Friday, October 31, 2008

Friday Fistacuffs: 10/31/08

Peoria Pliers: How many points are scored tomorrow in the Metrodome?
Scoops McCracken: I think it's a lower scoring game....the Gophers aren't making mistakes, but they're not lighting it up either, and Bacher is out as is Sutton. I wouldn't go over 40 for an O/U. What do you think?
Peoria Pliers: 40 seems amazingly low for that game considering the offensive talent, but both teams have opprotunistic defenses...its either a 68 point day or a 30 point day, probably not much of a chance of middle ground there
Scoops McCracken: Will there be a taunting penalty in the Georgia/Florida game after a score?
Peoria Pliers: Heh. That's a very good question. I really can't see there not being one now that you said it. The real question is this: how many kids get suspended after the ensuing melee?
Scoops McCracken: Why? is the SEC saying that if anything happens, they're going to suspend guys?
Peoria Pliers: No, I'm just envisioning a worst case scenario like the South Carolina game a few years ago
Scoops McCracken: I don't think anything can happene because last year was a one time thing that had an affect. Anything now is just a copycat. Last year was so brilliant. It won't have the same affect this year. At least I think.
Peoria Pliers: Yeah, youre probably right, but a nice WHL-Style throwdown would be sweet with a bunch of SEC kids beating each others heads in. Fun times. Peoria Pliers says: So assuming that your pick is right and mine is wrong...and the Longhorns send the Mad Bomber packing, do they run the table the rest of the way?
Scoops McCracken: I think Texas does if they win....I still think Tech will trip up even if they win tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I think Tech is good and they're different than their usual Tech teams, but I just think Texas is a little better. And McCoy simply isn't making mistakes....the Texas defense will cause Tech to make at least a few. And the kicking situation will bite its ass in the form of having to go for a 4th & 7 from the 30 or 25.
Peoria Pliers: I agree that Tech probably doesn't have the depth to run the table, but it sure would be fun. OK, let's jump the gun two months early...who ya got in these potential BCS Championship game scenarios? Texas vs. Alabama
Scoops McCracken: Texas
Peoria Pliers: Texas vs. Penn State
Scoops McCracken: Texas
Peoria Pliers: Texas vs. Georgia
Scoops McCracken: Still like Texas. I like Texas over everyone right now. I think the big thing for them is Tech is really the last team of the big games the rest of the regular season, and the way they handled Mizzou, they can beat them again in the XII title game. Bama has to beat a very good Georgia again or a Florida team that seems to be cranking it up a bit. Your thoughts?
Peoria Pliers: So you think its a Bama/Texas championship game?
Scoops McCracken: I think it will be a Texas/Penn State title game. I think Bama slips either at LSU or in the SEC title game.
Peoria Pliers: OK, so let's say you are right...can PSU keep the Texas offense under 35 points?
Scoops McCracken: Probably not...I think both teams score in the 30s easily. You're looking at another 2006 Rose Bowl.
Peoria Pliers: Wow, that's a tall order. So then three years later are we looking at Colt McCoy being platered on the cover of SPIN magazine with coke up his nose and Daryl Clark blowing his brains out on an NFL sideline a la Leinert/Young?
Scoops McCracken: Nah, McCoy is too small town for that. And Daryl Clark will be a 3rd down back for the Chiefs.
Peoria Pliers: if that is the case, he will have the biggest cannon arm for a back of all time
Scoops McCracken: C'mon Pliers....you know as well as anyone: Afro-Americans can't play NFL QB. They can't read defenses. Did you see this? http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3674820. You can't make it up!
Peoria Pliers: Yeah I did see that...only in Georgia. The Education Commissioner must be proud.
Scoops McCracken: I'm sure Alabama is upset that they didn't think of this the Friday before the Iron Bowl. Any preditcions on the Gophers-MSU series this weekend?
Peoria Pliers: Hmm. Well I always pull for my Richfield boy Jutting, but I don't think they have a chance this weekend. I mean they did lose their best player Cole "The" Basset "Hound" a few years back so their program must be in pretty deep decline.
Scoops McCracken: Jutting's from Richfield?
Peoria Pliers: Oh yeah
Scoops McCracken: A cradle of hockey hotbed talent.
Peoria Pliers: We have our fingers in a surprising amount of hockey related things around Minnesota...Darby Hendrickson is the all-time leading scorer for the "Horrible Haircut on FSN North" series, Jutting leads a mediocre team an hour from the metro, and our hockey rink still houses Holy Angles. OH, and we have Hat Trick here too. Always a plus
Scoops McCracken: I guess I never thought of Holy Angels as "Richfield's"......they're kind of their own little world with tunnels to west Bloomington, Edina, Eden Prairie, & Prior Lake
Peoria Pliers: Hey, the school is in Richfield, and so is their hockey rink. I wish they would leave, but that's just me. Bunch of jerkoffs. So who is your pick for the first NCAA coach to jump to the NFL this year? Any worthwhile candidates, or is that influx of NCAA guys coming to an end with the Petrino disaster?
Scoops McCracken: I think the good college coaches are wanting to stay. I think Willingham finds himself on an NFL staff though. If someone did jump, I'd see it being a Richt or Meyer.
Peoria Pliers: I like Richt as an NFL guy, cool, calm, good hair. That didn't work so well for Mikey Nolan though. How long do you give Singletary before the entire locker room turns on him?
Scoops McCracken: His bit may be good for the fans, but it may wear out in another two weeks.
Peoria Pliers: especially if they don't win
Scoops McCracken: You know what I'm worried about with the Gophers tomorrow? This is always the point where the other shoe drops. This may be one of the most important games in the program, definitely since the 2003 Michigan game. They have expectations now and need to kick down the door.
Peoria Pliers: Yuuuup. See my picks and you can read how much I agree with you.
Scoops McCracken: Win and people will flock to the dome next week agianst Michigan....lose and it's "same old Gophers" all over again.
Peoria Pliers: I'm going to the Michigan game by the way. I just GOTTA see Threet!!!!
Scoops McCracken: Then again, it took Mason 9 tries to beat Purdue.
Peoria Pliers: HA! Let's just not ever compare anything to Glen Mason. Agreed? Unless it is fecal matter. Or Betamax. Both equally as worthless as Glen Mason coaching a football team.
Scoops McCracken: Also, at what point can Sam McGuffie's name be legally changed to "YouTube sensation Sam McGuffie?" That's all they talk about him regarding his HS youtube runs.
Peoria Pliers: That's a good question. Sounds like something The Sports Guy could spearhead...if he would watch anything other than the Pats, the NBA, and the BoSox
Scoops McCracken: Last Question: What 3 things are we talking about on Monday morning about what happened this past weekend over all else?
Peoria Pliers:
1. Some horrific injury in the Texas/Texas Tech Game
2. The future of either Mack Brown or Mike Leach and their impending contract extensions
3. The official "end of days" for West Virginia after they lose badly to UConn
Scoops McCracken:
1. Texas on track for BCS Title game after surviving in the west Texas plains.
2. Minnesota's turnaround conitnuing and possible New Year's Day bowl.
3. 1,456 people killed by empty bourbon bottles in Jacksonville, FL.
Peoria Pliers: That would be a great line in the Jacksonville Daily Newspaper: "Jack Daniels Murders 12 As Liquid Killing Spree Runs Rampant"

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Pliers Picks - Week 10 - 10/29

Three weeks in a row of going 3-5 has put my confidence level somewhere between "Vince Young taking the ACT" and "Zac Effron having to do a scene where he kisses a girl". That is not a good range. Hopefully this Gopher Homecoming weekend can provide a ray of hope to me finishing the season strong. By the way, for all of the jerkoffs in the local media who played turd in the punchbowl about Tim Brewster...eff you. I haven't exactly been a driver of his bandwagon, but I've always thought that the biggest thing they needed was a recruiter, and now you see the results. I stil think they are going to lose a game they shouldn't, which brings me to...

Northwestern getting 7 at MINNESOTA. This pick pains me, but I really think that the Gophs are living and dying by the opprotunistic turnover at the right time, and that has to catch up to them eventually. I think the Gophs should score more points in the dome than they did outside at West Lafayette, but I am going to have to go with the upset special here. Wildcats 31, Gophers 28.

Pittsburgh getting 5.5 at NOTRE DAME. The Beano Cook wetdream pick of the week! Since I've been wrong EVERY TIME when picking against Catholic schools...I'm just gonna keep on keepin' on. I love Pitts running game, and while I am afraid of the UND passing attack these days, the reality is that Notre Dame has beaten NOBODY of consequence. Washington, Stanford, Purdue, Michigan, and San Diego State are not exactly "quality wins". Pitt 34, Notre Dame 28.

GEORGIA getting 6 vs. Florida. I think I've been wrong on every Florida pick this year, too. Eff it, I'm picking Georgia. Their defense is coming into form and they are finally figuring out that chucking the ball to A.J. Green is almost always a good idea. Let's just hope that Richt doesn't go Mike Tice on us and start creating an "A.J. Ratio." Oh yeah, and I like the fact that Florida blew Kentucky out last week...it should hurt their motivation, and UGA has lot's of confidence after pushing Florida out of the BCS race last year. Georgia 24, Florida 21.

SOUTH CAROLINA by 6 vs. Tennessee. Did anyone see the Tennessee QB performance last week against Alabama? Their QB situation is more of an abomonation than Ann Coulter being impregnated by Keith Olbermann. All I have to say is this: when Chris Smelley is the best quarterback on the field, the opposing team is in TROUBLE. 'Cocks 28, Vols 10.

TEXAS TECH getting 5 vs. Texas. YOU GOTTA BELIEVE!!!!!! I'm taking the Mad Bomber for the first time in my life for one reason and one reason only - Michael Crabtree. That guy is a FORCE, and I think he will be a diffrence-maker. I don't think Texas is stopping the Red Raiders in Lubbock, especially in perfect weather. Hopefully the Techies can channel a little bit of Zach Thomas this weekend and knock off the Mack Brown All-Stars for the first time since 2002. Red Raiders 52, Texas 42.

IOWA getting 3 at ILLINOIS. Ron Zook as a field general is a little like Alberto Gonzales as the Attorney General. Everyone knows he is unfit for the job, but nobody can really do anything about it. Add that predicament to the fact that Ferentz is the next Joe Paterno when it comes to playing team football AND that the Iowa RB is making a Heisman push, and I think it equals an upset win at Champaign. Who would have thought that the Illini would end up having a sub .500 record in the Big Ten before the season started? Iowa 24, Illinois 17.

Colorado getting 4 at TEXAS A&M. A rare Big XII pillowfight. I like Hawkins a helluva lot more than Mike Fricken Sherman. I know the Buffs got blown out last week, but that was Missouri. This is a totally different animal, and Colorado is fighting for a bowl spot. Did I mention A&M SUCKS? Yeah, I did. I think I do every week. Colorado 28, A&M 21.

MICHIGAN STATE by 4.5 vs Wisconsin. It sure is fun to pick agains the BADgers. A-holes. I think that Javon "The Wringer" Ringer is going to run roughshod over that BADger defense. If I were Bret Bielma, I might start worrying about my job...oh yeah, thats right, you are Barry Alvarez's love-child. No worries for Bret, I guess. Spartans 31, BADgers 14.

Last Week - 3-5
YTD - 30-35-1

SCOOPS' PICKS: 11/1/08 "AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!"

Last Week: 4-6
Season: 48-40
Net Gain/Loss: + $187.50

You can’t win ‘em all. I knew the “all road favorites” was going to roll last weekend in the Big Ten, but sometimes you have to lose money until you’re shown with your own eyes. Kind of like how St. Cloud State could have the greatest hockey team and be undefeated going into the NCAA’s. I’m still not going to wager on them until they prove they have the ability to not choke in an NCAA game.

MINNESOTA (-6.5) over Northwestern: If you would have told me before the year that Minnesota would go to Purdue and not give up a TD, I would not only have taken that bet, but probably put my left testicle as the wagering stick. Don’t know what I could have gotten in return, but clearly I would have lost. Now, Minnesota has confidence and Northwestern is banged up with Sutton out the rest of the season and Bacher having a bum hamstring if he is able to go, which will hurt his mobility and take a big part of what he adds to the Northwestern offense.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MINNESOTA 27, NORTHWESTERN 16

PURDUE (-2) over Michigan: Personally, I think both teams should just kick each other in the nuts and call it a day. The reason I go with Purdue is, despite the stats saying how bad they are, I was impressed with Purdue’s defense, particularly their DL. And I don’t get the stats. They say they’re awful, but they didn’t give up an offensive TD at Ohio State, held Penn State to 20 points, and had Oregon down for a long time. I suppose it just takes a few games like Notre Dame & Northwestern to ruin a stat sheet. Anyway, Michigan was lucky to be within 2 TD’s of Michigan State last week. I give the edge to the defense I like and the home crowd.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PURDUE 20, MICHIGAN 17

Iowa (+125) over ILLINOIS: Clearly, Illinois misses Mendenhall as they don’t have a running game which Juice feeds off of, and he’s forced to make plays through the game. He’ll get yards, but he’ll also make mistakes if he has to do it through the air. Meanwhile, Iowa is simply getting better, they have a solid defense, and a running game that is hammering teams right now.
SCOOPS’ PICK: IOWA 23, ILLINOIS 20

MICHIGAN STATE (-4.5) over Wisconsin: Will there be a letdown against Wisconsin this week for Sparty On? I think they’ll build off of it since they won. Meanwhile, although Wisconsin won, things aren’t all rosey as Beckum was lost for the season. The Badgers have TE depth, but it’s not explosive enough. And the road environment won’t be kind to Dustin Sherrer.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MICHIGAN STATE 27, WISCONSIN 17

INDIANA (-3) over Central Michigan: Not much to say about this one, other than Indiana is coming off a Big Ten win and the offense showed a bit of life. With a defense that isn’t completely inept, that should be enough to beat a MAC team.
SCOOPS’ PICK: INDIANA 30, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 24

Texas (-4) over TEXAS TECH: The Showdown in the Big XII. I correctly thought Texas Tech would walk Kansas and they are a different Tech team than the usual bunch, but Texas can score and be efficient as well. They’ve seen Daniel & Bradford and were able to fend off a good Oklahoma State team. Plus the walk-on kicker that won the kicking contest is a great story (my dream actually), but it’s the kind of thing that doesn’t help you in a game against the #1 team in the country. Make sure all the bulbs in the scoreboard are working!
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS 48, TEXAS TECH 41

Georgia (+6) over Florida [@ Jacksonville]: I think they officially disallowed it to be called the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party due to the apparent nature of college football fans in the south enjoying alcohol. Either way, we return to the scene where one year ago Mark Richt challenged his team to show some emotion and they acted with the greatest post TD celebration in the history of mankind where the entire team stormed the field after the Dawgs took a 6-0 lead early in the game, saying “hell with the 15 yard penalty,” which caused Urban Meyer a great deal in anger simply because he hadn’t thought of this brilliant idea first. Georgia’s offense got on track at LSU, but so did Florida’s two weeks prior to against LSU. Two damn good teams, and just going with the points in this case.
SCOOPS’ PICK: FLORIDA 20, GEORGIA 17

OLE MISS (-6) over Auburn: Wow did Auburn look awful last Thursday night at West Virginia. They are a program in turmoil and usually you go one of two ways: rally around the coach or fold up and get taken doggy. In the SEC, rarely do you right the ship simply because you want it more. Lots of angry men running around a football field down there. I say I say….emancipate from Tommy Tuberville!
SCOOPS’ PICK: OLE MISS 31, AUBURN 17

