Author: sammano

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 13

Both of us were 5-5 last week, which almost makes bonus picks feel like a waste of time. However, I can’t go that far really because having the outcome of those games matter makes them more fun to watch. We’re doing something a bit different this week…or are we?? I think we may have tried this concept once…perhaps a couple of times…in the past. Instead of both of us picking the same games we’ll both be picking five separate games. Enjoy!!

My Season: 43-30

Zach’s Season: 36-37

Wake Forest at Notre Dame (-24.5)

It’s the Sam Hartman Bowl!! The Fighting Irish QB spent five seasons in Winston-Salem under center for the Demon Deacons and became the ACC’s all-time leader in touchdown passes. Wake is 4-6, so they need to win out to become bowl eligible, while the home team is 7-3 and will probably end up playing in a top tier New Year’s bowl game because that’s how college football seems to work these days. Zach is concerned about the points, but he’s feeling frisky.

Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame

Colorado at Washington State (-4.5)

The talking heads have mostly stopped paying attention to Coach Prime since the Buffaloes are 4-6 and have lost three in a row. Having said that, the Cougars share the same abysmal record and have lost six straight games. Yikes. This is a Friday night game on FS1, which doesn’t bode well for ratings. The Vibes are telling me that the Buffs are desperate enough for the additional attention a post-season appearance brings, so they’ll be motivated to become bowl eligible.

My Pick: Colorado

North Carolina at Clemson (-6.5)

It hasn’t been a great year for the 6-4 Tigers, but they’ve won two in a row and would love to finish strong, building momentum for the future in the process. Meanwhile, the 8-2 Tar Heels hit a snag with two close losses at the end of October, which essentially killed their conference title aspirations. Zach isn’t necessarily predicting an upset, but he foresees a close contest.

Zach’s Pick: North Carolina

Appalachian State at James Madison (-11.5)

ESPN will be on hand for Gameday, and as someone who graduated from a school that took the leap from 1-AA/FCS to playing in a Group of Five FBS conference I understand how much that means to these programs. The 6-4 Mountaineers aren’t going to win the Sun Belt or get to ten wins as had become fairly commonplace until last season, but they’d surely love to go bowling. Conversely, the undefeated Dukes have sparked a debate about an outdated NCAA rule that precludes them from post-season participation because this is only their second year at the FBS level. Meanwhile, last year a 5-7 team got a bowl bid, and nowadays players transfer more frequently than most people change underwear. Make it make sense. Anyway, I think the home crowd & all the hype will help the home team, but the points are just too much. JMU gets the victory, but they’ll win by 7-10 points.

My Pick: Appalachian St.

Oklahoma State (-7) at Houston

The 7-3 Cowboys still have an opportunity to get to the Big 12 title game, but questions remain after the beatdown they received last week at UCF. As for the 4-6 Cougars…well, it’s their first season in the conference, and they’ve proven they can hang despite their record. They need to win out to be bowl eligible. Zach doesn’t think that’s going to happen though, predicting the favorites to grind out a hard fought victory.

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma St.

Kansas State (-7.5) at Kansas

The Battle of Kansas is normally more interesting on the basketball court, but with both teams at 7-3 and not mathematically out of the Big 12 title hunt this could be a fascinating game. You may recall that I had high hopes for the Wildcats, but losing at Missouri back in September squashed those expectations. They did push Texas to triple OT a couple weeks ago before losing, which deserves a tip o’ the cap. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks came out of the gate strong but have rode the roller coaster the last two months. It’s a 7pm kickoff on Saturday night and a chance for the folks at FS1 to present a better game than the night before. I won’t be watching because I have plans, but I think the home team gets it done, or atleast stays really close the whole way.

My Pick: Kansas

Cincinnati at Baltimore (-3)

The AFC North is very much up for grabs, with the 5-4 Bengals battling back into contention after a rough start. The 7-3 Ravens are a confusing team, occasionally looking like the championship contenders that the talking heads promote them as being, but sometimes snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. That’s exactly what Zach thinks will happen, with Joe Burrow leading Cincy to a big win on the last possession of the game.

Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati

NY Giants at Washington (-10)

The Giants season has been torpedoed by injuries. At 2-8 they’re in the running to snag the top pick in April’s NFL Draft, which could force them to ponder whether or not QB Daniel Jones, currently on the shelf with a torn ACL, is really their guy. The 4-6 Commanders have shown occasional signs of life, but they could find themselves in the same boat, having to decide if QB Sam Howell is the future. As for this game, Washington isn’t a dominating enough team to beat anyone by double digits.

My Pick: NY Giants

NY Jets at Buffalo (-7)

What’s up with the Bills?? They’ve lost 3 out of the last four games and just fired their offensive coordinator (while Steelers fans everywhere shake our heads in amazement). The Jets have shown potential but are inconsistent. Neither team is out of division title contention, but they need to shape up rather quickly or Miami will win the AFC East easily. Zach has lost faith in Buffalo and thinks they’d be fortunate to win at all, but if it happens it’ll be by the skin of their teeth.

Zach’s Pick: NY Jets

Philadelphia at Kansas City (-3)

Is it a Super Bowl preview?? Possibly. Both teams should be rested & healthy follow a bye week, and the viewers of Monday Night Football will reap the rewards. The 8-1 Eagles haven’t blown anyone out, but perhaps that’s because they’ve known how good they are and haven’t needed to exert maximum effort. The Chiefs are 7-2 and will cruise to their eighth consecutive division title, but they’ve shown chinks in the armor. Whichever team establishes a ground game, dominates time of possession, and plays better defense will be victorious, and I believe the visiting underdogs are up to the task.

My Pick: Philadelphia

WEEKEND MOVIE MARATHONS: John Candy

Thanksgiving is drawing near, so it feels like the perfect time to give some love to John Candy. I first encountered Candy on SCTV, a Canadian alternative to Saturday Night Live presented as a fictitious television network with all sorts of wacky content. It aired after The Tonight Show on Friday nights here in The States for a few years in the early 80s and launched the careers of Eugene Levy, Harold Ramis, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, and Candy. Even while that show was still going Candy had small but memorably amusing roles in films like The Blues Brothers, Stripes, & National Lampoon’s Vacation. Unfortunately Hollywood’s obsession with tall, dark, & handsome (and thin) precluded him from becoming a classic leading man, but he left behind a solid and very funny filmography that I’m happy to explore.

