The leaves have started changing color, Joe's daily web traffic is up, and my farmer's tan is looking borderline unnatural, so that must mean it's time for the start of football season again.
I'll be filling in this year for BeerControlOffense, who is off doing things like "being a responsible parent." I've made a couple of minor format changes for this year.
First, we'll be making our picks through CBSSports.com (LINKY HERE). That allows me to more easily tabulate the results, because (1) I want to make sure I get them correct, and (2) I'm extremely lazy. Unfortunately, CBSSports is also being extremely lazy, as they haven't yet opened up the games so commissioners can set the games yet. That means FOR THIS WEEK ONLY, you can make your picks in the comments here instead of on CBSSports.com, and I'll still tabulate them.
Next, we'll be picking 8 games a week this year instead of 6. I'm still calling it the "6 Pick" though, because that sounds like a six-pack, and as far as I know there's no such thing as an eight-pack. There probably should be, though.
Finally, if you forget to make your picks, instead of getting a 0 for that week's games, you'll get one less than the lowest score of the week. I'll still post here every week with the games and lines, and some commentary on each that will probably be a little less funny than what BeerControlOffense provided (though not for lack of trying). Remember you're picking against the spread.
On to the first week's games.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Colorado State vs. Colorado (-7, game in Denver)
Factoid #1: This is actually CSU's second game of the season, having pummeled Oregon State last week.
Factoid #2: I was in Boulder in December a couple of years ago, and the first time it snowed I passed 3 different cars stuck in the median. I have no idea how people live in CO and don't know how to drive in the snow.
PICK: Colorado State wins outright.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
NC State (-5) vs. South Carolina (game in Charlotte)
Factoid #1: NC State has finished 3-5 in conference each of the last 4 years.
Factoid #2: Will Muschamp has lost at least 5 games each of his last 3 years as a head coach.
PICK: I'm not much of a believer in Muschamp. NC State wins & covers.
Michigan (-4) vs. Florida (game at Jerry World, Dallas)
Factoid #1: Jim Harbaugh is one of 30 men to start a game at QB for the Chicago Bears since Jim McMahon left the team after 1988. I became a Bears fan in 1986, and they eventually beat the NFL out of me.
Factoid #2: Taking a cue from the 3-4 defense, Jim McElwain has indicated he will install Bronco Mendenhall's 3-4 offense (i.e. playing 3-4 QB's per game).
PICK: Michigan lost a bunch of talent, but I don't trust Florida in a big game under McElwain. Michigan wins & covers.
FSU vs. Alabama (-7, game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
Factoid #1: FiveThirtyEight rates FSU as the third-most overrated team of the last 20 years.
Factoid #2: Nick Saban has the same hair as that guy from Office Space.
PICK: Bama wins and covers.
BYU vs. LSU (-12, game in Houston)
Factoid #1: In 16 games as coach at USC and LSU, Ed Orgeron has won more games than he did in three full seasons at Ole Miss.
Factoid #2: In his first 5 games as coach of BYU, Bronco Mendenhall won more games than he did in a full season at UVA.
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PICK: That's a pretty hefty line. BYU to cover.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
VT (-4) vs. WVU (game at FedEx Field)
Factoid #1: VT is undefeated at NFL stadiums under Justin Fuente.
Factoid #2: West Virginia is the only US state to have fewer people now than in 1950. As a result, there are now more Go Marts in the state than people. Probably.
PICK: Hokies by a late TD.
Texas A&M at UCLA (-3)
Factoid #1: Texas A&M has started the last 3 seasons 5-0 before finishing 3-5 in their final 8 games each time.
Factoid #2: Joe Bruin's grandfather had a successful career as a character actor (seen here working for Warner Bros. in a supporting role).
PICK: UCLA wins and covers.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Tennessee (-4) vs. Georgia Tech (game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
Factoid #1: Paul Johnson managed to win 9 games last year at GT, yet only finished 5th in the ACC Coastal division.
Factoid #2: Butch Jones' Tennessee team will be attempting to repeat as Champions of Life.
PICK: GT wins outright.
