The Zimmerman Note

By Adam Zimmerman 

W  elcome casual fans and degenerate gamblers. The higher ups at YHTS feel that a weekly column with my picks would enhance the quality of content for you, our readers. And who am I to deny them or you of that? So each week I will choose a couple college and NFL games to give my opinion on in terms of the point-spread and other trends. I'll be keeping track for the rest of the season so we can all marvel at my foresight or laugh at my incompetence. Either way, it should be fun. 

College Football

Texas Tech -5.5 at West Virginia:

Tech is 6-0 against the spread as a road favorite the last 3 years. We still don't know how good the Rashes are but we do know how good West Virginia isn't. 

Take the RED RAIDERS -5.5

South Carolina -7.5 at Tennessee: 

The Gamecocks are 1-3 against the spread this year in SEC play (Vandy, Georgia, Kentucky and Arkansas) while the Volunteers are 2-0 (Georgia and Florida). Tennessee runs the ball well enough to minimize the chances of Clowney having a game to silence the critics (also, All-American LT Tiny Richardson will be the best lineman JaDeveon faces all year) and should be able to keep up with the less than explosive SC offense. 

Take the VOLUNTEERS +7.5

Georgia -7.5 at Vanderbilt: 

Despite the extensive injuries suffered by the Dawgs, they should still be able to pull out the win in Nashville. At first this game scared me but with the line starting at 9 and moving down to 7.5, makes it easier to consider taking Georgia. Additionally Georgia has beaten the Over in every game this season and Vandy has beaten the Over in 4/6 games this season. 

Take the OVER at 62.5 (and if you're feeling bold, take Georgia and lay the points)

TCU +8 at Oklahoma State: 

The trends - TCU is 12-19 the last 3 seasons against the spread while Ok. State is 19-12 - suggest it should be an easy call to pick to Oklahoma Jr. to cover. However, no one has been able to pull away from TCU this year. In their 3 losses so far, TCU has not lost by more than 10 and I don't see Ok. State playing better than LSU did or TCU playing as bad as they did against Texas Tech.

Take the HORNED FROGS +8

NFL

Chargers -8 at Jacksonville: 

San Diego is on a short week (played Monday Night Football) and flying all the way across the country, losing 3 time zones in the process. Jacksonville has settled on QB Chad Henne as their serviceable starter for the season and he is not the train wreck that Blaine Gabbert is/was. Chargers will win, but this feels like it will be a sloppy, 20-13, 24-17 type of game. 

Take the JAGUARS + 8 

Ravens +1.5 at Pittsburgh: 

Wrong Team Favored. Pittsburgh still sucks. Their bye week wont have changed that. Rapelithsberger still has no one to throw to and his o-line is still mostly out with injury. I realize that the Ravens haven't overly impressed anyone this season but reports are that Ray Rice is finally healthy and they have Jacoby Jones back from his Week 1 injury. 

Take the RAVENS +1.5 (or straight up on the moneyline for better odds)

Bears +1 at Washington:

Wrong Team Favored. Traditionally home teams receive a 3 point advantage in the spread. This means that if played at a neutral field, Chicago would be favored by 2. While FedEx Field can be a formidable environment for a visiting team, that requires the Washington Native Americans to have a good team. Their defense is still poor which will give Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffrey and Jay Cutler plenty of chances to make some big plays. 

Take the BEARS +1

(Sidenote: When Alshon Jeffrey turned down Tennessee for South Carolina, Lane Kiffin told him that he would be pumping gas after college. One of them is currently employed. Well fuck you Lane)

Broncos -7 at Indianapolis:

While much of the talk will be about Peyton going home and Manning v. Luck, the real story will be the return of defensive end Von Miller. After their disappointing 9 point outing against San Diego, and in an attempt to keep up with the Broncos, look for the Colts to pass more than usual. As a result, look for Miller to make a statement (PEDs work) and put some distance between Peyton and the Colts. Also, Peyton on turf...yikes.

Take the BRONCOS -7 (Denver has also beaten the Over in all 6 games this season, just a heads up)

Cowboys +2.5 at Philadelphia:

Wrong Team Favored. Would I pick an NFC East team over the Cowboys? Hell no. But Monte's defense has adopted a bend-but-don't-break philosophy which is a good match-up against Chip's offense. Additionally, the Cowboys' weakness on defense is their line and their strength is the linebackers. Expect Sean Lee to be all over the middle of the field disrupting the Eagles' offense. 

Take the COWBOYS +2.5 (Disclaimer: don't put a lot of money on this one or put it in a parlay, they are the Cowboys after all)


Good luck to everyone out there who walks the tight rope that is sports gambling. If you make any picks based on this column and end up being successful, a 10% consultation fee would be greatly appreciated. Let us know in the comments or on Facebook if there are any upcoming games that you'd like our expert take on. 

(Point-spreads and trend information from Sportsbook.com)