Week 9 Line-up

• Colorado at Kansas (-2)
• Texas at Tech (+10.5)
• Louisville — off
• Wildcard – Georgia at Florida (-13.5)
• Mildcard – Minnesota (+27.5) at Ohio St

Colorado at Kansas (-2)

This one is KU’s – I’ll just come out and say it – and for the following reasons:

• CU is easily the worst team in the Big 12 – or at least let’s hope so
• CU has no passing attack – KU’s is light year better against the run over the pass and they have a mediocre run stopping D. To illustrate, over the four game skid KU has given up an average of 360 yards and, in total, 14 touchdowns through the air W-T-F
• CU has already started talking about next year KU is at home Cornish is on a mission to be the leagues top back – though slap a big AD asterisk next to that entry.

And what else can I desperately cling to….the 06 Jayhawks are not building for the future. Mangino has pulled the redshirt off of some freshmen, 2/3 into the season. This tells me he has not cashed his chips and is gearing this team up for a repeat of the 05 season – win three of your last four and find you way to Ft. Worth. KU covers and KU fans will once again enjoy the taste of a W along with their post-game beers and wang-burgers at the Wagon Wheel Café – aka the Wheel.

vs

Texas at Tech (+10.5)

This one is as straightforward as it gets…Harrell is a good quarterback who simply isn’t use to handling pressure defenses. His ability to adjust and make the correct reads when the heat is one of the defining characteristic of his career. Even the most disgruntled Tech fan can not argue that when his is on the tortillas are a fly’n. And when pressured…well you have the 06 season. With little supporting cast in the backfield, Texas will pressure Harrell all day…hence the story line of this game. Texas covers easily and Greek Circle is at full capacity by the middle of the fourth quarter.

Wildcard – Georgia at Florida (-13.5) Another week another great SEC rivalry game. And who can argue against the “world’s largest cocktail party”, no Blaine it’s not frosh orientation in Lubbock, being in the line-up. Other than that, the Gators are hitting their stride and UGA is on the slide. Gators cover with recruits in the stands.

Mildcard – Minnesota (+27.5) at Ohio St This will be a blow-out…just wanted to include the letter sweater wearing mascot for my wife – the Ohio State Buckeyes cover.

Week 8 Standings

• RObert – 26
• Mark – 25
• Julie – 23
• Blaine – 22
• Brent – 20

Week 9 Long/Short Results

Maybe we should rename this battle of the shorts….damn

Participant	Long	Week 1	Week 9	Short	Week 1	Week 9	Total
Brent		16	—		10	19 (+9)	+9
Julie		17	—		10	9 (+9)	+9
RObert		23	8 (+15)		9	12 (+3)	+18
Blaine		25	— (–)		9	12 (+3)	+3
Mark		25	— (–)		9	12 (+3)	+3

Week 8 Lineup

• Kansas (+3.5) at Baylor
• Tech (-2.5) at Iowa St
• Texas (-7) at Nebraska
• Louisville (-17) at Syracuse
• Mildcard: Alabama (+11) at Tennessee — the three-headed beast that is the SEC is making for some interesting fodder in the BCS championship race. We know RObert will be keeping an eye on this one.

Kansas (+3.5) at Baylor

Wow….up until this year I would have thought Baylor would be the perfect remedy to KU’s current woes. But this is not your father’s Baylor squad. Waco hasn’t seen offensive fireworks like this since Reno faced off against the Branch Davidians. And did I mention KU gave up 411 yards to a mediocre Okie State team last week….300 to a single receiver…..42 effing points in the second half. Cripes…

This is a more interesting match-up than what is on the surface. You have what will become the best ground attack in the Big 12 (barring injury) facing a pathetic run D. Across the field you have a prolific passing attack facing a pathetic secondary and a front four who can’t seem to find a way to apply pressure to the quarterback. If KU can establish the run, they can keep Baylor off the field they may have a chance. But KU was demoralized at home last week and, as we all know, KU suffers on the road. The game will be close by not that close. Baylor covers.

