Not sure Williams replacements NFL caliber like he is. Man playing among kids at this juncture. Figure your 25 1/2 was with him? Have a good read on USC except for new receivers. VTech with party animal Vick history sure looks thin. East Coasters know this team far better than I. What I do know is USC will be far less explosive on offense without him. And he made rest of offense better by drawing cover twos all day long. I will bet against USC, just not now. Until or if he returns. Supposedly he cannot, as when is followed the golden brick road and signed agent, that is bad, but courts ruled against, so he reapplied. But, when he was off buying bling bling, he was not attending school. Oops, need those units for eligibility. No, Summer school does not work. Looks to me kid screwed up. Back to school he goes, to get those units. What a gross miscalculation. Should have sat back and watched guinea pig Clarett. Pass, pass, pass. I can't handicap this game. But for those think they can, and find an edge or value, I wish you the best...OF
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FairWarning:
Va Tech will be lucky to score 14. Now can USC score 33 to cover? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Considering the fact that VT surrendered 121 points in their last 3 games last year, have only 4 defensive starters returning, and are facing the undisputed #1 team in the country............my guess is YES.
Va Tech will be lucky to score 14. Now can USC score 33 to cover? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Considering the fact that VT surrendered 121 points in their last 3 games last year, have only 4 defensive starters returning, and are facing the undisputed #1 team in the country............my guess is YES.
By the conclusion of last year, USC was operating like a professional team in college uniforms. Under the offensive direction of Norm Chow and the defensive coordination of Pete Carroll, this team was a juggenaut. The question of William's playing status is significant but this team is still loaded both offensively and defensively and their schemes on both sides of the ball are formidable. This Virginia Tech program is in a rebuilding mode and nothing like the teams of years past but more like the team that concluded last year's season. This team will not have seen the offensive schemes and team speed that USC possesses. All that being said, it is in fact the first game of the college season and one could expect that neither team will be functioning at near peak form but it is more likely that the Trojans will be capable of putting up points on the Hokies. Will they cover the spread, not sure, but they are capable of doing so. There will be more opportunities with better value in the weeks ahead. Pass.
I just stopped in at the BLUE MOON bar in Ybor strip.
The owners son is a grad assistant after starting at DB last year.
All he did when I asked about this years VT team is shake his head and say...not good.
He said if VT stays within 30, he would be surprised.
This is not the same VT of years past.
The owners son is a grad assistant after starting at DB last year.
All he did when I asked about this years VT team is shake his head and say...not good.
He said if VT stays within 30, he would be surprised.
This is not the same VT of years past.
IMO the more accurate number would be 14 or 17.
I haven't been to as many practices as I normally get to in the summer, but I have been to a few.
USC is still in the vanilla mode, and with Lienart having a gimpy arm, I wouold expect that to continue.
They have been running a lot of screens and running plays, and that generally doesn't bode well for a team that has to basically win by 3 TDs.
Not to mention that their defense has never been any good at stuffing the run. Even last year they weren't all that great at stopping the run, and with the losses up front that probably won't be any different this year. That is also pretty much all VT has to fall back on, and they are still decent in that area. Suggs is gone, but that kid that replaced him was breaking records last year while sharing the duties with Suggs, so he will be improved for sure.
USC is also clouded in some controversies, and that definately has to factor in. VT had some controversey of their own with Marcus Vick, but if anything that probably helped them as Randall will now not have to look over his shoulder, and is firmly in place as the starting QB.
Lastly VT has only been a home dog twice in 7 years, and never this big. They were only +14 against Miami the year Miami was blowing people out 64-0, and that was the LAST game of the year, not the first. That might mean nothing, but it is a clear case over over hype for one team, and the infamous "rebuilding" tag put on another.
I haven't been to as many practices as I normally get to in the summer, but I have been to a few.
USC is still in the vanilla mode, and with Lienart having a gimpy arm, I wouold expect that to continue.
They have been running a lot of screens and running plays, and that generally doesn't bode well for a team that has to basically win by 3 TDs.
Not to mention that their defense has never been any good at stuffing the run. Even last year they weren't all that great at stopping the run, and with the losses up front that probably won't be any different this year. That is also pretty much all VT has to fall back on, and they are still decent in that area. Suggs is gone, but that kid that replaced him was breaking records last year while sharing the duties with Suggs, so he will be improved for sure.
USC is also clouded in some controversies, and that definately has to factor in. VT had some controversey of their own with Marcus Vick, but if anything that probably helped them as Randall will now not have to look over his shoulder, and is firmly in place as the starting QB.
Lastly VT has only been a home dog twice in 7 years, and never this big. They were only +14 against Miami the year Miami was blowing people out 64-0, and that was the LAST game of the year, not the first. That might mean nothing, but it is a clear case over over hype for one team, and the infamous "rebuilding" tag put on another.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FISHHEAD:
They are not the HOME team.
NEUTRAL FIELD <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ahh That is probably why it is shaded up then.
I still like VT to cover that number nontheless.
For all the other reasons I mentioned.
They are not the HOME team.
NEUTRAL FIELD <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ahh That is probably why it is shaded up then.
I still like VT to cover that number nontheless.
For all the other reasons I mentioned.
