Pick 'Em Corner - The Professor's Week 14 Smart Money Picks

 It all comes down to this. The Professor is engaged in a tight battle with The Cornerman for the 2012 Pick ‘Em Corner Regular Season Championship. Both panelists own identical 144-116-2 records, with The Cornerman holding a narrow two-point lead due to his one-game lead in locks.

The Professor, along with The Cornerman, The Former Host, Steve Stellar (aka The New Host), The Veteran and C-Noth, announced their picks to the live studio audience at The East Shop Kitchen & Bar last night in beautiful downtown Plymouth (wait, is there a downtown Plymouth?). If you weren't in attendance last night, shame on you.

As we close the regular season, The Professor would like to thank his sponsors for all of their support. In no particular order, a hearty thank you to Gasthof zur Gemutlichkeit, RO*TEL, National American University, Armed Forces Network and Mr. Heavyfoot.

Without further ado, sit up straight, sharpen your pencils and enjoy the lecture, for these are The Professor's Smart Money Picks, brought to you by The City of Chanhassen Hopkins Plymouth.

Northern Illinois -6.5 Kent State (MAC Champ - Detroit, Mich)

Husky women! [clap, clap, clap-clap-clap] Husky women! [clap, clap, clap-clap-clap] That is all.

STANFORD -8 UCLA (Pac-12 Champ - Stanford, Calif.)

Something smells fishy here. Last week, Stanford overwhelmed UCLA 35-17 in the inaccurately-named City of Angels. Now, this week, the Cardinal is favored by only eight … at home … in a game to determine the Pac-12’s Rose Bowl participant. Both teams have gotten better as the season has progressed, but it’s Stanford that has the more impressive ledger with wins over four then-top 10 teams. Yes, I know, one of those teams was USC. Moving on.

Oklahoma State -4 BAYLOR

Take the over.

Oklahoma -6.5 TCU

TCU may not win this game, but the Horned Frogs will keep it close, especially against a Sooner defense that has allowed an average 48.5 points in the last two weeks.

TULSA -2 UCF (Conf. USA Champ - Tulsa, Okla.)

The Fighting Seeleys put up a good fight, but the Golden Hurricane break a tie with a FG as time expires to win and cover. I guess.

WEST VIRGINIA -20 Kansas

West Virginia averages 40.0 points per game. Kansas averages 19.0 points per game. What’s 40 minus 19? That’s right. A Mountaineer cover.

ARKANSAS STATE -9.5 Middle Tennessee

Far too many points to give this MTSU team … I think.

Boise State -10 Nevada

The Wolf Pack is limping into this game with losses in three of its last four. And that’s my analysis.

Cincinnati -4.5 UCONN

UConn lost to Western Michigan and Syracuse, two of Minnesota’s six wins, by a combined score of 74-34. Need I say more?

Alabama -7 Georgia (SEC Championship – Atlanta, Ga.)

Chalk this one up to the “been here before” factor. There’s no doubt that Georgia has the talent to give Alabama a run for its money here, but beware the bright lights of the SEC Championship Game, a de facto national championship semifinal contest once again this season. Alabama will use that experience to jump out to a lead that it never relinquishes. As much as I’d like to see someone other than the Tide in the BCS title game, this isn’t the year.

Pittsburgh -6.5 SOUTH FLORIDA

The Professor is doing something in this game he’s never done before and probably will never do again: locking in a game he (nor the vast majority of the country) has absolutely no interest in. DO YOU HEAR THAT SOUND? EEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR-PLUNK! EEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR-PLUNK! EEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR-PLUNK! It's The Professor's Statistically-Proven Lock of the Week, brought to you by National American University! It’s also The Does Anybody Outside the Locales of the Two Teams Involved Actually Care About This Game? Game, brought to you by RO*TEL! Take this for what it’s worth: The Professor is 9-4 in locks and 6-7 in RO*TEL games.

KANSAS STATE -11.5 Texas

I’m taking Kansas State here solely for the reason that Wildcat QB Collin Klein says things like “Gosh,” “Golly,” “Jeepers,” “Oh, heck,” and ”Don't get bees in your bonnet.” From someone like The Professor who enjoys saying “Shoot” or “Son of a biscuit,” Klein is worth rooting for.