Thursday, October 23, 2008

THURSDAY THROWDOWN: 10/23/08

Scoops McCracken: Penn State-Ohio State. Can PSU exercise the demons of the Horseshoe?
Peoria Pliers: I really want to say that they will, and I think they have looked AMAZING so far this year with their disciplined play and creative offense....but they have to lose one game before the end of the season, right? I mean that's a horrible reason to pick against them, but I think this very well may be game they lose since the Horsehoe is a as formidable a place as Sex Panther is a scent
Scoops McCracken: Ohio State completely boggles my mind. They look amateurish against Wisconsin & Purdue, but then absolutely gang rape Michigan State. They do the complete opposite of what I think they're going to do, minus the Minnesota game.
Peoria Pliers: So you're going with them to win then?
Scoops McCracken: I am, yes....but I wouldn't bring the deed to the farm with to the casino.
Peoria Pliers: true that. So do your knees hurt as bad as mine for jumping onto the Daryl Clark bandwagon?
Scoops McCracken: I've kind of liked him all year.....one benefit of the Big Ten network: getting to watch all the preseason camps. I liked PSU then....and remember, I did pick them to go to the Rose Bowl before the season.
Peoria Pliers: Oooooo, you sound like Beano Cook
Scoops McCracken: If I was Beano Cook, I'd be talking about the potential of a Notre Dame-Pittsburgh Orange Bowl as being the greatest BCS game ever.
Peoria Pliers: good point
Scoops McCracken: But what I would like is Bama to lose and PSU & Texas to run the table and end up playing in the title game.
Peoria Pliers: That would be AWESOME, I'd love to see that matchup, although I would have preferred Oklahoma or Mizzou instead of Tejas
Scoops McCracken: Perhaps, but I don't mind this Texas team. I have a soft spot for Mack Brown, and I'd much rather see Texas than Florida or Bama or some other SEC academic institution.
Peoria Pliers: In the heirarchy of coaching snakes, Mack Brown definately is lower on the totem pole than Urban Meyer
Scoops McCracken: I think Mack Brown knows what he's got and where he's at....and he doesn't need to be a snake oil salesman like Meyer or Saban. But I'm loving this season.....the Gophers are playing ok and Wisconsin is shitting the bed....I couldn't ask for much more. Speaking of which, big series down in Madtown this weekend for the hockey club. I know it's a football thing, but hockey gets the old gears cranking! Sioux suck, blog readers!
Peoria Pliers: Yeah I scored tickets to the Wild game tonight so I get to watch Vanek light it up like the olden days, which is sweet. Gotta love hockey season, no dobut. And yes, the Sioux do suck. Badly.
Scoops McCracken: Were you able to watch the Gophers against SCSU last weekend?
Peoria Pliers: I watched the first two periods of the game on Friday...they looked fast and small
Scoops McCracken: I don't want to get too off the football tangent here, but I think they do have a mix of decent size. I think they have crazy depth; depth we haven't seen since 2002 & 2003 where the 4th line dominates every shift. Hopefully that top flight go to guy can emerge though, like Pohl or Vanek back in those days. I'm surprised you didn't go after Texas Tech being a point underdog agaisnt Kansas this weekend.
Peoria Pliers: I'm done with Mike Leach and his Air Raid bull-honkey. His defense is like an air-leak, and they just don't have the consistency they need. I'm surprised you didn't make six MAC predicitons
Scoops McCracken: I usually make two invovling Bowling Green & Northern Illinois, but they're playing each other this weekend, hence just one pick. I did nail Toledo being given too much respect though.
Peoria Pliers: Totally agree with the Toledo pick, beating Michigan this year is like the Gophers sweep of St. Cloud over the weekend...be happy with it, but don't get too excited. So what did you make of the Tommy Bowden situation at Clemson and then resulting media circus created by Spiller and Harper? Their media strategy is as cohesive as a cluster bomb dropped from 95,000 feet....
Scoops McCracken: It's hard......I think Bowden read the writing on the wall and knew he was a gonner, so he wanted to get a jump start. But I'm not much for a coach quitting midseason on kids that they preach to all year long on never quitting. Lesson as always: Clemson is irrelevant.
Peoria Pliers: yeah you called it at the beginning of the year. I tried to go with that whole "they have so much talent" argument, but alas, I was wrong again. We nee to come up with a name for coaches like Tommy Bowden, Lloyd Carr, and Ron Zook whose teams constantly underachieve despite high levels of talent, something snazzy
Scoops McCracken: I don't know if I have a name for it, but I dubbed a few terms when our high school reunions came up. It was if a girl was a "Ryan Leaf" or a "Tom Brady." Ryan Leaf: the knockout girl in high school that is now way over the hill, a total slut, and her best days are past. Tom Brady: the under the radar girl that 10 years later is now a complete knockout.
Peoria Pliers: Yeah, we need something similar for these mediocre coaches. Something like the "Michael Brown" (FEMA guy) trophy, or something
Scoops McCracken: You remember Al Goins from the frat days? That could be for the guy that is brilliant at something, but too stupid to be successful because of their ego. Or Stephen Schuller?
Peoria Pliers: Al and Shuler were definately in that book, although illicit drugs played their part as well. How about the "Pat Sajak" award, or maybe the "Tim Matheson" award for biggest underacheiver in college football. Other classic underacheivers might be The Dude from the Big Lebowski, Michael Olowakandi, or Reggie Ball from Ga Tech a few years back.
Scoops McCracken: Or highly recruited guys that really weren't that good. Justin Zwick....Lorenzo Booker....
Peoria Pliers: I like it. I will submit the names to the Trophy committee and get back to you asap
Scoops McCracken: I think me & you should try to take over a football team at like South or Edison or something like that.
Peoria Pliers: I've been pushing that agenda with Marc for a few years now
Scoops McCracken: Run veer for a few years to get things under control, and then BLAMO.......spreadHD
Peoria Pliers: Spread HD huh. With a bunch of kids from Edison? I like it
Scoops McCracken: I still have the playbook I developed for the K-Sig football program "the West Bank" offense since I came up with it sitting in boring Sociology classes in Blegen Hall
Peoria Pliers: The West Bank offense is always a plus, unless you run into the Jihadist 4-6...then you are SCREWED
Peoria Pliers: So are you going to watch the Auburn/West Virignia pillowfight tonigth>?
Scoops McCracken: Yeah, I'll probably flip between that and the world series. Auburn's fun to watch defensively, and Pat White is still Pat White. Not as intriguing as if you would had told me about these two teams back in August, but I'll watch. How does Auburn fire an o-coordinator halfway through a year? Did Tuberville not think that there would be a rough patch?
Peoria Pliers: Here is what I think...the SEC has gone so far away from the "Glen Mason" theory of building a college football team that they are putting EVERY good athlete on Defense, so the games end up being these epic struggles of fast kids on Defense against slightly slower kids on offense...its like watching an NHL game...you just sit around for three hours waiting for the three mistakes that kill one team. And help the other. Tubberville is grasping at straws since his teams have been on the back end of those really close games, and who better to get rid of if you are trying to keep the boosters off of your back...send a message that things are changing, and fire you O-Coordinator. Seems like typical D-1 football B.S. to me
Scoops McCracken: I hear ya, but I think they're fools. 1 year? You have to expect when you're completely switching philosophies that you're going to struggle. Michigan is pretty much expected for me. I thought they'd have 1 or 2 more wins because of the athletes they could plug in, but it's expected.
Peoria Pliers: Oh yeah, they are total fools, do doubt. I'm just trying to say that it isn't a huge surprise. I often wonder how different things would be in Auburn had Tubberville and the Tigers not gotten JOBBED by the BCS a few years ago and he was able to bring home the Natl Championship
Scoops McCracken: I don't know if things would be different. You'd still have the Les Miles, Nick Saban & Urban Meyer's to deal with. Look at Tennessee. Not much has super changed for them since 1998.
Peoria Pliers: Agreed........but who is still coaching there???? Uncle Fester
Scoops McCracken: True, but he proved that even Uncle Fester can win a crystal football if things break your way.
Peoria Pliers: I totally agree with you there, and that's pretty much my point. Had Auburn gotten lucky a few years ago, then none of this hooey with O-Coordinators would matter
Scoops McCracken: Why does the Northeast produce zero football talent?
Peoria Pliers: That is a GREAT question, I never thought of that. If you discount Pennsylvania, there really is a talent vaccuum out there. I would guess economics have a lot to do with it....not many fields, most kids are either too poor to afford equipment or too rich and would rather play hockey?
Scoops McCracken: You'd figure with the success & popularity of the Giants & Patriots not to mention the love for the Bills & Jets that you'd hear about more guys coming from NY, Mass & the other NE states.
Peoria Pliers: I would prefer to think that most of the jokers out there are kinda wussies, like a bunch of Wayzata/Plymouth kids who are afraid to hit and would prefer less contact sports like Soccer and Basketball. I doubt that there are any stats to back me up on that, but I would like to believe it
Scoops McCracken: Yeah, but you even have nuggets of Wayzata/Tonka kids that like to hit, like both Barber's, Laurenitis, Joppru.......just a thought I guess.
Peoria Pliers: a few kids, sure, but not the bulk. And keep in mind that Barber and Laurenitis had top-end talent for parents. So does Texas really run the table this year?
Scoops McCracken: I don't know....they've gotten through two tough ones.....and I think they do fine this weekend against OSU.....I think the one will be the trip to Lubbock. You just never know.
Peoria Pliers: I just can't imagine anyone coming out of that conference unscathed, epecially with that conference title game. So out of the current crop of Big 12 QB's, who makes the best pro in 2012?
Scoops McCracken: I'd say Bradford....you?
Peoria Pliers: Tough choice, but I think I have to go with Chase Daniel, even though he is a little on the small side. He has that leadership quality and pinpoint accuracy...Bradford seems to have the mental edge but he is so protected by that monster O-Line of theirs that I doubt his ability under pressure. I'm really interested to see where they all go in the draft next April
Scoops McCracken: Well, Bradford's only a sophomore, so you get to wait on him another year. The question with Daniel is: is he just a system QB or could he be an NFL QB?
Peoria Pliers: That's always the million-dollar question, but as we have talked about before, there are fewer and fewer choices for the NFL these days since very few teams run pro-style offenses anymore. Accuracy is my biggest disqualifier these days for an NFL QB (other than a super-weak arm), and I think Daniel has the most accurate arm of anyone in the NCAA
Scoops McCracken: Mandel wrote a little bit about this in Urban Meyer possibly being the one that jumps to the NFL because the way offenses are run, the NFL is pretty much going to have to eventually run some type of sophisiticated spread offense just because of what the colleges are churning out right now. You know what I think about Urban Meyer and him being a so-called offensive genius though.
Peoria Pliers: Word up. I wonder what the next big thing is going to be once this spread craze runs out...you got any bets?
Scoops McCracken: Crazy formations where it's only a center with the OL wide out to the left or right with a RB behind it and a quick pass to one side or the other! In all seriousness, I see a cycle back to I-formation and pounding the shit out of smaller, faster teams. This more so than a wishbone, because defensive speed can neutralize an option attack, something the spread defenses are kind of equipped for doing already.
Peoria Pliers: I like the I-Formation idea...I have a cadre of braintrusts that always thought that nobody ever exploited the TE position well enough as a combo of blocker/pass catcher. And the TE's are the ones getting left in the cold with the proliferation of the spread
Scoops McCracken: That was always the secret weapoin of the I. Ohio State was the only one that came close when they had Ricky Dudley & John Lumpkin....but they didn't do it enough. The simple seam down the middle was good for 25-30 yards probably 75-80% of the time it was used.
Peoria Pliers: Ahhh, Rickey Dudley...that guy was a man amongst boys
Scoops McCracken: In college he was, at least.

Peoria's Picks - 10/23

Ouch. Two weeks in a row of a 3-5 record, and the guys in Vegas are looking mighty smart. In my defense, a bunch of my losses were by 3 points or less. Of course that doesn't mean jack crap, but I thought it would be better if I made an excuse about being wrong instead of admitting that my handicapping just isn't living up to what I had hoped at the beginning of the year. Anyway, onto this week's games.

Last week - 3-5
YTD - 27-30-1

The OVER at 51 on the Minnesota/PURDUE game. Tiller vs. Dunbar. I'd like the over odds on that matchup if they were coaching junior high kids in rurual Alaska. Marcus Sherels is a nice player and everything, but I don't see the Gophs stopping Purde as easily as they stopped a poorly coached Illini team. Minnesota 38, Purdue 35.

Kentucky getting 26.5 at FLORIDA. I know that many of you out there are saying, "No Pliers, don't pick another Florida game...you hate Urban Meyer so much that it clouds your judgement and you always lose!!" Yeah, well EFF YOU. Answer me this: when was the last time a 5-2 team in the SEC was a 26.5 point underdog? This line seems WAAAAY too inflated to me. Kentucky just needs to channel the memories of Hal Mumme and they will be just fine to cover. Florida 38, Kentucky 17.

The OVER at 56 on the Unlv/BYU game. The Moromon Mafia is back in effect this week against a very mediocre UNLV squad who has to travel to Provo for the game. If you are a UNLV player, how do you adjust to that travel schedule? Having to make the trip from the pinnacle of human debauchery to the zenith of biblical prudence has to take a toll on a guy. I bet BYU scores over 50 points in this game alone. BYU 52, UNLV 17.

