
It was a weekend full of Football Festivities! It started Friday night as the Doofus and Jason went to the Alumni Bar to watch State hold off Western. Things were looking good as the Spartans rolled to a 34-10 lead late into the third quarter. But the pass defense which had been leaky for most of the game began to burst. Western scored two TDs to cut the lead to 34-24. An MSU FG midway through the fourth quarter completed the scoring. With Oregon coming in for Game Day, the secondary had better tighten the screws or its going to be a long night.
Ellis hosted a great football party on Saturday. Attendance was standing room only. Hell, even Rock made it. It had been so long since we had seen him, I figured he had up and died and didn’t tell anyone.
The bourbon was flowing, the cigars were smoldering and football was playing. It was a great evening. Well, except for the scores.
The weekend’s results started out pretty damn good. By the end of Friday I was 10-4 against the spread. Thoughts of cleaning out Vegas were creeping into a brain fueled by multiple tall boys. Then Saturday happened. It started with a near Mega Bet Loss
UL Monroe +36.0 @ Georgia - I was mumbling under my breath about ULM’s offensive game plan. They kept trying to get to the edge when they clearly had a speed disadvantage. Meanwhile, Georgia was pounding away with RB Nick Chubb. With two minutes to go in the half it was 35-0 Dawgs. It was ugly. But ULM got into gear. They scored just before the half to make it 35-7. They also scored to open the second half to make it 35-14. Maybe they can keep this game close.
Then it got weird. Even though there were clear skies, the refs said that lightning had struck within five miles and there would be a five minute delay. It took a lot longer than five minutes so I switched to other games. By the time I got back, Georgia was up 44-17. Crap, how did that happen? Georgia scored again and now it was 51-17. I was behind in the cover.
But lightning struck again. With 9:54 left, the refs stopped the game again. This time the refs talked to the coaches and then the coaches met at midfield. Could it be? Were they going to call the game early. If they call it with more than 5 minutes to go – Vegas treats it as a push. Everyone gets there money back. Down on the field, Richt shakes hands Berry, then gives him a hug. Yes! They call it. I dodge a bullet. PUSH
Ellis hosted a great football party on Saturday. Attendance was standing room only. Hell, even Rock made it. It had been so long since we had seen him, I figured he had up and died and didn’t tell anyone.
The bourbon was flowing, the cigars were smoldering and football was playing. It was a great evening. Well, except for the scores.
The weekend’s results started out pretty damn good. By the end of Friday I was 10-4 against the spread. Thoughts of cleaning out Vegas were creeping into a brain fueled by multiple tall boys. Then Saturday happened. It started with a near Mega Bet Loss
UL Monroe +36.0 @ Georgia - I was mumbling under my breath about ULM’s offensive game plan. They kept trying to get to the edge when they clearly had a speed disadvantage. Meanwhile, Georgia was pounding away with RB Nick Chubb. With two minutes to go in the half it was 35-0 Dawgs. It was ugly. But ULM got into gear. They scored just before the half to make it 35-7. They also scored to open the second half to make it 35-14. Maybe they can keep this game close.
Then it got weird. Even though there were clear skies, the refs said that lightning had struck within five miles and there would be a five minute delay. It took a lot longer than five minutes so I switched to other games. By the time I got back, Georgia was up 44-17. Crap, how did that happen? Georgia scored again and now it was 51-17. I was behind in the cover.
But lightning struck again. With 9:54 left, the refs stopped the game again. This time the refs talked to the coaches and then the coaches met at midfield. Could it be? Were they going to call the game early. If they call it with more than 5 minutes to go – Vegas treats it as a push. Everyone gets there money back. Down on the field, Richt shakes hands Berry, then gives him a hug. Yes! They call it. I dodge a bullet. PUSH

Arizona State +4.0 vs Texas A&M (played in Houston) – A&M hired DC Jon Chavis from LSU this winter. Lawsuits galore were filed but it appears to be worth it. The Aggies were beer soaked paper bag filled with sheep dung on defense last year. But they stoned an ASU offense that finished 36th overall last year.
The Forks are not slouches on defense either. After two turnovers by starting QB Kyle Allen, A&M decided to switch to freshman QB Kyler Murray. After Murray struggled to A&M went back to Allen. It turned out to be the right move. With 4 minutes to go it ASU cut the lead to 24-17. The cover was still in play. Allen hit freshman WR Christian Kirk on a screen pass that went 67 yards for a TD. After ASU turned it over on downs A&M got a cheap TD to make the final score 38-17. A better game than the score showed but still a LOSS
Arkansas State +26.0 @ Southern Cal – It only took four plays for USC to score a TD. The rout was on. By the end of the first half the Trojans were blowing out Arkansas State 28-0. The Red Wolves did try to make it interesting by scoring on their first drive of the third quarter. But USC would have nothing to do with having a game on their hands. USC took their next drive to the house.
