All right - it's finally here, the final game and day of the year of our lord 2008. Gophers v. Jayhawks, can you feel the excitement. Well, maybe not...but I'm stoked. I find it hard to believe that none of the "experts" are giving the Gophers any chance in this one...but more on that later.
First, how are we all doing in this exciting Bowl Season:
MK - 25
MR - 22
JR - 18
JG - 16
35 possible points gone, 65 to go...still way too early to call a winner.
However, a huge moving day is upon us right now. 4 games today, and we don't have a unanimous agreement on any one of them.
AF-HOU
JR and JG like the Falcons, who open "The Bank" next September against our beloved Gophers. (do you like "The Bank"? I've heard that thrown around a bit...it's okay, but I doubt it sticks) MK and MR went with the favored HOU club. The game is in TEXAS (favors HOU) but it's the Armed Forces Bowl (favors AF). Now on to what might really decide the game...the AF defense. Guess who has the #1 offense in the nation...FLA, nope; OK, nope; HOU...yep. 575 ypg - WOW! 414 of those through the air. However they only won 7 games after avg. 41 ppg. Why? well, they allow 31 pgg and rank 102nd overall for defense. You know what you're going to get with AF. Run, run, run. 5th in the nation at 269 ypg. AF also ranked 13th in sacks this year, which should come into play with the high-octane passing attack we'll see out of HOU. AF won 31-28 when they met in the regular season. Bottom line for me, you never bet against a service academy in the bowl games...might not be a great rule, but it's burned me too many times over the last 4 years. I like AF on the ground against a porous HOU D, and I think the AF pass rush and ability to force turnovers wins it for them in a close one...Falcons 38-34.
PITT-OREST
MK likes the Panthers, all else are with the Beavers. Pitt sports a nice defense and a very average offense coming in. They have been playing some good ball to close out the year, and it appears that Wanstedt has finally put it all together. OSU sports an equally strong defense and a much stronger offense, ratings wise. 27th vs. 63rd in favor of the Beavers. I love the Beavers balance, and they are Top 10 in getting to the QB. Pitt is also more turnover prone than OREST, and that could make all the difference in a close game like this one. I like the Beavers by a TD...28-21.
BC-VAN
JR and MK like BC, MR and JG like VANDY. To me, this is one of the biggest mismatches in the bowl season. BC is nothing special on offense, but their defense is unreal. #6 in the nationand they have forced 36 turnovers...about 3/game. However, their offense has lost it 30 times, they can't throw, and their running game is average. But it's still better than Vandy...whose offense ranks #117 in the nation - ouch. They really can't throw at all, and their running game is below avg as well. The Vandy defense is Top 30, but their offensive ineptitude is too much to overcome. This could be a very ugly one on both sides - VAN will be insanely pumped to play in a bowl game for the first time since Jesus was walking the earth, but BC wins bowl games, period. I'm looking for a turnover fest with very little offense and a lot of trick plays and wacky things happening. BC wins in a weird one 16-6.
LSU-GT
MR took LSU, the rest are on the triple option of GTECH. I love Tech in this one. 282 ypg on the ground in the ACC...wow. But the thing I really like about Tech is their defense. A Top 25 unit, the stop the run and get to the QB...very nice. LSU has had a very disappointing year, and I think they will not be real excited about playing in the Chick-fil-a Bowl. Average offense, and a decent but very underachieving defense cost them all year. A 2-headed QB didn't help much either. They only forced 16 turnovers all year, pretty pathetic for a unit like this. They lost 3 of their final 4, and I think they come in flat. GT is playing in ATL, basically at home, and their should have some fire. GT won 3 of their last 4 by beating FSU, MIA, and GEO...not bad. I like the Jackets to run wild and LSU to get frustrated on both sides of the ball...TECH wins 31-21.
GOPHERS - KANSAS
This is it, the big one. JR and JG have faith in the Gophs...MK and MR do not. It's that simple. Honestly, there could be much worse matchups for our club this year. But I think the B10 is due for a W. First, the Jayhawks: No running game to speak of, but a very good QB and passing attack ~300ypg. Their D stops the run fairly well, but their pass defense, like all B12 teams, is atrocious. They also allow a ton of sacks with the scrambling style of Reesing. The Gophers numbers actually ended up being pretty ugly this year. 104th in the nation in rushing, 57th in passing...91st in overall offense. Maybe I'm too naive, but I do believe the running game will improve tonight vs. KAN with the new style and new running game/OL coach in place. A healthy Decker could mean a world of difference to the passing attack as well, especially against a pathetic KAN D that will be missing a starting CB and starting a true freshman in his place. On D we fnished 74th overall, not great but miles ahead of last year. We are succeptible to the pass, and Reesing will get his yards. We need to stop the run completely and get pressure. We were 25th in sacks, which bodes well for our chances of getting to Reesing tonight. We also forced 30 turnovers and for the most part took care of the ball. If we can limit the huge plays by Reesing, get pressure, and win the turnover battle we should be fine. But that's a lot of ifs. I do think we'll score some points on a bad defense...but sadly, I am picking the Gophers to come up short, but cover: KAN 34-31.
That's all for today's games. 5 more big ones tomorrow.
JR/MK-IOWA, JG/MR-SC - who hates IOWA?
JR/JG - NEB, MK/MR - CLEM
JR/MR - GEO, MK/JG - MSU
JR/JG - PSU, MK/MR - USC
All like VT over CIN
I'll send out more updates as games finish up - today's game are all worth 3...tomorrow are all worth 4 each.
Also - don't forget to send over your NFL picks for the weekend as well.
later. have a happy new year and enjoy the Gophers today.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday Bowl Games
Hey Guys -
A little late night update from me on today's games and what's coming tomorrow.
RUT-NCST
God damn 1/2 pt! RUT dominates the 2nd half, but tries the FG instead of plunging it in on that final drive!! AHHH!! 4th Bowl Game to be decided by 1 pt. or less against the spread already. I wish NCST would have stuck with QB#2 for a little longer, he was maybe the worst QB I've ever seen...ever.
NW-MIZZOU
This game just started the 2nd half, and it looks to be turning out how I had feared. The NW defense is slowing down MIZZOU and their offense looks surprisingly good tonight. I forgot that Bacher makes a big difference. I'm not conceding yet, but I'm not liking my Tigers by 14 right now.
Nice, they just showed a great did you know...Mike Kafka hold the record for Qb Rushing yards in one game with 217 vs. MIN on 11/1? Really? Must have missed that game. Why is it that every time I watch a game I have to hear a reference to a very painful memory from Minnesota's past (Gophers, Vikes, Wolves, etc).
And a NW TD. Looks like 0-2 for me tonight.
Tomrrow we have 3 more games on tap:
NEV-MARY
JR and MK have NEV, MR and JG have MARY. Did you know the Nevada offense is #5 in the nation? 291 rushing yds/gm...wow. Their run defense is #3 at 74.5 ypg. hmmm. They are 8th in the nation in sacks, and 23 in sacks allowed. This sounds like a good team. Maryland is nothing special, -8 turnover margin is probably their most telling stat. They played well, but shot themselves in the foot too many times. I think the pack play inspired ball in front of maybe 12,000 people on a Tuesday afternoon in Boise. NEVADA WINS 30-21 (but if the Humanitarian Bowl is played but nobody is watching does it really count?)
WMU-RICE
We all like Rice, so far when we all like a team we are 1-1. Rice is a classic all offense no defense team ranking 10th in offense and 114th in defense. They were also +13 in turnovers. WMU throws for over 300 ypg, but they can't run or stop the pass. This could be a crazy one...RICE WINS 55-47.
Finally, the nightcap...
ORE-OKST
I struggled with this game a lot, because these teams are identical. JR and MK ended up picking ORE, while JG and MR took OKST. ORE has a great running game, as does OKST. I think OKST has a slightly better passing attack, but they are the #7 and #8 offenses overall in the country. Both play good run defense and horrible pass defense, too. Turnover margin is also equal at +5 for both. The one glaring difference is that ORE has a pass rush (#6 in nation) and OKST does not (#108). I think the running games cancel each other out, and it comes down to who can throw it better, so I like the ORE pass rush to be the difference maker and ORE winning 42-38.
Should be tons of points on Tuesday - 2 under the radar games, and one really good low tier bowl game.
Enjoy.
A little late night update from me on today's games and what's coming tomorrow.
RUT-NCST
God damn 1/2 pt! RUT dominates the 2nd half, but tries the FG instead of plunging it in on that final drive!! AHHH!! 4th Bowl Game to be decided by 1 pt. or less against the spread already. I wish NCST would have stuck with QB#2 for a little longer, he was maybe the worst QB I've ever seen...ever.
NW-MIZZOU
This game just started the 2nd half, and it looks to be turning out how I had feared. The NW defense is slowing down MIZZOU and their offense looks surprisingly good tonight. I forgot that Bacher makes a big difference. I'm not conceding yet, but I'm not liking my Tigers by 14 right now.
Nice, they just showed a great did you know...Mike Kafka hold the record for Qb Rushing yards in one game with 217 vs. MIN on 11/1? Really? Must have missed that game. Why is it that every time I watch a game I have to hear a reference to a very painful memory from Minnesota's past (Gophers, Vikes, Wolves, etc).
And a NW TD. Looks like 0-2 for me tonight.
Tomrrow we have 3 more games on tap:
NEV-MARY
JR and MK have NEV, MR and JG have MARY. Did you know the Nevada offense is #5 in the nation? 291 rushing yds/gm...wow. Their run defense is #3 at 74.5 ypg. hmmm. They are 8th in the nation in sacks, and 23 in sacks allowed. This sounds like a good team. Maryland is nothing special, -8 turnover margin is probably their most telling stat. They played well, but shot themselves in the foot too many times. I think the pack play inspired ball in front of maybe 12,000 people on a Tuesday afternoon in Boise. NEVADA WINS 30-21 (but if the Humanitarian Bowl is played but nobody is watching does it really count?)
WMU-RICE
We all like Rice, so far when we all like a team we are 1-1. Rice is a classic all offense no defense team ranking 10th in offense and 114th in defense. They were also +13 in turnovers. WMU throws for over 300 ypg, but they can't run or stop the pass. This could be a crazy one...RICE WINS 55-47.
Finally, the nightcap...
ORE-OKST
I struggled with this game a lot, because these teams are identical. JR and MK ended up picking ORE, while JG and MR took OKST. ORE has a great running game, as does OKST. I think OKST has a slightly better passing attack, but they are the #7 and #8 offenses overall in the country. Both play good run defense and horrible pass defense, too. Turnover margin is also equal at +5 for both. The one glaring difference is that ORE has a pass rush (#6 in nation) and OKST does not (#108). I think the running games cancel each other out, and it comes down to who can throw it better, so I like the ORE pass rush to be the difference maker and ORE winning 42-38.
Should be tons of points on Tuesday - 2 under the radar games, and one really good low tier bowl game.
Enjoy.
Bowl Challenge - Update & NFL PLAYOFF LINES
Hey Guys -
Hope everyone had a great Holiday. I just wanted to send out a quick update on how things are going through all 2 pt games and 1 3 pt game.
MK - 13
JR - 12
MR - 10
JG - 7
That's how we sit with 20 of the possible 100 points being played already. Only 80 left - not time to worry yet.
2 Games today, so here we go:
NCST-RUT
JR and JG like RUT, MR and MK took NCST. I love the way RUT has been playing to close the season. They have averaged 46.2 ppg over the final 5 games of the season, and they won their last 6 after a 1-5 start. NCST has the same kind of story winning their last 4 after starting 2-6. So we've got 2 hot teams on a roll coming into this one at 2pm this afternoon. NCST really doesn't do much well, besides being a +11 in turnovers they rank in the bottom half of the country in all major stats. RUT, after being a run team for so long, ranks 22nd in passing this year and also sports a top 35 defense. I just think this is a game where RUT keeps on trucking and NCST falls off a bit. RUT 34-17.
Game 2 for Monday is NW-MIZZOU
I am the only one pulling for MIZZOU in this one. After examining things a little closer, I hate my pick. Strangely enough, the team with the better ranked defense has covered 67% of the time in the bowl season. NW's defense is far superior to a brutal MIZZOU D (53rd vs. 99th). My problem is with the NW offense, which I witnessed live and in color on a sad saturday in the dome. Absolutley pathetic, and I don't see that changing. MIZZOU struggles in pass defense, as do all B12 teams, but I don't think NW can exploit that weakness. MIZZOU throws for 340/game, and I think they will do enough to surely win, but I'm nervous about the cover. It's a huge up tick for NW vs. their expectations entering the season, while the Alamo Bowl is a major let down for MIZZOU who came in with Nat'l Title hopes. I will go with my guys, but not a lot of confidence on this one...plus when there are multiple games in a day there is always one dog that covers. MIZZOU 31-17 in a nail-biter for us gamblers.
I'll send out more previews as the games come up - 3 for TUESDAY and 5 for WEDNESDAY. 5 on NEW YEAR'S DAY and 3 the day after.
The next few days should separate us, but right now it's still anyone's game.
Now, to the big leagues:
Here are the 4 lines for the WILDCARD GAMES this week - send me your 4 picks sometime this week:
ATL
AZ +1
IND
SD +1
BAL
MIA +3
PHI
MIN +2
4 home dogs - how tempting is that!
I'll shoot out a preview on these as we get closer...also thinking ahead, maybe our best shot to get together would be next weekend if the Vikes are in Carolina on Saturday? Obviously, we've got to win one first, but this might be a good option for us.
We'll stay in touch and make something work.
Later Guys - have a good week.
Hope everyone had a great Holiday. I just wanted to send out a quick update on how things are going through all 2 pt games and 1 3 pt game.
MK - 13
JR - 12
MR - 10
JG - 7
That's how we sit with 20 of the possible 100 points being played already. Only 80 left - not time to worry yet.
2 Games today, so here we go:
NCST-RUT
JR and JG like RUT, MR and MK took NCST. I love the way RUT has been playing to close the season. They have averaged 46.2 ppg over the final 5 games of the season, and they won their last 6 after a 1-5 start. NCST has the same kind of story winning their last 4 after starting 2-6. So we've got 2 hot teams on a roll coming into this one at 2pm this afternoon. NCST really doesn't do much well, besides being a +11 in turnovers they rank in the bottom half of the country in all major stats. RUT, after being a run team for so long, ranks 22nd in passing this year and also sports a top 35 defense. I just think this is a game where RUT keeps on trucking and NCST falls off a bit. RUT 34-17.
Game 2 for Monday is NW-MIZZOU
I am the only one pulling for MIZZOU in this one. After examining things a little closer, I hate my pick. Strangely enough, the team with the better ranked defense has covered 67% of the time in the bowl season. NW's defense is far superior to a brutal MIZZOU D (53rd vs. 99th). My problem is with the NW offense, which I witnessed live and in color on a sad saturday in the dome. Absolutley pathetic, and I don't see that changing. MIZZOU struggles in pass defense, as do all B12 teams, but I don't think NW can exploit that weakness. MIZZOU throws for 340/game, and I think they will do enough to surely win, but I'm nervous about the cover. It's a huge up tick for NW vs. their expectations entering the season, while the Alamo Bowl is a major let down for MIZZOU who came in with Nat'l Title hopes. I will go with my guys, but not a lot of confidence on this one...plus when there are multiple games in a day there is always one dog that covers. MIZZOU 31-17 in a nail-biter for us gamblers.
I'll send out more previews as the games come up - 3 for TUESDAY and 5 for WEDNESDAY. 5 on NEW YEAR'S DAY and 3 the day after.
The next few days should separate us, but right now it's still anyone's game.
Now, to the big leagues:
Here are the 4 lines for the WILDCARD GAMES this week - send me your 4 picks sometime this week:
ATL
AZ +1
IND
SD +1
BAL
MIA +3
PHI
MIN +2
4 home dogs - how tempting is that!
I'll shoot out a preview on these as we get closer...also thinking ahead, maybe our best shot to get together would be next weekend if the Vikes are in Carolina on Saturday? Obviously, we've got to win one first, but this might be a good option for us.
We'll stay in touch and make something work.
Later Guys - have a good week.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Bowl Challenge - Week 2
Here's the preveiw of all the upcoming Bowl Games for the week of X-mas:
TCU-BOISE tuesday night
I took the Frogs at -2, the rest of you all liked Boise. Statitically, it's a wash. Both really good looking teams on both sides of the ball. Boise is a better passing team, TCU is a better rushing team, but both have a nice offense overall. Both teams force a lot of turnovers...but TCU is better at taking care of the ball. Which leads to my pick - I think TCU is a better team. They only lost a nail-biter to Utah, which they honestly should have won (got beat by the always pesky THUR night road rule) and a route to OK. BOISE obviously didn't lose, but seriously who did they beat? Oregon on the road...that's a nice one. Other than that...nobody. So when it's a toss up like this one, I like the better defense and the team that's better in turnover margin...give me the Frogs 23-17.
ND-HAW x-mas eve night
JG likes the Rainbow Warriors, the rest of us took the Irish. HAW comes in playing extremely well winning 3 of their last 4, only losing to CIN in a tight game. HAW throws a lot, doesn't protect well, and turns it over all the time. They run for less than 100 yards per game, which is almost impossible in college. ND doesn't do much right either. They can't run, they throw okay, but the reason I picked them is that their defense is solid. It's a Top 40 National Defense, and I really believe this team will be hungry for a win. Obviously, they have HAW outmanned up front - which is always the case in matchups like this. They don't get a lot of sacks, but HAW's gameplan and ineptitude on the front line might cure that problem. They have also lost 4 of 5 coming in, so I guess this might answer the momentum question for future bowl games...does it matter how you finish going into the bowl? Bottom line, in a pick'em game like this I go with the better defense (and seriously, it's HAW vs. ND?!?!) IRISH show up and get the alumni off Weis' back for the off-season 38-28.
FAU-CMU 12/26
No mysteries here - we all like CMU to win by a TD or better. CMU comes in on a 2 game skid, and FAU has won 5 of 6 since starting 1-5. Once again, will the trend matter? It's basically a home game for CMU, which should help their cause a lot. But FAU should be pumped up to be playing anywhere in DEC. The CMU story is throwing the football and not defending the pass at all. They can run a bit, but their bread and butter is throwing it all over the field - 13th nationally. FAU also throws it well and plays little to no defense. Difference could be pass rush where CMU has one and FAU surely does not. Should be a shootout...CMU at home 47-40.
WV-NC 12/27
Great matchup here - I'm the only one picking the Heels. Seems like I'm on my own a lot so far...hmmm. In Charlotte, like a home game for NC. WV has won their last 3 bowl games with Pat White...but this is a different team. Both teams fizzled a bit at the end of the year going 2-2, so no real mometum advantage there. NC is very impressive in any one area. Offensively they are 95th in the nation, and only 63rd on defense...I thought they would be higher. They did finish a fortunate +6 in turnovers, so they are probably a little overrated. WV can't throw, anyone who has seen them the last 3 years knows that. But they run extremely well. Their defense isn't too shabby finishing in the Top 40. They were a +12 on turnover margin, so they might be even luckier than NC. Bottom line for me on this one was the fact that it's a home game for NC, and Butch and his team have done nothing but surprise me all year. In a pick'em I like the Heels 24-21.
WIS-FSU 12/27
I love it - 4 Badger haters = 4 picks for FSU. Completely emotion free right? Well, I like our chances. If you saw how WIS looked at the end of the year, you probably know why. They are not close to the team they expected to be this year, and FSU is probably a little better than most thought. Big difference for FSU...they can run the ball this year. The defense is great, just like most every year, but the offense is coming around. The speed of the pass rush and the improved running game make this a different FSU team than we're used to seeing. WIS ran it well, shocker, but QB play is a big question. The new guy seems a little better than Evridge...but that doesn't take much. WIS defense isn't horrible, but they haven't exactly been playing their best ball. MN and Cal-Poly both should have beat them and scored 30+. Better dead than red, so I like the Maroon in this one 29-17.
MIA-CAL 12/27
MR and JG like MIA, JR and MK...yep that Mike Kobow pick Cal. Once again, a home game for Cal in a bowl game...kind of shady how this seems to be the case more often than not. Cal has had some big highs and dreadful lows this year, but I feel that they are playing some good ball right now. The running game is lethal, the QB play is questionable, and the defense is pretty solid. They were an astonishing +14 in turnovers this year - Top 10 nationally. They also have a great pass rush. MIA continues to have a non-descript offense year in and year out. They lost their last 2 games, and Bob Marve won't be playing in the game (starting QB). Their defense is also top notch, but turnovers could be the death of them. A -9 was good enough for 101st place in the nation...ouch. Turnovers and home field will play a big role in this defensive battle. I think Cal has more to play for at home and might make this an ugly one...CAL 23-7.
Finally...the much anticipated Independence Bowl
NILL-LT 12/28
I took the dog LT, the rest of you are on N.ILL. This is actually a 3 pt. game, but since it's played on Sunday I thought I'd include it. LaTech runs it well, and stops the run. Which is a good thing when you play a NILL team that ranks 101st in passing offense. NILL wants to run it as well, but they too play good defense. I see lots of running the football and a very, very close game happening under the lights in Shreveport (again a Louisiana school playing basically at home in a bowl). Give me LTECH in a close one 21-20 on a missed 2 pt. conversion to win it!!
That's all for this week - 19 more next week, then 3 games in week 4 of Bowl Season.
Are you ready?!?