South Florida by 4 at LOUISVILLE. I love Kragthorpe, but I love Grothe even better. 12 TDs and only 3 picks this year so far for a guy who looks like he could be either the starting Left Fielder for the local Rays squad (C'mon Biscuits!) or possibly a bodyguard with a bad temprament for Miley Cyrus. Either way, Louisville just doesn't have the horses this year, and South Florida's athletcisim is highly underrated. USF 28, Louisville 17.

MARYLAND by 10.5 vs. North Carolina State. Who knows which Maryland team will show up this week? The team that put the smackdown on Wake Forest, or the team that got blown the eff up by a poor Virginia team? I'm not sure, but I do like their defense, and I also like that they are at home. Plus, NC State is a complete abomonation, so the Terps have that going for them, which is nice. Terps 31, NC State 14.

Alabama by 6 at TENNESSEE. My anti-love affair with Philly Fulmer is well documented, as is my concentrated hatred of Benedict Arn...err...Nick Saban. What I can't understand is why this spread is less than a TD? Yeah, so maybe the Knoxville faithful are good for a few points, but how many times is Tennessee going to breach the opponents 35 yard line? Three? Four? This is going to be on ugly football game, and that is without taking John Parker Wilson's haircut into consideration. Tide 28, Vols 10.

MISSOURI by 20 vs. Colorado. Statement game for Chase, Chase, and Jeremy. Time to reload the anger that got them to the BCS bowl last year. Colorado is simply a mediocre football team that is prone to mistakes. Mizzou gets back to Pinkelball this week as Mizzou rolls over everyone else and barely missesout on the Big 12 championship game. Mizzou 51, Colorao 21.

The OVER at 58 on the Eastern Michigan/BALL STATE game. My token MAC pick. Both of these teams can score at will. This oughta be an easy over, I'm amazed it's less than 60. EMU 31, Ball State 42.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

SCOOPS' PICKS: 10/25/08

Last Week: 8-4
Season: 44-34
Net Gain/Loss: + $211.00

I must admit, the picks right now are rolling off my tongue & straight to my wallet. Another successful week going 8-4 and over the $200 mythical dollar amount is the result.

This week, it’s time to cut with the bullshit and get down to brass tax. You have FIVE Big Ten home underdogs.

Minnesota (+100) over PURDUE: The Gophers haven’t won at Purdue since 1990. Talk about two programs seeming to go in opposite directions. The ultimate kicker here is the ability of Minnesota to not come through the game after becoming ranked & a big win. Fortunately for Minnesota, Purdue seems to be in turmoil right now with Kory Sheets bashing Curtis Painter and a lameduck coach that’s trying to maintain a semblance of discipline. Look for Purdue to be a bit better on offense compared to what they have been the past few weeks, but it still not to be enough.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MINNESOTA 30, PURDUE 23

OHIO STATE (+120) over Penn State: I will offer a warning to all my loyal readers. I am going against what the records against the spread are showing right now. But I can’t go with all 5 road favorites. And Ohio State seems like they may have righted something last weekend in East Lansing. The problem with all of this is that Penn State hasn’t been in one close game this season. I think that’s the key here. It will be close, and Ohio State will know how to react just a little bit more. I want Penn State to run the table & represent the Big Ten in the BCS title game, but I see the Buckeyes on the fast track for the Rose Bowl.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OHIO STATE 27, PENN STATE 24

Illinois (-2.5) over WISCONSIN: Wisconsin looked really awful last weekend in Iowa City. They have two awful quarterbacks, an awful defense right now, and they have no depth anywhere except at running back. Meanwhile, Illinois has put up a lot of yards the past 3 weeks and their offense is getting better & better. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Illini run the table the rest of the way.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ILLINOIS 38, WISCONSIN 20

Northwestern (-8) over INDIANA: Northwestern won with relative ease last week against Purdue while Indiana had its doors blown completely off in a Juice Williams barrage. Indiana’s injured, can’t stop anybody, and is struggling to score. Not a recipe for success.
SCOOPS’ PICK: NORTHWESTERN 34, INDIANA 23

Michigan State (-4) over MICHIGAN: Michigan played hard for a while, but got 2nd half doggy drilled by Penn State. Meanwhile, Michigan State had it’s shot and completely looked overmatched against Ohio State. If MSU was ever going to get rid of the Ann Arbor streak, this is the year and I think they get it done, mostly because Michigan can’t cover a spread for its life.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MICHIGAN STATE 30, MICHIGAN 23

Bowling Green (+8) over NORTHERN ILLINOIS: NIU has been covering like it’s their job. Meanwhile, Bowling Green lost to an awful Miami Redhawk team. Bowling Green’s offense is just good enough to keep it within a touchdown.
SCOOPS’ PICK: NORTHERN ILLINOIS 38, BOWLING GREEN 31

TEXAS (-12) over Oklahoma State: Colt McCoy officially moved to video game all-star mode last weekend when they completely blew the doors off of Missouri. He’s running, he’s not throwing incomplete passes, and they have weapons all over the offense. Plus, their defense made Daniel look almost amateurish before the mop up points. OSU now gets to experience the wrath of UT.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS 48, OKLAHOMA STATE 30

Virginia Tech (+185) over FLORIDA STATE: I just don’t like Florida State and I like Frank Beamer & Tyrod Taylor. No other reason than this.
SCOOPS’ PICK: VIRGINIA TECH 24, FLORIDA STATE 20

Texas Tech (+105) over KANSAS: I took a chance that Tech would blow it at A&M and they were trailing at halftime, making me look like a possible genius with them being a +1,000. Naturally, Tech got things in line and ran away. KU, meanwhile, scored & put up yards against Oklahoma, but couldn’t stop them. I think the same thing happens here. If you want to be entertained to the max, tune in.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS TECH 48, KANSAS 45

PITTSBURGH (-9) over Rutgers: Pitt has righted the ship since the opening week loss to Bowling Green with a win at South Florida and the Iowa win is looking better & better each week. Meanwhile, Rutgers is a far cry to what they were two years ago. Pitt takes care of business and keeps marching towards a potential BCS berth.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PITTSBURGH 38, RUTGERS 14

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Peoria's Picks - 10/16

“Love in an elevator, Livin’ it up while I’m goin’ down.” I never thought that Aerosmith would provide such good metaphors for my picks two weeks in a row, but sometimes Steven Tyler has the answers. After a dominating week of picks last week, I took a major dump this week going 3-5. Sure, that’s only one win from breaking even, but after the vig, I’d still be a loser if Oklahoma figured out how to stop Quan Cosby and company (On a sidenote, I think that whoever ends up with Cosby in the NFL is going to be very happy, especially since he figures to slide to the 3rd round or so since he is vertically challenged…but that guy can flat out play).

Last Week – 3-5
YTD – 24-25-1

TCU getting 2 vs. Brigham Young. TCU has gotten back to its roots of painfully ugly uniforms (it’s the color scheme, really) and hardnosed defense. Remember, they held Oklahoma to 35 points. BYU should have lost to a bad Washington team, and things have been going so swimmingly for them lately that I can see them not getting up for this one. I like the Horned Frogs to win a close one, TCU 28, BYU 24.

Wisconsin getting 4 at IOWA. Talk about a downward spiral into the toilet of the Big Ten. Wisconsin is set to lose their 4th Big Ten game in a row if they can’t pull it together in Iowa City, and you know Ferentz is going to have his troops ready. I’m not sure that the BADgers will win this game, but I can’t see Iowa giving more than 3 points here. With desperation on the side of Wisconsin, I like the BADgers to cover. Wisconsin 24, Iowa 27.

The OVER at 62.5 on the Colorado/KANSAS STATE game. If Texas A&M can put up 30 on K-State, Colorado is good for at least 42 this week. Also, the Over is 20-6 on the last 26 K-State road games. Yep. I like the over here, for shiggety. K-State 35, Colorado 48.

The OVER at 60 on the Oregon St./WASHINGTON game. The train has officially left the "Ty Willingham as respected coach" station in Seattle, and I think that there is a distinct possibility that the Huskies go winless this year. If they do, they will certainly be the best winless team in recent college football history. Jake Locker can still move the football, and Oregon State put up SIXTY-SIX (almost the Number of the Beast) points on Washington State last week. That’s a lot of points. The over should be a lock here. Oregon St. 48, Washington 38.


Louisiana State by 3 at SOUTH CAROLINA. So what that LSU got blown out worse than Chuckwheat’s knee ligaments last week. South Carolina STILL does not have a quarterback worth a crap, and Ricky-Jean François Bergeron le Sportsac Avec Frites (Say it Frenchie....SAY IT!!) is back in the lineup this week after missing last week’s game. I don’t care if this game is in Columbia, I like LSU to pull away late and send a message to the rest of the SEC that they are not going anywhere while Lester Miles is in charge. Tigers 27, Gamecocks 13.

Va Tech getting 3.5 at BOSTON COLLEGE. Since all the nuns around here rip me for picking against the Irish, I’m switching my anti-catholic football picks against BC. The underdog is 7-2 ATS the last nine meetings, and Tyrod Taylor is gaining momentum as a decent QB. Plus, I just hate those smug assholes at BC. By the way, since college hockey started last weekend, let's not forget that THE BEANPOT IS A F**KING JOKE YOU A**HOLES! That should be reason enough for this pick to be correct, right? Va Tech 24, BC 20.

