The coaching carousel has been insane so far. Shocking enough that a coach left Oklahoma for another job (albeit USC), but in the same year one leaves Notre Dame? LSU or not, Notre Dame is not the kind of program you leave for another college. It will be interesting to see the rest of the movement. Some of the bluest bloods have been involved this cycle and who knows what happens when those still looking make their plays. Urban to ND? Venables to Oklahoma? Who else gets fired or moves on remains to been seen.

We have reached championship week and I hit 8 of the 20 division winners. 40% is not too bad. In order to get here we witnessed one of the greatest rivalry weeks in recent memory. Most of the big, famous rivalries had so much at stake that most of the games were instant classics. CUSA and PAC12 get our weekend started with Friday night deciders. I still think UTSA is the pick and while preseason I had Oregon, Utah is playing better right now. Saturday will show us who makes the playoffs. It is very difficult to beat a team twice, can Oklahoma St do just that against Baylor? Northern Illinois has my nod against Kent St. San Diego St will be hard to top when Utah St comes to town. I’m sticking with Louisiana despite their coach becoming a Gator. I think Houston plays Cincinnati close and Pitt handles Wake Forest. The biggest question is if Michigan can avoid the let down against Iowa. Oh, and USC goes to Cal in a make game that I had picked earlier in the year, but the line changed drastically.

I went 0 fer last week. I now sit at 37-29-1. This week is always tough to pick as the teams are typically close. I have Utah (-3), Louisiana (+2), Houston (+10), and San Diego St (-4). I grabbed the Over (+48) for Baylor v Oklahoma St. I would not have been an Over lean until I saw the explosion at Bedlam. As always, there is a Parlay and a Teaser. I also grabbed Michigan to take the whole thing at +1000.

We have arrived at the week that most folks have waited for. This is the game you’re supposed to win. Call it what you want, Rivalry Week or whatever, but coaches are judged by performance in these games. Some didn’t even make it this far. Honestly, I’m not too surprised by some. I’ll make no predictions on who goes where, but I will make the observation that every opening seems to illicit the same three or four names. I hate to tell y’all but a) you ain’t that good a job and b) he ain’t that good a coach. Sometimes a change is necessary, but sometimes, and by that I mean usually, you think you can find someone better. Trust me, I lived through a bad decade of is this the guy before landing the GOAT. It’s about fit not name.

Diatribe paused. Last week saw Bama finally escape Arkansas. Honestly, I had the Razorbacks winning the Over on projected total, so I’m not that surprised. UGA demolished their inferior opponent. I’d like to state that UGA is unequivocally the best team in the country, but they have not been punched in the mouth yet. And we all know what Tyson said about that. To say Ohio St handled Michigan St seems an understatement. They may be playing the best of anyone, but that is their only win of note. My Bearcats are still in play and I can tell you their stadium is a destination location. Go see a game there, you won’t regret it. I apologize, I did not revisit the preseason show yet, but I discovered Hit Monkey on Hulu. Going into the last weekend of play I so far have correctly assessed 7 of a possible twenty conference championship game teams.  We shall see if a few more find their way to me. But, like the Miami Vice theme, I feel I Jan Hammered it.

This weekend should be about deciding factors and bitter grudges. Bedlam seems to think it is the end of an era. Mike Gundy, the mullet himself, thinks Ok St won’t play OU once they move to the SEC. There is zero reason this game can’t go forward. There are four major non-conference rivalry games currently in the SEC and there would be a fifth if some Texas boys weren’t so pissy. It is east to blame and less comfortable to do what’s right. If you don’t want to play, then say so. For the record, I don’t consider Bedlam that big a rivalry. You actually have to beat the other guy more than when it’s inconvenient to make it count.  And in the no one but the homers agree with you category, Bo Nix complaining about referees not only goes beyond ridiculous, but it pouts me in a position of commentary I am not comfortable with. If I say what I think, then I can be labelled a homer, but his reality coincides with neutral observed EVER.

It is hard to bet rivalry week. But yet here I am. I went 4-1 last week (silly me for thinking that Wake –37Forest was more than Vandy) and I now sit at 37-24-1. The Deacs cost me both the Parlay and the Teaser. It hurt and I’m bitter, but ya know, I’ll push through and make some bad NFL decisions (dangit, I did just that). This week I am taking the Over (+64) for Ole Miss at Miss St, UNLV (+18) at Air Force, the Over (+56) for Alabama at Auburn, SMU (-6.5) when they host Tulsa, and the Over (+43) when Clemson travels to South Carolina.

