Game Previews and Selections
North Texas -14 (-21) over Utah State
The Eagles off a nice come from behind road win, come home to face the Aggies of Utah State. North Texas plays the usual collection of difficult opponents in the early season that allows them to play exceptionally well in the Sun Belt. The running game is the strength of the Eagles offense that is starting to roll now they are in conference play as evidenced by the 237 yard average the last two contests. As is the case with most quality teams the former Mean Green have only surrendered more then 150 yards rushing once in six outings and that was to run oriented Air Force. Some NFL scouts say that All-American DT Kennedy is too short to play in their league. We will however always take a guy that ALWAYS needs to double teamed. Utah State is getting their first taste of Sun Belt football is holding up well to date. The Aggies have only rushed over a 100 yards twice against solid competition and will find the going very difficult in Denton. N.Texas is 11-3 ATS against conference foes most recently, and are 13-1 ATS after a conference victory. Look for the Eagles to pick at the Aggies for 60 minutes of torture.
Arkansas -4.5 (-10) over Florida
One of these teams exceeded expectations, while the other fell short. Impact Sports expected the Razorbacks to struggle and they did as we played against them last week. With all the network TV talk about the Michigan O-Line, the real linemen strap it on down in Fayetteville. This group averages 223 ypg and 5.0 per carry. They bring power smash mouth football right at you for the entire game. Florida played a sensational game down in the Bayou in upsetting LSU. The Gators are extremely young on both sides of the ball. The big question can they perform at that level for two consecutive SEC road games? We think not. Prior to the LSU game the Gators were giving up 178 yards rushing per game in their four previous outings. LSU lost two RB’s during the game which contributed to the poor rushing effort. C. Zook is not a good coach. There is a reason why this team has the record it does over the last year and a half. With the “Zooker” at the helm you’re not sure what your going to get from week to week. QB Leak made some plays, but was abused last week, look for more of the same this Saturday. Arkansas is better on both sides of the ball, look for the Razorbacks to skin the Gators this weekend.
Impact Selection
Western Michigan +14 @Northern Illinois
Scooby Doo Play
Syracuse +3.5 (-3) over Boston College
The Orangemen were blasted by Virginia Tech that gives us line value this Saturday. RB Reyes is a quality back that keeps the Orangemen offense running at 230 yards per contest. The defense is suspect, but the ‘Cuse play well at the Dome with an 11-4 ATS record most recently. With BC accepting an invitation to play in the ACC the home crowd will be veracious. The Eagles easily handled the Orangemen last year by 21 points as 7-point favorites. With Notre Dame on tap at home in Boston the focus comes into question. The Eagles are just 6-6 ATS as an away favorite. Look for a high scoring affair with Orangemen squeezing out an upset win.
NFL IMPACTFUL SELECTION
Kansas City -3.5 (-7) over Oakland
Let’s face facts on this one. Sometimes things happen that are unexplainable to anyone. It’s not the Chiefs kept a great attitude that allowed them to come from WAY back at Green Bay to win. Football like life is fickle and when things are going your way, you win and when then their not you lose. It has nothing to do X’s and O’s. C.Vermeil is a smart man who has strong football organizational skills that he facilitates throughout the organization. His ego and belief in himself are transferred to his coaches and players, and after usually two years they buy in. Look at the history, UCLA, Philadelphia, St. Louis and now KC. Even Brent Musburger is one of his most ardent supporters after working with him in the booth at ABC. The guy knows how to make a winner PERIOD.
If you have watched the Raiders play any game this season, you will notice the one element lacking from this team is passion. This team has yet to get over their embarrassing Super Bowl loss. This has occurred to many teams over history. Until the Raiders decide to literally get pissed off, this malaise will continue. Fortunately for the Chiefs it will not occur this Monday. The Chiefs OWN the Raiders with a 14-5-1 ATS record against them, and a 7-3 ATS record in Oak-town.( Jim Rome reference) The Raiders are dead last against the run in the NFL which is great news for Priest and the gang. KC pulls away in 4th quarter to stay undefeated and hand us the cover in this old school AFC contest.
