Straight Ca$h Homey: 2012 Recap

Well the season has come to an end.  As many of you know, I did not repeat at the NCAA COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PICK EM CHAMPION OF ALL CHAMPIONS as I finished in a stellar 13th out of 15th with a total record of 50-54-1.  I went 7-7-1 in money games and came out owing a total of $1.  Not too bad for someone who finished only a few steps up from the basement.

 

Unlike last year where I won by 3 games and finished 67-35-3, there was an actual tie for the winnings.  Brad and Chris both went 60-43-2.  Brad was crowned winner due to more money game Ws (9 to 8).  The leader coming into Bowl Week, Mike Trapp, finished 3rd with a 2-4-1 week and an overall record of 60-44-1, 0.5 game out.  Hale finished 4th at 58-46-1, 2.5 games out.  Holy hell that is awesome.  I would have been sweating off my nuts if it came down to that crap.

 

As you can see below, we were down as a whole from the remarkable season we (and I) had in 2011.  This year was more of the norm.  A lot of big teams didn't cover, there were a few good surprises (Notre Dame, Ohio State, TAMU, Oregon State, Penn State), a few duds (Southern Cal, Wisconsin, Houston, Arkansas) and a few standards (Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Kentucky, Baylor).

 

This year was a little bazaar because I didn't hit too many money games (.500 is unacceptable for stone cold lead pipe locks), and a 6-1 week twice, which helped me get out of my $100+ hole.

 

A few things I learned:

-Go with your gut.  Don't over think it.  You like a 'dog at home? Take that 'dog at home.  You think a blowout is in store? Take the double-digit favorite.  Look at the lines, get your likes, look again, and go with them.

-The first few weeks, you have NO IDEA about ANYTHING!

-Bowl week, you have NO IDEA about ANYTHING!

-I love betting on the 10:00pm games, however I didn't stay up to watch the entire game the entire year (#parent).  I do like not knowing and looking up the score Sunday morning, but I would like to bet on more games I can actually watch!

 

Overall I was under .500, close to .500, but needed two weeks of 6-1 to get there.  Trap games are really traps, and when Saban has time to prepare, look the f8ck out!

 

Side note: I made a couple 6-point teaser parlays once I got a hold on a few teams and ended up + $100 on bovada.  I don't really write about 6-point teasers because it kind of defeats the purpose of picking games. 

 

Anyway, this year was really fun, even when I was out of it in, say, week 6.  Once again, these are my picks, and if you are betting on college kids playing other college kids in football to pay your rent, uhhh good luck?!  I'll see you guys in August.

A few notes from Hale:

(all results are as a group)	Last Season	This Season	Year Over Year %
Overall %	55.4%	51.6%	(6.9%)
Money Game %	60.6%	54.2%	(10.6%)
% of Players Under .500	0%	40%	---

Straight Ca$h Homey Bowl Week: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Don't expect a lot of banging
New Year's Day

Finally some quality bowl games.  No more Monday Night or Thursday Night Jags-Jets games (MY GOD I CANNOT TAKE ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE GAMES MY GOD)...There is a great race for the title, as a 3-way tie approaches this final week.  I, however, am no where close to it.  Just playing for my pride at this point (and the last 7 weeks). 

Bowl week is always hard, like the first week, due to a few factors.
1 - Everyone is healthy
2 - Everyone is rested, which allows a hot team to cool off and an underachieving team to kick off next year
3 - Mental states.  Is a team really happy to be bowling, and is their opponent disappointed by their bowl?  How about their coach (if they have one)?  A lot of psychos show up around the New Year.

Those are major major major factors that make a seemingly sure-handed blowout become a potential upset.  The worst thing I fall into is taking a huge big-time program favorite and have them completely not show up (see: Oklahoma every year).  Therefore, I have leaned in my TOTAL BOWL BLOWOUT PICKEM SPECIAL to the underdogs (and by underdogs I mean teams that are favored by less than double digits...old habits die hard y'all).  These picks, however, are pretty standard for yours truly.  TO THE BOWL WEEK PICKS...

Thursday 12/27
HOLIDAY BOWL - 9:45 ESPN
Baylor Pick vs. UCLA
My favorite non-major bowl because the Big Ten is out of the Alamo and usually involves top teams that had a few bad losses.  Baylor has been a surprise and I like them against Jim Mora Jr.

Saturday 12/29
PINSTRIPE BOWL - 3:15 ESPN2
West Virginia -4 vs. Syracuse
Dub V gets their bowl on and runs away in Yankee Stadium

ALAMO BOWL - 6:45 ESPN
Oregon State -2 vs. Texas
Texas has been overrated the entire year.  Oregon State has been underrated the entire year.  I would take the Beavers up to -6 here.

BW3 BOWL - 10:15 ESPN
TCU -2.5 vs. Michigan State
Very close to being the money game.  TCU can handle Sparty's pound-n-ground and could easily run away against the very disappointing green and white crew in the 3rd.

Monday 12/31
PEACH BOWL Chick-Fli-A Bowl - 7:30 ESPN
LSU -3.5 vs. Clemson
Oh man, this game could go either way.  Except you know, it's Clemson against a national SEC power.  I'm taking LSU all day on this one.  A great way to end the year.

Tuesday 1/01
HEART OF DALLAS BOWL - Noon ESPNU
$$$ Oklahoma State -17 vs. Purdue $$$
Purdue is f8cking awful and Okie State can put up some points like men.  It's going to be 24-0 after the 1st quarter.

GATOR BOWL - Noon ESPN2
Northwestern +2 vs. Mississippi State
The only reason why Miss. State is a favorite is because they play in the big bad SEC and any team would lose 5 in a row in that gauntlet.  F8ck that.  The Wildcats are for real.  They should win by at least 10, or at least be up by 10 in the 4th until they give up the lead and lose by 3.

Straight Ca$h Homey Week 14: KING KONG AIN'T GOT SH*T ON ME

So yeah, that just happened.  6-1, money game, best record, and money for going 6-1.  I went from owing $77 to having $23 in my favor.  I'm still 9+ games back from the lead with the two most sketchiest of weeks ahead, but yeah, s*ck on dat.  Ohio State beats Michigan, the Browns beat the Steelers and Wisconsin loses.  The irony is that I would have gone 7-0 if I took my heart and not-took-Clemson and instead I thought Bucky had an ounce of fight left in them and it turns out that Penn State, yes Penn State of 2012, has more wins than the "Top 10" program in Madison.  F*CK YOU BADGERS!!!!!  Championship Week is upon us.  However not really because I am not making my trip to Indy to see the 12-0 Buckeyes play for the B1G Championship and so Championship Week is not really Championship Week at all.  TO THE PICKS!!!!!!

MAC Championship:
17Kent State +6.5 vs. 21Northern Illinois (Detroit)
7:00 ESPN2 FRIDAY
I have been known to go against the Flashes this year, but just under a touchdown with a 1-loss ball club and a win gets them into a BCS Bowl.  Hell yes I'm taking the Ohio team for the Mac Champ.

PAC12 Championship:
$$$ 8Stanford -8.5 vs 16UCLA (Stanford) $$$
8:00 FOX FRIDAY
So this is a repeat of last week when Stanford dominated the Bruins, but some feel like UCLA took it easy so they wouldn't have to face Oregon.  Uh OK YEAH THIS IS DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL. Stanford ROLLS.  BIG. Like 42-21 big.

West Virginia -20 vs Kansas
2:30 FX
No Kentucky, no Colorado, no Auburn this week.  However, my home-away-from-home-take-me-home got back on the winning track at Ames last week (and covered) and now they get the hapless Fightin' Weis'.  20 is huge, but Geno is going to score and Austin will not be stopped.  'Neers ROLL.  BIG.  Like 49-0 big.

