Tag Archives: MWC

Week 10 – Cocktails Along the River

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One month remains in the march to championship weekend. Teams are beginning to feel the pressure and drop games they really shouldn’t.

Oklahoma has lost its safety net and Notre Dame is now playing for bowl positioning. Nebraska and Texas once again proved that the experts occasionally look at the name on the front instead of the facts when making their preseason picks.

The big boys are all off this weekend (except Clemson plays Wofford). The nation should turn its gaze to the Sunshine State. The game that used to mean something will be interesting as Miami visits Florida St. The Cocktail Party will decide the SEC East. I still like Florida, but I’ve been wrong this season before. And kudos to ABC/ESPN for properly making SMU at Memphis the prime-time game. Oregon lines up for its big test at USC. Should be a great day to watch college football.

Last week my Vegas 5 went 2-3 dropping me to 24-21. I need to get better if I want to stay above water. In Top 25/SEC, I went 9-9 putting me at 110-91 for the year.

This week I take Florida (+6.5) against Georgia. I like Utah (-3) at Washington and the Under (58.5) when Miss St goes to Arkansas. I want the Over (47) for Virginia at North Carolina and Hawaii (-2.5) against Fresno St.

Where’s your action?

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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?

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 2 – The Overreaction

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Every major conference suffered perception setbacks in Week 1. The SEC East provided the biggest face plant moments.

There were not a lot of crisp, complete performances by teams. It truly looked like the first week of action. I expect there will be squads looking to make statements this coming weekend. No Thursday games this week as the incorrect assumption that everyone would rather watch the only NFL game instead of three or four different options at the college level. Jalen Hurts looked solid in the Oklahoma opener, but that defense really needs to play Sooner than later (sorry). While I’m not ready to eliminate any of the big boys from contention just yet, FSU and Va Tech both squandered opportunities.

This weekend has two marquee matchups. Texas A&M travels to Clemson for the return game of last year’s classic. I expect aTm to give the Tigers all they want. LSU takes their newly discovered offense to Austin to battle the Texas Longhorns. The SEC (West) could make quite a statement winning both games. I like LSU in this one, but the spread has already moved 3.5 points since opening. Tells me I’m not the only one who likes them Saturday.

Last week was a good start to my Vegas 5. I went 4-1 and the only setback was due to a UGA FG. In Top 25 and SEC action, I went 16-10. I wonder what it could’ve been if the SEC East had shown up. This week I’ll start by taking LSU (-6.5) over Texas. Based on what I saw last week, give me BYU (+4) against Tennessee. Syracuse at Maryland is surprisingly a good matchup. I’ll take the Over (57.5). Hawaii (-6.5) over Oregon St. Lastly, I like the Over (62.5) when WVU travels to Missouri.

Who’d you take?

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?

Money Time

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Now is the time to reflect upon preseason predictions. I didn’t have the year I did last year. But I did successfully call two of the championship games.

I picked the matchups for the MWC and Big 12. Let’s see if I get those all the way. I have Fresno St and Texas taking those preseason. I called Northern Illinois, Memphis, Washington, Clemson, and Alabama as well. My preseason Heisman pick of Bryce Love will not be correct. I’m still alive with two more of my conference picks; Alabama and Washington. At best I will be 40%. That still gets me paid considering the odds I got.

After the gruesome injury to Milton, UCF stands at a precipice. Memphis has played them better than anyone the last two years including a one-point game this season. Now with the trophy on the line, can the Tigers prevail with the Knights missing their leader? If Memphis wins and Ohio St and Oklahoma fall, the four seed will be very interesting. Could Michigan sneak back in? I think it will end up being Alabama v Ohio St and Clemson v Notre Dame. A quick word about Army/Navy, GO ARMY!

I’m dead even after another losing weekend (9-12) of Top 25/SEC. I sit at 144-144. The Vegas 5 however went 3-1-1 last weekend. That brings me up to 32-29-4. I like the Over (63.5) in Bama v UGA, Marshall (+3.5) against Va Tech, Akron (+30) against South Carolina, the Over (44.5 ) in UAB v Middle Tenn St, and Washington (-5.5) against Utah.

Enjoy the weekend!

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?

Status Quo Week

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This week the good matchups are fewer and further between. This is especially true in the two conferences that have yet to expand to nine game schedules. That needs to be fixed soon.

Last week’s Ohio State hero was the punter. Let that sink in. Troy took the lead in the FunBelt, my sneaky good game was just that, and Ok State’s 2-point play call left a lot to be desired. Bama’s D is doing their version of No Score November to support defensive awareness.

This week the marquee matchup is Notre Dame v Syracuse in Yankee Stadium. I don’t know if they’ll win, but the Orange will give them a good game. Cincinnati and UCF should be interesting. UCF can score but can’t stop anyone. Wonder if the Big 12 is giving them a look? USC plays UCLA and both teams have been wearing the home colors lately for the matchup. The Game between Cal and Stanford usually provides quality entertainment. I guess a game between ranked teams isn’t a sneaky good one, but Iowa St at Texas will go a long way to decide the Big 12 CG. And San Diego St and Fresno St try to decide their division.

Last week my mediocrity continued. I have been living at .500. The Vegas 5 went 2-2-1 again and moved to 26-26-3 on the season. Top 25/SEC went 11-9 to go to 123-117.

This week the Vegas 5 starts like last week. I want the Over (62) in The Citadel/Bama game. UAB (+16.5) keeps it close with some solid defense. UMass (+41.5) against Georgia because that’s a lot of points and Kirby will put in backups to the backups late. Texas Tech (-6.5) should cover against Kansas St. And I like the Over (57) in the Missouri/Tennesee game.

Who’s your picks?

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?