Well folks, it hasn't been the best year (by far) for CK, but you have to give it up to Walter and Blanket; and actually the rest of the pick'em crew as well as everyone except yours truly is positive this year - which is pretty solid. Maybe I can finish strong and finish positive as well.
This week, I'm going with very short write ups and just giving you picks - if someone really wants more rationale, just ask.
Alabama -7.5 vs Georgia. Bama is better and more experienced. Also feel they believe they got a second chance and now have something to prove.
K-State -10.5 vs Texas. Wildcats are better and should be focused to play in a BCS game for the first time in a while. I just don't have faith in the Horns against good teams.
Cincy -5 vs. UConn. Cincy is solid, UConn really isn't very good. Think they cover 5.
Nebraska -3 vs Wisconsin. Wisconsin beats bad teams by running down their throat, won't happen against the Blackshirts. Badgers got lucky to get here, luck will run out.
Oklahoma -6 vs TCU. OU has more experience in this situation and is the better team so I think they handle the Frogs.
There you have it, the last set of picks before the winter practice games. Let's see if CK can get above .500 on the year. Good luck all.
CK
Friday, November 30, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
CFB Picks ATS
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is now reemerging from the food/alcohol coma. The season is quickly winding up and CK has just not been able to get on track. But, as in all sports the key is to finish strong and luckily Joker has let me hang around and still have a chance to not finish last in the Pick-em league (baby steps right?). Let's get to it.
Clemson -3.5 vs S. Carolina. Clemson is really playing well and should be seeking some revenge this year as the Gamecocks have owned them recently. SC has had a tough season with the Lattimore situation and I just don't think they'll be quite as focused, and I expect they will have trouble moving the ball with the Tigers. Overall, missing your best player on each side of the ball is tough, especially on the road, and against top flight competition. Therefore, I think Clemson covers. 4 units.
Notre Dame -5 @ USC. This could be a trap game, but I don't really know how 2 teams could have different mindsets than this one. ND knows that all they have to do is win and they will play for the BCS title so they should be incredibly focused and amped up. On the other hand, USC is without their star QB and is not eligible for a bowl and has a terribly disappointing season. The only chance they care is to derail a rival (which may be enough). On top of all of this, USC's rolling out a QB who has thrown 9 passes in his career. I'm sure he's good (or will be), but that is tough against a very good Irish D. I realize USC has lots of talent all over the field, but I just can't believe in this situation they are able to pull it together when they haven't been able to all season. 3.5 units.
Stanford -2 @ UCLA. I have been struggling to win a play on UCLA (either side) all year, but I'm going to keep trying. I think the Cardinal will be confident and focused after last week with a chance to go to the PAC12 title game on the line. I'm not sure UCLA will share the same focus after beating their rival Trojans last week. 3 units.
Vandy -11 @ Wake Forest. Yes, laying 11 points on the road with Vandy is tough, but WF is bad, real bad, and Vandy is certainly playing well. Although WF may be trying to salvage their season, I expect they will be demoralized quickly as I can't believe their confidence is high as they just suffer beating after beating. On the other hand, Vandy is a solid football team that got off to a shaky start but seems to have found a rhythm. 2 units.
Florida St. -7 vs Florida. I expect the Gators to really struggle to move the ball in this one (I'm sure I'm not alone there); and while the Noles will not run up and down the field, I expect they'll find some success throwing against the Gators. Unlike some of the other games, both teams here certainly will be fired up because the game has real meaning and is a rivalry, but I just think FSU has too much on both sides of the ball. They slipped up against a poor NC State team, but generally the Noles have been rolling people all season and not getting much respect, I think that ends on Sat after they roll the Gators. 3.5 units.
There you have it, 5 picks to finish strong in the last week of the regular season. Good luck to all.
CK
Clemson -3.5 vs S. Carolina. Clemson is really playing well and should be seeking some revenge this year as the Gamecocks have owned them recently. SC has had a tough season with the Lattimore situation and I just don't think they'll be quite as focused, and I expect they will have trouble moving the ball with the Tigers. Overall, missing your best player on each side of the ball is tough, especially on the road, and against top flight competition. Therefore, I think Clemson covers. 4 units.
