CBS isn’t having a great week. In addition to the controversy that’s erupted over the potential of having based a story on President Bush’s National Guard record based on forged documents, their sports division fell for a prank as well. The CBS sports web site reported that Redskin RB Clinton Portis had suffered a serious, potentially season ending injury. Unfortunately the entire story was based on a bogus internet report on a non-news site. What in the name of the Jason Blair is going on here?

The sports betting world suffered a big loss when ace handicapper Mike Lee passed away this week after a brief illness. It’s tough to think of someone living or dead who had a greater influence on the handicapping world. Our tribute to Mike is at http://www.consumerbet.com/articles/mikelee.html. His long-term business partner Gail Fayad writes about Mike at www.mikeleesports.com and the Daily Racing Form’s Dave Tuley shows his appreciation for Mike at http://www.drf.com/news/article/58976.html.

You might want to consider using Cal minus the huge number over New Mexico State. NMSU went to Arkansas and many considered them to be a live dog, as Arkansas returned only 4 starters. The Aggies were flattened, as the Razorbacks jetted out to a 56-7 lead less than four minutes into the third quarter. Cal’s better than Arkansas and this could get ugly real early. NMSU’s offense shouldn’t confuse the Golden Bears, as Cal defended the option just last week in their blowout win at Air Force. A couple of things keep it from being a play we’re going to use however. They’re laying 34. The last time the Bears were laying anything within two TD’s of this was their 1996 opener when they were giving San Jose State 24, so they’re in a completely unfamiliar spread range. When Cal coach Jeff Tedford was offensive coordinator the Ducks didn’t show a lot of killer instinct as a big favorite, so there’s a good chance that if Cal’s up 31 they’re not doing a lot to get you to the number. Still, the difference in talent here is palpable and we’d rather lay it than take it in this one.

Our late phone service heads into the weekend 3-0-1 on the season after Thursday night’s push and we have four big games on Saturday. Call our free hotline at 770-618-8700 for more information. Four solid handicapping entities recently invited this column to join their garden party. If you’re looking for selections from a number of handicappers for one low price. If you’re looking for selections from a number of handicappers for one low price check out www.vegas5.com, where the combined efforts have been red hot.

Andrew Beyer must be having a heck of a summer at the windows. He’s written two Washington Post columns in the past three months, totally ignoring the Saratoga and Del Mar meets. Joe Gibbs certainly deserves the respect he’s being given after his decade-plus separation from the NFL. But when you think of the difference in what the Redskins and Bucs have achieved in the past couple of years we have to look Tampa’s way just a bit. When you factor in the fact that is impossible to find someone who likes Tampa Bay in this game that might just give you enough of a reason to back the Floridians.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. We’ll be back with you next week. Good luck and be careful.