What am I missing here? I don't think I have liked a game more. Stanford travels across the country with a freshman QB for a 12 am ET kickoff. Didn't watch either team last week but losing to baylor isn't as bad as it sounds and Luck had a pretty good stat line vs. WSU. Ofcourse, WSU could make my sister look like an all-american. The only teams to travel 2 or more time zones last week were LSU and Maryland, and neither team covered. Does anyone know what teams traveling 2 or more time zones were ATS last year? last 2? Anybody have a good website I can look this kind of info up? Thinking about going ahead and hoping on this game before the line moves above 3, but I was 2-7 ATS in week 1 and in the past when i feel so good about a game it ends up being a trap.
Yeah that 9AM PST starting time has really taken it's toll on west coast traveling east coast teams the last few years. Cal-Maryland last year is a great example.
Pretty much finished up my research on this game and I'm loving it even more. I would probably have wake as a 4-7pt favorite on a neutral field add in home field and an early morning kickoff. Haven't heard anyone else talk about this game so maybe its not the public trap i was worried about earlier in the week. Stanford players will be waking up before 5 AM PT Wake Forest has a 4 yr starter at QB ( He did throw 3 ints last week). Stanford has a rFR QB WF has all 5 OL returning. While Skinner threw 3 ints last week (WF had 4 TOs), he is the ACC all time leader in completion % and he is facing a secondary that only had 7 ints all last year. Stanford has a very good RB in Gerhart, but he will be running behind a reshuffeled line that faces a DL that returns 3 straters and WF's DTs are 2 of the best. WF only has 1 returning starter in there back 7, but Stanford has few weapons besides Gerhart to take advantage. I admittly could find very little about Stanford's front 7 so for me thats a ? Skinner's threw 3 ints vs a very experienced back 7 for Baylor, I see this as a week 1 anomally(sp). As long as WF holds on to the ball they should win easily. My prediction 28-10 I'm taking WF -3 (-120) for 4 units. (Kicking my self for not taking it at -2.5)
Stanford is the better team, the early morning call is the only thing that gives me qualms. If it were @Stanford I would put money on the Trees (Stanfords old mascot...not Wake Forest)
I'm curious why do you think Stanford is the better team? I have WF with an advantage at QB and OL on offense, Stanford with an advantage at RB (but WF has 3 very capable RBs) and a push at WR. On defense I have WF with advantage on the DL. Even if I give Stanford the advantage at LB(don't know anything about them) and DB (from what I know I would call it a push), I would say the team with the better QB and lines are the better team, in this case WF. Just proofread the above and it sounds defensive (Not my intention). Just want to find out more. I admit I don't know alot about Stanford. Also forgot to include Stanford was 1-7 SU on the road last year with their lone win @ Washington
I've been pretty outspoken about how I feel about Stanford this year. The road games, they lost by one TD to Oregon and ND, and by 3 to UCLA. UCLA and Oregon were decided late, they had to rally against ND though. Harbaugh is a VERY good coach. Stanford is no frills, but they execute well, play hard, and play tough. And outside of LT, QB, and WR they are experienced as hell. Especially on D, 6 Seniors. They have no spectacular players but almost everyone is solid, you know? I'm still not betting on this game. Early in the season, 5AM wakeup across the country...doesn't bode well. But I still think Stanford is a better team than most realize this year. Strong running game, and a good coach.
Good to know, and I think Stanford will go to a bowl this year. I just learned Stanford hasn't started school yet and are practicing at 9 am to prepare for this game. I hope this board has more discussions like this because its impossible for guys with jobs to watch all the games and learn about every team.