Top Games of the Weekend – grab your bagels, they’re all LOCKS!
Let’s review how I did last week: (spoiler alert, awesome)
Last week: 6-2
Season long: 18-20
Locks: Last week- 2-0 / Season- 6-5
Let's dive into my picks:
1.#5 UNC @ FSU
a.North Carolina is #5 in the country?! That’s how you know 2020 is weird…when is the last time that happened? Are these basketball rankings? So far on the season, they’ve taken down Syracuse, Boston College, and VT…not exactly the who’s who…and in their last 2 games, they only won by an average of 7. 13.5 seems a bit high…but mark my words…FSU is going to make this team look like the 5th best in the country. Sam Howell is too much, give me the Tarheels minus the points.
2.#3 Georgia @ #2 Alabama @ Bryant-Denny Stadium
a.This game is huge, it’s epic, and it’s going to be played without Nick Saban. Arguably the biggest game of the year in CFB, and Steve Sarkisian is going to be roaming the sidelines for Bama.
b.This matchup features the nation’s top offense (bama) vs the nation’s top defense (Georgia). My gut says GA…but my brain is telling me otherwise. Don’t let this façade of Nick Saban out of the game fool you, his brother “vick” will be there in full force, mustache and all…
c.But, in all seriousness…what’s winning in today’s world of football, it’s the offensive side of the ball. Bama is lighting team’s up, and I just trust a Junior QB in Mac Jones a little bit more than Stetson Bennett at Georgia. Too big too soon for him…Saban disciples never beat bama! Hate giving up 4.5, but in all honesty, it’s a bargain! Give me the Tide.
3.UCF @ Memphis
a.UCF and Memphis are both seeking bounce-back wins this Saturday. They have gone from front-runners in the AAC to suddenly in need of a victory to stay in another conference title chase. UCF has had two weeks to think about how they blew an 18-point lead after racking up 18 penalties for 124 yards and committing three turnovers.
b.But this matchup is all UCF…Memphis has not fared well against UCF in past seasons. The Tigers have lost all 13 games since UCF joined Conference USA in 2005, and Memphis' only win in the series came in their first matchup in 1990. Gimmie the Knights -2.5 all day long.
4.Browns @ Steelers
a.On paper, this looks like a heavy weight bout, 4-1 Cleveland vs 4-0 Pittsburgh. Problem is, this is the toughest test Baker Mayfield has faced since his week 1 beat down against Stefan’s Ravens…no one pressures the QB more than Pittsburgh, and no QB handles pressure worse than Baker.
b.Cleveland will try to slow this game down, I think it’ll be close throughout…big mistake at the end…Pittsburgh wins and covers 3.5.
5.Lions @ Jags
a.Barn burner in the 1 o’clock window! This is actually my personal best bet of the week. You mean to tell me, I get a home underdog against the Lions? I’m taking that everyday and twice on Sunday. I don’t care that it’s the Jags, I don’t care if DJ Chark doesn’t play. The Lions are terrible, and the Jags have at least been a respectable team…they are an honorable 1-4.
b.Something to watch for: We’ve now seen 2 coaches fired mid-season…Bill O’Brien and Dan Quinn. If the Lions do indeed lose this game…Matt Patricia, who is currently 10-25 as a head coach, might just get the axe.
6.Packers @ Bucs
a.Classic showdown, two of the greats of all time, in just their 3rd matchup EVER. Each has a win over the other, so for now…we’ll call this the rubber match.
b.Coming into this game the Packers are averaging an absurd 38ppg…and if my research is correct…they have had only ONE three and out all year long…Meanwhile, the Bucs come in with the leagues 3rd best defense.
c.You know how much I LOVE the bucs this year, this is my Super Bowl pick, but man…they are all kinds of beat up. Right now, health wise, these teams are passing ships in the night. Packers get Adams back…and the Bucs could be without their top corner in Carlton Davis….their questionables in this game read like a Sunday grocery list.
d.I’ll take the Packers +1. Just too good to beat right now.