The beauty of a good sports forum is each poster has the opportunity to express his/her opinion on games, etc.. Selecting winners on a regular basis can be difficult at times, so I love to read other posters view on games. Makes this place fun and hopefully we all pick up some valuable information that leads to the pay window.
TD21, I like Washington...you like Rutgers. That's what makes the betting world go round. Rutgers will be a Public pick from what I've read here at the forum.
Thanks Bud....appreciate your input.
Agree with most everything you said there. It certainly is what makes the sports betting world go round. Mainly I just wanted to clarify that you felt that strongly about Washington minus the points and not just as a straight up winner.
The one part I disagree with is at the very end of your post about Rutgers being a public pick. South Point came out with their opening week 1 lines yesterday. This game opened at -33. It has already been bet to -31.5. I don't think it's the public betting openers in May that took Rutgers.
The beauty of a good sports forum is each poster has the opportunity to express his/her opinion on games, etc.. Selecting winners on a regular basis can be difficult at times, so I love to read other posters view on games. Makes this place fun and hopefully we all pick up some valuable information that leads to the pay window.
TD21, I like Washington...you like Rutgers. That's what makes the betting world go round. Rutgers will be a Public pick from what I've read here at the forum.
Thanks Bud....appreciate your input.
Agree with most everything you said there. It certainly is what makes the sports betting world go round. Mainly I just wanted to clarify that you felt that strongly about Washington minus the points and not just as a straight up winner.
The one part I disagree with is at the very end of your post about Rutgers being a public pick. South Point came out with their opening week 1 lines yesterday. This game opened at -33. It has already been bet to -31.5. I don't think it's the public betting openers in May that took Rutgers.
TEXAS A&M - Couple of big questions heading into the opener against UCLA. First, who will be the starting quarterback? Second, who will the quarterback throw to since four of the top five receivers are gone. Obviously there is plenty to do on offense...fortunately, the 1-2 punch of running backs Tray Williams and Keith Ford, plus a good looking offensive line should take the pressure off. The defense needs to improve, especially in SEC play after slipping to 90th in total defense (442 ypg). At some point, the run defense has to get stronger or it will be a long year in the tough SEC West. Last year's meltdown in the second half of the season lead to a third straight eight win season. The schedule offers some hope where there's only one true road game over a nine game stretch after the opener.
TEXAS A&M - Couple of big questions heading into the opener against UCLA. First, who will be the starting quarterback? Second, who will the quarterback throw to since four of the top five receivers are gone. Obviously there is plenty to do on offense...fortunately, the 1-2 punch of running backs Tray Williams and Keith Ford, plus a good looking offensive line should take the pressure off. The defense needs to improve, especially in SEC play after slipping to 90th in total defense (442 ypg). At some point, the run defense has to get stronger or it will be a long year in the tough SEC West. Last year's meltdown in the second half of the season lead to a third straight eight win season. The schedule offers some hope where there's only one true road game over a nine game stretch after the opener.
LSU - Should Tiger faithful have any concerns about this year's team? After all, many are picking LSU to challenge for the SEC West title. Well, maybe there should be some concerns when one considers the following. (1) LSU will play five SEC road games this season including Mississippi State, Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama and Tennessee; (2) Ed Orgeron is now the full-time coach and how many big games did he win last year? (3) Dynamic defensive end Arden Key's status remains unresolved; (4) LSU's defense has to replace eight starters and that is if Key comes back; (5) yes, new offensive coordinator Matt Canada was a great hire, but the Tigers lost their top two receivers and two of their best offensive lineman to the NFL. Did I mention 3-year All-American running back Leonard Fournette is also gone? This team has talent but to me is a work in progress.
LSU - Should Tiger faithful have any concerns about this year's team? After all, many are picking LSU to challenge for the SEC West title. Well, maybe there should be some concerns when one considers the following. (1) LSU will play five SEC road games this season including Mississippi State, Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama and Tennessee; (2) Ed Orgeron is now the full-time coach and how many big games did he win last year? (3) Dynamic defensive end Arden Key's status remains unresolved; (4) LSU's defense has to replace eight starters and that is if Key comes back; (5) yes, new offensive coordinator Matt Canada was a great hire, but the Tigers lost their top two receivers and two of their best offensive lineman to the NFL. Did I mention 3-year All-American running back Leonard Fournette is also gone? This team has talent but to me is a work in progress.
MICHIGAN - It's going to difficult for this team to win ten regular season games this year. The Wolverines return just five starters with just ONE being on the defensive side of the ball. They also lost All-Big Ten kicker/punter Kenny Allen. Add a very tough schedule that opens with Florida in Arlington, Texas, then Cincinnati and Air Force visit the Big House before Big Ten play begins. Both Michigan State and Ohio State visit Ann Arbor this season, but the Wolverines travel to Penn State and Wisconsin. Harbaugh has too many holes to fill this season but will have his team back in the national picture in 2018. He's probably looking at an 8-4 or 9-3 record at best this season.
