It's LSU....Easily!
Submitted by Podolsky on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 20:33
LSU is very much at home in the Sugar Bowl and will be a lot more prepared with Jefferson at qb this time. Last game he had just come back from getting a time out. The talking heads say Alabama is a better offensive team and most are picking 'Bama. Note here. LSU will dominate.
The final pick: LSU +1 over Alabama.
Last week: 3-3-1; season: 80-72-2.
Love the Speed of OKlahoma State, Oregon
Submitted by Podolsky on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 12:05
Sorry for the late posting. Went 4-2 last week. Here's the Jan. 2 picks:
Penn State + 7 1/2 over Houston--The Lions should win this if they're not a mess from all the other things. They have the pass rush and secondary to stop Houston and the running game to control the ball.
Michigan State +3 over Georgia--Spartns are hungry for a bowl win and Georgia has a letdown after falling apart in 2nd half vs. LSU.
Florida -2 1/2 over Ohio State--Better defense, more speed, home game for Gators.
Oregon -5 over Wisconsin--Line is dropping which is bad sign for the Ducks, but I can't get my mind off of all that dazzling speed vs. a slow Wisconsin secondary.
Oklahoma State -4 over Stanford--Can't see how Stanford can possibly keep up if the Cowboys defense shows up like it has lately.
Jan. 3
Virginia Tech +3 over Michigan--See Tech running game dominating Michigan defense. Tech D can keep Robinson under control.
Jan. 4
Clemson-3 over West Va.--If the Clemson team shows up that win the ACC this is no contest.
Last Week 4-2. Season: 77-69-1.
Go Easy in Second Week Bowl Games
Submitted by Podolsky on Tue, 12/27/2011 - 13:51
We went 4-1 in the first week's bowl games. Here's a look at this week's games, through Dec, 31. Go easy. Nothing looks like a lock.
Tuesday, December 27
Western Mich + 3 over Purdue--Game's in Mich and means more to the MAC team.
NC State - 1 1/2 over Louisville--Home game for the Wolfpack vs. team that can't score.
Wed. Dec. 28
Texas -3 over Cal--Looks like a defensive battle and Call finds a way to lose these games. Texas has showed more improvement, too.
Thu. Dec. 29
Baylor-9 over Washington--Looks like a going away party for Griffin. (See Boise over Az. St.).
Fri. Dec. 31
Northwestern + 10 over Texas A&M--Cats have great coach, potent offense, more desire vs. team without a coach or much desire.
Utah + 2 1/2 over Georgia Tech--extra time for Utes to prepare for Tech triple option key here. Plus can't see tech getting up for this.
Last week: 4-1; Season: 73-67-1.
*****
Dogs Look Good to Open Bowl Season
Submitted by Podolsky on Sat, 12/17/2011 - 10:19
We're 69-66-1 going into the bowls after a so-so year (our 10th straight above the Mendoza Line). Early bolw games look like the dogs have a shot to do more than just cover. If you take every dog on the money line that's getting odds of at least 3 to 2, you've come out considerably ahead over the years. Here are my early picks:
Temple-7 over Wyoming--Temple's offensive line and outstanding running backs too much for scrappy Cowboys.
Utah State -1 1/2 over Ohio-- Ohio had a devastating loss in the MAC title game and now must travel West.
UL Lafayette + 4 over San Diego State--A Louisianna team playing in the Super Dome. That's enough for me.
Louisiana Tech + 10 over TCU--Game means everything to LTech and not much to TCU. The Bulldogs have a terrific QB who can also scamper, and a solid D against TCU's running game. Love 3.5-1 on money line.
Boise State -13 1/2 over Arizona State--Broncos to party it up in Kellen Moore's last game.
See you next week.
Wisconsin, Georgia and Southern Miss Stand Out
Submitted by Podolsky on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 15:57
Friday
Oregon -31 1/2 over UCLA--Ducks have way more speed and incentive.
Saturday
Southern Miss + 14 over Houston--Game's a toss up. Southern Miss has D to hang close.
Wisconsin -9 1/2 over Michigan State--Badgers have been waiting for this one and they're much better this time.
