Week 5 Free NCAA Football Picks (58%) Look to Clean Up

As our Free NCCA Football Picks trend downward on a weekly basis, we're going to join them and trend down to our smallest college football card of the year with just four plays Saturday.

Alabama -3 1/2 over Florida

Georgia Tech -10 over N.C. State

Utah -8 over Washington

Duke +3 1/2 over Florida International

Best of luck, and as always, our results follow:

2011 Free NCAA Football Picks
Week 1: 5-1
Week 2: 4-2-1
Week 3: 3-3
Week 4: 2-4
Total: 14-10-1... 58%

Welcome to Stocklemonblog.com!

Well, well. Would you look at that. Just like the Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley, Stock Lemon is all grown up.

After years of toiling with the stocklemon.blogspot.com URL address, the early success of our Free NFL Picks means that we were finally able to pony up the funds (a whopping $10/year) to purchase an actual domain name (no thanks to the fundraiser we held in jest).

No longer are we stocklemon.blogspot.com. We are now a much cleaner, simpler stocklemonblog.com. We know that old habits die hard, so you'll still be able to access Stock Lemon at the old blogspot URL, which will redirect to stocklemonblog.com.

And don't worry, all of our picks will remain 100% free, despite the recent operating costs we've incurred.

Thank you for your continued support of Stock Lemon, and be sure to spread the word that we are actually a legit website now.

A Perfect 4-0 Week For Free NFL Picks (67% YTD)

We were a little apprehensive looking at the Week 3 NFL lines. Turns out, we shouldn't have been.

With a small card, we earned our first perfect week of the football betting action, going 4-0 Sunday. Clearly, our Free NFL Picks are back on track after a rocky Week 1, as the Ravens, Packers, Vikings (whew) and Panthers helped us improve to 67% on the young season. This means that as of Week 3 in both college and the pros, we were hitting 67% (we're all the way down to 58% for our Free NCAA Football Picks after struggling in Week 4).

We very nearly played the 49ers, who covered, but are glad to have stayed away from the other two leans we mentioned, the Jets and Titans, who did not.

Editor's note: we hope you like Playboy's Jaime Edmondson, because we'll be featuring plenty of her here at Stock Lemon in 2011.

Our week-by-week breakdown is as follows:

2011 Free NFL Picks
Week 1: 2-4
Week 2: 4-1-1
Week 3: 4-0
Total: 10-5-1... 67%

Wheels Fall Off Free NCAA Football Picks in Week 4 (58% YTD)

The downward trend of our Free NCAA Football Picks has unfortunately continued. We worried about this heading into the week, and it turns out, for good reason.

After a hot start, we endured our first losing week in the college football season, going just 2-4 on Saturday to knock us down to 14-10-1 (58%) on the season. To make matters worse, many of the picks were just plain wrong--not even close to covering--and even our winning plays were suspect and largely in doubt.

We'll re-group as we head into Week 5, because if the downward trend (see our week-by-week results below) continues, we're in for a long first day of October.

2011 Free NCAA Football Picks
Week 1: 5-1
Week 2: 4-2-1
Week 3: 3-3
Week 4: 2-4
Total: 14-10-1... 58%

Week 3 Free NFL Picks (55% YTD)

We're back, baby! The Free NFL Picks are fresh off a 4-1-1 Week 2, but things look a little trickier in Week 3, hence a smaller card than the last. You can find this week's Sports Odds and check out what we had to choose from. Our plays are as follows:

Packers -3 1/2 over Bears

Vikings +3 1/2 over Lions

Panthers -3 1/2 over Jaguars

Ravens -4 over Rams

Lots of 3 1/2 point spreads we feel we can hit this week, otherwise a relatively difficult card to predict this early in the year. This week's results might determine how we begin betting certain teams. Be warned, we feel similar about this week to how we felt about Week 1 (2-4).

We're also leaning 49ers, Titans and Jets but probably will end up with a four-play card, our smallest of the young season.

Good luck!

Week 4 Free NCAA Football Picks (67% YTD)

Our Free NCAA Football Picks have been hitting on all cylinders to begin the 2011 season, but though we haven't had a losing week to date, we seem to be trending that way, experiencing our first .500 week in Week 3. You can check out the Sports Odds for yourself.

Which brings us to Week 4, where we'll either fall through the cracks or get back on track.

Georgia Tech -6 1/2 over N.C. State

Tulane +10 over Duke

Notre Dame -7 over Pittsburgh

Miami -12 over Kansas State

Wyoming +21 1/2 over Nebraska

South Carolina -15 1/2 over Vanderbilt

Another six-play card for us Saturday. As always, a look at our week-by-week results:

2011 Free NCAA Football Picks
Week 1: 5-1
Week 2: 4-2-1
Week 3: 3-3
Total: 12-6-1... 67%

Best of luck!

