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Numbers Game
Published: 10/12/2009 2:53 PM
Last Modified: 10/12/2009 3:15 PM

Boise State is favored by 10 over Tulsa Wednesday.

That number is good news for TU. Why? Because it says Vegas likes Tulsa. And guess what. Vegas handicappers are very good.

There is the misconception that Vegas bookie houses want half the people on each side of a game, that they are content to make a living off the commission off losers. That's really wrong. Vegas bookie houses would much rather have 90 percent of the bettors on the losing side. Bookie houses win or lose, just like suckers who bet with them.

And on those occasions when the public is around 70 percent heavy on one side, the public loses a considerable majority of the time. The public reflects the obvious choice. On the whole, the obvoious loses. Obvious bettors pay for all the light bulbs in Vegas.

So on this game, the Las Vegas superbly expert handicappers are saying bring on all the Boise State cash you can muster, we'll fade it; Vegas at this point likes TU.

Sometimes, the oddsmaker puts out a bad number, like OU seven-plus over Miami.

We pick Boise by 14. Its defense is fair. The lefty quarterback is nice.

Texas is favored by three over OU. In this one, Vegas likes OU. Probably with good reason. Texas has played nobody, and almost lost to a nothing last week at home.

Are the OU cornerbacks capable of covering a pot of beans?

That will determine the winner.

On the subject of the Edmond Thunder basketball exhibition Wednesday night, the over/under number on the crowd is 5,000. This will be a wonderful opportunity to see NBA stars recline on the bench. We'll take over 5,000. By 1.



Reader Comments 11 Total
BobSmith007 (3 years ago)
Heading downtown for the pick-up game instead of over to Skelly to see a "top 10" is down right contemptible!
dcood (3 years ago)
Pick, I may be wrong but didnt you say OU-TX was a lock for UT much like you did Miami? Now that bookies have made UT only a 4 point favorite, tune is changing?? Why the continued jealousy/negative about the Thunder? Im no big NBA fan anymore but it's pretty cool we have a team. By the way, enjoy that WNBA team... if Tulsa can even get it.
MexiMike (3 years ago)
dcood, he also locked Illinois over Mizzou...ouch.

The WNBA can keep their team.  As a Tulsa resident, I don't want them. Focus on the local teams. Don't sell out for a franchise of a sport nobody even cares about.
Dash Riprock (3 years ago)
MexiMike, exactly.
OU_Glenn (3 years ago)
Mr. Picker,
You are right on the money in regards to the OU secondary. On College Scoreboard Final Sat. night, Mark May said that the key to OU beating Texas was to make Texas one dimensional by stopping the run and by making Colt McCoy beat them. Lou Holtz agreed with him. These analysts are taking the same defensive approach that Stoops and Venables are taking. Texas is a pass-first team. Therefore, the key is stopping the pass, not making Texas one dimensional by stopping the run.

The folks in Tulsa should sell-out the TU-Boise State Game. The stadium only seats 30,000 people. You're correct, MexiMike. Nobody cares about WNBA Basketball.
The Picker (3 years ago)
Just when I hold out some hope for you people.....picks change, match-ups change.

One thing never changes, I win, you lose.Long as the Edmond/Norman Thunder refuses to schedule a regular season game here, it can take a flying leap and miss a dunk. 
jimmyd (3 years ago)
Props are due when they are due, Good Week  Last Week Picker. But we'll all get you next week though. You can't win them all, or even most of them. About 40% is your avg.

Everybody talks how Bradford has kicked the rust off, but he still has nobody to throw to that can catch a ball, much less a cold. And with an O-line that can't open holes, this is going to be a looonng afternoon for the Sooners.

And with Richardson as a HC again, a Tulsa WNBA team should start off on triple death probation.

Lets also hope for Good Weather at the TU game on Wed. Would hate for Boise to have an excuse for their loss, and Tulsa an excuse for not filling the stands.
dcood (3 years ago)
Unfortunately, the weather is gonna stink, Boise will win and they will be lucky  to have 20k fans... We live in the Bible belt and it's Wednesday night. Stick to Saturdays and quit sellin out to ESPN and playin on Fridays and Weds.
The Picker (3 years ago)
Might be a good idea to keep the weak and feeble away from the Boise game tonight.....
MexiMike (3 years ago)
"Might be a good idea to keep the weak and feeble away from the Boise game tonight...."
So Pick, how did that Boise game work out for you? Oh...what's that? You picked wrong?

Tell me again how the "one thing never changes...you win, we lose." I love that story. It makes me laugh.
dcood (3 years ago)
Still want Venables fired, OU's db's no good, no red zone stops? Cant put that loss on the defense! And then you media types wonder why some coaches are surly to you guys? You say in public, in essence, they dont know how to do their job... and then they prove again they might know what they are doing. Dont blame 'em.
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Out Pick The Picker

The Picker began entertaining – and infuriating – sports fans in 1993. Each week during football season, he writes about his picks of college and NFL games in his Thursday Sports column. He's never afraid of sharing his opinions about the game and the personalities who play it. Readers have a chance to go against him each season in the Outpick the Picker contest. He welcomes the competition.

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