Friday Night

Uncle Buck

It’s probably the first movie you think of when someone mentions John Candy, which is appropriate since he almost singlehandedly carries the whole thing as unkempt & unemployed Buck Russell, a middle aged, feckless, cigar smoking ne’er-do-well who spends most of his days drinking and betting on horse races. He is called upon to babysit his brother & sister-in-law’s three children while the parents tend to a family emergency. It is a unique amalgamation of the buddy comedy & fish-out-of-water formulas because Buck is definitely out of his depth. The two little kids (portrayed by Gaby Hoffman & MacCauley Culkin just one year before he stumbled into superstardom) think their uncle is weird, but get along with him just fine. Conversely, their teenage sister is in a rebellious phase and clashes with him. Hilarity ensues. My definition of a good movie has always focused on whether or not we still enjoy watching it decades later on a lazy vegg day spent on the couch, and Uncle Buck definitely qualifies. It is quintessential John Hughes and classic John Candy.

Saturday Matinee

Only the Lonely

If you haven’t seen it you really should. Writer/producer/director Chris Columbus is essentially John Hughes 2.0, having been responsible in one way or another for classics like The Goonies, Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, two Harry Potter films, and Christmas with the Kranks. Columbus wrote & directed this dramedy about a middle-aged Chicago cop whose relationship with a shy funeral home beautician is complicated by his domineering mother. The cast, which includes Candy, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Quinn, and Jim Belushi, is delightful, but it’s the inclusion of screen legend Maureen O’Hara that gives the movie gravitas. O’Hara, best remembered as the mother in Miracle on 34th Street and for co-starring in several John Wayne westerns, had been retired for two decades and living in The Virgin Islands, but Columbus successfully wooed her back to Hollywood for one final big screen role.

Saturday Night

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

Soon enough many of us will spend much of our downtime consuming Christmas movies that we’ve all seen a thousand times, which is perfectly valid. Hell, a lot of you might’ve already started your holiday film binge last month. At any rate, as much as I love Christmas I always lament the fact that Thanksgiving tends to get the shaft in the process. However, there are a few Thanksgiving-centric entertainments, and this is the best among them in my opinion. Weather & other catastrophes wreak havoc on a Chicago ad exec’s efforts to make it home from New York in time for Turkey Day, but his chief annoyance is a well-meaning yet irritating salesman making the same trek. Written, produced, and directed by John Hughes, it has become an important part of my holiday tradition. I usually watch it the night before Thanksgiving, or perhaps on the actual holiday if circumstances allow. There have been rumors of a remake in recent years, and I get it, but I hope it is done respectfully, as an homage or even an unofficial sequel using the same framework with different characters. Perhaps they could even throw in a Steve Martin cameo.

Sunday Matinee

Summer Rental

A stressed out Atlanta air traffic controller is forced to take some time off, so he treats his family to an extended vacation in a popular Florida resort town. Unfortunately the trip isn’t as relaxing as he’d prefer, as a number of things go awry. This was John Candy’s first starring role, and the cast includes Rip Torn in a kind of beta version of the character he’d play in Dodgeball two decades later. The movie itself is reminiscent of a discount rendition of National Lampoon’s Vacation, which had been released a couple of years earlier. There’s a dash of Caddyshack tossed into the mix as well. It’s not a great film, but Candy’s affable charm makes it fun.

Sunday Night

The Great Outdoors

I guess one vacation-from-hell movie wasn’t enough, so a few years later Candy teamed up with Dan Aykroyd for another one, written by the incomparable John Hughes. Candy once again takes his family on vacation, this time to a quiet cabin in the woods of Wisconsin. When his affluent, snooty brother-in-law crashes the party hilarity ensues. This is probably a better film than Summer Rental simply because of the addition of Aykroyd and the script by Hughes. There has been talk of a reboot and/or sequel in recent years, although I don’t know how the latter would work without Candy. I suppose it’ll happen eventually. Not even great movies are sacred in Hollywood, and truthfully this isn’t a great movie.

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 12

Both of us were 3-2 last week, so nothing really changes there. The schedule is pretty stacked this weekend so we’re doing a double dose of picks. We are halfway thru the NFL season and in the home stretch with college football, which keeps things interesting as far as trying not to be repetitive. However, good teams & great matchups are what they are, so if we tend to focus on certain teams while ignoring others it is unintentional yet oftentimes unavoidable.

My Season: 38-25

Zach’s Season: 31-32

Michigan (-5.5) at Penn State

The undefeated Wolverines are battling for a playoff berth, while the 8-1 Nittany Lions still have an outside shot at playing for the Big Ten title. This is a Noon kickoff on Fox, which is a little odd, but it also means we get the broadcast team of Gus Johnson & Joel Klatt, who have become my favorite duo. The home field makes me skittish, but Michigan has dominated the rivalry in recent years, having beaten the home underdogs in six of their last nine battles. It’ll be fun for awhile, but I think the favorites grind it out for three & a half quarters before pulling away with a comfortable victory. Zach believes the time has come for his Wolverines, that this is the season they’ve been waiting for the past couple of decades. He has thought Penn St. overrated the entire season and forsees a huge win for his guys on the road.

My Pick: Michigan

Zach’s Pick: Michigan

Auburn at Arkansas (-3)

The 5-4 Tigers & the 3-6 Razorbacks have become afterthoughts in the SEC. Auburn needs a win to become bowl eligible, while Arkansas needs a win for a bit of self-respect. I’m a little surprised that Arkansas is favored, and I think the oddsmakers may have gotten it wrong. Zach agrees, predicting that the visitors will score a late touchdown for the win.

