Seriously, this is just getting embarrassing at this point. A quick tip to those of you who read this and don't make picks yet: If you would like to join in this week you are more than welcome. If you would like an easy strategy to shoot to the top of the leaderboard it appears that all you need to do is pick the opposite of me because I am currently the epitome of prognostication disaster right now. Off we go
#6 Cal (-6) @ Oregon
Pick: Cal -6
Result: 42-3 Oregon: L
Well, I'm not surprised it turned into a boatrace, I just can't believe the Ducks were the ones driving this time around. This was just an absolute beat down. Jeremiah Masoli finally got himself in the Passing TD category for Oregon, and the retro-chic Ducks held Best to a relatively human 55 yards. I'm disappointed in you Jeff Tedford, you couldn't even pretend to have a shot at getting the job done into October? Why not just wait til USC for the annual breakdown man? EXPOSED
#9 Miami (-3) @ #11 Virginia Tech
Pick: The U -3
Result: 31-7 Va Tech: L
When Frank Beamer lays his child-scaring face down to sleep at night, he probably dreams of games like this. A sloppy, rain-soaked day at Blacksburg turned into a dominant beatdown by the Hokies who controlled this game with, wait for it, D and Special Teams. I know you would never believe Va Tech relying on D and ST to win, but hey, they like to change things up every now and then. The Canes were held to only 209 yards in weather befitting their nickname, thanks in part to the fact that their stud QB Jacory Harris was surrounded all game by VT defenders. Harris was pressured, sacked, even lost a fumble in this game. The kid is still a budding star, and this shouldn't take away from that, but today, the Hokies flat out owned him.
PSUEDO EXPOSED(Bad weather and a good opponent, no shame for the Canes in losing to VT)
Texas Tech @ #17 Houston (even $)
Pick: Houston win
Result: 29-28 H-town: W
Oh Mike Leach...once again with some strange play calls late in a ball game. More importantly, Houston earned this win with a manly 95 yard TD drive to take the lead, ending with only 49 seconds on the clock. This loss kicked off all kinds of drama for Tech with some indefinite suspensions, of a team captain mind you, all thanks to my old friend Twitter (Follow me if you'd like @NDEddieMac). Dr. Saturday has a full rundown of the chicanery out in Lubbock that is worth a read. All that aside, congrats to Houston. The Coogs are on probably one of the best 2 week runs in their football programs history. Enjoy it kids, normally I'd mock a ranked team's fans charging the field for beating an unranked, but you know what? This time it felt right.
EXPOSURE
#24 Washington @ Stanford (-7)
Pick: Washington +7
Result: 34-14 Stanford: L
Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid. My first draft of the picks had me picking Stanford, part due to let down after a huge Wash W, part due to not trusting a team months removed from an 0-for year, and part gut. But I looked at the #s, remembered how Wash has looked the 2 times I had seen them play, and picked the Huskies. For this, I, and UW, were punished by the Trees. Anytime you start the game by giving up a KR for a TD, you know you are in for a long day. Stanford's Toby Gerhardt felt like putting on a show and reminding people Javhid Best isn't the only guy that can run the rock in the Pac 10 with a rowdy 200 yard game. When doing my game by game predictions, I mentioned that Stanford scared me as one of ND's potentially toughest games. Having seen how good UW can be against USC and the talent of Jake Locker, I'm concerned about this weekend too. Sometimes I really hate football.
EXPOSED
Notre Dame (-7) @ Purdue
Pick: ND -7
Result: 24-21 ND: L
Dear sweet Lord I can't do this every weekend. We knew going into the game that the Cannon (miss u) was out. We didn't know that Armando Allen (who gets credit for greatest stat screen headshot evahhhhh which sadly I can't find) was going to sit out the entire game, or how hobbled Jimmy Clausen was going to be. My thoughts on this game are pretty scrambled, and I apologize for that, but here goes. First off, tons of credit to Dayne Crist and Golden Tate. Crist came in and provided an immediate spark to the Irish offense, announcing his presence with authority on a big QB keeper where he embraced contact and pretty much owned the Purdue D. Tate meanwhile did anything and everything. It was great to see Golden back in the backfield (remember, he came in as a RB, but was moved to WR part to due depth chard imbalance, part due to the fact that he can burn) taking handoffs and making defenders miss left and right. The running game took over in the 2nd qtr and felt almost like we were back in the Land of Lou. Then there is the coaching...When is the D going to step up?? Corwin Brown and Jon Tenuta were supposed to combine forces into some Wonder Twin amalgamation of Defensive genius ready to shut down all comers. Yet Purdue was able to move the ball, and their QB Elliot racked up 289 yards and 3 TDs on 22 of 38 passing. Adjustments were not made, AGAIN, and Purdue damn near stole this game away in the 2nd half. On the flip side, Purdue made some fantastic adjustments at halftime and really shut down the Irish running game. The master plan was to let Crist take over the entire 2nd half, but when it came down to it, Weis had to put Jimmy back in the game. Clausen played with a hell of a lot of heart in this game and got through some obvious pain to lead his team. Kyle Rudolph continues to show why he's the best Tight End in the country throughout this game, culminating with a picture perfect box out for the TD reception in the endzone with just under 25 seconds left. At the same time, I will fully admit, that play should have never ever happened. It absolutely blows my mind that with under 30 seconds, and the Irish rushing to the line to spike the ball on 3rd and goal (because once again ND's timeout management is downright abrasive it's so bad) that Purdue would call a timeout. This play bugged me for several reasons. First, on the Irish side, you have 30 seconds, that's plenty of time to run 2 plays. You know you are passing on 3rd down with where time is at, pick a play that is either 6 or out the back of the end zone, don't force yourself into one chance. For Purdue, I understand wanting to get your D some rest after a long drive, or make sure you have all the personnel you want...but ND is clearly trying to spike, why give the Irish 2 plays when they are trying to give one away??? Very, very strange, but I'll take it. Like my Dad always says, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
Now the ugly part, result time kids:
Results this week: 1-4
Results to date: 7-13 (.350)
.600 is looking far far away, I'm just hoping to end up in the positive at this point. But hey, it's only 4 weeks in, surely this can turn around. How'd you kids do?
Matt:
Results this week: 1-4
Results to date: 6-9 (.400)
Johnny Chan:
Results this week: 1-4
Results to date:5-15 (.250)
Travis:
Results this week: 0-5
Results to date: 1-9 (.100)
Ryan:
Results this week: 0-5
Results to date: 6-14 (.300)
Daniel:
Results this week: 1-4
Results to date: 1-4 (.200)
Judson:
Results this week: 1-4
Results to date: 10-10 (.500)
Donnie B:
Results this week: 0-5
Results to date: 4-11 (.363)
David L.:
Results this week: 2-3
Results to date: 10-10 (.500)
Kristin:
Results this week: 0-5
Results to date: 0-11
Clearly you all need to stop picking what I pick. Or just pick opposite of KB, that would probably work too. Tune in tomorrow, we can't all keep sucking this bad can we?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Week 4 College Football Picks
So admittedly the last 2 weeks haven't exactly been awesome. I'm well below my goal of .600 on the year, currently sitting with a losing record. That's just not acceptable. In the immortal words of the recently dominant Floyd Mayweather "Step ya game up!" So, this week, we quit sucking and put on dominant performances. Buckle up kids, game on:
#6 California (-6) @ Oregon
Pick: Cal -6
Anytime a team has to go to Autzen to play the fashion conscious Ducks, it will give them pause. Oregon has one of the best home field advantages in all the land. However, having lost their best player to a sucker punch induced suspension, the product on the field isn't what it has been in past years. The other problem: Javhid Best. Best is one of the, if not the top RB's in the country this year. This seems to be a sexy upset pick this week, but I'm not buying. Oregon doesn't have to the personnel to slow down, or keep up with Best's scoring ability. I'm giving this one to Cal.
#9 Miami (-3) @ #11 Virginia Tech
Pick: The U -3
This is probably the most intriguing game on the slate this week. VT is coming off a huge comeback win against Nebraska, while Miami's coming off a dominant performance over Georgia Tech. You've got two exciting, yet question riddled QB's in Tyrod Taylor and Jacory Harris. Just based on this year, I'd give the edge to Jacory in this battle. His performance against FSU was flat out amazing. While Taylor made the needed plays at the end against Nebraska, I think Miami has the edge at the most important spot. I'd feel a lot better if this game was in Miami trick, but I dont think the Hokies pull it out 2 weeks in a row.
Texas Tech @ #17 Houston (even $)
Pick: Houston win
Tech put up a pretty solid performance against the Horns. Taylor Potts showed he can fill the "Nameless Yard Compiling QB X" role for Tech this year, throwing wide open quick slants like his life depended on it. Howevahhhh, Houston has already beat one high powered offense from the Big XII this year in Okie St, and the Cowboys have a better D than the Raiders. I dont know how far the Cougars can go, but I think they add another Big XII notch to their belt this weekend.
#24 Washington @ Stanford (-7)
Pick: Washington +7
Are my eyes deceiving me? UW is actually ranked? A year removed from a winless season at the hands of Radio? So this is what happens when you get a coach that spends more time on the football field than the putting green. Stanford has a talented squad this year, and Harbaugh is a great coach. But the Trees lost to Wake Forest by 7. Sure, Wake is decent, but the Huskies beat USC last week and only lost to LSU by 8. LSU and USC are both considerably better than the Demon Deacons. Jake Locker is the real deal, and I'll gladly take the 7 points. Vegas must be expecting a let down after the big win. I'm sure I should to, but I'm dumb, gimme UW.
Notre Dame (-7) @ Purdue
Pick: ND -7
Maybe I'm being a homer, but I was stunned that this line was only 7. Granted, Purdue played Oregon tough, but that is a broken Ducks team as we discussed earlier. No doubt that the Boilers can put up points, butcoming off a loss to N. Illinois (Garret Wolfe isn't there anymore kids) and letting the mighty Rockets of Toledo drop 31 on you? These don't exactly instill fear in the hearts of opponents. There are 2 main issues for the Irish. 1) How healthy is Jimmy coming off of "Turf Toe" or whatever the actual foot injury is? From all accounts, Clausen will be good to go on Saturday, anything else is merely smoke screen. Then we've got 2) the Cannonless Irish Offense. For starters, expect the running game to be utilized more than it has been in the past. Purdue let N.Ill. get 280 yards on the ground last week...280!! AA and Hughes should have more chances this week to establish a presence. The other thing to remember is that while Floyd is arguably ND's top player, the rest of the WR corps is not horrible. Golden Tate is over 300 yards on the season with over 15 YPC. The Irish are deep at receiver with Duval Kamara, Robbie Parris, and Deion Walker, reigning TE of the week Kyle Rudolph, and highly touted freshman receiver Shaq Evans ready to step up and contribute. Losing Floyd is a dagger, no doubt, but he wasn't the only arrow in ND's ball catching quiver.
Make your picks in the comments, let's see if we can't up our records shall we?
#6 California (-6) @ Oregon
Pick: Cal -6
Anytime a team has to go to Autzen to play the fashion conscious Ducks, it will give them pause. Oregon has one of the best home field advantages in all the land. However, having lost their best player to a sucker punch induced suspension, the product on the field isn't what it has been in past years. The other problem: Javhid Best. Best is one of the, if not the top RB's in the country this year. This seems to be a sexy upset pick this week, but I'm not buying. Oregon doesn't have to the personnel to slow down, or keep up with Best's scoring ability. I'm giving this one to Cal.
#9 Miami (-3) @ #11 Virginia Tech
Pick: The U -3
This is probably the most intriguing game on the slate this week. VT is coming off a huge comeback win against Nebraska, while Miami's coming off a dominant performance over Georgia Tech. You've got two exciting, yet question riddled QB's in Tyrod Taylor and Jacory Harris. Just based on this year, I'd give the edge to Jacory in this battle. His performance against FSU was flat out amazing. While Taylor made the needed plays at the end against Nebraska, I think Miami has the edge at the most important spot. I'd feel a lot better if this game was in Miami trick, but I dont think the Hokies pull it out 2 weeks in a row.
Texas Tech @ #17 Houston (even $)
Pick: Houston win
Tech put up a pretty solid performance against the Horns. Taylor Potts showed he can fill the "Nameless Yard Compiling QB X" role for Tech this year, throwing wide open quick slants like his life depended on it. Howevahhhh, Houston has already beat one high powered offense from the Big XII this year in Okie St, and the Cowboys have a better D than the Raiders. I dont know how far the Cougars can go, but I think they add another Big XII notch to their belt this weekend.
#24 Washington @ Stanford (-7)
Pick: Washington +7
Are my eyes deceiving me? UW is actually ranked? A year removed from a winless season at the hands of Radio? So this is what happens when you get a coach that spends more time on the football field than the putting green. Stanford has a talented squad this year, and Harbaugh is a great coach. But the Trees lost to Wake Forest by 7. Sure, Wake is decent, but the Huskies beat USC last week and only lost to LSU by 8. LSU and USC are both considerably better than the Demon Deacons. Jake Locker is the real deal, and I'll gladly take the 7 points. Vegas must be expecting a let down after the big win. I'm sure I should to, but I'm dumb, gimme UW.
Notre Dame (-7) @ Purdue
Pick: ND -7
Maybe I'm being a homer, but I was stunned that this line was only 7. Granted, Purdue played Oregon tough, but that is a broken Ducks team as we discussed earlier. No doubt that the Boilers can put up points, butcoming off a loss to N. Illinois (Garret Wolfe isn't there anymore kids) and letting the mighty Rockets of Toledo drop 31 on you? These don't exactly instill fear in the hearts of opponents. There are 2 main issues for the Irish. 1) How healthy is Jimmy coming off of "Turf Toe" or whatever the actual foot injury is? From all accounts, Clausen will be good to go on Saturday, anything else is merely smoke screen. Then we've got 2) the Cannonless Irish Offense. For starters, expect the running game to be utilized more than it has been in the past. Purdue let N.Ill. get 280 yards on the ground last week...280!! AA and Hughes should have more chances this week to establish a presence. The other thing to remember is that while Floyd is arguably ND's top player, the rest of the WR corps is not horrible. Golden Tate is over 300 yards on the season with over 15 YPC. The Irish are deep at receiver with Duval Kamara, Robbie Parris, and Deion Walker, reigning TE of the week Kyle Rudolph, and highly touted freshman receiver Shaq Evans ready to step up and contribute. Losing Floyd is a dagger, no doubt, but he wasn't the only arrow in ND's ball catching quiver.
Make your picks in the comments, let's see if we can't up our records shall we?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
College Football Week 3 Pick Recap
Well, while it doesn't feel as demoralizing as last week, the results are gonna look pretty similar kids. What can I say, big lines will punish you when the teams dont decide to punish. Sadly my knowledge on most of these comes from quick highlights since I was at the ND game. But let's be serious, if you are really coming here for in depth analysis, well...you've got terrible terrible taste. Recap, AWAY!
Tennessee @ #1 Florida (-30)
PICK: UF -30
Result: 23-13 UF: L
Listening to people from the Florida side has been interesting since this game. You get a lot of the cliched talk of "happy to walk out with a W." Then you had the curious interview w/ Urban Meyer, claiming that Tennessee just didn't want to win on Saturday. Tebow continued to validate his hype, looking like a damn rhinoceros and simply refusing to go down. I dont know if he will ever do anything in the NFL, but damn the kid is fun to watch. Jonathan Crompton continued to suck, horribly. 11 of 19 for 93 yards and 2 picks is not going to win you games anywhere, especially in the SEC against the #1 team in all the land. Still, was definitely expecting an UGA style beatdown as opposed to a 10 point game, but hey, a win is a win, they just wanted to take it one play at a time, give a 110%, and God willing, come out with the victory.
Texas Tech @ #2 Texas (-17.5)
Pick: UT -17.5
Result: 34-24 Texas: L
Another revenge game with a big line, another loss for yours truly. Quite simply, Texas just looked sloppy. Reports after the game were that Colt McCoy was sick w/ the flu during the game. This would account for numerous un-Colt like incompletions due to bad overthrows. The gunslinger just didn't have his normal stuff. What blows my mind is looking at the stats after the game, I would've expected him to be in the 50's for completion %. Yet McCoy finished up 24-34, and both of his picks came on balls that his WRs got both hands on. Taylor Potts showed that he can easily fill the role of "Random Red Raider (alliteration bonus) QB to throw for billions of yards" while rocking a truly hilarious mustache. Quick aside, the Big XII South is absolutely killing the facial hair market right now. Between Potts, OU's backup Landry Jones, and Colt's preseason dirt strip, there is just unintentional hilarity all over the place. Back to the game, the Tech passing game was pretty fantastic all day, yet inexplicably at the end of the game, Leach decided to try the run. The Pirate King is crazy, sometimes it's a good crazy, this time it was bad.
#USC (-18.5) @ Washington:
Pick: UW +18.5
Result: 16-13 UW: W
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAHAHAHA
(deep breath) BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
#19 Nebraska @ #13 Virginia Tech (-5.5)
Pick: Nebraska +5.5
Result: 16-15 VT: W
Oh Nebraska, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. From all accounts, Nebraska really out played VT the entire game...up until the last drive that is. Nebraska gave up a huge 80 yard pass by Tyrod Taylor to set up a late score that ended up being the nail in the Big Red coffin. Nebraska looked good on Saturday though, especially Running Back Roy Helu Jr. who dropped 169 yards on the Hokies vaunted D. This was a tough fought game, and a bitter pill for the Huskers to follow. The bright side here is they looked good, and this isn't a conference loss. The Big XII North title is looking more and more like Nebraska's to lose. VT meanwhile gets a big out of conference win to avenge their loss to Bama and has some momentum going into their huge matchup with this year's "Are they Back??" Miami Hurricanes led by the master of awesome that is Jacory Harris.
Michigan St. @ Notre Dame (-10)
Pick: ND -10
Result: 33-30 ND: L
Dear sweet Lord. Let it never be said that being an Irish fan is boring. This game was a shootout and had tons of highlight reel moments. This game did nothing to calm the anger of ND fans toward Big TenLeven refs as for a 2nd week in a row, a touchdown was taken away from Irish. This week's was even more egregious than AA's against Michigan for 2 reasons. First, watch the play on this shot done by a fan in the stands:
Now, when you can clearly see from the stands that Cannon got not one, but two feet inbounds, it's damn near inexplicable to think that the officials there, AND on replay, could call it an incomplete pass. The worst part however, and a true dagger to my soul, is Michael Floyd broke his collar bone on this play. The rest of the day was spent with my friends and I trying to reassure ourselves that hey, people come back from this as quickly as 4 weeks (and a trip to the Backer, natch). Sadly, the news came down the next day confirming our worst fears, our Cannon had been taken from us. ND lost their best player at least until the bowl game. I know I've said it a lot on here, but I truly believe by the time all is said and done, Floyd will easily be a top 5 WR of all time at ND, and really has the possibility to be better than Rocket, Brown, and Samardzija. However, if he can't stay healthy, we may never find out. ND's defense once again gave up far too many points, but Kyle McCarthy (get some fam) stepped on Sparty's throat with an interception in the defensive red zone to secure a long awaited victory over MSU at home. It was ugly, it doesn't make anyone feel better about the rest of the year, and the Irish lost their best player, but hey, a win is a win right?
Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't post Golden Tate's chicanery. I can't condone this, and I have no idea with some of the things we were called for, how this didn't get a 15 yard Unsportsmanlike at the very least. HOWEVAH, it is also freaking awesome. ND has been missing this type of swagger for a long time. Shark had some, Tate has it in spades. Like they say, if you don't want him to dance (or superman your marching band) don't let him score. Surely you've seen it, but if not:
So how'd we do?
Result this week: 2-3
Result to date: 6-9 (.400)
Another sub .500 week, damn. At some point this has got to pick up. How'd yall do?
Ryan:
This week: 2-3
To date: 6-9 (.400)
Matt:
This week: 1-4 (only because he picked cover, spread's all we care about this year)
To date: 5-5 (.500)
Travis:
This week: 1-4
To date: 1-4 (.200)
Donnie B:
This week: 3-2
To date: 4-6 (.400)
Johnny Chan:
This week: 1-4
To date: 4-11 (.266)
David L.:
This week: 3-2
To date: 8-7 (.533)
Judson:
This week: 2-3
To date: 9-6 (.600)
This week we make our comeback kids. Tune in tomorrow, big day on the blog. We will have our normal picks made, but also a special guest host from the man behind Who Shot Mamba? (www.whoshotmamba.com) and the former YAYsports! (RIP), Brian Spaeth (@brianspaeth). Scoreboard should be right. Taker easy kids.
Tennessee @ #1 Florida (-30)
PICK: UF -30
Result: 23-13 UF: L
Listening to people from the Florida side has been interesting since this game. You get a lot of the cliched talk of "happy to walk out with a W." Then you had the curious interview w/ Urban Meyer, claiming that Tennessee just didn't want to win on Saturday. Tebow continued to validate his hype, looking like a damn rhinoceros and simply refusing to go down. I dont know if he will ever do anything in the NFL, but damn the kid is fun to watch. Jonathan Crompton continued to suck, horribly. 11 of 19 for 93 yards and 2 picks is not going to win you games anywhere, especially in the SEC against the #1 team in all the land. Still, was definitely expecting an UGA style beatdown as opposed to a 10 point game, but hey, a win is a win, they just wanted to take it one play at a time, give a 110%, and God willing, come out with the victory.
Texas Tech @ #2 Texas (-17.5)
Pick: UT -17.5
Result: 34-24 Texas: L
Another revenge game with a big line, another loss for yours truly. Quite simply, Texas just looked sloppy. Reports after the game were that Colt McCoy was sick w/ the flu during the game. This would account for numerous un-Colt like incompletions due to bad overthrows. The gunslinger just didn't have his normal stuff. What blows my mind is looking at the stats after the game, I would've expected him to be in the 50's for completion %. Yet McCoy finished up 24-34, and both of his picks came on balls that his WRs got both hands on. Taylor Potts showed that he can easily fill the role of "Random Red Raider (alliteration bonus) QB to throw for billions of yards" while rocking a truly hilarious mustache. Quick aside, the Big XII South is absolutely killing the facial hair market right now. Between Potts, OU's backup Landry Jones, and Colt's preseason dirt strip, there is just unintentional hilarity all over the place. Back to the game, the Tech passing game was pretty fantastic all day, yet inexplicably at the end of the game, Leach decided to try the run. The Pirate King is crazy, sometimes it's a good crazy, this time it was bad.
#USC (-18.5) @ Washington:
Pick: UW +18.5
Result: 16-13 UW: W
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAHAHAHA
(deep breath) BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
#19 Nebraska @ #13 Virginia Tech (-5.5)
Pick: Nebraska +5.5
Result: 16-15 VT: W
Oh Nebraska, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. From all accounts, Nebraska really out played VT the entire game...up until the last drive that is. Nebraska gave up a huge 80 yard pass by Tyrod Taylor to set up a late score that ended up being the nail in the Big Red coffin. Nebraska looked good on Saturday though, especially Running Back Roy Helu Jr. who dropped 169 yards on the Hokies vaunted D. This was a tough fought game, and a bitter pill for the Huskers to follow. The bright side here is they looked good, and this isn't a conference loss. The Big XII North title is looking more and more like Nebraska's to lose. VT meanwhile gets a big out of conference win to avenge their loss to Bama and has some momentum going into their huge matchup with this year's "Are they Back??" Miami Hurricanes led by the master of awesome that is Jacory Harris.
Michigan St. @ Notre Dame (-10)
Pick: ND -10
Result: 33-30 ND: L
Dear sweet Lord. Let it never be said that being an Irish fan is boring. This game was a shootout and had tons of highlight reel moments. This game did nothing to calm the anger of ND fans toward Big TenLeven refs as for a 2nd week in a row, a touchdown was taken away from Irish. This week's was even more egregious than AA's against Michigan for 2 reasons. First, watch the play on this shot done by a fan in the stands:
Now, when you can clearly see from the stands that Cannon got not one, but two feet inbounds, it's damn near inexplicable to think that the officials there, AND on replay, could call it an incomplete pass. The worst part however, and a true dagger to my soul, is Michael Floyd broke his collar bone on this play. The rest of the day was spent with my friends and I trying to reassure ourselves that hey, people come back from this as quickly as 4 weeks (and a trip to the Backer, natch). Sadly, the news came down the next day confirming our worst fears, our Cannon had been taken from us. ND lost their best player at least until the bowl game. I know I've said it a lot on here, but I truly believe by the time all is said and done, Floyd will easily be a top 5 WR of all time at ND, and really has the possibility to be better than Rocket, Brown, and Samardzija. However, if he can't stay healthy, we may never find out. ND's defense once again gave up far too many points, but Kyle McCarthy (get some fam) stepped on Sparty's throat with an interception in the defensive red zone to secure a long awaited victory over MSU at home. It was ugly, it doesn't make anyone feel better about the rest of the year, and the Irish lost their best player, but hey, a win is a win right?
Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't post Golden Tate's chicanery. I can't condone this, and I have no idea with some of the things we were called for, how this didn't get a 15 yard Unsportsmanlike at the very least. HOWEVAH, it is also freaking awesome. ND has been missing this type of swagger for a long time. Shark had some, Tate has it in spades. Like they say, if you don't want him to dance (or superman your marching band) don't let him score. Surely you've seen it, but if not:
So how'd we do?
Result this week: 2-3
Result to date: 6-9 (.400)
Another sub .500 week, damn. At some point this has got to pick up. How'd yall do?
Ryan:
This week: 2-3
To date: 6-9 (.400)
Matt:
This week: 1-4 (only because he picked cover, spread's all we care about this year)
To date: 5-5 (.500)
Travis:
This week: 1-4
To date: 1-4 (.200)
Donnie B:
This week: 3-2
To date: 4-6 (.400)
Johnny Chan:
This week: 1-4
To date: 4-11 (.266)
David L.:
This week: 3-2
To date: 8-7 (.533)
Judson:
This week: 2-3
To date: 9-6 (.600)
This week we make our comeback kids. Tune in tomorrow, big day on the blog. We will have our normal picks made, but also a special guest host from the man behind Who Shot Mamba? (www.whoshotmamba.com) and the former YAYsports! (RIP), Brian Spaeth (@brianspaeth). Scoreboard should be right. Taker easy kids.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Week 3 College Football Picks
Alright kids, last week was an utter failure. I mean, we were terrible. I think 2 people that picked here were over .500. But no reason to get down. I'm looking at this the way I feel when I lose my first golf ball (typically around hole 1), you've gotta sacrifice one to the Gods. Gamblor is a vindictive deity who requires his sacrifice and likes to remind us we dont have a damn clue what we are doing. Week 2 was essentially our collective shank into the water hazard. We can now move on knowing we have paid our tithe and reclaim our victorious mantle. Let's go:
Tennessee @ #1 Florida (-30)
Pick: UF -30
Gratuitously huge line? Sure is. I mean, that's a 5 score spread kiddies. I wouldn't blame you for taking the Vols here. But Florida got outplayed by Troy in the 1st half of last weeks game. Do you remember the final score of that bad boy? 56-6. UF is just that damn good. The Real Jonathan Crompton stood up last week against UCLA and showed how abhorrent he is. Tennessee best chance would come in UF getting bored, or looking past them for some reason. Sadly for Tennessee, UF is only in game 3, and next week is Kentucky. The Wildcats arent exactly a team you feel the need to gameplan for 2 weeks against. Oh wait, I'm also forgetting that the only thing Lane Kiffin has done since getting hired at Tennessee (besides collect recruiting violations) is take runs at the Gators. He's talked trash about Urban, he's tried to call out the Gators for cheating in recruiting, hell, his opening presser was punctuated by calling out a victory over UF this year. Not to mention we are in the Swamp this week. If there is one thing I've learned in my years of watching college football, it's that when playing an extremely better opponent, your best chance is to catch em off guard. The LAST thing you wanna do is piss em off. Yet all Kiffin has done since he showed up at Neyland is force the Gators to clean out their local Office Max's because they keep running out of room on their bulletin boards.
