SBNation.com: All Posts by Charlie Wilmothhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2011-09-24T10:17:56-04:00https://www.sbnation.com/authors/charlie-wilmoth/rss2011-09-24T10:17:56-04:002011-09-24T10:17:56-04:00NFL Picks Week 3: Falcons Vs. Bucs
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<p>The Bucs haven't beaten the Falcons in years. Do they have what it takes this time?</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a> travel to Tampa Bay to face the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buccaneers</a> in an intriguing Week 3 matchup. The young Bucs will try to knock off a divisional rival that beat them twice in close games in 2010 (and beat them three more times before that). The Bucs will have home-field advantage, and Vegas <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/odds">sees these two teams</a> as being very evenly-matched.</p>
<p>Five of the Bucs' six 2010 losses came against the Falcons, <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a>, <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a> and <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Saints</a> (they beat the Saints in Week 17, but New Orleans was preparing for the playoffs then). So <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/23/3162056/nfl-preview-atlanta-1-1-at-tampa.html">the Bucs will be looking to show</a> they can beat tougher competition this year. They've lost to the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lions</a> and beaten the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vikings</a> so far this season. </p>
<p>Atlanta, meanwhile, lost badly to the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> in Week 1, but came back to beat the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Eagles</a> the following week.</p>
<p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/09/22/week3/index.html">Peter King</a> takes the Bucs by a score of 20-16, and compares Tampa Bay quarterback <span>Josh Freeman</span> to Atlanta QB Matt Ryan.</p>
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<p>It won't surprise me at all if, in 10 years, we look at the careers of the two quarterbacks in this game and say Freeman's been a better pro than Matt Ryan. And believe me, that's not meant to be a knock on Ryan. It's how strongly I feel about Freeman.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/9/23/2444234/nfl-week-3-upset-buccaneers-cowboys-jets">SB Nation's Jason Garrison</a>, meanwhile, doesn't think the Bucs will be able to pull out a win.</p>
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<p>In an effort to stop [Michael] Turner and the running game they could open things up for Roddy White and Julio Jones.</p>
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<p><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/picks;_ylt=Ak560YctD.LqB181sQyfgXZDubYF">At Yahoo!</a>, Jason Cole and Mike Silver are taking the Bucs, while Les Carpenter and Yahoo! users are picking the Falcons.</p>
<p>For more on the Bucs, be sure to check out Bucs Nation, which <a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2011/9/23/2444674/atlanta-falcons-tampa-bay-buccaneers-preview-predict-the-game">thinks the Bucs are finally going to win one</a> against the Falcons, since the Bucs will have answers at the Falcons' positions of strength.</p>
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<p>On defense, the Bucs have done a good job stopping wide receivers, which is where the Falcons are strongest. <span>Roddy White</span> wasn't a major factor in beating the Bucs last year, while <span>Julio Jones</span> has looked pretty bad as a receiver. Tony Gonzalez could have a big game, but <span>Ronde Barber</span> has done a very good job stopping him in recent years.</p>
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<p>For the Falcons, check out The Falcoholic, which <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2011/9/23/2441384/the-battle-for-the-nfc-south-begins-on-sunday">stresses the importance of winning divisional games</a>.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/9/24/2445010/week-3-nfl-picks-2011-bucs-falcons-gameCharlie Wilmoth2011-09-24T10:11:37-04:002011-09-24T10:11:37-04:00NFL Picks Week 3: Cardinals Vs. Seahawks
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<p>The Cardinals are the favorites against a dreadful Seattle team.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> and <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a> face off in a Week 3 matchup that will get relatively little attention nationally, with the Cardinals not having much of a national reputation and the Seahawks coming off a blowout and struggling with a quarterback problem. The Cardinals look like the favorites, with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/odds">Vegas setting the line</a> at about three points.</p>
<p>The Cardinals beat the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 before losing by one to the Washington Redskins in Week 2. The Seahawks, meanwhile, were beaten by the San Francisco 49ers and then badly by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both their rushing and passing offenses rank, at this point, as among the worst in the NFL.</p>
