Kansas State Wildcats VS Arkansas Razorbacks Cotton Bowl Free Pick

Kansas State Wildcats VS Arkansas Razorbacks Cotton Bowl Free Pick: The Kansas State Wildcats were magicians this season. With a roster not close to matching the talent of big time programs, they managed a 10-2 record and an 8th overall ranking by season’s end. They didn’t just feed on the weak, either. The only losses the Wildcats came across were to Oklahoma (in a game that got out of hand in the 2nd half) and a touchdown loss to the possible co-National Champion, Oklahoma State. They Beat Miami, upset Baylor, took down Missouri, beat Texas A&M in 4 overtimes, and upset Texas. Just about every game was close, and they never wavered.

Collin Klein was a surprising offensive dynamo for the Wildcats. Not only did he throw key touchdowns during his first year on the job, but he also led the team in rushing with over 1000 yards on the ground and a Cam Newton-esque 26 rushing touchdowns. And it’s not like he broke a lot of big ones – he was a workhorse in the backfield, carrying the ball 100+ more times than any other player. Needless to say, if the Razorbacks can stop Klein, they should walk away with this Bowl victory.

But I don’t think they can stop Klein. Arkansas hasn’t been very good at stopping the run all year long, and I don’t know why a month between games (usually means bad tackling) would change any of that.

There’s certainly something to be said for #6 Arkansas, however. They also finished the season 10-2, and their only losses came to the teams playing in the BCS National Championship – LSU and Alabama (not in that order). The only difference is they were slaughtered in both of those games. LSU took them down 41-17 while Alabama beat them 38-14. Wins over Texas A&M, Auburn, and South Carolina were all good ones – but I think Kansas State is good enough to give them a run.

Getting 7.5 points, you would almost have to take K-State against anyone. They aren’t as talented a bunch, but they seem to get it done.

Kansas State (+7.5) VS Arkansas

Michigan Wolverines VS Virginia Tech Hokies Sugar Bowl Free Pick

Michigan Wolverines VS Virginia Tech Hokies Sugar Bowl Free Pick: I’d probably be reaching too far if I said I was taking the Hokies because the Big 10 continues to prove it’s ineptitude amongst the big-wigs in college football and thus the Wolverines are probably not as good as people think. But then again, they are going against the ACC which isn’t much better. In fact, they are worse. So it’s not that, I’m taking the Hokies for reasons outside of conference strength – even though the Big 10 has lost all but one bowl game so far this year.

I’m taking the Hokies because I think their team speed (defensively) will have a great impact on slowing the Wolverines run-heavy attack. In the Big 10 I don’t think the Wolverines play many defenses like the one the Hokies will put on the field on Tuesday Night.

Michigan was just 2-2 on the road this season, while they were 8-0 at home. Denard Robinson was a statistical anomale once again this season, even though he didn’t produce quite like he did last year. He’ll be a tough one for the Hokies to stop, but I think they can do it.

Virginia Tech has a little bit more of a power rushing attack, one they’ll be able to lean on throughout the Sugar Bowl. Running back, David Wilson was the ACC’s player of the year, and a 1st Round talent going into 2012’s NFL Draft.

Nobody from Virginia Tech played well in their last game, so if you’re looking for momentum to carry on from their last game – the right pick would be Michigan. The Wolverines finished the season well. I just think Tech is the better team.

Michigan Wolverines VS Virginia Tech Hokies (+3)

BCS Bowls Free College Football Picks

BCS BOWLS

Rose Bowl
Wisconsin Badgers (+5.5) VS Oregon Ducks

The Rose Bowl should be a fun one. These are probably the two most explosive offenses from their respective conferences and I think that will make for one heck of a fun battle. Not quite what Washington and Baylor put together a few days ago, but something similar to that. I know that Oregon has a ton of team speed, and that could very well be the undoing of Wisconsin, but I like the Badgers’ chances better if they fall behind. I think they have the offense that can come back. This is a real tough one for me, but I’m going against Oregon.

