, the Sooners will dominate. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops may be just 1-3 SU & ATS in recent bowl games, but it is Rodriguez and company that must overcome recent failures and prove their mettle.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma by 7

 

[GIANTS007]

Vegas Experts Tip Of The Day

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

lost last night
0-1 month of Jan
50~31 last 3 months

Detroit comes in with double-revenge which ought to be enough to get it motivated. Pistons lost two in a row to the Wizards last January, one home and one away, and haven't seen the Washington squad since. DETROIT is 12-1 ATS versus teams like the Wizards who attempt 18 or more 3 point shots/game on the season this season while WASHINGTON is 28-51 ATS since 1996 in home games versus teams like Detroit that make 46% or more of their shots.

Play on: Detroit

 

[GIANTS007]

SUNSHINE FORECAST

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

West Virginia(+6?) vs. Oklahoma [Fiesta Bowl]

Power Rating Projection:

Oklahoma 31 West Virginia 28
Statistical Projections

West Virginia 28

Rushing Yards: 243
Passing Yards: 143
Turnovers: 2 Oklahoma 27

Rushing Yards: 146
Passing Yards: 208
Turnovers: 2

SUNSHINE FORECAST Official Prediction:

West Virginia 36 Oklahoma 29
West Virginia (1 star)

 

[GIANTS007]

RED ZONE SPORTS

WISCONSIN BADGERS IN CBB WEDNESDAY

 

[GIANTS007]

ace-ace / allan eastman

23-29 nba
atl +5

17-10 ncaa
dayton

 

[GIANTS007]

Joe Wiz

NBA
Orlando (-6.5)

 

[GIANTS007]

ARMVIN SPORTS

CFB
1/2/2008
WEST VIRGINIA at OKLAHOMA Under 63

CBB
1/2/2008
TULANE -1
BRADLEY 8
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 5
NEW MEXICO STATE -8.5


NHL
1/2/2008
EDMONTON at ST LOUIS Over 5

 

[GIANTS007]

SPREITZER-----

BB KO-- CREIGHTON

 

[GIANTS007]

Kelso

Oklahoma -7.5 v. WVU 25 units

 

[GIANTS007]

Big AL

At 8 pm, our selection is on the West Virginia Mountaineers plus the points over Oklahoma.

At 8:35 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Mavericks minus the points over Golden State.

At 7 pm, our selection is on the Massachusetts Minutemen minus the points over Houston.

At 7 pm, our selection is on the Dayton Flyers minus the points over Akron.
__________________

 

[GIANTS007]

TOM SCOTT'S SIX STAR BOWL GAME OF THE YEAR!

OKLAHOMA over West Virginia by 19

I won't bore you with all the numbers that apply to Oklahoma in this game, there are too many to list. Suffice it to say that the Sooners have been waiting for this game since taking the biggest tumble of any bowl team last season. After that Statue-of-Liberty play sealed Boise State's win over the Sooners, they, to a man, vowed to be back in a BCS game and to leave no doubt as to who was the best team in that game. They probably would have out-muscled the Mountaineers anyway, but they got some unexpected help from Michigan, who pilfered the astute WVU coach Rich Rodriguez, a brilliant game coach, away before he could get to this bowl game. West Virginia hasn't seen a defense as fast or as strong as Oklahoma's all season. With the Sooner intensity as the highest level and with the Mountaineer confidence at rock bottom after that devastating home loss to Pittsburgh, Oklahoma takes command early and runs away with the Fiesta Bowl trophy.
PREDICTION: OKLAHOMA 36 - West Virginia 17

---------------------------------------------------------------------

TOM SCOTT'S SUPER DOG PLAY!
Southern Illinois at DRAKE - 8:00 PM EST
Play ON: #769 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS plus the points
I'm not that hard to figure out when it comes to picking basketball games. Give me an underdog who has dominated the series every time. Such is the case with the Salukis tonight. The Egyptian Dogs have beaten Drake 32 times in the last 36 meetings and were favored in 34 of those 36 games. (SIU was +1 and +2 in the other two games, never +4!) Although Southern Illinois has had considerable trouble getting up an over the number as a favorite, the Carbondale Kids shine as underdogs posting a 32-13 ATS mark in that role since the 2001 season started. Included in that 32-13 mark is a 26-9 ATS log when coming off a win, a 20-4 record when the opponent is off a SUATS win and a perfect 9-0 to the number when the enemy is off back-to-back SU and ATS wins. All of those trends apply here. It's the old DDDIAAA theory here. Dominating Dogs Do It Again And Again.
PREDICTION: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 74 - Drake 67

 

[GIANTS007]

NORTHCOAST POWER SWEEPS: ( 23-4 !!!!!!!!!!)

