The Gold Sheet
Key Releases
DUKE by 14 over Syracuse
HOUSTON by 29 over Tulane
BOISE STATE by 29 over New Mexico
NOTRE DAME by 11 over Arizona State
Duke 35 - SYRACUSE 21—This matchup not quite as high-profile as the upcoming hoop clashes between Coach K & Jim Boeheim. That’s no fault of Duke (8-1 SU TY; 16-5-1 vs. line last 22!), likely to get mention in the new Ty Willingham-Condi Rice playoff poll. Though maturing Cuse frosh QB Long made some plays (and tossed a rare 2 TDP for Orange) last week vs. NC State, early price suggests good value for Blue Devils.
HOUSTON 45 - Tulane 16—With surging AAC challenger UH on a 5-1 spread roll, believe “cost-effective” Cougs can cover DD spread vs. frosh-laden (12 in regular roles; 7 starters), offensively-stagnant Tulane (18.1 ppg; 102nd in total yds). Green Waves’ impetuous RS frosh QB Tanner Lee (only 53%; 9 TDs & 9 ints.) probably exhibits “color blindness” vs. Cougs’ ball-snatching secondary (39 ints. L1+ys), while UH’s deadeye counterpart Greg Ward Jr. (44 of 52 last 2 tilts!) continues to groove.
Boise St. 48 - NEW MEXICO 19—Recent series history shows three straight covers for UNM, but average price in those games was Boise -37! Broncos not saddled with such a heavy impost this week, and Bryan Harsin’s “O” (48 ppg last 3) now operating at full throttle, as QB Hedrick has cut out early-season mistakes. Note that Bob Davie yet to cover (0-4) at home TY, and it’s almost accidental when Lobos (38 combined yards thru air last two!) complete a pass.
Notre Dame 34 - ARIZONA ST. 23—ND is 12-5 SU L17 on the road, and has a 5-1 SU & spread mark last 6 facing the Pac-12. Irish QB Golson has thrown for 300 yds. or more in 3 straight games, tossing 3 TDs in each of those, while RB Folston has been busy as well (367 YR, 4 TDs L3). ASU has dropped 4 of last 5 spread decisions at Sun Devil Stadium, and sr. QB Kelly hasn’t been as sharp since returning from a foot injury (no ints. in 68 passes prior to injury; 2 in 57 since).