CougZone.com - Butch v. Tommy

October 30, 2009

Butch and Tommy

It is always nice when the occasion presents itself that the boys can grab a glass of nog and temporarily put aside their differences and be on the same page. Last week was such a week for both Butch and Tommy as each pulled in a 3-2 week. For Butch, it is the second week in a row above .500 and while the combined numbers of the two weeks - 5-3-1 - are not blinding to the eyeballs, it is a far sight better than Butch was doing prior to those weeks. For Tommy, last week was a sweet cinnamon roll compared to the pile of manure he had for breakfast two weeks ago when he put together the only 0-fer skunking we have had so far in the 2009 season. The week began nicely for Tommy, who correctly deduced that the Nikes would crumple, fold and mutilate the Hussies in Seattle. This surprised Butch as he figured the Hussies would be all pumped up for this "big rivalry". But Butch easily made up that game when Tommy - once again, for like the 977th time - missed on the Wazzu game. That is becoming as predictable as reality shows attracting easily duped hillbillies - taking time out from smashing pumpkins - as their main audience. From there, Butch and Tommy were like two peas in a pod. Both picked the easy Arizona cover over UCLA and Stanford cover over Arizona State. But both Butch and Tommy would have been 4-1 last week if it had not been for Tommy's girls - that's right, another gender switch, they're back to being girls - took a large double digit lead in the fourth quarter only to have the defense become frightened little bunnies and allow the big, bad Beavers to come back within six points. Remember, these are the same Rodents who could barely - barely - beat UNLV. So, thanks to Tommy's girls, Butch could only gain one game on his quest for the Holy Grail - getting back to the .500 Tommy Line?.

Tommy: Well, neither Tom nor Butch embarrassed themselves this past weekend with picks, and the Cougs covered again, making them 4-3 against the number this season. As a result, Paul Wulff just got a lifetime extension. There's great glory in only losing to Cal by 32, and in scoring 14 against Arizona State. Clear progress if you ask The Skirted One. Tommy's above .500 ATS this year as well, and that's more than we can say for our Furry Friend. Methinks there is an opportunity to go further over that magical line this week, starting with the game of the season.

Butch: Well, we would both be at least one game in better shape if it were not for your girls, Tommy. At least Wazzu did their part, ATS-wise, to help out the poor Butch and Tommy charity drive - which is more than we can say for your girls.

California (-7) at Arizona State

Tommy: Let's get this straight. The Sun Devils aren't any good. They have played three teams who can run the ball, and lost those games by an average of 11 points. Time to watch this season fall off a cliff, as the Sun Devils finally face some upper echelon Pac-10 teams. And this game doesn't have a lot at stake, so Cal should do fine. We Can't Wait To Play In El Paso-28, We'll Be Home For The Holidays Drinking Nog With Our Coach-13.

Butch: Statistically speaking - and we all wish we could speak in statistics, don't we? - Arizona State is tops in the league in defense, but realistically, they are third behind USC and Oregon, which means they are still pretty good. That is important because ASU's offense could not score against a wet paper bag. Still, Wazzu scored 17 against the Fighting Tedfords last week - and that was with an offensive line composed of Balloon Boy [he tried to hide but it did not work], a cardboard cutout and a piece of lint - so Butch figures ASU can score at least that much at home or the defense can hold the Tedfords to significantly less than 49 points against the not-so-mobile Kevin Riley. Butch takes Cal to win but ASU to cover.

UCLA at Oregon State (-9)

Tommy: Are you kidding me, Vegas? OSU's aggressive defense against the soft as Charmin OL of the Bruins? Jacquizz Rodgers against a team that gives up four yards per carry? An efficient pass O against a team that has less than two sacks a game? Blow out city. The Cougs continue to have company in the Pac-10 cellar. Yay, We Almost Beat SC!!!!!!-36, No Offensive TDs In Two Of The Last Three Games-12.

Butch: See, that is exactly what Butch thought too, Tommy. But remember all the times we had the Rodents carved in stone to win a big victory at home over a hapless opponent? Last year, it was ASU and this year, it was Arizona. But this truly is a hapless opponent this time - especially with those slabs of concrete they call quarterbacks at UCLA - and Butch agrees with Tommy and takes the Rodents to win and cover easily.

