Last week 5-3
Overall 59-52-1
Alright here we are the end of the magical 2024 college football regular season. We started this journey four months ago with a dream and a few hundred dollars. Now we have a little more paper than that and hopefully we can hold off the alarm clock waking us from this dream for one more week.
As always Dragonās College Picks are brought to you by Dragonās Lair Training- Breathe Fire, Left over turkey, and now youāre allowed to put your Christmas decorations up.
South Carolina +2.5 vs. Clemson
I love rivalry games. South Carolina has an impressive defensive unit that knows how to get after the quarterback. Led by Kyle Kennard and his 11.5 sacks the Gamecocks rank third in the nation in sacks. Over the last three weeks weāve seen Clemson struggle with protecting their quarterback. They gave up 11 combined sacks when facing Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech and both of those units pale in comparison to the pressure South Carolina can bring. The Gamecocks have a history of playing well in big games this season, beating Texas A&M, and keeping it tight against Alabama and LSU.
South Carolina +2.5
Syracuse +11 vs. Miami Under 67
Syracuse is the closest thing the ACC has to an Air Raid offense. Quarterback Kyle McCord leads the nation with 522 passing attempts and 3,946 yards, and he is sixth in the nation with 26 TDs. Inside the dome in a must win situation expect the Orange to air it out early and often. This could spell trouble for a Miami unit that has given up some big numbers to accurate quarterbacks. Dukeās Maalik Murphy only need 16 completions to rack up 236 yards against the Canes in Week 10. Given the way Miami games have played out this season, I feel a shootout coming.
Syracuse +11 Under 67
Michigan vs. Ohio State OVER 41.5
Michigan has had a rough season we all know that. This is THE GAME and I expect the Buckeyes will be to prove a point about their readiness to make a run in the CFP, and if they can get some payback on Michigan for winning the last 3 meetups in this rivalry I think they will. Oddsmakers seemingly think OSU is poised for a big game with the line opening at 20 and holding steady all week. 20 is too big a number for me, but I can see the Buckeyes rolling and racking up points.
Over 41.5
Fresno St. +7.5 vs. UCLA
This is a game where I like to play psychiatrist when looking at the line. UCLA has had an up and down season, after an awful start they ripped off three in a row to get into bowl contention but they have dropped two in a row including a loss to crosstown rival USC. Now the Bruins have nothing to play for with a bowl game out of reach. In comes a Fresno State group that is bowl eligible and would love nothing more than to show their Southern Cal counterpart a Kendrick Lamar style beat down. This is one of those situations where Iām not sure the Bruins realize or care that they are about to play in a rivalry game, while the Bulldogs are well aware what is at stake.
Fresno St. +7.5
Baylor +1 vs. Kansas
Kansas has risen from the dead over the last month including knocking off Colorado last week. They are now on the doorstep of bowl eligibility and standing in their way is a Baylor team that has quietly racked up 7 wins on the season. Iām tipping Baylor here because they are at home in Waco and I think that combined with a renewed focus on shutting down the run should be enough to bottle up Devin Neal.
Baylor +1
Houston + 13 vs. BYU
A month ago I was championing BYU to win the Big 12, now I think they need massive amounts of help and by the time this one kicks off the Big 12 title may be out of reach. Houston has had a bad season, but I have liked what Iāve seen from first year coach Willie Fritz. Heās building a culture in Houston and I think that will be enough to keep his team engaged and prepared for the showdown against the Cougars. BYU has a solid record this season but theyāve struggle to put teams away and continually find themselves in nail biters.
Virginia +6.5 vs Virginia Tech Under 48
Bowl eligibility on the line. Miss me with that āWe donāt care, we donāt show up.ā BS. If youāre coming at me with that type of talk today we can meet outside and I guarantee only one of us will be walking back into the bar to grab a beer. A night game in Lane in the cold is exciting to me, this is what football and rivalries are all about. The Virginia offense is a mess. Iām expecting to see AC behind center which gives me chills but thatās the hand we have been dealt. My fandom refuses to allow me to place a bet in favor of the Hokies, so Iām rolling with the Hoos to keep it close in a ugly game. Iām taking the under because as a security blanket.
Hoos +6.5 and Under 48