TCU-BOISE tuesday night
I took the Frogs at -2, the rest of you all liked Boise. Statitically, it's a wash. Both really good looking teams on both sides of the ball. Boise is a better passing team, TCU is a better rushing team, but both have a nice offense overall. Both teams force a lot of turnovers...but TCU is better at taking care of the ball. Which leads to my pick - I think TCU is a better team. They only lost a nail-biter to Utah, which they honestly should have won (got beat by the always pesky THUR night road rule) and a route to OK. BOISE obviously didn't lose, but seriously who did they beat? Oregon on the road...that's a nice one. Other than that...nobody. So when it's a toss up like this one, I like the better defense and the team that's better in turnover margin...give me the Frogs 23-17.
ND-HAW x-mas eve night
JG likes the Rainbow Warriors, the rest of us took the Irish. HAW comes in playing extremely well winning 3 of their last 4, only losing to CIN in a tight game. HAW throws a lot, doesn't protect well, and turns it over all the time. They run for less than 100 yards per game, which is almost impossible in college. ND doesn't do much right either. They can't run, they throw okay, but the reason I picked them is that their defense is solid. It's a Top 40 National Defense, and I really believe this team will be hungry for a win. Obviously, they have HAW outmanned up front - which is always the case in matchups like this. They don't get a lot of sacks, but HAW's gameplan and ineptitude on the front line might cure that problem. They have also lost 4 of 5 coming in, so I guess this might answer the momentum question for future bowl games...does it matter how you finish going into the bowl? Bottom line, in a pick'em game like this I go with the better defense (and seriously, it's HAW vs. ND?!?!) IRISH show up and get the alumni off Weis' back for the off-season 38-28.
FAU-CMU 12/26
No mysteries here - we all like CMU to win by a TD or better. CMU comes in on a 2 game skid, and FAU has won 5 of 6 since starting 1-5. Once again, will the trend matter? It's basically a home game for CMU, which should help their cause a lot. But FAU should be pumped up to be playing anywhere in DEC. The CMU story is throwing the football and not defending the pass at all. They can run a bit, but their bread and butter is throwing it all over the field - 13th nationally. FAU also throws it well and plays little to no defense. Difference could be pass rush where CMU has one and FAU surely does not. Should be a shootout...CMU at home 47-40.
WV-NC 12/27
Great matchup here - I'm the only one picking the Heels. Seems like I'm on my own a lot so far...hmmm. In Charlotte, like a home game for NC. WV has won their last 3 bowl games with Pat White...but this is a different team. Both teams fizzled a bit at the end of the year going 2-2, so no real mometum advantage there. NC is very impressive in any one area. Offensively they are 95th in the nation, and only 63rd on defense...I thought they would be higher. They did finish a fortunate +6 in turnovers, so they are probably a little overrated. WV can't throw, anyone who has seen them the last 3 years knows that. But they run extremely well. Their defense isn't too shabby finishing in the Top 40. They were a +12 on turnover margin, so they might be even luckier than NC. Bottom line for me on this one was the fact that it's a home game for NC, and Butch and his team have done nothing but surprise me all year. In a pick'em I like the Heels 24-21.
WIS-FSU 12/27
I love it - 4 Badger haters = 4 picks for FSU. Completely emotion free right? Well, I like our chances. If you saw how WIS looked at the end of the year, you probably know why. They are not close to the team they expected to be this year, and FSU is probably a little better than most thought. Big difference for FSU...they can run the ball this year. The defense is great, just like most every year, but the offense is coming around. The speed of the pass rush and the improved running game make this a different FSU team than we're used to seeing. WIS ran it well, shocker, but QB play is a big question. The new guy seems a little better than Evridge...but that doesn't take much. WIS defense isn't horrible, but they haven't exactly been playing their best ball. MN and Cal-Poly both should have beat them and scored 30+. Better dead than red, so I like the Maroon in this one 29-17.
MIA-CAL 12/27
MR and JG like MIA, JR and MK...yep that Mike Kobow pick Cal. Once again, a home game for Cal in a bowl game...kind of shady how this seems to be the case more often than not. Cal has had some big highs and dreadful lows this year, but I feel that they are playing some good ball right now. The running game is lethal, the QB play is questionable, and the defense is pretty solid. They were an astonishing +14 in turnovers this year - Top 10 nationally. They also have a great pass rush. MIA continues to have a non-descript offense year in and year out. They lost their last 2 games, and Bob Marve won't be playing in the game (starting QB). Their defense is also top notch, but turnovers could be the death of them. A -9 was good enough for 101st place in the nation...ouch. Turnovers and home field will play a big role in this defensive battle. I think Cal has more to play for at home and might make this an ugly one...CAL 23-7.
Finally...the much anticipated Independence Bowl
NILL-LT 12/28
I took the dog LT, the rest of you are on N.ILL. This is actually a 3 pt. game, but since it's played on Sunday I thought I'd include it. LaTech runs it well, and stops the run. Which is a good thing when you play a NILL team that ranks 101st in passing offense. NILL wants to run it as well, but they too play good defense. I see lots of running the football and a very, very close game happening under the lights in Shreveport (again a Louisiana school playing basically at home in a bowl). Give me LTECH in a close one 21-20 on a missed 2 pt. conversion to win it!!
That's all for this week - 19 more next week, then 3 games in week 4 of Bowl Season.
Are you ready?!?
Week 17 Results & 1 point Bowl Results
Nice weekend, huh. Well, it was for Mr. Mike Roe at least. He is only 10-4 with one to play, leading us all by at least 6 games this week! Nice work Mike.
Purple - yuck. Should have had that one. Moved the ball at will, but a -4 in the turnover bucket is pretty tough to overcome. On a good note, we might have found a QB! Who turned the light on in this guy's head?!? WTF? All of a sudden we might have some $ to spend on something other than a QB next year. I still think they definitely get in. Not betting on a Bear loss tonight, although Roe has GB, and I'm trusting his picks a lot this week. They could lose at HOU next week, but I also think we'll beat a Giant team that will be sitting a lot of guys on Sunday.
BOWLS
JR and MK each have hit 3 of 5, MR hit 2 of 5, JG has only hit 1 of 5 so far. I'm still going to put my money on JG - Roe is on his way to a 3rd straight Reg. Season title, and JG has won the first 2 BOWL titles...so I won't bet against that trend. My Navy pick was bad...but my Troy loss was weak. They had that game in hand, then all of sudden they looked incredibily scared and SOMISS ran right through them. The K that is terrible hits 3 FG's and they win...unreal. I really like Fedora, the SOMISS coach. Wearing the Gold Jerseys and losing a timeout is my new favorite inspiriational move in College Football. His squad played with fire all night, which is fun to watch. Even after an UGLY injury to by far their best player in the 1st Qtr, they sustained and made a better Troy team play scared. Nice work.
I'll ship out a preview of this week's games either today or tomorrow...have a good Holiday everyone.
One other note - not sure about the week 17 challenge. It appears obvious that Roe will be the winner, and the timelines might be a little tricky this week with people traveling. I'm thinking we cancel week 17 and wait for the playoff challenge instead. Playoffs will be counted in our Bowl Total for one combined post season score. Bowls are worth 100, playoffs will be worth a total of 50...2pts each for Wildcard games, 3 pts each for Divisional games, 5 points each for Conf. Championships, and 20 for the Super Bowl.
Later Fellas - let me know if you have any objections to canceling Week 17 off of our schedule.
Thanks.
Purple - yuck. Should have had that one. Moved the ball at will, but a -4 in the turnover bucket is pretty tough to overcome. On a good note, we might have found a QB! Who turned the light on in this guy's head?!? WTF? All of a sudden we might have some $ to spend on something other than a QB next year. I still think they definitely get in. Not betting on a Bear loss tonight, although Roe has GB, and I'm trusting his picks a lot this week. They could lose at HOU next week, but I also think we'll beat a Giant team that will be sitting a lot of guys on Sunday.
BOWLS
JR and MK each have hit 3 of 5, MR hit 2 of 5, JG has only hit 1 of 5 so far. I'm still going to put my money on JG - Roe is on his way to a 3rd straight Reg. Season title, and JG has won the first 2 BOWL titles...so I won't bet against that trend. My Navy pick was bad...but my Troy loss was weak. They had that game in hand, then all of sudden they looked incredibily scared and SOMISS ran right through them. The K that is terrible hits 3 FG's and they win...unreal. I really like Fedora, the SOMISS coach. Wearing the Gold Jerseys and losing a timeout is my new favorite inspiriational move in College Football. His squad played with fire all night, which is fun to watch. Even after an UGLY injury to by far their best player in the 1st Qtr, they sustained and made a better Troy team play scared. Nice work.
I'll ship out a preview of this week's games either today or tomorrow...have a good Holiday everyone.
One other note - not sure about the week 17 challenge. It appears obvious that Roe will be the winner, and the timelines might be a little tricky this week with people traveling. I'm thinking we cancel week 17 and wait for the playoff challenge instead. Playoffs will be counted in our Bowl Total for one combined post season score. Bowls are worth 100, playoffs will be worth a total of 50...2pts each for Wildcard games, 3 pts each for Divisional games, 5 points each for Conf. Championships, and 20 for the Super Bowl.
Later Fellas - let me know if you have any objections to canceling Week 17 off of our schedule.
Thanks.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Weekend Bowl Game Preview
* I'll send out all the picks to you guys as well, but I'm just previewing this weekend's games today*
So we've got 5 games this weekend for the Bowl Challenge as well - all worth 1 point each, so not going to win you the pool - but you can defintiely get off to a good start.
NAVY-WF
I like Navy - the rest have WF in this one. Navy beat them in the regular season. Navy, like every other year, runs the ball really well. Both teams had up and down seasons, WF really struggled to score points earlier in the year and only averaged 20 ppg on the season. 103rd in D1 offense...not good. Both teams were +16 in turnovers, so both are probably a bit overrated. Navy always plays well in bowl games, and getting 3 points made this an easy one for me.
FRESNO-COLST
I have COLST, the rest have FRESNO. Basically, this one looks really even to me so take the points. CSU throws it a lot, Fresno is more of a runner. CSU overachieved this year right, Fresno defintiely under achieved. Hill may be moving on from Fresno, they have had some serious turnover problems, they've lost 3 of their last 5, and were actually outscored this year overall. I just think this is the classic case of a team that expected big things, lost a couple big early games, and will not play well in this low end bowl.
MEM-USF
USF is basically playing a home game in this one. JG is the only one who took MEM. MEM has a Top 25 offense, and have won 3 of 4 coming in. USF was a major disappointment this year losing 4 of 5 coming in. Turnovers have killed them (-7), but they do play nice D. I think their D (14th in Nation) shuts down the MEM running attack and their core players on offense play well at home. They are a young enough team, that they might still show up even though it isn't where they epxected to be this year.
BYU-AZ
This should be a good one. I am the only one who likes AZ. My power ratings have them as a 10 pt favorite. Both teams have really strong offenses, but AZ's defense is defintely a notch above BYU. AZ pass defense vs. BYU pass offense should tell the story - tie breaker, it's in Vegas...Mormons don't like Vegas.
TROY-SOMISS
MK has SOMISS, all else have TROY. I just think TROY is a better team. Both offense are really strong and fairly balanced. Troy's defense is much better and their lines could make the difference. Troy is Top 5 in Sacks for and Sacks Vs....while SOMISS doesn't get any sacks on D and is 76th in sacks allowed. I think Troy comes out and cruises to an easy win in this one.
Next week I'll look at all the 2 point games.
Happy Bowling!
So we've got 5 games this weekend for the Bowl Challenge as well - all worth 1 point each, so not going to win you the pool - but you can defintiely get off to a good start.
NAVY-WF
I like Navy - the rest have WF in this one. Navy beat them in the regular season. Navy, like every other year, runs the ball really well. Both teams had up and down seasons, WF really struggled to score points earlier in the year and only averaged 20 ppg on the season. 103rd in D1 offense...not good. Both teams were +16 in turnovers, so both are probably a bit overrated. Navy always plays well in bowl games, and getting 3 points made this an easy one for me.
FRESNO-COLST
I have COLST, the rest have FRESNO. Basically, this one looks really even to me so take the points. CSU throws it a lot, Fresno is more of a runner. CSU overachieved this year right, Fresno defintiely under achieved. Hill may be moving on from Fresno, they have had some serious turnover problems, they've lost 3 of their last 5, and were actually outscored this year overall. I just think this is the classic case of a team that expected big things, lost a couple big early games, and will not play well in this low end bowl.
MEM-USF
USF is basically playing a home game in this one. JG is the only one who took MEM. MEM has a Top 25 offense, and have won 3 of 4 coming in. USF was a major disappointment this year losing 4 of 5 coming in. Turnovers have killed them (-7), but they do play nice D. I think their D (14th in Nation) shuts down the MEM running attack and their core players on offense play well at home. They are a young enough team, that they might still show up even though it isn't where they epxected to be this year.
BYU-AZ
This should be a good one. I am the only one who likes AZ. My power ratings have them as a 10 pt favorite. Both teams have really strong offenses, but AZ's defense is defintely a notch above BYU. AZ pass defense vs. BYU pass offense should tell the story - tie breaker, it's in Vegas...Mormons don't like Vegas.
TROY-SOMISS
MK has SOMISS, all else have TROY. I just think TROY is a better team. Both offense are really strong and fairly balanced. Troy's defense is much better and their lines could make the difference. Troy is Top 5 in Sacks for and Sacks Vs....while SOMISS doesn't get any sacks on D and is 76th in sacks allowed. I think Troy comes out and cruises to an easy win in this one.
Next week I'll look at all the 2 point games.
Happy Bowling!
NFL Picks - Week 17
Here we go for Week 17 - still waiting on Roe's picks for the BOWLS...then I'll send those out.
NFL
Tonight - split on IND/JAC - JR/MK like INDY
JR/MR like BAL over DAL - MK/JG like Cowboys
JG likes CLE - rest of us have CIN
JR/JG have NO over DET
I have KC again - rest have MIA
JR/MR like NE - MK/JG like ARI
MR is on his own with STL over SF
We all like PIT over TEN - except JG didn't bet this one
MR likes SD - rest like TB
MR likes BUF - rest like DEN
JR/JG like HOU - MR and MK passed on this one
JG likes NYJ - MK/MR like SEA - JR picks nobody on this one
We all like the VIKES...uh-oh.
MK likes WAS - rest like PHILLY
MR likes NYG - rest like CAR
JR/MK took the BEARS - MR/JG like GB
That's all for this week. Another big one for the Purple. My prediction so far is correct, I still like them to win the last 2. This just in - TJACK is starting again on Sunday. I think it's the right move, let's see what he has. At home we're damn good - let's hope CAR wins this week as well, and we beat the G-Men next week for the #2 seed!!
Purple fever is here...until New Year's Eve at least. I'm thinking I'll send out all the Bowl picks as they come up rather than one rambling 9,000 word preview. Good times.
BTW - feeling a bit better today, not nearly as sore. Until I was listening to Common this afternoon and he started talking about how the Spanish are taking over Bowling Alleys everywhere...i laughed a lot, and it hurt a lot. Damn you Common.
Later Guys.
NFL
Tonight - split on IND/JAC - JR/MK like INDY
JR/MR like BAL over DAL - MK/JG like Cowboys
JG likes CLE - rest of us have CIN
JR/JG have NO over DET
I have KC again - rest have MIA
JR/MR like NE - MK/JG like ARI
MR is on his own with STL over SF
We all like PIT over TEN - except JG didn't bet this one
MR likes SD - rest like TB
MR likes BUF - rest like DEN
JR/JG like HOU - MR and MK passed on this one
JG likes NYJ - MK/MR like SEA - JR picks nobody on this one
We all like the VIKES...uh-oh.
MK likes WAS - rest like PHILLY
MR likes NYG - rest like CAR
JR/MK took the BEARS - MR/JG like GB
That's all for this week. Another big one for the Purple. My prediction so far is correct, I still like them to win the last 2. This just in - TJACK is starting again on Sunday. I think it's the right move, let's see what he has. At home we're damn good - let's hope CAR wins this week as well, and we beat the G-Men next week for the #2 seed!!
Purple fever is here...until New Year's Eve at least. I'm thinking I'll send out all the Bowl picks as they come up rather than one rambling 9,000 word preview. Good times.
BTW - feeling a bit better today, not nearly as sore. Until I was listening to Common this afternoon and he started talking about how the Spanish are taking over Bowling Alleys everywhere...i laughed a lot, and it hurt a lot. Damn you Common.
Later Guys.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Week 17 Games - pick 15 NFL games
Here's the list for this week - please send me your 15 picks on this one and your 34 bowl game picks.
Thanks.
Side note - surgery went well, sore as f*ck right now. Hope to be up and at 'em sometime soon.
IND
JAC 7.5
BAL
DAL -5
CIN
CLE -3
NO
DET 7.5
MIA
KC 4
ARI
NE -9
SF
STL 4.5
PIT
TEN -1
SD
TB -3
BUF
DEN -7
HOU
OAK 7.5
NYJ
SEA 4.5
ATL
MIN -3
PHI
WAS 5.5
CAR
NYG -3
GB
CHI -4.5
Thanks.
Side note - surgery went well, sore as f*ck right now. Hope to be up and at 'em sometime soon.
IND
JAC 7.5
BAL
DAL -5
CIN
CLE -3
NO
DET 7.5
MIA
KC 4
ARI
NE -9
SF
STL 4.5
PIT
TEN -1
SD
TB -3
BUF
DEN -7
HOU
OAK 7.5
NYJ
SEA 4.5
ATL
MIN -3
PHI
WAS 5.5
CAR
NYG -3
GB
CHI -4.5
Monday, December 15, 2008
Some fun stuff
Hey Guys -
I've got 2 hours to burn before a meeting, so I found some fun things to write about.
1) Graduation rates by race for NCAA Football players 59% for black kids, 76% for white kids. Not shocking, actually slightly higher on both accounts than I might have guessed. But the huge diparity between the 2 is coming into question - "experts" are saying that black kids don't get the same kind of education opportunities in HS, which is why they do worse in college. Hmmm.
2) SDST hired Brady Hoke, current or former Ball State coach. This was thought to be a landing spot for our favorite B10 Network commentator (Mase). My gut says they made the right move, although if Mase would have brought them back to 7-5 and a lame ass bowl game SDST might have been satisfied with that.
3) If you're looking for a little comedy today - check Collegefootballtalk.com and watch the YouTube clip of Gene Chizick landing at AUB. There is a guy heckling in the background, and it just hilarious. Apparently, nobody, including me, thinks they made the right move by hiring the former frontman for the Clones. I mean seriously, this guy goes 2-10 at ISU and AUB hires him? He has some major recruiting questions, which I think is the #1 talent to grab in a virtual unknown coach, and obviously he hasn't exactly coached up his ISU club over his 2 year tenure. This looks like a major blunder to me, and I'm guessing he won't last over 2-3 years without being rejected unanimously by the fans and players.
Chuck Barkley is all over this one as well. He think Turner Gill should have been hired, a black guy of course. But I like the call, I think Gill would have at least given some optimism - but with Chizik I think you kind of know what you're getting, and it isn't good. I hate that Barkley always has to play the race card, but Gill should get a bigger better job sometime soon. Scary future for that AUB squad...they better get used to looking up to Saban and ALA for quite a while.
4) Sam McGuffie, who looked so solid earlier in the year for MICH, is leaving DickRod's program and possibly heading for TEX A&M. I liked this guy, and I think this is a big-time loss for DickRod. However, I still like his odds to turn this team into a Bowl Team next year, and even better in the near future.
5) Non-football note with some Vegas relevance...Jamie Moyer, remembered best as the old man trying to pitch against the Dodgers in the playoffs while we were in Vegas, is 46...but he just signed a 2 year extension with PHIL!! Unreal. The guy has a contract until he's 48! I guess there is hope for my comeback after all.
6) Finally, in some breaking news...the former Hangtime star, Reggie Theus, was fired today by the Nets. Shocker. His unreal coaching on the cheese -ball saturday monring kiddy sitcom didn't translate into NBA success.
Okay. I think that's all I was thinking about. Back to work slackers.
I've got 2 hours to burn before a meeting, so I found some fun things to write about.
1) Graduation rates by race for NCAA Football players 59% for black kids, 76% for white kids. Not shocking, actually slightly higher on both accounts than I might have guessed. But the huge diparity between the 2 is coming into question - "experts" are saying that black kids don't get the same kind of education opportunities in HS, which is why they do worse in college. Hmmm.
2) SDST hired Brady Hoke, current or former Ball State coach. This was thought to be a landing spot for our favorite B10 Network commentator (Mase). My gut says they made the right move, although if Mase would have brought them back to 7-5 and a lame ass bowl game SDST might have been satisfied with that.
3) If you're looking for a little comedy today - check Collegefootballtalk.com and watch the YouTube clip of Gene Chizick landing at AUB. There is a guy heckling in the background, and it just hilarious. Apparently, nobody, including me, thinks they made the right move by hiring the former frontman for the Clones. I mean seriously, this guy goes 2-10 at ISU and AUB hires him? He has some major recruiting questions, which I think is the #1 talent to grab in a virtual unknown coach, and obviously he hasn't exactly coached up his ISU club over his 2 year tenure. This looks like a major blunder to me, and I'm guessing he won't last over 2-3 years without being rejected unanimously by the fans and players.