All-Time Free Football Picks Records (55% from 2008-10)

In 2010 and 2008, we did a great job keeping up with our record on a weekly basis. In 2009, we had a little less success, and apathy took hold as we finished below .500 in the NFL and even went a few weeks without any Free NFL Picks at all.

Since our picks have done consistently well over the years, we decided to go back into the archives and find out what our final records were in 2009 so that we could have our three-year totals on display, unimpressive as they might be with the inclusion of the 2009 NFL season.

We think we got them all, but if they were not tagged with our Free ___ Picks tag, we may have accidentally omitted them. Feel free to dig back into each of the 1,000-plus posts in our history should you feel there are any discrepancies. Also, we don't count pro bowl picks or any jerking around we might ever have done in the preseason. Deal with it.

There is a lot of emphasis on a betting sites record over the years, as it gives said site--even if only a blogspot page--a little bit of credibility. All of our picks have been documented, and unlike some sketchy blogspot pages, we are not trying to pull a fast one on anyone or lie about our record to improve our overall percentages. Our picks are free, after all, to no charge to you (but feel free to donate!).

If you've been following throughout, thanks a ton, and if you've only recently started following, where have you been, asshole! But also, thanks. Now that you've skimmed through all the above rambling, here are our three-year totals for our Free NFL Picks and Free NCAA Football Picks from 2008-10.

Free NCAA Football Picks
2008: 33-29-1... 53%
2009: 27-20... 57%
2010: 64-53-1... 55%
Total: 124-102-2... 55%

Free NFL Picks
2008: 31-22-2... 58%
2009: 26-30... 46%
2010: 51-34-1... 60%
Total: 108-86-3... 56%

Total Free Football Picks Record: 232-188-5... 55%

As you can see, our only real blemish was the 2009 NFL season that we just couldn't figure out. Otherwise, we have been pretty consistent, and while it's nothing to smear all over the message boards about how great we've been, we're proud of our 55% Free NCAA Football Picks and our 56% Free NFL Picks just the same.

Despite what they might tell you, capping ain't easy, and we've had our fair share of tough luck. But over the years we've been adding more and more picks and becoming more and more successful and knowledgeable, even if that isn't really reflected in our records.

We appreciate your support and hope you'll continue to follow us here at Stock Lemon as we try and improve on these percentages.

Winning Week For Free NFL Picks (4-1-1)

It seems that we straightened out some of our issues with our Free NFL Picks following a wretched 2-4 record in our 2011 debut last weekend.

In Week 2, our picks rebounded to go 4-1-1, getting us back to normalcy and at 55% through two weeks of the season.

As we said last week, Week 1 can be a total crapshoot or it can be the easiest week of the season, and clearly it was the former for us. We felt a little better once we saw the opening lines for the Week 2 crop of games, knowing that there would be an opportunity to make it back. And that's just what we did.

Our weekly breakdown is below:

2011 Free NFL Picks
Week 1: 2-4
Week 2: 4-1-1
Total: 6-5-1... 55%

Now it's time to prove that Week 2, and not Week 1, is more of what you can accept on a weekly basis here at Stock Lemon.

All for the low, low price of free, by the way.

Unimpressive Week 3 For Free NCAA Football Picks (67% YTD)

Our Free NCAA Football Picks are off to a hot start in 2011, but they're trending the wrong way.

Saturday's six-game card netted us a 3-3 record and had us regretting not buying the hook in the Tennessee/Florida game. Although, we also squeaked out a four-point win with a -3 Iowa spread, so we can't much complain.

Even with the .500 week, our worst of the young season, our Free NCAA Football Picks are still in good shape at 67% through 19 games in three weeks. The weekly breakdown follows:

2011 Free NCAA Football Picks
Week 1: 5-1
Week 2: 4-2-1
Week 3: 3-3
Total: 12-6-1... 67%

It's up to us to make sure this downward trend doesn't continue and that we avoid our first losing week of the season. It's up to you to keep checking back for our Free NCAA Football Picks.

Time For Free NFL Picks To Get Into a Groove

The first couple weeks of every NFL season are either the easiest weeks of the year or the hardest weeks of the year to cap. Last year, they were the easiest. This year, not so much.

Our Free NFL Picks, which finished 60% last season, have some ground to make up already after a 2-4 Week 1 outing (2-3 on sides, if its any consolation).

This week, we have another boom-or-bust card as we try to figure out some of these teams. The Buccaneers and Titans (though they covered by a half point) are teams we just can't quit yet, while the Cowboys and Redskins are two teams we were leaning toward last week but didn't pull the trigger. The Saints line is getting pushed down after the Bears fluke performance, and we can't help but bet against Vick in Atlanta.

