November 6th Picks

November 4th and 5th Results:

November 4th:

No, CMU doesn't score on first possession- Win
USC wins by 25+ - Win (25 exactly)
Dallas Stars- Win (7-6)

November 5th:

Andrew Luck: Completion- Win (20 completions-13 points for Oregon State)
Wisconsin wins by 25+ points- Win (won by 45)
Arkansas Razorbacks- Win (44-28)

Record in the last 2 days- 6-0
Record for the month- 10-3

It's been a good last couple of days

Pick #1 Stoke City win or draw

   Stoke City has played much better than Bolton in the Premier League. The only catch for Stoke City is the fatigue they may feel going into this matchup after a week of traveling for Europa play. Stoke City is 3-3-4 with a -6 goal difference and 12 points in their table. Bolton is 2-0-8 with a -14 goal difference and  6 points. Bolton has yet to win at home this season, but may have a good opportunity with a tired Stoke City team. If Bolton had the draw, I would say Bolton easy, but it's not often the better team has the draw option. Don't be shocked if Bolton wins, but Stoke City is my pick of the two.

Pick #2 Dallas Stars



Pick #3 Eli Manning records more 1st half passing yards

    The Patriots have the worst pass defense in the NFL. The Giants rank 13th, giving up about 225 yards a game. Eli and Brady have put up similar numbers passing this season, but I think the Patriots pass defense gives Eli the edge.

Pick #4 LA Galaxy win

This one was a little tough to call at first, but I like LA of the two with them at home. Though losing 1-4 to Salt lake on the road, LA managed to beat them 2-1 at home in their last meeting. LA is 19-10-5 with a 20 goal difference and 67 points, Salt Lake is 15-8-11 with an 8 goal difference and 53 points. LA has been dominant at home, going 13-5-0, including a current 9 game home winning streak (that includes their 2-1 win over Salt Lake). All 5 of LA's losses have been on the road, so obviously LA seems to have an edge with them being at home. LA and their home crowd should be excited going into this game after beating New York in their last two matches. Short writeup, but hopefully it helps give you some insight. Good luck whatever you do tonight.

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November 5th Picks

Pick #1 Andrew Luck Completions (higher total)

On the season, Luck has had a total of 174 completions on the year, averaging about 21.7 completions per game. The least he has thrown this season, was against Washington where he threw 16 completions in a 65-21 win. Aside from Washington and San Jose State Stanford's season opener, Luck has thrown for 20 passes or more.

Stanford's defense ranks 13^th in points against, allowing about 17 points per game. Oregon State ranks 90^th in points for, averaging about 23 points per game, but only averaging 10 against ranked opponents (loss to Wisconsin 35-0, loss to Arizona State 35-20). Assuming Luck can complete about 20 passes, Stanford should have this. If they predominantly pass the ball, it should be a pretty easy pick, if they predominantly run, obviously it will more than likely be pretty close. I think Stanford's defense is good enough to keep Oregon State to 20 or less, and Andrew Luck is a phenomenal quarterback. Could be close, but I would take Andrew Luck.

Other notes:

*Oregon State ranks 61^st in total offense

*Oregon State ranks 55^th in total defense, and ranks 59^th in overall pass defense

Pick #2 Wisconsin wins by 25+

Wisconsin has not been their normal selves lately in their last couple games on the road. Though struggling, they are still a great team; having a top 10 offense and defense after losing to pretty solid opponents. With them at home, I really think the Badgers should come alive today. Though Purdue is 4-4, they have not beaten anyone significant other than Illinois, who has not really beaten anyone significant besides a slightly overrated Arizona State. I'm not going to write anymore, because I'm probably going to take the Andrew Luck prop instead, but I think Wisconsin is the better pick, granted they show up like they have earlier in the year.

Pick #3 Arkansas Razorbacks

I have to take Arkansas with them at home and with South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore out. South Carolina Struggled in Knoxville last week against the Vols in a 14-3 win. In fact, It was a closer than the actual score of the game. Tennessee's offense was horrible that night, turning the ball over inside the 5 with the potential of a scoring opportunity. With South Carolina playing so poorly against a struggling Tennessee team, I don't think they will perform much better playing at Arkansas. Though Arkansas struggled last week in a 31-28 win against Vandy, you have to remember Vanderbilt has really improved from last season. Along with Lattimore, South Carolina has a lot of players out due to injuries and their original starting quarterback Stephen Garcia was kicked of the team after 6 team violations. Connor Shaw has had little production in his last couple starts on the road to Tennessee and Mississippi State. I think Arkansas should be able to capitalize on a gimped up South Carolina team. Good luck either way.

