SCOOPS' WEEKLY PICKS

Last Week: 4-5
Overall: 24-25-1
Win/Loss: + $4.34

Sometimes, an individual comes to a conclusion about themselves. One knows their limitations, or one knows who they are. I’ve come to the following conclusion after looking at an Xcel spreadsheet that I keep regarding a certain financial log.

I AM, FLAT OUT, ADDICTED TO SPORTS GAMBLING!

You should see the log I have. I bet with two websites (Betus.com & Bookmaker.com) to compare the lines and take the more favorable one. And I’m not a heavy gambler. I only have about $250.00 invested total between the two websites. And Bookmaker is nice because they have no minimum bet, so you can launch $1 bets like it’s nothing. Because of that, I’ve found myself gambling on baseball like I’m Pete Rose. Check out the following log since October 1st (Highlighted in Green is bet won, Red is bet lost, Black is wager pending):

Betus.com
-$14.59 (Wisconsin defeat Minnesota outright +135)
-$5 (Bengals/Redskins/Steelers 3-team tease)
-$5 (Iowa to win Big Ten +500)
-$10 (Ohio State to win Big Ten +175)
-$5 (Minnesota/Alabama/Iowa 3-team tease)
-$40 (Yankees defeat Twins in 3 game series -400)

Bookmaker.com
-$2 (Florida State/Ole Miss/Penn State/Ohio State/Cal 5-team tease)
-$3 (Pitt/Alabama/Georgia Tech 3-team tease)
-$1 (Giants/Bears/Redskins/Saints/49ers/Vikings 6-team tease)
-$2 (KC Royals defeat Twins +185)
-$2.50 (Cowboys -3 over Broncos)
-$5 (Detroit Tigers defeat Twins +150)
-$6.72 (Ravens/Steelers/Patriots 3-team tease)
-$3.60 (Wisconsin/South Carolina/Iowa 3-team 10pt. tease)
-$12 (Vikings/Ravens/Steelers 3-team 6.5 tease)
-$3 (LA Angels defeat Red Sox in 3 game series +110)
-$2.75 (Yankees defeat Twins in game 2 -275)
-$3.05 (Phillies defeat Rockies in 3 game series -305)

Because of the small minimum, I’m not afraid to go on a favorite like the Yankees or Phillies. I won’t win much, but my chances of winning money are rather high. And you can see a trend that I have, which is “wager on the opponent of your favorite team.” Hence a money line win with the Badgers last week and trying to have some consolation if the Twins fizzled out against the Royals or Tigers & if they lose to the Yankees. It may not be a total problem because of the small number of wagers that I’m making, but I may have an addiction.

Onto my weekly picks:

Purdue (+3.5) over MINNESOTA: Minnesota’ offensive line woes continued last week & Purdue should be able to cut down on the 6 turnovers they had vs. Northwestern. Purdue suffers another close loss, but only a 3 point loss gives Purdue the cover.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MINNESOTA 27, PURDUE 24

ILLINOIS (+155) over Michigan State: I see energy from Eddie McGee replacing what has been a super senior season for Juice Williams & Michigan State with the letdown.
FINAL SCORE: ILLINOIS 28, MICHIGAN STATE 24

NORTHWESTERN (-20.5) over Miami, OH: Miami has lost double digit games in a row by double digits. Northwestern will give them fits & Scoops says “lay the points, bitches!”
FINAL SCORE: NORTHWESTERN 38, MIAMI 10

Wisconsin (+14) over Ohio State: I just think 14 is too much considering the ball control that Wisconsin plays with & the conservative nature Tressell plays with.
FINAL SCORE: OHIO STATE 31, WISCONSIN 21

IOWA (-7.5) over Michigan: This line has moved up a point since it opened. Michigan got exposed for what they are last week, and that’s a team in the right direction, but still not the horses to get it done week in & week out. Iowa at home will get the win. Lay the points, bitches!
FINAL SCORE: IOWA 31, MICHIGAN 20

Indiana (+6.5) over VIRGINIA: An odd out of conference game with a BCS team in the middle of the season for the Hoosiers. After a tough loss two weeks ago, Indiana kept it within the spread against Ohio State. They should be able to do the same against Al Groh.
FINAL SCORE: VIRGINIA 27, INDIANA 24

Florida (-8.5) over LSU: The health of Tebow shouldn’t matter as Florida’s defense will eat up the Tigers all night long. Expect turnovers, fast southern kids & lots of NFL players on Saturday.
FINAL SCORE: FLORIDA 27, LSU 13

[**] Minnesota/Alabama/Iowa 6.5 teaser: Minnesota to at least win, Alabama to beat Ole Miss & Iowa to win by 2 or more against Michgan? I like it. [$5 wager to win 9]

[**] Wisconsin/South Carolina/Iowa 10 teaser: I think Wisconsin can keep it within 26 of Ohio State, South Carolina to win outright at home against Kentucky, & riding the Iowa train again.[$3.60 wager to win 3]