Author: sammano

2023 Sammy Awards (Part 1)

As you may know, Hollywood came to a virtual standstill for several months in 2023 due to a writer’s strike. What you may not realize is that even imaginary awards shows were affected. Putting together this fake program takes months of preparation from a team of hundreds of people, and not being able to put in that work at all throughout last summer has had an impact. Having said that, we made the decision to soldier on and attempt to live up to the standard that our make-believe awards show has met or exceeded for nearly 15 years, which means the bar is set low enough that you probably won’t notice much difference.

The Sammys have grown from a simple Year in Review in 2009 to an annual tradition of celebrating the highs & lows, heroes & reprobates, thrills & chills of the recently concluded trip around the sun, recalling all of the moments, people, and stories that deserve praise or scorn.

To host this year’s show we have invited one of America’s most unique comedians. He has had multiple comedy specials on Netflix, hosted a few television programs that no one has ever heard of, and is actually nominated for a Sammy Award for a 2023 film based on his life. Please hoist your beverage of choice and toast our guy Bert Kreischer!!

After an hysterical opening monologue from our host it’s time to hand out our first two awards. We are happy to welcome back one of the hardest working people in sports, from hosting an afternoon program on ESPN to occasionally stepping into the WWE Universe to adding energy to College Gameday, you either love him or you don’t. Please welcome back to The Sammys former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee!! And the nominees are:

The Agony of Defeat Award

Damar Hamlin
On January 2, 2023 Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest in the midst of a football game on live television. All the sudden the fun escape that so many of us enjoy became very real & quite scary.

Transgender Participation
It’s been a hot topic for awhile but really ramped up in 2023. The number of young people identifying as transgender has doubled in the past five years. So what happens when a biological male who now calls themselves female (because it never seems to be the other way around) decides to play women’s sports, with undeniable advantages in strength, size, speed, and every other significant metric?? It’s a polarizing issue that, as usual, comes down to facts vs. feelings.

Bob Huggins
In June 2023 West Virginia Mountaineers Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Huggins was arrested & charged with DUI. Just a couple of months earlier he had made some quite politically incorrect remarks on a radio show and was already on thin ice. The DUI was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and Huggins was forced to resign. A few weeks later he tried to rescind his resignation, but the university had moved on. It’s a sad ending to a great career. Actions have consequences. Public figures, though fallible human beings like the rest of us, need to be smarter & more aware of their behavior.

and the Sammy goes to…..

Actually, we’re going to deviate from the norm and have Pat McAfee give out two trophies at once. And the nominees are:

The Thrill of Victory Award

Bulldogs Repeat
In January 2023 the Georgia Bulldogs captured their second consecutive NCAA National Championship by absolutely mauling the TCU Horned Frogs 65-7.

Damar Hamlin
The aforementioned Hamlin was revived on the field by heroic medical personnel, and after a bit of a stay in a Cincinnati medical facility actually returned to the football field this season. The Bills have been understandably cautious in using him, but it’s nice to see a happy ending.

Brady Retires…Again
After first announcing his retirement in February 2022 then returning just 40 days later like Jesus wrestling with Satan in the desert, the alleged GOAT QB finally put us all out of our misery exactly one year after retiring the first time.

UConn’s Madness
The Connecticut Huskies basketball team won their fifth National Championship, beating the Miami Hurricanes & San Diego St. Aztecs in the Final Four, both in convincing fashion.

Nuggets Win NBA Title
In June 2023 the Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games to claim their first ever NBA Championship since joining the league in 1976. It was nice having an NBA Finals that didn’t include the LA Lakers, Golden St. Warriors, or any involvement at all from Lebron James.

LIV-PGA Merger
When LIV Golf won this award a year ago I opined that “I’ll be surprised if the whole thing is anything more than a memory five years from now.” To be fair I guess LIV is still a thing, but in June 2023 LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and PGA European Tour announced that the three organizations would pool their commercial rights into a new venture intended to unify the game of golf on a global basis. So now the lines are blurred, and y’all know what happens when too many cooks are in the kitchen.

and the Sammy(s) go to…..

Damar Hamlin. Come on…the dude died on live television then came back to play football again the following season. That’s badass 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

To present our next award it seems appropriate to bring on a lady who knows a thing or two about disappointing movies, having starred in Rhinestone in 1984, with more recent cameos in duds like Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous and the big screen adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies. On the other hand, she’s a country music legend, was actually inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, and is now apparently an honorary Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Please get on your feet for Dolly Parton!! And the nominees are:

Most Disappointing Movie

The Machine
Comedian Bert Kreischer has built a career on a gimmick of removing his shirt onstage and a hilarious story about partying with the Russian Mafia in college. Someone decided to flesh that story out into a feature film and cast Mark Hamill as Bert’s crotchety father. I’m reminded of so many pedestrian movies based on SNL sketches that take a really funny concept and expand it beyond its intended limits. Sometimes it’s best not to mess with greatness.

The Flash
Michael Keaton is the best big screen Batman. Period. End of story. That’s the only reason I visited the local cineplex to see this movie, and that part works. It filled my inner 17 year old with absolute joy to see Keaton don the cape & cowl again. However, when it comes to time travel & messing with the time-space continuum 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home did it much better.

The Iron Claw
Pro wrestling fans have been anticipating it for quite awhile. The tragic story of Texas’ Von Erich family would seem to be more than suitable for the silver screen. Unfortunately filmmakers made some poor casting choices and inexplicably cut out one of the brothers altogether. The Von Erichs deserve better.

and the Sammy goes to…..

The Flash. As much as I enjoyed seeing Michael Keaton as Batman again after all these years the rest of the movie is a mess. The actor portraying the titular superhero is apparently a douchenozzle in real life, but he’s also not a good actor. There were alot of questionable decisions made by the filmmakers, not the least of which was choosing George Clooney for a surprise cameo. It should’ve been Christian Bale.

To present our next award it is an honor to welcome the man who won it a year ago. He was a bit hesitant to return to an awards show, but once we told him it was imaginary he happily agreed. Please give a warm welcome to, but keep your distance from, iconic comedian Chris Rock!! And the nominees are:

Favorite Water Cooler Topic

Chinese Spy Balloon
From January 28 to February 4, 2023, a high-altitude balloon originating from China flew across North America, all the way from Alaska & western Canada before being shot down by the Air Force off the coast of South Carolina. The balloon was in fact equipped with surveillance technology, but the Biden Administration, as with so many of their nefarious activities, downplayed the situation and the media dutifully carried the water for them.

Asbury Revival
In February 2023 a worship service at Asbury University in central Kentucky (about a half hour from Lexington) turned into a two week revival with approximately 70,000 people visiting from around the world. The school made the decision to end services after a couple of weeks for various logistical reasons, but the impact the event made is remarkable.

Titanic Sequel
In June 2023 a submersible operated by an American tourism company imploded during an expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Five people were killed. In hindsight it became clear that mistakes were made, shortcuts were taken, and the tragedy was entirely preventable.

Ozempic
A drug that’s been used to treat diabetes for several years became quite popular in 2023 as a weight loss medication. I know someone who lost about 100lbs., so I asked my doctor about it. I took Ozempic for a few weeks, but the gastrointestinal side effects were just too much for me to deal with.

The Sound of Freedom
It’s a movie about child trafficking in Colombia. While the subject matter deserves more attention and it is an important topic that we all need to be more aware of, I will be honest and tell you I did not watch it. Movies are an escape. I watch them to laugh, be entertained, and forget about the struggles of life. Does that make me a bad person?? So be it.

Bud Light
Last Spring, when Anheuser-Busch hired a guy who is “Tik Tok famous” for “identifying” as a woman as a new spokesperson, the backlash from the blue collar, middle class, traditional values crowd that tends to be Budweiser’s most significant demographic was swift & impactful. Sales declined & stock prices fell dramatically. More often than not boycotts are “full of sound & fury, signifying nothing”, but in this case Bud Light learned a lesson they’ll probably not forget, atleast for awhile.

Travis & Taylor
I’ve never understood the Taylor Swift hype. She’s just another fairly talented, somewhat attractive singer. They’re a dime-a-dozen. I do understand that Travis Kelce is perhaps the best tight end in football. They’ve been dating for several months, with her attending a few of his games. The sports media has been all in on covering the romance. Is it a PR stunt?? I don’t think so. Should anyone be buying them housewarming gifts?? Probably not.

Oliver Anthony
Last summer a Virginia folk singer went viral with a song called Rich Men North of Richmond, with lyrics like “Lord knows they all just wanna have total control…Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do…And they don’t think you know but I know that you do…’Cause your dollar ain’t shit and it’s taxed to no end…’Cause of rich men north of Richmond”. The song struck a chord amongst the working class who have been struggling to make ends meet while Big Government tosses them aside to kowtow to the Climate Change Crowd, Pronoun Mafia, Ukraine, and Hollywood’s Elite. The humble singer has turned away multiple offers to cash in on his overnight fame, choosing to retain his principles and continue living a quiet, simple life out of the spotlight.

TwitterX
In 2022 Elon Musk bought Twitter. In April 2023 the social media juggernaut was renamed “X”. In general I have supported the decisions Musk has made for the site, but this was just a dumb rebranding. I don’t really care at this point because my page got hacked and I can’t get it back, despite multiple efforts to do so.

Tucker Carlson & Don Lemon
In April 2023 both controversial newsmen were fired…Carlson from Fox News, Lemon from CNN. Carlson seems quite content doing his own thing, unconstrained by corporate BS. Lemon will undoubtedly pop up somewhere in the future and be just as much of a tool.

Hollywood Strikes
This past summer both the Screen Actors Guild & Writers Guild of America went on strike for several months. It didn’t affect my life all that much to be honest, except for a few movies & TV shows I like having delays in production.

The Debt Ceiling
This again?? It seems like an annual battle between Congress & The White House, no matter which political party controls those entities. Perhaps if we’d stop sending billions of dollars overseas and take care of our own problems it wouldn’t be as much of an issue.

Cocaine At The White House
This past summer the Secret Service found a small bag of nose candy in the White House. Normally this would be a big deal, but when it comes to the Biden Administration the status quo of “move along…nothing to see here”, with the news media running cover, means that the mystery was never solved and the story just faded into the ether. There’s no way that blow belonged to the President’s son, a known substance abuser, right?? Of course not.

Will & Jada
Chris Rock has quickly bolted, and really, who could blame him. At any rate, what in the blue hell is up with Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith?? I am not a mental health professional, but both seem rather unstable, and their marriage appears to be quite dysfunctional. The less we hear about them in 2024 the happier many of us will be.

and the Sammy goes to…..

Asbury Revival. It’s good to see a positive story once in awhile, and it’s even better when it involves God touching thousands of lives. Our society needs much more revival. The great thing is it’s your personal choice. You can either embrace God moving so mightily in the world, or if God, faith, church, etc. isn’t your thing then you can choose to ignore it.

This feels like a great time to take a break. Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Sammys.

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 20

I’m not a numbers guy. Math has never been my thing. Having said that, the symmetry in our numbers heading into the final week is kind of cool, given the fact that it was mostly unplanned. I knew I had a significant lead and it’d be tough for Zach to catch up, but I am a gentleman and had decided that we’d do bonus picks since it is our finale and it makes RedZone that much more entertaining. There is no Thursday or Monday game, so with the exception of two games on Saturday and an epic Sunday night battle all the action will be on Sunday afternoon. I hope Scott Hanson eats his Wheaties and gets plenty of sleep the night before. At any rate, we were both 3-2 last weekend, and with all but the CFP National Championship to be played Zach is 3-6 in our bowl picks while I am 5-4. What that means is that even if I lose every remaining pick I cannot slip below .500, while Zach could tie me if I lose every pick while he wins all of them. Realistically that won’t happen for a variety of reasons, but it’s amusing to view things mathematically.

My Season: 68-56

Zach’s Season: 57-67

Houston at Indianapolis (-1.5)

The winner will be in the playoffs, while the loser begins their offseason program. When they met in Week 2 in Houston the Colts won pretty easily, but that feels like a lifetime ago. The Texans are clearly on an upward trajectory and I foresee a rather comfortable victory. Conversely, Zach likes RB Jonathan Taylor to lead the Colts rushing attack, enabling them to win with ball control.

My Pick: Houston

Zach’s Pick: Indianapolis

Cleveland at Cincinnati (-4.5)

There’s nothing at stake in the Battle of Ohio except pride & momentum. The Browns are playoff bound and locked into the 5th seed, which means they’ll probably face the winner of the AFC South. The Bengals will miss the playoffs after being in the AFC title game a year ago. Do the Browns rest their starters?? Probably. Is that enough for Cincy to finish their disappointing season on high note?? I think so. Zach believes in Cleveland’s new starting QB Joe Flacco and thinks he’ll have another big game.

My Pick: Cincinnati

Zach’s Pick: Cleveland

Atlanta at New Orleans (-4)

The winner could actually capture a division title…or be out of the playoffs altogether. If Tampa wins this game is meaningless, but if they lose then the winner here gets a trip to the postseason. The Falcons got a home win the first time these teams met a month ago, but I don’t believe they can replicate that success on the road. Zach thinks QB Derek Carr will lead New Orleans to a big win.

