By Mike Luce
First off this week, a SI Cover Jinx Update! Here are the updated records – both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) of the four questionably fortunate teams featured on SI’s college preview issue:
– #12 Oregon (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS)
– #13 Penn State (6-1 SU, 2-4 ATS)
– #14 Oklahoma State (5-1 SU, 2-2-1 ATS)
– Ole Miss (4-2 SU, 3-2 ATS)
The Report didn’t issue any pre-season predictions (for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was being unprepared) so we shouldn’t criticize . . . but measured against the pre-season rankings, all but Oregon have had a disappointing go of it.
Ole Miss (#8), Oklahoma State (#9), and Penn State (#9, in a tie) all appeared in the top ten in the pre-season AP poll, while Oregon debuted in the #16 spot. In looking for a sexy pre-season pick for the championship, SI seems to have singled out the busts. Only two other highly ranked teams flamed out – Oklahoma (due to injuries to QB Sam Bradford) and Ohio State (due to abysmal play by QB Terrelle Pryor, who wishes he had injuries to blame). Then again, if you believe in the SI Cover Jinx (as I do), it didn’t matter who Sports Illustrated picked. The poor bastards were cursed from the start.
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This week doesn’t offer too many promising games. Let me put it this way: the premiere match-up is BYU-TCU. There you have it – Cougars, Horned Frogs, today on VERSUS. Hoy.
The following is for entertainment purposes only. Including gambling.
Game: #13 Penn State (-4.5) @ Michigan (2:30 p.m., Saturday)
Comment: Yes, I will take the points. Thank you. I might even take the money line on this game.
At the moment, Michigan is +170. For those of you new to the game, there are usually two options when betting on college football** – the spread or the money line. Betting the money line rewards you for picking an underdog to win (as in this case, where $100 wins $170) and punishes you for backing a favorite in an upset (Penn State is -190, meaning to win $100 you must bet $190). There you go, a new way for you to squander your hard-earned money.
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Game: South Florida @ #20 Pittsburgh (-6.5, 11 a.m., Saturday)
Comment: I can’t believe Dave Wannstedt still coaches the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Panthers found an unexpected offensive leader in sophomore Dion Lewis. Lewis has nearly one thousand yards but should have a tougher time against South Florida’s playmakers on defense. If Bulls redshirt QB B.J. Daniels can hold it together (something he failed to do earlier this season against Cincinnati) and keep his team in the game with his feet, the Bulls should cover if not win outright.
Pittsburgh’s moment in the Top 25 will won’t outlast Wannie’s last Just For Men treatment. I’m taking the Bulls.
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Game: Texas A&M @ #21 Texas Tech (-21.5, 6 p.m., Saturday)
Comment: Texas Tech has been untouchable (4-0) at home this season. The Aggies arrive at a tipping point in Tech’s season: win and remain eligible for an interesting bowl game; lose and accept a bid to something like The Cialis Bathtub Bowl. Who wants to end their season in the ‘Tub? I like Tech.
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Game: Vanderbilt @ #23 South Carolina (-12.5, 6 p.m., Saturday)
Comment: Steve Spurrier gets some sick satisfaction out of reaming Vandy. If the Ol’ Ball Coach fails to cover on Saturday, I’ll eat my visor.
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**This is not exactly true. You can throw away your money wagering on sports in all manner of ways. Beyond the typical spread, total, and money line bets, exotic options such as teases, parlays, futures, Brent Musburgers, and Asian handicaps offer intriguing means to delay the inevitable.
CFR Notes
The Sports Seal couldn’t be reached for comment this week. He has been missing in action, having last been spotted cavorting with Blanche, a new arrival in the walrus tank. What can I say? He likes his ladies hefty.
I did find a scrawled copy of the Thursday sports section. He seems to have circled Mississippi State, Missouri, Hawaii . . . and after spending some time cross-referencing against Saturday’s schedule, I can tell you this: he likes the host to cover against every undefeated visiting team. Let’s see how that works out.
Mike “Dr. Dude” Luce brings you The College Football Report in this space twice a week. He welcomes your comments.
Posted on October 23, 2009