2017 College Football Picks Year In Review

Season Record: 72-58-7 (52.55%)

First winning season in 3 years. Of course, this year it was all Top 25 picks instead of random games.

Next year, I hope that someone wants to pick games with me or we have a group picking games. It is fun and interesting to see how other people see things differently than you.

As to the pick of Alabama being #4 and off to the playoffs, I think they got it wrong. I would have put Ohio State in (God how I dislike either team). But I don't have a voice in it. I think that the committee gave too much credence to what injuries meant to losing, and prejudices that are assigned to conferences both positive and negative. Also, they don't seem to mind how Alabama manipulates their schedule to basically have two byes before their LSU and Auburn games and how the SEC "second-tier" teams cannot stand up to challenge those programs that are at the top..

Here is my final Top 10:

1. Clemson
2. Oklahoma
3. Georgia
4. Ohio State
5. UCF
6. Alabama
7. Wisconsin
8. USC
9. Penn State
10. Washington

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 14 (Championship Week)

I went 4-1 in my 5 Big Ten Road picks last week (Ohio State fell short by 1 point, figures). I am assured of a winning record this year. Right now I have Wisconsin as my #1 team in the land and UCF is at #5 and could get into what would be my Top 4 if things fall right. I know my rankings don't mean anything. But let's get the final week of picks done and celebrate victory.

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 12

TCU -6
Wisconsin -7.5
Virginia +18.5
Illinois +41
Navy +17.5
Georgia -21.5
Tennessee+15.5
West Virginia-3
UCF -13.5
Virginia +18.5

Sorry about the lack of refinement for the picks. I was on the road and about an hour and a half before the games started and didn't anticipate that I would get to my home anytime soon. So let's do the usual format below the page break.

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 11

The season record is 50-45-5. Picking these games where two ranked teams are playing each other is tough. I like how the professional gamblers will pick a Western Michigan vs. UTEP game for their leadpipe lock of the week, but you have to pay for anything about games that you care about.

1. Arkansas at (24) LSU (-17) - This is probably a sucker bet. Arkansas isn't playing up to their potential, but LSU isn't a powerhouse offense either.

Arkansas 13, LSU 31
Actual Score: Arkansas 10, LSU 33

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 10

I am now 5 games above .500 after a 5-4-1 week. The first rankings are out for the playoffs and I can see 4 out of the Top 6 losing before the end of the season, and that doesn't take into account for games where an also ran comes up and takes a bite out of a favorite.

1. (6) Ohio State at Iowa (+18) - There should be a letdown from the Buckeyes after the comeback vs Penn State last week. The Iowa defense is tough and the Hawkeyes play ranked teams close at home.

Ohio State 27, Iowa 21
Actual Score: Ohio State 24, Iowa 55

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 9

Still 4 over .500. If you feel that I am wrong or just spewing nonsense, all comments are welcome.

1. (5) Wisconsin at Illinois (+27) - The Badgers will win this game. But on the road, it won't be a 4 touchdown win. Even though the opponent is Illinois.

Wisconsin 34, Illinois 20
Actual Score: Wisconsin 24, Illinois 10

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 8

Went 5-5 last week. Still 4 games above .500. The Arkansas/Alabama game is why I don't bet real money on this. Lost by 1/2 a point. Lost Michigan/Indiana by 1 point.

1. (10) Oklahoma State (-7) at Texas - The Longhorns look better than they did at the start of the season, but the letdown from losing to Oklahoma will be seen this week.

Oklahoma State 38, Texas 24
Actual Score: Oklahoma State 13, Texas 10 (OT)

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 7

Coming off a 4-6 record last week, we have a week where there is no ranked teams facing each other. Where are the upsets coming from? I have three.

1. (6) TCU at Kansas State (+6.5) - The Horned Frogs can take control of the Big 12 if they can get past the Wildcats. I don't expect them to.

TCU 31, Kansas State 34
Actual Score: TCU 26, Kansas State 6

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 6

Still 6 games above .500 after treading water the past 2 weeks. Need to get more of a cushion before the big boys play each other later this season.

1. Wake Forest at (2) Clemson (-21.5) - The Demon Deacons might be able to cover if this were basketball. Not on the football field.

Wake Forest 13, Clemson 48
Actual Score: Wake Forest 14, Clemson 28

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 5

Still 6 games above .500. The picks rallied late last week after staring 0-4.

1. Vanderbilt (+9) at (21) Florida - Not sold on the Gators after escaping Kentucky and the Commodores are better than what they showed against Alabama last week.