SEC Championship:
2Alabama -7.5 vs 3Georgia (Atlanta)
4:00 CBS
Over a touchdown seems big, but has Georgia shown up in a big game outside of beating Florida this year (6 turnovers)?  Has Alabama not shown up in a big game?  I expect Bama to pull away after forcing Murray to beat them up top.  Damn I wish this was 4.5.

6Kansas State -11.5 vs 18Texas
8:00 ABC
I have no idea why Texas is ranked at all.  They are the same ole Texas of the last few years.  Klein and Co make a statement and knock Texas the f*ck out.

ACC Championship:
Georgia Tech +14 vs 13Florida State (Jacksonville)
8:00 ESPN
Both are coming off losses to their in-state arch rivals.  Only GT looked like shit.  Two touchdowns.  FSU beat Miami by 13.  And they lost their dcoord to UK.  The week of playing an option team.  Closer than the experts think.

B1G Championship:
12Nebraska -3 vs Wisconsin (Indianapolis)
8:17 FOX
F*ck you Badgers.  7 wins and in the championship game.  GO HUSKERS!  (Ohio State beat both these teams so I am rooting for the BUCKEYES!)

Straight Ca$h Homey Week 13: GET IN MY BELLY

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Showdown Saturday is here, just in time as you are released from your turkey coma.  A lot of people don't like the Michigan game after Thanksgiving, but I love it.  No work on Friday, and it caps off a great holiday break.  Also next year, it will give the Buckeyes one week less of layoff before the championship game.  Last week I took some 'dogs and ended up 4-3 with the money game as Northwestern went in to Sparta and beat them straight up.  This week I am going with a lot of heavy hitters and taking the biggest spread as my money game.  I also have tonight's game, a game tomorrow and the rest on Saturday.  I also came out of the basement and now I am second to last and owe $77.  A far cry from last year, but my head is up and my picks are in...on to week 13...

Record Last Week: 4-3, $
Record to Date: 38-41-1, 5 money games, 11.5 games back
Place: 14th out of 15

Thursday:
TCU +7 at 16Texas
7:30 ESPN
The Longhorns have been playing better, but they couldn't really play worse than they did at Kansas.  TCU has shown up this year, and a whole touchdown is a lot of points.  Patterson is good at either stopping the spread or keeping up with it, and I think Texas may be a little down not playing A&M anymore.

Friday:
West Virginia -1.5 at Iowa State
3:30 ABC
Going with my heart on this one.  I think WVU walks in Ames and blows them out of the cornfields.  Anything under 10 and I like them 'neers.

Saturday:
Ohio State -4 vs 19Michigan
12:00 ABC
I mean come on.  Michigan is now running more pro-style with Gardner under center and their best injured player who is a quarterback at running back and running power plays.  Michigan's defense came back to Earth this year and I think Ohio State wins by at least 10.  It could be close because RIVALRY GAME but really, Ohio State wins 55-14.  #hateweek

5Oregon -10 at 15Oregon State
3:00 P12N
Oregon bounces back and puts a whoopin' on State in the Civil War.  Either that, or OSU beats them outright at home and Chip Kelly goes to the Eagles next week.  If you win, your uniforms looks sweet.  You lose, you look like f*cking clowns.  Back to warp speed please Ducks.

$$$ 2Alabama -31.5 vs Auburn $$$
3:30 CBS
This could be a literal murder.  I'm going 55-0 Alabama.  Chizik should have been fired after going to overtime with Monroe.  There is a new NCAA Investigation (don't get me started) and Auburn is runaway Tire Fire of the Year, which after the Razorbacks motorcycle wreck, seemed impossible.  Alabama got up 24-0 on Cam Newton, what in the hell are they going to do against this Auburn team?!

Wisconsin +2.5 at Penn State
3:30 ESPN2
Bucky ends their season with a W in Happy Valley.  Could be close, but I think Wisky pulls away because Penn State doesn't really have anyone.

1Notre Dame -6.5 at USC
8:00 ABC
I keep telling myself, how in the hell does USC score on these guys with a backup freshmen quarterback?  Then I look at the wideouts and Silas and I think they could put up some points.  However, a team that struggles with Matt freaking Barkley behind center will for sure struggle against a top 5 defense.  Notre comes in as a team that has shown up big in big games against a team that has no-showed in big games.  Under 7?  I'll take this all day (which is exactly what Vegas wants).  Notre Dame wins and heads to the National Championship game.  Unbelievable.

Games I like and will keep an eye on:

Rutgers +2 at Pittsburgh

12:00 ESPN

I took Rutgers as a 'dog at UC and they won outright.  They do the same at Heinz Field.

 

12South Carolina +4 at 11Clemson 

7:00 ESPN

Clemson.

 

Louisiana Tech +4.5 at San Jose State

10:30 ESPN2

Tech was down by 3 touchdowns in the second half last week (to 1-loss Utah State) and ended up forcing OT.  They go to San Jose and get that W.  #WACATION

Straight Ca$h Homey Week 12: I Let the 'Dogs Out

Please pick us.
OK!

This week is personal.  Ohio State plays Wisconsin and I hate Wisconsin. I hate their team, I hate their style, I hate their coach, I hate their program and I hate their shitty fans.  When did Wisconsin have a win over Ohio State and when was that win not the biggest win in their program's history outside of Pasadena?  F*ck Wisconsin.  This week, I'm taking the 'dogs.  And whoever is playing against Maryland.  And Bill Snyder.  Simple enough.  On to Week 12...

Record Last Week: 3-4, $
Record Last 2 Weeks: 9-5, $ $
Record to Date: 34-42-1, 4 money games (Last)

10Florida State -31 at Maryland
12:00 ESPNU
At this point, I'm looking at Maryland as Jacksonville State or Savanna State or whatever team that was a 70-point underdog earlier this year and the coach was being questioned about his players literal safety.

$ Northwestern +6.5 at Michigan State
12:00 ESPN2
F*ck Sparty.  If NW gets up by double-digits and then loses to Mich St in OT by 7, I'm going to kick my dog and smack my fiance.

Rutgers +6.5 at Cincinnati
12:00 Big East Network (?)
F*ck Nippert.  Rutgers looks bad one week and now they are just under a touchdown 'dog to a very very average UC team.  Big East Football errr'body!

17UCLA +4 vs 18USC
3:05 FOX
F*ck Lane Kiffin.  If anyone could get the preseason no. 1 team to 4-5 losses, it's Lane.  Coach 'em up.  THROW THE RECORDS OUT FOR THIS GAME.  Home 'dog all day.

Ohio State +3 at Wisconsin
3:30 ABC
F*ck Bert and Bucky.  Ohio State is 10-0 and has shown up to every tough road game this year.  Wisconsin had a good day running at IU.  You know who else had good days running at IU? Lydell Ross.  F*ck Bucky.  No spread offense (aka run right at Hankins and Simon and Sabino is back)? I like the Buckeyes.  A LOT.  ON TO 11-0 after going 6-7!!!!!!!! BLEEP YOU BADGERS!

20Louisana Tech +3 vs Utah State
4:00
WAC Championship.  Both teams have one loss.  Utah State is a missed field goal away from beating Wisconsin at Wisconsin.  LTech put up 48 against TAMU. Utah State is 10-0-1 ATS this year.  LTech is at home and scoring over 50 points a game.  Please put this game on TV.  Home 'dog. Yes.