Fiesta Bowl
Stanford VS Oklahoma State (-3.5)

Stanford has played a few close games this year, and while they are an efficient beast offensively, they are kind to opponents on the other side of the ball. Oklahoma State is so explosive that I think they end up on top in this one. I know the Pac 12 has struggled significantly so far in the Bowl season. I expect this to be a little bit closer, but in the end, Oklahoma State’s touchdown power will give them the cover.

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants Sunday Night Football Free Pick

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants Sunday Night Football Free Pick: This is how it should be. The Giants have pulled a few games out of their blue tailpipes and that’s why they are here. The Cowboys have squandered many an opportunity (just about every loss they’ve had all season long), and that is why they are here. The Cowboys’ defense hasn’t been able to stop anybody when it matters, but something tells me they’ll be a little big better in this one. Just call it a hunch, I guess, because there is absolutely not one single bit of evidence that I can find to suggest what I’m saying makes any kind of mathematical sense. I just expect good players to play better than they have been.

As for the offenses, both are in a weird spot. The Cowboys and Giants have both been able to put up good numbers, but consistency isn’t a strength of either team. We all know that Romo gets a little too much hate and love, which makes him the Titanic of NFL football. No, Titanic isn’t that bad GUYS and no Titanic isn’t even close to that good LADIES. Tony is better than his haters make him out to be, more clutch as well. But his lovers seem to forget a lot of his failures when making their claim to All-Pro status.

Eli Manning has been battered by me over the years, as I’ve always thought him to be WAY overrated – but right about now, I just think he’s real good. He’s had an amazing season and is the only reason this Giants team has a chance heading in to Week 17.

So who gets the nod? I like the Cowboys to pull this one out. I think Romo finally puts it together – but then again, maybe I’m a bigger fan of Titanic than you are…

Dallas Cowboys (+3) @ New York Giants

NFL Free Picks for Week 17 Football Matchups

Seattle Seahawks (+3) @ Arizona Cardinals
Tough one, but Pete Carol gets his guys to play hard and with nothing on the line for either side, I’ll always take a team he coaches. I like Lynch to have a big day to end a great year, even though the Cardinals defense has been tough down the stretch. I just like the Hawks a lot better in this one.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (-11.5)
I was a little confused earlier this week, but the Falcons are in. They might not put out a full effort on Sunday, regardless, as it’s almost certain that with Green Bay resting, Detroit will win, and Atlanta will be destined for the 6 seed. Still, I can’t buy the Bucs right now. Did I mention that Tampa mailed it in 6 weeks ago?

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns (+7)
The Browns have a solid defense and the Steelers will be holding some guys out and trying to keep Ben in long enough to cover. Smells like a gross game plan that won’t work out. The Browns are good, but they’re tough, tough enough for +7 in this situation.

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (+2)
I know, I know, the Ravens have said the right things all week long, and they are looking for a first round bye and home field advantage, and this could be looked at as a playoff game for them if you squint your eyes, cock your head to the left, and keep the sun out of your eyes with your hands (like Tiger Woods when he’s putting). But the bottom line is that IT IS A PLAYOFF for the Bengals. They win, they continue, they lose, they’re out. I have to take the home team getting points, a good team, playing a loser out game against a team that is already in. Call it “want to”.

Against the Spread Free Football Picks for Week 17 NFL Match ups

San Francisco 49ers (-10.5) @ St. Louis Rams
The Rams are really bad, and I see the 49ers doing just enough and keeping their starters in just long enough to cover this spread. One touchdown and about 5 field goals should do the job offensively as the 49ers schemes and athleticism on defense will be strong enough to limit the Rams even more than normal. The 49ers are still playing for that first round bye, so an all out effort here will give them next week off for sure.

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (+3.5)
Neither team is playing for anything. The Packers have better back-ups. They are also getting points at home. Seems like an easy bet for me.

