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Labor Day Bar

Attention all Clevelander's: There is a massive celebration at the Clevelander Bar and Grill to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of football season. So come on down, drink some beers and enjoy the day off with us at the Clevelander.

Well, 1-2 over the weekend on the picks bringing me to 3-4 on the year. That's ok, because I am going to run it today. Here we go.

Favorites are in bold

Navy Midshipmen vs Maryland Terrapins in Baltimore, M&T Bank Stadium

Spread: 6.5

Pick: Navy Midshipmen

Two words: Ricky Dobbs. Navy has most of it's potent offense back and should be able to dominate a poor Terrapin squad. Navy covers 35-27.

Boise State Broncos vs Virginia Tech Hokies in Hyattsville, Fedex Field

Spread: 2

Pick: Boise State Broncos

Boise just wins big games. The Hokies are one dimensional and are not at home in Blacksburg. Chalk it up, Boise wins another on it's way to the title game. BSU 31-17.

Best College Football Bar in Cleveland

Not bad for my first day. 2-2 on the young season and 1-0 on my degenerate pick. I love this time of year more than almost anything outside of the month of March. That and I have a gambling problem. So come on down to the Clevelander Bar and Grill and get drunk with us while we watch the first weekend of the college football season. Here we go.

Favorites are in bold

Missouri Tigers vs Illinois Fighting Illini in Saint Louis, Edward Jones Dome

Spread: 11.5

Pick: Missouri Tigers

Even with the Derrick Washington suspension, I think Mizzou blows the doors off of Illinois today. Illinois lost a lot of key players, although losing the Juice may be an upgrade, at a lot of key positions. This game has been very lopsided in favor of the Tigers over the last few years as well. Look for that trend to continue. Missouri wins 45-13.

Michigan Wolverines vs UConn Huskies in Ann Arbor, Michigan Stadium

Spread: 3

Pick: UConn Huskies

This is one of my upset picks from the preseason. I LOVE the Huskies in this game. They should be able to pound the ball down Michigan's throat and play enough defense to win. Randy Edsall will have UConn ready to play. Take the points, but you probably won't need them. UConn wins 24-20.

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Southern Methodist Mustangs in Lubbock, Jones AT&T Stadium

Spread: 14

Pick: Southern Methodist Mustangs

SMU is headed in the right direction under third year head coach June Jones. Texas Tech I think is in the opposite direction. Mike Leach is gone and Tommy Tuberville takes the reigns. He is going to learn the hard way that what Mike Leach did at Texas Tech was a miracle. He has less talent than he did at Auburn, especially on defense and he can't put together an offense to save his life. June Jones in his tenure at SMU is also 7-1 ATS as a road dog. This one should be close and don't be surprised if SMU pulls one off. Take the points, TTU pulls one out late 45-42.

Cleveland Browns Bar

Ahhhhhh. My favorite time of the entire year. The weather starts to cool down. The leaves on the trees start to change colors. My couch reforms that ever so comfortable impression of my butt from sitting in front of the television for football season. The Browns are looking like a semi-competitive team. (Side note: I read an article today that says you should go to Vegas and bet your mortgage on the Browns over 5.5 wins this year. I may be booking my flight after I get done blogging). Let the gambling season begin. I am turning over a new leaf this year and I am confident that I am going to be >60% this year. Let's Get Drunk Cleveland.

Favorites are in bold

USC Trojans vs Hawaii Warriors in Honolulu, Aloha Stadium

Spread: 21.5

Pick: USC Trojans

Say what you will about all the problems and changes at USC, that has no effect on the fact that the cupboard is still full, at least temporarily. And now they have motivation to prove people wrong. Hawai'i is not what they used to be under June Jones and are in for trouble against the Trojans. USC wins by a bunch, 52-13.

Iowa State Cyclones vs Northern Illinois Huskies in Ames, Jack Trice Stadium

Spread: 4.5

Pick: Iowa State Cyclones

I don't understand this spread which started at 3 and people have caught onto and pushed up to 5 in some places. Iowa State should have no problem at home disposing of the Huskies that finished 7-6 in 2009 in a very weak MAC conference. Iowa State has dual threat senior QB Austen Arnaud and senior RB Alexander Robinson, over 1000 yards last year, back. This one shouldn't be close. Cyclones win 28-12.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Marshall Thundering Herd in Columbus, Ohio Stadium

Spread: 29

Pick: Marshall Thundering Herd

I love the Buckeyes this year, but that won't stop head coach Jim Tressel from putting in the second string offensive line in the second quarter as per usual. The Buckeyes should crush the Thundering Herd, but won't and it will be closer than it should going into the 4th quarter. OSU wins, but no cover 35-20.

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders in Murfreesboro, Floyd Stadium

Spread: 2.5

Pick: Minnesota Golden Gophers

When I first saw this game, the Gophers were a 3 point dog and like it. Since then, starting MTSU QB Dwight Dasher has been suspended and the spread has swung in the Gophers favor. I think Minnesota is will win this one, although it may be a struggle. Senior QB Adam Decker better be ready to go on the road and get a victory in a winable game. If not the Gophers are in trouble this year. Lay the points, Minnesota wins 24-20.

And for all of you degenerates out there...

Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, Cleveland Browns Stadium

Spread: 2.5

Pick: Cleveland Browns

It wouldn't be considered degenerate gambling unless you picked a preseason NFL game. I don't think any of the Bears starting defense will play and the Bears backups are almost as bad as their starters on both sides of the ball. Expect to see a lot of ancient relic Todd Collins, Matt Gutierrez, and Dan "I make taking a snap from under center look like rocket science" LeFevour. The Browns are going to crush the Bears. Take the points, but you won't need 'em. Browns close out preseason with a win, 31-17.

