Sheraton Hawaii

Fresno State RB Robbie Rouse

Hey there guys,

I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday season and a Merry Christmas (eve). 

Due to some family issues I took a small break. I'm back today to preview the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl featuring Fresno State and SMU.

 I am 6-0 so far in my bowl picks - one game ahead of Phil Steele - and ranked 41 out of 1,482 participants. It's still very early into the bowl season so I'm positive that will have changed by January 8th. Hopefully for the better, but I'm still rusty at this.

Click the jump for an abbreviated preview

Time Constraints and Cell Phone usage

What's up guys? Sorry no full post today. Family stuff came up so I'm away from a computer and obviously short on time with the first game coming up at 11 a.m. CST. I'm going to post my picks here and I'll get back to you with the Hawaii Bowl on Xmas eve.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
East Carolina (8-4) vs. Louisiana (8-4)
11 a.m. CST on ESPN

Watchability Grade: This game has very little impact value when you look at the names. I'm also not convinced this is going to be a great game either. Two high scoring offenses however should make this game at least somewhat entertaining, earning a C-

Projections: Louisiana 36, East Carolina 29
Pass Yards: Louisiana 290 yards, East Carolina 286 yards
Rush Yards: Louisiana 188 yards, East Carolina 145 yards

My Pick: Each of these teams should have an advantage when their offenses are on the field, however I think ULL's advantage is much greater. They hold a significant advantage on special teams and Mark Hudspeth is a fantastic coach. I expect the Cajuns to win 31-21.

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
Washington (7-5) vs. No. 19 Boise State (10-2)
2:30 p.m. on ESPN

Watchability Grade: this one gets tricky because these are two recognizable teams, Boise State is even ranked. However, a low scoring matchup in which Boise figures to be a big favorite this game may feel like it deserves being an early bowl game once it's finished. I give it a C.

Projections: Boise State 26, Washington 16
Pass Yards: Boise State 209 yards, Washington 176 yards
Rush Yards: Boise State 172 yards, Washington 116 yards

My Pick: In a stark contrast to today's first game, each Defense will have a much bigger advantage over the others. Washington is much more battle tested, including wins over Oregon State and Stanford. However, Boise has the momentum and a huge special teams advantage. Also, I believe that Chris Peterson is arguably the best coach in the country. I look for Boise State to win a close one 21-10.

Beef O'Brady Bowl Preview and SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl Recap

UCF QB Blake Bortles

Hey there guys,

As I said last night. It really feels good to be 3-0. I haven't been publishing my picks in awhile so I honestly expected to come out rusty and embarrass myself. Not the case so far, but it's still very early. In this post I will recap BYU's come from behind 23-6 win over San Diego State in the Poinsettia Bowl and then I will preview the Beef O'Brady's Bowl featuring Central Florida and Ball State. I know. You're excited.

Click the jump to read more.

3-0 and still ranked 7,805 in confidence

I said BYU and Kyle Van Noy would get the win and I was right again. 3-0 feels good. I'll be honest I didn't expect Adam Muema to be that successful but man he is a great back.

Ill go more in depth into the game tomorrow when I post tomorrow's pick.

Phil Steele also happens to be 3-0, as is just about everyone else,but I've got a 2 point lead over Phil in confidence. I'm looking forward to seeing how the pack thins itself out as the games go on.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Preview

Hey there guys,

If you've been following you'll know that I'm off to a decent start. 2-0. It feels nice. Probably won't last long though. I've got 46 points in vs. Phil Steele's 42 so far in the bowl pick 'em on ESPN. We're both 2-0, but I've got confidence in my picks.

Click the jump for my picks for today's bowl game.

Daily Basketball Picks: Monday December 17th

Vanderbilt guard Kedren Johnson

Click the jump to see today's picks for the NBA and college - Top 25 and SEC.

New Mexico/Idaho Potato Bowl Recap

Hey there guys,

I'll be doing some small bowl recaps and updating you on how I'm doing in my battle with Phil Steele and all of his followers. I might try to find some of the other ESPN personalities and post their picks as well. Just so we can get some comparison going on.

Anyway, I'm obviously 2-0. I mostly follow the SEC now, so you'll have to forgive me if I'm a little off on games involving teams from other conferences, but I felt like I had a beat on the first two games.

Check out my breakdowns after the jump.

2-0 Start

After a couple of disappointing bowl pick 'ems I am off to a good start. And I actually sound kind of smart too! I said that Arizona and Nevada would put up some yards and points, but that the Wildcats would pull of the W. And they did, by 1.

