Lead Pipe Locks

The football season has now reached the one month mark and here in the rock-n-roll capital it is at this point that you can count on two things;  

1. The Browns seemingly eliminated from playoff contention; and  

2. The Lead Man getting out his guitar and playing a tune on the house.  

This year looks to be no different as the Browns do indeed blow, and the Lead Man is crankin' out the hits. 

Yes players, as is the custom, when the weather gets cool on the north coast the Lead Man heats up. Last week you would have sworn LP mailed his selections in from the equator as he delivered four winners that were so clear cut you could have started heading to the window by halftime. His only defeat came courtesy of a San Diego State Hail Mary with no time left on the clock, to get inside the number. 

So, as you've become accustomed to as the football season picks up steam, much of that steam is captured by the Lead Man who bottles it up, takes it to the Leadquarters, and uses it wisely. While other cappers cool with the weather (in the rare instances they were warm in the first place) Lead Man is plying his trade in an always hot environment. 

"But Lead Man", one of his players says, "if not for that Aztec miracle, you'd a swept the board last week!" 

So true.  

But players, you won't hear the Lead Man whining about it. And if the Lead Man doesn't whine about it, well, that means you shouldn't whine about tough losses either. Allow LP to tell you why: 

First of all, Lead understands that we are all the center of our own universe, and especially in this day and age it has become increasingly obvious that few care about the universe next to them. Many people, for instance, hardly care that there is a war going on. Do you think they care about your tough luck football wager? Don't bore people with your tales of bad luck. It will fall on deaf ears, and it is a waste of time. Lead Man does not waste time. While others complain, LP is capping the coming week. 

Secondly, when you share your bad luck stories you reinforce others perceptions that you are a loser. Players do not have that perception of the Lead Man, because he refuses to drone on about any loss, no matter the circumstances. Don't paint yourself the victim by whining or loathing in self pity after a loss. Those are loser behaviors. Lead Man looks at a situation like the San Diego State/Air Force tilt and takes pride in the fact he capped the game accurately. The result wasn't what he wanted, but the play was. In a nutshell, by not doing the above Lead Man gives off the scent of victory. As the adage goes, that's why the women want to be with the Lead Man, and the guys want to be like the Lead Man. 

Also, let LP be frank here; the breaks even out.  

The same guy complaining about a freak play that cost him a game is the same guy who never mentions when he is on the good side of fortune. Remember players, if you have a buddy that is always telling you about tough losses, he is indeed, a loser. 

Lastly, and most importantly players, the Lead Man understands one thing - in the gaming world there is no such thing as close. You either win, or you lose. Lead Man is at the window, or he's not. Nothing else matters. Having a clear understanding of this point is the chief reason a winning aura follows the Lead Man year in and year out. To the picks; 

It won't be flowers or a candy gram being delivered to Land Shark stadium this Saturday. Like Lorraine Newman, the Miami Hurricanes are welcoming into their house a much more ferocious guest than expected. The Oklahoma Sooners, owners of the number one defense in the land, visit the 17th ranked Canes. Miami has a big match-up issue here as their offensive line was exposed last week against Virginia Tech. Oklahoma is number four in the country in sacks, and although Miami QB Jacory Harris might be a rising star in the college game, LP doesn't believe he'll have nearly the time he needs to operate. The Sooners are coming off back to back shutouts, including a blanking of Tulsa, who was averaging 45 a game up until that tilt. 

Miami's defense will also be put to its stiffest test yet. Even though Sam Bradford will be taking another week off, freshman Landry Jones has stepped in and played very well. Eight would have been enough for Mr. Bradford - Landry Jones is only offering up 7. 

Oklahoma -7 

Army welcomes the Tulane Green Wave to West Point for a clash at high noon in Michie Stadium. It's this simple players; Army can run the ball and Tulane can't stop it. Tulane is allowing 41 points, nearly 500 yards and almost 7 yards a carry to their opponents. This is not the recipe to beat a one dimensional Army squad. Army should be able to force their will on the Tulane defense, running the ball and playing a comfortable, turnover-free brand of football. Tulane's only hope is to grab an early lead and keep it wire to wire, but Army has been playing solid D, so this would seem unlikely. Look for the Black Knights to pull away in the second half. 

No better time to enlist in the Army than Saturday.  

Army -6.5 

It's at this point in the article in which the Lead Man was going to describe in detail about how some college kids from Oregon were going have a great time pounding a bunch of Cougars. However, the early week line of 31 has steamed all the way to 35 in the Oregon Washington State tilt. Lead Man got it at 31, but at 35 it loses quite a bit of value. If you got on this line early well, congratulations, but at 35, LP would consider ducking Oregon. 

Look for the New York Giants to storm the Cassel come Sunday, Chiefs QB Matt Cassel that is. This match up pits one of the NFL's best, the 3-0 Giants against one of its worst, the 0-3 Chefs. KC has a huge problem at the offensive tackle position in general. Throw in Osi Umenyiora and a healthy Justin Tuck and that problem becomes exacerbated. Cassel will do well just to finish this contest with a pulse. Also, a word of advice to first year coach Todd Haley; don't treat your players like 12 year olds. Has anyone caught this guy's act? Herman Edwards might have been one of the league's biggest dolts, but the Chiefs were never in danger of a mutiny. The Chiefs are bound to have some problems during the course of this game and Haley needs to coach his men through it rather than continue with his spoiled brat act on the sidelines. A very bad game here could cause many of his players to tune him out. Sound familiar Browns fans? 

As a rule, LP takes the really good team, over the really bad one.  

G-Men -9 

Good Luck players!