Net Gamblings

Remember the Peter Stuyvesant cigarette ad they used to show in the movie theatre … the one with the beautiful models playing in a winter paradise of crisp clean snow, wide open spaces and the commanding presence of the mountains towering in the crystal clear air? (I know I’m showing my age, but bear with me a moment.)

They (the cigarette company) were hell bent on showing you the lifestyle of the rich and famous and making you wish you had it… Well, snow skiing is one of those recreational activities that takes you one step closer to living the Lifestyle!

So here is a short guide to Snow Skiing for Beginners.

Tip # 1- Get Some Lessons You’ve made the decision to boldly venture where you’ve never gone before – balanced precariously on small slender pieces of wood & metal on a slippery surface that will get you all wet. Sounds simple and easy enough, but it takes a lot of courage to get out on that limb for other people to see just how green you really are. But even one lesson will build your confidence, lessen your fear and help you appreciate the grace and beauty of cross-country skiing.

It’s essential to take a lesson early in your skiing career to help you get the basics such as balance, control and stopping under your belt on a flattish surface before you take on the slopes. You won’t get all of it down pat in the first run – you’ll slowly apply and perfect them as you continue – but being aware of them will help you gain confidence. Skiing is a confidence sport – the more confidence you have in your own ability, the better you’ll be able to cope with what the slopes throw at you!

And you don’t need to fork out the big bucks for private lessons either. Lessons in small groups help you learn from other’s mistakes, not to mention building camaraderie with other newbies like yourself.

Most Ski Resorts offer beginners classes so be sure to check it out with your chosen ski resort and reserve your spot in the first class on offer on the day you arrive.

Whether you’re a total novice having never ventured onto skis in your life before or been on the slopes a couple of times, regular lessons in your burgeoning skiing career will help you to improve your skills, correct any bad habits you might have picked up and set your skis on the path to total enjoyment and freedom.

Remember, speaking to experts and more advanced students is still the best way of getting all the practical info you need.

For some of us golfers, this is something that happens to us more often that we would like. You know what I am talking about. Shots that throw you off balance or aren’t as simple as instruction videos or professionals make them look. Here are some great ways to overcome the awkward shots.

When you have an awkward shot to make, think about how you can swing, your golf swing path keep your balance, and keep from moving your head. Then imagine the line your club travels along.

Prior to setting up your shot, consider where the club head needs to travel for the greatest distance in a straight line. Keep in mind that the ball makes contact with the club head for several inches. After you make a few practice swings, you will be able to see what relationship your feet will have with the line and then you can determine your stance.

It is important to keep from swaying when you are about the hit the ball. Just before you swing, see if there is any problem keeping your balance. If there is, you need to keep shifting until you find a comfortable position where there is no tension in your swing. Freedom in your muscles and mind is what you are looking for so that you will be able to swing smoothly. If you are fidgety when you address the ball, you are not going to be able to focus on the ball. Be sure you keep your feet still.

Ensure that you can see the ball from the beginning to end of your swing. Even if it is a difficult shot, do not lose focus on the ball. This will help you hit the ball cleanly and solidly.

If you keep your eye on the ball, then your swing will be free from faults and the ball will be hit correctly. If you can keep your head still for the entire swing until the club head meets the ball, your swing will definitely improve. Then if you have an awkward shot, you will be able to hit it with confidence and assurance.

Bad or difficult weather can make any shot more difficult. When the wind is blowing, it is important to keep your feet closer together. It is natural to think that you just need to hit the ball harder, but the wind makes it even more important to hit the ball correctly.

The more awkward the shot, the more you need your muscles to be relaxed enough to make the shot. Here is a tip. The shorter the shot that you need to make, the closer your feet should be brought together. Hit the ball true, instead of with all of your strength to keep it from bouncing away and reducing the distance that it travels.

Awkward and difficult shots are something that every golfer needs to learn to deal with. Once you learn how to handle them, then you will be much more confident and be enjoying a lower golf score!