Miami by 4 at DUKE. Duke has faced exactly ONE athletic defense, Georgia Tech. The result? 132 total yards of offense, and a 17-0 loss. Gaining 132 yards in a college football game brings back memories of Harry Doyle…ONE GODDAMN HIT? THAT’S ALL WE GOT, ONE GODDAMN HIT? Well I can say goddamn on the air, and I like Miami to hold the Dukes under 200 yards of offense again this week. Miami 31, Duke 10.


Texas Tech by 20.5 vs. TEXAS A&M. I think that instead of picking Oklahoma until they failed to cover, I should just pick against A &M all year long. A 1-5 record ATS so far this year, with no end in sight. They have given up 44 (K-State), 56 (Okla St.), and 41 points (Miami) against BCS opponents this year with a winning record, and they are giving up 7 yards per pass attempt. If I were campaigning for a Heisman like Harrell and Crabtree are, I’d make this a statement game. Red Raiders 56, Aggies 17.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

SCOOPS' PICKS: I LOVE THE MONTH OF SHOCKTOBER

Last Week: 6-5
Season: 36-30
Net Gain/Loss: + $184.00

Record wise, just a typical ho-hum week for Scoops. But when of those 6 is the equivalent of tossing a Hard 10 with the dice at the craps table and paying at +425 like the Gopher pick over Illinois, it gives you a nice bonus and a the ability to handle the just above .500 week. With the Gophers off this weekend, it offers me a good chance to flip around the dial and take in lots of games.

IOWA (-3.5) over Wisconsin: Ah, the old battle that causes Scoops to ask himself “Is it better to cheer for having herpes or syphilis?” Wisconsin was taken doggy in front of a national primetime audience by Penn State, dropping their Big Ten record to 0-3 and spawning the creation of firebretbielema.com. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy & coach, if you ask me. Bielema always seemed like the typical jock in high school: taping kids’ with duct tape, shoving smart kids into lockers; just your typical jughead. Anyway, Iowa is coming off of two decent games with the close loss at Michigan State and the thumping of Indiana where they turned in a 17-9 halftime lead into a route, courtesy of Kellen Lewis getting injured. When all else fails with these two Neanderthal fanbases that have IV’s of paint thinner hooked up to their veins, I go back to the records against the spread. Iowa: 3-2-1. Wisconsin: 2-4. Hope those Rose Bowl tickets can be sold, Badger fans.
SCOOPS’ PICK: IOWA 24, WISCONSIN 20

Purdue (+145) over NORTHWESTERN: Was Northwestern exposed or were they simply another Javon Ringer victim? Tough to say and we may find out more this week. Purdue, meanwhile, is coming off two losses to the two best teams in the Big Ten and hasn’t played as poorly defensively as their ranking shows, keeping Penn State’s SpreadHD to 20 points and not giving up an offensive touchdown at Ohio State last week. They have offensive problems and aren’t the same Purdue, but I’m not sold on Northwestern’s defense quite yet and their offense is struggling just as much as Purdue’s.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PURDUE 27, NORTHWESTERN 20

MICHIGAN STATE (+3) over Ohio State: The game of the week in the Big Ten, where MSU can establish themselves as a potential BCS team. Meanwhile, Penn State is looming for the Buckeyes who are struggling right now offensively with shoddy offensive line play and Pryor struggling with the passing game. They key will be how well the OSU front seven can play against Ringer. If they can make Hoyer have to throw the ball more than the Spartans want, OSU will come out with the win. But as General Corso says, “close.”
SCOOPS’ PICK: OHIO STATE 23, MICHIGAN STATE 21

PENN STATE (-23.5) over Michigan: For some reason, I have a feeling that PSU is absolutely licking their chops and is determined to put on a complete ass kicking to Michigan for the harm that Ann Arbor & her whoreish ways have caused Penn State, particularly 2005. Meanwhile, things are just fine for RichRod after a loss to a 1 win Toledo team that had previously lost to Florida International. Penn State will be “very lucky” to not keep the score under 50.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PENN STATE 48, MICHIGAN 17

ILLINOIS (-16.5) over Indiana: I’m sure homecoming was a great time for all the Illini faithful this past weekend after dropping one to the upstart Gophers. However, I do think Illinois begins to crank things into high gear offensively this weekend and for the rest of the season. Juice has complete balance and the Illini roll.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ILLINOIS 42, INDIANA 20

TEXAS (-6) over Missouri: The Big XII is definitely fun this year, with the Longhorns, Tigers, Sooners, Jayhawks, Red Raiders, & Cowboys. Missouri dropped one they shouldn’t have dropped, but are still in a good position to get another shot in the Big XII title game. Meanwhile, Texas did what most thought they couldn’t do and that was take down the Sooners. Look for the completion percentages by both McCoy & Daniel to be well above 70% and some points scored, but the defense of Texas will make a few more stops than the Mizzou defense will.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS 48, MISSOURI 35

NORTHERN ILLINOIS (-7.5) over Toledo: So a 1 win Toledo team becomes a 2 win Toledo team after defeating a very mediocre Michigan team and the result is quite predictable: given more points the next game than they deserve. Meanwhile, NIU is being quite sneaky in their covers.
SCOOPS’ PICK: NORTHERN ILLINOIS 27, TOLEDO 17

Ole Miss (+13.5) over ALABAMA: Everytime I’ve gone against Alabama this year, they’ve not only won & covered, but done it by double digits. But 13.5 just seems like too many points for me here, especially since Bama now has the pressure of national title talk.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ALABAMA 27, OLE MISS 20

BOWLING GREEN (-9.5) over Miami, Ohio: Ah, I love my MAC picks. And I love picking MAC teams that the Gophers have already played. Miami, meanwhile, is putzing around with a 1 win football team and playing against one of the better passing attacks in the MAC.
SCOOPS’ PICK: BOWLING GREEN 34, MIAMI, OHIO 20

Miami, FL (-4) over DUKE: When was the last time the Hurricanes were only a 4 point favorite over Duke? Cutcliffe has the Blue Devils playing better football for sure, but Miami still has a bit too much talent.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MIAMI 20, DUKE 13

OKLAHOMA STATE (-16.5) over Baylor: This is one I don’t understand. Just the opposite of the Toledo effect. OSU comes off a big upset over Missouri and now is only getting 16.5 over Baylor at home. Are they counting on a Mike Gundy meltdown? Do they know something I don’t? Anyway, one of my gambling rules is “if you have to think 3 times before putting money on Baylor, it’s not a wise move.” I’ve done that here.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OKLAHOMA STATE 49, BAYLOR 20

TEXAS A&M (+1,000) over Texas Tech: Do I think the Red Raiders are going to lose? Probably not. But with an interstate rivalry and Texas Tech having a habit of losing a few games to teams they shouldn’t, it’s definitely worth it to gently put down $10 on the Aggies for the chance to go 10x on the money. Score? Who knows….I’ll go for them winning on a 2 point conversion.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS A&M 39, TEXAS TECH 38

Friday, October 10, 2008

Back in the saddle. That's all I can say. I thought last week was good for me, but it was even better for Scoopsie...nice work, buddy. Jimmy the Greek would be proud.


Last week - 6-3-1
YTD - 21-20-1

Anyway, onto Peoria's picks this week. And sorry about the lack of a Throwdown. The good news it that we are in talks with Tony Mandarich's mother for an interview, hopefully we can get it done next week - stay tuned.

Oklahoma by 6 vs. Texas. Last week I said I was going to pick Oklahoma until they stopped covering. Their O-Line is amazing, and Sam Bradford is quickly becoming the next Josh Heupel...except Bradford is even better. Plus, I like Bob Stoops waaaay more than Mack Brown. On a side note, do you think that Mack Brown might end up being relegated to Mike Shanahan territory someday after the rest of his teams fail to win a title without Vince Young (a la Shanahan-Elway)? The real question right now is figuring out how Mack got Vince to play every week...when Dr. Phil retires, my vote to replace him is Mack Brown. They sound the same, so why not? Oklahoma 48, Texas 31.

The OVER at 61 on the TEXAS A&M/Kansas St. Game. I think the last time K-State won in Collegeville a barrel of oil cost $1.56 and women still couldn't vote. I would love to pick the Wildcats here, but the point is this...Miami put up 52 on the Aggies, and K-State can score. I LOVE the over on this game. If I were into lead pipe things, I would lock this one down. Aggies 38, Wildcats 35.

Vandy by 2 at MISSISSIPPI ST. If the Bulldogs were a piece of military strategy, they would be the pillbox. Tough to break, but completely immobile and lacking any semblance of offensive capability. If Sly Croom is oil, then Mike Leach is water. This game very well might end up being close, but the Bulldogs simply will not score on offense. Barring six blocked punts for TD's, Vandy wins this game going away. Vandy 24, Bulldogs 3.



The OVER on the Notre Dame/UNC game at 46.5. I seem to have these two teams in my picks every week, and why not? They are both exciting, both have great uniforms, and both have interesting head coaches. Captain Clausen seems to be getting the hang of things, although I'm not quite sure why every throw he makes seems to be of the Jeff Blake variety. UNC found a replacement for Yates at QB, thank god, since Mike Paulus still has a 33% completion percentage. Although I still think that might be better than Spurgeon Wynn's numbers when he was with the Vikings. Notre Dame 28, UNC 21.

MISSOURI by 13.5 vs. Oklahoma St. In case you don't have anything to do on Saturday night, keep this in mind...the Over/Under on this game is 79.5 That is not a typo. This should be on of the most fun games to watch this season, unless you are related to Sly Croom, Woody Hayes, or the Slowskys from the Comcast commercials. Missouri will score at will, and I just don't think that the Cowboys can keep up. Mizzou 52, Oklahoma St. 28.

