Resurrection

A few years ago, I resolved to never wager on Notre Dame.  That decision came about as a lesson learned the hard way.  If I bet on them, they would screw the pooch.  If I bet against them, they'd come up golden.  Either way, I came out on the short end, so in the spirit of "it feels so good when you stop", I stopped. The lack of business success heightened the disdain which I long held for Notre Dame.

I have a child who is an alumna of Notre Dame and a number of friends who are alumni of Notre Dame.  One of them is an integral part of a great story there, and that story is told in a new release from renowned sports author Jim Dent entitled Resurrection.  If you're a ND fan, or you have one on your holiday gift list, this is a winner.

It's the story of the renaissance of football at ND.  Their teams were a dud from the mid 50's until the early 60's, as the administration had decided to deemphasize football.  Northwestern decided to discard its coach, the most successful coach the program had employed in generations (it made no sense then, and less than no sense in the aftermath), and Notre Dame snapped him up.  Ara Parseghian presided over the (click to order) Resurrection of Notre Dame football, and this book tells the tale. 

Now, on to business.  I had to have a session with the investment consortium to make sense of this week's offerings, and I think we've authored an unusual and highly enjoyable array of wagering recommendations.  All bulls&#t aside, we're gonna make some money this weekend.

****Cincinnatti -14 ½ @ Syracuse
The Cincinnatti Bearcats are the real thing. They’re sporting a 7-0 record as they head for Syracuse this Saturday (11:00 a.m.) to take on the Orange with their 3-4 record. Cincinnatti is 4-2 ATS. They’re big , they’re very fast and they play like they’re on a mission. The climate controlled dome and the assurance of a fast track appear tailored to the ‘Cats. The spread dipped a ½ point from the open, probably based on the news that starting Cinci QB Tony Pike will be on the shelf with a broken arm. Don’t get excited: the ‘Cats QB last week was their sophomore backup and he was only good enough to steer his team to a 41-10 thumping of Louisville.  11:00 am ESPNU
*** Akron @ Northern Illinois -11
We love the Akron Zips.  This week, we love Coach Jerry Kill's NIU Huskies more.  They're 4-3, and Akron is visiting with an 0-4 road record, 1-6 overall. Northern has been rather schizophrenic this year, playing some tough teams tough while tripping on walkovers, but the Zips should be good medicine.  It won't be a picnic in DeKalb, as Akron has played a fairly notorious slate of opponents, but the guess here is that the Zips are on the verge of pugilistic dementia, not having savored victory since their September 12 date with the mighty Morgan State Bears. 11:00 am ESPN-GP
** Marshall @ Central Florida -4 1/2
The return of Pete's Perfect Pick, ladies and gentlemen.  This is a Sunday night contest, about which my erstwhile associate counsels "Lock yourself up and enjoy a cute little football team and some Sunday night college football.  Central Florida has distinguished itself from the class, and the Herd won't be heard from on this night."  Ya pays yer money and takes yer chances, yes, but the PPP's have a stellar performance history. Sunday, 7:15 pm ESPN
* Hawaii @ Nevada -24
Nevada lost its first three games of the season, 35-0 to Notre Dame, 35-20 to Colorado State, and 31-21 to Missouri.  They've won four straight since then, putting up 63,37, 35 and 70 points along the way.  Hawaii used to be one of my favorite teams to watch, now they're pretty lame.  Boise State pasted 'em 54-9 on the island last week.  Now they're going to fly away from paradise to nasty Nevada to get their pineapples crushed. 3:05 pm

Other games of financial interest this big screen weekend:

• USC visits Oregon +3,
• Michigan State -3 1/2 at Decker-less Minnesota,
• Nebraska -13 1/2 will rebound big big big, and
• Boise State -36 hosting San Jose State and
• Utah -17 hosting Wyoming are going to bring home some happiness.   

Click here for all TV game listings.

"Helluva, helluva, hell of an engineer"

Those words are excerpted from the Georgia Tech fight song.  This is a very cool fight song, as it apparently has nothing to do with imploring the lads to great victory for good ol' GT.  It's a song about drinking, screw the other state school and passing the bias on to the next generation. 


