PICKS AT CENTER OF PLANE MISHAP
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (UPI)....For the second week in a row the Vegas Vindicator inadvertently had his hand in riling up both the FAA and the Air National Guard. Amidst speculation that the pilots who flew Northwest Flight 188 approximately 150 miles past its intended destination here were catching some Z’s or in some animated discussion about some airline policy issue, it was revealed by the cockpit voice recorder that the captain and first officer were actually in a long-winded exchange about Vindy’s Week Eight picks while viewing the forecaster’s blog site on their respective laptop computers. In particular, the pair was heard debating whether or not taking the Michigan Wolverines plus 4 ½ points over the Nifty Lions constituted disloyalty to the alma mater by the notorious oracle or was simply an unemotional, calculated guess based on historical trends. A jittery air-traffic control center, after losing communications with the craft, scrambled National Guard fighter planes, as the Northwest airbus continued eastbound across state lines. Shortly after Flight 188 realized its boo-boo somewhere over the Badger State and re-established contact, the crew was asked to prove they had control by identifying Vindy’s Week Eight “lock” selection and the three teams currently inhabiting the Taxidermy Shoppe. FAA personnel declared the crisis was over upon receiving the transmission that correctly noted SMU as the lock of da’ week and Texas, Miami and Texas Tech as the leading contenders for post-season dishonors.
It was “hang ‘em and bang ‘em” time for Vindicator this past Saturday as the linesmakers dropped 15 of the 22 spreads into Vindy’s wheelhouse (85-62, .578) in Week Eight.
“We have reached our cruising altitude of 35, 000 feet and the captain has turned off the no-betting sign. You are now free to place your wagers with our flight attendants after reading....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 9 FORECAST
THURS. OCT. 29
#14 VIRGINIA TECH over North Carolina giving 16 1/2: Vindy actually watched the Tarheels tank an 18-point advantage at home vs. shaky Florida State team and lose 30-27. Hokies are rested and won’t allow the UNC rushing game that managed about 6 yards per carry vs. the Injuns to move nearly that well. Tech is on 15-4 SU run on Thursdays, so it’s just a matter of covering the line. We say yes, they can...Va Tech 31 Carolina 14
FRI. OCT. 30
#20 West Virginia over SOUTH FLORIDA giving 3: This got a look for lock. The only reasons to back da’ Bulls here are 1) Mounties are on 1-4 ATS slide, 3-8 against the number in last 11 games overall back to 2008 and 8-13-2 ATS vs. other Big Least teams the past three-plus seasons. ‘Eers did, however, rally to beat a very inspired UConn team last week. Bulls only straight-up conference win to-date was at Syracuse. South Florida’s only shot is duplicate the blitz that kept WVU off-balance last week and hope for turnovers...West-By Golly-Virginia 27 USF 13
SAT. OCT. 31
#1 Florida over Georgia (@ Jacksonville) giving 15: ‘Dawgs have covered two of last three ex-World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Parties, actually winning 42-30 in 2007. But the starting Joja’ backfield who helped pulled that off now plays on Sundays. Georgia defense this year doesn’t quite stack up vs. those of LSU, Arkansas and Mississippi State...Gators’ last three opponents. UGA’s just 2-5 ATS, got pummeled at Tennessee and we could see Gators offense breaking out a bit here....Florida 34 Bulldogs 13
#2 Alabama: IDLE (next vs. LSU)
#3 Texas over #13 OKLAHOMA STATE giving 9: ‘Horns have gone 2-1-1 ATS the last four games after failing to beat the line three straight weeks to open the year. Cowpokes’ best win came over Georgia to open their year, but State is still just 4-7-1 ATS in last dozen vs. ranked clubs and while the D flexed some muscle vs. Mizzou and Baylor, stopping Texas is something else entirely. The good news, OKSU played the Steers to a mere 28-24 loss in Austin last season and is 23-14-2 ATS vs. other Big 12 squads. The downside?...Rice’s only spread win this season came at Stillwater...Texas 31 OKSU 20
#10 OREGON over #4 Southern Cal taking 3 1/2: MINOR UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK. Okay, Vindy’s seeing a professional about that little voice in his head that was screaming about an upset by UDUB over the Ducks last week. Perhaps the pair of 4th Quarter touchdowns the Beavers scored to grab the cover vs. Troy were meaningless given the two scores USC posted in a buck-thirty-eight span between the 3rd and 4th Quarters before that. Nonetheless, Trojans only allowed 9 ppg last season, but currently yield 16 ½ to-date and better than 30 the last two games. Quack Attack is 24-5 SU in last 29 on Da’ Pond...Mallards 34 USC 27
#5 Cincinnati over SYRACUSE giving 14 1/2: Curious line. Zach Collaros threw for three scores and more yardage than we expected backing-up injured starter Tony Pike last week for the Bearkats. ‘Cuse drew just third role in as many seasons as chalk...and covered it in nice two-touchdown win over Akron last week. Orange is 4-2 ATS on the year, but Cincy’s last three margins of victory (with two road games) were 24, 17 and 31. UC has poor history laying points on the Big East road, but...’Kats 37 Syracuse 16
#6 BOISE STATE over San Jose State giving 35: Having fallen behind TCU in the BCS standings and having continued to press the attack late in the 4th Quarter at Hawaii, already up 47-2, we expect the Broncos (5-1 ATS) to lower the boom again on the Spartans, who are suffering thru a 1-4 SU/ATS slide, with the only outright victory coming by 10 points over I-AA Cal Poly...Boise 51 SJSU 6
Indiana over #7 IOWA taking 17: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Oh haillllllllllllll no. We had money on Indy even before we learned Iowa has lost its starting RB, maybe for the year. Hoosiers 40-point defeat debauchery at Virginia was an anomaly, though they did lose by 19 at home to the Buckeyes. Hawkeyes won 45-9 last year in Bloomington, but this Indy squad has been competitive in nearly every game of 2009. Hoosiers 3-1 ATS as a road dog this year ...Iowa 23 Indiana 13
#8 TCU over Nevada-Las Vegas giving 35: Toads aren’t gonna’ look ahead to San Diego State and after knocking off BYU last year, crushed Wyoming 54-7. TCU called off the dogs vs. the Mormons with 12 minutes left to play and has given up only 13 total points over its past two games. Unless the Frogs send in New Mexico to play the second half...TCU 45 University of Not Landing another Victory 6
Tulane over #9 LSU taking 36: Who were those guys in the LSU unis last weekend and what did they do with the Bengals’ offense???!!! Tigers D is giving up less than two scores per game and could throw the no-no here. Tulane lost by 37 at Southern Miss. This game won’t help State’s cause in the eyes of the BCS and with trip to ‘Bama up next, we’ll just call it...LSU 31 Green Waifs 0
#11 Georgia Tech over VANDERBILT giving 11 1/2: First double-digit spread this year for the Ramblin’ Wreck. Bees are 2-5-2 when favored by DD the past 3seasons. ‘Dores lost at home to Joja’ by 24, 16 to Ole Miss and an even dozen to Mississippi State...all spread losses. Asked about Vanderbilt’s chances on Saturday, former president George W. Bush replied, “Vanderbilt? He’s the one with the thunderbolt scar and was pretty good at that Harry Potter ‘Cribbage’ thing, right?”...’Jackets 27 Admirals 9
#12 Penn State over NORTHWESTERN giving 15: To their credit, Wildcats own a victory over Purdue, who nearly beat Oregon and recently ambushed Ohio State. Lions seem to have gotten their sea legs though and have reeled off three consecutive spread wins, barely exerting themselves in laugher over mistake-prone Wolverines. This past Spring, marijuana was found in an apartment rented by four PSU players. Nice to know there’s still some “hitting” going on in State College during the off-season!...Lions 30 NW 10
Southern Miss over #15 HOUSTON taking 6 1/2: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK. During the off-season, Coach Fedora ended the suspension of Senior RB Damion Fletcher, who has run for over 1000 yards in each of his three previous years, and at 85 ypg, could complete the sweep given there are four games are still on the schedule. Could be preview of the conference championship with the Eagles in a three-way tie atop C-USA East, while the Coogs are in a four-way logjam for the West Division lead. USM is probably the best defense Houston has faced outside of Mississippi State. Eagles are 3-4 against the number, while Houston stands tall at 4-1-1...SoMiss 29 Houston 27
#16 Pittsburgh: IDLE (next vs. Syracuse)
New Mexico State over #17 OHIO STATE over taking 44: How did the Buckeyes get a game like this scheduled this time of the year???!!! Aggies are 8-16 ATS as road dogs the past 4 ½ seasons and lost by 38 at Weeziana Tech. State’s 3-2 ATS last 5 years vs. ranked teams and hasn’t seen a handicap this big in over a decade. OSU can name its own score here, but will it?...Buckeyes 49 NMSU 7
#18 Miami over WAKE FOREST giving 7: ‘Canes QB Jacory Harris had a lousy game vs. Clemson (three INT), which means he’ll likely have a stellar afternoon here. Wake just 2-3 outright and 1-3-1 ATS in previous five games of the season. Deacs, who need two wins to become bowl-eligible (and still have FSU and Duke on the slate), played in seven games last year decided by 7 or less...and five such games already to-date. Wonder if they get SpongeBob on the telly in Winston-Salem (hmmmm...SpongeJim-Bob???)...Pelicans 24 The Forest 7
Wyoming over #19 UTAH taking 17: Not a bad line considering Wyoming beat UNLV by 3 and the Utes defeated the Rebels by 20, but again, Utah prefers low-scoring, defensive matches and may not even put 17 on the board. Cowboys are better than advertised and have four victories this year. Cowpokes entered 2009 just 6-25-1 ATS facing other Mountain Best teams the past four years, but are 3-0 thus far this season. Road wins later vs. San Diego State and Colorado State could get them to the post-season. Utah has yielded no less than 14 to every opponent ... Utah 28 Wyoming 16
#21 South Carolina over TENNESSEE taking 6: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK #2. Two great defenses go head-to-head here. Vols have to feel snake-bitten after allowing not one, but two potential game-winning field goals to be blocked vs. Alabama. Seven of the last nine between these two have been decided by 8 or less, though Gamehens ran away with a 27-6 victory last year in Columbia. Poultry is 4-0 ATS getting points this year, winning three of ‘em outright...KFC 16 Rocky Toppled 13
Kansas State over #22 OKLAHOMA taking 28: Sooners picked-off Todd Reesing three times last week, including an early 2nd Quarter, 85-yard return for score on what could’ve been the go-ahead touchdown for Kansas. Sooners preseason Heisman Trophy candidate QB is gone for the duration. K-State on 4-1 SU/3-1 spread run and Oklahoma visits the Children of the Corn next...OK 29 KSU 13
#23 Arizona: IDLE (next vs. Washington State)
#24 Mississippi over AUBURN giving 3 ½: Only a meaningless touchdown with :03 left kept the final score from being uglier in Auburn’s loss to LSU last week. Ole Miss won 17-7 last season in Oxford and though historically a dismal away-fave, has covered two of three in that role in 2009. Rebels allow about 20 points-against in conference play, while Aubie has been hit for 28 ppg. Just can’t find a compelling reason to back the Warhawks, who’ve gone 0-3 SU and ATS since appearing in the Top 25...Ole Miss 24 Auburn 12
Washington State over #25 Notre Dame taking 28 (@ San Antonio): Wazzou lost by 18 to Hawaii earlier at “neutral” site of Seattle, but lost by just 21at USC. Coogs on 4-1 ATS run, but have averaged just about 11 ppg in last four games. On the other hand, Irish have been banged for 21 or more by all but two opponents (including BC, who posted just 16 last week). It’s a Halloween game, so in honor of the associated candy barrage, we have a little more fun with the Leprechaun mantra and quip...”Wake Up the Neccos”...Catholics 34 WSU 13
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
Utah senator Orrin Hatch is pushing for an anti-trust suit again vs. the BCS. Back in May, Rep. Joe Barton of Texas likened da’ BCS to Communism...Forget about “Win one for the Gipper!” We’re talkin’...Iron Curtain Bowl...and... ”Tackle a Commie for Mommie?!”
