You Can Bet On It (Week 14)

You Can Bet On It! (11/30/17)

Welcome back,

Thank you for joining me for my final week of the year and for joining me on Championship week, even though I haven’t had the best of years. I have enjoyed all of this college year maybe outside of two games I can think of. That being said this week I am not picking games and am going to pick all of the Power 5 Championship games with the exception of the Big 10 because I will not pick when Ohio State is involved because I believe picking/betting and being a fan should remain separate. Next year I am thinking of adding in my record again the over/under to add an extra element to blog but also to try and salvage something when my record does what it did this year.  So again I thank you and will leave you with my Championship predictions.

BIG 12 Championship: Oklahoma vs TCU, Arlington, TX, 12:30pm

Spread:  Oklahoma by 7

Over/Under: 63 ½ points

This may be one of the most interesting games of this weekend even though I think Ohio State against Wisconsin is going to be the best match of the week. Oklahoma is looking great as of late and playing like they want to be the best team in the country, TCU on the other had has hit some road bumps this season. Both teams have a loss against the surprise of the season and in my opinion coach of the year Matt Campbell and Iowa State. TCU did lose this year to this Oklahoma squad and by 18 points, but like the NFL it is hard to beat a team twice in one year. Now I don’t know if TCU can pull the win out of their hat in this game but I expect this will be a closer game than it was earlier this year. I will take TCU in what I think will be decided by a field goal along with the under in what will be more of chess match than a shootout.

Oklahoma: 31 TCU: 28

ACC Championship: Clemson vs Miami, Charlotte, NC, 8:00pm

Spread: Clemson by 9

Over/Under: 46 ½ points

Even a shooting star has to crash some time and that happened last week to Miami against Pittsburgh in a game I have to admit I did not see coming. Meanwhile Clemson has started to look like the Clemson of old the last two game, although that was against a bad South Carolina and doesn’t deserve to be mentioned Citadel. Miami is not going to be the same push over as the last two teams and I have a feeling they are going to be playing pissed after a loss in my opinion they were looking too far ahead. I am going to take Miami and the over in a game I feel could get out of hand with turn overs and quick score potential.

Clemson: 31 Miami: 38

SEC Championship: Georgia vs Auburn, Atlanta, GA, 4:00pm

Spread: Auburn by 1 point

Over/Under: 47 ½ points

Both of these are pretty solid teams so I can certainly understand the close spread but if you look at the last time these teams met which was a lot more of a blowout than this spread would lead on. With that being said this is still one of the hardest games I have the chance picking. Auburn has been solid bit has also struggled badly at teams and the same can be said for Georgia. I am just going to have to go with my gut one this one as it is more of a pick than anything else, so I will take Georgia to be prepared and look for revenge but I will go with the over even in a game that is going to be a lot of game planning rather than getting out of hand.

Georgia: 27 Auburn: 23

PAC 12 Championship: Stanford vs USC, Santa Clara CA, 8:00pm (12/1)

Spread:  USC by 4 points

Over/Under: 58 ½ points

Still no love being given to Stanford never mind they have a Heisman finalist and have only gotten better as the year has gone on. USC on the other hand all year, at least to me, been the team we should expect more out of and have left me disappointed with the result. I have all the faith one could have in this game this week in Stanford especially if they are going to be getting points because the disrespect is real and I will go with the over in hopes of a Friday night show.

Stanford: 42 USC: 37

Current Record: 23-27-2

Last Week: 3-1-0

You Can Bet On It (Week 13)

You Can Bet On It! (11/23/17)

Welcome back,

Happy Thanksgiving everyone I hope everyone who reads this has had a great turkey day with great friends or family like I did. I would like to say that I am thankful for all the great football that I have been lucky enough to be able to see this season. All though my team has fallen short and likewise so have my picks this season has only increased my joy for all college football. For the sake of possibly losing some people due to left over itis, I will try and crotch grab this week’s pick to victory like Baker Mayfield at Kansas.

