college football playoff

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 8

So I’m watching College Gameday on Saturday morning, only half paying attention, when they show very brief highlights of Oklahoma St. upsetting Kansas St. Not only did the result surprise me, but the fact that the game was over caught my attention since I had very specifically indicated in this space that it was a prime time game on Saturday. It turns out the game was played Friday night. I usually don’t make those kind of mistakes. Oops. At any rate, I lengthened my season lead just enough to get a little cocky, which means I’m about to self-destruct with bonus picks. It’s the circle of life.

My Season: 26-14

Zach’s Season: 21-19

Fresno State (-7) at Utah State

I had Fresno in my preseason poll, and at 5-1 they’re on track to meet expectations. Having said that, the Bulldogs are also looking to rebound from their first loss last weekend. Conversely, it’s been quite a roller coaster for the 3-3 Aggies, but atleast they have the home field. It’s a Friday night game that I might check out. I’m rolling with the favorites to earn a hard fought victory & just barely cover the points. Zach foresees State controlling the game on the ground early on, but Fresno coming alive late to score a double digit win.

My Pick: Fresno St.

Zach’s Pick: Fresno St.

Oregon at Washington (-1.5)

It’s the marquee matchup of the weekend. Even ESPN thinks so. Both teams are unbeaten and ranked in the Top 10, with the winner likely vaulting themselves into serious playoff position. Quarterbacks Bo Nix & Michael Penix will get all of the attention, but the true X Factor will be defense. Which defensive unit will slow down the opposing QB?? The Ducks have given up more than ten points just once, while the Huskies have held their opponents to single digits only once. I think it’ll be an instant classic, with the underdogs scoring a close upset, perhaps with a game winning field goal. Zach expects a high scoring game, with the deciding factor being whoever possesses the ball last. He believes that’ll be Oregon.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

Texas A&M at Tennessee (-3.5)

The 4-2 Aggies need to rebound from yet another loss to Alabama, a team they’ve only beaten once in the past decade. Meanwhile, the 4-1 Volunteers have comfortably won their last two games. Rocky Top is a formidable home field, and I just don’t think A&M is good enough to overcome it. Conversely, Zach thinks A&M’s defense will rise up to make a late stop and secure a big upset.

My Pick: Tennessee

Zach’s Pick: Texas A&M

Auburn at LSU (-17)

Auburn is 3-2 after feeding on their out-of-conference schedule before going down in flames in the first two SEC contests. However, they are coming off of a bye week. The 4-2 Bayou Bengals are completely unpredictable. They’re one of only two 2-loss teams in the Top 25, but the other one is Notre Dame, who tumbled from the Top Ten after losing to Louisville. Here’s how I see it going down. It’s a back & forth battle all night long, with the underdogs having a legit opportunity to win. However, 100k+ fans in Death Valley in prime time is just too much, so the home team does just enough to score a nail biting victory…but they don’t cover the points. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Auburn

Zach’s Pick: Auburn

Iowa at Wisconsin (-4.5)

Wrasslin’ announcer Jim Ross would call it a slobberknocker. The 5-1 Hawkeyes haven’t allowed more than 16 points in any game, while the 4-1 Badgers have only been marginally more generous. I’d take the under on this one, and look for the home team to barely cover in a fairly close victory. Zach believes it’ll be even closer than that.

My Pick: Wisconsin

Zach’s Pick: Iowa

Southern California (-1) at Notre Dame

The Irish have lost two out of three and could fall out of the rankings with another defeat. Obviously they won’t be in playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Trojans are just barely undefeated after Arizona took them to three overtimes last week. The oddsmakers have essentially made it a pick ‘em largely based on the mystique of playing in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus, but since my Marshall Thundering Herd marched into South Bend a year ago and left with an enormous victory I’m not all that impressed by this particular home field. It’s a rivalry game & the talking heads will sell the heck out of it, but I don’t believe it’ll be particularly close. Zach thinks it will actually be a competitive game, but ultimately the favorites will get the job done.

My Pick: USC

Zach’s Pick: USC

Philadelphia (-6.5) at NY Jets

I apologize for sounding like a broken record, but this game would’ve been much more compelling with Aaron Rodgers under center for the Jets. At 2-3 the home team looks to simply be treading water. They won’t outduel the Dolphins or Bills for the division title, and there’s too much talent in the AFC to hope for a wildcard. A winning record of 9-8 would be a moral victory for the Jets, but I wouldn’t even count on that. Conversely, the undefeated Eagles are firing on all cylinders. There’s no doubt they’ll win their division, but have their eyes on a much bigger prize. Do I think they’ll finish unbeaten?? No. However, I don’t feel like Philly is a team prone to looking past opponents they are supposed to beat and getting caught in a classic “trap game”. They’ll take care of business then move forward. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia

Dallas (-2) at LA Chargers

Okay, so my prediction that the Cowboys would finish 8-9 & head coach Mike McCarthy might be fired by Halloween may have been a bit overzealous. However, the idea that they’ll once again fall far short of lofty preseason expectations by so many others still holds water. I almost feel a skosh of sympathy for their tremendous defense that is forced to trot back out on the field every couple of minutes after yet another miscue by QB Dak Prescott, who is average at best. The 2-2 Chargers have the opposite issue. Their offense is on the verge of being elite, especially if they could overcome injuries, but the defense failed to slam the door shut on opponents the first couple of games. This is the Monday night contest and the home team is coming out of their bye week. It’s an insult that they aren’t favored, and I believe they will be out to prove a point. ‘Frisco showed that the Dallas defense can be scored on, so if the Chargers’ coaching staff is smart they’ll copy that blueprint. Zach knows that Dallas has been overrated, but feels like they’ll get the job done.

My Pick: LA Chargers

Zach’s Pick: Dallas

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 7

Greetings football fans. Hey, it’s my birthday!! Sadly, writing this lil ditty is about as exciting as my day will get, and that’s okay. At any rate, both of us had another mediocre week. I still can’t believe Georgia didn’t cover, and there are no words to explain what the hell happened to our Steelers. But, as Ferris Bueller once stated, life moves pretty fast. It’s time to focus on another weekend of gridiron action, and so we move forward.

My Season: 23-12

Zach’s Season: 20-15

Kansas State (-11.5) at Oklahoma State

We’re leaning heavily into the Big 12 this week, starting with a team I had high hopes for in the preseason. At 3-1, with only a close loss to Missouri blemishing their record, the Wildcats still have an opportunity to meet my lofty expectations. Conversely, the 2-2 Cowboys have lost two in a row and need to stop their downward spiral immediately. This is the prime time Saturday night game on ESPN, so someone somewhere must believe it’ll be fun to watch. The points concern me a little bit because I’m not sure the favorites are as elite as I’d hoped while the underdogs probably aren’t as terrible as the numbers might indicate. Having said that, anyone who has followed us here thru the years knows that I’m loyal to my preseason opinions until they’re proven wrong, so I’m riding with K-State to validate my prognostication with a statement victory. Zach isn’t impressed by either team but thinks the favorites have a more balanced attack that will lead to a comfortable win.

My Pick: Kansas St.

Zach’s Pick: Kansas St.

Texas Tech at Baylor (-1.5)

At 2-3 the Red Raiders look like fighting for bowl eligibility might be their ceiling. Ditto for the 2-3 Bears, who won 12 games & beat Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl just a couple of seasons ago. This feels like a pivotal game that could right the ship of the winner while tossing the loser deeper into the abyss. I have no idea what to expect and usually factor the home field rather heavily into these kinds of decisions, but The Vibes are gently nudging me toward Tech. Zach likes Baylor’s toughness to make the difference in a high scoring affair decided deep into the 4th quarter.

My Pick: Texas Tech

Zach’s Pick: Baylor

Oklahoma vs. Texas (-6.5)

I still call it the Red River Shootout even if the sports media has become too woke to do so. It’s the last time they’ll meet as Big 12 rivals, but unlike so many other great traditions that have been destroyed by conference realignment these teams will continue to battle annually as members of the SEC. After last season’s 6-7 abomination I had no expectations of the Sooners, but thus far they’re 5-0 & proving me wrong. I did have a reasonably high opinion of the Longhorns, but at 5-0 & ranked in the Top 5 they’ve outdone themselves. It’s a neutral site contest at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, with a Noon kickoff. It feels like Texas has much more at stake, with a possible playoff berth in their future if all goes well. Oklahoma looks to have too many obstacles in their path to work themselves into playoff contention, but ruining their opponent’s opportunity would be sweet. I’m looking forward to a real dandy, and think the favorites have enough firepower to win by a touchdown. Zach believes the total points may end up close to 100, with the underdogs scoring a mildly surprising upset.

