DiHard
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TOP MATCHUPS
OCTOBER 2
Wow…DiHard runs his streak to 8 straight games picked correctly both straight up and versus the spread…. Somebody Stop Me…..In general all eight games have played out pretty much as was predicted as well. OCTOBER 2
Enough of my ego rage….on to what promises to be a Fantastic Saturday. First great game starts at noon and they run all the way through the Buckeyes and Northwestern at night. This is definitely a day where I expect to put on at least 3 pounds worth of chips, ribs, cheese and wings. This week is also dominated by the BigTen and the SEC….and picking the game of the week was extremely difficult….so here we go…
Game of the Week: AUBURN @ TENNESSEE
Spread: Tennessee -2
The Game: This game could be the game of the year in the SEC. Number one from the west vs. number one from the east….and they have only met once this decade…. a 28-21 win for the Tigers last year. In that game Auburn completely dominated the ground by a 264 to 4 margin. Auburn also has done very well against the east elite (ga,fla,tenn) since 2000 in going 4-4. But they are only 1-3 on the road….and that’s going to be the difference in this 7:45 night game in Knoxville.
My Prediction: Tennecheat by 4
Why: There is no way that the Volunteer ground game can be as bad this year as it was in last year’s game. Factor in the night atmosphere and moonshine intake and this is one tough game for Auburn. I think Auburn is the better team, but I think they get stuck playing uphill all night and come up just short in the end.
Would I bet on this game: No
Game 2: PURDUE @ NOTRE DAME
Spread: Purdue -3
The Game: Anyone that has been reading my stuff this year knows that I am completely unimpressed with Purdue. I think they are another example of a team that scores 50 points on the sisters of the poor and the media gets all tingly down there over them. Well I’m not impressed. This is the first game the makers have played this year against a team with a pulse…and this is against a Notre Dame team that comes in battle tested. Can anyone remember how slow NC State was to respond against the Buckeyes in their first test ?
My Prediction: ND by 2
Why: One is history: Notre Dame owns Purdue...always has. Even the past five years with Notre Dame being “down” and the Makers becoming a “powerhouse”…the series is still 3-2 in favor of the domers and 2-0 in South Bend. Second: I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this or not…but Purdue just isn’t all that they are touted to be.
Would I bet on this game: Yes
Game 3: LSU @ GEORGIA
Spread: UGA -3
The Game: Wow…what a really, really tough game to predict. If I had my choices I’d rather not touch this one…but as it says at the top….Best Matchups…Not Easiest to Pick…LSU comes in as defending National Champions, but they already have one loss…Georgia comes in ranked #3 in the country, but they too would have one loss if Demetrius Summers of South Carolina were not injured in the first quarter of their game. One thing is for sure…two of the best defenses in the country will be on display here. I will say this…if either team gets out quickly and builds a lead of 10 or more its lights out time.
My Prediction: Georgia by 6
Why: The winner of this game is 7-1 vs. the spread going back to 1986…because of this I am guessing the game will be decided by more than 3. I think bringing in two young quarterbacks, who have already been inconsistent, is too much for the Tigers in this one. Georgia uses emotion and the crowd to get out to an early lead and forces LSU out of its gameplan…resulting in a nice win for the Bulldog’s. It’s also tough to play games as the Defending National Champions.
Would I bet on this game: No.
Game 4: OHIO STATE @ NORTHWESTERN
Spread: tOSU –11 1/2
The Game: The Buckeyes have beaten the Wildcats by 18, 11 and 20 in the Jim Tressel era. Those are all blowouts by Buckeye standards. This week will be no different. How in the world did this matchup become a “traditional” night game? So Brent Mussberger/Sloopy can see it live ? Look for Justin Zwick, Santonio, Bam and Roy to all have big games as the Buckeyes win easily.
My Prediction: Ohio State by 16
Why: The last time the Buckeyes lost to Northwestern was in 1971. And Ohio State is 6-2 vs. the spread after their last 8 bye weeks. This is one of those series where one team owns another, like the Notre Dame-Purdue series. Most especially with Jim Tressel and his style of defense vs. the wide open Wildcat offense.
Would I bet on this game: No
Season Record Straight Up: 15-5
Season Record vs. the spread: 11-9
Season Record vs. the spread: 11-9
