smokinandjokin

I get your point, it was early (actually week 2 as you know.) And we know the history of the BCS, it's always better to lose early rather than late. However, what if Michigan beats OSU? Then, assuming Notre Dame wins out, the Irish will only have one loss to the #1 team, which occurred in week 3. Do they deserve a rematch? No, they lost at home. Auburn only lost once to a highly rated Arkansas team, but it was at home. In my opinion, take care of the homefield if you are the National Champ. If there are a bunch of one-loss teams, I think Florida gets the nod over the rest because they come out of by far the toughest conference, and they will have only lost once- a very close game at Auburn (the 10-point margin of victory occurred with Florida trying a last gasp play at 0:00 down by 3, which was fumbled and returned for a TD.) Plus, they will have won a VERY difficult conference title game at a neutral site.

Biron in, Miller out Adam Dennis is up as Marty's backup. Drew Stafford takes Max's place in the lineup as well.

I bet only football, pro and college, and have been doing so for about 7 or 8 years. Like others in the thread mentioned, it is strictly recreational, and I really do enjoy it. I play the spread and also over/unders. A typical weekend, I'll bet three or four NCAA games on Saturday, and two or three NFL games on Sunday, and usually the Monday nighter. I typically roll $50 on the okay games, $100 and the feel-good games, and occasionally more (up to maybe $200-250) on a 'lock.' When you win, you win what you bet. When you lose, you lose what you bet plus 10% (the vig.) The most I've won in a football season is ~$3500, and the most I've lost is ~$2000. I'm probably down for my career. I like betting football because it's a limited season, and teams only play once a week. I have friends who are in deep and once you start getting sucked into hoops, it's dangerous. Between NBA and NCAA, there are 10 games on everyday. DANGER!

One HUGE difference- Texas lost at home. Michigan would deserve the rematch at a neutral site.

Who's out for the G-Men? I'm aware of Strahan and Toomer. Any others?

Fat Sam TW Jonas Jennings Sam Cowart Ruben Brown Haven't exactly 'ripped it up' with their other team. Winfield was always solid, but was completely unaffordable. Big Pat was one of my favorite all-time Bills and I think we can all agree that one was a mistake. On the flip side of that coin- I bet the Rams wish they still had Fletcher. I bet the Bengals could've used the 2004 TKO. Nobody can predict injuries. Preventing Schobel from going to FA was a good move. Troy Vincent was a decent signing to replace Winfield, and 'ripped it up' by leading the Bills in picks. Peters was a damn fine FA signing. All other O-line Donahoe free agents have been a disaster. Posey never 'ripped it up' but was adequate as a starter in a highly-rated defense. He started here, he would've started for Houston.

Raiders still holding steady at +9, and Bills still at +12. A little surprised we haven't seen a little movement there, but I can't call in till Sunday, so I'd be surprised if things weren't different by then. The original question I had, about Pittsburgh, has jumped from 4 to 4 1/2. Interesting. The Giants went from 3-point favorites on Tuesday to a pick'em. From today's Buffalo News: (I believe Atlanta is somewhere around -8 and 42)

Yeah, I hear you. The beginning of this season was so strange to bet on or against the Ravens. You got so used to the ineptness that was the Kyle Boller Era, and I had a hard time adjusting to what McNair brought to the table. McNair had a few good games but I think he's starting to show his true colors too. They are still a team that needs their defense to win the game, or at least do enough to keep them close. I have to assume VY and the Titans struggle against that D, and I don't see Baltimore putting up 24+, hence the under. However, the Ravens defense has been known to score. Hopefully they only return INT's to the 20 and then McNair leads a 6-yard drive and they take their 3 points.

Perhaps this isn't the thread for it, I should just say "Congrats" to Ed. Big win by Rutgers, nicely done and congratulations. That said, Rutgers and BSU have no business being #3 and #4 in the country. I think the marquee Big East games on ESPN the last two weeks have shown how drastically overrated the top Big East teams were. In my opinion (again, opinion being the key word here) Louisville, Rutgers, and WVU are not top-10 caliber. I'm sorry, that's the way I feel. If going undefeated is all it takes to get into the BCS title game, why would Texas EVER play Ohio State? I think, more often than not, the BCS has done an adequate (certainly not great) job of getting #1 to play #2 in the title game. There is no way Louisville was the #2 team in the nation before last night, and there is no way Rutgers is the #2 team now. The only reason the Big East is a BCS conference is because the agreeement was signed when Miami, VT, and BC were a part of it. Today's Big East would be on the level of ConfUSA/WAC. A little harsh, but true. Great story, great rebuilding job by the RU program, but let's be real. There are several 2-loss teams (LSU, Tennessee, Georgia Tech) who in my opinion are much better than undefeated Rutgers. Nonetheless, congratulations Ed. Exciting times. What were you thinking when the dude yanked the first FG? What were you thinking at the end when the kick returner (who already had a TD) had a head of steam at the 40-yard line? The crowd looked crazy, and I think Rutgers is a good point of reference for UB as a successful 'turn-around' story. They were down in the dumps only a few years ago, and now they are looking at a major bowl berth. Congrats.

