Cavs Saved by LeBron

After a horrific 3rd quarter which featured 11 points scored by the offense, the Cavs turned on the defense (and made a couple shots) and overcame a deficit to beat the woeful Pacers.  These lulls in scoring seem to be the Cavaliers demise for the last few years, especially in the 3rd quarter.  I don't know if Mike Brown has Buddhist meditations at halftime or what, but this team always seems to get outcoached coming out of halftime.  Either that or the players lose interest.  Either way, if the Cavaliers cannot maintain that focus for and entire 48 minutes, they will once again go down without a title.  But a win is a win, and with the depleted line up, that is the best we can ask for at this point.

I am daring to make some college football picks today despite my atrocious record.  Remember, if you bet against me this year you are rich.  On to the picks and Let's Get Drunk.

Favorites are in bold

Wisconsin Badgers vs Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston, Ryan Field
Spread: 7
Pick: Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin hasn't beaten anybody on the road by more than 3 points, so I decide to lay the 7 today. Brilliant. NW is not that good and has benefited from playing a injury riddled Iowa and horrible Illinois. Wiscy is playing some ball and will run all over NW today. Lay the points. Badgers 38-28.
Penn State Nittany Lions vs Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing, Spartan Stadium - MI
Spread: 3
Pick: Penn State Nittany Lions
Another road favorite. Genius I tell you. Genius! I think PSU's defense will keep MSU in check and win this game. Penn State wins 17-7.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs Minnesota Golden Gophers in Iowa City, Kinnick Stadium
Spread: 10
Pick: Minnesota Golden Gophers
I think this is too many in this game today. Iowa is no longer playing for anything and still have the backup QB and RB situation to deal with. Iowa will win, but close 31-28.
Stanford Cardinal vs California Golden Bears in Stanford, Stanford Stadium
Spread: 7
Pick: Stanford Cardinal
Leary of a let down, I am going to lay the points again. Stanford is for real and even after last weeks domination, the spotlight has not been on how good this team is, but Jim Harbaugh going for two at the end. Stanford can still make the Rose Bowl with a win, so look out Cal. The Tree wins 50-24.
And the degenerate game of the week...
Ohio Bobcats vs Northern Illinois Huskies in Athens, Peden Stadium
Spread: Pick
Pick: Ohio Bobcats
OU needs this game to stay in contention for a MAC title.  Winning out gets them to the championship game.  Northern Illinois is a bit banged up and has not been very good on the road.  OU wins 28-25.
And some basketball games for thought...
Northeastern Huskies vs Utah State Aggies in Boston, Matthews Arena
Spread: Pick
Pick: Northeastern Huskies
Utah State is a tough team, but travelling across the country for an early game versus a veteran team is going to be tough.  This game will be close but the home crowd pulls it out for the Huskies.  NE wins 58-55.
Butler Bulldogs vs Evansville Aces in Evansville, Roberts Stadium
Spread: 12.5
Pick: Evansville Aces
Butler tends to get off to slow starts (a first half bet is probably wise too) and tends to win these types of games, but not cover.  Evansville has started off well versus inferior talent, but these MVC schools tend to be tough places to go into to get a win.  I think Butler wins, but closer than expected.  Butler 56-50.
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs Austin Peay Governors in Daytona Beach, Ocean Center Arena
Spread: 8.5
Pick North Carolina State Wolfpack
NC State is rolling early this year.  Let's Go Peay is not as good in the past and should get beat solidly today by the Wolfpack.  State wins 75-63.
Niagra Purple Eagles vs Central Florida Knights in Dayton Beach, Ocean Center Arena
Spread: 2
Pick: Central Florida Knights
UCF is playing some ball early in the year, including beating a bad Auburn team, which did beat Niagra already this year.  This does not guarantee a victory, but UCF just seems like the better team.  Take the two points, but UCF wins this one 74-65.
 

 

Posted by:burg Added:11/21/09 2:17 PM permalink
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