Picks for tonight

Not having huge success in NCAA Hoops, so tonight I'll diversify:

WIS +9.5 at PUR

WILD-COL...OVER 5.5

Celtics +3.5 at ORL


Don't forget to send in all your Super Bowl stuff before next weekend.

NCAA Hoops Picks for tonight

Time to move on...

GTOWN +5.5 vs. SYR

KAN -12 vs. MIZZ


Other stuff to look forward to...

SIGNING DAY FEB 3rd
Shoveling tonight
Gophers hoops season is almost done, and Hockey basically is done - this is a good thing

Super Bowl Lines and Prop Bets

Here it is - last line of the season:

NO
IND -5

10 Prop Bets

1. OVER/UNDER 55.5 for total game?
2. Who score 1st TD? (IND, NO)
3. Will there be a Def/SpT TD in the game? Y/N
4. Who will make more FG's? (IND, NO)
5. Last team to score? (IND, NO)
6. Will there be a score in first 6:30? Y/N
7. Total turnovers in the game 3.5...OVER/UNDER?
8. More rushing yards for the game? (IND, NO)
9. Will there be a TD of 40+ yards? Y/N
10. 1st half OVER/UNDER of 23.5?

Please send me your winner and your picks for each of the 10 prop bets. This is the last time I'll be asking for anything football related until September...so make it count.

One to go...

After about 990 games in which we have had the opportunity to bet on this football season...it's down to one.

Here's where we are all at with 1 game worth 18 points and 10 prop bets worth 1 pt each left to go.

STANDINGS
MK-92
JR-83
MC-82
SS-81
MH-78
JG-74
GR-69
AW-62
MR-48

28 possible points left...I'll send out the line and the 10 prop bets as soon as I have them all set to go.

Championship Picks

Here's the master list w/current pts...these are 10 pts for each game:

MK: 72 (IND, MIN)
SS: 71 (IND, NO)
JG: 64 (NYJ, MIN)
JR: 63 (IND, MIN)
MC: 62 (IND, MIN)
MH: 58 (IND, MIN)
GR: 49 (IND, MIN)
MR: 48 (NYJ, NO)
AW: 42 (IND, MIN)

Colts and Vikes are the clear favs for today...it would be a fun Super Bowl.

Enjoy...SKOL!

Championship Sunday Eve

24 hours from now the Super Bowl will be set...here's the current standings:

MK-72
SS-71
JG-64
JR-63
MC-62
MH-58
GR-49
MR-48
AW-42

20 points on the line this week - 2 games. I'm waiting on a couple of last second picks...I'll send out the list tomorrow. Lots of people within range...should be a fun and dramatic finish to the Post Season Football Challenge.

Skol.

Lines

I'm back...haven't checked email yet, but if u have not sent picks
yet... Here are the lines:

Nyj
Indy. -7.5

Vikes
NO -3.5

Sent from my iPhone

Dead Fisch

It's not officially official, but I think it's a done deal. Jedd Fisch's notorious run as the OC at the U is done. 1 great year is all he had in him before bailing for an actual demotion position wise to the QB coach in SEA back in the NFL with Pete Carroll. He's an NFL guy who never really adapted his system or style to the college game. Too bad, I think he would have been much better in year 2.

Who do we get to replace him? My vote isn't for a specific guy, but more for a type of guy. First, not an NFL nobody hoping to be somebody. We're a big 0 for 2 in our NFL hires for coordinators in the Brew era. We have to get a guy who runs a balanced offense, actually I'm not even opposed to going back to more of a spread if we put the right guy under center. It has to be someone from the college game who wants to be in the college game and who knows the college game. I know the list of contacts for Brew is very limited when looking for guys like this, because he's mostly an NFL guy himself...which is part of our problem. But find a guy who can teach and runs a normal offense that is efficient and simple like most of the other successful programs do...not some wunderkind looking to re-invent the wheel and a 5,000 page playbook. I think the majority of our talent is young enough to embrace ANOTHER identity change on offense...but this is it. So they had better find someone who is interested in being here a while and they had better hope he can be successful right away.

It also sounds like our coveted OL coach might be heading to USC to work with the great one...everyone invovled with this pathetic offense of 2009 is abandoning ship...I think it might be the beginning of the end for this whole regime. Next year is going to be tough, but there needs to be some noticeable results and improvements or the whole progrum will be blown up...again.

I know you're all in Viking mode...(for at least 2 more days ;) ) but I wanted to get this out there just in case anyone who cares hadn't heard. Might have gotten the greatest news ever today...we're flying Continental and most of their planes have tv's with access to DirecTv...yeah, may be watching the Purple after all!

Remember when Tennessee was a good job

Derek Dooley? You have to coach poach from LTech? Wow. Not exactly a
top flight program kind of move there.

NY Times reporting 2 year bowl ban and tv ban for USC over the Bush
situation...enjoy that Lane!

Sent from my iPhone

Divisional Weekend Preview & Picks

Hope everyone has some big plans for the game on Sunday...I'll be imagining it in my mind on the plane to Mexico, but I'm hoping to get to see some of the 4th qtr...probably just a couple of kneel downs, right?

I'll be out of the country from Sunday - Friday night...so here are some contingency plans in case I am unable to publish lines on Monday morning.

If you do not receive the email with the lines, please just go to this site:

http://sportsdirect.usatoday.com/odds/usatoday/odds.aspx

Look at the opening lines for the 2 Championship games and email me your picks just like you always do. I will get a preview out on FRI night/SAT morning with a wrap-up of all the selections and possibilities for Championship Sunday.

I'm hoping to find a wi-fi connection and publish the email myself over my phone...but we'll see if that works or not.

Now, on to this weekend.

ARI
NO -7

This was the toughest pick of the week for me by far. It's so hard to bet against ARI when I know that they can be super streaky and play above their actual skill levels this time of the year. NO has a suspect D at times, and the whole world expects 1,000 points to be scored. However, I am going against the popular opinion and betting the under 57 for a total. I think the Superdome is one of those home fields that is a huge advantage to the Aints. They have looked so terrible since the NE MNF beatdown, that I feel that they HAVE to be ready to play and will show up. ARI can be prone to turnovers, so I'll put Sharper on 2 picks of the grocery bagger and an Aints win and cover...31-21.

Who you got? I guess nobody is with me on this one...8 of you on ARI, and me on NO...yikes. This one could make or break my post-season chances.

BAL
IND -7

Game 2 of our Saturday double-header I don't think will be really close. INDY at home is very tough, BAL had the game handed to them last weekend...which Peyton will not do on Saturday. The IND D is ok, nothing special, but I think they can shut down Ray Rice and force Flacco to beat them...which NE couldn't do last week. Manning will put up points because he always does. I think INDY comes out inspired against a BAL team that is out of gas and will not be in this one. INDY wins and covers 28-10.

Who you got? Good split here...I'm on the unpopular choice again with JG, AW, and MH. All else on the RAVENS.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

We'll start with the late game...

NYJ
SD -9

This was the easiest pick of the week for me...which is usually scary because I said the same thing about the Pack last week. But I just can't trust a SD team that can't run and plays very mediocre defense. The NYJ will run it well, and I think the #1 passing D will be able to contain the #1 passing O. The fact that this is a 9 pt line just makes it that much more appealing. J-E-T-S...I think they win outright or lose a very very close one...JETS 23-16.

Who you got? Minority vote is SD: MK, GR, MH all on the Super-Chargers. The rest of us like the JETS.

DAL
MIN -2.5

The big one...funny that the Purple is the favorite in this one when the whole world is betting against them. If you've listened to the radio or watched ESPN you have been bombarded with stats and match-up talk for this one for the last 4 days. I think it comes down to a few things: 1)Everyone is expecting the Purple to be able to run on this team and run very effectively. I think this might be a myth...we haven't run that well on anyone this year! Our running game is not that effective, even against an average run D like DAL. 2)Purple can take advantage of their weak secondary and throw well. Another myth...their pass D is better than ours, so what does that say about us? What scares me is that the whole world is picking DAL...and so am I. I was on them immediately, and I feel like changing now would not be right because the 1st instinct is usually right. Now I'm not a huge Phillips fan, but I really think I would take my chances with him over Chilly. Their pass rush should be able to get to Favre, and if we aren't able to run...well, the old man might leave the building on a stretcher. On the other side of the ball, I really am not impressed with the Purple D. Even talks about our DL...I guess I'm still waiting for them to show me why they are great. We can stop the run, so that will be to our advantage against a good running team...but we really need to hope the old Tony Romo shows up and gives us a couple of gifts. It's a very even match-up, but add in the fact that the head official for the game is from DAL, and our history against them, and Chilly's guaranteed incompetence at least 2-3 times during the game...I just don't have a good feeling. Everyone seems to be predicting an ARI-MIN NFC Title game...so I'm going the opposite...DAL at NO, the rematch that the national scene wants to see. Sorry.

Who you got? DAL is the minority pick, JR, MR, GR all like the Cowboys. The rest of you are bleeding Purple this weekend...and so am I. I really hope I'm wrong but with the way things have gone for the last, well forever I guess...I just can't pick the Purple to win this game.

Enjoy the (post) season. I'll be back in touch on FRI/SAT of next week when we'll be in full AFC/NFC Championship Game mode.

For your reference:
MK: 67 (ARI, BAL, MIN, SD) (all Div games are at 5 pts each this week)
SS: 61 (ARI, BAL, MIN, NYJ)
MC: 52 (ARI, BAL, MIN, NYJ)
JG: 49 (ARI, IND, MIN, NYJ)
GR: 49 (ARI, BAL, DAL, SD)
JR: 48 (NO, IND, DAL, NYJ)
MH: 48 (ARI, IND, MIN, SD)
MR: 43 (ARI, BAL, DAL, NYJ)
AW: 27 (ARI, IND, MIN, NYJ)

You can do the math after the weekend to see how things are shaping out.
10 pts/game next week
18 pts for Super Bowl
10 prop bet points for Super Bowl

48 left after this week.

Skol.

NCAA Hoops picks for tonight

Try and keep that 1-1-1 streak going....

GTOWN -7 vs. Seton Hall

AUB +15 at Tennessee

MISS ST. -15 vs. Arkansas


Go teams!

Need picks from...MC

Corcoran is the only holdout this week - send 'em over when you get a chance.

I went 1-1-1 in my initial NCAA Hoops picks last night, not horrible I guess...except for that Heels pick!

Once I have all the picks I'll send out the summary for this weekend.

Skol.

NCAA Hoops

Time to start watching a little college hoops and get ready for the March betting season...who do I like tonight?

MN
MSU -7

Gotta go Gophers...duh. MSU only plays about 7 guys, so maybe we can "out-depth" them. They turn it over a bit, so I'm hoping for lots of those tonight. Gophs need a signature win really bad...they might get it tonight.

WIS
NW +3

WIS. NW is still not a good team, WIS isn't that great either, but 3 is basically a pick'em so I'll take the Baaaadgers to win and cover.

NC
CLEM -3

Haven't watch a lot of these teams this season, but saw it was on ESPN tonight so I could watch it...which makes it my 3rd game tonight. I'm a Tar Heel fan, so until I know anything more I will take NC and +3.

I'm working out the details for a little March Madness get together at my place for all of you over the first weekend of the tourney...more to come on this sometime soon, but keep your calendar open.

Send me your Divisional Playoff picks - I think I've got everyone's cash now - thanks for that. Next year we'll make it one payment to cover the whole season...simpler for everyone. I was going to pay the winners already, but I decided to wait until after the Super Bowl so I can put it in the mail one time if somebody decides to win in both halves of the season.

USC

Lane Kiffin...really? You are the best college football program/job in the country and you settle on this guy? Why? Must be his great track record, right? Horrible stint with the Raiders, which wasn't necessarily his fault, but did nothing to prove his worth as a coach. Well, maybe it was that 1 dynamite year at Tennessee? 6 recruiting violations and a 7-6 record. Wow, super impressive.

I remember this comment from when the Gophs were actually considering hiring this clown before Brew and a former asst. USC coach said this about the offensive coaching, "Chow was the schemer, Sarkisian was the QB developer, Lane got sandwiches." That's pretty much what I think of him. He's arrogant, inexperienced, and frankly not that great of a coach as far as I can see. I will give him this, he is surrounded by an unreal staff...which could make him successful. His recruiting (Lane's and more so his staff's) has been outstanding in his one year at Tennessee. Granted, all of them are bailing now...but he had a nice class lined up before bailing.

I really don't have a problem with the whole controversy about leaving after one year...players shouldn't choose a school based on the coach because as we have seen this off-season there are no guarantees anyone will be there past the upcoming season. Look at the major teams that have or will have turned over their head coaching jobs this season...ND, USC, FLA?, TEN, FSU...and that is just this year! I don't think we need to have a whole lot of sympathy for the players...they're getting well compensated. I do have a problem with coaches that leave their former school with violations and sanctions...that's crap. Calipari is the first one that sticks out in my mind here. I really wish the NCAA would figure out a way to punish the coach that oversees these infractions and not necessarily the future coach/players...not sure how, but it would be a nice change.

Back to USC - I do not expect a huge drop off. They have the athletes and the staff to keep on winning 10 games per year. I think this could be a rough ride for the long haul for USC, however. You think they have potential recruiting violations and sanctions coming now...give Lane about 3 years and then see what happens. It's really hard to like the guy, which makes it really hard to like this team anymore.

I'm officially off the USC bandwagon...it was a good run.

Weekend Thoughts

NYJ-CIN

I'm just not impressed with the Bungals. They finished the season poorly, the offense isn't that explosive, and I'm not a Marvin Lewis believer. Not that I think the JETS are great, but they were clearly roding the momentum coming into this game and that defense is tremendous. Better defense getting points is never a bad idea.

*Side note - for about 85% of the teams I think homefield means nothing. CIN is one of those teams. They ran it really well, but only scoring 14 points isn't going to get it done. I also think the "Rookie QB on the road" bit can be put to rest as well. Flacco and now Sanchez have both won over the last 2 years...and Ryan almost won LY as well. Rookie or not, if you got your team to the playoffs you can win regardless of age.

PHI-DAL
I went with PHI on this one, and missed badly. I heard a lot of chatter late in the week about how DAL can dominate both of the lines on each side of the ball. I wasn't so sure - not something I generally research or watch that closely...but I think they were right. Colin Cowherd was adamant about picking the Cowboys because some of his insiders were saying this very point. Well, I believe them now. This was a domination of the Eagles. The offense is really clicking for DAL, but that D is what carries them. PHI has the same problem they've always had - 13 rushing attempts. How do you expect to have any kind of "trickeration" in the offense when they know you're going to throw it 80% of the time? The whole world is in love with the Cowboys right now, which scares me about picking them next week, but I'm not sure if my trust in #4 or lack of trust in Chilly will keep me with the Boys or pick the Purple. BTW - will our QB next year be #5 instead of #4? (McNabb)

BAL-NE
What was that? Don't get me wrong, I was delighted to have the better D getting 3.5 points, but how ugly was this game? Brady turning it over time and time again...WTF? NE D allowing Ray Rice and McGahee to do anything they want...in the playoffs? I think there could be some things blowing up around NE because that club isn't right or at least they are not even close to what they have been. It needs to start on D and getting Brady 100% (which typically takes 2 years after a knee issue). BAL played inspired and really dominated on D. Not sure that they are a great team, but when you play D I'll give you a chance.

GB-ARI
Wow - defense....anybody? I really thought the GB D was going to come in and play well and win them this game. But you can't mess with a freaky streaky team like ARI when they get hot. GB made a helluva comeback, but it was nice to see them lose a heartbreaker...regardless of which way I bet. This is looking similar to LY for ARI, but now they go to NO instead of the CAR team of LY. NO definitely has some questions, but I think that might be the toughest home team left in the tourney.

Other - Pete Carroll.

Well, I guess it's offcial, Pete is going to SEA and taking my USC love with him. I liked USC because of Carroll, but that's gone now so I guess I have to look for a new team B. He might be getting out before the shit storm begins, which is bound to happen as it does with all dynasties. It was a good run, but suddenly, depending on what happens with sanctions, new hires, and player defections...that 3rd saturday in September at TCF looks a lot more winnable! As for Carroll, I'm sure he'll fail again in the NFL, like he has twice before, and be knocking on some college's door within the next 3-4 years. Maybe he'll come home, yep...and the Gophers will also get Seantrel Henderson...keep dreaming.

Sounds like Bates, his USC OC, will be going with him and turning down the Bears for their OC position...which keeps Mr. Fisch as one of the top 2-3 candidates from what I hear/read. Stay tuned, I'm guessing this will get resolved this week.

Divisional Weekend Lines

Lots of big ones this week

ARI
NO -7

BAL
IND -7

DAL
MIN -2.5

NYJ
SD -9


Send them over by Thursday at noon so I can get out a recap.

Wildcard Weekend

Good wildcard weekend for some of us, not so much for our leader Mr. Kobow who posted an 0-4 to bring him back to the pack a bit.

Weekend Results
JG - 9
JR - 6
GR - 6
MH - 6
SS - 6
MR - 3
AW - 3
MC - 3
MK - 0

TOTAL Post-season Standings

MK-67
SS-61
MC-52
GR-49
JG-49
MH-48
JR-48
MR-43
AW-27

20 points on the line next weekend...lines coming shortly.

A little smack talk

Had to post this...it's the first bit of smack talk we've had around here for a while.

From SS:

"Can we say Bomb is eliminated yet? Does he have his wife making picks for him based on the teams' jerseys! Good stuff."

Ouch. Don't forget that all of you can reply, comment, and make your own posts to anything on this board.

It's getting ugly - I like it.

Bowls Done - how'd we do?

Here's the point total going into the NFL Playoffs

Out of 100 possible:

MK - 67
SS - 55
MC - 49
GR - 43
MH - 42
JR - 42
JG - 40
MR - 40
AW - 24

80 possible in the NFL Playoffs, 12 available this weekend. Jared can make up 9 with 3 different picks from Kobow...that's the most. Next week is worth 20, then the next week is also worth 20, then the Super Bowl is worth 18 + 8 bonus bets.

It will be tough, but someone could catch Kobow if you get hot and he cools off.

Good Luck this weekend.

Suck

I'm all for winning a bet but no McCoy = worst champioship game ever.
Was hoping for a great finish to thd year, but it looks lame and
uneventful just like the rest of the season has been. ABC sponsors
have to be pissed because most are turning this game off right now and
not coming back for H2. Sounds like Colt is questionable...but I don't
think we'll see him. Game set match..Tide. Start of an incredible
dynasty run perhaps? They should be #1 again to start next year and
will just keep reloading. Boring ending to a relatively boring
season...let's hope NFL can provide a little more drama.

Sent from my iPhone

Try not to laugh

Len Pasquerelli posted his All-Pro team on ESPN.com...I've attached the link.

2 Vikes made it - both on D. I almost peed my pants when I saw who those 2 were...you've been warned.

BCS Title Game and Wildcard Weekend Preview

First, we'll start with the title game.

TEX vs. ALA (-3.5)
This seemed to be one of the easier picks in a bowl game for me. ALA played so well against FLA, TEX played so poorly against NEB...looks like a no-brainer, right? Well, I didn't feel too confident...at first. If everyone loves one team I really start to get skeptical, but in looking at this club and looking at recent history I think the Tide are a safe bet. Saban is kind of a god, seriously, the guy is an amazing coach and there will be zero chance of them laying an OHIOST sized egg in the title game. I'm not 100% sold on Mack Brown being an elite coach. The squad is nice and they have tons of players all over the field, but I really think there is a heavy coaching edge toward Saban and Bama. I watched a 10 minute piece on Saban recently and maybe learned more about football in that 10 minutes than I have in my whole life. If I had another 100 lbs on me I'd be willing to go and play for the guy. Both offenses are pretty good, not elite, but good. ALA will run it and run it well. The can also throw a bit with some elite WR talent. TEX has the better QB, but their overall running attack isn't as strong and if McCoy is forced to play the NFL pocket passing game he may struggle. Defensively, TEX is much improved from what they have been in the past...but there is no doubt that the edge here goes to ALA. I don't think there is any way around it...ALA is the right pick here. It should be a good game because I think TEX will be coming out ready to play, especially as a Dog...but I'll take ALA 27-20.

Who you got? Most of you agree with me, but AW and MH are on TEXAS. We'll see if these 2 can make up some ground going into NFL weekend or if MK adds 5 more and the rest of us stick with him.

WILDCARD WEEKEND

NYJ-CIN (-2.5)
This one starts us off on Saturday afternoon. I'm disregarding last week, even though the Bungals tried a little more than I think people are giving them credit for. The major issues for this game: Sanchez is a rookie QB starting on the road (rookie QB's went 2-0 on the road in wildcard round last year to buck this trend), Rookie QB leads a horrible passing offense, both teams run it pretty well with a slight edge for NYJ, turnovers shouldn't be a huge factor for either as they haven't been all season long, the NYJ defense is elite (best against run and very good against pass). I also looked at pt diff and yd diff throughout the year. The Bungals only outscored their opponents by .9 ppg and 9.8 ypg while the JETS and that D outscored opponents by 7 ppg and 68.4 ypg. CIN is the worst AFC playoff team on these stats, which scares me. I also don't believe in Marvin Lewis because...well, why should I? They were hot early and won all those division games but have pretty much stunk down the stretch. While NYJ got hot (& lucky) and have an elite D and an attitude. These just all seem like really good things when coming into a playoff run. Plus, Rex Ryan knows the Bungals, he was with BAL for a number of years and has this club figured out.

The CALL: NYJ dominate on D and do enough on O to win this thing...17-7.

Who you got? JR, JG, MR on the JETS....all else like the home BUNGALS

PHI-DAL (-4)
The late night Saturday game is always a crazy one. Average guy says, DAL just beat the crap out of them last week when both were trying, why won't it happen again? I can't follow that logic, it just doesn't seem to work out that way in the NFL...especially with 2 teams that know each other this well. What are we looking at here...well, both offenses can be and have been really good. They are balanced and effective with the run and pass. Both run defenses are slightly above average, while the PHI pass defense has a disctinct edge over the DAL pass D, which is actually slightly below average. The stat that really jumped out to me was the turnover margin...DAL +2, PHI +15. Odds are that this trend will continue, so I really like that edge for PHI, especially if the old Romo shows up. SPT ratings are also a huge edge to PHI...3rd vs. 19th. Huge edge at K and the return game with Jackson. Pt Diff is about equal, DAL has a yd diff edge...but I don't think it counts for much. When you look at coaching it's the "we never win in the playoffs" Cowboys and an average at best coach in Phillips vs. the Eagles who have done nothing but win in the playoffs for as long as I can rememebr with Andy Reid.

The CALL: I really like PHI to come around and win this one...27-23.

Who you got? DAL is actually the least popular pick amongst us: AW, GR, MC on the Boys...all else like PHILLY.

SUNDAY
BAL-NE (-3.5)

This was probably the toughest game for me to pick this week. I try to make it a point to never bet against Belichick...especially in the playoffs. But I needed more...so here you go. Flacco has been shaky and their passing offense is hit or miss right now. But they run the ball extremely well, so Belichick will likely force them to throw a lot. NE does a little of everything, but with the Welker injury that passing game gets a big asterisk next to it...will they be able to recover from that? They can also run a little, but not to the level of BAL. Defensively is where there's a pretty big discrepency. NE is actually below average against the pass and pretty decent against the run, while BAL is very good against both. BAL also seems to have a SPT edge although neither are elite. Turnovers seem to be about equal, and weather could also be an issue in this one. I think NE will try to force BAL to throw it as much as possible, but I actually think that BAL has the personnel to do this and put up some points against a weaker than usual NE pass D. If weather is in play, it will be all about running the football for both sides, which gives BAL an advantage as well.

The CALL: Can't believe it, but I'm going with BAL in this one to win in decent weather 24-21.

Who you got? Good split here...MR, MK, AW, MC all on NE...rest on BAL w/me

GB-ARI (-2.5)
The final game of the weekend was the easiest pick for me. ARI is once again a suspect playoff team when you look at their stats. Very average offense, both running and passing, very average D in both respects as well. They outscored opponents by 3.1 ppg and were actually outgained on average this season by 3.4 ypg...only team in the playoffs with a bad number like that. ARI was also a -8 in turnover margin this season while their opponents, the Packers, were a ridiculous +24! That could be a huge issue in the game on Sunday afternoon. Warner is good for a couple of picks against a ball-hawking D and Beanie had been fumbling plenty lately as well. The Pack has a solid offense all around, I didn't realize they ran it so well, but I have them as the 2nd most effective running game in the league. Defensively they are far superior to the Cards as well being 13-15% above average. The one bad part of GB, besides being from Sconny, is their SPT...#32 in the league. They really do absolutely nothing well on SPT, which can play a huge role in the playoffs. But, I have overlooked this because of all the other advantages they have over ARI. I think the Pack comes out and does whatever they want on offense and force a couple of turnovers to keep this one from being close.

The CALL: PACK clean house and make this one over early...GB 34-17.

Who you got? Only 3 on the CARDS...JG, MH, SS...out of spite? All others on GB.

There you go, and extensive breakdown of exactly what will happen this weekend and tonight in the BCS Title game. Now you don't even need to watch.

Good Luck!

Need Wildcard picks from...

ROE, CORCORAN...send 'em over fellas.

Also, a quick bowl update:

MK-62 22-11
SS-50 15-18
MC-44 16-17
MH-42 14-19
GR-38 14-19
JR-37 13-20
JG-35 13-20
MR-35 11-22
AW-24 10-23

Besides Kobow...we all kind of suck at picking Bowl! 80 possible points in the NFL post-season, so all is not lost. But realistically, you can probably only make up about 25-30 points in NFL since there are so few games and you're bound to pick some the same as MK. Basically, as long as MK doesn't completely bomb in the NFL Playoffs he should win this thing...but that's why they play the games.

Once I get picks from the last 2 guys I'll send out the big preview.

Aaron Corp a Gopher?

I just read that the Gophers are one of 4 schools that have been granted permission to speak with Corp about a possible transfer. He'd only have 1 year left after sitting out 1 full season, but I'll take all the USC Reject QB's I could possibly get on this team!

Looks at this group already on roster:

AWEB
#5
Moses Alipate - Bloomington kid who was big-time recruit
Tom Parrish - signing in FEB from Sconny, very nice prospect as well.

I love the strategy of loading up on talented QB's...but the questions is will we actually play some of these guys when one of them is terrible for an entire season?!?!

Stuff

Who Hates Iowa!!!!

What a brutal showing by GTECH last night. I'm convinced that anytime you have a month to prep for the option and have a decent D...you will win. Iowa got ahead and forced them to throw...and that's all she wrote.

Gophs hoops gets smoked by a really good PUR team as well. Oh well, not a horrible performance, the bigger game is Saturday with OHIOST in town. I don't see many beating PUR this year...especially at home.

Shanahan, huh. I don't think this is going to change much for the Skins. And of course he has the "total control" thing which always works out well. When will people realize they need to either be the coach or the personnel guy, not both! This should give lots of optimism for a while, then come crashing down and end badly. Snyder has owned the team for 11 years and had 7 coaches...wow, Al Davis like.

Night off tonight - I guess the intriguing CMU-TROY matchup will give us some sort of football, but I'll probably skip it. Ready to re-group and get better for next season on NCAAF.

NFL however - wow, do I have some information overload right now. I've basically been dedicating every free second to finding an angle on these 4 games this weekend, it's probably too much but that's how I roll. There will be a gigantic preview coming once all picks are in so nobody can steal my top secret info to go 4-0.

Gopher notes - well, how about this. OC Jedd Fisch has been rumored to be on the list for both the Redskins and Bears OC jobs that are open. This is the same guy that lead us to an offensive season ranked in the 100's. So WTF? Well, remember Everett Withers, our initial DC under Brew? He brought all these complex NFL schemes to our D as a 1st time NCAA DC and we were completely lost and horrible (1-11, remember?) So he leaves, goes to NC, simplifies things a bit, and their D is unreal...#6 in Nation LY I think. I had kind of forgotten about this example, and then I realized...this whole Fisch situation could be exactly the same. Look at it like this, an NFL playbook is ridiculously hard to figure out which is why so many guys can't handle it at that level and they give you wonderlik tests to see if you can. The College game is much more simplified, so these complex schemes aren't necessary and truly aren't effective because nobody gets it. They force you to think too much and play slow...not that we need any help with that! The intellect of Gophers vs. Vikings players is a night and day difference...and Fisch's scheme for 2009 was designed for a team in the NFL. Obviously, the guy has a great offensive mind or he wouldn't be mentioned for openings like the BEARS and SKINS, so I think we could see a dramatic turnaround next season if he sees the writing on the wall and scales back the technical offense for something a little easier to digest for guys like #5. See how I'm talking myself off of that way too early 5 win prediction in 2010 already?!!? I'll have us at 9-3 by September...probably June!

That's about it for now - 2 games left in the NCAAF season...11 left in the NFL season...who thinks they'll be going 13-0 the rest of the way?

Tonight's Action

Another notch in the W column for KOBOW, and he is at a ridiculous 62 points already with 11 points remaining. SS moves into 2nd at 45 points with the BOISE victory as well.

TCU, WTF? You've scored at will against medicore defenses all year and you come up with that pathetic offensive performance? Maybe BOISE really does have a good defense, they just don't play like it in those 54-35 games they seem to have on a weekly basis in the WAC. Who knows - what a stupid bowl game anyway. Seriously,did this capture anyone's attention last night? A win by either side proves nothing. Lame.

Tonight we have one guy on the bad side (SS) with the rest cheering against our neighbors to the south. I'm thinking 77-2 in favor of GTECH tonight, actually I guess that's what I'm hoping for. I'm actually thinking if I was to put $ on this thing in an unbiased way today I would bet Iowa +3.5. Why didn't I take them in the pool...because they're Iowa and that would be sacreligious. I've come to realize that I think I really hate Iowa fans way more than the actual team.

I'm in a meeting this morning with this complete toolbox of a guy, some weird IT dude, and he says, "i can't wait for tonight, I'm such a huge Iowa Hogeye fan." Not sure if he picked up on the "you're a complete d-bag" look I was giving him at that point, but he should have...it wasn't subtle. I just told him, "I hate Iowa, I think they'll lose by 50 tonight." Funny how everyone is such a huge Hogeye football fan, but the hoops squad managed to draw about 19 people for their tilt with the Gophs this past week...hmmm, funny.

GO GTECH!!!

I'm assuming the GOPHERS-PURDUE matchup will be close to done by the time the football game start tonight, so I'm thinking I'll watch this matchup in its entirety...especially if GTECH gets a nice 28-3 lead early on!

