I was rolling right along last week and then came the final three games.
Oklahoma won a ridiculous shootout at Texas Tech but failed to cover. Ohio State, a double-digit favorite, got whited out at Penn State. Ole Miss met LSU freight train Leonard Fournette and it wasn't pretty.
The result was a 4-5-1 week that still has me one game above .500 for the season entering Week Nine.
The big game of the week is Clemson at Florida State. The Tigers have lost their last four trips to Tallahassee. Clemson could afford a loss and still make the College Football Playoff, but the Tigers want to stay unbeaten and build some momentum entering November.
For some odd reason, the Tigers have been better on the road than they have at home. If you are a Clemson fan, you hope that trend continues Saturday night.
Most of the remaining unbeatens are on the road this week, so this could be Shake-Up Saturday.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Duke at Georgia Tech -5.5 -- Duke has always been a pain for Georgia Tech. The wolves are howling on The Flats for Paul Johnson's job. The Jackets are running out of chances to make a stand this season. I'm just not feeling it for the Jackets. Pick -- Duke
West Virginia at Oklahoma State +3.5 -- The unbeaten Mountaineers return to West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen's old stomping grounds in Stillwater. He was Oklahoma State's offensive coordinator before taking the job at West Virginia. This looks to be a typical Big 12 shootout. Take the Pokes and the points. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Georgia vs. Florida -7.5 -- SEC and school officials can try and change the name all they want, but this game will always be known as The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The smell of bourbon will be heavy in the air as the Dawgs and Gators tangle in Jacksonville. There is grumbling in Athens already. This is a game Florida needs to win the East. Pick -- Florida
Tennessee at South Carolina +13.5 -- After surviving UMass last week, the Gamecocks return to the SEC. The only thing more painful than losing to Tennessee is having to listen to Rocky Top all night long. Pick -- Tennessee
Clemson at Florida State +4.5 -- Before the season started, I marked this game as a loss for Clemson. This isn't a vintage Florida State team, but this game is Florida State's chance to make a major statement that it still exists. I think the Seminoles will play like their hair is on fire. Pick -- Florida State
Michigan at Michigan State +24.5 -- Michigan State got lucky last year when the Michigan punter made one of the biggest boneheaded plays of the season. The struggling Spartans won't be so lucky this year. Pick -- Michigan
Louisville at Virginia +33 -- Cardinal quarterback Lamar Jackson will add to his Heisman Trophy resume. I know the Cardinals are capable of covering the spread, but I have a feeling the Cavaliers will stay inside the 33. Pick -- Virginia
Miami at Notre Dame +2 -- Reality has settled in at Coral Gables. The Hurricanes have gone from unbeaten to out of the ACC Coastal race in one month. Notre Dame is a mess. I am going to take the points. Pick -- Notre Dame
Washington at Utah +10 -- The class of the Pac 12 travels to Salt Lake City to face its biggest challenge to date. I like the Utes. Pick -- Utah
Nebraska at Wisconsin -7.5 -- I am sorry. I just don't believe in Nebraska. Maybe they will make a believer out of me this week. But I don't think so. Pick -- Wisconsin
Last Week -- 4-5-1
For The Season -- 39-38-3
Friday, October 28, 2016
Friday, October 21, 2016
Tigers Survive, Dawgs Disappoint
Two big misses last week dropped me below the .500 mark for the week.
I thought both Clemson and Georgia would roll. I was wrong.
The Tigers escaped a physical N.C. State team thanks to a late missed field goal. The Dawgs ran up and down the field against Vandy but could not score.
Both Clemson and Georgia are off this week, which will allow both teams to reset before two big showdowns -- Clemson at Florida State and Georgia vs. Florida at the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
The biggest game this week is Texas A&M's trip to rampaging Alabama.
As always, all picks are against the spread and are for entertainment purposes only.
