Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/28/2012

An historic effort in one game, plus an overall week of World Series MVP-level play from Pablo Sandoval thrust the Giants past the Cardinals and Tigers to win their second title in three years. The most historic moments came in World Series Game 1 against the usually invincible Justin Verlander in which Pablo hit three home runs in his first three at bats (2 on Verlander), each pushing the Giants more in control if the momentum setting game. For the week he batted .450 (9/20) including the final game against the Cardinals. A historic baseball performance and deserving Longhorndave Sportsman of the week!

Week 9 Upset Specials

One word, ouch. If I keep taking threat though weeks I'm going to have to sell off my oil wells to pay my debts. But there is plenty I of runway left this season to right the ship and turn a profit here.

Not much to summarize for last week, another 0-3, another $3000 squandered. Actually covered all 3 games...again...but none hit straight up. -5,700...as I said...ouch.

This week is going to be a Texas team edition, not because I'm limiting myself, but because I see some glitches in the Vegas matrix on these spreads.

Auburn (+14, +440) vs. Texas A&M
I like SEC home teams getting this many points, plain and simple. The Aggies are way better, but let's not forget the Tigers almost took out  LSU as well. To much payout to pass up.

TCU (+7, +235) at Oklahoma State
I think the Frogs may play like a wounded animal defending its life. Oklahoma State is uneven and shallow at QB where there one injury away from really derailing their Offense. And their defense isn't good.

UTEP (+13.5, +400) at Houston
The Coogs are a team that is uneven, nice one week, awful the next. Russian roulette who shows up this week. UTEP isn't bad and might get rolling.

Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/21/2012

Sticking to baseball, in a knock-down, drag out battle for the NL pennant, Marco Scutaro has been on fire since being nearly knocked out of the series on a controversial slide in Game 1.  This week (starting with Game 2), Marco went 9-19 (.474) with 4 runs scored, another 4 knocked in (which means involvement in 8 of his teams 22 runs scored since he never knocked in himself) as his team went 3-2.  No strikeouts over the week as well, he is plugging and chugging as an unexpected key cog in the Giants machine heading into Game 7 (as I type).  A great representation of heart and a great Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Week 7-8 Upset Specials

I got tied up in board meetings last week, it gets tough making as much dough as I do.

In Week 6, I cleared West Virginia over Texas straight up, adding $350 to my total (after subtracting the other two losses).  So I sat at $300 coming into Week 7.

For Week 7 I'll spare you the details, but I picked (straight up) Miami, Utah, and Louisiana Tech.  All covered, but none won.  So -$3,000 from last week's total puts me at -$2,700.  And 4-15 total.  This isn't going well.

But this is a new week, and all I need is to hit one a few weeks in a row and I'm in the money.

Pick #1
Michigan State (+10, +300) at Michigan
State has dominated this series.  Michigan has beat up on bad teams, but not won a quality game.  State has had nothing but quality games.  Too juicy of a money line to pass up.

Pick #2
New Mexico (+10.5, +315) at Air Force
There's going to be a lot of running this game.  A lot.  Which makes things even.  Air Force has some non-quality losses (Navy, UNLV) while New Mexico has more wins overall, and losses to ranked teams like Texas, Texas Tech, and Boise State.  A lot of money on that line, going with it.

Pick #3
Baylor (+11, +325) at Texas
This one is personal. Texas defense really looks inept, I mean really.  It's going to be a track meet, so either team can win.  And you're going to give me 3:1 on the Bears.  I'm taking it.

Back in the saddle, baby, I think this is a week I hit 2 of 3 and turn this ship around!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/14/2012

He might be the new "Mr. October" for the New York Yankees.  Can pretty convincingly say the Yankees wouldn't still be playing in October without his heroics.  Raul Ibanez, despite not getting starts for the most part, has clubbed 3 home runs to tie or take a lead in the 9th (or later) of critical playoff games. Pretty much in situations in which a home run was the only play that would save them.  And he delivered.  Thrice.  Overall for the week he was 6-13, slugging over 1.000 and walked 4 times.  An exciting Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/7/2012

Anytime you invoke Johnny Unitas and a record that is more than half a century old, something big is going on.  Such was the case Sunday night, when Drew Brees threw a TD pass for the 48th straight game on his way to an impressive 370 yard, 4 TD performance in which the Saints needed every TD to get their first win.  Drew Brees is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Week 6 Upset Specials

Arrrgh, I took a bath last week. Shut out in 4 games ($3,100 down the tubes), only sniffing something with the Wisconsin good showing. It happens. I will say my Ole Miss (for the money line) wasn't bad. But we move ahead.

Season -$50, 3-10

Pick #1
Arizona (+9.5, +290) at Stanford
I don't think we know if Stanford is steady after the loss of Luck. Arizona has lost to some good ranked teams, but looks gritty. The Pac 12 has been wacky this year, anything can happen!

Pick #2
West Virginia (+7, +235) at Texas
These teams have demonstrated all offense, no defense. More faith in the more experienced West Virginia offense than the Texas burgeoning offense. Home field might be neutralized with all the scoring. Toss up game, gotta jump on the money line.

Pick #3
New Mexico State (+9.5, +310) at Idaho
Idaho is winless this year, only won 2 games last year. Who knows if they know how to win. They lost by 66 last week. This is another toss up game, who knows who ends where, I'll take the Aggies with that money line juice.

Was tempted by TCU and their drunken QB to not win vs. Iowa State, but shied away. Gotta hit one of these to get back to the green!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/30/2012

Going back to hardball for this week's Sportsman of the Week.  Homer Bailey finally lived up to his draft stock hype in delivering a no-hitter and tight 1-0 win in Pittsburgh for the first place Cincinnati Reds.  28 up, 27 down, one walk away from a complete game with 10 punch outs.  One of the easiest 9th innings you'll see in a no-hitter situation, felt like the Pirates could have gone another 9 innings without any more luck.  A very deserving Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!