By TNG
Last night just whet the appetite of college football fans across the nation and gave an alternative for the hopeless NFL fan so desperate for football that they'll sit through the second half of preseason games in Week 4. South Carolina escaped with a victory, but took a beating physically. Mike Leach's team showed they have a lot of work to do, as BYU manhandled them. Let's hit 4 quick picks to get you holiday weekend off to a good start...
Marcus says...
Boise State @ Michigan St. -6.5
I'll be live tweeting (cell service permitted) from the beautified Spartan Stadium as Sparty welcomes in the darling Broncos of Boise State. Our staff is all about this game and all about the Green & White. I'm taking MSU to cover as well. Will Gholston is going to give Junior QB Southwick fits, while Senior QB Andrew Maxwell will take advantage of the opportunity he's been waiting for.
Western Michigan +10 @ Illinois
The Bronco led at halftime last year, with yours truly in attendance, but ran out of steam in the second half. Call it a homer pick but I like Senior QB Alex Carder to play very well in Champaign against a team that's really looking to find an identity under first year head coach Tim Beckman. Take WMU and the points.
Michigan vs. Alabama -14 (Dallas, TX)
Bama putting Michigan on the schedule to start the year is admirable considering the meat grinder that the SEC schedule presents. 14 seems like a lot of points here, but I expect experience to win out over potential. Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide live for these big games and typically don't disappoint. Brady Hoke has the maize and blue heading in the right direction, but their success will come in conference. Take Bama to cover.
Marshall +25.5 @ West Virginia
I doubted QB Geno Smith and the Mountaineers in the Orange Bowl last year and they proceeded to put up 70 on Clemson. As Smith enters his Senior year, 3rd as a starter and a darkhorse Heisman candidate, WVU looks for consistency from him as they transition into the Big 12. The Mountaineer defense is the big unknown here and they only beat Marshall by a 21 point margin last year. Sophomore Rakeem Cato will be under center for the Herd. I'm taking Marshall and the points in a loss in Morgantown. And I've doubted Geno again.
Marcus is 0-0 on the season.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Week 1: The Picks are in! The Picks are in!
By TNG
Whew, what a first game. South Carolina stumbled, Vandy threatened late but the Cocks held on and TNG went 0-1 on the season. BYU is absolutely throttling Washington State (did anyone see Leach's squad playing this poorly!?). We're looking to turn our record around starting with tonight's big game, Boise State vs. Michigan State in East Lansing. Without further adieu, onto the picks.
Kyle says...
Boise State @ Michigan St. -6.5
Boise brings a very young but talented squad into East Lansing, but put an emphasis on their youth... only 9 starters come back from last year's Boise team, not including star QB Kellen Moore. MSU is similarly inexperienced at QB and WR, but the Spartans bring back much of the 6th best defense in the nation from last year and only look to get better. A really good MSU running game—RB Le'Veon Bell averaged more than 5 yards per carry in 2011—makes the difference in this game, and MSU covers easily.
Navy vs. Notre Dame -15 (Dublin, Ireland)
The Irish FINALLY have a legit defense—led by two-time All American Manti Te'o, who averaged a little more than 1 tackle for for loss last season and an improving D-line—but come in young and thin on offense, having lost top RB Jonas Gray to graduation and #2 RB Cierre Wood to suspension. Junior TE Tyler Eiffert is a star... but we know very little about new QB Everett Golson aside from the fact that he is mobile. Navy is experienced on defense, especially in the backfield, where two seniors hold down a unit that should improve with a better pass rush this year. The offense, though, is tremendously inexperienced up front, returning just two starters with 34 starts between them. That'll be a problem against this Irish D, and Navy will not cover.
Michigan +14 vs. Alabama
I fully overlooked my hatred for Big Blue in making this pick. The spread has been growing all week, but I think that was about more of a cost-saving measure for the sports books than anything UM or Bama was doing. Michigan has a solid if inexperienced receiving corps and question marks at running back. The offensive line is certainly a little weaker without C David Molk. Alabama gets younger the farther you get from the line of scrimmage on defense. But, the duo of QB Aj McCarron and RB Eric Lacy will get loads of time and space to work with behind the best offensive line in the country. UM QB Denard Robinson is the x-factor here, though, and Alabama has never seen a QB with his mobility. Look for shoelace to keep Michigan closer than two touchdowns in a loss.
Nevada vs. Cal -11.5
Cal QB Zach Maynard improved as much as anyone in the country in the second half of last season—upping his completion percentage and leading Cal to put up scores of 30, 23, 28 and 47 points in their last four games. He goes to work with half-brother WR Keenan Allen, an all Pac 12 performer last season. Nevada's front seven just don't have the experience or strength to get a good push against the Cal offensive line, and while the Bears' defense is no fearful thing, Maynard has far more to work with than rapidly improving UNR QB Cody Fajardo. Cal covers.
Kyle is 0-0 on the season
Big Tex says...
OU -31.5 @ UTEP
OU did not have the usual dominant season last year, especially with their D. Bob Stoops' brother, Mike, is back to rejuvenate the defense. Landry Jones is back for revenge and a chance at the BCS National Championship. OU has won its last eight regular season non-conference games by an average of 18 points. Even with this stat, I believe that OU is hungry to prove themselves and run up the score to win by at least 32 points.
Big Tex is 0-1 on the season.
Whew, what a first game. South Carolina stumbled, Vandy threatened late but the Cocks held on and TNG went 0-1 on the season. BYU is absolutely throttling Washington State (did anyone see Leach's squad playing this poorly!?). We're looking to turn our record around starting with tonight's big game, Boise State vs. Michigan State in East Lansing. Without further adieu, onto the picks.
Kyle says...
Boise State @ Michigan St. -6.5
Boise brings a very young but talented squad into East Lansing, but put an emphasis on their youth... only 9 starters come back from last year's Boise team, not including star QB Kellen Moore. MSU is similarly inexperienced at QB and WR, but the Spartans bring back much of the 6th best defense in the nation from last year and only look to get better. A really good MSU running game—RB Le'Veon Bell averaged more than 5 yards per carry in 2011—makes the difference in this game, and MSU covers easily.
Navy vs. Notre Dame -15 (Dublin, Ireland)
The Irish FINALLY have a legit defense—led by two-time All American Manti Te'o, who averaged a little more than 1 tackle for for loss last season and an improving D-line—but come in young and thin on offense, having lost top RB Jonas Gray to graduation and #2 RB Cierre Wood to suspension. Junior TE Tyler Eiffert is a star... but we know very little about new QB Everett Golson aside from the fact that he is mobile. Navy is experienced on defense, especially in the backfield, where two seniors hold down a unit that should improve with a better pass rush this year. The offense, though, is tremendously inexperienced up front, returning just two starters with 34 starts between them. That'll be a problem against this Irish D, and Navy will not cover.
Michigan +14 vs. Alabama
I fully overlooked my hatred for Big Blue in making this pick. The spread has been growing all week, but I think that was about more of a cost-saving measure for the sports books than anything UM or Bama was doing. Michigan has a solid if inexperienced receiving corps and question marks at running back. The offensive line is certainly a little weaker without C David Molk. Alabama gets younger the farther you get from the line of scrimmage on defense. But, the duo of QB Aj McCarron and RB Eric Lacy will get loads of time and space to work with behind the best offensive line in the country. UM QB Denard Robinson is the x-factor here, though, and Alabama has never seen a QB with his mobility. Look for shoelace to keep Michigan closer than two touchdowns in a loss.
Nevada vs. Cal -11.5
Cal QB Zach Maynard improved as much as anyone in the country in the second half of last season—upping his completion percentage and leading Cal to put up scores of 30, 23, 28 and 47 points in their last four games. He goes to work with half-brother WR Keenan Allen, an all Pac 12 performer last season. Nevada's front seven just don't have the experience or strength to get a good push against the Cal offensive line, and while the Bears' defense is no fearful thing, Maynard has far more to work with than rapidly improving UNR QB Cody Fajardo. Cal covers.
Kyle is 0-0 on the season
Big Tex says...
Boise State @ Michigan State -6.5
It is going to be tough for both teams to replicate the successes they both had last year, because both teams will be adjusting to key departures. Michigan State lost Kirk Cousins, winningest QB in school history, along with several wide receivers. Boise State lost Kellen Moore, who is the biggest difference for the Broncos from last year. In addition, the Broncos' four starting linemen from last season departed, along with their top three linebackers. Boise State has won all 6 season openers under Petersen, but look for that to change in East Lansing Friday night. In addition, Boise State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games. The Spartans win by at least points.
Wyoming +31.5 @ Texas
First off, I have to agree with Kyle's statement "As will be the case against 75 percent of their foes this season, only Texas can stop itself." After switching between QBs throughout the season last year, the Horns named David Ash their starter. I'm not yet convinced, even though I like Ash better than McCoy, because they still seem to be keeping open the possibility of McCoy sharing time. UT has won all 4 meetings with Wyoming by an average margin of victory of 29 points. Expect them to have one of the best defenses in the country with Manny Diaz at the helm along with an improving running game. Texas is 7-15-1 ATS in its last 23 games at home and struggled the last 2 years in opening games against Rice, so I like the Cowboys at +31.5.
First off, I have to agree with Kyle's statement "As will be the case against 75 percent of their foes this season, only Texas can stop itself." After switching between QBs throughout the season last year, the Horns named David Ash their starter. I'm not yet convinced, even though I like Ash better than McCoy, because they still seem to be keeping open the possibility of McCoy sharing time. UT has won all 4 meetings with Wyoming by an average margin of victory of 29 points. Expect them to have one of the best defenses in the country with Manny Diaz at the helm along with an improving running game. Texas is 7-15-1 ATS in its last 23 games at home and struggled the last 2 years in opening games against Rice, so I like the Cowboys at +31.5.
OU -31.5 @ UTEP
OU did not have the usual dominant season last year, especially with their D. Bob Stoops' brother, Mike, is back to rejuvenate the defense. Landry Jones is back for revenge and a chance at the BCS National Championship. OU has won its last eight regular season non-conference games by an average of 18 points. Even with this stat, I believe that OU is hungry to prove themselves and run up the score to win by at least 32 points.
