Here's how much each B10 school spends on Football (in millions):
1. Ohio State $32.30
2. Iowa $26.90
3. Wisconsin $22.71
4. Penn State $19.13
5. Michigan $18.03
6. Michigan State $15.86
7. Northwestern $15.71
8. Purdue $12.66
9. Indiana $11.84
10. Illinois $10.49
11. Minnesota $9.25
We spend 1/3 of what Iowa does and less than 1/2 of Sconny...hmmm, wonder why we continue to suck? Seriously, this is embarassing. This just reaffirms that the problems with this program are at the very top and changing coaches isn't necessarily going to solve anything.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thanks
Thanks to everyone who made it out for Saturday - I had a great time, and I hope you all did, too.
Next year I hope we can see more of you over at my place for the 2nd half of the event, the card games were intense for a while and then it just got stupid. Felt pretty awful yesterday, but I managed to put up a good front for Father's Day.
Overall, I think the golf course was great but I don't plan on going back. The insane focus on pace of play was just ridiculous. We'll look for a new venue next year where they might actually appreciate our business.
Now on to the next project...VEGAS in October. We didn't really get a chance to discuss it much on Saturday, but please let me know if you are thinking of joining JG, GR, and myself for the 4th annual Vegas S*it-show. OCT 22, 23, 24...coming home on the 25th - Monday. I plan on booking in July so if interested please shoot me a note.
Thanks again guys - hope to see you all again soon before the summer gets away from us and the Pigskin season is here.
Next year I hope we can see more of you over at my place for the 2nd half of the event, the card games were intense for a while and then it just got stupid. Felt pretty awful yesterday, but I managed to put up a good front for Father's Day.
Overall, I think the golf course was great but I don't plan on going back. The insane focus on pace of play was just ridiculous. We'll look for a new venue next year where they might actually appreciate our business.
Now on to the next project...VEGAS in October. We didn't really get a chance to discuss it much on Saturday, but please let me know if you are thinking of joining JG, GR, and myself for the 4th annual Vegas S*it-show. OCT 22, 23, 24...coming home on the 25th - Monday. I plan on booking in July so if interested please shoot me a note.
Thanks again guys - hope to see you all again soon before the summer gets away from us and the Pigskin season is here.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Unbelievable!!
3-0 World Cup performance again!!! This is insane. I haven't lost a single bet on this thing since Monday, and I'm picking every single match! I love Soccer!!
The Streak continues...
2 undefeated days in a row, so I figure I better post my picks once again to keep the streak alive!
Seriously, can the World Cup last forever? Another 2-0-1 day in the WC bets has helped me recover from my MLB hole I put myself into last month. What do I have today...
AREGENTINA -1: these guys already won 4-1, so once again...the streak continues!
GREECE pick: I took them over Nigeria, better value but I think we might see a draw in this one.
MEXICO pick: In another pick'em, I'm calling for Mexico to beat France. Line wise, they are the dog, but I have them rated better on my list...so I'll pick the Frenchmen to go down and the Mexicans to make me some more $$$!
As I mentioned yesterday, BOS +7 is the NBA pick for the evening. LAL will likely win the game, but I really think it will be tight.
One other thing, US OPEN picks. For these, I just throw down a dollar on lots of sneaky picks that might do something great. Here's my list for this week, to the best of my memory:
Hunter Mahan
Padraig Harrington
Els
Z. Johnson
R.Karlsson
Goosen
Cabrera
I think that's it. Talked to one guy this morning who like Slocum at 80:1...wow, I'm going to be pissed if he wins and I mentioned him but didn't bet it.
How about Tigger's group today...Woods, Westwood, Els...made for TV right there.
It should be a good one, lots of intrigue and no clear cut favorite.
Things appear to be all set for Saturday - 80 degrees, Sunny, plenty of cold beverages available...can't wait.
Seriously, can the World Cup last forever? Another 2-0-1 day in the WC bets has helped me recover from my MLB hole I put myself into last month. What do I have today...
AREGENTINA -1: these guys already won 4-1, so once again...the streak continues!
GREECE pick: I took them over Nigeria, better value but I think we might see a draw in this one.
MEXICO pick: In another pick'em, I'm calling for Mexico to beat France. Line wise, they are the dog, but I have them rated better on my list...so I'll pick the Frenchmen to go down and the Mexicans to make me some more $$$!
As I mentioned yesterday, BOS +7 is the NBA pick for the evening. LAL will likely win the game, but I really think it will be tight.
One other thing, US OPEN picks. For these, I just throw down a dollar on lots of sneaky picks that might do something great. Here's my list for this week, to the best of my memory:
Hunter Mahan
Padraig Harrington
Els
Z. Johnson
R.Karlsson
Goosen
Cabrera
I think that's it. Talked to one guy this morning who like Slocum at 80:1...wow, I'm going to be pissed if he wins and I mentioned him but didn't bet it.
How about Tigger's group today...Woods, Westwood, Els...made for TV right there.
It should be a good one, lots of intrigue and no clear cut favorite.
Things appear to be all set for Saturday - 80 degrees, Sunny, plenty of cold beverages available...can't wait.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Quick Picks
Undefeated yesterday!! I need a few more of those.
LAL rolled, as expected last night. I was a little leary on the 6.5 points, but I shouldn't have been. BOS played like they were going to save it for Thursday, and I think they will. I'll take BOS +7 on Thursday - this one will be close and should be the best game of the series. LAL might still win, but I'll take the points with BOS.
World Cup
I pushed this morning with Honduras +1, I regretted the pick after watching the first 25 minutes this morning with my little 6am wake up call buddy, but Honduras held on to get me a push.
I have UNDER 2.5 in the Spain-Switz game going on right now.
In the finale, I took my boring URUGUAY team to win outright over the host nation of South Africa. Uruguay is a dull boring team (I understand the Iowa comparisons) and I think they can lull the South Africans to sleep and sneak one in for a 1-0 W.
It's also the final day we have to make those US OPEN bets. Who do I like? I have 3 bets out there right now...ELS 30:1, GOOSEN 33:1, MAHAN 50:1...any other tasty long shots that I'm missing?
That's all I got for today...unless I start to dabble back into baseball again and continue to lose money!
Weather still looks amazing for Saturday 79 and sunshine - can't beat it!
LAL rolled, as expected last night. I was a little leary on the 6.5 points, but I shouldn't have been. BOS played like they were going to save it for Thursday, and I think they will. I'll take BOS +7 on Thursday - this one will be close and should be the best game of the series. LAL might still win, but I'll take the points with BOS.
World Cup
I pushed this morning with Honduras +1, I regretted the pick after watching the first 25 minutes this morning with my little 6am wake up call buddy, but Honduras held on to get me a push.
I have UNDER 2.5 in the Spain-Switz game going on right now.
In the finale, I took my boring URUGUAY team to win outright over the host nation of South Africa. Uruguay is a dull boring team (I understand the Iowa comparisons) and I think they can lull the South Africans to sleep and sneak one in for a 1-0 W.
It's also the final day we have to make those US OPEN bets. Who do I like? I have 3 bets out there right now...ELS 30:1, GOOSEN 33:1, MAHAN 50:1...any other tasty long shots that I'm missing?
That's all I got for today...unless I start to dabble back into baseball again and continue to lose money!
Weather still looks amazing for Saturday 79 and sunshine - can't beat it!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Daily Gambler
Here are my quick plays for the day...rocking the World Cup right now, breaking even in the NBA, abstaining from MLB for a while.
WC
Won on the under in the opener today, all the o/u's are at 2.5 or more and so far only the Germany game has gone over. This might change as the tourney goes on, but betting under's in the first game for these teams has been a no-brainer.
I have IVORY COAST at +1 against PORTUGAL right now. IC has their star sitting out with a broken arm, but he might be back in the 2nd half. Either way, with my +1 bet I am expecting a win or a push at the worst because, once again, nobody scores!!
In the finale I passed on the Brazil -1600 money line...yeah, most insane line I've ever seen. So I can bet $1600 to win $100? Where do I sign up? So I went with a more sane bet taking the under 3 total.
NBA
Game 6, line is kind of high at -6.5 for LAL, but I'm convinced that LA will win and send it to 7. Money line isn't great, but I think that's what I'm taking...Lakers to win the game.
Go Teams!
WC
Won on the under in the opener today, all the o/u's are at 2.5 or more and so far only the Germany game has gone over. This might change as the tourney goes on, but betting under's in the first game for these teams has been a no-brainer.
I have IVORY COAST at +1 against PORTUGAL right now. IC has their star sitting out with a broken arm, but he might be back in the 2nd half. Either way, with my +1 bet I am expecting a win or a push at the worst because, once again, nobody scores!!
In the finale I passed on the Brazil -1600 money line...yeah, most insane line I've ever seen. So I can bet $1600 to win $100? Where do I sign up? So I went with a more sane bet taking the under 3 total.
NBA
Game 6, line is kind of high at -6.5 for LAL, but I'm convinced that LA will win and send it to 7. Money line isn't great, but I think that's what I'm taking...Lakers to win the game.
Go Teams!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Saturday Details
Just got off the phone with the golf course, minor chaos...he's said we were never confirmed, but I have an email which stated the opposite...so he's finding a spot for us and moving other people around to get us in at 10am as planned.
Whew...not the start I needed for this week!
So, here's the plan of attack for Saturday:
8:15-8:30 - MEET AT MY HOUSE IN CHANHASSEN (I would like to get to the course by 9 and it's 10-15 minutes away)...we'll need 2-3 drivers to get us all there.
If you're not there by 8:30 or 8:45 at the latest, you are on your own to drive to the course. We can try to align car pooling options for all who are on time just in case we have a few drinks on the course.
9:00-10:00 - There is a nice range at the course for some warm up, this is my plan since I've played only 3 times this season.
COST - each guy will owe $88 for 27 holes and a cart
10:00-10:30 - this is when our tee times will be, we'll do a draw for partners once everyone is there and we have 3 successive tee times starting at 10am.
Play 18 holes, gather in the club house to check the progress and regroup for the Final 9 holes.
3:08 - final 9 starts, we will have 3 successive tee times once again pairing teams in 1st-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-6th
I expect golf to wrap up by 5-5:30 and we can head down to Floyd's (bar/grill right on Hwy 5) to determine skins and winners.
We'll grab dinner there and maybe a drink before heading back to my place for cards.
On the way, we'll stop at a liquor store, right on 5 as well, and you will be able to grab whatever your drink of choice will be for the evening. I'll have coolers available for beer or cups for booze.
Start throwing cards by 8pm and play as long as we can. I'm thinking $5-$10/game/guy, with small stacks of chips in hope of playing multiple games. I have a 10 seat table that we can probably use for all of us together.
THINGS TO KNOW
1. Bring cash - $20 for golf gambling (tourney/skins/beer cart girls), and some cash for cards/beanbags/anything else we can gamble on.
2. Sleepover - all are welcome to sleep over...stipulations = no puking or destroying the house and everyone is up and out by 9-10am when the fam comes back home.
3. Be on time - if you're late we'll leave you...simple as that. We're all adults - just be on time so we can go without drama.
ADDRESSES
Me
2063 Stone Creek Drive in Chanhassen
Island View
7795 Laketown Parkway in Waconia - it's right off of Hwy 5 on the right hand side if you're coming from EP/Chanhassen area.
I think most of you have my phone number if you get lost or need to get in touch.
We're looking at 11-12 guys right now. I think I have 11 solid commits and 1 50/50 guy, so once this is locked in I can get a better idea of teams. We'll try to be as fair as possible, splitting in A & B players based on handicap and do a blind draw from there.
I'm excited - hope you all are too. Weather looks like 80 and sunshine - good stuff.
See you on Saturday!!
Whew...not the start I needed for this week!
So, here's the plan of attack for Saturday:
8:15-8:30 - MEET AT MY HOUSE IN CHANHASSEN (I would like to get to the course by 9 and it's 10-15 minutes away)...we'll need 2-3 drivers to get us all there.
If you're not there by 8:30 or 8:45 at the latest, you are on your own to drive to the course. We can try to align car pooling options for all who are on time just in case we have a few drinks on the course.
9:00-10:00 - There is a nice range at the course for some warm up, this is my plan since I've played only 3 times this season.
COST - each guy will owe $88 for 27 holes and a cart
10:00-10:30 - this is when our tee times will be, we'll do a draw for partners once everyone is there and we have 3 successive tee times starting at 10am.
Play 18 holes, gather in the club house to check the progress and regroup for the Final 9 holes.
3:08 - final 9 starts, we will have 3 successive tee times once again pairing teams in 1st-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-6th
I expect golf to wrap up by 5-5:30 and we can head down to Floyd's (bar/grill right on Hwy 5) to determine skins and winners.
We'll grab dinner there and maybe a drink before heading back to my place for cards.
On the way, we'll stop at a liquor store, right on 5 as well, and you will be able to grab whatever your drink of choice will be for the evening. I'll have coolers available for beer or cups for booze.
Start throwing cards by 8pm and play as long as we can. I'm thinking $5-$10/game/guy, with small stacks of chips in hope of playing multiple games. I have a 10 seat table that we can probably use for all of us together.
THINGS TO KNOW
1. Bring cash - $20 for golf gambling (tourney/skins/beer cart girls), and some cash for cards/beanbags/anything else we can gamble on.
2. Sleepover - all are welcome to sleep over...stipulations = no puking or destroying the house and everyone is up and out by 9-10am when the fam comes back home.
3. Be on time - if you're late we'll leave you...simple as that. We're all adults - just be on time so we can go without drama.
ADDRESSES
Me
2063 Stone Creek Drive in Chanhassen
Island View
7795 Laketown Parkway in Waconia - it's right off of Hwy 5 on the right hand side if you're coming from EP/Chanhassen area.
I think most of you have my phone number if you get lost or need to get in touch.
We're looking at 11-12 guys right now. I think I have 11 solid commits and 1 50/50 guy, so once this is locked in I can get a better idea of teams. We'll try to be as fair as possible, splitting in A & B players based on handicap and do a blind draw from there.
I'm excited - hope you all are too. Weather looks like 80 and sunshine - good stuff.
See you on Saturday!!
Friday, June 11, 2010
USA-England
Forgot to add this one to my picks...
USA-ENGLAND
Don't like our odds in this one. I think we can win the next 2, but ENG is loaded and kind of my sneaky WC Favorite. I'll go ENG wins 2-1.
USA-ENGLAND
Don't like our odds in this one. I think we can win the next 2, but ENG is loaded and kind of my sneaky WC Favorite. I'll go ENG wins 2-1.
Futbol Update and Football Update
Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!!
Pick a tie, watch a tie, collect cash...1 for 1 in the Futbol Challenge thus far. Wow, not a lot of fun rooting for a tie, it was weird but profitable.
Game 2 is firing up soon, liking my Uruguay club still since France is having all kinds of issues off the pitch (I'm starting to use the lingo now).
Predictions for Saturday, because I know you're all on pins and needles waiting for the next great call:
GREECE-S.KOREA
S.Korea is a slight favorite in this one, but I'm taking the DOG once again.
ARGENTINA-NIGERIA
Gigantic mismatch, Argentina is about an 85% favorite to win, but has some stupid odds. I won't pick Nigeria to win, and I don't want to pick an under since I have my Argentina guy being the tourney top scorer...so maybe an OVER in this one. Otherwise, I'll just pick Argentina for $10 to win .75! It's a sure thing...right?
In actual FOOTBALL news. COL has officially made the move to the P10. BOISE has officially moved to the MWC. NEB should be announcing shortly that they are officially in the B10. What's next? Well...oh wait...the Soccer announcer guy just compared Uruguay to the state of IOWA!?!? Are you f*cking kidding me? I'm pulling for the Iowa of the World Cup?! I instantly hate my pick...go France!
Okay. Back to who is next...I would bet it's not ND. It won't be TEX either. I'm going to go out on a limb and say OK and OKST move to the P10 next. TEX is pretending to put up a fight for the survival of the B12, but I don't buy it. I bet their hoping the A&M to the SEC rumors are true so they can drop little brother and come to the place they want to be...the B10.
Happy World Cup! Go France - beat Iowa, er...Uruguay. Who hates Uruguay!?!
Pick a tie, watch a tie, collect cash...1 for 1 in the Futbol Challenge thus far. Wow, not a lot of fun rooting for a tie, it was weird but profitable.
Game 2 is firing up soon, liking my Uruguay club still since France is having all kinds of issues off the pitch (I'm starting to use the lingo now).
Predictions for Saturday, because I know you're all on pins and needles waiting for the next great call:
GREECE-S.KOREA
S.Korea is a slight favorite in this one, but I'm taking the DOG once again.
ARGENTINA-NIGERIA
Gigantic mismatch, Argentina is about an 85% favorite to win, but has some stupid odds. I won't pick Nigeria to win, and I don't want to pick an under since I have my Argentina guy being the tourney top scorer...so maybe an OVER in this one. Otherwise, I'll just pick Argentina for $10 to win .75! It's a sure thing...right?
In actual FOOTBALL news. COL has officially made the move to the P10. BOISE has officially moved to the MWC. NEB should be announcing shortly that they are officially in the B10. What's next? Well...oh wait...the Soccer announcer guy just compared Uruguay to the state of IOWA!?!? Are you f*cking kidding me? I'm pulling for the Iowa of the World Cup?! I instantly hate my pick...go France!
Okay. Back to who is next...I would bet it's not ND. It won't be TEX either. I'm going to go out on a limb and say OK and OKST move to the P10 next. TEX is pretending to put up a fight for the survival of the B12, but I don't buy it. I bet their hoping the A&M to the SEC rumors are true so they can drop little brother and come to the place they want to be...the B10.
Happy World Cup! Go France - beat Iowa, er...Uruguay. Who hates Uruguay!?!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Futbol Challenge
Temporarily renaming the site for the next month....it's officially the Futbol Challenge until this whole World Cup madness ends.
I don't have 5 thoughts for today - I probably could come up with 5 with the whirlwind that is NCAA Football realignment right now...but I'm using this for 1 thing only...FUTBOL PICKS!!
So, here are some picks for the 2 openers tomorrow...
SOUTH AFRICA vs. MEXICO
Mexico should be about a 75% winner in this matchup, but SA is the host nation playing in the opening game...so something weird is bound to happen.
MY PICK: TIE, yep I think I'm going to bet on a tie.
URUGUAY vs. FRANCE
Very evenly matched teams with France holding a very slight edge. URU has a better world ranking and France is in disarray...smelling a W for URUGUAY, espcially since I dogged them earlier this week without having the proper info.
MY PICK: URUGUAY winner 2-0.
Anybody else in on this action?!? MK, I know you're a soccer guy, not sure about the rest of you...but if anyone has an angle I'd love to hear it!
Thinking about taking the Argentina stud guy to be the top scorer at 10:1 as well. The opportunity only comes every 4 years so you need to capitalize on it before we all forget about soccer after July 11th. Skol USA!
I don't have 5 thoughts for today - I probably could come up with 5 with the whirlwind that is NCAA Football realignment right now...but I'm using this for 1 thing only...FUTBOL PICKS!!
So, here are some picks for the 2 openers tomorrow...
SOUTH AFRICA vs. MEXICO
Mexico should be about a 75% winner in this matchup, but SA is the host nation playing in the opening game...so something weird is bound to happen.
MY PICK: TIE, yep I think I'm going to bet on a tie.
URUGUAY vs. FRANCE
Very evenly matched teams with France holding a very slight edge. URU has a better world ranking and France is in disarray...smelling a W for URUGUAY, espcially since I dogged them earlier this week without having the proper info.
MY PICK: URUGUAY winner 2-0.
Anybody else in on this action?!? MK, I know you're a soccer guy, not sure about the rest of you...but if anyone has an angle I'd love to hear it!
Thinking about taking the Argentina stud guy to be the top scorer at 10:1 as well. The opportunity only comes every 4 years so you need to capitalize on it before we all forget about soccer after July 11th. Skol USA!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Stop the Madness!!
1. Well, it sounds like it's as official as it can be...the B10 welcomes the Big Red (flash the boo sign).
All insider reports are that the invite is out there and has been accepted, there's a presser tomorrow to announce the deal.
So this put the B10ish at 12 teams with more potentially coming. With the P10 respond by sniping another B12 team or multiple teams?
This is finally starting to get interesting now that the first action has happened.
2. In other news...USC is set to announce their penalties tomorrow as well. Totally unsure about how severe it will be, but it's USC and the NCAA so I'm going to go out on a limb and bet it's not as bad as some people have feared.
3. Also - I want to retract my uninformed FRANCE over URUGUAY bet, URUGUAY is actually good and this is a bad bet. But I did start examining some WC prop bets, there's about 2500 of them, and I think I'll find some keepers in that mix.
4. BOS looked so terrible last night that they are favored by even more in Game 4! Weird, I know, but I think I'll stick with them and the zig-zag theory. Takes C's -3.5 in game 4.
5. Work is busy, so I guess I can't think of a 5th topic...how about pray for a weather day like today on the 19th. 10 days out - extensive details coming next week, but we are locked in at 11 guys for sure with potentially one more for an even 12. I think we'll split in to 2 pool and draw partners from those pools that are based on our guesstimate handicaps. But like I said, more details to follow next week.
All insider reports are that the invite is out there and has been accepted, there's a presser tomorrow to announce the deal.
So this put the B10ish at 12 teams with more potentially coming. With the P10 respond by sniping another B12 team or multiple teams?
This is finally starting to get interesting now that the first action has happened.
2. In other news...USC is set to announce their penalties tomorrow as well. Totally unsure about how severe it will be, but it's USC and the NCAA so I'm going to go out on a limb and bet it's not as bad as some people have feared.
3. Also - I want to retract my uninformed FRANCE over URUGUAY bet, URUGUAY is actually good and this is a bad bet. But I did start examining some WC prop bets, there's about 2500 of them, and I think I'll find some keepers in that mix.
4. BOS looked so terrible last night that they are favored by even more in Game 4! Weird, I know, but I think I'll stick with them and the zig-zag theory. Takes C's -3.5 in game 4.
5. Work is busy, so I guess I can't think of a 5th topic...how about pray for a weather day like today on the 19th. 10 days out - extensive details coming next week, but we are locked in at 11 guys for sure with potentially one more for an even 12. I think we'll split in to 2 pool and draw partners from those pools that are based on our guesstimate handicaps. But like I said, more details to follow next week.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Wow, I was wrong
7 innings, 14 K's, 100mph...okay, he's proven himself enough for me
tonight. Pretty ridiculous debut, worth the hype.
tonight. Pretty ridiculous debut, worth the hype.
