Tag: OSU

Fade Fernando’s Picks from God (12/27/19)

by Jeremy Fernando, posted in Action

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.

CFB Playoffs: #2 Ohio St. vs. #3 Clemson

by Jeremy Fernando, posted in Football, NCAA Football

Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Happy Kwanzaa! Whichever holiday you celebrate, we can all come together and rejoice in College Football Playoff season. The playoffs are finally upon us and let us rejoice and be glad. Grad School’s Cole West did a preview of the 1st semifinal game which can be found here: http://gradschoolsports.net/2019/12/24/college-football-playoffs-1-lsu-vs-4-ou-preview/

I will be previewing the primetime matchup between the Clemson Tigers and The Ohio State Buckeyes. Neither team is short of playoff appearances with the Buckeyes making their 3rd playoff appearance, winning it all 2014. Meanwhile, the Tigers will be playing in their record-tying 5th CFB playoff and will hoping to win back to back championships and their 3rd title in the last 4 years. Let’s dive into the matchups in this highly anticipated affair which has Clemson narrowly favored by 2.5 points

Clemson Offense:

This Clemson offense is very similar to last year’s team and is once again led by QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne. After some early season troubles, Lawrence has really rebounded in the 2nd half of the season and enters the game with the 7th best QBR in the nation. Lawrence has homerun targets in receivers Tee Higgins, who comes into the game with over 1,000 receiving yards, and Justyn Ross, the 13th best receiver in the ACC. Etienne has been magnificent on the ground for the Tigers as they have the 9th best rushing attack in all of college football. The Tigers offensive line has been stellar all season as well as they are 5th in the country in sacks allowed. Overall, this offense has been absolutely phenomenal and is clicking on all cylinders heading into the semifinal.

Ohio State Defense:

Two words: Chase Young. Lining up to defend against Lawrence and Co. will be arguably the best player in all of college football and a prospective number one pick in next year’s draft. Young is 1st in the country in both tackles for loss and sacks, and 2nd in forced fumbles. While Young has been a force to be reckoned with, this OSU defense is incredibly well-rounded. Statistically, they have the 2nd best passing defense and 7th best rushing defense in the nation. LB Malik Harrison has also enjoyed a great season and will team with Young to put pressure on the Tigers offense.

Ohio State Offense:

Offensively, the Buckeyes have a 3-headed monster in QB Justin Fields, RB J.K. Dobbins, and WR Chris Olave that Columbus has not seen since the 06 season. They have arguably the best offensive line in college football and the unit was a semi-finalist for the Joe Moore award. Playing in the very competitive Big 10, this offense has been battle-tested against some of the better defensive units in the nation. However, they have not faced a defense like the Tigers and could face some challenges moving the ball on Saturday.

Clemson Defense:

Statistically, the Tigers have the best defense in all of college football. They are at the top in both total defense and passing defense, 5th in turnover margin, and have the 9th best rushing defense. Brent Venables is a defensive mastermind and has one of the best defensive players in all of football in LB Isiah Simmons. The All-American Simmons has been remarkable this year and is an absolute unit at 6’4, 230 lbs. The Tigers also have one of the best scoring defenses in the country. Therefore, pressuring OSU QB Justin Fields and forcing him to make miscues could give Clemson the advantage it needs on Saturday.

Now the last time these 2 teams met in the 2016 semifinal, Clemson manhandled the Buckeyes 31-0 en route to their title win over Alabama. I, along with the rest of the country, expect a much closer game this year.

Who wins this game? I honestly think this is a coin flip game. Clemson has steamrolled their competition this year. However, there is an argument to be made that the teams they played don’t deserve to be properly identified as “competition.” Throughout the season, analysts have been underestimating this Tigers group however, everyone knows head coach Dabo Swinney will use that as fuel to have his team properly prepared and motivated for Saturday.

On the other hand, Ohio State has also dominated their competition and have played one of the more challenging schedules in the country. Ryan Day has done a great job in his 1st year as head coach and there were many around the country who believed OSU deserved the number one overall seed in the playoff.

I will have an official prediction on Friday when I release my Picks from God, however as of publishing I like the Buckeyes to prevail.