WV & Oklahoma last played in 1982 when the Mountaineers pulled off a 41-27 (+14?) upset.
Oklahoma is 18-2-1 (5-2 ATS) vs teams from the BE. West Virginia is 9-8 (4-2 ATS) vs teams from Big
12. OK is 2-5 ATS as an AF incl 1-2 at a neutral site. WV is making its 1st trip to the Fiesta Bowl since
the 1988 National Championship (34-21 loss to ND) and are in their 6th straight bowl (2-3 SU & 1-4
ATS). OK will make their 2nd straight Fiesta Bowl appearance losing here LY to Boise St on the much
talked about Statue of Liberty 2 pt conv. WV is making their 2nd BCS bowl in 3Y, defeating UGA in
?05, 38-35 (+6). WV has played 8 bowl caliber teams going 7-1 SU (4-4 ATS) outscoring opp?s 37-17
& outgaining them 460-302. OK has played 7 bowl teams (MO 2x) going 6-2 SU (4-4 ATS) outscoring
those opp?s 39-23 & outgaining them 415-370. Both these teams last played on Dec 1st. OK jumped
to #3 after an impressive 21 pt win over #1 Missouri in the Big 12 Champ gm. If not for QB Bradford?s
concussion in the TT loss, OK would be playing for the National Championship. WV needed just one
more win to be in the National Title game but became the 7th #2 to get knocked off TY losing to rival
Pitt as a 29 pt favorite in the finale. WV has 10 senior starters among 19 upperclassmen while OK
has 6 among 17. WV will be well represented as they have sold their allotment of tickets the last 4
bowl gms & with OK playing here LY, their fans (who always travel) will be on familiar ground.
Oklahoma started TY off as the most dominant team in the NCAA. They did taper off a bit, but ended
the ssn strong with blow out wins vs in-state rival OKSt and Missouri allowing them to earn a 5th Big 12
Title. Oklahoma has our #7 ranked offense avg the 3rd highest in scoring with 43.4 ppg & 451 ypg. RFr
QB Bradford did not win the starting job till fall but finished leading the nation in pass efficiency (180.5).
Stoops was surprised that he wasn?t in the running for the Heisman. RB Murray & Patrick split the load
much of the year but Murray inj?d his knee vs TT and will not play here. Patrick needs 73 rushing yards
to record the 26th individual 1,000-yard season in OK history. The OL avg 6?5? 322, the largest in OK
history paving the way for 192 ypg (4.7) while all?g just 11 sks (3.0%). They are led by AA OG Robinson.
The DL avg 6?3? 276 bolstering the NCAA?s #8 rush defense all?g 92 ypg (2.8) with 24 of the teams 32
sks (75%). OK finished with our #3 D. OK was the 1st team to hold Mizzou under 30 pts led by Big 12
Def POY LB Lofton who had a huge game with 9 tkl, 3 tfl, 1 sk & 1 int. He?s ranked 12th in the NCAA in
total tkls. The secondary features All-B12 S?s Harris & Smith who will miss the bowl due to a broken toe.
They have our #13 pass efficiency defense all?g 232 ypg (61%) with a 15-19 ratio. OK has our #7 ST?s
ranking. Murray returned 2 KR?s for TD but with his injury, Iglesias takes over the workload (28.7).
The Mountaineers have our #4 offense avg 38.9 ppg & 451 ypg. WV?s spread offense is led by 2x BE
Off POY QB White who is also the BE QB rush record holder with 3,542 yds and counting. He was inj?d
in both of WV?s losses TY including for over 2Q?s in the Backyard Brawl (thumb) but should be healthy
here. RB Slaton entered the ssn as a Heisman candidate, but with defenses keying on him he avg?d 60
ypg (4.0) in the L/5 gms. RR, who was named the AFCA COY, will have to use other weapons like FB
Schmitt, RB Devine & WR Reynaud who finished with 32 more rec?s than the next WR. The OL avg 6?5?
297 paving the way for the #4 rush attack with 293 ypg (6.0) all?g just 13 sks (5.3%). WV returned 8 starters
on defense, who vowed to erase LY?s #109 defensive ranking and they finished #4 in the NCAA in ttl
D this year. They have our #10 ranking all?g 17 ppg, 292 ypg with 37 sks. The DL avg 6?3? 283 all?g 108
ypg rush (2.9). The Mountaineers play a 3-3-5 stack defense that applies a lot of pressure and swarms
to the ball. They have our #19 pass eff defense all?g 184 ypg (55%) with a 13-15 ratio. WV has our #30
ST?s led by P/K McAfee, who had a solid year despite 2 costly missed FG?s in the Backyard Brawl.
OU is off a feel good win securing another B12 Title while interim HC has to get the Mountaineers
re-focused after a devastating loss knocking them from the National Title game and with the departure
of RR to Michigan. Oklahoma?s defense is loaded with VHT?s and they have the speed to contain the
Slaton/White rush attack. OU?s offense doesn?t get the attention their defense does but they did avg 35
ppg in B12 play. Oklahoma will be a focused squad in this Fiesta Bowl after losing to Boise last year.
FORECAST: OKLAHOMA 35 WEST VIRGINIA 24 RATING: 2★

