Sports Picks & Predictions

This game applies to a totals situation which is 196-113, and the play is on the under.

This game fits a totals situation which has gone 196-113-2 the last 26 years, the play in this game is on the under.

Division games have a tendency to be physical, and more intense, which usually spells defense. The Vikings have the better team here, but playing in Chicago, regardless of how good the Vikings have been, has been a nightmare, as Minnesota has lost seven straight here and 13 of their last 14. The Vikings have scored 13 points or fewer here in four of their last five, and 14 or less in nine of the last 14. The Vikings defense is allowing just 17 points per game on the season, and an up-and-down Bears` offense is going to have trouble moving the chains and scoring points. The Vikings are 6-1 to the UNDER in their last seven games, and this series has seen the same result, as six of the last seven have come in UNDER the total. The Bears have bounced back from a porous rushing defensive game, as they are 36-17-1 to the UNDER in their last 54 after allowing 150 or more yards on the ground in their previous game. This game also fits a situation which is 118-76 to the under (54-23 if a division game). Take the UNDER in this one.

This game fits a totals situation which is 196-110 since 1989. Make the play on the under.

This game fits a totals situation which is 196-110 since 1989. Make the play on the under.

This game fits a situation which has played to the under to a 196-108 record over the past 26 NFL seasons. Make the play on the under.

This game fits a situation which has played to the under to a 196-108 record over the past 26 NFL seasons. Make the play on the under.

The Georgia Tech option has been as good under Coach Paul Johnson as it was at Navy, when most said it would not work on this level. This year however he doesn't have the horses to pull it off and tech no longer has the power running game, although they are still trying. The overall numbers say 5.2 yards per contest, but that is a mirage. The yellow jackets piled up the yardage vs over-matched teams such as Alcorn St. and Tulane, but in their 4 games vs comparable competition just 208-705 3.4 yards per carry, an all-time low. Pitt has one of the top defensive teams in the country, especially against the run where they have limited opponents to 2.9 yards per carry on the season. The better part of the Panther attack has been in the air, but Georgia Tech's defense has defended the pass better than the run, so it is not a favorable match up for the Panthers offense either. I don't see a lot of scoring here. Pitt has averaged just a total of 118 plays by both teams per game, as they control the game with their defense. Make the play on the under.

This game is an automatic blind total play for me, as it is from a situation that has gone 61-161-4 ATS O/U. Make the play on the under.

This game is an automatic blind total play for me, as it is from a situation that has gone 61-161-4 ATS O/U. Make the play on the under.

The Oakland Raiders come to week 4 favored to equal their season win total from a year ago of 3. The Bears on the other hand, at 0-3, look to avoid their worst start in 15 years. The Raiders may be 2-1, but it took 2 straight games with less than :40 seconds to go to claim those victories, so the margin for error with this team is still razor thin. The Raiders have not won consecutive games on the road since 2011, and we have seen this movie before. The bears suffered their first shutout since 2002 last week, but that was a desperate 0-2 Seattle team, and Oakland is not Seattle. It isn't about the teams here however, it is about the points. Oakland's improvement has come on offense, and Chicago has not stopped anyone at this point, allowing 28.7ppg. The Raiders have allowed 28ppg on the road over the past 4 years, and 2015. The fact is their best effort was allowing 13 on the road over the period and just 4 teams have scored less than 20. The Bears since the start of the 2013 season have held 5 teams under 20 points, while allowing 16 to get to 30+. This game fits an inter-conference total situation which is 55-17 to the over. This one follows suit, make the play on the over.

It is tough to suffer a letdown after a loss, but the Ravens dropped a tough 19-13 decision in their opener in Denver, then were a no-show last week in Oakland, losing 37-33. I expect a huge effort this week as the Ravens know if they want to make the playoffs, starting 0-3 would likely leave them behind. History certainly tells the story as any team starting the season at 0-3 has a 2% chance of making the playoffs. I expect to see an intense defensive effort at home vs Cincinnati by the Ravens this week, much the same as we saw in week 1 in Denver. The fact is Baltimore has allowed an average of 16.8ppg here in their history, which dips to 14.4ppg when favored here. The last 2 years have seen Cincinnati road games average just 38.3ppg, less in division games. Baltimore division games averaging just 32.6ppg the last 2 years. This game also fits a 105-196-2 O/U situation. Defensive struggle expected, play on the under.

