Vindy's Picks Week 13-2010 Part I

COACHES COVETING DRAMA MAJORS

HOLLYWOOD, California (MSNBC)....Want to play? Be in one. While the “flop” and the “dive” have long been part of the athletic repertoire across all of the major sports, feigning pain has come to the forefront as a tactic used to slow down or break the rhythm of those opposing point-per-minute offenses. The no-huddle puts stress and fatigue on defenders to the point that schools now actively look for Thespian skills when recruiting football players out of high school. The concept has given new meaning to “film study”. Watching game film of opponents is fine. Viewing martial arts movies, horror flicks, even spaghetti westerns in which actors realistically portray being in agony can keep an overmatched defensive squad in the contest. Several coaching staffs are now implementing at least one practice session each week dedicated to “Punter for a Day”, in which defensive players take long snaps then twirl, fall and scream in an effort to draw “roughing the kicker” penalties.

In what has to be a career-best outing, your fab faker...um...we mean... forecaster....was dialed-in and went 12-3-1 in Week 12, as he was all over the chalk, who covered 11 of the 16 games!

Vindicator donned a neckbrace, leg cast and a box of Curad Ouchless Pads, then fell to the sportsbook floor grabbing his...uh..er..um...ankle... squealing like a schoolgirl as a pre-emptive strike ahead of...

THE WEBER KID’S 2010 WEEK 13 FORECAST
(Nominated for an Academy Award in the “scream queen” category!)

THURS. NOV. 25
#17 Texas A&M over TEXAS giving 3 ½: Steers finally met a foe they could overwhelm in Fun Belt’s Florida Atlantic, while the Aggies resurrected ghosts of the Wreckin’ Crew defense in a 9-6 win over Nebraska. A&M last beat the Longhorns outright in 2007, but have covered three straight years, mostly as heavy underdogs. TAMU doesn’t fare well in Thursday games, showing just one ATS win in last nine tries, but Texas won’t be able to keep it this close...A&M 24 Cattle 13

FRI. NOV. 26
#1 OREGON over #20 Arizona giving 20: After watching tape of Cal’s near-upset of the Mallards, Arizona spent this week practicing shuttling crutches and aircasts onto the field while on defense. Ducks cash tickets following bye weeks, covering 8 of last 9. Wildcats would like to payback last year’s 44-41 loss in Tucson. Drakes have covered all four games on the Pond in 2010 and unless Arizona successfully pulls off Cal’s Mayo Clinic act...Quack Attack 42 UA 20

#2 Auburn over #9 ALABAMA taking 4 ½: War Eagle has yielded past two Iron Bowls to the Tide after taking the three games from 2005-2007. Tigers blew a lead in last season’s 26-21 loss. Tide laying points in this series for just second time in eight years. A low-scoring game favors ‘Bama, who has held 8 opponents to 13 or less, winning all eight of ‘em and covering seven. Elephants haven’t lost at home since early 2007 (to Joja’ in OT), a span of 20 games. The younger Newton needs to keep his wits about him as evidence closes in around his daddy. If he does so, he can lead the Tigers past ‘Bama in Tuscaloosa, much like South Carolina finally upended Florida in the Swamp. He might wanna’ take that bumper-sticker that reads, “Payment expected at time services are rendered” off his car though...Auburn 23 Bama 20

#3 Boise State over #19 NEVADA giving 14: Last chance for the Broncos to “dress to impress” and belt a semi-relevant team. ‘Bama’s favored to win its game vs. Auburn. If you were coaching Boise State, would you be secure in a simple 10-14 point victory over the likely WAC runner-up, who was held to 7 at Hawaii???!!! We didn’t think so. UNR on just 2-5 ATS skid and playing on a short week. Boise got an extra day of rest/practice following Friday night bashing of Fresno. Like it needs yet-another edge. Wolfpack has two covers in last nine facing ranked opponents. One of those two wins came in 44-33 loss last year at Boise....BSU 49 UNR 20

Colorado over #16 NEBRASKA taking 23 ½: Bison playing with some spunk following dismissal of quarterback’s father, posting consecutive straight-up victories over K-State and Iowa State, who lost by 1 to the Huskers in OT. Big Red became Big Yellow in light of 16 flags for 145 yards in 9-6 defeat by A&M that cost us one of our three forecast L’s last weekend. Nebraska won just 28-20 in 2009. Buffs are 0-3 ATS on the road, but we see the funk continuing for Nebraska...Huskers 42 Colorado 24

SAT. NOV. 27
NEW MEXICO over #4 Texas Christian taking 44 ½: Bye week maybe came at a good time for the Toads following 35 by San Diego State in narrow Frogs win. Lobos have covered 2 of 5 in Albuquerque this season and 4 of last 6 overall. New Mexico lost 40-7 last week at BYU. Is TCU at least 10 points better than da’ Coogs, even on the road? We think so, but initial gut reaction was to take the generous points and Coach Patterson promised to not run it up...TCU 44 Lobos 7

Northwestern over #5 WISCONSIN taking 23 ½: After some goofy directional rules during last week’s tilt at Wrigley Field, at least the ‘Cats will know which way to drive the ball! Wildcats freshman Evan Watkins will make his second start in relief of QB Dan Persa, but N-Dub can play some D even if the offense struggles. Badgers simply need to win to grab part of the conference title and make the Rose Bowl, even if OSU and Michigan State obliterate their opponents. Badgers beat only one line this big to-date...Wisky 34 Northwestern 13

#12 ARKANSAS over #6 Louisiana State giving 3 ½: First thought here is to the “over”. The last five matches have been decided by a total of 13 points but have totaled 61 or better. Bengals escaped Ole Mist with a TD with 44 seconds left in 43-36 win, getting burned for scoring plays of 50- and 65-yards. Hogs have covered three straight in this series, including 33-30 loss in ‘09. State hasn’t been a dog in this SEC contest since 2002...Arkansas 41 LSU 34

Oregon State over #7 STANFORD taking 14: Beavers excel in road dog mode. Trees are not strong in November, though 2-1 ATS this year so far. Other receivers are finally emerging for State, taking some of the pressure off Jacques Rodgers to carry the load...Cardinal 30 Beavers 24

#8 OHIO STATE over Michigan giving 17: Buckeyes are still livin’ right, but could be sluggish in the first 30 minutes here. No matter, there should be plenty of separation in the second half. Are the linesmakers seein’ the same Michigan defense that Vindy is? As expected, Badgers RB Ball and White ran for collective 354 yards vs. Michigan. Boom Herron and Terrell Pryor, when he’s not throwing deep, should do likewise. Big Blew is on 0-7 ATS slide, all in conference play, where UM has now gone 7-22-2 the past 4 seasons. Somehow under the radar in all this are Michigan’s seven SU victories to-date. Buckeyes haven’t blown a cover at da’ Shoe in seven tries this year...OSU 42 Wolverines 18

#10 OKLAHOMA STATE over #14 Oklahoma giving 2 ½: Sooners registered just their second spread win away from Norman all season last week. DeMarco Murray has made himself useful as a receiver since the rushing yardage isn’t coming easy. Meanwhile State’s Justin Blackmon continues his torrid receiving run following return from suspension. Cowpokes haven’t won Bedlam since 2002 and just twice in last 10 years. It’s been a season of underdog teams finally breaking through. Chalk up (no, not that kinda’ chalk) another one for the “little guy”...State 38 Sooners 31

C'mon back tomorrow night for the exciting conclusion of our Week 13 forecast, including our lock of da' week and "best bets". And save room for a nice helping of "hash"!