Finding the right Halloween costume is an irritating annual exercise, but luckily for you, several NCAA personalities have given out great ideas through their actions this year. Maybe you could take a page out of Les Miles’ book and go as The Mad Hatter. Or perhaps you’d rather be the patient from the board game “Operation”, a la Mark Dantonio. Going with a group? Try an Entourage approach, except that you should replace Vinny Chase and the boys with Marvin Austin and his dismissed UNC crew … those dudes can party. Want to try something timely in the wake of the recession? Go as an unemployed Tim Brewster.
We think Halloween should be 365 days a year.
And ladies, don’t think you’re left out … the LSU Golden Girls have a good look going.
In this week’s Hot/Not list, let’s take a look at some teams that have been creeping up on the competition in recent weeks, while also highlighting some squads that have been downright scary with their inconsistent home-road splits thus far.
(And yes, if you’re wondering whether or not your friend Gale realizes that he’s a week early on the Halloween theme, rest assured that I am aware … I just figured I’d forget to run with this next week)
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MUSIC TO BET TO THIS WEEK: “Everlasting Light” by The Black Keys; “100 Days, 100 Nights” by Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings; “Jail La La” by Dum Dum Girls
WHO’S HEATING UP
NORTH CAROLINA & COLORADO STATE – Both teams are 4-0 ATS in their past four games, though only one of them is legit. Even though the Tar Heels will be down several starters all season long, there’s plenty of talent left in Chapel Hill these days and an ACC title is not out of the question. As for the Rams, there is no logical explanation for what’s happening … they are terrible. Despite the hot run, they’re getting spotted 30.5 points this week at Utah.
MISSISSIPPI & MISSISSIPPI STATE – Both teams are 3-0 ATS in their past three lined games after sluggish starts … is there any legit reason why? Well, BP is getting blamed for everything down in the Gulf these days, so maybe they should take the heat on this, too. The Bulldogs are the stronger team if you’re looking to back somebody.
As long as I'm coaching Washington State, you're gonna like the points you take. I guarantee it.
WASHINGTON STATE – Your eyes don’t deceive you … the Cougars are a staggering 4-1 ATS over the past five weeks despite being outscored 194-95, losing all five games outright, and confounding the BTP staff in its weekly non-conference picks. Paul Wulff, your upcoming severance package will likely be financed by whoever was bold enough to bet on your behalf. WSU is a 35-dog at Stanford this week.
WHO’S BOTH HOT AND NOT
CALIFORNIA – Apparently, four-year starter Kevin Riley needs a home-cooked meal in order to put up a decent performance for the Golden Bears. At home: 3-0 ATS, average win of 46-6. On the road: 0-3 ATS, average loss of 37-18. This week: home versus Arizona State.
UCONN – The Huskies were getting a lot of preseason hype, but they haven’t lived up to it. At home: 3-0 ATS, putting up 49 pts per game. On the road: an ugly 0-3 ATS and only 50 points … combined. This week: at Louisville.
GEORGIA – The Dawgs are heating up, but they still need to prove it outside of Sanford Stadium. Home so far: 3-1 ATS, 40.8 ppg. Road so far: 0-3 ATS, 15 ppg. This week: at Kentucky.
SOUTH CAROLINA – At home: 3-1 ATS, 59 points allowed. On the road: 0-2 ATS, 66 points allowed. This week: at Vanderbilt (aka “The Harvard of the South”)