Missouri (-15.5) over Kansas ***
I liked this line much better when it was 13. But I still think this is a very playable line in what I think will be a statement game for Missouri. This game isn't going to be about BCS style points. This will be a statement about who is the best team by far in the Big 12 North. And after watching all of these North teams many times over this season, I believe Mizzou is still at least 2 to 3 TD's better than an improved Nebraska team. And at least 3 TD's better than Kansas, who will end up the third best team in the North. Unlike last season, Mizzou will have dominance on both lines, along with having the better offense by far. The defenses are statistically about even. So the trick for Kansas will be to try and outscore Missouri. I think it will take more like a miracle to get it done. One glaring weakenss on this Kansas team this season compared to last is their rushing game. They haven't been nearly as potent running the ball this year, and averages only 132 ypg. And with a leg injury to their top back Jake Sharp, it's going to put added pressure on Ressing. Whether Sharp will be able to go or not, he won't be near 100% for this game. So I can see Ressing having to do alot of running and scrambling on his own and making rushed passes in this game. He'll have some limited success. But not nearly enough to overtake this Mizzou offensive machine that averages over 500 ypg. Missouri also gets their leading receiver Chase Coffman back for this game after missing the last two games. And they'll be going up against a Kansas defense who gives up 268 yards passing per game. And has given up a ton of yards to the better passing teams in the league. So Chase Daniel will not only be picking his boogers in this game, he'll be picking the Kansas secondary apart. Like I said, this is a statement game for Mizzou to send a message to whoever they play next week for the Big 12 Championship. I think they'll prove that they haven't gone away and are going to be a handful for whoever they face. I have a feeling their going to make it look easy here. I don't see this game being the 8 point game we saw last season. I believe Missouri is a better team this year. And Kansas isn't. Missouri in a rout 49-24.
I liked this line much better when it was 13. But I still think this is a very playable line in what I think will be a statement game for Missouri. This game isn't going to be about BCS style points. This will be a statement about who is the best team by far in the Big 12 North. And after watching all of these North teams many times over this season, I believe Mizzou is still at least 2 to 3 TD's better than an improved Nebraska team. And at least 3 TD's better than Kansas, who will end up the third best team in the North. Unlike last season, Mizzou will have dominance on both lines, along with having the better offense by far. The defenses are statistically about even. So the trick for Kansas will be to try and outscore Missouri. I think it will take more like a miracle to get it done. One glaring weakenss on this Kansas team this season compared to last is their rushing game. They haven't been nearly as potent running the ball this year, and averages only 132 ypg. And with a leg injury to their top back Jake Sharp, it's going to put added pressure on Ressing. Whether Sharp will be able to go or not, he won't be near 100% for this game. So I can see Ressing having to do alot of running and scrambling on his own and making rushed passes in this game. He'll have some limited success. But not nearly enough to overtake this Mizzou offensive machine that averages over 500 ypg. Missouri also gets their leading receiver Chase Coffman back for this game after missing the last two games. And they'll be going up against a Kansas defense who gives up 268 yards passing per game. And has given up a ton of yards to the better passing teams in the league. So Chase Daniel will not only be picking his boogers in this game, he'll be picking the Kansas secondary apart. Like I said, this is a statement game for Mizzou to send a message to whoever they play next week for the Big 12 Championship. I think they'll prove that they haven't gone away and are going to be a handful for whoever they face. I have a feeling their going to make it look easy here. I don't see this game being the 8 point game we saw last season. I believe Missouri is a better team this year. And Kansas isn't. Missouri in a rout 49-24.