 We have watched the slow erosion of the New Orleans Saints offense over the last 4 years, and it continues into the start of the 2015 season. The Saints in 2011 scored 30 points in 12 games, down to 8 in 2012, down to 6 in 2013, and down to 5 last season. Drew Brees has had a great run, but his 84 INT`s the last 5 seasons have taken their toll, and the Saints through 2 games have not scored even 20 in either game. Count the NFLX dress rehearsal game 3, where they scored just 13, and it is a problem. Carolina has never been a high scoring team, and have always been strong defensively. Their 165 home games have seen an average of 39.7ppg scored. Just 47 of their 165 home games have seen more than 45 total points scored (28.4%). That has translated to a 24-42-1 O/U mark at home in their history. This game also fits a situation which is 105-196-2 O/U. Make the play on the under.

The Alabama Crimson Tide have not skipped a beat under Saban, thanks to a continued influx of 5* recruits, that reload, and never rebuild. This season however, it may take some time for the offense to get on track. QB Blake Sims is the single season passing leader, and he is gone and his replacement is still undetermined. The top 3 receivers are gone, as well as the 4th all-time rusher, and 3 of the 5 members on the offensive line. While the talent pool is rich, early tough games could slow the offense. The defense is another story, and as good as defense has been in recent years, this may be their best, especially the front 7, which is not only big, but quick and versatile enough to handle all the spread offenses in the SEC. they have lots of experience at corner, and plenty of talented competition to fill the safety positions. All in all, Wisconsin will not find the going easy here. The strength of the Badger's offense will be RB Corey Clement, and a strong defense. Like Alabama, they are questionable at QB, and likely not able to take advantage of where the Tide is most vulnerable, in the secondary, at least early. Melvin Gordon and his near 2,600 yards is gone, and replacing those yards will not be easy, especially in this game, as the Tide is tough against the run, and undeniably so this season. QB Joel Stave has been more of a protector, than a difference maker, and with a very inexperienced line in front of him, against a fierce defense, he will be hard pressed to be a difference maker here. The defenses have a lot more answers than either offense for this opener. Since Nick Saban came to Alabama, he is 30-2 SU in regular season non-conference games, and his defenses have combined to allow just 9.2ppg in the 32 games. None of those 32 opponents have scored more than 24 points, in fact 26 of the 32 scored 14 or less!That hasn't changed much in the 4 games where the game was expected to be more competitive, as Alabama has allowed 13ppg in the 4 played to a line of -7 to -14. Make the play on the under.

I am adding this late because of the timing of weather that will effect this game today. Rain, snow, sleet, do not have an impact on totals in NFL football games, but wind is a huge issue, and it effects the punting game, the return game on special teams, field goal attempts and the passing game. Historically the under is a huge producer with big winds. This is right from NOAA regarding Seattle weather today:

Showers. High near 51. Breezy, with a southwest wind 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

The 60 MPH gusts that occurred this morning will lessen, but gusts to 40 MPH likely, and sustained winds 20-25 MPH.

Make the play on the under.

This game fits a Bowl totals situation which is 51-20 ATS, and the play is on the under.

This game fits a total situation which has a Bowl record of 26-5, and the play is on the under.

This game fits a total situation which has a Bowl record of 26-5, and the play is on the under.

This game fits 2 Bowl total situations, one is 48-21, the other is 25-5, and the play is on the under.

December Bowl teams that lost their last game in a conference championship game are 22-3 to the under in their Bowl game. Make the play on the under.

December Bowl teams that lost their last game in a conference championship game are 22-3 to the under in their Bowl game. Make the play on the under.

The SEC has had some strong defensive teams in Bowl games over the course of the last 35 years. The fact is they have sent 22 dogs to Bowl games, that allowed less than 16 points per game, and the highest combined score in any of them has been 55 points. Make the play on the under.

The Louisville offense has been much better over the last half of the season, and they enter having scored 30+ points in each of their last 5 games. They faced some good defenses and scored 31 vs Miami, FL, 31 vs Notre Dame, 38 vs BC, and 31 vs Florida St. I think they can score against Georgia. The Bull Dogs score against virtually everyone having been held in the 20s just 2 times all season, and one of those was due to 4 turnovers. This game is going to be higher scoring than expected. Georgia is on a 20-7 run in their last 27 to the over, and 12-3 over off a loss. Cards late season improved offense has them at 4-0-1 to the over in their last 5. Make the play on the over in this one.

