Friday, November 6, 2009

The Epic Path to the Meineke Bowl - Vol 3 Number 10

You did what I suggested and put all of your earnings on SMU +650 right? I knew June Jones would finally come around for me, no thanks to Bo Levi. Other than that pretty flat. Mark Cuban must have had Iowa -17.5 and threatened to pull his contributions from Indiana University, I have no other justification for what happened to that garbage team.

West Virginia - 17 vs Louisville Great game for Jarret Brown and Noel Devine to right the ship, Louisville is a bad team and bad teams don't play well on the road in November.

Wisconsin -10.5 @ Indiana Physical Badgers are underrated and sound in all aspects, Hoosiers still aren't recovered from last week's meltdown

Miami -13.5 vs Virginia Big comeback last week will provide Canes the boost they need to defend their turf with a vengeance, Groh has run out of stingers and his time is done.

Texas A&M -3 @ Colorado Aggies finally playing like the team I've been waiting for, Buffaloes can't hang in a shootout

Duke +10 @ North Carolina Cutcliffe's crew has never let me down, always plays great as dogs, and this game has conference implications.

LSU +7.5 @ Alabama Tigers are playing the best they have since 2007, Greg McElroy is proving that he's still green. Feels like a 20-17 game.

UTEP -6.5 @ Tulane Yo-yo Miners have a newfound gem at running back and have an experienced QB, Tulane has too many holes to win if UTEP doesn't implode.

Kansas -2.5 @ Kansas St Jayhawks's seniors have never lost to KSU, bad matchup for Wildcats as Reesing should pick apart their secondary. Jayhawks are due.

Tennessee -25.5 vs Memphis Things have tipped for the Volunteers, beating down porous Memphis will just add to their growing confidence. Crompton seems to have finally figured things out.

FSU +9.5 @ Clemson Christian Ponder has been awesome this year, he'll keep up in what looks like a shootout.

Houston -1.5 @ Tulsa This is Keenum's Heisman year - ride this train.

Nevada -13.5 @ San Jose St (Sunday) Kaepernick and the Wolfpack are tearing up the WAC, depleted Spartan's can't stop the run, how can they hang in this matchup?

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Picks from Peter King's Ass: Vol 3.8

We are slowing approaching the mid point of the season and it is clear that there are some awful teams in the NFL this year. It amazes me how some teams can be bad year in and year out.

The Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, and the Oakland Raiders are horrible and it all starts at the top. Until these teams move out of town and a new owner comes in to place these teams are not going to be good with the exception of the Buccaneers and Rams the other three teams are garbage.

Picks:
Houston -3 at Buffalo
New York Jets -3 vs. Miami
Dallas -9.5 vs. Seattle
Arizona -10 vs. Carolina
New York Giants -1.5 at Philadelphia

Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Epic Path to the Meineke Bowl - Vol 3 Number 9

A bittersweet 4-3 last week, but can't be too upset about making a few bucks. Might have been 5-2 had it not been for another award-winning performance from Beau (go to to 0:39 in).


June Jones might want to consider starting his teenage daughter next week, I think she'd give SMU a better chance to win.

Also, special thanks to Miami (OH) for throwing in a garbage touchdown on the last play to kill the spread against Northern Illinois. I hope those worthless points remove the sting of being 0-8, Redhawks.

YTD Results (ATS and O/U)
It's been a very odd year. The SEC is playing out as it's supposed to, while my bread and butter Big 10 has abandoned me. The only thing that's remained the same is the ACC money pit. I've combined the Mountain West and WAC because I still can't tell the difference between these two.
  • SEC 9-1
  • Mtn West/WAC 4-1
  • Big 10 3-7
  • ACC 1-6
Picks
Rutgers +7.5 @ UConn
I'm leading off with the Knights again after they took care of business last week. This is a team on the rise (winning 5 of 6) led by a solid D and an improving young quarterback. It's hasn't exactly been profitable to bet against UConn this year (7-0) but they have to lose ATS once - right ?

USC - 3 @ Oregon
The winner of this game takes the Pac-10, and there hasn't been a better program in the country in games like this over the last decade than the Trojans. The Ducks can run the ball but they're going up against a challenged and extremely talented USC defense. USC's running backs should be able to get theirs against an underwhelming Ducks front. On intangibles alone, I'm playing the Trojans until they're dethroned as Pac 10 dictators.

