SERVICE PLAYS FOR WEDNESDAY 1/2
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Winning Points Online NCAAB
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
9 pm
***BEST BET
UTEP* over New Mexico by 15
They say that something has to give when these old rivals
get together tonight in the Don Haskins Center.
UTEP has won five straight. New Mexico has won five in a row.
UTEP is averaging 79.8 points a game, and New Mexico is giving
up an average of just 58.4 points a game.
UTEP is 9-2, and New Mexico is 12-2.
"We have enough offensive power to beat anybody. But we have
to rebound and play defense to win," says UTEP senior forward
Victor Ramalho. Although UTEP is not a big team, they get more
rebounds per game than New Mexico, not a good rebounding
team.
"You play at this level, hold a team to 23 percent shooting, tied
a Pit record for fewest points allowed, in this era of basketball,
that's doing something," Alford said after his team's 62-32 win
over Weber State on Dec. 23. This was a spectacular defensive
performance."
No, it wasn't. Weber State couldn't hit water from a boat. Nobody
on New Mexico is playing more than 22 minutes per game, which
is fine until you get out on the road against a good team and you
watch your new defensive system fall apart, and then struggle
to score at the same time when your best scorer (J.R. Giddens)
gets into foul trouble. UTEP plays the Attack, Attack, Skip, Attack,
Attack style that spreads the floor and opens the inside for
guards to drive to the hoop and draw fouls. New Mexico head
coach Steve Alford didn't see any of that in the Big Ten and
hasn't seen it in prior road games at Wyoming or Hawaii. UTEP
leading scorer, guard Stephon Jackson, is tied for the No. 2 spot
in the nation in free throw attempts with 118. By contrast,
Giddens has shot 47 free throws in three more games.
"Our depth isn't something that's going to wear them down,"
says Alford. Thanks for the heads-up, coach! UTEP, 81-66.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
9 pm
***BEST BET
UTEP* over New Mexico by 15
They say that something has to give when these old rivals
get together tonight in the Don Haskins Center.
UTEP has won five straight. New Mexico has won five in a row.
UTEP is averaging 79.8 points a game, and New Mexico is giving
up an average of just 58.4 points a game.
UTEP is 9-2, and New Mexico is 12-2.
"We have enough offensive power to beat anybody. But we have
to rebound and play defense to win," says UTEP senior forward
Victor Ramalho. Although UTEP is not a big team, they get more
rebounds per game than New Mexico, not a good rebounding
team.
"You play at this level, hold a team to 23 percent shooting, tied
a Pit record for fewest points allowed, in this era of basketball,
that's doing something," Alford said after his team's 62-32 win
over Weber State on Dec. 23. This was a spectacular defensive
performance."
No, it wasn't. Weber State couldn't hit water from a boat. Nobody
on New Mexico is playing more than 22 minutes per game, which
is fine until you get out on the road against a good team and you
watch your new defensive system fall apart, and then struggle
to score at the same time when your best scorer (J.R. Giddens)
gets into foul trouble. UTEP plays the Attack, Attack, Skip, Attack,
Attack style that spreads the floor and opens the inside for
guards to drive to the hoop and draw fouls. New Mexico head
coach Steve Alford didn't see any of that in the Big Ten and
hasn't seen it in prior road games at Wyoming or Hawaii. UTEP
leading scorer, guard Stephon Jackson, is tied for the No. 2 spot
in the nation in free throw attempts with 118. By contrast,
Giddens has shot 47 free throws in three more games.
"Our depth isn't something that's going to wear them down,"
says Alford. Thanks for the heads-up, coach! UTEP, 81-66.
Purelock
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PureLock Sports Premium Picks 1-2-08
NBA
DETROIT @ WASHINGTON 7:05 PM EST
PLAY ON: DETROIT (-) PTS
HOUSTON @ BOSTON 7:35 PM EST
PLAY ON: BOSTON (-) PTS
SACRAMENTO @ NEW YORK 7:35 PM EST
PLAY ON: NEW YORK (-) PTS
CBB
SOUTH ALABAMA @ FLORIDA ATLANTIC 7:00 PM EST
PLAY ON: SOUTH ALABAMA (-) PTS
LSU VS TULANE 9:00 PM EST
PLAY ON: TULANE (-) PTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PureLock Sports Premium Picks 1-2-08
NBA
DETROIT @ WASHINGTON 7:05 PM EST
PLAY ON: DETROIT (-) PTS
HOUSTON @ BOSTON 7:35 PM EST
PLAY ON: BOSTON (-) PTS
SACRAMENTO @ NEW YORK 7:35 PM EST
PLAY ON: NEW YORK (-) PTS
CBB
SOUTH ALABAMA @ FLORIDA ATLANTIC 7:00 PM EST
PLAY ON: SOUTH ALABAMA (-) PTS
LSU VS TULANE 9:00 PM EST
PLAY ON: TULANE (-) PTS
***His MONEY MAKER plays are 10-4 TY in NCAA Football***
This is Roots fourth Bowl Game of Year. Colorado, Michigan and Oregon were his first three
Winning Points College Hoops Pick of the Day
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
9 pm
***BEST BET
UTEP* over New Mexico by 15
They say that something has to give when these old rivals
get together tonight in the Don Haskins Center.