 

[GIANTS007]

187 Sports - Ryan Nova

NBA
1* New Orleans Hornets
NHL
1*Florida Panthers
CFB
3* Oklahoma Sooners

 

[noteworthy66]

I just read on an OU site that 5 starters will not play tonight.

I just read on an OU site that 5 starters will not play tonight.

due to injury, grades and shop lifting. It just came out the good wide receiver Kelley will not play much do to a deep bruise in his leg that happened during practice 5 days ago. 4 D starters and 2 O starters.

 

[GIANTS007]

----ROCK DA MAN----

Bowls - Oklahoma

Nba - Cavs

Cbb - U Mass

Nhl - Stars - Over

 

[noteworthy66]

This one scares me but Greg Roberts has been hot during the bowls

This one scares me but Greg Roberts has been hot during the bowls

CONSENSUS 900 PICKS

12:00PM CENTRAL TIME, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2


CONSENSUS 900 - GREG'S TOP PICKS


5* BOWL GAME OF THE YEAR - OKLAHOMA - 7



NEXT UPDATE FOR FOOTBALL WILL BE AT 5:45 PM CENTRAL TIME, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2


SERVICES RANKING COLLEGE / NFL

1. A-PL

1. ATS 1T
2. BANKERS 1T
3. BEN BURNS
4. BIG MONEY
5. BLAZER 4
6. CAROLINA SPORTS
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8. DR. BOB
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10. INSIDE INFO
11. JOE D
12. LENNY STEVENS
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14. NATIONWIDE (GOLDST) 6
15. NERI
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17. POINTWISE
18. PREFERRED PICKS
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22. PURE LOCK

 

[Buck i]

GIANTS007,

Do you know or have the Power Sweep forcast for the National Championship? Thank You and GREAT JOB!!!

 

[peppermillrick]

Drew Gordon Writeup

Drew Gordon Writeup

Drew Gordon:

Today's Games...

1. 200,000♦ Oklahoma
2. 50,000♦ Creighton
3. 50,000♦ Warriors

1. Oklahoma- I gave you 300K Georgia over Hawaii in this spot yesterday for many of the same reasons I believe Oklahoma will win and cover in tonight's Fiesta Bowl. Although I've rated Oklahoma slightly lower than my Georgia winner, they still have superior talent on both sides of the ball, superior coaching, and superior motivation... The only difference in tonight's contest is the Mountaineers aren't exactly pretenders like Hawaii was. Let me break it down further for you...
While Steve Slaton and Pat White make up a dynamic duo in their spread offense, they about to go up against one of the best defenses in the country, bar none. The Sooners have the speed to contain the Mountaineers vaunted rushing attack, and the numbers prove it, allowing a miniscule 2.8 rushing yards per carry on the season! An outstanding front 7 led by D-lineman English and Granger, not to mention Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year LB Curtis Lofton, can and will control the line of scrimmage. An injury to CB Reggie Smith is unfortunate, but the Sooners have plenty of talent in the secondary including CB Wolfe.
A lot of people have slept on this Oklahoma offense, but make no mistake, they're one of the most physical and dangerous units anywhere. It all start up front with the biggest O-line in Sooners history, anchored by OG Robinson. They've allowed only 11 sacks all year and average 4.7 yards per carry. QB Sam Bradford has been outstanding, leading the NCAA in passing efficiency with a 34 TD to 7 INT ratio, tossing to his stable of talented receivers. Although RB Murray is out, the combo of RBs Patrick and Brown will be just as effective.
Finally, let's talk motivation, as Oklahoma has been stewing over their loss to Boise State in last year's Fiesta Bowl all year. They've had to watch highlight after highlight, replyed on national TV for the ENTIRE college season. Let me make one thing clear: Few if any teams are as motivated as Oklahoma will be tonight, and that's a scary thought for West Virginia backers.
Bottom line, while West Virginia will score some, this game will be all Oklahoma, as the Sooners have the necessary edges to both win and cover this contest with ease. Look for a focused effort from this Oklahoma squad as they erase the memory of last year's Fiesta Bowl, replacing it with a lopsided win here tonight.
Take Oklahoma comfortably over West Virginia as your top-rated play of the day.

