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Almost all the experts agree that the Wolverines are close to returning to prominence and are likely to acheive so next season. Michigan's defense went from a disaster to excellence in one year under Greg Mattison. Michigan also has a 1,000-yard rusher in Fitzgerald Toussaint to complement speedy triggerman Denard Robinson. That running game is explosive and tough to defend. However, Dernard Robinson is another story when he steps back to pass. This is a one-dimensional offense that the Hokies have had plenty of time to prepare for. Tech comes in with a huge chip on its shoulder and something to prove after losing as a favorite in its conference championship game. The pundits will claim the Hokies lost twice to the only decent team they faced (Clemson) but they found themselves in a tough spot both times. This game takes place in the Superdome and Virginia Tech's edge in speed will become evident against a much slower Michigan team. The Hokies finished the season 6-1 away from home, compared to a .500 mark on the road for Michigan and that's really a good measuring stick to see if a team can step it up under pressure. This game is definitely a close call but Tech, despite injuries to some defensive players, are still a powerful club with more balance and thus, they get the call. Play: Virginia Tech +130 (Risking 2 units).
Sport: NBA Basketball
Game: Milwaukee Bucks @ Utah Jazz - Tuesday January 3, 2012 9:05 pm
Pick: 4 units (Normal) ATS: Utah Jazz -2 (-105)
Sport: NBA Basketball
Game: Portland Trailblazers @ Oklahoma City Thunder - Tuesday January 3, 2012 8:05 pm
Pick: 4 units (Normal) ATS: Portland Trailblazers +5 (-110)
Sport: College Basketball
Game: Louisville Cardinals @ St. John's Red Storm - Tuesday January 3, 2012 7:00 pm
Pick: 4 units (Normal) ATS: St. John's Red Storm +7.5 (+100)
5.5* NCAAF POD - Sugar Bowl - 8:30pm et Michigan vs. VTech
Finally got back to what we do best which is predict and handicap college football as we went 5-1 yesterday on the biggest college football day of the year. Don't miss out on tonight's Sugar Bowl it's guaranteed backed by a full in depth analysis for your betting confidence.
Virginia Tech +3.5 -120 (5.5* NCAAF POD)
I don't think you'll need it but buy the half point. Nobody thinks VT should be here, but they are in a BCS game and that should be motivation for them to show on National TV who Logan Thomas is. Michigan's defense is over rated in my opinion. We already saw how the Big Ten defenses are over rated on Monday it's because the offenses in the Big Ten just are not very good and the same can be true for Michigan's defense although statistically looks solid they really didn't face any crazy good offenses and when they played Notre Dame they were able to do whatever they wanted.
Michigan's offense on the other hand can be stopped as they put up just 16 and 14 points in the two games vs. Iowa and Michigan State who play similar type defense to Virginia Tech. Actually it's scary how similar Virginia Tech is to Michigan State as they are 4th in sack % Mich St is #1, they are 6th in completion % defense and MIch St is 13th. They are 15th in opposing QB rating while Mich State is 21st. Even in run defense the parallels again are similar with Virginia Tech ranking 17th in ypc while Michigan State was 5th. Bottom line the ACC has some better offenses in my opinion and Virginia Tech is a better coached team that will have more to play for after their ACC Championship loss. The idea that Denard Robinson has improved his passing is an over statement he still only completed 18 passes and 14 interceptions. Virginia Tech's defense has allowed 50.1% and 14 TD and 15 interceptions. Virginia Tech plays pressure defense and will be able to keep Denard and the running game in check forcing him to throw.
The key will be James Gayle who is now healthy for Virginia Tech and showed it vs. Clemson. Also it looks like LB Alonzo Tweedy will also return which should send Kyle Fuller back to CB which can make all the difference. Don't sleep on Vtech's offense Thomas is a huge QB he's shown to be very accurate and doesn't make mistakes. If the game comes down to which defense and which offense makes the plays it'll be the Hokies. They are 18-8 ATS in their last 26 vs. winning teams and Michigan is 8-20 ATS vs. winning teams.
Hot teams
-- Lightning won five of their last seven games.
-- Carolina won four of its last five home games. Islanders are 5-4 in their last nine road games.
-- Washington won its last three games, allowing four goals.
-- Dallas Stars are 6-4 in their last ten games.
Cold teams
-- Edmonton lost seven of its last nine games. Sabres lost eight of ten.
-- Maple Leafs lost six of their last eight games.
-- Calgary lost eight of its last ten road games.
-- St Louis lost its last three games, scoring three goals. Coyotes lost four of their last five games.
-- Red Wings lost six of their last nine road games.
Totals
-- Over is 7-3 in Edmonton's last ten road games.
-- Four of last five Tampa Bay games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Islander games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 8-4 in Washington's last dozen games.
-- Three of last four Phoenix road games went over the total. Under is 4-1-1 in last six St Louis games.
-- Last five Detroit games stayed under total. Five of last seven Dallas games went over the total.
Series records
-- Sabres won 4-2 at Edmonton in LY's meeting.
-- Lightning won four of last five games against Toronto, but lost 7-1 to Leafs in this year's only meeting.
-- Islanders lost six in row, 10 of last 12 games against Carolina.
-- Flames lost three of last five games against Washington.
-- Coyotes lost four of last six visits to St Louis.
-- Dallas Stars won eight of last eleven against the Red Wings.
Back-to-Back
-- Oilers are 2-5 when they played the night before.
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