My Pick: Texas

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma

Jacksonville vs. Buffalo (-5.5)

I expected both teams to be playoff contenders, but so far I’ve been underwhelmed. I thought the 2-2 Jags would be the bandwagon everyone would jump on, but they lost a game & that spot to the Houston Texans. Similarly, the 3-1 Bills are atop their division, but share the lead with the Miami Dolphins, who have received a lot more buzz. This is a 9:30am kickoff in London on the NFL Network, the second consecutive week for Jacksonville in Merry Old England (they beat Atlanta last Sunday). That gives them a slight advantage in my mind, assuming they just stayed overseas instead of flying back & forth across the pond again. It would be an attention grabbing upset, and possible changing of the guard in the AFC. Zach thinks Buffalo has figured things out after a sluggish beginning to their season.

My Pick: Jacksonville

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

New Orleans at New England (-1.5)

I feel like this is a must-win for both teams. The 2-2 Saints came out of the gate strong before dropping two straight. Injuries have been an issue. The 1-3 Patriots have folks questioning the perceived genius of allegedly one of the greatest coaches of all time. I could’ve told you years ago that was poppycock, but they kept winning Super Bowls by any means necessary. Witnessing New England’s implosion is delicious fun, and I wouldn’t mind seeing N’Awlins beat them by triple digits. Unfortunately the visitors aren’t that good. Are they good enough to squeak by in a close contest though?? I hope so. Conversely, Zach doesn’t thing Darth Belichick will lose two games in a row. He foresees them taking pressure off whoever starts at QB by establishing a strong running game.

My Pick: New Orleans

Zach’s Pick: New England

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 6

At this point we’re starting to separate the contenders from the pretenders, especially in college. As conference games begin to dominate the schedule and divisional battles in the NFL heat up the bigger picture will come into focus. Having said that, it’s way too soon to get cocky if you’re favorite team(s) have gotten off to a hot start, and much too early to give up if they’ve stumbled a bit. Both of us were 5-2 last weekend, which is pretty great, but now the real fun begins.

My Season: 20-10

Zach’s Season: 18-12

Cincinnati at BYU (-2.5)

I had to double check to see if both teams had already joined the Big 12 or if that was happening next year. Conference realignment is such bullsquat. Anyway, both did join the conference this season, and right now the 3-1 Cougars have a slight edge over the 2-2 Bearcats. In general I feel like Cincy gets way too much credit for the one year they were really good and somehow snuck into the playoff before being owned by Alabama. Conversely, BYU has a much longer tradition of being a very solid high level program. This is a late Friday night kickoff on ESPN, and I think the home field holds serve, with the favorites covering in a tight contest. Zach foresees a high scoring affair with the home team scoring late to secure the victory.

My Pick: BYU

Zach’s Pick: BYU

Texas A&M (-6.5) vs. Arkansas

So far Jimbo Fisher’s team is on pace to vastly improve on last season’s horrific record, but the job is far from finished. This is a neutral site game at the Palace in Dallas, with a Noon kickoff on the SEC Network. The 2-2 Razorbacks have lost two consecutive games and would love to stop any potential free fall. They are the sort of team that wins 7-9 games in good years while never being in the conference title or CFP conversation, but seem to always play one really great game, upsetting an opponent they weren’t supposed to beat. Will that happen against A&M?? I don’t think so. Conversely, Zach believes Arkansas’ secret weapon is their strength & conditioning program and thinks that’ll be a factor in upsetting an A&M team that’s really not that good.

My Pick: Texas A&M

Zach’s Pick: Arkansas

Georgia (-14.5) at Auburn

Auburn hasn’t beaten Georgia since 2017 when the Bulldogs subsequently avenged that defeat by beating the Tigers in the SEC title game. The favorites are 4-0 and have scored 45+ points in three of those games. Meanwhile, the home team is 3-1 but just got shellacked at Texas A&M. I would love to see a really fun, competitive game Saturday afternoon, but I don’t think that’ll happen. Zach doesn’t believe Georgia is as dominant as they’ve been the last couple of years and thinks they’ll get off to a slow start. Ultimately though, he sees them pulling away late for a big win.

My Pick: Georgia

Zach’s Pick: Georgia

Pittsburgh (-3) at Houston

We normally don’t pick Steelers games because both Zach & I are honest about our bias. I’ve been cheering for the black & gold since the days of Terry Bradshaw & The Steel Curtain. Zach is much younger but grew up rooting for Hines Ward, Big Ben, & Troy Polamalu. We are well aware that our team is in a struggle phase at the moment and trust me…we have lots of opinions. Having said that, I’m confident the favorites will get the job done on the road. The Texans are trending upward and will be a legit playoff contender in a year or two, but I don’t believe they’re there quite yet. Rookie quarterback CJ Stroud looks like he’ll be good down the road, but this weekend I think the Steelers defense will eat him alive. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Pittsburgh

Zach’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Seattle at NY Giants (1.5)

I’m not sure what to make of this one. On one hand, it’s normal that the 1-2 Giants would get the home field bump, but it’s only half of what it would normally be, which is showing respect toward Seattle. However, the mere fact that the 2-1 Seahawks aren’t favored at all seems disrespectful to me. I’ve watched both teams play, and I think Seattle is flat out a better team. I believe they’ll win, and it won’t be particularly close. Zach has a very low opinion of the Giants and agrees that the visiting underdogs will win big on Monday night.

My Pick: Seattle

Zach’s Pick: Seattle

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 5

As a Steelers fan I’m still trying to wrap my head around what the hell I watched Monday night. Never has a win felt more like a loss. As a fantasy owner I am juggling a half dozen teams with various injuries & underperforming players who I can’t give away in trades. All of this while I just kicked Covid’s ass for the third time. It’s no fun, but even my healthcare provider said “it’s really not a big deal anymore”, so I thank God every day I didn’t bow to the pressure to receive a useless “vaccine” that is more dangerous than the disease it is supposed to treat. Anyway, Zach has drawn a little closer overall, and we’re both still above water. Hopefully doing a few bonus picks won’t turn out to be a bad idea.

My Season: 15-8

Zach’s Season: 13-10

Florida State (-2) at Clemson

My my how the turn tables. The Seminoles haven’t won this matchup since 2014, but now they visit Death Valley as slight road favorites. The Tigers are 2-1, though no one is putting much stock in two easy victories, instead choosing to dwell on the season opening loss at Duke. Florida St. is 3-0 and getting a lot of love for their season opening destruction of LSU. I’ve always liked Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, who seems like a genuinely decent man. Now we’re going to find out just how good of a coach he is, regardless of the final score. This is a Noon kickoff instead of prime time, which speaks volumes. After six straight playoff appearances Clemson has been in a downward cycle for the past couple of years, and that’s okay. It happens. Conversely, after being one of the dominant forces in college football throughout the 90s Florida St. had some lean years and now appears to be highly competitive once more. It’s the circle of life. The wheel of fortune. Zach is taking a leap of faith on Coach Swinney, believing he’ll have his team ready to find their place on the path unwinding.

My Pick: Florida St.

Zach’s Pick: Clemson

Colorado at Oregon (-21)

Play time is over. Upsetting TCU was cool, even if it was more perception based on last season. Throttling Nebraska was nostalgic. Defeating Colorado St. in two OTs was thrilling and everything a rivalry game should be…hell, everything college football once was until greed chipped away at it like a woodpecker on a maple tree. Now though…now we find out if the Buffs are the real deal. The Ducks are 3-0 and have made it look relatively easy. We cannot overlook the fact that it is a conference battle, and the two top teams will ultimately meet for the PAC 12 title, making this a pretty important game. Coach Prime has won me over with his cool demeanor, hype skills, & genuine belief in his team. However, I think they will struggle to be .500 the rest of the way. Oregon might not be a playoff team, but they are a legit Top 10 threat. Zach concurs. He foresees the favorites winning quite emphatically.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

UCLA at Utah (-4.5)

The 3-0 Utes have become the forgotten team in the PAC 12, which is probably fine with them at the moment. The season opening victory over Florida looks better every day, and QB Cameron Rising could finally be ready to play after missing the first few games while still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the Rose Bowl. Meanwhile, the Bruins are also 3-0, although their schedule has hardly been…noteworthy. This could be one of the best games of the day on Saturday, and I believe it’ll be super close. Decided by a field goal close. Zach also thinks it’ll be close, but ultimately sees Utah being good enough.