Penn St by 5.5 at WISCONSIN. NEWSFLASH: The Badgers are NOT BCS contenders..they just are not that good. The Ohio State game was closer than it should have been given the talent disparity on the field. Penn State has a vastly underrated defense, and Wisconsin's offense is more of a one-trick pony than William Hung. With budding stars on the Nittany Lion offense coupled with a lunch-pail defense, I like Paterno to increase his lead over Bowden with this win. Penn State 31, Wisconsin 13.

Louisiana State getting 6.5 at FLORIDA. Oh Tim Tebow, where have you gone? Maybe you weren't that good to begin with. Or maybe the talent level around you on offense just isn't that good. Or maybe, despite the "offensive genius" of Urban Meyer (a la Todd Olson), the reality is that winning in the SEC is hard to do without a running back worth his weight in mortgage backed securities. Keep in mind that these days, mortgage backed securities are worthless...which shows you how bad the Florida RB's are. LSU finally found a QB two weeks ago, and their defense is flat out better than Florida's. LSU 24, Florida 20.

The OVER at 48 on the Ball State/WESTERN KENTUCKY grudge match. Scoops told me that Ball State could chuck the ball around the field, and they have been proving it every week. Western Kentucky has shown that they can put loads of points on the board against mediocre defenses, and they should only need to score about 14 points to make the over. Ball State 35, W KY 17.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Scoops' Picks: Yippe Kay-Yeah!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: NO THURSDAY THROWDOWN CHAT THIS WEEK DUE TO THE TEXAS STATE FAIR CURRENTLY GOING ON]

I was cruising through my picks last Saturday, impressed by what I had pulled off. Outright win & correct prediction on what Illinois would do to Michigan, knowing that Northern Illinois would cover at Tennessee, and knowing enough about the Mountain West to make money on the ridiculous outfit known as the Wyoming Cowboys was enough to make me a bit giddy.

However, my lead pipe lock of the week was looking dicey. Wisconsin was hanging tough and took a 4th quarter lead. I didn’t want to be 8-2 with a loss on the LPLOTW. I’d rather be 2-8 and keep my integrity.

Suddenly, Ohio State moved down the field like a hot knife through butter which was then prompted by Allan Everidge promptly throwing a tight spiral directly into the middle of the #2 on Malcolm Jenkins’ jersey. I was vindicated. My reputation saved. 2-0 on Lead Pipe locks to go along with a 9-1 week. Not since Biff Tannen’s 18th birthday at the Hill Valley Racetrack had such efficiency been cranked out.

Last Week: 9-1
Weekly Take: + $81.50
Overall: 39-26
Overall Take: + $133.50

ILLINOIS (-12.5) over Minnesota: The one team that absolutely embarrassed Minnesota last year from game start to game end was Illinois. The Illini put on an absolute clinic, amassing 600+ yards of total offense, including most of the Illini studs sitting out the 4th quarter. Minnesota completely bottled up Kellen Lewis, which is showing that Minnesota is getting better and becoming a defense that can play in space. But I think this is too much. And the reason is I think Minnesota’s offense can’t keep up, although the Illini defense isn’t exactly the Baltimore Ravens right now. The line was tough to call, but I saw either Illinois covering or Minnesota winning outright. I went with the more logical choice:
SCOOPS’ PICK: ILLINOIS 31, MINNESOTA 17

Minnesota (+425) over ILLINOIS: Along with that, I’m going to try to steal it and with the improvement that is being shown by the Minnesota defense, with a +425 on the board, that’s simply too good to pass up, so I’m tossing it on there as well.

INDIANA (+200) over Iowa: The bottom line is that Iowa isn’t good enough that they should be favored in any Big Ten road game right now. They shutdown Ringer pretty well last week, but Kellen Lewis absolutely killed Iowa last year, and I see them taking it outright, making it 3 in a row for the Hoosiers over Iowa.
SCOOPS’ PICK: INDIANA 27, IOWA 20

Toledo (+16.5) over MICHIGAN: Talk about a team that is killing gamblers this year. Michigan has covered the spread only once. The offense still isn’t good enough to blow anybody out, and the defense is showing some signs of weakness. That adds up to 16 points being way too many.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MICHIGAN 27, TOLEDO 17

Michigan State (-1.5) over NORTHWESTERN: Northwestern finally plays a team that has a pulse. MSU has cranked out 5 wins since their opening week loss at Cal. Look for the talked about Northwestern defense to be brought back to earth and reminded what they truly are: a bunch of kids that chose Northwestern over Harvard & Yale because of the importance of football.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MICHIGAN STATE 34, NORTHWESTERN 20

OHIO STATE (-18) over Purdue: 18 is a lot of points, but I guess all I can do is use logic. Penn State controlled Purdue with a 14 point win at Purdue. Insert Ohio State & changed venue and 18 points is doable.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OHIO STATE 38, PURDUE 13

Penn State (-6) over WISCONSIN: A heartbreaking loss to Michigan two weeks ago being followed up by a last minute loss at home to Ohio State leaves a team vulnerable. Penn State travels to Madison to give one more kick in the groin to those that were thinking Rose Bowl before the season.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PENN STATE 31, WISCONSIN 23

Louisiana State (+200) over Florida: Percy Harvin’s inability to practice this week concerns me, especially with a bunch of angry idiots that run really fast coming to town. I can seen this one going each way, but the line is my influence on this one. 2 to 1 odds with the defending national champion and gunslinger Les Miles at the helm? Count me in!
SCOOPS’ PICK: LSU 24, FLORIDA 20

Bowling Green (PK) over Akron: I love MAC games because I get to see them play so often against Big Ten teams in September, so I feel like I know a bit about them. And this one should actually be an entertaining game. The type of game that if I was just a random football fan living in Wooster, OH, I’d probably drive over to the Rubber Bowl to take in some entertainment.
SCOOPS’ PICK: BOWLING GREEN 35, AKRON 31

GEORGIA (-11.5) over Tennessee: My hatred for Georgia WR’s is well documented, but you’re telling me that a Tennessee team that hung on to beat Northern Illinois is going to keep it within 14 at Georgia, especially an angry Georgia team that knows it needs to run the table to get another potential shot at Alabama or LSU?
SCOOPS’ PICK: GEORGIA 27, TENNESSEE 10

Oklahoma (-7) over Texas: During my research, I learned something interesting about this series: No game between these two has had a margin of 7 points or less since 1999. That’s kind of amazing if you think about it with the heavyweight power of both of these programs. And I think Texas is a legit team this year and is one of the best 6 teams in the country. But knowing that stat, the 7 point spread was tossed out for me and I went with a simple question: Do you really f-ing want to bet against Oklahoma right now?
SCOOPS’ PICK: OKLAHOMA 31, TEXAS 20

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Thursday Throwdown...Can you Dig it, Sucka???

Scoops McCracken:
Last week was the first full game I got to watch Terrell Pryor. What is your opinion?
Peoria Pliers:
Is he the next Vince Young? I don't think so. I like the fire he plays with, he seems to have a chip on his shoulder which is not usually found in the #1 recruit in the land. He's got a cannon for an arm, but his mechanics are just awful...but then again that didn't hurt Vince. Overall, I'd say he is an above average QB in the Big 10, but he is still a liability until he can take a game over with his arm instead of his legs
Scoops McCracken:
I watched him, and I instantly thought Vince Young, only with that chip that makes him better. I honestly think that only two fan bases know what's in store for them: Michigan (because they saw what Vince Young did to them in the '05 Rose Bowl) and Minnesota, because they saw the ability last weekend. His arm may not be there yet, but he absolutely takes Ohio State to a dynamic level; one that they need to be at to be a national champion. I'm offering a prediction: Ohio State wins a national title in the next 2 (or 3, if Pryor is still at OSU) years. He is absolutely ridiculous when he's running with the ball. It's not even fair.
Scoops McCracken:
Anyway, I wanted to get that off my chest. I'm glad that the Gophers have already played OSU, because he's only going to get better and more dynamic. And I offered it up in my lead pipe lock of the week when they play Wisconsin this weekend. The cure for 80,000 drunk, rowdy Wisconsinites is a 6'6" Afro-American that's faster than everyone else AND touches the ball every single play.
Peoria Pliers:
Yeah we will see how that matchup plays out...that Wisconsin O-Line is something to see though...their only hope is to keep the ball out of Pryor and Beanies hands.
Peoria Pliers:
OK, so answer me this: Who wins a round robin knife fight tournament between these four: James Laurinaitis, Travis Beckum, Rey Maluaga, and Myron Rolle?
Scoops McCracken:
Beckum's dumb and is a pussy...Laurinatis, despite the whole animal reputation, is still a rich kid from Hamel & Wayzata....So it's between the USC kid and the badass FSU safety. I suppose it just depends on which way the wind is blowing that day.
Peoria Pliers:
I like the explosiveness of Maluaga, and he looks like he should be beating someone’s face into the turf as a member of the All Blacks Rugby Team, so you can never discount his moxie in knife fight, but Rolle has a distinct reach advantage and is much quicker. He is also a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship, so he's smart as a whip, which probably means he would just run away since nobody ever really wins a knife fight. Myron Rolle is the Florida State equivalent to Vizzini in Princess Bride...he would do very well in an Iocane powder battle of wits
Scoops McCracken:
As long as he doesn't have poison on both knives in the fight.

