SPORTSWAGERS
NCAAF
Utah State @ TENNESSEE
Utah State +4½ -110/+176 over TENNESSEE
(Risking 2.1 units - To Win: 1.91)
7:00 PM EST. We’re going to split this up and play the Aggies for one unit on each the money line and point-spread. Utah State is one of only eight teams that have ranked among the top 15 in opponent-adjusted defensive efficiency measure each of the last two seasons. Tennessee lost all six games it played against defenses ranked that highly in the same span. While this is a new year and the Volunteers are a program projected to take steps forward in 2014, this matchup has huge upset potential because the Aggies can be so tough to move the ball against, much less score on. Utah State allowed only 2.8 yards per rush last season (No. 2 in FBS) and allowed only 3.8 points per drive that crossed the Aggies' 30-yard line (also No. 2). Meanwhile, Tennessee ranked No. 117 in producing methodical drives (possessions of 10 plays or more). It should be noted however, that Tennessee played a brutal schedule a year ago that included games against Oregon, Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, Auburn and Vanderbilt. Still, the Vols feature 28 underclassmen on their season-opening depth chart. The Vols are also the only team in the FBS that does not return a single starter on the OL or DL. Their offense last season struggled miserably for the most part and they return just four starters on offense. Among the returning starters is QB James Worley, who completed just 55% of his passes and never stood out. Worley is the second best QB in this game facing a very good defense.
Enter Chuckie Keeton, one of the favorites to win this year’s Heisman. Keeton has the athletic ability to succeed against premier teams and the Vols aren’t in that select group. All Keeton did last year was complete 70 percent of his passes for 1,388 yards, 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also ran for 241 yards and two TDs in just six games before he was lost for the season in early October with a knee injury. The Aggies return 11 of 22 starters, including six that earned all-Mountain West honors a year ago. Junior linebacker Kyler Fackrell, senior defensive end B.J. Larsen and senior linebacker Zach Virgil were all-second team picks and anchor a defense that held five of its last seven opponents to 14 points or less. Indeed the Vols are in a tougher conference but with so many question marks and without an identity yet, they’re a huge risk spotting points against a team that is superior to they are on both sides of the ball. The QB mismatch in the Aggies favor seals the deal.
NCAAF
Utah State @ TENNESSEE
Utah State +4½ -110/+176 over TENNESSEE
(Risking 2.1 units - To Win: 1.91)
7:00 PM EST. We’re going to split this up and play the Aggies for one unit on each the money line and point-spread. Utah State is one of only eight teams that have ranked among the top 15 in opponent-adjusted defensive efficiency measure each of the last two seasons. Tennessee lost all six games it played against defenses ranked that highly in the same span. While this is a new year and the Volunteers are a program projected to take steps forward in 2014, this matchup has huge upset potential because the Aggies can be so tough to move the ball against, much less score on. Utah State allowed only 2.8 yards per rush last season (No. 2 in FBS) and allowed only 3.8 points per drive that crossed the Aggies' 30-yard line (also No. 2). Meanwhile, Tennessee ranked No. 117 in producing methodical drives (possessions of 10 plays or more). It should be noted however, that Tennessee played a brutal schedule a year ago that included games against Oregon, Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, Auburn and Vanderbilt. Still, the Vols feature 28 underclassmen on their season-opening depth chart. The Vols are also the only team in the FBS that does not return a single starter on the OL or DL. Their offense last season struggled miserably for the most part and they return just four starters on offense. Among the returning starters is QB James Worley, who completed just 55% of his passes and never stood out. Worley is the second best QB in this game facing a very good defense.
Enter Chuckie Keeton, one of the favorites to win this year’s Heisman. Keeton has the athletic ability to succeed against premier teams and the Vols aren’t in that select group. All Keeton did last year was complete 70 percent of his passes for 1,388 yards, 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also ran for 241 yards and two TDs in just six games before he was lost for the season in early October with a knee injury. The Aggies return 11 of 22 starters, including six that earned all-Mountain West honors a year ago. Junior linebacker Kyler Fackrell, senior defensive end B.J. Larsen and senior linebacker Zach Virgil were all-second team picks and anchor a defense that held five of its last seven opponents to 14 points or less. Indeed the Vols are in a tougher conference but with so many question marks and without an identity yet, they’re a huge risk spotting points against a team that is superior to they are on both sides of the ball. The QB mismatch in the Aggies favor seals the deal.
