Another one in the books - here's where we are going into a big MNF game:
JR: 9-5 +NO
MR: 9-6
MK: 7-7 +NE
AW: 7-7 +NO
GR: 7-7 +NO
MC: 7-8
MH: 6-8 +NE
JG: 6-9
Another very close week with everyone right around .500
Lots of action tonight - full standings update coming tomorrow.
Only 1 Week of NCAA Football left, then we'll roll through a few weeks of picking only 15 NFL games to close out the regular season Football Challenge.
Next Sunday the entire Bowl lineup should be released, so I will send that out as soon as I have it. That combined with the NFL Playoffs make up the post-season challenge, which we'll obviously have much more discussion around as we get closer.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Need Picks from...
ROE, HEINERT, CORCORAN
Nice start last night...what a horrible performance by WMU.
Let's hope that's not an omen as to how the rest of this weekend will go!
Send 'em over when you can and I'll throw together a preview for the weekend.
Nice start last night...what a horrible performance by WMU.
Let's hope that's not an omen as to how the rest of this weekend will go!
Send 'em over when you can and I'll throw together a preview for the weekend.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tonight's Action
JR, MK, AW, GR, MC all on WMU tonight at -10.
Still waiting on picks from JG, MR, MH...not due until tomorrow but I have the rest.
Still waiting on picks from JG, MR, MH...not due until tomorrow but I have the rest.
Week 13 Lines - due by WED at NOON
BALLST
WMU -10 - TUES
TEX
A&M 22.5 - THUR
RUT
LOU 4 - FRI
TEM
OHIO 3 - FRI
ILL
CIN -18 - FRI
NILL
CMU -9.5 - FRI
TOL
BGU -7.5 - FRI
EMU
AKR -17 - FRI
WY
COLST -3 - FRI
BUFF
KENT 3.5 - FRI
ALA
AUB 12 - FRI
NEB
COL 8 - FRI
MEM
TULSA -15.5 - FRI
PITT
WV 1 - FRI
NEV
BOISE -10.5 - FRI
SYR
UCONN -12
WF
DUKE 3
NC
NCST 5.5
CLEM
SC 2.5
OLE
MISST 7
OKST
OK -8.5
NM
TCU -43
UCF
UAB 3
SOMISS
ECU -3.5
NTEX
ARKST -7
TULANE
SMU -17
MARSH
UTEP -1
AZ
ASU 2.5
FSU
FLA -22.5
MIA
USF NO LINE YET - WILL UPDATE
BC
MARY 6.5
VT
VIR 13
MIZZ
KAN 4
WKY
FAU -13
MDTN
ULM 3.5
UTST
IDAHO 1
UTAH
BYU -7.5
BAY
TT -22.5
WASU
WASH -24
TN
UK 3.5
TROY
ULL 10
ARK
LSU -3.5
NMST
SJST -10
GEO
GT -7
RICE
HOU -28
ND
STAN -7.5
SDST
UNLV -4
UCLA
USC -12.5
NAVY
HAW 7.5
NFL----------------------------------
GB
DET 11 - THUR
OAK
DAL -14 - THUR
NYG
DEN 6 - THUR
MIA
BUF 3
CLE
CIN -15
IND
HOU NO LINE YET - UPDATE LATER TODAY
CAR
NYJ -2.5
WAS
PHI -9
SEA
STL 2.5
KC
SD -14.5
JAC
SF -3
CHI
MIN -9.5
ARI
TEN NO LINE YET - UPDATE LATER TODAY
PIT
BAL NO LINE YET - BEN R. INJURY QUESTIONS
NE
NO -2.5
WMU -10 - TUES
TEX
A&M 22.5 - THUR
RUT
LOU 4 - FRI
TEM
OHIO 3 - FRI
ILL
CIN -18 - FRI
NILL
CMU -9.5 - FRI
TOL
BGU -7.5 - FRI
EMU
AKR -17 - FRI
WY
COLST -3 - FRI
BUFF
KENT 3.5 - FRI
ALA
AUB 12 - FRI
NEB
COL 8 - FRI
MEM
TULSA -15.5 - FRI
PITT
WV 1 - FRI
NEV
BOISE -10.5 - FRI
SYR
UCONN -12
WF
DUKE 3
NC
NCST 5.5
CLEM
SC 2.5
OLE
MISST 7
OKST
OK -8.5
NM
TCU -43
UCF
UAB 3
SOMISS
ECU -3.5
NTEX
ARKST -7
TULANE
SMU -17
MARSH
UTEP -1
AZ
ASU 2.5
FSU
FLA -22.5
MIA
USF NO LINE YET - WILL UPDATE
BC
MARY 6.5
VT
VIR 13
MIZZ
KAN 4
WKY
FAU -13
MDTN
ULM 3.5
UTST
IDAHO 1
UTAH
BYU -7.5
BAY
TT -22.5
WASU
WASH -24
TN
UK 3.5
TROY
ULL 10
ARK
LSU -3.5
NMST
SJST -10
GEO
GT -7
RICE
HOU -28
ND
STAN -7.5
SDST
UNLV -4
UCLA
USC -12.5
NAVY
HAW 7.5
NFL----------------------------------
GB
DET 11 - THUR
OAK
DAL -14 - THUR
NYG
DEN 6 - THUR
MIA
BUF 3
CLE
CIN -15
IND
HOU NO LINE YET - UPDATE LATER TODAY
CAR
NYJ -2.5
WAS
PHI -9
SEA
STL 2.5
KC
SD -14.5
JAC
SF -3
CHI
MIN -9.5
ARI
TEN NO LINE YET - UPDATE LATER TODAY
PIT
BAL NO LINE YET - BEN R. INJURY QUESTIONS
NE
NO -2.5
Standings through Week 12
Overall
W L %
MC 97 83 53.9%
MR 96 84 53.3%
GR 94 86 52.2%
JR 93 87 51.7%
MK 90 90 50.0%
JG 88 92 48.9%
MH 87 93 48.3%
AW 86 94 47.8%
NFL
JR 32 23 58.2%
GR 28 27 50.9%
MR 28 27 50.9%
AW 27 28 49.1%
MH 26 29 47.3%
MC 25 30 45.5%
MK 24 31 43.6%
JG 24 31 43.6%
NCAA
MC 72 53 57.6%
MR 68 57 54.4%
GR 66 59 52.8%
MK 66 59 52.8%
JG 64 61 51.2%
MH 61 64 48.8%
JR 61 64 48.8%
AW 59 66 47.2%
Lots of great performances this week. JG was the only one under .500 overall for the week, MK was the only one under .500 for NFL, JG MH AW were under .500 for NCAA.
We hit 59.1% as a group for the week - rolling in money!
My overall numbers moved to 316-298 in NCAA (51.5%)...90-70 in NFL (56.3%)
I'll be sending out the games shortly - please remember to get them in ASAP because the deadline is WED at NOON for this week.
W L %
MC 97 83 53.9%
MR 96 84 53.3%
GR 94 86 52.2%
JR 93 87 51.7%
MK 90 90 50.0%
JG 88 92 48.9%
MH 87 93 48.3%
AW 86 94 47.8%
NFL
JR 32 23 58.2%
GR 28 27 50.9%
MR 28 27 50.9%
AW 27 28 49.1%
MH 26 29 47.3%
MC 25 30 45.5%
MK 24 31 43.6%
JG 24 31 43.6%
NCAA
MC 72 53 57.6%
MR 68 57 54.4%
GR 66 59 52.8%
MK 66 59 52.8%
JG 64 61 51.2%
MH 61 64 48.8%
JR 61 64 48.8%
AW 59 66 47.2%
Lots of great performances this week. JG was the only one under .500 overall for the week, MK was the only one under .500 for NFL, JG MH AW were under .500 for NCAA.
We hit 59.1% as a group for the week - rolling in money!
My overall numbers moved to 316-298 in NCAA (51.5%)...90-70 in NFL (56.3%)
I'll be sending out the games shortly - please remember to get them in ASAP because the deadline is WED at NOON for this week.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Week 12 Results
Here's how we fared this weekend:
MC: 11-4
JR: 10-5
MR: 9-5 +HOU
MK: 9-5 +HOU
GR: 9-6
AW: 8-7
MH: 8-7
JG: 7-7 +HOU
Hope you all watched that thing of beauty in Iowa City this weekend. 2 really good teams battling to a 12-0 barnburner. LOTS more to come on this whole situation as I get the time throughout the week.
Full standings update coming tomorrow after the nice Monday nighter.
ALSO - for WEEK 13, we'll have picks due by WEDNESDAY AT NOON because of all the Thursday action and lack of computer time for most of us. So I'll send lines early tomorrow and send them back as soon as you get a chance so we can have it all figured out in time for allof the Thursday action.
GOPHERS will be heading to INSIGHT BOWL again...will be playing MIZZ, A&M, or ISU. Do you think we can beat any of them by scoring 0 poins again?
MC: 11-4
JR: 10-5
MR: 9-5 +HOU
MK: 9-5 +HOU
GR: 9-6
AW: 8-7
MH: 8-7
JG: 7-7 +HOU
Hope you all watched that thing of beauty in Iowa City this weekend. 2 really good teams battling to a 12-0 barnburner. LOTS more to come on this whole situation as I get the time throughout the week.
Full standings update coming tomorrow after the nice Monday nighter.
ALSO - for WEEK 13, we'll have picks due by WEDNESDAY AT NOON because of all the Thursday action and lack of computer time for most of us. So I'll send lines early tomorrow and send them back as soon as you get a chance so we can have it all figured out in time for allof the Thursday action.
GOPHERS will be heading to INSIGHT BOWL again...will be playing MIZZ, A&M, or ISU. Do you think we can beat any of them by scoring 0 poins again?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Coach Rollins pep talk for Iowa
This is too perfect. Who Hates Iowa?!??!!
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2ejJB7Adc4&feature=youtube_gdata
Sent from my iPhone
Week 12 Picks
Here we go for another week.
NCAA
JR: CLEM, OHIO, OLE, RUT, A&M, TROY, ULL, SOMISS, GEO, HAW
JG: OKST, FSU, BC, MN, FIU, MIZZ, NW, PSU, UCLA, KST
MR: OKST, IOWA, MISST, TT, MIZZ, TCU, PSU, UTAH, KAN, KST
MK: CMU, COL, USF, OHIOST, IOWA, PSU, A&M, UCLA, NTEX, STAN
AW: BUFF, BC, IOWA, ARK, OK, NILL, WIS, PUR, GEO, KST
GR: CMU, COL, BOISE, IOWA, OK, ND, PSU, RUT, BYU, STAN
MH: BOISE, OHIOST, IOWA, ND, WIS, IND, PSU, ORE, TEX, STAN
MC: BALLST, AKR, KENT, OHIO, UCF, ECU, BYU, UTAH, LT, SOMISS
NFL
JR: CAR, IND, WAS, MIN, NE
JG: MIA, BUF, TB, STL, HOU
MR: IND, MIN, NO, CHI, HOU
MK: CAR, IND, DET, PHI, HOU
AW: CAR, IND, SF, MIN, PHI
GR: IND, GB, PIT, CIN, PHI
MH: IND, MIN, NO, ARI, PHI
MC: CAR, IND, WAS, MIN, ATL
Short on time unfortunately...so here's some quick notes on these games:
COL-OKST
I think OKST might roll these guys tonight. Robinson might not play, but COL is a lost cause at this point. This line has creeped as high as 19-20, so that might change the pick a bit...but I'll take OKST -14.5
BOISE-UTST
Call me crazy, but I'm still betting against BOISE. They will be looking ahead to their NEV showdown next week, and I think UTST catches them here and makes it a decent game. UTST covers!
NC-BC
Really wanted to take NC here, I thinh they are better and getting over 3 makes it a nice pick. But I'm too hesitant to bet against BC at home.
OHIOST-MICH
The whole world is waiting for this beatdown...which usually means it won't be. OHIOST wins easily, but MICH covers...28-20.
VIR-CLEM
VIR = done. coach is dead and team is terrible.
CLEM = looking to clinch and cracking heads w/GT for a BCS bid...also the outside Heisman hopes of Spiller against an inferior team...I feel a beatdown coming in favor of CLEM.
NCST-VT
I also like NCST this weekend to keep it close. They can score on most anyone, but stop nobody...19.5 is too much.
DUKE-MIA
I picked MIA, but I'm not real sure on this one. DUKE is sneaky when you totally count them out.
MISST-ARK
HOGS! They've been great when they haven't had to play ALA or FLA...they win handily over MISST.
FIU-FLA
I thought we'd have more takers on this (-43!!). Almost have to bet the dog, right? Even 1 TD might seal the deal for you. Basically the bet is: will FIU score Y/N?...I say YES.
OK-TT
No idea what happens here. OK has been routed in Lubbock a couple of times before, but I have been believing in this team all year. I'll pick the Sooners on D alone once again.
ISU-MIZZ
Clones go down big, should have put this one on my list. I think MIZZOU rolls.
UCONN-ND
People are saying that the world will end if UCONN wins this game...I think they might. They have a knack of hanging around in EVERY game they play and might be one of the best coached least talented teams around...the opposite of ND I guess. At +6 I'm taking UCONN, but I wouldn't bet on it because rule #1 for NCAA betting is never bet on a UCONN game...ever!
WIS-NW, PUR-IND, PSU-MSU
The B10 triple header at 2:30. I think WIS has to roll through NW without a doubt, IND surprises PUR in the rivalry game and wins at home as a DOG, and PSU puts Sparty in their place because they can't compete with JoePa.
LSU-OLE
LOVE OLE MISS - they are figuring it out, LSU is trending the wrong direction...LOVE OLE MISS!
RUT-SYR
How is this only at 8? This seems to be a lock unless RUT only brings like 6 guys...if they have 8 or more it a no-brainer. SYR has been losing a guy per day for like the last 2 weeks...bad to worse for coach Marrone.
BAY-A&M
Why do I pick A&M every week? I keep thinking they can score a bunch, which they do sometimes, but their D is sucky. BAY...well, everything about BAY is sucky so only giving 7.5 for a team that can score 50 on any given day is an easy win...right?
ARMY-NTEX
LOVE ARMY! Why? Not 100% sure, but I think this is a lock underdog win this week.
FAU-TROY
TROY at home - mark it down...W. 17 is not a problem, they roll every SBC opponent at home.
ORE-AZ
This could be a good one, but I'm still not an AZ believer. I think ORE comes out scoring and doesn't stop scoring for the entire game...Ducks roll 47-31
KAN-TEX
KAN is a mess right now, TEX is absolutely cruising. But 27 points against a team that can score at least a little? I'll probably regret it, but I'm calling for a KAN resurgence and cover at TEX.
ULM-ULL
Didn't think you'd get another SBC preveiw did ya? Well, I'm loving ULL this week as a home DOG...they are a much better team than ULM and are getting points!?! What am I missing?
VAN-TN
This might be the week where Vandy shows up...if it isn't, they'll have to wait until next year. Against a rival who is having as many issues as TN right now I think they might have a shot to cover.
CAL-STAN
Another rivalry game, LOVED STAN early this week but I've wavered on it. They are coming off 2 HUGE wins and CAL isn't a pushover at all. I think CAL comes in with some fire and STAN struggles...I have to pick STAN as I have been riding them all year, but not a lot of faith in this one.
TULSA-SOMISS
Tulsa is done. SOMISS is just getting fired up...I smell a killing in this one. SOMISS big!
UK-GEO
GEO may be turning the corner and possibly saving Richt's job...as crazy as that sounds. UK still isn't s good team and GEO will win easily.
KST-NEB
Who's excited for the B12 North showdown?!?! Nobody I guess. 15 pts is a little high for an inept offense like NEB, but I still have to pick them because they are a far superior team to KST...who because they have 2 FCS wins this year will lose this game and instead of going to the B12 Title game they won't even be bowl eligible. Gotta love the B12 North!
HAW-SJST
3.5, really? I don't think HAW is anything special, but how about SJST. They have broken 21 points one time all year, and give up 37/gm. One W is against Cal Poly...yep, 3.5 is too small for a team as bad as SJST. LOVE HAW!
NEV-NMST
NEV has been averaging 50 ppg over their last 6 (6-0) and absolutely destroying people with the run. NMST is one of the worst teams in the country. There last 4 games: 7-45, 3-34, 0-45, 6-24...31.5 might be covered in the 1st half. I think we may see NEV hit 100 points in this one.
NFL PICKS
Tonight I love CAR. No Ronny Brown to run the wildcat, so I think CAR runs wild and routes the shell-shocked Fins.
- IND over BAL might be the easiest pick of the year! BAL has regressed big time, INDY is playing so well and undefeated...but as a pick'em you have to think Vegas knows something.
- WAS covers 12 at DAL. The Boys looked awful last week and favoring them by 12 over anyone is too high.
- DET is a lock this week. Not very often you get to say that, but MK told me CLE has 5 offensive TD's in the last 15 games...wow. DET wins big?!?
- Liked SF earlier this week, but GB will probably crush them. They looked terrible and won against CHI last week, but the Pack is hitting their stride a bit and needs to keep winning so we have a little pressure on the Purple down the stretch run.
- BUFF should cover at JAC. New coach usually means a resurgence of energy, at least for one game. JAC will have 39 fans in attendance, so home field disadvantage will be in play as well.
- PIT is still a top 3 AFC team and KC is still a bottom 3 AFC team. I'll lay 10 pts without batting an eye.
- VIKES roll a horrible Seattle team this week. I think we worked out the kinks against DET and will look much better this week. We're covering machines!!
- NYG...WTF? Will they figure it out off the bye? Vegas is saying yes by making this a 7 pt line. No Michael Turner (think he's out) would lean me toward NYG, but I've lost too many times on this team...they need to prove it before I can pick them again. Go Falcons with +7!