My Pick: UCLA

Zach’s Pick: Utah

Ohio St. (-3.5) at Notre Dame

The Buckeyes are cruising along without a care in the world. Starting the season with three cupcakes will do that for you, but now they’ll need to snap on those chinstraps tight and be prepared to play football. Not only are the Fighting Irish also undefeated, but they have the home field. A win for either team legitimizes their success thus far & puts them squarely in the playoff debate. A loss doesn’t mean the season is over, but it likely ends any national title dreams. I think it’ll be a hard fought battle. Notre Dame will scratch & claw and look pretty good keeping up with their favored opponents. They’ll have opportunities to tie or even take a small lead…but it won’t happen. Ohio St. is just a little faster, a little deeper, and a little more athletic. Conversely, Zach thinks Ohio St.’s QB situation is a mess and predicts Notre Dame will defend their turf.

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame

LA Chargers at Minnesota (-1.5)

The Vikings just traded for (former) Rams’ running back Cam Akers because their rushing attack has been pathetic. I don’t know if Akers will be in the lineup Sunday, but after starting 0-2 there is some urgency there. The Chargers are also 0-2, but could just as easily be 2-0. It would certainly help to get RB Austin Ekeler back on the field, but he may miss another game. Neither of these teams has been getting blown out, they’ve just been missing…something…that causes them to fall just a bit short. Akers could be the missing piece for Minnesota, but I’d be surprised if we know that answer this week. The question for me is which defense does one trust more, and I think I have to lean toward the Chargers. Zach foresees a low scoring affair and agrees the underdogs will snag a mild upset.

My Pick: LA Chargers

Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers

Chicago at Kansas City (-13.5)

I listened with bemusement to talking heads hyping the Bears & QB Justin Fields in the preseason because I have the direct opposite opinions. Two games in & who looks good on the Bears/Fields front?? That’s right…me. Conversely, I am somewhat concerned about the Chiefs, although, to be fair, losing by one point to Detroit and being challenged mightily by the Jags aren’t reasons to hang heads in shame. For now I am blaming that overhyped harlot Taylor Swift for anything that goes wrong in KC. Will that include a loss to the Bears?? No…not even that twit has that much power. Will the home team cover?? That’s a whole different mediocre country pop song. I think it’ll be close. Gamblers nationwide will sweat as the outcome hangs in the balance heading into the 4th quarter. But then guys like Patrick Mahomes & Chris Jones will remember who the hell they are and lead their team to a two+ touchdown win. Zach has yet to be impressed by KC, but agrees that Chicago is terrible.

My Pick: Kansas City

Zach’s Pick: Kansas City

LA Rams at Cincinnati (-2.5)

The reason the Rams were able to trade Cam Akers is that 2022 5th round pick Kyren Williams out of Notre Dame has emerged as a legit NFL running back. If they can stay above water until receiver Cooper Kupp’s return in a few weeks the Rams might eventually prove that last year’s abysmal 5-12 finish was indeed an anomaly just one season after winning the Super Bowl. The team they beat in that Super Bowl was the Bengals, who did not fall flat on their face a season ago…they just lost the AFC title game. That being said, there does seem to be some concern about Cincy’s 0-2 start. They need a victory not only to quiet the whispers, but to keep pace with the Baltimore Ravens. I believe the Rams have potential to put it altogether, figure things out, and emerge with a better record than last year, but I think that’ll take some time and folks shouldn’t get too excited just yet. The home team has their back against the wall, which makes them dangerous. Zach thinks the fall of Joe Burrow will continue, with the Rams scoring an upset in overtime.

My Pick: Cincinnati

Zach’s Pick: LA Rams

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 4

The only thing that could push Deion Sanders off the front page of sports news sites is a season ending injury to Aaron Rodgers. That’s the bad news. Good news?? Well, after a week long standoff Disney & Spectrum reached an agreement, so I got my ESPN back just in time to watch the entirety of Rodgers’ much anticipated Jets’ career, which lasted all of four plays. Perhaps karma is punishing New Yorkers for the absolute nut jobs they elect to positions of power. Anyway, I had a great week, going 4-1, while Zach slipped a little, going 1-4. That being said, we’re both off to solid, above .500 starts to the season, so we’ll see if we can keep that going.

My Season: 13-5

Zach’s Season: 10-8

Army at Texas-San Antonio (-9)

The Black Knights are 1-1 after mauling FCS Delaware St. Meanwhile, the Roadrunners are also 1-1, rebounding from a close season opening loss to get by in-state rival Texas St. last weekend. This is a Friday night game and I have plans, so I’m not sure how much of it I’ll get to see. UTSA won the matchup on the road in overtime a year ago, but with the home field I’m confident they’ll win much more comfortably. Zach doesn’t believe Army will win, but despite tweaking their offensive playbook from the traditional flexbone triple option to a more shotgun based attack he still thinks the visitors will control time of possession & slow the hand down. If UTSA’s offense isn’t on the field as much they’ll score less points & are less likely to cover. That’s the theory anyway…we’ll see how it pans out.

My Pick: UTSA

Zach’s Pick: Army

San Diego State at Oregon State (-24.5)

The Aztecs are 1-1 after losing big to UCLA. The 2-0 Beavers have barely broken a sweat thus far. The points are a bit much, but it’d be a huge statement victory for the home team to win by nearly four touchdowns. Conversely, the points are enough for Zach to go against the grain. He feels like the home team will win, but not by more than three TDs.

My Pick: Oregon St.

Zach’s Pick: San Diego St.

Tennessee (-6.5) at Florida

Before the season began I predicted success for the Vols, but had no expectations that they’d equal last year’s 11-2 record & Top 10 ranking. They’re 2-0 and haven’t allowed more than 13 points from an opponent, but now the real work begins. The Gators are 1-1, but feasted FCS McNeese St. a week ago. It’s a pretty big game because the winner can get on with SEC business and try to climb to the top of the standings, while the loser could be negatively impacted to the point that we look back & view this as the moment their season imploded. I’m far too lackadaisical to do actual research, but I will assume that being underdogs in The Swamp has been rare for the home team thru the years. I think Florida is a team in transition, and I don’t know how patient the folks in Gainesville will be with second year head coach Billy Napier. He could solidify some job security with a big upset, but I don’t believe that’ll happen. Zach agrees with me that Tennessee is good not great, but thinks they’ll win by a touchdown.

My Pick: Tennessee

Zach’s Pick: Tennessee

Washington at Denver (-3.5)

The Commanders (for now) got off to a good start with a victory over Arizona, while the Broncos fell to the Raiders. My lack of faith in Denver is reinforced, atleast for the moment, and Washington looks to be as tediously solid as I thought. You’re going to hear a lot about the challenges of playing in the higher elevation of the Rocky Mountains, but I’m not sure that’s really such a big deal. I don’t think we should read too much into Week 1, but I’ve seen enough to stick with my preseason expectations. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington

NY Jets at Dallas (-7.5)

This game seemed a whole lot more interesting a few days ago, but that was before the Cowboys dominated their season opener & the Jets lost Aaron Rodgers four plays into theirs. My predictions that the Cowboys would have a losing record & head coach Mike McCarthy will lose his job look rather shaky at the moment, although I still believe Philadelphia wins the division. Injuries are always a factor in torpedoing preseason notions, but after all the hype & expectation it is mind boggling to see the Jets’ entire year implode so quickly & in such monumental fashion. Zach doesn’t think the Jets need to be all doom & gloom. He believes QB Zach Wilson will be okay and defense & special teams will win some games for them. He’s not all-in on the Cowboys & thinks their offense isn’t that good.

My Pick: Dallas

Zach’s Pick: NY Jets

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 2

I’m already off to a better start than a year ago, having gone 4-1 last week. Zach was 2-3 but I’m sure he’ll rebound quickly. These games are much more intriguing, with the action beginning on Thursday night and stretching thru the long weekend. Allow me to seize an opportunity to remind you that this will be the final year for the four team playoff, which means a few teams might be eliminated from contention early. I haven’t taken time to ponder the full impact of an expanded 12 team playoff as well as all of the wacky conference shuffling, but one doesn’t have to be a mathematician to understand that 12 is three times as many as four, meaning the impact of early season losses will be less in the future, whereas right now one loss can derail an entire season.

My Season: 4-1

Zach’s Season: 2-3

Florida at Utah (-6.5)

I had the Utes knocking on the door of the Top 10 in my preseason poll, while the Gators didn’t make the cut. I do believe Florida will improve upon last season’s losing record as head coach Billy Napier enters into his second year in Gainesville. They actually won this matchup last year, but were inconsistent the rest of the way. Utah has the home field and probably thinks they have an outside shot at a playoff berth, but QB Cam Rising suffered an ACL tear in The Rose Bowl and might not be 100% just yet. His status makes me a bit skittish, but I’m sticking with the home favorites. Zach believes it’ll be tight until the end, but feels like the favorites will win by a touchdown. This is a Thursday night game on ESPN, which is perfect since I’ve got a busy weekend but Thursdays are usually quite mundane.

