Tag Archives: Big 12

Confusion Sets In

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This is quickly becoming a tough year to figure out. While I wasn’t sold on Va Tech being a contender, they should’ve been able to handle Old Dominion. After watching the Big 10 West lay an egg, the ACC said, “hold my beer.”

Army proved that holding the ball for ¾ the game can put even a top 10 team like Oklahoma in jeopardy. Jimbo called 2 TOs in the last 15 seconds in the Bama blow out of aTm. Thanks for delaying my trip home through the never-ending construction zone that is Tuscaloosa. Who had Kentucky and Duke both being ranked at the same time in football? Liar. And what has gotten into North Texas? 4-0 for the first time since 1966.

This week will find me in my usual seat at Bryant-Denny while I watch the only team from the state of Louisiana that I’ve yet to see play in person. Two SEC games that are typically classics have mismatch written all over them this year. Arkansas v aTm and UT v UGA. I’m intrigued by the Syracuse visit to Clemson. The Tigers are a bad hit away from having no scholarship QB playing now that Kelly Bryant has decided to transfer. Ole Miss plays LSU a lot earlier than they should this season I promise this though, PAC12 after dark is the place to be this weekend. I expect to fall asleep on the couch watching entertaining, competitive games. Oh yeah, there’s apparently a good game in the B1G as Ohio St visits Penn St in White Out conditions.

Not only did I have a bad week in the Vegas 5 (2-3) and moved to 7-12-1 on the year, I also stunk up the joint in my Top 25/SEC picks going 11-14. That drops my season total to 62-42. It’s time to turn this around before I start having to bag groceries for casino money.

This week’s Vegas 5 starts with Indiana (-16.5) against what may be the worst team in FBS in Rutgers. Purdue (-3.5) continues its turnaround against struggling Nebraska. There will be some points scored and the Over (46.5) obtained in the Boise St @ Wyoming game. I also like the Over (60.5) in the FAU/MTSU game. And I’ll take Stanford (+3) against Notre Dame.

Who’d you pick?

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?

Streaking Into Week 3

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Hopefully, Hurricane Florence won’t cause too much harm to the Carolinas. There are more important things than football.

Week 2 witnessed the end of some lengthy streaks. Kansas won on the road and Kentucky finally beat Florida. Other streaks continued. Arizona State remained perfect at home against Big 10 opponents and, of course, Bama beat an unranked opponent and stayed at #1 in the AP. Florida State snuck out with a win against Samford and Maine defeated Western Kentucky. Even in Week, the FCS caused havoc in paycheck games.

Week 3 brings us some marquee match ups and some sneaky good games that you’ll thank me for guilting you into watching. Rutgers visits Kansas. Can the Jayhawks start a winning streak? Miami visits Toledo. In an age of paycheck games, kudos to The U for playing smaller teams at their houses. Also, that game might be better than folks think. Vandy travels to Notre Dame. Let’s find out if the Dores O is legit. And don’t be surprised if Fresno State knocks off UCLA. Ohio St goes to TCU, LSU visits Auburn, and Boise St heads to Oklahoma St. All three games may go a long way into deciding the New Years 6 matchups.

Last week the Vegas 5 picks suffered from one of the greatest end zone picks I’ve ever seen. It cost me the game and I went 2-3 bringing the early season total to 3-6-1. Not the start I’d hoped for. Yet, in Top 25 and SEC matchups I went 22-6 bringing my season total up to 37-18. This week I like Missouri (-7.5) at Purdue. Not sure how USC (+3) is the dog against Texas, but I’ll take those points. I have USF (-10.5) over Illinois. I want Troy (+10.5) over Nebraska. And lastly the Over (64.5) in the Boise St/Oklahoma St game.

Who’d you take?

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 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?

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.

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?