Welcome Welcome Welcome, another edition of picks, and another set of winners. Last week the picks went .500 as the O/U in the college section got ripped, but as promised more homework in the NFL and those picks went 4-1 against the spread. So here is how the season stands

LAST WEEK

B1G Ten: Against the Spread: 3-2  Against the O/U: 1-4

NFL: Against the Spread: 4-1 Against the O/U: 2-3

YEAR TOTALS

B1G Ten: Against the Spread: 24-21 Against the O/U: 24-20-1

NFL: Against the Spread: 19-25-1 Against the O/U: 22-22-1

ALL GAMES TOTAL 89-88-3

I have a ton of confidence in the picks against the spread this week. A lot of tough totals this week though, as I handicapped a few within a half point of what the line ended up being. Also, if I didn’t have to pick the Lions game this week I wouldn’t, and for a fifth game I would add Falcons -2.5. Also would avoid the Dallas/Phi game by all measures. I actually have this game going to OT at 17-17, and just a tough bet. But enough about games we are not picking lets look at the ones we are. But before we do, as always(ahomegame):

If you lose your house following my picks, it’s not my fault. But if you win a second house, keep me in mind come Christmas time. Let’s get this rolling

B1G Ten

Purdue at Iowa Pick: Iowa -5 UNDER 50.5

Picking a winner in this game, is actually picking who sucks less. I’m not sure if Purdue still qualifies as a division 1 team this year, and Iowa has been less than stellar. But the Hawkeyes have shown they can keep games close to good teams, and Iowa has shown they can’t even stay on the field. Is this game even on TV? I have the final score 27-20 Iowa.

Northwestern at Michigan Pick: Northwestern +10 UNDER 52.5

The talk in Ann Arbor is that shoelace may still be hurt, but will still play. Either way the offense as of late has been less than stellar, outside beating up on an awful Minnesota defense who gives up 30 points a game on average in the B1G Ten. Northwestern has been a tough team to play against this year, and has shown they can match up with any team in the conference. The points are a bonus as I have Northwestern winning outright. I have the final score 24-20 Northwestern.

Minnesota at Illinois Pick: Minnesota -3 UNDER 47

Illinois sucks. I have the final score Minnesota 27-17.

Penn State at Nebraska Pick: Penn State +8.5 OVER 52

This will be a great game to watch. Both teams have the ability to score, with flashes of toughness on defense. I look for a back and forth game, with Nebraska pulling out the win, but not enough to cover. I have the final score 31-28 Nebraska.

Wisconsin at Indiana Pick: Indiana +7.5 OVER 55

Indiana has shown they score with the bet of them in this conference, but their defense has shown they cant stop a thing. Wisconsin will be able to run all over the place come Saturday. I have the final score 31-27 Wisconsin.

The National Football League

again, no fluff just picks.

Giants at Bengals Pick: Giants -4 OVER 48.5 Final Score 30-21 Giants

Titans at Dolphins Pick: Dolphins -6 OVER 44 Final Score 31-14 Dolphins

Bills at Patriots Pick: Patriots -11 OVER 52 Final Score 42-17 Patriots

Lions at Vikings Pick: Vikings +2 UNDER 47.5 Final Score 24-23 Vikings

Raiders at Ravens Pick: Ravens -7.5 OVER 46.5 Final Score 30-17 Ravens

Good Luck bettors.

Well folks, last week was pure slaughter in the NFL. We simply got crushed. But we are bouncing back with more homework and better picks. So lets just cut to the chase and get this going. Here is how we stand.

LAST WEEK

B1G Ten: Against the Spread: 3-2  Against the O/U: 2-3

NFL: Against the Spread: 1-4 Against the O/U: 1-4

YEAR TOTALS

B1G Ten: Against the Spread: 21-19 Against the O/U: 23-16-1

NFL: Against the Spread: 15-24-1 Against the O/U: 20-19-1

ALL GAMES TOTAL 79-78-3

We are now hovering near that break even point, but we have 10 games and 20 picks to fix that but before we do, as always(ahomegame):

If you lose your house following my picks, it’s not my fault. But if you win a second house, keep me in mind come Christmas time. Let’s get this rolling

B1G TEN

Nebraska at Michigan State Pick: Michigan State +1.5 UNDER 44.5

MSU is playing a do or die game this week at home against Nebraska. There are slim chances of them making the B1G Ten championship, but if they want to, they will have to win out. The offense has been anything but good, but the defense has been one of the best in the business. Nebraska has a high powered offense, which will look to out power the MSU D, but their own defense is what this game will come down too. I look for MSU to get some points on the board early, and hold onto dear life with their defense. I have the final score 17-13 MSU

Michigan at Minnesota Pick: Minnesota +10.5 UNDER 46.5

With Denard Robinson missing practice this week, giving this many points is just not a good idea. As we saw last week should anything happen to him, the offense comes to a screeching halt. Add in the fact it will be cold, a big hit could sideline the QB. Minnesota isn’t a spectacular team, but they are coming off a big win against Purdue at home. I believe Michigan wins if Denard stays healthy but do not cover, so I have the final score 21-13 Michigan.

