Football is here but before I get into my college picks this week I just need to get something off my chest.
I am sick and tired of some writers bashing Ohio State’s early schedule. Did you know they are required by the Ohio Board of Regents to schedule at least one in-state school in their non-conference schedule?
Ohio State is state-supported by taxpayer dollars. Thus, the Board of Regents wants to ensure that as much of those taxpayer dollars as possible stay in the state as opposed to using the money to pay an out of state school, thus sending those Ohio funds away.
I know it’s an easy and cheap way to bash Ohio State for yet something else but maybe Mark Mayer and the hundreds of other sportswriters who do the same thing can check things out a little before making comments like that. Yes, they are playing Akron. Who else are they supposed to schedule?
The Power Structure of college football in Ohio goes “Ohio State” then a bunch of lesser teams. These schedules are set years in advance. If they work Miami into the schedule now for five or six years down the road who’s to say that by then Miami won’t be a weak sister again with all their concerns.
So either get the Board of Regents to lift that requirement from Ohio State or everyone should get off of their backs for something out of their control. By the way, teams like Akron need that money to keep their programs going as how many games do they get to play in front of 100k fans?
If you are a fan of the Buckeyes or just a bettor go out and wager OVER 8½ season wins and you will cash a ticket as Ohio State is still Ohio State. The cupboard is never bare and after five games the suspended players will be back with a vengeance. By midseason Braxton Miller will be the QB – not as big as Pryor but just as fast with a better arm and head.
The parlay cards are getting ready to roll off the presses this Wednesday and I am ready to start firing away with some juicy trends I have located.
Saturday, Sept. 3
UCLA at Houston: (12:30 PT FSN) The Bruins hammered Houston in LA last year 31-13. UCLA has gone 5-1 ATS in its openers the last six years. The Cougars are 0-4 ATS the last four years in openers. UCLA +3½.
BYU -2½ at Mississippi: (1:45 PT ESPN)
A real good trend game. BYU has gone 10-1 ATS the last 11 years in openers and 6-0 ATS in the first of back to back road games (they travel to Texas next week). A win here is a must for the Cougars season. BYU -2½
Colorado +6½ at Hawaii: (7:15 PT ESPN2) I always like to have a get out game and this is my Saturday special. I will hold off and hope this line crawls up to 7 around game time. Bettors who are stuck usually go to the chalk to get out. Hawaii has gone 0-4 ATS as a non conference home favorite giving up 28 points or less. COLORADO.
Next week I will add NFL plays to the menu. One thing I have noticed when shopping for future bets is there is just a ton of wiseguy money coming in on the Lions to win their division, the NFC and the Super Bowl. They look to be a good bet in the early going, especially +3 in the opener at Tampa.
Don’t forget those 10 team parlays, if you don’t play one you can’t hit one!
Hail, Jerry’s!
Our seminar at Jerry’s Nugget this past Saturday was a huge success and I found some stuff out I really didn’t know. I did know how good the food is there but did you know Mark Dufty offers one comp dollar for every $25 you bet?
It is maybe the highest in town but he is really going out on the limb – doubling down the entire Labor Day weekend and offering double comps. If you bet $200 you will have enough comp dollars to get two steak and shrimp dinners.
This will also be the last week of their Del Mar contest this Saturday with a shot at winning that trip for two to the lavish California track.