Florida State -14 Georgia Tech (ACC Champ - Charlotte, N.C.)

The Seminoles didn’t have the luxury of a game last week against a triple-option offense like Georgia did two weeks ago to prepare for the Ramblin’ Wreck. Florida’s ho-hum offense torched the Noles for 244 rushing yards, so why do we think they’ll do better against the nation’s third-ranked rushing offense. We don’t.

Nebraska -3 Wisconsin (Big Ten Champ - Indianapolis, Ind.)

Last week’s stinker of a win at Iowa notwithstanding, Nebraska has been pretty darn impressive the latter half of the season. They’ve learned what happens when they sleepwalk through the first half and they’ve learned what happen when they don’t take care of the ball. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is limping in>o the B1G title game losers of three of its last four. Sure, they were all in overtime, but they’re still losses. This game will come down to Nebraska’s excellent pass defense shutting down pedestrian Badger QB Curt Phillips and pulling away in the fourth quarter. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the schadenfreude angle, so here goes: DIE IN A FIRE, BUCKY!

HAWAI’I -6 South Alabama

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you

Navy -10.5 Army

Not an Onion story: Bill the Goat, the Naval Academy Mascot, was stolen over the weekend and attached to a median near the Pentagon. He was recovered Saturday morning in good condition. The goatnapping was confirmed Thursday by John Jordan, manager of Maryland Sunrise Farm, the home of Bill XXXIII and Bill XXXIV. Jordan did not know which of the academy’s two mascots was stolen. Jordan suspects soldiers were behind it, but he had no knowledge of it. - http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/11/navy-bill-goat-stolen-mascot-naval-academy-112912w/

Thus concludes The Professor's Smart Money Picks, brought to you by The City of Chanhassen.

2012 Pick ‘Em Corner Standings (locks in parentheses)

1. The Cornerman – 144-116-2 (10-3) – 164 pts

2. The Professor – 144-116-2 (9-4) – 162 pts

3. KCKCKCK – 142-118-2 (8-5) – 158 pts

4. Lockrem’s Locks – 141-118-2 (8-4-1) - 157 pts

5. Steve Stellar – 135-125-2 (7-6) – 149 pts

6. The Host – 133-127-2 (5-8) – 143 pts

7. Jeff Leach – 134-124-2 (4-6) – 142 pts

7. C-Noth – 130-130-2 (6-7) – 142 pts

9. Wick to Click – 119-141-2 (7-5) – 133 pts

10. Special G – 118-122-2 (3-9) – 124 pts

10. Mrs. Money –114-124-2 (5-6) – 124 pts

12. Strickly Cash – 104-118 (3-8) – 110 pts

13. The Veteran – 105-113-2 (2-9) – 109 pts

14. Money Traen – 95-103-2 (4-6) – 103 pts

15. LFK – 6-12 (no lock ) 6 pts

16. autoMATTic – 0-0 (0-0) 0 pts

The Professor in 2012 Pick 'Em Corner

Overall record: 144-116-2 (.553)

Statistically-Proven Locks: 9-4 (.692)

Games involving Big Ten teams: 49-37 (.570)

Games not involving Big Ten teams: 95-79-2 (.545)

Minnesota games: 4-8 (.333)

Schadenfreude Games (Wisconsin, Iowa, Notre Dame): 20-16 (.556)

Service Academy Games: 4-11 (.267)

Does Anybody Outside the Locales of the Two Teams Involved Actually Care About This Game? Games: 6-7 (.462)

Roll Tide Turkey Games: 6-4 (.600)

Tim Brewster Theorem Games: 3-3 (.500)

Pick 'Em Corner - The Professor's Week 13 Smart Money Picks

The Professor would like to wish the entire Pick 'Em Corner panel and all of The Professor's Pupils a very Happy Thanksgiving. The Professor has plenty to be happy about, most notably a healthy bankroll after 12 weeks of superlative college football handicapping.

Kudos go to The Cornerman for finally overtaking me in the standings. It took long enough. Sure would be nice to see a little transparency with your picks, however.

