Saturday Selections

Something I love watching is College Gameday. I love the last ten minutes of it because they make their predictions on who wins every exciting game. I love seeing Lee Corso make his headgear pick (so much I’d take a hat from my closet and act like I’m making my pick). I also sometimes make picks with my dad on who wins what game. So I’d like to make these picks and a short reasoning on why I picked what team on here. We have a bunch of great college basketball games on the second day of the new year, as well as a few bowl games. I’ll be making a Sunday Selections as well for Week 17 of the 2020 NFL Season.

NCAA Basketball:

Utah (4-2) at USC (5-2)

Even though USC is 6-11 against Utah all-time, they seem to do better at home against the Utes. The Trojans won at home last time and they have a better team this season, blowing out BYU, who’s in my bubble currently, and losing by 3 to a talented UConn team. Evan Mobley is a lottery pick but if Andy Enfield wants to win this game, you gotta use Evan Mobley more. His size and raw talent is far better than anyone on Utah’s team.

Tune into Utah at USC at 4:00 PM ET on Pac-12 Network.

#11 Creighton (7-2) at Providence (7-3)

I’m not sold on either team but Creighton has Marcus Zegarowski and that’s that. David Duke is definitely talented and I love what Ed Cooley is doing at Providence. If there were fans this season, I probably would’ve taken Providence knowing how loud they get, but because there’s not that type of atmosphere, I’m taking the Bluejays. The only thing I’m worried about is their shooting. They were much colder shooting to start the Big East play compared to the bye games. If the Friars can defend Zegarowski well, they may have a chance. I say that because when I watched UConn host Creighton, RJ Cole took Zegarowski out of the equation and the Huskies almost won in regulation. As Lee Corso would say, closer than the experts think.

Tune into Creighton at Providence at 12:00 PM ET on FOX.

#12 Missouri (6-1) at Arkansas (9-0)

Arkansas is allowing a small number of fans attend, so they have the upper hand there. If you look at the history between the two teams, Missouri is 1-12 in Fayetteville and I think Arkansas is heating up, while Missouri is dying down a little bit, losing by 20 against #7 Tennessee. I think this game repeats what history has shown so I’ll take the undefeated Razorbacks.

Tune into Missouri at Arkansas at 12:00 PM ET on CBS.

Clemson (7-1) at Miami (4-3)

I think Clemson should be ranked if they get this win over Miami. The only thing that’s keeping them from that status is their only ranked opponent win is against Florida State. These ACC games are tough to pick because I don’t have ACC Network.

Tune into Clemson at Miami at 2:00 PM ET on ACCNX.

LSU (6-1) at Florida (4-1)

Cam Thomas looks to be one of the best freshmen in the country. He’s averaging 24.1 ppg, and is shooting 47.1% from the field. That’s impressive for the newcomer. Trendon Watford runs the offense and makes the most plays, but the best scorer is Cam Thomas. Should be a fun game.

Tune into LSU at Florida at 2:00 PM ET on CBS.

Oklahoma State (6-2) at #13 Texas Tech (8-2)

Cade Cunningham is a stud but Texas Tech just has too much for the Cowboys. I like how Chris Beard coaches and Mac McClung is a highlight reel on my Instagram feed every time he plays. I’m just upset this game isn’t getting a national TV slot. Texas Tech tends to play better at home. They have a 15-10 record all-time at home against Oklahoma State.

Tune into Oklahoma State at Texas Tech at 4:00 PM ET on ESPN+.

#9 West Virginia (8-2) at Oklahoma (5-2)

I feel bad for Oscar Tshiebwe. He stepped away from the program for personal reasons. All eyes are on Bob Huggins and Derek Culver to get it done in Norman. I’ll be rooting for West Virginia, but I have to take the Sooners in this one. West Virginia has lost 3 straight at Oklahoma and I like Austin Reaves in this matchup.

Tune into West Virginia at Oklahoma at 4:00 PM ET on ESPN2.

Tune into Duke at Florida State at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN2.

Colorado (7-2) at UCLA (6-2)

I think Colorado is the better team, but Mick Cronin is a good head coach and I think he’ll get the job done. Colorado also has a 2-6 record when playing in Pauley Pavilion. Chris Smith is my favorite player on the Bruins and I think UConn fans will know the sole reason why. Expect McKinley Wright to lead the Buffaloes to a close game but end up losing.

Tune into Colorado at UCLA at 8:00 PM ET on Pac-12 Network.

Stanford (5-2) at #21 Oregon (7-1)

I like Stanford’s roster better, but against Oregon, they’ve lost 4 straight in Eugene. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives Oregon a 73.4% chance of winning but I think it is much closer than that.

Tune into Stanford at Oregon at 10:00 PM ET on ESPNU.

#10 Iowa (8-2) at #14 Rutgers (7-1)

I like Rutgers a lot and I would take the Scarlet Knights if there were fans, but Rutgers is 2-7 against the Hawkeyes, who have Wooden Award favorite Luka Garza (27.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg). Steve Pikiell is one of my favorite coaches, mainly because of his ties to UConn, but also he has made Rutgers one of my favorite teams to watch. This is a good one.

Tune into Iowa at Rutgers at 2:00 PM ET on ESPN2.

#8 Texas (7-1) at #3 Kansas (8-1)

Game of the day. I think Kansas just has a better team and they’re were the closest team to beating #1 Gonzaga, but fell short. Texas hasn’t beat Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse since 2011, I don’t see that changing. I think even though he’s not the leading scorer for the Jayhawks, Marcus Garrett will be key in winning this top 10 matchup.

Tune into Texas at Kansas at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN2.

NCAA Football:

Gator Bowl: #23 NC State (8-3) vs. Kentucky (4-6)

I’m extremely surprised that NC State is the underdog. The fact that there are bowl games that are including teams with losing records is stunning. I’d take the underdog pick.

Tune into the Gator Bowl at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN.

Outback Bowl: Ole Miss (4-5) at #11 Indiana (6-1)

I feel really bad for Michael Penix Jr. The offense would be so much better with him on the field. However, they’ve been great in Big Ten play and lost 42-35 to #3 Ohio State, so I think there’s something there and I think defense wins this game. I love the Outback Bowl too. It’s one of my favorite non NY6 bowls.

Tune into the Outback Bowl at 12:30 PM ET on ABC.

Fiesta Bowl: #25 Oregon (4-2) vs. #10 Iowa State (8-3)

I’m taking the Cyclones because they’ve played more games and even though Oregon defeated a very good USC team in the Pac-12 Championship, the lack of games will hurt the Ducks. I like Breece Hall and even though that Oregon defense was excellent during the Pac-12 Championship, it won’t be enough to stop him.

Tune into the Fiesta Bowl at 4:00 PM ET on ESPN.

Orange Bowl: #5 Texas A&M (8-1) vs. #13 North Carolina (8-3)

I love the North Carolina running backs. Javonte Williams and Michael Carter were some of the best in the country, even though they split carries. Sam Howell is a good quarterback to have and this is my upset pick. Real close game.

Tune into the Orange Bowl at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN.