NFL ANTI-NAVAL
NEW YORK, New York (UPI)...After banning the Captain Morgan pose recently, it turns out the National Football League is not anti-alcohol, but anti-maritime. The discovery of a secret rule book at NFL headquarters has led to revelations about the league’s objections to all references to sea-faring things. Forbidden in any stadium or promotion of any team are references to Sinbad or Popeye, the showing of film clips of Johnny Depp in his role as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Cap’n Crunch on the teams training tables and the playing of such songs as ”In the Navy” by the Village People, “Brick House” by the Commodores or “Muskrat Love” by the Captain & Tennille. The book even outlaws whistling the Old Spice theme tune. There were also plans to covertly pressure the Raiders and Buccaneers into changing their objectionable team monikers. One anonymous official said if current members of the Nautical Fuggheddaboutit League oversaw the Massachusetts Port Authority at the time, the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria would’ve never landed on American shores!
A 2-0 record before Saturday’s games kicked off helped our hero overcome a pair of bad beats and propelled the pretentious prognosticator to 11-9 (128-102-1, .557) in Week 12. A local fisherman, while cleaning out his nets today, threw back an old tire, some license plates and a small chest full of gold doubloons, but held on to....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 13 FORECAST
(Official picks of the Spanish Armada and the Harvard-Yale Regatta)
THURS. NOV. 26
#3 Texas over TEXAS A&M giving 21: Steers are in good shape at the #3 spot in the BCS and need to stay healthy for the Big 12 title game. UT has covered four of last five games in ‘09, but while points-scored has increased over the last three (35-47-51), points-allowed has also gone up (3-14-20). Aggies have covered 4 of last 5 vs. Texas in College Station and while having covered five of last six games this year, including easy SU win at Texas Tech, A&M has been clobbered by the better teams on its schedule. ‘Horns won 49-9 last year and recorded another blow- out in ‘03, but the games in-between have been decided by 13 or less. Colt McCoy logged almost 400 yards vs. Kansas. The Heisman trek continues... Cattle 41 A&M 17
FRI. NOV. 27
AUBURN over #2 Alabama taking 10: Tigers have seven SU wins on the season and would love nothing more to register the eighth at the expense of Iron Bowl rival ‘Bama. We see this as another OSU-Michigan, with the favorite winning, but the dog taking home the moolah. Other than last year’s 36-zippo Tide win, the previous six years were won SU by Aubie, by 10 or fewer. Tigers in rare home dog spot and have covered 2 of the last three as such. Two of Auburn’s four defeats this year were by 21, while the other pair was by 7...Alabama 21 Auburn 12
#5 CINCINNATI over Illinois giving 20 ½: After last week’s bye, Tony Pike is expected to start this week at QB (following a couple of cameo appearances in which he came in deep on a couple drives vs. West Virginia and accounted for 14 of Cincy’s 24 points). Bearkats blew the cover in the game via an early lost fumble (first on the year) and a missed FG. Illini don’t have much to play for, while UC is trying to surpass TCU in the BCS poll. Illinois did not cover vs. Penn State or Ohio State. ‘Kats can bang the scoreboard...Cincy 38 Illinois 13
Nevada-Reno over #6 BOISE STATE taking 13 1/2: Broncos have kindly faltered when Vindy has previously predicted a spread loss. We’re hopin’ they oblige once again. State needs a big win (and probably unlikely outright losses by TCU and/or Cincinnati) to grab a BCS berth. BSU has 7 covers, a push and a loss in last 9 vs. Reno. Broncos giving up 4 more points per game than last year. Wolfpack has topped 50 in five games already and has three players over 1000 yards each, but has failed in its last 7 vs. ranked teams. Tater-Heads are just 6-5 ATS this year...BSU 38 UNR 33
#8 Pittsburgh over WEST VIRGINIA (PK): Panthers seem to finally have it all together and will counter Mounties’ RB Joel Devine with their own workhorse, RB Dion Lewis (129 ypg). Pitt’s only outright loss came surprisingly at NC State in late September. West Virginia looks to payback close 19-15 loss in last season’s edition of the Backyard Brawl...Pitt 24 WVU 20
SAT. NOV. 28
Florida State over #1 FLORIDA taking 24 1/2: Earlier this summer, the NCAA Committee on Infractions responded to Florida State’s appeal of sanctions, but kept its answer classified, allowing the school 15 days to respond . Dick Cheney wasn’t responding to media calls and Nancy Pelosi said the CIA misled her on that too! Tebow played into the 3rd Quarter of rout vs. FIU before giving way to his back-up, Brantley. How long will he go this week with SEC title game next? Gators have won each of the last two years by at least 30...Crocs 38 ‘Noles 16
#4 TCU over New Mexico giving 44 1/2: Almost locked the Amphibians for a second straight week. Toads covered and landed Vindy’s first lock win in five tries last week, but need to take it up a notch to hold paper-thin lead over Cincinnati in the BCS rankings. In September, the FDA verified that remains found in a can of Diet Pepsi belonged to a frog or a toad....and officials in Ft. Worth still ain’t talkin’ ...TCU 54 Low-bos 6
#7 GEORGIA TECH over Georgia giving 7: Rested Bees are looking to post their first 11-win season since 1990's National Co-Champion squad, while ‘Dawgs, who wasted a 20-7 halftime lead and lost by 7 to Kentucky last week, are potentially going to have worst SU win total since 1996's 5-6 campaign that was led by Mike Bobo at QB. Joja’ has three covers in ten games on the year and this is only the second time in six seasons that UGA isn’t ranked for this match-up...GT 28 Georgia 7
#9 Ohio State: IDLE (next...da’ Rose Bowl)
#10 Oregon: IDLE (next vs. Oregon State 12/3)
#11 Oklahoma State over OKLAHOMA taking 9 1/2: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK. QB Zac Robinson is expected to return from the injury that knocked him outta’ Texas Tech game and start the 2009 Bedlam. Even if he doesn’t or can’t go the distance, 3rd stringer Brandon Weeden can keep the pressure on the Sooners D. OU will start a new center this week. That’s got “botched snap” written all over it. Shootout that should give State its first Bedlam cover in five years and its first outright victory since 2002...Cowpokes 34 Sooners 31
#12 Penn State: IDLE (next...da’ Bowls)
#13 Iowa: IDLE (next...da’ Bowls)
#14 Virginia Tech over VIRGINIA giving 15 1/2: Hokies haven’t beaten the Cavs by this many since 2006, but are on 3-0 SU/ATS run since losing to North Carolina, giving up a total of 22 points in those tilts. Tech RB Williams went for 120 rushing yards and three scores, with WR Boykin pitching in 164 yards on 6 catches. Virginia won’t be able to throw effectively vs. stout VT pass defense if it gets down early...Tech 28 Cavs 10
#15 Clemson over SOUTH CAROLINA giving 3: Gamehens got a much-needed bye last week following 10-point loss to Florida and are floundering in 2-4 ATS skid after opening 4-0. Tigers won 31-14 at home in ‘08, but won only 13-9 and 23-21 the past two visits to Columbia. Clemson building a head of steam as it rolls into the ACC Championship game next week having won six straight following defeat by the Terps. Can Steve Spurrier gameplan for CJ Spiller? (We are, however, rather puzzled by Tigers’ sudden lack of scoring, taking a 13-point lead into the 4th Quarter vs. Virginia, who had 21 points of their own. Did Cavs defense suddenly come to play? Did Clemson elect to put the game in the hands of its own D? Did someone in Vegas make a phone call to the sideline?). It’s a rivalry, so Clemson won’t be looking ahead...Clemson 20 Poultry 13
#16 Oregon State: IDLE (next @ Oregon 12/3)
Arkansas over #17 LSU taking 3 1/2: No faith in the Tigers since they can’t seem to get out of their own way of late, losing two of three SU and scraping by Weeziana Tech. Hogs take their busload of super sophomores and their scoring machine (48.5 ppg over last four) into Not-Quite-Dead-Yet Valley...and win for the second straight season (Pigs took it 31-30 in 2008)...Arkansas 27 LSU 24
#22 Utah over #18 BYU taking 7 1/2: Coogs got four uncharacteristic turnovers from Air Force, making your humble host look like a Nostradamic ninny for tagging the Flyboys as his upset pick of da’ week. Winner is likely off to Sin City for the post-season and the key match-up should be Max Hall’s passing (300 yards per game) against Utah’s pass defense (100 yards per game). Utes won 48-24 last season and have permitted just two opponents to score more than 17 (Oregon and TCU, both on the road)...BYU 20 Utah 17
#19 Miami over SOUTH FLORIDA giving 6: We looked at this for lock status. Okay, this pits a bunch of former Sunshine State high school teammates (and rivals) against each other, but again, we reference USF’s resume. Yes, they’ve won 7 of 10 games straight-up to-date, but have just a lone cover in last five. ‘Canes did give up 300 passing yards to Duke, but it was a 73-yard INT return for TD by Miami that kept Devils’ defeat closer to three touchdowns than to mere 4 points. As long as Jacory Harris doesn’t toss a couple to the guys in the wrong-colored unis...Miami 27 USF 17
MISSISSIPPI STATE over #20 Mississippi taking 8: Rebels stole one last week. Bulldogs’ strength is the defense. We’re hopin’ to see the one that helped State lose by 10 vs. Florida, not the one that helped ‘Bama win by 28. Rebels 2-2 SU/ATS on the road this year, losing at South Carolina and at Auburn. Bulldogs have the running game to burn the clock even if they don’t score often. We wouldn’t be surprised by an upset, but let’s just say...Ole Miss 13 MSU 9
#21 California: IDLE (next @ Washington 12/5)
#23 North Carolina over NC STATE giving 6: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Wolfpack won this one 41-13 in 2008, but are 2-6-1 ATS this season and were crushed at home by Duke and Clemson. ‘Heels currently on nice 4-0 SU/ATS run that includes victories vs. Miami and at Virginia Tech, both of whom were ranked. Tarheels’ defense is on par with, if not better than, Virginia Tech’s, in most categories. Hokies got 4 turnovers from State last week, holding the Wolfpack below 20 points for first time since opening 7-3 loss to South Carolina....UNC 27 NC State 13
Ucla over #24 USC taking 13: We ain’t crushed about USC’s conference dynasty finally tumblin’ down. Trojans have had the extra week to think about thrashing by Stanford. Bruins are 3-5 ATS vs. the PAC-10 this season, but 3-1 the last 4. Rick Neuheisel already has two more wins than he had all last year when he took over UCLA and has his team bowl-eligible. Bruins have covered the last three vs. USC, but only SU win in last 10 years came in 2006 at UCLA...Southern Cal 23 UCLA 12
Rice over #25 HOUSTON taking 29 ½: Another cross-town rivalry like USC-UCLA above. The Owls, who’ve had a down year after doing good things in ‘08, have four covers in five tries vs. the Coogs, including last year’s 56-42 win and 56-48 loss in ‘07. Rice finally showing some oomph, winning back-to-back games and losing by just 3 at SMU after the first eight matches of 2009 saw the Hooters on the wrong end of an average margin of 46-15... Houston 48 Rice 24
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
BTW, draft-eligible players from the Navy Midshipmen and the Vandy Commodores are planning to boycott the NFL Combine this Spring.
Gator fans are expected to wear eye black, with or without messages, in honor of Tim Tebow, known for sporting bible verses on his, during Saturday’s Florida State game. Vindy plans to don the facial accouterment bearing the words “Love Boat” during Sunday’s trip to the sportsbook, just to spite the NFL!
In reporting on Sarah Palin’s recent book-signing, Fox News said the ex-vice presidential candidate was “continuing to draw huge crowds”, showing “live” video of the alleged crowds. Unfortunately, the film in question was actually from her campaign more than a year ago. In a related story, Fox blew it again last week, showing a game reel of Michigan’s last victory over the Buckeyes in 2003, while in fact State was beating the Wolverines on Saturday.
On the big screen, an adaptation of a book by Maurice Sendak in which a young boy named Max escapes a disappointing home life and finds himself in the middle of a trademark Miami Dolphins offensive formation in...”Where the Wildcat Things Are”. (In related news, Vin grabs bottle of whiskey and draws up X’s and O’s to run the Wild Turkey formation!)
A judge threatened to let Cincy QB Nick Collaros spend a little post-season time in the pokey if he didn’t finish a court-ordered program after flashing a fake ID at a bar near the UC campus. The ID looked so authentic, defenders on the Bearkats scout team tackled a cardboard cutout with the card glued to it while Collaros himself lined up unnoticed at wide receiver during practice last week.
Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini has levied charges of faking injury (which he has since recanted) against the Detroit Lions late in last Sunday’s game, won barely by Detroit. Uhhhh....Cleveland squandered a 27-6 lead, so we’re thinking the Browns were faking being a pro football team!
After hobbling thru mid-season, Vindy’s preferred picks (lock choices and best bests) have gone a collective 8-3 the past two weeks.
Black Shirt: goes this week to Connecticut Huskies RB Andre Dixon, whose 4-yard touchdown run in 2OT gave UConn the upset victory over Notre Dame and Vindy one of his Week Twelve best bet wins.
