STRONG FINISH TO 2017

All time winning

Well here we are at the final week of the regular season. We've seen some pretty exciting football throughout the fall and we wind up the 2017 Season with a huge weekend of rivalry games, some with College Football Playoff implications and conference titles.

Before we get to our Great Eight, let's reflect on another successful Saturday in which we went 7-1 in our picks. That puts us at 73% overall for 2017, a new overall high for Woolard's Weekend Winners with 70 winning picks!

That's a lot of moolah and we have two more weekends to pile on even more greenbacks, starting today.

THE GREAT EIGHT™ for WEEK THIRTEEN

#7 GEORGIA @ GEORGIA TECH...there's a lot riding on the 112th "Clean, Old Fashioned Hate." Georgia is looking to go 11-1, only the third time in UGA history. The Jackets need a win to be bowl eligible and would love nothing more then to douse the Dawg's CFP aspirations. That's a tall order given that Georgia's run game and offensive line is one of the best in the country. Seniors rbs Nick Chubb (1045 yes) and Sony Michel (818) decided to come back for their senior year and it has paid off handsomely for Kirby Smart. Tech features the triple option that has befuddled many a defensive coordinator. And if the Bees want to have a chance to win on Grant Field, something they haven't done since 1999, they need to run it flawlessly. Dawgs win big in Atlanta.

#1 ALABAMA @ #6 AUBURN...this Iron Bowl is loaded with storylines. The winner advances to the SEC Championship game, and has the inside shot at making the CFP. Auburn's explosive offense (averaging over 200 yards rushing in its last seven games) is hitting on all pistons since it embarrassed top ranked Georgia a few weeks ago when the Dawgs came calling to the Plains. But the Tide packs a punch too, averaging 270 rush yards per game (over 6 yards per carry). Despite some injuries to top defensive players, Bama remains pretty stout, allowing just 10.2 points per game. This is MUST SEE TV. Take the Tide in a tight one.

#22 SOUTH FLORIDA @ #13 CENTRAL FLORIDA...this is a Friday contest so be sure to get with your bookie early today. This game determines a berth in the American Athletic Conference championship game and features the undefeated Knights hosting the once beaten Bulls. Rumors have it that UCF head coach Scott Frost will leverage this season's success for a higher profile gig such as Nebraska, Tennessee, and or even the Gators. We like the favored Knights.

#8 OHIO STATE @ MICHIGAN...if the Buckeyes prevail in The Game, they line up against Wisconsin in next week's Big Ten championship game, and could position themselves for a CFP spot. Meanwhile the Wolverines need to finally beat a team with a winning record, and ruin the season for Ohio State. There is absolutely no love between these two schools and their fans. But we'll show some love for the Buckeyes as they get the job done in Ann Arbor. Put your bucks on the Buckeyes.

#4 CLEMSON @ SOUTH CAROLINA...a win in the Palmetto Bowl will give Clemson coach Dabo Swinney his 100th win in ten seasons. But second year Gamecock coach Will Muschamp has his 8-3 team moving in the right direction and they would love nothing more than to knock off the Tigers, if for nothing else then for bragging rights and in-state recruiting advantages. Clemson is already locked in to the ACC championship game facing Miami and need to win this game to remain in the CFP top echelon. Tigers have too many weapons and will survive their trip to Columbia.

#14 WASHINGTON STATE @ #15 WASHINGTON...if the Cougars can win the Apple Cup they will face USC in the Pac-12 championship game.  The Cougars defense is ranked 11th nationally allowing only 303 yards per game. But the Huskie defense is just as strong, ranked 4th in total defense (271 yards allowed). Both teams want that 10th win. We think Mike Leach and his Cougars will prevail.

#9 NOTRE DAME @ #20 STANFORD...with a loss to Miami, the Irish were eliminated from the CPF but want to finish strong. Meanwhile the Cardinal will be scoreboard watching as they keep an eye on the Washington-Washington State game. If the Huskies knock off the Cougars, then Stanford represents the Pac-12 North, facing Southern Cal in the Pac-12 Championship game. The Irish feature qb Brandon Wimbush and is supported by Josh Adams, who ranks 14th in rushing average at 121 yards per game. Irish chop the Cardinal.

FLORIDA STATE @ FLORIDA...once upon a time this was a high profile game. But 2017 has not been kind to either, with both teams sitting at 4-6. The injury bug bit the Noles big this season and the Gators are adrift again, looking for a new head coach. Both team will eventually rebound, but not this year. Except the Seminoles will find some relief in beating Florida this Saturday. FSU chops the Gators.

