Louisana Tech Bulldogs (0-1) ATS 0-1, O/U 1-0 at Navy Midshipmen (0-1) ATS 1-0, O/U 1-0 Saturday September 12, 2009 3:30 p.m. EST TV: CBS College Sports
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Louisana Tech +7.5/Navy Midshipmen -7.5
Over/Under: 50
Louisana Tech showed some promise last Saturday when they stayed with the University of Auburn during their first half of play. The Bulldogs were down just 13-10 at the half. Bulldogs QB, Ross Jenkins was hot from the start as he completed his first ten pass attempts but then he cooled off and finished the game 18 of 33 for 149 yards, one touchdown and an INT.
Bulldogs place kicker Matt Nelson knocked down a field goal from 20 yards out in the second quarter to make it a 10-10 ball game but the Bulldogs allowed 13 unanswered points and never were a threat the rest of the game. Louisana Tech had just 245 yards of total offense to Auburns 556. Auburn finished strong by beating the Bulldogs 37-13.
Navy is coming into this game feeling pretty good about themselves after nearly upsetting No. 6 Ohio State last weekend. The Midshipmen stunned the nation and all of college football when they scored two times in a four minute span to come within two points of the Buckeyes late in the game.
Navy head coach, Ken Niumatalolo said If Ohio State comes in totally focused on us, we had no chance, we felt like we had them in the perfect storm.
The Midshipmen showed that they can be explosive at times especially when QB Ricky Dobbs hit Marcus Curry for an 85-yard tochdown pass to make it a 29-21 Buckeye lead. Dobbs also ran for a 24 yard TD to bring the game within reach but an INT on a two point conversion squashed the hope of the huge upset.
Last season the Navy QBs had a total of 6 TDs, in this game Dobbs had two TDs rushing and two through the air. It was a great statement for the Midshipmen who were 21 point dogs heading into this contest. Navy can hold their heads high after this game as they were almost dead even across the board as far as the numbers go with the big difference coming on turnovers where they gave the ball away three times to the Buckeyes one. In the end it was a turnover that cost them a potential historical upset. Even though a 21 point dog really isnt too bad of a spread in college football it was still nice to see Navy cover and cause a bit of a fuss for the Buckeyes.
The Bulldogs will have their hands full Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. The Midshipmen are a serious contender for a bowl appearance this December. Although niether team is ranked highly in offensive or defensive categories they have only played one game, but the Midshipman may climb in the rankings offensively if they can keep moving the ball down the field.
Louisana Tech is 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a dog between 3.5 and 10. Navy is 4-1 ATS in their last five games after a SU loss. The Under is 6-2 in the Bulldogs last 8 road games. Navy is 5-12 ATS in their last 17 home games.
Both QBs are averaging only about 150 yards per game but Navys Dobbs has a higher completion percentage at nearly 70 percent and averages about 12 yards per pass play. The Midshipmen are favored by 7.5 at home.
Wilsons Pick: Navy gets the win at home and covers the points EASILY. Navy 35, L. Tech 10. Luck to ya.
