2010 MID AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

By Marc Lawrence of Playbook.com

Entering its 64th year of gridiron competition, the MID AMERICAN CONFERENCE will once again play a balanced schedule, meaning each team will play eight conference games in 2010. Let’s hope the results are more balanced that last year when only two teams in the MAC West Division managed to finish the season with a winning record. This on the heels of the 2008 campaign when only Buffalo was on the plus side of the ledger inside the East Division.

This is definitely a league that is wide open and one that likes to mix things up. Seven different teams have appeared in the last five MAC Championship games while 11 different MAC schools have appeared in a bowl game in the last five seasons.

Finally, keep this note handy once the bowl games roll around: since the 2008 calendar year, MAC bowlers are 1-11 SU and 0-10-2 ATS!

Note: Team writeups excerpted from the 2010 PLAYBOOK Football Preview magazine. Numbers following team name represent the amount of returning starters on offense and defense, with an asterisk (*) designating a returning quarterback. Designated ‘Play On’ and ‘Play Against’ Best Bets follow each team’s preview.

East Division

AKRON – *6 / 9
TEAM THEME: GOOD YEAR
After suffering his fourth straight losing season, J.D. Brookhart was quickly bounced from town. Last year’s three-win season was the Zips’ lowest since 1997 and inevitably meant some rubber was going to meet the road. New HC Ron Ianello leaves his South Bend receivers coach gig and inherits the third youngest team in the nation: twenty-nine players from last season’s two-deep squad were either freshman or sophomores. Ianello does welcome back nine starters from a defense that has improved each of the last two seasons and he may be able to zip through the majority of his non-conference matchups. However, he’ll need to rely on all of his offensive prowess to repair an attack that regressed 96 YPG and averaged less than 20 points per contest if Akron hopes to rebound from last year’s fiasco. Look for the ball to bounce Ianello’s way in 2010.
PLAY AGAINST: vs. Kentucky (9/18)

BOWLING GREEN – 3 / 4
TEAM THEME: TOO GREEN TO BOWL
The Falcons were picked to finish 5th in the MAC East Division a year ago. After a 1-4 start the pundits appeared on target, but a 6-1 finish lifted the Falcons and rookie HC Dave Clawson to a winning campaign and a trip to the alleys. Another slow start might be in the offing as Clawson must replace 15 starters and 18 seniors from last year’s squad – including QB Tyler Sheehan, who accounted for 97% of the team’s passing yards since 2007 and star WR Freddie Barnes, who set an NCAA record with 155 receptions last year. This depleted roster must also deal with a schedule that finds them on the road for five of their first seven contests. With only five games taking place in Doyt Perry Stadium, a strong case for a reversal of fortune could be made this season. No Bowling for these Green Falcons in 2010.
PLAY AGAINST: vs. Troy (9/4)

BUFFALO – 6 / 8
TEAM THEME: WINGING IT
After resisting tempting offers the previous year, a five-win season had Turner (Gill) putting on the burners and heading for Kansas. Jeff Quinn, a long-time assistant to Brian Kelly, takes over the reins. The veteran OC will be looking to install a new spread offense in upstate New York. Quinn, however, will need to find replacements at QB and the top two WR spots from an offense that averaged over 400 YPG. On the bright side, four offensive linemen are back and eight starters return from a defense that allowed a respectable 24 points and 343 yards per game. With four of their first six games in other pastures, the Bulls’ defense will need to lead the stampede and give Quinn’s offensive system time to gel. We’ll need to see more before we run and gun with these new-look Bulls.
PASS

KENT STATE – *9 / 7
TEAM THEME: FLASH FORWARD
An 0-3 finish denied the Flashes a winning season for the first time since 2001. An offense that dropped 73 YPG and 7 PPG was the main culprit but it should turn into a strength for HC Doug Martin as nine starters return, including QB Spencer Keith who tossed for over 2,100 yards and 14 TD’s as a freshman in 2009. Keith will, once again, be hooking up with WR Tyshon Goode, who excelled in his freshman season while hauling in a team-leading 53 passes and 5 TD’s. The backfield is deep as four RB’s who have combined to rush for over 5,200 yards in their collegiate careers are back in the mix. If Kent can weather a storm that finds them on the road early and often, look for the Flashes to come up Golden in 2010. A year of experience and a season-ending schedule that finds them home for four of their final five games ensures no late-season collapse this year.
PLAY AGAINST: as favorite vs. Ohio U (11/26) – *KEY off loss

MIAMI, OHIO – *8 / 9
TEAM THEME: ROCK THE CRADLE
Miami’s ‘Cradle of Coaches’ (Paul Brown, Carm Cozza, Paul Dietzel, Weeb Ewbank, Ara Parseghian, John Pont and Bo Schembechler) likely turned over in their graves after witnessing the Redhawks cough up a nation-high 32 giveaways to opponents last season. Injuries forced first-year HC Michael Haywood to turn to a bevy of freshmen and sophomores, resulting in a turnover-plagued, 1-11 season. Included in the Pampers’ parade was QB Zac Dysert, who passed for over 2,600 yards as a redshirt freshman. Haywood better have this group of toddlers ‘turnover trained’ as they leave their Oxford crib for seven games this season, including stops at Gainesville, Missouri and Cincinnati.
The feeling here is Haywood might throw a temper tantrum of his own before this season is said and done.
PLAY ON: vs. Kent St (10/2) – *KEY as dog

OHIO U – *7 / 7
TEAM THEME: BOBBING AND WEAVING
We were as wrong as the day is long on our assessment of the Bobcats last year. Or at least on the SU and ATS scoreboards – and that’s what ultimately counts! It was our contention that OU would not improve on a 4-8 mark from 2008 without better defensive play and fewer mistakes. The defense did not improve at all while the offense regressed 50 YPG – yet the Bobbies won nine games and hit the alleys. We’ll press our bet in 2010, as teams that enjoyed great success without improving their numbers are normally a sure-fire disappointments the following season. In our defense, we turn to our highly popular Midweek Alert newsletter, which points out that the Bobcats were just 4-10 ‘In The Stats’ despite the 9-5 SU and 8-5 ATS marks in 2009. Outside of a trip to Columbus, the schedule doesn’t appear too daunting. However, after all, you can only ‘Bob’ and weave for so long.
PLAY AGAINST: vs. Bowling Green (10/9)

