SafestWagers
S.Carolina Gamecocks AtN. Carolina State Wolfpack
This should be your best bet for Thursday night.
Last year The Gamecocks put NC States QB, Russel Wilson, on a stretcher,
and his team lost 34 to 0.
When Wilson was playing his team was competitive with the better ones.
They beat E. Carolina (#15 at the time), in overtime, and then rival
N. Carolina 41-10.
Wilson (N.Carolina .State) stats for 2008:
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD INT SACK RAT
150 275 1955 54.5 7.11 17 1 24 133.93
Garcia (S.Carolina) stats for 2008:
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD INT SACK RAT
65 122 832 53.3 6.82 6 8 15 113.68
The S.C. Gamecocks have a younq QB with potential, but prone to mistakes.
Note the QB comparison stats. If the turnover stats are anything
similar to last year, the game may not be close.
N.C. State has a disruptive and quick defense that could create
problems early for the SC offense.
Take North Carolina State (probably -4.5 by gametime)
S.Carolina Gamecocks AtN. Carolina State Wolfpack
This should be your best bet for Thursday night.
Last year The Gamecocks put NC States QB, Russel Wilson, on a stretcher,
and his team lost 34 to 0.
When Wilson was playing his team was competitive with the better ones.
They beat E. Carolina (#15 at the time), in overtime, and then rival
N. Carolina 41-10.
Wilson (N.Carolina .State) stats for 2008:
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD INT SACK RAT
150 275 1955 54.5 7.11 17 1 24 133.93
Garcia (S.Carolina) stats for 2008:
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD INT SACK RAT
65 122 832 53.3 6.82 6 8 15 113.68
The S.C. Gamecocks have a younq QB with potential, but prone to mistakes.
Note the QB comparison stats. If the turnover stats are anything
similar to last year, the game may not be close.
N.C. State has a disruptive and quick defense that could create
problems early for the SC offense.
Take North Carolina State (probably -4.5 by gametime)
Drew Gordon
Today's Games...
1. 100,000♦ N.C. State
2. 50,000♦ Troy
1. N.C State- It's all about payback tonight in Raleigh, and I say the Wolfpack get plenty of it against a Gamecocks squad with questions on both sides of the ball. We all remember last year's 34-0 shellacking South Carolina put on NC State in Columbia, and if we rememeber it, you know damn sure coach Tom O'Brien and his troops have had this date circled on their calendars! Let me make something clear: That 34-0 blowout last season was a bit deceiving, because the Wolfpacks stud QB Russell Wilson got hurt, and Daniel Evans struggled mightily in his spot. Look for a much different outcome this time around, as the Wolfpack (with a healthy Wilson) are out for blood Thursday.
The biggest disparity in this contest comes at the QB position, where the ACC Freshman of the Year, Russell Wilson, looks to add to his already impressive resume. One number that stands out above all the rest is this one: NC State is an outstanding 9-0 ATS in Wilson's L9 starts, including 5 outright upset wins! His 17 TDs to 1 INT ratio was in stark contrast to the interception-happy South Carolina carousel of quarterbacks last season, including tonight's starter Stephen Garcia, who's 6 TDs to 8 INTs was an absolute joke, capped by his 4 interceptions in the Outback Bowl.
While I'll give a slight edge to the Gamecocks defense, it's only a VERY slight edge based on a pair of wet-behind-the-ears CBs, and a bevy of suspensions that's keeping 3 defensive starters on the sideline tonight. Sorry Gamecocks-backers, but you're team cannot afford any starter to be out, especially with two cornerbacks who've never played a down of college football. Look for Wilson, coupled with RBs Eugene and Baker, to shred what was the strength of this South Carolina team last season.
Finally, I'm concerned about complacency on this Gamecocks squad, knowing they spanked the Wolfpack last season, and next week have a HUGE match up at Georgia on Saturday... It would be easy for them to get caught looking ahead. That would be a bad thing considering I'm certain the Wolfpack will give 100% of their attention to this match up, as they seek to exercise the demons from their 34-0 ass-whipping in Columbia. In the end, superior offense, superior motivation, and the home field (South Carolina 2-6 ATS L8 road games) are what carries this Wolfpack squad to the win and cover tonight.
Take N.C. State over South Carolina as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Troy- I know full well the Trojans have a meeting in Gainseville next week, and plenty of bettors are scared of the dreaded "lookahead" in this contest. But let me be the one to tell you: lay the points, as a far superior Trojans team takes the Falcons behind the woodshed in this one! Read on...
First, when has Bowling Green ever been a threat at home? They lost 4 of 5 home games last season (0-4 ATS), and have been a disaster for their backers there for some time now, going 2-14 ATS in their L16 in front of the home fans. Troy on the other hand, is fielding its most talented team in recent memory, and has all the pieces necessary to win in hostile territory tonight.
Second, with only 10 returning starters, including just 3 starters on the defensive side (replacing all 4 starters on defensive line), I'm expecting a major downturn for the Falcons this season. They started last season with a huge win over Pitt, only to finish the year 6-6, but this year's version of the Faclons is a shell of its former self. Herein lies the issue, as the Trojans offense is stacked, led by QB Levi Brown, RB DuJuan Harris, WR Jerrel Jernigan, and a solid offensive line anchoring the way. I expect Troy will be more than capable of marching up and down the field on this inexperienced Bowling Green defense, dominating the trenches along the way.