1Kansas State -12 at Baylor
8:00 ABC
F*ck yes Bill Snider.  Baylor cannot stop anybody and having this as a night game gives Klein an extra 4 hours to heal from his elbow or head or whatever.  Could be a shootout, but K-State pulls away late.

Straight Ca$h Homey Week 11: Call Me Butter 'Cuz I'm on a Roll

Rawr Eagle

6-1 (Hey!  The team that beat Auburn 12-10 showed up!) with my money game, thank you Clemson and Duke.  No matter how Clemson Clemson is, Duke is bowling and so yeah, thanks guys!  This week the Buckeyes have a Bye week so my heart won't be pounding out of my chest for 4 hours on Saturday.  I may even spend time with my daughter.  Haven't seen much of her since camp kicked off back in August. #dadoftheyear

Week 11...nothing really counts other than the money game, so fuggit.  Big favorites and a couple of home dogs.

 

Last Week: 6-1, $

Last 2 Weeks: 9-5, $

Record to Date: 31-38-1, $$$, T-Last

Indiana +7 vs Wisconsin

12:00 ESPN2

Bucky wins, they go to Indy.  IU wins, they still control their own life to Indy.  IU is tough at home, Wisconsin doesn't have a clue at QB and they suck, along to looking forward to the Bucks coming to Camp Randall next week.  I'll take the Hoosiers.

Miami OH +6.5 vs Kent State

1:00 Kent State Closed-Circuit Dorm TV, Sports Time Ohio? FSN Cleveland?

Love the Redhawks.  Kent State had a guy return a punt the wrong way.  The Flashes have been playing well, but just under a touchdown is a lot in Oxford.  Go Hawks. Go #MACTION

1Alabama -14 vs. 15Texas A&M

3:30 CBS

Two touchdowns to the white-hot Aggie squad with their freak behind center.  Bama is pissed and they will be able to score a lot of points.  Aggies, not so much.

13Clemson -31.5 vs. Maryland

3:30 ESPNU

Maryland is missing their top everybody.  Clemson is rolling.  Spread covered by half.

$ 5UGA -15.5 at Auburn

7:00 ESPN2

Auburn is done and if UGA wins they head to the ATL to face Bama.  LOVE THIS GAME.  I wish it was under 14 but that's why Vegas is Vegas.

3Oregon -28 at Cal

10:30 ESPN

Cal lost their QB last week and do not have their best weapon at WR.  Oh and how in the hell are they going to stop Oregon?  They go for 2 up 50.

18UCLA -14.5 at Washington State

10:30 ESPN2

Leach has suspended his best player, there are reports of near fist-fights at halftime, and the Bruins put 66 on Rich Rod.  Again, wish this was under 14 but Wazzu is done.  21-28 point win easily.

Alternate:

9Louisville -3 at Syracuse

12:00 ABC

I like the 'ville, but I could care less about this game.  Also, the Carrier Dome can sneak up and bite you at any time.  I do have a love for the Cuse and want to actually take them, so I'mma keep this one off the board.

Straight Ca$h Homey Week 10: Go Big or Go Home

All hail the single digit predator

Things looked bad when Louisville beat UC by 3.  That damn .5 gets ya all the time.  Then Sparky battled back, and OSU blasted the Nittanys in the 3rd quarter after Kansas State pulled away from Texas Tech.  Of course USC straight up lost to Rich Rod's desert crew to take my money game.  Then the night games happened and OU failed to show up (again) and Oregon State lost to Washington.  I finished 3-4 with no money game and now the only thing that matters is the money game.  I am 11.5 games out and can no longer defend my title, however I can start getting money back by winning my freaking money game.  This week, I am going big, with favorites on the road.  And best believe my money game is on the team that invented the single digit predator crazy baybay!!  On to Week 10...

Georgia Tech -7.5 at Maryland

12:30

Maryland lost their 4th quarterback for the season and is starting a freshmen linebacker who played quarterback in high school.  In the Wing T.  He might know how to stop the Jackets, but uh yeah, good luck with that Edsall.

14Stanford -28 at Colorado

2:00 FX

Huge line, however Colorado is awful and I think it's going to be 35 at half.

Ohio State -27.5 vs Illinois

3:30 ESPN

The Fightin' Illini have not fought once this year, and they lost to Michigan 45-0.  Even though Shazier said that the Buckeyes are already 10-0, and even though the Buckeyes play down or up to their opponent, Illinois is just that bad.  Under 28?  Like.

Baylor -17 vs Kansas

3:30 FSN

I am taking this game because Baylor has an offense that knows what they are doing.  I also like this game because Kansas had Texas beat and they came from ahead to lose.  Kind of like Purdue last week, they will bounce back by getting crushed on the road by a Bears squad that could score twice in 10 seconds.

4Oregon -8 at 17USC

7:00 FOX

Arizona gashed USC.  It's safe to say Oregon has more weapons than Arizona.  USC could have been looking ahead, but they were also up by a couple scores in the second half and then BAM down and out.  They could not stop Arizona.  I see Oregon by 10-20.

$$$ 13Clemson -14 at Duke

7:00 ESPN2

The way Clemson did Wake a few weeks ago has me all in on the Tigers.  I know that I laugh when anyone takes Clemson, however they are out of the national spot light and they are really good at looking really good against teams they should kill.  Duke is bowling for the first time since the early '90s (with a win over their rival) so they are pretty much set.  Clemson rolls, by 30.

1Alabama -9.5 at 5LSU

8:00 CBS

LSU struggled with TAMU, Auburn and got punched in the face by Florida.  Alabama will be ready and looking for a fight.  Obviously, 9.5 points, on the road, at LSU at night is almost un-bettable (new word), but I think this could turn out like the national title game.  Once Saban and his boys settle in, LSU just doesn't have the horses.  Roll Tide.  Bama by 10-17.  I hope.

Straight Ca$h Homey Week 9: Keep It in the Gut

Last week Notre Dame.
This week Lane Kiffin. Betting sucks.

Fact: Last week I ended up with a winning record (4-3).  Fact: Miami scored a pointless touchdown down 20 to rip a 4-2-1 record from me.  Fact: Notre Dame had the classic trap game and didn't get me my money game.

I have won 2 money games this year and right now owe over $100, so that's not very cool.  I am also 7.5 games back which isn't too bad, but there are 5 guys within a few games, so basically I am playing out the string.  What do I do?  Do I keep going with my gut, usually taking double-digit favorites on the road?  Or do I pick the teams I want to root for in the big games?  I mean this should be fun after all, and once I'm out of it, I kind of want to go with the teams I like.  (But Thank God I Didn't Take WVU Last Week.  Holy Shit!!@!@!@!@)  Even if I go with teams I want to win, if they lose and don't cover, it's a double punch in the dick.  I think I'm going to keep picking with my gut and if I finish last, then thems the breaks.  On to Week 9...

16Louisville -3.5 vs Cincinnati

8:00 ESPN (Friday)

One-loss UC comes into Papa Johns after losing to Toledo (#MACTION!!) and a steady 'ville team is favored by just over a field goal on a Friday night.  Like.  Oh, and a bet on the Friday night game? Double like.

UCLA +7 at Arizona State

3:00 FX

UCLA regains its mid-September form and beats Sparky, who is still smarting from the woodshed beating they took from the Alpha Ducks.  Anything over 4 and I like it.  Go Jim Mora Jr.s!

