Paul Leiner:
1500* CFB South Carolina -6.5
1500* CFB South Carolina -6.5
| OC Dooley “1 UNIT” NFL SYSTEM TOTAL (Panthers at Steelers OVER 38 in a 7:05 eastern kickoff): Even though Pittsburgh has traditionally been viewed as a conservative squad that puts heavy emphasis on a solid running game and a physical defense, the Steelers are 3-0 OVER the total for the preseason due to the fact that they are putting up a whopping per-week average of 29 points per game. Tonight’s total has actually dropped from the opening offshore figure of 40’ points since most of the Pittsburgh regulars including star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are slated to be watching from the sidelines. On the other side of the ledger Carolina star signal caller Cam Newton will most likely direct only one series before joining first-teams on the sideline. I will admit that the Panthers are coming off a low scoring 17-12 nationally televised Sunday Night contest but it was against a Jets offense that has yet to cross the goal line. The closing total for Carolina’s week-two preseason matchup ironically is the same figure we are looking at this evening (38) and the 23-17 final verdict did manage to slip ABOVE a deflated number. Carolina’s defense began the 2012 exhibition season getting scorched for 26 points and tonight they have to deal with an opponent who is coming off a resounding 38-7 blowout victory. That sets up a 71-PERCENT PRESEASON SYSTEM (36-15 since 1993) which plays home teams like Pittsburgh after beating the spread by 21+ points in a three game stretch OVER the total. Keep an eye out tonight for Pittsburgh reserve quarterback Byron Leftwich who has literally not played in two years due to several major injuries. After playing the entire second-half last weekend, Leftwich led the Steelers to a grand total of 24 points |

Comment