Wow…An 0-fer…I haven’t had an 0-fer in I don’t know how long. If ever. I mean, usually the blind luck of the whole damn thing usually means you get 1 right. Add to that some insight and a little analysis and you should be able to make educated guesses that are at least better than a coin flip. Why else gamble, right? Sports betting has to be one of the toughest propositions going which is why you never meet any rich, retired sports bettors. The house eventually takes it all at 10% per win…
But that’s why were doing it fantasy! It really doesn’t matter. Unless you were one of those people that decided to put all your hopes and dreams on the FMQ at the beginning of the season and went to a website and signed up for an account. If you did, I will do my best to make sense of this mess and get some of that back. And things are getting more interesting in Mid-November. Bigger upsets occur…Underdog Teams are playing with a “nothing to lose and everything to gain” attitude. At least they SHOULD be….
So, we’re down to $639.50 after getting back to almost even. Let’s try for broke. No, let’s not. But any thought we have today, let’s re-think the opposite side.
Cheeseheads @ Michigan (+6): Immediate thought: Bet the farm on the Cheeseheads and lay the points. But that got me in trouble last week. I can see the Michigan argument: Home, big game for Wisconsin on the road if they want to win the Big 10 outright. Michigan still would like to have one more win to secure a New Year’s day bowl – Ears pinned back, nothing to lose…the Wisky offense just looks like too much for the Michigan defense. But the Cheeseheads played awful in East Lansing. Is it possible? It would be an upset for the ages…All Right:
Take Michigan and the 6 for $60
PSU @ Indiana (+10): Was Indiana embarrassed enough by Wisconsin to rally this week? I’m not sure. First instinct was to take PSU and lay the points on a team that has more or less given up on making a bowl game. The other side: IU might have one upset left in them. But it’s really hard to see. I’ll take PSU and lay the 10 for $40.
Stanford @ Cal (+6.5): I think Cal can play at home…But is Stanford still thinking BCS style points? Rivalry game….First instinct is to take Stanford and lay the points…I guess that means I’ll take Cal and the 6.5 for $60.
OSU @ Iowa (+3.5): Was Iowa embarrassed enough last week to screw up the nerve to upset the Suckeyes at home? First instinct was take OSU and lay the points, therefore:
Take Iowa and the 3.5 for $40.
Parlay
No parlay this week…Let’s get a little back….
Total Wagered: $200
Bank: $439.50
The MMQ
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Domer Arrested...But Isn't That What They All Wanted?
Domers (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS!)...They come in all shapes, sizes, ehtnicities, and all walks of life. Domer students, Domer Cops...It simply doesn't end.
In case you haven't seen it, check the link to the story and video. I will tell you right now that the video takes some time to download for whatever reason - but it's kind of worth it to see what's happening. Hard to hear anything though. But the cop, Mr. Kaps(?) is way out of line from what we can see.....
So, this 21 year old student who had partaken in his "Domer/God given right" to imbibe some of the grape that the Lord hath bestowed on him to drink and add to his joyous occassion, may or may not have mouthed off to a "Domer Cop" that had been given the University and God-given right to bash the heads of Domer students that he believes are either lipping off to him or showing him disrespect and are what the cop deems to be "publicly intoxicated."
Classic. Absolutely Classic. I love Domer on Domer crime...
Here's the thing: About 2 years ago for anyone keeping score at home, Daddy "I'm not drunk" $warbuck$ showed up and the University of Notre Dame, Father Jenkins and $warbuck$ all decided that somehow, the Domer Football game day experience had "gotten out of hand". Hey, Domer Authorities: Have you seen and witnessed some of the crap that's been on the Domer field in the last 5 years? Drinking at Notre Dame would have to be a part of a student's life just to get through the pain of football season. Look at any bad program and I guarantee you when the product on the field is bad, alcohol sales in the local community skyrocket on home game days.
Anyway, they decide to work with the local authorities, all of them, and they decide they are going to "clean up" game day.
The problem with any endeavor like this is (See Duke bans Tailgating) that as soon as you take something away that's been understood and used responsibly by say, 97% of the fans that are in attendance, they get pissed. And they are going to find ways to work around the system. And they will. And responsible people might get a "little publicly intoxicated" as a result of having to use the work around solution. Please read this well written entry from NDNation about what it "was" like and "What" it became....
by Now Hang Up (2010-11-16 13:26:05) cannot delete Edit Return to Board Ignore Poster Highlight Poster Reply to Post
My freshman year was the last year of the old alcohol policy. For those who don't remember, essentially the rule was "If it's in your room, it's yours." I'll start by stating that my roommates and I drank far too much in college. Like, an unhealthy amount. But freshman year, our RA was our friend. He came and went during our parties and we didn't hide anything from him. If someone was too drunk, he'd come through and say "Hey, cut him off for a while." We knew we could go to him if there was a problem and he would help us out with what we needed. We weren't "above the law" in any sense of the word- we were fined a couple of times for various things- but we didn't fear his presence in our lives, even when he was enforcing the rules. We had good parties on campus- twice we had a DJ in the basement of Alumni for a dance party, with drinks in cleared-out rooms upstairs. FGR and the RAs monitored, wrote out fines where necessary, and otherwise left us alone. Sophomore year they changed the policies to make us safer, and our parties immediately became significantly less safe. Doors were shut and locked. Our RAs were the enemy, and they were not to be told what we were doing. Instead of having punch or mixed drinks, hard alcohol was stored under sinks and behind desks, and served up quickly in shot form. If someone was too drunk, well, he could stumble his ass to the bathroom alone, because I wasn't going to be fined too. Drinking games were played quietly and secretly. We didn't stop drinking, we didn't drink less, we just did it quicker and without supervision. Parties weren't nearly as social as they used to be, so we started going off campus more and more. After a freshman year of insisting that we wanted to live in Alumni all four years, we filled out applications to live in college park. Essentially, ND went from a true "in loco parentis" system, where the RAs and rectors were the authority figures but still a part of our lives and turned it into "us vs. them".