Chuck Barkley is all over this one as well. He think Turner Gill should have been hired, a black guy of course. But I like the call, I think Gill would have at least given some optimism - but with Chizik I think you kind of know what you're getting, and it isn't good. I hate that Barkley always has to play the race card, but Gill should get a bigger better job sometime soon. Scary future for that AUB squad...they better get used to looking up to Saban and ALA for quite a while.
4) Sam McGuffie, who looked so solid earlier in the year for MICH, is leaving DickRod's program and possibly heading for TEX A&M. I liked this guy, and I think this is a big-time loss for DickRod. However, I still like his odds to turn this team into a Bowl Team next year, and even better in the near future.
5) Non-football note with some Vegas relevance...Jamie Moyer, remembered best as the old man trying to pitch against the Dodgers in the playoffs while we were in Vegas, is 46...but he just signed a 2 year extension with PHIL!! Unreal. The guy has a contract until he's 48! I guess there is hope for my comeback after all.
6) Finally, in some breaking news...the former Hangtime star, Reggie Theus, was fired today by the Nets. Shocker. His unreal coaching on the cheese -ball saturday monring kiddy sitcom didn't translate into NBA success.
Okay. I think that's all I was thinking about. Back to work slackers.
BOWLS!! and Wk 16 Results
First the results -
MK will win the NFL challenge this week...current records:
MK 9-5
JG 7-7
JR 6-8
MR 4-10
One to go - MK and JR have PHI -15, JG/MR have CLE and the points.
Finally - the complete list of Bowl Games and Lines - please get this back to me with your picks for all 34 games by FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE LATEST - games start on Saturday. 100 possible points based solely on when the games are played (they are in order starting 12/20 and ending 1/8/09 with the title game)
1 point
________________________
NAVY
WF -3
FRES
COLST 3
MEM
USF -13
BYU
AZ -3.5
TROY
SOMISS 3.5
2 points
________________________
TCU
BOISE 2
ND
HAW -1.5
FAU
CMU -6.5
WV
NC 0
WIS
FSU -5.5
MIA
CAL -6
3 points
_______________________
NILL
LT 2
NCST
RUT -6.5
NW
MIZZ -13.5
NEV
MARY 0
WMU
RICE -3
ORE
OKST -3.5
AF
HOU -3
PITT
OREST -3
BC
VAN 4
MN
KAN -10
LSU
GT -4
4 points
______________________
IOWA
SC 3
CLEM
NEB 3
MSU
GEO -6
PSU
USC -10
VT
CIN -2
OLE
TT -6
ECU
UK 2.5
UTAH
ALA -11
BUFF
UCONN -4.5
OHIOST
TEX -11
BALLST
TULSA 3
6 points
______________________
FLA
OK 3
MK will win the NFL challenge this week...current records:
MK 9-5
JG 7-7
JR 6-8
MR 4-10
One to go - MK and JR have PHI -15, JG/MR have CLE and the points.
Finally - the complete list of Bowl Games and Lines - please get this back to me with your picks for all 34 games by FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE LATEST - games start on Saturday. 100 possible points based solely on when the games are played (they are in order starting 12/20 and ending 1/8/09 with the title game)
1 point
________________________
NAVY
WF -3
FRES
COLST 3
MEM
USF -13
BYU
AZ -3.5
TROY
SOMISS 3.5
2 points
________________________
TCU
BOISE 2
ND
HAW -1.5
FAU
CMU -6.5
WV
NC 0
WIS
FSU -5.5
MIA
CAL -6
3 points
_______________________
NILL
LT 2
NCST
RUT -6.5
NW
MIZZ -13.5
NEV
MARY 0
WMU
RICE -3
ORE
OKST -3.5
AF
HOU -3
PITT
OREST -3
BC
VAN 4
MN
KAN -10
LSU
GT -4
4 points
______________________
IOWA
SC 3
CLEM
NEB 3
MSU
GEO -6
PSU
USC -10
VT
CIN -2
OLE
TT -6
ECU
UK 2.5
UTAH
ALA -11
BUFF
UCONN -4.5
OHIOST
TEX -11
BALLST
TULSA 3
6 points
______________________
FLA
OK 3
Sunday, December 14, 2008
NFL Picks for Today
Hey Guys -
Here's the rundown of picks for today:
JR/MK: ATL, JG/MR: TB
JR/MK/JG like WASH - Roe didn't pick this one
MK likes HOU - the rest like TEN
JG likes DET - the rest like IND
JG likes JAC - the rest took GB
JR took KC - the rest took SD
JR/MK took 49ers - MR/JG took MIA
MK likes BUF - the rest like NYJ
MR took STL - the rest like SEA
MR/JR like the CARDS - MK/JG took the Purple
JR/MR like PIT - MK/JG took BAL
JR/JG like DEN - MK/MR like CAR
MR/JG like NE - JR and MK avoided this one
JR/MR like the NYG - MK/JG like DAL
MR/JG have CLE on Monday night - JR/MK have PHI
That's it. Lots of NFL action today. I think the Vikes might surprise, but I couldn't pick them to win. Hopefully it's a good watch.
I'll post the Bowl tomorrow or tonight.
I'm going under the knife on Tuesday, so I'll be home TUES-FRI this week. I have to have hernia surgery for an umbilical hernia...sweet, huh? so I'm on the shelf for a week, and I'll have way too much time on my hands to fine tune my bowl picks for this year...they start next Saturday so shoot them over to me next week sometime.
Later Guys.
Here's the rundown of picks for today:
JR/MK: ATL, JG/MR: TB
JR/MK/JG like WASH - Roe didn't pick this one
MK likes HOU - the rest like TEN
JG likes DET - the rest like IND
JG likes JAC - the rest took GB
JR took KC - the rest took SD
JR/MK took 49ers - MR/JG took MIA
MK likes BUF - the rest like NYJ
MR took STL - the rest like SEA
MR/JR like the CARDS - MK/JG took the Purple
JR/MR like PIT - MK/JG took BAL
JR/JG like DEN - MK/MR like CAR
MR/JG like NE - JR and MK avoided this one
JR/MR like the NYG - MK/JG like DAL
MR/JG have CLE on Monday night - JR/MK have PHI
That's it. Lots of NFL action today. I think the Vikes might surprise, but I couldn't pick them to win. Hopefully it's a good watch.
I'll post the Bowl tomorrow or tonight.
I'm going under the knife on Tuesday, so I'll be home TUES-FRI this week. I have to have hernia surgery for an umbilical hernia...sweet, huh? so I'm on the shelf for a week, and I'll have way too much time on my hands to fine tune my bowl picks for this year...they start next Saturday so shoot them over to me next week sometime.
Later Guys.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Week 16 picks - All NFL
Hey Guys -
I'm not going to do the big pick preview right now - I won't have Roe's picks until later tonight, so I don't want to tip our hands.
I will post everything probably during the game tonight between NO-CHI.
Just wanted to give everyone a quick update - later.
I'm not going to do the big pick preview right now - I won't have Roe's picks until later tonight, so I don't want to tip our hands.
I will post everything probably during the game tonight between NO-CHI.
Just wanted to give everyone a quick update - later.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Week 16 games - NFL Only (please pick 15 games)
I'm still waiting on a couple of lines(missing VIKES at CARDS because of Gus/TJack debate, and missing SEA-STL for unknown reasons to me - 2 horrible teams). I'll make up something for these just for the sake of having everything listed in this post.
NO
CHI -3
TB
ATL -2.5
WAS
CIN 6.5
TEN
HOU 3
DET
IND -17
GB
JAC 1
SD
KC 4.5
SF
MIA -7
BUF
NYJ -7.5
SEA
STL 0 (made this up, 2 bad teams = pick'em, please use this line)
MIN
ARI -3.5 (made this up, no official is listed so bet based on this one)
PIT
BAL -1.5
DEN
CAR -9
NE
OAK 7.5
NYG
DAL -2.5
CLE
PHI -15
NO
CHI -3
TB
ATL -2.5
WAS
CIN 6.5
TEN
HOU 3
DET
IND -17
GB
JAC 1
SD
KC 4.5
SF
MIA -7
BUF
NYJ -7.5
SEA
STL 0 (made this up, 2 bad teams = pick'em, please use this line)
MIN
ARI -3.5 (made this up, no official is listed so bet based on this one)
PIT
BAL -1.5
DEN
CAR -9
NE
OAK 7.5
NYG
DAL -2.5
CLE
PHI -15
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Week 15 Results - Time to go Bowling
And it's over. At least we have a fun month of bowl games, but the regular season is done.
I think I might call it a career and go out on top after this week. 13-3 overall in my NCAA picks this week...12-0 going into the evening games, I was thinking it was going to end perfectly...but I'll take 13-3 (81%).
Anywho, I ended up splitting the pot with Roe this week at 10-5 for each of us. MK went 8-7 and JG pulled up the ass end at 7-8. Overall, with 45 NFL games left to pick, here are the standings:
MR 117-108
JG 114-111
MK 110-115
JR 107-118
Roe went 89-66 in NCAA games for the year for 57% and the championship belt. All the rest of us hovered around .500 (MK 76-79, JG and JR at 74-81), overall we were a +6 collectively. Not awful, but far from good. I guess we'll have to keep practicing!
I am inspired for next year and the bowl games. I tried a new power rating system this week and went 13-3...so optimism is high right now. (we'll see how long that lasts)
NFL Standings
JG leads at 40-30, MK 34-36, JR 33-37, MR 28-42
So I think it's still anyone's game...REMINDER, WE WILL BE PICKING 15 OF THE 16 NFL GAMES THIS WEEK AND THE NEXT 2 WEEKS TO KEEP EACH WEEL WORTH 15 POINTS.
Nothing major to recap from last week. Bowl games are set - I will send out that list with lines once everything is set.
BCS - overall, I think they got it right. USC and TEXAS and actually PSU all have a claim, but the championship game could/should be a classic. That might be a good get together date for us if it works. JAN 8th - a THURSDAY NIGHT...could be fun?!?!
Other Notes:
Mike Locksley is the new coach at NM. Apparently, they got the memo on black coaches and made this guy the 4th. He was the OC at ILL most recently. My question is, was he really that special in his previous role? The Illini kind of sucked a$$ this year.
Al Groh of VIR fired his OC, who happens to be his son. That's got to be tough to do - but thumbs up for Groh for not just rolling with a poor coach because he happens to be his son. I really think Groh is one of the better coaches in the country and will get a bigger better job sometime soon.
Heisman is Saturday - appears to be a 2 man race between Tebow and Bradford. How does Tebow not get this? To me, he might be the best college player I've seen and maybe will ever see. He'll probably blow in the NFL, but there's nobody better in the NCAA. How about his fire in the ALA game - I love him.
Colt McCoy is coming back for his Sr. Season. Anyone shocked by this? I'm not so sure he won't be a bad NFL'r as well, and TEXAS will be really really good next year. This was a no-brainer for me.
Washington hired Steve Sarkesian as their new coach, the USC OC. I love the quote coming out of WASH, "we think we got our guy." Does this sound a little hesitant to anyone else? This job was being promoted as one of the sweeter jobs around, and to take a chance on a first year coach might not be what they really wanted. This quote, in context or not, sounds a little scary to me. He'll probably get a 3 year window to prove it or else I see another quick hook coming.
A couple of local notes:
Ray Edward sack tracker picked up another one on Sunday...19.5 to go in the last 3 games, I'm still confident he'll get there.
McHale will now be coaching Wittman. The media in general seems to be really down on this, but I think it's great. KOBS - I hope you feel special about attending the last game of the Randy Wittman era, sounded like a beauty. The great thing about the move is that it pulls McHale out of the front office, in title at least. Maybe he'll be a solid coach, he hasn't failed at that to prove he can't do it like he has in his other position. Wittman shouldn't get another shot in the league, he'll be a life long assistant at this point. It should be an intersting run for the next 2 months up to the break - if McHale is terrible, look out. It could finally be house cleaning time - only about 6-7 years too late! If he's decent and the team continue to look interested in FEB/MAR, then we might have found a spot for the giant from Hibbing. Time will tell. In my opinion, Foye, McCants, and others need to be gone before this team improves. Or at the very least the need to be re-cast in something that fits them. I heard Barreiro say this the other day, and I couldn't agree more - and it was why I was against the Mayo-Love trade at the start. You need to build a team by finding your pillars, your #1,2,3 options FIRST & then surround them with role players like Miller, Gomes, etc. We have a #1 or #2 in Jefferson...but that's it. Mayo had/has a chance top be a legit #1 or #2 option, but Love will only be a serviceable big man who can contribute while Miller is nothing but a 3 pt shooter. Things are at rock bottom...again. We do have money and picks galore for the coming years, but what's our track record look like in the draft and who in their right mind would come to this organization as a big-time free agent? Yikes - we might suck a lot for a long while.
GOPHERS-KANSAS
The is my first off the cuff impression of our matchup. I like it for our squad. I think we're +10 to open. KAN throws well, but running and pass protection are not solid. Our defense should be able to do some good things. Our offense should be better, hopefully an improved running game at least and a healthy Decker. KAN gave up 30 pts per game this year - this bodes well for our brutal offense. I think it will be a really close game, not ready to make a pick (even though you all know which way I'll go).
GET TOGETHER OPTIONS:
GOPHERS play on DEC 31st...new year's eve. I'm guessing this will be a tough one for all 4 of us to get together. Let me discuss with Anna & family to see if this might work even for me.
JAN 9TH - FLA-OK
This seems like a more realistic option. I know Holiday calendars fill up fast, so JAN might be a better option. It's also a Thursday night - keep your calendar clear for this one.
Upcoming Contests on FOOTBALL CHALLENGE
- 3 weeks left of 15 NFL picks
- Bowl Game Challenge will be paired with NFL Playoff Challenge as well, total points will be based upon the 66% NCAA, 33% NFL like we used in the regular season.
I will post this week's games soon - remember pick 15 NFL games (all but 1)
I will also post the Bowl Games as soon as all lines are set.
Talk to you later guys.
I think I might call it a career and go out on top after this week. 13-3 overall in my NCAA picks this week...12-0 going into the evening games, I was thinking it was going to end perfectly...but I'll take 13-3 (81%).
Anywho, I ended up splitting the pot with Roe this week at 10-5 for each of us. MK went 8-7 and JG pulled up the ass end at 7-8. Overall, with 45 NFL games left to pick, here are the standings:
MR 117-108
JG 114-111
MK 110-115
JR 107-118
Roe went 89-66 in NCAA games for the year for 57% and the championship belt. All the rest of us hovered around .500 (MK 76-79, JG and JR at 74-81), overall we were a +6 collectively. Not awful, but far from good. I guess we'll have to keep practicing!
I am inspired for next year and the bowl games. I tried a new power rating system this week and went 13-3...so optimism is high right now. (we'll see how long that lasts)
NFL Standings
JG leads at 40-30, MK 34-36, JR 33-37, MR 28-42
So I think it's still anyone's game...REMINDER, WE WILL BE PICKING 15 OF THE 16 NFL GAMES THIS WEEK AND THE NEXT 2 WEEKS TO KEEP EACH WEEL WORTH 15 POINTS.
Nothing major to recap from last week. Bowl games are set - I will send out that list with lines once everything is set.
BCS - overall, I think they got it right. USC and TEXAS and actually PSU all have a claim, but the championship game could/should be a classic. That might be a good get together date for us if it works. JAN 8th - a THURSDAY NIGHT...could be fun?!?!
Other Notes:
Mike Locksley is the new coach at NM. Apparently, they got the memo on black coaches and made this guy the 4th. He was the OC at ILL most recently. My question is, was he really that special in his previous role? The Illini kind of sucked a$$ this year.
Al Groh of VIR fired his OC, who happens to be his son. That's got to be tough to do - but thumbs up for Groh for not just rolling with a poor coach because he happens to be his son. I really think Groh is one of the better coaches in the country and will get a bigger better job sometime soon.
Heisman is Saturday - appears to be a 2 man race between Tebow and Bradford. How does Tebow not get this? To me, he might be the best college player I've seen and maybe will ever see. He'll probably blow in the NFL, but there's nobody better in the NCAA. How about his fire in the ALA game - I love him.
Colt McCoy is coming back for his Sr. Season. Anyone shocked by this? I'm not so sure he won't be a bad NFL'r as well, and TEXAS will be really really good next year. This was a no-brainer for me.
Washington hired Steve Sarkesian as their new coach, the USC OC. I love the quote coming out of WASH, "we think we got our guy." Does this sound a little hesitant to anyone else? This job was being promoted as one of the sweeter jobs around, and to take a chance on a first year coach might not be what they really wanted. This quote, in context or not, sounds a little scary to me. He'll probably get a 3 year window to prove it or else I see another quick hook coming.
A couple of local notes:
Ray Edward sack tracker picked up another one on Sunday...19.5 to go in the last 3 games, I'm still confident he'll get there.
McHale will now be coaching Wittman. The media in general seems to be really down on this, but I think it's great. KOBS - I hope you feel special about attending the last game of the Randy Wittman era, sounded like a beauty. The great thing about the move is that it pulls McHale out of the front office, in title at least. Maybe he'll be a solid coach, he hasn't failed at that to prove he can't do it like he has in his other position. Wittman shouldn't get another shot in the league, he'll be a life long assistant at this point. It should be an intersting run for the next 2 months up to the break - if McHale is terrible, look out. It could finally be house cleaning time - only about 6-7 years too late! If he's decent and the team continue to look interested in FEB/MAR, then we might have found a spot for the giant from Hibbing. Time will tell. In my opinion, Foye, McCants, and others need to be gone before this team improves. Or at the very least the need to be re-cast in something that fits them. I heard Barreiro say this the other day, and I couldn't agree more - and it was why I was against the Mayo-Love trade at the start. You need to build a team by finding your pillars, your #1,2,3 options FIRST & then surround them with role players like Miller, Gomes, etc. We have a #1 or #2 in Jefferson...but that's it. Mayo had/has a chance top be a legit #1 or #2 option, but Love will only be a serviceable big man who can contribute while Miller is nothing but a 3 pt shooter. Things are at rock bottom...again. We do have money and picks galore for the coming years, but what's our track record look like in the draft and who in their right mind would come to this organization as a big-time free agent? Yikes - we might suck a lot for a long while.
GOPHERS-KANSAS
The is my first off the cuff impression of our matchup. I like it for our squad. I think we're +10 to open. KAN throws well, but running and pass protection are not solid. Our defense should be able to do some good things. Our offense should be better, hopefully an improved running game at least and a healthy Decker. KAN gave up 30 pts per game this year - this bodes well for our brutal offense. I think it will be a really close game, not ready to make a pick (even though you all know which way I'll go).
GET TOGETHER OPTIONS:
GOPHERS play on DEC 31st...new year's eve. I'm guessing this will be a tough one for all 4 of us to get together. Let me discuss with Anna & family to see if this might work even for me.
JAN 9TH - FLA-OK
This seems like a more realistic option. I know Holiday calendars fill up fast, so JAN might be a better option. It's also a Thursday night - keep your calendar clear for this one.
Upcoming Contests on FOOTBALL CHALLENGE
- 3 weeks left of 15 NFL picks
- Bowl Game Challenge will be paired with NFL Playoff Challenge as well, total points will be based upon the 66% NCAA, 33% NFL like we used in the regular season.
I will post this week's games soon - remember pick 15 NFL games (all but 1)
I will also post the Bowl Games as soon as all lines are set.
Talk to you later guys.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Week 15 Preview
3 of 4 sets of picks are locked and loaded, just waiting on Roe right now - but this is the only chance I have to write today, so here we go.
Anyone catch ULL last night, I loved loved loved them in that game...but I didn't include it because I figured you guys would call me a cheat picking a TUES game.
JR and MK have RUT tonight, JG likes LOU. I love these small weeks, it's actually a managable amount of games to look at and dissect. RUT rolls LOU tonight 34-20.
BUFF-BALLST
nobody picked this one, but it might be worth a watch. I think the line is right on, but if I had to bet I like Ball State to stay undefeated.
PITT-UCONN
All 3 of us have PITT in this one. UCONN just hasn't been impressive all year, but they play well at home. PITT 23-20.
NAVY-ARMY
Never close. All 3 of us like NAVY, rightfully so. 30-16 Navy.
ECU-TULSA
I like ECU,MK likes Tulsa. Tulsa may still win, but not by more than 10.
BC-VT
JR/JG like VT, MK likes BC. Toss up game, but I had to stick with my preseason ACC pick...Hokies 21-18.
WASH-CAL
This should be a fun one. MK and JG took CAL...I like CAL by 6.5 scores...59-14.
ALA-FLA
JG likes the Tide, MK and I like the GATORS. I don't ALA is in the same league as the Gators...Tebow and co roll 37-20.
USC-UCLA
Another ugly one, but for a rivalry game I think 30 is a little much. MK and JG likes the Bruins, and I kind of agree with them. Should be really close to the line on this one...I'll say USC 44-16.
WKY-FIU
Sleeper pick of the week...LOVE FIU in this one. nobody else touched it.
FIU 45-21.
ARKST-TROY
Troy covers in a close one - nobody picked it...TROY 31-17.
USF-WV
JR and JG both like WV in this one. This looks like a gimme to me. WV 27-13.
ASU-AZ
Line is too large on this one. MK likes the Devils, JG took AZ. I'll take the Devils to cover in a close one - neither is team is very good...AZST 24-21.
MIZZ-OK
Blowout alert. I know the line is big, but it should be bigger. Sooners are my pick, MK and JG both like MIZZOU. I'll say OK 59-28.
