Washington may not be the worst team in the NFL, but they are the biggest mess. Shanahan's main strength as a coach is supposed to be his steady focus, and his ability to keep his teams focused. He has already failed with this bunch, and with the two biggest name players on the team (Portis and McNabb) both throwing grenades at Shanahan and the team this week, I think the party is completely over in DC.
Traveling on the road against a much better team who actually does look focused? If MJD weren't doubtful here, this would be a 12 point spread. I would still like it. But less than a TD? I think this is a gift, and I think the pack of scrubs that Washington will run out there will be easy pickings for this hungry J-ville team to bury.
JACKSONVILLE -6.5 Large
TOLEDO -1.5 HUGE
FIU is one of those bowl teams who feel like they already played their bowl game and lost. Nobody from Southern Florida is going to make the trip to Detroit right about now, and this will essentially be a home game for the Toledo faithful. Both of these teams got smacked around by big conference opponents early in the season, but where Toledo had to work to earn their place in this game, FIU fell to this bowl with a sloppy loss in the conference championship.
The numbers and strengths both seem similar, but I actually think Toledo had more quality wins, and I think their mindset for this game, in a much friendlier location for them, gives them a massive advantage. Adonis Thomas quietly averaged close to 6 yards a carry this season, and I think against a soft FIU front, he will have a big game, and give Toledo the weapon they need with a lead in the second half.
Good luck all.
Traveling on the road against a much better team who actually does look focused? If MJD weren't doubtful here, this would be a 12 point spread. I would still like it. But less than a TD? I think this is a gift, and I think the pack of scrubs that Washington will run out there will be easy pickings for this hungry J-ville team to bury.
JACKSONVILLE -6.5 Large
TOLEDO -1.5 HUGE
FIU is one of those bowl teams who feel like they already played their bowl game and lost. Nobody from Southern Florida is going to make the trip to Detroit right about now, and this will essentially be a home game for the Toledo faithful. Both of these teams got smacked around by big conference opponents early in the season, but where Toledo had to work to earn their place in this game, FIU fell to this bowl with a sloppy loss in the conference championship.
The numbers and strengths both seem similar, but I actually think Toledo had more quality wins, and I think their mindset for this game, in a much friendlier location for them, gives them a massive advantage. Adonis Thomas quietly averaged close to 6 yards a carry this season, and I think against a soft FIU front, he will have a big game, and give Toledo the weapon they need with a lead in the second half.
Good luck all.
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