Sunday, May 31, 2015

2015 Football Schedule Grid for the American Athletic Conference

One of the things I find myself looking for every year when football season rolls around is a clean, usable schedule grid for each conference. Whether it is just for quick reference or for statistical analysis, a schedule grid for each conference comes in handy.

But each year I struggle to find schedule grids in a format I can re-purpose to my needs. As part of my full build up for college football this year, I have decided to release, in plain spreadsheet format, a full schedule grid by conference. Feel free to use it as you see fit.

Once I have completed the master spreadsheet, I will post up a link. This work is still in progress, but I am ready to release the grid for the American Athletic Conference and have inserted it below there is also a link to a standalone sheet. https://goo.gl/OZbYSq (hat tip to @sports_ref for their great data.)

Week 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5Week 6Week 7Week 8Week 9Week 10Week 11Week 12Week 13Week 14Week 15
UCFFIU@ StanfordFurman@ South Carolina@ TulaneUCONN@TempleHouston@ Cincinnati@ TulsaBYEEast CarolinaUSFBYE
CincinnatiAlabama A&MTemple@ Miami (OH)@ MemphisMiami (FL)BYE@ BYUUCONNUCF@ HoustonTulsa@ USF@ East CarolinaBYE
ConnecticutVillanovaArmy@ MIssouriNavy@ BYU@ UCFUSF@ CincinnatiEast Carolina@ TulaneBYEHouston@ TempleBYE
East CarolinaTowson@ Florida@ NavyVirginia Tech@ SMU@ BYUTulsaTemple@ UCONNUSFBYE@ UCFCincinnatiBYE
USFFlorida A&M@ Florida State@ MarylandBYEMemphisSyracuse@ UCONNSMU@ Navy@ East CarolinaTempleCincinnatiUCFBYE
TemplePenn State@ Cincinnati@ UMASSBYE@ CharlotteTulaneUCF@ East CarolinaNotre Dame@ SMU@ USFMemphisUCONNBYE
HoustonTennessee Tech@ LouisvilleBYETexas State@ TulsaSMU@ Tulane@ UCFVanderbiltCincinnatiMemphis@ UCONNNavyBYE
MemphisMissouri State@ Kansas@ Bowling GreenCincinnati@ USFBYEOle Miss@ TulsaTulaneNavy@ Houston@ TempleSMUBYE
NavyColgateBYEEast Carolina@ UCONNAir Force@ Notre DameBYETulaneUSF@ MemphisSMU@ TulsaHoustonBYEArmy
SMUBaylorNorth Texas@ TCUJames MadisonEast Carolina@ HoustonBYE@ USFTulsaTemple@ NavyTulane@ MemphisBYE
TulaneDuke@ Georgia TechMaineBYEUCF@ TempleHouston@ Navy@ MemphisUCONN@ Army@ SMUTulsaBYE
TulsaFlorida Atlantic@ New Mexico@ OklahomaBYEHoustonULM@ East CarolinaMemphis@ SMUUCF@ CincinnatiNavy@TulaneBYE

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Game Viewing Selections for 5/30/15

Another batch of great sports is on tap for today. In lieu of a full write up, here are some prime selections for how to spend your day of sports watching today. I hope to return to full daily write-ups tomorrow.

Games to Watch:

3:50e Dual in Detroit (IndyCar)

5:00e San Jose Earthquakes @ Toronto FC (MLS)

7:15e Dodgers (Frias) @ Cardinals (Wacha) (MLB)

8:00e Chicago Blackhawks @ Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

There is also some Arena Football tonight, but the matchups are a bit weak. If I had to pick one, it would be 7:35e New Orleans @ Tampa Bay.


Friday, May 29, 2015

Crunched for Time

I'm a bit short on time today, so instead of a full write up, I figured I'd give some early College Football win totals I liked.

If you are just looking for a game to watch, it's Game 7 between the Lightning and Rangers.

