Don't get me wrong, I'm more excited for Sunday's professional games than Tiger is for his first post-divorce Vegas trip. But, it is hard to escape the reality of tomorrow: the slate of big-time college games is about as impressive as it could get. In fact, thanks to recent television history, I will argue that tomorrow offers more compelling games than New Years Day has in almost a decade. So, let's discuss the action, shall we?
DISCLAIMER: Look, you're going to get this every week from Murray and me. He coaches college kids. I broadcast (and am paid by) college sporting events. We do not support betting on sports. It is way too easy to just pick winners, so throwing the spread in there makes it juicy. Plus, there are plenty of nice, family-loving, kitten-saving gamblers out there who could use some free advice.
Michigan @ Notre Dame -3.5
How many Bud Bowls were there? The right answer is "not enough," but let's be honest, it was getting flat towards the end. (Sorry, that was too easy) As a kid, for some reason, Bud Bowl was the sideshow to the Super Bowl I couldn't wait for. Looking back on it, I now realize I only liked it because of the hype and the title. That is what Michigan and Notre Dame has become. Every year, it is billed as the "Rebirth of Two Storied Programs." One team loses and sucks for the rest of the season. The other team wins, and.... sucks for the rest of the season. Now, they both have gimmicky offensive coaches and a frisky fan base. The Wolverines are one bad step away from getting Pearled by the NCAA. Notre Dame couldn't score more than 23 against Purdue. This is a dead even matchup and will honestly come down to turnovers. 60% chance of rain tomorrow benefits the better running team.
I'll take Michigan to cover AND WIN a sloppy game 21-17. Oh, and the over/under is 52.5. I think that's a really easy play.
#7 Oregon @ Tennessee +12
Imagine if MTV hosted a singing/performance Battle Royale between Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears tomorrow. No contest, right? Christina wins with a first round TKO. It seems like such a simple answer. What about 9 years ago? Britney was coming off a billion #1 hits, the Pepsi deal and was just about to breakup with Justin Timberlake (the start of the downfall), all while Christina was slutting it up in "Dirrrty." That same year, Tennessee was #2 in the country, three years removed from a national championship and one bad game away from another one. That same year, remember Joey Harrington? Yeah, he was good in college. But, I remember the Phillip Fulmer teams. Now, put those two teams on paper in 2010 and all you want is to form the T, throw on some orange and talk about the Volunteers. But, then you realize they dumped the best man in their life (Fulmer), got mixed up with some shady business (Kiffin) and don't know how to date the right guy (Dooley), so much so that they need lessons on how to properly shower. Sure, Oregon disappeared for a year (they lost to Indiana for God's sake), but they have always produced and now look like the better program in hindsight, and one can argue (gasp) better in the last decade.
It's a lot of points, but after the New Mexico slaughter last week, I like Oregon to put a home whopping on Tennessee 45-21
#22 Georgia @ #24 South Carolina -3
A few weeks ago, I was shopping at a bargain store and I found a name-brand pair of slacks for a really good price. Perfect size, nice style, perfect fit. Everything you would want. The first time I went to the restroom, I discovered the the fly is about 25% shorter than any I had ever experienced. Now, this presents a number of problems most (especially women) wouldn't understand. It was laborious just to get myself out of the pants in time to hit the head. And putting it back? Let's just say it I should have brought a crowbar and some Sham Wows to clean up afterwards. What a disappointment after everything aesthetically had worked out so well. The Gamecocks are that pair of pants. Everything about them, including the Ol' Ball Coach are the perfect designer on the outside. Then, you put them to work and something just doesn't work and never lives up to your expectation. If AJ Green hadn't have sold his jersey for some easy cash, I think it is easy to take UGA in this matchup.
Georgia by 1, 21-20
#17 Florida State @ #10 Oklahoma -7
I really like Christian Ponder, the QB for the 'Noles. In the games I saw last year, he was what I envisioned FSU missing for so many years since they were a relevant power. Surprisingly athletic, with a nice arm. Oklahoma gave up enough yards in the air against Utah State last weekend to qualify for that uber-elite frequent flyer club in a George Clooney movie, complete with a platinum membership card for the Utah State offensive coordinator. I think this could be a good ol fashioned shootout and so does Vegas. In the end, I think Oklahoma takes advantage of the home crowd, but I want so badly for FSU to win this game because I think they should, I'll give them the cover.
Oklahoma wins on a last-second scoring drive 38-35
#18 Penn State @ #1 Alabama -12
I really don't have a lot to say here. I think Bama is superior in almost every category. It's a good test for them, but motivation is at an all-time high. The crowd will be crazier than a 3-year-old unleashed on a bag of Pixie Stix. They haven't played since 1990, but most remember those meetings like they were yesterday. I don't care about the number. I don't care about Mr. Heisman being out for another week. Tide rolls.
Bama 31 - Penn State 10
#12 Miami @ #2 Ohio State -8.5
A lot has happened since the last time these two teams met. Maurice Clarrett has lived life from the Keith Richards school of body treatment. I owe Craig Krenzel $5 for a golf match debt. And the Hurricanes owe most of South Beach at least 5 years of good football to makeup for the garbage fire the past few seasons. Anybody who watched the 30-for-30 documentary about The U in the 1980s knowns what Miami hasn't been the past few seasons. While the two teams aren't the same in terms of scheme, the are eerily similar. Athletic, mobile, dual-threat QB with some decent weapons around him. On the other side, a notorious D (one fast, one physical) to try and slow the other down. Last weekend proved to me one thing (likely misguided): I firmly believe that Ohio State and Alabama will meet for the national championship. And they should, because I don't think Boise State is all the way there and neither is anybody else. In order for that to happen...
Buckeyes win 27-17
What do I feel good about this week? Almost nothing. That's why we don't support betting, remember? I do feel good about this though: amazing football will be on TV almost non-stop starting at Noon tomorrow. Enjoy!
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