Month: December 2006

OK, time for the last of them…

1/1, Outback: Tennessee vs. Penn State(+4)
I like the BigTen here, just because, as you said, I’m not very bright.

1/1, Cotton: Auburn vs. Nebraska(+1.5)
Yeah, small edge to Auburn was what I was thinking. Nebraska has some fire but I really think Auburn is better, so I’ll go with them.

1/1, Gator: West Virginia vs. Georgia Tech(+10.5)
Wow, I expect Tech to get spanked but I didn’t think the line would be quite that big. Still, though, Tech really sucks, so I’ll give the big points.

1/1, Capitol One: Arkansas vs. Wisconsin(+2.5)
Hmm, I was hoping for a big spread, because I think the Badgers actually have a shot in this one, but maybe not a great shot. I was hoping to get like five. Oh, well, I’ll take the Badgers anyway.

1/1, Rose: USC vs. Michigan(-1)
One lousy point? We’re only favored by one lousy point? Look, USC lost to Oregon State and UCLA, and we’ve seen how sucky those teams are in their bowl games. GO BLUE.

1/1, Fiesta: Boise State vs. Oklahoma(-7)
Seven? That’s all? Sooners.

1/2, Orange: Louisville vs. Wake Forest(+10.5)
Awww, come on, I know the ACC sucks and all and I certainly expect Louisville to roll, but ten and a half? OK, OK, I’ll quite whining and suck it up, go Cardinals and all that.

1/3, Sugar: Notre Dame vs. LSU(-10)
See, now that’s the right number. Actually, I fully expect LSU to win by 20, since the only two even half-decent teams ND played this year (Michigan and USC) both beat them by at least that.

1/6, International: Western Michigan vs. Cincinnati(-7.5)
I know nothing about either team, but I feel the need to pick an underdog. Go, uhhh, Broncos!

1/7, GMAC: Ohio vs. Southern Miss(-6)
Southern Miss in a rout.

1/8, insert-sponsor-here manufactured BCS “title” game: Ohio State vs. Florida(+8)
OK, here, I’ll come out and say it: Michigan is the real #2 team in the country. I know, I know, they had their shot and all that, so I’m not that peeved about it, but Florida’s horrible offense might not get across midfield against the Buckeyes. OSU all the way, as painful as it is for me to type that.

Wow, the last full week of the season… though we do have more bowls and of course some playoffs yet to go. I always hate the last week because one never knows for sure which teams really care that much about playoff seeding and such. Ugh.

Saturday NFLN
Giants @ Washington(+2.5)
If the G-Men win and they get some help, they’re in, right? Seems like this season this is the kind of game that they’ll lose, so I’ll take the points.

Sunday 1:00
Jacksonville @ Kansas City(-2.5)
I’m taking the Chefs at home, again.

Rams @ Minnesota(+2.5)
Do either of these teams have anything to play for? Oh, wait, the Rams have an outside shot at a playoff game and the Vikings are starting that rookie again, right? I’m taking St. Louis.

Panthers @ New Orleans(+3)
How are the Panthers favored? Oh, because the Saints have clinched their seeding and will rest everyone. I guess I’ll go with Carolina.

Raiders @ New Jersey Jets(-12.5)
I’m sure the Jets will win and lock up their playoff spot, but that’s a lot of points. Too many, I’ll have to take them.

Steelers @ Cincinnati(-6)
The Bengals are still fighting for a playoff spot, but they won’t get one, I don’t think. I’ll take the points again.

Lions @ Dallas(-12.5)
While I don’t like to give big numbers when a team is finger-pointing in the media, this is the Lions we’re talking about. I think I’d give points if they were playing the Buckeyes in Columbus… Cowboys.

Seahawks @ Tampa Bay(-3.5)
Errr, the Seabags have already won their horrible division, yes? So, uhh, what are they playing for? Nothing, even if the Rams win. So… Tampa covers.

Patriots @ Tennessee(-3)
The Pats have nothing to play for, the Titans have everything to play for and are smoking hot. I think I’ll take the Titans.

Browns @ Houston(-4)
I will be at this horrible contest until I can’t stand it. Actually, until the kids can’t stand it. Free tickets, what are you gonna do? Oh, and the Texans cover with their new “hand the ball to Ron Dayne” offense. I think Carr might be done here. Why, oh why, didn’t they draft Vince?

Sunday 4:15
Falcons @ Eagles(-8)
I love the way the Eagles are playing right now, and the Falcons have nothing.

Cardinals @ San Diego(-13.5)
So, I guess the #1 seed is still up for grabs in the AFC, with the Bolts getting it if they win, but if they lose and Baltimore wins, the Ravens get the #1 seed. I like the Chargers to do just enough to win, but they won’t win by a lot, so I’ll take the points.

