A SHE SHE / ACC PICKS THAT ARE SURE TO BE AS BAD AS THEIR CONFERENCE

Ok, I'll be honest...I haven't had the time I wish I had to dedicate to the blog over the past week to week and a half. We're moving stuff around at work, odd hours, and we've picked up in business.

It's not an excuse...it's just tough trying to sneak in an hour of putting picks together for your blog and get work done at the same time. Also, it's the ACC...so I can't really get excited to dedicate time, ya know?

With that said, HERE WE GO!

Duke @ FIU - I hate Dook. I mean, this is a pathetic game. You thought last week was bad...gee golly whiz it's going to be hell on earth for anyone watching this game. Over/under on attendance.... 8,293. This may have just as many TV viewers. I'm taking the home team here...simply because you don't have to be good in the ACC...you have to be DOOK GOOD. Pick: FIU

UNC @ ECU - Well, well, well...it looks like Western Carolina got left out of the "get to know your other non-relevant directional schools in NC week". This one will be a squeaker, and it could go either way. ECU has an explosive offense, and UNC on defense..is well...UNC on defense. Pick: ECU

Bethune Cookman @ Miami - This can't be real, can it? Are we being serious? Get your act together ACC and try to play at least someone relevant for out of conference tune ups...but my Lord this is setting a new standard. I'm sure the joke here is "how much did Miami pay these guys"....so I'll leave that to your imagination. Pick: Miami

Clemson @ Virginia Tech - For the love of God and all that is holy...please Virginia Tech, show up and destroy Clemson on Saturday. We all know they are not that good of a team...and you are the last line of defense against a great season for them. Please don't let them have to go through the gauntlet of UNC, NCSU, Dook, Maryland, (insert all other ACC schools here). Pick: Virginia Tech

Georgia Tech @ NC State - So outside of the state fair gearing up in a few weeks, look for this game to provide about the only excitement to the triad area for some time. Georgia Tech looks like they are the kind of team that would win the ACC again and have to give up the title due to NCAA allegations...but we'll just have to see. I'll be upset if the Yellow Jackets don't SWARM all over the Wolfpack. (yea, I went there) Pick: Ga Tech

Idaho @ Virginia - Wow, what do you think the kids getting off their flight at Charlottesville Regional will have to say about this game? It's got to be a vacation, I mean hell...any one will tell you that "Charlottesville is quite lovely in the fall". I don't see this as being an entertaining game at all...and I promise you that some jackass has already tried to tie in a Vandals/Rich People/Not in my neighborhood referance....so I'll just let it slide. By the way... DID YOU SEE WHAT SO MISS DID TO THE HOO'S LAST WEEK? That's right...I called that.
Pick: UVA

Towson @ Maryland - So I'm assuming this was another great team to play that doesn't really count as a road trip. Again, way to go Maryland...let's schedule someone awesome like...TOWSON. Also, way to poop the bed last week against Temple. Normal teams would have crapped themselves, got up, took a shower, and cleaned off. You however....decided to make it a point after defecating to roll around in it like you had flames coming off of you. What a Terrpible (see what I did there) school, what a terrpible conference. Pick: Maryland

Wake Forest @ Boston College: Easily the showcase game of the weekend. The flying high Eagles are coming off of a big win against UMass (don't make fun of the kid eating glue...let them have their moment) to host the Demon Deacons. I don't really care for either one of these teams, but I'll have to give it to the home team. After all, Bahston has to have something to follow this time of the year sports wise. (oooohhhh take that RED SAWKS!) Pick: Bahston College

-Gamblin Boss

Week 5 SEC Picks (Aaaand FIU and Air Force)

(I hate Jack Black, but do you get it anyway??)

Texas A&M vs Arkansas (Irving, TX):  Remember whatever I write here today, cause next year when this is an SEC West game, I’ll just cut and paste this.  I’m still unhappy that A&M will be joining the SEC next year.  Partly because I’m the “old man in the barbershop” as current ESPN great, Scott Van Pelt would say.  But mainly because I just don’t see what they bring to the conference.  They had a phenomenal year last year and still might have a phenomenal year this year.  If that’s the case that would represent the only two years in the last 17 that A&M has really, truly been relevant.  At any rate, most people think this will be an offensive shootout; A&M has NFL caliber players at QB, WO, and RB.  The Hogs have NFL players at QB and WO.  I disagree however, I think A&M’s 3-4 defense is improving under second year DC Tim DeRuyter and I think they will have enough to slow down Arkansas.  The Razorbacks, conversely, still are struggling on defense especially with their starting DE Jake Bequette missing this game.  OUR PICK:  Aggies win

Mississippi St. @ Georgia:  Bulldog on Bulldog crime!  When will the senseless violence end?!?!  One thing comes to mind when I think about Bulldog on Bulldog hatred…Rodney King (move to the :55 mark for Mr. King’s immortal words).  Last week, we went over how ridiculously bland Mississippi State’s opponent nicknames have been.  Well this is the last week.  More to the point, we all knew Georgia wasn’t going to stay down.  They’ve beaten two bad teams (our favorite coach and his Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Ole Miss/Aunt Kathy) but Mark Richt’s boys have been resilient and will continue the charge this week.  I said it after week two’s Auburn/MSU game; sorry Dan Mullen, I don’t have to pay attention to you for the foreseeable future.  OUR PICK:  Uga/Russ (he’s just an interim Uga apparently) and the bag of ice for his testicles should win.

