Written by Mike Piper

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Hey Lead, why don't you rate your picks with stars, so we can wager the strongest plays?  This very question was posed last week on the Lead Man's red-hot new radio show "The Pipeline" (airing every Friday night at www.blogtalkradio.com/theclevelandfan). It is a question The Lead Man (TM) is asked often.  The Lead Man addresses the question, and also gives us his winners for this weekend in his regular Friday spot. Hey Lead, why don't you rate your picks with stars, so we can wager the strongest plays?

This very question was posed last week on the Lead Man's red-hot new radio show "The Pipeline" (airing every Friday night at www.blogtalkradio.com/theclevelandfan .) It is a question The Lead Man^TM is asked often. Therefore, he would like to clear it up now, before the season grows too old. The answer is two parts:

First, understand why other touts are starring their selections. You may or may not know this players, but it isn't to help YOU out, it's simply a vehicle that they use which allows THEM to tweak their data, therefore making them appear more accurate than they really are. For example, the cat that has a 40 star selection this week has it because his 30 star selection last week tanked, so he's trying his luck with another variable. If his 40 star hits this week all of the sudden he's "undefeated" with his 40 star selections. If he misses, well players, look out for that 50 star pick next week. His 50 star picks involving AFC teams at home during the third week of the NFL season historically do well.

You'll get no such nonsense from a straight shooter like The Lead Man^TM.

Secondly, rest assured, each and every one of The Lead Man's picks is top notch. If Lead and those at the Leadquarters feel a play isn't as strong as some others, they strike it from the weekend's card. There is no need for the Lead Man^TM to hoodwink his followers. He stands behind his many documented winning picks and makes no excuses for those that come up short. His record does all the talking - straight talking. It should be this simple players, but it is not. For two reasons; 1. Many touts are, shall we say, unsavory; and

2. It's awful hard to be as accurate as The Lead Man^TM. On to this weeks picks;

Are you afraid to fade points? Or do you have The Lead Man's intestinal fortitude? The courage to look down the barrel of a 40 point spot and call the lines maker's bluff doesn't come easily to the feint of heart. Players, if you're going to wager football, especially college football, you must not let a huge spread deter you from what is right. There are millions of people in this country allergic to chalk - The Lead Man^TM is not one of them.

LSU hosts the Mean Green of North Texas on Saturday evening and they are spotting North Texas 41 points. The scared player takes the points; the astute player understands just how horrible N. Texas is. They see that The Mean Green has given up 101 points in their first two contests. They understand that North Texas' head coach is there only to get his son under center as soon as possible. This isn't Pop Warner coach, this is major college football. Look for LSU to win this game by half a hundred. Forget the Mean, take the green.

LSU -41.

Did someone mention huge chalk? The Lead Man^TM sees some more points he'd like to give away. The Louisiana Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns visit Memorial Stadium at high noon to take on the fighting Illini. This is the same Lafayette team the Lead Man^TM had being run over by Southern Miss two weeks back. If Southern Miss was able to roll up 51 points by pounding the ball on the ground, what do you think Juice Williams and a potent Illini attack is capable of? There are 117 teams ranked ahead of Lafayette in rushing defense and this isn't the week they'll make up ground. So Saturday afternoon, give the bookie his weekly Juice and swing back later and collect the toast.

Illinois -24.

Thus far we've supplied enough chalk for you players to write "I'll never doubt The Lead Man^TM" on the board 500,000 times. Time for a dog, dawgs. The Iowa State Cyclones visit Kinnick Stadium and interstate rival Iowa at high noon on Saturday. Iowa has been impressive in the early going. However, FIU and Maine are several notches below Iowa State. This will be the first real test for the Hawkeye platoon system at quarterback, and The Lead Man^TM simply thinks 13.5 points is too many, especially when Iowa has a few injury issues. Iowa State has won 7 of the last 10 matchups between these two rivals, and while the Lead Man^TM isn't suggesting a money line play, he is suggesting wagering the Cyclones and collecting a tidal wave of cash.

Iowa State +13.5

There you have it players, and be sure to tune in tonight to The Pipeline hosted by Brian McPeek as we discuss these picks, some additional radio bonus picks, the Browns Steelers match-up, OSU-USC and much, much more. We'll also be taking you calls concerning any game on the board. Give us a ring.