San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders (-3)
This does reek of a game the Chargers would win. Means nothing, end of the season, they’ve already drastically underachieved and will almost certainly see their coach fired as soon as the season is over. Perfect time for those guys to play well. But I have to go with Oakland, everything on the line, they need to win and need help – but the playoffs are very much possible.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos (-3)
Yeah, I’m betting Tim Tebow. He’s clutch – they win and they’re in – this is the kind of game for him, right? He’ll probably play at least 2 good quarters because of how important this game is. Tim for 2 good ones is almost a guarantee over a team like KC.

Redskins @ Eagles, Jets @ Dolphins, Panthers @ Saints Free Football Picks

Washington Redskins (+10) @ Philadelphia Eagles
This game means nothing to anybody except possibly some jobs here and there (which is something I guess). Still, in terms of standings and playoffs, both of these teams poo’d away their seasons a while back, and now they’re just trying to find ways to fix pieces for next year. I feel like the Redskins are a tougher team, and with nothing on the line, they get the nod – getting 10 points is icing.

New York Jets (+2) @ Miami Dolphins
The Jets need a lot to find the playoffs, but don’t they seem like the luckiest team of all time? Bengals could very well lose to the Ravens and Tennessee could lose to Houston, if the Texans send out their starters, and Oakland could lose to anybody. ANYBODY. So it’s possibly, though unlikely – plus, they have to beat the Dolphins. I think Miami will be hurt with the absence of Reggie Bush, who has been very productive for them since taking over as the full-time #1 running back. I’ll take the lucky Jets.

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints (-7.5)
The Saints are still playing for home field advantage and a first round bye. They can’t overcome the Packers for home field throughout, but with a 49ers loss and a Saints win, New Orleans will get next week off, and everyone knows, that’s a big deal. I think they let it all out on the Panthers, a team that knows very well how to shoot themselves in the cleat. The line is tough, but I think it gets covered.

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars – Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
I think it’s borderline craziness for the Colts to actually win this game, but the Jaguars aren’t good and Blaine Gabbert is terrible (which adds to that not being good thing) and this game will have an awkward (not trying to win) feel to it. Bottom line, I’m just taking the points to give me some kind of hope…

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings (pk)
I think the Bears have completely lost it. I know Bell has been good running for them, and maybe he’ll tear up a Vikings defense that hasn’t been the grittiest bunch this season. But it’s tough for me to believe that the Bears will put enough offense on the scoreboard to take out the Vikings who look very good when getting the bell to Percy Harvin 20+ times per game. I actually think that, without Cutler and Forte (and other injured Bears) the Vikings are a better team and they have a better feel coming into this game. For the Bears, they’ve basically seen their solid start crumble into this lost season. That’s not good. For the Vikings, they’ve had downs, and they’ve been out of it for a while, but they are still building on something with Ponder being a rookie QB and Joe Webb doing some nice things. They have a youthfulness to them that the Bears don’t, I think that wins it for them here.

Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots – Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

Buffalo Bills (+11.5) @ New England Patriots
The Patriots have clinched a first round bye, but they could clinch home field throughout the playoffs with a win against the Bills. The Bills will certainly come to play in New England even though their season ends at this game, nothing would make them happier than helping the Patriots lose home field throughout. New England hasn’t been the kind of team that takes breaks and rests key players, but that could change a bit with Welker’s injury a couple years ago. Possibility of rest, and the fact that Buffalo can be very explosive, makes 11.5 seem like way too many here. I’ll take the dogs.

Tennessee Titans (-2.5) @ Houston Texans
The Titans aren’t playing for nothing this weekend. They need some forms of help but a wildcard spot is still very much possible. In all scenarios possible for them to make it, they have to win. But there playoff scenarios are weird, for certain, as they can get to the playoffs with a win and a Cinci, Jets, Raiders loss combo – a Cinci, Jets, Broncos loss combo – or a Cinci, Jets loss combo and if both Oakland and Denver win. Crazy. The bottom line is, they’ll be playing for something and Houston can’t do anything to up their chances. I would doubt we’ll see Arian Foster, and it will be back-up central for the Texans.

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