2011 NCAA Picks (aggregate [weeks 1-8]): 52-49-0
2011 NCAA Picks (aggregate 'unit picks' differential): -3
2011 NCAA (aggregate EXOTICS differential): 6-6-1 (-1 units)
2011 NCAA Picks (week 9): 8-8
2011 NCAA (week 9 'unit picks' differential): -7
2011 NCAA (week 9 EXOTICS 'unit picks' differential): +0
*all picks 'ATS' (against the spread)
- Link to NCAA Division 1 scores from yesterday's games -
---
PREVIEW: I got some mail last week asking me HOW did I print a 7-5 record, yet lose "5" units in the process?... Also... What the hell was up with those ROUND ROBINS & PARLAYS?...
Easy...
"Unit Plays" are weighted indications (usually on a scale of 1-5, or sometimes more in the case of a PICK OF THE MONTH)... I try to publish a fairly wide array of picks every weeks... They are spread out as follows...
- I try to get as many CONFERENCES involved as possible... While I know SEC football fans think that there's no world outside of the SEC... There actually is (believe it or not)... I don't care if a conference sucks or not... I just like football... I was AT the Navy-East Carolina game last week (two pretty mediocre teams this year), but the game was fantastic (& was decided on the last play where the Navy kicker bonked one off the right upright as time expired, denying the Midshipmen a chance for overtime after a furious comeback)... Tailgating at a Navy homecoming is not much different than, say, a Georgia-Florida game (well - perhaps it is - the 'tailgaters' happen to be a little classier in Annapolis)...
- I try to mix in a sampling of TOP 20 teams (which - of course, are of interest)... But really... Are they? Oklahoma & Wisconsin have stayed high in the rankings all year by playing cupcakes... Both of them lost last week when it came down to playing tougher teams... So really... To me... It's not always interesting on 'picking' Alabama to beat North Texas State, or giving points with Baylor to Stephen F. Austin...
- I try to find games that have an interesting 'handicapping' angle (overrated or underrated teams)...
- I try to spot trends in the process... One of the 'trends' I'd spotted (even before the season began) was that Temple was going to be an overachiever... They didn't cover last week, but if you'd rode that trend, you'd have cashed in the first 5 games of the year... Last year I was riding Virginia Tech all season (after they lost their 1st two games & people doubted them)... My "Virginia Tech" of this year has been Oklahoma State (& they're still going)... Sure, they'll eventually disappoint, but NCAA is very momentum driven... I was sour on Oregon after their loss to LSU in week 1, but now seeing how well LSU is playing (& how Oregon seems to be hitting its stride), I'm inclined to ride Oregon... I've been fading Georgia Tech recently (see comments from a few weeks ago)... Anyway, even though there are trends, the pointspreads in NCAA football are so capricious, I find it very difficult to handicap week after week (versus NFL)...
I still do it though... You know... For entertainment...
Easy...
"Unit Plays" are weighted indications (usually on a scale of 1-5, or sometimes more in the case of a PICK OF THE MONTH)... I try to publish a fairly wide array of picks every weeks... They are spread out as follows...
- I try to get as many CONFERENCES involved as possible... While I know SEC football fans think that there's no world outside of the SEC... There actually is (believe it or not)... I don't care if a conference sucks or not... I just like football... I was AT the Navy-East Carolina game last week (two pretty mediocre teams this year), but the game was fantastic (& was decided on the last play where the Navy kicker bonked one off the right upright as time expired, denying the Midshipmen a chance for overtime after a furious comeback)... Tailgating at a Navy homecoming is not much different than, say, a Georgia-Florida game (well - perhaps it is - the 'tailgaters' happen to be a little classier in Annapolis)...
- I try to mix in a sampling of TOP 20 teams (which - of course, are of interest)... But really... Are they? Oklahoma & Wisconsin have stayed high in the rankings all year by playing cupcakes... Both of them lost last week when it came down to playing tougher teams... So really... To me... It's not always interesting on 'picking' Alabama to beat North Texas State, or giving points with Baylor to Stephen F. Austin...
- I try to find games that have an interesting 'handicapping' angle (overrated or underrated teams)...