UTEP has won five straight. New Mexico has won five in a row.
UTEP is averaging 79.8 points a game, and New Mexico is giving
up an average of just 58.4 points a game.
UTEP is 9-2, and New Mexico is 12-2.
"We have enough offensive power to beat anybody. But we have
to rebound and play defense to win," says UTEP senior forward
Victor Ramalho. Although UTEP is not a big team, they get more
rebounds per game than New Mexico, not a good rebounding
team.
"You play at this level, hold a team to 23 percent shooting, tied
a Pit record for fewest points allowed, in this era of basketball,
that's doing something," Alford said after his team's 62-32 win
over Weber State on Dec. 23. This was a spectacular defensive
performance."
No, it wasn't. Weber State couldn't hit water from a boat. Nobody
on New Mexico is playing more than 22 minutes per game, which
is fine until you get out on the road against a good team and you
watch your new defensive system fall apart, and then struggle
to score at the same time when your best scorer (J.R. Giddens)
gets into foul trouble. UTEP plays the Attack, Attack, Skip, Attack,
Attack style that spreads the floor and opens the inside for
guards to drive to the hoop and draw fouls. New Mexico head
coach Steve Alford didn't see any of that in the Big Ten and
hasn't seen it in prior road games at Wyoming or Hawaii. UTEP
leading scorer, guard Stephon Jackson, is tied for the No. 2 spot
in the nation in free throw attempts with 118. By contrast,
Giddens has shot 47 free throws in three more games.
"Our depth isn't something that's going to wear them down,"
says Alford. Thanks for the heads-up, coach! UTEP, 81-66.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
9 pm
***BEST BET
UTEP* over New Mexico by 15
They say that something has to give when these old rivals
get together tonight in the Don Haskins Center.
UTEP has won five straight. New Mexico has won five in a row.
UTEP is averaging 79.8 points a game, and New Mexico is giving
up an average of just 58.4 points a game.
UTEP is 9-2, and New Mexico is 12-2.
"We have enough offensive power to beat anybody. But we have
to rebound and play defense to win," says UTEP senior forward
Victor Ramalho. Although UTEP is not a big team, they get more
rebounds per game than New Mexico, not a good rebounding
team.
"You play at this level, hold a team to 23 percent shooting, tied
a Pit record for fewest points allowed, in this era of basketball,
that's doing something," Alford said after his team's 62-32 win
over Weber State on Dec. 23. This was a spectacular defensive
performance."
No, it wasn't. Weber State couldn't hit water from a boat. Nobody
on New Mexico is playing more than 22 minutes per game, which
is fine until you get out on the road against a good team and you
watch your new defensive system fall apart, and then struggle
to score at the same time when your best scorer (J.R. Giddens)
gets into foul trouble. UTEP plays the Attack, Attack, Skip, Attack,
Attack style that spreads the floor and opens the inside for
guards to drive to the hoop and draw fouls. New Mexico head
coach Steve Alford didn't see any of that in the Big Ten and
hasn't seen it in prior road games at Wyoming or Hawaii. UTEP
leading scorer, guard Stephon Jackson, is tied for the No. 2 spot
in the nation in free throw attempts with 118. By contrast,
Giddens has shot 47 free throws in three more games.
"Our depth isn't something that's going to wear them down,"
says Alford. Thanks for the heads-up, coach! UTEP, 81-66.
Anyone have Doc sports bowl pic they are 8-0 the last 8 bowl pks?
