Picks of the Week

In honor of the NFL's Thursday night game, I am going to go ahead and make my picks for the entire week. I asked for a winning week last week, and I got it, so I am going to try to keep up the momentum for the last few weeks of the season.

As a refresher, I use the same website for the betting lines for consistency. If they are different than your lines, too bad. Standard 100 bet with a 10% vig for losing. For one game each week, I will "bet" $250. Totals for the season will be tabulated.

On to the picks ...

Indianapolis Colts -3 at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars beat the teams they should, but they usually lose to good teams. The Colts are definitely a good team this year.

Dallas Cowboys +7 1/2 at New Orleans Saints
Tony Romo has actually played well in the last few games. The Cowboys lose this one, but only by a touchdown.

Chicago Bears +11 at Baltimore Ravens
I was impressed with the Bears loss last week, well, impressed enough to take the 11 points. They still lose.

Tennessee Titans -4 1/2 v. Miami Dolphins
I am taking the Titans. Four separate sites all have no line, so I may update this pick later. I found the line. For some reason, I am still sold on Vince Young (at least for this year).

Houston Texans -14 at St. Louis Rams
I am taking the Texans. Four separate sites all have no line, so I may update this pick later. I found the line. The Rams are Null and Void.

Philadelphia Eagles -9 v. San Francsico 49ers
The 49ers defense was impressive against the Cardinals last week, with Patrick Willis being possibly the best defensive player in the league. But, the Eagles have been equally impressive offensively.

Atlanta Falcons +6 at New York Jets
I am taking the Jets. Four separate sites all have no line, so I may update this pick later. OK, I found the line and I am changing my pic. I'll take the six with Ryan and Turner both playing.

Cleveland Brows +1 at Kansas City Chiefs
Both teams playing better as of late, but I am going to go with the points, and the new running game of the Browns behind Chris Jennings.

Arizona Cardinals -12 1/2 at Detroit Lions
Injuries have depleted the Lions, and they didn't have much with which to start.

New England -7 at Buffalo Bills
Might be interesting to see the Moss versus Owens blow-up contest, as in which one will blow up first. (Literally, not figuratively).

Oakland Raiders +1 at Denver Broncos
The Raiders players have shown that they have heart and they are playing like they care. Of course, that is much easier to do when you have a quarterback that can complete more than 7.4% of his passes. The question is, is Charlie Frye more Bruce Gradkowski than JaMarcus Russell?

Cincinnati Bengals +6 1/2 at San Diego Chargers
Emotion keeps this game close. So does the Bengals running game. Even during the loss last week to Minnesota, Benson still gained 96 rushing yards.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers + 6 1/2 at Seattle Seahawks
Only because the Bucs played the Dolphins close at Miami. It has really been my only exposure to the team this year.

Minnesota Vikings -9 at Carolina Panthers
The Vikings defense is tough to run against, and that is Carolina's specialty. If the Vikings keep DeAngelo Williams in check, this could be a blowout. Carolina might actually be jealous of the Raiders quarterback situation.

Washington Redskins +3 v. New York Giants
I actually just changed my pick on this one. The Redskins have been playing tough, and Vinny Cerrato's firing might be enough to put them over the top against a division rival.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Green Bay Packers +1 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Packers defense is what the Steelers defense is supposed to be. The Packers are getting points here? I'll take 'em.


Previous Week's Record: 11-5 (1-0 Big Bet)
Year to Date: 86-64-1 (5-4)
Previous Weeks Winnings (Losses): $700
Year to Date Winnings (Losses): $1635

Picks of the Week

Finally back after a brief hiatus. Here are this week's, "Picks of the Week".

As a refresher, I use the same website for the betting lines for consistency. If they are different than your lines, too bad. Standard 100 bet with a 10% vig for losing. For one game each week, I will "bet" $250. Totals for the season will be tabulated.

On to the picks ...

Pittsburgh Steelers -9 1/2 at Cleveland Browns
I thought for sure that the Browns were exactly what the Steelers needed to halt their slide. I was wrong.

New Orleans Saints -10 at Atlanta Falcons
The Saints are just cruising, and Atlanta is experiencing way too many important injuries.

