I went 7-0 in the Big ten and 2-1 outside of it, now standing at 45-10 and 23-12 respectively. Rivalry week in college football is here! The Saturday after thanksgiving is absolutely one of my favorite sports days of the year, right up there with The first day of the NCAA tournament, super bowl sunday, and baseball opening day. So many crazy things have happened on this week, and very often it affects the National Championship landscape. Some of my most memorable rivalry week moments include #1 Michigan Vs #2 Ohio State in the game of the Century in 2006, Auburns 108 yard field goal return Vs Bama in 2013, Chris Rix hail mary touchdown pass to beat Florida in 2003, and many more. This week is special, enjoy it. Heres the picks
Nebraska @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Purdue @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Illinois @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Rutgers @ Maryland: Pick: Maryland
Michigan @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Michigan St @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Outside the Big Ten
Washington @ Washington St: Pick: Washington St
Auburn @ Alabama: Pick: Alabama
Florida @ Florida St: Pick: Florida St
Big Ten Standings
Its the last week of the season and half the league (7 teams) still have conference title hopes. In the east, Michigan wins their division with a win. If Ohio State beats Michigan, Penn State wins the division with a win. Ohio State wins the division with a win over Michigan AND a Penn State loss. In the west Wisconsin wins the division with a win. If Wisconsin loses, then Nebraska wins the division with a win. If Nebraska and Wisconsin both lose, there will be a four way tie at 6-3 for the division title between Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. In this scenario Wisconsin is still likely the division champ based on playoff ranking.
East
1. Ohio St: 7-1
2. Michigan: 7-1
3. Penn St: 7-1
4. Indiana: 3-5
5. Maryland: 2-6
6. Michigan St: 1-7
7. Rutgers: 0-8
West
1. Wisconsin: 6-2
2. Nebraska: 6-2
3. Minnesota: 5-3
4. Iowa: 5-3
5. Northwestern: 4-4
6. Illinois: 2-6
7. Purdue: 1-7
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
NCAA Week Twelve Picks
What chaos! The number two, three, and four teams in the country all lost, and the number nine team, Auburn, also got upset for their second loss officially eliminating them from the playoff discussion. I went 6-1 picking Big Ten games, now 38-10. I went 1-2 again outside the Big Ten, now 21-11.
Ohio St @ Michigan St: Pick: Ohio St
Iowa @ Illinois: Pick: Iowa
Maryland @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Wisconsin @ Purdue: Pick: Wisconsin
Indiana @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Northwestern @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Penn St @ Rutgers: Pick: Penn St
So what did all that chaos mean? funny enough, it actually meant more for the teams that didnt lose than the teams that did. About that whole Michigan/Ohio State game setting up to be a winner take all? Not the case anymore, as Penn State has suddenly blocked Ohio States path to a conference championship. As long as Penn St wins their final two games, and they will be massive favorites in both, it is impossible for Ohio St to win the division. But right now Ohio State is the number 2 team in the country, so the committee will have to decide if a team who didnt win their division is playoff worthy. Could this mean we get two teams from a conference? Its hard to imagine Penn St or Wisconsin being left out as a Conference champ, but that would require leaving the Pac-12 out in the cold. Theres also the whole Clemson-Louisville argument. Things just got reaallll interesting.
East
1. Ohio St: 6-1
2. Michigan: 6-1
3. Penn St: 6-1
4. Indiana: 3-4
5. Maryland: 2-5
6. Michigan St: 1-6
7. Rutgers: 0-7
West
1. Wisconsin: 5-2
2. Nebraska: 5-2
3. Minnesota: 4-3
4. Iowa: 4-3
5. Northwestern: 4-3
6. Illinois: 2-5
7. Purdue: 1-6
Ohio St @ Michigan St: Pick: Ohio St
Iowa @ Illinois: Pick: Iowa
Maryland @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Wisconsin @ Purdue: Pick: Wisconsin
Indiana @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Northwestern @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Penn St @ Rutgers: Pick: Penn St
So what did all that chaos mean? funny enough, it actually meant more for the teams that didnt lose than the teams that did. About that whole Michigan/Ohio State game setting up to be a winner take all? Not the case anymore, as Penn State has suddenly blocked Ohio States path to a conference championship. As long as Penn St wins their final two games, and they will be massive favorites in both, it is impossible for Ohio St to win the division. But right now Ohio State is the number 2 team in the country, so the committee will have to decide if a team who didnt win their division is playoff worthy. Could this mean we get two teams from a conference? Its hard to imagine Penn St or Wisconsin being left out as a Conference champ, but that would require leaving the Pac-12 out in the cold. Theres also the whole Clemson-Louisville argument. Things just got reaallll interesting.
East
1. Ohio St: 6-1
2. Michigan: 6-1
3. Penn St: 6-1
4. Indiana: 3-4
5. Maryland: 2-5
6. Michigan St: 1-6
7. Rutgers: 0-7
West
1. Wisconsin: 5-2
2. Nebraska: 5-2
3. Minnesota: 4-3
4. Iowa: 4-3
5. Northwestern: 4-3
6. Illinois: 2-5
7. Purdue: 1-6
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
NCAA Week Eleven Picks
I went 6-1 picking Big Ten games this week to stay blistering hot, now 32-9 picking Big Ten games. I however went an icy 1-2 outside the Big Ten and am now 20-9 in that category. Four weeks left for the final four are picked.
Rutgers @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Penn St @ Indiana: Pick: Penn St
Northwestern @ Purdue: Pick: Northwestern
Illinois @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Ohio St @ Maryland: Pick: Ohio St
Minnesota @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Michigan @ Iowa: Pick: Michigan
Outside the Big Ten
West Virginia @ Texas: Pick: West Virginia
Auburn @ Georgia: Pick: Auburn
USC @ Washington: Pick: Washington
Big Ten Standings
Nebraskas loss to Ohio State means Wisconsin now is in the drivers seat for a division title. The Badgers control their destiny for that title, and will be double digit favorites in all their remaining games so they appear a safe bet. Ohio States win means we are still on the path for a winner take all Ohio St-Michigan showdown on thanksgiving weekend. However, Penn States hot run has them still alive, though there one conference loss is to Michigan which means it would take a massive upset somewhere in the next two weeks for Penn St to have a chance. Meanwhile defending conference champion Michigan States nightmare season continues, as they continue to somehow be winless in Conference Play and may be the single most disappointing team in the country at this point, right up with Notre Dame and Oregon.
East
1. Michigan: 6-0
2. Penn St: 5-1
3. Ohio St: 5-1
4. Indiana: 3-3
5. Maryland: 2-4
6. Michigan St: 0-6
7. Rutgers: 0-7
West
1. Wisconsin: 4-2
2. Nebraska: 4-2
3. Minnesota: 4-2
4. Iowa: 3-3
5. Northwestern: 3-3
6. Illinois: 2-4
7. Purdue: 1-5
Rutgers @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Penn St @ Indiana: Pick: Penn St
Northwestern @ Purdue: Pick: Northwestern
Illinois @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Ohio St @ Maryland: Pick: Ohio St
Minnesota @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Michigan @ Iowa: Pick: Michigan
Outside the Big Ten
West Virginia @ Texas: Pick: West Virginia
Auburn @ Georgia: Pick: Auburn
USC @ Washington: Pick: Washington
Big Ten Standings
Nebraskas loss to Ohio State means Wisconsin now is in the drivers seat for a division title. The Badgers control their destiny for that title, and will be double digit favorites in all their remaining games so they appear a safe bet. Ohio States win means we are still on the path for a winner take all Ohio St-Michigan showdown on thanksgiving weekend. However, Penn States hot run has them still alive, though there one conference loss is to Michigan which means it would take a massive upset somewhere in the next two weeks for Penn St to have a chance. Meanwhile defending conference champion Michigan States nightmare season continues, as they continue to somehow be winless in Conference Play and may be the single most disappointing team in the country at this point, right up with Notre Dame and Oregon.
East
1. Michigan: 6-0
2. Penn St: 5-1
3. Ohio St: 5-1
4. Indiana: 3-3
5. Maryland: 2-4
6. Michigan St: 0-6
7. Rutgers: 0-7
West
1. Wisconsin: 4-2
2. Nebraska: 4-2
3. Minnesota: 4-2
4. Iowa: 3-3
5. Northwestern: 3-3
6. Illinois: 2-4
7. Purdue: 1-5
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
NCAA Week Ten Picks
I went a perfect 6-0 picking Big Ten Games and 2-1 outside of it putting me at 27-8 in Big Ten games and 19-7 outside of it as we head to the final five weeks already of the college football season.
Indiana @ Rutgers: Pick: Indiana
Michigan St @ Illinois: Pick: Michigan St
Wisconsin @ Northwestern: Pick: Wisconsin
Maryland @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Purdue @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Iowa @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Nebraska @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Outside the Big Ten
Florida @ Arkansas: Pick: Arkansas
Alabama @ LSU: Pick: LSU
TCU @ Baylor Pick: Baylor
Big Ten Standings
In the east status quo continues as the Michigan-Ohio State game continues to approach as the all deciding game. In the west, Nebraska had a chance to maybe slam the door shut and seal the division, but with Wisconsin winning a can of worms has been opened. Nebraska still controls its destiny, but with a game on the road at Ohio State this week that likely wont last long. A nebraska loss puts the winner of the Wisconsin-Northwestern game in the drivers seat with Iowa and Minnesota creeping in as well for what could be a crazy five team race.
East
1. Michigan: 5-0
2. Penn St: 4-1
3. Ohio St: 4-1
4. Maryland: 2-3
5. Indiana: 2-3
6. Michigan St: 0-5
7. Rutgers: 0-5
West
1. Nebraska: 3-1
2. Wisconsin: 3-2
3. Minnesota: 3-2
4. Iowa: 3-2
5. Northwestern: 3-2
6. Purdue: 1-4
7. Illinois: 1-4
Indiana @ Rutgers: Pick: Indiana
Michigan St @ Illinois: Pick: Michigan St
Wisconsin @ Northwestern: Pick: Wisconsin
Maryland @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Purdue @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Iowa @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Nebraska @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Outside the Big Ten
Florida @ Arkansas: Pick: Arkansas
Alabama @ LSU: Pick: LSU
TCU @ Baylor Pick: Baylor
Big Ten Standings
In the east status quo continues as the Michigan-Ohio State game continues to approach as the all deciding game. In the west, Nebraska had a chance to maybe slam the door shut and seal the division, but with Wisconsin winning a can of worms has been opened. Nebraska still controls its destiny, but with a game on the road at Ohio State this week that likely wont last long. A nebraska loss puts the winner of the Wisconsin-Northwestern game in the drivers seat with Iowa and Minnesota creeping in as well for what could be a crazy five team race.
East
1. Michigan: 5-0
2. Penn St: 4-1
3. Ohio St: 4-1
4. Maryland: 2-3
5. Indiana: 2-3
6. Michigan St: 0-5
7. Rutgers: 0-5
West
1. Nebraska: 3-1
2. Wisconsin: 3-2
3. Minnesota: 3-2
4. Iowa: 3-2
5. Northwestern: 3-2
6. Purdue: 1-4
7. Illinois: 1-4
Monday, October 24, 2016
NCAA Week Nine Picks
I went 6-1 picking Big Ten games and 3-0 outside the Big Ten, coming so close to my first perfect week ever in five years of picking games. However I will be gladly be wrong when it comes to Ohio State winning, it always great to see the Buckeyes go down. I am now 21-8 in Big Ten games and 17 -6 outside of it.
Minnesota @ Illinois: Pick: Minnesota
Michigan @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan
Penn St @ Purdue: Pick: Penn St
Northwestern @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Maryland @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Nebraska @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Outside the Big Ten
Florida Vs Georgia: Pick: Florida
Washington @ Utah: Pick: Washington
Clemson @ Florida St: Pick: Florida St
Big Ten Standings
As much fun as it is to see Ohio State go down the fact of the matter is that the big downside to a playoff system over the BCS system is that huge upsets dont really make an impact in the landscape if they happen before October. If you lose to a team that is viewed as equal to you (example: Florida St losing to Louisville, Texas A&M losing to Alabama) that can ruin your season because those teams now have no hope of winning a conference championship by losing to their main competition. But by losing to a inferior team as Ohio State did to Penn State did virtually nothing as Penn State can still not finish ahead of the Buckeyes in the standings and therefore Ohio State still fully controls their destiny to a conference championship and as an effect still fully controls their path to the playoff and a national championship. Losing to Penn State did absolutely nothing to hamper the Buckeyes playoff chances, and that is why the playoff system makes the regular season slightly less thrilling then when we had the BCS. Anywho, the standings. It still will all come down to the Ohio St-Michigan game in late November, unless Ohio St shockingly loses again before that. For the other division, Nebraska can almost sew up the division title already with a win over Wisconsin, but if Wisconsin wins the door is wide open for them to take it. In other words its a huge game.
East
1. Michigan: 4-0
2. Penn St: 3-1
3. Ohio St: 3-1
4. Maryland: 2-2
5. Indiana: 1-3
6. Michigan St: 0-4
7. Rutgers: 0-5
West
1. Nebraska: 4-0
2. Northwestern: 3-1
3. Iowa: 3-2
4. Wisconsin: 2-2
5. Minnesota: 2-2
6. Purdue: 1-3
7. Illinois: 1-3
Minnesota @ Illinois: Pick: Minnesota
Michigan @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan
Penn St @ Purdue: Pick: Penn St
Northwestern @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Maryland @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Nebraska @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Outside the Big Ten
Florida Vs Georgia: Pick: Florida
Washington @ Utah: Pick: Washington
Clemson @ Florida St: Pick: Florida St
Big Ten Standings
As much fun as it is to see Ohio State go down the fact of the matter is that the big downside to a playoff system over the BCS system is that huge upsets dont really make an impact in the landscape if they happen before October. If you lose to a team that is viewed as equal to you (example: Florida St losing to Louisville, Texas A&M losing to Alabama) that can ruin your season because those teams now have no hope of winning a conference championship by losing to their main competition. But by losing to a inferior team as Ohio State did to Penn State did virtually nothing as Penn State can still not finish ahead of the Buckeyes in the standings and therefore Ohio State still fully controls their destiny to a conference championship and as an effect still fully controls their path to the playoff and a national championship. Losing to Penn State did absolutely nothing to hamper the Buckeyes playoff chances, and that is why the playoff system makes the regular season slightly less thrilling then when we had the BCS. Anywho, the standings. It still will all come down to the Ohio St-Michigan game in late November, unless Ohio St shockingly loses again before that. For the other division, Nebraska can almost sew up the division title already with a win over Wisconsin, but if Wisconsin wins the door is wide open for them to take it. In other words its a huge game.
East
1. Michigan: 4-0
2. Penn St: 3-1
3. Ohio St: 3-1
4. Maryland: 2-2
5. Indiana: 1-3
6. Michigan St: 0-4
7. Rutgers: 0-5
West
1. Nebraska: 4-0
2. Northwestern: 3-1
3. Iowa: 3-2
4. Wisconsin: 2-2
5. Minnesota: 2-2
6. Purdue: 1-3
7. Illinois: 1-3
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
NCAA Week Eight Picks
I went a meek 3-3 in Big Ten play and a paltry 1-2 outside of it. Not my best week. Currently stand at 15-7 in Big Ten games and 14-6 outside of it.
Rutgers @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Wisconsin @ Iowa: Pick: Wisconsin
Indiana @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Illinois @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Purdue @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Michigan St @ Maryland: Pick: Maryland
Ohio St @ Penn St: Pick: Ohio St
Outside the Big Ten
Texas A&M @ Alabama: Pick: Alabama
TCU @ West Virginia: Pick: West Virginia
Ole Miss @ LSU: Pick: LSU
Big Ten Standings: In one division it is all about Ohio State and Michigan, with the final game of the year between the two all but guaranteed to decide the winner of the division. The other division is much crazier. Iowa and Northwestern looked pathetic early in the year, but have turned it up a notch and look to potentially be in the middle of the race. Nebraska leads the pack with an undefeated record, but back to back weeks head to Madison and Columbus so that 0 in the loss column doesnt seem like it will last much longer. Things may look dire on the surface for two loss Wisconsin but they face every team ahead of them yet, and as long as Nebraska loses to Ohio State, a somewhat safe assumption, then the Badgers actually still control their destiny for a division title.
East
1. Ohio St: 3-0
2. Michigan: 3-0
3. Penn State: 2-1
4. Maryland: 1-2
5. Indiana: 1-2
6. Michigan St: 0-3
7. Rutgers: 0-4
West
1. Nebraska: 3-0
2. Iowa: 3-1
3. Northwestern: 2-1
4. Wisconsin: 1-2
5. Minnesota: 1-2
6. Purdue: 1-2
7. Illinois: 1-2
Rutgers @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Wisconsin @ Iowa: Pick: Wisconsin
Indiana @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Illinois @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Purdue @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Michigan St @ Maryland: Pick: Maryland
Ohio St @ Penn St: Pick: Ohio St
Outside the Big Ten
Texas A&M @ Alabama: Pick: Alabama
TCU @ West Virginia: Pick: West Virginia
Ole Miss @ LSU: Pick: LSU
Big Ten Standings: In one division it is all about Ohio State and Michigan, with the final game of the year between the two all but guaranteed to decide the winner of the division. The other division is much crazier. Iowa and Northwestern looked pathetic early in the year, but have turned it up a notch and look to potentially be in the middle of the race. Nebraska leads the pack with an undefeated record, but back to back weeks head to Madison and Columbus so that 0 in the loss column doesnt seem like it will last much longer. Things may look dire on the surface for two loss Wisconsin but they face every team ahead of them yet, and as long as Nebraska loses to Ohio State, a somewhat safe assumption, then the Badgers actually still control their destiny for a division title.
East
1. Ohio St: 3-0
2. Michigan: 3-0
3. Penn State: 2-1
4. Maryland: 1-2
5. Indiana: 1-2
6. Michigan St: 0-3
7. Rutgers: 0-4
West
1. Nebraska: 3-0
2. Iowa: 3-1
3. Northwestern: 2-1
4. Wisconsin: 1-2
5. Minnesota: 1-2
6. Purdue: 1-2
7. Illinois: 1-2
Sunday, October 9, 2016
NCAA Week Seven Picks
I went 4-1 in Big Ten Games, 0-1 in Big Ten nonconference games and 2-0 outside the Big Ten. I am 12-4 in Big Ten games and 13-4 outside of it.
Illinois @ Rutgers: Pick: Illinois
Minnesota @ Maryland: Pick: Maryland
Iowa @ Purdue: Pick: Iowa
Nebraska @ Indiana: Pick: Nebraska
Northwestern @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Ohio St @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Outside the Big Ten
Alabama @ Tennessee: Pick: Alabama
Ole Miss @ Arkansas: Pick: Ole Miss
North Carolina @ Miami: Pick: Miami
Big Ten Standings
East
1. Michigan: 3-0
2. Ohio St: 2-0
3. Penn St: 2-1
4. Maryland: 1-1
5. Indiana: 1-1
6. Michigan St: 0-2
7. Rutgers: 0-3
West
1. Nebraska: 2-0
2. Iowa: 2-1
3. Wisconsin: 1-1
4. Purdue: 1-1
5. Northwestern: 1-1
6. Minnesota: 0-2
7. Illinois: 0-2
Illinois @ Rutgers: Pick: Illinois
Minnesota @ Maryland: Pick: Maryland
Iowa @ Purdue: Pick: Iowa
Nebraska @ Indiana: Pick: Nebraska
Northwestern @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Ohio St @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Outside the Big Ten
Alabama @ Tennessee: Pick: Alabama
Ole Miss @ Arkansas: Pick: Ole Miss
North Carolina @ Miami: Pick: Miami
Big Ten Standings
East
1. Michigan: 3-0
2. Ohio St: 2-0
3. Penn St: 2-1
4. Maryland: 1-1
5. Indiana: 1-1
6. Michigan St: 0-2
7. Rutgers: 0-3
West
1. Nebraska: 2-0
2. Iowa: 2-1
3. Wisconsin: 1-1
4. Purdue: 1-1
5. Northwestern: 1-1
6. Minnesota: 0-2
7. Illinois: 0-2
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
NCAA Week Six Picks
I went 5-2 in Big Ten Play, and 1-2 outside of it. I am 8-3 in Big Ten play and 11-4 outside of it.
Iowa @ Minnesota: Pick: Iowa
Maryland @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
BYU @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Indiana @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Purdue @ Illinois: Pick: Illinois
Michigan @ Rutgers: Pick: Michigan
Outside the Big Ten
LSU @ Florida: Pick: LSU
Tennessee @ Texas A&M: Pick: Texas A&M
Florida St @ Miami: Pick: Florida St
Big Ten Standings
East
1. Michigan: 2-0
2. Ohio St: 1-0
3. Maryland: 1-0
4. Indiana: 1-0
5. Penn St: 1-1
6. Michigan St: 0-2
7. Rutgers: 0-2
West
1. Nebraska: 2-0
2. Wisconsin: 1-1
3. Iowa: 1-1
4. Northwestern: 1-1
5. Minnesota: 0-1
6. Illinois: 0-1
7. Purdue: 0-1
Iowa @ Minnesota: Pick: Iowa
Maryland @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
BYU @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Indiana @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Purdue @ Illinois: Pick: Illinois
Michigan @ Rutgers: Pick: Michigan
Outside the Big Ten
LSU @ Florida: Pick: LSU
Tennessee @ Texas A&M: Pick: Texas A&M
Florida St @ Miami: Pick: Florida St
Big Ten Standings
East
1. Michigan: 2-0
2. Ohio St: 1-0
3. Maryland: 1-0
4. Indiana: 1-0
5. Penn St: 1-1
6. Michigan St: 0-2
7. Rutgers: 0-2
West
1. Nebraska: 2-0
2. Wisconsin: 1-1
3. Iowa: 1-1
4. Northwestern: 1-1
5. Minnesota: 0-1
6. Illinois: 0-1
7. Purdue: 0-1
Monday, September 26, 2016
NCAA Week Five Picks
I went 5-2 picking Big Ten games (3-1 Interconference) and 3-0 outside it. Putting me at 35-10 (3-1) and 10-2.
