Mike Handzelek
UCLA vs. Stanford
Pick: UCLA +175
The Stanford Cardinal look like an offensive juggernaut running the ball this year with TB Gerhart holding a 129 ypg average. They've also been catching teams at the right time. Washington after their USC upset & Wash. St. during a flu epidemic are just a few instances where the Cardinal have dominated. Not so fast my fellow window-cashers. This week they face one of the top run-stuffers in the nation in UCLA. UCLA may not contain Stanford to the Bruins usual relinquishment of 74 yards on the ground, but the Cardinal will not have close to the same success they had in their 3 wins. This Bruin squad also has a good secondary that will ball-hawking all game resulting a few Stanford turnovers. On the other side of the ball, UCLA's QB Kevin Craft will settle in with Neuheisel's system. He should be able to exploit a less athletic Cardinal defense who has lost 2 defensive tackles since the opening whistle. Remember, the Bruins come in off the bye week with a well rested & tested "D". With the great line value here, take $200 to risk on these UCLA Bruins to pull off the upset & cash in as our BIG Payback CFB Ml Dogger!
South Florida vs. Syracuse
Pick: South Florida -275
Some people are expecting a letdown after the Bulls crushed their intra-state rival, the Florida State Seminole last week. I think Redshirt Freshman QB Daniels will have easier pickings after facing Florida State's defensive front. Injured Grothe knows the Orange and will fill the kid with the right stuff prior to his start @ the Carrier Dome. Despite their big win, the Bulls can lay it all out on the line versus the Cuse' with a bye week forthcoming. Game manager Greg Paulus has stepped up nicely so far (71% completions the last 2 contests), but he's going up a step in competition here. He'll find himself in a lot of hurried throws up against a big defensive front of the Bulls led by DE George Selvie. I don't quite put the defenses of Northwestern & Minnesota in the same league with the Bulls' front seven. The bottom line says South Florida may not look dominant at first, nut should turn on the after-jets with their pure athletic talent over Syracuse in the end. Take the Bulls for the win as we Lay It On The Line one more time for $200 to win.
East Carolina vs. Marshall
Pick: East Carolina -128
Skip Holtz heads up as a big tactical edge over his opponent today, Mark Snyder & his Blundering Herd. Even though Marshall stands @ 3-1, they were very fortunate to get past Southern Illinois right here @ Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington and just got pasted by Virginia Tech in Week 2. I don't think RB Darius Marshall (what a perfect fit) will enjoy the holes he plowed through over the past few weeks. Holtz is a pusher and has his Pirates winning 7 of their last 8 Conference USA tilts & should take care of business @ Marshalls' Homecoming. QB Pinckney has had time to master the Holtz system so we're relying on him to show road leadership to stymie the Blundering Herd here. There will be no Chad Pennington's & Randy Moss's on the field for Marshall so we'll put up $200 to win on East Carolina as our Tactical Edge CFB Pusher.
Colorado State vs. Idaho
Pick: Idaho +3.5
Don't look now but the bubble just burst on being undefeated for the Colorado State Rams and they're now faced with having to go on the road to the tough Kibbie Dome in Moscow to tangle with the up and coming Vandals. Robb Akey definitely has his troops believing after going to Northern Illinois and taking care of business going away 34-31. They amassed 477 total yards while punting only once for the game. Their lone blemish was a loss on the road @ Washington (who upset USC) but built up confidence doing it putting up 23 in Seattle. They return a defensive secondary that's solid amongst 8 returning starters on "D". One constant thing is the Vandals being MONEY as underdogs covering 8 of 10. Another thing to point out is Colorado State's big distraction in Utah waiting in the wings. They also stand @ 1-8 ATS as road dogs. Before Game 11, home dogs coming off back-to-back home dog and away dog wins are a near perfect 11-1 ATS. Add to this a consistent 13-2 ATS run by the home squad when Colorado State is involved and it adds up to a $200 play on the Idaho Vandals as our Nightime Bailout Brawler 24-3 System Play.