CIN-HAW
The final regular season game of the year, what a great finish - on the beach in lovely HAW. Sadly, the Rainbows won't have a chance...CIN 28-10. I like CIN - no other bets on this one.
Assuming I'm right on all of these, which is usually the case (340-331 this year), here's how the 8-team playoff would play out:
ACC - VT
B12 - OK
B10 - PSU
SEC - FLA
P10 - USC
BE - CIN
NON-BCS - UTAH
WILDCARD - TEX/ALA/TT - I'll take TEXAS
Seeding:
1-FLA
2-OK
3-TEX
4-USC
5-PSU
6-UT
7-CIN
8-VT
VT-FLA
PSU-USC
CIN-OK
UT-TEX
How nice would this shape up? FLA houses VT, USC is better than PSU...FLA-USC in one semi-final
OK beats CIN...again, TEX beats UT...OK-TEX rematch in the other semi final
FLA wins and OK beats TEX this time...so we end up in the same place we are now with GATORS-SOONERS playing for the title.
I love the Gators right now in this one by the way.
NFL
All 3 of us like the Raiders tonight...yikes.
MK took JAX at CHI - that team looks done to me, but I'll be pulling for them.
I took the PACK, I know I'm a horrible person, but I saw HOU and they bad.
JG likes the Falcons, I kind of agree but betting against NO at home is scary.
JG also like PHILLY - I don't bet against the Giants ever this year.
I did take TEN over CLE...see the NYG rule.
I took MIA, MK took BUF. This should be close, but I'm picking MIA based on recent trend of BUF sucking more than MIA.
JR and JG like NYJ, MK likes SF. I still think the JETS are a bit of a question mark, but the 49ers suck. Only 4 points? It's a layup.
JG likes NE at SEA. I think I've picked for a SEA rebound about 6 weeks in a row (they are the TEN VOLS of the NFL) but I'm convinced it won't happen. The sweatshirt will have his squad ready to play after the embarassment last week.
MK finally likes CAR on MONDAY NIGHT. Not sure on that one, I'm kind of leaning toward TB.
RANDOM NOTES AND THOUGHTS
Why do I love USC and Pete Carroll? This week at UCLA they will be wearing the home reds against the home blues of UCLA. Carroll is forfeiting 1 timeout per half to do this - that's awesome.
Penn State's Nittany Lion, the actual mascot, got a DUI and can't go to the bowl game.
I was going to comment on who will coach ND next year, but I guess that mystery has been solved. Chuck is back for another year - great, more shittiness out of South Bend - I love it.
Minority Coaches or lack of them - I'm pretty sick of this issue. Maybe it's because I'm a white guy, but seriously, these are multi-million dollar programs - don't you think they can hire whoever the hell they want to run the show? Do I think more black coaches should probably get a chance and more should be hired? Sure. But I am so sick of hearing the arguement. The arguement comes up because the general public feels that either guy could do the job the same (black guy or white guy) but there is a huge ratio problem. Well, I could make the same arguement for white WR's, or black K's, or white DB's. Bottom line, whether it is an NCAA "Rooney" Rule or not, it doesn't mean more black coaches will get hired. The track records haven't exactly been stellar as of late, much like those of white WR's. It comes down to the underlying perception that black people are dumb which is why they can't coach or play QB or run a company. I'm not saying this is true or that I believe this, but this is the underlying issue that causes all the turmoil that surrounds this situation every time a black guy gets fired or a white guy gets hired over a black guy. Sorry for the rant, just sick of this crap.
One other note - Sly Croom, ousted at MISS ST, never had a chance. The South really doesn't live like the rest of the country, and I find it really hard to believe that a black head coach will ever have a lot of success in the SEC. We'll see, but I don't think it will happen.
Speaking of, lots of nice jobs out there right now...MISS ST, AUB, WASH, KST, SYR - well, not great jobs I guess, but BCS conference jobs.
That's all I gots for now.
DEFINITELY NEED TO FIGURE OUT A DAY TO HANG OUT AGAIN. GOPHERS BOWL GAME SHOULD BE SET LATE SUNDAY / EARLY MONDAY, MAYBE WE CAN SET SOMETHING UP AROUND THAT.
We'll be in touch - have a good championship weekend guys.
No Vikes preview this week, we have a bye.
Later.
Anyone catch ULL last night, I loved loved loved them in that game...but I didn't include it because I figured you guys would call me a cheat picking a TUES game.
JR and MK have RUT tonight, JG likes LOU. I love these small weeks, it's actually a managable amount of games to look at and dissect. RUT rolls LOU tonight 34-20.
BUFF-BALLST
nobody picked this one, but it might be worth a watch. I think the line is right on, but if I had to bet I like Ball State to stay undefeated.
PITT-UCONN
All 3 of us have PITT in this one. UCONN just hasn't been impressive all year, but they play well at home. PITT 23-20.
NAVY-ARMY
Never close. All 3 of us like NAVY, rightfully so. 30-16 Navy.
ECU-TULSA
I like ECU,MK likes Tulsa. Tulsa may still win, but not by more than 10.
BC-VT
JR/JG like VT, MK likes BC. Toss up game, but I had to stick with my preseason ACC pick...Hokies 21-18.
WASH-CAL
This should be a fun one. MK and JG took CAL...I like CAL by 6.5 scores...59-14.
ALA-FLA
JG likes the Tide, MK and I like the GATORS. I don't ALA is in the same league as the Gators...Tebow and co roll 37-20.
USC-UCLA
Another ugly one, but for a rivalry game I think 30 is a little much. MK and JG likes the Bruins, and I kind of agree with them. Should be really close to the line on this one...I'll say USC 44-16.
WKY-FIU
Sleeper pick of the week...LOVE FIU in this one. nobody else touched it.
FIU 45-21.
ARKST-TROY
Troy covers in a close one - nobody picked it...TROY 31-17.
USF-WV
JR and JG both like WV in this one. This looks like a gimme to me. WV 27-13.
ASU-AZ
Line is too large on this one. MK likes the Devils, JG took AZ. I'll take the Devils to cover in a close one - neither is team is very good...AZST 24-21.
MIZZ-OK
Blowout alert. I know the line is big, but it should be bigger. Sooners are my pick, MK and JG both like MIZZOU. I'll say OK 59-28.
CIN-HAW
The final regular season game of the year, what a great finish - on the beach in lovely HAW. Sadly, the Rainbows won't have a chance...CIN 28-10. I like CIN - no other bets on this one.
Assuming I'm right on all of these, which is usually the case (340-331 this year), here's how the 8-team playoff would play out:
ACC - VT
B12 - OK
B10 - PSU
SEC - FLA
P10 - USC
BE - CIN
NON-BCS - UTAH
WILDCARD - TEX/ALA/TT - I'll take TEXAS
Seeding:
1-FLA
2-OK
3-TEX
4-USC
5-PSU
6-UT
7-CIN
8-VT
VT-FLA
PSU-USC
CIN-OK
UT-TEX
How nice would this shape up? FLA houses VT, USC is better than PSU...FLA-USC in one semi-final
OK beats CIN...again, TEX beats UT...OK-TEX rematch in the other semi final
FLA wins and OK beats TEX this time...so we end up in the same place we are now with GATORS-SOONERS playing for the title.
I love the Gators right now in this one by the way.
NFL
All 3 of us like the Raiders tonight...yikes.
MK took JAX at CHI - that team looks done to me, but I'll be pulling for them.
I took the PACK, I know I'm a horrible person, but I saw HOU and they bad.
JG likes the Falcons, I kind of agree but betting against NO at home is scary.
JG also like PHILLY - I don't bet against the Giants ever this year.
I did take TEN over CLE...see the NYG rule.
I took MIA, MK took BUF. This should be close, but I'm picking MIA based on recent trend of BUF sucking more than MIA.
JR and JG like NYJ, MK likes SF. I still think the JETS are a bit of a question mark, but the 49ers suck. Only 4 points? It's a layup.
JG likes NE at SEA. I think I've picked for a SEA rebound about 6 weeks in a row (they are the TEN VOLS of the NFL) but I'm convinced it won't happen. The sweatshirt will have his squad ready to play after the embarassment last week.
MK finally likes CAR on MONDAY NIGHT. Not sure on that one, I'm kind of leaning toward TB.
RANDOM NOTES AND THOUGHTS
Why do I love USC and Pete Carroll? This week at UCLA they will be wearing the home reds against the home blues of UCLA. Carroll is forfeiting 1 timeout per half to do this - that's awesome.
Penn State's Nittany Lion, the actual mascot, got a DUI and can't go to the bowl game.
I was going to comment on who will coach ND next year, but I guess that mystery has been solved. Chuck is back for another year - great, more shittiness out of South Bend - I love it.
Minority Coaches or lack of them - I'm pretty sick of this issue. Maybe it's because I'm a white guy, but seriously, these are multi-million dollar programs - don't you think they can hire whoever the hell they want to run the show? Do I think more black coaches should probably get a chance and more should be hired? Sure. But I am so sick of hearing the arguement. The arguement comes up because the general public feels that either guy could do the job the same (black guy or white guy) but there is a huge ratio problem. Well, I could make the same arguement for white WR's, or black K's, or white DB's. Bottom line, whether it is an NCAA "Rooney" Rule or not, it doesn't mean more black coaches will get hired. The track records haven't exactly been stellar as of late, much like those of white WR's. It comes down to the underlying perception that black people are dumb which is why they can't coach or play QB or run a company. I'm not saying this is true or that I believe this, but this is the underlying issue that causes all the turmoil that surrounds this situation every time a black guy gets fired or a white guy gets hired over a black guy. Sorry for the rant, just sick of this crap.
One other note - Sly Croom, ousted at MISS ST, never had a chance. The South really doesn't live like the rest of the country, and I find it really hard to believe that a black head coach will ever have a lot of success in the SEC. We'll see, but I don't think it will happen.
Speaking of, lots of nice jobs out there right now...MISS ST, AUB, WASH, KST, SYR - well, not great jobs I guess, but BCS conference jobs.
That's all I gots for now.
DEFINITELY NEED TO FIGURE OUT A DAY TO HANG OUT AGAIN. GOPHERS BOWL GAME SHOULD BE SET LATE SUNDAY / EARLY MONDAY, MAYBE WE CAN SET SOMETHING UP AROUND THAT.
We'll be in touch - have a good championship weekend guys.
No Vikes preview this week, we have a bye.
Later.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Week 15 Games
*missing a bunch of NFL spreads right now - I'll post them when I have them*
*if you'd like to pick one of those games, let me know and you can change it later if you don't like the spread*
MDTN
ULL -4
LOU
RUT -11
BUFF
BALLST -14.5
PITT
UCONN -3
NAVY
ARMY 11
ECU
TULSA -13.5
BC
VT 1
WASH
CAL -34
ALA
FLA -10
USC
UCLA 30
WKY
FIU -7
ARKST
TROY -11
USF
WV -7
AZST
ARI -10.5
MIZZ
OK -16.5
CIN
HAW 7.5
OAK
SD -10
JAC
CHI
MIN
DET
HOU
GB
CIN
IND -13.5
ATL
NO -3
PHI
NYG -9
CLE
TEN -13.5
MIA
BUF -1
KC
DEN -9
NYJ
SF 4
NE
SEA 4.5
STL
ARI -13.5
DAL
PIT -3
WAS
BAL
TB
CAR -3
*if you'd like to pick one of those games, let me know and you can change it later if you don't like the spread*
MDTN
ULL -4
LOU
RUT -11
BUFF
BALLST -14.5
PITT
UCONN -3
NAVY
ARMY 11
ECU
TULSA -13.5
BC
VT 1
WASH
CAL -34
ALA
FLA -10
USC
UCLA 30
WKY
FIU -7
ARKST
TROY -11
USF
WV -7
AZST
ARI -10.5
MIZZ
OK -16.5
CIN
HAW 7.5
OAK
SD -10
JAC
CHI
MIN
DET
HOU
GB
CIN
IND -13.5
ATL
NO -3
PHI
NYG -9
CLE
TEN -13.5
MIA
BUF -1
KC
DEN -9
NYJ
SF 4
NE
SEA 4.5
STL
ARI -13.5
DAL
PIT -3
WAS
BAL
TB
CAR -3
Week 14 Results
14 down, 1 to go...for college football at least. It feels like we just started, and now it's over already. At least we have an exciting bowl game to look forward to this year.
So how'd we do last week?
MK takes the cake again at 8-7
JR, MR, and JG all went 6-9...ugly.
MK hits 5-5 in NCAA picks
JR, MR both go only 4-6
JG pulls up the rear at 3-7...brutal NCAA week for all of us.
NFL was only slightly better:
MK, JG tie for the win at 3-2
JR and MR both go 2-3
OVERALL
MR 107-103
JG 107-103
MK 102-108
JR 97-113
So I'm basically eliminated, but you never know i guess. Dead heat at the top with MR and JG.ROE has a 12 game lead on NCAA picks - nobody will catch him there. JG has a 7 game lead on NFL games - also very tough to catch.
My best call of the year so far had to be in a text to JG prior to the Vikes game...I called 35-13 Vikes...I missed slightly, 34-14 Vikes. Wow, maybe I should just stick to picking scores and forget about winners!
THOUGHTS ON THE NCAA WEEK
A&M gave up a bogus late one to TEX to not cover. That changes the whole week if they hold on.
LSU - wow, not good this year. ARK is actually a lot better team than most think - look out for them in the coming years.
I bet on NEB...kick me in the nuts next time you see me for that one.
AZST looks like they crushed UCLA, but had 4, yep 4 defensive TD's to make this one a laugher.
CLEM starting to turn it on at the end of the year - I don't like hiring on Swinney full time though - I think it's always best to not hire interim coaches...see Bill Stewart at WV.
MIZZOU - WTF? KAN, I had just given up on your squad, not you beat MIZZOU? Neither of these teams is much to worry about. No defense either way.
Noles - wow. Tebow is unreal, and that FLA team is playing better than any team I've seen in a while. How classic was the Tebow picture I saw about 1,000 times with the blood coming out of his nose and his face all mud...heisman moment?
TT - you need a huge comeback to beat BAY? They do not deserve to be a part of the B12 championship talk - I know the record says otherwise, but they are not close to OK or TEX right now.
Civil War - I called it! Woo-hoo, I got one right! The Ducks are just plain better than the Beavers. It's strange, but this ORE club is climbing up my personal favorite rankings very quickly. I like em a lot. Thank you Beavers for not winning and saving us the Penn St-ORE ST rematch that would be watched by 11 people in the Rose Bowl.
OK - loads of offense, but god their defense scares me. FLA by 14+ over them in a championship game...which was also my call at the beginning of the year. (I know lots of pats on the back for me so far, but I need some love since I've been in last since Week 2!)
ND-USC - that was fun. ND did get their first 1st down in the 3rd qtr. Chuck is as good as gone. I bet they throw the farm at Urban Meyer, especially if he wins another title this year. He has said that ND is his dream job...
KIFFIN to TEN - I think this is the right move for TEN. Hell, it might have been the right move for the GOPHS 2 years ago, but we'll see what happens. He has a bit of an asshole side to him it appears, so we'll see how that rolls in the League of Extraordinary Coaches. Sounds like daddy is following him, which won't hurt...or will he be like Evertt Withers and run complex pro schemes that no body can figure out? Either way, good pick TN.
GOPHER BOWL HOPES
We'll probably know as soon as the games are over on Saturday where our squad will end up. Possibilities include the Champs Sports Bowl against someone like FSU or possibly the Insight Bowl against someone like KAN. Either would be fun - I'm just stoked to have another game to end the season on a better note than 55-0.
I'll post the games for the 15th and FINAL week of NCAA football. After this week we'll be picking 15 NFL games, which is basically all of them. Buckle up.
So how'd we do last week?
MK takes the cake again at 8-7
JR, MR, and JG all went 6-9...ugly.
MK hits 5-5 in NCAA picks
JR, MR both go only 4-6
JG pulls up the rear at 3-7...brutal NCAA week for all of us.
NFL was only slightly better:
MK, JG tie for the win at 3-2
JR and MR both go 2-3
OVERALL
MR 107-103
JG 107-103
MK 102-108
JR 97-113
So I'm basically eliminated, but you never know i guess. Dead heat at the top with MR and JG.ROE has a 12 game lead on NCAA picks - nobody will catch him there. JG has a 7 game lead on NFL games - also very tough to catch.
My best call of the year so far had to be in a text to JG prior to the Vikes game...I called 35-13 Vikes...I missed slightly, 34-14 Vikes. Wow, maybe I should just stick to picking scores and forget about winners!
THOUGHTS ON THE NCAA WEEK
A&M gave up a bogus late one to TEX to not cover. That changes the whole week if they hold on.
LSU - wow, not good this year. ARK is actually a lot better team than most think - look out for them in the coming years.
I bet on NEB...kick me in the nuts next time you see me for that one.
AZST looks like they crushed UCLA, but had 4, yep 4 defensive TD's to make this one a laugher.
CLEM starting to turn it on at the end of the year - I don't like hiring on Swinney full time though - I think it's always best to not hire interim coaches...see Bill Stewart at WV.
MIZZOU - WTF? KAN, I had just given up on your squad, not you beat MIZZOU? Neither of these teams is much to worry about. No defense either way.
Noles - wow. Tebow is unreal, and that FLA team is playing better than any team I've seen in a while. How classic was the Tebow picture I saw about 1,000 times with the blood coming out of his nose and his face all mud...heisman moment?
TT - you need a huge comeback to beat BAY? They do not deserve to be a part of the B12 championship talk - I know the record says otherwise, but they are not close to OK or TEX right now.
Civil War - I called it! Woo-hoo, I got one right! The Ducks are just plain better than the Beavers. It's strange, but this ORE club is climbing up my personal favorite rankings very quickly. I like em a lot. Thank you Beavers for not winning and saving us the Penn St-ORE ST rematch that would be watched by 11 people in the Rose Bowl.
OK - loads of offense, but god their defense scares me. FLA by 14+ over them in a championship game...which was also my call at the beginning of the year. (I know lots of pats on the back for me so far, but I need some love since I've been in last since Week 2!)
ND-USC - that was fun. ND did get their first 1st down in the 3rd qtr. Chuck is as good as gone. I bet they throw the farm at Urban Meyer, especially if he wins another title this year. He has said that ND is his dream job...
KIFFIN to TEN - I think this is the right move for TEN. Hell, it might have been the right move for the GOPHS 2 years ago, but we'll see what happens. He has a bit of an asshole side to him it appears, so we'll see how that rolls in the League of Extraordinary Coaches. Sounds like daddy is following him, which won't hurt...or will he be like Evertt Withers and run complex pro schemes that no body can figure out? Either way, good pick TN.
GOPHER BOWL HOPES
We'll probably know as soon as the games are over on Saturday where our squad will end up. Possibilities include the Champs Sports Bowl against someone like FSU or possibly the Insight Bowl against someone like KAN. Either would be fun - I'm just stoked to have another game to end the season on a better note than 55-0.
I'll post the games for the 15th and FINAL week of NCAA football. After this week we'll be picking 15 NFL games, which is basically all of them. Buckle up.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Week 14 Picks
Happy Thanksgiving - yep, it's 2:45 on Turkey day and I'm on the computer while everyone sleeps. All picks are in, so here we go:
ROE is going up early with his Titans pick - 2:00 left, and their lead looks safe.
ROE also likes DAL this afternoon. JG took SEA, I kind of like a SEA cover in this one.
JR and MK both like AZ as a dog for the evening game today. How are they a dog in this game BTW?
All 3 of you like the BILLS, I like them too but I didn't bet it.
JG took BAL as a TD FAV on the road.
I think the COLTS are coming on, I picked them-4.5 at CLE.
KOBS likes the Panthers and any line...we'll give him +3.
JR and JG have the NYG at WAS. How do you not pick this team right now?
MK likes the FALCONS at SD...I like this pick as well.
I took NE hosting PITT.
MR took OAK hosting KC...should be a fun watch!
We all like the VIKES...except ROE of course took the BEARS - just has to go against the home town club.
That's all for NFL picks this week.
NCAA
Everyone has a pick for tonight, MR and MK like the Horns, JG and JR like the points!
MK likes WV, JG has PITT. I am leaning PITT at home in this one.
MK and JG agree on LSU over ARK.
JG took COL (out of hatred for Big Red I'm guessing) and I took NEB. COL is just terrible.
MK picks FRESNO again. He loves them, but they've only covered 2x this year!
MK also like AZST...this is a good pick at home against a not good UCLA team.
JR and MK like TECH, MR and JG like GEO. I really think these 2 teams are a lot closer than 9 points...should come down to the wire.
MR and MK like MIA at NCST. Pack has won 3 staight...look out.
JG likes VT over VIR.
MR likes CIN, MK likes SYR. Wow, this might be the 1st SYR bet of the year.
3 of us like MIZZOU...everyone but MK.
I like SOMISS at SMU. Weird game, but I just think SMU is awful and SOMISS has been playing well.
MR likes FLA, MK and JG like the NOLES. I think 15 is too much, but FLA covers everything this year.
MR likes AUB - he's usually right, so this game will probably be close.
JR and JG likes TT...easy $.
I like Tulsa -14 at MARSH. Tulsa is still really solid on OFFENSE and MARSH is still brutal.
MR likes the BEAVERS in the Civil War...I think the DUCKS get them. Give me ORE...quack, quack, quack...