2. Creighton- This is a bad match up for an average Indiana State team, as they maybe undefeated 5-0 at home, but those wins came against cupcakes, and Creighton is no cupcake.
The Blue Jays are coming off an ugly loss at Illinois State, and will make sure to refocus their efforts tonight at the Hulman Center. Creighton was not its usual self, being uncharacteristically careless with the basketball. The Sycamores have neither the defense, not the personnel capable of limiting this Blue Jays sqaud, allowing 66 ppg on 44% shooting on the season.
Both teams rely on balance to score the basketball, but the problem for Indiana State is their level of balance is far below Creighton's. While the Sycamores rely on a guard-heavy rotation, only G Gabriel Moore shoots over 40% and has a respectable assist : turnover ratio. The Blue Jays meanwhile, are led by F Dane Watts, but also have tremendous depth, running a rotation that runs 11 deep! In other words, look for the Blue Jays to really take control of this game as soon as Indiana State goes to the bech, because the drop-off for the Sycamores is significant.
Finally, besides the fact Creighton has played much better competition, they've been extremely profitable on the road, going 9-3 ATS over their last 12 away. Not to mention the fact they've been cash-machine overall, going 19-8 ATS over their last 27 games. Coming off that loss to Illinois State, I expect a much more focused effort against an inferior Sycamores squad tonight. Blue Jays roll!
Take Creighton over Indiana State in this college hoops match up.

3. Warriors- Whenever the Warriors match up against the Mavs, alarm bells start sounding, as Golden State is 9-1 ATS over their last 10 meetings, not to mention 7-1 ATS over their last 8 in Dallas! Some teams just don't match up well with the Warriors all-out run-and-gun style of basketball, and Dallas just happens to be one of the worst.
Also, the fact that the Mavericks beat the Warriors (but failed to cover) earlier this season, will have Golden State in redemption mode, especially because that game didn't feature G Steven Jackson, who's critical to this offense. Warriors are ripping 109 ppg over their last 5 games, and Dallas' usually solid defense has yet to find a way to stop them.
What's more troubling is the Mavericks are currently in an offensive funk, averaging just 95 ppg over their last 5 (a 5-point drop-off from their seasonal average). This is significant because you know damn well the Warriors won't stop coming. Josh Howard is having a career season, but both Nowitzki and Harris haven't shown the improvement you'd expect. Dallas is not the same team without its offense firing on all cylinders.
Bottom line, more of the same Golden State dominance tonight, as the Mavs are in no condition to be battling with the surging Warriors (outright wins at both Denver & Houston last two games). Steven Jackson's presence in this meeting changes everything, as Dallas will be forced to respect his shot, spreading their defense out and opening lanes for Baron Davis to penetrate and cause havoc. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Warriors won this game outright, but we'll take the points.
Take the Warriors plus the points over the Mavericks in this NBA match up.

 

[GIANTS007]

GIANTS007,

Do you know or have the Power Sweep forcast for the National Championship? Thank You and GREAT JOB!!!