“Wish I Had That One Back”: Vindy wishes he’d put a little more confidence in Virginia’s ability to lose by less than three touchdowns over the past three years following the Cavs’ cover at Clemson.
“Locked in a Box?”: The Horny Toads of TCU stop the bleeding and raise the record to 5-7 (.417)
Shoppe Talk: The Miami Hurricanes remain off the coast and below the radar and the Weeziana State Tigers get a weekend pass for shoulda’-been win over Ole Miss, but the OSU Buckeyes have now dropped nine forecast picks in the past 10 appearances!
Vindy’s Week 13 Best Bets: Last Week: 4-1 Season: 25-27 (.481)
Central Florida -3 over ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM, Southern Methodist -17 ½ over TULANE, Washington State +24 1/2 over WASHINGTON, Navy -9 over HAWAII
Now if you’ll excuse the Weber Kid, he’s off to do some holiday shoppin’ at one of his favorite stores...Tays-R-Us!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 12-2009
POETIC JUSTICE FOR MADOFF VICTIMS
MANHATTAN, New York (ITAR-Tass)....As Bernie Madoff’s estate continues to get sold off this month, noted items up for bid include a boogie board bearing the disgraced investor’s name, a baseball mitt, a Wayne Gretsky action figure and....copies of Vindy’s Picks! In a twist of fate, the Ponzi scheme felon who bilked investors out of billions, was himself taken to the cleaners as recently-discovered records indicate Madoff gambled away tons of money wagering on Vindy’s 2009 lock of the week choices and his best bet selections, which have combined to go just 25-33 (and falling). As his thirst for the outrageous spiraled out of control, an opportunistic bookie duped Madoff into believing he was betting with the advice of nationally-known touts such as Phil Steele, Jim Feist and Marc Lawrence. The soon-to-be jailbird even went so far as to wear an exorbitant replica chronograph watch, used by German POWs to time prison patrols for possible escape attempts, to ensure he placed his already-doomed bets by kickoff!
The Sin City Soothsayer posted just his second losing effort on the season in Week Eleven, going 9-13 (117-93-1, .557) and pulled a Mike Singletary by dropping trou in the locker room in an effort to get his assistant prognosticators to focus on....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 12 FORECAST
THURS. NOV. 19
Colorado over #12 OKLAHOMA STATE taking 17 ½: Bisons’ rushing defense has gotten worse each year since Dan Hawkins took over as coach (allowing 4.4 ypc last season and currently around 4.1 ypc this year). Not good news against Oklahoma State team running for better than 200 yards per game. CU just playing out the string, having only three outright wins. State defense had three INTs last week to turn away Texas Tech. Six of Colorado’s 10 foes have put up at least 30, while the Buffs have scored in the teens or less in three of last four. Still, Cowpokes can be streaky and yield more points than expected...OKSU 33 Colorado 18
FRI. NOV. 20
#6 Boise State over UTAH STATE giving 23: Okay, both of Boise’s ATS defeats came on the road and Utah State is 7-2 ATS on the year, including covers at in-state rivals BYU and Utah. “In-state rivals” may be the key words here. Aggies boast nice 15-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, but have also given up 26 sacks. Boise’s QB Kellen Moore has a 32-3 ratio. USU is 21-10-2 ATS in last 33 overall games, but we just can’t pass up the Broncos right now....BSU 48 USU 20
SAT. NOV. 21
Florida International over #1 FLORIDA taking 45: FIU covered smaller lines at ‘Bama and at Rutgers. Crocs, en route to 9-0 ATS run as double-digit faves vs. non-conference teams, blew out Troy 56-6. In May, the Dalai Lama donated $100K to Florida International after getting a letter from a friend on the FIU staff requesting assistance. Officials quickly dumped the contribution into the financially-strapped Department of Religious Studies, but the religious leader quickly responded, saying “No, no, NO! That money goes toward scholarships for the Panthers gridiron team!”...Florida 48 FIU 6
Tennessee-Chattanooga @ #2 ALABAMA: No line.
#3 TEXAS over Kansas giving 27 1/2: KU’s pass offense behind Todd Reesing hangs around the nation’s Top 10 and the Jayhawks ain’t bad in total offense either, but those positives did not translate into a BCS title shot as Vindy (and folks in Lawrence) hoped. Steers allowing less than 100 passing yards per game, have covered 6 of latest 7 in this series and won 35-7 last year. Kansas still seeking an elusive sixth win toward the post-season...UT 45 KU 14
#4 Texas Christian over WYOMING giving 32: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Cowboys’ only spread losses in 9 lined tilts came in shutouts at Colorado and BYU. Wyoming’s been whitewashed in two of its last three, somehow rallying last week at SDSU from a three-touchdown deficit. Toads left no doubt they’re on a mission by annihilating Utah. Wyoming is near the bottom of the conference in most offensive categories and fair-to-middlin’ defensively...Frozen Frogs 42 Wyoming 7
#5 Cincinnati: IDLE (next vs. Illinois 11/27)
#7 Georgia Tech: IDLE (next vs. Georgia)
#8 Pittsburgh: IDLE (next @ West Virginia 11/27)
#9 Ohio State over MICHIGAN giving 12: Big Blew’s on 1-6 ATS skid and only outright win in past seven games came at the expense of Vindy’s first college venue, I-AA Delaware State. Buckeyes, already locked into the Rose Bowl, could be flat. Then again, they may want embarrass freshman QB Forcier in his first taste of this rivalry and rub a little salt in the gaping Wolverine wounds. Bruce Springsteen mistakenly greeted his recent Michigan concert audience with “Hello, Ohio!” and uttered a few more references to that state to the East before being advised of his boo-boo. Motor City’s Ted Nugent plans revenge by going into Bruce’s hometown of Asbury Park, NJ and opening with “How ya doin’, Philadelphia!”...OSU 27 Michigan 10
#10 Louisiana State over MISSISSIPPI taking 4: Bengals still struggling to cover vs. SEC squads, but got the shaft in ‘Bama game. The switch at QB to former starter Jarrett Lee did not go overly-well in mere 8-point home win over Weeziana Tech, but while the last 3 games between the Bengals and Rebels in Baton Rouge have been decided by 3 or less, Tigers belted Ole Miss in Oxford by 17 in 2007 and by 33 in 2005. All things considered, Fightin’ Magnolias’ best win might actually have been the 30-17 triumph over Arkansas rather than 25-point victory vs. Rocky Top in Week Eleven. If State can put the same D on the field that stymied the Tide most of the game, they’ll win here...LSU 16 Mississippi 13
ARIZONA over #11 Oregon taking 6: ‘Cats should be hungry after letting Cal score on a 61-yard run with 90 seconds to play to lose the game. Ducks have lost the money four of their last five tries prior to facing the Beavers, but have two weeks before that game. AZ is 9-3 ATS in last dozen vs. Top 25 teams. Mallards win a close one... Decoys 30 Arizona 27
#13 Penn State over MICHIGAN STATE giving 3: Turnovers continue to plague the alma mater. Four giveaways were off-set only by Navarro Bowman’s 73-yard pick-six that kept feisty Indiana from taking a third quarter lead. Sparty’s biggest loss was by 8 at Notre Dame and MSU stayed within 2 of Iowa here in East Lansing. Holy cow! Lions actually playing outside Happy Valley! Lions have won and covered the previous three away treks by average of 21 points. In that case, we gotta’ lay da’ points and hope for a New Year’s Day berth for...Penn State 28 Michigan State 12
#14 STANFORD over California giving 7: Do back-to-back upsets by the Cardinal mean they beat the letdown curse that foiled PAC-10 brethren Arizona and Oregon or does it mean Stanford’s twice as likely to fall on its face here? Bears have won six of last seven battles outright vs. the Trees. Cardinal has hit the board for better than fitty each of the last two weeks. Tiger Woods will be an honorary captain on the Stanford sideline this week and plans to quietly chip or drive golf balls into Cal players to induce offside penalties or procedure calls during third-and-short situations!... Stanford 31 Cal 20
Minnesota over #15 IOWA taking 10: The line’s droppin’ like a rock in favor of the Gophers, who edged FCS squad South Dakota State 16-13 in Week Eleven. Golden Gerbils have lost four of last seven this year, going 2-4 ATS over that span and got blown out 55-0 at home last year by Iowa. Yet, the betting public (and perhaps the sharps out there) continue to distrust the Hawkeyes laying double-digits. The loss to the Buckeyes ended the Rose Bowl hopes and though there’s a remote shot of an at-large spot, Iowa can basically only look forward to some non-Orange Bowl game in Florida around the New Year. Minny no bargain vs. ranked teams, going 0-3 SU/ATS, losing by 13, 20 and 31...Iowa 20 Vermin 12
NC State over #16 VIRGINIA TECH taking 21: Disappointing year for NC State team that Vindicator expected to flourish in Tom O’Brien’s 3rd year as coach. How did these guys beat Pitt earlier?! Maryland’s only six vs. Tech came via a fumble in the end zone. These clubs haven’t met since 20-16 Hokies win in 2006. Tech just 3-2 ATS in Blacksburg and little voice in your host’s head is screamin’ take da’ points...Tech 28 Wolf Pack 13
NORTHWESTERN over #17 Wisconsin taking 7: Wildcats in midst of 3-2 SU/ATS run that includes straight-up wins over Iowa and Illinois. Badgers lousy as road favorites, covering just 4 of last 15. NW is making it happen on defense, but they haven’t posted more than 17 points in 4 of last 6 games...Wisky 20 NW 16
#18 CLEMSON over Virginia giving 20 ½: C.J. Spiller looks to be rolling for the Tigers after rushing for almost triple-digits and reeling in a pair of scoring catches last week. Cavs on 0-3 ATS slide after being battered by bi-polar Hurricanes. Clemson has four wins by 20 or more. This would be only 5th loss by three touchdowns or more in almost three full seasons for the Cavaliers...Clemson 34 Virginia 10
Air Force over #19 BYU taking 10: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK. WTH?????!!!! Mormons managed just a 5-point win at New Mexico???!!!! Lobos kicker James Aho drew nothin’ but iron on two field goal tries and a PAT or BYU woulda’ had itself another one in the loss column. The Flight Platoon lost to TCU by 3 and to Utah by 7 in extra innings and have covered 16 of their last 22 MWC contests. Mormons have beaten the line the past five tries against the Pilots, handling USAF rather easily. Cougars are minus-three in turnover ratio. USAF is +18 and recovers better than two of every three balls put on the ground by their opponents. BYU’s only two SU defeats this season came at Provo. We’re callin’ for the hat trick...Flyboys 19 BYU 17
#20 Oregon State over WASHINGTON STATE giving 30 ½: More of a vote against Wazzou than for the Beavers, who’ve covered 5 of last 6 games on the season (though four of those came while getting points). Looks like a lot to lay, but Cougars made even Notre Dame look good on a neutral field. Replay of last week’s BYU-New Mexico debauchery? Naaaaaaahhhhh. Beavers tally half-a-hundred...OSU 52 WSU 13
Duke over #21 MIAMI taking 19 1/2: These ain’t your father’s Blue Devils, who own a win-loss record equal-to or better than six other ACC teams. Pelicans have beaten only I-AA Florida A&M (who?) by this many. ‘Canes followed up loss to Virginia Tech with one-point win over Oklahoma and OT loss vs. Clemson with near-loss to Wake Forest. Can’t see Da’ U whacking the Dukies, who can also throw the ball fairly well with senior Thaddeus Lewis at QB, by almost three touchdowns...Miami 27 Duke 16
#22 USC: IDLE (next vs. UCLA)
San Diego State over #23 UTAH taking 19 ½: Last lost as bad as TCU laid on Utah last week was 27-0 in early 2007 to...GASP!...UNLV! The only team with a pulse that the Utes have beaten by this much was Utah State in the opener. Aztecs on 0-3 ATS slide, but showed signs of life, taking a 27-6 lead into the 4th Quarter before lucky win by Wyoming.. Provo Panthers on-deck for Utah. Uggghhhhh...Utes 17 SDSU 6
#24 HOUSTON over Memphis giving 23 1/2: Memphis, with a couple exceptions, has been limited to scoring in the teens and has just one cover in nine games with spreads. Where has Houston’s defense gone???!! Off upset by Central Florida and back in the friendly confines against a school looking ahead to the hoops season, Coogs offense breaks the half-century mark as well for the third time this year and Case Keenum adds to his #2 TD pass total (just one behind Boise’s Kellen Moore)...Houston 54 Memphis 24
#25 Rutgers over SYRACUSE giving 8: Orange off hard-fought 10-9 loss at Louisville (and we don’t know if that speaks more to improvement of Syracuse or just the Redbirds futility this season) and have lost to the Knights by 18, 24, 31 and 22 the past four years. Half of Rutgers’ six scores vs. South Florida were field goals, but the Garden State Galahads have quietly placed their defense at #11 in scoring D, #12 in rush D (98.2 ypg) and #16 in total D. NJ requires decals on cars driven by teens (21 or under) that indicate ”teen on board”. Rutgers players’ vehicles bear stickers noting ...”Scarlet Knight on board”...Jersey Boys 22 Syracuse 10
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
The NFL has put the kibosh on players putting their hands on their hips and raising a bent leg in a nod to a certain well-known spiced rum company after Eagles TE Brent Celek did so following a touchdown catch vs. the Cowboys two weekends ago. Apparently, the No Fermentation League won’t tolerate their athletes taking the field when they “have a little Captain in them”! (Stay tuned for next week’s lead story for more thoughts on this topic!)
