The 4th annual Football Challenge is about to kick off on Thursday. Here is the list of games and spreads (same list I sent out 2 weeks ago). Please send me back your 15 WINNERS by Noon on THURSDAY SEPT 3rd.
Also - I need $40 from the following people: CORCORAN, JG, KOBS, BOMB
Please shoot me a check, or some cash, or make some arrangments with me to get this in so we can be ready for action.
Here we go - once again, please pick 15 and send them to me. I'll send out a pick summary with comments and game previews on THUR/FRI.
SC
NCST -4
TROY
BGU 6
NTEX
BALLST -19.5
UTST
UTAH -23
ORE
BOISE -5.5
TULSA
TULANE 14
MN
SYR 6
UK
MIAOH 13
NAVY
OHIOST -20.5
AKR
PSU -27.5
TOL
PUR -12
WKY
TN -28
SJST
USC -35
WMU
MICH -11
BAY
WF -2.5
GEO
OKST -5.5
NEV
ND -12
MIZZ
ILL -6
RICE
UAB -3.5
MDTN
CLEM -20.5
LT
AUB -12.5
FAU
NEB -20
UCONN
OHIO 3
BYU
OK -21
NM
A&M -13.5
ULM
TEX -39.5
NILL
WIS -15.5
ARMY
EMU -4
SDST
UCLA -17.5
STAN
WASU 17.5
IDAHO
NMST -5.5
VT
ALA -5.5
BUFF
UTEP -5.5
CMU
AZ -13
MARY
CAL -21.5
LSU
WASH 15.5
OLE
MEM 16
COLST
COL -11.5
CIN
RUT -6
MIA
FSU -3.5
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
8 days until football...
The countdown is officially on. I just wanted to update everyone and answer some of the questions I have received thus far.
1) I have $$$ from 4 of the 8 thus far. Still waiting on STEEL CURTAIN, BOMB, JG, KOBS...everyone else is in. Once again, shoot me a check in the mail or get me cash - whatever works.
2) From the giant list of games I sent out we will only be picking 15 games. You are allowed the freedom to pick whichever 15 you want from that list.
3) The point spread I send out (typically on Monday) is the spread that we will be measuring against. Lines will change if you look them up on-line, but we rate everything off of the opening line in USA TODAY, which I send out to you on Mondays.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion. We're just over a week out until a Thursday packed full of action. I'll be doing a little blogging throughout that evening, so please feel free to join in if you'd like.
Not a lot of comments on the Gophers practice session from Saturday. Hard to take anything away from that - it was extremely basic and vanilla. It was nice to see Michael Carter make some big plays - he should end up being our 5th DB this year. Hageman has been playing a lot of DE in practice this week - I love the idea. A guy that's 6'6" and 240 as a freshman with freaky athletic ability is made for DE. Brewster had the novel comment that was something like, "we need to get some of our better athletes on the defensive side of the ball." Sounds like something Mase would say. IALTO. For me, the highlights were the special teams - Orseske, the freshman punter, can mash the ball! 60+ more than once in the game is a nice little weapon to have. Also, Stoudamire will take at least one back to the house this season...the guy is electric as a returner. I've heard lots of QB and RB complaints coming out of Saturday, but honestly, I'm really not worried. Weber still has a man-crush on Decker, but hopefully he'll grow out of that soon as he is a junior now. The RB by committee approach will be whittled down to 2 in my opinion. Bennett and Whaley are the clear favorites...I'm just not much of an Eskridge fan. Overall, a nice little pacifier for us all until the 5th.
Let me know if you have any other questions on the Football Challenge. I'll send out the game list again on Monday morning for week 1.
PJ shuts us down for Wednesday with one of my Top 10..."Thumbing My Way" in its entirety
i have not been home since you left long ago
i'm thumbing my way back to heaven
counting steps, walking backwards on the road
i'm counting my way back to heaven
i can't be free with what's locked inside of me
if there was a key, you took it in your hand
there's no wrong or right, but i'm sure there's good and bad
the questions linger overhead
no matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead
i'm thumbing my way back to heaven
i wish that i could hold you
i wish that i had
thinking 'bout heaven
i let go of a rope, thinking that's what held me back
and in time i've realized, it's now wrapped around my neck
i can't see what's next, from this lonely overpass
hang my head and count my steps, as another car goes past
all the rusted signs we ignore throughout our lives
choosing the shiny ones instead
i turned my back, now there's no turning back
no matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead
i smile, but who am i kidding?
i'm just walking the miles, every once in a while i'll get a ride
i'm thumbing my way back to heaven
thumbing my way back to heaven
i'm thumbing my way back to heaven...
1) I have $$$ from 4 of the 8 thus far. Still waiting on STEEL CURTAIN, BOMB, JG, KOBS...everyone else is in. Once again, shoot me a check in the mail or get me cash - whatever works.
2) From the giant list of games I sent out we will only be picking 15 games. You are allowed the freedom to pick whichever 15 you want from that list.
3) The point spread I send out (typically on Monday) is the spread that we will be measuring against. Lines will change if you look them up on-line, but we rate everything off of the opening line in USA TODAY, which I send out to you on Mondays.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion. We're just over a week out until a Thursday packed full of action. I'll be doing a little blogging throughout that evening, so please feel free to join in if you'd like.
Not a lot of comments on the Gophers practice session from Saturday. Hard to take anything away from that - it was extremely basic and vanilla. It was nice to see Michael Carter make some big plays - he should end up being our 5th DB this year. Hageman has been playing a lot of DE in practice this week - I love the idea. A guy that's 6'6" and 240 as a freshman with freaky athletic ability is made for DE. Brewster had the novel comment that was something like, "we need to get some of our better athletes on the defensive side of the ball." Sounds like something Mase would say. IALTO. For me, the highlights were the special teams - Orseske, the freshman punter, can mash the ball! 60+ more than once in the game is a nice little weapon to have. Also, Stoudamire will take at least one back to the house this season...the guy is electric as a returner. I've heard lots of QB and RB complaints coming out of Saturday, but honestly, I'm really not worried. Weber still has a man-crush on Decker, but hopefully he'll grow out of that soon as he is a junior now. The RB by committee approach will be whittled down to 2 in my opinion. Bennett and Whaley are the clear favorites...I'm just not much of an Eskridge fan. Overall, a nice little pacifier for us all until the 5th.
Let me know if you have any other questions on the Football Challenge. I'll send out the game list again on Monday morning for week 1.
