Wednesday, October 30, 2013

The Best Five Games of Week 10

The big game this week is Miami at Florida State in an ACC showdown in primetime on ABC complete with a visit from the ESPN GameDay crew. Or so the Powers That Be would have you believe. Despite being ranked No. 7 by many of the meaningless polls and the BC$ formula, Miami is a 22-point underdog and is only given a 7-percent chance to win by the cool computers in the know. Combined with a Tennessee team that is an embarrassing 10-point underdog to SEC newcomer Missouri and its subpar football stadium, this is how you end up with Arkansas in the pool as it swirls in the soap opera of Gus Malzahn's first return to the state since being passed over for the Razorback job. Remember, the games pick themselves.

USC - Oregon State
8 p.m., Friday, ESPN2
Line: Oregon State by 4

Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy
Michigan - Michigan State
 
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Michigan State by 6
* Underdog worth three points

World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party
Georgia - Florida

2:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS
Line: Georgia by 2

Auburn - Arkansas
5 p.m., Saturday, ESPN2
Line: Auburn by 8
* Underdog worth three points

Oklahoma State - Texas Tech
6 p.m., Saturday, Fox
Line: Texas Tech by 2


Good luck.
*****#*****

Thursday, October 24, 2013

The Best Five Games of Week 9

Each season, Poolsville bestows the Skunk of the Year award on the team that has the worst record in pool games only. Sorry to say this TCU grads, but right now TCU and Florida are in the lead with 0-3 records. However, Texas is not far behind at 1-2. Saturday's game could be the determining factor in which school is contacted by Poolsville with the news. Neither will be winning Slabby, I'll tell you that.

Boise State - BYU
7 p.m., Friday, ESPN
Line: BYU by 7
* Underdog worth three points

Texas Tech - Oklahoma 
2:30 p.m., Saturday, Fox
Line: Oklahoma by 7
* Underdog worth three points

South Carolina - Missouri
6 p.m., Saturday, ESPN2
Line: Missouri by 2

Texas - TCU

6:30 p.m., Saturday, Fox Sports 1
Line: TCU by 2

Stanford - Oregon State

9:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN
Line: Stanford by 3


Good luck.
*****#*****

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Best Five Games of Week 8

"Fans, this may be the greatest week of games in Poolsville history." That's how Tony Schiavone would start out this week's episode of Poolsville TV before introducing his co-host Larry Zbyszko. And, of course, what best week in pool history would be complete without an appearance by Clemson playing in what is being billed as the ACC Game of the Century against Florida State with national championship implications on the line. Clemson, Notre Dame, Missouri, TCU... what could possibly go wrong with your picks? Just don't be influenced by the subliminal messages. Which way is Corso really telling you to go?

TCU - Oklahoma State
11 a.m., Saturday, Fox
Line: Oklahoma State by 7
* Underdog worth three points

Florida - Missouri 
11:20 a.m., Saturday, SEC-TV
Line: Florida by 3

UCLA - Stanford
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC/ESPN2
Line: Stanford by 5
* Underdog worth three points

Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh
USC - Notre Dame

6:30 p.m., Saturday, NBC
Line: Notre Dame by 3

ACC Game of the Century
Florida State - Clemson

7 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Florida State by 3


Good luck.
*****#*****

Thursday, October 10, 2013

The Best Five Games of Week 7

Does undefeated Missouri really have a chance against Georgia (which plays the toughest annual schedule in sports), or are the Tigers about to be exposed as a second-class citizen of the SEC? Well, according to the experts, Arkansas has a better chance beating South Carolina. Some say the Razorbacks' entire season hangs in the balance against the Gamecocks. A loss wipes out hope from fans that they can salvage a season better than the previous one. A win softens the defeat to Alabama and makes Auburn and Ole Miss look winnable. Which are you choosing?

Missouri - Georgia
11 a.m., Saturday, ESPN
Line: Georgia by 8
* Underdog worth three points

South Carolina - Arkansas 
11:20 a.m., Saturday, SEC-TV
Line: South Carolina by 6
* Underdog worth three points

Florida - LSU
2:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS
Line: LSU by 7
* Underdog worth three points

Michigan - Penn State
4 p.m., Saturday, ESPN
Line: Michigan by 2

Oregon State - Washington State
9:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPNU
Line: Washington State by 1

Good luck.
*****#*****

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

The Best Five Games of Week 6

Who would have thought that Arizona State would be tied for most pool appearances after the first five weeks? With three appearances each already, Arizona State and Notre Dame make it number four this week in a game that will decide whether the Sun Devils are the surprise story of the season or Notre Dame is the early season flop. It is the Shamrock Series, which can only mean one thing -- time for Doug Virden to dress up as a leprechaun to give the Irish a little luck. But then again, Arizona State has the keg baby pictured above right, and that kind of fan enthusiasm is hard to beat.

UCLA - Utah
9 p.m., Thursday, Fox Sports 1
Line: UCLA by 4

Ole Miss - Auburn 
6 p.m., Saturday, ESPNU
Line: Ole Miss by 2

Shamrock Series 2013
Arizona State - Notre Dame

6:30 p.m., Saturday, NBC
Line: Arizona State by 5
* Underdog worth three points

Ohio State - Northwestern
7 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Ohio State by 5
* Underdog worth three points

Washington - Stanford
9:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN
Line: Stanford by 6
* Underdog worth three points

Good luck.
*****#*****