Tag Archives: ACC

Reality Strikes!

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Ouch! I guess we learned why they play the games last weekend.

My best advice is to pump the brakes and remember it’s early. Offenses will find identities and teams will gel. That being said, I was surprised that some teams that should have coasted struggled and some that should have put up a fight didn’t.

Oklahoma manhandled FAU. The mad genius left his offensive prowess in south Florida. The Washington/Auburn game was extremely competitive, but towards the end neither seemed to want to win it. Miami and FSU may play a 4-2 game later this season. The Huskies margin for error is nil moving forward.

The big losers (perception-wise) were the PAC 12 and Big 12. Stanford managed to pull away late and Oklahoma and WVU took care of business, but the initial returns show them behind in the court of public opinion. The SEC went 13-1 to open the weekend. SEC QBs only threw two picks all weekend. Both were by the Kentucky QB. Lost in the box score of the Bama/Louisville game was some subpar O Line play and mindboggling mental lapses from the Tide. Both have two weeks to improve before heading to Oxford for Tua’s first true road game. Let’s see if aTm can hang in there with Clemson. This is the perfect opportunity for the Aggies.

I was sadly 1-3-1 in my Vegas 5 last week and 15-12 Against the Spread (ATS) in Top 25/SEC play. Not the start I’d hoped for, but by watching games (and re-watching games) I’ve learned much about the reality of some of these squads. I’ll take South Carolina (+10) against Georgia. I think the Dawgs are legit, but this has close game written all over it. I like the Over (52.5) when Wyoming travels to Missouri. I think Kentucky (+14) is so far overdue against Florida that they at least find a way to stay within two TDs. Hawaii (-16.5) seems to be scoring at will this year and Rice has a long flight ahead of them. Lastly, I like Fresno St (+2.5) to upset Minnesota.

Who did you take?

Week 0

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Week 0 reminds me of the complimentary water before the appetizer of the Thursday night games arrives. With the main course coming with a stellar Week 1 next week, this Saturday gives us four games.

In the days leading up to toe meeting leather feel free to take a listen to our projections for the upcoming season. As always, you’ll find those by clicking on The Football tab.

Week 13 – Bragging Rights

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We’ve reached the end. This is the last week of the regular season and when the bulk of the instate rivalries are played. The helmets lined up across from one another this week exemplify everything there is about family gatherings and fellowship. Or maybe not.

The bitterness of the Egg Bowl kicks off the excitement. While Miss St should win, Ole Miss has been getting solid play at the QB position. Only the die hard fans will watch FSU play Florida. The Noles should have the edge, but who knows this year? A sneaky good match up will be Virginia and Virginia Tech. Louisville and Kentucky go at it again and I wonder if the Cats can slow down Lamar Jackson. The reigning Heisman winner is having an amazing season that very few seem to be paying attention to since the rest of the team is down. Indiana at Purdue could provide some sneaky fireworks as well with the game picked with just a FG difference. Battles in Tennessee, North Carolina and Nevada will be for pure bragging rights while Fresno St and Boise St will meet in back to back weeks. It’s next week that counts.

Now onto those crazy instate games that mean everything (and one border war). The Apple Cup decides the PAC12 North. Washington can play the spoiler and send Stanford to the game against USC. I’m putting Clemson on upset alert at South Carolina. Ohio State travels north to take on Michigan. While the B1G title game is set, this is a must win for the Buckeyes if they want to sneak into the playoffs in case of chaos. Same for Georgia going to Tech. They don’t need chaos, but they have to win. USF and UCF battle for the middle of Florida and the winner takes on Memphis for the chance to go to a New Years Six bowl. UCF just looks too strong. Alabama travels to the Plains to meet Auburn to decide the SEC West. It will be a classic.

I took a bath last week and went 1-4 in the Vegas 5. Thank you LSU for saving me. I go into the last week of the regular season at 34-24-2. Against The Spread in Top 25/SEC I sit at 157-112.

The Vegas 5 this week is very tricky. Rivalries and finales are tough to predict as this is the week that some guys play for the last time ever. I’ll take Pitt (+13.5) as they host Miami. The Canes play dangerously at times. South Carolina (+14) will keep close when Clemson visits. I want the Over (47.5) in the Apple Cup when Washington and Washington St tangle. I’m going Under (74.5) when Arizona meets Arizona St. That’s a lot of points in a rivalry game. And Oregon (-25) covers when they host Oregon St in the Civil War.

Who are you taking?

Week 12 – The Calm

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With only a handful of matchups between teams with winning records, welcome to the most boring weekend of the season. That doesn’t mean there aren’t good games, but nothing like  we’ve grown accustom to. As for me, I’ll be at Senior Day in Tuscaloosa. I love Senior Day.

Much was decided last week for divisional champions. Dreams were dashed, potential was realized, and Houdiniesque escapes were performed. A reminder that before you call your local sports radio guy to complain about rankings or schedule strength of whatever team you don’t like, the season will be viewed as a whole and divisions and conferences are not won by votes but by execution on the field of play. Once the complete picture is there, let the complaining over who the fourth best team in the country begin. As far as playoff expansion, that’s for fans whose teams can’t win the right games. If my favorite team falls short, then maybe we should’ve worked harder. Of course, I can come up with a dozen reasons to justify why Team A should be in over Team B, but the answer is simple and was said best by Al Davis. Just win, baby.

