Tag Archives: Auburn

Week 9 – Homecoming

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Officiating throughout the nation continues to be poor. And for that matter, so does commentary during games.

The big story involves Tua’s ankle, but the boys in the dessert don’t seem concerned for this weekend. LSU has the big matchup in the South. Can Auburn’s D hold up the dynamic and balanced Bengal Tigers O? Auburn is relegated to a Florida bowl game with a loss and with a win hope remains for bigger prizes. Wisconsin got the shocker last weekend. How much was looking ahead? I’ll let you know next week. Ohio State has looked solid, but here comes the beginning of their tests.

BYU seems to win the games they aren’t supposed to and drop the gimme games. Boise St received the latest upset in the Cougars rollercoaster of love. The Group of 5 rep for the New Year’s 6 may go down to the wire. Conference strength should be a factor and that gives the edge to the AAC and MWC. How much cannibalization occurs and does that open the door for App St? We shall see. I’m hoping for an Air Force v Washington St Vegas Bowl. That would be wild.

I rebounded slightly last week going 3-2 in the Vegas 5. Arizona let me down while the Tua injury may have cost me the Over. I now sit at 22-18. In Top 25/SEC action I went 15-7 which brings me to 101-82.

This week I start with TCU (+1.5) over Texas, Wisconsin (+14.5) against Ohio St, and the Under (59) with Syracuse v Florida St. I close with Temple (+10.5) against UCF and Oregon (-14) over Washington St.

Who do you have?

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Week 6 – Take a Breathe

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Another scorching hot afternoon in Tuscaloosa, but don’t worry, Bama should finally get a night game once the temperature drops. Ah, commercial television.

Things we learned over the last weekend included Maryland not being the same offense as the first two games, Miss St seems to always get smashed in Lee County, and Nebraska is more than a year away.

Finally, we get a full slate of big games this weekend. Auburn at Florida will be the most telling game in my opinion. The Tiger D Line is the best in college football. Can Michigan come through in a big game against Iowa? If their O doesn’t show, then no. The PAC 12 is loaded with great match ups that we brave few plan to fall asleep on the couch watching. TCU v Iowa St is the sneaky good game this go around. Air Force plays Navy as the Commander in Chief Trophy cranks up. Va Tech at Miami used to be a game. But the atmosphere I’d like to be at is Friday night when UCF travels to Cincinnati.

Another 4-1 effort in my Vegas 5 makes me feel better than my miserable 7-12 whiff in Top 25 and SEC games. For the season I sit at 16-9 and 70-53 respectively.

The Vegas 5 for this week starts with the Over (73) when Utah St travels to LSU. Kansas St (-1.5) covers against Baylor, but the Bears are playing well. Maryland (-12.5) gets healthy against Rutgers. Oklahoma at Kansas goes Over (67.5). Lastly, Oregon (-17.5) covers against Cal.

Who do you pick?

Week 5 – Rebounding

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What a brutal week for many.

Michigan faced a cold reality, Washington St blew an epic lead against a bad team, and UCF found out that playing Power 5 teams back to back is not as easy as they thought. Oh, and the poor Rutgers QB that was slapped upside the head by his own lineman got attention he didn’t want. Officiating continues to be dreadful throughout the nation. Auburn @ Texas A&M has both teams wondering what pass interference really is. The PAC 12 continues to amaze with their ineptitude and inability to get replay right. And the Oklahoma St @ Texas game witnessed Big12 officiating at is most mediocre.

Friday may have the sneaky good game of the week. Is the Maryland O the team from the first two weeks or the third? Penn St will find out soon. Arizona St @ Cal provides a nice dessert before the Saturday slate kicks off. There will be interesting match ups, but the marquee rank v rank finds two games. Virginia travels to Notre Dame and Washington hosts USC. Both games are important nationally and I see both as pick ems. For the nightcap, stay up to watch the Underachiever Bowl when UCLA goes to Arizona.

I lost me shirt last week with a 1-4 finish. That drops me to 12-8 on the year for the Vegas 5. Top 25 and SEC action was bad as well with a 9-13 week. That drops me for the season to 63-41.