My Pick: Utah

Zach’s Pick: Utah

Nebraska (-7) at Minnesota

There seems to be some level of excitement about the Cornhuskers, which is surprising since they haven’t had a winning season since 2016. The Scott Frost Era was a total bust and Matt Rhule is the man in charge now. You may recall that Rhule was quite successful at Temple, had one great year at Baylor after a rough start, then moved on to the Carolina Panthers for a few forgettable years before deciding he’s better off as a college coach. The Golden Gophers have had back-to-back nine win seasons, which is probably their ceiling in the rigorous Big Ten. This is a tough call because normally I’m a huge home field guy, but the visitors are solid favorites. What do the oddsmakers know?? These teams have met 63 times since 1900, with Minnesota leading the all-time series 36-25-2. They’ve won the last four contests. I believe Rhule will fix the issues that have been plaguing Nebraska and might even win this game, but I foresee it being closer than a touchdown. Zach predicts Rhule will eventually lead his team to success, but Minnesota has the edge in the trenches where games are truly won.

My Pick: Minnesota

Zach’s Pick: Minnesota

Miami (OH) at Miami (FL) (-17)

It’s the Battle of Miami!! I’m a little tired of waiting for the Hurricanes to return to their 90s glory, and I don’t believe they’ll ever be a dominant force in the current football landscape. However, I do think that much traveled head coach Mario Cristobal can do better in his second year and achieve a winning record. The RedHawks haven’t had a ten win season since 2010, and have barely had two winning seasons in that timeframe. Those points are pretty big, but I don’t think the home team will have any issues covering. Zach concurs, opining that the ‘Canes will win easily.

My Pick: Miami (FL)

Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)

Colorado at Texas Christian (-21.5)

A lot of questions will be answered in this game. Let’s be honest, Deion Sanders wasn’t hired to be the Buffaloes head coach because of his 27-6 record in three years at Jackson St. He got the job because Colorado has only had two winning seasons since 2005 and has been lost in the PAC 12 shuffle since foolishly joining in 2010. With Coach Prime at the helm people are talking about the Buffs for the first time since the early 1990s. Conversely, the Horned Frogs shocked the world by earning a spot in the playoff last season and actually beating Michigan before getting shellacked in the title game by Georgia. Can they sustain that success after eight players moved on to the NFL?? Let’s not overlook the fact that they didn’t even win the Big 12 title game, so I assume that’ll provide motivation. The bottom line is this – Colorado has been rebuilt to an unprecedented degree thru the transfer portal and should have low expectations, while TCU may no longer be a playoff contender but should still be a solid team. The points concern me a bit, but ultimately I think the favorites cover with ease. Zach is hoping for a big upset, although he doesn’t think it’ll actually happen. However, he does believe the underdogs will hang tough and keep it close.

My Pick: TCU

Zach’s Pick: Colorado

Boise State at Washington (-14)

I’m a little disappointed that it’s a 3:30pm kickoff. It seems like a matchup tailor made for one of those 10pm EST games I love so much. At any rate, the Broncos don’t seem to be getting as much love from the talking heads as they did when they were winning New Year’s bowl games & upsetting Power 5 opponents, but they won 10 games a year ago. Perhaps part of their perceived decline is the fact that they haven’t won a conference title in a few years. Whether that changes or not this season really has no connection to this game, in which the Huskies come in with high expectations of their own. QB Michael Penix could be a Heisman contender if he stays healthy, and a showdown in the PAC 12 title against USC, Utah, or Oregon is a possibility if all the dominoes fall correctly. I believe this will be an entertaining & competitive game for awhile, but the home team will pull away late and cover comfortably. Zach thinks Washington has a chance to get into the playoff and doesn’t believe they’ll have any problems winning this game.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington

Texas-San Antonio (-1.5) at Houston

I am quite surprised that the Roadrunners are favored. Houston has the home field and is entering their inaugural season in the Big 12, whereas UTSA, as successful as they’ve been the past two years, still represents the AAC. The Cougars haven’t been a bad team and have been in the AAC title conversation the past few years before jumping conferences. Whether or not they’ll be competitive in the Big 12 remains to be seen, but they’d certainly make a statement by upending a UTSA team that’s won 11+ games each of the past two seasons. This could be the hidden gem of the entire holiday weekend slate, and I might have to click on over to FS1 Saturday evening to check it out. I think the oddsmakers are onto something and the visitors will squeak by with a winning field goal. Zach points out that both squads averaged more than 35 points/game a year ago and likes the home team to prevail in a shootout.

My Pick: UTSA

Zach’s Pick: Houston

North Carolina (-2.5) at South Carolina

It looks like the ‘Cocks will have some stiff competition on their home field Saturday afternoon, and the oddsmakers are giving them the shaft. Can Tar Heels QB Drake Maye thrust himself into Heisman contention, or will the defense make it hard for him to score?? Will the offensive line provide adequate protection, making sure to pull out on blocks just in time?? If Maye’s drives down the field climax with more touchdowns than field goals it could result in a huge victory, but if he is unable to penetrate deep into the red zone UNC fans could be left unsatisfied. Zach likes the Heels to win a high scoring affair.

My Pick: North Carolina

Zach’s Pick: North Carolina

LSU (-2.5) vs. Florida State

It’s been awhile since anyone had high expectations for the Seminoles, but head coach Mike Norvell enters his fourth season on the heels of winning 10 games and defeating Oklahoma in a bowl game. Having said that, the folks in Baton Rouge have legit hopes for success as well. This is a “neutral” site game in Orlando, which is about three times closer to Tallahassee than The Bayou, so the powers-that-be aren’t fooling anybody. It’s also being played on Sunday evening, which is fine by me. These are both preseason Top 10 teams in most polls, although I have LSU ranked a bit higher & Florida St. rated a little lower. Nothing would surprise me, but I think the Tigers will earn a hard fought victory. Zach’s brother is a big LSU fan and believes they’ll be in the playoff, but Zach isn’t so sure given the tough road in the SEC. However, he does think they’ll get off to a good start with a win in this game.

My Pick: LSU

Zach’s Pick: LSU

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 1

A year ago I got off to an atrocious start with these picks of what the talking heads call Week Zero. I was behind the eight ball from the jump, but recovered enough to finish the season in a dead heat with Zach, both of us ending up a lowly 57-64. I went on to win an admittedly convoluted tiebreaker for the season victory, but I sincerely hope we don’t need to resort to that again. I just want us to be better at this, even though there is no money or anything else at stake. At any rate, it’s great to have football to enjoy every weekend again. I don’t know how much game action I’ll be able to actually watch these first couple of weeks, but I’m going to appreciate the hell out of whatever I’m able to see.

Navy at Notre Dame (-20.5)

It’s a rivalry that goes all the way back to 1927, with the Irish leading the series 81-13-1. The last time the Midshipmen were victorious was 2016. Having said that, it’s not always a blowout. Notre Dame won by only three points last November after Navy put up 16 points in the 4th quarter and the winners didn’t score at all in the second half. No one expects Navy to win this game, but will they lose by three TDs?? I’m willing to roll the dice and say they’ll keep things just a bit closer…maybe 15-18 points. Zach believes the underdogs will keep things close in the first half, but Notre Dame will roll to a huge win.

My Pick: Navy

Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame

Hawaii at Vanderbilt (-16.5)

If you need any more proof that collegiate athletics is all about money, just witness Vanderbilt in the SEC. They bring nothing to the table competitively, but it’s a university for wealthy folks, so it really doesn’t matter what happens on the field. The Commodores had back-to-back nine win seasons in 2012-13, their first (and last) since 1982. The Rainbow Warriors have been slightly more successful thru the years, but have suffered thru three straight losing seasons. Something about the points doesn’t make sense here. Logic dictates that there’s a reason other than simple home field advantage, but I don’t know what it could be. I believe it’ll be more competitive than the oddsmakers think. Conversely, Zach thinks Hawaii is a terrible team and Vandy will win easily.

My Pick: Hawaii

Zach’s Pick: Vanderbilt

Ohio at San Diego State (-3.5)

Hey, we finally have a (presumably) close contest!! Far be it from me to fall prey to preconceived notions, but MAC games are usually slow paced, old fashioned, smashmouth football, whereas the Mountain West is generally known to be high scoring & more exciting. Will this game stay true to form?? The Bobcats are coming off a 10-4 season topped off by an overtime bowl victory, while the Aztecs were a more pedestrian 7-6. SD St. has the home field and should be better defensively, so I think they win by a touchdown. Zach foresees the home team going against the grain and winning easily with a solid rushing attack.