Notre Dame -5 @ USC. This could be a trap game, but I don't really know how 2 teams could have different mindsets than this one. ND knows that all they have to do is win and they will play for the BCS title so they should be incredibly focused and amped up. On the other hand, USC is without their star QB and is not eligible for a bowl and has a terribly disappointing season. The only chance they care is to derail a rival (which may be enough). On top of all of this, USC's rolling out a QB who has thrown 9 passes in his career. I'm sure he's good (or will be), but that is tough against a very good Irish D. I realize USC has lots of talent all over the field, but I just can't believe in this situation they are able to pull it together when they haven't been able to all season. 3.5 units.
Stanford -2 @ UCLA. I have been struggling to win a play on UCLA (either side) all year, but I'm going to keep trying. I think the Cardinal will be confident and focused after last week with a chance to go to the PAC12 title game on the line. I'm not sure UCLA will share the same focus after beating their rival Trojans last week. 3 units.
Vandy -11 @ Wake Forest. Yes, laying 11 points on the road with Vandy is tough, but WF is bad, real bad, and Vandy is certainly playing well. Although WF may be trying to salvage their season, I expect they will be demoralized quickly as I can't believe their confidence is high as they just suffer beating after beating. On the other hand, Vandy is a solid football team that got off to a shaky start but seems to have found a rhythm. 2 units.
Florida St. -7 vs Florida. I expect the Gators to really struggle to move the ball in this one (I'm sure I'm not alone there); and while the Noles will not run up and down the field, I expect they'll find some success throwing against the Gators. Unlike some of the other games, both teams here certainly will be fired up because the game has real meaning and is a rivalry, but I just think FSU has too much on both sides of the ball. They slipped up against a poor NC State team, but generally the Noles have been rolling people all season and not getting much respect, I think that ends on Sat after they roll the Gators. 3.5 units.
There you have it, 5 picks to finish strong in the last week of the regular season. Good luck to all.
CK
Friday, November 16, 2012
Week 12 CFB picks ATS
Alright, another 3-2 (really only because of less than intelligent officials for the PSU game, but moving on....), but still in last so need to improve and running out of time. Let's get to it.
Missouri -5.5 vs Syracuse. Hard to predict either of these squads, so what am I doing? Well, I think the Tigers have hit their stride a bit and are playing with some confidence. Pretty surprising, but their D has been solid all season and now their offense is at least not awful, which helps. I think they are fired up at home and want to get to 6 wins to secure a 6 win season in their first in the SEC. I just can't see the Orange traveling and playing well in a tough environment. 3 units.
USC -3 vs UCLA. Tough to bet on USC, but they have enough weapons (for sure) and have owned the Bruins. Don't expect a lot of D from either side, but that is ok, the Trojans should be able to move up and down the field pretty regularly if they don't turn it over (never safe though). 2 units.
Oregon / Stanford OVER 65. Is Oregon playing? At home? Ok, so they will be pushing 50 points as the Cardinal never has the athletes to keep pace, and this year is certainly no different as the Ducks are just explosive! 65 points is a lot, but this will be a track meet. Go O!! 4 units.
Ohio State +2 @ Wisconsin. Wisconsin has not been able to run the ball against decent to good run defenses and the Buckeyes certainly qualify there. Wisconsin certainly can't win if they have to throw, so I think they are in a bit of a tough spot here. They are at home and OSU is not up to par just yet, but I still think they get it done on the road with a few big plays. 3 units.
Northwestern +7 @ MSU. Yep, going back to the Smarties. They are coming off a tough loss, but I think they will look to the positive, they should have beat Michigan in the Big House. They are a solid football team and the Spartans are SO one dimensional that I think they will be able to make it tough for Bell to beat them. Getting 7 seems like some solid value against an underachieving MSU squad. 2 units.
There you have it. In end of a big week, let's see if this will get it done. Good luck all.
CK
Missouri -5.5 vs Syracuse. Hard to predict either of these squads, so what am I doing? Well, I think the Tigers have hit their stride a bit and are playing with some confidence. Pretty surprising, but their D has been solid all season and now their offense is at least not awful, which helps. I think they are fired up at home and want to get to 6 wins to secure a 6 win season in their first in the SEC. I just can't see the Orange traveling and playing well in a tough environment. 3 units.
USC -3 vs UCLA. Tough to bet on USC, but they have enough weapons (for sure) and have owned the Bruins. Don't expect a lot of D from either side, but that is ok, the Trojans should be able to move up and down the field pretty regularly if they don't turn it over (never safe though). 2 units.
Oregon / Stanford OVER 65. Is Oregon playing? At home? Ok, so they will be pushing 50 points as the Cardinal never has the athletes to keep pace, and this year is certainly no different as the Ducks are just explosive! 65 points is a lot, but this will be a track meet. Go O!! 4 units.
