“YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!” – Herm Edwards
So wait, (Athletic Director) Ray Anderson and ASU, you think it’s a good idea to hire a 63 year old coach who hasn’t been on the sidelines since 2008 and last coached any level of college football in 1989? What sense does this make? On what planet are you living?
As of the time this blog was written, Herm Edwards is planning on interviewing for the open Arizona State football head coaching job. Despite his 56-78 NFL head coaching record, I still wouldn’t consider him an awful coach. I simply don’t believe that he could recruit at the level necessary to succeed in the Pac-12.
#ASU coaching decision made easy :
A former NFL Coach who coached the KC Chiefs.
A personality on ESPN covering football.
What could go wrong for ASU ?
Regards,
John Mackovic— NPOB Sports ETC (@_NPOB) November 29, 2017
It would be a disastrous decision that would set the program back years in my opinion. Just hire former Texas A&M head man Kevin Sumlin and the program would be in respectable hands. With Edwards, not so much.
On to the picks, first NFL then College Football’s Championship Week…
Week 13 NFL Picks
Last Week: 13-3 Straight Up (SU), 11-5 Against the Spread (ATS)
Overall: 114-62 SU, 96-79-1 ATS
(Picks against the spread in parentheses; home teams in caps)
Washington 27, DALLAS 23 (ATS: Redskins +1.5)
The Cowboys are an absolute dumpster fire without Ezekiel Elliott. Why should I pick them against a Redskins team, which if they can protect QB Kirk Cousins, should torch the Cowboys secondary for several big plays on Thursday night…
ATLANTA 26, Minnesota 21 (ATS: Falcons -2.5)
If Atlanta wants to be a serious playoff contender, they need this one…badly. Journeyman Vikings QB Case Keenum can’t go into Atlanta and shock the Falcons, can he? A fascinating game that should be close throughout.
New England 30, BUFFALO 20 (ATS: Patriots -8.5)
So for two weeks, Buffalo looks like the worst team in the NFL…then they hold Kansas City to 10 points and win on the road? Baffling. They won’t beat Tom Brady and company though – the Pats are just too good for the inconsistent Bills.
San Francisco 19, CHICAGO 17 (ATS: 49ers +3.5)
How the heck am I supposed to pick this game? Both teams are horrendous. But if Jimmy Garoppolo starts at QB for SF, I think the 49ers do just enough on offense to squeak out a close win.
GREEN BAY 27, Tampa Bay 22 (ATS: Packers +1.5)
One week I’m off the Packers train, this week despite the Steelers loss, I’m back on it. Tampa Bay’s defense is so bad…look for Brett Hundley to have another multiple TD pass game for the Pack.
TENNESSEE 30, Houston 22 (ATS: Titans -7.5)
The Texans would be in the AFC South mix if not for the loss of rookie QB Deshaun Watson to a torn-ACL in practice several weeks ago. Now they’re just playing out the string…but should be much improved in 2018.
MIAMI 20, Denver 17 (ATS: Dolphins Pick’em)
Former Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph leads his awful Broncos team to South Florida in what appears to be a stinker of a matchup. Considering Denver is in a complete nosedive, I’ll take Miami just for that reason alone.
Kansas City 23, NEW YORK JETS 17 (ATS: Chiefs -3.5)
What the heck happened to the Chiefs? And along those same lines, what the heck happened to the Rookie of the Year candidacy of RB Kareem Hunt? Both look permanently damaged at this point. If KC somehow loses this one, don’t be surprised if Alex Smith gets deposed as KC’s QB in favor of rookie Pat Mahomes.
JACKSONVILLE 30, Indianapolis 7 (ATS: Jaguars -9.5)
The Jaguars are 6-0 SU and 6-0 ATS on odd weeks. Last I checked (Week) 13 is an odd number. I’ll go with the NFL’s best defense to crush Jacoby Brissett and the hapless Colts.
BALTIMORE 23, Detroit 19 (ATS: Ravens -2.5)
The Ravens are coming off a short week to face a Lions team that desperately needs a win to remain in the NFC playoff race. Expect Baltimore to hold serve in a closer than anticipated game.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 34, Cleveland 16 (ATS: Chargers -13.5)
The Chargers are on fire right now and have an incredibly manageable schedule the rest of the way. Someone needs to get the 6th seed in the AFC and I definitely wouldn’t count out Phillip Rivers and company. Cleveland will pose no resistance to the oncoming LA train.
Oakland 19, New York Giants 9 (ATS: Giants +6.5)
This game looked to be a meaningful one before the season. Now it’s flat garbage. Expect an ugly affair as Raiders QB Derek Carr could be without his two biggest receiving weapons, Amari Cooper (concussion) and Michael Crabtree (suspension). Plus arguably the worst QB in the NFL, Geno Smith, is starting for the Giants.
NEW ORLEANS 31, Carolina 27 (ATS: Saints -3.5)
Very interesting and meaningful game in the NFC South divisional race. The Saints tripped up in LA last week but I just don’t see the Panthers slowing down New Orleans’ offensive weapons this week. Fun game and it should be fairly close throughout.
