Newsletters Week 5

Red Sheet


MICHIGAN 49 - Minnesota 10 - (7:30) -- Line opened at Michigan minus 191/2, and is still minus 191/2. Wolverines must have felt like "being on the outside, looking in" over the first month of this season, what with HC Harbaugh's suspension resulting in nothing games vs nothing foes. Well, all of that quickly ended in last week's encounter with Nebraska, which simply served as a true opening day lamb to the slaughter, vs the 2nd-ranked Wolves. And it didn't take long, as Michigan methodically slew the Cornhusker, with 14-0 edges in the 1st & 2nd quarters, leading 45-0, before Nebraska managed to avoid the shutout, with a 74-yd TD run in the last 4:17. Was that just a 1-game fiesta for Michigan, or just the start of a magical season? Well, 18 returning starters have something to say about that, & with this one against Minnesota in the "Little Brown Jug" true dedication couldn't be a higher peak, & should do it up right.
RATING: MICHIGAN 89


Central Florida 38 - KANSAS 31 - (4:00) -- Line opened at Kansas minus 3, and is now minus 2. Just a few years ago, the Knights were one of the best propositions on the board, piling up an 18-6 spread record in the '17 & '18 seasons, with an accompanying 25-1 SU log. Are always a threat to regain that spread status, & surely have had their moments, with winning SU seasons pretty much a given, as their 60-19 SU run continues, with an offense that ranks 4th, 3rd, 15th, & 19th in total, rushing, passing, & scoring in the nation. And note an enviously balanced offense (260 RYpg, 304 PYpg).. Thus, a force to be reckoned with. In this one, they take on a Jayhawk squad which has had the air taken from its balloon, in last week's drubbing vs Texas, with a 400-yd deficit, along with the fact that OklahomaSt occupies the on deck position. The bounceback factor edge is difficult to firmly peg, but the Knights seem to have been in the caldron enough times for all important psyche edge. Wrong team favored.
RATING: CENTRAL FLORIDA 89


GEORGIA 24 - Kentucky 17 - (7:00) -- Line opened at Georgia minus 141/2, and is still minus 141/2. No questioning a huge bit of anxiety in bucking the national champs. Sure, the 'Dawgs may be somewhat in the same situation as Michigan (see above), in going through the motions, before the season gets into full swing. However, Georgia is going it without QB Bennett, who was its linchpin over the past few years, & has yet to cover, while the 'Cats are weekly profiteers. UK should keep this one under the spread.
RATING: KENTUCKY 88


Washington State 41 - UCLA 34 - (3:00) -- Line opened at UCLA minus 31/2, and is still minus 31/2. Well, the Pac12 is certainly going out with a bang, as multiple weekly barnburners have ruled the day, which, for the Bruins of Ucla, seems like another day at the office. However, the Uclans came from 270 RYpg in their first 3 games, to just 9 RYs in loss to Utah. The Cougars of WashingtonSt rank 5th in both total & scoring offense, with QB Ward now at 13/0 with 1,498 PYs. And Coogs are 12-2 ATS vs the Bruins. Also note that Ucla is on a 1-6 spread run. This lives up to its reputation. We'll grab the FG spot..
RATING: WASHINGTON STATE 88


Fresno State 41 - WYOMING 24 - (8:00) -- Line opened at FresnoState minus 61/2, and is now minus 51/2. It looks as if the current state of affairs hasn't done much to move the line in this one. As we wrote earlier on Pointwise: "Cowboys couldn't shake NewMexico". For all of the factors to consider, that statement may be the most influential, as the Lobos have seemingly never been difficult to escape, just what the Bulldogs have had little trouble doing. And note that Fresno did cover its last road game by 26 points.
RATING: FRESNO STATE 88


ARIZONA CARDINALS 22 - Cincinnati 17 -- Line opened at Cincinnati minus 8 and is now minus 3. Such a huge NFL line shift is rare indeed, & just about always the result of a key injury, & they don't get much more key than Joe Burrow going at half speed. No doubt the "smart" money will buck such an amateurish reaction, but is it really "smart"? Remember, this marks the Cards' 3rd hoster of the season, with upset wins over the Giants & the Cowboys (25-pt cover) coming in the first 2. Three times the charm.
RATING: ARIZONA 88


NEAR CHOICES (Rated 87): Wake Forest, Maryland, Texas A&M -- NFL: Miami, New Orleans, & Green Bay