The Gold Sheet
*NEW ENGLAND 37 - Pittsburgh 26—We neither expect to see Roger
Goodell at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, nor Judge Richard Berman as a
guest in the Steelers’ box after his ruling made Tom Brady eligible.
Practically speaking, Brady’s presence could have especially rough
consequences for the reconfigured Pittsburgh defense that will be scheming
minus sage def. coord. Dick LeBeau (now with the Titans) for the first time
since 2003. Even with key target Martavis Bryant (8 TDs LY) suspended, Big
Ben might keep pace, at least for a while, against the N.E. defense replacing
several key pieces. Those dynamics should be enough to extend the Pats’
strong “over” numbers at home (32-13 last 45).
*Louisiana Tech 34 - WESTERN KENTUCKY 27—Can’t read too much into
“scrimmage” vs. Southern U, but La Tech’s transfer Jeff Driskel (4 TDP last
week) sure looks like the latest QB to flourish after liberation from Will
Muschamp’s Florida. Acknowledge WKU’s revenge motive after LY’s blowout
loss in Ruston, when QB Doughty was picked off 4 times. But Skip on 12-3
spread run.
*NEW ENGLAND 37 - Pittsburgh 26—We neither expect to see Roger
Goodell at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, nor Judge Richard Berman as a
guest in the Steelers’ box after his ruling made Tom Brady eligible.
Practically speaking, Brady’s presence could have especially rough
consequences for the reconfigured Pittsburgh defense that will be scheming
minus sage def. coord. Dick LeBeau (now with the Titans) for the first time
since 2003. Even with key target Martavis Bryant (8 TDs LY) suspended, Big
Ben might keep pace, at least for a while, against the N.E. defense replacing
several key pieces. Those dynamics should be enough to extend the Pats’
strong “over” numbers at home (32-13 last 45).
*Louisiana Tech 34 - WESTERN KENTUCKY 27—Can’t read too much into
“scrimmage” vs. Southern U, but La Tech’s transfer Jeff Driskel (4 TDP last
week) sure looks like the latest QB to flourish after liberation from Will
Muschamp’s Florida. Acknowledge WKU’s revenge motive after LY’s blowout
loss in Ruston, when QB Doughty was picked off 4 times. But Skip on 12-3
spread run.
Ben Burns
8* Main Event play
At 8 p.m. ET Thursday night, I am playing on LOUISIANA TECH (at Western Kentucky) as my 8* Main Event play.
Louisiana Tech may have the perfect early season schedule, which sets up nicely for this matchup against divisional foes, the Hilltoppers. The Bulldogs had the luxury of easing into the year against FCS opponent Southern last week and I think that pseudo warm up game will have them finely tuned heading into Thursday night.
La. Tech hammered Southern 62-15 last week and Jeff Driskel was able to get fully comfortable in his first start for the Bulldogs after transferring from Florida. Driskel went 12 for 15 and tossed four touchdown passes and I think it's the beginning of another prolific offense at Louisiana Tech.
The win over Southern made it four straight covered spreads for this Bulldogs team going back to last year and they've now covered seven of their last eight. I think oddsmakers have set a poor La. Tech number once again this week and the Bulldogs have bounced around from underdog to favorite since the game opened.
Last year Louisiana Tech hammered Western Kentucky 59-10 and I don't think the gap has been significantly closed this year. The Hilltoppers didn't exactly look mid-season sharp in a 14-12 win over SEC bottom feeder Vandy last week, during which Western Kentucky failed to cover the 2.5-point spread. Western Kentucky managed only 246 yards and just 37 on the ground and I don't feel that lack of balance will allow them to score enough to keep up with La. Tech. 8* ThursdayNight Special
8* Main Event play
At 8 p.m. ET Thursday night, I am playing on LOUISIANA TECH (at Western Kentucky) as my 8* Main Event play.
Louisiana Tech may have the perfect early season schedule, which sets up nicely for this matchup against divisional foes, the Hilltoppers. The Bulldogs had the luxury of easing into the year against FCS opponent Southern last week and I think that pseudo warm up game will have them finely tuned heading into Thursday night.
La. Tech hammered Southern 62-15 last week and Jeff Driskel was able to get fully comfortable in his first start for the Bulldogs after transferring from Florida. Driskel went 12 for 15 and tossed four touchdown passes and I think it's the beginning of another prolific offense at Louisiana Tech.
The win over Southern made it four straight covered spreads for this Bulldogs team going back to last year and they've now covered seven of their last eight. I think oddsmakers have set a poor La. Tech number once again this week and the Bulldogs have bounced around from underdog to favorite since the game opened.
Last year Louisiana Tech hammered Western Kentucky 59-10 and I don't think the gap has been significantly closed this year. The Hilltoppers didn't exactly look mid-season sharp in a 14-12 win over SEC bottom feeder Vandy last week, during which Western Kentucky failed to cover the 2.5-point spread. Western Kentucky managed only 246 yards and just 37 on the ground and I don't feel that lack of balance will allow them to score enough to keep up with La. Tech. 8* ThursdayNight Special
Sean Higgs
Play Title: 4* Money Maker
Play Selected: Money Line: 100
Analysis: Taking LOUISIANA TECH here. These guys absolutely crushed WKU last year. Yes, it is a big revenge spot. Yes, some turnovers and ugly play contributed to the blow-out. Now. In any other spot I would be on Western Kentucky here. I would. But coming off a big win over an SEC team, I think they that took some wind out of their sails. LT had a cup-cake and are completely focused on WKU. Again. We cashed on WKU last week. I like this team. But It is just a bad schedule spot for them. A 14-12 game vs the SEC will take some hop out of your step. They might jump out of the box fast, but they will fade. At PK or even -1, we will grab Louisiana Tech here. 4* Money Maker LOUISIANA TECH
Play Title: 4* Money Maker
Play Selected: Money Line: 100
Analysis: Taking LOUISIANA TECH here. These guys absolutely crushed WKU last year. Yes, it is a big revenge spot. Yes, some turnovers and ugly play contributed to the blow-out. Now. In any other spot I would be on Western Kentucky here. I would. But coming off a big win over an SEC team, I think they that took some wind out of their sails. LT had a cup-cake and are completely focused on WKU. Again. We cashed on WKU last week. I like this team. But It is just a bad schedule spot for them. A 14-12 game vs the SEC will take some hop out of your step. They might jump out of the box fast, but they will fade. At PK or even -1, we will grab Louisiana Tech here. 4* Money Maker LOUISIANA TECH
