No. 11 West Virginia (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) at Syracuse Orange (4-2 SU, 2-4 ATS)
Friday October 21st, 2011. 8:00PM EST, College Football Week 8
Carrier Dome Syracuse, N.Y.
By Jay Horne, Collegiate Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: WVU -14/SYR +14
Over/Under Total: OFF
Bet the Mountaineers/Orange game using your credit card at an online sportsbook that CAN and WILL get your card to work for deposits and that offers some of the most generous sign-up bonuses on the net: BetOnline.
The no. 11 West Virginia Mountaineers will return to the national spotlight this Friday night when they play visitors to the Syracuse Orange inside the Carrier Dome. For those that remember, the Mountaineers faltered under the national spotlight just 3 weeks ago in a huge game against LSU with College GameDay on hand. West Virginia bounced back with two straight wins since that loss and proved to be the class of the Big East by crushing Connecticut 43-16 in their first conference match-up two weeks ago. This week all eyes will be on the Mountaineers again as they make their first trip on the road in Big East play against Syracuse for a big time Friday night contest.
For Syracuse, this will be a huge opportunity to prove they can contend within the Big East this season. The Orange are currently 4-2 on the season with losses to Southern California and a devastating double overtime defeat to Rutgers in their conference opener. Interestingly, Syracuse was 4-2 at this time last year when they delivered a big upset to West Virginia 19-14 in Morgantown. This week the Orange will be attempting to shock the nation with another surprising victory when they host the Mountaineers inside the Carrier Dome.
For Syracuse to deliver the upset, they will need a big game from their defense. In last year's win over West Virginia, the Syracuse defense played outstanding by holding the West Virginia offense to just 284 total yards and forcing 3 turnovers in that ballgame. This year West Virginia has an even better offense averaging just over 500 yards per game and Syracuse's defense has not been as good compared to their 2010 campaign. Therefore, the Orange will need another big performance from their defense in order to put together any "upset" possibilities.
So far this season, the Syracuse defense has not proved that they can stop any offense much less one of the better offenses in the entire country like West Virginia. On the year, Syracuse ranks 71st in total defense giving up 371 yards per game and has also given up 27 points per game (67th in NCAA). To make matters worse, Syracuse has been one of the worse teams in the entire country against the pass giving up an embarrassing 293 yards per game through the air. With those types of numbers, it would be hard to imagine Syracuse shutting down the West Virginia offense again this year. However, the Syracuse defense can help their chances by limiting the big plays and coming up with a few turnovers to help the struggling Syracuse offense.
IF YOU WENT TO THE STORE AND THERE WERE 2 OF THE VERY SAME ITEM ON THE SHELF, ONE PRICED $110 AND ONE $105, WHICH WOULD YOU BUY? THE CHEAPER ONE OF COURSE! THEN WHY ARE YOU STILL BETTING AT -110 ODDS WHN YOU CAN BE BETTING AT -105 AT 5DIMES? MAKE THE SWITCH TODAY! YOU'LL BE SO GLAD YOU DID!
The Syracuse offense as mentioned has not been overly impressive this season. The Syracuse offense ranks 96th overall in total offense averaging just 333 yards per game. Running back Antwan Bailey has posted decent numbers on the ground with 553 yards and 5 touchdowns. However, the offense ranks 99th in rushing because Bailey is nearly the only guy on the team to gain any positive yards on the ground.
Therefore, if Syracuse is going to contend I believe QB Ryan Nassib will need to have a big game. So far this season, Nassib has been solid completing 65% passing for 1,294 yards with 11 scores and 4 picks. Nassib's only real "bad" game this season come in the double overtime loss to Rutgers' in a game where he threw 3 picks. Outside of that game, Nassib has been solid and has done a great job of finding the open receiver. Syracuse does not exactly need explosive plays from the offense, but if Nassib can sustain some long successful drives without turning the ball over it will go a long way in keeping the Mountaineers offense off the field.
