THE RED SHEET
SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 VOLUME 56 - NUMBER 5
Byu 38 - BAYLOR 26 - (12:00 EDT) -- Line opened at Baylor minus 2½, and is now +3½. A pair of teams headed in the
opposite direction, with the Cougars perfect both SU & ATS (+215½, +10, & +36½ pt covers), with
an accumulative 90-38 pt margin. Their win over KansasSt, came via the turnover (3-0 advantage),
which overcame a 228-92 RY shortage. The Bears can't seem to get over the hump, which has them
on a downward trend: 12-2 in '21, 6-7 in '22, & 3-9 in '23. Opening wins over Tarelton, Air Force, &
KansasSt, had them as poll also rans, but now by the board. And BU has a pair of revengers up next.
RATING: BYU 89
DUKE 49 - North Carolina 37 - (4:00) -- Line opened at Duke minus 3, and is now minus 2½. Seems illogical that a
team off allowing 70 Points would be installed as such a minuscule underdogs the following week, but
that's what the Boys from Vegas decided, & who are we to complain, especially with a team which has
been a splendid homester, as these 'Devils, who are 25-11 ATS in the homestead. Not only that, but
the Tar Heels are on a 0-8-1 spread run (-125½ pts ATS), while allowing 30 or more pts in 24 of their
last 30 games. Imps have always been a bit streaky, so why not jump on this high-rolling team.
RATING: DUKE 89
BOSTON COLLEGE 31 - Western Kentucky 30 - (12:00) -- Line opened at BostonCollege minus 11, and is now minus
12½. This selection is "by the book" as the Eagles of BC are one of the most successful underdogs in
the land year-by-year. Not only that, but the accompanying "visitor" label has been firmly attached to
the guest in Eagle contests, which now stands at 10-1 ATS. The Hilltoppers have been overhead
giants, with this year's 1,177 PYs the norm. WKy is in off posting 16-0 windup, to nail win vs Toledo.
RATING: WESTERN KENTUCKY 88
JAMES MADISON 56 - Ball State 17 - (1:30) -- Line opened at James Madison minus 19, and is now minus 20½. Yet
another Red Sheet large line chalk. For those weak of heart, laying 3 TDs is cause for worry. But not
with a team which is coming in after waxing North Carolina for 70 pts, along with 611 yds. That one
may have turned a few heads when the 'Heels were pegged as 10½ chalks. But UNC has been a
defensive pawn over the last half dozen years which is exactly what JMadison is not. Lay the 3 TDs.
RATING: JAMES MADISON 88
PENN STATE 30 - Illinois 24 - (7:30) -- Line opened at Penn State minus 17½, and is still minus 17½. One peek at the
spread placed on this one may have more than a few questions, as 9th-rated Nittanys seem to have it
over the Illini, in just about ever category, such as last week's 56-0 drubbing of hapless Kent St, with
.40-6 FD, 309-49 RY, & 718-67 TY edges. Simply awesome. However, the Illini are a sticky team as
8 of last 9 games have been decided SU by 3, 4, 1, 3, 2, 2, 26,& 2 (OT), with QB Altmyer is at 10/0.
RATING: ILLINOIS 88
Minnesota Vikings 30 - GREEN BAY 17 - (1:00 - CBS) -- Line opened at Green Bay minus 2½, and is still minus 2½.
Our earlier Pointwise writeup on this game has stood the test, with little to add, except for its inclusion
on the Red Sheet. Three straight with 160+ RYs for the Packers (first time since 2003. That's a
pretty notable stat, which makes this one all the more important. Minny got a career high 4 TD passes
from Darnold in upset of San Fran, making it six straight wins & covers for Vikes, including preseason.
RATING: MINNESOTA VIKINGS 88
NEAR CHOICES (Rated 87): Ohio St, Iowa St, SMU, Kansas St, -- NFL: Pittsburgh, Chicago, Arizona, Miami