Oklahoma State at Kansas -24 -- Cowboys cross the northern border to tangle with pathetic Kansas. Take the Pokes. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Massachusetts at South Carolina -20.5 -- The big question among Gamecock fans is: Can our team score 20.5 points? Well the 0.5 might be difficult. Massachusetts is pathetic on defense. Reports are South Carolina is going to send Bobby Bentley's son out to play quarterback. It's a tough pick because the spread is high, but I'm going to take the Gamecocks. Pick -- South Carolina
Texas at Kansas State -2.0 -- Texas' season continues to circle the drain. Pick -- Kansas State
N.C. State at Louisville -19.0 -- Can the Wolfpack recover from last week's disappointment in Death Valley? State is an extremely physical team. The Cards better be ready. Pick -- N.C. State
North Carolina at Virginia +9.5 -- This feels like a week the Tar Heels mail it in. They recovered from the Virginia Tech beating by knocking off Miami last week. With Virginia Tech's 37-16 victory over Miami Thursday night, the Heels need this one to stay in the Coastal race. Pick -- North Carolina
Texas A&M at Alabama -18.5 -- In the college football landscape, it's Alabama and everybody else. Tide rolls. Pick -- Alabama
Arkansas at Auburn -10 -- Auburn has finally found some offense. The spread is a little high, but I'm taking the Tigers. Pick -- Auburn
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +14 -- Texas Tech's offense ran out of gas against West Virginia. The Sooners will come to Lubbock and slash their tires. Pick -- Oklahoma
Ohio State at Penn State +19.5 -- White Out. Blue Out. Magenta Out. It doesn't matter. Buckeyes crack the Nittany Lions. Pick -- Ohio State
Ole Miss at LSU -6.5 -- The spread is for home field. With Les Miles gone, the LSU offense has opened up. The promise of a special season at Ole Miss is gone. This will be a close one. Take the points. Pick -- Ole Miss
Last Week -- 4-6
For The Season -- 34-33-2
I thought both Clemson and Georgia would roll. I was wrong.
The Tigers escaped a physical N.C. State team thanks to a late missed field goal. The Dawgs ran up and down the field against Vandy but could not score.
Both Clemson and Georgia are off this week, which will allow both teams to reset before two big showdowns -- Clemson at Florida State and Georgia vs. Florida at the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
The biggest game this week is Texas A&M's trip to rampaging Alabama.
As always, all picks are against the spread and are for entertainment purposes only.
Oklahoma State at Kansas -24 -- Cowboys cross the northern border to tangle with pathetic Kansas. Take the Pokes. Pick -- Oklahoma State
Massachusetts at South Carolina -20.5 -- The big question among Gamecock fans is: Can our team score 20.5 points? Well the 0.5 might be difficult. Massachusetts is pathetic on defense. Reports are South Carolina is going to send Bobby Bentley's son out to play quarterback. It's a tough pick because the spread is high, but I'm going to take the Gamecocks. Pick -- South Carolina
Texas at Kansas State -2.0 -- Texas' season continues to circle the drain. Pick -- Kansas State
N.C. State at Louisville -19.0 -- Can the Wolfpack recover from last week's disappointment in Death Valley? State is an extremely physical team. The Cards better be ready. Pick -- N.C. State
North Carolina at Virginia +9.5 -- This feels like a week the Tar Heels mail it in. They recovered from the Virginia Tech beating by knocking off Miami last week. With Virginia Tech's 37-16 victory over Miami Thursday night, the Heels need this one to stay in the Coastal race. Pick -- North Carolina
Texas A&M at Alabama -18.5 -- In the college football landscape, it's Alabama and everybody else. Tide rolls. Pick -- Alabama
Arkansas at Auburn -10 -- Auburn has finally found some offense. The spread is a little high, but I'm taking the Tigers. Pick -- Auburn
Oklahoma at Texas Tech +14 -- Texas Tech's offense ran out of gas against West Virginia. The Sooners will come to Lubbock and slash their tires. Pick -- Oklahoma
Ohio State at Penn State +19.5 -- White Out. Blue Out. Magenta Out. It doesn't matter. Buckeyes crack the Nittany Lions. Pick -- Ohio State
Ole Miss at LSU -6.5 -- The spread is for home field. With Les Miles gone, the LSU offense has opened up. The promise of a special season at Ole Miss is gone. This will be a close one. Take the points. Pick -- Ole Miss
Last Week -- 4-6
For The Season -- 34-33-2
Thursday, October 13, 2016
The Fun Is In The Winning
Last week finished on the plus side with a 5-3-1 mark. There were only nine games because Hurricane Matthew wiped out the LSU at Florida game.
I had a lovely trip to Boston. A big meatball, a chocolate custard cannoli, a nice filet, a police escort to the game, and a 46-point Clemson victory. The Tigers seem to be gaining momentum every week.