Now, add some hard-ass cops with badges and attitudes to the mix that have been given orders from God himself to somehow, "Clean it all up!" You're just going to end up with a mess on your hands and cops getting fired as a result of it all.
I'm not here to defend cops. Believe me, I think we have way too many now and with the reduction of taxes, state and local, hopefully there will be even fewer to deal with. I'm not here to defend underage drinking, either. But on a college campus, well, let's just say that I "get" that it might happen, on occassion. And, believe it or not, as I have expressed before that I don't think tailgating is a free ticket to public drunkeness on the borderline of being disorderly. I mean, this isn't the SEC...It's Notre Dame. For whatever that's worth....
Back to my point: if you are a town like Ann Arbor or South Bend that relies on the dollars that the game day attendees bring to the local economy, you figure out working solutions and more than anything you practice tolerance - BOTH WAYS! That's one thing I'll take my hat off to the Ann Arbor Police for. They really don't get too involved unless they absolutely have to and they let the fans do what fans do. Yes, on any normal day, there's probably just cause to have 50,000 or so people sitting in the holding cell in downtown Ann Arbor drying out. But on Game Day, at least for right now, it's understood that it's a party.
So, maybe the Domers can weed out and put up some sacrificial cops on the altar of keeping the parents and fans at bay with some public firings. And maybe the tea-totalers that are imbibing will find a way to do it in moderation in the future in South Bend. Or maybe a midwestern university that is becoming a bit of a laughingstock and now a public safety hazard for potential students (and the parents of those students) will say to themselves, "I can do better" and the university will continue to spiral downward into the abyss.
It's hard to say what will happen, but I wouldn't want my child to go to Notre Dame.
Period.
In case you haven't seen it, check the link to the story and video. I will tell you right now that the video takes some time to download for whatever reason - but it's kind of worth it to see what's happening. Hard to hear anything though. But the cop, Mr. Kaps(?) is way out of line from what we can see.....
So, this 21 year old student who had partaken in his "Domer/God given right" to imbibe some of the grape that the Lord hath bestowed on him to drink and add to his joyous occassion, may or may not have mouthed off to a "Domer Cop" that had been given the University and God-given right to bash the heads of Domer students that he believes are either lipping off to him or showing him disrespect and are what the cop deems to be "publicly intoxicated."
Classic. Absolutely Classic. I love Domer on Domer crime...
Here's the thing: About 2 years ago for anyone keeping score at home, Daddy "I'm not drunk" $warbuck$ showed up and the University of Notre Dame, Father Jenkins and $warbuck$ all decided that somehow, the Domer Football game day experience had "gotten out of hand". Hey, Domer Authorities: Have you seen and witnessed some of the crap that's been on the Domer field in the last 5 years? Drinking at Notre Dame would have to be a part of a student's life just to get through the pain of football season. Look at any bad program and I guarantee you when the product on the field is bad, alcohol sales in the local community skyrocket on home game days.
Anyway, they decide to work with the local authorities, all of them, and they decide they are going to "clean up" game day.
The problem with any endeavor like this is (See Duke bans Tailgating) that as soon as you take something away that's been understood and used responsibly by say, 97% of the fans that are in attendance, they get pissed. And they are going to find ways to work around the system. And they will. And responsible people might get a "little publicly intoxicated" as a result of having to use the work around solution. Please read this well written entry from NDNation about what it "was" like and "What" it became....
by Now Hang Up (2010-11-16 13:26:05) cannot delete Edit Return to Board Ignore Poster Highlight Poster Reply to Post
My freshman year was the last year of the old alcohol policy. For those who don't remember, essentially the rule was "If it's in your room, it's yours." I'll start by stating that my roommates and I drank far too much in college. Like, an unhealthy amount. But freshman year, our RA was our friend. He came and went during our parties and we didn't hide anything from him. If someone was too drunk, he'd come through and say "Hey, cut him off for a while." We knew we could go to him if there was a problem and he would help us out with what we needed. We weren't "above the law" in any sense of the word- we were fined a couple of times for various things- but we didn't fear his presence in our lives, even when he was enforcing the rules. We had good parties on campus- twice we had a DJ in the basement of Alumni for a dance party, with drinks in cleared-out rooms upstairs. FGR and the RAs monitored, wrote out fines where necessary, and otherwise left us alone. Sophomore year they changed the policies to make us safer, and our parties immediately became significantly less safe. Doors were shut and locked. Our RAs were the enemy, and they were not to be told what we were doing. Instead of having punch or mixed drinks, hard alcohol was stored under sinks and behind desks, and served up quickly in shot form. If someone was too drunk, well, he could stumble his ass to the bathroom alone, because I wasn't going to be fined too. Drinking games were played quietly and secretly. We didn't stop drinking, we didn't drink less, we just did it quicker and without supervision. Parties weren't nearly as social as they used to be, so we started going off campus more and more. After a freshman year of insisting that we wanted to live in Alumni all four years, we filled out applications to live in college park. Essentially, ND went from a true "in loco parentis" system, where the RAs and rectors were the authority figures but still a part of our lives and turned it into "us vs. them".
Now, add some hard-ass cops with badges and attitudes to the mix that have been given orders from God himself to somehow, "Clean it all up!" You're just going to end up with a mess on your hands and cops getting fired as a result of it all.
