First of all, I would like to wish all of our faithful readers and subscribers a happy, safe and lucky Thanksgiving. Don’t get overloaded with the turkey before the late NFL game between the 49ers and the Ravens as it should be a good one.
Last week the college football BCS standings really took a hit with Oklahoma State going tap and Oregon losing at home to Southern Cal – one of my top GT plays. To top things off, the Sooners took it in the chin and then there were two.
Well, actually just one as Houston has no shot at the BCS title game even if they win at Tulsa this week. So if LSU gets by a real good Arkansas team at home this week will that open the door for a rematch between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers?
We had an ok week with the picks going 7-3-1 in the college if you want to consider San Diego State a tie, but the Aztecs actually covered so for principle sake I went 8-3. A lowly 1-2 in the NFL followed as the Cows were lucky to win and the Rams were a no show.
Let’s get to this week.
NFL THURSDAY
Packers -6 at Lions (55½): Laying the -6 with undefeated Green Bay, by far the best team in the NFL, just looks too juicy to pass up. It looks too easy but isn’t, so I will wait and hope the line moves up to 7. The Lions put it all together in the second half against Carolina. LIONS.
Dolphins +7 at Cowboys (44½): The Fish from Miami have been on a roll, winning and covering three straight. Dallas has won three of four but was very fortunate to win in OT last Sunday. DOLPHINS.
49ers +3½ at Ravens (39): If needed take a little nap and get into this game. It may turn out to be a real humdinger. These two teams could hook up at a later date in the playoffs. Niners at 9-1 travel into a very bad place where it is hard to win. Ask Pittsburgh. A hard hitting battle favors Baltimore if the line comes back to -3. RAVENS.
SUNDAY
Patriots NL at Philadelphia: Eagles plus the points at home against the Pats worth a win in a lost season. EAGLES.
NCAA THURSDAY
Texas +8 at Texas A&M: What has happened to the Longhorn offense? Scoring 5 against Missouri and then 13 at home against Kansas State! I see the Longhorns turning it around on Turkey night and getting the cover. TEXAS.
BLACK FRIDAY
Houston -3½ at Tulsa: Undefeated Houston with big hopes travels to dangerous Tulsa, which is 8-3 and winners of its last seven, covering five straight. TULSA money line.
Iowa +10 at Nebraska: Iowa can play some “D” and the points are a must take. Hawkeyes are looking for a good Bowl bid. IOWA.
Arkansas +14 at LSU: If this were a night game in Baton Rouge, I may consider laying the lumber with the Tigers. It is just too good getting two TD’s with the 10-1 Razorbacks whose only loss was at Alabama – the same team LSU just beat 9-6 without scoring a touchdown. I will even make a small play on the money line and parlay it with Tulsa. ARKANSAS.
SATURDAY
Ohio State +7 at Michigan: The Wolverines can’t remember the last time they beat the Buckeyes but this game is all theirs for the taking. MICHIGAN.
Rutgers -3 at UConn: At 8-3, Rutgers just has too much defense for the Huskies who have trouble getting the ball in the end zone. RUTGERS.
Maryland +13 at NC State: Despite the big win last week by State I will continue betting against a Terps team that has all but called it a football season. NC STATE.
Alabama -21 at Auburn: The Tide sees some light at the end of the tunnel with the Ok. St. loss last week and would love nothing but a rematch with LSU. ALABAMA.
Notre Dame -6½ at Stanford: The Irish are just not that good. Look for Stanford to go all out and get its final win of the regular season. STANFORD.