TEMPLE – *9 / 7
TEAM THEME: THE ‘EYES’ HAVE IT
MAC Coach of the Year, Al Golden, took the Owls to new heights last year as Temple enjoyed their first winning season since 1990, their first league title since 1967 and their first bowl appearance in 30 years. The news gets even better as 16 starters return to Philly, including conference defensive Player of the Year and league leader in sacks, DE Adrian Robinson. Nine of those starters, led by SR QB Vaughn Charlton and RB Bernard Pierce, who rushed for 1,361 yards and 16 TD’s as a true freshman, return to an offense that tallied 30 PPG last season. There’s plenty to like about this group and its coach. With a tough non-conference schedule, there may not be a lot of hooting early but it would be wise to keep both eyes on these Owls. The way we see it, the later in the season, the better for this nocturnal bunch.
PLAY AGAINST: vs. Miami Oh (11/23)

West Division

BALL ST – *10 / 7
TEAM THEME: PARRISH THE THOUGHT
Could this be the year Stan Parrish (4-42 SU) finally shakes the enigma of being in over his head as an FBS head coach? The signs are there. Since 2005, the Cardinals have committed the 5th fewest turnovers (87) in the nation. The usually well-stocked Ball State offense returned only four starters last season, and it showed as the output dropped by 148 YPG. There’s no such dilemma this season, however, as the offense returns virtually intact, led by all-MAC RB MiQuale Lewis. Stan would be wise to rely on the 3rd all-time leading rusher in BSU history to carry the load if he wants to continue to man the Muncie sidelines. By season’s end, we’ll know if it’s either ‘Stan the Man’ or ‘Stan gets banned.’ One thing we know for sure – Parrish will have to learn how to beat .500 or greater opponents (1-28-1) if he doesn’t want the ‘Ball’ to drop any further.
PLAY AGAINST: vs. Western Michigan (10/9)

CENTRAL MICHIGAN – 6 / 5
TEAM THEME: THE FEVOUR’S GONE
There’s no more ‘Fevour’ hanging around the Mt. Pleasant campus but new HC Dan Enos may still want to take a couple of aspirins. Not only has record-sitting QB Dan LeFevour left for the NFL, but also Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson, the two most prolific WR’s in school history. The 1st-year HC takes over a program that won its seventh MAC title last year – the most of any school since joining the league in 1975. Thanks to LeFevour, Central Michigan won eight or more games each of the last four seasons and appeared in four straight bowl games. The Chippewas have never won eight or more games in five consecutive seasons and with a new coaching staff and signal caller, we’re betting ‘never’ triumphs once again. Let the Chips fall where they may – just be sure to stand clear.
PASS

EASTERN MICHIGAN – *7 / 7
TEAM THEME: MAJORING IN ENGLISH
They weren’t speaking fluent English at EMU last season where the Eagles suffered through an 0-12 season. “There is no doubt that our players will be bigger, stronger, tougher and coached better than they were a year ago,” contends second-year HC Ron English. We certainly hope so. English thinks his Eagles will be much improved in 2010 and we tend to agree. Due to injuries and a lack of depth, 25 newcomers – including nine true freshmen – saw significant playing time last season. Our database is also keeping a close eye on this bunch, noting: winless teams who find themselves favored in any game the following season are 31-21 ATS since 1980, including 21-9 ATS when laying five or more points. That’s a lesson in Playbook 101. Now let’s see if English could get his message across.
PASS

NORTHERN ILLINOIS – *6 / 9
TEAM THEME: KILLING ‘EM SOFTLY
The Kill era is seemingly at a crossroads. While the third-year HC has guided Northern Illinois to a bowl in each of his first two seasons, both of those games ended in losses and all Kill has to show for his effort is a 13-13 record. In fact, his Huskies have yet to beat an opponent with a winning record (0-11). While the defense declined slightly in 2009, it still ranked tops in the MAC and 30th in the nation and remains the strength of the team. Nine return from that highly-rated unit but it did suffer a blow when DE Jake Coffman, the team leader in sacks, decided to skip his senior season. “We did lose some kids… some very good players,” said Kill. “But at the same time, we’ve had some in the program that are growing up. This is the best I’ve felt since I’ve been here.” We don’t want to be a killjoy but that feeling here is that the Dekalb bunch is growing restless.
PASS

TOLEDO – 6 / 6
TEAM THEME: BOY WONDERS?
Holy Toledo, Beckman. The second-year head coach saw six true freshmen start at least two games in 2009, including three defensive backs. That’s one good reason to explain their 92nd-ranked pass defense. “We have nine seniors and only three who played all four years. So we need leaders to step up from junior, sophomore and even freshmen classes,” contends Beckman. The former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator probably didn’t sleep too well after seeing his defense stepped on for 38 PPG and over 400 yards of total offense. The young Rockets, though, did manage five wins thanks to an offense that ranked 13th in the nation. However, with just six starters back on each side of the ball and a non-conference schedule that includes three bowlers, it may take some time before Toledo sees lift-off. A fifth straight losing season is likely in the offing.
PLAY ON: vs. Bowling Green (11/17) – *KEY

WESTERN MICHIGAN – 7 / 7
TEAM THEME: SPIN MOVES
The love affair in Kalamazoo is on the ropes. A 1-3 conclusion to the 2009 season denied the Broncos a second straight bowl bid and to that they can thank an offense and a defense that each slid 25 YPG. If 6th-year HC Bill Cubit hopes to keep the yo-yo working (alternating winning and losing seasons each of the four years), he’ll need to win every home game possible with three of his six road games against bowl teams – along with a visit to Notre Dame wedged in between! (Note: WMU is just 2-7 SU and ATS in its last nine road games). To make matters worse, QB Tim Hiller has departed, having matched or broke every Broncos’ passing record along the way. Only four teams with winning records dot the schedule, so there’s a chance Cubit could play cupid in 2010.
PLAY ON: vs. Kent State (11/20)

The last day of July Baseball Plays

Delivered the goods again with 2-1 day, raising record to 135-75 here at 3DW. All three of today’s plays involve Chicago teams, two in favor of the one on the South Side and an 86 percent system against the club on the North Side. Good Luck

What I letting you know today – From Elias Sports- Jhonny Peralta, in his maiden game with the Tigers, hit home runs in each of his first two at-bats to lead Detroit to a 6-5 victory in Boston. In so doing, Peralta went where no Tigers player had ever gone before: he became the first player in the team’s 110-year history to hit home runs in each of his first two at-bats with the team. (One other player had homered twice in his first game with the Tigers, although not in his first two at-bats; that was Billy McMillon on Aug. 5, 2000.)

