Hope all had a happy and safe New Year.
I thought long and hard over the weekend as to what New Year’s resolutions I would make. After a nice glass of wine (or was it two glasses?) here is what I came up with.
Just one question I would like to put out there, what the heck happened to Urban “the legend” Meyer and his Ohio State Buckeyes? This bettor has never seen a Meyer team just send a game in like they did vs. Clemson – a team that got beat by Pittsburgh, who lost to Northwestern. It’s a mystery.
Monday, Jan. 9
National Championship
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
CLEMSON +6.5 vs. Alabama (52): Now we get the rematch between Clemson and Alabama. Last year the line was exactly the same as it is now. Bama won last year, 45-40 in a thriller, and this could be another classic.
Did Clemson play a great game vs. the Buckeyes or was something wrong internally with Ohio State or were the Buckeyes just overrated? Clemson played some puzzler’s this year also as they could only beat Auburn 19-13, Troy 30-24, NC State 24-17, a game in which NC had them on the ropes, and that 43-42 loss to Pitt.
Washington gave the Tide all they wanted on defense and with the exception of two bad luck TD’s they would have covered the +14. Alabama showed some kinks in their armor when facing a top defense as they could only beat LSU 10-0.
The Alabama freshman QB Jalen Hurts looked a little rattled at times and if the Clemson defense can find a way to stop the great Tide running back Bo Scarbrough they can win this game. We will be taking Clemson with the assumption they just played a great game vs. the Buckeyes and the entire team is peaking. We think it will be close so take those points, especially if you can get +7 on the buy up. CLEMSON
Last week: 8-11
Season: 50-72-3
NFL Wild Cards
Saturday
Oakland +3 at Houston (37.5): I want no part of the Raiders after watching them this past Sunday versus the Broncos. Note that the Texans are looking for revenge from their loss to the Raiders back in November on Monday night in Mexico City, 27-20.
Also, the Texans were thumped last year in the playoffs 30-0, by the Chiefs. In what appears to be a low scoring game we will lay the field goal. TEXANS
Detroit +7.5 at Seattle (42): Lions coming off a game fight with the surging Packers while the Seahawks barely got by the 49ers, 25-23, this past Sunday. This bettor is not thrilled with the Seahawks. The last time these two teams met was last year when the Lions came to Seattle as a 10-point dog and lost 13-10. Must take the points here. DETROIT
Sunday
Miami +10 at Pittsburgh (47.5): Revenge is in the Pittsburgh air as the Steelers look to erase an early loss to the Fish in Miami, 30-15. However, laying 10 points is not my cup of tea in the NFL. Miami, playing their first playoff game in a long time, will come out strong. Take the points. DOLPHINS
NY Giants +3.5 at Green Bay: The Pack is surging and playing great football. They look like the main danger for the Cowboys and defeated the Giants here at Lambeau back in October, 23-16, when not playing as well as they are right now. This looks like a gimme. Lay the 3.5 and take the money and bet it on the Clemson Tigers or even play a parlay. PACKERS
One thing this bettor is hoping for is that these NFL games will not have any controversy. Hopefully the calls will be correct, the zebras let them play and all the players stand for our National Anthem.
If not my TV’s channel will be changing and I will watch a rerun of “Matlock” or the “Twilight Zone” in black and white.
This is a New Year so get off that couch and check out those fantasy cards at your local book, read Alan Berg’s fantasy tips in his GT column or just go to www.gamingtoday.com. You just never know, anyone of us could be walking around lucky and not even know it. Have a great week.
Twitter: @SabesBet