My season has started out poorly... and I have taken some horrendous beats so far... not usually one to bitch... but I only placed 12 sports wagers total last week. Three of them were KU @ Toledo, where KU won the game 10 times only to give it back 11, the Giants at Eagles, where I was leading 24-7 in the fourth quarter only to watch in horror as the Giants stormed back to win in OT, and the Padres against the Dodgers a few days back when the Dodgers hit 4 HR's in a row in the 9th inning to force extras, then watch the Padres score in the top of the 10th and have Nomar hit a walk-off.
Just been brutal so far. Had to get that steam off my chest once and for all. :sadwave:
So, in other words, my confidence is shot. But we'll give this a try one more week.
Texas -24.5 (ISU)
---- Iowa St. doesn't have the horses to make this one close. I was on them last week when they almost upset Iowa, but that was a rivalry game and Tate wasn't 100%.
The Longhorns will be able to pick a score in this one, and I think they will want a big win in the Big 12 opener to make an impression with the pollsters.
Colorado +27 (@Geo.)
--- Something to remember: Dan Hawkins didn't become a poor coach overnight, and the Buffaloes didn't lose all their talent overnight. Are they a good team? No. But they have pieces, and they have the right coach.
They are also 0-3, and will play their asses off. I see this as a similar game to last week for Colorado when they clearly just wanted to keep the game close against ASU, got out to a 3-0 lead, and just tried to shorten the game. They got beat 21-3, and I see this as a similarly played game. Colorado is going to keep the ball on the ground and make high percentage passes, and try to keep it close in the first half so they are playing for the game in the 2nd.
Louisville -14 (@KSU)
---- KSU is terrible. They are awful. But they have played three patsies that couldn't play offense, put up some good defensive numbers, and are 3-0. This means nothing. Even without their two Heisman contenders, Lousiville is going to walk all over KSU, maybe just to prove they can.
This is a spot where I would almost always take the points... but I think this is a unique situation for the Cardinals... and I think they come out with something to prove... that they can win convicingly against a "big" program without Bush and Brohm (and I mean 'big' only in perception.)
Remember, this team was playing in CUSA two years ago. They are still searching for respect. I expect them to flatten the Wildcats.
Kansas -3.5 (USF)
--- I said last week that I wouldnt bet on Kansas again this season... and I wont. Every week, I will put up my opinion on their games, for anyone that cares.
I do like KU to cover in this one.
QB Meier is a game time decision... I think it is about 50/50... He has an undisclosed arm injury. They say it is hampering his throwing a little bit... he's a tough kid... I expect to see him.
If he is out, though, Barmann gets the call. He has been ATROCIOUS the last two years. Absolutely awful. He started the first game of last year, against Florida Atlantic, and was so bad he was banished to the bench except for some mopup duty despite the fact that our QB's were terrible last season (Brian Luke/Jason Swanson).
That said... Mangino knows Barmann. He knows that Barmann will try to win the game by himself if given the chance and will fling the ball all over the field (he has a big arm... and a scatter brain).
I would actually prefer to see Barmann here, and its not because he is a better QB... he isnt.
Let me explain. With Barmann, Mangino is going to simplify the gameplan, pound Cornish, who is one of the better RB's in the Big 12, make the safesties come up, and then take chances down the field with a very speedy WR corp and Barmanns big arm.
He isnt going to allow Barmann to diagnose the defense and call the precision routes that they like to call with Meier.
If Meier plays, I think his arm will take a little off of his throws, and I think he will be wary to escape the pocket, his biggest strength right now, for fear of further injury. I dont think you can take those things away from him. And Mangino is just stubborn enough to let Meier run the offense at 60% if Meier says he can play (last week... when Meier clearly wasnt up to it against Toledo with this injury... he stayed in the game because he refused to leave when Mangino asked him. Tough kid... but I think that cost us the game... well actually, i am positive.)
This is also a must-win game for the Hawks. If they lose this one, they would need to go 4-4 in the Big 12 to make a bowl game... they have never done that. So it would just about be the end of things. They know they shot themselves in the head last week with the mistakes, and will come out and play hard.