This week may be the toughest of the season. Six of the ten spreads are in double digits and two of those spreads are 20 or more points. You just know some dog is going to cover.
As we enter mid-October, it looks as if the main contenders for the four playoff spots are Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Washington, and Clemson. But there is a long way to go before anything is decided.
Away we go with Week 7. All picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Duke at Louisville -34.4 -- My mind says Louisville will lead by 35 after two quarters. My heart says Duke will find a way to sneak inside the spread. Let's go with the heart. Pick -- Duke
N.C. State at Clemson -17.5 -- Bottom line, N.C. State hasn't played anybody. Tigers roll. Pick -- Clemson
Vanderbilt at Georgia -14.0 -- Finally, the Bulldogs face somebody they can beat up. Commodores get sunk in Athens. Pick -- Georgia
West Virginia at Texas Tech +1 -- This will look more like a video game than a college football game. By the end of this one, both defensive coordinators will be on suicide watch. Because there is no direct way to get to Lubbock, Texas, I am going to pick the Red Raiders. Pick -- Texas Tech
North Carolina at Miami -7 -- North Carolina laid a big ole egg in the rain last week. Miami struggled the entire game against Florida State then failed to convert an extra point to tie. Loser is out of the Coastal Division race. Pick -- Miami
Alabama at Tennessee -12 -- Alabama is just better than anybody else. Tennessee better hang early or the Vols will get swamped. Pick -- Alabama
Ole Miss at Arkansas -7.5 -- Chad Kelly, America's favorite hot head, was in the news last week for all the wrong reasons. Arkansas got blasted by Alabama. Will home field make a difference? I think so. Pick -- Arkansas
Stanford at Notre Dame -3 -- The two biggest disappointments in college football this season. Stanford can't get any quarterback play. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly is running around blaming everybody but himself for the flopping Irish. Home field is the difference. Pick -- Notre Dame
Ohio State at Wisconsin +10.5 -- Wisconsin played Michigan tough in the Big House. Have they got anything left for the visiting Buckeyes? I think so. Pick -- Wisconsin
Virginia Tech at Syracuse +20.5. Virginia Tech defense coordinator Bud Foster will cook up something for Syracuse, but the Orange won't like the taste. Pick -- Virginia Tech
Last Week - 5-3-1
Season - 30-27-3
I had a lovely trip to Boston. A big meatball, a chocolate custard cannoli, a nice filet, a police escort to the game, and a 46-point Clemson victory. The Tigers seem to be gaining momentum every week.
This week may be the toughest of the season. Six of the ten spreads are in double digits and two of those spreads are 20 or more points. You just know some dog is going to cover.
As we enter mid-October, it looks as if the main contenders for the four playoff spots are Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Washington, and Clemson. But there is a long way to go before anything is decided.
Away we go with Week 7. All picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Duke at Louisville -34.4 -- My mind says Louisville will lead by 35 after two quarters. My heart says Duke will find a way to sneak inside the spread. Let's go with the heart. Pick -- Duke
N.C. State at Clemson -17.5 -- Bottom line, N.C. State hasn't played anybody. Tigers roll. Pick -- Clemson
Vanderbilt at Georgia -14.0 -- Finally, the Bulldogs face somebody they can beat up. Commodores get sunk in Athens. Pick -- Georgia
West Virginia at Texas Tech +1 -- This will look more like a video game than a college football game. By the end of this one, both defensive coordinators will be on suicide watch. Because there is no direct way to get to Lubbock, Texas, I am going to pick the Red Raiders. Pick -- Texas Tech
North Carolina at Miami -7 -- North Carolina laid a big ole egg in the rain last week. Miami struggled the entire game against Florida State then failed to convert an extra point to tie. Loser is out of the Coastal Division race. Pick -- Miami
Alabama at Tennessee -12 -- Alabama is just better than anybody else. Tennessee better hang early or the Vols will get swamped. Pick -- Alabama
Ole Miss at Arkansas -7.5 -- Chad Kelly, America's favorite hot head, was in the news last week for all the wrong reasons. Arkansas got blasted by Alabama. Will home field make a difference? I think so. Pick -- Arkansas
Stanford at Notre Dame -3 -- The two biggest disappointments in college football this season. Stanford can't get any quarterback play. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly is running around blaming everybody but himself for the flopping Irish. Home field is the difference. Pick -- Notre Dame
Ohio State at Wisconsin +10.5 -- Wisconsin played Michigan tough in the Big House. Have they got anything left for the visiting Buckeyes? I think so. Pick -- Wisconsin
Virginia Tech at Syracuse +20.5. Virginia Tech defense coordinator Bud Foster will cook up something for Syracuse, but the Orange won't like the taste. Pick -- Virginia Tech
Last Week - 5-3-1
Season - 30-27-3
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Tigers Face Trap Game In Boston
Still struggling to build some momentum, last week was our first sub-.500 week of the season.
