Strictly Business

It has been an extraordinarily busy week at work and I haven't seen anything amusing and inspiring outside of work.  That means I have nothing funny to say, sorry. 

Evaluating this week was difficult, too.  Lots of colliding trends, as opposed to complementary movements. 

No laughs.  No free throws. 

Suck it up, Sally.



Ford Field.  Comerica Park at the left edge.

 **** Miami O @ Northern Illinois -17 1/2
Friday 7:00 p.m.  (@ Ford Field in Detroit) ESPN2

There isn't a lot here to explain.  Northern has 10 covers in a row interrupted by a push
four weeks ago.  After an early season stumble (which paid us, by the way) Northern has turned into quite a formidable team.  This is for the MAC championship, and NIU is going to be highly motivated.

Hawaii's stadium. This ain't Detroit. 

 ***UNLV@ Hawaii -34 1/2
Saturday 9:30 p.m. ESPNGP (somebody will have this on)
For starters, Hawaii is 9-3, UNLV is 2-10.  Hawaii plays well at home, due in part to visitors being taken in by the trip to Hawaii.    Hawaii is 4-1 ATS in their last 5, UNLV is 2-3.   Not a slam dunk at 34 1/2, but that 2-10 record for UNLV is might compelling, in a "kick me" kind of way.

 


University of Idaho's stadium.

 **San Jose State @ Idaho -13 1/2
Saturday 4:00 p.m.  SWX (I never heard of it either)
We haven't asked the Vandals to carry the mail for us yet this year, though they have been kind to us in the past.  It's not an inspiring match up: San Jose State is 1-11, 0-6 on the road.  Idaho is 5-7, 3-2 at home.  The two teams' records ATS for their last five games: both 2-3.   Their O/U's for the last 3, no help: one of them has three straight overs, one has three straight unders.  What's the bet, then?  Home team edge vs. 1-11 record.  It's a tough week, I told you.
 


Nippert Stadium, Cincinnatti

 *Pitt +2 @ Cincinnatti
Saturday 11:00 a.m. ESPN
Pitt comes in 6-5, Cincinnatti is 4-7.  Pitt started out as a 1 point favorite and shifted to a 2 point dog.  Pitt is 3-2 ATS in their last 5, Cincinnatti is 1-4.  Factoring in their respective road and home records makes it less compelling, so we're down to "I think Pitt is going to win".  A little more than that, actually.  That losing 4 out of their last 5 doesn't bode well for Cincinnatti, and that's the bet.
 
The Bowl Selection show is on Sunday @ 5 on ESPN. 
 
All we have next week  (Week 15) is Army Navy.  Then it's Bowl Season. Our time.