OBNUG Pick 'Em - Week 1
by Nick Kroes on Sep 2, 2010 10:30 AM PDT
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The OBNUG Pick 'Em contest is back for a second year of thrilling highs, embarrassing lows, and gigantic WAC spreads. If you haven't signed up yet, there's still time.
This year, OBNUG is pulling out all the stops to crown a year-end winner. Prize details after the jump, along with the basics on joining Pick 'Em, the basics for understanding spreads, and the first week of games.
The Format
We will be picking against the spread again this year. This makes it much more interesting. I mean, anyone can pick the Vandals to lose, right? Now you have to determine by how much.
How does a spread work? Let's take Boise State's game against Virginia Tech as an example.
#3 Boise St. (14-0) at #1 VIRGINIA TECH (10-3) +2.5
In this example, Virginia Tech is listed as +2.5. This means that theoretically if you gave Virginia Tech 2.5 points, the teams would be even. So, in this example Boise State is favored by 2.5 points.
If you pick Boise State, you are saying that Boise State will win by more than 2.5 points. If you choose Virginia Tech, you are saying that Virginia Tech will not lose by more than 2.5 points.
We will be picking around 8-10 games each week with the games being WAC games, other national games of interest, or other games of interest to Boise State fans.
Like last year, we will be dropping one week's score, so if you bomb a week, don't fret. If you miss a week, don't worry about it.
Also, due to the time commitment of manually tallying the results each week, we've changed things up a bit and are using the website OfficeFootballPool.com to manage our pool. The upside is less time for me to comb through your picks. The downside is the camaraderie in the comments. But we don't have to lose that. So, feel free to post your picks in the comments just like last year.
Prizes
The weekly prizes are gone, and in their stead, OBNUG is pooling funds to put together a pretty awesome prize for the overall winner at the end of the season. No, not an all expense paid trip to Boise State's bowl game. Better than that. Because you can't wear a bowl game.
The winner gets their pick of Boise State jersey, along with a copy of the Boise State Sports Illustrated, a Bronco poster, and whatever other swag we have kicking around the OBNUG prize closet.
If a lack of weekly prizes bums you out terribly and if you happen to be a business owner with some prizes to offer, you can always drop us a line at tips@obnug.com.
Guest Picks
Along with competing with each other, we'll also have J Bates from KBOI and Dave Southern from the Idaho Press-Tribune joining us. You'll see J's picks listed as KBOI_J in the Pick 'Em group, and you'll see Dave Southorn's once he gets them in. And, if there happens to be a week where one of them can't get their picks in, we might just have my dog Paisley filling in.
Prized out yet? No? Good. As a special treat for OBNUG readers, everyone who beats a combination of me, J Bates, and Dave Southorn at the end of year will receive a Bronco poster. That's right. Every single person.
My Picks
Two years ago, I picked alone and did pretty well. Last year, with you guys joining me, I was not nearly as good. This year, we'll see.
#15 Pittsburgh (10-3) at UTAH (10-3) -2.5
Pick: Pittsburgh
Utah has a nice early season match up against a ranked team from the east coast at home! I didn't think that was possible. I know Utah has high aspirations, but I really like the Pitt running game.
#14 USC (9-4) at HAWAII (6-7) +20.5
Pick: USC
USC may be on probation but that doesn't mean that their players don't have future NFL contracts to play for. Plus Hawaii still has Greg McMackin as a head coach.
Utah St. (4-8) at #7 OKLAHOMA (8-5) -31.5
Pick: Oklahoma
Utah State was a nice surprise last year, but I don't anticipate them to put up much of a fight down in Boomer Sooner land. Plus Landry Jones knows how to run up the score against lesser teams.
San Jose St. (2-10) at #1 ALABAMA (14-0) -38.5
Pick: Alabama
Greg Mark Ingram may be out of the game, but Trent Richardson is a more than capable replacement. I thought he downright looked better at times last year. Poor San Jose State...
Washington (5-7) at BYU (11-2) -3.5
Pick: Washington
This might be a stretch, but if Jake Locker is as good of a QB as people say he is, then hopefully he can pull his team together and make them better. Plus, Steve Sarkisian is a pretty good coach.
#24 Oregon St. (8-5) at #6 TCU (12-1) -13.5
Pick: Oregon State
Two touchdowns is a large amount. Oregon State is a quality team. I think their running game should be able to control the game and be able to keep it manageable. Plus, Boise State really needs a respectable showing by Oregon State.
#18 North Carolina (8-5) at #21 LSU (9-4) -4.5
Pick: LSU
Seeing how a large portion of North Carolina's team is on the scout team, I don't see any way that LSU has problems with this game.
Cincinnati (12-1) at FRESNO ST. (8-5) -2.5
Pick: Fresno State
Fresno was close last year. I think they pull out the win this year at home. It will be a good early season test to see what Cincinnati has left after losing Brian Kelley.
#3 Boise St. (14-0) at #10 VIRGINIA TECH (10-3) +2.5
Pick: Boise State
I'm nervous about this game. Really nervous. But the more I think about it, my head says Boise State can win this game, my gut still says something different. But that's just the hangover from attending the 2005 Georgia game. I might never get over that.
Your turn
How did you fill out your picks? Enticed by San Jose State getting nearly 40 points? Scared off by TCU as a two-touchdown favorite? Share your picks and thoughts in the comments.
64 comments
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Comments
Pitt is coming to Utah
I think Pitt will start off slow and Utah will key up to the run all day. If Pitt had a QB to speak of, I would have given them the win, but I just don’t see it happening.
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
My picks, so you all can make fun of them
Utah over PITT
USC over Hawaii
Oklahoma over Utah State
Alabama over San Jose State
Washington over BYU
Oregon State over TCU
North Carolina over LSU
Fresno State over Cincinnati
Boise State over Virginia Tech
"Please put your fat finger down!" - Lars
Ok!!
UNC or LSU, huh? Betting Les Miles pull a Les Miles, huh?
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
What can I say?
I’m a big believer in the motivation of NCAA investigations.
"Please put your fat finger down!" - Lars
Oregon State over TCU????
Whoa…
Mountain West Connection - The best site for MWC Sports.
UNLV is going all the way this year!
Are we still having Predict the Score?
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
Absolutely we are
I’m trying to figure out what day is best. Friday? Saturday? or Sunday?
"Please put your fat finger down!" - Lars
You know what?
I’m gonna take a chance on the Spartans covering the spread. You usually have to hit a few freaky things in ordre to win these things.
PITT over Utah
USC over Hawaii
Oklahoma over Utah State
Alabama over San Jose State
Washington over BYU
TCU over OSU
North Carolina over LSU
Cincy over Fresno State
Boise State over Virginia Tech
All I can say
is San Jose St has brutal schedule. Alabama, Army, and Wisconson. I don’t know about the Army game, but the other two are why the apothegm, “body bag game” was coined.
Cincy v. FSU
The first battle of the staches right out of the gate!
I’m going for the Fu v. 70’s porn star.
Don't like the big spreads of week one!
Pitt
USC
OKLAHOMA
ALABAMA
Washington
Oregon St.
North Carolina
Cincinnati
Boise St.
Big spreads don't make me comfortable, but I think USC, OU and Bama cover
MYDADTEACHESATBSU -
UTAH (-2.5) over Pittsburgh
USC (-20.5) over HAWAII
OKLAHOMA (-31.5) over Utah St.
ALABAMA (-38.5) over San Jose St.
BYU (-3.5) over Washington
Oregon St. (+13.5) over TCU
LSU (-4.5) over North Carolina
FRESNO ST. (-2.5) over Cincinnati
Boise St. (-2.5) over VIRGINIA TECH
Tiebreaker Total: 44.0
by MyDadTeachesatBSU on Sep 2, 2010 11:31 AM PDT reply actions
Prepare to laugh at me...until I'm proven right!
