Like Kevin Dyson in the Super Bowl, Mike Winchell in the Texas state championship game, and Drew Brees trying to throw an out route last year, we came up a yard short on the perfect week. But a 5-1-0 week has propelled us to a promising start in a young season thus far.
It’s been a busy week in the 303 (including a September Broncos win for the first time since 2018) so let’s jump right into things.
LAST WEEK’S PICKS
1. Ball State +22.5 (vs. Penn State)
LOSER
Of all games to be the lone one to miss, it was my beloved Nittany Lions that cost me. Turns out I have been a nervous nelly about this game for six months more than I needed to.
*Editor’s Note: Nothing gives me more pleasure than watching Trav blow his best chance ever at a 6-0 week by betting against Penn State. I told him this Ball State team was trash. I told him that fatass from ESPN named ‘The Bear’ loved Ball State. I told him this was a square pick from a mile away. He didn’t listen. The T-Man actually paid money to watch Penn State cover and it cost him the 6-0. Unbelievable turn of events.
2. Rutgers -2.5 (vs Syracuse)
🚨 WINNER 🚨
Noah Vedral leads the Jersey boys over the Jersey Boy himself. Keep your eye on Greg Schiano & Co because they are up to something.
3. Wisconsin -25.5 (vs. Eastern Michigan)
🚨 WINNER 🚨
A 24-0 halftime lead was almost all for nothing but a late score and defensive stand got us the W we deserved.
4. Michigan vs. Washington UNDER 49
🚨 WINNER 🚨
This total dropped to 47.5 at gametime and part of me wishes I would have gotten to sweat this thing out a bit more. Something tells me Jimmy Lake is in hot water already only 6 games into his head coaching career.
5. Dolphins +3 (vs Patriots)
🚨 WINNER 🚨
Good god does it feel good to nail this one. Dolphins now 12-5 ATS since the start of last year.
6. Iowa +4.5 (vs Iowa State) [College Gameday Pick]
🚨 WINNER 🚨
The Hawkeyes D looks legit. And Iowa State finally played like we expected them to. Vegas hands out yet another freebie.
Week 2 – 1:1 (+110)
- Utah -280 (vs BYU) ❌
- USC -1000 (vs Stanford)❌
- Notre Dame -900 (vs Toledo) ✅ (barely)
- Tampa Bay -380 (vs Dallas) ✅ (barely)
LOSER
This type of stuff is why I gamble. My lord did we come dangerously close to missing all four of these.
Week 2 Long Shot Moneylines
Arkansas +210 (vs. Texas)
🚨 WINNER 🚨
This lady is my new spirit animal. I also can’t help but notice how much she looks exactly like 80% of my patients I see in the clinic for chronic back pain.
Appalachian State +275 (vs Miami)
LOSER
Another one just off the upright. So close to the sweep that I could taste it!
WEEK 3 PICKS:
This week’s winners:
1. Washington Football Team -3 (vs New York Giants)
I don’t know if this is because I think Taylor Heinicke is reasonable or because I think Daniel Jones looks terrible (or both) but WFT being 3-point favorites seems too good to pass up. The Giants have started 0-2 seven of the past eight years and I like the odds that they make it eight of the past nine years.
2. Virginia Tech vs West Virginia Under 50.5
I have both teams in the top 34 for defense. And I don’t think either offense is anything worth writing home to mom about. I’ve already nailed one Mountaineer under this year so let’s make it two.
3. Boise State -3.5 (vs Oklahoma State)
Boise State is 27-4 at home since 2016. Sure they are playing obscure Rocky Mountain and west coast teams but let’s not overlook that this is Mullet Gundy’s worst team that I can remember. They’re 8th out of 10 Big 12 teams in total offense and they’ve played Missouri State and Tulsa.
4. BYU +3.5 (vs Arizona State)
Did anyone else watch the majority of the Utah-BYU game last week? I would have thought BYU was playing for a national championship if I didn’t know any better. If the place is even half as rocking, give me the Mormons to run it down to the wire with the Cheatin’ Herms and don’t be surprised when they win it outright at home.
5. Broncos -6 (vs Jaguars)
It’s hard to believe Teddy Bridgewater has played for five different teams and has a career passer rating of 90.1. Maybe I’ve been listening to too much Broncos radio, but it seems possible he’s finally found a home in Denver with a top 10 defense and plenty of weapons to throw to (even with Jeudy out). The 1-2 punch of Melvin Gordon-Javonte Williams should run wild against a Jags D that gave up the fifth most rushing yards last weekend. Expect the Bronco’s D to keep the Jags in the low to mid teens and I think the Broncos win this week by multiple scores.
6. Penn State -5 (vs Auburn) [College Gameday Pick]
I’d like to admit I think it’s tacky how the guest picker always picks the team they’re representing. That being said…
Week 3 – 1:1 (+103)
- Coastal Carolina (-600) vs Buffalo
- Alabama (-700) vs Florida
- Stanford (-450) vs Vandy
- UCLA (-340) vs Fresno State
Week 3 Long Shot Moneylines
Raiders +194 (vs Steelers)
Law of averages: this is the week where Big Ben throws the 3 INT’s.
Washington State +260 (vs USC)
Very little to pick from this week as far as ‘dogs but I think the Cougars at home stand a great chance.
Enjoy Week 3!