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NCAA Football Odds: TCU -35 at UNLV
By: Michael Robinson | Thursday, October 28, 2010
The TCU Horned Frogs, the most overlooked team in the country, visit the UNLV Rebels in ‘Sin City’ on Saturday night.
Bookmaker.com has TCU as big 35-point road ‘chalk’ with a total of 54 ½-points.
The Horned Frogs (8-0 straight-up, 4-4 against the spread) are ranked No. 4 in the AP and Coaches Poll, plus the BCS. However, they’re seldom mentioned as national title contenders.
A big reason is they’re out of the Mountain West Conference (MWC). The perception is that if any small school makes the title game, it will be Boise State. TCU lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl (17-10) last year.
The Horned Frogs were expected to be very good and haven’t disappointed by scoring 39.9 PPG (seventh nationally) and allowing nine PPG (first nationally). Their only game versus a ranked team was the opener against No. 24 Oregon State, played in ‘neutral’ Dallas (30-21 win).
Quarterback Andy Dalton leads the nation in career wins (37) and passed the legendary Sammy Baugh this year for most in TCU history. This is a running based offense at 270.6 YPG (ranked 10th) with Dalton a threat with his legs. The pass offense is at 209.5 YPG (ranked 69th), with Dalton 23rd in passing efficiency.
The defense was a preseason worry after losing stars Jerry Hughes and Daryl Washington, plus the two starting cornerbacks. However, the ‘D’ has been lights-out the last four games (all MWC), allowing 2.5 PPG. The ‘under’ is 4-0 in those contests, even with the offense scoring 35.3 PPG.
The Horned Frogs have been at least 30-point ‘chalk’ four times this year, going 2-2 ATS. They’ve only played two true road games (1-1 ATS). The first was a 41-24 win at SMU, just failing to ‘cover’ as 17 ½-point ‘chalk.’ The second was at Colorado State four weeks ago, winning 27-0 as 32 ½-point favorites.
UNLV is just 1-6 SU (3-4 ATS) this season. That wasn’t the start new coach Bobby Hauck was expecting. TCU is the highest ranked team ever to come into Sam Boyd Stadium.
Senior quarterback Omar Clayton engineers an offense scoring just 18.4 PPG (ranked 106th). The team is having trouble both running and passing. This game is personal for Clayton as he suffered a season-ending knee injury to TCU in the 2008 home game.
Clayton will get back his best receiver Phillip Payne (389 yards) after being suspended two games for critical comments about the coaches via twitter.
The Rebels’ defense is allowing 36.4 PPG (ranked 110th), and has only kept one opponent under 30 points. The run defense has been particularly brutal at 213.9 YPG (ranked 115th). That’s not a good sign against TCU’s varied rushing attack.
The Rebels have had a bye week to prepare and are 3-0 ATS at home. They beat New Mexico (currently 0-7) 45-10 as 10 ½-point favorites. They were 20 ½-point ‘dogs versus both Nevada and Wisconsin, losing by 18 and 20 points respectively.
UNLV is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games as a home ‘dog. The ‘over’ is 4-0 in its last four contests.
TCU is 3-0 SU and ATS in the last three games versus UNLV (combined score 119-24).
TCU nose tackle Kelly Griffin (ankle) is out for the year. Cory Grant is supposed to shift to his position, but he’s questionable this week (ankle). UNLV has been hit really hard with injuries. There are 24 players on the latest report, with 12 out.
Kickoff is a late 8 p.m. (PT). Weather will be beautiful, around 60 degrees.
This is a classic trap game for TCU as it travels to No. 8 Utah next week. Both teams are undefeated and fighting for the MWC and national title. UNLV will travel to BYU.
By: Michael Robinson | Thursday, October 28, 2010
The TCU Horned Frogs, the most overlooked team in the country, visit the UNLV Rebels in ‘Sin City’ on Saturday night.
Bookmaker.com has TCU as big 35-point road ‘chalk’ with a total of 54 ½-points.
The Horned Frogs (8-0 straight-up, 4-4 against the spread) are ranked No. 4 in the AP and Coaches Poll, plus the BCS. However, they’re seldom mentioned as national title contenders.
A big reason is they’re out of the Mountain West Conference (MWC). The perception is that if any small school makes the title game, it will be Boise State. TCU lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl (17-10) last year.
The Horned Frogs were expected to be very good and haven’t disappointed by scoring 39.9 PPG (seventh nationally) and allowing nine PPG (first nationally). Their only game versus a ranked team was the opener against No. 24 Oregon State, played in ‘neutral’ Dallas (30-21 win).
Quarterback Andy Dalton leads the nation in career wins (37) and passed the legendary Sammy Baugh this year for most in TCU history. This is a running based offense at 270.6 YPG (ranked 10th) with Dalton a threat with his legs. The pass offense is at 209.5 YPG (ranked 69th), with Dalton 23rd in passing efficiency.
The defense was a preseason worry after losing stars Jerry Hughes and Daryl Washington, plus the two starting cornerbacks. However, the ‘D’ has been lights-out the last four games (all MWC), allowing 2.5 PPG. The ‘under’ is 4-0 in those contests, even with the offense scoring 35.3 PPG.
The Horned Frogs have been at least 30-point ‘chalk’ four times this year, going 2-2 ATS. They’ve only played two true road games (1-1 ATS). The first was a 41-24 win at SMU, just failing to ‘cover’ as 17 ½-point ‘chalk.’ The second was at Colorado State four weeks ago, winning 27-0 as 32 ½-point favorites.
UNLV is just 1-6 SU (3-4 ATS) this season. That wasn’t the start new coach Bobby Hauck was expecting. TCU is the highest ranked team ever to come into Sam Boyd Stadium.
Senior quarterback Omar Clayton engineers an offense scoring just 18.4 PPG (ranked 106th). The team is having trouble both running and passing. This game is personal for Clayton as he suffered a season-ending knee injury to TCU in the 2008 home game.
Clayton will get back his best receiver Phillip Payne (389 yards) after being suspended two games for critical comments about the coaches via twitter.
The Rebels’ defense is allowing 36.4 PPG (ranked 110th), and has only kept one opponent under 30 points. The run defense has been particularly brutal at 213.9 YPG (ranked 115th). That’s not a good sign against TCU’s varied rushing attack.
The Rebels have had a bye week to prepare and are 3-0 ATS at home. They beat New Mexico (currently 0-7) 45-10 as 10 ½-point favorites. They were 20 ½-point ‘dogs versus both Nevada and Wisconsin, losing by 18 and 20 points respectively.
UNLV is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games as a home ‘dog. The ‘over’ is 4-0 in its last four contests.
TCU is 3-0 SU and ATS in the last three games versus UNLV (combined score 119-24).
TCU nose tackle Kelly Griffin (ankle) is out for the year. Cory Grant is supposed to shift to his position, but he’s questionable this week (ankle). UNLV has been hit really hard with injuries. There are 24 players on the latest report, with 12 out.
Kickoff is a late 8 p.m. (PT). Weather will be beautiful, around 60 degrees.
This is a classic trap game for TCU as it travels to No. 8 Utah next week. Both teams are undefeated and fighting for the MWC and national title. UNLV will travel to BYU.
A LOT OF BITCH SLAPPING...............
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