My Pick: Auburn

Zach’s Pick: Auburn

Miami (FL) at Florida State (-14.5)

This was one of the fiercest rivalries in the country a few decades ago, but it’s been a rough road for both programs in recent years. Both have shown signs of life here & there, though usually not at the same time. The ‘Canes are 6-3 but really have nothing to play for except pride and a more lucrative bowl invitation. Conversely, the unbeaten Seminoles can secure a playoff berth if they just keep winning. I’d be shocked if they lose, but can they cover on their turf?? Ultimately I foresee the favorites winning by 10-13 points, which they’ll be happy with but certain parties won’t like. Zach thinks State’s offensive firepower is just too much.

My Pick: Miami (FL)

Zach’s Pick: Florida St.

Mississippi at Georgia (-11.5)

The Bulldogs are still winning every game, but it doesn’t seem like they’re as dominant as we’ve all come to expect. Perhaps they are bored. If that’s the case they’ll need to kick it up a notch because the 8-1 Rebels have big plans that begin with pulling off an upset. Do I think that will happen?? No, not in the cozy confines of Athens, GA. That being said, I don’t believe the home team wins by more than ten points. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Ole Miss

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss

Utah at Washington (-9.5)

Coulda, woulda, shoulda. It could have been a great matchup if the 7-2 Utes had their starting QB and hadn’t gotten smoked by both Oregon teams. They can still end up with a nice season and play in the Sun Bowl or Alamo Bowl, but a third consecutive PAC 12 title isn’t going to happen. Conversely, the 9-0 Huskies have a playoff berth on the horizon if they win out. I think it’ll be a decent game, but Washington is just too good and they’re not going to let their foot off the gas now. Zach isn’t totally sold on Washington as a playoff contender, but he thinks they’ll win this game.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington

Southern California at Oregon (-14.5)

While QB Caleb Williams snuggles his Mommy and plans a future as an NFL owner his Trojans have lost three of their last four games. Meanwhile, the 8-1 Ducks still have conference title and playoff aspirations. Oregon QB Bo Nix is my Heisman favorite and this is a fantastic opportunity to grab the attention of voters. It’s a 10:30pm kickoff on Fox, which I freakin’ love. Man those points scare me though!! When was the last time USC was a two TD underdog?? The folks in Eugene better show up & show out because their team needs them on Saturday night. The points are just too much for Zach. He likes Oregon to win, but believes it’ll be closer than two TDs.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: USC

Indianapolis (-1.5) at New England

In the preseason I opined that I was hesitant to stick a fork in the Patriots, but at 2-7 they’re even worse than I anticipated, which brings me no small amount of joy. At 4-5 the Colts aren’t that much better, but losing a starting QB does tend to affect a team negatively. We’re really setting new precedents this week, as I have to think that the Pats being underdogs in Foxboro has been rare the past couple of decades. It’ll probably be an ugly game, but somebody has to win, and I think that’ll be the visiting favorites in a low scoring slugfest that everyone will want to forget as quickly as possible. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Indianapolis

Zach’s Pick: Indianapolis

Houston at Cincinnati (-7.5)

The 5-3 Bengals have won three in a row after a rough start and seem to be hitting their stride in a wide open AFC North. The 4-4 Texans have shown flashes of potential just as I predicted. I’ll be much more interested in this matchup in a couple of years, but right now Cincy is clearly the better team. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Cincinnati

Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati

San Francisco (-2.5) at Jacksonville

Lather, rinse, repeat. Much like Houston, the 6-2 Jags look to be a team with a bright future, but they’re not quite there just yet. They’ll likely win a weak division then get bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Conversely, the 5-3 Niners had been, until recently, one of the more complete teams in the league, and anything short of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy will be a disappointment. Having said that, we cannot overlook the fact that they’ve lost three straight games. Why?? It’d be easy to blame QB Brock Purdy, and it’s a valid point. Don’t ever forget that he was Mr. Irrelevant and had eight signal callers chosen ahead of him, including Chris Oladokun & Skylar Thompson. Perhaps Purdy has been exposed. However, I actually think defense is a bigger issue and one that can be fixed rapidly, especially when you add a piece like recently acquired defensive end Chase Young. Call me delusional, but I still believe ‘Frisco is the better team and will dig deep to score a vital road victory. Zach forsees San Francisco relying heavily on their rushing attack to get an important win.

My Pick: San Francisco

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco

Washington at Seattle (-6)

If the 49ers continue to fold like a cheap suit the 5-3 Seahawks will be more than happy to take the division. I told y’all a few months ago that the NFC West would be hotly contested, and that might prove to be accurate if things continue down the current path. However, let’s not shortchange the 4-5 Commanders, who could easily be a couple of games better had the ball bounced just a bit differently. They will likely end up being as mediocre as I thought they’d be, but they’re a gritty team that doesn’t go down easily. I think the home field is too much to overcome, and Seattle will cover…but it won’t be a blowout. Zach doesn’t think it’ll be particularly competitive and agrees that Seattle is the better team.

My Pick: Seattle

Zach’s Pick: Seattle

WEEKEND MOVIE MARATHONS: Matthew Perry

Could our next weekend marathon BE any more obvious?? I don’t often comment on the passing of a celebrity except for the RIP tribute of the annual Sammy Awards. However, there have been exceptions in the past, and so there shall be once again.

When Friends premiered on NBC in 1994 I was a 21 year old college student. The show became a touchstone for Generation X, and despite some people in our current society determined to ruin literally everything fun who now define it as “problematic”, it is undoubtedly one of the best sitcoms of all time. The popularity of Friends made pop culture icons of the six cast members, who all went on to have mostly inconsequential film careers afterward. Having said that, there have been a few highlights, and in the wake of the tragic & untimely demise of Matthew Perry I feel that it is appropriate to give some love to his much too brief big screen library.

Friday Night

The Whole Nine Yards

In its decade of dominance Friends led to some odd combos…Aniston & Pitt, Cox & Arquette, Joey Tribbiani & spinoffs. However, I’m not sure anything could be more unexpectedly delightful than Bruce Willis starring in an action comedy with Matthew Perry. An unhappy dentist has an opportunity to solve his financial problems by ratting out an incognito mobster. There are lots of bullets & violence so it’s not your traditional rom-com, but in the nimble hands of Perry & Willis it is actually a pretty fun ride.