This summer, UConn hoops coach Jim Calhoun went you-know-what over tea kettle 12 miles into a 50-mile Cancer Challenge bike-riding event. Coach got busted up rather badly, but got back in the saddle and finished the course. Not only is Calhoun the heir-apparent to Lance Armstrong, Vegas has posted an over/under on total games lost to injury by his players during the upcoming basketball season as zero at minus–800 and 1-or-more at +1200!!!!
This week’s lunch special at Vindy’s Bet & Breakfast is a nice Asian dish honoring the run-and-shoot...Chuck-and-Peking Duck!
As a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, NBA baller Ron Artest will wear No. 37 for each week Thriller topped the charts. (Phew!...for a minute there, we thought he was making fun of Vindy’s total losses the last few weeks!)
Wonder if somewhere out there is an abbreviated version of the bookies’ manual on dealing with unsavory gamblers called...“Off Da’ Cliff Notes!”
Couldn’t help but notice the following AP headline in Monday’s paper...WIE SHOWERED WITH RELIEF AFTER FIRST WIN. Uhhhh....did the golf star plan to forego the whole personal hygiene thing until she wrapped up her inaugural LPGA Tour title on Sunday or what????!!!!!!
Black Shirt: Gets cleaned and pressed for North Carolina CB Kendric Burney for snaring three interceptions, including one for a score, in the Tarheels’ predicted SU win over Miami!
“Locked in a Box?”: The Mormons were on a mission outta’ the country apparently during poor offensive showing against the Lobos and dropped Vindy’s 4th consecutive lock pick (4-7, .364).
Shoppe Talk: Hurricanes (2-7) get to blow out to sea for a week after losing SU to Carolina (as we predicted), but the Ohio State Suckeyes fall to 1-8 in last 9 (and 3-8 overall) with the LSU Bungles still in the cages at 1-7 in the last 8 (2-8 overall). And the Dread Raiders of Texas Tech did what they do best to go 0-4-1 on the season (2-14-1 since start of 2008).
Vindy’s Week 12 Best Bets: Last Week: 3-1 Season: 21-26 (.447)
TEMPLE -13 over Kent State, Connecticut +6 over NOTRE DAME, Weeziana Tech +10 over FRESNO STATE, Southern Methodist +4 over MARSHALL, Weeziana-Monroe -2 1/2 over WEEZIANA-LAFAYETTE
MANHATTAN, New York (ITAR-Tass)....As Bernie Madoff’s estate continues to get sold off this month, noted items up for bid include a boogie board bearing the disgraced investor’s name, a baseball mitt, a Wayne Gretsky action figure and....copies of Vindy’s Picks! In a twist of fate, the Ponzi scheme felon who bilked investors out of billions, was himself taken to the cleaners as recently-discovered records indicate Madoff gambled away tons of money wagering on Vindy’s 2009 lock of the week choices and his best bet selections, which have combined to go just 25-33 (and falling). As his thirst for the outrageous spiraled out of control, an opportunistic bookie duped Madoff into believing he was betting with the advice of nationally-known touts such as Phil Steele, Jim Feist and Marc Lawrence. The soon-to-be jailbird even went so far as to wear an exorbitant replica chronograph watch, used by German POWs to time prison patrols for possible escape attempts, to ensure he placed his already-doomed bets by kickoff!
The Sin City Soothsayer posted just his second losing effort on the season in Week Eleven, going 9-13 (117-93-1, .557) and pulled a Mike Singletary by dropping trou in the locker room in an effort to get his assistant prognosticators to focus on....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 12 FORECAST
THURS. NOV. 19
Colorado over #12 OKLAHOMA STATE taking 17 ½: Bisons’ rushing defense has gotten worse each year since Dan Hawkins took over as coach (allowing 4.4 ypc last season and currently around 4.1 ypc this year). Not good news against Oklahoma State team running for better than 200 yards per game. CU just playing out the string, having only three outright wins. State defense had three INTs last week to turn away Texas Tech. Six of Colorado’s 10 foes have put up at least 30, while the Buffs have scored in the teens or less in three of last four. Still, Cowpokes can be streaky and yield more points than expected...OKSU 33 Colorado 18
FRI. NOV. 20
#6 Boise State over UTAH STATE giving 23: Okay, both of Boise’s ATS defeats came on the road and Utah State is 7-2 ATS on the year, including covers at in-state rivals BYU and Utah. “In-state rivals” may be the key words here. Aggies boast nice 15-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, but have also given up 26 sacks. Boise’s QB Kellen Moore has a 32-3 ratio. USU is 21-10-2 ATS in last 33 overall games, but we just can’t pass up the Broncos right now....BSU 48 USU 20
SAT. NOV. 21
Florida International over #1 FLORIDA taking 45: FIU covered smaller lines at ‘Bama and at Rutgers. Crocs, en route to 9-0 ATS run as double-digit faves vs. non-conference teams, blew out Troy 56-6. In May, the Dalai Lama donated $100K to Florida International after getting a letter from a friend on the FIU staff requesting assistance. Officials quickly dumped the contribution into the financially-strapped Department of Religious Studies, but the religious leader quickly responded, saying “No, no, NO! That money goes toward scholarships for the Panthers gridiron team!”...Florida 48 FIU 6
Tennessee-Chattanooga @ #2 ALABAMA: No line.
#3 TEXAS over Kansas giving 27 1/2: KU’s pass offense behind Todd Reesing hangs around the nation’s Top 10 and the Jayhawks ain’t bad in total offense either, but those positives did not translate into a BCS title shot as Vindy (and folks in Lawrence) hoped. Steers allowing less than 100 passing yards per game, have covered 6 of latest 7 in this series and won 35-7 last year. Kansas still seeking an elusive sixth win toward the post-season...UT 45 KU 14
#4 Texas Christian over WYOMING giving 32: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Cowboys’ only spread losses in 9 lined tilts came in shutouts at Colorado and BYU. Wyoming’s been whitewashed in two of its last three, somehow rallying last week at SDSU from a three-touchdown deficit. Toads left no doubt they’re on a mission by annihilating Utah. Wyoming is near the bottom of the conference in most offensive categories and fair-to-middlin’ defensively...Frozen Frogs 42 Wyoming 7
#5 Cincinnati: IDLE (next vs. Illinois 11/27)
#7 Georgia Tech: IDLE (next vs. Georgia)
#8 Pittsburgh: IDLE (next @ West Virginia 11/27)
#9 Ohio State over MICHIGAN giving 12: Big Blew’s on 1-6 ATS skid and only outright win in past seven games came at the expense of Vindy’s first college venue, I-AA Delaware State. Buckeyes, already locked into the Rose Bowl, could be flat. Then again, they may want embarrass freshman QB Forcier in his first taste of this rivalry and rub a little salt in the gaping Wolverine wounds. Bruce Springsteen mistakenly greeted his recent Michigan concert audience with “Hello, Ohio!” and uttered a few more references to that state to the East before being advised of his boo-boo. Motor City’s Ted Nugent plans revenge by going into Bruce’s hometown of Asbury Park, NJ and opening with “How ya doin’, Philadelphia!”...OSU 27 Michigan 10
#10 Louisiana State over MISSISSIPPI taking 4: Bengals still struggling to cover vs. SEC squads, but got the shaft in ‘Bama game. The switch at QB to former starter Jarrett Lee did not go overly-well in mere 8-point home win over Weeziana Tech, but while the last 3 games between the Bengals and Rebels in Baton Rouge have been decided by 3 or less, Tigers belted Ole Miss in Oxford by 17 in 2007 and by 33 in 2005. All things considered, Fightin’ Magnolias’ best win might actually have been the 30-17 triumph over Arkansas rather than 25-point victory vs. Rocky Top in Week Eleven. If State can put the same D on the field that stymied the Tide most of the game, they’ll win here...LSU 16 Mississippi 13
ARIZONA over #11 Oregon taking 6: ‘Cats should be hungry after letting Cal score on a 61-yard run with 90 seconds to play to lose the game. Ducks have lost the money four of their last five tries prior to facing the Beavers, but have two weeks before that game. AZ is 9-3 ATS in last dozen vs. Top 25 teams. Mallards win a close one... Decoys 30 Arizona 27
#13 Penn State over MICHIGAN STATE giving 3: Turnovers continue to plague the alma mater. Four giveaways were off-set only by Navarro Bowman’s 73-yard pick-six that kept feisty Indiana from taking a third quarter lead. Sparty’s biggest loss was by 8 at Notre Dame and MSU stayed within 2 of Iowa here in East Lansing. Holy cow! Lions actually playing outside Happy Valley! Lions have won and covered the previous three away treks by average of 21 points. In that case, we gotta’ lay da’ points and hope for a New Year’s Day berth for...Penn State 28 Michigan State 12
#14 STANFORD over California giving 7: Do back-to-back upsets by the Cardinal mean they beat the letdown curse that foiled PAC-10 brethren Arizona and Oregon or does it mean Stanford’s twice as likely to fall on its face here? Bears have won six of last seven battles outright vs. the Trees. Cardinal has hit the board for better than fitty each of the last two weeks. Tiger Woods will be an honorary captain on the Stanford sideline this week and plans to quietly chip or drive golf balls into Cal players to induce offside penalties or procedure calls during third-and-short situations!... Stanford 31 Cal 20
Minnesota over #15 IOWA taking 10: The line’s droppin’ like a rock in favor of the Gophers, who edged FCS squad South Dakota State 16-13 in Week Eleven. Golden Gerbils have lost four of last seven this year, going 2-4 ATS over that span and got blown out 55-0 at home last year by Iowa. Yet, the betting public (and perhaps the sharps out there) continue to distrust the Hawkeyes laying double-digits. The loss to the Buckeyes ended the Rose Bowl hopes and though there’s a remote shot of an at-large spot, Iowa can basically only look forward to some non-Orange Bowl game in Florida around the New Year. Minny no bargain vs. ranked teams, going 0-3 SU/ATS, losing by 13, 20 and 31...Iowa 20 Vermin 12
NC State over #16 VIRGINIA TECH taking 21: Disappointing year for NC State team that Vindicator expected to flourish in Tom O’Brien’s 3rd year as coach. How did these guys beat Pitt earlier?! Maryland’s only six vs. Tech came via a fumble in the end zone. These clubs haven’t met since 20-16 Hokies win in 2006. Tech just 3-2 ATS in Blacksburg and little voice in your host’s head is screamin’ take da’ points...Tech 28 Wolf Pack 13
NORTHWESTERN over #17 Wisconsin taking 7: Wildcats in midst of 3-2 SU/ATS run that includes straight-up wins over Iowa and Illinois. Badgers lousy as road favorites, covering just 4 of last 15. NW is making it happen on defense, but they haven’t posted more than 17 points in 4 of last 6 games...Wisky 20 NW 16
#18 CLEMSON over Virginia giving 20 ½: C.J. Spiller looks to be rolling for the Tigers after rushing for almost triple-digits and reeling in a pair of scoring catches last week. Cavs on 0-3 ATS slide after being battered by bi-polar Hurricanes. Clemson has four wins by 20 or more. This would be only 5th loss by three touchdowns or more in almost three full seasons for the Cavaliers...Clemson 34 Virginia 10
Air Force over #19 BYU taking 10: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK. WTH?????!!!! Mormons managed just a 5-point win at New Mexico???!!!! Lobos kicker James Aho drew nothin’ but iron on two field goal tries and a PAT or BYU woulda’ had itself another one in the loss column. The Flight Platoon lost to TCU by 3 and to Utah by 7 in extra innings and have covered 16 of their last 22 MWC contests. Mormons have beaten the line the past five tries against the Pilots, handling USAF rather easily. Cougars are minus-three in turnover ratio. USAF is +18 and recovers better than two of every three balls put on the ground by their opponents. BYU’s only two SU defeats this season came at Provo. We’re callin’ for the hat trick...Flyboys 19 BYU 17
#20 Oregon State over WASHINGTON STATE giving 30 ½: More of a vote against Wazzou than for the Beavers, who’ve covered 5 of last 6 games on the season (though four of those came while getting points). Looks like a lot to lay, but Cougars made even Notre Dame look good on a neutral field. Replay of last week’s BYU-New Mexico debauchery? Naaaaaaahhhhh. Beavers tally half-a-hundred...OSU 52 WSU 13
Duke over #21 MIAMI taking 19 1/2: These ain’t your father’s Blue Devils, who own a win-loss record equal-to or better than six other ACC teams. Pelicans have beaten only I-AA Florida A&M (who?) by this many. ‘Canes followed up loss to Virginia Tech with one-point win over Oklahoma and OT loss vs. Clemson with near-loss to Wake Forest. Can’t see Da’ U whacking the Dukies, who can also throw the ball fairly well with senior Thaddeus Lewis at QB, by almost three touchdowns...Miami 27 Duke 16
#22 USC: IDLE (next vs. UCLA)
San Diego State over #23 UTAH taking 19 ½: Last lost as bad as TCU laid on Utah last week was 27-0 in early 2007 to...GASP!...UNLV! The only team with a pulse that the Utes have beaten by this much was Utah State in the opener. Aztecs on 0-3 ATS slide, but showed signs of life, taking a 27-6 lead into the 4th Quarter before lucky win by Wyoming.. Provo Panthers on-deck for Utah. Uggghhhhh...Utes 17 SDSU 6
#24 HOUSTON over Memphis giving 23 1/2: Memphis, with a couple exceptions, has been limited to scoring in the teens and has just one cover in nine games with spreads. Where has Houston’s defense gone???!! Off upset by Central Florida and back in the friendly confines against a school looking ahead to the hoops season, Coogs offense breaks the half-century mark as well for the third time this year and Case Keenum adds to his #2 TD pass total (just one behind Boise’s Kellen Moore)...Houston 54 Memphis 24
#25 Rutgers over SYRACUSE giving 8: Orange off hard-fought 10-9 loss at Louisville (and we don’t know if that speaks more to improvement of Syracuse or just the Redbirds futility this season) and have lost to the Knights by 18, 24, 31 and 22 the past four years. Half of Rutgers’ six scores vs. South Florida were field goals, but the Garden State Galahads have quietly placed their defense at #11 in scoring D, #12 in rush D (98.2 ypg) and #16 in total D. NJ requires decals on cars driven by teens (21 or under) that indicate ”teen on board”. Rutgers players’ vehicles bear stickers noting ...”Scarlet Knight on board”...Jersey Boys 22 Syracuse 10
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
The NFL has put the kibosh on players putting their hands on their hips and raising a bent leg in a nod to a certain well-known spiced rum company after Eagles TE Brent Celek did so following a touchdown catch vs. the Cowboys two weekends ago. Apparently, the No Fermentation League won’t tolerate their athletes taking the field when they “have a little Captain in them”! (Stay tuned for next week’s lead story for more thoughts on this topic!)
