not to mention that ohio st spent the last 2 weeks scrimmaging against an option offense in practice and not a pro set/single back/west coast, so they have to realign their defense this week. then tressel has to fill the holes on the o-line before pete carroll drives the usc bandwagon straight through them
why big 10 lines are skewed
everyone forgets about the size of big ten schools and the number of alums--ohio state has 50,000 undergrad students---their alumni base is enormous--you are always going to get a couple of extra points on the line when you go against the big ten schools--all those alums bet on their own team
everyone forgets about the size of big ten schools and the number of alums--ohio state has 50,000 undergrad students---their alumni base is enormous--you are always going to get a couple of extra points on the line when you go against the big ten schools--all those alums bet on their own teamGoing back to the UW/Idaho game, don't you thibnk UW may be set for a letdown? Not to the extent where they'd lose to Idaho but to the extent that 20 may be too high. If you graphed UW's energy level, it declines to an all time low towards the end of 2008 and then spikes precipitously last night. It just seems like it has to come down after last night's effort plus the fact that the Pac-10 schedule starts the following week at home against USC.
Adding:
Oregon St. -6½/UNLV*
I am convinced that they out-man UNLV and nearly every position. I realize that PSU LW was a 1-AA team (excuse me... FCS) but their QB is very good. The Beaver D was pitching a shutout up until the last series of the game when their 3s were in and Glanville's Vikings got their only score. I'd lay up to a TD but I wouldn't lay much more than that to be on the safe side.
The Rogers brothers are back healthy and running 100% up to speed. UNLV will have no answer for them. Also Marcus Wheaton and Jovan Stevenson, two new freshman both add another dimension of speed to the skill positions, adding depth where the Rebels can least afford it. Canfield started the '09 season with an 85 yard TD pass on the first offensive play of the game. UNLV will be gassed by the middle of the 3rd quarter and it will be over with by then if they even manage to keep up for a half.
Oregon St. -6½/UNLV*
I am convinced that they out-man UNLV and nearly every position. I realize that PSU LW was a 1-AA team (excuse me... FCS) but their QB is very good. The Beaver D was pitching a shutout up until the last series of the game when their 3s were in and Glanville's Vikings got their only score. I'd lay up to a TD but I wouldn't lay much more than that to be on the safe side.
The Rogers brothers are back healthy and running 100% up to speed. UNLV will have no answer for them. Also Marcus Wheaton and Jovan Stevenson, two new freshman both add another dimension of speed to the skill positions, adding depth where the Rebels can least afford it. Canfield started the '09 season with an 85 yard TD pass on the first offensive play of the game. UNLV will be gassed by the middle of the 3rd quarter and it will be over with by then if they even manage to keep up for a half.
I agree completely, I just know there are plenty of people thinking that is what led to Ohio State's performance.
Oregon State does look tempting. Portland State did move the ball well on the first string D. They just could not close out drives as they eventually stalled. It is a shame as they did not play up to their offensive potential. They should be a force in conference this year.
conan, as you know im on the opposite side in the oregon st/unlv game. just wondering where you got 6.5. i havent looked everywhere, but did the line drop a full point already? i see it at 7 at some shops but not 6.5. doesnt it seem strange to you that the second worst defense in the MWC and 110th against the run last year is going up against the three headed monster that is jacquizz, james, and moevao is only now a 7 point dog?
Conan, your thoughts on UCLA/Tennessee?
From what I saw on Saturday, there wasn't much that I could use to think UCLA will hang with Tennessee in Nyland this Saturday. The Bruins scored some points, but also gave up 12 TFL and 3 sacks against a weak opponent @ the Rose Bowl. Makes you wonder how this OL is going to play vs. a very good defense in a stadium with 102,000 fans screaming at them.
I was also watching the UCLA defense closely to see how they played minus DeWayne Walker, and again, I was left with the feeling the Bruin defense will take a step back this year with their new DC.
On the other side, Tennessee has a new HC, Lane Kiffen, of who I know quite well and will step on UCLA's necks and not let up when he finds a weakness. The fact is, Lane Kiffen ran his mouth so much these last 9 months, he has to show that he can back it up.
Tennessee is -8 right now and I see them covering this easily.
From what I saw on Saturday, there wasn't much that I could use to think UCLA will hang with Tennessee in Nyland this Saturday. The Bruins scored some points, but also gave up 12 TFL and 3 sacks against a weak opponent @ the Rose Bowl. Makes you wonder how this OL is going to play vs. a very good defense in a stadium with 102,000 fans screaming at them.
I was also watching the UCLA defense closely to see how they played minus DeWayne Walker, and again, I was left with the feeling the Bruin defense will take a step back this year with their new DC.
On the other side, Tennessee has a new HC, Lane Kiffen, of who I know quite well and will step on UCLA's necks and not let up when he finds a weakness. The fact is, Lane Kiffen ran his mouth so much these last 9 months, he has to show that he can back it up.
Tennessee is -8 right now and I see them covering this easily.
OK call me crazy but in my own defense, I will make this a ½ unit play just to make things a little interesting. The Coogs played with spirit last week, just in case no one noticed.
WSU+2/Hawaii ½*
I spent a little time checking up on Hawaii and they look like a bottom-half WAC team this season. Last week, Hawaii needed a 2H comeback to survive 1-AA Cent.Ark. and barely pulled it out with a 25-20 win. This may also be a very low scoring game. Last year, the Coogs lost to Hawaii 24-10 (just) @Hawaii. This one has revenge written all over it. Considering how bad WSU was last year, the score the last time they played the Bows doesn't seem consistent with the rest of their season. I think they just may get their revenge.
WSU+2/Hawaii ½*
I spent a little time checking up on Hawaii and they look like a bottom-half WAC team this season. Last week, Hawaii needed a 2H comeback to survive 1-AA Cent.Ark. and barely pulled it out with a 25-20 win. This may also be a very low scoring game. Last year, the Coogs lost to Hawaii 24-10 (just) @Hawaii. This one has revenge written all over it. Considering how bad WSU was last year, the score the last time they played the Bows doesn't seem consistent with the rest of their season. I think they just may get their revenge.
This reminds me alot of an "intra-conference" OOC game... if you get what I'm driving at. Too much familiarity between the staffs to call it anything but. You mention the UT defense, I will mention the UCLA defense. Tit for tat. Chuck Bullough brings a very mean disposition to the UCLA D. If anything, UT has a score to settle for last season's embarrassment so I do give the edge to the Vols. However I don't think either team will move the ball very effectively. Anyone hear from Norm Chow lately?
Hasn't this one already dropped a 1/2 point or so from the opening line? I have been leaning towards UT for months. I'm just not sure whether or not Kiffin's guys can run away from the Bru's.
UCLA D was definitely shaky in 1st quarter, but totally dominated for the next 3 quarters. Prince was really impressive at QB considering it was his first college game and he hadn't played for 2 years. There were a number times when he stayed in the pocket and trusted his protection. Compared to last year when Craft was running for his life, it was a big step forward.
I'm thinking Barkley is unflappable... his temperament is as solid as a rock. Very sure of his abilities. He's plenty smart enough to size up the Buckeye defense. Guy's got a 160 IQ.
Then there's Kevin Prince. An average guy. First road game in his college life playing in front of 102,000 screaming-drunk Tennessee'ns. UT with the definite edge in adrenalin and other misc. hormones. When Cal was there a couple years ago, I remember Nate Longshore looking like a deer in the headlights. Might see a little of that in Prince... just thinkin.
I am sure that if the line gets bet down much further I will hop on the Vols. 7 would do it for me. Y'all might do OK with something higher. I just like to call my shots very conservatively at this time of the year... unless it's USC laying less than a TD.... sheeeeeeeeit.
I wonder the same exact thing. The UT offense was frozen for the first quarter and I will not forget what I was seeing/thinking during that time before the absolute explosion from the offense.
Tennessee played a team that is very, very bad. Their offense was able to adjust and make more plays after struggling for the first quarter. This is something that is very different from the past. Tennessee struggled with Wyoming for the entire first quarter and made no changes. You saw the Kiffin team do more to change things up when they are not working.
As far as tit for tat with the Tennessee defense, there is a tit with Berry but no tat from UCLA. He is a game changer. He can cause a QB to stare directly into the other half of the field the rest of the game.
I think I read UCLA gave up 12 TFL and 3 sacks. That alone will tell me that the Volunteer defense will do what they please up front. If the offense can't click against a pretty solid defense we are in a world of hurt for the remainder of the season.
It seems like a no bet right now.
Good reading your stuff, and solid Week 1 Conan!
Cappin' Guru
Glanville is a maverick. He is very good friends with June Jones. Their offense is a spin on his offenses, a variation on the shotgun similar to another variation they call the pistol at UNR. Main difference is that Glanville uses it to throw from most of the time. That old fella recently retired (I think) Mouse Davis who ran their offense last year appears to have left a legacy behind. They can be very prolific. (But not when they play at Reser.)
Their red zone offense didn't seem to work vs a reasonably good secondary. But in space their WR's do get open. That was pretty much the way I saw it in the short time I watched that game. FSNW had it up on the local cable channel. I was glad I did manage to catch what I did of that game. Both Rogers brothers were dead on their game and left after what seemed a short workout. They could have put up 60 points if they wanted to.
I wonder if Canfield and the Rogers bros. will turn up the heat on UNLV? I'd like to see them do it. OSU's receivers also looked very good. Several of them. Some young guys I didn't expect to see play included. I was a little surprised by the extra depth. Also, if UNLV can throw the ball, I think they might score a few points themselves. Over total a possibility too.
unlv has a very accurate passer who was 13-17 for 213 last week. they also have the all-time unlv receptions leader lining up a WR. he runs great routes and has great hands. if unlv shows up to play, i just dont see either side stopping the other and the game decided by TO's late in 3rd, early fourth.A pleasure hearing from you Cappin' Guru. Hope you don't mind the rancid attacks when I talk about Tennessee fans. They are mainly directed at just one or two buttheads. UBOK by me.
No disrespect at all for Eric Berry, but maybe UCLA does have an answer for him too. You probably haven't seen this yet:
***************************************
UCLA's Moore national defensive player of the week
September 6, 2009 7:32 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller
UCLA's sophomore free safety Rahim Moore has been named National Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Moore grabbed three interceptions against San Diego State and tied the school record shared by Ron Carver, Craig Rutledge and Darryl Henley.
He also is one of four nominees for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week award, along with Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen, Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert and Baylor linebacker Joe Pawelek.
*****************************************
I do give you this, Moore is not established as Berry is but the difference between UCLA's defense and UT's defense on account of Eric Berry isn't as disparaging as it may seem.
BOL
