College Football Week 1, News & Notes
By Spike Measer, Big Time Sports
Vandy @ Miami Ohio (Thurs 8/28)- SEC team makes rare trip to MAC home turf…Vandy brings 2 mobile upper-classmen at QB position…Commodores 10-3 as road dog last three seasons…Redhawks 0-6 ATS as favorite ‘06-’07, including 0-4 in Oxford
Temple @ Army (Fri 8/29)- Black Knights of the Hudson no bargain, but hesitate to lay wood on the road with a Temple squad that has won just 2 of last 30 games as visitor. Coach Golden has had positive impact on downtrodden program, but this game seems closer to “pick” than the Owls being a full TD favorite.
Memphis @ Mississippi (Sat 8/29)- New regime for Ole Miss with Houston Nutt taking charge…underdog series, as pooch has covered last 5 (Tigers 4-0, Rebs 1-0)…last four meetings decided by 7 points or less…Memphis junior wideouts Calhoun (6′4″) and Singleton (6′8″) own huge size advantage on Miss corners (all 5′11″ or shorter)
Washington @ Oregon (Sat 8/30)- Ducks HC Bellotti loves to bully Washington (four straight 20+ point wins)…Roper gets the call at helm of home team offense…Autzen Stadium in Eugene a very hostile environment, as host is 7-1 laying double digits last 3 seasons…Huskies solid QB Locker less than 100%…
Oklahoma State @ Washington State (Sat 8/30)- must always be careful with road chalk, but Cowboys QB Robinson puts points on the board in bunches…OSU stop unit flush with underrated new blood…First-year head man Wulff bringing new look to Cougars (no-huddle on O, 4-3 frequent-blitz on D).
Virginia Tech vs East Carolina (@ Charlotte, Sat 8/30)- Hokies lost plenty on both sides of ball, but never underestimate Beamer coached squad…Skip Holtz outstanding HC as well…Pirates 26-11 ATS last 3 seasons, including 17-6 as underdog…game at “neutral” site in Charlotte.
Illinois vs Missouri (@ St Louis, Sat 8/30)- odds makers never caught up with Mizzou last year as Tigers finsihed 10-3 ATS…Pinkel directing very productive O and stellar, although underpublicized D…QB’s Juice Williams (Illinois) and Chase Daniel (Missouri) both big time playmakers…being played in St Louis.
USC @ Virginia (Sat 8/30)- unknown quantities at WR and injuries at QB & RB have Trojans in stealth mode for opener, but talent-laden defense warrants nearly 3 touchdown tariff in Charlottesville…USC just 5-11 ATS laying double digits…Cavs 12-2 against the number last 14 as home dog.
Colorado vs Colorado State (@ Denver, Sun 8/31)- grabbing points has been profitable with dog cashing 8 of 9 times ‘98 thru ‘06…Buffs got win and cover last year and are definitely on uptick under Hawkins…Rams begin new era under Steve Fairchild with half of last year’s starters gone.
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