Tuffy Teaser 2016: Week 9

After riding high at the start of the season, Tuffy's Teasers fell short in back to back weeks.  Tuffy took a couple weeks off to regroup and regain his confidence.  On National Cat Day, Tuffy returns to action with a teaser for Week 9.

In the early weeks, Tuffy relied heavily on a few familiar teams.  This week, Tuffy shakes things up by looking west for his picks.  And since variety is the spice of life, Tuffy takes three different types of cats in this week's teaser.

Russian kittens do not appreciate bad gambling advice

Tuffy's 2016 Tally:  $9
2016 Record:  3-3
Tuffy's Total Tally:  $32
All Time Record:  9-8


Saturday, October 29.  7:00 p.m. EST

Auburn Tigers          +.5
Mississippi Rebels     +11.5

The Auburn Tigers are coming off one of the most impressive offensive displays from any team all season.  Last week, the Tigers romped over a ranked Arkansas team by a score of 56-3.  Ole Miss is in the midst of a two-game slide that includes a loss to those same Razorbacks.  Comparative scores can be deceiving, and every road game in the SEC can be a test.  But, with the teased spread, all Auburn needs to do is win the game.  The Tigers' running game should make that happen.


Saturday, October 29.  10:45 p.m. EST

Washington State Cougars     -7
Oregon State Beavers               +21

After getting off to a rough start this season, the old pirate Mike Leach now has his Washington State Cougars playing some exciting football out in the PAC 12.  It's Halloween weekend, and Oregon State will be wearing orange and black at home.  But that should not scare the Cougars.  Washington State will put plenty of points on the board and cover a teased 7-point spread.


Saturday, October 29.  11:00 p.m. EST

Stanford Cardinal       +1.5
Arizona Wildcats     +10.5

To be clear, Arizona is not a good football team.  They have not beaten any good teams this season, but they did put a scare into a highly touted Washington Huskies earlier in the year.  Stanford is physically more gifted and better coached, but they do not have the offensive firepower to blow anyone out.  The Cardinal will get of Tucson with a win, but the Wildcats will cover this teased, double-digit spread.


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Anniversary Flashback: Season of Saturdays

Banshee Sports was never intended to be a substitute for Oprah's Book Club.  But, the written word can be an inspiring thing.  Michael Weinreb's written word about college football inspired me as much as any book I've ever read.  Season of Saturdays eloquently captured what I deeply love about the game I care about most.

In October of 2014, Banshee Sports reviewed Michael Weinreb's masterpiece.

Book Review:  Season of Saturdays

The soul of Season of Saturdays is captured in the prologue when Weinreb writes:

I grew up with college football in my blood.  I am not so blinded as to fail to recognize its inherent hypocrisies, and yet I still enjoy it more purely and completely than I enjoy almost anything in my life.  I don't want it to die.  I don't want it to fall victim to corruption and violence.  I don't want it to whither in a courtroom due to the failures of bureaucrats.  I want it to find a rational path beyond this point of crisis.  I want people to understand. 

What follows is my attempt to explain.

I read this paragraph many times, and tears came to my eyes each time that I did.  This was not the only paragraph in the book that had that affect on me.  Click here to continue reading.


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Tuffy Teaser 2016: Week 6

So, Tuffy got a little cocky last week.  Taunting the devil and whatnot.  As the Old Testament tells us, "Pride cometh before the fall."  Tuffy fell last weekend, but it should be noted that it was a one cat mascot defeating another cat mascot that broke up the Week 5 Teaser.  Tuffy considered taking a week off to kick his wounds, but then he remembered that his public is counting on him.

Cousin Vasyl took a bath on Tuffy's picks last week

Tuffy wanted to put Clemson into this week's teaser, but this week was too busy to do a Friday night game.  Instead, Tuffy goes heavy on the early Saturday games.


Tuffy's 2016 Tally:  $14
2016 Record:  3-2
Tuffy's Total Tally:  $37
All Time Record:  9-7


Saturday, October 8.  12:00 p.m.

Maryland Terapins                 +3
Penn State Nittany Lions     +9

With Maryland's arrival in the Big Ten, this game has quietly turned into a simmering rivalry.  The last time the Terps traveled to Penn State, they refused pregame handshakes.  Maryland came away with a in that day.  Penn State avenged that game with a victory at Maryland last year.  Both games were decided by a single point.  Maryland comes into this game with a 4-0 record and some gaudy statistics.  But, those stats came against weak competition.  Home field advantage is always a little limited for noon games, but it is homecoming in Happy Valley.  The Nittany Lions will win this game outright.  They will certainly cover a nine point spread.


Saturday, October 8.  12:30 p.m.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets       +12
Pittsburg Panthers                      Even

Both teams come into this conference game with 3-2 records.  By far, he best win between these two teams is Pitt's win over Penn State.  This game will likely be a close, defensive struggle.  Either team is probably a winner with this teased spread.  The Panthers' defense will make just enough big plays to give Pitt a win at home.


Saturday, October 8.  3:00 p.m.

Houston Cougars     -11
Navy Midshipmen    +23

Tuffy is a big supporter of the military.  It makes him uncomfortable to pick against any service academy, but the Houston has the makings of a truly special season underway.  This is an AAC conference game.  That means that Houston is familiar with Navy and their tricky triple option.  Houston has a potent offense and will put a lot of points on the board.  By the time the final gun sounds, the Cougars will have easily covered this teased spread.


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