Doc Sports


“The Magnificent 7” Saturday, September 26th, 2009

6 Unit Play. #67 Take California -5 ½ over Oregon (Saturday 3:30 pm ABC) Top Game of the Week. Not always excited about laying points on the road, especially with our top choice; however, this one has the logic to justify the pick. This Bears team is for real and could win the National Championship before this season is over. Their defense is the unit that really stands out, as they return eight starters. The defensive line is not only deep and but very talented. This does not sit well if you are an Oregon fan, as the talent at the skill positions for the Ducks is not what it used to be. QB Jeremiah Masoli has had problems and his receiving core was hit had by graduation.

As for California, the skill positions are loaded with talent behind RB Jahvid Best and QB Kevin Riley. Expect them to pick apart a defense that returns just four starters. The Ducks allowed more total yards to Purdue and Utah then their offense gained and if that happens here, they will be on the wrong side of the pole. Certainly have to give the edge to Coach Tedford over rookie Coach Kelly. Granted the Bears host USC next week; however, I see no look ahead here, as Tedford will assure that does not happen. No hibernation for the Bears in Berkley! Cal 35, Oregon 14.

5 Unit Play. #89 Take Iowa +9 ½ over Penn State (Saturday 8 pm ABC) Top Big 10 Play. This is the fourth straight home game for the Nittany Lions and they will be looking for revenge after losing last year, 24-23. One would think that the home team should be the call here, but not so fast! This Iowa team is not Akron, Temple, or Syracuse for that matter. The Hawks are loaded on defense with a solid defensive line and linebackers that are as good as anyone in the country. This core should give QB Clarke and RB Royster a real challenge. When one talks about defense, the Nittany Lions linebackers are always mentioned among the best. But this year’s group has been hit hard by injuries.Navorro Bowman is probable with a groin injury, Michael Mauti is out with a torn ACL, and Sean Lee is questionable with a sprained knee. With only four starters back, this unit was very thin already.

As for the Hawks offense, the OL is solid and the QB is in good hands with Ricky Stanzi. The real concern for the Hawks is the running back, with Shonn Greene in the NFL and Jewel Hampton lost due to injury. RB’s Wagher and Robinson have stepped in well and looked very impressive thus far. Always tough to go against the Lions at Happy Valley; however, I think this game will go to the wire. The Hawks have the coaching and the talent to make this a thriller. Iowa won last year with a thriller and Penn State will return the favor in 2009. Penn State 24, Iowa 23.

5 Unit Play. #65 Take Illinois +14 over Ohio State (Saturday 3:30 pm ABC) Top Underdog Play. The Illini opened the season with an embarrassing performance against Missouri and now one has to wonder if this team will stay on the path or throw in the towel? Coming off a bye week and a roster full of talent I expect them to play to their potential this week. Illinois has played the Buckeyes tough the past two seasons winning in Columbus, 28-21 in 2007 and losing, 30-20 in 2008. The game last year was misleading, as Illinois outgained Ohio State by over 100 yards.

As for the Buckeyes, this is not the same team as the past couple of seasons. Their offense is in disarray and they have yet to replace RB Beanie Wells. They have a talented QB in Terrelle Pryor but QB Juice Williams has more ability and leadership then him at the moment. What this really boils down to is that this is just too many points to be laying if you think Ohio State will win the game. Both sides are equal in talent and playing in Columbus certainly does not give the Buckeyes a two touchdown advantage. Would like to call the upset; however, I feel the Buckeyes will pull it out by a field goal. Ohio State 27, Illinois 24.

4 Unit Play. #40 Take Over 48 in Minnesota @ Northwestern (Saturday 12 pm Big Ten Network) Top Totals Play. Neither team has been able to establish a strong running attack and have had to rely on the pass in order to move the football. Passing slows down the clock and gives each team more possessions and more time to light up the scoreboard. Look for a lot of that in this game, especially since no team has an outstanding defense. This is a very tough game to pick a winner and I would wager that whoever has the ball last will emerge victorious in what will be a high scoring affair. Have no real choice in who will come out on top, but this game will go way over the number. Northwestern 31, Minnesota 30.

4 Unit Play. #7 Take Wake Forest +1 ½ over Boston College (Saturday 2 pm ESPN Gameplan) Went against BC last week as one of our top plays and easily won and will ride the horse against this week. As I previously mentioned, the Eagles lost most of their defensive firepower to graduation and this season’s linebackers have been hit really hard by injuries. BC has still not named a quarterback for this game and the offense is really sputtering. They got just four first downs and 54 yards last week vs. Clemson.

I do not see things getting any better here facing Coach Jim Grobe’s team with a veteran offense and a defense that has been much better then predicted. The Demon Deacons have a major edge at quarterback here with Riley Skinner and look for him to put up big numbers. Wake Forest also have revenge on their minds losing to BC in 2007 & 2008. Coach Grobe and company will be ready for the first road game of 2009. Wake Forest 24, Boston College 10.

4 Unit Play. #30 Take Kentucky +21 ½ over Florida (Saturday 6 pm ESPN 2) No question the Gators are the best team in the land; however, even the powers have their days in the sun and a day in the rain. I totally respect Coach Brooks and although Kentucky does not have the talent of Florida, you can be sure he will have his team ready to play. Kentucky was crushed last year, 63-5 and thus no emotional speech will be needed since pride is at stake. One must remember that Kentucky entered that game last year off of three close encounters with Alabama, South Carolina, and a 1-point victory over Arkansas. The Florida game was the 2nd biggest loss in Coach Brook’s career.

Florida is coming off a victory over Tennessee, but it did not turn out to be the whipping that everyone thought it would be. Throw in the fact that the Gators have some key injuries and some problems with the flu, a cakewalk on Saturday is not in the cards. An angry Wildcat team is nothing to mess around with. Florida 34, Kentucky 24.

4 Unit Play. #45 Take Michigan State +3 over Wisconsin (Saturday 12 pm ESPN) This is a do or die game for the Spartans, as this team enters the conference opener having lost two straight games. I am sure that Coach Dantonio has pointed out the fact that the real season starts now and they still have a chance to achieve greatness in the Big 10. I felt since the start of the season, this team has a good chance to win the Big 10 since they do not play Ohio State and have Penn State in East Lansing. The QB position is in good hands with Kirk Cousins, who leads the conference in passing rating. They have talented wide receivers that should give a weak Badger secondary trouble all day long. MSU is solid on defense with 8 starters returning and remember that the Spartans did win 3 of 4 road conference games in 2008.

As for Wisconsin, QB Tolzien has looked outstanding and is ranked just behind Cousins in passer rating; however, the Badgers have had problems moving the football on the ground. This will hurt them dearly in the Big Ten, especially with a suspect defense that has trouble getting off the field. Wisconsin has not been behind all season and this game will tell us if they are for real or just pretenders. Look for the Badgers winning streak to end here, as the Spartans are up against the wall and need this win. Michigan State 31, Wisconsin 20.


Strong opinion plays:
#76 Take Clemson -2 ½ over TCU
#91 Take Notre Dame -7 over Purdue
#102 Take Stanford -7 ½ over Washington