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