West Virginia and NC State is an interesting match-up. West Virginia has a solid defense, with a under preforming offense. NC State on the other hand has an above average offense with just an average defense. Russell Wilson is a top tier quarterback. This year he has proven he is capable of bringing this team an ACC title next year. He does it with his arm and he can do it with his legs. It's good he can run the football because NC State doesn't have anyone else that can run the football. West Virginia will take away Wilson's arm and make NC State run the ball. Wilson will create some big plays with his legs this game but West Virginia will contain him from passing all over the field. Wilson's counterpart Geno Smith has proven he will be an elite quarterback in the NCAA his junior and senior year. Smith has only thrown 6 INT's to 23 TD's this year a differential much better than Wilson's, ultimately because they have a running game. Devine who had a disappointing year, even with over 800 yards rushing he is always a threat, who gains attention from defenses. I'm surprised the line isn't higher than what it is, this is one of my more confident bowls picks this season. Wilson not having a threat to run the ball behind him, will put all the focus on him from the West Virginia defense. West Virginia who has a top defense will make people not named Russell Wilson beat them. NC State's average defense will have to focus on both Smith and Devine, leaving one to beat them at all times. My prediction for the game is a West Virginia rout, West Virginia 34 NC State 10. The multiple options will be too much for the NC State D.
I'm not touching the Mizzou/Iowa game, I could see this going either way, but if I have to pick I like Mizzou at -2.5, good luck today, hopefully you win like I did with Air Force yesterday!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
The run game is all you will see
Back to the picks, as I took a few days off for the holidays.
Air Force v. Georgia Tech, should be an all out ground assault. These two rank #1 and #2 in the ground game, there is no hiding that they both run the ball, and run it well. Air Force's 4 losses all came to quality opponents, all four are bowl teams, three of the four at the time were ranked in the top 10, the only team not ranked was San Diego St. who already won their bowl game. Georgia Tech on the other hand, had some bad losses. They lost to a horrible Kansas team, and average to below average Clemson, Miami, and Georgia teams.
Unlike Nesbitt, Jefferson though not great at it, can throw the ball ok. Nesbitt may catch the falcons off guard maybe once or twice, but his passing ability is low the falcons don't have to worry about much from the air attack, they will crowd the box and shut down the run. Georgia Tech can't do the same thing though. They have to keep people out of the box due to Jefferson being able to beat them in the air as well. If you see Georgia Tech crowding the box look for Jefferson to go in the air a lot more.
This should be an entertaining game, I'm really looking forward to it. With that said I love Air Force in this game. They are the better wishbone team, with the better QB. With the Falcons being more of a dual threat team I see a comfortable win. My prediction is Air Force 42 GT 21.
Take Air Force, I got em' locked in at -2.5, good luck!
Air Force v. Georgia Tech, should be an all out ground assault. These two rank #1 and #2 in the ground game, there is no hiding that they both run the ball, and run it well. Air Force's 4 losses all came to quality opponents, all four are bowl teams, three of the four at the time were ranked in the top 10, the only team not ranked was San Diego St. who already won their bowl game. Georgia Tech on the other hand, had some bad losses. They lost to a horrible Kansas team, and average to below average Clemson, Miami, and Georgia teams.
Unlike Nesbitt, Jefferson though not great at it, can throw the ball ok. Nesbitt may catch the falcons off guard maybe once or twice, but his passing ability is low the falcons don't have to worry about much from the air attack, they will crowd the box and shut down the run. Georgia Tech can't do the same thing though. They have to keep people out of the box due to Jefferson being able to beat them in the air as well. If you see Georgia Tech crowding the box look for Jefferson to go in the air a lot more.
This should be an entertaining game, I'm really looking forward to it. With that said I love Air Force in this game. They are the better wishbone team, with the better QB. With the Falcons being more of a dual threat team I see a comfortable win. My prediction is Air Force 42 GT 21.
Take Air Force, I got em' locked in at -2.5, good luck!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The battle of the beginning of the season could be BCS teams
At the start of the season both these teams where in spots if they won out they would be BCS teams. Utah started out very strong, but it was against weaker competition, Air Force being the only legit win of the first 8. Then they played TCU. Utah could of shown the nation they are a BCS team, they showed the world the exact opposite, they got dismantled. Even more embarrassing they go to Notre Dame next week and lose to what I think is a pathetic Notre Dame team. Utah finished strong however with two legit wins over San Diego St. and BYU, two bowl teams. Cain hasn't had a terrible season, he does get protection for his line, giving him time to throw. I think this is definitely key for Cain to have time to throw on one of the best defenses in college football. Utah isn't the best rushing team but they do have a combo that has rushed for over 1300 yards combined. They defense is at par, they held the not so good teams to low point totals but gave up quite a bit to teams that are bowl teams. Boise should have no problem putting up 35-40 on the Utes. Boise's offense, as we all know is so prolific. Kellen Moore is a top 3 QB. Martin is a thousand yard back. Moore also has two great targets to throw to in Pettis and Young. Not to mention their incredible defense. They dismantled everyone, but the ranked teams they played. Boise played 3 ranked teams this year. #10 VT, who they beat by 3, #24 Oregon St., who they beat by 13, and of course the loss to number #19 Nevada by 3. When playing decent teams, Boise plays well enough to win to not good enough to blow them out.
