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ESPN Insider
Don't get crazy this week
By Rich Podolsky
Special to ESPN Insider
Wednesday, October 22
Updated: October 23
9:08 AM ET
This is not a week to take the rubber band off the bankroll. While certain situations look inviting (like West Virginia, Mississippi and Connecticut) others are great games to watch with the underdog looking to be as good or better than the favorite, but having to fight the woes of the road, as well. Last week we had four multiple-unit plays. This week we have none. Be patient. The opportunities will return.
Wednesday
West Virginia (+13½) over Virginia Tech: West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez showed us something last year by going to Virginia Tech and coming away with a 21-18 victory. He also showed us something by going down to Miami a few weeks ago and nearly beating the Hurricanes. So we know the Mountaineers will be ready. The question is, with Miami next on their schedule, will the Hokies be ready? At least they haven't been warned. Not sure if WVU can pull off another stunner, but we'll take our chances getting the 13.
The play: West Virginia, one unit.
Thursday
Georgia Tech (+2½) over Maryland: Georgia Tech found itself once again when it mounted a comeback against Vanderbilt. This was after falling apart against Clemson the week after they lost a heartbreaker at Florida State. If you're still following me you know that the Vandy win was the start of Tech's current three-game streak (that includes N.C. State and Wake). The Yellow Jackets' defense is one of the best in the East, and freshman QB Reggie Ball shows signs of becoming a threat, as well. Maryland is no piece of cake, but giving points here seems out of whack.
The play: Georgia Tech, one unit.
Saturday
Auburn (+3½) over LSU: These are two of the best teams in the country. They both have superb coaching and great defenses. LSU looked headed for the BCS title game before it read its clippings and slipped on Florida's banana peel. But they looked awesome again last week at South Carolina. Auburn on the other hand has righted its ship in a big way after losing two early games. The win at Arkansas was like winning a war -- one in which Auburn gained the kind of confidence that it can win anywhere. Its running game is one of the best with Cadillac Williams cruising. It won't be easy, but Auburn should eke out this defensive battle.
The play: Auburn, one unit.
Mississippi (-1) over Arkansas: After facing Texas, Alabama, Auburn and Florida in four of the last five weeks, it's no wonder the Razorbacks were hoping for a breather in this spot against Ole Miss. Instead they get a hot team with a hot QB in Eli Manning. After losing 49-45 to Texas Tech (no sin there), the Rebels upset Florida, then cleaned up against a weakened Alabama team last week, in the kind of game that builds a team's confidence. Now that Arkansas' Cedrick Hobbs might not play (hamstring), it would seem to limit the Razorbacks' chances, especially at Ole Miss.
The play: Mississippi, one unit.
Boston College (-4) over Notre Dame: B.C. ran into a sneak attack at Syracuse while looking ahead to this week's game against N.D. While B.C. was daydreaming, 'Cuse was trying to show everyone it was better than the thrashing it took at Virginia Tech the week before. Notre Dame has been awful this year, and this doesn't look like the spot for the Irish to get well. B.C. has devised a scheme good enough to beat Notre Dame the last two years, and with its power running game, should be able to do it again.
The play: Boston College, one unit.
N. Illinois (+3½) over Bowling Green: After beating Alabama and Iowa State and crashing the top 25 (No. 10 in the BCS poll), the Huskies almost blew it by starting slowly against both Ohio and Central Michigan before staging comeback victories. Last week they looked sharp again against a good Western Michigan team, just in time for the heart of the MAC schedule. Urban Meyer didn't lose at home often when he was coaching the BG Falcons, but he's at Utah now, and the Falcons just haven't looked that sharp lately. Expect RB Michael Turner to carry NIU in a game that looks very close. NIU won by nine last year. This game should be pick-em.
The play: Northern Ill., one unit.
Utah (-8½) over New Mexico: At the start of the season we talked about the transformation Urban Meyer was bringing about at Utah and how he was bringing the Utes together as team that cared for every individual. And what a team they've become! No one is hotter! After beating Cal, Colorado State and Oregon, you'd think they might let up. But instead they got better, thrashing San Diego State and winning easily at UNLV last week. New Mexico has played respectably, losing to Texas Tech and Washington State on the road and beating a weakened S.D. State team easily last week. They just picked the wrong week to travel to Salt Lake City to face a Utah team that could be in the top 12 before the year's up.
The play: Utah, one unit.
The specials
Outside of the top 25 there are a few interesting situations. Of them, we particularly like Connecticut's chances the most.
Clemson (-13½) over N. Carolina: The Tar Heels lost a barnburner last week on the last play of the game against Arizona State. Now they travel and face pass-happy Clemson QB Charlie Whitehurst. This just in: UNC can't stop anybody, and while they can put some points up themselves, we don't think it will be that easy against this respected Clemson D. Clemson can still salvage its season, while North Carolina is still thinking about the one that got away.
The play: Clemson, one unit.
Connecticut (-9) over Akron: The Huskies have proved they are for real. RB Chris Bellamy has filled in quite adequately for injured star Terry Caulley and was able, along with QB Dan Orlovsky, to lead his team to an overtime win at Kent last week. Losing Caulley, Connecticut could have fallen apart, but instead it fought back. It lost a heartbreaker on the last play of the game at N.C. State, then bounced back last week. Akron, while playing well against mid-level MAC teams, is not in this league. And Orlovsky and company should love the Zips' porous defense.
The play: Connecticut, one unit.
UCLA (-3) over Arizona State: UCLA hasn't exactly been burning it up this year, but they are on a nice little roll, which was spurred by a defensive stand against Washington. The D continues to dominate and should make Arizona State its fourth straight victim. The latter has been spotty at best and last week barely beat one of the worst defenses in the country (North Carolina's).
The play: UCLA, one unit.
Passing thoughts
UAB has to be drained after nearly beating TCU and now must go with a poor-performing, second-team QB at Georgia, of all places. Can't see UAB scoring more than a field goal or two. ... Wake Forest may give FSU more than it wanted, and the Seminoles haven't looked that sharp lately. ... Nevada looks like it's catching La. Tech at a good time after La. Tech's tough 44-41 loss to Hawaii last week and looking ahead to LSU next. ... Toledo's big offensive line and power running game might steamroll right through Ball State this week, too. ... Hate to lay 25 on the road, but Colorado has been yielding 42+ the last five games, and the No. 1 team in the country should make that six straight. ... Wisconsin and Minnesota are on upset alert after losing big games and going on the road against Big Ten teams they might take for granted in Northwestern and Illinois. ... Wyoming is hot and has its defense playing well, too. Now they travel to play a battered San Diego State team that's giving Wyoming a field goal. Doesn't sound right. ... Washington got its wake-up call last week and will throw everything it has at USC on Saturday. Will it be enough to stay within 10? Tough call.
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Alatex 10* GT
ASA Pass
Aplay 10* GT
Basich 1* Maryland
Best Bets GT
Bettors Edge 3* Under
Cal sports 2* GT & Under
Captain 10* GT
Coaches Hotline Maryland
Cobra 3* GT
Compuman 3* Over
Cowtown 1* GT
Edge 10* Maryland
H&H 5* Maryland
JD Keys 7* Under
Northcoast 2* Maryland
Platinum 7* GT
Professor 3* Maryland
Total Edge Under
Warren, Mike 2* GT & Under
Winning Points 5* GT & Under
******* Maryland
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