I'm not here to defend cops. Believe me, I think we have way too many now and with the reduction of taxes, state and local, hopefully there will be even fewer to deal with. I'm not here to defend underage drinking, either. But on a college campus, well, let's just say that I "get" that it might happen, on occassion. And, believe it or not, as I have expressed before that I don't think tailgating is a free ticket to public drunkeness on the borderline of being disorderly. I mean, this isn't the SEC...It's Notre Dame. For whatever that's worth....
Back to my point: if you are a town like Ann Arbor or South Bend that relies on the dollars that the game day attendees bring to the local economy, you figure out working solutions and more than anything you practice tolerance - BOTH WAYS! That's one thing I'll take my hat off to the Ann Arbor Police for. They really don't get too involved unless they absolutely have to and they let the fans do what fans do. Yes, on any normal day, there's probably just cause to have 50,000 or so people sitting in the holding cell in downtown Ann Arbor drying out. But on Game Day, at least for right now, it's understood that it's a party.
So, maybe the Domers can weed out and put up some sacrificial cops on the altar of keeping the parents and fans at bay with some public firings. And maybe the tea-totalers that are imbibing will find a way to do it in moderation in the future in South Bend. Or maybe a midwestern university that is becoming a bit of a laughingstock and now a public safety hazard for potential students (and the parents of those students) will say to themselves, "I can do better" and the university will continue to spiral downward into the abyss.
It's hard to say what will happen, but I wouldn't want my child to go to Notre Dame.
Period.
Can It Be? Can Michigan Make the Gator?
For a few of you out there, this is relevant. I assumed (you know, that whole ass out of u-and-me thing becomes more relevant all the time) that all the bowl prognosticators and predictors had this right with Michigan "projected" to go to the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ on December 28th, 8:00 P.M. You know, one of those "oops I missed it" games if it doesn't have a team in it that you're particularly interested in. It made sense and we would solidify it with one win in the next two games....I know big ifs.
But here's what's interesting - MVictors has discovered, or rather, reminded everyone of what the new bowl rules are. That is, the Gator and the InSight bowl "SHARE" the 3rd and 4th pick from the Big 10. So, that means if they can't "negotiate" who will play where, they flip a coin.
What makes it even more interesting is that both Bowls will probably want Penn State with Joe Pa hanging up the whistle and everything. Assuming that, Michigan has an outside 50-50 chance of actually making it to Florida this year after all!
And even though I'd be the length of that damn state away (Have you driven Florida recently? It's frickin' LONG...) I think I owe it to my Alma Mater to at least try to make that game on January 1st at 1:00 P.M.
Here's hoping...Beat the Cheeseheads!
But here's what's interesting - MVictors has discovered, or rather, reminded everyone of what the new bowl rules are. That is, the Gator and the InSight bowl "SHARE" the 3rd and 4th pick from the Big 10. So, that means if they can't "negotiate" who will play where, they flip a coin.
What makes it even more interesting is that both Bowls will probably want Penn State with Joe Pa hanging up the whistle and everything. Assuming that, Michigan has an outside 50-50 chance of actually making it to Florida this year after all!
And even though I'd be the length of that damn state away (Have you driven Florida recently? It's frickin' LONG...) I think I owe it to my Alma Mater to at least try to make that game on January 1st at 1:00 P.M.
Here's hoping...Beat the Cheeseheads!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Okay - It Was A Mess....But WE WON!
Yeah, I hear you…That game left something to be desired. Why does it seem that this Michigan team plays to the level of its opponent? There’s absolutely no way our offense should have turned the ball over to Purdont’s defense that many times…Yet it did. I’m glad the Rod finally got some revenge on these clowns. Hope’s a jerk, and he will hopefully be around awhile.
I didn’t think our defense had improved to the point where we would hold ANYBODY to 16 points…Yet it did. So, what’s it all mean? I’m not entirely sure, but with two left on the schedule, I would absolutely love to go 1-1 and get to 8 wins…If that’s possible. In our analysis:
Purdue: Did what we needed to do…
Wisconsin: 5-1 against…This went up. Did you see what they did to poor ‘ole Indiana? I know it's at the Big House...Does that matter? I've seen the early line - it's 5.5. I'm thinking take the Cheeseheads and lay the points...But you'll have to get to the FMQ to see how THAT'S worked out for me...
Ohio State: 2-1 against…I’m not sure the Buckeye’s are clicking on all 8. If they don’t get handed two touchdowns by McGloin…More on that in a minute.
It’s looking like the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ right now, unless this rag-tag group of Wolverines can figure out away to defy all odds and beat both of those giants sitting in front of them right now. IF we can beat the Cheeseheads, I like my chances against the Suckeyes. But beating the Cheeseheads is a big if….
The Rest of the Mess
BCS Mess: So many “Uh-OOOHHH!” moments and not one of them actually happened or completed the upset. The biggest disappointment, at least for this bettor, had to be without a doubt Oregon. Yes, I know Cal plays tough at home. But still, I just didn’t think Cal had it in them to keep the Ducks in the teens…I thought they could keep up with them offensively, but come one…Only 16 points out of that offense? Are the Ducks simply fatiguing at the end of the season? Anyway, here’s how it looks right now:
BCS Standings:
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. TCU
4. Boy’s State
5. LSU
6. Stanford
7. Wisconsin
8. Nebraska
9. Ohio State
10. Oklahoma State
11. Who cares…
Look Familiar? This week’s biggest Winner: NONE…. Nothing changed. Everyone held the spot they had the week before. Even though there were some scares, it wasn’t enough to change anything in anyone’s eyes…Or their votes.