HERE YA GO BUCK I !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

NOTE: POWERSWEEP FOR NATL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

The craziest season ever ends with the matchup that most expected on Nov 4th, the 1st time TY that
these 2 were ranked #1-2. Since then both have lost gms & won conf championships while others fell victim
to the upset bug. They have met twice previously with OSU holding a 1-0-1 SU & 2-0 ATS advantage. This
is OSU?s 3rd title gm under Tressel (1-1 SU & ATS) while this is LSU?s 2nd BCS Championship gm following
their ?03 upset of Okla under Saban. Tressel is 4-2 SU & ATS in bowls incl a 33-7 win over Miles? OkSt tm in
the ?04 Alamo Bowl. Miles is 3-2 SU & 2-2-1 ATS in the post season incl 2-0 SU & ATS at LSU. Despite the
fact that Miles is a Michigan alum, he met with all of OSU?s coaching staff last spring in a friendly exchange
of ideas. The Tigers are playing just 65 miles away from their campus in the Superdome where they?ve gone
3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS the L/5Y. OSU is 1-2 SU & 0-3 ATS in the dome. LSU has played the tougher sked with 9
gms vs bowl eligible tms (7-2 SU & 2-5-2 ATS) outscoring them 36-24 and outgaining them 437-294. OSU
played 7 bowl eligible squads going 6-1 SU & 5-2 ATS outscoring them 31-14 and outgaining them 378-230.
OSU is 0-8 SU & ATS all-time vs the SEC in bowls. LSU is 1-2 SU & ATS in the post season vs the B10.
OSU is 11-3 ATS away the L/3Y (4-1 ATS TY). The Bucks have pulled upsets the L/3 times they?ve been
installed as dogs (1st time TY) while LSU was favored in every gm (4-7-2 TY). OSU has just 3 Sr starters
and 13 upperclassmen while LSU has 12 Sr?s among their 18 upperclassmen. OSU once again has 51 days
between gms which caused Tressel to change their entire post season routine while LSU has 37.
OSU?s 2007 season unofficially began on Jan 8th when the favored Bucks were humiliated 41-14
by Florida in the BCS Title game. Tressel used that score as off-season motivation as it was the players?
access code to get into their conditioning sessions. A soft early sked allowed new starting QB Boeckman
to learn on the field. Boeckman?s confidence ebbed with the Penn St game where he hit 19-26 for 253
yds and 3 TD?s and Lee Corso started comparing the 6?5? Jr to Tom Brady. Boeckman struggled in the
L/2 however tossing 3 costly int?s in the loss to Illinois and being limited to two 2H passes after a shaky
1H in wet weather vs Mich. Tressel says that he throws the deep ball better than any Buck QB he?s had
which opens the field for RB Beanie Wells. Wells shook off knee, ankle and hand inj?s to lead the Big
Ten in rushing during conf play. WR?s Robiskie and Hartline both measure 6?3? and are perfect jump ball
targets. Broyles Award winner Heacock?s D led the NCAA in total, scoring, and pass eff D. The Big Ten?s
DL of the year was DE Gholston and its Defensive POY was Butkus winner Laurinaitis. OSU is #11 in our
pass eff D with Jenkins splitting time between CB & S. OSU?s ST?s were UnTressel-like ranking #41 and
finishing the season #117 in KR avg, all?g 2 KR TD?s while 3 Pretorius FG?s or xp?s were blocked.
LSU began the season strong with a 48-7 domination of #9 VT, but then the inj?s started to pile up with
top WR Doucet (missed 4) & QB Flynn both missing the MT gm. After beginning the ssn on a 3-0 ATS run,
the Tigers went 1-7-2 ATS the L/10 and somehow won the SEC Champ gm despite playing without QB
Flynn and Lombardi/Outland/Lott winner DT Dorsey who wasn?t 100% the rest of the year after a chop
block suffered in their last minute win over Aub. With Dorsey hobbled, they all?d 26 ppg & 305 ypg the L/5
while only all?g 15 ppg, 232 ypg in their 1st 8. Flynn threw 3 int vs Bama after taking a hit early in that gm,
and threw 2 the next wk vs LT. In all, LSU played 6 gms that were decided by 7 pts or less and ended up
losing two in 3 OT?s (both when ranked #1). The good news for LSU is that the time off should give all the
inj?d players enough time to heal for the bowl. Overall LSU has the offensive edge (#14-33), but OSU has
a slight defensive edge (#1-5). LSU?s normally strong ST?s finished #87 due to a subpar return gm, but
PK David set school single ssn & career records for FG?s & pts.
One major distraction for LSU TY was the status of their coaches with Miles agonizing over rumors
that he was leaving for his alma-mater Michigan and DC Pelini being hired as Nebraska?s new HC. Miles
agreed to stay at LSU & Pelini is expected to coach the bowl. OSU will be looking for redemption after
LY?s sluggish effort in the BCS Champ gm and the Bucks would love to quiet critics who say that the SEC
is vastly superior in the speed dept. Befitting this odd year, LSU is the first two loss team to make it to
the BCS title gm and despite being ranked #2 find themselves favored. The dog has won 5 out of the L/7
champ games. This will be won in the trenches so expect the Buckeyes defense and OL to come up big
and give OSU their second National Championship in the last 6 years.
FORECAST: OHIO ST (+) 23 LSU 20 RATING: 3★