Niners @ Denver(-10.5)
I know I got shafted by the Bengals last week, but I’m still with the whole “take Denver at home” plan.

Bills @ Baltimore(-9)
Yuck, that’s a lot of points. But is it too many points? Hmm. No, I say they cover it.

Dolphins @ Indianapolis(-9)
Man, the Colts should be really upset with themselves for losing to the Texans last week–that was amazing. The Colts never seem to quite do what I expect, so I’m picking them to cover.

Sunday NBC
Packers @ Chicago(-3)
Interesting. The Bears have clinched home field and everything, and the Packers are fighting for a playoff spot. Of course, the Packers are horrible and the Bears really ought to play the starters, especially on offense, so they should cover this.

OK, first a quick update on the standings:

	Mike	Al
old	98-101-9	95-104-9
wk 15	9-7	8-8
wk 16	8-8	7-9
total	115-116-9	110-121-9

Hey, I’m almost up to being as good as flipping a coin. Ugh.

Next, a raft of bowl games. I’ll do all the New Year’s Day games (and the later ones) when it’s a little closer.

12/28, Independence: Oklahoma State vs. Alabama(+2)
Yeah, I’ll give the points. Who’s coaching Alabama again?

12/28, Holiday: Texas A&M vs. California(-4)
I like getting points here. A&M is actually decent, and Cal has been shaky lately. The one thing about the Holiday bowl: take the over.

12/28, Texas: Rutgers vs. Kansas State(+7)
Seven seems kind; I don’t see the Wildcats with much of a shot in this game.

12/29, Music City: Clemson vs. Kentucky(+9.5)
Normally I would say that’s too many points, but so far we’ve seen a ton of bowl blowouts, so I think I’m going with the Tigers here.

12/29, Sun: Oregon State vs. Missouri(+3.5)
Give the points; the Beavers are on a roll!

12/29, Liberty: South Carolina vs. Houston(+5.5)
Ugh, if there’s one thing we learned from the early bowls, it’s that C-USA is really, really bad. Gamecocks.

12/29, Insight: Texas Tech vs. Minnesota(+6.5)
The Gophers can’t stop the pass. Oh, look, it’s the Red Raiders. Yikes, they could score 50. Give the points.

12/29, Champs Sports: Purdue vs. Maryland(+1)
I don’t have a good sense of this. Purdue didn’t play the better teams in the BigTen, and there are no better teams in the ACC, so I have no idea how these teams match up. Uhh, Purdue, I guess.

12/30, Meineke Car Care: Navy vs. Boston College(-6)
Give the six. The service academies shouldn’t be on the field against ranked teams… other than padding Notre Dame’s record, that is. Sheesh.

12/30, Alamo: Texas vs. Iowa(+9)
The Hawkeyes are limping into what will effectively be a home game against Texas, a team which will be mad about the A&M thing and the crappy bowl they got. I expect the Longhorns to simply smoke Iowa here, give the points.

12/30, Peach, err, Chik-fil-A: Georgia vs. Virginia Tech(-2.5)
Hey, look, the Dawgs in a bowl game close to home… again. Ugh. I’d generally say this should be more than a field goal, but VATech has been kind of spotty this year. I mean, you can’t lose to Tech and be any good, right? But still, Hokies.

12/31, MPC Computers: Miami vs. Nevada(+3.5)
I just love getting points in this game. Miami is just plain bad, and doesn’t deserve a bowl, and just wants the nightmare to end.

Ugh, getting late again…

Saturday NFLN
Chefs @ Oakland(+6.5)
Dunno, more points than I had hoped. Oh, wait, it’s the Raiders, I’ll give ‘em.

Sunday 1:00
Bears @ Detroit(+4.5)
The Lions are completely pathetic and Grossman seems to be playing well again, so I have to give the points.

Redskins @ St. Louis(-2)
I love getting points here; the Rams just seem so befuddled this season.

Saints @ New Jersey Giants(-3)
Is there a team with more talent and yet more disfunction than the Giants? I think not. Saints.

Ravens @ Pittsburgh(-3)
Uhh, yeah, the game is in Pittsburgh, but the wrong team is favored here–the Ravens are still alive for the #2 seed in the AFC, so they’ll not give in. Love getting the points.

Panthers @ Atlanta, no line
Carolina is done, Falcons all the way.

Patriots @ Jacksonville(-3)
OK, so my plan recently has been to take the Jags at home, and take their opponent on the road. Works well so far, I’ll stick with it.

Titans @ Buffalo(-4.5)
Sweet, I’m happy to take points with Vince. Man, the Texans front office screwed up…

Colts @ Houston(+9)
Yeah, these Texans. Indy covers this.