Peoria Pliers:
So this is a big week for the Pittsburgh Panthers, who are reeling from another underachieving start to their season. How much longer do the Steel City Faithful wait around for Wannstedt to produce something on the field other than ugly uniforms and disappointment?
Scoops McCracken:
Pitt bores me. Until they go back to the mustard colored helmets, I don't care about them. You seem to love talking Pitt football. Is it because of your games of Beer Pong & slices of pizza at Crooklyn on the Pitt campus in 1999 that make you long for the Panthers?
Peoria Pliers:
Big guy puked on himself that night. I don't know, I like most things that come out of Pittsburgh, it's a good town with good blue-collar people. They seemed to be right on the cusp of challenging the folks in Happy Valley a few years ago with Walt Harris, and now they are just spiraling downwards. It interests me, what can I say?
Scoops McCracken:
Well, can't they get Walt Harris back if they so desire? Wannstedt does nothing for me.
Peoria Pliers:
I love Wannstedt as a person, but I'm slowing coming to the realization that for whatever reason, his teams can't win. I think Walt Harris is doing a Vegas lounge act impersonating Roy Orbison at the Plaza downtown these days, so I guess he probably is available. The group is called "The Stagnant Willburys"

Scoops McCracken:
Speaking of available, Lane Kiffin is unemployed. Does he get the Washington or Syracuse job, or get a high profile O-coordinator job?
Peoria Pliers:
That's a good question. He does seem a little sneaky to me, but at the same time Al Davis is just about as reputable as O.J. Simpson, so I'm not sure who to believe on that deal. Regardless of fault in that scenario, the fact that Kiffin took that job in the first place given the Al Davis situation and the horrible talent in Oakland would be a big red flag if I were an A.D. If he thought that was a good idea, he gets a C- - - Bond rating for decision-making. Did he really think that at age 33, with Al Davis breathing down his neck and a roster filled with A-holes and marginal athletes that this was going to end well for him? He's either too stupid to see the logical conclusion, or too ambitious for his own good. SO, to answer your question, I bet he stays in the NFL. I can see him ending up somewhere like St. Louis or Arizona as the O-Coordinator or QB coach
Scoops McCracken:
I'd go with the ambitious angle.... I honestly think he thought he was going to get offered the Minnesota job. I think the Raiders experience is going to make him realize that he likes the college game more. But he could end up being an NFL lifer like his dad.
Peoria Pliers:
yeah that's what I see happening.
Scoops McCracken:
I think he would be smart for both Washington & Syracuse. Syracuse's AD was an associate AD at USC when Kiffin was there. And Washington. Kiffin has experience in the Pac Ten.
Peoria Pliers:
I wonder how many strings Al Davis is trying to pull in the smoky back rooms to screw him over though. For some reason people seem to have a decent amount of respect for Al Davis. What a jerkass.
Scoops McCracken:
That guy has completely run that franchise into the ground. If I was a big time player, I so would pull a John Elway or Eli Manning and say "I'm not going to Oakland" if they were about to draft me. Davis...what a character. When he was trying to tell people how bad Kiffin was as a coach, he printed up an article saying how bad he was as a coach. It was a freaking blog article. Davis had no idea; thought it was a normal media outlet.
Peoria Pliers:
I will say this about the Oakland Raiders situation right now: The Autumn Wind used be a Pirate; Blustering in from sea, with a rollicking song sweeping along, swaggering boisterously. Not anymore. Now the only face that is weather-beaten is Al Davis'...he looks like a meth billboard mixed with an aging Vegas blackjack dealer.
Scoops McCracken:
Which SEC gets picked off this weekend?
Peoria Pliers:
Well, I like the Gamecocks, who are a 2.5 point dog this weekend at Ole Miss (see my picks for the details), Vandy has a shot since they are at home against Auburn but I can't see an upset happening there considering the Tubberville Defense . I just can't see ArKansas or Kentucky winning; so I guess SC is this week's version of Obi-Wan...the only upset hope
Scoops McCracken:
We'll know more about Vandy this weekend. As will we about Texas in a few weeks.....@ Colorado, then the Red River versus Oklahoma, and then Missouri.
Peoria Pliers:
Answer me this...I REALLY wanted to take Missouri since they were only a 10.5 favorite, but the game is AT Nebraska. I'm a little worried that Pellini can out coach the rest of the Big 12 on the defensive side of the ball, so I didn't take Mizzou. Give me three reasons why I'm wrong about that.
Scoops McCracken:
1) Chase Daniel
2) Jerry Maclin
3) Chase Daniel
Nebraska's defense may be better than last year's, but they're not ready to hold down an upper-class Chase Daniel.
Peoria Pliers:
Yeah, he's good. I probably should have picked Mizzou, but what difference can it make...I can't do any worse than last week. What a nightmare.
Scoops McCracken:
It was rough on everyone I think.....except Vegas.
Peoria Pliers:
Explain to me how Al Groh goes from ACC Coach of The year last year to 1-3 this year, including a 28-point loss to Duke, a 45-point loss to USC, and a 35-point loss to UConn? And Chris Long cannot be your answer.
Scoops McCracken:
It's also not like Virginia doesn't have football talent in the state either. You want the next name of a coach that's gone, it's Al Groh.
Peoria Pliers:
One year after he is coach of the year though? That’s a tough racket if that is the case. Either he shouldn't be fired or he shouldn't have been coach of the year
Scoops McCracken:
Fair point. Does UNC win the ACC this year?
Peoria Pliers:
Last week I thought they were headed for a four win season since they lost Yates at QB and the guy they replaced him with had as much heart as Mr. Burns. They replaced him in the 2nd half against a scrappy Miami team and ended up winning...and the new guy is pretty stinkin' good. Win the conference? No dice. I still think Wake and Va Tech are better teams overall, and I think Va Tech will end up winning. I'm telling you though, Hakeem Nicks is a friggen STUD. Gonna be a great steal in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft next year. Who do you like better, A.J. Green from UGA, Julio Jones from Sabanopolis, or Michael Floyd from Irishville?
Scoops McCracken:
I think all of UGA's receivers suck, so Green's out. I'd give a slight edge to Jones because I think he's a little faster than Floyd. But they're both studs.
Peoria Pliers:
Really? Man I couldn't disagree more. I think A.J. Green is NASTY, he's got the best hands of a tall receiver since Roy Williams. Barring injury, he’s a top 10 NFL pick three years from now.
Scoops McCracken:
ALL OF UGA'S RECEIVERS SUCK! I can't stress that enough. SUCK!!!!!!!!!
Peoria Pliers:
Wow. I think you're wrong there buddy. We might just have to have that knife fight sooner than originally planned.
Scoops McCracken:
Well, don't bring a UGA receiver, because they may drop your weapon on your big toe.
Scoops McCracken:
Who's your next Vikings coach?
Peoria Pliers:
Ha. Great question. I hear Lane Kiffin is available. Maybe Tony Dungy...err, we let him get away. Oh, I know, Mike Tomin...oooohhh yeah, he got a away too. Brian Billick? That wouldn't be too bad. As long as it isn't Denny Green or Phil Fulmer I'll be happy. Last week's game officially kicked me off of the Chilly bandwagon once and for all. I was TRYING to back him up, but I just can't do it anymore. He is as effective as Mr. Burns on Ether calling the plays, and the players don't even seem like they listen to him anymore.

Scoops McCracken:
I've always been one to put more emphasis on execution than play calling, but it really is starting to get ridiculous. The thing I never understood is why we hired him in the first place. When he was the O-coordinator, he didn't even call the plays. It was still Andy Reid.
Peoria Pliers:
He was the disciplinarian. After we committed sixty-two penalties last week, I'm not sure that the title of school-marm even applies anymore. How about this name - Norm Chow.
Scoops McCracken:
Interesting name, but if you go the college ranks, you go for a coordinator? That worked out well for Oakland. I think you go an NFL coordinator or a college coach. And college coaches haven't worked out too well lately. Is Ferentz not a hot name anymore? Remember how many people were talking about him being the next NFL guy. He may be ready to jump ship in Iowa City. Whether he's the right guy is another question.
Peoria Pliers:
Yeah I like Ferentz a lot, the only failing he seems to have is on the recruiting side. His teams are always disciplined and smart, which I think is a hallmark of a good coach.... but maybe he is just recruiting average athletes that were smart to begin with. I like Billick, I like Jim Fassel, I think if we could get Cowher that would be a great score
Scoops McCracken:
I think Ferentz' problems are two-fold: one, when they had success, it was because they got the under the radar guy that they coached. They then had some recruiting success after on the field success, but those guys turned into idiots off the field, so it hurt them on the field.
Scoops McCracken:
Two: Iowa made a living off of Chicago. Ron Zook has put a stop to that. Cowher will have his pick of about 10 jobs, and knowing Minnesota sports, we're not going to be the one that gets him. Peoria Pliers:
All good points. Once again, Scoops, your finger is always on the pulse of the Big Ten. As of right now, who your bottom 5 major college football coaches? Must be in a BCS conference, 5 being the 5th worst, and so on and so forth
Scoops McCracken:
1) Robinson (Syracuse)
2) Phil Fulmer
3) Mike Sherman
4) Al Groh
5) Bobby Bowden.
Kind of a hard question: for instance, I'm sure Fulmer is a good coach, but you have to kind of go what success the coach "should" be having.
Peoria Pliers:
That’s a pretty good list, but really tough on Sherman (1st year) and Al Groh (reigning ACC Coach of the Year). My list would go like this:
1. Bobby Bowden, AKA Buford T. Justice (now that Lloyd Carr is gone, nobody does less with more)
2. Phil Fulmer (again, less with more)
3. Bill Stewart (his team looked like a bunch of 5th graders trying to find a fire exit two weeks ago)
4. Greg Robinson
5. Mike Stoops


Scoops McCracken:
Good point on Stewart...he's the prime example why you shouldn't let your current players tell you to hire their current assistant.
Peoria Pliers:
OK, you wanna wrap this up? We have to leave some in the tank for next week’s games.
Scoops McCracken:
Yeah, crucial game for the Gophers. They have to win this type of game to take the next step.
Peoria Pliers:
Agreed, we will see if they can muster a good effort for a very winnable Big 10 game. Whatever happened to James Hardy, anyway?
Scoops McCracken:
2nd round pick by Buffalo, caught the winning TD versus Jacksonville in week 2. Is their #2 WR now that Roscoe Parrish is hurt behind Lee Evans.
Peoria Pliers:
Thanks. Any parting words for our readers?
Scoops McCracken:
Only 9 more days until another undefeated team (UT or OU) gets picked off from undefeated ranks. Gotta love October.
Peoria Pliers:
Definitely. October is the most generous month. Whatever that means.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Peoria Pliers' Picks [Week 6]

Peoria took last week in the shorts. Embarrassing, I know. Lessons learned:
1. Nick Saban will definitely go to hell. He will almost as definitely go to the college football hall of fame. Great coach. Impressive.
2. Never name an underrated player in your picks...and then pick against his team. Thanks for the 5 catches, 133 yards, and one TD Mr. Hakeem Nicks. Thanks a lot.
3. Never, ever, EVER trust anyone wearing an ugly W on their helmet while playing in the Big House. Those are games that Lloyd Carr just doesn't win.