New York Jets -3 1/2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Without Sanchez, the Jets are going to do what they do best, and that is run the ball with Thomas Jones. Should be a recipe for success.

Carolina Panthers +13 at New England Patriots
The Patriots are in disarray. The Panthers running games should keep the ball out of Brady's hands. Brady seems to be doing his best to keep the ball out of Randy Moss's hands.

Minnesota Vikings -6 v. Cincinnait Bengals
The Bengals continue to surprise everyone, but the Vikings defenses should contain Cedric Benson enough for the Vikings to win.

Buffalo Bills -1 at Kansas City Chiefs
Who cares?!

Jacksonville Jaguars -3 v. Miami Dolphins
If the Dolphins had Ronnie Brown, this could have been one helluva game.

Denver Broncos +6 1/2 at Indianapolis Colts
The Colts cannot keep winning forever, can they?

Houston Texans -7 v. Seattle Seahawks
Houston's offense is just too strong, while Seattle's, isn't.

Baltimore Ravens -14 v. Detroit Lions
For Detroit, at least they are better and more exciting that last year.

Tennessee Titans -13 v. St. Louis Rams
Matt Forte ran all over the Rams. Matt Forte is no Chris Johnson.

Washington Redskins -1 at Oakland Raiders
The Redskins have been much imporved of late, as have the Raiders. This is a much more interesting game than anyone would have guessed even 3 weeks ago.

San Diego Chargers +3 1/2 at Dallas Cowboys
San Diego is probably the least recognized good team in the league. Dallas, however, is the most publicized average team in the league. I'll take the points.

Philadelphia Eagles -1 at New York Giants
Both teams seem to be going in opposite directions. I'll take the team going up.

Arizona -3 1/2 at San Francisco 49ers
The Niners usually play Arizona tough and close, so I am glad to see the spread only 3 1/2 points. I can give those.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Green Bay Packers -4 at Chicago Bears
I am not at all high on my Bears.


Previous Week's Record: 9-10 (1-0 Big Bet)
Year to Date: 75-59-1 (4-4)
Previous Weeks Winnings (Losses): ($50)
Year to Date Winnings (Losses): $935

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!!!

Enjoy your day, and everything that you are thankful for, like NFL Football!

Here is an abbreviated version of my picks for this week, containing only today's games. I will combine this post with Sunday's game picks later this week.

Green Bay Packers -12 at Detroit Lions
Never take a double digit favorite in a division game, unless the starting quarterback is injured, that team gave up a gazillion yards to the Browns, and, well, that team is the Lions.

Oakland Raiders +13 1/2 at Dallas Cowboys
The Raiders have been playing remarkably strong, and although they are winning, the Cowboys have started their Romo-led December swoon a little bit early.

New York Giants -6 at Denver Broncos
Both teams have slipped from their early starts, but the Giants might just be a bit too strong for the Broncos right now.

Picks of the Week

Here are this week's, "Picks of the Week", this time with time for a little thought to put into the selections. No more byes, so we have a full slate. Hopefully that will halt the min-slide I have been on. If anything, last week did see my first push of the year. Thanks Belichek! (Please not sarcasm).

As a refresher, I use the same website for the betting lines for consistency. If they are different than your lines, too bad. Standard 100 bet with a 10% vig for losing. For one game each week, I will "bet" $250. Totals for the season will be tabulated.

On to the picks ...

Carolina Panthers -3 1/ v. Miami Dolphins
With Ronnie Brown hurt and Carolina on a bit of a roll, I thought for sure this was a lock. Whoops. Bad start.

Indianapolis Colts -1 at Baltimore Ravens
This should be an excellent game. But for some reason, Indianapolis seems blessed this year. I am not saying they will go undefeated, but with Belichek coaching as if he were Bruce Coslet.

Atlanta Falcons +7 at New York Giants
Atlanta can control the ball, and with Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, has enough firepower to test the Giants secondary. The Giants, well, aren't playing like the Giants. I believe a touchdown is too many points. I'll take 'em.

Minnesota Vikings -10 1/2 v. Seattle Seahawks
Vikings just have way too much talent for Seattle this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers -10 1/2 at Kansas City Chiefs
With the loss of Dwayne Bowe for 4 weeks, every team can just roll its coverage toward Chris Chambers. Pittsburgh's defense is just too tough for the newly-minted started Jamal Charles.

