This weekly wagering contest will reward the best football prognosticator with a $100 gift certificate from a meat/steak company. New guys can still join in any time and you don't have to make a pick every week. You can post your plays any time, but they must be posted before a game you are playing kicks off. You must make your picks in this thread and you must provide at least one reason for each pick.


.................Last Season.%
Nas....................41-28.......59.4
Hawkeye Vince....49-38.......56.3
donspiracy..........81-66-2.....55.1
Chus.................119-100-6...54.3
Coast..................91-78-5.....53.8
Good dolphin........83-74-1.....52.9
Mitch Cumstein......38-34.......52.8
Bud Dude.............79-74-5.....51.0
the gooch.............32-31-1.....50.8
Rocks and Blows....29-30-3.....49.1
reents..................99-111-5....47.1
sabu.....................38-51-2.....42.7

Didn't Qualify With Minimum of 50 picks
Not in the Biz..........8-3.........72.7
Woodridge Ryan......24-17.......58.5
Doug......................8-7-2.......53.3
Matt Murton's Beard..22-21-1...51.1
Mr. Belvidere..........18-20-1.....47.3
BD..........................9-12........42.9
Coach Crapowski......0-1.........0
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Welcome back and welcome new players!
......................CFB.Week.1................
reents.....................4-3............57.......
good dolphin............2-3............40.......
Hawkeye Vince........1-2............33.......
donspiracy..............1-2............33.......
chus.......................3-9............25.......
Coasttocoast............0-2............0........
Bud Dude................0-1............0........

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CSFMB: Home of the small minded

Question: Is there a standard place to get the line?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

pinnaclesports.com

thegreek.com

bookmaker.com

sportsbook.com

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CSFMB: Home of the small minded

(Copied from other post; all lines from newbodog.com)

INDY -6.5 vs. New Orleans

Defending champs at home to start the season; the energy in that building is going to be absolutely electric. I also think that the Indy defense has a better chance of holding NO than the other way around. I think that Indy wins by at least a TD to start the year.

HOUSTON -3 vs. Kansas City

Kansas City might be the worst team in the NFL this year. I thought that Vegas would set the line exactly the opposite, and that everyone could clean up. They didn't, but I still like Houston.

Denver -3 vs. BUFFALO

I don't like Buffalo whatsoever, especially the defense. I think that the Denver offense runs wild, and Buffalo can't run the ball well enough to take advantage of Denver's main defensive weakness, their run D. A definite play.

Pittsburgh -4.5 vs. CLEVELAND

Lots of Cleveland love after the draft, but they are still bad. Pitsburgh should cover without too much trouble.

Tennessee +6.5 vs. JACKSONVILLE

Avoid this game. We have absolutely no way of knowing how Jacksonville is going to react after the Leftwich affair. I don't like Tennessee this year, but there are just too many variables, so I'm taking the points.

Carolina +1 vs. ST. LOUIS

I don't understand all the St. Louis love this year. There offense will move the ball, but it's tough to overstate just how bad their defense really is. Carolina had better win this game, or it's going to be a long season of QB controversies and John Fox hot-seatism.

GREEN BAY +3 vs. Philadelphia

This is my "go against your gut" game of the weak, but I think it may take some time before McNabb starts to feel and look right.

Atlanta +3 vs. Minnesota

Minnesota's offense may not score three points, even though Atlanta's defense is no great shakes. I was impressed by how Harrington moved the ball, and I think that Atlanta can score 14 or 17 points, which should be enough. Don't buy this line until Saturday, as it may be +4 or +5.

WASHINGTON -3 vs. Miami

Washington will be better, and Miami will be bad. Enough said.

NYJ +6.5 vs. New England

Surprise! The Jets will hang tough, if for no other reason than it's the Bellicheck/Mangini bowl. New England is overvalued right now, IMO.

SEATTLE -6 vs. Tampa Bay

Seattle at home should cover with TB making the long trip.

OAKLAND -1.5 vs. Detroit

Avoid this game. Who the hell knows? I'll go with the home team, just because. Good defense beats good offense at home, right?

Chicago +6 vs. SAN DIEGO

This line is completely out of whack. If the Bears can bottle up LT (a big if, but not implausible) it could be a long day for San Diego.

New York Giants +6 vs. DALLAS

I hate Dallas this year, and this game may signal the national Tony Romo meltdown. His success against vanilla preseason defenses is not indicative of how sucky he is going to be this year.

Baltimore +3 vs. CINCINATTI

This one is tough; I don't really know what to expect from either team this year. Either could make the Super Bowl, or either could go 7-9. It'll be a great start to the season, but I'll take the points with theoretical money and avoid the game with my real money.

Arizona +3 vs. SAN FRAN

Don't believe the hype. San Fransisco is still bad.

_________________
Fire Phil Emery

Denver -3

Buffalo just isn't that good. The Broncos D will be in J.P. Losman's grill all day long. Denver usually starts the season strong.

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Denver -3

Cutler should have a good year and Buffalo is bad and will struggle to score points against a stellar Broncos D

Pittsburgh -4.5

I normally don't like to take the chalk on the road in the division, but the Browns are terrible. The Steelers new wide open offense should score at will on a very weak Browns defense. Leaning to the over as well.

St. Louis -1

I don't trust the Panthers offense at all. Most of their skill position guys were ouchy and bad last year, and the Rams have a high powered offense.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Philadelphia -3
The Packers used to be unbeatable in Lambeau, but those days are gone. Old man Favre is another year older, and just doesn't have the skill position players he once had. The Eagles on the other hand, should be a contender in the NFC. Eagles by 7.

Jacksonville -6
I am not buying all of the Vince Young hype. They are a below average team, at best. I love the tandem in the backfield for the Jags, and they just seem to win with Garrard at the helm.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Michigan -8
They are still a really good team and they are at home.

Hawaii -28
I don't like betting something this large but Colt Brennan is going to pad his stats in this game.

Texas -9.5
They get it back on track in this game.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

5 Picks of my week:

--KC +3 over Houston--A lot of people dismissing KC, but I need to see more from Houston.

--Denver - 3 over Beefalo--The Bills keep it tight through the half, but Denver wins by 7-10.

--Philly -3 over GB.--Iggles still have enough to win a game at Lambeau. Packers probably don't.

--Washington -3 over Miami--Skins at home can be tough. Phins are a puzzle.

--Baltimore +3 over Cincy--I'll take the Ravens offense over the Bengals defense to turn the tide here.

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You cannot make me care about the WNBA.

I want no part of wagering on or against Washington or Miami, all season.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Rutgers -16
Navy struggled witht Temple, how are they going to handle Rutgers ?

Florida International/Oklahoma State over 54
If Joe Pa ran up 59 on FIU, OSU should have no problem scoring at will. OSU also has a swiss cheese defense.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Pittsburgh -4.5 over Cleveland

Eagles -3 over Packers

Bears +6 over San Diego

Titans +6.5 over Jaguars.


Those are my top 4 confidence picks

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Navy at Rutgers -17
Rutgers might be better this year than last year. They didn't play much in their opener with Buffalo but they didnt give them any chance either. Navy is a run oriented team that struggled keeping Temple off the scoreboard and at one point were in a real struggle with them.

Syracuse @ Iowa UNDER 42
Iowa will run, run and run some more this weekend against a Syracuse defense that gave up 300+ yards to Washington on the ground.

What do you guys think about Boise St. -3 @ Washington ?

I think the books want you to take BSU, and I am sure the public will oblige.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Indianapolis -6
Peyton Manning will pick apart the Saints defense.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

I think you're right though Washington hasnt exactly been gold at home, having lost 3 in a row last year including a bad loss to Stanford. it's a new year. Washington also beat a bad Syracuse team and they are bad ATS team of late. I think Boise wins by 14

You are probably right about that, but I will still stay away from that game.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

It's great to have football season back and after one week, from next to last a season ago to first.

Colts and Saints over over 52.5- I know the first game it takes the offenses a while, but I see the Saints and Colts lighting it up with quarterbacks Brees and Manning.

Saints +6 vs Colts- The Colts have lost a lot of players on defense and the Saints have built up the defense and Bush and Mccallister should rush for about 150+ yards and the Saints rack up all the points all night long.