Anyone have Doc sports bowl pic they are 8-0 the last 8 bowl pks?
thanks
Anyone have Doc sports bowl pic they are 8-0 the last 8 bowl pks?
thanks
Mike Volpe
Fiesta BowlJanuary 2, 20088 PM ET
Virginia Mountaineers (O/U 64.5) versus Oklahoma Sooners -7 There are two ways to look at this game. The first is that West Virginia will be so down after their inexplicable loss at home to pathetic Pittsburgh, that kept them out of the _title_ game, that the Mountaineers will just fold their tents and get run out of Phoenix Stadium The second is that West Virginia will come out firing and take out their frustration onthe Oklahoma Sooners. I am choosing option number 2. If West Virginia had won that Pittsburgh game, THEY would be the seven point favorites in this game. I cannot believe one game can make a team fourteen points worse. The Mountaineers are loaded on both sides of the balls. Pat White?s hand will be healed and I look for West Virginia to add to Oklahoma?s horrible Bowl game legacy.
5* Play on the West Virginia Mountaineers +7
Fiesta BowlJanuary 2, 20088 PM ET
Virginia Mountaineers (O/U 64.5) versus Oklahoma Sooners -7 There are two ways to look at this game. The first is that West Virginia will be so down after their inexplicable loss at home to pathetic Pittsburgh, that kept them out of the _title_ game, that the Mountaineers will just fold their tents and get run out of Phoenix Stadium The second is that West Virginia will come out firing and take out their frustration onthe Oklahoma Sooners. I am choosing option number 2. If West Virginia had won that Pittsburgh game, THEY would be the seven point favorites in this game. I cannot believe one game can make a team fourteen points worse. The Mountaineers are loaded on both sides of the balls. Pat White?s hand will be healed and I look for West Virginia to add to Oklahoma?s horrible Bowl game legacy.
5* Play on the West Virginia Mountaineers +7
LineCrusher
4*Dallas -5.5 over Golden State
Dallas is 13-5 in conference play and 14-3 at home so far this season. The Mavs already beat the Warriors 120-115 at Golden State November 8th. Last season Dallas was supposed to challenge for the NBA _title_ but in a shocking 1st round upset Golden State eliminated Dallas 4-2. Highly doubt the Mavs have forgotten last seasons bitter 1st round playoff ouster by the Warriors.
3*Middle Tennessee State +16 over Western Kentucky (8:00 Eastern, time change)
Percentage play on Middle Tennessee State as a double digit conference road underdog in the first meeting of the season playing with double revenge from last season having lost both games vs Western Kentucky. The Blue Raiders are also a computer play tonight.
3*Evansville +12.5 over Northern Iowa
Percentage play on Evansville as a double digit conference road underdog in the first meeting of the season playing with double revenge from last season having lost both games vs Northern Iowa. The Purple Aces are also a computer play tonight.
3*Cal Riverside +15.5 over Pacific
Percentage play on Cal Riverside as a double digit conference road underdog in the first meeting of the season playing with double revenge from last season having lost both games vs Pacific. The Highlanders are also a computer play tonight.
4*Dallas -5.5 over Golden State
Dallas is 13-5 in conference play and 14-3 at home so far this season. The Mavs already beat the Warriors 120-115 at Golden State November 8th. Last season Dallas was supposed to challenge for the NBA _title_ but in a shocking 1st round upset Golden State eliminated Dallas 4-2. Highly doubt the Mavs have forgotten last seasons bitter 1st round playoff ouster by the Warriors.
3*Middle Tennessee State +16 over Western Kentucky (8:00 Eastern, time change)
Percentage play on Middle Tennessee State as a double digit conference road underdog in the first meeting of the season playing with double revenge from last season having lost both games vs Western Kentucky. The Blue Raiders are also a computer play tonight.
3*Evansville +12.5 over Northern Iowa
Percentage play on Evansville as a double digit conference road underdog in the first meeting of the season playing with double revenge from last season having lost both games vs Northern Iowa. The Purple Aces are also a computer play tonight.
3*Cal Riverside +15.5 over Pacific
Percentage play on Cal Riverside as a double digit conference road underdog in the first meeting of the season playing with double revenge from last season having lost both games vs Pacific. The Highlanders are also a computer play tonight.
Bob Balfe
College Football
WVU +7.5 over Oklahoma
The two BCS Games that already were played were blowouts by USC and Georgia. These two teams are evenly matched and all the hype around WVU's coach going to Michigan doesn't mean these players are just going to pack it in. This team has been together all year and knows what they have to do to win. Oklahoma lost a heartbreaker in this game last year against Boise State in what was the best bowl game in College Football history. I doubt this year will be as good, but the game should be very close. West Virginia actually has a defense this year and they will be out to prove that the Pitt loss was a fluke and will save their season with a good performance tonight. Take WVU.
(All hoops wagers should be 1/3 of your average football wager)
NBA Basketball
Jazz -9 over Sixers
College Basketball
UNC -20.5 over Kent State
College Football
WVU +7.5 over Oklahoma
The two BCS Games that already were played were blowouts by USC and Georgia. These two teams are evenly matched and all the hype around WVU's coach going to Michigan doesn't mean these players are just going to pack it in. This team has been together all year and knows what they have to do to win. Oklahoma lost a heartbreaker in this game last year against Boise State in what was the best bowl game in College Football history. I doubt this year will be as good, but the game should be very close. West Virginia actually has a defense this year and they will be out to prove that the Pitt loss was a fluke and will save their season with a good performance tonight. Take WVU.
(All hoops wagers should be 1/3 of your average football wager)
NBA Basketball
Jazz -9 over Sixers
College Basketball
UNC -20.5 over Kent State
Black Magic Sports Picks
Black Magic Sports Picks
NCAA Basketball:
5 Unit Black Magic MVC GOTY on Drake -4.5
The Drake Bulldogs are ready to show the world that they are the team to beat in the Missouri Valley Conference this year. A win tonight over Southern Illinois will prove that they are the real deal. The Salukis have made 6 consecutive tournament births. They are in jeopardy of having that streak end with a 6-6 record on the year. Drake is 10-1 on the season. The Bulldogs are 7-0 ATS in all lined games this season. The Bulldogs are 7-0 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins this season. It will be a packed house at Drake tonight to support the Bulldogs as a small home favorite. This 14-0 System cannot be stopped Wednesday. Cash in with Drake as the favorite.
NCAA Football:
4 Unit Fiesta Bowl BEST BET on West Virginia +8
West Virginia has a healthy Pat White at QB heading into tonight?s Fiesta Bowl. White was a Heisman contender for a reason. His ability to run the spread offense is as good as any quarterback in the country. Oklahoma will have fits against this style of offense that they haven?t seen all year long. It?s the toughest offense to prepare for and WVU will exploit the Sooners? over pursuit of the ball. Oklahoma is 14-33 ATS after allowing 17 points or less in 2 straight games. They won?t be holding this WVU offense down Wednesday. The Sooners are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 January Bowl Games as well. Cash in with West Virginia as the underdog.
NBA:
3 Unit Sharp Play on Cleveland Cavaliers -5
Cleveland has to get their act together if they are going to make a run at the playoffs in the East. They cannot afford to lose this home game to the Hawks and they know it. Atlanta is one of the teams that Cleveland trails in the East standings and they will be giving max effort to knock ?em off tonight. Cleveland is 9-1 ATS in home games after allowing 90 points or less 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons. The Cavs are 25-12 ATS in their last 37 games following a loss. They are great at bouncing back. Cash in with Cleveland as the favorite.
Black Magic Sports Picks
NCAA Basketball:
5 Unit Black Magic MVC GOTY on Drake -4.5
The Drake Bulldogs are ready to show the world that they are the team to beat in the Missouri Valley Conference this year. A win tonight over Southern Illinois will prove that they are the real deal. The Salukis have made 6 consecutive tournament births. They are in jeopardy of having that streak end with a 6-6 record on the year. Drake is 10-1 on the season. The Bulldogs are 7-0 ATS in all lined games this season. The Bulldogs are 7-0 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins this season. It will be a packed house at Drake tonight to support the Bulldogs as a small home favorite. This 14-0 System cannot be stopped Wednesday. Cash in with Drake as the favorite.
NCAA Football:
4 Unit Fiesta Bowl BEST BET on West Virginia +8
West Virginia has a healthy Pat White at QB heading into tonight?s Fiesta Bowl. White was a Heisman contender for a reason. His ability to run the spread offense is as good as any quarterback in the country. Oklahoma will have fits against this style of offense that they haven?t seen all year long. It?s the toughest offense to prepare for and WVU will exploit the Sooners? over pursuit of the ball. Oklahoma is 14-33 ATS after allowing 17 points or less in 2 straight games. They won?t be holding this WVU offense down Wednesday. The Sooners are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 January Bowl Games as well. Cash in with West Virginia as the underdog.
