Just Sayin! NFL Week 1

After a so-so start to ‘Just Sayin’ where my esteemed sidekick Stephen Brook, or @StevietyBebop as
some of you know him, was only able to get me one of his picks in time, he now joins us for a full week of his picks. So without further adieu, let’s get to it.

We will make picks for week 2 of the NCAA games, and week 1 of the NFL.

NCAA:

Our “Master” (they aren't really have a sponsor but it would be cool if they were) Lock of the week:

BC: Stanford -21.5 @ Duke – Sticking firm with my lock of the week from last week. Stanford is a team that has the Heisman Trophy favorite, just put up 50+ in week one, and goes to the football powerhouse of Duke in week 2? Chalk up 50 more points, unless they get confused and think they are playing basketball.

SB: Agree with above. Stanford is giving three touchdowns to a team that just lost a close one in a
heated battle with the, wait for it, RICHMOND SPIDERS…..

UPSET Alert:

BC: ND -3.5 @ Michigan – Ok, yes, I hate Michigan. But I am still not sure how they are three and half point dogs, at home, to a team coming off a bad loss at home to a CUSA team. Notre Lame is switching quarterbacks, switching jerseys, but it seems like they need to flip a switch and come out of the dark ages, they look two steps slower than every team they play. Oh, and Denard Robinson has the ability to score, anywhere on the field, and its UM’s first night game in 85+ years. No way are they losing at home.

SB: Did not pick...

"JUST SAYIN" game of the week:

BC: TCU -2 @ Air Force: TCU was all the rage last year, especially after beating Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. After getting spanked through the air against Baylor they have to go face the ground cavalry this week against the Air Force (I know, I know ground attack by the Air Force?). This seems like TCU should be able to handle the Falcons, but their last two trips to Air Force? 2009 – Three point win 2007-overtime loss. Could TCU start the year 0-2? Just Sayin…

SB: Alabama -9.5 @ Penn State: All this talk about the new quarterbacks for the Tide, but they are still the #2 team in the Nation! And that defense! Just don’t see this one going well for the Lions offense (Sorry Zack).

NFL:

Lock of the week:

BC: Carolina +7 @ Arizona – it was hard to find a lock of the week in week 1. But I will go with the
Cardinals at home. Yes they have a new quarterback, but they still have Larry Fitzgerald. Oh yea, and
Carolina is starting a rookie quarterback.

SB: Carolina +7 @ Arizona – Arizona is going to blow out Carolina, especially since Newton can’t
complete a pass to a wide receiver with no one in his face. The Cardinals are going to blitz Newton all day long. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Larry Fitzgerald will be effortlessly embarrassing DB’s with his one-handed-eyes-closed-behind-the-back-barrel-roll catches in traffic.

Upset Special:

BC: Detroit +1 @ Tampa Bay – Did any team impress more than the Lions based on their draft and the preseason? I say no. Matthew Stafford appears to have “figured it out,” now all he has to do is stay healthy. And I said last season that Detroit’s D Line was legit, and then they go out and add Nick Fairly to go with Suh and Vanden Bosch. Once Fairly gets healthy enough to play that is a stout interior line. Tampa Bay overachieved last year, and it can be difficult for a team that has a “better than expected season” to come back and duplicate it. Detroit is a road dog, but I like them in this one.

SB: Buffalo +6 @ Kansas City – Why not? I think not only will they cover; they might actually pull
this thing out. The Bills have some weapons, and I really like C.J. Spiller this year, and KC is very very overrated, with the exception of the LSU players on its roster of course…

JUST SAYIN game of the week:

BC: Philadelphia -5.5 @ St. Louis – I’ve heard all the talk about the ‘Dream Team’ and the group of “All-Stars” that the Eagles have together. Prove it. I don’t think this team will click right off the bat. And their offense line is one of the worst in the NFL, the only reason statistically it doesn’t show is because Mike Vick bails them out more often than he get’s sacked. No one has talked about a Rams team that almost made the playoffs last year. And they just might catch the Eagles at the right time. I’ll take the Rams, at home, just sayin…

SB: Tennessee +3 @ Jacksonville – I think this is actually a game the Titans can win. Low scoring, figure to favor the Titans with lead foot Bironas kicking field goals from 50+ yards out. Oh, and the Jaguars just cut their starting QB 5 days before the opener! McCown was behind Blaine Gabbert two weeks ago, and now he’s the starter, just sayin….

There you have it...NCAA week 2/NFL week 1 picks are in the books...Like something else? Let us know who you like and why! We may just use you for our next piece! Good Luck!

Just Sayin!

Now that football is back, this "Just Sayin" segment will be a weekly recurrence. I will preface this post with how "Just Sayin" came about. While working in the restaurant industry my friend Stevie Beebop and I would analyze college and pro football lines, and come up with our picks for the weekend. We always wanted to have a youtube show called "Just Sayin" where we ran through our weekly picks. So, this is as close as we have gotten.

Week one of the college football game usually pits powerhouse against cupcake. However, this year there are a few intriguing match-ups.

Here are my picks for this weekend:

Friday:
TCU -4 @ Baylor: The #14 ranked Horned Frogs lost a lot from a talent laden group that won last year's Rose Bowl, and Baylor boasts one of the best UNknown quarterbacks in the nation in Robert Griffin III. Baylor hangs tough, but falls to a young and improving TCU.

Saturday:
Akron +32 @ Ohio State: Obviously you know who I am going to pick to win. But the Bucks won't cover this spread. A new quarterback (or two) could play for the Buckeyes, who will rely heavily on their running game. And a green and young D will show their youth. Ohio State wins new head coach Luke Fickell's debut, but I will take Akron to cover the spread.

UPSET SPECIAL:
UCLA +3 @ Houston: I normally never like to go for a team that is coming from the west coast. However, UCLA isn't making the trek all the way to the east coast, just to the central time zone. This is a big year for coach Rick Neuheisel, and he has his Bruins ready for the opener on the road.

LOCK of the WEEK:
San Jose State +29 @ Stanford: San Jose State would probably be happy if the NCAA called them and said we are just going to mark you down for a loss by 40. Andrew Luck the pre-season Heisman trophy favorite might throw for 500 yards. Stanford wins this easily, probably by 50.

JUST SAYIN':
Boise State -3 vs Georgia: All this talk about Boise State being a National Championship contender might not get past week one if the Blue Broncos think they are walking into the Georgia Dome with an easy contest. It's not "between the hedges" but this game is practically a home game for the Dawgs. However, UGA is starting a true freshman running back with little depth behind him. Boise State has to watch out, but they should get this victory. Boise State's QB, Kellen Moore? Oh yea, he had a 182.6 passer rating last year, just sayin!

Stevie Bebop: Although he is a homer to LSU decides to take Oregon in the featured match-up of the weekend. #3 Oregon and #5 LSU battle in Dallas to open the season. Oregon returns a ton of talent on offense from a team that nearly won the National Championship last year. Unless this game turns into one of those knock down, drag outside, bar fight, he's going with Oregon, just sayin! (What, too soon?)