Gary “The Gut” Goombah – Week 1, 2025

Gary “The Gut” Goombah – Week 1, 2025

“I’m baaaaaaack” said Gary “The Gut” Goombah when contacted this week by the “Dutch Lion”. In preparation for the 2025 football season, Gary was scouring the preseason magazines and online publications including Phil Steele’s, FTN’s 2025 Almanac, Marc Lawrence’s Playbook, Lindy’s, Athlon’s, Sports Illustrated, and anything he could find. Like we said, he devours football information. How do you think he has become such an expert in the world of football gambling? To recap 2024: here were Gary’s final numbers:

2024 Season Results: 106-107-2 (49.5%) Overall; ((51-48 (52.0%) NCAA, 6-1 in the CFP!; 55-58-2 (48.1%) NFL, 0-1 CFL)) – “The Gut” went 1-1 in the NFL Conference Championship games (won Philadelphia, lost Buffalo, then won the Super Bowl with Philadelphia. Therefore, the season ended exactly even if we don’t count the CFL Grey Cup. How ’bout that?

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Let’s kickoff the 2025 season with the Game of the Week, and we’ll go from there.

#1 Texas Longhorns (+1.5) over #3 Ohio State Buckeyes – A rematch of a CFP Playoff Semifinal, the ‘Horns invade the Horseshoe for an intense season opener, ripe with storylines. Here’s the difference: Texas has an experienced quarterback, Arch Manning. Experienced, you ask? Well, Arch has been in Austin for two seasons as a mostly-backup QB behind Quinn Ewers. Arch played in 12 games over the last two years, even starting twice. He has played in big environments before, unlike new Ohio St. QB Julian Sayin, who only played in four games in college so far. Our preseason pick for the National Championship, Gary is going with the Longhorns in a big, huge, road victory in Columbus, OH. PICK: Texas!

#24 Tennessee Volunteers (-13.5) over Syracuse Orange

#8 Alabama Crimson Tide (-13.5) over Florida St. Seminoles

#4 Clemson Tigers (-4.5) over #9 LSU Tigers – Personally, I might be more excited about this game than the Texas/Ohio St. game. Tigers vs Tigers, in Death Valley. (“I know what you’re thinking” – Magnum, P.I.) Both teams are returning productive quarterbacks, Cade Klubnik for Clemson, Garrett Nussmeier for LSU. In fact, the Heisman race will start off with these guys. Who will win? Who is the “Real” Death Valley? “The Gut” is picking Clemson, at home, in Death Valley. LOL. PICK: Clemson

Portland St. (+44.5) over BYU Cougars – C’mon man, how bad can Portland State be? Gary will take PSU to cover 44.5 points. Sure, they might lose 57-14, and Gary will still cover! PICK: Portland St.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-2.5) over Miami Hurricanes – As much as we liked Miami last year, we just don’t see them having another huge season this year. #1 overall draft choice Cam Ward is gone. They invited UGA castoff Carson Beck to take over, but we think Gary is right in that Beck is O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D. Plus, WR Xavier Restrepo is gone. Don’t forget that HC Marcus Freeman is building something special at ND. Many might have already forgotten that they finished as last year’s runner-up. The Irish should cover a FG in South Florida, thinks Gary “The Gut”. PICK: Notre Dame

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That’s it for College Kickoff. Enjoy these games on Opening weekend and cheers to another big winning season this Autumn! Next week….. NFL Kickoff!

“Whether rich or poor, thou shalt gamble more” – Gary “The Gut” Goombah’s mantra