- NO continues their non-covering ways and allow TB and the Josh Freeman experience a last second TD to cover.
- ARI rolls on the road again. STL still sucks, NO didn't play well last week so I still see no life in STL. I'll take ARIZONA and grocery-bagging Kurt.
- SD wins at DEN. Especially is Orton doesn't play, it could be ugly.
- LOVE NE this week! NYJ are showing everyone why they suck. PATS are coming in pissed and Belichick will be looking to make a statement about why he is still the smartest coach in the world. Pats 44-7
- CIN has to cover 9.5 at OAK, right? OAK is starting Bruce Gradkowski...yep. No need for any other info, but the sad thing is he'll probably be more effective than JaMarcus.
- PHI has to cover 2 in CHI, the Bears are terrible and this truly is their last chance!
- I'll take HOU on MNF...should be a high scoring affair and I think HOU passing game is the difference in slowing the MGray Sr. train down in TEN.
Finally...the 12th game of the year for your Golden Gophers...
MN at IOWA
Logic is out the window with this one. Iowa should be favored by more, so they should be the pick. They've trailed in every home game this year, and I think they will again on Saturday. JG is the only one who is going with blind faith and picking Timmy B this weekend. So the whole world loves Iowa this weekend. I started thinking, how have we done with overwhelming consensus picks this year in NCAA? Answer...17-24. So a good sign there. When do the Gophers play their best? When nobody expects it. WIS last year, Sparty this year, so this is a good sign because NOBODY is giving this team a chance this weekend. MGray is going to play more, this is a good thing. Iowa is still starting a RS Freshman at QB and has had NO running game all year...these are good things, too. What will happen?
GOPHERS score first, look like real-deal with a AWEB run for the 1st TD from 8 yards out...7-0 Gophers. Aaaaowa gets it and fizzles for the second drive in a row...they NEVER start fast at home in 2009. Gophers get crazy and play #5, he runs 5 times on the next drive for 50 yards and we end it with a Hoese TD run...14-0 Ski-u-mah! Varsity Blues guy throws a TD to McNutt (he's there best player IMO) 14-7...14-10 by half. At this point we're all just waiting for the collapse...and Timmy B and company don't disappoint.
Iowa dominates the 2nd half and wins the game 38-14. Brewster is fired. Everybody leaves, they fold up the program and call it a day. Super Joel gets a large loan from people with cash and goes out and entices his 2nd version of Tubby Smith to come and run the football progrum...Tommy Tuberville.
All of a sudden we're on the map. We have a real coach and we're comin'! we're comin'!
I'm not abandoning ship yet...but when even I can't come up with a positive outcome to the end of this season you know there's a problem. I'll keep supporting him until he's gone, which I didn't even think was a realistic possibility until this morning, but going out and getting a GREAT coach like Tuberville would be amazing. Then Gopher Nation would be out in full force and it would be a true resurgence.
God damn I hope we play well and win this weekend...but there's NO WAY I CAN CALL A GOPHER COVER.
Hoping I'm wrong for once.
NCAA
JR: CLEM, OHIO, OLE, RUT, A&M, TROY, ULL, SOMISS, GEO, HAW
JG: OKST, FSU, BC, MN, FIU, MIZZ, NW, PSU, UCLA, KST
MR: OKST, IOWA, MISST, TT, MIZZ, TCU, PSU, UTAH, KAN, KST
MK: CMU, COL, USF, OHIOST, IOWA, PSU, A&M, UCLA, NTEX, STAN
AW: BUFF, BC, IOWA, ARK, OK, NILL, WIS, PUR, GEO, KST
GR: CMU, COL, BOISE, IOWA, OK, ND, PSU, RUT, BYU, STAN
MH: BOISE, OHIOST, IOWA, ND, WIS, IND, PSU, ORE, TEX, STAN
MC: BALLST, AKR, KENT, OHIO, UCF, ECU, BYU, UTAH, LT, SOMISS
NFL
JR: CAR, IND, WAS, MIN, NE
JG: MIA, BUF, TB, STL, HOU
MR: IND, MIN, NO, CHI, HOU
MK: CAR, IND, DET, PHI, HOU
AW: CAR, IND, SF, MIN, PHI
GR: IND, GB, PIT, CIN, PHI
MH: IND, MIN, NO, ARI, PHI
MC: CAR, IND, WAS, MIN, ATL
Short on time unfortunately...so here's some quick notes on these games:
COL-OKST
I think OKST might roll these guys tonight. Robinson might not play, but COL is a lost cause at this point. This line has creeped as high as 19-20, so that might change the pick a bit...but I'll take OKST -14.5
BOISE-UTST
Call me crazy, but I'm still betting against BOISE. They will be looking ahead to their NEV showdown next week, and I think UTST catches them here and makes it a decent game. UTST covers!
NC-BC
Really wanted to take NC here, I thinh they are better and getting over 3 makes it a nice pick. But I'm too hesitant to bet against BC at home.
OHIOST-MICH
The whole world is waiting for this beatdown...which usually means it won't be. OHIOST wins easily, but MICH covers...28-20.
VIR-CLEM
VIR = done. coach is dead and team is terrible.
CLEM = looking to clinch and cracking heads w/GT for a BCS bid...also the outside Heisman hopes of Spiller against an inferior team...I feel a beatdown coming in favor of CLEM.
NCST-VT
I also like NCST this weekend to keep it close. They can score on most anyone, but stop nobody...19.5 is too much.
DUKE-MIA
I picked MIA, but I'm not real sure on this one. DUKE is sneaky when you totally count them out.
MISST-ARK
HOGS! They've been great when they haven't had to play ALA or FLA...they win handily over MISST.
FIU-FLA
I thought we'd have more takers on this (-43!!). Almost have to bet the dog, right? Even 1 TD might seal the deal for you. Basically the bet is: will FIU score Y/N?...I say YES.
OK-TT
No idea what happens here. OK has been routed in Lubbock a couple of times before, but I have been believing in this team all year. I'll pick the Sooners on D alone once again.
ISU-MIZZ
Clones go down big, should have put this one on my list. I think MIZZOU rolls.
UCONN-ND
People are saying that the world will end if UCONN wins this game...I think they might. They have a knack of hanging around in EVERY game they play and might be one of the best coached least talented teams around...the opposite of ND I guess. At +6 I'm taking UCONN, but I wouldn't bet on it because rule #1 for NCAA betting is never bet on a UCONN game...ever!
WIS-NW, PUR-IND, PSU-MSU
The B10 triple header at 2:30. I think WIS has to roll through NW without a doubt, IND surprises PUR in the rivalry game and wins at home as a DOG, and PSU puts Sparty in their place because they can't compete with JoePa.
LSU-OLE
LOVE OLE MISS - they are figuring it out, LSU is trending the wrong direction...LOVE OLE MISS!
RUT-SYR
How is this only at 8? This seems to be a lock unless RUT only brings like 6 guys...if they have 8 or more it a no-brainer. SYR has been losing a guy per day for like the last 2 weeks...bad to worse for coach Marrone.
BAY-A&M
Why do I pick A&M every week? I keep thinking they can score a bunch, which they do sometimes, but their D is sucky. BAY...well, everything about BAY is sucky so only giving 7.5 for a team that can score 50 on any given day is an easy win...right?
ARMY-NTEX
LOVE ARMY! Why? Not 100% sure, but I think this is a lock underdog win this week.
FAU-TROY
TROY at home - mark it down...W. 17 is not a problem, they roll every SBC opponent at home.
ORE-AZ
This could be a good one, but I'm still not an AZ believer. I think ORE comes out scoring and doesn't stop scoring for the entire game...Ducks roll 47-31
KAN-TEX
KAN is a mess right now, TEX is absolutely cruising. But 27 points against a team that can score at least a little? I'll probably regret it, but I'm calling for a KAN resurgence and cover at TEX.
ULM-ULL
Didn't think you'd get another SBC preveiw did ya? Well, I'm loving ULL this week as a home DOG...they are a much better team than ULM and are getting points!?! What am I missing?
VAN-TN
This might be the week where Vandy shows up...if it isn't, they'll have to wait until next year. Against a rival who is having as many issues as TN right now I think they might have a shot to cover.
CAL-STAN
Another rivalry game, LOVED STAN early this week but I've wavered on it. They are coming off 2 HUGE wins and CAL isn't a pushover at all. I think CAL comes in with some fire and STAN struggles...I have to pick STAN as I have been riding them all year, but not a lot of faith in this one.
TULSA-SOMISS
Tulsa is done. SOMISS is just getting fired up...I smell a killing in this one. SOMISS big!
UK-GEO
GEO may be turning the corner and possibly saving Richt's job...as crazy as that sounds. UK still isn't s good team and GEO will win easily.
KST-NEB
Who's excited for the B12 North showdown?!?! Nobody I guess. 15 pts is a little high for an inept offense like NEB, but I still have to pick them because they are a far superior team to KST...who because they have 2 FCS wins this year will lose this game and instead of going to the B12 Title game they won't even be bowl eligible. Gotta love the B12 North!
HAW-SJST
3.5, really? I don't think HAW is anything special, but how about SJST. They have broken 21 points one time all year, and give up 37/gm. One W is against Cal Poly...yep, 3.5 is too small for a team as bad as SJST. LOVE HAW!
NEV-NMST
NEV has been averaging 50 ppg over their last 6 (6-0) and absolutely destroying people with the run. NMST is one of the worst teams in the country. There last 4 games: 7-45, 3-34, 0-45, 6-24...31.5 might be covered in the 1st half. I think we may see NEV hit 100 points in this one.
NFL PICKS
Tonight I love CAR. No Ronny Brown to run the wildcat, so I think CAR runs wild and routes the shell-shocked Fins.
- IND over BAL might be the easiest pick of the year! BAL has regressed big time, INDY is playing so well and undefeated...but as a pick'em you have to think Vegas knows something.
- WAS covers 12 at DAL. The Boys looked awful last week and favoring them by 12 over anyone is too high.
- DET is a lock this week. Not very often you get to say that, but MK told me CLE has 5 offensive TD's in the last 15 games...wow. DET wins big?!?
- Liked SF earlier this week, but GB will probably crush them. They looked terrible and won against CHI last week, but the Pack is hitting their stride a bit and needs to keep winning so we have a little pressure on the Purple down the stretch run.
- BUFF should cover at JAC. New coach usually means a resurgence of energy, at least for one game. JAC will have 39 fans in attendance, so home field disadvantage will be in play as well.
- PIT is still a top 3 AFC team and KC is still a bottom 3 AFC team. I'll lay 10 pts without batting an eye.
- VIKES roll a horrible Seattle team this week. I think we worked out the kinks against DET and will look much better this week. We're covering machines!!
- NYG...WTF? Will they figure it out off the bye? Vegas is saying yes by making this a 7 pt line. No Michael Turner (think he's out) would lean me toward NYG, but I've lost too many times on this team...they need to prove it before I can pick them again. Go Falcons with +7!
- NO continues their non-covering ways and allow TB and the Josh Freeman experience a last second TD to cover.
- ARI rolls on the road again. STL still sucks, NO didn't play well last week so I still see no life in STL. I'll take ARIZONA and grocery-bagging Kurt.
- SD wins at DEN. Especially is Orton doesn't play, it could be ugly.
- LOVE NE this week! NYJ are showing everyone why they suck. PATS are coming in pissed and Belichick will be looking to make a statement about why he is still the smartest coach in the world. Pats 44-7
- CIN has to cover 9.5 at OAK, right? OAK is starting Bruce Gradkowski...yep. No need for any other info, but the sad thing is he'll probably be more effective than JaMarcus.
- PHI has to cover 2 in CHI, the Bears are terrible and this truly is their last chance!
- I'll take HOU on MNF...should be a high scoring affair and I think HOU passing game is the difference in slowing the MGray Sr. train down in TEN.
Finally...the 12th game of the year for your Golden Gophers...
MN at IOWA
Logic is out the window with this one. Iowa should be favored by more, so they should be the pick. They've trailed in every home game this year, and I think they will again on Saturday. JG is the only one who is going with blind faith and picking Timmy B this weekend. So the whole world loves Iowa this weekend. I started thinking, how have we done with overwhelming consensus picks this year in NCAA? Answer...17-24. So a good sign there. When do the Gophers play their best? When nobody expects it. WIS last year, Sparty this year, so this is a good sign because NOBODY is giving this team a chance this weekend. MGray is going to play more, this is a good thing. Iowa is still starting a RS Freshman at QB and has had NO running game all year...these are good things, too. What will happen?
GOPHERS score first, look like real-deal with a AWEB run for the 1st TD from 8 yards out...7-0 Gophers. Aaaaowa gets it and fizzles for the second drive in a row...they NEVER start fast at home in 2009. Gophers get crazy and play #5, he runs 5 times on the next drive for 50 yards and we end it with a Hoese TD run...14-0 Ski-u-mah! Varsity Blues guy throws a TD to McNutt (he's there best player IMO) 14-7...14-10 by half. At this point we're all just waiting for the collapse...and Timmy B and company don't disappoint.
Iowa dominates the 2nd half and wins the game 38-14. Brewster is fired. Everybody leaves, they fold up the program and call it a day. Super Joel gets a large loan from people with cash and goes out and entices his 2nd version of Tubby Smith to come and run the football progrum...Tommy Tuberville.
All of a sudden we're on the map. We have a real coach and we're comin'! we're comin'!
I'm not abandoning ship yet...but when even I can't come up with a positive outcome to the end of this season you know there's a problem. I'll keep supporting him until he's gone, which I didn't even think was a realistic possibility until this morning, but going out and getting a GREAT coach like Tuberville would be amazing. Then Gopher Nation would be out in full force and it would be a true resurgence.
God damn I hope we play well and win this weekend...but there's NO WAY I CAN CALL A GOPHER COVER.
Hoping I'm wrong for once.
Need Picks from...and Gopher News
ROE and HEINERT
Gopher News -
Sid posted an article this morning around a conversation with Maturi. I guess Joel "expects" Brew to be back next year but he is sending out the vibe that if we lose these last 2 his mind might change.
What?!?! How can you give a guy 3 years and done? Espeically a guy who you knew would need time to learn how to be a coach and improve the talent in the program. His recruits are all Sophs or RS Freshman and True Freshman right now...how can you not give him a 4th year, even at 6-7??
This is not the time for this kind of statement by our always moronic AD, let's hope to god that if a change is made we make it a wholesale one and send Jumpy Joel out the door with Brew. If Maturi has the job of finding the next coach this Winter, how can we like our chances any better than we did by sticking with Brew?
This leads into a lot of arguements I've been preparing for some posts that should have and would have come after the regular season and probably after the bowl game...but if Timmy B doesn't last that long then I guess we'll have to fire them up sooner than later. Sounds like a good project for the short T-Day week.
As soon as all picks are in I will send out the massively large, full update for Hate Week.
Go Gophs.
Gopher News -
Sid posted an article this morning around a conversation with Maturi. I guess Joel "expects" Brew to be back next year but he is sending out the vibe that if we lose these last 2 his mind might change.
What?!?! How can you give a guy 3 years and done? Espeically a guy who you knew would need time to learn how to be a coach and improve the talent in the program. His recruits are all Sophs or RS Freshman and True Freshman right now...how can you not give him a 4th year, even at 6-7??
This is not the time for this kind of statement by our always moronic AD, let's hope to god that if a change is made we make it a wholesale one and send Jumpy Joel out the door with Brew. If Maturi has the job of finding the next coach this Winter, how can we like our chances any better than we did by sticking with Brew?
This leads into a lot of arguements I've been preparing for some posts that should have and would have come after the regular season and probably after the bowl game...but if Timmy B doesn't last that long then I guess we'll have to fire them up sooner than later. Sounds like a good project for the short T-Day week.
As soon as all picks are in I will send out the massively large, full update for Hate Week.
Go Gophs.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Play Gray More...what?!?!
Apparently, Timmy B and Cousin Jedd had a revelation this week -
Marcus Fuller of the PiPress is reporting that #5 will see more action this week at QB and also more snaps than the usual in the Bowl Game.
Nice thought guys. I think the entire fan base has only been calling for this to happen since the SYR game. I wonder what put them over the edge? Is it that they wanted to lock up the bowl game before they took this huge "risk" or that they just were saving him for Iowa?
Either way - THANK GOD - maybe we're not as dumb as it has appeared throughout much of this year...but then again it's only a report so we'll see what happens on Saturday. As for the Bowl Game...why not start him? What's the difference? We're getting our share of the $$$ from the B10 pool so it's really a meaningless game. We've seen AWEB, so I think we could take a look at #5...then never see AWEB on the field again. Even if he's awful, it can't get much worse than AWEB this year.
My thoughts are starting to drift...-9.5 looked like an EASY pick earlier this week, but now....hmmmm. What has Iowa struggled with - mobile QB's. We'll have to let him throw to make it a threat, but I love giving him lots of time this weekend.
Let's pump it up....and we can build this dream together, standing strong forever....
Marcus Fuller of the PiPress is reporting that #5 will see more action this week at QB and also more snaps than the usual in the Bowl Game.
Nice thought guys. I think the entire fan base has only been calling for this to happen since the SYR game. I wonder what put them over the edge? Is it that they wanted to lock up the bowl game before they took this huge "risk" or that they just were saving him for Iowa?
Either way - THANK GOD - maybe we're not as dumb as it has appeared throughout much of this year...but then again it's only a report so we'll see what happens on Saturday. As for the Bowl Game...why not start him? What's the difference? We're getting our share of the $$$ from the B10 pool so it's really a meaningless game. We've seen AWEB, so I think we could take a look at #5...then never see AWEB on the field again. Even if he's awful, it can't get much worse than AWEB this year.
My thoughts are starting to drift...-9.5 looked like an EASY pick earlier this week, but now....hmmmm. What has Iowa struggled with - mobile QB's. We'll have to let him throw to make it a threat, but I love giving him lots of time this weekend.
