Alright everyone, repeat the following phrases slowly

“I will not believe everything I read on Twitter”

“If I spend all my time looking in the rearview mirror I’m going to crash the car”

“Richie Longshots will get to 50% this weekend”

“I believe that we will win (USA USA USA)”

“Everything is going to be alright.”

Now that we got those affirmations out of the way let’s get to championship weekend!

I’m not gonna lie, I’m high-key fired up for next year for a variety of reasons but at the top of the list is the opportunity to play in a conference championship game. Do you know how many teams win a bowl? Over (come at me, I’m a man, I’m) 40. Do you know how many win conference championships? Not 40. The more banners we get to raise the better. 

But this year we wait. It’s like the time my parents didn’t trust me to move off campus after my sophomore year (in my defense they were right) and I had to wait a year while all my friends got to have the time of their life. I’m confident that this time next year we’ll be getting ready to play the first Saturday in December for a chance to win a CUSA title. 

In the meantime instead of spending your time refreshing Twitter, tracking flights, and arguing online, why not spend some time watching college football? There are only like 50 games left before we have to spend eight months begging for just a sliver of football. Enjoy it while you can because we’re actually in the home stretch. Only a small amount of games this weekend with some having CFP implications. More importantly, I’m on the doorstep of going 50% on the season. What a turnaround that would be! Games are slated for Friday and Saturday this week so let’s kick things off with some Friday night action. 

Last Week: 3-2
YTD: 32-33 (49.2%)

(I gave Buffalo -11 over Akron two weeks ago and then it moved for a snowstorm. I reserve the right to decide at halftime if I want to keep on my card)

UTSA -8.5 against North Texas

I got burned last week by UTSA when they were 17-point favorites and only won by 3. They got off to a terrible start but they had already locked up a spot in this game so they weren’t firing on all cylinders like they normally do. UNT didn’t look great either, barely beating Rice as two-touchdown favorites. The over-under is super high at 69.5 and when these two teams played last month it was 31-27 UTSA. I have no idea how this game goes, so for that reason. PASSSSSSS

USC -2.5 against Utah

I was hesitant on USC early this season but they’re the real deal. I’ve watched them the last few weeks and I’m super impressed with how they’ve gotten better as the season went on. Utah is not the same team away from home as their 2-4 ATS away. Sure it’s a natural site game but they aren’t home. When they played in mid-October they were home and won 43-42 but they had a couple of calls and football plays go their way. USC needs to win to make the playoffs and I think they keep the train rolling. 

The pick: USC -2.5

TCU -2.5 against Kansas State

This is going to be an all-time uniform game and I can’t wait. We should just get done beating the Netherlands when this kicks off and this should be a thriller. I see this game turning into a classic Big 12 thriller with both teams just going for it every drive. Both teams have top 30 offenses in YPP and I see this game going over the current OU of 61.5.

The pick: Over 61.5

Toledo -3 against Ohio

One final ride for MACtion. To be honest, this game should be on a Wednesday night for the world to watch. Either way, you throw out the records when two teams like Toledo and Ohio face off for the (insert MAC championship name) trophy. This line STINKS. It makes zero sense. Toledo is 4-8 ATS and Ohio is 9-3 and the Rockets are giving three. Vegas is BEGGING you to take Ohio and the points but I will not play their little reindeer games! Feed me Toledo -3!

The pick: Toledo -3

(I’m skipping a ton of games. If I had to I would take Troy -8.5, Purdue +17, UNC/Clemson over, UGA -17, and UCF +4 but I’m not)

Boise State -3 against Fresno

(Removed by Chad)

The pick: Boise State -3

There you have it, folks! Only a couple of chances left to end up 50% on the season. Idk if I have this kind of authority but if I can get to 50% on the season we’ll pick a lucky fan to win a free tee shirt. If not I’ll just buy the shirt myself.