Thursday, November 28, 2013

Vindy's Picks Week 14-2013

BOGUS AD COSTS AIRLINE THOUSANDS

DALLAS, Texas (REUTERS)…
November holiday-travel is typically a boon for airline companies, but a mistake in a Southwest Airlines commercial has led to a significant financial hit for the major carrier. The investigation continues, but initial reports point toward the hacking of the broadcast of its signature-motto, resulting in the proclamation that…“’Backs Fly Free!” Taking advantage of the boo-boo, athletes at the various qualifying positions…quarterbacks, running backs,...yay, even…defensive backs…from the pro, collegiate and prep-school levels…lined up at Southwest ticket-counters to reap the benefits of the error. Acknowledging the mistake, but humbly adhering to the truth-in-advertising laws, the carrier agreed to honor the discount fares through the end of Thanksgiving weekend. The company, however, got the last-laugh, as players at the designated-spots were required to ride in the cargo-hold!

After last week’s tepid 9-7 (111-100-4, 4, .526), we hopin’ to stay warm enough to trip the smoke-alarm in the cockpit restroom and join da’ “Mile-High Club” by stockin’ the beverage-cart with…

THE WEBER KID’S 2013 WEEK 14 FORECAST
(Always first outta’ da’ luggage-carousel upon arrival!)

TUES. NOV. 26
#18 NORTHERN ILLINOIS (-35) over Western Michigan:
Number 18 here, but #14 in the BCS Poll, just enough to qualify for a big-money, post-season venue. We get the whole “TV-exposure for the conference”-thing, but will somebody please tell da’ MAC that college football should be played on Thursday, Friday or Saturday…not Tuesday! (Bowl-season notwithstanding!) Sled Dogs are allowing 24.5 ppg in the MAC, Western Michigan has averaged 17.5, but part of that has been in recent pair of contests vs. the other directional-Meeeshigans. NIU has the top ground game in the conference and WMU allows 4 rushing touchdowns per game. A MAC title means little to Northern Illinois if it can’t reach a BCS bowl. Again, Huskies’ main-competition for “buster” comes from Fresno State, who won’t have a cake-walk at San Jose State nor vs. Utah State in the Mountain Jest championship, but ‘Dogs won’t know the result of SJSU tilt until long-after this one’s complete, so expect NIU to pile-on in effort get style-points vs. hapless Broncos (1-6 SU in conference, 1-10 on the year) who have lost to the spread in 7 of last 8, including coughing-up Eastern Michigan’s only FBS victory of 2013 as 3-point chalk. Underdogs, while, hangin’ around and getting’ close to fitty-fitty ATS among Top 25 games recently, still haven’t posted that “’dogs howl”-week. NIU has hit da’fitties or better three times already and could break into the sixties for the second time, but…NIU 54 WMU 13 (This one’s already in the books as a forecast loss as NIU could muster just a 19-point victory)

FRI. NOV. 29
Oregon State (+22) over #12 OREGON:
Ducks 40 Beavers 20

#15 LSU (-25) over Arkansas: Bengals 44 Bacon 16

#16 Fresno State (-7 ½) over SAN JOSE STATE: Bulldogs playing on a short-week, but have been laying-waste to recent opponents. San Josie needs this one to see life in the post-season, but went to 3OT in shootout loss to Navy, bringing home one of our six [count ‘em, six!] “best bet” wins last week). Earlier victories by 5 and 7, at Hawaii and San Diego State, respectively, give us pause, but Fresno has some ground to make up to catch aforementioned NIU Huskies (#14 in BCS poll) for a “buster” berth. Smacking SJSU would aid the cause, especially with NIU’s listless win over 1-11 Western Michigan…’Dogs 38 SJSU 27

South Florida (+27) over #17 CENTRAL FLORIDA: There might not be 26 total points scored in this one. Knights’ only real faux-pas was allowing an early punt-block in their end zone for a score by Rutgers. Bulls started season slowly (0-4 SU, including 32-point home-loss to AA McNeese State/1-2 ATS), but have shown a little interest since then. If they have anything left, they’ll bring it here vs. intra-state rival. USF, surprisingly, shows pretty-good defensive numbers…#15 nationally in pass D and #24 vs. the run. Knights hangin’ on to slim one-game advantage over Louisville and Cincinnati in the Love-Boat Conference. A more-challenging road-game at SMU awaits. A lotta’ USF seniors played their final home-game in last week’s 16-6 loss to those same Ponies, but…Golden Knights 24 USF 7

SAT. NOV. 30
#1 Alabama (-10 ½) over #4 AUBURN:
While War Eagle took an extra week to watch game-film, Carmine Pachyderms dispatched Tennessee-Chat-Room-Nooga 49-0, or the same final-score of 2012’s Iron Bowl. We sooooooooooo wanna’ take da’ Tigers in a huuuuuuge upset here, just to stick-it da’ BCS. But holding to the premise of “*cheer* with yer heart and *bet* with yer *head*”, we see nothing in Auburn’s prior schedule that prompts us to support the home-dog. We’re not convinced a late defeat on the SEC road would preclude Alabama from a national-title game shot, but Tide’s already-dispensed with one “bad-game” that saw ‘Bama commit four turnovers in mere-13-point victory over Mississippi State. ‘Bama’s played five contests decided by 18 or less in the last 2+ seasons, winning all five, but going 1-4 ATS. Three of the last four in this series have yielded ‘Bama routs, with lone anomaly being Auburn’s 28-27 victory in 2010 (last time both were ranked in the Top Ten coming in). Tide might be without its starting center again, but Saban’s soldiers will simply play defense and special-teams, as always, while awaiting Auburn to self-destruct in the second-half with turnovers, untimely penalties and other miscues…Hound’s Tooth U. 29 Auburn 13

#2 Florida State (-27 ½) over FLORIDA: Seminoles 42 Crocs 10

#3 Ohio State (-14) over MICHIGAN: Buckeyes haven’t lost a game outright since 2011’s post-season defeat vs. Florida in the Gator Bowl. Big Blew has been a non-factor, SU and against the spread, for eight of the last nine years, winning only in Ann Arbor in 2011 (40-34). State’s already a fixture in the Big Tempura championship game vs. Sparty, which will mean more than a big triumph this week. Michigan’s young team has, however, won five of its six home games (losing by 4 to Nebraska). OSU was up 42-0 before relinquishing the cover to Indiana, who scored twice in the final six minutes…Buckeyes 42 Michigan 17

#5 MISSOURI (-4) over #19 Texas A&M: Tigers’ D is capable of harassing and containing Manziel much the same way LSU did and Mizzou has avenged each of last season’s conference-defeats by substantial margins. It was A&M in 2012 by final score of 59-29. Almost a year after garnering the Heismanziel Trophy, it appears Johnny and his friends are headed for first stint outside the rankings since last September…Missouri 37 Aggies 27