Taking Clemson and the points at home was almost a gift, but the Tigers made our collective hearts skip several million beats before rallying to beat upstart Louisville.
Texas A&M could not shake South Carolina, so the Gamecocks managed to put a strike against our record by covering the 17 1/2 points.
We picked Washington, but we didn't expect the Huskies to destroy Stanford. The Pac 12 looks as if it belongs to the Huskies.
Tennessee's final-play Hail Mary in Athens accounted for the second push of the season and smashed Dawg hearts everywhere. I shed tears for the Dawgs. Just kidding.
After Friday night's trip to Chestnut Hill, Clemson's schedule will calm down. After a visit from N.C. State, Clemson will get a week off before finishing the regular season with five straight Saturday games. The Tigers have had two short weeks and have played on a Thursday and a Friday. The ACC didn't do the Tigers any favors by making them travel to Boston and play on Friday after last Saturday night's emotional victory over then-No. 3 Louisville. I still believe Friday night football should be reserved for high schools. TV powers are making the ACC schedule Friday games, but I still think it sucks.
As always, all picks are against the spread and are for entertainment purposes only.
Friday's Game
Clemson at Boston College +16.5. Chestnut Hill has always been a tough place for the Tigers to play. Boston College wants to play in a phone booth, so this will be a physical game that the Eagles will try and shorten with their running game. The Eagles lead the nation in total defense, so another turnover-filled game could mean trouble for the Tigers. The Eagles will be pumped for the annual Red Bandana Game, a game when they honor former Boston College lacrosse player Welles Crowther, who gave his life to save others during the 9/11 attack at the World Trade Center. Will the Tigers fall into the trap? Nope. Pick -- Clemson
Saturday's Games
Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh -6.5. Pittsburgh at home will be too much for struggling Georgia Tech. The triple option is getting old in Atlanta. Paul Johnson's seat gets warmer. Pick -- Pittsburgh
Georgia at South Carolina +7. This game is in doubt because of the hurricane. The Gamecocks have been hanging with everybody they have played. But moral victories don't count in the W column. Georgia suffered a killer loss at home last week to Tennessee. Pick -- South Carolina
LSU at Florida +3. Ed Orgeron, who has made a career of being an interim head coach, got off to a good start last week by blasting Mississippi State. Florida is tough to figure out. But take the Gators at home. Pick -- Florida
Notre Dame at N.C. State -2. The Wolfpack ended Wake Forest's undefeated season last Saturday. Notre Dame got back on the positive side by routing Syracuse. Are the Irish healed? I don't think so. Pick -- N.C. State
Oklahoma at Texas +10. According to reports, the Red River Rivalry at the Texas State Fair is the beginning of the Charlie Strong Farewell Tour. Texas upset Oklahoma last season. It won't happen this year because a speed bump in a Wal-Mart parking lot puts up more resistance than the Texas defense. Pick -- Oklahoma
Virginia Tech at North Carolina -2.5. A big ACC Coastal showdown in Chapel Hill. Virginia Tech, coming off a bye week, has scored 103 points in its last two games. The Tar Heels pulled off a miracle in Tallahassee last Saturday. I am going to take the Hokies and the points. Pick -- Virginia Tech
Tennessee at Texas A&M -7.0. Tennessee's prayer was answered in Athens, but those same prayers will fall on deaf ears this Saturday. Aggies will hand the Vols their first loss. Pick -- Texas A&M
Florida State at Miami -3.0. Another game that might have real hurricane issues. I wonder if they are missing Mark Richt in Athens? Richt has the Hurricanes undefeated after two scoop-and-scores led to a two-touchdown victory at Georgia Tech. Florida State is leaking oil and has several loose lug nuts. The Seminoles will hit the wall at Hard Rock Stadium. Pick -- Miami
Washington at Oregon +8.5. The Huskies have lost 12 straight in the series and have not won in Eugene since 2002. The Cascade Clash is one of the nation's most underrated rivalries. Oregon has lost three straight for the first time in recent memory. The Ducks take another hit. Pick -- Washington
Last Week -- 4-5-1
For The Season -- 25-24-2
Taking Clemson and the points at home was almost a gift, but the Tigers made our collective hearts skip several million beats before rallying to beat upstart Louisville.