MICHIGAN - It's going to difficult for this team to win ten regular season games this year. The Wolverines return just five starters with just ONE being on the defensive side of the ball. They also lost All-Big Ten kicker/punter Kenny Allen. Add a very tough schedule that opens with Florida in Arlington, Texas, then Cincinnati and Air Force visit the Big House before Big Ten play begins. Both Michigan State and Ohio State visit Ann Arbor this season, but the Wolverines travel to Penn State and Wisconsin. Harbaugh has too many holes to fill this season but will have his team back in the national picture in 2018. He's probably looking at an 8-4 or 9-3 record at best this season.
AIR FORCE - The Falcons are coming off a 10-3 season and three consecutive bowl games, but they lose ten starters on defense and face challenges earning another postseason bid. Air Force is accustomed to turnover on the roster, but the losses the team suffered after the 2016 season could prove to be difficult to overcome. Coach Troy Calhoun (77-53), a former Falcons quarterback, understands what it takes to be successful while leading a service academy team. Despite extensive military obligations, his players have made three consecutive bowl appearances. However, the departure of most of the defensive starters and a few special players along with a challenging schedule could make it difficult to make a fourth consecutive bowl trip.
VMI.....@Michigan.....San Diego St.....@New Mexico.....@Navy.....UNLV.....@Nevada.....@Colorado St......Army.....Wyoming.....@Boise St.....Utah State.
AIR FORCE - The Falcons are coming off a 10-3 season and three consecutive bowl games, but they lose ten starters on defense and face challenges earning another postseason bid. Air Force is accustomed to turnover on the roster, but the losses the team suffered after the 2016 season could prove to be difficult to overcome. Coach Troy Calhoun (77-53), a former Falcons quarterback, understands what it takes to be successful while leading a service academy team. Despite extensive military obligations, his players have made three consecutive bowl appearances. However, the departure of most of the defensive starters and a few special players along with a challenging schedule could make it difficult to make a fourth consecutive bowl trip.
VMI.....@Michigan.....San Diego St.....@New Mexico.....@Navy.....UNLV.....@Nevada.....@Colorado St......Army.....Wyoming.....@Boise St.....Utah State.
ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE - Best football conference? The ACC certainly made a statement last year with a sterling 9-3 in bowl games, easily the best mark in the country. Overall, the ACC finished 10-4 against the SEC and 6=2 vs. the Big Ten, both league records for wins against those conferences. A whopping eleven teams finished with a winning overall record, also a league best. The ACC was the only league with a winning record against Power 5 opponents in 2016 going 17-9 and was 51-17 against all non-conference opponents, the best record of any conference. Let me add that Clemson defeated Alabama for the national championship.
ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE - Best football conference? The ACC certainly made a statement last year with a sterling 9-3 in bowl games, easily the best mark in the country. Overall, the ACC finished 10-4 against the SEC and 6=2 vs. the Big Ten, both league records for wins against those conferences. A whopping eleven teams finished with a winning overall record, also a league best. The ACC was the only league with a winning record against Power 5 opponents in 2016 going 17-9 and was 51-17 against all non-conference opponents, the best record of any conference. Let me add that Clemson defeated Alabama for the national championship.
NORTH TEXAS - The Mean Green has progressed under first year coach Seth Littrell. His experience working with prolific offenses (NC,AZ,TT) made him an asset for North Texas, who have struggled to consistently stay out of the CUSA cellar. Fifteen starters return for a team that went 5-8 last year. Even with Littrell's strong history on the offensive side of the ball, North Texas was far from productive during the 2016 season. The team ranked 117th nationally in total offense. On the other side of the ball, the run defense wasn't nearly as effective as the pass defense ranking 117th nationally. The Mean Green have made progress under Littrell's leadership, but the team needs to improve significantly on offense and avoid a string of injuries in order to earn another bowl bid.
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NORTH TEXAS - The Mean Green has progressed under first year coach Seth Littrell. His experience working with prolific offenses (NC,AZ,TT) made him an asset for North Texas, who have struggled to consistently stay out of the CUSA cellar. Fifteen starters return for a team that went 5-8 last year. Even with Littrell's strong history on the offensive side of the ball, North Texas was far from productive during the 2016 season. The team ranked 117th nationally in total offense. On the other side of the ball, the run defense wasn't nearly as effective as the pass defense ranking 117th nationally. The Mean Green have made progress under Littrell's leadership, but the team needs to improve significantly on offense and avoid a string of injuries in order to earn another bowl bid.