Iowa at Indiana Pick: Indiana -2.5 OVER 55.5

Indiana is not a solid football team, but if there is one thing they do well it is scoring. That is the opposite of what Iowa does. But both defenses are bad so this game will display blown coverage after blown coverage by both teams, with the Hoosiers finding pay dirt one more time than Iowa will. I have the final score 35-28 Indiana.

Illinois at Ohio State Pick: Ohio State -27.5 UNDER 51.5

OSU is good. Illinois is a high school team. The only way this goes over is if OSU goes over themselves. I have the final score 42-6

Penn State at Purdue Pick: Penn State -3.5 UNDER 51

Despite my preseason thoughts Penn State has been a solid squad this year led by their defense. I look for that defense to bounce back after an Ohio State loss, against an inferior offense. I for this to be a physical game, with PSU dominating on both sides of the ball. I have the final score 24-10.

The National Football League

No explanations, just winners.

Lions at Jaguars Pick: Lions -4.5 UNDER 44.5 Final score 26-18 Lions

Bears at Titans Pick: Bears -3.5 UNDER 43.5 Final score 28-14 Bears

Bills at Texans Pick: Texans – 10 OVER 47.5 Final score 42-20 Texans

Steelers at Giants Pick: Giants -3 UNDER 47.5 Final score 28-17 Giants

Cowboys at Falcons Pick: Falcons -4 UNDER 47.5 Final score 28-14 Falcons

Good Luck Bettors.

“You play to win the game.” and last week we played but did not quite figure out how to win the game. The NFL Picks were a total nightmare and nothing was more fitting than a Lions back door cover with 30 seconds left in a game they couldn’t win. That loss put the picks for the weekend under .500 with a 9-11 record. But the show must go on and the winners must follow. First lets look at where we stand:

LAST WEEK

B1G Ten: Against the Spread: 3-2  Against the O/U: 3-2

NFL: Against the Spread: 0-5 Against the O/U: 3-2

YEAR TOTALS

B1G Ten: Against the Spread: 18-17 Against the O/U: 21-13-1

NFL: Against the Spread: 14-20-1 Against the O/U: 19-15-1

ALL GAMES TOTAL 72-65-3

There are not many games that look exciting to watch on their own, but that’s why gambling was invented. So we can skip the small talk and hop into the picks, but before we do, as always(ahomegame):

If you lose your house following my picks, it’s not my fault. But if you win a second house, keep me in mind come Christmas time. Let’s get this rolling

B1G Ten

Michigan State at Wisconsin Pick: Wisconsin -6 UNDER 40.5

This game comes down to one single fact. MSU can not score. MSU’s defense does well to slow down high powered offenses, and Wiscy like to run the football, so I look for a boring drag out game with Wisconsin ending up with a W in Camp Randall in front of their homecoming crowd. If you have something else to watch at 3:30 pm EST I suggest you do. I have the final score 17-10 Wisconsin.

Michigan at Nebraska Pick: Nebraska -2 OVER 57.5

Nebraska at home is currently undefeated with their best win coming against Wisconsin 30-27. Michigan is coming off an emotional win against Michigan State where their offense failed to score a touchdown. Nebraska’s defense has shown they will let up some points, and I expect Michigan to take advantage of that, but not enough to keep up in this shoot out. I have the final score 34-30 Nebraska.

Iowa at Northwestern Pick: Northwestern -5 OVER 49

Northwestern’s only two losses have come in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter this year, and outside of those 10 minutes, they have been a force on the football field. Iowa on the other hand has been anything but. Coming off a blow out loss to Penn State they must travel to Evanston to play a team ready for redemption. I have the final score 38-17 Northwestern.

Indiana at Illinois Pick: Indiana +1.5 UNDER 57.5

This is my favorite spread of the weekend. While Indiana’s record isn’t very good, they have shown they can put up points and hang around with teams. Indiana is currently averaging 34.7 points a game. Conversely Illinois is only scoring 18 a game while giving up 30. I like Indy big in this one. I have the final score 42-10 Indiana.

Ohio State at Penn State Pick: Penn State -1 Under 50.5

Penn State has been playing very good football as of latte, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Ohio State has shown that they are not immune to getting caught up in a close game, and I believe this game will be the same way. PSU has no post season to play for and I see this as their bowl game to knock off an undefeated OSU team in front of their home crowd. This one will come down to the last few minutes of play, and I have the final score 23-20 Penn State.

