Week 3: Remembering the XFL and Saturday Picks

A few days ago, I saw one of the greatest clips I've ever seen show up on twitter. It brought back memories of the glory days of football, long before concussion protocol was a phrase you heard every 15 minutes on Sundays. It was a clip from the greatest sports league to only last one season-the XFL. This clip made me wonder what could've been had the XFL made it. Combining football with the WWE, it doesn't get more electric than that. If only the XFL could've played good football. Most games weren't that competitive which had a big part in its downfall. But the idea was great. Here's the video below-unbelievable. Best part is the end. I'd be ready to run through a brick wall after that pregame interview. (FYI that's current Western Kentucky coach Jeff Brohm).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

My favorite part of the XFL was they didn't do a coin toss. They'd have each team pick their fastest guy and they'd have to race each other and battle for control of a football that was sitting at midfield. I can't think of better way to decide who gets possession first. You should have to earn it.  

I had to include this clip (video wouldn't post by itself so just follow the link)-just amazing. Felt like a segment on Monday Night Raw more than a football game. (Brief appearance by Tommy Maddox, who went on to take the Steelers to the playoffs). I'd love to see that 3-man booth of JR, The Rock and Jesse Ventura calling football games today. It'd beat the hell out of having to listen to Jim Nantz or Joe Buck on a Sunday afternoon. As the Rock said, there were no candy-ass jabronis in the XFL. 

I also can't talk about the XFL without mentioning "He Hate Me". XFL players could put whatever they wanted on the back of their jerseys, and this was the best one. Much better football name than his actual name, Rod Smart. He was also one of the XFL's better players, did end up spending time in the NFL after.

  

The XFL played during the NFL's offseason, which should've been perfect. Watching mediocre football players beat the shit out of each other would've been great entertainment during those months without the NFL or college football. But, it's gone forever. We'll have that one year of memories and thanks to the pussification of America we'll probably never see anything like it again. 

Thankfully, we're right in the midst of real football season. After a pretty weak slate of college games last week, we've got a great Saturday for week 3. It starts with Florida State traveling to Louisville at 11 AM. Louisville has blown out two bad teams in Charlotte and Syracuse and Lamar Jackson has looked like the Heisman frontrunner so far. He'll finally get a test this weekend. I don't think we'll be seeing him score 3 touchdowns in 5 minutes like he did last week vs Syracuse. Another sneaky interesting early game is 5-time defending FCS champ North Dakota State traveling to Iowa. Next on the slate at 2:30 is Alabama traveling to Ole Miss. The Rebels have beaten Saban the last two years and really need a win after falling apart in the second half against Florida State in the opener. Plenty of options with the night games: Michigan State vs. Notre Dame, USC vs Stanford, and the biggest one: Ohio State at Oklahoma. This is an absolute must win for the Sooners. Their playoff hopes are slim already after losing to Houston, but they'll be dead if they don't beat Ohio State. The Big 12 has looked pretty bad so far, so there might not be many conference games that will help their resume. This is a rare on-campus matchup between major programs so it should be fun to watch. I'm also assuming Gus Johnson will be on the call since the game's on FOX, that's an added bonus.

On to the picks. Last week I went 3-1, was dead wrong on Kentucky. App State won easily, got the under in the Miss State-South Carolina, and Washington State covered. Would've been nice if Kentucky wasn't the one game I actually bet on. 

Ole Miss (+10.5) vs. Alabama-I know it's not smart to bet against Alabama-but Ole Miss is the one team that has their number. It's at home-even if the Rebels don't win they'll keep it within a touchdown. 

Notre Dame (-8) vs Michigan State- I might be reading too much into one game, but the Spartans did not look good in their opener against Furman. I don't think they'll be able to keep up with Notre Dame's offense, assuming the Irish stick with Deshone Kizer the whole game. 

Oregon (+3) at Nebraska-  This is primarily because I won't believe Nebraska can win a big game until I see it. Even though the Huskers are off to a hot start I don't trust my money with Tommy Armstrong. The over is also a tempting bet at 74, should be plenty of points in this one.

Stanford (-8.5) vs USC- Stanford had a bye last week, so I think they'll win this one easily after getting extra time to break down the film of Alabama destroying USC. Should win by double digits at home. 

Bones Guarantee of the Week (Pick I like that's definitely gonna be wrong)

South Florida (-14) at Syracuse-I'm pretty high on South Florida this year, they're off to a good start. Syracuse isn't very good but they get this one at home-I still think the Bulls should be able to win by two touchdowns. 

Bonus Picks-These games are too big to leave off the board, wouldn't bet em but I'll pick em. 

Florida State (-1.5) at Louisville-Lamar Jackson finally runs into a competent defense. This should be a back and forth game but I think the Noles pull away late.

Ohio State (-1.5) at Oklahoma -I'm really not sure how this game is gonna go-Oklahoma is gonna play desperate, and Ohio State is looking to make a statement. For some reason I think there's actually see a lot of mistakes and turnovers in this game. I'll go with the Big Ten and Ohio State.