Big Tex is 0-1 on the season.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Week 1: The Picks are in! The Picks are in! (Early edition)
By TNG
We're now within four hours of kickoff. KICKOFF! I'm so excited I could develop a cough and need to leave work early. I feel something coming on. ANYWAY, here's our first pick of the season, courtesy a guest picker we're going to call "Big Tex." We'll let him take it away:
South Carolina -6.5 @Vanderbilt
The good news for USC is RB Marcus Lattimore returns to the field after tearing his left ACL last year to face the Vandy Commodores. Even though Vandy has Jordan Rodgers at QB this year (yes, from the same blood line as the Green Bay QB) with USC's defense—ranked third last year—expect to see some pressure on the Vandy offensive line. South Carolina comes in having won eight straight and nine of its last 10 against SEC East opponents. I don't expect this to be a stunner like Vandy pulled off in 2007 against the Gamecocks. Expect USC to win by 7–plus points.
We're now within four hours of kickoff. KICKOFF! I'm so excited I could develop a cough and need to leave work early. I feel something coming on. ANYWAY, here's our first pick of the season, courtesy a guest picker we're going to call "Big Tex." We'll let him take it away:
South Carolina -6.5 @Vanderbilt
The good news for USC is RB Marcus Lattimore returns to the field after tearing his left ACL last year to face the Vandy Commodores. Even though Vandy has Jordan Rodgers at QB this year (yes, from the same blood line as the Green Bay QB) with USC's defense—ranked third last year—expect to see some pressure on the Vandy offensive line. South Carolina comes in having won eight straight and nine of its last 10 against SEC East opponents. I don't expect this to be a stunner like Vandy pulled off in 2007 against the Gamecocks. Expect USC to win by 7–plus points.
Week 1: KICKOFF DAY!!!
By Kyle Magin
Tonight, college football begins. LET US CELEBRATE:
I don't know about you, but this week has been agonizing. Kickoff seemed to get farther away each day. As I write this on Wednesday, I'm counting down the hours until the SEC gets things started in Nashville when the Ol' Ball Coach takes his South Carolina squad to play an improving Vandy squad. Then, we get what I think is a rising power in BYU welcoming Coach Mike Leach and his boys from the Palouse into Provo. HOLY CRAP. Let's get to it!
South Carolina -6.5 @ Vanderbilt
The game that gets it all started pits a potential national contender in the Gamecocks against a Commodores team that is vastly improved from its doormat status under second year head coach James Franklin. Vandy played tough defense and steady offense last season, only trailing SEC teams by -28.5 yards per game and losing four games by single-digits. This year the offense returns QB Jordan Rodgers, who has a solid o-line and receivers to work with and a talented group of backs, led by Zac Stacy, just 631 yards shy of becoming VU's all time leading rusher. SC returns the mega-talented running back Marcus Lattimore and an OK supporting cast of QB Connor Shaw and an experienced O-line. The difference in this one will be SC's defense, which with DE Jadeveon Clowney puts one of the best defensive front sevens in the nation on the field. Last year they yielded an AVERAGE of 268 yards per game. They held 4 opponents (including Vandy) to less than 200 yards of total offense.
Washington State @ BYU -12
I've been rubbing my hands together all week in anticipation of this one. BYU is a very solidly built team—great linebacking corps (seriously) and a solid QB in super-super senior Riley Nelson. WSU was totally shit last year—4–8—but brought in former Texas Tech head man Mike Leach to right the ship. I believe thoroughly in this Wazzou offense—senior QB Jeff Tuel, who in his last full season (2010) tossed 18 TDs to 12 INTs. Under Leach, he'll improve dramatically and naturally put up bigger numbers by virtue of the offense coach runs. That may not be enough against BYU, who sports an excellent passing game AND a solid defense. WSU, while playing one of the best WRs in the country in Marquess Wilson, returns a terrible defense and is inexperienced up front—not the position you want to be in vs. the Mormon Cougars. BYU, though, is just above .500 in the last ten years as a home favorite—something to keep in mind.
Nevada @ Cal -11
Nevada unloaded on Cal in Reno the last time the two played in 2010—52-31—notching just one of two wins all time for the Wolf Pack in the teams' 25 contests. With this year's game in Berkeley it'll be interesting to see if Nevada can cool the Bears' hot hand—QB Zach Maynard—who improved on accuracy considerably last year, completing passes at a 66 percent clip. With a solid running game and WR Keenan Allen—Maynard's half-brother—back this season, Jeff Tedford could again have a deadly dangerous offense. Pack QB Cody Fajardo—69 percent on completions—can more than keep up with his talented group of receivers and very strong offensive line, but the Nevada defense is porous, especially at linebacker. That's bad news for a club who gave up an average of 412 yards per game on the road last season against mostly inferior WAC competition. Cal's defense is mostly more experienced and gave up just 207 yards per game at home last season. To top it off, Cal is 32-18 as a home favorite in the last 10 years.
(Side note on today's video: How f---ing great is Yub Nub? Why did that get pulled from the remastered versions? Up yours, Lucas.)