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NOTRE DAME - Last year's 4-8 season was a combination of poor coaching and lack of direction by Brian Kelly and his coaching staff. If there was one single reason for the disaster, you only had to look at the poor play of the special teams. They were ranked 81st in total special teams by FEI, which was boosted by the fact Justin Yoon was pretty good at kicking field goals (58th in FG efficiency) and CJ Sanders was very good returning kickoffs (9th in return efficiency). Everything else was a dumpster fire. They were 98th in kickoff efficiency, 120th in punt efficiency, and 121st in punting efficiency. The good news is it seems Notre Dame cares to be better at special teams this year. They hired a fulltime special team's coordinator, Brian Polian, who isn't splitting time as a position coach. Frankly, it'd be hard for them to be worse in 2017, and if they did without the unintentional touching of punts and fumbling the ball into the end zone for opponents touchdowns, that may just be the difference in one or two victories this year.
Welcome your comments.............................
NOTRE DAME - Last year's 4-8 season was a combination of poor coaching and lack of direction by Brian Kelly and his coaching staff. If there was one single reason for the disaster, you only had to look at the poor play of the special teams. They were ranked 81st in total special teams by FEI, which was boosted by the fact Justin Yoon was pretty good at kicking field goals (58th in FG efficiency) and CJ Sanders was very good returning kickoffs (9th in return efficiency). Everything else was a dumpster fire. They were 98th in kickoff efficiency, 120th in punt efficiency, and 121st in punting efficiency. The good news is it seems Notre Dame cares to be better at special teams this year. They hired a fulltime special team's coordinator, Brian Polian, who isn't splitting time as a position coach. Frankly, it'd be hard for them to be worse in 2017, and if they did without the unintentional touching of punts and fumbling the ball into the end zone for opponents touchdowns, that may just be the difference in one or two victories this year.
Welcome your comments.............................
COLORADO STATE - The Rams are the team that has been coming up in offseason conversations as having the best shot to knock down Boise State and San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference. Mike Bobo has a big chunk of his offense back, including quarterback Nick Stevens ( 64%,19 tds, 5 ints) and top receiver Michael Gallup (76 rec, 1271 yds, 14 TDS), a group that averaged 35 points and over 460 yards per game. The Rams also return nine starters on defense that ranked 65th nationally last year. Colorado State opens against rival Colorado as an 8 point dog (as of yesterday). Interesting matchup to start the season. The Rams were a bettor's friend last year with a 10-3 against the spread record.
COLORADO STATE - The Rams are the team that has been coming up in offseason conversations as having the best shot to knock down Boise State and San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference. Mike Bobo has a big chunk of his offense back, including quarterback Nick Stevens ( 64%,19 tds, 5 ints) and top receiver Michael Gallup (76 rec, 1271 yds, 14 TDS), a group that averaged 35 points and over 460 yards per game. The Rams also return nine starters on defense that ranked 65th nationally last year. Colorado State opens against rival Colorado as an 8 point dog (as of yesterday). Interesting matchup to start the season. The Rams were a bettor's friend last year with a 10-3 against the spread record.
FLORIDA - After months of weighing his options, Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire has picked Florida as his next college destination. According to reports, he will be joining the Gators football program in 2017, pending an SEC rule change. According to an SEC bylaw, the Gators were penalized for three years after accepting two grad transfers who didn't meet academic requirements. That was in 2015, which means the Gators would be penalized through 2018, not being allowed to accept transfers. If he does, in fact, choose Florida in the end, the Gators will have one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the SEC and a guy who can produce right away. Zaire would be Florida's third incoming quarterback transfer in the past two years. Stay tuned!
FLORIDA - After months of weighing his options, Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire has picked Florida as his next college destination. According to reports, he will be joining the Gators football program in 2017, pending an SEC rule change. According to an SEC bylaw, the Gators were penalized for three years after accepting two grad transfers who didn't meet academic requirements. That was in 2015, which means the Gators would be penalized through 2018, not being allowed to accept transfers. If he does, in fact, choose Florida in the end, the Gators will have one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the SEC and a guy who can produce right away. Zaire would be Florida's third incoming quarterback transfer in the past two years. Stay tuned!
MIAMI - After leading the Georgia Bulldogs for 15 years compiling a 146-51 record, Mark Richt enters his second season with the Miami Hurricanes. After posting a 9-4 record last year, Richt has to smile when looking at his teams 2017 schedule. Outside of the ACC opener at Florida State, the schedule isn't an excuse with no Clemson or Louisville from the Atlantic Division. In a ridiculous break, the Canes get a second half run of five home games in six dates before finishing with Pitt. If Richt can find a suitable quarterback to replace Brad Kaaya...could just be a special season down in south Florida.
MIAMI - After leading the Georgia Bulldogs for 15 years compiling a 146-51 record, Mark Richt enters his second season with the Miami Hurricanes. After posting a 9-4 record last year, Richt has to smile when looking at his teams 2017 schedule. Outside of the ACC opener at Florida State, the schedule isn't an excuse with no Clemson or Louisville from the Atlantic Division. In a ridiculous break, the Canes get a second half run of five home games in six dates before finishing with Pitt. If Richt can find a suitable quarterback to replace Brad Kaaya...could just be a special season down in south Florida.
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