- I try to spot trends in the process... One of the 'trends' I'd spotted (even before the season began) was that Temple was going to be an overachiever... They didn't cover last week, but if you'd rode that trend, you'd have cashed in the first 5 games of the year... Last year I was riding Virginia Tech all season (after they lost their 1st two games & people doubted them)... My "Virginia Tech" of this year has been Oklahoma State (& they're still going)... Sure, they'll eventually disappoint, but NCAA is very momentum driven... I was sour on Oregon after their loss to LSU in week 1, but now seeing how well LSU is playing (& how Oregon seems to be hitting its stride), I'm inclined to ride Oregon... I've been fading Georgia Tech recently (see comments from a few weeks ago)... Anyway, even though there are trends, the pointspreads in NCAA football are so capricious, I find it very difficult to handicap week after week (versus NFL)...
I still do it though... You know... For entertainment...
WEEK 9 NCAA PICKS - 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Connecticut at Pitt (-10) (8:00 ET)
I took Pitt a few weeks ago at home (when they were 3 point dogs vs. South Florida)... I still like the hurry-up offense they put on the field...
That's all I got published before the power went out... I was taking PITT in that spot for (0 units)...
PITT for (0 unit)
The 'spy' says:
Pitt 35 - Connecticut 20 - correct
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Virginia at Miami (FL) (-14) (8:00 ET)
There were two other games that I never got to publish... I was taking the Hurricanes here...
MIAMI (FL) for (0 unit)
The 'spy' says:
(incorrect)
Rice at #19 Houston (-25.5) (8:00 ET)
As well... Was taking Houston here...
HOUSTON for (0 unit)
The 'spy' says:
Houston 73 - Rice 34 - correct
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Michigan State at Nebraska (-4) (12:00 ET)
Box Score | Recap
This is a tough game to handicap (which is a situation I usually avoid, but since it is a game of interest I'll throw out a pick)... Both teams come in 6-1 & still in competition for the Big 10 Championship)... Michigan State holds the "win & you're in" tiebreak edge by virtue of having beat Wisconsin (by luck) last week... I'm a little irritated at myself for having picked Wisconsin last week (having forgotten that the Badgers went to the Rose Bowl last year by virtue of a stupid tiebreak system in the Big 10 which left them 'odd man IN')... The Spartans were 'odd man OUT' & were relegated to a muffler bowl somewhere...
Michigan State has played two straight emotional games (at home), which sort of brings me where I want to go here... I think home field advantage plays a HUGE role in these Big 10 games (where there is not a lot of separation between the top teams)... Nebraska not only has to win here, but have to travel to State College, PA & 'the Big House' if they hope to gain a berth into the first Big 10 Championship & have a shot at the Rose Bowl... Michigan State clearly has the easier of the two paths (so Nebraska may be playing for their life here)...
It's amazing to me that Penn State finds itself with an advantage in the other division... We'll get to them later on...
Pick change: I'm dropping this down to (0 units)
NEBRASKA for (0 units)
Michigan State has played two straight emotional games (at home), which sort of brings me where I want to go here... I think home field advantage plays a HUGE role in these Big 10 games (where there is not a lot of separation between the top teams)... Nebraska not only has to win here, but have to travel to State College, PA & 'the Big House' if they hope to gain a berth into the first Big 10 Championship & have a shot at the Rose Bowl... Michigan State clearly has the easier of the two paths (so Nebraska may be playing for their life here)...
It's amazing to me that Penn State finds itself with an advantage in the other division... We'll get to them later on...
Pick change: I'm dropping this down to (0 units)
NEBRASKA for (0 units)
The 'spy' says:
(result)
Missouri at #16 Texas A&M (-11.5) (12:00 ET)
Box Score | Recap
Somewhere on this thread I'm going to make a point about the BCS TOP 25 RANKINGS (& basically what a load of s*** they are)... The only way to do it properly is to identify 'ranked' teams as we go, and then make a determination as to whether or not the team deserves it or not...
I call it my "GO or BLOW" Mendoza Line...
Texas A&M makes the cut... ('GO' = decent team/"BLOW" means everything that that implies)... What I'd mainly worry about here is that the Aggies have to travel to Norman, OK next week & then Manhattan, Kansas (see OK-KSU write-up)... However, I also think they're a little lucky getting to face down Missouri in this spot who just left everything on the field last week (vs. Oklahoma State) & came up short... Missouri's season is basically over (whereas the Aggies are just hotting up)... I'd go ahead & lay the points with the Aggies...
