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There's a distinct trend in You Bet Your Ass this season. At the beginning of the year Cassidy was dominating the competition, and eventually the success started going to his head. Then, right after he started getting a bit too cocky, he saw his lead disappear.
That's when I took over. And even though I saw what happened to Cassidy, I got cocky myself, basically declaring that the competition was over. I was tempting fate, but I didn't care because my picks showed me that I could see the future, which meant I controlled my own fate.
I lost my lead.
Last week it was Birkhead who had worked his way all the way from last to first place after a three week run that saw him go 13-2. Birkhead did not heed the warnings of his elders who had been there before. "IT'S MY WORLD NOW," he yelled to all that would hear him.
And then all that would hear him saw him go 0-5 last week and fall all the way back to last place.
Still, the four of us are all only separated by three games, so nobody can afford to get comfortable right now.
If you need a refresher on how this little competition of ours works, here you go.
Each participant will bet on every Big Ten game being played that weekend, and they can bet either the point spread or the over/under.
The participant will assign an amount to their bet, which can be either $25, $50 or $100. Each participant is allowed only one $100 bet per week. Everybody starts with a $0 balance, and balances can be negative.
And now this week's games.
Ohio State (-32) at Illinois, Over/Under: 68.5
Fornelli: $25 on Ohio State -32
Primiano: $25 on Ohio State -32
Birkhead: $50 on Ohio State -32
Cassidy: $25 on Over 68.5
From Primiano: I should probably be willing to bet more, but the Illini have only really been blown out once this year and I don't like spreads over 30.
From Birkhead: Please, don't take our souls too, Ohio State.
Purdue at Penn State (-21.5), Over/Under: 48.5
Fornelli: $25 on Penn State -21.5
Primiano: $25 on Purdue +21.5
Birkhead: $25 on Penn State -21.5
Cassidy: $25 on Penn State -21.5
From Birkhead: Purdue showed some improvement last week. They scored not one, but two touchdowns! They still suck though.
From Cassidy: When the wheels fall off at Purdue, they really fall off. Then the car bursts into flames.
Indiana at Wisconsin (-21), Over/Under: 74
Fornelli: $50 on Wisconsin -21
Primiano: $50 on Wisconsin -21
Birkhead: $50 on Wisconsin -21
Cassidy: $25 on Indiana +21
From Primiano: The over feels like a sucker's bet. Wisconsin's defense should be able to handle the Hoosiers well enough.
From Fornelli: This is your friendly reminder that Wisconsin ran for 564 yards while putting up 63 points against Indiana last season. And that was in Bloomington.
Michigan at Northwestern (-2.5), Over/Under: 55.5
Fornelli: $25 on Northwestern -2.5
Primiano: $25 on Michigan +2.5
Birkhead: $50 on Michigan +2.5
Cassidy: $100 on Michigan +2.5
From Cassidy: This is such a sucker bet. Dammit.
From Fornelli: I see none of my compatriots have watched Michigan lately.
Michigan State (-6.5) at Nebraska, Over/Under: 45
Fornelli: $50 on Michigan State -6.5
Primiano: $50 on Michigan State -6.5
Birkhead: $50 on Michigan State -6.5
Cassidy: $50 on Michigan State -6.5
From Birkhead: Sparty is a lot tougher than Lil' Red.
From Fornelli: If this game was being played in East Lansing with a 9.5-point spread I'd bet $100 on Sparty. But since it's in Lincoln I'm going to show a bit more restraint.
Money On The Line This Week
Fornelli: $175
Primiano: $175
Birkhead: $225
Cassidy: $225
Standings (Last week)
1. Cassidy 43-36, $375 (4-1, $50)
2. Primiano 42-37, $350 (3-2, $50)
3. Fornelli 41-38, $200 (2-3, $0)
4. Birkhead 40-39, $325 (0-5, -$175)
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