After another stellar week the Shark has raised his record to 5-1 on the year and it hsould have been 6-0 because LSU did not score on that touchdown pass with 45 seconds left in the game. ASU was robbed, but there are worse gambling sotires around than that. We all have them and maybe one day we can post them on this site. In fact, if you have a gambling war story, please email me at dchriscarlson@hotmail.com and we will post the ten best stories.
On with the picks:
This week there are a few games that i like, I don't love them but I like them.
Boston College -1 vs. Florida State : I don't think that Florida State has a very good team this yearand I think BC is for real. There are a few questions I have. One, will the fans (self-described SuperFans) come out and support the Eagles this weekend. I have been to many games at Chesnut HIll and the fans absolutely suck. Two, does BC think they are better than Florida State. Florida State gets three points from teams like this, just by showing up. The Eagles won't take it easy, but they will take it, take BC give the point.
Virginia -9.5 vs. Syracuse : Syracuse is going to struggle this year. Based solely on that, I am going with the Cavaliers in this one. Take Virginia give the 9.5 points.
Oklahoma +6.5 vs. UCLA : I don't like the Pac-10, other than USC the rest of he conference is soft and weak. I just can't see Oklahoma losing this game. That is what it comes down to. Take Oklahoma and take the points.
Wisconsin -3 vs. North Carolina : Have you seen Wisconsin play this year. No one is talking about Colorado transfer Brian Calhoun, put he may be the best running back i nthe nation. He is small and quick, with moves like a young Amos Zereoue. The Badgers have the beef on the line on both sides and the skill where it matters. Wisconsin is a solid team. Take Wisconsin and give the three points even on the road.
USC -30.5 vs. Arkansas : Arkansas gave up 408 yards to Vanderbilt last week. Do I need to write anything more about this? Take USC and give the points.
Smooth Jimmy
Smooth Jimmy had to change his phone number again last week after he laid a knot on the super sucky, Washington Huskies. The suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked. After going 1-10 last year, and the loss to Air Force (a very underrated Air Force team according to Ty Willingham I might add), I thought they were due! I mean c’mon, they brought in a coach that a lot people felt, after he was fired from Notre Dame for single-handedly bringing the program down, would bring the Huskies back to the national prominence! (Editors Note: It was the academic standards. That’s why Charlie Weis won’t be able to win there eith…what?..they’re 0-2? They beat #3 Michigan in Ann Arbor? Oh…well..would have been nice if someone had told me before I made an ass of myself!. Never mind…continue)
Well, I bit that sour apple, as I’m sure most of you did. So Jimmy is gonna make it up to you. Jimmy doesn’t like to lose.
So this week, I’m gonna stay away from teams I have a “feeling” about and give you 3 picks you can parlay into family style dinner at Uncle Mo’s (When you order his million dollar fries he actually sits there while you eat!!! Don’t get the beer battered tacos whatever you do, not so nice, ask the downstairs neighbors)
Get your #2 pencils out people, time to get that money you so desperately need.
UTAH -3.5 TCU
For what it’s worth, I think Utah should be GETTIN 2!!! Instead, the guys in Vegas missed with this one badly. Now I know TCU lost last week to a team that was given the NCAA Death Penalty (SMU) for cheating back in the early 90’s, but they also beat Oklahoma the week before that. Since the game is the ESPN Thursday Night game you can only hope the “good” TCU comes out to play tonight. Let’s start Thirsty Thursday on high note and put dime on the Horned Frogs. How could you not bet on team called the Horned Frogs? TAKE TCU AND THE POINTS.
