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.
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.
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.
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.
We’re going to set the NFL aside for a couple of weeks and focus on college football as their regular season wraps up. This is Rivalry Week, and there will be games for three straight days, in addition to all the lovely Thanksgiving festivities. Last week’s experiment was…interesting, as Zach was 2-3 while I was 4-1, but now we are back to regularly scheduled foolishness. Happy Thanksgiving Manoverse. May your turkey be moist, your pumpkin pie be served with ample whipped topping, and all your Black Friday shopping be done online. God bless America, what remains of her after decades of leftist insanity.
My Season: 47-31
Zach’s Season: 38-40
Mississippi (-13) at Mississippi State
They call it The Egg Bowl, and it’s been fairly even in recent years, with both teams being 3-3 since 2017. The 9-2 Rebels have only lost to Georgia & Alabama, and there’s no shame in that. Conversely, the Bulldogs are 5-6 and need a victory to become bowl eligible. Unfortunately for them I don’t believe that’ll happen. This is a Thanksgiving Night game on ESPN, and Zach likes Coach Lane Kiffin to lead his team to a big win.
My Pick: Ole Miss
Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss
Wisconsin (-2) at Minnesota
This is the most played rivalry at the FBS level, with 132 games dating back to 1890. Since 1948 they’ve battled for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. The series is tied 62-62-8, with the 5-6 Golden Gophers winning three of the last five meetings after the 6-5 Badgers had won 14 consecutive from 2004-17. It hasn’t been a great season for either school, but with the home field and needing a victory to become bowl eligible I believe the underdogs will score a mild upset. Zach is predicting the stereotypical low scoring, hard hitting, Big Ten slobberknocker, and he likes the Badgers to grind out a tight win on the road.
My Pick: Minnesota
Zach’s Pick: Wisconsin
Washington State at Washington (-15)
If you’re wondering why they call this game The Apple Cup, it’s because the state of Washington is the leading domestic producer of apples (as well as hops, pears, blueberries, and spearmint oil). The 5-6 Cougars had lost six straight games before beating Colorado last weekend and need one more win to secure bowl eligibility. Conversely, the undefeated Huskies have already earned a spot in the Pac 12 title game, but have their eye on an even bigger prize. I don’t know if the playoff committee still yammers on about “style points” (I think the phrase has been replaced by the more erudite “body of work”), but I’m quite sure it’s still a thing. The home favorites haven’t really blown anyone out since September, so the points concern me a bit, but with so much at stake I think Washington takes care of business. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
Florida State (-6.5) at Florida
The big news out of Tallahassee is a season ending leg injury to QB Jordan Travis. Does that kill their playoff dream?? Maybe, maybe not. The 5-6 Gators need a victory to become bowl eligible, but they’ve lost four in a row. The Swamp is a formidable home field, and being led by a backup quarterback isn’t ideal, but I think the unbeaten Seminoles figure out a way to remain so for now. Zach isn’t confident about FSU’s playoff future, but believes they’ll be inspired to play hard in honor of their fallen signal caller.
My Pick: Florida St.
Zach’s Pick: Florida St.
Alabama (-14.5) at Auburn
The Iron Bowl is typically one of the most anticipated games of the season, and even though neither team has as much at stake as in the past it’s still amongst the fiercest rivalries in collegiate athletics. The 6-5 Tigers got throttled by New Mexico St. in their last game, while the 10-1 Tide, as always, are never out of the playoff discussion. I would love to see a huge upset, but certainly wouldn’t put money on it. That being said, I think the home underdogs keep it respectable. Zach thinks ‘Bama’s playoff hopes are legit and doesn’t believe this game will be a challenge.
My Pick: Auburn
Zach’s Pick: Alabama
Oregon State at Oregon (-14)
I don’t give a damn what killjoy leftists say, I’m still calling it the Civil War. Sadly, after 127 games dating back to 1894, this rivalry will become yet another victim of conference realignment when the Ducks move to the Big Ten next year. The 8-3 Beavers have had a solid season, but all three losses have been by a combined 8 points. One wonders what might’ve been had the ball bounced differently a few times. At this stage I don’t think the 10-1 home favorites will screw up their playoff chances, but they need to stay healthy for the Pac 12 title game. Oregon should emerge victorious, but it won’t be a double digit win. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Oregon St.
