I was nearly scammed out of $3,500 Tuesday night.
NEARLY.
It’s 7:36 p.m. ET. I’m almost done with my drive from Escanaba back to work in Negaunee (it’s about an hour-and-a-half drive). I get this text message:
That’s not good.
I’m about five minutes away from a gas station, so, after a quick glance at the text, I pull into the gas station to fill up and respond (I swear this is what happened. I DID NOT text and drive. I’m serious.).
Here is my response:
I get a text back within one minute of that reply:
I don’t know if this is real at this point. People get scammed all the time. Hell, I’ve been scammed before.
When I was living in Columbus in the summer of 2019, I was doing an internship and didn’t have a job on the side. One day, I Googled “easiest ways to make money.” I clicked on this website and, essentially, this company would send me three checks worth about $2,000, I deposit those into my account then I had to go buy random shit at like Best Buy or Meijer that this company wanted to do tests and surveys on. I would have to ship those items back to this company. Then I would receive another check for $2,000 that I would get to keep for myself.
I got those checks sent to me. I didn’t deposit them into my bank account. I didn’t buy any of that shit they wanted me to buy. I kept getting texts/calls/emails from this company asking for my bank info.
SCAMMED.
I was an idiot. I was desperate. Hand up.
But I learned. Now, I was prepared. I wouldn’t fall for a scam ever again.
Back to those texts from Tuesday night.
About five minutes after the last text, I get a call from a Honolulu phone number. I don’t where people in the PNC fraud department work but Honolulu seems like a reasonable place to me. It’s about 2:45 p.m. local time for them at the time I received the call. Normal work hours.
The beginning of the conversation feels like a typical “someone is trying to steal form your bank account” phone call (I have had my debit card info stolen a couple of times so I know what those phone calls are like). Then this guy I’m talking to says a Zelle payment of $3,500 was scheduled for 8:30 p.m. that night and if I don’t put in a “reversal code” ASAP then I would be out $3,500.
Now I’m getting skeptical.
We’re about 15 minutes into the phone call. He (I’m assuming it’s a ‘he’) told me to click ‘add contact’ in my Zelle account, type in my full name, then type in the reversal code, which was told to me in this manner: 5-1-7-3, 6-8-9-1, 2-8.
Type that in a different way, and it’s: 517-368-9128.
Now it’s confirmed.
This fucking idiot wanted me to send $3,500 to this phone number while using my name.
I was prepared to handle a moment like this from my own experience about six years ago.
So, I called him (still assuming it’s a ‘him’) out on his bullshit.
“You almost got me you mother fucker.”
“You fucking dumbass.”
“You really think I’m that dumb?!?”
I was. I’m not anymore.
But there’s one detail I should’ve noticed at the very start of this shenanigans that would’ve saved me time and energy. Check the punctuation after each the beginning of each text:
A dash and a colon.
That basically translates to [sic].
I’m smarter than I was. But we all make mistakes. So let’s rehash some from last week…
Where Griff was WRONG:
South Carolina at Texas A&M -19.5: “Next week, A&M will play a tune-up game against Samford followed by the season finale at Texas. Next week is the week to fade A&M, not this week. Set it and forget it.” – A&M won 31-30.
Memphis +3 at ECU: “I have this game as Memphis -3. ECU is only favored because of what they’ve done recently…Memphis got upset at by Tulane on national TV their last time out. But Memphis is the better team…2-0 ATS as a dawg this season. Tigers ml.” – Memphis lost 31-27.
Penn State at Michigan State +7: “Why is Penn State favored? And by that much? Because they almost beat Indiana last week? MSU has covered four (4) straight games as a dawg. Both of these teams suck.” – Penn State won 28-10.
Where Griff was RIGHT:
Oklahoma +6 at Alabama: “They want you to take Alabama. All the Tide have to do is win by a touchdown. It should be simple. I’m not falling for it. If the line were 7.5, I’d take Bama. But this number is too weird.” – OU won 23-21.
Arkansas +6 at LSU: “This number is way too big for two shitty teams. Since Bobby Petrino’s coup, Arkansas has lost three (3) games by three (3) points each and another loss to Auburn by nine (9) points.” – LSU won 23-22.
North Texas -17.5 at UAB: “North Texas is 7-2 SU and ATS. When they lose games, they also lose ATS. Do you think North Texas will lose this game? If so, just take UAB moneyline.” – UNT won 53-24.
Now, let’s get to this week’s picks.
Last week: 8-9 / In 2025: 91-85-5 / Since 2022: 345-329-9
Dominic Toretto’s “Take it or leave it” Pick of the Week (In 2025: 3-9 / Overall: 20-22-1): Charlotte +43.5 at Georgia and OVER 53.5 – We need to make up some ground with “The Toretto” and the Dawgs just don’t cover these games. Since 2018, Georgia is 0-3 ATS in its three November non-conference home games. They’ve been -41.5, -42.5 and -52.5. All three games have hit the OVER as well. Also, since 2018, Georgia is 0-5 ATS in any November home game when favored by at least 35 points. Those games are 4-1 to the OVER. Beating up Charlotte doesn’t matter to the Dawgs. Coming out of this game healthy does.