Buccaneers @ Cleveland(-3)
Battle of the backup QBs. I think Rattay is better than the no-name starting for Cleveland, so I’m taking the points.

Sunday, ~4:10
Cardinals @ San Francisco(-4)
While the Cards have shown some signs of life of late, the Niners are amazingly still alive for the division crown, and I think they’ll win. Will they cover? Ugh, man, I wish the spread were three. No, give the points anyway.

Bengals @ Denver(-3)
Denver, another team I like at home and hate on the road. Game in mile high, so I’ll take the Broncos.

Chargers @ Seattle(+4.5)
I find it hard to imagine how anyone could like the Seabags after last week’s horrific performance. The Bolts shouldn’t have any problem with them.

Sunday NBC
Eagles @ Dallas(-7)
OK, so this is a really tough game to pick. I like the Eagles with Garcia, but I think the Cowboys still win the game. But by a TD? I’m not so sure about that. I think I’ll take the points.

MNF
Jets @ Miami(-2.5)
OK, Jets, this is the “show me” game. Show me that you deserve the wildcard. J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!

Yikes, getting close to game time.

Vikings @ Green Bay(-3)
Whoa, now, the Packers are favored? I’m not so sure about that. Oh, wait, the Vikes are starting some random rookie at QB, right. Yeah, OK, give the points.

OK, so there are 32 bowls this year if you count the national championship game. I’m thinking in 3 or 4 parts as not to have lead times which are too long.

12/19, Poinsettia: Northern Illinois vs. TCU(-11.5)
That’s too many points for me. NIU can actually run the ball; they’ll lose, but keep it closer than this.

12/21, Las Vegas: BYU vs. Oregon(+3)
I like the Ducks to upset BYU. I think the MWC is weak this year. Weaker than usual, I mean. Well, actually, I’m not that impressed with the Pac10, either, but I like the Ducks anyway.

12/22, New Orleans: Rice vs. Troy(+4.5)
Well, if Rice’s starting QB Clement is healthy, they’ll easily cover this number. Unfortunately, it’s not clear that he’s really OK. They say he’ll play, but probably not at 100%. I’ll give the points, though I suspect they might win and not cover. Oh, well, GO OWLS!

12/23, Papajohns.com: South Florida vs. East Carolina(+4.5)
A bowl game of considerable geographic confusion. USF isn’t in south Florida, and WTF is east Carolina? Anyway, I think South Florida is probably better.

12/23, New Mexico: New Mexico vs. San Jose State(+3.5)
Despite it being a home game for UNM, I’m going to take the points, on that whole “weak MWC” theory.

12/23, Armed Forces: Tulsa vs. Utah(-1)
I have absolutely no idea whatsoever. It’s not like C-USA was anything exciting this year, either, I mean, heck Rice made it to a bowl almost entirely on within-conference wins. But, just to be consistent, I’ll pick against the MWC. Golden Hurricane!

12/24, Hawaii: Hawaii vs. Arizona State(+7)
I think the Warriors cover this one at home. ASU ached this year.

12/26, Motor City: Middle Tennessee vs. Central Michigan(-9.5)
Dang, I was definitely going to go with Central, but that’s a boatload of points. Man, that’s ugly. Still, I think Central is actually sort of OK for a weak sister team in one of these early bowls, so I’m going to pick ‘em.

12/27, Emerald: Florida State vs. UCLA(-4.5)
Bleah. Should be a defensive struggle since both of these offenses suck, so that’s too many points.

Saturday NFLN
Cowboys @ Atlanta(+3)
I don’t see Vick winning this all by himself, and the guys who run the ball are too nicked up.

Sunday 1:00
Bucs @ Chicago(-13.5)
That’s a lot of points for the Bears inept offense to cover, but then, the Bucs might not cross midfield. Wait, wait, Rex looked good last week, so he’ll suck this week. They’ll still win, but they won’t cover this.

Steelers @ Carolina, no line
Yeah, if I were the bookies I’d stay away from a line on this game, too. What’s up with the Panthers? I guess the Steelers have looked kind of better lately, and the Panthers… I have no idea. I guess I’ll take Pittsburgh here, but that’s a coin flip.

Lions @ Green Bay(-5)
Allow me to quote myself from Week 7: “Detroit on the road? No thanks.”

Browns @ Baltimore(-11)
The schitzo Cleveland team bothers me. They could beat this spread, but it could just as easily be 34-0 Ravens. I hate giving that many points, but I think this time I have to.

Jaguars @ Tennessee(+3.5)
Vince Young is just too hot to pick against right now, and I get points, which I think I’ll need.

