Alright, the picks didnt go as well as hoped but it's still the first week of the season. There's so much to learn and so much to soak in from the first week:
- How fast will that redshirt come off Tyrod? Let's be honest here, Sean Glennon has a lot to work on and I still maintain that the Hokies are indirectly telling their fans to write off this season especially if they dont un-redshirt Tyrod. Those of you who took under 9 wins for the Hokies this year are in great shape. Glennon showed flashes of brilliance but so has Rob Johnson and Ty Detmer. That's all Glennon will ever be. The defense looked good in the game but they need help from the Offense.
- UVA....what can be said...I mean standing o for playing USC but it should have been a rude reminder how far off this team is. Lalich started the game surprising literally no one but that didnt help. The Trojans showed the country how deep their team is once again while UVA showed the world that it's not quite ready for relevance.
- Richmond...Get ready Spider fans for a special season once again. The offense has reloaded and the defense is as stout as ever. Get your taunts ready for Hoo fans because there is a great shot you guys win next week. Eric Ward had a near flawless game and the defense held down a solid Elon offense.
- Clemson/ACC.....Nice work on Saturday. I guess the choke comes early this year. I mean it wasn't even funny how outclassed the Tigers were on Saturday night. Wake Forest has this conference wrapped up. Congrats to Duke too for their victory...in this weakened conference the Blue Devils may be a factor. UNC struggled with McNeese State too....Should be wild.
- Pittsburgh/Syracuse....Can Coaches Wannstedt and Robinson please pick up the courtesy phone? Your paychecks are waiting.
- Michigan....Not that most of us didnt expect it to be a long year for the Big Blue, but that loss hurt. The Big House is one of the most overrated stadiums in sports. When's the last time a less talented Ohio State and LSU lost at home to a team they should beat? I put part of that blame on the fans. They play a part in the game too....
- Temple.....You folks still have your shot to jump on the bandwagon for our big game next week against UConn....once the Owls move to 2-0....you've lost your shot at premiere membership, if you jump on after that you only get bronze membership which means you must say to me every day that i was right all along.
That's all for now.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Week One College Football Picks....
Last year we hit 65% of our games and this year we're going to surge higher like the Owls as well....Those of you who followed my picks last year know that i always start with the Temple game...
Temple -7 @ Army: The unbridled enthusiasm of the Owls fanbase is amazing for this year. Al Golden pointed to this as the beginning of our time to shine and I truly think it could happen. The problem is that the rise will have to occur on the road. Clearly, Temple is a better team then Army but will they revert to the Owls of old who lose to worse teams on the road. I have the utmost faith that Temple will win this game but I will NEVER feel easy laying points with them on the road. Plus, they almost never kill anyone....Give me Army +7 but take the Owls ML. With regards to the total, i'm hesitant to play either side but gun to my head i like the under.
Elsewhere:
South Carolina/NC State Under 45: It's the perfect matchup to exploit the under....The Wolfpack is solid enough on D to keep it close while the Gamecock D is good enough to keep the young Wolfpack offense down. Russell Wilson is going to be a star in the ACC but he's not ready to win on the road especially in an SEC atmosphere. Get to know Alan Michael Cash as he's going to wreck havoc on South Carolina in a 23-14 type game.
Va Tech/ECU Under 47.5: Another game that screams for an under. The Hokie offense will need time to gel with all of the new RB's and WR's. ECU's defense is just good enough to slow them down while the Hokie defense despite not having the big names of last year's team, will do just enough to not let the Pirates run away. Neither of these teams have big play potential which kills the under. Also love ECU +9.5. While i'm on the side of the Hokies in the UVA/Tech rumble down here in Richmond, I think that the Pirates will keep this game close. Pinkney last year kept ECU in the game in Blacksburg and that's with all the "Names" on defense.
UVA +20: Man, i hate games like this. USC has more talent then the hoos....heck their 2nd team may have more too. The Trojans do their business in games like this in workman-like manner. UVA's linebacker corps is very underrated in the scope of college football. I can see a 31-13 game.
La Tech +8: A rare chance for this WAC team to host an SEC team. I'm a big fan of the homedog early on especially before their fanbase realizes whether or not their team will suck. Patrick Jackson is gonna do some damage in this game.
La Monroe +26: Look I must be nuts and last year in this situation when i've taken the Sun Belt at the SEC, it was nailbiter city. I feel like the new clock rules benefit a team like ULM and Auburn. The Tigers will want to get this game moving and once they get a lead they can milk the clock. ULM has the veterans at skill positions to put up some points.
More will be added later or taken off but these are my early picks....