Cleveland Browns Bar

Fired up for the preseason? Are you a preseason NFL sports bettor? Do you like to blackout during Browns games so you don't have to remember the outcome. Well, then the Clevelander bar and Grill is for you. We have the BEST drink and food specials in Cleveland for Cleveland Browns games. Come and join us for all your sports pre, post and in game festivities. Let's Go Browns.

The Indians just can't beat an interim manager. We lost the series versus Baltimore and Buck Showalter and now have lost game one versus Seattle and Daren Brown last night 3-2. Fausto pitched well enough again, but was doomed by some bad defense that led to the go ahead unearned run. Just when it seemed the Indians had turned the corner, they start losing to some of the worst teams in baseball. I guess that happens when you are young. It should be another hot one tonight. So join us in the air conditioning for all your Indians celebrations, at the Clevelander Bar and Grill.

One last prediction about the college football season left on the schedule. The BCS National Championship. While we all know this is the worst championship game in all of sports, it still exists. And I guess in theory that means I should predict it. I have struggled all week coming up with a scenario where an SEC team doesn't get into the championship game. This year is going to be even more of a mess than years passed. I think Boise State is going to be the only undefeated team at the end of the year. I think Nebraska will be 12-1, Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin 11-1, and Florida and Alabama will both have 2 losses. Unfortunately, the Big 10 has zero credibility as a conference and that rules them out. The Big 12 is going to be down this year after losing so much talent and with Nebraska's defection to the Big 10, don't think they will get enough votes to get in. That being said, I think Florida winning the SEC Championship game, will boost it into the Championship game with 2 losses. Boise State versus Florida for all the marbles. And I think Boise State wins. Call me crazy. But look at it. Boise is starting off ranked 5th in the country, which means they don't have a lot of ground to make up like usual years. They only have to beat Virginia Tech to start the season and they will make it undefeated through the season. Thirdly, nobody prepares for a one game playoff better than Boise State. (Except maybe Urban Meyer, but Florida doesn't have quite as much talent as the last few years.) I am calling a Boise State National Champion. Maybe that will finally tear down this horrific BCS system. You heard it hear first, now let's get drunk! GO TRIBE!

College Football Mania

Well, the Tribe got dropped by the hottest team in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles. Tell me a month ago I would be typing those words and I would tell you to commit yourself. The Orioles, now 7-1 under new manager Buck Showalter, drilled the Indians in a slugfest 14-8. Not much I can say except, let's hope we get some pitching tonight. Josh Tomlin goes tonight for the Tribe, so get here early to start celebrating before the game even starts. It's in the bag. Let's Go Tribe.

Continuing on after a few days off with my college football previews. Today I would like to finish off with the ACC and Big Ten. Here we go.

ACC: I don't even know where to begin in the ACC. The Atlantic division is a mess. Clemson doesn't have a lot coming back, plus they have to go to Boston College and Virginia Tech. I am not buying the Christian Ponder hype at FSU, although their schedule is favorable if they can steal a win at Miami. The team below the radar is Boston College for me. Last year they managed to go 5-3 in the conference with like 12 freshman starting QB's. And superfreak Mark Herzlich is back from his battle with cancer and looking to prove he is still the man that won the ACC Defensive Player of the year 2 years ago. Dave Shinskie is a year older and 1400+ yard RB Montel Harris is back. They have to travel to Florida State, but get Clemson and Virginia tech at home. I think BC loses at FSU, but 7-1 in the conference is enough to get the job done. As for the Coastal division, I am at a loss. I should probabaly just throw a dart at the dartboard for this one. I really like North Carolina and that defense that they have under Butch Davis. They have 17 starters returning and 9 on the defensive side of the ball that only gave up 270 yards per game and 17 points per contest. Problem is, we don't know if everyone will be there with the current scandal involving the agents flying kids down to Miami. Virginia Tech is too one dimensional and I think Miami has the toughest schedule in the ACC. Miami has to play UNC, FSU and VT at home, but must make road trips to Clemson and Georgia Tech, both teams that don't get beat at home. Assuming the Tarheels can avoid the off the field distractions, I think they will win a jumbled ACC Coastal division with 2 losses and go on to face BC in the conference championship game. In the end, I think a bruising, old school football rumble breaks out and UNC beats BC 12-9 in a battle of field goals and defense. Good luck to whichever team gets to get destroyed in the BCS bowl game they make it to.

Big Ten: The Big Ten, like always, is very top heavy this year. Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Iowa are all at the top and should all have excellent years. Wisconsin has 10 starters back on offense including QB Scott Tolzien and monster RB John Clay who rushed for 1500+ yards last year. Iowa has 8 back on a good defense and 6 back on offense, including interception machine Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi is a gamer though and comes up big when needed. Ohio State has 9 back on offense, including QB TerreIle Pryor, RBs Dan Herron and Brandon Saine, and WR DeVier Posey. The defense only returns 6 starters, but may have the best LB corps since AJ Hawk and company. Cameron Heyward is a freak on the D-Line as well. In the end, I think the Big Ten will end in a three way tie. I think Iowa beats Wisconsin in Iowa City, WIsconsin beats Ohio State in Madison, and Ohio State beats Iowa in Iowa City. Ah, 2012, when the Big Ten will be all grown up and have a championship game like the other big boy conferences. Until then, we will have to make it to opponent's record to decide who will play in the Rose Bowl.

It's all enough to make me want a drink. Let's Get Drunk Cleveland.