MAKE MO' MONEY with MARK™

FLYING HIGH IN WEEK TWELVE

Awesome numbers

We had another Saturday with great results, posting a fabulous 6-2.

We hit on Auburn's big win over Georgia and Alabama failing to cover the spread in their game with Mississippi State.

So, after eleven weeks of great college football we're sitting at 63-25...an incredible 72% hit rate...and still hungry for more.

This weekend presents somewhat of a challenge in selecting strong games for our Great Eight™. It's really slim pickings as most teams are playing cup cakes or low level conference games. Examples: Alabama vs Mercer. Really? Clemson vs Citadel. Auburn vs Louisiana-Monroe.

Nevertheless we've come up with a slate of decent games; each offering you the opportunity to win mo' money, one of which is the Men of Troy versus the Buins.

Our West Coast scribe, Lair of the Bear, has stopped by to provide his ideas on Saturday's big throw down between the Southern Cal Trojans and the Bruins of UCLA.

AND NOW A WORD FROM LAIR OF THE BEAR

Last word from Lair of the Bear

The 87th renewal of the Los Angeles City Championship takes place in the vaunted Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this Saturday!  This game is most often a battle of college football behemoths having produced eight Heisman Trophy Winners (OK… seven were wearing Cardinal & Gold, if you include Reggie Bush’s and OJ’s) and twelve National Championships. (OK… UCLA shared it’s only National Championship with Ohio State in 1954).

Yes…  this year’s game is no different as it will showcase the two leading Heisman Trophy candidates (OK…. pre-season picks) in UCLA’s Josh “The Chosen” Rosen and USC’s Sam Darnold.  Both teams can throw the ball well, as UCLA is #7 in the nation in passing yards and USC is #8.

However, when USC has the ball, all the pressure won’t be on Darnold’s arm.  UCLA’s run defense is ranked #129 in the nation (Only San Jose State is worse.), and USC’s running game is strong.  Last week, running back Ronald Jones rushed for 142 yards and moved into sixth overall on USC’s all-time rushing list. He passed LenDale White, Reggie Bush and Mike Garrett and has 3,292 yards during his career.

When UCLA has the ball, it will be up to Rosen to make things happen.  He has proved he can make things happen, and he’s not afraid to squeeeeze the ball into coverage. And, UCLA’s offense got a boost last week when hot-headed Receiver Jordan Lasley came back from a three-game suspension in a big way with seven catches, a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown against Arizona State.

It should be a fun one to watch on the gridiron in the coliseum if UCLA can keep it close.  (And in the past, there has been a lot of TV time dedicated to the USC and UCLA cheerleaders/song girls!)  However, most expect a few streaks to continue when it is all said and done - UCLA is 0-5 on the road this season and USC is riding a 15 game win streak at the Coliseum.  But…. It is a rivalry game, and anything can, and often does happen.  GO GUTTY LITTLE BRUINS!

THE GREAT EIGHT™ for WEEK TWELVE

UCLA @ SOUTHERN CAL...this heated rivalry dominates year-round conversation in the So-Cal area, and this game goes a long way to claiming bragging rights with several storylines. Both qbs are from local LA-area high schools, and both will certainly be high draft candidates next spring. UCLA is limping along with a coach (Jim Mora) heading to the hot seat. Bruin qb Josh Rosen is quite capable of putting up strong numbers as he averages over 330 passing yards per game. He'll give the Trojan secondary fits. But the Men of Troy will answer with Sam Darnold under center, backed by rb Ronald Jones II who will tear up a suspect UCLA run defense (they allow over 300 yards rushing per game). Got to go with the Trojans in this one.

#21 LSU @ TENNESSEE...before the start of the season this game was marked as a big game with potential bowl game ramifications. While LSU has resurged, Tennessee has become a train wreck in the midst of firing Botch Jones and remaining winless in the SEC. Embarrassing. Nothing new will happen here. The Vols will struggle on offense with a sputtering run game, and their depleted defense will have a long afternoon stopping the Bengal Tigers. LSU wins big in Knoxville.

NAVY @ #9 NOTRE DAME...the Irish were embarrassed last Saturday by Miami (41-8) which effectively removes them from the CFP discussion. So the Golden Domers will be extra juiced up as the Middies invade South Bend for the 91st meeting in what is the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in college football. The key to this game is Notre Dame's ability to stop Navy's ground game which piled up 559 yards last week against SMU. But in the end, we think the Irish, led by the solid qb play of Brandon Wimbush, have too many offensive weapons for Navy to handle. Irish sinks Navy.

