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Notre Dame (9) vs Louisville
Monday, September 2 nd, 8:00 PM in Cardinal Stadium
Swinging Johnson: This week Doug Upstone and render our school football picks on the Monday night game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and then I shall detract from our regularly scheduled program of NFL discussion to dip our toes.
It will probably be the first and only time this year we do this, as the previous week of exhibition NFL football is somewhat lackluster in comparison to some regular-season game of NCAA soccer comprising one of the very best teams in the nation, and a mythical football program to boot up, Notre Dame.
Without further ado, let us begin the debate after my buddy Doug Upstone got the best of me last week with a bet about the Steelers while I supported the Titans. We have been swapping wins forth and back so it looks like it is my turn to the wreath, as the Irish are heartily endorsed by me and will accompany each of the squares laying the heavy lumber on a street favorite.
After reviewing the college football odds nearly six days ahead of this Monday night affair, I see the lineup has spiked a half-point about the favorite, starting at Notre Dame -19 1/2 to where its presently offered at a solid -20 across the board at all of the best online sportsbooks.
Doug, I like the Irish but you are currently leaning onto the Cardinals in this season-opening clash. Other than the place, why is it that you think Louisville can hang with the boys out of South Bend?
Doug Upstone: Yup Swinger, IMO and at least a convincing triumph, it said a great deal about the Steelers and Titans management. Let us proceed to real football, so will our recordings with this one and in which the games count.
Recall those Thursday night games Louisville utilized to perform against competitions that are big-name? They held their own and engineered upsets. These were enjoyable games to watch and also the Cardinals were a thrilling club.
However, such as the former Papa Johns Stadium and its phony (in real life) owner, Louisville soccer last season was worse than a three-day-old pizza.
Scott Satterfield will be out to alter the culture and win matches and worked wonders. This will not happen right away as the ability level is down from theVille. This is a major time for Louisville, a group that has the opportunity.
Ive read in which the Cards coaches have sped up the slow mechanics of QB Jawon Pass (great name for a QB) and I enjoy Hassan Hall since the direct running back. The shield which makes me more worried than using a ticket for the Colts at OVER 9 for season wins. You have your Irish up please do tell.
Swinging Johnson: The Cardinals will not be doing flying into this game since the Notre Dame defense will keep them comfortable in their nest. Scott Satterfield is in the big leagues and he has a team last year, where they went winless coming from a dismal record. This rebuild is akin to carrying a hot air balloon and seeking to turn it into an F-22 Raptor.
While that may eventually happen, the problem is that Louisville is confronting a group which made it into the CFP this past year and owned one of the stingiest defenses in all of college football, devoting only 17.2 points within the regular season and going a perfect 12-0 till they fulfilled Clemson in the CFP semifinals. The offense clicked on all cylinders also, averaging 33 points per game over.
My query is, how is a quarterback like Pass whos slow to discharge, supposed to obtain some traction against a swarming Irish defense? Particularly when hes working with an entirely new offensive strategy and a new trainer?
Please, Doug, save me I am lost! I find no way, shape or form in which Louisville is going to have the ability to keep up and I am desperate for your ancestral wisdom and handicapping experience!
Doug Upstone: Well, Swinger, Im pleased to see in your last sentence you are coming over to the glowing side of sports gambling, or youre just being the exact identical shrewd a** you are. I will let the SBR readers who are making college football picks decide on that. Im the first to understand Louisville was not only 2-10, however, 1-11 ATS and fully pumped final year.
Just like he gave up on the Atlanta Falcons but that staff COMPLETELY gave up on coach Bobby Petrino. A new coach brings a new attitude on making a statement and with this being a national match, his staff will be sold by Satterfield. Louisville does have to hope they will not be taken by the Irish and never have much fight.
Lets also consider, Brian Kelly using the blue and gold is only 10-13-1 ATS as a road favorite, and a ATS, if dishing out more or 20 specimens. That defense you said might improve as the season progresses but replacing five starters, if you dont/can not recruit like Bama or even Clemson, it will take some time.
I was being a bit facetious because although youve got an handicapping that was impressive resume, then you miss the mark from time to time. And in this circumstance, because Louisville might be better than last year but Id submit that they could be trained with a Rhesus monkey and enhance upon their document rendered by an coach like Petrino, you happen to be shooting blanks.
I understand that laying nearly three touchdowns on the street would be square biz for sure and Joe Q. Public never got rich by betting the heavy road chalk, but at times the public is right, and in this case they certainly are. Until when we get back on our NFL Game of the Week next week, lets see what happens on Monday night once the Irish come ready to squint at Louisville.
Free College Football Pick: Swinging Johnson — Notre Dame -20 (-110)
Free College Football Pick: Doug Upstone — Louisville +20 (-110)