I call it my "GO or BLOW" Mendoza Line...
Texas A&M makes the cut... ('GO' = decent team/"BLOW" means everything that that implies)... What I'd mainly worry about here is that the Aggies have to travel to Norman, OK next week & then Manhattan, Kansas (see OK-KSU write-up)... However, I also think they're a little lucky getting to face down Missouri in this spot who just left everything on the field last week (vs. Oklahoma State) & came up short... Missouri's season is basically over (whereas the Aggies are just hotting up)... I'd go ahead & lay the points with the Aggies...
TEXAS A&M for (1 unit)...
The 'spy' says:
(result)
The 'spy' says:
(result)
Washington State at #7 Oregon (-36.5) (3:00 PM)
Box Score | Recap
Speaking of 'hotting up', I made a commenty last week about how it always seems that the Ducks have one good run each season...
I'm sure Oregon is wondering why the hell it's ranked behind Boise State & Clemson in the BCS rankings (welcome to Boise State's world & the otherwise silly world of computer rankings)... Oregon only lost to LSU in the first week (which doesn't look so bad after seeing what LSU has navigated this year)... Worse... #1 LSU & #2 Alabama square off next week... If LSU loses that game, the computers will notch down Oregons accomplishments...
The Ducks are familiar with this (SEC biased) scenario so I don't think they'll mind at all putting a whipping on Washington State... You could look at it another way... Stanford put a 30 point whipping on the Cougars in Pullman (so giving 36 points at Autzen Stadium - arguably the toughest road game in College football - doesn't seem like a tall task considering Stanford & Oregon are #6 & #7 in the polls & likely vying for the Pac 12 North placement in the Pac 12 Championship)...
Pick change: I'm bumping this up to (5 units)
I'm sure Oregon is wondering why the hell it's ranked behind Boise State & Clemson in the BCS rankings (welcome to Boise State's world & the otherwise silly world of computer rankings)... Oregon only lost to LSU in the first week (which doesn't look so bad after seeing what LSU has navigated this year)... Worse... #1 LSU & #2 Alabama square off next week... If LSU loses that game, the computers will notch down Oregons accomplishments...
The Ducks are familiar with this (SEC biased) scenario so I don't think they'll mind at all putting a whipping on Washington State... You could look at it another way... Stanford put a 30 point whipping on the Cougars in Pullman (so giving 36 points at Autzen Stadium - arguably the toughest road game in College football - doesn't seem like a tall task considering Stanford & Oregon are #6 & #7 in the polls & likely vying for the Pac 12 North placement in the Pac 12 Championship)...
Pick change: I'm bumping this up to (5 units)
OREGON for (5 units)
The 'spy' says:
Baylor at #3 Oklahoma State (-14.5) (3:30 PM)
Box Score | Recap
It's getting perilously close to that time of year that I always say to FADE ALL TOP RANKED SCHOOLS... We're not quite there yet (because #1 LSU plays #2 Alabama NEXT WEEK)... I may have to tweak that dynamic a little this year... Here's how & why...
Both LSU & Alabama have basically 'cupcake' schedules after next Saturdays... Not TOTAL cupcakes, but cupcakes relative to how good those teams are... So it is very likely that whoever wins next week, will STAY #1 for the remainder of the season (and we won't have the 'revolving door' at #1 to end the season that we've had in recent years)...
I hate to say it, but for at least this year... I think that's true & just (because I happen to think Alabama & LSU deserve to be #1 #2)... But they both happen to play in ther same division in the SEC (which means the LOSER won't even qualify for the SEC Championship game)... It will be VERY HARD to recover (in the BCS rankings) for whoever loses Bama-LSU... My 'EARLY' inclination is to favor the Crimson Tide there (which we will certainly get to next week as it will be the GAME OF THE YEAR in college football 2011 - perhaps larger than the BCS Championship itself because who knows what the stupid computers will put thru)...
Anyway, you have to back that logic up here in this game because Oklahoma State is at #3 (which puts them in the drivers seat to take over the #2 spot [the HOLY GRAIL for admission to the BCS Championship game])... That's 'close enough' to enter the pantheons of the Oregons & Ohio State's of the world the past few years that reached the promised land only to gag at the gate...