Zach’s Pick: Oregon St.
Ohio State at Michigan (-4)
Once again this one matters a whole hell of alot. Conference title opportunity on the line. Major playoff impact. I’m kind of jealous of fans who support teams who play games with meaning. Both teams are undefeated. The winner will meet (and probably defeat) Iowa in the Big Ten championship game, thereby securing a playoff berth. The Wolverines have won the last two meetings after the Buckeyes had dominated for eight consecutive years. The Big House in Ann Arbor is an imposing environment, but with head coach Jim Harbaugh suspended I feel like the underdogs will find a way to get it done on the road. Zach has very strong feelings about the Buckeyes, their coach, the university, and the entire state of Ohio. He isn’t very happy with the NCAA & their witch hunt of Jim Harbaugh either. Having said that, he doesn’t have positive vibes about his Wolverines overcoming all the crap that has been tossed at them.
Both of us were 5-5 last week, which almost makes bonus picks feel like a waste of time. However, I can’t go that far really because having the outcome of those games matter makes them more fun to watch. We’re doing something a bit different this week…or are we?? I think we may have tried this concept once…perhaps a couple of times…in the past. Instead of both of us picking the same games we’ll both be picking five separate games. Enjoy!!
My Season: 43-30
Zach’s Season: 36-37
Wake Forest at Notre Dame (-24.5)
It’s the Sam Hartman Bowl!! The Fighting Irish QB spent five seasons in Winston-Salem under center for the Demon Deacons and became the ACC’s all-time leader in touchdown passes. Wake is 4-6, so they need to win out to become bowl eligible, while the home team is 7-3 and will probably end up playing in a top tier New Year’s bowl game because that’s how college football seems to work these days. Zach is concerned about the points, but he’s feeling frisky.
Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame
Colorado at Washington State (-4.5)
The talking heads have mostly stopped paying attention to Coach Prime since the Buffaloes are 4-6 and have lost three in a row. Having said that, the Cougars share the same abysmal record and have lost six straight games. Yikes. This is a Friday night game on FS1, which doesn’t bode well for ratings. The Vibes are telling me that the Buffs are desperate enough for the additional attention a post-season appearance brings, so they’ll be motivated to become bowl eligible.
My Pick: Colorado
North Carolina at Clemson (-6.5)
It hasn’t been a great year for the 6-4 Tigers, but they’ve won two in a row and would love to finish strong, building momentum for the future in the process. Meanwhile, the 8-2 Tar Heels hit a snag with two close losses at the end of October, which essentially killed their conference title aspirations. Zach isn’t necessarily predicting an upset, but he foresees a close contest.
Zach’s Pick: North Carolina
Appalachian State at James Madison (-11.5)
ESPN will be on hand for Gameday, and as someone who graduated from a school that took the leap from 1-AA/FCS to playing in a Group of Five FBS conference I understand how much that means to these programs. The 6-4 Mountaineers aren’t going to win the Sun Belt or get to ten wins as had become fairly commonplace until last season, but they’d surely love to go bowling. Conversely, the undefeated Dukes have sparked a debate about an outdated NCAA rule that precludes them from post-season participation because this is only their second year at the FBS level. Meanwhile, last year a 5-7 team got a bowl bid, and nowadays players transfer more frequently than most people change underwear. Make it make sense. Anyway, I think the home crowd & all the hype will help the home team, but the points are just too much. JMU gets the victory, but they’ll win by 7-10 points.
My Pick: Appalachian St.
Oklahoma State (-7) at Houston
The 7-3 Cowboys still have an opportunity to get to the Big 12 title game, but questions remain after the beatdown they received last week at UCF. As for the 4-6 Cougars…well, it’s their first season in the conference, and they’ve proven they can hang despite their record. They need to win out to be bowl eligible. Zach doesn’t think that’s going to happen though, predicting the favorites to grind out a hard fought victory.
Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma St.
Kansas State (-7.5) at Kansas
The Battle of Kansas is normally more interesting on the basketball court, but with both teams at 7-3 and not mathematically out of the Big 12 title hunt this could be a fascinating game. You may recall that I had high hopes for the Wildcats, but losing at Missouri back in September squashed those expectations. They did push Texas to triple OT a couple weeks ago before losing, which deserves a tip o’ the cap. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks came out of the gate strong but have rode the roller coaster the last two months. It’s a 7pm kickoff on Saturday night and a chance for the folks at FS1 to present a better game than the night before. I won’t be watching because I have plans, but I think the home team gets it done, or atleast stays really close the whole way.