The GUARANTEED Plays were 1-1 yesterday as my incredible back luck continues beyond nine innings (8-22 in extra frames). Thus I look to make good and have Guaranteed 3-Pack of Baseball WINNERS. Two are favorites in 100 percent and 83.3 percent winning spots and an underdog that is perfect 8-0 with this pitcher in a special situation. This value priced package has to show a profit or Sunday is FREE.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher like the Chicago Cubs, being outscored by opponents by 0.5 or more runs a game on the season, after allowing 15 runs or more. In the past five years, this dandy system is 43-7, 86 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Chicago White Sox are 10-0 in home games vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs a game in the second half of this season.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Sal has hit a great stretch with 13-3 record and likes the Pale Hose to continue winning at home at 35th and Shields.

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Here comes the weekend plays

After one bad day, 3Daily Winners comes right back with 2-1 mark, lifting record to 133-74. This Friday we are on the hunt for more winners and begin with Sal’s Free Play. The Top Trend is a National Leaguer and the Best System is remarkable 87.7 percent! Good Luck

What I letting you know today – I believe ESPN is stretching its street cred by burying the LeBron James story. If you read the article, it doesn’t paint LBJ as some super hero, rather a guy in his mid-20’s, single, with his boys and having fun. Oh sure some words could be construed as crude, but put four or more guys in Vegas with a few drinks under their belt and what do you think would be said?

ESPN has chosen to make a non-interesting article a piece about their culture.

The GUARANTEED Plays are 4-2 the last three days and today we have a False Favorite in a 100 percent losing situation and National League road team that is up against a 20-4 situation. Grab one or both Guaranteed Winners today!

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play On all favorites with a money line of -175 to -250 like Toronto with a rested bullpen, having thrown two or less innings in each of the last two games, against opponent after a game where the bullpen threw six or more innings. Holy Snikes, this system is 50-7, 87.7 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Arizona is 2-14 in road games after batting .250 or worse over a 20-game span this season.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Sal has hit a good stretch with 9-2 record and backs the Twinkies as his top selection.

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MLB Series Wagering- Yankees at Rays

With the summer slipping into August this weekend, the baseball pennant races start to take shape with more meaningful games over the next two months. What better way to start building the momentum than with the two best teams in baseball. The first place New York Yankees (65-36, +7.8 units) head south to visit Tampa Bay (63-38, +6.5), who trails by two games in the loss column.

The atmosphere should be electric with all three games sold out and for New York; they have other side bar stories. This is the Yankees first team visit since the passing of George Steinbrenner who resided in Tampa. Alex Rodriguez will continue his elusive quest for home run No. 600. When asked if he feels pressure after failing to connect for a long ball in seven straight games, A-Rod answered this way. “We’re winning, so this is fun,” Rodriguez said. “I’m focusing on something more important: a pennant race.”

The Rays picked the right time to get hot having won six in a row and a continuation of such play would jettison them into first place by the end of the weekend. “I’m sure there’s going to be a vibe,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. “They’re playing well. We’re playing well. It’s going to be interesting. I know we’re going to be excited to play.”

The pitching matchup has two young hurlers. Phil Hughes (12-3, 4.04 ERA), after a brilliant start has had rocky moments of late, being tagged for five runs or more in three of previous five starts. Location has been Hughes downfall and the Yankees are only 14-16 (-11.5 Units) against the money line with an on-base percentage of .360 or better over their last 15 games. Online sports betting outlets have New York as -107 ML wager, as the Yankees seem to thrive against top notch competition with a 12-3 record in road games when playing against teams with a 62% or higher win percentage in the second half of the season.

Tampa Bay is 100-48 in home games against right-handed starters the past three seasons and sends Wade Davis (8-9, 4.32) up the hill. Davis has gotten in a nice groove with three consecutive victories and 2.11 ERA. “Every series is important, but this is a big series for us to go out and win some games against them to stay up there with them,” Davis told the Rays’ official website. “If we can do that, then we’ll be in a good situation.” The right-hander is 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA in two starts against New York this year and A-Rod has two jacks off of him.

Game 1 Edge: New York

The Rays are hoping outfielders B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist are close to 100 percent after missing time this week with sprained ankle and lower back stiffness respectively, getting ready for New York. The second game of the series will also feature Matt “no-hitter” Garza (11-5. 4.08), who faced the minimum 27 batters (one walk) his last time out. Garza was able to work effectively up in the strike zone against depleted Detroit lineup. Tampa Bay is 8-2 in Garza’s starts at Tropicana Field, where they have won 10 of 11 coming into the series.

The Bronx Bombers arrive in St. Pete’s having won eight of 11 and have split eight meetings with the Rays. Manager Joe Girardi’s club began the series 31-20 in the visiting gray uniforms, thanks to being victorious in 16 of last 21 contests. Javier Vazquez (9-7, 4.54) started the season on shaky ground, but has since stabilized with 8-3 mark and 3.16 ERA. The Yanks are 36-16 in last 52 and have won four of last five Vazquez road starts. The Yankees right-hander is 5-5 (4.71) in last 10 starting assignments against Tampa Bay, with Carl Crawford batting .368 against him since 2006. Garza is 1-3 (3.26) vs New York and A-Rod (.467) and Nick Swisher (.500) have been the most troublesome batters he faces from that lineup.

Game 2 Edge: Tampa Bay

The series finale from the Trop has C.C. Sabathia (13-4, 3.15) on a major roll. The big left-hander is 8-1 with 2.10 ERA in last 10 outings and is 14-4 in August of late. He’s been tough all year on right-hand hitters, as they are batting only .234 against him. New York plays great all the time including during the day, with 25-12 record as they prepare for this TBS 1:30 Eastern tilt.

Tampa Bay will start James Shields (9-9, 4.79) who also possess quality August numbers with a 12-6 record. Shields has to start missing more bats, with opponents hitting .281 against him (.266 lifetime) and he is on career path for home runs allowed, already being taken deep 22 times. The Rays are equally effective in day games with 20-10 record and are 11-9 to commence the weekend as underdogs.

Game 3 Edge: New York

New York has won 26 of last 44 conflicts between these teams and is 12-9 at the Trop the past three years. Both teams are at the top of their games, both respecting, but do not fearing the other, which makes for fascinating series.

I’ve hit five straight weekend series wagers and though I’d like to see Tampa Bay win, I’m betting New York and here is why. Sometime next season I’ll write an article about this, but the Rays have double digit hits just once in past seven tries, which has me believing they are living off of great pitching. New York can match Tampa Bay in this area and shutdown their attack. Coincidently, the Yankees have nine or more base knocks in seven of previous nine games, suggesting they will score more runs and takes the series.

