@EdgySam: #MissSt vs #GeorgiaTech, #ThePick

I have Miss.St rated considerably higher than Georgia Tech. On this New Year's Eve, I go with my numbers. I gave the Bulldogs to my cleeps in a 1-unit play.
In a 1/2-unit play, I also gave out the over in the same game. I believe both teams will have lots of success running the ball, which should open up the passing attack as well.
Happy New Year

@EdgySam: #BoiseSt vs. #Arizona, #ThePick

I'm late putting this out, so, there is a segment (93.5%) that won't believe that I gave out Boise St to my cleeps in a 1-unit recommendation, my highest class of play.
Why? The better defense belongs to the Broncos. When that happens, it's also nice to have an offense that has a strong running game. Boise has a strong running game.
The Broncos were a 1-unit play.

@EdgySam: #TCU vs #OleMiss, #ThePicks

This will be the toughest defense TCU will face this year. Against a tough passing defense, West Virginia, the Horned Frogs only threw for 40% completion. That game is indicative of what I think can happen today. Besides, I'll take an SEC West taking points any day of the bowl season.
Ole Miss in a 1/2-unit recommendation over TCU.
Under the totals because of the excellence of both defenses for 1/2-unit as well.

@EdgySam: #Stanford vs #Maryland, #ThePick Was...

@EdgySam gave out Stanford to his cleeps last night in a 1/2-unit recommendation. No recommendation on the totals, but, recommended a small parlay with the over and Ole Miss. 

@EdgySam: #LSU vs. #Notre Dame, #ThePick ( a 1-unit! )

The no-doubt-about-it better defense, and the most powerful "conference" in the FBS, the SEC West, add up to a 1-unit play on LSU.
Much like yesterday's A&M - West Virginia game, don't see how a new QB ( Zaire ) will be able to do anything vs. this good SEC West defense.
Gave out under and LSU in a small, fun parlay, but, not a recommendation. I think Tigers might get a lot of the total all by themselves.

@EdgySam: #Arkansas vs #Texas, #ThePick

When in doubt, take the team from the SEC West. Arkansas beat LSU and Ole Miss in consecutive weeks, and played all of their SEC foes close, except for Auburn early in the year. In fact, Razorback lost to Alabama by only 1 point. Also, in each of their non-SEC contests, Arkansas romped.
I think a lot of good things await Texas under HC Strong, but, not tonight.
I gave out Arkansas in a 1/2 unit play.

@EdgySam: #Oklahoma vs #Clemson, #ThePick

Clemson the better defense, I believe, in this ACC/ Big 12 matchup. The problem is the Tigers dual threat at QB, freshman Watson, is out. I have no trust in starting QB Stoudt. Without a running game to go with the immobile Stoudt, I don't know how Clemson will keep up with Oklahoma. Tiger defense is good, but, I don't think they are so good they'll overcome their offensive inefficiencies.
I gave out Oklahoma in a 1/2-unit play for my cleeps. Because I've been very strong with my sides, and, not so much with totals, I made an if recommendation with Oklahoma on top. If Sooners win or push, action on the under for the same 1/2-unit.

@EdgySam: #TexasAM vs #Mountaineers, #TheInstinctPick

My numbers told me that West Virginia was the pick over Texas A&M. The Mountaineers should have been the recommendation. Right? Wrong.
West Virginia is going with an inexperienced QB in the wake of QB Trickett's retirement. I just can't see an inexperienced QB giving 3 points to a team from the best conference in the FBS: Texas A&M from the SEC West ( the Aggies beat South Carolina, Arkansas, and, most impressively, Auburn).
My numbers told me West Virginia. My instincts told me A&M. I went with my instincts.
I gave out Texas A&M in a 1/2-unit recommendation over West Virginia.
West Virginia has a fairly stout defense. West Virginia is starting a very green, inexperienced QB in Howard. Even the Aggies unimpressive defense should give the young QB trouble.
I gave out the under in a fun play to my cleeps in the same game.

