Well here we are. Week 4. I’m still ineptly trying to figure out the landscape of the Western Athletic Conference. I slept through Week 1, crapped the bed in Week 2, and woke up in time to put up semi-decent numbers in Week 3.
Last week: 4-3-1
Overall: 5-8-1
There are six games this week, and all but one are against non-conference competition, but that one conference game should be huge, as it involves a team that has only lost one conference game in the last three seasons (Boise), and a greatly improved up 'n' comer (Hawaii) challenging the juggernauts on their home smurf (turf).
(Home teams in Capital letters)
NEVADA (-6.5) over Northwestern (Friday game)
Northwestern just lost to a top tier 1-AA team New Hampshire, and Nevada just beat a fair-to-midland Colorado State squad last week. I think Nevada’s offense is finally rolling and avoiding mistakes, and Northwestern hasn’t played anyone this good yet, so a win by a touchdown or more seems reasonable.
OREGON STATE (-25) over Idaho
I think Idaho is gonna get their asses beat up pretty badly. Not that Oregon State is anything to write home about (they’re not), but Idaho is really bad, and the Beavers are probably still pissed about the shellacking they got in Boise a couple weeks ago, and, well what do you know? In comes yet another team from Idaho, here at home, and thankfully these guys suck! Yup, the woodshed awaits for Idaho coach Dennis Erickson, who used to coach the OSU beavers before he jumped to the NFL.
Louisiana Tech (+23.5) over TEXAS A&M
I just don’t think Texas A&M is gonna put that much of a whup down on LA Tech. I mean, yeah, A&M is 3-0, but who have they beat? (Answer: Nobody special.) They almost lost to Army — Army! — at home, the same Army team who started off the season losing to Arkansas State. I think the Big 12 mystique and the Aggie brand is inexplicably driving this spread out into preposterous lands, and LA Tech will keep it to at least within a couple touchdowns.
BRIGHAM YOUNG (-28.5) over Utah State
If Utah State lost to Utah 48-0, then I see no reason why BYU can’t beat them by at least 30, especially in Provo. Utah State has been outscored 106-7 this year. Their offense hasn’t scored a point. Honestly, they might be the worst 1-A program in the country right now.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
I absolutely forgot that Dennis Erickson was back in the college ranks, and I didn't know he coached Idaho to begin his career and -- uh, oh, I'm about to say it -- end it.
2 - berkeley joe
5-1 this week...
not too shabby if I do say so myself.