Sent from my iPhone
5 Thoughts - Tuesday June 8th
1. CSF-GOPHERS
I didn't make it through the entire thing, but I saw the result this morning and it ended just as I had expected. Too much offense on CSF, especially without our squad having an elite P on the mound like we did in Game 1. It was a great run with a disappointing finish, but the team is extremely young and should be back in the same spot next season.
2. NBA FINALS
I'm still all over the Celtics on this one. I've said it before, but I even surprise myself sometimes by how into the NBA I am right now. Maybe it's because I have switched to listening to more ESPN Radio and they talk NBA all the time, but the last month or so the Playoffs have been can't miss TV for me. I think BOS just has the better overall squad and they play better D. It will likely be a 7 game series, but BOS at -2.5 tonight is my play.
3. IZZO
Speaking of the NBA, how about the Izzo to CLE rumors. Now I have to believe the GM/Owner for CLE is doing on the recommendation of LBJ, but I really question the choice. Izzo is an unreal NCAA coach, maybe one of the Top 5 ever, but why do teams continue to think that means he'll be a $9M/yr great NBA coach? The track record is not impressive for this kind of jump. Just off the top of my head I am coming up with Pitino, Calipari, Montgomery, Krueger, and there's probably a lot of other ones...but all of these have been horrible. LBJ is becoming more and more like KG with his running of the team and making terrible choices. Maybe next LBJ will be calling up T-Hud to come and run beside him...if he can deal with the stress of both worlds.
4. STRASBURG
If you haven't heard, I'm sure you will if you're anywhere near a TV or radio today. The phenom is making his debut against PIT tonight, and the WAS fans are actually going to come to the game! I'm not sure if they've started engraving the hall of fame plaque yet, but after he dominates the mighty Pirates today ESPN will probably have you thinking that they should. It's a young pitcher, he can have all the potential in the world (Mark Prior) and suffer an injury tomorrow and be worthless. He's dominated the minor leagues, wow...congratulations. I just refuse to buy in until I get a good look at him. His 1st trip around the league might be really tough, but the 2nd and 3rd trips could be a little tricky. Don't get me wrong, he has all the tools, but just relax a bit and let the guy prove his worth. I feel like anything less than a perfect game is a disappointment tonight.
5. WORLD CUP
The countdown is on for the start of the World Cup - it's the one month every 4 years that I actually try to get informed and watch some soccer. What I haven't ever done or figured out yet is the betting on this stuff. So I started some research on the different groups yesterday, and I see a Group A game on Friday between FRANCE and URUGUAY. By all indication, this is a huge mismatch with the group favorite against a team that probably shouldn't even be there. So I went to check the betting options on this and I can get France for EVEN to win the match! Now I understand that there is a propensity for ties in the soccer world, but you have the best team vs. the worst team in a group and I can pick the favorite for EVEN money?!? I think I might be making a lot of World Cup bets if they all are this easy!!
I didn't make it through the entire thing, but I saw the result this morning and it ended just as I had expected. Too much offense on CSF, especially without our squad having an elite P on the mound like we did in Game 1. It was a great run with a disappointing finish, but the team is extremely young and should be back in the same spot next season.
2. NBA FINALS
I'm still all over the Celtics on this one. I've said it before, but I even surprise myself sometimes by how into the NBA I am right now. Maybe it's because I have switched to listening to more ESPN Radio and they talk NBA all the time, but the last month or so the Playoffs have been can't miss TV for me. I think BOS just has the better overall squad and they play better D. It will likely be a 7 game series, but BOS at -2.5 tonight is my play.
3. IZZO
Speaking of the NBA, how about the Izzo to CLE rumors. Now I have to believe the GM/Owner for CLE is doing on the recommendation of LBJ, but I really question the choice. Izzo is an unreal NCAA coach, maybe one of the Top 5 ever, but why do teams continue to think that means he'll be a $9M/yr great NBA coach? The track record is not impressive for this kind of jump. Just off the top of my head I am coming up with Pitino, Calipari, Montgomery, Krueger, and there's probably a lot of other ones...but all of these have been horrible. LBJ is becoming more and more like KG with his running of the team and making terrible choices. Maybe next LBJ will be calling up T-Hud to come and run beside him...if he can deal with the stress of both worlds.
4. STRASBURG
If you haven't heard, I'm sure you will if you're anywhere near a TV or radio today. The phenom is making his debut against PIT tonight, and the WAS fans are actually going to come to the game! I'm not sure if they've started engraving the hall of fame plaque yet, but after he dominates the mighty Pirates today ESPN will probably have you thinking that they should. It's a young pitcher, he can have all the potential in the world (Mark Prior) and suffer an injury tomorrow and be worthless. He's dominated the minor leagues, wow...congratulations. I just refuse to buy in until I get a good look at him. His 1st trip around the league might be really tough, but the 2nd and 3rd trips could be a little tricky. Don't get me wrong, he has all the tools, but just relax a bit and let the guy prove his worth. I feel like anything less than a perfect game is a disappointment tonight.
5. WORLD CUP
The countdown is on for the start of the World Cup - it's the one month every 4 years that I actually try to get informed and watch some soccer. What I haven't ever done or figured out yet is the betting on this stuff. So I started some research on the different groups yesterday, and I see a Group A game on Friday between FRANCE and URUGUAY. By all indication, this is a huge mismatch with the group favorite against a team that probably shouldn't even be there. So I went to check the betting options on this and I can get France for EVEN to win the match! Now I understand that there is a propensity for ties in the soccer world, but you have the best team vs. the worst team in a group and I can pick the favorite for EVEN money?!? I think I might be making a lot of World Cup bets if they all are this easy!!
Monday, June 7, 2010
5 Thoughts
1. GOPHER BASEBALL
Well, it hasn't helped my sleeping patterns, but the Gophs have performed quite well in the Fullerton Regional. And the best hopefully is yet to come. The final game to decide who will be heading to the Super Regionals is tonight, 10pm on ESPNU. The Gophs are on their 4th starter, while CSF is on their 5th...it will probably take 8 runs to win this game, and unfortunately I don't like our chances to out slug a team like this. But I'll be watching and hoping for the best...you should be too.