Vanderbilt 24, Florida 27
Actual Score: Vanderbilt 24, Florida 38

2017 College Football Picks vs The Spread - Week 4

6 Games above .500 for the first 3 weeks is making me feel good.

1. (1) Alabama vs Vanderbilt (+18) - There isn't an upset here. But I believe that the Vandy defense can keep it closer than many people think.

Alabama 27, Vanderbilt 16
Actual Score: Alabama 59, Vanderbilt 0

2017 College Football Picks vs. The Spread - Week 3

A 3-7 week showed me that I just can't go with the big spreads for the favorites.

Week 3 Games:

1. (19) Stanford at San Diego State (+8.5) - The Aztecs have looked good so far. Stepping up in weight class, I think that they will keep it close.

Stanford 28, San Diego State 24
Actual Score: Stanford 17, San Diego State 20

2017 College Football Picks vs. The Spread - Week 2

Week 1 was OK. A 7-2-1 week would have made me money. Let's see if I can continue the good picks.

1. (11) Oklahoma State (-29) at South Alabama - It is unusual that a program like Oklahoma State would go into South Alabama. I don't expect that the Cowboys will have problems with going on the road here.

Oklahoma State 62, South Alabama 14
Actual Score: Oklahoma State 44, South Alabama 7

2017 College Football Picks vs. the Spread - Week 1

I didn't do this last year and I rocked the picks. The blog has been a little thin, so I decided to take the initiative and start doing the picks for college football again. So let's see if I can do better than I have before on the blog.

WEEK 1

1. UTEP at (7) Oklahoma (-43) - Bob Stoops is no longer the head coach at Oklahoma. Means that the program has something to prove. Don't see the Miners scoring more than 10 points while the Sooners look like the Sooners of yesteryear.

UTEP 7, Oklahoma 66
Actual Score: UTEP 7, Oklahoma 56

2. (11) Michigan (-3.5) vs. (17) Florida - If Alabama vs. FSU wasn't this weekend, this would be the marquee game. I would have picked Michigan to win even without multiple Gator starters suspended for their roles in the Student store fraud scandal. Jim Harbaugh has the Wolverines looking good.

Michigan 27, Florida 20
Actual Score: Michigan 33, Florida 17

3. Western Michigan at (4) USC (-27.5) - Another one of the opening game creampuffs that major programs like to schedule. Watch USC score 50 and roll over the Broncos which get a payday.

Western Michigan 14, USC 55
Actual Score: Western Michigan 31, USC 49

4. Appalachian State (+14) at (15) Georgia - Classic game where I believe that the Bulldogs are looking at next week's game against Notre Dame and not taking App St. as seriously as they should. Georgia will win, but not by the margin they should.

App St. 24, Georgia 34
Actual Score: App St. 10, Georgia 31

5. Georgia Southern at (12) Auburn (-34) - Georgia Southern is not going to like this trip to Auburn. I think that the Tigers are the biggest threat to Alabama this season. Auburn shows why in this game.

Georgia Southern 10, Auburn 52
Actual Score: Georgia Southern 7, Auburn 41

6. (16) Louisville at Purdue (+26.5) - There is no upset here, but with the Boilermakers bringing back the Big 10 passing leader from last year in David Blough, I expect the game to be closer than what many think.

Louisville 45, Purdue 31
Actual Score: Louisville 35, Purdue 28

7. (3) Florida State vs. (1) Alabama (-7) - Even though I believe that both of these teams could be good enough to make the playoffs, you don't pick against Nick Saban in the regular season and a big game.

Florida State 21, Alabama 34
Actual Score: Florida State 7, Alabama 24

8. BYU at (13) LSU (-14.5) - LSU is the better team, but BYU already had their first game which helps. Give me the Tigers just squeaking by on the point spread.

BYU 20, LSU 35
Actual Score: BYU 0, LSU 27

9. (22) West Virginia at (21) Virginia Tech (-4) - Both teams have new starting QB's and both believe that they can win their respective leagues. Let's go with the home team and the fact that there is something about Dana Holgorsen that I don't trust in pressure games.

West Virginia 24, Virginia Tech 31
Actual Score: West Virginia 24, Virginia Tech 31

10. (25) Tennessee at Georgia Tech (+3) - I fully expect the Yellow Jackets to beat the Volunteers outright. I think that Butch Jones has the foundation of the Tennessee program build on sand, not concrete.