Let's pump it up....and we can build this dream together, standing strong forever....
ATL - NYG Line...Vegas Gophers Love?
ATL
NYG -7
One other note on the Maroon and Gold.
Vegas started the line at IOWA -13...it has since shrunk to IOWA -10.
What do they know that we don't? I need to figure this out so I have a reason for taking the Gophers this weekend. Ideas? Let me know.
Still no line yet for SD at DEN.
NYG -7
One other note on the Maroon and Gold.
Vegas started the line at IOWA -13...it has since shrunk to IOWA -10.
What do they know that we don't? I need to figure this out so I have a reason for taking the Gophers this weekend. Ideas? Let me know.
Still no line yet for SD at DEN.
B10 vs. B12
JG brought this argument up this weekend via text, that I didn't check until early Sunday morning...but I needed more than a text to make a legit response to this. Basically, it read that some guy was trying to talk JG into the idea that the B10 is better than the B12.
Now the word "better" is not exactly clear...so let's look at it from a couple of different angles.
1) Best Team
Hands down, TEXAS. This arguement goes to the B12. Nobody in my favorite conference could play with this bunch - no chance.
2) Most Depth
This is debatable. The B10 has 4 teams that could finish with 10 wins...that's pretty solid. B10 also has a likely list of 7 bowl teams. As for the B12, only 2 teams have a legit chance at 10 win seasons (not counting bowl games or championship games). The B12 should have 8 bowl teams when it's all said and done...including one in the NC Game. One could argue that the B10 will have 2 BCS teams, but that's just a lack of other quality records around the country...I don't think the B10 sports 2 of the best 10 teams in the country, but 2 BCS spots counts for something.
Verdict on this one - B10 has more depth.
3) Non Conf Performance
B12
NEB playing close to VT, MIZZ crushing ILL, OKST beating GEO, ISU getting crushed by IOWA, OK losing to BYU and MIA, COL losing at WV...not a lot to hangt their hat on in out of conference play. The GEO win looks a lot less impressive right now than it did then, the VT close call is nice...but not a W. The MIZZOU win and ISU loss cancel each other out.
B10
IOWA beating AZ, MICH over ND, MSU losing to CMU and ND, MN over AF - this is a good win, WIS over FRES, PUR playing ORE and ND close, OHIOST losing to USC...again, NW losing to SYR. I don't see a W as impressive as the OKST over GEO in the B10 out of conf results. As a whole, more bad losses in the B10 than in the B12 and fewer big wins means the verdict on this one goes to the B12.
4) Head to Head (B10-B12 Challenge)
This is the most fun way to compare. Line 'em up, neutral field - who would win more games: (lined up according to Sagarin Ratings in USATODAY)
1. TEXAS vs. OHIOST = TEXAS 1-0 B12
2. OKST vs. IOWA = IOWA 1-1
3. OK vs. PSU = OK 2-1 B12, the D would eat up the poor OL of PSU
4. NEB vs. WIS = NEB is a pretty good team, if they can score they win NEB 3-1 B12
5. TT vs. MSU = TT is a better team this year. 4-1 B12
6. MIZZ vs. MN = Can't do it...MIZZ 5-1 B12
7. KAN vs. NW = KAN is better if they figure it out...6-1 B12
8. A&M vs. PUR = A&M wins a shootout...7-1 B12
9. KST vs. MICH = MICH can't beat anyone...8-1 B12
10. ISU vs. IND = IND should handle this one...8-2 B12
11. BAY vs. ILL = BAY is awful. B10 garbage is better than B12 garbage...8-3 B12
There you go...very subjective, but I think B12 wins this one in a land slide. Better offenses and some comparable defenses for most of the teams at the top.
B12 is "better"...at least for this year.
Let's hope we can settle it in the Bowls...well, one specifically...Tempe 12/31...
GOPHERS vs. CYCLONES - Game of the Year
Now the word "better" is not exactly clear...so let's look at it from a couple of different angles.
1) Best Team
Hands down, TEXAS. This arguement goes to the B12. Nobody in my favorite conference could play with this bunch - no chance.
2) Most Depth
This is debatable. The B10 has 4 teams that could finish with 10 wins...that's pretty solid. B10 also has a likely list of 7 bowl teams. As for the B12, only 2 teams have a legit chance at 10 win seasons (not counting bowl games or championship games). The B12 should have 8 bowl teams when it's all said and done...including one in the NC Game. One could argue that the B10 will have 2 BCS teams, but that's just a lack of other quality records around the country...I don't think the B10 sports 2 of the best 10 teams in the country, but 2 BCS spots counts for something.
Verdict on this one - B10 has more depth.
3) Non Conf Performance
B12
NEB playing close to VT, MIZZ crushing ILL, OKST beating GEO, ISU getting crushed by IOWA, OK losing to BYU and MIA, COL losing at WV...not a lot to hangt their hat on in out of conference play. The GEO win looks a lot less impressive right now than it did then, the VT close call is nice...but not a W. The MIZZOU win and ISU loss cancel each other out.
B10
IOWA beating AZ, MICH over ND, MSU losing to CMU and ND, MN over AF - this is a good win, WIS over FRES, PUR playing ORE and ND close, OHIOST losing to USC...again, NW losing to SYR. I don't see a W as impressive as the OKST over GEO in the B10 out of conf results. As a whole, more bad losses in the B10 than in the B12 and fewer big wins means the verdict on this one goes to the B12.
4) Head to Head (B10-B12 Challenge)
This is the most fun way to compare. Line 'em up, neutral field - who would win more games: (lined up according to Sagarin Ratings in USATODAY)
1. TEXAS vs. OHIOST = TEXAS 1-0 B12
2. OKST vs. IOWA = IOWA 1-1
3. OK vs. PSU = OK 2-1 B12, the D would eat up the poor OL of PSU
4. NEB vs. WIS = NEB is a pretty good team, if they can score they win NEB 3-1 B12
5. TT vs. MSU = TT is a better team this year. 4-1 B12
6. MIZZ vs. MN = Can't do it...MIZZ 5-1 B12
7. KAN vs. NW = KAN is better if they figure it out...6-1 B12
8. A&M vs. PUR = A&M wins a shootout...7-1 B12
9. KST vs. MICH = MICH can't beat anyone...8-1 B12
10. ISU vs. IND = IND should handle this one...8-2 B12
11. BAY vs. ILL = BAY is awful. B10 garbage is better than B12 garbage...8-3 B12
There you go...very subjective, but I think B12 wins this one in a land slide. Better offenses and some comparable defenses for most of the teams at the top.
B12 is "better"...at least for this year.
Let's hope we can settle it in the Bowls...well, one specifically...Tempe 12/31...
GOPHERS vs. CYCLONES - Game of the Year
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Week 12 Lines!
NFL Byes are over - final game of B10 season for Gophers...it's a big week.
BUFF
MIAOH 2.5 - WED
CMU
BALLST 17.5 - WED
COL
OKST -14.5 - THUR
AKR
BGU -13 - FRI
EMU
TOL -20 - FRI
BOISE
UTST 24.5 - FRI
MARY
FSU -17
LOU
USF -11.5
NC
BC -3.5
OHIOST
MICH 12
VIR
CLEM -19.5
NCST
VT -19.5
MN
IOWA -9.5
DUKE
MIA -17.5
MISST
ARK -10.5
FIU
FLA -43
OK
TT 4.5
KENT
TEM -12.5
MEM
HOU -23.5
ISU
MIZZ -13
NILL
OHIO 1
TULANE
UCF -19.5
TCU
WY 31
UCONN
ND -6
OREST
WASU 31
WIS
NW 6
PUR
IND 3.5
PSU
MSU 3.5
LSU
OLE -3
UAB
ECU -10
RUT
SYR 8
UTEP
RICE 6.5
BAY
A&M -7.5
AF
BYU -8
ASU
UCLA -4.5
ARMY
NTEX -2
SDST
UTAH -17
FAU
TROY -17
SMU
MARSH -3.5
ARKST
MDTN -12
LT
FRES -11
COLST
NM 5
ORE
AZ 5
KAN
TEX -27
ULM
ULL 2.5
VAN
TN -17
CAL
STAN -7
TULSA
SOMISS -7
UK
GEO -7.5
KST
NEB -15
HAW
SJST 3.5
NEV
NMST 31.5
NFL-------------------------------
MIA
CAR -3.5 - THUR
IND
BAL 0
WAS
DAL -12
CLE
DET -3.5
SF
GB -5.5
BUF
JAC -8
PIT
KC 10
SEA
MIN -11
ATL
NYG nothing yet - will update
NO
TB 11.5
ARI
STL 9
SD
DEN nothing yet - will update
NYJ
NE -10.5
CIN
OAK 9.5
PHI
CHI 2
TEN
HOU -3.5
BUFF
MIAOH 2.5 - WED
CMU
BALLST 17.5 - WED
COL
OKST -14.5 - THUR
AKR
BGU -13 - FRI
EMU
TOL -20 - FRI
BOISE
UTST 24.5 - FRI
MARY
FSU -17
LOU
USF -11.5
NC
BC -3.5
OHIOST
MICH 12
VIR
CLEM -19.5
NCST
VT -19.5
MN
IOWA -9.5
DUKE
MIA -17.5
MISST
ARK -10.5
FIU
FLA -43
OK
TT 4.5
KENT
TEM -12.5
MEM
HOU -23.5
ISU
MIZZ -13
NILL
OHIO 1
TULANE
UCF -19.5
TCU
WY 31
UCONN
ND -6
OREST
WASU 31
WIS
NW 6
PUR
IND 3.5
PSU
MSU 3.5
LSU
OLE -3
UAB
ECU -10
RUT
SYR 8
UTEP
RICE 6.5
BAY
A&M -7.5
AF
BYU -8
ASU
UCLA -4.5
ARMY
NTEX -2
SDST
UTAH -17
FAU
TROY -17
SMU
MARSH -3.5
ARKST
MDTN -12
LT
FRES -11
COLST
NM 5
ORE
AZ 5
KAN
TEX -27
ULM
ULL 2.5
VAN
TN -17
CAL
STAN -7
TULSA
SOMISS -7
UK
GEO -7.5
KST
NEB -15
HAW
SJST 3.5
NEV
NMST 31.5
NFL-------------------------------
MIA
CAR -3.5 - THUR
IND
BAL 0
WAS
DAL -12
CLE
DET -3.5
SF
GB -5.5
BUF
JAC -8
PIT
KC 10
SEA
MIN -11
ATL
NYG nothing yet - will update
NO
TB 11.5
ARI
STL 9
SD
DEN nothing yet - will update
NYJ
NE -10.5
CIN
OAK 9.5
PHI
CHI 2
TEN
HOU -3.5
Standings through Week 11 - what happens after football ends?
Great one last night! Anyone watch. I saw about 10 minutes worth and all of the scoring. Nice choice ESPN...thanks.
OVERALL
MR 87 78 52.7%
MC 86 79 52.1%
GR 85 80 51.5%
JR 83 82 50.3%
JG 81 84 49.1%
MK 81 84 49.1%
MH 79 86 47.9%
AW 78 87 47.3%
This happens every year as we approach the stretch run...Mike Roe begins his domination.
NFL
JR 28 22 56.0%
GR 25 25 50.0%
MR 25 25 50.0%
AW 24 26 48.0%
MH 22 28 44.0%
MK 22 28 44.0%
MC 21 29 42.0%
JG 21 29 42.0%
I dominate the NFL! Don't look at the next set though...
NCAA
MC 65 40 61.9%
MR 62 43 59.0%
JG 60 45 57.1%
GR 60 45 57.1%
MK 59 46 56.2%
MH 57 48 54.3%
JR 55 50 52.4%
AW 54 51 51.4%
MC at an impressive 62%...pretty awesome. Maybe we should follow suit and all just bet on SBC and MAC games! It's working for him. It is pretty amazing that nobody is under .500....yet. I still have plenty of time to sink even further!
So I've had a few questions about what happens next in the Football Challenge...you ask and I deliver:
1. College has about 4 weeks left, most are partial weeks with a smaller schedule and limited games. If there are less than 10 games to pick we will start adding in more NFL games to make up the difference.
2. Once NCAA regular season and championship games are over, we will be picking NFL games only for about 3 weeks I think. Once the NFL season is over we will determine our winner for the Football Challenge 2009.
3. But it doesn't end there. Part 2 of the Challenge ($20/guy will be needed for this challenge if you want in) begins with the Bowl Games right around the 2nd or 3rd week of DEC. Here's how it plays out:
- We pick all the bowl games ATS, the games are worth different amounts of points (the bigger games are worth more) but we pick them all and they all count.
- We add your final score in the bowl challenge to an NFL Playoff pool which is ranked very similar (early rounds worth less, Super Bowl worth most)
- Weighting will be similar to our regular season challenge...2/3 on NCAA, 1/3 NFL. (although after my performance in each this year I might have to consider changing this ;) )
We'll get into more details as we get closer, but this is the gist of it. In case you're wondering here is the payout for regular season: $280 to winner, $40 to 2nd...tie breaker is best NCAA record for season, 2nd tiebreaker is biggest total single week performance in entire year (MC current leader at 12-3 in wk9).
We'll deal with this when we get to it. I'll send out the week 12 lines...in 5, 4, 3, ..., ... (you didn't say 2 or 1...you don't say 2 or 1...why not?...you just don't mmmkay)
OVERALL
MR 87 78 52.7%
MC 86 79 52.1%
GR 85 80 51.5%
JR 83 82 50.3%
JG 81 84 49.1%
MK 81 84 49.1%
MH 79 86 47.9%
AW 78 87 47.3%
This happens every year as we approach the stretch run...Mike Roe begins his domination.
NFL
JR 28 22 56.0%
GR 25 25 50.0%
MR 25 25 50.0%
AW 24 26 48.0%
MH 22 28 44.0%
MK 22 28 44.0%
MC 21 29 42.0%
JG 21 29 42.0%
I dominate the NFL! Don't look at the next set though...
NCAA
MC 65 40 61.9%
MR 62 43 59.0%
JG 60 45 57.1%
GR 60 45 57.1%
MK 59 46 56.2%
MH 57 48 54.3%
JR 55 50 52.4%
AW 54 51 51.4%
MC at an impressive 62%...pretty awesome. Maybe we should follow suit and all just bet on SBC and MAC games! It's working for him. It is pretty amazing that nobody is under .500....yet. I still have plenty of time to sink even further!
So I've had a few questions about what happens next in the Football Challenge...you ask and I deliver:
1. College has about 4 weeks left, most are partial weeks with a smaller schedule and limited games. If there are less than 10 games to pick we will start adding in more NFL games to make up the difference.
2. Once NCAA regular season and championship games are over, we will be picking NFL games only for about 3 weeks I think. Once the NFL season is over we will determine our winner for the Football Challenge 2009.
3. But it doesn't end there. Part 2 of the Challenge ($20/guy will be needed for this challenge if you want in) begins with the Bowl Games right around the 2nd or 3rd week of DEC. Here's how it plays out:
- We pick all the bowl games ATS, the games are worth different amounts of points (the bigger games are worth more) but we pick them all and they all count.
- We add your final score in the bowl challenge to an NFL Playoff pool which is ranked very similar (early rounds worth less, Super Bowl worth most)
- Weighting will be similar to our regular season challenge...2/3 on NCAA, 1/3 NFL. (although after my performance in each this year I might have to consider changing this ;) )
We'll get into more details as we get closer, but this is the gist of it. In case you're wondering here is the payout for regular season: $280 to winner, $40 to 2nd...tie breaker is best NCAA record for season, 2nd tiebreaker is biggest total single week performance in entire year (MC current leader at 12-3 in wk9).
We'll deal with this when we get to it. I'll send out the week 12 lines...in 5, 4, 3, ..., ... (you didn't say 2 or 1...you don't say 2 or 1...why not?...you just don't mmmkay)
Monday, November 16, 2009
ND Coaching Situation & Gopher Crap
This seems to be top of mind for the world of College Football, and even though Chuck has a giant buyout I really think they'll be looking for a coach this offseason. So here are the names being floated around, thoughts?
1. Urban Meyer
Proven his worth in a big way at FLA, has said that ND is his dream job, cupboard won't exactly be bare at UF after this year but he'll be "re-loading" in 2010 and really what does he have left to prove? We'll see how the year turns out for the Gators (i'm guessing a NC Game loss) but I think this might be the guy as crazy as it sounds.
2. Bob Stoops
Rumors are that he would listen and be interested. His OK run has been great, but I could see him leaving for a gigantic payday. Does it happen if Meyer doesn't work out...I doubt it.
3. Kirk Ferentz
This is a legit rumor once again since iOWA won 9 games this year. He would instantly climb my "most hated ever" list if he coaches both iOWA and ND in his career, but I would be pulling for this one because he's a good coach so he doesn't belong at iOWA.
Speaking of coaches, here's who else I have on deathrow right now:
ACC
Bowden
Friedgren
Groh
B12
Hawkins
Big EAST
Kragthorpe
B10
Zook
DickRod
P10
Wulff
SEC
Spurrier
MICH would be the biggest job available outside of ND. Spurrier would likely have to retire and not be fired. DickRod would get another chance as early as next season, but he needs to find more of a nitchey progrum like WV to succedd. I don't think he cares for the pressure that he's faced at MICH. COL maybe?
I've gone over some stats for the Gophers under Brew...here's what I discovered:
- If you can believe it, our offense is actually BETTER this year than in 2008 while the D, in terms of points allowed, is slightly worse
- Unless we run for another 250 yards this year it will be our worst rushing performance of the Brew tenure...Pound the Rock!