Good luck whatever you choose today

More tonight...

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November 4th Picks

November 3rd results:

22 points or more- Loss (17)
LA Galaxy win- Win (2-1)

Blog record for the month 4-3

   Sorry such a late post. Power went out last night and my internet was down for a while. I ended up passing in both picks last night after I took 3 or more players to score a touchdown. After the risk payed off, it put me at W5 and so I obviously decided to pass on 22 points or more because FSU had put up such a big lead (I figured they would slow down and BC couldn't score), and LA I just passed because I had my win for the day and I wasn't to sure of their gameplan.

Pick #1 No: CMU doesn't score on its first possession

    CMU ranks 93th in points per game, averaging about 23 (22.8). Kent State's defense ranks 58th in points against, giving up about 26 points a game (26.4) and ranking 32nd in defense nationally. Kent State's defense seems very good for a 2-6 team. It's mainly thier offense that is the weakness of the team ranking near the bottom of the nation in passing yards (117th), rushing yards (117th) and scoring (119th). I think if CMU starts with the ball, this will be a very good pick. If Kent State starts with the ball and doesn't capitalize to somehow spot CMU with great feild position, No picks might be in trouble. The coinflip may greatly influence this prop.

Pick #2 USC wins by 25+

  Aside from Arizona State and Minnesota, USC has played very well this season. They played like a top 10 team against Stanford, and hopefully they do so tonight. Kiffin likes to score as many points as he can. Though only averaging about 32 points a game as a top 25 team, USC is really coming together since Arizona State. Blowout wins to rivals California and Notre Dame on the road, as well as coming short of beating Stanford in 3 OTs, should tell you USC is different from the team that opened the year with an ugly 19-17 victory over Minnesota.
   To add to that, Colorado is a pretty bad team. They sit at 1-8, 0-5 in the PAC-12, and rank 110th in points for, 117th in points against; and 100th in total defense and 98th in total offense. It may or may not be close, but I think USC wins between 20-30 (which is vague, I know). I would feel better about going with 25 or more.

Pick #3 Dallas Stars


 No writeup, but it is a little hard to go against them at home in this scenario. Could go either way, but I would take Dallas if you made me choose.

Good Luck whatever you do tonight


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November 3rd Picks

November 2nd results:

Manchester City: Win (3-0)
Colorado Avalanche: Loss (4-1)
Seattle Sounders FC: Win (2-0)

Record for Day 2-1
Record for month- 3-2

I have a couple for now and I may have more tonight...

Pick #1 22 points or more

We have to evaluate the first half a little bit, but both teams (especially FSU) has shown the ability to score at times. Though Boston College has struggled at putting up points overall this season, only averaging about 20 points a game, at home they have been able to produce a little better. Coming off a 28-17 road win over Maryland, Boston College has scored 100 points in 4 home games and 59 points in 4 road games, with a home score difference of 41. FSU averages about 36 points points a game (35.6 officially), but has blown unranked teams out (such as Duke in a 41-16 road win, who beat Boston College) besides Wake Forest, by a combined total of 212-42. FSU's low scoring games came to pretty good teams (Oklahoma, Clemson and Wake Forest).

Defensive note: FSU allows about 17 points a game, ranking 12^th on defense nationally. Boston College allows about 25 point a game ranking 52^nd nationally.

Still have to see the first quarter, but I like 22 points or more at a glance.

***Update: With FSU up 28-0 at halftime you have to be careful. I don't think it will be 22+ unless Boston College gets motivated to make a comeback or something. FSU probably won't score 22+ alone in the second half, this pick needs some support from Boston College. I personally would stay away if you have a good streak. Good luck whatever you do.

