Written by Mike Piper

---

When one thinks of the all-time great rebounders, Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley and Wilt Chamberlain come to mind. Not to mention perhaps the best at attracting rebounds, Jennifer Aniston. And now, after last week's effort, it is difficult for Lead Pipe not to include himself in this group.  If you're not coat tailing the Lead Man by now, you may as well be stoking your fireplace with serial number ordered stacks of $100 bills.

When one thinks of the all-time great rebounders, Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley and Wilt Chamberlain come to mind. Not to mention perhaps the best at attracting rebounds, Jennifer Aniston. 

And now, after last week's effort, it is difficult for Lead Pipe not to include himself in this group. What a weekend for "The Dennis Rodman" of sports handicappers, or "Dennis Leadman" as some have nicknamed him. Much like Rodman, Lead simply outworked and out hustled his fellow cappers last week in snagging all the critical information. Much like Rodman's shot selection, Lead made sure the shots he took were slam-dunks as he went on the offensive. Much like Rodman, LP did his best work under the bright lights, reeling off four straight victories in the evening hours that followed a 1-2 start. And much like Dennis Rodman, Lead was pursued all weekend by adoring white women. 

Yes players, Lead informed you that he would hold himself accountable for last week. Lead assured you that his teammates at The Leadquarters would be put on notice. There were ultimatums handed down and dues that needed to be paid and the result was cash in the pocket, courtesy of the ultimate team player. The Dennis Rodman of sports handicapping, grabbing the rebound and giving to you, his teammates, perfect outlet passes that resulted in four easy lay-ups. Not off the window, but rather at the window. 

You can call Lead and The Worm many things; brash, arrogant, dirty, selfish. But at the end of the day one thing is clear. Rodman, and more importantly for you players, The Lead Man, are Winners. On to this week's picks; 

At first glance one might think that Lead Pipe and African American strippers would have nothing in common, but if you delve a bit deeper you will find that they do indeed share a hatred of Duke sports teams. Lead, however, has softened his stance a bit in regard to Duke Football. Main reason being that wagering against them has provided Lead with a handsome second income. Why miss the payday this week players as the Clemson Tigers travel to the land of crooked prosecutors to lay a beat down on the doormat of the ACC? Since their October bye week Clemson has been firing on all cylinders both offensively and defensively, making them pretty much the Bizarro Duke. Analysts want to fawn over the Davis/Spiller combo in Clemson's backfield, but don't overlook QB Cullen Harper who is flying under the radar this year with 21 TD's and only 4 picks. Duke is poor offensively, poor defensively and is facing a team that, unlike Bobby Bowden's FSU squad, is not going to settle for 45 field goals on Saturday. Leave Howard's rock at home boys; you won't need it this week.

Clemson -16 

Another squad that has been suffering the horrible fate of having LP bet against them is the Colorado State Rams. You players might remember them from last week's Utah Utes walk in the park that the Lead Man recommended. Lead believes the Utes had that spread covered before the opening kick even landed. Anyway, more of the same this week as BYU hosts The Rams in Provo on Saturday. BYU is chomping at the bit to play after last week's wildfire induced bye week, (Lead knows a little something about being on fire) and look to take it out on Sonny Lubick's Colorado State team. The Rams are horrible defensively and Max Hall's QB rating is approaching 140. So, let's make a deal with Max Hall's Cougars that they will cover the three touchdown spread.

BYU -21 

Some people are looking past college football Saturday this week in great anticipation for what they believe to be a preview of the AFC championship game involving the Pats and the Colts. Well, Lead would caution you to not to miss the Super Bowl of bad college coaching on Saturday in an epic clash between Dave Wannstedt and Greg Robinson. Holy mackerel, who knows what disasters await. Pitt hosts Syracuse at Heinz field. Syracuse is just dreadful and seems to be playing out the string under Robinson. At least Pitt has a few freshmen that are playing well, including the one who will clearly be the best player on the field Saturday, RB LeSean McCoy. Pitt also has a freshman QB playing relatively well in Pat Bostick. This talented newcomer has fallen prey to some freshman mistakes, but a horrible Syracuse defense will cure whats been ailing Bostick the last few weeks. As a matter of fact, for any football player that isn't feeling up to snuff, Doctor Lead recommends some Orange. Here's to Pitt dominating Syracuse to the point that even Wannstedt can't blow it. And this week Pitt fans have the security that any one of Wannstedt's horrible moves might be countered by an equally awful one by Robinson.

Pitt -13 

The Florida Gators host the Vanderbilt Commodore's this weekend in the Swamp. Lead says go ahead and assume the Gators are going to take out their frustrations over last week's loss to Georgia on Vandy. The Gators, aside from last week, have been stout against the run, which is really the only way Vandy moves the ball. Vandy QB Chris Nickson is sub par, therefore wasting the talent of Earl Bennett, one of the nation's top receivers. And, while Vanderbilt's strength this year has been on defense, the Florida offense is a different animal. Put it all together and you've got match-up problems and a very inspired Florida team playing in front of the home crowd. For Florida, a win over the Commodore's should be easy like Sunday morning.

Florida -14 

Perhaps "The Ole Ball Coach's " team was a bit overrated. With consecutive losses to Tennessee and Vanderbilt, hardly the cream of the SEC, this very well may be true. Throw in a little unrest at the QB position and having to go on the road to face a good Arkansas squad, and Lead can already envision the visor being flung to the ground repeatedly this weekend too. Arkansas has a ton of offensive talent and with most of it involved in the running game; they will avoid the strength of the SC defense, which is pass coverage. Arkansas is playing very well defensively and looks to be game enough to stifle a struggling SC offense. Not every cock's going to stay in the barn on a college Saturday night, but Arkansas will keep the gamecocks on lockdown this weekend. Arkansas -4 

Check the status of Middle Tennessee general Dwight Dasher. He was banged up in last week's victory over North Texas. You remember, it was one of the ones Lead told you about. If Dasher is under center take the Blue Raiders on the road at UL Monroe. Middle Tennessee can score the ball and Monroe's defense isn't going to keep Middle Tennessee too close for comfort.

Again, if it's "On Dasher" then you should be Blitzen to the window with MTSU -4. 

In the pro game, San Diego is the play. 

Want to know the steam on any of the action this weekend, shoot Lead an e-mail...