- Unless we throw for another 650 yards in the final 2 games it will be our worst passing yards performance under Brew in 2009
- TD:INT is 14:14 this season, even in AWEB's freshman year when he threw 19 picks he made up for it with 25 TD's. If he breaks 20 this year we'll be 8-5.
- In Brew's 1st year we were 2nd least penalized team in B10, last year and this year we have the most penalties in the entire conference.
- 2007 we were a -15 in TO MGN...last year we were +12, kind of fluky...this year we are -2 so far...is this improvement? Kind of? Less lucky and less opportunistic I guess.
- Remember how horrible our D was in 2007, well opponents converted 44.3% of the time on 3rd down against them....2009 = 47.3% wow. We were epically bad in 2007 and this year is actually worse on 3rd dwn. 38.9% LY
- Offensively we've gone from 42.6% to 34.6% to 37.4% in 2009. Horrible.
- 2007 we were obviously 11th in total D, last year we moved to 10th, this year we ae 8th. This is progress! Woo-hoo! Next year we crack top 5! But if you can't score what does it matter.
- Offense has gone from 6th in 2007 to 10th to 11th in 2009. YPG was 407 to 323 to an embarassing 304 this year...worst in the B10 by far.
- Finally in 2007 we only allowed 12 sacks! wow, best in the B10! Last year we allowed 29, 11th in B10. This year we have already allowed 33...again, worst in B10.
Our OL sucks a lot. YPC, SACKS, RUSH YDS have all gone steadily down hill throughout his tenure. I think our D has been steadily improving throughout the Brewster regime, and even though we are replacing 9 starters next season I think we can continue our upward trend...but we have to get some offense. At the beginning of this year I said that the offense was a mystery but it couldn't possibly be any worse...I think I may have misspoke. An improved offense in 2010 (hell, even the last 2 of 2009) could really help our D rankings and make this a better team. I don't think it's a revelation that this is the problem, but it's kind of surprising how much we've continually regressed over the last 3 years. I guess we are stubborn to let #8 play out the season...isn't this the definition of insantiy?...doing the same thing over and over again even though it isn't working. Is Brew holding Gray back because he can't play? Well, he can't be worse than AWEB. Is he holding him back to hold on to some hope for the fans so we all continue to believe that it will get better? How can you literally put your career on the line by NOT playing "your guy" who you recruited and continuing to sputter on offense as bad as we haved in 10 of our 11 games this season? Optimist guy says, new OC will for sure be better in Y2 once every one is familiar with the system and the kinks have been worked out. I'm not sure I can buy that. The OL might be completely made over...again. It's full of Jr's, but they clearly don't get it so I don't know if you can keep rolling with this pathetic unit for the 3rd year in a row. I definitely have hope, but I fully expect 2010 to be Brew's last year with the squad. But that's a discussion for another day - I need to figure out what the hell we're going to do against iOWA and maybe the Clones in the Bowl Game. Nothing to lose this weekend, so if you don't let it all hang out and play better this weekend somebody might come up with the necessary funding to end the Brew experiment before the calendar hits January. Stay tuned.
1. Urban Meyer
Proven his worth in a big way at FLA, has said that ND is his dream job, cupboard won't exactly be bare at UF after this year but he'll be "re-loading" in 2010 and really what does he have left to prove? We'll see how the year turns out for the Gators (i'm guessing a NC Game loss) but I think this might be the guy as crazy as it sounds.
2. Bob Stoops
Rumors are that he would listen and be interested. His OK run has been great, but I could see him leaving for a gigantic payday. Does it happen if Meyer doesn't work out...I doubt it.
3. Kirk Ferentz
This is a legit rumor once again since iOWA won 9 games this year. He would instantly climb my "most hated ever" list if he coaches both iOWA and ND in his career, but I would be pulling for this one because he's a good coach so he doesn't belong at iOWA.
Speaking of coaches, here's who else I have on deathrow right now:
ACC
Bowden
Friedgren
Groh
B12
Hawkins
Big EAST
Kragthorpe
B10
Zook
DickRod
P10
Wulff
SEC
Spurrier
MICH would be the biggest job available outside of ND. Spurrier would likely have to retire and not be fired. DickRod would get another chance as early as next season, but he needs to find more of a nitchey progrum like WV to succedd. I don't think he cares for the pressure that he's faced at MICH. COL maybe?
I've gone over some stats for the Gophers under Brew...here's what I discovered:
- If you can believe it, our offense is actually BETTER this year than in 2008 while the D, in terms of points allowed, is slightly worse
- Unless we run for another 250 yards this year it will be our worst rushing performance of the Brew tenure...Pound the Rock!
- Unless we throw for another 650 yards in the final 2 games it will be our worst passing yards performance under Brew in 2009
- TD:INT is 14:14 this season, even in AWEB's freshman year when he threw 19 picks he made up for it with 25 TD's. If he breaks 20 this year we'll be 8-5.
- In Brew's 1st year we were 2nd least penalized team in B10, last year and this year we have the most penalties in the entire conference.
- 2007 we were a -15 in TO MGN...last year we were +12, kind of fluky...this year we are -2 so far...is this improvement? Kind of? Less lucky and less opportunistic I guess.
- Remember how horrible our D was in 2007, well opponents converted 44.3% of the time on 3rd down against them....2009 = 47.3% wow. We were epically bad in 2007 and this year is actually worse on 3rd dwn. 38.9% LY
- Offensively we've gone from 42.6% to 34.6% to 37.4% in 2009. Horrible.
- 2007 we were obviously 11th in total D, last year we moved to 10th, this year we ae 8th. This is progress! Woo-hoo! Next year we crack top 5! But if you can't score what does it matter.
- Offense has gone from 6th in 2007 to 10th to 11th in 2009. YPG was 407 to 323 to an embarassing 304 this year...worst in the B10 by far.
- Finally in 2007 we only allowed 12 sacks! wow, best in the B10! Last year we allowed 29, 11th in B10. This year we have already allowed 33...again, worst in B10.
Our OL sucks a lot. YPC, SACKS, RUSH YDS have all gone steadily down hill throughout his tenure. I think our D has been steadily improving throughout the Brewster regime, and even though we are replacing 9 starters next season I think we can continue our upward trend...but we have to get some offense. At the beginning of this year I said that the offense was a mystery but it couldn't possibly be any worse...I think I may have misspoke. An improved offense in 2010 (hell, even the last 2 of 2009) could really help our D rankings and make this a better team. I don't think it's a revelation that this is the problem, but it's kind of surprising how much we've continually regressed over the last 3 years. I guess we are stubborn to let #8 play out the season...isn't this the definition of insantiy?...doing the same thing over and over again even though it isn't working. Is Brew holding Gray back because he can't play? Well, he can't be worse than AWEB. Is he holding him back to hold on to some hope for the fans so we all continue to believe that it will get better? How can you literally put your career on the line by NOT playing "your guy" who you recruited and continuing to sputter on offense as bad as we haved in 10 of our 11 games this season? Optimist guy says, new OC will for sure be better in Y2 once every one is familiar with the system and the kinks have been worked out. I'm not sure I can buy that. The OL might be completely made over...again. It's full of Jr's, but they clearly don't get it so I don't know if you can keep rolling with this pathetic unit for the 3rd year in a row. I definitely have hope, but I fully expect 2010 to be Brew's last year with the squad. But that's a discussion for another day - I need to figure out what the hell we're going to do against iOWA and maybe the Clones in the Bowl Game. Nothing to lose this weekend, so if you don't let it all hang out and play better this weekend somebody might come up with the necessary funding to end the Brew experiment before the calendar hits January. Stay tuned.
Week 11 Recap
This describes the week for me, my picks, my favorite team, and yes...ND.
Here are the results from last week:
AW: 9-6
GR: 9-6
JG: 8-7
MR: 8-7
MK: 8-7
MC: 7-7 +BAL
JR: 5-10
MH: 3-12
We definitely got some separation...for some of us! Wow, what a terrible week. My overall picks weren't bad, but I guess I used the wrong ones for the pool.
Also - my apologies for the Gopher faith and prediction. What was that?!?! I was really shocked at the awful performance on Saturday. But why should I be - we can't blow out anyone and we have maybe the worst offense in the country, seriously we are close. Bomb called looking for a refund on this pick, I should give you all one because I have continued to give my squad more credit than is actually due. TONS more to come on this team throughout the week, which has been affectionately labeled as "Hate Week". Please, next time I'm this insane with my Maroon and Gold glasses please talk me out of it (likely this Thursday). It really feels like we took an L on Saturday, but no...we won and got ourselves another ball game after the BUS trip to Aaaaowa this weekend. Yep, BUS trip. Come on Maturi.
Games coming tomorrow with updated standings. I'll share one line with you now -9.5...either the bookmakers know something that we all don't or betting against the Gophs looks like the cinch play of the year...but it's only Monday.
1st iOWA Bash of the week doesn't even concern football...have you checked out iOWA hoops? Nice opener, losing by 12 at home to UT San Antonio...nice work. Might as well just fold up shop and promote that 'rassslin' squad as the hottest ticket in town. Over/under B10 wins for this club in 2009-10...2, I like the under.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Week 11 Preview...most of it
Well, I've got 7 of 8 in so still waiting on ROE. Hoping to get his picks as I type this, but here we go before I run out of time.
NCAA
JR: MN, WF, MSU, COL, CAL, OHIOST, MIA, TT, UTAH, PITT
JG: WV, MN, FSU, PSU, MICH, COL, CAL, SC, OKST, ND
MR: ??????????
MK: RUT, MN, CLEM, HOU, MSU, UK, SC, ARK, MIA, UTAH
AW: RUT, MN, WF, MICH, MSU, MIZZ, IOWA, GEO, FIU, ARK
GR: MN, GT, WIS, MIZZ, OHIOST, NEB, SC, AUB, OKST, PITT
MH: CIN, MN, LOU, WIS, ILL, CAL, USC, OHIOST, FLA, PITT
MC: OHIO-W, CMU-W, RUT, MN, WMU, UTST, SMU, ARKST, MDTN, SDST
NFL
JR: SF, CIN, NO, DAL, NE
JG: ATL, TB, NYJ, STL, SEA
MR: ?,?,?,?,?
MK: SF, ATL, DEN!, GB, IND (MK wanted DEN,DEN,DEN,DEN,DEN this week)
AW: SF, NO, DEN, DAL, NE
GR: CIN, NO, ARI, DAL, NE
MH: ATL, NO, DAL, PHI, NE
MC: ATL, CIN, DEN, IND, CLE
Consensus Picks
MN
ATL
Only 2 this week - much more variety should be a good thing for us. Could be a big separation week to make a little room between the contenders and pretenders.
NCAA THOUGHTS
Tough calls on 3 games tonight. I was leaning USF all week, but I'm kind of thinking RUT at home even though home teams have been HORRIBLE on Thursdays this year. I think BGSU giving 3 at a bad MIAOH team is a good play, and I picked the Dog Cardinals from BALLST to cover 17 at NILL.
- WV at CIN -
JG vs. MH head 2 head on this one. It's a really tough call for me. I love CINCY, but 9.5 feels a little high. I marked CIN but with very little conviction.
- TN at OLE -
Nobody picked it, but I'm feeling a TN vibe. They have kind of overachieved in my opinion most of the year and OLE has been the complete opposite. Plus you have a GREAT D playing against one of the most overrated and overhyped QB's in recent memory (Snead) so I am loving the Vols in this one. And it looks like Crompton is actually competant and this team can score a bit! Bonus.
- GT at DUKE -
Looks like an obvious one, and GR went with GT in the obvious pick. I'm very hesitant on this one however. DUKE has been shockingly going the right direction under Cutcliffe (a guy who may have been a nice fit here?). 10.5 in an ACC game, no matter the teams, has been too much in recent history. GT is cruising to an ACC Championship showdown and they don't exactly play much of a defense (31 to VANDY, 27 to WF last 2 wks) so I'll take Dookies to cover.
- CLEM at NCST -
One team rolling into the ACC title game, the other finishing up a very disappointing year...and keep in mind this is CLEM we are talking about. This is almost a guarantee that they will show up flat and NCST for sure covers and probably wins outright.
- FSU at WF -
WF will win and cover. This is the first game I marked this week. AW is with me and JG continues to be a Bowden believer. I'm a huge Jim Grobe fan, and he'll have his team prepped for a W.
- IND at PSU -
22 is high. PSU was exposed again last week for having some serious issues and just playing a bad schedule this year. I hope they don't sneak into a BCS game and get embarassed by a team with a D. IND has been, well IND this year. 3 B10 losses by 3pts or less + losing 6 of the last 7 = about ready to quit. Now they are going on the road with one last hope of salvaging the season and pulling an upset to stay alive in the bowl quest...they don't win, but cover against an uninterested PSU club.
- MICH at WIS -
Speaking of packing it in...DickRod, 5-7 is where you are heading and 5-7 will get you fired. Especially if it includes a 38-7 loss against The OHIOST. Paging Jim Harbaugh, please come back! WIS is not even good, but they take care of games like this where the other team will just lose it on their own. Pound the ball with the big line and backs are roll to a win and cover 31-17.
- NW at ILL -
Tough call. I still don't think either of these clubs is any good at all. Juicy might be playing again this weekend, but I don't know if it matters. NW has a better coach and a team that isn't good at all (see L at SYR!) but will be bowl bound again and win their 7th game this week in an upset that will end the ILL bowl chances.
*Just got ROE's picks...I'll list them below*
- HOU at UCF -
Loved HOU early this week. Started reading into it a bit and backed off. I'll still pick HOU, but UCF might keep this one close.
- MSU at PUR -
Love Sparty here. They are a pretty good team, still not sure what the hell happened on Halloween, but they rebound and win to get bowl eligible.
- UK at VAN -
MK likes the Cats - I am going with lowly 2 win VANDY to spring an upset here.
- MIZZ at KST -
I am leaning MIZZ on this one. They are the better team, but KST continues to find a way. I'll take pts and the Tigers.
- COL at ISU -
The final addition to my 10 picks for the week. I was struggling to narrow down my list, then heading home yesterday one guy cuts me off in the parkng lot and another guy is driving a pimped out BMW with personalized plates...both have 1 thing in common...Cyclone stickers. I took it as a sign that I needed to love COL this weekend. This isn't rocket science guys, at this point in the year I'm taking any sign I can get.
- BYU at NM -
Nobody is on this one, but let me just say BYU against bad teams is always a good play and betting against NM is always a good play. Who do you think I picked?
- UTEP at SMU -
I have to keep including these guys because it just keeps getting more and more bizarre. They are a dog this week, which is a good thing. In 5 conference games they are 2-3, won 2 games as a dog and lost 3 games as a FAV...history will repeat and the Miners win! But everytime I have picked them to win it hasn't worked, so one of these trends will die this week!
- AZ at CAL -
AZ is actually still thinking Rose Bowl, but they haven't played CAL, ORE, USC, or ASU. So they could still actually go 6-6. I think the collapse starts this week with a DOG CAL team winning at home. JG and MH are with me.
- STAN at USC -
Started the week with USC, but have backed off. STAN is good...seriously, this is a nice team. But they haven't played great on the road and USC still has the potential on D to destroy people. Too risky to bet, but I'll take pts and the Cardinal simply because USC has no reason to be interested...season is pretty much over for them.
- IOWA at OHIOST -
Line has gone from 13.5 to 17+...how 'bout them Hogeyes?!? Backup Fr QB, who looked less than clueless last week against NW, playing against maybe the #1 D in the nation on their home field for he conferecne title. Advantage...Brutus. I don't think it's going to be anything even resembling close. I think Iowa's D is nice, but Van Helsing will give them at least 1-2 scoring opportunities by himself and TPRY might continue his solid play to make this one 28-0. Yep, ZERO. F*ck IOWA!
- NEB at KAN -
Picked NEB early, but have backed off. Love their D, but tough to be a road FAV without having any offense. KAN has decided to quit scoring, which hasn't helped them lately, but the potential is there to show up. I'll take HUSKERS, but I'm a little leary.
- FLA at SC -
Spurrier has gotten housed the last 2 years against similar Gator teams with similar Gamecock teams...it will happen again. GATORS 37-10.
- IDAHO at BOISE -
The battle for the Potatoe State. At -28 it probably won't be much of a battle, but I hope BOISE continues to struggle and I would love to see the Vandals get them. Now I give this a 1% chance of happening, but I think they cover. BOISE pissed me off way too much last week as they only won by 10 and ended their Nat'l Title hopes.
- FRES at NEV -
NEV has 2530 rushing yards...in their last 6 games! That's 2 years worth of Gophers running!! The pistol is working and FRES is in for a buzzsaw...pick NEVADA.
- AUB at GEO -
Face it folks, GEO is not good this year. AUB showed me something with the OLE MISS win, and I like them to cover and win as 4.5 pt DOG.
- A&M at OK -
I like A&M and points. OK hasn't been killing anyone, and A&M can score as I've been saying all year. I'll take 18 and see what happens.
- ALA at MISST -
I thought about it for quite a while, and I think this might end the perfect storm for the BCS. ALA might lose this weekend. MISST always plays well at home, and they can play some D. ALA has not been playing that well for quite a while, but their ridiculous D carrys them along with a couple of big plays on offense. MISST covers this one and might end the perfect season for Saban. Call me crazy.
- MIA at NC -
MIA can still go 10-2 and be "back" as ESPN was telling us 5 weeks ago. NC plays a lot fo D, which could make this tricky, but I like Harris and think they get it done and cover.
- TT at OKST -
Another upset call for me, Red Raiders win in Stillwater. Mark it down.
- UTAH at TCU -
This line is too high. It's a nice matchup, but I think TCU will be feeling immense pressure with the Gameday crew on hand and the whole world annointing them as the little guy in the BCS this year. This UTAH is always solid and this will be close. Easy pick.
- ND at PITT -
Loving PITT in this one. ND just doesn't seem to be able to put it all together, so they may as well finish 6-6 so Chuck can end the suspense!
