Saturday Part II

a couple of interesting games out there today.

i dont buy alabama as a legit threat this year, but i guess some people are. a soft schedule will definitely help saban and the tide get back this year. that said, beating western carolina and vandy does not prepare you for facing darren mcfadden and the well rested hogs coming off a 9/1 46-26 thrashing of troy. the tide will be better but they shouldnt be laying more than a fg to a good team, even at home.

ARKANSAS +3.5(***)

i know the 6th man has been hot lately and some times you just gotta tip your hat. cash it til it doesnt cash no more, as they say. with that in mind i also like the Mizzou/Western Michigan OVER. the bronco defense ranks 118th in nation in points allowed (49.5 ppg) and 108th in total defense (492 yds pg). look for chase daniel and the boys to score early and often this afternoon in front of a packed home opener.


MIZZOU/WESTERN MICHIGAN OVER 68(**)

finally, going against the birdman and my better judgement i'm going to take pitt and the points this morning. i understand wannstadt is a terrible coach, but i'm not going to completely buy into the hype that surrounded the spartans following their blowout win over uab. i think the fact that they struggled a little bit last week against bowling green shows that they might not be as good as some people think. pitt has had solid recruiting classes the last few years and it looks like it may be starting to pay off with a solid d.

PITT +12 (**)