Big lines early.

Big lines early. BYU +21 vs. Oklahoma (played in Texas) Is this big because of the name power of Oklahoma? They have a near-new O-line, the game is at a neutral site (BYU fans will travel, thus making it not such a major home-field advantage) and BYU is simply returning many of it's key positions. Nevada +17 at Notre Dame These lines seem too big for the caliber of play out of Notre Dame and Nevada in the past few seasons. Notre Dame covered a 17 point spread in 2 of 12 regular season games last year, and Nevada covered a 17 point spread in 12 of 13. Why is this line so big? What am I missing here?

Who has these lines out right now? As for Oklahoma, to me they are a dangerous fade as a big favorite. Stoops has found the secret formula for impressing the pollsters and was obviously rewarded for it last season... Use the hurry up offense to maximize the # of plays against weaker opponents and maximize the points put up by your offense. In the 4th quarter against outmatched opponents Oklahoma can simply "run their offense" and put up style points and crush the number. If I am going to fade Oklahoma as a big favorite, it will probably only be in the first half. In the first half the dog is at least fresh and interested in keeping the game close/running clock. Once the dog starts trying to catch up in the second half, and starts giving the ball back to OU faster.. you are in trouble.

I agree 100% with you Twoniner. If you want any piece of BYU in this game, you're best off (imo) with a 1H play on the Cougars. If BYU does not cover the 1H, you are in bad shape with your +21 for the game regardless then. I do not see a great backdoor opportunity here. BYU is breaking in a new oline and features a defense that was a sieve the 2nd half of last year. As mentioned, Oklahoma will look to run it up here and their defense should wear down the BYU line as the 2nd half wears on (if not earlier). BYU could hang early with Hall having a solid arm and decent experience. I would not want to be sweating out the +21 late while Stoops is impressing pollsters.

[QUOTE=Yappy Dave;305]BYU +21 vs. Oklahoma (played in Texas) Is this big because of the name power of Oklahoma? They have a near-new O-line, the game is at a neutral site (BYU fans will travel, thus making it not such a major home-field advantage) and BYU is simply returning many of it's key positions. [/QUOTE] Good point about the Ok Oline as well. I think it further bodes well for a 1H play. BYU's dline is pretty strong. It's the secondary that is a real weakness.

I know BYU is no TCU on defense, but remember what happened when TCU and OK played early last year in Norman. OK went up 21-3, but TCU played them equally for the final 3 quarters. I do agree with your opinions on OK's first half vs. second half opportunities. I must admit I was very upset with OK leading by multiple TD's with 4 minutes to go and STILL throwing bombs down the field for TDs. This just ruins the idea of sportsmanship in the name of impressing computers who only tabulate final scores and pollsters that don't actually watch the games, but see a final score.

[QUOTE=Yappy Dave;324]I know BYU is no TCU on defense, but remember what happened when TCU and OK played early last year in Norman. OK went up 21-3, but TCU played them equally for the final 3 quarters. I do agree with your opinions on OK's first half vs. second half opportunities. I must admit I was very upset with OK leading by multiple TD's with 4 minutes to go and STILL throwing bombs down the field for TDs. This just ruins the idea of sportsmanship in the name of impressing computers who only tabulate final scores and pollsters that don't actually watch the games, but see a final score.[/QUOTE] Thinking back, I do remember that TCU game - sweated out the under in that one after the big first quarter. TCU did hang (did not cover and lost 35-10 as an 18.5 pt dog) after the initial onslaught, you are correct. I would pause before comparing the two defenses though. TCU had a defense on par with a lot of the solid BCS schools last year. Probably best in school history. TCU/Ok played week 5 too so the Ok offense was humming along already and was held to 35 pts.

I like dogs vs powers for the first half. Especially early in the season.