Sportsbooks series odds: New York -120, Tampa Bay -110

3Daily Winners Pick: New York

Thursday Plays and thoughts

Sometimes you have to take the good with the bad and yesterday we got whacked but good, though we are still 131-73, 64.2 percent in over 200 selections given out. The Best System involves two sorry teams, but which one should win? Sal is back and his Best Play and the Top Trend are from the same contest. Good Luck

What I letting you know today – I’m as puzzled as anyone why Philadelphia just didn’t sign Cliff Lee last season instead of having to pay Roy Oswalt now. Yes the Phillies lack overall starting pitching depth but who doesn’t. Does Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels sound any different than adding Lee and subtracting Oswalt? On top of that the Phillies signed Joe Blanton in the off-season to roughly 8M a year for three to now be No.4 starter!? Your thoughts welcome.

The GUARANTEED Plays are 4-0 the last two days with Winner on the Chicago White Sox last night and we’ll look to follow that up with an underdog in the right situation. This dog fits a 76.9 percent winning spot and the favorite only has won 33 percent of the time when in today’s exact situation.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against road underdogs with a money line of +100 to +150 like Baltimore, with a sickly bullpen that blows 38 percent or more of their save opportunities, with a ice-cold starting pitcher with WHIP of 2.250 or higher over his last three starts. This system is very profitable 36-7, 83.7 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Seattle is 11-29 against the money line vs. an AL team with an on-base percentage .330 or worse this season.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Sal has hit a good stretch with 7-2 record and has the Chicago White Sox in the driver’s seat tonight.

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Totals System totally contrarian in SoCal

There isn’t a person alive that participates in sports betting, be it a regular individual, wise guy, handicapper or the person on the other side of the counter taking the money that doesn’t love believing they have information that is different than most everyone else that can lead to winning sports wager.

This info is contrarian to your typical mainstream material and if you are convinced this places you in advantageous position to cash a winning ticket like few others will, you become more smug than a British Petroleum executive.

Out in Southern California, in the later stages of the afternoon, a very reliable total system will be put to the test when San Diego (59-40, +22.8 units) and Los Angeles (54-47, -2.3) play in a key NL West showdown.

The Dodgers have won five of seven with an offense that can aptly be described as offensive. In L.A.’s last seven trips to the ballpark, they have touched home plate a grand total of 12 times, that is 1.7 times per contest for those lacking a calculator. However, in their five victories the Dodgers pitching staff has four shutouts and permitted two runs in the other contest.

With Manny Ramirez on the DL for a third time, the Los Angeles front office did something to bolster the offense, trading for outfielder Scott Podsednik from Kansas City, who is batting .310 and can still run, having 30 stolen bases. L.A. needs something having one or zero runs on the scoreboard 23 times this season.

The Dodgers lost 6-1 last night to San Diego and trail the Padres by seven games in the loss column. San Diego is no fluke with August just around the corner. The Padres have the best record in the National League and also have the largest run differential in the senior circuit at +94.

Mat Latos (11-4, 2.48 ERA) looks to continue his exceptional pitching streak that has him winning six in a row (The Padres have won his last seven starts) and he has a Major League best 0.80 ERA since June 22.

His mound opponent is Vincente Padilla (4-3, 3.41), whose been nearly as good with 1.04 ERA in his last five outings, with 3-1 record.

Online sports betting outlets have this contest at Un6.5 and if ever a game looked like an Under, this would be it except for this baseball system.

Play OVER on road teams against the total, after scoring one or less runs in a loss to a division rival; with a hot starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.000 or less over his last five starts.
The logic behind this system is simple, the motivated visitor is expected to be extra focused off a loss to division opponent and in this case, the Dodgers could win the series and pick up ground on San Diego. It might be the year of the pitcher, yet historically in this spot, the road hurler has faltered and he and his team have allowed 5.8 runs per game. Over the past five years this total system is distinguished 37-13.

The average total score of these matchups has been 10.7 runs per game, which is 2.3 more runs than the typical line. No doubt these are two teams built for pitching, playing in a ballpark that yields runs sparingly. Could this be another 1-0 game, sure it could based on current form of the two starting pitchers.

Nevertheless, this system provokes a different kind of thinking and a 4-3 or 5-3 contest can certainly not be ruled out. Take some time to study this confrontation and determine if you are a contrarian thinker.

Making it happen on Wednesday

Perfection accomplished with 3-0 Tuesday, let’s try and improve on 131-70 record today. We’ll start with a hot MLB bettor in Mike who is raking in the money and offers his top play for Free. The Top Trend is once again reverse perfect and the Best System is sensational 84.8 percent. Good Luck

What I letting you know today – From Elias Sports: Cliff Lee registered 13 strike outs without allowing a walk in nine innings of work in the Rangers extra-inning win over the A's on Tuesday night. Only one other pitcher in Texas' franchise history has struck out 13+ batters without issuing a walk in the same game. Nolan Ryan did that twice in a Rangers uniform, first on September 30, 1989 against the Angels (13 Ks) and then again on August 17, 1990 (15 Ks).
Lee has now pitched at least eight innings in each of his last eight starts. That is the longest such streak in a single season since Pat Hentgen hurled at least eight innings in 12 consecutive starts in 1996.

The GUARANTEED Plays were a perfect 3-0 yesterday and on Wednesday we have a team in 100 percent situation and the opposing team has failed to respond after previous night’s given result 19 out of 22 times. Smells like “Teen Spirit” and another Guaranteed Winner, grab it today!

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play On home favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 like Texas, who average 4.7 to 5.2 runs a game against a good AL starter with ERA 4.20 or less, after a combined score of four runs or less. Hitting the way back button to 1997, this MLB system is 39-7, 84.8 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Pittsburgh is 0-12 in road games with a hot bullpen whose ERA is under 3.00 the last 10 games this season.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Mike of the Left Coast Connection is +21.3 units the last eight days and has the Metamucils as Best Bet.

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3DW Line Moves – Crucial Betting Info

For the most part, online sports bettors are in agreement with money line numbers oddsmakers placed on the 15 games on the baseball board. However, there is greater division in thought about how the Totals should play out and I’ll examine those three contests along with money line adjustments.

Atlanta at Washington 7:05 EDT

After registering 6.4 runs in the past five games, Atlanta was all geared to see Stephen Strasburg of Washington. With S-squared a late scratch, Braves’ hitters must have been disappointed and tallied only five hits in 3-0 shutout last night. This evening it is a pair of veteran pitchers on the hill with Tim Hudson (10-5, 2.47 ERA) squaring off against Livan Hernandez (7-6, 3.12). The total opened at 8 and has since fallen to 7.5, with solid provocation. Hudson is 9-1 with a 1.51 ERA in 15 career starts against the Nationals and Hernandez is 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA in his last four matchups with Braves. With Atlanta 13-4 UNDER vs. NL teams scoring 4.3 or less runs a game and the Nats 10-1 UNDER after a contest with a combined score of four runs or less this season, the direction of the money appears accurate. Review SBGGlobal.com for all your baseball options.