Jacksonville Jaguars -9 v. Buffalo Bills
The Bills run defense is horrendous, and the Jaguars have, well, nothing more than Maurice Jones-Drew.

Green Bay Packers -6 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers
Jay Cutler threw 4 interceptions, and the Bears were driving for a winning score when he threw his fifth. That must mean San Francisco is not that good. Frank Gore could still have a great game, but not good enough.

Detroit Lions -3 1/2 v. Cleveland Browns
Did I really just take Detroit? Giving points? Really? Yes. Yes I did. Cleveland will not stop Kevin Smith today. (Did you hear me fantasy teams - you will not stop Kevin Smith!)

Washington Redskins +11 at Dallas Cowboys
I believe that Dallas will win this game, but the Redskins defense is much stronger than people would like to believe, given how bad the team is overall. I'll take the points on this one.

Arizona Cardinals -9 1/2 at St. Louis Rams
I really didn't know where to go on this game. St. Louis has kept games close. It's defense is playing better each week, and Steven Jackson is having a phenomenal season, albeit in obscurity. However, I think Arizona has found a running game in Beenie Man, and that could make for a scary, scary offense. Arizona just needs to play Wells full time, instead of alternating him with Hightower and Tackleberry.

San Diego Chargers -5 1/2 at Denver Broncos
LaDanian Tomlinson might be back. Chris Simms is.

New England Patriots -10 1/2 v. New York Jets
They have to bounce back after last week's debacle.

Cincinnati Bengals -9 1/2 at Oakland Raiders
This line would probably have been 12 if Russell was starting. Instead, it is Bruce Gradkowski at the helm. At least the Raiders still have Sebastian Janikowski. The Benson injury scares me a bit, but only about covering the spread.

Philadelphia Eagles -3 at Chicago Bears
As I said last week, I am no longer betting on this Bears team.

Houston Texans -4 v. Tennessee Titans
I expect 2,000 yards of total offense.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

New Orleans -10 1/2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Saints have been skating by the last few games, or so it seems. However, I saw the Buccaneers play in person last week, and they are no match for the Saints. Josh Freeman does offer them a pretty good looking future at QB, but they just don't have the weapons for him yet.


Previous Week's Record: 7-6-1 (0-1 Big Bet)
Year to Date: 66-49-1 (4-4)
Previous Weeks Winnings (Losses): ($235)
Year to Date Winnings (Losses): $985

The Ole College Try

So Sinickal has called me out about my post that Terrence Cody deserves the Heisman Trophy. He absolutely does. PERIOD!!! However, I know how the whole Heisman voting works, so Cody doesn't have a prayer. So, given that the season is beginning to wrap up with Rivalry Weeks being this weekend and next weekend, I will replace my usual Heisman Watch/Recap of games with an actual sample of what my Heisman ballot would look like if I had a vote (and if I could vote for 5 spots rather than the usual 3).

Despite the fact that I believe Cody deserves the award, he will not get my 1st place vote, as I want to maximize the points for the most deserving candidate out of those that actually have a chance to win. Here is my ballot, bottom to top.

5. Kellen Moore, QB - Boise State. He leads the nation in passing efficiency with a 172.49 QB rating. He has thrown for a nation leading 32 touchdowns, despite 214 fewer passing attempts than second place Case Keenum of Houston (31 TDs in 514 attempts compared to 32 TDs in 300 attempts for Moore). Plus, Moore deserves to get some votes to offset the fact that Boise State has absolutely no chance to play in the BCS championship game, despite its undefeated season (although it should be in a BCS bowl game, likely the Fiesta again).

4. Terrence Cody, DT - Alabama. Please see this column, where I exalt the virtues of Mr. Cody.

3. Mark Ingram, RB - Alabama. Ingram is Sinickal's selection for Heisman at this point, and a strong case could be made for Ingram, as he is 5th in nation in rushing yards and, more importantly, leads the SEC in rushing. He has 1297 yards at a 6.7 yards clip. However, he only has 10 touchdowns, which is significantly less than other top Running Backs, and Alabama's offense is not that scary in total, anyway. He looks like he will be phenomenal next year, and an early season Heisman favorite. However, this year, he isn't even the best running back. That title belongs to ...


