Thursday, September 24, 2009

The picks, week 4

Injury updates...Scott Lutrus is out. Mike Smith, Kashif Moore, Sio Moore, Mike Ryan and Lindsey Witten are all probable. Witten is battling the 'GI' stomach bug, and needs to hydrate and eat better, Edsall said. Ryan dinged a shoulder, and Kashif had some back spasms, but are fine. Sio will play linebacker, but not special teams. No other changes to the depth chart.

Scout teams players of the week: Malik Generett (offense), Chris Lopes (defense) and Cole Wagner (special teams).

Allstate ran its annual field goal kick for charity this morning at Rentschler Field. They invite members of the local media up to the Runway to attempt field goals from 25 yards ($250) and then a bonus kick from 35 yards (for an additional $500), with proceeds going to charity. I made both, securing $750 for Connecticut Hospice, before they made me a special offer (guess it was a slow morning). Make a 45-yarder, and they'd donate a cool $1,000 on my behalf. I choked. But I'll blame it on the grounds crew member who yelled at me for setting up behind the yardage line he'd just painted. Still, a great promotion. Thanks to Allstate. And if you're at the Runway Saturday and notice a size 11 footprint on the paint along the 35-yard line? It's mine.

On to the picks:

Game 1: BOSTON COLLEGE (-1.5) over Wake Forest - Seen the new Dunkin' Donuts ad? It's the one featuring a Marky Mark look-alike with a thick (and fake) Boston accent who won't give a D&D coffee to the new guy until he proves he's a true New Englander by answering a bunch of questions involving topics like chow-dah and the Blizzard of '78? I could barely understand most of the questions, even after replaying it on the TiVo a couple times. I guess Dunkin Donuts feels the only true New Englanders are Gloucester longshoremen.

Game 2: Texas Christian (+2.5) over CLEMSON - I don't really think the Horned Frogs can do it, but you have to pull for non-traditional powers to go undefeated. It's boring when the same eight teams make the national championship game year after year.

Game 3: Rutgers (-1.5) over MARYLAND - Terps barely beat Division I-AA James Madison, then lost to mighty Middle Tennessee State. That Rutgers is only favored by 1.5 is unsettling. Not because it should be higher, but because the Scarlet Knights are that bad.

Game 4: Fresno State (+16.5) over CINCINNATI - Tony Pike for Heisman.

Game 5: California (-5.5) over OREGON - A fan who traveled from Oregon to Boise only to see the Ducks humiliated demanded Oregon coach Chip Kelly refund the money for travel expenses and ticket. So Kelly sent him a check for $439. Gotta respect that. Then again, we 'Chip's are a classy bunch.

Game 6: FLORIDA STATE (-14) over South Florida - Tough break for USF quarterback Matt Grothe, who suffered a career-ending ACL tear last weekend. Kid was tough as nails. So tough, in fact, he took Colt McCoy's lead and ate nothing but peanut butter and jelly while slugging Pedialyte to will himself back onto the field. Jim Leavitt even cut the crusts off the PB&Js himself. Alas, it didn't work.

Game 7: GEORGIA TECH (-3) over North Carolina - The College Football Hall of Fame is being relocated from South Bend to Atlanta due to lack of interest. And, frankly, is there a city in America more rabid about its sports teams than Atlanta? They haven't realized the Hawks are still in town.

Game 8: Pittsburgh (+1) over NC STATE - This one seems obvious. So much so that I spent five minutes debating whether or not to switch the pick. But I left it. Big mistake.

Game 9: UTAH (-13.5) over Louisville - Utes leading receiver is New Britain resident David Reed, with 20 catches for 282 yards and a TD.

Game 10: Texas Tech (pick'em) over HOUSTON - Case Keenum following in the tradition of Andre Ware and David Klinger as overrated Houston quarterbacks.

Game 11: CONNECTICUT (-36) over Rhode Island - No spread available from Vegas, so that's mine.

Hope to see you on the live chat at 2 (http://www.nhregister.com/).

Last week's results
1. Dano: 8-2-1
2. uconnhuskies86 7-3-1
Mike B 7-3-1
wil 7-3-1
5. Uconnbob 6-4-1
caleb 6-4-1
sammy 6-4-1
pete 6-4-1
9. chip 5-5-1
sean o 5-5-1
rich 5-5-1
gary 5-5-1
13. vinny 4-6-1
governorphelan 4-6-1
JZ 4-6-1
16. rick c 3-7-1

Enter your picks through the comments key below.

18 Comments:

Blogger Chip Malafronte said...