#6 Clemson (+4 ½) over #10 SOUTH CAROLINA: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK #1. Won’t argue with Gamehens as faves here, given perfect 6-0 record at home on the season. We also note the Poultry has beaten CU by double-digits in each of the past four years. However, Clemson’s only loss was to Florida State and Tigers have pounded the opponents since then, averaging more than fitty points-per game in that span. Taj Boyd has Clemson pass-heavy at over 3200 passing yards, with favorite target Sammy Watkins at nearly 1200 receiving yards. But Boyd can run in the red zone too, scoring 8 ground touchdowns, while RB Roderick McDowell will probably eclipse 1000 rushing yards by the end of the bowl game and gives CU enough to make Carolina respect the run. Both sides warmed-up by throttling a pair of AA teams last week. Chickens hung 70 on Coastal Carolina a week after ho-hum 19-14 win over faded-Florida. SC narrowly-beat Mizzou, but also yielded Vols’ only win over a BCS-conference team…Tigers 30 Tenders 24

#7 Oklahoma State: IDLE (next vs. Oklahoma)

Notre Dame (+14) over #8 STANFORD: Irish, who unveiled 2013 Shamrock Series uniforms in August (seriously…and we like ‘em better than 2012 Knute Sham-Rockne versions!), gotta’ feel a bit a dissed after being jumped by UL-Lafayette, who made the Top 25, while ND continues to sit outside the bubble despite 23-13 win over BYU. That game saw Leprechauns QB Rees stroll triumphantly off da’ field with chants of “Tommy!”, “Tommy!”, Tommy!” And why the stadium-operator was showing the Who’s famous 1975 rock-opera flick on the Jumbo-Tron at the time is still a mystery! Both teams have been in several single-digit decisions this year and da’ Trees had won three straight in this series until losing 20-13 at South Bend last season during Our Lady’s run to the national title game…Cardinal 27 ND 20

#9 Baylor (-12 ½) over TCU: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK…Bears 35 Toads 13

Minnesota (+15) over #11 MICHIGAN STATE: Spartans 23 Gophers 13

Arizona (+13) over #13 ARIZONA STATE: With 38-33 road win against the Bruins, Pitchforks appear headed for rematch vs. Stanford for PAC-12 crown. ‘Cats didn’t squander their good fortune vs. mistake-prone Ducks last week. Last four years of the rivalry have come down to a touchdown or less and the visitor has left the building victorious. Sun Devils have better-balanced offense, so we don’t see the defeat-trend continuing for the home-squad, but if AZ can contain, even a little, State QB Taylor Kelly, like they did they did Drakes’ QB Marcus Mariota, they can make ASU work for it…Devils 29 ‘Cats 24

#14 WISCONSIN (-24) over Penn State: Badgers met, and didn’t cover against, a very-motivated Minnie Mouse team. With no December or January prospects however, Lions just need to put this season, 6-5 to-date, to bed. In January, Al Pacino accepted the role as Joe Paterno in the movie called “Happy Valley”. The obvious quotes include…“Keep your players close, your referees closer” and “You tell yer friends at the NCAA, I beat a conference-opponent for fun. But fer a BCS berth, I gonna’ carve them up real nice.” BTW, we think Ross Perot with a dye-job and a blue-and-white jacket would look more like JoePa than Al Pacino. Just sayin’. Better choice than Al Gore! Al Qaida! Weird Al Yankovic! Al Capone! Al Franken! Al Sharpton!??? Alameda, California???!! Al Roker!? Alpaca!!!! …Badgers 41 PSU 13

#20 Oklahoma: IDLE (next @ Oklahoma State)

Louisiana-Monroe (+14) over #21 LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE: Hark! Is that a Stun-Belt team we find among the Top 25????!!!! Ragin’ Cajuns will play in their third-straight post-season, already at 8-2 SU on the year, and undefeated in five conference matches. Warhawks need the dubya here to make their second bowl. Monroe is 3-3 SU in the Sun Belt and shows a decent 21-19 road-win at Wake Forest. ‘Cajuns on 0-3 ATS slide, Birds are 0-2 SU/ATS the past two weeks after nice three-game win-streak in mid-season. Lafayette, who has won three straight years in this series….with one-point decisions in ’10 and ’11, by final margin of 40-24 last season, did allow 35 points to lousy NMSU club at home. ULM has no chance to grind one out, so it’ll be up to senior QB Kolton Browning to keep Monroe close with his arm…Weeziana-Laugh-At-Us 37 Weeziana-Cornrow 27

#22 Louisville: IDLE (next 12/5 @ Cincinnati)

#24 USC (-4) over #23 Ucla: Trojans 24 Bruins 17

#25 Duke (+6) over NORTH CAROLINA: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK #2…Blue Devils 34 UNC 31

BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS

BTW, a flight-attendant, speaking on conditions of anonymity, revealed rescue-efforts are underway to free smaller players still lodged in the overhead compartments!

Pressing the advantage, ambitious fans tried to get free fares by wearing throw-back jerseys. But TSA wasn’t having any of it and quickly escorted offenders from “departures” to “ground transportation” or at the very-least to… ”Fumbles-Lost and Found!”!

And…Samuel L. Jackson has signed a contract to film “Picks on a Plane!”

In March, TSA loosened its ban on carry-on items, allowing small knives, souvenir-size bats, golf clubs and other sports equipment. In fact, in an effort to draw more passengers, many carriers will now equip the first-class sections of their bigger planes with…miniature-golf courses and batting cages.

Riddle us this, Batman!...Why does every game Vindy elects to actually watch generally go to crap for the side we’re backin’ in the first 15 to 30 minutes????!!!!

If ya went to the sportsbook counter with any of Vindy’s choice-selections (Lock of da’ week or Best Bets), other than WYOMING -7 over Hawaii (a pick that cost us a parlay wager), yer a happy camper, as they went a collective 7-1 against the line!

Victory Honda in Monroe, Michigan is letting customers buying cars on game-day of the Buckeyes-Wolverines contest hang onto the vehicles at no additional cost if Big Blue tosses a shut-out. The fine-print, however, requires those same customers to exchange their new cars for FORD Pintos if State covers the spread!

This week’s “must-leave TV”…Idaho (1-10 SU/3-7 ATS) @ NEW MEXICO STATE (0-11 SU/3-7 ATS; favored by 3 ½)

NY Jets coach Rex Ryan reportedly participated in not one, but two days of the annual Pamplona running-of-the-bulls in July. Coach escaped twice unscathed. Insiders say Mrs. Ryan doffed her heels and showed-off her bare tootsies, distracting the animals…and several runners…enough to allow her hubby to grab a comfortable lead before the animals were released!

“Because ‘and’ is better than ‘or’”: “Count it…or one?!” “The hoop…or the hack?!” “Texas ‘A’ or ‘M’” “First or third with two out?!” During Olympic weight-lifting…“clean or jerk??!!” And… in classic lit…“Romeo or Juliet???!!!”

And finally…If Vindy likes his current healthcare plan, can he quarterback-keep it???!!!

Black Shirt(s): We hadda’ get us one them highfalutin’ 3-D printers to make enough ebony tees to outfit the entire Minnesota Gophers’ defense for keeping Wisconsin (-15 ½) , up 13 halfway thru the Third Quarter, off the scoreboard over the final 21:55 of the game to grab the cover. And we’re givin’ thanks for Middies’ CB Parrish Gaines for picking-off a San Jose State pass in the end zone during the third extra-frame of Navy’s eventual victory, as noted above!

“Locked in a Box?”: Sparty’s 24-point win over N-Dub gave us our third straight correct preferred-pick among Top 25 games and evened our “lock” record at 6-6-1 (.500)!