My Pick: San Diego St.

Zach’s Pick: San Diego St.

Florida International at Louisiana Tech (-10.5)

When my Thundering Herd played in Conference USA I paid much more attention to these teams and always looked forward to watching them play. However, I lost track of them a year ago when Marshall moved to the Sun Belt. FIU was 4-8 last season under a new head coach, while Tech went 3-9 in the same circumstance. There’s nowhere to go but up for both programs, and I’m sure they’d love to get things started the right way. In a head-to-head matchup last year the Panthers won at home in two OTs, so I expect the Bulldogs to get their revenge…by less than ten points. Zach, on the other hand, likes Tech to throw the ball & achieve a big victory thru the air.

My Pick: FIU

Zach’s Pick: Louisiana Tech

San Jose State at Southern California (-30.5)

The Trojans are a Top 10 team in most preseason polls. The Spartans haven’t won more than seven games in a season since 2012. I’m a big fan of monumental upsets, but that isn’t happening. Can USC cover the points though?? They’re 5-0 all time against SJSt., but the margin of victory exceeded 30 points only twice. With bigger fish to fry in the future and a possible playoff run on the horizon I think the home team will play alot of young backups and not even approach full throttle. They’ll win, but by 20-25 points. Zach is a little hesitant about the points but thinks USC will cover.

My Pick: San Jose St.

Zach’s Pick: USC

WINNING & MUSING…VOLUME 1.23

In retrospect we didn’t talk about sports as much last year as usual, which probably made a few folks happy. Of course I wasn’t as prolific overall in 2022, and it remains to be seen if that’ll change anytime soon. It’s been a rough few years in The Manoverse, and quite simply I’m not the same guy I used to be. That’s a whole can o’ worms we won’t open right now though. Instead let’s put a bow on the football season and perhaps address another topic or two.

Congratulations to the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Did the Philadelphia Eagles get screwed by the stripes?? Yes & no. The controversial defensive holding penalty at the end of the game was legit, although I don’t think it’s a call that should be made in that moment. It was ticky-tacky…technically correct but still not a good look for the officiating crew. In general I thought it was a good game, although the fact that I didn’t have a dog in the fight on any level negatively affected my enjoyment of it. The anthem was alright, as was the halftime show, though neither were my cup o’ tea. It was generally an unremarkable event that I’ve already pretty much forgotten about.

You may recall that Zach & I went into the last week of the regular season tied in our Pigskin Picks of Profundity, and we picked all eight games the same in that final week, necessitating an unprecedented tiebreaker. We both went 3-5, finishing the season at 57-64. However, using the tiebreaker I was “closest to the hole” in 6 of the 8 games, giving me the season victory. I can’t wait to do it all again in a few months.

If I may go off the beaten path for a moment…

I watched with some level of befuddlement recently as Lebron James became the NBA’s all time leading scorer, eclipsing the record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar since 1984. When James broke the record near the end of the third quarter they STOPPED THE GAME and had a whole ceremony on the damn court!! Then the Lakers lost the game!!!! First, I do not have an issue with the record being broken. It’s a record of longevity really, and both Abdul-Jabbar & James played in the NBA for over two decades, with the latter probably continuing on for another year or two. That is undeniably impressive. However, my perception of Lebron James is that he’s always been a Me First kind of guy, both on & off the court. Everywhere he has played the talking heads have whined about Lebron needing more help or Lebron not having enough talent around him to win a championship. That has resulted in him bouncing from Cleveland to Miami back to Cleveland and on to Los Angeles chasing titles. He’s played in ten NBA Finals but won only four championships, all the while blaming the losses on everyone else but the guy in the mirror. Conversely, Michael Jordan won six titles in eight years, and I have zero doubt it would’ve been eight titles had he not taken a soul searching sojourn into minor league baseball in the wake of his father’s murder. Not only did he not run away from Chicago complaining about the talent surrounding him not being good enough, but I cannot fathom any scenario in which Jordan would’ve allowed a game to be completely halted to celebrate an individual achievement. I know he wouldn’t have been okay with his team losing just because he set a record. James’ teammates will continue to say the right things, but I couldn’t help but wonder if they were seething that night, watching the masses fawn all over one guy while ignoring the team’s loss.

I suppose congratulations are also in order for college football’s back-to-back national champions, the Georgia Bulldogs. After a thrilling semifinal round that saw the Bulldogs defeat the Ohio St. Buckeyes with a last second field goal right at the stroke of midnight to welcome a new year, and the TCU Horned Frogs upset the Michigan Wolverines in the highest scoring game of the Fiesta Bowl’s 50+ year history, the title game was an epic disappointment in which Georgia beat TCU like Sonny Corleone battered Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather. I think I changed the channel in the first quarter.

Speaking of college football, Zach bested me in our Bowl-a-Palooza picks. He was 23-20, while I was a putrid 19-24. I’m sure he’d give up that victory in a millisecond though to change the outcome of the Fiesta Bowl and see his Wolverines get a shot at the title.

2022-23 COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL-A-PALOOZA (Part Deux)

I haven’t been keeping close track of the early results, but I don’t think I’ve been doing too well with these bowl picks. To be honest I haven’t actually watched many games thus far, and it’s not because I’m super busy…I am not. Perhaps the latter half of the slate will hold more interest for me. I hope The Manoverse had a very Merry Christmas, and whatever you have planned for New Year’s festivities be safe, end 2022 on a high note, and turn the page with hope, faith, kindness, and a renewed spirit.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28

Military Bowl
Duke vs. Central Florida 
2pm/ESPN – Annapolis, MD

Everyone knows Duke is a basketball school, but the football team has done fairly well in recent years. They come into this game 8-4, having won three out of their last four. The Knights are 9-4 but got blasted in the AAC title game. I have always opined that UCF is a sleeping giant, something they’ll have an opportunity to prove when they join the Big 12. This could be a sneaky good game, and I think UCF prevails. Conversely, Zach believes the Blue Devils will win easily. 

My Pick: UCF

Zach’s Pick: Duke 

Liberty Bowl
Arkansas vs. Kansas
5:30pm/ESPN – Memphis, TN

I see what the cunning linguist bowl organizers did here!! I’m actually low key excited about this one. The Jayhawks started out hot at 5-0, but faded fast, losing six out of their last seven. The Razorbacks almost tracked the same, showing flashes of being good, but not nearly enough. I think both teams are better than the records indicate, and I think we’ll see Kansas recapture some of that early success in late December. Zach, on the other hand, sees speed as a key factor and likes Arkansas.

My Pick: Kansas

Zach’s Pick: Arkansas 

Holiday Bowl
Oregon vs. North Carolina
8pm/Fox – San Diego, CA

Perhaps the most underrated game of the postseason. The 9-3 Ducks were six total points away over two games of playing field the PAC 12 title, but of course we all know close doesn’t cut it. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels lost their final three games, including the ACC title game. I think UNC will hang tough for awhile, but look for Oregon to pull away in the 4th quarter. Zach thinks it’ll be a shootout and doesn’t have much faith in Carolina’s defense. 

My Pick: Oregon 

Zach’s Pick: Oregon 

Texas Bowl
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
9pm/ESPN – Houston, TX

I don’t know…I’m having a hard time getting juiced about two middle of the pack teams in their respective conferences facing off in the fourth game of the day. I think there will be alot of scoring (definitely take the over), but ultimately the Red Raiders will pull away for a double digit victory. Zach thinks rumors of head coach Lane Kiffin bolting for Auburn factored into them losing 4 out of 5 games down the stretch, and now that the issue has been put to rest they can focus on winning. 

My Pick: Texas Tech 

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss 

THURSDAY, DEC. 29

Pinstripe Bowl
Minnesota vs. Syracuse
2pm/ESPN – NY, NY

It’s a matchup of two underrated teams. Three of the four Gopher losses came consecutively during a rough October, although it should be noted that they played neither Ohio St. nor Michigan. Syracuse started 6-0 before dropping five straight games. Cold weather in The Bronx shouldn’t bother either club, but ‘Cuse will have more fans in the stands. I foresee a low scoring grinder in which Minnesota controls the clock in the 4th quarter to secure a close win. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Minnesota  

Zach’s Pick: Minnesota 

Cheez-It Bowl
Florida State vs. Oklahoma
5:30pm/ESPN – Orlando, FL

Five years ago this would have been a marquee matchup. My perception is that Florida St. is a team on the rise, while Oklahoma is a team in transition. I think it’ll be a rather comfortable victory for the Seminoles. Zach feels that it’ll be close, but foresees the same outcome. 

My Pick: Florida St. 

Zach’s Pick: Florida St.