Herp Derp Nation @ LSU:  Generic nickname game #2!!  Oh god this one is gonna be gross.  Kentucky fans, please stop with the reminders of 2007 when y’all upset LSU while they were #1.  Seriously, you only serve to embarrass yourself in front of everyone.  YOU WILL NOT WIN THIS GAME!  Stop being a fan, and honestly ask yourself why you think you can win?  Is it the fact the game is played in Death Valley?  Yeah that’s an easy place to win.  Cause y’all have a better mascot?  Oh really??  WHAT WOULD THE BOYS FROM THE HANGOVER SAY ABOUT THAT???  Or is it LSU’s defense?  Ya know, the one that has shut down far better offenses than yours multiple times this season.  Personally, I think y’all are in line for the upset because of dominant inside play from DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson.  Those guys are a double-double every night.  Sorry Herp Derps, I’m just tryin to show you the light at the end of the tunnel.  OUR PICK:  Louisiana State

Buffalo @ Tennessee:  Ok, so my upset special of the week last week didn’t come to fruition.  So what?  I went out on a limb for goodness sakes.  I can assure you, though, that Tennessee will not be involved in an upset special of the week for the second straight week.  These are not the 2008 Buffalo Bulls!  (Or maybe it’s 2009…I don’t know.  Whatever that ONE season that Buffalo was good...EVER).  Tennessee has way too many good players, even without the services of WO Justin Hunter, to lose this one at home.  It will be interesting to see how that injury impacts the Vols moving forward.  OUR PICK:  Tennessee

Auburn @ South Carolina:  As former ABC announcing great, Keith Jackson used to say “Whooaaaaa Nelly!”  This could go either way.  Auburn couldn’t do me a favor and beat tOSiSC two weeks ago, so now we all have to hear about how “good” that team is.  I just don’t know what to expect from Auburn.  They seem sneaky don’t they?  I would not be at all surprised if Auburn wins this game.  Highly disappointed, and a terrible person to be around after the game?  Certainly, but I wouldn’t be surprised.  Carolina, I have no idea what’s going on under center.  We have a top 5 QB coach in the history of college football and yet, the best QB we’ve had under him is Blake Mitchell (wow…remember him??).  For all those fans cheering for/hoping for Connor Shaw last week vs Vanderbilt, I simply ask why?  What has he shown that has lead you to believe he can play well?  I know Garcia is about as confusing as a Rubik’s Cube, but at least he has shown he can do some good things.  I’m not confident at all in my pick but I’m going to make it anyway.  OUR PICK:  South Carolina

Alabama @ Florida:  I’m going to the Auburn/South Carolina game, but man do I wish I was gonna be at this one.  I mean if you are a fan of offensive football then you will probably not want to watch this one.  Saban and his “F@#k you, I’m playing two QB cause I want to” system, hasn’t resulted in a dominating offense yet.  Florida is improved but still has holes on offense.  No every down back and no real dominant WO are probably the top two issues.  If you are a defensive football fan however, this will give you a chubby.  NFL caliber players litter both defenses.  Alabama’s secondary is outstanding.  They will be missing LB CJ Moseley but they should be able to overcome.  Florida has a very good defensive front seven, which should make it slightly more difficult for Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy to run wild.  This might be a DVR game, just to watch it on Sunday.  OUR PICK:  Alabama

Aunt Kathy @ Fresno State:  I feel like this is the fifth time in five weeks I have wanted to completely ignore the Aunt Kathy Rebels.  They lost to Vandy and Georgia in back-to-back weeks and now travel all the way to Fresno, CA.  Yeah Houston Nutt’s boys should be fired up over this one.  If anybody can motivate them it’s him right?  I mean he’s done it so much this year.  Hell, fans are starting to threaten physical violence against Nutt, the AD, and the school president unless Houston is fired.  Come on folks, that’s a BIT over the top don’t you think?  That notwithstanding, the chickens are getting restless in Oxford, MS.  The slow bleed to put Houston Nutt out of his misery continues this week.  OUR PICK:  Fresno State, UPSET SPECIAL of the WEEK!!!

Sun Belt Game of the Week Presented by The South Florida High School Sports Show; Dook @ FIU:  Are you shittin me FIU??  We give you love here.  ESPN starts givin you love.  You are in the “Others Receiving Votes” section of the polls for the first time in program history and you go out and drop a home game to Louisiana hyphen???  I don’t care that they are the Fightin Jake Delhomme’s!  I don’t care!  That is assanine!  I like you, I really do, but Jesus tits I can’t do this if you are not going to be committed, ok?  Now I’m sorry I had to go off on you like that, but you hurt me last week.  Don’t do it again.  This is a home game.  Richmond beat Dook.  More importantly though, Dook “has a track around their football field” as the Gamblin Boss said.  Don’t lose this game.  OUR PICK:  FIU, but I swear to you…(insert hand raised like you’re going to backhand slap FIU)