PJ shuts us down for Wednesday with one of my Top 10..."Thumbing My Way" in its entirety
i have not been home since you left long ago
i'm thumbing my way back to heaven
counting steps, walking backwards on the road
i'm counting my way back to heaven
i can't be free with what's locked inside of me
if there was a key, you took it in your hand
there's no wrong or right, but i'm sure there's good and bad
the questions linger overhead
no matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead
i'm thumbing my way back to heaven
i wish that i could hold you
i wish that i had
thinking 'bout heaven
i let go of a rope, thinking that's what held me back
and in time i've realized, it's now wrapped around my neck
i can't see what's next, from this lonely overpass
hang my head and count my steps, as another car goes past
all the rusted signs we ignore throughout our lives
choosing the shiny ones instead
i turned my back, now there's no turning back
no matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead
i smile, but who am i kidding?
i'm just walking the miles, every once in a while i'll get a ride
i'm thumbing my way back to heaven
thumbing my way back to heaven
i'm thumbing my way back to heaven...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
23 days and counting...
We are about 3 weeks out for the opening of the "Bank" or the "Vault" or whatever we'll end up calling it. I got the tix in the mail on Wednesday - that hasn't helped the wait for Sept. 12. Not a whole lot going on this week, but thought I'd send out a note with a few quick updates and interesting notes.
First, I'm stoked to be heading down to the big city of LeRoy this weekend to defend my title in the infamous ROE/JOE tourney. Anna is really hoping for another victory so I can nicely display the 6' tall trophy for another year in our house. A new wrinkle this year - bean bag toss championship of the world as the post game...should be good times like always.
What I will be missing on Saturday is the first chance to get into TCF for the scrimmage. I'm sure some of you are going and hopefully you'll get a nice show. It sounds like it will be very similar to the Spring Game with 4 12 min running quarters. I'm sure there will be some highlights coming out of it - but I'm sure it will be super-vanilla and we won't get a true look at the new offense until Sept 5th.
Speaking of that game - the Orange fans think they're going to beat us. I get the pre-season optimism, but really...SYR?!? There are so many reasons not to pick SYR in this game...I'll list them in no particular order:
* 1st year head coach with massive system and personnel changes.
1st year head coaches went 1-17 in their first menaingful BCS games of the season last year...(5.5% winners). The only winner was Paul Johnson at GT, and that whole season was kind of out of left field in 2008. So the odds are not with the Orange on that one...remember Brew's first game in 2007 against Bowling Green? It just takes time to get things into place and get used to the new schemes...which is good for the Gophs
* Paulus is playing QB
I've said it before, but how can a guy that's been playing hoops for 4 years step in and become your starting QB in less than 2 weeks? Well, clearly you have zero other talent at the position and/or you are looking for a spark. I'm not denying that the guy was a nice player in HS, but he's no going to be ready for the speed and major changes that occur from HS to College football...especially at that position. I hope Cosgrove really taks advantage of his inexperience and confuses the hell out of him early and often.
* It's SYRACUSE!
Coming off some outstanding 2-10 and 3-9 seasons, they have had a ton of player defections with the new coaching staff coming in as well. I'm not sure if Marrone will be the answer for them in the long run or not, but instituting new schemes with 2 or 3 win talent will be disasterous in 2009. It just doesn't lead to success, especially when you're starting with zero talent like the Orange are.
* We are better
Believe it, we are. I've read lots of previews for our beloved club this season, and most seem very unsure about what we'll see. Pessimists bring up the huge collapse and how we barely won our early games in 2008. Optimists talk about the improvement from 1 win to 7 and a bowl game and how we should have probably won more (NW, WIS). The bottom line is that we have a ton of experience, a huge advantage in NCAA Football, and we have better players. The coaching is still a question, but I'll give us the edge over an entirely new staff for a 1st time head coach in his first game.
Sorry - I didn't mean for that to become a gameday type preview, but I just get sick of reading all the crap that is posted out there sometimes. There are people actually picking us to lose this game...I just can't comprehend that right now. Clearly, we still have no respect in the B10 or nationally, so it would be a good time to start gaining it with a 38-10 beat down.
In other opponent news, star RB for Cal Jahvid Best has been out for the last week with a toe issue, and the questions about his durability continue to come up. He's been injured every season at college, so let's hope he's banged up enough to be sitting out on Sept 19th.
There was a headline on the ESPN B10 Blog...Iowa fans ready for the Stanzi Show. How do you not laugh at that one. I don't think the guy is terrible, but he's not a guy who's going to headline the show and looks like Peyton Manning at Kinnick on Saturdays. He will be at his best as a "game-manager" (I hate that term) and handing the ball off and throwing to the TEs. That's Iowa's game...then they play D and hope to win a close one. If they plan on featuring Stanzi and throwing a lot (which might be possible with another Jewel Hampton injury happening LW) then the Hogeyes could be in some trouble.
I think that's all I can spit out for today. Please remeber to get me your $40 in the next 2 weeks sometime...I've gotten $0 so far. Next week will be the final one without football for quite a while, so enjoy it before you have to start sweating out your picks!
Don't forget Twitter - it's good stuff.
Well, I suppose I should comment on the Old man coming in to play QB for our guys in Purple. I'm for it - it gives them a chance to win something larger than the division. At least we'll be able to see every game on TV!
A quick excerpt from "RIVAL" to close
all my rivals will see what i have in store, my gun...
i've been harboring fleets in this reservoir, red sun...
and this nation's about to explode
First, I'm stoked to be heading down to the big city of LeRoy this weekend to defend my title in the infamous ROE/JOE tourney. Anna is really hoping for another victory so I can nicely display the 6' tall trophy for another year in our house. A new wrinkle this year - bean bag toss championship of the world as the post game...should be good times like always.
What I will be missing on Saturday is the first chance to get into TCF for the scrimmage. I'm sure some of you are going and hopefully you'll get a nice show. It sounds like it will be very similar to the Spring Game with 4 12 min running quarters. I'm sure there will be some highlights coming out of it - but I'm sure it will be super-vanilla and we won't get a true look at the new offense until Sept 5th.
Speaking of that game - the Orange fans think they're going to beat us. I get the pre-season optimism, but really...SYR?!? There are so many reasons not to pick SYR in this game...I'll list them in no particular order:
* 1st year head coach with massive system and personnel changes.
1st year head coaches went 1-17 in their first menaingful BCS games of the season last year...(5.5% winners). The only winner was Paul Johnson at GT, and that whole season was kind of out of left field in 2008. So the odds are not with the Orange on that one...remember Brew's first game in 2007 against Bowling Green? It just takes time to get things into place and get used to the new schemes...which is good for the Gophs
* Paulus is playing QB
I've said it before, but how can a guy that's been playing hoops for 4 years step in and become your starting QB in less than 2 weeks? Well, clearly you have zero other talent at the position and/or you are looking for a spark. I'm not denying that the guy was a nice player in HS, but he's no going to be ready for the speed and major changes that occur from HS to College football...especially at that position. I hope Cosgrove really taks advantage of his inexperience and confuses the hell out of him early and often.