OK, enough of that. Time to get back on the horse to profitability corral. (Last week - 2-7, YTD - 15-17)

Penn St by 12.5 at PURDUE. I though Joe Tiller had something going in Purdue, but after watching their defense implode against an improving Irish offense, I have come to the realization that they are in full backslide mode. Curtis Painter is surrounded by a bunch of receivers that look like they belong on a low-level FIBA basketball team instead of a boliermaker football squad...slow and not quick. Penn State has been impressive in all phases of the game, and this one should be a runaway. Penn State 42, Purdue 24.

Oklahoma by 26.5 at BAYLOR. I am going to pick Oklahoma to cover every week until they fail to do so. That's all I have to say about that. Oklahoma 55, Baylor 17.

South Carolina getting 2.5 at OLE MISS. I love Houston Nutt, and I love to watch his teams run the goofiest set of plays of all time, but I think that after last weeks HUGE win in Tebowland, they are set for a mighty fall from grace. If the Gamecocks can take the crowd out of it early, I like their chances. Also, I was wondering, if you are an African American kid, why in the flying hell do you go to Mississippi to play football...their mascot is a REBEL. They might as well have a picture of Nathan Bedford Forrest on their helmets. I do wish this line was 3 instead of 2.5, but what can you do? Gamecocks 19, Ole Miss 17.



NOTRE DAME by 7 vs. Stanford. I was cornered in Northwestern Books this week by an angry nun who is also a fan of the blog while I was making my daily trip to read some of Joel Osteen's new book (I'm too cheap to pay for it). I won't go into the sordid details of what happened in that broom closet, but suffice to say that I will be picking the Irish this week. If anyone has any oxy-contin, please let me know. Also, if you know how to repair broken fingers from ruler smashes, that might be good to know for the future. Notre Dame 31, Stanford 14.

Washington getting 21.5 at ARIZONA. Come on Ty, don't fail me now! Washington has to be the best 0-4 team ever assembled. They just are not as bad as they have fared in these games. Their entire season, from the loss at BYU to the upcoming firing of Ty is just a shame. What a shame. Shame on you. If you can't have two. Watch the video. Washington 35, Arizona 38.



The OVER at 58 on the Washington/ARIZONA game. Oh, sorry, I was just trying to grow my beard out. I think the woman from Shirley and Company revived her career as the woman from Police Academy, by the way. I always like the over on these midlevel Pac-10 games. Washington 35, Arizona 38.

Ohio St by 1 at WISCONSIN. Bielma has no answer for Terelle Pryor. The problem with Wisconsin is that if they get down early the are totally screwed, and I like Terelle's chances against a lumbering set of defenders. And as I learned this week, NEVER trust anyone with that goddman W on their helmets. Ohio State 28, Wisconsin 20.

MIAMI by 2.5 vs. Florida State. In the race to Florida Relevancy, Randy Shannon is slamming the Bowdenator into the turnbuckle harder than George the Animal Steele. Marve is an emerging star, and the Miami defense is NASTY. They have had all week to regroup and learn from the way that they DONKED OFF a win against Butch Davis and the Powder Blue Picadillos, so I like Miami to win this one at home. Too bad there will be about fifteen Miami fans at the game. What a pathetic football town. Miami 17, Florida State 13.


Bonus Pick: The OVER at 66 on the Texas Tech/Kansas State game. Since I screwed the pooch so royally last week, I'm gonna throw one more pick into the mix. This one just jumped out at me, and although the Over is 2-8 in the last 10 for Texas Tech, I think BOTH of these teams can put up a bunch of points. Texas Tech 52, Kansas State 31.

Scoops' CFA Picks (brought to you by....Dr. Pepper!)

What goes around, comes around in the world of football gambling. One week you’re up; the next week you’re down. Such is life. Anyway, I will try to get back to a positive dollar figure for the week with the 2nd weekend of Big Ten play and even offer up my 2nd LEAD PIPE LOCK OF THE WEEK (1-0 thus far in 2008).

Last Week: 4-6
Season: 30-25
Net Gain/Loss: + $52.00

MINNESOTA (-6.5) over Indiana: This line opened up at 8 and has moved down a bit. The bottom line is that Indiana hasn’t stopped anybody on defense this season, are going on the road for the first time, and are 0-3 versus the spread in 2008 while Minnesota played the best team & player they’ll face all season last week in Terrell Pryor, so the Kellen Lewis factor shouldn’t be as high considering the rest of the talent around the field. Add to the fact that Minnesota is 3-1 against the spread in 2008 and Brewster is 6-2-1 versus the spread in his 9 Big Ten games. As Captain Jack Ross said in his opening statement in the trial of LCpl. Harold W. Dawson and Pfc. Louden Downey, “These are the facts, and they are indisputibal.”
SCOOPS’ PICK: MINNESOTA 38, INDIANA 27

Ohio State (-1.5) over WISCONSIN: Yeah, I get it that Bielema is 16-0 at Camp Randall. Yeah, I get it that it’s going to be a night game and the entire state of Wisconsin is going to be at a 6.5% BAL. I get it that Wisconsin beat Ohio State in a similar game in 2003 at night. Here’s what the Badgers don’t understand but will by the end of the night: TERRELL PRYOR. Since Tressel took over in 2001, Ohio State has had a dynamic offense only two of those years: 2005 after Troy Smith took over for Justin Zwick after the loss to Texas and the following season in 2006 when Smith won the Heisman. The Badgers did NOT face Ohio State in either of those seasons. Pryor & a healthier Beanie Wells add a complete new dimension to the Buckeye offense; one that the Badgers will be incapable of handling.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OHIO STATE 34, WISCONSIN 20
[SCOOPS’ LEAD PIPE LOCK OF THE WEEK]
MICHIGAN STATE (-8) over Iowa: Did the Spartans flex their offensive muscle last weekend or is Indiana’s defense that poor? I must defer to the Spartans’ manhandling of Notre Dame the previous week to say that Michigan State is a good football team. Javon Ringer is moving up into top-5 man crush territory, and Iowa has lost two bad games. They have 2 bad QB’s, which does NOT equal 1 average QB. Iowa looks like they may be in for a tough season.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MICHIGAN STATE 27, IOWA 13

Penn State (-13) over PURDUE: Purdue’s defense had a rough week against an offense that had shown no ability whatsoever up to that point. Now they welcome the SpreadHD that’s being unleashed in the Big Ten. The funny thing about the Penn State-Illinois game last weekend was that I didn’t think Illinois played that poorly. Penn State is just a 14 point better football team than Illinois. Consider that Missouri beat Illinois by a similar margin and you know what type of team you have in Penn State.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PENN STATE 38, PURDUE 21

Illinois (+125) over MICHIGAN: Don’t be fooled by the win over Wisconsin. Michigan has not figured it all out yet, and Illinois will give a lesson to 100,000+ people on what their offense can potentially look like in a year or 2. I like the 3 point dogs to win outright.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ILLINOIS 27, MICHIGAN 20

Missouri (-10.5) over NEBRASKA: The Chase Daniel circus comes to Lincoln, and it ain’t going to be stopped by anyone NOT named Oklahoma or Texas in the Big XII.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MISSOURI 44, NEBRASKA 20

Northern Illinois (+16) over TENNESSEE: Ah, the Gophers opening opponent finds themselves back in Scoops’ picks. The reason is I think this a nice line against a team that is just not that good. After 2 losses, the Huskies have gotten back on track including an impressive 37-0 win last weekend over Eastern Michigan. Look for the Vols to win, but the Huskies to cover.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TENNESSEE 30, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 27

SOUTHERN CAL (-16.5) over Oregon: USC read their own press clippings and got Admiral Ackbar trapped in Corvallis last Thursday. One thing about USC; they know how to respond and rarely are caught with their pants down twice in a row. Along with that, their probably the one team in college football that you don’t bet against when they are out to prove a point.
SCOOPS’ PICK: USC 38, OREGON 14
NEW MEXICO (-12) over Wyoming: All I know is that last week versus Bowling Green, Wyoming coaches threatened to replace any player that turned the ball over. They went through 4 QB’s in a 5 turnover performance that ended up in a Falcon route. Now this team is going to go on the road and cover in what is usually a house of horrors for Mountain West opponents?
SCOOPS’ PICK: NEW MEXICO 34, WYOMING 10

Ball State (-8) over TOLEDO: Ball State can light it up with the best of them, is the class of the MAC this year, and Toledo lost to freaking Florida International last weekend. Enough said!SCOOPS’ PICK: BALL STATE 45, TOLEDO 28