Touchdown Jesus and the Catholic Conundrum

Although I rarely attend mass these days, I was baptized and educated under the Catholic religion.

Should I feel guilty for 1) always hating the Notre Dame Fighting(?) Irish, and 2) rejoicing in tonight's Trojan slaughter?

Turkey and Touchdowns: Cold Turkey Classic

For dinner -- or a midnight snack -- nearly nothing beats a cold turkey sandwich on white bread with Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise).  Add salt, pepper, and other goodies for a perfect send off to dreamland.

Behold my evening selections:

Tennessee -4

Oklahoma State +10 (*I bought 1/2 a point.)

Oregon +140

Four-Team Teaser
Vols Over 32
Oklahoma State Under 64.5
USC Over 43.5
USC -26

Have a prosperous evening, everyone!

Turkey and Touchdowns: Turkey Manhattan Edition

For a late post-Thanksgiving lunch try Turkey Manhattan: 1-2 slices of bread covered with turkey and then smothered in mash potatoes and gravy.

Here are my mid-day college football plays.  *Please excuse the lack of proper write up/analysis, but this is a marathon affair.

Boston College -6.5

Texas Tech -23

Auburn@Alabama Under 41

Four-Team Teaser
Florida State +23
Alabama -9
Tulsa -10
North Carolina -2

Rock and roll, brothers and sisters!

Turkey and Touchdowns: Omelet Edition

I've never tried a turkey omelet, but I'm certain it would be 1000 times more tasty than mush or grits.

Here are my college football selections from the early games:

Missouri -16

The Tigers are quietly devouring opponents, while the Jayhawks, losers of four of their last five games, are grounded like...well, turkeys.  Over the last four losses, Kansas has allowed opponents to score an average of 47 points. 

Cincinnati -20.5 (*I purchased one point.)

The Bearcats are not the Falling Irish.  And they are especially feisty at home, where they average 30 points per game and have held three of five opponents to 10 points or less.  Also, Cincinnati's D-line should be able to harass Syracuse QB Cam Dantley.

Georgia Tech +7.5

The Yellow Jackets triple-option offense buzz killed the Miami Hurricane defense for 472 rushing yards last week.  Georgia has had two weeks to prepare for this game and are playing at home, but I still love the sting of the Yellow Jackets to cover the point spread.

Good luck today, everyone!  

Green Friday

Black Friday, my buttocks!  The women can have their shopping malls and department stores.  The kids can fill the cinema to watch a vampire love story where nothing much happens until the end.  Me, I'm kicking back at mi casa for some raging wagering!

Ohio Bobcats -2

Pittsburgh Panthers +135

Three-Team NCAA Football Teaser:
LSU@Arkansas Over 47
Buffalo Bulls -4
Central Michigan -4.5

Islanders@Bruins Over 5.5

Tennessee Volunteers -2 (-130) (*I bought one point.)

Let the games begin!

Laughing at the Game

Like most Covers readers and contributors, I'm not only a sports fan, I'm an avid sports bettor.  This reality can often make watching televised sports as dramatic and nerve racking as the final hour before your first child's birth.

Whether you double your bankroll or lose serious dollars, it is important to honestly enjoy the sporting event.  And sometimes, beyond the drama and tragedy of sports, we find moments of laughter.

Ball State 31 Central Michigan 24 (late 4th quarter)

On 2nd down, Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour hurls a deep ball that is scooped up off the ground and intercepted by a Ball State defender.  Hundreds of Chippewa faithful quickly make for the exits. 

However, the referees review the interception and discover that the ball actually hit the ground.  The zebra announces this over the stadium loudspeaker...and moments later the ESPN cameras show hordes of Central Michigan fans rushing back to their seats.

Only a few plays later, Chippewa QB Dan LeFevour throws deep once again.  Once more the pass is intercepted.  This time, the ball was intercepted cleanly.

Irony wins big.  ESPN lends a few close up shots of shocked Central Michigan fans.  It is the same look they give when told the keg is empty at a house party. 

