Picks for 12/30/24
2:30 PM EST
Rotation # 257-258
Iowa/Missouri Under 40.5 (loss)
Iowa QB Cade McNamara has been out a few weeks and will transfer. Brendon Sullivan has done a decent job, but it will be rough for him with many receivers opting out and Kaleb Johnson not being in the lineup at running back. There isn’t much offensive talent for the Hawkeyes. Missouri is in much better shape at the skill positions as QB Brady Cook is a talented veteran, and the running game has multiple options. The Tigers will be without Luther Burden, who is leaving for the NFL, but they have decent pass-catching options. I am not a big fan of the Missouri offensive line, which keeps me from taking them outright. Both schools are tremendously talented in the defensive front seven, which will slow down the opposing run and prevent the quarterback from throwing down the field. I don’t see a lot of points in this game unless we see multiple fluke turnovers returned for scores. Look for a low-scoring game. Take the Under.
NFL
8:15 PM EST
Rotation # 431
Lions -3.5 over 49ers (win)
The Lions can be a five seed, or with a win tonight and a win in the regular season finale against the Vikings, they can gain the one seed. The 49ers are not used to being down and out of the playoff mix, and they are walking hospital. Elijah Mitchell, Christian McCaffrey, and Jordan Mason were difference-makers at running back. San Francisco doesn’t have the personnel to be a well-balanced offensive team. On opening day, the 49ers’ offensive line combo was Williams, Banks, Brendel, Puni, and McKivitz. Only Puni remains healthy. Good luck trying to get in rhythm and not get the QB sacked with many backups. If you can’t run the ball and your offensive line keeps you behind the chains due to penalties, it almost always equals losing. Jared Goff has his opening-day offensive line intact, and many receivers are looking to take advantage of a 49ers’ secondary that might be without Charvarius Ward. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs will keep the 49ers’ defense honest. One team needs a big win while the other is injured and can’t care less. Take the Lions