Texas Tech @ #2 Texas (-17.5)
Pick: Texas -17.5
Easily the most exciting play of last year was Michael Crabtree's (remember him?) last second touchdown. It vaulted Tech to national prominence, and ruined UT's shots at both a Big XII and National Title. The revenge factor alone clears at least 7 points in my mind for the Horns. Now add in that the game is in Austin, where thanks to renovations you can actually hear noise every now and then when the old people feel like making some, that's another standard 3 points right there. Then finally we get to the actual teams themselves. Tech lost their QB, and most of their WRs. Texas meanwhile returns essentially their entire D and most weapons on O, including most importantly Colt McCoy. My love for Mike Leach is not a secret. I think the guy is hilarious, and honestly, I like how he coaches. Sure he runs a niche O, but damn if it doesn't work. This year tho, well, it's the old don't poke the bull if you don't want the horns idea. Texas in a romp.
#3USC (-18.5) @ Washington
(Disclaimer: Line not up yet on CentSports, this came from Sportsbook)
Pick: Washington +18.5
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? Oh, I said it kids. Be with me on this one. USC looked like crap against OSU. But Eddie, OSU is a top 10 team, UW won like, 3 games in the last 8 years, you are an idiot. Maybe so. HOWEVAH, Jake Locker, UW's QB, may be the most underrated player in college football today. Also, UW will not be surprised by what USC brings to the game because UW's new head coach, Steve Sarkisian, spend the last several years coaching under Pete Carroll at USC. The Huskies gave LSU a tough game and I expect the same here. USC will win this game by 14-17, but I don't see a 3 touchdown victory for Team Win Forever here.
#19 Nebraska @ #13 Virginia Tech (-5.5)
Pick: Nebraska +5.5
I just don't like VT. They looked ugly against Bama. That game was just plain sloppy. Nebraska meanwhile has been killing fools. Cupcakey fools no doubt, but they put it on em like they were supposed to. Beamerball just doesn't seem to work the same as it used to. VT plays tough at home, there is no doubt about that. But I expect the inherent beastness of Ndamukong Suh to cancel out any chicanery Tyrod Taylor may try. I mean, come on, the dude's name means House of Spears. That alone is worth taking the points.
Michigan St @ (miss you ranking #) Notre Dame(-10)
Pick: ND -10
Win or leave. MSU just lost to Central Michigan. No predictions, no trash talk, no gratuitous praise of Michael Floyd this week. Win or leave.
The comments are waiting for your picks, don't make them lonely.
Tennessee @ #1 Florida (-30)
Pick: UF -30
Gratuitously huge line? Sure is. I mean, that's a 5 score spread kiddies. I wouldn't blame you for taking the Vols here. But Florida got outplayed by Troy in the 1st half of last weeks game. Do you remember the final score of that bad boy? 56-6. UF is just that damn good. The Real Jonathan Crompton stood up last week against UCLA and showed how abhorrent he is. Tennessee best chance would come in UF getting bored, or looking past them for some reason. Sadly for Tennessee, UF is only in game 3, and next week is Kentucky. The Wildcats arent exactly a team you feel the need to gameplan for 2 weeks against. Oh wait, I'm also forgetting that the only thing Lane Kiffin has done since getting hired at Tennessee (besides collect recruiting violations) is take runs at the Gators. He's talked trash about Urban, he's tried to call out the Gators for cheating in recruiting, hell, his opening presser was punctuated by calling out a victory over UF this year. Not to mention we are in the Swamp this week. If there is one thing I've learned in my years of watching college football, it's that when playing an extremely better opponent, your best chance is to catch em off guard. The LAST thing you wanna do is piss em off. Yet all Kiffin has done since he showed up at Neyland is force the Gators to clean out their local Office Max's because they keep running out of room on their bulletin boards.
Texas Tech @ #2 Texas (-17.5)
Pick: Texas -17.5
Easily the most exciting play of last year was Michael Crabtree's (remember him?) last second touchdown. It vaulted Tech to national prominence, and ruined UT's shots at both a Big XII and National Title. The revenge factor alone clears at least 7 points in my mind for the Horns. Now add in that the game is in Austin, where thanks to renovations you can actually hear noise every now and then when the old people feel like making some, that's another standard 3 points right there. Then finally we get to the actual teams themselves. Tech lost their QB, and most of their WRs. Texas meanwhile returns essentially their entire D and most weapons on O, including most importantly Colt McCoy. My love for Mike Leach is not a secret. I think the guy is hilarious, and honestly, I like how he coaches. Sure he runs a niche O, but damn if it doesn't work. This year tho, well, it's the old don't poke the bull if you don't want the horns idea. Texas in a romp.
#3USC (-18.5) @ Washington
(Disclaimer: Line not up yet on CentSports, this came from Sportsbook)
Pick: Washington +18.5
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? Oh, I said it kids. Be with me on this one. USC looked like crap against OSU. But Eddie, OSU is a top 10 team, UW won like, 3 games in the last 8 years, you are an idiot. Maybe so. HOWEVAH, Jake Locker, UW's QB, may be the most underrated player in college football today. Also, UW will not be surprised by what USC brings to the game because UW's new head coach, Steve Sarkisian, spend the last several years coaching under Pete Carroll at USC. The Huskies gave LSU a tough game and I expect the same here. USC will win this game by 14-17, but I don't see a 3 touchdown victory for Team Win Forever here.
#19 Nebraska @ #13 Virginia Tech (-5.5)
Pick: Nebraska +5.5
I just don't like VT. They looked ugly against Bama. That game was just plain sloppy. Nebraska meanwhile has been killing fools. Cupcakey fools no doubt, but they put it on em like they were supposed to. Beamerball just doesn't seem to work the same as it used to. VT plays tough at home, there is no doubt about that. But I expect the inherent beastness of Ndamukong Suh to cancel out any chicanery Tyrod Taylor may try. I mean, come on, the dude's name means House of Spears. That alone is worth taking the points.
Michigan St @ (miss you ranking #) Notre Dame(-10)
Pick: ND -10
Win or leave. MSU just lost to Central Michigan. No predictions, no trash talk, no gratuitous praise of Michael Floyd this week. Win or leave.
The comments are waiting for your picks, don't make them lonely.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
College Football Week 2 Recap
I'm sorry this came so late. I tried to start this post 4 other times before today. The problem is everytime I got to the last game I got furious and had to shut it down. Enough time has passed now to where I can still type while seething with anger. Plus, it's time to concentrate my hate on the next opponent. Homer amateur writers needs to move on to next games just like the players do, right? On we go, how'd we do?
#3 USC (-7) @ #8 OSU
Pick: USC -7
Result: 18-15 USC: L
This was flat out just an ugly game. For a matchup of 2 top 10 teams, I walked away from this one fairly unimpressed. USC's D (and Tressel's painfully predictable playcalling) did enough to keep Pryor and the Buckeyes in check. Meanwhile, for all the praise being heaped on Matt Barkley, let's slow down a bit. 15 of 31 for 195 yards, 0 TD, and 1 INT....really? The last drive that "Barkley led" should be credited to the ever electric Joe McKnight. SC did enough to win, but I cant say they are really striking fear in the hearts of teams around the land.
UCLA @ Tennesse (-10)
Pick: UCLA +10
Result: 19-15 UCLA: W
The closer this game got, the better I felt about it. THAT was the Jonathan Crompton we all know and love. 93 yards passing and 3 interceptions is no way to go through life son. Another sloppy game that surely has the Gators licking their chops for their chance to get Kiffykins back for all his smack this summer.
South Carolina @ #21 Georgia (-6.5)
Pick: Georgia -6.5
Result: 41-37 UGA: L
Well, I did not see this one coming. UGA got a well needed win after the OSU loss in week 1. Cant say I was expecting a shootout like this from these two teams. More losses like this and Gamecock fans may start counting down the days til they send the OBC to that big golf course in the sky.
Miss. St @ Auburn (-14)
Pick: Miss. St. +14
Result: 49-24 Auburn: L
Again, what the hell? Since when do these teams actually play offense. This is what happens when you go off knowledge based purely from the year before. So much failure.
#18 Notre Dame (-3.5) @ Michigan
Pick: ND -3.5
Result: 38-34 Michigan: L
So much anger. My gut reaction Saturday that I posted on my Tumblr still stands. For those of you that didn't see them, they were:
Result this week: 1-4
Result to date: 4-6
Lord Almighty that is brutal. Well now that we know I suck, how did you all do? In order of picks made.
Ryan:
This week: 1-4
To date: 4-6
Johnny Chan:
This week: 0-5
To date: 3-7
Judson:
This week: 3-2
To date: 7-3
Donnie B:
This week: 1-4
To date: 1-4
David L:
This week: 0-5
To date: 5-5 (all or nothing there, huh slick?)
The Regulators:
This week: 1-4
To date: 1-4
Kristin:
This week: 0-5
To date: 0-6
Yikes, that is an ugly, ugly week. Let's get em back next week, shall we kids? Scoreboard on the right should be updated, now with new players added. Have a good one.
#3 USC (-7) @ #8 OSU
Pick: USC -7
Result: 18-15 USC: L
This was flat out just an ugly game. For a matchup of 2 top 10 teams, I walked away from this one fairly unimpressed. USC's D (and Tressel's painfully predictable playcalling) did enough to keep Pryor and the Buckeyes in check. Meanwhile, for all the praise being heaped on Matt Barkley, let's slow down a bit. 15 of 31 for 195 yards, 0 TD, and 1 INT....really? The last drive that "Barkley led" should be credited to the ever electric Joe McKnight. SC did enough to win, but I cant say they are really striking fear in the hearts of teams around the land.
UCLA @ Tennesse (-10)
Pick: UCLA +10
Result: 19-15 UCLA: W
The closer this game got, the better I felt about it. THAT was the Jonathan Crompton we all know and love. 93 yards passing and 3 interceptions is no way to go through life son. Another sloppy game that surely has the Gators licking their chops for their chance to get Kiffykins back for all his smack this summer.
