Some Breakdowns

We don't really bet baseball, mainly because it is tough to bet, but because you never know what is going to happen. See last night's game if you don't believe me. How exciting where the late innings in that game? Hopefully most of you got to watch it because that truly was a classic. No idea what happens tonight, but I am guessing it will be another great game, similar to the 1985 World Series were the Royals won 11-0. All Cardinal joking aside, this really should be an exciting game and hopefully it is half of what last night was and we will have a great ending to the MLB season.

Did anybody watch Case Keenum last night? Flipping back and forth from baseball and football? The dude threw 9 touchdown passes, yes 9. Houston just rolled up the points and couldn't be stopped, they needed almost all the 73 to cover though as their defense was not playing that great giving up big plays as well. Anybody watch Virginia knock off the Huricanes? It was a good game, but Miami didn't have enough in them to come back. Big win for Virginia and a good start for Dave and Vince with a couple covers, one game that was not on the board so we start the weekend 1-0.

Thoughts from Vince...

Bengals @ Seahawks +3. I think this is a tough game, Cincy is playing well but traveling across the country to play a tough home team. I have leaned both ways on this game but finally deciding to go with the Seahawks at home. Seattle is 33-12 ATS in their last 45 games at home, 17-1 ATS when playing out of the division at home, and Cincy is 0-7 ATS after a bye. Yes this is a different Cincy team, but this is pretty much the same Seattle team. The team that covered at home against the Falcons and a team who beat the favored Cardinals at home. If you want more the Hawks were 5-3 at home last year and blew out a good New Orleans team in the playoff divisional round. It is home of the 12th Man, and I look for this to continue. If you want even more Cedric Benson is not playing and that will put more pressure on Andy Dalton a rookie QB on the road! Seahawks not only cover, but find a way to win this game. Seattle 20 Cincy 17

Patriots @ Steelers +3. Sure you think vaunted Steelers defense against this pass happy Tom Brady offense should be a good game. Does anybody remember last year? 39-26 in Heinz field Patriots win going away! The Pittsburgh defense isn't what it used to be and their offensive line is still a work in progress. The Patriots give up the yards, but I think they do just enough to win this game. Anybody know the Patriots are over 50% on 3rd down? Tom Brady, 2 tight ends, Wes Welker, and whoever else they want to throw out there just can't be stopped. More stats, Patriots have covered 10 of their last 13 on the road, Tom Brady is 6-1 in his last 7 against the Steelers and one more stat, Belichick is 8-0 recently after a bye week. Can't go against the Pats on this one.
Patriots 30 Steelers 20.

OU @ K-State +14. Dave will break down this game too, and it is for sure one we disagree on. Remember when OU and K State played in the Big 12 Title game and OU was 17 point favorites and nobody gave K State a chance? Well K State won that game. Remember my comments about teams like the Lions? When they fall they fall hard? Oklahoma's nation title hopes just went out the window last week and their weaknesses were exploited. 3 things to focus on here 1) Brent Venables' defense has been digressing for 3 years now 2) Landry Jones is a good quarterback but makes too many big mistakes and has a 36% completion percentage when outside the pocket and 3) their special teams, especially placekicking, is horrible. What does K State do well? Run the ball, force turnovers, and dominate special teams. I think K State continues to exploit the weaknesses in OU on defense and special teams, and will force Landry into making Landry like decisions. 2 more side notes, Snyder is 7-3 ATS as a home dog and the Wildcats lead the nation in time of possession. When big dogs fall they fall hard and I look for K State not only to cover but to win this game. Upset Alert K State 31 OU 28.

Stanford @ USC +8. Kinda surprised more people aren't on USC here like Dave. 91% of the money is on Stanford and for good reason. Like I said before I am not going to get off them until they buck me and then I will probably get right back on. Stanford isn't just about Andrew Luck, did you see how many rushing yards they had last week and this year? This team is balanced and can do whatever they want and score at will. You want the same stats from before Stanford has covered 10 straight games, winning those games by 27 points or more. Stanford and Clemson are the two teams that have covered every game this year, and I don't see any reason for them to stop now. I told Dave he was picking with his heart because he somehow wants to get OU back into the National Title picture, but after they lose this week it will be 100% over. A lot of people are sold on Matt Barkley, and sure he can make some plays, but he misses too many wide open receivers. Put a little pressure on the guy and he turns into Ryan Leaf. Sure USC is coming off a big road win, and they are motivated to knock Stanford out of title contention, but Stanford does not have a let down here. USC keeps it close in the first half and then Stanford pulls away.
Stanford 40 USC 24.