MR and JG likes the Sooners to roll over OKST. I agree.
Everyone but JG is calling for a Chuck Weis sacrafice and USC to cover the 4+ TD line.
I also like HAW at just under 4 TD's over my favorite WASU club. Any week you bet against WASU is a good week.
That's all for college picks.
GOPHER PERSPECTIVE
I'm felling okay about this year. 7-5 is a nice improvement, and I'm excited to watch a Bowl Game no matter where it is. The OL coach firing was the right thing to do, obviously something had to happen. But the guy they brought in sounds great. Former USC OL coach, worked with the Dolphins and under Saban at ALA. He's a big-time recruiter as well, I guess. Nice fit. I also read that he will be running game coordinator and bring in many more under center plays and more of a power running game to go with our spread passing. I think this is a must - not sure how many times I was pissed this year when we couldn't convert a 3rd and 1 from the shotgun. The question is if this will be the end of the Dunbar era. I doubt it, but hopefully he's able to adjust and have a better balance in the future. It sounds like these changes will be implemented immediatly and used in the Bowl Game. I would love for us to play Ball State and come out and run it down their throat and play some inspired football. It would be nice to hang a 38-17 on the undeated Cardinals. But now we're just getting ahead of ourselves - hopefully the recruiting continues to roll, and we play well in game #13.
Have a good thanksgiving fellas - talk to you later.
ROE is going up early with his Titans pick - 2:00 left, and their lead looks safe.
ROE also likes DAL this afternoon. JG took SEA, I kind of like a SEA cover in this one.
JR and MK both like AZ as a dog for the evening game today. How are they a dog in this game BTW?
All 3 of you like the BILLS, I like them too but I didn't bet it.
JG took BAL as a TD FAV on the road.
I think the COLTS are coming on, I picked them-4.5 at CLE.
KOBS likes the Panthers and any line...we'll give him +3.
JR and JG have the NYG at WAS. How do you not pick this team right now?
MK likes the FALCONS at SD...I like this pick as well.
I took NE hosting PITT.
MR took OAK hosting KC...should be a fun watch!
We all like the VIKES...except ROE of course took the BEARS - just has to go against the home town club.
That's all for NFL picks this week.
NCAA
Everyone has a pick for tonight, MR and MK like the Horns, JG and JR like the points!
MK likes WV, JG has PITT. I am leaning PITT at home in this one.
MK and JG agree on LSU over ARK.
JG took COL (out of hatred for Big Red I'm guessing) and I took NEB. COL is just terrible.
MK picks FRESNO again. He loves them, but they've only covered 2x this year!
MK also like AZST...this is a good pick at home against a not good UCLA team.
JR and MK like TECH, MR and JG like GEO. I really think these 2 teams are a lot closer than 9 points...should come down to the wire.
MR and MK like MIA at NCST. Pack has won 3 staight...look out.
JG likes VT over VIR.
MR likes CIN, MK likes SYR. Wow, this might be the 1st SYR bet of the year.
3 of us like MIZZOU...everyone but MK.
I like SOMISS at SMU. Weird game, but I just think SMU is awful and SOMISS has been playing well.
MR likes FLA, MK and JG like the NOLES. I think 15 is too much, but FLA covers everything this year.
MR likes AUB - he's usually right, so this game will probably be close.
JR and JG likes TT...easy $.
I like Tulsa -14 at MARSH. Tulsa is still really solid on OFFENSE and MARSH is still brutal.
MR likes the BEAVERS in the Civil War...I think the DUCKS get them. Give me ORE...quack, quack, quack...
MR and JG likes the Sooners to roll over OKST. I agree.
Everyone but JG is calling for a Chuck Weis sacrafice and USC to cover the 4+ TD line.
I also like HAW at just under 4 TD's over my favorite WASU club. Any week you bet against WASU is a good week.
That's all for college picks.
GOPHER PERSPECTIVE
I'm felling okay about this year. 7-5 is a nice improvement, and I'm excited to watch a Bowl Game no matter where it is. The OL coach firing was the right thing to do, obviously something had to happen. But the guy they brought in sounds great. Former USC OL coach, worked with the Dolphins and under Saban at ALA. He's a big-time recruiter as well, I guess. Nice fit. I also read that he will be running game coordinator and bring in many more under center plays and more of a power running game to go with our spread passing. I think this is a must - not sure how many times I was pissed this year when we couldn't convert a 3rd and 1 from the shotgun. The question is if this will be the end of the Dunbar era. I doubt it, but hopefully he's able to adjust and have a better balance in the future. It sounds like these changes will be implemented immediatly and used in the Bowl Game. I would love for us to play Ball State and come out and run it down their throat and play some inspired football. It would be nice to hang a 38-17 on the undeated Cardinals. But now we're just getting ahead of ourselves - hopefully the recruiting continues to roll, and we play well in game #13.
Have a good thanksgiving fellas - talk to you later.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Week 14 Games - please send picks ASAP
WMU
BALLST -10 TUES
NAVY
NILL -3 TUES
A&M
TEXAS -34 THUR
WV
PITT 3 FRI
CMU
EMU 10.5 FRI
OHIO
MIAOH -1 FRI
MISST
OLE -13 FRI
AKR
TEM -2.5 FRI
UTEP
ECU -5.5 FRI
KENT
BUFF -10 FRI
LSU
ARK 4.5 FRI
BGSU
TOLEDO 2.5 FRI
COL
NEB -15 FRI
FRESNO
BOISE -19.5 FRI
UCLA
AZST -10 FRI
GT
GEO -9
MIA
NCST 1
SC
CLEM -1
VIR
VT -8.5
SYR
CIN -22
KAN
MIZZ -13
UAB
UCF -9
ARKST
NTEX 20
NEV
LT 3.5
NMST
UTST -5
SOMISS
SMU 13.5
FLA
FSU 15
MARY
BC -6.5
NC
DUKE 8.5
AUB
ALA -14.5
BAY
TT -20
TULSA
MARSH 14
FIU
FAU -5
TULANE
MEM -13
UK
TEN -5
VAN
WF -3.5
ORE
OREST -3
OK
OKST 7.5
ND
USC -28.5
WASU
HAW -27.5
_____________________________________
TEN
DET 12 THUR
SEA
DAL -14 THUR
ARI
PHI -3 THUR
SF
BUF -7
BAL
CIN 7
IND
CLE 4.5
CAR
GB
DEN
NYJ -9
MIA
STL
NO
TB
NYG
WAS 3
ATL
SD -5.5
PITT
NE 0
KC
OAK -3
CHI
MIN -3.5
JAC
HOU -3.5
BALLST -10 TUES
NAVY
NILL -3 TUES
A&M
TEXAS -34 THUR
WV
PITT 3 FRI
CMU
EMU 10.5 FRI
OHIO
MIAOH -1 FRI
MISST
OLE -13 FRI
AKR
TEM -2.5 FRI
UTEP
ECU -5.5 FRI
KENT
BUFF -10 FRI
LSU
ARK 4.5 FRI
BGSU
TOLEDO 2.5 FRI
COL
NEB -15 FRI
FRESNO
BOISE -19.5 FRI
UCLA
AZST -10 FRI
GT
GEO -9
MIA
NCST 1
SC
CLEM -1
VIR
VT -8.5
SYR
CIN -22
KAN
MIZZ -13
UAB
UCF -9
ARKST
NTEX 20
NEV
LT 3.5
NMST
UTST -5
SOMISS
SMU 13.5
FLA
FSU 15
MARY
BC -6.5
NC
DUKE 8.5
AUB
ALA -14.5
BAY
TT -20
TULSA
MARSH 14
FIU
FAU -5
TULANE
MEM -13
UK
TEN -5
VAN
WF -3.5
ORE
OREST -3
OK
OKST 7.5
ND
USC -28.5
WASU
HAW -27.5
_____________________________________
TEN
DET 12 THUR
SEA
DAL -14 THUR
ARI
PHI -3 THUR
SF
BUF -7
BAL
CIN 7
IND
CLE 4.5
CAR
GB
DEN
NYJ -9
MIA
STL
NO
TB
NYG
WAS 3
ATL
SD -5.5
PITT
NE 0
KC
OAK -3
CHI
MIN -3.5
JAC
HOU -3.5
Week 13 Results
MK wins again at 9-6 after a large Saints win last night. JG and MR each finish at
8-7, and I pulled up the rear again at 6-9...only 6 of 13 weeks I've finished last or tied for last, not bad.
Here's where we are for overall standings:
MR 101-94
JG 101-94
MK 94-101
JR 90-105
NCAA with only one week left:
MR 78-57...wow +21, nice work.
MK 65-70
JG 65-70
JR 61-74
Roe pretty much has this one wrapped up.
NFL - lots of weeks left
JG 36-24...+12, again - very impressive.
JR 29-31
MK 29-31
MR 22-38
Right now we all owe JG 2.50 for our weekly challenge - pretty even overall.
Last week, VIKES crushed - like I called it! Gophers...not so much.
GOPHERS - IOWA (accompanied by "The End" by the Doors...please play this while reading)
So that's it. 7-1 to 7-5, not exactly what I was expecting, but should we really be surprised. In hindsight it's easy to say, but the 7-1 was done with the soft part of the schedule and a ridiculous turnover margin. If this team would have lost to Bowling Green and Indiana, but beat NW and MICH then the perception of this season would have been much more positive. I hate looking at it like that - it's like the BCS, if you lose early you're okay as long as you finish well. I'm happy with 7-5, I'm not happy ending at 0-4, but an overall 7-5 and low end Bowl Game is good for this team. Insanely young at nearly every position, and the talent level continues to increase. I heard maybe the most retarded arguement ever by Chad Hartman yesterday saying that even all of the good players on the team were recruited by Mason, well, Brewster has only had one recruiting class dumb fuck - if Brewster's players are the best on our team then we really have some issues. He's a moron...that's obvious. As far as the game goes, we stayed through almost halftime. Went to piss at 20-0, and came out at 27-0 - tossed my beer, tore up my final Mecca ticket and stormed out. The inability to even show up was concerning - but it's a tired team that just wasn't ready to play, which is on Brewtser. I think we were rolling in too down after the big let down against the Becky, and Iowa was ready to go. Not a fun night at all - but it is the end, my only friend - the end. That is the bright spot of this whole thing - can you believe this is the final time we'll play in this cursed place! That's reason to celebrate enough right there. Next time we'll be able to watch our Gophers play at home it will be hosting Air Force outside on a sunny September day in 2009...how great is that!?!? It was a fitting end to the horror that was the Mecca, losing to a rival....very very badly. I can't wait for 2010 with those pigfuckers come back and only have 10K fans rather than the 25-30K that were in the dome on Saturday. God I hate Iowa.
Bring on Ball State - that would be a fun one to watch. I'll send out more Gopher seasonal recaps as we go, but for now I will leave you hanging!
I'll post the games right now for next week.
Later.
8-7, and I pulled up the rear again at 6-9...only 6 of 13 weeks I've finished last or tied for last, not bad.
Here's where we are for overall standings:
MR 101-94
JG 101-94
MK 94-101
JR 90-105
NCAA with only one week left:
MR 78-57...wow +21, nice work.
MK 65-70
JG 65-70
JR 61-74
Roe pretty much has this one wrapped up.
NFL - lots of weeks left
JG 36-24...+12, again - very impressive.
JR 29-31
MK 29-31
MR 22-38
Right now we all owe JG 2.50 for our weekly challenge - pretty even overall.
Last week, VIKES crushed - like I called it! Gophers...not so much.
GOPHERS - IOWA (accompanied by "The End" by the Doors...please play this while reading)
So that's it. 7-1 to 7-5, not exactly what I was expecting, but should we really be surprised. In hindsight it's easy to say, but the 7-1 was done with the soft part of the schedule and a ridiculous turnover margin. If this team would have lost to Bowling Green and Indiana, but beat NW and MICH then the perception of this season would have been much more positive. I hate looking at it like that - it's like the BCS, if you lose early you're okay as long as you finish well. I'm happy with 7-5, I'm not happy ending at 0-4, but an overall 7-5 and low end Bowl Game is good for this team. Insanely young at nearly every position, and the talent level continues to increase. I heard maybe the most retarded arguement ever by Chad Hartman yesterday saying that even all of the good players on the team were recruited by Mason, well, Brewster has only had one recruiting class dumb fuck - if Brewster's players are the best on our team then we really have some issues. He's a moron...that's obvious. As far as the game goes, we stayed through almost halftime. Went to piss at 20-0, and came out at 27-0 - tossed my beer, tore up my final Mecca ticket and stormed out. The inability to even show up was concerning - but it's a tired team that just wasn't ready to play, which is on Brewtser. I think we were rolling in too down after the big let down against the Becky, and Iowa was ready to go. Not a fun night at all - but it is the end, my only friend - the end. That is the bright spot of this whole thing - can you believe this is the final time we'll play in this cursed place! That's reason to celebrate enough right there. Next time we'll be able to watch our Gophers play at home it will be hosting Air Force outside on a sunny September day in 2009...how great is that!?!? It was a fitting end to the horror that was the Mecca, losing to a rival....very very badly. I can't wait for 2010 with those pigfuckers come back and only have 10K fans rather than the 25-30K that were in the dome on Saturday. God I hate Iowa.
Bring on Ball State - that would be a fun one to watch. I'll send out more Gopher seasonal recaps as we go, but for now I will leave you hanging!
I'll post the games right now for next week.
Later.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
If Celebrities Lived In Iowa - GopherHole Message Board Community
If Celebrities Lived In Iow
a - GopherHole Message Board Community
Not sure if you guys have seen this...it's pretty funny, and true. Try the link, if it doesn't work try going to the Gopherhole website and football forum. Good stuff.
a - GopherHole Message Board Community
Not sure if you guys have seen this...it's pretty funny, and true. Try the link, if it doesn't work try going to the Gopherhole website and football forum. Good stuff.
WEEK 13 PICKS & PREVIEWS
Well, my meeting for the next hour canceled, so what would I rather do than write about football for the next 45 minutes!
Here we go for Week 13...final regular season game for the dome and the Gophers this year.
I did see an interesting note in the CFN preview, that a Gopher W could still actually get them into a Jan 1 Bowl...some other things have to happen, but that would be fun. Let's pull for ILL, OSU, PSU, and the GOPHERS and we might have a shot if we hit all 4.
As I mentioned before - we all picked the MIA-GT game tonight, should be good. I like the GT defense and running game at home. Plus it's rule #1 of the TREE NCAA BETTING RULES (I will have more than 1 rule next year - my off-season goal is to try and take all the guess work and emotion out of this deal and make it easier to pick games...we'll see). Tech is a winner.
I was the only one to jump on WV at LOU. The Cards are terrible, I had to pick this one.
MK and JG both like the Buckeyes this week. I kind of like them too, but it's just too hard for me to pick that big of a line in a rivalry game. I need a separate set of rivalry rules to make this easier!
JR and MR agree again on IND covering at PUR. I think they are playing better, and hopefully Tiller will continue to play Siller...than IND wins outright!
All 3 of you took the TN at VAN game...MK likes the Vols, a fatal mistake I have made way too many times this year. MR and JG took the smaaat kids. I like them too.
JG like CSU at WY. I've been saying it for weeks - the Cowboys are very bad, so it's never a bad play to bet against them.
JR and MR agree again on MISST over ARK. I like them at home - tough to beat.
JG likes ND to cover 3 TD's vs. SYR. Might happen, SYR is that bad.
3 of the 4 of us picked a winner in my favorite game of the week...the heated Apple Cup rivalry between possibly the 2 worst teams in the BCS conferences this year. Buckle up folks, the 0-10 Huskies are at the 1-9 Cougars of WASU. Wow, this should be ugly, but you have to bet against WASU, right? Or not, MR and JG like the Cougars.
MK takes the ILLINI - we need them to win, but I don't trust them a bit.
JG likes WF at home - this one was too tough to call for me.
MK likes Sparty on the road. I think they keep it close with a tight PSU squad.
I took AF to cover 19 at TCU. Line was outrageous...I like the Falcon at as little as +8 or +10.
MR and I agree again on KST over the lowly Clones. JG avoided this game...why? Clones suck.
MK likes BOISE at NEV -6. I like it, but I'm a little scared...BOISE is due for a close one, and NEV is good enough to be that one.
MR likes BYU covering at UTAH. I like the pick - UTAH is ready for a close one too. Tough to play a rivalry game with all they have on the line.
MK likes the Beavers, I like the Cats at home -3. Should be a good one to watch, unfortunately it's the same time as the game of the week.
JG likes the Noles...duh. MK likes thr Turtle at home. I side with Kobs on this one.
JG went against the norm and took TT over OK. MR and MK both like the Sooners. I have to pick the Sooners as well.
MR likes HAW late night over a horrible Idaho team.
Finally, and quite possibly the kiss of death...ALL 4 OF US LIKE THE MAROON AND GOLD THIS WEEK. Yikes, our track record is not good when we all agree. But maybe this isn't like the other games, maybe some of us like it but some of us are picking it out of just pure hatred for the Southerners. Let's hope the karma gods are on our side in this one.
GOPHERS - HOMOS
Wow, last game of the year already. At least we'll have a fun bowl game to look forward to in the future, let's hope it is in January. But first things first - BEAT IOWA.
State of the Hawkeye
Iowa was not impressive last week hosting PUR, and really has not played well on the road all year long. Greene runs the ball, and he runs it well. They can't throw or pass block worth a damn. The defense is pretty solid - like ususal - but they have some deficiencies. They have only allowed into the 20's in 4 of their 11 games. But NW and ILL - 2 similar offense to us - were 2 of those games. They have their eyes set on a Jan 1 bowl as well with a win on Saturday.
State of the Gopher
After 3 losses in a row, this team is in need of a W to get back on track. NW and WIS could have/should have been wins. Not showing up at all in the MICH game is still a mystery, but we'll attribute that one to the Dome. The offesne looked brilliant at times last week...finally. The defense continued to play well, PJ had nice numbers, but basically gained eevrything on a couple of long runs...he was held in check most of the day. Bottom line is the turnovers and mistakes beat us, which can't happen at this point in the season...but that's a young team for you. The running game continues to putz along, and will never really be good in 2008. The passing game has grown, and getting Decker back will not hurt. The defense continues to get consistent pressure and make turnovers happen. A couple bad plays cost us against the Becky, but I think we can prevent those at home.
Who Wins and Why?
I think the Gophers match-up extremely well with the homos. On defense, we can stop the run fairly well, and our pass rush should be enough to make Stanzi look like the brutal QB that he can be. On offense, I'm sure we'll sputter a bit because of our inability to run the ball, but I think we can throw it well enough to score some points. I look for the Gophers to come out with a fire in their belly and start the game the right way. Flying all over the field and making Iowa look slow. I like an early Gopher TD in this one to get 1/2 the dome rocking, and the other half to slam their 33rd and 34th beers of the day. Then, in typical Gopher fashion, I'm sure we'll give up a cheapy before half and go into the 1/2 tied at 7-7. The 2nd half will be a battle on the line of scrimmage. The Gopher defense will likely allow Greene his 100 yards for a 12th straight game, but it might take him 25-30 carries to get there. He will be the #1, #2, and #3 focus for the front 7. I think our D-backs are actually better than their WR's, so we can afford to have the luxary of counting on our front 7 to stop the run. Major grinder in the 2nd half from both sides - I think Brew will realize the run isn't working, but continue to try and punish them with Shady. A Green TD puts the Gophs up in the 2nd half 17-10. Iowa will fight back and keep it very very close, but I'm going to give this one to the Gopher on a...believe it or not...Joel Monroe made FG! GOPHERS WIN TO MOVE TO 8-4 AND SEND THE HOMOS FLEEING BACK TO THE SOUTH...MN 20 IOWA 17.
WHO HATES IOWA!!??!! - don't think this chant will not be started 100 times by yours truly after a Gopher victory at Huberts.
NFL PICKS
MR likes PIT tonight
JR and MK like the VIKES...yikes.
MR of course goes with the JAGS
JR and MR agree on BAL.
JR and MK like CLE
MK likes DAL
MK and JG like the BUCS
JG likes the BILLS
MR and JG likes JETS, I LOVE THE TITANS
JR and JG like the NYG
JG likes WASH
MR likes SD
MK likes N.O.
VIKES-JAGS (aka Williamson vs. Childress Part I)
How bizarre were the TWilly comments this week..."I want to fight him in the middle of the field." Wow, what a tard. He's got a whopping 4 catches this year, you're right TWilly, we were wrong, you actually suck even worse than we thought. But back to the undercard...the Jags aren't good...especially at home. This is one that Vikes fans are labeling as scary, when i think it's going to be a breeze and the purple will roll. VIKES WIN 23-13.
DOME MEMORIES (dream music...drifting off...ahhh)
2007
- beating MIAOH for our first and only win in year #1 of Brewster Ball. We should have lost this game, but their K missed a gimme, so we won in OT....
- losing to NDSU - I am going to guarantee this never happens again in my lifetime
2006
- missing an XP to lose to PSU 28-27...I miss Gianini
- beating NDSU 10-9 on a blocked FG
- The Drew Tate for Heisman campaign rolled in to dome and lost 34-24 to close out one of the most oevrhyped careers in NCAA history
2005
- 42-35 OT win over then #11 PUR...I have never been more excited at a Gopher game in my life
- 34-38 loss to Becky on the infamous blocked punt...I have never been more down at a Gopher game in my entire life
2003
38-35 vs MICH...fuck.