Utah State vs Air Force, Colorado Springs, CO, 10:15pm

Spread:  Air Force by 2

Over/Under: 57 points

This isn’t a game that most other people are not going to clamor to watch but based on the spread you might want to. Now neither team is really fighting for anything that much matter other than maybe pride. Utah State has had quite a disappointing year and does not have many good win to hang their hat on, while Air Force has underperformed in my opinion. That being said being that is under a field goal spread when Air Force is at home it’s a no brainer to me to go with Air Force and most likely the over as I don’t see much defense played in this game

Air Force: 38 Utah State: 28

North Carolina vs North Carolina State, Raleigh, NC, 3:30pm

Spread: North Carolina State by 17

Over/Under: 57 points

A few weeks ago if you gave me this game with the same spread I would of had a harder time to figure out how the spread would play out. However now as things stand  North Carolina is still bad yet they are starting to play better football as of late while the opposite can be said of North Carolina State after they lost to Norte Dame and Clemson in back to back weeks. I am going to take North Carolina in this one because of this tread but also because it is a rivalry game after all and 17 points is quite a large spread for such. Give me the under to go with it seeing as I don’t have a ton of faith in either offense.

North Carolina: 17 North Carolina State: 24

UNLV vs Nevada, Reno, NV, 2:00pm

Spread: Nevada by 2 ½ points

Over/Under: 67 ½ points

I don’t really have reasoning for picking this game other than it seems fitting given the fact it’s the battle of the gambling game, I don’t think that’s the name of this rivalry but it should be. Both teams are quite bad but I have a feeling and seeing as we are talking about spreads give me UNLV and the over in what I hope is a crazy game fitting of two major gambling cities.

UNLV: 48 Nevada: 45

LOCK OF THE WEEK

Notre Dame vs Stanford, Stanford CA, 8:00pm

Spread:  Notre Dame by2 ½ points

Over/Under: 55 points

Notre Dame is in a skid when it comes to the spread and they finally actually have to play on the road for what feels like the second time all year. This Notre Dame was overrated in my opinion most of the year and quite frankly still is if I am being honest. Stanford on the other hand has a pretty solid year all things considered given they were not one of the California teams that got any attention when the year started. I will take Stanford at home to win but I will take the under in a game I don’t see much scoring in.

Notre Dame: 21 Stanford: 27

Current Record: 20-26-2

Last Week: 2-2-0

You Can Bet On It (Week 12)

You Can Bet On It! (11/16/17)

Welcome back,

Yay chaos! I cannot say that enough and you can verify that with Dan Snyder if you think that I am lying. I have said it before and will continue to say that this is the reason I love college football and believe that every sports fan should too. In no other sport that I can think of is chaos such an important part of the entertainment, at any point in time seasons can be destroyed, teams can climb to be contenders, and nothing is settled until the end of the year. Now I think it’s great however it was not that way with my picks but that shouldn’t really surprise me seeing as for every week I have taken a step forward the next I get beat like Notre Dame last Saturday…bad. I will do my best to get off of the mat this week but I make not such guarantee.

Michigan vs Wisconsin, Madison WI, 7:00pm

Spread:  Wisconsin by 7 ½ points

Over/Under: 41 points

Now first of all in any other year I would probably avoid this game as it is usually always a marquee matchup for the Big 10. However I don’t think that this one will be for a couple of reason and I might have felt differently if this game was played in the big house. Wisconsin is still flying under the radar for most including the college football playoff committee for being undefeated. Michigan on the other hand has tried very hard to get back on track but the key losses from last year and the slowed pace of player development have them already looking into next year. I believe Wisconsin knows they need a statement game where they put up a convincing win and there are fewer better teams to do that against other than Michigan, so I will take Wisconsin and the over.

Michigan: 14 Wisconsin: 35

Purdue vs Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 3:30pm

Spread: Iowa by 8 ½ points

Over/Under: 41 points

Oh Iowa the ban of my existence as a fan and as a person looking to make the right picks yet here you are again grabbing my attention. Iowa has been a roller coast of a team this year, winning big games at time but also blowing other. Purdue…well not so much but I will say they have played most of their games close especially in those that they lost. That however does not excuse losing to Rutgers because that is just a plain ole bad look for any college team in the FBS. I will take Iowa in this one because they are at home and if they can beat my Buckeyes at home in convincing fashion then you have to be able to roll on a team that lost to Rutgers and the over because 41 is just too low for 

college football.

