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. Post them all at once or in separate posts, but they must be posted in the current week's contest thread. 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. Minimum 50 picks to qualify by the end of the contest.

_______________ThisWeek___Total______%
Coasttocoast____5-1________6-1_______86
DarrenTinleyPark3-0-1______5-1-1______83
Chus___________12-4-2_____26-11-2___70
Hawkeye Vince___3-2________8-5_______62
reents__________6-6-1______11-7-1____61
M_C____________6-4________6-4_______60
Bud Dude_______3-2________3-2_______60
newper_________4-2-1______4-3-1_____57
RFDC___________5-5________10-8______56
shultzyy________2-2-1______9-7-1_____56
schmitty1121____10-9-1_____17-14-1___55
WaltWilliamsNeck_6-7________9-9_______50
muman89_______6-7-1______8-8-1_____50
Irish Boy________3-2________5-5_______50
City Of Fools____0-0________1-1_______50
Colonel Angus___6-8________9-12______43
good dolphin____2-6________7-10______41
a retard________2-3________2-3_______40
donspiracy______2-3-1______5-8-1_____39
sabu___________1-4________1-4_______20
Nas____________0-1________0-1_______0
At Large________0-0________0-1_______0

Overall Standings
CFBWeek 1 60-43___58.3%
NFLWeek 1 87-78-9_52.7
___Total__147-121-9_54.9


Please let me know if any of the totals are incorrect. Thank you.
Been busy and sick this week, the standings will come out on Tuesdays.

_________________
CSFMB: Home of the small minded

North Carolina +5.5 at Rutgers

Carolina is two weeks removed from a tough season opener against a top I-AA Mc Neese State. They got their wakeup call after an off season of glowing predictions. Butch Davis is a good coach who will have used the 2 weeks wisely. Rutgers is 10 days removed from a home thrashing by Fresno State. The number seems much to big for a game UNC has a legitimate chance at winning.

Baylor -1 against Washington State

As Vince said, a pillow fight. I'll take the home team from the better conference playing against a no defense Wazzu.

Duke -1.5 against Navy

Two teams that will get better as the season goes on. I like the way the Blue Devils are playing.

Fresno State +1.5 against Wisconsin

It's nice to get an overrated big ten team as a road favorite. I see no reason why Fresno does not win this straight up...as they have done on several occasions versus Wisco.

Notre Dame +1.5 against Michigan

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Is there any reason to think an inexperienced UM, with players who don't have the right skills for the system they are running, should be ROAD FAVORITES. I know ND is bad, but UM is this year's ND.

Cal -14.5 at Maryland

Maryland is a bad, bad team.

Buffalo -6 against Temple

Two rejuvinated MAC programs. I think Buffalo has the better balance and is at home. The number is a little fat but I still think Buffalo wins by 7.

Oklahoma -20.5 at Washington

UW was game last week against BYU. I think they played their game of the year and still lost at home. This is a step up in class and I see them struggling.

Bears +3.5 at Carolina

Carolina's line is banged up and they are starting a rookie OT who cannot pass block. If Carolina cannot run they will not win, and I don't think they will run well this week.

Titans +1 at Bengals

Bengals will have to prove they are worthy before I stop playing against them. Titans have a vastly underrated D that will shut down the Bengals run game. Passing may be another issue. On offense I think the Titans are better without Young at QB.

Saints pickem at Redskins

Campbell may get good against the Redskins. However, not good enough to stay close in a shootout.

Bucs -7 against Falcons

LOVE this game. Falcons come back to earth. Break down Ryan's game and after the first pass, he threw for 100 yards. Do you think the Falcons are going to match last week's rush total? Me neither. It's reality week.

Eagles +6.5 against Cowboys

These games always seem to be close. The Cowboys are being far overrated after destroying the Browns. I expect this one to be won by a field goal. I would not be shocked if it was David Akers who kicks it.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

CFB

Temple @ Buffalo -6
Buffalo played a tough Pitt team last week, within 1 in the third quarter and still had a chance with 10 mins to play. (Loss)

Toledo @ EMU -2
A tough MAC matchup, Toledo is typically a poor road team. EMU has played a physical MSU team the week before - they were in the game until right about half time when MSU took off. (Brutal Loss -did EMU even play?)

Wash State @ Baylor -1
Talk about a pillow fight. Baylor comes off a big win against a smaller school, but winning should make them happy. The long plane flight from the Pacific NW will make for a tough trip to Waco. (Winner)

Iowa State @ Iowa UNDER 48 With two first time QBs playing in this game, I expect a defensive struggle and a lot of running the ball. I don't like the number, but I like staying under the total. (Winner)

Air Force +3 @ Houston Game moved to Dallas because of Ike. Calling for 20-30 mph winds all game which will help the running attacks and kill the air attack of the Cougars. (Winner)

Week 2
Two for now; more to come

North Caroliina +6 (Greek) Thursday
This isn't the same Rutgers team that sprang a few upsets the last few years. And this isn't the same Carolina team that played like dog meat the last few years. Sometimes lines are based more on memories of the past, rather than present realities and projections for the current season.

