Kids Will Be Kids

This past Saturday I heard numerous people picking Utah to cover against Washington because they would be amped up for their first home Pac12 game.  On the surface, sounds good.  But upon further review, this is a terrible theory.  I am not only saying this in hindsight either, as I picked Washington to cover.  The problem with the theory is that the players at Utah don't really care about being in the Pac12.  That is more important to the alumni and administration.  What 18-22 year old kids care about is just playing.  The only thing that will amp them up anymore is the name on the jersey across from them, and Washington isn't one of those programs.  Through the 80's and into the early 90's the Huskies were a top tier program, but players today most likely have no idea who Don James or Steve Etman are.  So that got me to thinking, what schools today do get the juices flowing for their opponents more than normal.  The list was shorter than what I originally thought.  From the Pac12 there are only three, USC, Oregon and Stanford.  USC would need to go on at least a 10 year bad run to fall off.  Stanford will be off as soon as Andrew Luck leaves school and Oregon seems poised to be on for awhile with Nike money behind them.  In the Big12, only Oklahoma and Texas make my list.  Oklahoma State almost made the list, but without the hype around their top stars like Luck has, they fall just short.  From the Big Ten, Nebraska, Michigan, Penn State and THEE Ohio State University will always be on the list.  They are currently joined by Wisconsin, but they could easily fall off.  From the SEC there is Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.  The first 5 are safely on, but the Volunteers are very close to coming off.  Dooley seems to have them pointing up, but if things fall apart on him they slip off this list.  From the ACC there is only Florida State, Miami(FL) and Virginia Tech.  Tech wouldn't be here if not for Michael Vick and the credibility he gives the school in the eyes of younger players.  Clemson is very close, especially with their play this year, but let's wait to make sure they don't choke away another great season.  Nobody from the Big East is on the list.  As for independents, Notre Dame will always be on the list, even if the play on the field doesn't live up to the hype.  Keep this information in mind as you handicap games the remainder of the season. 

Speaking of handicapping, we went 2-1 on Saturday, winning with Air Force and Northwestern while losing with Colorado.  Tonight I am on the Buccaneers, but got them early in the week at -8.5.  It seems to be as high as 10 in places now, which makes it a bit tougher, but I still like them.  Hard for me to see the Colts matching last weeks performance.  I think they put everything they had into that game and still came up short.  For more picks from me, follow on twitter, handle is vegasobie.  Good luck, and remember, never bet what you cant afford to lose.