* It's SYRACUSE!
Coming off some outstanding 2-10 and 3-9 seasons, they have had a ton of player defections with the new coaching staff coming in as well. I'm not sure if Marrone will be the answer for them in the long run or not, but instituting new schemes with 2 or 3 win talent will be disasterous in 2009. It just doesn't lead to success, especially when you're starting with zero talent like the Orange are.
* We are better
Believe it, we are. I've read lots of previews for our beloved club this season, and most seem very unsure about what we'll see. Pessimists bring up the huge collapse and how we barely won our early games in 2008. Optimists talk about the improvement from 1 win to 7 and a bowl game and how we should have probably won more (NW, WIS). The bottom line is that we have a ton of experience, a huge advantage in NCAA Football, and we have better players. The coaching is still a question, but I'll give us the edge over an entirely new staff for a 1st time head coach in his first game.
Sorry - I didn't mean for that to become a gameday type preview, but I just get sick of reading all the crap that is posted out there sometimes. There are people actually picking us to lose this game...I just can't comprehend that right now. Clearly, we still have no respect in the B10 or nationally, so it would be a good time to start gaining it with a 38-10 beat down.
In other opponent news, star RB for Cal Jahvid Best has been out for the last week with a toe issue, and the questions about his durability continue to come up. He's been injured every season at college, so let's hope he's banged up enough to be sitting out on Sept 19th.
There was a headline on the ESPN B10 Blog...Iowa fans ready for the Stanzi Show. How do you not laugh at that one. I don't think the guy is terrible, but he's not a guy who's going to headline the show and looks like Peyton Manning at Kinnick on Saturdays. He will be at his best as a "game-manager" (I hate that term) and handing the ball off and throwing to the TEs. That's Iowa's game...then they play D and hope to win a close one. If they plan on featuring Stanzi and throwing a lot (which might be possible with another Jewel Hampton injury happening LW) then the Hogeyes could be in some trouble.
I think that's all I can spit out for today. Please remeber to get me your $40 in the next 2 weeks sometime...I've gotten $0 so far. Next week will be the final one without football for quite a while, so enjoy it before you have to start sweating out your picks!
Don't forget Twitter - it's good stuff.
Well, I suppose I should comment on the Old man coming in to play QB for our guys in Purple. I'm for it - it gives them a chance to win something larger than the division. At least we'll be able to see every game on TV!
A quick excerpt from "RIVAL" to close
all my rivals will see what i have in store, my gun...
i've been harboring fleets in this reservoir, red sun...
and this nation's about to explode
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday Randomness
Just a few things to get out there for today before I call it a week.
1) Some girl sitting next to me has been playing "We Are Family" on a loop all morning...nice.
2) Justin Feagin
Not sure if everyone is caught up on this story of the former MICH WR, but it's great. So the guy got booted off the team officially by DickRod this week for trying to sell coke on campus. Apparently, he stiffed some student who had given him $600 for some coke from a guy that Feagin knew down in FLA. It's just awesome that the guy threw away a MICH scholarship do deal a little coke on the side. In reading some of his quotes he still definitely wants his next step to be in the NFL, "he be done wit college, man." If that doesn't work out he's going to get into business and work with his uncle in a drug prevention center...yep, I had to read that about 3 times to make sure I understood. So the guy throws away a chance of a lifetime and admits to being a drug dealer for quite a while, but he still thinks his football dream is gonna happen - if not he'll go work to prevent drug use...WTF? This might be a great microcosm to the potentially short DickRod era in the Big House.
3) PICK DEADLINES
I just wanted to clarify, in case there was some confusion in the emails from Monday.
THE PICKS I SENT OUT ARE NOT DUE UNTIL THURSDAY 9/3 AT 12:00 NOON. I WILL SEND THEM AGAIN AS A REMINDER ON THAT MONDAY (8/31). Please let me know if anyone has questions and get me your $40 before then.
4) USC QB
So Aaron Corp might have a bit of an injury, which would open the door for Matt Barkley, a true Freshman, to be the starter this season at USC. On CFB LIVE yesterday they were talking about how big of a deal this could be and went back to the Matt Cassell / Matt Leinert situation. It was an open competition, just like this year, and Cassell suffered a mild injury and missed some time in preseason practice - Leinert only went on to win a Heisman and a couple of Nat'l Titles and be a 1st round pick and make tons of cash. While Cassell never played, still made the league, and is getting paid nicely now as well. So when people tell you that all the reports and info coming out of preseason practice is meaningless, tell them they are wrong. "We're talkin' about practice man...practice"
5) Lawrence Phillips
The comedy of former thug RB's continues. Phillips has been changed with 7, yes 7 felonies and will be heading to the other big house with his friend Mo Clarett. Wow, I guess if you're a dumb f*ck you really never do change. These guys have been morons their whole lives and had the world handed to them on a platter because they can run fast...but they threw it all away and ended up in prison. I'm glad to see it - now if we could just get some Hawkeyes in prison. Shonn Greene could fit this list, he's a moron who flunked out of school on his first try and didn't stay long enough to do it again after last season. I could see something dumb happening in his future.
6) B10 Network - Football Tour
This started up again this year last night at OHIOST. It's worth a watch for a while, especially when the Maroon and Gold are featured. It sounds like they will be in town on Aug 22nd, the day of the open scrimmage at TCF so it should be a good watch. I will be in the prestigious ROE/JOE Golf Tourney that day, but it is nice to know I'll be able to catch most of the scrimmage on TV later that week.
7) IT IS OVER - R.I.P. TWINS 2009 SEASON
Wow, last night was fun. I flip it on in the 3rd and we're down 8-1. I had only about a 10% interest in the team coming into this week, but I thought: we have KC and CLE coming for 6 games, 5-1 and we could claw back into it again. Then we get destroyed by the worst team in the AL. Time to find some pitching Mr. Smith. Blacky looked awful again, and dirty Frank gives us not much of a chance again tonight. It's done - time to look elsewhere. I don't think I'll be tuning in again this season.
Okay - that's it for today. I'm home finishing off the Rainbow Playset tomorrow with Greg, then off to the PGA for a couple of days. Looks like 90+ and humid on FRI, then very warm again on SAT...nice.
PJ takes us home with a kind of brutal but interesting song for a certain Twins P...
Dirty frank. A Dirty frank yeah
A Dirty frank ooh
A Dirty frank yea oh
Keeps it clean. a keeps it copaseptic
A little boys and girls their heads are all collected.
A not crazy. a per se
Just a little strange when he gets hungry.
City state your town he will continue.
A stadiums tiny clubs every venue.
A his bus. a your trust.
There goes another turned into crust.
Dirty frank a Dirty Frank yeah. A Dirty frank. oh a Dirty Frank.