Utah
Hawaii
Utah State
San Jose State
bYu
Oregon State
LSU
Fresno State
Boise State
51 (Boise State – 34, VA Tech – 17)
Let the Media's excuse begin...again: "It was Boise State's first game of the year!" whilst completely ignoring that it was VaTech's first game, as well.
Last year I rolled all season only to wind up tied for first and lose in the mother of all tiebreakers.
God, please shine on me this year. I neeeed a Bronco Poster.
I'm always right. Your Welcome.
Oh hell no, Mik...
I’ve already called dibs on God’s help this year. I don’t have ready access to BSU football if it’s not on ESPN, so I NEED to win this. LOL
I hate everyone equally...especially Vandals!
Wow, went back and read the recap of that tiebreaker.
Intense!
Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle
The first rule of Lookout Landing is...
I Cheated. I Read Next Tuesday's Newspaper
FIRST_DOWN -
UTAH (-2.5) over Pittsburgh
HAWAII (20.5) over USC
Utah St. (31.5) over OKLAHOMA
ALABAMA (-38.5) over San Jose St.
BYU (-3.5) over Washington
Oregon St. (13.5) over TCU
LSU (-4.5) over North Carolina
Cincinnati (2.5) over FRESNO ST.
Boise St. (-2.5) over VIRGINIA TECH
Tiebreaker Total: 50.0
And that's another Bronco... FIRST DOWN!!
lol... I Had To Go Back Twice
To get that Alabama score. That’s a LOT of points, first game. You know?!
And that's another Bronco... FIRST DOWN!!
Nice on the UH pick.
I’m already 1-1.. not a good start.
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
Let the Title defense begin!
Utah
USC
Oklahoma
Alabama
Washington
Oregon St.
LSU
Cincinnati
Boise St.
Tiebreaker: 44 (BSU 27 – VT 17)
Y'all are goin dowwwwwn...
I have made my picks. I have spoken. /doubleflex
I hate everyone equally...especially Vandals!
How be we settle it by...
the winner between Navy and Air Force?
LOL Sure
I’ll take AF. The squiddies are gonna crap the bed this year. =D
I hate everyone equally...especially Vandals!
Don't bank on it
The Commander-in-Chief’s trophy will be staying in Anapolis yet another year. I hope all is going well for you over there, my friend. I have sailed a lot of miles through those waters and I know full well how miserable the conditions can be.
Couldn't be better over here
in Germany. Well, except for a stupid summer cold. Nothin a lil German beer can’t fix, though. LOL Honestly, I don’t think AF will pull it off, but I hope they do. They’re breaking in an entire O-line this year so I don’t see them beatin’ Navy. And that makes me sad. LOL
I hate everyone equally...especially Vandals!
My Picks - Here's hoping Alabama lets of the gas early...
Pittsburgh (2.5) over UTAH
USC (-20.5) over HAWAII
OKLAHOMA (-31.5) over Utah St.
San Jose St. (38.5) over ALABAMA
BYU (-3.5) over Washington
Oregon St. (+13.5) over TCU
LSU (-4.5) over NORTH CAROLINA
FRESNO ST. (-2.5) over Cincinnati
Boise St. (-2.5) over VIRGINIA TECH
Tiebreaker Total: 33
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
Wow, 117 people so far...
Thanks for including everyone. Good thing you guys went through this site instead of how it was done last year. That’s a lot of people you would have to keep track of. Kudos to the OBNUG crew.
I love the colors Orange and Blue. Go Broncos!!! Go Titans!!! BAD WORD Gators!!!
On behalf of Kevan, Drew, and Nick, I will except your glowing praise.
/praise received
/ego boosted
I'm always right. Your Welcome.
That's why I hate you Mikrino...