Service Academy Game of the Week Presented by my brother, Capt. Richard Harr (USAF); Air Force @ Navy:  So my brother was deployed again on Monday.  He was lucky enough to get the last eight months off to enjoy his wife, Mikki, and the birth of their son Cohen and (and this is only slightly less important) to see me get married to Mrs. Munnerlyn in June.  They are stationed at Hurlburt Field (that’s tough to say haha) in Pensacola, FL, but for the next two months he will be busy dominating the enemy “elsewhere.”  Due to Air Force regulations, he is not allowed to tell us where he is going.  Kinda bad ass that he can’t tell us, I’m not gonna lie, but it’s mainly sucky.  Oh well, such is life right.  Anyway, he will be the presenting sponsor for the remaining service academy game picks for the duration of his deployment.  Just wanted to give everyone some background so we all understood why his name would be up there each week.  OUR PICK:  Air Force…of course.  -Major Munnerlyn

Braves, Red Sox join Royals, Marlins for Golf this morning

 Let's be honest, as baseball fan, it doesn't get any better than last night.

With four teams dead even after 161 games, the stage was set for some dramatic events. What we witnessed was unscripted, unbelievable, and unexpected.

Let's rewind to September 2. The Red Sox were cruising right along with a NINE game lead in the final month. They could have forfeited a week and still had enough room to win the wildcard. It was literally handed to them. But mind sore after mind sore happened, and they kept finding ways to lose.

The same could be said with the Atlanta Braves, an 8.5 game cushion had David Puder ready to purchase postseason tickets (true story). The month was over, the playoff matchups were set, and we were all ready for the postseason to start. You're supposed to roll over and die. Just like the San Fran Giants.

Except in St. Louis and Tampa. Everyone in America thought "oh it's cute. Look, they feel they have a shot."

Fast forward back to Game 162. It took that many games to set this stage. With four games to watch at once, the news started fast.

The Cardinals put up 5 runs in the first. The Yankees hit a grand slam. The Braves take a two run lead. The Red Sox lead Baltimore in a rain delay (which I wonder how close it was to be called). Yup, seen this all before. We're headed to the proverbial 163.

In three of the four games last night, the potential losing team came within ONE OUT of winning the game. The Yankees had never blown that big a lead that late in a game since the 1950s. The Red Sox had not lost a game all season with a lead entering the ninth inning.

But the unthinkable happened. Tampa kept bombing shots off Yankee relief, Braves bullpen kept being the Braves bullpen, and Robert Andino kept raping the Red Sox.

At 11:45, the Phillies knocked off the Braves in 13 innings to finalize the greatest September collapse in Baseball history. 25 minutes later, Evan Longoria's solo jack broke that record. The last time a walkoff homer to send a team to playoffs? Bobby Thompsons in 1951.

Unbelieveable. The past four seasons, Joe Maddon has a World Series appearance, 2 Division Titles, and last nights Wild Card Championship.

Meanwhile the Red Sox has thrown $340 Million into the pot and wound up with as many playoff games as the Kansas City Royals (no offense Pat).

Even Ricky Henderson Thinks Jose Reyes Is Self-Centered

(That's all me dog!!  All by myself!!!)

So today Jose Reyes might have single handedly redefined the term "self centered athlete."  In case you missed it (and seeing how it was the final regular season game between two teams long eliminated from playoff contention, I'm assuming that's all of you) Jose Reyes pulled himself out of the game...after his first at bat.  He wasn't hurt.  He wasn't retiring like John Kruk (scroll down to the "Chicago White Sox" section and read about by far, the pimpest way an athlete has ever retired).  Oh no, Jose took himself out of what very well might be the final game of his Mets career (he is a free agent...did I mention it was after his first at bat??) because he got a hit in that at bat.  Before the game he asked Terry Collins, the Mets manager, to pull him out if he went 1-1 because he was trying to protect his lead in the race for the NL Batting Crown.

("Ooooooo Jose, even I wouldn't have done that homey!  Well...maybe not.)

You read that correctly.  A guy, who has been the face of a franchise for at least the last five years, and perhaps the last 10, sought out his manager before the game to tell him he wanted to be removed in his final game, after one at bat.  Forget wanting to simply play for the love of the game; we all know that goes out the window when 85% of these guys get to the big leagues.  Forget wanting to play for the money; god forbid a player wants to actually earn his enormous paycheck.  How bout doing it as a way to say thanks to all those Met fans, Jose??  Good stuff bud.  That's ok, the fans can take solace in all those championships you helped them win.  No wait, that's not right.  He is also going to throw himself a party tonight at his house so he can watch Ryan Braun of the Brewers (who is his only competition for the batting title) and see if he will fail.  And frankly, Reyes deserves it doesn't he??  A guy that gives that kind of effort, you really hope good things happen to him.  I'll wrap it up (that's what she said) on this note:  In 1941, Ted Williams played BOTH games of a doubleheader on the final day of the regular season.  Williams was hitting .39955 entering the day, an average that would have been rounded up to .400.  Williams wanted to earn the distinction of hitting .400 and didn't want it handed to him (You hear that Jose?  He wanted to EARN it).  How did Teddy Ballgame do?  He went 6-8, no big deal, don't worry about it.  Finished with a .406 average, the last time a player has hit .400 in a season.

Wait, wait, wait. Guys I got one: Sid...Bream!