<p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/09/22/week3/index.html">Peter King</a> has the Cardinals beating the Seahawks by 10:</p>
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<p>Smartest thing for a Seattle fan to do these days? Watch the games on Saturday, not Sunday. And monitor Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley and Landry Jones. If your team keeps sliding, those are your best bets for 2012 quarterback.</p>
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<p>Ouch - it's no fun to be told your team should be rooting for the No. 1 overall draft pick when you're an eighth of the way through the season.</p>
<p>SB Nation Arizona, meanwhile, <a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/2011/9/21/2439302/nfl-picks-against-spread-week-3-cardinals-seahawks/in/2189011">sees the Cardinals as an easy choice</a>.</p>
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<p>The Seahawks have a horrible quarterback and an offense that's produced all of 17 total points while the defense has allowed 57 through two weeks. Yes, the home field advantage in Seattle used to be strong but with a team this bad it shouldn't matter. Perhaps the line reflects a lack of national respect for the Cardinals.</p>
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<p>SB Nation Seattle, unsurprisingly, <a href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/22/2440974/nfl-picks-predictions-week-two-seahawks-vs-cardinals/in/2207189">takes the Seahawks</a>, due in part to their home-field advantage.</p>
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<p>Going with the 'dog home team here. The Seahawks will finally play at home and the 12th man of the CLink will make things difficult for Arizona's offense. This will be a close one, but I'm going Seahawks.</p>
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<p><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/picks;_ylt=Ak560YctD.LqB181sQyfgXZDubYF">At Yahoo!</a>, Jason Cole and Yahoo! users pick the Cardinals, while Mike Silver and Les Carpenter take the Seahawks.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cardinals, check out <a href="http://revengeofthebirds.com">Revenge Of The Birds</a>. For the Seahawks, there's <a href="http://fieldgulls.com">Field Gulls</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/9/24/2444940/week-3-nfl-picks-2011-cardinals-seahawks-gameCharlie Wilmoth2011-09-24T10:09:09-04:002011-09-24T10:09:09-04:00NFL Picks Week 3: Ravens Vs. Rams
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<p>The Ravens are a slight favorite against the Rams in a Week 3 road game.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a> are about four-point favorites on the road against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a> at 4:05 PM Eastern on Sunday, with most experts likewise picking the Ravens to go to 2-1. After crushing the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> in Week 1, the Ravens are coming off a humbling defeat against the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Titans</a> in Week 2. The Rams, meanwhile, are 0-2, coming off losses against the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Eagles</a> and <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>. Here's a sampling of experts' picks.</p>
<p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/09/22/week3/index.html">Peter King</a> has the Ravens winning, 20-12:</p>
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<p>You know why the Ravens need this game quite a bit? Because they have to prove to their fans and themselves that the resounding Steeler victory in Week 1 didn't take so much out of them for the rest of the year. Oh, and it would help if their corners could cover the way did in Week 1 too.</p>
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<p><a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2011/9/23/2443997/nfl-picks-week-3-st-louis-rams-playoffs">SB Nation St. Louis</a> has been <i>most</i> objective about the game, picking the Rams to win by 24 points, all while playing a blazing drum solo in 13/8 time, or something: </p>
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<p>Fumbling punts and muffing laterals and dropping passes, those are all pretty bad things, but in the grand scheme of the Ramsika Epic it's not nearly as important as the way <span>Sam Bradford</span>'s command of Josh McDaniels's offense looked almost unstoppable sometimes, which is why the tempo gets really fast in the middle of this one until the guy dressed up as Neil Peart pretends to get a leg cramp and falls down and they have to stop the song.</p>
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<p>(It's a prog-rock-themed picks post, which certainly is fun enough to outweigh any objectivity issues.)</p>