Wyoming vs. Florida Atlantic
Pick: Florida Atlantic -167
The Owls have not had a winning season thus far dropping their first 3 scheduled. However, they have been battle tested against the likes of Nebraska, South Carolina & a respectable UL Monroe squad in the all-important Sun Belt. FAU outgained the Warhawks by 125 yards in the loss. Howard Schnellenberger has shown cat-like quality when his back is against the wall as you will see a different Owl team taking the field this afternoon. They face a Cowboys' club who are a very dismal 2-13 ATS their last 15 away. Last week was a promising showing @ brand new Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale for Florida Atlantic. Rusty "Big Play" Smith is still there pumping it up @ QB for the Owls. He played a big part in knocking off Memphis & Central Michigan in back-to-back bowl appearances. The Cowboys' secondary is filled with short defenders so look for Smith to exploit them to the fullest by creating mismatches in his intermediate routes. let's also take note that Schnellenberger has had a 75% ATS success when @ home immediately off defeat. The SUPER ANGLE applied to this game states to take a recent bowl team @ home against a sub .700 non-conference opponent if they're off back-to-back losses with the last loss being at home. Since 1990, this ATS gem has cashed in @ a 25-5 clip and is good enough for 83% window cashing. FAU fits the bill. Now it's time once again for the rookie on the road factor. Frosh baby QB Austyn Carta-Samuels may have had first time success last week in the comfy confines of War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, but he takes his game onto the real stuff and will feel the pressures of his 1st rookie road game. Hop on Florida Atlantic as our Down But Not Out Rejuvenator play for $200 to win.
UCLA vs. Stanford
Pick: UCLA +175
The Stanford Cardinal look like an offensive juggernaut running the ball this year with TB Gerhart holding a 129 ypg average. They've also been catching teams at the right time. Washington after their USC upset & Wash. St. during a flu epidemic are just a few instances where the Cardinal have dominated. Not so fast my fellow window-cashers. This week they face one of the top run-stuffers in the nation in UCLA. UCLA may not contain Stanford to the Bruins usual relinquishment of 74 yards on the ground, but the Cardinal will not have close to the same success they had in their 3 wins. This Bruin squad also has a good secondary that will ball-hawking all game resulting a few Stanford turnovers. On the other side of the ball, UCLA's QB Kevin Craft will settle in with Neuheisel's system. He should be able to exploit a less athletic Cardinal defense who has lost 2 defensive tackles since the opening whistle. Remember, the Bruins come in off the bye week with a well rested & tested "D". With the great line value here, take $200 to risk on these UCLA Bruins to pull off the upset & cash in as our BIG Payback CFB Ml Dogger!
South Florida vs. Syracuse
Pick: South Florida -275
Some people are expecting a letdown after the Bulls crushed their intra-state rival, the Florida State Seminole last week. I think Redshirt Freshman QB Daniels will have easier pickings after facing Florida State's defensive front. Injured Grothe knows the Orange and will fill the kid with the right stuff prior to his start @ the Carrier Dome. Despite their big win, the Bulls can lay it all out on the line versus the Cuse' with a bye week forthcoming. Game manager Greg Paulus has stepped up nicely so far (71% completions the last 2 contests), but he's going up a step in competition here. He'll find himself in a lot of hurried throws up against a big defensive front of the Bulls led by DE George Selvie. I don't quite put the defenses of Northwestern & Minnesota in the same league with the Bulls' front seven. The bottom line says South Florida may not look dominant at first, nut should turn on the after-jets with their pure athletic talent over Syracuse in the end. Take the Bulls for the win as we Lay It On The Line one more time for $200 to win.
East Carolina vs. Marshall
Pick: East Carolina -128
Skip Holtz heads up as a big tactical edge over his opponent today, Mark Snyder & his Blundering Herd. Even though Marshall stands @ 3-1, they were very fortunate to get past Southern Illinois right here @ Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington and just got pasted by Virginia Tech in Week 2. I don't think RB Darius Marshall (what a perfect fit) will enjoy the holes he plowed through over the past few weeks. Holtz is a pusher and has his Pirates winning 7 of their last 8 Conference USA tilts & should take care of business @ Marshalls' Homecoming. QB Pinckney has had time to master the Holtz system so we're relying on him to show road leadership to stymie the Blundering Herd here. There will be no Chad Pennington's & Randy Moss's on the field for Marshall so we'll put up $200 to win on East Carolina as our Tactical Edge CFB Pusher.
