Red Sheet
PENN STATE 56 - Indiana 6 - (12:00 EDT) -- Line opened at PennSt minus 31, and is now minus 32. Sure, going with
a team which is in off a classic setback may not seem the healthiest of plays. However, one game
does not a season make, as the Lions are far from removed from playoff possibility, with their weekly
credentials still rock solid, along with ranking 1st, 3rd, 2nd & 2nd in total, rushing, passing, & scoring
defense. Are on an 11-1-1 ATS run (6-1-1 at home). That loss to OSt, if nothing else, showed that QB
Allar wasn't quite ready for such a match, something that he won't need in taking on the Hoosiers, who
are on a 7-23 ATS run, while ranking 116th in total offense. No prisoners taken in this bouncebacker.
RATING 89: PENN STATE
Oregon 48 - UTAH 27 - (3:30) -- Line opened at Oregon minus 5, and is now minus 6. Slight line moves seem to be the
norm today, with a prime example. Both of these 2 sport 6-1 SU records, reflecting their positions in
our "Polls" section on opening week edition. Ducks' only setback this year came at 5th-ranked
Washington, when OU (+3) did everything but win, with a 146-yd edge. QB edge here is obviously in
the Oregon camp, with Nix at #3 in passing efficiency (19 TD passes with just a single pick), & with
Utah losing the services of Rising (knee). The chalk is on a 9-6-1 ATS run in 'Duck games, OU ranks
2nd, 6th, 8th, & 2nd in total, rushing, passing, & scoring "O". Utes? How about 98th in total "O"?
RATING 89: OREGON
NOTRE DAME 45 - Pittsburgh 13 - (3:30) -- Line opened at NotreDame minus 18½, and is now minus 20. It has been
an up-&-down season for the Irish, who've already been involved in a couple of classics, most notably
their last-second loss to OhioSt, with the ensuing PAT resulting in a major controversy. The fact that
the Irish stand at #12 in the land in total defense, cannot be what the Panther faithful need to hear, as
Pitt ranks 113th, 112th, 91st, & 86th in total, rushing, passing & scoring "O". And the Panthers are
on a 3-12 ATS run as the dog.. With every game a "must" affair, there will be no looking past this one,
to next week's game with Clemson, for the Irish. To top it off, 'Dame has had an extra week to prepare.
RATING 88: NOTRE DAME
Maryland 34 - NORTHWESTERN 13 - (12:00) -- Line opened at Maryland minus 13, and is now minus 13½. Figuring
the mental state of each team is often times akin to a "crapshoot", but should not play a part in this
contest, despite the Terps entering off their 2 losses of the season. Fact of the matter is a simple stat
comparison, which shows that the Wildcats, & their 124th-ranked "O", rank just 120th in rushing, as
well as 124th in passing. Contrast that with Maryland outplaying all but one opponent, with a 233-134
pt edge in their last 7 regular season lined games, as Tago is now at 16/5. 'Cats have topped 14 pts
in just 4 of their last 16 outings, while the Terps rank 25th & 21st in rushing & scoring "D". Terp call.
RATING 88: MARYLAND
Ohio State 23 - WISCONSIN 17 - (7:30) -- Line opened at OhioSt minus 14, and is now minus 14½. Third-ranked
Buckeyes continue on, despite the loss of All American QB Stroud, along with another 7 starters. No,
this year's scoring is just a ghost of their normally overpowering offense, ranking 39th in total, as
well as 99th in rushing, with McCord ranking 17th in passing efficiency (12/1). They, obviously, are
doing it with a stifling "D", which ranks 7th in total & 3rd in scoring. Badgers are another dominating
type squad, outgaining 6-of-7 opponents, with their normal sticky "D". Closer than the 2-TD spread.
RATING 88: WISCONSIN
Jacksonville 20 - PITTSBURGH 14 - (1:00) -- Line opened at Jacksonville minus 1½, and is now minus 2½. As noted
on Pointwise, J'Ville's QB Lawrence's sprained knee wasn't all that critical, with his 59 RYs both a team
high, & a personal high. Despite slacking off, following a quick start vs the Saints, the Jags are once
more still in control of the AFC South, with another 2 TDs from Etienne. Steelers got the best of a few
controversial calls in win over the Rams. Another case in which the better team wins by a least a FG.
RATING: JACKSONVILLE 88
NEAR CHOICES (Rated 87): Mississippi, Rice, California, Virginia --
NEAR
FL: Minnesota, LA Chargers, Detroit