Happy Turkey Day! Let's get into it.
Brad
Bears -4 over Lions
This is a blowout
Cowboys -6.5 over Bills
Also a blowout. The Bills will get exposed
Saints -7 over Falcons
Another blowout. The Saints won't lost to Atlanta twice.
Jeff
Lions +4 over Bears
Bills +6.5 over Cowboys
Saints -7 over Falcons
Joe
Bears -4 over Lions
I loved David Blough at Purdue, but he isn't ready for the NFL yet. He's starting as a last resort, and that's trouble, especially against a good Chicago defense.
Cowboys -6.5 over Bills
Buffalo is pretty poor for an 8-3 team. Dallas is pretty good for a 6-5 team. The Cowboys are at home and need a win. I think they get one.
Saints -7 over Falcons
What Brad said.
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Path to the Big 10 title/College Football Playoff still goes through Ohio State
If you're a Penn State fan, Saturday's loss to Minnesota sucked.
It was a game the Nittany Lions should have won, could have won, almost won, but didn't win. The players didn't execute, and the coaches didn't always put them in an ideal position to do so. As a result, Penn State is no longer undefeated, and the common thought is that its college football playoff hopes are dead.
Although this loss is significant to an extent, and could well result in the Nittany Lions not getting a Rose Bowl bid, how much does it change as far as the playoff goes?
At 11:59 Saturday morning, I don't think anybody would have argued that Penn State could get to the playoff without beating Ohio State.
A loss to the Buckeyes would eliminate any chance of the Nittany Lions winning the Big 10, and without a conference title, it's hard to imagine the playoff committee putting Penn State in over teams like Oregon, Oklahoma or good ole Alabama [with or without an SEC championship]. Although the Nittany Lions are no longer ranked in the top four, the path to the playoff is, although difficult, still there.
If Penn State beats Ohio State in two weeks, it will win the Big 10 East. If the Nittany Lions win the Big 10 East, they'll play in the championship game against the winners of the Big 10 West. The Big 10 West champion will be Minnesota, so, therefore, the Nittany Lions would have a chance to negate their only loss of the season.
If Penn State finishes 12-1 with a win at Ohio State, plus three more quality conference wins, and with proof that they could beat the team that slayed them, it's hard to imagine the committee passing them up.
Pretty simple, isn't it? The bad news is, Penn State probably won't beat Ohio State. It doesn't matter that Chase Young will probably be suspended. The Buckeyes could start Neil Young at defensive end and still put a national championship contender on the field. Playing Ohio State anywhere is a chore.
Playing in Columbus is a death sentence, and unless something epic transpires Nov. 23, dreams of a national title returning to Old Main will be buried under the Horseshoe's turf while the Buckeyes sing "Carmen Ohio" in celebration of another expected win.
At the moment, Saturday's loss stings, but it's not as if Penn State had a great chance at a College Football Playoff appearance anyway. In all likelihood, when we look back on 2019, we'll see that the reason Penn State misses the College Football Playoff will be because it isn't on Ohio State's level. Not because of losing to Minnesota.
It was a game the Nittany Lions should have won, could have won, almost won, but didn't win. The players didn't execute, and the coaches didn't always put them in an ideal position to do so. As a result, Penn State is no longer undefeated, and the common thought is that its college football playoff hopes are dead.
Although this loss is significant to an extent, and could well result in the Nittany Lions not getting a Rose Bowl bid, how much does it change as far as the playoff goes?
At 11:59 Saturday morning, I don't think anybody would have argued that Penn State could get to the playoff without beating Ohio State.
A loss to the Buckeyes would eliminate any chance of the Nittany Lions winning the Big 10, and without a conference title, it's hard to imagine the playoff committee putting Penn State in over teams like Oregon, Oklahoma or good ole Alabama [with or without an SEC championship]. Although the Nittany Lions are no longer ranked in the top four, the path to the playoff is, although difficult, still there.
If Penn State beats Ohio State in two weeks, it will win the Big 10 East. If the Nittany Lions win the Big 10 East, they'll play in the championship game against the winners of the Big 10 West. The Big 10 West champion will be Minnesota, so, therefore, the Nittany Lions would have a chance to negate their only loss of the season.
If Penn State finishes 12-1 with a win at Ohio State, plus three more quality conference wins, and with proof that they could beat the team that slayed them, it's hard to imagine the committee passing them up.
Pretty simple, isn't it? The bad news is, Penn State probably won't beat Ohio State. It doesn't matter that Chase Young will probably be suspended. The Buckeyes could start Neil Young at defensive end and still put a national championship contender on the field. Playing Ohio State anywhere is a chore.
Playing in Columbus is a death sentence, and unless something epic transpires Nov. 23, dreams of a national title returning to Old Main will be buried under the Horseshoe's turf while the Buckeyes sing "Carmen Ohio" in celebration of another expected win.
At the moment, Saturday's loss stings, but it's not as if Penn State had a great chance at a College Football Playoff appearance anyway. In all likelihood, when we look back on 2019, we'll see that the reason Penn State misses the College Football Playoff will be because it isn't on Ohio State's level. Not because of losing to Minnesota.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Good teams win, great teams cover part IX
After a week off, the boys are back, and they are buzzin. Let's get into it.
