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I'm a B10 guy, and can't see how a lower/middle of the pack Minn. stays within 17 of a Tcu team that is bringing back a ton of starters, got screwed out of a playoff spot last year, and will (or at least are expected to be) playing to prove a point this year.
Minn. is at home, and is bringing back a decent amount of starters..
The line dropped from -18.5 to as far down as -14.
Lower/middle of the pack compared to whom? I think Minnesota will have a more than respectable team this year. They are unlikely to beat TCU or even stay within 10, though.
At least this will be a good early season test for MN to see what they might have for 2015. A couple of points come to mind:
1. This is a Thursday night game and MN classes don't start until the following Tuesday so many of the students will not be on the campus yet.
2. TCU has incredible team speed. I think that is going to become obvious at some point during the game. Herein is the point spread / depending on how MN can match up to that speed at different position.
3. MN has worked on and will be implementing a more up-tempo offense this year. They recognize the need for more passing so that has been a point of emphasis. With one exception, most of their receivers don't have a great deal of experience. Because of this and their QB, most of the added passing will be short yardage; higher percentage type passing routes.
It will be interesting to see if they have the kinks worked out of their offense by opening night. I would expect a few illegal motion type penalties and a busted play or two, which will be a bit unusual in the fundamentally solid MN program.
4. TCU on the other hand, is returning 10 offensive starters and they have proven that they can run up the score on good teams without even trying.
5. MN will have a good defense, and is suppose to have an outstanding secondary defense, so it will be especially interesting to watch those match ups when the ball is up in the air.
At the end of the day, I doubt that MN can put enough points on the board. (Last year they only scored 7 points at TCU.) Since TCU will get their points, I think MN will have to come up with about 28 points to have a shot. If MN can do that it could be an exiting game and I look forward to seeing how this one plays out.
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dport7674
What am I not seeing?
That lines aren't made based on what Vegas thinks will happen. They're set to get action on both sides of the line.
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