Well, a lousy first weekend of December has left me with two wheels hanging over the cliff. A "fine" effort of 2-7 drops the overall record for 2015 at 75-75. That's correct. A flat .500 record for the season against the spread. Exactly how it should be. As I've heard it said many times, that's why they build those great big hotels in the desert.
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to not wade through the endless schedule of worthless bowl games and just cut to the chase. The New Year's Six. The only six games worth caring about. And I have to admit it. This is a pretty strong slate of six. On paper, all of these games look to be watchable.
So, let's take a shot at it. It is time to sack up and deliver in the clutch. As always, the picks are against the spread.
Peach Bowl -- Florida State -7.0 vs. Houston. The word out of Tallahassee is lack of interest. The Seminoles had trouble selling tickets for their second trip of the season to Atlanta. The first one didn't work out too well. Georgia Tech returned a blocked field goal on the last play of the game to hand FSU its first loss of the season. Houston, the American Athletic Conference champion, can score. But can the Cougars deal with FSU running back Dalvin Cook, who has rushed for 1,658 yards and 18 touchdowns? Bigger question -- Does FSU even want to be at the Peach Bowl? FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher says the Peach Bowl is a great consolation prize. Doesn't sound like a glowing endorsement. But I think Cook will be the difference and will rescue the Seminoles. Somebody needs to make sure Osceola doesn't bury is flaming spear in the Georgia Dome turf. That would set off the smoke alarms. Take Florida State.
Orange Bowl -- Oklahoma -3.5 vs. Clemson. Since this game was announced, Oklahoma has been the favorite and the line has not moved much, if at all. The Sooners have been cocky the week leading up to the game. They have showed little respect to the team that wore them out 40-6 last December in Orlando. It was obvious Oklahoma did not want to be in Orlando last year. The Sooners were out of it from the start. There is no doubt Oklahoma has most of the motivation on its side because of the whipping it took last season. The Sooners have even tried to make a big deal out of Clemson putting up a tombstone -- something the Tigers do for every victory away from home against a ranked team. Clemson has the No. 1 ranking and the lack-of-respect card. The more the Tigers win, the less respect they get from the national media. It seems everyone is waiting on the Tigers to lose. But it hasn't happened yet. Both teams have quarterbacks who did not play in last year's meeting -- Deshaun Watson for Clemson and Baker Mayfield for Oklahoma. Watson has made the plays all season. Mayfield is the type of quarterback that gives the Tigers trouble, one who runs around and extends plays. I believe the Clemson defense is refocused and ready to go and will play better than it did in the final month of the season. Give me the points. Take Clemson.
Cotton Bowl -- Alabama -10.0 vs. Michigan State. This line says one thing to me. Michigan State is getting completely dissed. The bookies apparently are buying into the Alabama hype. Alabama has one big card to play -- Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. This game will be played in a phone booth. These two teams will beat on each other for three-plus hours. It has been described by some as Caveman Football -- run good, pass bad. I give the edge to Alabama because of Henry, its defense, and its special teams. But I am going to take Sparty because I believe 10 points is too much. Pick Michigan State.
Sugar Bowl -- Ole Miss -7.0 vs. Oklahoma State. Both of these teams can score, but can they stop anybody? The excitement factor is a wash because both teams are happy to be in New Orleans. The Rebels are missing some key parts of their defense, so I'm going to ride with the Pokes and the points. Pistols firing. Pick Oklahoma State.
Fiesta Bowl -- Ohio State -6.5 vs. Notre Dame. I like this matchup. With a little more luck, the Irish could have been in the Top Four. Ohio State, the defending national champions, slopped through the season and finally got nipped at home by Michigan State. I think Notre Dame will be highly motivated for this game. Wake up the echoes. Pick Notre Dame.
Rose Bowl -- Stanford -6.0 vs. Iowa. Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey probably deserved more chatter in the Heisman Trophy race. He truly has done it all for the Cardinal -- 1,847 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, 41 receptions for 540 yards and four touchdowns, 28.9 yards per kickoff return and one touchdown, and two touchdown passes. Iowa is a nice team and has had a nice season, but I don't think the Hawkeyes are ready to deal with Stanford. Pick Stanford.
Last Week -- 2-7
Season -- 75-75
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Tigers vs. Heels Highlights Final Week
Another winning week last week (9-7) but it could have been much, much better. The biggest misses were Michigan, Oklahoma State, and Mississippi State. All three suffered shocking blowouts to their archrivals.
This is the final week of picks. The biggest game of the week is in Charlotte, N.C., where No. 1 Clemson collides with streaking North Carolina. Most of the country is hoping the Tigers lose to create chaos in the College Football Playoff poll.
The remainder of the slate is composed of conference championship games and a few meaningless conference games. As always, all selections are against the spread.
I'll be back in a couple of weeks to select the post-Christmas bowl games and playoffs.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
North Carolina vs. Clemson -4.5 -- Well, it all comes down to this. No. 1 Clemson, which has been wobbling in recent weeks, against the hated Tar Heels. This is Clemson's 10th straight game (its bye week was in late September), and the Tigers are starting to show some wear and tear. Lack of depth on defense is becoming a factor. The Tar Heels can score a lot of points and their defense is more salty than it was last season. North Carolina is still questionable against the run, and the Tar Heels have yet to be under the blazing national spotlight this season. I think those two factors are major pluses for the Tigers. If North Carolina wins, the ACC will probably get left out of the playoffs. If Clemson wins, the Tigers will get a chance to get their feet under them before starting preparations for the semifinal on Dec. 31. I think the national media pulling for North Carolina is going to have a positive effect on the Tigers. Some people still don't believe in the Tigers. I think the Tigers will win some more converts Saturday night. And John Swofford will be shedding tears. Pick Clemson.
