College Football Idiot Savant Week 10
This week we’ve seen the last of Brian Kelly at LSU after a beatdown at home, as well as a 3-1 outcome on the picks. The Rockets didn’t survive their west coast trip, I can’t emphasize this enough, don’t bet on your alma mater unless it’s Ohio State. But that’s all water under the bridge, we’ve got the Buckeyes back in play and a couple of SEC contests to ponder upon.
Prediction 1: It’s a football Friday in Columbus again, the cold weather won’t prevent the tailgate. The matchup we had circled on our calendars before the season is now a twenty point spread with Penn State at #1 Ohio State (-20.5). I’m not making the same mistake I did with Wisconsin, I don’t like the number, but I’m not doing a ceremonial Kirk pick. Buckeyes cover at the shoe in football weather.
Prediction 2: Talk about a loaded noon window this week, if Penn State had handled their business would could have had a party this weekend. #9 Vanderbilt at #20 Texas (-3) represents the most intrigue for me this week, David and Goliath, Intellect vs Strength, chickens coming home to roost for SEC fans that underestimated the only academic institution in the conference. We may see the end of Texas’ playoff run and the emergence of another threat. Take Vandy and the points.
Prediction 3: It might be too early to call it a play-in game, but with #18 Oklahoma and #14 Tennessee (-3.5) both sitting at two losses it might be. That isn’t to say a three loss team won’t make it to the playoff this year, but it is to say it wont be either of these two. With those hopes nearly dashed last week by Ole Miss, Oklahoma will get the final nail in their playoff coffin this week in rocky top Tennessee! Volunteers to cover.
No matchup this week for the Rockets as they will enjoy a week and a half break until they take on Northern Illinois on a Wednesday. As we start to peer into the abyss that is the playoff bracket, teams will be eliminated this week. You can’t win the Masters on Thursday, but you can lose it. Conference championship matchups will also take shape over the next few weeks, so be sure to enjoy the action. I had some Tommy’s Pizza last weekend, and it didn’t disappoint. It remains the best bet for your tailgate this weekend.
Summary:
Ohio State to cover -20.5
Vanderbilt and the points +3
Tennessee to cover -3.5
Record: 22-11-1
College Football Idiot Savant Week 9
Well I guess I should know better than to make a bet against the scarlet and gray, but 3-1 on the picks was a nice recovery. It’s nice to see teams like Notre Dame and Georgia barely cover to know there is more parity in the sport with NIL, and Toledo cover comfortably in bounce back fashion. The Buckeyes are resting this week but we have a bevy of ranked matchups to mull over. Remember, if you must bet more, put it on the team playing Michigan and forget parlays.
Prediction 1: Circle the wagons Sooners, this is an SEC game you joined the conference for. #8 Ole Miss travels to Norman to take on #14 Oklahoma (-5.5) in the new SEC. While the Sooners will enjoy the home field advantage, I see these teams as more evenly matched, and I really want another Lane Kiffin sound bite to remember from the post game presser. Take Ole Miss and the points.
Prediction 2: I recently asked #15 Missouri to, “Show Me” something as their state nickname implies, and they failed. This week they visit #10 Vanderbilt (-2.5) and I don’t have any more confidence that something great is going to come out of Missouri. Vanderbilt is the far better storyline this year, and with this basically being a pick-em game, I’m going with the academic school that’s giving up points. Vandy to cover.
Prediction 3: In our deep fried, big bucket, double bypass game of the week, the Aggies of #3 Texas A&M (-2.5) head down to Baton Rouge to take on #20 LSU. The thing you have to ask yourself with this matchup is this: Do I take a better team on the road to knock Brian Kelly out of the rankings for the price of less than a field goal? The answer is yes, allow the viewing of Kelly’s anguish to make your Saturday night more enjoyable. Texas A&M to cover.
In all that SEC talk, I didn’t forget about those in midnight blue who hail from fair Toledo. They go across the country to face a Washington State (-1.5) team that isn’t ready for Tucker Gleason. He threw four touchdowns and no interceptions last week in a rout, and it would be foolish to think he can’t engineer another victory. Here in Columbus Tommy’s remains the tailgate option of choice, stay classy and get your mind right for next week.
Summary:
Ole Miss and the points +5.5
Vanderbilt to cover -2.5
Texas A&M to cover -2.5
Toledo and the points +1.5
Record: 19-10-1
College Football Idiot Savant Week 8
It’s betting weeks like the last one that make you appreciate being a Buckeye fan. It’s betting weeks like the last one that I see them rolling in cover fashion to the tune of Whitesnake’s, “Here I Go Again.” They certainly walk on the lonely street of dreams, and although I went 1-2-1 last week, my resolve is not broken. There is still nothing good to report out of Missouri with that push, and it looks like I need more Indiana material. Tip of the cap to Eddie George’s Falcons and Pudge, we will see you next year at The Glass Bowl.
Prediction 1: It’s not out of nostalgia for the College Gameday show that I say it’s fallen. It’s because for some reason Disney is paying Pat McAfee and Desmond Howard to be the most unwatchable couple of blowhards I’ve ever seen on a sports broadcast. That said, they will be in Athens for #5 Ole Miss at #9 Georgia (-7.5) where I just have to go with the blue blood program and the NFL bodies on the Bulldogs roster. Georgia covers, but I would be interested to see what Lane Kiffin says afterward if they were to pull this off.
Prediction 2: Before you say I’ve gone Herbstreit, I didn’t throw for five touchdowns and eleven interceptions in my career at Ohio State. #1 Ohio State (-25.5) takes on the Badgers of Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium and twenty five and a half points is simply too much. Wisconsin will jump around at the end of the third, the Buckeyes will jump around at the end, and you can jump around the corner to the bank with Wisconsin and the points.