Good luck!!

Gaz Hutchinson

For a simple, effective and fast way to get a great golf swing visit

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Superstitions have been around since the dawn of man. In our contemporary age, we do as much as anyone has in history perpetuating superstitions. “Superstitions tend to be passed down from one generation to the next through the strong oral tradition of the locker room”(Sports Illustrated p.88)

Athletes seem to be heavily burdened with the mysterious beliefs of superstitions. Sport contests of today involve athletes trained at their highest maximum potential, meaning that most of the time, athletes compete with other athletes – all of whom possess equal skill levels. Whether it is an individual sport or a team sport, a win that has had to be scraped up by a close call, one point difference, or last minute play, usually falls credit to some kind of luck in the eyes of a majority of athletes. In the world of competition, athletes love to win, not surprisingly, and they will do whatever it takes to keep winning, whether it’s believing in superstitions, making sacrifices, or worshipping all kinds of gods.
“‘A superstition is a way to get through a tough situation1 wrote Carole Potter in Knock On Wood, a 1983 book on superstitions. For athletes, superstitions are a crutch, a secret weapon, a way to get that little edge.”(p.88)

Some athletes use superstitions to psyche up themselves. Challenged by fears of misfortunes, injuries, or losing, athletes reach that pinnacle edge to suffice their required potential in a competition. It is through fear that an athlete feels that he or she is being “held down”, forced to hold back, and never reaching the maximum skill needed to achieve. “Some athletes turn to superstitions for the same reasons that others turn to religion or drugs — to relieve pressure, to convince themselves that results are predetermined, to take the fear out of the unknown”.(p.88)
Athletes, coaches, and other sport personnel (aka. physicians, equipment man, and alumni), follow daily and game time routines religiously because of their beliefs in superstitions. In the past, teams have been known to never wash their uniforms or socks during a winning streak for fear of losing the good luck. Coaches follow the same exact routines, which can be called habit or tradition, routines such as entering and exiting through certain doors, picking up hair pins for good luck, saying the same prayers and wearing the same outfit that was worn during a won game. Legendary Oakland Raiders head coach, John Madden, would never let his players leave the locker room to start a game until the team’s running back, Mark van Eeghen, had burped. “Perhaps Madden was aware of ancient aural superstitions, such as the wailing of a banshee, which foretold death in Gaelic culture.”(p.91)

Such “superstitions like these will always have a place in sport, if only because an athlete’s life style makes him vulnerable to them. Athletes do the same thing day after day. They practice at the same time; they play at the same time and eat at the same time. Important parts of their lives are very ordered, and so, perhaps, they want to bring that same kind of order into every aspect of their lives. Little rituals become obsessions. Obsessions become superstitions.”(p.94)

The psychological aspects of superstitions on athletes can have very drastic effects on their performance. Many athletes feel obligated to pray and worship some kind of favored god before a contest, for fear that if not worshipped, that god will strike great misfortunes on them. This can be tied to an athlete’s upbringing and culture — not necessarily superstitions. Athletes tend to lose confidence in their own abilities, talents, and skills and reward a god for their renowned fame and assets. If they do not worship their god, they fear losing their skills and success. Why do athletes think like this? Do superstitions really motivate an athlete?

Whatever makes an athlete perform at his or hers highest potential is a force that only they should be able to control. And in some cases, we all can control our superstitions it’s just that, we need to control our minds first.

For more information, please contact: izzojohn@sbcglobal.net

John Izzo holds a BS in Public Health and Community Nutrition, along with certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, National Endurance Sports Trainer Associations, and American Fitness Professional & Associates. Presently, he is Health & Wellness Director of the YMCA of Greater Hartford (CT) and Master Lecturer for World Instructor Training Schools (WITS).

