Chapter 8

Two months ago I set out on this journey of sports blogging. This is purely a hobby of mine and I’m not trying to make a career out of it. Sure, there are a few connects I can hit up and talk about the business side of sports writing, but I understand my content is not at that level, and I am cool with that. I also cannot imagine how much time they put in to an article. I have trouble making a weekly post, searching for new ideas, thinking of how to stand out. It’s hard! I get to put a smile on my face accomplishing a weekly post, and I think I get to make a good amount of people laugh with my jokes. I couldn’t ask for more!

The next thing I could use a lot of work on is my public speaking. As cliché as it is, I’m like a turtle, I hide in my shell too often. When I come out of that shell I find myself being able to make people laugh, which is my favorite feeling. A weekly video segment can’t hurt, and maybe it can help break that shell! I found it difficult getting behind the camera last week by myself. I don’t want to search for the spotlight, but being able to accept some spotlight is something I desire. So on top of thinking on quirky opening paragraphs, sounds like I will have to think of quirky videos moving forward!

Before we get to the video, I’d like to recap on my last week’s performance.
Warriors -12.5 at Knicks – HIT! Warriors 128 Knicks 100 thanks to Durant’s 25 in the fourth !!
Army +1 at Eastern Michigan – HIT! Army 37 EMich 22 #salute
#7 Georgia vs. #9 Florida under 52.5 – Miss. Georgia 36 Florida 17. I did say in the video that Georgia would win at least!
BYU -7 vs. Northern Illinois – Miss. Northern Illinois 7 BYU 6.
#16 Texas A&M +2.5 at Mississippi State – Miss. Mississippi State 28 A&M 13 #SorryNickFitzgerald
Redskins +1 at Giants – HIT! Redskins 20 Giants 13
Packers +9.5 at Rams – HIT! Rams 29 Packers 27
Cardinals +1 vs. 49ers – HIT! Cardinals 18 49ers 15.

WOO! I went 3-0 in my NFL picks this week!
Last week – 5-3
YTD – 28-28
NCAAF YTD – 15-19
NFL YTD – 11-7
Other – 2-2

Please enjoy the video! I didn’t nervously touch my chin every 5 seconds, but I licked the corner of my mouth like 49 times, sorry!

**Friday Night Knicks**

Mavs -6 vs. Knicks – We are 2-0 in this segment, once siding with the Knicks and the other fading the Knicks. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I cannot side with the Knicks if they are on the road this early in the season. This team is too young and full of role players. I believe the Knicks have the right coach for their team, but this is a practice year. The Mavericks have a future superstar in Luka Doncic. This 6foot7 point-forward already is averaging 20 points a game. He will be too much for Knicks top defender Frank Ntilikina.
Mavs 113 Knicks 104

**Saturday Slate**

Heat -5.5 at Hawks – Lets throw one more NBA game in the Korner because this one is too good to pass up. **Source Alert** The Bird’s home nest is located in Miami. He flew back to New Jersey to relay me some information. The Heat are pleasantly surprised in emerging scorer Josh Richardson. Richardson has been rumored earlier to be traded away. Word on the block from the Bird is that Richardson has been told Miami will keep him. With this leaking news, the team should rejoice they keep their brother, and roll over the Hawks. Winter is coming, so maybe the Goose should join the Bird and fly down to Miami!
Heat 119 Hawks 107

#15 Utah -7 at Arizona State – Over the years of picking the Professor’s brain, I have learned one thing: Them Utes are tough. This goes for their football and basketball team. Just look back at the recent years – Utah produces tough talent. Their defense this year is giving up the 7th least yards. They are strong up front on both sides of the football. They also have a stellar running back in Zack Moss averaging 6 yards a carry. This game will kick off at 1pm Arizona time. Arizona State is a hard place to play, but with it being an early game, the crowd won’t be as much of a factor like a night game.
Utah 30 Arizona State 20

Duke +9.5 at Miami – Both teams come in cold, losing two straight each. I just don’t like what I see in Miami this year. They have benched their starting quarterback early in the season, and recently brought him back to play. He has to be at edge on the field because his next interception could be his last, and it will be back to the bench for him. Duke, on the other hand, has no quarterback controversy. Albeit a weak quarterback draft class, Daniel Jones is being flirted as a potential first round quarterback. He is going to Miami this week, and I’d imagine all three of Florida’s teams will send scouts checking out this kid.
Duke 28 Miami 27

FIU -2.5 vs. FAU – While looking for games, I stumbled upon this one. FIU is 6-2 on the year, and is 6-1 against-the-spread! FAU was last year’s surprise team, so oddsmakers have been leaning their way, but they are only 1-7 against-the-spread this year. **Source Alert** A former Rutgers coworker of mine now works for the FIU training staff and told me this team is for real! She said to keep an eye on the explosive D’Vonte Price in this one. The sophomore makes mistakes in practice, but come game time he is ready to go! My former Rutgers connects are 3-0 on the year; Princeton Chapter 3, SFA Chapter 4, and Army Chapter 7, so lets go 4-0!
FIU 33 FAU 27

#23 Fresno State -25 at UNLV – There aren’t many things better than late night football. In college football, you frequently have kickoffs at 10:30pm from West Coast teams. This week #23 Fresno State takes on a bad UNLV team. UNLV has one thing going well for them this season; they have a really cool field! The 10-yard markers are diamonds, playing off the Las Vegas vibe. Fresno has a lot going for them. In their last 3 games they are winning by an average score of 38-10. This is a large spread of 25, but if their last 3 games are any indicator, Fresno should leave with a win and a cover. Catch me at the Korner cheering past midnight!
Fresno State 45 UNLV 14

**Sunday Funday**

Texans +1 at Broncos – Please see video above.
Texans 27 Broncos 24

Chargers +1.5 at Seahawks – Please see video above.
Chargers 24 Seahawks 21
Thanks for the read!
Goose