The Money Bet of the Century, week #9- Last week made you rich!!

Money Betters-

In case any of you were asleep for last weeks college football games, the MBOC 'Double Down Special' delivered handily. To recap, University of Washington and Arizona State football game, two weeks ago, turned into a push. You got your money back, and were probably questioning my ability to choose games. Then we came back with the 'Double Down Special', encouraging you to throw the balance of your checking account on the Michigan State vs. Iowa game. Well, if you watched the game....you were biting your knuckles wondering where next week's groceries were going to come from. Well friends, we delivered and you splurged and bought the 2-ply toilet paper and organic grapes. With one minute and thirty-eight seconds left in the game, unbeaten Iowa put together an impressive two-minute drill and scored on a 4th and goal situation, with two seconds on the clock. It doesn't get any more, down-to-the-wire than that.....but I felt Iowa was destined to go longer as an unbeaten. They'll have a bit of a rest this week with a home game against Indiana. Iowa will eventually lose to Ohio State on November 17th, in Columbus, and this will be foretold by Lee Corso putting a Iowa Hawkeyes Mascot hat on during GameDay, thus enacting "The Jinx".

On to this week's pick...and there are a lot of them this week. I've spent a decent amount of time calling games out in the Big Ten, but this week, we'll go back to my favorite conference, the Pac 10. Anyone who isn't aware of a surging Oregon team, should be. In the last 5 games, Oregon has outscored opponents 192-62. Oregon has considerably tightened up a defense that looked lacking at the beginning of the season against Purdue and a decent Utah team. Oregon's only loss was the first game of the season to Boise State, and featured the infamous "sucker punch" heard round college football. Since that incident, the team has come a long way. Last week's special teams efforts from Oregon looked strong, as a blocked punt turned into a touchdown, and a fake punt helped setup a later Duck Score. The jury is still out on Masoli, he didn't have too impressive of a game at Washington, but stars are made in big games like the one he'll face this weekend against Southern California.

USC's defense looks sloppy right now. Anyone watching the USC vs. Oregon State last week remembers the game was like sitting at center court watching a tennis match go back and fourth. USC's defense allowed Oregon State to score 36 points, and put together almost 500 yards of turf-tearing offense. But the Beavers could not stop USC's high powered offense, which eventually won the day. Matt Barkley, USC's Freshman wonderchild, has thrown 5 picks this year so far, and he goes up this week against a Duck defense which has 19 picks, which leads the Pac-10. Parlay this fact with the game is being played in Autzen, and anyone could tell you that a few big plays could turn the environment seriously in the Ducks favor.

The ducks aren't just flapping their way through the 2009 season, they're out to take a Pac-10 title. The Trojans will come marching into Autze, looking for a key win they need to have to make an argument that they are the Pac 10's best team.
Autzen Stadium-- Oregon's Special Teams & Defense-- and a surging Oregon offense will combine into a triple threat that USC cannot overcome.

Oregon wins by a field goal!

The Money Bet of the Century, Week #8- The Double Down Special!

Greetings Money Betters-

I'm writing the Money Bet of the Century this week from Salt Lake City, Utah and am titling the post this week "The Double Down Special". Those of you that were watching the MBOC game last week, you'll know that a last second bomb ended up making that game a push. So...I'm not going to start off this week apologizing....you got your money back in what was a strange twist in the end of that game. After all, if you double down this week with the money you got back last week....you are going to be a happy camper this week. Thus "The Double Down Special" was born....

This week, we are heading back to a destination we've already traveled to....East Lansing, Michigan (not the picture on the left, although that's a good place too). With employment reaching 14.7% in the state of Michigan this past August, they'll be plenty of people with nothing to do on Saturday....you can expect a big crowd in attendance to see this perennial Big 10 show down. You can also bet the house there will be plenty of boozing on behalf of the downtrodden economy and Spartan season. Starting off the season with 3 losses, it's been a tough season so far. "We've battled back from a 1/3 start, and that's not easy to do," Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said. They seem to have righted the ship with a three game winning streak against Michigan, Illinois, and Northwestern. One does have to question how strong this team is, with just 10 point victories over Illinois and Northwestern, and it took a lucky end zone interception to beat Michigan (an unlucky game for the MBOC) in overtime. Illinois and Northwestern (along with Purdue) are bringing up the rear of the Big 10 Conference. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State's Quarterback, probably summed it up best when he said "Iowa right now is playing as the best team in the Big Ten. They're going to come here and have to go through us, obviously. We expect a great game from them. We're going to have to play better than we've played any week this season in order to have an opportunity to beat them."

This week Iowa is looking to do something they haven't done in the 120 year history of the school....start the season 8-0. They also have had a tough time in East Lansing, losing the last 4 in a row here (last win was in 1995, 21-7). They'll definitely have their work cut out for them as they march into 'Sparty'. The Hawkeyes have used a stout defense and a plus-11 turnover margin to overcome several significant injuries, holding six of their seven opponents under 18 points. With a win last week at Wisconsin (20-10), Iowa has proved that they can win on the road AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, win in a big environment when they are not favored. (they were 2 point dogs to Wisconsin, and it ain't an easy place to play).

You can believe Iowa will be ready to play in the game this weekend, this is for school history!! Once again, they are not favored to win, and are 1.5 dogs to Michigan State. It's been a rough season for Sparty, and you can bet this will be a very close game....but look for the Hawkeyes to swoop away with a victory against the Green and White.

Iowa by 7!!

The Money Bet of the Century, Week #7- Back in Black!!

