Tag Archives: Pac 12

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!

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?

Separation Saturday

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I enjoyed a fun Saturday of football with our friends in the Delta last week. Tunica’s books are open for business. It’s be nice if the Horseshoe added some TVs at the tables.

Iowa threw an ill-timed pick at the 5 that destroyed their chances in Happy Valley. Georgia took the Cocktail Party on to find that UK has some magic left in that old silk hat they found. And Oregon St had the stunner last weekend coming from 31-3 to find a way to win in OT.

This week we find out the truth in several division. The headliner, as it has been for a while, is Bama @ LSU. Is the Tide O for real? This will be the best D Bama has seen this year and best by far in the regular season. While it’s a night game in Baton Rouge, Bama has had good success in those situations. Georgia goes to Kentucky with the winner taking the East and likely playing the winner of our headliner. Michigan looks to continue its revenge tour against Penn St. I think ND and Northwestern will play a sneaky good one.

The Big 12 gets clearer this weekend. WVU @ Texas and Oklahoma @ Texas Tech will go a long way to decide that conference. The Pac 12 is still the most entertaining conference. And, with all the MACtion during the week, are any MAC teams playing Saturday? Asking for a friend.

Last week the hook killed me at times in Tunica on a few games. I went 2-2-1 in the Vegas 5 moving me to 20-23-2. My top 25/SEC was brutal again at 8-9 and 102-96 on the season.

This week The Vegas 5 starts with the Over (61) in the Louisville/Clemson game. I like Northwestern (+9) hosting Notre Dame. I have Georgia Tech (-4.5) against North Carolina. The Over (58) when West Virginia goes to Texas. And Illinois (+9) against Minnesota.

Who’d you take?

Bye Week

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It’s bye week here at The Blog. That means a full day of watching whatever game strikes me at the time.

I thought the Ohio St/Purdue game would be good. I was kinda wrong as it was a blowout. I felt Purdue had a shot and took them in my picks section and they sure delivered. Michigan has established themselves as a true contender while LSU exposed Miss St as overly one-dimensional. Washington St just may take the PAC 12. Clemson absolutely destroyed NC St. The question there is whether that means the Tigers have awoken or if the Wolfpack were overrated.

This week brings fewer marquee match ups, yet no shortage of great action. The Cocktail Party sees two Top 10 teams for the first time in a decade. I’m a Georgia lean on that one, but I think Florida could sneak out with the win if the Dawgs let them hang around. Iowa travels to Penn St. I think the Hawkeyes are legit contenders for the Big 10 West. Washington St will take the next step if they can handle Stanford.

Last week’s Vegas 5 could’ve gone better. I hit 2-3 to move to 18-21-1. Top 25/SEC went 11-7 moving me to 94-87 for the year. I’m gonna need to start hitting quick if I want to make a move.

This week’s Vegas 5 starts for me with Syracuse (+2.5) hosting NC St. I like the Over (64.5) in the Kansas St/Oklahoma game. I’ll go with the Under (70.5) in the Bama opponent Sun Belt game between Arkansas St and Louisiana. UNLV (+3) is my pick against San Jose St. Lastly, I’ll take Iowa (+6) against Penn St.

Who’s your pick?

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?

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?