Beat the Guru: AFL Week 12
Adam Markowitz
Friday June 18, 2010
Geez, does it feel like it has been three months of AFL action yet? It was really nice of the league to finally announce that the ArenaBowl was going to be played on Friday, August 20th this week. Now, if I could just get into ArenaBowl form myself, it'd be really nice. Welcome back to the San Jose SaberCats, Kansas City Brigade, and the Philadelphia Soul, who we are looking forward to seeing again next year.
Since there was no article last week because Guru World was a tad bit hectic, I guess I have some catching up to do in terms of record keeping. In Week 10, my effort was a shady 3-4 and nothing to be proud of. Congrats to fluence21 for posting the best mark of the week at 5-2, though strade32 and our good friend, Andy Lopusnak both deserve accolades for beating me and going 4-3.
Last week, things got a tad better with a 4-3 week. There were two that successfully bettered my marks at 5-2, including strade32 and Talons100. Congrats to all.
One of these days, I'll figure out how to channel my "inner Guru" once again and start posting some winners. I'm playing a road game this week, writing this article as we speak at the glorious Orlando International Airport, where apparently, internet connections go to die. So before I hit the road for the rest of the weekend, let me get started with my picks for the week!
Disclaimer: This information should be used for entertainment purposes only. Should you choose to actually lay real money on these games, that’s purely your choice, and neither I nor ArenaFan are responsible. Lines courtesy of Bookmaker Sportsbook as of Friday morning.
Jacksonville Sharks (-4) @ Orlando Predators - I don't care what anyone says. I was really, really proud of the effort that my Preds put out against Spokane, until of course DB Kenny McEntyre ran his yap, called out his quarterback, and deemed the Shock "an Arena 2 team." And you say that karma doesn't exist! Look who's on the schedule now??? Is this one worse than an "Arena 2 team," Kenny? You know, since the Sharks already beat you down once this season and QB Aaron Garcia already made you look like a fool once? Joke's on you, my friend.
Guru's Pick: Shark Attack by 9
Tulsa Talons (+6) @ Spokane Shock - Oh great, we have two "Arena 2" teams playing each other. Doesn't that mean the quality of this game is going to stink out loud? QB Kyle Rowley probably had the worst game of the season last week by tossing three picks to the Preds. He'll make amends in the renewal of an old af2 rivalry, especially considering the fact that everyone is PO'd about McEntyre's comments in Spokane.
Guru's Pick: Shocked Shock by 11
Iowa Barnstormers (+6.5) @ Cleveland Gladiators - In a conversation earlier this week with Iowa DB Khalil Carter, he insisted that I talk about the growth of his team's defense. "How about some Iowa love," he said. Ok, Khalil. Here's your love. Carter and DB Tanner Varner could be in for a great day against the interception prone John Dutton.
Guru's Pick: Upset Special, Loving Barnstormers by 3
Milwaukee Iron (-3) @ Chicago Rush - Apparently the oddsmakers weren't paying any attention to the recent news when they made up the line for this game. You're going to tell me that some guy named JJ Raternik is going to stick around with QB Chris Greisen and his 69/4 TD/INT ratio? Coach Ho has to be irate that both his starting quarterback and one of his best receivers is leaving the team for a week to go to some open tryout for a UFL team. It'll show on Saturday.
Guru's Pick: Iron by 21
Dallas Vigilantes (+9.5) @ Alabama Vipers - Is it even remotely possible to handicap a Dallas game anymore? I mean seriously, how much more did they need to do last week to figure out how to not cover the spread against the Talons? I mean, I'm no Alabama fan by any stretch of the imagination, but it feels like no spread is safe when you're dealing with Dallas right now.
Guru's Pick: Vipers by 14
Tampa Bay Storm (-18) @ Utah Blaze - Trying to figure out how many points the Blaze should be underdogs by in this league nowadays is impossible. Getting 15 at home against the Rush wasn't good enough last week, nor was catching all of those points against Cleveland, Arizona, or Spokane. In those four games, 305-175. That's a major, major "Yo!"
Guru's Pick: Storm by 20
Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (+9.5) @ Arizona Rattlers - Is there a game on paper this week that should have more scoring in it than this one? The Rats have the potential to drop 70+ on anyone in the league, and Bossier's defense can allow 70+ to anyone as well. Then again, for as well as I know what's going on in this league right now, why not expect this one to just be a 38-24 game? Either way, it's going to be Arizona's game to lose, as the Rattlers are playing great ball right now and are getting back into the chase for the postseason.
Guru's Pick: Rattlers by 14
Recap
Jacksonville -4
Spokane -6
Iowa +6.5
Milwaukee -3
Alabama -9.5
Tampa Bay -18
Arizona -9.5
Spokane -6
Iowa +6.5
Milwaukee -3
Alabama -9.5
Tampa Bay -18
Arizona -9.5
Beat the Guru's Top 10 (Must have 34 games selected to qualify)
|
YowDawg
|
33
|
23
|
58.93%
|
|
strade32
|
20
|
14
|
58.82%
|
|
fluence21
|
28
|
22
|
56.00%
|
|
Thrash13
|
23
|
19
|
54.76%
|
|
Talons100
|
31
|
28
|
52.54%
|
|
AndyLopusnak
|
36
|
34
|
51.43%
|
|
AFLGuru
|
35
|
35
|
50.00%
|
|
dthomas4233
|
27
|
28
|
49.09%
|
|
kryscio23
|
30
|
32
|
48.39%
|
|
Rush43
|
19
|
23
|
45.24%
|
See how well you can do against the Guru. Make your picks here. Winners will be recognized weekly.
Adam Markowitz is an accountant living in Orlando. Adam is an old school AFLer, having followed the AFL since 1991. He attended or covered well over 200 games, including 17 ArenaBowls. Adam worked for the Arena Football League for two years as a columnist and historian before retiring in 2017 when the 50-yard indoor war left the Sunshine State. Adam still muses about the AFL on ArenaFan from time to time, and you can follow him on Twitter @adammarkowitzea.