North Texas -14 (-21) over Utah State
The Eagles off a nice come from behind road win, come home to face the Aggies of Utah State. North Texas plays the usual collection of difficult opponents in the early season that allows them to play exceptionally well in the Sun Belt. The running game is the strength of the Eagles offense that is starting to roll now they are in conference play as evidenced by the 237 yard average the last two contests. As is the case with most quality teams the former Mean Green have only surrendered more then 150 yards rushing once in six outings and that was to run oriented Air Force. Some NFL scouts say that All-American DT Kennedy is too short to play in their league. We will however always take a guy that ALWAYS needs to double teamed. Utah State is getting their first taste of Sun Belt football is holding up well to date. The Aggies have only rushed over a 100 yards twice against solid competition and will find the going very difficult in Denton. N.Texas is 11-3 ATS against conference foes most recently, and are 13-1 ATS after a conference victory. Look for the Eagles to pick at the Aggies for 60 minutes of torture.
Arkansas -4.5 (-10) over Florida
One of these teams exceeded expectations, while the other fell short. Impact Sports expected the Razorbacks to struggle and they did as we played against them last week. With all the network TV talk about the Michigan O-Line, the real linemen strap it on down in Fayetteville. This group averages 223 ypg and 5.0 per carry. They bring power smash mouth football right at you for the entire game. Florida played a sensational game down in the Bayou in upsetting LSU. The Gators are extremely young on both sides of the ball. The big question can they perform at that level for two consecutive SEC road games? We think not. Prior to the LSU game the Gators were giving up 178 yards rushing per game in their four previous outings. LSU lost two RB’s during the game which contributed to the poor rushing effort. C. Zook is not a good coach. There is a reason why this team has the record it does over the last year and a half. With the “Zooker” at the helm you’re not sure what your going to get from week to week. QB Leak made some plays, but was abused last week, look for more of the same this Saturday. Arkansas is better on both sides of the ball, look for the Razorbacks to skin the Gators this weekend.
Impact Selection
Western Michigan +14 @Northern Illinois
Scooby Doo Play
Syracuse +3.5 (-3) over Boston College
The Orangemen were blasted by Virginia Tech that gives us line value this Saturday. RB Reyes is a quality back that keeps the Orangemen offense running at 230 yards per contest. The defense is suspect, but the ‘Cuse play well at the Dome with an 11-4 ATS record most recently. With BC accepting an invitation to play in the ACC the home crowd will be veracious. The Eagles easily handled the Orangemen last year by 21 points as 7-point favorites. With Notre Dame on tap at home in Boston the focus comes into question. The Eagles are just 6-6 ATS as an away favorite. Look for a high scoring affair with Orangemen squeezing out an upset win.
NFL IMPACTFUL SELECTION
Kansas City -3.5 (-7) over Oakland
Let’s face facts on this one. Sometimes things happen that are unexplainable to anyone. It’s not the Chiefs kept a great attitude that allowed them to come from WAY back at Green Bay to win. Football like life is fickle and when things are going your way, you win and when then their not you lose. It has nothing to do X’s and O’s. C.Vermeil is a smart man who has strong football organizational skills that he facilitates throughout the organization. His ego and belief in himself are transferred to his coaches and players, and after usually two years they buy in. Look at the history, UCLA, Philadelphia, St. Louis and now KC. Even Brent Musburger is one of his most ardent supporters after working with him in the booth at ABC. The guy knows how to make a winner PERIOD.
If you have watched the Raiders play any game this season, you will notice the one element lacking from this team is passion. This team has yet to get over their embarrassing Super Bowl loss. This has occurred to many teams over history. Until the Raiders decide to literally get pissed off, this malaise will continue. Fortunately for the Chiefs it will not occur this Monday. The Chiefs OWN the Raiders with a 14-5-1 ATS record against them, and a 7-3 ATS record in Oak-town.( Jim Rome reference) The Raiders are dead last against the run in the NFL which is great news for Priest and the gang. KC pulls away in 4th quarter to stay undefeated and hand us the cover in this old school AFC contest.