Here are the win totals picks:

Boston College Over 5.5

Maryland Over 4.5

UNLV Over 2.5

I'll have a full write up on Over/Under season win totals when I launch my FBS schedule sheet.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

One Game to Watch 5/28/15

One* game to watch on 5/28/15:
Chicago White Sox @ Baltimore Orioles (MLB) (Doubleheader) 1:05e

Let's make it interesting:
First Game Moneyline
Second game Moneyline
Combined Total Runs O/U (both games)

Why you should watch:
This is the first day in a long while that there is no playoff hockey or basketball on TV, so we are looking at an all MLB slate today, and it's not a great one. As such, im going to cheat a little bit and pick both games of the White Sox and Orioles doubleheader as the one game to watch today. 3 rookie pitchers and Chris Sale will all take the mound in a single admission double header. These types of games are rare and there should be a good amount of scoring to keep this interesting. The White Sox / Orioles doubleheader extravaganza is the one game to watch on 5/28.

My bets: White Sox, White Sox, Under 15.5 total runs in both games. (1-2 yesterday)

Pick 3 games:

1. White Sox @ Orioles 1:05e

2. New York Yankees @ Oakland Athletics (MLB) 10:05e

3. Jack Sock vs Pablo Carreno-Busta (ATP) 1:00e

Continuous Viewing Lineup:

1:05e White Sox @ Orioles (doubleheader)

8:05e  Boston Red Sox @ Texas Rangers (MLB) (First 7 innings)

10:10e Pittsburgh Pirates @ San Diego Padres (MLB)

Other options:

Continuing French Open action

One Game To Watch 5/27/15

One game to watch on 5/27/15:
Washington Nationals @ Chicago Cubs (MLB) 8:05e

Let's make it interesting:
Over/Under 6.5 runs
Moneyline
5 inning line

Why you should watch:
Rubber match in this potential NL playoff preview with two aces taking the mound. Scherzer vs Lester is a matchup you will want to be watching, but may come across as the undercard with two of the game's most exciting young players going head to head in Bryant and Harper. The weather is Chicago and the pitching in the series so far has given fans two exciting games to start the week. An evening at Wrigley Field is the one game to watch on 5/27.

My bets: U 6.5 runs, Cubs, Cubs (0-3 yesterday)

Pick 3 games:

1. Nationals @ Cubs 8:05e

2. Anaheim Ducks @ Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) 8:00e

3. Real Salt Lake @ LA Galaxy (MLS) 10:30e

Continuous Viewing Lineup:

8:05e Nationals @ Cubs (First 7 innings)

10:00e Ducks @ Blackhawks (3rd period)

11:00e Real Salt Lake @ Galaxy (2nd half)

Other options:

Full MLB slate

Continuing French Open action

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

One Game to Watch 5/26/15

One game to watch on 5/26/15:
New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL Eastern Conference Finals, Game 6) 8:00e

Let's make it interesting:
Over/Under 5 goals
1st Period goals O/U 1.5
Moneyline

Why you should watch:
The Rangers will give this game their all in yet another attempt to avoid playoff elimination. New York's record in elimination games says that this won't be an easy door for the Lightning to shut. Expect the defense to shine here in the one game to watch on 5/26.

My bets: U 5 goals, U 1.5 goals, Lightning (0-3 yesterday)

Pick 3 games:

1. Rangers @ Lightning 8:00e

2. Atlanta Hawks @ Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) 8:30e

3. Atlanta Braves @ LA Dodgers (MLB) 10:10e

Continuous Viewing Lineup:

7:05e Washington Nationals @ Chicago Cubs (MLB) (First 5 innings)

8:00e Rangers @ Lightning

Other options:

Full MLB slate

Continuing French Open action

Monday, May 25, 2015

One Game to Watch 5/25/15

One game to watch on 5/25/15:
Chicago Blackhawks @ Anaheim Ducks (NHL Western Conference Finals, Game 5) 9:00e

Let's make it interesting:
Moneyline
Over/Under 5 goals
Total Home goals O/U 2

Why you should watch:
With home ice advantage restored, the Ducks need to avoid a loss to the Blackhawks in Anaheim to keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive. Unlike the other playoff game tonight, there is little chance of this game becoming anything less than exciting. Look for the Ducks to play aggressively to avoid having to work deep into the game and for their great power play and penalty kill units to get some work. The importance of this Game 5 makes Blackhawks @ Ducks the one game to watch on 5/25.