Shoppe Talk: Stanford (2-6, .250) flew beneath the radar with a forecast win by belting Cal, but the Spooners of Oklahoma show-up on 1-6 forecast skid, as do the Pitchforks of ASU at 1-4…and we’re watching LSU and the Tea-Baggies of A&M, both at 0-4 recently!

Vindy’s Week 14 Best Bets: Last Week: 6-1 Season: 44-23-1 (.657; 13-4 the past three weeks!)
East Carolina +2 ½ over MARSHALL (Fri), Washington State +15 over WASHINGTON (Fri), UNLV +3 ½ over San Diego State, Northwestern -3 ½ over ILLINOIS, UAB -14 ½ over Southern Miss, Tulane +11 ½ over RICE, Arkansas State +6 over WESTERN KENTUCKY



Monday, November 25, 2013

Vindy's Picks Week 14-2013 Early Edition

TUES. NOV. 26
#18 NORTHERN ILLINOIS (-35) over Western Michigan:
Number 18 here, but #14 in the BCS Poll, just enough to qualify for a big-money, post-season venue. We get the whole “TV-exposure for the conference”-thing, but will somebody please tell da’ MAC that college football should be played on Thursday, Friday or Saturday…not Tuesday! (Bowl-season notwithstanding!) Sled Dogs are allowing 24.5 ppg in the MAC, Western Michigan has averaged 17.5, but part of that has been in recent pair of contests vs. the other directional-Meeeshigans. NIU has the top ground game in the conference and WMU allows 4 rushing touchdowns per game. A MAC title means little to Northern Illinois if it can’t reach a BCS bowl. Again, Huskies’ main-competition for “buster” comes from Fresno State, who won’t have a cake-walk at San Jose State nor vs. Utah State in the Mountain Jest championship, but ‘Dogs won’t know the result of SJSU tilt until long-after this one’s complete, so expect NIU to pile-on in effort get style-points vs. hapless Broncos (1-6 SU in conference, 1-10 on the year) who have lost to the spread in 7 of last 8, including coughing-up Eastern Michigan’s only FBS victory of 2013 as 3-point chalk. Underdogs, while, hangin’ around and getting’ close to fitty-fitty ATS among Top 25 games recently, still haven’t posted that “’dogs howl”-week. NIU has hit da’fitties or better three times already and could break into the sixties for the second time, but…NIU 54 WMU 13

We'll back with the rest of this week's picks, but it could be Thursday rather than Wednesday! Stay tuned!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Vindy's Picks Week 13-2013

OLYMPIC TORCH FUMBLED BY RUSSIANS

MOSCOW, Russia (MSNBC)…
The spacewalk was going fine a couple of hours in. Then came the message…”Moscow…we have a problem.” Despite efforts by Roscosmos, Russia’s counterpart to NASA, to conceal the error, foreign intelligence, hackers and yes, CB-radio enthusiasts, intercepted the transmission that the Olympic Torch, accompanying the cosmonauts on their current journey, had been bobbled by Sergei Ryazanskiy while hamming it up for Oleg Kotov’s camera, and was quickly swept away by solar winds into the “final frontier”. Embarrassed by the incident, the Soviets launched a rescue-shuttle in hopes of recovering the icon before the start of the Winter Games in February…and more-importantly, before any other member of the international community could do so. NASA officials had no comment on the situation, other than to deny the USS Enterprise was in pursuit of the item or that the Jupiter 2 had radioed that they have visual contact with the torch.

Registering a 10-7 finish for a second straight week and reaching the century-mark in forecast-wins at least a week prior to suffering 100 losses (102-93-4, .523), your humble host was not subjected to hearing, “It’s good to be twerking with you again, Tay” from HAL 9000. Even Major Tom eschewed a chance at “coming home” for one final Earthly-look at…

THE WEBER KID’S 2013 WEEK 13 FORECAST
(Competing for “cutest Weber kid” on that AT&T 4G commercial!)

WED. NOV. 20
#20 Northern Illinois (-2 ½) over TOLEDO:
The lines-makers apparently believe there are still enough folks, sharps and/or public, who think the Huskies could stumble after posting 10 straight wins on the season. Granted, Northern Illinois gave up almost 500 yards of offense to Ball State, was minus-one in turnover ratio and ultimately scored 21 straight points in the 4th Quarter to pull away in a previously-tight game. Cardinals were pass-heavy. Rockets bring a more-balanced offense. These two are statistically-comparable in most areas and Toledo lost respectably by 15 at Mizzou (following a cover in the opener at Florida). Da’ Spaceships have also bested likely MAC-East champ Bowling Green (28-25, wasting a three-TD lead in the process) and lost by 7 at Ball State. NIU defensive end Joe Windsor initially had himself a prized-Black Shirt… signed, sealed and delivered…until the final ticks of the Auburn-Georgia game, for 49-yard INT return for TD that secured a win instead of a potential push on Wednesday night game vs. Ball State. NIU yields just one rushing TD per game. Rockets give up north of two per tilt. We expect that to be the edge NIU needs to carry-on toward a BCS bowl and the ATS-win. Total on this is 70 ½. We like a somewhat more temperate scoring-pace …Dogs 33 Mudhens 27 (Just like last week, this one’s already underway as we go to press)

THURS. NOV. 21
#17 CENTRAL FLORIDA (-17) over Rutgers:
Knights versus…Knights??!!! Ball-game or jousting tourney???!! Waffled a couple times on this one, but finally settled on the Golden ones. UCF has been in several tight ones, but against better teams. Scarlet Paladins have lost twice in past three contests by 35 points/game and are on 1-4 point-spread slide…Central Florida 38 Jersey Turnpike Exit 9B 17

SAT. NOV. 23
Chattanooga @ #1 ALABAMA:
No line. While ‘Bama stop-squad threw another shutout, Tide’s four turnovers on offense against Mississippi State cost us a four-team teaser parlay! Go Mocs!

Idaho (+57) over #2 FLORIDA STATE: In the past two weeks, Sandals have lost by 16 and 21 at home to FBS newcomers Texas State and Old Dominion, and 45 at Ole Miss in only match-up vs. Top 25, but this is a meaningless non-conference game a week prior to FSU’s trip to the Swamp and merely represents the opportunity to get starters injured. Winston won’t play more than a half…Seminoles 54 Idaho 3

#3 Baylor (-10) over #11 OKLAHOMA STATE: Baylor was apparently toying with Texas Tech, the third-best scoring offense in the Big 12 behind these two squads (though just a FG/game behind OKSU), taking mere 8-point lead into the locker room at the half, then putting the starters in at the start of the 3rd Quarter. BU has better wins over common opponents, with Chafin and Linwood leading the rushing attack in Seastrunk’s absence and, as expected, QB Petty is closing-in on 3000 yards. Bears coach Art Briles just got himself a nice 10-year contract last week and only Kansas State stayed about this close to Da’ Bears…Baylor 51 OKSU 37

Indiana (+33) over #4 OHIO STATE: Buckeyes 51 Hoosiers 24

#5 Oregon (-20 ½) over ARIZONA: Mallards 44 AZ 20

#6 Auburn: IDLE (next vs. Alabama)

Citadel @ #7 CLEMSON: No line.