Tonight, college football begins. LET US CELEBRATE:
South Carolina -6.5 @ Vanderbilt
The game that gets it all started pits a potential national contender in the Gamecocks against a Commodores team that is vastly improved from its doormat status under second year head coach James Franklin. Vandy played tough defense and steady offense last season, only trailing SEC teams by -28.5 yards per game and losing four games by single-digits. This year the offense returns QB Jordan Rodgers, who has a solid o-line and receivers to work with and a talented group of backs, led by Zac Stacy, just 631 yards shy of becoming VU's all time leading rusher. SC returns the mega-talented running back Marcus Lattimore and an OK supporting cast of QB Connor Shaw and an experienced O-line. The difference in this one will be SC's defense, which with DE Jadeveon Clowney puts one of the best defensive front sevens in the nation on the field. Last year they yielded an AVERAGE of 268 yards per game. They held 4 opponents (including Vandy) to less than 200 yards of total offense.
Washington State @ BYU -12
I've been rubbing my hands together all week in anticipation of this one. BYU is a very solidly built team—great linebacking corps (seriously) and a solid QB in super-super senior Riley Nelson. WSU was totally shit last year—4–8—but brought in former Texas Tech head man Mike Leach to right the ship. I believe thoroughly in this Wazzou offense—senior QB Jeff Tuel, who in his last full season (2010) tossed 18 TDs to 12 INTs. Under Leach, he'll improve dramatically and naturally put up bigger numbers by virtue of the offense coach runs. That may not be enough against BYU, who sports an excellent passing game AND a solid defense. WSU, while playing one of the best WRs in the country in Marquess Wilson, returns a terrible defense and is inexperienced up front—not the position you want to be in vs. the Mormon Cougars. BYU, though, is just above .500 in the last ten years as a home favorite—something to keep in mind.
Nevada @ Cal -11
Nevada unloaded on Cal in Reno the last time the two played in 2010—52-31—notching just one of two wins all time for the Wolf Pack in the teams' 25 contests. With this year's game in Berkeley it'll be interesting to see if Nevada can cool the Bears' hot hand—QB Zach Maynard—who improved on accuracy considerably last year, completing passes at a 66 percent clip. With a solid running game and WR Keenan Allen—Maynard's half-brother—back this season, Jeff Tedford could again have a deadly dangerous offense. Pack QB Cody Fajardo—69 percent on completions—can more than keep up with his talented group of receivers and very strong offensive line, but the Nevada defense is porous, especially at linebacker. That's bad news for a club who gave up an average of 412 yards per game on the road last season against mostly inferior WAC competition. Cal's defense is mostly more experienced and gave up just 207 yards per game at home last season. To top it off, Cal is 32-18 as a home favorite in the last 10 years.
(Side note on today's video: How f---ing great is Yub Nub? Why did that get pulled from the remastered versions? Up yours, Lucas.)
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Week 1: Way out West Wednesday
By Kyle Magin
Go West, young man, to a land of explosive offenses, heated rivalries, and Heisenberg's scummy meth labs. Football in this corner of the world (we call it "football") is played in much the same manner as in the domesticated parts of America except OREGON IS FAST and nobody east of El Paso watches it until bowl time. Enough resentmentspeak, onto the games!
Hawaii @ USC -40
The good news for Hawaii is former USC assistant and brilliant offensive mind Norm Chow gets to gameplan against a young, slightly small USC front four on defense—and if he can buy Duke transfer QB Sean Schroeder some time in the pocket, the Warriors will get looks down field. The bad news is Chow also has to gameplan against what might be the most complete team in America at the beginning of the season. After two years of no postseason due to a bowl ban, the U of Spoiled Children is giving hints that it'll be a wrecking ball this year and Hawaii is the first team in the way. Led by goldenchild QB Matt Barkley and a wide receiving corps most NFL teams would love to emulate, the Trojans can put points on the board in a hurry. Chow is going to have to lean heavily on Schroeder and a solid run game to get him through since the cupboard in Honolulu was left precipitously bare before his arrival. The Hawaii defense is a mess, so expect to see LOTS of points for SC and lots of tries for the Warriors. Still, 40 is a HUGE spread.
Colorado -6.5 vs. Colorado St. (Denver)
These teams thoroughly dislike each other, like, alumni coming back to get trashed and fight-level dislike each other. Fort Collins is a blue collar, Front Range town where a lot of in-state kids head to school. CU is in eclectic (Read: Freaking weird) Boulder, where a lot of out-of-state kids come to jam to Phish and ride bikes. The Rams have two quarterbacks going into the rivalry game—which means they really only have one. That's too bad, as the running backs, receivers and o-line are all experienced. CU transfer QB Jordan Webb doesn't have much to work with on O—this was a 3-10 team last year—and the d gave up 40-plus points 5 times last season. That said, CU is 7-0 in the last 7 in this series and managed to cover the spread in 4 of the last 5 games.
