Southern Miss, Boise St. Under 49½
Game Time: 09/27/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com
Boise State doesn't have the offense they've been known for, but they do boast a solid defense. Play Thursday night's ESPN matchup Under when the Broncos host Southern Miss.
Once again, we find ourselves in Boise, Idaho, for a Thursday night ESPN primetime affair, as head coach Jeff Bowers' Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi will make the long treck out west to lock horns with the Broncos of Boise State on the 'Smurf Turf' in what looks to be a very ugly affair on paper.
Boise St. has thrived immensely in these spots in the past, but this is a much different Broncos bunch and they’re going up against a Golden Eagles club that’s made a habit of going into other peoples houses and playing some exceptional ball.
Neither of these teams has lit the scoreboard up this year. Boise has seen its offense take a few steps backwards this season, but that’s understandable considering the offensive weapons they lost from last year's unit that put up close to 40 PPG. This year’s unit, led by QB Taylor Tharp and RB Ian Johnson, has gotten off to a very slow start. Throwing away the 56-point outburst vs. Weber State in Week 1, the Broncos have combined to score 34 points in their last two games vs. Washington and Wyoming.
Southern Miss can hang its hat on the 35 points they notched against Tenn-Martin in Week 1, but they were only able to manage 19 against what’s turned out to be a very porous Tennessee defense and come into this matchup averaging 24 PPG vs. FBS competition. The game plan is quite simple for the Golden Eagles: Run the ball down their opponent’s throats, play solid on special teams, and rely on the defense to come up with the turnover so their offense can milk more time off the clock. This mindset will allow them to stay in the game here against a much lesser Boise team, but its up to the players not to get rattled by their surroundings and follow through. I like the 1-2 punch of QB Jeremy Young and RB Damion Fletcher, and believe they will be able to control the tempo of this game with their legs.
However, they have their work cut out for them as the Broncos boast the nation's 14th-ranked run defense only surrendering 81 YPG, and the nation's 11th-ranked scoring defense (15 PPG). With the sledding ultimately going to be tough for both teams, I find value in backing the Under in this matchup.
Free Pick: Southern Miss-Boise St. Under 49½
Game Time: 09/27/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com
Boise State doesn't have the offense they've been known for, but they do boast a solid defense. Play Thursday night's ESPN matchup Under when the Broncos host Southern Miss.
Once again, we find ourselves in Boise, Idaho, for a Thursday night ESPN primetime affair, as head coach Jeff Bowers' Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi will make the long treck out west to lock horns with the Broncos of Boise State on the 'Smurf Turf' in what looks to be a very ugly affair on paper.
Boise St. has thrived immensely in these spots in the past, but this is a much different Broncos bunch and they’re going up against a Golden Eagles club that’s made a habit of going into other peoples houses and playing some exceptional ball.
Neither of these teams has lit the scoreboard up this year. Boise has seen its offense take a few steps backwards this season, but that’s understandable considering the offensive weapons they lost from last year's unit that put up close to 40 PPG. This year’s unit, led by QB Taylor Tharp and RB Ian Johnson, has gotten off to a very slow start. Throwing away the 56-point outburst vs. Weber State in Week 1, the Broncos have combined to score 34 points in their last two games vs. Washington and Wyoming.
Southern Miss can hang its hat on the 35 points they notched against Tenn-Martin in Week 1, but they were only able to manage 19 against what’s turned out to be a very porous Tennessee defense and come into this matchup averaging 24 PPG vs. FBS competition. The game plan is quite simple for the Golden Eagles: Run the ball down their opponent’s throats, play solid on special teams, and rely on the defense to come up with the turnover so their offense can milk more time off the clock. This mindset will allow them to stay in the game here against a much lesser Boise team, but its up to the players not to get rattled by their surroundings and follow through. I like the 1-2 punch of QB Jeremy Young and RB Damion Fletcher, and believe they will be able to control the tempo of this game with their legs.
However, they have their work cut out for them as the Broncos boast the nation's 14th-ranked run defense only surrendering 81 YPG, and the nation's 11th-ranked scoring defense (15 PPG). With the sledding ultimately going to be tough for both teams, I find value in backing the Under in this matchup.
Free Pick: Southern Miss-Boise St. Under 49½