Another gem involving a Florida team on 9/11. This one sees Miami traveling to the Horseshoe in Columbus to take on Ohio State, in a critical game for both teams as far as BCS implications go.
Miami opened some eyes last season with QB Jacoby Harris leading the team to a 9-4 overall record. 5 other starters return for the 'Canes, but the offensive line will need rebuilding, a new TE must be found, and Harris must cut down on his INT's. The defense returns 8 starters on a team that was inconsistant last season, giving up 31 or more points 4 times last season. Inconsistancy has plauged Miami for years now.
Ohio State finally won a BCS game, defeating Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Many peole feel that this team is a strong contender to play in the NC game once again. With 9 starters returning on offense, including QB Prior, one can see why there is so much optimism in Columbus. Like Miami, consistancy was the worst enemy of this group. The defense returns 6 starters, but must replace both safeties. Like Miami, this team has suffered through inconsistancies in the past two seasons.
From a wagering standpoint, it is hard to determine what to expect this early. Both teams play cream puffs at home to open the season, so do not expect to learn much from that angle. There are some interesting trends though. Ohio State has not lost a regular season non-con game to any team but USC in the past 4 seasons, but in the past two seasons, their record against non-con teams ATS is 2-4. Miami has not been the gretest team ATS, having gone 23-36 in their past 5 seasons. I can see many people playing or fading a "Florida" parlay the week of the 11th, using ACC teams Miami and Florida State, who both will be dogs on the road. As I stated in my write up about Florida State-Oklahoma, sometimes the best wager is no wager at all.
Miami opened some eyes last season with QB Jacoby Harris leading the team to a 9-4 overall record. 5 other starters return for the 'Canes, but the offensive line will need rebuilding, a new TE must be found, and Harris must cut down on his INT's. The defense returns 8 starters on a team that was inconsistant last season, giving up 31 or more points 4 times last season. Inconsistancy has plauged Miami for years now.
Ohio State finally won a BCS game, defeating Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Many peole feel that this team is a strong contender to play in the NC game once again. With 9 starters returning on offense, including QB Prior, one can see why there is so much optimism in Columbus. Like Miami, consistancy was the worst enemy of this group. The defense returns 6 starters, but must replace both safeties. Like Miami, this team has suffered through inconsistancies in the past two seasons.
From a wagering standpoint, it is hard to determine what to expect this early. Both teams play cream puffs at home to open the season, so do not expect to learn much from that angle. There are some interesting trends though. Ohio State has not lost a regular season non-con game to any team but USC in the past 4 seasons, but in the past two seasons, their record against non-con teams ATS is 2-4. Miami has not been the gretest team ATS, having gone 23-36 in their past 5 seasons. I can see many people playing or fading a "Florida" parlay the week of the 11th, using ACC teams Miami and Florida State, who both will be dogs on the road. As I stated in my write up about Florida State-Oklahoma, sometimes the best wager is no wager at all.