Saturday Matinee

Three to Tango

Courtney Cox isn’t the only Friends star to share the silver screen with Neve Campbell. Perry portrays an architect who stands to solidify his career & make bank working for a business tycoon who mistakenly believes he is gay. Not only is he straight, but he instantly falls for the wealthy man’s girlfriend. As is standard for that kind of plot confusion, dishonesty, & misunderstandings all lead to a big reveal and an obvious conclusion. There’s no way such a film would be produced nowadays, and even in the late 90’s it received a lukewarm response, but the cast is affable enough.

Saturday Night

Fools Rush In

I don’t care that Rotten Tomatoes only gives it a 34% Rotten score, I’ve always liked this movie. After an impromptu hookup between a spunky Latino photographer & a tightly wound businessman leads to a surprise pregnancy the duo decide to actually become romantically involved. Cultures clash, families insert themselves into the mess, and hilarity ensues. It is a pleasantly charming distraction with engaging leads, a terrific Vegas backdrop, and a deceptively strong supporting cast.

Sunday Matinee

17 Again

Formulaic?? Obviously. The whole trope of magically transforming into one’s younger self, having the opportunity to go back in time and fix past mistakes, has been done multiple times. However, I submit that formulas become so for a reason…they work. Some stories do it better than others, but the idea addresses a fundamental human yearning for a do over, which of course isn’t a thing in the real world. Anyhow, a likable cast that includes Perry, Zac Ephron, & Leslie Mann gives us something mildly entertaining yet ultimately forgettable.

Sunday Night

The Whole Ten Yards

When The Whole Nine Yards made $100 million+ a sequel became inevitable. A few years later an angry mob boss whose son was killed by the mobster in the first film is out for revenge. More bullets & violence follow, but it’s not as fresh & fun as the first film. Hindsight being 20/20, this is one sequel that probably shouldn’t have been greenlit, however fans of Bruce Willis & Matthew Perry will enjoy it.

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 11

According to the CFP Committee Ohio St. is now #1, which probably doesn’t sit well with the folks down in Georgia. I’ve always believed in the philosophy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair: to be The Man you’ve got to beat The Man. I didn’t see the show, but I assume the powers-that-be may have watched the Bulldogs let Auburn hang around awhile several weeks ago and also got all tingly watching the Buckeyes beat Penn St. Whatever the details, I’m sure they somehow justified their decision to the talking heads. None of it really matters at this point, although the playoff picture is slowly coming into focus. At any rate, I was 4-1 last week, while Zach was 3-2. There are some potentially important matchups this week, atleast on paper. Hopefully they’ll live up to expectations. We’ll see.

My Season: 35-23

Zach’s Season: 28-30

Notre Dame (-3) at Clemson

What in the hell has happened to the Tigers?? I didn’t expect that they’d compete for a playoff spot this season, but neither did I forsee them entering November at 4-4 with back-to-back losses, including one to NC St. Meanwhile, the 7-2 Irish might still be thinking months from now how an inexplicable loss to Louisville cost them a playoff opportunity. Neither team is elite, but both are still good enough to draw interest. Can the negative energy be galvanized by Dabo Swinney into enough motivation to pull off an upset?? How crazy is it that Clemson winning a game at home would be an upset?? Zach thinks that Coach Swinney has perhaps lost a bit of his team, but doesn’t believe it’s a long term problem. He agrees that we’ll see just enough of that old magic emerge for an upset to occur.

My Pick: Clemson

Zach’s Pick: Clemson

Oklahoma (-6) at Oklahoma State

Is this the last hurrah for Bedlam?? The 7-1 Sooners will be moving to the SEC next year because the NCAA clearly doesn’t give a damn about tradition & common sense anymore. Will the 6-2 Cowboys view it as a final opportunity for bragging rights?? The visiting favorites got outyanked at Kansas last week, while the home underdogs are riding a four game winning streak. This will be an emotional back & forth battle, and I think we’ll see a surprising result. Conversely, Zach thinks the Sooners will be ticked off after getting beat a week ago and will take out their frustration on their in-state rival.

My Pick: Oklahoma St.

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma

Washington (-3.5) at Southern California

Let’s be honest…other than beating Oregon at home the undefeated Huskies haven’t really been challenged. As a matter of fact, it has occasionally felt like they’ve played down to the level of their competition in games that were closer than expected. Conversely, the 7-2 Trojans have come up short in two huge games that they probably should’ve won. It just seems like certain parties at USC aren’t “all in” and might be focused on other things. I think the underdogs will give it all they’ve got, but the visitors are so close to securing a playoff berth I don’t believe they’ll get caught by surprise…atleast not this week. Zach thinks we’re in for a shootout…first team to 60 wins!!

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington

LSU at Alabama (-3)

Does this battle have as much cachet as it used to?? Maybe not. However, the 6-2 Bayou Bengals have won three in a row, while the 7-1 Tide is just sitting there in the Top 10 waiting for a couple of dominoes to fall so they can claim the playoff berth they believe is owed them. Both teams are coming out of a bye week, so they should be well-rested & healthy. ‘Bama gets the requisite home field bump, but I smell an upset and a changing of the guard at the top of the SEC West. Zach forsees another low scoring defensive battle, which is kind of the norm in this rivalry. He’s a Coach Saban fanboy almost as much as he loves Michigan.