Of the four major professional sports in America, basketball is the only one where a team with a .500 or under record has a chance of making the playoffs. In the NHL, where like the NBA a little over 50% of the teams go to the playoffs; clubs with losing records don’t come close to competing for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

This year in the NFL, where even the Wild Card teams sported a .688 winning percentage, the Kansas City Chiefs were left out of the post-season tournament after going 10-6 (.625). Major League Baseball saw the San Diego Padres win their division and earn a 2005 playoff berth with a .506 winning mark, but they were an anomaly. This season all other MLB playoff teams won 90 or more of the 162 games they played. Over the past five years 98% of the baseball teams that have been playoff bound have won 90 (.556) or more games and none have had losing records. The NBA is different.

In the 2003-04 NBA Playoffs four of the eight Eastern Conference teams that had the honor of making the second season earned records of .500 or below. In the Atlantic Division, the 8th seed Boston Celtics, one of the most winning franchises in professional sports history, touted a 36-46 (.439) record as they headed into the playoffs. At 39-43 (.476) the New York Knicks weren’t much better. In the Central Division, New Orleans and Milwaukee, 5th and 6th seeds respectively, finished at .500.

The next year no sub-500 teams were in the tournament but New Jersey, the 7th seed with a 43-39 (.524) mark, and Philadelphia, the 8th seed compiling a 42-40 (.521) record, were marginal. This year, as we approach the mid-way point of the professional hoop season, it’s clear that there’s a good chance that as many as four sub-500 teams–25% of the playoff mix–will be shooting threes and banging the boards in the post-season.

The Milwaukee Bucks, the current 6th seed, are 19- 18 (.514); the Philadelphia 76ers, which hold the 7th seed, are 18-20 (.474); and the Washington Wizards, the potential 8th seed are 17-20 (.459). Washington will probably have some stiff competition for that final Eastern Conference position from the 16-22 Chicago Bulls, the 15-23 Boston Celtics, and the 14-22 Orlando Magic.

Although the Western Conference has traditionally been exempt from this dilemma, this year is different. The current 8th seed, the Utah Jazz, is one game above .500 and there are at least three other teams–Minnesota, Golden State, and New Orleans/Oklahoma City– with more losses than wins that are in contention for that spot.

Certainly a system that’s geared towards making the league competitive has its benefits to owners, players, and fans. While teams continue to stay in the mix, this system has the potential to keep hometown fans interested. However, the system leads to inferior teams making it into a post-season where they don’t have a chance to compete.

There are a few reasons why the NBA has this problem. However the major reason is, quite simply, money. The NFL has long had a salary cap; the NHL has just instituted one; and MLB has created a half-hearted attempt at one. The theory behind an effective salary cap, such as the type the NFL and NHL have instituted, is that when teams are allowed to only spend a certain amount of money they will be forced to spend it wisely–doing their best to build a competitive team. The other way a salary cap works is that it prohibits one or two teams from paying exorbitant amounts of money to hire all of the stars, thus leveling the playing field. (This is why the MLB salary cap doesn’t really work; it doesn’t do this and is not a true cap. It’s more of a salary visor.)

Now this may surprise you– the NBA also has a salary cap. This year it’s set at $49.5 million per team. However the NBA has a “soft” cap, a headband really, which translates into numerous loopholes allowing clubs to still break the bank when it comes to salaries.

Because of how it can be manipulated, the soft cap does very little to control spending. This can have some disastrous results for teams and the league. Some teams capture that one star player with a huge multi-year deal but then, because of their own budget limits, can’t afford to support him with role-players. And if that primary guy suffers a season ending injury, the entire team’s season is over.

Others with the deepest pockets find their way around the cap and scoop up two or three hallmark names, while teams with small bankrolls don’t have the power to attract the best talent. Then there are the organizations that spend money on young talent and that talent just doesn’t pan out. If a player has a big contract and he’s not performing, he’s impossible to trade, and he still has to be paid.

The fact is a salary cap is intended to negate exactly what is happening in the NBA; a soft cap is designed to simply get around the basic provisions and safeguards a salary cap offers.