Yeah, oh, watch it! now
Why that dirty Frank was a bad mother... Shut your mouth! Hey man, I'm just talking about dirty Frank.
1) Some girl sitting next to me has been playing "We Are Family" on a loop all morning...nice.
2) Justin Feagin
Not sure if everyone is caught up on this story of the former MICH WR, but it's great. So the guy got booted off the team officially by DickRod this week for trying to sell coke on campus. Apparently, he stiffed some student who had given him $600 for some coke from a guy that Feagin knew down in FLA. It's just awesome that the guy threw away a MICH scholarship do deal a little coke on the side. In reading some of his quotes he still definitely wants his next step to be in the NFL, "he be done wit college, man." If that doesn't work out he's going to get into business and work with his uncle in a drug prevention center...yep, I had to read that about 3 times to make sure I understood. So the guy throws away a chance of a lifetime and admits to being a drug dealer for quite a while, but he still thinks his football dream is gonna happen - if not he'll go work to prevent drug use...WTF? This might be a great microcosm to the potentially short DickRod era in the Big House.
3) PICK DEADLINES
I just wanted to clarify, in case there was some confusion in the emails from Monday.
THE PICKS I SENT OUT ARE NOT DUE UNTIL THURSDAY 9/3 AT 12:00 NOON. I WILL SEND THEM AGAIN AS A REMINDER ON THAT MONDAY (8/31). Please let me know if anyone has questions and get me your $40 before then.
4) USC QB
So Aaron Corp might have a bit of an injury, which would open the door for Matt Barkley, a true Freshman, to be the starter this season at USC. On CFB LIVE yesterday they were talking about how big of a deal this could be and went back to the Matt Cassell / Matt Leinert situation. It was an open competition, just like this year, and Cassell suffered a mild injury and missed some time in preseason practice - Leinert only went on to win a Heisman and a couple of Nat'l Titles and be a 1st round pick and make tons of cash. While Cassell never played, still made the league, and is getting paid nicely now as well. So when people tell you that all the reports and info coming out of preseason practice is meaningless, tell them they are wrong. "We're talkin' about practice man...practice"
5) Lawrence Phillips
The comedy of former thug RB's continues. Phillips has been changed with 7, yes 7 felonies and will be heading to the other big house with his friend Mo Clarett. Wow, I guess if you're a dumb f*ck you really never do change. These guys have been morons their whole lives and had the world handed to them on a platter because they can run fast...but they threw it all away and ended up in prison. I'm glad to see it - now if we could just get some Hawkeyes in prison. Shonn Greene could fit this list, he's a moron who flunked out of school on his first try and didn't stay long enough to do it again after last season. I could see something dumb happening in his future.
6) B10 Network - Football Tour
This started up again this year last night at OHIOST. It's worth a watch for a while, especially when the Maroon and Gold are featured. It sounds like they will be in town on Aug 22nd, the day of the open scrimmage at TCF so it should be a good watch. I will be in the prestigious ROE/JOE Golf Tourney that day, but it is nice to know I'll be able to catch most of the scrimmage on TV later that week.
7) IT IS OVER - R.I.P. TWINS 2009 SEASON
Wow, last night was fun. I flip it on in the 3rd and we're down 8-1. I had only about a 10% interest in the team coming into this week, but I thought: we have KC and CLE coming for 6 games, 5-1 and we could claw back into it again. Then we get destroyed by the worst team in the AL. Time to find some pitching Mr. Smith. Blacky looked awful again, and dirty Frank gives us not much of a chance again tonight. It's done - time to look elsewhere. I don't think I'll be tuning in again this season.
Okay - that's it for today. I'm home finishing off the Rainbow Playset tomorrow with Greg, then off to the PGA for a couple of days. Looks like 90+ and humid on FRI, then very warm again on SAT...nice.
PJ takes us home with a kind of brutal but interesting song for a certain Twins P...
Dirty frank. A Dirty frank yeah
A Dirty frank ooh
A Dirty frank yea oh
Keeps it clean. a keeps it copaseptic
A little boys and girls their heads are all collected.
A not crazy. a per se
Just a little strange when he gets hungry.
City state your town he will continue.
A stadiums tiny clubs every venue.
A his bus. a your trust.
There goes another turned into crust.
Dirty frank a Dirty Frank yeah. A Dirty frank. oh a Dirty Frank.
Yeah, oh, watch it! now
Why that dirty Frank was a bad mother... Shut your mouth! Hey man, I'm just talking about dirty Frank.
Monday, August 10, 2009
2009 Football Challenge - Week 1 Lines
* Remember to send me $40/guy by 9/3/09
* Don't forget to sign up for Twitter - it's a great way to get info and stay in touch...follow gopher tree
SC
NCST -4
TROY
BGU 6
NTEX
BALLST -19.5
UTST
UTAH -23
ORE
BOISE -5.5
TULSA
TULANE 14
MN
SYR 6
UK
MIAOH 13
NAVY
OHIOST -20.5
AKR
PSU -27.5
TOL
PUR -12
WKY
TN -28
SJST
USC -35
WMU
MICH -11
BAY
WF -2.5
GEO
OKST -5.5
NEV
ND -12
MIZZ
ILL -6
RICE
UAB -3.5
MDTN
CLEM -20.5
LT
AUB -12.5
FAU
NEB -20
UCONN
OHIO 3
BYU
OK -21
NM
A&M -13.5
ULM
TEX -39.5
NILL
WIS -15.5
ARMY
EMU -4
SDST
UCLA -17.5
STAN
WASU 17.5
IDAHO
NMST -5.5
VT
ALA -5.5
BUFF
UTEP -5.5
CMU
AZ -13
MARY
CAL -21.5
LSU
WASH 15.5
OLE
MEM 16
COLST
COL -11.5
CIN
RUT -6
MIA
FSU -3.5
* Don't forget to sign up for Twitter - it's a great way to get info and stay in touch...follow gopher tree
SC
NCST -4
TROY
BGU 6
NTEX
BALLST -19.5
UTST
UTAH -23
ORE
BOISE -5.5
TULSA
TULANE 14
MN
SYR 6
UK
MIAOH 13
NAVY
OHIOST -20.5
AKR
PSU -27.5
TOL
PUR -12
WKY
TN -28
SJST
USC -35
WMU
MICH -11
BAY
WF -2.5
GEO
OKST -5.5
NEV
ND -12
MIZZ
ILL -6
RICE
UAB -3.5
MDTN
CLEM -20.5
LT
AUB -12.5
FAU
NEB -20
UCONN
OHIO 3
BYU
OK -21
NM
A&M -13.5
ULM
TEX -39.5
NILL
WIS -15.5
ARMY
EMU -4
SDST
UCLA -17.5
STAN
WASU 17.5
IDAHO
NMST -5.5
VT
ALA -5.5
BUFF
UTEP -5.5
CMU
AZ -13
MARY
CAL -21.5
LSU
WASH 15.5
OLE
MEM 16
COLST
COL -11.5
CIN
RUT -6
MIA
FSU -3.5
WEEK #1 LINES! How the Football Challenge works
So I opened up the USATODAY website, and there they were - the opening lines on every game of the 1st college football weekend! This means that the challenge has officially begun, so I figured I'd get them out to you as early as possible with an explanation of what we'll all be doing for those of you that are new to the progrum.