SPARTY Bye: You guys should stay home more often…Northworsten did their annual stomp on Iowa and you now have an ally that can win out and cause some great tie breakers for you in the Big 10…
DOMERS (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS) vs. Utah: I didn’t see this one coming – I should have, but didn’t. Utah is truly a fraud at this point…. If anything, I saw this script playing out in the exact opposite manner on Saturday. Of course, all of Domer-land is pooh-poohing this victory as a win against an over-rated WAC team. Let’s not forget that the Ute’s will be in the PAC12 next year. Even when they win, Domer fan is unhappy…Hee-hee…
Auburn vs Georgia: Auburn holds serve, even with the 24-7 media circus surrounding Cam Newton. More on that in a minute.
The Ole Ball Coach vs his Alma Mater: If you were to ask which victory at USC has been his sweetest, something tells me this one might rank up there in the top 2 or 3. Gatorland looks sickly and anemic – someone please put them out of their misery. Is Urb’s seat hot yet?
Hoakies vs. UNC: I told you that the Hoakies would win the ACC. And they’ll probably finish in the top 10.
tSUCKEYES vs. PSU: If McGloin doesn’t chuck two pick 6’s, this is a lot closer game. The PSU defense seemed to be stopping the Suckeyes all right until they just had the wind knocked out of their sails…
Ducks vs. Cal: Ducks didn’t play well again…And this might have been the game that saved Tedford’s bacon and kept his seat a little cooler even with the loss…
Illini vs. DII school in Minnesota: Are you kidding me? Did losing in Ann Arbor take that much out of you? Jeez…Zookie, you’re right back up there on the ole Hot Seat.
Satan vs. MSU: Looks like MSU was more upset about the Cam Newton coverage than Auburn was…
Big 10 Mess:
3 serious teams with 1 loss: Wisconsin - OSU –MSU
Spoiler Opportunity: OSU vs. Iowa – Michigan vs. Wisconsin, Michigan vs. OSU(?)
SPARTY Remaing: Purdue – Penn State
Wisconsin Remaining: Michigan –Indiana
OSU Remaining: Iowa – Michigan
Game has changed! As previously mentioned, Sparty is going to become a HUGE Iowa fan this Saturday. Of course, they still need to win out, but never the less, they suddenly love Black and Gold….
Idle Thoughts From Saturday
-What’s with DeRob?
-There he is…Oops, there he isn’t…
-WHY ARE YOU THROWING THAT BALL?
-Are you telling me we can’t rush against this defense?
-Are we that ineffective on wet Turf?
-It had better not rain at any more games…
-OMG…Wisconsin comes in here next week.
-I at least hope they’re tired.
-I saw the Ole Ball Coach smiling in the 4th quarter…
-I think he liked winning that game.
-Can they beat Auburn on their 2nd try?
-Does it matter?
-There’s going to be hell to pay if Auburn loses to USC in the SEC championship.
-Which is just the way I like it.
-Get the SEC all riled up and screaming for a play-off.
-2 or 3 years out of the National Title game ought to do it…
-Why couldn’t Michigan hold on to the damn ball?
-Defense finally shows up, but the offense literally drops a turd out there.
-You can’t tell me they were looking ahead to the Cheeseheads..
-This team can’t afford to look ahead to half time.
-If I hear “Cam Newton” one more time…
Speaking of Cam Newton – I haven’t commented on it for several reasons:
1. What do we really KNOW? We know the NCAA is investigating and the FBI is involved because it’s rumored that Cam Newton’s old man was going to “launder” the money through his church.
2. Auburn has 100 other kids playing on that team that deserve better.
3. Everyone else is making sure they comment on the situation taking the story into complete melt down mode…
Look I’m not going to sit here and say Cam’s Dad did or didn’t do anything. All that will come out soon enough. What’s funny is that somehow, Cam’s situation at Gatorland got leaked, and that SHOULD open up a BIG can of worms at that institution, where the football team has had over 30 arrests in the last 3 years. Leaking private records should be a punishable offense by the NCAA, not to mention the run ins with the law. Mississippi State was involved and we don’t know if the money was actually offered or if the request for the dough came first from Cam's Dad. And did Cam know what his crazy old man was doing? That could get interesting as well - if that's going to be the defense - which seems absurd in and of itself. Auburn is saying their hands are clean, but come on. Where there’s this much smoke, there’s bound to be a little flame…Don’t you think? Yes, Cam played Saturday. What was Auburn GONNA DO? Pull him out of the line-up and simply admit guilt? Riiiiiight…This is the SEC people.
"Super Excellent Cheaters!”
The NCAA might just open up an auxiliary office in Atlanta as it seems relatively central to the SEC region and start looking up everyone’s ass with a microscope. And nothing, absolutely nothing would please this fan more than seeing the SEC have some premier teams on the sidelines during the holidays for a year or two….
The Hot Seat
Julie Bowen IS The Oregon Ducks of the Hot Seat voting. Okay, so you like Julie and have supported her yet again this week. Although there was some staying power with Sophia Vergara who garnered 4 votes in her follow up week against Julie’s total of 7…Charissa and Sophia split the vote that might have made another entry for Championship Week. Very Interesting. If the MMQ decides to have a “personal Favorite” pick this year for the Championship Week vote, I may have to strongly consider Sophia.
The Hot Seat Mascot selection committee (yes, I’ve expanded the Hot Seat Mascot to a panel of experts in such matters – if interested, drop me a line) came up with some interesting ideas that we are going to throw out there in an attempt to shake things up a bit in the remaining weeks. For anyone who likes TV history, well, I for one had a thing for Joyce Davenport in “Hill Street Blues”, the Public Defender that used to rock Frank “Pizza Man” to sleep at the end of a lot of episodes….So, with a Blast from the Past, introducing Week # 12 Hot Seat Mascot Nominee – Veronica Hamel!
NOT the Girl next door…
I love Black and Whites…
"Are you ready, Pizza Man?"
