Welcome back to Sunday Selections! I know, I slacked off and didn’t get my Saturday Selections done in time. However, expect lots of content for this week as we have many Thanksgiving games coming up. Not only do we have NFL football, but we have many top matchups in college basketball this week, with football as well. Anyways, here are my Sunday Selections:
NCAA Basketball:
#5 Villanova (3-1) vs. #6 Purdue (4-0) (-3)
Villanova is 3-1 all-time against Purdue, with the Boilermakers winning the last meeting. The Big East is hot right now, with nearly every team exceeding expectations early. Collin Gillespie leads Villanova as one of the top point guards in the country. Going up against Jaden Ivey, Zach Edey, and Trevion Williams will be challenging, but with coaching and grit, Villanova wins by three.
Tune into Villanova vs. Purdue at 1 PM ET on ABC.
#17 Tennessee (2-1) (-3) vs. #19 North Carolina (3-1)
North Carolina is 10-1 against Tennessee all-time, with the Volunteers’ only win coming in the 20th century. It’s all about how the Tar Heels’ offense will match up against Tennessee’s defense. North Carolina bounces back with Hubert Davis’s biggest win so far as UNC’s head coach.
Tune into Tennessee vs. North Carolina at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Clemson (4-1) vs. West Virginia (3-1) (-2.5)
In the third-place game of the Charleston Classic, two Power 5 teams face off. West Virginia is one of the best defensive teams when it comes to shot-blocking and turnovers. West Virginia leads the series 4-1, winning the last two meetings. Even though the game is in South Carolina, I will take West Virginia.
Tune into Clemson vs. West Virginia at 5 PM ET on ESPN2.
#22 St. Bonaventure (4-0) (-3.5) vs. Marquette (5-0)
Marquette looks hot right now, with signature wins over Illinois, Ole Miss, and West Virginia. The Golden Eagles lead the Bonnies in the series 4-3, which I think will improve after the championship round of the Charleston Classic. Darryl Morsell already looks like a top player in the Big East, so I don’t doubt his ability to lead Marquette over St. Bonaventure. They’ll have to watch out for Kyle Lofton, who is an NBA prospect. However, I think Marquette is battle-tested, enough to beat the Bonnies.
Tune into St. Bonaventure vs. Marquette at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Arizona (4-0) vs. #4 Michigan (3-1) (-3.5)
Arizona is 8-1 at T-Mobile Arena and leads the Michigan series 8-2, winning the last three meetings. Arizona has one of the top defenses when it comes to effective field goal percentage, while Michigan has a top 10 offense and defense overall. Michigan needs to win these non-conference games, especially after losing to Seton Hall last week. Michigan gets a rare win over Arizona.
Tune into Arizona vs. Michigan at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN.
#7 Duke (5-0) vs. #1 Gonzaga (4-0)
Gonzaga has been the most dominant team that has not won a National Championship. Duke will have the better coaching, but Gonzaga is nearly unbeatable. Duke has a better chance than Texas does, due to Coach K and the team’s chemistry. However, Gonzaga is spending lots of time in Vegas, so they might as well go undefeated there.
Tune into Duke vs. Gonzaga on Friday at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN.
#1 Gonzaga (4-0) vs. #2 UCLA (4-0)
This is the matchup we have all been waiting for. A rematch between Gonzaga and UCLA. Gonzaga leads the series 4-2, including a buzzer-beating win by Jalen Suggs in the Final Four last season. Gonzaga looks way too dominant. If UCLA can’t beat them, who can? That’s why I’ll take Gonzaga in a close one.
Tune into Gonzaga vs. UCLA on Tuesday at 10 PM ET on ESPN.
Early-Season Tournaments Bracket Predictions:
NFL:
Indianapolis Colts (5-5) at Buffalo Bills (6-3) (-7)
The Bills are 3-1 at home, but they are without two of their offensive linemen. The Colts’ defense could have an advantage, but I think the Bills have too much firepower to lose at home.
Tune into Colts at Bills at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Baltimore Ravens (6-3) (-1.5) at Chicago Bears (3-6)
The Ravens are without Lamar Jackson today as they face the Bears in Chicago. That’s too much of a loss, as Jackson controls the Ravens’ momentum. Justin Fields will find a way to win at home.