44-38 vs MSU the next week...Fire Mason!
37-34 win over Becky when Rhys kicks the winner.
2000
- first tailgating experience for me vs. Ohio U...hammered and then we lose 23-17
- homecoming...NW hailmary beats us...gay.
1999
- Purdue beats us on homecoming in similar fashion
1998
- 49-7 over IOWA...who hates IOWA!!??
1996
- 2 Tyrone Carter fumble returns for TD beat nationally ranked SYR 35-33...wacker ball!
1994
- went to Penn State's 1st official B10 game...56-3. wow.
1993
- wacker ball at its finest...PUR wins 59-56...no tackles were recorded by either team.
1989
- NEB 48-0, one of the first games I really remeber going to
- Ohiost beats us 41-37, after we were up 31-0 at half...my dad kept pounding the wall behind us as we were sitting in the top row of the lower level. classic dome collapse moment.
We went through 5 coaching tenures in the dome:
Holtz - 2 years
Gutekunst - 6 years
Wacker - 5 years
Mase - 10 years
Brew - 2 years
Sadly, the first 2 and last 2 years seem to have been the best as far as coaches go.
How about the glory years with Mason, let's look at what he did:
4 of his 10 year he went .500 or better in conference, which Brew may do this year.
7 of the 10 years he went to Bowl Games: 3 Music City, 2 Sun, 1 MicronPC, 1 Insight
It's crazy, but most of us have never known anything but the dome for Gopher football, so it's sad to see the end of the MECCA. Well, actually not really. MICH or OHIOST might actually try and move their home games their when the Gophers are supposed to come to town in the coming years. The brutal collapses are too many to count, the great comebacks were few and far between. The only games we could come close to selling out were IOWA and WIS because 1/2 the fans are wearing the wrong color. God, I'm really going to miss it.
Have a great weekend everyone - I'm sure I'll will be in touch with most if not all of you as the booze starts to flow and I get more and more confident in a Gopher Win.
Later.
Here we go for Week 13...final regular season game for the dome and the Gophers this year.
I did see an interesting note in the CFN preview, that a Gopher W could still actually get them into a Jan 1 Bowl...some other things have to happen, but that would be fun. Let's pull for ILL, OSU, PSU, and the GOPHERS and we might have a shot if we hit all 4.
As I mentioned before - we all picked the MIA-GT game tonight, should be good. I like the GT defense and running game at home. Plus it's rule #1 of the TREE NCAA BETTING RULES (I will have more than 1 rule next year - my off-season goal is to try and take all the guess work and emotion out of this deal and make it easier to pick games...we'll see). Tech is a winner.
I was the only one to jump on WV at LOU. The Cards are terrible, I had to pick this one.
MK and JG both like the Buckeyes this week. I kind of like them too, but it's just too hard for me to pick that big of a line in a rivalry game. I need a separate set of rivalry rules to make this easier!
JR and MR agree again on IND covering at PUR. I think they are playing better, and hopefully Tiller will continue to play Siller...than IND wins outright!
All 3 of you took the TN at VAN game...MK likes the Vols, a fatal mistake I have made way too many times this year. MR and JG took the smaaat kids. I like them too.
JG like CSU at WY. I've been saying it for weeks - the Cowboys are very bad, so it's never a bad play to bet against them.
JR and MR agree again on MISST over ARK. I like them at home - tough to beat.
JG likes ND to cover 3 TD's vs. SYR. Might happen, SYR is that bad.
3 of the 4 of us picked a winner in my favorite game of the week...the heated Apple Cup rivalry between possibly the 2 worst teams in the BCS conferences this year. Buckle up folks, the 0-10 Huskies are at the 1-9 Cougars of WASU. Wow, this should be ugly, but you have to bet against WASU, right? Or not, MR and JG like the Cougars.
MK takes the ILLINI - we need them to win, but I don't trust them a bit.
JG likes WF at home - this one was too tough to call for me.
MK likes Sparty on the road. I think they keep it close with a tight PSU squad.
I took AF to cover 19 at TCU. Line was outrageous...I like the Falcon at as little as +8 or +10.
MR and I agree again on KST over the lowly Clones. JG avoided this game...why? Clones suck.
MK likes BOISE at NEV -6. I like it, but I'm a little scared...BOISE is due for a close one, and NEV is good enough to be that one.
MR likes BYU covering at UTAH. I like the pick - UTAH is ready for a close one too. Tough to play a rivalry game with all they have on the line.
MK likes the Beavers, I like the Cats at home -3. Should be a good one to watch, unfortunately it's the same time as the game of the week.
JG likes the Noles...duh. MK likes thr Turtle at home. I side with Kobs on this one.
JG went against the norm and took TT over OK. MR and MK both like the Sooners. I have to pick the Sooners as well.
MR likes HAW late night over a horrible Idaho team.
Finally, and quite possibly the kiss of death...ALL 4 OF US LIKE THE MAROON AND GOLD THIS WEEK. Yikes, our track record is not good when we all agree. But maybe this isn't like the other games, maybe some of us like it but some of us are picking it out of just pure hatred for the Southerners. Let's hope the karma gods are on our side in this one.
GOPHERS - HOMOS
Wow, last game of the year already. At least we'll have a fun bowl game to look forward to in the future, let's hope it is in January. But first things first - BEAT IOWA.
State of the Hawkeye
Iowa was not impressive last week hosting PUR, and really has not played well on the road all year long. Greene runs the ball, and he runs it well. They can't throw or pass block worth a damn. The defense is pretty solid - like ususal - but they have some deficiencies. They have only allowed into the 20's in 4 of their 11 games. But NW and ILL - 2 similar offense to us - were 2 of those games. They have their eyes set on a Jan 1 bowl as well with a win on Saturday.
State of the Gopher
After 3 losses in a row, this team is in need of a W to get back on track. NW and WIS could have/should have been wins. Not showing up at all in the MICH game is still a mystery, but we'll attribute that one to the Dome. The offesne looked brilliant at times last week...finally. The defense continued to play well, PJ had nice numbers, but basically gained eevrything on a couple of long runs...he was held in check most of the day. Bottom line is the turnovers and mistakes beat us, which can't happen at this point in the season...but that's a young team for you. The running game continues to putz along, and will never really be good in 2008. The passing game has grown, and getting Decker back will not hurt. The defense continues to get consistent pressure and make turnovers happen. A couple bad plays cost us against the Becky, but I think we can prevent those at home.
Who Wins and Why?
I think the Gophers match-up extremely well with the homos. On defense, we can stop the run fairly well, and our pass rush should be enough to make Stanzi look like the brutal QB that he can be. On offense, I'm sure we'll sputter a bit because of our inability to run the ball, but I think we can throw it well enough to score some points. I look for the Gophers to come out with a fire in their belly and start the game the right way. Flying all over the field and making Iowa look slow. I like an early Gopher TD in this one to get 1/2 the dome rocking, and the other half to slam their 33rd and 34th beers of the day. Then, in typical Gopher fashion, I'm sure we'll give up a cheapy before half and go into the 1/2 tied at 7-7. The 2nd half will be a battle on the line of scrimmage. The Gopher defense will likely allow Greene his 100 yards for a 12th straight game, but it might take him 25-30 carries to get there. He will be the #1, #2, and #3 focus for the front 7. I think our D-backs are actually better than their WR's, so we can afford to have the luxary of counting on our front 7 to stop the run. Major grinder in the 2nd half from both sides - I think Brew will realize the run isn't working, but continue to try and punish them with Shady. A Green TD puts the Gophs up in the 2nd half 17-10. Iowa will fight back and keep it very very close, but I'm going to give this one to the Gopher on a...believe it or not...Joel Monroe made FG! GOPHERS WIN TO MOVE TO 8-4 AND SEND THE HOMOS FLEEING BACK TO THE SOUTH...MN 20 IOWA 17.
WHO HATES IOWA!!??!! - don't think this chant will not be started 100 times by yours truly after a Gopher victory at Huberts.
NFL PICKS
MR likes PIT tonight
JR and MK like the VIKES...yikes.
MR of course goes with the JAGS
JR and MR agree on BAL.
JR and MK like CLE
MK likes DAL
MK and JG like the BUCS
JG likes the BILLS
MR and JG likes JETS, I LOVE THE TITANS
JR and JG like the NYG
JG likes WASH
MR likes SD
MK likes N.O.
VIKES-JAGS (aka Williamson vs. Childress Part I)
How bizarre were the TWilly comments this week..."I want to fight him in the middle of the field." Wow, what a tard. He's got a whopping 4 catches this year, you're right TWilly, we were wrong, you actually suck even worse than we thought. But back to the undercard...the Jags aren't good...especially at home. This is one that Vikes fans are labeling as scary, when i think it's going to be a breeze and the purple will roll. VIKES WIN 23-13.
DOME MEMORIES (dream music...drifting off...ahhh)
2007
- beating MIAOH for our first and only win in year #1 of Brewster Ball. We should have lost this game, but their K missed a gimme, so we won in OT....
- losing to NDSU - I am going to guarantee this never happens again in my lifetime
2006
- missing an XP to lose to PSU 28-27...I miss Gianini
- beating NDSU 10-9 on a blocked FG
- The Drew Tate for Heisman campaign rolled in to dome and lost 34-24 to close out one of the most oevrhyped careers in NCAA history
2005
- 42-35 OT win over then #11 PUR...I have never been more excited at a Gopher game in my life
- 34-38 loss to Becky on the infamous blocked punt...I have never been more down at a Gopher game in my entire life
2003
38-35 vs MICH...fuck.
44-38 vs MSU the next week...Fire Mason!
37-34 win over Becky when Rhys kicks the winner.
2000
- first tailgating experience for me vs. Ohio U...hammered and then we lose 23-17
- homecoming...NW hailmary beats us...gay.
1999
- Purdue beats us on homecoming in similar fashion
1998
- 49-7 over IOWA...who hates IOWA!!??
1996
- 2 Tyrone Carter fumble returns for TD beat nationally ranked SYR 35-33...wacker ball!
1994
- went to Penn State's 1st official B10 game...56-3. wow.
1993
- wacker ball at its finest...PUR wins 59-56...no tackles were recorded by either team.
1989
- NEB 48-0, one of the first games I really remeber going to
- Ohiost beats us 41-37, after we were up 31-0 at half...my dad kept pounding the wall behind us as we were sitting in the top row of the lower level. classic dome collapse moment.
We went through 5 coaching tenures in the dome:
Holtz - 2 years
Gutekunst - 6 years
Wacker - 5 years
Mase - 10 years
Brew - 2 years
Sadly, the first 2 and last 2 years seem to have been the best as far as coaches go.
How about the glory years with Mason, let's look at what he did:
4 of his 10 year he went .500 or better in conference, which Brew may do this year.
7 of the 10 years he went to Bowl Games: 3 Music City, 2 Sun, 1 MicronPC, 1 Insight
It's crazy, but most of us have never known anything but the dome for Gopher football, so it's sad to see the end of the MECCA. Well, actually not really. MICH or OHIOST might actually try and move their home games their when the Gophers are supposed to come to town in the coming years. The brutal collapses are too many to count, the great comebacks were few and far between. The only games we could come close to selling out were IOWA and WIS because 1/2 the fans are wearing the wrong color. God, I'm really going to miss it.
Have a great weekend everyone - I'm sure I'll will be in touch with most if not all of you as the booze starts to flow and I get more and more confident in a Gopher Win.
Later.
Picks are in
All picks are in - we're ready for Week 13...unfortunately, I have no time to write this afternoon so I'll send out the full preview tonight. One thing to note - MR and JR have GT, JG and MK have MIA...we all are betting the THUR game, just like old times!
Next Post:
- PICKS
- GOPHER-IOWA PREVIEW
- DOME MOMENTS
- WHO HATES IOWA!
Later.
Next Post:
- PICKS
- GOPHER-IOWA PREVIEW
- DOME MOMENTS
- WHO HATES IOWA!
Later.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Week 13 Game List
Here we go again...week 13...IOWA WEEK...Grrrr
NILL
KENT 3 - TUES...DONE
BALLST
CMU 6 - WED (tonight!)
MIA
GT -4 - THUR
BUFF
BGSU -3.5 - FRI
MIAOH
TOLEDO -3 - FRI
FRES
SJST 2.5 - FRI
WV
LOU 7
NCST
NC -11.5
ARMY
RUT -17
MICH
OHIOST -19.5
CLEM
VIR 3
IND
PUR -13
TEN
VAN -3.5
EMU
TEM -10.5
UCF
MEM -4.5
COLST
WY 2.5
ARK
MISST 0
SYR
ND -19.5
WASH
WASU 8.5
TULANE
TULSA -28.5
FAU
ARKST -5.5
STAN
CAL -9
ILL
NW 2.5
OLE
LSU -5.5
BC
WF -1.5
AKR
OHIO 2.5
MSU
PSU -14.5
MARSH
RICE -8.5
NTEX
MDTN -20
AF
TCU -19
UTEP
HOU -15
ISU
KST -10
LT
NMST 6
BOISE
NEV 6
DUKE
VT -17.5
BYU
UTAH -6
PITT
CIN -4
ECU
UAB 7
OREST
AZ -3
ULM
FIU -6
ULL
TROY -7.5
IOWA
MN 6
FSU
MARY 0
TT
OK -6.5
UNLV
SDST 13
IDAHO
HAW -23.5
UCONN
USF -3 - SUNDAY
_______________________________________________________
CIN
PIT -10 - THUR
MIN
JAC 0
PHI
BAL 0
NE
MIA -2
CHI
STL 9
CAR
ATL 0
HOU
CLE -3
SF
DAL -11
TB
DET 9
BUF
KC 3
NYJ
TEN -5.5
OAK
DEN -9.5
NYG
ARI 3
WAS
SEA 3.5
IND
SD -2.5
GB
NO -3
NILL
KENT 3 - TUES...DONE
BALLST
CMU 6 - WED (tonight!)
MIA
GT -4 - THUR
BUFF
BGSU -3.5 - FRI
MIAOH
TOLEDO -3 - FRI
FRES
SJST 2.5 - FRI
WV
LOU 7
NCST
NC -11.5
ARMY
RUT -17
MICH
OHIOST -19.5
CLEM
VIR 3
IND
PUR -13
TEN
VAN -3.5
EMU
TEM -10.5
UCF
MEM -4.5
COLST
WY 2.5
ARK
MISST 0
SYR
ND -19.5
WASH
WASU 8.5
TULANE
TULSA -28.5
FAU
ARKST -5.5
STAN
CAL -9
ILL
NW 2.5
OLE
LSU -5.5
BC
WF -1.5
AKR
OHIO 2.5
MSU
PSU -14.5
MARSH
RICE -8.5
NTEX
MDTN -20
AF
TCU -19
UTEP
HOU -15
ISU
KST -10
LT
NMST 6
BOISE
NEV 6
DUKE
VT -17.5
BYU
UTAH -6
PITT
CIN -4
ECU
UAB 7
OREST
AZ -3
ULM
FIU -6
ULL
TROY -7.5
IOWA
MN 6
FSU
MARY 0
TT
OK -6.5
UNLV
SDST 13
IDAHO
HAW -23.5
UCONN
USF -3 - SUNDAY
_______________________________________________________
CIN
PIT -10 - THUR
MIN
JAC 0
PHI
BAL 0
NE
MIA -2
CHI
STL 9
CAR
ATL 0
HOU
CLE -3
SF
DAL -11
TB
DET 9
BUF
KC 3
NYJ
TEN -5.5
OAK
DEN -9.5
NYG
ARI 3
WAS
SEA 3.5
IND
SD -2.5
GB
NO -3
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Week 12 Wrap-up
Alright - 12 weeks down, and we have a dead heat at the top.
JG wins another week at 10-5, nice work.
MR went 8-7
JR and MK both went 6-9
NCAA - Roe has a 12 game lead over JG with 2 full weeks left.
NFL - JG has a 6 game lead over JR with many weeks left
*Note* Once NCAA games stop, we'll add more NFL games to keep the totals at 15 games per week.
So last week was brutal, for most of us. You knew we were all dead for agreeing on SC over FLA...no chance on that one.
WORST PICKS OF THE WEEK
MK's USF -7.5 only missed covering by about 6 TD's...close
JR liked Tulsa -5.5, missed by 45.5 points on that one. OUCH!
BEST CALLS OF THE WEEK
MR and JG seeing through the MICH disappointment and picking the GOPHERS to cover - nice work guys.
JG calling for a PUR cover - WHO HATES IOWA!!???
MR - BOISE - always pick BOISE to cover, it seems automatic every week.
NFL
Absolutely brutal. A combined 7-13 this week, that will lose you a lot of money!
Roe continued his hot streak in the NFL at 1-4 again. Through 12 weeks he has been over .500 only 1 time, and is a combined 20-35 (.360)
Meanwhile, JG has only his 3rd sub .500 week and leads at 32-23 (58%)
JR, MK, and JG all have 6 sub .500 weeks in college, while MR only has 2.
Not a lot of highlights to discuss from the NFL, so we'll move into some other commentary.
MIKE LEACH
Read a NYT article on this guy yesterday by the dude who wrote Moneyball. He claims that Leach as a coach at a Major program (USC, TEXAS, OHIOST) would never lose a game with his strategy. He literally said they wouldn't ever lose. I think he's downplaying the talent that TTECH gets, granted it's 3rd behind TEX and OK in the area, but they have some players on that team. It's an incredible system that continues to produce year in and year out. Once you have a plan you can recruit for that plan (a process the GOPHERS are going through right now), but I have a hard time believeing this guy has a plan that is that much better than the rest of the world.
VANDY
I stumbled onto this stat - VANDY had lost their last 19 in a row with Bowl eligibility on the line...19?!? Congrats to the smaaat kids for finally getting it done and moving into the Bowl mix this year.
OBAMA
How can you not love this guy?!? I'm not a political guy at all, but my world kind of revovles around NCAA Football...and apparently that is at the top of the list for the President-elect to fix. If he manages to push a playoff system through the morons running the show at the NCAA I may tatoo his face on my back and name my next child after him. A president that cares about the major issues at hand - gotta love it!
PLAYOFF SYSTEM
If you read CFN at all, you've already heard this...but I'll mention it anyway. An 8 team playoff is easily the most fair and logical way to settle the season every year. It doesn't diminish the regular season, it gives everyone a chance regardless of conference strength (a la USC and PSU/OSU this year), and it would be the single biggest sporting event of the year...by only adding 3 weeks to the season for 2 teams...really only 2 if you count the Bowl Games. The 6 BCS conferences will each get an automatic berth for the CONFERENCE CHAMP - you need to win your conference to get in this thing so how could that diminish the regular season at all!?!? The 2 other spots would be filled by 1)Best Non-BCS school, 2) Wildcard...this is 1 team in the nation that is outstanding but didn't win its conference....someone like Ohio State, Alabama/FLA, TEXAS/TEXTECH/OK. How amazing would this be...I might pee my pants just thinking about it. So in the interest of myself and maybe you guys, I will run through this sceanrio for this year to see what could have been and what might be in the future.
BIGEAST - PITT/WV/CIN
SEC - FLA/ALA
B10 - PSU/OSU
B12 - TT/OK/TEX/MIZZ
ACC - everyone still has a chance!
P10 - OREST/USC
NONBCS - UTAH/BYU/TCU/BOISE
Then they could be seeded by the BCS rankings of the 8 teams and here we go. 4 BCS Bowls used for 1st round games on Jan1, round 2 the next weekend (JAN10) at 2 neutral sites that rotate every year, then the championship game the next week (JAN17) - it would be larger than the Super Bowl.
I'll keep you updated on this one, with some projected results to see who the real world champ would be.
But that's just my opinion.
So on to this week - IOWA WEEK. Anyone going to the game? My Dad and I are looking to get downtown early and get liquored up to try and tolerate the dipshits from the South. Let me know if you're heading down and we can try and hook up.
I'll post the games for this week soon.
later.
JG wins another week at 10-5, nice work.
MR went 8-7
JR and MK both went 6-9
NCAA - Roe has a 12 game lead over JG with 2 full weeks left.
NFL - JG has a 6 game lead over JR with many weeks left
*Note* Once NCAA games stop, we'll add more NFL games to keep the totals at 15 games per week.
So last week was brutal, for most of us. You knew we were all dead for agreeing on SC over FLA...no chance on that one.
WORST PICKS OF THE WEEK
MK's USF -7.5 only missed covering by about 6 TD's...close
JR liked Tulsa -5.5, missed by 45.5 points on that one. OUCH!
BEST CALLS OF THE WEEK
MR and JG seeing through the MICH disappointment and picking the GOPHERS to cover - nice work guys.
JG calling for a PUR cover - WHO HATES IOWA!!???
MR - BOISE - always pick BOISE to cover, it seems automatic every week.
NFL
Absolutely brutal. A combined 7-13 this week, that will lose you a lot of money!
Roe continued his hot streak in the NFL at 1-4 again. Through 12 weeks he has been over .500 only 1 time, and is a combined 20-35 (.360)
Meanwhile, JG has only his 3rd sub .500 week and leads at 32-23 (58%)
JR, MK, and JG all have 6 sub .500 weeks in college, while MR only has 2.
Not a lot of highlights to discuss from the NFL, so we'll move into some other commentary.