My Pick: LSU

Zach’s Pick: Alabama

Miami vs. Kansas City (-2.5)

For the first time ever the NFL is playing a game in Germany. It’s a 9:30am kickoff on NFL Network here in The States, with a matchup worthy of getting out of bed to watch. Some folks are seeing chinks in the armor of the 6-2 Chiefs, which is understandable given a surprising loss at Denver last week. Meanwhile, the prolific Miami offense has scored less than 31 points in only one game thus far. At 6-2 the Dolphins lead their division but can’t afford to ease up now. Most fans are likely expecting or atleast hoping for a shootout that’ll pad the fantasy numbers of countless couch GMs across the country. That would indeed be fun to watch, but every time that kind of game looks to be on the horizon it rarely seems to actually happen. We’ll probably see a 28-24 type of game, with penalties & turnovers playing a factor. Reports of KC’s demise are far too premature, but right now I think Miami is the hotter team. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Miami

Zach’s Pick: Miami

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 10

First of all, I am making an unprecedented executive decision. Zach & I both chose Penn St. to atleast cover the 7 & a half point spread against Ohio St. The Nittany Lions scored a touchdown with 29 seconds left to draw within eight points. At that point they decided to go for a two point conversion that failed. They were going to need to recover an onside kick to have a chance, which didn’t work out. Had that been successful they would have needed a touchdown & extra point to win. However, if they would’ve simply kicked the extra point with 29 seconds remaining they would’ve needed that same thing, only for a tie & to force overtime. Essentially going for two only served to screw anyone for whom that one point (really a half point) might’ve been important. Since we do not promote gambling here 😉, have no money on the line, and both of us had the same pick, I am rewarding us with a win. At the end of the day that means I was 4-1, while Zach was 2-3. Let’s see what we can do this week.

My Season: 31-22

Zach’s Season: 25-28

Oregon (-7) at Utah

The 6-1 Utes got a rather significant victory over USC last weekend, while the 6-1 Ducks rebounded nicely from their only loss of the season. Both teams are still in the thick of the PAC 12 title hunt, with Utah getting an opportunity in a few weeks to do what Oregon couldn’t do – defeat Washington. As for this game, ESPN’s Gameday will be on site, adding a layer of excitement & relevance, as if a Top 15 matchup needed extra juice. Before the season I had Oregon ranked 20th & Utah 11th, but that was contingent upon the leadership of QB Cameron Rising. Unfortunately the young man’s recovery from a knee injury has been slower than expected and he’s going to be redshirted. Obviously the home underdogs in this matchup have fared just fine without him, but in a game of this caliber I simply have more confidence in the visiting team’s signal caller, Bo Nix. Zach forsees a shootout, but also has more confidence in Oregon’s offense.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

Georgia (-14.5) vs. Florida

It’s a “neutral site” game in Jacksonville, which is about 275 miles closer to Gainesville, FL than Athens, GA. The Bulldogs have been in a couple of competitive games but remain unbeaten, while the Gators are 5-2 and still riding the roller coaster. Is it a trap game for the defending National Champions?? Is the Florida-Georgia line a bit too much?? I say no to both questions. Zach doesn’t believe Georgia is as good as they were the past couple of years, and points out that the absence of tight end Brock Bowers is significant. At the end of the day he thinks they’ll snag another win, but believes Florida will keep it close.

My Pick: Georgia

Zach’s Pick: Florida

NY Jets (-3) vs. NY Giants

It’s the Battle of New York…or New Jersey. Either way, there is no home field advantage. Credit to the Jets for not folding like a cheap suit after Aaron Rodgers went down with an injury less than a minute into the season. At 3-3 they are atleast remaining respectable, although I don’t believe they’ll be a playoff team. Conversely, even though they’ve only won one less game, it already feels like a lost season for the 2-5 Giants. I don’t believe it’ll be a particularly compelling matchup, with the Jets winning by a touchdown. Zach concurs, opining that the game will likely be a snoozefest.

My Pick: NY Jets

Zach’s Pick: NY Jets

Baltimore (-8.5) at Arizona

The 5-2 Ravens lead their division, but have a very small margin of error. The 1-6 Cards may be getting QB Kyler Murray back soon, but not quite yet. Even when that happens I’m not sure it’ll make much of a difference. I thought a few months ago that they’d improve upon last season’s abysmal 4-13 record, but now I’m not confident they’ll reach that goal. As much as I’d love to see Baltimore lose I don’t think that’s what’ll happen. Zach predicts an epic five TD beat down.

My Pick: Baltimore

Zach’s Pick: Baltimore

Las Vegas at Detroit (-8.5)

It seems like some folks might be ready to jump off the Detroit bandwagon after they had their ass handed to them last week, but not me. They still hold a comfortable lead in their division, and we can’t forget the season opening upset of KC. Conversely, the 3-4 Raiders are going nowhere fast. This is Josh McDaniels’ second head coaching gig, and it’s clear that he’s a much better offensive coordinator. In my mind the only question about Monday night is whether or not the Lions will go full throttle enough to cover the points, and ultimately I believe they will. Zach has no hesitation in predicting the home team will win easily.

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

Points of Ponderation…..Episode 4.23

A semi-regular attempt to address some of life’s minutiae that might otherwise be overlooked…..

Apparently a reboot of The Office is happening, and I will tentatively say “I’m in!!”. However, while I think the concept is perfect for a reboot, I do not believe it’d be wise to simply resume with the original cast working at Dunder-Mifflin in Scranton, PA. Most of those actors have moved on to other phases of their career, and within the fictional setting I don’t think any employees would realistically still be working in the same place. It’d make sense for the documentary company that chronicled the daily work life at a paper company to do a sequel, but surely they’d move on to a new business in a whole different industry located in another town. By the way, I’ve had a similar opinion for years about The West Wing…ideal framework for a reboot, just a whole new cast of characters working at The White House. I wouldn’t dare presume success for either “new” show, but if the writing is good & the casting director does a great job then why not give it a whirl??

Ignoramuses who blindly follow leftist ideologies love displaying “Free Palestine” or the Ukraine flag on their social media. The chasm has grown exponentially beyond Democrat vs. Republican or Liberal vs. Conservative. Those petty disagreements seem rather quaint nowadays.

Weird opinion: I do not enjoy Meet & Greets. While it’d be an exaggeration to say that I have social anxiety, I am somewhat socially awkward and simply don’t know what to say to folks in those situations beyond “Hi…nice to meet you”. It’s uncomfortable. I realize “famous” people are human beings who put their pants on one leg at a time like you & me. It’s not a matter of being star struck. Hell, I don’t even know names of most of my neighbors in my apartment building. I’m quiet & somewhat introverted. I keep to myself and am more effective with written communication than verbal interaction. There’s also the fact that meet & greets usually involve pics, and I hate being photographed. I’ve never been buff & sexy, but these days I am absolutely disgusted by my own appearance. Calm down…I’m not going to dive into the whole weight loss rabbit hole right now, but it is an issue. Honestly, I just prefer to sit in my spot, keep to myself, enjoy the show, then head home to bask in my solitude. Your mileage may vary, and that’s okay.