Hawaii +12-1/2 @ Oregon State
Hawaii was embarassed at Florida, but the turnovers and lousy special teams were a big part of that debacle. The Bows are capable of moving the football and scoring some points against this young and bad Beavers defense.

North Carolina +6

Vandy -7

Wisconsin -2

Iowa St. +13

Kentucky -16.5

____________________

Chiefs -3.5

Green Bay -3

Steelers -6

Saints +1

Cowboys -7

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Minnesota +2 vs. Indy (L)
Cleveland +6 vs. Pittsburgh (W)
St. Louis +8.5 vs. NYG (L)
Oakland +3.5 at KC (W)

ND +2 vs. Michigan (W)
Tulane +13 vs. ECU (W)
North Carolina +5.5 at Rutgers (W)
Ohio State +11.5 at USC (L)
SC +7 vs. Georgia (P)
Rice +8.5 at Vandy (L)

All are taking in very little money, all are dogs, most are home dogs, and the books have refused to move the lines on these.

(5-4-1 for the weekend.)

_________________
Fire Phil Emery

From thegreek.com:

I'll fall into the trap with Wells being doubtful against the Trojans and take USC (-11) over Ohio State.

More to come tomorrow.

from thegreek.com:

Missouri (-26.5) over Nevada

Wisconsin (-2) over Fresno State

Notre Dame (+2) against Michigan

Illinois / UL-Lafayette under (66.5)

New Orleans (+1) against Washington

Buffalo (+5) against Jacksonville

Rutgers -5.5 -- North Carolina is what I thought they were. Rutgers obviously not as good as last year, but still should be good enough to cover.

_________________
"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

NFL
New Orleans pickem

NCAA
Buffalo U -6
Iowa State +14
Akron +7
North Carolina +6 WIN
USC -11
Rice +8.5
Baylor -2.5 (1st half) WIN
Houston -2

_________________
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

USC -11

_________________
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'll join the Carolina bandwagon for tonight.

North Carolina +5.5 vs Rutgers- North Carolina is starting to build a team and keep it going with a strong performance tonight.

Rutgers -5, posted last night in the old thread.

South Florida -3
Ball St -7
Georgia -7
Wisconsin -2

Colts pk
Saints pk
Packers -3
Panthers -3
Jaguars -5
49ers +7.5
Jets pk
Chargers pk
Steelers O44.5

_________________
Fuck Edwards and Zobrist

9/13
Vandy -8
UCLA +8

9/14
Bengals -1
Vikes +1
Saints +1
Pack -3
Seahawks -7
Cards -6.5

5 Dimes

Green Bay +3 vs. Detroit
MN 0 vs Indy
St. Louis +10 vs NYG
Baltimore +4.5 vs Hou
Washington 0 vs NO

_________________
"I honestly don't see a good bet on the board here."

Ohio State +11.5 at USC
SC +7 vs. Georgia

_________________
Fire Phil Emery

man do I stink


all from wsex.com


UCLA BYU Over the total 46.5- BYU should move the ball up and down the field even if they cant the Bruin D should be able to generate points off of turnovers (BYU "stud" Unga's fumble at the 1 last week was loved by all of the Washinton players- just as Lochlars fling and laundry from a shithead ref was loved by all who were gettin da points)

Hawaii +13 and OVER 56.5- if the weather is ok for a fast track, Ill take the warriors to lose by 7 in a typical west and far far west coast failure to display any ability to tackle or stop and offense.

Wisco -2 @ Fresno - I have big respect for Fresno, but I am determined to ride this Wiso squad until they give me a reason not to, I have not found a reason not to run with them. There are more solid plays, but Wisco should be able to run the ball and crank one out by 6 or 7

Mich- ND over the total 37 - hopefully there can be some special teams here, both Os look pathetic (especially ND), but I think Mich goes up, ND has to throw, defense scores or garbage time can get you the 6 TDs

I was 3-2 last week.

Thanks

Rice +8.5

_________________
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

from thegreek.com:

Missouri (-26.5) over Nevada
The Tigers look to romp over their opponents in their quest for a BCS championship.

Wisconsin (-2) over Fresno State
The Badgers need to be careful not to trip up on the West Coast. Badgers will squeak by by a field goal.

Notre Dame (+2) against Michigan
I'm not an Irish fan, but I'm guessing it's going to be a sloppy field so I will go ahead and take the team getting the points.

Illinois / UL-Lafayette under (66.5)
Another game that figures to be played in the rain. Things could get ugly. I fully expect the Illini to cruise but that's a big total.

New Orleans (+1) against Washington
Based on last week's performances, the Saints should roll. Getting a point is a bonus.

Buffalo (+5) against Jacksonville
The Jags are too beat up. They may win, but I believe the Bills keep it close.

All from 5 dimes......

South Fla -2 over KU: South Fla has more speed

Duke -2 over Navy: Dukies hung with NU last week. Navy is rebuilding

Va Tech -6 1/2 over Geo Tech: After the ECU debacle, Beamer's boys will be fired up

Fresno +2 1/2 over Wisco: Fresno's balence offense and ggod fron 7 on defense gets it done

Fixed.

