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New name, new ratings, hopefully new luck.
NFL
Indianapolis Colts +3 1/2----------------- 3 PIMPS
Defending SB Champs are always good to bet against in the first game of the year. Pair this with the fact that New England has looked mediocre at best in the pre-season, and I like the Colts here. I would probably boost this play up to a "4 Pimp", but the weather scares me a little bit. Looking at last year's regular season matchup, Indy should have won the game, but with a couple key injuries earlier in the game, they did not have their goal line package and were stopped 4 times from inside the 2 yard line. A kickoff return for a TD as time expired in the first half, and a 2nd kickoff return to Indy's 31 were also critical plays. Manning threw 6 INTs in the 2 games, and I just can't see that happening again. I think the new rules will really hurt NE's DBs and even in the rain, think Marvin can have a big game. Indy moved the ball pretty well against NE in the playoffs, they just need to take care of the ball this time. Manning has had 8 months to think about this one, and I think it comes down to two of the best kickers in the game. Indy 23 New England 20
NCAA
Missouri -11----------------- 2 PIMPS
This game scares me a bit. When looking at Troy State's game vs. Marshall last week, their defense totally dominated. Holding a good Marshall offense to 177 total yards, and only 25 yards rushing. Maybe Stan Hill (Marshall's QB) was rusty after getting hurt last season, as he only completed 1/2 of his passes for 152 yards. Troy State should come out pumped up with a very energetic home crowd, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them take an early lead. So why Missouri? Simple....Brad Smith. Why Hill may be a quality QB, he isn't in the same league as Smith, who can run and throw extremely well. Last week he completed 14 of 22 for 233 & 3 TDs, and also ran for 63 yards (on 6 carries) and scored another TD. But he's not the only weapon, Damien Nash is an explosive back who rushed for 126 on only 15 carries last week. During the last two games of last year, he rushed for 60 yards in 9 carries against a good Arkansas D and 91 yards on 10 carries vs. Iowa State. Marcus Woods, a freshman speedster, rushed for 65 yards on 10 carries. Missouri's defense was anything but impressive vs. a weak Arkansas State team, giving up a whopping 350 yards in the air. However, they played well vs. the run (88 yards on 36 carries), and I'm not impressed with Troy's offense. Aaron Leak is not a good QB, he completed 13 of 26 last week for 196, 0 TD & 1 pick. Last year, he completed a pathetic 42% of his passes with 7 TDs and 12 INTs. After their big win vs. Marshall last year, they got rolled by Nebraska 30-0. So you have a team that likes to run the ball (TS) against a team that can stop the run. Missouri can't stop the pass, but Troy can't throw the ball.......I think it all adds up to Missouri 31 Troy State 10
Good luck everybody.
NFL
Indianapolis Colts +3 1/2----------------- 3 PIMPS
Defending SB Champs are always good to bet against in the first game of the year. Pair this with the fact that New England has looked mediocre at best in the pre-season, and I like the Colts here. I would probably boost this play up to a "4 Pimp", but the weather scares me a little bit. Looking at last year's regular season matchup, Indy should have won the game, but with a couple key injuries earlier in the game, they did not have their goal line package and were stopped 4 times from inside the 2 yard line. A kickoff return for a TD as time expired in the first half, and a 2nd kickoff return to Indy's 31 were also critical plays. Manning threw 6 INTs in the 2 games, and I just can't see that happening again. I think the new rules will really hurt NE's DBs and even in the rain, think Marvin can have a big game. Indy moved the ball pretty well against NE in the playoffs, they just need to take care of the ball this time. Manning has had 8 months to think about this one, and I think it comes down to two of the best kickers in the game. Indy 23 New England 20
NCAA
Missouri -11----------------- 2 PIMPS
This game scares me a bit. When looking at Troy State's game vs. Marshall last week, their defense totally dominated. Holding a good Marshall offense to 177 total yards, and only 25 yards rushing. Maybe Stan Hill (Marshall's QB) was rusty after getting hurt last season, as he only completed 1/2 of his passes for 152 yards. Troy State should come out pumped up with a very energetic home crowd, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them take an early lead. So why Missouri? Simple....Brad Smith. Why Hill may be a quality QB, he isn't in the same league as Smith, who can run and throw extremely well. Last week he completed 14 of 22 for 233 & 3 TDs, and also ran for 63 yards (on 6 carries) and scored another TD. But he's not the only weapon, Damien Nash is an explosive back who rushed for 126 on only 15 carries last week. During the last two games of last year, he rushed for 60 yards in 9 carries against a good Arkansas D and 91 yards on 10 carries vs. Iowa State. Marcus Woods, a freshman speedster, rushed for 65 yards on 10 carries. Missouri's defense was anything but impressive vs. a weak Arkansas State team, giving up a whopping 350 yards in the air. However, they played well vs. the run (88 yards on 36 carries), and I'm not impressed with Troy's offense. Aaron Leak is not a good QB, he completed 13 of 26 last week for 196, 0 TD & 1 pick. Last year, he completed a pathetic 42% of his passes with 7 TDs and 12 INTs. After their big win vs. Marshall last year, they got rolled by Nebraska 30-0. So you have a team that likes to run the ball (TS) against a team that can stop the run. Missouri can't stop the pass, but Troy can't throw the ball.......I think it all adds up to Missouri 31 Troy State 10
Good luck everybody.