Despite the stability of the top 7 in the CFP rankings, there was an incredible amount of movement this past weekend. My preseason show partner Steve W correctly picked that Kansas would win more than one game and win a conference game. The shock comes from them beat Texas in Austin. Florida “won” Saturday but had a basketball game on grass against a mid-level FCS school. The lack of premium candidates likely negates Florida’s ability to make the change, but it seems that Mullen’s only talent is being able to give Alabama a scare. Speaking of the Crimson Tide, a win over Arkansas cliches the West after aTm and Auburn both lost must win games against the Mississippi schools. Wake Forest moved closer to ACC glory, but they have Clemson this weekend. And Oklahoma continues their bipolar season by losing to Baylor.

This coming weekend gives us a Pac 12 title game preview (potentially) with Oregon visiting Utah. A Utes win would kick open the door for Cincinnati. Of course, the Bearcats must beat SMU in order to stay alive and clinch a spot in the AAC title game. Michigan St at Ohio St will be huge and will set up an even bigger Ohio St @ Michigan clash. This is clinch weekend for a lot of folks. Life is a little easier going into rivalry week when you know you have another game coming. I will address some of the preseason picks next week and status how good (or horrible) we did going into money time.

The inability to get a 2-point conversation killed my teaser last week. I had no action on MNF but would have lost if I did. I went 2-2 last weekend with the USC/Cal game being voided. 33-23-1 is where I sit now. I took the Over (63) for South Alabama at Tennessee. The Vols can score and will be looking to take out some frustrations. I believe in Baylor (-1) against Kansas St and Wake Forest (-3.5) at Clemson. With the injuries suffered by the Tigers I will take South Carolina (+7.5) when they host Auburn. And the under the radar instant classic has me taking Louisiana (+4) when they travel to Liberty. As always, I have a Parlay and a Teaser with these as well.

The bad beat of the year award goes to FSU @ Clemson. Luckily, I got in early before the line moved and only suffered a push. The Big 10 East elimination tournament began and Ohio State handled Penn St while Michigan State pulled the epic comeback against Michigan. On the other side of the conference, Minnesota has now taken the lead and Wisconsin is lurking. On the road Ole Miss continues to underachieve, and Georgia has essentially booked a playoff berth. And we begin three weeks of MACtion, baby!

The first College Football Playoff rankings came out. I would have had Cincinnati higher myself, but poor performances hurt them I guess in the eyes of the committee. Folks should relax and realize that four of the five teams ahead must play each other at some point (or fall below them anyway) and the other two have shown they are very beatable. Alabama at number two looked more like a prestige ranking, but perhaps they view the body of work as more impressive than Michigan St’s record. It will all wash out.

That resolution begins this weekend. Bama hosts LSU in what used to be the game for the SEC West. The challenger in the West will be decided between Auburn and Texas A&M. I don’t think the Lee County luck travels to that well this time. Interesting matchups are available on the rest of the slate, but nothing with rank on rank. I wonder if Oregon handles Washington and if Nebraska continues to keep games close against Ohio St. I guess we shall see.

I finally lost Monday Night Football. I was also wrapped up in the bad beat of the year (so far). I went 2-2-1 which brings me to 29-18-1. I go with SMU (-6) at Memphis and Baylor (-6.5) at TCU. I know it can be scary giving points on the road in conference. I do take Texas A&M (-4.5) when they host Auburn. Kyle Field should be loud. I also grab two Overs with Oregon @ Washington (+51) and Clemson at Louisville (45.5). As always there is a Parlay and a Teaser in play.

Usually saying bye about a week in football means a team is off. In this case they were really off and we bid them farewell. Penn St has left the CFP discussion and Clemson may finally be recognized for the underachieving team they are this year. Coastal Carolina took a big L against App St and now the division runs through Boone again. The Cincinnati struggle win is more than acceptable since it came against a triple option squad. Oklahoma’s struggle win is not. Kansas is a long way from good at the moment and there was no reason it was decided in part by a questionable (blown) call on 4^th down. On those rare crazy Saturdays with upsets and close calls, you just hope to survive and advance.

