Week Three provided a full-blown crash and burn. I was doing great until the final five selections. In the final five games, I took the big doughnut to record the first sub-.500 week of the season at 4-7. The overall record is still one above the magical .500 mark -- 16-15.
The fateful five games that sent me down the drain were Kentucky losing its 29th straight to Florida, Cal blowing a late three-touchdown lead before beating Texas by one stinking point, Stanford rising up and upsetting Southern Cal, Ole Miss knocking off Alabama in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history, and UCLA failing to cover at double-digit spread over BYU.
I did pick Georgia, but I didn't anticipate a full nuclear meltdown by South Carolina. I thought the Gamecock defense was better but it got torched between the hedges. Even the OBC is going to have problems pulling this mess out of the ditch.
After a long Saturday full of losers, I am always amazed by the numbers set by "those guys in the desert" as the late great Larry Munson used to say.
Here are the selections for the final week of September. All picks are against the spread.
-- Boise State -2.5 at Virginia (Friday). Just a small editorial comment here. College football on a Friday night is a bad idea, an even worse idea than college football on a Tuesday night. I don't care where they are located on the eastern seaboard, ACC schools should not play on Friday nights. Friday nights are for high school football. College football on Friday night is just another sign that TV money is more important than the fans. End of rant and on to the game. Virginia put together an inspired effort against Notre Dame but blew it in the final minute. Boise State has to travel across country, but I don't think it is going to matter. Mike London, do you know any good real estate agents in Charlottesville? Take the Broncos.
-- Georgia Tech -9.5 at Duke. Duke lost the Academic Bowl last week to Northwestern, while Georgia Tech was getting smothered at Notre Dame. Tech coach Paul Johnson promised some fixes. Duke has been a pain in Tech's rear for a long time. This is a dangerous game for the Jackets at Wallace Wade Outdoor Stadium. Take Duke and the points.
-- Central Florida -14.5 at South Carolina. Here we have two teams that are both three-alarm dumpster fires. Central Florida lost at home to Furman, yes that Furman, while South Carolina got drilled by Georgia. What to do. What to do. If the Knights struggled with Furman, they certainly will have a difficult time with the Gamecocks. Right? Who knows? I expect a dead cat bounce from South Carolina. Take the Gamecocks.
-- Oklahoma State -3.0 at Texas. The Cowboys ride south to face their first "test" of the season. Texas has issues, but the Longhorns will be the best team Oklahoma State has faced to date. The interesting note on this game is that the road team has won six straight in the series. OSU continues that streak. Pistols firing. Take the Pokes.
-- BYU at Michigan -5.5. Michigan a favorite? Do my eyes deceive me? BYU lost its perfect season at UCLA. With that spread, somebody knows something. I have to take the Wolverines in the Big House.
-- Bowling Green -2.5 at Purdue. Both of these teams are 1-2. Purdue is 0-2 all-time against Bowling Green. The Falcons are averaging 39.6 points per game. I think Bowling Green will cover.
-- LSU -24.0 at Syracuse. Long trip for the Bayou Bengals and it will be difficult to find cajun food in upstate New York. There was a report that the 7,500 LSU fans making the trip were worried about running out of liquor. Now, that's a fan base. Twenty-four points is a lot but not enough to save the Orange. LSU.
-- Maryland at West Virginia -17.0. I'm picking West Virginia because Maryland has the ugliest helmets in college football and deserves to lose by three touchdowns. Hail to West Virginia, the pride of every Mountaineer.
-- Tennessee at Florida -1.5. Tennessee flunked its first major test by blowing at late lead at home against Oklahoma. Florida is still a mystery. The spread means nothing and the game is in The Swamp. I just don't believe in Tennessee. Take the Gators.
-- TCU -6.5 at Texas Tech. Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury piled on Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema after ripping the Hogs. TCU had a tougher than expected time with the Fighting Chad Morrises last week in Fort Worth. The Frogs have yet to show out. It's time. Take the Frogs.
-- UCLA -3.5 at Arizona. Battle of unbeatens. In this one, I like the home field. Rich Rodriguez gets it done. Pick the Wildcats.
Against The Spread
Last Week -- 4-7
Season -- 16-15
No comments:
Post a Comment