2. EXPANSION
Wow, not a day or even and hour goes by without some kind of news coming out around more expansion rumors. It appears that the P10 is going to beat us to the punch by stealing part of the B12 before the B10 can get anything together. I like the aggressive nature, but it's far from a done deal. The P10 is seen as such an exclusive academic conference that I have a really hard time seeing places like Texas Tech getting accepted. Especially when all 10 current members have to have unanimous approval to make it happen. It also sounds like the B12 has given MIZZOU and NEB a time limit to delcare their intentions to go to the B10 or not - and apparently no response from these schools is seen as a bad thing for their future in the B12. The best part about this whole deal...what happens to the mighty Clones?!? They aren't on the P10's short list, the B10 has zero interest in the booming Ames market, the B12 will not have enough left to even be considered a conferecne any longer...so what do they do. Odds are that they would be heading to the MAC, MWC, or some other really horrible conference and taking their rightful place among the irrelevant. Too bad the Hogeyes can't go with them.
3. GOPHERS FOOTBALL
No bad news this weekend, can you believe it? Actually we got a couple pieces of good news for a change. A LB from South Florida committed to come play for Brew - doesn't look like a heavily recruited guy, but he did pick us over the Zooker. The bigger news is the commitment of Brendan Beal, a transfer from Zooker's old residence down in Gainesville. Beal was a Top 150 player coming out of HS, and has had injury issues the last 2 seasons. He will have to sit out this year, but will have 2 or 3 years of eligibility left depending on his medical status and if he'll be granted a 6th year. He's a finance major, so we won't have to worry about him going Maresh on us either. Plus, if you look for some film on this guy, you'll find him running all over the field from his MLB position and dominating during the Gators Spring Game a couple of months ago. This could be a huge get for Brew or whoever else might be coaching this team when Beal is finally eligible next season.
4. GOLF!
We are a mere 12 days from the gathering of all gatherings (still in search of a catchy name a la ROEJOE...let me know if you have ideas). I've gotten 11 guys pretty much locked in and I'm waiting on 1 more response. IF PLANS HAVE CHANGED AND YOU CAN NOT ATTEND PLEASE LET ME NOW SO I CAN CONFIRM TEE TIMES.
*Send me over a handicap estimate so I can try to make some even teams*
I think I have a good idea of how most of you play, but it's early in the season so if you're struggling then I don't want to over-estimate your powers and vice versa.
5. VEGAS
Finally, we're also only about 4.5 months out to Vegas, so I want to start thinking about locking this in as well. Think about it - OCTOBER 22 through OCTOBER 25 - it's a whirlwind of Football, Baseball, Hockey, Horses, and whatever else we can find to bet on in late October. It will be discussed at the gathering on the 19th, but I'd like to have a good idea of who IS in and who MIGHT BE in by the end of June. It's about $500 for everything excluding your $$$ you want to win on bets, so please think about it and check the dates as best you can before the 19th so we can have an honest discussion about who wants in for the 4th annual trip to Sin City.
Well, it hasn't helped my sleeping patterns, but the Gophs have performed quite well in the Fullerton Regional. And the best hopefully is yet to come. The final game to decide who will be heading to the Super Regionals is tonight, 10pm on ESPNU. The Gophs are on their 4th starter, while CSF is on their 5th...it will probably take 8 runs to win this game, and unfortunately I don't like our chances to out slug a team like this. But I'll be watching and hoping for the best...you should be too.
2. EXPANSION
Wow, not a day or even and hour goes by without some kind of news coming out around more expansion rumors. It appears that the P10 is going to beat us to the punch by stealing part of the B12 before the B10 can get anything together. I like the aggressive nature, but it's far from a done deal. The P10 is seen as such an exclusive academic conference that I have a really hard time seeing places like Texas Tech getting accepted. Especially when all 10 current members have to have unanimous approval to make it happen. It also sounds like the B12 has given MIZZOU and NEB a time limit to delcare their intentions to go to the B10 or not - and apparently no response from these schools is seen as a bad thing for their future in the B12. The best part about this whole deal...what happens to the mighty Clones?!? They aren't on the P10's short list, the B10 has zero interest in the booming Ames market, the B12 will not have enough left to even be considered a conferecne any longer...so what do they do. Odds are that they would be heading to the MAC, MWC, or some other really horrible conference and taking their rightful place among the irrelevant. Too bad the Hogeyes can't go with them.
3. GOPHERS FOOTBALL
No bad news this weekend, can you believe it? Actually we got a couple pieces of good news for a change. A LB from South Florida committed to come play for Brew - doesn't look like a heavily recruited guy, but he did pick us over the Zooker. The bigger news is the commitment of Brendan Beal, a transfer from Zooker's old residence down in Gainesville. Beal was a Top 150 player coming out of HS, and has had injury issues the last 2 seasons. He will have to sit out this year, but will have 2 or 3 years of eligibility left depending on his medical status and if he'll be granted a 6th year. He's a finance major, so we won't have to worry about him going Maresh on us either. Plus, if you look for some film on this guy, you'll find him running all over the field from his MLB position and dominating during the Gators Spring Game a couple of months ago. This could be a huge get for Brew or whoever else might be coaching this team when Beal is finally eligible next season.
4. GOLF!
We are a mere 12 days from the gathering of all gatherings (still in search of a catchy name a la ROEJOE...let me know if you have ideas). I've gotten 11 guys pretty much locked in and I'm waiting on 1 more response. IF PLANS HAVE CHANGED AND YOU CAN NOT ATTEND PLEASE LET ME NOW SO I CAN CONFIRM TEE TIMES.