@EdgySam: #NCSU vs #UCF, #ThePick

I'm going back to the basics on this game: when in doubt, go with the better defense. UCF has the better defense. A little scary that NCST plays the tougher schedule, but, they did lose to GT, Louisville, BC, Clemson big, FSU and Old Dominion. UCF also coached by one heck of a great coach: George O'Leary.
I gave out UCF in a 1-unit play to my cleeps.
UCF has a very good defense, and an offense that can be controlled. NCSt has an offense that can controlled and serviceable defense. Always like going under when you have an outstanding defense involved in the game. UCF has an outstanding defense.
The under in the game was a 1/2-unit recommendation for my cleeps.

@EdgySam: #Rutgers vs.#NorthCarolina, #ThePicks

Under two ways I work my CollegeEdge team ratings, I have Rutgers rated higher in both instances. Not real confident in the Scarlet Knights this year(though North Carolina defense stinks!), so, rather than a 1-unit play, I recommended a 1/2-unit play on Rutgers.
Both teams have stinky defenses, and efficient offenses, so, despite, the decent rise in the totals line, still like the over.
Gave out the over in great dome conditions for another 1/2-unit recommendation for my cleeps.

@EdgySam: #LaTech vs #Illinois, #ThePick (Strong One!)

Big picks for EdgySam in this first game today.
Coach Holtz has done a good job with LaTech. Statistically, they are one of the top defensive teams in the country. The bottom line for me in this game: LaTech plays great defense, Illinois plays very mediocre defense. That's enough for me. This is one of my best picks of the Bowl Season.
I gave my cleeps LaTech in a 1-unit play.
Combine the Bulldogs very good defense with the fact the offense is down to three returning starters for LaTech offense, including only .5 starters back on the O-Line, and this game has all the ingredients for a nice under the totals play.
I gave out the under for 1/2-unit to my loyal cleeps.

@EdgySam #Christmas Bonus: #HawaiiBowl, #ThePick

I have Fresno St rated higher in what should be a closely contested game vs. Rice. I think the best unit on the field is the Bulldog rushing attack, and, I also like that Fresno got blown out of its last 2 bowl games. The Bulldogs should be coming to play, Though I was close to making this a 1-unit play for my cleeps, 1/2-unit recommendation on Fresno St.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the wonderful holiday.

@EdgySam: #NavyvsSDSU, #ThePick Was...

San Diego St has made a career of playing against, and successfully stopping option attacks. He has played against the option twice this year, vs. Air Force and New Mexico, and won both of those matchups. He has also faced the option numerous times when he was the tremendous leader of the New Mexico Lobos. As coach of that team, he faced Air Force every year!
Add to that the facts that the Aztecs have the better defense, and the outstanding RB Pumphrey, and the 1-unit play for my cleeps tonight was San Diego State.
@EdgySam also gave out the under in a 1/2-unit play in the same game.

@EdgySam: #Memphis vs. #BYU, #ThePick

I have Memphis rated higher than BYU under my CollegeEdge rating system. They should be favored in the game, and, inexplicably, line is at a pick.
BYU had a weak final schedule. Unduly influenced the line, in my opinion.
Take Memphis in a 1/2-unit play.

@EdgySam: #AirForce vs. #WesternMichigan, #ThePick

Western Michigan hasn't seen an option attack in a while. That's baaaaaad. Air Force has beaten Boise, Navy, Nevada, SDSU, and CSU. Western Michigan won no big games.
Air Force was a 1-unit play for my complimentary crew.

@EdgySam: #Utah vs. #CSU, #ThePick

CSU Rams are in relative disarray with the departure of HC McElwain. I wish Utah's QB play was a little more dependable, but, I'll still take the better program and better athletes in this Pac-12/ MWC matchup.
I gave out the Utes in a 1/2-unit play.

@EdgySam: #UtahState vs. #Utep, #ThePick

It's 3:04p.m. I have no idea what the score of the game is between Utah St and UTEP. I gave out Utah St. in a 1-unit recommendation.

@EdgySam: #Nevada vs.#ULL, #ThePicks

All of today's opening day Bowl recommendations are on @EdgySam, a "working stiff" handicapper.
I have ULL rated higher than Nevada, so the Ragin' Cajuns are edgySam's pick. I have a lot of respect for Wolfpack QB Fajardo, so, instead of a 1-unit play on the higher rated team, I recommended a 1/2-unit play on ULL.
In the same game, two mediocre defenses are going against solid rushing attacks. Each team also has acceptable passing attacks. I like the over and gave a 1/2-unit recommendation on the over to my "cleeps."