The Professor would like to thank all you degenerate gamblers out there for your support throughout the season. Enjoy your turkey and pumpkin pie, sit back and relax, and enjoy the lecture, for these are The Professor's Smart Money Picks, brought to you by The City of Chanhassen.

Nebraska -15 IOWA

The Professor will be having his Thanksgiving meal at the new home of Mrs. Money in Canada. Ok, it's just Brooklyn Park, but the drive there feels like we should have to pass through customs. It will undoubtedly be a time to harass her hubby (Mr. Money?) on the tire fire that is Iowa football. FACT: Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz ranks No. 6 in the nation for salary among college football coaches with a ridiculous $3.835 million per year. FACT: This season, that equates to $958,750 per win (Minnesota’s Jerry Kill is a bargain at $1.2 million per year and $200,000 per win this season). FACT: Nebraska will make Iowa fans even more uncomfortable about having Ferentz as their coach for the foreseeable future (due to a Pam Borton-like contract) when the Huskers cruise to a 38-10 win. Real tempted to lock this one in, but I’ll just stick with schadenfreude.

NORTHWESTERN -19 Illinois

Illinois is bad. Gopher football circa 2007 bad. But I have a sinking suspicion that Tim Brewster Beckman gets his troops fired up for this one. The Illini still lose, but they keep it within two TDs.

OHIO STATE -3.5 Michigan

This is the BCS Championship Game or Rose Bowl for Ohio State this season. With nothing else to play for, Urban Meyer turns the Buckeye offense loose and OSU rolls into the offseason after a resounding win in The Game.

Pittsburgh -2 RUTGERS

[Analysis redacted in protest for adding freakin’ Rutgers to the Big Ten.]

PURDUE -5.5 Indiana

It’s a rivalry game, so 5.5 seems like too many points to me. Purdue will win and stamp their ticket to the Heart of Texas Bowl, but the Hoosiers will fight to the end in a vain effort to make something of yet another lost season.

PENN STATE -2.5 Wisconsin

What, exactly, does Wisconsin have to play for here? That’s right, nothing. They’re already locked into the B1G Championship Game, so why risk injury when they’ll be playing Nebraska for the chance to go back to Pasadena to get absolutely humbled by Oregon. Meanwhile, like Ohio State, this is Penn State’s bowl game. Look for the Fighting Keisers to play with passion, while Bucky goes through the motions. Also, schadenfreude.

Michigan State -8 MINNESOTA

I’ve never bought into the “distractions” angle when it comes to analyzing a certain team’s prospects. Sure, the cancerous A.J. Barker provided ridiculous fodder for media moguls like Doogie and Phil Mackey, but what does that have to do with this week’s game? Nothing. I’ll bet you didn’t know, that since Glen Mason’s first season at Minnesota (1997), the Gophers are 4-1 at home vs. Michigan State. That, my friends, is a trend. Go Gophers!

LSU -12.5 ARKANSAS

I love me some John L. Smith, but LSU will send out the hilarious coach with a shellacking in Fayetteville.

Washington -14 WASHINGTON STATE

I hear Pullman is beautiful this time of year.

ARIZONA -3 Arizona State

The home team has lost the past three Territorial Cups. Plus, I prefer the Sun Devils’ color scheme.

GEORGIA -13 Georgia Tech

DO YOU HEAR THAT SOUND? EEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR-PLUNK! EEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR-PLUNK! EEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR-PLUNK! It's The Professor's Statistically-Proven Lock of the Week, brought to you by National American University! I love Georgia Tech’s triple option attack and the fits that it gives defenses unaccustomed to such offenses, but Georgia got a practice game last week against triple-optioner Georgia Southern. That spells bad things for future Big Ten member Georgia Tech. Ok, that was far too many “Georgias” in one paragraph.

VIRGINIA TECH -10 Virginia

I hear Charlottesville is beautiful this time of year.

Miami -6.5 DUKE

It’s The Does Anybody Outside the Locales of the Two Teams Involved Actually Care About This Game? Game, brought to you by RO*TEL! A meaningless season for Miami gets even worse with an outright loss to a basketball school.