<p><a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/9/23/2443632/2011-nfl-picks-week-3">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a> thinks the Ravens should be able to overcome the Rams' home-field advantage:</p>
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<p>The Rams are just too beat up to be as effective as we thought they would be at the start of the year. More importantly, though, the Ravens are a veteran team that will be able to handle the crowd noise and hostile confines of playing on the road in St. Louis.</p>
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<p><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks">All of ESPN's commentators</a> have picked the Ravens, as do <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/picks;_ylt=Ak560YctD.LqB181sQyfgXZDubYF">all of Yahoo!'s</a>.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rams, be sure to check out Turf Show Times, which <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2011/9/22/2442050/St-Louis-Rams-Baltimore-Ravens-opponent-proponents-q-a-with-baltimore-beatdown">has an interview</a> with SB Nation's Ravens blog, <a href="http://baltimorebeatdown.com">Baltimore Beat Down</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/9/24/2444856/week-3-nfl-picks-2011-rams-ravens-gameCharlie Wilmoth2011-09-24T10:06:08-04:002011-09-24T10:06:08-04:00NFL Picks Week 3: Steelers Vs. Colts
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<img alt="INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 18: Kerry Collins #5 of the Indianapolis Colts throws against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 18, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3FISfUiMmqccijQBJ0Ob1UnmKaI=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4101492/125591518.jpg" />
<figcaption>INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 18: Kerry Collins #5 of the Indianapolis Colts throws against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 18, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Steelers are huge favorites against Kerry Collins and the Colts.</p> <p>The Sunday-night matchup between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> doesn't figure to be a close one. Vegas sees the Steelers as about <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/odds">an 11-point favorite</a>, and anyone picking the Colts to win it without <span>Peyton Manning</span> is going pretty far out on a limb. </p>
<p>At SB Nation Pittsburgh, Michael Bean (perhaps unsurprisingly) <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/9/23/2443632/2011-nfl-picks-week-3">likes the Steelers</a>:</p>
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<p>If the Steelers' offensive tackles can give Big Ben even just a bit of time to operate, they should be able to put enough points to win easily. I just don't see how <span>Kerry Collins</span> can survive against Dick LeBeau's defense without the benefit of a really good offensive line and/or running game. He has neither.</p>
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<p>This is a key point - can Kerry Collins and the Indianapolis offense do anything against the Steelers defense, which should still be strong even without defensive end <span>Brett Keisel</span>? If not, it could be a long night for Colts fans, filled with plenty of <span>Rashard Mendenhall</span> and <span>Isaac Redman</span> as the Steelers protect the ball and the lead.</p>
<p>Peter King <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/09/22/week3/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_fb1_a3">has the Steelers winning 29-13</a>:</p>
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<p>Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Fred Gaudelli and Drew Esocoff -- in the booth and truck, respectively, for NBC on Sunday night -- gather in the hotel in Indianapolis Saturday night. Someone says, "Okay, let's go over all our 'B' material." As in "blowout."</p>
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<p><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/pickem;_ylt=AjHBAzUBdWWcOvuXhcvJ9kFDubYF">At Yahoo! Sports</a>, Jason Cole picks the Steelers, as do 97 percent of Yahoo! users.</p>
<p><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks">All of ESPN's talking heads</a> pick the Steelers.</p>
<p><i>For more Steelers coverage, check out <a href="http://behindthesteelcurtain.com">Behind The Steel Curtain</a>, and for more on the Colts, check out <a href="http://stampedeblue.com">Stampede Blue</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/9/24/2444696/week-3-nfl-picks-2011-steelers-colts-gameCharlie Wilmoth2011-09-24T08:00:51-04:002011-09-24T08:00:51-04:00USC Vs. Arizona State Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread And More
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<p>The No. 23-ranked Trojans travel to Tempe in a Pac-12 South battle.</p> <p>The Arizona State Sun Devils begin their Pac-12 schedule against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> in a game that could have a role in determining their postseason fate. Due to penalties incurred following the Reggie Bush scandal, No. 23-ranked USC isn't eligible to play in the postseason, which could clear a path for Arizona State to <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/preview?gameId=312670009">represent</a> the South division in the Pac-12 championship.</p>