I was taught by my parents to be polite & respectful. Throughout my life I’ve tried to treat people with courtesy. However, sometimes a person just cannot take a hint. They lack the self-awareness to understand when they need to leave or when I simply do not want to be bothered with their foolishness. So I have had to force myself to be quite direct or even rude on occasion. It isn’t my comfort zone, but sometimes it becomes necessary to protect one’s own peace above all else.

Speaking of reboots…

When it was first announced that a Frasier reboot was in the works I was SO excited. A decade ago Frasier was firmly ensconced as one of my favorite TV shows of all time, and that opinion hasn’t changed. To be honest I became a little less excited when none of the original supporting cast signed on for the new show. I knew that Frasier’s brother Dr. Niles Crane would especially be missed, but actor David Hyde Pierce, who so brilliantly brought Niles to life, decided he did not want to reprise the role. In the end my initial enthusiasm trumped those secondary misgivings, and I’ve eagerly consumed the first few episodes. To say that reviews have been mixed is being kind, but I would not be deterred. That being said, I did lower my expectations. However, I’m glad to report that what I have seen so far is satisfactory. It isn’t a perfect show, and its predecessor casts quite the shadow. Comparisons are inevitable but a little unfair for many reasons, not the least of which is we get a ten episode season to digest this incarnation as opposed to two dozen Season 1 episodes for the original. Streaming is still weird for this old dude. Anyway, I like the Frasier reboot and think it has room to evolve into something we can hopefully enjoy for a few years. If you’re a fan of the old show don’t be hesitant to give the new one a chance…just be realistic with hopes & assumptions.

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 9

First things first…last week was atrocious. The less said about it the better. I did flippantly opine that I was about to self destruct with bonus picks, and that’s exactly what happened. I was 1-7, with Zach besting me at 2-6. He cut into my season lead by a game, but fell under .500 in the process. So now we move forward, hopefully with better results.

My Season: 27-21

Zach’s Season: 23-25

Penn State at Ohio State (-7.5)

It’s the current biggest, most important game of all time (until next week probably). The undefeated Buckeyes are ranked #3 in the country, while the unbeaten Nittany Lions are #7. Not only will the victor keep pace with Michigan in the Big Ten, but one can assume the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention, at least for now. I think the underdogs have played a slightly more challenging schedule, and they have two shutouts. No opponent has scored more than 15 points. The home team has held three opponents to single digits and not allowed more than 17 points. I expect a relatively low scoring contest…something like 19-13. I don’t know who will emerge victorious, but they won’t win by more than a touchdown. Zach has an irrational dislike for the entire state of Ohio. However, he also has little faith in Penn St. Coach James Franklin’s ability to win big games. He thinks Penn St. has been a bit overrated, but believes they’ll keep it close in a higher scoring affair than I’m predicting.

My Pick: Penn St.

Zach’s Pick: Penn St.

TCU at Kansas State (-7.5)

Clearly the 4-3 Horned Frogs aren’t going to match last season’s success, and the 4-2 Wildcats aren’t going to meet my lofty day expectations. It’s too early to know if either team can snag a spot in the Big 12 title game. None of that means we can’t enjoy an entertaining game Saturday night. I tend to stick with my preseason picks until I absolutely can’t, so that and the home field are enough to tip the scales toward the favorites. Zach isn’t as disappointed in TCU as some may be because he understands the amount of talent they lost. Having said that, he describes K-St. as “wishy-washy” and doesn’t think they can cover.

My Pick: Kansas St.

Zach’s Pick: TCU

Clemson (-10) at Miami (FL)

The 4-2 Tigers may not be elite like they have been the past decade+, but they’d still love to get to double digit victories for the 13th consecutive season. Competing for the ACC title is probably too much to ask, but if they win out anything is possible. Conversely, the 4-2 Hurricanes are looking for their first conference win, and they’ve lost two straight games. Of course they should’ve won one of those if it weren’t for one of the more boneheaded coaching decisions of all time. The ‘Canes do have the home field, and I just don’t like the points at all. It’s entirely possible that the favorites will prove me wrong and stomp a mud hole in their opponents, but I’m predicting it’ll be slightly more competitive. Zach forsees a low scoring game, with the team having less penalties coming out on top.

My Pick: Miami (FL)

Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)

Miami at Philadelphia (-2.5)

It’s the Sunday night game and I’m probably going to miss most of it (I do grace polite society with my presence occasionally). The Eagles are no longer unbeaten after an inexplicable loss to the Jets, while the 5-1 Dolphins are averaging 37 points/game. I’m sure the folks at NBC are hoping for a high scoring shootout chock full of exciting plays, but life has taught me that when those are the expectations somehow defense ends up asserting itself and fans experience a letdown. I think Philly’s defense is superior, plus they have the home field, so look for something like a 27-21 game decided by turnovers & penalties. Zach is onboard with the TV suits, predicting “the highest scoring NFL game in a decade” (FYI, it would need to outduel a 54-51 defeat of the Chiefs by the Rams in 2018), and he likes Miami to get the upset.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: Miami

San Francisco (-7.5) at Minnesota

Okay, first of all I totally misjudged ‘Frisco in the preseason. Whether QB Brock Purdy is legit or simply benefits from top notch talent surrounding him is a debate I’ll leave to the talking heads, but he is firmly entrenched as the 49ers’ quarterback and it’s working out just fine. They too suffered a baffling loss last week though, and must rebound on the road. The 2-4 Vikings just haven’t gotten it together this year, and certainly miss star WR Justin Jefferson, who is out with a hamstring injury. They have the home field, but is that enough to make this game worth watching on Monday night?? Probably not. Barring some kind of unforeseen catastrophe the Niners should win comfortably. Zach concurs

My Pick: San Francisco

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 8

So I’m watching College Gameday on Saturday morning, only half paying attention, when they show very brief highlights of Oklahoma St. upsetting Kansas St. Not only did the result surprise me, but the fact that the game was over caught my attention since I had very specifically indicated in this space that it was a prime time game on Saturday. It turns out the game was played Friday night. I usually don’t make those kind of mistakes. Oops. At any rate, I lengthened my season lead just enough to get a little cocky, which means I’m about to self-destruct with bonus picks. It’s the circle of life.

