Let’s start the weekly recap with a riddle:
I haven’t handicapped a single game on this week’s schedule yet.
I haven’t made a single bet yet.
But I’m already 1-0 for the week.
How can this be?
(Hint #1: The answer can be found in every weekly recap article I’ve written. It will also be found later in this article.)
It was a good week.
I selectively maneuvered my way to winning another Battle with the Books, finishing on the plus side of the ledger with a record of 3-1.
College Recap
I had three plays, an NP Under, a Fade on an NP Over, and an Asterisk Play.
Friday night, the NC/Syracuse game qualified as an NP Over. These were 3-9 on the season, meaning they were hitting at only 25%, giving me an opportunity for a 75% Fade (with only 12 games charted on my database, so there was little risk of Reversion Towards the Mean kicking in.)
The line was 45½.
They combined for 37.
NEXT!
Saturday morning, UAB vs Connecticut qualified as an NP Under. These were barely profitable at 6-5 but coming off 2-0 in the last two games as well as having a looong established history of hitting over 60%.
The Dragons and Huskies cooperated nicely, coming in at 57 with a total of 63½.
I was 2-0, with one spot left — the Asterisk Play.
It was a 6-4 Fade on road teams, so I used the home team Western Michigan Broncos over the Central Michigan Chippewas.
The Chippewas got off to an early lead and held on to it until late in the 4th.
With just over 5 minutes left, the Broncos finally took the lead 24-21, but I was laying 5.
With about two minutes left in the game, C. Mich QB Labas Rose throws an interception.
I have the ball back, deep in Chippewa territory.
A field goal wins it for me!
On third down, W. Mich quarterback Lowry runs it up the middle.
He breaks free!
It’s going to be a TD, and a winner for me!
But . . .
Lowry purposely takes a knee at the 4-yard line, knowing the game clock will run out and the victory was ensured.
He took a knee — WITH NO ONE IN FRONT OF HIM.
Sitting in front of my TV, shocked (and more than just a little pissed off), I’m reminded of Mr. Burns’ theory on teamwork.
After rolling gutter balls for nine frames, substitute bowler Montgomery knocks down one pin in the tenth to give Homer’s team a win in the league championship game.
He snatches the trophy away from the rest of the team, and when Homer asks, “What about teamwork?” Burns replies with one of his best quotes:
“Teamwork will only take you so far. Then the truly evolved person makes that extra grab for personal glory.”
Clearly, QB Lowry is not a believer in Burns’ theory.
And now he is forever on my sh*t list.
NFL Recap
It was easily one of the most exciting finishes I’ve had on a bet all year long.
I’m laying three with the Bears.
Chi is up by two TDs with about 4 minutes left.
With what I thought was a sure winner in my pocket, I left the poker table to hit the head.
I come back and a couple of the other players tell me not only did the Bears blow the lead but they’re actually losing by one point.
I looked up at the TV but it was showing a commercial.
I thought the other players were just messing with me.
But when the commercial ends, I see the scoreboard and it says Bengals 42, Bears 41.
WTF??!!
HOW THE F??!!
Chicago’s defense gave up 15 points in just two minutes of play???
The Bears get the ball back, but there’s only 57 seconds left on the clock.
Down by one point, they’re only going to try to get into field goal range and if they do, and make it, I’ll lose by one point.
Tight end Loveland catches a pass from Caleb Williams, but he’s 58 yards from the end zone.
He stumbles and bumbles, yet somehow rumbles his way to the end zone.
TD!!!
Yay team.
Yay me.
Regular Season Wins Update
ANOTHER perfect week for Mississippi Over 8½ and NYG Under 5½.
Ole Miss beat South Carolina and are now sitting at 8 wins. (Hint #2: Look at their schedule for this week.)
And, as usual, the G-Boys lost again.
They’re now just 2-7 (22%) at just over the midway point of the season.
They’d have to go 4-4 (.500) to beat me.
And they still have to play the entire NFC North — one of the toughest divisions in football — the ONLY one where not a single team has a losing record.
They also have to travel to New England to play a first-place Patriots team whose record is the mirror opposite of their own, 7-2 against 2-7.
Unlike my Mississippi bet, I’m not counting my chickens yet on this one.
But I like my position.
