***No Units will be listed but will list stronger plays***
Games that I post the night before, usually will use stats prior to that night's games. I do take into effect(in my thougth process) what transpired that night.
onto some thoughts....
Well there has been a lot of information on this site over the past few months. Everyone should be commended for their jobs in the Summer. Lets not forget, that it will be a long season and the work is just getting started. None the less, I expect a great season for all members of the site....God Bless and GL
SEASON WIN TOTALS
Arizona OVER 7 (+160)
Michigan OVER 10 (-105)
PLAYS
THURSDAY
LSU -18
UL Monroe +3.5 (hookem)
Miami/Ball State OVER 52.5 -agree CKR
Oregon State -6.5
FRIDAY
Navy -20.5 (hook)
The Cuse +3.5 (hook)
Cuse +9/ Navy -14
Saturday
Akron/Army UNDER 43.5 (My POD)
Cal -5.5
Arizona + 5
Okie State + 7 (hook)
Michigan State -20.5 (hook)
Texas -39
Illinois Missouri OVER 53.5
South Carolina - 29
Nebraska -20.5 (hook)
PurDont/Toledo OVER 55
Troy +24.5
Baylor +21.5
Va. Tech -27
Colorado State +4.5 (hook)
Iowa - 12
New Mexico -2.5 (hook)
Western Michigan/WVU OVER 53.5 (Big Al)
UCONN -3.5 (hook)
MONDAY
Texas Tech -9.5
Florida State -2.5
might be a little editing(backing out or adding) here but I think this is pretty much it...
Some season totals:
ARIZONA OVER 7 wins (+160)
Last Season
When I look at teams at the beginning of the season, I want to see how they ended the season before. Arizona should come into this season with a big chip on their shoulder. They got screwed out of a bowl game last year IMO. They had to be a top 64 team last year didn’t they? They beat CAL when CAL was ranked in the top 10 and they also knocked off a strong BYU team. They have not made a bowl since the 98 season.
When I look at teams at the beginning of the season, I want to see how they ended the season before. Arizona should come into this season with a big chip on their shoulder. They got screwed out of a bowl game last year IMO. They had to be a top 64 team last year didn’t they? They beat CAL when CAL was ranked in the top 10 and they also knocked off a strong BYU team. They have not made a bowl since the 98 season.
OFFENSE
The QB spot was pretty putrid last season, so I will get to that later. This offense returns 9 starters….
The QB spot was pretty putrid last season, so I will get to that later. This offense returns 9 starters….
At RB the Cats lose their leading rusher, Chris Henry (he declared for the draft as a junior). Most people seem to think that this will be a big loss for the Zona. I tend to disagree for a couple of reasons: Chris Jennings and Xavier Smith. Smith will only be a Sophomore but looked good last year. In limited time he averaged 5+ per carry.
At WR the Cats return maybe the best tandem in the PAC. Yes they lost Steptoe but they return 2 seasoned receivers (Thomas and Johnson) and their number 1 TE.
OL: Well this line was one of the shittiest lines in America last year. They return everyone or 4 out of 5(cant remember). They started 3 freshies last year and promise to be better this year….we will see
QB In ASU only threw for nine TD all of last season! Part of it was the young, bad OL, the other part was the QB situation. Willie Tuitama will once again be under center. He missed a couple of games last year from injury. I believe that this kid will do a decent job for this new spread offense. A big addition to the coaching staff is Sonny Dykes. He is known for his days at Texas Tech. Many Zona faithful believe that he can help this offense.
KICKER They lose a 3 year starter at kicker and this can really hurt them. No one is really sure who will get the nod and how he will do. This could be something to watch with some close spreads.
DEFENSE
This defense will once again be the bread and butter of this team! They have a chance to be a top defense in the nation IMO They return 10 starters…
This defense will once again be the bread and butter of this team! They have a chance to be a top defense in the nation IMO They return 10 starters…
DL is loaded with 3 seniors returning. Louis Holmes, an ALL PAC performer, anchors one of the end spots next year. This line is loaded with size and depth.
Lbs: Spencer Larson is the top guy at LB for this unit. He is a 4 year starter and will be the captain of the defense. The other guys are solid and have a RS freshman that should see some action.
Dbs Antoin Carter is the main man in this very talented secondary. He has NFL scouts drooling. He is a top 3 corner in the nation IMO…
CONCLUSION:
This team has a chance to be the Rutgers of this year. If their offense clicks at all, they will be a tough team to beat. They have to play at CAL, USC, BYU and Washington.
This team has a chance to be the Rutgers of this year. If their offense clicks at all, they will be a tough team to beat. They have to play at CAL, USC, BYU and Washington.
Prediction (9-3) possible 10 win season IMO
Michigan OVER 10 Wins (-105)
For the first time in a few years, Michigan seems to be the clear cut favorite to bring home the Big 10 championship. Whether it has more to do with their schedule or team remains to be seen. What some people do not realize is that Michigan has lost a lot of players. They only have 10 total starters returning from a year ago.
