Doc Sports 9/12
Doc Sports
The Magnificent 7” Saturday, September 12th, 2009
6 Unit Play. #40 Take Auburn -14 over Mississippi State (Saturday 7 pm ESPN Gameplan) Top Selection of the Week. The Tigers issued a dominating performance over a good Louisiana Tech squad last week winning, 37-13. Auburn had more than 300 yards on the ground and two backs went for more than 100 yards. QB Chris Todd looked solid as he completed 17-of-26 for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
That being said, the offense shined but the defense of the Tigers was really the story. This group held the Bulldogs to less than 100 yards on the ground. Tech went 8-5 in 2008 and returned nine starters on offense. Now home again, Auburn faces a much weaker group of Bulldogs, a team they beat, 3-2, in 2008. Despite that low score, Auburn outgained MSU by 200 yards and was in control of that game. Although they have only one game under their belt, Auburn is much better then in 2008. MSU returns just four starters and their offense is weak. Look for a beat down and we will collect big along the journey. Auburn 42, Mississippi State 10.
5 Unit Play. #27 Take Fresno State +8 over Wisconsin (Saturday 12 pm ESPN) Top Big Ten Selection. I went against the Badgers last week and will come right back here with the same play in Week 2. I thought QB Scott Tolzien looked outstanding for the home team. However, the running attack was poor and that does not bode well with a questionable offensive line. The Badgers defense looked tired late against an inferior opponent and the Bulldogs should have even more success against them this week.
Revenge will be on the minds of the Bulldogs as they fell to Wisconsin last year in California, 13-10. The Dogs had an easy time last week against UC-Davis but must play Boise State next Friday. Some might think they would be looking ahead, but that will not happen under Coach Pat Hill, who has pulled some major upsets in his career against BCS conference teams. The Badgers have been having some problems this week with the flu and this may cause some concentration problems. Although Madison is always a tough place to play; I expect this one to be close and go down to the wire. Wisconsin 27, Fresno State 24.
5 Unit Play. #7 Take Kent State +21 over Boston College (Saturday 2 pm ESPN Gameplan) Top Underdog Play. The Golden Flashes lost last year to BC, 21-0, but the 2009 encounter appears to be much closer. Kent State returns 15 starters and that is the same as BC. However, the Eagles lost some key people on defense in BJ Raji and Ron Brace. For the second straight year, BC will have a new QB with Chris Crane departing and this team has yet to develop a number one guy this season. BC is really banged up at the linebacker position and Kent State will be able to put some points on the board behind RB Eugene Jarvis. The Eagles have Clemson on deck and expect them to just go through the motions and they will win but it will be much closer then what the experts think. Boston College 24, Kent State 10.
4 Unit Play. #86 Take Under 45 ½ in Southern Cal at Ohio State (Saturday 8 pm ABC) Top Totals Pick. I had reports last week that the Buckeyes offense was just not clicking and I went against them laying a ton of points against Navy. Now they face a major step-up in class with USC coming to town. That being said, USC starts a freshman QB in Matt Barkley and I just do not think Columbus is the place to let this kid loose. It would not surprise me if both coaches play it close to the vest and stay conservative. Both clubs have outstanding defenses and even though USC returns just three starters on that side of the football, the talent is there. USC pounded Ohio State in 2008, but QB Mark Sanchez was the reason why, and now I believe that neither team will reach 21 points. Would like to take the points, but I will not fall into that trap and just collect with the UNDER. USC 21, Ohio State 17.
4 Unit Play. #17 Take Central Michigan +14 ½ over Michigan State (Saturday 12 pm ESPN 2) I picked Michigan State as my team to win the Big Ten. However, I will still green light this selection. This is a tough spot for the Spartans, as they are playing an in-state team that returns 16 starters and a possible pro prospect in QB Dan LaFavour. Central Michigan struggled last week at Arizona in the second half, after playing a very competitive first half. I believe they were looking ahead to this game and it’s a much shorter road trip for them.
Michigan State plays Notre Dame next week and the Spartans are 1-9 against the line prior to the Irish game in the last 10 years. Call it close in a real barn burner. MSU 24, Central Michigan 20.
4 Unit Play. #60 Take Buffalo +10 ½ over Pittsburgh (Saturday 12 pm ESPN Gameplan) Under Coach Turner Gill, the Bulls just continue to get better and are coming off an impressive win over UTEP in El Paso. Buffalo has revenge in this game, as they lost last year 27-16 when the fourth quarter did them in, as they were outgained by 100 yards.
Under Coach Dave Wannstedt, the Panthers have been up and down. I do believe this club is stronger than in 2008. However, I have a gut feeling that they will take this game lightly. That will not be the case with the Bulls, as they get a big win over a BCS Conference School and Coach Gill continues to improve his resume. Buffalo 27, Pittsburgh 24.
4 Unit Play. #94 Take UNLV +7 over Oregon State (Saturday 11 pm CBS College Sports) Oregon State will play their first road game of the season in Las Vegas late Saturday night. In the past six years, the Beavers have lost their first road game of the season and I expect that to happen again in 2009. Although QB Lyle Moevao is out with a rotator cuff, they should not lose much with their back-ups. The real concern is the defense for OSU, as they return just three starters from 2008. They were really hit hard in the secondary and look for Vegas QB Omar Clayton to take them apart with his arms and his legs. With All Conference WR Ryan Wolfe expect them to be able to stretch the field. Always tough to play in Las Vegas because of the heat and the homer gets the call. UNLV 28, Oregon State 24.
Strong Opinion Plays:
#49 Take Houston +15 ½ over Oklahoma St
#90 Oregon -12 over Purdue
#104 Cleveland +4 over Minnesota
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Originally Posted by alex.********
