Stone Cold Locks
By Bob Gaughan
2024 record 48-28-1
2023 Record 82-71-3
2022 Record 68-41-2
2021 record 62-49
2020 record 52-52-4
2019 Record 62-41-2
2018 Record 72-50-3
Total: 444-331-15=57%
MR. OVER/UNDER: Philadelphia -3 over Washington
The NFL keeps playing Quarterback roulette. As of today (Thursday) I’m counting 5 new QB’s may be starting this week. And with numerous QB injuries, you made need to wait until game day to know who is starting for sure. Although the Chiefs keep squeezing by with victories, it’s the Eagles that have the longest active win streak at 10, and they haven’t been just squeezing by. With Detroit’s loss to Buffalo last week, Philly has a chance at the #1 seed. Although they’re away (but not that far), and it’s a division game against Washington, I just can’t help but feel that the Eagle’s potent offence will be too much for the Commanders. Last week, Barkley’s backup, Kenneth Gainwell got 60-yards on 10 carries. So, if Barkley is still hurting, I don’t think the Eagles will be. Sunday’s forecast looks good for the DC area, so grab the Eagles at -3, because it will change.
Man in Stripes: Clemson +12.5 over Texas
It's Qtr final action for the new 12-team NCAA playoffs. Seems everyone is excited, other than the dozen players that are opting out. Texas offense looks broke, 1-8 in red zone vs UGA IN SEC Championship game. Both QB- Quinn Ewers and star LB Kelvin Banks are banged up for the Longhorns. Clemson, coming off a 34-31 walk off win vs SMU to get into the playoffs, has QB Cade Klubnik, who played his HS ball in Austin, playing very well. Tigers have been up and down, somewhat playing with house money here. They bring a lot of big game experience with Dabo Sweeney, rallying the troops with the US vs the world. I trust him a lot more than Steve Sarkisian. The pressure is squarely on the Longhorns at home!! Defensive battle, and you are giving me Dabo and double digits. I’m in!!!
Some last-minute stocking stuffers:
OSU -7.5 NCAA
UND -7.5 NCAA
Pitt +6.5 NFL
Cinn -7.5 NFL
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!!
Mono: Atlanta/Giants Over 42
Need to get back in the win column here. Had Jonathan Taylor hung on through the goal line, we might be singing a different tune. This week, I love a total down in Atlanta. This Falcons team has been dormant the past month with Kirk Cousins unable to stop throwing the ball to the other team. They finally make the move for Penix and I don’t think it could’ve come at a better time. Penix and the Falcons host a Shedeur hopeful New York Giant team who can’t stop a nosebleed. Reports out of Atlanta have said Penix has outshined Kirk in practice, and it was only a matter of time. I think he brings a spark to this offense and scores 24+ himself. Lock is back under center, and this Giants team remains in full tank mode. With that said, Nabers is coming off a great game and I think the Giants will feed him early and often for a couple of scores. Atlanta’s defense has not been great and can be beat through the air. This total sits at 42.5 and I think we breeze on the over. Sit back and enjoy the debut of Big Penix…
Brutal: OHIO (-1.5) vs. JACKSONVILLE STATE, Staff DNA Cure Bowl, Orlando, Florida.
Two Conference Champions meet in what should be a shootout. Yes, Jacksonville State was an outstanding rushing team this year, but Ohio has really improved and was in the top 20 in the nation against the run. Jacksonville State Head Coach Rich Rodriguez has bailed it out of the deep south to the near south and is heading home to Morgantown, West Virginia to re-coach the Mountaineers (Thomas Wolf was wrong!). HC Tim Albin of Ohio has moved on as well, leaving Athens for the greener pastures of Charlotte. However, the very popular Brian Smith will be coaching the Bobcats in this awkwardly named and questionably conceived Staff DNA Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Smith turned the Ohio passing game around from the bottom 20 in the country to top 10 in one year. Brian Smith will be calling the plays just like he has all year. Neither team may have their head coaches, but Jacksonville State will also be missing their top three defensive players who have transmogrified into the portal. It looks like the Gamecocks will be starting the game with backups at both corners and both safety positions. Jacksonville also has some other players in the portal all still contemplating their future, betting that it is with Rich Rod and will soon follow him up the yellow brick road over the Mason-Dixon Line to West Virginia and bow out of this contest, even at this late date.
Ohio won the MAC Title last week and it was the first time since 1968! HC Albin served 16 years as offensive coordinator under HC Frank Solich. He then became head coach himself and has peaked here in his third year. The atmosphere around the team is positive about his departure for the Charlotte 49rs; everybody thinks Albin deserves to cash in; he has paid his dues (Man is the MAC lacking in cash to keep talent, losing it to so many smaller schools). The atmosphere on the other sideline is the exact opposite; a little chaos and truly mixed feelings around the departure of the always-colorful Rich Rodriguez. For this game Ohio has the more stable roster with the better quarterback in Parker Navarro who by the way, is from Orlando! Ohio has finished the year peaking with an easy win over Miami of Ohio in the MAC Championship and they keep sailing with a methodical, deliberate win here over Jax State (Ohio was 10th in the entire nation in time of possession).
We are going with the university that is the alma mater of Paul Newman, Arsenio Hall, Ed O Neal, and Matt Lauer (do not close that door behind you!).
Stand Up and Cheer! Cheer Loud and Long for old OHIO!
For today we raise the Green and White above the rest
Our team is fighting and we are bound to win the fray
We have got the team! We have got the steam! For this is old OHIO s day!
Bob: RAMS -3 over JETS
Let’s take one of the hottest teams in the league vs one of the coldest. The Rams have won three straight and are winning different ways. Two weeks ago, against the Bills the Rams won a shootout 44-42. Last week against the 49ers the Rams defense held San Francisco to 191 yards of offense in a 12-6 win. The Jets pass defense has been bad the last four weeks allowing 68% completion rate and 260 yards passing. This means that Kupp and Nacua should have big days. The Rams are finally healthy after battling injuries most of the year. The Jets snapped a four-game
losing streak last week but that was against the lowly Jaguars. The Jets can’t run the football. They run for only 90 yards per game. The Rams pass rush should be able to get after Rodgers in their one-dimensional offense. I like giving up only a field goal with the much better team. The Rams have finally caught up to the lead in the NFC West. I don’t expect them to lose to an inferior team.
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