Iowa: 31 Purdue: 13

Fresno State vs Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 2:00pm

Spread: Pick

Over/Under: 41 ½ points

I am going to be completely honest on this one I don’t know much about either of these teams as I have not seem much of them. I do know Wyoming has a hell of a quarterback and has beaten some solid teams along the way this season plus they are at home. SO I just went with my gut when I saw it and am going to say Wyoming and the over because again why so many low spreads, maybe I should my pick on those next year?

Wyoming: 35 Fresno State: 31

LOCK OF THE WEEK

Iowa State vs Baylor, Waco TX, 12:00pm

Spread:  Iowa State by 9 ½ points

Over/Under: 54 ½ points

This game seems crazy obvious and so much so that I feel like I am missing something. Iowa State has been the surprise of college football this year and rightfully so with the big wins they have had and yes they have lost some close games to big school and maybe a few they should have one. The reason this game is head scratching to me is such a low spread against a Baylor team that has only one win even. Yes they are at home which can give them some advantage in this contest but I just don’t see the talent level as being anywhere close to equal. I think Iowa State will bounce back after two straight losses and do so in impressive fashion again a Baylor team that is, to put it nicely, lacking. Give me Baylor and the over because this is the Big 12 football after all and defense is overrated.

Iowa State: 42 Baylor: 18

Current Record: 18-24-2

Last Week: 0-4-0

You Can Bet On It (Week 11)

You Can Bet On It! (11/9/17)

Welcome back,

Well my college football teams hope have now gone the toilet like most of my picking ability has seemed to this year. Now I have some hope considering my picks last week but I am going to just jump into my picks this week and hope for the best so here we go.

Alabama vs Mississippi State, Starkville MS, 7:00pm

Spread:  Alabama by 14 points

Over/Under: 50 ½ points

This is an easy choice for me based on a couple of factors one of which this is still Alabama after all and they could produce a blow out at any time. Other factors are the 14 points is the smallest spread Alabama has seen all year, this along with the fact that Mississippi State was losing late in the game to UMass last week. I’m not fazed by Mississippi State being at home as I don’t think it will help them much in the contest which due to the love given to the SEC is seen as a much closer matchup than it should be. I will take Alabama no question and the over, so I guess roll tide!

Alabama: 38 Mississippi State: 17

Iowa vs Wisconsin, Madison WI, 3:30pm

Spread:  Wisconsin by 12 ½ points

Over/Under: 46 points

This might be the game I am most unsure of this week with my picks because I have been unable to place who either of these two teams are this year. Wisconsin has been a strong team but does lack competition considering they play the weaker of the Big Ten divisions even though they have looked strong all year. Iowa on the other hand does have a hard time on the road and certainly can do damage at home as I saw to my pain last week against my Buckeyes. That being said I think Iowa is a much better team than most give credit yet could still be overlooked. I will take Iowa and the points to play a much closer game than most think and the over which is crazy low.

Iowa: 28 Wisconsin: 32

Georgia vs Auburn, Auburn AL, 3:30pm

Spread: Georgia by 2 ½ points

Over/Under: 48 points

Well this spread seems like an insult to Georgia who has had quite a strong season so far and is currently ranked number one in the college football playoff rankings. Now Auburn is at home and they have not had a bad season however they haven’t really played anyone except for Clemson and they still lost to a way overrated LSU team. I don’t see any reason why Georgia shouldn’t win this game and by a field goal seems more than reasonable to me, and again I’ll take the over because I don’t know where these low predictions are coming from.

