Picks for 12/31/25
College Football
2:00 PM EST
Rotation # 252
Duke -3 over Arizona State (push)
I did not like how Arizona State ended its season. QB Jeff Sims is too much of a veteran to make the kind of mistakes he does. The Sun Devils will be short-handed in their running game today, which will put even more pressure on Sims. Jordyn Tyson will miss today’s game, which will take a massive portion of their receiving stats away. The Sun Devils will be without three starters on the offensive line, which again will put more pressure on Sims. The Duke defense has been soft statistically, and there is no doubt Sims will have his moments, but I am not sure he can be trusted for four quarters. The Sun Devils had a bunch of players opt out on defense, and are a shell of a team they would be if the game mattered. We can say whatever we want about Duke, but they are the ACC Champions, and at the end of the year, they flipped a switch that turned them into winners. Darian Mensah is an electric quarterback who will stand in the pocket and deliver darts down the field. The Blue Devils have a balanced offensive system that keeps defenses guessing. The Blue Devils have outstanding special teams, capable of scoring on a punt or kick return. Manny Diaz has his team playing with confidence, and they seem to be taking this game more seriously, with fewer opt-outs. Take Duke.
Rotation # 252
Duke -3 over Arizona State (push)
I did not like how Arizona State ended its season. QB Jeff Sims is too much of a veteran to make the kind of mistakes he does. The Sun Devils will be short-handed in their running game today, which will put even more pressure on Sims. Jordyn Tyson will miss today’s game, which will take a massive portion of their receiving stats away. The Sun Devils will be without three starters on the offensive line, which again will put more pressure on Sims. The Duke defense has been soft statistically, and there is no doubt Sims will have his moments, but I am not sure he can be trusted for four quarters. The Sun Devils had a bunch of players opt out on defense, and are a shell of a team they would be if the game mattered. We can say whatever we want about Duke, but they are the ACC Champions, and at the end of the year, they flipped a switch that turned them into winners. Darian Mensah is an electric quarterback who will stand in the pocket and deliver darts down the field. The Blue Devils have a balanced offensive system that keeps defenses guessing. The Blue Devils have outstanding special teams, capable of scoring on a punt or kick return. Manny Diaz has his team playing with confidence, and they seem to be taking this game more seriously, with fewer opt-outs. Take Duke.
College Football Playoffs
7:30 PM EST
Rotation # 257-258
Miami/Ohio State over 40.5
We should be in for a treat with the last game of 2025. Both teams have future NFL-ready quarterbacks with high completion percentages, outstanding running games, dynamic playmakers, and outstanding defensive units. Ohio State might be the fresher team, as they had a first-round bye last week, but that isn’t always a good thing, as some teams get out of sync. Bo Jackson is a phenomenal freshman running back, and Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith will look to soften up the Miami secondary. Ryan Day needs to unleash Julian Sayin to challenge the Canes early and often. The Hurricanes run the ball well with Mark Fletcher, and QB Carson Beck does a great job of finding open receivers. Both defenses are capable of making plays that put points on the board. The conditions will be perfect as the game is indoors. I don’t think it will be a back-and-forth shootout, but there is value in a posted total that seems low. The oddsmakers are not giving Miami much of a chance. I am shocked they even made the playoffs when all hope looked gone a few weeks back. Look for both teams to do just enough. Take the Over.
7:30 PM EST
Rotation # 257-258
Miami/Ohio State over 40.5
We should be in for a treat with the last game of 2025. Both teams have future NFL-ready quarterbacks with high completion percentages, outstanding running games, dynamic playmakers, and outstanding defensive units. Ohio State might be the fresher team, as they had a first-round bye last week, but that isn’t always a good thing, as some teams get out of sync. Bo Jackson is a phenomenal freshman running back, and Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith will look to soften up the Miami secondary. Ryan Day needs to unleash Julian Sayin to challenge the Canes early and often. The Hurricanes run the ball well with Mark Fletcher, and QB Carson Beck does a great job of finding open receivers. Both defenses are capable of making plays that put points on the board. The conditions will be perfect as the game is indoors. I don’t think it will be a back-and-forth shootout, but there is value in a posted total that seems low. The oddsmakers are not giving Miami much of a chance. I am shocked they even made the playoffs when all hope looked gone a few weeks back. Look for both teams to do just enough. Take the Over.