(Former Pirate Great)

Many of you out there reading this on the world wide web (or on Prodigy for you fans of 1995) are obviously fans of Sid Bream.  He is the greatest baseball player in the history of Liberty University.  (Ok maybe he isn't but I challenge you to name me any other baseball players from Liberty.  Anyone.  Go ahead, I'll wait.  Thought so).  Following his stellar career for the Flames, hee was a great first baseman for the Dodgers, Pirates, Braves and Astros.  Always known for his raw power (90 career home runs in 11 seasons) and overall athleticism, he also sported one of the better mustaches in league history.  And this was during a time when damn near everyone had a mustache, especially on those early 90's Pirate teams.  Most of you probably knew him from his days as an Atlanta Brave great, and specifically one particular play in Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series.

(Skip to the 2:00 minute mark for classic Bream)

Now, a lot of people like to point out the fact that Barry Bonds (pre-steroids...allegedly) couldn't throw out Sid Freakin' Bream from left field.  I choose to focus on Bream's incredible speed and unmatched baserunning ability.  Watch it again and tell me, with the way he cut third base, it would be a near impossibility to throw "The Flash" out.

(Does this look like a man YOU could throw out from left field??)

Before I get too far off track, I'll get to the real point of this post.  And that is the drinking game, named in Sid's honor, that several of us invented at an IndyCar race in Richmond, VA (stop laughing, the race seemed like a good idea at the time).  Looking for a way to ratchet up the drinking, but in a friendly, non-aggressive manner.  Da U and I began a game we play from time to time, in which one of us picks a baseball team and we go back and forth trying to name as many former players from that team as we can (with the exception of the Marlins; his favorite team, and the Yankees; my favorite team).  In this round we decided to include all members of our IndyCar tailgating party, including the Gamblin' Boss.  The game started out slowly until someone chose the Atlanta Braves as the team.  Well, the floodgates opened and names began to flow like the Mighty Mississippi!  Names like Steve Avery, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz.  Followed by former Atlanta legends, Jeff Blauser, Mark Lemke, and Ron Gant.  Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, the Gamblin' Boss dropped the bomb that is Sid Bream!!  BAM!!  That...just...happened!  Finally, after a few more rounds, GB had to bow out as he said he no longer had any names.  Even more rounds and several more minutes went by, when the following exchange took place:

Me:  Hmmm, Lemme think, gimme a minute.  I'll come up with one.  Ummmm...

GB:  (interrupting) Wait, wait wait, guys I got one; Sid...Bream (insert confidence and arrogant hand gesture)

Me:  Really dude?  He was said like 5 rounds ago.

GB:  Really?

Da U:  Um, yeah he definitely was.  I think you actually said his name.

GB:  Ah shit.  Well then I'm out.

Once the euphoria (or novelty) of our "baseball name game" had worn off.  We decided to play odds and evens.  As I said, we had no cards, or dice, and didn't want to just drink the beer.  We came up with the following rules:

1)  Take turns who calls out "odd" or "even" before each turn (we suggest rotating around the circle) we will call him "The Dealer."

2)  Everyone throws out 0-5 fingers after counting "1, 2, 3, shoot"

3)  Add up everyone's fingers and if the number is odd and the dealer called odd, all other participants drink.  If the number is odd and the dealer called even, then the dealer must drink.  And vice versa.

Here's where the magic and awesomeness of Sid Bream comes into play

4)  If the number ends in a '0' and the dealer called even, all participants must FINISH their drinks.  If the number ends in a 5, and the dealer called even, he must finish his drink.  And, of course, vice versa.

Example:  Dealer calls even.  Players' fingers are 1, 2, 4, 3.  Add them up, it =10.  Therefore, all participants must finish their beer because the dealer called even, and the total ended in 0.

It's a great game to play whenever you are bored, or you are looking for a way to take you're drinking up a notch, but don't have any necessary materials.  

Now we were left to figure out a name for our game.  We couldn't think of anything.  And then like a brick falling from the sky, it struck us all at once.  We had a name...

Week 4 SEC Picks!! (Aaaand Arkansas State and Air Force)

(See what I did here?)

Georgia @ Ole Miss (Aunt Kathy):  On the surface this is an interesting game.  If you look at the records of these two teams they seem awfully similar.  Both 1-2, 0-1 in the SEC and their lone win coming over a 1-AA team (I’m not going to call it FCS.  I refuse.  Ok, fine I called it that one time…never again).  But that’s about where the similarities stop.  Ya see, Georgia has a legit QB and legit talent at WO, RB, TE, and DL.  Their two losses are to two top-10 teams.  And then there’s Ole Miss (aka Aunt Kathy).  They have questions at QB, which is what happens when every full time starter under Houston Nutt has transferred into the program.  You gotta develop these guys coach.  I mean I know Garcia is a dumb ass…but at least he’s our dumb ass.  They have losses to BYU (fart sound) and the Vanderbilt/Uncle Ned Commodores (which may or may not be that bad of a loss…stay tuned).  That being said, look at me Georgia.  No, LOOK AT ME IN THE EYES!!!  Ok, if you lose this game, don’t come back Athens.  Seriously.  Just stay down there and become another Mississippi JUCO or something.  I don’t know, do whatever you want…just don’t come back.  You won’t be welcome.  OUR PICK:  Georgia