My bets: Blackhawks, U5, U2 home goals (1-2 yesterday)

Pick 3 games:

1. Blackhawks @ Ducks 9:00e

2. San Francisco Giants @ Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) 2:10e

3. Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets (NBA) 9:00e

Continuous Viewing Lineup:

7:07e Chicago White Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) (First 5 innings)

8:10e Atlanta Braves @ LA Dodgers (MLB) (First 5 innings)

9:00e Blackhawks @ Ducks

Other options:

French Open Tennis

Full Memorial Day MLB slate

Sunday, May 24, 2015

One Game to Watch 5/24/15

One game to watch on 5/24/15:
Tampa Bay Lightning @ New York Rangers (NHL Eastern Conference Finals, Game 5) 8:00e

Let's make it interesting:
Moneyline
60 Minute Line
Total O/U 5

Why you should watch:
The Conference Finals for the NHL so far this season have been phenomenal viewing. With great games coming nearly every night, it is hard not to recommend Game 5 of a 2-2 series heading back to The Garden. The potential for one of these teams to win their crucial third game of the series, and considering the fireworks which have already been seen in this series, Lightning @ Rangers is the one game to watch today.

My bets: Rangers moneyline, Rangers 60 minute line, Under 5 goals. (2-1 yesterday)

Pick 3 games:

1. 8:00e Lightning @ Rangers

2. 1:35e New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)

3. 12:00e Indianapolis 500 (Racing)

Continuous Viewing Lineup:

8:00e Lightning @ Rangers

11:00e Atlanta Hawks @ Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) (4th Quarter)

Other options:

French Open Tennis

MLS matchups

Saturday, May 23, 2015

One Game to Watch 5/23/15

One game to watch on 5/23/15:
Anaheim Ducks @ Chicago Blackhawks (NHL Western Conference Finals, Game 4) 8:00e

Let's make it interesting:
Puck Line (-1.5)
Highest Scoring Period
Over/Under 5 goals

Why you should watch:
I was tempted to go with one of the high potential MLB games for today's matchup as I believe the Blackhawks win handily today, but the instant classic status of Game 2, followed by a down game for Chicago leaves a high chance of fireworks in this one.

Watch for Quenneville, coach of the Blackhawks, to return to a more recognizable line usage and for the Ducks to play a bit less inspired around the blue lines.

With home ice advantage returning to Anaheim, this game becomes even more important for the Hawks, making it the one game to watch today.

My bets: Blackhawks -1.5, 3rd period highest scoring,  O 5 goals (3-0 yesterday)

Pick 3 games:

1. Ducks @ Blackhawks 8:00e

2. New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) 4:05e

3. Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets (NBA) 9:00e

Continuous Viewing Lineup:

4:05e Mets @ Pirates (First 7 innings)

6:00e Portland Timbers @ Toronto FC (MLS) (2nd Half)

7:15e Baltimore Orioles @ Miami Marlins (MLB) (First 5 innings)

8:00e Ducks @ Blackhawks

11:00e Warriors @ Rockets (4th Quarter)

Other options:

Fantastic MLB slate today.

MLS schedule with marquee matchups.

Friday, May 22, 2015

One Game to Watch 5/22/15

One game to watch on 5/22/15: New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL Eastern Conference Finals, Game 4) 8:00e


Let's make it interesting:
Over/Under 5 goals
Pick Em
Double Result 1st/3rd Periods

Why you should watch: 
With eleven goals scored in Game 3, these teams have been consistently lighting the lamp with great speed and somewhat suspect goalkeeping. The high potential for goals and the possibility of Tampa Bay taking a commanding lead in the series makes Rangers@Lightning the one game to watch tonight.

