Bowl Week 2 and NFL Week 16 Preview: 12/21 - 12/27

  

Bowl Week 2 and NFL Week 16 Preview: 12/21 - 12/27

We stick with the same way of breaking down the week ahead as last week, let's keep making money.

College Football Bowl Week 2

What to Watch

Game of the Week: Texas A&M vs Oklahoma State

A game of two former conference rivals, this should be entertaining. The Aggies will have their new coach around, they have an opt out, and on the other side you have Mike Gundy being Mike Gundy and a Cowboys' team that had a good season but underperformed in the spotlight. This will be a fun one of two brands.

Most Entertaining Game: Georgia Tech vs UCF

Georgia Tech has rebounded from being one of the worst Power 5 teams to being quite respectable. The Knights had a decent first year in the Big 12 and Gus Malzahn will no doubt have some awesome things cooked up for UCF. This will be a great Friday night watch heading into the Christmas weekend.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Kansas vs UNLV

Kansas has one of my favorite offenses to watch in the sport and has come a long way. UNLV sputtered out to end the season, but they are no slouch. While this matchup makes me think 1990's hoops, maybe we will see some basketball on grass-like scoring out of these two.

Picks of the Week

First Pick: Bowling Green ML (+150) vs Minnesota

Detroit is MACtion territory, and I think it stays that way against the Golden Gophers. Minnesota has been up-and-down in the Fleck era and I think this will be a lowlight.

Second Pick: James Madison -2.5 (-110) vs Air Force

James Madison had a great season, nearly going undefeated in the Sun Belt. Air Force has a tricky offense, but I think the Dukes can figure out how to stop it and finish the season with a bowl win.

Third Pick: Oklahoma State ML (+114) vs Texas A&M

I keep going back and forth on this one, but I will take the Pokes ML. I think missing their top linebacker will hurt A&M and Oklahoma State will run the ball well.

NFL Week 16

What to Watch

Game of the Weekend: Ravens at 49ers

The NFL doesn't miss, with no one watching the late slate of NBA games when the best team in each conference faces off on Christmas night. I love seeing what both these teams do; the put all their best players in the right spots to make big plays. How will the Ravens use their chess piece of Kyle Hamilton against the 49ers' myriad of weapons? That will be the matchup I will be watching.

Most Entertaining Game: Cowboys at Dolphins

The Cowboys can't win on the road and the Dolphins can't win against good teams. What gives on Christmas Eve? Jalen Ramsey vs CeeDee Lamb is a Christmas present to us all. Will Cheetah be on the field or will it be the March of the Penguins again for the Dolphins on offense? Elite, elite, elite game.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Jaguars at Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield had a perfect passer rating at Lambeau last weekend and now faces a Jaguars team that needs to get their stuff together to finish the season. The Bucs lose when Baker gets sacked a lot, so watch out for Josh Allen and the Jags' front to see if they get home.

Picks of the Week

First Pick: u34 (-108) Patriots vs Broncos

A Silent Night is in store for us on Christmas Eve. Sean Payton seems over Russell Wilson and the Pats just can't score. Get ready for a rock fight.

Second Pick: Jaguars ML (-110) vs Buccaneers

I think the Jaguars do bounce back this weekend and win at Tampa Bay. As I said above, the pass rush is the key here.

Third Pick: u46 (-110) Ravens vs 49ers

I'll stick with the primetime under here, but that doesn't mean this game will be boring, defense is fun too.

Season Totals

College Football Picks: 46-40-3 (+8.66 units)
NFL Picks: 30-32-5 (-4.55 units)
Overall: 76-72-8 (+4.11 units)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts on College Football's Week 1

Image
Thoughts on College Football's Week 1 Going to try to break the blog up into two pieces this year. Here are some thoughts from a packed Labor Day weekend of football and we will look at next weekend later in the week. 1. Best of the Week Best Game: LSU vs Florida State (Orlando) I know the final score was lopsided, but this game had some haymakers throughout that showed how talented both of these programs were. It was sloppy in stretches, for example when Jordan Travis threw a pick on a screen right after LSU muffed a punt. I am curious to see how both teams come back next week after such a physical game, go watch the highlights to see all the huge hits being delivered. Best Player: Travis Hunter (ATH - Colorado) Deion has given us so much in one game as the Colorado coach. But probably the best part of his tenure is his willingness to use his best player's abilities to their fullest potential. Travis Hunter was everywhere, with 11 catches and a game-sealing interception. Deion...
Read more

Week 0 Preview

Week 0 Preview We are back! College football gets a soft start this weekend with a few fun games to keep tabs on as you enjoy one of the last weekends of summer. Just a short blog this week but we will be back with observations and a full preview next week! Saturday, August 26th Biggest Game: Navy vs Notre Dame (Dublin, Ireland) Navy moved on from their coach, but this is a classic rivalry that is more exciting than last year's Nebraska vs Northwestern matchup. Notre Dame should have a great second year for coach Marcus Freeman, led by a new quarterback in Sam Hartman. Notre Dame is a 20 point favorite, but it will still feel nice to have football on the tv as you avoid the heat of the day. I think all the new pieces for both teams get off to slow starts and the defensive-minded head coaches play this one conservatively. My Pick: u49 (-112) Game Worth Watching: San Jose at USC Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman winner and projected first overall pick in next year's draft, get...
Read more

Thoughts on College Football's Week 10 and NFL Week 9

Image
  Thoughts on College Football's Week 10 and NFL Week 9 1. Best of the Week Best Game: Oklahoma State vs Oklahoma (Bedlam) Oklahoma is really having quite the tour of the Big 12 as they leave for the SEC aren't they? This is an all-time rivalry and I am sad to see it go. Stillwater has one of the weirdest fields in the sport and quite the rowdy fan base. The name of the rivalry is always fitting, especially in Stillwater. This game was weird, it was back and forth, and nothing beats beating your rival. Great win, Pokes. Best Player: CJ Stroud (QB) - Texans The runner up for game of the week had the best player. CJ Stroud bounces back after losing to Bryce Young to throw 5 TD's against the Buccaneers. I love to see it. Stroud has been commanding in Houston and is validating the draft pick every week. This is not gimmicky, he is making big-time throws and reading the whole field. Can the Texans make the playoffs? I wouldn't bet against Stroud. Best Uniform: Mississippi St...
Read more