Perhaps a limerick, like: There once was a man from Iraq who had holes down the length of his rooster. When he got an erection, he played a selection from Johan Sebastian Bach. So in this case, something like: There once was a man named Gringo who's mother resembles a dingo. He bet the Bills to win, but with the state he's in, he shouldn't even be betting on bingo.

I have been eyeballing a few o/u's, I think the following look reasonable. Sunday's weather reports could change my thoughts- KC-Miami OVER 40 Pitt-Saints OVER 45.5 Ravens-Titans UNDER 38 Denver-Oakland UNDER 33 Denver might have to score 34 to bump that game over.

In all honesty Ed, I hope Rutgers performs. I think you are a little over the top in the college football forum sometimes by saying Rutgers would beat every team in the nation, but I understand the excitement. I wouldn't say they've played the toughest schedule, but you have to beat the team that lines up across from you, and Rutgers has continued to do that every week. So good luck and enjoy the game, and just enjoy the ride. Rutgers is relevant on the national football stage, that alone is reason to celebrate. Pride in your team is one thing- but when you bombard everyone with "Rutgers is the best team ever" you have to expect a little pushback. Nonetheless, good luck and enjoy the game.

U Buffalo @ Akron- who gets the win? Did you think this thread would be about something else, Ed? So sorry. There are 30 other threads in this forum that you have spewed all over with your Rutgers b.s. Go find one of those. Let's Go Bulls!

The Saskatchewan Rough Riders?

That dude got to plow one of the hotter chicks around (I know she's up and down, but when she's up she looks pretty damn good) and has made himself quasi-famous through the marriage. Because they had children together, this dude is pretty much set for life. Rich through the roof and never has to do another thing. Unbelievable. Bitterness.....setting....in......Must......calm.......down........AHHHH!!!!

How did he get back to the locker room burnt out, you ask? I don't know. Perhaps the medical greenleaf mentioned in an earlier post was used. He was not carted from the field of play. He walked off from the field of play. He was carted from the sidelines to the locker room. Smart guy. My feelings are not hurt. Willis' ribs are hurt.

I didn't take anything personally. If you want to start threads about things you didn't even see, stating that Willis was carted off the field (which he wasn't) and then ask a question about his toughness and him not being as 'tough as he used to be', you should expect some good replies. Willis has not missed a game in three years since recovering from his knee injury. All of that playing behind the Bills line and QB's- I'd say he's pretty tough. Mentioning that Joe Paterno didn't want a cart but Willis did may not have been bashing #21, but it certainly seemed to be calling him out.

Yes, I'm well aware of Shanahan and his Raiders history. The only reason divisional rivals add an extra dimension is due to their familiarity. It can make it a bit more difficult to cover a big number. That said, I'm with you. I think Denver -9 is a smooth play and that will be up into double-digits by the weekend. Haven't seen the number, but I assume the total will be somewhere in the 32-35 range. Probably go under, with the way Denver runs and Oak's lack of everything. Like I said, they'll be lucky to get 7.

Divisional rivals do add a dimension. However, in that game, you have to figure Denver only needs to score 17 to guarantee a cover. I can't see the Raiders putting up more than 7. And that 7 would have to be lucky.

We stand on guard for thee.

Many here were shocked last week when the Bills were posted as a 3.5 point favorite over Green Bay. I was not that surprised, and took the Bills laying the points. Thank God for Favre throwing on 1st and goal to secure one of my few wins of the weekend. This week, Buffalo is posted as 12 point dogs at Indy. I would have thought this would be Colts -15, at least. But the real head scratcher, IMO: How are the Steelers 4-point favorites over the 6-2 Saints? Is this one of those "I can't figure why the Steelers are favored by four, so I might as well take 'em" games?

I always vote the straight ticket. I'm sick and tired of those gays and their rights.

It means our line was a sieve on that play. You said you didn't see the play, you just saw Willis in a cart. Had you seen the play, you would've seen one guy burst into the backfield at full speed and hammer his shoulder into Willis' midsection, while a second guy came and crashed in on top of Willis as he and the first defender were going to the ground. You would've also seen Willis laying there with a look of intense pain on his face while the training staff tended to him. Then....here's the part where you really look like an idiot....You would've seen Willis walk off the filed with assistance from two trainers, and make it to the bench, still in extreme pain. Just like you did in high school. Then, once on the bench, they determined it was something internal, possibly a rib injury, so they called the cart over, and carted him to the locker room for x-rays. Thanks for being a moron.

"Hanz Bwix! You bweaking my bawws, Hanz Bwix!"