More Musings...

Some of these were from previous entries. Still struggling to keep this up to date.


Air Force cashes another ticket, so we move to 5-2 for the season. This was another fortunate game, as Air Force never really got their offense rolling and scored their only TD on an 12 yard drive, but I thought Ga Tech would find a way to lose after the season they've had, and they did. Good fortune, I like it.

8. West Virginia -2 1/2 v NC State: Bet Us has it now at 2.5, so I jumped on it. When I saw this matchup, I assumed that I would be on the Wolfpack, considering I almost always back the Pack and at the same time, I always look for reasons to fade Bill Stewart and the 'Eers. Despite my deep admiration for Russell Wilson, I have to go with WV here. First, although there will be a schematic disadvantage for them, the WV players are almost certainly going to give a solid effort for lame duck Stewart. Defensively, they will have a strong advantage over the Wolfpack as WV ranks highly in almost every statistical category. They stop the run, they stop the pass, they rush the passer...very solid. On the other hand NC State is actually ranked only 73rd in overall ypp and can't run the ball to save their lives. That will put all the burden on Wilson, and NC State's OL has had a hard time protecting him. They'd better get that buttoned up quickly because WV is 3rd in the country in sacks. When WV has the ball, the defense will be in bettter position as well, but not to the extent that WV will enjoy. WV's pass offense under Geno Smith has been very good over the past 3-4 weeks, and Nc State is pourous against the pass. Close game, but I think WV handles NC State.

9. Iowa + 2 1/2 v Missouri: This is more of a hunch play, but I think Iowa will come out more motivated than Missouri will. Iowa was embarrassed in their last game against Minnesota, and they have heard for a month about how they lost 3 straight to finish the year. Although they had some guys suspended, they have guys that can step up, and there isn't anyone missing from a very disciplined and solid Iowa defense. If you check the numbers this year, Mizzou has been getting handled offensively by some teams that can only be classified as mediocre and that's on a good day. This will probably be the best defense that Missouri will face. Like I said, it's a hunch, but I played this one.

10. Baylor -1 v Illinois: Obviously, I'm not impartial here, but I know when they're facing a bad matchup for them, and Baylor is it. Big time coaching advantage with Briles v anybody in Orange and Blue. Also, Baylor's running Qb is just the right kind of guy that gives the Illini fits. They do ok vs plodding offenses,. but not against the fast paced/dymanic offenses like Baylor. On defense, they appear to be good enough to keep Illinois off balance. Better offense, comparable defenses, Ron Zook in the house...

Others: East Carolina can't stop a soul on defense, and that coincides with Maryland's offense finding their rhythm in the passing game. ECU can throw it too, but I see no resistance from these guys on the defensive side of the ball. I'm laying off a full unit because I question Maryland's chops to cover the number(-7)......I also lean toward Okie St(-4 1/2) over Arizona. That's it for now. take Care.

Noelle Nicole LaVette was born yesterday, 6 lbs 13 oz, 20 inches long. Everyone doing well, of course. Glad to spend 5 minutes taking a look at things before we get back to marveling at her and the job Carissa did yesterday.

First of all, I was glad to see Illinois prove me wrong on the musing that may or may not have been coherent from a couple nights ago. I've been wrong on them a lot this year...which is a good thing because I'm always against them.

11. SMU -7 v Army: Too much of a mismatch here. Army's defense is going to have a lot of trouble with the balance of the SMU offense, and SMU surprisingly has been solid in both phases of the defense as well. They did well against Navy, and I don't think Army has the chops to wolk into it's first bowl game in forever and compete effectively.

12. Syracuse pk v Kansas St: One of the few teams who will be a good matchup for Syracuse in my opinion. K State cannot stop the run. They have been brutalized by rushing attacks all year, and have been successful only when their own running attack gives the opponants all kinds of trouble. I don't think that will be the case here, because Syracuse has been good against the run and mostly sound in all phases defensively. The return game is the only issue for Syracuse here, since I have to assume that they can scheme for the K State running game.

Others: Going with North Carolina (-1) in somewhat of a tossup game with Tennessee. I don't like choosing the ACC in a matchup with the SEC, but these teams appear to be mostly evenly matched with a slight edge to UNC, since they pass the ball a little better and are slightly better on defense. Also, they have a true freshman QB against a 5th year senior who has had good success this year, and I"ll take Butch Davis over Derrek Dooley in the coaching matchup. I like Tennessee's offense lately, though.....Also going to go with a hunch and take the 14 with Washington in a matchup of the massacre Nebraska laid on them back in September. How Nebraska can be motivated for this game I have no idea. Also, when Washington played Nebraska, it was during the Taylor Martinez scorched earth tour, which came to a close after he sustained his ankle injury. At some point, Sarkisian's team has to show up in a big game, maybe they can keep it within two TDs.


Take care!