Broseph's Bits And The Thursday Gospel

It was a rare 0-3 night for the gospel. That's the problem with betting games that have big point spreads. Kent State and Missouri State both won and while their fanbases are happy, those who backed the team in the financial matter didn't share those same feelings. It's ironic really if you think about it. Gamblers go from team to team, game to game changing their rooting interests. It's almost as bad as those Dallas Cowboys fans who couldn't pick out the state of Texas on a map.

The true sports gambler has no favorite teams...only ones that make him money and ones that he fades on a regular basis. It's a difficult life to lead as often it leads to wild mood swings and frequent cursing. Ironically, I'll continue to fade Bradley despite the fact that they've seemingly figured things out. It's the stubborn nature of the gambler. He believes 85% of the time that he's on the right side and the wrong result happened. I'd like to say that I fit in that category, but not at the 85% level. Maybe it's more like 45% of the time that I think I made the right wager and the wrong thing happened. I may be betting on Washington and Washington State tonight, but Saturday I could be on their opponents. It's all about the matchups and all about the gut feelings I get.

With that, let's see where my money is going on Thursday:

Western Kentucky -5 -- The Hilltoppers welcome the Blue Raiders to town. MTSU is 12-12, 7-4 in the Sun Belt. They score 70.5 points per game while giving up 68.8. The team has gone 2-3 in conference on the road losing at South Alabama, Arkansas State and Florida Atlantic. MTSU is on a three game win streak, but they are running into a hot Western Kentucky team. They are led by James Washington III (13.9 ppg) and Jason Jones (13.2 ppg). The Hilltoppers have bounced back from a very slow start to the season. Their problem is defense where they allow 72 points per contest. Sergio Kerusch (16 ppg), Juan Pattillo (14.3 ppg) and Steffphon Pettigrew (13.9 ppg) lead the way for WKU. Western Kentucky has won five of their last six after losing 11 of their first 16 games. The team lost at home two games ago, but bounced back with a 20 point win over Louisiana Monroe on February 5th. The team preached more energy and focus at home. This is a better team who may be hitting their stride at the right time.

Washington -13.5 -- The Huskies will be so glad to be home on Thursday when they host California. Washington has lost three straight all away from their own building. They fell at Washington State, Oregon State and Oregon during the three game trip. At home, Washington is a completely different team having won each game there by double digits. Ironically, they beat California 92-71 at their place on January 16th. The Huskies have not won a game at home by less then 10 points at all this season. They are led by Isaiah Thomas (16.5 ppg), Matthew Bryan-Amaning (15.7 ppg) and Justin Holiday (12.5 ppg) on offense. Washington is scoring almost 85 points per game. California's problems reside on the defensive end as they allow over 70 points per game. They do have multiple scorers on offense, but lack the veterans who can handle the tough environment they'll see. Cal has won at Arizona State and USC. They've also lost by 14 to woeful Stanford. The Huskies have covered in six of their nine games as a home favorite of 12.5 points or more this season. We think they'll do so again.

Washington State -8 -- Stanford will play the Washington road portion of their PAC 10 conference schedule. The Cardinal are 12-10, 5-6 in the conference. They score only 64.6 points per game while giving up 62.1. Jeremy Green (14.9 ppg) and Josh Owens (11.8 ppg) lead the way offensively. They lost to Wazzu at home 61-58 on January 15th. The road has been unkind too as they've lost their last three by 10 points or more to Arizona, USC and UCLA. This is the team that also lost to Butler by 33 on the road as well. The Cougars are a different team at home. They've beaten Oregon State, Oregon and Arizona State by double digits there while knocking off the Huskies 87-80. Wazzu's big three is Klay Thompson (21.2 ppg), Faisal Aden (13.6 ppg) and DeAngelo Casto (10.6 ppg). They've covered seven of their 11 home games this season and 10 of their 14 games as a favorite. We like both of those trends to continue.

Crying Wulff

Paul Wulff had a miserable debut season at Washington State. The Cougars went 2-11 and finished next to last in the Pac-10 thanks to beating Washington in the Apple Cup.

Now Wulff's legacy from his previous job, Eastern Washington, is stained. The NCAA found that the EWU football program under Wulff's watch committed major violations from 2003-04 to 2006-07.

Among the violations announced Wednesday were allowing ineligible athletes to practice, having 13 to 14 assistant coaches when the NCAA capps it at 11 and failure to properly monitor the team. In other words, Wulff got the "failure to monitor" citation and Eastern Washington got the dreaded "lack of institutional control" from the NCAA

Eastern Washington was put on three years' probation, banned from Football Championship Subdivision playoffs in 2009 and loses two scholarships plus had limits placed on recruiting and coaching.

Here's the NCAA's statement: "The (NCAA committee on infractions) found that the violations in this case were the result of the former head coach's inattention to certain aspects of his program. The committee stated it was most concerned that the former head coach did not report various violations to the compliance office once he learned of them."

This follows Wulff to Pullman where he cannot have any contact with the Washington State football team during the first three days of practice in 2009.