Finally, some are overlooking this Troy defense, but not me. You see, when you read that the Trojans are returning 5 starters on defense, you'd think that was a bad thing, but not so fast! Checking the roster to see who's gone and who stayed is critical, and fact is all 5 returning starters were on the All-Sun Belt Conference team cannot be overlooked. Also, let's not forget they added former Cornhuskers DL Kevin Dixon, who was their most improved player under Callahan that season. Point is, the Trojans are as good a team as you'll see out of the Sun Belt, and they're going to surprise a lot of teams this season. Tonight's ass-whupping is not one of those "surprises," as I fully expect the Trojans to get the solid road win and cover tonight at Bowling Green.
Take Troy over Bowling Green in this college football match up.
Today's Games...
1. 100,000♦ N.C. State
2. 50,000♦ Troy
1. N.C State- It's all about payback tonight in Raleigh, and I say the Wolfpack get plenty of it against a Gamecocks squad with questions on both sides of the ball. We all remember last year's 34-0 shellacking South Carolina put on NC State in Columbia, and if we rememeber it, you know damn sure coach Tom O'Brien and his troops have had this date circled on their calendars! Let me make something clear: That 34-0 blowout last season was a bit deceiving, because the Wolfpacks stud QB Russell Wilson got hurt, and Daniel Evans struggled mightily in his spot. Look for a much different outcome this time around, as the Wolfpack (with a healthy Wilson) are out for blood Thursday.
The biggest disparity in this contest comes at the QB position, where the ACC Freshman of the Year, Russell Wilson, looks to add to his already impressive resume. One number that stands out above all the rest is this one: NC State is an outstanding 9-0 ATS in Wilson's L9 starts, including 5 outright upset wins! His 17 TDs to 1 INT ratio was in stark contrast to the interception-happy South Carolina carousel of quarterbacks last season, including tonight's starter Stephen Garcia, who's 6 TDs to 8 INTs was an absolute joke, capped by his 4 interceptions in the Outback Bowl.
While I'll give a slight edge to the Gamecocks defense, it's only a VERY slight edge based on a pair of wet-behind-the-ears CBs, and a bevy of suspensions that's keeping 3 defensive starters on the sideline tonight. Sorry Gamecocks-backers, but you're team cannot afford any starter to be out, especially with two cornerbacks who've never played a down of college football. Look for Wilson, coupled with RBs Eugene and Baker, to shred what was the strength of this South Carolina team last season.
Finally, I'm concerned about complacency on this Gamecocks squad, knowing they spanked the Wolfpack last season, and next week have a HUGE match up at Georgia on Saturday... It would be easy for them to get caught looking ahead. That would be a bad thing considering I'm certain the Wolfpack will give 100% of their attention to this match up, as they seek to exercise the demons from their 34-0 ass-whipping in Columbia. In the end, superior offense, superior motivation, and the home field (South Carolina 2-6 ATS L8 road games) are what carries this Wolfpack squad to the win and cover tonight.
Take N.C. State over South Carolina as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Troy- I know full well the Trojans have a meeting in Gainseville next week, and plenty of bettors are scared of the dreaded "lookahead" in this contest. But let me be the one to tell you: lay the points, as a far superior Trojans team takes the Falcons behind the woodshed in this one! Read on...
First, when has Bowling Green ever been a threat at home? They lost 4 of 5 home games last season (0-4 ATS), and have been a disaster for their backers there for some time now, going 2-14 ATS in their L16 in front of the home fans. Troy on the other hand, is fielding its most talented team in recent memory, and has all the pieces necessary to win in hostile territory tonight.
Second, with only 10 returning starters, including just 3 starters on the defensive side (replacing all 4 starters on defensive line), I'm expecting a major downturn for the Falcons this season. They started last season with a huge win over Pitt, only to finish the year 6-6, but this year's version of the Faclons is a shell of its former self. Herein lies the issue, as the Trojans offense is stacked, led by QB Levi Brown, RB DuJuan Harris, WR Jerrel Jernigan, and a solid offensive line anchoring the way. I expect Troy will be more than capable of marching up and down the field on this inexperienced Bowling Green defense, dominating the trenches along the way.
Finally, some are overlooking this Troy defense, but not me. You see, when you read that the Trojans are returning 5 starters on defense, you'd think that was a bad thing, but not so fast! Checking the roster to see who's gone and who stayed is critical, and fact is all 5 returning starters were on the All-Sun Belt Conference team cannot be overlooked. Also, let's not forget they added former Cornhuskers DL Kevin Dixon, who was their most improved player under Callahan that season. Point is, the Trojans are as good a team as you'll see out of the Sun Belt, and they're going to surprise a lot of teams this season. Tonight's ass-whupping is not one of those "surprises," as I fully expect the Trojans to get the solid road win and cover tonight at Bowling Green.
Take Troy over Bowling Green in this college football match up.