GOPHERS vs. D1AA Team
This doesn't even really warrant a preview. Yep, last week's loss was bad and our 2007 loss to NDSU was bad...but that doesn't mean this one will even be close. SDSU has an anemic offense and lives on turnovers and their D. Well, we are the worst offense in the B10 and I bet we put up 500 yards of offense against these fellas on Saturday. Yes, the gap is that big between decent D1 teams and non-D1 teams. (note, we were not "decent" in 2007 and NDSU was much better than this SDSU in 2007)
AWEB does okay, MGRAY makes a couple of plays and hopefully sees a series or 2, and we run the ball well against undersized SDSU lineman. GOPHERS create a few turnovers against a Freshman QB and we win going away 44-10. Maybe this will make some of the haters shut up.
NFL PICKS
I love nearly every game this week in NFL, feeling a big week.
- SF is the play tonight, Bears still suck, the Bears still suck...
- ATL is pretty good. CAR is still not puttin it all together and Jake is still the QB. ATL wins.
- TB at MIA is tricky, but I like Fins to cover.
- DET at MIN I think we can get 14 out of the D, and then #4 puts up a couple in the first half and we win in an unwatchable snoozer...35-7.
- JAC at NYJ - I like the Jags. I think the NYJ have been exposed as more of a pretender than we thought and JAC plays better on the road...where they likely have more fans!
- CIN at +7.5! Yes, plese. This should not be over a TD. I love PITT, but 7.5 is crazy high.
- NO at STL - 14 is covered in the first 6 minutes. STL is that bad, and NO doesn't have any scoring or covering issues. This should have been about 20.
- I love TEN this week ay -6.5. They are finding it with MGRAY Sr. running the show, and BUF is absolutely hopeless.
- DEN at WAS, why is this 4.5 and not moving? Something is up here...the smart guys think WAS is better than they've shown and/or DEN is much worse. I'll take DEN, but I'm not really confident in this one at all.
- KC at OAK, wow fun stuff here. I'll take KC because I don't see how OAK could be anyone.
- SEA at ARI - when did SEA become this bad? The Lions handed them the win LW, but ARI shouldn't have a problem this week.
- DAL at GB - Love the Cowboys here. They look to be for real with a defense and a running game, hmmmm, maybe that's how you win games. GB is hopeless.
- PHI at SD - both crazy teams to bet on, I'll take pts and the better team in PHI.
- NE at IND - how about this for a Sunday nighter?!? I've bet on this matchup for the last 4-5 years and I always bet on Brady.
- BAL at CLE - zzzzzz....zzzzzz....zzzzzzz....BAL 38-3. Thanks ESPN, nice pick.
And finally the long awaited Mike Roe selections with heavy criticism for being late to the party:
USF - L
CIN - ?
OLE - L
GT - L
BOISE - L
ALA - L
LSU - L
TT - W
OHIOST - W
TEXAS - ?
Minimum 7 losses in NCAA.
MIA
NO
KC
GB!
NE
Like these except for the Pack. What have you seen from this club to make you pick them to cover 3 against a good DAL team? I guess we'll see.
Have a good one guys - hope to be reporting much better results next Monday!
NCAA
JR: MN, WF, MSU, COL, CAL, OHIOST, MIA, TT, UTAH, PITT
JG: WV, MN, FSU, PSU, MICH, COL, CAL, SC, OKST, ND
MR: ??????????
MK: RUT, MN, CLEM, HOU, MSU, UK, SC, ARK, MIA, UTAH
AW: RUT, MN, WF, MICH, MSU, MIZZ, IOWA, GEO, FIU, ARK
GR: MN, GT, WIS, MIZZ, OHIOST, NEB, SC, AUB, OKST, PITT
MH: CIN, MN, LOU, WIS, ILL, CAL, USC, OHIOST, FLA, PITT
MC: OHIO-W, CMU-W, RUT, MN, WMU, UTST, SMU, ARKST, MDTN, SDST
NFL
JR: SF, CIN, NO, DAL, NE
JG: ATL, TB, NYJ, STL, SEA
MR: ?,?,?,?,?
MK: SF, ATL, DEN!, GB, IND (MK wanted DEN,DEN,DEN,DEN,DEN this week)
AW: SF, NO, DEN, DAL, NE
GR: CIN, NO, ARI, DAL, NE
MH: ATL, NO, DAL, PHI, NE
MC: ATL, CIN, DEN, IND, CLE
Consensus Picks
MN
ATL
Only 2 this week - much more variety should be a good thing for us. Could be a big separation week to make a little room between the contenders and pretenders.
NCAA THOUGHTS
Tough calls on 3 games tonight. I was leaning USF all week, but I'm kind of thinking RUT at home even though home teams have been HORRIBLE on Thursdays this year. I think BGSU giving 3 at a bad MIAOH team is a good play, and I picked the Dog Cardinals from BALLST to cover 17 at NILL.
- WV at CIN -
JG vs. MH head 2 head on this one. It's a really tough call for me. I love CINCY, but 9.5 feels a little high. I marked CIN but with very little conviction.
- TN at OLE -
Nobody picked it, but I'm feeling a TN vibe. They have kind of overachieved in my opinion most of the year and OLE has been the complete opposite. Plus you have a GREAT D playing against one of the most overrated and overhyped QB's in recent memory (Snead) so I am loving the Vols in this one. And it looks like Crompton is actually competant and this team can score a bit! Bonus.
- GT at DUKE -
Looks like an obvious one, and GR went with GT in the obvious pick. I'm very hesitant on this one however. DUKE has been shockingly going the right direction under Cutcliffe (a guy who may have been a nice fit here?). 10.5 in an ACC game, no matter the teams, has been too much in recent history. GT is cruising to an ACC Championship showdown and they don't exactly play much of a defense (31 to VANDY, 27 to WF last 2 wks) so I'll take Dookies to cover.
- CLEM at NCST -
One team rolling into the ACC title game, the other finishing up a very disappointing year...and keep in mind this is CLEM we are talking about. This is almost a guarantee that they will show up flat and NCST for sure covers and probably wins outright.
- FSU at WF -
WF will win and cover. This is the first game I marked this week. AW is with me and JG continues to be a Bowden believer. I'm a huge Jim Grobe fan, and he'll have his team prepped for a W.
- IND at PSU -
22 is high. PSU was exposed again last week for having some serious issues and just playing a bad schedule this year. I hope they don't sneak into a BCS game and get embarassed by a team with a D. IND has been, well IND this year. 3 B10 losses by 3pts or less + losing 6 of the last 7 = about ready to quit. Now they are going on the road with one last hope of salvaging the season and pulling an upset to stay alive in the bowl quest...they don't win, but cover against an uninterested PSU club.
- MICH at WIS -
Speaking of packing it in...DickRod, 5-7 is where you are heading and 5-7 will get you fired. Especially if it includes a 38-7 loss against The OHIOST. Paging Jim Harbaugh, please come back! WIS is not even good, but they take care of games like this where the other team will just lose it on their own. Pound the ball with the big line and backs are roll to a win and cover 31-17.
- NW at ILL -
Tough call. I still don't think either of these clubs is any good at all. Juicy might be playing again this weekend, but I don't know if it matters. NW has a better coach and a team that isn't good at all (see L at SYR!) but will be bowl bound again and win their 7th game this week in an upset that will end the ILL bowl chances.
*Just got ROE's picks...I'll list them below*
- HOU at UCF -
Loved HOU early this week. Started reading into it a bit and backed off. I'll still pick HOU, but UCF might keep this one close.
- MSU at PUR -
Love Sparty here. They are a pretty good team, still not sure what the hell happened on Halloween, but they rebound and win to get bowl eligible.
- UK at VAN -
MK likes the Cats - I am going with lowly 2 win VANDY to spring an upset here.
- MIZZ at KST -
I am leaning MIZZ on this one. They are the better team, but KST continues to find a way. I'll take pts and the Tigers.
- COL at ISU -
The final addition to my 10 picks for the week. I was struggling to narrow down my list, then heading home yesterday one guy cuts me off in the parkng lot and another guy is driving a pimped out BMW with personalized plates...both have 1 thing in common...Cyclone stickers. I took it as a sign that I needed to love COL this weekend. This isn't rocket science guys, at this point in the year I'm taking any sign I can get.
- BYU at NM -
Nobody is on this one, but let me just say BYU against bad teams is always a good play and betting against NM is always a good play. Who do you think I picked?
- UTEP at SMU -
I have to keep including these guys because it just keeps getting more and more bizarre. They are a dog this week, which is a good thing. In 5 conference games they are 2-3, won 2 games as a dog and lost 3 games as a FAV...history will repeat and the Miners win! But everytime I have picked them to win it hasn't worked, so one of these trends will die this week!
- AZ at CAL -
AZ is actually still thinking Rose Bowl, but they haven't played CAL, ORE, USC, or ASU. So they could still actually go 6-6. I think the collapse starts this week with a DOG CAL team winning at home. JG and MH are with me.
- STAN at USC -
Started the week with USC, but have backed off. STAN is good...seriously, this is a nice team. But they haven't played great on the road and USC still has the potential on D to destroy people. Too risky to bet, but I'll take pts and the Cardinal simply because USC has no reason to be interested...season is pretty much over for them.
- IOWA at OHIOST -
Line has gone from 13.5 to 17+...how 'bout them Hogeyes?!? Backup Fr QB, who looked less than clueless last week against NW, playing against maybe the #1 D in the nation on their home field for he conferecne title. Advantage...Brutus. I don't think it's going to be anything even resembling close. I think Iowa's D is nice, but Van Helsing will give them at least 1-2 scoring opportunities by himself and TPRY might continue his solid play to make this one 28-0. Yep, ZERO. F*ck IOWA!
- NEB at KAN -
Picked NEB early, but have backed off. Love their D, but tough to be a road FAV without having any offense. KAN has decided to quit scoring, which hasn't helped them lately, but the potential is there to show up. I'll take HUSKERS, but I'm a little leary.
- FLA at SC -
Spurrier has gotten housed the last 2 years against similar Gator teams with similar Gamecock teams...it will happen again. GATORS 37-10.
- IDAHO at BOISE -
The battle for the Potatoe State. At -28 it probably won't be much of a battle, but I hope BOISE continues to struggle and I would love to see the Vandals get them. Now I give this a 1% chance of happening, but I think they cover. BOISE pissed me off way too much last week as they only won by 10 and ended their Nat'l Title hopes.
- FRES at NEV -
NEV has 2530 rushing yards...in their last 6 games! That's 2 years worth of Gophers running!! The pistol is working and FRES is in for a buzzsaw...pick NEVADA.
- AUB at GEO -
Face it folks, GEO is not good this year. AUB showed me something with the OLE MISS win, and I like them to cover and win as 4.5 pt DOG.
- A&M at OK -
I like A&M and points. OK hasn't been killing anyone, and A&M can score as I've been saying all year. I'll take 18 and see what happens.
- ALA at MISST -
I thought about it for quite a while, and I think this might end the perfect storm for the BCS. ALA might lose this weekend. MISST always plays well at home, and they can play some D. ALA has not been playing that well for quite a while, but their ridiculous D carrys them along with a couple of big plays on offense. MISST covers this one and might end the perfect season for Saban. Call me crazy.
- MIA at NC -
MIA can still go 10-2 and be "back" as ESPN was telling us 5 weeks ago. NC plays a lot fo D, which could make this tricky, but I like Harris and think they get it done and cover.
- TT at OKST -
Another upset call for me, Red Raiders win in Stillwater. Mark it down.
- UTAH at TCU -
This line is too high. It's a nice matchup, but I think TCU will be feeling immense pressure with the Gameday crew on hand and the whole world annointing them as the little guy in the BCS this year. This UTAH is always solid and this will be close. Easy pick.
- ND at PITT -
Loving PITT in this one. ND just doesn't seem to be able to put it all together, so they may as well finish 6-6 so Chuck can end the suspense!
GOPHERS vs. D1AA Team
This doesn't even really warrant a preview. Yep, last week's loss was bad and our 2007 loss to NDSU was bad...but that doesn't mean this one will even be close. SDSU has an anemic offense and lives on turnovers and their D. Well, we are the worst offense in the B10 and I bet we put up 500 yards of offense against these fellas on Saturday. Yes, the gap is that big between decent D1 teams and non-D1 teams. (note, we were not "decent" in 2007 and NDSU was much better than this SDSU in 2007)
AWEB does okay, MGRAY makes a couple of plays and hopefully sees a series or 2, and we run the ball well against undersized SDSU lineman. GOPHERS create a few turnovers against a Freshman QB and we win going away 44-10. Maybe this will make some of the haters shut up.
NFL PICKS
I love nearly every game this week in NFL, feeling a big week.
- SF is the play tonight, Bears still suck, the Bears still suck...
- ATL is pretty good. CAR is still not puttin it all together and Jake is still the QB. ATL wins.
- TB at MIA is tricky, but I like Fins to cover.
- DET at MIN I think we can get 14 out of the D, and then #4 puts up a couple in the first half and we win in an unwatchable snoozer...35-7.
- JAC at NYJ - I like the Jags. I think the NYJ have been exposed as more of a pretender than we thought and JAC plays better on the road...where they likely have more fans!
- CIN at +7.5! Yes, plese. This should not be over a TD. I love PITT, but 7.5 is crazy high.
- NO at STL - 14 is covered in the first 6 minutes. STL is that bad, and NO doesn't have any scoring or covering issues. This should have been about 20.
- I love TEN this week ay -6.5. They are finding it with MGRAY Sr. running the show, and BUF is absolutely hopeless.
- DEN at WAS, why is this 4.5 and not moving? Something is up here...the smart guys think WAS is better than they've shown and/or DEN is much worse. I'll take DEN, but I'm not really confident in this one at all.
- KC at OAK, wow fun stuff here. I'll take KC because I don't see how OAK could be anyone.
- SEA at ARI - when did SEA become this bad? The Lions handed them the win LW, but ARI shouldn't have a problem this week.
- DAL at GB - Love the Cowboys here. They look to be for real with a defense and a running game, hmmmm, maybe that's how you win games. GB is hopeless.
- PHI at SD - both crazy teams to bet on, I'll take pts and the better team in PHI.
- NE at IND - how about this for a Sunday nighter?!? I've bet on this matchup for the last 4-5 years and I always bet on Brady.
- BAL at CLE - zzzzzz....zzzzzz....zzzzzzz....BAL 38-3. Thanks ESPN, nice pick.
And finally the long awaited Mike Roe selections with heavy criticism for being late to the party:
USF - L
CIN - ?
OLE - L
GT - L
BOISE - L
ALA - L
LSU - L
TT - W
OHIOST - W
TEXAS - ?
Minimum 7 losses in NCAA.
MIA
NO
KC
GB!
NE
Like these except for the Pack. What have you seen from this club to make you pick them to cover 3 against a good DAL team? I guess we'll see.
Have a good one guys - hope to be reporting much better results next Monday!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
GOPHERS Line
A Gopher line was just posted. Please include it if you want.
SDSU
MN -9.5
If we don't have 8 on the GOPHERS something is wrong.
SDSU
MN -9.5
If we don't have 8 on the GOPHERS something is wrong.
SDSU
Can the whole world just get over it?!? We are NOT LOSING TO SDSU THIS SATURDAY! This is just maddening. This is not the 2007 Gophers - not even close! Also, SDSU is not the 2007 Bison club. To be fair, the morons that are suggesting this (PA) are absolutely clueless on Gopher Football and College Football in general.
They can not compete with our size and speed on either side of the ball - and it's senior day at TCF with the chance to get Bowl Eligible...the team will be ready to go and looking to prove a point. I promise you this will not even be close.
GOPHERS will roll 44-10.
Hopefully, we get to see #5 throughout the 2nd half and get some major positivity going into Iowa for the showdown next week. WHO HATES IOWA?!?!
They can not compete with our size and speed on either side of the ball - and it's senior day at TCF with the chance to get Bowl Eligible...the team will be ready to go and looking to prove a point. I promise you this will not even be close.
GOPHERS will roll 44-10.
Hopefully, we get to see #5 throughout the 2nd half and get some major positivity going into Iowa for the showdown next week. WHO HATES IOWA?!?!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Week 11 Games - return by Noon THURSDAY
Lots of mid-week College games and also an NFL Thursday game this week. I'll send out the other 2 NFL lines later today. Let me know before the game starts if you want any of these games...you don't have to turn in your entire list early, just let me know if you want one of these mid-week games before they begin. Good Luck!
