Texas AM

 The Aggies offense has been great this year as they have put up 41.45 ppg and 486 ypg, but it is the defense that has reminded me of the day of the Wrecking Crew. Coming into the year I felt the A&M defense was a top 10 unit and they have shown how tough they are by allowing just 10.5 ppg and 267 ypg thus far. Granted they haven't really played anyone yet, but make NO MISTAKE this is a very formidable defense that returned 30 of 36 lettermen from last year's team that allowed 22 ppg and 364 ypg. The OSU offense will be their biggest test all year long as the Cowboys come in averaging a whopping 52.3 ppg and 601 ypg. The OSU offense is strong , but they haven't really played anyone either just like A&M and this will be their toughest defense they will have faced so far. The OSU offense has also been a bit mistake prone in the early going a Weedon may have 8 TD passes, but with 6 INT's and they are 93rd in the Nation in penalties. OK we have establishes that OSU has the edge on offense, but here is where the tide really changes as the Aggies do get a BIG edge on the defensive side of the ball. I already went through the strong Aggies defense so let's look at OSU's stop troops. The Cowboys defense comes in ranked 80th in ypg allowed (417 ypg) and 64th in points allowed (27 ppg) and just like their offense piled up numbers vs bad teams their defense has not faced top notch opponents either. A good gauge of this bad defense was last week when they knocked out G.J. Kinne, who is one of the best QB's in the nation, after just 3 series and they still allowed the Hurricane to put up 30 points after he left. Last year Kinne was also this teams leading rusher yet OSU allowed them 365 yards on the ground. Both teams will get their fair share of points in this one, so it will come down to who can get more stops and tat edge has to go to A&M. Last year they led by 14 at the half, but 5 2nd half TO's did them in as they lost 38-35 on the last play of the game. Today they get revenge as their defense comes up with enough big plays to help them to a 10 point win.

Gl

ADD PLAY

TULANE

Tulane +10 over DUKE: I had to wipe my eyes and check this line a gain when I first saw it. Duke is a double digit favorite? And over a team that is off a 39 point road win as a double digit loss no less. Duke is an improved team and they did shock Boston College on the road last week, but they also did lose at home in the opener to Richmond, which is an FCS team. The Duke offense brought back 8 starters and they were to be very improved over last years group, but they have struggled so far putting up just 18.3 ppg on the year and just 17 ppg vs FBS foes. Tulane's offenses has improved this year as they have put up 33 ppg and 393 ypg in the early going. The defense for the Devils has not been that great this year, allowing 28.7 ppg and 373 ypg so far and they should have problems with this solid offense of the Green Wave. Duke is not a blowout kind of team and they really don't play well at home as they are just 3-9-1 ATS as a home fav the last 12 years. Look for the Tulane offense to keep it close vs a Duke team that may suffer a letdown after last weeks upset win vs Boston College. POWER ANGLE FOR THIS PLAY--- Duke is just 3-16 ATS in their last 19 home games vs Non-conference opponents, including 0-2 ATS this year.