BC -1.5 FLORIDA ST
Bobby Bowden is getting old. So old that he only has the energy to recruit defensive players now. They did have a few offensive players off last years team drafted. One guy was named, Craphonso. I like that name. Craphonso. Anyway, BC is better than they have been in a few years, but Florida St’s defense is loaded with NFL caliber talent. This game will be probably as Craphonso as the Miami/ Florida St game was last week, but you gotta like the ‘Noles to win in conference. Yes, B.C is in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Very low scoring game. Take Florida St and give the 1.5 points
ND -6.5 MICHIGAN ST
Michigan St always plays ND tough, and this seems like the perfect week for the Irish to let down their guard. After two tough road wins, Charlie Weis has got to be wondering when those pesky academic standards are gonna cost him a game. If they lose to Michigan St this week you can bet somebody in the admission department will get the ax for not giving Charlie the weapons that he needed to beat the Spartans. As much as I would like to pick against the Irish as to set the old reverse jinxer on the Spartans, I can’t see how the Irish will lose the home opener (or how the refs will let them), knowing how important it is to go into that USC game undefeated. Take ND and give the 6.5
There are Smooth Jimmy’s LOCKS OF THE WEEK!!!
Last week’s 1-2 picks were just practice by the way. I knew Notre Dame was gonna go into the big house, lacking all that talent that southern schools steal with their “4.3 40’s = Admission” policies, and win handily. Don’t forget, when your right 52% of the time…..
Till next week….
September 15, 2005
September 09, 2005
Smooth Jimmy vs. The Shark Week Two
After an impressive opening weekend, the Shark is riding high at 100%. 3-0 last week...can he keep up his hot streak? Can the cocky Smooth Jimmy come out of the gates s
trong? Let's see what these two degenerate gamblers have come up with for Week two.
Smooth Jimmy's Pick
“When your right 52% of the time….your wrong 48!!!!”….except for this week, where I guarantee, if you take all 3 of these picks you’ll be a rich man headed into football Sunday.
They made it too easy for Smooth Jimmy this week. Early in the college football year I’m pretty sure line setters in Vegas let the girls from Little Darlin’s set the lines. 8 or 9 games really stood out, but instead of giving you the chippies I want to make you sweat a little bit, so I picked 3 of the tougher games. So without further ado….
WASHINGTON +9 California
Washington is a horrible football team. They lost to Air Force last week. Air Force. They’re coach is one of the worst in game coaches I have ever seen in my life. They were 1-10 last year and returned 18 of those gawd awful starters. So why does Smooth Jimmy like them? Simple. California’s QB, Joe Ayoob, was 0-10 for last week when he replaced Nate Longshore, who left with a broken fibula. He was so bad they brought in the 3rd string RB to play QB in the 4th quarter. Ayoob actually said “I’ve never thrown passes that bad in my life”. On top of that, it’s the home opener for Washington. The game is going to be just awful too watch, but not if you have a knot on the Huskies getting 9. I think it will be close, but Washington will cover. Take Washington plus the points.
Clemson +2 MARYLAND
I never have confidence when I bet on Tigers, but after last weeks W and the fact that Maryland snuck by Navy, I don’t see how Maryland wins this game. Sam Hollenbach is wretched QB whose career QB rating looks like my average chemistry exam score from high school. Clemson will roll Maryland by double digits. Take Clemson plus the points.
MICHIGAN -7 Notre Dame..BONUS (The OVER..whatever the number is)
This is my..LOCK OF THE WEEK…It kills me to pick Michigan . Kills me. I am life long Irish fan and have cleared my calendar for Noon on Saturday. I just think ND is WAY too young on defense to keep up with Michigan. Chad Henne is going to have huge day, Mike Hart will run all over the place, and Michigan will put up at least 38 points. The Irish can, and will, score but I just think Home Field + Revenge Factor = Blowout. I have a feeling its going to be one of those 21-0 1st quarter thumpings that ends something like 49-28. I am really hoping this pick is wrong, but I know better. Take Michigan give the points.
The Shark
Unlike Smooth Jimmy, not much really stood out for me this week. It is one of those week where the spreads for the favorites are all in the 30's and the good games are pick 'ems. I did find three that stood out for me though. So let's roll the dice...
South Carolina +17 at Georgia: That's right, I am jumping all over the Steve Spurrier badnwagon...well for this week at least. Georgia should win, but I would not be totally shocked if they lost outright. I think 17 points is just way too much. The Gamecocks won't be able to run the ball very well, but that has never been Spurriers game anyway. You better believe Spurrier is going to have these guys fired up this weekend. Take South Carolina and all those points.
