Syracuse?s drive for five
by Shawn Sillinger
After four games of the 2005-06 college season, two teams have enjoyed that rare combination of perfection: 4-0 straight up and against the spread. Those two teams are the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Louisville Cardinals. That might not be much of a surprise ? these are two clubs that were expected to lead their respective conferences this year. But they?re not the only ones rolling in dough heading into Week 5.
The Syracuse Orange, East Carolina Pirates and Central Michigan Chippewas are also sitting on top of a big pile of money at 4-0 ATS. PeeDee and the Pirates get the week off, but the other two teams are in action trying to get on the good side of the win-loss column ? each sports a 2-2 SU record. The road ahead looks a lot smoother for Syracuse.
The Orange have a Saturday afternoon (1:30 p.m. Eastern Time) date at the Carrier Dome with the Wyoming Cowboys. Syracuse is a 5.5-point home fave with a total of 38. Handicappers love an ATS winner, and they?re drinking the Orange Kool-Aid these days after a thrilling overtime loss to Iowa and a big win over Illinois. Senior quarterback Perry Patterson Jr. has thrown just one interception to go along with his six touchdown passes. Running back Curtis Brinkley (5.3 yards per carry) has also looked good, but it?s the Orange defense that has fans and players alike buzzing. ?Everybody feels the vibe, like it?s a special time,? senior linebacker Kelvin Smith told reporters. ?Everything?s clicking.?
The Chippewas have a tougher row to hoe Sunday. Wyoming is a decent Mountain West representative, but Central Michigan has to travel to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium. The ?Cats are 2-2 SU (2-1 ATS) coming out of the double-tough SEC, where they played reasonably well in last week?s 26-7 loss to Florida. The Gators were 26.5-point road dogs in that matchup; however, Kentucky?s secondary was good enough to cover the spread and cause the home fans to boo their own QB, perennial Heisman candidate Chris Leak.
With the Chippewas in the middle of a very tough three-game road swing, it will probably take a breakthrough performance from sophomore RB Ontario Sneed to get Central Michigan to 5-0 ATS. Sneed has been held thus far to 3.3 yards per carry and zero rushing touchdowns; he could be due for more against a questionable Kentucky run defense. QB Dan LeFevour has been a touch better at 3.4 YAC, but he suffered back spasms last week against Eastern Michigan. Brian Brunner, the No. 1 QB at the beginning of the season, may get the start this week in order to rest LeFevour for next week?s matchup at Toledo.
Kick-off is at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
Article courtesy of BetUS.com.
by Shawn Sillinger
After four games of the 2005-06 college season, two teams have enjoyed that rare combination of perfection: 4-0 straight up and against the spread. Those two teams are the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Louisville Cardinals. That might not be much of a surprise ? these are two clubs that were expected to lead their respective conferences this year. But they?re not the only ones rolling in dough heading into Week 5.
The Syracuse Orange, East Carolina Pirates and Central Michigan Chippewas are also sitting on top of a big pile of money at 4-0 ATS. PeeDee and the Pirates get the week off, but the other two teams are in action trying to get on the good side of the win-loss column ? each sports a 2-2 SU record. The road ahead looks a lot smoother for Syracuse.
The Orange have a Saturday afternoon (1:30 p.m. Eastern Time) date at the Carrier Dome with the Wyoming Cowboys. Syracuse is a 5.5-point home fave with a total of 38. Handicappers love an ATS winner, and they?re drinking the Orange Kool-Aid these days after a thrilling overtime loss to Iowa and a big win over Illinois. Senior quarterback Perry Patterson Jr. has thrown just one interception to go along with his six touchdown passes. Running back Curtis Brinkley (5.3 yards per carry) has also looked good, but it?s the Orange defense that has fans and players alike buzzing. ?Everybody feels the vibe, like it?s a special time,? senior linebacker Kelvin Smith told reporters. ?Everything?s clicking.?
The Chippewas have a tougher row to hoe Sunday. Wyoming is a decent Mountain West representative, but Central Michigan has to travel to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium. The ?Cats are 2-2 SU (2-1 ATS) coming out of the double-tough SEC, where they played reasonably well in last week?s 26-7 loss to Florida. The Gators were 26.5-point road dogs in that matchup; however, Kentucky?s secondary was good enough to cover the spread and cause the home fans to boo their own QB, perennial Heisman candidate Chris Leak.
With the Chippewas in the middle of a very tough three-game road swing, it will probably take a breakthrough performance from sophomore RB Ontario Sneed to get Central Michigan to 5-0 ATS. Sneed has been held thus far to 3.3 yards per carry and zero rushing touchdowns; he could be due for more against a questionable Kentucky run defense. QB Dan LeFevour has been a touch better at 3.4 YAC, but he suffered back spasms last week against Eastern Michigan. Brian Brunner, the No. 1 QB at the beginning of the season, may get the start this week in order to rest LeFevour for next week?s matchup at Toledo.
Kick-off is at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
Article courtesy of BetUS.com.