Alamo Bowl
Washington vs. Texas
9pm/ESPN – San Antonio, TX

It could be a pretty good game. Maybe. I hope. The 10-2 Huskies were back-to-back mid-season losses away from playing for the PAC 12 title, while the 8-4 Longhorns are trying to claw their way back to relevancy before heading to the SEC in the near future. Obviously the crowd will be strongly pro-Texas, but I think Washington will find a way to  snag victory from the jaws of defeat late in the contest. Zach sees Texas outscoring their opponents in a high scoring contest. 

My Pick: Washington 

Zach’s Pick: Texas 

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

Orange Bowl
Tennessee vs. Clemson
8pm/ESPN – Miami, FL

Okay, now we’re getting to the good games. Both teams coulda/woulda/shoulda been in playoff contention, but things happened & they fell short. Vols fans are probably still flummoxed by the ass whoopin’ their guys received from South Carolina in mid-November, while the 11-2 Tigers aren’t in the playoff for a second consecutive season after six straight appearances. I’d love to see Tennessee win the game, but after losing QB Hendon Hooker to a torn ACL late in the season I don’t think this one will be particularly close. Zach thinks defense & coaching are the difference makers, which favors Clemson. 

My Pick: Clemson  

Zach’s Pick: Clemson 

Duke’s Mayo Bowl
North Carolina State vs. Maryland
Noon/ESPN – Charlotte, NC

I prefer Miracle Whip, but I suppose that doesn’t matter. The 8-4 Wolfpack fell short of my expectations, while the 7-5 Terrapins get lost in the Big Ten shuffle & really should consider another conference. NC St. might have a bit of a “home” field advantage, and I  think that’ll be enough. Zach disagrees and thinks those Tagovailoa genes matter. 

My Pick: NC St.

Zach’s Pick: Maryland 

Sun Bowl
UCLA vs. Pitt
2pm/CBS – El Paso, TX

The Sun Bowl remains one of the few bowl games not controlled by the Disney Machine. UCLA comes into the game having lost 2 of the last 3 games, while the Panthers are riding a four game winning streak. Normally I’m a big momentum guy, but I think the Bruins find a way to pull this one out. Zach concurs.

My Pick: UCLA

Zach’s Pick: UCLA

Gator Bowl
South Carolina vs. Notre Dame
3:30pm/ESPN – Jacksonville, FL

I had the Gamecocks in my preseason poll, and though they are unlikely to finish in the Top 15 I believe they will be close with a victory. Certainly their wins over Clemson & especially Tennessee were impressive. The Irish haven’t been as good as I thought they’d be, but the back half of they improved in the back half of their schedule. This is what a bowl game should be…an opportunity for two teams that rarely play one another but have something to prove as they build for the future to make a statement. I see bright things ahead for South Carolina, and this could be an important moment for them. Zach, on the other hand, doesn’t think the Gamecocks have any magic left in the tank.

My Pick: South Carolina 

Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame 

Arizona Bowl
Ohio vs. Wyoming
4:30pm/Barstool – Tucson, AZ

Okay, this is weird. Apparently the game isn’t being broadcast on television at all. I am only vaguely familiar with Barstool Sports, but they’ve expanded into streaming live events now. If you’re a really big fan of either team I am sure you will be able to look around & find it, but one can assume that most casual fans won’t bother. At any rate, I think Wyoming has a more explosive offense and will score on a few big plays. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Wyoming 

Zach’s Pick: Wyoming 

SATURDAY, DEC. 31

Fiesta Bowl – Playoff Semifinal
Michigan vs. Texas Christian 
4pm/ESPN – Glendale, AZ

We made it. We’ve finally gotten to the only games that really matter. I know Zach will pick Michigan, and honestly I can’t disagree. The Horned Frogs have had a great season & deserve all kinds of kudos, but the Wolverines are really good. They have better depth & athleticism. I cannot foresee any circumstance, after falling short against Georgia a year ago, in which Michigan fails to get to the next step. To be honest I wouldn’t totally be shocked if it’s not particularly competitive, although as a football fan I’d prefer a close, exciting game. Zach has decided to be conservative and predict a Michigan victory with a late field goal.

My Pick: Michigan 

Zach’s Pick: Michigan 

Peach Bowl – Playoff Semifinal
Georgia vs. Ohio State
8pm/ESPN – Atlanta, GA

At this moment it looks like I’ll be home on New Year’s Eve, and I’ll probably be hanging with my crazy neighbor who is a big Ohio St. fan. Can they beat the defending champions?? I don’t know. Both teams are loaded with NFL caliber talent. I think I’d give the coaching edge to Georgia, but I like the Buckeyes’ QB a little better. It’s going to come down to discipline & the mental aspects of the game…turnovers, penalties, & clock management. Obviously the Bulldogs will enjoy a huge “home” field advantage. Is that enough?? I really hope this isn’t one of those disappointing games that is built up to be so fantastic only for it to be a blowout that is essentially over by halftime, although it wouldn’t shock me that much. The Buckeyes played in the 2020 National Championship but a) they lost to Alabama & b) many people thought they didn’t belong anyway because of their Covid shortened season, so perhaps they feel like they have something to prove. Not surprisingly, Zach is predicting a blowout win for Georgia.

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zach’s Pick: Georgia 

Music City Bowl
Iowa vs. Kentucky
Noon/ABC – Nashville, TN

These teams deserve more respect. First, everyone will be buzzing about the semifinal games later in the day, plus Alabama is playing on another channel at the same time, and y’all know how that goes. The 7-5 Hawkeyes had a tough stretch in October and are better than the record indicates. The 7-5 Wildcats started strong but faded fast. They’ll be without the services of QB Will Levis, who is hoping to be a Top 5 NFL Draft pick. I think Iowa controls the clock with good ol’ fashioned smashmouth football and grinds out a win. Zach concurs. 

My Pick: Iowa 

Zach’s Pick: Iowa 

Sugar Bowl
Alabama vs. Kansas State
Noon/ESPN – New Orleans, LA

I’m not a gambler and haven’t researched it, but I’d almost guarantee ‘Bama is a heavy favorite and most of the “experts” aren’t giving K-St. a snowball’s chance in Hell. That’s not how I roll though. I believe the Wildcats have an opportunity to improve the collective opinion of the masses about their program and the Big 12 conference. Does that mean I think they’ll win?? No. However, don’t be surprised if the outcome is in doubt much deeper into the fourth quarter than anyone expected. Zach, though he agrees on the outcome, falls in line with the masses in predicting a huge & fairly easy Tide win. 

My Pick: Alabama 

Zach’s Pick: Alabama 

MONDAY, JAN. 2

ReliaQuest Bowl
Mississippi State vs. Illinois
Noon/ESPN2 – Tampa, FL

Because the NFL takes precedence on Sunday the traditional New Year’s Day college games are happening the next day. This was formerly known as the Hall of Fame & then the Outback Bowl. In case you are curious ReliaQuest is a cybersecurity company in Tampa. Obviously the big storyline will be the recent passing of Bulldogs coach Mike Leach, and I have to think that every football fan outside of Champaign, IL will be pulling for State. The Illini had a six game hot streak in the middle of the season but lost 3 out of their final 4. Mississippi St. is 8-4 in a roller coaster year. The X’s & O’s don’t really matter, because we all know the best outcome is a State victory in honor of Coach Leach. Zach is confident Illinois can slow the pace of the game to their comfort level & grind out a victory. 

My Pick: Mississippi St.

Zach’s Pick: Illinois 

Citrus Bowl
LSU vs. Purdue
1pm/ABC – Orlando, FL

The Bayou Bengals are unpredictable to say the least. At 9-4 they had the opportunity to win the SEC & maybe sneak into the playoff, but they also lost to 5-7 Texas A&M. Which LSU team will show up?? The Boilermakers are another overlooked Big Ten team that were never in the playoff hunt but did earn a spot in the conference title game. This has the potential to be a fantastic game, but I think LSU has the edge in speed & big play ability. Zach doesn’t think it’ll be particularly competitive.

My Pick: LSU 

Zach’s Pick: LSU 

Cotton Bowl
Southern California vs. Tulane
1pm/ESPN – Arlington, TX

The Trojans would’ve been playoff bound had they not screwed the pooch against Utah in the PAC 12 title game. Tulane has had a nice 11 win season, including an AAC Championship, but let’s be real…this might be one of the worst bowl matchups in recent memory. Southern Cal will be playing third stringers by halftime and still win by atleast three TDs. Zach agrees.

