End of September: 1 week until Gators & Tigers!

It was a so-so week for Scoops. Out in Vegas, I made the following bets:
-Minnesota (+14): Earned the push, was hoping for the late TD to push it over with the ensuing onside kick with about 20 seconds left, but I’ll take a push after that ugly 1st half.
-Alabama (-3): Lost this one. They tied it up with less than a minute left, got the missed FG at the end of regulation, and took a 3 point lead after their first possession in OT, so wasn’t out of the water. But then Stafford went downtown on the first play in OT for UGA and it was lights out for Scoops.
-Wisconsin (-7): This one pissed me off. Wisconsin should have trounced Iowa and they played like a bunch of pussies. Nothing’s worse than betting on Wisconsin to win and they do, but don’t cover. That makes my lifetime record of betting on games involving the Badgers at 1-3, including them ruining a 3 team bowl teaser I had in 2004 with Minnesota +3 on Alabama (won outright), Michigan +7 (lost to Texas by 1), and Georgia –10 (Georgia was leading all game and gave up a late INT TD with less than two minutes left to win by 7).
-3 Team Teaser Parlay, Wisconsin (-3.5), Purdue (-8.5) & Oregon (-11.5): Make that 2-3 with Wisconsin, as their last minute FG pushed it to a 4 point win. Oregon wasn’t looking so hot being down by 10 at halftime, but they took care of Stanford.

With the amount of money put down, only lost $10, so not awful, considering my history in Vegas. Two lost bets: the over on the Minnesota/Purdue game at 71. I felt over, but just didn’t pull the trigger, and Pliers’ lock of the under in the TCU/SMU game. As for last week’s picks, an unimpressive week at 4-5-1. Time to get back on the horse and get at it again:

MINNESOTA (+23.5) over Ohio State: Call me a homer, but I just don’t see Ohio State winning by more than 3TD’s. I see Tressel playing it close to the vest and not wanting to make mistakes, because his job is simply to win. As for Minnesota, it’s their first shot at a team that shouldn’t be chucking it around 50 times, although teams have been known to alter their game plans for the defense. Actually, I didn’t think the Gophers D played so awful. Painter had his and the total yards were quite Minnesota like, but it was a total mismatch. Dorien Bryant could have caught 40 passes over the middle of the field at will if Purdue really wanted to. I see Minnesota stressing ball security & only turning it over 2 times this week (what a statement). Scoops’ Pick: Ohio State 38, Minnesota 17

WISCONSIN (-7.5) over Michigan State: I hate betting on both teams. MSU hasn’t been right for me once all year, & Wisconsin is just not a good football team, but there they sit with a 4-0 record. I think Wisconsin gets back to their style, & wins by 10. Scoops’ Pick: Wisconsin 27, Michigan State 17

Michigan (-16.5) over NORTHWESTERN: I think Northwestern is the worst team in the Big Ten, and they’ll get to battle that distinction in two weeks with Minnesota. Michigan did what they had to do last week, and it looks like they’re going to ride the tail of Hart all year long, like they should have done the first game of the year. Michigan still is in a good position to possibly run the table in the Big Ten, as crazy at it sounds. Scoops’ Pick: Michigan 38, Northwestern 14

Indiana (+11) over IOWA: Iowa lost a tough one last week, and the problem with Iowa is they don’t have the offense right now. Their defense is playing tough, but will get a stiff challenge against an offense that had its way with them last year. I see Iowa winning, but not covering. Scoops’ Pick: Iowa 24, Indiana 17

PURDUE (-22) over Notre Dame: Every other Big Ten they’ve played has covered against the Irish, so why shouldn’t Purdue? Purdue’s defense may be a liability when it comes to winning the conference, but Notre Dame isn’t going to challenge that aspect. As for the offense, Purdue should have a relatively easy time moving up & down the field. Scoops’ Pick: Purdue 41, Notre Dame 14

Penn State (-3) over ILLINOIS: Tough game to call, actually. Illinois is putting up points and should be Penn State’s biggest challenge yet, including Michigan. But I see Penn State being able to cause just enough Juice turnovers to pull out the victory. Scoops’ Pick: Penn State 24, Illinois 20

National Games:

USC over WASHINGTON: USC’s defense is an animal & Jake Locker will be running for his life. As for the offense, it’s slowly starting to click & get in BCS mode. Scoops’ Pick: USC 38, Washington 14

TEXAS (-21) over Kansas State: Revenge time for the Longhorns. Last years head scratching loss in Manhattan I’m guessing has been preached all week & the Horns get their revenge. Scoops’ Pick: Texas 45, Kansas State 13

California (+5) over OREGON: Oregon started out slow last week, possibly looking ahead to this game. I do see Oregon winning at home, but Cal has the athletes to hang with them and it will be a FG game. Scoops’ Pick: Oregon 34, California 31

Clemson (-3) over GEORGIA TECH: Georgia Tech’s loss to Virginia was not a good loss last week. They’ve seemed to slip a bit since BC smashed them at home. Clemson will bring the fans down interstate and will get it down on the rode. I don’t know if Clemson’s for real or not, but this is a game they should win if they are. Scoops’ Pick: Clemson 27, Georgia Tech 20

Last week ATS: 4-5-1. Season ATS: 17-14-1