My Pick: New Orleans

Zach’s Pick: New Orleans

Jacksonville (-3.5) at Tennessee

The Titans can only play the role of spoiler. If the Jags win they secure a division title, and if they lose they’ll need a couple other dominoes to fall the right way to sneak into the 7th playoff seed. Jacksonville won easily when the two teams met in November, but that was at home. Tennessee now has the home field, though with nothing to play for and rookie QB Will Levis banged up the deck is stacked against them. The favorites will likely have QB Trevor Lawrence back in the lineup, which should be enough. As a Steelers fan I hate it because we need the Jaguars to lose, but I have to be intellectually honest. Zach has faith in the Titans’ rushing attack and thinks they will control time of possession & the line of scrimmage en route to an upset.

My Pick: Jacksonville

Zach’s Pick: Tennessee

Tampa Bay (-5.5) at Carolina

If the Bucs win they’re headed to the postseason as division champs. Lose and they go home. The Panthers are even worse this year than last, but traded away what will now be the #1 overall pick to choose QB Bryce Young in last year’s draft with the top pick. Carolina seems to be a poorly run organization and will need to hit a home run with their next coaching hire. Anything can happen in the NFL, but this feels like a rather low hurdle for Tampa to clear. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Tampa Bay

Zach’s Pick: Tampa Bay

Seattle (-3) at Arizona

The 4-12 Cards are finishing up another miserable season and will spend the next several months asking themselves alot of questions. Conversely, the Seahawks will play in the postseason if they win and the Green Bay Packers lose. Obviously the only thing they can control is what they do, but it might not be as easy as most would assume. Arizona upset Philly on the road last weekend, so can they play that well at home?? Perhaps…but the smart money is on the favorites. Zach opines that QB Geno Smith is playing well right now and believes that’ll be enough.

My Pick: Seattle

Zach’s Pick: Seattle

Dallas (-13.5) at Washington

The Cowboys were gifted a win last weekend by an incompetent officiating crew, and now they can secure a division title with another victory. The Commanders are another team that might be making significant changes in the offseason, but they’d love to finish on a high note by knocking Dallas down a peg. I don’t think that’ll happen, but I do believe it’ll be a surprisingly close game. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington

LA Rams at San Francisco (-3.5)

The Niners have already clinched the NFC’s top seed & a first round bye, so I suspect they’ll sit their starters for all or most of the game. The Rams have clinched a wildcard berth. When these teams met in Los Angeles in Week 2 ‘Frisco won by a touchdown, but much has changed for both teams since then, making comparisons impossible. My vibe is the game means more to the Rams, with the home team having their eyes on a bigger prize. Zach doesn’t believe ‘Frisco will lose even if they rest their best players. They are his Super Bowl favorites.

My Pick: LA Rams

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco

Philadelphia (-6) at NY Giants

The Eagles are playing for a division title despite losing 4 out of their last 5 games. Everyone is trying to figure out what exactly has gone wrong in the past month, and the powers-that-be in that locker room need to fix it quickly. The Giants have really gone off the rails this season and have nothing to play for, but neither do they have anything to lose. I don’t know if Philly can recover their mojo enough to get to another Super Bowl, but I think they’ll find a way to win this game. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia

Buffalo (-3) at Miami

Sunday night has the best game last. The winner will be division champions. The Dolphins are in the playoffs no matter what. The Bills are in with a win, but would need some help if they lose. Miami is battling the injury bug, including the loss of linebacker Bradley Chubb with a torn ACL, which is why the oddsmakers like Buffalo on the road. Everything is pointing toward an emphatic victory for the favorites, but I think the Dolphins are ready to rise up & shock the world. Conversely, Zach likes QB Josh Allen to lead his team on a late, game winning drive.

My Pick: Miami

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 19

As I sit here watching the Jets battle the Browns, enjoying the mid-holiday malaise between Christmas & New Year’s, I can’t help but believe this is one of the coolest times of the year. Christmas movies are over, but random college football games are on at totally arbitrary hours of the day. All the yuletide pressure & stress is behind us, and I’ve finally reached the age when going on out New Year’s Eve isn’t as appealing as it once was, so it is likely that I’ll just chill in my humble abode with my wacky neighbor eating pizza & watching The Ball drop on TV. There is also plenty of NFL action on Sunday, with only one game on Saturday and no Monday night game. I currently hold a comfortable lead in our picks, even though Zach (2-3), bested me (1-4) last week. I haven’t kept track of our bowl picks, so hopefully those don’t sink me below .500. Anyway, we’ll see you on the other side Manoverse. Happy New Year to all. In the words of Lt. Dan’s gal pal Long Limbs Lenore…”Don’t you just love New Year’s? You get to start all over. Everybody gets a second chance.”

My Season: 60-50

Zach’s Season: 51-59

Detroit at Dallas (-6)

The 11-4 Lions have clinched their first division title in over three decades, winning three out of four games in the process. They’d love to be the NFC’s top seed but it won’t be easy. Meanwhile, the 10-5 Cowboys will be in the playoffs, but they’re still chasing a division title and have lost two consecutive games for the first time all season. This is the Saturday night game and I hope it’s a great one. There is so much on the line that one can fairly assume the players will “leave it all out on the field”. It is a chance for Detroit to make a statement going into the postseason…an opportunity they need to grab with gusto. Zach thinks Dallas QB Dak Prescott is a legit League MVP candidate and might prove it with an upset victory, but he believes no matter what it’ll be very close either way.

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

Atlanta at Chicago (-3)

The 6-9 Bears don’t have much to play for other than pride, while the 7-8 Falcons play in such a weak division that they are still in the postseason conversation. Chicago has shown slight improvement in the second half of the season, but I still expect them to blow the whole deal up in the offseason and rebuild (again) with another new coach and most likely a different quarterback. Atlanta might keep the coaching staff intact, but will probably move on from QB Desmond Ridder. It’s The Windy City in December, so cold & dreary is a given, although it looks like it’ll be dry. I think we’re looking at low scoring, smashmouth football, with the underdogs scoring a mild upset. Zach has low expectations but thinks the Bears are on the upswing.

My Pick: Atlanta

Zach’s Pick: Chicago

New Orleans at Tampa Bay (-3)

At the moment the Bucs hold a one game division lead, but the Saints could change that, in the process actually pulling the Falcons (if they win) into a three way tie, much like last season. I have no idea about tiebreakers or any of that jazz. I’m a fan of New Orleans QB Derek Carr and believe he’ll lead his team to a division title. Conversely, Zach thinks Tampa is peaking late and has more faith in QB Baker Mayfield.

My Pick: New Orleans

Zach’s Pick: Tampa Bay

Las Vegas at Indianapolis (-3)

I don’t know if Vegas’ Christmas defeat of the Chiefs means good things for them or just indicates big trouble in KC. They aren’t winning the AFC West, but are mathematically still in the playoff hunt. Indy would be the final AFC playoff team right now, but there’s work left to be done. I have more faith in the Raiders defense than anyone else involved in this game, so I think they grind out a single digit victory. Zach opines that the Colts’ offense isn’t on the same level as Kansas City, ergo Vegas should be able to shut them down even easier.