So we'll see, but it's been a pretty good bet so far... Anyway... I've been singing Ok State's praises all year long, but this is getting very close to the time to SELL HIGH... Perhaps I'll ride them for one more 'ceremonial week' here, then start fading them down the stretch (especially if they hook on to that #2)...
OKLAHOMA STATE for (0 units)
The 'spy' says:
(result)
Both LSU & Alabama have basically 'cupcake' schedules after next Saturdays... Not TOTAL cupcakes, but cupcakes relative to how good those teams are... So it is very likely that whoever wins next week, will STAY #1 for the remainder of the season (and we won't have the 'revolving door' at #1 to end the season that we've had in recent years)...
I hate to say it, but for at least this year... I think that's true & just (because I happen to think Alabama & LSU deserve to be #1 #2)... But they both happen to play in ther same division in the SEC (which means the LOSER won't even qualify for the SEC Championship game)... It will be VERY HARD to recover (in the BCS rankings) for whoever loses Bama-LSU... My 'EARLY' inclination is to favor the Crimson Tide there (which we will certainly get to next week as it will be the GAME OF THE YEAR in college football 2011 - perhaps larger than the BCS Championship itself because who knows what the stupid computers will put thru)...
Anyway, you have to back that logic up here in this game because Oklahoma State is at #3 (which puts them in the drivers seat to take over the #2 spot [the HOLY GRAIL for admission to the BCS Championship game])... That's 'close enough' to enter the pantheons of the Oregons & Ohio State's of the world the past few years that reached the promised land only to gag at the gate...
So we'll see, but it's been a pretty good bet so far... Anyway... I've been singing Ok State's praises all year long, but this is getting very close to the time to SELL HIGH... Perhaps I'll ride them for one more 'ceremonial week' here, then start fading them down the stretch (especially if they hook on to that #2)...
OKLAHOMA STATE for (0 units)
The 'spy' says:
(result)
#22 Georgia vs. Florida (-2) (3:30 ET)
(in Jacksonville, FL)Box Score | Recap
Georgia qualifies as one of those teams that I mentioned last week (#20-#25 in the polls are 'pretenders' - a 'choke' waiting to happen)... They DO NOT pass the 'Mendoza Line' (the go or blow line as mentioned above)...
Two loss teams do not belong in the top #25... Oh well, the BCS computers THINK you belong because the two losses were against #5 Boise State & #12 South Carolina... South Carolina blows (and is SOON to be a #20-#25 ranked team), & Boise State, while they don't blow, tends to wind up in that GUILT RANKING spot (whereby nobody can fault their being undefeated, but it's because they don't play as tough as an aggregate schedule as most UNDER THE MENDOZA teams...
The Florida Gators deserve to be close to the Mendoza... They've had a horrible string of luck this year... They lost their starting QB in the first quarter of the Alabama game, then had to play successive ROAD games at LSU & Auburn... What's tough is that they have Charlie Weiss as playcaller (who relies heavily on a competent field captain)... 3 games into a replacement & hopefully the Gators will start hitting their stride... They still have a chance to get to the SEC Championship game if they can knock off both Georgia & South Carolina... It starts here...
FLORIDA (for 1 unit)
The 'spy' says: The public is taking
(result)
Two loss teams do not belong in the top #25... Oh well, the BCS computers THINK you belong because the two losses were against #5 Boise State & #12 South Carolina... South Carolina blows (and is SOON to be a #20-#25 ranked team), & Boise State, while they don't blow, tends to wind up in that GUILT RANKING spot (whereby nobody can fault their being undefeated, but it's because they don't play as tough as an aggregate schedule as most UNDER THE MENDOZA teams...
The Florida Gators deserve to be close to the Mendoza... They've had a horrible string of luck this year... They lost their starting QB in the first quarter of the Alabama game, then had to play successive ROAD games at LSU & Auburn... What's tough is that they have Charlie Weiss as playcaller (who relies heavily on a competent field captain)... 3 games into a replacement & hopefully the Gators will start hitting their stride... They still have a chance to get to the SEC Championship game if they can knock off both Georgia & South Carolina... It starts here...
FLORIDA (for 1 unit)
The 'spy' says: The public is taking
(result)
#6 Stanford at USC (8:00 PM)
Box Score | Recap
I don't know what the USC players were doing after last weeks victory over Notre Dame by texting & tweeting that Notre Dame "quit" in that game...