This week Buffalo @ Miami (OH) goes Over (47). In a closer than it should be game, Miss St (+10.5) covers at Auburn. I’m going with Wyoming (-9.5) when they host UNLV. Ohio St (-17) should handle Nebraska. Lastly, Jalen Hurts carries Texas Tech @ Oklahoma game to the Over (70.5).

What’re your picks?

Week 4 – Let the Games Begin

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With the coming of mid-September, we finally begin to see the real slate of games shape up.

Conference play is more the norm than paycheck games, but of course there are still a few of those left. The top of the polls remained static in contrast to the fluidity of the bottom of the 25. It seems that teams like USC and Maryland don’t prefer to be ranked. Utah seems destined to rise to the top and UCF has one its annual big game against a marginal Power 5 school. And the Iowa v Iowa St game had almost as much delay as play as the state was pummeled by storms.

This week we find three rank v rank games. We will know the real Michigan Saturday night, Auburn must travel to Texas A&M, and Notre Dame goes to Georgia for the first time. That will guarantee more movement within the polls. I think the Wolverines, Aggies, and Bulldogs all prevail. BYU has looked pretty good so far with OT wins against big name programs. The season is shaping up to entertain. And what will the nation think if Auburn wins and we find 4 of the top 5 from the SEC on Sunday afternoon?

Last week was another decent wee in the Top 25 and SEC action for me. I went 19-9 bringing my season to 54-28.

In the Vegas 5, I went 4-1 to bring the season to 11-4.

This week I take Washington St (-18.5) over UCLA. I like Oregon (-10.5) at Stanford. Give me The Over (61.5) for Southern Miss @ Alabama and Utah (-4) at USC. Lastly, I take Miami-Ohio (+39.5) at Ohio State, cause that’s a lot of points.

Who’d you have?

Week 1 – The Calm

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Week 1 opens with hope for all teams. The harsh reality is that after this weekend, nearly half the teams will be unofficially eliminated from playoff contention. A path exists for Group of 5 to make the playoffs, but it is highly unlikely. Any Power 5 school that runs the table would be in the conversation, but let’s face it, we all know that there are really about a dozen worth considering as toe finally meets leather.

Last year was good to me at the book, but unfortunately my school did not finish the season with a win. Each season witnesses its own questions and injury issues. All teams must find their answers and hopefully dodge the injury bug. The pre-season podcasts are posted on The Football page. This year we went with a condensed format that we feel worked. Let us know what you think.

Thursday kicks us off. Clemson will venture into the great unknown that will be Georgia Tech’s offense. It’ll be interesting to see what the Jackets run this season. My sneaky good game that night is UCLA travelling to Cincinnati (a great place to watch a game). The Holy War between Utah and BYU closes the night. I’ve been to one of those and believe me, they don’t particularly care for each other. Friday gives us the Colorado v Colorado St game and a Power 5 match up of Oregon St v Oklahoma St, but I’m more interested in Utah St @ Wake Forest.

The Saturday slate, to me at least, lacks the oomph that some of the more recent season openers had. Granted the sloppiness of Miami v Florida and Arizona @ Hawaii did entertain, but that’s what Week 0 is for. Oregon v Auburn has to be the highlight and I for one think it’ll be a great game. Sunday has Houston @ Oklahoma while Monday is ND @ Louisville. The former should be good while the latter a snooze fest.

Let’s start the season with a solid Vegas 5. For those of you who are new to my Vegas 5, it’s the five games I would take in Vegas this week. I expect Alabama (-33.5) to cover. I’m taking Vandy (+22) and the points. I like the Over (51.5) when Boise St travels to Florida St. I’ll take Cincinnati (-3) to cover over UCLA. And finally, Utah St (+5.5) over Wake Forest.

Who’d you have?

Pride Trophy Week

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Rivalries. Trophy games. Championship participants. These are what will be on the line when toe meets leather this week.

