Okay, not a bad start to the new season. Wish we had sprinkled on the BAL and STL moneylines but we'll be happy with a 2-1 ATS record. Not sure what the Stampede was doing-- that was an easy cover if not for the pick six by QB Woodard. The Bandits are going to be lucky to get more than 3 wins this season. The Bulldogs looked... fine... but QB Ortiz and RB Ellingsen were really bothered by this BAL front seven. The Sodbusters will be another tough test for DUR and a very real look at a 0-2 start.

San Antonio at Tucson (-2) - Tucson hadn't laid a goose egg in their season opener in the first 57 years since their founding. They've now done that in 2060 and in 2063. I'd have to dig around to see if any other teams are as unlucky but I doubt it. QB Fryday looked fine but failed to connect with any deep threats with WR Nikolaus, TE Campana, and WR Lincoln all stuck with one catch each. Sophomore RB Raymond received the majority of the carries on the ground but the unit failed as a whole with just 31 yards on 20 rushes. There weren't many positives to take away from this one except... well, it can't get any worse for their home opener.

On the other side, San Antonio wiped the floor with Tennessee. Last season they had some great games and it looks like they built on that in the offseason. QB Logan was a menace with his legs and extended plays that should've 100% been sacks. His propensity to tuck the ball might be bad in the long run but for now it's an exciting brand of football that should give opposing defenses fits. Once his receivers embrace the creative playmaking, the sky's the limit.

The Toros have a bright future but they're still a ways away. The rookies need to develop and QB Fryday needs to get comfortable with the system. I don't really see why SAO are the underdogs this week and have them winning with relative ease: SAO wins 24-17. The forecast calls for wind around 14mph so expect to see a bit more running where SAO has the edge.

Kansas City (-4) at Seattle - The Storm fell short last season but thankfully haven't suffered from any CFL Bowl Hangover effects. They took care of the visiting Argonauts with ease with two player of the week honors: QB Grueneich and DE Emerson. The gameplan hasn't changed and the team's single focus is getting ball from Juan to any one of the talented receivers on the roster. Thinking they are the same team as last season is a mistake, however, as the defensive side is no longer a liability and has quietly become one of the better units in the league. Rookie DT Johnston should take them to the next level as he grows and develops with the squad.

The Spartans haven't been able to recapture their 2059 success and the dedicated fanbase was hoping for some big shakeups to escape mediocrity. Unfortunately the front office did not make any such moves-- not only did they extend the 13th year QB Emmons, they drafted a solid but unexciting prospect in LB Woodworth in the first round. Their week one showing has severely dampened expectations for the season and I view them as a 500 team at best.

This matchup looks to be a one-sided one. KCY has been one of the better road teams recently and laying 4 against a non-contender looks like value. The Spartans have few ways to slow the Storm but expect TE Dial to break this game open since SEA struggled against receiving tight ends last season. KCY improves to 2-0: 34-17.

Fargo at Durham (-7) - Fargo will need to put a disappointing week one loss in the rearview and bounce back against a seething Durham. Denver did an excellent job taking away the easy throws and held every receiver aside from WR Fence to under 40 yards. The Sodbusters need production out of WR Crabtree and should get it against a softer Bulldogs defense. What does not bode well is how the FAR defensive front, now healthy, was not as disruptive as usual. LB Almeda has been nonexistent since the team moved to a 3-4 front and he was one of their most exciting players just a few years ago. Durham's front seven is, on paper, much better than Denver's and DC Barokas will have to figure something out quickly.

I anticipated Durham's new ownership to get off to a slow start and I think last week's game went about as expected. Baltimore's defense bottled up an electric QB Ortiz and RB Elllingsen and managed to eke out a home win. The Bulldogs offensive line was squarely to blame for that one. RT Cook should be fully healthy after missing several weeks last season but perhaps moving G Bedwell to the right is having some unexpected consequences. They should do better this week but this line is vastly overrating Durham. Fargo will cover and could win straight up this week: FAR wins 30-27.

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GL Division Champions: 2057, 2059, 2065
EFC Champions: 2057

"that was an easy cover if not for the pick six by QB Woodard." but that is what he does

Thanks for the positive vibes going into this week, we def don't need to start 0-2 with our schedule.

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Fargo Sodbusters
GM since 2041
17 Division Titles
3-1 Bowls (2056, 2061, 2064, 2065)

You pick up on a lot of little things that most people don't notice. It's really impressive. I hope your prediction is true