Giving Away Money: Holiday Bonus Edition!

Our regular GAM is coming up later today. But, I thought you degenerates may want some pointers for the Holiday games.

And, we even have some bonus hoops action!

Not with a 10’ Pole and Stolen Money:

No. 23 VT at No. 22 Virginia(+2.5) — I personally took the Hokies, who are playing inspired football (on the Justin Fuente curve, at least) down the stretch. Then again, this is the first fully-functional defense Va. Tech has seen in a while too. Bronco’s teams are nasty, dirty, and muck it up. And, though favored by just under a FG, this game is probably closer to a pick ‘em. There’s better value during the weekday games.

Mizzou +12 at Arkansas — I liked this game a lot better at 10.5, and I really liked this a lot better before the NCAA denied Mizzou’s appeal. Neither team is playing for anything aside from pride. And Road Missouri even lost to Vanderbilt. This is a lot of points to cover for a bad coach and a mediocre team.

Cincy +11 at Memphis — I’m in the tank for the Tigers, but -11 is simply way too many against the AAC’s best defense with the division title for both on the line. This is going to be a closely contested, physical game. Absolutely watch it, don’t bet it.

Give Thanks For:

UNC -9 vs. Alabama — Battle for Atlantis. If this were a healthy Tide team, and one with a second ball-handler and a healthy Rojas, you’d like Alabama’s chances a lot more to keep this in singl edigits. You have to be able to outrun UNC, be sound down low, and take care of the ball. None of those things are true for UA, and the Tarheels are going to bully Alabama in the post. No shame here; just the reasoned calculus — especially with a thin bench.

Ole Miss +2.5 at Mississippi State — Matt Luke may have many deficits, but 1. getting his team up for this game, and 2. bringing in a capable staff that will run the ball 80 times a game aren’t among them. The wrong school is favored here, TBH. It won’t be an upset against a tissue-soft Bulldogs defensive front that is thinner than a communion wafer and prone to being gashed. Rhys Plumlee best watch out though: Moorhead’s MSU’s linebackers are dirty AF under the best of circumstances and you have to think it will be really bad in the Egg Bowl.

Central Michigan -9.5 vs. Toledo — These just aren’t the normal Rockets, nor are these the woebegone Chippewas. CMU sports a solid defense, a very good offense, and is playing at home for a trip to the MACCG. McElwain gets it done.

Washington -7 vs. Wazzu: Is there a worst team in the country on the road than Washington State? Mike Leach is eyeballing Fayetteville, not studying this game — one that his teams have traditionally matched up very poorly in.

Arkansas State -11 at South Alabama: The Red Wolves are finally getting it all figured out... too bad it took them three months to do so. The USA Jags are simply putrid. ASU covers on the road.

App. State -12.5 at Troy: Troy’s implosion this year can be traced to a defense whose wheels have fallen slap off. Bad news against one of the most lethal teams in the nation playing for a New Year’s Six Bowl. The Trojans will play with heart, but there’s not enough in the tank here to stop an ASU statement win.

Mortal Lock of the Week(day):

Nebraska +5.5 vs. Iowa — If Nebraska keeps this within two touchdowns, it’ll be a victory. The Huskers are playing for a bowl, but that won’t matter. The better team will win and physically dominate the squishy UNL lines. Hawkeyes make it ugly and cover.