Making The Trip To Chicago For U2

Anna-Marie and I are heading to Chicago this weekend with a wide variety of creeps for the U2 concert at Soldier Field. The band kicks off the North American leg of their tour Saturday night in Chicago.

My musical tastes would make music elitists cringe. I've got some of the most perverse, poppy crap on my iTunes that you'd think it belongs to a 14 year-old girl.

However, I say with certainty that, even if you don't enjoy U2, they put on one of the best, if not the best, concerts of any musical group or artist.

This year, we've gone to AC/DC, Billy Joel/Elton John, The Killers, Coldplay, Flight of The Conchords, Jamie Foxx, and Green Day. And, while Green Day, The Killers, and Coldplay all had either insanely good moments or just thoroughly strong shows throughout, I'd be shocked if U2---in their opening show in the U.S.---don't blow them all out of the water.

I've seen U2 at The Dome, at Scottrade, at Arrowhead, and at The Superdome during halftime of Super Bowl XXXVI. The energy in the building when they perform is second to none. I'll be nerding out real nicelike tomorrow night at Soldier Field.

Poll Results: Who Are You Scared of In The Playoffs?

We put it out there to those of you who read my bullshit in From The Desk of Tim McKernan yesterday: who scares you the most in October? And, the results were a little surprising.

It wasn't surprising that the Phillies were the overwhelming "winner" with 73% of the vote. But, it was surprising that the Dodgers didn't get one single vote. They finished last in a tie with the Braves. The Rockies finished second with 16%, while the Giants finished third with 10%. One of you clowns voted for the Marlins. But, not one person voted for the team with the second best record in the National League.

And, you know what? I agree with you. Looking at the Dodgers' rotation and lineup versus the other teams...along with what the Cardinals did to them this year...and I'd love to see them in the NLCS as opposed to the Phillies.

Your Guide To Wagering In 2009...With A New Twist

I've never hated writing a column more than the one I wrote last NFL season in which I attempted to make picks. I sucked. The column sucked. And, it took a long time to write.

So, that shit's gone.

But, I still want to make picks...because when I have a lock, it tends to hit, and I then can run around and brag about it.

So, this year, I'll be picking the Rams' game, the Missouri game, a feature NFL game, a feature college game, and then one lock of the week...all against the great and powerful compulsive gambling Producer Joe.

Producer Joe of The ITD Morning After enjoys betting on everything from over/unders on soccer to 5 team parlays that have as good of a chance of hitting as I do of growing.

Now, we can go heads up and keep track throughout the season to see once and for all who's the better gambler: the degenerate poker player...or the lady with the alcohol tolerance of Miley Cyrus.

Game on.

Bowling Green at Missouri (-20)

Producer Joe: Coming off a thrilling start to the season last week, Gary Pinkel's crew will play their first game at Faurot Field this season against players that no one has heard of before. Oh, how things can change in just a week, and The Pinkel Patrol will make sure his guys are ready to play against the Falcons, but I really don't like this number. Bowling Green comes in at 4-0 in their last 4 against the spread(ATS) in games as the underdog, and 4-0 ATS against the Big 12. Conversely, the Tigers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games as a favorite, and 0-5 in their last 5 after an ATS win. I want this season to be a success for the Tigers, but take the points and Bowling Green this week....I do like a 6.5 point tease for Mizzou though....

McKernan: I'm torn on this one...believe it or not. I think Missouri is a good team...mainly because I buy into their defense this year. But, Bowling Green did beat Troy last week...a team picked to win their conference...whatever the hell that is. I think it's going to be close when it comes to the magic number, but I believe the Tiger running game will be better...and Bowling Green will have a tough time putting up points. Hence, I'll take Missouri -20.

Rams at Seahawks (-8.5)

Producer Joe: The Rams go on the road for their first game in the Steve Spagnuolo era and head to the great Northwest to take on a division foe. The Seahawks are coming off a disappointing 4-12 season that saw QB Matt Hasselbeck only play in 7 games. The Seahawks improved at WR this offseason by signing TJ Houshmandzadeh and have added The Edge as a back-up to Julius Jones at RB. The defense also got stronger at LB by adding Aaron Curry through the draft to play alongside Lofa Tatupa. As long as Alex Barron is starting on the OL for this Rams team you are going to be able to count on at least 2 false starts in Seattle, one of which will probably kill a Rams drive, so lay the points this Sunday and take the eventual NFC West Champs in 2009. Seahawks -8.5

McKernan: 8.5 points is a big number in the NFL. Now, I realize the Rams may not be an NFL team, but it's not like the Seahawks were worth a damn last year either. I'm a believer in the rebuilt offensive line leading to a turnaround for an NFL team...and I'll buy into the improvements at linebacker and in the secondary. And, finally, I'll sport my homer hopes by buying into the Spagnuolo Doctrine. I may regret this, but I'm going Rammies +8.5.

USC (-7) at Ohio State

Producer Joe: This will be the feature match-up of the week for CFB which means come Saturday Night Brent Musburger will be telling us we are looking live at a sold out Horse Shoe. Last year USC had a party against Jim Tressel's squad out in Los Angeles, I don't expect much more from them this time around either. Two huge numbers stand out in this game for Ohio State: 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. teams with a winning record, and 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games in September. Plus it just doesn't pass the eye test. Take the Trojans because it is always best to be safe. USC -7

McKernan: This is scary, but I really like Ohio State here. I can't believe USC is a 7 point favorite on the road. I don't give a damn if Navy kept it close. The Buckeyes have been waiting for this for a looooong time, and 100,000 plus in Columbus are going to rock the Trojans' world. I love the Buckeyes +7.

Eagles (-2.5) at Carolina

Producer Joe: Two NFC teams that made the playoffs in 2008 get together in Charlotte to kick off the 2009 season. The Panthers had a very quiet preseason compared to the Eagles this year, and return possibly the best running back in the NFL that no one has heard of in DeAngelo Williams. The Eagles added a dynamic player in Jeremy Maclin to go along with second year man DeSean Jackson, and who knows how many more chances Donovan McNabb is going to get before he either breaks down physically or just gets tired of the circus that comes to Philly every few years (see TO and Michael Vick). The Eagles are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 road games, and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall. Take the Eagles and lay the 2.5 this weekend.

McKernan: Flip a coin. AceKing vs. pocket Queens for all I know. I'll go with the former Missouri Tiger just for the sake of it. Jeremy Maclin and the Eagles go down to Charlotte and beat the Panthers, so I'll take the Eagles -2.5.

Producer Joe's Lock of The Week: Miami at Falcons (-4)

The two biggest surprises of the 2008 NFL season face one another in the opening week of the 2009 season. Who knows how long the Falcons are going to have Michael Turner available this season (see Jamal Anderson 1999), but I think they will be safe for at least one week. The Falcons have had plenty of time to prepare for whatever crap the 'Fins plan to do with the Wildcat this season and Chad Pennington cannot be as good as he was last year. Oh, and if you need stats to help make your decision, Miami is 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 season openers, while the Falcons are surprisingly 9-2 ATS in Week One. Take the Falcons this week, but beware in future weeks.

My Lock of The Week: Iowa at Iowa State (+6)

Iowa nearly lost at home last week to Northern Iowa. Now, they have to go on the road to archrival Iowa State...and give up 6 points? Forget it. Give me a home dog in a rivalry game any day of the week. Put five stars on it. Cyclones +6

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