My Pick: Kansas
Cincinnati at Baltimore (-3)
The AFC North is very much up for grabs, with the 5-4 Bengals battling back into contention after a rough start. The 7-3 Ravens are a confusing team, occasionally looking like the championship contenders that the talking heads promote them as being, but sometimes snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. That’s exactly what Zach thinks will happen, with Joe Burrow leading Cincy to a big win on the last possession of the game.
Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati
NY Giants at Washington (-10)
The Giants season has been torpedoed by injuries. At 2-8 they’re in the running to snag the top pick in April’s NFL Draft, which could force them to ponder whether or not QB Daniel Jones, currently on the shelf with a torn ACL, is really their guy. The 4-6 Commanders have shown occasional signs of life, but they could find themselves in the same boat, having to decide if QB Sam Howell is the future. As for this game, Washington isn’t a dominating enough team to beat anyone by double digits.
My Pick: NY Giants
NY Jets at Buffalo (-7)
What’s up with the Bills?? They’ve lost 3 out of the last four games and just fired their offensive coordinator (while Steelers fans everywhere shake our heads in amazement). The Jets have shown potential but are inconsistent. Neither team is out of division title contention, but they need to shape up rather quickly or Miami will win the AFC East easily. Zach has lost faith in Buffalo and thinks they’d be fortunate to win at all, but if it happens it’ll be by the skin of their teeth.
Zach’s Pick: NY Jets
Philadelphia at Kansas City (-3)
Is it a Super Bowl preview?? Possibly. Both teams should be rested & healthy follow a bye week, and the viewers of Monday Night Football will reap the rewards. The 8-1 Eagles haven’t blown anyone out, but perhaps that’s because they’ve known how good they are and haven’t needed to exert maximum effort. The Chiefs are 7-2 and will cruise to their eighth consecutive division title, but they’ve shown chinks in the armor. Whichever team establishes a ground game, dominates time of possession, and plays better defense will be victorious, and I believe the visiting underdogs are up to the task.
Both of us were 3-2 last week, so nothing really changes there. The schedule is pretty stacked this weekend so we’re doing a double dose of picks. We are halfway thru the NFL season and in the home stretch with college football, which keeps things interesting as far as trying not to be repetitive. However, good teams & great matchups are what they are, so if we tend to focus on certain teams while ignoring others it is unintentional yet oftentimes unavoidable.
My Season: 38-25
Zach’s Season: 31-32
Michigan (-5.5) at Penn State
The undefeated Wolverines are battling for a playoff berth, while the 8-1 Nittany Lions still have an outside shot at playing for the Big Ten title. This is a Noon kickoff on Fox, which is a little odd, but it also means we get the broadcast team of Gus Johnson & Joel Klatt, who have become my favorite duo. The home field makes me skittish, but Michigan has dominated the rivalry in recent years, having beaten the home underdogs in six of their last nine battles. It’ll be fun for awhile, but I think the favorites grind it out for three & a half quarters before pulling away with a comfortable victory. Zach believes the time has come for his Wolverines, that this is the season they’ve been waiting for the past couple of decades. He has thought Penn St. overrated the entire season and forsees a huge win for his guys on the road.
My Pick: Michigan
Zach’s Pick: Michigan
Auburn at Arkansas (-3)
The 5-4 Tigers & the 3-6 Razorbacks have become afterthoughts in the SEC. Auburn needs a win to become bowl eligible, while Arkansas needs a win for a bit of self-respect. I’m a little surprised that Arkansas is favored, and I think the oddsmakers may have gotten it wrong. Zach agrees, predicting that the visitors will score a late touchdown for the win.
My Pick: Auburn
Zach’s Pick: Auburn
Miami (FL) at Florida State (-14.5)
This was one of the fiercest rivalries in the country a few decades ago, but it’s been a rough road for both programs in recent years. Both have shown signs of life here & there, though usually not at the same time. The ‘Canes are 6-3 but really have nothing to play for except pride and a more lucrative bowl invitation. Conversely, the unbeaten Seminoles can secure a playoff berth if they just keep winning. I’d be shocked if they lose, but can they cover on their turf?? Ultimately I foresee the favorites winning by 10-13 points, which they’ll be happy with but certain parties won’t like. Zach thinks State’s offensive firepower is just too much.