Elsewhere in the Beehive State, munitions personnel detonated a 500-pound bomb that was jettisoned last Saturday as a pilot struggled to control a troubled F-16 in the skies near Salt Lake City. Da’ Utes meanwhile, needed extra frames to quash a threat from Air Force. No harm done, but scary moments in both cases. Coincidence? You decide.
A June ish of ESPN: Da’ Mag noted the Los Angeles Angels tried again to draft Washington Huskies QB Jake Locker as a centerfielder. Ironically, through the month of May, the Halos had more hits than UDUB did all last season (though still fewer than Michael Phelps at the now-infamous off-campus party!)
Steve Spurrier told the SEC that ‘Bama used tape during points-after and field goal tries during their game two weeks ago. Yep...that’s #347 in 1001 Uses for Duct Tape...spotting footballs on placekicks! (Or maybe it was videotape! But who’d wanna’ steady a pigskin on a VHS cassette???!!)
In honor of the anticipated outcome of the Decoys-Trojans game, Vindy’s Bet & Breakfast will feature an appetizer of tiny octopi flown in daily from the Port of Los Angeles. A little treat we’ll call...Southern Calamari!
Sports Illustrated recently noted Tobin Bell of the “Saw” horror movie series also coaches his son’s baseball team. Nice. We can hear it now...”Hello, Vindy. I want to play a baseball game.”, “Some players are just so ungrateful to be alive.” and “Game over.”
Last May, the World Series-bound Phillies remembered former broadcaster and smoker Harry Kalas by having a team-smoke before the first game following his death. Ricky Williams and Michael Phelps enquired about the event, but were not invited to partake.
The May 7, 2009 edition of the Las Vegas Review-Journal “Leftovers” column compared Charles Barkley’s love for doughnuts to “studying to be a cop”. We can see it now...Shaq and the Round Mound of Rebound starring together in “Barkley & Hutch”!
Black Shirt: Half a tee each to Mississippi State DB Jonathan Banks for two INT for touchdowns vs. Florida and Hawkeyes QB Ricky Stanzi for the 7-yard scoring with zilch on the clock to pull out the win at Michigan State!
“Locked in a Box?”: Turnovers doomed the SMU Ponies and the lock record drops to 4-4 (.500).
Shoppe Talk: The Steers get a weekend pass, but the Tropical Depressions of Miami hold down the fort after the OT loss to Clemson puts ‘em at 1-5. Fortunately, the Red Raiders fall from the rankings after being blown-out by the Aggies, but not before branding Weber again at 0-2-1 (season; 2-12-1 since start of ‘08). We extend an engraved invitation to the Bungles of LSU for their current 2-5 forecast record.
Vindy’s Week 9 Best Bets: Last Week: 4-1 Season: 17-17 (.500)
Purdue +7 ½ over WISCONSIN, UTEP -8 over Alabama-Birmingham, IDAHO -2 ½ over Weeeziana Tech, Weeziana-Monroe +16 ½ over TROY
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 8-2009 The Sequel
Air Force over #19 UTAH taking 9 ½: Now that the UNLV game is over, we expect Utes’ offense to return to its prior plodding, pedestrian status. Both should play to their strengths...running and defense, which will again favor quick, low-scoring game. Pilots haven’t lost by more than 7...Utah 20 Flyboys 17
#20 PITT over South Florida giving 6 ½: Bulls played head-to-head with Cincinnati for 45 minutes last week before fading and are on 3-0 run as road dogs. Both clubs average points in low 30's, but Panthers have achieved that against a stronger schedule and South Florida’s win over Florida State means less each week. USF needs a win to stay in the Big East race. Not happenin’... Panthers 27 USF 17
#21TEXAS TECH over Texas A&M giving 22: Tech continues to throw for sick numbers and is 4-1-1 against the line, and just a single game off the pace in the potent Big 12 South. Aggies lost by 5 to Oklahoma State then allowed Kansas State to gig ‘em for 62 a week later! Tech and A&M have no receiving studs, but each has a go-to guy. Just kill Vindy now and surgically-remove the gun barrels from his...uh...eardrums!...Raiders 48 Aggies 21
Connecticut over #22 WEST VIRGINIA taking 7: Another potential upset. Huskies tragically lost their starting cornerback in a stabbing incident just a day after beating Louisville. We’ve cashed a couple tickets courtesy of UConn in the “best bet” mode and the Huskies have covered both “revenge” games this season. Mounties just 8-12-2 ATS facing other Big East squads. Connecticut is 4-2 SU/5-0 ATS...WVU 21 UConn 17
Vanderbilt over #23 SOUTH CAROLINA taking 12 1/2: Admirals are on 18-5 spread run as road dogs and the Fightin’ Chickens have beaten only Fun Belt’s Florida Atlantic and I-AA SC State by more than a dozen...KFC 20 Vandy 13
#25 Oklahoma over #24 KANSAS giving 7 ½: Jayhawks own the country’s #2 total offense at better than 500 yards per game, but had no running attack at Colorado (-8 yards). Kansas on 16-9 ATS run against rest of the Big 12, but just 1-3 vs. Oklahoma. While the Birds have gone 25-7 SU the last 3+ seasons, five of the seven defeats came against ranked teams. They’re also 27-4 SU at home, but lost badly last year to Texas and Texas Tech. Bradford’s out against for OK, so we’ll put it on the Sooners defense...Oklahoma 24 Kansas 14
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
BTW, the Vindicator spent most of his unexpected adventure ride unconscious after whacking his head on the hard internal structure of the balloon upon entry and said he dreamt that the vessel landed on a Pacific atoll, where he met Herve Villechaize and Ricardo Montalban, who greeted our hero with, “My dear guest. I am Mr. Roarke,...your host. Welcome....to Fantasy Football Island!” Weber also said he planned to take flight again farther east and pen a novel entitled “Around the Big Ten in Eighty Days!”
This inaugural BCS rankings came out earlier this week. The Gators, Crimson Tide and Longhorns grabbed 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively, while President Barack Obama tied Boise State at the #4 spot!
Joja’ DB Vance Cuff got a trip to the local police station for driving a scooter without a license. A scooter without a license? Did the police pat him down and find a handful of jacks in his pocket as well as a used piece of chalk used to draw an illegal hopscotch grid not far from where he was busted? Nice to see Athens’ finest devoting their efforts to the really important criminal element!
Kim Kardashian reportedly parted ways with Reggie Bush last July, but the duo are rumored to be back together. Guess the RB is finally OK with Kim trying to “pick up” the blitzing linebacker!
The folks at Pepsi are getting heat for advertising an app that helps nerds score by providing them with pick-up lines. Vindy don’t need no stinkin’ soda and does just fine with these gems....”Hey baby... ever placed your bets between the hashmarks” and “I’ll show ya my spread if ya show me yours!”
This week’s menu special at Vindy’s Bet & Breakfast...“The Scripted Play”...the customer gets whatever’s next on a sequenced list of 15 pre-determined meals for that day taped to the cook’s wrist!
Black Shirt: Goes to Utah defensive tackle Christian Cox, who fumbled his own interception of Omar Clayton to teammate safety Robert Johnson, who went 64 yards the other way for a momentum-changing touchdown that helped the Utes bring home Vindy’s lock of da’ week pick.
“Locked in a Box?”: The Utes found enough offense vs. the hometown Rubbles to lift the lock record to 4-3 (.560).
Shoppe Talk: Texas (1-5) and Miami (1-4) return...and are joined by...(GASP!) Texas Tech (0-2-1, 2-11-1 since start of ‘08)!
Vindy’s Week 8 Best Bets: Last Week: 1-3 Season: 13-16 (.448)
Central Michigan -8 over BOWLING GREEN, Indiana +6 over NORTHWESTERN, SOUTHERN MISS -21 over Tulane, Central Florida -10 over RICE, Colorado +4 ½ over KANSAS STATE
#20 PITT over South Florida giving 6 ½: Bulls played head-to-head with Cincinnati for 45 minutes last week before fading and are on 3-0 run as road dogs. Both clubs average points in low 30's, but Panthers have achieved that against a stronger schedule and South Florida’s win over Florida State means less each week. USF needs a win to stay in the Big East race. Not happenin’... Panthers 27 USF 17
#21TEXAS TECH over Texas A&M giving 22: Tech continues to throw for sick numbers and is 4-1-1 against the line, and just a single game off the pace in the potent Big 12 South. Aggies lost by 5 to Oklahoma State then allowed Kansas State to gig ‘em for 62 a week later! Tech and A&M have no receiving studs, but each has a go-to guy. Just kill Vindy now and surgically-remove the gun barrels from his...uh...eardrums!...Raiders 48 Aggies 21
Connecticut over #22 WEST VIRGINIA taking 7: Another potential upset. Huskies tragically lost their starting cornerback in a stabbing incident just a day after beating Louisville. We’ve cashed a couple tickets courtesy of UConn in the “best bet” mode and the Huskies have covered both “revenge” games this season. Mounties just 8-12-2 ATS facing other Big East squads. Connecticut is 4-2 SU/5-0 ATS...WVU 21 UConn 17
Vanderbilt over #23 SOUTH CAROLINA taking 12 1/2: Admirals are on 18-5 spread run as road dogs and the Fightin’ Chickens have beaten only Fun Belt’s Florida Atlantic and I-AA SC State by more than a dozen...KFC 20 Vandy 13
#25 Oklahoma over #24 KANSAS giving 7 ½: Jayhawks own the country’s #2 total offense at better than 500 yards per game, but had no running attack at Colorado (-8 yards). Kansas on 16-9 ATS run against rest of the Big 12, but just 1-3 vs. Oklahoma. While the Birds have gone 25-7 SU the last 3+ seasons, five of the seven defeats came against ranked teams. They’re also 27-4 SU at home, but lost badly last year to Texas and Texas Tech. Bradford’s out against for OK, so we’ll put it on the Sooners defense...Oklahoma 24 Kansas 14
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
BTW, the Vindicator spent most of his unexpected adventure ride unconscious after whacking his head on the hard internal structure of the balloon upon entry and said he dreamt that the vessel landed on a Pacific atoll, where he met Herve Villechaize and Ricardo Montalban, who greeted our hero with, “My dear guest. I am Mr. Roarke,...your host. Welcome....to Fantasy Football Island!” Weber also said he planned to take flight again farther east and pen a novel entitled “Around the Big Ten in Eighty Days!”
This inaugural BCS rankings came out earlier this week. The Gators, Crimson Tide and Longhorns grabbed 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively, while President Barack Obama tied Boise State at the #4 spot!
Joja’ DB Vance Cuff got a trip to the local police station for driving a scooter without a license. A scooter without a license? Did the police pat him down and find a handful of jacks in his pocket as well as a used piece of chalk used to draw an illegal hopscotch grid not far from where he was busted? Nice to see Athens’ finest devoting their efforts to the really important criminal element!
Kim Kardashian reportedly parted ways with Reggie Bush last July, but the duo are rumored to be back together. Guess the RB is finally OK with Kim trying to “pick up” the blitzing linebacker!
The folks at Pepsi are getting heat for advertising an app that helps nerds score by providing them with pick-up lines. Vindy don’t need no stinkin’ soda and does just fine with these gems....”Hey baby... ever placed your bets between the hashmarks” and “I’ll show ya my spread if ya show me yours!”
This week’s menu special at Vindy’s Bet & Breakfast...“The Scripted Play”...the customer gets whatever’s next on a sequenced list of 15 pre-determined meals for that day taped to the cook’s wrist!
Black Shirt: Goes to Utah defensive tackle Christian Cox, who fumbled his own interception of Omar Clayton to teammate safety Robert Johnson, who went 64 yards the other way for a momentum-changing touchdown that helped the Utes bring home Vindy’s lock of da’ week pick.
“Locked in a Box?”: The Utes found enough offense vs. the hometown Rubbles to lift the lock record to 4-3 (.560).
Shoppe Talk: Texas (1-5) and Miami (1-4) return...and are joined by...(GASP!) Texas Tech (0-2-1, 2-11-1 since start of ‘08)!