Texas (-7) at Nebraska

Another fun match-up of a solid passing attack facing a lamed secondary. I am sure everyone in Big Red country has been eyeing this game since the win in San Antonio as the next step on the road to legitimacy. But I think the Husker faithful will go home disappointed. Congressman Osborn said it best at the onset of the Big 12 – in short….in only a matter of time the South division will dominate because they will be able to keep the Texas kids at home. Translation….gawd I miss the SWC. And I think Tom would agree with me in going with Texas for the cover

Louisville (-17) at Syracuse

Did the Bearcats expose the BCS minded Cards? Cuse is the ideal team to tell us one way or another. Should the Cards squeak out another win against a less-than-average Big East team they might want to start booking their tickets for the Alamo Bowl. The Ville will move to 7 – 0, but the Cuse covers.

Tech (-2.5) at Iowa St

Nothing less than that start of women’s basketball – the new cry out of Lubbock. The Faiders are on the ropes and at risk of not qualifying for post season play since all-everything tailback Henderson enrolled for classes in what had to be 1992. And who would have thought that the key to Leach’s passing forturnes was a do-everything tailback. Fortunately for Leach and his “prima donnas” Tech travels north to Aimes to face the struggling Cyclones. Tech’s offense will show signs of the Henderson era and produces enough offensive firepower cover this short spread. Pirates cover.

Wildcard – Alabama (+11) at Tennessee: Simply and old school, old south rivalry game. This one is big for the resurging Vols and everyone’s favorite long this season. Ainge will continue is dominance as the quarterback of the conference but the Tide covers.

Week 7 Standings

More than half-way through the season and this is shaping up to be the most competitive FBB to date. Mark and RObert remain on top with 23 while Julie is one good week away from getting in the mix. For Blaine and I…well our FBB fortunes mirror that our our Red Raiders and Jayhawks…a comeback at this stage is on par with turning water into wine. Then again, KU won three of their final four to become bowl eligible in 2005….

Standings through seven weeks:

• Mark and RObert – 23
• Julie – 21
• Blaine – 19
• Brent – 18

Week 8 Long/Short Results

Participant	Long	Week 1	Week 8	Short	Week 1	Week 8	Total
Brent		16	—		10	20 (+10)	+10
Julie		17	—		10	20 (+10)	+10
RObert		23	7 (+16)		9	11 (+2)	+18
Blaine		25	— (–)		9	11 (+2)	+2
Mark		25	— (–)		9	11 (+2)	+2

Week 7 Lineup

• Oklahoma St. at Kansas (-3)
• Tech (-7) at Colorado
• Baylor at Texas (-28.5)
• Cincy at Louisville (-26.5)
• Mildcard: mizzou (-2) at aTm — we’ve done enough of the SEC for a while

Oklahoma St. at Kansas (-3)

I read a great quote on one of my favorite blogs – PhogBlog – this week…KU continues to finds a way “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.” Two golden opportunities for the Mangino era to take the next step and they give the game away. Last week’s was more difficult than most as the Hawks controlled most of the game despite a horrific effort on offense. That said, had you told me in August that KU would have taken Nebraska to OT in Lincoln and lead aTm for 39 of the 40 minutes played I would have responded that KU was moving in the right direction. And with that we’ll we are reinserting the mended Meier at the helm against the Orange Aggies…to borrow a line from Blaine. His ability to both run and pass would have been enough to snare a victory last week and should give this young team a spark as it moves into the three game stretch (OSU, Baylor, CU) where it needs to pick up at least two victories. A notable week for KU involving Late Night in the Phog last night, SI claiming Bill Self’s biggest problem is too much talent, the NCAA investigation is over and Mangino was absolved, and a much need victory – and cover – on the gridiron.

Baylor at Texas (-28.5)

Well, if you read all the sports writers that cover the Big 12 you would think this week’s game against the Bears is make or break for Mack Brown. Let’s inject a sense of reality…KU heading to OT with Toledo is on par with Baylor picking up a win in OT against a horrific CU squad. I am not quite on the Baylor bandwagon as of yet but a close game this weekend would make me a believer. But I think I’ll remain a skeptic – Texas wallops the Bears. And for a great blog read check out BearMeat.