My Pick: Las Vegas

Zach’s Pick: Las Vegas

Green Bay at Minnesota (-2)

We knew it’d be a transitional season in Green Bay, but The Cheeseheads can’t be thrilled with the possibility of a losing season. However, I’ve seen some good things and believe they’ll be much improved next year. The Vikings are right about where I thought they’d be and would’ve been much better if not for some key injuries. Oddly enough both teams still have a path to the playoffs, although it is a tough road. It’s the Sunday night game on NBC, and if I can’t be kissing a beautiful woman or watching old drunk people with no rhythm try to dance then I suppose this isn’t the worst alternative. Ultimately I don’t foresee the Packers in the postseason, but they should win this game. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Green Bay

Zach’s Pick: Green Bay

Weekend Movie Marathons: A Christmas Carol

It’s A Wonderful Life. White Christmas. Die Hard. Home Alone. There certainly isn’t a shortage of classic holiday films to enjoy this time of year. Though Hollywood tends to shy away from the real Reason for the Season, they have produced a plethora of delightful Christmas-centric entertainment thru the decades. One reliable source that moviemakers have returned to over & over again is Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. Y’all know the gist of the story so I won’t bore you with a recap. Suffice to say that it has been adapted into countless movies. Some stick pretty close to the book, while others take the plot and twist it in all sorts of ways. It isn’t easy to choose just a few of these for a weekend of viewing, but hopefully we’ve accomplished the task well.

Friday Night

Scrooged

Bill Murray doesn’t portray elderly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, but his cynical television executive Frank Cross is the perfect 20th century embodiment of the character. An eclectic supporting cast that includes Bobcat Goldthwait, Robert Mitchum, Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton, Jamie Farr, and Lee Majors is inspired fun. If you enjoy dark comedy it hits all the right notes, and might have the best ending of any adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

Saturday Matinee

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Kids of all ages can enjoy a version of A Christmas Carol by The Muppets. Two things need to be noted. First is the performance by Michael Caine as Scrooge. Though all of his co-stars are…obviously…puppets, the Academy Award winning actor made the brilliant choice to “play this movie like I’m working with the Royal Shakespeare Company” and “portray Scrooge as if it is an utterly dramatic role”. Secondly, it’s actually rather faithful to the source material, all things considered.

Saturday Night

A Christmas Carol (1951)

It is generally considered to be the best adaptation of the book, and Scottish actor Alastair Sim is always ranked among the greatest portrayers of Ebenezer Scrooge. It departs from the source material by adding a subplot about a malevolent businessman who lures young Scrooge to the dark side, and makes changes to the backstories of Scrooge’s sister & fiancee. I have mixed feelings about filmmakers taking such creative liberties. That’s one advantage modern society has…today there would be a plethora of interviews online & on TV with the director explaining those choices.

Sunday Matinee

A Christmas Carol (1938)

At the time the movie was made MGM had already produced a number of film adaptations of literary classics…A Tale of Two Cities, Romeo & Juliet, Anna Karenina, David Copperfield…and they preferred the movies be lighthearted & family friendly. Therefore this is a rather sanitized version of A Christmas Carol. No wailing phantoms. No starving children. No thieves stealing Scrooge’s stuff. His fiancee Belle is nowhere to be seen. The tone is pretty cheerful given the subject matter. However, within those odd parameters it works. When I was a kid it was shown on television almost as much as It’s A Wonderful Life.

Sunday Night

Disney’s A Christmas Carol

Am I weird?? I adore this version, but many people seem to dislike it. I’m not really a Jim Carrey guy, but utilizing his unique talents to portray multiple characters in an animated film is perfect. I’m also a big fan of motion capture, which isn’t necessarily a consensus opinion. It might be one of the most faithful adaptations of the book, which seems to be more important to me than the average moviegoer. Are some of the special effects a bit over-the-top?? Yes, but I’m okay with that. The tone is dark, but anyone complaining about that hasn’t read Dickens’ story. We’ve been conditioned thru the years to accept diluted stories that borrow the broad strokes of Dickens but reduce the impact for various reasons. Director Robert Zemeckis mostly avoids those pitfalls in this case, so kudos to him for that.

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 18

While we limp to the finish here the NFL is just beginning to heat up. After going 1-4 a week ago Zach needs to kick it up a notch these last few weeks, and finishing 3-2 last week means my goal is to stay the course and close the season comfortably above .500. Our Steelers are long shots to make the playoffs, so I guess we’ll need to invest in other rooting interests on the road to the Super Bowl.

My Season: 59-46

Zach’s Season: 49-56

Buffalo (-11.5) at LA Chargers

Lots of folks were ready to give up on the Bills, but since handing the Cowboys a three TD beatdown it’s funny to watch people jump back on the bandwagon. They’re still not going to win the division, but watch out if Buffalo earns a wild card. Conversely, the Chargers have already fired their coach and lost QB Justin Herbert to broken finger. LA winning would be an epic stunner…but can they keep it close?? Zach believes that the underdogs could possibly play better than they have all season under new leadership, but it won’t be enough. I agree with that assessment.

My Pick: Buffalo

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

Cleveland at Houston (-2.5)

Thanks to close victories by both teams last week the chances of the Steelers getting into the playoffs are slim to none, with slim warming up the car. Credit where it is due to the Browns, who have fared better than I expected, although I think they’d get beaten like a drum against any postseason opponent. The Texans still have an opportunity to win their division, but have work left to do. This is a monumental Christmas Eve battle, and I think the home team gets the job done as long as rookie QB CJ Stroud clears concussion protocol. Conversely, Zach gives the nod to Cleveland on the strength of their defense.

My Pick: Houston

Zach’s Pick: Cleveland

Seattle (-2.5) at Tennessee

The Seahawks got a monster win over Philadelphia Monday night but still have a few hurdles to clear in the NFC playoff scrum thanks to losing 5 out of 6 before beating the Eagles. The Titans have to settle for the role of spoiler, having lost two of their last three, both in overtime, meaning they haven’t given up and are still battling for victories. It’s a classic trap game and nothing would surprise me, but I think Geno Smith will be back under center for the favorites and they’ll remain in playoff contention. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Seattle

Zach’s Pick: Seattle

Las Vegas at Kansas City (-10)

The Chiefs should still easily win the AFC West, but they clearly have alot more doubters than anyone could’ve imagined as recently as Halloween. Meanwhile, the Raiders laid a smackdown on the Chargers that forced that organization to fire both the head coach & general manager. On paper it doesn’t look very appetizing, but could it be yet another trap game?? The home field is significant, and I’m not quite ready to toss KC into the trash bin. The points concern Zach, and he feels like the Chiefs have been playing down to their competition…but he doesn’t believe a Christmas miracle is in the cards for Vegas.