Buccaneers +3 over the Vikings

Saints -6 1/2 over the Bears

Cowboys -3 over the 49ers

Falcons +2 1/2 over the Eagles

Titans +5 1/2 over the Ravens

Redskins -3 1/2 over the Cardinals

We're taking our Week 1 mulligan and we're betting against birdies (Eagles, Ravens and Cardinals) in Week 2 with another six-game card. Best of luck and let's get this season going.

2011 Free NFL Picks
Week 1: 2-4
Total: 2-4 (33%)

Free NCAA Football Picks Look to Stay Hot in Week 3 (75% YTD)

Our Free NCAA Football Picks are off to a roaring start in 2011, beginning the season with two successful weeks and a 9-3-1 record (75% YTD). We've got several solid picks this Saturday as we look to keep the momentum going and continue our sports gambling success.

We like Navy in the Pro Combat uniforms this weekend (the above photo is not what they look like) and we're picking on UL Monroe for a second time with a similar spread (had Florida State -29 1/2 in Week 1), among the other plays on our six-game card.

Six games a week is pretty much the amount of plays we are averaging in this young season. It's tempting, of course, to bet on nearly every single game, but profits aren't made that way. And believe us, we've learned that the hard way.

Navy +17 over South Carolina

TCU -28 1/2 over Louisiana-Monroe

Wisconsin -17 over Northern Illinois

Central Florida -5 over Florida International

Iowa -3 over Pittsburgh

Tennessee +9 1/2 over Florida

Best of luck!

As always, find our year-to-date week-by-week records below:

2011 Free NCAA Football Picks
Week 1: 5-1
Week 2: 4-2-1
Total: 9-3-1... 75%

Not the NFL Start We Were Hoping For

As great as it is that the NFL is back in full force, the only thing that could dampen the beginning of the 2011 season was a surprisingly poor start to our Free NFL Picks. And dampen it did.

The Patriots saved us Monday night from total humiliation, giving us a miserable 2-4 record after Week 1. To make matters worse, take a look at the following underdog leans we didn't end up going with after narrowing down our crop:

Houston +9 (WIN)

Buffalo +6 (WIN)

St. Louis +4 1/2 (LOSS)

Dallas +5 (WIN)

Playing these four games would have given us a 5-5 week, which is still below expectations, but obviously beats a 2-4 opening. We may have finally learned our lesson on over/unders after setting the tone poorly with our worst call ever on Thursday and look forward to bouncing back from this wretched start. Stay with us and we promise to make it up to you.

Unless we don't.

2011 Free NFL Picks
Week 1: 2-4
Total: 2-4 (33%)

Another Successful Week for Free NCAA Football Picks (75% YTD)

Another Week of college ball, another week winning some green. Our Free NCAA Football Picks went 4-2-1 on Saturday and are now 75% on the young season (9-3-1), putting us on pace for another solid year of NCAA Football action.

Of our losses, we whiffed on Penn State's upset bid against Alabama and have still yet to learn our lesson on over/unders (0-2 so far in 2011, with a loss apiece in college and the pros). We'd go in depth on the wins, but we expect to win, so nothing to see there.

A complete breakdown of our season-to-date, as allows, can be found below. Be sure to join us next weekend for another crop of winning college football picks.

2011 Free NCAA Football Picks
Week 1: 5-1
Week 2: 4-2-1
Total: 9-3-1... 75%

Free NFL Picks Look For Another Solid Week One Outing

Our Free NFL Picks began the 2010 season 11-2 in the first two weeks of the season, and ended up finishing 60% for the year. After Week 1, they were 5-1... so all we have to do is win all five of our games Sunday. Here are our plays after Thursday's over/under debacle:

Steelers +1 1/2 over Ravens

Buccaneers -1 1/2 over Lions

Titans +2 1/2 over Jaguars

Browns -6 1/2 over Bengals

Patriots -7 over Dolphins

It's good to be back to football. Best of luck in Week 1 and stick with us throughout the 2011 NFL season (and college ball as well) for free winning picks every weekend.

Free NCAA Football Picks (83% YTD) Look to Continue Hot Start

Our Free NCAA Football Picks got off to a hot start last weekend, going 5-1 (83%) to kick off the 2011 season. We'll try to build on that with another active card on Saturday (seven plays is about our average, though last year we had 12 picks in Week 2 and went 8-4).