@EdgySam #WorkingStiff FBS Bowl Offer - 2014

The highlight of my Working Stiff Bowl Offer is I will refund the full $35.00 fee if you pay by money order, and $33.00 of the $35.00 fee if you pay by PayPal if I don't hit at least 52.96% of my recommendations!

The New York Post and Philly Daily News ran season-long contests for their sports staffs in which contestants picked a series of college football games each week. One Post writer went 114 - 93(55%).
Another went 109 - 98 ( 53% ). These are the only two of 15 collective contestants who would have shown a profit had they bet the same theoretical $10.00 on all of their picks.
Even more telling, Vegas Vic, the Daily News pro handicapper, a guy I respect, lost $450.00 on the regular season on an average investment of $50.00 per pick.
In a college/NFL contest last year, my NFL partner and I had to pick 14 plays per week. We finished 3rd at 57%+.
This year, in a college-only contest, where 16 of the 30 contestants would have finished in the red, I finished 6th with a winning % of 55.4%..
I mention these contests for one reason: it's not easy handicapping college football, no matter what those blowhards on those advertisements might yell at you.
When you sign up with this "working stiff," you'll get a dude who'll put every ounce of effort into trying to make your experience profitable and fun. I will work all the bowl games. I will work all sides and totals. I will make recommendations I expect you to follow. Here is how my recommendations will be given.
They will be given in 1/2- and 1-unit increments. A 1-unit play will count as one win, or, one loss against my total record. A 1/2-unit play will count as a .5 win, or, .5 loss against my total record.
Using the 1st game as an example, if I give you Nevada over ULL as a 1-unit recommendation, and the over in the same game as a 1/2 unit recommendation, and both win, your record after that game is 1.5 - 0! These recommendations  will continue throughout the bowl season. In certain spots, I may recommend a 1.5 unit play on what I feel is a particularly strong play.
When Bowl season is over, if my winning % is 53% or higher, I keep the fee. If it's 52.95% or lower, I refund accordingly.
I prefer to text the picks. I also can e-mail them, if I have the time. If neither work for you, we'll figure something out.
You can sign up via PayPal right here at this site. Call 267-752-3343 or e-mail me if you'd like to go the money order route. I'd also recommend you visit my website at www.college-edge.com for investment and handicapping advice.
This Working Stiff is ready to go to work for you. I hope you'll sign up now!
Thanks, Sam ( www.twitter.com/edgysam)

Handicapping College Football - Easy?

The New York Post held a college football handicapping for its columnists, reporters and contributors. Six of the eight would have lost money if they had bet a theoretical $10.00 on every one of their selections.The winner went 114-93 on the year, a 55% winning percentage. Second place went to a contestant who went 109 - 98, a 52.6 winning percentage. Everyone else had a percentage that would have lost money.
The Philadelphia Daily News ran a similar contest. All seven Daily news staffers had percentages that would have lost them money had they invested $10.00 on every one of their picks.
Even more telling, Vegas Vic, the professional handicapper on the Daily news staff, lost $400.00 for the college football season. His average investment per recommendation was $50.00.

In a college football handicapping contest in which I was involved, there were 30 contestants. Sixteen finished with percentages that would have lost those contestants money had they invested $10.00 on all of their contest picks.(In last year's contest, which required 14 picks per week - 7 college, 7 pros - my NFL partner and I finished 3rd with a 57%+. In this year's contest, I finished 6th with 55.4%).

My point is handicapping is not as easy as some of those goofy radio advertisements would have you believe.

This week I will unveil my annual Bowl Offer. I happen to be a working stiff who works seven days a week at his day job. I have a couple true passions in my life, and handicapping college football is one of them. I work my ass off and I haven't given up the dream of making it big in the profession. I know that if you sign up for my upcoming Bowl Offer, I will give you a great chance to make a profit for the bowl season(I hit about 56% last Bowl Season) and I believe you'll have fun doing so.

My price will be inexpensive, and like last year, if I don't hit a certain percentage for my recommendations, over 93% percent of the fee will be refunded. YO, I hope you'll consider it! Thanks.