#8 Missouri (-2 ½) over #24 MISSISSIPPI: Rebels are simply positioning for a better bowl-berth, while Tigers need a victory to stay on track for chance to play in SEC championship match, because South Carolina owns the head-to-head tie-breaker in the conference’s East Division. Ole Miss hopes to enjoy the last of a six (count ‘em, six)-game home-stand and haven’t been tested since edging LSU four games ago. Mizzou regains the services of James Franklin at QB. In all honestly, we salute back-up QB redshirt freshman Maty Mauk for a bang-up job in a relief role the past few games. Tigers haven’t been drawn into a shootout thus far. Advantage Mississippi if that happens. If not…Missouri 24 Old Mist 17

#9 Texas A&M (+4) over #18 LSU: UPSET ALERT. Both were idle last week. Tigers keep finding ways to lose after looking decent early. LSU has now won 25 of the last 26 in Baton Rouge, but Manziel is still the X-Men factor for A&M. Tigers lost to Ole Miss by 3, A&M beat the Rebels by three on the road and LSU’s best-victory to date now looks like 14-point triumph at home over now-#8 Auburn. LSU won 24-19 at College Station in 2012, and has won half of last ten decided by 7 or less, but shows just 2-7-1 ATS in those games…State 34 A&M 33

#10 STANFORD (-32) over California: Best guess for “wish I had it back.” History of this series suggests a much closer game and Cardinal is off upset by USC. Bares lost by 17 at Colorado, now the second-worst team in the conference. Trees haven’t gotten in the zip-code of bashing anybody this badly all year, except neutral-site game vs. Wazzou…Stanford 45 Cal 10

Coastal Carolina @ #12 SOUTH CAROLINA: No line.

#13 Michigan State (-7) over NORTHWESTERN: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Northwestern, last alphabetically and last in the standings of the Legends Division in Big Tenderfoot play, needs to take both of its final pair of games to be bowl-eligible. That’s the only reason to consider backin’ the Wildcats off morale-killing defeat last week. MSU with a victory faces probably Ohio State for post-season visit to Pasadena. N-Dub is winless in conference with 0-6 SU/1-5 ATS spiral, though three of four defeats were by a FG. ‘Cats were favored to beat Michigan…and lost…in triple-OT. Sparty has won last six (5-1 ATS) by 12 or more. Last season’s 10-win Northwestern squad did not face a team that was ranked at the time. It shows this year! We expect somewhat of a three-spree and we’ll say it goes “under 42” as well…MSU 23 NW 9

#14 UCLA (+2) over #19 Arizona State: UCLA 29 ASU 24

New Mexico @ #15 FRESNO STATE: OFF

MINNESOTA (+15 ½) over #16 Wisconsin: We’ll stay with gut-instinct on this one, despite nearly reneging after looking at the numbers, most of which favor Wisky, including margins of victory in Wisconsin’s wins each of last three years in this series…18, 29 and 25. BYU scored with about 3:00 left to keep the final margin at 10 and Badgers won by just 24 at Illinois. The surging Gophers are at least 10 points better than the Illini, especially in Minneapolis. Badgers have just one ATS defeat all year, the result of touchdown-loss in Columbus, but we saw mighty Alabama offense fall on its face last week on the road as well. Gophers are gonna’ need to cover this on defense, because after RB David Cobb (942 rushing yards), the ground game falls off significantly…Cheese-Heads 39 Minny 27

Memphis (+24 ½) over #21 LOUISVILLE: Second choice for “lock”…Cardinal 26 Tigers 10

KANSAS STATE (-3 ½) over #22 Oklahoma: Purple Persians have been tough to figure this year, but we did cash a ticket going against them in Week 12, grabbing double-digits with the Horny Toads as a “best bet” last week. First road-dog role for the Spooners since 2011 edition of “Bedlam”. Not much up for grabs here except bowl-hierarchy. Defense is foremost on both sides. No faith in pickin’ either club and maybe “under” 53 is the first choice, with Oklahoma showing nice rushing numbers and a slightly-better pass D, but…KSU 24 OK 20

COLORADO (+23) over #23 Southern Cal: Troy Boys 27 Bison 7

WAKE FOREST (+5) over #25 Duke: Folks in Winston-Salem gotta’ be thinkin’ “Blue Devils are ranked???!! You gotta’ be sh*ttin’ me!!!” Duke spotted Miami a 10-point lead in the 1st Quarter then proceeded to whoop some boo-tay en route to its 6th consecutive victory. Deacs lost here last season, 34-27, after defeating Duke each year since 2000, and 7 of the last 9 were decided by a touchdown or less. Wake has dented the board for…well…um…a lone three-pointer…in its last two games, but shows home-wins over NC State and Maryland in October. Demon Deacons gotta’ sweep the final two games to take the field in December and Jim Grobe needs one more dubya to have most coaching wins at Da’ Forest in school history…Indigo Incubi 23 Wake 20

BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS

BTW, if the torch falls outta’ orbit back into Third Rock’s atmosphere, at least it’ll be lit! If the Russians win the gold for hockey in Sochi, the closest the medals are gonna’ get to space is…resting on a museum display-table next to a Beta-Max version of da’ Jetsons! As to the fate of Comrade Ryazanskiy, Roscosmos played the final moments of Armageddon and Space Cowboys, revealing the movies’ conclusions for Harry Stamper, played by Bruce Willis, and ”Hawk” Hawkins, portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones, on a continuous loop, for him via the vessel’s video-monitor!

And before hitting da’ cutting-room, floor, Star Wars featured a scene in which Obi-Wan Kenobi wields an Olympic torch to stave-off Darth Vader long enough for the rest of the protagonists to board the Millennium Falcon and escape the tractor-beam! (“If you keep me off the medal-stand now, Darth…I shall become more-powerful than you could ever imagine.”)

Given the Steelers’ striped jerseys and socks, along with the plain tan/gold/beige/whatever pants for Sunday’s game vs. Detroit, we can’t decide if they looked more like bumble-bees or Broadway actors awaiting the tail, whiskers and ears to complete the costumes for their roles in the musical “Cats”!!!

The Jaguars’ Jason Babin got a bit more than he bargained for, ending up with a handful of mane on a tackle of Arizona Cardinals Andre Ellington. Said the rookie ball-carrier in a post-contest interview, “Joke’s on Jason, Dude. Those ‘dreads were just extensions!” The Arizona team-trainer did, however, quickly usher Ellington into the locker-room following the play, holding a bottle of Rogaine! After watching the video-replay, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu visibly winced!

In related news, “hair-chalking” became a trend among teenagers…wrapping strands of hair in pastel chalk and sealing the color by running a hot iron thru it???!!! Are faves now known as “hair-chalk”? At Kansas, we will we hear… “Rock, hair-chalk, Jayhawk”?!

As Baltimore continues to struggle this season, we’re reminded that in the days leading up to Super Bowl 47, Ray Lewis adamantly denied using deer-antler spray to enhance his performance. The Ravens LB did, however, cop to using turtle-wax, duck-tape and kitty litter!

Princes Charles, at 65, is still awaiting his pension… and his throne. Having been the heir behind QE II since 1952, he may be better off being a coach-in-waiting to get the head job at Virginia Tech, currently under the 27-year reign of Frank Beamer!