My Pick: Miami (FL)
Zach’s Pick: Florida St.
Mississippi at Georgia (-11.5)
The Bulldogs are still winning every game, but it doesn’t seem like they’re as dominant as we’ve all come to expect. Perhaps they are bored. If that’s the case they’ll need to kick it up a notch because the 8-1 Rebels have big plans that begin with pulling off an upset. Do I think that will happen?? No, not in the cozy confines of Athens, GA. That being said, I don’t believe the home team wins by more than ten points. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Ole Miss
Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss
Utah at Washington (-9.5)
Coulda, woulda, shoulda. It could have been a great matchup if the 7-2 Utes had their starting QB and hadn’t gotten smoked by both Oregon teams. They can still end up with a nice season and play in the Sun Bowl or Alamo Bowl, but a third consecutive PAC 12 title isn’t going to happen. Conversely, the 9-0 Huskies have a playoff berth on the horizon if they win out. I think it’ll be a decent game, but Washington is just too good and they’re not going to let their foot off the gas now. Zach isn’t totally sold on Washington as a playoff contender, but he thinks they’ll win this game.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
Southern California at Oregon (-14.5)
While QB Caleb Williams snuggles his Mommy and plans a future as an NFL owner his Trojans have lost three of their last four games. Meanwhile, the 8-1 Ducks still have conference title and playoff aspirations. Oregon QB Bo Nix is my Heisman favorite and this is a fantastic opportunity to grab the attention of voters. It’s a 10:30pm kickoff on Fox, which I freakin’ love. Man those points scare me though!! When was the last time USC was a two TD underdog?? The folks in Eugene better show up & show out because their team needs them on Saturday night. The points are just too much for Zach. He likes Oregon to win, but believes it’ll be closer than two TDs.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: USC
Indianapolis (-1.5) at New England
In the preseason I opined that I was hesitant to stick a fork in the Patriots, but at 2-7 they’re even worse than I anticipated, which brings me no small amount of joy. At 4-5 the Colts aren’t that much better, but losing a starting QB does tend to affect a team negatively. We’re really setting new precedents this week, as I have to think that the Pats being underdogs in Foxboro has been rare the past couple of decades. It’ll probably be an ugly game, but somebody has to win, and I think that’ll be the visiting favorites in a low scoring slugfest that everyone will want to forget as quickly as possible. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Indianapolis
Zach’s Pick: Indianapolis
Houston at Cincinnati (-7.5)
The 5-3 Bengals have won three in a row after a rough start and seem to be hitting their stride in a wide open AFC North. The 4-4 Texans have shown flashes of potential just as I predicted. I’ll be much more interested in this matchup in a couple of years, but right now Cincy is clearly the better team. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Cincinnati
Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati
San Francisco (-2.5) at Jacksonville
Lather, rinse, repeat. Much like Houston, the 6-2 Jags look to be a team with a bright future, but they’re not quite there just yet. They’ll likely win a weak division then get bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Conversely, the 5-3 Niners had been, until recently, one of the more complete teams in the league, and anything short of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy will be a disappointment. Having said that, we cannot overlook the fact that they’ve lost three straight games. Why?? It’d be easy to blame QB Brock Purdy, and it’s a valid point. Don’t ever forget that he was Mr. Irrelevant and had eight signal callers chosen ahead of him, including Chris Oladokun & Skylar Thompson. Perhaps Purdy has been exposed. However, I actually think defense is a bigger issue and one that can be fixed rapidly, especially when you add a piece like recently acquired defensive end Chase Young. Call me delusional, but I still believe ‘Frisco is the better team and will dig deep to score a vital road victory. Zach forsees San Francisco relying heavily on their rushing attack to get an important win.
My Pick: San Francisco
Zach’s Pick: San Francisco
Washington at Seattle (-6)
If the 49ers continue to fold like a cheap suit the 5-3 Seahawks will be more than happy to take the division. I told y’all a few months ago that the NFC West would be hotly contested, and that might prove to be accurate if things continue down the current path. However, let’s not shortchange the 4-5 Commanders, who could easily be a couple of games better had the ball bounced just a bit differently. They will likely end up being as mediocre as I thought they’d be, but they’re a gritty team that doesn’t go down easily. I think the home field is too much to overcome, and Seattle will cover…but it won’t be a blowout. Zach doesn’t think it’ll be particularly competitive and agrees that Seattle is the better team.