Northwestern @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Rutgers @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Purdue @ Maryland: Pick: Maryland
Wisconsin @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Illinois @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Minnesota @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Michigan St @ Indiana: Pick: Michigan St
Outside the Big Ten
Stanford @ Washington: Pick: Stanford
Tennessee @ Georgia: Pick: Georgia
Louisville @ Clemson: Pick: Clemson
Northwestern @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Rutgers @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Purdue @ Maryland: Pick: Maryland
Wisconsin @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Illinois @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Minnesota @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Michigan St @ Indiana: Pick: Michigan St
Outside the Big Ten
Stanford @ Washington: Pick: Stanford
Tennessee @ Georgia: Pick: Georgia
Louisville @ Clemson: Pick: Clemson
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
NCAA Week Four Picks
I went 7-4 picking Big Ten games and 3-0 outside the Big Ten putting me at 30-8 and 7-2 respectively. As we head to the final Saturday in September we start to head into Conference play and playoff favorites begin to emerge and teams with very high preseason hopes already have had them dashed (Oklahoma, USC, Notre Dame,Ole Miss) or are seeing them start to slip away (Florida St, TCU, LSU). Here are the week four picks
Colorado St @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Nevada @ Purdue: Pick: Purdue
Iowa @ Rutgers: Pick: Iowa
Wisconsin @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Penn St @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Wake Forest @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Nebraska @ Northwestern: Pick: Nebraska
Outside the Big Ten
Georgia @ Ole Miss: Pick: Ole Miss
Florida @ Tennessee: Pick: Tennessee
Arkansas @ Texas A&M: Pick: Texas A&M
Colorado St @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Nevada @ Purdue: Pick: Purdue
Iowa @ Rutgers: Pick: Iowa
Wisconsin @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Penn St @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Wake Forest @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
Nebraska @ Northwestern: Pick: Nebraska
Outside the Big Ten
Georgia @ Ole Miss: Pick: Ole Miss
Florida @ Tennessee: Pick: Tennessee
Arkansas @ Texas A&M: Pick: Texas A&M
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
NCAA Week Three Picks
Week two was relatively quiet which was to be expected, but we did get one incredible high profile game in TCU-Arkansas. The SEC continued to disappoint as Georgia beat Nichols by a mere two points as a 55.5 point favorite. I went 11-2 picking Big Ten games and 2-1 outside the Big Ten, putting me at 23-4 outside the Big Ten and 4-2 in the Big Ten so far. There are some amazing games on tap this weekend, as the top three teams in the country all play a ranked opponent on the road for the first time in the same week in more than twenty years.
New Mexico @ Rutgers: Pick: New Mexico
Temple @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
North Dakota St @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Georgia St @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Colorado @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Oregon @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Western Michigan @ Illinois: Pick: Western Michigan
Maryland @ UCF: Pick Maryland
Michigan St @ Notre Dame: Pick: Notre Dame
Ohio St @ Oklahoma: Pick: Ohio St
Duke @ Northwestern: Pick: Duke
Outside the Big Ten
Florida St @ Louisville: Pick: Louisville
Alabama @ Ole Miss: Pick: Alabama
USC @ Stanford: Pick: Stanford
New Mexico @ Rutgers: Pick: New Mexico
Temple @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
North Dakota St @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Georgia St @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Colorado @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Oregon @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Western Michigan @ Illinois: Pick: Western Michigan
Maryland @ UCF: Pick Maryland
Michigan St @ Notre Dame: Pick: Notre Dame
Ohio St @ Oklahoma: Pick: Ohio St
Duke @ Northwestern: Pick: Duke
Outside the Big Ten
Florida St @ Louisville: Pick: Louisville
Alabama @ Ole Miss: Pick: Alabama
USC @ Stanford: Pick: Stanford
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
NCAA Week Two Picks
Holey moley what a week it was for college football! Crazy upsets
(Houston, Wisconsin, South Alabama!) Crazy finishes (Texas-Notre Dame,
Texas A&M-UCLA), if this is the kind of college football season we
are in store for then buckle up! Lets also take a moment to talk about
how pathetic the SEC looked this week. Tennessee got outplayed by App
St, LSU lost, Mississippi st and Kentucky both lost as 25+ point
favorites, Ole Miss lost, Florida led 10-7 in the 4th quarter against
UMass, Arkansas beat a team they were favored to beat by 20 by only one
point. The only SEC teams who have anything to brag about right now are
Alabama, Texas A&M, and Georgia. Anyway, I went 12-2 in picking Big Ten games in week one, and 2-1 outside of it.
