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2001 Archives wk9

A plays go 2 and 2 for 50%,  B plays 6 and 5 for 55%

Year To Date Statistical Record

2001  WON  LOST  PCT%
A+ Play  6  5  55%
A Plays  15  11  58%
B Plays  58  51  53%
Totals  79  67  54%

Table does not include this weeks plays

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NFL & NCAA  Opinions Free, courtesy of  Footballforecasters.  Strictly for  entertainment and discussion purposes only :) 

A rated games are plays that we feel very strongly about.

B rated games are plays we feel pretty good about.

College Football Pick's    11/10/01   "A"  rated plays             

Team W/L comments
Georgia Tech @Virginia  L Posted 11/5/01 GT is throwing the ball for 8.3 ypp and 268 ypg, while Virginia is giving up 8 ypp and 199 ypg. A basic match-up advantage to the Yellowjackets. Georgia Tech has a surprisingly stingy defense, particularly against the run. The Cavaliers are struggling on offense and we don't see them getting it together against this defense.   GT  to roll by 25    A Play
@BC(+) vs Miami  W The Eagles have a history of playing the Hurricanes tough in their own yard. This is the Canes first game on turf this year. BC is 2nd in the Big East (behind Miami) in total offensive yards, and 2nd in the East (behind Virginia Tech) in total defensive yards--a very balanced team.  Nineteen is nine too many to give.    A Play

Scott informed us that super running back William Green was suspended by BC for their game against Miami. Now the line has gone up to +20.  We verified the information, and discussed the ramifications. We determined co-running back Derrick Knight is very capable. Often in this type of situation others play harder to make up for the loss of a star player, we're not concerned at all about the suspension and are still going with BC as an A play.  

@Utah vs SDSU  L Posted 11/4/01  This one also opened on an even number with SDSU getting 17.  Utah has one of the better defenses in the Mountain West Conference, particularly at stopping the run. The Utes are only allowing 2.7 ypc, and carrying the ball is the only thing the Aztec's have been able to do well. The nations leading rusher, Larry Ned is nursing a bum ankle for SDSU.  Look for Utah to stack the line and force SDSU to go to the air, where they have thrown 10 int's against only 3 TD's. Utah does have BYU on deck, but the Aztec's simply don't have the firepower to take advantage. This will very likely be upgraded to an A play on our Tuesday update. 

Upgraded 11/5/01   AA Play   Utes roll by 28

 

B rated plays:

Team W/L comments
NC State(+) @FSU   W FSU has a powerful pass attack, producing 269 ypg at 9.6 ypp and a potent rush netting 177 ypg and 4.2 ypc. They lead NC State in just about every statistical category. Yet the Wolfpack have a respectable defense that gives up yardage between the twenties but tightens up in the redzone--only giving up 22 pts per game playing in a high scoring conference.  We feel FSU is not the typical powerhouse they've been in the past and will be vulnerable to a scrappy  Wolfpack squad that has a decent pass attack of their own.  We're taking the generous points.
@Illinois vs Penn St  NP Posted 11/4/01  Illinois opened as less than a 10 pt favorite.  Kurt Kittner is having a great year leading the Fighting Illini attack.  Illinois averages 7.8 ypp and 271 ypg, while the resurrected Nittany Lions give up 8.2 ypp and 227 ypg.  A strength on weakness advantage favoring the home team.  

DOWNGRADED No Play 11/7/01  A source that checks in with me every once in awhile informs me that Penn State will win this one.  Over the years I have learned to respect this source.   Often when changing our minds on a contest I'll reduce our exposure by going the other way on a parlay. This time we're just going to eat the juice.  This is our third downgraded play of the year. We were glad we downgraded the previous two.

@S Carolina(+) vs Florida  L Posted 11/4/01  Statistically this looks like a 20 point win for Florida. However we'll take 10  points with a solid Lou Holtz club against any team in the country.
@Louisville vs Houston  L Thirty-two is a lot of points. We looked at this one very closely...and decided there was still value in the number. The Cardinals are at or near the top of Conference USA in every offensive category, they are also at or near the top in every defensive category. They have a strength on weakness advantage in passing for 7.8 ypp and 271 ypg against a defense giving up 8.2 ypp and 227 ypg.  This is the Cougars 3rd road game in a row and the they have a history of playing poorly in their final road game of the year.
@North Texas vs  ULLafayette  W The Eagles have the best defense in the Sun Belt conference. They've played a tougher non-conference slate and have been competitive in those contests. The Cajuns may have a hard time finding the endzone.
@SMU(+) vs Fresno St.  L FSU has a slight match up edge with a potent pass attack versus SMU's average pass defense.  However, the Mustangs have a recent history of playing the Bulldogs tough, covering twice as double digit dogs and once winning straight up.  Our work-ups indicate FSU should be only a 10 point favorite and the intangible's point to this being a competitive contest.  
Memphis(+) vs Tennessee  W Memphis is having a down year, their defense has slid a bit. Both teams have predominant run based offenses but average less than 4 ypc, which will make for a quicker game.  The Tigers in recent history have put up some gutsy performances as double digit dogs against the Volunteers. We like them to play their game of the year in this spot. 
@CMU vs E. Michigan  L First we were looking at the points and EMU. Then we started digging and flipped to the Chippewas, who are playing better ball at this point of the season.  We anticipate CMU will be up for this, their final home game of the season.  This has been a close rivalry but CMU catches the low flying Eagles in a nice spot here.
Buffalo(+) vs Army  W Don't laugh yet.  We crunched the numbers on this one twice, then we looked for scheduling anomalies, we keep coming up with a close game between these two conference cellar dwellers. We'll take the two TD's
@Maryland vs Clemson  W Final home game in what has been a great year for Maryland and first year head coach Friedgen. Maryland has cashed in three for three for us this year. Clemson is basically a one man show, Woodrow Dantzler;  The strong Terrapin defense should be able to contain his productivity.  Maryland is rushing for 4.8 ypc and 234 ypg going against a Tiger run defense giving up 4 ypc and 157 ypg.  Clemson had a disappointing season while Maryland is looking to land a major bowl bid.  We'll lay the 8 as we have the Terrapins on top by 18.

ALSO LIKES:  ECU  Air Force  Tulane   Texas Tech   North Texas   Ball State   Central Michigan   Vanderbilt   Maryland  Alabama   Iowa   Georgia   Ohio St   Arkansas   New Mexico  

NFL Picks        11/11/01    "A" rated play

  W/L Comments
@Seattle(+) vs Oakland  W Posted 11/06/01  Nice spot for Seattle;  they catch Oakland off a Monday night win finally getting the monkey off their back against a Denver team they had not beaten in 3 seasons. Regardless of who starts for Seattle they have an effective rusher in Alexander and should be able to run on Oakland.  We see this division contest being decided by a FG.  

B rated plays:

Team W/L Comments
SanDiego(+) @Denver  L Posted 11/07/01  The Chargers can smell the playoffs...this one should be a dogfight.
@New England vs Buffalo  W Posted 11/06/01  Where has Brady been hiding? What will the Pats do when Bledsoe gets healthy?  The Patriots are suddenly full of life and playing with enthusiasm.  The Bills are going the other way and may get waxed here.

ALSO LIKES:    Cincinnati   New Orleans

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