The National Football League

Seahawks at Lions Pick: Seahawks +2.5 UNDER 43

The Lions have been a hot mess on offense as of late and add to that Megatron missed Friday’s practice. In NFL talk, that usually means limited, if any, play on Sunday. Seattle’s corners are also big enough to hang with Megatron, so the passing game must go through Titus Young. If that does not make you sick to your stomach as a Lions fan I don’t know what will. I look for Seattle to run the ball a ton with a few deep threats to Sidney Rice on the poor Lions defensive backs. I have the final score 17-16 Seahawks.

Carolina at Bears Pick: Bears -7.5 UNDER 43

Listen sweetheart, I don’t know what’s going on with Cam Newton, and I don’t think he knows either. The Bears defense will feast on this confused offensive scheme come Sunday. I also look for the bears to light up the scoreboard in front of the home crowd, after a less than impressive second half against Detroit. I hate the final score 27-7 Bears.

Jaguars at Packers Pick: Packers – 14.5 UNDER 45.5

“Help Wanted” is posted outside of the Jacksonville locker room at this point. Losing MJD, and having Gabbert hurt, is not a good omen for a team traveling to play a red hot Packers team. While Jordy Nelson might not play for the Pack this weekend, they still have enough weapons to throw all over this defense. I have the final score 31-10.

Falcons at Eagles Pick: Falcons +3 UNDER 44.5

This is the most surprising line of the week, with the struggling Eagles giving points at home. I understand Andy Reid is 13-0 coming off the bye weeks, but the Falcons D feasts on turnovers, and Vick just loves to cough them up. The Frankenstorm might also affect this game as well. Give me the road dogs in this one and the Falcons staying perfect, I have the final score 21-14 Falcons.

Redskins at Steelers Pick: Redskins +4.5 OVER 47

This will be the most interesting watch of the entire weekend. I look for a back and forth game between the two, with the new magic of RG3 and the deep threat of Big Ben against that awful Skins pass defense. Pittsburgh’s offense has under performed all year with the injuries on the offensive line, as well as their new trend of giving up late leads. For these reasons I see the Skins stealing this one late. I have the final score 27-26 Redskins.

That’s all 20 Picks for you this week. I hope they bring home the bacon, and you can treat yourself to something nice. Good Luck to all the bettors out there.

Last night was the complete opposite of what every Tigers fan was looking for going into Game 1. JV was rocked, the Tigers didn’t hit, and the crowd seemed like a 10th player on the field every inning. Pablo Sandoval did what only 3 other hitters have done in the history of baseball, and Barry Zito channeled his inner Cy Young and was near perfect against the Tigers hitters. That all being said the Tigers are no where near out of it, and game 2 is set for a bounce back.

Now this may be the inner Tigers fandom coming out, but I find it hard to believe that the Tigers will hit tonight, like they did last night. Not because some miracle batting practice moment will happen, but because they are facing Madison Bumgarner. In the playoffs this year he has thrown 8 innings, with a 11.25 ERA and a WHIP of 2.13. Those are approaching Jose Valverde’s playoff numbers this year. The Tigers must be aggressive at the plate, as he has only walked 2 batters in this time. The hitters musty almost be delmon-esque aggressive ( that’s scary) and be ready to swing as the ball is crossing the heart of the plate frequently. Obviously the runs will be the biggest positive if this happens, but also taking out the crowd and momentum from last night.

This gets me to my next point, and that is Austin Jackson. He needs to find his way on in the first inning. Whether it is looking to take one the opposite way, bunting on the Panda at third or putting one in the gap. An early base runner can mentally crush, and already shaky Baumgarner. An easy out though, may spark come confidence, and a 1-2-3 inning would definitely accomplish that, with the Giants fans roaring in the stands behind him. The big fellas also need to put this offense on their backs and lead them to victory. While Miggy and Prince do instill fear, its not as effective when they go a combined 2-7 the previous game. Get the runs early and often to take pressure off Mr. Fister.

Doug Fister, much like Verlander has been great these playoffs and he will be ready to help the Tigers bounce back tonight. I look for him to be extremely aggressive on both sides of the plate even if he gives up a few free passes. The Giants continue to show they aren’t afraid to swing, as they play to a more contact style of baseball, (despite Pablo) so Doug can’t be afraid to test the edges and make them earn each hit. The offense also needs to back Fister, so when it comes to his AB, he can give up his out and Leyalnd does not need to pinch hit him in the middle half of the game. (I hate NL rules)

If the Tigers earn a victory tonight, as a fan, you have to be OK with coming home 1-1, regardless the fact that JV was on the mound for the loss. This allows the Tigers to be 3 games from a World Championship, with 3 games in Comerica.

Tonight’s lineup for your Tigers:

Jackson 8, Infante 4, Cabrera 5, Fielder 3, Young 7, Peralta 6, Garcia 9, Laird 2, Fister 1.