WEEK 2: THURSDAY’S WHITE KNUCKLE SPECIAL!

SNL YTD Record:  4-1 ATS

  To your left is Vandy’s stadium-expect at least 2,000 times the amount of fans shown tonite.  Moving on:

South Carolina (-10/41o) at Vandy:  Vandy throttled MAC favorite, Da’ Lil’ U, last week by rushing for 270 yards (nearly 5.4 yards per carry) and some big plays on special teams.  Vandy’s defense allowed only 13 points, and intercepted the Red Hawks 3 times-but allowed almost 4 yards per rush and 244 yards through the air. 

Spurrier’s Cocks’ throttled what has to be the ACC’s worst team 34-0 on national television.  In doing so, they racked up 171 yards rushing and 198 yards passing, the majority of which were accumulated late in the game when Smelley took control of the offense. Those who witnessed this game, however, were left feeling that the Cocks’ performance was not nearly as dominant as the final score indicated-probably because NCSU is horrible.

The Line:  The Vegas overlords have graciously bestowed upon their unwitting subjects a 10 point line.  In SNL’s not-so-humble opinion, this line is roughly a field goal off, due in large part to Vandy’s somewhat impressive (but unseen by most fans) victory as a 4 to 5 point dog last week.  SNL had this game closer to 12 to 12.5, but hey, SNL is only 4-1 ATS.  This game is a pass as far as a side is concerned.  Nonetheless, if you are a irredeemable degenerate gambler, you should know that home field at Vandy is pathetic-unless, of course, you are scared of about 5,000 nerds in sweater vests.  And, since Vandy has lost the bulk of its front 7 on defense (which sacked SC QB’s 7 times in last years meeting), SC is the better reasoned pick, even laying the heavy road chalk.  That said SNL will not risk sullying its stellar reputation (did I mention 4-1 in week 1) and will be passing on a side.

The more interesting angle here is the total, which the amoral Vegas’ oddsmakers have set at an “NFL’esque” 41.  How, praytell, did this total get so low? For starters, there’s last year’s barn burner, which saw a total of 23 points scored in one of the most pathetic television shows since Eight is Enough.  Throw in, for shits and giggles, SoCo’s 1st half woes last week and Vandy’s low-tech passing attack versus a stiff Cock (you love it) run D, and you can see what Vegas is thinking.

SNL, however, is not so easily thrown off the scent, and smells a coming out party for Smelley and his gang of odiferous Cocks.  Vandy’s lack of pass rush should aid Smelley to throw for 3 TD’s and, assuming Vandy can muster up 2 TD’s at home, SNL, ever the iconoclast,  will boldly go with the OVER!

Pick:  SC v. Vandy o41.

-So Sayeth the Shepherd