Ohio State +2 @ Wisconsin. Wisconsin has not been able to run the ball against decent to good run defenses and the Buckeyes certainly qualify there. Wisconsin certainly can't win if they have to throw, so I think they are in a bit of a tough spot here. They are at home and OSU is not up to par just yet, but I still think they get it done on the road with a few big plays. 3 units.
Northwestern +7 @ MSU. Yep, going back to the Smarties. They are coming off a tough loss, but I think they will look to the positive, they should have beat Michigan in the Big House. They are a solid football team and the Spartans are SO one dimensional that I think they will be able to make it tough for Bell to beat them. Getting 7 seems like some solid value against an underachieving MSU squad. 2 units.
There you have it. In end of a big week, let's see if this will get it done. Good luck all.
CK
Friday, November 9, 2012
Week 11 CFB picks ATS
Here we are in week 11 and I have not yet had a good (4-1 or better) week. This is really poor and I apologize for any who is still reading this (unless of course you are just fading me, but actually I haven't been that bad so that wouldn't help you either). That said, there is still a few more weeks in which I can make a run and hopefully at least catch Joker to get out of the cellar, but have to get props to Blanket, he is killing it - I actually thought about just cut and pasting his picks since he posted before me this week, but didn't think that would be in the spirit of competition. Enough of this, let's get to some winners.
Oregon -28 @ Cal. It is fun to bet on the Ducks, almost regardless of how many they are laying. This will bet ugly, and will get ugly fast. The only issue is whether Cal sneaks up and keeps it within 28. I say no! Ducks by a lot. 2.5 units.
Penn St. +8.5 @ Nebraska. I don't necessarily like taking the worse team away from home, but this is an exception. The Lions are a fine team, far from great, but far from bad too. The Huskers are pretty hot and cold, and I just think this is too many points. If nothing else, the PSU kids have heart, and I think they will fight to the end (even if losing) and hang around - Nebraska's poor D and propensity to turn it over don't hurt either. 2.5 units.
Louisville -1.5 @ Syracuse. I - like many - don't understand this line. So, history says I should stay away, but I can't. L-ville is a solid team that continues to find a way to get it done, and only laying 1.5 here, that is essentially all they have to do again, against a very average Cuse squad. 3.5 units.
Georgia -14.5 @ Auburn. How bad is Auburn? VERY. Do they really have a reason to care? NO. The Dawgs on the other hand are still in the hunt (or at least that is what they will hear in the locker room) and they are playing well. I think this one gets out of hand quickly and doesn't get any better. 3.5 units.
K-State -6 @ TCU. This one is easy, I'm riding the Wildcats until they give me a reason not too. They are playing really well and have a veteran group laying a TD to a solid but not great TCU team. Anything can happen in CFB, but I like the Wildcats to continue their run. 5 units.
There you have it, 5 road teams, and hopefully 5 winners. Good luck to all.
CK
Oregon -28 @ Cal. It is fun to bet on the Ducks, almost regardless of how many they are laying. This will bet ugly, and will get ugly fast. The only issue is whether Cal sneaks up and keeps it within 28. I say no! Ducks by a lot. 2.5 units.
Penn St. +8.5 @ Nebraska. I don't necessarily like taking the worse team away from home, but this is an exception. The Lions are a fine team, far from great, but far from bad too. The Huskers are pretty hot and cold, and I just think this is too many points. If nothing else, the PSU kids have heart, and I think they will fight to the end (even if losing) and hang around - Nebraska's poor D and propensity to turn it over don't hurt either. 2.5 units.
Louisville -1.5 @ Syracuse. I - like many - don't understand this line. So, history says I should stay away, but I can't. L-ville is a solid team that continues to find a way to get it done, and only laying 1.5 here, that is essentially all they have to do again, against a very average Cuse squad. 3.5 units.
Georgia -14.5 @ Auburn. How bad is Auburn? VERY. Do they really have a reason to care? NO. The Dawgs on the other hand are still in the hunt (or at least that is what they will hear in the locker room) and they are playing well. I think this one gets out of hand quickly and doesn't get any better. 3.5 units.
K-State -6 @ TCU. This one is easy, I'm riding the Wildcats until they give me a reason not too. They are playing really well and have a veteran group laying a TD to a solid but not great TCU team. Anything can happen in CFB, but I like the Wildcats to continue their run. 5 units.
There you have it, 5 road teams, and hopefully 5 winners. Good luck to all.
CK
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