Welcome to our Week 1 Sunday Night "Early Looks" report! Each play is rated at 1/2 UNIT with an emphasis at beating potential line moves during the week.

*Lines current as of 5:35pm Pacific on Sunday. Four plays this week:

RAS "Early Looks" - Week 1 - Four Plays

Minnesota at Kent State (+16.5, play to +16) - 4:30pm Pacific - Game #333-334 (Thursday) The Golden Flashes return 18 starters from last season and have added some impact newcomers. Head coach Doug Martin was very successful as the offensive coordinator at East Carolina (from 95-02 worked with David Garrard and Marcus Crandall) and enters his third season here. Dropback passer Michael Machen (starter last year) was expected to easily win the starting QB job but JC transfer Julian Edelman (dual threat) has come on to make a race of it. Both QB's will play in the opener and production should be better than last year. The biggest additions to the offense are speedy redshirt freshman RB Eugene Jarvis and Michigan State transfer RB Tony Howard. Neither played last year and both come well touted. Coaches, players, and local media have raved about a rejuvenated offensive line that promises to pave the way for a successful ground attack, a major weakness last year. The defense is experienced and hopes to return close to the form of the 2004 unit that ranked #17 in the nation in total defense. Minnesota will be without two 1,000+ yard rushers and two legitimate All-American offensive linemen. There has been speculation about the team passing more this year but that would play into the strength of the KSU defense and go against the philosophy of the coaching staff. Defensively the Gophers had their worst defense ever under Glen Mason last year (34.11ppga last 9) and still have many question marks. Two starting LB's were slowed in the offseason by injuries and more true freshman than usual could see action this year. Since 1997 only five Big 10 teams have ventured to play at a MAC school and they have gone 1-3-1 ATS. Obviously it is a huge game for Kent State while Minnesota may have their sights set on week two trip to #9 Cal. Expect a competitive effort from the Golden Flashes. Take the points. RAS Early Look: Kent State +16.5 1/2 UNIT

Western Michigan at Indiana (-4) - 3:00pm Pacific - Game #383-384 New coaches often talk about changing the "culture" of a program and there are few better examples than what Terry Hoeppner did in his first season at Indiana. After winning just 5 games in their previous two years, the Hoosiers started 4-1 despite learning new systems and breaking in a new QB. They were outgained by just 8 yards at Wisconsin and outgained Iowa by 21 yards on the road before wilting down the stretch against a tough Big 10 schedule. They should only be better with a year under their belt and most of their key components returning from last year. QB Blake Powers is back for his second year as a starter after setting several school passing records last year. All American candidate James Hardy leads a group of receivers that is being called the best ever at the school. The offensive line and running game remain question marks but they should be able to at least match last years below average production. The same can be said for the defense who returns 6 starters from a unit that gave up 32.8ppg last year. No one is expecting this unit to dominate but a step forward can be expected in their second year of the system. Western Michigan was just 3-3 last year (wins over I-AA Southern Illinois, Temple, and Buffalo) before freshman sensation Tim Hiller (64.9% completions, 20 TD/3 INT) led them to an improbable 4-1 finish. Unfortunately, Hiller (knee) is redshirting this year. Also not returning is 1000+ yard rusher Riley and top two pass catchers Jennings and Scheffler (both second round NFL picks). The Bronocs have struggled to find a go-to playmaker in fall camp and a season ending injury to projected starting WR Jordan White has not helped. Defensively, WMU gave up 450 yards per game last year despite a very suspect schedule. They are more experienced this year but still figure to give up lots of yards and points. As of this writing two of the Broncos' most talented defensive players, LB Ismail (#1 sacks, #2 tackler last year) and DB Delmas (#3 in tackles, #1 in passes defended) are banged up and officially listed as questionable. Delmas (hip flexor) is likely to start but may be less than 100% and coaches say Ismail (hamstring) will definitely not play the entire game. Indiana's average attendance increased by over 30% last season and they went an easy 2-0 ATS as a home favorite. This game is critical for the confidence of Indiana's football program and for their longshot hopes at a bowl game. Fortunately for them WMU is an opponent they can handle. Give the points. RAS Early Look: Indiana -4 1/2 UNIT

Louisiana Tech at Nebraska (-20.5, play to -21) - 12:30pm Pacific Big expectations for Bill Callahan as he enters his third season at Nebraska and for good reason. Last years bowl appearance gave the team much needed extra practice time and the win over Michigan is serving as a nice springboard for 2006. For the first time under Callahan Nebraska returns a starting QB in senior Zac Taylor. QB's are known to regularly show improvement in the second year of the West Coast offense and Taylor showed progress throughout last season. An improved offensive line, a stable of talented young RB's, a greater emphasis on running, the return of top two WR's, and the return of stud TE Matt Herian (1st team Big 12 in 2003) from injury should give the Huskers their most potent attack since 2001. Defensively, 7 starters are back and there is lots of talent. Starting CB Zack Bowman was lost for the year to injury but highly touted JC transfer Andre Jones is expected to fill in with little dropoff if any. This is clearly a "paycheck" game for Louisiana Tech. They have 21 underclassmen in their two deep, have a new starting QB, and only return 2 starters on defense. Top returning RB Mark Dilliard was shifted to safety. Most touted offensive lineman Marcus Lindsay (2nd team WAC in preseason magazines) did not earn a starting job. Projected starting DE Jared Parten (JC transfer) was lost for the season to injury two weeks ago. A better Bulldog team was beaten by 38 at Florida and by 20 at Kansas to start last season. They are just 2-8 ATS as an away dog the past two seasons and just 4-11 ATS in non-conference play since 2002. It will reportedly be a big recruiting weekend in Lincoln and the Huskers will be eager to start their season with a convincing win. They outmatch La Tech on both sides of the ball. Give the big number. RAS Early Look: Nebraska -20.5 1/2 UNIT

Virginia at Pittsburgh (-3.5, play to -4) - 4:00pm Pacific - Game #395-396 Pitt struggled early on last year adjusting to a new coaching staff but rebounded to win 5 of their final 8 games with all three losses coming vs bowl bound teams. They now enter Dave Wannstedt's second year and should be much better versed in their new systems. Senior QB Tyler Palko has earned 2nd team Big East honors the past two years and will be helped this year by expected improvement to the offensive line and running game. Despite a below average offense, Pitt's defense allowed their fewest points per game since 2002 last season. They return 6 starters including stud LB H.B. Blades. The secondary is strong and the suspect run defense of last year will be helped by an improved defensive line. Wannstedt's strength has always been on defense. Virginia enters the season with new cooridnators on both sides of the ball. On offense they must replace their starting QB, RB, and three offensive line starters. Another projected OL starter Eddie Pinigis (backup last year) quit the team during fall camp citing a bad relationship with head coach Groh. The worst news of the offseason was a stress fracture to leading WR and team captain senior Deyon Williams that will sideline him for at least the first 3 games of the season. Defensively the Cavs have four starters to replace in their front seven alone in addition to learning new schemes. A new kicker and punter will also be making their debuts in a night road game to open the season. Virginia is 10-17 ATS on the road under Groh while Pitt was 4-1 ATS at home last year under Wanndstedt. Give the small number. RAS Early Look: Pittsburgh -3.5 1/2 UNIT

Return to Home Page