Ben Burns' 10* NCAAF GAME OF THE MONTH! OFF 6-0 (100%) SAT SWEEP!
I'm playing on UTAH STATE. Tennessee owns the unique distinction of being the ONLY team in the country not to return a single starter along either the offensive or defensive line. This is a dangerous Utah State team they are laying points to and I think it's too many. When looking at Utah State this year, QB Chuckie Keeton is the name to remember. Considered to be one of the more irreplaceable players in all of CFB, Keeton was lost for the year at the midpoint of last season. The Aggies still made the Mountain West Championship Game and there gave Fresno State all they could handle. Keeton is back this year. Something you may not know is that at the time of the ACL injury he was second in the entire country in TD passes with 18. He makes Utah State infinitely better. The Aggies won't be intimidated by the environment of Neyland Stadium either. Three years ago with Keeton making his first career start they went into Auburn and nearly won as 23-point underdogs. That Auburn team was coming off a National Championship. This Tennessee team certainly is not. Utah State also brings in a quality defense. Last year saw them rank 2nd in the country, giving up just 2.8 yards per rush. It's pretty incredible to see how far Tennessee has fallen down the SEC pecking order. They've had four consecutive losing seasons. It's going to be tough avoiding a fifth as they face one of the nation's most difficult schedules. The SEC vs. the Mountain West is what's helped to inflate this line. But Tennessee is one of the SEC's worst teams and Utah State is one of the MWC's best. Take the points in this one. 10* best of the best.
I'm playing on UTAH STATE. Tennessee owns the unique distinction of being the ONLY team in the country not to return a single starter along either the offensive or defensive line. This is a dangerous Utah State team they are laying points to and I think it's too many. When looking at Utah State this year, QB Chuckie Keeton is the name to remember. Considered to be one of the more irreplaceable players in all of CFB, Keeton was lost for the year at the midpoint of last season. The Aggies still made the Mountain West Championship Game and there gave Fresno State all they could handle. Keeton is back this year. Something you may not know is that at the time of the ACL injury he was second in the entire country in TD passes with 18. He makes Utah State infinitely better. The Aggies won't be intimidated by the environment of Neyland Stadium either. Three years ago with Keeton making his first career start they went into Auburn and nearly won as 23-point underdogs. That Auburn team was coming off a National Championship. This Tennessee team certainly is not. Utah State also brings in a quality defense. Last year saw them rank 2nd in the country, giving up just 2.8 yards per rush. It's pretty incredible to see how far Tennessee has fallen down the SEC pecking order. They've had four consecutive losing seasons. It's going to be tough avoiding a fifth as they face one of the nation's most difficult schedules. The SEC vs. the Mountain West is what's helped to inflate this line. But Tennessee is one of the SEC's worst teams and Utah State is one of the MWC's best. Take the points in this one. 10* best of the best.
Red Sheet
Utah State 27 - TENNESSEE 23 - (7:00 Sunday)
Line opened at Tennessee minus 7, and is now minus 6. Butch
Jones sure wasn't a quick fix for the Vols as their new head coach a year ago, following Derek
Dooley's 3 years, in which 7 losses were the constant. Jones' minions managed to extend that 5-7 log
trend (4 straight seasons). But an SEC team is an SEC team, & must be respected, thus a TD chalk
in this opener. However, the Vols do not return a single down lineman on either side of the ball. The
Ags have been super plays since the arrival of SR QB Keeton, & are now on an 18-6 spread run,
which included winning (& covering) bowl games past 2 yrs. Vols allowing 35.7 ppg in last 19 LGs.
RATING: UTAH STATE 89
Utah State 27 - TENNESSEE 23 - (7:00 Sunday)
Line opened at Tennessee minus 7, and is now minus 6. Butch
Jones sure wasn't a quick fix for the Vols as their new head coach a year ago, following Derek
Dooley's 3 years, in which 7 losses were the constant. Jones' minions managed to extend that 5-7 log
trend (4 straight seasons). But an SEC team is an SEC team, & must be respected, thus a TD chalk
in this opener. However, the Vols do not return a single down lineman on either side of the ball. The
Ags have been super plays since the arrival of SR QB Keeton, & are now on an 18-6 spread run,
which included winning (& covering) bowl games past 2 yrs. Vols allowing 35.7 ppg in last 19 LGs.
RATING: UTAH STATE 89