OHIO
BUFF -2.5 - TUESDAY
TOL
CMU -16 - WEDNESDAY
BGU
MIAOH 3 - THURS
BALLST
NILL -17 - THURS
USF
RUT 0 - THURS
WV
CIN -9.5 - FRI
TEM
AKR 4.5 - FRI
SYR
LOU -6
TN
OLE -3
GT
DUKE 10.5
CLEM
NCST 6
FSU
WF -4
IND
PSU -22
TEX
BAY 25.5
MICH
WIS -9
NW
ILL -3.5
HOU
UCF 5.5
MSU
PUR 0
UK
VAN 3
MIZZ
KST -2.5
VT
MARY 17
UAB
MEM 2
WMU
EMU 10
COL
ISU -5
BYU
NM 27
SJST
UTST -10.5
UTEP
SMU -6.5
AZ
CAL 1.5
STAN
USC -11.5
IOWA
OHIOST -13.5
WASH
OREST -10.5
TULANE
RICE -1.5
BC
VIR 5.5
NEB
KAN 4
ASU
ORE -17
FLA
SC 15
IDAHO
BOISE -28
WKY
ULM -21
ARKST
FAU 3
FRES
NEV -6.5
ULL
MDTN -12
SOMISS
MARSH 3
UCLA
WASU 18
UNLV
AF -17
AUB
GEO -4.5
A&M
OK -18.5
ALA
MISST 12.5
NTEX
FIU -2.5
LT
LSU -24
TROY
ARK -14.5
MIA
NC 3.5
TT
OKST -3.5
UTAH
TCU -17.5
ND
PITT -7
WY
SDST -5
NMST
HAW -18
ECU
TULSA -6
NFL-------------------------------------------
CHI
SF -3 - THURSDAY
ATL
CAR 1
TB
MIA -10
DET
MIN -15.5
JAC
NYJ -7
CIN
PIT
NO
STL 14
BUF
TEN -6.5
DEN
WAS
KC
OAK -1
SEA
ARI -9
DAL
GB 3
PHI
SD -3
NE
IND -2.5
BAL
CLE 12
OHIO
BUFF -2.5 - TUESDAY
TOL
CMU -16 - WEDNESDAY
BGU
MIAOH 3 - THURS
BALLST
NILL -17 - THURS
USF
RUT 0 - THURS
WV
CIN -9.5 - FRI
TEM
AKR 4.5 - FRI
SYR
LOU -6
TN
OLE -3
GT
DUKE 10.5
CLEM
NCST 6
FSU
WF -4
IND
PSU -22
TEX
BAY 25.5
MICH
WIS -9
NW
ILL -3.5
HOU
UCF 5.5
MSU
PUR 0
UK
VAN 3
MIZZ
KST -2.5
VT
MARY 17
UAB
MEM 2
WMU
EMU 10
COL
ISU -5
BYU
NM 27
SJST
UTST -10.5
UTEP
SMU -6.5
AZ
CAL 1.5
STAN
USC -11.5
IOWA
OHIOST -13.5
WASH
OREST -10.5
TULANE
RICE -1.5
BC
VIR 5.5
NEB
KAN 4
ASU
ORE -17
FLA
SC 15
IDAHO
BOISE -28
WKY
ULM -21
ARKST
FAU 3
FRES
NEV -6.5
ULL
MDTN -12
SOMISS
MARSH 3
UCLA
WASU 18
UNLV
AF -17
AUB
GEO -4.5
A&M
OK -18.5
ALA
MISST 12.5
NTEX
FIU -2.5
LT
LSU -24
TROY
ARK -14.5
MIA
NC 3.5
TT
OKST -3.5
UTAH
TCU -17.5
ND
PITT -7
WY
SDST -5
NMST
HAW -18
ECU
TULSA -6
NFL-------------------------------------------
CHI
SF -3 - THURSDAY
ATL
CAR 1
TB
MIA -10
DET
MIN -15.5
JAC
NYJ -7
CIN
PIT
NO
STL 14
BUF
TEN -6.5
DEN
WAS
KC
OAK -1
SEA
ARI -9
DAL
GB 3
PHI
SD -3
NE
IND -2.5
BAL
CLE 12
Week 10 Standings
OVERALL
MC 79 71 52.7%
MR 79 71 52.7%
JR 78 72 52.0%
MH 76 74 50.7%
GR 76 74 50.7%
JG 73 77 48.7%
MK 73 77 48.7%
AW 69 81 46.0%
NFL
JR 25 20 55.6%
GR 22 23 48.9%
MR 22 23 48.9%
AW 22 23 48.9%
MH 21 24 46.7%
MC 20 25 44.4%
MK 20 25 44.4%
JG 19 26 42.2%
NCAA
MC 59 46 56.2%
MR 57 48 54.3%
MH 55 50 52.4%
JG 54 51 51.4%
GR 54 51 51.4%
JR 53 52 50.5%
MK 53 52 50.5%
AW 47 58 44.8%
Fun Facts
MC can be congratulated for the first 0'fer week in NFL...0-5, nice work. Combine that with his 3-7 NCAA record this week and he pulled an all-timer mark of 3-12 for the week to come back to the pack after the record setting 12-3 last week. Still tied for first, but it is a very tight race once again. 5 guys over .500, 3 under...not bad. 603-597 total.
I continue to lead the NFL games at 55.6%, nobody else is over .500. NFL is kicking our ass lately. JR an AW are the only 2 that have a better NFL record than NCAA record.
MC is leading NCAA still at 56.2%. AW is the only guy under .500 in NCAA picks.
For my overall pick everything challenge I went 27-25 in NCAA to bring the yearly mark to 257-247 (51%). For NFL I went 6-7 to bring the yearly mark up to 55.8%. I've been below .500 the last 3 out of 4 weeks...time for a turn around.
Weekly Notes
Lost our first 2 coaches...finally. Tommy West fired after 8 or 9 years at MEM. They are horrible this year, but have been fairly solid in the past so not sure if this was the right move. And David Elson got axed from 1st year D1 program Western Kentucky. 0-9 and barely competitve, but what do they expect in their 1st year in D1?
Anyone catch the end of HOU-TULSA on CBSCS? Unreal. HOU scored and missed the 2 pt conversion to tie it with under a minute left. The team and crowd just looked devastated. Then they recover the onside kick, throw 2 passes and kick a 51 yarder to win it. Just a complete 180 from only 1 minute before. This could have been the Maroon and Gold had we recovered the great onside kick from Ellestad.
GOPHERS Recap
Ugly. The 1st half was pathetic. The team just looked completely unprepared and got it handed to them. The defense didn't do much, the offense did even less. Weber was horrible, the playcalling was very strange (why do you attempt 10 deep passes in the first half against a team that hasn't stopped the run all year?) It's not that these passes weren't there, but AWEB couldn't throw it in the right spot and when he did we dropped it! Looked like a different team in the 2nd half, but digging out of a 21 pt hole is tough. You HAVE to score a TD on that first drive. Settling for 3 there was a huge buzzkill and could have been the difference in the game. You're on the 1 yard line, has Hoese ever not gotten at least 1 yard on a FB dive?!? Run the ball!! Even after that they realized that maybe they can run against ILL and don't need to throw 40 yards down the field every time. T-A made a couple nice 3rd down receptions and we got ourselves into a position to win the game. But the D just CAN NOT GET OFF THE FIELD ON 3RD DOWN! This is just so frustrating to watch. It is just like the Mase days. It's a freshman QB, they don't have much up front, how are we not pressuring the hell out of this guy? And when we do bring pressure - for god's sake play the CB's up tight! It's really not too tough to figure out, if you bring pressure and force a quick throw you need to play the WR's right up on the line and be looking for the ball. I'm convinced our CB/S crew just doesn't have much for cover skills or ball skills. They look lost on nearly every play, and they can never make a big play or an athletic play to change the game. They also are horrible tacklers for the most part. Ellestad kicking 2 balls out of bounds and a brutal shank by Haudan in the 1st half also helped the cause. The pick 6 by AWEB was horrible as well. Hard to take a lot of positives away from this game besides the nice comeback that fell short. The RB's ran it well when given the chance. I think they had 17 carries or something like that...and combined averaged around 5 ypc. However, AWEB took 7 sacks for about -60...nice. Is it possible for the guy to throw the ball away? It was a team loss - everyone contributed. We're 5-5, I expected a split out of the last 2 home games, but I just was hoping for something better. 5-5 with 2 games left...a layup this week and a suddenly very winnable game at IOWA...7-5 with a pig in our posession could still be a nice year. Don't get caught up in the SDSU hype...it isn't going to happen.
I'll be sending out the games shortly.
MC 79 71 52.7%
MR 79 71 52.7%
JR 78 72 52.0%
MH 76 74 50.7%
GR 76 74 50.7%
JG 73 77 48.7%
MK 73 77 48.7%
AW 69 81 46.0%
NFL
JR 25 20 55.6%
GR 22 23 48.9%
MR 22 23 48.9%
AW 22 23 48.9%
MH 21 24 46.7%
MC 20 25 44.4%
MK 20 25 44.4%
JG 19 26 42.2%
NCAA
MC 59 46 56.2%
MR 57 48 54.3%
MH 55 50 52.4%
JG 54 51 51.4%
GR 54 51 51.4%
JR 53 52 50.5%
MK 53 52 50.5%
AW 47 58 44.8%
Fun Facts
MC can be congratulated for the first 0'fer week in NFL...0-5, nice work. Combine that with his 3-7 NCAA record this week and he pulled an all-timer mark of 3-12 for the week to come back to the pack after the record setting 12-3 last week. Still tied for first, but it is a very tight race once again. 5 guys over .500, 3 under...not bad. 603-597 total.
I continue to lead the NFL games at 55.6%, nobody else is over .500. NFL is kicking our ass lately. JR an AW are the only 2 that have a better NFL record than NCAA record.
MC is leading NCAA still at 56.2%. AW is the only guy under .500 in NCAA picks.
For my overall pick everything challenge I went 27-25 in NCAA to bring the yearly mark to 257-247 (51%). For NFL I went 6-7 to bring the yearly mark up to 55.8%. I've been below .500 the last 3 out of 4 weeks...time for a turn around.
Weekly Notes
Lost our first 2 coaches...finally. Tommy West fired after 8 or 9 years at MEM. They are horrible this year, but have been fairly solid in the past so not sure if this was the right move. And David Elson got axed from 1st year D1 program Western Kentucky. 0-9 and barely competitve, but what do they expect in their 1st year in D1?
Anyone catch the end of HOU-TULSA on CBSCS? Unreal. HOU scored and missed the 2 pt conversion to tie it with under a minute left. The team and crowd just looked devastated. Then they recover the onside kick, throw 2 passes and kick a 51 yarder to win it. Just a complete 180 from only 1 minute before. This could have been the Maroon and Gold had we recovered the great onside kick from Ellestad.
GOPHERS Recap
Ugly. The 1st half was pathetic. The team just looked completely unprepared and got it handed to them. The defense didn't do much, the offense did even less. Weber was horrible, the playcalling was very strange (why do you attempt 10 deep passes in the first half against a team that hasn't stopped the run all year?) It's not that these passes weren't there, but AWEB couldn't throw it in the right spot and when he did we dropped it! Looked like a different team in the 2nd half, but digging out of a 21 pt hole is tough. You HAVE to score a TD on that first drive. Settling for 3 there was a huge buzzkill and could have been the difference in the game. You're on the 1 yard line, has Hoese ever not gotten at least 1 yard on a FB dive?!? Run the ball!! Even after that they realized that maybe they can run against ILL and don't need to throw 40 yards down the field every time. T-A made a couple nice 3rd down receptions and we got ourselves into a position to win the game. But the D just CAN NOT GET OFF THE FIELD ON 3RD DOWN! This is just so frustrating to watch. It is just like the Mase days. It's a freshman QB, they don't have much up front, how are we not pressuring the hell out of this guy? And when we do bring pressure - for god's sake play the CB's up tight! It's really not too tough to figure out, if you bring pressure and force a quick throw you need to play the WR's right up on the line and be looking for the ball. I'm convinced our CB/S crew just doesn't have much for cover skills or ball skills. They look lost on nearly every play, and they can never make a big play or an athletic play to change the game. They also are horrible tacklers for the most part. Ellestad kicking 2 balls out of bounds and a brutal shank by Haudan in the 1st half also helped the cause. The pick 6 by AWEB was horrible as well. Hard to take a lot of positives away from this game besides the nice comeback that fell short. The RB's ran it well when given the chance. I think they had 17 carries or something like that...and combined averaged around 5 ypc. However, AWEB took 7 sacks for about -60...nice. Is it possible for the guy to throw the ball away? It was a team loss - everyone contributed. We're 5-5, I expected a split out of the last 2 home games, but I just was hoping for something better. 5-5 with 2 games left...a layup this week and a suddenly very winnable game at IOWA...7-5 with a pig in our posession could still be a nice year. Don't get caught up in the SDSU hype...it isn't going to happen.
I'll be sending out the games shortly.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Weekend Review: Happiest 6-9 Weekend Ever!
Here's how the weekend went:
MK: 7-8
JR: 6-9
JG: 6-9
MR: 6-9
GR: 5-9 +DEN
AW: 5-10
MH: 3-11 +PIT
MC: 3-12
So basically everyone had a tough one this week. We'll end the week at a combined 42-78 (35%) wow. Quite a turnaround from the last few weeks of winning. MK goes 7-8 to win the week, not super impressive, but he gains 4 games on the leader!
What killed us? Nobody went over .500 in NFL games. Vegas had to make up a ton of their losses this week with 10 Dogs and 2 FAVS covering yesterday. We never learn, pts are golden in the NFL and always will be. The early season FAVS covering was the exception, taking points is the rule. Not sure if we'll see the lines come back down to earth a bit, but I wouldn't doubt it.
NCAA - MICH and MN killed a lot of people. As did ORE...I was correct on all 3 but didn't include any in the 10 picks for the week! I rocked an 0-5 during mid week games and a solid 27-20 on Saturday including a ridiculous 12-4 mark in the early games...again, why couldn't this happen on Vegas week and give me an extra $400 in my pocket!?!?
I'll post the full update tomorrow with up-to-date standings and a weekend recap. Should be a good one tonight in DEN...I like PIT -3.
MK: 7-8
JR: 6-9
JG: 6-9
MR: 6-9
GR: 5-9 +DEN
AW: 5-10
MH: 3-11 +PIT
MC: 3-12
So basically everyone had a tough one this week. We'll end the week at a combined 42-78 (35%) wow. Quite a turnaround from the last few weeks of winning. MK goes 7-8 to win the week, not super impressive, but he gains 4 games on the leader!
What killed us? Nobody went over .500 in NFL games. Vegas had to make up a ton of their losses this week with 10 Dogs and 2 FAVS covering yesterday. We never learn, pts are golden in the NFL and always will be. The early season FAVS covering was the exception, taking points is the rule. Not sure if we'll see the lines come back down to earth a bit, but I wouldn't doubt it.
NCAA - MICH and MN killed a lot of people. As did ORE...I was correct on all 3 but didn't include any in the 10 picks for the week! I rocked an 0-5 during mid week games and a solid 27-20 on Saturday including a ridiculous 12-4 mark in the early games...again, why couldn't this happen on Vegas week and give me an extra $400 in my pocket!?!?
I'll post the full update tomorrow with up-to-date standings and a weekend recap. Should be a good one tonight in DEN...I like PIT -3.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Week 10 Pick...better late than never
Ok. Late update for tonight, but here we go.
NCAA
JR: ECU, BOISE, KST, ND, OKST, LSU, HOU, OK, UTST, FRES
JG: IND, MSU, MICH, MN, TEX, NW, WASU, ORE, OKST, FSU
MR: VT, WIS, MICH, MN, NW, KAN, ORE, WF, LSU, FSU
MK: BUFF, MICH, MN, NW, KST, ORE, WF, LSU, VAN, NEB
AW: VT, WIS, MICH, MN, ARK, KAN, ORE, PSU, FSU, HAW
GR: BUFF, BOISE, MN, PITT, ND, ORE, OKST, LSU, VAN, OK
MH: BOISE, WIS, MICH, MN, PITT, IOWA, NAVY, ORE, OHIOST, NTEX
MC: TEM, EMU, BOISE, UAB, KENT, ARKST, NTEX, FIU, TULSA, FRES
NFL
JR: ATL, BAL, IND, NYG, DAL
JG: CHI, JAC, TB, MIA, DET
MR: IND, NE, NYG, TEN, DAL
MK: ATL, CHI, BAL, IND, NYG
AW: ATL, CHI, HOU, SF, PHI
GR: ATL, IND, GB, PHI, DEN
MH: IND, GB, NYG, PHI, PIT
MC: CHI, IND, JAC, DET, PHI
Consensus Picks
BOISE, MICH, MN, ORE, LSU
ATL, CHI, IND, NYG
Wow, 9 consensus games this week...this scares me. But I actually only agree with 2 of the 5 NCAA picks and 3 of the 4 NFL.
NCAA OPINIONS
- Scared on my ECU pick right now. They've had chances, they just need to get one in the endzone and make this thing a lock. 13-3 right now.
- MC has TEM and EMU tonight...EMU is getting housed, so that's looking like an L and TEM is in a nail biter right now. Tough 0-2 start for last week's champ?
- How do you not pick BOISE every week? Seriously, name your number and they will cover it.
- I really want to believe that IND will give WIS a battle and make a nice turnaround after the collapse at IOWA...but I don't see it. After the last 2 L's to NW and IOWA I think the Hoosiers are about done.
- PUR at MICH...everyone loves MICH, yikes. This is a team that just got CRUSHED at ILL and gave them their 1st win all year against a D1 opponent! PUR was terrible at WIS, but I'm taking Boilers and points over the potential hot seat of DickRod.
- SYR, looks like the legend hasn't been able to keep his team on track. How's your week? Well, star player WR Williams quits the team, then 3 other starters get suspended. Now you have to go on the road to PITT and play the 7-1 Panthers who are covering machines. 19 is plenty of points, but this is a good play...GR and MH
- NW at IOWA, It looked like IOWA was going to get their scare last week from one of the gimme home dates, but I think it might come this week. NW can provide a little more offensive punch than that IND team could, and have a far superior coach who won't allow a mental collapse like that. Just get Ricardo to keep throwing to the wrong jerseys and we're in business. Let's start the march to a 9-3 season this Saturday. Go Cats Go! Like them with the points.
- SC at ARK is a scary game to bet. AW took ARK and that's all the action we got. I pick defense in the SEC...so I like the Cocks getting points.
- KAN at KST should be really interesting. Bill Snyder has made this team competitve this year, which is something I really didn't expect at all. Hell, they could still win the pathetic B12 North! KAN started hot and has been a train wreck since then. I'll guess it continues and Snyder wins at home over the Jayhawks. Plus when you're getting 2.5 as a home team? Only way to bet this one.
- I think MARY stays within a TD of NCST.
- I didn't pick it, but I love A&M at COL this week. COL is bad! People need to start realizing this. A&M can score...a lot! This is a good pick, but nobody took it.
