Picks for 12/26/24
College Football
5:30 PM EST
Rotation # 227
Rutgers +7.5 over Kansas State (win)
Rutgers/Kansas State Over 52.5 (win)
Kansas State was the preseason projection to be the top team in the BIG 12 this year. I don’t think they ever could envision they would be playing in a baseball stadium against Rutgers for their bowl game. Kansas State will be without its top running back, and DJ Giddens and Rutgers will be without their top running back, Kyle Monangai. I like that Rutgers have upped their pace this season and have been throwing the ball down the field. Ian Strong will look to be the face of the program next year as he has the size and athletic ability to be a next-level receiver. I believe Rutgers has more motivation to play, but they did lose their defensive coordinator, so I can’t see a Kansas State team not scoring on them. Kansas State QB Avery Johnson is a dual-threat option and should make plays to extend drives. Athan Kaliakmanis has been an underrated passer this year. Look for both teams to put up points and for Rutgers to hang around by taking advantage of the transfers and opt-outs to key players in the Wildcats secondary. Take Rutgers and the Over. No parlays.
NFL
8:15 PM EST
Rotation #406
Bears +5 over Seahawks (win)
The Seahawks are in a unique playoff scenario as they no longer control their destiny. Seattle needs the Rams to lose this weekend, and then the head-to-head matchup in Week 18 will decide the NFC West. If the Rams win this weekend, the Seahawks’ chances of making the playoffs are slimmer than slim. I am not saying this is a meaningless game, but it is. Seattle will be without the services of Kenneth Walker again. Not being able to run the ball at full strength is a recipe for failure. The Bears have a lot of offensive line injuries, and Caleb Williams takes more sacks than any other quarterback. Seattle isn’t a tremendous pass-rush team, though. Seahawks QB Geno Smith hasn’t looked sharp lately, and I question his mental toughness and his knee bothering him. It’s hard to wrap your head around why the oddsmakers are only making Seattle a mid-sized favorite against a team that has lost nine games in a row. Anything can happen in a short week, and as bad as the Bears have been, they have held their own at Soldier Field. Take the Bears.