The LSU Tigers are coming off a huge running game vs Texas A&M, a game that saw them run for 384 yards. That sets up the total for this game, as all Bowl teams that come into their Bowl game after gaining more than 360 yards on the ground are 14-0-1 to the under in their Bowl game. Make the play on the under.

 Not too many teams defending the way the Clemson Tigers did in their last 8 games. Clemson held their 8 opponents to 101 total points or just 12.6ppg. This is also a team with a very limited offense, so in order for them to win the defense has to excel. Oklahoma was fair against very good offensive teams, but dominated poor offensive teams, as their 5 games vs teams with limited offense resulted in a total of 54 points allowed. I think the Clemson offense is closer to those 5 teams than the rest of the Sooner`s schedule, and I think this is going to be a much lower scoring game than many think. This game also fits a 49-21-2 situation that plays on the under. Under gets the call here.

This game fits a game 16 situation which is 22-3. The play is on the under

 This game fits a Bowl situation which is 14-1 on the total. Bowl teams with 9 wins facing a Bowl team with 7 to 9 wins, with a total greater than 59, are 14-1 to the under. Make the play on the under.

This game fits a Bowl situation which is 14-1 on the total. Bowl teams with 9 wins facing a Bowl team with 7 to 9 wins, with a total greater than 59, are 14-1 to the under. Make the play on the under.

 This game fits a pair of Bowl total situations of 47-20 and 25-5. Make the play on the under

This game fits situations which are 47-20 and 25-4, and the play is on the under.

Tim Beckman has not had great success since coming to Illinois, but his team should be focused here. That first season saw Beckman's Illini get off to a 2-1 start and then proceeded to get thumped by Louisiana Tech 52-24. Illinois never won a game the rest of the year. A lot of upperclassmen remember that beat down, and I think the Illini come in as a motivated group, which should slow down the average Bull Dogs attack. The problem is an Illinois offense that scored less than 20 points in 5 games, against a very elite Tech pass defense. This game fits 3 situations which are 47-20, 21-4, and 20-3. Make the play on the under.

The Fresno St. Bull Dogs had one of the most potent offenses in NCAAF last year, but they lost all the key players, 2 of which are now playing and contributing on Sunday. The offensive attack is significantly below average. Rice is a good passing team, but Conference USA did not have any good defenses this season, and while they scored 41 or more points in 4 of their first 7 games, they never got over 31 from that point on. Fresno St. lost their Championship game to Boise St. and teams that lose their Conference Championship game are 20-2 to the under since 2006 in their Bowl game, if it is a December Bowl. Make the play on the under.

Central Michigan and W. Kentucky both come into this game at 7-5 on the season. W. Kentucky and C. Michigan are both good passing attacks, while the better defensive team is Central Michigan. W. Kentucky scored 164 points in their last 3 games, at 54.7ppg. That makes them the 12th highest scoring Bowl team since 1980 considering just their 3 most recent games. One of those games featured 2 teams that both scored 164+ over their last 3 games, the other 10 averaged just 58 total points in their Bowl game. This game also fits a situation that is 21-6 to the under, based on a high scoring offensive team (40ppg or more) in a December Bowl game. Make the play on the under.

The Marshall Thundering Herd had it all going, but stumbled in a shootout vs W. Kentucky losing 67-66. They may be without their best running back Devon Johnson who injured his shoulder. N. Illinois is an average team on both sides of the line of scrimmage while Marshall is above average on both sides, but things haven't gone as smoothly late in the season with just 23 points vs UAB, and 26 vs LA Tech. This game also fits a Bowl total situation that plays under the total when there is a team that scores 40 or more points a game in a December Bowl, which is 21-6. Make the play on the under.

Bowling Green lost a lot of their defense from a year ago, but still managed to get to the MAC Championship game. That didn't work out too well, as they were crushed by N. Illinois. While the defense did improve as the season progressed, the offense tended to regress, and generated 5.5 yards per play vs teams that would combine to allow 5.8, so below average. The defense was average vs the pass, but below average against the run, but better in the 2nd half of the season, as this team grades out average. They should fare much better vs a S. Alabama team that has a brutal offense, one that averages just 5.1 yards a play vs a schedule of teams allowing 5.9. The S. Alabama defense is above average, so this game should really be won or lost by the defenses, and the total is considerably off the mark here. Teams that lose a conference Championship game, and are playing in a December Bowl game are 20-2 to the under since 2006. Make the play on the under in this one.

