College Football Week 3 Picks Recap

This Week: 1-5

Season to Date: 10-8

-D

College Football Week 3 Picks

Some rather important games on the schedule this weekend, including a showdown in Tallahassee that I'm excited about. Onward we go!

LSU @ Mississippi State (+4.5): A Thursday night showdown in the SEC. LSU might be the team to beat in the SEC West (Alabama may disagree of course), and Mississippi State does not want to start the season 0-2 in the division. Thursday night. Home underdog. The cowbells ringing through the night. The only thing I'm worried about is how Les Miles manages to pull out a victory, but we'll ride the Bullies again.
The Pick: Mississippi State 16-13

Auburn @ Clemson (-3.0): It was wild and crazy, but Auburn found a way to stop Mississippi State at the 3-inch line last week. This week, they travel to Clemson, where the battle of the Tigers should again be another crazy game. At some point, Auburn will lose. My expert analysis says they will this week.
The Pick: Clemson 35-27

Tennessee @ Florida (-9.0): This game now is a little more interesting since Tennessee is actually good some people think Florida may be "down" this year. I wish they still had ties in college football, because I would certainly hope for one here. One team will win. One team will lose. I don't really care which one is which.
The Pick: Florida 31-24

Michigan State @ Notre Dame (-4.5): At some point, I'll quit picking Notre Dame games, but picking against them is too fun. They might win finally, but they won't cover.
The Pick: Notre Dame 23-21

Louisville @ Kentucky (-6.0): Let me be perfectly clear. I grew up in Memphis; I cheer for Kentucky; I want Memphis to do well, too. There was absolutely no way Louisville stood a chance at being liked by me. Kentucky will make it 5 straight victories over the Dirty Birds. No question about it.
The Pick: Kentucky 27-17

Game of the Week:
Oklahoma @ Florida State (+3.5): #1 vs. #5. This showdown is going to feature talent all over the field. Jimbo Fisher has the 'Noles on the right track, and a win for the 'Noles would catapult them into BCS consideration. Last year, Oklahoma humiliated FSU in Norman. This year the Seminoles will get revenge.
The Pick: Florida State 34-31

There you have it, my readers. 6 games. 6 picks.

-D

College Football Week 2 Picks Recap

Time to recap and see what that Monopoly money did for me.

Central Michigan @ Kentucky - I predicted 28-14, and the final score was 27-13. For almost 3 quarters, fans in the Commonwealth were left wondering how a 6-win season was even possible. Then the offense came to life, and a fourth and goal from the 1 touchdown provided the 14-point margin of victory. (1-0)

Mississippi State @ Auburn - Were it not for another game that night, this may have been the game of the day, a back and forth affair of momentum swings and money changing hands. Mississippi State lost the Cam Newton sweepstakes last year, and they wound up about 3 inches short of a tying touchdown as time expired this year. I said it would be close, and it certainly was. (2-0)

Alabama @ Penn State - SEC speed. That's all you really need to say here. Alabama's defense is strong, and if the offense can do just enough, they'll be right there in the chase for the BCS championship. (3-0)

Cincinnati @ Tennessee - By all accounts, the Bruce Pearl Bobblehead Day was successful, but everyone seems to be denying that they received his BBQ book. Strange. Maybe this week someone will post a picture of it. Oh yeah, UT won big. Blah blah blah. (3-1)

Memphis @ Arkansas State - At some point, Memphis really just needs to consider donating the football team to my alma mater - Christian Brothers University and using the tax refund to buy out R.C. Johnson's contract. Either that, or not schedule Sun Belt conference teams.  (4-1)

Notre Dame @ Michigan - Game. Of. The. Day. Michigan scrambles from 17 down to take the lead in the fourth, only to see Notre Dame score with 30 seconds left, only for them to completely blow an assignment and give up a huge pass play and then touchdown with 2 seconds left to lose 35-31. This continues to prove my point: Notre Dame is overrated. (5-1)

This Week: 5-1

Season-to-Date: 9-3

More winners from this weekend: America.

Have a great week!

-D

College Football Week 2 Picks

As we all know, today is Saturday, and that means that it's time to place your bets...

