Written by Mike Piper

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He's back players.  And heating up just as the weather here in northeast Ohio starts to cool down.  The Lead Man swept the board on the plays released on his Friday night internet radio show.  Locktober has been very good to the Lead Man and his disciples.  And he's loaded for bear again this week, with more money makers for our readers live and direct from The Leadquarters.  Read, wager, collect. 

Autumn is upon us players.  

In northeast Ohio that generally means cooler temperatures and the leaves exploding in a colorful change.  

As Robert Frost once wrote: 

      "Nature's first green is gold,

      Her hardest hue to hold." 

But at the Leadquarters the temperature is always hot and everything remains green, if not golden. Clearly, Robert Frost never met the Lead Man ^TM. 

It is also during this month of Locktober that the Lead Man and the nation honor the founder of this great country; Christopher Columbus.  

(Quick note players. The Lead Man ^TM just dropped Robert Frost and Christopher Columbus into his weekly gambling article. Educating Lead's readers extends beyond the gridiron and is a duty Lead takes seriously. Now back to the column). 

Why is Christopher Columbus held in such high regard at the Leadquarters? How bout the fact the guy clearly made the most positive EV (expected value) wager of all time. The length of this article does not afford all the details; however, a quick synopsis is in order.  

First, the man was bankrolled by Queen Isabella for the entire amount of the expedition. So, right off the bat he's playing with the house's money.  

Next, the history books would lead us to believe that many people figured the earth to be a flat surface and that C-Bus was in inherent danger of sailing off the edge. This in fact was not the case. The reality was that the educated people of that time, including Columbus, were quite positive of the earth's spherical shape. There was plenty of evidence of this in 1492.  

Lastly, the guy could basically run aground into any land mass out there and claim he hit the new world. Who would know the difference? To summarize:

~His gamble cost him nothing out of pocket. An all-expense-paid free roll.

~By providing the impression that he was in constant peril of falling off the edge of the world when he knew he could not, he parlayed the stupidity of other into the ‘hero treatment'. (Thereby becoming one of the earliest known people to benefit from Lead's 90% rule in which Lead advises that 90% of people are morons)

~Since there could be little verification of his exploits, his chances of reaching his goal and being declared successful became exponentially greater.

Don't get caught up in the revisionist version of history people. Pay no attention to claims that Magellan or Eric the Red reached the end zone first. Don't concern yourself about whether or not some egghead in 2007 claims Columbus mistreated a few injuns back in the day. 

Not only is it an error for a player to turn his back on Columbus, he should recognize many of his ways and employ them liberally. This weekend, do as Columbus would do, which is;

~Pick your expedition wisely. There will be many to choose from, but few that pay you off handsomely.

~Do your own research. Columbus did not take advice from some hump scabby on deck. Neither should you.

The Lead Man ^TM is your map and compass though these rough waters. Don't be too adventuresome and leave home without the Lead Man ^TM.

You can stay out of the 90% pool by following those Columbus-inspired tips above. 
 
Players, people thought Columbus was taking a huge gamble in the late 1400's, just as many in the 21^st century feel the Lead Man does every week. The fact is they are examples of cats that used information to minimize risk and maximize profits.  
 
Lastly, there is one luxury that the Lead Man ^TM and you players out there possess that Columbus did not; the computer.  

And as last week proved, the use of this machine is crucial to Lead Man followers. Why? Because the Lead Man ^TM SWEPT the board with his internet radio bonus picks that were revealed  last Friday night on his smash new radio show, ‘The Pipeline' hosted by Brian McPeek.  

Players, the Lead Man are quickly becoming a multi-media giant. This has forced him to reveal his picks over media outlets. So those of you simply cherry picking the Friday print article are getting the picks from the Nina and Piñata, but are missing those from the Santa Maria. And as last week proved, that's a boat you don't want to miss. On to this week's picks: 

Arizona travels to Stanford stadium late Saturday afternoon to take on the Stanford Cardinal and college football's most ridiculous mascot.. The nation knows that Wildcat QB Willie Tuitama can really throw it, but did you know that a rebuilt Arizona defense is 2^nd in the nation? Well the Lead Man does. With the Wildcats only allowing 226 yards per game, it doesn't look to be a day in which a turnover prone Stanford offense is going to produce enough. The defensive issue for Stanford is their pass rush. They put zero pressure on Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen last week, and if they do the same Saturday Tuitama will pick them apart. The Stanford student section will be filled with futire bosses, but it will be Coach Stoops boys that are giving the orders on Saturday. 

Arizona -6.5. 

Rutgers is running straight into a match-up problem at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati when they take on the Cincy Bearcats. The Scarlet Knight are having major issues up front, on both sides of the ball. Cincy's defensive line is coming on strong led by converted tight end Connor Barwin, who is quickly positioning himself for play on Sundays. On the other side of the ball coach Schiano is mixing and matching in an effort to get some pressure on the opposing quarterback. He has been unsuccessful up to this point. Coach Kelley is on his third QB of the season, but don't let that shy you away players, they all can put up points in Kelley's spread offense. Lead Man likes both the match-up and talent differential here. 

Cincinnati -7. 

In the pro game look for the Indianapolis Colts to strike a gusher at Lucas Oil field against the Baltimore Ravens. Peyton Manning plays historically well against the birds and will force an unhealthy Raven secondary to exclaim, "never more." Look for the Colts to fill the box and make young Joe Flacco be the one to beat them. He will not be up to the task. Look for the Colts to hit a couple big plays and take advantage of the worst special teams in the league. 

Colts -4. 

Don't forget players, tonight at 10:30, yours truly and Brian McPeek bring you "The Pipeline." We've got a jam packed show, we'll take your calls and deliver our internet radio bonus picks. Tune in players, and good luck.