This summer, UConn hoops coach Jim Calhoun went you-know-what over tea kettle 12 miles into a 50-mile Cancer Challenge bike-riding event. Coach got busted up rather badly, but got back in the saddle and finished the course. Not only is Calhoun the heir-apparent to Lance Armstrong, Vegas has posted an over/under on total games lost to injury by his players during the upcoming basketball season as zero at minus–800 and 1-or-more at +1200!!!!
This week’s lunch special at Vindy’s Bet & Breakfast is a nice Asian dish honoring the run-and-shoot...Chuck-and-Peking Duck!
As a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, NBA baller Ron Artest will wear No. 37 for each week Thriller topped the charts. (Phew!...for a minute there, we thought he was making fun of Vindy’s total losses the last few weeks!)
Wonder if somewhere out there is an abbreviated version of the bookies’ manual on dealing with unsavory gamblers called...“Off Da’ Cliff Notes!”
Couldn’t help but notice the following AP headline in Monday’s paper...WIE SHOWERED WITH RELIEF AFTER FIRST WIN. Uhhhh....did the golf star plan to forego the whole personal hygiene thing until she wrapped up her inaugural LPGA Tour title on Sunday or what????!!!!!!
Black Shirt: Gets cleaned and pressed for North Carolina CB Kendric Burney for snaring three interceptions, including one for a score, in the Tarheels’ predicted SU win over Miami!
“Locked in a Box?”: The Mormons were on a mission outta’ the country apparently during poor offensive showing against the Lobos and dropped Vindy’s 4th consecutive lock pick (4-7, .364).
Shoppe Talk: Hurricanes (2-7) get to blow out to sea for a week after losing SU to Carolina (as we predicted), but the Ohio State Suckeyes fall to 1-8 in last 9 (and 3-8 overall) with the LSU Bungles still in the cages at 1-7 in the last 8 (2-8 overall). And the Dread Raiders of Texas Tech did what they do best to go 0-4-1 on the season (2-14-1 since start of 2008).
Vindy’s Week 12 Best Bets: Last Week: 3-1 Season: 21-26 (.447)
TEMPLE -13 over Kent State, Connecticut +6 over NOTRE DAME, Weeziana Tech +10 over FRESNO STATE, Southern Methodist +4 over MARSHALL, Weeziana-Monroe -2 1/2 over WEEZIANA-LAFAYETTE
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 11-2009
PHILLY SAYS “THANKS” TO CLINTON
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (MSNBC)....A week after being honored with his own 10-foot statue in Kosovo for military actions he took as Commander-in-Chief ten years ago, Bill Clinton was on-hand in the City of Brotherly Love to see yet-another larger-than-life bronze likeness of himself supplant the beloved Rocky statue atop the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for his role this past summer in the reinstatement of current Eagles player, Michael Vick. Back in July, after Commissioner Roger Goodell rejected the NFL Players Association’s first choice of envoy, Al Gore, Bill Clinton secured the release of the troubled athlete back into league play. Insiders say the former White House occupant, and Arkansas Razorbacks fan, thought he was actually making a diplomatic trip into the league’s headquarters in New York to broker a deal swapping wife Hillary for a pair of hostage cheerleaders! Eagles coach Andy Reid said Vick, who has contributed 27 total yards on two completions and a dozen carries to-date since being allowed to take the field under live-fire conditions, is “a vital part of this team and we’re indebted to the former president for this great coup!”
The dogs rallied, after two weeks of advantage by the chalk, to take 13 of the 22 tilts (14 of 23 if ya count Wake Forest, who covered vs. Joja’ Tech [we had the game “off” as we went to publication last week]) as Vindy managed to go 12-9-1 to break the century mark in wins (108-80-1, .574).
While Ron Mexico works out by running up the famed stairs, Vindy tries to console a visibly-distraught Sylvester Stallone by reading him....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 11 FORECAST
(still giving off that new car smell)
THURS. NOV. 12
RUTGERS over #23 South Florida (PK): Again, we question the award of a ranking to South Florida. Yes, the Bulls beat a West Virginia team that, like USF, was hanging around on the rim of the Top 25, but that victory was the Bulls’ first win in their last three games (losing to Cincy by 13 and by 27 at Pitt). Knights have won six of their last seven (yes, there are a pair of I-AA victims too), including UConn on the road and a 7-point defeat to the Panthers. Both teams had last weekend off...Jersey Turnpike Paladins 24 USF 17
FRI. NOV. 13
#5 CINCINNATI over West Virginia giving 8 1/2: ‘Eers had a shot at returning to the rankings, but voters weren’t impressed with lackluster 14-9 win over Louisville. Bearkats were allowing less than 14 ppg until barely evading UConn in last week’s point-party. Mounties have won five of last six on the season, but are in 1-6 ATS free-fall. First ranked opponent for West Virginia in two years...UC 34 WVU 14
SAT. NOV. 14
#1 Florida over SOUTH CAROLINA giving 15 1/2: Either Vandy kept Mr. Tebow well-contained or the Gators QB was simply protecting himself again, going for mere 27 yards on 16 carries (four sacks lowered the original total though). Gamehens are happy to be back in Columbia, where they’ve won all four games, after losing back-to-back road tilts. Poultry has dropped 3 of last 4 ATS. Crocs have just one spread win over their last 4. Somethin’ has to give...Gators 29 KFC 10
#2 Texas over BAYLOR giving 23 1/2: Bears musta’ taken some of that same magical elixir the New Mexico Lobos imbibed right before almost ambushing San Diego State given Baylor’s SU win over Missouri in perhaps one of the biggest upsets, points-wise, of Week Ten. We’re guessing Colt McCoy thought 470 passing yards was a sufficient Heisman outing since Texas elected not to score after the nine-minute mark and failed to cover vs. UCF. In June, Steers LB Sergio Kindle crashed into an apartment building (...oh...and he was actually in a vehicle!). BTW, the apartment actually lost three yards on the play and was forced to punt! Bears lost by 24 in Austin last season, but we don’t expect da’ Bears (or da’ Lobos for that matter) to win or cover this Saturday...Steaks 42 Yogis 9
MISSISSIPPI STATE over #3 Alabama taking 12: Tide’s been on the brink two weeks running now and bounced back only when LSU lost its starting backfield. Bulldogs have won 2 of 3 SU and are on 3-0 spread run. Not a bad line considering State lost to the Bengals by 4 in Starkville and ‘Bama defeated LSU by 9. Dogs have lost three games against ranked foes this year by 4, 11 and 10. This one turns out a lot closer than it oughta’. In fact, we’re havin’ visions of the Iowa-Northwestern match, but we’ll just call it...Alabama 20 MSU 16
#16 Utah over #4 TCU taking 20: This got a good look for lock. With Iowa minus Ricky Stanzi on top of its already-lost starting RB for the Ohio State game, this one takes “game of da’ week” honors. After collectively outscoring last week’s opponents by 100-26, these two will be lucky to combine for 30 total points on the board. Neither has a conference loss and the Toads, of course, can still garner a BCS-buster bid. Froggies spanked the Mormons in Provo earlier and could get some payback for last year’s 13-10 loss to Utah (following two missed 4th Quarter field goals by kicker Ross Evans) that removed them from BCS consideration. Utes haven’t lost to TCU since 2005. Toads on 4-0 SU/ATS run that’s seen them allow a total of 25 points-against. In last 4 games, Utah is 2-2 ATS and yielding 14 ppg...TCU 16 Utah 9
#6 BOISE STATE over Idaho giving 31 ½: No faith in this call as we flip-flopped like a freshly-caught tuna on a boat deck. It pains us to go against arguably one of the surprise teams of 2009, but the linesmakers and other teams themselves have caught up to the Vandals (2-2 SU/0-3-1 ATS of late). Boise had twice as many yards as Weeziana Tech, who rallied from a 20-point hole to make it close, but Idaho lost badly at Reno earlier. On the plus-side, Vandals have given up more than 42 just once (70 in that aforementioned defeat to the Wolfpack) and have scored no less than 21 in any game. Only UC-Davis surpassed single-digits on Boise’s homefield...Broncos 49 Idaho 17
DUKE over #7 Georgia Tech taking 12 1/2: Bees could be flat on heels of overtime win over Wake Forest. Blue Devils are a victory away from first post-season eligibility since 1994 and lost by 8 at Virginia Tech. Dukies were on the wrong end of a 27-0 whitewash last year...’Jackets 26 Duke 16
#8 PITT over Notre Dame giving 7: Navy just added one more open can of Sterno to Charlie Weis’ seat. Panthers have covered only three of last dozen tries vs. the Frightenin’ Irish, while the Leprechauns have lost the money five straight times following their annual tango with the Middies (we thank Marc Lawrence for those dirty details!). Panthers managed a 4OT victory last season...Pitt 31 ND 12
#9 LSU over Louisiana Tech giving 24 1/2: Bulldogs catch the Bengals at a bad time. LSU has lost its top runner for the duration of at least the regular season and will re-focus after letting ‘Bama get away. Tech is horrible as a non-conference dog (0-2 this year) and spent everything it had trying to stay with Boise last week. Bulldogs now 4-10 as a road dog under Coach Dooley...LSU 42 LT 10
#10 OHIO STATE over #15 Iowa giving 16: Assuming State doesn’t stumble in finale at Ann Arbor, a win here sends the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl. Hawkeyes finally ran outta’ miracles and despite being 3-0-1 ATS away and having covered four straight vs. the Top 25, Iowa will likely be without its entire starting backfield and will let a redshirt freshman start at QB for this one...OSU 31Iowa 12
#25 Stanford over #11 USC taking 10 1/2: Trees would still need some help to win the Packed-It-In Ten conference title, but have gone 7-2 against the number. Trojans managed just 12 first-downs and the only scores last week came via a 55-yard pick-six and a 75-yard pass play. Troy’s last home loss came about two years ago to.... Stanford! ... Cardinal 23 USC 20
NORTH CAROLINA over #12 Miami taking 3 1/2: Yeah, sure. Like Vindy’s got a snowball’s chance of hitting the right side of this one. Jacory Harris leads a nice passing attack for the ‘Canes, but has been in four games decided by 4 or less this year. Heels ain’t bad on defense despite sharing the Coastal Division cellar with Virginia. Carolina’s covered last six vs. ranked opponents (catching Joja’ Tech on the one week it wasn’t in the Top 25)...Carolina 20Miami 19
#13 Houston over CENTRAL FLORIDA giving 5: Cougars were +2 in turnover margin and still needed a lengthy field goal to beat Tulsa in game that featured a combined total over 1200 yards. Coogs D has abandoned them of late. Central Florida is stout against the run, allowing just 85 ypg, but Case Keenum will break the 4000-yard mark this week. First back-to-back ranked opponents for Central Florida since 2004 (when they went 0-2 SU/ATS vs. Wisky and West Virginia). We like UCF better for next week, hosting Tulane...Houston 38 Knights 27
#14 OREGON over Arizona State giving 17: Given the result of the Stanford game, Oregon coach Chip Kelly might consider re-mailing that same check he sent to a disappointed fan following the Boise State debacle. This should be a good match-up between State’s run defense (87.4 ypg) and Decoys’ rushing attack (233.6 ypg). Sun Devils riding 3-1 spread run and their only loss b y this many came vs. Stanford. Mallards have covered four of five on The Pond this season and own four wins by 24 or more. ASU hasn’t covered in this series since outright 28-13 win at Autzen Stadium in 2004...Quack Attack 38 ASU 17
Texas Tech over #17 OKLAHOMA STATE taking 3 ½: Cowboys RB Toston, who is not among the top rushers in the nation statistically, went for 206 yards and three touchdowns in romp at Iowa State. Okie State will need his services to limit opportunities for rested Red Raiders prolific passing offense. State’s no slouch, scoring about 34 ppg, but Tech is denting the board for 40 ppg, knocked off then-ranked Nebraska, lost by 1 to Houston and gave Texas all it could handle in Austin. It also lost by 22 to Texas A&M... OKSU 38 Texas Tech (GASP!) 35
#18 Arizona over CAL taking 1 ½: We considered this strongly for lock too, but we’re a little paranoid after last week’s lock choice in similar let-down situation. Bears hoping to collect themselves following upset by Oregon State (as predicted by your fab forecaster!). That game wasn’t even as close as the final margin indicates because Berkeley scored with a minute left. ‘Cats are just a half-game from Oregon for the conference lead and a Rose berth. AZ bested the Beavers in Corvallis and Stanford at home. Bares have handled UA easily the past three visits to Cal. Is there another upset hangover coming in the PAC-10? Even if Jahvid Best returns for Cal after his concussion last week, AZ holds the opposition to 96 ground yards per game...Arizona 27 Cal 17
Indiana over #19 PENN STATE taking 25 ½: Hoosiers are 3-2 ATS away this year and would be 4-1 if not for the zebra-induced insult at Iowa. Indiana has lost by this many just once as previously-noted (40-point defeat at Virginia). Lions failed in all three phases of the game vs. Ohio State and have covered just once in Happy Valley. Expect a better all-around effort from State, but Indiana gets the nod...PSU 35 Indy 13
MARYLAND over #20 Virginia Tech taking 17 ½: Pirates mistakes allowed Tech to cover last week in ho-hum 16-3 win. Terps were smoked in the opener at Cal and lost by 21 to Rutgers, but have been competitive in the other seven games. Hokies have not recorded consecutive spread wins on the year and need to run the table, then grab a bowl victory to extend their streak of 10-win seasons to six...VT 24 Box Turtles 9
#21 WISCONSIN over Michigan giving 8 ½: Only 4th dog role for the Wolverines, who covered two of the previous three, but Big Blew is in midst of 1-5 ATS skid and at 1-5 SU in the conference, has been relegated to spoiler. Frankly, after 25-point losses in back-to-back weeks facing Penn State and Illinois, Michigan may not care about anything except taking a shot Ohio State next week...Badgers 24 UM 7
#22 Brigham Young over NEW MEXICO giving 27: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. A three-year probation and off-the-field issues have really made a mess of the Lobos football season. Can’t imagine the Mormons’ offense not bustin’ out the big lumber here...BYU 42 New Mexico 3
#24 Clemson over NC STATE giving 8 ½: First visit to the Top 25 for the Tigers since early 2008. Remember early this year when we said watch NC State, at least ATS? Uhhhh....never mind. Wolfpack actually still has a shot to go bowlin’, but needs two victories in final three games. With Virginia Tech and UNC following this one, we don’t see it. NCSU has three losses by 6 or less, but also a pair by 21 (to Duke) and 32 (to Boston College). C.J. Spiller should make it happen for Clemson...CU 30 NC State 17
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
Seattle Seahawks wide-out TJ Houshmandzadeh, unhappy with his statistical rankings in the video game (NFC WR #6), is boycotting Madden NFL ‘10. Two weekends ago, the diva receiver unpleasantly gestured to his quarterback to get the throws up. Can’t wait to see that scenario in Madden NFL ‘11 (hey...if it’s in the game....!)