Tennessee 21, Georgia Tech 31
Actual Score: Tennessee 42, Georgia Tech 41 2OT

Week 1 Record: 7-2-1
Overall Record: 7-2-1

5 Takeaways from Week 6 in the NFL

Just a couple of things that hit me this weekend while watching the NFL

1. Vontaze Burfict is the most hated man in the NFL. He has caused fights with the Browns, Steelers, and Ravens. This weekend, Rob Gronkowski starting going nuts because of Burfict. The man had many opponents angry at him playing at Arizona State. He still has the ability to get under people's skin.

2. While the Jaguars won at Chicago, does anybody believe that the Jags will go on a tear and win the AFC South? Or is the smart play starting a pool of when Gus Bradley is fired? I go with option 2.

3. The Philadelphia Eagles have come back down to Earth. After winning their first 3, the offense is starting to sputter. There is lack of protection for Wentz. The defense is stuggling. Now, what does Doug Peterson do to try and keep the Eagles from falling flat on their collective faces?

4. The Tennessee Titans are showing signs of life. They are 3-3 and 2 of the losses are to Minnesota and Oakland. Mike Mularkey is riding the DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry Express to the top of the division.

5. The Cleveland Browns are still 0 fer the season. However, I have been impressed with Cody Kessler and the receiving crew that the Browns have. Can you imagine if Josh Gordon was well enough to be out on the field? The receiving corps would be downright scary.

Bonus: If you are New Orleans Saints fan, aren't you tired of no defense to speak of and people trying to tell you that having Drew Brees is good enough? If it were me, I would be saying that I don't settle for a .500 record and video game thinking for my team. It is time to fire Sean Payton.

Now For Something Lighthearted

Have you seen the new "Tecmo Bo" commercial for the 2017 Kia Sorento yet?

Oh, FFS: #Boycott NFL

There are times when you just have to get things off your chest. Me? All I can do is scream, “Oh, for fuck’s sake!” — R.J.

Did you survive the short work week? I barely did. I was very busy all week, and today I’m feeling run down and a little bitchy. I’m sure my upstairs neighbors waking me up at 3am had something to do with it. Anyway…

I logged onto Twitter while I ate dinner at my gaming rig’s desk tonight, and I saw the hashtag #BoycottNFL trending. At first, I thought it was something that dumbass they call a Commissioner (that’s Roger Goddell, y’all) did during my work day. Did he give another suspected wife beater the weekend off, like he gave New York Giants kicker Josh Brown? Did a bunch of whiny New England Patriots fans (sorry, Zeb!) go off because he added an extra game to Tom Brady’s suspension for a missing NFL logo on his helmet?

Nope. It was none of that. It was a bunch of NFL fans who wanted to boycott the league over Colin Kaepernick sitting, and then taking a knee during the national anthem during the San Francisco 49ers’s last two preaseason games.

I can’t help but laugh over this faux outrage. After all, the very people who are participating in this “boycott” are the same people who call themselves patriots for protecting our freedoms. They are the same people who talk about freedom of speech, yet they get their panties in a wad when a person of color exercises those same rights. They want to boycott the game over Kaepernick, and yet they have no problem with Ben Roethlisberger’s dating habits, Rae Carruth finding a unique way to skip child support payments, or how Greg Hardy showed how much he loved his woman. (WARNING: Last link is graphic stuff, y’all)

I call bullshit. You know these assholes are going to watch ESPN or Fox Sports on Sunday night, and then talk with their friends and co-workers the following morning about how their teams did.

2016 NFC Predictions

Well, since the AFC predictions didn't cause the blog to be shut down and a couple of people actually read my picks, I suppose I should finish with predictions of the NFC. 

NFC OVERVIEW: The NFC East is full of a bunch of flawed teams. The NFC West and North looks like 2 team races and the South has a possibility of 3 teams with losing records. The outlook looks like basically the same as last year for playoff teams.

AFC Predictions

The board has been barren lately. Zeb has had plenty of things on his plate, R.J. has experienced computerized racing, and I am moving and taking over a business at the same time. So the board has been put on the back burner. And instead of talking about Hillary, Trump and the two crabby people from the Libertarian and Green Party, let's put out some predictions for the upcoming NFL season.

AFC OVERVIEW: The changing of the guard in this conference is in full swing. Denver after winning the Super Bowl isn't looking like they will repeat, the Indianapolis Colts have dominated the South for years and they are in a dogfight with Jacksonville and Houston, The mighty Pittsburgh Steelers were dethroned last year by the Bengals. But the East still looks like the Kingpin will keep their throne.

Let us Stop Complaining About Our Teams

All you have to do is watch this video and realize that your team isn't as bad as Cleveland.

And I want that payment plan.