This Northern Illinois team sucks. Out loud. They’re 0-3, with a home loss to 1-AA Southern Illinois and a home loss to Eastern Michigan, whom I had pegged preseason as one of the worst teams in 1-A. Idaho has been surprisingly scrappy, not getting completely blown out by USC and staying competitive with Washington State in a game which was closer than the final score indicated. 

On the field, this game plays to Idaho’s strengths. Idaho has run well against some decent defenses. Northern Illinois has given up over 200 rushing yards to each of it’s 1-A opponents. Conversely, Northern Illinois’s offense is an abortion. They have no passing game to speak of. And Idaho’s defense has allowed less than 4 yards per carry, so I don’t expect Northern Illinois’s running game to have a ton of success. This game is under the radar for good reason, but I don’t think this spread adequately represents how these teams have performed this season. Fear the potato.
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I’m running slightly behind this week, so I’m going to move through the rest a little more quickly.

San Jose State (+3.5) v. Utah State - One Unit

San Jose has had a rough stretch in the early going versus a brutal non-conference schedule. I still think they have more talent and are better coached than Utah State, so I’m more than happy to get over a field goal here.

Darren McFadden (-6.5) v. Kentucky - One Unit

Holy shit, by the time this game is over Darren McFadden (a.k.a. Humanity Advanced) will have run the equivalent of a marathon.  Seriously, he’s going to put up Tecmo Bowl stats in this one. The Kentucky offense will almost certainly have some success, but their defense is going to be completely overmatched, and I don’t think Andre Woodson and company will be able to keep up.
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UConn (+9) v. Pittsburgh - One Unit

Pitt stinks. They shouldn’t be laying nine against the Golden Girls.
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Bowling Green (-21) v. Temple - One Unit

I like Bowling Green’s offense in this matchup. I think they will move the ball very easily against Temple.
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And finally, a rare NFL play.
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New York Jets (-3) v. Miami Dolphins - Two Units

This line really jumped out at me. I honestly thought it would be around six or seven. The Dolphins are one of the worst teams in the NFL. Their offense is miserable, they can’t run-block, and Trent Green is a concussed shell of his former self. I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen of Jets QB Kellen Clemens and think he is more than capable of leading this offense against an overrated Miami defense. 

The Jets are more talented, better coached, and at home, yet only laying a field goal.
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I’m going to be out most of the afternoon, but I’ll be available for questions later on.  As always, good luck to everyone this weekend.

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