Fourth and 5: November 2016

Saturday, November 19, 2016

College Football Top 25 Predictions - Week 12

#2 Ohio State (9-1) at Michigan State (3-7)

Time: 12:00pm EST

TV: ESPN

Line: Ohio State -21.5

Michigan State seemingly always rises to the occasion against Ohio State beating them 3 out of their last 5 meetings and all in big time games. Yet oddly enough haven't actually beaten Ohio State at home since 1999. Despite MSU finally showing life that drought of home losses to OSU continues. Ohio State wins 38-13 due to the subpar conditions keeping this game on the ground for the most part.

#7 Wisconsin (8-2) at Purdue (3-7)

Time: 12:00pm EST

TV: ABC

Line: Wisconsin -28

I think it's safe to say Wisconsin wins and keeps their playoff hopes alive. 34-6.

#11 Oklahoma State (8-2) at TCU (5-4)

Time: 12:00pm EST

TV: FS1

Line: TCU -6.5

Meh. TCU wins 58-55.

Maryland (5-5) at #18 Nebraska (8-2)

Time: 12:00pm EST

TV: ESPNN

Line: Nebraska -13

If Nebraska wins a game but no one is around to watch it, does it make a noise? Not really. 34-13 Big Red.

UTSA (5-5) at #25 Texas A&M (7-3)

Time: 12:00pm EST

TV: ESPNU

Line: Texas A&M -27.5

It's SEC showcase week! Tune in to see all the SEC v FCS or borderline FBS games. There's always one that actually goes down to the wire.. A&M has lost 3/4 since being hillariously ranked #4 in the first College Football Playoff ranking. Their free fall continues. University of Texas - San Antonio Roadrunners 28, Aggies 26.

#23 Florida (7-2) at #16 LSU (6-3)

Time: 1:00pm EST

TV: SECN

Line: LSU -14

SEC is a crapshoot This is the rescheduled game from earlier in the year that was supposed to be in Gainesville. LSU should win but Florida pulls it off, 24-20.

Oregon (3-7) at #12 Utah (8-2)

Time: 2:00pm EST

TV: Nope

Line: Utah -14.5

Oregon is bad. Utah wins 52-24.

Indiana (5-5) at #3 Michigan (9-1)

Time: 3:30pm EST

TV: ESPN

Line: Michigan -24.5

Michigan is without starting QB Wilton Speight, coming off of a loss and in cold, windy and wet conditions.. Michigan wins 28-10.

#22 Washington State (8-2) at #10 Colorado (8-2)

Time: 3:30pm EST

TV: FOX

Line: Colorado -5.5

One of 3 top 25 matchups this weekend. Colorado plays its first meaningful home game in years.. But it will be the Cougars who win it. 31-27 Washington State.

#17 Florida State (7-3) at Syracuse (4-6)

Time: 3:30pm EST

TV: ABC

Line: Florida State -21.5

The Orange will come to play today.. and they'll lose. Florida State 58-17.

Missouri (3-7) at #19 Tennessee (7-3)

Time: 3:30pm EST

TV: CBS

Line: Tennessee -17

Tennessee has played down to everyone it has played. Tennessee wins 34-28.

Buffalo (2-8) at #21 Western Michigan (10-0)

Time: 3:30pm EST

TV: ESPNU

Line: Western Michigan -34.5

Western Michigan doesn't get enough respect. Broncos roll 45-3.

#24 Stanford (7-3) at California (4-6)

Time: 5:30pm EST

TV: Pac-12 Network

Line: Stanford -11

Stanford crawled its way into the top 25. It won't last long. California wins 41-34.

Chattanooga (8-2 FCS) at #1 Alabama (10-0)

Time: 7:00pm EST

TV: ESPN2

Line: Alabama -100

Good luck in the FCS playoffs, Mocs. Bama sits its starters after 1 quarter and coast to a 71-10 win.

#4 Clemson (9-1) at Wake Forest (6-4)

Time: 7:00pm EST

TV: ESPN

Line: Clemson -23.5

Clemson has it all wrapped up. Tigers win 41-17.

Arizona State (5-5) at #6 Washington (9-1)

Time: 7:30pm EST

TV: FOX

Line: Washington -27.5

Washington has a chance to right their wrongs from last week. They will. Washington wins 55-20.

Alabama A&M (4-6 FCS) at #15 Auburn (7-3)

Time: 7:30pm EST

TV: SECN

Line:N/A

Auburn wins and the crowd goes mild. 56-6.

#8 Penn State (8-2) at Rutgers (2-9)

Time: 8:00pm EST

TV: BTN

Line: Penn State -27

Rutgers really hates Penn State while Penn State doesn't really care about Rutgers. A lot of people don't really think Penn State is legit either while Rutgers would love nothing more than to eliminate them from playoff contention (assuming Michigan and Ohio State win earlier in the day)... That said it will all be for not. Penn State wins 58-14.

#9 Oklahoma (8-2) at #14 West Virginia (8-1)

Time: 8:00pm EST

TV: ABC

Line: Oklahoma -3.5

This game will go a long way in determining the Big 12 champion.. And no one cares because the entire conference is crap and can't play defense. Brutal games to watch. West Virginia wins 55-49.

