Archive for October, 2010

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS:
I just didn’t feel any games warranted a 1 unit play last week.  There were a few games I liked, but nothing worth potentially losing money over.  Back at it this week with 4 picks.

UCLA/OREGON UNDER 61 for 1 unit. Both teams off a bye week having plenty of time to analyze film and review play schemes to ready their defenses for this contest.  Oregon’s D has been unreal at home only giving up an average of 10pts per contest.  UCLA, while not as talented, has been average for most college squads giving up 26pts per contest.  UCLA’s offense has been overall pretty inefficient and I don’t expect that offense to improve here tonight on the road verse a well rested and prepared Oregon D.  In my opinion the only way you can bet this game over is if you think Oregon can score over 61 by themselves because Oregon does have the talent to post a shutout at home.  UCLA’s D will be well tested, but should be pretty prepared for this contest.  Final score Oregon 44 UCLA 10.

Alabama (-16.5) at Tennessee for 2 units. They win by 40. Enough said.

UCONN at LOUISVILLE (-1.5) for 1 unit. I got this game at +2. It opened at +1.5 and then moved to +2 so I waited to post this, but when I saw it start to fall I jumped on it, but by the time of posting it was at -1.5.  I think they win outright easily.  More write up to follow if I have time.

Indiana (+13.5) at Illinois for 1 unit. Illinois may overlook this IU squad, but you better not sleep on this IU offense that will put up some points …

Question: Which 2 RBs sould I start in week 7?

Marshawn Lynch vs. ARZ
Matt Forte vs. WAS
DeAngelo Williams vs. SF

Pick two and tell me why.

Answer:

I would start Marshawn Lynch and Matt Forta and Bench DeAngelo Williams. The 49ers have a superb defense and Williams is splitting carries with Jonathan Stewart, so his fantasy potential this week is limited. Marshawn Lynch has a great matchup against Arizona who doesn’t have a great run defense. Although Matt Forte had a dud last week, he put up 30 points the week before. I see him as a better option than Williams this week.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!…

The stars come out on Monday Night.

Sorry I wasn’t able to get around to the Sunday Night game. It didn’t matter really since the game pushed. If you know me, you know I’m one for teasers and since I didn’t like the Colts -3, I would have recommended the Colts +4 with the over, which would have been a winner — I swear. I split games yesterday taking the Saints and Bears. I got caught up watching my Phillies bounce back in Game 2 of the NLCS.

TENNESSEE TITANS (-3) @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Tonight I like the Titans, but you all know the story. You have to be careful betting against a home dog on Monday Night. That didn’t help the Dolphins out two weeks ago though. The Pats special teams absolutely dominated them.

I’m not a fan of the Jaguars. Never have been and never probably will be. I can’t explain their win over the Colts two weeks other than to say that they were “due for a win” after two losses to the Eagles and Chargers in total beat-down fashion. The Jaguars put up 36 and 31 their last two games, so are they finally getting their act together?  The Bills win doesn’t really do much for me, but I’m still left wondering how they did it against the Colts. Like I said, they were just due.

I like the Titans here for a very small play. The Titans have the edge on defense which is what should be the difference tonight. This game should be close throughout, but I don’t think the Jags can pull off three straight wins an move to 4-2. I’m always dogging the Jaguars so don’t put too much faith into this …

Question: I need some QB advice for week 7. Who should I start?

Ben Roethlisberger vs MIN
Eli Manning vs ARI

Answer:

I would start Eli Manning. Jared Allen is one of the best pash rushers in the league (7.5 sacks so far this season which is 3rd overall).  MIN is ranked No. 1 in sacks (21.0 tied with Denver) and knowing that Big Ben likes to hold onto the ball in order to extend plays, there’s a good chance he might get the balled stripped or be forced into throwing interceptions. I also think that Pittsburgh will try to slow the pace of this game by relying on their running game.

Eli Manning is going to be gun-slinging with Kurt Warner this week. I expect this game to end up in a shootout. Plus, Eli has a full healthy receiving corp to work with in Manningham, Smith, Nicks. Eli has definitely shown signs of taking his game to the next level so I would go with him this week.

Ben hasn’t played Minnesota in his career yet, but last year Eli played at Arizona and he played very well against them. 26/33, 240 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT. Giants won 37-29. That was also without Manningham and Nicks who have stepped it up this season. Go with Eli Manning all the way.

Have more? Leave your own answer in the comments!…

THE BEAST!

Yesterday I booked a win with Michigan State as the top game on my list.  I apologize for the late picks, but I’ve been away for the past week. I’m just going to throw out some quick picks. Like I mentioned before, this is based off a quick scan and not much homework going into the picks so do your own due dilligence before taking any games.

I also wanted to mention Hank Goldberg’s picks. You probably know him as the horse bettor you see on ESPN.  He likes MIA (+3) over GB, BAL (+2.5) over NE, and CHI (-6) over SEA.

NFL Week 6 Picks Against the Spread:

• CHICAGO (-5.5) over Seattle — I agree with Hank here. The Bears have rebounded after their Giants debacle. I’m confident taking them here at home against a team that is notably horrific on the road. Cutler will also be back for the Bears. Seattle is coming off a bye week, which is to their advantage though.  However, Seattle has averaged just 8.5 points on their two road games and as Hank mentioned, they don’t typically play well against the spread after a bye week. I see this one ending 24-10 Bears.
• New Orleans (-4) over TAMPA BAY — Those who took New Orleans last week over Arizona got burned. I’ll scratch that one up as a fluke as Arizona scored 17 points in the 4th quarter and 14 points came via a fumble recovery return and an interception return. Don’t look for lightning to strike twice. Coach will have the Saints prepared for this road test against an easy division opponent. Last year the Saints topped the Bucs on the road 38-7. There are some injury concerns that you

Question: Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit and Start!?!?

Who should i start at TE?

John Carlson (vs. ARI) or Visanthe Shiancoe (vs. BAL)

Who should i start at WR2?

Santonio Holmes (vs. CLE) or Jeremy Maclin (@ OAK) or Mario Manningham (@ NO)

Who should i start at RB3?

Tim Hightower (@ SEA) or Leon Washington (vs. BUF) or Cadillac Williams (vs. CAR)

Answer:

I say you go with Shiancoe because Minnesota will pound the football, which will setup playaction for Shiacoe.

I like the Santonio Holmes match up against Cleveland, but you can’t go wrong with any of your wide receives.

Hightower seems like your best best since he’ll get the most touches out of those three backs.

Add your own answer in the comments!…

Question: Which WR would you go with in Week 6?

I have the following wide receivers:

Reggie Wayne (@ WASH)
Randy Moss (vs. DAL)
Mike Wallace (vs. CLE)
Eddie Royal (vs. NYJ)
Brandon Tate (vs. BAL)

I’m in a 10 team league and have 4-1 record.

Reggie Wayne and Randy Moss pretty much are must start right now for me, unless you convince me otherwise.

My WR3 option is where I need help. With Denver playing the Jets, it should open up the slot for Royal much like it opened it up for Harvin. It would leave Lloyd covered deep and Revis potentially out. Wallace is getting Big Ben back and playing a poor Cleveland Team. Wallace is poised to see the biggest upside with Big Ben coming back. Tate is supposed to be featured a lot more with Moss exiting to Minnesota. But the addition of Dion Branch is a little concerning.

Answer:

Eddie Royal should get a lot of looks with Brandon Lloyd being covered by Cromartie and Mike Wallace should become productive again with Big Ben back. I don’t think you can go wrong with either one. However, I would go with Mike Wallace since Cleveland’s defense is a complete joke.

Give your answer to this question below!…