Tuesday Night Two-Pack
by Badger of Predictem.com
Thanks to the four-letter word network ESPN and all of its various
outlets, football fans and degenerate gamblers will be able to enjoy
not one, but two stunningly mediocre college football games this
Tuesday night.
Heres a short preview of both games to help you decide which sides
to put your wagers on, if you so choose. Play them separate, tease
them, or put them in a parlay if you wish, either way heres a quick
rundown of tonights Tuesday two-pack.
Buffalo Bulls (3-4) +1.5, 50.5 O/U at Ohio Bobcats (2-6) -1.5, 50.5
O/U, Peden Stadium, Athens, Ohio, 7 PM Eastern, Tuesday, ESPNU
The Ohio Bobcats return to the airwaves again this Tuesday, this time
as hosts as the Bobcats welcome the Buffalo Bulls into Peden Stadium
for a mid-week MAC clash on ESPNU.
The Bobcats suffered a disheartening loss on ESPN last Tuesday, giving up the game-winning touchdown in the closing seconds of a
14-10 loss to the Temple Owls. The game was disheartening because the
Bobcats clearly outplayed the Owls, only to fade at the tape.
The good news for Ohio is that they are finally back home in Peden
Stadium this week after playing three consecutive games on the road.
The Bobcats are 1-1 at home this season (0-1 ATS), with a win over
VMI and a narrow loss to Central Michigan (31-28) as the results.
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Buffalo ended a three-game slide last week with a 27-24 victory over
Army in overtime. Its been a weird season for the Bulls, as four of
their last five games (including the last three in a row) have all
been decided on the games FINAL play. Unfortunately for bettors, the
Bulls are 1-3 ATS in those four games, so the final play hasnt
translated into cash for those holding a ticket with Buffalo on it.
Offensively this game will feature two of the MACs top passing
quarterbacks. They will be relied upon heavily too, as neither team
has a running back with over 500 yards on the season.
Ohios Boo Jackson has thrown for 1,557 yards and nine touchdowns,
its his eight interceptions that have hurt the Bobcats in the
standings. Buffalos Drew Willy has enjoyed a strong senior season so
far (1,735 yds., 14 TD) and only needs 399 yards to become the
schools career passing leader.
The Bobcats defense is slightly better overall than the Bulls (Ohio
50th 341 ypg; Buffalo 92nd 389.4 ypg), but they both allow over
300 yards plus per game so dont expect too much defense. Ohios 24.9
ppg allowed is only slightly better than Buffalos 28.4 ppg average,
so expect some points to go up on the scoreboard too.
Buffalo won last years game between the two at home, 31-10, and is
4-3 ATS this season. Ohio won the previous three meetings before last
years loss though, and is 6-0 SU at home in Peden Stadium in the
series.
Badgers Pick: I expect the ball to be flying tonight, as both
quarterbacks should be able to take advantage of weak defenses. Take
the over of 50.5.
Houston Cougars (4-3) -7.5, 62.5 O/U at Marshall Thundering Herd
(3-4) +7.5, 62.5 O/U, Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, W.Va., 8
PM Eastern, Tuesday, ESPN2
Conference USA gets a rare national showcase game Tuesday night on
ESPN2, when the Houston Cougars travel to Joan C. Edwards Stadium to
take on the Thundering Herd of Marshall.
The Cougars come into tonights game on a roll, winning three straight games including a 44-38 victory over SMU 10 days ago on the
road. The Cougars starting the modest winning streak with a 41-24
upset victory over East Carolina back in September, and ironically
have scored t least 41 points in each of the three victories.
Marshall enters the contest on the opposite side of a streak, losing three straight including a 23-21 decision to UAB last time out. The
three game slide comes on the heels of a two-game win streak in
September with victories over Memphis and Southern Mississippi to
start the C-USA schedule.
Offensively the Cougars feature on of the countrys top passing
offenses. Quarterback Case Keenum (2,691 yds., 24 TD) ranks second in
the nation in passing yards per game (384.4 ypg) and third nationally
in overall yards.
Marshalls offense has struggled the past few years, mainly because
other programs have raided previous offensive coordinators with
promotions out of Huntington. Quarterback Mark Cann (1,358 yds. 8 TD,
8 INT) does have a nice weapon outside in receiver Darrius Passmore.
Passmore has 724 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Dont expect much defense out of either team tonight, as both teams
allow 400 yards per game (Marshall 103rd 427.6 ypg; Houston 97th
399 ypg) and nearly four touchdowns a contest on defense (Marshall
75th 26.7 ppg; Houston 85th 28.6 ppg).
Houston won last years matchup between the two schools, 35-28, in the first-ever meeting head-to-head between the two squads.
Chances are you havent bet on either of these teams in 2008, but if
you have, youve been a loser. Houston is 2-4 ATS on the season,
while Marshall is just 1-5 ATS this year.
The one historical betting trend that stands out in this matchup is the under. The under is 6-2 in both Houstons AND Marshalls last
eight C-USA games, including three in a row for Marshall and both
home games at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in 2008.
Badgers Pick: The ball should be flying in this game too, but Houston is just deeper and more talented than Marshall right now.
Take the Cougars on the road in this one. Houston minus the 7.5 points.