Ohio St continues to find a way, but this week brings a hot Michigan team to the Horseshoe. West Virginia and Oklahoma will decide the Big 12 championship. The winner is in and will play Texas if the Longhorns take care of Kansas. Vandy meets Tennessee in a loser go home match. One of them is going bowling. Cal/Stanford moved to Dec 1 due to the horrific fires in the region. And the triple option proved too much to contain as The Citadel gave Bama half a game.

I look for Washington St to take the Apple Cup. I’ve been in attendance at the Holy War and like that time I think Utah prevails. Notre Dame will finish the job and send Clay Helton back to coordinator jobs. Texas A&M and LSU should be a great game. The sneaky good game calls for you to stay up late and watch Boise St take on Utah St to decide their division. Another to watch earlier is Troy v Appalachian St. I’m just hoping that my guys can bring home the ODK Foy Trophy back to the Capstone.

Vegas 5 went 3-2 last week. 29-28-3 is now where I sit. I got it handed to me again in Top 25/SEC going 12-15. I’m at 135-132 there.

I’m going with the Over (52.5) again when Auburn visits Bama. But I’ll go Under (64.5) when Purdue plays Indiana. I like Maryland (+13) against Penn St. I’m willing to give a bunch of points in Temple (-29) against U Conn. Lastly, UCLA (+7) stays hot against Stanford.

Who’d you pick?

The Picture Begins to Reveal

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After last weekend our playoff contenders have come into view. I agree with the CFP Committee on their top 6. Looks like the next few weeks will go a long way to seeing the finished product. But I highly doubt everyone keeps winning.

We found out the Bama defense was tired of hearing about the O and how they weren’t as good as years past. Clemson seems to be on cruise control, but BC should give them a game, especially in that weather. Notre Dame and Michigan look good enough to run the table, but some tricky spots could trip them up.

Three of the Power 5 conference  title games will involve teams that are barely over .500. The SEC and Big 12 seem to have the proper balance, but the others not so much this season.  This Saturday, the Miss St defense looks to prove itself against the juggernaut of the Bama O. While Georgia got their revenge last year against Auburn, I think they still want a little more. Troy meets Georgia Southern in a monster Sun Belt game. I like Troy’s chances. Bedlam happens this weekend, but Oklahoma should be too string for the Pokes.  Friday noght Fresno St @ Boise St in what could be a very good match up. The sneaky good game of the week should be UCLA @ Arizona St. The Pac 12 remains the most entertaining conference.

Last week was good for the Vegas 5. I went 4-1 to move to 24-24-2. Top25/SEC tally slipped again at 10-12 and 112-108 total.

This week I like the Over (52.5) when Miss St visits Bama. I’ll take Boston College (+20) against Clemson. Weather will be a factor in that one. Kentucky (-6) will rebound at Tennessee. It’s hard to imagine Bedlam is low scoring, so I have the Over (80) in Oklahoma St @ Oklahoma. And give me Pitt (-3) when Va Tech comes to town.

Who’s your locks?

Homecoming

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I’m fresh back from Vegas and ready for homecoming weekend.

Bama’s secondary took quite the dent as one of the starting CBs is out for the year. The Tide D is already young and showing it. Florida was the surprise for me last week. Their line played very well in the win over LSU. Miss St handled business against a confusing Auburn squad. And, Missouri suffered from being in a torrential downpour and delay that fueled South Carolina to victory and ended the Tigers SEC East dreams. UGA meanwhile travels to Death Valley for a Louisiana afternoon game.

Texas kept hope alive and Oklahoma St continued its drop. The PAC 12 North gets clearer this weekend when Washington visits the Ducks, while the South does the same Colorado goes to USC. Can Michigan defend the Big House against Wisconsin?  The one certainty this year is it has been difficult to predict, but the traditional powers still look to be in prime position.

My Top 25/SEC continues to struggle. 8-14 last week dropping me to 78-68. Ugh.

My Vegas 5 however came through well. I went 4-1 for the week bringing my season total to 13-16-1. This week I have a true Vegas 5 courtesy of the fine people at Bally’s. It’s a great book with stadium seating, nice bar at the top, and a food court right there beside it.