My Pick: Kansas City

Zach’s Pick: Kansas City

Baltimore at San Francisco (-5.5)

As much as I hate to admit it the Ravens are firing on all cylinders and might be the best team in the AFC. They’ve won four in a row, while the Niners are riding a six game winning steak. Could this be a Christmas Night Super Bowl preview?? It’s possible. I foresee a low scoring, well played slugfest with a couple of WOW plays on offense but even more impressive gems from both defenses. Something like 20-13, with the home team continuing their momentum. Zach sees ‘Frisco as the more complete & balanced team.

My Pick: San Francisco

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…Bowl Season (Part Deux)

Annnnnnddd…we’re back. For the sake of readability I thought it best to break things down into two parts. If you haven’t done so already please peruse Part 1. We’ll leave a light on for you, and upon your return take a peak at a few of the more compelling games on the bowl schedule, including the College Football Playoff.

Gator Bowl (Jacksonville)

Friday 12/29

Noon/ESPN

Clemson vs. Kentucky

At first glance it doesn’t seem like an appealing matchup. However, one must consider that, after being a perennial playoff contender for a long time, the 8-4 Tigers are in a down cycle and not quite elite at the moment. Conversely, the 7-5 Wildcats have spent the past few seasons showing the world they aren’t just a basketball school. So, it actually might be a fun game between two solid yet unspectacular teams. Zach trusts Coach Swinney to lead Clemson to a convincing win.

Zach’s Pick: Clemson

Sun Bowl (El Paso)

Friday 12/29

2pm/CBS

Notre Dame vs. Oregon State

I like the Sun Bowl. While almost all of the other post-season games have been sucked into the Disney vortex the Sun Bowl has remained on CBS since 1968, and true to its name is played in the afternoon sunshine of El Paso, TX. I still vividly recall Oklahoma St. narrowly defeating my West Virginia Mountaineers in 1987 on the strength of 150+ rushing yards from Thurman Thomas, who would go on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Buffalo Bills. A backup RB named Barry Sanders contributed 19 yards. The 8-4 Beavers were another team I expected great things from, but the Pac 12 was just so damn good this season. The 9-3 Fighting Irish are exactly who I thought they’d be…solid but not elite. I am picking Oregon St. for various reasons, though I’m perfectly aware that starting QB DJ Uiagalele has entered the portal & the head coach bolted for Michigan St.

My Pick: Oregon St.

Cotton Bowl (Dallas)

Friday 12/29

8pm/ESPN

Missouri vs. Ohio State

I’m picking this game because Zach’s hilariously irrational dislike of Ohio St. clouds his judgement. I’m not one of those people who think the Buckeyes should’ve received a playoff spot, but they are 11-1, with a six point loss to their archrivals in The Big House nothing to feel too bad about. The surprising departure of QB Kyle McCord into the portal is odd though. The 10-2 Tigers are one of the most pleasant surprises of the season, with a Veteran’s Day beatdown of Tennessee being a highlight. I think Missouri will prove alot of doubters wrong and it’ll be a fantastic game, but in the end a big night from receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will seal the deal.

My Pick: Ohio St.

ReliaQuest Bowl (Tampa)

New Year’s Day

Noon/ESPN2

Wisconsin vs. LSU

Originating as the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1986, it was known as the Outback Bowl for almost 25 years. In case you’re wondering ReliaQuest is a cybersecurity company in Tampa, FL. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels just won the Heisman Trophy, although his Tigers are a pedestrian 9-3. It feels odd to say that a team with nine victories underachieved, so perhaps it’d be more fair to say that head coach Brian Kelly is building something in Baton Rouge that needs a little more incubation. Meanwhile, the 7-5 Badgers have become a middle-of-pack team in a conference that is top heavy, with only a few teams receiving much love. Assuming Daniels plays, Zach doesn’t foresee the Bayou Bengals having a problem winning easily.

Zach’s Pick: LSU

Citrus Bowl (Orlando)

New Year’s Day

1pm/ABC

Iowa vs. Tennessee

There used to be a joke that you couldn’t spell citrus without UT, so it is amusing to see the 8-4 Vols land once again in a game they’ve played in a half dozen times, although to be fair several other teams (including Georgia & Michigan) have made just as many appearances. The 10-3 Hawkeyes fly under the radar, probably because their games tend to be low scoring defensive struggles. Zach thinks that kind of smashmouth style might help Iowa grind out a victory.

Zach’s Pick: Iowa

Rose Bowl (Pasadena)

College Football Playoff Semifinal

New Year’s Day

5pm/ESPN

Michigan vs. Alabama

I thought I’d do Zach a favor and not make him choose between his favorite team & one of his coaching heroes. Do I think ‘Bama deserved a playoff berth ahead of undefeated Florida St.?? Not really, but I understand it. The world robbed me of most of my idealism many years ago. Having said that, I believe the unbeaten Wolverines are a slightly superior team. I’d be shocked if we see a repeat of last year’s semifinal that saw TCU jump all over Michigan early then hold on for dear life for a close upset. Coach Harbaugh will have his guys better prepared this time. I’m not sure if defense truly does win championships nowadays, but I think that & special teams make the difference on this night.

My Pick: Michigan

Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)

College Football Playoff Semifinal

New Year’s Day

8:45pm/ESPN

Washington vs. Texas

There is a legit case to be made that Florida St. got screwed out of a playoff berth, but the question becomes who should’ve been left out?? Certainly neither of these teams. The undefeated Huskies vanquished every foe, including Oregon twice. The 12-1 Longhorns did taste defeat in the Red River Shootout, but a season opening victory over Alabama carries alot of weight. Zach foresees a shootout, with the Huskies escaping with a dramatic win.

Zach’s Pick: Washington

National Championship (Houston)

Monday 1/8/24

7:30pm/ESPN

Michigan/Alabama vs. Washington/Texas

Okay, so…I picked Michigan in their semifinal, while Zach chose Washington to win their game. I think Zach is right, and in that scenario it’d be Michigan against Washington for the title, which could be a classic. I just don’t think Jim Harbaugh is going to lose at this point. I believe he helps his alma mater win their first National Championship since 1997, and then, happy knowing that he left the program in better shape than he found it in nine years ago, heads back to the NFL. Conversely, Zach’s admiration for Nick Saban is unlimited, so he thinks the title game will pit Washington against Alabama, with an unintimidated Huskies squad pulling off a slightly surprising win to claim their first National Championship since 1991 when they shared the title with the Miami Hurricanes.

My Pick: Michigan

Zach’s Pick: Washington

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 17

Zach & I were both 2-3 last weekend. Out of my six fantasy teams only one made the playoffs, so as a fan I’m hanging on by a thread to these picks, my Herd & Mountaineers in pedestrian bowl games, and the 7-6 Steelers, who average a measly 16 points/game & have the 21st ranked offense in the NFL.

My Season: 56-44

Zach’s Season: 48-52

Tampa Bay at Green Bay (-3.5)

The Bucs are 6-7 but in a three way tie for the division lead, almost mirroring the gridlock in the NFC South a season ago. There’s still time for things to shake out the way I predicted, but credit to Tampa for being slightly better than I thought they’d be. Meanwhile, the Packers are struggling as I knew they would. Not only does Green Bay have the advantage of The Frozen Tundra in December, but I think they’re beginning to figure things out and aren’t that far from being a pretty good team. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Green Bay

Zach’s Pick: Green Bay

NY Jets at Miami (-12.5)

The Dolphins suffered a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee last weekend but still sit atop the AFC East. The Jets surprisingly beat the snot out of Houston but still look to be a season or two or perhaps a piece or two from being contenders. I don’t think Miami will have any problem winning, but the points are certainly eye popping. If the Jets play as well this week as they did last week it could be a close game, but I don’t think they can pull that off two weeks in a row. Conversely, the points are just too much for Zach. He likes Miami to get the win but foresees the Jets remaining competitive.

My Pick: Miami

Zach’s Pick: NY Jets

Atlanta (-3) at Carolina

The Falcons are in that NFC South scrum and might be a great quarterback away from being a solid team. The Panthers could earn the top overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – too bad they already traded it to the Bears. These are two teams heading down different paths…Carolina is treading water in the pool of mediocrity, while Atlanta looks to be swimming away from choppy waters toward a calmer sea. Zach thinks Desmond Ridder still has an opportunity to be the franchise QB the Falcons need.

My Pick: Atlanta

Zach’s Pick: Atlanta

NY Giants at New Orleans (-6)

The sports media is abuzz over Giants QB Tommy Devito, an undrafted free agent out of Illinois. The team isn’t achieving much, but atleast it’s a cool story. The Saints have the good fortune of playing in a mediocre division so their playoff dreams are very much alive. I believe that kind of hope is a great motivator. Zach thinks it’ll be a tight game and is rolling the dice on the Giants.

My Pick: New Orleans

Zach’s Pick: NY Giants

Washington at LA Rams (-6.5)

The Rams have no shot at winning their division, but are still in contention for a wild card. They’ve also won three out of the last four games and gave the Ravens all they could handle last week before falling in overtime. The Commanders have had some good moments this season, but don’t be surprised if new ownership makes a whole lot of changes in the offseason. I wouldn’t be shocked if the visitors pull off an upset, but the home team has much more on the line. Zach concurs.

My Pick: LA Rams

Zach’s Pick: LA Rams

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…Bowl Season (Part 1)

Citizens, I am a creature of habit. I’m not very spontaneous and prefer the comfort of routine. Therefore it cannot be taken lightly when I decide to switch things up. For as long as we’ve been doing our annual Bowl-a-Palooza two things have been true: 1) we pick all the bowl games, and 2) bowl games do not count as part of our weekly Pigskin Picks. In recent years I had even embraced the idea of “the more bowl games the merrier” after always being one of those curmudgeons who opined that there were too many bowl games. However, when I looked at this year’s bowl lineup I literally yawned. I knew I just didn’t have it in me to give a damn about many of these putrid matchups. A decision was made, and here is the deal. Zach is picking nine games, while I am picking nine different games. We’ll both pick the CFP Championship, which takes place the day after the end of the NFL regular season. These bowl picks will be factored into our season total. If it works out perhaps it’ll be how we do things going forward. We’ll see.

LA Bowl

Saturday 12/16

7:30pm/ABC

Boise State vs. UCLA

It’s one of the newer bowl games, in existence for only a few years, but they’ve landed a solid matchup. The 8-5 Broncos got off to a slow start but ended up with a nice season. The 7-5 Bruins lost two of their final three games and will need to kick it up a notch when they move to the Big Ten next year. Zach likes Boise’s balanced attack and believes they’ll find a way to win.

Zach’s Pick: Boise St.

Independence Bowl (Shreveport)

Saturday 12/16

9:15pm/ESPN

California vs. Texas Tech

The 6-6 Golden Bears had a rough four game losing skid in the middle of the season, but won their final three games. The 6-6 Red Raiders lost three of their first four games, but also won three of their final four. I’d definitely take the over, and I like Tech to win comfortably.

My Pick: Texas Tech

Birmingham Bowl

Saturday 12/23

Noon/ABC

Duke vs. Troy

I believe both teams will be led by interim coaches. The 7-5 Blue Devils had a rough second half of the season after a promising start, mostly due to a toe injury to QB Riley Leonard, who has now entered the transfer portal. The 11-2 Trojans have to be salivating at the opportunity to take on a Power 5 foe. I think we’ll see a low scoring, sloppy slugfest, with Troy getting an important win for their program.

My Pick: Troy

Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth)

Saturday 12/23

3:30pm/ABC

James Madison vs. Air Force

I don’t know if the 11-1 Dukes received a bowl bid because the NCAA decided to do the right thing or there just weren’t enough eligible teams. Whatever the reason, here’s their opportunity to prove themselves. The 8-4 Falcons haven’t won a game since October but have won their last four bowl games. Zach really likes JMU quarterback Jordan McCloud and thinks he’ll lead his team to victory.

Zach’s Pick: James Madison

Las Vegas Bowl

Saturday 12/23

7:30pm/ABC

Northwestern vs. Utah

It’s been an uphill battle for the 8-4 Utes. One can’t help but wonder how they might’ve fared if QB Cam Rising would’ve been healthy, and the Big 12 should be put on notice because they’ll probably make alot of noise next year. The 7-5 Wildcats are the Big Ten’s forgotten program, consistently lost in the shuffle amongst some of the nation’s elite teams. Zach thinks team speed is a huge advantage that will lead to an easy Utah win.

Zach’s Pick: Utah

Guaranteed Rate Bowl (Phoenix)

Tuesday 12/26

9pm/ESPN

Kansas vs. UNLV

I’m really interested in this matchup. The 8-4 Jayhawks are having their best season since 2007, although they faded late after coming out strong to begin the campaign. The Runnin’ Rebels lost the Mountain West title game, but at 9-4 haven’t been this successful since 1984. It has the potential to be one of the better bowl games we’ll see this year, and I like Kansas to wear down their opponents in the fourth quarter.

My Pick: Kansas

Military Bowl (Annapolis)

Wednesday 12/27

2pm/ESPN

Virginia Tech vs. Tulane

The 6-6 Hokies aren’t what they once were, but I always feel like they could be on the cusp of reclaiming their former glory. The 11-2 Green Wave landed here after losing the AAC title game. It’s certainly a different fate than a year ago when they defeated USC in the Cotton Bowl. I don’t believe they’ll be as pleased with the outcome of this game.