Tune into Ravens at Bears at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Detroit Lions (0-8-1) at Cleveland Browns (5-5) (-13)
The Browns were embarrassed last week as the Patriots steamrolled them in Foxborough. The Steelers-Lions game ended in a tie in the most Lions way possible. This should be a bounce-back game for the Browns at home. Baker Mayfield needs to start performing better if OBJ was the problem.
Tune into Lions at Browns at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Houston Texans (1-8) at Tennessee Titans (8-2) (-10)
The Titans are an overwhelming favorite against the Texans, known to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. Ryan Tannehill hasn’t been terrific, but he has done enough to help the Titans secure one of the top spots in the AFC. Their defense is underrated, with Kevin Byard having a solid season so far. Titans win big at home.
Tune into Texans at Titans at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Green Bay Packers (8-2) (-1) at Minnesota Vikings (4-5)
Both of the Packers’ losses came on the road, but fans woke up to good news when it was announced that Aaron Rodgers would play despite a toe injury. The Vikings do have a tough defense, but I think there are too many threats on the Packers for the Vikings to control.
Tune into Packers at Vikings at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Miami Dolphins (3-7) (-3.5) at New York Jets (2-7)
This may end up being the worst matchup of the NFL season. Both teams are terrible, but the Dolphins have a 1-4 record on the road. Yes, they beat the Ravens and Patriots, but I don’t like how the Dolphins play. The Jets will get a rare win at home, even though Mike White isn’t starting.
Tune into Dolphins at Jets at 1 PM ET on CBS.
New Orleans Saints (5-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) (-3)
I was going to go with the Eagles, but I realized that the Eagles have not won at home this season. With Alvin Kamara out, the Eagles do have a chance. However, I’m taking the Saints, who are 3-2 on the road.
Tune into Saints at Eagles at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Washington Football Team (3-6) at Carolina Panthers (5-5) (-3)
Chase Young tore his ACL, which makes Washington’s defense look extremely vulnerable. Cam Newton is expected to make his first start back in Carolina, which could make for a big performance from him and his teammates. With home-field advantage, I will take the Panthers.
Tune into Washington at Panthers at 1 PM ET on FOX.
San Francisco 49ers (4-5) (-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7)
The 49ers destroyed the Rams on Monday, even though the Rams are loaded right now. Deebo Samuel has turned into one of the league’s best wide receivers, which is scary for the NFC. Speaking of the NFC, the Jaguars have lost 13 straight to NFC teams. Will they break their skid? Most likely not.
Tune into 49ers at Jaguars at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) (-1.5) at Las Vegas Raiders (5-4)
The Bengals are coming off their bye week after losing the last two games. The Raiders have lost the past two as well, so one team is aiming to bounce back late afternoon. The Bengals have a special connection between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, which makes me pick the Bengals in a close one.
Tune into Bengals at Raiders at 4:05 PM ET on CBS.
Dallas Cowboys (7-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) (-2.5)
Both the Cowboys and the Chiefs are heavyweights in the NFL, but the Chiefs seem to have found their rhythm after a slow start from their offense. Now, they host Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, in what could be one of the best games of the year. I think the Chiefs continue what they did on offense last week and get a huge win at home.
Tune into Cowboys at Chiefs at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Arizona Cardinals (8-2) at Seattle Seahawks (3-6) (-3)
I didn’t like how either team played on offense last week, but the Cardinals’ depth at QB is paper thin now. Kyler Murray is out and Colt McCoy is questionable. Even though the Cardinals have a 5-0 road record, I think it ends today.
Tune into Cardinals at Seahawks at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (5-4) (-6)
Ben Roethlisberger is back, but the Steelers look horrible this season. T.J. Watt is out for this game but could return soon. Add that to a list containing Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick and Justin Herbert could run all over this depleted Pittsburgh defense. Chargers win on Sunday night.
Tune into Steelers at Chargers at 8:20 PM ET on NBC.
New York Giants (3-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) (-11)
The Bucs look to keep their undefeated record at home alive when they host the Giants on Monday night. Tom Brady did not perform well against Washington last week, but I have never seen two straight bad games from the GOAT. Bucs win at home.
Tune into Giants at Buccaneers on Monday at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN/2.
Calhoun's Corner 