According to the CFP Committee Ohio St. is now #1, which probably doesn’t sit well with the folks down in Georgia. I’ve always believed in the philosophy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair: to be The Man you’ve got to beat The Man. I didn’t see the show, but I assume the powers-that-be may have watched the Bulldogs let Auburn hang around awhile several weeks ago and also got all tingly watching the Buckeyes beat Penn St. Whatever the details, I’m sure they somehow justified their decision to the talking heads. None of it really matters at this point, although the playoff picture is slowly coming into focus. At any rate, I was 4-1 last week, while Zach was 3-2. There are some potentially important matchups this week, atleast on paper. Hopefully they’ll live up to expectations. We’ll see.
My Season: 35-23
Zach’s Season: 28-30
Notre Dame (-3) at Clemson
What in the hell has happened to the Tigers?? I didn’t expect that they’d compete for a playoff spot this season, but neither did I forsee them entering November at 4-4 with back-to-back losses, including one to NC St. Meanwhile, the 7-2 Irish might still be thinking months from now how an inexplicable loss to Louisville cost them a playoff opportunity. Neither team is elite, but both are still good enough to draw interest. Can the negative energy be galvanized by Dabo Swinney into enough motivation to pull off an upset?? How crazy is it that Clemson winning a game at home would be an upset?? Zach thinks that Coach Swinney has perhaps lost a bit of his team, but doesn’t believe it’s a long term problem. He agrees that we’ll see just enough of that old magic emerge for an upset to occur.
My Pick: Clemson
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Oklahoma (-6) at Oklahoma State
Is this the last hurrah for Bedlam?? The 7-1 Sooners will be moving to the SEC next year because the NCAA clearly doesn’t give a damn about tradition & common sense anymore. Will the 6-2 Cowboys view it as a final opportunity for bragging rights?? The visiting favorites got outyanked at Kansas last week, while the home underdogs are riding a four game winning streak. This will be an emotional back & forth battle, and I think we’ll see a surprising result. Conversely, Zach thinks the Sooners will be ticked off after getting beat a week ago and will take out their frustration on their in-state rival.
My Pick: Oklahoma St.
Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma
Washington (-3.5) at Southern California
Let’s be honest…other than beating Oregon at home the undefeated Huskies haven’t really been challenged. As a matter of fact, it has occasionally felt like they’ve played down to the level of their competition in games that were closer than expected. Conversely, the 7-2 Trojans have come up short in two huge games that they probably should’ve won. It just seems like certain parties at USC aren’t “all in” and might be focused on other things. I think the underdogs will give it all they’ve got, but the visitors are so close to securing a playoff berth I don’t believe they’ll get caught by surprise…atleast not this week. Zach thinks we’re in for a shootout…first team to 60 wins!!
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
LSU at Alabama (-3)
Does this battle have as much cachet as it used to?? Maybe not. However, the 6-2 Bayou Bengals have won three in a row, while the 7-1 Tide is just sitting there in the Top 10 waiting for a couple of dominoes to fall so they can claim the playoff berth they believe is owed them. Both teams are coming out of a bye week, so they should be well-rested & healthy. ‘Bama gets the requisite home field bump, but I smell an upset and a changing of the guard at the top of the SEC West. Zach forsees another low scoring defensive battle, which is kind of the norm in this rivalry. He’s a Coach Saban fanboy almost as much as he loves Michigan.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: Alabama
Miami vs. Kansas City (-2.5)
For the first time ever the NFL is playing a game in Germany. It’s a 9:30am kickoff on NFL Network here in The States, with a matchup worthy of getting out of bed to watch. Some folks are seeing chinks in the armor of the 6-2 Chiefs, which is understandable given a surprising loss at Denver last week. Meanwhile, the prolific Miami offense has scored less than 31 points in only one game thus far. At 6-2 the Dolphins lead their division but can’t afford to ease up now. Most fans are likely expecting or atleast hoping for a shootout that’ll pad the fantasy numbers of countless couch GMs across the country. That would indeed be fun to watch, but every time that kind of game looks to be on the horizon it rarely seems to actually happen. We’ll probably see a 28-24 type of game, with penalties & turnovers playing a factor. Reports of KC’s demise are far too premature, but right now I think Miami is the hotter team. Zach concurs.