4Kansas State -7 vs. 15Texas Tech

3:30 FOX

The Beat the Shit Out of WVU Bowl takes place in the Little Apple this week.  Texas Tech beat TCU in a great 3OT thriller and blew WVU the f*ck out in back-to-back weeks, but...I'm still not sold.  What I am sold on is that Bill Snyder is the best coach ever and he will beat the Red Raiders by more than a touchdown in Bill Snyder Family Stadium with his Heisman front-running QB doing his thing.

$$$ 10USC -6.5 at Arizona $$$

3:30 ESPN2

Easy trap game for the Trojans, who play OU next week.  However, the line has moved from -10 to under a touchdown and I don't see the 'cats keeping Barkley, Woods, Redd, Lee and whatever 5stars they put into the game under 50.  Also, under a touchdown means if the game gets within 10 or14, Kiffin will try to score (and go for two) so there won't be any shitty losses like FSU last week.  No real reason this is the money game other than once it gets back to 10, USC can step back on the gas.  In this case, -7 is a whole nother ball game than -6.5.

9Ohio State -1 at Penn State

5:30 ESPN

I thought the line would be PSU -2 or 3 but the Buckeyes are still favored going on the road after a great but terrible win.  I guess they are still favored because, well, the Buckeyes have a better team, even if their middle linebacker was the starting fullback for the past 3 1/2 years.  The Buckeyes have no depth, but I doubt there are more than 3 players from Penn State that would make the Scarlet and Gray 2-deep.  Taking the Bucks on the road.  LET'S GO BUCKS!  This looks like a classic FU game from Vegas...make the crappy-looking team a road favorite by the over-achieving hot team, forcing bettors to take PSU and the points while the Bucks win by 10+.

8Oklahoma -10.5 vs 5Notre Dame

8:00 ABC (GAMEDAY)

I have struggled mightily with this pick.  I really want to take the 5th ranked and undefeated Golden Domers against Big Game Bob and the under-performing-since-2000-crew...but how exactly is Notre Dame going to score more points than the Sooners?  10.5 is huge.  It's actually a giant slap in the face of Notre with a sign that reads NOT YET BACK BUT GOOD JOB BEATING THE B1G.  This falls into two objectives in this failure of a betting season.

1)Go against a "no duh" pick and

2)Have something on the big prime time game instead of shying away from it.

7Oregon State -4.5 at Washington

10:15 P12N (ESPN Scorecenter --> Gamecast on ipad/iphone)

Gotta roll with the Beavers and the less-than-a-touchdown-spread.  Washington has maxed out on their home-at-night-upset.  Hardly doubt I will be up past midnight and will check it Sunday morning, before I start the lawn stuff and listen to the Browns pregame.  Oh God do my Sundays suck ass.

Straight Ca$h Homey Week 8: One Step Closer to an Intervention

This is what it has come to.
WAKE UP THE ECHOES!!!

Holy crap. I went 2-5 last week (18-30-1 overall) with my money game on WVU -4 at Texas Tech.  Of course they lost 49-14.  What the shit.  I have no answers, no confidence, and have no idea what in the blue hell is going on.  If you have anything, anything at all with picking ATS when college kids play football, please please please, shoot me something (anything) this way.

 

Here are my picks for week 8.  I am not happy with them at all, and after looking at them, it seems like I keep taking road double-digit favorites.  Damn I suck.

Straight Ca$h Homey: CFB Week 7 Picks

 

Here is what I have for week 7.  Last week I went 3-4 but won my money game (hay!).  Looks like I just can't get off road favorites.  This weekend I am off to Columbus West (Bloomington) to cheer on my Top-10 ranked Buckeyes for a HOMEGAME with my college buddies, so I will be in and out of other games.  I hope my phone doesn't die as I check the scores while pounding beverages with my homeboys.  Here you go, delinquents.

 

6Kansas State -6.5 at Iowa State

12:00 FX

15Texas +3 vs 13Oklahoma (Dallas)

12:00 ABC

1Alabama -21.5 at Missouri

3:30 CBS

$$$

5West Virginia -4.5 at Texas Tech

3:30 ESPN

10Oregon State +6 at BYU

3:30 ESPN3

Oklahoma State -23.5 at Kansas

3:30 FSN

22Texas A&M -8 at La. Tech

9:00 ESPNU

 

Alternates:

25Michigan -23.5 vs Illinois

3:30 ABC

 

4Florida -8.5 at Vanderbilt

6:00 ESPNU

 

8Ohio State -17 at Indiana

8:00 BTN

Straight Ca$h Homey: CFB Week 5 Picks

After my first winning week at 4-3, I rebounded to go 2-5 and fall 6 games back with a overall record of 10-18.  I have no idea what is going on, but the good teams aren't super good, and the bad teams show up once in awhile.  I can't get any worse, so once again, I am going with my gut and looking at the horrible teams and taking whoever they are playing.  A lot of favorites, a lot of double digits.  Week 5...



Money Game:
7South Carolina -21 at Kentucky
7:00 ESPN2
The 'cocks are on a roll and Kentucky is God awful.  This should be a cover around the 10:00 mark in the 2nd quarter.

9West Virginia -12.5 vs 25Baylor

12:00 FX

WVU only beat Maryland by 10 last week, and this is their first Big XII game against a ranked opponet, so look for Holgo and Geno to turn it up against a porus Baylor defense.  Monroe put up 30 against these guys, and WVU is no Monroe.

 

Miami OH -5.5 at Akron

2:00 ESPN3

I have been impressed by the Hawks since they showed a little in Ohio Stadium, albeit in a 56-10 drubbing.  Akron may be the worst team in the MAC and with Miami's passing game, they should score early and often.

 

17Clemson -9.5 at Boston College

3:30 ESPN2

Clemson is not the 17th best team in the country.  BC is one of the worst.  Classic rebound game.  This was my money game, but I couldn't look myself in the mirror if Clemson had a little $ next to its name.

 

UCLA -20.5 at Colorado

6:00 P12N

UCLA lost to those pesky Beavers and Colorado stunned Leach and Wazzu.  There is no way these Buffaloes can make it two-in-a-row and UCLA is going to be pissed.  They beat Nebraska and were a top 20 team.  20.5 is large, but the Buffs did give up 69 to Fresno and lost to Sacramento State.

 

15TCU -16.5 at SMU

7:00

TCU looked strong last week and SMU is God awful.  If Baylor can run SMU out of their own stadium, what is a legit Big XII contender going to do?  This game is not listed to be on television this week.  I may have a problem.

 

1Alabama -31.5 vs Ole Miss

9:15 ESPN

Nothing to see here, just business as usual.

Best of the Rest:
Minnesota +6.5 at Iowa
12:00 ESPN2

Texas -2.5 at Oklahoma State
7:50 FOX

*Results Update* Straight Ca$h Homey: CFB Week 4 Picks

Coming off my first winning week (4-3 after starting 0-3), I am still near the worst picker of all time, Trapp in 2012.  My God is he horrible.  This week I am going back to my bread-and-butter...double-digit favorites (and Syracuse).  I am being a p*ssy though, putting up the 3 big night time games but not using them for my picks....the bad record this year has shaken my confidence.  Week 4 HERE.WE.GO....
The ole 2-5 and money game loss.

Money Game:
Maryland at 8West Virginia -27
12:00 FX
If the 'noles can put 52 on Wake, WVU can put 60 on Maryland.  The Thundering Herd's defense shows more heart than the Terps.
L 31-21 Barf.

Kentucky at 14Florida -24.5
12:21 SEC Network
If 'Bama can put 52 on Arkansas, a red-hot Gators team can put 30+ on Kentucky, coming off a loss to directional-Kentucky school.
W 38-0 Gators on a roll, and Kentucky trying to play basketball in the fall.

Miami (FL) at Georgia Tech -14
3:00 ESPN3.com
If Miami gave up 52 to Kansas State, then GT, who has found their groove after putting up 50+ on UVA last week, can beat the 'canes by two touches.
L 42-36 OT The U had an incredible comeback from GT's comeback and won in OT.  Bad betting loss.