Here's a summary of the games:
Colorado State vs. Colorado (-7)
NC State (-5) vs. South Carolina
Michigan (-4) vs. Florida
FSU vs. Alabama (-7)
BYU vs. LSU (-12)
VT (-4) vs. WVU
Texas A&M at UCLA (-3)
Tennessee (-4) vs. Georgia Tech
Remember, after this week we'll be making our picks on CBSSports.com this year (LINKY HERE), though feel free to let everybody know what the correct answers will be in the comments.
Comments
CSU
NC State
Michigan
FSU
BYU
Good guys
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Colorado State
NC State
Florida
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado State
South Carolina
Florida
Bama
LSU
Hokies
UCLA
Tennessee
CSU
NC State
Michigan
BAMA
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
I'll be drinking mimosas and cheap beer Saturday while slow cooking pork butt (can't smoke as I am in an apartment) and making other tailgate food. Sunday I will be in the hellhole that is FedEx Field drinking even more cheap beer.
Colorado State
South Carolina
Florida
Bama
LSU
Hokies
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
Bama
LSU
Hokies
A&M
Tennessee
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Texas A&M
Georgia Tech
Refresh my memory, we're picking against the spread, right, not just winners of the game?
From the OP above.
That's what I get for scanning and not reading it all I guess. Like the OP and CBS, I too am guilty of being lazy.
Right, it's against the spread every week.
Which I have yet to remember day to day how to read it so I'll watch y'all make great picks every week.
Colorado State
NC State
Florida
BAMA
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado State
NC State
Florida
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado
NCState
Michigan
FSU
BYU
VT
A&M
GT
Edit for the Beer of the Weekend:
Snagged a crowler of Clever Girl and a couple 4 packs of Falcon Smash to take with me up to Landover. Triple Crossing will likely be a regular for me this year.
FOR THE BOYS!!!!
I'm bringing the bud lattes of course. Major Costco run coming up tomorrow night. Gonna be a LIT Friday.
Other beer for the tailgate not pictured here: Coors Light
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Bama
LSU
The Good Guys
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado State
South Carolina
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado State +7
uSCeast +5
Michigan -4
Alabama -7
LSU -12
VT -4
UCLA -3
Tennessee -4
Beer will start with this Saturday...Marylan from RAR. Yeah she is...
And then for the game Sunday night, let's go Off the Wheaten Path!!!!!! (By Burley Oak)
So I checked my stash, and thought about the name and the "fight" song of the opponent, and have audibled for Sunday. Going with Hyde from RAR now. DDH IPA with Nelson Savin.
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
FSU
BYU
VT
UCLA
GT
CSU
NC State
Michigan
Bama
LSU
Hokies
A&M
GT
Colorado St covers
NC State covers
Michigan covers
CrimiNoles win
LSU covers
Hokies cover
A&M and the points
Tennessee covers
CSU
South Carolina
Michigan
Bama
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
Georgia Tech
CSU
USC
Michigan
Bama
LSU
VT
UCLA
Tenn
Rasm
Woof Pack
Fightin' Harbaughs
Tomahawk Chop St.
Orgeron State University
Your Virginia Tech Hokies
Rough Tough Real Stuff
BEES
CU
NCST
UM
FSU
LSU
VT
aTm
GT
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
BYU
VT
aTm
Tennessee
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
Bama
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado State
South Carolina
Florida
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
Tennessee
Buffs
Cocks
Gators
Noles
Tigers
HOKIES
aggies
Voles
I will apologize in advance for that one week where I miss every pick, and force those who forgot to make their picks to lose a point.
Edit to add beer: Went to a Gizmo tap takeover last night. Several good beers, but went for the tripel and the double red IPA in the growlers. Wish they had brought something out of the inventor series - those looked tasty on their website.