<p>First, though, the Sun Devils will have to get past <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> and the Trojans. USC is 3-0 after narrowly beating Minnesota in its opener, and also knocking off Utah and Syracuse. Barkley, a likely top pick in next year's NFL Draft, has played very well so far, completing 69 percent of his passes while throwing nine touchdowns and only being picked off once. He threw for 329 yards and five touchdowns against the Orange.</p>
<p>The Sun Devils beat UC-Davis in their opener, then knocked off Missouri in overtime before suffering a three-point loss to Illinois. Like USC, they feature a strong passing attack, led by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77503/brock-osweiler">Brock Osweiler</a>, who is averaging 8.46 yards per attempt this season. He threw two interceptions against Illinois, however, and the Sun Devils made a number of key penalties against the Illini as well. The Sun Devils are far from a perfect team, but they may have a slight edge against the Trojans, based on their performance against Missouri and the fact that they'll be playing at home. This will be USC's first road game this season.</p>
<p><b>Game date, time: </b>10:15 pm ET, Saturday, September 24</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona</p>
<p><b>TV channel:</b> ESPN/ESPN3</p>
<p><b>Spread:</b> Arizona State favored by 3</p>
<p><b><i>For more news and discussion, check out SB Nation's USC blog, <a href="http://conquestchronicles.com">Conquest Chronicles</a>, and its Arizona State blog, <a href="http://houseofsparky.com">House Of Sparky</a>. Also, stay tuned to SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">college football news hub</a>.</i></b></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/9/24/2439260/usc-arizona-state-football-2011-tv-scheduleCharlie Wilmoth2011-09-24T08:00:47-04:002011-09-24T08:00:47-04:00Vanderbilt Vs. South Carolina Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread And More
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<img alt="NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 17: T.J. Greenstone #74 of the Vanderbilt Commodores takes the field for a game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 17, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dVSIpiU8d3I2KpnQI9DYakz01-Y=/0x194:467x505/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4077706/125446183.jpg" />
<figcaption>NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 17: T.J. Greenstone #74 of the Vanderbilt Commodores takes the field for a game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 17, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>3-0 Vanderbilt will generate some serious buzz with a victory over South Carolina, but the No. 12-ranked Gamecocks won't go down without a fight.</p> <p>South Carolina will be a big favorite against Vanderbilt as the No. 12-ranked Gamecocks seek to continue to remain undefeated, despite allowing 33 points per game in their three wins so far.</p>
<p>After a 56-37 win against East Carolina to start the season, South Carolina has eked out three-point victories over Georgia and Navy. The Gamecocks' offense, and particularly its running game (led by sophomore <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116171/marcus-lattimore">Marcus Lattimore</a>), have been very effective, but the defense is clearly a concern - when a team is allowing 5.8 rushing yards per attempt in a game against Navy, future opponents have to be licking their chops a bit.</p>
<p>This isn't to say the Gamecocks aren't the favorites. But not only have they struggled, Vanderbilt is a team that needs to be taken seriously. The Commodores' blowout win over Ole Miss last week (which featured a rather awesome <a href="http://www.anchorofgold.com/2011/9/19/2435261/the-commodore-review-vanderbilt-ole-miss-sec">Statue-of-Liberty play</a>) certainly qualified as a statement, even if it was preceded by less-impressive victories over Elon and UConn. Running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/79061/zac-stacy">Zac Stacy</a> has a huge breakout game against Ole Miss, rushing for 169 yards on a mere 11 carries.</p>
<p>Can he keep that up? Doubtful. Will the Commodores win? Perhaps not, particularly on the road. But if they do, they'll easily hop into the top 25, and they'll be one of the most talked-about teams in the country, particularly as they head into their matchup against Alabama on October 8.</p>
<p><b>Game date, time:</b> 7:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 24</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina</p>
<p><b>TV channel:</b> ESPN2/ESPN3</p>
<p><b>Spread:</b> South Carolina favored by 15</p>