2LSU -20.5 at Auburn
7:00 ESPN
Auburn is bad.  LSU is pretty good.  Big spread, on the road, however LSU has been known to step it up against good opponents and I gotta roll with the Tigers in purple and gold.
L 12-10 Auburn showed some backbone and LSU's offense looked like Ohio State's after racing to a 9-0 lead.

20Louisville -13.5 at FIU
7:00 ESPN3.com
This one snuck up on me.  I don't know who is worse, FIU or Kentucky, but they are similar and under 14 looks really good.  Almost too good to be true.  Should be someone's money game.
L 28-21 I have no idea what happened in this game.

Vanderbilt at 5Georgia -13
7:45 ESPN2
Same ole UGA, same ole Vandy.  If Georgia can go into Mizzou at night and beat them down, Vandy, at home, at dusk could get away from the Commodores early.
W 48-3 When in doubt, go against Vandy in SEC play.

Syracuse +1.5 at Minnesota
8:00 BTN
'Cuse looked "good" against Southern Cal, and Minnesota just lost their only playmaker since Marion Barber III and and Laurence Maroney.  The Orange For The Win.
L 17-10 No idea but Syracuse is a decent team.  Nice W for the B1G I guess.  Look, the Gophers are 4-0!

Best of the Rest:
18Michigan +5.5 at 11Notre Dame
7:30 NBC
Everyone is on the Golden Domers, including me.  However, these games have been close, and Sparty's offense is not like Michigan's.  Could be a shootout.
L 13-6 Holy shit Michigan's offense is bad.  Holy shit Notre's defense showed up.

15Kansas State +14 at 6Oklahoma
7:50 FOX
K-State made me some money last year and OU has been known to, you know, not show up for these types of games.  Two touchdowns is HUGE.  I was expecting around 4-8.
W 24-19 K-State wins outright in Norman,  Not surprised at all.  Boomer Sooner is now officially Chokelahoma.

10Clemson at 4FSU -14
8:00 ABC (GAMEDAY)
Clemson in a big game.  The 'Noles looks great.  14 is HUGE but there is no way I can't not take Clemson.  This could be close, but probably a blowout, like 52-14ish. 
L 49-37 One late freaking touchdown by Clemson covers for them.  Probably the most fun I had watching a game in a few years.

*Results Update* Straight Ca$h Homey: CFB Picks Week 3

Alrighty, last week I went 2-5 again and losing my money game outright with Bucky falling to the Beavers, 10-7.  I don't know if Danny O'brien knows he isn't playing at Maryland anymore, but the fat man fired the o-line coach the next day, after Montaye Ball was held to under 100 yards.  And, um, 7 points against Oregon State.  Yikes.  So with that, you probably won't see me take any teams I hate with my money game, because it really did dampen a great loss by the Badgers.  Anyway, holy hell does the B1G 5UCK. 

Here are my picks for week 3 as I try to get out of the cellar with an overall 4-10 record.  Winning the championship is hard.  Defending it is harder.  Big shout to Trapp for going 3-11 to keep me from the worst picker in the first two weeks.  Week 3.  It starts now!
Winning week!  After starting 0-3, rallied for 4 straight!

Money Game:
13Virginia Tech -10 at Pitt
12:00 ESPNU
Pitt is horrible.  10 is a great number.  I was thinking it was going to be around 17 to 21.  I can't believe I am making myself flip between Ohio State and an ACC/Big East ESPNU game at noon.
L 31-17 Holy shit, Virginia Tech.  I was off them starting this year, but down 21 at this Pitt team?  They were not only not close to covering, they weren't close to winning.  Another stupid early season loss for the Beamer boys.  Sweet money game pick, Dupe.

Western Michigan +2.5 at Minnesota
12:00 BTN
Putting my MAC love where my money is.  Broncos go into TCF Bank Stadium and get the dubbya.
L 28-23.  Very close, and the Gophers' lost their only above C- player Gray in the second quarter.  Could have gone either way.

Auburn -16.5 at Louisiana-Monroe
12:21 SEC Network
Classic next-game-after-huge-upset.  Last week, after beating Houston, Texas State lost to Texas Tech 58-10.  I hope this gets ugly real quick.  Last time I take Auburn if they do indeed turn in a Tire Fire 2.0
L 28-21 OT Monroe did it again, down 14 late in the 4th, came back and forced OT.  Damn.  Auburn sucks.  They have LSU now.  Guess who I am taking?

UCONN -2.5 at Maryland
12:30 ESPN3.com
Maryland is horrible.  Anything under 14 is a great number.  Don't let me down, Huskies.
W 24-21 Huskies held on.  Next for Maryland?  WVU.  Yup.

Texas A&M -13.5 at SMU
3:30 CBS Sports Network
The Aggies have a freak freshmen at QB.  SMU has no freaks on defense.  This is based solely on the 'stangs blowout loss to Baylor in week 1.
W 48-3 Honestly forgot I picked this game.  Saw the final scroll at the bottom during the Sparty-Irish game.  Very close to being my money game.  Shoulda Woulda Coulda.

18Florida +1.5 at 23Tennessee
6:00 ESPN (GAMEDAY)
Haven't been sold on Tennessee since 1999.  The Gators proved something last week in College Station.  This game could go either way, but I'm rolling with the Gators.
W 37-20 Gators came on very strong in the 2nd half again.  Vols looked like the Vols of the past.  Florida ripped a few long scores.  Great win for Gator nation.

14Texas -10.5 at Ole Miss
9:15 ESPN
I have no idea why this isn't 21 to 24, but I like Texas by that much.  I don't know if you can tell, but I am basically going against every team that has sucked in the past 2 years.
W 66-31 Texas would score in 2 minutes.  Then Ole Miss would score in 2 minutes.  Texas stopped them more.  Great late-night game to switch back to during USC-Stan and MSU-ND timeouts.

Best of the rest:
12Ohio State -17 vs. Cal
12:00 ABC
The Buckeyes are down to their 3rd string running back, and even though Jordan Hall is "back", he is not ready for a full game and would a surprise factor.  I love Urban in non-conf so that is why this game is up here...so I can see if I can trust him.  Ohio State's offense has been psycho (along with the defense) and the Cal Bears lost to Nevada, who run an running-option attack, but with less 3/4 stars than Ohio State.  Could be close, could be ugly.  17 is pretty big.  I'll take the Bucks 34-17 ish.
L 28-21 Buckeyes went into Tressel mode on offense and 2011 mode on defense in the second half.  Very glad I stayed off this one.

16TCU -21.5 at Kansas
12:00 FX
Kansas is Horrible. 21.5 is a big number, but I'm thinking this could be 30-plus.
L 20-6 Saw one play.  The most 20-6 game ever.

2USC -8 at 21Stanford
7:30 FOX
I want to take the high-powered high-ranked team again, but they have looked average compared to the weapons and points they put up last year.  Stanford struggled in their first game, but crushed Duke and seemed to return to form.  USC last in double OT last year and that's when Stanford had their best team maybe ever.  I like USC by two scores, but am staying away from it since it's over 6.
L 21-14 Stanford beat SC for the 4th straight year and the underwhelming Trojan offense was held to 2 scores.  Not the usual high-powered top team ala Bama and OK State last year.