Wyoming at Texas -30
"No rancher has the right to sell, or own, what God meant to be free. The Range must always remain open."—BBQ Bill Shankelbean, 1885. Now I have no f---ing clue what BBQ Bill meant when he said that, but if you're handing out free wisdom, and your last name is Shankelbean, I'm all ears. These Cowboys from Wyo have no right owning Texas—though they did through most of the first half of their last meeting in 2010, before the 'Horns bucked 'em. OLD WEST TALK CONSARNIT! This game is more about which Texas team shows up than anything Wyoming can do. If QB David Ash, WR Jaxson Shipley and RB Malcolm Gray can stay moving in the right direction behind a tremendous o-line, they'll pull into the passing lane early and never look back. The Horns are as talented on defense as anyone in the nation—Alabama included—and the front four all look like stunt doubles for Hulk and Thor from "Avengers." As will be the case against 75 percent of their foes this season, only Texas can stop itself.
San Diego State @ Washington -15
This is one of the more interesting under-the-radar week 1 matchups. SDSU Head Coach Rocky Long has this defense firing on all cylinders, and you're not going to get many easy yards against them. QB Ryan Katz, an Oregon State transfer, has a leaky o-line and a miserable-looking running game—he'll be playing pitch n' pray. Washington finds itself in a similar situation—though they have star QB Keith Price has a monster arm and connects on passes 67 percent of the time. Even against good defenses he's moving the ball forward and he's got an o-line that'll buy him slightly more time. U-Dub's DBs, including Desmond Trufant and Shaq Thompson are big-hitters who'll give Katz hell all day. The x-factor in this game is that U-Dub is playing its home games this year at the Seahawks' CenturyLink field while the beautiful Husky Stadium undergoes renovations. It's completely across town and some are speculating how much of the student body will make it down and if their zeal will be as concentrated as it is on campus. Still, UW was 3-1 as a home favorite last year.
Hawaii @ USC -40
The good news for Hawaii is former USC assistant and brilliant offensive mind Norm Chow gets to gameplan against a young, slightly small USC front four on defense—and if he can buy Duke transfer QB Sean Schroeder some time in the pocket, the Warriors will get looks down field. The bad news is Chow also has to gameplan against what might be the most complete team in America at the beginning of the season. After two years of no postseason due to a bowl ban, the U of Spoiled Children is giving hints that it'll be a wrecking ball this year and Hawaii is the first team in the way. Led by goldenchild QB Matt Barkley and a wide receiving corps most NFL teams would love to emulate, the Trojans can put points on the board in a hurry. Chow is going to have to lean heavily on Schroeder and a solid run game to get him through since the cupboard in Honolulu was left precipitously bare before his arrival. The Hawaii defense is a mess, so expect to see LOTS of points for SC and lots of tries for the Warriors. Still, 40 is a HUGE spread.
Colorado -6.5 vs. Colorado St. (Denver)
These teams thoroughly dislike each other, like, alumni coming back to get trashed and fight-level dislike each other. Fort Collins is a blue collar, Front Range town where a lot of in-state kids head to school. CU is in eclectic (Read: Freaking weird) Boulder, where a lot of out-of-state kids come to jam to Phish and ride bikes. The Rams have two quarterbacks going into the rivalry game—which means they really only have one. That's too bad, as the running backs, receivers and o-line are all experienced. CU transfer QB Jordan Webb doesn't have much to work with on O—this was a 3-10 team last year—and the d gave up 40-plus points 5 times last season. That said, CU is 7-0 in the last 7 in this series and managed to cover the spread in 4 of the last 5 games.
Wyoming at Texas -30
"No rancher has the right to sell, or own, what God meant to be free. The Range must always remain open."—BBQ Bill Shankelbean, 1885. Now I have no f---ing clue what BBQ Bill meant when he said that, but if you're handing out free wisdom, and your last name is Shankelbean, I'm all ears. These Cowboys from Wyo have no right owning Texas—though they did through most of the first half of their last meeting in 2010, before the 'Horns bucked 'em. OLD WEST TALK CONSARNIT! This game is more about which Texas team shows up than anything Wyoming can do. If QB David Ash, WR Jaxson Shipley and RB Malcolm Gray can stay moving in the right direction behind a tremendous o-line, they'll pull into the passing lane early and never look back. The Horns are as talented on defense as anyone in the nation—Alabama included—and the front four all look like stunt doubles for Hulk and Thor from "Avengers." As will be the case against 75 percent of their foes this season, only Texas can stop itself.
San Diego State @ Washington -15
This is one of the more interesting under-the-radar week 1 matchups. SDSU Head Coach Rocky Long has this defense firing on all cylinders, and you're not going to get many easy yards against them. QB Ryan Katz, an Oregon State transfer, has a leaky o-line and a miserable-looking running game—he'll be playing pitch n' pray. Washington finds itself in a similar situation—though they have star QB Keith Price has a monster arm and connects on passes 67 percent of the time. Even against good defenses he's moving the ball forward and he's got an o-line that'll buy him slightly more time. U-Dub's DBs, including Desmond Trufant and Shaq Thompson are big-hitters who'll give Katz hell all day. The x-factor in this game is that U-Dub is playing its home games this year at the Seahawks' CenturyLink field while the beautiful Husky Stadium undergoes renovations. It's completely across town and some are speculating how much of the student body will make it down and if their zeal will be as concentrated as it is on campus. Still, UW was 3-1 as a home favorite last year.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Week 1: (Black) Eye of the Tigers
By Kyle Magin
We stand together today on the edge of the void—just more than 48 hours separate us from kickoff on Thursday. TNG is planning on having an active presence this weekend on here and our @thenittygriddy Twitter handle. Marcus Reath is off to Boise St. @ MSU, while yours truly is trying to work out a trip to Berkeley to watch UNR play Cal. We shall see, but now let's head down to the land of Chik-fil-A and George Wallace.
