It's hard to believe one of the best coaches in America, Kirk Ferentz of the Hawkeyes, was on the hot seat earlier this season. He is not longer in that position and is taking an improving team into Nebraska as a three-point underdog, and should come away with an outright win.
This is the season for not only turkey, but also for conspiracy theories given the JFK coverage. A win here for the Orange makes them bowl-eligible. Since BC already is bowl-eligible, any close call probably will go to Syracuse in this one from the ACC refs, who might even subconsciously try to get another team from the league into postseason play. With that in mind, the Orange will win this one as a two-point underdog. Plus, 'Cuse is very good in the Carrier Dome.
The Thundering Herd have one of the best defensive coordinators in the country, Chuck Heater (ask fans of both Florida and Temple if they miss him), who has his team ranked No. 25 in the nation in scoring defense. However, Marshall has not faced the kind of edge speed that East Carolina has, and that is why the visiting Pirates will not only cover the 2.5 spread, but come away with an outright win.
Darrell Hazell has yet to leave his mark on Purdue like he did for lowly Kent State last year, but he will in due time. The Boilermakers have had some interesting moments, like when they took Notre Dame down to the wire, and the common denominator between that game and this one is the in-state rivalry aspect. That's why the 20.5 points that the Boilermakers are getting here against the Hoosiers is just way too high. This could be a one-touchdown game either way.
One of the best coaching jobs in America is being done by Curtis Johnson of Tulane, who has his team eligible for a bowl game after going 2-10 a year ago. Even though the Green Wave will travel to Houston to play Rice, 13.5 points is way too high in this one and Johnson will scheme just enough to pull off the upset.
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