2.5-Dime Play[/]
Minnesota @ Ohio State (12:00pm et)
2-Dime Play[/]
[size=150:15xh4c52][color=#FF0000:15xh4c52]Freddy Wills's Pick[/][/color:15xh4c52][/size:15xh4c52]
Take Georgia Tech -5.5 (2.5 Dime play) (1-5 scale)[/]
Normally this is a classic let down game for a team like Georgia Tech coming off a huge win against Virginia Tech last week, but this is not the case as they remember very well that in the same situation last year they lost to Virginia. Georgia Tech will look to go on the road and win as favorites and I think they do so by a TD. The key has been Josh Nesbitt and this rushing offense featuring Dwyer, Allen, and Roddy Jones along with the very big and physical Damaryous Thomas catching the few passed thrown his way to keep any defense honest.
Virginia has made a nice run lately winning 3 in a row after opening 0-3. This is the team that lost to William and Mary, but now Al Groh has them back on track. I'm not buying it though because their last three opponents average offense is 90th combined and here they will now face the 31st ranked offense. So is this defense for Virginia as good as they have looked or a product of who they have played this season an average offense ranked at 65th? I'd say it's a little bit of both, but the weakness seems to be against the run and they will have their hands full at home against Georgia Tech. Virginia is definitely an improved team, but not enough to stay with Georgia Tech who has been getting it done on offense all year long against quality opponents. What is worst for Virginia is their 107th ranked offense they can't run and they can't pass and Jameel Sewell their QB has a banged up ankle and will be chased around by Morgan who has 7.5 sacks this year. Virginia is ranked 118th in the nation in sacks allowed.
Take Minnesota +17 (2-Dime Play)(1-5 scale)[/]
This is just plain and simple too many points for Ohio State who is just not very good offensively at all. I don't see how they can cover a point total this high and I suspect it's because many are feeling that they are going to take their frustrations out on the Gophers after last weeks debacle and loss against Purdue.
This Minnesota team was able to beat Purdue without a problem and Ohio State has gotten by offensively not playing very challenging defense thus far including an average defense that is ranked 71st in points allowed this season. Minnesota comes in at 60th and should be able to hold this team in check at least to cover the spread.