Arkansas @ Alabama:  Well, well, well.  Let me be the first to tell Arkansas ‘Welcome to the season.’  I would say we missed you but that would be a lie.  This will be interesting to see if this team is actually worth a shit.  After beating up on Broome High School (sorry Gamblin Boss) and The Little Giants (even WITH the Icebox) Arkansas is actually going to play a real live football team.  Aaaaaand that sucks for them.  They should have picked a different one.  Only Nick Saban could actually pull off the two Quarterback system.  I feel like he knows one is better, he just doesn’t wanna name a full time, clear cut starter, “just cause.”  The Gamblin’ Boss had a great point about LSU and their front seven being so dominant.  Alabama’s D might be better…and that’s is scary.  OUR PICK:  Alabama

Florida Atlantic @ Auburn:  Finally this game is here!  God, how long have we been hearing about this one?  Anyone else think Auburn lost last week cause they were looking past tOSiSC, towards this game??  Three fun facts about Florida Atlantic; 1) They actually had a press release asking everyone to please refer to them as ‘Florida Atlantic’ and not FAU.  They didn’t wanna be confused with FIU, who, incidentally did the same thing asking people not to refer to them as Florida International. 2)  They have not played a home game yet because Howard Schnellenberger Stadium, their brand new on campus stadium, will not be ready until mid-October.  Ouch.  And 3) They had a TE named Robert Housler drafted this past year.  He played the 2006, 2007 and 2008 season before being redshirted in 2009 because they said he wasn’t going to get playing time.  Read that again.  Florida Atlantic actually redshirted a future NFL draft pick, because they weren’t confident he would get playing time.  OUR PICK:  Auburn

Florida @ Herp Derp Nation:  Just put Kentucky out of their misery.  Honestly, just give them the Death Penalty.  I know they haven’t done anything against the rules, but come on.  Their glory years are over.  Just build the statue of Rich Brooks, or name the field after him, or retire his pullover, just recognize him and move on already.  I don’t understand how this program has taken such a big step back.  They are just…just…not good at football.  I still don’t fully believe in Florida with John Brantley at QB.  I’ll have to watch him more to see how much he has improved but, his accuracy was not very good last year.  But the good news is, he can at least drop back without falling down.  OUR PICK:  Florida

Louisiana Tech @ Mississippi State:  Alright Dan Mullen, you have to work on your scheduling.  This is Mississippi  State‘s fourth game of the year and their fourth game against a team with a generic nickname (Louisiana Tech’s mascot is the Bulldogs for those that didn’t know, which, I’m assuming, is darn near everyone).  I mean, I guess it’s good that they’re not playing someone nicknamed the Tigers for the first time all year.  That has to be the first time a team has opened the year against the same nickname three straight weeks (Memphis Tigers, Auburn Tigers, and LSU Tigers).  Can we play someone with a creative name?  Honestly.  Would it kill you Coach Mullen to schedule say the TCU Horned Frogs?  How about the Tar Heels?  Damn even Georgia scheduled Coach Bennett and the Chanticleers!  Well at least this should be the last week of generic nicknames right?  Let’s take a look and see who MSU plays next week (insert elevator music).  Oh no…oh God no.  They play Georgia…I hate you Dan Mullen.  OUR PICK:  Mississippi State

Vanderbilt (Uncle Ned) @ South Carolina:  This is it.  This is the time for Carolina to prove they are a different team, an elite team.  How can they do that versus Vanderbilt you ax?  This is a better than usual Uncle Ned squad.  This is a game that “old” Carolina would find a way to screw up.  Let the team hang around a little too long and then you look up and all of a sudden DAMNIT, the game is over.  Well not this year.  I said before the season, I would not take the usual mindset this year, and that’s what I’m doing.  The Gamecocks are a superior team and should win this game.  A bonus for this game?  Me and Mrs Munnerlyn will be in attendance.  That’s a terrible ride home if we f this up.  OUR PICK:  USC

LSU @ West Virginia:  This one might actually be a good game.  It certainly is the most intriguing game in the SEC (sorry Bama and Arkansas…I just don’t believe in Arkansas.  Wait I already said that, every week).  In theory this is a dream matchup; West Virginia/Dana Holgorsen’s offense vs LSU’s defense.  There’s one school of thought that, if anyone can move the ball on LSU, then it is the Mountaineers.  There’s another school of thought that, no one, certainly not a Big East team (insert SEC snobbery here) will move the ball very much on LSU’s defense.  I subscribe to the latter more than the former.  LSU’s defense I think is too good, and their offense is much better than West Virginia’s defense.  I also did want to confirm that the teams will, in fact, play all facets of the game.  I know no one will pay attention to the WVU defense/LSU offense matchup, but they are going to still do it and play a whole game. Interesting game note:  Can we get worse names for male head coaches?  Les and Dana?  What the shit is that?  OUR PICK:  LSU