Tennessee -4 over Cincinnati

Wisconsin -20 over Oregon State

BYU/Texas OVER 47 1/2

Arkansas -35 1/2 over New Mexico

South Carolina -3 over Georgia

Penn State +10 over Alabama

Stanford -20 over Duke

Best of luck! And, as always, our week-to-week breakdown to close the post:

2011 Free NCAA Football Picks
Week 1: 5-1
Total: 5-1... 83%

Yep, We Had the Under

Let it out, Angelina Jolie. Let it out.

After a 60% season in 2010, our Free NFL Picks began with probably one of the worst sides you'll find in all of 2011.

We had the under in the shootout that was the Packers/Saints.

Fortunately, one pick does not define a season, and while we won't pump ourselves up as being 0% like we would had we won (100% perfect OMG!!!), we will sleep tonight knowing there are plenty of picks ahead, including five (so far) for Sunday.

And none of them are over/unders.

College picks should be posted tomorrow, so, NFL opening game loss aside, we'll see you back here.

Free NFL Picks Open 2011 With a Thursday Over/Under

After a successful 60% season for our Free NFL Picks in 2010, we figure there's only one way to open the 2011 season: by doing something completely different.

We rarely bet over/unders in football and generally have a better grasp of the point spreads, but Thursday night we're making an exception.

Packers/Saints UNDER 47

Two explosive offenses pitted against each other? Has to be a high-scoring game, right? Not so fast, we say. Historically, the Thursday opener doesn't always bring out the firepower, as the teams come out of the gate a little sluggish.

In fact, the Saints have twice opened the season on Thursday, once as the champ and another as the visitor, and have scored a combined 24 points in their previous two season opening efforts (including a 14-9 win over the Vikings last season).

Besides, the last time these two teams met, they combined to score only... uh... 80 points.

Still, we think this game will end up closer to 20-17 as the Super Bowl champs open with the last team to hold that title.

After a 5-1 (83%) start to our Free NCAA Football Picks, we're glad to be back to football. We'll have a full slate of college games Saturday and, finally, a full schedule of NFL action as well. At the low, low price of free to you, reader of this random blog.

2011 Free NCAA Football PIcks Begin Season At 5-1 (83%)

As we warned you, our Free NCAA Football Picks usually start slow. We apologize for the loss in our 5-1 Week 1 Picks.

After a crazy cover Thursday night, our Saturday slate consisted of four games featuring the double-digit spread we usually try to avoid, along with one underdog. And we won four of the five.

As we said after Thursday's game, if this start is any indication (last year we started with 5-4-1 week, or 55.5%, and finished the year at 55%), we're in for a good season. Like 83% good.

Stay with us next week as we roll out the first of our Free NFL Picks (60% in 2010) on Thursday and continue our 83% college football picks. We hope.

College Football Saturday is Upon Us

Week 1 of the NCAA Football slate officially kicked off on Thursday (as did our now 1-0 2011 Free NCAA Football Picks), but the real deal begins today, with a full schedule of action on Saturday. And it's about time.

Our Free NCAA Football Picks got off to a frantic but successful start on Thursday, and we're looking to improve upon last season's 55% mark.

We're off to a good start, winning 10 of our last 11 going back to the 2010-11 bowl games, and we're looking to continue that run with the following plays on this busy day:

Florida State -29 1/2 over Louisiana-Monroe

Oklahoma -25 over Tulsa

Northwestern +3 1/2 over Boston College

Texas -24 1/2 over Rice

Purdue -16 1/2 over Middle Tennessee State

We could add a pick or two on Saturday morning, just watching some last minute line movements. Otherwise, including Thursday's pick, it looks like just a six-play card for week 1 of the college football season (had 10 picks to open last year).

There are certainly a few more huge favorites than we would like, but such is life in the opening week of college ball. Best of luck throughout the season (not that you'll need it if you follow us! muahaha!)

Syracuse Comeback Gives 2011 Free NCAA Football Picks a 1-0 Start

If tonight's pick of Syracuse at -6 1/2 over Wake Forest to open the 2011 college football season was any indication, we are in for a wild ride with our 2011 Free NCAA Football Picks.

'Cuse looked like one of the worst teams in the history of college football in the first half (and one of the worst bets in Stock Lemon history) before mounting a comeback and winning by seven in overtime.

And with that, our Free NCAA Football Picks have followed a 55% season with a 100% start in 2011. After a 9-1 2010-11 bowl season, we've now won 10 of our last 11 college football bets.

We likely will not have a play on either game tomorrow night, but should post our Saturday picks shortly thereafter. We usually have quite a few picks to open things up, though we are scared off by some of the bigger spreads (anyone who caught a bad beat on the backdoor UNLV cover tonight knows why).

Stay tuned for more of our %100 accurate Free NCAA Football Picks throughout the season! (Hey, we'll tout it while we can).