This song is another reason to enjoy the ACC.  That "screw everybody who ain't us" attitude.  It's so...American, before we became PC.  Hit the full screen icon when you play the song to make the words easier to read.  Or squint, your call.

****Clemson @ Miami -5 LOSER 
This was a terrific football game.  When I picked it, I thought this could be a trap, and it was.  Miami is as good as advertised.  Clemson is waaaaay better than we knew.  Clemson has a running back named C.J. Spiller who on Saturday was all world, amassing over 300 yards by himself between rushing, catching and returning kicks.  The two teams traded scores back and forth like a couple of heavyweight fighters.  Clemson forced overtime with a field goal that tied the game with :04 on the clock. On the first play of OT, Miami ran for 19 and it looked great for us, but they crapped and settled for a field goal.  Clemson took its turn and was going backwards; it looked like they'd settle for three themselves when BAM! their kid QB rifled a 3rd down TD pass and our 4 stars vaporized.  I shoulda taken Cincinnatti, who killed Louisville, just like they were supposed to.

***GA Tech -4 @ Virginia   WINNER
GA Tech 34, Virginia 9
GT had the ball for almost 43 minutes, ground out 362 yards via the infantry and simply beat the crap out of Virginia.  Domination for the Ramblin' Wreck of Georgia Tech, and money for the good guys (us!).

**Vanderbilt @ South Carolina -12½ LOSER
I thought the Gamecocks would come out blazing and never look back.  Turns out they were grateful to get off  the field a winner, 14-10.  Vandy has become a be-otch to handicap.

*Iowa PK@ Michigan State WINNER
What a terrific football game, absolutely terrific football game.  They beat the hell out of each other and went to the final minutes with Iowa leading, 3 field goals to 2.  Michigan coach Mark Dantonio amazed the universe when he called the hook and ladder, a play that absolutely nobody was expecting.  Shortly thereafter, Sparty rang up the touchdown and Michigan State lead 13-9 going into the final minute.  Iowa ripped downfield and had four shots at a winning TD.  The last play launched with :02 on the clock, a quick slant that the Hawkeye receiver, Marvin McNutt (a backup) grabbed as he crossed over into the promised land with a Spartan defender (C.J.Rucker, who played an outstanding game) all over him, and all over it was, 15-13 Hawks, who went to 8-0. 

When the dust settled, week 8 sucked for us.  The side plays not published here weren't much better, so it was a rare negative weekend for the STP Investment Group.

I hate when that happens.

Let Us Prey

We are in a must win situation...every week.


****Clemson @ Miami -5

We're going to try to run with the hot hand here and take the 'Canes for a second week in a row on the big stage. It's very surprising that Miami is only giving five points here as a home favorite.  We don't know just how good Miami is, but Clemson is better than their 3-3 record shows, so that may be the answer.  This Saturday, the 'Canes should be good for a six point or better margin.
***GA Tech -4 @ Virginia
There's always a danger of a letdown following a big win, so GA Tech is a little risky on that basis, following their upset win over VA Tech.  Virginia is riding a three game win streak (North Carolina, Indiana and  Maryland).  The thought here is that GA Tech, now sporting a 5-1 record, is seeing potential for a conference title and a New Year's Day game.  That will carry the day.
**Vanderbilt @ South Carolina -12 ½
Vandy has lost three in a row (Mississippi, Army and Georgia) to give them a 2-5 season so far.  South Carolina (5-2, 4-0 at home, 5-1 ATS) played Alabama Roll Tide last week, losing 20-6. It's going to be South Carolina, 37-17.
*Iowa PK@ Michigan State
This is my favorite play of the week.  The oddsmakers will not give the Hawkeyes credit for anything, but they keep on winning, now 7-0.  They're the week #8 win #8 pick.  Michigan State has won its last two games by 24-14 scores (Illinois and Northwestern).  This week will be 24-14 again, but the other way.

We have a gaggle of side bets out this week, too.  The match ups get tastier every week.


Note to the handicapper: never fall in love with a team...