Head-lines, lines in head

Ride the chalk this week, says sports prognosticator/future plus-sized model Brian Bolek

Lines are always stuck in my head from different facets of life. Every now and then, a good lyric gets stuck in my head. There's lines that people may say to me that become entrapped in my consciousness. And of course, in the fall months of the year, I always have monetary Vegas football lines processing in order to get easy money. In both cases, perspective is needed in order to analyze said lines to see what to make out of them.

Now that I've wasted your time with that opening paragraph, here's the lines that have been trapped in my head and what I will be betting Saturday.

NCAA (last week: processed bets (1-1, $5), YTD: (12-8-1, $136))

Bets in ( ), all $55 to win $50

Illinois at Mich St (-7): I've been battling making this bet because I am fading my homeboys, but I'm in the business of making money, not making friends with school boosters. All signs point to a let-down on MSU's part after convincing wins against Wisconsin and Michigan, which is why this line is at -7 and not -9.5 or 10 in my opinion. However, the same can be said of Illinois and their first straight-up win at Happy Valley last weekend. If you asked any Illini fan if they would take a 1-2 run with this team with consecutive games against Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State, I think we'd gladly take it. Illinois is improved and I believe they will get the six wins necessary to get into a mediocre bowl, but I think they take one on the chin this week against a more talented team. Mich St by 14.

Iowa (-3) at Michigan: So I've been told Denard Robinson gave a passionate Tebow-like speech after the UM loss to their little brother MSU. That's great and all, but like my last week's post stated, I don't think speeches can knock down passes and prevent runners from getting into the end zone. When they do, we might be onto a new wave of sports strategy. Iowa is a great value here, especially coming off of a bye. Iowa by 10-14. Let the second-half of season panicking begin again for Ann Arbor.

Texas at Nebraska (-9.5/10): Nebraska is the best team in the Big 12, sorry Oklahoma. Unlike last year, they have an offense that compliments a world-class defense. Texas is definitely in a state of recession as far as their program goes, at least for a year. Texas is coming off of a bye, but that's nearly negated by the 9 day lay-off Nebraska has had since whomping Kansas State on a Thursday night road game. Lay the points.

Normally I don't ride the chalk this hard, but these lines got my attention the most. Any line that catches your attention deserves scrutiny, but trust your instincts.

Ride chalk this week and ride them hard. Like a spry 18-year old on prom night.

Also, riding the Yanks tonight against the Rangers tonight to win $40. Let's continue the perfect streak and make it a 7-0 start to MLB playoffs.