Temple -7 @ Army: The unbridled enthusiasm of the Owls fanbase is amazing for this year. Al Golden pointed to this as the beginning of our time to shine and I truly think it could happen. The problem is that the rise will have to occur on the road. Clearly, Temple is a better team then Army but will they revert to the Owls of old who lose to worse teams on the road. I have the utmost faith that Temple will win this game but I will NEVER feel easy laying points with them on the road. Plus, they almost never kill anyone....Give me Army +7 but take the Owls ML. With regards to the total, i'm hesitant to play either side but gun to my head i like the under.
Elsewhere:
South Carolina/NC State Under 45: It's the perfect matchup to exploit the under....The Wolfpack is solid enough on D to keep it close while the Gamecock D is good enough to keep the young Wolfpack offense down. Russell Wilson is going to be a star in the ACC but he's not ready to win on the road especially in an SEC atmosphere. Get to know Alan Michael Cash as he's going to wreck havoc on South Carolina in a 23-14 type game.
Va Tech/ECU Under 47.5: Another game that screams for an under. The Hokie offense will need time to gel with all of the new RB's and WR's. ECU's defense is just good enough to slow them down while the Hokie defense despite not having the big names of last year's team, will do just enough to not let the Pirates run away. Neither of these teams have big play potential which kills the under. Also love ECU +9.5. While i'm on the side of the Hokies in the UVA/Tech rumble down here in Richmond, I think that the Pirates will keep this game close. Pinkney last year kept ECU in the game in Blacksburg and that's with all the "Names" on defense.
UVA +20: Man, i hate games like this. USC has more talent then the hoos....heck their 2nd team may have more too. The Trojans do their business in games like this in workman-like manner. UVA's linebacker corps is very underrated in the scope of college football. I can see a 31-13 game.
La Tech +8: A rare chance for this WAC team to host an SEC team. I'm a big fan of the homedog early on especially before their fanbase realizes whether or not their team will suck. Patrick Jackson is gonna do some damage in this game.
La Monroe +26: Look I must be nuts and last year in this situation when i've taken the Sun Belt at the SEC, it was nailbiter city. I feel like the new clock rules benefit a team like ULM and Auburn. The Tigers will want to get this game moving and once they get a lead they can milk the clock. ULM has the veterans at skill positions to put up some points.
More will be added later or taken off but these are my early picks....
Monday, August 18, 2008
Virginia Tech
With today's news about Zach Luckett, it's hard to see how Hokies fans are as optimistic as they are. A quick check of the sportsbook has people pounding the over 9 win total that they set for Virginia Tech and at an alarming rate. Those maroon glasses must be strong because i've never seen a time that has as much positivity yet so many holes. Who is going to run the ball? Who is going to catch it? Who is going to throw it?
Listen, we all know that they SHOULD win all of their home games but that's 6 with a neutral site ECU and a couple of tough roadies. Even with the most optimistic prediction of 6 wins at home, they'd still have to win 3 more to even push the 9. I'd love to see this team put it all together and shut me up but I have some strong issues with what this team is trying to do.
UVA? They have a ton of issues too but it seems Hoo fans have a level head and expect a rough time. It's not like they think USC's a win and some realize Richmond's gonna be tough too. The first Virginia team to figure out who their QB, RB problem will be the first one to race towards a mediocre bowl this season. Sadly i feel i won't even get to gorge on chick-fil-a :(
Listen, we all know that they SHOULD win all of their home games but that's 6 with a neutral site ECU and a couple of tough roadies. Even with the most optimistic prediction of 6 wins at home, they'd still have to win 3 more to even push the 9. I'd love to see this team put it all together and shut me up but I have some strong issues with what this team is trying to do.
UVA? They have a ton of issues too but it seems Hoo fans have a level head and expect a rough time. It's not like they think USC's a win and some realize Richmond's gonna be tough too. The first Virginia team to figure out who their QB, RB problem will be the first one to race towards a mediocre bowl this season. Sadly i feel i won't even get to gorge on chick-fil-a :(
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Your College Football Fix....
With the college football season almost upon us, it is time to reveal my favorite college football win totals. When looking these over...you always want to find value...don't take a side with the heavy lean....you've always gotta find value when doing these. Also, you have to do best and worst case scenarios. With that....
Kentucky Under 6.5: No Andre Woodson and no surprise value anymore with this team...they go back to SEC doormat/possible upset once in awhile.
Definite Wins: Norfolk State, MTSU, WKU
Swing Games: South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Vandy
Definite Losses: @ Louisville, @ Florida, @ Tennessee, @ Alabama
Wisconsin Under 8.5
Illinois Under 8
Both of the above are on the borderline at -130/-140. Almost not worth it.
Indiana Over 5: This team's got a favorable schedule and can pull off the home upset if the road team isn't careful.