NBA:
3 Unit Sharp Play on Cleveland Cavaliers -5
Cleveland has to get their act together if they are going to make a run at the playoffs in the East. They cannot afford to lose this home game to the Hawks and they know it. Atlanta is one of the teams that Cleveland trails in the East standings and they will be giving max effort to knock ?em off tonight. Cleveland is 9-1 ATS in home games after allowing 90 points or less 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons. The Cavs are 25-12 ATS in their last 37 games following a loss. They are great at bouncing back. Cash in with Cleveland as the favorite.
yo giants...
yo giants...
giant... since northcoast power sweep is so hot right now... and i know you just post up the national pick for them.. can you please post the rest of there picks from northcoast power sweep....thanks
yo giants...
giant... since northcoast power sweep is so hot right now... and i know you just post up the national pick for them.. can you please post the rest of there picks from northcoast power sweep....thanks
Alex ~ Smart
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2*duquesne -5.5
__________________
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2*duquesne -5.5
__________________
HERE YA GO ODAYJIMMY!!!!!!!
First meeting. This will be the Jayhawks 1st ever BCS bowl game, their 11th all-time bowl & 3rd under Mangino.
They last played in the Ft Worth Bowl, a 42-13 (-3) win over Houston in 2005. This is the 3rd KU appearance
in the Orange Bowl (last in ?69, 15-14 loss to Penn St). VT will be making their 15th straight bowl incl 4 BCS
gms under Beamer & have gone 6-8 SU & ATS. They faced Georgia LY in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, a 31-24 loss
(-3). The Hokies have played in one Orange Bowl, a 41-21 (+16) loss to Nebraska in ?96. The Jayhawks won
11 straight & rose to #2 before losing the ssn finale to Missouri 36-28, but it did little to hurt their BCS chances
as MU fell to OU in Big 12 Title gm. VT is by far the toughest def they will meet TY. VT was crushed by LSU
48-7 early in the ssn & lost to BC 14-10 mid-ssn. They redeemed themselves, beating BC 30-16 in the ACC
Champ gm. Under Beamer, VT has had 10+ wins in 7 of 9 ssns. Kansas went 10-1 ATS TY but is 10-14 ATS
(incl bowls) as an AD under Mangino while VT is 12-2 (incl bowls) as an AF the L/3Y. KU has played 5 bowl
caliber teams going 4-1 SU & ATS, outscoring those foes on avg 32-19 & outgaining them on avg 440-391.
VT has played 7 bowl caliber teams (BC 2x) and is 6-2 SU & 5-3 ATS outscoring opp?s on avg 26-19 but were
outgained on avg 334-322. VT plays its HG?s on grass while KU was 0-6 ATS on it before going 3-1 the L/2Y.
The Hokies have 10 seniors among 17 upperclassmen starters and KU has 5 among 18. Both teams should
be represented well here as KU faithful travelled TY with all their success and this is the biggest bowl in school
history while the VT always brings a crowd incl 10,000 that traveled to Durham (23,000 in attn).
Since their early loss to BC, in a game they completely dominated for the first 55 mins, the Hokies have
outscored their opp?s 174-75. QB?s Glennon and Taylor have combined for 23 TD and have embraced their
shared role. RB Ore led the team in rushing but did not have the year that was expected after finishing #1 in
the ACC LY. Their #2 rusher is QB Taylor. The Hokies are avg 199 ypg thru the air and the off ranks #54. The
OL avg 6?4? 320 but only opened holes for 134 ypg (3.4) rush & all?d 49 sks (#114 in NCAA). The strength
of VT is their defense (#5) and the infamous ?Beamer Ball? sp tms (#4). VT is 2nd in the NCAA in scoring
defense only all?g 15.5 ppg. The DL avg 6?3? 277 with 3 Sr starters led by DE Ellis and DT Booker. VT is only
all?g 86 ypg (2.8) and has 43 sks. The LB corps is solid with AA Adibi (#1 tklr) and the return of Hall (#2 tklr),
who missed 4 gms with inj. The Hokies have our #3 ranked pass eff D all?g 207 ypg (53%) and are tied at #3
in NCAA with 9 pass D TD and 21 int. The secondary is led by CB Flowers and ?Macho? Harris, who have 5
int apiece. PR Royal is 8th in the NCAA and has 2 TD. VT has blk?d 117 P?s, FG?s or xp S/?90.