My Pick: USC 

Zach’s Pick: USC 

Rose Bowl

Utah vs. Penn State
5pm/ESPN – Pasadena, CA

I have to give the Rose Bowl credit…even in a playoff obsessed environment they’ve figured out how to remain relevant & make the game still feel like an event. Or maybe I just perceive it that way because I am of a certain age and embrace the history & pageantry of college football. It doesn’t hurt that the Big Ten & PAC 12 are deep leagues with several talented teams. Utah might be the most dangerous team out there. I guarantee none of the four playoff contenders would want to face the 10-3 Utes. The Nittany Lions won’t be intimidated though. Their only two losses were against Michigan & Ohio St., which is nothing to be ashamed of obviously. I really like Utah and believe they could be a playoff team next season, so why not get the party started early?? Zach thinks it will be close, but agrees on the outcome. 

My Pick: Utah  

Zach’s Pick: Utah 

MONDAY, JAN. 9

National Championship Game

Michigan/TCU vs. Georgia/Ohio State 
7:30pm/ESPN – Los Angeles, CA

I’m looking at a Michigan-Ohio St. matchup, while Zach thinks it will be Michigan vs. Georgia. Either way it’s going to be a tough task for the Wolverines. The Buckeyes have tremendous offensive prowess, while Georgia is an intimidating defensive force. Michigan marched into Columbus at the end of November and left with a huge 3 TD+ victory, but the stakes are much higher now. At the end of the day I’m not sure the Wolverines are there quite yet. I think they might have to wait another year to get over the hump. Surprisingly Zach agrees, although he thinks it’ll be the defending champs going back-to-back by defeating his beloved Wolverines. 

My Pick: Ohio St.  

Zach’s Pick: Georgia 

2022-23 COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL-A-PALOOZA (Part 1)

This exercise is always fraught with a variety of pitfalls & unknown wildcards. Coaching changes. Players sitting out to “prepare for the NFL Draft”. Injuries. Teams that are disappointed with their season. And now we can add the freakin’ transfer portal to all of that. A slew of players have already entered into the portal, which obviously changes team chemistry & depth. It is unusual for a star player to go elsewhere, but football fans know how valuable that extra receiver, offensive lineman, or cornerback can become, so it’s certainly a factor. All of these things are why we don’t pay attention to point spreads or take these picks too seriously at all. Instead, we choose to sit back, relax, and simply enjoy a month long football feast. As always, I discourage wagering since we have no idea what we’re talking about with most of these games, but you do you. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, & Buon Natale. 

FRI. 12/16

Bahamas Bowl
Miami (OH) vs. Alabama-Birmingham 
11:30am/ESPN

I love the fact that two very average teams from two second rate conferences get a trip to The Bahamas as a reward for their mediocrity. God bless those kids. However, just in case the lads begin to get a little cocky, the fact that they’re kicking off at 11:30am on a Friday should bring them back down to Earth. I’ve got to pull for Miami simply because it’s the alma mater of my man Ben Roethlisberger. Conversely, though he believes the teams are evenly matched, Zach likes UAB’s ground game to pound out a victory. 

My Pick: Miami (OH)

Zach’s Pick: UAB

Cure Bowl
Troy vs. UTSA
3pm/ESPN – Orlando, FL

The 11-2 Trojans are the Sun Belt Champions, while the 11-2 Roadrunners rule C-USA. There’s a chance it could be a sneaky good game, but I think Troy is the better team. Zach foresees a shootout, but thinks it’ll be UTSA quarterback Frank Harris who makes the difference.

My Pick: Troy

Zach’s Pick: UTSA

Sat. 12/17

Fenway Bowl
Cincinnati vs. Louisville
11am/ESPN – Boston, MA

This is a weird one because former Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield was just hired to be the new coach at Cincinnati. Odd. Anyway, the 9-3 Bearcats finished third in the AAC, a far cry from a season ago when they faced off against Alabama in The Playoff. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were a solid 7-5 in the ACC and just welcomed former quarterback Jeff Brohm home as their new head coach. Brohm left Purdue for the job, which seems like a step down, but perhaps he knows something we don’t. Anyway, these new coaches won’t be on the sidelines until next season, so I’m not sure what that means for the bowl game. Cincy isn’t the team they were last year, but I think they’ll channel some of that old mojo and snag a victory. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Cincinnati 

Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati 

Celebration Bowl
Jackson State vs. North Carolina Central
Noon/ABC – Atlanta, GA

The Tigers have received plenty of attention the past few years thanks to soon-to-be former head coach Deion Sanders. Despite being named the new head coach at Colorado Coach Prime will lead Jackson in the bowl game, and he deserves kudos for that. Jackson is actually undefeated, which many of y’all might not know. The Eagles are 9-2, so let’s not overlook their achievements. That being said, I can’t imagine Prime Time going out a loser. Who knows what may lie ahead in Boulder, but in this situation Sanders gets his proper farewell. Zach agrees.

My Pick:  Jackson St.

Zach’s Pick: Jackson St.

New Mexico Bowl
SMU vs. BYU
2:15pm/ESPN – Albuquerque, NM

The 7-5 Cougars certainly didn’t live up to my expectations, but there were some highlights. A double OT win over Baylor in September had everyone dreaming big, as did a narrow win on the blue turf at Boise. Unfortunately going 0 for October doomed any Top 10 dreams. The Mustangs have an identical 7-5 record, with a tough out of conference slate not turning out well for them. I’ll be surprised if BYU doesn’t roll big in this one, but that belief is based on very little. Zach thinks BYU is the more physical team. 

My Pick: BYU

Zach’s Pick: BYU

LA Bowl
Washington State vs. Fresno State
3:30pm/ABC – Los Angeles, CA

I assume that whenever a Mountain West team gets a shot against a PAC 12 opponent it’s a big deal. So can the 9-4 Bulldogs hang with the 7-5 Cougars?? I think they can for awhile, but depth means a lot in the 4th quarter. Zach believes in Fresno’s defense. 

My Pick: Washington St.

Zach’s Pick: Fresno St.

LendingTree Bowl
Rice vs. Southern Mississippi
5:45pm/ESPN – Mobile, AL

Am I missing something when it comes to the state of Alabama?? Why are there three bowl games being played there?? I don’t know the answer to that question, but I do have information concerning something else about which you may be curious. How are the Owls playing in the postseason?? Well, apparently when there aren’t enough six win teams there is something called Academic Progress Rating used to choose amongst 5-7 teams, and Rice tops the list. Student athletes earn one point for staying in school & one point for being academically eligible. APR is calculated by dividing a team’s total points then multiplying by 1000. It’s a bit convoluted, but I’m cool with rewarding kids for staying in school & doing well academically. That being said, I don’t believe it will translate to a victory over the 6-6 Golden Eagles. Zach is on the same page. 

My Pick: Southern Miss 

Zach’s Pick: Southern Miss 

Las Vegas Bowl
Oregon State vs. Florida
7:30pm/ABC – Las Vegas, NV

Vegas baby!! Vegas!!!! God bless these youngsters for turning a solid yet underappreciated season into a free trip to Sin City. The 9-3 Beavers lost close games to USC & Washington, and there’s no shame in that. They actually beat in-state rival Oregon, costing the Ducks a conference title opportunity. Meanwhile, the 6-6 Gators have had a roller coaster year, and starting QB Anthony Richardson has declared for the NFL Draft & won’t be playing. That’s not good news. Zach thinks the Beavers have been solid all season and looks for that to continue. 

My Pick: Oregon St. 

Zach’s Pick: Oregon St.

Frisco Bowl
Boise State vs. North Texas
9:15pm/ESPN – Frisco, TX

The 7-6 Mean Green play their home games in Denton, TX (a Dallas suburb known for being the home of pro wrestling’s Von Erich family & the birthplace of legendary rocker Meat Loaf), which is only a half hour away from Frisco. So basically this is a home game for them. The 9-4 Broncos are used to much bigger stages than this, although they haven’t played in a New Year’s game since 2014. This one kicks off at the end of a pretty full day of action, and I’m not sure the matchup is compelling enough to make me change the channel from a plethora of Christmas movies that’ll probably be on that night. Zach is impressed with the Mean Green offense, but believes they’ll fall short in this game.

My Pick: Boise St.

Zach’s Pick: Boise St.

MONDAY, DEC. 19

Myrtle Beach Bowl
Marshall vs. Connecticut 
2:30pm/ESPN – Myrtle Beach, SC

I’m a Marshall alum, so y’all know I’m not picking against my guys. After a monumental September upset of Notre Dame in South Bend the Herd lost three out of the next four games, ultimately finishing 8-4. Perhaps my expectations are too high, but I find that record slightly disappointing. The 6-6 Huskies got off to a rough start but improved in the second half of the season. The TV ratings probably won’t be great, but I’ll be watching. Zach thinks UConn’s defense is terrible & the Herd will have a field day.