Maybe they did, maybe they didn't, but STFU and act with some class... I don't suppose you can ever expect any class out of USC with Lane Kiffin as coach... He was giving an interview this week about how GREAT a QB Andrew Luck was... Thing is, you could tell by the stupid grin on his face that he was sort of being 'cheeky' about it... He was basically showering him with accolades and saying how he HAD NO IDEA how USC was going to defend against him...
Again... STFU... I don't really care about this game, but I hope Stanford beats the ever loving crap out of USC...
Note: Lee Corso (that headgear wearing imbecile on ESPN Gameday will be doing the show here on the USC campus... It'll be the 200th time he dons the headgear (representing his 'expert' pick - rolls eyes)... In any case, a weird thing is that Corso is 15-0 when he 'picks' the USC Trojans...
Whatever happens, I'm going to FADE Lee Corso for 1 unit... Otherwise (if he drops dead beforehand)...
STANFORD for (1 unit)
The 'spy' says: The public is taking
(result)
Maybe they did, maybe they didn't, but STFU and act with some class... I don't suppose you can ever expect any class out of USC with Lane Kiffin as coach... He was giving an interview this week about how GREAT a QB Andrew Luck was... Thing is, you could tell by the stupid grin on his face that he was sort of being 'cheeky' about it... He was basically showering him with accolades and saying how he HAD NO IDEA how USC was going to defend against him...
Again... STFU... I don't really care about this game, but I hope Stanford beats the ever loving crap out of USC...
Note: Lee Corso (that headgear wearing imbecile on ESPN Gameday will be doing the show here on the USC campus... It'll be the 200th time he dons the headgear (representing his 'expert' pick - rolls eyes)... In any case, a weird thing is that Corso is 15-0 when he 'picks' the USC Trojans...
Whatever happens, I'm going to FADE Lee Corso for 1 unit... Otherwise (if he drops dead beforehand)...
STANFORD for (1 unit)
The 'spy' says: The public is taking
(result)
Syracuse at Louisville (-3) (12:00 PM)
Box Score | Recap
Last week I took the Orange in a weekday tilt against West Virginia... They came out on top (in a game which a lot of people watched, because it was the only game on TV)... I think they're being overbid here by the public as a result of that... The Big East is a quirky conference (in many ways because the strength of football & basketball programs often overlap)... Besides, the Orange is heading to the ACC... I have a hunch that the Louisville defense shuts down the Orange here in a game that they try and do too much thinking they can replay the win over the Mountaineers...
LOUISVILLE for (1 unit)
The 'spy' says:
(result)
LOUISVILLE for (1 unit)
The 'spy' says:
(result)
Illinois at #19 Penn State (-5.5) (3:30)Box Score | Recap
I have to admit that I'm surprised by Penn State thus far this year... How can you really criticize them when their only loss was vs. #2 ranked Alabama (who may be ranked #1 after next week)?...
Personally, they don't pass my MENDOZA LINE, yet they don't lie in the far reaches of the solar system (#20-25 teams) either, so what's the play?
In the end, I think they're CLOSER to the far reaches of the solar system than they are to my MENDOZA LINE (of which, Texas A&M is my 'last team IN' at the moment)... Last week, Penn State was in that #20 - #25 zone & I faded them in a TEASE scenario (vs. Northwestern)... They covered the regular spread (but I WON the teaser bet because I was able to slide the scale 6 points in Northwestern's favor)...
Oddly enough - Illinois was also in that #20-25 zone & I faded them (vs. Purdue) as well... The Illini lived up to expectations (meaning - THEY LOST), and have since fallen out of the top #25 as allgood bad teams do...
In essence, this game comes down to the planet Pluto (played by Penn State) vs. the Oort Cloud (played by Illinois)... I'll go ahead and side with Pluto here... You know, because some sentimental scientists still think of it as a planet (whereby the science community at large has relegated it to a 'planetoid')...
Pluto has to play #14 Nebraska, Ohio State (at the Horseshoe), & Wisconsin (at Camp Randall) to finish out the season, so perhaps by then it'll be a 'shooting star'...
PENN STATE for (1 unit)...
Personally, they don't pass my MENDOZA LINE, yet they don't lie in the far reaches of the solar system (#20-25 teams) either, so what's the play?
