LayingDaMoney
10-01-2004, 08:26 AM
Off to a good start so far as I'm 2-0 this week with a 14-14 YTD record. Here's the preview and pick for tonight's game:
Utah has everything going its way so far this year as they are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS. They are also 2-0 SU and ATS on the road this year. They have a good young QB that can run and throw the ball very well. Their offense can explode at anytime, as they're averaging 40.3ppg thus far. They are very balanced though putting up 213yd per game on the ground and 256yd per game thru the air. Personally, the one stat that sticks out to me is Utah’s red zone offense. The Utes have scored 19 of 20 (95%) times inside the 20-yard line, including 18 touchdowns. That in itself tells you that they're a very good coached team, very disciplined. On the other hand, NM has some problems as their leading rusher has been injured and is listed as questionable tonight. From everything that I've heard, if he plays he will not get the majority of the workload as that will go to the backup, DD Cox. Unfortunately, New Mexico’s offense relies heavily on the run. The club is averaging 181 yards on the ground, opposed to 132 YPG through the air. The Lobos’ air attack has been horrible this season and is directly attributed to quarterback Kole McKamey. The sophomore has completed 48.7 percent of his passes on the season for 491 yards. Also, the signal caller has four picks to only two touchdowns. If things couldn’t get worse, they did. New Mexico’s top receiver Hank Baskett (20 receptions, 304 yards) injured his ankle last Saturday and has been hobbling all week. Defensively, coach Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 defensive schemes continue to be successful. The Lobos lead the MWC in scoring (16.2 PPG), rushing (66 YPG) and total defense (322 YPG). The Lobos should’ve gotten the shut out last week, but the Aggies drilled a late field goal. The team continues to shut down the run, but has been suspect to the pass. NM's pass defense is ranked 99th in the nation, giving up 256yd's per game. However, one of the biggest stats is the TO Margin in this game. Utah is 8th in TO margin, taking the ball away 10 times against its opponent this year while only committing 3 TO's. NM has already committed 10 TO's this year. If they TO the ball against Utah and give them a short field, it'll be a blowout in a hurry.
Everything points to Utah tonight in this game. They have a balanced offense going up against a weak pass defense. NM has a horrible passing offense and without their best RB they will be limited running the ball. The TO Margin is in Utah's favor plus they are looking to avenge last year's loss. NM will have to play near perfect to keep this one close. However, NM is tough at home as they are 25-15 ATS as a home dog in the last 40 games, and home dogs getting between 7 and 13.5pts are 6-2 this year in CFB. If Utah quiets the crowd early by putting up some pts, i believe they win easily. However, if they get out of the gates slow like they did against AF, it could be closer than expected.
Utah -10
GL ALL!
Utah has everything going its way so far this year as they are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS. They are also 2-0 SU and ATS on the road this year. They have a good young QB that can run and throw the ball very well. Their offense can explode at anytime, as they're averaging 40.3ppg thus far. They are very balanced though putting up 213yd per game on the ground and 256yd per game thru the air. Personally, the one stat that sticks out to me is Utah’s red zone offense. The Utes have scored 19 of 20 (95%) times inside the 20-yard line, including 18 touchdowns. That in itself tells you that they're a very good coached team, very disciplined. On the other hand, NM has some problems as their leading rusher has been injured and is listed as questionable tonight. From everything that I've heard, if he plays he will not get the majority of the workload as that will go to the backup, DD Cox. Unfortunately, New Mexico’s offense relies heavily on the run. The club is averaging 181 yards on the ground, opposed to 132 YPG through the air. The Lobos’ air attack has been horrible this season and is directly attributed to quarterback Kole McKamey. The sophomore has completed 48.7 percent of his passes on the season for 491 yards. Also, the signal caller has four picks to only two touchdowns. If things couldn’t get worse, they did. New Mexico’s top receiver Hank Baskett (20 receptions, 304 yards) injured his ankle last Saturday and has been hobbling all week. Defensively, coach Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 defensive schemes continue to be successful. The Lobos lead the MWC in scoring (16.2 PPG), rushing (66 YPG) and total defense (322 YPG). The Lobos should’ve gotten the shut out last week, but the Aggies drilled a late field goal. The team continues to shut down the run, but has been suspect to the pass. NM's pass defense is ranked 99th in the nation, giving up 256yd's per game. However, one of the biggest stats is the TO Margin in this game. Utah is 8th in TO margin, taking the ball away 10 times against its opponent this year while only committing 3 TO's. NM has already committed 10 TO's this year. If they TO the ball against Utah and give them a short field, it'll be a blowout in a hurry.
Everything points to Utah tonight in this game. They have a balanced offense going up against a weak pass defense. NM has a horrible passing offense and without their best RB they will be limited running the ball. The TO Margin is in Utah's favor plus they are looking to avenge last year's loss. NM will have to play near perfect to keep this one close. However, NM is tough at home as they are 25-15 ATS as a home dog in the last 40 games, and home dogs getting between 7 and 13.5pts are 6-2 this year in CFB. If Utah quiets the crowd early by putting up some pts, i believe they win easily. However, if they get out of the gates slow like they did against AF, it could be closer than expected.
Utah -10
GL ALL!