By Jeremy Dennis
@menace524
Blitzalytics fans, hopefully, you made a good bit of cheddar on last week’s action. Here at the Chateau de Menace, we are still trying to get our college ship above the Mendoza line as we had another 5-5 week. The pros, on the other hand, are a different story. I had another hose-job last week in the Chicago-Denver game. Not only did the Bears decide to allow a touchdown after not allowing one in the first 59 minutes of the game, but the Denver coaching staff doomed the (-2.5) pick by going for two. While the Bears celebrated finding a functional placekicker, I was trying not to scream four-letter words in front of my toddler. If the NFL top picks only played 59-minute games, we would be 8-0. Alas, the NFL plays 60 minutes and we are 6-2.
College YTD Top Picks: 17-13 (56.7%) YTD All College Picks 73-59-1 (55.3%)
NFL YTD Top Picks: 6-2 (75%) YTD All NFL Picks 17-15(53.1%)
Total YTD All Picks: 90-74-1 (54.8%)
Now for the Degenerate Menace Baker’s Dozen Plus One!
College
Ohio State (-40) vs Miami-Ohio: Let’s be honest here: Ohio State is scoring a lot of points. If they can beat Indiana by 41 in Bloomington, why can’t they beat a middling MAC team at home by at least that much? The over of 59 looks good to me too.
Temple (-14) vs Buffalo: Temple allowed 17 points to Maryland. I cannot imagine that the physical nature of their defense is going to have many issues with the Buffalo Bull offense. A little wary that they are playing at Buffalo, but let’s go with it.
Miami-Florida (-29.5) vs Central Michigan: I think after the struggles of the first two weeks, Miami is starting to gel, especially on offense. Look for the defense to come up big against the Chippewas in preparation for the meat of their schedule.
Wisconsin (-3.5) vs Michigan: To clarify, I said after the Army game that I would not pick Michigan in another game. I did not say I would not pick against them. Wisconsin has covered in each of their games. Michigan is 0-2 against the spread. Oh, and Wisconsin has Jonathan Taylor. Sign me up!
LSU (-24.5) at Vanderbilt: LSU really is playing at another level in the first quarter of the 2019 season. Vanderbilt lost by 18 at Purdue last week. Derek Mason’s days in Nashville may be numbered after this game.
North Carolina (-3) vs Appalachian State: The Tar Heels are 2-1 against the spread and I am still trying to figure out how they didn’t get a chance to throw a Hail Mary with one second left against Wake Forest for a chance to win. If Mack Brown can get victories by three or more against South Carolina and Miami-Florida, I think they can do it against App. State.
Texas (-6) vs Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State has not been tested yet (no, Tulsa was not a test). Texas went toe-to-toe with LSU. Texas will be looking for retribution and the Cowboys do not historically play well away from home against tougher teams. Let’s hook’em!
Arkansas (-21) vs San Jose State: The Razorbacks may have found their quarterback in transfer Nick Starkel. They put up 50+ against Colorado State. While San Jose State is in the same conference as Colorado State, they are not near as good. I think this will be a runaway.
Oregon (-11) at Stanford: Oregon has been playing pissed off since they let the Auburn game slip through their fingers. Stanford has been playing uninspired football including a trouncing by the hands of UCF. This could put Oregon at the top of the PAC-12.
Georgia State (+3) at Texas State: After the Tennessee game, the Panthers were world-beaters. Last week, they ran into a buzzsaw in Western Michigan. Texas State, frankly, is just not a very good football team. Georgia State will rebound nicely this week.
NFL
Dallas (-22.5) vs Miami: Until the Dolphins actually cover a number, I am picking against them, period.
Chicago (-4) at Washington: Since the Redskins play well in the first half, it will be interesting to see if the Bears will just hang around and then let their defense impose their will on Case Keenum. It is entirely possible that the Bears win by just 3. However, I am going out on a limb for this one.
Kansas City (-7.5) vs Baltimore: This will be another instance of riding the wave until it throws you. Lamar Jackson has made some great strides, but playing at Arrowhead is a completely different ballgame. This could be a preview of a playoff game in January.
Indianapolis (-1.5) vs Atlanta: Historically speaking, Atlanta is not a very good team on the road, especially against teams with above-average defenses. Indy is 14th in defensive yards per game. This was also done on the road against teams that were a combined 21-11 in 2018. Marlon Mack might give the Falcon defense trouble.
Enjoy this week. It will be a tough road to hoe picking the NFL games with so many new faces under center in Week 3. I am interested to see the two games with 20-point spreads. Will the Jets and Dolphins show up?