As we welcome the start of the college hoops season, we note that because the SAT test was taken by another student on behalf of a player on the Memphis Tigers ‘07-‘08Final Four squad, that team has to forfeit its 38 wins from that season. Ironically, the player-in-question would eventually take Florida State’s online music history test without assistance...and pass with flying colors!
This Tuesday, Sesame Street celebrated its 40th anniversary. We thank the popular children’s program for our own football IQ. Who can forget the lovable Ernie crooning, “Rubber Duckieeeee..you’re the one...who makes our spread time... lotttttsa’ fun!” Or how ‘bout Count Von Count doing the halftime scores and highlights....”Today’s number is 7. One, two, three, four, five, six, SEVEN. Seven sacks.” And of course, “This week’s forecast is brought to you by....the letter ‘V’!” (No that’s not for the mice-eating reptilian aliens appearing on the upcoming remake of the television series of the same name or for the masked revolutionary/saboteur/protagonist in “V for Vendetta”).
New Mexico defender Elizabeth Lambert got suspended after her team’s MWC women’s soccer match vs. BYU last week for violent and reckless play , which included a hair-pulling takedown of an opponent. Well, at least we know who was wearing LB Brandon Spikes’ jersey on the field at linebacker during Florida’s game vs. Vandy!
Black Shirt: Houston kicker Matt Hogan dons the terrific tee for booting a 51-yarder to give the Coogs the win (and Vindy a forecast W for having Houston +1 at the time!)
“Wish I Had That One Back”: The Weber Kid knew he was making a bold move backing a depleted Syracuse +21 at Pitt!
“Locked in a Box?”: Uggghhhhh! Ducks ended up in the shooting gallery and drop Vindy’s third straight lock pick (and 4th in 5 weeks) as the record plummets to 4-6 (.400)
Shoppe Talk: It’s the usual suspects....AGAIN...Miami (1-7), Ohio State (1-7 in last 8) and LSU (1-6 in last 7)!
Vindy’s Week 11 Best Bets: Last Week: 1-4 Season: 18-25 (.419)
At 1-8 the last two weeks, we say “Go!...Run!.....Save yourselves!”...AIR FORCE -17 over Unlv, Nebraska -3 ½ over KANSAS, WASHINGTON STATE +17 1/2 over Ucla, MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE -11 ½ over Weeziana-Lafayette
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (MSNBC)....A week after being honored with his own 10-foot statue in Kosovo for military actions he took as Commander-in-Chief ten years ago, Bill Clinton was on-hand in the City of Brotherly Love to see yet-another larger-than-life bronze likeness of himself supplant the beloved Rocky statue atop the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for his role this past summer in the reinstatement of current Eagles player, Michael Vick. Back in July, after Commissioner Roger Goodell rejected the NFL Players Association’s first choice of envoy, Al Gore, Bill Clinton secured the release of the troubled athlete back into league play. Insiders say the former White House occupant, and Arkansas Razorbacks fan, thought he was actually making a diplomatic trip into the league’s headquarters in New York to broker a deal swapping wife Hillary for a pair of hostage cheerleaders! Eagles coach Andy Reid said Vick, who has contributed 27 total yards on two completions and a dozen carries to-date since being allowed to take the field under live-fire conditions, is “a vital part of this team and we’re indebted to the former president for this great coup!”
The dogs rallied, after two weeks of advantage by the chalk, to take 13 of the 22 tilts (14 of 23 if ya count Wake Forest, who covered vs. Joja’ Tech [we had the game “off” as we went to publication last week]) as Vindy managed to go 12-9-1 to break the century mark in wins (108-80-1, .574).
While Ron Mexico works out by running up the famed stairs, Vindy tries to console a visibly-distraught Sylvester Stallone by reading him....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 11 FORECAST
(still giving off that new car smell)
THURS. NOV. 12
RUTGERS over #23 South Florida (PK): Again, we question the award of a ranking to South Florida. Yes, the Bulls beat a West Virginia team that, like USF, was hanging around on the rim of the Top 25, but that victory was the Bulls’ first win in their last three games (losing to Cincy by 13 and by 27 at Pitt). Knights have won six of their last seven (yes, there are a pair of I-AA victims too), including UConn on the road and a 7-point defeat to the Panthers. Both teams had last weekend off...Jersey Turnpike Paladins 24 USF 17
FRI. NOV. 13
#5 CINCINNATI over West Virginia giving 8 1/2: ‘Eers had a shot at returning to the rankings, but voters weren’t impressed with lackluster 14-9 win over Louisville. Bearkats were allowing less than 14 ppg until barely evading UConn in last week’s point-party. Mounties have won five of last six on the season, but are in 1-6 ATS free-fall. First ranked opponent for West Virginia in two years...UC 34 WVU 14
SAT. NOV. 14
#1 Florida over SOUTH CAROLINA giving 15 1/2: Either Vandy kept Mr. Tebow well-contained or the Gators QB was simply protecting himself again, going for mere 27 yards on 16 carries (four sacks lowered the original total though). Gamehens are happy to be back in Columbia, where they’ve won all four games, after losing back-to-back road tilts. Poultry has dropped 3 of last 4 ATS. Crocs have just one spread win over their last 4. Somethin’ has to give...Gators 29 KFC 10
#2 Texas over BAYLOR giving 23 1/2: Bears musta’ taken some of that same magical elixir the New Mexico Lobos imbibed right before almost ambushing San Diego State given Baylor’s SU win over Missouri in perhaps one of the biggest upsets, points-wise, of Week Ten. We’re guessing Colt McCoy thought 470 passing yards was a sufficient Heisman outing since Texas elected not to score after the nine-minute mark and failed to cover vs. UCF. In June, Steers LB Sergio Kindle crashed into an apartment building (...oh...and he was actually in a vehicle!). BTW, the apartment actually lost three yards on the play and was forced to punt! Bears lost by 24 in Austin last season, but we don’t expect da’ Bears (or da’ Lobos for that matter) to win or cover this Saturday...Steaks 42 Yogis 9
MISSISSIPPI STATE over #3 Alabama taking 12: Tide’s been on the brink two weeks running now and bounced back only when LSU lost its starting backfield. Bulldogs have won 2 of 3 SU and are on 3-0 spread run. Not a bad line considering State lost to the Bengals by 4 in Starkville and ‘Bama defeated LSU by 9. Dogs have lost three games against ranked foes this year by 4, 11 and 10. This one turns out a lot closer than it oughta’. In fact, we’re havin’ visions of the Iowa-Northwestern match, but we’ll just call it...Alabama 20 MSU 16
#16 Utah over #4 TCU taking 20: This got a good look for lock. With Iowa minus Ricky Stanzi on top of its already-lost starting RB for the Ohio State game, this one takes “game of da’ week” honors. After collectively outscoring last week’s opponents by 100-26, these two will be lucky to combine for 30 total points on the board. Neither has a conference loss and the Toads, of course, can still garner a BCS-buster bid. Froggies spanked the Mormons in Provo earlier and could get some payback for last year’s 13-10 loss to Utah (following two missed 4th Quarter field goals by kicker Ross Evans) that removed them from BCS consideration. Utes haven’t lost to TCU since 2005. Toads on 4-0 SU/ATS run that’s seen them allow a total of 25 points-against. In last 4 games, Utah is 2-2 ATS and yielding 14 ppg...TCU 16 Utah 9
#6 BOISE STATE over Idaho giving 31 ½: No faith in this call as we flip-flopped like a freshly-caught tuna on a boat deck. It pains us to go against arguably one of the surprise teams of 2009, but the linesmakers and other teams themselves have caught up to the Vandals (2-2 SU/0-3-1 ATS of late). Boise had twice as many yards as Weeziana Tech, who rallied from a 20-point hole to make it close, but Idaho lost badly at Reno earlier. On the plus-side, Vandals have given up more than 42 just once (70 in that aforementioned defeat to the Wolfpack) and have scored no less than 21 in any game. Only UC-Davis surpassed single-digits on Boise’s homefield...Broncos 49 Idaho 17
DUKE over #7 Georgia Tech taking 12 1/2: Bees could be flat on heels of overtime win over Wake Forest. Blue Devils are a victory away from first post-season eligibility since 1994 and lost by 8 at Virginia Tech. Dukies were on the wrong end of a 27-0 whitewash last year...’Jackets 26 Duke 16
#8 PITT over Notre Dame giving 7: Navy just added one more open can of Sterno to Charlie Weis’ seat. Panthers have covered only three of last dozen tries vs. the Frightenin’ Irish, while the Leprechauns have lost the money five straight times following their annual tango with the Middies (we thank Marc Lawrence for those dirty details!). Panthers managed a 4OT victory last season...Pitt 31 ND 12
#9 LSU over Louisiana Tech giving 24 1/2: Bulldogs catch the Bengals at a bad time. LSU has lost its top runner for the duration of at least the regular season and will re-focus after letting ‘Bama get away. Tech is horrible as a non-conference dog (0-2 this year) and spent everything it had trying to stay with Boise last week. Bulldogs now 4-10 as a road dog under Coach Dooley...LSU 42 LT 10
#10 OHIO STATE over #15 Iowa giving 16: Assuming State doesn’t stumble in finale at Ann Arbor, a win here sends the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl. Hawkeyes finally ran outta’ miracles and despite being 3-0-1 ATS away and having covered four straight vs. the Top 25, Iowa will likely be without its entire starting backfield and will let a redshirt freshman start at QB for this one...OSU 31Iowa 12
#25 Stanford over #11 USC taking 10 1/2: Trees would still need some help to win the Packed-It-In Ten conference title, but have gone 7-2 against the number. Trojans managed just 12 first-downs and the only scores last week came via a 55-yard pick-six and a 75-yard pass play. Troy’s last home loss came about two years ago to.... Stanford! ... Cardinal 23 USC 20
NORTH CAROLINA over #12 Miami taking 3 1/2: Yeah, sure. Like Vindy’s got a snowball’s chance of hitting the right side of this one. Jacory Harris leads a nice passing attack for the ‘Canes, but has been in four games decided by 4 or less this year. Heels ain’t bad on defense despite sharing the Coastal Division cellar with Virginia. Carolina’s covered last six vs. ranked opponents (catching Joja’ Tech on the one week it wasn’t in the Top 25)...Carolina 20Miami 19
#13 Houston over CENTRAL FLORIDA giving 5: Cougars were +2 in turnover margin and still needed a lengthy field goal to beat Tulsa in game that featured a combined total over 1200 yards. Coogs D has abandoned them of late. Central Florida is stout against the run, allowing just 85 ypg, but Case Keenum will break the 4000-yard mark this week. First back-to-back ranked opponents for Central Florida since 2004 (when they went 0-2 SU/ATS vs. Wisky and West Virginia). We like UCF better for next week, hosting Tulane...Houston 38 Knights 27
#14 OREGON over Arizona State giving 17: Given the result of the Stanford game, Oregon coach Chip Kelly might consider re-mailing that same check he sent to a disappointed fan following the Boise State debacle. This should be a good match-up between State’s run defense (87.4 ypg) and Decoys’ rushing attack (233.6 ypg). Sun Devils riding 3-1 spread run and their only loss b y this many came vs. Stanford. Mallards have covered four of five on The Pond this season and own four wins by 24 or more. ASU hasn’t covered in this series since outright 28-13 win at Autzen Stadium in 2004...Quack Attack 38 ASU 17
Texas Tech over #17 OKLAHOMA STATE taking 3 ½: Cowboys RB Toston, who is not among the top rushers in the nation statistically, went for 206 yards and three touchdowns in romp at Iowa State. Okie State will need his services to limit opportunities for rested Red Raiders prolific passing offense. State’s no slouch, scoring about 34 ppg, but Tech is denting the board for 40 ppg, knocked off then-ranked Nebraska, lost by 1 to Houston and gave Texas all it could handle in Austin. It also lost by 22 to Texas A&M... OKSU 38 Texas Tech (GASP!) 35