Georgia-14 over LSU--Tigers playing a road game vs. team that's won 10 straight. Love the points.
Clemson + 6 1/2 over Va. tech--the world loves Tech in this spot but Clemson will show up and might pull upset.
Last week: 2-6; Season: 67-63-1
Back in two weeks with bowl picks.
Return to Normalcy This Week, but Ark & Auburn Have a Shot
Submitted by Podolsky on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 23:58
Last week's headline said it all: "Upset Saturday," and if you listened to our advice you should have had USC plus 5-1 odds on the money line for a substantial wager, and Virginia + 6.25-1 for a small one. Both teams were getting a ton of points and were easy winners the whole game. We also had K-State (+ 8) winning outright over Texas.
This week it's back to the favorites, unfortunately.
Thursday
Texas + 8 at Texas A&M--the Pokes will stay in it for a while but this is the Aggies last game in this series and it might be a blow out, since Texas is unable to come from behind.
The pick: Texas A&M
Friday
Houston -3 at Tulsa--Houston's vulnerable but they should be able to outscore a psyched up Tulsa team.
The pick: Houston
Arkansas + 12 at LSU--Ark is getting healthy at the right time and LSU has had a long road and just might relax a little here.
The pick: Arkansas, which has an outside chance of winning outright at 4-1.
Saturday
Ohio State + 7 at Michigan--Ohio State has won a bunch in a row in this series but it wasn't this Ohio State team.
The pick: Michigan, which has a shot at a BCS game with an impressive win.
Georgia -6 at Georgia Tech--This game is always a war and six points looks very alluring.
The pick: Georgia Tech.
Alabama- 21 at Auburn--Another war where this many points is hard to pass up. The winner might not get 21.
the pick: Auburn.
Virginia Tech -4 at Virginia--Still not sure how Virginia pulled it out at FSU, but they have learned how to win the close ones, is the lesson there. This figures to be cat and mouse, also. Take the home team and the points.
The pick: Virginia.
Notre Dame +7 at Stanford--we'll give Stanford one more chance. the loss of ND's best RB is a big loss, plus Stanford is fired up.
The pick: Stanford.
last week 5-4; Season: 65-57-1
Upset Saturday: USC Could Shock the Ducks
Submitted by Podolsky on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 11:05
USC + 15 at Oregon--The Ducks looked great last week, but the difference here is that USC has nearly as much speed and a defense that can get to the quarterback. They also have a pretty good QB of their own. The heat's on oregon to win big, which might get to them.
The pick: USC in a shocker. The 5-1 money line also is enticing.
Georgia Tech -11 at Duke--The devils are playing well and Tech has to be down after losing to rival Va. tech. This is a sandwich game for GT with Georgia next week. And on the road vs. a hungy rival.
The pick: Duke. Also could be a shocker.
Virginia + 17 at FSU--Also a sandwich game for Florida State, but at least they're home. Game falls between Miami and Florida next week. Cavs are running the ball well and in every game.
The pick: Virginia, which believes it can win this, and might.
Texas Tech + 18 at Missouri--I don't understand why Tech decided the season ended after they won at Oklahoma. They've gotten killed in every game since and this should be no exception.
The pick: Missouri, which is a tough team to trust as the fave.
Washington -2 at Oregon State--Home team is coming off of a tough schedule and Wash is simply much better on offense.
The pick: Washington.
Cal +17 at Stanford--Cal can't score and won't be able to slow down Stanford's power running game.
The pick: Stanford.
Penn State + 6 1/2 at Ohio State--Can't see Lions playing with same kind of emotion again despite fact that Big Ten title game is on the line.
The pick: Ohio State.
Kansas State +8 at Texas--K-State has beaten Texas the last three times they played and Texas is withoput a starting running back. Snider has their number.
The pick: Kansas State.
Miami + 1 at South Florida--USF won this game finally last year, but this Miami team is better coached and has better athletes.
The pick: Miami.
Last Week 4-4; Season: 60-53-1.