I then called for Utah State to win comfortably, and granted they didn't really gain control until late in the fourth quarter but the final was 41-15. Sounds comfortable enough for me.

I'll post more analysis in the morning for now I'm going to enjoy the galaxy of lights here in HSV.

December 15th Bowl Picks

Arizona RB Ka'Deem Carey

Hey there guys,

I'm going to be posting my picks for every day that has a bowl game. I'll post my projected score, pass yards and rushing yards for each game, as well as something that I call my "Watchability Grade."

I grade each game on how watchable it should be; I take into affect how recognizable the teams are based on the level of conference they come from (Major, Mid-Major, Low), how well they've played, how high are they ranked (if at all), and then how close the game is projected to be.

Here is what each grade means:

• A - This is a can't miss game; you plan your day around this game. An 'A' grade means it will be a great game between highly recognizable teams. 
• B - These games have pretty high entertainment value. A 'B' grade is a game that involves highly recognizable teams playing a mediocre game, or two semi-recognizable teams playing a great game. 
• C - This level is for football junkies or fans of the team only. Not that these games are awful, but you will rarely see these highlights on SportsCenter the next day. Either an awful game between highly recognizable teams, a mediocre game between semi-recognizable teams, or a great game between teams you need to look up. 
• D - This game is going to put you too sleep. You may start off watching it, but this game is going to either get ugly fast or the two unrecognizable teams playing a mediocre game will just plain get boring. 
• F - This just shouldn't be on television. Or even radio. The fans aren't even interested in this game. 

Click the jump for my previews for today's games.

Week 6 SEC Game Grades

 Hey there guys,

I promise I'm trying to get better at posting every day. It's tough. I have things. School. My job. My other job. Laundry. A girlfriend. It never stops. Anyway, I'm doing my best to be more disciplined.

I'm going to preface my game grades by saying that yes, the team that won the game was the better team that day. My grade does not reflect that. My individual game grade for each team is based off of expectations, my Top30 performance numbers, what their opponents allow and what they average themselves. Essentially it's a comparison of what is expected and what happens.

Week 5 NCAAF Picks and Selections

Expect for Le'Veon Bell and the Spartans offense to make just enough plays to pull off the Top 25 upset

Hey there guys,

It’s me again Margaret. I hope more than my parents get that joke. Anyway, here I debut my picks. Four weeks too late? So what. It’s better late than never I always say. I wish my teachers would agree with me.

I open up the week 0-1. Here I thought that the damage done to Washington’s offensive line would prove key in the end, but the Huskies defense was the real story, holding the overconfident Cardinal to just 13 points and 235 yards of offense. Not a pretty game from either side, Washington grading out with a B- and Stanford getting a D-.

Hopefully my  losing trend won’t last. I am calling for a couple of woeful SEC teams to continue their downward spiral, but I don’t see too many upsets this week.

Daily SEC Analysis: 9/25

Well guys, I'm trying to be better at remembering to do this on a daily basis again. I'll admit, this is tough. Anyway, what I'm attempting to do now is focus more on media analysis. Does this mean I'm going to quit projecting games? No, not at all. I'm going to have a once a week picks post, that accompanies some smaller news analysis. I'm trimming my focus to the Top-25 and SEC. My initial focus is to do this once a day, but if that has to be shortened, I'll get over it. After all I want to keep this up. 

Anyway, if you want to read more, click the jump. 

MLB Pick of the Day (7/19)

Hey there guys,

Second late post in as many days. No internet yesterday, and today problems at work. It's not good when you work at a radio station and no music is playing. Anyway, if you have continued to listen to my advice you are doing well. I am 3-0 in my Pick of the Day, and 2-0 in my Next Best thing (thanks to Yankees). Overall I'm back over .500 after I went 10-5 yesterday, bringing my 3 day total to 22-20.

In a point of pride I also picked both my first and second correct upset this season, with the Giants taking out the Braves in extra innings (*SIGH*) and the Tigers beating the Angels 7-2. 

There are 11 games today, and most of them are underway. Check out my POTD for today.

MLB Pick of the Day (7/18)

Hey there guys,

I told you handicapping MLB was hard. My record took a shot to the nether regions in day two, going 5-10. That brings my two-day total to 12-15. Fret not loyal followers, because my Pick of the Day is now 2-0. That's all you should be listening to anyway. And if you listened to me yesterday you should have picked up some great value from taking the Reds who's points were dropping with the news that Joey Bats was being placed on the DL.