Kansas has our #14 offensive ranking avg 44 ppg & 491 ypg. They rank #2 in scoring offense & #6 in
total offense in the NCAA. KU returned 6 starters from LY but had to replace their top RB, WR and didn?t
know in spring who the QB was going to be. Soph Reesing (5?11?) became the only QB to start every game
under Mangino & was on a 6 gm streak without an int until 2 vs Mizzou. Meier provides a capable backup at
QB & is too athletic to keep off the field. FB-turned-RB McAnderson led the team in rushing as their between
the tackle bruiser while #2 RB Sharp provides the Jayhawks with a speed option. The WR corps is led by
NFL prototype Henry who provides a legit deep threat. The OL avg 6?5? 301 paving the way for 197 ypg (5.0)
but all?d 22 sks (5.0%). They are led by the Big 12?s most legit NFL OL RT Collins (Outland finalist). The def
returned 8 starters from a ?06 squad that all?d 26 ppg. They have our #15 ranking, all?g only 16 ppg (#5 NCAA),
318 ypg & tallying 21 sks. The DL avg 6?3? 266 and solid all?g 91 rush ypg (3.1). The leader of the def is LB
Mortenson, who led the Big 12 in tfl. Nagurski finalist CB Talib led the Big 12 in PD including a 100 yd IR TD
& also added 4 off TD. KU has our #9 pass efficiency defense all?g 227 ypg (58%) with a 16-20 ratio and KU
has our #56 ST?s ranking led by KR Herford who ranks 7th in the NCAA.
The Orange Bowl isn?t a bad consolation considering Kansas had the BCS Championship game in
their sights. Virginia Tech finished at 11-2 and was demolished in an early season marquee game at LSU
and let BC QB Ryan score twice in the final 3 minutes for their second loss. Once they got beat in week
2, their goals changed to winning the ACC and making an Orange Bowl appearance. The difference in
this game may very well come down to the special teams and ?Beamer Ball? will always win that battle.
One of KU?s most potent weapons is KR Herford with a 30 ypr avg but that is also negated by the VT KR
def that allows 18.8 ypr and has 12 TB?s. KU played their biggest game under Mangino in their loss to
Missouri while high profile games have been a norm for VT.
FORECAST: VIRGINIA TECH 30 Kansas 17 RATING: 4★
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These 2 teams have met just once before, a 31-31 tie in 1989. Rutgers is 9-2-1 SU but 5-6 ATS vs current
MAC teams. RU was 2-0 as a DD AF TY while BSU was 3-1 as an AD. Ball St is 3-5-1 SU vs current BE teams
but 6-1 ATS vs non-conf foes the L/2Y. BSU tallied 7 wins for the 1st time S/?96 when they played in their last
bowl (18-15 loss, +6? in LV Bowl). HC Hoke is one of 18 HC to coach at his alma-mater, prior to that he was
an asst at Mich. The Knights are in their 3rd straight bowl & 4th in school history. They beat Kan St 37-10 in
the ?06 Texas Bowl. Prior to RU, Schiano had been an asst in 7 bowls most recently at Miami, Fl. RU played
7 bowl caliber teams (2-5 ATS) being outscored by an avg of 32-25 but outgaining them by 420-398 ypg.
BSU played 4 bowl caliber teams (2-2 ATS) being outscored by an avg of 39-27 and outgained by 521-414.
They had 2 common opponents, Buf & Navy (both 2-0 SU & ATS). RU outscored those two on avg 39-14
and outgained them by a 520-262 ypg margin. BSU outscored them by an avg of 42-23 and outgained them
by 523-402 ypg but needed OT to beat Navy. RU had 12,500 fans LY in the trip to Texas and both schools
are less than 500 miles from Toronto. The Cardinals only avg?d 13,085 fans for their 5 home games.
After a Cinderella 10-2 ssn LY Rutgers finished with a very disappointing 7-5 record. They defeated
#2 USF, but dropped 3 of 5 incl the 41-38 UL loss where they led by 18 in the 2H. The Knights have
our #38 off ranking avg 31 ppg & 437 ypg. QB Teel suffered a thumb inj vs Norfolk St that affected his
throws in 8 gms until the UL game. When he?s healthy this is a very balanced offense. RU is doing
opposing defenses a favor if they don?t give AA RB Rice the ball as he?s the #3 rusher in NCAA. WR?s
Britt & Underwood became just the 26th duo in the NCAA to crack 1,000 yds in the same ssn. The OL
avg 6?5? 308, paving the way for 190 ypg (4.6) allowing just 10 sks (2.8%) which is 2nd fewest in NCAA.
They are led by 3 seniors including OT Zuttah. Rutgers defense allowed 65 ypg more than LY & went
from +11 to -6 in TO margin. They have our #43 ranking all?g 22 ppg, 317 ypg with 35 sks. The smallish
DL avg?s 6?3? 259 all?g 156 rush yds (3.9) led by Sr DT Foster. The secondary has our #33 pass D eff
all?g 161 ypg (51%) with an 11-9 ratio (#2 pass D in NCAA). RU has our #102 ST?s ranking led by K/P
Jeremy ?Judge? Ito who holds the school record for career points scored.