Tennessee -3 @ NC State
Tennessee is a mess going into this game—star WR Da'Rick Rogers was just suspended, coach Derek Dooley is perilously close to the abyss, and the fan base is in an uproar. That's not a good way to go into the Wolfpack's den, where they are 14-9-1 against the spread as home dogs in the last 10 years. NC State also brings in a very experienced O-Line to protect QB Mike Glennon and one of the most highly touted defensive backfields in America. Tennessee has a mean–looking defense, and NC State's running game isn't the type that can keep a lot of heat off of Glennon. This is an interesting matchup.
Clemson -3.5 @ Auburn
The tussle between the Tigers might be a little toothless this year, with Clemson's star WR Sammy Watkins suspended for the opener and Auburn's star C Reese Dismukes sidelined due to disciplinary reasons. Auburn has been struggling with suspensions all summer—and it feels like this could be a lost season, despite their massively talented and experienced roster. Clemson, meanwhile, is deep in the offensive backfield, where QB Tajh Boyd and RB Andre Ellington were All-ACC last season. Clemson also has a deep LB unit, which can contain a developing Auburn run game and force the Bayou Bengals' QB Kiehl Frazier to lean on his uninspiring WRs. Clemson is lousy on the road against the spread, though.
We stand together today on the edge of the void—just more than 48 hours separate us from kickoff on Thursday. TNG is planning on having an active presence this weekend on here and our @thenittygriddy Twitter handle. Marcus Reath is off to Boise St. @ MSU, while yours truly is trying to work out a trip to Berkeley to watch UNR play Cal. We shall see, but now let's head down to the land of Chik-fil-A and George Wallace.
Tennessee -3 @ NC State
Tennessee is a mess going into this game—star WR Da'Rick Rogers was just suspended, coach Derek Dooley is perilously close to the abyss, and the fan base is in an uproar. That's not a good way to go into the Wolfpack's den, where they are 14-9-1 against the spread as home dogs in the last 10 years. NC State also brings in a very experienced O-Line to protect QB Mike Glennon and one of the most highly touted defensive backfields in America. Tennessee has a mean–looking defense, and NC State's running game isn't the type that can keep a lot of heat off of Glennon. This is an interesting matchup.
Clemson -3.5 @ Auburn
The tussle between the Tigers might be a little toothless this year, with Clemson's star WR Sammy Watkins suspended for the opener and Auburn's star C Reese Dismukes sidelined due to disciplinary reasons. Auburn has been struggling with suspensions all summer—and it feels like this could be a lost season, despite their massively talented and experienced roster. Clemson, meanwhile, is deep in the offensive backfield, where QB Tajh Boyd and RB Andre Ellington were All-ACC last season. Clemson also has a deep LB unit, which can contain a developing Auburn run game and force the Bayou Bengals' QB Kiehl Frazier to lean on his uninspiring WRs. Clemson is lousy on the road against the spread, though.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Week 1: Midwest Monday, or "MOM, THE MEATLOAF"
By Kyle Magin
Here we are, at the outset of week one of the college football season. The air seems just a little clearer, the sun a little brighter, and everything's just a touch more violent. Boys and men from my city, general region or state are about to strap on helmets and run into boys and men from your city, general region or state for everyone's amusement and their neurologist's future financial benefit. Let us rejoice.
MSU -6.5 vs. Boise St.
On Friday night the boys in green take on the Broncos in the friendly confines of East Lansing. The Spartans are a bit of a mystery on offense heading into this season, as the O-line and running backs represent 90-plus percent of the returning starts. QB Andrew Maxwell gets his first shot against a re-tooled Boise front 7 and a familiar defensive backfield. Joe Southwick steps in at QB for the Broncos—a position they haven't had to fill for the last four years while riding the outstanding Kellen Moore through the WAC. Bronco Nation says their team doesn't rebuild, they reload, and we'll see how accurate that is when Southwick steps in behind a mostly new O-line vs. the Spartans' vaunted front four.
Notre Dame -17 vs. Navy (Dublin, Ireland)
Irish eyes might smile, but I'm f&%$ing not, because this game kicks at 6 a.m. PST Saturday. That's a lousy thing to do to fans on the first Saturday of the college football season, because OBVIOUSLY, I'm not going to sleep in and if I want to bet it I have to get down on Friday night. Ugh. ANYWAY, I felt a lot more confident about the Irish covering yesterday before junior running back Cierre Wood was suspended for the overseas contest. Add that to the fact that the Irish are 2-3 in the last 5 years vs. the Midshipmen and you can see why someone would be just a bit antsy about that big of a spread. That said, new ND QB Everett Golson has the elusiveness that could make this a nightmare day for the undersized Navy D.