South Carolina @ #21 Georgia (-6.5)
Pick: Georgia -6.5
Result: 41-37 UGA: L
Well, I did not see this one coming. UGA got a well needed win after the OSU loss in week 1. Cant say I was expecting a shootout like this from these two teams. More losses like this and Gamecock fans may start counting down the days til they send the OBC to that big golf course in the sky.
Miss. St @ Auburn (-14)
Pick: Miss. St. +14
Result: 49-24 Auburn: L
Again, what the hell? Since when do these teams actually play offense. This is what happens when you go off knowledge based purely from the year before. So much failure.
#18 Notre Dame (-3.5) @ Michigan
Pick: ND -3.5
Result: 38-34 Michigan: L
So much anger. My gut reaction Saturday that I posted on my Tumblr still stands. For those of you that didn't see them, they were:
- Really, you throw on 2nd down when “running out the clock” allegedly?
- You get called for an unsportsmanlike for putting a single finger up to your facemask nowadays?
- You play bend dont break the entire game and let a true freshman tear you up without at any point putting a QB spy on?
- You are allegedly one of the top receivers in the country yet you have 4 HUGE drops in the 2nd half
- On a huge 3rd down you put a timing route that takes incredible practice and cohesion on a true freshman?
- You can’t make an f’ing 28 yard field goal?
- You have inside safety help covering the quick slant as a CB yet still bite on the juke and leave the WR wide open in the corner?
Result this week: 1-4
Result to date: 4-6
Lord Almighty that is brutal. Well now that we know I suck, how did you all do? In order of picks made.
Ryan:
This week: 1-4
To date: 4-6
Johnny Chan:
This week: 0-5
To date: 3-7
Judson:
This week: 3-2
To date: 7-3
Donnie B:
This week: 1-4
To date: 1-4
David L:
This week: 0-5
To date: 5-5 (all or nothing there, huh slick?)
The Regulators:
This week: 1-4
To date: 1-4
Kristin:
This week: 0-5
To date: 0-6
Yikes, that is an ugly, ugly week. Let's get em back next week, shall we kids? Scoreboard on the right should be updated, now with new players added. Have a good one.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
College Football Week 2 Picks
So after some great games in week 1, we've got a pretty solid slate for week 2, including a huge matchup between OSU and USC. Let's get right to it, shall we?
#3 USC (-7) @ #8 OSU
Pick: USC -7
I can't believe that I'm picking USC to cover in a game where they have a freshman QB starting his 2nd game ever, in one of the most impressive home field advantage giving stadiums the country has in the Shoe. Yet at the same time, I can't believe this line isn't double digits. USC eviscerated SJSU with no remorse. Granted, yes, they are terrible. OSU on the other hand had to stop a 2 point conversion at the buzzer to squeak out a win against Navy. Now Navy is a much better 1st game opponent than SJSU, without question. However, if OSU really thinks they are National Champion caliber this year, they've got to put on a better performance than that. I'm still not sold on Terrell Pryor, and even with unproven talent, USC still gets the edge over OSU at pretty much every position. Plus, we've all seen what happens when OSU leaves their conference. This reeks of a Pete Carroll "win forever" bloodbath.
UCLA @ Tennesse (-10)
Pick: UCLA +10
Man, I know Crompton looked good week 1, but he's still Jonathan Crompton, and it was Western Kentucky. 10 Points seems like wayyyyyy too much to give to Kiffykins this early. Not only that, but for some reason I like what Neuheisel is doing out in LA. I could be way off on this game, I really don't have a great feel for either of these teams. But this 10 point line just seems like way too much to me. Take the points.
South Carolina @ #21 Georgia (-6.5)
Pick: Georgia -6.5
The OBC got himself an ugly win last Thursday to open up the football season over NCST, while Georgia suffered a tough, injury filled loss at Oklahoma St. Logic would say I should pick the Gamecocks (teehee) in this one, wouldn't it? Well, logic has no place here. Georgia's season could very well hang in the balance in this game. If the Dawgs drop a 2nd straight week, in a conference game, they could be staring down the barrel of a sub .500 season really quick. Coach Richt knows this and will have his boys fired up to play. Plus, these days it seems like Spurrier would rather be on the golf course than the field. Yah click clack.
Miss. St @ Auburn (-14)
Pick: Miss. St. +14
TAKE THE UNDER!!!!!!1111!!!111!!!! I somewhat joke, but these two gave us one of the ugliest, most unwatchable abortions of a game last year with their 3-2 tallest midget contest. That alone makes me think that 14 points is a gift, nicely wrapped with a pretty bow for all of us. Combine that with the fact that Gene Chizik, who was by all accounts God awful at Iowa St, is now coaching in the SEC? I'll gladly take the points in this one.
#18 Notre Dame (-3.5) @ Michigan
Pick: ND -3.5
While I know I'm a huge homer, when it comes to betting, I try to be as rational as possible. When talking with a friend earlier this week, I figured the line would open at like 9 or 10. The fact that it has been between 3 and 4 all week astounds me. Yes, FB James Aldridge will be missing for the Irish, but ND is plugging in brusing RB Robert Hughes. The thought of Hughes and Armando Allen in the same backfield is amazing to me. Now throw in Jimmy's near flawless performance last week tossing to Golden and Michael "The Cannon" Floyd, and this could get high scoring in a hurry. Michigan says that Forcier will be there starter this week, which is interesting as he and Clausen knew each other back in Cali, and he spent summers in the past at CW's summer camps. UM looked pretty good on O last week, and will get their points, but I think ND will take advantage of their secondary with ease and win this one by 17.
There they are kids, make your picks in the comments, remember, we are picking against the spread. If you did it last week you can see your scores in the scoreboard on the right sidebar. If you missed out, don't worry, feel free to join in this week. It's wholesome family fun. Go get em kids
#3 USC (-7) @ #8 OSU
Pick: USC -7
I can't believe that I'm picking USC to cover in a game where they have a freshman QB starting his 2nd game ever, in one of the most impressive home field advantage giving stadiums the country has in the Shoe. Yet at the same time, I can't believe this line isn't double digits. USC eviscerated SJSU with no remorse. Granted, yes, they are terrible. OSU on the other hand had to stop a 2 point conversion at the buzzer to squeak out a win against Navy. Now Navy is a much better 1st game opponent than SJSU, without question. However, if OSU really thinks they are National Champion caliber this year, they've got to put on a better performance than that. I'm still not sold on Terrell Pryor, and even with unproven talent, USC still gets the edge over OSU at pretty much every position. Plus, we've all seen what happens when OSU leaves their conference. This reeks of a Pete Carroll "win forever" bloodbath.
UCLA @ Tennesse (-10)
Pick: UCLA +10
Man, I know Crompton looked good week 1, but he's still Jonathan Crompton, and it was Western Kentucky. 10 Points seems like wayyyyyy too much to give to Kiffykins this early. Not only that, but for some reason I like what Neuheisel is doing out in LA. I could be way off on this game, I really don't have a great feel for either of these teams. But this 10 point line just seems like way too much to me. Take the points.
South Carolina @ #21 Georgia (-6.5)
Pick: Georgia -6.5
The OBC got himself an ugly win last Thursday to open up the football season over NCST, while Georgia suffered a tough, injury filled loss at Oklahoma St. Logic would say I should pick the Gamecocks (teehee) in this one, wouldn't it? Well, logic has no place here. Georgia's season could very well hang in the balance in this game. If the Dawgs drop a 2nd straight week, in a conference game, they could be staring down the barrel of a sub .500 season really quick. Coach Richt knows this and will have his boys fired up to play. Plus, these days it seems like Spurrier would rather be on the golf course than the field. Yah click clack.
Miss. St @ Auburn (-14)
Pick: Miss. St. +14
TAKE THE UNDER!!!!!!1111!!!111!!!! I somewhat joke, but these two gave us one of the ugliest, most unwatchable abortions of a game last year with their 3-2 tallest midget contest. That alone makes me think that 14 points is a gift, nicely wrapped with a pretty bow for all of us. Combine that with the fact that Gene Chizik, who was by all accounts God awful at Iowa St, is now coaching in the SEC? I'll gladly take the points in this one.
#18 Notre Dame (-3.5) @ Michigan
Pick: ND -3.5
While I know I'm a huge homer, when it comes to betting, I try to be as rational as possible. When talking with a friend earlier this week, I figured the line would open at like 9 or 10. The fact that it has been between 3 and 4 all week astounds me. Yes, FB James Aldridge will be missing for the Irish, but ND is plugging in brusing RB Robert Hughes. The thought of Hughes and Armando Allen in the same backfield is amazing to me. Now throw in Jimmy's near flawless performance last week tossing to Golden and Michael "The Cannon" Floyd, and this could get high scoring in a hurry. Michigan says that Forcier will be there starter this week, which is interesting as he and Clausen knew each other back in Cali, and he spent summers in the past at CW's summer camps. UM looked pretty good on O last week, and will get their points, but I think ND will take advantage of their secondary with ease and win this one by 17.
There they are kids, make your picks in the comments, remember, we are picking against the spread. If you did it last week you can see your scores in the scoreboard on the right sidebar. If you missed out, don't worry, feel free to join in this week. It's wholesome family fun. Go get em kids
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Week 1 Recap
Well College Football is back boys and girls. There was some great action in week 1, we laughed, we cried, we saw why you get money/get paid when you have the chance. Miami and FSU reminded us why we loved their matchups in the 90's, and for the most part, the big boys took care of business. But how did we do?
