Before we get started I just wanted to thank Mr. Tom Quigley VIP Player Concierge at beautiful Santa Anita and all the others there who made our trip this past Saturday one great experience at the Great Race Place even though I personally did not cash many tickets.
If you are a horse player and looking for a really good experience please go to Santa Anita; you will not regret it. The drive is very easy, 250 miles down and 250 back. It took us less than 3½ hours to get back with no stops.
If you have some horse playing friends just contact Tom Quigley and he will help you plan a great trip, one that will have you wanting to get back soon. The Breeders’ Cup is right around the corner so think about it.
College football was a success but the NFL was its usual topsy, turvy, crazy, nuts, late score losses. There are some real bad teams we need to stay away from and a few that are real good. Only a few.
One thing I do know is why some teams win championships and other don’t. Teams like the Texans will never win a Super Bowl with Schaub at QB. Matt just can’t get the job done under pressure like a Joe Montana. Schaub makes stupid decisions like tossing an interception with two minutes left and a touchdown lead instead of eating the ball.
Stupid is as stupid does and your mom was right, Forest. But Sunday was Sunday and my dog Dino was very hurt that I fired him. There are things you must do – like fire the entire coaching staff of the Steelers and start from scratch. They need to go the way of the USC and Lane Kiffin.
Mike Tomlin inherited a great team and program and has dismantled it, I say start over. With that said I will probably make Pittsburgh a winner in two weeks coming off the bye.
College Football
Thursday
Take TEXAS -9 (at Iowa State): The Longhorns got going again two weeks ago with a much needed win over Kansas State. They got a week off and come in eager. They cruised against Iowa State last year 33-7 and this game will be much like that one.
Friday
Take UTAH ST. -5½ (vs. Brigham Young): The Aggies come in with a 3-2 record and could easily be 5-0. Both setbacks were on the road. They lost to BYU last year 6-3 and look to get revenge in a must win game for them.
Saturday
Take TCU +11 (at Oklahoma): Good spot for the Horned Frogs to get the cover in what could be a close game. They catch the Sooners off that big game at South Bend and are looking for revenge from last year’s 24-17 home loss. This looks like a 7 point game.
Take MISSOURI +1 (at Vandy): Unbeaten Missouri steps into SEC conference play in good shape after playing four overmatched teams. They were hit with many injuries last year and when healthy like now are a real good team. Tigers come into Nashville with big revenge on their mind from last year’s 19-15 home loss as a 7 point favorite. They had key injuries in that game. Not so in this turnaround game.
Take NORTHWESTERN +5½ (vs. Ohio State): Now this will be one good game to watch. The Wildcats from Evanston lock horns with the Buckeyes for the first time since 2008 when they got crushed at home 45-7. They have long been a whipping boy for the Buckeyes but not so in this game. The Wildcats are 4-0 with good wins over California on the road and Syracuse. They had last week off to prepare while Ohio State was locked in mortal combat with Wisconsin. Urban Meyer is the master but has a defense that is suspect to say the least. Northwestern does have a legit offense and will score. We will take the points and make a little money line bet just in case Urban suffers his first loss at Ohio State. Also take OVER.
NFL
Sunday
So how tough is pro football! We have just one team that has an opening line above 6½ points and believe it or not it’s the Rams. Yes, the Rams of all teams as they play the hapless Jags, but would you lay -12½? With my dog Dino on the sidelines I will go to picking these games the old fashion way, logic.
Take TITANS +3½ (vs. Chiefs): Yes, the Chiefs are 4-0 but now go on the road as the favorite against a real good Tennessee team whose only loss was 30-24 at Houston where they had a shot at winning. This one is very easy and I will make a double bet.
That is my one and only NFL play. I will go all in with my Northwestern winnings.
Good luck as we really need it in the NFL, and remember to play those 10 teamers. You just may be walking around lucky and not even know it.
Record
Last Week
5-3
NFL
5-4-1
NCAA
26-15
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GamingToday’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Follow Richard on Twitter @SabesBet. Contact Richard at [email protected].
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