Mizzou at Oklahoma -7.5 – I don’t trust the new Mizzou QB in this environment. The kid has 327 passing yards in three games and he can’t run (-32 rush yards in those games). Mizzou did NOT look good against Vandy and Texas A&M (good teams). Mizzou DID look good against Mississippi State (bad team). I think the #8 ranked Sooners are a good team. So I’m gonna take them.
Rutgers at Ohio State -31.5 – I’m not worried about Michigan being in OSU’s headlights. I am worried about a backdoor cover, though.
Louisville +2.5 at SMU – Weird line alert. SMU is a much better team right now and can still win the ACC. UofL would need the miracle of miracles to make the ACC title game and has lost two straight. SMU by a field goal is too easy. Louisville is also 3-0 ATS on the road this year.
Kansas +4.5 at Iowa State – Jayhawks are 3-0 ATS vs Iowa State each of the last three seasons. Kansas was dawgs each game (+2.5, +2.5, +3.5). Both teams are underperforming this year. Both teams are 4-6 ATS. This game is a pickem in my book.
Baylor at Arizona -7 – I love betting against Baylor. They’re now 2-8 ATS. Arizona has won three straight games (2-1 ATS in that time). Some may see this as a letdown game for Arizona after taking down UC in Nippert Stadium. That makes me laugh out loud. This offseason, UC fans were shitting on the program and Coach Satterfield. No one expected the Cats to be good this year. The only thing that was confirmed last week was that UC is who we thought they were: frauds. Arizona is playing good ball. Take them.
USF -21.5 at UAB – We played this game last week when North Texas beat UAB. When UAB wins, they cover the spread. When they lose, they do not cover. When USF wins, they cover the spread. When they lose, they do not cover. Do you think USF will lose this game? If so, just take UAB moneyline.
USC at Oregon -9.5 – I thought this line would be closer to a touchdown. For that reason, I’m taking the Ducks. Also, USC is 1-3 ATS on the road this season.
Arkansas +9.5 at Texas – Since Bobby Petrino’s coup, the Hogs, though 0-5 SU, have not lost a game by double digits. That includes games at Tennessee and vs Texas A&M. They’ll find a way to be competitive.
Kentucky at Vandy -8.5: re: the Insider below. “Dores by 2 scores.”
Duke at North Carolina +7 – Each of the last three season, this game has been decided by no more than three (3) points. Duke is collapsing, having lost 3 of its last 4 games, all as favorites (also 1-3 ATS in that time). UNC needs to win to make a bowl game so they have some more motivation.
Kansas State at Utah -17.5 – KSU had a moment of redemption for a couple weeks but it’s all gone now. Losing to Texas Tech by 23 followed by just an 8 point win over Oklahoma State last week. Keep in mind, Ok St is the worst P4 team in the nation. Utah has won three straight games by a combined 104 points. Don’t be afraid to take the OVER 51.5 either.
Pitt +2.5 at Georgia Tech – This one does matter to Pitt. Let’s see if Narduzzi can back up his words.
Tennessee at Florida +4 – In these teams’ last 7 games, Florida is 6-1 ATS. Florida as a dawg since 2002: 8-1 ATS. The last 5 times this game was played in The Swamp: Florida is 4-1 ATS. The Gators have the Vols’ number.
Illinois at Wisconsin +8.5 – I do not advise you to tail me here. Wisconsin cannot score points; they’ve scored 27 points in their last 5 games. But they’re playing better defense and have covered three straight games. I’m betting on the Badgers to pull off another upset at home. Moneyline is probably the play.
North Texas -17.5 at Rice – North Texas is 8-2 SU and ATS. When they lose games, they also lose ATS. Do you think North Texas will lose this game? If so, just take Rice moneyline.
BYU -2.5 at Cincinnati – Please read what I wrote about UC regarding the Baylor/Arizona game.
SEC Insider Picks of the Weekend
Last week: 2-1 / 2025 record: 17-19 / Since 2022: 71-78-3
*the following is verbatim*
SEC cupcake week is upon us. Not good for the brand! All eyes in Cincinnati this week for the prime time game of the week. Dave Portnoy vs Skyline Chili…. 0.0!
Mouth Watering Pick of the Week (4-7 in 2025 / 18-20-1 overall): Arkansas at Texas -8.5: I think I’m 0-fer on picking the Horns this year. Something has to give. Texas and Sark know they need a strong close to the season. They may be crazy enough to believe they can still get into the dance. Texas D is strong. Arch and co are close. Style points incoming. Hook Em.
Kentucky at Vandy -8.5: Speaking of style points. Vandy is also playing for a shot at a playoff birth, maybe? I’m low on UK as those who actually read what I have to say know. Vandy is a good football team and should be highly motivated. Dores by 2 scores.
Charlotte at Georgia UNDER 53.5: Georgia is going to have to cover this on their own and I’m not seeing that. They hardly cover, let alone cover these mega spreads. Nothing to gain and too much to lose in this one. Get the JV’s in there early Coach.
Prem League Advisor Pick of the Weekend
2025 record: 3-6 / Since 2023: 11-12
*the following is verbatim*
Brighton ML -110
Appreciate you if you’ve made it this far in the blog. We’re throwing darts blind this year. Brighton and Brentford are tied in the table right now with 16 points. I think Brighton is a much better club from what I’ve seen this year. Brighton at home also, feels like a layup. Let’s get back on track