Cincy at Louisville (-26.5)

Reminiscing for the days of old….the Ville faces former CUSA foe Cincy. It’s the worst offense in the Big East facing a team that, despite losing its two best players on offense, are still finding a way to remain productive and in the top 10 – top 7 to be exact. There are few teams who would play this well in spite of these setbacks even if it wasn’t obvious last week against Middle Tenn. The Cards are slowly earning my respect this season and I can’t help but to look ahead to what may lie ahead for them. Oh wait….there’s a game this week. Ville covers.

Tech (-7) at Colorado

Nothing less than the Sun Bowl may be the new cry out of Lubbock following last week’s homecoming beatdown against mizzou. Has the system been exposed…..are Big 12 coaches finally figuring out the ways of the pirate…could the struggling Buffs put enough pressure on Harrell to force some gimmy INTs like we saw against mizzou? No…this game should be better than billed and the Buffs will find a way to cover.

Wildcard – mizzou (-2) at aTm

Growing up in a Burnt Orange household we always pulled against that Ags and the Sooners. Living in a Crimson and Blue home now I despise the tigers and the new found success. Where in the hell do I go with this one. Well…time is almost up so I have to go with the better team…mizzou covers in College Station.

Week 7 Long/Short Results

Participant	Long	Week 1	Week 7	Short	Week 1	Week7	Total
Brent		16	15 (+1)		10	23 (+13)	+14
Julie		17	22 (-5)		10	23 (+13)	+8
RObert		23	8 (+15)		9	10 (+1)	+16
Blaine		25	— (–)		9	10 (+1)	+1
Mark		25	— (–)		9	10 (+1)	+1

Week 6 Lineup

• Louisville (-32.5) at Middle Tenn — Friday Night Game…need this one before kick-off
• TAMU at Kansas (+2.5)
• Texas (-4.5) vs. OU
• mizzou at Tech (-4)
• LSU -1 at Florida

TAMU at Kansas (+2.5)

KU and the Ags find themselves in a need-to-win situation in Lawrence this Saturday. Dropping this one means you need to find a big upset down the line. The Aggies have won five straight against KU and KU owns a nine game home winning streak – something’s gotta give. TAMU struggles against the Cadets in San Antonio give me hope and Vegas is giving me points…gotta go with the Fighting Manginos to win and cover.

Texas (-4.5) vs. OU

The Big One …. as much for the tradition of the two schools as it will be for Mack’s psyche. Drop this one it any claim Mack had as the coach who lead his team to the national championship — as opposed to the VY show — will be under fire…if not outright dismissed. If OU is to win this year’s game, OU’s version of a one-man-show will need to have an 2004 type performance and the defense will need to discover itself. AD is the real deal but I don’t think Stoops is that great a coach to a solution of a mediocre offense and sorry defense. Texas wins, covers, and Mark treats himself to a fried twikie to self-correct his lean.

Louisville (-32.5) at Middle Tenn

Missed it….damn the unexpected mold outbreak and work schedule DAMN

mizzou at Tech (-4)

How can any fan of the game not get excited about this one. The #2 ranked defense in the country facing one of the more proflic offenses sans the game in Ft. Worth . mizzou is looking like the team to beat in the North facing the “nothing less than the BCS” Red Raiders. Air Raider facing the best secondary they will seen all season….is this enough hype for you. If it were not for the tradition of the state fair I would have to give this game the GOW label. If mizzou finds a once of a passing attack they will shock the Raider Nation….given the points and my need to get back in the FBB race I’ll take mizzou to cover. This is going with my head vs. my heart.

Wildcard – LSU -1 at Florida

OK…only a few mins to get this one in. Gotta go with the Bengals defense in this one. LSU wins and covers.

Week 5 Standings

Everyone picked up points and there was little change across the board. That said, I second RObert’s recommendation and would like to extend the one time mulligan — you can miss one week…and for that week you are stuck with the Alma Maters and zip on the wildcard. Need one more vote to close this deal and see a new race at the tops. Prior to any adjustments we have…

• RObert – 17
• Blaine, Julie, Mark – 15
• Self – 12 good gawd