Week #12 Hot Seat Rankings:
1. Dennis Erickson – Inevitable at this point - I think…
2. Richy Rich – 5 losses in the SEC? Check again – is your name still on the office door?
3. Butch Davis – North Carolina…I just don’t see how he survives with everything that’s happened.
4. Zookie – Heh-heh…Losing to the Gophers this year might be enough all by itself to get you canned…
5. Rich Rod – Little cooler, but you were supposed to beat Purdue, too…
6. Les Miles – only 1 loss coach on the list….
7. Urban Legend - just cuz if anything comes out and he had anything to do with the leaking of records…Domers, here I come!
8. Joe Pa –Joe, please go out graciously. You comfortably have the record now.
2010 GONE LIST
1. Brewster – Minnesota has lost its patience with this guy. 15-30 gets you canned from a Big 10 Middle of the pack team…
2. Dan Hawkins – It was just a matter of time…
Hot Coach Search
1. Brady Hoke – actually had TCU sweating a little
2. Harbaugh – It will take the right job to make him leave…
3. Richy Rich - Already saying he's NOT CONSIDERING the Colorado job...
FMQ Betting Results:
Wow…An O-fer week. That’s a first. Every bet lost folks…I won’t even summarize…Well, what the hell. I guess we can at least look at the logic and try to figure out where we went wrong….
Michigan @ Purdo-don’t (+13): Take Michigan and lay the 13 for $80
The weather doomed me here…At least that’s what I blaming it on. This fell into the “Lay big points on a rising favorite and a drooping dog and look for a big victory margin”…So much for that thesis.
Oregon @ Cal (+19.5) I’ll take the Ducks and lay the 19.5 for $80.
I can only assume that Cal really is a lot better team at home than they are on the road. But I’d like to see Stanford and Oregon play again...Another big spread blunder….
Utah @ Domers (+5.5): I’ll take Utah and lay the 5.5 for $60.
What the F!#@$%? I really thought after laying one egg that a school racking up 41 points a game on average would at least find 35 in Domerland…And if I had followed my own advice about taking dogs with less than 7 points…Damn…
Illini at DII school in Minnesota (+21): I’ll take the Illini and lay the 21 for $40.
This one is just plain baffling. How can the Illini LOSE this game? Illinois is a team that can score points. Minnesota hadn’t stopped anyone this year. I figured with bowl eligibility on the line, Zookie would have this team ready to go….Go figure…
PSU @ OSU (-18.5): I’ll take PSU and the 18.5 for $40.
The one game where I TAKE the points and it blows up in my face. Take the Defensive TD’s out of the equation and I win…But that’s not how they do it, unfortunately.
We’ll try to re-group next week and maybe I’ll George Castanza it…In other words, whatever I think I’ll just bet the opposite.
Bank: $617.50
I didn’t think our defense had improved to the point where we would hold ANYBODY to 16 points…Yet it did. So, what’s it all mean? I’m not entirely sure, but with two left on the schedule, I would absolutely love to go 1-1 and get to 8 wins…If that’s possible. In our analysis:
Purdue: Did what we needed to do…
Wisconsin: 5-1 against…This went up. Did you see what they did to poor ‘ole Indiana? I know it's at the Big House...Does that matter? I've seen the early line - it's 5.5. I'm thinking take the Cheeseheads and lay the points...But you'll have to get to the FMQ to see how THAT'S worked out for me...
Ohio State: 2-1 against…I’m not sure the Buckeye’s are clicking on all 8. If they don’t get handed two touchdowns by McGloin…More on that in a minute.
It’s looking like the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ right now, unless this rag-tag group of Wolverines can figure out away to defy all odds and beat both of those giants sitting in front of them right now. IF we can beat the Cheeseheads, I like my chances against the Suckeyes. But beating the Cheeseheads is a big if….
The Rest of the Mess
BCS Mess: So many “Uh-OOOHHH!” moments and not one of them actually happened or completed the upset. The biggest disappointment, at least for this bettor, had to be without a doubt Oregon. Yes, I know Cal plays tough at home. But still, I just didn’t think Cal had it in them to keep the Ducks in the teens…I thought they could keep up with them offensively, but come one…Only 16 points out of that offense? Are the Ducks simply fatiguing at the end of the season? Anyway, here’s how it looks right now:
BCS Standings:
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. TCU
4. Boy’s State
5. LSU
6. Stanford
7. Wisconsin
8. Nebraska
9. Ohio State
10. Oklahoma State
11. Who cares…
Look Familiar? This week’s biggest Winner: NONE…. Nothing changed. Everyone held the spot they had the week before. Even though there were some scares, it wasn’t enough to change anything in anyone’s eyes…Or their votes.
SPARTY Bye: You guys should stay home more often…Northworsten did their annual stomp on Iowa and you now have an ally that can win out and cause some great tie breakers for you in the Big 10…
DOMERS (JEEZ I HATE THESE GUYS) vs. Utah: I didn’t see this one coming – I should have, but didn’t. Utah is truly a fraud at this point…. If anything, I saw this script playing out in the exact opposite manner on Saturday. Of course, all of Domer-land is pooh-poohing this victory as a win against an over-rated WAC team. Let’s not forget that the Ute’s will be in the PAC12 next year. Even when they win, Domer fan is unhappy…Hee-hee…
Auburn vs Georgia: Auburn holds serve, even with the 24-7 media circus surrounding Cam Newton. More on that in a minute.
The Ole Ball Coach vs his Alma Mater: If you were to ask which victory at USC has been his sweetest, something tells me this one might rank up there in the top 2 or 3. Gatorland looks sickly and anemic – someone please put them out of their misery. Is Urb’s seat hot yet?