During those seasons of breaking the rules, Eastern Washington won 2 Big Sky Conference Co-Championships and 3 FCS playoff appearances.

The OSG posse draws this conclusion, during his time in Cheney, Washington Paul turned into a Big Bad Wulff.

Photo Courtesy: WSU Cougars.com

Washington State Wins The (Rotten) Apple Cup

I know the Apple Cup means everything to the University of Washington and Washington State and is a matter of pride for the alums and fans. (For those of you in SEC land, think Alabama/Auburn, the rivalry between U-Dub and Wazzou isn't as cut throat but very similar.)

This year both teams were dreadful but this was a statement game for both the Huskies and the Cougars. Washington State got to host this game and the Cougs took full advantage winning 16-13 thanks to Nick Grassu's field goal in double overtime for Wazzou's 2nd win of the year and braggin' rights for a year.

Based on the seasons of Washington and Washington State, you should have called this the Rotten Apple Cup.

Here are the highlights from KXLY, thanks guys

The Real Dirty Dozen

When the Dust Clears...

After this week, it looks like we might have a better idea of who our BCS teams are going to be. That isn't to say who will be the title teams, but we'll know who will be amongst the final 8.

The Big Game this week...aside from Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma, the Crapple Cup...Washington vs. Washington State or what the rest of us call the "The Worst 2 Teams on the Planet".

Last Week: I believe I ran the table...13-0 (I don't try to pick the spread, it never works out). Overall: 60-15. Maybe I do know what I am talking about? No?

The Best of the Best:

1. Alabama (They get to stay here until they lose. It really hurts to say it, but it is true. This Week: Alabama 10, Bye Week 0, they will live another week)

2. Texas Tech (I keep waiting for them to fail, they haven't. If you can cover Michael Crabtree, you can beat this team, I'm convinced. This Week: Oklahoma 47, Texas Tech 45)

3. Florida (Damn they are impressive. Again, it is painful to admit, but hell, nobody has slowed them down the past 4 weeks. Don't look for that to change. This Week: Florida 51, Citadel 6)

4. Oklahoma (This is a pretty good team, but half the Big 12 is pretty good. This Week: See #2)

5. Texas (Same as the rest of the Big 12. Congrats to Will Muschamp, but how long until the Mack Daddy retires? He's not "Joe Pa" old. This Week: Bye Week loses)

6. USC (Is anyone else tire of these guys? They just kind of slide by. I don't know, maybe it's because the PAC 10 sucks, they could be Top 10 and still not make the Rose Bowl. That would be funny. This Week: Bye Week could upset them but won't)

7. Utah (What a nice story it would be if they could go undefeated. I almost want to say that the bubble will burst...but...nah...let's be optimistic people. This Week: Utah 31, BYU 28)

8. State Penn (I'm just...I don't know...verklempt or something about this. I really don't care for this team and I'm tired of Joe Pa. Just because of that I shouldn't pick them to win, but they are the best of the Underachieving 10. This Week: State Penn 34, Michigan St. 17)

9. Boise State (They're back!!!! I swear Ian Johnson is like Freddie Weygand...an 8th year Senior. But hey...This Week: Boise State 30, Nevada 21)

10. Oh No State (This kills me because I know that if they have to face an SEC team in a bowl game, they will lose by 30 and prove they don't belong here. But right now, they have as good a claim as anyone else. This Week: Ohio State 17, Meech-i-gan 10)

11. Okie State (The Fighting Mike Gundy's still haven't given me a reason to drop them out of here. Hey...if they are good enough for T.Boone Pickens, they are good enough for the OSG. This Week: Mike Gundy 40, Everyone else 0!)

12. Ball State (It sucks they won't go to a BCS game no matter what they do. It would just plain, be more fun if the David Lettermen made it that far. But...what can ya' do? This Week: Ball State 34, Central Michigan 32)

The Bottom of the Barrel:

5. Tennessee Tuxedo (HaHa! I just love the thought of getting to put these guys here. I don't even have to make something up, they really are this bad. Great Pumpkin..."Have a GREAT day!". This Week: Vandy 24, Vowels 12)

4. Meech-ee-gan (Poor Rich Rodriguez...telling fans to "Get a life". Why does everyone seem to make Rich angry? Why did Rich take this job? Why did the Wolverines offer it to him? Way too much to ponder. This Week: See Oh No State above)

3. Schmoo (Is there even anything funny left to say here? I kind of feel bad for them...but what is the old saying? A little help? Can't think of it....Anyway. This Week: Bye Week 27, SMU 10)

1/2 Washington and Washington State (Wow! Can you believe that these two are actually playing this week? Come to think of it, they may not believe it. Sadly one of them has to win...don't they? Isn't this the "Apple Cup"? Maybe it could be re-titeled "Applesauce"! Oh...damn...that's funny!. OK, no it isn't...but neither is this game. This Week: Washington 10, Washington State 10 and we all get a good laugh!)

((photos courtesy of ME!!!))