Oregon -9.5 OREGON STATE

The Beavers will get caught looking ahead to next week’s match-up with Nicholls State.

OKLAHOMA -7 Oklahoma State

This one’s for you, Teeks. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-klahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plains!

FLORIDA STATE -6 Florida

Whatever the under is in this one, take it. Bad Florida offense + top-ranked Florida State defense = Seminoles cover. As an aside, the fact that a team with an abysmal offense like the Gators’ can be in the national championship picture with a win here and a Notre Dame loss to USC is laughable. The playoff system can’t come soon enough.

ALABAMA -31 Auburn

Sure was nice of the schedule planners to plan a bye week for Alabama before heading into The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Stanford -1.5 UCLA

Consider this pick one out of spite. Damn you, Stanford for ensuring we have yet another BCS title game with an SEC squad … not to mention loathsome Notre Dame. Go Bruins.

OLE MISS -1 Mississippi State

The Tim Brewster Theorem gets one more regular season chance to move back to .500. Go Rebels.

Notre Dame -6.5 USC

This is a pick built purely of hope. Will USC win? Nope. Will USC cover? Nope. Not when you’re coached by Ball Deflatin’ Lane Kiffin, your stud QB is out and your backup QB guarantees a win. Ugh.

CLEMSON -4 South Carolina

Taking a page out of Steve Stellar’s playbook, when you have a chance to take a good SEC team over any ACC team, you do it. Thanks, Stellar!

And now, because the communist, America-hating Steve Stellar messed up and didn’t provide a Service Academy Game of the Week, The Professor will give you his pick involving an institution with men and women who have devoted a good chunk of their 20s to service of their country. Shame on you, Stellar, shame.

FRESNO STATE -16 Air Force

I like Air Force.

KCKCK – 134-105-2 (8-4) – 150 pts

LFK – 6-12 (no lock ) 6 pts

2012 Pick ‘Em Corner Standings (locks in parentheses)

1. The Cornerman – 136-103-2 (10-2) – 156 pts

2. The Professor – 135-104-2 (8-4) – 151 pts

3. KCKCKCK – 134-105-2 (8-4) – 150 pts

4. Lockrem’s Locks – 131-107-2 (7-4-1) - 145 pts

5. Steve Stellar – 124-115-2 (7-5) – 138 pts

6. The Host – 125-114-2 (5-7) – 135 pts

7. C-Noth – 120-119-2 (6-6) – 132 pts

8. Jeff Leach – 122-115-2 (4-5) – 130 pts

9. Wick to Click – 110-129-2 (6-5) – 122 pts

10. Special G – 109-110-2 (3-8) – 115 pts

10. Mrs. Money –107-110-2 (4-6) – 115 pts

12. Money Traen – 95-103-2 (4-6) – 103 pts

13. The Veteran – 97-100-2 (2-8) – 101 pts

14. Strickly Cash – 93-108 (2-8) – 97 pts

15. Foreman’s Forecast – 6-12 (no lock ) 6 pts

16. autoMATTic –  0-0 (0-0) 0 pts

2012 Pick ‘Em Corner Points Per Week

1. The Cornerman – 13.0

2. The Professor – 12.6

3. KCKCKCK – 12.5

4. Lockrem’s Locks – 12.1

5. Steve Stellar – 11.5

6. The Host – 11.3

7. C-Noth – 11.0

8. Jeff Leach – 10.8

9. Special G – 10.5

10. Money Traen – 10.3

11. Wick to Click – 10.2

12. The Veteran – 10.1

14. Strickly Cash – 9.7

13. Mrs. Money – 9.6

15. LFK – 6.0

16. autoMATTic – 0.0

The Professor in 2012 Pick 'Em Corner

Overall record: 135-104-2 (.564)

Statistically-Proven Locks: 8-4 (.667)

Games involving Big Ten teams: 47-33 (.588)

Games not involving Big Ten teams: 88-71-2 (.553)

Minnesota games: 4-7 (.364)

Schadenfreude Games (Wisconsin, Iowa, Notre Dame): 19-14 (.577)

Service Academy Games: 4-10 (.286)

Does Anybody Outside the Locales of the Two Teams Involved Actually Care About This Game? Games: 6-6 (.500)