Pick #2 LA Galaxy win (MLS Soccer)

This one will either be an easy pick, or a really frustrating pick depending on what LA decides to do with their gameplan. LA only needs to draw to advance, but it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to score to create a 1 or 2 point cushion. With them at home, and being the most dominant team so far in MLS play, they may be the pick. The Red Bulls go into this game 10-16-8 with a 6 goal difference and 46 points. The Red Bulls have have not looked that great against solid MLS teams on the road. They have done pretty well coming up with draws (for the most part) this year on the road, and that certainly won't be out of the question tonight since LA doesn't have to win. LA goes into this game 19-10-5 with a 20 goal difference and 67 points, coming off a 1-0 road win over the Red Bulls a few days ago. So to conclude, it really just comes down to what LA decides to do. With them at home they may want to put on a show for the home crowd. Good luck whoever you choose.


Possibly more to come


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November 2nd Picks will be finalized by the afternoon

November 1st results:

Arsenal win- Loss (0-0 draw)
Vancouver Canucks- Win (5-1)

Record for month- 1-1

   I made 4 picks today and the one I felt best about was the only one I lost. Ironic. I'll get full writups and picks up by tomorrow afternoon since the first pick doesn't start until 1:00pm eastern. For now though...

Pick #1 Manchester City win

   I'll put more up on the game tomorrow, but basically Man City has been dominating and a struggling Villarreal has some significant injuries. I have a lot I want to write on this game, and I just cant stay awake to post tonight.
**11/2/11 Update** Manchester City will go into this game with an impressive 9-1-0 record in Premier League play, a 28 goal difference and 28 total points. Villarreal is 2-4-4 in Spanish league play (La Liga) with a -8 goal difference and 10 points this season. Villarreal is in desperate need of a win, but being plagued by injuries will really hinder their chances.

   Taken directly from ESPN soccernet "Villarreal have suffered yet another injury blow ahead of this week's Champions League visit of Manchester City with the news that defender Cristian Zapata is also facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Colombia international Zapata, a summer signing from Udinese who has started 14 matches this season, has sprained the ligaments in his right knee and is set to miss around five weeks, according to the Primera Division club's website. The loss of Zapata comes after yesterday's news that Cani, Marco Ruben and Marcos Senna will all be unavailable for Wednesday's clash with City after suffering injuries during Saturday's 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano. Cani will be out for around six weeks after also suffering a sprained right knee, Ruben has an adductor injury which could see him miss next weekend's game with Espanyol as well, while Senna felt a twinge in his hamstring and will be rested as a precaution. Javier Camunas is also a doubt for midweek due to a lower leg injury sustained against Rayo as the headaches continue to mount for Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido, who was already without star strikers Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar. Rossi will be out of action for around six months after suffering a serious knee injury against Real Madrid last week, while Nilmar is still on the comeback trail after undergoing an operation to remove a knee cyst at the start of the month.Villarreal's injury problems have coincided with a poor start to the season with the win over Rayo only their second in the league this season to lift them out of the relegation zone. Garrido's side have also lost all three of their Champions League pool matches and are four points adrift at the bottom of Group A."
     In their last appearance on the road against Manchester City, Villarreal stood their own though losing 2-1. Scoring the first goal 4 minutes into the game, Villarreal then scored a goal for Manchester City (just to make it interesting of course) and eventually ending with Manchester City winning on a goal in the 90th minute. Despite such a good game, Villarreal had most of their squad in the match. If Villarreal didn't have so many injuries, I would take them at home for a draw. I just don't know if a team so plagued by injuries can pull it out, but we will see...

I think Man City pulls it out by 1

Quick Picks (shorter than normal writeups):

Pick #2 Colorado Avalanche

Mainly because of them being at home. A slightly better team in my opinion, Colorado (7-4-0) has a pretty good opportunity to win at home tonight against the Coyotes (5-3-2). The Coyotes do have a pretty good offense, ranking 5^th in the NHL in goals per game (3.0). Colorado ranks 15^th in goals against (2.6) and 13^th in goals per game (2.6). Colorado by 1.

Pick #3 Seattle Sounders FC win

I've learned my lesson picking teams that have nothing to play for. Tonight, Real Salt Lake is one of those teams. Even with a loss they can advance and they have to go on the road. Plus, Seattle has had a pretty good year, going 18-9-7 with a 19 goal difference and 63 points. Salt Lake is 15-8-11, 8 goal difference and 53 points. I don't think Salt Lake will just give up points, but I do see Seattle attacking a lot in this game and diligently finding as many opportunities to score as possible.

More to come


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