College Football Idiot Savant Week 5
It’s only been four weeks of college football, but I feel like we have all had some great entertainment so far. Liveforthepage locked in a 3-1 week against the spread last weekend, special thanks to Oklahoma’s defense for that late safety. The Rockets had a let down they can learn from and despite only four weeks passing, Dabo has fallen for the third time. In traditional mythology, it’s usually not until ninth station that the third fall takes place, so it’s been a banner year already.
Prediction 1: They say, “don’t bury the lead” so this week I won’t. The #6 Oregon Ducks fly into Happy Valley this week to take on #3 Penn State (-3.5) in the new age Big Ten. I recently drove through Erie, Pennsylvania and I have to say that it’s a bit misleading. I know it’s not October yet, but the eerie part of Pennsylvania is the white out game in State College. That being said, three and a half points is a low number for a home team in this kind of environment. The Ducks score and soar over the Nittany Lions, take the points.
Prediction 2: The second big matchup of the week comes to us from the deep, deep fried south, as #17 Alabama visits #5 Georgia (-3). SEC country is going to be out in force for this one, probably with pre-game trash talk involving the opposing fans’ sisters. We do that in the north too, but in the opposite direction, we aren’t shit talking about how hot our sisters are. As for the clash on the field, look for a slim cover by Georgia and a good watch with a lot of NFL bodies on both sidelines.
Prediction 3: With the students having completed the bye week bar crawl last weekend, they are ready for a fresh Ohio State (-8.5) team to take on Washington out west. It has been bet down to eight and a half from a nearly two touchdown line when it came out, and I see value here. I like the Buckeyes to open the Big Ten schedule in convincing fashion, make yourself a delicious Washington apple and enjoy the cover.
There is a great slate of 3:30 games to check out as conference play begins in the Big Ten, but nothing else that I want to put a nickel on. #11 Indiana (-8.5) and Iowa get together to compare corn, and that should be closer than the spread. #4 LSU plays the road dog role against #13 Ole Miss (-1.5) in the, ‘hope for a meteor’ game of the week, seriously could Brian Kelly be more unlikable? No Rockets (-21) bet this week either as they pick up the pieces against Akron, and that’s too big of a line. Tommy’s Pizza remains Columbus’ best bet for game day grub, 161 opens at eleven, Lane Ave at noon.
Summary
Oregon and the points +3.5
Georgia covers -3
Ohio State covers -8.5
Record 10-6
College Football Idiot Savant Week 4
Leave it to those golden domers to make my week once again, and look at them still being ranked despite the lack of a win. Nothing changes. (The last time this feat was achieved was Michigan going 0-2 and being ranked in 1988) Liveforthepage went a lackluster 2-3 with the picks, but you can’t call it a losing week when Clemson and Notre Dame both fell for the second time.
Prediction 1: Having driven through the state of Indiana more times than I ever thought I would, I came to a justifiable conclusion. On one of those trips I told myself I would never bet on anything that would come out of the state, but I digress. #19 Indiana (-4.5) hosts #9 Illinois in Bloomington, and although I haven’t confirmed if it will be a whiteout for the late kickoff, it will be. There should be more pairs of New Balance shoes to see Indiana cover than your local Foot Locker distribution center.
Prediction 2: It was suggested online this week and referenced in my golf group that there is an opportunity for a new trophy in the Big Ten. The Trojan Horse Trophy needs to be immediately implemented for the matchup between #25 USC (-18.5) and Michigan State. In Greek mythological fashion, I see the Spartans taking this one with the points. USC’s traditional lack of a defense should allow a rolling MSU to stay within the spread by garbage time even if the result has been decided.
Prediction 3: I played a lot of the old PC game, The Oregon Trail as a kid, maybe that explains my leaning towards the wagon train in #11 Oklahoma (-6.5) this week. Maybe it’s because I can’t remember #22 Auburn doing anything since Cam Newton played quarterback for them. Maybe it’s because OU are competitive in a real conference now, but I’m in for a cover. Oh now I remember, “Surrey With the Fringe on Top” was one of our high school choir songs. Honey here’s the way I it’s going to be: Oklahoma by at least 7.
The Buckeyes will enjoy their rest, but that doesn’t mean you can’t root against that state up north this week. The Toledo Rockets (-14) will travel to take on Western Michigan in their march toward the October 11th matchup at the Wood County Wastewater Facility. The Rockets should cover without too much hassle, thanks to gunslinger Tucker Gleason. The senior computer science and engineering major has one sleeve for ink, one sleeve for throwing touchdown passes. If anyone in Columbus decries the colors, it’s midnight blue and gold, none of that maze shit. Tommy’s Pizza remains the best bet for Saturday provisions, the Dublin location opens at 11.
Summary:
Indiana covers -4.5
Michigan State and the points +18.5
Oklahoma covers -6.5
Toledo covers -14
Record: 7-5
College Football Idiot Savant Week 3
With week two in the books we saw blowout victories for the Buckeyes and Rockets, in addition to Oklahoma taking care of business against Michigan. I hope that you got to enjoy some Tommy’s pizza for that non-starter in Columbus, it was the best Saturday Costco experience I’ve had in a while. There’s no time to celebrate a three for three prediction week because there are a slew of new matchups to ponder.
Prediction 1: The Bulldogs from #6 Georgia(-3.5) go into Knoxville for an SEC battle that’s sure to get a lot of eyeballs. #15 Tennessee comes to the table as an underdog at home, which reminds me of that terrible pickup line, “Are you from Tennessee? ‘Cause you’re the only ten I see.” The only ten I see is the point differential at the end of this game, Georgia should cover like the juggernaut they are.
