I had a good weekend with the college football games, but the NFL did me in.
The Vikes got a new head coach and got the win, Ravens got backdoored and Eagles got “Beared.” We have a very interesting menu in the final week in college football, so let’s get right to the meat.
NCAA
Thursday, Dec. 2
Arizona St +6 at Arizona (ESPN, 5 p.m.): Want no part of the Wildcats in this game coming off their big effort last week at home against Oregon. Sun Devils are looking to avenge last year’s 20-17 loss at home. A win gets the Devils to 6-6, which could have been much better if not for narrow losses of 1 at Wisconsin, 3 at Oregon St, 1 at USC and 4 against Stanford. ARIZONA ST.
Friday, Dec. 3
MAC title at Detroit
Miami, Ohio +14 vs. No. Illinois (ESPN, 4 p.m.): The high scoring Huskies are 10-2 and beat the Redhawks last year in Oxford. Miami had to win its last 4 to get here. I will give the Redhawks an edge here. MIAMI, O.
Saturday, Dec. 4
UConn +2 at S. Florida (ESPN, 9 a.m.): This is my favorite game this week. Red hot UConn has won and covered 4 straight and catch the Bulls celebrating huge gut wrenching overtime win in Miami. Just go to the window early and often to bet Huskies on the money line. UCONN.
Nevada -13 at La Tech (12 p.m., PT): This is my second favorite game. The Bulldogs from Ruston catch Nevada off the biggest win in school history and a week-long celebration in Reno. Tech can put points on the board and will make this close. LA TECH.
Oregon -17 at Oregon St (ABC, 12:30 p.m.): The only problem with this game is that it is on ABC. Just sit back, turn the sound off and enjoy. Last week we had Arizona plus the points. If wagered in the middle of the week or Saturday, you picked up the cover. The spread eased up to -20 and Oregon won by 19. This looks very similar. The Beavers lost in Stanford last week 38-0 with only Ducks on their minds. Don’t forget three weeks ago they lost to Washington State as a -23 point chalk and came right back to crush USC at home. Oregon St covered in Eugene last year as a 9-point dog. OREGON ST.
UNLV +35 at Hawaii (7:30 p.m. PT): The Rebels get rewarded for all their hard work with a nice trip to Honolulu and a 13th game. Guess Rebel boasters needed a trip this time of year, and it has been cold in Las Vegas. The Warriors look to avenge last year’s loss in Vegas and a 10th win this season. Rebs looking at the beautiful Hawaiian girls on the beach. UNLV has not covered its last road game the past 6 years. Bet this one early as the spread can only go up. HAWAII.
C-USA title at Orlando
SMU +9½ at UCF (9 a.m.): This game marks the first meeting since 2008 when the Knights beat SMU 31-17 as a 17-point favorite. Mustangs had to win their last two games to get here. It will be a pro-Knights crowd being based in Orlando. UCF just may have too much scoring punch for SMU to handle. UCF.
SEC title at Atlanta
Auburn -5 vs. S. Carolina (CBS, 1 p.m.): Another game we need to turn the sound off, sit back and watch. Still trying to figure out how the Tigers were able to come back last week and beat Alabama. In their first meeting this year, Auburn squeaked out a 35-27 win at home as a 3-point favorite. This one will be decided by a turnover. It will be a great game to watch. Must favor Steve Spurrier & Co. catching the Tigers off that draining win in Tuscaloosa. S. CAROLINA
ACC title at Charlotte
Florida St +5 vs. Va Tech (ESPN, 4:45 p.m.): This is one tough game as both teams are playing well. Florida St beat Tech by 10 last year so the Hokies have the revenge factor. Looks like both teams will have their defenses in the stop mode. UNDER.
Big 12 title at Arlington, TX
Nebraska +4 vs. Oklahoma (ABC, 5 p.m.): We will be all over this game. Loved game plan HC Bob Stoops used in last week’s late 47-41 win over OK State. Sooners still remember last year’s 10-3 loss in Lincoln. OKLAHOMA.
NFL
The Steelers can’t put the ball in the end zone and will get swept by the Ravens -3 in the late game Sunday. Bet this one on the money line. The Jets’ luck will run out Monday night as the Pats -3½ will win the game.
Have a great week and look forward to all those college bowl games.
last week since Oct. 25 PCT
8-4-1 26-13-2 66.7