2. C.J. Spiller, RB - Clemson. Spiller only has 836 yards rushing this season, but he also has 382 yards receiving, and 1.2 million return yards. (OK - only 734 yards). He also has 4 return touchdowns this year. You read that correctly - 4! And in every game he plays, he is the best player on the field. But he isn't the only multi-threat player in the game. The best multi-threat player in the game is also my Heisman winner to date. This year's Heisman Trophy should go to ...


1. JORDAN SHIPLEY, WR - Texas. Shipley has the statistics: 81 receptions (6h in the nation), 1,096 yards (5th in the nation) and 8 TDs (14th in the nation), as well as 303 punt return yards and 2 punt returns for TD. But more importantly, he is in control of every Texas game. You may turn on the television to watch Colt McCoy, but your eye will migrate to the apparently always open Shipley. He is the one guy every Longhorn opponent has to account for, otherwise it will be a long game, and Texas opponents have had several long games.

Notice that none of my top 5 include the pre-season top 3 of Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow.

Onto the rest of the college football world.

MY NEW FAVORITE PLAYER

DeAndre McDaniel - S - Clemson - I still think that Eric Berry is the best safety, and most likely the best defensive player, in the NCAA, but I have seen McDaniel play 2 whole games, and snippets of others. He is a ball hawk in the true sense of the word, He has 8 interceptions, but he also has 70 tackles, showing he isn't afraid to stick his nose into the running game.

PREDICTED BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME MATCHUP

Alabama v. Texas - Not sure anybody can stop Texas, and obviously, barring a huge upset of Alabama by Auburn or Florida by Florida State, the SEC Champion will be in this game. Right now, that looks like Alabama.

WHAT SEMI LIKELY EVENT TCU, BOISE STATE AND CINCINNATI NEED TO OCCUR THIS WEEK

My assumption of Iowa losing occurred. So now that they are out of the picture for the Championship, TCU, Boise State and Cincinnati all need this to occur this week (Keep in mind other parameters can be met in subsequent weeks, this is just for this week).

Kansas, whose players rally behind Coach Mangino, halt a 5 game slide and defeat Texas. Let's face it, this is much more likely that Chattanooga defeating Alabama or Florida International defeating Florida.

PREDICTED BCS BOWL GAMES

BCS Championship Game - See Above.

Fiesta Bowl - Boise State v. Penn State
Orange Bowl - Georgia Tech v. Cincinnati
Rose Bowl - Oregon v. Ohio State
Sugar Bowl - Florida v. TCU

The Fiesta Bowl will need a big travelling team to counteract Boise State's presence. Penn State is just too attractive of a candidate. Much more attractive than Iowa or Pittsburgh. Oklahoma State could be an option if the beat Oklahoma next week, but without Zac Robinson, that is much less likely.

The Orange Bowl is hoping for a Georgia Tech victory over Clemson in the ACC Championship game. That could pit an undefeated Cincinnati against a one-loss Georgia Tech team. Remember Cincinnati beat Virginia Tech here last year. Of course, Cincinnati needs to beat Pittsburgh in the league, and season, finale to qualify as the Big East Champion.

The Rose Bowl will pit the Big Ten Champion (Ohio State) versus the Pac-10 Champion (likely Oregon, but Stanford, Oregon State and Arizona still in the mix - with Arizona and Oregon playing this week.

The Sugar Bowl will take the SEC second place team (in my scenario Florida), and pit a one loss SEC team against the likely undefeated TCU.

TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

C.J Spiller has 4 total return touchdowns (both kickoff and punt returns combined) this season, and 7 for his career. What is the NCAA record for most return touchdowns in a career, with at least one touchdown return for kickoff and punt? Bonus if you can name who holds the record. Place your guesses in the comments.

LAST WEEK'S TRIVIA ANSWER

Last entry's trivia question was, "USC was torched by Oregon on Halloween evening, October 31. Losing on Halloween allowed USC to keep one streak alive. How many consecutive games have the Trojans won in the month of November?" The answer was 28, before last week's obliteration at the hands of Stanford.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

3. California v. Stanford - Not only is this a big rivalry game, Stanford needs it to stay in the Pac-10 championship hunt.