Roll Tide Turkey Games: 5-4 (.556)

Tim Brewster Theorem Games: 2-3 (.400)

Pick 'Em Corner - The Professor's Week 12 Smart Money Picks

And now, for absolutely no reason other than I can't come up with something creative to open this edition of The Professor's Smart Money Picks, I give you the Pick ‘em Corner Panel School Loyalties (schools listed in order of importance to the panelists):

·         autoMATTic (defunct) – Minnesota, Arizona State

·         C-Noth – Wisconsin, Wisconsin-Milwaukee

·         Foreman’s Forecast (defunct) – Penn State, Wayzata HS, Minnesota

·         Jeff Leach - UW-Eau Claire, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Minnesota

·         KCKCKCK – Minnesota, Northwestern

·         Lockrem’s Locks – Montana, South Dakota State, Minnesota, NSIC schools, RMAC schools

·         Money Traen – Minnesota, Minnesota State-Mankato

·         Mrs. Money – Minnesota, Army, Minnesota Duluth, Iowa State, Iowa

·         Special G – Pepperdine, Phoenix-Sacramento, Minnesota

·         Steve Stellar – Towson, Miami, Georgetown, Minnesota, Delaware, Georgia, Pacific

·         Strickly Cash – Wisconsin, Neenah HS, WIAC schools, All other Division III schools

·         The Cornerman – Penn State, Minnesota, Portland State

·         The Host – Iowa, Alabama, Minnesota State-Mankato, Sioux Falls

·         The Professor – Minnesota, Army, Minnesota Duluth, Iowa State

·         The Veteran – Minnesota, Augsburg

·         Wick to Click – Minnesota, Illinois, Winona State

Without further ado, sit up straight, sharpen your pencils and enjoy the lecture, for these are The Professor's Smart Money Picks, brought to you by The City of Chanhassen.

MICHIGAN STATE -7.5 Northwestern

DO YOU HEAR THAT SOUND? EEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR-PLUNK! EEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR-PLUNK! EEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR-PLUNK! It's The Professor's Statistically-Proven Lock of the Week, brought to you by National American University! I don’t understand this line at all. What has Sparty done to deserve to be a 7.5 favorite over a 7-3 Northwestern squad. “Well, they are playing at home,” you say. Uh huh. Michigan State is winless in the Big Ten at home. I know my cohorts say, “If a line looks too good to be true, it probably is.” I say, bah humbug. Take the Cats, the points and all the money you make all the way to the bank

MICHIGAN -16.5 Iowa

The tire fire that is Iowa football is in five-alarm mode right about now. And the fumes smell so good. The Professor says, “I love the smell of 2012 Iowa football in the morning. Smells like … Schadenfreude.”

PENN STATE -17.5 Indiana

One does not simply walk into Happy Valley after giving up 564 yards on the ground and expect to stay within 17.5 points of an angry Fighting Keisers team.

NEBRASKA -20 Minnesota

Do I believe Minnesota will improve their bowl chances from smoggy Houston to meh Dallas or even-more-meh Tempe with a win or two the next couple of weeks? No. Do I believe Nebraska will play awful in the first half again, allowing Minnesota to keep this one close? No. Do I believe the Gophers can stay within 20 points of a Huskers team with its eye set on a B1G title? No. So why am I picking Minnesota? Because I can’t in good conscience cheer for the Gophers to lose by 20 or more points.  

WISCONSIN -2.5 Ohio State

Ohio State is not Indiana. Bret Bielema has been sticking his chest out at all the Madison frat parties this week after running roughshod over the Hoosiers. That confidence will be his downfall this week. And also perhaps the coed he supplied those peppermint schnapps to in the hopes of currying favor with the young lass.

Purdue -6 ILLINOIS

See Iowa Tire Fire minus the Schadenfreude.

CINCNINNATI -6 Rutgers

It’s The Does Anybody Outside the Locales of the Two Teams Involved Actually Care About This Game? Game, brought to you by RO*TEL! [No analysis provided]

ARMY -3.5 Temple

Time for our weekly look-in at our troops stationed overseas … … troops wave to the camera.