By the time it was all over Trojan QB Cody Kessler had thrown for 236 yards and four TDs. They rushed for three more. Hell even the defense scored by returning a botched lateral pass. Final score – USC 55 Ark State 6 LOSS
The Forks are not slouches on defense either. After two turnovers by starting QB Kyle Allen, A&M decided to switch to freshman QB Kyler Murray. After Murray struggled to A&M went back to Allen. It turned out to be the right move. With 4 minutes to go it ASU cut the lead to 24-17. The cover was still in play. Allen hit freshman WR Christian Kirk on a screen pass that went 67 yards for a TD. After ASU turned it over on downs A&M got a cheap TD to make the final score 38-17. A better game than the score showed but still a LOSS
Arkansas State +26.0 @ Southern Cal – It only took four plays for USC to score a TD. The rout was on. By the end of the first half the Trojans were blowing out Arkansas State 28-0. The Red Wolves did try to make it interesting by scoring on their first drive of the third quarter. But USC would have nothing to do with having a game on their hands. USC took their next drive to the house.
By the time it was all over Trojan QB Cody Kessler had thrown for 236 yards and four TDs. They rushed for three more. Hell even the defense scored by returning a botched lateral pass. Final score – USC 55 Ark State 6 LOSS
On Sunday, Mrs Doofus and I went over to Casa Bruce for some burgers and salmon and a few games of euchre. Shortly after we arrived the women folk were out on the deck talking about whatever womenfolk talk about. Bruce and I were watching the Purdue Marshall game with Lil Bruce. Things were looking good in the game. I had picked Purdue getting 7 and they were leading 31-27 with three minutes left. I turned to Lil Bruce and said “The only way I can lose this game is if Marshall scores a TD and gets a pick six”. I should have started eating my burger. The Herd immediately scores a TD. Then, on the next drive, the Boilers throw a pick six. Groan. Somehow, I get the feeling Chris was behind this. Ever the optimist, I’m going to treat this as “getting my bad luck out of the way early”.
Overall, the BBofG went 20-18-1. Not bad. The Doofus went 0-2-1 on the Mega Bets. Not good. It's not how you pick 'em but how you bet 'em.
Some observations on Week 1
What in the world wrong with the Texas offense? Sure, Charlie strong is a defensive minded coach but that was an abomination against Notre Dame. After one week, the Longhorns are dead last in offense with 163 total yards. Five players rushed for more and 83 quarterback’s threw for more yards than Texas got as a team. Charlie was not on my preseason coaches on the hot seat. But he could be there pretty soon of things don’t turn around fast.
What an amazing ending to the BYU Nebraska game. I was driving over to Ellis’ listening to the final few minutes. I had picked BYU to cover. I’m going to fade the Huskers a lot this season since I thing new HC Mike Reilly is going to disappoint. Nebraska missed a FG with less than a minute to go setting up this dramatic game ending play
Overall, the BBofG went 20-18-1. Not bad. The Doofus went 0-2-1 on the Mega Bets. Not good. It's not how you pick 'em but how you bet 'em.
Some observations on Week 1
What in the world wrong with the Texas offense? Sure, Charlie strong is a defensive minded coach but that was an abomination against Notre Dame. After one week, the Longhorns are dead last in offense with 163 total yards. Five players rushed for more and 83 quarterback’s threw for more yards than Texas got as a team. Charlie was not on my preseason coaches on the hot seat. But he could be there pretty soon of things don’t turn around fast.
What an amazing ending to the BYU Nebraska game. I was driving over to Ellis’ listening to the final few minutes. I had picked BYU to cover. I’m going to fade the Huskers a lot this season since I thing new HC Mike Reilly is going to disappoint. Nebraska missed a FG with less than a minute to go setting up this dramatic game ending play
And speaking of game ending plays – don’t get the Sax Man going on this one. He’s already convinced Hawaii refs are on the take.
With a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime - the refs mishandle setting down the ball and time runs out. Coincidence? I wonder.
Finally, all the talk about Harbaugh setting college football on fire is over. He took his team to Utah and got beat. Now, of course, after a million straight years of top ranked recruiting classes - the cupboard is bare. New coach, same old excuse. It never gets old.
It's an old lesson - but don't overreact to the first week of the season.
- Wisconsin’s offense couldn’t move against Bama but it was a bad matchup for the Badgers. They will recover
- UCLA’s freshman QB Josh Rosen looked fantastic against Virginia, throwing for 351 yards and 3 TDs. But he’s still a freshman. He will stumble – and not just once.
- Ohio State crushed Virginia Tech in their own crib. Caralde Jones threw for 2 TDs and ran for another. Braxton Miller looked brilliant at WR including a sick B button spin move for a TD
Finally, all the talk about Harbaugh setting college football on fire is over. He took his team to Utah and got beat. Now, of course, after a million straight years of top ranked recruiting classes - the cupboard is bare. New coach, same old excuse. It never gets old.
