By Jeremy Dennis
@menace524
Welcome to another week of gambling mayhem! Here at the Chateau, we are still trying to catch our breath with the games over the weekend. Things were certainly pleasant on Saturday as resident Illinois fan, Mrs. Menace basked in the glow of defeating the Wisconsin Badgers. As far as the gambling was concerned, I felt like the turf at FedEx Field (and the Redskins) - All Washed Up! If this keeps up, I am going to start seeing ghosts...
College YTD Top Picks: 45-36-3 (55.6%) YTD All College Picks 212-175-7 (54.8%)
NFL YTD Top Picks: 17-11 (60.7%) YTD All NFL Picks 55-50-1 (52.4%)
Total YTD All Picks: 268-224-8 (54.5%)
Now for the Degenerate Menace Baker’s Dozen Plus One!
College
LSU (-10.5 ) vs Auburn: I am actually going against the computer on this one. Auburn is a fine football team. However, when it comes to playing at Death Valley, the orange and blue Tigers are FUBAR in the head. In the last five games at Baton Rouge, LSU has won outright and covered with the average margin of victory being 19.6 points. Thanks, computer, but no thanks.
Ohio State (-14.5) vs Wisconsin: Wisconsin became the first major upset of the college football season this year against Illinois. We can surmise that the main reason was the Badgers looking ahead to the game at the Horseshoe. I think Ohio State has got something to prove to the Playoff Committee voters and will continue their great play.
SMU (-14) at Houston: Hasn’t half the Cougar team red-shirted by now? Seriously though, while the Mustangs blew through Temple by 24, Houston beat the 1-6 UConn Huskies by 7. There will be a problem in Houston this week.
Buffalo (-2.5) vs Central Michigan: Buffalo is 3-1 against the number in their last four games. They have also covered the spread in both games they played at home. The Chippewas are on a roll averaging a little more than 40 points a game against Eastern Michigan, New Mexico State and Bowling Green. I believe the Bulls will offer a much stiffer test Saturday.
Oregon (-14) vs Washington State: If there is going to be an argument over college football’s best one-loss team, the Ducks are certainly in the discussion. Oregon is 6-0 after an opening loss to Auburn. In that span, they have given up 56 points (31 to Washington last week). The Cougars’ performance has been choppy at best this year. Look for Oregon to roll at home.
Appalachian State (-25.5) at South Alabama: #21 App. State is the best team in the Sun Belt (52-7 dismantling of Louisiana-Monroe last week). South Alabama is the worst team in the Sun Belt (37-13 losers at Troy in previous game). If the Mountaineers can be Coastal Carolina on the road by 19, they can cover against South Alabama.
Ball State (-2.5) vs Ohio: Ball State is first in the MAC-West Division after wins against Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois and Toledo. The most recent victory was a 52-14 drumming of the Rockets at home. The Bobcats, while 2-1 in conference games, are 0-3 in those same games against the spread. Ball State wins against Ohio.
Navy (-3) vs Tulane: In Tulane’s first real test of the season, they failed miserably against Memphis on Saturday. Navy continues to impress, outscoring their opponents 114-45 in their previous three games. Look for the Midshipmen to drop anchor in the Green Wave.
Pitt (-5.5) vs Miami-Florida: What kind of dumpster fire have the Hurricanes turned into? After giving the Florida Gators all they could handle in the first game, Miami has regressed tremendously since. All culminating in an overtime loss to Georgia Tech. Holy Schnikies! Pitt has quietly gone 5-2. If they win this weekend, their remaining schedule is Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Boston College. There could be a Pitt-Clemson II in the ACC Championship game. Not that anyone wants that...
Utah (-21.5) vs California: Utah beat a ranked Arizona State team by 18 at home in their previous match-up. Cal lost to OREGON STATE at home in their last tilt. In the last three games, the Golden Bears have scored a grand total of 41 points. They will be lucky to score any against the Utes.
NFL
Minnesota (-16.5) vs Washington: Kirk Cousins and friends are about to give his former team a little revenge action. The Redskins are putrid. The only reason why they covered last week was because of the weather. They will be indoors when they face the Vikings this week. Could be a 40-7 night.
Seattle (-3) at Atlanta: Mohammed Sanu never moved so fast as he did leaving the Falcon training facility after getting traded to the Patriots. It could be fire sale time in the A. There is also a probability that Matt Ryan doesn’t play in this game. Russell Wilson is one of the best in the league and is looking for payback after a couple of devastating playoff losses at the hands of Atlanta.
New England (-13) vs Cleveland: New England is ridiculous in a good way. Cleveland is ridiculous in an inconsistently bad way.
Indianapolis (-6) vs Denver: The Broncos appear to be sellers in the trade market as they sent their best receiver, Emmanuel Sanders, to the 49ers. Joe Flacco and the Denver offensive line looked punchless against a poor Kansas City defense. Imagine what will happen against a team that is in the upper half in the league in total D. Could be a blowout in Coltsland.
With trades and injuries going on, get your up-to-the-minute info at www.blitzalytics.com so you can stay abreast of all football updates. Our information will get you prepared so you can pick some winners in this week’s action. Enjoy the slate of games and have fun this weekend!