College Football Week 12 and NFL Week 11 Preview: 11/23 - 11/27

 

College Football Week 12 and NFL Week 11 Preview: 11/23 - 11/27

The apex mountain of the football season is this weekend. We are going to mix it up on the picks and do at least one pick for every gametime (early afternoon, late afternoon, and evening) Thursday-Sunday (16 picks in total!!!!). I don't know when people will be watching football, but we can have skin in the game whenever we happen to have the tv focused on the pigskin this weekend.

Thursday, November 23rd

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Commanders at Cowboys

Nothing better than NFC East rivals playing against each other on Thanksgiving. The Commanders have the most passing yards in the NFL, but Micah Parsons will feast on the most sacked quarterback with all those drop backs. Can Dak calm down and just take what the defense gives him? That's what I'll be watching.

Most Entertaining Game: Ole Miss at Mississippi State

The Egg Bowl! Who can forget Ole Miss losing because a receiver pretended to pee on the football like a dog after a touchdown? This game is pure hatred, and I think the Bulldogs will be ready to play after their head coach got fired. The night slate of games will be great to watch, even if you're watching through the back of your eyelids after the feast.

A Game for the Football Crazies: 49ers at Seahawks

The Richard Sherman Memorial Bowl. This is a weird rivalry, and one that East Coast NFL fans don't understand that well. With the short week, injuries on both sides will be the storyline. I'll be watching, you guessed it, the defensive fronts as there is a lot to like after both teams got shiny new toys at the deadline.

Picks of the Day

Early Game Pick: u47.5 (-112) Packers at Lions

Jordan Love does not seem to be the answer in Green Bay, but I couldn't bet on the Lions on Thanksgiving, so I return to my favorite play: the under. I will be cheering for punts as I dual screen with the dog show and feast.

Afternoon Game Pick: Commanders +11 (-110) vs Cowboys

I know the Cowboys have taken care of business, but something seems off with how they always get too greedy. I think the Commanders can capitalize on a turnover or two and get a cover.

Night Game Pick 1: u43 (-105) 49ers vs Seahawks

Have to play the primetime under here, I think it will be a cold and wet night with not much downfield passing.

Night Game Pick 2: Mississippi State +10 (-110) vs Ole Miss

This has come down from +11.5, but I will still take it. Ole Miss has had a great season, but I think this one is somewhat close.

Friday, November 24th

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Oregon State at Oregon

This is probably the second biggest game of the weekend. The Beavers couldn't play spoilers last week, but they will want to knock the Ducks out of contention and send them to the Big Ten without rivalry bragging rights. Hard not to cheer for OSU here, this will be a hostile environment.

Most Entertaining Game: Air Force at Boise State

Two of my favorite teams to watch! Air Force can pound the rock and Boise State is still a fun team, even if they aren't as dominant as the Kellen Moore days. There will be plenty of fireworks and weird plays, a palate cleanser after the feast of Thursday.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Iowa at Nebraska

Iowa locked up the Big Ten West but comes into Lincoln as the underdog. This is a beautiful uniform game, basically ketchup and mustard on the field. Throw in the grey sky making the camera work well and the visuals will be better than the punt fest.

Picks of the Day

Early Game Pick: Iowa ML (+110) vs Nebraska

I considered the under here (lowest ever!) but I will stick with the away team moneyline dog. Why are they not favored? I'll probably eat my words here.

Afternoon Game Pick: UTSA +3.5 (-112) vs Tulane

A preseason darling of mine against the Group of Five best team. This will be a fun game, lots of big plays and a mismatch of styles. I think the Roadrunners send their coach to College Station with a bang.

Night Game Pick 1: Oregon State +13.5 (-110) vs Oregon

A lot of points for the Beavers here and they keep hearing about how amazing the Ducks are. I think they stay within two touchdowns in the night game.

Night Game Pick 2: u41 (-108) Dolphins vs Jets

The first Friday night primetime under! Why not test it out? The Jets have a third string quarterback, Tyreek's hand hurts so bad he can't play Fortnite, and the Jets are a wagon on defense. 

Saturday, November 25th

Game of the Day: Ohio State at Michigan

The Game. Honestly the best rivalry name that there could be. How does Michigan get the passing attack going again? Is Ohio State in their head too much about being called soft? What special gear will Jordan and Lebron give both teams? If you watch one game all weekend, watch this one.

Most Entertaining Game: Florida State at Florida

People are writing the Seminoles out of the Playoffs after losing their quarterback. The Swamp is a tough road test, and I don't care about the record, there are athletes all over the field for the Gators. If Florida State can pull this off, I think they make the CFP.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Kentucky at Louisville

The other team in the ACC title game has a tough rivalry game here. Kentucky is another team that has underperformed but has a physical team and plays hard. Can they pull the upset on the Cardinals and keep them from making their case for the Playoffs?

Picks of the Day

Early Game Pick: Kentucky +7 (-110) vs Louisville

Kentucky had an off year, but they play in the SEC. This won't hurt Louisville in their conference, and I think Stoops will have the Wildcats ready for a big matchup of basketball Blue Bloods.

Afternoon Game Pick: Washington State +16.5 (-110) vs Washington

This is a lot of points, so I will take the bait. I think Washington will be looking ahead a bit and the Cougars can keep it tighter than 17. I'll be pulling for the member of the PAC-2.

Night Game Pick: Clemson -7.5 (-105) vs South Carolina

Dabo has those players back in church and winning on Saturday's. This goes against the close rivalry games, but I think they keep rolling and thump the Gamecocks.

Late Night Game Pick: Hawaii +6 (-112) vs Colorado State

Let's chase late! The Rainbow Warriors are formidable at home, as we saw by the win against Air Force. I think they can hang with the Rams here into the early morning.

Sunday, November 26th

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Ravens at Chargers

This could be Brandon Staley's last stand. I can't wait to see what the Ravens do to the Chargers' defense. If we know one thing about the Bolts, this one will be weird. 

Most Entertaining Game: Saints at Falcons

The best rivalry in the NFL, Hate Week is here. These fanbases treat this game like an SEC rivalry game and they may not stop tailgating after their teams play on Saturday. Expect a rock fight, but also some real fights between players.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Bills at Eagles

Probably the actual game of the week, but I'm kind of bored watching these teams. The all or nothing approach by Josh Allen is meh and will lead to a lot of sacks from the vaunted defensive line. Maybe he shakes free enough and can chuck it downfield against that bad secondary?

Picks of the Day

Early Game Pick: Buccaneers +2.5 (-108) vs Colts

Minshew Mania is electric, but often does not cover. Notice that I am not saying a loss Colts fans, don't come at me.

Afternoon Game Pick: Eagles -3 (-124) vs Bills

I bought it down to a push on a field goal win, but I think the Eagles can live large on the feast or famine offense of the Bills. Any quick 3 and out will hurt the defense as Hurts and Swift tote the rock.

Night Game Pick: u47 (-110) Ravens vs Chargers

See note for Thursday night under.

Monday, November 27th

What to Watch For

Game of the Day: Bears at Vikings

We made it. Fields is playing well, but the Bears will have some top picks. What are they going to do? Is Dobbs finally coming back to earth (pun intended)? Let's see what happens with Joe and Troy on the call.

Picks of the Day

Pick: u43 (-110) Bears vs Vikings

See note for the Sunday night under.

Season Totals

College Football Picks: 37-33-2 (+6.67 units)
NFL Picks: 23-19-3 (+2.17 units)
Overall: 60-52-5 (+8.84 units)

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