The final result is an imbalance of power, which means you may have 16 playoff positions but you really only have 12 playoff teams. The last three or four slots are filled by non-competitive teams just because the spaces are there.

This year if the Celtics or the Sixers or the Jazz or any of the other clubs hovering around .500 make the post-season will anyone consider them worthy of being potential NBA champions? There’s one of two possible solutions for the NBA–a real salary cap or going to a 12-team playoff scenario.

http://www.juniorsoccercoach.com

You only have to watch a senior professional game of football to recognise the importance that speed has in the game. But there is more to speed than meets the eye.

Soccer players are athletes, but unlike a 100m runner where there is explosive speed for 10 seconds in a straight line, there are many other abilities that soccer players need to develop.

Here are 5 key soccer related speed abilities that you should develop in your players.

#1 – Speed of thought

Soccer players have a great deal to concentrate on. There senses are constantly being blitzed with information, which they need to quickly decipher. Here are some examples:

- Where opponents are positioned

- Actions of their team mates

- What’s infront of them and their peripheral vision

- The conditions of the pitch and the weather

- The noise from team mates, crowd, coaches and opponents

- Their tactical position and the strategy of the team

#2 – Speed of anticipation

Some players have a great reading of the game. I have a friend who although he is now in his late 40’s early 50’s still plays regularly and competes well with players half his age!

How does he do this… because he’s played soccer all his life at professional and international level he has built a huge database in his brain of playing situations, player characteristics, tactical situations etc. and he is able to draw on this which gives him superb speed of anticipation.

Sure for explosiveness and reaction times the younger players would win every time, but as the old saying goes…”the first couple of yards are in the head!”.

So here it is important that players develop a knack of interpreting the actions of the opponents and what that means to the games development.

#3 – Speed of reaction

As mentioned in the last bullet, speed of reaction is vital.

Anticipation is one thing, being able to react quickly is another.

Consider the role of the goal keeper, their reaction time to a sudden shot, deflection, switch in angle of attack, flight of the ball must be very acute.

But how does a goal keeper react and what to? In this instance, the goal keeper will react to a number of external stimuli, here’s a list:

- The visual element of the opponent with the ball, are they carrying it, have they got backlift as if ready to strike the ball, is the opponent in space and is their a clear line of sight on goal

- The auditory element, do they hear the strike of the ball, is it fizzing, does it take a deflection of a player (thud), a shout from a team mate, maybe a close opponent barracking the goalie ” he’s going to shoot!”

All of these stimuli will have an effect on the player.

Once stimulated the player should choose the best option available to them to react to that situation.

Again we will use the goalie;

If a shot is fizzing towards them low and hard, the pitch is wet and quick, and there are a number of players the ball has to go through before hitting the target, do they get down low anticipating a clear strike on goal, have quick feet and get their body in line with the expected flight path, do they dive towards the ball, kneel or hack the ball?

The answer to this question lies in the ability, confidence and experience of the player.

#4 Speed of feet

Here we are talking about the basic running / sprinting motor skills.

Initial explosion and acceleration are vital to covering the ground quickly. Speed of feet is without the ball, and since it is without the ball it is rarely in a straight line.

Therefore, as a players progress is often inhibited by other players they must adjust and change direction in relation to their team mates actions and those of the opponents.

Explosive speed is generated from the leg muscles stretching and contracting to achieve maximum power, but good running technique, driving through the arms and co-ordination are also vital.

#5 Skill speed

Watching a player run at pace and carry the ball is a truly awesome sight.

Sprinting full out while keeping possession and holding off any challenges from opponents to dribble and create an opportunity to shoot at goal is a tremendous ability.

This key skill though is still built on the last point which is speed of feet.

However, while a player may be very quick is only advantageous if their ball manipulation and technical skills are as up to speed as their pace (pardon the pun).

So, what can you do to help coach the 5 key speed principles?