Prediction 3: I have a cynical theory. As much as I think the playoff committee tries to put together a good bracket, history tells us that Notre Dame (-9.5) will be the first three loss team to make the playoff. There has not been a more consistently overrated and undeserving team in my lifetime than the golden domers. That said, USC doesn’t play any defense, and Notre Dame should cover this week in the Colosseum.
I didn’t forget about you Rockets (-26.5), I’m looking forward to a bounce back blowout against Kent State at The Glass Bowl. Tucker Gleason is still on the roster, he went to his engineering classes this week, and he wants to party behind engineering Saturday night. Also, in my tradition of rooting with my heart against my bets, let me just say Trojans, “Fight On!”
Summary:
Georgia covers -7.5
Wisconsin and the points +25.5
Notre Dame to cover -9.5
Toledo covers -26.5
Record: 16-9-1
College Football Idiot Savant Week 7
Last week saw the top ranked Buckeyes continue to The Cars’ hit, “Let the Good Times Roll” at home and Alabama survive to improbably cover against Vanderbilt. While it may not be a rivalry week for the big matchups this time, what can’t be understated is The Battle of I-75 taking place at high noon on Saturday. The Toledo Rockets (-10.5) make their way a few miles south to take on the Bowling Green Falcons led by their locker room cat Pudge. Honestly the cat is a nice gimmick, but Pudge isn’t even that cute, must be a Bowling Green graduate.
Prediction 1: #1 Ohio State (-15.5) travels to Champaign to take on #17 Illinois, who will take one last swing at legitimacy after giving up 63 points to Indiana. I don’t love this bet, it’s a lot of points to give up as an away side, but the Buckeyes are about to go into a three game stretch in the Big Ten that can’t be overlooked. Illinois, Wisconsin and Penn State would be a great run to go on for this team, and they have the competence to play it well, Buckeyes cover.
Prediction 2: I’m not going to celebrate going undefeated in the pics last week, because #8 Alabama’s (-3) cover was a gift. That said, #14 Missouri hosts them this week, and what’s the last great thing you heard about coming out of Missouri? Maybe it will be an upset from the Tigers, although I think it says a lot about Alabama’s decline that this is a three point line. Take the hungry home Missouri and the points, Alabama isn’t what it used to be.
Prediction 3: The recently ascendant #3 Oregon Ducks (-7.5) fly to Bloomington to face undefeated #7 Indiana in a new look Big Ten spectacle. I have expressed my distaste for the state of Indiana on several occasions, but since they deserve it, I’ll do it again. What could compel a person to grow up in Indiana and cause them to stay? The only acceptable answer should be a prison sentence, which is not entirely dissimilar from being on the outside in the state. Oregon rides the jet stream for a top ten cover.
Expect the Rockets to avenge last year’s home loss at The Glass Bowl with a cover. Tucker Gleason has got something up his sleeve tattoo for the Falcons this year and he can sling it. The University of Toledo has a rocket outside their stadium that is pointed to land at Bowling Green’s fifty yard line. In my 15 years as a Toledo alumni, I have never heard about the equivalent on their campus, some schools want it more.
Summary:
Ohio State covers -15.5
Missouri and the points +3
Oregon covers -7.5
Toledo covers -10.5
Record 15-7
College Football Idiot Savant Week 6
Well Husky Stadium was no match for the Buckeyes, and they should have played Bachman Turner Overdrive’s, “Takin’ Care of Business” on QFM afterward. Penn State still can’t win a big one, and I’m beginning to think the whiteout is just to pump up t-shirt sales. Let’s get ready for another exciting week, and make some Ben Franklins (Always remember to gamble responsibly).
Prediction 1: The deep fried, big bucket game of the week sees #16 Vanderbilt travel to Tuscaloosa to bring an offering of grits and brain cells to a city bereft of one of those things. #10 Alabama (-10.5) looks to avenge one of the worst defeats in their history from last season against the Commodores. Frankly if they can’t cover against Vanderbilt, you don’t need to bet on them the rest of the season. It took Michigan 7 years to schedule Appalachian State after that debacle, but then they beat them 52-14. Alabama covers, hopes Neil Young will remember.
Prediction 2: If you asked Buckeye fans what they wanted most at the beginning of the season, it probably would have been to beat Michigan. Close on the list however would have been a big night game at the shoe. Instead, #1 Ohio State (-23.5) gets Minnesota at the 7:30 PM time slot, with a spread that’s not attractive to me. However, Minnesota struggled with Rutgers last weekend, Ohio State has Jeremiah Smith, as well as a host of offensive players that can allow you to cover on a lit up national broadcast.
Prediction 3: There is only one title contender playing in the state of Florida this week, and that is #3 Miami (-4.5) who is traveling to #18 Florida State. This matchup always makes me remember an animated Lee Corso on College Gameday shouting, “Wide right!” Of course a reference to the three heartbreaking wide right misses of Florida State kickers against Miami. The best part about this game for Florida State fans will be the pregame traditions, Miami covers.
This week sees the Rockets resting after an impressive cover against Akron I should have pulled the trigger on. With next weekend being The Battle of I-75 in third world Wood County, they should be prepared for the task at hand. I don’t want to be overly sensational, but if Vanderbilt wins, expect a themed week for the picks next time. The college football playoff doesn’t need Alabama around anyhow.
Summary:
Alabama covers -10.5
Ohio State covers -23.5
Miami covers -4.5
Record: 12-7
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
liveforthepage 
Recent Comments