This is a storied matchup of two dome teams; one (Minny) coming off a disappointing season after starting the year at 7-1 before dropping 5 straight and another (Cuse) filled with great history that hasn’t seen a winning season in what seems like forever. For Minny the story is the with new offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch and his decision to get rid of the spread style offense and go back to a pro-style. This means they will rely heavily on the ground game and work their passing game once they have established the run. Defensively, they also have a new coordinator in Kevin Cosgrove and he has a solid group of returning starters to work with including all 3 DBs. This unit showed major improvements last season and will rely on experience to build on those improvements. For the Cuse the big story is the hiring of new coach Doug Marrone, the first alumni to be hiored as coach since 1947. Marrone immediately had to deal with the loss of 8 scholarship players during spring practice and then surprised the college football community when he named a freshman as the starting QB. But also expect Syracuse-native and graduate student Greg Paulus to get quite a bit of action under center too. Paulus lead the Duke basketball team for four years before graduating. He is no stranger to playing QB as he was name National Player of the Year in high school as a QB at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse. Defensively, the Cuse possesses some good talent especially in the secondary. The also have a monster at the nose tackle position who can reek havoc on the opponent’s ground game. It looked like Minny was on the fast track to recovery last season following a1-win season in 2007 but then came crashing back to earth late in the season. With new coordinators on both sides of the ball and a new offensive scheme it will take them a while to build the chemistry they need to move the ball consistently. Let’s back the home dog here in a game that features two teams that are evenly matched.
PREDICTION: THE CUSE 20 MINNY 16
3:30pm est
153 Nevada
154 Notre Dame
OPINION: NEVADA +15 -120
Here goes the hype already with America’s team!! The team does nothing for the past few years and now gets nationally ranked in the preseason polls. Okay, I get the fact that the Irish’s offense continues to improve with Claussen at the helm. However, it is their defense that causes concern for me, especially the line who has shown me nothing to believe they can stop the better ground attacks in the nation. And guess what?? That’s exactly what they will have to do today!! Nevada possesses one of the better ground attacks in the nation so we are supposed to think they aren’t going to challenge ND’s defense and run right at them?? Why?? Because it’s Notre Dame?? Give me a break!! Not only will they run at them they might run over them!! Additionally, Nevada is the better defense folks – they return most of its key starters from a unit that ranked 8th in the nation at stopping the run. So look out Notre Dame and look out “Joe Public” because you MIGHT be lucky to escape with a win. The ONLY thing preventing this from being a Top Play is the fact that it is played in South Bend.
PREDICTION: NOTRE DAME 23 NEVADA 20
7:00PM EST
151 Connecticut
152 Ohio
TOP SERVICE PLAY: OHIO+4 (PROVIDED AS COURTESY)
STRONG PLAY: MONEYLINE +145
Ohio and UConn collide for just the 2nd time in school history. The big story for UConn is the loss of RB Donald Brown who is now playing in the NFL. However, they do have a quality replacement in Andre Dixon who actually once was a very good starter before losing that role to Brown in 2007. The Huskies have a new QB at the helm, new offensive coordinator, and several new WRs so they will likely rely heavily on the run until they can build the chemistry to have an effective passing game. Defensively, the Huskies return many key players and should be solid again this year as a result. Meanwhile, Ohio is looking to improve upon a disappointing 4 win season. Offensively, Theo Scott returns at the helm after sitting out part of last season because of an injury. Scott will more than likely turn to WR Taylor Price early and often who is a real threat to opponents. Defensively, this unit struggled at times last season especially against the run, however, they return many key starters up front and experience should pay off. Look for this unit to give opponents problems!! I like the Bobcats at home especially against a new QB. It is worth noting Ohio is 6-3 ATS in their L9 as a home dog. Ohio is also 6-0 ATS L2 years against non-conference foes. UCONN was a public darling and covering machine in 2006 and early ’07 but since that time is just 5-9 ATS in their L14 contests.
Smooth44 (fp) 9/5
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