Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Big Dobs can't possibly lose 2 weeks in a row

So not the best start to the year at 3-4 though if Michigan St doesn't take a knee on the 4 and Georgia doesn't drop a touchdown pass that would have made it 31-6 before halftime I could have easily been 5-2. Really, the only game I shouldn't have taken was Auburn. I remain pretty surprised that of all the heavy favorites only West Virginia decided to run up the score, I can't imagine that holds true this week but we'll see.

1) UNC -10 @Wake

Now I usually hate the ACC, and I can't say I know a lot about Wake, but I think UNC is going to be one of the more underrated teams of the year. The talent pool if definitely there, certainly 2 touchdowns better than Wake, and in beating Elon 62-0 they showed they aren't afraid to try for an entire game. When it comes down to it, 10 points isn't a lot in college football. I don't see UNC scoring less than 28 and I can't see Wake scoring more than 17. UNC 34 Wake 13, confidence 3 out of 5 chest waxings.

2) Nebraska -5 @ UCLA

UCLA looked a lot better than they are and the Huskers handled a pretty good Southern Miss team. UCLA also gave up a ton on the ground and now have to face one of the better rushing attacks in the nation. I know it's on the road but it's UCLA, this isn't exactly playing in Death Valley. I don't think UCLA is all that much better than Southern Miss, if at all, and I don't see them stopping the balanced attack of Nebraska. Huskers 37 UCLA 23, confidence 4 out of 5 sweater vests.

3) San Diego State -6 vs Army

I bet against San Diego State last week, and although down 14-0 after one Q they fought back to play solid defense and cover on the road against a Washington team with a very good offense. Army is a tough one to prepare for, and I lost this game last year picking Army at home, which was dumb, but given how SDST played against Washington, the fact that it's their home opener and the fact that Army sucks I just don't see how they don't win by more than a touchdown. I can't see Army winning this game. Aztecs 31 Army 20, confidence 4 out of 5 Xtra large Big Green Eggs.

4) Georgia -2.5 @ Missouri

Welcome to the SEC. Bulldogs 41 Tigers 30, confidence 5 out of 5 rhino horns.

5) Iowa -5 vs Iowa State

OK, I'm going all favorites, which is Big Dobs style, but a few things working here. First, Iowa barely beat a very good NIU team last week, at home. Second Iowa state is coming in cocky after beating Tulsa by 15 and having upset Iowa last year. I think NIU will end up being one of the better defenses that Iowa faces all year and if the Pinstripe bowl last year is any indication Iowa St can't stop the run. I expect the Hawkeyes to control the clock and look for a statement game after last week's close call. At the end of the day I think Iowa wants this game more. Iowa 24 Iowa St 13, confidence 4 out of 5 Leffe blondes.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Big Dobs Season 3: Return of Dobsi

Big Dobs is just months removed from being just the second person in history to win both Time and Playgirl "Man of the Year," and despite back to back on fire seasons, Dobs is staying humble, or at least as humble as the most important man in the history of the world can be. The start of the college football season is unquestionably the most exciting time of year and there is no doubt that my loyal followers, both of them, are erect with anticipation. Onto the games....

1) Washington St +13  @ BYU - I expect buzz on a Mike Leech revived Cougar squad and 13 is a line that says we expect them to be better but no way they beat BYU on the road week 1. They very well might not, but I think they have a shot, regardless I don't expect BYU to be able to slow down Wash U enough to cover 13. Confidence 3 out of 5

2) Tennessee -3 @ NC State - NC State is a bush league school and Tennessee is a middle of the road SEC team with loads more talent. Say no more, this is my best bet of the week, Tenn wins by at least ten. Confidence 5 out of 5.

3) Michigan St -7 vs Boise St - Boise lost everything, and they don't exactly recruit top 25 classes. Michigan St has too much on the defensive line for Boise to win with trick plays. This spread is low solely based on what they did to Georgia last year. It will be close at halftime but the Spartans eventually overpower the Broncos and win by 2 scores. Confidence 3 out of 5.

4) West Virginia -24 vs Marshall - Now starts my string of high powered offenses looking to make week one statements by beating the absolute bag out of wildly inferior competition. Marshall might score 2, even 3 times but no chance WVU doesn't see the end zone at least 7. Chung Li style bloodbath. Confidence 4 out 5.

5) While we're on Big Dobs style beat downs let's pick 5 other statement games where I'm highly confident in the favorite:

Georgia -37.5 vs Buffalo (Buffalo has no chance of scoring)
Wisconsin -35 vs Northern Iowa (Wisconsin will have 70 at halftime)
Washington -14.5 vs San Diego St (Washington will win 10 games this year)
Oregon -35.5 vs Arkansas St (Oregon will score its first 4 TDs in under 10 plays)
Alabama -12.5 vs Michigan ( Come on, I know this recipe by heart)

10) To cap it all off, and just because I love Chick-Fil-A so darn much - Aubun +3 vs Clemson (Auburn wins by 10) Confidence 4 out of 5.

So there it is, a whopping 10 games to start the season, I won't usually pick 10 games but these spreads are way too low, and in a few weeks you will start seeing lines in 50s+.

Big Dobs is also going to try something new this year, since he hasn't lost a Rutgers game in 3 years, granted he only picks 3-4 a season, Big Dobs is going to pick them all and keep track separately. This week, Rutgers -29 @ Tulane, is tough and I left it off my confidence picks. While I think Rutgers has the talent on offense to score in bunches this is still a NJ smash mouth team that will win 10+ games, but often win ugly.  Giving up 20 on the road is a lot but ultimately Tulane won't score more than a touchdown and Rutgers can easily put up over 28 if they play like they should, so Rutgers -20 @ Tulane, Confidence 2 out of 5.

Please leave comments and enjoy the season. I would love to double my reader base this year but I'm not sure where those incremental 2 people will come from.

Best of luck,

Big Dobs