Vindy’s Week 8 Best Bets: Last Week: 1-3 Season: 13-16 (.448)
Central Michigan -8 over BOWLING GREEN, Indiana +6 over NORTHWESTERN, SOUTHERN MISS -21 over Tulane, Central Florida -10 over RICE, Colorado +4 ½ over KANSAS STATE
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 8-2009 Part I
CHARGES DROPPED IN “BALLOON-BOY” INCIDENT
FT. COLLINS, Colorado (BBC)....Local authorities elected not to take legal action after it was determined a pre-planned hoax became a real-deal rescue mission when an act of desperation led the Vegas Vindicator to leap inside a runaway home-made balloon from atop a moving commuter train in an effort to regain a winning betting ticket, which had been wind-swept from the forecaster’s hand into the balloon itself as the low-flying craft rushed past him on its wayward journey. Media cameras actually captured the two-hour trek live, including footage of the Weber Kid precariously boarding the inflatable vessel from the roof of a railcar after hip-checking several passengers and overpowering multiple train security personnel along the way. Vindy hurled a couple times during post-rescue interviews upon learning a tank platoon from the 5th Armor Brigade at nearby Ft. Carson, unaware of the full situation, had been put on alert and raised its gun tubes skyward in the air defense mode with orders to shoot down the UFO-like craft had it made any threatening gestures. The balloon, however, simply deflated on its own and landed gently on the playing field at Mile High Stadium, along with a pair of National Guard choppers, which had been tailing the craft, briefly interrupting a Denver Broncos practice session.
Vindy continues to stay above the waterline, going 10-8 (70-55, .560) last week after hitting the Wednesday nighter and beating the Thursday night curse as well, before splitting the16 Saturday tilts. While his mum and dad face some potential grey-bar hotel time, da’ Balloon Boy himself will just hang out in the family garage with a copy of...
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 8 FORECAST
Tennessee over #1 ALABAMA taking 15: Vols kept a pre-injury Tebow and his Gator O to just 23 points. We think they’ll keep an eye on Tide RB Mark Ingram, who took multiple direct snaps from ‘Bama’s version of the Wildcat vs. Carolina. Tide let the Poultry cover with just a pair of second quarter field goals. UT’s on a run of 16-10-2 ATS vs. the rest of the SEC...Bama 21 Tennessee 10
MISSISSIPPI STATE over #2 Florida taking 23: MSU got a look for lock. While we certainly expect Tim Tila Tequila to get better each week he’s removed from injury, we just can’t lay this many until UF can put it on the scoreboard and prevent the opponent from scoring. Bulldogs took LSU to the wire and hung in vs. prolific Houston offense. Last chance prior to the conference title match for the Gators to absorb their annual SU loss to an SEC West team...Crocs 24 MSU 9
#3 Texas over MISSOURI giving 16 ½: Not surprising the ‘Horns could manage only 13 against Oklahoma’s defense. What is surprising is that they couldn’t take more advantage of five Sooners turnovers and cover mere 3 ½ point spread. Texas didn’t letdown after Red River Rivalry last year, belting Mizzou 56-31...Steers 38 Tigers 17
Oregon State over #4 USC taking 21: Trojans are still struggling to cover vs. conference foes and will face a healthy dose of Beavers’ Rodgers brothers. The meltdown that saw Troy nearly completely squander a 20-point 4th Quarter lead at South Bend can’t be put entirely on young QB Barkley. State has knocked off USC outright in two of the last three seasons...USC 28 OSU 20
#5 CINCINNATI over Louisville giving 17 ½: Even if starting QB Tony Pike can’t go (surgery on his non-throwing arm this week), back-up QB (and redshirt freshman) Collaros brings an extra dimension to the Bearkats backfield after rushing for 132 yards on 10 carries vs. South Florida. It’s Homecoming for Cincy, who got a couple extra days to prepare off the Thursday night game. Cards had beaten UC five straight years before losing 28-20 last season...Cincinnati 41 Da’ Ville 14
#6 Boise State over HAWAII giving 25: ‘Bows accounted for one of UNLV’s two straight up victories and are only 6-7 ATS on the Island the past 2+ years. Every Hawaii opponent has hit the board for at least 20 points. Broncos aren’t invincible, having to rally twice at Tulsa last week, but...Boise 54 Aloha 24
#7 Iowa over MICHIGAN STATE giving 1: We thought about locking Iowa too. What do the Hawkeyes have to do to get a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T?? OK, they’re unimpressive 4-10 ATS as chalk and like to play from behind. Spartans come in having won three straight matches this season, but even if Iowa let’s State hang around too long...Iowa 21 MSU 18
#8 MIAMI over Clemson giving 5: ‘Canes are scoring 29 ppg and have covered two of three ACC games to-date. Which Tigers team shows up this week? The 24-21 losers to Maryland or last week’s 38-3 victors over Wake Forest? Clemson will need a big day from CJ Spiller. QB Jacory Harris has convinced his teammates to forgo watching ESPN and network news stations in favor of only SpongeBob Squarepants for feedback on how good the team is. Frankly, Vindy takes his self-esteem cues from that “Timmy” kid (“Timaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy!”)on South Park....Squidward Tentacles 30 Clemson 23
Auburn over #9 LSU taking 8: Uggghhhhh. Bengals off a bye week, but have one cover in four SEC games. Tigers went unscathed thru their first five tilts, but have lost back-to-back games since then. Aubie won four of its first five in 2008, then just once more in its last seven on the year. Warhawks are scoring about 35 per game, while the Bengals give up less than 15. It’s Auburn’s passing offense vs. State’s pass D. Bengals are just one game behind Bama...LSU 20 Auburn 14
#10 Texas Christian over #16 BYU giving 2 ½: Mountain Best’s top two offensive teams square off, but the Toads run better and defend better. More at stake here for road-warrior Froggies, who’ve won 19 of last 27 away games (3-0 this year). Coogs last home loss, before debacle vs. Florida State in mid-September, was November of 2005 vs. Utah...TCU 16 BYU 13
#11 Georgia Tech over VIRGINIA giving 4: No faith in this call. Bees overcame flags, lofty passes from their QB (Queen Bee?) and horrible kick coverage to beat Virginia Tech last week. Nesbitt completed just one throw vs. the Hokies, but it went to WR Thomas for 51 yards. Cavs defend the run at about 131 ypg, with only 6 rushing scores allowed. Both teams on 4-0 ATS runs. Virginia’s won three straight games, yielding 19 total points, following two outright defeats to open the year....Joja’ Tech 23 Virginia 16
WASHINGTON over #12 Oregon taking 8 1/2: Mallards have six covers in last seven opportunities following the off week, but traditionally-bad home-dog Washington has three straight SU victories in Seattle after opening game loss to LSU. Both quarterbacks throw for about 128 yards per game, but UDUB’s Locker has twice as many attempts, 1000 more yards and 5 more passing touchdowns than Decoys’ Masoli. Little voice in Vindy’s head is yellin’ “upset”. We’ll just grab the points...Drakes 28 Sled Dogs 24
MICHIGAN over #13 Penn State taking 4 1/2: Lions pulled off a goal-line stand to keep the Gophers off the board then scored a touchdown with 1:41 left to get their first home cover last week. State avenged three close losses to Big Blue by blowing them out in Happy Valley in ‘08. We expect more 4th Quarter heroics from the Wolverines, maybe even an upset. Lions have held five of seven opponents to single digits...PSU 12 Michigan 9
#14 Oklahoma State over BAYLOR giving 9 ½: Cowpokes scoring 38 ppg, but still aren’t as potent as expected in the preseason and were held to four field goals and one touchdown after the 8:21 mark of the second quarter against Mizzou. Bears lousy 3-11 ATS last four years as home dogs. More of a vote vs. Griffin-less Baylor than for Oklahoma State...OKSU 31 Baylor 17
#15 Virginia Tech : IDLE (next vs. North Carolina 10/29)
Southern Methodist over #17 HOUSTON taking 17: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Ponies have come to play in their second year under June Jones, who turned a winless Hawaii team into a regular post-season contender, and have already won two more games than they had all of 2008. Both sides like to throw, neither defense is outstanding. Lotsa’ points. Mustangs have four covers in five games on the season, including OT loss to Navy last week... Cougars 44 SMU 40
Minnesota over #18 OHIO STATE taking 18: Are we seeing the sophomore slump from Buckeyes QB Terrell Pryor? State had five turnovers last week, three from Pryor, in loss at Purdue. Buckeyes have been on the edge vs. their decent opposition. Gophers won’t be shutout for a second straight week and beat Purdue two weeks ago by 15...Buckeyes 28 Gerbils 16
Tune in tomorrow for da' rest of da' picks and the occasionally-entertaining Between the Hashmarks!
FT. COLLINS, Colorado (BBC)....Local authorities elected not to take legal action after it was determined a pre-planned hoax became a real-deal rescue mission when an act of desperation led the Vegas Vindicator to leap inside a runaway home-made balloon from atop a moving commuter train in an effort to regain a winning betting ticket, which had been wind-swept from the forecaster’s hand into the balloon itself as the low-flying craft rushed past him on its wayward journey. Media cameras actually captured the two-hour trek live, including footage of the Weber Kid precariously boarding the inflatable vessel from the roof of a railcar after hip-checking several passengers and overpowering multiple train security personnel along the way. Vindy hurled a couple times during post-rescue interviews upon learning a tank platoon from the 5th Armor Brigade at nearby Ft. Carson, unaware of the full situation, had been put on alert and raised its gun tubes skyward in the air defense mode with orders to shoot down the UFO-like craft had it made any threatening gestures. The balloon, however, simply deflated on its own and landed gently on the playing field at Mile High Stadium, along with a pair of National Guard choppers, which had been tailing the craft, briefly interrupting a Denver Broncos practice session.
Vindy continues to stay above the waterline, going 10-8 (70-55, .560) last week after hitting the Wednesday nighter and beating the Thursday night curse as well, before splitting the16 Saturday tilts. While his mum and dad face some potential grey-bar hotel time, da’ Balloon Boy himself will just hang out in the family garage with a copy of...