I was in Bryant Denny enjoying the cigar smoke filled remnants of the 15^th straight victory over the Volunteers. While Alabama is off this weekend, the Big 10 East is on full display. Penn St travels to Ohio St while Michigan visits Michigan St. That division will be beating each other up over the next few weeks, so good luck if you have futures action on any of them. A Texas Tech team whose coach was just fired despite having a winning record this year goes to the unpredictable Oklahoma Sooners. I’m not touching that game. Ole Miss goes to Lee County to take on Auburn. I wanted to bet this game three different ways, but Ole Miss struggles on the road and, well, Lee County, so I avoided this one as well.

Another Monday Night Football win. I went 3-2 in college games bringing me to 27-16. I barely missed the Teaser. This week I am taking Florida St (+10) at Clemson. I like the Over (+47) for Kentucky at Miss St despite UK’s solid defense. The Over (+47.5) for Iowa St at West Virginia is my pick as is the Over (+51) for the Cocktail Party called Georgia v Florida. Lastly, I am gambling on Oregon St (-1.5) at Cal. And of course I have the Parlay and Teaser in play.

Apparently, Lane Kiffin brings out the worst in those in work release orange. Despite being in elementary school at the time he left Knoxville, the students decided to throw everything they could on the field when a call and review did not go their way. Looked short to me and I didn’t see enough to overturn.

In actual football news, Purdue ruined Iowa’s CFP hopes. Sure, a one loss Big 10 champ could easily make the playoffs, but that kind of loss virtually ends it for Iowa. The illusion of chaos continues as teams ranked before they actually played a game keep losing to those not as liked by sports writers. I’m not sure which is more inexplicable, Syracuse losing late when they had the games in hand or Clemson winning when they have no business to. Perhaps it’s Texas blowing double digit leads.

This week is my favorite. Vol Week. I look forward to my day in Tuscaloosa and the hope of a nice cigar after the game. No ranked matchups this week, but still plenty of good action for those who seek it. Traditional games abound. USC/Notre Dame and Ole Miss/LSU should be classic games. Clemson has another bullet to dodge in their goal to remain nationally relevant when they travel to Pitt. Sneaky good games of the week are Ok St at Iowa St and San Diego St at Air Force.

Another solid weekend. Another Monday Night Football victory. I went 4-1 in college games which moves me to 24-14. In other words, I am up. I wasn’t overly excited about the action this week, but here’s where I placed my bets. NC St (-3.5) at Miami and I’ll take Northern Illinois (+5.5) at Central Michigan and the Fighting McElwain’s. You know I took Pitt (-3) hosting Clemson. The Tigers are 0-6 ATS. I grabbed a couple of Overs in Ohio St @ Indiana (+60) and Northwestern @ Michigan (+51). And as usual I took a Parlay and a Teaser.

For those who listened to the preseason show, you know that I said that this is the year Clemson comes back to the pack. You can sign all the 5 Star players you want, but you still have to coach them up and give them a scheme that puts them in the right position to win. The Tiger D is fine, the O is truly offensive. Oklahoma surprisingly can’t move the ball on O either. But is it just a matter of time or is it a sign of things to come? Are we witnessing a changing of the guard on top teams and playoff contenders? Notre Dame struggled more than the score indicated and Fresno St had a hiccup post their UCLA upset. UNC is all but out of the running in the Coastal and Iowa St is now playing catch up as well. I will not even comment on the officiating in a certain SEC game.

Happy time for the Hogs! Arkansas is close to calling themselves the Texas state champs, except UTSA is not on their schedule. Visiting UGA, however is a dog of a different color. The question will be how healthy is JT Daniel and how the crowd will impact Arkansas. Ole Miss visits Alabama in what could be the track meet of the weekend. I’m staying away from action on the game, but I think the Rebels may stop the Tide. Cincinnati can start booking their playoff hotel rooms with a win of Notre Dame. Meanwhile, an inexplicably still ranked Clemson battles BC in the return match of a great game from last season. Even the Big 12 has a ranked match up when Baylor travels to Oklahoma St.

Last week I went 3-2. The hook got me again in one game, but I did hit my Teaser. 14-8 so far and looking for more. I have a bonus pick for Friday night for those looking for an early start, Maryland (+3.5) against Iowa. I’m going points heavy this week. I take Boston College (+15.5) against Clemson, Rutgers (+15) when they host Ohio St, and Arkansas (+18.5) at UGA. I lay the point with Missouri (-3) against Tennessee and go with the Under (50.5) when Northwestern travels to Nebraska. And of course, I grabbed a Parlay and a Teaser on these as well. I made no NFL bets for Sunday, but did have Dallas and covered on Monday night.

Good luck and happy betting.