Originally Posted by
pags11
Hello Board,
Here are my plays for the week:
Kentucky +8
One has to wonder how much Georgia has left in their emotional tank coming into this game. I also think that Kentucky is starting to get healthy, which was a problem for them during the middle point of the season. Kentucky will have its hands full with RB Moreno, as he’s one of the hottest running backs in the country. As I’ve stated earlier this season, Kentucky employs a bend but not break philosophy on defense. They will need to do so against Georgia this week. I anticipate them loading the box a bit, leaving the game in the hands of Georgia quarterback Stafford. I do think Kentucky’s offense is starting to click once again. QB Andre Woodson has most all of his weapons now healthy (with the exception of RB Rafael Little who’s questionable, but Locke has still been running well. With Tamme, Lyons, Johnson and Burton out in pass patterns, this makes Kentucky’s offense very difficult to defend. I’m just not sure that there’s six points difference between Kentucky and Auburn right now, especially since I like this situational spot with Kentucky. I’ll take Kentucky plus the points in this game.
Kansas St. +8
It’s amazing how two weeks can change things so dramatically. What you have to notice about Kansas St. is that they are a very strong home team and a very suspect road team. They catch Missouri at home this week, a week before the big showdown between Missouri and Kansas. I’m not sure how much of the tape between Missouri and Texas A&M you got to watch, but Missouri’s defense is starting to look like the Missouri defense of old. It’s important that Kansas State commits to the running game early, as I think Prince has a tendency to get a bit pass happy. Look for an inspired performance from a once again underrated Kansas State squad in this game. QB Josh Freeman will have to make good decisions and distribute the ball to his variety of playmakers, led by wide receiver Jordie Nelson. Slowing down Chase Daniel and crew will be a tough task, but I do like how Kansas State’s team speed on defense matches up with Missouri’s offense. Look for Kansas St. to attempt to contain Missouri’s passing game first and try to get them in some third and long situations. The Manhattan crowd will be fired up and should help the Kansas State stay fired up deep into the fourth quarter. It’s Kansas State and the points for me again here.
Cincinnati +7
I was extremely impressed with Cincinnati’s effort last week against Connecticut. While I think West Virginia presents more of a challenge for them this week, I do think they have the team speed on both sides of the ball to give West Virginia a very good game this week. Head Coach Brian Kelly is one more underrated coaches in the entire country and I think he will have his team extremely motivated in this classic Big East tilt. It’s imperative that QB Ben Mauk make good decisions in this game, taking what the defense will give him. He is extremely mobile which should help him against West Virginia’s pass rush. It’s also going to be important that the Cincinnati receivers hold onto the football as I’ve seen them have some trouble with drops occasionally. The Cincinnati defense must focus on slowing down running back Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White, as they are the key to the West Virginia offensive attack. One important thing to note is that Cincinnati has one of the best punters in the country and field position could play an important role in this game. Look for a close game deep into the fourth quarter. I’ll take Cincinnati and the points here.
Minnesota +13.5
I hear all this talk about how Minnesota made the wrong decision firing Glenn Mason and how Tim Brewster is such a terrible coach. I beg to differ as I think Mason’s time was running out in Minnesota anyway, and the bowl game disaster just expedited that process. A lot of people laughed at Greg Schiano too when he took over the Rutgers football program and we all have seen the progress they have made. QB Adam Weber is only a freshman and is a very dynamic player. He possesses dual threat capability and has become more accurate as the season has progressed. Wide receivers Ernie Wheelright and Eric Decker are playmakers as well and I think they have the ability to stretch the Wisconsin defense in the game. Wisconsin is coming off a very emotional victory against Michigan and could suffer a bit of a letdown heading into this game. It’s important to remember that running back P.J. Hill is a bit banged up still and back-up running back Lance Smith isn’t allowed to travel to road games due to a suspension he received at the beginning of the year. I’ve also read reports that have quarterback Tyler Donovan listed as questionable for this game. This is also a rivalry game and games between these two often end up very close. I’m going with Minnesota and the points once again.
Maryland +8
What impressed me most about Maryland’s performance last week’s was the play of young quarterback Chris Turner. He made excellent decisions and was able to get good protection from his line. A big reason for the time to throw was due to the play of running back Lance Ball. He ran with great vision and showed good bursts of speed. If fellow running back Keon Lattimore isn’t able to go this week, I anticipate him carrying the load once again. Turner will look to get the ball to his talented receiving corp., led by Darius Heyward-Bay. Maryland’s defense did an excellent job stopping the run last week and if they can do that this week it should make things very difficult for the Florida State offense to sustain drives. Drew Weatherford is listed as probable this week, but he is coming off a concussion that he suffered in a game last week against Virginia Tech. I think Ralph Freidgen has done a great job with his team this year, especially with his game plans. Another important thing to note is that Maryland is one win away from becoming bowl eligible. Expect a close, hard fought game in this one. I’ll take Maryland and the points and take my chances.
N.C. State +7
I’m really impressed with how Tom O’Bien continues to have his team play inspired football each week. It’s apparent to me that he’s one of the top coaches in the country, and I think far less people doubt his decision to move to N.C. State from Boston College. The success of the team has been keyed by the play of quarterback Daniel Evans and running back Jamelle Eugene. Evans is managing the game efficiently and is keeping his team in ball games by learning to take what the defense gives him. Eugene runs hard every play and is also very skilled at catching the ball out of the backfield. The North Carolina defense will need to game plan for Wake wide receiver Kenny Moore. Moore is quarterback Riley Skinner’s favorite target and N.C. State will attempt to double team him or roll coverage’s his way. Both of these coaches are very familiar with each other and expect a bit of a chess match here. If N.C. State can keep this close into the fourth quarter, they will have a chance to become bowl eligible (which no one would have thought was possible five weeks ago). It’s N.C. State and the points for me here.
Northwestern +14
I’ve read this week that even though Northwestern is bowl eligible that they will most likely still have to win one more game or get shut out of bowl season, due to the lack of bowl tie-ins from the Big 10. That being said, Illinois is coming off a huge emotional win against Ohio St. last week, one in which head coach Ron Zook was in tears after the game. Northwestern’s running back Tyrell Sutton, is now finally fully healthy and is running very hard with great results. This has taken some of the pressure of quarterback C.J. Bacher. With Sutton being back, Bacher will only be asked to manage the game, whereas earlier in the year he was asked to carry a majority of the load. Northwestern will need to attempt to contain running back Rashard Mendenhall, which will be a difficult task. Even though Juice Williams played very well last week, I still think Northwestern has to try to stop the run first. Efficiency on third down and moving the chains will need to be the focus of the Northwestern attack. If they can do that, they can keep themselves in the game. I’ll take Northwestern and the points here and hold on.
Good luck to all.
pags11
SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
BIG TIME.
Reply With Quote
