Picks Trying Not to Suck: Week 13
Y'all should be thankful for these picks.
Let's see who the brothers are backing this holiday weekend as the season winds down.
BLATANT HOMERISM--Week 13
(Last Week: 3-2; Overall: 31-26-3)
Tulane (+8) at SMU
I’ve done fairly well backing the Green Wave this season, so why not one more for old time’s sake? The Mustangs got blasted in their one other matchup against an option offense this year, allowing nearly 600 yards on the ground to Navy a couple weeks back.
Tulane has a shot at an outright win.
The pick: SMU by less than eight, if at all.
South Florida at Central Florida (-10)
The Knights have dropped the hammer on opponents on the regular this season, beating teams by an average of four touchdowns per game. Meanwhile, despite a sterling record, the Bulls have stumbled around with mediocre competition.
UCF isn’t messing around and will want revenge for last season’s 17-point drubbing from USF.
The pick: Central Florida by 14 points at minimum.
Clemson at South Carolina (+14)
I’ll make this simple: The Gamecocks aren’t two touchdowns worse than the Tigers.
The pick: Take the points.
North Carolina (+16.5) at North Carolina State
The Tar Heels haven’t had the kind of season they hoped for, but Larry Fedora has managed to light a fire under his team in the last month of the year. UNC played Miami to a standstill, won at Pittsburgh and housed FCS foe Western Carolina in its last three games.
The Wolfpack aren’t exactly coming into their final game with a full head of steam. In particular, N.C. State’s offense has stagnated in recent weeks.
With revenge on its mind, consider UNC a live dog.
The pick: Heels, possibly outright.
Ole Miss at Mississippi State (-14)
Typically, this situation would call for a play on the underdog, especially considering all the hubbub over the Bulldogs snitching on their in-state rival to the NCAA.
The games within the game favor Mississippi St. almost entirely. Notably, Ole Miss is one of the worst teams in the country when it comes to stopping the run, while State loves to grind it out on the ground behind quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. MSU also has a defense built to frustrate the Rebels’ aerial attack.
Throw in a missing offensive line starter for Ole Miss and a lame-duck head coach.
The pick: This sets up as a blowout for the home team.
THE SKINNY--Week 13
(Last Week: 3-2; Overall: 26-32-2)
Texas Tech at Texas (-10)
Clemson at South Carolina (+14)
Alabama at Auburn (+4.5)
Virginia Tech at Virginia (+7)
South Florida at Central Florida (-10)