Controversial Toronto mayor Rob Ford, sporting a football jersey, got the cold shoulder every time he opened his mouth at a recent City Council meeting. Just a couple thoughts for Hizzoner…Canada’s national pastime is… HOCKEY, not football, you hoser…and of all the players in the NFL, the uniform you wore proclaimed fandom for… Richie Incognito???!!!

Black Shirt: Was wrenched away from the aforementioned Northern Illinois defender in the blink of an eye by UGA Bulldogs safety Josh Harvey-Clemons, who tipped an Auburn pass on 4th-and-18 with less than half a minute on the clock, into the hands of a Tigers WR for a touchdown…giving Auburn the win, the cover and rescuing Vindy’s “Lock of da’ Week” after War Eagle tanked a 20-point advantage! Honorable Mention to Joja’ coach Mike Richt for drawing an unsportsmanlike-conduct flag after officials ruled simultaneous-possession favoring Auburn, who eventually hit pay-dirt on the drive!

“Locked in a Box?”: Strike up da’ band (just not the one at Delaware State)! Auburn’s “What just happened??!!”- win and cover over Joja’ gives us back-to-back “lock” wins, bumping up the record to 5-6-1 (.454).

Shoppe Talk: The NIU Huskies (1-4, .200) finally gave us a break with very late cover vs. Ball State, as noted above, but it’s Cardinal-under-glass again as our blue-plate special with Stanford now on 1-6 skid and 3-7 for the year so far. On the radar…Clemson (0-4 skid), Oklahoma (1-5 skid) and Ohio State (0-4 skid)!

Vindy’s Week 13 Best Bets: Last Week: 3-3 Season: 38-22-1 (.633)
Navy +1 ½ over SAN JOSE STATE (Fri), Mississippi State -3 over ARKANSAS, East Carolina -6 over NC STATE, Bowling Green -24 ½ over EASTERN MICHIGAN, WYOMING -7 over Hawaii, FLORIDA ATLANTIC -20 over New Mexico State, Vanderbilt +2 ½ over TENNESSEE

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Vindy's Picks Week 13-2013 Early Edition

WED. NOV. 20
#20 Northern Illinois (-2 ½) over TOLEDO:
The lines-makers apparently believe there are still enough folks, sharps and/or public, who think the Huskies could stumble after posting 10 straight wins on the season. Granted, Northern Illinois gave up almost 500 yards of offense to Ball State, was minus-one in turnover ratio and ultimately scored 21 straight points in the 4th Quarter to pull away in a previously-tight game. Cardinals were pass-heavy. Rockets bring a more-balanced offense. These two are statistically-comparable in most areas and Toledo lost respectably by 15 at Mizzou (following a cover in the opener at Florida). Da’ Spaceships have also bested likely MAC-East champ Bowling Green (28-25, wasting a three-TD lead in the process) and lost by 7 at Ball State. NIU defensive end Joe Windsor initially had himself a prized-Black Shirt… signed, sealed and delivered…until the final ticks of the Auburn-Georgia game, for 49-yard INT return for TD that secured a win instead of a potential push on Wednesday night game vs. Ball State. NIU yields just one rushing TD per game. Rockets give up north of two per tilt. We expect that to be the edge NIU needs to carry-on toward a BCS bowl and the ATS-win. Total on this is 70 ½. We like a somewhat more temperate scoring-pace…Dogs 33 Mudhens 27

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Vindy's Picks Week 12-2013

CEREAL GIANT GOES BOWLING TO AVOID CUTS

BATTLE CREEK, Michigan (UPI)…
Facing a 7% worldwide reduction-in-force due to sagging (soggy?) sales, Kellogg’s will be able to retain its employees in light of a contract to sponsor a post-season college football game, heretofore known as the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Bowl. The opportunity will afford the cereal manufacturer additional marketing-exposure and the ability to showcase its better-known mascots…on every “Snap”, while hoping to go undetected as players try to dodge flags for “Crackle-back blocks” and pads “Pop”!

We enjoyed our Sunday-morning meal after registering a 10-7 (92-86-4, .517) record for Week 11, and we’re following that up by pouring the milk and sugar on a big bowl of…

THE WEBER KID’S 2013 WEEK 12 FORECAST
(Part of every champion’s breakfast!)

WED. NOV. 13
#20 NORTHERN ILLINOIS (-7) over Ball State:
Always a fan of the ‘dog first, we looked for a reason to back Da’ Birds here. Cardinals QB Keith Wenning is #4 nationally in passing yardage, behind some kid named Manziel, and shows mighty-fine TD-to-pick ratio of 27-5 squaring-off vs. #107-ranked pass defense, but much of that likely had to do with Huskies’ ability to open sizable leads early, forcing teams to give-up on the running attack. Collectively, these clubs are 18-1 SU in 2013, with BSU’s only defeat coming at pretty-good North Texas by 7 (Mean Green however, does show a loss by 6 at MAC East contender Ohio U. and a surprising 3-point defeat at Tulane). Unless NIU, who avenged last year’s 18-17 loss to Big Tentacle’s Iowa Hawkeyes 30-27 in Ames and pummeled said-conference’s Purdue Boilermakers ahead of whacking MAC opposition, loses dual-threat QB Jordan Lynch (#9 in total offense) to injury or the November-that-favors-underdogs rears its ugly head, we think the Sled Dogs win and cover in de facto Mid-American West Division title game…Northern Illinois 44 Ball State 31 (This one’s already underway as we go to press)

THURS. NOV. 14
Georgia Tech (+10) over #8 CLEMSON: UPSET ALERT.
Crunch-time for da’ Bees, who’ve gone 2-2 SU/1-2-1 ATS on the road, in particular, losing by 15 at Miami and by 18at BYU in consecutive weeks, but GT can burn clock (#3 nationally in time-of-possession at 34 minutes/game) with #5 rushing offense (better than 311 ypg) in an effort to steal a victory to keep one-game advantage over Virginia Tech (to whom it lost earlier) atop the Coastal Division to get a shot at Florida State in the ACC Conference Championship tilt. Tigers’ only stumble was vs. aforementioned ‘Noles and have beaten the remainder of their ACC opponents by at least a dozen, other than Boston College (24-14 win)…Tigers 28 ‘Jackets 24

FRI. NOV. 15
#13 UCLA (-3) over Washington:
Bruins 38 UDUB 28

SAT. NOV. 16
#1 Alabama (-24 ½) over MISSISSIPPI STATE:
Whether Nick Saban or any of his charges would admit it, the word “letdown” is in Tide’s vocabulary, as evidenced by 25-point victory/spread-loss over Colorado State following somewhat-closely-contested game vs. the Aggies. Unfortunately for the host, Tide coasted in second half vs. LSU. Bulldogs lost by 18 to Oklahoma State on a neutral site, by 4 at Auburn, by 18 at South Carolina and by 10 last week at A&M. Aggies’ defense let MSU close the gap in 4th Quarter with 20 points, having been up 47-20 thru the first 45 minutes. ‘Bama’s been ignoring any historical trends against them this year, have a limited number of strings to substitute on the road and have only Chattanooga waiting next Saturday. MSU has hit the board for almost 30 ppg, but haven’t faced a defense like this…’Bama 44 State 16

