The OTM Crystal Ball for Week 2

Okay, I did say at one time that spreads are only good on toast and bagels. Well, I've decided to turn a new leaf and give a crack at it once again. I've never been good against the spread for as long as I've followed sports. However, most of what I've suspected so far this college football season has been correct. So I'll try and push my luck.

Auburn (+3) @ Mississippi St (-3)
A three point difference in this game. The Tigers travel to Starkville where they've had trouble in years past (even with Cam Newton) putting the ball in the end zone. Some believe this is the Bulldogs year to overtake the Tigers. Let's not get too hasty. Kihel Frazier showed some promise last week against Clemson, a few critical errors were what cost them. The defense is much improved despite getting shredded by Andre Ellington. I'm not sold on Tyler Russell at QB for Missis St, and that's the position that's been haunting them for years. Auburn had a disappointment last year against Utah State the week before State came to town, they came out victorious to many's surprise. I think Auburn will come away with this battle. Take Auburn +3

Purdue (+14) @ Notre Dame (-14)
It seemed everyone is salivating over Notre Dame's blowout of Navy in Dublin. It doesn't necessarily mean Notre Dame is back. Navy is not as good as they have been in the past. Despite Purdue's struggles in recent seasons, this team is full of veterans. An O-Line of JRs and SRs as well as QB, and an experienced defense. Plus, Notre Dame is still having QB issues. Notre Dame may win this game, but Purdue is going to give them fits. Take Purdue +14

Florida (+1) @ Texas A&M (-1)
Did I not say that Florida's defense was going to be awful this year? You're welcome. Now they travel to College Station where Texas A&M has had another week to prepare for the Gators. It will be interesting to see Texas A&M's offense looks against an SEC defense. The Aggies believe they benefit from the offensive style of play being less of an air attack in the SEC compared to the Big XII. Jeff Driskel has been named the starting QB for Florida, but that should give no Gator fan any confidence after last week. I like Texas A&M, with the energy of their historical SEC game, to turn the Gators into a suitcase. Take Texas A&M -1

USC (-26) @ Syracuse (+26)
Given that Syracuse gave up 40 points to a Big Ten medium in Northwestern, USC might be playing the 2nd string before halftime. USC may not drop 100, but they're going to clear this one easy, even if it's on the road. Take USC -26

Western Kentucky (+38) @ Alabama (-38)
Here's a math problem. What do you get when you add a pissed off Nick Saban and Western Kentucky players talking smack about hitting Alabama in the mouth? Probably a bloodbath of epic proportions. This isn't the same Western Kentucky of 5 years ago, but this isn't the same Alabama team of 5 years ago. Nick Saban wants to make a statement. Take Bama -38

Savannah State (+69) @ Florida St (-69)
Okay, getting 84 dropped on you by anybody is pretty embarassing. However, Florida State isn't going to do that, or at least on purpose. This will be another tune up game for the Seminoles just like Murray State. Take Murray State +69

Washington (+24) @ LSU (-24)
Watching Utah/Utah St and last week's win by Nevada over Cal, it's safe to say the Pac-12 is Oregon, USC, and those other guys. Washington is running into a buzzsaw, at night, in Baton Rouge. Despite Zach Mettenberger getting knocked around a little North Texas, Washington will have nothing to protect their QB or counter both sides of the ball. Take LSU -24

UTEP (+8.5) @ Ole Miss (-8.5)
After last week against Central Arkansas, Ole Miss save themselves from embarassment in the 2nd half. Here's the problem. They're taking on a team that held Oklahoma to 17 points. Yeah, I know it was a home game for UTEP, but Ole Miss is not Oklahoma and they've lost embarassing games at home before. If Ole Miss pulls off a win, it won't be by 9 points. Take UTEP +8.5

Georgia (-2) @ Mizzou (+2)
Georgia looked less than impressive against Buffalo and they're still without 4 defensive starters due to suspension. Missouri has the home field and an offense that could exploit Georgia's vulnerable secondary. Georgia has been notorious for starting slow the last few years. Missouri has alot of experience back on defense. I'm joining the trend of picking Mizzou as my upset of the week. Take Mizzou -2

Line provided by Team Rankings

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Nick Saban has mastered the game of chess

(courtesy, Don Kausler al.com)

Watching Nick Saban is like watching Michaelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel of college football. Some say that he is too hard on the media and then some say he has the media in his back pocket. Before you start saying I'm another son of Saban, just hear me out.

Nick Saban is only playing a game of chess with his players and he's using the press as his pawn. Some say he is not confident his team should be a national championship team. I disagree with that. He's only using the media to send a message to his players. Don't get complacent. Everyone is propping you up to the clouds, he's only knocking them back down to earth. Remember in 2009 when Alabama, coming off a national championship, was picked by most to win it again? What happened? They finished 9-3 in the regular season. With Western Kentucky coming up, he's only trying to keep his players hungry, and it's a brilliant chess play.

Before you start knocking Saban for blasting the media, he's only using them in the game of college football chess that he is mastered so well. You may like it or hate it, but you can't deny it.