UPDATE: When I was writing this post this morning, our neighbors rudely disconnected my internet. I don't care if they pay for it, they should have asked my permission first.

Today's Pick

Nationals (-166) over Mets

This is late so this is going to be short. The Mets are a mess and Jordan Zimmerman is one of the best young pitchers on the Nats. He hasn't gotten a lot of run support, which explains why his record of 6-6 isn't outstanding, but he has the fourth best ERA in the NL. Nats 5-3

Next best pick (1-0):

• Yankees (-164) over Blue Jays

Other Good Picks (4-6):

• Pirates (-125) over Rockies
• Red Sox (-168) over White Sox
• Reds (-131) over Diamondbacks

Shot in the Dark (6-9)

• Cardinals (-145) over Brewers
• Dodgers (-118) over Phillies
• Rangers (-126) over A's
• Padres (-125) over Astros
• Indians (-106) over Rays
• Marlins (-118) over Cubs
• Royals (-123) over Mariners
• Twins (-154) over Orioles

Upset Picks (0-4):

• Tigers (-101) over Angels
• Giants (+111) over Braves

MLB Pick of the Day (7/17)

Hey there guys,

What can I say, I'm off to a good start on my MLB picks. 7-5 after one day, including nailing my Pick of the Day with the Yankees knocking off the Blue Jays 6-3. Today all 30 teams are in action.

A quick update, things are moving along great with my college football previews, as I begin evaluating South Carolina, I'm also developing a schedule that I can post here so that you will know when to expect my strokes of genius. Keep checking back as I update the site.

As always, you are free to tell me why I'm wrong, and I'm free to not care. Enjoy!

MLB Pick of the Day

Hey there guys,

Picking Major League Baseball is one of the hardest things to do, so I'm going to take a shot doing just that this summer. Starting today. Hopefully, earlier so you can actually ignore my advice in time for the game.

In the near future I'm going to begin to post my SEC previews, team by team. They're going to be long and hopefully informative.

As always, you are free to tell me why I'm wrong, and I'm free to not care. Enjoy!

Today's Pick

#SECBsB

Hey there guys,

I've been running behind this past week with papers, tests and all the general student crap. Quick run down, Kentucky is on FIRE. After sweeping South Carolina the real question is whether or not they can keep this up. They can't finish the season undefeated...right? We'll see.

While last weekend I entered into with a near lazy mindset, this weekend is a complete 180. Top Ten match-up between Florida and South Carolina, where the winner could very well have a leg up on the race in the SEC East. Arkansas looks to receive their first test of the season when they travel to Starkville against an underrated Mississippi State team. Ole Miss and Alabama look to rebound from disappointing starts to conference play, while Auburn looks to knock off it's second ranked opponent in as many weekends.

SEC Baseball, full of bacon and 'cocks

Hey there guys,

While I love all sports, springtime brings out one of the best atmospheres of them all. College Baseball. Well maybe if you're an Ole Miss, LSU, South Carolina, Florida or Arkansas student, where going to baseball games is actually acceptable.

I don't know how up to date I'm going to keep this, but I'm going to follow along with SEC baseball. Making some predictions here and there, throwing in some power rankings. The usual stuff.

This weekend is the first step in finding out which teams are for real. We (think we) know that Florida, South Carolina and Arkansas are legit. What about Kentucky (weak schedule), Ole Miss (inexperienced weekend staff), Georgia (swept by UCLA), Miss State (L 3 of last 4) and LSU (worst SOS in conference)? It's also time for teams like Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama and Vanderbilt to step up.

The games aren't too exciting to non-followers eyes. Kentucky will get their first test with #3 South Carolina and the conference's lone Top 25 match-up features State and LSU. 

So grab a Budweiser, grill yourself a hot dog and prepare to enjoy the nation's past time: drinking, being lazy and over-analyzing a sport with more numbers than a binary code.

#FullCourtPress Semi's 'n stuffs

Hey there guys,

This has been an interesting tournament so far with some upsets (UGA over State; Miss over UTenn) and some scares (UK vs. LSU; Bama vs. SC). That said this is when the big boy action starts. The winners of today's game go on to represent their respective universities in the SEC championship game. Three of the four teams are already locks to make it into the tournament. That said if each team was really looking out for the conference they should let Ole Miss just go ahead and win the whole thing, therefore giving the conference even more representation.....sigh. I can still dream.

Today's games really aren't that interesting. Ole Miss needs a win, and Florida wants revenge for the disaster that was their first two meetings with Kentucky, but I'm not seeing that much sunshine for either team.