Nitney Lions win One for JoPa
Submitted by Podolsky on Sat, 11/12/2011 - 00:14
Saturday
Nebraska - 3 1/2 at Penn State--The Lions haven't been focused and they'll have to defend the option this week. But their defense is smart and fast and rarely loses at home. With the incentive of winning this one for Paterno, Penn State will pull it out, and the captains will give the game ball to JoPa.
The pick: Penn State.
Oregon + 3 at Stanford--Stanford's got some injury issues (misisng a top WR) and Oregon's faster, but we see the Indians being to run on the Ducks and controlling the ball.
Stanford wins a close high-scoring game.
The pick: Stanford, 35-31.
TCU + 15 at Boise State--Boise has a lot riding on winning big. They will.
The pick: Boise.
Oklahoma State -19 at Texas Tech--the Red Raiders have quit and can't see them playing tough for more than a half.
The pick: Oklahoma State.
Texas -1 at Mizzu--Can't believe Texas is that good so soon. Missouri has speed and a good QB.
The pick: Missouri.
Arizona State - 11 at Washington State--The Cougars go all out while Zona State relaxes in a an off week.
The pick: Wash. St.
UCLA + 6 1/2 at Utah--The Bruins are improved and this is too many points in a toss up game.
Th pick: UCLA.
West Va. + 3 1/2 at Cincinnati--The Mountaineers are falling apart. Cincy is still looking for thr a good bowl.
The pick: Cincy.
Last Week: 4-3; Season: 56-49-1
Friday's Breeders' Cup Picks
Submitted by Podolsky on Fri, 11/04/2011 - 16:49
Friday
Race 5, Juv Sprint: Key #6 (Secret Circle) back and forth with 1 (Seeker), 2 (Sum of the parts0, 5 (Shumoos and 7 (Holdin Bullets)
Race 6 Juv Fil Turf: Love this box: 2-4-5- (Dayatthespa, Stopshoppingmaria and Stephanie's Kitten)
and use 14 for 2nd and 3rd and 8 and 9 for 3rd in tri's.
Race 7 F&M Sprint: Box 3-9 (Turb Descent and Golden Mystery) and use over 6, 11 and 12
Race 8 Juv Fil: Box 5-9-10 (Grace Hall, Miss Rurelia and Northern Passion, then use 2-4-11 and 13 under.
Race 9 F&M Turf: Box 2-12 (Stacilita and Misty for Me), key on top of 9-10-11.
Race 10 Ladies Classic: Box 1-2-6 (Miss March, Pachattack and Royal Delta, with all for 3rd and 4th.
LSU"s Turn to Rumble; Stanford on Upset Alert
Submitted by Podolsky on Thu, 11/03/2011 - 19:22
Last week: 8-3; Season 52-46-1
Thursday
Tulsa + 1 1/2 at UCF--Tulsa's had it easy and now enters about its toughest road game of the year. Central Florida has this game circled and badly needs this one. Like the Knights chances here.
The pick: UCF.
Saturday
LSU + 5 at Alabama--LSU has the better D, that's right! And LSU has the better QB, no matter which guy is in. Bama doesn't lose at home more than once every five years, but this is going to be another time.
The pick: LSU.
Michigan -4 at Iowa--Michigan isn't built for this kind of game. IT's going to be ugly.
The pick: Iowa. To be decided by a field goal, either way.
Texas Tech + 14 1/2 at Texas--The Longhorns can't possibly take Tech seriously after watching the tape of Iowa State kicking tech up and down the field. But I think the Tech that beat Oklahoma will show up and the game goes down to the wire.
The pick: Texas tech.
S. Carolina + 5 at Arkansas--Without their QB and their great RB, the Gamecoacks can't score more than 21 against this team. Ark should roll up 28or more.
The pick: Arkansas.
Arizona State- 8 1/2 at UCLA--Like the Bruins and the points. UCLA's much better at home.
The pick.: UCLA.
Stanford -21 at Oregon State--This is a trap game for Stanford and oregon State is famous for this kind of upset.
The pick: Oregon State.
That's it. Just seven games this week.
Look for Breeders' Cup Cup picks Friday and Saturday.
