| 14 July 2011
Happy Thursday Cougs! The fact that I am writing you this is proof that, yes, I did make it out of Vegas alive...Barely. Actually, gambling-wise I just about broke even, thanks to a good night at the Blackjack table on my last night. That's about the only PG thing I can tell you about the trip so I'll leave it at that.
Last week we did Volume 1 of "If I Were a Bettin Man" where we offered some over/unders on statistics for the upcoming season. Today, we'll take a look at the 2011 schedule and I'll take a crack at giving some lines as they would stand today, obviously they will change as the season goes along. I will try to be objective as possible.
Again, feel free to give your input on the comment boards below. These are always fun to look back on once the season is over. Without further ado...Sept. 3 IDAHO STATE
Line: WSU -16.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: YES
This one seems like a slam dunk, and the line should be A LOT higher at home against a D-II school, but does anybody remember Montana State last year? Yea, me too unfortunately. Hopefully this year we cover the line by a mile and leave no doubts.
Sept. 10 UNLV
Line: WSU -7.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: YES
It's tough pitting together a couple teams coming off dreadful 2-win seasons and trying to put a line on that cupcake bowl. But the Cougs look to be much more improved than the Rebels and a chance to start 2-0 is on the line. I think they'll take care of business.
Sept. 17 at San Diego State
Line: SDSU -4.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: NO
As much as I'm hoping for a 3-0 start this season, I think we'll stumble a bit here. SDSU is coming off a 9-win season and they return plenty of talent to be good again this year. New head coach Rocky Long will have this team ready to play some solid defense right off the get-go. I think it will be close, but SDSU covers.
Oct. 1 at Colorado
Line: Colorado -3.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: NO
This one was probably the hardest pick. I'm not sure how good Colorado will be in their first season in the Pac-12. However, I do know that winning in Boulder is never easy to do. My heart says the Cougs will go in and start Pac-12 play off with a bang, but my head says otherwise.
Oct. 8 at UCLA
Line: UCLA -4.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: YES
UCLA will surely be the favorite at home, but I think the Cougs will pull this one out. They always seem to play UCLA tough, especially in L.A. and if I'm write about the last couple of games, they will be hungry for their first Pac-12 win or just a win in general after a hot start.
Oct. 15 STANFORD
Line: Stanford -14.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: YES
This is not to say that I think the Cougs will win this game, but I think Stanford will be huge favorites and the Cougs will keep it close. Stanford will be good again, real good. Andrew Luck will be a force, they will need to keep him in check to have a chance to cover.
Oct. 22 OREGON STATE
Line: WSU -2.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: YES
I may have lost some objectivity in picking WSU to be the favorites here, but we did beat the Beavs in Corvallis last year. Without Jaquizz, they have become a vulnerable team in the Pac-12 North. If Ryan Katz doesn't pick up the slack for them, they could be in for a down year. Something WSU desperately needs to take advantage of.
Oct. 29 at Oregon
Line: Oregon -18.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: NO
Oregon. At Autzen. Yikes. I don't really feel the need to go any further. Yea we kept it respectable last year but I've NEVER seen us play well in that stadium.
Nov. 5th at California
Line: Cal - 5.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: YES
Another team that's always had our number. We played them close last year and while I think they are still the better team here, I think this game will be close enough to bet the line. I'm guessing this one comes down to nothing more than a field goal.
Nov. 12th ARIZONA STATE
Line: ASU -4.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: NO
ASU womped us last year in Tempe and I think they're going to be sneaky good this year. I legitimately think they're a dark-horse to win the Pac-12. They will have a top-10 defense and enough offensive fire-power to be a good team. I think we'll crash and burn here.
Nov. 19th UTAH
Line: Utah -3.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: Sure, why not
Another one, that I absolutely had no idea which way to go. Utah has been a consistently good team for a few years now and I think they have a much better chance at making a quick transition to the Pac-12. However, if get better as the season goes on like in 2010, I think this is the Cougs' game to lose at home.
Nov. 26th at Washington
Line: UW -7.5 Favorites
Cougs Cover?: Absolutely
You think that line is a bit high? Yea, me too. But the mutts will surely be over-rated and the Cougs will get their revenge next year on Qwest...errrr....Century Link Field. Let the Keith Price era begin!
Dec. 22 LAS VEGAS BOWL - SDSU vs. WSU
Line: SDSU -5.5 favorites
Cougs Cover?: YES
In a rematch of earlier in the season, the Cougs will come out and finish strong against the Aztecs. Ending the season on a winning note, saving Paul Wulff's job, and building momentum for a run at roses in 2012. Yup, it's happening. GO COUGS!!!
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