Arizona at Philadelphia 7:05 EDT

The Phillies offense is crackling like expected, impressing those betting on sports with 6 runs per game during six-game winning streak. Roy Halladay (11-8, 2.28) will attempt to do his part in limiting the Arizona offense and the right-hander has permitted one or less runs in four of his last six starts. The Philadelphia hitters will look to dial in on the tosses of Edwin Jackson (6-9, 5.01), who has 6.85 ERA since throwing no-hitter on June 25. The total has headed downward for this NL conflict, starting at 8 and now at 7.5. Halladay could be expected to limit the D-Backs offensive output and is 19-8 UNDER vs. teams whose hitters strike out seven or more times a game over the last two seasons. (Team's Record) However, Jackson is very hittable and the Snakes bullpen ERA has 7.81 on the road and the club is 13-5 OVER after four or more consecutive losses this year. Not certain if the total is going the right way.

St. Louis at N.Y. Mets 7:10 EDT

In theory, the Mets were a sound underdog play on Tuesday, playing well at home against a Cardinals club that has failed in the road greys. New York won 8-2, raising home record to 31-16 (+12.8 units) and St. Louis fell to 21-29 (-6.6) as visitors. A matchup of left-handers has left sports bettors feeling more comfortable with the Metropolitans chances in Game 2 of the series. New York was a -119 ML choice at daybreak and has since jumped to -130 or higher. The Mets are 8-0 in home contests after batting .240 or worse over a 15-game span this campaign. While Jaime Garcia (9-4, 2.21) is having a brilliant rookie season, with the second lowest ERA among starting pitchers in baseball, Johan Santana (8-5, 2.79) is 50-16 after walking one or fewer hitters in each of his last two outings during his career. (Team's Record)

Baltimore at Toronto 7:05 EDT

Not sure what to make of this total sinking southward. This AL affair opened at 9.5 and has since gone to 9, which sort of made sense when Shawn Marcum was the scheduled starting pitcher for Toronto. The Blue Jays made a change to Brad Mills (7-4, 4.13 ERA in 16 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas), giving him his third Major League start and first of 2010. If you forget about the pitching switch, the Blue Jays are still 11-2 OVER at the Rogers Center vs. AL clubs scoring 4.7 or less runs game in the second half of the season since last year. Baltimore was again hammered 8-2 by Toronto and is 25-14 UNDER after scoring two runs or less and even with Jeremy Guthrie (4-10, 4.46) pitching better lately, the Orioles are 2-8 on the road with the lefty starter, who sports a 5.01 ERA in road uniform. Guthrie however, is 20-8 UNDER when the total is 9 to 9.5 since last year with average score 7.4 total runs.

L.A. Dodgers at San Diego 10:05 EDT

It’s unusual to say the least a team would win five of six while scoring a grand total of 11 runs, yet that is precisely what the Dodgers have done in pulling to within six games in the loss column of San Diego. Linemakers had the team from L.A. as +114 underdogs, but sports betting online fans have preferred the pedigree of the Dodgers and they now sit +100 pooches. Los Angeles is a stellar 26-8 after batting .240 or worse over a 10-game span and thought provoking 15-1 after five straight times where they had less than 10 hits. With Hiroki Kuroda (8-8, 3.48) in better form than Clayton Richard (7.13 ERA in four July starts), the visitor might well be the right play.

3DW Bonus Info

Money Line Nugget
Seattle is 4-23 against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more since 2008.

Totals Nugget
Florida is 14-2 UNDER as a road underdog of +100 to +150 this season, with average total score of 6.9 RPG.

Run Line Nugget
Arizona is 0-11 against the run line in road games vs. good fielding teams, averaging 0.6 or fewer errors a game in 2010, losing by alarming 5.3 RPG.

Tuesday's Top Tips

A very rare losing day leaves us at still highly profitable 128-70, 64.6 percent heading into Tuesday. Once again we have a perfect Top Trend, just in reverse. The Best System is in the AL and is sensational 42-7. Good Luck

What I letting you know today – With the aging bodies (and mouths) of Chad (85) Johnson and Terrell (call me T.O. please somebody) Owens slowing sinking into the sunset, it would have been nice to have more Larry Fitzgerald’s, but alas, our next NFL wide receiver whack-job is showing up.

Dez (the porter) Bryant refused to carry the pads of Cowboys veteran receiver Roy Williams. Obviously believing he is above such hazing that has gone on since there was a NFL or long before Bryant’s self importance emerged. Of course this has to do with respect and Bryant feels he is above such demeaning tasks, which comes after being suspended at Oklahoma State.

In life, we all hate to have to do certain things, but to be paid millions of dollars to play football and have to occasionally swallow pride for six weeks, yea I can get over.

I really wish the Cowboys players could go old-school and strip Bryant down to jock and tie him to goalpost all tarred and feathered. Now that would be SWEET!

The GUARANTEED Play has underdog that losses almost 70 percent of the time against a certain type of pitcher and place them in the role of spoiler, recently they’ve come up short 80 percent of the time. Need ONE GUARANTEED WINNER tonight, you can stop right here and pick it up.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher like Kansas City, being outscored by opponents by 0.5 or more runs a game on the season, after allowing 15 runs or more. This system earns those that are into sports betting, cash 85.7 percent of the time with 42-7 record.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Oakland A’s are 0-14 in road games vs. an AL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.100 or better over the last three seasons.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Mike of the LCC is up +19.7 real units the last week and has Minnesota on the money line tonight.

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What would make Kansas City a good bet?

It’s been awhile since the Royals were a good team, not great, just average. The highlight of the last several seasons was a strong 18-8 finish in September of 2008, which led to 75-87 record and hope for the following season. That lasted just over a month (18-11 on May 7, 2009), before Kansas City took their rightful place in the cellar of the AL Central for the sixth time in seven years.

Will the Royals EVER be good again like the George Brett days or is this franchise doomed to be Pittsburgh of the American League?

It’s hard to find much good to say about K.C. given their more recent history. The last manager to have a winning record was Hal McRae at 286-277 from 1991 to 1994 before he was jettisoned. In his place has been a parade of eight skippers, including the last flavor Ned Yost, who was run out of Milwaukee in the heat of a pennant race in 2008.

From a wagering point of view, Kansas City isn’t all that bad at 42-57, -1.9 units. Nonetheless, they are only one of four American League teams with a losing home record in 2010 at 20-26 (-5.9 units).

Decked out in my general manager’s attire, the Royals do offer positives. Kauffman Stadium is an older park that stood the test of time beautifully and the renovations have been trumpeted throughout baseball.

