If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
5 Units on Maryland (+3) over Nevada
Maryland (7-5) vs. Nevada (7-5)- Nevada comes into this game featuring one of the Nation’s most prolific offenses led by QB Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick is a dual threat who passed for over 2,400 yards and rushed for over 1,100. The key for Nevada’s offense will be their ability to hang on to the football. There is no doubt that they will move the ball, but where they have found trouble this year is when they turn the ball over. On the other side of the ball Maryland will be getting back one of the country’s fastest players in Darrius Heyward-Bey. He should give the Terps offense the ability to stretch the field and loosen up the defense to get the running game going. Nevada features one of the best rush defenses in the country, allowing just over 70 yards per game, so don’t look for Maryland to run the ball all over them, just enough to stay ahead of the chains and keep the defense honest. This game will be decided by turnovers. Whoever makes less mistakes will get the win. In this one, we like the Terps. Maryland by 3-4.
Texas Bowl
Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
50 Units on Rice (-3) over Western Michigan
Western Michigan (9-3) vs. Rice (9-3)- This figures to be one of the most entertaining games of the Bowl season as two high powered offenses meet in what should be a shootout. Western Michigan comes out of the MAC, which has been a bit of an overvalued conference this year. The Bronco’s feature an explosive passing attack led by Junior QB Tim Hiller and talented receiver Jamarko Simmons. The problem for the Bronco offense is that they have virtually no running game. Rice is also a team that likes to throw the ball all over the place, led by QB Chase Clement and his pair of talented receivers, Jarret Dillard and Tight End James Casey. The Owls do have the ability to run the ball some, which could be a difference in this game. I look for a big game out of Dillard, as there is nobody in the Western Michigan secondary that can match up with him. This one might be close early, but Rice will pull away. Rice by 14-20.
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
15 Units on Oklahoma St. (-2.5) over Oregon
Oklahoma St. (9-3) vs. Oregon (9-3)- This is another game that should be wildly entertaining as both teams feature high scoring offenses. Oklahoma St. comes in with a defense that has struggled of late, but was torched by three teams that were ranked in the top 3 at the time of the game. Oregon is more of a running team, which the Cowboy defense should be able to handle a little better than some of the explosive passing attacks they’ve faced. Oregon’s Jeremiah Johnson will be the key to the Duck’s offense as usual. I look for Oklahoma St. to be able to outscore the Ducks, behind the running of RB Kendall Hunter and QB Zac Robinson. Also look for the Cowboys to take some shots down the field to Dez Bryant. Cowboys win a shootout. Oklahoma St. by 4-10.
3 Unit Play. #229. Take Nevada Wolfpack -1 over Clemson Tigers (Released Last Friday) (Tuesday, December 30th @ 4:30pm). This game could spell bad news for Maryland as I remember when other ACC teams have gone up to the Blue Turf and have looked anything but themselves. Nevada is very familiar with the Blue Turf as they have played the likes of Boise State often and are familiar with the surroundings while it seems Maryland might be headed into a hornet's nest traveling cross country there. This will be very much of a home atmosphere for the Wolfpack. Nevada is the same team that won at Fresno State, at Louisiana Tech (who is actually in their own bowl game in the Independence Bowl) while Maryland has lost back to back games/covers with their sole win coming against Clemson on the road and that during the heart of the coaching turmoil at Clemson. Maryland has won just 1 road game this year. Nevada has 5th most prolific offense in the nation, 2nd best rushing attack and is 12th in the nation in points scored. They are 99th in the country in points allowed.
Comment