#13 USC (7-3) at UCLA (4-6)

Time: 10:30pm EST

TV: ESPN

Line: USC -13.5

This is the perfect night cap as it will put you to sleep. USC wins 34-13.

NFL Predictions - Week 11

Straight and to the point here.. Also, I picked Carolina over New Orleans..

Here's proof:

So far this season I am 92-54 using my ESPN.com predictions as this is my first time posting predictions here.

Jacksonville at Detroit (-6.5)
Typical Lions game to lose.. Will they? I have no idea. History tells me yes. Jacksonville wins 24-20.

Pittsburgh at Cleveland (+8.5)
Steelers win 31-17.

Baltimore at Dallas (-7)
I feel like Dak Prescott is just due for a loss.. But I've felt that way for weeks. I'll keep picking against them until it happens. Ravens win 20-17.

Tennessee at Indianapolis (-3)
Colts win 27-21.

Buffalo at Cincinnati (-2.5)
Bengals win 28-17.

Tampa Bay at Kansas City (-7.5)
Chiefs win 16-13.

Chicago at New York Giants (-7.5)
Giants win 24-10.

Arizona at Minnesota (-2)
Cardinals wins 34-14.

Miami at Los Angeles (+2)
Dolphins wins 21-20.

New England at San Francisco (+11.5)
Patriots win 38-13.

Philadelphia at Seattle (-6.5)
Seahawks win 17-14.

Green Bay at Washington (-3)
Redskins win 34-21.

Oakland vs Houston (+5.5) - Mexico City
Raiders win 31-21.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

NFL Power Rankings - Week 11

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Short on time and very busy this week so I'm just giving you my NFL Power Rankings straight up.

1. New England Patriots (7-2)
2. Dallas Cowboys (8-1)
3. Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)
5. Oakland Raiders (7-2)
6. Denver Broncos (7-3)
7. Alanta Falcons (6-4)
8. New York Giants (6-4)
9. Detroit Lions (5-4)
10. Washington Redskins (5-3-1)
11. Houston Texans (6-3)
12. Baltimore Ravens (5-4)
13. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)
14. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-5)
16. Tennessee Titants (5-5)
17. Minnesota Vikings (5-4)
18. Arizona Cardinals (4-4-1)
19. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5-1)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)
21. New Orleans Saints(4-5)
22. Carolina Panthers (3-6)
23. Green Bay Packers (4-5)
24. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)
25. San Diego Chargers (4-6)
26. Buffalo Bills (4-5)
27. Los Angeles Rams (4-5)
28. New York Jets (3-7)
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7)
30. Chicago Bears (2-7)
31. San Francisco 49ers (1-8)
32. Cleveland Browns (0-10)

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Guess the Sunday Night Football Score - Giveaway

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College Football Top 25 Projections - Week 12

After a week that saw the College Football Playoff teams ranked #2, #3, #4, #8, #9, #10, #14, #17 and #25 all lose, I think it's fair to say shakeups are abound.. Here is how I see the College Football Playoff Committee rankings shaping up when they come out this Tuesday. Remember these are projections for the CFP rankings. Not my personal rankings.

#1 Alabama (10-0)
This is obvious.

#2 Ohio State (9-1)
Ohio State won big on the road vs Maryland which wasn't surprising. But they were the only team ranked 2-5 last week that won. So they move up 3 spots from 5 to 2.

#3 Michigan (9-1)
Michigan's hate/hate relationship with Kinnick Stadium and Iowa the last decade continues. The Wolverines suffer their first loss since they played Ohio State last November. It was at night on the road in a tough environment and on a last second field goal. Iowa may just be average at best but I don't see Michigan dropping any worse than #4 this week. Michigan is the only team that can boast 3 top 10 wins this season (Colorado, Penn State and Wisconsin). That counts for something.

#4 Clemson (9-1)
Clemson, who has nearly lost twice against weaker opponents already this season (Troy and NC State), finally had their luck run out with a 1pt loss at home to Pittsburgh. I think Clemson only drops 2 spots as they hold the head to head over Louisville and Washington lost as well. I think Michigan jumps them because Michigan hasn't had close games against lesser teams until last night. Clemson has had 3 and all were at home.

#5 Louisville (9-1)
Louisville blew their chance at the playoffs with the loss to Clemson. They'll need Clemson to lose again next week to Wake Forest - which is their final conference game - in hopes of making the ACC title game and getting to the playoffs with a win there. There are a few things that could still get them in but for the most part they are a sitting duck that will need a lot of help around them.

#6 Wisconsin (8-2)
Wisconsin, much like Louisville can't do much to move up right now given they've lost to 2 teams in front of them (Ohio State and Michigan). Unlike Louisville though, Wisconsin plays in the opposite division as those 2 conference foes and can easily find themselves in the playoffs if they win out which could include a rematch against either Ohio State or Michigan in the Big Ten Championship.