How does this work?
1) I'll send out all the games (NCAA and NFL for week 2 and beyond, just NCAA for week 1) via this blog with the point spreads (I use the opening line from the USATODAY website so we can all be consistent, and the line never changes)
2) We will pick 15 games each week (Wk1 = 15 NCAA Games, Wk2 and beyond 10 NCAA and 5 NFL). Please scan the list of games and send me back a list of your picks.
3) Format for picks? It really doesn't matter - just send me a list of the teams that you want to bet on. As long as I can figure out who you picked, that is all that matters.
4) MONEY - it will be $40/guy to enter this season - please get me your money before the season starts (this gives you about 3 full weeks...9/3 is the first game) Payouts will be at the end of the season as follows:
1st - Best overall record - $280.00
2nd - $40.00
There will be a bowl games/playoff challenge after the season that will be a totally different contest if you are interested.
OTHER RULES
- if a game ends right on the spread, everyone wins (i.e. MIN -6 over SYR, I pick MIN, they win 24-18 which is right on the spread, everyone who bet this game is a winner) This basically builds in a .5 pt advantage for every team you bet on each week.
- you can change your picks up until the game starts...but I need to know about it via email, phone call, text, in person...if you have a change of heart just let me know and I will send an update to the entire group so we all have an accurate list
- if you don't pay before the season starts, your picks will not count...I hate to be this way, but we need to make this legit and get $ in before anyone falls too far behind. Please make arrangements to get it to me or to someone else in the league who could get it to me by the September 3rd deadline.
So, here is how a typical week actually works.
- I send out picks on MON with some stragglers on TUES if they are not posted on MON. These will be in this format on the blog site, so you should all get them in email form
MN
SYR 6
BUF
NE -10
Bottom team is the home team, the line for that team is always posted next to them. So SYR is a +6 against MN in this example, or MN is -6 vs. SYR. The email will consist of a list of lines like this and you pick out your 15 games for that week.
- once you have your list, send it over to me BEFORE NOON ON THURSDAY, which allows me to compile and get the list and weekend preview out to everyone before the Thursday night games.
- you send me any changes before that game actually starts via phone (612-232-0227), email (james.rollins@bestbuy.com or jrollins.mn@gmail.com) or text works, too.
- games are played, I compile results, I post the results on Monday as well as the next week's games
Pretty simple, I just wanted to lay out the whole process for those of you who are new. It's a ton of fun, and with a larger group we should be able to get some nice banter going. I will throw out shots at everyone weekly, but please feel free and encouraged to participate as well. Remember, the blog is for eveyone to post on so if you have anything to say please let it fly...even if it's just a comment on another post. There is a link to the blog in every email you get from it.
So, without further adeiu - your week 1 games ( I will send these out again on the Monday before the games are actually played, but I was too excited to hold on to these for 3 weeks without communicating them)
* Don't forget to get me your cash - $40/guy - cash is best, but I can do checks too if necessary. Send it to me via the standard mail if you need to:
2063 Stone Creek Drive
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Games will be sent next in a separate post.
How does this work?
1) I'll send out all the games (NCAA and NFL for week 2 and beyond, just NCAA for week 1) via this blog with the point spreads (I use the opening line from the USATODAY website so we can all be consistent, and the line never changes)
2) We will pick 15 games each week (Wk1 = 15 NCAA Games, Wk2 and beyond 10 NCAA and 5 NFL). Please scan the list of games and send me back a list of your picks.
3) Format for picks? It really doesn't matter - just send me a list of the teams that you want to bet on. As long as I can figure out who you picked, that is all that matters.
4) MONEY - it will be $40/guy to enter this season - please get me your money before the season starts (this gives you about 3 full weeks...9/3 is the first game) Payouts will be at the end of the season as follows:
1st - Best overall record - $280.00
2nd - $40.00
There will be a bowl games/playoff challenge after the season that will be a totally different contest if you are interested.
OTHER RULES
- if a game ends right on the spread, everyone wins (i.e. MIN -6 over SYR, I pick MIN, they win 24-18 which is right on the spread, everyone who bet this game is a winner) This basically builds in a .5 pt advantage for every team you bet on each week.
- you can change your picks up until the game starts...but I need to know about it via email, phone call, text, in person...if you have a change of heart just let me know and I will send an update to the entire group so we all have an accurate list
- if you don't pay before the season starts, your picks will not count...I hate to be this way, but we need to make this legit and get $ in before anyone falls too far behind. Please make arrangements to get it to me or to someone else in the league who could get it to me by the September 3rd deadline.
So, here is how a typical week actually works.
- I send out picks on MON with some stragglers on TUES if they are not posted on MON. These will be in this format on the blog site, so you should all get them in email form
MN
SYR 6
BUF
NE -10
Bottom team is the home team, the line for that team is always posted next to them. So SYR is a +6 against MN in this example, or MN is -6 vs. SYR. The email will consist of a list of lines like this and you pick out your 15 games for that week.
- once you have your list, send it over to me BEFORE NOON ON THURSDAY, which allows me to compile and get the list and weekend preview out to everyone before the Thursday night games.
- you send me any changes before that game actually starts via phone (612-232-0227), email (james.rollins@bestbuy.com or jrollins.mn@gmail.com) or text works, too.
- games are played, I compile results, I post the results on Monday as well as the next week's games
Pretty simple, I just wanted to lay out the whole process for those of you who are new. It's a ton of fun, and with a larger group we should be able to get some nice banter going. I will throw out shots at everyone weekly, but please feel free and encouraged to participate as well. Remember, the blog is for eveyone to post on so if you have anything to say please let it fly...even if it's just a comment on another post. There is a link to the blog in every email you get from it.
