Written by Mike Piper

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The Lead Man is doing a little vacationing on his bookmaker's dime

North Carolina.  

It's the proud home of collegiate basketball coaching legend Dean Smith. It's also the place where aeronautical pioneers, The Wright Brothers, first took flight. And for one week only, it's the locale of gambling icon The Lead Man^TM. Yes players, the Lead Man^TM finds himself vacationing in the heart of SEC country, where he's surrounded by Volunteers, Bulldogs, Wildcats, and as LP's 90% rule would imply - far too many cocks. 

And as Lead Man^TM, clad in his Kirk Herbstreit #10 throwback jersey, cruises the Blue Ridge Parkway (his presence alone instantly turning it into the Green Ridge Parkway) there is a buzz surrounding him.  

Why? Well, because the South has a long tradition of losing, of course.  

From losing Civil Wars, to losing teeth, to losing their life savings to unsavory televangelists, to losing presidential votes cast for Bo Duke (or, in some cases, just flat-out losing actual, critical presidential votes), southerners are not unaccustomed with finding themselves holding the losing share of the purse. It goes without saying that they are not familiar with one who possesses the winning aura that surrounds the Lead Man^TM at all times. 

But this week it all changes Southerners. This is the week in which you may rid yourselves of the legacy of a loser like General Lee and bask in the glow of a true American hero, and more importantly, a true American winner. Those of you who have saved your confederate money, biding your time until the South rises again, well, you're in luck, because it's risin' y'all - courtesy of the Lead Man^TM.  

So Cletus, Bobby Joe and Bubba, you boys put down the Billy Beer and the shotguns, walk Stumpy the three-legged coon dog out back to the magnolia tree, get your cash out of the coffee can buried out back under the still and watch the Lead Man up close and personal show you how to use that fourth grade math education and make yinz a tidy profit. 

To my loyal players back home, fear not. Just because LP has temporarily left the region does not mean he has shirked his due diligence. He has been tirelessly analyzing data, and even though he's poolside, he'll be working the wireless and cell phoning the Leadquarters in order to stay on top of the action. 

Down here they are big on Southern hospitality, and there is nobody more hospitable then Lead Man. So allow the Lead Man to do his part and chew the grits - and pass you the gravy.  

Even on vacation the Lead Man^TM isn't letting his faithful followers down. But no more jerking around. Let's get to the picks in rapid-fire succession: 

NCAAF

Kansas   +20 ½

Oklahoma St.  -17

Louisiana Monroe  -18

Tulsa -17

NFL

San Diego Chargers Pick

Good luck players. 

And make sure to tune into ‘The Pipeline' this Friday with host Brian McPeek. I'll be calling in with the radio-only bonus picks. Taking a break from having fun just to make sure followers of the Lead Man^TM earn enough extra cash to have some fun of their own.