Southern Miss at Western Kentucky -7.5 -- Southern Miss has been one of the biggest surprises in college football with a wonderful turnaround season. I like the points in this matchup. Pick Southern Miss.
Temple at Houston -5.5 -- Houston will unleash its high-powered offense on the Owls. Pick Houston.
Texas at Baylor -20.5 -- Meaningless Big 12 game. Bears roll. Charlie Strong's seat gets warmer. Pick Baylor.
Florida vs. Alabama -18.0 -- Do we even have to play this game? Can't we call Gainesville and tell Florida to stay home? SEC haters are pulling for the ultimate upset. But the Gators have no shot. The Gators cannot score. The Tide rolls into the playoffs and possibly into the No. 1 spot by crushing the Gators. Pick Alabama.
West Virginia -5.5 at Kansas State -- Another meaningless Big 12 game. Kansas State needs to win to qualify for a bowl game. I don't think the Wildcats are going to make it. Pick West Virginia.
Air Force at San Diego State -6.0 -- I always liked the nickname Aztecs. Pick San Diego State.
Stanford -4.5 vs. Southern Cal. Interesting game. Stanford has been whining/campaigning for a spot in the playoffs if it beats Southern Cal. Southern Cal has played well for interim-now-new-head-coach Clay Helton. This one is being played in Santa Clara, which is closer to Stanford's campus. But I don't think that is going to matter. Fight On. Pick Southern Cal.
Michigan State -3.5 vs. Iowa -- I think this spread is too low. Michigan State rolls, ends Iowa's unbeaten season, and earns a spot in the playoffs. Pick Sparty.
Georgia State at Georgia Southern -21.0 -- I needed a 10th game, so I picked this one. Eagles in a blowout. Pick Georgia Southern.
Last Week -- 9-7
For The Season -- 73-68
This is the final week of picks. The biggest game of the week is in Charlotte, N.C., where No. 1 Clemson collides with streaking North Carolina. Most of the country is hoping the Tigers lose to create chaos in the College Football Playoff poll.
The remainder of the slate is composed of conference championship games and a few meaningless conference games. As always, all selections are against the spread.
I'll be back in a couple of weeks to select the post-Christmas bowl games and playoffs.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
North Carolina vs. Clemson -4.5 -- Well, it all comes down to this. No. 1 Clemson, which has been wobbling in recent weeks, against the hated Tar Heels. This is Clemson's 10th straight game (its bye week was in late September), and the Tigers are starting to show some wear and tear. Lack of depth on defense is becoming a factor. The Tar Heels can score a lot of points and their defense is more salty than it was last season. North Carolina is still questionable against the run, and the Tar Heels have yet to be under the blazing national spotlight this season. I think those two factors are major pluses for the Tigers. If North Carolina wins, the ACC will probably get left out of the playoffs. If Clemson wins, the Tigers will get a chance to get their feet under them before starting preparations for the semifinal on Dec. 31. I think the national media pulling for North Carolina is going to have a positive effect on the Tigers. Some people still don't believe in the Tigers. I think the Tigers will win some more converts Saturday night. And John Swofford will be shedding tears. Pick Clemson.
Southern Miss at Western Kentucky -7.5 -- Southern Miss has been one of the biggest surprises in college football with a wonderful turnaround season. I like the points in this matchup. Pick Southern Miss.
Temple at Houston -5.5 -- Houston will unleash its high-powered offense on the Owls. Pick Houston.
Texas at Baylor -20.5 -- Meaningless Big 12 game. Bears roll. Charlie Strong's seat gets warmer. Pick Baylor.
Florida vs. Alabama -18.0 -- Do we even have to play this game? Can't we call Gainesville and tell Florida to stay home? SEC haters are pulling for the ultimate upset. But the Gators have no shot. The Gators cannot score. The Tide rolls into the playoffs and possibly into the No. 1 spot by crushing the Gators. Pick Alabama.
West Virginia -5.5 at Kansas State -- Another meaningless Big 12 game. Kansas State needs to win to qualify for a bowl game. I don't think the Wildcats are going to make it. Pick West Virginia.
Air Force at San Diego State -6.0 -- I always liked the nickname Aztecs. Pick San Diego State.
Stanford -4.5 vs. Southern Cal. Interesting game. Stanford has been whining/campaigning for a spot in the playoffs if it beats Southern Cal. Southern Cal has played well for interim-now-new-head-coach Clay Helton. This one is being played in Santa Clara, which is closer to Stanford's campus. But I don't think that is going to matter. Fight On. Pick Southern Cal.
Michigan State -3.5 vs. Iowa -- I think this spread is too low. Michigan State rolls, ends Iowa's unbeaten season, and earns a spot in the playoffs. Pick Sparty.
Georgia State at Georgia Southern -21.0 -- I needed a 10th game, so I picked this one. Eagles in a blowout. Pick Georgia Southern.
Last Week -- 9-7
For The Season -- 73-68
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