Bully The Bookie: 09-28
The blog’s debut started off hot last weekend with a 3-1 Saturday in College Football. North Texas, South Carolina and Michigan State all covered their spreads with the only blunder being my TCU pick. NFL Sunday was a losing day. 1 win and 2 losses including the Patriots embarrassment on SNF. Overall, 4-3 on the weekend. Still profitable.
Onto week 5 of CFB and week 4 of NFL.
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#20 Brigham Young Cougars (3-1, 3-1 ATS) @ #11 Washington Huskies (3-1, 1-3 ATS)
Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA, Saturday September 29nd, 8:30 P.M EST
Spread: Washington -17, O/U 46
BYU travels to PAC-12 powerhouse Washington U for a top 25 match up. These Mormons can play this year, strong defense and steady run game has led the Cougars into the rankings. With BYU putting all their attention towards football, and not chasing tail and good times like the other programs, god has put them on a righteous path towards the championship this year.
The Cougars have already pulled off two massive road upsets against schools that share completely opposite values and morals. Arizona and Wisconsin, two schools known for substance abuse and std's, lost to BYU as 11 and 23 point favourites. The Cougars may want to start celebrating now with a good ol' Mormon soak sesh because this narrative will end this week. Although BYU has definitely earned their #20 rank and have the power of God behind them, their magic may turn tragic this week. The 17 point spread is a toss up, I think Washington wins by at least 10 points. The place to make the money on this game is the Over/Under total.
Both the Huskies and Cougars have achieved their top 25 accolades by being extremely safe on the defensive side of the ball. In terms of overall points allowed, Washington has the 4th best defense, allowing only 12.8 points per game. BYU is not far behind, they average 17 points allowed per game.
BYU is completely over matched. Cougars QB Tanner Mangum, the 25 year old senior citizen, is average at best. He hasn’t put up any good numbers since his freshman year and is only averaging 153 passing yards per game this year. My bold prediction- he doesn’t surpass the 100 mark for passing yards in Husky Stadium on Saturday.
Quick Stats:
All 4 games that both teams have played this year have gone UNDER
Last 6 BYU games against a PAC-12 school has gone UNDER
7 of Washington’s last 10 games following a win has gone UNDER
THE PICK: UNDER 46 TOTAL POINTS
PREDICTION: HUSKIES 27 - COUGARS 9
So get your soak on while you can, Cougars.
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Pittsburgh Panthers (2-2, 2-2 ATS) @ 13 Central Florida Knights (3-0, 2-1 ATS)
Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, FL, Saturday September 29nd, 3:30 P.M EST
Spread: UCF -14, O/U 64.5
The self-declared 2017 National Champions UCF Knights is right back at the realm this year defending the throne. Although the new NCAA playoff voting system failed Central Florida last year, they earned their right to be proud of the season they had. 13-0 on the season and even finished with a win versus the all-mighty Auburn Tigers in the 2017 Peach Bowl.
I won't discredit the Knights, however, it is evident with both the NCAA and football guys that Alabama won last year. But the delusion of the UCF fan base and President is nothing short of amusing.
As for the Knight's opponents this week - the epitome of mediocre; Pitt Panthers. The 2-2 team is 1-1 in their ACC play after getting crushed by in state rival, Penn State. For the first time in 10 years, the Panthers didn't make a bowl game and they may be repeating history this year.
Knights offense led by Heisman candidate QB McKenzie Milton will be high flying as always. UCF has the 9th best O this year at 50 points per game. Meanwhile, Pitt’s defense is well below league average and they haven’t played an offense nearly as potent as the Knights.
This game should be a blowout from the first snap. UCF has too much fire power to be held under 50 points.
THE PICK: UCF -14
PREDICTION: KNIGHTS 52 - PANTHERS 17
EXTRA CFB PLAYS
Syracuse Orange @ Clemson Tigers
PICK: Syracuse +25.5 as they play against a freshman QB’s first collegiate start. Although Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence is a rare talent, it will take at least a half before he gets settled in.
UCLA Bruins @ Colorado Buffaloes
PICK: Colorado -9.5 in a beating of a brutal Bruins team led by Coach Chip Kelly.
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Seattle Seahawks (1-2, 1-1-1 ATS) @ Arizona Cardinals (0-3, 1-2 ATS)
University of Phoenix Stadium, Phoenix, AZ, Sunday September 30th, 4:05 P.M EST
Spread: SEA -3, O/U 39
The 10th overall pick of the 2018 draft gets his first career start this Sunday. The Cardinals are starting Josh Rosen from UCLA and he will get the chance he’s been waiting a lifetime for.
The 21 year old has no shortage of confidence, but the Seahawks may humble him real quick
Since the Browns finally won a game for the first time in 600+ days, the NFL seeks a new joke of the league. Leading candidate - the Arizona Cardinals. They are league worst in every offensive category and bottom 10 in all defensive categories. They have only scored an underwhelming 20 points in their season so far and we're in week 4.
After signing Sam Bradford to 20 m and starting him the first 3 games, the Cardinals are hoping to fly higher with the rookie Rosen this week in the battle of the birds. The Seahawks have playoff potential and Arizona will not be saved by an arrogant rookie QB.
THE PICK: SEATTLE -3
PREDICTION: SEAHAWKS 27 - CARDINALS 13
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EXTRA NFL PLAYS
Cleveland Browns @ Oakland Raiders
PICK: Raiders -3 as the Browns are looking for their first back to back wins in 5 years. They won’t win. Take the 0-3 Raiders in the Toilet Bowl game.
NY Jets @ Jacksonville Jaguars
PICK: Jaguars -7.5 as they bring in rookie QB and the Jets into the swamp. This Jacksonville defense is unbelievable. Jets won’t be able to get on the board.