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 8 FORECAST
Tennessee over #1 ALABAMA taking 15: Vols kept a pre-injury Tebow and his Gator O to just 23 points. We think they’ll keep an eye on Tide RB Mark Ingram, who took multiple direct snaps from ‘Bama’s version of the Wildcat vs. Carolina. Tide let the Poultry cover with just a pair of second quarter field goals. UT’s on a run of 16-10-2 ATS vs. the rest of the SEC...Bama 21 Tennessee 10
MISSISSIPPI STATE over #2 Florida taking 23: MSU got a look for lock. While we certainly expect Tim Tila Tequila to get better each week he’s removed from injury, we just can’t lay this many until UF can put it on the scoreboard and prevent the opponent from scoring. Bulldogs took LSU to the wire and hung in vs. prolific Houston offense. Last chance prior to the conference title match for the Gators to absorb their annual SU loss to an SEC West team...Crocs 24 MSU 9
#3 Texas over MISSOURI giving 16 ½: Not surprising the ‘Horns could manage only 13 against Oklahoma’s defense. What is surprising is that they couldn’t take more advantage of five Sooners turnovers and cover mere 3 ½ point spread. Texas didn’t letdown after Red River Rivalry last year, belting Mizzou 56-31...Steers 38 Tigers 17
Oregon State over #4 USC taking 21: Trojans are still struggling to cover vs. conference foes and will face a healthy dose of Beavers’ Rodgers brothers. The meltdown that saw Troy nearly completely squander a 20-point 4th Quarter lead at South Bend can’t be put entirely on young QB Barkley. State has knocked off USC outright in two of the last three seasons...USC 28 OSU 20
#5 CINCINNATI over Louisville giving 17 ½: Even if starting QB Tony Pike can’t go (surgery on his non-throwing arm this week), back-up QB (and redshirt freshman) Collaros brings an extra dimension to the Bearkats backfield after rushing for 132 yards on 10 carries vs. South Florida. It’s Homecoming for Cincy, who got a couple extra days to prepare off the Thursday night game. Cards had beaten UC five straight years before losing 28-20 last season...Cincinnati 41 Da’ Ville 14
#6 Boise State over HAWAII giving 25: ‘Bows accounted for one of UNLV’s two straight up victories and are only 6-7 ATS on the Island the past 2+ years. Every Hawaii opponent has hit the board for at least 20 points. Broncos aren’t invincible, having to rally twice at Tulsa last week, but...Boise 54 Aloha 24
#7 Iowa over MICHIGAN STATE giving 1: We thought about locking Iowa too. What do the Hawkeyes have to do to get a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T?? OK, they’re unimpressive 4-10 ATS as chalk and like to play from behind. Spartans come in having won three straight matches this season, but even if Iowa let’s State hang around too long...Iowa 21 MSU 18
#8 MIAMI over Clemson giving 5: ‘Canes are scoring 29 ppg and have covered two of three ACC games to-date. Which Tigers team shows up this week? The 24-21 losers to Maryland or last week’s 38-3 victors over Wake Forest? Clemson will need a big day from CJ Spiller. QB Jacory Harris has convinced his teammates to forgo watching ESPN and network news stations in favor of only SpongeBob Squarepants for feedback on how good the team is. Frankly, Vindy takes his self-esteem cues from that “Timmy” kid (“Timaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy!”)on South Park....Squidward Tentacles 30 Clemson 23
Auburn over #9 LSU taking 8: Uggghhhhh. Bengals off a bye week, but have one cover in four SEC games. Tigers went unscathed thru their first five tilts, but have lost back-to-back games since then. Aubie won four of its first five in 2008, then just once more in its last seven on the year. Warhawks are scoring about 35 per game, while the Bengals give up less than 15. It’s Auburn’s passing offense vs. State’s pass D. Bengals are just one game behind Bama...LSU 20 Auburn 14
#10 Texas Christian over #16 BYU giving 2 ½: Mountain Best’s top two offensive teams square off, but the Toads run better and defend better. More at stake here for road-warrior Froggies, who’ve won 19 of last 27 away games (3-0 this year). Coogs last home loss, before debacle vs. Florida State in mid-September, was November of 2005 vs. Utah...TCU 16 BYU 13
#11 Georgia Tech over VIRGINIA giving 4: No faith in this call. Bees overcame flags, lofty passes from their QB (Queen Bee?) and horrible kick coverage to beat Virginia Tech last week. Nesbitt completed just one throw vs. the Hokies, but it went to WR Thomas for 51 yards. Cavs defend the run at about 131 ypg, with only 6 rushing scores allowed. Both teams on 4-0 ATS runs. Virginia’s won three straight games, yielding 19 total points, following two outright defeats to open the year....Joja’ Tech 23 Virginia 16
WASHINGTON over #12 Oregon taking 8 1/2: Mallards have six covers in last seven opportunities following the off week, but traditionally-bad home-dog Washington has three straight SU victories in Seattle after opening game loss to LSU. Both quarterbacks throw for about 128 yards per game, but UDUB’s Locker has twice as many attempts, 1000 more yards and 5 more passing touchdowns than Decoys’ Masoli. Little voice in Vindy’s head is yellin’ “upset”. We’ll just grab the points...Drakes 28 Sled Dogs 24
MICHIGAN over #13 Penn State taking 4 1/2: Lions pulled off a goal-line stand to keep the Gophers off the board then scored a touchdown with 1:41 left to get their first home cover last week. State avenged three close losses to Big Blue by blowing them out in Happy Valley in ‘08. We expect more 4th Quarter heroics from the Wolverines, maybe even an upset. Lions have held five of seven opponents to single digits...PSU 12 Michigan 9
#14 Oklahoma State over BAYLOR giving 9 ½: Cowpokes scoring 38 ppg, but still aren’t as potent as expected in the preseason and were held to four field goals and one touchdown after the 8:21 mark of the second quarter against Mizzou. Bears lousy 3-11 ATS last four years as home dogs. More of a vote vs. Griffin-less Baylor than for Oklahoma State...OKSU 31 Baylor 17
#15 Virginia Tech : IDLE (next vs. North Carolina 10/29)
Southern Methodist over #17 HOUSTON taking 17: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Ponies have come to play in their second year under June Jones, who turned a winless Hawaii team into a regular post-season contender, and have already won two more games than they had all of 2008. Both sides like to throw, neither defense is outstanding. Lotsa’ points. Mustangs have four covers in five games on the season, including OT loss to Navy last week... Cougars 44 SMU 40
Minnesota over #18 OHIO STATE taking 18: Are we seeing the sophomore slump from Buckeyes QB Terrell Pryor? State had five turnovers last week, three from Pryor, in loss at Purdue. Buckeyes have been on the edge vs. their decent opposition. Gophers won’t be shutout for a second straight week and beat Purdue two weeks ago by 15...Buckeyes 28 Gerbils 16
Tune in tomorrow for da' rest of da' picks and the occasionally-entertaining Between the Hashmarks!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 7-2009
PREZ GRABS HEISMAN AFTER ATTENDING COLLEGE GAME
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, New York (CNN)....Mere days after shocking the world by unexpectedly receiving a Nobel Peace Prize, the Commander-in-Chief was in the Big Apple to accept the Heisman Trophy. Obama drew the attention of voters by showing up for Maryland’s game at Wake Forest this past Saturday. The Heisman committee then made a decision to forego the remainder of the season, eliminating previous contenders such as Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford, and presented the hardware to Obama in light of his promises to lead the White House to a national title. Supporters say the award was a coup for the president, who has expressed a desire to have a college football playoff. Critics say it’s too early in Obama’s presidency and he has not even yet taken his staffers to a conference championship. Analysts have predicted even more recognition to be showered upon the president in coming weeks as he’s expected to rent a DVD, order pizza and drop the first puck at a Washington Capitals game, for which he would respectively garner an Oscar, the title of Top Chef and the NHL’s Vezina Trophy for most outstanding goaltender!
We thank longtime friend and former Happy Valley roommate, Dan Antonelli, for providing the main concept for the above news clip! We appreciate the creative assist after the uninspired Week Six 9-7 results (60-47, .560).
NASA crashed a space probe into the moon last week hoping to locate traces of water. Instead, what they found chiseled into the walls of a crater was....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 7 FORECAST
(That’s G!)
WED. OCT. 14
TULSA over #5 Boise State taking 10: A big non-conference tilt for both sides. If the Broncos are going to fall, it’s probably going to be here, knowing that any reasonable challenger left in the WAC will have to pull the upset on the blue carpet. Boise needs a convincing win and has to hope Oregon continues to excel, because after this, there’s no “Wow” factor left on the schedule. Despite 45-0 loss at Oklahoma, Golden Hurricane still on 7-4 spread run vs. non-C-USA squads. Tulsa, currently sharing the lead in C-USA West with SMU at 2-0 (4-1 SU overall), lost by just 8 here last season to BYU and an upset would obviously improve its credentials when bowl bids are issued. We’ll make the conservative call, but we refer the unbelievers to the USC-UDUB and Houston-UTEP games earlier this season...Boise 38 Tulsa 33
THURS. OCT. 15
#8 Cincinnati over #21 SOUTH FLORIDA giving 3: There’s really nothing impressive about Bulls’ five victories to-date and Tony Pike’s passing game will likely flourish in the warmer weather of Tampa. USF starting kicker Maikon Bonani was hospitalized last July after a 35-ft fall from a gondola ride while working at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Bonani kept up his skills by booting footballs between the bedposts of his fellow patients at the far end of the recovery ward...Cincy 28 USF 20
SAT. OCT. 16
Arkansas over #1 FLORIDA taking 25 1/2: Kudos to the Gator D for preventing LSU from grabbing the cover last week. Florida’s clearly not the same team offensively without Tim Teakwood at full throttle. Mr. T looked mighty tentative, minus one or two plays in the 4th Quarter and Florida scored only 13 points despite punting just once. Former Michigan Wolverine QB Ryan Mallett has helped the Hogs put up a lotta’ points. Hate to go against UF at the Swamp, where they’re on 11-3 ATS run, but....Crocs 37 Pork Chops 16
#22 South Carolina over #2 ALABAMA taking 17: ‘Bama found itself in a field-goal fest last week, even though Ole Missed coughed it up five times. Gamecocks defense is good enough to create the same situation. Steve Spurrier owned up to his preseason voting faux pas, noting....”I made a mistake. Vindy’s not only the best forecaster in Las Vegas, I think he’s the best football prognosticator in the nation!” The Ol’ Ball-Coach chalked-up the error to miscommunication with one of his assistant coaches, who originally favored nationally-known tout Phil Steele! ... Tide 20 Poultry 12
#3 Texas over #20 Oklahoma giving 3 ½ (@ Dallas): An early INT deep in Texas territory led to one of the scores the Bison got en route to the cover last week (as we predicted!). Steers have taken the last four ATS, winning three outright (the past two by 7 and 10 points). Sam Bradford’s return certainly bolsters hope for the Sooner Nation, as does UT’s 1-4 spread record thus far this season. Okies have failed to win or cover against either of the other two ranked teams they’ve faced in 2009. Will Bradford’s return open up the running game? Will the Sooners receivers take off the cement gloves that forced OK into multiple FGs vs. Baylor? Steers offense should be well-rested after the special teams and defense accounted for 21of 38 points vs. CU squad that was busy drawing 20 (count ‘em, 20!) yellow hankies! A Red River Runs Through It....’Horns 27 OK 20
#19 GEORGIA TECH over #4 Virginia Tech taking 3: Where would the Hokies be had they actually lost to Nebraska with only a win over Marshall, a squeaker over Duke and the nice triumph over Miami? Bees lost by a FG in Blacksburg last season. They do come into this one following unexpectedly high-scoring affair vs. the ‘Noles. If VT stacks the line to stop the option, QB Nesbitt will find receiver Demaryius Thomas for big plays downfield... Ramblin’ Wreck 24 Va. Tech 22
#6 Southern Cal over #25 NOTRE DAME giving 10 1/2: USC has outscored its last pair of opponents by total of 57-9. Both clubs got last Saturday off, but Troy gets the edge in covers off a bye. This one hasn’t been a game since SoCal edged then-#9 Irish 34-31 in ‘05. Piggy-backing on last week’s Get Smart reference, Vindy rustles up his best Don Adams impersonation and says, “I have to warn you...lining up across from the Trojans offense will be a crack team of highly-trained defensive specialists...OK...how ‘bout a bunch of really tall, really heavy guys?...Fine. Wouldja’ believe...a couple of cheerleaders and an angry kid in a leprechaun suit???!!!”...USC 34 ND 13