MIAMI -6.5 South Florida

Earlier this season, South Florida lost by nine points to Temple, a 3.5 underdog to Army this week. That being said, never, ever trust Steve Stellar’s Hurricanes. You have been warned.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -6 Arkansas

Helloooooo, Tim Brewster Theorem.

USC -3.5 UCLA

The Trojans score a late touchdown to go up 34-31. Lane Kiffin inexplicably decides to go for two. The conversion fails. UCLA covers.

LSU -18.5 Ole Miss

Lightning round time.

OKLAHOMA STATE -10 Texas Tech

Lightning round again.

NOTRE DAME -23.5 Wake Forest

Wake Forest is awful, but Notre Dame is fully capable of playing down to its competition. See: narrow wins over Purdue, BYU and Pitt.

Utah State –3 LOUISIANA TECH

Huh?

Oklahoma -11 WEST VIRGINIA

Stick a fork in West F***ing Virginia, they’re done.

MISSOURI -4.5 Syracuse

In the Carrier Dome, take the Orange. In Columbia, don’t take the Orange. Simple. Also, Minnesota beat Syracuse.

Kansas State -12.5 BAYLOR

You scoffed when I told you Baylor’s passing offense would keep the Bears within 21.5 points last week at Oklahoma. Well, this ain’t Oklahoma.

OREGON -20.5 Stanford

Let’s Play Hockey columnist Jack Blatherwick loves the Ducks. And who am I to argue with Jack Blatherwick?

OREGON STATE -14.5 Cal

I no longer am suffering from Beaver Fever. Go Dirty Golden Bears.

Thus concludes The Professor's Smart Money Picks, brought to you by The City of Chanhassen.

2012 Pick ‘Em Corner Standings (locks in parentheses)

1. The Cornerman – 123-96-2 (9-2) – 141 pts

2. The Professor – 126-93-2 (7-4) – 140 pts

3. Lockrem’s Locks – 122-96-2 (7-3-1) - 136 pts

4. KCKCKCK – 121-98-2 (7-4) – 135 pts

5. The Host – 117-102-2 (5-6) – 127 pts

6. Steve Stellar – 110-109-2 (7-4) – 124 pts

7. Jeff Leach – 114-103-2 (4-5) – 122 pts

8. C-Noth – 109-110-2 (6-5) – 121 pts

9. Wick to Click – 100-119-2 (6-4) – 112 pts

10. Special G – 96-103-2 (3-7) – 102 pts

11. Mrs. Money –94-103-2 (3-6) – 100 pts

12. The Veteran – 89-88-2 (2-7) – 93 pts

13. Money Traen – 85-93-2 (3-6) – 91 pts

14. Strickly Cash – 81-100 (1-8) – 83 pts

15. Foreman’s Forecast – 6-12 (no lock ) 6 pts

16. autoMATTic –  0-0 (0-0) 0 pts

2012 Pick ‘Em Corner Points Per Week

1. The Cornerman – 12.8

2. The Professor – 12.7

3. Lockrem’s Locks – 12.4

4. KCKCK – 12.3

5. The Host – 11.5

6. Steve Stellar – 11.3

7. Jeff Leach – 11.1

8. C-Noth – 11.0

9. The Veteran – 10.3

10. Wick to Click – 10.2

10. Special G – 10.2

12. Money Traen – 10.1

13. Mrs. Money –10.0

14. Strickly Cash – 9.2

15. LFK – 6.0

16. auto-MATT-ic – 0.0

The Professor in 2012 Pick 'Em Corner

Overall record: 126-93-2 (.575)

Statistically-Proven Locks: 7-4 (.636)

Games involving Big Ten teams: 43-31 (.581)

Games not involving Big Ten teams: 83-62-2 (.571)

Minnesota games: 4-6 (.400)

Schadenfreude Games (Wisconsin, Iowa, Notre Dame): 17-13 (.567)

Service Academy Games: 4-9 (.308)

Does Anybody Outside the Locales of the Two Teams Involved Actually Care About This Game? Games: 5-6 (.455)

Roll Tide Turkey Games: 5-4 (.556)

Tim Brewster Theorem Games: 2-2 (.500)