After a couple of rough seasons many are predicting the return of Longhorns football as we used to know it. There has always been lots of highly touted talent and we have been told that this is the year it is fitting back together again.
The TCU Horned Frogs made a big step up when they entered the Big 12. Having said that, there is still one “layup” in the Big 12 right now and that is the Kansas Jayhawks.
Its a new era in Houston. No more Case Keenum and no more Kevin Sumlin. Hopefully not no more victories. They are off to an 0-2 start including a bad opening game against Texas State in which the Cougars scored just 13 points.
The Louisville Cardinals are considered the cream of the crop in the Big East, but the Cardinals are hoping to accomplish even bigger things this year. Louisville has started the season off with two wins, but this will be their biggest test of the season.
This was expected to be a meeting of two top ten teams, but it didn’t work out the way it was planned. Arkansas lost as a 30-point home favorite against Louisiana-Monroe last weekend. John L. Smith will try to rally the troops this weekend, but they’ll face a very stiff test.
When WSU (1-1) brought in Mike Leach many thought the Cougars would have a high powered offense like Leach’s Texas Tech had, but after only 2 games the Cougars only rank 107th in the nation in points per game.
Utah State should be feeling as about as good as could be coming into this tough road matchup. Last week, in a rare nationally televised game, they beat Utah in overtime. They hadn’t beaten the Utes in some time and will look to carry that momentum into Madison.
Oklahoma State was a double-digit favorite in Arizona last week, but the Cowboys were blasted by the Wildcats.
I am not sure the Fighting Irish deserve that #19 ranking after wins over Navy and Purdue, the latter a nail-biter at home.
It has been a pretty ugly start for Idaho. First they lose to FCS Eastern Washington (at home) while scoring just 3 points. Things were a little better last week as they hung in there on the road against Bowling Green losing by just 8.
This is the first Big East game for Rutgers and South Florida, who are each off to 2-0 starts. Neither team is ranked, but that may change after this Thursday night game. South Florida has looked good on the offensive side of the ball and Rutgers has played solid defense and they rank 4th in the nation in opponents’ points allowed.
It would be hard to get a more high-profile matchup in the preseason. Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin III in Washington this Saturday should be great.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Redskins NFL Betting Preview
FedEX Field
Date/Time: August 25, 4:00 PM EST
NFL Gambling Odds from GTBets
NFL Betting Favorite: Redskins -3
Total: 43.5
RG3 won the Heisman, but Luck was the top draft pick. Everyone knows these two will be compared for many years to come, and this will be the first time they face off against one another on the field.
Let’s take a look at this highly anticipated showdown.
Andrew Luck was amazing in his first preseason game against the Rams, but he struggled last time out against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have one of the best defenses in the NFL, so it shouldn’t come as a shock that Luck couldn’t get going in that one. Still, it proved that while he is an extremely talented quarterback; Luck still has a ton of improving to do. This third preseason game will be a spot where the Colts starters get more playing time than they have in the past.
Indianapolis’ starters are expected to play into the third quarter of this one. Donald Jones will likely get more carries in this one, and Reggie Wayne should be targeted quite a few times. Jerry Hughes is in midseason form for the defense. Hughes already has three sacks in two preseason games. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Robert Griffin III hasn’t seen as much playing time in the preseason as Luck. He has one touchdown and no interceptions, but he has only attempted 14 passes. Look for Griffin to play a little more in this one, but he still might not play as much as Luck. Kirk Cousins has been great for the Redskins in backup duty.
Cousins threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns in their last game in Chicago. Pierre Garcon will be playing against his former team here, and I expect him to come up with several catches. Aldrick Robinson has made a big impact for the Redskins offense so far this preseason.
Ryan Kerrigan leads an improving pass rush for the Washington defense.
Look for Luck and Griffin to both have a good game here. Mike Shanahan typically puts a higher emphasis on winning preseason games than any other coach in the NFL. Shanahan’s teams are 47-23 since 1997 in the preseason. I think Washington wins this one and covers the spread.
Free NFL Pick: Washington -3
Defenses finally struck back in Week 3, as some fast-starting offenses finally hit the skids a little bit. The big story, though: the Lions and Bills doing the unthinkable and remaining undefeated.
This is our waiver wire pick-ups column. Dave B scours the free agent pools in fantasy land for the best available talent every week. Availability, of course, depends on the league. We’re using 12 team, 15 roster spot leagues as the median, but we’ll look for roster candidates for leagues of all shapes and sizes.
After all of the weekly games are finished be sure to check our cheatsheets, a who’s hot, and who’s not report plus more in our fantasy football guide.
Each week, the CappersPicks.com fantasy football guru Dave B brings you players you need to be paying attention to – Remember – fantasy football championships are often won by those who live eat and breath fantasy football.
After all of the weekly games are finished be sure to check our waiver wire column, cheatsheets, a who’s hot, and who’s not report plus more in our fantasy football guide.
With the NFL Fantasy football nearing the home stretch we encourage you to be checking out our FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY ARTICLES for all your rankings and analysis for the upcoming week.
