Week zero got off to a start every way possible. I won one game big (Colorado State crushed Oregon State 58-27), lost one big (Rice was afraid to tackle and Stanford rolled 62-7), won a close one (Hawaii scored a late TD to 38-35 – good game).
It was the close loss that was frustrating. South Florida took the first quarter off versus San Jose State. 15 minutes into it and the Bulls had lost their starting DT to targeting, had a punt blocked returned for a TD and were down 16-0 while giving 21.5. 38 points in the whole after one quarter. Ouch
But Charlie Strong lit his team a new one and scored 28 in the second to take the lead 28-16. They kept going and with 10 minutes to go led 42-16. They were actually covering!
Then SJSU scored a meaningless TD to get the back door cover. Even worse, USF got down to the 15 yard line with a minute to go and then kneeled. Not only a back door loss but I got Wannstedted too. Haven’t had that happen in awhile. Hope it’s a long time before it happens again.
It was the close loss that was frustrating. South Florida took the first quarter off versus San Jose State. 15 minutes into it and the Bulls had lost their starting DT to targeting, had a punt blocked returned for a TD and were down 16-0 while giving 21.5. 38 points in the whole after one quarter. Ouch
But Charlie Strong lit his team a new one and scored 28 in the second to take the lead 28-16. They kept going and with 10 minutes to go led 42-16. They were actually covering!
Then SJSU scored a meaningless TD to get the back door cover. Even worse, USF got down to the 15 yard line with a minute to go and then kneeled. Not only a back door loss but I got Wannstedted too. Haven’t had that happen in awhile. Hope it’s a long time before it happens again.
This week I am making my picks sitting next to Mrs Doofus on a plane ride to Seattle. First class, of course, as that is the only way she will fly. She deserves it though. I’m just thankful she will let me fly next to her.
I’m a few vodka tonics into the flight (at altitude no less) so take these picks at your own peril.
Georgia Southern +34.5 @ Auburn – The Big Guy is all the way on the other side of the country so I feel safe making this pick. I love taking good Group of 5 teams getting a ton of points early in the year. The Big Boys are going to play it safe and not open the play book while the underdog is going to treat this as their Super Bowl.
Both teams are going to run, run and then run some more eating up the clock. There won’t be enough time for the Tigers to put up a 35 point lead. Even if the do, they will rest the starters and the Eagles will get a late back door cover.
Alabama -7.0 vs Florida State – I’m going to make these picks since I’m about as far away from the Big Guy as I can be.
Every year, the question arises, can the Tide replace all the talent that is leaving. Is this the year Bama comes back to earth and every year the answer is – Roll Tide. They just crush teams in the first game. Just ask USC – 56-7 loss, Wisconsin 35-17 loss, WVU 33-23 loss, Va Tech 35-10 loss, Michigan 41-14 loss. The list goes on. In fact, Saban is 9-0 in season openers at Bama, 8-1 against the spread.
Four of FSU’s top receivers are gone along with their all time leading rusher Dalvin Cook. Their replacements will be facing off against a defense loaded with NFL draft picks. And FSU’s starting safety is suspended for the first half of the game. Bama’s Jalen Hurst, the SEC player of the year as a freshman will be throwing depp early to establish the lead.
Bama is coming in with a chip on its shoulder after losing to Clemson on a pick play in the end zone to lose the National Championship game. Tide rolls.
I’m a few vodka tonics into the flight (at altitude no less) so take these picks at your own peril.
Georgia Southern +34.5 @ Auburn – The Big Guy is all the way on the other side of the country so I feel safe making this pick. I love taking good Group of 5 teams getting a ton of points early in the year. The Big Boys are going to play it safe and not open the play book while the underdog is going to treat this as their Super Bowl.
Both teams are going to run, run and then run some more eating up the clock. There won’t be enough time for the Tigers to put up a 35 point lead. Even if the do, they will rest the starters and the Eagles will get a late back door cover.
Alabama -7.0 vs Florida State – I’m going to make these picks since I’m about as far away from the Big Guy as I can be.
Every year, the question arises, can the Tide replace all the talent that is leaving. Is this the year Bama comes back to earth and every year the answer is – Roll Tide. They just crush teams in the first game. Just ask USC – 56-7 loss, Wisconsin 35-17 loss, WVU 33-23 loss, Va Tech 35-10 loss, Michigan 41-14 loss. The list goes on. In fact, Saban is 9-0 in season openers at Bama, 8-1 against the spread.
Four of FSU’s top receivers are gone along with their all time leading rusher Dalvin Cook. Their replacements will be facing off against a defense loaded with NFL draft picks. And FSU’s starting safety is suspended for the first half of the game. Bama’s Jalen Hurst, the SEC player of the year as a freshman will be throwing depp early to establish the lead.