It has been an amazing season for Utah St. who finished at 9-4. The amazing part about it is they have lost 3 QB's to injury, two of them season ending, and a 3rd, Craig Harrison is nursing a knee. Harrison completed just 51.2% of his passes, and has attempted just 32 passes. The Aggies do however have a strong defense, and they will try to shorten this game, and win it with their defense. UTEP has a pedestrian offense, but are above average on defense and I don't expect there to be a lot of scoring in this game, as both offenses have struggled, and facing defenses, both which are better than the offenses, yards and points will come slowly. This game also fits a Bowl angle total situation which is 25-4. Make the play on the under.

The UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns have to feel comfortable here, as they have won and covered the New Orleans Bowl, which is right in their own back yard 3 straight years. Their strength on defense is against the run, and they have been suspect against the pass, but Nevada is a very poor passing team generating just 6.3 yards per attempt vs teams that average allowing 7.3. UL Lafayette may keep it on the ground here as well, as that is where Nevada is vulnerable on defense. This game should come down to a ground war, and I think the total is over done here. these teams have combined to average 86 rushing plays per game, and over 93 the 2nd half of the season. This game also fits a perfect total Bowl angle which is 12-0-1 to the under, that plays under when a team rushed for over 360 yards in their last game and their Bowl total is over 51.5. Make the play on the under.

This may be the NFL Primetime Snoozer of the year, as the 2-12 Tennessee Titans take on the equally inept Jacksonville Jaguars, also at 2-12. One reason these teams have struggled is the absence of playmakers at QB and the skill positions. That has left both teams amongst the worst in plays per game, featuring Tennessee an NFL worst at getting off 56.6 plays per game, and Jacksonville 23rd at 62.9. Teams playing after week 15 and both have less than 6 wins to a line of less than -6.5, with the home squad off an under are 14-1 to the under all-time. That is a subset of a full set which shows 34-9 to the under, and n average of 33.9ppg scored by both teams combined. The last 17 meetings between these teams at Jacksonville have resulted in a 13-4 mark to the under, with an average of 36.1ppg scored, and 8-0 to the under if the meeting occurs from week 11-16. Three times these teams played an under game earlier in the season at Tennessee and the rematch later in the season all went under. Also home favorites in division games, played on Thursday with a total of 36.5-44 are 26-7 to the under, with an average of just 32.8ppg scored, and have beaten the total by 8ppg, and are 4-0 this year to the under. Make the play on the under.

The New Orleans Saints at 5-8, are still in control of their own playoff destiny. The NFC South is a mess of bad teams. One thing for sure this is not the offense it once was despite of the yardage. Drew Brees is generating just 7.4 yards per attempt, his lowest in 4 years, his 28 TD passes, the lowest in 7 years. The Saints have scored 30 points or more in just 1 of their last 6 games, and to put that in perspective, the last time they went through a 6 game stretch reaching 30 points just 1 time, was 60 games ago! The Bears are no bargain on defense, but have done much better here than on the road. They give up just 25.3ppg here, and 31.8ppg on the road. Chicago will also miss Brandon Marshall who is out, and on the season the Bears have yet to score more than 28 points in a game. Teams that have scored less than 30 points in their first 13 games average 18.3ppg in game 14, so they don't get things figured out as a rule. The fact is no team that has scored less than 30 in their first 13 games has played to a total of greater than 49. The Saints offense has scored 30+ points just 4 times all season. It has been a slow and steady erosion of this defense over the last 4 years. Three years ago they did it 10 times, 2 years ago 8 times, last year 6 times, this year just 4. This is a reputation total, and is over done. This game also fits a situation which is 109-74 to the under. Make the play on the under.

The Philadelphia Eagles are off a poor offensive game, but that has been a testament to the over in their next game. The Eagles are 24-0 to the over in their last 24 games when they scored less than 23 points as a dog. Make the play on the over.

This game fits a situation that is 136-66, and the play is on the under.

This game fits a situation that is 136-66, and the play is on the under.

This game fits a situation that is 136-66, and the play is on the under.