So my prediction for the night is Boise St. 37 Utah 27. Boise is good enough to win, but not good enough to cover the spread against a ranked opponent. The key to the game is Utah's offensive line. If they can continue to protect the QB and give the runners some open holes, Utah will score enough to keep them close. So the play here, which I have already bet on it Utah+17.
I'm 3-2 this bowl season, going 1-1 yesterday, good luck tonight!
So my prediction for the night is Boise St. 37 Utah 27. Boise is good enough to win, but not good enough to cover the spread against a ranked opponent. The key to the game is Utah's offensive line. If they can continue to protect the QB and give the runners some open holes, Utah will score enough to keep them close. So the play here, which I have already bet on it Utah+17.
I'm 3-2 this bowl season, going 1-1 yesterday, good luck tonight!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Time for Louisville and S.Miss, could be a scoring fest.....or not
After a decent start to the bowl season, a 2-1 record, the one loss being the lack of showing from Fresno. Time to move on, to what has the potential to be a good game.
Louisville is an up and down team. They are never really on a run or on a decline. One thing that is for sure about Louisville is that their offense is run through Bilal Powell. Since taking over as the starting RB he has shown he is a top back in the whole nation. Their passing game is anything but great, though it is improved. Southern Miss has more of a duel threat not just on the ground but in the air. They rank high in both passing and rushing, with a dual threat at running back. It is going to be hard for Louisville to shut down both aspects of the Southern Miss offense. It will be much easier for the Southern Miss defense to shut down Louisville's one man attack. Shut down Powell and put the game into the hands of an inexperienced QB, I believe Southern Miss does that in a low scoring defensive affair. Southern Miss can score, but Louisville does decide to play defense some of the time, I like Southern Miss straight up against Louisville 17-14.
Good luck with the 4th bowl game and may it bring you riches!
Louisville is an up and down team. They are never really on a run or on a decline. One thing that is for sure about Louisville is that their offense is run through Bilal Powell. Since taking over as the starting RB he has shown he is a top back in the whole nation. Their passing game is anything but great, though it is improved. Southern Miss has more of a duel threat not just on the ground but in the air. They rank high in both passing and rushing, with a dual threat at running back. It is going to be hard for Louisville to shut down both aspects of the Southern Miss offense. It will be much easier for the Southern Miss defense to shut down Louisville's one man attack. Shut down Powell and put the game into the hands of an inexperienced QB, I believe Southern Miss does that in a low scoring defensive affair. Southern Miss can score, but Louisville does decide to play defense some of the time, I like Southern Miss straight up against Louisville 17-14.
Good luck with the 4th bowl game and may it bring you riches!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
This is what I'm looking forward to during week 15
Obviously the New England Patriots. We can clinch home field throughout the playoffs with a win. What does that mean, personally I think it means a trip to the Superbowl. Until someone can come into Gillette and beat us, I'm keeping my opinion that we can't be beat at home.The Packers with Rodgers only stand about a 10 percent shot but without him, well I would expect a 45 point win, a worse beat down than what we put on the Jets.
There are also many other story lines I really looking forward to in week 15. The Colts and Jags are another. The Colts have won the division in 6 of the past 7 years, and each year in the NFL for the past 7 years there has been a worst to first team in the NFL among the 8 divisions. Can the Colts finally lose the division for just a second time in 8 years? Can the Jags continue the streak and be the worst to first team this year? My answer is Yes. The Colts are a different team at home, a much better team, it's the turf. I can't even begin to imagine what is going through the heads of Garrard, MJD, and the rest of the Jags. I bet they come out and play the game of their lives. I can't wait to watch this one.
KC and STL is interesting, both teams fighting for their respective divisions, neither of which I saw winning their divisions this year, one teams takes a big leap forward, one takes a giant step back. I'm liking STL in this one with possibly no Cassel for KC.
The Saints and Ravens match up seems to have two good teams heading in different directions. The Ravens after leading the game against the Steelers blew the game late and eventually lost. The very next week With a big 21 point lead against Houston in the 3rd quarter they decided to let them back in and they need overtime to pull out a win in that game. On the other hand the Saints seem to be looking closer to their Superbowl form. I like the Saints form to carry them past Baltimore in this one.