Still, this tournament hasn't exactly followed a strict script so far.....

#FullCourtPress Round Two: Reactions and Previews

Hey there guys,

Yeah I'm a little late. Whatever. It's my spring break. What are you doing? Going to the beach? Getting wasted? Well, take an advil. Eat some Easy Mac and recover from that first hangover of every spring climax and let me fill your mind with SEC basketball wisdom.

#FullCourtPress SEC Round One reactions

#8 LSU 70, #9 Arkansas 54
MVP: Johnny O'Bryant III, LSU, 18 pts 11 reb
LVP: Rickey Scott, Arkansas, 0 pts, 2 ast 2 to
Reaction: The second half of this game resembled the second half of Arkansas season. It was an almost unbearable first half to watch. Neither team looked comfortable running their offense, forcing shot after shot after shot, just begging for the ball to feel some sort guilt for them and finally fall in the hoop. Then Johnny O'Bryant took over, scoring 12 of his 18 in the second half to eliminate Arkansas.
Looking Ahead: Enjoy it while you can Tiger fans. Next up is Kentucky.

#5 Alabama 63, #12 S. Carolina 57
MVP: Trevor Lacey, Alabama, 15 pts 2 reb
LVP: Anthony Gill, S. Carolina, 2 pts
Reaction: Alabama needs some sort of offense. I mean, anything. With the exception of Lacey and frosh Levi Randolph, every major contributor scored below their season average agains a team that's not really known for its defense. My first reaction is to say it was freshman butterflies, yet it was the freshman who had decent games. The leaders are going to need to step up if this team wants to make any serious moves.
Looking ahead: Bama plays Florida tomorrow. The lockdown defense from the Tide is going to keep them in the game but if the upperclassmen don't step up they wont stand a chance.

#FullCourtPress SEC Tournament Round 1 preview

Hey there guys,

I really should be studying for an Ethics midterm, but I'm confident enough in my scrounging abilities to give all 32 of my consistent readers (Hi mom) a quick preview into the first round of the SEC tournament that begins in a half hour. Timing is everything right?

Without further adieu....

#FullCourtPress NBA Roundup 3/1

Hey there guys,

Welcome to March. Enjoy it. According to the Aztecs it'll be your last. Personally I plan to spend this month watching basketball, playing Mass Effect 3 (five days!) and inexplicably raising my arm up and down in a rhythmic manner to the song "Love is Gone" at Ole Miss baseball games.

Oh, and hoping and praying that the Magic get SOMETHING for Dwight Howard.

The clock's ticking.

#FullCourtPress NBA Roundup 2/28

Hey there guys,

Did you guys watch the All-Star weekend and it's many events? Yeah, me neither. I know that Kobe got his nose bloodied and the word defense was bastardized and abused by pointless And1 offense that was so successful on ESPN2 it got canceled after three seasons.

Congratulations NBA. I thoroughly enjoyed my basketball-less weekend by studying and watching Downtown Abbey.

The last remaining good thing that All-Star weekend provides for NBA is that it marks the halfway point of the season. Developing stories in the first become more intensified, the 'lin'd-less amount of rising stars have a larger spotlight and the pretenders are separated form the contenders.

In short, the fun is just getting started.

NBA Roundup

Hey there guys,

Look, I know it has been a hot minute since I have graced your mind with sports wisdom. You are feeling lost, confused and in general don't remember the difference between an NBA three and the Kardashian family.

Fear not. I am back. Rejuvenated. Alive. And in general have too much free time. So I have decided to fill that void in my life with the National Basketball Association and some general college basketball. I do this every Sunday with a radio show with my dear friend, and all-around alcoholic, Addison Moreno. Our show is called the Full Court Press and it airs on 92.1 Rebel Radio right after most church services end at noon.

Hey God watches basketball too. He must be a Spurs fan because I can't figure out why they continue to win year after year when their key players were droppin dimes and dunks during the Bush Sr's administration.

Either way, with my free-time I'm going to do what I call my NBA/FCP roundup. I'll look at back at the games from the previous day, their significance and key players and preview the day's upcoming games. If I happen to miss a day it is because of a long night at work, a test in the morning or because I'm hungover. Tough shit. I'll fill your habit the next morning.

Lastly, I'm a shameless Magic fan. If you're not then that's ok, unless you're a heat fan. Then I wish only the worst things on you and your firstborn. 

Anyway, now that the intro is out of the way I'll jump right in.