Game I will not touch with a 27 1/2 inch pole:
Arizona State +6.5 at Missouri
7:00 ESPN2
Sparky is hot, Mizzou is coming off a close-but-then-beatdown in their welcome to the SEC.  I honestly don't know which team is going to show up.  Both for the Sun Devils and the Tigers.  No idea.  None.  Could be close, could be 10, could be a total blowout.  Either way.  If a game was ever a Saw situation, this would be it.
W 24-20 Vegas got this one right.  Sparky was intercepted in the endzone.  Mizzou didn't have their QB.  Could've gone either way on numerous plays.  I looked at this game like every NFL game.  No freaking idea.

*Results* Straight Ca$h Homey: CFB Week 2 Picks

I started off defending my title by going a nice 2-5 thanks to a running-first Irish offense, a horrible Northwestern defense and no QB play from South Carolina nor Sparty.  I did straight up call the Michigan and Holgo and the 'neers remained on their late-2011 form.  This week, I have to do better, right?  Not "Showdown Saturday" by any means, so many of these are games I will be watching anyway.  Note: Urban Meyer is 35-7 ATS in non-conf games.  Therefore I am taking facts, not my heart, when I take Ohio State over the Golden Knights.  To the Week 2 picks...
2-5, lost the money game straight up.  Overall 4-10 and next to last in the standings.  Good news, 13 weeks left.  Hopefully I get a feel for some teams after getting my brains beaten in the first two weeks.  Time to pick and rally...

Money Game:
13 Wisconsin -8 at Oregon State
4:00 FX
The Badgers only beat Northern Iowa 26-21 last week.  However, UNI could probably beat the Beavers.  I love taking Wisconsin early, because 1)Their coach is a dick and 2)They don't have to face any team they put 70 on again (unless you count Northwestern).  Should Wisconsin beat Oregon State by at least 20?  Hell yes.  Wisconsin? Money game? Odd.
L 10-7 Wisconsin went to Reaser Stadium and lost to the Beavers.  Monte Ball had less than 100 yards and they were held scoreless for about 58 minutes.  The refs seemed to get the onside kick wrong, however, Bucky wasn't going to get to -8 any way you slice it.  They looked horrible against NIU and even worse Saturday.  I am very happy that Wisconsin lost, however this was a horrible pick.  Week 2 everybody!

Pick 2:
Central Florida at 14 Ohio State -17.5
12:00 ESPN2
Gotta go with Urban.  17.5 is a big number, against Ohio State's biggest non-conf game (thanks Cal, for nothing), but I like 3 scores here.  Let's hope for the best and prepare for the best.  I swear, this time, if OSU doesn't cover, I will be done with them.  Forever.  For real this time you guys (probably not).
L 31-16 I took Ohio State and they won but lost.  They looked a little sluggish both offensively and defensively.  UCF has some guys, but Ohio State didn't bring their A game.

Pick 3:
Miami FL at 21 Kansas State -7
12:00 FX
K-State was a great cover team last year.  Miami sucks.  In The Octogon Bill Snyder Family Stadium.  Noon.  7 points is pretty big, but Miami sucks.
W 52-14 Lone bright spot.  K-State put a whoopin' on them boys from Dade county.

Pick 4:
Auburn +3 at Mississippi State
12:00 ESPN
Auburn showed me a little last week against Clemson.  Miss. St. couldn't run through smoke.  The Bulldogs also have become also-rans in the SEC west and I look for the Tigers to rebound and take the W in Starkvegas.  War Damn Cover At Least.
L 28-10 Mullen and the Bulldogs get their first SEC West win outside of Ole Miss.  Auburn is 0-2 and didn't look good.  Bad pick, straight up.

Pick 5:
1 2 USC -27 at Syracuse
3:30 ESPN2
Syracuse gave up 42 to Northwestern.  Northwestern doesn't have Silas Redd, Matt Barkley, Woods nor Lee.  If the D holds the Orange under 13, easy cover.
L 42-29 After about a 2 hour lightening/halftime break, USC got the W but let the Orange score late.  They looked like they wanted to just get out of there instead of going for 'cuse's throat.

Pick 6:
7 Georgia -2 at Missouri
7:45 ESPN2
The locals will be fired up, and we will get to see the number one recruit try to do his thing against a stingy Bulldog D.  2 points isn't a lot and I think UGA's depth, experience and *speed* will knock off Mizzou in their SEC debut by at least a touchdown.
W 41-20 Missouri actually had the lead after a quick-strike long touchdown in the 3rd, but the Bulldog "old-man football" proceeded to kick the Tigers off its lawn.  UGA won running away.  Nice pick.  UGA seems either really strong or Mizzou is in a world of trouble when they go 3 and out in the SEC.

Pick 7:
18 Oklahoma State -11.5 at Arizona
10:30 Pac 12 Network (?)
After the Pokes put 84 on Sav. State last week, they got me.  I love big offense and I love to bet against shitty teams.  This one has both.  Arizona had to close one of their endzone stands so they could lump the fans together.  No home field advantage, and if you think this squad can keep up with Gundy, tit-for-tat, you are mistaken.  The only challenge will be staying up for this one, by following it on my iphone/ipad.  What the hell is the Pac-12 Network and how do I watch it?
L 59-38 After the Pokes went up 14-0 in the first 10 minutes, 'zona blew them out.  I watched up to halftime on my ipad with the newly redesigned ESPN Scorecenter app.  Pretty tight.  Pick sucked.

Best of the Rest:
23 Florida at Texas A&M -1.5
3:30 ESPN
Florida looked like shit against BG, and TAMU hasn't played a game yet under their new coach from Houston (holy shit does Houston miss him).  Standard early this-game-could-go-many-ways.  Did the "real" Gators show up last week, or could they put 50 on a traditional shaky Aggie defense?  Are the Aggies ready to air it out?  Home field sure, but after 4 straight 3-and-outs, can the Gators get a road SEC win?  We will see...
L 20-17 Gators outscored the Aggies 13-0 after they were down 17-7 at half.  Huge road win for Florida.

16 Nebraska -5 at UCLA
7:30 FOX
Don't get it twisted.  Taylor Martinez didn't become Tom Brady over the offseason.  They were showing clips from last year and against Southern Miss and I honestly didn't see that much difference.  I like the Huskers due to UCLA's defense and I don't think Jim Mora (don't dare call him Jr.) is a good coach.  Burkhead's MCL is HUGE, therefore I am not taking this one as one of my 7 picks.
L 36-30 Unforeseen shootout in the Rose Bowl.  The Blackshirts couldn't stop swing pass right nor swing pass left.  Par for the course for the B1G.  UCLA seems to be making major strides under Mora Jr.  I can't wait until they lose to Colorado and/or Washington State by 50.

Vanderbilt at Northwestern +3
8:00 BTN
Vandy should be feeling pretty good coming off their near-win against South Carolina, and night games in Evanston are no joke.  Home dog?  I'll take the Wildcats again.
W 23-14 The 'cats were down at half and I watched maybe three plays of this game.  Nice rebound W after their near-collapse at Syracuse last week.  Vanderbilt, who looked like they could not finish last in the SEC lost to Northwestern.  There you go.

*Results Update* Straight Ca$h Homey: CFB Week 1 Picks

Back as the defending champ, here are my picks for week 1.  For those of you who don't know, my buddies and I put in $5 and pick 7 college games a week, and after the bowls, the winner gets the money.  You get a bonus for picking your "money game", going 7-0, 6-1 or 0-7, and having the best record that week.  A running total is kept throughout the season.

Anyway, I won last year and am back to defend my title.  Here are my picks with notes.  The lines we get are out on Tuesday afternoon and we have until kickoff on Thursday night to submit our picks.  I will also include a few extra picks I like but don't have the guts to include them in my top 7. 

