Let me paint a word picture for you: It's Saturday morning. You wake up to the sound of birds chirping. The smell of fresh cut grass lingers in the distance. You walk downstairs and see sun shining down on a late summers morning with a crisp fall chill cutting through your windows. You flick on the TV and see thousands of college students gathered behind a studio desk with Home Depot logos all over the screen.
Is this heaven?
No... it's College Gameday
Well well well... you couldn't get enough of the Prodigy huh? Had to come back to the well to quench your thirst for spicy takes and bad picks. Welcome to Breakroom Bets folks. Every Friday when you're checked out for the week settle in, make another coffee, grab your phone and let's put in some weekend investments.
Since this is our first go around I will explain each category and the meaning of it before giving you the breakdown. By the way, as an aside, Field of Dreams still holds up. Cried like a baby even thinking about Ray playing catch with his old man. Outside of the fact that Ray is a complete lunatic by throwing away all of his fortune and equity to build a baseball field to then play with ghosts, the guy had some good qualities. Like guts. And when it comes to betting we all need guts like Ray. This weekend we turn our corn fields into baseball diamonds.
Breakroom Bets Game of the Week
Pretty simple concept here. Game of the week. Could be based on pedigree, characters, ranking matchup, storyline, or anything else that is relevant. It's the most anticipated game of the week, usually there is only one, and you know it right away.
#14 Clemson @ #1 Georgia
Georgia -13.5 (-110)
Now this is how you start week 1 with a bang. Two premier programs, noon kickoff, at the Dawg Pound.
My thinking on this game is simple. Dabo Swinney does not believe in NIL, the only name, image and likeness he believes in is God(his words not mine). Too bad god doesn't run a 4.4 or throw a football 65 yards on a dime. I think Georgia is ready to come out and tear through every opponent. They were probably the best year in the country LAST year and got screwed. They've already had multiple driving incidents so clearly they are in mid-season form. Clemson has started slow the last 2 seasons and I don't see that changing, even if they are bringing their whole team back. I think the new look college game is passing them by in real time.
I am also a huge Dabo hater. When he leads the team down the hill and does that stupid sprint to mid field I want to spear him like the Rated R Superstar. (If you don't know who that is get out from the rock you live under and google it, thank me later).
The Rose Bowl Aura Award
This award is dedicated to the most beautiful scene in sports, The Rose Bowl. There is nothing that compares. The setting, the history, the aura, it's all simply unmatched. This award is supposed to go to the game of the weekend that has the most aura, whether it's the venue, teams, jerseys, or coaches.
This weeks pick was a no brainer for me.
#19 Miami @ Florida
Miami -2.5 (-110)
The Swamp
The swamp, 3:30 kickoff, Miami Hurricanes coming to town. That game has so much aura. The uniform
matchup is a classic, the venue is one of the best in CFB. The game is a toss up. Is Cam Ward Miami's
savior?
Remember how I said I was a really bad gambler? Well that's especially true for college. About a month ago I saw a video on X of Florida's training camp and boy did it look bad. So based off that 5 second clip I am going with the Hurricanes. 2.5? I'll lay those points all day!
Play Like A Champion Today - ND Memorial
Full disclosure I am still workshopping this name. Okay you're right it's terrible. But the premise is not. Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish, do this every year. Every single year since 1988 ND comes into the season with prestige and expectations. And every. single. year. they have a game or two where they completely fall flat against a team they should beat - subsequently ruining their title hopes. OR they make it to the big game and get their doors blown off. And guess what? I bet on them every single time. I can't stay away. I even live bet them at times because I'm like "there's no way they lose this, right?"
This weeks pick:
#7 Notre Dame @ #20 Texas A&M
Texas A&M -3 (-105)
I had to pick Notre Dame for the inaugural award dedicated to them. Is this a let down spot? Probably not. Is it game they should win? Yes. Will I be taking them at + money? You bet. This has all the makings of a letdown. #7 overall, coming into the new CFB format, Marcus Freeman's third year. Surely this is the year Notre Dame restores its dominance. Surely they won't lose their first game of the season.
Miracle In Michigan Honoree
September 1st, 2007. Unranked App State travels to #5 Michigan in a buy game, a game where Michigan PAID them to travel to Ann Arbor to get their asses kicked to start the season. Michigan was a 33 point favorite and in all likelihood were going to win by 40, until a miracle happened.
This award is dedicated to the game of the week where a massive dog could pull out the upset win. There's a handful of them every CFB season. If we hit even one of these all year it'll be a success. The one parameter is it has to be at least a 20 point underdog.
UConn @ Maryland
Maryland -20.5 (-105)
UConn, by all accounts, has been the worst CFB program over the last decade. Shout out Bob Diaco for the one good season they had when they upset #19 Houston to clinch a bowl game back in 2016. We are looking to replicate that magic in 2024. The first week of the year is a great upset spot. Can UConn roll into Maryland and punch them in the mouth? I think they can, for really no reason.
UConn ML +860.
Prodigy Picks
#14 Clemson @ #1 Georgia
Prodigy Pick: Georgia -13.5 (-110)
I think this game comes down to the question "does uniformity matter in college football?". I'm going with no. Clemson might keep it close in the first half, but dawgs roll at home and loudly confirm their #1 status.
#8 Penn State @ West Virgina
Prodigy Pick: West Virginia +8 (-110)
Every big game Drew Allar played in last year he shit his pants. I'm sure he has gotten better, but I can't believe it till I see it. Penn State, travelling to one of the loudest venues in CFB, to open the season? Sign me up. I think this is a battle to the end. Give me WVU.
#19 Miami @ Florida
Prodigy Pick: Miami -2.5 (-110)
I know, I'm a sucker. A squaure. however the fuck you want to say it. I told you I suck at gambling CFB but got damn I love a program that has been a letdown for decades. Miami is speaking to me this year. Gotta take em.
#7 Notre Dame @ #20 Texas A&M
Prodigy Pick: Notre Dame ML (+125)
This has to be the game I am most excited for. Nothing like Saturday Night Football with those gold helmets running out of the tunnel. Can A&M turn it around this quickly? Potentially. Notre Dame, as mentioned, is the letdown team every year. Will they blow it this week or week 5 against some FCS team? Going with my gut. The Fighting Irish, saturday night, ML, let's do this.
#13 LSU @ #23 USC
Prodigy Pick: USC ML (+155)
My logic here is simple. Brian Kelly has lost the early game 2 years in a row at LSU. And he's kind of a prick so I want to root against him. Travelling west, stand alone game, no look USC defense? Give me the ML home dog to end Sunday.
Colorado State @ #4 Texas
Prodigy Pick: Texas -32 (-110)
Quin Ewers has gotten better every year he has played. Texas has the best QB room in the country (we think), and they have a gauntlet of a schedule this year. Give me Texas at home to open the year. With Manning breathing down Ewers neck he needs to come out and light it up immediately. Week 1 is feast or famine, and I think the teams with pedigree come out and dominate to start the year.
Prodigy Parlay
Georgia -13.5
Over 48.5
UConn/Maryland Over 44.5
Ohio St -48.5
Alabama -31.5
Michigan/Fresno State Over 45.5
+4140
We finally did it. Football is back. Remember to mix in a water Saturday. Be cautious of any bar that has "the best" anything. When in doubt double down. Enjoy this day. September is the best month of the year. Fall festivities with summer weather is truly unbeatable.
See you Tuesday with our recap... when the NFL rolls into town.
- Prodigy
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