Texas A&M could not shake South Carolina, so the Gamecocks managed to put a strike against our record by covering the 17 1/2 points.
We picked Washington, but we didn't expect the Huskies to destroy Stanford. The Pac 12 looks as if it belongs to the Huskies.
Tennessee's final-play Hail Mary in Athens accounted for the second push of the season and smashed Dawg hearts everywhere. I shed tears for the Dawgs. Just kidding.
After Friday night's trip to Chestnut Hill, Clemson's schedule will calm down. After a visit from N.C. State, Clemson will get a week off before finishing the regular season with five straight Saturday games. The Tigers have had two short weeks and have played on a Thursday and a Friday. The ACC didn't do the Tigers any favors by making them travel to Boston and play on Friday after last Saturday night's emotional victory over then-No. 3 Louisville. I still believe Friday night football should be reserved for high schools. TV powers are making the ACC schedule Friday games, but I still think it sucks.
As always, all picks are against the spread and are for entertainment purposes only.
Friday's Game
Clemson at Boston College +16.5. Chestnut Hill has always been a tough place for the Tigers to play. Boston College wants to play in a phone booth, so this will be a physical game that the Eagles will try and shorten with their running game. The Eagles lead the nation in total defense, so another turnover-filled game could mean trouble for the Tigers. The Eagles will be pumped for the annual Red Bandana Game, a game when they honor former Boston College lacrosse player Welles Crowther, who gave his life to save others during the 9/11 attack at the World Trade Center. Will the Tigers fall into the trap? Nope. Pick -- Clemson
Saturday's Games
Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh -6.5. Pittsburgh at home will be too much for struggling Georgia Tech. The triple option is getting old in Atlanta. Paul Johnson's seat gets warmer. Pick -- Pittsburgh
Georgia at South Carolina +7. This game is in doubt because of the hurricane. The Gamecocks have been hanging with everybody they have played. But moral victories don't count in the W column. Georgia suffered a killer loss at home last week to Tennessee. Pick -- South Carolina
LSU at Florida +3. Ed Orgeron, who has made a career of being an interim head coach, got off to a good start last week by blasting Mississippi State. Florida is tough to figure out. But take the Gators at home. Pick -- Florida
Notre Dame at N.C. State -2. The Wolfpack ended Wake Forest's undefeated season last Saturday. Notre Dame got back on the positive side by routing Syracuse. Are the Irish healed? I don't think so. Pick -- N.C. State
Oklahoma at Texas +10. According to reports, the Red River Rivalry at the Texas State Fair is the beginning of the Charlie Strong Farewell Tour. Texas upset Oklahoma last season. It won't happen this year because a speed bump in a Wal-Mart parking lot puts up more resistance than the Texas defense. Pick -- Oklahoma
Virginia Tech at North Carolina -2.5. A big ACC Coastal showdown in Chapel Hill. Virginia Tech, coming off a bye week, has scored 103 points in its last two games. The Tar Heels pulled off a miracle in Tallahassee last Saturday. I am going to take the Hokies and the points. Pick -- Virginia Tech
Tennessee at Texas A&M -7.0. Tennessee's prayer was answered in Athens, but those same prayers will fall on deaf ears this Saturday. Aggies will hand the Vols their first loss. Pick -- Texas A&M
Florida State at Miami -3.0. Another game that might have real hurricane issues. I wonder if they are missing Mark Richt in Athens? Richt has the Hurricanes undefeated after two scoop-and-scores led to a two-touchdown victory at Georgia Tech. Florida State is leaking oil and has several loose lug nuts. The Seminoles will hit the wall at Hard Rock Stadium. Pick -- Miami
Washington at Oregon +8.5. The Huskies have lost 12 straight in the series and have not won in Eugene since 2002. The Cascade Clash is one of the nation's most underrated rivalries. Oregon has lost three straight for the first time in recent memory. The Ducks take another hit. Pick -- Washington
Last Week -- 4-5-1
For The Season -- 25-24-2
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