The casual and even fairly serious baseball fan might not know Kansas City has and continues to lead the American League in batting with .280 average. Why than do the Royals rank 10th in runs scored (4.3) per game, no boppers. K.C. is 12th in home runs in the AL with 66, which means despite having 117 more base hits than Toronto on the season, they have touched home 37 fewer times than the Blue Jays, who lead the Major’s in long balls with 152.

A big blow to the franchise has been the lack of development of Alex Gordon. Once thought to be a cornerstone, Gordon has never really hit, been injury-prone and his third base defense has led to him being made into an outfielder. At 26, Gordon is no longer a prospect and needs to blossom immediately to hold any value.

Jose Guillen, Billy Butler and David DeJesus are all above average players; however they are complementary types, not building blocks towards division contention.

The overly sensitive Kansas City front office (how dare anyone criticize us, it takes time to rebuild) likes its minor league studs like third base prospect Mike Moustakas, first baseman Eric Hosmer and catcher Wil Myers, yet none are really thought to be ready at least until 2012 for full-time duty.

Personally, I believe it would be a huge mistake to trade Zack Grienke (6-10, 4.01 ERA) since every team, no matter how bad they might be, has to have a pitcher the rest of the players trust in which they truly believe they have a significant chance to win every five days. The rest of the of the starting staff looks very much like a collection of No. 4 or No. 5, which makes winning at best a 50-50 bet , particularly with second-rate relievers beyond closer Joakim Soria (0-2, 2.25, 27 saves).

Last night Kansas City was beaten into submission, losing 19-1 to Minnesota and the task for this evening doesn’t get a whole lot easier facing Carl Pavano (12-6, 3.26 ERA). The right-hander is 7-0 with a 2.40 ERA in nine starts and the former fragile Yankee hurler has four complete games in last seven outings (including previous two). Pavano has been in the AL Central the last two years and he is 22-10 against division opponents over the last two seasons. (Team's Record)

The Royals are +140 underdogs at online sportsbooks and ridiculously bad 48-108 against the money line in home games vs. an AL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better. K.C. has lost eight of last 10 as dogs and is 1-7 versus right-hand pitchers. Bruce Chen (5-4, 4.38) tries to avoid a third straight loss taking the ball for his club, but is 1-6 as a Game 2 starter.

Kansas City might have great eating barbeque joints and the future of the Royals might be bright, yet the present is dimmer than a two year old energy saving light bulb.

Positive Mojo Monday

Another 2-1 takes our record to outstanding 127-68 in past 195 baseball plays! Today we have Run Line system that is 46-4 and perfect this season. The Top Trend is flat-out perfect and Mr. Buck joins us with his Best Free Play. Good Luck

What I letting you know today – From Elias Sports: Sean O'Sullivan was the Royals starting pitcher at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, after starting there for the Angels on Tuesday. O'Sullivan became the first pitcher to start for different teams against the same opponent within a six-day span since Cory Lidle did it versus Colorado in 2004 for the Reds (Aug. 8) and Phillies (Aug. 12). O'Sullivan is the only pitcher ever to start against the Yankees for two different teams during one homestand.

The GUARANTEED Play promised an easy winner yesterday and Milwaukee delivered 8-3 over Washington. Today we expect a similar outcome, as we have a pitcher in a 100 percent situation that is Guaranteed to deliver tonight.

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Free Baseball System -1) Play On all underdogs against a 1.5 run line like Seattle, (Money Line =-190 to -135) with a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse on the season, with a sterling starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.100 or less over his last 10 games. This RL system is special at 46-4, 92 percent since 2006. (9-0 this year)

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Toronto Blue Jays are 16-0 vs. AL teams scoring 3.7 or less runs a game in the second half of the season since 1997.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Paul Buck has corralled seven winners in nine MLB plays and likes the Reds to rout Milwaukee.

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San Francisco Giants have bettor’s attention

Yesterday went to take in Tim Lincecum and the rest of his teammates in the black and orange hats and see if this reporter could figure out why they are playing such good baseball. Having struck out and walked more than enough batters in my youth, I always appreciate outstanding pitchers and try to make it point to see as many as possible when they come to town.

It just so happens the San Francisco Giants (56-43, +7.7 units) are racking up profits faster than Major League teams selling $10 beers, winning 16 of last 20 and collecting +13.35 units of profit, moving into second place in the NL West, trailing San Diego by four games in the loss column.

What is most noticeable about the Giants of course is their pitching, the starters in particular. Lincecum didn’t begin the game with his best stuff, unable to command his curveball and Arizona batters were sitting on his fastball and tallied two runs in the second inning. However, as the game wore on, the long-haired competitive right-hander settled into a groove and never permitted another run over the final six innings of work.

This giant streak has seen Giants pitchers allow only 2.5 runs per game, which gives the offense a chance in every contest even if they don’t score many runs early on. This type of pitching has brought about something that hasn’t happened in nearly a century of Giants baseball. Among their last 15 victories is a pair of four-game sweeps (at Milwaukee and at Arizona). The last time this franchise accomplished this feat was 1912, 98 years ago. (OMG)

Another factor is this San Francisco team has been averaging 5.8 runs per game compared to 4.4 for the season (10th in the NL). Aubrey Huff is batting over .300 and is their leading home run hitter with 19. Pablo Sandoval is starting to hit despite personal issues. If you haven’t seen catcher Buster Posey swing the bat, he looks every bit as good as his .371 batting average. His 18-game hit streak (he’s hitting .472 in this stretch) is the second-longest for a rookie in Giants history, passing one Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda and chasing another in Willie McCovey, whose streak stands at 22 games. With six more games to play this week, Posey could also break the team record for runs batted in for a rookie of 24 set by Jim Ray Hart in 1964 having 23 this July.

After their 6-1 road excursion, San Francisco opens up homestand with Florida (49-49, -0.1) tonight. Manager Bruce Boche hands the ball to Barry Zito (8-5, 3.45 ERA) who has had a career resurgence to help the Giants this season and they are a combined 21-13 (+11.3 Units) against the money line after a win the last three seasons. Sportbet.com has the San Fran as -140 ML favorites and the 2002 AL Cy Young winner and his club are 11-4 against NL East squads. The left-hander is 5-0 with a 2.15 ERA vs. the Marlins.

Florida arrives in the Bay Area playing very well with seven triumphs in last nine outings and they are 20-11 as underdogs with Ricky Nolasco (10-7, 4.50) the starting pitcher. Nevertheless, it is difficult to discount the way the Giants are playing and they are 37-17 as a home favorite of -125 to -150 since 2008. The Fish on the other hand are 6-18 vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better this season.

