At the start of the year I told you that I’d probably be somewhere around .500 by the time end of the season rolled around.
Turns out that was my best prediction of the year.
After adding a couple of alleged bonus picks to the card last week I went 2-4 and brought my record to a tidy 27-26-1 heading into Championship Week. If nothing else, you can’t say I didn’t deliver what I said I would. And I apologize for that.
I still have one week left to try and totally redeem myself so let’s jump into the games. Thanks for reading for another season and taking the time to comment. Good luck with your plays and remember that drinking everything and betting everything do not go together like rum and egg nog during bowl season.
Houston vs. East Carolina (+2.5, 70.5)
When it comes to scoring points, the Cougs have ‘em all beat. Not Texas nor Boise State nor Florida averaged more than 44.9 points this season. So take my advice on this one – play the under.
ECU has already conceded it won’t be able to keep up in a shootout with Houston over 60 minutes so the Pirates hope they can control the clock and keep things tight. They have the balanced offense to do it and Houston’s underestimated, though inconsistent, defense will make them earn their first downs.
ECU’s respectable defense just needs to hang on and pray it can stall Houston just enough that the Pirates are ahead when the clock winds down.
Pick: Under 70.5
Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh (+2, 58)
Who needs a championship game when you have schedule makers like this? The nerds can give themselves a pat on the back for coming up with the equation that brought these two teams together to close out the season.
As for the outcome, I think the oddsmakers got it right too: This one’s basically a toss-up.
I’m taking Pitt due to the home-field factor and because all the pressure falls on Cincy. Imagine if you go 11-0 to start the season only to end up at a bowl game in El Paso named after Brut aftershave or a gimmick bowl in Toronto in a half empty stadium? That would sting.
Pick: Pitt +2
Florida vs. Alabama (5.5, 41)
When you are so drunk you fall asleep at the wheel at a green light and then can only be woken up in momentary increments of consciousness, you probably should not be driving.
The DUI arrest of Florida star defensive end Carlos Dunlap doesn’t come at a great time. Then again, it doesn’t matter too much because the rest of Florida’s defense also happens to be amazing.
Bama’s defense is pretty good too in case you haven’t noticed. I’m seeing a low-scoring scrap that even goes to overtime.
Pick: Bama +5.5
Georgia Tech vs. Clemson (pick ‘em, 56.5)
I guess last week’s sloppy loss to crappy Georgia is the reason the Bumble Bees weren’t favored here. But Clemmy fell to a crappy South Carolina team too and here we are at the ACC Championship game.
Rain is in the forecast for Tampa and you gotta think that favors the second-leading rushing team in the nation.
Pick: Georgia Tech