Top Play: Tenn/Flroida UNDER 49

OK it looks like the number has hit 49 and it’s starting to drop, I’m jumping down to less than 49 as my Top Play

In my opinion this number is simply too high with 2 very good defenses coupled with Tennessee’s QB issues and the fact that I think life could be tough for Florida QB Leak with an untested O-Line in front of him .

game plans

Tennessee’s game plan is the key to this total, a steady diet of RB Riggs on offense. I expect Fulmer to hit him, hit him, hit him with Riggs and pass when needed, or at opportune times.

Defensively, I’m hoping the Vols’ D-line can pressure Leak without having to send home, similar to what they were able to do two years ago. Florida coach Meyer understands that his Gators need to be able to establish some kind of running game to open the door for Leak. And I’m not convinced they can execute it with any kind of effectiveness against these burly Vols forward seven.

The word in Florida’s D

On defense, the Florida guys have been impressive, albeit against inferior offenses. Fortunately for his untested secondary, Tennessee’s QB situation is a bit of a question mark. Like I said before, you can expect to see a lot of Gerald Riggs in this great rivalry game.

Top Play: UF/UT SUB 49

Regular Game: Wisconsin -3 over UNC
This game would be a bigger play if it were in Wisconsin, but I’ll be walking a little lighter with the Badgers hitting the road for the first time this season.

It seems like the linemakers are giving the Tar Heels credit for nearly beating G Tech on the road last week, but The Jackets won’t beat Auburn in a big road win a week early, and I really question their motivation for this one, even though it was his conference opening. Chan Gailey’s play in the fourth quarter also left a lot to be desired. I have no explanation why he didn’t keep passing the ball to PJ Daniels.

Well, Barry Alvarez will give the ball to his best running backs, Calhoun and Booker, and he’ll do it often. It looks like Stocco has improved tremendously, even though the opposing secondaries he’s faced so far have left a lot to be desired.

NC has been outclassed tremendously in their first two games, but I’ll give Coach Bunting credit for playing a tough Boston College team to open.

Key matchup: Wiscy D-Line vs. OR Line UNC

This is where the game could be decided, as UNC is still shuffling to get the right combination along the offensive line, which means they will struggle to run the ball and have to take advantage of the Badgers secondary.

Wisconsin’s secondary has been a flashpoint, but they looked much better in the second half of the Bowling Green game, and UNC QB Baker is hardly in Omar Jacobs’ league. When G Tech got down to business with D vs. UNC intercepted Baker 3 times in the 4th quarter.

You can’t win this game with your arm. I think Badgers D will force Baker to make some poor decisions on Saturday.

Offensively, with Stocoo improving thanks to offensive line blocking and strong running game, Wiscy should once again put up big numbers against. this below-average defense for the Tar Heels. The longer the game goes on, the more they will wear them down.

Regular game: Wisconsin -3

Small play: Notre Dame -6 1/2 over Mich State

I know many are wary of a big disappointment after wins on the road, especially the upset win over Michigan in Ann Arbor, but I feel like they’ll be energized to head back to South Bend for the home opener. Particularly given that the foe they face, Michigan State, is playing its first road game after two easy tune-ups at home.

This will be the Spartans’ first real test and it’s not a good place in my opinion. This is a BIG step up in competition on both sides of the ball, and they could be shocked early, as ND have opened up strongly in their first two games.

Spartans QB Stanton looks upgraded and is a great athlete, but if his team is playing from behind all day, he could become the inconsistent guy we saw in 2004.

Notre Dame is far more physical than anything Michigan State has seen so far, and if they take a couple of punches to the mouth, they may not recover. ND goes 3-0 after this one.

Small Work: Notre Dame -6 1/2