“Yeah, I’m thinking I’m back!” – Johnathan Wick (2014)
12-11-1 last week. Over 50% is where this blog needs to be.
Can’t say the same for the SEC Insider, though. Back-to-back weeks of going 1-2. This unidentifiable person’s “Mouthwatering Pick” is winless this year, putting its lifetime record under 50%.
But I think it’s time for a code switch.
I don’t want to hate on the Insider. He/Her/Their success makes this blog all the more better. So, this week, I’m pouring all my lighter fluid onto the Insider’s fire. Because “the fire rises.” – Bane, The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – And we rise by lifting others. (Editor’s note: I did say something mean about the Insider in the ‘Where Griff was RIGHT’ section. Just had to.)
Prem League is back this week as well. The Advisor has a parlay to kick off our Saturday. It’s going to hit.
Where Griff was WRONG:
San Jose State at Texas -36.5 AND OVER 52.5: “Ya know what? I’m adding the OVER. Since I failed to give a Toretto last week, we’re doubling up this week. Toretto x2. LFG.” – Ever heard of the rope-a-dope? No better place than being 0-2 on the Toretto. I got the sport of college football right where I want it.
Baylor at SMU -2.5: “I was sitting at a bar last Saturday watching Michigan-New Mexico. I had worked 12 hours and just wanted to watch football and drink beer (I think it was anywhere between 1-5 beers. I THINK.). Guy I was sitting next to was named Scott (I THINK). Early 60s, slim figure, college football fan. He’s from Waco, TX. He said no one likes Dave Arranda and he should’ve been fired years ago. This one is for (I THINK) Scott.” – Fuck you, Scott.
South Florida at Florida -18.5: “Aaron Pinsky is the two-time recipient of the Bruce Weinberg Memorial Scholarship. Just found out he is a Gator. #FuckCancer #LFG(ators) –
Where Griff was RIGHT:
Kent State at Texas Tech -47.5: “This is the ‘You wanna pay $50 million for your roster and be treated like one of the big dawgs in college football? Then hit this fucking number,’ Game of the Week.” – 1-0.
Texas State +4.5 at UTSA: “Remember that guy Scott? From the bar I was sitting at?…Scott’s son went to Texas State. This one is also for Scott.” – I’m sorry, Scott.
West Virginia at Ohio +3.5: “Trap game. WVU has the Backyard Brawl next week. Why the fuck would WVU schedule an away game at a decent MAC school the week before a rivalry game?” – I got this text from the SEC Insider after the blog dropped last week: “Hand up Griff, after a conversation with my MAC Insider, WVU has been added to the card.” My question: WHAT THE FUCK IS A MAC INSIDER? If there is something that ANYONE wants to know about the MAC, they can find it out. There are no secrets in the MAC. It was at that moment that I knew this game was a lock.
Now, let’s get to the picks.
Last week: 12-11-1 / Since 2022: 260-254-5
Dominic Toretto’s “Take it or leave it” Pick of the Week (Last week: 0-2 / Overall: 17-15-1): Wisconsin at Alabama -20.5 – I just think Bama is who we thought they were before Week 1. Yeah, FSU beat the hell out of them. But this is still a good roster and DeBoer is a good coach. Tell that old lady to spend her $70 million on the Toretto instead of DeBoer’s buyout.
Oregon at Northwestern +27.5 – Pacific timezone team crossing two timezones to play in a weird environment. I don’t know if Northwestern has enough to win, but playing in that smaller stadium with an earlier start time for the Ducks, I like Northwestern to cover. And Dan Lanning got his frustrations out last week vs Oklahoma State so maybe he takes it easier this week.
Central Michigan at Michigan -27.5 – Michigan may not be elite, but I think they are head-and-shoulders above G5 teams. Underwood may have been limited last week but he’ll get a confidence boost back in the Big House in the Connor Stallions Bowl. CMU gives up a lot of passing yards. I also don’t want to bet against this Biff Poggi guy who is coaching for Michigan while Moore is out on suspension.
Oklahoma at Temple +23.5 – I don’t recommend tailing me on this one. Temple is 2-0 and off to its best start in years. There were some OU reporters caught on a hot mic talking about how bad the atmosphere will be in Philly, and the Temple coach is using that as motivation. Maybe Michigan isn’t that great and last week’s win for the Sooners wasn’t that spectacular? They got a home game vs ranked Auburn next week so maybe this is a trap game? I don’t like it but I’m doing it.
USC at Purdue +20.5 – From Reddit user imsuperflytnt: “USC has lost 15 consecutive games when traveling to the central or eastern timezone.” I’m not overthinking this one.
Georgia at Tennessee TT u22.5 – Riding with the Insider.
Oregon State at Texas Tech -23.5 – I think Tech is my Louisville from last year. I’m gonna keep dipping into this well until it’s out of water.
Pitt at WVU +7.5 – Last week was the preparation. This week is the execution.
South Florida at Miami (FL) -17.5 – This pick is all the rage across the betting landscape so I’m gonna follow along. Feel free to fade this one, too.
Arkansas at Ole Miss OVER 61.5 – The over has hit in three of their last four games against each other. Lane Kiffin knows a lot of people will be taking this bet and I think he’ll want to make everyone happy.
Ohio at Ohio State -28.5 – I feel like tOSU is getting bored with beating the shit out of teams it has no business playing against, so maybe they let up in the second half here, but they are fully capable of hitting this number. It does feel like it should be a lot higher, though.
Texas A&M at Notre Dame -6.5 – Also an (anonymous) Insider pick, but for context, Marcus Freeman is 4-0 ATS at home after a bye week. All previous spreads were between 21-25.5 points. The over hit in each of those games as well. The Irish scored at least 45 in each of those games. The O/U for this game is 50.5.
Vanderbilt at South Carolina -3 – Riding with the Insider.
Florida +7.5 at LSU – Every Gator fan wants Billy Napier gone. With the way the media talks about both of these teams, shouldn’t this number be higher? “LSU actually has a defense!” “Nuss-Bus!” At Florida on the road in SEC games with a single-digit spread, Napier is 3-1 ATS.
Duke at Tulane -1.5 – It’s Duke QB Darian Mensah going back to the school that helped earn him an $8 million NIL contract. Did this guy really deserve $8 million? He turns the ball over too much. I think going back to his previous school will give him jitters. Duke will have buyer’s remorse after this game.
SEC Insider Picks of the Weekend
Last week: 1-2 / 2025 record: 2-4 / Since 2022: 56-63-3
*the following is verbatim*
If you’ve faded me you’re doing alright so far.
Mouth Watering Pick of the Week (0-2 in 2025 / 14-15-1 overall): Vanderbilt at South Carolina -3 – Williams-Brice at night? I don’t see it with Vandy here. I like the Cocks by [sic] atleast a TD if not more.
Georgia at Tennessee TT u22.5 – Josh Heupel and UT have not scored more than 17 against Georgia in his career. Big spot for each team. Defense travels.
Texas A&M at Notre Dame -6.5 – Feels like a must win for the Irish. I like the Irish off the bye week at home.
Prem League Advisor Pick of the Weekend
Last week: 0-0 / 2025 record: 0-1 / Since 2023: 8-7
*the following is verbatim*
Parlay: Newcastle ML + Arsenal ML -109
That bye week last week could not have come at a better time. Confidence was at all time low after losing a -155 bet. This week we move to a strategy that saw many winners last year, parlay the big boys. Two heavy favorites at home, what’s the worst that could happen?
Griffin Weinberg 