LOSER.
los·er
Plural: losers.
noun
Definition: a person or thing that loses or has lost something, especially a game or contest.
Origin: The word “loser” originated in English during the Middle English period (1150–1500). The earliest known use of the word was before 1340 in the writings of Richard Rolle, a religious author and hermit. The word is derived from the verb “lose” and the suffix “-er”.
23-25-1.
7-8-1.
1-2.
That’s my, the SEC Insider’s and the Prem League Adviser’s records over the last three weeks, respectively. LOSERS.
I didn’t start this blog to hand out LOSERS. every Saturday. It’s on me to steer this ship in the right direction. There’s nothing the Insider or Advisor can do to change course. I’m the captain. I’m not going to apologize. I’m not going to make excuses. I’m just going to be better and put the other two members of this blog in a better position to make the correct picks every week.
The (anonymous) SEC Insider has had their worst season to date. They went 2-2-1 last week. The definition of “mid”. They’re now 14-20-1 on the season. LOSER. It’s time for me to put the clamps on the Insider.
I’ve placed a restriction on how many picks they can make at three (3) per week. I think this is how we did it when I first welcomed the Insider into our world and I’m hoping this will make him/her/whomever think a little harder about the games they’re picking. I want results. For you. For me. For everyone.
I’ve warned you all, every week, to be wary of following the SEC Insider’s picks because of how bad things have been in that simple brain of theirs. I’m taking the leash off this week. This is the week when it turns in the right direction. I just know it.
The Prem League Advisor, losing two of their last three bets, will be going back to the basics. No more LOSER. bets or standing on their ivory tower and trying to be too smart about how they’re betting the Prem. We wanna start the day with a win so they will be giving us a winner on this glorious day. A good old fashioned moneyline parlay. An auto winner. It has to be.
As for myself, I have a lot to think about. Two straight losing weeks. Am I reading too much of the bias or just the right amount? Am I not trusting my gut enough? Let’s examine.
Where Griff was WRONG:
Iowa State failed to win by 14, so the Toretto was a LOSER. for the second time this season. I don’t know what went wrong in that game. Seriously. I didn’t watch so I have no clue how UCF played so well. I just know that the Cyclones needed a late push to win 38-35. The Toretto needs to be my most confident pick of the week, involving a team that I know well and trust. I don’t know shit about UCF and Iowa State outside of their box scores, so I failed you. And for that, I’m sorry.
UCONN moneyline vs Wake Forest was dumb and the above sentiment applies to this as well. I have to stop making dumb, illogical picks that I have no business making.
Here’s something I wrote last week: “UCLA hasn’t scored 20 points in a game this season. Their offensive explosion isn’t coming in a cross-country trip to Piscataway.” I took under 41. UCLA won 35-32 over Rutgers. I actually felt good about that one.
Where Griff was RIGHT:
Indiana is undaunted. It is mind-BOTTLING, not mind-BOGGLING, but Chazz Michael Michaels mind-BOTTLING how much of a difference a coach can make. IU is a legitimate football school now. I’m not saying they’re making the Playoff just yet, but as long as Coach Cig is in Bloomington, this program can be taken seriously.
Georgia +5 at Texas last week was an easy pick. I didn’t think it was going to be a blowout, but there was no way Georgia was going to let this game get away from them. The loss to Alabama may have been an aberration, or at least the first half of that game. Now we have to have the conversation about how good Texas actually is. I would take them to beat Alabama right now but they are well below the line of Georgia and, hell, I’d like to see them go against LSU cause I think the Tigahs could take them down.
The Mainstream Bias Pick of the Week is now 5-2 on the season. Who woulda thought? There is a clear obvious choice for a pick this week but I’m not going to make it. I just don’t want it on my record. It’s UCF to beat BYU. But I can’t bet against BYJew. Just can’t.
We are already winning this week. I had two (2) Friday night bets that hit (USC -13.5 and Boston College +7). The LOSERS. actually collaborated on taking BC because we wanted to start the week with good vibes. Mission accomplished. This is great news for all of you as well because the last time I had a winning Friday night was Week 4. What happened that Saturday? We went 9-3.
We’re gonna win every bet today. I owe it to you. Let’s get to the picks.
CFB (6-9-1 last week / 64-50-2 in 2024 / 203-185-4 since 2022):
Dominic Toretto’s “Take it or leave it” Pick of the Week (6-2 in 2024, 15-8-1 overall): Indiana -6.5 vs Washington: Last week was the biggest game for IU football in who knows how long. This is now the biggest game in IU football history. I was worried about all the interviews Coach Cig was doing last week. I was wrong. I’m not worried about Kurtis Rourke being out for this game. Tayven Jackson is a veteran and he looked good last week in the second half of a blowout. This is a good nugget from my buddy at Bite-Sized Bison: “In Washington’s last three games — against Rutgers, Michigan, and Iowa — they’ve allowed at least 174 rushing yards in each. Not only is Indiana 7th in rushing success rate, it’s also 23rd in rushing yards per game and 2nd in rushing TDs (as Nebraska knows well). If there was any game Indiana could possibly afford Kurtis Rourke missing, it might be this one.”
Friday: Boston College +7 vs Louisville (W; UofL 31-BC 27)
Friday: USC -13.5 vs Rutgers (W; USC 42-RUT 20)
Navy +13.5 vs Notre Dame: A buddy said he’s going max play on IU so I’m gonna tail him on Navy. Plus, how could you not wanna bet on Navy in this one?
