End of 2023 Stone Cold Locks via Brandon Kravitz

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Locksmas! Santa Kravitz is here with the gifts you’ve all been waiting for. Gather around the tree and let’s ring in the holiday season with the only presents that matter – Stone Cold Locks.

I was back to my winning ways for 3 weeks. Cooled off a bit last week but nothing too detrimental. 2-3 week. Bringing my overall record to 48-45-4 (52% ATS). Still have some work to do to get to that precious 60% goal. So let’s hop to it!

Mizzou -1 vs Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl- Let’s see, who is going to care about this game more? A program that’s never in new years 6 situation or one that viewed the year as title or bust? Ohio State has all the talent in the world, but this Missouri team with Brady Cook @ QB and Luther Burden @ WR is explosive on offense, and highly skilled in their own right. Kyle McCord, the starting QB for the Buckeyes has already hit the portal, I’m almost positive Marvin Harrison Jr. will be an opt out, and 5 other future NFL players. This is a Tigers smash spot. Mizzou -1, lock it up! (Game not until December 29th)

Rutgers +1.5 vs Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl- Another strong opt out fade. Miami will be without their star QB Tyler Van Dyke, and if you remember, their back up QB Emory Williams was hurt a few weeks ago – he’ll be out as well. So this team is down to their 3rd string QB and on top of all that – Miami has been an easy fade during bowl season. The Canes are riding an 11 game losing streak in bowls. Their last bowl win was in 2006. True story, look it up. And Mario Cristobal isn’t anything special during bowl season either. 3-3 as a head coach in bowl games. This is essentially a home game for the Scarlet Knights…give me Rutgers +1.5, lock it up! (Game not until December 28th)

Iowa vs Tennessee UNDER 36.5 in the Citrus Bowl- This one is pretty simple. Iowa unders. Our final opportunity to cash one of these tickets…and we’re gonna take it. Here’s a fun fact for ya, the last time an Iowa game reached a total over 35…it was September 30th. Sure, Tennessee has a high powered offense, but its been clunky at times throughout the year, Joe Milton has not lived up to the lofty hype that was placed on him. I think Iowa will be locked in for this one and they’ll force UT to play their game. We’ll go under the total at 36.5…lock it up!

Bama +1.5 vs Michigan in the CFB Playoff Semifinal Rose Bowl- Like taking candy from a baby. You mean to tell me, I get Nick Saban with a month to prepare, as an underdog, against Jim “I’ve never won a big game outside of the Big 10” Harbaugh…sign me all the way up for that. Jim Harbaugh has lost 6 straight bowl games, he’s lost his 2 appearances in the CFB Playoff, and if Jalen Milroe plays the way he’s capable of playing – it’ll be something this Wolverines team hasn’t had to contend with all year long. Michigan is simply too one dimensional, you stop their run, and they wilt. Michigan will have to play perfect to win this game, and I think that’s asking too much. Bama +1.5, lock it up! (Game not until January 1st)

Texans +2 vs Browns- I’m taking a leap of faith with this pick, it looks like CJ Stroud isn’t going to play, and I could be stepping in it here. If he does, great, we got a good number, if not, I still have faith…I fully expect Case Keenum to shred this Browns defense. Yes, they’re good, but they’re not that good. They really thrive at home where they’ve held teams under 20ppg this season – they are Jekyll and Hyde on the road though. They’ve given up 30ppg away from Cleveland and Houston has been rolling in their own building…so hopefully Stroud plays but either way – give me the Texans +2, lock it up!

Ravens +5.5 @ 49ers- Monday Night Football. On Christmas. Possible Super Bowl preview…too good to pass up. How quickly we forget…Lamar Jackson doesn’t lose to the NFC! He’s 17-1 in his career against this conference. They don’t know how to defend him, for most, it’s the first time they’ve ever seen the guy…and Lamar is playing some of the best football of his life. Want to feel even more warm and cozy about it? Lamar in prime-time. 13-4 straight up in his career. And let me remind you, HE’S AN UNDERDOG HERE. Lamar Jackson as an underdog, 11-1 all time against the spread. And for San Fran…they’ve failed to cover the spread in each of their past 3 home games. Love, love, love this. Ravens +5.5, lock it up!