My Season: 26-14

Zach’s Season: 21-19

Fresno State (-7) at Utah State

I had Fresno in my preseason poll, and at 5-1 they’re on track to meet expectations. Having said that, the Bulldogs are also looking to rebound from their first loss last weekend. Conversely, it’s been quite a roller coaster for the 3-3 Aggies, but atleast they have the home field. It’s a Friday night game that I might check out. I’m rolling with the favorites to earn a hard fought victory & just barely cover the points. Zach foresees State controlling the game on the ground early on, but Fresno coming alive late to score a double digit win.

My Pick: Fresno St.

Zach’s Pick: Fresno St.

Oregon at Washington (-1.5)

It’s the marquee matchup of the weekend. Even ESPN thinks so. Both teams are unbeaten and ranked in the Top 10, with the winner likely vaulting themselves into serious playoff position. Quarterbacks Bo Nix & Michael Penix will get all of the attention, but the true X Factor will be defense. Which defensive unit will slow down the opposing QB?? The Ducks have given up more than ten points just once, while the Huskies have held their opponents to single digits only once. I think it’ll be an instant classic, with the underdogs scoring a close upset, perhaps with a game winning field goal. Zach expects a high scoring game, with the deciding factor being whoever possesses the ball last. He believes that’ll be Oregon.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

Texas A&M at Tennessee (-3.5)

The 4-2 Aggies need to rebound from yet another loss to Alabama, a team they’ve only beaten once in the past decade. Meanwhile, the 4-1 Volunteers have comfortably won their last two games. Rocky Top is a formidable home field, and I just don’t think A&M is good enough to overcome it. Conversely, Zach thinks A&M’s defense will rise up to make a late stop and secure a big upset.

My Pick: Tennessee

Zach’s Pick: Texas A&M

Auburn at LSU (-17)

Auburn is 3-2 after feeding on their out-of-conference schedule before going down in flames in the first two SEC contests. However, they are coming off of a bye week. The 4-2 Bayou Bengals are completely unpredictable. They’re one of only two 2-loss teams in the Top 25, but the other one is Notre Dame, who tumbled from the Top Ten after losing to Louisville. Here’s how I see it going down. It’s a back & forth battle all night long, with the underdogs having a legit opportunity to win. However, 100k+ fans in Death Valley in prime time is just too much, so the home team does just enough to score a nail biting victory…but they don’t cover the points. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Auburn

Zach’s Pick: Auburn

Iowa at Wisconsin (-4.5)

Wrasslin’ announcer Jim Ross would call it a slobberknocker. The 5-1 Hawkeyes haven’t allowed more than 16 points in any game, while the 4-1 Badgers have only been marginally more generous. I’d take the under on this one, and look for the home team to barely cover in a fairly close victory. Zach believes it’ll be even closer than that.

My Pick: Wisconsin

Zach’s Pick: Iowa

Southern California (-1) at Notre Dame

The Irish have lost two out of three and could fall out of the rankings with another defeat. Obviously they won’t be in playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Trojans are just barely undefeated after Arizona took them to three overtimes last week. The oddsmakers have essentially made it a pick ‘em largely based on the mystique of playing in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus, but since my Marshall Thundering Herd marched into South Bend a year ago and left with an enormous victory I’m not all that impressed by this particular home field. It’s a rivalry game & the talking heads will sell the heck out of it, but I don’t believe it’ll be particularly close. Zach thinks it will actually be a competitive game, but ultimately the favorites will get the job done.

My Pick: USC

Zach’s Pick: USC

Philadelphia (-6.5) at NY Jets

I apologize for sounding like a broken record, but this game would’ve been much more compelling with Aaron Rodgers under center for the Jets. At 2-3 the home team looks to simply be treading water. They won’t outduel the Dolphins or Bills for the division title, and there’s too much talent in the AFC to hope for a wildcard. A winning record of 9-8 would be a moral victory for the Jets, but I wouldn’t even count on that. Conversely, the undefeated Eagles are firing on all cylinders. There’s no doubt they’ll win their division, but have their eyes on a much bigger prize. Do I think they’ll finish unbeaten?? No. However, I don’t feel like Philly is a team prone to looking past opponents they are supposed to beat and getting caught in a classic “trap game”. They’ll take care of business then move forward. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia

Dallas (-2) at LA Chargers

Okay, so my prediction that the Cowboys would finish 8-9 & head coach Mike McCarthy might be fired by Halloween may have been a bit overzealous. However, the idea that they’ll once again fall far short of lofty preseason expectations by so many others still holds water. I almost feel a skosh of sympathy for their tremendous defense that is forced to trot back out on the field every couple of minutes after yet another miscue by QB Dak Prescott, who is average at best. The 2-2 Chargers have the opposite issue. Their offense is on the verge of being elite, especially if they could overcome injuries, but the defense failed to slam the door shut on opponents the first couple of games. This is the Monday night contest and the home team is coming out of their bye week. It’s an insult that they aren’t favored, and I believe they will be out to prove a point. ‘Frisco showed that the Dallas defense can be scored on, so if the Chargers’ coaching staff is smart they’ll copy that blueprint. Zach knows that Dallas has been overrated, but feels like they’ll get the job done.

My Pick: LA Chargers

Zach’s Pick: Dallas

40 Cheat Codes I Wish I Knew At 20 – Part Deux

Halt!! If you haven’t skimmed Part 1 yet take a moment to do so. We’ll leave the light on for you.