#7 Ohio State over PURDUE giving 13 1/2: Wouldn’t be a bad “lock” choice. Boilers own just one victory in six games this year (3-3 ATS, though just 1-3 last 4), but until last week’s road loss at Minnesota (by 15), hadn’t lost by more than 7 (losing by a deuce at Oregon and 3 to the Irish). Buckeyes on 5-0 spread run and 15-3 in last 18 giving the handicap away from the ‘Shoe. Buckeyes were seriously outplayed by Wisconsin last week (among other things, being held to 184 total yards), but we don’t foresee that kinda’ effort from Purdue... State 38 Purdue 17
CENTRAL FLORIDA over #9 Miami taking 14 1/2: Golden Knights got an extra week to prepare for this and while the trends do not support them in this situation, they did lose by just six in Coral Gables last season (with a +2 turnover ratio and 5 sacks vs. ‘Canes QBs) and have that whole intra-Florida rivalry thing in their favor. UCF is 3-2 SU and 4-0 ATS (managing a mere 4-point win over FCS team Samford to open the year). Miami’s just happy to face an opponent that doesn’t have a Top 25 “#” attached to it...Miami 24 UCF 14
#10 LSU: IDLE (next vs. Auburn)
#11 Iowa over WISCONSIN taking 2 1/2: Badgers 2-1 SU in conference play so far and until last week’s loss at Ohio State, had lurked just outside the rankings. Nonetheless, Wisky has struggled to beat the lesser teams on the slate. Three of Hawkeyes’ six-pack of victories have been by 3 or less and Iowa’s failed to bring home the money two straight weeks. This time, we’ll stay with our darkhorse Big Tentacle champion pick, who will thrive again on the opponents’ mistakes (got 5 turnovers from Michigan) and ruin Homecoming in Madison...Iowa 17 Cheeseheads 16
#12 TCU over Colorado State giving 23: We thought about taking State, who had a final period lead on Utah, and the points. But the Toads have been traditionally dominant as chalk in Ft. Worth, even against MWC teams. Rams are go-against when away from home and lost SU at surprising Idaho. CSU has beaten the line once in last four vs. the Top 25. Frogs floundered a bit last week, yielding three turnovers to Air Force team that excels in that area. Not the same threat here....Frogs 34 CSU 8
#13 Oregon: IDLE (NEXT @ Washington)
Minnesota over #14 PENN STATE taking 16 1/2: Lions got their only spread win two weeks ago at Illinois and have yet to reward bettors when playing at Beaver Stadium. Gophers have covered four of last five in Happy Valley and love getting double-digits. Homecoming for the Nifty Lions, who actually let I-AA Eastern Illinois reach the State 9-yard line prior to returning a pick 91 yards for a score just before the half...PSU 24 Gerbils 13
#15 NEBRASKA over Texas Tech giving 11: Scary laying double-digits with the Huskers against a reasonable opponent. Big Dread scored all of its 27 points in the 4th Quarter at Mizzou after bumbling its way to a 12-0 hole. Raiders return to haunt your host after whacking back-to-back cupcakes New Mexico and K-State. Nebraska’s still perfect 5-0 against the line. They get the vote here as they climb toward a potential Big 12 North title. Tech grabbed a win in extra frames last year 37-31. There’s plenty of room at the Shoppe, fellas!...Huskers 49 Tech 34
#16 OKLAHOMA STATE over Missouri giving 7: The loss of WR Dez Bryant has hurt the Cowboys (as evidenced by mediocre win over Texas A&M) and State’s dropped three straight against the line. Bryant could be back for this one after being forced to watch Jim Carrey’s “Liar, Liar” over and over and over by the NCAA. Tough stretch of schedule for the Tigers, who got Nebraska last week and face Texas after this one. Then-#3 Mizzou lost at home last season 28-23....OKSU 27 Mizzou 16
#17 Kansas over COLORADO giving 9 1/2: Interesting line. Bison led Texas 14-3 at halftime on strength of aforementioned INT vs. perhaps-looking ahead-Longhorns, but then conceded 35 unanswered points. Oklahoma awaits KU, who might come out and just run the ball early to avoid the same first-half debacle. Buffaloes went from 2-4 ATS as home dogs in Coach Hawkins first year to 2-1 last season. Buffs will start a new QB this week as Cody Hawkins grabs some pine for throwing an interception at the Texas 8-yard line...Jayhawks 27 CO 14
#18 Brigham Young over SAN DIEGO STATE giving 17 ½: Aztecs were one of Idaho’s victims earlier this season, losing by two touchdowns as a 3 1/2-point favorite and their only I-A victory came two weeks ago against WAC bottom-feeder New Mexico State. SDSU is, however, 3-1 ATS on the year, but squeaked by two of the three by a half-point. State’s lousy as a home dog getting more than two scores, lost by 21 here in ‘07 and by 29 last year in Provo. Cougars lock in bowl eligibility with a win (like there was any doubt?) and could look ahead to TCU, but are 4-2 ATS this year and 2-0 vs. the conference...BYU 34 SDSU 9
#23 Houston over TULANE giving 17: This got lock consideration too. We’re not sure why this line dropped in favor of Tulane, who lost by 21 last week to Marshall and by 24 in opener vs. Tulsa. Green Wafers have three covers in past 16 overall games. Coogs, who won 42-14 last season, should light it up early and often...Coogs 44 Tulane 20
#24 Utah over UNLV giving 16: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Just a couple reasons to not lay da’ points here...Utes haven’t beaten anybody by this many except Utah State at home to start the year, Utah is 0-2-1 in its last previous three road trips this season and the Rubbles have covered three of the last four in this series. The young Utah offense isn’t scoring a lot....24 points each in three of its five to-date, but UNLV is on 0-4 spread spiral and puts the MWC #2 pass offense on the field vs. Utes #1 MWC pass D (#13 nationally). Rebels own the conference basement across the board in all defensive categories. If, in fact, the D hasn’t quit (as some have suggested), then its’s just really, REALLY bad. In its Sunday breakdown of the UNLV game vs. BYU, the Las Vegas Review-Journal incorrectly noted the Mormons lead at the 8:17 mark of the 4th Quarter as “BYU 529, UNLV 21". It only felt that way... Utes 34 UNLV 13
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
The aforementioned place-kicker for South Florida also occasionally warmed-up alone by kicking the ball into the underside of some guy’s oxygen tent!
The Cincinnati Bengals athlete formerly-known-as Chad Johnson will bears the name “Ochocinco” on the back of his jersey because that’s the way it was written on the form used to legally change his name. Meanwhile, for the same reason, the B-side of your humble narrator’s upper-torso apparel shows.... “Vindy K. Torr”
The stalker who videotaped ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews undressing in her hotel room this past summer was in court recently. Folks at NASA would not return media phone calls, but the space agency did report the mysterious disappearance of yet-another tape, allegedly containing footage of the Apollo 11 lunar landing!
Ever since being busted for using a banned substance, allegedly ingested through a vitamin supplement, Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz has been known to teammates and fans alike as...“Big Poppy-Seed”
In August, Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane and his cousin were ordered to apologize to a Buffalo cabbie, whom they reportedly punched. The cousin contritely complied and Kane even offered to provide some memorabilia, including an autographed puck, which he personally delivered...via slap-shot to the taxi-driver’s mid-section!
Imagine Vindy’s disappointment upon learning this summer’s latest movie foray starring Ashton Kutcher, “Spread”, had zippo to do with sports gambling and was actually just a chick-flick!
Black Shirt: We gift-wrap the ebony undergarment this week for Air Force QB Connor Dietz in honor of his 8-yard touchdown run to give the Pilots the cover vs. TCU with under a minute left.
“Locked in a Box?”: Arkansas’ upset of Auburn drops the lock record to 3-3 (.500).
Shoppe Talk: Texas and LSU finished on the predicted side of the spread to go to 1-4 (.200) and 2-4 (.667), respectively, leaving the Taxidermy Shoppe temporarily vacant. But...uh...don’t leave the state, guys!
Vindy’s Week 7 Best Bets: Last Week: 2-3 Season: 12-13 (.480)
Wake Forest +7 over CLEMSON, Akron +9 over BUFFALO, Navy -8 ½ over SMU, NORTH TEXAS -1 ½ over FLORIDA ATLANTIC
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, New York (CNN)....Mere days after shocking the world by unexpectedly receiving a Nobel Peace Prize, the Commander-in-Chief was in the Big Apple to accept the Heisman Trophy. Obama drew the attention of voters by showing up for Maryland’s game at Wake Forest this past Saturday. The Heisman committee then made a decision to forego the remainder of the season, eliminating previous contenders such as Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford, and presented the hardware to Obama in light of his promises to lead the White House to a national title. Supporters say the award was a coup for the president, who has expressed a desire to have a college football playoff. Critics say it’s too early in Obama’s presidency and he has not even yet taken his staffers to a conference championship. Analysts have predicted even more recognition to be showered upon the president in coming weeks as he’s expected to rent a DVD, order pizza and drop the first puck at a Washington Capitals game, for which he would respectively garner an Oscar, the title of Top Chef and the NHL’s Vezina Trophy for most outstanding goaltender!
We thank longtime friend and former Happy Valley roommate, Dan Antonelli, for providing the main concept for the above news clip! We appreciate the creative assist after the uninspired Week Six 9-7 results (60-47, .560).
NASA crashed a space probe into the moon last week hoping to locate traces of water. Instead, what they found chiseled into the walls of a crater was....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 7 FORECAST
(That’s G!)
WED. OCT. 14
TULSA over #5 Boise State taking 10: A big non-conference tilt for both sides. If the Broncos are going to fall, it’s probably going to be here, knowing that any reasonable challenger left in the WAC will have to pull the upset on the blue carpet. Boise needs a convincing win and has to hope Oregon continues to excel, because after this, there’s no “Wow” factor left on the schedule. Despite 45-0 loss at Oklahoma, Golden Hurricane still on 7-4 spread run vs. non-C-USA squads. Tulsa, currently sharing the lead in C-USA West with SMU at 2-0 (4-1 SU overall), lost by just 8 here last season to BYU and an upset would obviously improve its credentials when bowl bids are issued. We’ll make the conservative call, but we refer the unbelievers to the USC-UDUB and Houston-UTEP games earlier this season...Boise 38 Tulsa 33
THURS. OCT. 15
#8 Cincinnati over #21 SOUTH FLORIDA giving 3: There’s really nothing impressive about Bulls’ five victories to-date and Tony Pike’s passing game will likely flourish in the warmer weather of Tampa. USF starting kicker Maikon Bonani was hospitalized last July after a 35-ft fall from a gondola ride while working at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Bonani kept up his skills by booting footballs between the bedposts of his fellow patients at the far end of the recovery ward...Cincy 28 USF 20
SAT. OCT. 16
Arkansas over #1 FLORIDA taking 25 1/2: Kudos to the Gator D for preventing LSU from grabbing the cover last week. Florida’s clearly not the same team offensively without Tim Teakwood at full throttle. Mr. T looked mighty tentative, minus one or two plays in the 4th Quarter and Florida scored only 13 points despite punting just once. Former Michigan Wolverine QB Ryan Mallett has helped the Hogs put up a lotta’ points. Hate to go against UF at the Swamp, where they’re on 11-3 ATS run, but....Crocs 37 Pork Chops 16
#22 South Carolina over #2 ALABAMA taking 17: ‘Bama found itself in a field-goal fest last week, even though Ole Missed coughed it up five times. Gamecocks defense is good enough to create the same situation. Steve Spurrier owned up to his preseason voting faux pas, noting....”I made a mistake. Vindy’s not only the best forecaster in Las Vegas, I think he’s the best football prognosticator in the nation!” The Ol’ Ball-Coach chalked-up the error to miscommunication with one of his assistant coaches, who originally favored nationally-known tout Phil Steele! ... Tide 20 Poultry 12
#3 Texas over #20 Oklahoma giving 3 ½ (@ Dallas): An early INT deep in Texas territory led to one of the scores the Bison got en route to the cover last week (as we predicted!). Steers have taken the last four ATS, winning three outright (the past two by 7 and 10 points). Sam Bradford’s return certainly bolsters hope for the Sooner Nation, as does UT’s 1-4 spread record thus far this season. Okies have failed to win or cover against either of the other two ranked teams they’ve faced in 2009. Will Bradford’s return open up the running game? Will the Sooners receivers take off the cement gloves that forced OK into multiple FGs vs. Baylor? Steers offense should be well-rested after the special teams and defense accounted for 21of 38 points vs. CU squad that was busy drawing 20 (count ‘em, 20!) yellow hankies! A Red River Runs Through It....’Horns 27 OK 20