CA&M (CSU)
NCSU
UM
FSU
LSU
VPI
TAMU
GiT
ETA: Still going to be pretty warm here so
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado State
South Carolina
Michigan
FSU
LSU
Virginia Tech
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Beer of choice for me this weekend: Saturday: Aslin Double Orange Starfish and Sunday: Trillium Headroom
CSU
Wolfpack
Blue
Roll Tide
Les Tigres
Hokie Hokie Hokie Hi
Gig Em
VAWLS
Buffs
Pack
Michigan
Bama
LSU
Hokies
UCLA
GT
Beer of the Week: while it's still summer-ish here in NC, my go-to as of late has been the Appalachian Mountain Long Leaf IPA
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Colorado State
South Carolina
Michigan
Alabama
Mormons
Cousins
UCLA
Tennessee
confirmed WVU insider here trying to hide with self-deprecation!!!! Get the pitchforks!!!!!! /s
Every game I have picked tech has been a loss, that coupled with house of horrors is too much bad juju...
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
UCLA
GA(h) Tech
Beer of the Week: Browar Kormoran Swieze (the Polish characters don't show up in HTML). An unpasteurized lager from Olsztyn, Poland that I've had the joy of enjoying the past two weeks.
Colorado State
South Carolina
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
Georgia Tech
Beer: Made a hefeweizen (keg hopped half of it with Mandarina Bavaria) that turned out really well. Also made a NE oat IPA with Citra and Mosaic hops that I think I over dry-hopped and is now too bitter. Hopefully it improves by the weekend.
CSU
NC State
Michigan
Noles
BYU in the backdoor
VT
UCLA
GT
Col
NC St (last minute change up...stepping out on the ledge for the ACC!!)
Mich
Bama
BYU
HOKIES!!!
TA&M
Tenn
CSU
NC State
Mich
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
Tenn
edited to include my beverage choice for sunday
CSU
NC St
Mich
FSU
LSU
VT
A&M
GT
Wasn't CU pretty good last year? I'm going with CU.
Going with the pack...
FL has 8 players sitting for this game....UM.
Bama, but late
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LSU
VT...like there's another choice
Tenn
Last but not least, the beer. Not sure what I'll be having for the weekend as I still have to go to the store, however for the Hokies first game it will be a bottle of 3 Tavern's "Inceptus" which I think is made in Heaven and then shipped down to 3 Taverns Brewery actually. Delicious.
And we're back!!!
This is why we will still be doing a thread for the pick 6, or 8. This right here.
CSU
NCSU
UM
Bama
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
CSU
NC St
Michigan
Bama
LSU
VT
aTm
GT
Colorado State
NC State
Florida ( I can not pick Michigan...Danny caught that ball!)
FSU
BYU
H-O-K-I-E-S HOKIES!
Texas A&M
GT
Factioid #1: My picks are solely emotional.
Factoid #2: I rarely pick SEC teams. See factoid #1.
Factoid #3: Never, EVER, will I pick against my HOKIES!
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan - Florida has too many sitting out
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
CSU
NC State
Michigan
Bama
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
CSU
NCST
UM
FSU
LSU
VT
A&M
GT
Buffs
NC St
Michigan
Bama
BYU
ALLMAROONEVERYTHING (Warpaint?)
UCLA
Gt
Colorado state
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
Hokies
UCLA
TEnnessee
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
Brigham Young
Virginia Tech
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Buffs
Wolfpack
Michigan
FSU
LSU
Hokies
Aggies
Fake Tech
Beer choice:
I can't take all these fruit IPAs, especially the orange ones. Too damn sweet for me
CSU
NCST
UM
Bama
LSU
TAMU
GT....dadgumitt!
Colorado State +7
uSCeast +5
Michigan -4
FSU +7
BYU +12
WVU +4
UCLA -3
Tennessee -4
Colorado State (+7)
NC State (-5)
Michigan (-4)
Alabama (-7)
BYU (+12)
West Virginia (+4)
Texas A&M (+3)
Tennessee (-4)
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
FSU
BYU
VT
UCLA
Georgia Tech
Been sitting on this - plan on cracking one open this weekend:
Nice! Right Proper in Brookland DC, just down the street! Fun place
Ha! I'm a little bit further down the road in Brentwood.
Damn, I bet that's a good beer
can i haz
Haven't logged on in awhile, it's good to be back!!
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
GT
VT
UCLA
Colorado State
NC State
Florida
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Ok. This year I've decided to play this game but I'm an idiot (and that can't be fixed, sadly), so I'm asking some friendly soul to help me out. You may also make fun of me before or after helping.