Georgia: 31 Auburn: 21

LOCK OF THE WEEK

Kansas vs Texas, Berkeley CA, 6:00pm

Spread: Texas by 33 points

Over/Under: 55 points

This maybe one of my boldest predictions considering the extremely large spread however I do feel like it is warranted in this situation for one main reason. Kansas is bad and I mean really, really, really bad considering last week they were the underdog to Baylor who had not one a game up to that point and they did lose that contest.  Texas has not been anything to write home about and has burned me more than once this year but they have been getting better with each week that along with the fact they have one missed the spread in 2 games this season I have faith. I will take Texas and the under in fear Kansas can’t even score.

Kansas: 3 Texas: 42

Current Record: 18-20-2

Last Week: 3-1-0

You Can Bet On It! (Week 10)

You Can Bet On It! (11/2/17)

Welcome back,

At this point I don’t have a clue about what the hell is going on in college football anymore, and if I’m being completely honest I kind of love it that way. In case you missed either Ohio State vs Penn State or the TCU vs Iowa State game I suggest you take the time and check out the highlights because both of those games can go down as instant classics. As I write this it’s only a few hours away from the first college football playoff rankings are to get announced and I do not envy the people in the room who have to make those choice because my head just thinking about all the craziness that has happened this season. As for my picks, it’s safe to say that I am not having a good year at least in this column and truth be told this is also one of my worse years in the last 10 years I have been making picks. So I will do my very best to turn this around before the end of the year, however at this point the safe bet would be on me not being able so……

Memphis vs Tulsa, Tulsa OK, 8:00pm (11/3)

Spread:  Memphis by 12 points

Over/Under: 78 points

First thing that caught my eye was that this game started off at 14 ½ point in Memphis favor and has dropped 2 points in only two days, that means a lot of bets have been made on Tulsa to keep it within 2 touchdowns and Vegas is correcting for those large bets. Now I can’t think of a reason for why so many bets have come in on Tulsa unless someone knows about a ref being bought to affect the outcome and I’m not aware of it. Memphis has only one loss on the season while Tulsa has only two wins on the season against a much easier schedule than Memphis when compared. Neither team seems to care much for play defense which can be seen in the over/under, I am going to take the over because of that and try and take advantage of the Vegas correction and take Memphis to cover the 12.

Memphis: 48 Tulsa: 31

North Carolina State vs Clemson, Raleigh NC, 3:30pm

Spread:  Clemson by 7 ½ points

Over/Under: 51 points

This is much more intriguing game than most people would think considering together both of these teams have lost a total of 3 games this season. Clemson is currently in a playoff push with only one loss and North Carolina State had a chance to be a Cinderella of college football until they went into South Bend last week. I could honestly see either one of the spreads come out this one because this is a contest between two ACC powerhouses who know each other well. I view this as a dog fight that will go down to the last possession mainly because North Carolina State is going to be at home and they are trying to play spoiler at the hands of a conference foe. I will take NC State to stay within the touchdown and the over because I think it is a little low for such a contest

North Carolina State: 31 Clemson: 27

Iowa State vs West Virginia, Morgantown WV, 3:30pm

Spread: West Virginia by 2 ½ points

Over/Under: 60 points

So I guess this week I am on a big game kick because this is another game that I would recommend tuning into if you have chance. Iowa State this year has been a mix between Cinderella in their own right but they have also been a nightmare for other power houses as well, just ask Oklahoma and TCU. West Virginia is not a joke of a team either and a getting the almost customary 3 point favorite that should be the home team. I just have a gut feeling that Iowa State is not a fluke and should not be treated as such as like as Matt Campbell is coaching and making a QB an amazing LB and winning games with the 3^rd strong QB. I will take Iowa State to further prove that once again to any remaining doubters that they are the real deal in another strong road win and I’ll take the over to boot because well no one in the Big 12 plays defense.

Iowa State: 38 West Virginia: 32

LOCK OF THE WEEK

California vs Oregon State, Berkeley CA, 10:30pm

Spread: Carolina by 8 points

Over/Under: 55 points

I am aware that my locks of the week have been as successful as JuJu Smith-Schuster’s bike lock so proceeded with caution for my sake. Now California should have been a much better them than they are this year and have been under preforming at every turn. Oregon State however has never expected to be that good this year and they certainly have shown that with only one win to date. The reason I am going to take California as my lock this week is because they are going to be at home and Oregon State has really struggled, which is saying something for them, on the road this year. California should be much better than they have played and this is a game for them to show that but I don’t have much faith in either team so I’ll go with the under as well.