#1 Speed of thought – enable players to make their own decisions, that means give them lots of opportunites to make choices. Condition games so that it forces them to think.

Play soccer games with them, don’t just do drill work. By playing games they will also gain experience which help them build their database from which to draw on.

Keep them motivated, players will not think unless they are motivated and stimulated to do so. Finally, let them be free of any fear and stress of making wrong decisions.

#2 Speed of anticipation – play more soccer, coach them through the game.

Ask plenty of questions on how they are reading the game development.

Offer your insights into positions they have taken up in relation to opponents advances, both strengths and weaknesses.

#3 Speed of reaction – use reaction balls, have goal keeper starting positions with their back to play and react to shots, play rebounds off walls.

Try not to use your whistle or command as the key for the reaction as this wouldn’t happen in a real game so don’t practice this way.

#4 Speed of feet – always, always warm the muscles up before doing any speed work!

Do some sprints, keep it high intensity with short sharp bursts. Develop good running technique with the use of speed ladders and hurdles.

Try using some different starting positions to like standing, from a jump and land, on their back, on their stomach, incorporate turns, feints and directional changes.

#5 Skill speed – make your training as game related as possible, focusing on speed with the ball, movement, game related distances and challenge.

Hopefully this has given you some good food for thought, enjoy your training!

http://www.juniorsoccercoach.com

The golfer elbow is very similar to the tennis elbow and can be a nagging and extremely painful injury that has the danger of recurring again and again.

The golfer elbow is a rather annoying injury for many golfers and usually greatly disrupts their game. This is because doctors will always advice that you stay away completely from the game until the injury heals completely. This may take quite sometime. The elbow is a joint and most joint injuries take much longer to heal than other injuries because it is difficult to completely avoid using a joint in our day to day lives.

Golfer elbow is usually caused by either sudden movement or continued recurring strain on the tendons. A tendon in the body usually joins a muscle to a bone. Actually this injury occurs on the tendon around the elbow area.

Apart from medication and rest away from golf, another way of dealing with golf elbow is by carrying out certain stretch exercises.

To prevent the injury a golfer will have to introduce exercise into their golf training program. The exercises are mostly stretch exercises and strength exercises to improve the strength and endurance of key muscles in the body that are used in the golf game and especially during the golf swing.

The stretching exercises should be done before and after a game. Some sort of warm up needs to be done before embarking on the stretching exercises so as to avoid injury. This does not need to be very elaborate. You can for example walk very briskly from the car to the course as your warm up program. The ides is to avoid suddenly stretching your muscles when they are cold and stiff from inactivity.

A simple exercise program where some of the stretching exercises can even be done in the office on your desk when you have a moment will help any golfer avoid the golfer elbow. And those golfers who already have a nagging golfer elbow can also speed their way to complete recovery by taking some expert advice in the use of golf-specific exercises.

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Working girls have been made popular with the television show Secret Diary with the graceful Billie Piper. In the tv show the escort is made out to be glamorous and rich and always looking pretty. The show is a top rated show in the UK and many men have seen it and have now booked a working girl. This has helped to fuel the increase in single men feeling much happier and better about the choice a single boy has in London.

Pressure is part of all sports and its impact in youth sports is something we need to carefully evaluate. The spotlight is brightest in baseball; there is simply no place to hide. For the pitcher, batter, catcher and anybody the ball is hit to, all the attention of parents and peers is riveted on that player. In soccer, basketball or other sports, it’s easy enough to “blend in”, but not in baseball. I have tremendous respect for every kid who takes the risk and goes out to play ball – especially the kids who are not as talented; it’s not easy. This is especially true for a young pitcher who controls every aspect of the game. Is there simply too much pressure put on kids to early? I don’t think so. As we evaluate the physiological aspects of pressure, the kid’s psychology, our own beliefs, and effective ways to deal with pressure, I’ll let you know why.

