[zoo youk]

from BTB

Each week throughout the college football season, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest or most interesting line moves and provide some commentary, thoughts and analysis.
* * *
ILLINOIS @ MICHIGAN
Opened: Michigan -21.5
Current: Michigan -25
Commentary: The general public is down on Michigan. But should they be? As a birdiepointed out to us earlier this week, the question worth asking is this: “Are the Wolverines not as good as expected or is Alabama and Notre Dame better than most expected?” Michigan’s defense isn’t a dominant unit, but it did hold Notre Dame and Purdue to a combined 26 points in the last two weeks. And though the Wolverines haven’t gotten anything from their running backs, Denard Robinson has been productive on the ground and is coming off a record-setting performance against the Boilermakers. We’ve been fading awful Illinois any chance we get, but the current number seems like a fair one. The best play might be on the under (48.5).
* * *
UTAH AT UCLA
Opened: UCLA -5.5
Current: UCLA -9
Commentary: After a red-hot 3-0 start, UCLA has dropped two of its last three games including an embarrassing 43-17 loss to dreadful California. Now the Bruins will take on a Utah team that has fought through some early-season adversity (injuries) and hung with USC last Thursday. We lean toward the road team at the current number, but a word of warning: Utah hasn’t demonstrated an ability to keep up with the spread offenses that have become so prevalent in the Pac-12. Over the last two weeks, the Utes have allowed 944 yards and 46 first downs. UCLA has been one of the league’s best offensive units, averaging 529 yards per game while playing at a tempo similar to Oregon and the Arizona schools.
* * *
OKLAHOMA STATE @ KANSAS
Opened: Oklahoma State -20
Current: Oklahoma State -27
Commentary: This line opened too low as it is (we had it projected higher), but the move was surely in part influenced by head coach Charlie Weis’ recent actions toward his senior class. In case you missed it, Weis held Sunday’s practice without seniors and said his focus is on developing a team for the future. The seniors, he suggested, are past the developmental stage. In a lost season, Weis’s logic goes, why worry about players that won’t be around for the future? Here’s why: Because this year’s team might not win another game, and no incoming recruit wants to play for a losing program. In any case, the Pokes -20 were a great play but it’s impossible to take them at the current number. We actually think it’s moved a bit too far.
* * *
OREGON STATE @ BYU
Opened: BYU -3.5
Current: BYU -5.5
Commentary: Lots of folks we’ve spoken with jumped on the unbeaten Beavers as soon as the line was released, and they were happy to be catching points in a game they felt was far more evenly matched. Then, a day later, it was announced that starting QB Sean Mannion wouldundergo knee surgery and is likely to miss the next couple games if not more. The game was taken off the board, and now that it’s back, the Cougars find themselves as 5.5-point favorites. Cody Vaz will make his first career start for Oregon State, and if he can be half as productive (or efficient) as Mannion, the Beavers have a chance. But BYU’s defense might prove to be too much, and we lean toward the home team here.

[Vinnie Paz]

Nice
Thanks for sharing