As we turn the corner and head into October, I hope to keep up the good pace....
COLORADO +16- at WEST VIRGINIA
Morgantown is definitely not an easy place to play on a Thursday night, as the Mountaineers have won 6 straight weekday home games. But this seems like an awful lot of points to give to a team with Big-12 pedigree. The Buffaloes laid an egg a few weeks back when they got embarrassed by Toledo, but gotta believe they regrouped with that nice shutout over Wyoming. The Buffs have had difficulty rushing the football but they should be able to move it through the air against this West Virginia secondary. I wouldn't be shocked by an outright Colorado victory, but I'll be happy if they just keep it close.
SOUTH FLORIDA -7 at SYRACUSE
Count me among the posters who are surprised how little the Bulls are favored by in this game. I realize the Orange have showed some improvement this year but they're tackling a much more skilled and balanced team in South Florida. Had to be impressed with the Bulls' victory at Florida State last week after losing their ace QB Grothe. Redshirt frosh BJ Daniels stepped in threw for over 200 and rushed for over 100. Not bad. USF should beat Syracuse quite convincingly.
MISSISSIPPI -9 at VANDERBILT
The Rebels showed the country last Thursday that they clearly were overrated. QB Snead dropped about 3 rounds on Mel Kiper's draft sheet. If he plays like that again this week, he may never get drafted. Which is why I think the Rebels will get their act together today. There are a lot of big games still to be played for Mississippi and they need to right themselves right here. Rebels by over 2 TDs.
MIAMI-OHIO +28- against CINCINNATI
Last week the RedHawks fell to 0-4 by losing to Kent State, even though they outgained them 553 yards to 250 yards. The killer, of course, were the 5 turnovers. Let's accenuate the positive and concentrate on those 553 yards they gained. Turnovers aside, this offense is starting to click. This game has emotional significance too as they're playing for the "Victory Bell". Respect Cincy's ability to score but this is too many points for the Bearcats to lay on the road.
KENT STATE +21 at BAYLOR
Simply not convinced that Baylor should be laying 3 TDs to anyone. A few weeks back they were asked to lay 10 to a wounded UConn team, and they lost outright. And that was when they still had their best player, QB Griffin. Unfortunately for the Bears he got hurt last week and is done for the year. On a day when they're calling for rain in Waco I will hold my nose and take Kent State plus the points.
NEW MEXICO STATE +17 against SAN DIEGO STATE
See the write-up for Baylor above. I don't care how bad New Mexico State looks, the Aztecs simply can't lay this many points. The Aztecs beat Southern Utah at home by only 16. Gotta give the Aggies a smidgen of respect after beating their archrival New Mexico on the road last week. I'll hold my nose again.
ARKANSAS STATE +21- at IOWA
Big time sandwich game for the Hawkeyes. They won that high-profile slugfest with Penn State last week, and have their homecoming showdown with Michigan next week. Gotta believe they'll be happy to eke out a comfortable victory here and rest some bodies for bigger battles ahead. The Red Wolves will be happy to simply put up a fight, as they did already against Nebraska. Take the points.
As always, best of luck.
Harry
ncaa football sides 14-14
ncaa football totals 13-3
COLORADO +16- at WEST VIRGINIA
Morgantown is definitely not an easy place to play on a Thursday night, as the Mountaineers have won 6 straight weekday home games. But this seems like an awful lot of points to give to a team with Big-12 pedigree. The Buffaloes laid an egg a few weeks back when they got embarrassed by Toledo, but gotta believe they regrouped with that nice shutout over Wyoming. The Buffs have had difficulty rushing the football but they should be able to move it through the air against this West Virginia secondary. I wouldn't be shocked by an outright Colorado victory, but I'll be happy if they just keep it close.
SOUTH FLORIDA -7 at SYRACUSE
Count me among the posters who are surprised how little the Bulls are favored by in this game. I realize the Orange have showed some improvement this year but they're tackling a much more skilled and balanced team in South Florida. Had to be impressed with the Bulls' victory at Florida State last week after losing their ace QB Grothe. Redshirt frosh BJ Daniels stepped in threw for over 200 and rushed for over 100. Not bad. USF should beat Syracuse quite convincingly.
MISSISSIPPI -9 at VANDERBILT
The Rebels showed the country last Thursday that they clearly were overrated. QB Snead dropped about 3 rounds on Mel Kiper's draft sheet. If he plays like that again this week, he may never get drafted. Which is why I think the Rebels will get their act together today. There are a lot of big games still to be played for Mississippi and they need to right themselves right here. Rebels by over 2 TDs.
MIAMI-OHIO +28- against CINCINNATI
Last week the RedHawks fell to 0-4 by losing to Kent State, even though they outgained them 553 yards to 250 yards. The killer, of course, were the 5 turnovers. Let's accenuate the positive and concentrate on those 553 yards they gained. Turnovers aside, this offense is starting to click. This game has emotional significance too as they're playing for the "Victory Bell". Respect Cincy's ability to score but this is too many points for the Bearcats to lay on the road.
KENT STATE +21 at BAYLOR
Simply not convinced that Baylor should be laying 3 TDs to anyone. A few weeks back they were asked to lay 10 to a wounded UConn team, and they lost outright. And that was when they still had their best player, QB Griffin. Unfortunately for the Bears he got hurt last week and is done for the year. On a day when they're calling for rain in Waco I will hold my nose and take Kent State plus the points.
NEW MEXICO STATE +17 against SAN DIEGO STATE
See the write-up for Baylor above. I don't care how bad New Mexico State looks, the Aztecs simply can't lay this many points. The Aztecs beat Southern Utah at home by only 16. Gotta give the Aggies a smidgen of respect after beating their archrival New Mexico on the road last week. I'll hold my nose again.
ARKANSAS STATE +21- at IOWA
Big time sandwich game for the Hawkeyes. They won that high-profile slugfest with Penn State last week, and have their homecoming showdown with Michigan next week. Gotta believe they'll be happy to eke out a comfortable victory here and rest some bodies for bigger battles ahead. The Red Wolves will be happy to simply put up a fight, as they did already against Nebraska. Take the points.
As always, best of luck.
Harry
ncaa football sides 14-14
ncaa football totals 13-3