Colorado State vs. Idaho
Pick: Idaho +3.5
Don't look now but the bubble just burst on being undefeated for the Colorado State Rams and they're now faced with having to go on the road to the tough Kibbie Dome in Moscow to tangle with the up and coming Vandals. Robb Akey definitely has his troops believing after going to Northern Illinois and taking care of business going away 34-31. They amassed 477 total yards while punting only once for the game. Their lone blemish was a loss on the road @ Washington (who upset USC) but built up confidence doing it putting up 23 in Seattle. They return a defensive secondary that's solid amongst 8 returning starters on "D". One constant thing is the Vandals being MONEY as underdogs covering 8 of 10. Another thing to point out is Colorado State's big distraction in Utah waiting in the wings. They also stand @ 1-8 ATS as road dogs. Before Game 11, home dogs coming off back-to-back home dog and away dog wins are a near perfect 11-1 ATS. Add to this a consistent 13-2 ATS run by the home squad when Colorado State is involved and it adds up to a $200 play on the Idaho Vandals as our Nightime Bailout Brawler 24-3 System Play.
Wyoming vs. Florida Atlantic
Pick: Florida Atlantic -167
The Owls have not had a winning season thus far dropping their first 3 scheduled. However, they have been battle tested against the likes of Nebraska, South Carolina & a respectable UL Monroe squad in the all-important Sun Belt. FAU outgained the Warhawks by 125 yards in the loss. Howard Schnellenberger has shown cat-like quality when his back is against the wall as you will see a different Owl team taking the field this afternoon. They face a Cowboys' club who are a very dismal 2-13 ATS their last 15 away. Last week was a promising showing @ brand new Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale for Florida Atlantic. Rusty "Big Play" Smith is still there pumping it up @ QB for the Owls. He played a big part in knocking off Memphis & Central Michigan in back-to-back bowl appearances. The Cowboys' secondary is filled with short defenders so look for Smith to exploit them to the fullest by creating mismatches in his intermediate routes. let's also take note that Schnellenberger has had a 75% ATS success when @ home immediately off defeat. The SUPER ANGLE applied to this game states to take a recent bowl team @ home against a sub .700 non-conference opponent if they're off back-to-back losses with the last loss being at home. Since 1990, this ATS gem has cashed in @ a 25-5 clip and is good enough for 83% window cashing. FAU fits the bill. Now it's time once again for the rookie on the road factor. Frosh baby QB Austyn Carta-Samuels may have had first time success last week in the comfy confines of War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, but he takes his game onto the real stuff and will feel the pressures of his 1st rookie road game. Hop on Florida Atlantic as our Down But Not Out Rejuvenator play for $200 to win.
OC Dooley:
“1 UNIT” NATIONAL-TV PRIMETIME (California +4 at home versus USC in a 8:05 eastern kickoff on ABC-TV regional): One would have thought ABC/ESPN would have given this game serious hype but with both sides already suffering a setback, tonight’s clash has actually been downgraded to a “regional” telecast which will be seen only in the western portion of the nation. If both teams would have followed the script, most likely the ESPN “Gameday” crew would have been broadcasting out west, but no longer is this contest viewed with national importance after USC lost at Washington a few weeks ago while California was pounded 42-3 at Oregon last Saturday. The bottom line is that if the Golden Bears are ever going to break through in this series, tonight is the perfect scenario as this team still has a shot at snapping a 51-YEAR postseason Rose Bowl absence. Last Saturday was a difficult spot for California as the week prior they had to fly all the way to the eastern time zone (Minnesota). Not only were they forced to play a second consecutive game on the road in a completely different time zone, the Golden Bears had to deal with an angry opponent (Oregon) who wants to prove they can still be effective without their lead running back who received a much publicized season-long suspension. It may seem like ancient history but note that California won their HOME opener by a resounding 52-13 count versus an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference and tonight they return to friendly territory. As mentioned above they seemingly are catching USC at the perfect time as the Trojans started this year breaking in a new quarterback and reworking a defense that brought back only 3 returning starters. USC’s lead quarterback Matt Barkley is still NOT 100% dealing with a bruised shoulder. But the big story is the horrible weight-lifting accident involving last year’s #1 Trojan rusher Stafon Johnson who has now been lost for the rest of this 2009 season. Johnson just happened to lead the Trojans with 5 rushing touchdowns this campaign and more importantly was a VOCAL LEADER who will be missed. Johnson was called “the closer” by his teammates for his ability to get