This is an add on game that both Oregon State and TCU arranged very late by juggling their schedules around. It will be played on 9/4, in Arlington Texas, so technically it is a "neutral site" game. Right. That's why I listed it as Oregon State at TCU.
This is a very important match up for TCU. Both TCU and Boise State are once again considered the two outsiders most likey to get to a BCS Bowl game. Oddly enough, both of these teams host Oregon State. So there is a lot at stake here.
Oregon State should not be overlooked. This team has been one win away from a trip to the Rose Bowl two years in a row. They lose both QB's, but still return 8 starters on offense, including the very dangerous Rodgers brothers, Jacquizz at RB and James at WR. Four out of five starting linemen also return. On defense, itis much the same story, with 8 starters returning, but two LB's leaving, including the MLB, who is the signal caller on defense.
TCU returns 9 starters on offense including QB QB Dalton, but will have to depend on a pair of Soohmore RB's to carrly the load at that position. Left Tackle canalso be a trouble spot. On Defense, the Frogs return 7 starters, but lose three key starters. The loss at DE and LB has coach Patterson concerned about developing a good pass rush this season.
Form a wagering standpoint, this game has as many curves as a mountain road has. TCU will be the favorties, and Oregon State is a good dog team, having gone 11-4 ATS as an away dog in the past 4 seasons. Unfortunately, the Beavers are also a very slow starting team, having gone 2-8 ATS in their first two lined games of the season for the past 5 years. TCU went 3-2 as a HF ATS last season, but was 15-4 ATS as Home Favorites in the previous 4 years. Then you get the technicality of this actually being a "neutral site" game, even though it is just down the street form TCU. Another thing to consider is that TCU is 1-4 ATS against bowl bound non-con teams. Watch the line closely on this game. Also watch the line movement during the week after the line comes down. Normally the lines will come down very early because it is the first week of the season. Be especially knowledgeable of the line movement if TCU opens up as a small favorite (-3 or less). There may be an opportunity for a "middle" here. TCU has to win this game big if they want to compete with Boise State, and the gamblers know it. This should be a great test for any 'capper.
This is a very important match up for TCU. Both TCU and Boise State are once again considered the two outsiders most likey to get to a BCS Bowl game. Oddly enough, both of these teams host Oregon State. So there is a lot at stake here.
Oregon State should not be overlooked. This team has been one win away from a trip to the Rose Bowl two years in a row. They lose both QB's, but still return 8 starters on offense, including the very dangerous Rodgers brothers, Jacquizz at RB and James at WR. Four out of five starting linemen also return. On defense, itis much the same story, with 8 starters returning, but two LB's leaving, including the MLB, who is the signal caller on defense.
TCU returns 9 starters on offense including QB QB Dalton, but will have to depend on a pair of Soohmore RB's to carrly the load at that position. Left Tackle canalso be a trouble spot. On Defense, the Frogs return 7 starters, but lose three key starters. The loss at DE and LB has coach Patterson concerned about developing a good pass rush this season.
Form a wagering standpoint, this game has as many curves as a mountain road has. TCU will be the favorties, and Oregon State is a good dog team, having gone 11-4 ATS as an away dog in the past 4 seasons. Unfortunately, the Beavers are also a very slow starting team, having gone 2-8 ATS in their first two lined games of the season for the past 5 years. TCU went 3-2 as a HF ATS last season, but was 15-4 ATS as Home Favorites in the previous 4 years. Then you get the technicality of this actually being a "neutral site" game, even though it is just down the street form TCU. Another thing to consider is that TCU is 1-4 ATS against bowl bound non-con teams. Watch the line closely on this game. Also watch the line movement during the week after the line comes down. Normally the lines will come down very early because it is the first week of the season. Be especially knowledgeable of the line movement if TCU opens up as a small favorite (-3 or less). There may be an opportunity for a "middle" here. TCU has to win this game big if they want to compete with Boise State, and the gamblers know it. This should be a great test for any 'capper.