Middle Tennessee St. +38½ at Louisville
Game Time: 09/06/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Ben Burns | sportspic.com
Louisville, fresh off a 73-10 thumping of Murray St last week, could get caught looking ahead to their next game against Kentucky. Fade the Cardinals this week at home.
The Cardinals are extremely explosive on offense and are obviously the more talented team in this matchup. Expecting them to win by 40 points -- the line is currently 38½ -- against a team that went to a bowl game last season is asking an awful lot though.
Louisville lost their two best players on defense from last season and they allowed Murray State, a former I-AA (Football Championship Subdivision) team, to hold the ball for long stretches last week. In fact, the Racers held an edge in time of possession. Granted, that was largely due to the fact that Louisville was picking up so many yards per play. However, the fact remains that the defense isn't the type of dominating unit that the offense is.
The Cardinals, who have a new coach, figure to be patting themselves on the back a bit after having scored 73 points. They could also get caught looking ahead to the next week's in-state rivalry game with Kentucky. The Cardinals are just 7-10 ATS (9-9 SU) when playing on a Thursday night.
During the same stretch the Blue Raiders were 2-1 ATS (4-1 SU) when playing on a Thursday. Middle Tennessee St. is also 9-5 ATS their last 14 road games and 9-5 ATS the last 14 times they were listed as road underdogs of greater than three touchdowns. I expect the defending Sun Belt Conference co-champs, who stayed within 27 points of the Cardinals last season, to bounce back with a better effort. Consider grabbing the generous points with the visitors.
Free Pick: Middle Tennessee State +38½
Game Time: 09/06/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Ben Burns | sportspic.com
Louisville, fresh off a 73-10 thumping of Murray St last week, could get caught looking ahead to their next game against Kentucky. Fade the Cardinals this week at home.
The Cardinals are extremely explosive on offense and are obviously the more talented team in this matchup. Expecting them to win by 40 points -- the line is currently 38½ -- against a team that went to a bowl game last season is asking an awful lot though.
Louisville lost their two best players on defense from last season and they allowed Murray State, a former I-AA (Football Championship Subdivision) team, to hold the ball for long stretches last week. In fact, the Racers held an edge in time of possession. Granted, that was largely due to the fact that Louisville was picking up so many yards per play. However, the fact remains that the defense isn't the type of dominating unit that the offense is.
The Cardinals, who have a new coach, figure to be patting themselves on the back a bit after having scored 73 points. They could also get caught looking ahead to the next week's in-state rivalry game with Kentucky. The Cardinals are just 7-10 ATS (9-9 SU) when playing on a Thursday night.
During the same stretch the Blue Raiders were 2-1 ATS (4-1 SU) when playing on a Thursday. Middle Tennessee St. is also 9-5 ATS their last 14 road games and 9-5 ATS the last 14 times they were listed as road underdogs of greater than three touchdowns. I expect the defending Sun Belt Conference co-champs, who stayed within 27 points of the Cardinals last season, to bounce back with a better effort. Consider grabbing the generous points with the visitors.
Free Pick: Middle Tennessee State +38½