#18 Arizona over CAL taking 1 ½: We considered this strongly for lock too, but we’re a little paranoid after last week’s lock choice in similar let-down situation. Bears hoping to collect themselves following upset by Oregon State (as predicted by your fab forecaster!). That game wasn’t even as close as the final margin indicates because Berkeley scored with a minute left. ‘Cats are just a half-game from Oregon for the conference lead and a Rose berth. AZ bested the Beavers in Corvallis and Stanford at home. Bares have handled UA easily the past three visits to Cal. Is there another upset hangover coming in the PAC-10? Even if Jahvid Best returns for Cal after his concussion last week, AZ holds the opposition to 96 ground yards per game...Arizona 27 Cal 17
Indiana over #19 PENN STATE taking 25 ½: Hoosiers are 3-2 ATS away this year and would be 4-1 if not for the zebra-induced insult at Iowa. Indiana has lost by this many just once as previously-noted (40-point defeat at Virginia). Lions failed in all three phases of the game vs. Ohio State and have covered just once in Happy Valley. Expect a better all-around effort from State, but Indiana gets the nod...PSU 35 Indy 13
MARYLAND over #20 Virginia Tech taking 17 ½: Pirates mistakes allowed Tech to cover last week in ho-hum 16-3 win. Terps were smoked in the opener at Cal and lost by 21 to Rutgers, but have been competitive in the other seven games. Hokies have not recorded consecutive spread wins on the year and need to run the table, then grab a bowl victory to extend their streak of 10-win seasons to six...VT 24 Box Turtles 9
#21 WISCONSIN over Michigan giving 8 ½: Only 4th dog role for the Wolverines, who covered two of the previous three, but Big Blew is in midst of 1-5 ATS skid and at 1-5 SU in the conference, has been relegated to spoiler. Frankly, after 25-point losses in back-to-back weeks facing Penn State and Illinois, Michigan may not care about anything except taking a shot Ohio State next week...Badgers 24 UM 7
#22 Brigham Young over NEW MEXICO giving 27: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. A three-year probation and off-the-field issues have really made a mess of the Lobos football season. Can’t imagine the Mormons’ offense not bustin’ out the big lumber here...BYU 42 New Mexico 3
#24 Clemson over NC STATE giving 8 ½: First visit to the Top 25 for the Tigers since early 2008. Remember early this year when we said watch NC State, at least ATS? Uhhhh....never mind. Wolfpack actually still has a shot to go bowlin’, but needs two victories in final three games. With Virginia Tech and UNC following this one, we don’t see it. NCSU has three losses by 6 or less, but also a pair by 21 (to Duke) and 32 (to Boston College). C.J. Spiller should make it happen for Clemson...CU 30 NC State 17
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
Seattle Seahawks wide-out TJ Houshmandzadeh, unhappy with his statistical rankings in the video game (NFC WR #6), is boycotting Madden NFL ‘10. Two weekends ago, the diva receiver unpleasantly gestured to his quarterback to get the throws up. Can’t wait to see that scenario in Madden NFL ‘11 (hey...if it’s in the game....!)
As we welcome the start of the college hoops season, we note that because the SAT test was taken by another student on behalf of a player on the Memphis Tigers ‘07-‘08Final Four squad, that team has to forfeit its 38 wins from that season. Ironically, the player-in-question would eventually take Florida State’s online music history test without assistance...and pass with flying colors!
This Tuesday, Sesame Street celebrated its 40th anniversary. We thank the popular children’s program for our own football IQ. Who can forget the lovable Ernie crooning, “Rubber Duckieeeee..you’re the one...who makes our spread time... lotttttsa’ fun!” Or how ‘bout Count Von Count doing the halftime scores and highlights....”Today’s number is 7. One, two, three, four, five, six, SEVEN. Seven sacks.” And of course, “This week’s forecast is brought to you by....the letter ‘V’!” (No that’s not for the mice-eating reptilian aliens appearing on the upcoming remake of the television series of the same name or for the masked revolutionary/saboteur/protagonist in “V for Vendetta”).
New Mexico defender Elizabeth Lambert got suspended after her team’s MWC women’s soccer match vs. BYU last week for violent and reckless play , which included a hair-pulling takedown of an opponent. Well, at least we know who was wearing LB Brandon Spikes’ jersey on the field at linebacker during Florida’s game vs. Vandy!
Black Shirt: Houston kicker Matt Hogan dons the terrific tee for booting a 51-yarder to give the Coogs the win (and Vindy a forecast W for having Houston +1 at the time!)
“Wish I Had That One Back”: The Weber Kid knew he was making a bold move backing a depleted Syracuse +21 at Pitt!
“Locked in a Box?”: Uggghhhhh! Ducks ended up in the shooting gallery and drop Vindy’s third straight lock pick (and 4th in 5 weeks) as the record plummets to 4-6 (.400)
Shoppe Talk: It’s the usual suspects....AGAIN...Miami (1-7), Ohio State (1-7 in last 8) and LSU (1-6 in last 7)!
Vindy’s Week 11 Best Bets: Last Week: 1-4 Season: 18-25 (.419)
At 1-8 the last two weeks, we say “Go!...Run!.....Save yourselves!”...AIR FORCE -17 over Unlv, Nebraska -3 ½ over KANSAS, WASHINGTON STATE +17 1/2 over Ucla, MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE -11 ½ over Weeziana-Lafayette
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 10 Part II: The Forecaster Strikes Back
#13 Houston over TULSA taking 1: This has shifted 4 points in favor of the home team. Okay...we appreciate the Golden Hurricane’s effort against Boise State and yes, this could have the makings of another UTEP-Houston game in which the Coogs lost badly, but UH QB Case Keenum is healthy and is the leading passer in the U.S. with nearly 3300 yards...about 850 more than his nearest competitor (oddly, that bridesmaid is Florida State’s Christian Ponder). Coogs have gone 4-0 SU and ATS since the aforementioned defeat by the Miners, while Tulsa (who got destroyed 70-30 last year as #25 at time) is fading quickly with three straight outright losses. Tulsa ain’t bad defensively, but Houston hung fitty on Southern Miss...Cougars 45 Tulsa 38
Syracuse over #14 PITT taking 21: ‘Cuse has dropped three games already this season by exactly 21 and we wouldn’t be crushed with a push here. With the South Florida game notwithstanding, Greg Paulus hasn’t doinked too many off the rim Suspensions and the loss of WR Williams’ 7 catches per game for 106 yards though will hurt. Panthers are 7-1 SU (5-2 ATS) and have four victories by more than 3 scores. Pitt trying to stay tied with Cincy for Big Greased lead. Best guess for “wish I had it back”, but...Pitt 28 Orange 14
Virginia over #16 MIAMI taking 13 ½: We don’t know which Cavs team will show up on Saturday. After three straight to open the year, Cavs then beat North Carolina, Indy and Maryland...and followed that string with losses to Joja’ Tech and Duke. ‘Canes had a three-turnover advantage vs. Wake Forest and still nearly lost. Had Deacons’ QB Riley Skinner not gone down with injury in the 4th Quarter, Miami could likely have another one in the loss column. Virginia ain’t bad stoppin’ the pass and has allowed only four aerial scores all year. Voting against Miami’s recent history laying points in Coral Gables...Miami 24 Virginia 18
New Mexico over #17 UTAH taking 27 1/2: We’re still leery about layin’ this many with the Utes, even though UNLV whacked the Lobos by 17. Utah’s stayin’ mum on the starting QB until game. Ummm...head games with a winless team? Are they afraid UNM coach Mike Locksley will hunt down the starter in the visiting locker room and punch him before the game or what???!!! Lobos are 2-6 ATS on the year, but 2-2 in the past four games, including near upset at San Diego State. Utah goes to TCU next week...Utah 27 New Mexico 3
#18 Oklahoma State over IOWA STATE giving 7: Cowpokes never got anything going in the wake of five turnovers that kept Texas on a short field. Cyclones have covered five of their games in 2009, including track meet loss at Kansas, but failed to cover either time they only got single-digits. ISU can run the ball (#18 nationally) and the Cowboys are still floundering without their stars, but...OKSU 31 Funnel Clouds 17
Navy over #19 NOTRE DAME taking 11: Middies look to rebound after upset in the home harbor by Temple. Navy can grind it out behind third-ranked rushing game and keep ND’s QB Clausen (#2 passer in the country) on the sidelines. Navy must also dog Irish WR Tate, who’s pulling down catches for about 116 yards per game. Ensigns have covered last 9 in South Bend and Leprechauns have beaten the number just 8 of last 24 giving points in front of the Touchdown Jesus (1-3 this year). Navy has its required six victories, but would love prove Ohio State game was no fluke...ND 24 Navy 21
#20 Oklahoma over NEBRASKA giving 5 1/2: The Corn Cobs would like nothing more to avenge last year’s humiliating 62-28 defeat in Norman over this year’s somewhat-depleted Sooners squad, but Big Dread is on 1-2 SU/0-3 ATS slide, including the 7-9 stinker vs. Iowa State. It looked like the Oklahoma rout was on last week, as Sooners were up 21-0 over K-State after 15 minutes, but OK had to hang on late. Huskers nose-guard Ndamukong Suh got flagged for negligent driving when he allegedly swerved to avoid a cat or dog and hit not one, not two, but THREE parked cars. Oklahoma QB Jones is gonna’ look mighty funny cradling a puppy or kitten in his non-throwing hand in the pocket, but hey...if it throws off Suh’s pass rush..... OK 27 Nebraska 19
Washington State over #21 ARIZONA taking 33 ½: A poor road dog the past few seasons, Wazzou has covered 2 of 3 away from Pullman (3 of 5 including the 2 neutral site games) this year. ‘Cats are second in the PAC-10 and have a balanced attack, led by Michigan State defector Mark Foles at QB. Cougars are losing to conference teams by an average score of 39-11 and AZ has held only Central Michigan to less than 13...Arizona 41 WSU 16
Oregon State over #23 CAL taking 7 1/2: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK. The Berkeley team we expected in the preseason disappeared in major defeat by USC. Bears rallied late last week to edge Arizona State for its third straight win and cover, but the other two victories in question came vs. conference doormats UCLA and Washington State (collectively 0-10 SU in conference action). Beavers won 34-21 last season in Corvallis and 31-28 here in 2007. The Rodgers brothers get it done over former Heisman candidate RB Jahvid Best...OSU 27 Cal 20
INDIANA over #24 Wisconsin taking 10 1/2: We apologize to anybody who wagered on “best bet” Purdue plus-7 ½ over the Badgers last week as Wisky tossed the no-hitter and won 37-0. While poor tackling by the Hoosiers certainly contributed to yet-another significant lead being blown for a second-straight week (14 over Iowa and 25 over Northwestern the week prior), the aforementioned odorous officiating (even with instant replay in use) cost Indy a crucial first-down and two touchdowns, and cost Vindicator a forecast pick, a lock choice and an actual wager. Just the third road game for the Cheeseheads, who are 1-1 this year, but just 4-10 ATS away the past two-plus seasons. Original 5 1/2-point spread suggests the linesmakers think Hoosiers can get up again despite letting last two victories get away. We’re on Indy again too...Wisconsin 31 Indiana 26
#25 Brigham Young over WYOMING giving 13: Mormons got a much-needed rest last weekend and while weather could hamper Max Hall’s throwing, we’ll still take the Mountain Best’s top overall offense over Cowpokes middle-of-the-pack D. Cowboys have covered six of seven this season and the Coogs are in the midst of a 2-4ATS slide, but...BYU 29 Wyoming 13
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
Hats off to Temple coach (and former Joe Pa assistant) Al Golden, who’s taken the Owls from 1-11 in his first year to six straight wins, including last week’s upset over Navy, and bowl-eligibility (with 2-3 winnable tilts still to come!) this season, following an 0-2 SU start. Hooters are also 6-1 against the line thus far!
