There's No 'D' in San Diego Anymore

Thursday, October 08, 2009
By Roz Juarbe

Crazy doings in San Diego! The Chargers stumbled around with an erratic defense in 2008, ripping through two defensive coordinators. Despite having the top-rated QB in the NFL, when the playoffs came, they were eaten up by the Steelers, 35-24. They come off a game getting ripped by the Steelers again, giving up 38 points while falling behind 28-0. The Steelers ran up 32 first downs, 497 total yards, 165 of those provided on the ground by tailback Rashard Mendenhall. The defense is 25th in the NFL.

Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera has called out his squad, and defensive back Quentin Jammer says that is a good thing. Jammer said the defense will rise to the challenge GM A.J. Smith said "We better get our act together quickly." "Absolutely embarrassing," Smith added this week. "Everything is wrong with it right now. I'm not the least bit happy in a lot of areas. I've seen us be tough and physical to soft and bewildered." Chargers LB Shawne Merriman was upset that GM A.J. Smith said the team's play has been "soft and bewildered." Why did they fire Marty Schottenheimer after a 14-2 season anyway?

All eyes are on the health of QBs Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford this week, including oddsmakers! For Saturday, Maryland is 8-2 ATS the last 10 meetings against Wake Forest while Illinois Senior QB Juice Williams has been benched in favor of junior Eddie McGee for this week's game against Michigan State.

Is mighty Texas (4-0 SU/3-1 ATS) going to be focused to play Colorado? They are a 32-point favorite and have had two weeks to prepare. But they have Oklahoma on deck.

This Longhorn offense is loaded for four-year starter QB Colt McCoy (9 TDs, 5 picks) averaging 49 points, 167 yards rushing and 314 passing. Four starters are back on the offensive front, with junior RB Vondrell McGee and freshman RB Tre' Newton averaging over 5 yards per carry and senior WR Jordan Shipley having a big season. They are off a 64-7 win over Texas-El Paso with an astounding edge in yards 639-53! Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp installed a more physical attacking unit that allowed 18.6 ppg last year and is just as strong. Texas is 49-7 SU, 38-17 ATS the last four+ seasons, and on a 32-16-2 OVER the total run. Texas is also 4-0 SU/ATS the last 4 meetings against the Buffaloes, including a 38-14 rout last fall.

The Saints beat the Jets 24-10, but what was impressive were the defenses. NY held Drew Brees without a TD and the deadly New Orleans offense to 1 TD. A pair of NFL receivers could help their new teams. Mike Crabtree signed with the 49ers and Braylon Edwards was traded to the Jets, two former 1st round picks. NY is at Miami and the Jets are 9-1 ATS the last 10 meetings, including 6-0 ATS at Miami.

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb returned to practice and is expected to start Sunday. Think they need him, as a 15-point favorite over Tampa Bay? Maybe let Ron Jaworski fill in this week.

Some college football ATS trends for this weekend to chew on: Virginia Tech is on a 7-4 run under the total; Army is 8-21 SU, 10-17 ATS the last three+ years; Tulane is 5 -29 SU, 9-24-1 ATS its last 34 as a dog. Enjoy the games and all the best, Roz!