I'll tell you what - it's the traditions, the color and pageantry that makes college football so much fun.
I had a chance to go to the Auburn / Utah State game. Before the game, on the JumboTron, HC Gene Chizek was talking to Aubie the Tiger. He ends his lecture by saying "I have one more thing for you to do" and hands him the National Championship trophy. The picture then jumps to the tunnel under the Jumbotron and there is Aubie holding the trophy. Aubie runs out onto the field and the place goes absolutely nuts! I don't care who you root for - that was cool!
Auburn played an exciting game scoring 2 TDs in the last three minutes to win. After the game we went to Toomers Corner to celebrate. A great day of college football.
The Big Book of Guesses has a great weekend to going 24-16. But the Sons of Doofus were hoisting him on his own petard with "It's not how you pick 'em Dad - it's how you bet 'em" True enough - the Doofus got the 2011 campaign off to a slow start going 1-2 as:
I had a chance to go to the Auburn / Utah State game. Before the game, on the JumboTron, HC Gene Chizek was talking to Aubie the Tiger. He ends his lecture by saying "I have one more thing for you to do" and hands him the National Championship trophy. The picture then jumps to the tunnel under the Jumbotron and there is Aubie holding the trophy. Aubie runs out onto the field and the place goes absolutely nuts! I don't care who you root for - that was cool!
Auburn played an exciting game scoring 2 TDs in the last three minutes to win. After the game we went to Toomers Corner to celebrate. A great day of college football.
The Big Book of Guesses has a great weekend to going 24-16. But the Sons of Doofus were hoisting him on his own petard with "It's not how you pick 'em Dad - it's how you bet 'em" True enough - the Doofus got the 2011 campaign off to a slow start going 1-2 as:
Must be the Battleship Maryland
Indiana -6 @ Ball State (Neutral Field) - New IU HC Kevin Wilson had the Hoosiers playing at a fast clip, going with a no huddle hurry up offense. IU jumped to a quick 7-0 but the pace soon wore down his own defense. Midway through the 3rd quarter BSU was leading 24-17. The turning point came when IU gambled on 4th and 3 at the BSU 9 yd line to open the fourth quarter. A pass attempt was incomplete (and the personal foul penalty declined - ugly play). With 11:39 left, BSU went on an 80 yd 13 play drive (12 of which were runs) scoring drive, milking 9 minutes off the clock to go up 27-17. IU scored a FG in less than a minute but the onside kick failed. Final BSU 27 IU 20 Loss
Colorado St - 6 @ New Mexico - Two bad teams from last year went at it and neither team showed much improvement this year. CSU started the game with a missed FG. New Mexico then turned around and missed a FG on their first drive too. New Mexico's next drive ended with a fumble at the CSU 3 yd line. CSU got a go head TD with 1:29 left in the half to go up 7-3, only to let up an 80 yard TD scoring drive with :12 left in the half. Nice going Rams! CSU missed a chip shot FG to tie it early in the 4th quarter - finally taking the lead 14-10 with 7 minutes left. New Mexico's final drive of the game ended with a lost fumble at the CSU 15 yard line. Just an ugly game. Final CSU 14 New Mexico 10 Loss
Ohio -7 @ New Mexico State - If you are going to bet against a bad team - make sure the other team is half way decent. Ohio is half way decent. After spotting New Mexico State an early first quarter TD - it was all Ohio as the Bobcats reeled off 30 straight points. By the end of the 3rd quarter it was Ohio 44 NMSU 17. The Aggies opened the 4th quarter with a 54 yd TD bomb but that would it be it for the scoring. Final Ohio 44 NMSU 24 Win
Going against bad teams early in the season backfired as they were at home and still have hope for the season. It won't last long. There will be plenty of chances to bet against these teams.
Nevertheless, the Big Book of Guesses had a good week - good enough to win two office pools.
This week has some pretty big time programs going at it. Notre Dame travels to Ann Arbor for the first night game ever in the Big House. Michigan is pulling out all the marketing ploys for this one including ugly retro uniforms (well, maybe not as bad as Maryland's - those looked like World War One warship dazzle paint). UM is expecting to set a new attendance record for the game. Those seats were pretty tight to begin with. Going to be real uncomfortable for the fans.
ND head coach Brian Kelly went on a red faced f bombing tirade on national TV last week. Rather than apologize - he said he needed to be more careful since the cameras were everywhere. Doesn't sound like he is going to signing up for anger management classes any time soon.