*Send me over a handicap estimate so I can try to make some even teams*
I think I have a good idea of how most of you play, but it's early in the season so if you're struggling then I don't want to over-estimate your powers and vice versa.
5. VEGAS
Finally, we're also only about 4.5 months out to Vegas, so I want to start thinking about locking this in as well. Think about it - OCTOBER 22 through OCTOBER 25 - it's a whirlwind of Football, Baseball, Hockey, Horses, and whatever else we can find to bet on in late October. It will be discussed at the gathering on the 19th, but I'd like to have a good idea of who IS in and who MIGHT BE in by the end of June. It's about $500 for everything excluding your $$$ you want to win on bets, so please think about it and check the dates as best you can before the 19th so we can have an honest discussion about who wants in for the 4th annual trip to Sin City.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
MLB - May Review
AL EAST
Pretty much status quo in the East. The Rays continue to lead and play really well. They will be a playoff team. The Yankee will too, they are on cruise control right now. Boston and Toronto are fighting for the #3 spot, which is totally meaningless, but neither has the firepower to compete with the Top 2. BAL lost 7 games in the standings this month, confirming my APR thoughts that they do in fact really suck.
TB, NYY - playoff picks.
AL CENTRAL
Twins have added 3 games to their lead in the month of May. I think the separation will continue and this will be a no doubter by September 1st. Sox and KC are both fading and have also lost ground since May 1st. CLE has become the trainwreck of the division by dropping an extra 5.5 games in May.
TWINS - playoff pick
AL WEST
OAK and TEX have flip-flopped in May with OAK now in 1st place by 1 game. Texas has seen their pitching fade a little in May, while OAK's young staff has actually improved. TEX definitely has the edge with the sticks, but that's really not that critical. Basically, these 2 are competing to see who will get housed by the TB/NYY winner in the East in the 1st round. LAA have held steady at only 2.5 out. They have improved in May and may be able to make a run. I'll still take them to win the division because they have the best Manager. SEA is terrible. Their offense saw a slight improvement, but their pitching has fallen off and allowed an extra run per game in May vs. April.
ANGELS - playoff pick
NL EAST
My Hotlanta Braves have vaulted up into 1st place by 1/2 a game after being 3 back at the beginning of the month. The difference, the offense, that scored an extra 44 runs this month over April. The pitching is going to be good, if they can hit they will be tough to beat. Philly is seeing a lot of injuries, but they'll still be a force to fear down the stretch. FLA, NYM, and WAS are all at .500 and only 3.5 out. Best division in the NL and the AL...the East.
ATLANTA - playoff pick
NL CENTRAL
CIN made up 5 games in May and is now tied for 1st with STL. They are absolutely pounding the ball right now and scored 156 runs in May. The pitching also improved in May, they are young but they have talent to be really effective. However, the Cards are a tough squad to bet against. They've been there before and they realize that 50 games does not a season make...they are still the team to beat in the Central. Pitching continues to be solid, the bats struggled in May but would you be worried about a team w/Pujols? Cubs held their ground in May with some improving pitching. Thanks Carlos Silva. The Brew Crew can't pitch. They are done. PITT...no. HOU...yikes.
CARDINALS - playoff pick
NL WEST
SD continues to lead the way in the West. The pitching is just tremendous, but can anyone name even 3 of their starters? LA found some pitching this month as well, and they remain 2 back. SF has leveled off and dropped 2.5 games this month. I continue to have a hard time picking a team that hits this poorly to win anything. COL is an enigma. They have some very great stretches and some very poor stretches, no consistency at all. But I'll stick with them as a playoff team. ARI - offense fell off the table but they continue to be the worst pitching staff in the NL...bad formula for success. The dropped 7.5 games in the standings and are well on their way into a major downward spiral with a difficult June slate of games. I look for them to be 15 out by next update.
COL and LAD - playoff picks
I think LAD will make a move for Oswalt or Lee and solidify that staff with an ace. I just can't get on the SD bandwagon and start believing...maybe next month.
Pretty much status quo in the East. The Rays continue to lead and play really well. They will be a playoff team. The Yankee will too, they are on cruise control right now. Boston and Toronto are fighting for the #3 spot, which is totally meaningless, but neither has the firepower to compete with the Top 2. BAL lost 7 games in the standings this month, confirming my APR thoughts that they do in fact really suck.
TB, NYY - playoff picks.
AL CENTRAL
Twins have added 3 games to their lead in the month of May. I think the separation will continue and this will be a no doubter by September 1st. Sox and KC are both fading and have also lost ground since May 1st. CLE has become the trainwreck of the division by dropping an extra 5.5 games in May.
TWINS - playoff pick
AL WEST
OAK and TEX have flip-flopped in May with OAK now in 1st place by 1 game. Texas has seen their pitching fade a little in May, while OAK's young staff has actually improved. TEX definitely has the edge with the sticks, but that's really not that critical. Basically, these 2 are competing to see who will get housed by the TB/NYY winner in the East in the 1st round. LAA have held steady at only 2.5 out. They have improved in May and may be able to make a run. I'll still take them to win the division because they have the best Manager. SEA is terrible. Their offense saw a slight improvement, but their pitching has fallen off and allowed an extra run per game in May vs. April.
ANGELS - playoff pick
NL EAST
My Hotlanta Braves have vaulted up into 1st place by 1/2 a game after being 3 back at the beginning of the month. The difference, the offense, that scored an extra 44 runs this month over April. The pitching is going to be good, if they can hit they will be tough to beat. Philly is seeing a lot of injuries, but they'll still be a force to fear down the stretch. FLA, NYM, and WAS are all at .500 and only 3.5 out. Best division in the NL and the AL...the East.
