Friday Football Picks, Championship Edition
Well, after the rivalry week picks--which are often very difficult and I went 5 & 5-- the season record stands at 63-56-1 against the point spread. This guarantees The Diner a winning record as there aren't very many games of note this week...although, if I were betting in Vegas at the clip of $100 per game, I would've only come up $140 ahead given the fee you have to pay for placing losing bets. Hardly "in play" when you consider that's 3 months worth of involvement. Being Vegas might be the best business plan ever.
Anyway, on to the big games this week:
SEC Championship: Alabama (+9.5) vs. Florida in Atlanta, GA.: Somebody please explain to me what challenge Alabama has had this year that they haven't met. Can any #1 team garner less respect by everyone? The common wisdom says things like "Bama's big wins have been against disappointing Clemson & Georgia"...but who has Florida been putting up great numbers against? Disappointing Tennessee and Georgia and LSU. It's been a down year for SEC traditional powers (nobody has seasoned quarterbacks except, well, Bama & the Gators)...but the two teams are obviously a cut above the rest. What wins in the SEC? Running game, strong defense. Bama is better than the Gators at both. Diner Prediction: Alabama 28, Florida 24.
Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma vs. Missouri (+16.5) in Kansas City, MO: You're kidding, right? The Big 12 North is such a joke. The imbalance of power in this conference is something that truly needs to be looked at, otherwise the BCS poll will be settling ties for at least two more years--only substitute Oklahoma State for Texas Tech. I don't know how you fix it, but the only question in my mind is when Stoops will rest his starters. Mizzou doesn't have a chance, but they'll get a few late scores after the dust has settled. Diner Prediction: Oklahoma 45, Missouri 28
ACC Championship: Virginia Tech vs. Boston College (even) at Tampa, FL: Probably the best even-match of the conference games. This will be an old-school low-scoring defensive brawl as both of these teams have aggressive & hard hitting defenses. What I think will sway the game is special teams play--which Frank Beamer teams are known for--and the better quarterback is Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor. History plays a part, too, as Tech has played in this game and won it as well as been at the top level of ACC play since 2000. BC hasn't. Plus, playing in a warm weather venue will actually benefit the Hokies even if it's wet. Diner Prediction: Virginia Tech 17, Boston College 13.
Well, there you have it, folks! Football picks will return for bowl predictions in mid-December!
Well, after the rivalry week picks--which are often very difficult and I went 5 & 5-- the season record stands at 63-56-1 against the point spread. This guarantees The Diner a winning record as there aren't very many games of note this week...although, if I were betting in Vegas at the clip of $100 per game, I would've only come up $140 ahead given the fee you have to pay for placing losing bets. Hardly "in play" when you consider that's 3 months worth of involvement. Being Vegas might be the best business plan ever.
Anyway, on to the big games this week:
SEC Championship: Alabama (+9.5) vs. Florida in Atlanta, GA.: Somebody please explain to me what challenge Alabama has had this year that they haven't met. Can any #1 team garner less respect by everyone? The common wisdom says things like "Bama's big wins have been against disappointing Clemson & Georgia"...but who has Florida been putting up great numbers against? Disappointing Tennessee and Georgia and LSU. It's been a down year for SEC traditional powers (nobody has seasoned quarterbacks except, well, Bama & the Gators)...but the two teams are obviously a cut above the rest. What wins in the SEC? Running game, strong defense. Bama is better than the Gators at both. Diner Prediction: Alabama 28, Florida 24.
Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma vs. Missouri (+16.5) in Kansas City, MO: You're kidding, right? The Big 12 North is such a joke. The imbalance of power in this conference is something that truly needs to be looked at, otherwise the BCS poll will be settling ties for at least two more years--only substitute Oklahoma State for Texas Tech. I don't know how you fix it, but the only question in my mind is when Stoops will rest his starters. Mizzou doesn't have a chance, but they'll get a few late scores after the dust has settled. Diner Prediction: Oklahoma 45, Missouri 28
ACC Championship: Virginia Tech vs. Boston College (even) at Tampa, FL: Probably the best even-match of the conference games. This will be an old-school low-scoring defensive brawl as both of these teams have aggressive & hard hitting defenses. What I think will sway the game is special teams play--which Frank Beamer teams are known for--and the better quarterback is Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor. History plays a part, too, as Tech has played in this game and won it as well as been at the top level of ACC play since 2000. BC hasn't. Plus, playing in a warm weather venue will actually benefit the Hokies even if it's wet. Diner Prediction: Virginia Tech 17, Boston College 13.
Well, there you have it, folks! Football picks will return for bowl predictions in mid-December!
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