STRIKE POINT SPORTS
6-Unit Play. Take #392 Michigan State (-3.5) over Oregon (8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12)
Revenge is a dish best served with a side of Duck. Michigan State will get that revenge on Saturday night. The Spartans had an 11-point lead as a double-digit favorite in Oregon last season, and let it slip away. That won’t happen again. Playing in front of a packed house, and playing against an Oregon team that isn’t as good as they have been (but still very good), is a perfect opportunity for MSU. The Oregon Ducks gave up over 400 yards in the air to Eastern Washington last weekend, that is not good. Michigan State gave up a lot through the air as well, but they absolutely demolished the Western Michigan running game. Now I know that WM and Oregon aren’t in the same conversation when discussing rushing offenses, but this MSU rushing defense is outstanding, and they will do everything possible to slow down the Ducks. Michigan State has the ability to win this game by double-figures, and I see them doing so. Oregon struggled to slow down Eastern Washington and they will do the same thing on the road versus Michigan State. MSU wins this game 37-24 and East Lansing goes absolutely nuts late into the night. Michigan State is 4-0 ATS in their last four games versus teams with winning records and 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following an ATS loss. Lay the points on the home team in this one.
4-Unit Play. Take #348 Georgia Tech (-28.5) over Tulane (3:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12)
This Georgia Tech offense is fun to watch. The tripple-option works extremely well for the Wramblin’ Wreck and it will do so again this Saturday. GT put up nearly 70 points last weekend, and should top the 50-point mark again this weekend. Tulane is going to try and get GT to throw the football, but in order to do so they have to open up a lead and control the game, something they absolutely won’t be able to do. Duke ran for over 200 yards versus Tulane in Week 1, and that doesn’t bode well for the Green Wave defense. Georgia Tech wants to ride high going in to their matchup with Notre Dame next weekend. Typically this could be looked at as a look ahead game, but not for the Yellow Jackets. Their offense is built to not look ahead. When you are relying on a QB to throw the football and hope for proper route running teams can let down a bit, but when you just absolutely run all over people, the let down isn’t as prevelent. Lay the big number here as Georgia Tech rolls 51-13.
3-Unit Play. Take #368 Akron (+13) over Pittsburgh (6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12)
I know it is difficult to belive, but the Akron/Oklahoma game was closer than the final socreline. Akron was in that game for much of the first half, and actually had a chance to take the lead with the ball inside the Sooners redzone. Akron eventually missed a field goal on that possession and could generate much after that. The Zips defense looked good for a half, and will look even better versus a Pittsbugh team without their playing making running back. Akron did an outstanding job of slowing down the Sooners rushing attack, but struggled in the air. This won’t be the case this weekend. Look for the Akron defense to keep this squad in the game throughout and for the Zips do quite possibly win this game outright. Regardless of the winner of the game on the scoreboard, the Zips will cover this double-digit line easily.