Tag Archives: Penn State

11.19.15
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College Football: Week 12 Picks

Arkansas (-4) over Mississippi State: Arkansas is coming back home off huge road wins against Ole Miss and LSU. The Razorbacks played their best football at the end of the season last year, and I think they are doing the same now. I think they can put up points here and win by at least a touchdown.

Penn State (+3.5) over Michigan: Michigan is coming off a double overtime win over Indiana and have a huge game against Ohio State next weekend. Penn State had a bye week so they should be well prepared for this game. The Nittany Lions will win straight up with the Wolverines looking ahead to their game with the Buckeyes.

California (+10.5) over Stanford: Stanford’s College Football Playoff dreams were crushed last week when they lost to Oregon. Not much to play for her from the Cardinal perspective. California has greatly improved this season and I think they will bring a great effort against one of their biggest rivals.

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07.16.15
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Big Ten Games to Circle

Continuing a look at games to circle with the Big Ten. Here are six I picked out where you have the opportunity to fade teams:

October 10- Northwestern at Michigan: There’s a lot of excitement about Michigan this season with coach Jim Harbaugh in Ann Arbor. One of their bigger games on the schedule is against Michigan State at home. With Northwestern going to Michigan the week before, I can see the Wolverines overlooking the Wildcats.

October 17- Nebraska at Minnesota: I’m going to pick on Nebraska a few times here. They have a new coach and lost their star running back. The Cornhuskers host Wisconsin on October 10. Regardless of that result, I can see a major letdown from Nebraska when they travel to Minnesota a week after.

October 31- Nebraska at Purdue: Purdue is probably the worst team in the conference but this might be a time to back them against the spread. Nebraska plays Michigan State the week after and I’m not sure if the Cornhuskers will be too excited about being in West Lafayette on Halloween.

Continue reading →

11.26.14
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College Football: Week 14 Picks

Here are my Week 14 college football picks and the rest of the pool plays on Thursday, Friday and Saturday:

Texas (+7) over TCU: I think Texas gives TCU scare on Thanksgiving Night with tough defense.

Texas A&M (+3) over LSU: LSU is a young team and this is a tough situation on the road.

Ohio State (-21) over Michigan: Ohio State will be looking for style points and will show no mercy against their bitterest rival.

Penn State (+13) over Michigan State: This line is a bit too high and I think James Franklin will have his team prepared.

Tennessee (-17) over Vanderbilt: Tennessee will be bowl eligible with a win and the Volunteers should rout the Commodores in Knoxville West. Speaking of James Franklin, Vanderbilt beat Tennessee the last two seasons so Butch Jones’ team has revenge on their mind.

Pool Plays  Continue reading →

08.29.14
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College Football: August 30 Picks

Thursday picks

Friday picks

I have four picks for the first Saturday of the college football season. The explanation for each game is hyperlinked in the pick.

UCF (-2) over Penn State

Rice (+21) over Notre Dame

Arkansas (+20) over Auburn

Georgia (-7.5) over Clemson

Pool Plays

Oklahoma State (+17.5) over Florida State 

Wisconsin (+5) over LSU Continue reading →

08.26.14
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Big Ten Win Total and Standings Preview

Best Bets

Iowa over 8.5 wins (-115): This pick mostly has to do with the schedule. The Hawkeyes avoid Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan in the East. Their toughest non-conference game is at Pittsburgh. Starting 10-0 is a really possibility for Iowa before hosting Wisconsin and Nebraska to end the season. The Hawkeyes return most of their offensive contributors including quarterback Jake Rudock and running back Mark Weisman. Continue reading →

07.24.12
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NCAA Got Penn State Punishment Right

It wasn’t the death penalty, but the NCAA laid the hammer down on Penn State on Monday that will cripple the football program for years.

Penn State was fined $60 million, faces a four year bowl ban, loss of scholarships and all their wins between 1998-2011 have been forfeited. A very harsh punishment and one that had to be done.

The NCAA have let corrupt programs off easy in the past. This Penn State case was their opportunity to gain more credibility and try to prevent other programs from severe violations. It is no secret that college sports is as corrupt as FIFA and now they have more respect in the eyes of fans.

It was clear that the Penn State officials turned their back and pretended not to know about what Jerry Sandusky was doing. The highest members at the school were involved and the entire institution faces the consequences.

You can sympathize with the fans in State College and also the current football players. However, the NCAA is allowing current Penn State players to transfer without penalty or losing any eligibility. This will cause, and already has, a pro sport style free agent frenzy a month before the college football season begins.

There are reports that Penn State might not play football this year because many student athletes are planning on transferring or decommitting. It is a little early to tell, but something to consider. Looking ahead, with no postseason play in four years and lack of scholarships, Penn State could be a FCS level football team playing the Big 10.