the tough yards near the goal line and for gaining first downs late in games to help sew up victories. Even though USC has plenty of depth at running back, one cannot discount how much Johnson’s absence is going to hurt the offense overall. Of course USC has been a machine with Pete Carroll as head coach with the Trojans reeling off 7 consecutive “11 victory” campaigns, but the fact of the matter is that tonight’s game could be called “season defining” for the California Golden Bears despite last week’s debacle. ABC-TV viewers out west get to see Cal star Jahvid Best rush behind a VETERAN offensive line which has helped the Golden Bears average a whopping 8.1 yards per carry. What catches my attention though is the California defense which returns EIGHT starters from a year ago and has All-Conference talent on virtually every defensive level. In the initial 3 games of this season the Golden Bears averaged a whopping 48 points per game and tonight they face a very young Trojans stop-unit. Note that California has successfully COVERED EIGHT IN A ROW AT HOME and that is exactly where they are tonight
“1 UNIT” NATIONAL-TV PRIMETIME (California +4 at home versus USC in a 8:05 eastern kickoff on ABC-TV regional): One would have thought ABC/ESPN would have given this game serious hype but with both sides already suffering a setback, tonight’s clash has actually been downgraded to a “regional” telecast which will be seen only in the western portion of the nation. If both teams would have followed the script, most likely the ESPN “Gameday” crew would have been broadcasting out west, but no longer is this contest viewed with national importance after USC lost at Washington a few weeks ago while California was pounded 42-3 at Oregon last Saturday. The bottom line is that if the Golden Bears are ever going to break through in this series, tonight is the perfect scenario as this team still has a shot at snapping a 51-YEAR postseason Rose Bowl absence. Last Saturday was a difficult spot for California as the week prior they had to fly all the way to the eastern time zone (Minnesota). Not only were they forced to play a second consecutive game on the road in a completely different time zone, the Golden Bears had to deal with an angry opponent (Oregon) who wants to prove they can still be effective without their lead running back who received a much publicized season-long suspension. It may seem like ancient history but note that California won their HOME opener by a resounding 52-13 count versus an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference and tonight they return to friendly territory. As mentioned above they seemingly are catching USC at the perfect time as the Trojans started this year breaking in a new quarterback and reworking a defense that brought back only 3 returning starters. USC’s lead quarterback Matt Barkley is still NOT 100% dealing with a bruised shoulder. But the big story is the horrible weight-lifting accident involving last year’s #1 Trojan rusher Stafon Johnson who has now been lost for the rest of this 2009 season. Johnson just happened to lead the Trojans with 5 rushing touchdowns this campaign and more importantly was a VOCAL LEADER who will be missed. Johnson was called “the closer” by his teammates for his ability to get the tough yards near the goal line and for gaining first downs late in games to help sew up victories. Even though USC has plenty of depth at running back, one cannot discount how much Johnson’s absence is going to hurt the offense overall. Of course USC has been a machine with Pete Carroll as head coach with the Trojans reeling off 7 consecutive “11 victory” campaigns, but the fact of the matter is that tonight’s game could be called “season defining” for the California Golden Bears despite last week’s debacle. ABC-TV viewers out west get to see Cal star Jahvid Best rush behind a VETERAN offensive line which has helped the Golden Bears average a whopping 8.1 yards per carry. What catches my attention though is the California defense which returns EIGHT starters from a year ago and has All-Conference talent on virtually every defensive level. In the initial 3 games of this season the Golden Bears averaged a whopping 48 points per game and tonight they face a very young Trojans stop-unit. Note that California has successfully COVERED EIGHT IN A ROW AT HOME and that is exactly where they are tonight
Joyce Sterling
College Football Saturday
10 STAR Game
Buffalo +7.5 vs Central Michigan
MAC Revenger
The Bulls will be looking to avenge last year’s heartbreaking last-second loss to the Chippewas. Buffalo’s potential game-winning field goal glanced off the upright allowing the Chippewas to escape with a 27-25 victory.
Buffalo is Home off 3 losses will be totally focused
Their defense continues to improve
Michigan +3.5 vs Michigan St.
4-0 vs 1-3
Michigan is 4-0 and gaining confidence and getting no respect. They seem to be doing what they have to do. Their defense has picked up when needed.
On the other hand Spartans secondary has yielded a Big Ten-worst 10 TD passes. Michigan State allowed Wisconsin to convert 11 of 18 attempts on third down in a 38-30 loss last Saturday.