Replacement Refs; New NCAA Helmet rule; The NFL and DNC

This new helmet rule by the NCAA has its good and bad sides. The good side is that it promotes safety for the players and actually forces them to properly fasten a helmet. The bad side is, it can now be used as a strategy to knock the helmet off of players, even impact players, for one play. Tajh Boyd had his helmet come loose 3 times in the Auburn game. It really didn't factor into the game by any means, but on a game changing drive it could. My point is, I understand the rule, but it can easily be exploited, and anyone would be smart to do so.

I find all of the conversations about the NFL referee situation kind of comical. Are the replacement referees bad? Yes. However, aren't we still going to complain about missed or blown calls with the good refs? I understand the players concerns about someone could get hurt in regards to missed penalty calls. Nevertheless, we still need referees to have a game. Eventually a deal is going to be done, Roger Goodell holds all the cards.

The National Democratic party is not as confident as Courage Wolf when it comes to President Obama making his acceptance speech at Bank of America stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. Due to strong weather coming in Thursday, they moved it back to the Time Warner Arena, home of the Charlotte Bobcats. Rush Limbaugh said on his radio program that it maybe a ploy because they may not be able to pack out the 73,000 seat stadium. As easy as it is to come to that conclusion, I'll keep watch with an open eye. Watching the Convention has actually been comical. 

Exhibit A:;

You might be asking, why are you talking politics on a sports blog? Bear with me, watching this video reminded me of NFL referees. As much as we complain about the replacements, the professionals had their moments and this one reminded me of the platform vote:

The Time Warner Arena is the home of the Democratic National Convention, and giving the track record of the Charlotte Bobcats, the home team hasn't won that much lately. Democrats, I keed! But if you're bent out of shape over this paragraph send me your hate mail to onthemarksradio@gmail.com

Patience is a virtue for the Washington Nationals

Okay, I was wrong about the Washington Nationals, they stuck around to have one of the best records in the National League. With the conversations going on about a Stephen Strasburg shutdown, in order to protect his arm due to Tommy John surgery, I don't think the Nationals thought they would be in the hunt either.

I think it is a wise move. The Nationals do have depth in their rotation. They can compete in the playoffs with or without him. Why risk doing further injury to your golden child's arm for the sake of one season when the Nationals, who've drafted well and made some good off-season moves, can work on competing in the long road. If Strasburg gets hurts and the Nationals don't get a ring, then it was all for nothing, right?

With all of the money they're paying Strasburg, I think they'd like to have him around for more games in 2013 and years to come. Davey Johnson is making the right move.

What if they shut him down and Nationals miss the playoffs? 1) That probably won't happen 2) If they do, the only people that are going to be upset are the radicals fans in DC.

We expected Washington to be a better team this year, but some may have not expected them to be running away with the NL East.

Keep the arm healthy and strengthen it up more in the offseason and he'll be better than ever in 2013. No need to risk a career for the sake of one playoff run.

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OTM College Football Review: Week 1

After 8 months of off the field drama, playoff debate, and a sprinkle of conference realignment, football was actually played on the field last night, and it didn't disappoint, unless you're a Big Ten fan not rooting for a team called Nebraska.

The fall of Penn State continues and this time it begins on the field. Happy Valley is no longer a happy valley and probably won't be for a very long time. I admire what Bill O'Brien is trying to do to shake the ghost of Joe Paterno and the shadow of the Jerry Sandusky trial. However, it's going to be a steep uphill climb. The Big Ten, for the most part was an embarassment. Penn St falling to Ohio, Iowa escaping Northern Illinois, Wisconsin squeaking by Northern Iowa, Indiana barely pulling away from Indiana State, and Michigan getting dismantled by Alabama. Unless you root for Purdue, Michigan St, or Nebraska, you should be embarassed.

The Big XII for the most part beat the teams they were suppose to. West Virginia and Oklahoma St put on great performances, Texas and Oklahoma's were very lackluster. Right now my pick for West Virginia winning the Big XII is looking really good.

Pitt really embarassed The Big East by losing to Youngstown St. by double-digits. Syracuse were so close, yet so far away, against Syracuse. Louisville looks to be the cream of the crop in the Big East. Watch out for Rutgers this season.

The Pac-12 did nothing to really wow me. Oregon dropped 50 on Arkansas St in the 1st half, but only scored 7 in garbage time (2nd half) and still gave up 34 points. USC did look pretty good...but it was against Hawai'i. Mike Leach got embarassed in his debut, Colorado fell in Jim McElwain's Colorado St debut. Washington, Arizona, and Stanford escaped sub-par opponents. My theory on the Pac-12 is beginning to play out nicely.

With the exception of Clemson and Florida St, the ACC is beginning to look like the other Big East. If Florida St is back, this is the year they should show it. Clemson looked very good on offense vs. Auburn. Unless Virginia Tech can do something jawdropping, I see this as a 2 team race. With most likely Florida St coming out on top.

Finally, the SEC. Alabama looked very impressive. LSU looked like a better team on offense with Zach Mettenberger (when he was in). Kiehl Frazier showed me some potential Saturday, just has to eliminate mistakes. Florida's offense is....GOD AWFUL. Like I said, with that play, they're lucky to win 7 or 8 games. Tennessee was very impressive against NC State. This is a win that could set a great tone for the Vols, they've needed it. They're probably, after week 1, the best looking team in the East.

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