#19 GEORGIA TECH over #4 Virginia Tech taking 3: Where would the Hokies be had they actually lost to Nebraska with only a win over Marshall, a squeaker over Duke and the nice triumph over Miami? Bees lost by a FG in Blacksburg last season. They do come into this one following unexpectedly high-scoring affair vs. the ‘Noles. If VT stacks the line to stop the option, QB Nesbitt will find receiver Demaryius Thomas for big plays downfield... Ramblin’ Wreck 24 Va. Tech 22
#6 Southern Cal over #25 NOTRE DAME giving 10 1/2: USC has outscored its last pair of opponents by total of 57-9. Both clubs got last Saturday off, but Troy gets the edge in covers off a bye. This one hasn’t been a game since SoCal edged then-#9 Irish 34-31 in ‘05. Piggy-backing on last week’s Get Smart reference, Vindy rustles up his best Don Adams impersonation and says, “I have to warn you...lining up across from the Trojans offense will be a crack team of highly-trained defensive specialists...OK...how ‘bout a bunch of really tall, really heavy guys?...Fine. Wouldja’ believe...a couple of cheerleaders and an angry kid in a leprechaun suit???!!!”...USC 34 ND 13
#7 Ohio State over PURDUE giving 13 1/2: Wouldn’t be a bad “lock” choice. Boilers own just one victory in six games this year (3-3 ATS, though just 1-3 last 4), but until last week’s road loss at Minnesota (by 15), hadn’t lost by more than 7 (losing by a deuce at Oregon and 3 to the Irish). Buckeyes on 5-0 spread run and 15-3 in last 18 giving the handicap away from the ‘Shoe. Buckeyes were seriously outplayed by Wisconsin last week (among other things, being held to 184 total yards), but we don’t foresee that kinda’ effort from Purdue... State 38 Purdue 17
CENTRAL FLORIDA over #9 Miami taking 14 1/2: Golden Knights got an extra week to prepare for this and while the trends do not support them in this situation, they did lose by just six in Coral Gables last season (with a +2 turnover ratio and 5 sacks vs. ‘Canes QBs) and have that whole intra-Florida rivalry thing in their favor. UCF is 3-2 SU and 4-0 ATS (managing a mere 4-point win over FCS team Samford to open the year). Miami’s just happy to face an opponent that doesn’t have a Top 25 “#” attached to it...Miami 24 UCF 14
#10 LSU: IDLE (next vs. Auburn)
#11 Iowa over WISCONSIN taking 2 1/2: Badgers 2-1 SU in conference play so far and until last week’s loss at Ohio State, had lurked just outside the rankings. Nonetheless, Wisky has struggled to beat the lesser teams on the slate. Three of Hawkeyes’ six-pack of victories have been by 3 or less and Iowa’s failed to bring home the money two straight weeks. This time, we’ll stay with our darkhorse Big Tentacle champion pick, who will thrive again on the opponents’ mistakes (got 5 turnovers from Michigan) and ruin Homecoming in Madison...Iowa 17 Cheeseheads 16
#12 TCU over Colorado State giving 23: We thought about taking State, who had a final period lead on Utah, and the points. But the Toads have been traditionally dominant as chalk in Ft. Worth, even against MWC teams. Rams are go-against when away from home and lost SU at surprising Idaho. CSU has beaten the line once in last four vs. the Top 25. Frogs floundered a bit last week, yielding three turnovers to Air Force team that excels in that area. Not the same threat here....Frogs 34 CSU 8
#13 Oregon: IDLE (NEXT @ Washington)
Minnesota over #14 PENN STATE taking 16 1/2: Lions got their only spread win two weeks ago at Illinois and have yet to reward bettors when playing at Beaver Stadium. Gophers have covered four of last five in Happy Valley and love getting double-digits. Homecoming for the Nifty Lions, who actually let I-AA Eastern Illinois reach the State 9-yard line prior to returning a pick 91 yards for a score just before the half...PSU 24 Gerbils 13
#15 NEBRASKA over Texas Tech giving 11: Scary laying double-digits with the Huskers against a reasonable opponent. Big Dread scored all of its 27 points in the 4th Quarter at Mizzou after bumbling its way to a 12-0 hole. Raiders return to haunt your host after whacking back-to-back cupcakes New Mexico and K-State. Nebraska’s still perfect 5-0 against the line. They get the vote here as they climb toward a potential Big 12 North title. Tech grabbed a win in extra frames last year 37-31. There’s plenty of room at the Shoppe, fellas!...Huskers 49 Tech 34
#16 OKLAHOMA STATE over Missouri giving 7: The loss of WR Dez Bryant has hurt the Cowboys (as evidenced by mediocre win over Texas A&M) and State’s dropped three straight against the line. Bryant could be back for this one after being forced to watch Jim Carrey’s “Liar, Liar” over and over and over by the NCAA. Tough stretch of schedule for the Tigers, who got Nebraska last week and face Texas after this one. Then-#3 Mizzou lost at home last season 28-23....OKSU 27 Mizzou 16
#17 Kansas over COLORADO giving 9 1/2: Interesting line. Bison led Texas 14-3 at halftime on strength of aforementioned INT vs. perhaps-looking ahead-Longhorns, but then conceded 35 unanswered points. Oklahoma awaits KU, who might come out and just run the ball early to avoid the same first-half debacle. Buffaloes went from 2-4 ATS as home dogs in Coach Hawkins first year to 2-1 last season. Buffs will start a new QB this week as Cody Hawkins grabs some pine for throwing an interception at the Texas 8-yard line...Jayhawks 27 CO 14
#18 Brigham Young over SAN DIEGO STATE giving 17 ½: Aztecs were one of Idaho’s victims earlier this season, losing by two touchdowns as a 3 1/2-point favorite and their only I-A victory came two weeks ago against WAC bottom-feeder New Mexico State. SDSU is, however, 3-1 ATS on the year, but squeaked by two of the three by a half-point. State’s lousy as a home dog getting more than two scores, lost by 21 here in ‘07 and by 29 last year in Provo. Cougars lock in bowl eligibility with a win (like there was any doubt?) and could look ahead to TCU, but are 4-2 ATS this year and 2-0 vs. the conference...BYU 34 SDSU 9
#23 Houston over TULANE giving 17: This got lock consideration too. We’re not sure why this line dropped in favor of Tulane, who lost by 21 last week to Marshall and by 24 in opener vs. Tulsa. Green Wafers have three covers in past 16 overall games. Coogs, who won 42-14 last season, should light it up early and often...Coogs 44 Tulane 20
#24 Utah over UNLV giving 16: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Just a couple reasons to not lay da’ points here...Utes haven’t beaten anybody by this many except Utah State at home to start the year, Utah is 0-2-1 in its last previous three road trips this season and the Rubbles have covered three of the last four in this series. The young Utah offense isn’t scoring a lot....24 points each in three of its five to-date, but UNLV is on 0-4 spread spiral and puts the MWC #2 pass offense on the field vs. Utes #1 MWC pass D (#13 nationally). Rebels own the conference basement across the board in all defensive categories. If, in fact, the D hasn’t quit (as some have suggested), then its’s just really, REALLY bad. In its Sunday breakdown of the UNLV game vs. BYU, the Las Vegas Review-Journal incorrectly noted the Mormons lead at the 8:17 mark of the 4th Quarter as “BYU 529, UNLV 21". It only felt that way... Utes 34 UNLV 13
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
The aforementioned place-kicker for South Florida also occasionally warmed-up alone by kicking the ball into the underside of some guy’s oxygen tent!
The Cincinnati Bengals athlete formerly-known-as Chad Johnson will bears the name “Ochocinco” on the back of his jersey because that’s the way it was written on the form used to legally change his name. Meanwhile, for the same reason, the B-side of your humble narrator’s upper-torso apparel shows.... “Vindy K. Torr”
The stalker who videotaped ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews undressing in her hotel room this past summer was in court recently. Folks at NASA would not return media phone calls, but the space agency did report the mysterious disappearance of yet-another tape, allegedly containing footage of the Apollo 11 lunar landing!
Ever since being busted for using a banned substance, allegedly ingested through a vitamin supplement, Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz has been known to teammates and fans alike as...“Big Poppy-Seed”
In August, Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane and his cousin were ordered to apologize to a Buffalo cabbie, whom they reportedly punched. The cousin contritely complied and Kane even offered to provide some memorabilia, including an autographed puck, which he personally delivered...via slap-shot to the taxi-driver’s mid-section!
Imagine Vindy’s disappointment upon learning this summer’s latest movie foray starring Ashton Kutcher, “Spread”, had zippo to do with sports gambling and was actually just a chick-flick!
Black Shirt: We gift-wrap the ebony undergarment this week for Air Force QB Connor Dietz in honor of his 8-yard touchdown run to give the Pilots the cover vs. TCU with under a minute left.
“Locked in a Box?”: Arkansas’ upset of Auburn drops the lock record to 3-3 (.500).
Shoppe Talk: Texas and LSU finished on the predicted side of the spread to go to 1-4 (.200) and 2-4 (.667), respectively, leaving the Taxidermy Shoppe temporarily vacant. But...uh...don’t leave the state, guys!
Vindy’s Week 7 Best Bets: Last Week: 2-3 Season: 12-13 (.480)
Wake Forest +7 over CLEMSON, Akron +9 over BUFFALO, Navy -8 ½ over SMU, NORTH TEXAS -1 ½ over FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 7-2009 Early Edition
Since we have a ranked team playing tomorrow night, we'll offer a few early thoughts on that game and return tomorrow night with our regularly-scheduled programming....
WED. OCT. 14
TULSA over #5 Boise State taking 10: A big non-conference tilt for both sides. If the Broncos are going to fall, it’s probably going to be here, knowing that any reasonable challenger left in the WAC will have to pull the upset on the blue carpet. Boise needs a convincing win and has to hope Oregon continues to excel, because after this, there’s no “Wow” factor left on the schedule. Despite 45-0 loss at Oklahoma, Golden Hurricane still on 7-4 spread run vs. non-C-USA squads. Tulsa, currently sharing the lead in C-USA West with SMU at 2-0 (4-1 SU overall), lost by just 8 here last season to BYU and an upset would obviously improve its credentials when bowl bids are issued. We’ll make the conservative call, but we refer the unbelievers to the USC-UDUB and Houston-UTEP games earlier this season...Boise 38 Tulsa 33
Don't touch that dial!
WED. OCT. 14
TULSA over #5 Boise State taking 10: A big non-conference tilt for both sides. If the Broncos are going to fall, it’s probably going to be here, knowing that any reasonable challenger left in the WAC will have to pull the upset on the blue carpet. Boise needs a convincing win and has to hope Oregon continues to excel, because after this, there’s no “Wow” factor left on the schedule. Despite 45-0 loss at Oklahoma, Golden Hurricane still on 7-4 spread run vs. non-C-USA squads. Tulsa, currently sharing the lead in C-USA West with SMU at 2-0 (4-1 SU overall), lost by just 8 here last season to BYU and an upset would obviously improve its credentials when bowl bids are issued. We’ll make the conservative call, but we refer the unbelievers to the USC-UDUB and Houston-UTEP games earlier this season...Boise 38 Tulsa 33
Don't touch that dial!
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 6-2009
JUSTICE, PIGSKIN PROPHET SHARE COMMON TV MUSE
WASHINGTON, District of Columbia (AP)...Rookie Justice Sonia Sotomayor re-entered the spotlight this week as an unknown quantity or an X-factor as the Supreme Court convened again on Monday for its next term. The Vegas Vindicator, who was in the nation’s capitol interested in the decision on the issue facing the court involving licensing of NFL merchandise, met with Sotomayor and recalled that during her confirmation hearings in July, the then-Supreme Court Justice candidate mentioned she was inspired to become a prosecutor by the Perry Mason show. It was later noted, Mason was a defense attorney, who lost only one case, while the regularly-appearing prosecutor generally got his butt kicked. Vindy revealed the impetus for him taking up football forecasting was Don Adams’ character, Agent 86, on Get Smart! (In fact, the Weber Kid has been quoted apologizing for his blown lock picks and best bets as quipping, “Sorry about that, Chief!” And after losing his ATS bet by a half-point, would babble, “Missed it by that much!”). We also caught Vindy using the cordless rotary-dial phone in his shoe to make bets with his off-shore bookie!