Western Michigan at Illinois -10.5
The Illini come in with an improving and more experienced defense to find good field position for dual-threat QB Nathan Scheelhaase. They'll face a Broncos team that led at halftime vs. Illinois last year before getting outplayed by the Illini O in the 2nd. WMU QB Alex Carder is an animal and will have plenty of time to find his targets behind an experienced O-line. WMU is woeful in road openers, but the Illini are 52-63 against the spread in the role as home favorites all-time—something to think about.
Michigan vs. Alabama -12.5 (Dallas, Texas)
Come along with me, won't you, to JerryWorld in Dallas, where the two most arrogant fan bases in sports will come to spout flecks of relish and mustard at one another while arguing over all manner of sports and socioeconomic nonsense. I'm just beside myself over not being amongst this gathering of genius and modesty. But I digress... Vegas wants you to bet on Michigan, and friends I've talked to say maybe you should. The line moved from -11 to -12.5 in the last five days—a good indicator money has been coming in on 'Bama and the book is trying to move action to the UM side of the ledger. Michigan's a bit of a mystery on offense—all the pieces are there, but they've just never played together before outside of Robinson and most of his offensive line. 'Bama brings back a whole new secondary, wideout corps and generally re-worked linebacking unit. That said, the Tide O, led by QB AJ McCarron and maybe the best O-line in the country could have a field day with a still-understaffed UM D, especially now that standout DT Mike Martin is gone. Robinson won't need more than an inch against this 'Bama D, so look for a shootout in Dallas. When I was thinking about this UM-Bama line after it moved, I thought I would stay for some of that Meatloaf...errr, Wolverine.
Here we are, at the outset of week one of the college football season. The air seems just a little clearer, the sun a little brighter, and everything's just a touch more violent. Boys and men from my city, general region or state are about to strap on helmets and run into boys and men from your city, general region or state for everyone's amusement and their neurologist's future financial benefit. Let us rejoice.
MSU -6.5 vs. Boise St.
On Friday night the boys in green take on the Broncos in the friendly confines of East Lansing. The Spartans are a bit of a mystery on offense heading into this season, as the O-line and running backs represent 90-plus percent of the returning starts. QB Andrew Maxwell gets his first shot against a re-tooled Boise front 7 and a familiar defensive backfield. Joe Southwick steps in at QB for the Broncos—a position they haven't had to fill for the last four years while riding the outstanding Kellen Moore through the WAC. Bronco Nation says their team doesn't rebuild, they reload, and we'll see how accurate that is when Southwick steps in behind a mostly new O-line vs. the Spartans' vaunted front four.
Notre Dame -17 vs. Navy (Dublin, Ireland)
Irish eyes might smile, but I'm f&%$ing not, because this game kicks at 6 a.m. PST Saturday. That's a lousy thing to do to fans on the first Saturday of the college football season, because OBVIOUSLY, I'm not going to sleep in and if I want to bet it I have to get down on Friday night. Ugh. ANYWAY, I felt a lot more confident about the Irish covering yesterday before junior running back Cierre Wood was suspended for the overseas contest. Add that to the fact that the Irish are 2-3 in the last 5 years vs. the Midshipmen and you can see why someone would be just a bit antsy about that big of a spread. That said, new ND QB Everett Golson has the elusiveness that could make this a nightmare day for the undersized Navy D.
Western Michigan at Illinois -10.5
The Illini come in with an improving and more experienced defense to find good field position for dual-threat QB Nathan Scheelhaase. They'll face a Broncos team that led at halftime vs. Illinois last year before getting outplayed by the Illini O in the 2nd. WMU QB Alex Carder is an animal and will have plenty of time to find his targets behind an experienced O-line. WMU is woeful in road openers, but the Illini are 52-63 against the spread in the role as home favorites all-time—something to think about.
Michigan vs. Alabama -12.5 (Dallas, Texas)
Come along with me, won't you, to JerryWorld in Dallas, where the two most arrogant fan bases in sports will come to spout flecks of relish and mustard at one another while arguing over all manner of sports and socioeconomic nonsense. I'm just beside myself over not being amongst this gathering of genius and modesty. But I digress... Vegas wants you to bet on Michigan, and friends I've talked to say maybe you should. The line moved from -11 to -12.5 in the last five days—a good indicator money has been coming in on 'Bama and the book is trying to move action to the UM side of the ledger. Michigan's a bit of a mystery on offense—all the pieces are there, but they've just never played together before outside of Robinson and most of his offensive line. 'Bama brings back a whole new secondary, wideout corps and generally re-worked linebacking unit. That said, the Tide O, led by QB AJ McCarron and maybe the best O-line in the country could have a field day with a still-understaffed UM D, especially now that standout DT Mike Martin is gone. Robinson won't need more than an inch against this 'Bama D, so look for a shootout in Dallas. When I was thinking about this UM-Bama line after it moved, I thought I would stay for some of that Meatloaf...errr, Wolverine.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Week 1: We're back!