#2 FLORIDA STATE (-38 ½) over Syracuse: FSU 48 ‘Cuse 7

#3 Ohio State (-32) over ILLINOIS: Guess which wide-receiver, after blabbing to reporters, that his team would “wipe da’ floor with ‘Bama or Florida State”, will spend the rest of da’ season wipin’ toilets in the Buckeyes locker-room ...with a cocktail napkin??!!!...State 45 Illini 10

#4 BAYLOR (-27) over Texas Tech: Bears 54 Tech 24

#5 Stanford (-3) over USC: We attribute the very-minimal spread to Stanford’s road loss to Utah and 8-point win at Oregon State as much to Trojans’ resurrection (having won 4 of last 5 since sending Lane Kiffin to LAX) under new coach. First Top 25 foe for USC, who lost half its six defeats in 2012 by single-digits and 2 of 3 this season by same margin-range. Can’t fathom Cardinal not rushing its way to covering a FG…Stanford 21 USC 15

Utah @ #6 OREGON: OFF (Yep…Utes beat same Stanford club that took out the Drakes last week, and made Arizona State sweat, but were smoked at Arizona and at USC. 2012 was Utah’s first SU losing season since 2005, but at 4-5, Utes might be staring at a second one. Stanford’s rushing game vs. the Ducks was damn-near perfect, but Utah own’s the 8th-ranked ground game in the conference and even if QB Mariota is still ailing a bit, he should still be able to manage perimeter, short-passing game that saw some success vs. the Trees…Mallards 35 Utes 20)

#7 AUBURN (-3 ½) over #25 Georgia: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. ‘Dawgs back in the Top 25 this week after edging fading-Florida in Atlanta and whackin’ FCS Appalachian State. Since his return from injury, Joja’ RB Todd Gurley has contributed to UGA’s success with 175 rushing yards and 99 yards receiving, but just a lone TD. War Eagle continues to roll toward Top 10 clash with ‘Bama. Bulldogs have outscored Tigers 83-7 the past two seasons, but Aubie will gouge Georgia defense with huge rushing game should QB Marshall be ineffective…Auburn 34 Joja’ 27

#9 Missouri: IDLE (next @ Kentucky)

#10 Texas A&M: IDLE (next vs. LSU)

#11 South Carolina: IDLE (next vs. Florida)

#23 TEXAS (+2 ½) over #12 Oklahoma State: MINOR UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK. Multiple game-stat reasons to like the visitors, but it’s hard to ignore Longhorns’ momentum. After early disasters, Steers have righted the ship and managed to beat West Virginia, in Morgantown, in extras. Cowpokes lone defeat came vs. those ‘Eers. State on 5-0 SU/4-1ATS run, but ‘Horns are surging and have beaten better competition of-late. A win by OKSU would put Baylor in the driver’s seat for the conference crown. We’ll stay on hot Austin team that will utilize a slightly-better ground attack to secure a home-win…Cattle 34 OKSU 31

#14 Michigan State (-6) over NEBRASKA: Sparty took a little R&R after denying Big Blew access to Paul Bunyan’s Ass..er..um… Axeagain! Huskers could tie MSU for Legends Division lead with a victory and low total (44 ½) is not surprising since State shows 6-2 to the “under”, while five of Corn Cobs’ last seven have finished below the total as well. Spartans also have allowed grand total of 9 points over past three contests. In fact, MSU is giving up, on average, 9 fewer ppg in Big Tenderfoot play than Chiltlins of Da’ Corn. Taylor Martinez needs to lead NU in this one because RB Abdullah won’t get much space on the turf…Michigan State 29 They Who Walk BehindThe Rows 19

TEMPLE (+16 ½) over #15 Central Florida: Having knocked off the only two conference challengers (Louisville and Houston), Golden Knights simply need to win-out to garner automatic BCS berth. UCF defended well last week as Houston, who had a chance to pull out the upset in the waning seconds, failed late. Owls’ only outright triumph came vs. Army, but they’ve been competitive in most of their defeats…UCF 24 Temple 13

#16 Fresno State: IDLE (next vs. New Mexico)

#17 WISCONSIN (-21) over Indiana: Changed our mind here and may regret it, but…Badgers 44 Indy 20

#18 LSU: IDLE (next @ Texas A&M)

Houston (+15 ½) over #19 LOUISVILLE: Coogs trying to make a splash in first year of former-Big Least play and made UCF defend for 60 minutes in tough 19-14 loss in Orlando. Cardinals gave up the backdoor cover to UConn, but did little with five Huskies miscues and scored 14 of its 31points on defense and special teams?! UH gets another shot from us to cover vs. Cards team on 1-4 ATS slide…Da’ Ville 31 Houston 24

Oregon State (+13 ½) over #21 ARIZONA STATE: Pitchforks 34 Beavers 27

Iowa State (+24) over #22 OKLAHOMA: Faux-klahoma 29 ISU 9

#24 Miami (-3) over DUKE: The absence of a running game glares for Miami, but it was special teams that handed the Hokies an upset. Scary stat of da’ week…Blue Devils, after putting 5th straight in the win-column, (4-2 ATS, including 13-10 triumph over Virginia Tech) got votes in both polls! Dukies are already in line for second consecutive post-season berth and a victory this week would all but lock-in back-to-back ACC Coach of Da’ Year plaques for David Cutliffe! ‘Cane-Train is down to the caboose and Pelicans’ 4-point win at UNC and three-point victory over Wake makes us think Duke can cover or win. But Devils are doin’ it on defense, ‘cause nothin’ about the O jumps out except WR Jamison Crowder is within a C-note of 1000 receiving yards. Look for Da’ U to regain a little composure…Miami 23 Duke 16

BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS

BTW, we prefer Post cereals and there’s two scoops of Vindy’s Picks in every box of Raisin Bran!

UCLA, for its game vs. UDUB, will bust-out a special uniform that includes a pair of gloves, which when held side-by-side portray a picture of the Los Angeles skyline. We’d like to see the concept taken a step further and put pieces of the skyline on the jerseys and force Bruins players to line-up in the correct order to show the accurate picture or face a penalty for “illegal formation”. In addition, new personnel entering the game must sport the same parts of the picture on their unis as the folks they replace or be flagged for “illegal substitution”

Futility bowl of 2013: Florida International (1-8 SU/3-5 ATS, including three shutouts and lone win by 1 point at Southern Miss [currently 0-9] @ UTEP (1-8 SU/1-8 ATS, with only victory by 21 at New Mexico State [1-9 SU, with win over FCS Abby Christian]). Almost selected the Miners -5 ½ over FIU as a “best bet”!

A proposal was made last January that includes a new stadium for Rebels football and an on-campus event center that could annually host the last weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Our first thought was…”Caesar’s Palace Final Forum Shops”???!!!

If a certain Kansas Jayhawks hoops coach only takes ego-centric photos for the rest of the world to see, would they be Bill “Selfies”???!!!

Dennis Rodman got cozy with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un last February. No word as to whether or not the Communist leader has been seen sporting piercings, a wedding dress or a turtle-shell ‘do since then.

In related news, the CEO of GOOGLE called upon North Korea for “Internet openness”. We’ve known from da’ git-go that Kim Jong Un has always secretly wanted access to Vindy’s Picks!

