By Bob Gaughan, Buffalo Sports Page
Last Week 4-1 Yearly Record 29-18-1
Last Year Weekly Record 12-6-3, Overall Record 72-50-3
Mr. Over/Under: Buffalo/Miami Over 39
Last week in the NFL could certainly be called the “Upset Week of the Year”. The problem with teams like Indy & New Orleans losing as double digit favorites is that you don’t know if they’re not that good, or they just had a bad week, as most teams do, even New England. So I expect them to make a comeback. However, if you look at recent trends, you have to look at Miami, which has a 2-game winning streak. The last time Buffalo & Miami played the O/U was 41.5 and they scored 52 points. Miami is playing better ball and it’s time for the Bills to score some points. The line is 39. Take the over
Man in Stripes: Baylor +10.5 over Oklahoma
Maybe the biggest game in Waco in a long time.. ABC.. Saturday night, the place will be jumping!!!! Getting double digits with a home team that feels they are being overlooked by the playoff committee.. The Bears won a thrilling triple OT game vs. TCU last week to keep to keep their playoff chances alive.. They leade the Big-12 in sacks, and will pressure Jalen Hurts all night.. The Sooners were very lucky to get out of Norman alive last week vs. Iowa St., stopping a 2 point conversion at the end of the game.. In a word OU’s defenses STINKS!!!! They have given up over 40 points the last 2 weeks, and are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.. Look for the Bears to run the ball, shorted the game, and contain the Sooners offense just enough.. Should be a one possession either way.. I will take the LIVE HOME DOG, and they might even win it OUTRIGHT!!!
Mono: Georgia -3 over Auburn
Georgia finally got back into the playoff and I don’t think they will give it up to Bo Nix. Auburn has had a good year but I think Georgia with added motivation knowing that another loss will ruin their chances. Georgia will lock up and win by at least a touchdown.
Brutal: Winnipeg +5 over Saskatchewan
The Blue Bombers may be the Grey Cup team of destiny this year after their destruction of the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Semi-Final last week, 35-14 in Calgary. The Stamps are essentially the New England Patriots of the CFL due to their recent dominance of the sport over the last decade, so many saw this as an upset. Winnipeg trailed 14-8 at the half before skunking last year’s champs 27-0 in the second half in front of a stunned Alberta crowd. In the nine team CFL, Winnipeg has the longest championship drought; their last Grey Cup victory was in 1990. Their rabid fan base is hungry, quite optimistic and charged up after last week’s win.
Winnipeg heads into Saskatchewan with a lot of momentum and the top rushing attack in the CFL. Canadian running back Andrew Harris leads that attack as the CFL’s top rusher; quarterback Zach Collaros ( University of Cincinnati Bearcats ) has had a banner year and will be seeking revenge against the Roughriders who cut him at training camp at the start of the summer.
Saskatchewan has some issues. Yes they are at home, coming off a bye and have the best home crowd in the CFL. Their QB, Cody Fajardo ( University of Nevada, where he replaced Colin Kaepernick ) is injured, but is still expected to start. However, Fajardo has not thrown a ball over 15 yards all week in practice due to the oblique injury he suffered several weeks ago.
Winnipeg has the more consistent defence and although the weather should be decent ( mid 20’s Fahrenheit, little chance of snow, moderate wind ), a three pronged rushing attack that eats up the time of possession means a lot at this time of year when playing outside in the elements. Saskatchewan did win the season series 2-1, winning both home games. However one win was by two points, 19-17, and the second win ( 21-6 ) was a game in which Winnipeg quarterback Collaros did not play. In the lone contest in Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers outclassed the Roughriders and won 35-10.
Momentum, Intangibles and the uncertain status of Saskatchewan’s starting quarterback makes us lean towards taking Winnipeg in what should be a close game.
Bob Gaughan: Baltimore/Houston Over 50.5
These two teams have what could be argued the best offenses in football. The Texans are fourth in yards and the Ravens are second in yards. I love both quarterbacks this year in Watson and Jackson. I’m not a huge fan of either defense as well. Both teams will go up and down the field all day. I think this will be one of the most entertaining games of the year.
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