Florida -14.5 vs. Georgia
The Gators have been keeping things close lately, but let's not forget this is still the best defense in the country and the offense isn't too far behind. Tebow has gotten his mistakes out of the way the past few weeks, and he'll be back to his crisp self. This isn't Stafford's Georgia, Joe Cox is makeshift at best and this isn't one of Richt's better teams. Gators control this one from the start.

Nebraska - 13 @ Baylor
The Huskers have laid two eggs in a row and here's assuming that Bo Pelini isn't going to allow a 3rd. The defense is still absurdly good, and shouldn't have much issue with a Baylor offense deep in the red. An easy road game is just what Nebraska needs right now to get back on track for the rest of the season.

Duke +7.5 @ Virginia
Thus far David Cutcliffe's Blue Devils have been the one team exempt (2-0) from my ACC curse. Couple that with an on-fire Thad Lewis, a touchdown and a hook and I like my chances of going 3-0. If this season is anything like last for Groh, the Cavs are heading downhill towards another poor ending.

Michigan -7 @ Illinois
We'd all be closing on summer homes if we'd just followed our gut and bet against Zook this season, but I'm thinking the ship hasn't sailed. This team is in dissarray, and are already preparing for next year. Michigan isn't there yet with the top of the class in the Big 10, but they've got a lot to prove and you know how Rich Rod feels about the spread.

Indiana +17.5 @ Iowa
I never thought the day would come where I'd be promoting the Hoosiers, but I've won games on Florida International and Western Kentucky so maybe the time has come. Indiana's not nearly as pitiful as usual (5-2 ATS) and will bring their A-game to Kinnick to take on the beaten up Hawks. Iowa won't get fancy with this one and will be glad to do the minimum and put this one in the rearview.

Georgia Tech -12.5 @ Vanderbilt
It's been a long season for the overwhelmed Commodores and it's not about to get any easier with the triple option coming to town. One week won't be enough for the defense to prepare, and even if they play well Vandy's offense won't be able to move the ball, which they've struggled to do all year. Dwyer and company roll on this business trip.

Cal -6.5 @ Arizona State
Since taking dual shelackings from USC and Oregon and dropping off the map, Cal has gotten themselves together and knocked around UCLA and Washington State. Jahvid Best and company are playing like the Top 10 team they were when they started the season and should be able to continue to hot streak against Arizona State.

Houston -6.5 vs Southern Miss
Keenum, at home, one score? This is Houston's year, they're not going to let Southern Miss spoil the party.

Off the Record
SMU +650 @ Tulsa
Ah, the irony. I'm fairly sure my nemesis will somehow find a way to blow this, but SMU can legitimately win this game, and there's not many payouts like this where that's the case. Turn $30 into $200, you've got nothing to lose.

Picks from Peter King's Ass: Vol 3.7

Well after my 1-4 for last week I hope to have a better week. At least I went 2-0 in my NLCS picks which helped ease the pain a little bit. On to the picks this week.

Minnesota +6 at Pittsburgh
New Orleans -6 at Miami
Washington +7 vs Philadelphia
Green Bay -9 at Cleveland
Giants -7 vs Arizona

Friday, October 23, 2009

The Epic Path to the Meineke Bowl - Vol 3 Number 8

Momentum-halting last week, but you're bound to get one of those in October. Late collapses from Washington and Stanford killed my money line bets (not to mention an injury to Sam Bradford), so I'm taking a week off from those to let the wounds heal properly. The bus will once again be headed north after Saturday.

Rutgers -10.5 @ Army (Friday)
The Scarlet Knights were picking up some steam before Wanny shut the door last week, but Rutgers and frosh QB Tom Savage are still on the way up to their peak. One-dimensional Army shouldn't be able to do much against a stout Rutgers run D, and the talent discrepancy on the other side of the ball will show. Scarlet Knights get back to business after last week.

Oklahoma St -9.5 @ Baylor
It's been an eventful and sometimes trying first half for Gundy's crew, but quietly this offense has been putting up points even without two of its biggest weapons. Baylor sans Robert Griffin is a shell of its former self, and can't compete with the talent across panhandle. Zac Robinson keeps the offense humming while the keeping his squad in contention for the Big 12 South title.

