Monthly Archives: October 2017

Week 9 – The Bye

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I know it’s not a bye week for everyone, but it is for my team. I was there for the 100th edition of the Third Saturday in October and thoroughly enjoyed watching Alabama dismantle Tennessee.

Lots of pundits and sites are quick to remove teams from playoff contention after a single loss. A one loss Power 5 team that wins its championship game has a solid chance to go to the last four. I doubt two loss teams have much of a chance unless chaos ensues. I’m not ready to eliminate a conference or contender just yet, but USC, Auburn, LSU, Michigan, and all the Group of 5 are likely out. But, that doesn’t mean their seasons are over. Conference titles are still to be had and a ring is a ring.

Favorites held serve for the most part last week. The lack of upsets points to this weekend being a little trickier for those expected to win. A lot of ranked teams travel this weekend. Oklahoma St and Washington St go to West Virginia and Arizona respectively. I’m willing to put both on upset alert. In fact, their in-state counterparts, Oklahoma and Washington, have home games they had best bring their A game for (Texas Tech, UCLA). The Greatest Outdoor Cocktail Party is this week. I’ve been to the Gator Bowl and can attest to the party atmosphere for that particular geographical location. NC St @ Notre Dame and Penn St @ Ohio St will be classics. I like both home teams to win close games. The game I have the most interest in this week is Mississippi St at Texas A&M. This has the potential to be the game of the week and is completely under the radar.

I went 4-1 again last week in the Vegas 5. I now sit at 23-16-1. As for Top 25/SEC Against The Spread, I’m a healthy 111-68.

I’m going with Georgia Tech (+14) to make it a game against Clemson. Clemson should win with either QB, but even with the extra week the triple option is tough to defend. Troy (-25.5) is back on track while Georgia Southern has jumped theirs. I like the Over (64.5) in the Washington St at Arizona game. The Pirate will score and Big Man Tate will, too. Virginia (+3) at Pitt. The Cavaliers are unfazed by road games after winning on the smurf turf earlier this season. Lastly, Rutgers (+24) at Michigan. Michigan wins, but the Scarlet Knights are much improved.

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Week 8 – The Third Saturday in October

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Welcome to my favorite week of the year. This is the week when Alabama squares off against Tennessee. In college football an elevated level of excitement hits when you see certain helmets lined up across from one another. Tradition is what this great sport is all about. That crispness in the air and the changing of the leaves means we’ve reached the height of the season.

Upsets abound last week. Winning each week has proven extraordinarily difficult throughout the history of football. Declaring teams out of contention after a single loss is an overreaction. It’s too early to sort out the playoff picture. Every team has tough tests ahead and each has the opportunity to prove themselves. Those with two losses need considerable help. Those with a single loss have likely lost their safety net. And, it’s always good to be undefeated.

In addition to my favorite game many other great match ups litter the week. USC at Notre Dame is another of those classic match ups that help define all that is great with this sport. Lots of folks are high on the Irish, but I think USC might sneak out of South Bend with this one. Michigan goes to Happy Valley to face Penn State and their White Out. I give the Wolverines little chance. The recently good LSU team travels to their traditional hate week against Ole Miss. If you don’t know how intense this one is, then tune in.

There I was feeling sorry for myself and my Vegas 5 record and then, boom. Last week I went 4-1 and only lost by half a point. That brings my year to 19-15-1. I moved to 100-61 Against The Spread for Top 25 and SEC match ups. That’s 62% for those keeping score.

This week the Vegas 5 starts with Syracuse (+16.5) at Miami. The Orange would be expected to have a letdown after that huge win, but I see them at least keeping it close if not taking it outright. I’ll take the Oregon Ducks (+6.5) at UCLA. Much like their uniforms, you never know which Oregon team will show, but you have a pretty good idea which Bruin D will be there. I want the Over (62) in the Arizona at Cal game. If you haven’t watched Arizona’s QB, you’re missing out. I’ll take Kansas St (+14) against Oklahoma. Something about Bill Snyder Family Field makes me think the Wildcats will show up to play. And lastly, Virginia Tech (-21) to cover against UNC. The Tar Heels just aren’t that good this year.

You picking any this week?

Week 7: Homecoming

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Another bad week for my picks, but a crazy week in college football. I figured Iowa St would come within 28 points, but win the game? Texas A&M played Alabama very tough in the 2nd half and that may give them the motivation to close out the year strong. I think their trip to Florida will tell all. A missed extra point cost the Gators the game against LSU. While the Tigers can be pleased to put their season back together, that joy may be short-lived with Auburn coming to Baton Rouge. TCU and West Virginia gave us the only rank on rank matchup and it was a classic. I’d like to point out my pick for the PAC 12 North (Stanford) controls its destiny for the division still.

The coaching carousel has begun. Not only has the Oregon St job become available, but after the Ole Miss/Auburn game was finished, the University of Mississippi posted a job opening for head football coach. Who’s next and how soon? Continuity in a program is important and the quick trigger to force change rarely works the way the fan bases want. But, these guys are paid well to win games.

Speaking of struggling, somebody went 1-4 last week in their Vegas 5. Record is now 15-14-1. But I’m 82-55 Against The Spread in Top 25 and SEC games.

This week’s Vegas 5 has me going with Texas (+7.5) against Oklahoma. I’ll stick with the Steve Williams special and go Purdue (+16.5) against Wisconsin. Texas A&M (+3) against Florida. I want the Over (58) in the Ohio St @ Nebraska game. And lastly, Memphis (-3.5) over Navy.

Who’d ya pick?

Week 6 and the Crisp October Air

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September ended in fine fashion. Steve Williams popped in to talk about the month we witnessed and the one we’re about to see. October college football is like Saturday of a golf tourney, the separation begins. You can find those over on The Football page.

Last week saw two punts bounce off the protectors and one go for -1 yard. USC fell to the Pirate and his Washington St Cougars. USC can still make a run, but they need to gel quickly and no longer have their mulligan. Clemson shined in their road trip to hostile Va Tech. Vandy played Florida much closer than the score indicated and Auburn handled Miss St. LSU and Tennessee fans just started window shopping on coachsearch.com. Conference play continues next week and proves to be exciting with some great match ups. I think aTm might give Bama a game Saturday. CBS may be regretting grabbing the LSU/Florida game. Thursday night may have the best matchup with Louisville going to NC St.

I improved to 14-10-1 in my Vegas 5 and really need to get a run going. In Top 25 and SEC last week, I went 11-9 and moved to 72-44 for the year.

Alright, Steve Williams talked me into it and I’m kicking this week’s Vegas 5 off with Purdue (-4) against Minnesota. Even though Maryland (+30.5) is down to their 3rd string QB, I think they have enough juice to bust the spread this week against Ohio St. I’ll go with the Over (54) in the Alabama @ Texas A&M game. Miami (OH) (-14) should be in good shape against a struggling Bowling Green squad. And Ohio (-12) over Central Michigan.

Who’d you have?