Sun Belt Conference Game of the Week, presented by the South Florida High School Sports Show, Central Arkansas @ Arkansas State:  Boy these two teams hate each other!  Arkansas State QB, Ryan Aplin has had a pretty good start to the season so far; completing 62% of his passes for 769 yards and 3 Td’s.  He does have four picks, but that’s not bad considering they’ve played Illinois and Va Tech.  Arkansas State also has WO Josh Jarboe.  Remember him?  He signed with Oklahoma a few years back but was suspended because of this video.  He seems like a good character guy huh?  But the best part about this game?  Realizing that the state of Arkansas supports 3 freakin major college football teams.  Betcha didn’t know that did you?  OUR PICK: Arkansas State

Service Academy Game of the Week Presented by Tenders Restaurant in Cornelius, NC, Tennessee State @ Air Force:  Finally I get to pick an Air Force game aaaand it’s this one.  USAFA coach Troy Calhoun is one of the best, most innovative coaches in America.  Also, amid all the stories about Air Force joining the Big East (which, by the way, makes about as much sense as a Peanut Butter and Pineapple sandwich) the Falcons should be able to focus enough to beat this team.  I can only imagine this is the first time these two teams have ever met. Fun Fact of the game:  Cam Newton’s brother, Cecil Newton, Jr. went to Tennessee State.  Wonder if Cecil, Sr got paid for him too?  I mean, ya know, allegedly.  OUR PICK:  Air Force

YOUR WEEK 4 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS & STIMULUS PACKAGE!

You want to make more money? SURE WE ALL DO!

So the economy is in the tank right now. You've downgraded from Crown Royal to Canadian Hunter. You’ve gone from Fat Tire, down to Sierra Nevada, down to Miller Lite…and now chugging 30 packs of Schlitz because that’s all you can afford. Now, I’m not here to say that I’m advocating something as “legal” as gambling…because this information is SOLELY for entertainment purposes. If you happen to bet the farm on something and it doesn’t work out…well…blame it on the refs/weather/fans/hungover players/coaches/ but just not me. I’m going to give you my best 5 picks of the week…do with it what you will. Good luck, God speed, and always remember that “scared money doesn’t make money!”.

Someone pooped the bed and rolled around in it last week. That was me. It was an awful week. 1-4, down 16 units…and below 50% in winners. Let’s hope this week is better!

Last Week: 1-4

Overall: 7-6-2 (46% winning)

Units +/-: -5

WEEK 4 RELEASES

LSU -6 (4 units)

Vandy +15.5 (3 units)

ND -7 (3 units)

Auburn/Florida Atlantic UNDER 58 (2 units)

Florida State +3 (2 units)


GL,
-Gamblin Boss

ACC / A SHE SHE WEEK 4 PICKS THAT WILL LIKELY GO WRONG!

Did anyone else catch what was going on last night in Cincinnati? I’ll give you a hint. An ass-whipping commenced, in which the Bearcats (BIG EAST PRIDE!) took down the Wolfpack of North Carolina State. By far, ESPN had nothing else to show…and when you throw in the likes of Craig James and Jesse Palmer in the booth, you find yourself shoving anything in your eyes and ears to make it stop. What else are you going to watch? 2 hours of Grey’s Anatomy?

ON TO THE PICKS! 

(Also, click on the video and let the music play while reading, because it just sets the mood for ACC footbawwww!)

Temple @ Maryland : The mighty Terps are hosting another home game in which they will be wearing more ridiculous uniforms. Temple pooped all over my pick last week, and kept it close with Penn State. Again, Maryland…I don’t know what to make of you. This game is a true 50/50 split. I won’t be surprised if the Owls come into College Park and take one, but I think the home team wins it here. Pick: Maryland

Southern Miss @ UVA: Caruthers better strap himself in and try to smuggle in a bag of their finest Franzia to sit through this one. The Fightin’ Brett Favres are something to be reckoned with, and I strongly feel that this could be a win (upset) over the ‘Hoos. This will be another game in which the ACC fails to shine against a weaker opponent. I’ll give the nod to Southern Miss here. Pick: SoMiss

Virginia Tech @ Marshall : OK VIRGINIA TECH, WE GET IT ALREADY. YOUR SEASON DOESN’T START UNTIL WEEK 5! Unreal. Frank Beamer must be spooning John Swofford on the regular to get a cakewalk of a schedule. Look out Mrs. B! It’s going to be a doozy this weekend. Aunt Bea did more for pickles on the Andy Griffith show than what this schedule is doing for Virginia Tech. At least pickles fill you up…compared to the emptiness that you feel inside after playing Marshall. Pick: Virginia Tech

Florida State @ Clemson: OOOOHHHH WEEE! WE GOT US A TOP 25 MATCHUP HERE BOYS! (Note that this is the ONLY top 25 matchup that the ACC has this week…let that sink in….) This is no longer the Bowden bowl, which has taken some of the luster off of this game. Florida State is banged up, and Clemson is coming off of a big (?) win against a train wreck of an Auburn team. It’s a typical Vegas trap game with the huge line swings. FSU has a great defense, and it’s proven that they could crap out turds better than Auburn. Pick: FSU

Kansas State @ Miami: Miami last week took Ohio State to the woodshed, and I don’t know where they got it from. I look at this as two average teams from two average conferences…and one coming off of a big win at home last week. Miami can’t seem to get going, with a loss to Maryland, but defeating Ohio State? My head says Miami runs away, but I think K State keeps it close. Pick: Miami