2. Oregon v. Arizona - Oregon can win the Pac-10, and they are simply exciting to watch. Arizona has come out of nowhere.

1. Harvard v. Yale - THE GAME! Enough said.

Picks of the Week

Here are this week's, "Picks of the Week", without analysis as I have to leave for the Dolphins-Buccaneers classic in about 30 minutes

As a refresher, I use the same website for the betting lines for consistency. If they are different than your lines, too bad. Standard 100 bet with a 10% vig for losing. For one game each week, I will "bet" $250. Totals for the season will be tabulated.

On to the picks ...

Even if you don't believe it ...

San Francisco 49ers -3 v. Chicago Bears - can be verified by friends, when I just said, I don't think I want to bet on the Bears for the rest of the year.

Atlanta Falcons -1 at Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos -3 1/2 at Washington Redskins

Tennessee Titans -9 1/2 v. Buffalo Bills

New Orleans -12 1/2 at St. Louis Rams

Cincinnati Bengals + 7 at. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jacksonville Jaguars +6 1/2 at New York Jets

Minnesota Vikings -16 1/2 v. Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins -10 v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Oakland Raiders -1 v. Kansas City Chiefs

Arizona Cardinals -9 v. Seattle Seahawks

Philadelphia Eagles +1 at San Diego Chargers

New England Patriots +1 at Indianapolis Colts

Baltimore -10 1/2 at Cleveland Browns

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Dallas Cowboys -3 at Green Bay Packers

Previous Week's Record: 6-7 (1-0 Big Bet)
Year to Date: 59-43 (4-3)
Previous Weeks Winnings (Losses): ($20)
Year to Date Winnings (Losses): $1220

Random Thoughts

A short post of random thoughts on the college football action Saturday. Some of these could be individual posts, but...ah screw it. Here are the thoughts:

• I was watching the crawl during the GaTech - Wake Forest game yesterday and noted that the Oklahoma - Nebraska game was on. Wait, what? This use to be one of the go to games of the year! It is staggering how far the mighty have fallen


• Speaking of the mighty falling, how about Notre Dame losing to Navy for the second time in three years. Oh, and both in South Bend. How Charlie Weiss keeps his job is beyond me. That team is under talented and underachieving


• Back to that GaTech win. Paul Johnson went for it on 4th and 1, in OT, at home and down by three. One of the ballsiest calls you will ever see. I can't think of another coach that wouldn't have just kicked the field goal and lived to play another OT. Well maybe Les Miles


• Oh, and LSU - Alabama...This is the first year in a long time that I am not sure that the SEC has the best team in the nation. I don't know who is, but I am pretty sure that it is not Florida, Alabama or LSU


• Here are some teams that definitely are not the best team in the nation; Cincinnati, Boise State, Iowa, and TCU. Again, I don't know who the best team is, but I have have named seven who aren't. Even my playoff format would solve this problem. At least, I don't think it would


• Iowa, like the rest of the Big Eleven, stinks on a stick


• The injury to the Oregon RB going into the endzone was as fascinating as any that I have seen in a few years. I was both screaming at how good a play he made and screaming because I thought he died


• I would be remiss if I didn't note that either USC is way overrated or Oregon play the game of their lives last week. I am inclined to think that USC is overrated. You can't continue to put 10 players a year into the NFL and maintain your prominence


• Who is this years Heisman Trophy frontrunner? I think it is Mark Ingrahm of Alabama, but who knows. Pepster wanted me to acknowledge the Alabama DT with all the blocked FG's this year. Yeah, I don't think so.


• I will say this about Pepster, Hopps, and myself, we are alums of some very insignificant college programs. Period. Makes it difficult to trash talk on any given Saturday


• How bad is it for me you ask? I had to root for Syracuse, led by a Duke point guard, against a Dave Wannstadt led Pittsburgh team. Syracuse is awful so it was a certain loss, I hate Paulus and hate having to root for him, and the only thing I hate more is Dave Wannstadt. He is the antichrist for what he did to the Chicago Bears. That, my friends, is the Tennessee Triple. Thankfully, I gargled with sulfuric acid last night to reduce my pain.

You know what, I am old and I should just start watching soccer. It is better for my health.