Our prestigious prognosticator was just 4-4 through halftime of the Trojans-Bears game, but rallied to grab 6 of the 8 night games to finish at 10-6 for Week Five (51-40-1, 560). By the way, the Supreme Court Justice later said she “ would hope a wise Latina woman, with the richness of her experiences, more often than not would reach a better conclusion on spread picks than a white male who hasn’t lived that life!” after reviewing....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 6 FORECAST
THURS. OCT. 8
#21 Nebraska over #24 MISSOURI giving 3: Both teams off a bye week, but this is a sandwich home game between a pair of away tilts for Mizzou. Tigers opened last year 3-1 ATS, then went 2-7 the rest of the way. Nebraska’s perfect 4-0 SU/ATS with three wins over the Fun Belt and shoulda’-been-win at Virginia Tech. Mizzou ripped floundering Illini and Furman, Bowling Green and Reno. Huskers look to avenge a pair of outright blowouts by Missouri in ‘07 and ‘08...’Huskers 28 Tigers 20
SAT. OCT. 10
#1 Florida over #4 LSU giving 7 1/2: The only question is whether or not Tim Teeter-Totter will take the field. Bengals have a Top 10 pass defense, but Gators pass D is Numero Uno and they sport a Top 20 rush defense as well. LSU went 1-3 SU/ATS last year vs. ranked teams and lost by 30 in the Swamp in 2008. Sports Illustrated has noted the Gators have been beaten outright by at least one team from the SEC West ten straight years, but Coach Meyer’s teams excel at covering the line following a bye week....Da’ Chomp 24 Bayou Bengals 13
Colorado over #2 TEXAS taking 32: ‘Horns were off last week (and we ain’t crushed about that!). Hats off to Coach Hawkins and his Buffaloes, who kept playing hard when it appeared West Virginia had the game (and the cover) put away late. Bison lost by 11, but posted their second straight cover despite missing three FGs following 0-2 start and open this year 1-0 as road dogs after 4-14-1 spread record in that role coming in. Steers won 38-14 last season, despite giving up 4 sacks to CU...Steers 42 Bison 17
#3 Alabama over #20 MISSISSIPPI giving 6: Crimson Tide’s beaten Ole Miss outright four straight years, but by 3, 3, 3 and 4...with no covers! Rebels have won the rubles nine times in last ten tries vs. ranked teams and are 16-9-1 ATS against fellow SEC teams the past three-plus seasons. The textbooks at the center of Tide’s off-season scandal included ”See Dick Run....the Offense” (subtitled “See Forrest Run...Run, Forrest, Run!”) and a Dr. Seuss-Shakespeare collaboration we like to call.... “Green Eggs & Hamlet”.... ‘Bama 29 Ole Miss 20
#5 VIRGINIA TECH over Boston College giving 13 1/2: No faith in this choice. A dozen flags didn’t help Hokies’ cause in a game against Duke that was entirely too close, with the Devils ending each of the first three quarters even on the scoreboard. Eagles took a 15-point halftime lead to the locker room then hung on against the Injuns. BC seems to reward backers against Tech, covering 7 of last 10 and fares well as a road dog, going 6-2 against the line in last 8 chances... VT 28 BC 13
#6 Boise State: IDLE (next @ Tulsa 10/14)
#7 USC: IDLE (next @ Notre Dame)
#8 Cincinnati: IDLE (next @ South Florida 10/15)
Wisconsin over #9 OHIO STATE taking 14: We considered locking against Ohio State again. Badgers won a wild one last week at Minnesota, who had a receiver gain 140 yards, while 247-lb Wisky RB John Clay countered with 184 yards on the ground. Badgers just 4-9 away from Camp Randall the last two-plus years and lost just 20-17 at home in 2008. Buckeyes have beaten the number four straight times since near-upset by the Midshipmen. Badgers, at 5-0 SU to-date, would grab a Top 25 spot with a victory...State 20 Cheeseheads 12
AIR FORCE over #10 Texas Christian taking 10 : Falcons off OT loss to the Middies and carry 13-5 ATS run vs. other Mountain Best squads (though just 1-1 this year vs. conference bottom-feeders New Mexico and San Diego State). Something has to give here as Frogs take their #1 rushing defense (1.8 yards per carry) into the home hangar of the Pilots, whose #1 rushing offense boasts 4.6 yards per tote (averaging 63 carries a game)! Toads embarrassed the Flyboys in Ft. Worth last year 44-10, but USAF beat TCU 20-17 in OT in ‘07 in Colorado Springs. Given the way the campaign’s gone already this year, an upset won’t be a surprise....Amphibians 17 Aim High 16
Florida A&M @ #11 MIAMI: No line.
Michigan over #12 IOWA taking 8: Those guys that donned the Hawkeyes unis in near-loss to Northern Iowa in the opener showed up again last week vs. Arkansas State. Iowa is unreliable 5-10 the last three seasons laying points at home (1-1 this season) and a crapshoot vs. the rest of the Big Tenderfoot conference. A late rally for Michigan finally came up short at Michigan State. Big Blue just 2-8 ATS vs. fellow conference clubs under RichRod. ASU running back McNutt rushed for 121 yards on 4 carries....Iowa 21 Wolverines 17
UCLA over #13 Oregon taking 6: Trends support the Bruins here as UCLA has the cover in 3 of last 4 in the series. Bruins lost by 8 on the Pond last season and pitched a shutout at the Rose Bowl in ‘07. UCLA fell two points short of Vindy’s best bet nod last week despite being down 24-6 to Stanford after three quarters. Decoys may be without starting QB Masoli, but starter-quality reserve Nate Costa managed the game well last week with Masoli on the bench in the second half. Oregon’s covered three straight since shootout vs. Purdue. UCLA’s 12-5 ATS the last three years against ranked teams and 9-2 as home dogs over that same period....Drakes 23 UCLA 19
Eastern Illinois @ #14 PENN STATE: No line.
#15 Oklahoma State over TEXAS A&M giving 8: Almost locked this one too. First road game of the year for the Cowpokes, who come in rested after blasting Grambling two weeks ago. Aggies, who were demolished by Arkansas last week, have wins over...uh...well...um...New Mexico, Utah State (by 6 points...at home!) and UAB. Okie State is just 1-2 ATS this year, but beat A&M by 28 last season. Again, we ask the same question we posed during Week Five’s Joja’ Tech- Mississippi State analysis...has the gap between these two narrowed that significantly since last year???!!! ...OKSU 37 TAMU 20
#16 KANSAS over Iowa State giving 20: Cyclowns were the other guys to hose Vindy in a best bet role last week., losing SU to Kansas State. Jayhawks got a bye last Saturday, should be fired up to rip State during the Kansas Homecoming week and have missed the cover only five times in last 18 tries giving points at home...Kansas 38 ISU 13
#17 Auburn over ARKANSAS giving 2 1/2 : LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. We tip our helmet to the Razorbacks for blowing out A&M last week, but this is still a young team (though an even younger one beat Auburn 24-21 in 2008). Tigers have quietly made their presence known and now stalk the Top 25 from within. Aubie’s game vs. Tennessee was not as close as the final score suggests given sixteen 4th Quarter points (including final 6 as the clock hit :00) by the Vols....Tigers 31 Pigs 20
#18 Brigham Young over UNLV giving 16 1/2 : Coach Mendenhall let it be known he wants to spend post-season somewhere other than Sin City (after four straight appearances in Vegas Bowl), but we figure this is the first of two trips this year to our fair berg.. Rebels held their annual preseason practices in the little rural town of Ely, Nevada, which is also home to a pair of brothels (and not much else!). The local “industry” was reportedly off-limits to the athletes (no word on restrictions for coaches and staff), but on the last day of training camp, Vindy’s spies watched the UNLV kick-return team practice the last-ditch, gadget play known as the “hooker-and-lateral”!... Church of LDS 41 Rubbles 17
Baylor over #19 OKLAHOMA taking 25: Even if Sam Bradford returns to direct the Sooners offense, how long will he play knowing the Texas games looms the following week? If Vindicator was Coach Stoops, we’ wouldn’t play Bradford after halftime...enough to get back to game-speed, but hopefully not long enough to invite re-injury. Boomer Sooner will also be without useful WR Broyles (out with injury), who averages 6 catches a game for about 86 yards. Bears lowered points-allowed by 8 per game in Coach Briles first season... Okie-Dokie 37 Baylor 15
#22 Georgia Tech over FLORIDA STATE taking 3: Jimbo’s in limbo (for now), but folks in Tallahassee want Bobby to Bow(den) out! ‘Noles mustered another strong second-half effort last week, but too little too little this time vs. Boston College, despite two receivers gaining over 100 yards each. The Bees, too, can throw out of the triple-option, with D. Thomas snaring 174 yards worth last week in between rushes that helped Tech keep possession for 13 more minutes than Mississippi State. Injuns just 7-15 ATS as home chalk...’Jackets 17 ‘Noles 13
#23 South Florida: IDLE (next vs. Cincinnati 10/15)
#25 SOUTH CAROLINA over Kentucky giving 11: Defense has been the weakness for the ‘Cats, while the Gamecocks have held everybody but Georgia to 16 or less. Carolina’s topped 35 three times in five games (including the aforementioned match against the Bulldogs). SC’s enjoying its fourth consecutive home game, while KY faces its third straight Top 25 foe...Poultry 34 Kentucky 16
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
Break up the Vandals!....Idaho, who came into this season with just three total SU victories in the previous two seasons (two of which came vs. I-AA clubs Idaho State and Cal Poly), is 4-1 SU and 5-0 against the spread! The Spudheads are also on a 9-2 ATS run back to October of 2008.
Following the 63-28 trouncing of UNLV, Reno back-up RB Mike Ball, who racked up five scores and 184 yards, was quoted as saying, “My mother could have run through some of those holes.”. In a surprise move, Mike Sanford has offered the Ball family matriarch a short-term scholarship to play on the scout team this week as the Rebels prepare to face BYU!
Three Dallas Cowboys linemen make up the heavy-metal band Free Reign.. Will their music career thrive or will they simply be one illegal-hit wonders???!!! Can’t wait to see the Guitar Hero version hit the shelves of Toys-R-Us just in time for the Christmas... Rush!
After his streak of 185 with at least one winning bet came to an end last weekend, Terrell Owens did his best “broken record” impersonation, responding to each media question with “whether I like ‘em or not, I’m just goin’ with the Vindy’s Picks that are called.”
Stop by Vindy’s B&B this week for a great big Breaded Porkchop-Block...a nice swine dish served below the customer’s knees!
Sarah Palin’s high school career goal was to be a sportscaster, but she passed on ESPN because of the distance between Alaska and Connecticut, though offered a tribute by naming her first-born female child Bristol. Coulda’ been worse. The former Veep candidate coulda’ been a serious fan of the national pastime and in honor of a couple ESPN Baseball Tonight segments, elected to call her daughter ...”Touch ‘Em All” or (GASP!)...”That’s Nasty!”
Black Shirt: We gratefully hand the ebony tee to Utah State QB Diondre Borel, whose 16-yard touchdown pass as time expired vs. BYU secured the cover and Vindy’s first forecast win of da’ week last Friday night!
“Locked in a Box?”: The Nifty Lions covered easily at Illinois and raise the lock tally to 3-2 (.600).
Shoppe Talk: Texas was idle and Miami gets off the schnide with an upset of Oklahoma, but the Bayou Bengals wander in this week at 1-4 (.200).
Vindy’s Week 6 Best Bets: Last Week: 2-2 Season: 10-10 (.500)
Georgia +1 1/2 over TENNESSEE, Texas-El Paso -2 1/2 over MEMPHIS, Idaho +4 over SAN JOSE STATE, New Mexico +10 1/2 over WYOMING, UConn +8 over PITT
Vindy’s now going to log on to CapitalOne.com and upload a photo to create his own VISA parlay card (which will play Rick James’ Superfreak everytime he swipes it at the sportsbook)!
WASHINGTON, District of Columbia (AP)...Rookie Justice Sonia Sotomayor re-entered the spotlight this week as an unknown quantity or an X-factor as the Supreme Court convened again on Monday for its next term. The Vegas Vindicator, who was in the nation’s capitol interested in the decision on the issue facing the court involving licensing of NFL merchandise, met with Sotomayor and recalled that during her confirmation hearings in July, the then-Supreme Court Justice candidate mentioned she was inspired to become a prosecutor by the Perry Mason show. It was later noted, Mason was a defense attorney, who lost only one case, while the regularly-appearing prosecutor generally got his butt kicked. Vindy revealed the impetus for him taking up football forecasting was Don Adams’ character, Agent 86, on Get Smart! (In fact, the Weber Kid has been quoted apologizing for his blown lock picks and best bets as quipping, “Sorry about that, Chief!” And after losing his ATS bet by a half-point, would babble, “Missed it by that much!”). We also caught Vindy using the cordless rotary-dial phone in his shoe to make bets with his off-shore bookie!
