CTS Pickin' Winners On the Reg

(CTS 19-10-1 YTD--mfb 7-3; scf 8-6-1; rw 6-1)

NCAA

Miami (-7) at Wake Forest

For the third week in a row we are picking the Miami Hurricanes.  They lost a close one in overtime last week to visiting Clemson, and will be looking to make a statement that they are still the team to beat in the ACC.  The fact that Wake Forest is just plain bad helps their cause.  Two weeks ago the Demon Deacons were smoked by Clemson (38-3), and they followed that up with a 13-10 loss at Navy.  The only reason this line is so low is the fact that Wake has won 4 in a row at home.  None of the previous opponents were as talented and fast and the Canes.

Take Miami minus the Points -mfb

 

NC State at Florida State (-9.5)

Christian Ponder and the FSU offense really showed me something last Thursday night at North Carolina.  They came back from a huge deficit in the first half to score 30 on a very good defense.  This is more impressive to me after watching UNC shut down Tyrod and Virginia Tech this week.  NC State has been a big disappointment in the ACC this year.  They come in at 3-4 on the season, with losses in their last three games to Wake (30-24), Duke (49-28 at home), and Boston College (52-20).  They give up 28 points a game so you know that FSU is going to put up some points. The Seminoles have all the talent in the world, but they just haven’t been able to get it all together.  Penalties and turnovers have plagued this team all year long.  I expect them to carry the momentum from their come from behind victory last week and get a blowout win for Bobby Bowden.

Take the Noles minus the points -mfb

 

Ole Miss (-4) at Auburn

Auburn has looked like the team we expected them to be in the last 3 games with losses to Arkansas, Kentucky, and LSU after starting the season a perfect 5-0.  The offense has slowed down, and the defense has been getting embarrassed all year long.  Ole Miss has been inconsistent at times, but has been playing well since the loss to Alabama 3 weeks ago.  They have a defense that could be even better than the LSU defense that smothered Auburn this past weekend.  When Chris Todd plays well, the Auburn offense plays well.  I can assure you that Greg Hardy and the rest of the talented Ole Miss defensive front will make sure that doesn’t happen.  Look for the Rebels to have no trouble with Auburn on the road.

Take Ole Miss minus the Points -mfb 

 

Georgia vs. Florida (N) O/U 48.5

The Florida Gators have arguably the best defense in the country. They have held their opponents to an average of 10 points a game. The Gators defense will be very motivated for this rivalry game, and to prove those wrong who are saying they didn’t deserve to beat MSU and Arkansas. Concerning the other side of the ball, Florida has struggled to find a vertical threat this season and has done the majority of their damage on the ground. UGA has played two defenses similar to Florida (yet not as talented) in UT and LSU and only managed to put up 19 and 13 respectively. UGA won’t be able to move the ball on the Gators and Tebow and co. will control the game on the ground.

Take the under –rw

 

Georgia Tech (-12) at Vandy

This is another repeat pick. How could you not take GT? They are one of the hottest teams in the country right now, winning their last 5 and averaging almost 40 points throughout the streak. Vanderbilt is on the other end of the spectrum. They have lost four in a row giving up 160+ yards a game on the ground. I normally hesitate laying this many points on the road, but home field advantage means nothing except maybe a close first quarter. GT will grind Vandy down and pull away in the second half to easily cover the 12.

Take GT minus the 12 -rw

 

NFL

NY Giants (pick em) at Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants have lost their last two and are looking to rebound against a heavily overrated Philly squad. In their last two games the Eagles have looked less than impressive. Two weeks ago, they were embarrassed by the worst team in all of pro sports (Raiders), and last week they were lucky to beat the Redskins in the manner they did. If you take away two blown up plays involving DeSean Jackson, the pathetic Redskins offense actually outgained the Eagles. Normally home-field advantage is crucial, especially between division rivals, but the G men are 17-3 ATS in their last 20 games on the road and 19-4 SU on the road in their last 23. This line has fluctuated a good bit this week so get it quick.

Take the Giants –rw

 

Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys (-9.5)

Tony Romo is playing great and the Cowboys offense is finally healthy again with Felix Jones and Roy Williams back in the lineup. The Cowboys will certainly put up points in this game against a Seattle defense who lost its’ best player Lofa Totupu for the season. Both of these teams have very similar rosters to last year with the exceptions of the receivers T.J. Houshamanzadeh, and that T.O. guy, and Dallas was able to blow out Seattle last year 34-9. Expect more of the same this year. Dallas rolls.

Take Dallas minus the points -scf

 

Jacksonville Jaguars (+3.5) at Tennessee Titans

I love this pick. Jacksonville is getting points against a team that they have beaten and will beat again. The Jags were able to beat the winless Titans by 20 just four weeks ago and I do not think Vince Young will make a difference at all. Look for the Titans offense to try for the home run all day from Chris Johnson. He may break one for six, but no more than that. Jaguars win an ugly one 23-13.

Take Jax plus the points -scf

 

Miami Dolphins (+3.5) at New York Jets

Miami won the previous meeting in a thriller against a hot Jets team that really had no business being a part of that game. Not much has changed since that game besides the fact that the Jets’ monster plug in the middle Kris Jenkins is now out for the season. That is good news for Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and company. Just like the Jags, Dolphins won’t need the points either. Dolphins 24-20.

Take Miami plus the points -scf

 

San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts, O/U 44.5

Yep, Peyton is still hot after blitzing the Rams last week and the Colts return home to do more of the same to the 49ers. The 49ers got a spark last week from Alex Smith who came in the game in the second half of a 24-21 loss to Houston to throw for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. Michael Crabtree has a game under his belt and tight end Vernon Davis is playing the best football of his young career for the 49ers. Expect the 49ers to score about 20 or 21 in a 7-10 point loss.

Take the over -scf

 

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, O/U 44

The Giants have lost two in row and will come in hungry for a win against their division rival. The Eagles need the game just as badly with a three-way tie atop the NFC East in the loss column. These two offenses, respectively, are sixth and seventh in the NFL in scoring and these games have always had points in the past. Expect a high scoring game with the Giants winning on the road.

Take the over - scf