Miami +3
I changed my mind about these teams, and I'm taking the points with the better defense and better quarterback. I'm not sold on Jason Campbell, Clinton Portis is always ouchy, and I don't like their receivers. I expect the Fins to win straight up in a low scoring affair.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

A tough week for the board. With the NFL now in play it is time to get back with a vengence.

Denver -3 at Buffalo

I heard way to much hype about the Buffalo offense this off season for my liking. I think Marshawn Lynch will be a bust. Losman will prove to be another average QB. The D took a major step back with losses at CB and LB in the off season.

Denver on the other hand, got better in many places. They upgraded at RB, improved with age at QB and got healthier with their primary WR. They also upgraded TE. Denver D is always tough.

I expect them to roll this week.

Houston -3 against KC

Funny looking line, isn't it? I have no doubt Houston will be a fairly bad team again this year. I'm not sure Schaub is an upgrade over Carr. Ahman Green is an upgrade at RB but not that much. So why are they favored over a KC team that, at the very least, has one of the game's most powerfull runners? I think you will see KC win less than 4 games this year. They have a pourous D, a depleted line and below average talent at WR. Huard is a competent QB but nothing better.

Seattle -6 against TB

I am looking at the Seahawks being a resurgent team this year. They will battle the Bears and NO for top spot in the NFC. Seattle got healthy at RB and QB. Their WR corps gained experience in their system. Meanwhile, TB has now lost its defensive identity. Ronde Barber may need to join his brother as they are horrible against the pass. Cadillac has a lot of questions to answer this year as a runner. Seattle is one of the toughest venues at which to play and I look at the Seahawks to pound lumps on the woefull Bucs.

Virginia -17.5 against Duke

Duke had its one opportunity for victory last week, a home opener against Connecticut, and they got blown out in the second half. The competition steps up a class today, against a Virginia team in its home opener who lost last week. Love the Cavs.

Alabama -3.5

Because Stu told me so.

Cal -14 against Colorado State

Cal showed last week that it has the ability to contend with USC and UCLA for the Pac 10 championship. Colorado State crapped itself in the 4th Q/OT against a run of the mill Colorado team.

TCU +9.5 at Texas

Texas has a good O. TCU has a good and seasoned D. Texas D leaves a lot to be desired and the Frogs have been able to run the ball against anyone for the last 5 years or so. I am really suprised that TCU is consistently underrated when they seem to be borderline undefeated each year. I'm not sure about a win but I love the cover.

LSU-VT UNDER

Two great defenses. This one is going to be a low scoring affair.

I thought you were staying away from both these teams

_________________
You cannot make me care about the WNBA.

I changed my mind. Is that allowed ?

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Of course. I usually go with my initial gut feeling to stay away from a team.

_________________
You cannot make me care about the WNBA.

As a general rule I wouldnt put money on the Texans untill further notice, but I agree with you, mainly because Herm indicated LJ will get a very light workload the first game or two, and Huard/Croyle on the road will not be fun to watch.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Wisconsin / UNLV over 49.5
You have to run up the score to impress the voters when you're a top five team.

Pittsburgh -4.5 over Cleveland
Cleveland is just terrible.

St. Louis / Carolina over 42.5
Lots of St. Louis offense and Carolina will need plenty of offense to keep it close.

Minnesota -3 over Atlanta
Atlanta is terrible too.

Detroit +2.5 over Oakland
Somebody has to win this game, right?

NY Jets +6 against New England
Not calling for the outright win, but the Jets will keep it close due to the Mangenius factor.

[quote="Darren - Tinley ParkDetroit +2.5 over Oakland
Somebody has to win this game, right?[/quote]

Where did you find that line? Every one I've seen is either +1 or +1.5

_________________
Fire Phil Emery

Olympic Sports (www.thegreek.com)

1 more

Baltimore +2.5 over Bengals

Im surprised by this line. I know the Bengals get 3 point for being at home, but I see the Ravens going 12-4 and the Bengals repeating 8-8. Ravens by a TD in this one.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Eagles -3

Packers sucked against good teams last year and were shut-out at home 3 times, the D is ok but they have no running game and Favre is a year older and brutal in key games