Prediction 2: Some may call this a troll pick, but let’s be honest, coach Freeman is gonna have the domers ready to bounce back. I did a decade of the rosary this week in penance for the decades of ill will I have wished upon the Irish. Although they couldn’t overcome a better team last week with Miami, everything is bigger when it involves Texas, even A&M. Look for an overcompensation level cover this week in South Bend.
Prediction 3: While #18 South Florida enjoys a ranking thanks to upsetting Florida last week, I maintain that the swamp isn’t what it used to be. #5 Miami looks to be a contender in the playoff hunt early in the season and that will continue here. It’s a high number to cover at -17.5, but that’s exactly what the U should do here, preferably in orange.
For your fair and balanced homer pick of the week, I will stay in Columbus. The Buckeyes, energized by our own Zach in the shoe, will easily cover against Ohio (-31.5). Bonus bet of the week is the Toledo Rockets (-8) to cover against Morgan State, driving them one week closer to the Pemberville exit game in October. This week we’re covered in picks like Oasis fans with floor tickets were covered in beer last weekend at the Rose Bowl. While you won’t have that much fun, enjoy the tailgate this weekend wherever you are.
Summary:
Georgia covers -3.5
Notre Dame covers -6.5
Miami covers -17.5
Ohio State covers -31.5
Toledo covers -8
Record: 5-2
College Football Idiot Savant Week 2
What a great week one it was, Lee Corso makes his last headgear pick count, and the three top ten matchups didn’t disappoint. Upon further self reflection, I realize I should pick Notre Dame to cover more. For those counting at home that makes it a two game losing streak for the domers, they better start praying harder if they hope to make the playoff. Shout out to Florida State for knocking off Alabama, and setting up a good one for the first week of October against Miami.
Prediction 1: If you’re looking for some good MACtion this week, look no further than the Toledo Rockets. Toledo put up a fight against an SEC opponent last week in Kentucky, and this week they are (-6.5) favorites against Western Kentucky. This one will be held at the Glass Bowl however, so I trust the band will help march them right down the field, first down after first down. Look for them to cover, paving the way, one week at a time, to that matchup on October 11th with that team from the Pemberville exit.
Prediction 2: The real savants in Las Vegas aren’t putting out a spread on the Buckeye game until hours before kickoff, so I’ll go prop bet here. This one will be particularly ugly and unwatchable, so I hope you have a great Saturday spread, or better yet a tee time. Look for Ohio State to put up over 300 yards of offense as they work their way through the backups. The best thing about this game will be whatever food you consume while watching.
Prediction 3: Bring out the Sooner wagon, the only game this week between ranked teams is a middle tier SEC/BIG Ten matchup between #18 Oklahoma (-4.5) and #15 Michigan. As great as week one was, these are the kind of weeks where I look at the Xfinity race as an alternative. That being said, it is a primetime game between ranked teams that will have great atmosphere in support of an Oklahoma cover. Oklahoma has more frequent earthquakes now due to all the fracking, but the maze and blue will be the only ones on shaky ground.
There is a feel of muted confidence on campus this week after the big win. It will be interesting to see how far the Buckeyes carry their new #1 ranking, as I am not predicting an undefeated season. Pro tip: Tommy’s pizza in Dublin opens at 11 am on Saturdays, with the 3:30 kickoff that gives you a window to get the best damn pizza in Columbus for your viewing.
Summary:
Toledo covers -6.5
Ohio State over 300 yards total offense
Oklahoma covers -4.5
Current record: 2-2
College Football Idiot Savant Week 1
Cue the drum lines, light the grill, raise your solo cup, it’s college football season! I hope you will join liveforthepage weekly for some insight and banter through the year and of course, bet responsibly. I don’t remember an opening weekend with this kind of clout matchup wise, so let’s ride.
Prediction 1: The Texas Longhorns make their way up North for a chilly, jacket-weather noon kickoff in Columbus. They say don’t mess with Texas, last winter the Buckeyes scooped and scored to do just that. I would like to dedicate this first and holiest of the Ohio State covers to the F-350 asshole at my apartment complex with Texas plates. Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the overcompensation. Ohio State (-1.5) has Jeremiah Smith, and he can give them the old Texas two-step at the line and burn them deep.
Prediction 2: I have to say it was really fun watching Dabo Swinney fall more times than Jesus last year. While I don’t think we will be that lucky again this year, week one may still provide a station of the cross. We see another top ten matchup here Clemson (-3.5) vs LSU, and it should be an exciting game. However, if you’re giving me SEC and a field goal, the wind sways in that direction. I know I was just trashing the French last weekend, but one stench is better than the other. Geaux Tigers!
Prediction 3: Catholics vs Convicts is back again! This time in a top ten format, with the golden domers favored (-2.5) against Miami at home. Now I’d like to give you ten commanding reasons why Miami wins this game, but they are not as seasoned. I feel a little catholic guilt picking Notre Dame to cover after all the terrible things I’ve said about them in the past. Bless me father for I have sinned, it’s been many years of disparagement, but the Irish should cover this.
There is a great slate of games to enjoy this weekend, and for the rest of the year so save your money this week and skip the parlays. If you’re doing the kegs and eggs thing for pregame, make sure you get some bread in you. As always, the best tee times in the city are during Buckeye games, so if you’re not watching, enjoy the weather.
Summary:
Ohio State to cover -1.5
LSU and the points +3.5
Notre Dame to cover -2.5
Current record: 0-1
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