UNC @ Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech put up video game numbers last week against Kansas, and look for more of the same this week. While there won’t be over 600 yards rushing, I see a big day for the Ramblin’ Wreck. I can’t buy into any team that barely wins at home (UNC), so combine that with being on the road…Pick: Georgia Tech

Tulane @ Dook:  WHY LORD, HAVE THOU FORSAKEN ME? WHY IS THERE SUCH A HORRIBLE MATCHUP? Who in their right mind says, “You know what? Let’s take the family and head up to Durham for some great, classic, and intense college football action.” C’MON HONEY! THE BLUE DEVILS ARE PLAYING TULANE! I HOPE THEY HAVE A JAZZ BAND! Somewhere, Dan Beebe is saying “I can maybe, somehow, run the intramural programs at one of these schools. It’s got to be more competitive than this”. Pick: Tulane (Because in the ACC, you don’t have to be good….you have to be DOOK GOOD)

And finally…. (stop the music above)

UMass @ Boston College: (taking a page from Van Pelt) Hey Towmmy, listen here. Finally, we get a football game to determine who is the most Massachusetts  team in dah whorld! Who needs DA SOX RITE NOW? WHO NEEDS DA PATS? We have a football game with the most wicked hawdcore mascots of all time. First, we got da Minutemen. LISTEN TO ME TOWMMY. LISTEN. What is more American and patriotic than being a Minuteman? NOTHIN! Except for the bloody dahmn sock from Curt Schilling and his performance where he gave his life on the mound for DA SOX…BUT THAT IS BESIDE THE POINT!!!!!!  DAH UMASS MILITIA MINUTEMEN WIN

Ok Sal, shut up just for one minute here while I ask ya a question. What the F is on top of an American flag? What the F do you see as our national bird? WHAT DID THOSE BADASSES AT NASA DECIDE TO CALL THE SPACESHIP THING THAT LANDED ON THE F*CKING MOON? THE EAGLE. EAGLE! IF IT WASN’T FOR AN EAGLE, NEIL I’M-GOING-TO-STROLL-ON-THA-MOON-ARMSTRONG WOULDN’T EXIST! Tha only Minuteman that ever wins is when you are in bed with that lady you call your live in girlfriend Tiffany and she gets bad because you can’t last longer than a minute in bed. HIIII YOOOOOO!!!!!  Listen here Sal, I know we had out troubles against the mighty Wildkittens from Northwestern, and got blownout by those KNIGHTS in Flahrida….BUT MAHRK MHY WHURDS…WE TAKE ONE FROM THAT TRASH FROM AMHURST!

Pick: Bashtun College  

-Gamblin Boss

THE WE'RE SAVED! BIG XII PICKS!

With the news that the Pac 12 doesn't want to expand, it appears that the HMS Beebe is save for now. But with a mutiny looming, it seems that Beebe may share the fate of Captain Nemo.

LETS MAKE SOME PICKS!

KSU at da U!

This is a hard game for me to pick, I grew up as a wildcat fan, and my sister went there. But Bill Snyder and the cats are not better than Maryland and they are going to struggle in the heat of SUn life. With the canes getting many of their defensive players back, its all about da U.

Rice at 17 Baylor

For those of you geographically challenged, Rice is a very good school located in Houston. Besides that there isn't much to say about this game. For Baylor, it is a little early for them to ruin their Cinderella season. BEAR DOWN! Waco Kids win Big!

Nevada at Texas Tech

Do you guys remember a few years ago when Nevada played BYU, Boise St or some other school? Didn't they have some kind of kicking problem? No? Me either. Tuberville has a great system and is fitting in well in Lubbock. I see the Red Raiders making some noise this year. TECH!

Missouri v 1 OU

If Missouri wants to go to the SEC, they can do themselves a big favor by beating OU. It has been a tradition for SEC teams to beat OU in the national championship game. I don't see this happening and Stoops and Boomer Sooner make the tigers wish they didn't have a football program.

BIG XII GAME OF THE WEEK!

7 OSU v 8 Texas A&M

This is an interesting game, Its two top ten teams, and its two teams that will be in different conferences next year. Last years game decided the Big 12 South champion and this year seems to be even more important. This is going to be a tough game to call but, I think that TA&M has more to prove and I'd like them to earn their spot in the SEC.

TA&M in an BARN BURNER!

Conference Realignment & How the PAC-12 Saved the Day

 This has been the most upside down week in college football due to realignment talks. Everyone has been living in fear due to what may happen, in which our beloved conferences are/were on the brink of turning into 16 team Super Conferences.  I’ve had many discussions with people who firmly believe that we are on the brink of Armageddon in College Football. In light of this past week’s events I’d like to believe that we have stepped it back from DEFCON 2 to DEFCON 3. Below I’d like to take you on a journey…and finish up with why the PAC-12 saved the day.

ACC:

Well, I’ve got to just go ahead and get this out there…Everyone be afraid. John Swofford has really done it this time by creating one of the strongest football conferences ever assembled by adding Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Wait, what’s that Chancellor Nancy Cantor of Syracuse? This is all about Olympic sports? 

"I would say that our concerns are really forward looking with respect to the ACC. The issues for us is that we have increasingly strong Olympic sports across the board, women sports -- the ACC is a wonderful match for that for us. And we really are obviously very excited about that." 

