Houston Bowl Pick
by Thor24 of the
Ultimatecapper Forum
TCU Vs Iowa St
TCU is coming into the game at 10- (8-3 ATS)while Iowa St. is coming in at 7-4 SU (6-4 ATS)
Strength of Schedule:
TCU # 74th
Iowa St # 50th
After the SMU loss TCU went on 9-0 SU Run whichincluded 7-2 ATS.
Iowa State was 4-1 SU and ATS over their last5 Games. After their big win vs Okl TCU Lost to SMU which mostlikely helped them get their heads back on straight.
9 straight wins with last 7 were by average of25 points.
TCU QB Ballard replaced injured Tye Gunn and is7-0 as starter with 1526 yards, a 59 % comp, 12 touchdowns and6 INTs.
RB Merrill with 802 Yards/4.6 Avg and Brown, 710Yards/Avg 6.1 lead the running attack.
Iowa St. is lead by QB Meyer with 2622 Yards,a 62% completions and 16 TDs/8 INT's and RB Hicks with 546 Yardsand a 3.9 Avg.
Iowa State is a passing team. The man to watchfor on TCU team is WR Rogers who has 48 receptions for 639 yardsand has returned 2 kickoffs for TD's this year.
Also TCU defense has been impressive leading theNCAA with 30 takeaways and 19 INTs.
TCU Forced 20 Trunovers in their last 5 Games.Possible problem is last game for TCU was 49 days ago, November12th.
Rusty vs. ready?.Has their Big Mo gotten sloweddown?.
Iowa State started conference 0-3 and become the1st Big 12 team to lose at home vs. Baylor (although improved)then won 4 straight. Iowa State had shot at Big 12 title gamebut lost to a decent Kansas team 24-21, wasting an 11 point leadand missed a FG in OT. (Year before..I think a missed FG costthem in Big 12 conference game).
Two years in a row FG kicking has hurt Iowa State.
Here is what I see...TCU is a machine when itgets going averaging 33.7 points/game and only alllowing 18.5points on defense while Iowa State can put up Points with 28.6pts/game and their defense only allowing 18.1 pts/game. (12thand 15th Ranked defense in scoring)
I just see the offense playing better than thedefenses today with total going OVER with scoring in upper 40'sto mid 50's. I also see TCU getting the win by a TD.
Iowa State has a good team, I just see TCU assomewhat of a better team in this spot.
The Pick: TCU -2 1/2
Total: Over 49
Football Time!
Good Luck to Everyone! Hammer'em!
Thor24 | 
