Week 1 Lines are Up

Portland State was a surprise playoff team in 2015.  Ran the ball well on offense (10th in the nation or so).  Graduation hit hard, especially on defense.  A regression was expected in 2016.  Then..... Portland State had two players die unexpectedly in the offseason (1 apparent overdose and 1 due to complications from a surgery).  Also, another player's toddler son was killed (struck by a car).  This was a team that was emotionally on empty!  The defense played alot of new guys including true freshmen and jumped from allowing 22 ppg in 2015 to allowing 39 ppg in 2016.  For 2017 they should be improved to 6-5 or so (they do open with two FBS teams -- both will be losses).  2017 team returns 7 starts on both O & D.  The deepest position groups are the O-line (69 career starts return) and the Secondary.  WR could be a solid position too with last year's leading returnee Adams back from injury that cost him most of 2016.  The QB that was beat out two years ago by FBS transfer Alex Kuresa has played WR since then. If he does not start at QB (moved back this spring) he'll play WR again.  The front 7 on D needs to improve.  But one of their better DTs was only a FR last year and they did sign a JUCO LB to help.  I think they have enough back and a better mindset this year to stay within the #.

Another big reason I like Portland State has to do with BYU.  HC Sitake is a defensive guy who doesn't mind an ugly low scoring game (3-10 O/U in his 1st year).  I think Sitake is the type that would prefer to win 24-3 and physically manhandle the other team rather than win say 56-28.  Against a Big Sky opponent last year (Southern Utah), the score in the 2nd half was 6-0.  He did not run up the score.  And this year, is BYU really going to show their hand against Portland State with their ridiculous schedule the next 3 weeks (LSU, Utah, and Wisconsin).... I personally do not think so.  And BYU is breaking in new WRs which matches up somewhat favorably (relatively speaking) for the Portland State secondary which has plenty of returning experience.  I think the way this bet potentially goes south is if BYU gets a shutout, say, 35-0.  But I think it's going to be more like 31-10 ish.  BYU will get a solid win and move on to LSU.  Portland State will keep it within the number then move on to  .... Oregon State.  I actually think Oregon State beats them worse than BYU.  Tough for an FCS school to play two physical FBS teams back to back.

TD,  I think you made a smart move with @Mizz. -16.5  and @Ark. -23.5 .   I guess they came out while I wasn't looking.  Maybe I missed something but that Mizz. game makes me want add to it.  Got both for a unit.  Good pick,  your my reliable handicapper buddy.  Thanks.

In one of your post I thought you said you had coaches meetings.  Good.    2 Kids, coaching, the wife.   Laundry for the team and some students need extra help.  Organizing tournaments and trips. Teaching classes .Lunchroom monitoring the idiots.  What did I leave out?  Oh, of course, maybe some spare time to really coach.

Your Dad must have a wry smile on his face.  You want to be a coach?

I exaggerate.  Good luck this autumn.

Stay hard,   Doc

TD,  Good luck!!

Stay Hard,   Doc

San Jose State team total Under 24.5 (0.25u)

From -25.5 to ......... near -21?  I think the Beavers take out their frustration here, get back to their ground game I'd hope.

Catch any of that Portland State / BYU game today?  .... hit the nail on the head there if I don't say so myself.

Or too busy cussing at the Oregon State playcalling!?  ... I didn't watch much of the 2nd half.  And never did find an in-game opportunity I liked.  Probably a good thing.