MIKE LEACH
Read a NYT article on this guy yesterday by the dude who wrote Moneyball. He claims that Leach as a coach at a Major program (USC, TEXAS, OHIOST) would never lose a game with his strategy. He literally said they wouldn't ever lose. I think he's downplaying the talent that TTECH gets, granted it's 3rd behind TEX and OK in the area, but they have some players on that team. It's an incredible system that continues to produce year in and year out. Once you have a plan you can recruit for that plan (a process the GOPHERS are going through right now), but I have a hard time believeing this guy has a plan that is that much better than the rest of the world.
VANDY
I stumbled onto this stat - VANDY had lost their last 19 in a row with Bowl eligibility on the line...19?!? Congrats to the smaaat kids for finally getting it done and moving into the Bowl mix this year.
OBAMA
How can you not love this guy?!? I'm not a political guy at all, but my world kind of revovles around NCAA Football...and apparently that is at the top of the list for the President-elect to fix. If he manages to push a playoff system through the morons running the show at the NCAA I may tatoo his face on my back and name my next child after him. A president that cares about the major issues at hand - gotta love it!
PLAYOFF SYSTEM
If you read CFN at all, you've already heard this...but I'll mention it anyway. An 8 team playoff is easily the most fair and logical way to settle the season every year. It doesn't diminish the regular season, it gives everyone a chance regardless of conference strength (a la USC and PSU/OSU this year), and it would be the single biggest sporting event of the year...by only adding 3 weeks to the season for 2 teams...really only 2 if you count the Bowl Games. The 6 BCS conferences will each get an automatic berth for the CONFERENCE CHAMP - you need to win your conference to get in this thing so how could that diminish the regular season at all!?!? The 2 other spots would be filled by 1)Best Non-BCS school, 2) Wildcard...this is 1 team in the nation that is outstanding but didn't win its conference....someone like Ohio State, Alabama/FLA, TEXAS/TEXTECH/OK. How amazing would this be...I might pee my pants just thinking about it. So in the interest of myself and maybe you guys, I will run through this sceanrio for this year to see what could have been and what might be in the future.
BIGEAST - PITT/WV/CIN
SEC - FLA/ALA
B10 - PSU/OSU
B12 - TT/OK/TEX/MIZZ
ACC - everyone still has a chance!
P10 - OREST/USC
NONBCS - UTAH/BYU/TCU/BOISE
Then they could be seeded by the BCS rankings of the 8 teams and here we go. 4 BCS Bowls used for 1st round games on Jan1, round 2 the next weekend (JAN10) at 2 neutral sites that rotate every year, then the championship game the next week (JAN17) - it would be larger than the Super Bowl.
I'll keep you updated on this one, with some projected results to see who the real world champ would be.
But that's just my opinion.
So on to this week - IOWA WEEK. Anyone going to the game? My Dad and I are looking to get downtown early and get liquored up to try and tolerate the dipshits from the South. Let me know if you're heading down and we can try and hook up.
I'll post the games for this week soon.
later.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Week 12 Update...again
Fuck. That was sure a kick in the balls. I was really hoping for a W on that one.
But it's over...much like our picks for the week...JG appears to be putting together an all-timer of a week at 8-2 in NCAA with 5 NFL games to go. Wow, time for another round in Vegas?
Are you ready for your email to be harassed this week...say it with me:
WHO HATES IOWA!!??!?!?! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
I want this one more than anything...and early gut feeling is that we win.
Later.
But it's over...much like our picks for the week...JG appears to be putting together an all-timer of a week at 8-2 in NCAA with 5 NFL games to go. Wow, time for another round in Vegas?
Are you ready for your email to be harassed this week...say it with me:
WHO HATES IOWA!!??!?!?! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
WHO HATES IOWA! I HATE IOWA.
I want this one more than anything...and early gut feeling is that we win.
Later.
Week 12...in progress
I got MR's picks last night - so we're good to go for this week.
Watching IOWA-PUR right now trying to figure out if I'd rather see IOWA lose today or the Gophers win...push?
Just a quick thought.
Talk to you guys later...Go Gophers!
Watching IOWA-PUR right now trying to figure out if I'd rather see IOWA lose today or the Gophers win...push?
Just a quick thought.
Talk to you guys later...Go Gophers!
Friday, November 14, 2008
WEEK 12 Prognostications
So I got Ellie down for a nap and decided this might be the only chance I get to write for 20 minutes...so I'm doing this without Roe's picks. I'm trying to come up with an idea for him if I don't receive anything...0-15 doesn't sound fair, maybe worst record -2, or maybe I'll just pick 15 for him and see what happens. Let's hope it doesn't come to that!
Anywho, here we go for another round of football this weekend:
JG got one up on MK last night with VT covering over the Canes. MK also lost by betting on the Pats. I avoided last night...I liked MIA and the NYJ, so I would have split.
Tonight MK is taking CIN. I like the pick - I don't think anyone could possibly pick LOU after their recent performances.
MK also likes USF over RUT - I've said it before but I'm not betting any more RUT or UCONN games this year because I always get them wrong. This might be true of Big East football in general - totally unpredictable (and maybe not very good at all).
JG goes anti-jug-bearers and picks NW over MICH in the Big House that may be 1/2 empty. After the complete emotional let down the last 2 weeks by my sqaud against these 2 I feel like I have a pretty good read on each club. MICH looked improved and NW looked pathetic. I like MICH easily in this one.
JG also is taking th points with a bad IND club at Happy Valley. Good luck. Nothing like cheering for a team to lose by less than 5 TD'd!
MK likes the Buckeyes at ILL. I like this pick as well. I think the ILLINI ship has sailed and they are through with 2008. The Buckeyes look strong and may slip into a BCS game...weirder things have happened.
WHO HATES IOWA!?!? JG continues on his rampage by taking the Boilers over the Hawks at +15. I love it...go Justin Siller - if anything, at least beat the piss out of them so they can come in beaten and broken to the dome next week for the Final Showdown in the Mecca.
MK chose ND over NAVY. Scary game for me - I took Navy, but I don't have a good read either way.
JG likes TEX, MK likes KAN. Should be interesting. I don't think KAN is good (I used to, but they proved me wrong too many times). TEX might be looking for some more style points and could destroy this one. Reesing won't make it through the game. I like TEX big.
MK likes NM at CSU. I didn't pick it, but I like the Rams in a pick 'em. They play very well at home, and NM might be ready to cash in for the year as this is their finale and they only have 4 wins. I'm calling the Still hopeful for a .500 season Rams to win over a finished NM team that was disappointing all year.
I like LT over UTST. LT is not a bad club, but UTST is one of the worst. They haven't been even close on the road this year...so that should continue. LT is undefeated at home. Makes sense, right?
All 3 of us like SC to cover at FLA...so obviously this mean FLA wins 49-3.
MK took the Heels as a road FAV at the Turtle. Mike - never bet against the Turtle at home! 5-0 vs. 1-3 on the road...they rock at home. I think NC is the better team, but I bet the trends.
I like OREST hosting CAL at -3. Believe it or not, the Beavers are still the #1 team in the Pac-10 until they lose, which is very possible with 3 tough ones left. But I think they get it done against Cal.
JG - I love you for this one, GOPHERS +13.5 at Badgers. Preview below.
JG also took Swift and the Huskers to cover at a bunk KST team. I like this pick a lot, should have gone for it myself. KST is done. NEB starting to play a little better and can smell the matchup with the Maroon and Gold during Bowl Season.
JG - WHO HATES IOWA (STATE)!?! He is back on board betting against the awful Clones. MIZZ -26.5 in Ames...no problem.
I also like ORE to cover -3.5 vs. AZ this week. Tough place to play, and AZ doesn't do well on the road.
I like MISS ST. to cover at ALA. I just dont' see Bama blwoing anyone away, especially a team that can play a little D and has actually beat them the last 2 years.
I like FSU hosting BC -7. JG, can't believe you didn't jump on this one. BC is really not playing that great (17-0 over ND is meaningless). And the Noles just keep on trucking. Could set up for an interesting showdown with Urban and the Gators in 2 weeks.
I like UK hosting Vandy. Vandy doesn't score...ever. 14 or less in their last 5 games, yuck. UK can get a little something going, especially at home. Give me the Cats.
I also like Tulsa at -5.5 at HOU. They are the better team and score a lot of points against bad defense like HOU.
JG picks LSU on the Bayou over Troy. 19 seems low on this one, but LSU hasn't exactly been lighting up the scoreboard...good pick.
I LOVE UTEP -9 over SMU. The 'stangs suck...UTEP is kind of hot right now. Beat down....hopefully.
And MK makes a great UCLA -7 pick to close things out. WASH will not win, so why not pick UCLA and only give 7...not bad.
GOPHERS AT BECKY - AXE COMING HOME?
After a week full of debate, it is finally time to pick this big matchup, that could have been a lot bigger. So let's review, I was VERY convinced that we would beat NW 2 weeks ago...nope. I was about 75%-80% convinced that we would beat a bad MICH team that had started to play a little better last week...nope. Now this week I am nearly 99% convinced we have zero chance against a Badger team that is much weaker than we all thought coming into the year, but has looked okay recently. Let's hope my gut feeling is way wrong once again.
What do we need to do to have a chance? Well, let's start by actually playing offense this week. Maybe it was a good call by Brew to give the offense the week off last week, they should be good and fresh...what, they did play against MICH? I must have missed that. Bottom line, if we don't move the ball and put some points up everything else is meaningless because we won't win. Now, not having Decker on the field will not help our cause, but I like sitting him for next week if he's that banged up. The Badger D is not real good. IND was nearly tied at the half last week before forgetting to tackle in the 2nd half, and IOWA, MSU, PSU, and MICH have all put up 25+ on them. It sucks that this is in Madison, because at the dome we might have a really good shot - but on the road it might be tricky. Big plays will be a key for the offense and running the ball. Let's get this established and hope for some of the young kids to really step things up as WR's. How about Green catches 12 balls for 209 and 3 TD's? too much?
Defensively, I don't think we need to worry about the forward pass. WIS continues to play in the stone age of football and run their 600 lb TB's 60 times a game. Our front 7 is not huge, and we have sturggled with the run the last couple of week, but not this kind of running game. TB's don't do a lot of damage against this team, especially when it's the only offense they have. IND, ILL, PUR couldn't run the ball with their TB, even Beanie didn't kill us - but Pryor and Fuckstick from NW beat us. MICH ran well LW, but that was fluky spread style running - not straight ahead let's try and run them over type of running. Brew needs to keep the DL and LB's fresh and play the big fellas a lot to matchup with that large OL at WIS. Tackling is key - tackle the big backs and prevent the big plays. With the way we ball hawk on D, I think making them go 80 yards in 15+ plays gives the edge to us.
"Stop killing us with the suspense - what's going to happen?!?!"
Keep in mind, I am 7-3 in my Gopher picks this year...so look out. Here we go:
GOPHERS look shaky early. Badgers will get a quick one, the crowd will make it feel like a "here we go again" type game from the Mason era. Gophers down 10-0 in the first...but things might change in the 2nd Qtr. After a 3rd Kucek punt, Gilreath gets lit up by Brock and the Gophs take over on the WIS 22, not 21 or 20...22. AWEB throws a nice score to the electric Jack Simmons and all of sudden it's on. The whole sideline lights up with new life because the offense actually put the biscuit in the basket. We force another 3 and out from a very medicore one-dimensional WIS offense, and Weber hits Green for a big play. Then we have a Troy Stoudermire TD run on some crazy kind of spread play. GOPHS lead 14-10. We'll take a little lead into the half at 14-13. At this point, Bulemia will pull down his pants in the locker room to try and inspire...it won't work. 2nd half starts with a Gopher FG to get the lead back. Then, I think that will be it for a long time...running play, 2 yards. pass...incomplete. running play...2 yards. punt. repeat. Finally with it 16-14 Gophers, the Badgers take back a punt or a pick or fumble and take the lead for good. I tried, I really tried to pick this one to go our way...but i think things definitely improve...but Gophers lose 21-16.
early call on next week's game...GOPHERS 539 IOWA 2...discuss.
I told you guys - this is just turning into GOPHER preview with 5% devoted to our picks...but I can't help myself. I just rub my temples and it comes out that way.
NFL
MK lost NE last night.
I like ATL...DEN still isn't very good and Matt Ryan might be a 1st ballot HOF'er...this year!
MK likes the Phins over OAK. No Javon Walker, that will...er might...er won't make any difference I guess. I think OAK covers because MIA doesn't blow anybody away.
(I did go 12-2 LW in my NFL picks)
MK and I like the NYG over BAL. They are friggin' good. JG likes the Ravens.
I like TEN over JAX...how can you not keep picking this team until they prove us wrong?
JG took PHIL over CIN. Nice pick...CIN is terrible.
JG likes the Saints and I like the KC Cheifs. I'm not sure why, but I have this huge Cheifs opinion this week. We'll see.
MK and JG like ARZ. I think SEA beats them. I'm still not on board the AZ train with Kurt and Gozer. Hasselback coming back = Hawks win at home.
PIT - I like them over SD. SD is terrible right now, and I love PIT at home.
JG likes the Bills at -4.5. Love the Bills to win, but think it might be a close one.
MK stays true to his roots and picks the Purple over the BUCS.
VIKES-BUCS
This is the only game left on the schedule in which I do not like our chances right now. We NEVER, EVER play well in TB. They are kind of a mirror of our squad with maybe a little less talent but a far superior coaching staff. I expect Gus to look like...Gus over the last few weeks...MIN 3 picks. AD will find it hard to run for 200 again as well. TB shouldn't be able to do much either against our strength. I LOVE the under in this one, and I'll call for a BUCS win 16-9. It will be a battle, but we might not lose again this year after this one.
Alright - that's all I got for now. I'll send out a note with what MR's status is tomorrow morning when I need to figure out what to do. I'm leaning toward just picking games for him - games that no body else picked. We'll see what happens.
Enjoy you weekend fellas - talk to you soon! Work on building up you IOWA hatred for next week - and try and remember some of your favorite Gopher football DOME moments as it will be the final finale in the Mecca...ever. Tears of joy will be shed by all.
Later.
Anywho, here we go for another round of football this weekend:
JG got one up on MK last night with VT covering over the Canes. MK also lost by betting on the Pats. I avoided last night...I liked MIA and the NYJ, so I would have split.
Tonight MK is taking CIN. I like the pick - I don't think anyone could possibly pick LOU after their recent performances.
MK also likes USF over RUT - I've said it before but I'm not betting any more RUT or UCONN games this year because I always get them wrong. This might be true of Big East football in general - totally unpredictable (and maybe not very good at all).
JG goes anti-jug-bearers and picks NW over MICH in the Big House that may be 1/2 empty. After the complete emotional let down the last 2 weeks by my sqaud against these 2 I feel like I have a pretty good read on each club. MICH looked improved and NW looked pathetic. I like MICH easily in this one.
JG also is taking th points with a bad IND club at Happy Valley. Good luck. Nothing like cheering for a team to lose by less than 5 TD'd!
MK likes the Buckeyes at ILL. I like this pick as well. I think the ILLINI ship has sailed and they are through with 2008. The Buckeyes look strong and may slip into a BCS game...weirder things have happened.
WHO HATES IOWA!?!? JG continues on his rampage by taking the Boilers over the Hawks at +15. I love it...go Justin Siller - if anything, at least beat the piss out of them so they can come in beaten and broken to the dome next week for the Final Showdown in the Mecca.
MK chose ND over NAVY. Scary game for me - I took Navy, but I don't have a good read either way.
JG likes TEX, MK likes KAN. Should be interesting. I don't think KAN is good (I used to, but they proved me wrong too many times). TEX might be looking for some more style points and could destroy this one. Reesing won't make it through the game. I like TEX big.
MK likes NM at CSU. I didn't pick it, but I like the Rams in a pick 'em. They play very well at home, and NM might be ready to cash in for the year as this is their finale and they only have 4 wins. I'm calling the Still hopeful for a .500 season Rams to win over a finished NM team that was disappointing all year.
I like LT over UTST. LT is not a bad club, but UTST is one of the worst. They haven't been even close on the road this year...so that should continue. LT is undefeated at home. Makes sense, right?
All 3 of us like SC to cover at FLA...so obviously this mean FLA wins 49-3.
MK took the Heels as a road FAV at the Turtle. Mike - never bet against the Turtle at home! 5-0 vs. 1-3 on the road...they rock at home. I think NC is the better team, but I bet the trends.
I like OREST hosting CAL at -3. Believe it or not, the Beavers are still the #1 team in the Pac-10 until they lose, which is very possible with 3 tough ones left. But I think they get it done against Cal.
JG - I love you for this one, GOPHERS +13.5 at Badgers. Preview below.
JG also took Swift and the Huskers to cover at a bunk KST team. I like this pick a lot, should have gone for it myself. KST is done. NEB starting to play a little better and can smell the matchup with the Maroon and Gold during Bowl Season.
JG - WHO HATES IOWA (STATE)!?! He is back on board betting against the awful Clones. MIZZ -26.5 in Ames...no problem.
I also like ORE to cover -3.5 vs. AZ this week. Tough place to play, and AZ doesn't do well on the road.
I like MISS ST. to cover at ALA. I just dont' see Bama blwoing anyone away, especially a team that can play a little D and has actually beat them the last 2 years.
I like FSU hosting BC -7. JG, can't believe you didn't jump on this one. BC is really not playing that great (17-0 over ND is meaningless). And the Noles just keep on trucking. Could set up for an interesting showdown with Urban and the Gators in 2 weeks.
I like UK hosting Vandy. Vandy doesn't score...ever. 14 or less in their last 5 games, yuck. UK can get a little something going, especially at home. Give me the Cats.
I also like Tulsa at -5.5 at HOU. They are the better team and score a lot of points against bad defense like HOU.
JG picks LSU on the Bayou over Troy. 19 seems low on this one, but LSU hasn't exactly been lighting up the scoreboard...good pick.
I LOVE UTEP -9 over SMU. The 'stangs suck...UTEP is kind of hot right now. Beat down....hopefully.
And MK makes a great UCLA -7 pick to close things out. WASH will not win, so why not pick UCLA and only give 7...not bad.
GOPHERS AT BECKY - AXE COMING HOME?
After a week full of debate, it is finally time to pick this big matchup, that could have been a lot bigger. So let's review, I was VERY convinced that we would beat NW 2 weeks ago...nope. I was about 75%-80% convinced that we would beat a bad MICH team that had started to play a little better last week...nope. Now this week I am nearly 99% convinced we have zero chance against a Badger team that is much weaker than we all thought coming into the year, but has looked okay recently. Let's hope my gut feeling is way wrong once again.
What do we need to do to have a chance? Well, let's start by actually playing offense this week. Maybe it was a good call by Brew to give the offense the week off last week, they should be good and fresh...what, they did play against MICH? I must have missed that. Bottom line, if we don't move the ball and put some points up everything else is meaningless because we won't win. Now, not having Decker on the field will not help our cause, but I like sitting him for next week if he's that banged up. The Badger D is not real good. IND was nearly tied at the half last week before forgetting to tackle in the 2nd half, and IOWA, MSU, PSU, and MICH have all put up 25+ on them. It sucks that this is in Madison, because at the dome we might have a really good shot - but on the road it might be tricky. Big plays will be a key for the offense and running the ball. Let's get this established and hope for some of the young kids to really step things up as WR's. How about Green catches 12 balls for 209 and 3 TD's? too much?
Defensively, I don't think we need to worry about the forward pass. WIS continues to play in the stone age of football and run their 600 lb TB's 60 times a game. Our front 7 is not huge, and we have sturggled with the run the last couple of week, but not this kind of running game. TB's don't do a lot of damage against this team, especially when it's the only offense they have. IND, ILL, PUR couldn't run the ball with their TB, even Beanie didn't kill us - but Pryor and Fuckstick from NW beat us. MICH ran well LW, but that was fluky spread style running - not straight ahead let's try and run them over type of running. Brew needs to keep the DL and LB's fresh and play the big fellas a lot to matchup with that large OL at WIS. Tackling is key - tackle the big backs and prevent the big plays. With the way we ball hawk on D, I think making them go 80 yards in 15+ plays gives the edge to us.
"Stop killing us with the suspense - what's going to happen?!?!"
Keep in mind, I am 7-3 in my Gopher picks this year...so look out. Here we go:
GOPHERS look shaky early. Badgers will get a quick one, the crowd will make it feel like a "here we go again" type game from the Mason era. Gophers down 10-0 in the first...but things might change in the 2nd Qtr. After a 3rd Kucek punt, Gilreath gets lit up by Brock and the Gophs take over on the WIS 22, not 21 or 20...22. AWEB throws a nice score to the electric Jack Simmons and all of sudden it's on. The whole sideline lights up with new life because the offense actually put the biscuit in the basket. We force another 3 and out from a very medicore one-dimensional WIS offense, and Weber hits Green for a big play. Then we have a Troy Stoudermire TD run on some crazy kind of spread play. GOPHS lead 14-10. We'll take a little lead into the half at 14-13. At this point, Bulemia will pull down his pants in the locker room to try and inspire...it won't work. 2nd half starts with a Gopher FG to get the lead back. Then, I think that will be it for a long time...running play, 2 yards. pass...incomplete. running play...2 yards. punt. repeat. Finally with it 16-14 Gophers, the Badgers take back a punt or a pick or fumble and take the lead for good. I tried, I really tried to pick this one to go our way...but i think things definitely improve...but Gophers lose 21-16.
early call on next week's game...GOPHERS 539 IOWA 2...discuss.