I’ve been enjoying the #MACtion during the week. Exciting and cold games on every night. USC and UCLA tangle for the Victory Bell and lately both have worn home uniforms. Michigan is much improved on offense and controls its destiny in the B1G East. I don’t think they get it done against Wisconsin this week, though. UAB is going bowling in their first year back and my Music City Bowl tickets have shipped (come on Michigan v Texas A&M).

Last week I should’ve been in Vegas as I went a perfect 5-0. I now sit at 33-20-2. Against The Spread for Top 25 and SEC I move to 145-98 on the season. I warn you though, my bowl records lately have been abysmal. I promise to foresee the outcomes better this year.

This week I’m taking UAB (+10.5) against Florida; moreover, I’m tempted to take them on the money line. LSU (-15.5) should cover against Tennessee. I like the Over (41) in Fresno St at Wyoming. South Alabama (-5) over Georgia Southern. What has happened to the Eagles? And, Syracuse (+13) against Louisville.

Who did you pick?

 

Week 10 – Winter is Coming

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The first College Football Playoff poll is out, and I can’t really argue with the rankings. The last week of October provided some exciting games that will help decide the regular season. Plus, we now have the joy that is #MACtion. Instead of focusing space in this blog to what has happened, I’d like to speak to the importance of what is about to happen.

This first weekend in November may be the biggest weekend of the season. Multiple division races will start to become solidified after Saturday. Virginia Tech @ Miami (Fla), Clemson @ NC St, LSU @ Alabama, Stanford @ Washington St, South Carolina @ Georgia, Arizona @ USC and a little game called Bedlam. There are no divisions in the BIG 12, but Oklahoma @ Oklahoma St will go a long way to determine who will go to the new championship game, even if it only opens up tie breaker scenarios. By the way, the Sooners usually win this game when it counts. It’s a whole weekend of ESPN College Gameday-worthy matchups.

While October serves as a month of separation, November is where the season is decided. In the next four weeks, the championship games of December will find their teams and hot seats explode. Some teams couldn’t wait and already made their firings, but the bulk comes now. Jobs will be saved and lost in the next few weeks.

I broke even on the week. 2-2-1 in my Vegas 5 brings me to 25-18-2. Against The Spread in Top 25 and SEC games I’m now 121-79.

This week I’m going with Syracuse (+5) @ Florida St. I was in shock watching the Seminoles last week. It looked like they’ve quit. Northwestern (Even) @ Nebraska has me picking the Wildcats. I think Coach Riley will retire at the end of the season and the Cornhuskers will be in the market for a new coach. Fresno St (-14.5) will bounce back against BYU. I’ll take Southern Miss (+6.5) @ Tennessee. I never thought I’d type that sentence. And I’ll go with the Over (41) in the Minnesota @ Michigan game. Michigan may have an adequate quarterback now.

Who’d you take?

Behold Week 4

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A rarity happened last weekend. Alabama played a home game and I was on my couch. But, that gave me the opportunity to watch a lot of football. Clemson was impressive controlling Lamar Jackson. Unfortunately for last year’s Heisman winner, he does not have much of a supporting class. Texas played USC much closer than I anticipated. San Diego St confirmed my faith in them and I begin to wonder if they will get the Non 5 invite to the big bowls. That would create an interesting waiting game for me and the Las Vegas Bowl I attend each season. UCLA fell on its face in Memphis. I don’t buy the body clock argument. Memphis beat them, straight up. UCLA has no D and they seem more suited to the Big 12.

The SEC proved once again that it may be Bama and the rest. Miss St embarrassed LSU. I read somewhere an angry LSU fan asking why they would fire the coach with the best win percentage in LSU history in order to hire the coach with the worst winning percentage in Ole Miss history. Vandy made the conference proud by beating Kansas St. In doing so, The ‘Dores got their first win over a ranked non-conference opponent since Harry Truman was in office. Auburn not only struggled against Mercer, a team that restarted its football program five years ago, they lost their backup QB (kicked off team) and one of its top recruits from a couple of seasons ago (transferring). Methinks there’s trouble on the Plains. For the first time since 1906, Kentucky, Vandy, and Miss St are all 3-0.

I went 3-2 in my Vegas 5 last week bringing my season total to 8-6-1. I moved to 50-22 in Top 25 and SEC games.

This week, I anticipate some great games. Conference play is in full swing for most everyone. For starters, giving 28 points is never that smart a play. That being said, I’ll take Oklahoma (-27.5) over Baylor. The Bears and the karma tour continues. Stanford will not lose three in a row. Therefore, I take Stanford (-7) over UCLA. Staying out West, Give me Cal (+17) over USC. USC wins, but Cal keeps it close. I also want Old Dominion (+27.5) against Virginia Tech. Lastly, Iowa (+12.5) against Penn St. And how cool is their new 1st Quarter tradition of waving to the patients of the children’s hospital next to the stadium?

Happy betting and expect the podcast to return next week.

Bold College Football Predictions

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Paul Cochran stopped by to muse upon the upcoming season and talk about the Power 5 conferences. This year looks as wide open in some areas as any, but early season favorites narrow the projected field to around eight or nine squads. Click on The Football link to hazard a listen to what two college football fans feel is how the season could shakeout and who will sit on top at the end.