Chips pix
Game 1: BOSTON COLLEGE (-1.5) over Wake Forest -
Game 2: Texas Christian (+2.5) over CLEMSON -
Game 3: Rutgers (-1.5) over MARYLAND -
Game 4: Fresno State (+16.5) over CINCINNATI -
Game 5: California (-5.5) over OREGON -
Game 6: FLORIDA STATE (-14) over South Florida -
Game 7: GEORGIA TECH (-3) over North Carolina -
Game 8: Pittsburgh (+1) over NC STATE -
Game 9: UTAH (-13.5) over Louisville -
Game 10: Texas Tech (pick'em) over HOUSTON -
Game 11: CONNECTICUT (-36) over Rhode Island -

September 24, 2009 1:24 PM 
Blogger Unknown said...

BC
Clemson
RU
Cincy
Cal
FSU
GT
Pitt
Houston
UConn

September 24, 2009 1:38 PM 
Anonymous Sean O said...

Sean O's picks

Game 1: Wake Forest
Game 2: CLEMSON
Game 3: Rutgers
Game 4: CINCINNATI
Game 5: OREGON
Game 6: South Florida
Game 7: North Carolina
Game 8: Pittsburgh
Game 9: Louisville
Game 10: HOUSTON
Game 11: CONNECTICUT

September 24, 2009 1:58 PM 
Anonymous Pete said...

Game 1: BOSTON COLLEGE
Game 2: CLEMSON
Game 3: Rutgers
Game 4: CINCINNATI
Game 5: California
Game 6: FLORIDA STATE
Game 7: North Carolina
Game 8: Pittsburgh
Game 9: UTAH
Game 10: Texas Tech
Game 11: CONNECTICUT

September 24, 2009 2:13 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

UconnBob's picks:


Game 1: Wfu (+1.5) over BOSTON COLLEGE

Even disregarding my dislike of all things BCU, I've got to go with the wife's alma mater. I can hear it now..."Oh, here's to Wake Forest, the finest among us.........."

Game 2: CLEMSON (-2.5) over Texas Christian

Chip, I hear ya about rooting for an undefeated season from the little guys, but isn't Boise with that obnoxious, soon-to-be-trademarked Blue turf and weak-arse schedule going to be the undefeated one anyways. Plus, we can't have the MWC taking the ACC auto-bid, can we?

Game 3: Rutgers (-1.5) over MARYLAND

Hearing that the UNC DT swallows the GT QB earlier in the day, the Fridge tries the same thing on the Rutgers QB Natale in the pre-game warm ups. Out of nowhere, Schiano swoops in with his Blackhawk (with a big, red "R" painted on the side) helicopter to rescue Natale. Rutgers DB knocks out MD QB with a helmet-to-helmet late hit and the rout is on for the Scarlets!

Game 4: CINN (-16.5) over Fresno State

Gilyard is not only going to score multiple TDs and hug crying young (Reds and Bengals) fans, he'll be selling popcorn in the second half while tweeting!

Game 5: California (-5.5) over OREGON

Bears "Best" a "Kelly green" Oregon team. Refund window opened post-game.

Game 6: So Fla (+14) over FLORIDA STATE

FSU kicker misses FG wide right as USF upsets Bowden & Co and Levitt does the 40 yard dash to hug Bobby. See, we've got this hugging theme going this week!

Game 7: UNC (+3) over GEORGIA TECH

Tarheels DT Austin swallows GT QB whole on first option play! I can hear my wife singing the WFU version of the UNC fight song......" Oh, piss on Carolina, piss on Carolina...........".

Game 8: Pittsburgh (+1) over NC STATE

Wilson throws first interception in a long time, Pitt's D wins game, Wanny hugs his own 'stache!

Game 9: UTAH (-13.5) over Louisville

Kraggs needs a hug, unfortunately there are no takers!

Game 10: HOUSTON over Texas Tech (pick'em)

49ers press charges against the Raiders (of TT) for tampering with Crabtree!

Game 11: CONNECTICUT (-36) over Rhode Island

DixMan Brothers run for 100 yds each and Witten records 2 sacks.

September 24, 2009 3:39 PM 
Blogger Chip Malafronte said...

Nice job, Bobby. Love the commentary. DixMan. Brilliant.

The only real blue turf is at the University of New Haven.

September 24, 2009 3:53 PM 
Anonymous sammy said...

Game 1: BOSTON COLLEGE
Game 2: CLEMSON -
Game 3: Rutgers
Game 4: Fresno State
Game 5: California
Game 6: FLORIDA STATE
Game 7: GEORGIA TECH
Game 8: NC STATE -
Game 9: UTAH
Game 10: Texas Tech
Game 11: CONNECTICUT

September 24, 2009 7:52 PM 
Blogger Gary said...

I'm calling it. I'm going to finish number 1 in the standings for the week.