I may be back later... I am still capping Baylor/Army and Houston/OSU and might have a play in either. We'll see.
Also, for those interested... the surest way to get a red box? Defend Agent... I got some funny negative comments... my favorite was, "f u agent lover." Ha ha, good times.
Just been brutal so far. Had to get that steam off my chest once and for all. :sadwave:
So, in other words, my confidence is shot. But we'll give this a try one more week.
Texas -24.5 (ISU)
---- Iowa St. doesn't have the horses to make this one close. I was on them last week when they almost upset Iowa, but that was a rivalry game and Tate wasn't 100%.
The Longhorns will be able to pick a score in this one, and I think they will want a big win in the Big 12 opener to make an impression with the pollsters.
Colorado +27 (@Geo.)
--- Something to remember: Dan Hawkins didn't become a poor coach overnight, and the Buffaloes didn't lose all their talent overnight. Are they a good team? No. But they have pieces, and they have the right coach.
They are also 0-3, and will play their asses off. I see this as a similar game to last week for Colorado when they clearly just wanted to keep the game close against ASU, got out to a 3-0 lead, and just tried to shorten the game. They got beat 21-3, and I see this as a similarly played game. Colorado is going to keep the ball on the ground and make high percentage passes, and try to keep it close in the first half so they are playing for the game in the 2nd.
Louisville -14 (@KSU)
---- KSU is terrible. They are awful. But they have played three patsies that couldn't play offense, put up some good defensive numbers, and are 3-0. This means nothing. Even without their two Heisman contenders, Lousiville is going to walk all over KSU, maybe just to prove they can.
This is a spot where I would almost always take the points... but I think this is a unique situation for the Cardinals... and I think they come out with something to prove... that they can win convicingly against a "big" program without Bush and Brohm (and I mean 'big' only in perception.)
Remember, this team was playing in CUSA two years ago. They are still searching for respect. I expect them to flatten the Wildcats.
Kansas -3.5 (USF)
--- I said last week that I wouldnt bet on Kansas again this season... and I wont. Every week, I will put up my opinion on their games, for anyone that cares.
I do like KU to cover in this one.
QB Meier is a game time decision... I think it is about 50/50... He has an undisclosed arm injury. They say it is hampering his throwing a little bit... he's a tough kid... I expect to see him.
If he is out, though, Barmann gets the call. He has been ATROCIOUS the last two years. Absolutely awful. He started the first game of last year, against Florida Atlantic, and was so bad he was banished to the bench except for some mopup duty despite the fact that our QB's were terrible last season (Brian Luke/Jason Swanson).
That said... Mangino knows Barmann. He knows that Barmann will try to win the game by himself if given the chance and will fling the ball all over the field (he has a big arm... and a scatter brain).
I would actually prefer to see Barmann here, and its not because he is a better QB... he isnt.
Let me explain. With Barmann, Mangino is going to simplify the gameplan, pound Cornish, who is one of the better RB's in the Big 12, make the safesties come up, and then take chances down the field with a very speedy WR corp and Barmanns big arm.
He isnt going to allow Barmann to diagnose the defense and call the precision routes that they like to call with Meier.
If Meier plays, I think his arm will take a little off of his throws, and I think he will be wary to escape the pocket, his biggest strength right now, for fear of further injury. I dont think you can take those things away from him. And Mangino is just stubborn enough to let Meier run the offense at 60% if Meier says he can play (last week... when Meier clearly wasnt up to it against Toledo with this injury... he stayed in the game because he refused to leave when Mangino asked him. Tough kid... but I think that cost us the game... well actually, i am positive.)
This is also a must-win game for the Hawks. If they lose this one, they would need to go 4-4 in the Big 12 to make a bowl game... they have never done that. So it would just about be the end of things. They know they shot themselves in the head last week with the mistakes, and will come out and play hard.
I may be back later... I am still capping Baylor/Army and Houston/OSU and might have a play in either. We'll see.
Also, for those interested... the surest way to get a red box? Defend Agent... I got some funny negative comments... my favorite was, "f u agent lover." Ha ha, good times.
