Week 14 CFB ‘Expert’ Picks + Week 13 NFL Picks

There is nothing like the pageantry of a rivalry game in college football. Sorry Duke-UNC college basketball, Yankees-Red Sox, Bears-Packers, Leafs-Canadiens…I’ll take Ohio State-Michigan any day.

College football games make for fun and entertainment; rivalry games make for memories. 

As a kid I remember watching Ohio State-Michigan on the third Saturday of November… I might’ve only been 8 but I remember Desmond Howard’s punt return and Keith Jackson’s “HELLLLOOOOO HEISMAN!” like it was only a few years ago.

When the two teams played in 2003, the legendary Jackson voiced the greatest introduction to any sporting event that I will ever know…still gives me chills to watch it.

And in 2006, when #1 Ohio State hosted #2 Michigan, it felt like Saturday couldn’t get here fast enough. I don’t think there will ever be a bigger regular season game in any sport in my lifetime. 

It’s the one game a year that doesn’t involve my team that I hate to miss.

Speaking of rivalry games, Saturday will mark my 19th straight Arizona-Arizona State game in person. While the result likely won’t be ideal, I just can’t help myself when it comes to attending these Territorial Cup games in person.

On to our biggest weekend of picks to date:

Guest Picker Records:
Week 9: Jason “Chief” Carter: 6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS
Week 10: JROD: 5-5 SU, 4-6 ATS
Week 11: Boogie: 7-5 SU, 5-7 ATS
Week 12: Big George: 8-3 SU, 4-7 ATS
Week 13: The Berg: 7-5 SU, 8-4 ATS

Last week all five of us combined for only 38/60 correct picks…so $57 was donated to The Berg & The Burb. Once again you can DONATE HERE.

This week’s guest picker is my long time friend and three year KAMP (Sports) Radio broadcast partner at UofA, Adam Lester! He’s a big Ohio State fan and knows more about the Buckeyes than anyone I know. Will he pick them big against Michigan? Find out below…

Week 14 Picks

This Week’s Bold Predictions

EC: After a thorough beatdown at the hands of hated arch rival ASU, Kevin Sumlin’s tenure as Arizona’s coach is over after 24 games. With fan support at arguably the lowest point in 15 years, Wildcats AD Dave Heeke has no choice but to make the move. After a three week search, Arizona hires the man they should’ve two years ago, Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo.

JB: I’m either cursing the Wolverines or they’re going to party like it’s 1995 in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Michigan stuns undefeated and playoff bound Ohio State, temporarily derailing the Buckeyes national championship aspirations. In college football’s oldest rivalry, Minnesota keeps Paul Bunyan’s Axe and Gopher fans troll the Badgers by playing Jump Around late in the game.
Bonus Prediction: Arizona loses the Territorial Cup and the Wildcats fire Kevin Sumlin after 2 years.  

SM: After an extremely lackluster effort by his Wildcats team, Kevin Sumlin is fired around lunch time on Sunday.  The UofA fans get what they want for the second time in a two year span but will continue to not support the program financially. This forces UofA to go with cheaper options at head coach with the assistant coaching staff. Lane Kiffin eventually is hired knowing he can do well for three years then move back into a major power 5 job.
Bonus prediction: South Carolina also keeps it close vs Clemson until the 4th quarter.

(Notice a theme regarding Sumlin’s future…)

WF: ASU has the Vegas odds largest favored line in the rivalry in at least a decade at 12.5. Nothing is going to be much different on the field. The only reason UofA would score multiple TDs is because ASU has notable injuries at linebacker and can’t contain the run, especially if QB Khalil Tate gets a chance to run the ball just as much as he wants. This is a very bold prediction because the ‘Duel in the Desert’ is anything but predictable! Going to be on the edge of my seat regardless. Go Devils! #KeepTheCup

AL: Chase Young has another multiple sack game in a very high profile game, willing OSU’s defense over Xichigan.  In doing that, he punches his ticket to NYC for the Heisman ceremony (though Burrow wins). Young is the BEST player in the nation, so what’s the definition of the Heisman these days? 

Being that it’s a holiday week, no Week 13 NFL game write-ups, just scores, gambling picks, and fantasy guidance.

Week 13 Picks

Last Week: 8-6 Straight Up (SU), 6-8 Against the Spread (ATS)
Overall: 105-70-1 SU, 89-87 ATS
(Picks against the spread in parentheses; HOME TEAMS IN CAPS)

Chicago Bears 20, DETROIT LIONS 16 (ATS: Bears -2.5)
DALLAS COWBOYS 27, Buffalo Bills 16 (ATS: Cowboys -6.5)
New Orleans Saints 34, ATLANTA FALCONS 17 (ATS: Saints -6.5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 26 (ATS: Bucs +1.5)
BALTIMORE RAVENS 26, San Francisco 49ers 16 (ATS: Ravens -4.5)
New York Jets 27, CINCINNATI BENGALS 16 (ATS: Jets -3.5)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 30, Oakland Raiders 23 (ATS: Raiders +9.5)
CAROLINA PANTHERS 31, Washington Redskins 10 (ATS: Panthers -9.5)
Green Bay Packers 26, NEW YORK GIANTS 16 (ATS: Packers -6.5)
Philadelphia Eagles 27, MIAMI DOLPHINS 20 (ATS: Dolphins +9.5)
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 24, Tennessee Titans 21 (ATS: Colts -2.5)
Los Angeles Rams 26, ARIZONA CARDINALS 20 (ATS: Rams -4.5)
Cleveland Browns 23, PITTSBURGH STEELERS 17 (ATS: Browns -1.5)
Los Angeles Chargers 21, DENVER BRONCOS 16 (ATS: Chargers -2.5)
HOUSTON TEXANS 27, New England Patriots 24 (ATS: Texans +3.5)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 29, Minnesota Vikings 21 (ATS: Seahawks -3.5)

Week 13 Betting Locks
(Last Week’s Result, Season Record in Parentheses)
Favorite (LOSS, 5-7): Browns -1.5 at Steelers
Underdog (LOSS, 6-6): Texans +3.5 vs. Patriots
Bet the Over (WIN 4-7-1): Saints / Falcons Over 48.5
Bet the Under (WIN, 5-7): Bears / Lions Under 38.5

Week 13 Fantasy Football Guidance
‘Boom’ Players
(15+ PPR fantasy points from a non top-10 player)
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 12-24
QB: Carson Wentz (Eagles)
RB: Phillip Lindsay (Broncos)
WR: Amari Cooper (Cowboys)

‘Bust’ Players
(12 or less PPR fantasy points from a top-15 player)
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 17-19
QB: Josh Allen (Bills)
RB: Jonathan Williams (Colts)
WR: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)

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