9 EARLY LOOKS

[hodown]

Texas Tech @ Kansas -1.5
The fact that TT is dogged here should tell us something. TT's sos is a robust 105, and this will be their first real test. KU hasnt beaten anyone either, but they played USF to the wire and hung around with OU. TT has attempted to wet the bed the last two weeks, and I think they finally do in this one.

Kentucky +23 @ Florida
No Dicky Lyons will spell trouble for this offense, who got extremely lucky to beat Arky at home last weekend. Kentucky does have a respectable def, and even though Fla is coming off a bye week, UGA is on deck. In conference games in the SEC, dogs of 10+ are 7-1-1 ats.

Virginia Tech +4.5 @ Florida State
Not sure why FSU is giving more than the standard -3 here for HF, b/c they are not the better team imo. VT's 3 road games have been @ UNC, Neb, and BC. BC was a tough matchup for them, and were given plenty of opps to come through but just couldn't move the ball. FSU comes in at 5-1, with their best win coming over a young Miami team in a game that is usually played close no matter what. VT wins this s/u.

Penn State @ Ohio State +2
Rose Bowl and national title implications on the line. I think the OSU defense and home crowd sparks the upset. Michigan's def held PSU in check for the first half last wknd, and I think OSU can do the same for a longer period of time in what may be a game in the 30s. Turnovers will be key, and in four big 10 games, OSU +9, PSU +5

[joepa66]

Jayhawks git 'er dun! GL this week Hodown :thumbs:

I love ya taking the pressure off my boys this week. Me thinks the really toughie on the rest of the schedule after The Shoe is playing @ Iowa!:sm:

[hodown]

Iowa is looking better, and its too bad Ferentz and his staff are so vanilla that they have pretty much wasted away what could/should be a 7-0 record right now. They are tough at home against good teams, but think PSU has a little too much firepower/speed for them. I'm just hoping we make a bowl!

With regard to OSU/PSU, its more of a play on OSU than against PSU. I just like getting them at home with points against any Big 10 team, regardless of who it is. OSU's offense hasn't been as explosive as it has been in recent years, but OSU's national championship team was built on good defense and a serviceable offense that ran the ball. I think this team is similarly built, with a more explosive, albeit younger qb. The value got drained out of OSU after the USC game, not to mention lackluster performances against lesser talent. Yet, they continue to thrive when the spread is under 7 on the road and still people bet against them. Now theyre at home, getting points with the Big 10 title on the line against a very impressive, yet untested PSU squad. No doubt this game comes down to the final possession, but I like the hometeam here.

[The Gipper]

Ho:
Feeling the same about the Bucknuts, Hokies and Jayhawks with points, Solid reasinging on all three. GL:thumbs:

[FlyersFan]

weather is calling for rain and temperatures in the high 40's for the game in Columbus on Saturday. I think this game is a mirror image of last year's game but in reverse. I think that PSU is the better team here and will get the W. Both defenses are stout but PSU just has more playmakers. Bad weather should help OSU because they are more likely to win if it's a low scoring grind it out game.

looks like weather may be bad in a few locations in the midwest so i would check around later in the week on the weather......especially for totals plays

I think Taco Tech gets blasted this week. If i could find a reverse line of like KU -8 1/2 +300 i would take it. I think they win this by 2TD's. Quietly KU is on top of the big12 north and is in the driver's seat with Mizzou losing 2x. Taco Tech is a fraud, is nowhere near the 5th best team in the country and has played nobody as BB said about MSU and BYU last weekend. I think the same applies here.

[hodown]

Ole Miss -4.5 @ Arkansas
Ark is improving but their biggest weapon is questionable this week. Arky has played tightly with Auburn and Kentucky, and Ole Miss has played close with Fla, Bama, Vandy, and SC. The Miss results are better, and I think Ole Miss has a psychological edge with Nutt heading back to Fayetteville after the way he was pushed out.

Possible ML Plays

Wake @ Mia

BC @ UNC

Rutgers @ Pitt

Oregon @ ASU

MSU @ Mich

VT @ FSU

Baylor @ Neb

[hodown]

Bama -6.5 @ Tenn

Finding hard not to take Bama in a pick the winner situation. Bama has been sleepwalking in the second halves of games the last few wks, and Tenn has a good defense, and Tenn is at home, but that offense is atrocious. Even though they beat MSU 34-3, they only managed 275 yards of total offense. Cody is out, and Tenn will NEED to run the ball to win, but I don't think they will be able to. The line is begging for more Bama money which makes me nervous, but having a hard time coming off this one.