- NAVY at ND...11, really? that seems sooooo low considering NAVY really doesn't have a lot of D, ND can throw it around the field better than anyone and has Michael Floyd coming back this week and will be looking to avenge the L from last year. I like a ND BEATDOWN in this one...and I hate ND.
- Betting against RICE is never a bad plan...nobody took SMU's high powered O at -18 this week.
- JG took WASU and their weekly 30+ line. I like it at Zona this week. WASU actually has been covering these huge lines this year, which they never did last year.
- Everyone loves ORE...except me. I've had a thing for STAN all season. I love Harbaugh (next MICH coach?!?!) and still think the Ducks are very beatable...even after the shocking beatdown they put on Carroll last week. That was an all-time high for the Ducks, now they have to go on the road to play a tough STAN team and the whole country already has them in the Rose Bowl...yikes. LOVE STANFORD in this one.
- WASH at UCLA...yuck. Who knows WTF either of these teams is going to give you week in and week out. Flip a coin...tails, I like UCLA.
- Not believing in WF on the road this week. MR and MK both took them, but GT is really on a roll right now, and I've seen and lost with WF on the road before.
- OKST at ISU...7.5!! Seriously. Is the oddsmaker a OKST grad looking to cash in big-time or what?!? They will cover 7.5 in the first 10 minutes and never look back. The Clones are 5-4, but besides the 8 turnover game against NEB here's who they have beaten: NDSU, KENT, ARMY, BAY...LeRoy would probably be about 4-1 against that slate. OKST is still a really good team, they got rolled by TEX who is a really GREAT team. Bet everything you own on OKST this weekend.
- OHIOST at PSU - this should have been for the B10 title, but PSU pooped their pants earlier this year, so it's not. I picked OHIOST earlier in the week because I want them to win and run the table and keep the D-bags out of any meaningful bowl. But the more I thought about it, I don't think they can beat PSU. PSU has the edge at QB, running game, defense, and they are playing at home. Too many things on their side, I like the Lions.
- LSU at ALA - Tigers are starting to figure out how to play offense. ALA has had some major QB issues for quite a while now. Anything more than a TD is too much...so the pick is LSU. I don't think they win, but it will be closer than 9.
- VAN at FLA - this is a game that everyone had to think about this week. 32.5 is a lot of points for a team like VAN. They slow play it with a decent D and brutal O. Gators haven't exactly been covering machines like last year. I think VAN keeps it close as FLA just cruises to an easy 38-7 win.
- HOU at TULSA - I really thought more people would be on the HOU train by now. 7-1, averaging 42 ppg and only giving 3 to a Tulsa team that thought they were good...but has dropped 3 straight against BOISE, UTEP!, SMU...2 of those at home. If it was 7 or more I wouldn't touch it, but 3? I have to bet on two teams heading totally different directions when lots of points will be scored.
- FSU at CLEM - Love FSU. I think 8 is too high and FSU might come through with a late season rally. Still can't buy into CLEM, although they are tough at home.
- OK at NEB - talked to Pete, my buddy who is a die-hard NEB fan, tonight. First words out of his mouth, "Sooners, bet them heavy and often." I couldn't agree more. How is this only 6.5 and hasn't moved all week? NEB can't score and they are playing a struggling but still VERY GOOD Sooner D. NEB also plays great D, but I expect a Sooner win...21-7 with 2 D/SPT scores from OK.
- UCONN at CIN - everyone avoided it, when UCONN is involved it's the only sane thing to do. I think they keep it closer than 17 this week...CIN might be looking to cruise, and UCONN is the most unpredictable team year in and year out.
- Love 2 WAC games to close out the evening...UTST at HAW and FRES at IDAHO. UTST is a really good team that has lost a ton of close ones this year.4 of their 6 losses by 1 score or less. HAW is terrible and hasn't been within 1 score in their last 5...but they are only getting 3 at home? I guess they are banking on the UTST kids being distracted by the hula girls. Give me the Aggies. FRESNO is a good team that has been rolling people lately and runs the ball extremely well. IDAHO is 7-2, not a lot of impressive wins, all close games, and gets torched by good running teams...NEV 70-45 with like 700 yards on the ground. I'll take FRESNO.
GOPHERS host ILLINI
This game scares the crap out of me. I know ILL is likely more terrible than good and last week was the exception and not the rule, but I just don't have a good feeling. I didn't touch it for betting, but gun to the head I take ILLINOIS. Things are almost too rosy after the SPARTY win and this is a hungry ILL team coming in that has plenty of talent. They need to run the ball well to be successful, so I think this is one way we can make this work. Our run D was outstanding last week outside of the 84 yard end around. We can contain Juicy and the RB's, which means Air Juicy comes out...then the fun begins. They guy is really not a great passer. They do have a great WR, like us...but also like us, he's banged up and not really effective right now. Benn will play, but he shouldn't be a concern. Their defense is bad. Like really bad, just as it was last year, just like I predicted it would be this year. We should be able to throw it all ove the field, much like last Saturday. I would really like to see a little more from the running game, and hopefully less than 17 penalties this week as well. Bottom line, I think it's going to be a dangerously close game that will really test the team, but we should be able to pull it out.
GOPHERS 34 ILLINOIS 30
NFL OPINIONS
- WAS at ATL...4 of us jumped on it. WAS is that bad...ATL will house.
- ARI at CHI...4 on the Bears, I LOVE ARIZONA. They have been surprisingly great on the road this year, and the BEARS really are not that good. The weather shoulnd't be bad, I LOVE ARI!
- BAL at CIN...still can't trust the Bungals, still can't write off the Ravens...LOVE BAL!
- HOU at IND...Colts are good. 49ers play some really good D, Texans don't. Colts will run it up, give up a few, but cover.
- KC at JAC...ugh. 2 terrible teams, but you can't bet on KC against anyone with a pulse. I'll take JAGS.
- GB at TB...10.5 might feel a little high, but the Pack has had no problem beating up on the bad teams this year, and TB definitely is a bad team. I'll take the Pack.
- MIA at NE...MIA is a good team. Chad Henne is better than I thought. They can run it on anyone, so I think 10.5 is too high. Give me points and Fins.
- CAR at NO...how do you bet against NO right now? CAR is nothing special, NO should put up 40 again and cover.
- DET at SEA...had SEA marked, but then asked myself why? They have been bad this year and really don't deserve to be a 10 pt fav over anyone. DET isn't good either obviously, but I think they can cover.
DAMN IT! VT just kicked a meaningless FG to go up 16-3!! Oddmakers are too good. I need something fluky to happen, which isn't likely.
- SD at NYG...This Charger club is really not good at all, but I don't think the NYG are either. However, at home in MAJOR need of a W I think the NYG get it done.
- TEN at SF...toughest game of the week for me to figure out. I think SF is probably the better team and will win the game because of their D, but 5.5 pts is too high. TEN covers but doesn't win. SF won't let them run and that's all they can do.
- DAL at PHI...I like the Cowboys. PHI just continues to leave a bad taste in my mouth. DAL is figuring some things out and I think they can run it well enough and play enough D to win this game.
- PIT at DEN...GREAT MNF game. DEN still doesn't feel legit to me, and these are the games that PIT ALWAYS wins. Love the Steelers on MNF this week.
Looks like a great weekend! Tons of big games, some sure upsets and hopefully the GOPHERS moving to 6-4. Have a good one.
NCAA
JR: ECU, BOISE, KST, ND, OKST, LSU, HOU, OK, UTST, FRES
JG: IND, MSU, MICH, MN, TEX, NW, WASU, ORE, OKST, FSU
MR: VT, WIS, MICH, MN, NW, KAN, ORE, WF, LSU, FSU
MK: BUFF, MICH, MN, NW, KST, ORE, WF, LSU, VAN, NEB
AW: VT, WIS, MICH, MN, ARK, KAN, ORE, PSU, FSU, HAW
GR: BUFF, BOISE, MN, PITT, ND, ORE, OKST, LSU, VAN, OK
MH: BOISE, WIS, MICH, MN, PITT, IOWA, NAVY, ORE, OHIOST, NTEX
MC: TEM, EMU, BOISE, UAB, KENT, ARKST, NTEX, FIU, TULSA, FRES
NFL
JR: ATL, BAL, IND, NYG, DAL
JG: CHI, JAC, TB, MIA, DET
MR: IND, NE, NYG, TEN, DAL
MK: ATL, CHI, BAL, IND, NYG
AW: ATL, CHI, HOU, SF, PHI
GR: ATL, IND, GB, PHI, DEN
MH: IND, GB, NYG, PHI, PIT
MC: CHI, IND, JAC, DET, PHI
Consensus Picks
BOISE, MICH, MN, ORE, LSU
ATL, CHI, IND, NYG
Wow, 9 consensus games this week...this scares me. But I actually only agree with 2 of the 5 NCAA picks and 3 of the 4 NFL.
NCAA OPINIONS
- Scared on my ECU pick right now. They've had chances, they just need to get one in the endzone and make this thing a lock. 13-3 right now.
- MC has TEM and EMU tonight...EMU is getting housed, so that's looking like an L and TEM is in a nail biter right now. Tough 0-2 start for last week's champ?
- How do you not pick BOISE every week? Seriously, name your number and they will cover it.
- I really want to believe that IND will give WIS a battle and make a nice turnaround after the collapse at IOWA...but I don't see it. After the last 2 L's to NW and IOWA I think the Hoosiers are about done.
- PUR at MICH...everyone loves MICH, yikes. This is a team that just got CRUSHED at ILL and gave them their 1st win all year against a D1 opponent! PUR was terrible at WIS, but I'm taking Boilers and points over the potential hot seat of DickRod.
- SYR, looks like the legend hasn't been able to keep his team on track. How's your week? Well, star player WR Williams quits the team, then 3 other starters get suspended. Now you have to go on the road to PITT and play the 7-1 Panthers who are covering machines. 19 is plenty of points, but this is a good play...GR and MH
- NW at IOWA, It looked like IOWA was going to get their scare last week from one of the gimme home dates, but I think it might come this week. NW can provide a little more offensive punch than that IND team could, and have a far superior coach who won't allow a mental collapse like that. Just get Ricardo to keep throwing to the wrong jerseys and we're in business. Let's start the march to a 9-3 season this Saturday. Go Cats Go! Like them with the points.
- SC at ARK is a scary game to bet. AW took ARK and that's all the action we got. I pick defense in the SEC...so I like the Cocks getting points.
- KAN at KST should be really interesting. Bill Snyder has made this team competitve this year, which is something I really didn't expect at all. Hell, they could still win the pathetic B12 North! KAN started hot and has been a train wreck since then. I'll guess it continues and Snyder wins at home over the Jayhawks. Plus when you're getting 2.5 as a home team? Only way to bet this one.
- I think MARY stays within a TD of NCST.
- I didn't pick it, but I love A&M at COL this week. COL is bad! People need to start realizing this. A&M can score...a lot! This is a good pick, but nobody took it.
- NAVY at ND...11, really? that seems sooooo low considering NAVY really doesn't have a lot of D, ND can throw it around the field better than anyone and has Michael Floyd coming back this week and will be looking to avenge the L from last year. I like a ND BEATDOWN in this one...and I hate ND.
- Betting against RICE is never a bad plan...nobody took SMU's high powered O at -18 this week.
- JG took WASU and their weekly 30+ line. I like it at Zona this week. WASU actually has been covering these huge lines this year, which they never did last year.
- Everyone loves ORE...except me. I've had a thing for STAN all season. I love Harbaugh (next MICH coach?!?!) and still think the Ducks are very beatable...even after the shocking beatdown they put on Carroll last week. That was an all-time high for the Ducks, now they have to go on the road to play a tough STAN team and the whole country already has them in the Rose Bowl...yikes. LOVE STANFORD in this one.
- WASH at UCLA...yuck. Who knows WTF either of these teams is going to give you week in and week out. Flip a coin...tails, I like UCLA.
- Not believing in WF on the road this week. MR and MK both took them, but GT is really on a roll right now, and I've seen and lost with WF on the road before.
- OKST at ISU...7.5!! Seriously. Is the oddsmaker a OKST grad looking to cash in big-time or what?!? They will cover 7.5 in the first 10 minutes and never look back. The Clones are 5-4, but besides the 8 turnover game against NEB here's who they have beaten: NDSU, KENT, ARMY, BAY...LeRoy would probably be about 4-1 against that slate. OKST is still a really good team, they got rolled by TEX who is a really GREAT team. Bet everything you own on OKST this weekend.
- OHIOST at PSU - this should have been for the B10 title, but PSU pooped their pants earlier this year, so it's not. I picked OHIOST earlier in the week because I want them to win and run the table and keep the D-bags out of any meaningful bowl. But the more I thought about it, I don't think they can beat PSU. PSU has the edge at QB, running game, defense, and they are playing at home. Too many things on their side, I like the Lions.
- LSU at ALA - Tigers are starting to figure out how to play offense. ALA has had some major QB issues for quite a while now. Anything more than a TD is too much...so the pick is LSU. I don't think they win, but it will be closer than 9.
- VAN at FLA - this is a game that everyone had to think about this week. 32.5 is a lot of points for a team like VAN. They slow play it with a decent D and brutal O. Gators haven't exactly been covering machines like last year. I think VAN keeps it close as FLA just cruises to an easy 38-7 win.
- HOU at TULSA - I really thought more people would be on the HOU train by now. 7-1, averaging 42 ppg and only giving 3 to a Tulsa team that thought they were good...but has dropped 3 straight against BOISE, UTEP!, SMU...2 of those at home. If it was 7 or more I wouldn't touch it, but 3? I have to bet on two teams heading totally different directions when lots of points will be scored.
- FSU at CLEM - Love FSU. I think 8 is too high and FSU might come through with a late season rally. Still can't buy into CLEM, although they are tough at home.
- OK at NEB - talked to Pete, my buddy who is a die-hard NEB fan, tonight. First words out of his mouth, "Sooners, bet them heavy and often." I couldn't agree more. How is this only 6.5 and hasn't moved all week? NEB can't score and they are playing a struggling but still VERY GOOD Sooner D. NEB also plays great D, but I expect a Sooner win...21-7 with 2 D/SPT scores from OK.
- UCONN at CIN - everyone avoided it, when UCONN is involved it's the only sane thing to do. I think they keep it closer than 17 this week...CIN might be looking to cruise, and UCONN is the most unpredictable team year in and year out.
- Love 2 WAC games to close out the evening...UTST at HAW and FRES at IDAHO. UTST is a really good team that has lost a ton of close ones this year.4 of their 6 losses by 1 score or less. HAW is terrible and hasn't been within 1 score in their last 5...but they are only getting 3 at home? I guess they are banking on the UTST kids being distracted by the hula girls. Give me the Aggies. FRESNO is a good team that has been rolling people lately and runs the ball extremely well. IDAHO is 7-2, not a lot of impressive wins, all close games, and gets torched by good running teams...NEV 70-45 with like 700 yards on the ground. I'll take FRESNO.
GOPHERS host ILLINI
This game scares the crap out of me. I know ILL is likely more terrible than good and last week was the exception and not the rule, but I just don't have a good feeling. I didn't touch it for betting, but gun to the head I take ILLINOIS. Things are almost too rosy after the SPARTY win and this is a hungry ILL team coming in that has plenty of talent. They need to run the ball well to be successful, so I think this is one way we can make this work. Our run D was outstanding last week outside of the 84 yard end around. We can contain Juicy and the RB's, which means Air Juicy comes out...then the fun begins. They guy is really not a great passer. They do have a great WR, like us...but also like us, he's banged up and not really effective right now. Benn will play, but he shouldn't be a concern. Their defense is bad. Like really bad, just as it was last year, just like I predicted it would be this year. We should be able to throw it all ove the field, much like last Saturday. I would really like to see a little more from the running game, and hopefully less than 17 penalties this week as well. Bottom line, I think it's going to be a dangerously close game that will really test the team, but we should be able to pull it out.
GOPHERS 34 ILLINOIS 30
NFL OPINIONS
- WAS at ATL...4 of us jumped on it. WAS is that bad...ATL will house.
- ARI at CHI...4 on the Bears, I LOVE ARIZONA. They have been surprisingly great on the road this year, and the BEARS really are not that good. The weather shoulnd't be bad, I LOVE ARI!
- BAL at CIN...still can't trust the Bungals, still can't write off the Ravens...LOVE BAL!
- HOU at IND...Colts are good. 49ers play some really good D, Texans don't. Colts will run it up, give up a few, but cover.
- KC at JAC...ugh. 2 terrible teams, but you can't bet on KC against anyone with a pulse. I'll take JAGS.
- GB at TB...10.5 might feel a little high, but the Pack has had no problem beating up on the bad teams this year, and TB definitely is a bad team. I'll take the Pack.
- MIA at NE...MIA is a good team. Chad Henne is better than I thought. They can run it on anyone, so I think 10.5 is too high. Give me points and Fins.
- CAR at NO...how do you bet against NO right now? CAR is nothing special, NO should put up 40 again and cover.
- DET at SEA...had SEA marked, but then asked myself why? They have been bad this year and really don't deserve to be a 10 pt fav over anyone. DET isn't good either obviously, but I think they can cover.
DAMN IT! VT just kicked a meaningless FG to go up 16-3!! Oddmakers are too good. I need something fluky to happen, which isn't likely.
- SD at NYG...This Charger club is really not good at all, but I don't think the NYG are either. However, at home in MAJOR need of a W I think the NYG get it done.
- TEN at SF...toughest game of the week for me to figure out. I think SF is probably the better team and will win the game because of their D, but 5.5 pts is too high. TEN covers but doesn't win. SF won't let them run and that's all they can do.
- DAL at PHI...I like the Cowboys. PHI just continues to leave a bad taste in my mouth. DAL is figuring some things out and I think they can run it well enough and play enough D to win this game.