Mississippi St +23 vs Florida
The Bulldogs have an new identity and have been playing well, and with a night game at their place there's no better setup for Dan Mullens to show his old boss what he's capable of. The Gators have been going through the motions, and don't think for a second Urban Meyer isn't holding back the concussed-Tebow. Mullens and Meyer have worked together for years, so there's a Tresell/Tiller element at play here as well. This won't be an upset, but they'll cover this large spread.

Washington +10 vs Oregon
The Huskies have been very good at home, and are playing with a real chip on their shoulder this season. Jake Locker is the kind of player who can keep a team in a game by himself, and Sarkisian is the perfect coach for him. The Ducks have been playing very well but haven't been challenged for a few weeks and are due for a tough game. It's still uncertain if Jeromiah Masoli will play, and even if he does he might be a tad rusty.

Northern Illinois -11 @ Miami (OH)
My favorite mid-major is back to business in 2009 - pounding the rock, limiting turnovers, and winning football games. This team plays the right way and isn't going to mess around with Miami, one of the worst teams in FBS. After a tough loss last week, Northern will have their heads on straight and this will turn out to be a profitable business trip.

Tennessee +14.5 @ Alabama
If there's one thing that the Vols promise, its punishing defense. Alabama has been excellent so far but is hardly an offensive juggernaut. They've struggled in recent weeks and it won't stop this week. Vols QB Jonathan Crompton is finally playing like the 5 star recruit that he was, if he plays within himself the senior could finally show something for his storied career. Alabama has been awesome this year, but they're starting to give a few too many points. This game will play like an NFL game - physical and won't be won by more than 14.

SMU +16.5 @ Houston
This is the type of game June Jones was born to coach. SMU can hold it's own in a shootout, and they bring in a very opportunistic defense which forces turnovers. As long as dipshit QB doesn't throw two picks to the house in the 4th quarter, SMU will hang in. I love Houston more than anything but they've already proven they can lost to another wide open mid major from Texas. Keenum won't accept a loss here but they'll have to earn it.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Picks from Peter King's Ass: Vol 3.6

Well it is unfortunate that Jerry Jones has come out and said Wade has a job for the rest of the year, I guess he's looking forward to going another year since 1996 to win a playoff game. How bout em?

The Giants with a big road game today in the Big Easy. The winner of this game looks like they could be in the drivers seat for the NFC because there's no way Brett Farve can continue to play like this, he's a 40-yr old man for God's sake.

Another good week last week going 3-1.

Let's get to the picks:
Cincinnati -5.5 vs. Houston - Ochocinco buys up 1200 tickets so the city of Northern Kentucky can watch them kill the Texans.

Homer Pick of the Week:
New York Giants +3 at New Orleans - I'm taking the money line too at +155, still not sure if its a good idea but I believe it is.

Philadelphia -15 at Oakland
Seattle -3 vs. Arizona
New England -9 vs. Tennessee

Hammerin Hank just said that double digit dogs are 2-8 ATS this year, wow.

Baseball Picks:
Cliff Lee over 5.5 Strikeouts

Philadelphia -170 vs. Los Angeles

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Epic Path to the Meineke Bowl - Vol 3 Number 7

Just the picks this week....as agreed I have removed the ACC from my phone to prevent drunk dials.

Wisconsin -2.5 vs Iowa Badgers hold serve at home, it's time for the Hawks to fall.
Ohio St -14 @ Purdue Buckeyes cover this spread with points off turnovers alone.
Oklahoma +145 vs Texas My boy Bradford's back, call this one revenge from 2008.
Miss St -4.5 @ Mid Tenn St. Bulldogs are re-energized under Dan Mullen, SEC vs Sun Belt usually goes to former
Nevada -9.5 @ Utah State Wolfpack look to make it 3 in a row on the blog, no WAC defense can slow down Kaepernick and the pistol
Houston -17 @ Tulane Dome is made for air strike, Cougars won't mess around in this conference game
Texas A&M -6 @ Kansas St K-State not equipped to slow down Big 12 passing attacks
Florida vs Arkansas U54.5 Gators D will limit Mallett's production, Gators still taking it easy with Tebow
Stanford +170 @ Arizona Harbaugh's crew will be ready to go coming off loss, Arizona finds ways to lose
Washington +230 @ Arizona State Your money is in good hands with Sarkisian and Locker.