Los Angeles Rams 26, ARIZONA 20 (ATS: Cardinals +6.5)
When these two teams met in London in October, the Rams embarrassed the Cardinals to the tune of a 33-0 shutout. Though Blaine Gabbert and company keep this one much closer, I don’t see Arizona pulling out the win, however.
SEATTLE 24, Philadelphia 23 (ATS: Seahawks +5.5)
The Eagles look to be unstoppable right now. But winning in Seattle, even against a banged up Seahawks defense, will be very difficult for Carson Wentz’s team. I’m not terribly confident in this pick…but I’ll roll with Russell Wilson to pull the home upset.
Pittsburgh 24, CINCINNATI 20 (ATS: Bengals +5.5)
The Steelers generally aren’t great on the road. The Bengals seem to be catching their stride. Might we see the upset on Monday Night Football? Likely not but expect this game to be closer than anticipated with Pittsburgh prevailing late.
For our final regular season college football picks of the season, I’m stoked to have Jim Weber from CollegeSportsOnly.com as this week’s guest picker! Both Steve and I agree that Jim’s Twitter feed, @collegesportsonly, is one of the most entertaining follows on the platform – we recommend it to all CFB and CBB fans.
I have to give Steve credit…he ran away with the straight up picks this year but currently is tied with the guest picks against the spread.
Also one more thing to note…of the ten games picked each week, not one picker has gone undefeated! Let’s see how things shape up this week.
Guest Picker Results
Week 1: Adam Green 9-1 SU, 5-4 ATS
Week 2: Mike Muraco 4-6 SU, 6-4 ATS
Week 3: Mike Bauer 8-2 SU, 5-5 ATS
Week 4: Jeff Dean 6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS
Week 5: Arnie Spanier 8-2 SU, 8-2 ATS
Week 6: Jason McIntyre 6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS
Week 7: Dan Manucci 7-3 SU, 8-2 ATS
Week 8: Lauren Joffe 6-4 SU, 3-7 ATS
Week 9: Shane Dale 6-4 SU, 6-4 ATS
Week 10: Shawn Crespin 8-2 SU, 6-4 ATS
Week 11: Tim Montemayor 6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS
Week 12: Charles Wulf 6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS
Week 13: Dan Wolken 6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS
Week 14 College Football Predictions
| Eric Cohen | Jon Bell | Steve Malina | Guest Picks (Jim Weber) | |
| Twitter: | @eacohen83 | @koshercoach | @stevenmalina | @OfficialCSO |
| Overall (Straight Up): | 90-40 | 85-45 | 98-32 | 84-46 |
| Overall (Against the Spread): | 62-67 | 60-69 | 68-61 | 68-61 |
| Last Week (SU): | 8-2 | 9-1 | 9-1 | 6-4 |
| Last Week (ATS): | 6-4 | 7-3 | 5-5 | 4-6 |
| USC (-3.5) vs. Stanford | USC 27-20 | STAN 31-20 | USC 38-35 | USC 30-28 |
| North Texas at Florida Atlantic (-10.5) | FAU 48-34 | FAU 41-27 | FAU 37-30 | FAU 51-42 |
| Memphis at Central Florida (-6.5) | UCF 40-35 | UCF 38-35 | UCF 41-38 | MEM 45-40 |
| Akron vs. Toledo (-21.5) | TOL 38-14 | TOL 21-17 | TOL 31-14 | TOL 35-27 |
| TCU vs. Oklahoma (-7.5) | OK 31-20 | OK 38-17 | OK 42-30 | OK 38-27 |
| Georgia vs. Auburn (-2) | GA 27-20 | AUB 21-17 | GA 28-24 | GA 20-17 |
| Troy at Arkansas State (-1.5) | ASU 30-27 | TROY 24-20 | TROY 28-27 | TROY 48-31 |
| Fresno State at Boise State (-8.5) | BOISE 37-24 | FRESNO 28-24 | BOISE 31-20 | FRESNO 35-14 |
| Miami FL vs. Clemson (-9.5) | CLEM 34-27 | CLEM 38-17 | CLEM 34-20 | CLEM 31-20 |
| Wisconsin vs. Ohio State (-6.5) | WISC 26-20 | OSU 48-10 | OSU 39-27 | OSU 30-28 |
No bold predictions necessary for Championship Week. This week it’s all about who makes the College Football Playoff.
If Clemson, Oklahoma, Auburn, and Wisconsin win…there’s no drama. If Georgia beats Auburn, the Bulldogs replace the Tigers in the final four. No problems there.
But if Miami beats Clemson, do BOTH the Hurricanes and (Clemson) Tigers get in? And if Wisconsin loses, who replaces the Badgers and their weak resume? Alabama or Ohio State?
Based on my predictions, here would be the bowl matchups:
Sugar: Clemson vs. Georgia, Rose: Oklahoma vs. Wisconsin
Let the fun begin!
For more thoughts and predictions on these games check out Friday’s Quick Hitters blog.
Cohen's Corner 