Hoakies vs. UNC: I told you that the Hoakies would win the ACC. And they’ll probably finish in the top 10.
tSUCKEYES vs. PSU: If McGloin doesn’t chuck two pick 6’s, this is a lot closer game. The PSU defense seemed to be stopping the Suckeyes all right until they just had the wind knocked out of their sails…
Ducks vs. Cal: Ducks didn’t play well again…And this might have been the game that saved Tedford’s bacon and kept his seat a little cooler even with the loss…
Illini vs. DII school in Minnesota: Are you kidding me? Did losing in Ann Arbor take that much out of you? Jeez…Zookie, you’re right back up there on the ole Hot Seat.
Satan vs. MSU: Looks like MSU was more upset about the Cam Newton coverage than Auburn was…
Big 10 Mess:
3 serious teams with 1 loss: Wisconsin - OSU –MSU
Spoiler Opportunity: OSU vs. Iowa – Michigan vs. Wisconsin, Michigan vs. OSU(?)
SPARTY Remaing: Purdue – Penn State
Wisconsin Remaining: Michigan –Indiana
OSU Remaining: Iowa – Michigan
Game has changed! As previously mentioned, Sparty is going to become a HUGE Iowa fan this Saturday. Of course, they still need to win out, but never the less, they suddenly love Black and Gold….
Idle Thoughts From Saturday
-What’s with DeRob?
-There he is…Oops, there he isn’t…
-WHY ARE YOU THROWING THAT BALL?
-Are you telling me we can’t rush against this defense?
-Are we that ineffective on wet Turf?
-It had better not rain at any more games…
-OMG…Wisconsin comes in here next week.
-I at least hope they’re tired.
-I saw the Ole Ball Coach smiling in the 4th quarter…
-I think he liked winning that game.
-Can they beat Auburn on their 2nd try?
-Does it matter?
-There’s going to be hell to pay if Auburn loses to USC in the SEC championship.
-Which is just the way I like it.
-Get the SEC all riled up and screaming for a play-off.
-2 or 3 years out of the National Title game ought to do it…
-Why couldn’t Michigan hold on to the damn ball?
-Defense finally shows up, but the offense literally drops a turd out there.
-You can’t tell me they were looking ahead to the Cheeseheads..
-This team can’t afford to look ahead to half time.
-If I hear “Cam Newton” one more time…
Speaking of Cam Newton – I haven’t commented on it for several reasons:
1. What do we really KNOW? We know the NCAA is investigating and the FBI is involved because it’s rumored that Cam Newton’s old man was going to “launder” the money through his church.
2. Auburn has 100 other kids playing on that team that deserve better.
3. Everyone else is making sure they comment on the situation taking the story into complete melt down mode…
Look I’m not going to sit here and say Cam’s Dad did or didn’t do anything. All that will come out soon enough. What’s funny is that somehow, Cam’s situation at Gatorland got leaked, and that SHOULD open up a BIG can of worms at that institution, where the football team has had over 30 arrests in the last 3 years. Leaking private records should be a punishable offense by the NCAA, not to mention the run ins with the law. Mississippi State was involved and we don’t know if the money was actually offered or if the request for the dough came first from Cam's Dad. And did Cam know what his crazy old man was doing? That could get interesting as well - if that's going to be the defense - which seems absurd in and of itself. Auburn is saying their hands are clean, but come on. Where there’s this much smoke, there’s bound to be a little flame…Don’t you think? Yes, Cam played Saturday. What was Auburn GONNA DO? Pull him out of the line-up and simply admit guilt? Riiiiiight…This is the SEC people.
"Super Excellent Cheaters!”
The NCAA might just open up an auxiliary office in Atlanta as it seems relatively central to the SEC region and start looking up everyone’s ass with a microscope. And nothing, absolutely nothing would please this fan more than seeing the SEC have some premier teams on the sidelines during the holidays for a year or two….
The Hot Seat
Julie Bowen IS The Oregon Ducks of the Hot Seat voting. Okay, so you like Julie and have supported her yet again this week. Although there was some staying power with Sophia Vergara who garnered 4 votes in her follow up week against Julie’s total of 7…Charissa and Sophia split the vote that might have made another entry for Championship Week. Very Interesting. If the MMQ decides to have a “personal Favorite” pick this year for the Championship Week vote, I may have to strongly consider Sophia.
The Hot Seat Mascot selection committee (yes, I’ve expanded the Hot Seat Mascot to a panel of experts in such matters – if interested, drop me a line) came up with some interesting ideas that we are going to throw out there in an attempt to shake things up a bit in the remaining weeks. For anyone who likes TV history, well, I for one had a thing for Joyce Davenport in “Hill Street Blues”, the Public Defender that used to rock Frank “Pizza Man” to sleep at the end of a lot of episodes….So, with a Blast from the Past, introducing Week # 12 Hot Seat Mascot Nominee – Veronica Hamel!
NOT the Girl next door…
I love Black and Whites…
"Are you ready, Pizza Man?"
Week #12 Hot Seat Rankings:
1. Dennis Erickson – Inevitable at this point - I think…
2. Richy Rich – 5 losses in the SEC? Check again – is your name still on the office door?
3. Butch Davis – North Carolina…I just don’t see how he survives with everything that’s happened.
4. Zookie – Heh-heh…Losing to the Gophers this year might be enough all by itself to get you canned…
5. Rich Rod – Little cooler, but you were supposed to beat Purdue, too…
6. Les Miles – only 1 loss coach on the list….
7. Urban Legend - just cuz if anything comes out and he had anything to do with the leaking of records…Domers, here I come!