So, without further adeiu - your week 1 games ( I will send these out again on the Monday before the games are actually played, but I was too excited to hold on to these for 3 weeks without communicating them)
* Don't forget to get me your cash - $40/guy - cash is best, but I can do checks too if necessary. Send it to me via the standard mail if you need to:
2063 Stone Creek Drive
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Games will be sent next in a separate post.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
MAC 2009
The little sister to the B10, the MAC. I think this stands for Mason's Annual Cupcakes, or something like that. I miss our classic clashes with Toledo, Bowling Green, No.Illinois - give me our new philosophy any day of the week. With that - here's your preview:
I can't remeber the division names, but once again I have my own...OHIO SIDE - MICHIGAN SIDE
OHIO DIVISION (because 5 of the 7 schools are in OHIO
#1 OHIO U - PR 6
A tough luck 5-7 last season should drastically turn around in 09. Returning Sr. QB, 3 OL, and 5/7 on D = a better team. Couple that with the fact that they were a -12 in TO last year and this team should be much improved. I like them to beat UCONN in week 1 and roll through most everyone except that pesky one in Knoxville. (10-2)
#2 TEMPLE - PR 6
I know, this isn't hoops, but the Owls are on their way up. This used to be the worst D1 progrum around, but things have changed. They went 5-7 in 2008, and return most everyone from that team. So they should be better, and they went 2-4 in one score games last year, so they'll probably be luckier as well. I like this club to go bowling this year at (8-4).
#3 BUFFALO - PR 4.5
7-5 MAC champs of 2008. They return a nice coach in Turner Gill, for probably just one more season. They lose a lot of their firepower on offense and have 2 new coordinators. Not a good story, but they should be respectable (5-7).
#4 AKRON - PR 4.5
Lots of offense coming back, but the D will continue to be dreadful. (4-8)
#5 BOWLING GREEN - PR 4
They posted fairly nice numebrs last year but only went 6-6. New coach, Clawson, who was TN OC in 2008, will be starting over. QB and 3 OL are back, but it's a new offense, which is always scary. Nothing back on D...1/7 up front. Should be really ugly (3-9).
#6 KENT - PR 3.5
Not good, really ever. 4 OL are back, new QB, same bad D. Ick. (2-10)
#7 MIAMI OHIO - PR 3.5
New coach, Haywood, the old ND DC (doesnt' anyone in the MAC realize that they need defense to win?) He has a Sr. QB coming back but everything else looks thin. Very bad team last year at 2-10...I think they could be worse in 2009...(1-11).
MICHIGAN DIVISION (3 of 6 from MICH)
#1 CMU - PR 6
CMU returns LeFevour, the star of the league. They also have a loaded D, but only 2 OL back. They should run away with this half of the MAC...(9-3)
#2 WMU - PR 5.5
Lots of O-fence back for this crew, too...I'm sensing a theme in the MAC. D will be in trouble once again. (8-4)
#3 BALL ST - PR 5.5
America's sweetheart for most of last season, until the collapse against BUFF, this team looks nothing like that crew. New coach, new DC/OC, new FR QB, 4 new OL...not a good combo. But it is the MAC, so even a team with this much turnover gets the benefit of the doubt in a lot of these games. (7-5)
#4 NORTHERN ILLINOIS - PR 5
A nice team that surprised a lot of people last year. I think I bet on their games every week...and housed! Nice QB and OL, but a brand new D could hurt them. (7-5)
#5 TOLEDO - PR 5
A once proud progrum is trying to get back to the top of the MAC. Another new coach, Beckman, the OKST DC from 2008, takes over. He hired the OC from Bowling Green, which was probably a good move. He has a Sr. QB returning and 5 OL back on a strong unit, the D has 5 of 7 back as well. Kind of a sleeper team in the MAC, watch them early. (6-6)
#6 EMU - PR 3.5
The near lock to be a cellar dweller once again this year. Ron English finally gets a head job, but wow does he have his hands full. He hired an OC from Toledo, who knows the MAC, and brought his DC with him from his one year stint in LOU. There's a Sr. QB and 4 OL returning, so once again a nice looking offense in the MAC - but the D gave up 36 ppg last year. Not a lot of wins when you are that bad on D. English is a D guy, so maybe it will improve eventually, but my hunch is he's a nice DC but not HC material. (2-10)
MAC Title Game
OHIO - CMU
they don't play in the regular season, and I'll give the edge to CMU. They have the marquee player, which counts for something in post-season time.
Only 3 conferences left - MWC, SBC, WAC...then we're good. You should all be super knowledgable and ready to bet for the upcoming season. I was looking ahead to week 1, and what a great teaser they have planned for us on THUR night. Not one or two games to wet the appetite...5 games, all on TV! The one on FRI for good measure. Now I've been off the parlay drug for a year, but I've never seen a 5-teamer opportunity like this one.
GOPHERS
Just a quick note here - sounds like the stadium is ready to rock. The snow fence is down and people are able to explore the plaza area.
Sounds like the Orange are leaning toward Paulus as the QB for game #1 right now (which is funny since the coaches aren't supposed to be in contact really until practice starts...hmm) But I would love for that to happen. How many times have you been so annoyed/angry with the Duke Hoops players in the past (we're all DUKE haters right? how can you not be?) and actually had a chance to go and hit him in the mouth. I know I'm the eternal optimist when it comes to the Maroon and Gold, but I'm feeling a 38-10 beatdown coming on Sept. 5th.
To close, a sneak peek at some new PJ coming in September...The Fixer
When somethings dark, let me shed a little light on it
When somethings cold, let me put a little fire on it
If somethings old, I wanna put a bit of shine on it
When somethings gone, I wanna fight to get it back again
I can't remeber the division names, but once again I have my own...OHIO SIDE - MICHIGAN SIDE
OHIO DIVISION (because 5 of the 7 schools are in OHIO
#1 OHIO U - PR 6
A tough luck 5-7 last season should drastically turn around in 09. Returning Sr. QB, 3 OL, and 5/7 on D = a better team. Couple that with the fact that they were a -12 in TO last year and this team should be much improved. I like them to beat UCONN in week 1 and roll through most everyone except that pesky one in Knoxville. (10-2)
#2 TEMPLE - PR 6
I know, this isn't hoops, but the Owls are on their way up. This used to be the worst D1 progrum around, but things have changed. They went 5-7 in 2008, and return most everyone from that team. So they should be better, and they went 2-4 in one score games last year, so they'll probably be luckier as well. I like this club to go bowling this year at (8-4).
#3 BUFFALO - PR 4.5
7-5 MAC champs of 2008. They return a nice coach in Turner Gill, for probably just one more season. They lose a lot of their firepower on offense and have 2 new coordinators. Not a good story, but they should be respectable (5-7).
#4 AKRON - PR 4.5
Lots of offense coming back, but the D will continue to be dreadful. (4-8)
#5 BOWLING GREEN - PR 4
They posted fairly nice numebrs last year but only went 6-6. New coach, Clawson, who was TN OC in 2008, will be starting over. QB and 3 OL are back, but it's a new offense, which is always scary. Nothing back on D...1/7 up front. Should be really ugly (3-9).
