Year To Date: 31-25-1 (+2.82 units)

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! There’s much to be thankful for, but at the top of the list is the fact that we have completely turned around an ugly start to the season. We now find ourselves above .500 by a sizable margin for the first time in what feels like forever. Even during a holiday week, there is no rest for the weary, so we must keep marching on.

Iowa -5.5 vs Nebraska -108

Both of these teams have watched their seasons go up in smoke over the last few weeks, but are looking to finish out the year with some pride. Iowa had a genuine chance at grabbing a spot in the College Football Playoff, but several razor thin losses to Top 25 teams have dashed that dream. Mark Gronowski has looked like a completely different quarterback than he did early in the year, now at full health he is a complete weapon. Nebraska was destroyed on the ground last week against Penn State, and it doesn’t get much easier due to the fact that Gronowski can either take the ball himself or hand it off to his top offensive weapon Kamari Moulton. Without Dylan Raiola leading the offense, the Cornhuskers have looked lifeless, and I expect that to continue.

New Mexico Moneyline vs San Diego State +100

Not much more to say than the obvious, in Jason Eck we trust. San Diego State has a very solid defense, but I fully expect Eck to draw up some interesting looks to get the Lobos offense rolling enough to get out to a decent lead, and contain a mediocre Aztecs offensive unit.

Texas A&M Moneyline vs Texas -130

In a monster rivalry game, the Texas Longhorns are looking to ruin the Aggies run at a perfect season. While Arch Manning has been playing a bit better as of late, I don’t see him willing his team to a massive win, especially with any playoff hopes out of reach. Even though Texas A&M showed some flaws last week after escaping with a win against an inferior South Carolina team, I still think they have big advantages on both sides of the ball. If all else fails, Marcel Reed just needs to get the ball in the hands of his stars KC Concepcion and Mario Craver and turn this game into a track meet.

Arizona Moneyline vs Arizona State -110

Another in-state rivalry to bet on? Yes, please. While I have staked my claim that the Houston Cougars are my favorite team to bet on this year, the Arizona Wildcats aren’t very far behind. I’ve been very impressed with the Wildcats run game, mixing in both Ismail Mahdi and Kendrick Reescano to give Noah Fifita some reprieve of having to constantly make all the plays with his arm. Jordyn Tyson is back and healthy for the Sun Devils, and while he is a game breaker I still don’t trust Jeff Sims to use that talent to his full advantage.

Cincinnati +3.5 vs TCU -108

Cincinnati has had a miserable run toward the end of the season after looking like a real threat in the Big 12, dropping their last three games in the process. Even with their playoff hopes dashed, the Bearcats have still shown life even in these tough losses. Last weeks double digit loss to playoff hopeful BYU doesn’t tell the whole story, as they were in that game until the dying moments and had several chances to pull off the major upset. Brendan Sorsby has continued his impressive season and has lit it up through the air, now that Cincinnati has gotten healthier in important positions around him, it should free him up to get even better. TCU has shot themselves in the foot with bad mistakes over and over. The offense has hit a wall in the second half of the year and I expect that to continue against a very game Bearcats defensive unit.

Alabama vs Auburn Over 46.5 -108

The Iron Bowl always brings drama with it, and what better way to build some drama then Auburn’s offense coming alive and making this a real nail biter against their biggest rival? It’s no secret that the Auburn Tigers have been a mess this year, but under interim Head Coach DJ Durkin, the offense has taken a much needed step forward to go with their normally elite defense. Ashton Daniels was named the starter for the game, and after almost leading the Tigers to a massive upset against Vanderbilt in a shootout, he may actually give the Auburn skill position players some confidence to ruin their rivals season. Alabama has had stretches where they look like world beaters, and others where they can’t move the ball to save their lives. Ty Simpson will have to prove that he can handle the pressure and produce in big moments even when the offense around him isn’t at their best. Even without much of a run game, the Crimson Tide can put up solid offensive numbers, and in order to make the playoffs they’re going to have to prove they can do it against elite competition. Their next test comes Saturday, and I expect both sides to put up their fair share of points.