Gators LB Brandon Spikes will grab some pine for this week’s Vandy game after attempting to gouge the eyes of a Joja’ player. Spikes protested, noting Larry, Moe and Curly never got benched for that!
Shortly after Michael Jackson’s untimely demise, we learned he was at least partially responsible for the New Patriots success as Foxboro Stadium and the Pats eventually wound up in the hands of Robert Kraft in 1994 after Charles Sullivan went deep into the red trying to finance MJ’s “Victory” tour and had to sell the venue. We just wanna’ know which musical freakin’ genius gets “credit” for the Raiders and Lions! (Hadda’ be Billy-Ray Cyrus or William Hung!)
In August, former ref Tim Donaghy got hauled off the clink after being a no-show/no call at his place of employment at a Florida beverage bottling company. Geez, did we really want him in a position to fix the outcome of the manufacturer’s production line on any given day???!!! In June, Donaghy complained about sustaining a knee injury during an assault by another inmate with reported NY mob connections. We just think Tonya Harding, residing in an adjacent cell, flipped out when she saw the ex-NBA official lacing up the skates and contacted Jeff Gillooly!
Black Shirt: The coveted tee this week goes to Boise RB Doug Martin for scoring the covering 36-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left in the game vs. San Jose State!
“Locked in a Box?”: Now 4-5 (.444) after the zebras hosed the Hoosiers.
Shoppe Talk: Miami (1-6), Ohio State (1-6 in last 7) and LSU (1-5 in last 6) all get to hang out this week! Meanwhile, Florida, Boise and TCU have all reached post-season hardware eligibility with their 7th appearance in the forecast and all stand-in at 6-1.
Vindy’s Week 10 Best Bets: Last Week: 0-4 (Medic!) Season: 17-21 (.447)
SMU -18 over Rice, Texas-El Paso -7 over TULANE, IDAHO +7 over Fresno State, Utah State -2 over HAWAII, Weeziana-Monroe +1 over NORTH TEXAS
Syracuse over #14 PITT taking 21: ‘Cuse has dropped three games already this season by exactly 21 and we wouldn’t be crushed with a push here. With the South Florida game notwithstanding, Greg Paulus hasn’t doinked too many off the rim Suspensions and the loss of WR Williams’ 7 catches per game for 106 yards though will hurt. Panthers are 7-1 SU (5-2 ATS) and have four victories by more than 3 scores. Pitt trying to stay tied with Cincy for Big Greased lead. Best guess for “wish I had it back”, but...Pitt 28 Orange 14
Virginia over #16 MIAMI taking 13 ½: We don’t know which Cavs team will show up on Saturday. After three straight to open the year, Cavs then beat North Carolina, Indy and Maryland...and followed that string with losses to Joja’ Tech and Duke. ‘Canes had a three-turnover advantage vs. Wake Forest and still nearly lost. Had Deacons’ QB Riley Skinner not gone down with injury in the 4th Quarter, Miami could likely have another one in the loss column. Virginia ain’t bad stoppin’ the pass and has allowed only four aerial scores all year. Voting against Miami’s recent history laying points in Coral Gables...Miami 24 Virginia 18
New Mexico over #17 UTAH taking 27 1/2: We’re still leery about layin’ this many with the Utes, even though UNLV whacked the Lobos by 17. Utah’s stayin’ mum on the starting QB until game. Ummm...head games with a winless team? Are they afraid UNM coach Mike Locksley will hunt down the starter in the visiting locker room and punch him before the game or what???!!! Lobos are 2-6 ATS on the year, but 2-2 in the past four games, including near upset at San Diego State. Utah goes to TCU next week...Utah 27 New Mexico 3
#18 Oklahoma State over IOWA STATE giving 7: Cowpokes never got anything going in the wake of five turnovers that kept Texas on a short field. Cyclones have covered five of their games in 2009, including track meet loss at Kansas, but failed to cover either time they only got single-digits. ISU can run the ball (#18 nationally) and the Cowboys are still floundering without their stars, but...OKSU 31 Funnel Clouds 17
Navy over #19 NOTRE DAME taking 11: Middies look to rebound after upset in the home harbor by Temple. Navy can grind it out behind third-ranked rushing game and keep ND’s QB Clausen (#2 passer in the country) on the sidelines. Navy must also dog Irish WR Tate, who’s pulling down catches for about 116 yards per game. Ensigns have covered last 9 in South Bend and Leprechauns have beaten the number just 8 of last 24 giving points in front of the Touchdown Jesus (1-3 this year). Navy has its required six victories, but would love prove Ohio State game was no fluke...ND 24 Navy 21
#20 Oklahoma over NEBRASKA giving 5 1/2: The Corn Cobs would like nothing more to avenge last year’s humiliating 62-28 defeat in Norman over this year’s somewhat-depleted Sooners squad, but Big Dread is on 1-2 SU/0-3 ATS slide, including the 7-9 stinker vs. Iowa State. It looked like the Oklahoma rout was on last week, as Sooners were up 21-0 over K-State after 15 minutes, but OK had to hang on late. Huskers nose-guard Ndamukong Suh got flagged for negligent driving when he allegedly swerved to avoid a cat or dog and hit not one, not two, but THREE parked cars. Oklahoma QB Jones is gonna’ look mighty funny cradling a puppy or kitten in his non-throwing hand in the pocket, but hey...if it throws off Suh’s pass rush..... OK 27 Nebraska 19
Washington State over #21 ARIZONA taking 33 ½: A poor road dog the past few seasons, Wazzou has covered 2 of 3 away from Pullman (3 of 5 including the 2 neutral site games) this year. ‘Cats are second in the PAC-10 and have a balanced attack, led by Michigan State defector Mark Foles at QB. Cougars are losing to conference teams by an average score of 39-11 and AZ has held only Central Michigan to less than 13...Arizona 41 WSU 16
Oregon State over #23 CAL taking 7 1/2: UPSET PICK OF DA’ WEEK. The Berkeley team we expected in the preseason disappeared in major defeat by USC. Bears rallied late last week to edge Arizona State for its third straight win and cover, but the other two victories in question came vs. conference doormats UCLA and Washington State (collectively 0-10 SU in conference action). Beavers won 34-21 last season in Corvallis and 31-28 here in 2007. The Rodgers brothers get it done over former Heisman candidate RB Jahvid Best...OSU 27 Cal 20
INDIANA over #24 Wisconsin taking 10 1/2: We apologize to anybody who wagered on “best bet” Purdue plus-7 ½ over the Badgers last week as Wisky tossed the no-hitter and won 37-0. While poor tackling by the Hoosiers certainly contributed to yet-another significant lead being blown for a second-straight week (14 over Iowa and 25 over Northwestern the week prior), the aforementioned odorous officiating (even with instant replay in use) cost Indy a crucial first-down and two touchdowns, and cost Vindicator a forecast pick, a lock choice and an actual wager. Just the third road game for the Cheeseheads, who are 1-1 this year, but just 4-10 ATS away the past two-plus seasons. Original 5 1/2-point spread suggests the linesmakers think Hoosiers can get up again despite letting last two victories get away. We’re on Indy again too...Wisconsin 31 Indiana 26
#25 Brigham Young over WYOMING giving 13: Mormons got a much-needed rest last weekend and while weather could hamper Max Hall’s throwing, we’ll still take the Mountain Best’s top overall offense over Cowpokes middle-of-the-pack D. Cowboys have covered six of seven this season and the Coogs are in the midst of a 2-4ATS slide, but...BYU 29 Wyoming 13
BETWEEN THE HASHMARKS
Hats off to Temple coach (and former Joe Pa assistant) Al Golden, who’s taken the Owls from 1-11 in his first year to six straight wins, including last week’s upset over Navy, and bowl-eligibility (with 2-3 winnable tilts still to come!) this season, following an 0-2 SU start. Hooters are also 6-1 against the line thus far!
Gators LB Brandon Spikes will grab some pine for this week’s Vandy game after attempting to gouge the eyes of a Joja’ player. Spikes protested, noting Larry, Moe and Curly never got benched for that!
Shortly after Michael Jackson’s untimely demise, we learned he was at least partially responsible for the New Patriots success as Foxboro Stadium and the Pats eventually wound up in the hands of Robert Kraft in 1994 after Charles Sullivan went deep into the red trying to finance MJ’s “Victory” tour and had to sell the venue. We just wanna’ know which musical freakin’ genius gets “credit” for the Raiders and Lions! (Hadda’ be Billy-Ray Cyrus or William Hung!)
In August, former ref Tim Donaghy got hauled off the clink after being a no-show/no call at his place of employment at a Florida beverage bottling company. Geez, did we really want him in a position to fix the outcome of the manufacturer’s production line on any given day???!!! In June, Donaghy complained about sustaining a knee injury during an assault by another inmate with reported NY mob connections. We just think Tonya Harding, residing in an adjacent cell, flipped out when she saw the ex-NBA official lacing up the skates and contacted Jeff Gillooly!
Black Shirt: The coveted tee this week goes to Boise RB Doug Martin for scoring the covering 36-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left in the game vs. San Jose State!
“Locked in a Box?”: Now 4-5 (.444) after the zebras hosed the Hoosiers.
Shoppe Talk: Miami (1-6), Ohio State (1-6 in last 7) and LSU (1-5 in last 6) all get to hang out this week! Meanwhile, Florida, Boise and TCU have all reached post-season hardware eligibility with their 7th appearance in the forecast and all stand-in at 6-1.
Vindy’s Week 10 Best Bets: Last Week: 0-4 (Medic!) Season: 17-21 (.447)
SMU -18 over Rice, Texas-El Paso -7 over TULANE, IDAHO +7 over Fresno State, Utah State -2 over HAWAII, Weeziana-Monroe +1 over NORTH TEXAS
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 10: The Prequel
BRITS, BUCS IN NAVAL BATTLE
LONDON, England (CNN)....After losing 35-7 in London to the Patriots last weekend and being told by Commissioner Roger Goodell their poor showing only hurts efforts to expand the league’s play into Europe, several members of the Tampa Buccaneers hopped their pirate ship and defeated the British Royal Navy in a sea skirmish to take control of the English Channel! Tampa players boarded two British aircraft carriers, devoid of planes due to recent cuts in the defense budget, after peppering the surprised ships with cannonballs before boarding the enemy boats brandishing flintlock pistols and cutlasses. The NFL team’s “skulls & swords” then briefly replaced jolly old England’s “Union Jack”. Believing Jon Gruden to still be at the helm of the pro club, a couple of British fans said they still didn’t understand the rules of American football, but traveled more than 300 kilometers just to see, and hopefully get an autograph from, Chucky because they “loved him in the Child’s Play movie series!”
