Cincinnati -7.5 @ Illinois: The Illini & Bearcats met in 2009, Cincy jumped out to a 28-7 early lead and held the Fighting Illini at bay the rest of the way, winning, 49-36. That game was played @ Cincinnati’s, Nippert Stadium. In that game, the Bearcats scored 3 TDs in 5 plays and Illinois never recovered. The Illini opened with Southern Illinois, an FCS team, last week and survived the Salukis, 42-34, while Cincy blasted Purdue, 42-7! The Bearcats did turn the ball over three times, these missteps were overcome by the Bearcat’s defense, who forced 4 TO’s (2 INT & 2 fumbles) from the Purdue offense. U of I has lost 10 straight to BCS opponents, look for this trend to continue. Take Cincy & give the Illini the 7.5 !
Bowling Green -7 @ Kent State: Bowling Green has dropped three straight to Kent State, including a 31-24 loss a year ago at Perry Stadium, BGU’s home arena. Bowling Green hammered Tulsa last week, at home, 24-6, while Kent State struggled with Liberty, an FCS team, 17-14. BGU outgained Kent in last year’s tilt, 445 to 319 and though the series began in 1920, this is the first time the Flashes have beaten the Falcons three in a row. Sully’s CFP says: this streak is over, take BGU and give the 7 points to the Flashes.
Texas -7 @ BYU: Is Texas back? Will Mack Brown (HC) be back? All good questions to be answered beginning this week. The Longhorns are 1-2 vs BYU and the last time they were in Provo (1988) , BYU pounded the Horns, 48-13. BYU is coming off a tough loss to Virginia, 16-19, while Texas demolished New Mexico State, 56-7, last week. This is an important game for BYU as they do not want to start their season 0-2; that said, it is a desperate game for Texas, if they are to have the season their talent says they should have in 2013. Texas won the last time the teams played, 2011, a 17-16 escape in Austin. Sully’s CFP says .. the Eyes of Texas are upon the Mormons .. Take Texas and give the Cougars the 7 points!
ND @ Michigan -3.5: In seven of the last nine games between these Midwestern powers the underdog has prevailed. The last four have been decided by a grand total of 18 points. The Wolverines had beaten the Irish 3 straight going into last year’s game, 38-34 in 09, 28-24 in 010, & 35-31 in 011. The Irish had to lead in each of these games with less than a minute to play and yet, managed to lose all three! Last year, Michigan turned the ball over 6 times and lost the game by a mere 7 points, 13-6. This past week, ND, beat solidly, but did not dismantle, an overmatched Temple club, 28-6; while Michigan hammered an in state opponent, Central Michigan, 59-9, in the “Big House”! The Wolverines looked to be quicker than the Irish in last weeks games, but we do not know enough about their respective opponents talent levels & skill sets to know for sure. History says take the points and the “Dog’. Sully’s CFP says: ND’s defense defends a slim lead late … Take the Irish & the points!
Arizona -10 @ UNLV: The Wildcats have played the Rebels only once, 2001, leading UNLV 31-7 in the 4th quarter … called off the dogs and won, 31-21! Arizona played in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2008 against BYU, so they do have experience, @ least as a program, of playing in Sam Boyd Stadium. UNLV is 1-4 when hosting teams from BCS Conferences, but they have a history of playing them close, in fact, the average score at half time is 12 to 12! Last week, Arizona hammered an FCS team, Northern Arizona, 35-0, while UNLV was blasted by Minnesota, 51-23, at TCF Bank Stadium. Arizona’s Head Coach, Rich Rodriguez is in his second year at the school, looks & feels like a better fit for his style of play than Michigan. On average, Rodriguez wins four more games in his second year than he wins in his first year (West Virginia, & Michigan). That said, this march toward four more wins begins Saturday… Sully’s CFP says: take the Wildcats and give the Rebels the 10 points!
Florida -3 @ Miami: This may be the most intense game of the day, as Miami is ready to make a statement to anybody that will listen that “we’re back” and Florida, who lost 4 of the last 5 to Miami, but won the last one in 2008, 23-8, is determined to keep the Hurricanes relegated to their second class citizenship status. What is on the line on Saturday is recruiting access in Florida & the Southeast in general, Miami is wanting to challenge the SEC dominance of the ACC . (Clemson is leading the way … wins over LSU & Georgia), & Florida bragging rights are all up for grabs. Look for all kinds of extra-curricular activity, as emotions will be high in this battle for Florida, at least phase one, as FSU will have a say in who emerges on top in the Sunshine State. Last week, Florida beat Toledo, 24-6 while Miami man-handled Florida Atlantic, 34-6. Miami returns 18 starters, including QB, Stephen Morris & All American candidate, RB, Duke Johnson. Florida returns 10 starters, including QB, Jeff Driskel & D-linemen, Dominique Easley. Sully’s CFP says: take Miami & the 3 points @ home!
Sully’s CFP is currently 3 & 3 against the spread after last weeks games!
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