Covid Thanksgiving and 96 hours of Action...College Football and NFL Picks Thanksgiving week 2020

Thoughts on every NFL and College game being played Thanksgiving week 2020. This got a little out of hand but its covid times so I don't think there is anything wrong with making 34 picks against the spread this week.

Lets go with the first thought on every game this week.  Picks will be in bold v spread using heritage sports lines from Tuesday 11/23/20.  Picks in bold will count on my record this week. Leans will not...without further ado.

Thanksgiving day games

Texans +2.5 over The Lions....not much to say here except I am backing Watson to stay hot and do more than a depleted banged up Lions offense.

Colorado State +5.5 over Air Force. Air Force gave New Mexico every possible chance to climb back into that game this past Saturday turning the ball over 3 times in the second half.  NM could do nothing on offense. That should have been a one possession game and I think this line is inflated. Plus these are the games a coach like Addazio wins to fool the administration into paying him for 4 years of winning half his games or slightly more.

Dallas -3 over Washington.  Backing the red rifle to have good back to back games.  He has weapons.  Yes its entirely possible that he will be held to a FG through 3 quarters and throw two picks on screen passes but that's the chance you take backing red.  He may also go for 350. Fuck it.

The Steelers seem way more focused than in years past.  It's odd.  Riding that feeling. Steelers -4.5 over Pookie and the Ravens.

New Mexico -6 over Utah State.  The announcers love saying Rocky Long's name throughout the broadcast and i'm setting the how many times will Rocky Long's name be said during the broadcast O/U at 11.5. Hammer the Rocky Long name drop over.  Rocky Long has that defense playing well and creating turnovers so this is a no brainer for me. Sit around the TV on your Rocky Long Thanksgiving with the whole family and bet New Mexico.  Rocky Long. 

Friday November 29th

Breakfast Sandwich....Turkey, Stuffing, White bread, Mayonnaise...dip in warm gravy and let's get started because walmarts selling half priced black Friday locks!

No opinion on UCF and South Florida as USF is always capable of ruining your bet either way. No thanks.

Notre Dame versus North Carolina. UNC is potent but ND and Book are playing to win games this year instead of waiting around. They will attack with their plethora of white receivers and solid running attack to the tune of 40+ points on UNC.  UNC will keep up but i'm going Joe public here and taking the over 66.

The band is out on the field highlights will play on repeat. David Shaw is a great coach so i'm taking Stanford -1.5 over Cal

Oregon State is a lovable team but I can't see how they hang in there with Oregon.  I am going to pass on this one.

Passing on Iowa State versus Texas as the Cyclones are always a tough team to get a read on.

Leaning Nebraska but staying away against Iowa.

No opinion on Wyoming's mustard unis versus Greg Anthony and UNLV.

Pass on UAB v Southern Miss

As much as I was disgusted by EMU's last performance I think they always have a script designed to keep the game close into the 4th Quarter. Last week just got away from them early.  I am still backing Eastern Michigan +7 against Central Michigan even if its entirely possible they get annihilated if any part of this weeks plan breaks down.....At least they will have a plan. Good coach in Chris Creighton getting the most out of limited resources.

Passing on Umass and Liberty.  If Liberty feels like it they can win by 45.  Not sure they feel like it after last weeks heartbreaker. They may have lost the will to cover but at the same time I can't back Umass just yet despite them showing fight against FAU.  I'd lean toward the Liberty team over if your book gives it out.

Saturday November 28th

TCU v Kansas no thanks.

Georgia State versus Georgia Southern....I need to ride the Georgia State team over regardless of what it is.  It's not up online yet so I am going to predict they score 38 points or more as that will be over what they put out there.  I love that offense and skinny Cam Newton running it. 

Georgia v South Carolina....gross

Kentucky Florida....pass

SMU East Carolina....garbage

Pitt versus Clemson.  Taking Pittsburgh + 24 because Jesus will punish Dabo Sweeney for suggesting that FSU was ducking a game during a covid screwed up season. You don't have to be a Karen to see that as a leader he is being a Moron there.

Passing on Cincy but Temple is depleted plus they don't really want to be playing.  I will lean Cinncy to run it up as if doing so will prevent them from being screwed out of the playoff. Don't worry they will write you a nice check and send you to a big name bowl instead.  

Florida State +9 over Virginia as the Cavaliers love playing to the level of competition and will let FSu stick around.

Passing on Northwestern Mich State as its bound to be an ugly slow game.

Michigan's offense stays hot. Michigan -2.5 over don't say shit to no cops Penn State. The Paterno legacy code of silence is strong.

NC State Syracuse is a pass because I have to wonder how interested State will be.

Duke PK over Georgia Tech....Blue Devils have time to prepare and finally execute a gameplan for 4 quarters.

I hate betting on West Virginia games because I don't trust them however, its always possible for them to step up on Defense and play Rattler tough. Lean WVU. Rattler looks like he would be hunted for his magical healing properties in some countries. 

Indiana Maryland lets go over 62.5.  Indiana puts up 49 if they feel like it. Lets hope Tua's bro can contribute in what may be an early Christmas easy over by the 3rd quarter.....or a horribly frustrating game where you are praying for 2 trash TD's in the last 4 minutes....have fun.

Rutgers +11 over Purdue.  Rutgers is too much fun not to bet on as a double digit dog.  It's almost like Schiano has money on it with you.