The Army vs Navy game is one of my favorite games of the year. I guess it started when I was a kid, and used to love watching the game, and that has never changed. These teams tend to mirror each other as they both run the option on offense, and because of that have a tendency to play better than their ability on defense, because what they see, they have practiced against the entire year. That is one reason why since 1980 these teams have scored more than 55 points combined just 4 times. The under is 8-0 in the last 8 meetings, and with the clock running continuously, these games usually have less plays, with an average yards per play, less than a game that involves a lot of passing. Army has scored an average of 11ppg in the last 12 meetings. Make the play on the under.

Neither of these teams have been impressive on offense, while the defenses have shown up big. Arizona has held 11 of 13 opponents to 20 or less points, while the Rams have held 4 of their last 6 opponents to 10 points or less including Denver and Peyton Manning to 7. Thursday Night games between division teams with relatively low totals (36.5-44) have been 25-7 to the under in the last 32 meetings when the home team is favored, with 5 of the overs coming when the line was -6 to -9, and 20-2 under to all other lines. Make the play on the under.

This game fits a totals situation which is 151-76 and another which is 190-99. The play is on the under.

Central Florida knew they would not be the same offensive team as they were a year ago behind Blake Bortles. they did however expect to have a good team, as they returned 9 starters on defense. That certainly has been the case, as they have held their last 3 opponents to a total of 14 combined points. UCF allowed 38 points to Missouri but on just 322 yards, 37 to UConn on jut 327 yards, and 24 to BYU on just 342 yards. The bottom line is they have allowed a lot of points in very few games, and when they did the opponents yardage did not equate to the points scored. ECU behind Shane Carden is considered a big time offense, but the fact is they are ordinary. They have struggled against good defenses, and I expect them to score less than expected here. The total is way too high in this one, make the play on the under.

This is a non-conference total situation which is 53-12 since 1990, including 8-3 this season. The play is on the over.

This is a non-conference total situation which is 53-12 since 1990, including 8-3 this season. The play is on the over. This also has a subset of 26-2 to the over

This game fits a situation that is 65-22, and the play is on the over.

The Detroit Lions offense has not scored a TD in their last 2 games. Since scoring 35 points against the Giants in their opener this team has produced all of 16 TD's on the season. When you consider that 2 of those came on a fumble, and interception return, the offense has produced just 14 in 10 games. Then consider that 6 of the 14 came on pass plays of 59,49,73 yards and a running play of 26 yards, that leaves just 9 others. There is certainly more offensive talent on this team to produce more, and the Bears may be the answer. The Lions rank 10th in the NFL in passing yards, and that was mostly done without Megatron. The Bears are 29th defending the pass, and allow a lot of big plays. The Lions are the best team in the NFL vs the run, and despite a good overall defense, they are more vulnerable to the pass. I think the ball is going to be in the air a lot in this game, with big plays abounding. The Lions have not played a game since their opener with more than 47 points scored in it. teams that score 0 TD's in 2 straight games with the last one being away are 18-4 to the over in their next game, and 10-1 to the over if both games were away. Make the play on the over in this one.

The New Orleans Saints should be out of the playoff picture at 4-6 through 10 games. The fact is even with a loss tonight, and if they dropped to 4-7 they are still tied for first in the woeful NFC South. Worse yet, the 2-9 Tampa Bay Bucs would be just 2 games out. The fact is the Saint's offense has been in a slow decline for the past 4 years, including this one. Looking back 4 years ago they scored 30 plus in 12 of 18 games, the following year 8 in 16 games, last year 6 in 18 games, and this year just 2 of their last 8. Baltimore had one bad defensive game, which came in the midst of Big ben on a 3 game rampage. The Ravens, other than that have allowed 27 or less to every other team, and an average of 15.3ppg. This total is based on the Saints offensive reputation, which no longer exists. make the play on the under.

This game fits a total situation which is 150-76, and the play is on the under.

This game fits a totals situation which is 21-1-1 and the play is on the under.

The St. Louis Rams will start Shaun Hill at QB. Hill has had a history of playing in high scoring games, as in his 22 starts over the last 5 years the over is 14-8, and that includes 9-4 to the over as a dog, and 3-0 over as a home dog where an average of 63.7ppg has been scored. he has also started 4 games with a total from 47-54, and all 4 topped the total. Peyton Manning should be almost a default over play as over the last 5 years when he starts his team is 50-29 to the over, including 21-8 as a road favorite, where he has led his team to an average of 31.8ppg. This game also fits a situation that is 26-1 to the over as well. Make the play on the over.