<p><b><i>For further news and discussion, check out SB Nation's South Carolina blog, <a href="http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/">Garnet And Black Attack</a>, and its Vanderbilt blog, <a href="http://anchorofgold.com">Anchor Of Gold</a>. Also, stay tuned to SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">college football news hub</a>.</i></b></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/9/24/2439181/south-carolina-vanderbilt-football-2011-tv-scheduleCharlie Wilmoth2011-09-24T08:00:45-04:002011-09-24T08:00:45-04:00Nebraska Vs. Wyoming Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread And More
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<p>The Cornhuskers are huge favorites, but could the Cowboys rustle up enough offense to pull off an upset? </p> <p>It must be nice for a team to enter a road game favored by 23 points, and that's the situation in which the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/nebraska-cornhuskers" class="sbn-auto-link">Nebraska Cornhuskers</a> find themselves against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wyoming-cowboys" class="sbn-auto-link">Wyoming Cowboys</a> on Saturday.</p>
<p>The Cowboys are 3-0, having beaten Weber State, Texas State and Bowling Green so far, and they've gotten solid work from quarterback Brett Smith and a group of backs led by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77686/ghaali-muhammad" class="sbn-auto-link">Ghaali Muhammad</a> and Brandon Miller.</p>
<p>Obviously, though, putting up nice numbers against Texas State is nothing like trying to do it against No. 9-ranked Nebraska. That said, the Cornhuskers have had only one blowout so far this year, in their season opener against Chattanooga. They allowed Fresno State to put up 29 points and Washington to post 38. If you combine a potentially-leaky defense with <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2011/6/27/2179664/MWC-2011-non-conference-preview-wyoming-vs-nebraska">a game played at high altitude</a> and opponents who will be highly motivated to earn some credibility for themselves and for the Mountain West, then maybe Wyoming can find a way to ...</p>
<p>Well, no, probably not. Even if Nebraska gets a little sloppy on defense - which might not happen again, especially against such a weak opponent - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76896/taylor-martinez" class="sbn-auto-link">Taylor Martinez</a> and the Cornhuskers offense figure to put up more than enough points to get the job done.</p>
<p><b>Game date / time:</b> 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, September 24</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Jonas Field at War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyoming</p>
<p><b>TV channel:</b> Versus</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/odds">Spread</a>: </b>Nebraska favored by 23</p>
<p><i><b> For further reading, news, discussion and more, visit SB Nation's Nebraska blog <a href="http://www.cornnation.com/">Corn Nation</a> and its Mountain West Conference blog, <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/">Mountain West Connection</a>. Also, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">college football news hub</a>.</b></i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/9/24/2439114/nebraska-wyoming-football-2011-tv-scheduleCharlie Wilmoth2011-09-24T08:00:42-04:002011-09-24T08:00:42-04:00Notre Dame Vs. Pitt Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread And More
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<p>Pitt will have its hands full against a Notre Dame team that has faced a tough schedule so far. </p> <p>Notre Dame (1-2) already has close losses against South Florida and Michigan, but they still their matchup against the Pitt Panthers as the favorite after knocking off No. 15 Michigan State last week. That victory turned partially on an 89-yard kickoff return for touchdown by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/143394/george-atkinson-iii" class="sbn-auto-link">George Atkinson III</a> and a well-placed 82-yard interception return by Robert Blanton. Those aren't necessarily the sorts of plays they can count on going forward. But they did a reasonable job against a tough offense (albeit one with a reeling offensive line) - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6903/kirk-cousins" class="sbn-auto-link">Kirk Cousins</a> threw for 329 yards, but he needed 53 attempts to do it.</p>
<p>Despite new head coach Todd Graham's "high-octane" reputation, Pitt doesn't have a tough offense, at least not yet. The 2-1 Panthers have a strong running game led by Ray Graham. But quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37486/tino-sunseri" class="sbn-auto-link">Tino Sunseri</a> hasn't inspired much confidence, and one of his performances this year was a no-touchdown, two-interception effort against lowly Maine. The Panthers eked out a win in that one, and beat Buffalo in their season opener. But they lost to Iowa last week, 31-27. Pitt figures to have a tough time against a Notre Dame team that has played a much tougher schedule so far. The big news for the Panthers this week has been their impending move to the ACC, but for Pitt, this game should be a fairly big deal in itself.</p>