First of all, I am making an unprecedented executive decision. Zach & I both chose Penn St. to atleast cover the 7 & a half point spread against Ohio St. The Nittany Lions scored a touchdown with 29 seconds left to draw within eight points. At that point they decided to go for a two point conversion that failed. They were going to need to recover an onside kick to have a chance, which didn’t work out. Had that been successful they would have needed a touchdown & extra point to win. However, if they would’ve simply kicked the extra point with 29 seconds remaining they would’ve needed that same thing, only for a tie & to force overtime. Essentially going for two only served to screw anyone for whom that one point (really a half point) might’ve been important. Since we do not promote gambling here 😉, have no money on the line, and both of us had the same pick, I am rewarding us with a win. At the end of the day that means I was 4-1, while Zach was 2-3. Let’s see what we can do this week.
My Season: 31-22
Zach’s Season: 25-28
Oregon (-7) at Utah
The 6-1 Utes got a rather significant victory over USC last weekend, while the 6-1 Ducks rebounded nicely from their only loss of the season. Both teams are still in the thick of the PAC 12 title hunt, with Utah getting an opportunity in a few weeks to do what Oregon couldn’t do – defeat Washington. As for this game, ESPN’s Gameday will be on site, adding a layer of excitement & relevance, as if a Top 15 matchup needed extra juice. Before the season I had Oregon ranked 20th & Utah 11th, but that was contingent upon the leadership of QB Cameron Rising. Unfortunately the young man’s recovery from a knee injury has been slower than expected and he’s going to be redshirted. Obviously the home underdogs in this matchup have fared just fine without him, but in a game of this caliber I simply have more confidence in the visiting team’s signal caller, Bo Nix. Zach forsees a shootout, but also has more confidence in Oregon’s offense.
My Pick: Oregon
Zach’s Pick: Oregon
Georgia (-14.5) vs. Florida
It’s a “neutral site” game in Jacksonville, which is about 275 miles closer to Gainesville, FL than Athens, GA. The Bulldogs have been in a couple of competitive games but remain unbeaten, while the Gators are 5-2 and still riding the roller coaster. Is it a trap game for the defending National Champions?? Is the Florida-Georgia line a bit too much?? I say no to both questions. Zach doesn’t believe Georgia is as good as they were the past couple of years, and points out that the absence of tight end Brock Bowers is significant. At the end of the day he thinks they’ll snag another win, but believes Florida will keep it close.
My Pick: Georgia
Zach’s Pick: Florida
NY Jets (-3) vs. NY Giants
It’s the Battle of New York…or New Jersey. Either way, there is no home field advantage. Credit to the Jets for not folding like a cheap suit after Aaron Rodgers went down with an injury less than a minute into the season. At 3-3 they are atleast remaining respectable, although I don’t believe they’ll be a playoff team. Conversely, even though they’ve only won one less game, it already feels like a lost season for the 2-5 Giants. I don’t believe it’ll be a particularly compelling matchup, with the Jets winning by a touchdown. Zach concurs, opining that the game will likely be a snoozefest.
My Pick: NY Jets
Zach’s Pick: NY Jets
Baltimore (-8.5) at Arizona
The 5-2 Ravens lead their division, but have a very small margin of error. The 1-6 Cards may be getting QB Kyler Murray back soon, but not quite yet. Even when that happens I’m not sure it’ll make much of a difference. I thought a few months ago that they’d improve upon last season’s abysmal 4-13 record, but now I’m not confident they’ll reach that goal. As much as I’d love to see Baltimore lose I don’t think that’s what’ll happen. Zach predicts an epic five TD beat down.
My Pick: Baltimore
Zach’s Pick: Baltimore
Las Vegas at Detroit (-8.5)
It seems like some folks might be ready to jump off the Detroit bandwagon after they had their ass handed to them last week, but not me. They still hold a comfortable lead in their division, and we can’t forget the season opening upset of KC. Conversely, the 3-4 Raiders are going nowhere fast. This is Josh McDaniels’ second head coaching gig, and it’s clear that he’s a much better offensive coordinator. In my mind the only question about Monday night is whether or not the Lions will go full throttle enough to cover the points, and ultimately I believe they will. Zach has no hesitation in predicting the home team will win easily.