#16 Oregon @ #14 Boise St.(-4)
Pick: Oregon +4
Result: 19-8 Boise: L
Oregon could not have looked worse in this game. An abysmal offensive showing and they lose their best player in LaGarrete Blount for the year because he felt like taking a shot at a Boise player after the game. Why did he do it? We still don't know. I've read everything from the guy was talking trash, to he called Blount the N-word. Either way, I hope that punch was worth it because it was the last thing he will do as a college player. It also might cost him Millions of dollars in the draft next year...Oops.
#20 BYU @ #3 Oklahoma (-22)
Pick: BYU +22
Result: 14-13 BYU: W
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma where your dreams are crushed in just a week. (Enjoy having that song in your head for the next 20 minutes). BYU played a hell of a ballgame, but their best play was knocking out the defending Heisman winner, Sam Bradford. Depending on the story you read, Bradford could be out anywhere from 2 weeks to the end of the year. Not only that, but Jermaine Gresham, their all world TE, who missed the game because of a knee injury, has decided to shut it down. With one loss already and his starting QB on the shelf for who knows how long, it's hard to blame Gresham for looking out for his future here. So now the Mormons push themselves into the top 10 this week (#9) with a huge road upset, and Oklahoma fans are busy canceling their hotel reservations in Pasadena. Rough, rough week Sooners.
#5 Alabama (-6.5) @ #7 VT
Pick: VT +6.5
Result: 34-24 Bama: L
Well, I had this game wrong in about every way shape or form. Honestly I didn't think more than 14 points would be scored the entire game. While Beamerball was still alive with a big KR for TD, Bama, mainly behind RB Mark Ingram's 150 yards, was too much for the Hokies in this one. Most telling stat of this game was total yards: Bama-498 VT-155. Looks like the Dark Lord Saban still has a D to be feared. Ugly week for the ACC to start.
#13 Georgia @ #9 Oklahoma St. (-5.5)
Pick: OSU -5.5
Result: 24-10 OSU: W
So I got lucky here. Within about an hour of posting my picks, I saw stories on 2 starters for OSU being out, as well as rumors that QB Zac Robinson could also miss the game. Ends up, he did play, and found his freak of a WR Dez Bryant twice in paydirt. Tough loss for Georgia is not only did they lose, but for the 2nd year in a row lose their stud LT Trinton Sturdivant to a knee tear. Last year Sturdivant got hurt before the year started, and many people believed his absence was a key factor in the disappointing year for the Dawgs. It will be interesting to see how Richt handles the loss for a 2nd year. The good news (relative good that is) is that with several injuries last year, UGA has a ton of experienced OL backups, so hopefully they can find some help there.
Nevada @ #23 Notre Dame (-14.5)
Pick: ND -14.5
Result: 35-0 ND: W
It's about time that ND came out and dominated a lowly opponent. This was a fun game kids. I really wish I could find the video of Mark May and Lou Holtz picking this game cause it gave me one of my favorite quotes of the year. To paraphrase: MM "How can you beat the Pistol offense?" Lou *bangs table* "With a Cannon!" After his 4 catch, 189 yard!!, 3 TD performance, I'm thinking that Michael Floyd should be known from now on as "The Cannon." Long time readers know of my love affair with Michael Floyd, and oh Lordy did he validate it on Saturday. For those of you who missed his straight up video game performance, enjoy:
So nasty. The last TD (at about 1:55 in the vid) was one of the more ridiculous plays I've witnessed live. Going up to get that ball was good enough, but to land, shake the defender off, and then house it? Dude's a freak.
Record this week/to date:
3-2
Not a great start, but above .500 is always good. Now, how about the rest of you:
Matt: 4-1
Johnny Chan: 3-2 (turncoat)
Ryan: 3-2
David L: 5-0 (barely got his pick change in, but it was valid, no more of that tho kids)
Judson: 4-1
Steven:3-2
Marc: 0-1
Kristin:0-1
Not a bad start. Only 2 people under .500, and they only picked 1 game. If you look in the sidebar, you should see a scoreboard which will keep a running tally throughout the year. Don't worry if you missed week 1. Feel free to join in starting this week. Expect the picks sometime tomorrow. Gotta love having college football back.
#16 Oregon @ #14 Boise St.(-4)
Pick: Oregon +4
Result: 19-8 Boise: L
Oregon could not have looked worse in this game. An abysmal offensive showing and they lose their best player in LaGarrete Blount for the year because he felt like taking a shot at a Boise player after the game. Why did he do it? We still don't know. I've read everything from the guy was talking trash, to he called Blount the N-word. Either way, I hope that punch was worth it because it was the last thing he will do as a college player. It also might cost him Millions of dollars in the draft next year...Oops.
#20 BYU @ #3 Oklahoma (-22)
Pick: BYU +22
Result: 14-13 BYU: W
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma where your dreams are crushed in just a week. (Enjoy having that song in your head for the next 20 minutes). BYU played a hell of a ballgame, but their best play was knocking out the defending Heisman winner, Sam Bradford. Depending on the story you read, Bradford could be out anywhere from 2 weeks to the end of the year. Not only that, but Jermaine Gresham, their all world TE, who missed the game because of a knee injury, has decided to shut it down. With one loss already and his starting QB on the shelf for who knows how long, it's hard to blame Gresham for looking out for his future here. So now the Mormons push themselves into the top 10 this week (#9) with a huge road upset, and Oklahoma fans are busy canceling their hotel reservations in Pasadena. Rough, rough week Sooners.
#5 Alabama (-6.5) @ #7 VT
Pick: VT +6.5
Result: 34-24 Bama: L
Well, I had this game wrong in about every way shape or form. Honestly I didn't think more than 14 points would be scored the entire game. While Beamerball was still alive with a big KR for TD, Bama, mainly behind RB Mark Ingram's 150 yards, was too much for the Hokies in this one. Most telling stat of this game was total yards: Bama-498 VT-155. Looks like the Dark Lord Saban still has a D to be feared. Ugly week for the ACC to start.
#13 Georgia @ #9 Oklahoma St. (-5.5)
Pick: OSU -5.5
Result: 24-10 OSU: W
So I got lucky here. Within about an hour of posting my picks, I saw stories on 2 starters for OSU being out, as well as rumors that QB Zac Robinson could also miss the game. Ends up, he did play, and found his freak of a WR Dez Bryant twice in paydirt. Tough loss for Georgia is not only did they lose, but for the 2nd year in a row lose their stud LT Trinton Sturdivant to a knee tear. Last year Sturdivant got hurt before the year started, and many people believed his absence was a key factor in the disappointing year for the Dawgs. It will be interesting to see how Richt handles the loss for a 2nd year. The good news (relative good that is) is that with several injuries last year, UGA has a ton of experienced OL backups, so hopefully they can find some help there.
Nevada @ #23 Notre Dame (-14.5)
Pick: ND -14.5
Result: 35-0 ND: W
It's about time that ND came out and dominated a lowly opponent. This was a fun game kids. I really wish I could find the video of Mark May and Lou Holtz picking this game cause it gave me one of my favorite quotes of the year. To paraphrase: MM "How can you beat the Pistol offense?" Lou *bangs table* "With a Cannon!" After his 4 catch, 189 yard!!, 3 TD performance, I'm thinking that Michael Floyd should be known from now on as "The Cannon." Long time readers know of my love affair with Michael Floyd, and oh Lordy did he validate it on Saturday. For those of you who missed his straight up video game performance, enjoy:
So nasty. The last TD (at about 1:55 in the vid) was one of the more ridiculous plays I've witnessed live. Going up to get that ball was good enough, but to land, shake the defender off, and then house it? Dude's a freak.
Record this week/to date:
3-2
Not a great start, but above .500 is always good. Now, how about the rest of you:
Matt: 4-1
Johnny Chan: 3-2 (turncoat)
Ryan: 3-2
David L: 5-0 (barely got his pick change in, but it was valid, no more of that tho kids)
Judson: 4-1
Steven:3-2
Marc: 0-1
Kristin:0-1
Not a bad start. Only 2 people under .500, and they only picked 1 game. If you look in the sidebar, you should see a scoreboard which will keep a running tally throughout the year. Don't worry if you missed week 1. Feel free to join in starting this week. Expect the picks sometime tomorrow. Gotta love having college football back.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Game by Game ND Preview
So here we are, a mere two days before the season starts for the Fighting Irish. It's that glorious time of year where anything is possible, fans everywhere are convinced this is their year, slates are clean, and trash talking is at its most fervent and illogical. Here's my take on ND's season, game by game. I will try to be as logical and not homerish as possible here:
Sept05 NEVADA 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
People around the interwebs are doing their best Lou Holtz prediction building up the Wolfpack. Hard to blame them consider the Irish are coming off a brutal 2 year stretch, and how bad ND looked against a similar cupcake opener in SDSU last year. The changes this team has gone through in the last year however are immense. The offense has drastically evolved, and the Defensive secondary has become a strength as opposed to a typical weakness. Not only that, but while Nevada can put up points, their D is suspect and should give up plenty of points. This Nevada team lost to the Hawaii squad last year that Notre Dame eviscerated in their bowl game. Expect a big win here.
Sept12 @ Michigan 3:30pm ABC
Prediction: W
Rich Rodriguez is a good coach. Really, he is. What he did at West Virginia was amazing and given time, he will likely do well by the Wolverines. He isn't their yet though. Michigan is in a transition period which brings with it a lot of pain, heartbreak, and losses. Michigan is continuing to say they will be running out all three quarterbacks (ND fans should remember how well that experiment went 2 years ago) and lost their biggest threat in Sam McGuffie. Add on the fact that Michigan players are trying to blow the whistle on violations committed by the Coaching Staff, and you have yourself a good old fashioned clusterf-. Michigan will get back to the top, it may even be with Rodriguez, but it definitely wont happen this year.
