Welcome to the new "Grow Your Roll"! Each week of the (rest) of the college football season, I'll be giving you a few picks (against the spread) that present a great opportunity to fatten your wallet or "Grow Your Roll." As always, please leave you picks/comments in the comment box as well!
Lines courtesy of Danny Sheridan and USA Today. Home teams listed in CAPS.
Pick I Like: ARKANSAS (-9.5) over Auburn: The Razorbacks are coming off a big comeback win over Texas A&M last week and head home to seek revenge for last year's loss at Auburn, where they allowed 65 points. That won't happen this week. The Arkansas offense is gathering steam, while Auburn's scored 13 points last week against an overrated South Carolina defense. It's a tall task to win in Fayetteville, and Auburn will find that out this week. Arkansas 35, Auburn 20
Pick I Love: GEORGIA TECH (-14.5) over Maryland: The Yellow Jackets are leading the country in scoring at over 51 points per game, while Maryland's offense has struggled to score all year, with the exception being a 2nd half flurry after being down 34-10 to West Virginia. The only thing that could keep this from being a slam dunk is Tech's defense. They haven't shut anyone down this year, and could be without star LB Jeremiah Attachou and LB Daniel Drummond. Georgia Tech 45, Maryland 28
Grow Your Roll Game of The Week: CLEMSON (-20.5) over Boston College: After last week's huge road win over Virginia Tech, this has the makings of the classic letdown game, something Clemson fans know about all too well. Except, Boston College is terrible. They've lost home games to Northwestern, Duke and Wake Forest and were destroyed at Central Florida. Three touchdowns seems like a lot to give up, but BC doesn't score many points, and that makes for a easy cover. Clemson 38, Boston College 10
What are your money makers this week? Post below!
Personal Disclaimer: All advice dispensed above is solely for "entertainment purposes only." I think that's how the gambling sites say it...Seriously, if you're relying on my advice to feed your family, that's not a good idea...
I finally got to spend some good old quality time in the recliner, in front of the television this Saturday, so of course I spent it watching college football. Here is what I learned while watching Saturday's Week 5 action:
DBTH Team of the Week: Clemson Tigers
No team did more to increase their championship stock this weekend than Clemson. They thoroughly dominated Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg no less, to step to the forefront of the ACC. This coming after a huge win over consensus ACC-favorite Florida State the previous week. I picked Clemson #23 in my Preseason Poll and had them in the Strong Plays section of my Over/Under CFB Preview, but they have exceeded my expectations. Clemson has the reputation of fading down the stretch, so it will be interesting to see how they finish, especially with tough road games at Georgia Tech and South Carolina still on the schedule.
It's not a good idea to stomp on the other team's logo on the 50 yard line.
Dan Mullen and Company thought it would be a great motivational tactic to stomp on the Georgia "G" at the 50 yard line before their noon kickoff with Georgia. It turned out to be great motivation-for Georgia. The Real Dawgs played an inspired first half and jumped out to a 21-3 lead. They coasted to a 24-10 win.
In the aftermath of the beatdown, Mullen tried to backtrack and say it was a "misunderstanding," even insinuating it was Georgia's fault but judging by the smirky grin he had during the incident (watch the video below), it was anything but that.
Texas A&M is not a 2nd Half team.
For the second straight week, the Aggies blew a comfortable second half lead, this time to Arkansas at Jerry World in Dallas. I really thought this would be the Aggies' year, and they are improved, but two brutal collapses have them looking like a usual middle-of-the-pack Big 12 South team. They will have to make statements against Oklahoma AND Texas if they want to be considered a threat in the Big 12. I don't see that happening.
Brady Hoke is a great coach.
Hoke parlayed his resurrection of San Diego State into his dream job in Ann Arbor, and it looks like he will return the Wolverines back to the top of the improved Big 10(or12). I realize a 58-0 thrashing of Minnesota isn't reason to anoint him the next Bo Schembechler, but they've made all the big plays so far this year, especially in the comeback over Notre Dame. To support my claim, just look at the defensive numbers. Last year they couldn't keep a high school team out of the end zone, this year, opponents are not getting there. That's ALL ATTITUDE, and that comes from the head coach.
Wisconsin might be the second best team in the country, and Russell Wilson could win the Heisman.
We all knew before the season that Alabama and Oklahoma would be great, but Wisconsin's 48-17 thrashing of Big Red-Lincoln will enter them squarely into the national title discussion. The Badgers are so good on the line of scrimmage that I think they could stack up with every team in the country. I picked them #3 in my preseason poll, higher than anyone else, and Bret Bielema and crew are proving me right so far.
Finally, this Steve Spurrier/Stephen Garcia love/hate soap opera/train wreck is Must-See TV!
By letting Garcia hang around and get chance after chance to act like an adult, Spurrier has hamstrung his season and his program. The Gamecocks lost at home to Auburn Saturday, and should've lost to Georgia a couple weeks ago, if not for stellar defensive and special teams performances. Connor Shaw proved earlier in the season that he's not capable of leading the offense, so the Ole Ball Coach has had no choice but to hitch his wagon to Garcia. Garcia's penchant for stupid turnovers, like forcing a deep ball into double coverage for a pick with the lead on Saturday, reiterates the known fact that he has no clue how to be a leader. The only thing Garcia leads is all 1-A (FBS) quarterbacks in interceptions. Now he has now been benched in favor of Shaw, according to Spurrier. If this lasts as long as his suspensions, he'll be back in the 3rd quarter of this week's game against Kentucky, when Carolina is down 17-7.
What did you learn this weekend? Check back later in the week for my Week 6 Locks of the Week. I guarantee I'll make you some money! But if I don't, it's not my problem!
