Picks for 12/30/25
College Football
5:30 PM EST
Rotation # 246
Illinois +3 over Tennessee (win)
The Vols have the luxury of playing in-state and should have the majority of the crowd in their favor, but I don’t trust their defense. Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks was let go, so the defense today will be coached by their linebackers coach. The Vols have a few key opt-outs, so I don’t see their defense making any drastic improvements that will keep Illinois off the scoreboard. Illinois has a good running back room and will try to slow down the tempo to keep the Vols’ offense cold on the sidelines in freezing conditions. The Illini have a veteran offensive line, even with JC Davis skipping today’s game. QB Luke Altmyer should be able to find receivers with the run game working in balance. Again, I am not a fan of the Vols’ defense this year. Hank Beatty is a veteran receiver who should find soft spots in the defense, and his punt-return ability can set the Illini up with positive field position. I like the Illini on defense a tad more. Take Illinois.
Rotation # 246
Illinois +3 over Tennessee (win)
The Vols have the luxury of playing in-state and should have the majority of the crowd in their favor, but I don’t trust their defense. Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks was let go, so the defense today will be coached by their linebackers coach. The Vols have a few key opt-outs, so I don’t see their defense making any drastic improvements that will keep Illinois off the scoreboard. Illinois has a good running back room and will try to slow down the tempo to keep the Vols’ offense cold on the sidelines in freezing conditions. The Illini have a veteran offensive line, even with JC Davis skipping today’s game. QB Luke Altmyer should be able to find receivers with the run game working in balance. Again, I am not a fan of the Vols’ defense this year. Hank Beatty is a veteran receiver who should find soft spots in the defense, and his punt-return ability can set the Illini up with positive field position. I like the Illini on defense a tad more. Take Illinois.
College Football
9:00 PM EST
Rotation # 248
TCU +5.5 over USC (win)
The Trojans of USC are far from full strength tonight, as just about every notable receiver has opted out of tonight’s game. Tackle Elijah Paige remains out, and Alani Noa’s status on the offensive line is in question. The Trojans are without four of their top eleven tacklers for tonight’s game and are thin at all three levels of their defense, especially in the secondary. TCU has its own issues. QB Josh Hoover entered the transfer portal, but backup QB Ken Seals is a veteran with over 20 career starts. Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles left for South Carolina. The Horned Frogs, in my opinion, still are in better shape on both sides of the football. Jeremy Payne should take the workload off his quarterback by running the ball well, and the Horned Frogs’ defense should contain the younger receivers on the Trojans who don’t have much experience. The makeup of the offense changes substantially with the likes of Lake McRee, Jakobi Lane, and Makai Lemon not playing. The Horned Frogs should have the advantage in the trenches and have value as a generous underdog. Take TCU.
9:00 PM EST
Rotation # 248
TCU +5.5 over USC (win)
The Trojans of USC are far from full strength tonight, as just about every notable receiver has opted out of tonight’s game. Tackle Elijah Paige remains out, and Alani Noa’s status on the offensive line is in question. The Trojans are without four of their top eleven tacklers for tonight’s game and are thin at all three levels of their defense, especially in the secondary. TCU has its own issues. QB Josh Hoover entered the transfer portal, but backup QB Ken Seals is a veteran with over 20 career starts. Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles left for South Carolina. The Horned Frogs, in my opinion, still are in better shape on both sides of the football. Jeremy Payne should take the workload off his quarterback by running the ball well, and the Horned Frogs’ defense should contain the younger receivers on the Trojans who don’t have much experience. The makeup of the offense changes substantially with the likes of Lake McRee, Jakobi Lane, and Makai Lemon not playing. The Horned Frogs should have the advantage in the trenches and have value as a generous underdog. Take TCU.