#7 Washington (9-1)
Ouch. The Pac-12 was seen as less than stellar and many thought Washington had to run the table going 13-0 to get in.. With Michigan losing though, they may not be totally out as many saw a scenario where a 1 loss Ohio State or Michigan could still get in if Washington lost. But a 2 loss OSU/UM won't get in over a 12-1 Pac-12 champ in Washington.

#8 Penn State (8-2)
Penn State actually has a favorable chance to win the Big Ten East believe it or not. Assuming Penn State wins out against Rutgers and MSU which seems like an easy task, they would need Michigan to lose to Indiana or Ohio State (which is likely) and they will clinch the division with their head to head win over Ohio State.

#9 Oklahoma (8-2)
Oklahoma has found a way to creep back up the rankings after a disappointing start to the season and they have a match-up vs West Virginia this week. It's safe to declare the Big 12 and Oklahoma dead in terms of making the playoffs with the lack of a conference title game but there's a NY6 bowl game perhaps on the line in Morgantown this week.

#10 Colorado (8-2)
The Buffs keep on rolling and have a shot at the Pac-12 South with two ranked opponents coming up to end the year. They even still have an outside chance of crashing the playoffs if they can win out over Washington State, Utah and then Washington in the Pac-12 Championship while teams like Michigan, Ohio State and Louisville are all potentially sitting at home combined with a Penn State or Wisconsin loss that week if they were to meet in the B1G title game.

#11 Oklahoma State (8-2)
Oklahoma State has bounced back well after the early season upset loss on the hail mary that shouldn't have been vs Central Michigan. Their matchup vs Oklahoma in 2 weeks could be a defacto Big 12 Championship game with the winner headed to a NY6 Bowl.

#12 Texas A&M (7-3)
When the first playoff ranking was released most were shocked to see the Aggies inexplicably ranked #4. After 2 straight losses to lesser teams, they will still be inexplicably ranked in the top 12. Making it 2 straight weeks they drop 4 spots.. Maybe by the end of the year they'll be #20 with a 7-5 record.

#13 Utah (8-2)
Utah still has hopes of a conference title and a very slim chance much like Colorado to actually make the playoffs if they were to win the conference if enough chips fall into place along the way.

#14 USC (7-3)
USC was back! Then they weren't... But now they are? USC moves up 6 spots after knocking off #4 Washington in Washington but their head to head loss vs Utah keeps them behind the Utes. After starting 1-3, USC still has a chance to win the division and more and just like Utah and Colorado could find themselves awkwardly walking into the playoff party that they were never invited to.

#15 West Virginia (8-1)
Just like Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, WVU's playoff hopes are dead. But they can potentially win the conference and feel good about themselves, I guess.

#16 Auburn (7-3)
Auburn started poorly, got hot and then got upset last week. Their loss sealed the division for Alabama and ended even the slimmest of chance Auburn had at making a run into the SEC Championship game and beyond. They drop 7 spots.

#17 Florida State (7-3)
Their hopes of a ACC title are over now but Florida State just keeps beating the teams they are supposed to which keeps them hanging around the top 20.

#18 Nebraska (8-2)
Nebraska moves up 1 spot from 19 after rebounding after 2 straight losses and getting killed by Ohio State last week. They're effectively eliminated from Big Ten West contention.

#19 Western Michigan (10-0)
The Broncos keep on rowing the boat and making very little progress in the College Football Playoff rankings. They've completely rolled their opponents but look like they won't have a chance to prove themselves unless they finish 13-0 with the MAC title and find themselves in a NY6 game vs a top 10 team.

#20 Boise State (9-1)
I personally would have dropped Boise State completely after their loss to Wyoming. That's the price of doing business in the MWC. The committee kept them at #22, and then Boise State goes and enjoyed their Hawaiian vacation which involved beating Hawaii easily in a football game. Congrats, you move up 2 spots.

#21 Washington State (8-2)
Washington State is 7-0 in the Pac-12 and control their own destiny in the Pac-12 north. So how are they #21? Losing to an FCS team and Boise State to open the season will do that to you. WSU has clawed their way back but it's log jam in this portion of the polls. They can skyrocket themselves with a win over Colorado and then Washington, two top 10 teams. They'd then find themselves in the Pac-12 Championship game vs USC, Utah or Colorado..

#22 LSU (6-3)
LSU beat #25 Arkansas on the road. How in the world was Arkansas #25? I don't know.. LSU moves up 2 spots.

#23 Virginia Tech (7-3)
Virginia Tech falls 9 spots after losing by 2 scores at home vs Georgia Tech. Luckily for them, they still control their fate in the ACC Coastal Division.

#24 North Carolina (7-3)
UNC drops 7 spots and remains behind VT since they got destroyed by them at home earlier this year. Losing on the road by 1 point to rival Duke is the only reason they stay ranked in mind. Had they lost by 10 I believe they'd be dropped. Still have an outside shot in the ACC Coastal division, though.

#25 Pittsburgh (6-4)
Pittsburgh is the only new addition this week. I think they have a chance of squeaking in over San Diego State (9-1) because not only did they just go on the road to knock off the #2 team in the country, but they also have another top 10 win on their resume when they beat Penn State early in the season. They too still have a shot - a very very small one - in the ACC Coastal.