Friday 24 October 2008

Scoreboard watching: A primer for Owl fans



By Mike Gibson
Not much to do this weekend between the downpour about to start Saturday morning at 4 and end just about World Series gametime but watch the scoreboard.
For the first time in years, there are meaningful Temple football games NOT involving Temple this weekend.
Huh?
The Owls currently rest at 1/2 game behind the leader in the Mid-American Conference Eastern Division standings.
So who to root for this weekend?
Well, the Kent State at Miami (Ohio) game has a slight importance, so you'd root for the Kent Staters there to get their first league W.
Slight, because Temple holds the all-important tie-breaker against Miami so it's no sweat if the Redhawks win this one.
The more important game is Bowling Green at Northern Illinois.
You've got to root like hell for the Huskies.
And, if you are inclined to bet, I like these games (my pick in caps):
REGULAR PICKS
NORTHWESTERN (giving 8) at Indiana _ Hoosiers got hammered by Ball State and Northwestern is very good and a good value as less than a double-digit favorite. Northwestern, 21-7.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS (giviing 7 1/2) against visiting Bowling Green _ Hey, if you are going to root for these guys anyway, root for them to cover. Huskies defense gave up only 13 at Tennessee. I'm thinking less to visiting BGSU. Huskies, 24-10.
PENN STATE (giving 2 1/2) at Ohio State _ My guess is that Tom Bradley has a defense designed to confound freshman quarterback Terrell Pryor. PSU, 31-21.
STONE COLD LOCK OF THE WEEK:
SOUTH FLORIDA (giving 4) at Louisville _ This is a gift for you by the bookies. Take it. South Florida, 25-17.
My record against the spread this season:
Regular picks: 6-1
Stone cold locks: 2-2

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