My Pick: Marshall

Zach’s Pick: Marshall 

TUESDAY, DEC. 20

Potato Bowl
Eastern Michigan vs. San Jose State
3:30pm/ESPN – Boise, ID

I feel bad for teams playing in this group of bowl games. The initial postseason fun factor has worn off. It’s the week of Christmas and folks are busy with last minute preparations. The time slots aren’t great. Even hardcore football fans need a breather before the really good matchups start. I suppose being in a bargain basement bowl game is better than being shut out of postseason play altogether though. The 8-4 Eagles out of the MAC and the 7-4 Spartans out of the Mountain West met in the 1987 California Bowl. Eastern Michigan won that game 30-27, and they haven’t won a bowl game since. I think 35 years is long enough. Conversely, Zach foresees an easy Spartan victory. 

My Pick: Eastern Michigan 

Zach’s Pick: San Jose St.

Boca Raton Bowl
Liberty vs. Toledo
7:30pm/ESPN – Boca Raton, FL

The 8-4 Flames already lost head coach Hugh Freeze to Auburn and hired Jamey Chadwell away from Coastal Carolina, although I assume neither will be on the sidelines for this game. The 8-5 Rockets won the MAC title, and I expect them to score another solid victory. Zach thinks we’re in for a low scoring defensive struggle that favors Liberty. 

My Pick: Toledo 

Zach’s Pick: Liberty 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21

New Orleans Bowl
South Alabama vs. Western Kentucky
9pm/ESPN – New Orleans, LA

I suppose The Big Easy is another pretty cool landing spot. The Jaguars are 10-2 and riding a five game winning streak, but didn’t even play in the Sun Belt title game because of an October loss to Troy. The 8-5 Hilltoppers played an extra game this season, per an NCAA rule that awards teams for traveling to Hawaii. I don’t foresee this being much of a contest, and expect South ‘Bama to win easily. Zach, on the other hand, believes WKU will score a last second victory.

My Pick: South Alabama

Zach’s Pick: Western Kentucky 

THURSDAY, DEC. 22

Armed Forces Bowl
Baylor vs. Air Force
7:30pm/ESPN – Fort Worth, TX

After going 12-2 & finishing in the Top 5 last season the Bears were a very mediocre 6-6 this year. The Falcons are a very solid 9-3, but had the misfortune of finishing a distant second in their division of the Mountain West. I think Baylor’s speed & athleticism will be too much, and they’ll pull away in the second half. Zach makes note of Baylor’s big game experience, and likes them as well.

My Pick: Baylor 

Zach’s Pick: Baylor

FRIDAY, DEC. 23

Gasparilla Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Missouri
6:30pm/ESPN – Tampa, FL

It’s time for your annual history lesson. José Gaspar was an apocryphal Spanish pirate. “The Last of the Buccaneers” allegedly lived in the Tampa area, plundering & pirating across The Caribbean & The Gulf of Mexico during the late 18th to early 19th century, amassing a huge fortune by taking prizes & ransoming hostages, and died by leaping from his ship rather than face capture by the U.S. Navy, leaving behind an enormous and as-yet undiscovered treasure. Hence the name of this bowl game. As far as the matchup, the 7-5 Demon Deacons are another team that fell back to Earth after going 11-3, appearing in the ACC title game, and winning the Gator Bowl a season ago. The Tigers are 6-6 but gave most of their opponents, including #1 Georgia, all they could handle. I expect more of the same…a fun & competitive game that Wake ultimately finds a way to win. Zach predicts the same result in a low scoring battle. 

My Pick: Wake Forest 

Zach’s Pick: Wake Forest 

Independence Bowl
Houston vs. Louisiana
3pm/ESPN – Shreveport, LA

The 7-5 Cougars are going to have to kick it up a notch moving into the Big 12 next year. The 6-6 Ragin’ Cajuns fell off considerably after three straight double digit win seasons. You may think this looks like a home game for Louisiana, but Houston isn’t that much further from Shreveport than Lafayette, so that isn’t the case. This has potential to be a sneaky good game, and since most of the country will be off work & finished Christmas shopping (😉🙏🏻😂) perhaps there’ll be some eyeballs glued to their TV. It’ll be close, but I think Louisiana will grind out a victory. Zach wants all the gamblers out there to take the over, and thinks Houston will prevail. 

My Pick: Louisiana 

Zach’s Pick: Houston 

SATURDAY, DEC. 24

Hawaii Bowl
Middle Tennessee State vs. San Diego State
8pm/ESPN – Honolulu, HI

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day, or in this case, Christmas Eve. If my calculations are correct an 8pm kickoff here in the eastern time zone means it will be a 2pm start on the big island. I think alot more people will be watching Ralphie Parker, George Bailey, & Ebenezer Scrooge (or the Steelers game on NFL Network) than paying attention to the this, but hey, have fun on your Hawaiian vacation of a lifetime kids. The Blue Raiders are a 7-5 middle-of-the-pack CUSA team, while the Aztecs are a 7-5 upper middle tier Mountain West team. This might be one of those games that nobody watches but everybody wishes they would have after seeing the highlights on Sportscenter. I think SD St. will win a shootout.  Zach agrees.

My Pick: San Diego St.

Zach’s Pick: San Diego St.

MONDAY, DEC. 26

Quick Lane Bowl
Bowling Green vs. New Mexico State
2:30pm/ESPN – Detroit, MI

No, the NCAA isn’t altruistic enough to skip having ball games on Christmas out of respect for Jesus & family. Christmas is on Sunday this year so there are NFL games on the schedule. Anyway, the 6-6 Falcons versus the 6-6 Aggies is about as prosaic as it gets, and I can’t put a shiny happy spin on it. I think Bowling Green gets the victory, but I doubt if I’ll be paying attention. Zach concurs. 

My Pick: Bowling Green

Zach’s Pick: Bowling Green 

TUESDAY, DEC. 27

First Responder Bowl
Memphis vs. Utah State
3:15pm/ESPN – Dallas, TX

ESPN is looking to cure our post-Christmas blues with a full day of gridiron action, but I’m a bit skeptical. The 6-6 Tigers had a tough second half of the season, while the 6-6 Aggies were the opposite, starting slow then improving in the latter stages. I know absolutely nothing about either team, but The Voices are telling me to lean toward Utah St. Zach foresees the same result, mostly because of Utah St.’s offensive line.

My Pick: Utah St.

Zach’s Pick: Utah St.

Birmingham Bowl
Coastal Carolina vs. East Carolina
6:45pm/ESPN – Birmingham, AL

Whoever is running the state of Alabama, could y’all throw some advice toward the dolts who’ve been ruining West Virginia for decades?? Coastal recently lost head coach Jamey Chadwell to Liberty, which seems like an odd move on his part. QB Grayson McCall is gone as well…into the transfer portal. The Pirates are an inconsistent 7-5 so who knows what to expect. My vibe is that East Carolina wins comfortably, while Zach thinks some time off is exactly what Coastal needed. He believes they’ll be ready to win the Battle of Carolina.

My Pick: East Carolina 

Zach’s Pick: Coastal Carolina 

Camellia Bowl
Buffalo vs. Georgia Southern
Noon/ESPN – Montgomery, AL

Montgomery to Birmingham is an hour & a half drive, so theoretically you could attend two bowl games in one day. As a matter of fact, I’d be willing to bet there will be people doing that exact thing. It could be a fun post-Christmas adventure. Both teams are 6-6, though it wasn’t long ago that both had ten win seasons. It’s a pretty even matchup, but I think the Eagles will win late, with a turnover or big special teams play being a deciding factor. Zach thinks GA Southern’s option attack is a difference maker.

My Pick: Georgia Southern

Zach’s Pick: Georgia Southern 

Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Oklahoma State vs. Wisconsin
10:15pm/ESPN – Phoenix, AZ

Now here’s a sneaky good treat. I picked the wrong horse in the Big 12, as it was TCU to emerge from the formidable shadow of Oklahoma & Texas to earn a playoff berth, while the Cowboys finished 7-5 after a 5-0 start. I can’t criticize the Badgers too much for finishing a pedestrian 6-6 in the Big Ten. There’s no shame in losing to Ohio St., Iowa, and Michigan St. Head coach Paul Chryst was fired barely a month into the season, and former Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell will take the reins next year. It’s a late night kick for us here in the east, but I might just have to sneak in a nap so I can stay up to watch. I think OK St. is probably slightly better, though I expect a close contest. Zach is looking at another low scoring slugfest, which he believes favors Wisconsin. 

My Pick: Oklahoma St. 

Zach’s Pick: Wisconsin 

Let’s take a break. We’ll be back soon with the rest of the bowl games. Happy Holidays everyone!!