Sept19 MICHIGAN ST. 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
Oh Sparty, what a tumultuous series it has been. MSU has pretty much owned Notre Dame Stadium as of late, there is no way around it. Last year MSU tore up the Irish defense thanks to Javon Ringer's 200+ yard game. However, Javon is gone and MSU is looking way down this year. Add on the fact that ND will be looking for revenge and to finally defend home field, they shouldn't overlook Sparty like they frequently seem to do on the field.
Sept26 @ Purdue 8pm ABC/ESPN
Prediction: W
In a down Big TenLeven this year, Purdue is predicted by most to be one of the worst in the conference this year. There isn't much to say, Purdue is not gonna have a good team this year. This should be a blowout.
Oct03 WASHINGTON 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
Once again, you are dealing with a terrible team. The addition of Steve Sarkisian as head coach provides an interesting wrinkle. Jake Locker is a stud, but he doesn't have much in the way of talent around him. Further, ND by my logic should be undefeated to this point, and the possibility of taking a perfect slate into USC will be a huge motivator.
Oct17 SOUTHERN CAL 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: L
Like I said, I'm trying to be logical and non-homerish here. If there is a year where USC can be beat, it's this year. I truly believe ND can beat USC this year, but if someone put a gun to my head, I'd probably have to pick the Trojans. HOWEVAH, USC is running out a true Freshman QB and lost a TON of talent last year. Sure, the cupboard is full of 5 stars pretty much at every position. But when was the last time a USC recruit busted? They can't all work out so well. Add in the recent loss of starting CB Shareece Wright for grades, and the Trojans are looking as vulnerable as we have ever seen them. ND will have to play clean and execute on all cylinders, and probably get some lucky bounces if they want to win, but this is the best shot ND has had in years to take down the Trojans.
Oct24 BOSTON COLLEGE 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
Notre Dame gave this game away last year by committing turnover after turnover. Based on talent, ND should win this game fairly handily. Coming a week after USC though, there are some interesting possibilities. Let's say ND wins this game, do you get a repeat of 1993 here ND let's down a bit after a huge upset? If they lose a heartbreaker can ND rebound to full form in a week? God forbid, what happens if USC takes ND behind the woodshed again? In a vacuum, ND wins this going away, but we don't live in a vacuum, so this could be a very telling game for the rest of the season.
Oct31 Washington St. 7:30pm NBC(San Antonio TX)
Prediction: W
Ahh the barnstorm. The Irish are inexplicably coming down to my neck of the woods for a Halloween Soire with the Cougars. Luckily for the Irish, the Cougars may very well be the worst BCS conference team in the land. This will be violent.
Nov07 NAVY 2:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
Navy finally broke the streak during the abortion that was the 2007 season. They even put up a bit of a comeback last year because ND took their starters out and their foot off the gas. However, the talent discrepancy will be too much this year for Navy to overcome.
Nov14 @ Pittsburgh TBA
Prediction: L
This game scares me. Sure it's the Wannestache, and there is no more Shady McCoy. But I don't see the Irish getting through the year with only 1 loss. This game can easily be interchanged with Stanford as the game that scares me as a loss. Late in the season, on the road, anything can happen. This game screams trap game at me, I hope I'm wrong.
Nov21 CONNECTICUT 2:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
This game however, does not scare me. Interesting enough, former ND QB Zach Fraser is now at UConn and may have a bit of an axe to grind, or at least want to prove something to his old team. Sadly for him, his team is terrible, this will be a blowout.
Nov28 @ Stanford 8pm ABC
Prediction: W
Again, this game terrifies me. The reason I think the Irish will win this game however, even on the road, is that if I'm right and ND comes in with only 1 or 2 losses, the BCS will be a genuine possibility. That carrot will be too tempting to ignore and should push the Irish to one of their best performances. Jim Harbaugh is a hell of a coach and has started to recruit some really good talent to Palo Alto. This is not the typical Stanford team you see and chalk automatically, should make a fun game.
So 10-2 is my prediction for the year. Honestly this should be an 11-1 season considering the talent we return and the weak schedule we play this year. ND needs to get back to the BCS this year. Weis is out of excuses and chances. If he doesn't get the job done this year, he is gonezo. What do yall think? Am I too much of a homer, or am I right? Let me know in the comments. And if you haven't made your picks yet, get em in down below in the last post. GO IRISH
Sept05 NEVADA 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
People around the interwebs are doing their best Lou Holtz prediction building up the Wolfpack. Hard to blame them consider the Irish are coming off a brutal 2 year stretch, and how bad ND looked against a similar cupcake opener in SDSU last year. The changes this team has gone through in the last year however are immense. The offense has drastically evolved, and the Defensive secondary has become a strength as opposed to a typical weakness. Not only that, but while Nevada can put up points, their D is suspect and should give up plenty of points. This Nevada team lost to the Hawaii squad last year that Notre Dame eviscerated in their bowl game. Expect a big win here.
Sept12 @ Michigan 3:30pm ABC
Prediction: W
Rich Rodriguez is a good coach. Really, he is. What he did at West Virginia was amazing and given time, he will likely do well by the Wolverines. He isn't their yet though. Michigan is in a transition period which brings with it a lot of pain, heartbreak, and losses. Michigan is continuing to say they will be running out all three quarterbacks (ND fans should remember how well that experiment went 2 years ago) and lost their biggest threat in Sam McGuffie. Add on the fact that Michigan players are trying to blow the whistle on violations committed by the Coaching Staff, and you have yourself a good old fashioned clusterf-. Michigan will get back to the top, it may even be with Rodriguez, but it definitely wont happen this year.
Sept19 MICHIGAN ST. 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
Oh Sparty, what a tumultuous series it has been. MSU has pretty much owned Notre Dame Stadium as of late, there is no way around it. Last year MSU tore up the Irish defense thanks to Javon Ringer's 200+ yard game. However, Javon is gone and MSU is looking way down this year. Add on the fact that ND will be looking for revenge and to finally defend home field, they shouldn't overlook Sparty like they frequently seem to do on the field.
Sept26 @ Purdue 8pm ABC/ESPN
Prediction: W
In a down Big TenLeven this year, Purdue is predicted by most to be one of the worst in the conference this year. There isn't much to say, Purdue is not gonna have a good team this year. This should be a blowout.
Oct03 WASHINGTON 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
Once again, you are dealing with a terrible team. The addition of Steve Sarkisian as head coach provides an interesting wrinkle. Jake Locker is a stud, but he doesn't have much in the way of talent around him. Further, ND by my logic should be undefeated to this point, and the possibility of taking a perfect slate into USC will be a huge motivator.
Oct17 SOUTHERN CAL 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: L
Like I said, I'm trying to be logical and non-homerish here. If there is a year where USC can be beat, it's this year. I truly believe ND can beat USC this year, but if someone put a gun to my head, I'd probably have to pick the Trojans. HOWEVAH, USC is running out a true Freshman QB and lost a TON of talent last year. Sure, the cupboard is full of 5 stars pretty much at every position. But when was the last time a USC recruit busted? They can't all work out so well. Add in the recent loss of starting CB Shareece Wright for grades, and the Trojans are looking as vulnerable as we have ever seen them. ND will have to play clean and execute on all cylinders, and probably get some lucky bounces if they want to win, but this is the best shot ND has had in years to take down the Trojans.
Oct24 BOSTON COLLEGE 3:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
Notre Dame gave this game away last year by committing turnover after turnover. Based on talent, ND should win this game fairly handily. Coming a week after USC though, there are some interesting possibilities. Let's say ND wins this game, do you get a repeat of 1993 here ND let's down a bit after a huge upset? If they lose a heartbreaker can ND rebound to full form in a week? God forbid, what happens if USC takes ND behind the woodshed again? In a vacuum, ND wins this going away, but we don't live in a vacuum, so this could be a very telling game for the rest of the season.
Oct31 Washington St. 7:30pm NBC(San Antonio TX)
Prediction: W
Ahh the barnstorm. The Irish are inexplicably coming down to my neck of the woods for a Halloween Soire with the Cougars. Luckily for the Irish, the Cougars may very well be the worst BCS conference team in the land. This will be violent.
Nov07 NAVY 2:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
Navy finally broke the streak during the abortion that was the 2007 season. They even put up a bit of a comeback last year because ND took their starters out and their foot off the gas. However, the talent discrepancy will be too much this year for Navy to overcome.
Nov14 @ Pittsburgh TBA
Prediction: L
This game scares me. Sure it's the Wannestache, and there is no more Shady McCoy. But I don't see the Irish getting through the year with only 1 loss. This game can easily be interchanged with Stanford as the game that scares me as a loss. Late in the season, on the road, anything can happen. This game screams trap game at me, I hope I'm wrong.
Nov21 CONNECTICUT 2:30pm NBC
Prediction: W
This game however, does not scare me. Interesting enough, former ND QB Zach Fraser is now at UConn and may have a bit of an axe to grind, or at least want to prove something to his old team. Sadly for him, his team is terrible, this will be a blowout.
Nov28 @ Stanford 8pm ABC
Prediction: W
Again, this game terrifies me. The reason I think the Irish will win this game however, even on the road, is that if I'm right and ND comes in with only 1 or 2 losses, the BCS will be a genuine possibility. That carrot will be too tempting to ignore and should push the Irish to one of their best performances. Jim Harbaugh is a hell of a coach and has started to recruit some really good talent to Palo Alto. This is not the typical Stanford team you see and chalk automatically, should make a fun game.