#6 KENT - PR 3.5
Not good, really ever. 4 OL are back, new QB, same bad D. Ick. (2-10)
#7 MIAMI OHIO - PR 3.5
New coach, Haywood, the old ND DC (doesnt' anyone in the MAC realize that they need defense to win?) He has a Sr. QB coming back but everything else looks thin. Very bad team last year at 2-10...I think they could be worse in 2009...(1-11).
MICHIGAN DIVISION (3 of 6 from MICH)
#1 CMU - PR 6
CMU returns LeFevour, the star of the league. They also have a loaded D, but only 2 OL back. They should run away with this half of the MAC...(9-3)
#2 WMU - PR 5.5
Lots of O-fence back for this crew, too...I'm sensing a theme in the MAC. D will be in trouble once again. (8-4)
#3 BALL ST - PR 5.5
America's sweetheart for most of last season, until the collapse against BUFF, this team looks nothing like that crew. New coach, new DC/OC, new FR QB, 4 new OL...not a good combo. But it is the MAC, so even a team with this much turnover gets the benefit of the doubt in a lot of these games. (7-5)
#4 NORTHERN ILLINOIS - PR 5
A nice team that surprised a lot of people last year. I think I bet on their games every week...and housed! Nice QB and OL, but a brand new D could hurt them. (7-5)
#5 TOLEDO - PR 5
A once proud progrum is trying to get back to the top of the MAC. Another new coach, Beckman, the OKST DC from 2008, takes over. He hired the OC from Bowling Green, which was probably a good move. He has a Sr. QB returning and 5 OL back on a strong unit, the D has 5 of 7 back as well. Kind of a sleeper team in the MAC, watch them early. (6-6)
#6 EMU - PR 3.5
The near lock to be a cellar dweller once again this year. Ron English finally gets a head job, but wow does he have his hands full. He hired an OC from Toledo, who knows the MAC, and brought his DC with him from his one year stint in LOU. There's a Sr. QB and 4 OL returning, so once again a nice looking offense in the MAC - but the D gave up 36 ppg last year. Not a lot of wins when you are that bad on D. English is a D guy, so maybe it will improve eventually, but my hunch is he's a nice DC but not HC material. (2-10)
MAC Title Game
OHIO - CMU
they don't play in the regular season, and I'll give the edge to CMU. They have the marquee player, which counts for something in post-season time.
Only 3 conferences left - MWC, SBC, WAC...then we're good. You should all be super knowledgable and ready to bet for the upcoming season. I was looking ahead to week 1, and what a great teaser they have planned for us on THUR night. Not one or two games to wet the appetite...5 games, all on TV! The one on FRI for good measure. Now I've been off the parlay drug for a year, but I've never seen a 5-teamer opportunity like this one.
GOPHERS
Just a quick note here - sounds like the stadium is ready to rock. The snow fence is down and people are able to explore the plaza area.
Sounds like the Orange are leaning toward Paulus as the QB for game #1 right now (which is funny since the coaches aren't supposed to be in contact really until practice starts...hmm) But I would love for that to happen. How many times have you been so annoyed/angry with the Duke Hoops players in the past (we're all DUKE haters right? how can you not be?) and actually had a chance to go and hit him in the mouth. I know I'm the eternal optimist when it comes to the Maroon and Gold, but I'm feeling a 38-10 beatdown coming on Sept. 5th.
To close, a sneak peek at some new PJ coming in September...The Fixer
When somethings dark, let me shed a little light on it
When somethings cold, let me put a little fire on it
If somethings old, I wanna put a bit of shine on it
When somethings gone, I wanna fight to get it back again
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
15 minutes free = Independents 2009 Preview
Here we go - quick and dirty...3 teams in 15 minutes.
#1 NOTRE DAME - PR 7
The 6 win wonders of last year that everyone seems to love in 2009. Why would you love ND and expect anything more from this team than what we've seen the last few years? Well, I have them as a 7, which puts them in the Top 25 so I guess I'm on board to a point. Clausen is back at QB for his 3rd full year under center. 4 OL are back for a strong unit. 3 of the front 7 return on D, but they did pick up John Tenuta the GT DC, which could make a huge difference. Last year this team only averaged 23 ppg and allowed 22 ppg. The offense has to be better than that this year with all the returning talent. The defense should be extremely solid - the talent is there, and now the coaching appears to be in place w/Tenuta. What about the schedule? Well, this might be the biggest thing on their side for 2009. I have them listed at 9-3 with 2 very likely losses against USC and PITT and probably losing either at MICH or at STAN, yes STAN. SPARTY and NEV will not be easy either, so I'm not as sold on this vibe I've been reading that USC is the only loss on the slate. But I also really do not like ND, so take that for what it's worth. Bottom line for me is that they have proven nothing since Weis took over. We know that they have players, but the need to have coaching as well to step back into the spotlight. BTW, if this club does go 9-3 they will get more publicity than a 12-0 Gators or a 12-0 Longhorns team without a doubt. Having ND as a nationl player is good for college football, but they are not going to compete with the big boys in 2009. (9-3)
#2 NAVY - PR 5.5
Navy had a new coach last year, and they did quite well. A +7 in ptdiff and a +16 in TO were very good numbers for an 8-4 team. The offense has to break in a new QB, but most of the D returns. I am expecting something similar to the 8-4 of last season once again. They should start 1-2 at best with games at OHIOST and PITT, but most everything except at ND should be winnable after that.
#3 ARMY - PR 4
Ellerson takes over as the new coach. Who? He was at Cal Poly last year, the team that should have beaten WIS on the finale of the reg season. He brought his entire staff with him, but I'm pretty skeptical about how his game might transition to D1. 1 OL is back and 4/7 on D. They only scored 15 ppg last year, and were a -14 in TO...both need drastic changes if they expect to win more than the 3 games of last year. RUT is the only really solid team on the slate, other than that they play a lot of the bottom feeders from BCS conferences...DUKE, ISU, VAN...but I doubt that they win many of them. I have them at 2-10 in a transition year.
There we go, 5 minutes to spare. Not a lot of good stuff coming from the Independents this season, but ND should be better. My question is do they want to be better, or should they be mediocre enough to get Weis fired and hire Urban Meyer after his 3rd National Title in 4 years at FLA?!?! If I'm a ND fan, that is the scenario I'm hoping for.
