Minnesota v Syracuse
Minnesota (-7) v Syracuse
Game time: 12:00PM EST
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, New York
Expected Weather: Dome
2008 Minnesota Offense:
Scoring: 23.2 ppg (83 overall)
Rushing: 103.9 ypg (104 overall)
Passing: 219.1 ypg (55 overall)
Total: 322.9 ypg (91 overall)
2008 Minnesota Defense:
Scoring: 24.8 ppg (61 overall)
Rushing: 143.3 ypg (68 overall)
Passing: 240.3 ypg (93 overall)
Total: 383.6 ypg (80 overall)
TO Margin: +12, +.92 (16 overall)
2008 Syracuse Offense:
Scoring: 18.1 ppg (108 overall)
Rushing: 148.7 ypg (55 overall)
Passing: 121.5 ypg (113 overall)
Total: 270.2 ypg (114 overall)
2008 Syracuse Defense:
Scoring: 32.7 ppg (101 overall)
Rushing: 189.4 ypg (101 overall)
Passing: 225.1 ypg (83 overall)
Total: 414.5 (101 overall)
TO Margin: -1, -.08 pg (69 overall)
Coach Tim Brewster is 8-17 in his first 2 years at Minnesota. In his 3rd year, the Golden Gophers return 18 starters; 10 on offense (including all 5 OL starters, ranked #25 by Steele) and 8 on defense to become the most experienced team in the Big 10.
Offensively, the Adam Weber (6’3 217) to Eric Decker (6’2 215 – 1st Team Big 10 – 84 catches for 1074 yds, 7 TDs, 89.5 ypg) connection will be open for business once again. Opponents will likely try to blanket Decker, luckily four-star juco transfer Hayo Carpenter will provide Weber with another target. Weber passed for 2761 yds (6.7 ypa) on 410 attempts (255 cmps / 62.2%) with a TD/INT ratio of 15:8 and a passing efficiency rating of 126.9. Weber also added another 233 on the ground and averaged 230 ypg of total offense (by himself). Phil Steele ranks the Minnesota receiving corp at #21 overall.
Defensively, Minny returns 8 starters. Four out of the Gophers six team captains are defensive players (DTs Eric Small and Garrett Brown and LBs Simoni Lawrence [10.5 sacks, 40 yards lost] and Lee Campbell) Traye Simmons (PBU 14, 4 INTS), Marcus Sherels (11 PBU, 2 INTS), and Kyle Theret (8 PBU, 3 INTS) return to head Phil Steele’s #26 ranked defensive backfield.
The Bottom Line: Yes I know, everybody and their Great Aunt Susie is on Minny. When the lines came out a few weeks ago, this is the only one that I circled and knew I was going to bet. I’m from PA so I tend to watch a lot of Big Ten and Big East games. I made a lot of money fading Syracuse last year and took down quite a few bucks early on with Minny. Syracuse is just pitiful on offense. “But they beat ND and Louisville last year?” News flash: ND sucked balls and fat boy should have been canned; Louisville decided to pack it in early and got smoked went 0-5 SU and ATS their L5 games. Syracuse’ pass defense gave up 27 touchdowns last fall in a year where Big East QB’s was just plain bad. Thank God HC Dog Marrone (1st Year at Syracuse) brought on DC Scott Shafer. Who the hell is Scott Shafer? Scott Shafer was Michigan’s DC last year when they had their worst season in school history.
Is Paulus really starting? Man I hope he does. I’d really like to see how a basketball star turned QB runs a lackluster offense with a first year HC. How many kids quit? Or did they get kicked off the team? I’ve heard some many different rumors… Well, back to the stats..
Trends to watch:
Syracuse is 1-6 in home openers
Syracuse has lost last 6 at home vs Non-Conf BCS teams by 18 ppg
Minny won last 6 out of 7 openers
I may be the biggest donkey in the world, but there is no way I can't bet this.
Take Minnesota (-7) $300 to win $285.71 @ Sportsbook
hno:
