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Penn State Nittany Lions 2013 Football Preview

The Editor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:31:43 +0000

Penn State had a strong season under first-year coach Bill O’Brien, 8-4 SU, 9-2-1 ATS. O’Brien took over after the worst NCAA scandal in history yet had a dynamic, spread offense and a winning season. The sanctions continue to hold the Lions down, but the returning talent should have Penn State poised for another winning season.
• Returning: Offense – 6, Defense – 6. 8-4 SU, 9-2-1 ATS 2012 season. 6-2 Big 10
• Pro Style Offense: 29.1 points, 144 yards rushing, 273.6 yards passing (35th in the nation).
• QB changes: Sophomore QB Steven Bench was just 2-of-8 for 12 yds getting his feet wet in 2012, while Junior RB Zach Zwinak is back after rushing for 1,000 yards, 4.9 ypc, and 6 TDs.
• Junior WR Allen Robinson (77 rec., 1,018 yards, 11 TDs), sophomore TE Kyle Carter (453 yds) and senior WR Brandon Moseby-Felder (437), so top 3 receivers return.
• O-line returns three starters as well as the top four tight ends on the roster. The running game should be just fine with three of the top four rushers returning.
• O’Brien transformed Matt McGloin into a very capable QB and he’ll have to do it again with players less experienced. Sophomore QB Steven Bench and junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson are the only two scholarship QBs on the roster, but keep an eye on incoming five-star recruit QB Christian Hackenberg.
• Defense: 19.1 ppg allowed (16th in the nation). LBs Glenn Carson and Mike Hull return with experience but the D-line will ask Deion Barnes and C.J. Olaniyan to step in and step up.
• DC Ted Roof left for Georgia Tech. John Butler, the Nittany Lions’ secondary coach and special teams coordinator in 2012, got the defensive coordinator job.
• O’Brien’s defensive philosophy: Stop the run first.
• Downside: the Nittany Lions are just now entering the heart of their sanction years. They are going to be strapped for scholarships for years to come.
• Penn State carries a 7-1 run over the total into the new season.
• Schedule: Easy start, could be 5-0, though the opener at home against Syracuse could be tough. Later the Lions plays at Ohio State, at Wisconsin, and get Nebraska at home.

2013 ACC College Football team Previews:
Miami Hurricanes
Virginia Tech
Clemson
North Carolina
Florida State
Wake Forest + Georgia Tech

2013 Big 12 College Football team Previews:
West Virginia
Iowa State Cyclones
Kansas State Wildcats
Texas Tech
Baylor Bears
TCU Horned Frogs
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Texas Longhorns
Oklahoma Sooners

2013 Big 10 College Football team Previews:
Penn State
Michigan State
Northwestern
Iowa Hawkeyes

The post Penn State Nittany Lions 2013 Football Preview appeared first on Expert Sports Picks.

Michigan State Spartans 2013 Football Preview

The Editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:24:15 +0000

The Michigan State Spartans were rebuilding last season on offense but still had a fine year, losing five games by four points or less during a 7-6 SU, 5-8 ATS 2012 season. They were just 3-5 in the Big 10, though, but hopes are high after a bowl win over TCU, 17-16, and 8 starters back on offense, 6 on defense for coach Mark Dantonio. In the past four seasons, MSU has recorded 27 Big Ten victories, the most of any team in the conference.
• 8 starters are back on offense, led by senior QB Andrew Maxwell (13 TDs, 9 INTs; 2,606 yds, 52.5% completions).
• They moved the football with a balanced attack but struggled to find the end zone too often averaging just 20 ppg (110th in the nation).
• Offense: 201 yds passing pg (86th), rushing 149.4 yds pg (77th).
• The Spartans lose some key talent at running back, including star Le’Veon Bell, but have a huge offensive line should help this squad evolve into an old-school power running threat. Michigan State will return four
of its top six reception leaders behind WR Keith Mumphery (515 yards), Bennie Fowler (41 catches for a team-high 524 receiving yards).
• The offense doesn’t have to be explosive because 7 starters return to the Big 10′s best defense, one that allowed 16.3 ppg (9th in the nation).
• They ranked fourth in the nation in yards allowed and return senior DT Micajah Reynolds, junior NT James Kittredge to a powerhouse front and LB Max Bullough.
• The Spartans are one of just ﬁve schools, along with Alabama, Florida State, Florida and LSU, to rank among the Top 10 nationally in total defense the past two seasons.
• They get Michigan at home with the only tough road games at Notre Dame(Sept. 21) and Nebraska (Nov. 16 finale).
• Monday-burners at home: Michigan State is 20-35 ATS its last 55 home games!

2013 ACC College Football team Previews:
Miami Hurricanes
Virginia Tech
Clemson
North Carolina
Florida State
Wake Forest + Georgia Tech

2013 Big 10 College Football team Previews:
Michigan State
Northwestern
Iowa Hawkeyes

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Barnes’ Betting Bits: Spurs Up 3-2, Baseball Notes

The Editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:50:54 +0000

by Jim Barnes
Click Here for Free Daily newsletter at: JimBarnes.com

Spurs Take 3-2 Series Lead

Even though in a scoring famine, San Antonio decided to start Manu Ginobili last night against Miami and he responded with 24 points and 10 assists in leading the Spurs to a 114-104 victory and a 3-2 edge in the best of seven NBA championship series.

Tony Harper showed no signs of a hamstring ache racking up 26 points while Tim Duncan, the “old man” had 17 and 13 rebounds. Miami was fortunate to come within 10 with the Spurs hitting 60% of their shots, the best showing of any Finals team in four years. If all goes according to an established pattern, Miami will knot the series Thursday night at home where a seventh game, if needed, will also be played.

The Yankees ended a five game losing run with a 6-5 victory at California. The win almost “wasn’t,” the Angels scored five times in the 9th and had the bases loaded with two outs and Albert Pujols facing Mariano Rivera, in his last season. The all-time greatest relief pitcher in baseball history (not according to Bruce Sutter) fanned Pujols on three pitches to end the game. I have a feeling the wining streaks of Toronto and San Diego are close to ending. Both have won eight of their last 10 games and “good times don’t last forever.”

Texas is in a six game funk and 2-8 in its last 10, this, too, is going to turn round as the Rangers are 2nd in the AL West and only trail Oakland by three games.

Check out Jim Barnes’ Daily newsletter at: JimBarnes.com

About Jim Barnes: A graduate of University of Northern Iowa (1970), Jim Barnes spent 11-years in radio and television broadcasting in Georgia, North Carolina and Iowa. His last position was in news and sports with KWWL, Waterloo, Ia. He also worked with KCRG, Cedar Rapids, and WSKY, Asheville, N. C.

The post Barnes’ Betting Bits: Spurs Up 3-2, Baseball Notes appeared first on Expert Sports Picks.

Barnes’ Betting Bits: Saturday Baseball Tips

The Editor — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:32:06 +0000

by Jim Barnes
Click Here for Free Daily newsletter at: JimBarnes.com

Pirates Need a Starter

Pittsburgh has been undecided as to which pitcher would take the place of A. J. Burnett in today’s game at home against Dodger’s
ace Clayton Kershaw.

The Bucs reached into the minors and called up Brandon Crumpton, a rather surprising choice since he has been bouncing around between A and AA with a 3.84 ERA in 75-innings. The 24-year-old Augusta, Ga native that graduated from Georgia Tech is rated fairly among Pirates’ minor league prospects.

Texas is in a drought both landscape and baseball wise, needing rain and runs. The Rangers have tallied only 36 runs in 13 June games and should be pleased to face the Blue Jays’ R. A. Dickey, beset with his own problems. Dickey has given up six or more runs in three of his last four starts yet the Toronto has tallied enough runs to provide him with a 2-3 log in the last five outings.

Los Angeles Angels maybe regaining their offense touch, 13 hits in Friday’s 5-2 victory over the Yankees and when the Angels are connecting even New York’s David Phelps, the team’s most reliable starter of late, doesn’t have much of a chance at snapping the Yankees four game losing streak. Washington’s Jordan Zimmerman has allowed two runs or less in 11 of his 13 stars this year. Couple that with Cleveland’s inability to score and the Tribe winning streak is likely to cease.

Check out Jim Barnes’ Daily newsletter at:JimBarnes.com

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Heat/Spurs Pivotal Game 5 on Deck

The Editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:18:38 +0000

by Jim Feist

The Heat/Spurs series is all tied up, 2-2, after Miami won Thursday with ease, 109-93. I was doubly delighted as it was my NBA Playoff Game of the Year, a great situational spot for the visitors. It seems like if the Big Three play their game and do it more often there would be no reason to play the game. Bosh, Wade and James on one team are too much for anyone, if they play hard.

Miami’s Big Three hadn’t played well the first three games but rose to the challenge in Game 4. The trio combined for 85 points, 37 more than their previous series high, plus 30 rebounds. LeBron James had 33 points and 11 rebounds after failing to break 20 points in any of the first three games, while Wade had 32 points. Where have these guys been? San Antonio sparkplug guard Tony Parker is everything to the Spurs.

He was not 100% but was amazing in the first half. In the second half the Heat doubled him and he had no choice but to give up the ball to others who could not make up for his absence.

Now for those of us who do stuff like this, can Parker come back Sunday for Game 5? And how healthy will he be? Can the wacky Heat stay on course? Can Greg Popovich figure out how to slow three superstar players? If pop gives more control to others, such as Neal, Greene, Leonard, and let Parker and Duncan feed off them (which i think he should) will the Heat be able to change fast enough off their set game plan? To me, it all comes down to Coach Pop. He is not playing with a full deck of 52 cards like the deep and talented Heat. No other team is. Pop needs to be creative or hope Miami comes down to earth like they often do. – Jim

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Northwestern Wildcats 2013 Football Preview

The Editor — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:18:42 +0000

The Northwestern Wildcats were ranked 110th in the nation in passing in 2012 but won 10 games (10-3 SU, 12-1 ATS). How did they do that for 38-year old Coach Pat Fitzgerald? By doing everything else well, 31.7 points and 225.5 yards rushing per contest. A lot of talent returns, too, so hopes are high.
• Returning: Offense – 8, Defense – 7. 5-3 Big 10
• Junior QB Trevor Siemian (6 TDs, 3 INTs) returns along with star senior RB Venric Mark, who ran for 1,366 yards, 6 yards per carry, and senior QB/RB Kain Colter (894 yards rushing).
• Three O-line starters are gone from a unit that led the Big Ten in sacks allowed and finished 19th nationally in rushing.
• The Wildcats won a bowl game for the first time in 64 years when it beat Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl. And would you believe Northwestern went 2-0 against the all-powerful SEC last season?
• Defense: 22.5 ppg allowed (29th), a surprisingly good unit up front, though soft in the secondary.
• The secondary struggled (last in the Big Ten in passing defense) and has 3 starters back. Up front they return All-Big Ten performer Tyler Scott (9 sacks).
• Pat Fitzgerald had his strongest recruiting class yet, so expectations are starting to grow, 19th in the nation in recruiting.
•Schedule: They hope the opener doesn’t hurt, a long road trip at California (August 31), followed by 5 straight home games.
• Had heart breaking losses to Penn State, Nebraska and Michigan, plus two revenge games on deck at Nebraska (No. 2) and hosting Michigan (Nov 16, with 2 weeks to prepare).
• They carry a 12-1 ATS run into the new season, and 7-0 ATS.

2013 ACC College Football team Previews:
Miami Hurricanes
Virginia Tech
Clemson
North Carolina
Florida State
Wake Forest + Georgia Tech

2013 Big 10 College Football team Previews:
Northwestern
Iowa Hawkeyes

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Barnes’ Betting Bits: Heat/Spurs Game 4, NHL Cup Wild One

The Editor — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:50:56 +0000

by Jim Barnes
Click Here for Free Daily newsletter at: JimBarnes.com

Heat/Spurs Game 4 Tonight

San Antonio guard Tony Parker has been told the MRI of his right hamstring reveals it is the “mildest of sprains” and should allow him to play with as much discomfort as in the Tuesday rout of Miami 113-77.

The Heat and Spurs both have shown a tendency to follow a terrible showing with a better one. Miami’s LeBron James has informed the media that he will “carry the burden in rallying his team to a 2-2 series deadlock.” San Antonio players, on the other hand, feel James is not performing at the same level as during most of the season, but they are well aware of what is capable of producing.

This is undoubtedly a critical game for Miami, a loss would boost San Antonio to a commanding 3-1 series lead and the home court advantage becomes even more significant.

The Stanley Cup Finals began last night with Chicago posting a 4-3 triumph. The win was closer than the one goal victory margin, the contest was not decided until the 3rd overtime period. The battle ranks as the 5th longest in NHL history, and the two franchises get a few days rest with the second meeting scheduled for Saturday. The intensity and tight score pleases NBC who was pulling for Pittsburgh.

Check out Jim Barnes’ Daily newsletter at:JimBarnes.com

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Iowa Hawkeyes 2013 Big 10 Football Preview

The Editor — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:25:24 +0000

The Iowa Hawkeyes are off a dismal and disappointing 4-8 SU, 3-9 ATS 2012 Big 10 football campaign. The offense was the biggest problem under first-year offensive coordinator Greg Davis, who is back. He is still here, but the offense has some new faces at quarterback for Kirk Ferentz.
• Returning: Offense – 5, Defense – 9. 2012: 2-6 in the Big 10
• Offense: 19.3 points, 187.4 yards passing (102nd) and 123 yds rushing (104th). Second-worst offense in the Big Ten with no downfield passing game.
• QB James Vandenberg and WR Keenan Davis are gone. OC Greg Davis under a lot of criticism as he inherited a senior QB and a good offense a year ago but the Hawkeyes were awful in 2012. So for 2013 they have tried a no-huddle offense in the spring.
• Iowa’s 64 offensive snaps a game last season was near the bottom of the conference, after an early experiment with an up-tempo no-huddle offense ended in failure.
• Sophomore QB Jake Rudock (Florida), JUCO transfer soph Cody Sokol and redshirt freshman C.J. Bethard are battling for the job, though they have no experience. Rudock is pro style QB that has the athleticism to move around in the pocket and pick up some yards with his feet. He is very cerebral, consistently making excellent reads, and can deliver the ball accurately and in rhythm to all levels of the field.
• Iowa has a crowded backfield that returns starters junior RB Damon Bullock (513 yds, 3.8 ypc) and junior RB Mark Weisman (815, 5.1 ypc). Junior WR Kevonte Martin-Manley (571 yds) and 6-7 senior TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (433 yds) are back, which means 2 of top 3 catchers back. And newcomer 6-3 freshman WR Derrick Willies looks like a keeper.
• Defense: 22.9 ppg allowed (33rd in nation), but they lost 38-14 to Penn State and 42-14 to Michigan, so how good were they really?
• The defense returns loaded with veterans, and now they have to figure out how to get into the backfield after finishing last in the Big Ten with 53 tackles for loss and a pathetic 13 sacks.
• DE Joe Gaglione is one of only two starters gone off the defense after leading the team with five sacks with nine tackles for loss. The pressure will be on senior Dominic Alvis to come up with a big year on the outside
• Nine defensive starters return including a terrific looking linebacking corps of James Morris in the middle and Christian Kirksley and Anthony Hitchens on the outside. All seniors, those three should form one of the Big Ten’s best linebacker units.
• Corner Micah Hyde is gone, but the rest of the secondary returns.
• Schedule: At Iowa State (Sept 14, week 3) is the only tough game early, so they could start 5-0 before hosting Michigan State Oct. 5, just before their open date, then Oct. 19 at Ohio State is a tough one. Iowa closes at home against Michigan and at Nebraska.

