Hello Board,
Here are my plays for the week:
Colorado St. +16.5
Colorado St. played a hard fought game vs. Colorado last week. It was a game that I watched very carefully and I must say that for the first time in a while, that I was really impressed with CSU. RB Kyle Bell is back and he looked good last week. He has an excellent combination of speed and power which should be a factor vs. a suspect Cal defense. QB Caleb Hanie is now a senior and has some experience under his belt. Look for him to throw frequently to his favorite target (and maybe the best TE in the country you've never heard of), Kory Sperry. It's also important to note that all three of these players are seniors, along with playmaking WR Johnny Walker. Situationally, this game sets up well due to the fact that Cal spent a lot of energy last week in beating Tennessee. Also, if you watched last week's game, you saw that Cal's defense is definitely vulnerable. I see a fairly high scoring game here, and I'm taking CSU and the points here.
Western Michigan -2
Western Michigan is an extremely solid football team, regardless of the conference they are from. This is a very big game for them, as they've never had a Big 10 team come play in Kalimazoo. This is not a typical MAC team, as they are a vetreran, physical team and play very well at home (they have only lost one home game the last two years). It's important not to put much stock into them getting drilled at WVU last week, because about 95% of the teams in the country would get their butts whipped in Morgantown these days too. Indiana has some major question marks on defense and doesn't really have a true RB. The key to this game will be Western Michigan's ability to contain Indiana WR James Hardy (whom I have a lot of respect for). Going with the home team here and laying the small number.
Michigan -6.5
I've heard all week how Michigan sucks, the world is ending and they won't beat a Pop Warner team the rest of the year. I can tell you that I watched every play of the game between them and Appalachian St. (Big 10 Network baby!) and I'm confident in saying that on a neutral field, Appy St. would only be slight underdogs to Oregon. That being said, I feel the number in this particular game is a bit short, partially due to the overreaction from Michigan's loss last week. Expect a focused performance from a very talented team. Oregon gave up near 500 yards last week at home to Houston, and now everyone expects them to come in and beat Michigan in the Big House? I think not. One player to watch for Michigan who emerged last week as a third WR, was Greg Matthews. With everyone so focused on Hart, Manningham and Arrington, this kid could have a big day.
Colorado +16
Colorado's issue last year was their offense. They have the coaching, they have the athletes and they have a good defense. I have to admit that I was extremely skeptical when I heard that Dan Hawkins kid was coming into the CU program. However, I can now tell you that after watching last week's game that I'm confident that Cody Hawkins is one of the top freshman QB's in the country. This guy knows the system and is an excellent decision maker. There's no doubt that ASU is a talented football team and that they play well at home. This week, though, they aren't playing a WAC school who lost their best RB one play into the game, but rather a physical Big 12 team. CU must weather the early onslaught ASU will throw at them, and if they do it should be a pretty good game.
Vandy +5.5
Vandy is a team that I've followed closely the last couple of years and I'm not sure they are getting the proper respect they deserve yet. Bobby Johnson is as good of a coach as there is in the country. WR Earl Bennett is one of the best receivers in the country, especially when it comes to moving the chains. Chris Nickson is a fantastic, young, mobile QB who continues to improve with each game. I look for them to attack a soft Alabama defense in this one. This game should be a grind-it-out special. Vandy will attempt to keep the game close and get some key turnovers, while exciting the home crowd. Vandy is no longer an SEC dormat, as I honestly think they can be a bowl team this year.
N.C. State +14
I think this spot sets up nicely for Tom O'Brien's return to B.C., as well as that B.C. is coming off a revenge game vs. Wake Forest last week. I am a little concerned about RB Anthony Baker being lost for the season, but since the carries were being split between him and Andre Brown it definitely softens the blow. Also, I like that QB Harrison Beck will start this game. He performed well last week in the second half vs. UCF and was very highly touted out of high school. He will look to seize the opportunity given to him and lead the offense. WR/KR Darrell Blackman is a playmaker and should provide a spark in this one. The key for the N.C. State defense will be containing QB Matt Ryan. What better person to try to defend him than his old coach? I think this could end up being a pretty good battle.
South Florida +7.5
I've been really impressed with the rise of this USF program. Jim Levitt does an excellent job recruiting as well as the way he manages his team on gameday. This is a team that is very fast and also physical. They are led by their sophmore QB Matt Grothe. Grothe is very mobile and also has a strong arm. RB Benjamin Williams is a good back who's runs should keep the Auburn pass rush in check. One thing I noticed last week during Auburn's game with KSU was that QB Brandon Cox again injured himself. This time the injury occured on his non throwing hand thumb. This could affect his performance, especially since he's coming off an injury riddled 2006 season. This game should have all of the excitement of a typcial SEC battle. Look for a close game either way.