8. Joe Pa –Joe, please go out graciously. You comfortably have the record now.
2010 GONE LIST
1. Brewster – Minnesota has lost its patience with this guy. 15-30 gets you canned from a Big 10 Middle of the pack team…
2. Dan Hawkins – It was just a matter of time…
Hot Coach Search
1. Brady Hoke – actually had TCU sweating a little
2. Harbaugh – It will take the right job to make him leave…
3. Richy Rich - Already saying he's NOT CONSIDERING the Colorado job...
FMQ Betting Results:
Wow…An O-fer week. That’s a first. Every bet lost folks…I won’t even summarize…Well, what the hell. I guess we can at least look at the logic and try to figure out where we went wrong….
Michigan @ Purdo-don’t (+13): Take Michigan and lay the 13 for $80
The weather doomed me here…At least that’s what I blaming it on. This fell into the “Lay big points on a rising favorite and a drooping dog and look for a big victory margin”…So much for that thesis.
Oregon @ Cal (+19.5) I’ll take the Ducks and lay the 19.5 for $80.
I can only assume that Cal really is a lot better team at home than they are on the road. But I’d like to see Stanford and Oregon play again...Another big spread blunder….
Utah @ Domers (+5.5): I’ll take Utah and lay the 5.5 for $60.
What the F!#@$%? I really thought after laying one egg that a school racking up 41 points a game on average would at least find 35 in Domerland…And if I had followed my own advice about taking dogs with less than 7 points…Damn…
Illini at DII school in Minnesota (+21): I’ll take the Illini and lay the 21 for $40.
This one is just plain baffling. How can the Illini LOSE this game? Illinois is a team that can score points. Minnesota hadn’t stopped anyone this year. I figured with bowl eligibility on the line, Zookie would have this team ready to go….Go figure…
PSU @ OSU (-18.5): I’ll take PSU and the 18.5 for $40.
The one game where I TAKE the points and it blows up in my face. Take the Defensive TD’s out of the equation and I win…But that’s not how they do it, unfortunately.
We’ll try to re-group next week and maybe I’ll George Castanza it…In other words, whatever I think I’ll just bet the opposite.
Bank: $617.50
Friday, November 12, 2010
I'm SO Glad Yost is Back at the M-Zone
For those of you that weren't fans or didn't read the M-Zone when he was "active" a couple of years ago, you really don't know what you're missing. I highly recommend a daily visit for a chuckle or just plain laugh out loud stuff that he either manages to find and post or creates on his own.
With a great nod of thanks to Yost as I wouldn't have seen it otherwise...Here is Miller Lite Girl....
With a great nod of thanks to Yost as I wouldn't have seen it otherwise...Here is Miller Lite Girl....
Purdue Friday....Or Is It Purdon't?
Last Friday I had accepted fate. I was being handed a 6-6 or 5-7 season and I was actually fine with that. I figured Brandon would make The Rod initiate some defensive changes but let him keep his job and that the season, while not what I predicted, was a good one in as much as the team was finally looking like a team that will eventually compete once some players are healthy and they get some additional experience.
I was ready to lose to the Illini.
I was wrong.
This team has some guts. They don’t quit. Yes, they get beat, but they haven’t ever quit. Not once. And that has me pulling for them again. Just one thing:
DON’T LET ME DOWN!
Michigan @ Purdo-don’t (+13): Hmmmmmm… I almost put this at the bottom as a no bet. But I started digging on some of the history here, not to mention I took a long look at Purdue’s roster. They’re a mess - and they have no hope...Or rather, they have Hope for a Coach and frankly, there's some animosity between him and The Rod. And Rich Rod doesn’t like this team too much. Purdue used to be a bump in the road…I have a feeling they’re on their way to being one again. Take Michigan and lay the 13 for $80
Oregon @ Cal (+19.5): Ducks gave us a scare and only covered by two last week. I had a feeling they might have been looking ahead to this game as it was the big build up to the last three for the Ducks, including ranked Arizona and worthy Oregon State. Chip will have them more than ready to play this weekend. I’ll take the Ducks and lay the 19.5 for $80.
Utah @ Domers (+5.5): Vegas, are you kidding me? Domers are a team that’s sliding into oblivion…Rese probably is a lot like Steven Threet – a decent QB in any other system besides the one Kelly’s forcing him to run. Not to mention that Kelly has more than once proven himself something of a boob when it comes to game play calling and kicking a field goal for the win vs. throwing an interception. Okay, so they had a week off and these are resilient college players – minus Floyd and Allen….And Utah is pissed after getting embarrassed by TCU…Do you think they might pour it on given the opportunity? Interesting first half followed by a potential blood bath in the 2nd… I’ll take Utah and lay the 5.5 for $60.
Illini at DII school in Minnesota (+21): Illini still need a win to become bowl eligible. The train wreck that is the Gopher’s season can’t end soon enough. They’ll be playing for pride in the 1st half and it might look scary early, but I think Illinois wins this one walking away… I’ll take the Illini and lay the 21 for $40.
PSU @ OSU (-18.5): This is one of “those” spreads that makes you go Hmmmmmm… Yes, OSU can rack up points. Yes, PSU is starting a 3rd string walk on that is coming off two confidence building games against Michigan and a huge comeback win over Northwestern…I don’t actually believe that PSU is 18.5 points suckier than the Suckeyes. Therefore, I’ll take PSU and the 18.5 for $40.
Parlay
Michigan – Oregon - Utah: $40pays 6 to 1 = $240.
Total Wagered: $320
Bank: $639.50
I was ready to lose to the Illini.
I was wrong.
This team has some guts. They don’t quit. Yes, they get beat, but they haven’t ever quit. Not once. And that has me pulling for them again. Just one thing:
DON’T LET ME DOWN!
