A ton of rivalry games being played this weekend for both the pros and amateurs. Rivarlies make predicting games VERY hard. You never know how the attitude of each team is going to affect the outcome. While, some rivalries can be very one-sided, if there is enough dislike or envy between the teams, you never know what the motivations are going to be.
College Week 13
Georgia over Georgia Tech - of all the rivalry games, the talent disparagy in this one make it the easiest call for me. Tech has been too sychzophreic for any "hate" they may have to overcome the fact that Georgia is better at every position.
Oklahoma over Oklahoma State - the Cowboys exorcised some demons last year, I don't think their "hate" can overcome a driven Sooner team. Not only can Oklahoma still get into the BCS, they could sneak in the Championship if crazy stuff happens.
Penn State over Wisconsin - not sure if this is a "rivarly," but I have more faith in Penn State playing lights out on Senior Day of what has been a "moral victory" of a season.
Notre Dame over USC - the feel good story of the year is 120 minutes away from completion.
Florida State over Florida - rivalry hatred aside, I'm picking the team that didn't need a miraculous blocked punt to beat Jacksonville State.
Oregon over Oregon State - only the rivalry hatred and the Beavers propensity for pulling off unexpected upsets are keeping me from putting more confidence behind the pick. The Ducks are the LAST team I'd want to play this week.
Ohio State over Michigan - let's see: first, they're undefeated; second, they would be #1 if they weren't on probation; third, Michigan is overrated; finally, Urban Meyer loves to win his primary rivalry game.
UCLA over Stanford - my "upset" special. While both teams have "let down game" written all over them, I seriously think the Bruins are itching to play Oregon again in the Pac12 title game to get revenge from last year.
Texas Tech over Baylor - speaking for "let down games", Baylor might as well have tattooed it on their foreheads, but I'm not super confident Tech can take advantage... they did need ovcrtime to beat kansas.
Clemson over South Carolina - another case of Clemson and South Carolina starting highly ranked, playing all their marque games early, losing one or two, then climbing back into the top 15 just before their rivalry game. Honestly, I have NO clue.
Last Week: 6-4 (28 pts)
Season: 76-44 (449 pts)
NFL Week 12
Texans over Lions - the road team on Thursday games stink doesn't count on Thanksgiving, especially when the best team in the AFC is playing a fringe NFC playoff team.
Redskins over Cowboys - I've just got this feeling that RG3 is going to make everyone wake up from their turkey nap and say "wow" in this one. Plus 'Skins/Cowboys on Thanksgiving is a great rivarly.
Patriots over Jets - let's just say the the Thursday road team jinx is limited to games on NFL Network, their is no real way I'm picking against the Patriots. Another good rivarly for Thanksgiving.
Bears over Vikings - if the Bears don't figure out what went wrong last week we can all stop worrying about "Jay Cutler MVP" as another sign the Mayans were right.
Bengals over Raiders - the sneaky good Bengals will just keep flying under the radar. Plus, it's a west coast team playing on the "east coast" in the early games.
Steelers over Browns - finally, Brandon Weeden is starting against a quarterback older than him.
Colts over Bills - Colts and Luck at home... all the way to the playoffs... amazing.
Broncos over Chiefs - my LOCK of the week. Did I mention I'm 10-"1" on LOCK picks? That "1" is actually the 49ers tie.
Dolphins over Seahawks - first, Seahawks on the road; second, it has to be the longest road trip for ANYONE; third, west coast team playing on the east coast in an early game; finally, it's not really an upset because 6-4 in the NFC is like 4-6 in the AFC anyway.
Falcons over Buccaneers - Doug Martin, meet "Spoon" and "Willie Mo."
Titans over Jaguars - I honestly thought of locking the Titans because the Broncos play the Chiefs again in week 17 (and at home), but Blaine-O has been ever so steadily improving, and this is the team that passed him over to take Jake Locker, so it's no LOCK.
Ravens over Chargers - I seriously hope the Ravens bury the Chargers for good (sorry to all my wife's family that are Chargers fans). I'm fine with the Broncos running away with the West if it means neither the Chargers or Raiders even sniff the playoffs. With Manning, the Broncos are slowly falling behind the Chargers in the race for my least favorite NFL team (NOTE: the Raiders will always win in this race).
49ers over Saints - I'm pretty sure Aldon Smith can't replicate what he did on Monday, but I'm sure he'll try. I'm also sure the Saints defense will try to replicate what the Bears defense did on Monday (or what they didn't do).
Panthers over Eagles - what an ugly Monday night game... BOOO!
Last Week: 11-3
Season: 104-55
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