A few weeks ago, Pitt was looking at playing in a BCS game after possibly winning the Big East. As we know they ended up losing a heart breaker to Cincinnatti late in the game in a gut wrenching Pitt end of season loss. Hard to imagine them being excited about going to Charlotte to play in the Meineke, versus being in Miami for the Orange Bowl. NC on the other hand is basically playing a home game and has the defense to stop anything really that Pitt can throw at them. NC really has no offense but time off for bowl practices works wonders with QB's and Yates should take advantage of that extra time. Bowl handicapping key #1 is motivation and doubt very seriously that Pitt has it and we know that NC will have it in front of the home crowd. A battle of two defenses and two former NFL coaches to boot. There is not a lot of respect for the Big East, especially in Bowl games. Go Heels!!
5 Dime - Ohio
Not a game that we will look at too seriously but it is the first game on Saturday so for those looking for small action, this might be the game for you. Interestingly enough there is a little early support for Marshall here even though it is the least bet game on the board. The line has been moved down from the opener of 4.5 to it's current 3, yet the percentage of spread bets are almost exclusively on Ohio. That's the thing about teams involving the MAC and a former Mac team Bookmakers in Vegas are scared to death of Mac money and they tend to move the line and react rather quickly. Ohio certainly has the better team components in this matchup, and the better coaching matchup. Frank Solich has really done a nice job in stabilizing this football program. His team had a lot of injuries when they played against C, Mich in the WAC Championship game. He has them back healthy now including his stud QB Theo Lewis who can do it with his hands and his feet. Marshall is going through the big post season coaching change where the head coach was asked to resign and the new coach is not yet there and they are being coached by an interim coach in Rick Minter, Ohio leads the nation in TO's forced as in 36.. Marshall on the other hand is horrible in taking care of the football. They have a -41 turnover ration. That is too big to look past in this game. I've seen too many teams simply go through the motion when there is an interim coach involved. Let's buck the trend here and go worth the better team and the favorite for a change.
duemig 12/26
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