Sports are for Jorts

If you check out espn, they'll try to hypnotize you into getting pumped about the Iowa v. Arizona game on Saturday.  We're supposed to be excited because this is the only matchup where both teams have a number next to their name (plus espn is airing the game...so coincidental...more on espn in a future post).

I'm here to tell you what to be excited about, and I'm not any payroll so you can trust me (although I'm not at all opposed to any payroll...conference hr people...I'm talking to you...I don't care what it is...BYU, when you launch your network next year, I'm your man...seriously BYU, you want the number 1 spot here? Pay me under the table and I'll promote you like Billy Mays).  Also, I have to admit for full disclosure that I have a leaning toward the Big 10 and Pac-10 (which both teams I mentioned in the beginning are in, so you'd think I would be in, but I'm not.  That's not the Big 10 v. Pac-10 game of the weekend.  More on that below.  Also, my fave teams are Minnesota and Oregon.

Also, this is the first of these posts, so here's the set-up.  I'm going to give you my top five games that I'm excited to watch and why.  I'll also give the spread and my pick.  We'll keep a running total for the season so you can see how awesome I am.  So with that out of the way, here are my top 5 college games of the weekend (with spread in parentheses)...

5.  Arizona State vs. Wisconsin (-15.5): Here's a matchup of two sneaky teams that have totally annihilated their competition so far this season.  Although, to date their competition has been about as challenging and playing me, Trevor and a team of 2nd graders, but that's beside the point.  Both of these teams have the potential to have really fantastic seasons in their fairly difficult conferences.  This will be the first real battle for either team this season, so we'll see how it pans out.  Although Scott Tolzien has only 1 td for the season against terrible teams, he has maintained a solid passer rating in the 140s throughout college.  I have high hopes for Wisconsin this year, so I think they'll win, but by more than 2 tds?  Probably not.  So take ASU on points, but Wisconsin to win.

4.  Oregon vs. Portland State (no line):  I know what you're thinking.  Why would I want to watch a college football power stomp on a little guy for hours?  There's no line for a reason.  But here's the thing.  When Oregon's offense takes them to the Pac-10 championship, which they win, and in turn dominate the NCAA football tournament and win the national championship against Boise St., you can say you watched them throughout the season and saw their potential.  What?  There's no Pac-10 championship game?  Shoot, well they'll at least win the Pac-10 based on their undefeated season.  What's that you say?  There's still no NCAA football tournament?  I thought this was the 21st century.  Nevermind then. I guess you can say you watched them the whole way when they beat Boise St. in the Sugar bowl when 1-loss Alabama and 1-loss Texas play in the "national championship."

3.  Michigan State (-3.5) vs. Notre Dame: The reign of Brian Kelly continues against the Spartans.  The Spartans seem to bringing their game up and elevating the status of the Big 10.  As with many other teams, it's hard to know what they're truly capable of because they haven't played anyone yet.  The Irish are making their way through the Big 10 with so little consistency that it's impossible to know what they'll do.  That's part of what makes them so much fun to watch.  I'm sure it will be close, but since it's not on NBC I'm gonna say the Irish will be uncomfortable and lose by 3 (i.e. take ND on points, MSU to win).  That's all I have to say.

2.  Southern California (-20) vs. Minnesota:  Alright, I know Minnesota lost to South Dakota, but maybe we're not giving South Dakota the credit it deserves.  Maybe it's up and coming.  Maybe it's the next Boise St. or TCU.  Okay, back to reality.  Legitimate question:  Is Lane Kiffin a good coach?  He never stays anywhere long enough for us to find out.  Maybe USC will be great this year and shove their ineligibility in the BCS' face (unlikely).  But 20 points?  Plus, home field is worth three points, which means at a neutral site LVSC would put USC up by 23 points.  That's outrageous.  It's probably pretty obvious where I'm going here, but I take Minnesota on points and USC to win, maybe by more like 10-14.

1.  Michigan vs. Massachusetts (no line):  Again, no line so it'll be a crazy blowout.  So why watch?  Denard Robinson against the Massachusetts defense is going to be like me playing Madden against Lydia (no offense to Lydia.  I just find her Madden skills at 3 years old to be quite lacking).  Robinson is fun to watch in any game, but in this one, it'll be reedonkulous.


That's it.  I know there were only 3 games with spreads.  That'll happen from time to time.  Especially in these cupcake days.  Give me a break until conference time.