This week begins the way too long bowl season, which spans nearly an entire month, with all but five days from Saturday until January 7 not having a bowl, and all of those occur within the next week and on Christmas day. There are 35 bowl games, which allows too many 6-6 teams into a bowl, and even a 6-7 team, but ESPN rakes in the money off of these bowls, so they will continue to go on. Finally, with the bowl games, my picks will go from Saturday-Friday with the games, which covers an entire week, as the bowls start on a Saturday, I only see it as appropriate.
Then, in the NFL, this Sunday marks the latest calendar date in which there will be six games between teams with winning records in the history of the NFL. So, football fans, you've got yourselves quite a feast this Sunday from 1 p.m. until 11:45 p.m. chock full of what should be great games. Now, my record of futility has improved slightly, going 1-0 in college, and 6-3 in the NFL.
Bowls
Gildan New Mexico Bowl, Saturday, 1, ESPN (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Nevada vs. Arizona
Nevada and Arizona present two of the most high powered rushing offenses in the nation, with Ka'Deem Carey and Stephfon Jefferson both having over 1700 yards rushing during the season. And, since both teams really don't play too much defense, as they rank in the bottom third in total defense in Division 1-A. This should signify a high powered, high scoring offensive game. Both teams also are looking to bounce back from big starts and then they fell flat in their respective conferences. So, they're looking to rebound and head into the off season with a win.
Pick: Arizona 41, Nevada 34
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Saturday, 4:30, ESPN (Boise, ID)
Toledo vs. #22 Utah State
This is actually a game where if you're able to watch, do, as it matches two mid major teams against one another in one of the weirder bowl game names, but companies want to get their name out there, and one of the best ways to do that is through bowls. Anyway, on to the game itself, which pits a team from the MAC against a team from the WAC. These teams are really pretty good, as Utah State is ranked, and Toledo very well could be, as they only have three losses on the year. Utah State is making a return trip to the blue turf of Boise, losing by one to another MAC team in Ohio. So, they went out this season and set a school record for wins. Toledo meanwhile, is looking for its first bowl victory in nearly two decades. These two teams also rank completely opposite of each other in terms of total defense, with Utah State ranking 15th in the nation, and Toledo nearly last, at 106. Toledo is also looking to rebound after losing two straight to end their season, granted it was to the top two teams in the MAC West, but still. Utah State should continue their momentum and gain their 7th consective victory.
Pick: USU 24, Toledo 13
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, Thursday, 8, ESPN (San Diego, CA)
BYU vs. San Diego State
Easy pick, San Diego State is playing a home game, which to me is an automatic victory. Plus, BYU has struggled this season, after winning 10 games last season.
Pick: San Diego State 27, BYU 21
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg, Friday, 7:30, ESPN (St. Petersburg, FL)
Ball State vs. UCF
One of three bowls being played primarily in a baseball stadium, this is another essential home game, as UCF is located in Orlando, less than 100 miles from campus in Orlando. This game is also a match up between two second place teams in their respective divisions, so this should also be a good one. But, as mentioned before, this is a home game, so go with UCF.
Pick: UCF 26, Ball State 24
NFL
Denver at Baltimore, 1, CBS
Game between two division leaders, one of which can clinch this weekend. Baltimore could clinch this weekend, with a win and losses by Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. But, Cincy won, so it's a moot point for the division. However, this game does present playoff positioning, as Baltimore is third in the AFC, while Denver holds down that coveted number two spot, which holds a bye week along with it. Baltimore could also struggle offensively, as they just fired their offensive coordinator, and replaced Cam Cameron with Peyton Manning's former coach, Jim Caldwell. And, since Denver's defense has been playing so dominantly, go with the Broncos.
Pick: Denver 29, Baltimore 22
Green Bay at Chicago, 1, Fox
Chicago has been in a free fall after starting the season 7-1, they are now 8-5, and trying to regain their grip on a playoff spot. Green Bay meanwhile, has won two straight after getting beat down at the hands of the New York Giants. Aaron Rodgers has also been quite effective since the Giants game, managing the offense well, and the defense has also been playing pretty well. Chicago also could be without Jay Cutler, who has been battered the entire season.
Pick: Green Bay 27, Chicago 20
Indianapolis at Houston, 1, CBS
Houston secures the AFC South with this victory. The reason why Houston wins is because Andrew Luck, while good, has gone through some growing pains while playing the likes of elite teams such as the Patriots.
Pick: Houston 34, Indianapolis 14
New York Giants at Atlanta, 1, Fox
Last week was very different for these two teams, as Atlanta went on the road and lost to a pretty woeful Carolina team, while New York was at home and completely pummeled the New Orleans Saints by more than three touchdowns. Both teams come in to this game, needing it proving to themselves and to the fans that they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. As Atlanta has just cruised past opponents, not winning by a whole lot, and not really feeling impressive. While New York has had some questionable games this season, leaving a feeling of what just happened. But, go with Atlanta, as they are at home, and at home, they've been quite dominant under Matt Ryan.
Pick: Atlanta 30, New York 28
Pittsburgh at Dallas, 4:25, CBS
An old, classic rivalry from the 1970s Super Bowls is renewed, and both teams need this victory in order to even have a shot at going back to the Super Bowl this season. Pittsburgh really needs it, as they need to keep up with the Cincinnati Bengals, who won on Thursday night. Dallas also needs it because they are only one game out of a playoff spot in the NFC. Pittsburgh looked very bad against a bad San Diego team last week, when Big Ben Roethlisberger returned, which looked to be a week too early. Dallas got an emotional win at Cincinnati last week after the death of practice squad player Jerry Brown. Pittsburgh will also be without their man running back, Rashard Mendenhall, who received a one game suspension. But, I think that Pittsburgh rebounds and keeps up with the Bengals.
Pick: Pittsburgh 24, Dallas 23
San Francisco at New England, 8:20, NBC
New England has really been firing on all cylinders of late, crushing opponents in their last three games, by an average of 20+ points. The only reason that isn't higher is because the Patriots only beat Miami by seven. San Francisco meanwhile, has only really struggled against the surprising St. Louis Rams, who tied them and then beat them within a span of a month. Otherwise, they've been playing well under second year man Colin Kapernick. Kapernick has been playing excellent, and the defense, as usual, has been playing above expectations. So, this should be a good game, but I said that about last Monday night when the Patriots and Texans squared off.
Pick: New England 31, San Francisco 20
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