I told you guys - this is just turning into GOPHER preview with 5% devoted to our picks...but I can't help myself. I just rub my temples and it comes out that way.
NFL
MK lost NE last night.
I like ATL...DEN still isn't very good and Matt Ryan might be a 1st ballot HOF'er...this year!
MK likes the Phins over OAK. No Javon Walker, that will...er might...er won't make any difference I guess. I think OAK covers because MIA doesn't blow anybody away.
(I did go 12-2 LW in my NFL picks)
MK and I like the NYG over BAL. They are friggin' good. JG likes the Ravens.
I like TEN over JAX...how can you not keep picking this team until they prove us wrong?
JG took PHIL over CIN. Nice pick...CIN is terrible.
JG likes the Saints and I like the KC Cheifs. I'm not sure why, but I have this huge Cheifs opinion this week. We'll see.
MK and JG like ARZ. I think SEA beats them. I'm still not on board the AZ train with Kurt and Gozer. Hasselback coming back = Hawks win at home.
PIT - I like them over SD. SD is terrible right now, and I love PIT at home.
JG likes the Bills at -4.5. Love the Bills to win, but think it might be a close one.
MK stays true to his roots and picks the Purple over the BUCS.
VIKES-BUCS
This is the only game left on the schedule in which I do not like our chances right now. We NEVER, EVER play well in TB. They are kind of a mirror of our squad with maybe a little less talent but a far superior coaching staff. I expect Gus to look like...Gus over the last few weeks...MIN 3 picks. AD will find it hard to run for 200 again as well. TB shouldn't be able to do much either against our strength. I LOVE the under in this one, and I'll call for a BUCS win 16-9. It will be a battle, but we might not lose again this year after this one.
Alright - that's all I got for now. I'll send out a note with what MR's status is tomorrow morning when I need to figure out what to do. I'm leaning toward just picking games for him - games that no body else picked. We'll see what happens.
Enjoy you weekend fellas - talk to you soon! Work on building up you IOWA hatred for next week - and try and remember some of your favorite Gopher football DOME moments as it will be the final finale in the Mecca...ever. Tears of joy will be shed by all.
Later.
Week 12 - Almost ready
I've gotten picks from 2 of you - just waiting on Roe.
Quick update - MK 0-2 last night with MIA and NE, JG 1-0 with VT.
MK has CIN tonight.
I'll send out the full pick report and predictions as soon as I receive them...or by Saturday morning for sure.
Still working on figuring out that Gopher victory for the weekend...it's getting more optimistic by the day. We'll see how I feel when it's time to post.
Have a good weekend fellas. Drink your Gopher Kool-aid...or Vodka Waters, pretty much any and all flavors will work.
Later.
Quick update - MK 0-2 last night with MIA and NE, JG 1-0 with VT.
MK has CIN tonight.
I'll send out the full pick report and predictions as soon as I receive them...or by Saturday morning for sure.
Still working on figuring out that Gopher victory for the weekend...it's getting more optimistic by the day. We'll see how I feel when it's time to post.
Have a good weekend fellas. Drink your Gopher Kool-aid...or Vodka Waters, pretty much any and all flavors will work.
Later.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
GOPHERS - BADGERS 2003 - BTN NOW!
So I'm working from home today, and I stumbled over to the B10 Network...I'm watching Gophers - Badgers 2003 (we win at the dome before getting beat at IOWA and winning a Bowl game for a 10 win season). Sometimes I forget about the prime of the Mason era...so I thought I'd remind you what we used to be:
Mason Interview - "our plan, like it was every game, was to come out and run the football."
- lucky for Glen, it worked in this game. But how ridiculous is this comment when you think about it. obviously, every team wants to run the ball, but I think Mase was one of the few that had to come out and try to do it right away regardless of what the defense was showing or what you would assume they had prepared for. another reason I'm glad he's not here any more.
Our defense in 2003 is insanely slow. We have no-namers all over the field (except for Butkus watch list candidate Ben West...who?) I forgot about how we used to give every WR a cushion like they were Moss in 1 on 1 coverage. Very marginally talented Sconny WR's catching balls without anyone else even in the picture. If Mason could have ever combined that unreal offensive team with anything even resembling a defense...what if.
Great quote - "the strength of the MN defense is the secondary"..."yes, they don't have a lot of speed, but they play together." wow. i guess that pretty much says it all right there. we're slow everywhere, but we try hard!
Great point by the legendary Jimmy Dykes (awesome name BTW) "MN doesn't recruit lineman over 300lbs. they want them to be athletic and be able to move around."
- sadly, these are the same guys we still have playing on our roster today - which is why Brew is recruiting a bunch of road-graters for his style of offense. The athletic lineman will be gone - give me the giants that don't allow anyone by them.
There are a lot of NFL players on this Gopher team - Utecht, Spaeth, Maroney, Barber, Montgomery, Eslinger, Tapeh, Setterstrom...not a bad squad.
Question - who played QB in the 2nd half after Asad gets hurt?....I know you're thinking probably T-Mort...wrong. The corect answer is the great Benji Kamrath!!
2003 was the first 10 win season for MN since 1905, when the Gophers beat 2 HS teams...sadly, these 2 HS teams might have been better than some of teams Mason scheudled!
Asad is kind of slow. I always remeber him being a speed guy - but he's really not that fast. GOPHERS get a 24-6 lead, but have to hold on to win 42-35...typical.
How come WIS always plays close with us at home, but I can't remeber the last time we even played a decent game in Beckyville?
Wow - BOOKER STANLEY!! that guy played forever in Beckyland. Jim Sorgi, funny stuff.
I'm still trying to find a way for the Gophers to win on Saturday. No Decker is not a good thing - but Brew has never played in Madison either. We know how Mase did - so it can't be any worse. I'm hoping we can find a way, but i don't think i'll hold my breath.
I'll stop boring you - just thought some of you might enjoy reliving a Gophers win with me over the Sorgi Badgers. Good times.
Mason Interview - "our plan, like it was every game, was to come out and run the football."
- lucky for Glen, it worked in this game. But how ridiculous is this comment when you think about it. obviously, every team wants to run the ball, but I think Mase was one of the few that had to come out and try to do it right away regardless of what the defense was showing or what you would assume they had prepared for. another reason I'm glad he's not here any more.
Our defense in 2003 is insanely slow. We have no-namers all over the field (except for Butkus watch list candidate Ben West...who?) I forgot about how we used to give every WR a cushion like they were Moss in 1 on 1 coverage. Very marginally talented Sconny WR's catching balls without anyone else even in the picture. If Mason could have ever combined that unreal offensive team with anything even resembling a defense...what if.
Great quote - "the strength of the MN defense is the secondary"..."yes, they don't have a lot of speed, but they play together." wow. i guess that pretty much says it all right there. we're slow everywhere, but we try hard!
Great point by the legendary Jimmy Dykes (awesome name BTW) "MN doesn't recruit lineman over 300lbs. they want them to be athletic and be able to move around."
- sadly, these are the same guys we still have playing on our roster today - which is why Brew is recruiting a bunch of road-graters for his style of offense. The athletic lineman will be gone - give me the giants that don't allow anyone by them.
There are a lot of NFL players on this Gopher team - Utecht, Spaeth, Maroney, Barber, Montgomery, Eslinger, Tapeh, Setterstrom...not a bad squad.
Question - who played QB in the 2nd half after Asad gets hurt?....I know you're thinking probably T-Mort...wrong. The corect answer is the great Benji Kamrath!!
2003 was the first 10 win season for MN since 1905, when the Gophers beat 2 HS teams...sadly, these 2 HS teams might have been better than some of teams Mason scheudled!
Asad is kind of slow. I always remeber him being a speed guy - but he's really not that fast. GOPHERS get a 24-6 lead, but have to hold on to win 42-35...typical.
How come WIS always plays close with us at home, but I can't remeber the last time we even played a decent game in Beckyville?
Wow - BOOKER STANLEY!! that guy played forever in Beckyland. Jim Sorgi, funny stuff.
I'm still trying to find a way for the Gophers to win on Saturday. No Decker is not a good thing - but Brew has never played in Madison either. We know how Mase did - so it can't be any worse. I'm hoping we can find a way, but i don't think i'll hold my breath.
I'll stop boring you - just thought some of you might enjoy reliving a Gophers win with me over the Sorgi Badgers. Good times.
Guess who's coming back to Campus!!
Marquies is officially a Gopher again - he passed the test...again, and he will be enrolled for the Spring. AWEB's might have a challenge on his hands for next season. Let's hope this good news continues through the weekend.
Better dead than red.
Better dead than red.
WEEK 12 GAMES - Can we get the Axe?
BALLST
MIAOH 16 TUES - done.
TEM
KENT 2.5 WED
CMU
NILL -3 WED
BUF
AKR -2 THUR
VT
MIA -4 THUR
WY
UNLV -9 THUR
CIN
LOU 4 FRI
RUT
USF -7.5
NW
MICH -2.5
IND
PSU -34
DUKE
CLEM -11.5
OHIOST
ILL 9.5
PUR
IOWA -15
ND
NAVY 3
GEO
AUB 8
TEX
KAN 13.5
MDTN
WKY 3
NM
COLST 0
TOLEDO
WMU -15.5
ULM
OLE -21.5
UTST
LT -12.5
UAB
TULANE -5
ECU
SOMISS -1
SC
FLA -23
NC
MARY 2.5
WF
NCST 4
CAL
OREST -3
MN
WIS -13.5
NEB
KST 6.5
BYU
AF 4
A&M
BAY -8
ULL
FAU 2
SJST
NEV -14.5
UCF
MARSH -7.5
BOISE
IDAHO 34
NMST
FRESNO -15
WASU
AZST -36
MIZZ
ISU 26.5
AZ
ORE -3.5
USC
STAN 22
UCONN
SYR 10.5
MISST
ALA -20.5
OKST
COL 17.5
BC
FSU -7
VAN
UK -5
TULSA
HOU 5.5
UTAH
SDST 28
TROY
LSU -19
SMU
UTEP -9
UCLA
WASH 7.5
_______________________________________________________
NYJ
NE -3.5 THUR
DEN
ATL -5.5
OAK
MIA -10.5
BAL
NYG -6.5
MIN
TB -4
TEN
JAC 3
DET
CAR -14
CHI
GB
PHI
CIN 9
NO
KC 5
HOU
IND -9
ARI
SEA 3
STL
SF -6
SD
PIT -3.5
DAL
WAS
CLE
BUF -4.5
MIAOH 16 TUES - done.
TEM
KENT 2.5 WED
CMU
NILL -3 WED
BUF
AKR -2 THUR
VT
MIA -4 THUR
WY
UNLV -9 THUR
CIN
LOU 4 FRI
RUT
USF -7.5
NW
MICH -2.5
IND
PSU -34
DUKE
CLEM -11.5
OHIOST
ILL 9.5
PUR
IOWA -15
ND
NAVY 3
GEO
AUB 8
TEX
KAN 13.5
MDTN
WKY 3
NM
COLST 0
TOLEDO
WMU -15.5
ULM
OLE -21.5
UTST
LT -12.5
UAB
TULANE -5
ECU
SOMISS -1
SC
FLA -23
NC
MARY 2.5
WF
NCST 4
CAL
OREST -3
MN
WIS -13.5
NEB
KST 6.5
BYU
AF 4
A&M
BAY -8
ULL
FAU 2
SJST
NEV -14.5
UCF
MARSH -7.5
BOISE
IDAHO 34
NMST
FRESNO -15
WASU
AZST -36
MIZZ
ISU 26.5
AZ
ORE -3.5
USC
STAN 22
UCONN
SYR 10.5
MISST
ALA -20.5
OKST
COL 17.5
BC
FSU -7
VAN
UK -5
TULSA
HOU 5.5
UTAH
SDST 28
TROY
LSU -19
SMU
UTEP -9
UCLA
WASH 7.5
_______________________________________________________
NYJ
NE -3.5 THUR
DEN
ATL -5.5
OAK
MIA -10.5
BAL
NYG -6.5
MIN
TB -4
TEN
JAC 3
DET
CAR -14
CHI
GB
PHI
CIN 9
NO
KC 5
HOU
IND -9
ARI
SEA 3
STL
SF -6
SD
PIT -3.5
DAL
WAS
CLE
BUF -4.5
Monday, November 10, 2008
Week 11 Results
Another week in the books - overall, pretty successful for this group.
Right now here's how we sit:
JR 9-6
MR 8-6
MK 9-5
JG 8-7
MR and MK both have ARZ tonight -9.5, MK can win the week with a cover...otherwise it is a split between MK and JR.
NCAA:
MR and MK both went 6-4
JR 5-5
JG 4-6
21-19, +2 on the .500 scale - not bad.
NFL
JR 4-1
JG 4-1
MK 3-1
MR 2-2
13-5 overall on NFL...daddy nice.
A split for the home town clubs this weekend - here's my 2 cents:
GOPHERS - MICHIGAN
Ugly again. No offense leads to a brutal performance and another loss. A once very promising season is coming back to reality and going to finish right where we all expected around 7 wins. I'm not liking our odds in either of the remaining games. WIS is playing better and we never play even close to well in Madison. Iowa looks decent, should be a close one if we figure out how to play offense - but tough to call an outright Gopher win right now. Obviously, a very disappointing performance, but no matter what happens the season is a succes and we will end up being improved and have some optimism going into 2009 and TCF Bank Stadium. How hard is it to believe we never beat MICH at the dome...ever. Anyway, too early to start throwing my 2009 thoughts at you with 2 huge rivalry games left to play and a low-end Bowl game being the likely destination. It's BADGER WEEK, so I'm going to spend my week trying to figure out what the hell we can do to get this offense going and put up a respectable performance before welcoming in the Hawks for the dome finale. You all know i don't want to pick us to lose either of these games, but at this point it might take something drastic for me to pick the Gophers to win again this year.
On a positive note - 3 recruits already have committed that visited this weekend. Rashede Hagamen (sp?) might be the biggest. A 3 star TE with great size and hands turned down the Buckeyes and Bucky to play Brewster ball. Gotta love that! He will likely start immediately next year with Simmons graduating and not much else lurking behind him. We did sign Eric Lair, a 3 star TE, last year - but I think Haageman is more of a player. We also landed Matt Garin who had lots of interest from some western schools. Apparently this kid is a pass rusher and could help fill the hole that WVD will leave after this year. We also landed Joey Searcy, a 6-0 276lb DT from Texas. This kid will be another 300 lb'r in the middle sooner than later. McNeal and Carter are both announcing at the AA Game I believe. It sounds like the 5 star kid had a nice time, but it's tough to expect him to sign on at this point. Overall, the loss has very little impact on what these kids think - if anything it might help the cause and make them think they can play right away. Bottom line is that Brewster has landed 5 of the top6 MN kids already, with McNeal (#1) being the only holdout. I like what we're seeing...more talent = better results. It's college football and that's how you build a winner.
One other Gopher note - our star of last year's class, Marqueis Gray gets his ACT score back on WED this week. Gut feeling for me if he passes, is that he splits time with Weber next year. It is becoming more and more obvious that the QB run is a HUGE part of this offense, and when you have a guy who is a superior runner he will need to play. Not a "from day one he is #1" mentality, but I love the iodea of spicing up the offense by giving him some "Tebow as a Freshman" type action before possibly handing the keys to the car over to him as a Soph (although Weber will be a Sr...but next year could really prove who the better QB is). I'm not a Weber hater, but Gray is a better fit in this offense, and with the ineptitude we've seen this year, I think a change might be nice. But that's for another day - right now let's just hope he passes the test and is even an option next year.
Okay. next....
PURPLE OVER PACK
That was a fun one. Despite fighting off one of the worst hangovers I've had in quite some time, I thought this game was great. Should have been a blowout, probably could have lost, but in the end a win over the Pack is a great thing. Scary games coming the next 2 weeks at TB and at JAC, but this team seems to be putting it together right now. AD is a hall-of-famer...too fun to watch. Gus needs to play better obviously, but the offense is scoring points and that is what matters most. The defense was incredible. Jared Allen should get a raise...the guy is worth every penny. Overall, much more positivity than 2 weeks ago, we've actually won 4 of our last 5. Revised schedule predictions from 8-8...
at TB L
at JAC W
CHI W
at DET W
at ARI W
ATL W
NYG W
Wow. Did I just pick us to win 6 of our last 7? Definitely not better than the NYG...but it's week 17 and they will be playing zero people against us since home field will be locked up. So I've gone from 8-8 to 11-5. Wow, a little bigger swing than I expected...but that's what a big win will do for you I guess.
BTW - listening to COMMON right now...Ray Edwards sack tracker update...1.5!!! Well on his way to 23...only 21 to go. 3/game would do it!
If we lose the Williams crew for 4 games, this will change. I would add at least 2 more losses to the prediction, but haven;t heard much on that lately.
That's all for now - I'll post next week's games soon.
Later.
Right now here's how we sit:
JR 9-6
MR 8-6
MK 9-5
JG 8-7
MR and MK both have ARZ tonight -9.5, MK can win the week with a cover...otherwise it is a split between MK and JR.
NCAA:
MR and MK both went 6-4
JR 5-5
JG 4-6
21-19, +2 on the .500 scale - not bad.
NFL
JR 4-1
JG 4-1
MK 3-1
MR 2-2
13-5 overall on NFL...daddy nice.
A split for the home town clubs this weekend - here's my 2 cents:
GOPHERS - MICHIGAN
Ugly again. No offense leads to a brutal performance and another loss. A once very promising season is coming back to reality and going to finish right where we all expected around 7 wins. I'm not liking our odds in either of the remaining games. WIS is playing better and we never play even close to well in Madison. Iowa looks decent, should be a close one if we figure out how to play offense - but tough to call an outright Gopher win right now. Obviously, a very disappointing performance, but no matter what happens the season is a succes and we will end up being improved and have some optimism going into 2009 and TCF Bank Stadium. How hard is it to believe we never beat MICH at the dome...ever. Anyway, too early to start throwing my 2009 thoughts at you with 2 huge rivalry games left to play and a low-end Bowl game being the likely destination. It's BADGER WEEK, so I'm going to spend my week trying to figure out what the hell we can do to get this offense going and put up a respectable performance before welcoming in the Hawks for the dome finale. You all know i don't want to pick us to lose either of these games, but at this point it might take something drastic for me to pick the Gophers to win again this year.
On a positive note - 3 recruits already have committed that visited this weekend. Rashede Hagamen (sp?) might be the biggest. A 3 star TE with great size and hands turned down the Buckeyes and Bucky to play Brewster ball. Gotta love that! He will likely start immediately next year with Simmons graduating and not much else lurking behind him. We did sign Eric Lair, a 3 star TE, last year - but I think Haageman is more of a player. We also landed Matt Garin who had lots of interest from some western schools. Apparently this kid is a pass rusher and could help fill the hole that WVD will leave after this year. We also landed Joey Searcy, a 6-0 276lb DT from Texas. This kid will be another 300 lb'r in the middle sooner than later. McNeal and Carter are both announcing at the AA Game I believe. It sounds like the 5 star kid had a nice time, but it's tough to expect him to sign on at this point. Overall, the loss has very little impact on what these kids think - if anything it might help the cause and make them think they can play right away. Bottom line is that Brewster has landed 5 of the top6 MN kids already, with McNeal (#1) being the only holdout. I like what we're seeing...more talent = better results. It's college football and that's how you build a winner.
One other Gopher note - our star of last year's class, Marqueis Gray gets his ACT score back on WED this week. Gut feeling for me if he passes, is that he splits time with Weber next year. It is becoming more and more obvious that the QB run is a HUGE part of this offense, and when you have a guy who is a superior runner he will need to play. Not a "from day one he is #1" mentality, but I love the iodea of spicing up the offense by giving him some "Tebow as a Freshman" type action before possibly handing the keys to the car over to him as a Soph (although Weber will be a Sr...but next year could really prove who the better QB is). I'm not a Weber hater, but Gray is a better fit in this offense, and with the ineptitude we've seen this year, I think a change might be nice. But that's for another day - right now let's just hope he passes the test and is even an option next year.
Okay. next....
PURPLE OVER PACK
That was a fun one. Despite fighting off one of the worst hangovers I've had in quite some time, I thought this game was great. Should have been a blowout, probably could have lost, but in the end a win over the Pack is a great thing. Scary games coming the next 2 weeks at TB and at JAC, but this team seems to be putting it together right now. AD is a hall-of-famer...too fun to watch. Gus needs to play better obviously, but the offense is scoring points and that is what matters most. The defense was incredible. Jared Allen should get a raise...the guy is worth every penny. Overall, much more positivity than 2 weeks ago, we've actually won 4 of our last 5. Revised schedule predictions from 8-8...
at TB L
at JAC W
CHI W
at DET W
at ARI W
ATL W
NYG W
Wow. Did I just pick us to win 6 of our last 7? Definitely not better than the NYG...but it's week 17 and they will be playing zero people against us since home field will be locked up. So I've gone from 8-8 to 11-5. Wow, a little bigger swing than I expected...but that's what a big win will do for you I guess.
BTW - listening to COMMON right now...Ray Edwards sack tracker update...1.5!!! Well on his way to 23...only 21 to go. 3/game would do it!
If we lose the Williams crew for 4 games, this will change. I would add at least 2 more losses to the prediction, but haven;t heard much on that lately.
That's all for now - I'll post next week's games soon.
Later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)