Game: Cal vs Miami
Schedule: Miami
Offensive Passing: Miami (Insignificant; both -)
Defensive Passing: Miami (Significant; Miami 13th)
Offensive Rushing: Cal (Significant; Cal +)
Defensive Rushing: Cal (Significant; Cal +)
Home Field lean: Cal
Game:
Cal's strength is in the running game… offensively and defensively. Cal will control the ground game and thus, control the game. It may not happen quick, but I think Cal will cover this one.
PICK: Cal - 10 (medium)
Total:
I like this one to go over as Miami will not be able to do too much on the ground and I believe will have to play from behind (throw)… adding some late "back door" pts or pts off turn overs to help out.
PICK: Over 51 (medium)
GL All!
Schedule: Central Michigan (Insignigicant; Both -)
COACHES: Florida Atlantic - Howard Schnellenberger
(Central Michigan - Butch Jones (0-1 in bowls); FAU - Howard Schnellenberger (5-0 in bowls))
Offensive Passing: Central Michigan (Insignificant; Both teams +)
Defensive Passing: Florida Atlantic (Medium significance; Both teams -) NOTE: Central Michigan 119th in yards given up/game)
Offensive Rushing: Florida Atlantic (Insignificant; Both teams -)
Defensive Rushing: Central Michigan (Medium significance; Central Michigan Avg, Florida Atlantic -)
Other factors:
Bigger, Better Talent: Insignificant
Home Field lean: Central Michigan
Motivation: Insignificant
SACKS: FAU has not given up but 12 sacks! SIGNIFICANT!!
Game:
The ball should be flying around with both teams capable of success in the air and neither very good at stopping the pass. With this much potential for passing success, I think the rushing stats are insignificant as any thing could happen for either team running the ball when both teams are expecting the pass. Central Michigan does have a slightly more difficult schedule, better record, and home field advantage. Yet, FAU finished the season out on a more positive note. I don't think that is an accident as Howard Schnellenberger is 5-0 in bowl games. With Central Michigan fully capable of shutting down FAU's running game, the biggest key could be FAU's ability to block for Rusty Smith. FAU has only given up 12 sacks all season. Considering Schnellenberger, sack prevention, and the momentum of FAU late in the season, 7pts is just too much to give.
PICK: Florida Atlantic + 7 (medium)
Total:
This game has all the marks for a shoot out. I don't think 68 is enough as these two teams could near 80. But, throw in a couple of inconvenient turnovers and 68 never hits. I am staying away from the total, but if I had to pick one, it would be the OVER.
PICK: Over (small, if at all)
GL All!