Michigan is coming off a weather shortened win over Western Michigan while ND is coming off a weather delayed loss to South Florida. Turnovers were the key to both games. Western Michigan lost the ball three times including a 94 yd pick six. Notre Dame turned it over 5 times including a 96 yd fumble return. Turnovers have a way of evening out so I'll take ND and give the 3.5 points (that one's for you Mark).
Alabama heads to Happy Valley to take on JoPa. Penn State has been sliding that last several years. The defenses have been solid but the offenses have gone stagnant. Alabama is in the hunt for the national title behind a great defense and conservative offense. Last year Bama pummeled Penn State 24-3. I expect a similar score this year so I'll take the Tide and lay the 10 points. I also like the under of 42.
The NFL kicks off this week. The biggest news is that Peyton Manning is out for at least the first game and probably a good chunk of the season. Indianapolis was a 1 point underdog in their matchup against Houston but the line is now moved to Houston -8.5 Not sure if one player was worth 7.5 points before but Manning probably is. Indianapolis was struggling with Manning and team injuries late last year. Without him they're not a good team. I'll take Houston and give the 8.5.
In the first of two Monday Night games - New England travels to Miami. Chad Henne continues to regress. New England's pass defense has started to spring leaks but the Fins won't be able to take advantage. I'll take Miami and give the 7.0
Before I get to the Mega Bets - we have a guest picker this week - the Sax Man. The sax Man wrote in with this picks:
Purdue -1 over Rice: Yeah I know what you're saying: "But Sax Man, Purdue had to score a TD in the final minute to beat MTSU at home!" But it's still Rice, and Rice is terrible. Look for Purdue to get another embarrassingly close win, but cover the one point.
Detroit +1.5 over Tampa Bay: The NFL is back! Now I have something to watch on TV when I stumble out of bed at 1pm after a long night of drinking Chocolate Milk and playing Go Fish with the boys. I'm predicting a big year for the Leos, with freaks of nature Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh to be joined with a (hopefully) healthy China Doll Stafford. Tampa Bay could have a decent season as well, but I'm predicting a sophmore slump for Josh Freeman. Lions win a close one.
New England -7.5 over Miami: As much as it pains me to make this pick, it is simply the biggest lock this week. New England's starters will be looking to get the sour taste of being embarrassed by the Lions in a nationally televised game out of their mouths as they take their talents down to South Beach and face the Dolphins. Ol' Billy Belichick loves playing in Miami, going 3-1 the past 4 years there with an aggregate score of 159-92. Patriots win by double digits.
Got to admit I like his picks. In fact this weeks Mega Bets also has
Detroit +1.5 over Tampa Bay - I also like the Lions this year. With a healthy (for now) QB Stafford. Detroit has shown the ability to move the ball. The defense has improved although still suspect in the defensive backfield. I'll take the Lions and the points on a Tampa Bay team that will struggle to match last year's 10-6 record
South Carolina +3 @ Georgia - Bulldog HC Mark Richt has been getting less from more talent over the last several years. The trend continued last week in the Georgia Dome when they were smoked by Boise State.South Carolina has not won in Athens in their last three tries but have covered each time. I'll take the gamecocks and 3.
Houston -22.5 @ North Texas - Houston is back to their old high scoring ways taking down UCLA 38 -34 last week (it was 31-14 at the half), North Texas has reverted from being bad to awful this year losing to Florida International 41-16 last week. This one should be over by the half if Houston stays focused.
Colorado St - 6 @ New Mexico - Two bad teams from last year went at it and neither team showed much improvement this year. CSU started the game with a missed FG. New Mexico then turned around and missed a FG on their first drive too. New Mexico's next drive ended with a fumble at the CSU 3 yd line. CSU got a go head TD with 1:29 left in the half to go up 7-3, only to let up an 80 yard TD scoring drive with :12 left in the half. Nice going Rams! CSU missed a chip shot FG to tie it early in the 4th quarter - finally taking the lead 14-10 with 7 minutes left. New Mexico's final drive of the game ended with a lost fumble at the CSU 15 yard line. Just an ugly game. Final CSU 14 New Mexico 10 Loss
Ohio -7 @ New Mexico State - If you are going to bet against a bad team - make sure the other team is half way decent. Ohio is half way decent. After spotting New Mexico State an early first quarter TD - it was all Ohio as the Bobcats reeled off 30 straight points. By the end of the 3rd quarter it was Ohio 44 NMSU 17. The Aggies opened the 4th quarter with a 54 yd TD bomb but that would it be it for the scoring. Final Ohio 44 NMSU 24 Win
Going against bad teams early in the season backfired as they were at home and still have hope for the season. It won't last long. There will be plenty of chances to bet against these teams.