Wazzu at Notre Dame (-29)

Tommy: Red hot Cougs! Off to San Antonio with a winning record against the spread. The Cougs had some life on offense last week, and ND's defense is not good. Tommy holds his nose and takes Butch's heroes to cover. The Jimmy Clausen Farewell Tour-40, Maybe We Can Beat UCLA-14.

Butch: So, finally coming around on the Cougs after the 900 millionth time they have covered, eh, Tommy? Good to see you are not stubborn or anything. It is Halloween, so Butch takes candy from the baby - Wazzu to cover against the big number.

USC (-3) at Oregon

Tommy: Ah, the SchNikes are playing well and have all the confidence in the world. Poor foolish Ducks. In their last four meetings with USC, they have averaged 14 points and 299 yards, even when the mighty Dennis Dixon was healthy. So don't count on too much scoring for them, especially since this is their worst offense since 2003. The question is how much will the Trojans score against an improved Duck defense. The answer is a lot, since the Trojans have an aggressive and balanced attack since Matt Barkley returned to the lineup. The Trojans are 30-3 on the road since 2005 with their starting QB. Those are good odds. We're Gonna Win The Pac-10 Yet Again-31, Well, There's Always Another Holiday Bowl-13.

Butch: Cue spooky Halloween music here?can you feel the icy cold hand of Mr. Death approaching, Tommy? Naw, Butch can't either. But the Nikes are - supposedly - going to try to scare your girls real bad by wearing all black and have their minions yelling real loud for prolonged periods of time. Butch figures your girls will be so frightened that they will turn into boys again - briefly - and win and cover.

Non-conference Noogies

Texas (-9) at Oklahoma State

Tommy: Butch will have to humor Tommy with one big conference game for those who actually care or who have even heard of the BCS Championship. The Pokes have lost the last two meetings by a combined seven points, and Tommy's got a feeling that his Trojans are going to squeak through the back door of the BCS Title game like a certain soccer team did when the US scored a late goal against Costa Rica."I'm A Man! I'm 40!"-35, One More Mack Near Miss-32.

Butch: Hey Tommy, you want to know who is on board with Butch in not caring about the elaborate hoax on college football called the BCS Taliban and their contrived "championship"? Your boy Pete?along with most of the West Coast and civilized world. The world knows - and cries - when soccer references are half-hearted. Tie.

Louisiana Tech at Idaho (-3)

Tommy: Tommy knows the Spuds got peeled last week, but La Tech is, in the words of Mike Gundy, "garbage" on the road, with an 0-4 record against the spread. Butch's greatest rivals roll. The Most Important State In The Union-38, The Home Of Idiots Like Terry Bradshaw-17.

Butch: How can anyone not like Idaho? They are the feel-good spud story of the year and Louisiana is the place where they don't marry interracial couples. Gee, tough choice. Butch believes he will take the Spuds to win and cover in that mental quandary.

Temple at Navy (-7)

Tommy: Keep an eye on Al Golden, Butchie. He could be a great candidate for the Cougs once it becomes abundantly clear that Wulff can only beat the spread. The Middies almost always play down to their competition, so we should have a close one here.Defenders Of The Nation-24, Educators Of Jello Pudding Pops Spokesman-21.

Butch: Normally - or perhaps that should be, abnormally, in Butch's case - Navy is not on the top deck of Butch's aircraft carrier when it comes to thinking about college football - and this time is no different. But since Tommy failed to muster a decent soccer reference, Butch fills in the gap here. The Middies have a good women's soccer program [beat Army again this year] and for that reason, Butch takes them to win and cover in this "other football" game.

Tommy

Last Week: 3-2

Overall: 23-21-2

Butch

Last Week: 3-2

Overall: 18-26-2

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Autumn is here?and you know what that means?It's time for a whole new season of Cougar Athletics! Football, soccer, volleyball, men's & women's basketball, baseball, track & field and tennis, just to name a few, are coming up right around the corner. If you need "game action" photographs for your newspaper, magazine, web site, blog, etc., then Greg Davis Sports Photography should be your choice for all things "Cougar" and "Pac-10 Conference"! Coverage for specific athletes or upcoming events is also available. Check out the images from games, practices and events from last season, and be sure to come back often for uploads from all of this season's action.

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