Memphis +23 @ Arky State
Joe, I have been tempted here to make a small play on the tigers. LY State had a much better seasoned team and waxed memphis IN memphis. Gus doesn't have the fire TY, but name recog and uptempo suggestion has bettors going that way. Early season suggestion w/ duck duel may have bettors lured by past season expectations here, but in reality the ducks literally gave them the back door and were running 3rd, 4th, 5th string by game's end.
A season opener for new HC Malzahn steering an ATS covering machine LY, will all the hoopla of mardi gras fat tuesday. But Alpin cannot win this game alone, and red wolves have lost plenty, esp. on o-line.
Local reports indicate that Malzahn has "no information to go on" here in playing memphis, except their last game and last year stuff. He admits being unprepared in this situation, and struggling to find solid game plan.
I wonder if Memphis has turned the everlasting corner to at least be competitive here, and look to cover the (what appears) inflated number? A mangy mutt for sure, and no bettor in their right mind could ever back this tiger squad. But lettuce remember that ASU has not been privy to the high life for long, and generally regarded as a middle-of-the-pack team that hails from a suitcase college in jonesboro, Ark.
I don't see the spread seperation here, and malzahn (despite preface) looks and talks like he is going to keep this game close to his chest to ensure that the indians get an inaguaral home opener win to start the season. Barring major collapse from Memphis and TO margin w/in reason, has me thinking this game is MAX 21 pts. and that would be gracious.
There is major rebuild going on in Jonesboro, and the high flying covering machine of LY is sure to return to the mean (esp. in sunbelt play); but this could be an opportune time to jump on that wagon with an enormous spread, fueled by mis-perception.
Memphis travels (including soybean and cotton cutting corners), just a little over 70 minutes here to get to Hwy 1 in Jonesboro. Home field advantage is minimal, as most kids leave for their prospective map-dot home towns on the weekend.
Thx
Pick: Memphis University Tigers +21