4-Unit Play. Take #363. Take UAB +14 over Tennessee Volunteers (Saturday, September 25th @ Noon est).
I know it sounds a bit nuts, but when you see 80% of the public on a side and the line is not budging, it makes for a reason to look at a game more closely. Tennessee is a decent team that will get better under the direction of Coach Dooley. But, keep in mind that UAB is gaining confidence with a nice win over Troy by a score of 34-33 and Troy is a very good team that took Oklahoma State to the wire on the road earlier this year. UAB does have some talent on both sides of the ball and frankly, I think Tennessee still hasn't meshed yet. Tennessee will find it tough to get up for this game likely considering they just come off playing the likes of Oregon and Florida, and now have to face UAB and I think they will still be a bit hungover from that contest. I look for UAB to get up for this game and to keep it close although lose straight up, still fall inside the number.
4-Unit Play. Take #397. Take Florida International +12 over Maryland (Saturday, September 25th @ 12pm est). Florida International goes on the road to face Maryland. I think Florida International is seriously undervalued. This is a good team that went on the road to lose by just a touchdown to Texas A&M as a 28.5 underdog. They lost to Rutgers at home 14-19 as a 14.5 dog. And, now, they are going on the road to play Maryland as a 12 point underdog with 70% of the public on the home team here in Maryland who is likely in a hangover from their tough loss against West Virginia. It will be tough for Maryland to likely get up for this game and I can see a decent Florida International team getting up for this game and staying inside the number.
4-Unit Play. Take #414. Take Minnesota Vikings -11 over the Detroit Lions (Sunday, September 26th @ 1:00pm est).
You think Minnesota won't be fired up about this game? Brett Favre has listened to the fact all week he and the Vikings are 0-2 after starting out against the defending champs and a very good Miami Dolphins team. The Dolphins game was certainly one in which the Vikes could have won and this team is looking to rebound quickly and in a big way to silence the critics. Bear in mind that the Vikings have a bye week next week and will be looking to step up here so they can head over the long break with a win underneath their belts. Detroit looked great against Philly but still managed to put the game away. Also, note that 63% of the public favor the Lions here to keep it close, but they face a very good Vikings defense, at home, and a team that is desperate for a win. I look for the Vikings to win big here.
4-Unit Play. Take #426. Take Arizona Cardinals -4.5 over Oakland Raiders (Sunday, September 26th @ 4:15pm est).
The Raiders are a decent team. I'm not knocking them here, but bear in mind that Arizona is a very well coached team that just got spanked by my Falcons at home by a score of 7-41. The Cardinals had won on the road at St. Louis prior to that. Without a doubt, this is a rebuilding year for the Cardinals, but I certainly do think that this team has the talent, in particular on the defense side of the ball to pull the cover here. This is a home opener for Arizona and I look for this team to come together after the tough loss at Atlanta. The Raiders come off a nice win against the Rams at home, but I can see them having a let down here on the road as their last road game against Tennessee didn't pan out when they lost 13-38. I look for Arizona to bounce-back big this weekend.
4-Unit Play. Take #428. Take the Miami Dolphins -2.5 over the New York Jets (Sunday, September 26th @ 8:20pm est).
If you remember, Miami actually swept the Jets last year. And, the Dolphins have only gotten better this year. With a group of players that are very well coached, and have a lot of heart, the Dolphins open the year at 2-0. They face a good Jets team with a lot of distractions off the field and some injuries to play as well. More importantly, the Dolphins are the better team in my opinion, with a better offense, a comparable defense and at the end of the day, frankly, I think with better coaching. I look for the Dolphins here to get fired up on Sunday Night Football and win this game in front of their faithful as do note, Miami is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games against the AFC East.
Note from IC: In dian cowboy picks for the week end on me