Definite Wins: WKU, Murray State, Ball State, Iowa
Swing Games: MSU, NW, CMU, Wisky, @ Minnesota
Definite Losses: @ Illy, @ PSU, @ Purdue.
Texas Tech Under 9: This year's fad team to make a splash in the league always fades in the clutch. For as good as their offense is, their defense is that bad. Harrell and Crabtree are studs tho.
Definites: EWU, SMU, UMass, Baylor, Ok State, Nebraska
Swing Games: @ Nevada, @ KSU, @ A&M, Texas,
Definite loss: @ Kansas, @ Oklahoma
Clemson Under 9.5 (+110): Another team whose hype exceeds their production usually. The talent is there but the OL needs work and so does the consistency.
Definite W: Citadel, NC State, SC State, Maryland, Ga Tech, Duke, South Carolina
Swing Games: @ Wake, vs. Bama, @ BC, @ UVA,
Definite L: @ FSU
Duke Over 3 (+130): Watch out for the Blue Devils....Trips to Wallace Wade arent layups anymore. Can't give them any definite wins but watch out.
Definite W:
Swing Games: JMU, Northwestern, Navy, UVA, Miami, NC State, UNC
Definite L: @ Ga Tech, @ Vandy, @ Wake, @ Clemson, @ Hokies
LAST ONE:
Florida Under 10 (+110): Taking a massive chance here....Most have the Gators in the title hunt but there are plenty of pitfalls for this team if they arent careful. Take a chance with some excess dough on the Under
Definite W: Hawaii, Miami, Ole Miss, Kentucky, @ Vandy, South Carolina, Citadel
Swing Games: @ Tennessee, @ Ark, LSU, Georgia, @ FSU
Definite L:
Heisman Trophy Props: Tim Tebow is of course your leader here and while there is some value with him...why not go a little off the board and find some real value on the rest who may be in NY for the ceremony. If everyone loves TTech so much why not Harrell (10-1) or Crabtree (10-1)? They may split the votes but the numbers either will put up could break records. Another pair of QB's with value are Chase Daniel (5-1) and Pat White (12-1) both of whom can run or pass their way to records and wins for their team.
Kentucky Under 6.5: No Andre Woodson and no surprise value anymore with this team...they go back to SEC doormat/possible upset once in awhile.
Definite Wins: Norfolk State, MTSU, WKU
Swing Games: South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Vandy
Definite Losses: @ Louisville, @ Florida, @ Tennessee, @ Alabama
Wisconsin Under 8.5
Illinois Under 8
Both of the above are on the borderline at -130/-140. Almost not worth it.
Indiana Over 5: This team's got a favorable schedule and can pull off the home upset if the road team isn't careful.
Definite Wins: WKU, Murray State, Ball State, Iowa
Swing Games: MSU, NW, CMU, Wisky, @ Minnesota
Definite Losses: @ Illy, @ PSU, @ Purdue.
Texas Tech Under 9: This year's fad team to make a splash in the league always fades in the clutch. For as good as their offense is, their defense is that bad. Harrell and Crabtree are studs tho.
Definites: EWU, SMU, UMass, Baylor, Ok State, Nebraska
Swing Games: @ Nevada, @ KSU, @ A&M, Texas,
Definite loss: @ Kansas, @ Oklahoma
Clemson Under 9.5 (+110): Another team whose hype exceeds their production usually. The talent is there but the OL needs work and so does the consistency.
Definite W: Citadel, NC State, SC State, Maryland, Ga Tech, Duke, South Carolina
Swing Games: @ Wake, vs. Bama, @ BC, @ UVA,
Definite L: @ FSU
Duke Over 3 (+130): Watch out for the Blue Devils....Trips to Wallace Wade arent layups anymore. Can't give them any definite wins but watch out.
Definite W:
Swing Games: JMU, Northwestern, Navy, UVA, Miami, NC State, UNC
Definite L: @ Ga Tech, @ Vandy, @ Wake, @ Clemson, @ Hokies
LAST ONE:
Florida Under 10 (+110): Taking a massive chance here....Most have the Gators in the title hunt but there are plenty of pitfalls for this team if they arent careful. Take a chance with some excess dough on the Under
Definite W: Hawaii, Miami, Ole Miss, Kentucky, @ Vandy, South Carolina, Citadel
Swing Games: @ Tennessee, @ Ark, LSU, Georgia, @ FSU
Definite L:
Heisman Trophy Props: Tim Tebow is of course your leader here and while there is some value with him...why not go a little off the board and find some real value on the rest who may be in NY for the ceremony. If everyone loves TTech so much why not Harrell (10-1) or Crabtree (10-1)? They may split the votes but the numbers either will put up could break records. Another pair of QB's with value are Chase Daniel (5-1) and Pat White (12-1) both of whom can run or pass their way to records and wins for their team.
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