I recently “celebrated” my 51st birthday, and I say that with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Don’t misunderstand…it wasn’t a terrible day. It was a normal, average, run-of-the-mill day like so many others, and that’s okay. Birthdays aren’t really that much fun after a certain point. Growing older brings about a level of introspection, which isn’t always a positive experience. It’s been a pretty intense thing for me since The Sickness made the world stop a few years ago, and the truth is that I don’t necessarily enjoy what I see when I look back on my life. I feel like I’ve been sleepwalking thru the past three decades. Exercises like the current one are nerdy fun & quasi-therapeutic, but tend to exacerbate those feelings of discontent. At the end of the day though I am a Samist, which necessitates being open minded while addressing issues with faith, critical thinking, reason, & common sense. That’s just a verbose way of saying I’ll continue get up every day and do what I can do.

21 Give people a second chance, but never a third.

In general I agree, although circumstances alter cases. Such decisions tend to be situational. The gist of the idea seems to be “don’t let people take advantage of your kindness”, which isn’t bad advice. Conversely, the more pious among us might point out the endless chances God gives us daily and the boundless opportunities we have to reconcile with Him via a relationship with Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t argue with that perspective.

22 If you want something and have put in the work to deserve it…ask for it. Remember, closed mouths don’t get fed.

It never hurts to ask. The worst that can happen is that you’re told no. Just be prepared to deal with that. One of my favorite Dadisms is “if you don’t dare you don’t share”.

23 Never take advice from people on the sidelines.

Ehhhh…I don’t know. I can only speak for myself, and lots of folks might opine that I’ve spent the last several years “on the sidelines”. That doesn’t necessarily invalidate my input.

24 Learn one dance move that you can reliably bust out when you inevitably get pushed into the center of a dance circle at a wedding or event.

Well I don’t think I need to worry about that. IYKYK. It’s not a bad idea to learn how to shake your groove thing though. What that looks like will evolve throughout your life, but it’s a good skill to have on some level.

25 Be bored for at least 15 minutes per day. Boredom unlocks creativity.

There’s a happy medium. I wish I had more going on in my life, that I was a busier & more productive person. However, I would never want to be a crazy busy person that’s always on the go. Downtime can be healthy. Does it unlock creativity?? That’s a much more complex query than I want to tackle here, although I assume different people would have a variety of answers.

26 Invest in personalized stationery and use it regularly.

Does anyone actually use stationery anymore??

27 If you’re struggling to fall asleep, try the 4-7-8 method: Breathe in through your nose for a 4-second count, hold your breath for a 7-second count, and exhale for an 8-second count.

That’s a lot of math if I’m trying to go to sleep.

28 Make decisions that your 80-year-old self and 10-year-old self would be proud of.

I’m not 80 yet, but I already know that my 10 year old self would be so disappointed. I had such high hopes & big plans. Unfortunately I lacked the vision & drive to follow thru. That’s as far as I’ll dive into that very deep rabbit hole.

29 Do one hard thing every day when you could do it the easy way.

I don’t disagree, but neither do I believe it’s realistic. We are a culture addicted to convenience. Most of us will always choose the easy way over the hard way. I’m just keeping it real.

30 Spend more time doing things you never regret.

Easier said than done. Think about it…would people do things they regret if they knew in the moment that they’d regret them later on?? Hindsight is 20/20. Perhaps it would be more prudent to say make smarter choices & use your time wisely.

31 When trying to break a bad habit, wear a small rubber band on your wrist and snap it (lightly) on yourself each time you do the thing you’re trying to stop.

I’d be quite curious to know if that actually works. It seems rather simplistic, but hey, if it’s a method that produces positive results for you there’s nothing wrong with utilizing it.

32 If you’re trying to make conversation with someone intimidating, ask what they’re currently working on that they’re most excited about.

Not a bad idea. People love to talk about themselves and what they’re passionate about. Also, people tend to become less intimidating as you age. You realize that they are human beings who aren’t any more special than most people. Maybe they’re really great looking or possess tremendous talent, but as my father would say “they put their pants on one leg at a time just like you & me”. Learn to converse with people. It is invaluable. I am a quiet & reserved person, but if I had the confidence three decades ago that I have now when it comes to interacting with people it might’ve opened a few doors.

33 If you’re about to take an emotion-induced action, wait 24 hours.

Yes, absolutely. Don’t make emotional decisions. Doing so will generally end badly. There’s nothing wrong with having or expressing emotions, but be really careful making snap decisions. Sleep on it. Pray about it. Talk to friends & family. Sure, sometimes that isn’t possible in certain situations, but whether it’s personal or professional just be smart.

34 Be interested in everyone you encounter.

Chances are whoever you are interacting with is much cooler & has a more interesting life than you. That’s not a bad thing. Learn. Ask questions. Listen. Being a good listener is one of the best character traits anyone can possess.

35 To start the day with energy, try the 5-5-5-30 morning routine: when you wake up, do 5 push-ups, 5 squats, 5 lunges, and a 30-second plank.

No 😂

36 To eat healthier, do your shopping on the outer perimeter of the grocery store.

Well I do my grocery shopping online. No matter how you go about the task though, there’s no trick to it. Apples & chicken are healthier than ice cream & cheeseburgers. You already know that, but probably still make the wrong choice way too often. Be smarter & learn self-control. It’s not complicated.

37 Treat your credit card like a debit card.

I don’t even use credit cards unless it’s absolutely necessary. A debit card is cool because you don’t need to carry much cash, which in today’s crazy world is a good thing. Most of the people in my orbit are struggling on some level, so wise financial decisions are essential.

38 Create an automated deposit for a small amount of money into an investment account every month.

That’s a great idea of you can spare some extra cash. Financial literacy is woefully lacking and should be taught in schools. If you start putting away a few bucks consistently when you’re a young adult it will become one of the best decisions you ever made a few decades later.

39 Carry a notebook everywhere you go. Stop trying to remember things and just write everything down.

I use the notes app on my phone.

40 Have one thing in your life that you are bad at (but love doing).

I can think of a few things that’d qualify for me. Being good at something is awesome, but developing a lifelong appreciation no matter what your skill level may be is a worthy investment of your time.