Larry Ness | CFB Side Fri, 11/20/09 - 5:30 PM Ѓ
double-dime bet 310 Bowling Green -10.5 (-110) BetUs vs 309 Akron
Analysis:
After losing at home to Ohio U 44-37 on October 3, the Falcons were just 1-4 and any hopes of bowl eligibility were basically 'dreams.' However, the Falcons have won FOUR of their last five games (all four wins came on the road) and now have two home games remaining vs 2-8 Akron and 4-6 Toledo, meaning a 7-5 finish is more than realistic. QB Tyler Sheehan has thrown 12 TD passes (just three INTs) for an average of 310.8 YPG while adding two rush TDs in Bowling Green's last five games. WR Freddie Barnes caught 10 passes for 109 yards with two TDs plus ran 19 yards for aƒ third TD a week ago Thursday at Miami-Ohio. He has a chance to set an NCAA record for receptions in a season. Manny Hazard had 142 receptions for Houston in 1989 and after 10 games, Barnes has 117 catches. He's caught 64 passes for an average of 168.2 YPG with 10 TDs the last five games. He may catch Hazard after 12 games but would surely do so if the Falcons play in a bowl game. Akron limps in at 2-8 (in the MAC). The Zips are just "playing out the string." They are averaging a sad-sack 18.3 PPG on the season (108th) and only 287.1 YPG (114th). Akron is rushing for just 105.7 YPG (3.2 YPC) which ranks 105th and its leading rusher has just 244 yards. Three QBs have started in 2009. Three-year starter Chris Jacquemain began the season but was suspended after three games. Sophomore Matt Rodgers took over but suffered a season-ending injury and now freshman Patrick Nicely has the job (he's surely no Sheehan). The Akron pass D is not bad but stopping a red-hot Sheehan and Freddie Barnes is another story. The Falcons have played just four home games in 2009 and while they are just 1-3, the losses have come to Bosise St (no explanation needed), Ohio (7-3 overall, 5-1 in the MAC) and CMU (9-2 overall, 7-0). This just in. The Zips have NOTHING in common with those schools. The Zips couldn't stop Temple's rushing game last Friday (54-248) in a 56-17 loss and this Friday, will be done in by Bowling Green's passing combo of Sheehan-to-Barnes. CFB Blowout GOY 25* Bowling Green.