If ya went to the ‘book counter with any our Week 11 preferred selections (“lock” or “best bets”), yer a happy camper ‘cuz those babies collectively finished 5-0 ATS!!!!

Black Shirt: The coveted ebony tee goes to UCLA LB Myles Jack, who recovered a Wildcat fumble in his own end zone, then later scored da’ Bruins’ winning TD to finish our weekend with a forecast dubya and stop the “lock of da’ week” bleeding! Honorable mention to UConn back-up QB Casey Cochran for tossin’ the covering TD vs. Louisville with 35 seconds to play, giving Vindy a 2-1 record going into the weekend.

“Locked in a Box?”: We’re doin’ the happy dance after UCLA beat Arizona to give us our first “lock” dubya in eight freakin’ tries, boosting the tally to 4-6-1 (.400).

Shoppe Talk: We’re roastin’ Stanford Cardinals at the Shoppe as SU ends Week 11 on 1-5 slide. Fresno continues to the bane our existence recently at 0-5!

Vindy’s Week 12 Best Bets: Last Week: 4-0 Season: 35-19-1 (.648)
Marshall -13 ½ over TULSA (Thurs), West Virginia -6 ½ over KANSAS, BOSTON COLLEGE -7 ½ over NC State, Purdue +21 over PENN STATE, GEORGIA STATE +21 over Weeziana-Lafayette, Texas Christian +10 ½ over KANSAS STATE

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Vindy's Picks Week 12-2013 Early Edition

WED. NOV. 13
#20 NORTHERN ILLINOIS (-7) over Ball State:
Always a fan of the ‘dog first, we looked for a reason to back Da’ Birds here. Cardinals QB Keith Wenning is #4 nationally in passing yardage, behind some kid named Manziel, and shows mighty-fine TD-to-pick ratio of 27-5 squaring-off vs. #107-ranked pass defense, but much of that likely had to do with Huskies’ ability to open sizable leads early, forcing teams to give-up on the running attack. Collectively, these clubs are 18-1 SU in 2013, with BSU’s only defeat coming at pretty-good North Texas by 7 (Mean Green however, does show a loss by 6 at MAC East contender Ohio U. and a shocking 3-point defeat at Tulane). Unless NIU, who avenged last year’s 18-17 loss to Big Tentacle’s Iowa Hawkeyes 30-27 in Ames and pummeled said-conference’s Purdue Boilermakers ahead of whacking MAC opposition, loses dual-threat QB Jordan Lynch (#9 in total offense) to injury or the November-that-favors-underdogs rears its ugly head, we think the Sled Dogs win and cover in de facto Mid-American West Division title game…Northern Illinois 44 Ball State 31

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Vindy's Picks Week 11-2013

CONTRACT END OPENS DOOR TO HIGH SCHOOL, COMIC COMPANY

ELRIA, Ohio (AP)…
The National Football League has announced it will sever ties with Riddell (pronounced “Wry-Dell”) as its helmet vendor-of-choice in the wake of ongoing concussion problems and other issues, effective the end of the 2013-2014 season. Players have had head-gear options all along as long as competitors fell within prescribed standards, but other brands cannot be mentioned during broadcasts of the games. Riddell was the only company whose name could legally appear on the nose-bumper and paid for the right to make regular and mini-helmets featuring league logos. The change, however, allows the entry of Rydell High School, featured in the musical Grease, and DC Comics to provide head-gear under the name “Riddler”, which would do so only if a question-mark were to be emblazoned somewhere on the helmets!

We’ll blame last week’s 5-8 (82-79-4, .509) on Vindy sustaining too many blows to da’ noggin…the result of banging his cranium on the casino floor while flopping in efforts to draw penalties against sportsbook employees and gain an advantage for…

THE WEBER KID’S 2013 WEEK 11 FORECAST
(Cuter than Olivia Newton-John’s pom-poms!)

THURS. NOV. 7
#2 Oregon (-10 ½) over #6 STANFORD:
Is this Mallards squad akin to the one that routed its three regular-season opponents in 2010 or is it perhaps one of the more recent versions that has muddled thru one tough game each of the last two years? For what it’s worth, the games-in-question for 2011 and 2012 were on Da’ Pond, not on the road (and 2010’s stinker came in 15-13 victory at unranked Cal). The closest margins in Drakes last dozen vs. ranked opponents were 11-point win at USC and 17-14 loss to the Trees in OT, both last season. Ducks are otherwise 10-2 ATS against the Top 25 and have covered 14 of last 17 FBS contests. Cardinal has won 23 of last 25 in Palo Alto. We foresee another big day for Oregon’s O…Quack Attack 42 Stanford 24

#5 BAYLOR (-14 ½) over #12 Oklahoma: Bears 44 Sooners 20

FRI. NOV. 8
CONNECTICUT (+28) over #20 Louisville:
After being prohibited from last year’s conference and national tourneys, the Huskies’ hoopsters are back in the mix. Let’s hope they ain’t the same bunch of guys who’ve been taking the gridiron all season in Storrs (0-7 SU/1-6 ATS…1-7 ATS if ya count 15-point loss to AA Towson). Redbirds have little to gain with a rout and do have a home-game with potent Houston club on-deck...Louisville 34 UConn 7

SAT. NOV. 9
#10 Louisiana State (+11 ½) over #1 ALABAMA:
True college pigskin fans will already know that en route to winning two national crowns in the last three years (and 3 of last 4), the Crimson Tide has recorded exactly one outright home-loss in each of those years. If that trend continues, it happens now…‘cuz the lone remaining visitor to Tuscaloosa is…FCS Tennessee-Chattanooga! In addition, the previous three margins-of-victory in this annual series were 3, 3 and 4. Even ‘Bama’s win during its undefeated 2009 campaign was still less than double-digits. Ever the BCS-anarchist, Vindy would love to see Bengals take out da’ Elephants. We don’t think that’s gonna’ happen, but maybe LSU’s balanced offense can keep Alabama long enough to make it entertaining. Yes, we acknowledge that whole 21-0 BCS title game win by ‘Bama over LSU after the 2011 season and Manziel hit the covering touchdown with the victory already in Tide’s pocket, but…Tide 27 LSU 19

#3 Florida State (-34) over WAKE FOREST: We won’t mention how many times we changed this pick. State needs to go pedal-to-metal here with ‘Noles and Ducks playing weekly leapfrog game in BCS standings to see who gets whacked by Alabama. Tribe did nice job stuffing Miami’s running game then cruised after Duke Johnson was lost for the season, and Stephen Morris couldn’t carry the ‘Canes alone. FSU is outscoring ACC opponents at about a 3-to-1 clip. Deacs allowing an average of less than a touchdown-against more than points-scored in conference play. It was a 35-30 FSU win the last time the two met in Winston-Salem, though FSU won’t likely turn it over five times in this one. Da’ Forest will remember last year’s 52-zippo defeat and were shutout at Syracuse in Week 10, but…FSU 48 Wake Forest 10

#4 Ohio State: IDLE (next @ Illinois)