What Is Stress? – Changes, such as sudden trauma, several big crises, or many small daily hassles, cause stress. The human body has different ways of responding to stress; one quick responding nerve-hormonal system involving adrenaline, another long-lasting system involving cortisol, and perhaps others. These systems not only determine the intensity of our anxiety reactions but also our attitudes, energy level, depression, and physical health after the stressful events are over. Stress can also be a source of energy that can be directed towards useful purposes. How many of us would study or work hard if it were not for anxiety about the future? Life is a dynamic process and thus forever changing and stressful. Physiologic changes including an increased heart rate and blood pressure, faster breathing, muscle tension, dilated pupils, dry mouth and increased blood sugar all take place. In other words, stress can also be described as a state of increased arousal. Up to a certain point stress is beneficial. We can perform with greater energy and increased awareness with the influx of excitatory hormones that release immediate energy.

Understanding Each Child – There are genetic, constitutional, and other factors that influence the pressure an individual will feel in any situation and their reaction to that stress. Some of us may have been born “nervous”, “happy”, “emotional”, or even “grouches.” Almost certainly we are by nature prone to be shy or outgoing, and we also inherit a propensity for certain psychological effects, including our reaction to stress. So, we have to expect that each child will be impacted by and deal with pressure situations differently. It is imperative to judge each child as an individual. Some kids are desperate to bat with the bases loaded or the pitch in a clutch situation. Does your child hope the ball is hit to him so that he can make the play or does hope it’s not hit in his direction so that he can’t make an error? My favorite Michael Jordan quote is: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” You want to put kids into a position where they can succeed and to do that you need to understand who they are and how they are impacted by different pressure situations.

Another difference in children can be the way that they act in team vs. individual sports. A friend of mine has a child who is a very good athlete and highly competitive in tennis and golf, but “disappears” in soccer and basketball. The psychology behind this is simply that this person is able to perform when she knows that it’s all up to her. However, she doesn’t want to be the one who lets down the team by missing a shot. On the other hand, some children may react in just the opposite manner and not want the outcome to be totally determined by their own actions

The easiest thing to do is very simple – just ask the kids. You may be surprised at how honest the answers will be. Here are some questions to try:

1.When the game is tied and you’re playing in the field, do you want the ball to be hit to you or would you prefer that the ball is hit to one of your teammates?

2.If your team is losing by one run in the bottom of the last inning, the bases are loaded, and there are two out, do you want to be at bat?

3.If you’re on deck in the same situation, do you want your teammate to win the game or do you want a chance to get to the plate?

4.Would you prefer your teammate make the last out of the game so that you don’t have to bat with the game on the line?

5.Do you want to pitch?

6.Would you want to come in with the bases loaded and your team has a one run lead in the championship game? Projection of Parents, Friends and Relatives – Projection is one of the defense mechanisms identified by Freud and still acknowledged today. According to Freud, projection is when someone is threatened by or afraid of their own impulses so they attribute these impulses to someone else. For example, a parent or grandparent who is so nervous about the outcome of a game can project their own insecurity and stress onto a child when the child isn’t bothered at all. For example, I know some grandparents, who are admittedly risk averse themselves and protective of their kids (no matter how old they are) are now at least as protective of their grandchildren. They have a grandson who is an excellent pitcher and loves to pitch, but they still feel that he’s under too much pressure and maybe he shouldn’t even be playing baseball. This is an example of projection of their feelings about the child rather than actually finding out how he feels. I know many parents who prefer their child not come to bat in a tough situation just in case their kid makes the last out. While this is very easy to understand since we all want to protect our children, it often isn’t the kids feeling the pressure, but the rest of us.

