Joe Tiller was always money - whether you were betting on him rolling up Northwestern or taking Michigan -6 against him
Game week! While college football weekends are akin to a buffet, kickoff weekend is the $4.99 Chinese variety that sits on each of these college campuses. Plenty of options, very few are of high quality, but since we’re all hungry it’s time to overindulge and shovel the cheap stuff onto our plates. This season, I’m opening up the vault. In years past, I’ve made Big Ten picks and participated in the “just for fun” pick-off, but my entire book of personal picks has never been published. This year its full transparency – what you see in this segment are the picks I’m making with my own money (and not just an excuse to take a shot at Neil Callaway).
I’ll also try to post second half plays as they come up, but those will be tweeted so keep your eye on my feed.
Washington -14.5 vs San Diego State (Saturday, 1030p est)
I LOVE betting on teams like Washington – mid range squads with a high-flying offense that you can count on to cover as an underpriced favorite, while being an easy layoff against the big boys. Joe Tiller’s Purdue set this standard and is part of the reason I’m here today. Keith Price is establishing an excellent track record and can be trusted to lead 5-6 scoring drives against a defense that can’t keep up. Plus the ‘Dawgs are hosting at night and for chalk there’s no better combination. Rocky Long’s ruthless 4th down calls won’t be enough, Washington’s margin of victory here is in the ’20s.
Iowa State +1 vs Tulsa (Saturday, 330p est)
Paul Rhoads isn’t laughing. His Cyclones, a program he has led to a 6-0 straight up and 4-1 record ATS against non-BCS programs, is an underdog in Ames? Using a common formula for the weekend, I’m betting against the team with a first year starter at QB on the road. Tulsa finds out this isn’t C-USA and as he’s been known to do, Steele Jantz pays the bills.
I hope this isn't the last time I call Logan Thomas's name
Virginia Tech -7 vs Georgia Tech (Monday, 8p est)
Are you serious, Mason? Feeding us an in-conference ACC pick on week 1? Look, V-Tech’s been known to have a decent defense, and they’ve had how many weeks to prepare for the option? 26? It’s also another home night game during the week and Beamer’s been known to deliver in these situations. Plus, how about Logan Thomas. Slick name and he looks like Cam Newton under center.
Michigan vs Alabama – Parlay O45.5/UM +13.5 (+260) (Saturday, 8p est)
In a game on turf involving the electric Denard Robinson, I like Michigan’s chances to get into the high 20′s on points and keeping Alabama below 41. Alabama’s defense is reloaded, but it won’t be as dominant as it was a year ago, with 7 new starters. People need to remember that these guys will be going against arguably college football’s most electric player and a dominant performance is not a given. I like about one of these parlays each weekend, here it is.
Miami -2 @ Boston College (Saturday, 330p est)
Apparently I have no problem with the prospect of reloading next week as I am throwing caution the wind and betting not one but two ACC games in week 1. But seriously, I don’t remember the last time I heard of a team that’s really not that bad (maybe in the ’40s?) trashed the way Miami has been this month. Look Miami guy, I know this isn’t the 2001 ‘Canes, but acting like your team has turned into Duke is ridiculous. Golden vs Spaz, and Golden’s due after Spaz got him last year. That’s all you need to know.