Ohio State -25.5 vs Nebraska: OSU off a bye and Nebraska just got humiliated on national television. As stated in last week’s pick of IU over Nebraska (first half), Raiola is still young and untrustworthy on the road. This will be his just his third road start. Under Ryan Day, in B1G games right off a bye week, NOT including the 2020 COVID season, Buckeyes are 5-0 ATS.
Mississippi State +6.5 vs Arkansas: The Bulldogs have covered the spread in three straight games. They lost all those games, but they covered. They were 37.5, 34.5 and 21.5 dawgs vs Texas, Georgia and TAMU, respectively, losing by an average of 13 ppg. Maybe they just caught those schools in look-ahead spots, but I think these Dogs have some bark in them. This is an easy game to look at and take Arkansas, so I’m going with MSU. (This qualifies as a dumb, illogical pick that I have no business making.)
Oregon -21 vs Illinois: In B1G games, Illinois need OT to beat Nebraska, only scored seven points at Penn State, allowed Purdue to score 49 points and needed OT to win, and beat Michigan, who we now know are complete frauds. It’s been a grueling stretch for the Illini. I’ll take the Ducks with extra rest.
Vanderbilt +18 vs Texas: No Isaiah Bond for Texas (he was limited vs Georgia, 2 catches for 11 yards, and it showed). No senior safety Andrew Mukuba (who played his best game at Texas vs the Dawgs last week). Everything about Texas looks kinda gross right now. I think Vandy took it easy on Ball State last week in a 24-14 win as 28 point favorites. I’m buying the hype. This is the biggest game for Vandy probably ever.
West Virginia +3.5 at Arizona: This is me just betting against Arizona again. I did when Texas Tech beat them three weeks ago. I did when BYU beat them two weeks ago. I’m kicking myself for not taking Colorado last week. West Virginia has better losses than Arizona (to top-25 teams Kansas State, Iowa State and Pitt). That’s all.
Florida State at Miami (FL) (over 54.5): I’d like to take Miami -21 but their defense is so bad, they may actually spark something in Florida State’s offense, despite the Seminoles failing to hit the 20-point mark this season. Miami is great offense, terrible defense. This could be a fight to 55 points. I need to win a fight like this. This is my “Please For The Love Of God Just Hit The Over” pick of the week. (This also qualifies as a dumb, illogical pick that I have no business making.)
LSU +2.5 at Texas A&M: I have zero reason to doubt LSU at this point of the season. They just find ways to win games. Probably shoulda lost to South Carolina and Ole Miss, but they found a way. The “Drake & Josh Theme Song” pick of the week. LSU are literally “Megan”. They are going to spoil your party.
Michigan State +4 at Michigan: How can anyone have faith in Michigan right now? They had their chance to show the nation that they have a competent QB with a bye week to prep Jack Tuttle and they failed the test, losing at Illinois 21-7. They are the most down team in the country right now (more than USC) and Michigan State has momentum after beating Iowa as seven point dawgs. I’m not overthinking this one. Just take the Spartans.
Wisconsin (1Q +2.5) vs Penn State: Wisconsin needs to start quick in this game because Penn State has been very good in the second half of games this year. The theme for college football this week is “this is the biggest game for [insert school] in a long time.” This goes for Wisconsin and Luke Fickell. Camp Randall is going to be jumping. I’ll bank on the Badgers looking like a top-5 team for at least the first quarter of this one.
Cincinnati (1H +3.5) at Colorado: Deion Sanders told the media this week, “We hadn’t started off quick in the night games because that flips our whole schedule.” “Night games” would be games that start at 7:30 pm EST or later. This game starts at 10:15 pm EST. The Buffs have played five such “night games”. They trailed at half in four of them. The only game they led at half was against Colorado State.
SEC Insider picks of the weekend (2-2-1 last week / 14-20-1 in 2024, 47-45-3 overall):
*the following is verbatim*
Mouth Watering Pick of the Week (3-4-1 in 2024, 14-8-1 overall): UC +6.5 at Colorado – Is there a more underrated team in the country? Nobody is talking about the Bearcats, not even their own fans. Sneaky good QB play for the Bearcats this year. Corleone and the big boys get after Sanders. “They told me bust down my AP, perfect timing!”
Vandy +18.5 vs Texas – Vibes out of Austin are not good. Did anyone see the clips of Sark having to get his team up for practice the week of the Georgia game? If you can’t get up for that game then your wood is wet. I love Pavia and Lea. Texas is beat up. The whole Ewers deal on Saturday and this week is odd. Count me out.
LSU ML at Texas A&M – LSU is playing some football since the USC loss. Nussmeier might be the best QB in the nation. OL is dominant. WRs loaded and a scrappy defense. Clear home field advantage with the 12th man but LSU has better football players. Good logic.
Prem League Advisor pick of the weekend (4-2 in 2024, 6-2 overall):
Brighton ML + Man City ML parlay -125
*the following is verbatim*
Back to ML parlays. City is -1000, if that doesn’t hit we deserve to lose this week. Brighton devasted the advisor last week with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle. This Brighton team is legit and Wolves are headed for relegation. Gut check week this week for the advisor, need to win back the trust of my followers. Book it.
Griffin Weinberg 