Speaking of that West Virginia offense, they have simply been explosive to say the least this season. QB Geno Smith has been outstanding completing 64% passing for 2,159 yards with 16 scores and 3 picks. The Mountaineers have stellar wide outs in Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin that put together a high power passing attack that has averaged 380 yards per game this season (4th in NCAA).
Both Bailey and Austin have homerun capability and have combined for just less than 1,200 receiving with 7 touchdowns on the season. The passing offense has come up with numerous big plays this season and the West Virginia wide receivers present many challenges for opposing defenses. As mentioned previously, Syracuse has played horribly against the pass this season giving up nearly 300 yards per game. West Virginia has the personnel to exploit weaknesses in the Syracuse secondary so this game will likely lie on the arm of QB Geno Smith. If he delivers, the Mountaineers will continue to roll.
Jay's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Syracuse may put up a valiant effort here, but in the end the Mountaineers will pull away. My wager is on West Virginia -14.
Editor's Picks - Each weekend our very own in-house All-American Editor makes his NCAA point spread predictions in an attempt to force fumbles, sack and intercept your bookie!
Expert Picks - Free premium college foots plays against the spread from expert handicappers from around the web from week 1 through the National Championship.
Underdog of the Week Pick - We sort through it all and find out which University is getting "too many points" this week. If there was a Heisman Trophy for picking underdogs, we'd be a frontrunner. Expect a 57%+ winning percentage with these picks as we've got a keen ear for loud barking dogs.
Favorite of the Week Pick - Giving points means we start the game down. We're not a real big fan of betting college football favorites as it's similar to trading field goals for touchdowns but stick with us as we buck the odds each week, selecting the favored team with the best chance of covering the spread.
Over/Under of the Week - Expect great value from this pick each week as we've cashed in big on betting over/unders over the years.
Line Movement - NCAA football lines open early in the week and often times move up or down based on wagering activity, injuries to key players and weather. We decipher whether it's square or wiseguy action and predict the point spread winner based on value.
College Football Consensus Picks - We assess the public perception each week and let them pick the winners for us as we fade their selections which provides us with many trips into our bookies endzone.
Computer Picks - We enter them into the computer and the machine makes it's picks. This is a great guide especially when betting totals! These are available after the first few weeks of the season.
Trends - Despite what you have been told or read on tout sites, the trend ain't your friend. We however turn the tables and fade the almighty trend for what should be some great profits over time.
2011 College Football Predictions - Badger breaks down the top teams and lists their odds to win the 2012 BCS Championship as well. At the end he gives his pick on who thinks will win the 2012 BCS National Championship game.
2011 Heisman Trophy Predictions - The trophy is up for grabs with Cam Newton leaving for the NFL. This year's list of "Heisman Hopefuls" is a pretty balanced list and the award is truly up for grabs. Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck is the favorite at +450 with Oklahoma Sooners QB Landry Jones not far behind at +650. Check out Jay's predictions (with analysis) to win the coveted trophy this season.
2012 BCS Championship Predictions - College football handicapper Jay Horne gives his picks on who he thinks will win the 2012 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship.
Intertops - Boasts the highest credit card acceptance rate on the internet! You also get a free $20 bet on your first deposit and their loyalty program is AWESOME as it gives you continuous bonuses as your betting handle reaches certain levels!
5Dimes - 15 team parlays! 20 point teasers! Reduced juice betting odds! Buy up to 15 points! Most props on the web!
SBG Global - Best parlay odds in the industry! Get paid 12-1 on 4-team parlays!
Heisman Trophy Betting Odds - Andrew Luck, Landry Jones, LaMichael James or ? You make the call!
Odds to Win the 2012 BCS Championship - The Oklahoma Sooners are favored to win at 4.5 to 1 but will get a run from Bama (+550), LSU (+1200) and Oregon (+1400). Check out your school's odds here!
Heisman Trophy Winners - A full list of college football quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers who have made history on the field and won the prestigious award.
The Spread - Offers scores, odds, free game predictions, current news and more!
