Manziel skipped through the Sooner defense
The gang huddled together on Ellis’ deck on a cold night to watch Texas A&M take on Oklahoma. The outdoor heater was cranked, the Irish as flowing and the sticks were glowing. It was supposed to be a good game. And for a half it was.
Week 18 Part 8 Recap:
Manziel figured to be a little slower and rusty after hitting the banquet circuit. If anything he was better. His ability to make people miss as great. He sliced and diced his way through the Sooner defense. Meanwhile Oklahoma made just enough stops to keep the game close and entertaining. For a passing offense, The Oklahoma offense used a tremendous amount of clock keeping Manziel on the sidelines and the Sooners within a point. At the half it as Aggies 14 Sooners 13.
About that time Pat texted me about the analysis of the game. “good analysis – you just picked the wrong team”. He as right. I had underestimated Manziel, the motivation factor and how bad Oklahoma’s defense really was.
Week 18 Part 8 Recap:
Manziel figured to be a little slower and rusty after hitting the banquet circuit. If anything he was better. His ability to make people miss as great. He sliced and diced his way through the Sooner defense. Meanwhile Oklahoma made just enough stops to keep the game close and entertaining. For a passing offense, The Oklahoma offense used a tremendous amount of clock keeping Manziel on the sidelines and the Sooners within a point. At the half it as Aggies 14 Sooners 13.
About that time Pat texted me about the analysis of the game. “good analysis – you just picked the wrong team”. He as right. I had underestimated Manziel, the motivation factor and how bad Oklahoma’s defense really was.
You can't catch me
A&M destroyed Oklahoma in the second half – scoring 27 unanswered points. By the time it was all over Manziel had carved the Sooner D for 287 yards passing and 2 TDs plus 229 yards rushing with another 2 TDs. If he avoids the dreaded sophomore slump next year the Aggies are going to be fun to watch in the SEC.
And it looks like the Big 12 was not all it was cranked up to be this year as the two best teams (Oklahoma and Kansas State) were demolished line a gingerbread house in a kindergarten. Final score A&M 41 Sooners 13 LOSS
So what are the take aways from the bowl season so far? Motivation is and always will be a big factor. A&M as more motivated and came to play. Finesse and spread teams and start out slowly and expected shoot outs are coming in with the under (A&M vs OK, Oregon vs KSU). Location doesn’t seem to matter (San Diego State and Duke lost while Central Florida, UL Lafayette and Vandy all won).
With that in mind I am going with:
And it looks like the Big 12 was not all it was cranked up to be this year as the two best teams (Oklahoma and Kansas State) were demolished line a gingerbread house in a kindergarten. Final score A&M 41 Sooners 13 LOSS
So what are the take aways from the bowl season so far? Motivation is and always will be a big factor. A&M as more motivated and came to play. Finesse and spread teams and start out slowly and expected shoot outs are coming in with the under (A&M vs OK, Oregon vs KSU). Location doesn’t seem to matter (San Diego State and Duke lost while Central Florida, UL Lafayette and Vandy all won).
With that in mind I am going with:
The Sooner offense was upended in the second half
Week 18 Part 9 Mega Bets
Mississippi vs Pittsburgh Under 55.0 - One lesson that is sure coming through is how high scoring games are not happening. KSU vs Oregon was well under the 74 points (actual 52) as well as A&M vs Oklahoma (line was 72.5 actual 54). This game is not expected to be that high scoring but 54 still leans towards the offenses.
One reason is the spread offense installed by Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss. In the rugged SEC West the Rebs were still able to put up 30.9 points per game for the year. Pitt boasts a 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher in the same season for the first time in school history. Panther QB Tino Sunseri has thrown for 3,103 yards – the third highest single-season total by a Pittsburgh quarterback – while running back Ray Graham recovered from preseason knee surgery and has rushed for 1,042 yards. Pitt also lead the nation in fewest turnovers with eight.
But Mississippi has a tremendous pass rush ranking second in the SEC for sacks and tackles for loss. Pitt has had trouble with decent defenses having been held under 150 yards rushing 9 times on the year. The Sax Man and I watched this defense take apart Auburn back in October. Very impressive.
The Pitt defense has also been strong this year allowing only 19.7 points per game (21st in Div 1A). Needing to get bowl eligible the Panther defense held Rutgers and South Florida to a combined 58 yards of rushing.
Pitt is traveling to Birmingham for the third straight year but for the first time with a returning head coach. Paul Chryst (and coincidently Hugh Freeze) were candidates for the Wisconsin HC position before they went with Gary Anderson. Pitt beat Kentucky in 2011 and were blown out by SMU last year.
Both teams will start out slow after the month off. I’m taking the under.
Going to pass on today's NFL games. back on the GO JUMBO weekend I made two future bets for the Super Bowl - taking Houstn and Green Bay to win it all. Both teams play today but the spreads seem a tad high. I don't want to root against myself. Tomorrow is a different story - stay tuned
Mississippi vs Pittsburgh Under 55.0 - One lesson that is sure coming through is how high scoring games are not happening. KSU vs Oregon was well under the 74 points (actual 52) as well as A&M vs Oklahoma (line was 72.5 actual 54). This game is not expected to be that high scoring but 54 still leans towards the offenses.
One reason is the spread offense installed by Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss. In the rugged SEC West the Rebs were still able to put up 30.9 points per game for the year. Pitt boasts a 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher in the same season for the first time in school history. Panther QB Tino Sunseri has thrown for 3,103 yards – the third highest single-season total by a Pittsburgh quarterback – while running back Ray Graham recovered from preseason knee surgery and has rushed for 1,042 yards. Pitt also lead the nation in fewest turnovers with eight.
But Mississippi has a tremendous pass rush ranking second in the SEC for sacks and tackles for loss. Pitt has had trouble with decent defenses having been held under 150 yards rushing 9 times on the year. The Sax Man and I watched this defense take apart Auburn back in October. Very impressive.
The Pitt defense has also been strong this year allowing only 19.7 points per game (21st in Div 1A). Needing to get bowl eligible the Panther defense held Rutgers and South Florida to a combined 58 yards of rushing.
Pitt is traveling to Birmingham for the third straight year but for the first time with a returning head coach. Paul Chryst (and coincidently Hugh Freeze) were candidates for the Wisconsin HC position before they went with Gary Anderson. Pitt beat Kentucky in 2011 and were blown out by SMU last year.
Both teams will start out slow after the month off. I’m taking the under.
Going to pass on today's NFL games. back on the GO JUMBO weekend I made two future bets for the Super Bowl - taking Houstn and Green Bay to win it all. Both teams play today but the spreads seem a tad high. I don't want to root against myself. Tomorrow is a different story - stay tuned
week_18_bettors_guide.xls |