Clemson @ Georgia Tech +3. This is a huge trap game, a game Clemson could lose for sure. But they are primed to make a run at this and this is the toughest game they have left. As mentioned earlier Clemson is one of 2 teams that have covered all their games this year, and I really don't think that trend stops this week. I do think Tech keeps this game close, probably close to a one score game, but Clemson is hungry and I finally bought in to what they are doing a few weeks ago. Tajh Boyd is making his run for the Heisman, and I don't see this wishbone offense with Tevin Washington being able to do enough to pull the upset. David Sims and Orwin Smith will get their yards but the difference in this game is Tajh boyd.
Clemson 35 Tech 27

Thoughts from Dave...

Arkansas vs Vandy (10) : The Hogs go into Nashville favored by 10 against a Vandy team that's lost 3 of its last 4. The Hogs come in winning their last 3 games, 2 of those against ranked opponents. Look for the Hogs to jump on Vandy early as they have struggled out of the gate in recent games. Tyler Wilson is by far the best QB this year in the SEC throwing for over 2000 yards to go along with 12 TD tosses while only compiling 3 INTS. Wilson should once again be poised to have a big day as long as he continues to find Joe Adams and J. Wright. This should be a confidence booster to the defense of Arkansas as well as they take on an injury bitten South Carolina next week. (which I will attend). The Hogs should be 10-1 when they travel to Baton Rouge to take on the Tigers of LSU.
Hogs roll Vandy 55-24.

Oklahoma vs. Kansas State (14) : Oklahoma rolls into Manhattan after a heart breaking loss to Texas Tech to take on the unbeaten Wildcats. Look for Stoops to have his team more focused than ever. I haven't went against Oklahoma this year, so why start. Several folks have written the Sooners off with the loss to Tech, but its not that far fetched to think the Sooners still have a shot at a national championship, and it starts with handling K-State. Several things have to happen to get OU back in the championship race, but it could happen. OU beats K-State and Ok State which they can and should do, Alabama will host LSU next week and G-Tech could hand Clemson their first loss this Saturday and another upset could be USC knocking of Stanford this week as well. Boise State has cupcakes remaining on their schedule with exception of TCU. Oregon still has to play Stanford and USC, so don't think the Sooners are ready to pack it in. I look for Oklahoma to make a statement, a strong statement and completely annihilate the Wildcats.
Sooners dominate the Wildcats 48-24.

Baylor vs. Oklahoma State: (-15)This maybe the Pokes best team its seen in at least my life time. The explosive Cowboys play host to the Baylor Bears. The Bears roll into town coming off a beat down coming at the hands of Texas A&M 2 weeks ago. I look for Griffin and company to do their thing. They will no doubt put up some points, but their D couldn't stop most high school teams. If the Bears had a defense, they very well could be undefeated as well, but they don't and for that reason, the Pokes should win this one, but I think its a 2 touchdown game. It will be a air assault for both squads. Pokes win in a shoot out.
OK State 52 Baylor 38

Wisconsin vs Ohio State (7) : This is another team coming off it's first loss of the season, they are 1 hail marry pass from being unbeaten. I can't believe this line is only 7, as I think the Badgers handle the Buckeyes in every way in this game, Wisconsin should set the tone early as Russel Wilson should be able to do whatever he wants against this struggling Ohio State team. The Big Ten title is still something the Badgers are playing for as well as a BCS berth.
Wisconsin wins convincingly 44-13.


Vikings vs. Panthers (-3): Boy are they happy in Carolina, Cam Newton has given this bottom feeder team something to hope for. Newton has played better than anyone had thought. His electrifying play is reason enough to watch a Carolina game, but 1 man cannot win a ball game. The Vikings have turned to rookie QB Christian Ponder as the aged veteran McNabb has struggled for most of the season, he looked decent last week as he made his 1st start, keeping his team in the game against top dog Green Bay. I look for him to build off of that as they look to pick up their second win of the season. Vikings edge the Panthers 34-31.

Chargers vs Chiefs (3.5) : The Bolts roll into Arrowhead winning 3 of their last 4, and one of those wins came against Kansas City (20-17). I look for the Chargers to pull away in the first half. Kansas City's 3 wins come against the winless Colts, 1 win Vikings, and against the Raiders which were playing with QB's that totaled 6 picks, so their resume isn't all that great. Look for the Chargers to make some bone headed plays that could shift momentum, but when the clock hits zero's, they will be up by double digits.
34-17. Chargers win again.