I’m taking the Over (55.5) in the Hawaii/BYU game. I also like the Over (54.5) in the Georgia Tech/Duke game. I just feel all four teams can score on each other. I haven’t seen anything to believe in from Nebraska and am taking Northwestern (-3.5). I have Purdue (-10.5) against Illinois. Lastly, I believe the Hogs have found their QB and I took Arkansas (+6.5) against Ole Miss despite the fact the game is in Little Rock.

Where’s your action?

You’re a Daisy If You Do

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Much like the classic line from Doc Holiday, perhaps we should have a spelling contest.

What we learned about the top team in the nation last week was the third team defense needs to work on tackling drills and it was hot in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The biggest matchup of the day witnessed a peculiar play call as Ohio State took the driver’s seat in the Big 10. Clemson got a scare from Syracuse while watching their QB room shrink. Miss State has inexplicably forgotten how to play offense. And the PAC 12 continues to entertain. Oh, the reports of Washington’s demise may have been erroneous, let’s see how they handle LA this Saturday.

The Red River Shootout finds itself once again amid the deep-fried Texas State Fair. They even have fried Coke. I got nothing. It’s the 10th anniversary of the classic 3-2 Auburn/Miss St game. Exciting! The once must watch TV FSU/Miami game should be a yawner. The sneaky good game of the week may be San Diego St on the blue field @ Boise St. My prime-time viewing will begin with UK @ aTm before flipping over to the PAC 12 after dark and MWC games.

My pics continue to live in Bizzaro World. I went 2-3 in the Vegas 5 again. MTSU going for 2 and the win cost me the Over. In top 25/SEC action, I had another tough week of 8-12 and sit at 70-54for the season.

This week’s Vegas 5 starts with the Over (56.5) when Alabama visits Arkansas. I like South Florida (-15) against UMass. Surely Illinois (-5) will cover @ Rutgers. I’m leaning LSU (-2.5) @ Florida. And I feel an Over (60) in the Oklahoma/Texas game.

Where’s your picks?

Mess in the West

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Bad week for the Big 10, especially the West. Ohio St needed every defensive play they could get to slip past TCU on a “neutral” field and 7 teams lost to unranked non-conference opponents. To be the best conference depth is required.

What I learned from Week 3 is that little guys can still play, Kansas has its first win streak in a long time, and Ole Miss wishes they could’ve stopped after the first play. Streaks were snapped in Wisconsin and Lee County as The Badgers dropped to a BYU team that lost to Cal and LSU made another stellar comeback against Auburn in what has to be one of the better rival games recently. Oklahoma St won an important game for them over Boise St. Pump the breaks if your team dropped their first game this week, though. There’s a lot of football yet to play and we rarely have seen undefeated teams in the playoffs.

Week 4 finds aTm ranked and travelling to Tuscaloosa. I’ll be there in Section N-1 Row 38 Seat 2. We’ll learn much in that game. Friday night has an entertaining slate of games. FAU @ UCF, Penn St @ Illinois, and Washington St @ USC. I’m pulling for the road teams. The game I have the most interest in is UGA @ Mizzou. I think the Tigers can surprise and shake up the East. And Purdue might be the best 0-3 team in history. One wonders if they can upset Boston College. TCU @ Texas and Texas Tech @ Oklahoma St rate as exciting matchups that will go a long way to determine the Big 12. Stanford goes to Oregon with the winner providing Washington the best challenger in the Pac 12 North.

I found out why Texas was favored over USC. Steve Williams, as you may remember from the Pac 12 podcast, said USC would be bad. He might be correct. My Vegas 5 went 2-3 last week. I can’t seem to get over the hump yet and the season total sits at 5-9-1. Against the Spread in Top 25 and SEC, Florence played havoc with games and forced cancellations. I went 14-10 taking me to a season total of 51-28.

This week for the Vegas 5 I’ll start with the Over (51) for Louisville and Virginia. I’m going to give a ton of point and take Syracuse (-27.5) over UConn. I want the Over (48) for Michigan St v Indiana. Iowa (+3) over Wisconsin. Lastly, I’ll keep taking USF (-22) until they cover as they take on East Carolina.

Who ya got?