Well Money Betters-

We had our first win last week. To do it, we had to bring in field correspondent Jeff Wood. I was with Jeff Wood in Missoula, Montana to watch the Montana Grizzlies take on The Cal Poly Mustangs in what must have been one of the coldest games I've seen since going to the Michigan State vs. Penn State game on November 22nd last year. Cold games = larger whiskey consumption. That's just the way it is.

I have to give the MBOC props last week because it went down the way it was predicted. Jaquizz had a break out game with 4 touchdowns and 189 yards rushing. I hope you had him in your college fantasy league. Older brother James caught six passes for 78 yards and one touchdown. They ran the 'WILDCAT' numerous times. That should be a new drinking game. If you are watching an NFL game or a college game, and they say 'WILDCAT!', you drink. Bot am I getting tired of them talking about that.

Washington State is having a terrible season (if you haven't noticed). I know this little clip has been around the block, but if you hadn't seen the 'GameDay' love that they forked out for the Cougars, you've got to see this clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hExVJ8O8Y7o
Thanks for the love, ESPN. We definitely need it this season.

On to the pick. Everyone who knows the philosophy here at the MBOC, understands the motto that we live by. "Don't let your pride get in the way of your pocketbook". We've always liked this expression and we live by it! This week we find ourselves in one of these situations, betting in a game with a team we'd love to see lose: The Huskies (Washington vs. Arizona State game)

Washington is hard to predict. Some weeks they look like bums (there fans are always bums), and other days they look like they are filled with some promise (sort of like University of Washington Alum Anna Faris (pictured at left)). Last week, a lucky play and a deflection of an offensive player's foot caused the ball to kick up and allow Washington a lucky interception. And....like him or not, Jack Locker is a big time NFL prospect. Last week he ended up #6 on Mel Kiper's top ten draft pick list. He's got 10 touchdowns on the year, 4 of them rushing the ball himself. James Johnson (#3) and Jerome Kearse (#15) are two great receivers to watch. Hopefully if they get another goal line stance, it won't take them 8 tries to punch it in (vs. Notre Dame, lol).

On the other side of the ball, you have an untested Arizona State. With wins over Washington State last week (27-14 but missed the spread by a whopping 8 points) and Louisiana Monroe and Heavy-weight cupcake Idaho Sate. Key losses to Georgia and Oregon State show that they can be challenged by a good team. One key test will be to see how Washington's defensive line will be able to stop #31 Dimitri Nance. So far this year, he's been able to put up 5 touchdowns on 366 yards. Overall, I have to say that Arizona State is having a mediocre year, and it's going to be hard for them to stop a good team. However, Washington cannot stop their co-eds.

I think the Huskies are turning into an 'okay' team. They should be able to handle Arizona State without any problem. I know Washington is inconsistent, but spotting ASU 7 points down in Tempe is too much. Huskies take a leak on Sun Devils leg and WIN THE GAME. You can lay a bet on it. As always, don't hesitate to leave a comment at the bottom.....and don't forget to vote in the upper right hand corner!!!

Money Betters-

Hmmmmm.....stifled again with my second pick. If I had excuses, I'd insert them now...but I'm a no excuses kind of guy. I sat down and wondered what it would take to shake this slump. Some superstitious folks would advise growing a beard, not showering, or perhaps some sort of ritualistic morning routine. I think you deserve better. In years past, the way we've broken out of a slump is to go to one of the MBOC's field correspondents. That's what will do this year. It's a tried and true way to turn the proverbial ship around. Without further delay, MBOC at-large correspondent Jeff Wood will be writing this week. I think you can expect GOOD things.....

Hello and welcome to week three of the MBOC. Dave is off to a slow start this year so I am here to help get the MBOC off the schnied. While Dave and our old roommate Mike Reidy will be with me at the frigid confines of Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana (High temp of 39) to watch the Montana Grizzlies take on Cal Poly this weekend, there is a decent slate of bigger games on tap as well. The big one being Florida @ LSU with Tim Tebow being a game time decision. That makes the match-up in Baton Rouge a stay away game in my opinion.

I tend to follow the pac-10 closer than other leagues and the game that jumps out at me is the 4-1 Stanford Cardinal traveling to the always hostile Reser Stadium in Corvallis to play the 3-2 Oregon State Beavers.

Now Stanford has started strong with recent wins over UW and UCLA, both at the Farm in Palo Alto. They have one of the best backs in the Pac-10, bruiser Toby Gerhart who has already rushed for 650 yards. Their Frosh QB, Andrew Luck, has also played well during the first part of the season completing 62% of his passes and managing the game. The only loss for Stanford has been on the road to ACC’s Wake Forest. While Stanford is solid and better than past years under second year coach Jim Harbaugh winning a night game in Reser will prove daunting.

Oregon State has struggled a little at home this year losing to both juggernaut Cincinnati and resurgent Arizona in tight ball games. They did however get a key pac-10 road win last week knocking off Arizona State in Tempe. They counter with a dynamic rushing game of their own with the Rogers brothers. Younger and speedier Jaquizz has gone for 500 yards while elder brother James averages over 6 yards a carry. OSU also has allowed only one team over 100 yards rushing as a team this season.

Fulfilling my duties as field correspondent, I asked Sarah Jean Underwood, Oregon State graduate and 2007 Playboy Playmate of the year, what she thought about my choice, and she started laughing because she thought it was a total layup. She immediately made a bet with her bookie and wrote down the 1 point line in disbelief (see photo to Left).

I like OSU to win outright in this game and cover the 1 point that they are favored by. OSU will find it’s rhythm playing in front of a home crowd at night and Toby Gerhart will find tough sledding against a stout Beaver run defense. Stanford will fall back in the Pac-10 with a loss on Saturday and further complicate the race for the Roses......... I’d lay a bet on it!