NEWSLETTERS NCAA WEEK 4/NFL WEEK 3

POINTWISE


PLAYBOOK


PLAYBOOK WISEGUYS CONTEST



Red Sheet

TULANE 52 - Uab 20 - (12:00 EDT) -- Line opened at Tulane minus 20, and is now minus 20½. A year ago, the Green
Wave, which had been a perennial losing proposition, turned things around in a big way, coming from
a horrendous 2-10 record in '21, into a bowl eligible situation. That improvement is unmatched in
college history, namely a 9-game improvement over the previous season. Not only did the Greenies
qualify for post-season play, but actually took on a seemingly unstoppable opponent, none other than
Southern California, in the Cotton Bowl, no less, only to trail, 45-30, with 4:30 left. However, behind
QB Pratt, they took the Trojans, 46-45 on the final play, winding up at #9 in the nation, in the final poll.
This season began with a 20-pt win over SoAlabama, only to lose Pratt vs OleMiss, with an 0-3 run to
follow. However, he is now back (18-of-23 LW). Blazers returned only 7 starters from LY's roster, &
are currently on a 3-9 ATS run. The again unnoticed 'Wave (& Pratt) should be able to do this right..
RATING: TULANE 89

IOWA 25 - Michigan State 7 - (7:30) -- Line opened at Iowa minus 11½, and is still minus 11½. Sure, we took note of the
fact that a team which weekly faces a formidable task in attempting to cross the goal line, has been
installed as a double digit chalk this week. And so it goes with the Hawkeyes of Iowa, which now sit at
105th in scoring offense, as well as 128th in total "O". However, a totally different story emerges,
defensively, holding 13-of-16 opponents to less than 15 pts, but that didn't happen in last week's
shutout loss to PennSt, while eking out 4 FDs. That only serves as an incentive to get back on track
quickly, with the Spartans of MichiganSt just the right tonic, as they have a 72-16 pt deficit over the
past 2 weeks (-32½ pts ATS), while showing signs of late season malaise. We would be surprised if
the Spartans can do much with the Hawkeye defense. It all ads up, so we lay the 11½ in this situation.
RATING: IOWA 89

Penn State 49 - NORTHWESTERN 13 - (12:00) -- Line opened at PennSt minus 26, and is still minus 26. As you may
surmise, there sees a paucity of line changes this particular week. The Lions have been a study in
consistency, with their current 9-0-1 ATS run (+122½ pts), which has moved them up to the #6 spot
in this week's polls. Try ranking 1st, 13th, 1st, & 4th in total, rushing, passing, & scoring "D". That
being the case, the 'Cats & their 100th ranked "O" should resemble "lambs to the slaughter" here.
Cats have been held below 15 pts in 19-of-13 games, & shouldn't be able to keep the Lions in sight.
RATING: PENN STATE 88

Louisville 44 - NORTH CAROLINA STATE 24 - (7:00 Friday) -- Line opened at Louisville minus 3½, and is now minus
3. Sure, we have a minuscule spread in this contest, which tells us that we have very little to choose
between them. However, the Cards have been a balance machine in the early going with RY & PY
amounts of 227, 344, 247, 346, 184, 238, 194, & 388. The Wolfpack is on a 3-13 spread run, & are
the epitome of the "streak". Is the wrong team favored here? It certainly seems as if that is correct.
RATING: LOUISVILLE 88

Michigan 31 - NEBRASKA 23 - (3:30) -- Line opened at Michigan minus 18, and is still minus 18. Well, Harbaugh has
said farewell to his suspension, missing 3 games for the 2nd-ranked Wolverines, who rank 3rd, 12th,
7th, & 1st in total, rushing, passing, & scoring, defensively, of course, with a 127-23 pt edge. However, quality of opposition cannot be dismissed. 'Huskers have posted 222, 224, & 315 RYs since
their opening day loss to Minnesota. Enough fire power to stay under the spread in this contest.
RATING: NEBRASKA 88

PHILADELPHIA 27 - Washington 13 - (1:00) -- Line opened at Philadelphia minus 7, and is now minus 8½. So much
for the theory of bucking the previous year's Super Bowl loser. Eagles have laid waste to that one,
with this year's 3-0 SU & ATS start, not fooling around. Check LW's 25-3 4th quarter lead over the
Bucs. Hurts another rushing & passing TDs. Relentless. Sure, the Commanders catch Philly off a
short week, due to Eagle/Buc Monday Night clash. But it makes little or no difference. Fly Eagles Fly!
RATING: PHILADELPHIA 88

NEAR CHOICES (Rated 87): Tennessee, Texas, California, Oregon -- NFL: San Francisco, Chicago, Giants
 
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