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TENNESSEE vs. LSU - SEC title (12/1)

info — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 13:32:56 +0000

All information is for news matter only
All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars
Lines are subject to change

COLLEGE FOOTBALL — December 1

SEC Championship Game @ Atlanta
TENNESSEE (+7) vs. LSU (Total 60) — Does anyone seem to notice that in its last seven games, LSU has allowed almost 30 points per contest? Right now teams can probably run it up the gut a little better, too, since Glenn Dorsey’s injuries have severely limited him. Erik Ainge will have time time to throw , as his offensive line has allowed him to be sacked just four times on the year. LSU has coverdd just three of its last 18 conference games, and three of its last 15 as an SEC favorite. And we see a little edge missing, as just seven days ago this team was competing with a national title in mind. Now that is hardly the case.

JAY’S PLAY: TENNESSEE ***

DENVER at HOUSTON (1/20)

charles jay — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:02:16 +0000

WESTERN MICHIGAN vs. CINCINNATI

charles jay — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 11:26:25 +0000

All information is for news matter only
All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars
Lines are provided by SuperiorBook.com
Odds are subject to change

College Football — January 5

INTERNATIONAL BOWL — Toronto

WESTERN MICHIGAN (+7) vs. CINCINNATI — This game presents an odd situation, as the new Cincinnati coach - Brian Kelly - gets to play against the same team twice in one season. When he was piloting Central Michigan earlier in the season, we beat Western Michigan 31-7, and now, having taken the job at Cincy, he can be counted on to put together roughly the same game plan. That’s because he’s had his hands full getting to know all his new players. The Cincinnati players were in a bit of a shock when coach Mark Dantonio took the head job at Michigan State, and now they deal with the added adjustment of having to adapt to the news spread offense Kelly is installing. This is in sharp contrast to the ground-oriented attack Dantonio used, so the players were mainly recruited for another system. Fortunately for Kelly, the starting quarterback, Nick Davila, ran a spread offense in junior college. But everyone else is new to it, including Dustin Grintza, who started most of the year at QB and will get some snaps here. What is usually said about the spread is that it customarily takes a program a whole season to adapt to it, so it can reasonably said that Kelly is doing this with an eye toward next year. That doesn’t not always present the best set of conditions to win a bowl game.

To compound matters, Kelly’s assistant coaches here have just come back from working the Motor City Bowl for the Central Michigan side, including the offensive coordinator, Jeff Quinn, who is still hoping to get the CMU head job. Cincinnati did not have an explosive offense to begin with, and with this considerable set of adjustments it may just play into the hands of defensively-stout (11th nationally) Western Michigan, which demonstrated superlatives in a number of categories, including sacking the quarterback (tops in nation), behind superb linebacker Ameer Ismail (17 sacks alone) who should keep the pressure on the Bearcat signal-callers all day long. Cincinnati had some difficulties holding on to the ball (26 T.O.’s), which could become exacerbated with the new offense.

We prefer this Western Michigan squad that will make its own adjustments, has seen Kelly’s system in action already, has the kind of defense to not let things get out of hand, and who might have some more stability at the QB position (with Ryan Cubit). The Broncos protect their passer well enough (just 15 sacks), force turnovers (31 on season) and play relatively solid special teams. In terms of pure execution, they should have an advantage.

JAY’S PLAY: WESTERN MICHIGAN **

GREEN BAY (+5.5) at MIAMI

charles jay — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:57:19 +0000

Pro Football

� — Miami does not have the kind of offense these days that’s going to pull away from many people. The Packers have shown some vulnerability to opposing offenses. But is Joey Harrington (63% but just 5 yds/attempt and just one TD) capable of exploiting it? Ronnie Brown’s 127 yards against the Jets may just be an aberration. And offensive coordinator Mike Malarkey is under fire. At least Green Bay still has Brett Favre, who’s cut down on his mistakes (just five INT’s in five games), who will still throw away a game here and there, but the Dolphins haven’t been very opportunistic (only 3 INT’s). Favre getting some surprise contributions from rookie Greg Jennings (18 yds/catch), who making a formidable duo with Donald Driver. Miami has covered just two of last 17 as a home favorite.
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JAY’S PLAY:� GREEN BAY ***

CAROLINA (+3) at CINCINNATI

charles jay — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:54:54 +0000

Pro Football

– Opposing rushing attacks has shredded the Bengal defense, to the tune of 4.7 ypc. Cincy’s stop unit is just too banged up, as is the receiving corps. Meanwhile, things are looking up for the Panthers, who have won four straight games, and have Steve Smith back to full strength, to say the least. Smith went for 189 yards against Baltimore last week and now has 450 in four games. he helped this offense noticeably improve in its third-down conversions, going 7-15 against one of the league’s better defenses. Carson Palmer not explosive yet in comeback from injury, and Chad Johnson bothered with a shoulder injury. Take note - Carolina has covered 18 of its last 21 as an underdog.
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JAY’S PLAY: CAROLINA ****