#7 Auburn (-7) over TENNESSEE: We kinda’ understand the short line given the Vols’ close loss to Joja’ and home-win over Da’ Chicken Coop in Knoxville, but Tigers have been rolling since two-TD defeat in Baton Rouge. Auburn blames a prankster graduate-assistant or a network-employee watching “Wildcats” with Goldie Hawn for sending the wrong tape to Arkansas prior to last week’s Tigers-Razorbacks tilt. The Volunteers took no chances and found the necessary footage on YouTube and Netflix! It won’t be enough to prevent...War Eagle 31 Rocky Top 20

#8 Clemson: IDLE (next vs. Georgia Tech 11/14)

#9 Missouri (-14) over KENTUCKY: Tigers 34 KY 14

#11 TEXAS A&M (-20) over Mississippi State: Aggies 48 MSU 24

#13 South Carolina: IDLE (next vs. Florida)

Virginia Tech (+7) over #14 MIAMI: UPSET ALERT #1. The loss of RB Duke Johnson for the duration by Miami levels the playing-field and points will be at a premium for a pair of slogging offenses. First call is “under” 45. After that…”Canes 17 Hokies 14

#15 OKLAHOMA STATE (-31 ½) over Kansas: Okie State 52 Blue Birds 19

#16 Ucla (-1 ½) over ARIZONA: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. While missing the cover, Bruins did register an appropriate three-score victory over the Buffaloes last week following consecutive away losses at Oregon and Stanford. UCLA will have made adjustments based on those games. Both squads are trying to keep pace, each a game behind the Pitchforks, but ‘Cats have fattened-up recently on Colorado and Cal (beating the Bears by just 5 last week). AZ had won five straight years in this series until 66-10 win by UCLA in 2012. ‘Cats were belted by only ranked-opponent (Washington…31-13) so far…UCLA 35 AZ 27

WYOMING (+10) over #17 Fresno State: Cowboys were one of the few ‘dogs we quickly jumped on initially this week. Up 24-7 at the half, it looked like the rout was on in Fresno’s visit to San Diego State, but as feared, a second-half defensive lapse let the Aztecs cover. Cowpokes had an off-week to contemplate their own failure to stop the opponent after taking a 1st Quarter 16-0 lead, only to fall at San Josie. FSU West is now just 1-6 against the line facing I-A clubs, including 5-point victory earlier at Hawaii…Fresno 41 Wyoming 38

#18 Michigan State: IDLE (next @ Nebraska)

Houston (+10) over #19 CENTRAL FLORIDA: UCF 37 Cougars 31

Brigham Young (+7 ½) over #21 WISCONSIN: UPSET ALERT #2. A non-conference contest that will mean more to the Independent Coogs than to da’ Big Tenor Badgers. Wisky sucks in first of consecutive home games. Mormons would really like to have loss to Virginia back! We’ll favor an “under” here first. BYU finished within a touchdown of Ohio State and have been a reasonably-strong spread-team in the second half of the last three seasons. Varmints, currently 6-2, started out 2012 winning 6 of first 8, then lost three of last four (all in extra-frames!). We’ve already seen Michigan and Miami both narrowly-dodge upsets to lesser teams than BYU and if we were pickin’ an upset of da’ week, this would be it…UW 34 Brigham Young 31

#22 Northern Illinois: IDLE (next vs. Ball State 11/13)

#23 Arizona State (-6 ½) over UTAH: Sun Devils 37 Utes 27

#24 Notre Dame (-4 ½) over PITT: This nearly got the “lock” label. Ahead of last week’s contests, Pennsylvania banned the touching of pregnant bellies without first getting the okay to do so! Penn State disguised its ball-carriers as expectant mothers while hosting Illinois and won, but didn’t cover. The Panthers, who lost badly to the Bees out-of-state last Saturday, will need to pay someone at Auburn to send the wrong game-tape to Notre Dame this week! (And Temple’s gotta’ know Central Florida will be hip to that kinda’ trickeration long before kicking off its match in Philly with Da’ Owls two weeks from now!)…Irish 24 Pitt 9

Kansas State (+2 ½) over #25 TEXAS TECH: MINOR UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK…KSU 27 Raiders 24

BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS

Da’ whole box of ‘”chalk”…AGAIN????!!!....If yer scoring at home, we show faves in games featuring at least one Top 25 club winnin’ da’ spread-money 24 times in 33 tries (72.7%) across the last two weeks! The public is doin’ the happy dance! The ‘books and “sharps”?? Not so much! In all honesty…we struggled to identify ‘dogs we liked this week too!

Last month, NY Jets coach Rex Ryan considered having QB Geno Smith wear a wristband showing color-coded plays…red, yellow, green…for “conservative”, “cautious” and “aggressive”, respectfully. Vindy’s contemplating a similar bracelet for bettors making wagers with his picks!

With da’ World Serious and the Major League Beisbol season at an end, we simply wonder…”Bat-boys, bat-boys…whatcha’ gonna’ dowhatcha’ gonna’ do…when dey come fer you…Bat-boys???!!!”

The NBA opened its regular-season last week. During the Presidential Inauguration broadcast shortly after the New Year, George Stephanopoulos misidentified Bill Russell as Morgan Freeman. We always loved Bill in Shawshank Redemption, Seven and Batman!

With college hoops opening this week, we note President Obama challenged his Ohio State audience, last May, “to do better…dream bigger.”. Bold words to a Buckeyes team that lost in the Elite Eight to #9 Wichita State and… uh…oh wait!!!

Vindy takes a bow for actually having Louisville as national champion in his bracket, but fully acknowledges there was so much wrestling going on during scrums to grab rebounds in the title-game that referees were awarding points for take-downs, pins and reversals! In fact, “high-post” was apparently thought to be something related to players slamming each other’s heads into the turnbuckles! Come to think of it, tag-team rebounds was a category in the box-score!

Is it just Vindy or does anybody else out there look at “handicap” tags on the cars in front of them and wonder “just how many points is the driver getting anyway?!!!!”

Black Shirt: Is gift-wrapped and sent postage-free this week to Joja’ State QB Ronnie Bell for tossin’ a 20-yard scoring pass with under two minutes left to let the Panthers (+19 ½) finish with a 16-point loss and verify one of our “best bet” selections vs. Western Kentucky! Kudos to Jerry Kill…and his Mork-n-Minny Gophers for beating Indiana on the road as nearly-double-digit dogs, bringin’ a second “best bet” choice to fruition!

“Locked in a Box?”: Maybe it oughta’ be Lox of Da’ Week….’cause Vindy’s selection of Wazzou (+11) over Arizona State got schmeered!!! And our most-preferred choice among Top 25 games is now floundering on 0-6-1 death spiral (3-6-1, .333 season)

Shoppe Talk: We’re mounting Wolverines on the wall of Ye Olde Taxidermy Shoppe this week with Big Blew at 2-5, but on 0-5 slide! We’re walkin’ the dogs off short-piers as Fresno State and Northern Illinois come in at 0-4 each!

Vindy’s Week 11 Best Bets: Last Week: 5-5 Season: 31-19-1 (.620…though just 10-8-1 last 3 weeks)
Vanderbilt +10 over FLORIDA, Texas -6 ½ over WEST VIRGINIA, EAST CAROLINA -16 ½ over Tulsa, Southern Methodist +9 over CINCINNATI (and currently OFF, but if it comes back on da’ board… NORTH TEXAS -7 over Texas-El Paso)