If I know our kids

.... half of them will be on USC without even caring what the spread is and the other half will take Ohio State moneyline because they are greedy bastards. When I look at that game, I honestly don't see any way the Buckeyes can hang with the Trojans. In case you hadn't heard, speedy teams from outside the Big Ten have had decent success against Ohio State in recent years. It sure looks like this game is going to be a blowout, especially with Ohio State's star RB Beanie Wells ruled out of the "Collision."

But sports gambling is never that easy. Everything sets up for USC to destroy Ohio State tonight. (It looks so easy and so obvious that even CJack is calling it a lock.) The blog would not advise laying the points in this game but I will consider playing the Trojans on the moneyline if the kids really do hammer Ohio State moneyline and move it the other way. It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see the Buckeyes hang in there and cover the double digit spread. But Jim Tressel winning a big game like this? Now that would be surprising.


Last Monday: 1-0, +$200

Year to Date: 7-5, +$418

I'm off to a good start in both the pro and college regular seasons but one careless week can wipe that all out. It always does.

(137) Michigan PK (-101) @ Notre Dame

I don't have a whole lot to say about this play other than the fact that every single person whose opinion I trust and is unbiased about this game has told me that I am wrong for betting Michigan. The forecast is calling for rain in South Bend and I say bring it on. I know the Wolverines are going to be running the ball anyway in Rich Rodriguez's spread offense. Let's see Jimmy Clausen throw the ball in poor conditions. Let's see him throw the ball in any conditions. Go Blue.


Week 1 of the Leroy's Challenge saw entry 'Avon Barksdale' produce a 4-3 record (It would've been 5-2 if Urban Meyer wasn't such a "Classless Dirtbag.") 4-3 is pretty good considering that our star capper was in Minnesota at the Republican National Convention, where they apparently didn't have computers. Well, he's back this week and we have bestowed upon him the honor of making 3 of our 7 picks.

Here's what we have in Week 2:

Nevada +26.5 (HM)
UCLA +8.5 (JM)
Purdue +7.5 (GH)
Iowa St +13.5 (HM)
Va Tech -6.5 (GH)
Maryland +14.5 (GH)
Washington +20.5 (JM)

I decided to point out which picks were made by which person. That way whoever does the worst can be openly mocked. (I really hope it's not me.)

Some additional sports thoughts:

* It took a hurricane to prevent Ryan Howard from hitting another home run yesterday. No opposing pitchers could keep him in the park.

In a related story, Howard was spotted being booed for not hitting a home run on Friday while hanging out in a local watering hole that night. Those Philadelphia fans sure are great.

* I don't like the fact that the Ravens-Texans game has been postponed. I'm concerned that my sleeper team will end up with 7 home games the way the Saints did in 2005.

* South Florida beat Kansas last night, 37-34. I'm not really sure how the Bulls pulled it off but they did. Here's what I took away from that game:

- Mark Mangino is a really, really good coach. Other than QB Todd Reesing, Kansas doesn't seem to have any real special players, but in the system Mangino has designed they should be able to give just about anyone a good game.

- That is, unless, of course, Todd Reesing gets hurt. Reesing is undersized and borderline reckless when he leaves the pocket. If he gets hurt, the Venetian may as well pay those of us with Kansas 'Under' tickets.

- The South Florida secondary is really bad. They lost both starting corners from last year's team to the NFL and don't appear to have much left. Let's just say that on a crucial 3rd and 21 late in the 4th quarter, a white WR got wide open down the middle for a 29 yard gain. Yikes. Luckily for the Bulls, there are no good passing attacks in the Big East this year besides their own.

* I always suspected that Kirk Herbstreit was nailing Erin Andrews. New information presented to me by a very reliable source has only confirmed my beliefs. Herbie - You are a lucky guy.

It's also been confirmed that Chris Fowler is a giant douche. Shocker.

* Ricky Reilly was a nice read the other day in ESPN Magazine. (Surprise, surprise.) In this article, he discusses which professional sports franchise rules every major city in America. Gotta disagree with him about Philly. It's not a Phillies town. It's a "Whichever of our Team's Is Having the Best Season" town. Just ask Jimmy Rollins.


I'll be back tomorrow with my NFL picks and a little Sprint Cup chatter.




Enjoy the game.