- PIT at DEN...GREAT MNF game. DEN still doesn't feel legit to me, and these are the games that PIT ALWAYS wins. Love the Steelers on MNF this week.
Looks like a great weekend! Tons of big games, some sure upsets and hopefully the GOPHERS moving to 6-4. Have a good one.
Quick Thursday Picks
I am running out to an exciting gymnastics class, so just wanted to throw out the picks for tonight. I'll send the large update later tonight, but wanted to get the Thursday picks out so nobody can call foul when ECU covers tonight!
JR - ECU
MR - VT
AW - VT
MC - TEM, EMU
More to come...stay tuned.
JR - ECU
MR - VT
AW - VT
MC - TEM, EMU
More to come...stay tuned.
7 in...waiting on 1
Mr. Roe - just waiting on your picks. I'll send out a full recap for the coming weekend as soon as I have everything.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Missing NFL Lines
Here are the two NFL games that were missing lines this morning:
WAS
ATL -10
CAR
NO -14
WAS
ATL -10
CAR
NO -14
Bowl Projections
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but here's what the recent bowl projections looks like with 3 games to play:
GOPHERS vs. HUSKERS
Jan 2nd - ALAMO BOWL - 8pm ESPN
How fun would that be?? Technically, it is a JAN Bowl game this year, but obviously not one of the elite JAN Bowl games we are hoping for.
However, the chance to play NEB in a nice bowl in San Antonio would be AWESOME! 7-5 might get it done, 8-4 definitely would...actually at 8-4 we might be somewhere even better.
No predictions yet - just reporting what the experts are saying at this point.
Sku-u-mah!
GOPHERS vs. HUSKERS
Jan 2nd - ALAMO BOWL - 8pm ESPN
How fun would that be?? Technically, it is a JAN Bowl game this year, but obviously not one of the elite JAN Bowl games we are hoping for.
However, the chance to play NEB in a nice bowl in San Antonio would be AWESOME! 7-5 might get it done, 8-4 definitely would...actually at 8-4 we might be somewhere even better.
No predictions yet - just reporting what the experts are saying at this point.
Sku-u-mah!
Week 10 Lines - due THUR at Noon
BGU
BUFF -3.5 TUESDAY
VT
ECU 12.5 THURSDAY
MIAOH
TEM -13.5 THURSDAY
EMU
NILL -21 THURSDAY
BOISE
LT 20 FRIDAY
WIS
IND 11
WMU
MSU -18
PUR
MICH -3.5
ILL
MN -6
SYR
PITT -19
UCF
TEX -35
LOU
WV -19.5
NW
IOWA -17.5
VIR
MIA -13
SC
ARK -6
KAN
KST 2.5
MARY
NCST -7.5
A&M
COL 4.5
FAU
UAB -4.5
BAY
MIZZ -16
BYU
WY 13
NAVY
ND -11
RICE
SMU -18
WASU
AZ -30.5
ORE
STAN 4.5
WASH
UCLA -4.5
WF
GT -15.5
OKST
ISU 7.5
DUKE
NC -7.5
OHIOST
PSU -4
LSU
ALA -9
KENT
AKR 3
ARMY
AF -17
UTEP
TULANE 6.5
ULL
ARKST -11.5
ULM
NTEX 1.5
TCU
SDST 24
FIU
MDTN -13
TROY
WKY 24
NM
UTAH -27
OREST
CAL -6
MEM
TN -25
VAN
FLA -32.5
HOU
TULSA 3
FSU
CLEM -8
OK
NEB 6.5
UCONN
CIN -17
USC
ASU 11.5
COLST
UNLV 2.5
UTST
HAW 3
FRES
IDAHO 6.5
NEV
SJST 12.5
NFL-------------------------
WAS
ATL
ARI
CHI -3
BAL
CIN 3
HOU
IND -9
KC
JAC -6.5
GB
TB 10.5
MIA
NE -10.5
CAR
NO
DET
SEA -10
SD
NYG -3
TEN
SF -5.5
DAL
PHI -3
PIT
DEN 3
BUFF -3.5 TUESDAY
VT
ECU 12.5 THURSDAY
MIAOH
TEM -13.5 THURSDAY
EMU
NILL -21 THURSDAY
BOISE
LT 20 FRIDAY
WIS
IND 11
WMU
MSU -18
PUR
MICH -3.5
ILL
MN -6
SYR
PITT -19
UCF
TEX -35
LOU
WV -19.5
NW
IOWA -17.5
VIR
MIA -13
SC
ARK -6
KAN
KST 2.5
MARY
NCST -7.5
A&M
COL 4.5
FAU
UAB -4.5
BAY
MIZZ -16
BYU
WY 13
NAVY
ND -11
RICE
SMU -18
WASU
AZ -30.5
ORE
STAN 4.5
WASH
UCLA -4.5
WF
GT -15.5
OKST
ISU 7.5
DUKE
NC -7.5
OHIOST
PSU -4
LSU
ALA -9
KENT
AKR 3
ARMY
AF -17
UTEP
TULANE 6.5
ULL
ARKST -11.5
ULM
NTEX 1.5
TCU
SDST 24
FIU
MDTN -13
TROY
WKY 24
NM
UTAH -27
OREST
CAL -6
MEM
TN -25
VAN
FLA -32.5
HOU
TULSA 3
FSU
CLEM -8
OK
NEB 6.5
UCONN
CIN -17
USC
ASU 11.5
COLST
UNLV 2.5
UTST
HAW 3
FRES
IDAHO 6.5
NEV
SJST 12.5
NFL-------------------------
WAS
ATL
ARI
CHI -3
BAL
CIN 3
HOU
IND -9
KC
JAC -6.5
GB
TB 10.5
MIA
NE -10.5
CAR
NO
DET
SEA -10
SD
NYG -3
TEN
SF -5.5
DAL
PHI -3
PIT
DEN 3
Week 9 Standings
Here's where we are at:
TOTAL
MC 76 59 56.3%
MR 73 62 54.1%
JR 72 63 53.3%
MH 72 63 53.3%
GR 71 64 52.6%
JG 67 68 49.6%
MK 66 69 48.9%
AW 64 71 47.4%
A new leader, 12 win weeks will do that for you! MC is 3 games in the clear right now...but only 12 games out of last! Parody at its finest.
NFL
JR 23 17 57.5%
GR 21 19 52.5%
MR 20 20 50.0%
MC 20 20 50.0%
AW 20 20 50.0%
MH 20 20 50.0%
MK 19 21 47.5%
JG 17 23 42.5%
I've dipped below 60%...time for a really strong 5-0 coming up. Did JG win more NFL games this week (4) or the previous 3 weeks combined (3)?
NCAA
MC 56 39 58.9%
MR 53 42 55.8%
MH 52 43 54.7%
JG 50 45 52.6%
GR 50 45 52.6%
JR 49 46 51.6%
MK 47 48 49.5%
AW 44 51 46.3%
The master of the MAC and SBC holds his NCAA lead. 9-1 LW was the best week posted in NCAA all season long...nice work.
My pick everything challenge looks like this:
NCAA: 23-31 LW...230-222 total (51%)
NFL: 6-7 LW...66-50 total (57%)
Only my 2nd losing week in the NFL and my 5th losing week in NCAA...yuck.
I'll send out this week's lines in just a minute.
TOTAL
MC 76 59 56.3%
MR 73 62 54.1%
JR 72 63 53.3%
MH 72 63 53.3%
GR 71 64 52.6%
JG 67 68 49.6%
MK 66 69 48.9%
AW 64 71 47.4%
A new leader, 12 win weeks will do that for you! MC is 3 games in the clear right now...but only 12 games out of last! Parody at its finest.
NFL
JR 23 17 57.5%
GR 21 19 52.5%
MR 20 20 50.0%
MC 20 20 50.0%
AW 20 20 50.0%
MH 20 20 50.0%
MK 19 21 47.5%
JG 17 23 42.5%
I've dipped below 60%...time for a really strong 5-0 coming up. Did JG win more NFL games this week (4) or the previous 3 weeks combined (3)?
NCAA
MC 56 39 58.9%
MR 53 42 55.8%
MH 52 43 54.7%
JG 50 45 52.6%
GR 50 45 52.6%
JR 49 46 51.6%
MK 47 48 49.5%
AW 44 51 46.3%
The master of the MAC and SBC holds his NCAA lead. 9-1 LW was the best week posted in NCAA all season long...nice work.
My pick everything challenge looks like this:
NCAA: 23-31 LW...230-222 total (51%)
NFL: 6-7 LW...66-50 total (57%)
Only my 2nd losing week in the NFL and my 5th losing week in NCAA...yuck.
I'll send out this week's lines in just a minute.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Michael Carter
Weekend checklist:
1) Replace BPT in starting lineup
2) Play well, become new starter
3) Beat Sparty
4) Get bombed Sunday night after Vikes game
5) Try to pick fight, get arrested, resist arrest
6) Go to jail
Nice job moron. We always have to follow up something great with something completely stupid like this.
1) Replace BPT in starting lineup
2) Play well, become new starter
3) Beat Sparty
4) Get bombed Sunday night after Vikes game
5) Try to pick fight, get arrested, resist arrest
6) Go to jail
Nice job moron. We always have to follow up something great with something completely stupid like this.
Weekend Recap
Wow, sorry for the Saturday night post. Not sure what that was all about. That's what happens when you end up watching the end of the biggest win of the season alone in your living room after everyone else is sleeping and you need to tell someone about how great the Gophers are while sipping on Gopher kool-aid.
Anyway, here's how we fared this weekend:
MC: 12-3 (9-1 in NCAA! wow)
MH: 10-4 +NO
AW: 9-6
JG: 7-7 +ATL
MK: 7-7 +ATL
JR: 7-8
MR: 7-8
GR: 7-8
No epic disasters this weekend, and a couple really good weeks for the guys on the top. Full standings update coming tomorrow after the Saints-Falcons tonight. Don't really care who wins, just keep it under or at 54 so I can win my tiebreaker in a pick'em pool!
What a great football weekend! My scenario for the perfect weekend did actually come true, even though I had my Gopher Hockey schedule wrong...sweeping AA is not as thrilling as sweeping WIS, but I'll take it.
GOPHER FOOTBALL
I re-watched the 1st half last night during the thrilling NYG-PHI game, trying to remember everything that happened. How many big plays were there each way!?!? Unreal.
1. AWEB - that's the way you're supposed to play QB in this offense! Spread the wealth, don't turn it over, make good decisions. A+ for Saturday night Mr. Weber. Wow, I did not see this coming at all. He has looked so lost all year, but like I hinted at earlier in the week, I think losing Decker could actually be a positive for this club by forcing other guys to make plays and making us much less one dimensional in the passing game.
2. OL - where did this come from? We haven't been able to protect well all year, and then we throw for 400 yards with numerous down field passes. Credit the OL for that one. They did have a ton of bad penalties, but they got it done for the first time this season as far as pass protection goes.
3. WR's - we have the talent, that's obvious. It's nice to see breakouts from a lot of them all at the same time. This is what our offense should look like - if you can't run, then throw it all over the place and throw it down the field! Only blemish was the TS drop on a sure TD, that after rewatching still looks like a vdecet throw that he should have caught and scored on. He also had another TD reversed in the EZ on a fade. Tough night for Troy, but overall a GREAT night for the young Decker-less WR crew.
4. Defense was tough when necessary. A couple of big goal line stands lifted this team to victory. The DL played very strong and actually got some pressure on MSU for the first time in a long time. The big plays were killer, that's definitely something that needs to be addressed, but overall I was happy with the defense once again.
5. BPT - Big Play Traye has been changed to bench player traye. After getting torched a couple of times early he rode pine most of the 2nd half. Michael Carter played extremely well, and should not lose that spot for the next 2+ years. What happened to this guy? Remember when he was contemplating coming out early last year? Apparently, he won't have to worry about that for the 2010 draft. Let's hope it's a wake up call and he picks it up the next 4 games.
6. Recruits! Tons of recruits at the game on Saturday - how do you not love that one? Also got a 4-star RB recruit late FRI night when Josh Huff of Texas committed...he's more in the bruiser style that Brew wants on this club an he should see soem time next season with Whaley and Bennett. Looks like Brew and Co finally figured out that Eskridge is not the answer...thank you. I'm still thinking we have 3-5 big time players that could still commit over the next few weeks. The Illini game will be the last chance for visits on a gameday as the SDSU game will be only for invited walk-ons. A strong finish to the season would not hurt our chances with all of the big names left on the radar.
Then if that wasn't enough...Purple Jesus and #4 lead the Vikes to a sweep of the Pack in Lambeau.
1. Obviously, #4 is the big story. He played well again, and lead this team to a great win.
2. Cheech! How wrong was I on this guy?!? I really wasn't a huge fan of the pick, but my god I think this kid is the MVP of this team right now. The returns and the huge TD catch were game-changers. Love it.
3. #69 - 7.5 sacks and 8.5 TFL...not a bad season for most...for Jared Allen it's just his series stats against the Pack this year! How great is this guy.
4. OL - again, outstanding. GB couldn't sniff Favre, which is a key that hasn't really been talked about a whole lot this year. Keeping the old man upright helps our odds of winning and doing something special this year.
7-1 into the bye doesn't suck. Here's the rest of the slate:
DET
SEA
CHI
@ARI
CIN
@CAR
@CHI
NYG
I dare you to find a loss. Home games will all be wins...only potential land mines could be at CHI or at CAR, but really would you bet on either of these clubs over the Purple right now? I wouldn't. Let's just hope the Aints drops about 3-4 between now and then so we can lock up home field.
Minnesota Football...catch the fever!
Anyway, here's how we fared this weekend:
MC: 12-3 (9-1 in NCAA! wow)
MH: 10-4 +NO
AW: 9-6
JG: 7-7 +ATL
MK: 7-7 +ATL
JR: 7-8
MR: 7-8
GR: 7-8
No epic disasters this weekend, and a couple really good weeks for the guys on the top. Full standings update coming tomorrow after the Saints-Falcons tonight. Don't really care who wins, just keep it under or at 54 so I can win my tiebreaker in a pick'em pool!
What a great football weekend! My scenario for the perfect weekend did actually come true, even though I had my Gopher Hockey schedule wrong...sweeping AA is not as thrilling as sweeping WIS, but I'll take it.
GOPHER FOOTBALL
I re-watched the 1st half last night during the thrilling NYG-PHI game, trying to remember everything that happened. How many big plays were there each way!?!? Unreal.
1. AWEB - that's the way you're supposed to play QB in this offense! Spread the wealth, don't turn it over, make good decisions. A+ for Saturday night Mr. Weber. Wow, I did not see this coming at all. He has looked so lost all year, but like I hinted at earlier in the week, I think losing Decker could actually be a positive for this club by forcing other guys to make plays and making us much less one dimensional in the passing game.
2. OL - where did this come from? We haven't been able to protect well all year, and then we throw for 400 yards with numerous down field passes. Credit the OL for that one. They did have a ton of bad penalties, but they got it done for the first time this season as far as pass protection goes.
3. WR's - we have the talent, that's obvious. It's nice to see breakouts from a lot of them all at the same time. This is what our offense should look like - if you can't run, then throw it all over the place and throw it down the field! Only blemish was the TS drop on a sure TD, that after rewatching still looks like a vdecet throw that he should have caught and scored on. He also had another TD reversed in the EZ on a fade. Tough night for Troy, but overall a GREAT night for the young Decker-less WR crew.
4. Defense was tough when necessary. A couple of big goal line stands lifted this team to victory. The DL played very strong and actually got some pressure on MSU for the first time in a long time. The big plays were killer, that's definitely something that needs to be addressed, but overall I was happy with the defense once again.
5. BPT - Big Play Traye has been changed to bench player traye. After getting torched a couple of times early he rode pine most of the 2nd half. Michael Carter played extremely well, and should not lose that spot for the next 2+ years. What happened to this guy? Remember when he was contemplating coming out early last year? Apparently, he won't have to worry about that for the 2010 draft. Let's hope it's a wake up call and he picks it up the next 4 games.
6. Recruits! Tons of recruits at the game on Saturday - how do you not love that one? Also got a 4-star RB recruit late FRI night when Josh Huff of Texas committed...he's more in the bruiser style that Brew wants on this club an he should see soem time next season with Whaley and Bennett. Looks like Brew and Co finally figured out that Eskridge is not the answer...thank you. I'm still thinking we have 3-5 big time players that could still commit over the next few weeks. The Illini game will be the last chance for visits on a gameday as the SDSU game will be only for invited walk-ons. A strong finish to the season would not hurt our chances with all of the big names left on the radar.
Then if that wasn't enough...Purple Jesus and #4 lead the Vikes to a sweep of the Pack in Lambeau.
1. Obviously, #4 is the big story. He played well again, and lead this team to a great win.
2. Cheech! How wrong was I on this guy?!? I really wasn't a huge fan of the pick, but my god I think this kid is the MVP of this team right now. The returns and the huge TD catch were game-changers. Love it.
3. #69 - 7.5 sacks and 8.5 TFL...not a bad season for most...for Jared Allen it's just his series stats against the Pack this year! How great is this guy.
4. OL - again, outstanding. GB couldn't sniff Favre, which is a key that hasn't really been talked about a whole lot this year. Keeping the old man upright helps our odds of winning and doing something special this year.
7-1 into the bye doesn't suck. Here's the rest of the slate:
DET
SEA
CHI
@ARI
CIN
@CAR
@CHI
NYG
I dare you to find a loss. Home games will all be wins...only potential land mines could be at CHI or at CAR, but really would you bet on either of these clubs over the Purple right now? I wouldn't. Let's just hope the Aints drops about 3-4 between now and then so we can lock up home field.
Minnesota Football...catch the fever!
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