I won’t go into the sheer comedic value of this statement, as Gene Wojciechowski covers this in his article on ESPN. What I will get into is just how awful of a move this is. What do you gain by adding either? If you wanted to be ballsy, go after West Virginia. That would have at least added SOME credibility to your conference quality wise. UGH – It’s hard enough already talking about how easy it is for the ACC on the gridiron, and how they get an automatic BCS game, I’ll never know. But again, it doesn’t help your case when you take 2 from a conference that has long had a question mark about their quality as well. Hey Cincy and Uconn, you guys want to buy some BCS tickets? 

I rank this move about a 6 out of 10, and I’ll give them credit where it’s due by bumping up current ACC team’s buyouts to leave the conference, and a preemptive move to 14 teams. In basketball, this will be great. But if you are trying to pack the stands and drive attendance to your games…it’s a fail. How many road trips will the SC/NC/GA/FL schools take to Pittsburg and Syracuse? Not many….

Big East-

Oh John Marinatto, it’s time for you to make yourself a history. You are now Davy Crockett defending the Alamo. I know you had a conference last night in NYC, and I know that you’ve been given the thumbs up from all remaining conferences about their commitment to you and the Big East. I do want to this down in a football/basketball sense, because we all know the Georgetown/Providence/.etc schools don’t field a football team. 

Football: OK, so you have been depleted by 2 schools that have had better days, but with the schools that you are talking about adding…you could make the Big East a better conference. By looking at Army and Navy, you would have 2 of the 3 service academies, and keep things for the most part regional. This would guarantee you a national game on CBS at the end of the year, and bring their tradition and pageantry to your conference. Many have thought about bringing East Carolina up from C-USA, and this could be a great move as well. They have shown they can compete with the big boys (see Virginia Tech / South Carolina from this year), and have a loyal fan base that will travel. (Due to the fact there aint shit to do in Greenville, NC…but I digress).

Basketball: It’s hard to imagine the Big East being void of Syracuse and Pitt…but more so Syracuse.  The ‘Cuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim will feel right at home in the ACC and their exposure. BUT COME ON. Syracuse/Uconn is a hell of a rivalry. Not to mention ALL OF THE OTHER BASKETBALL SCHOOLS! The Big East in basketball is the SEC in football…and to an extent the ACC in basketball. Quick, SEC football - what comes to mind? Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Georgia. ACC basketball? North Carolina and Duke. Big East basketball? Georgetown, Syracuse, Villanova, Uconn. It’s all about recognition, and unfortunately the Big East has lost one of their greats. This will be the hardest spot to fill, as you won’t find any school with this much tradition sitting around and waiting.

If the Big East gets their act together, I see it helping out in football, and irreplaceable talent in basketball. 5 out of 10

SEC – Hold it right there Texas A&M. I know that we said we were all about having you, but now that your brothers and sisters are apologizing, we may not want you to join our family just yet. I’m not fully convinced that Mike Slive wants TAMU in the SEC just yet. To be honest, I’m not sure he knows what he wants in general. If the Big 12 makes it with no teams jet setting to other conferences, then does he want to be the one to pull the lynchpin? We all know the ACC is up to 14 teams, but come on. 12 SEC schools are better than 14 ACC schools. The SEC has always been on the forefront of Conference development, by adding South Carolina and Arkansas in 1992, and being the first conference to have a 12 team, 2 division leagues with a championship game. Look for these guys to jump to 14 teams…but there is always the chance TAMU stays put in the Big 12. However, if they do make the move…and the SEC goes after Missouri (as indicated), one report has Auburn making the move to the East. Chaos.

PAC 12: Well wouldn’t you look at that. Commissioner Larry Scott has proven that he has quite the brain on his shoulders, and that more is not always best. Finally, someone has some sense and says no to expansion. It’s not that Oklahoma wouldn’t have been a good fit out west; it’s more about what makes sense at the time. These guys just expanded, so why do it again. Also, why would you want to be the bad guy who makes the monumental shift to stealing big names from other top conferences? I applaud his hands off approach when it comes to adding in existing Big 12 members. Let those idiots fight it out amongst themselves…and then go from there. Patience is a virtue, and I firmly believe this is what gives Larry Scott a bump to being one of the top Commissioners in big time college athletics today. 

Big 12 – LIVE AT 6, ...We have a hostage situation in Las Colinas! Commissioner Beebe has a gun held to his head by what appears to be a horse mascot by the name of Boomer or Sooner. We can’t get an official ID; stay tuned to NEWS 5 ALIVE 5 SUPERDOPPLER 4000X!!! What balls Oklahoma has. They pretty much are standing up to Beebe and demanding that he be fired, and Texas give up a chunk of their objectives with the Longhorn Network. (No high school games, no Big 12 conference games) If these are not met, they may jet off to another conference. I firmly believe that OK has been bluffing the entire time to just stick it to the Big 12’s darling Longhorns. Of course, many see Nebraska’s move as the initial F YOU to the conference…and setting the dominoes to fall one way or the other. Many, many people in Alabama could see TAMU staying put (as well as other Big 12 schools) if their demands are met.

 In times like these, it’s best to exercise caution, and if we follow Larry Scott’s method…college football remain safe and viable for years to come.

-Gamblin Boss