Nevertheless, the Big Book of Guesses had a good week - good enough to win two office pools.
This week has some pretty big time programs going at it. Notre Dame travels to Ann Arbor for the first night game ever in the Big House. Michigan is pulling out all the marketing ploys for this one including ugly retro uniforms (well, maybe not as bad as Maryland's - those looked like World War One warship dazzle paint). UM is expecting to set a new attendance record for the game. Those seats were pretty tight to begin with. Going to be real uncomfortable for the fans.
ND head coach Brian Kelly went on a red faced f bombing tirade on national TV last week. Rather than apologize - he said he needed to be more careful since the cameras were everywhere. Doesn't sound like he is going to signing up for anger management classes any time soon.
Michigan is coming off a weather shortened win over Western Michigan while ND is coming off a weather delayed loss to South Florida. Turnovers were the key to both games. Western Michigan lost the ball three times including a 94 yd pick six. Notre Dame turned it over 5 times including a 96 yd fumble return. Turnovers have a way of evening out so I'll take ND and give the 3.5 points (that one's for you Mark).
Alabama heads to Happy Valley to take on JoPa. Penn State has been sliding that last several years. The defenses have been solid but the offenses have gone stagnant. Alabama is in the hunt for the national title behind a great defense and conservative offense. Last year Bama pummeled Penn State 24-3. I expect a similar score this year so I'll take the Tide and lay the 10 points. I also like the under of 42.
The NFL kicks off this week. The biggest news is that Peyton Manning is out for at least the first game and probably a good chunk of the season. Indianapolis was a 1 point underdog in their matchup against Houston but the line is now moved to Houston -8.5 Not sure if one player was worth 7.5 points before but Manning probably is. Indianapolis was struggling with Manning and team injuries late last year. Without him they're not a good team. I'll take Houston and give the 8.5.
In the first of two Monday Night games - New England travels to Miami. Chad Henne continues to regress. New England's pass defense has started to spring leaks but the Fins won't be able to take advantage. I'll take Miami and give the 7.0
Before I get to the Mega Bets - we have a guest picker this week - the Sax Man. The sax Man wrote in with this picks:
Purdue -1 over Rice: Yeah I know what you're saying: "But Sax Man, Purdue had to score a TD in the final minute to beat MTSU at home!" But it's still Rice, and Rice is terrible. Look for Purdue to get another embarrassingly close win, but cover the one point.
Detroit +1.5 over Tampa Bay: The NFL is back! Now I have something to watch on TV when I stumble out of bed at 1pm after a long night of drinking Chocolate Milk and playing Go Fish with the boys. I'm predicting a big year for the Leos, with freaks of nature Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh to be joined with a (hopefully) healthy China Doll Stafford. Tampa Bay could have a decent season as well, but I'm predicting a sophmore slump for Josh Freeman. Lions win a close one.
New England -7.5 over Miami: As much as it pains me to make this pick, it is simply the biggest lock this week. New England's starters will be looking to get the sour taste of being embarrassed by the Lions in a nationally televised game out of their mouths as they take their talents down to South Beach and face the Dolphins. Ol' Billy Belichick loves playing in Miami, going 3-1 the past 4 years there with an aggregate score of 159-92. Patriots win by double digits.
Got to admit I like his picks. In fact this weeks Mega Bets also has
Detroit +1.5 over Tampa Bay - I also like the Lions this year. With a healthy (for now) QB Stafford. Detroit has shown the ability to move the ball. The defense has improved although still suspect in the defensive backfield. I'll take the Lions and the points on a Tampa Bay team that will struggle to match last year's 10-6 record
South Carolina +3 @ Georgia - Bulldog HC Mark Richt has been getting less from more talent over the last several years. The trend continued last week in the Georgia Dome when they were smoked by Boise State.South Carolina has not won in Athens in their last three tries but have covered each time. I'll take the gamecocks and 3.
Houston -22.5 @ North Texas - Houston is back to their old high scoring ways taking down UCLA 38 -34 last week (it was 31-14 at the half), North Texas has reverted from being bad to awful this year losing to Florida International 41-16 last week. This one should be over by the half if Houston stays focused.
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