Michigan @ Purdo-don’t (+13): Hmmmmmm… I almost put this at the bottom as a no bet. But I started digging on some of the history here, not to mention I took a long look at Purdue’s roster. They’re a mess - and they have no hope...Or rather, they have Hope for a Coach and frankly, there's some animosity between him and The Rod. And Rich Rod doesn’t like this team too much. Purdue used to be a bump in the road…I have a feeling they’re on their way to being one again. Take Michigan and lay the 13 for $80
Oregon @ Cal (+19.5): Ducks gave us a scare and only covered by two last week. I had a feeling they might have been looking ahead to this game as it was the big build up to the last three for the Ducks, including ranked Arizona and worthy Oregon State. Chip will have them more than ready to play this weekend. I’ll take the Ducks and lay the 19.5 for $80.
Utah @ Domers (+5.5): Vegas, are you kidding me? Domers are a team that’s sliding into oblivion…Rese probably is a lot like Steven Threet – a decent QB in any other system besides the one Kelly’s forcing him to run. Not to mention that Kelly has more than once proven himself something of a boob when it comes to game play calling and kicking a field goal for the win vs. throwing an interception. Okay, so they had a week off and these are resilient college players – minus Floyd and Allen….And Utah is pissed after getting embarrassed by TCU…Do you think they might pour it on given the opportunity? Interesting first half followed by a potential blood bath in the 2nd… I’ll take Utah and lay the 5.5 for $60.
Illini at DII school in Minnesota (+21): Illini still need a win to become bowl eligible. The train wreck that is the Gopher’s season can’t end soon enough. They’ll be playing for pride in the 1st half and it might look scary early, but I think Illinois wins this one walking away… I’ll take the Illini and lay the 21 for $40.
PSU @ OSU (-18.5): This is one of “those” spreads that makes you go Hmmmmmm… Yes, OSU can rack up points. Yes, PSU is starting a 3rd string walk on that is coming off two confidence building games against Michigan and a huge comeback win over Northwestern…I don’t actually believe that PSU is 18.5 points suckier than the Suckeyes. Therefore, I’ll take PSU and the 18.5 for $40.
Parlay
Michigan – Oregon - Utah: $40pays 6 to 1 = $240.
Total Wagered: $320
Bank: $639.50
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Duke to Suspend Tailgating Indefinitely
Duke is Duke just took on a whole new meaning...
If you have heard, the "teen-age" sibling of a Duke Student was found passed out in a porta-john.
Whether or not the porta-john was inside the stadium wasn't noted, but my guess is it was which is why the university took a "hands on" approach and decided to ban tailgating. This is a bad idea for any number of reasons that I had stated in an earlier post when Ann Arbor tried to stop the 900 Block State Street Madness that happens before every home game.
Look: Tailgating is tailgating. Millions of people, old and young alike have tailgated since tailgating started becoming popular in the 50's. (I'm guessing here on the date, but you get the idea). I'm sure that students and underage youth have passed out at a game or in a porta-john on more than one occassion.
Actually, I've seen it. No, I haven't done it. But I've seen it. It happens, folks. These are the times when young people learn that they will never, ever do that again (until the next time) and older fans learn that they can re-visit their youth only to be reminded that they can still do really stupid things....
But that's the beauty of having the freedom to tailgate: You only have yourself to blame if you do something stupid. Now, I'm against the drunk fan getting behind the wheel after tailgating, but we have more than enough laws to address that issue.
What I'm going after here is much simpler in that if you take something away that's been responsibly enjoyed for years by the masses, well, the masses are going to find ways to work around the system, creating more of a mess for everyone else in the long run. I gaurantee it.
And guess what? Whether or not you find ways around the system to responsibly enjoy yourself, there will always be a drunk sibling passed out somewhere in a porta-john. It's just the way it is. It just so happens it was Duke's turn this time. I can only hope that the student body at Duke performs its civil duty and protests this act in manner becoming true college student fans, that are of course of the legal drinking age.
A "Drink In" comes immediately to mind, but you get the idea. They need to establish the fact that alcohol is legal and used responsibly, can certainly enhance the game day experience.
If you have heard, the "teen-age" sibling of a Duke Student was found passed out in a porta-john.
Whether or not the porta-john was inside the stadium wasn't noted, but my guess is it was which is why the university took a "hands on" approach and decided to ban tailgating. This is a bad idea for any number of reasons that I had stated in an earlier post when Ann Arbor tried to stop the 900 Block State Street Madness that happens before every home game.
Look: Tailgating is tailgating. Millions of people, old and young alike have tailgated since tailgating started becoming popular in the 50's. (I'm guessing here on the date, but you get the idea). I'm sure that students and underage youth have passed out at a game or in a porta-john on more than one occassion.
Actually, I've seen it. No, I haven't done it. But I've seen it. It happens, folks. These are the times when young people learn that they will never, ever do that again (until the next time) and older fans learn that they can re-visit their youth only to be reminded that they can still do really stupid things....
But that's the beauty of having the freedom to tailgate: You only have yourself to blame if you do something stupid. Now, I'm against the drunk fan getting behind the wheel after tailgating, but we have more than enough laws to address that issue.
What I'm going after here is much simpler in that if you take something away that's been responsibly enjoyed for years by the masses, well, the masses are going to find ways to work around the system, creating more of a mess for everyone else in the long run. I gaurantee it.
And guess what? Whether or not you find ways around the system to responsibly enjoy yourself, there will always be a drunk sibling passed out somewhere in a porta-john. It's just the way it is. It just so happens it was Duke's turn this time. I can only hope that the student body at Duke performs its civil duty and protests this act in manner becoming true college student fans, that are of course of the legal drinking age.
A "Drink In" comes immediately to mind, but you get the idea. They need to establish the fact that alcohol is legal and used responsibly, can certainly enhance the game day experience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)