Dealing With Pressure – Webster’s Dictionary defines “Pressure” as “the burden of physical or mental distress”. Even that definition is interesting because it neglects the possibility that people can perform well and even thrive under pressure and stress. One misconception though with performing under pressure is that stress always has a negative connotation. Many times, “the stress of competition may cause a negative anxiety in one performer but positive excitement in another”. That is why one frequently hears how elite players’ thrive under pressure, when most others would crumble. As individuals, our nervous systems differ; however, according to Richard Dienstbier at the University of Nebraska, we may be able to modify our physiological reactions by learning coping skills. Not surprisingly, exercise and sports participation are commonly considered as activities to reduce stress from other areas in life. However, if a child is feeling pressure while playing sports, here are some solid stress relief techniques they can employ: 1.Visualization – Before a game, visualize yourself in stressful situations and dealing with them successfully. Put yourself into that place mentally so that you can deal with it better when it happens in reality. During the game, you can remember back to how you’ve already dealt with this situation and are mentally prepared for it. Just so you know where I’m coming from, visualization is simply a shorter version of meditation.

2.Breathing – If a kid is feeling stressed during a game, feeling less anxious can often be as simple as taking a few deep breaths. Deep breathing is a very effective method of relaxation. It is a core component of everything from the ‘take ten deep breaths’ approach to calming someone down, right through to yoga relaxation and Zen meditation. It works well in conjunction with other relaxation techniques such as Progressive Muscular Relaxation, relaxation imagery and meditation to reduce stress.

Conclusion – A lot has been made of the impact of pressure in youth sports and the negative impact, but much of this is simply projecting a parent or relative’s individual beliefs on the situation. While you can argue that I’m doing the same thing, but in reverse, I in fact take a different position which is: 1) to acknowledge that pressure does exist, but 2) to determine how each individual child can deal with the situation. Only by knowing each child can you determine if the situation is, in fact, distress rather than an adrenaline producing pressure moment which the kid loves.

1) Okay, 59 can still be had at -115 at matchbook, the exchange backed by WSEX.

Went ahead and grabbed it up. Both these defenses looked stronger past the 1st quarter of their repective games last week.

Michigan is a lot more physical than Pittsburgh, and will make plays and not miss the kind of tackles the Panthers did. The Michigan D struggled with mobile QB’s like Troy Smith and Vince Young, but this won’t be as much a problem with Brady Quinn who is a classic drop back passer.

On the other side, Michigan has some nice weapons with Hart, Avant, and Breaston, but Carr is still a stubborn guy who likes to establish the run. These two offenses are more ball control than meets the eye. I believe the Irish will hit, and hold their own against this offense. Weis has stressed they cut down on the penalties though.

My projected total looks closer to 48, I see some of these drives being stalled and both teams having to settle for field goal attempts a handful of times.

I give Michigan a slight edge here, but can’t take the 7 at the Big House. Don’t see ND pulling off the SU win.

Regular play: Michigan/Notre Dame UNDER 59

2) Top Play: Iowa -8 1/2 over Iowa State DEFENSE

That’s the difference here, namely Iowa’s defense. Just don’t see this Cyclones club being able to establish much of a run game, and I know their QB Meyer can’t pass this team to victory in this spot.

I am usually wary of laying almost double digits on the road, especially in a rivalry game. But, the talent gap has grown between this two teams compared to previous years. Ferentz has turned this program into one of the most talented in the country. Yeah, they get overhyped at times, but that’s because they take care of teams in these situations.

Even though Iowa State is a Big 12 North contender, they aren’t close to being one of the best teams in that conference. Iowa, on the other hand, is among the elite in likely the toughest conference in the NCAA’s.

Drew Tate is the real deal at QB, and he’s even more dangerous now that he’s got healthy running backs to help shoulder the load. I expect the Iowa O-Line to knock the Iowa St defense off the ball all day long.

Give me the better team on both sides of the ball, the more efficent quarterback, better special teams, and better coach. I see very little that impresses me about Iowa State here, except they do play hard for McCarney.

They’ll have to make this an ugly defensive battle to stay close, because they certainly don’t have the firepower to move up and down the field against this defense. Doubtful.

Top Play: Iowa -8 1/2