Overall: 2-5, money game victory

Week 1
Pick $:
8 Michigan vs. 2 Alabama -13 (Dallas)
8:00 ABC (GAMEDAY)
If even Brady Hoke starts his "suspended indefinitely" running back (glass house, Sun and Blue nation), Saban has had all summer to figure out how to stop the college version of the NYJ Tebow package (call passing play - run around - recievers go deep - run for a couple yards).  Denard will not leave this game under his own power.  Anything under 13.5 and I'm on this like Chuck Weis on homemade cookies out the oven.
W 41-14
Bama got up 31-0 and dominated the entire game.  Just as I suspected.  There weren't many Michigan Men out there Saturday night.

Pick 2:
9 South Carolina -7 at Vanderbuilt
7:00 ESPN Thursday - College Football Kickoff
1. Vandy cannot stop Lattimore. 2. Vandy cannot score against Clowney and co.  Easy 10-14 point win.
L 17-13
Early turnovers and the QB injury for the 'cocks led to a pretty bad performance from a top ten SEC team.  Vandy played pretty well and looks to be out of the cellar of the SEC East.

Pick 3:
24 Boise State at 13 Michigan State -7
8:00 ESPN Friday
Boise doesn't have the quarterback who has the most wins in the history of NCAA football as a starter and have to start out at Sparty at night.  7 is just fine, but you never know what those wacky Broncos will pull out.  I would hope a top-tier B1G team could beat this Boise team at home at night by at least 10.
L 17-13
Michigan State defense: pretty good.  Michigan State offense: pretty bad.  Ringer 2.0 in Bell and a new QB who looks like a new QB.  Clemson of the north shows again.

Pick 4:
Notre Dame vs. Navy +16.5 (Dublin, Ireland)
9:00A CBS
Foreign country, versus a pure-option team, and no answer behind center.  I've seen it before many-a-time and anything over two touchdowns is huge.  Also, I will never ever take Notre ever.  Take America.
L 50-10
Notre went pound and ground and outclassed Navy every way.  No pitch and catch = no pitch and pick.  9:00 AM live college football is great.  The NCAA should probably look into this more.

Pick 5:
Marshall at 14 West Viginia -24.5
12:00 FX
DubV put 70+ on Clemson.  A year later, a worse opponent, at home.  Kick is at noon so it may take a while for the Holgo train to get on track, but this is a quick fiddy spot for Geno and the boys.
W 69-34
Holgo be rollin'.

Pick 6:
Northwestern -1.5 at Syracuse
12:00 ESPN2
Love the Wildcats early in the year, on the road.  Half-empty Carrier Dome.  I'll take NW to get the W. Note: the .5 scares me.  Damn you Vegas.
L 42-41
Bad loss of the week.  The 'cats took a 35-13 lead and puked all over themselves.  They ended up scoing in the last minute to win by 1, naturally.  Damn you Northwestern.

Pick 7:
4 Oklahoma -30.5 at UTEP
10:30 FX
Boomer Sooner will have 38 at half.  Can the Sooners' back-up back-ups hold the Miners in the 3rd and 4th?  Top 4 teams don't give up multiple TDs late.
L 24-7
I'm getting off the Oklahoma train real quick.



Best of the rest:
Hawai'i at 1 USC -39.5
7:00 FOX
Why wouldn't I be looking at the number 1 team by over 5 touchdowns?
L 49-10
Why wouldn't they only win by 39?  Went for two about 10 times because their kicker was injured.  Damn you Lane and Vegas.

Toledo +10 at Arizona
10:30 ESPNU
No way a shitty Arizona will have the new Rich-Rod offense in sync, plus my heart lies with a visiting #MACTION team.  The Rockets could get a big win for the youngest coach in D-1.  Plus, a reason to watch football at 10:30 after tailgating all day.  Gotta have something on the tube while I take down multiple Locos Tacos.  GO SCHOOL FROM OHIO.
W 24-17 OT
The Rockets battled and could have won.  Don't sleep on the MAC!

Kentucky at 25 Louisville -13.5
3:30 ESPN Sunday
Heated rivalry, and Louisville is playing Kentucky.  They aren't very good.  I don't see a court or hoops.  Under two touchdowns?  Me likey.
W 32-14
Kentucky gave up an opening 99 1/2yard drive.  Holy Hell they are bad.  Look for them in these posts in the future.  Joker = Citgo

2012 Season Preview - Straight Ca$h Homey

Last year I won the weekly NCAA football pick ‘em betting league.  After week 1 where I went 3-4, I said f*ck it and went  with my gut.  I took teams I tend to love to bet on (that have burned me forever)…big offenses in a shitty conference along with betting against teams that are horrible just about every week, regardless of who they are playing.

I also look at hot/cold teams and if the team has been tested in the past few weeks, no major injuries and a quality QB and O-line or a team with a D full of preds and not a shit given.

I'm too Buckeye
to bet on them

The teams I loved last year were Bama and LSU, Okie State, Wisconsin, Houston and USC late in the year.  The key was to stick with those teams throughout the year, not just after a big win I would’ve missed.  Teams I always bet against were Kentucky, Ole Miss, UNLV, Arizona, Kansas, UCLA and Texas Tech.  Notre and the Buckeyes killed me so they are on my shit list.  Not so much the Buckeyes because last season has been erased from my memory, along with the Bollman-designed offensive attack (run run pass punt).  So yeah, f*ck you Notre.  But I am never taking the Buckeyes ever.  My heart is too invested.

Going into this year, here are some of the teams I am looking at:

Obviously USC, Bama, LSU, and Oregon early.  Not a big deal.  The highly-ranked teams I hate are Virginia Tech, Michigan, and Notre Dame to an extent.  And it’s just not my Buckeye-bias. 

Virginia Tech has two pure freshmen RBs and a rebuilt/young O-line.  The ACC is weak, but I don’t see VT in the top 20 in anything.  They have a huge QB who is magical, but he is going to be pounded early and often, and Frank Beamer is overrated.  He has won less than five times against a top 10 team while at VT.

No way he finishes the game against 'bama

Michigan, if you look at their season last year, they had to go 80 in 30 seconds to beat Notre, squashed at Sparty, gave up 34 to the worst offense in the history of Ohio State, and really did nothing in the Sugar Bowl against my Hokies.   Yes they won in OT, but the way they dominated the first half, it should’ve been over by the 3^rd quarter.  They didn’t play Wisconsin and had a really good season, but no way they get all the breaks they got last year.  Also, nice schedule this year, Big Blue. 

Living, breathing, pick 6
Especially in the red zone

Notre was a tire fire with last year’s schedule and this year, well…good luck with that.  If you ever bet on Notre Dame, punch yourself in the face, then take that money, put it into a bag with dogshit, light it on fire, and put it out with said punched face.  Then take that burnt bag, turn that som’bitch sideways and STICK IT STRAIGHT UP YOUR CANDY ASS.

Of course things are subject to change, like if a linebacker gets arrested for throwing his baby mama into a door, or the star RB gets kicked out and has to go D-II.  Or a returning Heisman finalist has to go to “weed rehab”…wait nevermind.  LSU still has 3 AA in the defensive backfield.  They won’t miss one beat. One thing I know…I’m already taking one team I like (Bama) over one team I don’t (Mich) and it could be a money game.  Oh and Notre Dame is favored by more than 2 touchdowns while they play in Ireland against a team that runs the option and has stunned/scared major programs early in the past.  I’m taking America and the Navy against the Irish. STRAIGHT CA$H HOMEY.  See you in just over a week.  I didn’t mention Clemson?  If you don’t know to STAY AWAY FROM CLEMSON AT ALL COSTS THEN GO DO METH.