Maryland @ Florida International: Pick: Maryland
Wyoming @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Penn St @ Pittsburgh: Pick: Penn St
UCF @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Cincinnati @ Purdue: Pick: Cincinnati
Howard @ Rutgers: Pick: Rutgers
Indiana St @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Illinois St @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Tulsa @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Akron @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Ball St @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
North Carolina @ Illinois: Pick: North Carolina
Iowa St @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Outside the Big Ten
Louisville @ Syracuse: Pick: Louisville
Arkansas @ TCU: Pick: TCU
Tennessee Vs Virginia Tech: Pick: Tennessee
Maryland @ Florida International: Pick: Maryland
Wyoming @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Penn St @ Pittsburgh: Pick: Penn St
UCF @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Cincinnati @ Purdue: Pick: Cincinnati
Howard @ Rutgers: Pick: Rutgers
Indiana St @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Illinois St @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Tulsa @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Akron @ Wisconsin: Pick: Wisconsin
Ball St @ Indiana: Pick: Indiana
North Carolina @ Illinois: Pick: North Carolina
Iowa St @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Outside the Big Ten
Louisville @ Syracuse: Pick: Louisville
Arkansas @ TCU: Pick: TCU
Tennessee Vs Virginia Tech: Pick: Tennessee
Sunday, August 28, 2016
NCAA Week One Picks
Here we go again! My favorite time of the year has rolled around for another year, I am always amazed how quickly it comes back around. I always think back to how depressed I feel in early November thinking how long it will be until this time of year comes back and how I just cant believe it came back so quickly. I've already been enjoying the horror movies, pumpkin spice things and earlier sunsets, and now football joins us once again. This will be my fifth year picking college football games on this blog, I cant believe I've been doing it this long! Anyway, I usually pick every Big Ten game and then the top three games outside of the Big Ten, here we go, footballs back, falls back, life is good!
Indiana @ Florida International: Pick: Indiana
Oregon St @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Furman @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Eastern Kentucky @ Purdue: Pick: Purdue
Howard @ Maryland: Pick: Maryland
Western Michigan @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Hawaii @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Bowling Green @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Rutgers @ Washington: Pick: Washington
LSU @ Wisconsin: Pick: LSU
Kent St @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Miami (OH) @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Murray St @ Illinois: Pick: Illinois
Fresno St @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Outside the Big Ten
Oklahoma @ Houston: Pick: Oklahoma
USC Vs Alabama: Pick: Alabama
Ole Miss Vs Florida St: Pick: Florida St
Indiana @ Florida International: Pick: Indiana
Oregon St @ Minnesota: Pick: Minnesota
Furman @ Michigan St: Pick: Michigan St
Eastern Kentucky @ Purdue: Pick: Purdue
Howard @ Maryland: Pick: Maryland
Western Michigan @ Northwestern: Pick: Northwestern
Hawaii @ Michigan: Pick: Michigan
Bowling Green @ Ohio St: Pick: Ohio St
Rutgers @ Washington: Pick: Washington
LSU @ Wisconsin: Pick: LSU
Kent St @ Penn St: Pick: Penn St
Miami (OH) @ Iowa: Pick: Iowa
Murray St @ Illinois: Pick: Illinois
Fresno St @ Nebraska: Pick: Nebraska
Outside the Big Ten
Oklahoma @ Houston: Pick: Oklahoma
USC Vs Alabama: Pick: Alabama
Ole Miss Vs Florida St: Pick: Florida St
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Everything May be perfectly falling into place for the Bolts
On April 3rd when it was announced that Steven Stamkos had a blood clot and would miss significant time I went into a depression. When it was announced I basically wrote off the season in all honesty. I was hoping we'd put up a valiant fight in the playoffs, inevitably succumb to a healthier team, and go get 'em next year. Despite this I am not shocked that the Bolts are where they are today, halfway to a Stanley Cup. Even without Stamkos I knew the Bolts were a better team than Detroit, and they made quick work of them. What I am totally shocked at is the quick work they made of the Islanders. I thought maybe they could scratch and claw to a seven game series win over the Isles, but never in five games with two of the four wins barely needing to crack a sweat. And it is because of that quick work that the stars may be aligning perfectly for a Stanley cup parade this year in Tampa, whether Stamkos comes back or not.
