Heisman Trophy Prediction

Well the player I would have voted for, Florida State back Dalvin Cook, did not even make the cut for New York City. Oh well. Of the remaining three, Stanford's Christian McCaffrey, Clemson's Deshaun Watson and Alabama's Derrick Henry, I would pick Watson as he elevates that team to championship contender. My prediction on who will win is different, however, as I believe Henry will take home the trophy as he did the Maxwell.

Today's Picks

The major intrigue today is whether I can remain over .500. Oh and some conference championships and bowl playoff spots are up for grabs. I stand at 57-55. I like Baylor -21.5, Conference USA Title Game over 74.5, Houston -5.5, Alabama -17.5, KSU +5.5, UNC +4.5 and Iowa +3.5. Good luck.

MAC Title Game

Once again the MAC title game will feature Northern Illinois and Bowling Green and hopefully we will get the nail-biter us fans of the conference deserve. Last year Northern won this same match-up 51-17, while Bowling Green won by 20 the year before. Unfortunately Huskies QB Drew Hare was lost for the season with a leg injury and frosh Tommy Fielder will start. He has only appeared in one game,completing 9-17 for 113y in last week's loss to Ohio. The Falcons counter with stud QB Matt Johnson, who threw for 4465y this year with 41 TDs. Northern will not keep up, unfortunately, against a Bowling Green attack that can score. The Falcons will also will be inspired by last year's big loss. Pick: Bowling Green -13.5

Coaching Changes Part One

I am glad that Frank Beamer is leaving Virginia Tech with another bowl game. No one knew where that campus was when he was hired and now it is a premium job. Great hire with Fuente and staff retentions. Now he needs to find and develop a QB as good as Paxton Lynch. Meanwhile I am not a big fan of USC retaining Clay Helton. What has he done to deserve that job? He has had loads of talent there as an offensive coordinator and the Trojans never sniff the top ten in statistics. Nobody knows him nationally and while there is plenty of talent in California it helps to pull the occasional stud from New Jersey or Florida or wherever. There will be plenty of other moves this week.

Today's Picks

My season record is 54-49. I need to improve on that. Today I like Michigan even, Penn State +11, ECU even, Temple -12, South Carolina +17, UCLA +3.5, Oklahoma State +7, Minnesota +2.5. Good luck.

Remaining Contenders for College Football Playoffs

Well here we go. If Thanksgiving shopping is done then college football's regular season must be winding down. Yet there are still so many crucial battles to be played, both this weekend and next, that we have quite a few teams with a realistic shot at making the playoffs. All of the non power five conference teams are out since none of them ar undefeated. Notre Dame is still alive but must win at Stanford Saturday night. Of the power five conferences, the Pac 12 has been eliminated as its champion, either Stanford, UCLA or USC, would have too many losses. The ACC has the current front runner in Clemson and if they beat South Carolina and then North Carolina in the ACC championship game then they will sew up the number one seed. Should they lose this weekend then that would probably, but not definitely, set up a showdown with the Tar Heels for one spot. The Big Ten seems to have a spot sewn up too unless Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State all lose this weekend. That's not impossible but unlikely. Realistically those teams are playing for one spot in the final four. Alabama seems to have a spot but must win over mismatched rival Auburn and then underwhelming SEC East champ Florida. If florida sweeps FSU and then Alabama they'll probably grab a spot. The Big 12 is the mystery conference as they could be out again this year if OU loses to Okie State. I feel that the Big 12 is fighting Notre Dame for one spot as the committee will not want two teams in the final four that did not have to play a conference championship game. Let's play some ball.

Today's Picks

Please excuse my silence but busy with a college football doc. I am down to 47-44 so I need a big week. Here goes: Indiana +13.5, Memphis-Houston over 71, OSU-15.5, WSU +8.5, Notre Dame -26.5, UNC-13, Navy-21.5, ISU +13.5, Baylor -2.5, South Carolina +8, Stanford -10, Minny +11.5