Bama is coming in with a chip on its shoulder after losing to Clemson on a pick play in the end zone to lose the National Championship game. Tide rolls.
Nevada +24.0 vs Northwestern – Not only am I far away from the Big Guy but I am well away from Bruce too.
he Cats favored by 24? I looked to see the last time they beat a Div 1A team by more than 24 points. Only three times in the last 5 years. A really bad Purdue team last year, a mediocre Minnesota team in 2014 and a really bad Illinois team in 2012.
Northwestern just doesn’t crush teams. In fact, Northwestern has only been a 24 point favorite once during that time laying 28.5 to Western Michigan in 2013, winning by 21.
New Wolfpack HC Jay Norvell, is installing a new Air Raid Attack which should get a late back door cover after the Cats have put the game away.
The Sheriff is VERY happy that college pig is back! (Beating up hippies gets old) … here are his picks.
Navy (-9.5) @ Florida Atlantic. There is a clear moral imperative here that the Sheriff can’t ignore: does he pick the team staffed with Patriots who serve their country or the team coached by a man (Lane Kiffin) whose career is a testament to nepotism? Lane is collecting castoffs from Power 5 programs and building his own moral cesspool in South Florida, while the midshipmen have won 45 games in the last 5 years. Anchors aweigh!
Wyoming (+11.5) @ Iowa. The Cowboys finished tied for 1st place in the Mountain West (Mountain Division) with a 6-2 record last year and return what will likely be one of the top 2-3 QBs taken in next year’s NFL draft in Josh Allen. Look for Wyoming to pull off the upset against an Iowa team that has a track record of losing to non-Power 5 teams in September.
UCLA (-4) vs Texas A&M. After last year’s dismal 4-8 season, Jim Mora is on the hot seat and knows his team needs to rebound in what will probably be Josh Rosen’s last year before turning pro. For the first time in years, it looks like the O-line has some depth and the D-line will have a 5-star prospect in Jaelan Philipps, who looks like he could be PAC-12 rookie of the year. The Bruins will get revenge for last year’s overtime loss and beat the Aggies in the Rose Bowl.
I like the Navy and Wyoming picks. I’ll put a Mini Mega on those two plus, since I’m pissing everyone off, I’ll put a Mini Mega on Michigan to cover the 5 points against a depleted Florida squad. I’ll still root for the Gators though.
And here are all the games, spreads, times, picks and much much more
he Cats favored by 24? I looked to see the last time they beat a Div 1A team by more than 24 points. Only three times in the last 5 years. A really bad Purdue team last year, a mediocre Minnesota team in 2014 and a really bad Illinois team in 2012.
Northwestern just doesn’t crush teams. In fact, Northwestern has only been a 24 point favorite once during that time laying 28.5 to Western Michigan in 2013, winning by 21.
New Wolfpack HC Jay Norvell, is installing a new Air Raid Attack which should get a late back door cover after the Cats have put the game away.
The Sheriff is VERY happy that college pig is back! (Beating up hippies gets old) … here are his picks.
Navy (-9.5) @ Florida Atlantic. There is a clear moral imperative here that the Sheriff can’t ignore: does he pick the team staffed with Patriots who serve their country or the team coached by a man (Lane Kiffin) whose career is a testament to nepotism? Lane is collecting castoffs from Power 5 programs and building his own moral cesspool in South Florida, while the midshipmen have won 45 games in the last 5 years. Anchors aweigh!
Wyoming (+11.5) @ Iowa. The Cowboys finished tied for 1st place in the Mountain West (Mountain Division) with a 6-2 record last year and return what will likely be one of the top 2-3 QBs taken in next year’s NFL draft in Josh Allen. Look for Wyoming to pull off the upset against an Iowa team that has a track record of losing to non-Power 5 teams in September.
UCLA (-4) vs Texas A&M. After last year’s dismal 4-8 season, Jim Mora is on the hot seat and knows his team needs to rebound in what will probably be Josh Rosen’s last year before turning pro. For the first time in years, it looks like the O-line has some depth and the D-line will have a 5-star prospect in Jaelan Philipps, who looks like he could be PAC-12 rookie of the year. The Bruins will get revenge for last year’s overtime loss and beat the Aggies in the Rose Bowl.
I like the Navy and Wyoming picks. I’ll put a Mini Mega on those two plus, since I’m pissing everyone off, I’ll put a Mini Mega on Michigan to cover the 5 points against a depleted Florida squad. I’ll still root for the Gators though.
And here are all the games, spreads, times, picks and much much more
2017 Week 1 predictions.xlsx |
Remember the 2017 GO JUMBO trip is Nov 11th at the Westgate SuperBook