Stealing other people’s praises. That’s a new low, even for you.
/sarcasm
I love the colors Orange and Blue. Go Broncos!!! Go Titans!!! BAD WORD Gators!!!
by TitanBronco on Sep 2, 2010 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's Okay
He didn’t Accept them. He Excepted them. Ask Munson….
And that's another Bronco... FIRST DOWN!!
Mikrino's Rules of Sarcasm No. 13:
If you have to point out that it is sarcasm, it isn’t. Let it be, the ones who recognize good sarcasm will smile. The others, well, there’s them too.
Rec’d anyway. For good sarcasm, like my signature. Oops, did I just break my own rule…
I'm always right. Your Welcome.
Not to public point it out.. but your signature has the incorrect usage of “you’re”
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
Unlike God...
I don’t hate Iowa, as much. I know they don’t come over here, but they might read this and not know. I like everyone to be in on the sarcasm. I really don’t like to laugh at dumb people, it hurts too much.
I love the colors Orange and Blue. Go Broncos!!! Go Titans!!! BAD WORD Gators!!!
Magnanimous M@tt's Crystal Ball Week One
Winners in Bold.
#15 Pittsburgh (10-3) at UTAH (10-3) -2.5 – Utah has been decent team all last year but I think Pitt will come out strong at first week.
#14 USC (9-4) at HAWAII (6-7) +20.5 – While USC may not be juggernaut as usual but will have enough offensive power to score on Hawaii because Hawaii is… well, Hawaii.
Utah St. (4-8) at #7 OKLAHOMA (8-5) -31.5 – I think 31 points might be too high for Oklahoma but then again, its Utah State they’re playing.
San Jose St. (2-10) at #1 ALABAMA (14-0) -38.5 – To echo Nick’s comment on this one; “Poor San Jose State…”
Washington (5-7) at BYU (11-2) -3.5 – I think Washington will pull this one out while BYU still breaking in the new quarterback(s).
#24 Oregon St. (8-5) at #6 TCU (12-1) -13.5 – I really want Oregon St. to win to provide quality opponent for Boise St. but I think TCU is simply too good team to beat.
#18 North Carolina (8-5) at #21 LSU (9-4) -4.5 – I think North Carolina shot themselves in foot in off-season. They’re going to have a hard time focus from that.
Cincinnati (12-1) at FRESNO ST. (8-5) -2.5 – Just guessing here.
#3 Boise St. (14-0) at #10 VIRGINIA TECH (10-3) +2.5 – Easy pick but my stomach sure doesn’t think so… Probable from the week old sandwiches I made.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by Magnanimous M@tt on Sep 2, 2010 12:51 PM PDT reply actions
I coulda been a contender...
Last year.
Lets see what this year brings.
Utah
USC
Oklahoma
Alabama
Washington
Oregon State
LSU
Fresno
Boise…State!
BSU don't need smoke and mirrors to get the job done, they got orange pants.
Wow
we have identical picks except for Cinci vs. Fresno. I now follow the “never pick the WAC” rule.
"You don't play against opponents. You play against the game..." - Bobby Knight
I regret nothing!!
Utah
USC
Utah St. (that’s right, you heard me!)
Alabama
Washington
Oregon St.
LSU
Fresno St.
Boise State
Tiebreaker: 38 (Boise St. 21, VT 17)
"The brothers, they don't think I know a butt-load of crap about the gospel, but I DO." -Nacho
Woooo
My general CFB knowledge is pretty weak, so my picks will be pretty awful. Hopefully I win and you can all shake your heads at me!
APPLESHAMPOOID -
UTAH (-2.5) over Pittsburgh
USC (-20.5) over HAWAII
OKLAHOMA (-31.5) over Utah St.
