The USC Trojans have paid for making bad decisions, the coach is gone, players defected, and no Bowl games no matter how well they do. before you feel sorry for them, the talent abounds, and Lane Kiffin worked under Carroll for years, so he knows the territory so to speak. Hawaii has had some big offenses in the past but those days are over. Hawaii scored just 23ppg a year ago despite being a top 10 passing team. That production on the scoreboard was the lowest in over 10 years. If that wasn't bad enough, the Warriors defense allowed 30 a game, to a schedule that was not that difficult. The offense may be in worse shape this year with just 5 returnees, and 1 lineman. USC is going to tee off on this front of Hawaii's, simply because they are deeper, quicker, and much more talented. The defense, which was awful last year returns just 2 lineman. USC did not skip a beat on the recruiting trail with Kiffin keeping the boat afloat, and landed numerous 5-star recruits. This is an extremely talented roster. Watch DE Nick Perry who recorded 8 sacks in part-time duty a year ago emerge into an All-American player. USC has won their last 5 openers by a combined score of 259-51. One of those games was at Hawaii when they had Colt Brennan, and USC destroyed them 63-17. I like USC in this one.

The NFL Preaseason is strictly about coaching philosophies, QB rotaion strength, and long held blueprints left behind by past events that point to where the value is. I will be basing all my NFL-X picks on the above, and a couple other guidelines I use for these games, as everything else under normal handicapping scenerios, becomes useless in handicapping these games. I have been able to utilize the information I have to have success in the NFLX, Washington gets the call

The NFL Preaseason is strictly about coaching philosophies, QB rotaion strength, and long held blueprints left behind by past events that point to where the value is. I will be basing all my NFL-X picks on the above, and a couple other guidelines I use for these games, as everything else under normal handicapping scenerios, becomes useless in handicapping these games. I have been able to utilize the information I have to have success in the NFLX, New England gets the call

The NFL Preaseason is strictly about coaching philosophies, QB rotaion strength, and long held blueprints left behind by past events that point to where the value is. I will be basing all my NFL-X picks on the above, and a couple other guidelines I use for these games, as everything else under normal handicapping scenerios, becomes useless in handicapping these games. I have been able to utilize the information I have to have success in the NFLX, Baltimore gets the call.

The NFL Preaseason is strictly about coaching philosophies, QB rotaion strength, and long held blueprints left behind by past events that point to where the value is. I will be basing all my NFL-X picks on the above, and a couple other guidelines I use for these games, as everything else under normal handicapping scenerios, becomes useless in handicapping these games. I have been able to utilize the information I have to have success in the NFLX, Miami gets the call.

The Tigers road woes have driven them back in the AL Central race for the top. The Tigers stand at a woeful 22-44 on the road, and not many playoff teams win 1 of 3 on the road. Justin Verlander is part of the problem as he pitches to a 2.63 ERA at home, as compared to his less than ordinary 4.53 mark on the road. Veralnder's last 9 starts on the road have resulted in just 2 Tiger wins. Minnesota has been cooking at home once again at 41-22, and are 12-2 in their last 14 here. Tigers just 7-20 in their last 27 posted as a dog. Twins taking down righties at home to the tune of 9-1 last 10, and have won 7 straight behind Baker. Minnesota on the runline.

The Phoenix Mercury force the hands of the oddsmakers because they are a team that scores with reckless abandon, with a philosophy of we are just going to outscore you. Seattle has been much too good for that against Phoenix. The results have shown despite Phoenix's scoring prowess, big scores simply don't happen in this matchup. oddsmakers pumping the total full of Phoenix, in anticipation of the over loving bettors waiting to dig in. These teams have met 13 times over the last 3 years, and 4 of the games went into overtime, making the scores look higher than they actually were. The 13 games show they have never reached the total set in this game in any of them, without the benefit of overtime. I'll side with the under here.

The Yankees C.C. Sabathia has been an untouchable at home for the Yankees. Since Jily 2md of last year Sabathia is 15-0 at the Stadium, and has pitched to a 1.93 ERA in the 15 games. Dallas Braden is a hot pitcher right now allowing just 5 runs total in his last 4 starts, while pitching to an ERA of 1.45. Braden has pitched the A's to a 36-16 under mark in his last 52 starts on grass. The runs will be at a premium in this one and I will side with this one staying under the posted total.

Iowa St. should be a very good offensive team this year with 8 returning starters back and 4 offensive lineman. They have a quality QB in Austen Arnaud, that also runs very well, and a prolific running back in Alexander Robinson, who rushed for nearly 1,200 yards a year agoat over 5 ypc. He should be better with most of his offensive line in tact, and the return of QB Armaud who can throw and run. Northern Illinois is going to be in the thick of things in the Mid American Conference. They also have a top rated back in Chad Span who rushed for nearly 6tpc a year ago, and scored 19 TD's. Iowa St. has a great special teams unit which could score here, but I like the fact these teams have quality backs, which usually keeps the FG kicker off the field and the ball in the endzone instead. I'll play over here.