ATLANTA - playoff pick
NL CENTRAL
CIN made up 5 games in May and is now tied for 1st with STL. They are absolutely pounding the ball right now and scored 156 runs in May. The pitching also improved in May, they are young but they have talent to be really effective. However, the Cards are a tough squad to bet against. They've been there before and they realize that 50 games does not a season make...they are still the team to beat in the Central. Pitching continues to be solid, the bats struggled in May but would you be worried about a team w/Pujols? Cubs held their ground in May with some improving pitching. Thanks Carlos Silva. The Brew Crew can't pitch. They are done. PITT...no. HOU...yikes.
CARDINALS - playoff pick
NL WEST
SD continues to lead the way in the West. The pitching is just tremendous, but can anyone name even 3 of their starters? LA found some pitching this month as well, and they remain 2 back. SF has leveled off and dropped 2.5 games this month. I continue to have a hard time picking a team that hits this poorly to win anything. COL is an enigma. They have some very great stretches and some very poor stretches, no consistency at all. But I'll stick with them as a playoff team. ARI - offense fell off the table but they continue to be the worst pitching staff in the NL...bad formula for success. The dropped 7.5 games in the standings and are well on their way into a major downward spiral with a difficult June slate of games. I look for them to be 15 out by next update.
COL and LAD - playoff picks
I think LAD will make a move for Oswalt or Lee and solidify that staff with an ace. I just can't get on the SD bandwagon and start believing...maybe next month.
June 1st - 5 Thoughts
1. Ubaldo Jimenez
This guy is unreal. 10 wins, tons of K's, an ERA under 1...and he throws 97-100. Buster Olney tweeted some numbers on how much his ball runs - it's one of the nastiest movers in the game, plus it's coming 97-100. This should be illegal.
*June baseball update coming later today*
2. Sam Maresh
Well, it's officially over for this guy. Apparently in between getting busted for booze multiple times, Sam wasn't spending his time in the classroom. He's flunking out and transferring to a JC. Pretty ridiculous. Wonder how Brew feels about making this kid the face of the school before he even had set foot on campus. The good news out of this is that we are extremely deep at LB, and this almost 100% guarantees that Tinsley will be back without missing any time. Also, Sid is reporting that Brandon Beal, a stud LB at FLORIDA, is transferring to the U and will be eligible in 2011. Rankings wise, Beal would be a even higher profile recruit than Maresh, so I'll call it a good trade if it turns out that way.
3. World Cup Fever!
I'm kind of getting excited for the World Cup. I watched the USA-Turkey game, and it was genuinely interesting. Plus I got a free $10 bet on Bodog, so I took England at 7:1 to win the whole thing. In looking at some of the weird lines for the first matches, I think I might be betting a lot on the World Cup - I can't do any worse than I have been in MLB!!! The magic is gone. I don't think I've won $$$ on MLB in about a month.
4. College Football Season
June 8th is the official date of release for the Phil Steele 2010 College Football Preview - if you're looking for a bible for the upcoming season, this is what you need.
5. Gopher Baseball
It's always nice to win the B10 tourney, but to do it with a 15-5 schellacking of the Hogeyes makes it extra sweet. Now we move on the play Cal St. Fullerton (again!) at 10pm on Friday night. I'm hoping to find it on ESPNU or B10 or something. Not giving my guys much of a chance, but stranger things have happened. I don't know if they have the depth to come out on top in the double elimination regional, but shocking Fullerton in the opener would sure help!
I'm at about 12 for golf with a couple of tentatives thrown in there. I also came up with the brilliant plan of stopping at this little towny bar called Floyd's on our way back to my place after golf so everyone can eat there and have a beer and we'll do all of the payouts. This prevents us from figuring out the food issues back at my place and saves the chaos of eating while throwing cards around while trying not to create a huge mess.
This guy is unreal. 10 wins, tons of K's, an ERA under 1...and he throws 97-100. Buster Olney tweeted some numbers on how much his ball runs - it's one of the nastiest movers in the game, plus it's coming 97-100. This should be illegal.
*June baseball update coming later today*
2. Sam Maresh
Well, it's officially over for this guy. Apparently in between getting busted for booze multiple times, Sam wasn't spending his time in the classroom. He's flunking out and transferring to a JC. Pretty ridiculous. Wonder how Brew feels about making this kid the face of the school before he even had set foot on campus. The good news out of this is that we are extremely deep at LB, and this almost 100% guarantees that Tinsley will be back without missing any time. Also, Sid is reporting that Brandon Beal, a stud LB at FLORIDA, is transferring to the U and will be eligible in 2011. Rankings wise, Beal would be a even higher profile recruit than Maresh, so I'll call it a good trade if it turns out that way.
3. World Cup Fever!
I'm kind of getting excited for the World Cup. I watched the USA-Turkey game, and it was genuinely interesting. Plus I got a free $10 bet on Bodog, so I took England at 7:1 to win the whole thing. In looking at some of the weird lines for the first matches, I think I might be betting a lot on the World Cup - I can't do any worse than I have been in MLB!!! The magic is gone. I don't think I've won $$$ on MLB in about a month.
4. College Football Season
June 8th is the official date of release for the Phil Steele 2010 College Football Preview - if you're looking for a bible for the upcoming season, this is what you need.
5. Gopher Baseball
It's always nice to win the B10 tourney, but to do it with a 15-5 schellacking of the Hogeyes makes it extra sweet. Now we move on the play Cal St. Fullerton (again!) at 10pm on Friday night. I'm hoping to find it on ESPNU or B10 or something. Not giving my guys much of a chance, but stranger things have happened. I don't know if they have the depth to come out on top in the double elimination regional, but shocking Fullerton in the opener would sure help!
I'm at about 12 for golf with a couple of tentatives thrown in there. I also came up with the brilliant plan of stopping at this little towny bar called Floyd's on our way back to my place after golf so everyone can eat there and have a beer and we'll do all of the payouts. This prevents us from figuring out the food issues back at my place and saves the chaos of eating while throwing cards around while trying not to create a huge mess.
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