My Pick: Virginia Tech

Holiday Bowl (San Diego)

Wednesday 12/27

8pm/FOX

Louisville vs. USC

The 10-3 Cardinals haven’t gotten much respect from the masses, perhaps deservedly so given the perceived weakness of the ACC. Conversely, the sports media absolutely loves the 7-5 Trojans, although after imploding in the latter portion of the season I’m not sure how much respect they deserve. To no one’s surprise USC quarterback Caleb Williams is off exploring the ins & outs of NFL ownership and won’t play. Zach isn’t a fan of the matchup and has a low opinion of USC’s defense. He’s rolling the dice on a Louisville upset.

Zach’s Pick: Louisville

Texas Bowl (Houston)

Wednesday 12/27

9pm/ESPN

Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State

The 7-5 Aggies fired head coach Jimbo Fisher in November. The 9-4 Cowboys are difficult to figure out after beating archrival Oklahoma but getting shellacked by Central Florida. It’s a good landing spot for both teams and their fans. I think it’ll be a hard fought battle decided by turnovers & penalties. Maybe we’ll even be treated to overtime. At the end of the day I think OK St. wins by less than a touchdown.

My Pick: Oklahoma St.

Pop-Tarts Bowl (Orlando)

Thursday 12/28

5:45pm/ESPN

North Carolina State vs. Kansas State

This bowl game changes names more often than Taylor Swift changes boyfriends. The 9-3 Wolfpack come into the game riding a five game win streak, while the 8-4 Wildcats have had a roller coaster season, culminating with starting QB Will Howard entering into the transfer portal. I had high hopes for K St., but the dominoes just haven’t fallen the right way, and now NC St. is clearly the hotter team.

My Pick: North Carolina St.

Alamo Bowl (San Antonio)

Thursday 12/28

9:15pm/ESPN

Arizona vs. Oklahoma

I’m not sure if this is a sneaky good matchup or might end up being a total dud. The 9-3 Wildcats have won six straight games, while the 10-2 Sooners have rebounded nicely from whatever that 6-6 abomination was a season ago. Zach notes that the transfer portal has negatively impacted Oklahoma considerably, but he feels like they have enough depth to weather the storm and win comfortably.

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 16

I’ve been a proponent of a six team college playoff for a long time, and this season proves my case. We’ll kvetch more about the new 12 team playoff next year (I have my opinions), but clearly four teams were never enough. I feel bad for the Georgia Bulldogs, whose one loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship is certainly no worse than Texas’ October loss to Oklahoma, and especially undefeated Florida State, who did everything right by defeating each opponent they faced but got tossed aside due to an injury to their quarterback. There’s an old adage that says “defense wins championships”, but obviously it’s all about offense in this day & age of football being more of a television spectacle than anything else. The talking heads & committee shills like to prattle on about a team’s “resume” & “body of work”, but really they are captives of the moment, putting much more emphasis on how good (or flawed) a team is right now versus what they were in September. That is a terrible message in my opinion, that what you do at the beginning of the season (good or bad) doesn’t really matter. It’s one area where the NFL is a superior product, because the only thing that matters are the numbers…wins & losses count the same no matter when they occur. At any rate, Zach bested me last week, going 6-4 while I was 5-5. We’re not quite finished with college football though, as I’ve made a decision to change up how we address bowl season. Stay tuned. For now, it’s back to the NFL.

My Season: 54-41

Zach’s Season: 46-49

Detroit (-3) at Chicago

ESPN talking head Chris Berman use to call the NFC North The Norris Division, which is a now obsolete hockey reference. It looks like the 9-3 Lions will cruise to their first division title since 1993. Conversely, Bears fans need to stop trying to make Justin Fields happen. Perhaps he’ll evolve into a serviceable NFL quarterback, but he’s not a superstar and certainly needs a change of scenery. 4-8 Chicago has the home field, but I don’t think it matters. Zach agrees and considers Detroit a Super Bowl favorite.

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

LA Rams at Baltimore (-7)

I didn’t have high hopes for the Rams coming into the season, although I did opine that it was possible they could figure out what went wrong last year and fix it. At 6-6 the jury is still out, but they have looked decent at times. The 9-3 Ravens are living up to the hype thus far, much to the chagrin of Steeler Nation. With that in mind I have decided to lead with my heart instead of my head. Can the Rams pull off a big upset on the road?? I sure hope so. Conversely, Zach is more objective and considers Baltimore to be another Super Bowl favorite.

My Pick: LA Rams

Zach’s Pick: Baltimore

Seattle at San Francisco (-10.5)

Okay, I was wrong about the Niners’ QB situation. Brock Purdy has a firm grip on the job and his team doesn’t seem to have any prominent weaknesses. It looks like 9-3 ‘Frisco will win their third division title in four years. At 6-6 the Seahawks are still in the fight, but they need to turn it up a notch. When these teams met just a couple of weeks ago it wasn’t particularly competitive, and I don’t foresee much changing now. Zach believes the 49ers may be the most complete team in the league and thinks they’ll handle business.

My Pick: San Francisco

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco

Buffalo at Kansas City (-2.5)

In my season preview I opined that things wouldn’t be easy for the Bills this year, but I had no idea they’d be 6-6 and struggling to remain in wildcard contention. Almost as surprising is the recent struggles of the 8-4 Chiefs, who have lost three of their last five games. They still have a solid division lead, but their status as Super Bowl favorites is certainly in doubt, and they could struggle to make it to the AFC Title game. KC’s home field is amongst the most hostile in the league, so I believe they’ll escape with a close victory. Zach also predicts a close contest, but foresees Buffalo getting the mild upset.

My Pick: Kansas City

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

Philadelphia at Dallas (-3.5)

When these teams met in Philly in early November the home team used a big third quarter to launch themselves to a five point win. The Eagles had looked rather sharp until getting blasted by San Francisco last week, while the Cowboys are riding the wave of a four game winning streak. The “experts” are slaves of the current moment and will view the game differently, but I still think Philadelphia is a better team. Zach believes the underdogs will rebound nicely from last week’s debacle and get a big upset on the road Sunday night.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 15

I sure hope this week isn’t as brutal as last, when we were both 2-5. Clearly we don’t know as much about college football as we’d prefer. At any rate, we’ve made it to the conference championship games. Playoff berths will be won & lost, while those left on the outside of that inner circle are jockeying for positions on the bowl game hierarchy. Let’s ride!!