Good luck to all.
pags11
Here are my plays for the week:
Colorado St. +16.5
Colorado St. played a hard fought game vs. Colorado last week. It was a game that I watched very carefully and I must say that for the first time in a while, that I was really impressed with CSU. RB Kyle Bell is back and he looked good last week. He has an excellent combination of speed and power which should be a factor vs. a suspect Cal defense. QB Caleb Hanie is now a senior and has some experience under his belt. Look for him to throw frequently to his favorite target (and maybe the best TE in the country you've never heard of), Kory Sperry. It's also important to note that all three of these players are seniors, along with playmaking WR Johnny Walker. Situationally, this game sets up well due to the fact that Cal spent a lot of energy last week in beating Tennessee. Also, if you watched last week's game, you saw that Cal's defense is definitely vulnerable. I see a fairly high scoring game here, and I'm taking CSU and the points here.
Western Michigan -2
Western Michigan is an extremely solid football team, regardless of the conference they are from. This is a very big game for them, as they've never had a Big 10 team come play in Kalimazoo. This is not a typical MAC team, as they are a vetreran, physical team and play very well at home (they have only lost one home game the last two years). It's important not to put much stock into them getting drilled at WVU last week, because about 95% of the teams in the country would get their butts whipped in Morgantown these days too. Indiana has some major question marks on defense and doesn't really have a true RB. The key to this game will be Western Michigan's ability to contain Indiana WR James Hardy (whom I have a lot of respect for). Going with the home team here and laying the small number.
Michigan -6.5
I've heard all week how Michigan sucks, the world is ending and they won't beat a Pop Warner team the rest of the year. I can tell you that I watched every play of the game between them and Appalachian St. (Big 10 Network baby!) and I'm confident in saying that on a neutral field, Appy St. would only be slight underdogs to Oregon. That being said, I feel the number in this particular game is a bit short, partially due to the overreaction from Michigan's loss last week. Expect a focused performance from a very talented team. Oregon gave up near 500 yards last week at home to Houston, and now everyone expects them to come in and beat Michigan in the Big House? I think not. One player to watch for Michigan who emerged last week as a third WR, was Greg Matthews. With everyone so focused on Hart, Manningham and Arrington, this kid could have a big day.
Colorado +16
Colorado's issue last year was their offense. They have the coaching, they have the athletes and they have a good defense. I have to admit that I was extremely skeptical when I heard that Dan Hawkins kid was coming into the CU program. However, I can now tell you that after watching last week's game that I'm confident that Cody Hawkins is one of the top freshman QB's in the country. This guy knows the system and is an excellent decision maker. There's no doubt that ASU is a talented football team and that they play well at home. This week, though, they aren't playing a WAC school who lost their best RB one play into the game, but rather a physical Big 12 team. CU must weather the early onslaught ASU will throw at them, and if they do it should be a pretty good game.
Vandy +5.5
Vandy is a team that I've followed closely the last couple of years and I'm not sure they are getting the proper respect they deserve yet. Bobby Johnson is as good of a coach as there is in the country. WR Earl Bennett is one of the best receivers in the country, especially when it comes to moving the chains. Chris Nickson is a fantastic, young, mobile QB who continues to improve with each game. I look for them to attack a soft Alabama defense in this one. This game should be a grind-it-out special. Vandy will attempt to keep the game close and get some key turnovers, while exciting the home crowd. Vandy is no longer an SEC dormat, as I honestly think they can be a bowl team this year.
N.C. State +14
I think this spot sets up nicely for Tom O'Brien's return to B.C., as well as that B.C. is coming off a revenge game vs. Wake Forest last week. I am a little concerned about RB Anthony Baker being lost for the season, but since the carries were being split between him and Andre Brown it definitely softens the blow. Also, I like that QB Harrison Beck will start this game. He performed well last week in the second half vs. UCF and was very highly touted out of high school. He will look to seize the opportunity given to him and lead the offense. WR/KR Darrell Blackman is a playmaker and should provide a spark in this one. The key for the N.C. State defense will be containing QB Matt Ryan. What better person to try to defend him than his old coach? I think this could end up being a pretty good battle.
South Florida +7.5
I've been really impressed with the rise of this USF program. Jim Levitt does an excellent job recruiting as well as the way he manages his team on gameday. This is a team that is very fast and also physical. They are led by their sophmore QB Matt Grothe. Grothe is very mobile and also has a strong arm. RB Benjamin Williams is a good back who's runs should keep the Auburn pass rush in check. One thing I noticed last week during Auburn's game with KSU was that QB Brandon Cox again injured himself. This time the injury occured on his non throwing hand thumb. This could affect his performance, especially since he's coming off an injury riddled 2006 season. This game should have all of the excitement of a typcial SEC battle. Look for a close game either way.
Good luck to all.
pags11
