This is a dangerous game for the Jets short rest traveling after an emotional loss, basically I think their defense does show up. The Jets are the best in pass defense in this league if you take out Tom Brady and they have the best corner while the Broncos really do not have any weapons at receiver and Tim Tebow is back there throwing. This should be a lot of running tonight as it is the Jets weakness, but they can crowd the box like no other with man to man on the outside. Even last week the Broncos had just 10 points through 3+ quarters vs. the Chiefs and the Jets are much better on defense. On the other side I see the Jets going back to ground and pound it's evident Rex Ryan is frustrated with the offense and although LT is out they activiated Billal Powell. The Jets had McKnight, but now with Powell they can really concentrate on the run. I expect the Jets to struggle a bit on offense as well and this game should fly by with lots of running.
3 of the last 4 match ups in this rivalry have been decided by a TD or less. Last year UNC fell victim of turnovers by their offense as TY Yates threw 4 interceptions. Virginia Tech to me is not the same and they are really banged up on defense and UNC has a balanced offense that Virginia Tech has not faced yet. Bryn Renner is completing 71.4 % of his passes this year which is unreal and 19 TD 11 INT on the season and he has weapons to throw to including 6-4 SR Dwight Jones who has 63 receptions and 8 TD's. UNC also features a talented freshmen running the ball in 5.44 ypc this year 3rd in the ACC in total yards. On the other side we know what Virginia Tech is going to do, run the ball and UNC has the talent to stop it as they have the better defensive line in this one. They held Clemson to 2.14 and Miami to 1.63 yards two solid running teams.
I think Virginia Tech may be looking ahead here too as they win here and win against rival Virginia next week and they'll get a rematch against Clemson which they desperately want after losing 23-3. UNC scored 38 points on Clemson so that should tell you all you need to know about UNC's capabilities here. Now there are distractions, but the extra 5 days to prepare and the revenge after last year's loss to a much more talented Virginia Tech team which they led at half time 10-9. People forget Virginia Tech almost lost to Duke 14-10. Logan Thomas was impressive last week but now we'll see what he can do against a team that is much more talented in the front 7 than Georgia Tech who looked to have been in control in that game until the personal foul on defense for Georgia Tech. UNC is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 as a dog 10.5+ and Vtech is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 as a favorite while the road team is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Marshall as double digit favorites? Really I know Memphis has been awful, but both teams come off emotional losses a week ago and memphis would love to play spoiler here. Marshall has some issues on offense and will defer back to the true freshmen Cato who threw 10 TD and 8 INT, and just 55.9% completions. I don't think he can truly take advantage of Memphis most obvious weakness which is the pass defense. I think Marshall will have issues because their offensive line is banged up they've never been able to really run the ball and their defense has shown some holes the last month. Memphis D-line has some talent including Dontae Poe who will play in the NFL one day. I look for Memphis to come up with a big effort to have a chance to win it in the end as they continue to be good at not turning the ball over and forcing turnovers as they are 21st in the nation in TO margin while Marshall is -3 on the road this year.