First things first…last week was atrocious. The less said about it the better. I did flippantly opine that I was about to self destruct with bonus picks, and that’s exactly what happened. I was 1-7, with Zach besting me at 2-6. He cut into my season lead by a game, but fell under .500 in the process. So now we move forward, hopefully with better results.
My Season: 27-21
Zach’s Season: 23-25
Penn State at Ohio State (-7.5)
It’s the current biggest, most important game of all time (until next week probably). The undefeated Buckeyes are ranked #3 in the country, while the unbeaten Nittany Lions are #7. Not only will the victor keep pace with Michigan in the Big Ten, but one can assume the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention, at least for now. I think the underdogs have played a slightly more challenging schedule, and they have two shutouts. No opponent has scored more than 15 points. The home team has held three opponents to single digits and not allowed more than 17 points. I expect a relatively low scoring contest…something like 19-13. I don’t know who will emerge victorious, but they won’t win by more than a touchdown. Zach has an irrational dislike for the entire state of Ohio. However, he also has little faith in Penn St. Coach James Franklin’s ability to win big games. He thinks Penn St. has been a bit overrated, but believes they’ll keep it close in a higher scoring affair than I’m predicting.
My Pick: Penn St.
Zach’s Pick: Penn St.
TCU at Kansas State (-7.5)
Clearly the 4-3 Horned Frogs aren’t going to match last season’s success, and the 4-2 Wildcats aren’t going to meet my lofty day expectations. It’s too early to know if either team can snag a spot in the Big 12 title game. None of that means we can’t enjoy an entertaining game Saturday night. I tend to stick with my preseason picks until I absolutely can’t, so that and the home field are enough to tip the scales toward the favorites. Zach isn’t as disappointed in TCU as some may be because he understands the amount of talent they lost. Having said that, he describes K-St. as “wishy-washy” and doesn’t think they can cover.
My Pick: Kansas St.
Zach’s Pick: TCU
Clemson (-10) at Miami (FL)
The 4-2 Tigers may not be elite like they have been the past decade+, but they’d still love to get to double digit victories for the 13th consecutive season. Competing for the ACC title is probably too much to ask, but if they win out anything is possible. Conversely, the 4-2 Hurricanes are looking for their first conference win, and they’ve lost two straight games. Of course they should’ve won one of those if it weren’t for one of the more boneheaded coaching decisions of all time. The ‘Canes do have the home field, and I just don’t like the points at all. It’s entirely possible that the favorites will prove me wrong and stomp a mud hole in their opponents, but I’m predicting it’ll be slightly more competitive. Zach forsees a low scoring game, with the team having less penalties coming out on top.
My Pick: Miami (FL)
Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)
Miami at Philadelphia (-2.5)
It’s the Sunday night game and I’m probably going to miss most of it (I do grace polite society with my presence occasionally). The Eagles are no longer unbeaten after an inexplicable loss to the Jets, while the 5-1 Dolphins are averaging 37 points/game. I’m sure the folks at NBC are hoping for a high scoring shootout chock full of exciting plays, but life has taught me that when those are the expectations somehow defense ends up asserting itself and fans experience a letdown. I think Philly’s defense is superior, plus they have the home field, so look for something like a 27-21 game decided by turnovers & penalties. Zach is onboard with the TV suits, predicting “the highest scoring NFL game in a decade” (FYI, it would need to outduel a 54-51 defeat of the Chiefs by the Rams in 2018), and he likes Miami to get the upset.
My Pick: Philadelphia
Zach’s Pick: Miami
San Francisco (-7.5) at Minnesota
Okay, first of all I totally misjudged ‘Frisco in the preseason. Whether QB Brock Purdy is legit or simply benefits from top notch talent surrounding him is a debate I’ll leave to the talking heads, but he is firmly entrenched as the 49ers’ quarterback and it’s working out just fine. They too suffered a baffling loss last week though, and must rebound on the road. The 2-4 Vikings just haven’t gotten it together this year, and certainly miss star WR Justin Jefferson, who is out with a hamstring injury. They have the home field, but is that enough to make this game worth watching on Monday night?? Probably not. Barring some kind of unforeseen catastrophe the Niners should win comfortably. Zach concurs
The Manofesto 