Picks for 1/9/25
College Football
7:30 PM EST
Rotation # 284
Penn State +1.5 over Notre Dame (loss)
Notre Dame did a great job at smoothing the Georgia offense last week. The Irish, not known for special teams, got a punt return touchdown, and their kicker, who was just 50% this year, hit all three of his attempts. The Penn State offense is not short-handed like Georgia’s was. The Nittany Lions have a massive offensive line that will allow the running game to get going and will protect Drew Allar, whose completion percentage is near 70% this season. Notre Dame will miss a player like Rylie Mills in this spot, especially against a physical Penn State offensive line. I believe the Nittany Lions are better in the trenches. Notre Dame has a light offensive line that was hit hard by injuries this year. Irish coach Marcus Freeman has done a fantastic job this year. The Irish didn’t have the most challenging schedule, but they proved they could play on the big stage as they crushed Georgia last week. PSU coach James Franklin finally got over the hump of winning a few big games. Both defenses are elite, and this game will come down to one or two moments or a big special teams play. Look for Penn State to do a better job at stopping the run. I trust the Nittany Lions more with a big kick on the line. Take Penn State.
7:30 PM EST
Rotation # 284
Penn State +1.5 over Notre Dame (loss)
Notre Dame did a great job at smoothing the Georgia offense last week. The Irish, not known for special teams, got a punt return touchdown, and their kicker, who was just 50% this year, hit all three of his attempts. The Penn State offense is not short-handed like Georgia’s was. The Nittany Lions have a massive offensive line that will allow the running game to get going and will protect Drew Allar, whose completion percentage is near 70% this season. Notre Dame will miss a player like Rylie Mills in this spot, especially against a physical Penn State offensive line. I believe the Nittany Lions are better in the trenches. Notre Dame has a light offensive line that was hit hard by injuries this year. Irish coach Marcus Freeman has done a fantastic job this year. The Irish didn’t have the most challenging schedule, but they proved they could play on the big stage as they crushed Georgia last week. PSU coach James Franklin finally got over the hump of winning a few big games. Both defenses are elite, and this game will come down to one or two moments or a big special teams play. Look for Penn State to do a better job at stopping the run. I trust the Nittany Lions more with a big kick on the line. Take Penn State.
College Basketball
6:00 PM EST
Rotation # 759
Oregon +3 over Ohio State (loss)
#15-ranked Oregon travels into Columbus in its first year in the BIG 10 to face the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are again without Meechie Johnson, which leaves them thin at the guard position. Oregon senior Nathan Bittle has been playing well. At seven feet tall, he is tough to defend. Bittle is blocking shots, securing rebounds, and getting to the foul line. Winning on the road is much easier with the ability to bully your opponent physically. Jackson Shelstad, Keeshawn Barthelemy, and TJ Bama share the ball well and should help lead the Ducks to victory. Take Oregon.
6:00 PM EST
Rotation # 759
Oregon +3 over Ohio State (loss)
#15-ranked Oregon travels into Columbus in its first year in the BIG 10 to face the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are again without Meechie Johnson, which leaves them thin at the guard position. Oregon senior Nathan Bittle has been playing well. At seven feet tall, he is tough to defend. Bittle is blocking shots, securing rebounds, and getting to the foul line. Winning on the road is much easier with the ability to bully your opponent physically. Jackson Shelstad, Keeshawn Barthelemy, and TJ Bama share the ball well and should help lead the Ducks to victory. Take Oregon.
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