Brad
College
Florida (-26) over Vandy
Florida's going to come out strong after that disappointing loss to Georgia last week.
Duke (+8) over Notre Dame
Just a gut feeling.
Penn State (-7) over Minnesota
Until Minnesota prove that they're as good as their undefeated record, I'm still going to see the Gophers as overrated.
Cincinnati (-35) over UcConn
I see Cincinnati as the best team in the American conference. UcConn is one of the worst teams in the country. Give me the Bearcats at home. By a lot.
NFL
Rams (-3.5) over Steelers
The Rams are slowly heating up. I see a last second Rams touchdown giving LA a 17-13 victory.
Lions (+2.5) over Bears
Detroit will win this one straight up.
Jets (+2.5) over Giants
I'm still on board with the Jets and Le'Veon Bell. NYJ wins a close one over NYG.
Cowboys (-3) over Vikings
The Vikings still have Kirk Cousins under center. Cousins can't beat teams that are above .500, and Dallas is 5-3. You do the math.
Jeff
College
Baylor -2
Alabama -6.5
Wake Forest -3
NC State + 31.5
Bills +3
Ravens -10
Colts -10.5
Seahawks +6.5
Joe
College
Vanderbilt (+27) at Florida
The last time Vanderbilt was a massive underdog, it upset a ranked Missouri team. That wont happen today, but I think four touchdowns is enough for Vandy to handle.
Oklahoma (-14.5) over Iowa State
After losing out on an undefeated season, the Sooners our pissed off. I expect Iowa State to feel their wrath today.
SMU (-21.5) over East Carolina
See above
Minnesota (+6.5) over Penn State
I have a bad feeling about this one. The Gophers are fired up, and the Lions can't afford to look ahead to Ohio State.
NFL
Cardinals (+4.5) over Bucs
Last week, Tampa Bay played well in a losing effort at Seattle. Given who the Buccaneers are, that can only mean Tampa lays an egg this week.
Browns (-2.5) over Bills
Cleveland is too talented to lose forever. I like Baker and the boys at home against an overrated Buffalo team.
Packers (-5.5) over Panthers
The Packers are the opposite of Tampa Bay. If anybody knows how to keep calm after a tough loss, it's Aaron Rodgers. On the other side, does anybody see Kyle Allen getting a win in Lambeau Field? I don't.
Bengals (+10.5) against Ravens
Baltimore will win, but after having its two best performances of the season in consecutive weeks, it's natural to expect somewhat of a letdown. Cincy can keep this close, and I think it will.
Brad
College
Florida (-26) over Vandy
Florida's going to come out strong after that disappointing loss to Georgia last week.
Duke (+8) over Notre Dame
Just a gut feeling.
Penn State (-7) over Minnesota
Until Minnesota prove that they're as good as their undefeated record, I'm still going to see the Gophers as overrated.
Cincinnati (-35) over UcConn
I see Cincinnati as the best team in the American conference. UcConn is one of the worst teams in the country. Give me the Bearcats at home. By a lot.
NFL
Rams (-3.5) over Steelers
The Rams are slowly heating up. I see a last second Rams touchdown giving LA a 17-13 victory.
Lions (+2.5) over Bears
Detroit will win this one straight up.
Jets (+2.5) over Giants
I'm still on board with the Jets and Le'Veon Bell. NYJ wins a close one over NYG.
Cowboys (-3) over Vikings
The Vikings still have Kirk Cousins under center. Cousins can't beat teams that are above .500, and Dallas is 5-3. You do the math.
Jeff
College
Baylor -2
Alabama -6.5
Wake Forest -3
NC State + 31.5
Bills +3
Ravens -10
Colts -10.5
Seahawks +6.5
Joe
College
Vanderbilt (+27) at Florida
The last time Vanderbilt was a massive underdog, it upset a ranked Missouri team. That wont happen today, but I think four touchdowns is enough for Vandy to handle.
Oklahoma (-14.5) over Iowa State
After losing out on an undefeated season, the Sooners our pissed off. I expect Iowa State to feel their wrath today.
SMU (-21.5) over East Carolina
See above
Minnesota (+6.5) over Penn State
I have a bad feeling about this one. The Gophers are fired up, and the Lions can't afford to look ahead to Ohio State.
NFL
Cardinals (+4.5) over Bucs
Last week, Tampa Bay played well in a losing effort at Seattle. Given who the Buccaneers are, that can only mean Tampa lays an egg this week.
Browns (-2.5) over Bills
Cleveland is too talented to lose forever. I like Baker and the boys at home against an overrated Buffalo team.
Packers (-5.5) over Panthers
The Packers are the opposite of Tampa Bay. If anybody knows how to keep calm after a tough loss, it's Aaron Rodgers. On the other side, does anybody see Kyle Allen getting a win in Lambeau Field? I don't.
Bengals (+10.5) against Ravens
Baltimore will win, but after having its two best performances of the season in consecutive weeks, it's natural to expect somewhat of a letdown. Cincy can keep this close, and I think it will.
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