By Kyle Magin
In exactly five days toe will meet pigskin to kick off the 2012 FBS College football season, and we'll be there every step of the way until someone (please God NOT Nick Saban) lifts the crystal football on a January night in Miami.
This year, you'll notice a few changes with TNG. Change is a good thing, but to avoid a situation like this, I'll explain:
“You know, you alright, sheriff. A straight-shooter. You hate what you fear, and you fear what you don’t understand. Hell, the way it oughta be!”—Early Cuyler
First, because you asked for it, we'll be compiling all of our Friday picks onto a spreadsheet which we'll post once the games wrap up that weekend. It'll be a good way to hold our pickers accountable to you, and for you to see if you can make money with us or just enjoy the pigskin banter.
Second, we're going to be much more immersed in social media this season. Follow us daily on Twitter at @thenittygriddy, where we'll be tweeting throughout the week and at any games we're attending or watching. Also, follow our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Nitty-Griddy for all of our posting updates here as well as interactive polls.
Finally, and this isn't a change, but we're committed to bringing you the best betting analysis for the college football season. If you see anything you think we can improve on, let us know in the comments section here.
Since we've got a short week with kickoff coming Thursday, let's take a look at the lines on the games we're keeping an eye on this week:
South Carolina -7 @ Vanderbilt
Washington State @ BYU -13
Tennessee -3 @ NC St.
Boise St. @ Michigan State -6.5
Notre Dame -17 vs. Navy (Dublin, Ireland)
Western Michigan @ Illinois -10
Nevada @ Cal -10.5
Colorado -6 @ Colorado St.
Wyoming @ Texas -30
Hawaii @ USC -40
Michigan @ Alabama -12.5
SDSU @ Washington -14.5
Notes...Wazzou will be interesting to watch under new coach Mike Leach, should give that offense a boost with the weapons available (Jr. WR Marquess Wilson, 1st TM Pac-12)...Tennessee opened as a larger favorite before WR Da'Rick Rogers' suspension...Wow, Boise brings back so little up front on both sides of the ball (3/4 DL graduated), have to wonder how they'll contain Spartans' experienced line play...Now that ND has named So. Everett Golson starting QB, that line will probably move up...-40 looks gaudy for USC, but Hawaii returns just 2/7 along defensive front, and with Trojans' addition of Silas Redd, this could be painful for Warriors...'Bama's line opened at 11 and is widening, so Vegas is trying to push money toward UM. Might be a smart investment to take the Wolverines...SDSU brings an experienced set of DBs against UW's Keith Price, who went for 700+yards passing in his last two games last season. Hold onto your seats...
In exactly five days toe will meet pigskin to kick off the 2012 FBS College football season, and we'll be there every step of the way until someone (please God NOT Nick Saban) lifts the crystal football on a January night in Miami.
This year, you'll notice a few changes with TNG. Change is a good thing, but to avoid a situation like this, I'll explain:
“You know, you alright, sheriff. A straight-shooter. You hate what you fear, and you fear what you don’t understand. Hell, the way it oughta be!”—Early Cuyler
First, because you asked for it, we'll be compiling all of our Friday picks onto a spreadsheet which we'll post once the games wrap up that weekend. It'll be a good way to hold our pickers accountable to you, and for you to see if you can make money with us or just enjoy the pigskin banter.
Second, we're going to be much more immersed in social media this season. Follow us daily on Twitter at @thenittygriddy, where we'll be tweeting throughout the week and at any games we're attending or watching. Also, follow our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Nitty-Griddy for all of our posting updates here as well as interactive polls.
Finally, and this isn't a change, but we're committed to bringing you the best betting analysis for the college football season. If you see anything you think we can improve on, let us know in the comments section here.
Since we've got a short week with kickoff coming Thursday, let's take a look at the lines on the games we're keeping an eye on this week:
South Carolina -7 @ Vanderbilt
Washington State @ BYU -13
Tennessee -3 @ NC St.
Boise St. @ Michigan State -6.5
Notre Dame -17 vs. Navy (Dublin, Ireland)
Western Michigan @ Illinois -10
Nevada @ Cal -10.5
Colorado -6 @ Colorado St.
Wyoming @ Texas -30
Hawaii @ USC -40
Michigan @ Alabama -12.5
SDSU @ Washington -14.5
Notes...Wazzou will be interesting to watch under new coach Mike Leach, should give that offense a boost with the weapons available (Jr. WR Marquess Wilson, 1st TM Pac-12)...Tennessee opened as a larger favorite before WR Da'Rick Rogers' suspension...Wow, Boise brings back so little up front on both sides of the ball (3/4 DL graduated), have to wonder how they'll contain Spartans' experienced line play...Now that ND has named So. Everett Golson starting QB, that line will probably move up...-40 looks gaudy for USC, but Hawaii returns just 2/7 along defensive front, and with Trojans' addition of Silas Redd, this could be painful for Warriors...'Bama's line opened at 11 and is widening, so Vegas is trying to push money toward UM. Might be a smart investment to take the Wolverines...SDSU brings an experienced set of DBs against UW's Keith Price, who went for 700+yards passing in his last two games last season. Hold onto your seats...
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