Arizona State -1.5 vs. LSU: Originally this game was scheduled for a night game down on the Bayou which would have been trouble for the Sun Devlis, but now the game is in the desert and those poor kids from LSU can't possibly be focused on a football game with everything that is going on. Arizona State came out clicking on all cylinders against a very good Temple team last week. Just kidding about Temple, I just wanted to make sure you guys were paying attention. However, the blowout can't be overlooked. It was an impressive 63-16 win. Look for a good close game, but I think the Sun Devils take it. Arizona State minus the point and a half.
Texas +1.5 vs. Ohio State: It is a huge game early in the college football season, Texas always loses the big game, but this isn't Oklahoma. Ohio State is a blue collar team, they will plug away keep it close and hang in there, but they are no match for maybe the second best team in the country. Texas has the intagibles, especially with QB Vince Young. The Horseshoe will be sold out and rocking, but I like the longhorns to slience the thousands with a convincing win at Ohio State. Texas plus the point and a half.
So there you have it. Smooth Jimmy likes Michigan, Clemson and Washington. The Shark is putting his money on Texas, Arizona State and South Carolina. Remember one thing: "Gambling is illegal at Bushwood and I never slice!"
September 05, 2005
3-0!
If you are a gambling man and read my post on Friday and listened to the shark, you are now a rich man. Okay maybe not rich, but I didn't lose you any money. To recap the picks:
1. Georgia -8 vs. Boise State. As predicted Georgia destroyed and overpowered the smaller Boise State Broncos. Georgia took the game 48-13.
2. West Virginia +1.5 vs. Syracuse. In one of the sloppiest games that you will ever watch, West Virginia continually let Syracuse stick around by turning the ball over 5 times. Twice inside the Syracuse 20 yard line. The Mountaineers defense dominated the game outscoring Syracuse 9-7 and the offense was able to add two field goals. The game should have been a blow out going into halftime, but I guess we will take the win. West Virginia won 15-7.
3. North Carolina State +5.5 vs. Virginia Tech. If North Carolina State could get things going offensively they would be a dangerous team. Nonetheless, their defense did enough (as predicted) to cover the spread. Virginia Tech won 20-16.
So that brings the tally to 3-0 for the Shark. Tune in next week on Friday for Smooth Jimmy vs. the Shark for our NFL and NCAA picks of the week.
September 02, 2005
Smooth Jimmy vs. The Shark Week One
This year "Smooth Jimmy" and I (the Shark) will be providing our readers with free gambling advice. Each week on Friday at noon we will post our picks for the week. Admittedly I am a much better college football prognosticator than I am NFL. With that in mind, let's see how you guys can make some money. We will keep a running tally for the year.
The Shark:
Georgia -6.5 vs. Boise St: This line has been fluctuating between 6.5 and 8 all week. Either way, I feel safe with the Bulldogs. I guarantee that they have all been warned about not taking this game lightly. Boise State was a great story last year, and they are the underdog that you want to pull for, but I just can't see a way that they can stand toe to toe with a premier SEC team. Georgia returns all 5 starting lineman and let's face it, Boise State isn't known for their defensive prowess. Take Georgia give the 6.5 to 8 and feel good about it.
West Virginia +1.5 vs. Syracuse: I am breaking every major gambling rule with this pick. Betting with my heart, betting on my team, not staying objective. I still like the pick though. West Virginia dominates Syracuse, especially at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse is rebuilding, new A.D. and new coach means new offensive schemes and a tough opening round match. WVU has a solid defense, with some amazing running back including true Freshmen Jason Gwaltney. Take the 'Eers plus the 1.5.
N.C. State + 5.5 vs. Virginia Tech: N.C. State possess the best defensive line in the country. That should be enough to keep Marcus " the other" Vick in check. The game is in Raleigh, so take the Wolfpack and the 5.5 points.
It looks like Smooth Jimmy is taking the week off, so we will officially start our tally next week. we can call this pre-season. Good luck and let the games begin!