<p><b>Game date, time: </b>12:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 24</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania</p>
<p><b>TV channel: </b>ABC</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/odds">Spread</a>:</b> Notre Dame favored by 7</p>
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<p><i><b>For further news, discussion, and more, head to SB Nation's Pitt blog, <a href="http://cardiachill.com">Cardiac Hill</a>, and Notre Dame blog <a href="http://onefootdown.com">One Foot Down</a>. Stay tuned to <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">SB Nation's college football news hub</a> as well.</b></i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/9/24/2439049/notre-dame-pittsburgh-football-2011-tv-scheduleCharlie Wilmoth2011-09-24T08:00:39-04:002011-09-24T08:00:39-04:00Eastern Michigan Vs. Penn State Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread And More
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<p>Penn State gets a much-needed tuneup before the start of Big Ten play. </p> <p>After a loss to Alabama and only a narrow 14-10 win over Temple, the Penn State Nittany Lions (2-1) look to get back on their feet against Eastern Michigan before their Big Ten schedule begins against Indiana next week.</p>
<p>They shouldn't have a hard time doing so, honestly. Eastern Michigan (2-1) was blown out 31-3 by Michigan last week, and its two wins this season have come against Howard and Alabama State. The Eagles' offense is oriented almost entirely around its ground game (they attempted only six passes against Michigan), and the Nittany Lions should be able to handle that.</p>
<p>The problem, for Penn State, is its offense. Three games into the season, Joe Paterno still hasn't settled on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114107/rob-bolden" class="sbn-auto-link">Rob Bolden</a> or Matt McGloin at quarterback, and neither have performed particularly well so far. And that's not the Nittany Lions' only issue - with Paterno sitting above the field rather than on the sideline, the Nittany Lions' play-calling has at times <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2011/9/20/2435541/penn-state-vs-temple-what-we-learned">seemed</a> discombobulated. Also, their special teams struggled against Temple. They shouldn't have much trouble beating Eastern Michigan, so the game offers what should be a valuable chance to resolve some of these issues before they face better competition.</p>
<p><b>Game date, time:</b> 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 24</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania</p>
<p><b>TV channel: </b>ESPN2, ESPN3</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/odds">Spread</a>:</b> Penn State favored by 29 points</p>
<p><i><b>For more on Penn State football, check out <a href="http://blackshoediaries.com">Black Shoe Diaries</a> and <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>. Stay tuned to <a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football">SB Nation's college football news hub</a> for more.</b></i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/9/24/2439006/penn-state-emu-football-2011-tv-scheduleCharlie Wilmoth2011-09-23T15:45:37-04:002011-09-23T15:45:37-04:00Tour Championship 2011 Leaderboard: K.J. Choi Takes Lead As Keegan Bradley Falls From Top Spot
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<p>Midway through play Friday, K.J. Choi leads the 2011 Tour Championship, with several other big names hot on his tail. Here's a look.</p>
<p>K.J. Choi, -6 through 10<br>Aaron Baddeley, -5 through 9<br>Jason Day, -5 through 8<br>Luke Donald, -5 through 7<br>Hunter Mahan, -4 through 8<br>Keegan Bradley, -4 through 6<br>Bubba Watson, -3 through 14<br>Fredrik Jacobson, -3 through 13<br>Geoff Ogilvy, -3 through 12<br>Bill Hass, -3 through 9<br>Matt Kuchar, -3 through 9<br>Adam Scott, -3 through 8<br>Charles Howell III, -3 through 8</p>
<p>Among other big names, Nick Watney is at -1, and Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson are even.</p>
<p>Choi was tied for second coming into play on Friday, but he's passed Bradley, who was the leader after shooting a 64 in his first round. Choi has shot -4 so far this round, compared to +2 for Bradley. Meanwhile, Watson has surged in the standings with a -5 so far Friday. Jason Dufner and Chez Reavie, who had been among the top performers in the first round, have both tailed off with +3 performances Friday, and are now in the middle of the pack.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboards/current/r060/">Here's a link</a> to the full leaderboard.</p>
<p><i>For more on the 2011 Tour Championship, check out <a href="http://waggleroom.com">Waggle Room</a> and <a href="http://sbnation.com/golf">SB Nation's golf hub</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2011/9/23/2445034/2011-tour-championship-leaderboard-update-kj-choi-keegan-bradleyCharlie Wilmoth