This game fits one of my top totals situations which is 149-76-2 to the under over the last 25 years, and it has only been under .500 in one season, and over the last 4 years it is 31-12 to the under, and 62.5% this year so far. Make the play on the under.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens are a huge rivalry, and these teams not only know each others tendencies well, they play to very close games with a high degree of regularity with 9 of the last 11 meetings decided by 3 points or less. The last 23 meetings have seen the Steelers pass for 300 yards or more just 1 time, while the Ravens have not passed for 300 yards or more in any of the last 23. The last 23 games in this series has seen the average points scored at 36.8ppg lower than any other combination of teams in the last 23 meetings. Just 1 of those last 23 games saw more than 48 points scored between these teams. This is an inflated total, and this game also fits a situation which is 117-74 to the under, including 18-3 when the total is posted at 47 or higher. Cold conditions in Pittsburgh tonight won't help the cause for points. Make the play on the under.

The UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns were supposed to be a dynamic offensive team this season. Terrence Broadway is a solid senior QB that started his career in Houston, and transferred and threw for 5200 yards and 36 TD's over the last 2 years, but has struggled this season. That was until WR and main target Jamal Robinson came back from an injury, and things are looking like they were supposed to. The defense has been very poor allowing over a yard per play more on average than the offense they have faced. Arkansas St. has gotten a huge boost on offense with RB Michael Gordon back. Gordon in his last 2 games has run for over 10 yards per carry on 33 attempts, and will likely get a lot of opportunities here against a soft defense. Cajun's are 18-7-1 to the over in their last 26 at home, and 10-2-1 to the over in their last 13 on turf. This game applies to a totals situation which is 65-34, and the play is on the over.

This game fits a totals situation which is 148-74-2 to the under. After going 13-4 last year it is now 4-1 this year. Make the play on the under.

This game fits a totals situation which is 148-74-2 to the under. After going 13-4 last year it is now 4-1 this year. Make the play on the under.

This game fits a totals situation that is now 74-148-2. It won on both games yesterday, making it 4-1 this year after going 13-4 last year, the play is on the under.

This game fits a totals situation that is 146-74-2 over the last 25 years, and it went 13-4 last year, and so far it is 2-1 this year. make the play on the under.

This game fits a totals situation that is 146-74-2 over the last 25 years, and it went 13-4 last year, and so far it is 2-1 this year. make the play on the under.

This game fits a totals situation that is 67-23, the play is on the over.

This game fits my strongest total situation which is 46-9-3, and the play is on the over.

This game fits a huge totals situation that has gone 145-73-2 over the last 25 years, including 14-4 last year, and is now 74-31 over the last decade. Division games are played much more intensely on defense. Totals from 50 and up in non-division games are 162-154 to the over where division games are 120-78 to the under. Make the play on the under in this one

 Not much to be learned with this Florida Gator`s team in their expected 65-0 romp over Eastern Michigan. The good news is QB Jeff Driscoll is back and healthy, and the offense is as explosive as ever. Kentucky`s offense was poor a year ago, and they scored just 79 points in 3 non-conference games, but have gotten 80 in their first 2 this year, and should at least be good enough to top the 7 points they got in this game a year ago. Florida is going for 45 here, so unless the Wildcats get shutout, and even if they do, I think this one goes well over the total. History gives us some insight to that effect with a dynamic 64-19 total situation here that leads us to make the call in this one on the over

This is a big game for a couple of reasons. Both these teams got out of the gate extremely slow against opponents that were far superior. They each want to avoid an 0-2 start, and both feel they can win this game. It is also for bragging rights when it comes to recruiting as they share a close proximity, and both recruit Texas hard, as it is each team's home state. SMU failed to score at Baylor, while North Texas scored a lone TD, which occurred when the game was long over. SMU not only lost QB Garrett Gilbert, but he was a proficient runner as well, and the top 2 receivers are gone as well. The running game went for -24 yards in the opener, so the team is hurting offensively, as they generated just 67 total yards of offense. North Texas displayed little in their opener generating 94 total yards. The bottom line here is these teams will really struggle for points, while the defenses are at least average, but both should be above average facing little on offense by their respective opponents. This game fits a game 2 indicator, that plays under the total in a certain situation, which has been 102-55 the last 10 seasons. Play on the under.