The A&M offense is hitting on all cylinders right now as the veteran offensive line has settled in and is dominating the line of scrimmage. Coach Sherman simplified the run play calling a few games back and it's really helped this team become a more balanced offense. It also helps that WR Jeff Fuller has returned from missing four games with a broken leg. He's the favorite target in the passing game and makes this offense even more dynamic. The Aggies have scored 31 points or more in all but two games this season including 35 and 52 points the past two weeks.
Colorado has dropped four of their last five games and have been outgained by yards per play in all but one contest all season. The offense has produced 3.6 yards per play or worse in three of their last four games. Colorado has posted a positive turnover advantage just once all season and they continue to leave their defense in bad field position. The last two weeks opponents were able to start their drives at their own 42 yard line and at the 50 yard line. Colorado on the other hand started on their own 27 and 18 yard lines. This is a team that's struggling in all facets of the game right now and they shouldn't be priced in a game where they will need to win to cover the spread.
PLAY TEXAS A&M
BRYAN LEONARD'S BIG 12 BLOWOUT
355/356 Kansas at Kansas State
We rode the Jayhawks early on this season with success but when they had to step up in class Kansas failed to do so. They have dropped three straight games and five straight against the pointspread. The offense has produced just 3.7 and 4.2 yards per play the past two weeks and starting QB Todd Reesing is complaining about a groin injury. Defensively the Jayhawks have been lit up in conference play allowing 42, 35, 34 and 36 points. Even the pedestrian offenses of Colorado and Iowa State had their way with this defense.
As opposed to the Jayhawks we were dead set against this Wildcat team early on and for good reason. The ancient Bill Snyder returned this season and the results were pretty ugly in the early going. The Wildcats struggled to get by FCS entrant Massachusetts before losing to Louisiana and UCLA. But since that time it's all worked out well for the 70 year old and his players. Kansas State has won 4 of 6 games and covered 4 of their last 5.
Snyder was 13-4 SU&ATS against Kansas in his earlier stint in Manhattan and he knows how important this game is for recruiting purposes. The Wildcats have cashed 6 of the last 7 meetings here and are looking to avenge a 31 point loss last year in Lawrence. These two clubs are going in different directions right now and the betting marketplace has been slow to react. Grab the points now as Kansas State reclaims the Sunflower Showdown.
The Golden Flashes are on quite a roll and with a win this week over arch rival Akron Kent State will become bowl eligible. How big of a deal is that? Kent State hasn't been to a bowl game since 1972. A win will also set up a showdown with Temple for the divisional lead and what could be a shot at the MAC Championship. Kent State has won three straight games since blowing a big lead hosting Bowling Green. They have dominated the past three opponents especially defensively where they allowed just 14, 11 and 6 points. Kent is looking to avenge a double overtime home loss last year to the Zips. Akron has dropped six straight games and they have yet to beat an FBS entrant this season. After starting QB Chris Jacquemain was dismissed from the team the offense disappeared. The last four games Akron has produced point totals of 10, 14, 17 and 7 points. The last two games they were a combined 1 for 21 on third down conversions. The limited offense is putting way too much pressure on the defense and we expect that stop unit to collapse this week. In seven FBS games this season the defense has been on the field at least 32 minutes in every contest. You simply cannot ask those players to be on the field that length of time without feeling the affects. Now in the fifth straight game off their bye we can look for the defense in regress. Akron hasn't had any of the new stadium home field advantage this season with FBS losses by 17 and 12 points here. Look for Kent to extend that misery.
Bryan Leonard 11/7
Reply With Quote