Yet imagine the anger and sorrow of those who busted their rumps to return to their seats.  I know that perhaps I am being insensitive, esp... [More]

When Fanhood Turns Fatal

Hey college football fans, no, all sports fans, here is an Associated Press article that reminds you to always follow hip-hop rapper Ice Cube's credo, "Check yourself before you wreck yourself."

Authorities say an argument over Saturday’s Alabama-LSU football game led to the shooting deaths of a couple at a home in southern Alabama.

Prosecutors identified the victims as Dennis and Donna Smith of Brewton. The shooting happened about 7 p.m. Saturday at the home of Michael Williams in the rural community of Owassa.

Williams was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.

Dennis Smith, an LSU fan, called Williams, an Alabama fan, after the Crimson Tide's 27-21 overtime win and an argument ensued, investigators told the Press-Register newspaper in Mobile, Ala.

The Smiths went to Williams' home. Investigators said Smith had a pistol and Williams had a shotg... [More]

The Birth Of Captain Cooler

Once a mild mannered sports bettor and frequent Covers blogger, KingSerf compiles a sickening 1-8 all-sports betting record...in just 48 hours. 

Forlorn, humiliated, and more than worthy of fading, he adopts a new identity, that of super villain Captain Cooler. 

So beware Covers readers, for his plays are guaranteed to empty your bankroll.

Alabama -3 (-150)

Alabama @ LSU Under 47.5 (-110)

Another All-Sports Adventure

Good evening, book bashing profiteers, and welcome to another all-sports wagering quest for cash.

No offense to the Denver Broncos or Cleveland Browns, but the football game of the evening takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the #11 TCU Horned Frogs visit the #10 Utah Utes.  This BCS or bust Mountain West matchup promises to be must-see TV: The Utes boast the 20th ranked scoring offense in the Football Bowl Subdivision, but the Horned Frogs rank third in the nation in scoring defense and second in total defense, allowing a paltry 214.5 yards per game.  Although Utah won last year's meeting 27-20, I really like TCU's offense, led by hot QB Andy Dalton, who has thrown nine touchdowns and no interceptions the last three games.  Plus the Utes strong running attack (520 yards the last two games) will struggle against TCU's nation leading rushing defense (38.9 yards per game).  The Horned Frogs, winners of five straight games by an average of 28.4 points, are simply the more balanced team.  In other words, the Horned Frogs are croaking mad!

TCU -2 (-110)

And now tonight's all-sports quest shifts from college football to the #1 world wide sport, soccer.  I know that UEFA betting was huge today, but tonight's MLS playoff meeting between the New England Revolution and Chicago Fire looks good for under bettors.  In the first leg of the total-goals playoff series, these two teams played a highly defensive match ending in a 0-0 ... [More]

All-Sports Saturday Night

Post Halloween treats abound in the sports betting world this evening.  (The real treats have my kids scampering around the house like hamsters on a running wheel.)

College Football

Rice Owls -3

The only scary thing about this matchup is that neither team plays defense very well.  Rice QB Chase Clement and the Owls offense is at least one touchdown better than that of UTEP.

Utah Utes -7.5

The Lobos have the 13th best rushing attack and an impressive 5-8 win/loss record against the Utes.  So what does New Mexico lack?  Defense.  Utah only allows an average of 264 yards of offense per game, the sixth lowest average in the nation.

NHL Hockey

St. Louis Blues -125

As long as VP wannabe Palin is not dropping the puck, the Blues should not slip up in this one.  The Penguins have lost three straight road games, and have only scored three goals in the last three visiting matchups.

Calgary Flames -135

Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff and company are simply on fire right now.

NBA Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers -8.5

Spooked by the point spread?  This year's Lake Show is 2-0 after beating Portland 96-76 and the Clippers 117-79.

All-Sports Record: 11-11-2
Thursday's Record: 3-0

P.S.  I apologize for the brevity of the write ups, but for 1-2 days after Halloween children turn into monkeys....Monkeys that have escaped the zoo and broken into ... [More]