#19 MICHIGAN @ #5 WISCONSIN...the Badgers have the chance to make a major statement to the CFP committee. Having jumped from #8 to #5 in the CPF poll, Wisconsin will rely on a stingy defense and an offense powered by Jonathan Taylor, 4th in rushing with an average of 152 yards per game. Michigan's front seven will be tested early and often. Bet on the Badgers to win.

GEORGIA TECH @ DUKE...if the Jackets could ever learn to close out games they would be a ranked team. We're convinced they love living dangerously (see the Va Tech game). Now they have the chance to finish strong by taking care of Duke (1-5 in the ACC) and then pulling a miracle win over highly ranked, bitter foe Georgia. A tall order for sure. But for now they need to focus on the Blue Devils and running a mistake-free triple option. The Bees will definitely ring up the yardage but the key will be ball protection. And a win on Saturday clinches a bowl trip, the Jackets 20th bowl appearance in 21 seasons. That will happen. Bet on the Bees over Duke.

MINNESOTA @ NORTHWESTERN...the Wildcats are riding a 5 game win streak including 3 overtime wins which speaks to Northwestern's resiliency. Meanwhile the Golden Gophers are coming off their best performance of the season with a big 54-21 win over Nebraska, the most points scored this season by Minnesota. The key to the game: quarterback play of Wildcat Clayton Thornson who ranks #2 in Big Ten passing yardage. In a cold one on the Lake, Wildcats heat things up with a big win.

KENTUCKY @ #7 GEORGIA...the pups are still licking their wounds inflicted by another feline, the Auburn Tigers, in Saturday's embarrassing 40-17 dismantling. So the Dawgs will be extra hungry when a scrappy Kentucky team rolls into Athens. This game will feature three of the best running backs in the SEC: Chubbs and Michel of UGA, and Kentucky's Benny Snell. The key: Georgia's Jake Fromm who should be able to handle tamer pass pressure from the Wildcats. Go with the Dawgs over the Kitty Kats.

UTAH @ #16 WASHINGTON...the Utes are 1-9 versus the Huskies who are coming off a bitter loss to Stanford. And Washington is still in the hunt for the Pac-12 North title so expect to see the Huskies dish out some misery on the Utes. Watch for Washington's Dante Pettis. He leads the country in punt returns and has taken four to the house. He's also the leading receiver for the Huskies. Put your money on the Huskies.

MAKE MO' MONEY with MARK™

OH HEAVENS. IT'S WEEK ELEVEN!

We did it again in Week Ten!!

Sweet Seventy One

We followed last weekend's performance with another outstanding weekend of stellar picks, going 7-1.

So now we're sitting at an all time high of 71% which is especially significant since we're pretty deep into the 2017 college football season.

With all that green you can go ahead and start your holiday shopping now. Get some bling for your bride. Or for your girlfriend. Or both! In any case if you've followed our picks you're sitting pretty good now, with the chance to make even more.

The Weekend Ahead

You're gonna want to make sure you have plenty of ice cold beverages and good eats for this weekend with so many intriguing games, top to bottom. So sit back, pop a cold one, and enjoy. And Make Mo' Money.™

The GREAT EIGHT™ for WEEK ELEVEN

Gotta win a Big One

#3 NOTRE DAME @ #7 MIAMI...no other game this weekend will have greater impact on the CFP rankings then this dandy. If the Irish stumble, it opens the door to Miami and others including Oklahoma and TCU. With all due respect to Virginia Tech, this is really the undefeated Cane's biggest test of the season, and if they get by Notre Dame, they can run the table for the rest of the season (Pitt and Virginia are the remaining games). No doubt that this is a big game with big stakes for both schools, and harkens back to the 1980's when these teams had similar matchups with national implications. Miami's defense will be tested by a strong Irish ground game which averages 324 yards per game. The Cane's have been scorched on the ground: 264 yds to Syracuse, 226 yds to GT, 203 to FSU, 176 to UNC. We like Coach Richt but this could be another game in which he can't win the Big One. Irish over the Hurricanes.

