The Loveable Degenerate
Written by JJ Gold | Edited by Frank Ammirante
A Bookmakers Review Exclusive
Boys, I finally made the big time.
I cut a deal to write a weekly article for the next couple of months. Brutal negotiation. I asked for guaranteed money, a signing bonus and control over the headlines. They gave me a deadline and something called a “make-good contract.”
I thought make-good meant they were making good on my signing bonus.
Apparently, it means I have to make good.
Anyhoot, JJ Gold is officially a columnist. Frank Ammirante is editing this thing, which means management has already placed somebody between Coach and the public. Probably smart.
Every week I’ll give you gambling, sportsbooks, college football, NFL, forum action and whatever else happens in my life. I’ll report the wins. I’ll report the losses too, after a full investigation determines whether they were caused by me, a cowardly coach, a crooked official or some kid missing a 29-yard field goal.
My first sports wager was a CFL game called into Bowmans from my parents’ bathroom. I ran the water so nobody could hear me talking to the clerk. That was offshore gambling, boys. No app. No face scan. Just an account number, a phone clerk and fear.
I still prefer a clean sportsbook account to a bonus with 14 pages of rollover rules. Give me a fair number, reasonable limits and a cashier that pays. Young guys chase promo banners. Coach chases the best line. That lesson has survived every era I have lived through.
I’ve been capping the college foots all week. I even found a gym where the exercise bikes sit against the front window. Great handicapping location. Attractive women, good natural light and enough room for my legal pad. Security disagreed with my research methods, so Coach eventually relocated.
Now to business.
Coach’s Official Play: Pittsburgh -16.5 vs. Miami (Ohio)
I’m laying the points with Pitt at home.
Miami is expected to start freshman quarterback David McComb. Maybe the kid becomes a star. Good for him. But his first real college action comes on the road against a Pitt team with much more offensive continuity.
That is enough for Coach.
I want the experienced home offense against the inexperienced quarterback. Pitt gets ahead, forces Miami into obvious passing situations and turns third-and-long into a long afternoon.
I’m looking for something like 34-13.
The number matters. I want Pittsburgh -16.5. If your book has -17, shop around before donating the hook.
Pittsburgh -16.5 is official.
One serious message before I go: bet small. Use recreational money. Never use rent money, borrowed money or money you need for real life. Shop for the best line and do not pay somebody for a “guaranteed winner.” There aren’t any.
You can find me sweating this thing in the BMR Forum on Saturday. If Pitt covers, Coach expects full credit. If it loses, we will review the film and determine who failed me.
See you next week, pal.
—JJ Gold
