Saturday, September 22, 2018 Minnesota vs. Maryland (NCAAF) - 12:00 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Point Spread: 2.5/102 Minnesota Rating: 8* Mike's CFB Earlybird Dependable (LOSS) For those with short memories, it was current Minnesota HC P.J. Fleck who grabbed 1 win in 12 games in his initial season @ Western Michigan before he grabbed 8 in year 2. In his last season there, (his 4th with HIS recruits) he went 13-0 before losing to Wisconsin 24-16 in the Cotton Bowl. Now he enters season # 2 as the Golden Gophers skipper coming off a transitional 5-7 record. So how is Fleck progressing in year #2 thus far? Try he's a perfect 3-0 SU & ATS heading in. RB Bryce Williams (recently coming off a 141-yard rushing day) should get his due along with QB Zack Annexstad effectively getting the ball downfield with a seasoned offense that returns 7. On the flip side of the coin, we have those Maryland Terrapins. 3rd-year HC D. J. Durkin's (12-16 overall @ MD) offense did a no-show last week versus Temple @ Maryland Stadium where the 35-14 final was a little misleading since it was the defense who scored 2 TD's. My bottom line says that offense now takes on a stingy Minnesota "D" lead by Robb Smith (returns 7 starters on "D"/he comes over from Arkansas) who runs a very good 4-3 scheme that ranks 7th in yards allowed (yielding just 72 rushing yards pr game) AND 7th is scoring defense giving up 9 PPG. Since the Terrapins struggled to run versus Temple, expect the Golden Gophers to load the box & force Maryland to bet them through the air (tough to do if you only generated 63 passing yards playing from behind versus the Owls). The dagger for us has to be Fleck's fundamental team up against one of the sloppiest entries in the Division I that near last in penalty yards (rank 116th).Let's go to Maryland Stadium in College Park to play the MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS (buying to + 4 1/2) as my CFB Earlybird Dependable! Boston College vs. Purdue (NCAAF) - 12:00 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Point Spread: 7.0/-112 Purdue Rating: 7* Mike's CFB Live Dog Of The Week (WIN) Yes, I know BC is 3-0 SU (their opponents racked up 8 TO's) & Purdue is 0-3 SU! However, if you watched them, you'll already know their the unluckiest 0-3 since those losses were by a combined 8 points. We had them here last week when getting points versus Mizzou. Too much of a fuss is being made of the Eagles who've plastered UMass in the opener & Holy Cross as 45-point favorites. Even though HC Steve Addazio return 10 on offense, their defense (6 starters back) gave up 512 total yards to Wake Forest on a short week Thursday-Nighter in Winston-Salem. I'd rather trust HC Jeff Brohm (44-25 SU as a college coach) & his Boilers who amassed 614 total yards versus a decent SEC entry like Missouri. These 2 aren't that familiar with each other (1st meeting). Boston college plays on astro turf so they'll be on an off surface. Let's dive into some startling numbers! How does BC do versus the Big Ten as favorites? Try a perfect 0-5 in that role. My bottom line says NOT to get too cozy with the Eagles offensive output. When they're non-conference road chalk up against opponents off back-to-back losses, they're a ticket-ripping 0-8 ATS! Let's once again go to West Lafayette's Ross-Ade Stadium to play the PURDUE BOILERMAKERS (buying to + 8 1/2) as my CFB Live Dog Of The Week! NOTES: Still can't figure Minnesota out! P.J. Fleck scores a 2 on the coaching scale up against a Maryland team in turmoil & distraction. The Boilermakers may still be bowl bound even after that sluggish start. We might be on them again pending line movements this week. Stay tuned! Mike Handzelek's 2018-19 CFB Overall Seasonal Record: 7-4 for a red-hot 64%!
 

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