Last year the Bolts needed 20 games to win their first three rounds, and it was pretty clear they simply had absolutely nothing left in the tank as a result by game four against Chicago and lost those final three games with little to no offensive threat. But over the past ten years teams who have made it to the third round in ten games or less (as the Bolts have this year) are 7-1 in the conference finals. Even with that said whoever comes out of the Pittsburgh-Washington series is going to be a clear favorite against the Bolts, even if Stamkos plays. But the added rest will make the series a complete coin flip in my opinion, and I'll take my chances on that coin flip.
So what if the Bolts make to the cup finals again? Well here is where the stars really align. The best team in the West that matches up well against the Bolts is definitely St Louis. But guess what? They are about to play their second straight seven games series. 14 games through 2 rounds? That will definitely come back to haunt them if they play Tampa in the final. Nashville is also about to play their 14th game through two rounds, and in my opinion if the Preds have the good fortune of making it the Bolts will make easy work of them. With both second round western conference series heading to seven games, there is a 100% chance that the Lightning will be way better rested than any team they may face in the finals. Stars aligning indeed.
I'll also take this opportunity to say something I have said a few times, but now is showing itself to be true. I'm not alone in this belief, but I have been saying for quite awhile the Lightning are at worst just as good, but maybe even better, without Steven Stamkos. I got depressed when he was out simply because of fear that maybe I was wrong and we would fold without our leading scorer, but I am happy that I was right about this. Since breaking his leg in 2013 Stamkos simply has not been the same player he was before the injury. The only thing he contributes is scoring goals, and he doesnt even do that as well as he used to. A playmaker who can set up other teammates for goals? hardly. good defense? forget about it. Stamkos is a free agent this summer and to me it is a no brainer to no sign him back. If they do he will hamper the team financially and between Kucherov, Bishop, Palat, Johnson, and Drouin the Bolts will need to get rid of two of them just to keep Stammer. Let Stamkos walk and keep them all. I know which option I'd choose.
Anyway, right now the Bolts rest and await their ECF opponent. After last years grueling first two rounds, rest sure is nice.
Last year the Bolts needed 20 games to win their first three rounds, and it was pretty clear they simply had absolutely nothing left in the tank as a result by game four against Chicago and lost those final three games with little to no offensive threat. But over the past ten years teams who have made it to the third round in ten games or less (as the Bolts have this year) are 7-1 in the conference finals. Even with that said whoever comes out of the Pittsburgh-Washington series is going to be a clear favorite against the Bolts, even if Stamkos plays. But the added rest will make the series a complete coin flip in my opinion, and I'll take my chances on that coin flip.
So what if the Bolts make to the cup finals again? Well here is where the stars really align. The best team in the West that matches up well against the Bolts is definitely St Louis. But guess what? They are about to play their second straight seven games series. 14 games through 2 rounds? That will definitely come back to haunt them if they play Tampa in the final. Nashville is also about to play their 14th game through two rounds, and in my opinion if the Preds have the good fortune of making it the Bolts will make easy work of them. With both second round western conference series heading to seven games, there is a 100% chance that the Lightning will be way better rested than any team they may face in the finals. Stars aligning indeed.
I'll also take this opportunity to say something I have said a few times, but now is showing itself to be true. I'm not alone in this belief, but I have been saying for quite awhile the Lightning are at worst just as good, but maybe even better, without Steven Stamkos. I got depressed when he was out simply because of fear that maybe I was wrong and we would fold without our leading scorer, but I am happy that I was right about this. Since breaking his leg in 2013 Stamkos simply has not been the same player he was before the injury. The only thing he contributes is scoring goals, and he doesnt even do that as well as he used to. A playmaker who can set up other teammates for goals? hardly. good defense? forget about it. Stamkos is a free agent this summer and to me it is a no brainer to no sign him back. If they do he will hamper the team financially and between Kucherov, Bishop, Palat, Johnson, and Drouin the Bolts will need to get rid of two of them just to keep Stammer. Let Stamkos walk and keep them all. I know which option I'd choose.
Anyway, right now the Bolts rest and await their ECF opponent. After last years grueling first two rounds, rest sure is nice.
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