When playing the spread, does that mean that if say, Colorado wins by less than 7, then picking Colorado State gets the point?
Yes.
Simple example
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
FSU
BYU
VT
UCLA
Georgia Tech
Colorado State to cover
NC State
Michigan
FSU to cover
LSU... I believe in Coach O
Techmen, we're Techmen, with spirit true and faithful
UCLA
Tennessee
Thanks for doing this and taking the baton! I love the start of the season, and can't wait to tailgate on Sunday and maybe see some of you guys! I miss not doing this, but it grinds, especially when you get busy, on short weeks or out of creative juices.
Picks:
Colorado State (+7) ... Ol Frank said teams get better the most between week 1 and 2 ... gimmme does points then. Buffs haven't been punched in the mouth yet
NC State (-5) ... Excuse me while I board the NCState Sheeeeeeeeeeiiiiit Express. I am expecting a grand derailment, but they need to win a couple nice games before all this shit goes off the track, I just hope I pull a Bruce Willis and survive
Michigan (-4) ... Program cohesion, better coaches and a known starting QB vs U of Fla Man ... easy choice
FSU (+7) ... Bama wins, but I expect a pretty epic game, hope I am not too drunk to fall asleep before the ending
LSU (-12) ... now in Nawlins, I can't decide if that helps BYU or not, it was already going to be a lot more Bayou Bengals fans, now it adds potential for LSU to party too much? Or the talent just wins out? LSU covers late. Coach O wants a statement win from the jump
WVU (+4) ... a pretty big point spread considering all the questions on offense and the fact they'll flood a billionity wideouts on the field to get the one mismatch they need. Am jealous of the cousins, they can feign being employees when they roll up in their lawn mowers to tailgate at 8am
Texas A&M (+3) ... S-E-C, S-E-C ... I guess. I wouldn't touch this game in realz
Tennessee (-4) ... I'll trust next level talent with time to prepare over better coaching. Either way, Vawls are life winners ... almost as catchy as row the boat or keep choppin'
An epic tailgate with Ocelot, Aslin, Veil, Trillium, Triple Crossing and more ipas, sours and stouts. This week, I am bringing a crowler from my fave brewery in the 757, Benchtop. It will be a double dry hopped ipa, that i've heard is pretty damn strong and will hold up well. We'll See. Cheers.
Side note about your favorite brewery... My brother custom built the bar and the reclaimed wood back drop in this picture in the tasting room, and I designed the sign outside on the building (that he also built).
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
Bama
LSU
VT
A&M
Honey Bees
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
CSU
NCST
UofM
FSU
BYU
VT
UCLA
GT
CSU
South Car
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
Tenn
CSU
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
A&M
Ten-See
CSU
NC State
Michigan
Bama
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado State
NC State
Florida
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
CSU
USC
UM
FSU
LSU
VT
A&M
GT
CSU
NCST
MICH
BAMA
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
1. CSU
2. USC
3. UM
4. BAMA
5. LSU
6. HOKIES!!!!
7. UCLA
8. GT
Colorado State (+7) ...sneaky team, could be the G5 sweetheart this year
NC State (-5) ...USC has a 10 game streak against schools from North Carolina seems like a good time to blow it, and speaking of blow it last time an SEC school played an ACC school in Charlotte...well we remember what happened.
Michigan (-4) ...Hail to the Victors, not even sure if the Gators will have enough players to field a team
FSU (+7) ... should be a close game, but congrats to whoever wins on being a near mortal lock for the playoff
LSU (-12) ... Coach O, simple as that
VT (-4) #Warpaint
UCLA (-3) ... the seat gets hotter for Coach Sumlin
Vols (-4) ...Rocky Top > Chop Block
Colorado State (+7)
NCSt (-5)
Meeechagan (-4)
Alabama (-7)
LSU (-12)
Hokie Hokie Hokie Hi (-4)
A&M (+3)
GT (+4)
Colorado
NCST
Michigan
Bama
LSU
VT
A&M
Tenn
Colorado State
South Carolina
Michigan
Florida State
LSU
VT
UCLA
Tennessee
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Colorado State
South Carolina
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado State vs Colorado -7
NC State -5 vs. USCe
Michigan -4 vs. Florida
Florida St. vs. Alabama -7
BYU vs. LSU -12
VT -4 vs. dubvu
Texas A&M vs UCLA -3
Tennessee -4 vs. GT
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
Florida State
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
I'm thinking they're not going to open up college games for picks at all until next week, when the NFL regular season starts. That's annoying.
