Red Sheet
Michigan 47 - Purdue 17 - (8:00 EST - @ Indianapolis) -- Line opened at Michigan minus 14, and is now minus 16½. Been there, done that is hardly a cliche that applies to this meeting. Catching a team off a colossal is
every coaches' dream, as the emotional letdown of said team is normally too much to overcome. And
the fact that 5 of the 6 Wolverine TDs in their win over OhioSt were of the "long ball" (69, 75, 45, 75 &
85 yds) simply clinches a false sense of invulnerability, as far as opposing teams are concerned.
However, the Wolves were in the exact spot a year ago, & followed with that 42-3 whipping of Iowa (- 12½), in the conference title game. Wolves are #2 in the land in total "D", hamperng Boiler hopes. RATING: MICHIGAN 89
Ohio U 38 - Toledo 30 - (12:00 - @ Detroit, Mich) -- Line opened at Toledo minus 4½, and is now minus 1½. Looks as if the "public" has finally caught up with the weekly success of the Bobcats, who enter this game on an
8-0 spread run, relying on a time consuming offense, On the other hand, just maybe they've noticed that the once feared Rockets have dropped their last 5 games ATS, all of which had pegged them as the chalk, dropping 3 of those 5 outright. Sure, a shot at respectability may be a legitimate shot at
dedication, as far as Toledo is concerned, altho carrying the chalk role saps a bit of emotion from UT.
But winning never gets old, and with the Bobcats entering on a 7-game SU streak (+107 pts ATS). RATING: OHIO U 89
North Carolina 38 - Clemson 34 - (8:00 - @ Charlotte, NC) -- Line opened at Clemson minus 7½, and is still minus 7½. Old hat for the Tigers, who have now graced the ACC Title Game in 7 of the last 8 years, with only
last year's Pitt/Wake encounter spoiling the party. The Tigers, of course, have been nothing but
behemoths since the arrival of Dabo Swinney in '09, using this one as a platform for advancing to a
placement in the National Title game. CU is currently 7-0 SU & 6-1 ATS in the ACC title tilt, with the
lone squeaker coming in 2015's 35-27 win over the Tar Heels, in a game that ended on a questionable
offside call on an apparently successful onside kick in the dying seconds. Clemson "D" has come
from 8th to 20th, while the 'Heels have pulled outright upsets in all 3 of their dog setups this season. RATING: NORTH CAROLINA 88
Georgia 41 - Lsu 17 - (4:00 - @ Atlanta, Georgia) -- Line opened at Georgia minus 16½, and is now minus 18. Much like the Tigers of Clemson, the 'Dawgs are a part of the SEC title game for the 5th time over the last 6
years, & so far they are just 1-3 SU & 2-2 ATS. As is normally the case, they are again fortified by
their rock solid defense, which ranks 4th, 2nd, & 1st in total, rushing, & scoring. However, in their last
3 conference title games, they have allowed 35, 37, & 46 pts. Of course, those came vs Alabama &
Lsu, who all wound up in the national title game. Bulldog defense is just too overpowering in this one.. RATING: GEORGIA 88
BALTIMORE 27 - Denver 10 - (1:00) -- Line opened at Baltimore minus 6½, and is now minus 8½. Near double digit chalk role is always a bit scary, but until the Broncos can manufacture any sort of reliable offense,
they will continue as a solid "go-against", especially with "over/under" proponents, as the "under" has
reaped gold: 10-of-11. As we stated on Pointwise, if the Broncos had scored 18 pts in each of their games, they would stand at 9-2, & not 3-8. Ravens' 2nd-ranked rushing game should provide be
enough "O" to cover the spot. Tied with Cincy atop AFC North, to they cannot afford any slippage.. RATING: BALTIMORE 88
TENNESSEE 26 - Philadelphia 23 - (1:00) -- Line opened at Philadelphia minus 6½, and is now minus 5½. Check the Titans ranking 29th & 18th in total "O" & "D", which make little sense when examining their standing in
the AFC South. That's right, not only a 3-game lead over the Colts & Jags, but covering by the week.
Eight straight, to be exact, before last week's 20-16 loss to Cincy, with just a 30-yd deficit. Eagles, of
course, own the best record in the NFL, but have been extended in 3 of their last 4 games. Plenty of
overland is expected here, so a call for the homestanding Titans to cover their 5th straight dog role. RATING: TENNESSEE 88
NEAR CHOICES (Rated 87): Southern Cal, Central Fla, Kansas St -- NFL: NY Jets, NY Giants, New Orleans