San Jose St. (38.5) over ALABAMA (Damn that is a lot of points)
Washington (3.5) over BYU (I live in Seattle so having a closer perspective on UW than most, I think they will surprise this year)
Oregon St. (+13.5) over TCU
LSU (-4.5) over North Carolina
FRESNO ST. (-2.5) over Cincinnati
Boise St. (-2.5) over VIRGINIA TECH
Tiebreaker Total: 45.0 (BSU 24 – VT 21)
Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle
The first rule of Lookout Landing is...
Here's the winner
BSOM -
UTAH (-2.5) over Pittsburgh
USC (-20.5) over HAWAII
Utah St. (31.5) over OKLAHOMA
ALABAMA (-38.5) over San Jose St.
Washington (3.5) over BYU
Oregon St. (13.5) over TCU
LSU (-4.5) over North Carolina
Cincinnati (2.5) over FRESNO ST.
Boise St. (-2.5) over VIRGINIA TECH
Tiebreaker Total: 47.0 30-17
by Boise State of Mind on Sep 2, 2010 3:06 PM PDT reply actions
Probably a dumb question...
but what is the Tiebreaker Total exactly??
I enjoyed my Baja Fresh last year
But I can’t wait to get my hand on a Bronco jersey and a poster!
"It takes no talent to give great effort" -Chris Petersen
Tie Breaker: BSU 36 VTech 14.5
Utah
USC
Oklahoma
Alabama
Washington
Oregon State
LSU
Fresno State
Boise State
like i said, tie breaker BSU 36 VTech 14.5
Coach Pete decides to go for two after the first touchdown. Doug Martin grows hammers and pounds his way through for the conversion. Coach Pete generously offers VTech 1/2 a point and donates the other half to a charity of their choosing.
Crap!
I missed the deadline. Oh well, I woulda gone with
Utah
USC
Oklahoma
Alabama
Washington
TCU
LSU
Cinci
BSU
oh also
Unfortunately, the Utah/Pitt game had started when I made this entry, and Utah was up 14-7. LIke I said, Crap!
Oh man Pitt...what are you doing?
Pittsburgh (+2.5) over UTAH
Apparently, right now, Pitt doesn’t know they have a football game tonight
USC (-20.5) over HAWAII
I don’t think Hawaii is going to be much this season
OKLAHOMA (-31.5) over Utah St.
I actually don’t think the Aggies will score more than 3 points
ALABAMA (-38.5) over San Jose St.
My vote for the worst team in the WAC vs the 2nd best team in the nation ;)
Washington (+3.5) over BYU
This is Jake Locker’s year and I have no love for BW BYU
Oregon St. (+13.5) over TCU
I don’t think the Beavs will win, just don’t think that the Frogs will beat them by 13.5
LSU (-4.5) over NORTH CAROLINA
UNC may have to return to playing Iron Man football with all of the suspensions
Cincinnati (+2.5) over FRESNO ST.
Fresno will be Fresno and the Fu Manchu will FAIL
Boise St. (-2.5) over VIRGINIA TECH
I’ll probably be watching this with my eyes covered for most of the game
Tiebreaker Total: 45.0
Noel.Diggity.....NO DOUBT!
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Broncos Football Schedule
@
Georgia
|
Sat 09/03 | W 35 - 21 |
| @ Toledo | Fri 09/16 | W 40 - 15 |
| Tulsa | Sat 09/24 | W 41 - 21 |
| Nevada | Sat 10/01 | W 30 - 10 |
| @ Fresno St. | Fri 10/07 | W 57 - 7 |
| @ Colorado St. | Sat 10/15 | W 63 - 13 |
| Air Force | Sat 10/22 | W 37 - 26 |
| @ UNLV | Sat 11/05 | W 48 - 21 |
|
TCU
|
Sat 11/12 | L 35 - 36 |
| @ San Diego St. | Sat 11/19 | W 52 - 35 |
|
Wyoming
|
Sat 11/26 | W 36 - 14 |
| New Mexico | Sat 12/03 | W 45 - 0 |
|
Arizona St.
|
Thu 12/22 | W 56 - 24 |
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