Posted:
#1
4 months to post a loser? No way...
After going 2 games under .500 last year in CFB, I reverted back to my roots and became intensely selective The result was a very gradual 5-0 over my last 5 write-ups. The goal is ten in a row and I plan on getting there.
Anyhow, the write-ups will be shorter and more readable this year. Only a few small handful of people here actually read and appreciate an entire write-up from virtually anyone posting, so I'll make it more readable for all.
I'm going back to what I do best...cap my local...RUTGERS.
This week is Washington State @ RU. The line is Rutgers -3.5 (having been bet up from an opening line of -2).
I am taking Washington State here. Here is why:
1. Worst loss in program history
Last week was the absolute bottom of the barrel in terms of bad losses for WSU. They lost to PORTLAND STATE....AT.....HOME!!! Folks, it doesn't get any worse then that. The fans are in an absolute frenzy after that loss and this is betting 101: always look to back a team off an embarrassing loss, especially if getting points. Both conditions apply here. And this loss was the height of all embarrassment for WSU and its fans.
2. Firing on the line
The head coach of WSU is Mike Leach. Many of you know he came from Texas Tech. There were high hopes when he arrived. What did he produce? In 4 seasons he is 13 games UNDER .500. Folks, the fans knew it would be a rebuild. They didn't think they'd be THIS bad. He was supposed to bring his Air Raid offense and a bunch of wins. The offense has been there. The wins haven't. If WSU drops to 0-2, forget even the most meaningless of bowls (the most this team can hope for). Look for Leach to go berserk on offense here in a wild high scoring affair, pulling out even the last pages of his playbook. Their defense is horrendous but their offense can torch a bad defense. And Rutgers D is nothing to write home about...
3. Revenge game
WSU comes to Rutgers having lost the last year to RU 41-38 that sent their season into a tailspin. That was another 'chucker' game with tons of offense and we get 3.5 here as insurance (no small prize) for WSU to get revenge.
4. The Monsoon
I don't ever want to make excuses for a loss to Portland State, but WSU was up 10-0 at the start of the third, and then the conditions deteriorated to a mini-Hurricane Katrina. For some reason Leach still kept airing it out and Portland kept the ball on the ground. It shouldn't be surprising Portland was more successful moving the ball and scoring as the talent on the field gave way to who could hold onto the ball. To make matters worse, WSU's starting QB left with an injury in the fourth setting up the eventual debacle of a result.
The weather report for Saturday? Bright and sunny. No weather issues to dampen the Air Raid tomorrow. PS: The WSU QB Luke Falk is healthy and will start.
5. The State of Rutgers
Rutgers reminds me so much of Michigan last year. A coach on the hot seat and tons of controversy which resulted in a bad season.
Right now the RU HC Kyle Flood is on the verge of getting fired for allegedly trying to get his player a passing grade with a professor.
Worse, FIVE RU players were dismissed from the team last week for a messy assault/break-in that is a separate write-up in itself. Better for WSU backers, one of the dismissed was a starting cornerback.
Too much controversy surrounding this shorthanded team and they are facing a team with a must win in a huge bounceback spot.
6. Norfolk State
I won't bore you with the details but RU beat them by 50. Having said that, I watched the entire game. Great high school teams could have beaten them. Their punter couldn't even get the ball over 30 yards in the air giving RU field position in Norfolk territory all day.
I love that RU got all fat and happy off a nothing team and now has to face a real offense with a depleted secondary that wasn't even good without the dismissals.
7. Laviano
Believe it or not, in the middle of all the RU trouble is a QB controversy. Rettig played the first half and Laviano played the second. Many think Rettig performed solidly and shouldn't have lost his starting job after one game. HC Flood didn't see it that way and gave the job to Laviano after a mere 3 completions (yes, all TD's but the WR Carroo made 1 of the 3 happened on a pass behind him).
This is just another mess Kyle Flood has to deal with in addition to being investigated and possibly losing his job.
I could go on.
Yes, WSU has to come across the country but if nothing else, the huge bounceback spot, the generous +3.5 and Leach pulling out the playbook more than compensate for that.
Let's go for 6 in a row.
The pick:
WSU +3.5 over Rutgers
0
nice work GL
The Alabama sharp will likely make a return this year!
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