Howdy folks and welcome back to this week’s edition of Picks from God. Last week we went 0-4 (-4U) which brings our total to 2-6 (-5U) all time. Yes, you read that right. I did not pick a single game correctly. It was an embarrassing week to say the least. Now before you start calling me names and ready to call your lawyers to sue me for such terrible advice, I want you to read the title of this blog. “Fade Fernando’s Picks From God.” Fade them. You are supposed to go against these picks people. Read the title. Anyways, let’s put the past behind us. In the week of our Lord’s birth, we have been blessed with 4 more picks. Enjoy responsibly.
* Grad School Sports reminds you to please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-800-522-4700.
1. USC vs. Iowa -2.5. This whole season, I have yet to be impressed with this Trojan team. Even their A.D. was less than pleased with the direction of this football program and was reluctant to bring back head coach Clay Helton. However, they do have one of the better offenses in college football led by QB Kedon Slovis and a trio of star receivers in Michael Pittman, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Tyler Vaughns. Meanwhile, the Iowa Hawkeyes will be looking to get to 10 wins on the season and bring with them one of the best defenses in the country. This Iowa team has played great football all season long and has won 3 straight games. Further, their 3 losses were all to teams within the top 25 and were by a combined 14 points. Even though the game is in California, I like the Haweyes to cover thanks to a phenomenal defense and an offense that will make just enough plays to cover the spread.
2. Notre Dame -3.5 vs. Iowa State: Around 2 months ago after their embarrassing loss to Michigan at The Big House, everyone wrote the Irish off. Since then, Notre Dame has reeled off 5 straight wins in which the offense has clicked on all cylinders. QB Ian Book has looked like a completely new player in the 2nd half of the season and should have his way against a Cyclone secondary that has its fair share of holes. Look for WR Chase Claypool to have a big day as well. Defensively, the Irish have looked strong as well since the nightmare in Ann Arbor. Although they are coming off a loss on the road to Kansas State, Iowa State has a very good offense and overall is a very solid team. However, I like the way the Irish have played down the stretch and believe they have the playmakers necessary to cover the spread on Saturday.
3. LSU -13.5 vs. Oklahoma: 13.5 is a massive line, especially for a playoff game. Doesn’t matter to me. This LSU team has done nothing but dominate their competition this year. They absolutely destroyed a Georgia team in what was basically a road game on the same weekend the Sooners struggled immensely against Baylor. Offensively, Joe Burrow and Co. will have their way against a Sooner defense with far too many holes. To make matters worse, they will be without their DE Ronnie Perkins and Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell. Yes, star RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire may not play for the Tigers, but Burrow has so many options to choose from that I believe the injury is indifferent. I think the Tigers defense gets it done against QB Jalen Hurts who they are more than familiar with. Further, their experience covering star-studded receivers like Jerry Jeudy should help when they matchup with CeeDee Lamb, arguably the best receiver in football. I like Coach O and LSU on Saturday. Geaux Tigahs! A full preview of the game can be found here: http://gradschoolsports.net/2019/12/24/college-football-playoffs-1-lsu-vs-4-ou-preview/
4. THE Ohio State University +2 vs. Clemson: And now we finally arrive to the game on everyone’s mind. The biggest game of the year so far between 2 heavyweights should not disappoint. These teams are truly mirror images of each other on paper with stars on both sides of the ball. Clemson being favored is astonishing to the public. The Tigers have been overlooked this whole year due to a multitude of different reasons including poor play early on and a very weak schedule. However, this is relatively the same Clemson team that gave Alabama its biggest loss in the Saban era last January. They can beat you on offense with stars like Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne and defense with Isaiah Simmons. However, they have not faced a team like OSU nor a player as dominating as Chase Young. Contrary to Clemson, OSU has played a challenging schedule and has thoroughly handled their competition. I think the OSU defense makes enough stops and the offense delivers when it counts to get them the win Saturday. I have ridden the Buckeye train the whole year this year and I refuse to abandon ship now. O-H-I-O! For a full preview of the game click here.
Please remember, I am not a professional gambler. So please do yourself a favor and fade me at all costs. In addition, if you do not have the funds or live in an area where gambling is prohibited by law, please do not gamble. As we conclude this week’s picks, lets all remember Jeremiah 29:11. Good luck to everyone this weekend.
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