#2 GEORGIA @ #10 AUBURN...your wish for a great Saturday afternoon (3:30) game has come true with a big SEC showdown on the Plains in the South's Oldest Rivalry. And Auburn's offense is finally starting to click with outstanding play from its qb, Jarrett Stidham, and rb Kerryon Johnson. Great effort from these two will be needed as they face a stubborn Georgia defense. The Bulldogs arrive in Auburn with one of the deepest running back crews in the country with Chubbs, Michel, Swift, Holyfield, and Herrien. QB Fromm is not afraid to put the ball up and showing a lot of confidence for being just a freshman. Georgia needs this win in order to stay in the CFP mix. A loss, and they're zapped.  We like Aubbie over UGA. 

#17 VIRGINIA TECH @ GEORGIA TECH...for us, the Yellow Jackets have been one of the most mercurial teams to predict this season. They've lost twice by one point (Tennessee and Miami) and by 4 to Virginia. In the UVA game, the Bees squandered a big 3rd quarter lead and lost on a touchdown scores with 1:22 remaining. GT can go a long way to salvaging a disappointing season by knocking off the Hokies on Saturday, who have the task of slowing down the #1 rushing attack in the ACC (332 yds per game...3rd nationally). The key to this game is execution of the triple option with no bone-head plays. Look for Benson to have another strong game; the Bees will need it. Jackets sting the Hokies in an UPSET SPECIAL on the Flats.

Wonder what's in that wagon?

#8 TCU @ #5 OKLAHOMA...we talked last week about the lack of defense in the Big 12. Here's exhibit A: Baker Mayfield passed for 598 yards and five touchdowns to win out 62-52 over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. While the Horned Frogs lack a high powered offense they do have a fairly strong defense, allowing just 285 yards per game, and less than 70 rushing yards. The big question is can they stop the Sooner aerial attack. It's a home game in Norman. And that could matter. Take the Sooners over the Frogs.

#13 MICHIGAN STATE @ #11 OHIO STATE...the Spartans roll into Columbus coming off of a big win over Penn State, 27-24. But Sparty better buckle up for a tough afternoon in Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes average 44 points per game and 549 yards of offense. Ohio State was dominated last week by Iowa so they'll be more than ready to smack some Spartans. It's a tall order for Michigan State to pull off a win over heavily favored Ohio State. But we think they can do it with their balanced offense and stingy defense which allows only 303 yards per game (and only 87 rush yards per game). Sparty crunches some Buckeyes.

FLORIDA STATE @ #4 CLEMSON...prior to this season, this game has always been a high profile game with ACC Atlantic Division title implications. But the Noles are down this season, especially obvious after losing their quarterback in the season opening loss to Alabama, and averaging less than 19 points per game. The Tigers will break out their orange pants as they seek to clinch the ACC Atlantic title and race to a third consecutive ACC title. If you're a Clemson fan, you'll be having party time on Saturday. Tigers claw the Seminoles.

Show em some love

#25 IOWA @ #6 WISCONSIN...the undefeated Badgers (9-0) have quietly inched themselves up the poll ladder and need to keep on winning in order to force themselves into the CFP mix. The rap on Wisconsin is that they have yet to play any real tough teams but they'll have their hands full when they face Iowa. The Hawkeyes are coming off a huge 55-24 win over Ohio State in which they dominated the Buckeyes on both sides of the ball. The Badgers need this one desperately, and we think they get it done. Take Bucky the Badger over Iowa.

It takes big bells to beat Bama

#1 ALABAMA @ #18 MISSISSIPPI STATE...before you automatically log this game in as a win for Bama consider this:
1. The Cowbells have been fairly dominate at home with big wins over LSU, BYU, Kentucky, and Charleston Southern. Okay, forget Charleston Southern. But in adding up the points scored in each win, Missy State has averaged 41.5 to 6. That's pretty stout.
2. Bama is coming off a very physical game with LSU and suffered some injuries to key defensive players. Forget for a second that Bama typically has four deep at every position, each four or five star studs.
3. Missy State QB Nick Fitzgerald is 4th in the SEC in rushing and 2nd in rushing TDs. His passing is much improved.
4. The Missy State defensive line is one of the best in the country...only 5 sacks given up all season, best in the SEC, 3rd in the country. That could be the difference when facing the Tide.
With the spread at 14 points, we're taking the Bulldogs and the points. Tide will not cover.

MAKE MO' MONEY with MARK™

DO IT AGAIN IN WEEK TEN

Don't look now but we posted our best effort of the season last Saturday, going 7-1 with our picks including our UPSET SPECIAL of Northwestern knocking off Michigan State. Cha ching!

