OurTake

Vanderbilt -24.5 & maybe o49.5 

Utah state lets 24.5 points up on defense per game, there only away game at Texas a&m they let 44 points. Vanderbilts offense will have a field day. o49.5 feels like another blessing!

I am on Utah State and here is why: They have a competent offense and the team doesn't/won't quit.  Vandy off a huge revenge game win and having a great season.  Bama up next week.  I see pulling Pavia to avoid injury if this thing get out of hand.  Too easy for team to focus on next week and have a little let down against an inferior opponent.  

I've had an awful year so far though, so take that analysis for what its worth.

ND homer here.  Our D coaching has been horrible this year.  Miami and Texas A&M are good teams, and the losses close, but those games should have been a win for ND with more competent D coaching.  Wrong personnel on the field, bad schemes, and guys out of position.  Also, some poor tackling.  We struggle to get off the field on 3rd down (including 3rd down and long) Our top CB is also dealing with an ankle injury and is questionable.  It was also unfortunate to draw our toughest games in weeks 1 and 2 because we lost SO MUCH D personnel from last year - guys playing in the NFL this year.

The D has been historically good and I think the team took that for granted imo this year.  The O-Line play has also struggled, although better last week.  

ND has hit the over all year, and that was my instinct here.....BUT word is that Coach Freeman has been very actively involved in the D this week and is spending a lot of time focusing on D improvement.  I have to think they will improve on the field because of it.  As a homer, I also didn't want to be in a position where I was rooting for Arkansas to score.  

We SHOULD handle Arkansas so I love your bet (and, again, I am a homer).  I just wanted to give my thoughts about why the line may look this way.

@PaulieWalnutz

Boise gets real hot and at elevation.  August can also be pretty humid.  (Maybe not the tropics but it’s not comfortable.). Florida gonna be sticky no doubt but more available oxygen at the lower elevation for those Idaho lungs.

Like Boise too.  Been following USF/QB Brown for several years.  He is good and a difference maker… when healthy.  Knocked out w/inj LY and this is first game back. Boise a playoff team LY and gets most of team back. (Minus Jeanty obv).  USF will play tempo and fast but I think Boise will be better on the lines.  Disciplined football at the line of scrimmage can contain mobile/athletic QB.  Spread is just one score.  Doesn’t have to be a blowout to cover.  Tried not to overthink this one.  

Coming down to a video review!  (Not arguing with call). Wow.  What a starts to the year!

Yes.  Gives me rage.  Went to switch to cable but can’t get it where I live.  I don’t prefer to  stream  sports but I am stuck with ESPN + until the blackout is gone.  

Texas potential weakness long the D front.

Texas secondary is a concern.

Michigan starting all new OL.  I think that's a huge liability that mitigates my concern for Texas D line.

Michigan QB/WR issues.  Mitigates my concern regarding Texas secondary.

Michigan rush defense did very well last week.

Texas OL is good.  

Texas has dynamic passing game and good play caller.  (I am not down on Ewers like some in the media seem to be)

Michigan secondary is very capable.

I think Michigan D gonna be on the field a lot more than they were used to LY because of offensive issues.

Texas waxed a good Colorado State team.

Michigan did okay against a Tedford-less Fresno State team (Fresno State is not the same after a late-season retirement of a very good HC)

I like Texas even at 7.5.  Ideally it would drop down again.  I think Texas is gonna wanna go up by 2 scores to put the game out of reach and I don't trust a UM Offense to hurry down the field and score.

@totter

 Also on these 3. 

Had them -26.  They looked bad.  Really surprising.  Nevada is the kind of team they needed to beat by a lot.  

UGA WR RaRa Thomas dismissed from team.  

UGA WR Rara Thomas arrested on DV related charge and suspended indefinitely 

@steponaduck

I know he probably had a say in who took his place, but this makes me real uneasy about them now 

Cincinnati starting DT Corleone out indefinitely with blood clot issue.  I feel for him.  Was a force in the middle and was supposed to have a huge season.  

I am thinking over bets on Bama might be the play 

Mostly tune into the NHL in time for the Stanley Cup playoffs.  This year I can't get much in the way of dark horses or clear favorites though.  Interested in your thoughts...

Oregon at any number 

@steponaduck

 UTEP beat themselves.  That game was very frustrating.  The playcalling at critical times was awful.  

looks like the press coming out of SDSu camp was wrong about the offense.  Same old offense from the Aztecs.  I was on the over, but knew I was in trouble when nobody scored TDs on those early chances in the first quarter.  

I am with you an our New Mexico State.  I felt the same.  Turned out wrong.  It was only week 0.  Plenty of time to make up ground.  

@steponaduck

 UTEP beat themselves.  That game was very frustrating.  The playcalling at critical times was awful.  

looks like the press coming out of SDSu camp was wrong about the offense.  Same old offense from the Aztecs.  I was on the over, but knew I was in trouble when nobody scored TDs on those early chances in the first quarter.  

I am with you an our New Mexico State.  I felt the same.  Turned out wrong.  It was only week 0.  Plenty of time to make up ground.  

@steponaduck

 Yeah.  Lots of preseason research but ultimately it comes down to the games.

I don’t know about the tempo but it wouldn’t surprise me given OC’s experience.  Apparently it was bombs away at practice and the QB/WRs have been on the same page.  I have only read this and haven’t seen it myself but it convinced me to take the over.  I am hoping it’s not the same old SDSu that’s shows up on Saturday….we’ll know on the first series though.