Kent State Buffalo Over 66.  Kent State's nerd QB is a scoring machine until someone tells me otherwise.  Craig Krenzel vibes.  Kent's Defense is shaky enough to where Buffalo should be able to keep pace scoring....and I think they will need to because athletic turbo nerd will keep marching his team down the field.  I feel fine if this bet loses as its the only play to make. You have no choice but to take this over and live with the result. You got this over pregnant so do the right thing and marry it.

Passing on Northern Ilinois v Western Michigan.  NIU hung last week because they started hot.  If that doesn't happen its possible they get steamrolled by an explosive WMU team....on the flip side WMU has a frosh QB who is on fire but also entirely capable of having a freshman game.....I am Leaning toward the team over Western Michigan as this QB, despite his inexperience, seems to be allowed to play at a faster tempo.

Ball State +9.5 v Toledo. Toledo is a snakebitten team and will find a way to screw this up.

Bowling Green +24.5 over Ohio.  Ohio is not there yet with Rourke's 14 year old brother playing QB.  BG played hard last week for 4 quarters and despite having no size or talent to speak if they have enough heart to cover.

Akron Miami Ohio i'll pass because I haven't seen enough of Miami Ohio this year.  I have watched 75% of two Akron games.  I'll come back here to reread that sentence anytime I convince myself that gambling isn't still robbing me of time.  Akron has heart.....Akron's QB plays like he is running around in the backyard but seems to be lacking any discernable division 1 through 3 quarterbacking talent.  It's entirely possible he paid off the guy who was supposed to be the recruit and just showed up to camp assuming his identity.  I will say that he at least tries to make plays so Akron is not a terrible dog to back. In fact I feel bad for what I said so I will lean Akron +14.5

Tulsa Houston Over 56.  It's a low # because Tulsa's defense gets massive respect.  Yes they are a solid group but as we saw in a 0-0 halftime game like last week.....a college game only needs to run wild for a quarter or so to threaten a number like 56.....Houston should be able to do enough to hang in there and their D is generous enough to let Tulsa put up 35+ even if its the 3rd stringer who played like Favre last week. In fact I might feel better with him over slow starting Zach Smith.

Gotta Take San Jose State plus the 10.5 and play the Over 58.  Small play on San Jose State on the Moneyline as well.  Fuck it this is the one year they can get some revenge on the bullies who stuffed them in lockers for the past 20 years.  Boise will score but if the pressure is on the young QB in the 4th I'll take Ned Starkel's forgotten son Nick to take this one home late 41-38.

Passing on App State v Troy.  No idea where App States mind is at after that painful loss to Coastal.

Passing UCLA v Arizona as i've not really seen AZ yet.

Colorado USC over 64.  Until I see otherwise. 

North Texas UTSA taking a pass as I don't know enough there.

Ok State v Texas Tech....Ok State's D is good enough to make this ugly and a 27-10 type game but their QB situation could be uncertain after last week. No thanks.

Pass on Ohio State Illinois as Illinois is schizophrenic.

Let's go Coastal big -17 over a sneaky Texas State team.  Coastal plays angry.

Arkansas State and South Alabama are too unreliable I can't touch it.

Auburn shows up for one game and hangs with Bama. +24.5

Riding O'hare and Middle Tennessee State +6.5 over a Florida Atlantic team that can't finish drives with their Freshman QB.

Pass on Kansas State and Baylor

Pass on Texas A&M LSU

Pass Rice and UTEP

Lets take Miss State over Ole Miss if they play.  Miss State +9.5 as their young  QB is getting comfortable as Leach drops acid before meetings.

Nevada is on a mission so i'll lay the -7 over a scrappy rainbow warrior team.

Not touching the UL Monroe v Ragin Cajun game

Now onto the pros for Sunday November 29, 2020

You can't trust the Falcons so I am taking them +3 against The Raiders. Maybe Matt Ryan won't get choked slammed every other play this week.

Cam threw for 360+ last week so he wasn't the problem.  Look for a shootout and i'll take the Pats and the 2.5 points.

I love the way the Giants are playing every game competitively and it wil start to show dividends this week. Garrett as OC is a big deal on a team he knows. They hired him for a reason. That division is wide open and I predict they will take it. Giants -5.5 over the saddened Bengals. Lean Giants team over as they should score in the high 20's low 30's.

Browns Jags not gonna touch it.  Cleveland isn't doing dick on offense but they are booking important W's.  Not sure if the Jags have packed it in so staying away here.

Titans v Colts. Rivers scares me to bet on or against some weeks and this is one of them. Most weeks actually.  Pass.

Chargers +5.5 against the Bills who are not ready to close out a division. This is going down to the last week and 9-7 might take it.  Small play on Chargers moneyline as well.

JETS+ 7 against Miami.  Miami is going to lose a little momentum here. Jets may get first win but i'll take the points only.

Give me the sneaky bastard Broncos + 6 over the Saints and Mitt Romney.  The Broncos are capable of anything.

And finally lets go the Over in the Seattle v Philly Monday night game 50.5.  hawks score at will and philly contributes some trash in the 4th to push this one over.

There you go for 34 plays Thanksgiving week.  What do you have to be thankful for this week? Is it the fact that you will have a steady IV drip of action starting at noon time on turkey day and continuing on through Sunday night at 11:30 pm EST? You are a sick sick person like the rest of us but hey its Covid times and I think betting 34 games over a holiday week is totally acceptable this year.  Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.