Hopefully you followed our picks and made some extra change as well.

Old school coaches are known to say "they remember what you do in November." And here we are embarking into the November stretch of games in which conference titles will be confirmed and playoff contenders position themselves for the selection committee.

We have another great slate of games this weekend, headlined by Bedlam in Stillwater. For keen insight into the game, Sooner Boomhauer is in the house today with his thoughts.

AND NOW A FEW WORDS FROM SOONER BOOMHAUER...
I’ll take defense for a thousand, Alex.  

The team who scores the most, wins

Oklahoma has had some standouts, but you have to be a student of history to remember LeRoy, Lucious, and Dewey Selmon, Roy Williams, Brian Bosworth, Tony Casillas, Rocky Calmus, Rod Shoate, Darryl Hunt, and Teddy Lehman.  

Oklahoma State?… hmmm … Leslie O’Neal?  

You get the picture, but that’s history.  

I don't have to tell you that teams in the Big 12 are primarily known for offense.  A lot of it.  

However, defense will be the key to a win on Saturday between OU and OSU. 

Both teams can score points in bushels but they both have had issues on the other side of the line and OSU’s special teams have a propensity to step in it.  

The game is in Stillwater - I look for a close game until big plays make the difference; i.e. one defense trips up – probably more than once.  

After all of my talk about defense, I predict that the team which scores the most points will win and you can take that to the bank.


GREAT EIGHT™ for WEEK TEN

#6 CLEMSON @ #20 NC STATE...the winner of this game has the inside track to the ACC Atlantic Division. Clemson has dominated this series, winning the last five, and very much needs to win to stay in the CFP hunt. Meanwhile the Wolfpack could be missing a major part of their offense, rb Nyheim Hines, who left the Notre Dame game early with an ankle injury. It will be close but take the Tigers over the Wolfpack.

#18 STANFORD @ #25 WASHINGTON STATE...despite being 6-2 Stanford is struggling of late. And playing the Cougars in Pullman is not going to make matters better for the Cardinal since WSU is 6-0 at home including wins over USC and Boise State. Overlay this with nasty weather (cold and wet) and the Cardinal could be in for a long afternoon. Cougars chomp Stanford.

#8 OKLAHOMA @ #11 OKLAHOMA STATE...Bedlam returns this Saturday with the annual shootout between the Sooners and the Cowboys. History clearly shows why Oklahoma State has earned the moniker, "Poke Choke", because the Cowboys always find a way to lose to their arch rival. If you're into quarterback play, then this game is for you. Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph will light up the scoreboard and, as Sooner Boomhauer points out, the defense can make the difference. It's a big game with big time Big 12 ramifications. Take the CowPokes over the Sooners.

#19 LSU @ #1 ALABAMA...this could be a dangerous game for the Tide. After dropping games to Missy State and Troy State, the Tigers have been on a winning roll and pose a legitimate threat to Bama. We like what we see. And we really like the spread (21.5 points). Take the Bengal Tigers and the points.

#13 VIRGINIA TECH @ #9 MIAMI...coach Mark Richt has the undefeated Canes poised to win the ACC Coastal Division but first need to get past the Hokies. Both teams are starting first year quarterbacks who have been solid, not flashy, thus far. Like previous wins for Miami, this game will be a nail biter as well; not flashy but a win. Take the Hurricanes over the Hokies.

SOUTH CAROLINA @ #2 GEORGIA...pup fans have to be happy with the new College Football Playoff rankings in which UGA is sitting atop the list of playoff-hungry teams, even leaping over the Crimson Tide. No question that Georgia has emerged as a potent, solid team and is on course to play Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. But not so fast. The Gamecocks roll into Athens determined to dampen the love fest. We're not sure if they have the guns to do that but the point spread is too attractive to ignore (24.5 points). Take the Cocks and points.

NORTHWESTERN @ NEBRASKA...the Wildcats are on a three game win streak as they head into Lincoln looking to upset the Huskers (1 point favorite). Defending the run has been a bug-a-boo of sorts for the Huskers, giving up an average of 170 yards per game, which is a strong point for Northwestern. Look for a tight game but take The 'Cats in this one.

TEXAS @ #10 TCU...the Horned Frogs are looking to rebound from a stinging defeat to Iowa State. And if history repeats itself, TCU should be in good shape. In the last three meetings the Frogs have outscored the Longhorns, 129-26.

MAKE MO' MONEY with MARK™