#1 NOTRE DAME - PR 7
The 6 win wonders of last year that everyone seems to love in 2009. Why would you love ND and expect anything more from this team than what we've seen the last few years? Well, I have them as a 7, which puts them in the Top 25 so I guess I'm on board to a point. Clausen is back at QB for his 3rd full year under center. 4 OL are back for a strong unit. 3 of the front 7 return on D, but they did pick up John Tenuta the GT DC, which could make a huge difference. Last year this team only averaged 23 ppg and allowed 22 ppg. The offense has to be better than that this year with all the returning talent. The defense should be extremely solid - the talent is there, and now the coaching appears to be in place w/Tenuta. What about the schedule? Well, this might be the biggest thing on their side for 2009. I have them listed at 9-3 with 2 very likely losses against USC and PITT and probably losing either at MICH or at STAN, yes STAN. SPARTY and NEV will not be easy either, so I'm not as sold on this vibe I've been reading that USC is the only loss on the slate. But I also really do not like ND, so take that for what it's worth. Bottom line for me is that they have proven nothing since Weis took over. We know that they have players, but the need to have coaching as well to step back into the spotlight. BTW, if this club does go 9-3 they will get more publicity than a 12-0 Gators or a 12-0 Longhorns team without a doubt. Having ND as a nationl player is good for college football, but they are not going to compete with the big boys in 2009. (9-3)
#2 NAVY - PR 5.5
Navy had a new coach last year, and they did quite well. A +7 in ptdiff and a +16 in TO were very good numbers for an 8-4 team. The offense has to break in a new QB, but most of the D returns. I am expecting something similar to the 8-4 of last season once again. They should start 1-2 at best with games at OHIOST and PITT, but most everything except at ND should be winnable after that.
#3 ARMY - PR 4
Ellerson takes over as the new coach. Who? He was at Cal Poly last year, the team that should have beaten WIS on the finale of the reg season. He brought his entire staff with him, but I'm pretty skeptical about how his game might transition to D1. 1 OL is back and 4/7 on D. They only scored 15 ppg last year, and were a -14 in TO...both need drastic changes if they expect to win more than the 3 games of last year. RUT is the only really solid team on the slate, other than that they play a lot of the bottom feeders from BCS conferences...DUKE, ISU, VAN...but I doubt that they win many of them. I have them at 2-10 in a transition year.
There we go, 5 minutes to spare. Not a lot of good stuff coming from the Independents this season, but ND should be better. My question is do they want to be better, or should they be mediocre enough to get Weis fired and hire Urban Meyer after his 3rd National Title in 4 years at FLA?!?! If I'm a ND fan, that is the scenario I'm hoping for.
Monday, August 3, 2009
NFL Preview 2009
Here are some quick off-the-cuff NFL predictions for 2009.
AFC EAST
NE
MIA
BUFF
NYJ
Pats will be the best in the league again, NYJ will be terrible and MIA is ahead of BUF because they now have TO.
AFC NORTH
PITT
BAL
CLE
CIN
I love Tomlin - 2 years - 2 division titles. Make it 3 for 3. BAL is a nice team, but the other 2 are brutal. CIN just has to be in the cellar. How long can they stick with Marvin Lewis?
AFC SOUTH
TEN
IND
JAX
HOU
This is the toughest division to predict for me. Typically, I ride IND, but no Dungy scares me. I'll take a great coach in Fisher. JAX doesn't have a good coach, even though I really like their team. HOU can go back to the basement.
AFC WEST
SD
OAK
DEN
KC
Wow - brutal division. SD wins again. The other 3 are all terrible. I'll take a shot with OAK at #2. Mr McDaniels in DEN is not making any fans, and I don't think he'll do very well. KC will continue to suck...you usually don't get a lot of success from hiring hot shot OC's as the head man (if someone is willing to do the research on this I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but from what I recall this is true).
NFC EAST
NYG
PHI
DAL
WAS
Lots to like here. The NYG will continue to be very strong. PHI should be rock solid again, but I gave the NYG the nod with the loss of Jim Johnson, PHI DC, who was one of the best around in my opinion. DAL will continue to disappoint, and WAS kind of sucks.
NFC NORTH
MIN
GB
CHI
DET
Have to go Vikes on a repeat here. The Pack is likely #2, CHI #3, and clearly DET is in the basement once again.
NFC SOUTH
CAR
NO
ATL
TB
I like CAR again for 2009. NO will be 2nd, ATL will come back to the pack, and TB will struggle this year.
NFC WEST
SEA
SF
ARI
STL
I almost went with SF to win this division...that's how bad it is. I went with the QB in SEA. I had to pick ARI out of the playoffs because that always happens. Warner injury perhaps? STL is still a ways away.
PLAYOFFS
NE, PITT, SD, TEN, BAL, IND
I'll take NE - I never bet against Belichik
CAR, NYG, MIN, SEA, PHI, GB
Probably a sneaky run here by one of the last 4 teams...I'll say PHI.
NE over PHI in MIAMI in 2010.
Thoughts? Post your predictions if you dare.
AFC EAST
NE
MIA
BUFF
NYJ
Pats will be the best in the league again, NYJ will be terrible and MIA is ahead of BUF because they now have TO.
AFC NORTH
PITT
BAL
CLE
CIN
I love Tomlin - 2 years - 2 division titles. Make it 3 for 3. BAL is a nice team, but the other 2 are brutal. CIN just has to be in the cellar. How long can they stick with Marvin Lewis?
AFC SOUTH
TEN
IND
JAX
HOU
This is the toughest division to predict for me. Typically, I ride IND, but no Dungy scares me. I'll take a great coach in Fisher. JAX doesn't have a good coach, even though I really like their team. HOU can go back to the basement.
AFC WEST
SD
OAK
DEN
KC
Wow - brutal division. SD wins again. The other 3 are all terrible. I'll take a shot with OAK at #2. Mr McDaniels in DEN is not making any fans, and I don't think he'll do very well. KC will continue to suck...you usually don't get a lot of success from hiring hot shot OC's as the head man (if someone is willing to do the research on this I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but from what I recall this is true).
NFC EAST
NYG
PHI
DAL
WAS
Lots to like here. The NYG will continue to be very strong. PHI should be rock solid again, but I gave the NYG the nod with the loss of Jim Johnson, PHI DC, who was one of the best around in my opinion. DAL will continue to disappoint, and WAS kind of sucks.
NFC NORTH
MIN
GB
CHI
DET
Have to go Vikes on a repeat here. The Pack is likely #2, CHI #3, and clearly DET is in the basement once again.
NFC SOUTH
CAR
NO
ATL
TB
I like CAR again for 2009. NO will be 2nd, ATL will come back to the pack, and TB will struggle this year.
NFC WEST
SEA
SF
ARI
STL
I almost went with SF to win this division...that's how bad it is. I went with the QB in SEA. I had to pick ARI out of the playoffs because that always happens. Warner injury perhaps? STL is still a ways away.
PLAYOFFS
NE, PITT, SD, TEN, BAL, IND
I'll take NE - I never bet against Belichik
CAR, NYG, MIN, SEA, PHI, GB
Probably a sneaky run here by one of the last 4 teams...I'll say PHI.
NE over PHI in MIAMI in 2010.
Thoughts? Post your predictions if you dare.
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