In the end, I think they're CLOSER to the far reaches of the solar system than they are to my MENDOZA LINE (of which, Texas A&M is my 'last team IN' at the moment)... Last week, Penn State was in that #20 - #25 zone & I faded them in a TEASE scenario (vs. Northwestern)... They covered the regular spread (but I WON the teaser bet because I was able to slide the scale 6 points in Northwestern's favor)...
Oddly enough - Illinois was also in that #20-25 zone & I faded them (vs. Purdue) as well... The Illini lived up to expectations (meaning - THEY LOST), and have since fallen out of the top #25 as all
In essence, this game comes down to the planet Pluto (played by Penn State) vs. the Oort Cloud (played by Illinois)... I'll go ahead and side with Pluto here... You know, because some sentimental scientists still think of it as a planet (whereby the science community at large has relegated it to a 'planetoid')...
Pluto has to play #14 Nebraska, Ohio State (at the Horseshoe), & Wisconsin (at Camp Randall) to finish out the season, so perhaps by then it'll be a 'shooting star'...
PENN STATE for (1 unit)...
The 'spy' says:
(result)
- OTHER GAMES UNDER CONSIDERATION -
Navy at Notre Dame (-20)
I think I'm going to go with the IRISH here for (2 units)... I was at the Navy game last week & there is no way they can keep up with arial attacks featuring big play making WR's...
I think I'm going to go with the IRISH here for (2 units)... I was at the Navy game last week & there is no way they can keep up with arial attacks featuring big play making WR's...
#9 Oklahoma (-13.5) at #8 Kansas State
Oklahoma just pissed away their season last week... This is a horrible spot for them to be playing KSU which still has a shot at something... In some cases Oklahoma may relish the 'spoiler' role, but it's too soon (fresh off the loss)... The big prize (which they lost) was a shot at a BCS Championship game... But Alabama - LSU isn't until next week... Reality will sink in (that they blew it) AFTER this game... KANSAS STATE for (2 units)...
Oklahoma just pissed away their season last week... This is a horrible spot for them to be playing KSU which still has a shot at something... In some cases Oklahoma may relish the 'spoiler' role, but it's too soon (fresh off the loss)... The big prize (which they lost) was a shot at a BCS Championship game... But Alabama - LSU isn't until next week... Reality will sink in (that they blew it) AFTER this game... KANSAS STATE for (2 units)...
NC State at Florida State (-16)
I'll just go ahead & side with the Seminoles here... The pressure is finally off their season, so they can just play ball and get to whupping inferior squads... FLORIDA STATE for (1 unit)...
I'll just go ahead & side with the Seminoles here... The pressure is finally off their season, so they can just play ball and get to whupping inferior squads... FLORIDA STATE for (1 unit)...
* Bold means that I'd tend to favor that team ATS (but won't suggest a play)
ATS = 'Against the Spread'
--- other TOP #25 action ---
(10/29/11)
Purdue at #18 Michigan
#10 Arkansas at Vanderbilt
#12 Virginia Tech at Duke
#25 West Virginia at Rutgers
Colorado at #21 Arizona State
Iowa State at #20 Texas Tech
Ole Miss at #23 Auburn
Kansas at #24 Texas
#13 South Carolina at Tennessee
#5 Clemson at Georgia Tech
#15 Wisconsin at Ohio State
- EXOTICS -
Last week I went 6-6 on exotic bets... Some of it was just an experiment... Part of it was a continuation of an experiment I was doing by FADING all top #3 schools (in an aggregate bet sense)... I can't do that this week because #1 & #2 are inactive...
Another thing I did was take all the #20-#25 teams and fade them in a SUCK teaser scenario... That strategy went 6-0... However, I also took my top 4 favorite single game picks and did the same type of round robin teaser (which went 0-6)...
What is the lesson?
That I don't like doing TEASERS as much as just doing 'aggregate play' scenarios...
Furthermore - this weeks TOP 25 presents a vexing problem... There are teams who have fallen into those spots based on the incomprehensible logic of the BCS computer rankings... IOW - most of these teams either don't belong there, OR, deserve a better ranking... I'm going to single out
#21 ARIZONA STATE
as being the one team who deserves to be in the TOP #20 instead of the far reaches here... So I'll go ahead and back them for (3 units) & forego all the round robins & other such exotics...
