gwjtf

@Covers-Team

 Why? Exactly?

Let’s see, we have opinions just on this thread that are 100% we will have a season (tho may start late) to 5% we will have a season. 

Translation: Nobody knows anything. 

GW

I like LSU on the money line.  Love Joe Burrow; do not love giving Trevor Lawrence six points. I also don't like *any* team in FBS to win consecutive national titles.  I'll take my tigahs to win the game ....

Great write up Frank.  Respect.

GW

The legend returns.... just cancelled my Stanford bet because Killer's on the other side.  And happy to do so .....

GW

Uh, has anyone in this thread been to Starkville.  If so the question belies the stupidity.  Dan Mullen has done more with less consistently than any DI coach other than Mike Leach. But unlike Leach now he has a school where he can be nationally successful.  Expect good things.  Florida will not regress, they will ball with any/every one.

GW

To answer the first post above:

RE: Oline - Florida's OL will be very good, maybe not 'elite' but the talent is good.  Run blocking can improve but they protected the pass well for a first game together under the lights.  Florida pass rush *is* fantastic.  Miami's tackles will do much better w/ reps and against 80% of the ACC DL's they play, no question about that. Miami's QB did well against a great Florida defense that was fast, physical and athletic.  He locks on to receivers to much when he should either run (he's as fast as an RB) or throw it away. This lock-on problem compromises his ability to "feel" the rush until too late. This can be corrected and was a function of the speed/athleticism of UF, but he must work on this. For UF, Franks' has the physical tools.  He needs to be less emotional, more even-keeled, and let his play evolve organically and patiently.  He has the skills to be an NFL QB if he will just get out of his own way.  Both of these teams have top-10 talent. 

I respectfully disagree with the immediate preceding post - Franks has excellent tools - he needs to be more consistent.  He has size; he can run; he has all the throws.  Yes he made a few mistakes with his reads but overall had a good game.  His OL was good in pass protection; not as much run blocking.  I agree they must improve but they have the talent to do so.  This Florida OL can be a good one - maybe not 'elite' - but good enough.  I thought the 'Canes would cover, but it was hardly 'easy money' as this could have gone either way ATS.  But Miami's defense was truly impressive (as was Florida) and if they can get their QB play better they will win a lot of games in the ACC.  This was a match of two very talented teams that made a lot of first game mistakes. Correct them and both of these teams are very tough to beat late season. 

In my opinion, we were looking at two legitimate 10 win + teams tonight. Yes it was really sloppy, with far too many penalties, missed tackles, trash talking/penalties, mental mistakes, etc.  All of this can be corrected.  But both teams were extremely athletic, especially defensively. Both of these defenses are fast, physical and athletic; they will win a lotta games for both teams. Miami's OL, which looked bad due to fact both OT's were beat all night by Florida's NFL DE's, is actually not that bad and will be much better with reps and against defenses in the ACC which don't have NFL DL-men to block, (Clemson excepted though not as much as last year of course).  Both teams need their QB's to play a lot better. Canes' QB needs to do 3 things: 1) not lock on to receivers so much (and thus feel the rush better); 2) throw the ball away when needed; 3) run for the sticks when things break down.  He is physically gifted but was unable to take over the game and execute in the face of an equally physically gifted defense. Excusable in his first start against a defense of this caliber. Gators' QB needs to be less emotional generally and more focused on what he is doing AT ALL TIMES. He has the tools, when he is consistently excellent with those tools, he can be a high 1st round draft pick and put his team in SEC championship contention.  Bottom line is both of these teams have top 10 talent and are good especially defensively.  They will *dominate* against many if not most of the teams on their schedule.  But cleaning up mistakes (very doable) and better QB play (we will see, not as doable) will determine if they are just good or elite. The talent is there ....

GW     

I like the Minnesota Golden Gophers, though not sure how big a 'sleeper' they are with all the love DoubleUp has given - they deserve it IMO.

Minnesota returns everyone important off a 7-6 bowl team, and they were playing much better football the last half of the season than the first half.  Played the Buckeye's very respectably, the game was more competitive than the score would indicate, and PJ Fleck has them believing.  Gophers turn a corner this year and win 9 games, maybe 10 (!) .... 

GW

Does anyone have a rundown of wager limits for CFB halftime wagers at the major books in Vegas for 2019 (William Hill, MGM, etc.) .... ?  Thanks for any insights/information .....

GW

A lot of good analyses to this write up – the truth is either team is good enough to win on a given day, you’ve given a lot of justifiable reasons why the Pats could win.  From these, I’d like to highlight ones I think are the most important for this game and – why I think the Rams will win.

1.     1)       Getting to Brady. As you correctly note, you aren’t getting to Brady unless you have a bit of time; you don’t have time unless the Pats are in unfavorable down and distance.  This is why it is imperative that the Rams’ defense forces some of these situations both by limiting Pats’ run game in early downs and, generally, crowding the box in the front seven and playing a good deal of press coverage in early downs. I think the Rams’ Dline and front 7 are good enough to force enough 3^rd and longs to get to Brady.  This will be a key.  When they have opportunities, they must be aggressive and bring pressure from different places. Tom Brady needs to get hit, go down a time or two, and be pressured on 8 or 10 passing attempts.  Finally, I have to say, as great as Brady is, I think he doesn’t play as well as he did to win the game against the Chiefs. Despite the two interceptions, he got into rhythm against a mediocre defense and played unbelievably as he needed to win that game. Especially if the Rams can get some pressure and limit Pats’ rushing success, he doesn’t play that well two games in a row.  He’ll be good, but not great.

 2.       Todd Gurley. This one ain’t rocket science – the best RB in football when healthy.  None of us know for sure, but if he is able to play to his capability in the biggest game of his career, with the other pieces of this prolific offense the Rams absolutely can put 30+ points against this Patriots defense.  Gurley is a gamer and if he were seriously hurt, I think we would know.  Therefore I believe he shows up and plays like the unbelievable back that he is. He will demand the attention of the entire Pats defense – and they still won’t shut him down - and that will open the rest of Rams’ offense to success, particularly as the game goes on.  This game sees more points in the second half than the first.  Rams 34; Pats 27.

Hey Hoo!  How you doing?  I've been traveling a lot this season, just back to Cali from So. America and haven't really posted this year, which is a good thing because gambling-wise I'm probably going to lose $$ this season (first one in 6) unless I have a helluva bowl run.  Great threads as always ... I'm with you on Wazzou and I like Syracuse to bounce back and cover the number.... couple others.  Be well :)

GW