How many times have you watched a college basketball game where a team gets a big lead early and appears to be in control? Then, the coach orders the players to become more patient on offense and look for high percentage shots rather than run the offense that got them the lead. Subconsciously, the players become passive and slow down a bit, as they try to avoid turnovers.
As sure as the sun rises, this team loses its lead, sometimes all the way. The other team exploits the passive play and goes on a run. Then, the coach of the team that lost the lead, calls time out and yells at his team for doing basically what he told them to do.
Ladies and gentlemen–some of our Land Sharps may have been afflicted with this malady in recent weeks. All five of our guest prognosticators got out to big leads in the land of picking winners against the spread. Then, in recent weeks, they slowed down the pace and played it safe, only to see their great returns reduced by several percentage points. The infamous books have reclaimed some of the investment as we round the turn and head down the backstretch of the 2018 season.
Today, three of our Land Sharps are going with just three games. The game has tightened up, and they are running Four Corners, maybe a little too early in the game. One Land Sharp is going with five selections, while the most liberal of the group is going with seven.
As for the PiRates, hey, we stink this year in our selections. We are so far under water, we’d get the bends if we tried to re-surface quickly enough not to drown this season. Our picks have not worked for us this year. We have nothing to lose by going with more than a dozen selections, including a recommendation from one of our followers.
However, we have a saving grace here. We never wager actual currency on any of the games we select, and if you have an ounce of brains, you will follow our lead. Unless, of course, you are Stewed Meat, because Stewed is a professional in Vegas, although in recent days, we aren’t so sure about Stewed, after Stewed apparently went on the airwaves three sheets to the wind. But, then what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
Unfortunately for us, what is invested in Vegas stayed in Vegas last week, if only in a pretend manner.
Still, all five of our Land Sharps are in the black for the season. We have a new leader overall, as Dean615 has moved from last place to first place in one month.
Here are our wonderful Land Sharp selections for this week.
1. Dean615–Season: 24-17-2 Return on Investment: 12.3%
Vanderbilt +17 vs. Missouri
Kentucky -5.5 vs. Tennessee
Northwestern +11 vs. Iowa
2. Cal Gal Tiffany–Season: 29-22-0 Return on Investment: 9.4%
Boise St. +3 vs. Fresno St.
Auburn +14.5 vs. Georgia
Texas -1 vs. Texas Tech
Oregon St. +24 vs. Stanford
Georgia Tech -3 vs. Georgia
Washington St. -6 vs. Colorado
Kansas +12 vs. Kansas St.
3. Stewed Meat–Season: 31-24-0 Return on Investment: 8.4%
South Carolina +7 vs. Florida
Kansas +12 vs. Kansas St.
North Carolina +10.5 vs. Duke
4. Friday Dog 13–Season: 27-21-1 Return on Investment: 8.0%
Ohio U -4 vs. Miami (O)
Ohio U & Miami (O) OVER 61.5
Middle Tennessee -13 vs. UTEP
North Carolina St. -17 vs. Wake Forest
Notre Dame -17.5 vs. Florida St.
5. Buckeye Michelle–Season: 23-20-1 Return on Investment: 1.8%
Indiana -1.5 vs. Maryland
Washington St. -6 vs. Colorado
Boston College +20.5 vs. Clemson
The PiRate Ratings Selections for This Week
COLLEGE
10-point Teasers (3 game parlays at 11-10)
| Favorite | Underdog | Spread | Pick |
| Syracuse | Louisville | 10.5 | Syracuse |
| Texas A&M | Ole Miss | 1.5 | Texas A&M |
| Kansas St. | Kansas | 22 | Kansas |
| Favorite | Underdog | Spread | Pick |
| West Virginia | TCU | 1.5 | WVU |
| Eastern Michigan | Akron | 3 | EMU |
| Duke | North Carolina | Pk | Duke |
| Favorite | Underdog | Spread | Pick |
| Arizona St. | UCLA | 2.5 | Arizona St. |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma St. | 9.5 | Oklahoma |
| Purdue | Minnesota | 2.5 | Purdue |
| Favorite | Underdog | Spread | Pick |
| Tulane | East Carolina | 3.5 | Tulane |
| Florida Atlantic | Western Kentucky | 10 | Florida Atlantic |
| Georgia | Auburn | 24.5 | Auburn |
| Favorite | Underdog | Spread | Pick |
| Cinciannati | East Carolina | 2.5 | Cincinnati |
| Texas Tech | Texas | 8.5 | Texas |
| UAB | Southern Miss. | 2.5 | UAB |
13-point Teasers (4 game parlays at 13-10)
| Favorite | Underdog | Spread | Pick |
| North Carolina St. | Wake Forest | 4 | NC St. |
| Florida | South Carolina | 20 | S. Car. |
| BYU | Massachusetts | 27 | UMass |
| Troy | Georgia Southern | 14.5 | Ga. Southern |
| Favorite | Underdog | Spread | Pick |
| Tennessee | Kentucky | 7 | Kentucky |
| Colorado | Washington St. | 7 | Washington St. |
| Louisiana | Georgia St. | 1 | Louisiana |
| South Alabama | UL-Monroe | 7.5 | UL-Monroe |
Money Line Parlay (@ +152)
| Must Win | Must Lose |
| Ohio U | Miami (O) |
| Northern Illinois | Toledo |
Recommended Parlay from our Subscriber JuJu 85 from Santa Clarita, CA
This parlay features two underdogs and plays at +1355, which is good enough for us to approve.
| Must Win | Must Lose |
| South Carolina | Florida |
| Kansas | Kansas St. |
N F L
13-point Teasers (4 game parlays at 13-10)
| Favorite | Underdog | Spread | Pick |
| Detroit | Chicago | 6.5 | Chicago |
| Kansas City | Arizona | 3.5 | Kansas City |
| Tennessee | New England | 6.5 | New England |
| Jacksonville | Indianapolis | 10 | Indianapolis |
| Favorite | Underdog | Spread | Pick |
| Oakland | L.A. Chargers | 3 | L.A. Chargers |
| Miami | Green Bay | 3 | Green Bay |
| Seattle | L.A. Rams | 3 | L.A. Rams |
| Dallas | Philadelphia | 6.5 | Philadelphia |
| Team | Team | Total | Pick |
| Chicago | Detroit | 31.5 | Over |
| Cincinnati | New Orleans | 41 | Over |
| Cleveland | Atlanta | 37.5 | Over |
| Buffalo | N.Y. Jets | 24 | Over |
Remember this: We issue these picks strictly for entertainment purposes only and do not wager real money on our selections. We advise you to do the same.
The Pi-Rate Ratings 