Beat the Guru: AFL Week 10
Adam Markowitz
Friday June 4, 2010
You know, I sat here and bashed my Preds all season long for being mediocre, so I think it's time to bash myself for being nothing more than the exact same thing. After a dismal 2-5 week, the Guru has slipped to an even .500 on the season and is in dire need of some revenge to get back above the Mason-Dixon Line.
Last week wasn't a stellar one for the boards either, as no one went better than 4-3. However, there were a slew of competitors to step into the "Guru Arena" and walk out with winning weeks, so kudos go out to Talons100, dthomas4233, Andy Lopusnak, Biff Nixon, and strade32.
Before I begin, I'd like to issue my apologies for not publishing my "Dubious Distinctions" this week. But don't worry, they didn't go anywhere! We'll get a double serving of blunders and lowlights next week for both Week 9 and Week 10!
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.
Utah Blaze (+16.5) @ Cleveland Gladiators - The Ernesto Purnsley era has come to a close in Utah, and for good reason. The Blaze are, simply put, terrible. I mean, even Charles Barkley thinks that they're "Turrrrible." So what's the remedy for a miserable situation? Let's bring in a former coach of the Las Vegas Gladiators! There's the winning ticket! For as much as I'd love to fade this team for the rest of the season, I've got to take this many points when I can get them, especially when QB John Dutton is the man throwing passes on the other side of the field.
Guru's Pick: Gladiators by "just" 13
Jacksonville Sharks (+6) @ Chicago Rush - Game of the Week. The Sharks are reeling after getting thumped in Spokane in spite of the fact that they jumped out to a 14-0 lead out of the blocks last week. However, does anyone really believe that the Rush are really that great of a team? I sure as heck don't. After all, this is the same team that was dumped at home in a miserable way by Iowa just a few weeks ago, and the schedule really hasn't been all that spectacular. Cue up Jaws. There's about to be a Shark attack in the Windy City.
Guru's Pick: Upset Special, Shark Attack by 5
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (+10.5) @ Tampa Bay Storm - I've been around a lot of things in my day in the AFL, but on Saturday night, I am going to get to see a phenomenon that everyone should experience once in their life: Sparky McEwen coaching a road game. Can you say, 2-26 in your career, Coach McEwen?
Guru's Pick: Storm by 18
Orlando Predators (+8.5) @ Tulsa Talons - Call me crazy (go ahead... in unison... "You're crazy!"), but I think this is a winnable game for the black and red. Orlando had absolutely no business being on the same field as the Storm last week, and even though Tulsa did manhandle in its first game of the season at home, I'm not so convinced that the Talons are legit. Klaw could take a bite out of the Talons this week. Everyone mark this down. It must be the sign of the Apocalypse.
Guru's Pick: Upset Special, Klaw's Krew by 4
Alabama Vipers (+1) @ Iowa Barnstormers - It's not often that we say that walking away from your team in the middle of a season is a good thing, but we have to give it up for WR Tim Dodge, who suddenly retired this week to pursue a career in law enforcement. Yes, the Barn Boys are going to miss Dodge on the field, but his actions off of the field are going to speak louder than his game ever could. As far as this game, how can I not go with Iowa after hearing a story like that?
Guru's Pick: Inspired Barnstormers by 7
Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (+7.5) @ Dallas Vigilantes - I swear, if I type in "Desperados" one more time... Let's take a poll really fast. Show of hands. Who cares about this game? No really, you can vote now. Really. C'mon guys. Raise your hand if you care about this game. What? No hands in the air? Hmm... Mine isn't up either. Where's my old Magic 8-Ball when I need it?
Guru's Pick: Vigilantes by 10
Milwaukee Iron (-3.5) @ Arizona Rattlers - This is the toughest game on the board. The Rattlers are playing great football right now, but beating the snot out of Utah isn't anything to write home about. The Rats are about to start a three game home stand, and this is the most difficult of the three games. You don't think that HC Kevin Guy and OC Danny White aren't going to have his boys motivated to win this one knowing that there should be two more wins coming on deck? After watching the Iron get beat by Orlando on the road, we're not so sure that they're all that they're cracked up to be either.
Guru's Pick: Upset Special, Rats Rock by 11
Recap
Utah +16.5
Jacksonville +6
Tampa Bay -10.5
Orlando +8.5
Iowa -1
Dallas -7.5
Arizona +3.5
Beat the Guru's Top 10 (Must have 30 games selected to qualify)
YowDawg |
33 |
23 |
58.93% |
Thrash13 |
23 |
19 |
54.76% |
Talons100 |
24 |
21 |
53.33% |
kryscio23 |
27 |
24 |
52.94% |
fluence21 |
19 |
17 |
52.78% |
dthomas4233 |
25 |
23 |
52.08% |
AFLGuru |
28 |
28 |
50.00% |
AndyLopusnak |
28 |
28 |
50.00% |
Rush43 |
19 |
23 |
45.24% |
BiffNixon |
22 |
28 |
44.00% |
See how well you can do against the Guru. Make your picks here. Winners will be recognized weekly.