OFFENSE
This group is very talented and should have no problem putting points up on the board (If Lloyd does not handcuff them).
QB Chad Henne is back for the fourth time. He had a great Freshman year and then struggled 2 years ago before having a tremendous Junior year. I like this kid.
RB Mike Hart is also the real deal. There are not 4 better QB s than Henne nor RB s better than Hart. One thing that concerns me, is that Kevin Grady is all likely done for the season (SEMCON Boys?). He is a strong runner that, from what I hear, is still rehabbing his torn ACL. Word coming out of Ann Arbor is that Brandon Minor had a huge Spring and will be ready to fill in.
WR Mario Manningham is a beast and will be healthy, finally. After Manningham, I am not really sure what will be there. The last I heard was that Adrian Arrington would not be with the team (got in trouble or something). Would love to know his status….anyone? Freshmen Martel Webb and Toney Clemons will help this core. Sophomore LaTerryl Savoy played mostly special teams a year ago, but is highly touted up north.
OL Left Tackle Jake Long will be back for his senior season. Like every other spot on this offense, they have a premier player in the nation. Long is considered to be on of the best lineman in the nation. Adam Kraus and Alex Mitchell will also be back to contain the guard spots. The other tackle spot seems to be Alex Mitchell. He was a big time recruit in 2006 before getting slowed up by injuries.
Kicker They lost a 4 year starter and this job seems to be open now. There are 3 different players vying for this spot.
DEFENSE
DL After losing Lemarr Woodley and Allan Branch to the NFL, UM has some issues up front. Terrance Taylor is the lone returning starter on this line. End Tim Jamison will see more of a starting role with the open spots( he had 5 sacks last year). Finally, Brandon Graham will see some PT. SEMCON can explain more about him BUT I know he is from D Town and was a very prized recruit a couple years back. The starters will be fine, its what is behind them that has be in question. There is not much depth here and in the Big 10 your going to face some good RB s and teams that like to pound it.
LB Shawn Crable will be the lone returning starter in this shredded core. From everything I hear, there is plenty of talent and prospects willing to step up. Jonus Mouton is someone that I like a lot and I believe he will see a lot of PT as the year glides along. He came to Ann Arbor as a DB but has bulked up and is now a LB. Austin Panter, a JUCO transfer, might even sneak into this starting lineup.
DB This is where it gets very very interesting. This secondary absolutely got smoked by USC and Ohio State in their last two games. Leon Hall is gone so the Wolverines look at Jamar Adams to be the leader. He will put up good stats but seems to have brain farts every once awhile. You cannot do that if you are realistically going to contend for a Big 10/ National Title. Everything I hear about Steve Brown is excellent (probably start other safety spot). From what I hear, this kid can fly. Michigan people what is up with him? Burner? Morgan Trent is back at CB. I see this as a BIG area of concern for UM
Conclusion
This is a very unusual team IMO (And you are saying, “Well duh, it is Michigan”). Michigan always seems to be underachievers when they are supposed to be good and visa versa. I point to no one but Lloyd Carr because of this. He is the John Cooper of Michigan. The talent and schedule is there for them to make a very serious bid at a national title. They get Oregon, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Ohio State all at home. None of these game will be easy BUT it helps when you have 110,000 people supporting you. Key games I look at for this team will be at Illinois, at Wisconsin, and home against Ohio State. That Illinois game is a night game on the road. Illinois is not by any means a power house but they will continue to improve. The Juice might get loose that game. Wisconsin, I believe, will be where Michigan stumbles. This has all the makings of a John Lloyd Cooper Carr meltdown/choke (call it what you want). It is very possible and I say probable that Michigan will be undefeated coming into this game. You have the classic look ahead factor that mediocre coaches tend not to prepare their team for (Ohio State the following week, with a chance for a national title on the line…revenge from previous years). You are also playing a very good team in a very hostile environment. I have been to a game @ Wisconsin before, and it is something special. Great Environment! Because of this loss @ Wisky, I think they also might struggle against the Buckeyes.
Ultimately, I look at Ohio State and Wisconsin as teams that Michigan will struggle against. They both will have very strong “between the tackles” running games.
Prediction
11-1 10-2 (1 or 2 losses in the Big 10). I think I get at least a push here...
Looking at USF OVER 7.5 (220)....way too much juice for me now...
WEEK 1 looks
Kent State + 4
LSU -17
Notre Dame -3
Missouri-5.5
Arizona + 5.5
Akron -4.5
Cal - 5.5 (LOCKED IN)
Texas -39
Texas Tech - 9.5 (LOCKED IN)
Florida State -2.5 (LOCKED IN)
will have some more thoughts and sure plays in the next coming week or so.....GL
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