Not much time to give you a full detailed review tonight of the game but I am telling you to take the 'Canes giving two points. This team needed that Oklahoma schlacking and came out impressively last week versus FIU. Their defense is strong and should be able to stop the vaunted rushing attack of Lane, Goodspeed, and McGee.
Miami's offense is lacking but A&M's defense is not as strong as last year. Being the Canes are in their last season at the "OB" I think they come out of this game on top. The crowd will be pumped and the defense will come out firing. Take Miami minus two. And if you want play the under of 46 too.
My Prediction: 23-20
My Record: 3-3-1
This game probably has the intrigue of the nation behind it. A most unexciting Falcons squad versus a Jaguars squad that did absolutely nothing in week one of the season. Well, actually nobody will be watching this game except for me because I think easy money can be won.
Last week the Jaguars defense played a sneaky offense in the Titans and did not do that bad of a job. They did give up 262 yards of offense rushing but Vince Young only threw for 86 yards versus them. This week they get perhaps a inferior QB in Joey Harrington and should be able to handle him. Yes Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood will run and run and run but that is good for any under in that the clock keeps on rolling.
On the other hand you have a bad Jacksonville offense versus a decent Falcons offense. The one thing that scares me in this match-up is that if Jones-Drew and Taylor run the ball well they could score a lot of points. I still feel though that the Falcons and Bobby Petrino can stack the box and make David Gerrard throw the ball which he hasn't shown he can do and win.
Scariest part for me about this under is the propensity for each team to turn the ball over and the defense scoring touchdowns. I don't think it will happen though and expect a low scoring, boring game. So take the under of 35 and maybe I might win won this week.
My Prediction: Jacksonville 17 Atlanta 9
My Record: 0-2-1
Some other games of note:
- The Bengals (-7.5) go up north to meet their Ohio rival the Cleveland Browns in Paul Brown stadium. The Bengals looked solid last week in beating the Ravens and the Browns looked awful in getting hammered by the Steelers. Take the Bengals only giving a touchdown.
- The 49ers (+3) travel to St Louis where Frank Gore has been unbelievable. The 49ers squeaked by the Cardinals last week but Alex Smith showed great poise in the final two minutes of the game to lead a game winning drive. The Rams looked bad at home and do not look like they will be getting any better with the loss of hall of fame LT Orlando Pace. Take the 49ers getting a field goal.
- The Cowboys (-4) travel to Miami where they should be able to hold a bad Miami offense to less then 30 points. Dallas can put up over 30 points. With the Cowboys only giving 4 points I love the Cowboys and Mr. Romo.
- The Saints (-4.5) travel to Tampa Bay with a needed win in their mind. Drew Brees will come out firing and maybe Sean Payton will decide to try and get the ground game going with Deuce McAllister. Tampa Bay is reeling and if Jeff Garcia is feeling any after effects of his concussion last week Luke McCown will have to come in and that spells bad things for the Bucs. Take the Saints giving 4.5 on the road.
I'll be back later today with a preview of the matchup everyone has been waiting for tonight between the Patriots (cheaters) and the Chargers (whiners).
Byrd Stadium is going to be packed tonight and the student section of the Terps will be in all black ready for the border war game vs West Virginia. And I just have a small hunch the Terps are going to come out firing versus the explosive offense of the Mountaineers led by Pat White.
In the past five meetings at Byrd Stadium Maryland has only failed to cover and that was their last meeting when White and RB Steve Slaton were freshman. West Virginia ran for 301 yards that night but tonight Erin Henderson and a sturdy Terps defense will not allow White and Slaton to run anywhere they want.
In Maryland's first two games this year they have held their inferior opponents (Florida International and Villanova) to a combined 93 yards rushing. Obviously the Fridge has told them something about defending the rush this year especially coming into this game.
On the other hand last week the Mountaineers gave up 121 rushing yards to a not so great Marshall running game. They must step up that part of the game to defend running backs Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore. And they must worry about QB Jordan Steffy running the ball every once in a while.
West Virginia definitely won't have to worry about Steffy's inferior passing game though. Steffy is a first time starter for the Terps this year and has been less then stellar. If the Mountaineers can contain Steffy then the Terps may be in for some big trouble. If Steffy can roll out of the pocket and look for small to intermediate routes the Terps can succeed in the passing game.
Still with below average passing game the Terps should be able to keep this game close. If they can control the clock and use their running game there is no reason they can not stay within a shout especially at a noisy Byrd Stadium. Home game for the Terps equals a competitive fight out of a stout defense and determined offense. Expect the Terps to stay close but end up losing in the end.
Lock: Maryland (+17)
Final Score: WVU 27 Maryland 23
PS: My heart tells me the Terps are going to shock the college football world tonight and win!
FEAR THE TURTLE tonight!