Our hero survived a 1-5 start that saw Vindy drop the Thursday nighter, Friday nighter and three of four early Saturday morning games, before a 10-4 rally salvaged an 11-9 (96-71, .575) finish in Week Nine’s 20-game marathon. Featuring more games than the upcoming Winter Olympics, it’s....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 10 FORECAST
(Hermetically-sealed for your protection)
THURS. NOV. 5
EAST CAROLINA over #22 Virginia Tech taking 13: Hokies dropped a 20-17 decision last Thursday to North Carolina after a late fumble allowed the ‘Heels to score the second of two field goals in the final minutes to win it. Tech is conspicuously absent from its usual highly-ranked spots in national offensive and defensive categories. Collectively, these two squads are 7-19 ATS in non-conference matches. Pirates are on 3-1 spread run and have won four of their past five games outright. ECU also beat Tech 27-22 last year...VT 24 ECU 19
FRI. NOV. 6
LOUISIANA TECH over #5 Boise State taking 21: Bulldogs let Idaho wriggle off the hook in a tough loss last week. Broncos have covered four of last five in this series, may want to grab some style points for the BCS and have a significant edge in the passing game. Tech is on 0-3 ATS slide facing ranked teams including 38-3 loss on the blue carpet last year, but lost to Boise here by just 14 and 17 in ‘05 and ‘07...BSU 37 LT 20
SAT. NOV. 7
Vanderbilt over #1 FLORIDA taking 35: Gators just need to stay healthy between now and the SEC Championship game, having locked up the conference East division last week. Florida’s just 1-2 ATS this season at home and the best bet here is that the ‘Dores, who’ve covered both games as road dogs this year, won’t be doin’ any of the showboatin’ at the Swamp that got Georgia a beat-down...UF 34 Vandy 6
#2 TEXAS over Central Florida giving 35 1/2: Steers might ring it up more than usual here just to protect against any potential drop in the BCS rankings, slight though it might be, on the Golden Knights, who come in after a short week (rallying for two touchdowns in the final period to beat Marshall 21-20). UCF is just 2-6 ATS in last eight vs. ranked clubs. ‘Horns secondary could grab another pick-six or two against pass-heavy Knights...Texas 49 UCF 10
#9 Louisiana State over #3 ALABAMA taking 7 1/2: Bengals’ cover record vs. the SEC continues to suck (2-3 in ‘09, 0-1 on the conference blacktop, 10-26-3 the last four-plus campaigns) and State’s gone just 4-9-2 against the number facing ranked teams (with a pair the wins coming in bowls). Tigers also hit Vin with a bad beat, posting the covering tally with 1:12 left over scoreless Tulane last week. Tide won by 6 at Baton Rouge in ‘08. Bengals have no spread losses in last six visits to Birmingham. Obama’s choice for Surgeon General still goes to patients’ homes in Alabama to provide services...or what Crimson Tide faithful refer to as “Nobody pushes us around on OUR house-calls!”. Should be a defensive battle...’Bama 16 LSU 10
Connecticut over #4 CINCINNATI taking 14: Zach Collaros was efficient last week, missing just 6 of 28 throws, but the Bearkats’ defense gets the credit for UC’s third straight cover, keeping the ‘Cuse scoreless over the last three quarters. We love UConn in a dog role and Huskies haven’t lost by more than 4 all season en route to 6-1 ATS record. UConn’s four conference opponents to-date have averaged 26 ppg, while Cincy’s quad of Big East foes has managed only 12+. Huskies faced Pitt and West Virginia on the road...’Kats 27 Dogs 19
#6 Texas Christian over SAN DIEGO STATE giving 24 1/2: The Weber Kid wasn’t completely a victim of the late score by the fave to bring home the moola, getting the seven from the Froggies vs. UNLV with just over 90 seconds to play. Not sure what the Aztecs were thinking, allowing arguably the worst team in the nation, New Mexico, to take an early 10-0 edge before rallying in the 4th to pull out the victory. SDSU had been 5-1 ATS before that. Amphibians have yielded a total of 13 points over the last three games. We’ll stay on TCU until they prove they’re going to let off the pedal...TCU 38 Aztecs 9
#7 Oregon over STANFORD giving 6: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Hmmmm, this would be one helluva’ letdown by UO. Cardinal rested last week and is one win away from bowl-eligibility. Decoys building a head of steam, winning seven in a row outright and six straight against the line behind a strong offense. Six of Mallards’ seven wins were by a touchdown or more. Stanford’s covered just 2 of last 8 against the Top 25 and 2 of last 3, but the spreads in question were +24, +14 and +41...Quack Attack 34 Cardinal 17
Northwestern over #8 IOWA taking 16: Ricky Stanzi launched 5 interceptions, but the Hawkeyes can thank an incompetent officiating crew for their 8th outright victory and for the cover that had your still-fumin’ forecaster contemplating never watching college football ever again after turning the game off in disgust with just over a minute to play. The AP voters, however, weren’t havin’ any of that silliness and dropped Iowa a couple notches despite the victory. Wildcats (2-6 ATS) hung with the Nifty Lions for three quarters...Iowa 27 NW 17
Wake Forest @ #10 GEORGIA TECH: OFF
#11 PENN STATE over #15 Ohio State giving 4: The Buckeyes tagged Vindicator with another Week Nine bad beat, scoring the covering touchdown and PAT on a 53-yard run with 5 seconds left in a 45-0 romp over New Mexico State, while the Lions offense hung out in the locker room until the 4th Quarter at Northwestern. Buckeyes are on 7-1 spread run and allowing just over 12 ppg. Nifty Lions lead the nation in scoring defense at 9 ppg. Joe Pa and the boys have not covered in four tries at Beaver Stadium this season and the outright victory will likely come down to a turnover. Lions get their first crack at a Top 25 opponent. Buckeyes make their first visit to a ranked opponent’s field and we’ve seen what happens to Terrell Pryor in a big game. We’re hopin’ the PSU pass rush can create a fumble or force an untimely pick. Could be 10-7 either way, but...Lions 19 Buckeyes 13
ARIZONA STATE over #12 Southern Cal taking 10 1/2: Following bad loss in Eugene, Trojans could come out smokin’ and blow State off the field. More likely, however, is a more plodding effort, with the team’s success in the questionable hands of QB Barkley as ASU limits opponents to about 80 rushing yards per game. Troy has been on the wrong side of the line six times in the past seven games. Sun Devils beat UDUB by 7, but lost by 19 at Stanford. Trojans took a 28-0 victory last year in L.A. Devils were sloppy last week, turning the ball over three times and drawing 11 yellow hankies for 123 yards as Cal mustered a last minute FG for 23-21 win...USC 30 ASU 24
Stay tuned. We'll back tomorrow night with the rest of the selections, including our upset pick of da' week, and the usual assortment of "hash"!
LONDON, England (CNN)....After losing 35-7 in London to the Patriots last weekend and being told by Commissioner Roger Goodell their poor showing only hurts efforts to expand the league’s play into Europe, several members of the Tampa Buccaneers hopped their pirate ship and defeated the British Royal Navy in a sea skirmish to take control of the English Channel! Tampa players boarded two British aircraft carriers, devoid of planes due to recent cuts in the defense budget, after peppering the surprised ships with cannonballs before boarding the enemy boats brandishing flintlock pistols and cutlasses. The NFL team’s “skulls & swords” then briefly replaced jolly old England’s “Union Jack”. Believing Jon Gruden to still be at the helm of the pro club, a couple of British fans said they still didn’t understand the rules of American football, but traveled more than 300 kilometers just to see, and hopefully get an autograph from, Chucky because they “loved him in the Child’s Play movie series!”
Our hero survived a 1-5 start that saw Vindy drop the Thursday nighter, Friday nighter and three of four early Saturday morning games, before a 10-4 rally salvaged an 11-9 (96-71, .575) finish in Week Nine’s 20-game marathon. Featuring more games than the upcoming Winter Olympics, it’s....
THE WEBER KID’S 2009 WEEK 10 FORECAST
(Hermetically-sealed for your protection)
THURS. NOV. 5
EAST CAROLINA over #22 Virginia Tech taking 13: Hokies dropped a 20-17 decision last Thursday to North Carolina after a late fumble allowed the ‘Heels to score the second of two field goals in the final minutes to win it. Tech is conspicuously absent from its usual highly-ranked spots in national offensive and defensive categories. Collectively, these two squads are 7-19 ATS in non-conference matches. Pirates are on 3-1 spread run and have won four of their past five games outright. ECU also beat Tech 27-22 last year...VT 24 ECU 19
FRI. NOV. 6
LOUISIANA TECH over #5 Boise State taking 21: Bulldogs let Idaho wriggle off the hook in a tough loss last week. Broncos have covered four of last five in this series, may want to grab some style points for the BCS and have a significant edge in the passing game. Tech is on 0-3 ATS slide facing ranked teams including 38-3 loss on the blue carpet last year, but lost to Boise here by just 14 and 17 in ‘05 and ‘07...BSU 37 LT 20
SAT. NOV. 7
Vanderbilt over #1 FLORIDA taking 35: Gators just need to stay healthy between now and the SEC Championship game, having locked up the conference East division last week. Florida’s just 1-2 ATS this season at home and the best bet here is that the ‘Dores, who’ve covered both games as road dogs this year, won’t be doin’ any of the showboatin’ at the Swamp that got Georgia a beat-down...UF 34 Vandy 6
#2 TEXAS over Central Florida giving 35 1/2: Steers might ring it up more than usual here just to protect against any potential drop in the BCS rankings, slight though it might be, on the Golden Knights, who come in after a short week (rallying for two touchdowns in the final period to beat Marshall 21-20). UCF is just 2-6 ATS in last eight vs. ranked clubs. ‘Horns secondary could grab another pick-six or two against pass-heavy Knights...Texas 49 UCF 10
#9 Louisiana State over #3 ALABAMA taking 7 1/2: Bengals’ cover record vs. the SEC continues to suck (2-3 in ‘09, 0-1 on the conference blacktop, 10-26-3 the last four-plus campaigns) and State’s gone just 4-9-2 against the number facing ranked teams (with a pair the wins coming in bowls). Tigers also hit Vin with a bad beat, posting the covering tally with 1:12 left over scoreless Tulane last week. Tide won by 6 at Baton Rouge in ‘08. Bengals have no spread losses in last six visits to Birmingham. Obama’s choice for Surgeon General still goes to patients’ homes in Alabama to provide services...or what Crimson Tide faithful refer to as “Nobody pushes us around on OUR house-calls!”. Should be a defensive battle...’Bama 16 LSU 10
Connecticut over #4 CINCINNATI taking 14: Zach Collaros was efficient last week, missing just 6 of 28 throws, but the Bearkats’ defense gets the credit for UC’s third straight cover, keeping the ‘Cuse scoreless over the last three quarters. We love UConn in a dog role and Huskies haven’t lost by more than 4 all season en route to 6-1 ATS record. UConn’s four conference opponents to-date have averaged 26 ppg, while Cincy’s quad of Big East foes has managed only 12+. Huskies faced Pitt and West Virginia on the road...’Kats 27 Dogs 19
#6 Texas Christian over SAN DIEGO STATE giving 24 1/2: The Weber Kid wasn’t completely a victim of the late score by the fave to bring home the moola, getting the seven from the Froggies vs. UNLV with just over 90 seconds to play. Not sure what the Aztecs were thinking, allowing arguably the worst team in the nation, New Mexico, to take an early 10-0 edge before rallying in the 4th to pull out the victory. SDSU had been 5-1 ATS before that. Amphibians have yielded a total of 13 points over the last three games. We’ll stay on TCU until they prove they’re going to let off the pedal...TCU 38 Aztecs 9
#7 Oregon over STANFORD giving 6: LOCK OF DA’ WEEK. Hmmmm, this would be one helluva’ letdown by UO. Cardinal rested last week and is one win away from bowl-eligibility. Decoys building a head of steam, winning seven in a row outright and six straight against the line behind a strong offense. Six of Mallards’ seven wins were by a touchdown or more. Stanford’s covered just 2 of last 8 against the Top 25 and 2 of last 3, but the spreads in question were +24, +14 and +41...Quack Attack 34 Cardinal 17
Northwestern over #8 IOWA taking 16: Ricky Stanzi launched 5 interceptions, but the Hawkeyes can thank an incompetent officiating crew for their 8th outright victory and for the cover that had your still-fumin’ forecaster contemplating never watching college football ever again after turning the game off in disgust with just over a minute to play. The AP voters, however, weren’t havin’ any of that silliness and dropped Iowa a couple notches despite the victory. Wildcats (2-6 ATS) hung with the Nifty Lions for three quarters...Iowa 27 NW 17
Wake Forest @ #10 GEORGIA TECH: OFF
#11 PENN STATE over #15 Ohio State giving 4: The Buckeyes tagged Vindicator with another Week Nine bad beat, scoring the covering touchdown and PAT on a 53-yard run with 5 seconds left in a 45-0 romp over New Mexico State, while the Lions offense hung out in the locker room until the 4th Quarter at Northwestern. Buckeyes are on 7-1 spread run and allowing just over 12 ppg. Nifty Lions lead the nation in scoring defense at 9 ppg. Joe Pa and the boys have not covered in four tries at Beaver Stadium this season and the outright victory will likely come down to a turnover. Lions get their first crack at a Top 25 opponent. Buckeyes make their first visit to a ranked opponent’s field and we’ve seen what happens to Terrell Pryor in a big game. We’re hopin’ the PSU pass rush can create a fumble or force an untimely pick. Could be 10-7 either way, but...Lions 19 Buckeyes 13
ARIZONA STATE over #12 Southern Cal taking 10 1/2: Following bad loss in Eugene, Trojans could come out smokin’ and blow State off the field. More likely, however, is a more plodding effort, with the team’s success in the questionable hands of QB Barkley as ASU limits opponents to about 80 rushing yards per game. Troy has been on the wrong side of the line six times in the past seven games. Sun Devils beat UDUB by 7, but lost by 19 at Stanford. Trojans took a 28-0 victory last year in L.A. Devils were sloppy last week, turning the ball over three times and drawing 11 yellow hankies for 123 yards as Cal mustered a last minute FG for 23-21 win...USC 30 ASU 24
Stay tuned. We'll back tomorrow night with the rest of the selections, including our upset pick of da' week, and the usual assortment of "hash"!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Vindy's Picks Week 9-2009
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
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
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
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