Jest @ Minnesota(-3)
I fear the thought of the Vikings backing into the playoffs given their weak competition down the stretch. Come on, Jets, you even get points!

Texans @ New England(-11.5)
The Patriots will play down to the level of competition. They’ll win, but that’s too many.

Redskins @ New Orleans(-9.5)
I see no reason to think that the Saints won’t be able to run it up on the Skins like they did on the Cowboys.

Dolphins @ Buffalo(-1)
Since Culpepper was benched, the Dolphins have been great. Jason Taylor is a wrecking crew this year, I don’t see the Bills with an answer to him, Miami wins.

Sunday ~4:10
Broncos @ Arizona(+2.5)
Cutler has to win one eventually, right? Methinks Arizona is a good place for that to happen, so I’ll go with Denver here.

Rams @ Oakland(-2.5)
How the mighty have fallen. If I’m the Rams GM, the team is playing for the coaching staffs’ jobs right now. And the Raiders… well, at least their defense is decent. Freaky, I’m actually picking the Raiders.

Eagles @ New Jersey Giants(-5.5)
Well, those are enticing points, I was expecting the spread to be more like three. Yes, OK, I’ll take the points.

Sunday NBC
Chefs @ San Diego(-8.5)
I have little doubt that the Chargers will win, but they’ve not done well against large spreads this year; most of their big blowouts have been when they had small spreads. I think I’ll foolishly take the points.

MNF
Bengals @ Indianapolis(-3)
Whee, the big game of the week. And I have Rudi Johnson on my (admittedly hapless) fantasy team. I love getting these points.

Last week:        9-7                Season:                98-101-9
Al last week:        10-6                Al season:                95-104-9

Niners @ Seattle(-9.5)
Wow, nine and a half? Didn’t Seattle just lose to Arizona? Isn’t Seattle’s run defense horrible, and don’t the Niners have Frank Gore? Yeah, OK, take the monstrous nine and a half, thanks. Go Niners!

First set of bowls soon, since they start next Tuesday!

OK, so been way long since we’ve had an update on the records:

	Mike	Al
old	69-69-6	67-76-6
week 11	4-11-1	9-6-1
week 12	11-3-2	9-5-2
week 13	5-11	5-11
total	89-94-9	85-98-9

So… we both suck, and it’s close. Maybe next year I’ll just flip a coin all year, sheesh. On to this week.

Sunday, 1:00
Falcons @ Tampa(+3)
Good to see the Falcons with some life again, though I think Tampa’s packed it in. I’ll give the points.

Raiders @ Cincinnati(-11)
You know, the Raiders have actually been pretty impressive against the spread this year. I know the Bengals have looked good lately, but I think this is too many points.

Eagles @ Washington(+1.5)
I have no idea. I think the Redskins are horrible, but I’m not thrilled by the Eagles, either. I guess I have to like Garcia over that rookie, though, right? Whatever, sure, give the points.

Giants @ Carolina, no line
The Panthers are completely befuddling. They look so much worse than they should be, and the Giants are getting healthier. With no line, I say Giants.

Vikings @ Detroit(-2.5)
How are the Lions favored, even at home? I don’t see it.

Colts @ Jacksonville(+1.5)
If I’m the Jags, I run the ball on nearly every down and I bet it works. Man, I hope someone on the Jags has the same idea, because I’m picking them.

Ravens @ Kansas City(-3)
Even in Arrowhead, I can’t take the Chefs–too damn inconsistent. Gotta love getting points here.

Titans @ Houston(-1.5)
Again, even at home, I don’t see how the Texans can possibly be favored against a team which seems to have it together right now.

Patriots @ Miami(+3.5)
The Dolphins were exposed last week, and I’m sure the Pats will have seen the film. Give the points.

Sunday, ~4:10
Seahawks @ Arizona(+3)
I think Seattle is back enough to handle this.

Packers @ San Francisco(-4.5)
The Niners are just better, I’ll give the points.

Bills @ New Jersey Jets(-4)
Buffalo has been great against the spread lately, but they’re nicked up and the Jets are rolling, so I’ll give the points.

Broncos @ San Diego(-7.5)
Feh. I’m not taking Denver on the road.

Sunday NBC
Saints @ Dallas(-7)
The Saints have been a great story, but Dallas looks like a team on a mission right now, and in big D, I think I have to give the points.

MNF
Bears @ St. Louis(+6.5)
Even if Grossman has a QB rating under 10, the Bears will cover this–the Rams are just awful.

Browns @ Pittsburgh(-7.5)
I still don’t think the Steelers are all that great, though they did look better last week. And the Browns have some life. I don’t think the Browns win, but that they keep it closer than this.