My bets: O 5, Rangers win, Rangers win 1st/3rd (0-3 yesterday)


Pick 3 games:

1. Rangers @ Lightning 8:00e

2. Cleveland Cavaliers @ Atlanta Hawks (NBA) 8:30e

3. Chicago Fire @ Columbus Crew (MLS) 8:00e

Continuous Viewing Lineup:

7:05e New York Mets @ Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) (First 5 innings)

8:00e Ranger @ Lightning (1st and 2nd periods)

10:00e Cavaliers @ Hawks (2nd Half)


Other options:

More college baseball on tap today with some great games featured in the PAC12 Tournament.

Continuing PGA action at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.

Continuing tennis action at the Geneva Open.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

One Game to Watch 5/21/15

One game to watch on 5/21/15: Anaheim Ducks @ Chicago Blackhawks (NHL Western Conference Finals, Game 3) 8:00e


Let's make it interesting:
Over/Under 5 Goals in the game
Player to score First Goal
Corey Perry  O/U .5 points


Why you should watch: 
After a thrilling triple overtime showdown in Game 2 of the series, the Ducks and Blackhawks get back together in Chicago for more fireworks. The United Center is a palace of hockey and the fans as well as the players should be in prime postseason form. Ducks @ Blackhawks is the one game to watch tonight.

My bets: U 5 goals, Jonathan Toews first player to score, Corey Perry O .5 points
(2-1 yesterday)


Pick 3 games:

1. Ducks @ Blackhawks 8:00e

2. Houston Rockets @ Golden State Warriors (NBA) 9:00e

3. Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Francisco Giants (MLB) 3:45e

Continuous Viewing Lineup:

7:10e Milwaukee Brewers @ Atlanta Braves (First 5 innings)

8:00e Ducks @ Blackhawks (1st Period)

9:00e Rockets @ Warriors (2nd Quarter)

9:45e Ducks @ Blackhawks (3rd Period +)

Jump back to Rockets @ Warriors after hockey for the end of the game.

Other options:

More college baseball on tap today. The second round of the Colonial tournament has some potential.

In PGA action, the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial kicks off today. Defending champ: Adam Scott.

Continuing tennis action at the Geneva Open.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

One Game to Watch 5/20/15

One game to watch on 5/20/15:
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Atlanta Hawks (NBA Eastern Conference Finals, Game 1) 8:30e

Let's make it interesting:
Cavaliers +1
Over/Under 197
Lebron James: Rebounds+Assists O/U 17.5

Why you should watch:
The top two seeds in the NBA's  Eastern Conference square off in game one. This is some of the best basketball the association has to offer and features it's biggest star in Lebron James. Scoring should be plentiful, and with both sides able to call on fantastic 3 point shooters, Cavs @ Hawks is the one game to watch tonight.

My bets: Cavs +1, O 197, Lebron U 17.5 Rebounds+Assists.

Pick 3 games:

1. Cavs @ Hawks 8:30e

2. Rangers @ Lightning (NHL) 8:00e

3. Arkansas @ Florida (College Baseball) 9:00e

Continuous Viewing Lineup:

7:10e Cardinals @ Mets (First 5 innings)

8:00e Sporting KC @ NE Revolution (1st Half)

8:45e Rangers @ Lightning (2nd Period)

9:45e Cavs @ Hawks (2nd Half)

Other options:

International soccer friendlies are sprinkled throughout the day. None of which require much attention from those who are not national fans.

There is a full slate of MLB games, highlighted by a handful of interleague showdowns, but the pitching matchups leave much to be desired on a night with conference championships on TV.

There is also an interesting bunch of College Baseball conference tournament games going on all day.