It's an old lesson - but don't overreact to the first week of the season.
- Wisconsin’s offense couldn’t move against Bama but it was a bad matchup for the Badgers. They will recover
- UCLA’s freshman QB Josh Rosen looked fantastic against Virginia, throwing for 351 yards and 3 TDs. But he’s still a freshman. He will stumble – and not just once.
- Ohio State crushed Virginia Tech in their own crib. Caralde Jones threw for 2 TDs and ran for another. Braxton Miller looked brilliant at WR including a sick B button spin move for a TD
· Not only that, but they get DE Joey Bosa was suspended and comes back this week. But before you start crowning them repeat champs remember this – the Hokies were leading at the half. The game turned Ohio State’s way when Va Tech's starting QB Michael Brewer went down with a broken shoulder. It was all OSU after that.
And I'm going to modify my "take the good Non Pwer 5 team aainst the Power 5 team getting a ton of points" bet. I'll add "unless its against a ranked team" If I had done that I would ave gone 23-15-1 and avoided a Mega Bet loss and the near miss with Georgia.
So with those lessons learned, for week 2 I'm going with
Louisville -13.5 vs Houston – I love bounce back plays. Louisville defense hung with a potent Auburn offense limiting it to 327 yards of total offense. Houston is digesting a new playbook under rookie HC Tom Herman. It won’t be pretty. Louisville is still breaking in freshman QB Lamar Jackson but he caught fire in the second half last week. The defense is enough to give the Cards the cover.
Oregon State +14.5 vs Michigan – Fading Michigan is going to be fun this year. Then again, it’s fun every year. Michigan is exactly what they are expected to be. Good on defense, awful on offense. Oregon State has a new HC who is a master on defense but is trying to find an offense too. When two strong defenses face off against struggling offenses – take the points. No way should Michigan be giving over 2 TDs to anyone let alone their PAC 12 clone.
Minnesota -5.0 @ Colorado State – Another bounce back play. Minnesota’s defense is pretty good. It held TCU to 23 points and made them work for it. The offense struggled to get on track but that is primarily due to a great TCU defense. The Gophers will keep pounding away at the CSU defense until it breaks. Then it will be game set match.
And I'm going to modify my "take the good Non Pwer 5 team aainst the Power 5 team getting a ton of points" bet. I'll add "unless its against a ranked team" If I had done that I would ave gone 23-15-1 and avoided a Mega Bet loss and the near miss with Georgia.
So with those lessons learned, for week 2 I'm going with
Louisville -13.5 vs Houston – I love bounce back plays. Louisville defense hung with a potent Auburn offense limiting it to 327 yards of total offense. Houston is digesting a new playbook under rookie HC Tom Herman. It won’t be pretty. Louisville is still breaking in freshman QB Lamar Jackson but he caught fire in the second half last week. The defense is enough to give the Cards the cover.
Oregon State +14.5 vs Michigan – Fading Michigan is going to be fun this year. Then again, it’s fun every year. Michigan is exactly what they are expected to be. Good on defense, awful on offense. Oregon State has a new HC who is a master on defense but is trying to find an offense too. When two strong defenses face off against struggling offenses – take the points. No way should Michigan be giving over 2 TDs to anyone let alone their PAC 12 clone.
Minnesota -5.0 @ Colorado State – Another bounce back play. Minnesota’s defense is pretty good. It held TCU to 23 points and made them work for it. The offense struggled to get on track but that is primarily due to a great TCU defense. The Gophers will keep pounding away at the CSU defense until it breaks. Then it will be game set match.

The Sheriff made his first picks of the year
Cal (-12) over San Diego State. The Bears looked good beating Grambling (52-0 at halftime), but the Aztecs will present a somewhat tougher test this week (before the schedule really kicks in next week at Texas). I expect Jared Goff to get more rest in the second half after Cal opens up a comfortable lead.
Virginia (+11.5) over Notre Dame. Virginia was beaten pretty soundly by UCLA last week, but I credit that more to UCLA’s fantastic freshman QB Josh Rosen (the kid looked like a stud and I’m predicting right now that UCLA wins the PAC-12 South this year). I don’t think the Cavaliers will beat the Papists but I think they can cover at home.
Central Florida (+18) over Stanford. The Cardinal looked awful last week in losing to Northwestern. The most conservative (worst?) coach in America is David Shaw. There is no way the collection of 4 and 5-star talent on that squad should be losing to the Wildcats (sorry, bro). He has a 5th-year Senior starting at QB (Kevin Hogan) and he doesn’t trust him to make a play on third down ?? I know UCF lost to Florida International last week but I got to think they can cover this number against any David Shaw coached team. This promises to be a terrible viewing experience.
For all of the Week 2 picks, times spreads and much more here is the Week 2 Bettors Guide

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Remember - the 2015 GO JUMBO trip is Nov 7th at the Westgate Resort