The Cardinals exceeded expectations, winning a share of the MAC West crown with their only MAC
losses to the two Div Champs. They got some national attention when they came up just short of upsetting
a ranked Nebraska team after missing a game winning FG in the final seconds (41-40, +23). This will be
Ball St?s first game in a dome since 1996 (Minny) but they did hold 5 practices in the RCA Dome (Colts), to
get used to playing indoors. They are led by just 3 senior starters (all def) and 15 upperclassmen starters.
Ball St has our #67 offense avg 32 ppg and 432 ypg. They do have our #22 passing offense led by QB
Davis who had five 300+ gms including a career high 422 vs Nebraska and is also the team?s #5 rusher.
Their rushing game took a hit when they lost RB Lewis after just 4 starts as he had two 100+ games and
still finished as the team?s #2 rusher. WR Love is the team?s top receiver and is #7 in the NCAA in all-purp
yds avg 197 ypg. The #2 receiver is Mackey Award semi-finalist TE Hill who is tied with Love in rec TD.
The OL avg 6?4? 290 and has opened holes for 4.1 ypc and all?d just 20 sacks (4.6%). The Cardinals have
our #81 def all?g 26 ppg & 419 ypg. The DL avg just 6?2? 252 and is ranked #99 in NCAA all?g 197 ypg
rush (4.9) with 21 sacks. They are led by DE?s Booker and Crawford, who combined for 29 tfl. The top two
tacklers are LB?s including WLB Haines who was the #6 tackler in the MAC. Ball St has our #89 pass eff
defense all?g 222 ypg (64%) with an 18-18 ratio as the secondary starters combined for 14 int led by CB
Hill. Ball St has our #52 ST?s ranking led by P Miller who finished #3 in the NCAA with a 45.8 avg.
Ball State is thrilled to be making their first bowl appearance since 1996. They got some press early
in the season after the Nebraska game but as we found out everyone scored on the Cornhuskers. They
did finish getting outgained vs bowl eligible teams by 107 ypg. Rutgers finished their season losing 3 of
5 (1-4 ATS) and QB Teel was inconsistent with a thumb injury. Rutgers? goal was clearly to make a BCS
bowl and for the 2nd straight season they end up in a bottom tier post season game. The talent disparity
is overwhelming on the defensive side and with a healthy QB the offense is potnet behind AA RB Rice.
HC Schiano got his disappointed team focused in LY?s Texas Bowl (37-10 vs Kan St) and will motivate
them again to finish the season off with a win.
FORECAST: RUTGERS 38 Ball St 21 RATING: 2★
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tulsa won the only meeting in ?89, 45-10. Since that game BG is 5-6 SU but 8-2 ATS vs current CUSA
teams incl a 52-35 (-3) win over Memphis in their last bowl (?04 GMAC). This will be BG?s 3rd bowl under
HC Brandon, going 2-0 SU & 1-1 ATS, both as the fav. Tul is 6-2 SU & 3-1 ATS vs current MAC schools.
HC Graham was at Rice LY and ended a 45 yr drought leading the Owls to their 1st bowl S/?61 where
they got drilled by Troy 41-17 in the New Orleans Bowl. This is Tulsa?s 4th bowl in 5 yrs and they are 1-2
SU & ATS (all as dogs). BG faced 3 bowl caliber tms going 0-3 SU & 1-2 ATS. They were outgained on
avg 431-405 and outscored 40-23. The Hurricane played 5 bowl caliber tms (UCF 2x) going 3-3 SU & ATS
outgaining them 480-457 but were outscored by a 37-36 avg. Tulsa has 9 Sr?s among 15 upperclassmen
starters while BG has just 5 among 12. BG is 3-2 ATS as an AD TY incl an upset of Minn 32-31 (+14)
while UT is 7-5 ATS as an AF (2-3 TY). BG shared the MAC East Title but lost the tiebreaker. They will
have had 44 days off while UT has had 36 days to think about its Conf Championship loss
BG turned things around TY going 8-4 (best rec?d in MAC) after their 1st losing ssn (4-8) S/?00. QB
Sheehan beat out ret starter Turner, almost doubling Turner?s ?06 pass yds. Turner was moved to a slash
pos and leads the team in rushing. RB Geter was leading the team in rushing as a True, but has been
slowed by nagging inj?s although he still played in 11 gms. Barnes leads the team in rec yds in his 1st
full yr at the position. WR Partridge is the #2 rec, despite missing 5 with a thumb inj and could return
here. The OL has 3 Sr starters incl Rimington finalist C Lichtensteiger & avg 6?4? 295. They did allow
27 sks (5.5%) but opened holes for 4.1 ypc. BG all?d 29.5 ppg (most S/?97) and 205 ypg rushing (4.6)
which is the most in over a decade. The DL avg 6?3? 262 and is led by DE Briggs. The LB unit may be
without WLB Haneline, who is the #2 tackler despite missing 3 with a leg inj. They have our #85 pass
eff def all?g 208 ypg (60%) with a 21-14 ratio. Their bright spot is S Mahone who is #3 in the NCAA in
int. They have our #72 off and our #93 D which is off its best gm of the yr (held a Toledo tm avg 33 ppg
to 10 pts). BG has our #94 ST, which is actually an improvement as they were ranked last in ?06! A big
reason for their ?improvement? is two new kickers in K Vrvilo and P Iovinelli.
