Rutgers (+2) at Syracuse - 9:00am Pacific - Game #121-122
I am willing to give the Scarlet Knights another chance against a hapless Syracuse team. Last week vs West Virginia, Rutgers got off to a horrible start giving up a blocked punt for a TD, and found themselves down 21-0 before they knew it. They battled back to make the game respectable but it is hard to beat a good team with a -4 turnover ratio on top of giving up the big play on special teams. Rutgers is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 lined games following a straight up loss under Schiano and this is a pivotal game for the team's bowl hopes. In last year's meeting here at the Carrier Dome, Rutgers was in control late in the game but an untimely fumble opened the door for Syracuse to score two very late TD's and win by 10. It is now five games into the season and Syracuse is still showing very few signs of life on offense. They were held to just 7 points, all coming on a meaningless 4th quarter touchdown, vs UConn last week. QB Perry Patterson went just 10-for-28 as he continues to struggle in the new West Coast offense. Syracuse was not competitive despite UConn starting QB leaving the game due to injury in the first half. Expect an experienced Rutgers team to take care of business here.
Early Look: Rutgers +2 1/2 UNIT
Colorado State at BYU (+1) - 7:00pm Pacific - Game #143-144
The Cougars were really reeling after their overtime loss to TCU two weeks ago. TCU is now alone in first place in the MWC and it was a game that BYU should have won for many different reasons. With several key defensive starters injured or not playing, BYU was beaten soundly by SDSU in their next game, but rebounded with a huge win at New Mexico last week. QB John Beck returned to form completing 34-of-44 passes for 371 yards and RB Curtis Brown rushed for over 100 yards. With leading tacklers LB Jensen and LB Walkenhorst back in the lineup, the defense held New Mexico to just 3 second half points. The win should give BYU a big confidence and momentum boost for this key homecoming game vs CSU. The Rams have won three in a row but all have been at home and their wins have not been too impressive. Neither the offense or defense has been as good as advertised this year. CSU starting senior center Albert Bimper (hamstring) missed last game and is expected out another 3 weeks. Two other starters are battling injuries on the offensive line. Defensively, CSU ranks 9th in the MWC in total defense and has some key starters nicked up on that side of the ball as well. They were fortunate to escape with a 4 point win over Utah on Saturday as the Utes failed to get in the end zone in 3 attempts from the 1 yard line late in the game. CSU is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 conference road games and 1-5 ATS in last six road games overall.
Early Look: BYU +1 1/2 UNIT
UAB (-4.5) at Marshall - 2:00pm Pacific - Game #173-174
It is widely believed that this is the most talented Blazer football team ever assembled. After losing a competitive game at Tennessee in the season opener, UAB had been cruising to easy wins every week. With games vs Jacksonville, a BYE week, Rice, and SMU all at home it is easy to see how the team may have lost focus. Last week they got burned as SMU drove 80 yards in 22 seconds ending with a hail mary touchdown to stun UAB. After the game, players and coaches insisted that all of their goals were still attainable and they would come back fighting next week. If that is the case, UAB should have an easy time beating a young Marshall team. The Herd's lone I-A win this year came against that same SMU team, and they needed OT to get it. While UAB is an experienced finished product, Marshall is clearly still a work in progress. Head coach Mark Snyder was hired near the end of spring practice after unexpected retirement of Bob Pruett. The team only returned 6 starters and 35 lettermen from last year. Rumor is that Snyder has been very unhappy with current assistants and many changes will be made at the end of the year. The Blazers are 19-10 ATS following a straight up loss since 1999 and standout senior QB Hackney (2 interceptions vs SMU) will be looking to make amends for last week's performance. UAB is the strongest team in C-USA and this line is too small. Give the points.
Early Look: UAB -4.5 1/2 UNIT
Stanford at Arizona (-5) - 4:00pm Pacific - Game #183-184
There is no better 1-4 team in the country than the Wildcats and there are very few teams in the country that have played as tough of a schedule as they have. Arizona started the season with a road game at Utah and their last three games have been vs Purdue, at Cal, and at USC. This week they will finally get to see the fruits of their labor as they host a very beatable conference opponent. Injuries on the defensive line and at linebacker have hurt them on that side of the ball, but they are getting healthier every week. Under Stoops, Arizona has only allowed 21.2ppg to opponents here in Tucson. That is despite a very tough schedule and a very lackluster offense a year ago. This year they are improved on both sides of the ball. QB Richard Kovalcheck continues to get more and more consistent throwing the ball. Arizona came just short of a win at Utah and just short of upsetting Purdue in their only other real home test of the season. If not for turnovers, both games could have been wins. After two embarrassing losses, Stanford got a big upset win at Washington State last week. The Cougars were very flat for the game and were playing without two starting receivers, starting MLB, and starting DT. The latter two being replaced by true freshman. The Cardinal still have a lot to prove before they can be considered on the same level of most Pac-10 teams. This will be Arizona's first ever home favorite situation under well regarded head coach Stoops. I expect them to perform well. Give the points.