Until further notice, it’s awfully hard not to back San Francisco with reasonable money lines.

Sunday's Starting Lineup

A little late inning luck gave us a 2-1 day, raising our record to 125-67, 65.1 percent. We start with a solid MLB system that is 48-11 in a NL encounter. The Top Trend offers two awesome situations from the same contest. Good Luck

What I letting you know today – I heard the Dodgers left-handed reliever Hong-Chih Kuo is perfect 34-0 against lefty swingers this season. That right, they are betting .000 against him.

Going to go watch Tim Lincecum pitch today which should be great fun and before the game going to Alice Cooper’s restaurant to try the “Big Unit” hot dog that is 22 inches long, as seen on Man vs. Food. Of course I'm sharing with a pal.

If you wonder what is wrong with Ubaldo Jimenez, he is getting his elbow under and out ahead of his wrist, which is causing him to throw wild and high with his pitches.

The GUARANTEED Play finds one team playing into 6-34 situation, making them a 85 percent Play Against team. Come join me today and let's grab this EASY Winner.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175 like the Snakes, with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.00 or better on the season, against opponent with a NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 to 1.350 on the season. Betting against Arizona today gives you 81.4 percent chance of winning. (48-11)

Free Baseball Trend -2) The N.Y. Mets are 1-10 in road games vs. a NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better and the L.A. Dodgers are 13-1 after five straight games where they had less than 10 hits.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Kendall has four straight winners and has Cincinnati to ground Houston.

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2010 CONFERENCE USA FOOTBALL PREVIEW

2010 CONFERENCE USA FOOTBALL PREVIEW

By Marc Lawrence of Playbook.com

‘Welcome Back’ is the theme in 2010 in the C-USA. Its 2009 Most Valuable Player (Houston QB Case Keenum), its 2009 Defensive Player of the Year (UCF DE Bruce Miller) and its 2009 Special Teams Player of the Year (East Carolina WR/KR Dwayne Harris), all seniors, are back,

In addition, former Memphis RB Larry Porter and former ECU DB Ruffin McNeill each return to their alma maters as new head coaches in 2010.

This up and coming loop has sent six teams to post-season in four of the past five seasons, while going 10-6 SU and 12-4 ATS against .666 or greater opposition in those games.

Southern Miss takes an eight-year bowl skein into this campaign.

SMU was the most-improved team in the FBS during the 2009 season. The Mustangs won seven more games last year than they did in 2008.

In closing, remember this about this never-say-die conference: since its inception, CUSA underdogs are 21-13 ATS in non-conference battles in which both teams are undefeated, including 17-8 ATS as a dog of seven or more points.

It’s like John Sebastian once said, “Yeah we tease him a lot cause we've hot him on the spot, welcome back,
welcome back, welcome back…

Note: Team writeups excerpted from the 2010 PLAYBOOK Football Preview magazine. Numbers following team name represent the amount of returning starters on offense and defense, with an asterisk (*) designating a returning quarterback. Designated ‘Play On’ and ‘Play Against’ Best Bets follow each team’s preview.

East Division

ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM – 8 / 9
TEAM THEME: BLAZING INFERNO
The Blazers have improved each year under HC Neil Callaway but the Birmingham brigade is clamoring for the 4th-year HC to bring home UAB’s first winning season (and bowl appearance) since 2004. It appears Callaway is starting to buckle under the pressure and is looking for the quick fix as he signed a nation-high 12 junior-college transfers. “We got a good mixture of people at every position,’ said Callaway. “I really think we helped ourselves at every spot and with the number of JC guys that we’ve signed, I think we got some immediate help.” Help is on the way in the form of nine returning starters for a defense that slipped a titch in 2009. The 22nd-ranked offense, which was boosted by the return of the entire unit last year, should once again be productive with the return of eight starters – though Callaway will have to replace versatile QB Joe Webb. The heat is on.
PLAY ON: as dog vs. East Carolina (11/13)

CENTRAL FLORIDA – 8 / 7
TEAM THEME: ODD OCCURRENCE
George O’Leary may want to turn the calendar ahead – say a year from now. The 7th-year HC has had terrific success in odd numbered years (26-14, three bowl appearances) while the even-numbered seasons have been brutal (8-27, zero bowls). If 2010 is going to show any promise, it will start with a rush defense that was tops in Conference USA and No. 4 nationally. C-USA defensive player of the year, Bruce Miller, returns for his senior season. The All-America candidate leads all active players nationally with 27 sacks and 44 tackles for a loss. Offensively, junior RB Byrnn Harvey (1,109 rushing yards, 14 TD’s) spearheads the Knights attack. Harvey actually had more yards in his sophomore season than highly-touted Kevin Smith had in his second year with the Knights. ‘Even’ though the calendar says 2010, the Knights ‘oddly’ enough should be competitive.
PLAY AGAINST: vs. UAB (10/6)

EAST CAROLINA – 5 / 2
TEAM THEME: ‘RUFFIN IT’
After escalating the ECU program to new heights, Skip Holtz couldn’t say no to a multi-million dollar offer from South Florida – his reward for putting the Pirates on the map. Enter former ECU defensive back and assistant, Ruffin McNeill. College football’s 13th minority head coach inherits a defense that led the nation in red-zone scoring defense (71.6%) and one that enjoyed the squad’s highest take-away total (34) since 1996. It may be awhile before Greenville sees those numbers again as McNeil also inherits a stop unit that returns just two starters and no linemen. While Holtz had the luxury of 52 returning letterman and 16 returning starters in 2009, Ruffin won’t enjoy the same – just 43 returnees and 7 total starters back for 2010. Early stops at Blacksburg and Chapel Hill will have us jumping ship before this voyage gets set for its September sail.
PLAY ON: vs. SMU (11/26)

MARSHALL – *7 / 7
TEAM THEME: THE DOCTOR IS IN
A native of Hurricane, WV and widely regarded as one of the country’s best recruiters, John ‘Doc’ Holliday brings an impressive resumé to Huntington. An associate head coach at West Virginia and Florida, Holliday will need to operate with the skill of a surgeon in order to escape the wrath of a brutal season-opening schedule that is laced with seven consecutive bowl teams – who combined for a 60-33 record. Fourteen returning starters, including a pair of QB’s that have started 24 games the past two seasons, should help in the procedure. So should a home field that has seen the Herd post a 118-19 record at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Need some bar bet material? That .866 win percentage is No. 1 all-time in Division 1 football as Alabama (.825) and Bear Bryant Stadium rank a distant second. Holliday will like those house calls.
PLAY ON: vs. East Carolina (10/23)

