Chuck Franklin
2500♦ FLORIDA STATE
Bobby Bowden and his Florida State Seminoles have double-revenge against Tommy Bowden and Clemson. The Tigers are only 2-6 ATS at home the last eight revenge games against a conference opponent and they are 4-13 ATS at home when facing double-revenge. The FSU coaching staff has been upgraded and Chuck Amato (from NC St) is back helping Mickey Andrews on the defensive side, while Jimbo Fisher (from LSU) is overseeing the offense. It will be a vastly improved Florida State, especially on the defensive side. The Seminoles speed will easily keep up with the aggressive Clemson rushing attack. Plus, Clemson has a new QB and they lost four starters on the offensive line. Florida State is on a 7-1 SU and ATS run in road openers when listed as small favorite or a small underdog. They are the slight favorite today and will win by an absolute blowout score.
1000♦ OAKLAND w/GAUDIN over LA Angels w/Santana
Always specify pitchers as listed
Jeff Benton 3*
For Labor Day, we shift to the college gridiron and take the points with SMU against Texas Tech.
First and foremost, this line smells like a trap to me. Texas Tech has been a very consistent bowl participant in recent years, while SMU is just 17-41 in coach Phil Bennett’s five years with the program. And last year, the Red Raiders opened the season by crushing SMU 35-3 as a 26½-point home favorite.
And yet, the Red Raiders are barely laying more than a touchdown here. That tells me that the talent gap between these squads has narrowed significantly. Also, while Tech coach Mike Leach will always have an explosive offense, his defense usually leaves a lot to be desired; last year, the Red Raiders allowed 26 points or more in seven of its final nine games, surrendering at least 21 in all nine.
Well, unlike last year’s meeting, that defense is going to be challenged today, as SMU sophomore quarterback Justin Willis is the real deal. Last year, as a true freshman, he completed 67 percent of his throws for 26 TDs against just six INTs. Also, behind Willis is bruising tailback DeMyron Martin, who is fully healthy after being hampered by injuries last year, and in front of Willis and Martin is an experienced offensive line.
Throw in the fact that Texas Tech has been a terrible road favorite of late (2-7 ATS in the last nine) – perhaps that’s why this number has dropped more than two points from the opening line – and SMU plus the points is the way to look tonight.
3* SMU
Cappers Access
CFB Texas Tech/SMU 9 Play SMU
CFB Florida State/Clemson 3 Play Clemson
Strike Point from Docs Sports
5-Unit Play. #225 Take Florida State -165 over Clemson (Monday - 8pm)
Not only will the Seminolees impressively take this opener on the road over Clemson, but they're our pick to win the ACC this season. Loaded on both sides of the ball with ballhawk defenders and speed like nobody's business, Florida State will respond with a sense of urgency after a disppointing season last fall. While the Tigers have a strong duo of tailbacks, their athleticism will be nuetralized, as FSU has all that and more with their stingy defense. Lookout for sophomore safety Myron Rolle, a playmaker to the fullest degree, and he and a very good front seven will keep their yardage at a minimum while Clemson again will lack any type of product from the quarterback position. Florida State, on the other hand, will make plays through the air with their big wide outs DeCody Fagg and Greg Carr. Antonie Smith at tailback will help to keep the offense producing and on the field as much as possible. Florida State has too much depth and talent for just two Clemson players to beat them. The Tiger defense has fallen off a bit from last year and they'll lose the quarerback battle, as LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will make Drew Weatherford that much more effective ala JaMarcus Russell, as he is now on the staff in Tallahassee. Semionles take this one outright.
Ron Raymond CFL
Toronto -1.5 vs. Hamilton
Pick: None yet (but by the score it would be Toronto)
Ron’s Comment: When you’ve covered 62.5% of your ATS numbers in 8 games and have a 25% winning percentage, it means you’re doing something right, but you have some discipline or player personnel issues to address. The Argos are a good football team, their defense is amongst the tops in the CFL and I would stick with Rocky Butler at the helm, as he’s given your team some consistency and confidence it sorely lacks. As fore the Hamilton Tiger Cats, it’s plain and simple, they lack experience and good receivers. Jason Maas has no receivers on this team who can play in this league, as blunt as this will sound, you look at their receivers and there’s not 1 threat at this position. Once their brain trust can start seeing this and stop depending on Jesse Lumsden to rescue you each week, then you might go somewhere in the standings! Calgary released Marc Boerigter and Hamilton should have been his first phone call this week. Granted, the Tiger Cats have played the 2 second toughest schedule the first 9 weeks, but when you’re in last place, each week are tough!
ATSDatabase Tip: none.
Forecast: Toronto 27 Hamilton 16
Edmonton 54.0 vs. Calgary -6.0
Pick: Edmonton +6.0 Ron’s Comment: The Edmonton Eskimos are coming off a valiant effort in Week 8 vs. the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but still manage to score 32 points against the top defense in the league. The Eskimos have an SOS rating of 61.8% and 6 of their 8 games played this season were against teams with a .500 or more winning record. The Eskimos have the offense to compete in this league, they just need their defense to stop the aerial attacks and take some pressure off their offense. When you look at this Labour Day Classic on Monday, the Eskimos are a +6.0 point road underdog vs. a team who’s 3-4-1 on the season. How can a 3-4-1 team be a +6.0 point favorite vs. a team who has the top QB in the league in Ricky Ray? Call me stupid, but I’ll take my chances here with Ray at +6.0 vs. a Calgary team who doesn’t believe in using their top weapon on offense and that’s Jofferey Reynolds.
ATSDatabase Tip: When EDMONTON team played as Road team as a Underdog -Before a non division game - Coming off a game scored 34 points or less; The Eskimos are 9-4-0 ATS in this role.
Forecast: Edmonton 21 Calgary 19
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