Nevada (-4 bought half point) over La Tech **
I usually don't make it a habit of giving points to the home team in the last game of the year. But after watching both of these teams several times this season, I believe that Nevada is the better team. And they also have the most to play for here. LT already has their 7 wins on the season. Nevada has 6. But being a WAC team they really need to have that 7th game to be assured of a bowl from the limited amount of slots that the WAC gets invited to every year.. I just really like the way this Nevada team has been playing in their last few games. And they showed me alot of moxy in coming back on Boise State last week and making them earn a hard fought victory. Nevada rolled up almost 400 yards on a very good Boise defense. And I think this success will carry over to this week's game.. LT has been winning their games. They have a four game winning streak. But they have been far from dominant. Their margins of victory has been 3, 3, 7 & 21 all against teams without a winning record. Nevada on the other hand in their last 4 games has played 3 and possibly 4 teams that will be going to bowls. So at this point in the season they are pretty battle tested for this road trip. After struggling a bit against Boise I expect 6-6 Nevada QB Kaepernick to have a big game against a weak La Tech pass defense. LT on the other hand is not a big play team. They run the ball well. But their playing the best rush defense in the WAC who allows just 70 ypg rushing. And even though Nevada has the worst pass defense in the nation, i seriously doubt a LT offense who averages just 143 ypg will be able to expose it. Nevada has a very good defensive line. And I believe they'll not only be able to slow down the LT running attack, I believe they'll get to the QB and take away the pass game. The last balanced offense that LT faced was Boise, in which they gave up 38 points and were never in the game. A far cry from the way Nevada played them. Nevada is also a very balanced team. And I think they get the job done in a must-win game. Nevada 31-24
I usually don't make it a habit of giving points to the home team in the last game of the year. But after watching both of these teams several times this season, I believe that Nevada is the better team. And they also have the most to play for here. LT already has their 7 wins on the season. Nevada has 6. But being a WAC team they really need to have that 7th game to be assured of a bowl from the limited amount of slots that the WAC gets invited to every year.. I just really like the way this Nevada team has been playing in their last few games. And they showed me alot of moxy in coming back on Boise State last week and making them earn a hard fought victory. Nevada rolled up almost 400 yards on a very good Boise defense. And I think this success will carry over to this week's game.. LT has been winning their games. They have a four game winning streak. But they have been far from dominant. Their margins of victory has been 3, 3, 7 & 21 all against teams without a winning record. Nevada on the other hand in their last 4 games has played 3 and possibly 4 teams that will be going to bowls. So at this point in the season they are pretty battle tested for this road trip. After struggling a bit against Boise I expect 6-6 Nevada QB Kaepernick to have a big game against a weak La Tech pass defense. LT on the other hand is not a big play team. They run the ball well. But their playing the best rush defense in the WAC who allows just 70 ypg rushing. And even though Nevada has the worst pass defense in the nation, i seriously doubt a LT offense who averages just 143 ypg will be able to expose it. Nevada has a very good defensive line. And I believe they'll not only be able to slow down the LT running attack, I believe they'll get to the QB and take away the pass game. The last balanced offense that LT faced was Boise, in which they gave up 38 points and were never in the game. A far cry from the way Nevada played them. Nevada is also a very balanced team. And I think they get the job done in a must-win game. Nevada 31-24
This Week's Games:
Texas (-34) over Texas A&M *** (Win)
Nebraska-Colorado (OVER 56) * (Win)
Texas Tech (-20) over Baylor ***
OSU (+7.5) over OU **
OSU (ML +250) over OU *
Missouri (-15.5) over Kansas ***
Memphis (-14) over Tulane **
Notre Dame (+33) over USC **
Nevada (-4) over La Tech **
Good luck!
Texas (-34) over Texas A&M *** (Win)
Nebraska-Colorado (OVER 56) * (Win)
Texas Tech (-20) over Baylor ***
OSU (+7.5) over OU **
OSU (ML +250) over OU *
Missouri (-15.5) over Kansas ***
Memphis (-14) over Tulane **
Notre Dame (+33) over USC **
Nevada (-4) over La Tech **
Good luck!
Good luck to you sooner, I have loved reading your threads this season, you always have great insights to go along with your picks. I know you know your sooners and I am going to ride along with you on the OSU game for some entertainment while I'm at the bar.
How do you normally play bowl season? It seems like alot of guys like to get really conservative and lighten up their units, but it seems to me that the games can really offer alot of value as you get teams from different conferences with different perceptions. Either way, best of luck to you tomorrow.
How do you normally play bowl season? It seems like alot of guys like to get really conservative and lighten up their units, but it seems to me that the games can really offer alot of value as you get teams from different conferences with different perceptions. Either way, best of luck to you tomorrow.
Jimmy...Thanks for your kind words...With the OU/OSU game I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst. I think after OU's game against Texas Tech last week that everybody is expecting a repeat of that performance. But you and I both know this is just about an impossible thing to repeat. Especially on the Big 12 road. Which has been hard on opposing teams this season. I would be very happy with any kind of win for the Sooners tomorrow.
As for these bowl games, I haven't decided yet exactly how I'm going to wager on these games. It's a tossup between what I'm doing now or keeping them all 2 star plays. At any rate I'll give everybody an idea of how strongly I feel about each game as we go...BOL tomorrow.
I got 2 Tickets Big 12 Champ Game
Hey i have 2 tickets to the Big 12 champ game In KC if you know anyone that would be intrested. They are in Sec 310 Row 4 seat 16 17. I would sell them For $110 dollers For the pair. I live in omaha Ne. email is mnovak_65@hotmail.com
Hey i have 2 tickets to the Big 12 champ game In KC if you know anyone that would be intrested. They are in Sec 310 Row 4 seat 16 17. I would sell them For $110 dollers For the pair. I live in omaha Ne. email is mnovak_65@hotmail.com
My email in mnovak underscore 65@hotmail.com its hard to read that above
Yes its a reaaly good Deal. Fave value on them in 75 dollers each I paid 150 for the pair. I was planning on going and i cant make it. iam a high School coach in here in the Omaha metro and i have a wresling meet that day that i didnt know about and i just want to get them sold evan if i take a little prise hit other wise they will just sit here not getting used. So if anyone is intrested let me know after everyting plays out in 2nites games. Thanks