Those are the major things I'm looking forward to in week 15, I'm also looking forward to grilling and drinking beer, have a great week 15 everyone!
There are also many other story lines I really looking forward to in week 15. The Colts and Jags are another. The Colts have won the division in 6 of the past 7 years, and each year in the NFL for the past 7 years there has been a worst to first team in the NFL among the 8 divisions. Can the Colts finally lose the division for just a second time in 8 years? Can the Jags continue the streak and be the worst to first team this year? My answer is Yes. The Colts are a different team at home, a much better team, it's the turf. I can't even begin to imagine what is going through the heads of Garrard, MJD, and the rest of the Jags. I bet they come out and play the game of their lives. I can't wait to watch this one.
KC and STL is interesting, both teams fighting for their respective divisions, neither of which I saw winning their divisions this year, one teams takes a big leap forward, one takes a giant step back. I'm liking STL in this one with possibly no Cassel for KC.
The Saints and Ravens match up seems to have two good teams heading in different directions. The Ravens after leading the game against the Steelers blew the game late and eventually lost. The very next week With a big 21 point lead against Houston in the 3rd quarter they decided to let them back in and they need overtime to pull out a win in that game. On the other hand the Saints seem to be looking closer to their Superbowl form. I like the Saints form to carry them past Baltimore in this one.
Those are the major things I'm looking forward to in week 15, I'm also looking forward to grilling and drinking beer, have a great week 15 everyone!
The happiest time of the year.....bowl season.....even the crappy ones
Saturday marks the beginning of the bowl season, most sports fans get excited about bowl season, even the crappy ones, at least the crappy ones that kick off the season. Here are some predictions and what to expect.
BYU v UTEP
BYU vastly underachieved this year, or at the very least didn't do as well as predicted. Probably because they didn't have much of a QB. Heaps isn't exactly the typical BYU QB that can put up the numbers through the air, the cougs get it done on the ground this year. Their backs rushed for just under 2,000 yards combined this year. BYU can attribute their lackluster 6-6 record to playing some decent competition, TCU, Utah, Air Force, Nevada, Florida St., San Diego St., and even Washington, all of which are bowl teams. UTEP on the other hand has played on three bowl teams. Both teams 6-6, one playing better competition than the other, UTEP gets it done from the air, one gets it done from the ground. UTEP has one viable receiving option, if BYU can shut down Kris Adams and put some pressure on an injured Vittatoe BYU rolls. I do believe that happens my prediction is BYU 27 UTEP 10.
N.Illinois v Fresno St.
N.Illinois went through the MAC conference like it was nothing.....well the MAC conference is nothing. Don't be fooled by the 10 wins from N.Illinois, it was against Pop Warner competition. Look what happens when they play teams from the bigger conferences, loss to a not so good Iowa St. team, loss to an Illinois team that shouldn't be good for a couple more years, and they beat Minnesota, well Minnesota might as well be in the MAC because they are just as good as Akron. As for Fresno St., coach Pat Hill always seems to field a good team. This may not be one of his best teams, but they still are good. All four of their losses are understandable, all to good teams except maybe Mississippi who underperformed this year. If you like rushing this should be a good match to watch. Though Colburn can throw, they have a good back in Rouse. N.Illinois has Spann and even their QB Harnish can run the football. In the end Fresno St. is a legit team, the kind of team N.Illinois can't beat. My prediction for the game is Fresno St. 38 N.Illinois 17.
Ohio v Troy
Lucky us, we get to end the day with the least exciting of the three games. Ohio from the MAC the conference comparable to Pop Warner football. Ohio doesn't really do anything well, they have a below average pass attack, Boo Jackson isn't a passer, and just an average rush attack. If your QB was bad at passing you would think he would be good at rushing right? Wrong. With over 100 carries Jackson averaged over 3 yards per carry. So how did Ohio get to a bowl game? They are in the MAC that is all that needs to be said. As for Troy, they have an above average passing game, even as a freshman Corey Robinson threw for over 3 thousand yards, and Troy was even able of giving Oklahoma St. a game. I don't think this game is going to even be close. Troy will throw all over the below average Ohio team, Troy 44 Ohio 24.
If your a betting man take BYU and Troy to cover the spread and Fresno St. for the straight up win.
BYU v UTEP
BYU vastly underachieved this year, or at the very least didn't do as well as predicted. Probably because they didn't have much of a QB. Heaps isn't exactly the typical BYU QB that can put up the numbers through the air, the cougs get it done on the ground this year. Their backs rushed for just under 2,000 yards combined this year. BYU can attribute their lackluster 6-6 record to playing some decent competition, TCU, Utah, Air Force, Nevada, Florida St., San Diego St., and even Washington, all of which are bowl teams. UTEP on the other hand has played on three bowl teams. Both teams 6-6, one playing better competition than the other, UTEP gets it done from the air, one gets it done from the ground. UTEP has one viable receiving option, if BYU can shut down Kris Adams and put some pressure on an injured Vittatoe BYU rolls. I do believe that happens my prediction is BYU 27 UTEP 10.
N.Illinois v Fresno St.
N.Illinois went through the MAC conference like it was nothing.....well the MAC conference is nothing. Don't be fooled by the 10 wins from N.Illinois, it was against Pop Warner competition. Look what happens when they play teams from the bigger conferences, loss to a not so good Iowa St. team, loss to an Illinois team that shouldn't be good for a couple more years, and they beat Minnesota, well Minnesota might as well be in the MAC because they are just as good as Akron. As for Fresno St., coach Pat Hill always seems to field a good team. This may not be one of his best teams, but they still are good. All four of their losses are understandable, all to good teams except maybe Mississippi who underperformed this year. If you like rushing this should be a good match to watch. Though Colburn can throw, they have a good back in Rouse. N.Illinois has Spann and even their QB Harnish can run the football. In the end Fresno St. is a legit team, the kind of team N.Illinois can't beat. My prediction for the game is Fresno St. 38 N.Illinois 17.
Ohio v Troy
Lucky us, we get to end the day with the least exciting of the three games. Ohio from the MAC the conference comparable to Pop Warner football. Ohio doesn't really do anything well, they have a below average pass attack, Boo Jackson isn't a passer, and just an average rush attack. If your QB was bad at passing you would think he would be good at rushing right? Wrong. With over 100 carries Jackson averaged over 3 yards per carry. So how did Ohio get to a bowl game? They are in the MAC that is all that needs to be said. As for Troy, they have an above average passing game, even as a freshman Corey Robinson threw for over 3 thousand yards, and Troy was even able of giving Oklahoma St. a game. I don't think this game is going to even be close. Troy will throw all over the below average Ohio team, Troy 44 Ohio 24.
If your a betting man take BYU and Troy to cover the spread and Fresno St. for the straight up win.
The big 3....age is nothing but a number
Too old. That is what I heard coming into this year from a lot of people. The Celtics are too old to make another run, even with a top point guard not even at the peak of his game. Let me ask you, is 20-4 with an 11 game win streak too old? The answer, NO!
The Celtics are a team built for the playoffs, they have depth on the bench to give the starters prolonged rest if need be, every starter they have also has the ability to be clutch, as Paul Pierce had shown on Wednesday night. Trailing just about the whole game in New York, the Celts worked their way back to the lead with a wide open three from Ray Allen. With Gallinari getting a three point play and tying the game yet again at 116, Pierce went to work. With .4 left on the clock nailed a fade away jumper for the two point lead and eventual game winner.Clutch.
What is also clutch about that win is the Celtics have got it unconventionally than what they are used to. Other than Miami no one in the league gives up less points per game than the Celtics. The Celts got this win not by defense but by their offense. The 118 point output happened to be the most points scored in a single game by them this season. They can adapt, with them being able to win different ways, that is what the good teams do, they are scary, if you score 115 on our defense you are not guaranteed a win. The starting 5's ability to be clutch and the team being able to adapt to who they are playing just shows the Celtics are still the team to beat. Sorry LA, Miami, Orlando, and even San Antonio the Celtics are the team to beat, better luck next year.
Props to New York though, they are much improved and actually are giving a race in the Atlantic Division, the 25, 21, and 10 game differences the past three years have made it boring, it's nice having someone that could finish within 10 games of us.
The Celtics are a team built for the playoffs, they have depth on the bench to give the starters prolonged rest if need be, every starter they have also has the ability to be clutch, as Paul Pierce had shown on Wednesday night. Trailing just about the whole game in New York, the Celts worked their way back to the lead with a wide open three from Ray Allen. With Gallinari getting a three point play and tying the game yet again at 116, Pierce went to work. With .4 left on the clock nailed a fade away jumper for the two point lead and eventual game winner.Clutch.
What is also clutch about that win is the Celtics have got it unconventionally than what they are used to. Other than Miami no one in the league gives up less points per game than the Celtics. The Celts got this win not by defense but by their offense. The 118 point output happened to be the most points scored in a single game by them this season. They can adapt, with them being able to win different ways, that is what the good teams do, they are scary, if you score 115 on our defense you are not guaranteed a win. The starting 5's ability to be clutch and the team being able to adapt to who they are playing just shows the Celtics are still the team to beat. Sorry LA, Miami, Orlando, and even San Antonio the Celtics are the team to beat, better luck next year.
Props to New York though, they are much improved and actually are giving a race in the Atlantic Division, the 25, 21, and 10 game differences the past three years have made it boring, it's nice having someone that could finish within 10 games of us.
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