Colorado
USCe
Michigan
Bama
LSU
WVU (because I think it's a closer game)
A&M
Tenn
Colorado state
Nc state
Michigan
Bama
BYU
VT
A&M
GT
Colorado State
USCe
Michigan
Roll Tide!
LSU
VT - Go Hokies!
UCLA
GT
Colorado
South Carolina
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
WVU
Texas A&M
Georgia Tech
Colroado State
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
A&M
Georgia Tech
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
BYU
VT
Texas A&M
Tennessee
I'll be cracking open a few of these this weekend.
Definately a good pick. Finished off a six pack last weekend.
Colorado State
NC State
Florida
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado -7
USCe +5
Michigan -4
FSU +7
LSU -12
VT -4
UCLA -3
GT +4
CSU (probably wins outright. I still don't believe in the Buffs, even with the year they had in 2016)
Cocks (I just can't take the Pack -5 vs anybody)
Michigan (Does UF have anybody who's not suspended?)
FSU (Have I mentioned lately how much I despise Bama?)
LSU (Not a fan of this spread, but I think DACOACHO should have LSU headed in the right direction this year)
VT (Again, not a spread I like, but can't go against Coach Fu)
UCLA (Aggy has had more QB's leave in the last year or two than most programs sign in a decade)
Tennessee (I just threw up in my mouth a little, but $%&# Paul Johnson.)
Here is the elusive "8 pack"
Buffs
Cocks
Meatchickens
Tide
Tigers
HOKIES!!!
Aggies
Vols
I would love to see all of these SEC teams lose and picking them just might do it!
Meatchickens?
This is prime example of why CBS is at least a decent idea...so the intern or whomever is doing the compiling doesn't have to sift thru nick-names to decipher what was meant.
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado
NC State
MICH
FSU
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
TENN
Colorado
NC State
Florida
Alabama
LSU
VT
UCLA
Tennessee
CSU
USCe
MI
Bama
LSU
VT
UCLA
UT
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
TAM
GT
Colorado
NC State
Florida
Bama
LSU
VT
UCLA
Tennessee
Colorado
South Carolina
Michigan
FSU
BYU
VT
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado
Nc state
UF
Bama
Lsu
Vt
Ucla
Tennessee
Colorado State +7
NC State (-5)
Michigan (-4)
Alabama (-7)
BYU +12
WVU +4
UCLA (-3)
Georgia Tech +4
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
Georgia Tech
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
UCLA
Georgia Tech
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
Bama
BYU
The good guys
A&M
The other Tech
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
WVU (VT wins by 3)
Texas A&M
Georgia Tech
Colorado State
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
UCLA
Georgia Tech
The beer is a few local favorites of mine.
Colorado
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
TAMU
GT
Colorado St
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado St
NC St
Michigan
FSU
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT
Colorado
South Carolina
Michigan
FSU
BYU
VT
UCLA
Tennessee
And........ Its an 8 pack!
Colorado State
NC State
Florida
Bama
LSU
VT
Texas A&M
GT
Colorado State vs. Colorado (-7) --> too late for this one :(
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
BYU
VT
UCLA
Tennessee
Couldn't find this post in time for the Colorado game last night.
Colorado State vs. Colorado (-7)
NC State (-5) vs. South Carolina
Michigan (-4) vs. Florida
FSU vs. Alabama (-7)
BYU vs. LSU (-12)
VT (-4) vs. WVU
Texas A&M at UCLA (-3)
Tennessee (-4) vs. Georgia Tech
As I expected, CBS has opened up picks for next week's NCAA games, but there were none for this week. After I total up this week's games, I'll need some help correlating your userID's here to what's on CBS.
NC State
Michigan
Alabama
LSU
VT
UCLA
GT