Tulsa has our #15 off avg 543 ypg & 40 ppg led by QB Smith. HC Graham made a great hire in
OC Malzahn who incorporated the no-huddle around Smith allowing him to flourish passing for over
300 yds in all 13 gms (CUSA record). He finished #2 in pts accounted for behind Heisman winner
Tebow. He spreads the ball around with 7 rec?s having 26+ catches led by WR Marion who avg 31.9
ypc (#1 NCAA)! The Hurricane run game lost OK transfer Tennial prior to the yr. Adams took over
breaking 1,100 yds. The OL lost 4 Sr starters from LY but actually opened up holes for 168 ypg (4.2),
the most S/?03. The OL is the biggest in the conf avg 6?3? 312 and is led by the right side of Morsey
and Thomas. They have just 1 Sr starter up front and all?d 30 sks (5.8%). Tulsa runs a 3-3-5 def &
the 469 ypg all?d is the most S/?97. The DL is led by DE Hopkins and they avg 6?3? 257 which makes
them a small but fast group as the unit recorded 25 sks but all?d 196 rush ypg (4.6). The LB corps is
the anchor of the D as the top 3 tacklers reside there. Chamberlain & Coleman both rank in the top 20
in NCAA in tkls. Tulsa is getting burned in the secondary ranking #98 in our pass eff D all?g 273 ypg
(59%) with a 28-11 ratio. While the off is potent the def has really cost Tul as it ranks #104 all?g 40+
pts in 6 gms. Tulsa has our #96 ST?s & K Tracy who hit 11-12 FG?s LY has hit just 7-12 and att?d just
1 FG in the L/6 gms. The punt unit has a net of 32.9 (#93 NCAA) due to pooch punts by QB Smith.
Tulsa switched to the no-huddle off and behind QB Smith they finished #1 in ttl off. The offense avg?d
40 ppg and totaled 35+ pts in 9 gms. Unfortunately their quick strike offense left the defense on the field
for extended periods of time and they all?d an avg of 35 ppg and gave up 30+ pts in 9 gms. While not quite
as prolific, BG avg?d 32 ppg and did finish the ssn avg 38 ppg the L/4. Both tms also struggle defending
the pass with our #85 (BG) and #98 pass eff D?s. The total is high at 75 but this bowl has that history and
these teams have topped that total in a combined 7 gms. Sit back relax and enjoy the fireworks.
FORECAST: OVER 75 RATING: 1★
yourwinningpicks college football:
****BEST BET****
Oklahoma (-7.5) VS. West Virginia: You have to wonder
how West Virginia will react after coach Rich
Rodriguez bolted to Michigan but this team has way too
much talent to lose handily against a Sooners squad
that is not as invincible as they have been. The
Mountaineers can run the ball better than anyone and
they will be able to control the clock and grind out
yardage all game. THE PICK: West Virginia (+7.5)
****BEST BET****
Oklahoma (-7.5) VS. West Virginia: You have to wonder
how West Virginia will react after coach Rich
Rodriguez bolted to Michigan but this team has way too
much talent to lose handily against a Sooners squad
that is not as invincible as they have been. The
Mountaineers can run the ball better than anyone and
they will be able to control the clock and grind out
yardage all game. THE PICK: West Virginia (+7.5)
Net Prophet
CFB:
PASS (lean to West Virgina)
NBA:
Memphis +6 over Indiana
NHL:
PASS
CBB:
Houston +6' over UMASS
CFB:
PASS (lean to West Virgina)
NBA:
Memphis +6 over Indiana
NHL:
PASS
CBB:
Houston +6' over UMASS