California: 28 Oregon State: 13

Current Record: 15-19-2

Last Week: 1-3-0

You Can Bet on It! (Week 9)

You Can Bet On It! (10/26/17)

Welcome back,

So I am going to keep this short because I am not even sure if I know what I am doing with my picks this year. In all fairness I have not been scoring well in any of my pick’em league other than my top 25 against the spread. However I am hovering around 50 percent and I am going to see what I can do about getting this train wreck back on track. So without delay here is what I have to probably screw up this week seeing as college football makes no sense to me.

P.S. I would have included my Ohio State Buckeyes against Penn State but as any true fan should tell you, you should not bet on your team it usually backfires.

North Carolina State vs Norte Dame, South Bend IN, 3:30pm

Spread:  Norte Dame by 7 ½ points

Over/Under: 58 points

This game is one of the games this week to keep an eye on even though most of the college football world will be focused on Ohio State and Penn State at this time. North Carolina State is quietly positioned themselves in the top 15 with strong win against than ranked Louisville and Florida State and with doing so put themselves in control of their own ACC destiny. However Notre Dame may prove to be their toughest test to date although Clemson lays waiting for them next week. Norte Dame on the other hand has been climbing the top 25 ever sense their lose to Georgia in the second week of the year however their record seems to reflect strong play against overrated teams like USC and Michigan State at least for this football year. I’m not too worried that North Carolina State will be thinking too far ahead to next, if anything I think they will view this game a chance to sharpen their skills. Norte Dame on the other hand I feel could underestimate this team at home and after many convincing wins, I don’t know if North Carolina State will win this game but I believe that they can so I will take them and the points and go with the over to boot.

North Carolina State: 38 Norte Dame: 35

Texas vs Baylor, Waco TX, 12:00pm

Spread:  Texas by 7 ½ points

Over/Under: 57 points

Now this game is almost surely set to be the polar opposite of the game I just picked and would not worry about this game selling out or look for the TV ratings to be very high. The main reason I like this game a pick is I think the spread is lower than it should be. Baylor has done very little to impress me aside for playing West Virginia close last weekend. Now truth be told Texas has not set the world on fire this season either however they have had back to back strong and competitive games against both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State which are two very decent to strong teams this year. I will take Texas to win by at least 10 but I will take the under as Texas games this game have not set the world on fire this year by any means

Texas: 24 Baylor: 13

Wisconsin vs Illinois, Campaign IL, 12:00pm

Spread: Wisconsin by 26 points

Over/Under: 49 points

Well this going to be short and sweet because there is not much to say about this match up, but I will start with the fact that the spread in this game is over half of the total over/under. What that tells me, which I already knew, is that these teams are in no way equal. Illinois is a team to keep an eye on in years to come but it is not right now and Wisconsin is a playoff contender and needs to keep blowing teams out to impress voters and this a prime game for just that. I am taking Wisconsin because I’m not sure Illinois will even find the end zone and in case they do in garbage time or some special teams play I will take the over.

Wisconsin: 52 Illinois: 7

LOCK OF THE WEEK

Michigan State vs Northwestern, Evanston IL, 3:30pm

Spread: Michigan State by 2 ½ points

Over/Under: 40.5 points

This is a very interesting game to me even though this is not the Big Ten game I will be watching at this particular time for obvious reason if you know me. Northwestern is a team I have a hard time placing because they have had a hard go with team’s way above their skill but have also played some really good football at the same time. Michigan State on the other hand has certainly not had the easiest of schedules and seems often time plays down to the level of their opponents and rose to the level of others. The spread is less than 3 point for the road teams so it’s more like 6. I am going to say we see the Michigan State team that has allowed the team to get to a surprising 6-1 record but I see this as being a good old Big Ten slug fest so I will take the under.