Central Michigan @ Kentucky (-10.5): Normally I try not to pick games of the teams I actually like, but I'm making exceptions this week. Kentucky beat Western Kentucky 14-3 in a game that was every bit as exciting as a 14-3 game sounds. I say the Cats respond this week, maybe by even scoring more than 2 touchdowns.
The Pick: Kentucky 28-14

Mississippi State @ Auburn (+6.0): You'd think winning a game 156-9 last week would prove how great your team is. But when the team on the end of that beat down is Memphis, you have take it with a grain of salt, because Memphis could make a broken toaster look good. Auburn somehow paid off escaped with a win over Utah State. That will not happen this time, but it will be close.
The Pick: Mississippi State 31-28

Alabama @ Penn State (+10.5): Alabama's defense looked pretty stout last weekend against some team from the Midwest. The Crimson Tide travel to Happy Valley now to face the Nittany Lions in a battle of odd colors. JoePa is coaching from the grave press box again (I think). Not that it will matter.
The Pick: Alabama 28-10

Cincinnati @ Tennessee (-4.5): One of my other rules is try not to pick games involving teams I can't stand. We're making an exception this week. It's Bruce Pearl Bobblehead Day at Neyland. The first 25,000 fans get a free bobblehead and barbecue book signed by Bruce himself.
The Pick: Cincinnati 27-23

Memphis @ Arkansas State (-17.0): I can't believe the line on this one. (Thinks back to last week.) Oh, wait, yes I can.
The Pick: Arkansas State 42-20

Game of the Week:
Notre Dame @ Michigan (+3.5): We'll call this one the Lightning Bowl, since both teams were affected by storms last Saturday. The University of Michigan finally joins the 20th century by adding a night game for the first time ever. Notre Dame is still overrated.
The Pick: Michigan 35-28

There you have it, ladies and gents. 6 games. 6 picks. 6 chances to ruin your kid's college savings.

-D

College Football Week 1 Picks

Do you hear that sound? The one that's been getting louder and louder since August? It's the sound of college football. With it comes a new season of incorrect picks and sarcastic, witty commentary. I'll be picking against the spread this year, which means a disclaimer that you should never place any wagers on any games based on these selections and analysis. With that out of the way, I'll be getting the spread for each game from here, using the "BETONLINE.COM" numbers. So let's get to the picks!

Kent State @ Alabama (-38.0): It's been an emotional 4 months for the city of Tuscaloosa in the aftermath of the worst tornado outbreak in history. Football season (and a highly-ranked team) will provide some relief and distraction from the rebuilding process. Emotions will be high, and the Tide should cruise to a W.
The Pick: Alabama 49-7

South Florida @ Notre Dame (-11.0): Year 2 of the Brian Kelly Experiment. I don't know much about either team. What I do know is this seems like a game where the Irish will struggle. I don't know why, but that's the sort of analysis you get when you come here.
The Pick: Notre Dame 27-23

UCLA @ Houston (-2.5): Houston has a QB who has a chance to break all sorts of NCAA passing records this season. It's like when you play NCAA __ on your favorite console and do nothing but throw the ball and blitz. Not that I've ever done that.
The Pick: Houston 35-31

BYU @ Ole Miss (+3.0): (Trying to resist jokes about Mormons in The Grove.) BYU's first season as an independent begins at place where Southern Belles and preppy prep school guys learn to live on their own and learn the limits of, well, The Grove. Can the Black Bears get it done? Can the Stormin' Mormons make it of Oxford 1-0? Can I add any more questions to this analysis?
The Pick: BYU 31-24

And we have two games of the week this week! A double feature on this opening weekend!
Boise State vs. Georgia (+3.0): You either love Boise State or hate them like you hate little fluffy kittens and Santa Claus. The BCS hopefuls need this win to establish themselves as party-crashers. Coach Richt needs this win to cool off the hotseat in Athens. I think you know where this pick is going...
The Pick: Boise State 34-28

Oregon vs. LSU (+4.0): This one will be fun. Two teams ranked in the top 5. Two teams with some off-field distractions this summer. Two teams with BCS titles dancing in their heads. Ducks vs. Tigers. Pac-12 (that's weird to type) speed vs. SEC speed. Who prevails? Quack quack!
The Pick: Oregon 33-25


There you have it, my friends. 6 games. 6 picks. 6 reasons why I'm not quitting my day job! Enjoy your long Labor Day weekend, and be safe!

-D