OVER 47 Maryland vs Clemson
Clemson comes in off a bitter loss and revenging a 20-17 home loss after a 17-6 point lead at the half. No holding back here.
Maryland has already given up an average of 33 points per game.
College Football Saturday
10 STAR Game
Buffalo +7.5 vs Central Michigan
MAC Revenger
The Bulls will be looking to avenge last year’s heartbreaking last-second loss to the Chippewas. Buffalo’s potential game-winning field goal glanced off the upright allowing the Chippewas to escape with a 27-25 victory.
Buffalo is Home off 3 losses will be totally focused
Their defense continues to improve
Michigan +3.5 vs Michigan St.
4-0 vs 1-3
Michigan is 4-0 and gaining confidence and getting no respect. They seem to be doing what they have to do. Their defense has picked up when needed.
On the other hand Spartans secondary has yielded a Big Ten-worst 10 TD passes. Michigan State allowed Wisconsin to convert 11 of 18 attempts on third down in a 38-30 loss last Saturday.
OVER 47 Maryland vs Clemson
Clemson comes in off a bitter loss and revenging a 20-17 home loss after a 17-6 point lead at the half. No holding back here.
Maryland has already given up an average of 33 points per game.
Payne Sports
3-1 on year with these plays and could be 4-0 if it wasnt for the 4th quarter meltdown by West Virginia
Last week, I told you Iowa will be in it until the end with a outright opportunity and they did!
This week will be a double digit winner I believe.
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Michigan St -1 for 10 units
This to me is a true sucker bet as everyone is buying into what Michigan has done and gone 4-0 to start season but have not beat anyone really as Notre Dame handed them the game. The line opened at a pick with the majority backing Michigan but has rose to 1 and I believe you will see 3 by game time with Michigan St being the slight favorite. 3 doesnt scare me but I love 1 as that is just a win. Michigan St is 7-1 ats their last 8 following against the spread loss the week while Michigan is 1-4 ats their last 5 on the road. Michigan St defense will carry them as their 1-3 record is not relevant to how good they are. They lost a heart breaker to CMU, who is a very good team with a great qb. They lost another heartbreaker at Notre Dame and didnt show up against Wisky, while Michigan only decent win is Notre Dame at home. Michigan has been out gained in the passing yards in all four games and in the rushing only against Indiana. Michigan's defense is one of the worst in the country and Cousins should be able to have a 300 game against this soft defense. Michigan St must sustain a good ground game to make their pass effective and Mark Dantonio is a master mind at great game plans. Even though Michigan St pass defense is suspect, I dont see Michigan qbs beating them through the air as their run defense is respectable at allowing a little above a 100 yards a game. Look for Michigan first road test to not be a good one as Michigan St jumps out early and cruises to a 10+ point victory.
3-1 on year with these plays and could be 4-0 if it wasnt for the 4th quarter meltdown by West Virginia
Last week, I told you Iowa will be in it until the end with a outright opportunity and they did!
This week will be a double digit winner I believe.
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Premium content follows:
Michigan St -1 for 10 units
This to me is a true sucker bet as everyone is buying into what Michigan has done and gone 4-0 to start season but have not beat anyone really as Notre Dame handed them the game. The line opened at a pick with the majority backing Michigan but has rose to 1 and I believe you will see 3 by game time with Michigan St being the slight favorite. 3 doesnt scare me but I love 1 as that is just a win. Michigan St is 7-1 ats their last 8 following against the spread loss the week while Michigan is 1-4 ats their last 5 on the road. Michigan St defense will carry them as their 1-3 record is not relevant to how good they are. They lost a heart breaker to CMU, who is a very good team with a great qb. They lost another heartbreaker at Notre Dame and didnt show up against Wisky, while Michigan only decent win is Notre Dame at home. Michigan has been out gained in the passing yards in all four games and in the rushing only against Indiana. Michigan's defense is one of the worst in the country and Cousins should be able to have a 300 game against this soft defense. Michigan St must sustain a good ground game to make their pass effective and Mark Dantonio is a master mind at great game plans. Even though Michigan St pass defense is suspect, I dont see Michigan qbs beating them through the air as their run defense is respectable at allowing a little above a 100 yards a game. Look for Michigan first road test to not be a good one as Michigan St jumps out early and cruises to a 10+ point victory.