2013 ACC College Football team Previews:
Miami Hurricanes
Virginia Tech
Clemson
North Carolina
Florida State
Wake Forest + Georgia Tech

2013 Big 10 College Football team Previews:
Iowa Hawkeyes

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Barnes’ Betting Bits: Baseball Tips for Tuesday

The Editor — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:49:25 +0000

by Jim Barnes
Click Here for Free Daily newsletter at: JimBarnes.com

Mariners & Royals Looking for Help

Seattle’s Aaron Harang is saddled with his highest career ERA, which might indicate that his five game win streak over Houston doesn’t mean much. The Mariners, fielding a lineup that is not 100% healthy, does have one thing going for them – the Astros have not scored more than two runs in any of their last five games, all losses.

Kansas City, once as woeful as Houston, is on a tear with six wins in a row (the longest winning streak for the Royals in two years). The Missouri team edged Detroit 3-2 yesterday and faces the Tigers’ Max Scherzer who has a 1.86 ERA in his last four outings.

Kansas City starters have combined a 1.44 ERA in June, the weakest link is Wade Davis who just happens to be on the mound against the Tigers. Davis has been credited with a win in only one of nine starts and hardly ever makes it past the fifth inning.

Arizona expects pitcher Ian Kennedy to rebound from the worst performance in his career, giving up 10 runs in four innings and three home runs. The Diamondbacks are in Los Angeles, winning 5-4 last night and keeping the Dodgers in last place in the National League West. Even with leading hitter Ryan Braun injured, Milwaukee has four consecutive wins after coasting past Miami 6-1. The Brewers have scored 24 runs in their last four.

Check out Jim Barnes’ Daily newsletter at:JimBarnes.com

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West Virginia 2013 Football Preview

The Editor — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:04:51 +0000

The West Virginia Mountaineers are off a 7-6 SU, 5-8 ATS season (4-5 in Big 12) with their 11th straight winning season and 11th straight bowl. They set numerous offensive records, but have some rebuilding to do on both sides of the ball, especially with a terrible defense.
• Returning Players: Offense – 3, Defense – 7.
•They started last year 5-0 with a Top 5 ranking, then lost 5 in a row and ended with a 38-14 defeat in the Pinstripe Bowl to Syracuse, as -4 chalk.
• Coach Dana Holgorsen has turned the Mountaineers into a pass-happy group, averaging 39.5 points and 333 yards passing, 172 yards rushing. That passing attack was 10th in the nation.
• But New faces take over the offense for West Virginia. Junior QB Paul Millard threw 19 passes last year, and freshman QB Ford Childress is in the mix, who redshirted last year. Walk-on QB Logan Moore and freshman Chavas Rawlins are also on the roster.
• 3 of the top offensive players in school history are off to the NFL in quarterback Geno Smith, All-American wide receiver Stedman Bailey and All-American, national award winner and all-purpose WR Tavon Austin.
• They lost their top 3 WRs, so slot man Jordan Thompson is the top returning receiver on the squad. He had 85 yards receiving on a year the team threw for nearly 4,300.
• Defense: a unit that gave up a whopping 38.1 points per game, good (or bad) for 117th in the nation. West Virginia returns seven starters from that very young defense.
• Schedule: Tough road games at Oklahoma, Baylor, K-State, TCU.
• Totals trend: West Virginia is on a 16-8 run over the total.

2013 ACC College Football team Previews:
Miami Hurricanes
Virginia Tech
Clemson
North Carolina
Florida State
Wake Forest + Georgia Tech

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