I think I want TECH to win much more than I even wanted the Gophers to win this bowl season - I'm sure it will be close, but I'm pulling for a 500 yard rushing performance out of the JACKETS and a huge victory.

Congrats to Roe

Winner and still champion of the football minds...Mike Roe. Congrats once again on another championship. Go Vikes!!!

Wildcard Lines - get to me by Noon Thursday

NYJ
CIN -2.5

PHI
DAL -4

BAL
NE -3.5

GB
ARI -2.5


Please get your 4 picks to me by Thursday so I can get a recap out before Saturday.

RULES
The Bowl portion of the contest is worth 100 points, the NFL section is worth 80 possible points. 3/game in Wildcard round, 5/game for divisional round, 10/game for Conference Championships, 18 for Super Bowl...and there will be 10 extra points available in the Super Bowl with a variety of prop bets which should help us avoid any ties.

If we do end in a tie, this is the tiebreaker procedure:
1. Most Bowl wins
2. Most NFL wins
3. Most Bowl points
4. Most correct prop bets
5. Even split of $$$

So 3 points per game for this weekend...12 possible points.

Good Luck!

The Dynasty continues...end of Regular Season Challenge

Congrats go to Mike Roe on his 3rd consecutive Football Challenge Regular Season Title. He went 150-120 (55.6%) which is the highest all-time winning % for a full season of betting in the Football Challenge.

Roe won the College Championship at 84-62, and also ended up tieing for the NFL title after a 12-3 final week...66-59 was his final tally there.

I'll get a check out to you for $260 (minus the $20 entry fee for post-season), once again congrats...and this solidifies your place in Vegas next year...no excuses you have to go.

2nd place was Mike Kobow who has his best ever showing in the Football Challenge this season. MK was 144-126 (53.3%), 3rd in NCAA at 78-68, tie for 1st in NFL at 66-59. Mike, I will be sending out a check for $20 (minus the $20 entry fee for post-season). Nice work Mike and Mike.

FINAL STANDINGS
MR 150 120 55.6%
MK 144 126 53.3%
GR 137 133 50.7%
JR 137 133 50.7%
MC 137 133 50.7%
AW 133 137 49.3%
JG 133 137 49.3%
MH 132 138 48.9%


FINAL NFL STANDINGS
JR 66 59 52.8%
MK 66 59 52.8%
MR 66 59 52.8%
AW 64 61 51.2%
MH 61 64 48.8%
JG 61 64 48.8%
GR 60 65 48.0%
MC 57 68 45.6%


FINAL NCAA STANDINGS
MR 84 62 57.5%
MC 80 66 54.8%
MK 78 68 53.4%
GR 77 69 52.7%
JG 72 74 49.3%
JR 71 75 48.6%
MH 71 75 48.6%
AW 69 77 47.3%


Next, the Bowl update.

It's getting ugly really fast in this one. At this point, we already have a champ and are just playing for points and positioning for the NFL half of the equation.

Mike Kobow is 21-9 in picking Bowl Games. That is ridiculous. He has a 13 point lead over MC who is in 2nd with 16 points left. Nobody else is within 16 points and MC and MK has only 12 differing pick left...so congrats again to Kobow on an unreal Bowl season. Here are the Bowl Standings right now:

MK-57
MC-44
SS-40
JR-37
GR-37
MH-37
MR-35
JG-34
AW-24

Keep in mind that we will also have a post-season NFL challenge to add to this final total for an overall score...it's not over yet for anyone!

TONIGHT

BOISE vs. TCU (-8)
I love the Frogs in this one. I've watched both teams a few times this season, and there is one glaring difference...defense. Boise doesn't have much, TCU has a really good one. That's why I'm not afraid to give the 8 in this one. Too bad they couldn't have put these 2 against other BCS teams and not each other...would have made for a couple of fun games rather than this one lame one.

Who you got? MK, MH, SS all on BOISE...all else on TCU. If Kobow is on BOISE then all of a sudden I am re-thinking my pick! Seriously, he's on FIRE right now!

5 points up for grabs, so it would be really good for most of us if TCU would cover this one to close the gap on MK.

I'll be sending out WILD CARD lines and the rules for the NFL portion of this challenge when they are available.

Thanks for a Great Regular Season! Hope you're all in again for next year. Also, for the post-season, I still need some cash from: JG, MH, MC...please send a check in the mail or drop me some cash...$20/guy. Thanks.

Go Purple! and Go Gophs!