So 10-2 is my prediction for the year. Honestly this should be an 11-1 season considering the talent we return and the weak schedule we play this year. ND needs to get back to the BCS this year. Weis is out of excuses and chances. If he doesn't get the job done this year, he is gonezo. What do yall think? Am I too much of a homer, or am I right? Let me know in the comments. And if you haven't made your picks yet, get em in down below in the last post. GO IRISH
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Week 1 College Football Picks
WOOOOOOOOOOO We are back boys and girls. The glorious season of college football is upon us, so therefore it's time to do the damn thing. This little pick contest was amusing last year, so why not do it again. If you weren't around last year here's the plan, I will choose 5 games each week, and we will pick against the spread. I'll be using the lines from Centsports, my free money betting thing, which if you are interested in, let me know. We aren't gonna keep track of spread and straight up records this year, primarily because it was a huge pain and I'm fairly lazy. Feel free to explain your picks and rationalize fully in the comments, but the only picks I will be counting will be those ATS. For those who don't understand spreads, 1st, how are we friends? 2nd, the team with the -# by them is the favorite. If you pick the favorite, they have to win by more than the -#. Simple, yes? Now the 5 games each week will be a combo of the games I find to be the most interesting, the lines I find the most interesting, and the ND game because I'm a huge huge homer. There will be some games I leave off, sometimes cause I dont care, sometimes cause other games/lines interest me more. Bama VT almost got this treatment cause I wanted to pick the UF line, which at last I heard was -72. Sadly I can't find it on anywhere anymore, so oh well.
Normally these will go up on Thursdays, but one of this week's games is on Thursday, so we go a little early. Plus, I wanted a little extra time to try and get people involved because the more the merrier. Your picks only be counted if they get in before the games. Only way I know how to do it, so that's how it is, if it means you only get scored on some of the games that week, so be it. Do me a favor, get em in before Saturday, timestamp checking is lame. So, all that being said, let's go!
THURSDAY GAMES:
#16 Oregon @ #14 Boise St. (-4)
PICK: Oregon +4
No, no no no no no. I feel like this is a gift from the NCAA to knock Boise St out of "BCS Buster Cinderella" contention early. I'm tired of these mid majors. Yes it was awesome that they beat OU with chicanery in the Fiesta Bowl a few years back, yes Chris Petersen has done a hell of a job w/ the Blue Broncs, yes man writers who feel like getting cute are picking them to go undefeated. Not this year. Lagarrete Blount is an absolute beast who will tear through the Boise D, and Masoli poses a lot of threats. Not Dixon level threats, but a lot of threats all the same. Secondary prediction: This game will be unavailable in Asia because the combo of smurf turf and whatever unis Oregon wants to bust out for week 1 would undoubtedly cause an epileptic epidemic in the youngsters of the land.
SATURDAY GAMES:
#20 BYU @ #3 Oklahoma (-22)
PICK: BYU +22
This game could be a lot more interesting than Vegas is expecting. Sure Oklahoma has the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Sam Bradford, but all of his O-line friends who kept him alive last year are gone. Sure Jermaine Gresham stuck around, and they didn't have as much of a mass exodus on D as they could have, but they lost a lot of talent. I think OU wins, and I think they win by a few scores, but 22? Too high.
#5 Alabama (-6.5) @ #7 Virginia Tech
PICK: VT +6.5
Apparently I'm in the mood for dogs. This will not be an offensive slugfest, both teams tend to rely on their D and Special Teams. Bama fell apart w/ John Parker Wilson at the helm, and they don't even have him to rely on. Not only that, but Utah absolutely abused Bama's O line with Andre Smith suspended. Since the big man is gone for good, Bama is gonna have to figure out how to get back to the road grating line they had been working with. Bama will win this game, but it will be ugly and close.
#13 Georgia @ #9 Oklahoma St. (-5.5)
PICK: OSU -5.5
This to me is the most interesting game on this weekend's slate. Okie St is the chic pick to make noise this year thanks to all kinds of talent returning for Head Coach Mike Gundy. All World WR Dez Bryant is one of the best in the land and is poised for a huge year. But what will OSU do with raised expectations? On the other hand you have Georgia. The Bulldogs a year ago at this point were a preseason #1 and favorite to make the National Championship game behind 1st Rd NFL draft picks Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. However they fell flat. Coach Richt seems to be at his most dangerous though when people are overlooking his squad, which this year is safe to say everyone is. This game, hopefully, will live up to the hype and give us the best contest of the week. I think OSU wins this by 2 scores and Dez Bryant giving some columnists a new dark horse Heisman candidate.
Nevada @ #23 Notre Dame (-14.5)
PICK: ND -14.5
In the past few weeks talking with friends, fellow alums, and random interweb folk, I've heard a lot of people doing their best Lou Holtz impression on this game. Nevada could put a scare into ND, their QB Colin Kaepernick has a cannon and is a real threat. I'm tired of this talk. I'm tired of trying to psych myself out as a fan and letting the failure of the last few years taint my view point. Remember that offense in the Hawaii Bowl? That is what we should see every week this year. For those who say "oooooh Hawaiii, how scarrryyyyy" fair, go ahead. We will deal with the year as a whole later this week. But for this week's game, this Nevada team lost to that Hawaii team giving up 38 points...Sure, Nevada will get a few scores, I've seen the over/under at 61. I'd say hit it hard because ND is coming out to make a statement in this game. This offense is ready to go, and a hair over 2 TDs will be cleared in this game.
So make your picks in the comments kids. Give me thoughts on games you'd like to see in the future, mock my idiocy, praise my prognostication (alliteration baby) or just be sarcastic. Doesn't really matter to me, you cant wipe this smile off my face. College Football is BACK!!!
Normally these will go up on Thursdays, but one of this week's games is on Thursday, so we go a little early. Plus, I wanted a little extra time to try and get people involved because the more the merrier. Your picks only be counted if they get in before the games. Only way I know how to do it, so that's how it is, if it means you only get scored on some of the games that week, so be it. Do me a favor, get em in before Saturday, timestamp checking is lame. So, all that being said, let's go!
THURSDAY GAMES:
#16 Oregon @ #14 Boise St. (-4)
PICK: Oregon +4
No, no no no no no. I feel like this is a gift from the NCAA to knock Boise St out of "BCS Buster Cinderella" contention early. I'm tired of these mid majors. Yes it was awesome that they beat OU with chicanery in the Fiesta Bowl a few years back, yes Chris Petersen has done a hell of a job w/ the Blue Broncs, yes man writers who feel like getting cute are picking them to go undefeated. Not this year. Lagarrete Blount is an absolute beast who will tear through the Boise D, and Masoli poses a lot of threats. Not Dixon level threats, but a lot of threats all the same. Secondary prediction: This game will be unavailable in Asia because the combo of smurf turf and whatever unis Oregon wants to bust out for week 1 would undoubtedly cause an epileptic epidemic in the youngsters of the land.
SATURDAY GAMES:
#20 BYU @ #3 Oklahoma (-22)
PICK: BYU +22
This game could be a lot more interesting than Vegas is expecting. Sure Oklahoma has the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Sam Bradford, but all of his O-line friends who kept him alive last year are gone. Sure Jermaine Gresham stuck around, and they didn't have as much of a mass exodus on D as they could have, but they lost a lot of talent. I think OU wins, and I think they win by a few scores, but 22? Too high.
#5 Alabama (-6.5) @ #7 Virginia Tech
PICK: VT +6.5
Apparently I'm in the mood for dogs. This will not be an offensive slugfest, both teams tend to rely on their D and Special Teams. Bama fell apart w/ John Parker Wilson at the helm, and they don't even have him to rely on. Not only that, but Utah absolutely abused Bama's O line with Andre Smith suspended. Since the big man is gone for good, Bama is gonna have to figure out how to get back to the road grating line they had been working with. Bama will win this game, but it will be ugly and close.
#13 Georgia @ #9 Oklahoma St. (-5.5)
PICK: OSU -5.5
This to me is the most interesting game on this weekend's slate. Okie St is the chic pick to make noise this year thanks to all kinds of talent returning for Head Coach Mike Gundy. All World WR Dez Bryant is one of the best in the land and is poised for a huge year. But what will OSU do with raised expectations? On the other hand you have Georgia. The Bulldogs a year ago at this point were a preseason #1 and favorite to make the National Championship game behind 1st Rd NFL draft picks Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. However they fell flat. Coach Richt seems to be at his most dangerous though when people are overlooking his squad, which this year is safe to say everyone is. This game, hopefully, will live up to the hype and give us the best contest of the week. I think OSU wins this by 2 scores and Dez Bryant giving some columnists a new dark horse Heisman candidate.
Nevada @ #23 Notre Dame (-14.5)
PICK: ND -14.5
In the past few weeks talking with friends, fellow alums, and random interweb folk, I've heard a lot of people doing their best Lou Holtz impression on this game. Nevada could put a scare into ND, their QB Colin Kaepernick has a cannon and is a real threat. I'm tired of this talk. I'm tired of trying to psych myself out as a fan and letting the failure of the last few years taint my view point. Remember that offense in the Hawaii Bowl? That is what we should see every week this year. For those who say "oooooh Hawaiii, how scarrryyyyy" fair, go ahead. We will deal with the year as a whole later this week. But for this week's game, this Nevada team lost to that Hawaii team giving up 38 points...Sure, Nevada will get a few scores, I've seen the over/under at 61. I'd say hit it hard because ND is coming out to make a statement in this game. This offense is ready to go, and a hair over 2 TDs will be cleared in this game.
So make your picks in the comments kids. Give me thoughts on games you'd like to see in the future, mock my idiocy, praise my prognostication (alliteration baby) or just be sarcastic. Doesn't really matter to me, you cant wipe this smile off my face. College Football is BACK!!!
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