_________________
CSFMB: Home of the small minded

Baylor -2.5 (1st half)

_________________
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

College Football from Pinnacle Sports

California -14 vs Maryland- Maryland is bad and Cal is an under the radar team and has covered 3 straight games.

Penn State -27.5 vs Syracuse- The Orange are bad and Penn State is the best team in the big 10 right now.

Oklahoma -21 vs Washington- The Sooners will stop Locker, no need for celeberating and after the Sooners allowed 26 points to the Bear Cats last week, they will be better on defense this week and will get this one 50-10

The Big One

USC -11 vs Ohio State-Ohio State haters celeberate here as USC rolls, Boeckman will get hit a lot, a healthy Wells would have helped, but the Trojans will be celeberating all night long.

Nebraska -25.5 (New Mexico State)
The Cornholers are playing their third game of the season. The Mummes (ok Aggies) are playing their first. That is a huge advantage that adds several points to the line for this one, IMO. Mumme never changes. He goes for it on fourth and whatever from his own territory, he will have his experienced QB Holbrook throw it all over the lot (maybe even to blackshirts) and for him, a moral victory sometimes means his team scored a TD against a good defense. The Huskers' tussle with San Jose last week for three quarters likely got Bo's and the farm boys' attention this week. Name the score Holers.

SF 49ers +7 @ Seattle
The Seahags are banged up..QB, RB, multiple WRs and now their two best defenders Trufant and Tatupu are banged up. I normally don't over-react to one or two injuries, but this is a cluster injury situation. And the Hags' pasting at Buffalo last week indicates they have more issues than just injuries anyway.


Patriots-Jets OVER 37
I mentioned in another thread that I had adjusted the Pats down in their PR because of Brady being out, but that I thought the line had overadjusted. I think the same thing happened with the total. While I adjusted my raw total on the Pats down, this is too much. How many of the ESPN knowitalls this week are saying that Belichek will go with a conservative running and stout defense to win low scoring games during the rest of the season? Like they know what he's thinking. Last week, Cassel threw a 50+ yd pass to Moss from his own one yardline. That doesn't seem conservative to me. Cassel still has two of the best wide receivers in the NFL. If teams put 8 men in the box, Belichek will let Cassel throw the ball. The Pats' defense's main strength is their DL. Their linebackers are getting old and their secondary is their weak link. They don't seem to have the type of team that can count on winning their games 17-13. Favre will go after their weakest link in the secondary.

Lines from Sportsbook

NCAA

USC -11.5 vs Ohio St.

Wells or not, Trojans have too much offense for the Buckeyes

Notre Dame +2 vs Michigan

Although the Irish struggled last week, they have enough to take down a mediocre Michigan team at home.

South Carolina +7.5 vs Georgia

The hook is key here, and the Dawgs get the Gamecocks best effort to keep this one close.

NFL

Falcons +7 at Bucs

Atlanta's surpising start continues where they go into Tampa and knock off the Bucs.

Bills +5 at Jags

Jags offensive line is too battered for the Bills stellar defense to not keep this one close.

Giants/Rams Under 41.5

Rams offense has a lot to prove after last week, Giants defense is well rested.

One more sticky line:

Rice +8.5 at Vandy

_________________
Fire Phil Emery

Ties are like kissin your sister.
Lets go Louisville getting 3.5. I hear Doug is tossing the coin.
West Virginia -2.5 vs. Barnetts Buffaloes. Love WV I hear Major Harris has one game left of eligibilty!!!!!!!!
indiana -3.5 vs Ball State Love the Hoosiers Kellen Lewis is the 2nd coming of John Isenbager!
OSU-21 vs Troy OSU huge Rex Kern will qb the 2nd half.More later

_________________
I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

So if Purdue has a couple cheerleaders as offensive linemen, and you are taking Purdue, then you're saying that's a good thing?


Blake Ezor day in East Lansing? Does that mean some Sparty is going to score 6 tuddies or does it mean everybody is supposed to take some roids? Or both? Isn't he now a valet at a Vegas hotel? Which side is he taking? I love those picks you get from the Vegas valets and cabbies.

Lines from either SBG or Oddsmaker

Georgia -7 over South Carolina

Georgia has a lot more talent than SC and laying a TD seems the way to go. Road team covered last 3 in series.

USC -11.5 over Ohio St

Big 10 school playing on the West Coast against what I think is the best team in the country. Could be close for a while but I think eventually USC pulls away with at least a 14pt victory.

E Carolina -12.5 over Tulane

E Carolina has handled V Tech and W Virginia the last 2 weeks. I do not see a letdown against Tulane today. Laying less than 2 TD's doesnt seem like much in this one.

San Jose St -6 over SD St

No doubt SD St was jacked to play at ND last week. SJ St dominates at home and should be able to cover less than a TD here.

VT -6 over GT

VT already with a loss this year and cant seem them going 1-2 after this one today. VT gets the job done at home today.

Nebraska -25.5 over Nem Mex St

Nebraska's 3rd game of the year, NM St's 1st.

Houston -2

_________________
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