*RESULTS UPDATE*Straight Ca$h Homey - BOWL SEASON NCAA Picks

Bowl Week Final:
I finished 5-2 and took the overall championship.  My final record was 67-35-3 (.638) with 11-4 in money games.  Brad went 4-3 so I won by 3 games.  The winner gets their earnings along with $20 from every other player.  That puts me over $350 for the year.

How I did it:
If you have read what I have posted about betting, you know that I like to take the favorites with the big offenses and I also like to bet against teams that are horrible.
I also made a spreadsheet of all my picks so I can look at the trends and what each team did the past few weeks.  I got on the Houston bandwagon and rode them for 4 money games.
I also kept the games I liked but took off the board, so I could see what my gut told me the past week and to see how I did with the games I liked, but took off.  I ended up around .500 with the "alternate" games.

My consistent picks this year have been with...
Oklahoma State - 12 picks (8-4), 0 Money Games
Wisconsin - 9 picks (7-2), 1-1 in Money GamesAlabama - 7 picks (5-2), 1 Money Game
LSU - 7 picks (7-0), 1-0 in Money Game
Houston - 7 (6-1), 4-0 in Money Games
Oregon - 4 picks (2-2), 0-1 in Money Games

College Gameday Picks:
11 picks, 9-2 record, 2-1 Money Games

My consistent picks against:
Minnesota
Iowa State
Kansas
Kentucky
Ole Miss

Out of 105 games, I took the favorite 87 times (60-27).  I took the underdog 18 times (12-6).

Conclusion: This year was lucky.  I took the favorites and they covered 69% of the time.  When I took the underdog, they covered 2/3 of the time.  I looked at a few teams that should win and I looked at a few teams that are bad and should be blown out.  This first week, I wanted to make the Gameday game as the money game, but then I realized that if you lose the money game, you pay up a lot.  If you win, you get some money.  I also learned that one game here or one game there isn't going to make the season so if one team kicks a late fieldgoal to beat the spread by 1, I shouldn't beat myself up about it.  The fact I won is great, but every week I had 7 games circled and it was the most fun thing I have done.  I really hope this continues down the road and I doubt I will ever come near the amount of success I had this year.
Basically I say this: Go with your gut, have fun, and when in doubt, take the teams you want to see win.  And never bet with money you don't have or can't afford.  HAVE FUN! See you for the 2012 season.  Hint: I'm taking USC, LSU and Oklahoma a lot.

I am currently 2 games ahead of Brad for the best record with one week left.  If I hold on, I get $20 from the other 10 guys in the pool along with my winnings that are totaled at $137 as of week 14.  For all the games I didn't take to Bodog or Sportsbook.com, this may be a great way to bring in the new year.  Enough of my personal finances, here are my final picks for the year and the most glorious time of the year...BOWL WEEK!!!

Take the Horned Frogs, you guys

Money Game:

Wed Dec. 21st

Poinsettia Bowl 8:00 ESPN

18TCU -10.5 vs. Louisiana Tech

TCU started out a little rocky, losing to Baylor the first week in one of the games of the year, and lost to SMU in overtime.  Patterson and the bro at qb righted the ship and went into Boise and beat the Broncos after scoring a touchdown in the last seconds and the two-point conversion to win 36-35.  They will have no problem with Tech.
Loss TCU 31 Louisiana Tech 24
LTech was up 24-17 at one point and even with the score to put up TCU by 7, the spread was never in doubt and I debated to take TCU or Boise, I made the wrong pick.  TCU didn't play too bad, I just under estimated a frisky LTech squad.  They have a little something going on down there.

Review: Year of Betting

Shock of the world, I am in a Bowl pick 'em with all my buddies, against the spread, where all the games are assigned points.  All non-BCS games are 1 and 2 points.  "Mid-Major" bowls are 3, BCS bowls are 5 and the BCS championship is 8 points.  All games are listed, all point spreads are listed, and everyone picks against the spread.  If the spread is 3 and the teams wins by 3, you get no points.

My history is pretty bad.  I have bet on bowl games on sportsbook.com or bodog.com, and as someone who tries to watch 90% of every college game on tv, you would think I would be able to make some money on betting on college kids playing football.  During college, I would give myself a $50 limit and once it is gone, it's gone.  I started out betting on single games, then Hale explained what a parlay was and of course, when I have 3 or 7 "can't miss" games, I put them together for $25 and look at a payout of near $100.  Well, as it turns out, I normally lose half of (if not all) those games, and sometimes the other team wins or loses straight up.  Then Hale pointed out what a teaser was, and giving myself 6 points is full proof.  Again, Vegas kicked my ass. 

*Results Update* Straight Ca$h Homey - Week 14 CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

I posted my best week, going 6-1, winning my 10th money game and enlarging my lead over Brad from half a game to 3!  Two weeks left.  I wasn't sure how this week would go, but with 22 games, we are still picking the full 7.  Am I on "hang on" mode?  Hell no.  I am looking to run away with this (and if not, hoping that Brad picks the same games I do).  Pokes-Sooners.  Bruins-Ducks.  Cougars-Golden Eagles. Sparty-Bucky.  Tigers-Bulldogs.  Wildcats-Cyclones.  OH THE MADNESS!  Here are my picks to click, Championship Week edition:
3-4 but took the money game.  Bowl season up next to end the year.

Guex Tigers

Money Game:
14Georgia vs. 1LSU (-13.5) (Atlanta, GA) 4:30 CBS SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
Wow, UGA is on fire.  They get to play in their home state.  They have won 10 straight.  Biggest wins? Gators in Jacksonville and 45-7 vs Auburn.  No LSU, no Arkansas, no Bama.  Now they get LSU who has no regard for human life.  The Purple and Gold will be running around the Georiga Dome with that awesome SEC sign as Alabama sits at home, preparing for the REMATCH OF THE CENTURY OF THE GAME OF THE CENTURY in the TITLE GAME OF THE CENTURY between two of the best teams in the CONFERENCE OF THE CENTURY!!!!!! (!!!!!!!!!)  Jan. 9th in the SUPERDOME OF THE CENTURY, in case you care.
W LSU 42 UGA 10
LSU once again got down in the 1st half, 10-0.  Then went on a nice 6 touchdown run with Honey Badger doing his thing and LSU's 14 tailbacks running amok all over the Bulldogs as the game wore on.  See you Jan. 9th.

*Results Update (6-1)* Straight Ca$h Homey - Week 13 NCAA Picks

It figures the week I go 4-3 and miss the money game for the first time in 7 weeks, I take the overall lead by a game and half over Brad.  It just so happens we all picked 4-5 games and the ones we didn't, I won.  Blap.  Only two weeks left before the Bowl Season so we are looking at rivalries galore.  You know what that means: THROW OUT THE RECORDS OUT WEEK 1 (Sorry Cal-Stan and ASU-Ariz).  The Leaders Division is on the line in Madison and another Top 3 SEC-West matchup involving LSU.  Here are my 13 picks to click:
Went 6-1 and widened my lead on Brad by 3 games.  I am on fire.  Look the F OUT!



Touchdown, Cougs

Money Game: 8Houston (-3.5) at Tulsa 12:00 CBSSN FRIDAY
Houston is a single digit favorite? Did I miss Tulsa being ranked in the Top 10? No mask or gun needed in this robbery.
W Houston 48 Tulsa 16
Tulsa got the early lead and the only teams Tulsa had lost to were Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Boise.  That is why, along with being at home, they were only 3.5 point underdogs.  FREE MONEY BABY!  The Cougs host Southern Miss for the C-USA title and guess who is going to be in this spot right here?! YOU GOT IT.  GET OFF MY BLOCK!