Game 1: Wake Forest. -2 yards in the first half last week against Clemson, nuff said.
Game 2: Clemson. I'll continue to root against BCS busters until people admit the Big East deserves their auto bid.
Game 3: Rutgers. This loss would be worse then if UConn loses to URI...almost.
Game 4: Cincy. Bearcats are a runaway LOCOMOTIVE of offense.
Game 5: Cal. They showed some guts winning at Minnesota last week in their stadium opener.
Game 6: USF. I think The Bulls defense keeps it in single digits. 17-10 sounds about right.
Game 7: UNC. I think the Heels defense can stop that double wing option high school offense the Jackets run
Game 8: Pitt. I thought NC State was terrible, how are they favored?
Game 9: Utah. This WILL get ugly. 49-21ish.
Game 10: Houston. Cougars. Hehe, I said cougars.
Game 11: URI. Your imaginary point spreads make me nervous. I have to Represent my home state of RI in this pick. The starting HB for URI went to my High School. 35-3. (UConn).

September 24, 2009 11:23 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rick C

Wake
Clemson
Rutgers
Cinci
Cal
Florida St
UNC
Pitt
Utah
Houston
UCONN

September 25, 2009 8:11 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

JZ's Picks:

Wake
TCU
Rutgers
Cincinnati
Cal
FSU
UNC
Pitt
Utah
Houston
URI

September 25, 2009 9:13 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Game 1: Wake Forest -
Game 2: CLEMSON -
Game 3: MARYLAND -
Game 4: CINCINNATI -
Game 5: OREGON -
Game 6: FLORIDA STATE
Game 7: North Carolina -
Game 8: Pittsburgh
Game 9: UTAH
Game 10: Texas Tech
Game 11: CONNECTICUT
Caleb mandrake

September 25, 2009 2:35 PM 
Anonymous McFred said...

Game 1: BOSTON COLLEGE
Game 2: CLEMSON -
Game 3: MARYLAND -
Game 4: CINCINNATI -
Game 5: California
Game 6: South Florida -
Game 7: North Carolina -
Game 8: NC STATE -
Game 9: Louisville -
Game 10: HOUSTON -
Game 11: Rhode Island -

September 25, 2009 2:37 PM 
Anonymous Vinny from East Haven said...

Vinny says:
1. Boston College. Of course, as the only REAL football team in New England, I have to take them.
2. Clemson
3. Maryland
4. Cincy
5. Cal
6. Florida State
7. Georgia Tech
8. NC State
9. Utah
10. Texas Tech
11. Rhode Island. I don't see UConn scoring 36 points, ever.

Sorry i missed the chat, folks. I was busy at the high school arguing in front of the Board of Ed that EHHS foorball players should be exempt from the rules. Don't know how you managed without me!

September 25, 2009 8:35 PM 
Anonymous Wil said...

Wil's picks

Wake Forest
CLEMSON
MARYLAND
CINCINNATI
California
South Florida
North Carolina
Pittsburgh
Louisville
HOUSTON
CONNECTICUT

September 25, 2009 10:02 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rich's Picks
Game 1: Wake Forest
Game 2: CLEMSON -
Game 3: MARYLAND
Game 4: CINCINNATI -
Game 5: California
Game 6: FLORIDA STATE
Game 7: GEORGIA TECH
Game 8: Pittsburgh
Game 9: UTAH
Game 10: Texas Tech
Game 11: CONNECTICUT

September 25, 2009 10:05 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

UConnHuskies86
Game 1: Wake Forest -
Game 2: CLEMSON -
Game 3: Rutgers
Game 4: CINCINNATI -
Game 5: California
Game 6: South Florida -
Game 7: North Carolina -
Game 8: Pittsburgh
Game 9: Louisville -
Game 10: Texas Tech
Game 11: CONNECTICUT

September 26, 2009 12:11 AM 
Blogger Chip Malafronte said...

weekly results
1. Chip (finally!) 7-4
sammy 7-4
3. govphelan 5-6
Sean O 5-6
UconnBob 5-6
6. Pete 4-7
gary 4-7
Rick C 4-7
JZ 4-7
McFred 4-7
Vinny 4-7
12. Caleb 3-8
wil 3-8
Rich 3-8
Uconnhuskies86 3-8

September 27, 2009 9:11 AM 
Blogger Chip Malafronte said...

standings
1. Sammy 25
2. UConnBob 24
3. Wil 22
Sean O 22
5. Chip 21
Pete 21
Gov.Phalen: 21
8. JZ 20
Gary 20
10. Rich 17
Rick C 17
12. caleb 16
13. Vinny 14
14. Mike B 13
15. ian 9
16. salami 6
17. Mc Fred 4

September 27, 2009 9:16 AM 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home