Our prestigious prognosticator was just 4-4 through halftime of the Trojans-Bears game, but rallied to grab 6 of the 8 night games to finish at 10-6 for Week Five (51-40-1, 560). By the way, the Supreme Court Justice later said she “ would hope a wise Latina woman, with the richness of her experiences, more often than not would reach a better conclusion on spread picks than a white male who hasn’t lived that life!” after reviewing....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 6 FORECAST
THURS. OCT. 8
#21 Nebraska over #24 MISSOURI giving 3: Both teams off a bye week, but this is a sandwich home game between a pair of away tilts for Mizzou. Tigers opened last year 3-1 ATS, then went 2-7 the rest of the way. Nebraska’s perfect 4-0 SU/ATS with three wins over the Fun Belt and shoulda’-been-win at Virginia Tech. Mizzou ripped floundering Illini and Furman, Bowling Green and Reno. Huskers look to avenge a pair of outright blowouts by Missouri in ‘07 and ‘08...’Huskers 28 Tigers 20
SAT. OCT. 10
#1 Florida over #4 LSU giving 7 1/2: The only question is whether or not Tim Teeter-Totter will take the field. Bengals have a Top 10 pass defense, but Gators pass D is Numero Uno and they sport a Top 20 rush defense as well. LSU went 1-3 SU/ATS last year vs. ranked teams and lost by 30 in the Swamp in 2008. Sports Illustrated has noted the Gators have been beaten outright by at least one team from the SEC West ten straight years, but Coach Meyer’s teams excel at covering the line following a bye week....Da’ Chomp 24 Bayou Bengals 13
Colorado over #2 TEXAS taking 32: ‘Horns were off last week (and we ain’t crushed about that!). Hats off to Coach Hawkins and his Buffaloes, who kept playing hard when it appeared West Virginia had the game (and the cover) put away late. Bison lost by 11, but posted their second straight cover despite missing three FGs following 0-2 start and open this year 1-0 as road dogs after 4-14-1 spread record in that role coming in. Steers won 38-14 last season, despite giving up 4 sacks to CU...Steers 42 Bison 17
#3 Alabama over #20 MISSISSIPPI giving 6: Crimson Tide’s beaten Ole Miss outright four straight years, but by 3, 3, 3 and 4...with no covers! Rebels have won the rubles nine times in last ten tries vs. ranked teams and are 16-9-1 ATS against fellow SEC teams the past three-plus seasons. The textbooks at the center of Tide’s off-season scandal included ”See Dick Run....the Offense” (subtitled “See Forrest Run...Run, Forrest, Run!”) and a Dr. Seuss-Shakespeare collaboration we like to call.... “Green Eggs & Hamlet”.... ‘Bama 29 Ole Miss 20
#5 VIRGINIA TECH over Boston College giving 13 1/2: No faith in this choice. A dozen flags didn’t help Hokies’ cause in a game against Duke that was entirely too close, with the Devils ending each of the first three quarters even on the scoreboard. Eagles took a 15-point halftime lead to the locker room then hung on against the Injuns. BC seems to reward backers against Tech, covering 7 of last 10 and fares well as a road dog, going 6-2 against the line in last 8 chances... VT 28 BC 13
#6 Boise State: IDLE (next @ Tulsa 10/14)
#7 USC: IDLE (next @ Notre Dame)
#8 Cincinnati: IDLE (next @ South Florida 10/15)
Wisconsin over #9 OHIO STATE taking 14: We considered locking against Ohio State again. Badgers won a wild one last week at Minnesota, who had a receiver gain 140 yards, while 247-lb Wisky RB John Clay countered with 184 yards on the ground. Badgers just 4-9 away from Camp Randall the last two-plus years and lost just 20-17 at home in 2008. Buckeyes have beaten the number four straight times since near-upset by the Midshipmen. Badgers, at 5-0 SU to-date, would grab a Top 25 spot with a victory...State 20 Cheeseheads 12
AIR FORCE over #10 Texas Christian taking 10 : Falcons off OT loss to the Middies and carry 13-5 ATS run vs. other Mountain Best squads (though just 1-1 this year vs. conference bottom-feeders New Mexico and San Diego State). Something has to give here as Frogs take their #1 rushing defense (1.8 yards per carry) into the home hangar of the Pilots, whose #1 rushing offense boasts 4.6 yards per tote (averaging 63 carries a game)! Toads embarrassed the Flyboys in Ft. Worth last year 44-10, but USAF beat TCU 20-17 in OT in ‘07 in Colorado Springs. Given the way the campaign’s gone already this year, an upset won’t be a surprise....Amphibians 17 Aim High 16
Florida A&M @ #11 MIAMI: No line.
Michigan over #12 IOWA taking 8: Those guys that donned the Hawkeyes unis in near-loss to Northern Iowa in the opener showed up again last week vs. Arkansas State. Iowa is unreliable 5-10 the last three seasons laying points at home (1-1 this season) and a crapshoot vs. the rest of the Big Tenderfoot conference. A late rally for Michigan finally came up short at Michigan State. Big Blue just 2-8 ATS vs. fellow conference clubs under RichRod. ASU running back McNutt rushed for 121 yards on 4 carries....Iowa 21 Wolverines 17
UCLA over #13 Oregon taking 6: Trends support the Bruins here as UCLA has the cover in 3 of last 4 in the series. Bruins lost by 8 on the Pond last season and pitched a shutout at the Rose Bowl in ‘07. UCLA fell two points short of Vindy’s best bet nod last week despite being down 24-6 to Stanford after three quarters. Decoys may be without starting QB Masoli, but starter-quality reserve Nate Costa managed the game well last week with Masoli on the bench in the second half. Oregon’s covered three straight since shootout vs. Purdue. UCLA’s 12-5 ATS the last three years against ranked teams and 9-2 as home dogs over that same period....Drakes 23 UCLA 19
Eastern Illinois @ #14 PENN STATE: No line.
#15 Oklahoma State over TEXAS A&M giving 8: Almost locked this one too. First road game of the year for the Cowpokes, who come in rested after blasting Grambling two weeks ago. Aggies, who were demolished by Arkansas last week, have wins over...uh...well...um...New Mexico, Utah State (by 6 points...at home!) and UAB. Okie State is just 1-2 ATS this year, but beat A&M by 28 last season. Again, we ask the same question we posed during Week Five’s Joja’ Tech- Mississippi State analysis...has the gap between these two narrowed that significantly since last year???!!! ...OKSU 37 TAMU 20
#16 KANSAS over Iowa State giving 20: Cyclowns were the other guys to hose Vindy in a best bet role last week., losing SU to Kansas State. Jayhawks got a bye last Saturday, should be fired up to rip State during the Kansas Homecoming week and have missed the cover only five times in last 18 tries giving points at home...Kansas 38 ISU 13
#17 Auburn over ARKANSAS giving 2 1/2 : LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. We tip our helmet to the Razorbacks for blowing out A&M last week, but this is still a young team (though an even younger one beat Auburn 24-21 in 2008). Tigers have quietly made their presence known and now stalk the Top 25 from within. Aubie’s game vs. Tennessee was not as close as the final score suggests given sixteen 4th Quarter points (including final 6 as the clock hit :00) by the Vols....Tigers 31 Pigs 20
#18 Brigham Young over UNLV giving 16 1/2 : Coach Mendenhall let it be known he wants to spend post-season somewhere other than Sin City (after four straight appearances in Vegas Bowl), but we figure this is the first of two trips this year to our fair berg.. Rebels held their annual preseason practices in the little rural town of Ely, Nevada, which is also home to a pair of brothels (and not much else!). The local “industry” was reportedly off-limits to the athletes (no word on restrictions for coaches and staff), but on the last day of training camp, Vindy’s spies watched the UNLV kick-return team practice the last-ditch, gadget play known as the “hooker-and-lateral”!... Church of LDS 41 Rubbles 17
Baylor over #19 OKLAHOMA taking 25: Even if Sam Bradford returns to direct the Sooners offense, how long will he play knowing the Texas games looms the following week? If Vindicator was Coach Stoops, we’ wouldn’t play Bradford after halftime...enough to get back to game-speed, but hopefully not long enough to invite re-injury. Boomer Sooner will also be without useful WR Broyles (out with injury), who averages 6 catches a game for about 86 yards. Bears lowered points-allowed by 8 per game in Coach Briles first season... Okie-Dokie 37 Baylor 15
#22 Georgia Tech over FLORIDA STATE taking 3: Jimbo’s in limbo (for now), but folks in Tallahassee want Bobby to Bow(den) out! ‘Noles mustered another strong second-half effort last week, but too little too little this time vs. Boston College, despite two receivers gaining over 100 yards each. The Bees, too, can throw out of the triple-option, with D. Thomas snaring 174 yards worth last week in between rushes that helped Tech keep possession for 13 more minutes than Mississippi State. Injuns just 7-15 ATS as home chalk...’Jackets 17 ‘Noles 13
#23 South Florida: IDLE (next vs. Cincinnati 10/15)
#25 SOUTH CAROLINA over Kentucky giving 11: Defense has been the weakness for the ‘Cats, while the Gamecocks have held everybody but Georgia to 16 or less. Carolina’s topped 35 three times in five games (including the aforementioned match against the Bulldogs). SC’s enjoying its fourth consecutive home game, while KY faces its third straight Top 25 foe...Poultry 34 Kentucky 16
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
Break up the Vandals!....Idaho, who came into this season with just three total SU victories in the previous two seasons (two of which came vs. I-AA clubs Idaho State and Cal Poly), is 4-1 SU and 5-0 against the spread! The Spudheads are also on a 9-2 ATS run back to October of 2008.
Following the 63-28 trouncing of UNLV, Reno back-up RB Mike Ball, who racked up five scores and 184 yards, was quoted as saying, “My mother could have run through some of those holes.”. In a surprise move, Mike Sanford has offered the Ball family matriarch a short-term scholarship to play on the scout team this week as the Rebels prepare to face BYU!
Three Dallas Cowboys linemen make up the heavy-metal band Free Reign.. Will their music career thrive or will they simply be one illegal-hit wonders???!!! Can’t wait to see the Guitar Hero version hit the shelves of Toys-R-Us just in time for the Christmas... Rush!
After his streak of 185 with at least one winning bet came to an end last weekend, Terrell Owens did his best “broken record” impersonation, responding to each media question with “whether I like ‘em or not, I’m just goin’ with the Vindy’s Picks that are called.”
Stop by Vindy’s B&B this week for a great big Breaded Porkchop-Block...a nice swine dish served below the customer’s knees!
Sarah Palin’s high school career goal was to be a sportscaster, but she passed on ESPN because of the distance between Alaska and Connecticut, though offered a tribute by naming her first-born female child Bristol. Coulda’ been worse. The former Veep candidate coulda’ been a serious fan of the national pastime and in honor of a couple ESPN Baseball Tonight segments, elected to call her daughter ...”Touch ‘Em All” or (GASP!)...”That’s Nasty!”
Black Shirt: We gratefully hand the ebony tee to Utah State QB Diondre Borel, whose 16-yard touchdown pass as time expired vs. BYU secured the cover and Vindy’s first forecast win of da’ week last Friday night!
“Locked in a Box?”: The Nifty Lions covered easily at Illinois and raise the lock tally to 3-2 (.600).
Shoppe Talk: Texas was idle and Miami gets off the schnide with an upset of Oklahoma, but the Bayou Bengals wander in this week at 1-4 (.200).
Vindy’s Week 6 Best Bets: Last Week: 2-2 Season: 10-10 (.500)
Georgia +1 1/2 over TENNESSEE, Texas-El Paso -2 1/2 over MEMPHIS, Idaho +4 over SAN JOSE STATE, New Mexico +10 1/2 over WYOMING, UConn +8 over PITT
Vindy’s now going to log on to CapitalOne.com and upload a photo to create his own VISA parlay card (which will play Rick James’ Superfreak everytime he swipes it at the sportsbook)!
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