Michigan State: 21 Northwestern: 13

Current Record: 14-16-2

Last Week: 1-3-0

You Can Bet On It (Week 8)

You Can Bet On It! (10/19/17)

Welcome back,

For the record the events that happened from Friday night to late Saturday night is exactly why I love college football so much and to a degree more than NFL. What a week it was in whole for college football and to be honest it was a perfect representation of this year as a whole. In case you were busy apple picking or something ridiculous like that you missed out on a crazy week of college football, some of the highly ranked schools were able to hold their own against much lesser opponents but others like #2 Clemson on Friday night, or #5 Washington on Saturday night, found out the hard way not to overlook anyone. Given the number of upsets and high profile ones at that I consider myself very lucky to get out of last week with 1 win, 2 loses and I’ll even gladly take a push on the lock of the week. Like a lot of teams this week I am more than happy to move on to the next week, so let’s see if I can make any more sense of things this week.

Navy vs Central Florida, Annapolis MD, 3:30pm

Spread: Central Florida by 8 points

Over/Under: 65 ½ points

To be clear Navy is a good football team and although I never thought they were a top 25 team which Memphis did a good enough job showing last week. Central Florida on the other hand is a team that week by week is showing they are a strong all around team putting up high numbers of offense and never giving up more than 23 to any team they have played. Vegas seems to have recognized this as well as they put the game at a 8 point spread for Central Florida on the road which I don’t much care for. Considering Central Florida can score almost at will and Navy is never going to set the score board on fire although with the high quality defense Central Florida can play I will take them to cover the spread and I’ll take the under with it.

Navy: 21 Central Florida: 42

Buffalo vs Miami-Ohio, Oxford OH, 2:30pm

Spread: Miami-Ohio by 3 points

Over/Under: 48 ½ points

Honestly I really can’t say much about either one of these teams as I have not gotten the chance to watch either of these teams’ games this year with the expectation of part of Buffalo’s 7 overtime thriller. With that being said I do know that Buffalo has a quality QB which can be the difference in any college game that and Miami-Ohio doesn’t really have quality anywhere. Buffalo has also covered the spread in all of their 7 games this season while at the same time Miami-Ohio covered once in the only game that the won this year.  The records against the spreads along with Miami-Ohio being the favorite by 3 most likely because they are at home is why I am taking Buffalo getting 3 point in a game I feel they should be able to win and I’ll take the over in this one given how low it is.

Buffalo: 35 Miami-Ohio: 28

Iowa vs Northwestern, Evanston IL, 12:00pm

Spread: Pick

Over/Under: 47 ½ points

So before I begin I do see the irony in this statement but to me this game is truly a gamble but the reason I am adding it to my picks this week is because Vegas agrees making this a pick with a lot of sports books have on or the other as a point favorite depending on where you look. As for the teams, both are solid middle of the road teams in a talent heavy Big 10, yes I know I’m biased in this regards but it’s the truth so whatever. Iowa this year was only 7 second away from beating a real contender in Penn State and only lost by a touchdown to Michigan State. Northwestern on the other hand played almost 3 perfect quarters before Penn State was able to take over the game and had a solid performance against a powerful Wisconsin team. This is really one of those games that could go either way so I am going to go with my gut and Iowa just because of how close they were able to play quality football teams this year and I will take the over considering how low it is set.

Iowa: 38 Northwestern: 35

LOCK OF THE WEEK

Oklahoma vs Kansas State, Manhattan KS, 4:00pm

Spread: Oklahoma by 12 ½ points

Over/Under: 58 ½ points

So for starters I have to say that nothing recently gives me confidence in Oklahoma which is hard for me to see as a Ohio State fan. The simple reason that I chose this game is simply because Kansas State has shown in recent weeks that they are not as good as some of us thought. Given that neither teams has been able to beat the spread in 4 weeks something has to give given the ½ point in the spread or I might have gone with the push, I personally think Oklahoma has a lot to prove and a lot of making up for lack luster play if they want to stay in consideration for the playoff.  I will take Oklahoma to win convincingly and the over because both teams will be out for blood.

Oklahoma: 45 Kansas State: 31

Current Record: 13-13-2

Last Week: 1-2-1