My Season: 49-36

Zach’s Season: 40-45

New Mexico State at Liberty (-10.5)

C-USA Championship Game

The Flames won this matchup comfortably back in September and are coming in unbeaten. Unfortunately they’re a year too early to be included in the expanded playoff. The 10-3 Aggies played an extra game because they traveled to Hawaii. I don’t foresee this game being much different from the regular season meeting. Conversely, Zach likes NM St.’s dual threat QB and thinks it’ll be a close game. He has put Liberty on upset alert.

My Pick: Liberty

Zach’s Pick: New Mexico St.

Oregon (-8.5) vs. Washington

Pac-12 Championship Game (Las Vegas)

I know what I’m doing on Friday night!! Our local Christmas parade is at 6pm, but I should be home in time to fix myself a hot beverage and hunker down in front of the TV for a game with significant impact on the entire landscape. First, it is the final Pac 12 game ever, with practically every team bolting for “greener pastures” next year, which is sad. Secondly, the QB of the winning team…the Huskies’ Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix of the Ducks…will almost certainly become the prohibitive Heisman favorite. However, the biggest consideration here is that the winner will lock in a playoff berth. When these teams did battle in mid-October Washington scored a touchdown with a minute & a half on the clock for a dramatic victory. Since then both teams have kept on winning, but Oregon has looked more impressive. I think they take care of business and Nix wins the Heisman Trophy. Zach, on the other hand, foresees Washington winning with dramatic last minute drive, and believes the Huskies are legit National Championship contenders.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: Washington

Miami (OH) vs. Toledo (-8)

MAC Championship Game (Detroit)

I used to love some mid-week MACtion on ESPN, but truthfully I haven’t paid much attention for quite awhile. Since a season opening loss at Illinois the Rockets have reeled off eleven straight victories. The Red Hawks have had a very similar season except for their previous matchup against Toledo, which was a four point loss. Miami’s QB is Brett Gabbert, the younger brother of Blaine Gabbert, who was famously chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft ahead of JJ Watt and has worn more uniforms than a Village People tribute band. Anyway, I think Toledo gets a double digit win. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Toledo

Zach’s Pick: Toledo

Boise State (-3.5) at UNLV

Mountain West Championship Game

This will be the Broncos sixth appearance in the title game in the past seven years. They won two of those games. At 7-5 it’s kind of surprising they’re playing for the championship. Is the Mountain West that mid?? The 9-3 Rebels are playing in their first championship game since joining the conference in 1999, and The Vibes are telling me they’ll hoist the trophy on their home turf. Zach thinks it’ll be a shootout, with the favorites coming out on top.

My Pick: UNLV

Zach’s Pick: Boise St.

Southern Methodist at Tulane (-3.5)

AAC Championship Game

I didn’t give the Green Wave enough respect. Most outlets had them firmly entrenched in the Top 25 coming into the season after they finished 12-2 last year, but I gave that spot to UTSA (who finished this season 8-4). Tulane has duplicated their previous success and come into this contest 11-1. Meanwhile, the 10-2 Mustangs are riding an eight game winning streak. I am old enough to remember the glory days of SMU, with the Pony Express duo of Eric Dickerson & Craig James, followed by the “death penalty”, which shut down the program for a couple of years in the late 1980s and caused them to struggle for two decades. They have had some good seasons in the past ten years, but a conference championship would certainly put a bow on their comeback story. Zach opines that Tulane’s defense is going to need to step up and stop the high octane SMU offense, and he doesn’t think that will happen.

My Pick: SMU

Zach’s Pick: SMU

Appalachian State at Troy (-7)

Sun Belt Championship Game

When these teams met during the 2022 regular season the Mountaineers came away with a close win. The Trojans have won 10+ for the second consecutive year, while App. St. is 8-4 but have won five games in a row. I smell an upset brewing, so I’m leaning toward the underdogs. Zach thinks it could be the best game of the weekend, and he believes the visitors are a hotter team right now.

My Pick: Appalachian St.

Zach’s Pick: Appalachian St.

Texas (-11.5) vs. Oklahoma State

Big 12 Championship Game (Dallas)

The 9-3 Cowboys find themselves in this spot because they defeated in-state rival Oklahoma a few weeks ago, while the Longhorns lost to the Sooners in October but have beaten everyone else, including Alabama in the season opener, which could be weighed heavily by the playoff committee. Do “style points” factor into the “body of work”?? I think it does matter, which means the Longhorns will be left out in the cold if they don’t cover, even if they win. I would be surprised by an OK St. victory, but not shocked if they keep it close. That being said, I think Texas takes care of business. Zach doesn’t think the Cowboys have anything to lose so they’ll leave everything out on the field. He believes it’ll be competitive for three quarters, but ultimately Texas will pull away late.

My Pick: Texas

Zach’s Pick: Texas

Georgia (-4.5) vs. Alabama

SEC Championship Game (Atlanta)

Depending on which scenario shakes out, one or the other, neither, or both teams could be playoff bound. Could the unbeaten Bulldogs fall short in this game but still get the 4th playoff seed?? Perhaps. Conversely, the Tide almost certainly needs to win, and that season opening loss to Texas has to be important because invalidating head-to-head regular season results would be a bad look. ‘Bama leads the all-time series 42-26-4, but I think the favorites make the CFP Committee’s job a skosh easier with a 7-10 point triumph. Conversely, Zach has always been a huge Nick Saban fan. He has stated all season that Georgia isn’t as good as they’ve been the past few years, and he believes their luck will run out.

My Pick: Georgia

Zach’s Pick: Alabama

Florida State (-5.5) vs. Louisville

ACC Championship Game

It might be the least attractive title game of them all going in, but maybe it’ll be more entertaining than it looks on paper. The undefeated Seminoles aren’t guaranteed a playoff berth even with a win, which is precisely why many thought expanding the field was necessary. The 10-2 Cardinals aren’t playoff contenders even with a victory, but a conference title and a New Year’s bowl game are worthy goals. Thus far Florida St. is doing just fine with a backup QB, so I think they win this game but get left out of the playoff. Zach thinks Florida St. will do just enough to win, and doesn’t see how they could be left out of the playoff in that case.

My Pick: Florida St.

Zach’s Pick: Florida St.

Michigan (-23) vs. Iowa

Big Ten Championship Game (Indianapolis)

I would be absolutely stunned if Iowa wins the game. At 10-2 they’ve certainly had a nice season and will receive a well deserved & lucrative bowl bid, but the unbeaten Wolverines are on another level. A win gets Michigan into the playoff, while a loss might not eliminate them completely, although too many unrealistic dominos would need to fall in that situation. I don’t believe it will be an issue though. The only questions are 1) will there be a hangover from the Ohio St. game, and 2) with bigger fish to fry could they possibly ease up in the second half, winning the game by only 15-20 points?? I’m going with “no” to both. Zach is playing it closer to the vest than me, taking Michigan to win but not to cover the huge spread.

My Pick: Michigan

Zach’s Pick: Iowa