MEMPHIS – 7 / 7
TEAM THEME: PORTER HOUSE
When Tommy West was pink-slipped in early November last season, he held a fiery press conference saying, “This is not a good day at the office. We’ve got to help this football program… or do away with it.” Help is on the way in the form of new coach Larry Porter, former MSU running back and most recently RB coach and chief recruiter at LSU. Asking every player to ‘Invest in the Helmet’, Porter contends all positions are open. Porter’s first priority will be patching up a defense that was over 100 YPG worse last season than in 2008.With only one QB on the roster that has taken a collegiate snap and rail-thin at WR where the top two receivers in school history are gone, it may be a while before dividends from his recruiting efforts are realized. Porter and the Tigers look to be raw in 2010.
PASS

SOUTHERN MISS – *4 / 9
TEAM THEME: HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS
We’re not quite ready to give another tip of the hat to Larry Fedora but the third-year head coach has kept one important Southern Miss tradition going – winning. Thanks to a season-ending five-game win streak in 2008 and season-opening hat trick in 2009, the Golden Eagles have recorded 16 straight winning campaigns… albeit, by the skin of their teeth. But 2009 saw the both sides of the ball take a slight step backwards. Nine returning starters should help the stop unit turn it around but improving an offense that loses record-setting RB Damion Fletcher and four offensive linemen will be Fedora’s main concern. The good news is there is plenty of experience at the QB position with the expected return of Austin Davis, who sat out most of last season after tearing a ligament in his foot. ‘Favre’ be it for us to say, but something could be amiss in Hattiesburg this season.
PLAY ON: vs. UAB (10/30)

West Division

HOUSTON – *9 / 7
TEAM THEME: A ‘CASE’ FOR THE HEISMAN
QB Case Keenum and his supporting cast are back and the Cougars are billing him as a legitimate Heisman candidate. And why not? His numbers speak for themselves as he is on the cusp of breaking every NCAA total offense and passing mark. With his top three wideouts all back (each with 85 or more catches), Keenum will likely become the first QB in college football history to throw for 5,000 yards three years in succession. How good has this offense been, you ask? Over the past two seasons, the Cougars have been held to under 28 points just three times while ringing up 40 or more points on 16 occasions! A couple of disappointing season-ending losses, including a throttling by Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl, should have Keenum and company on the offensive early – and quite often.
PLAY ON: vs. Central Florida (11/5)

RICE – 9 / 9
TEAM THEME: BABY OWLS
The biggest collapse of all FBS programs in 2009 (from 10-3 to 2-10) resulted in a major overhaul to David Bailiff’s coaching staff. In Bailiff’s defense (or lack of one last year), 75 starts were lost to injuries. As a result, 14 starters on the 2009 squad were either freshmen or sophomores on the two-deep roster, matching Louisiana Tech for the youngest starting lineup in the nation. In fact, 22 Owls made their first collegiate start last year. The owlets started to show a little maturity late in the season with a pair of home wins over Tulane and UTEP. The good news is 18 starters who experienced those victories are back. The bad news is they may have to wait an extra week as their 2010 opener finds them playing Texas. That may not be so bad because, like last year, there’s only one way to go – and that’s up!
PLAY ON: as dog vs. SMU (10/2) – *KEY

SMU – *8 / 7
TEAM THEME: PAROLED
Apparently there IS life after death. 2009 saw the Mustangs go bowling for the first time since 1984, two years prior to their infamous ‘death sentence.’ It didn’t take long for June Jones to put his stamp on the program as both the offense and defense took huge strides. After being outscored 458-202 in 2008, the Mustangs got the better of the opposition in 2009 by a 380-359 count – a 277-point turnaround! No wonder they improved a nation’s-best seven games last season. They were also the only team in the country to outgain Houston during the regular season and hold Nevada’s potent rushing attack to over 200 yards below their season average. All this, with the 4th youngest team in the nation as 29 off 44 players on the two-deep roster were either freshmen or sophomores. With a target squarely on their backs, can the Mustangs once again live to tell about it?
PLAY AGAINST: vs. UTEP (11/6)

TEXAS EL PASO – *7 / 4
TEAM THEME: DASHING AND DARING
It’s been five years since HC Mike Price has brought a winner to West Texas but there’s a lot to fall in love with in El Paso this year – and it’s not a Mexican girl. QB Trevor Vittatoe, who broke UTEP passing records with three 3,000-yard passing seasons, is back. So is RB Donald Buckram (1,594 rushing yards) – one of only two backs (Toby Gerhart) to rush for 200-plus yards in three separate contests last season. “I think he’ll be even better this year. He’s bigger. He could be 200 pounds by the time the season starts,” gushes Price of Buckram. Eight all-conference honorees also return to El Paso in 2010. The schedule lends support to a big year, as well, as the Miners face only one team in the first eight games that sported a winning record in 2009. If Price can figure out a way to win the close ones (lost five games by a TD or less), then this season could be as “wild as the West Texas wind.”
PLAY ON: as dog vs. UAB (10/16)

TULANE – *7 / 4
TEAM THEME: TOLEDO, TOO LATE
After three seasons and a 9-27 record, Bob Toledo has learned that coaching in New Orleans is not so easy. That is, if you’re the head man at Tulane. With the loss of leading rusher Andre Anderson, another big losing campaign is likely and it’s doubtful Toledo will be back to man the Green Wave sidelines for his wooden anniversary. While there are no ball carriers with any significant experience on the roster, QB Ryan Griffin is back after starting the final six games and putting up solid numbers (1,143 yards, 8 TD’s) as a freshman in 2009. Toledo will have to improve on a 1-7 conference mark in each of the last two seasons if he has any chance of staying Green. A four-game home stand late in the year may help his cause but the feeling here is it will be too little, too late. Wave goodbye, Bob.
PLAY ON: vs. Army (10/9)

TULSA – *9 / 5
TEAM THEME: MISSION: REVENGE
A 5-7 campaign, on the heels of four straight winning seasons in which they averaged 9.5 wins a year, makes the Hurricane a certified ‘Mission Team’ in 2010. The mission will be to rejuvenate an offense that dropped 160 YPG and 18 PPG. The mission leader is QB G.J. Kinne who passed for 2,732 yards and 22 TD’s, while also leading the team in rushing yards (393 yards) and TD’s (5). Kinne is the only player in school history to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards in the same game. WR/KR Damaris Johnson, the nation’s 2009 leader in all-purpose yards with a 224 YPG, looks to make another statement in 2010. Three of the top five tacklers return to a defense that actually improved in points against but slipped in total yards allowed. Despite a road schedule that includes four winning teams and Notre Dame, a soft home schedule makes this mission entirely possible.
PLAY ON: vs. Southern Miss (11/27) – *Key as dog