I hope everyone watched a lot of college football yesterday because that was something. What an unbelievable weekend so far, and it ends with NFL football. I’ll make my college basketball picks as well, but I’m primarily focusing on the NFL picks for this week. Oh, and I’ll predict who will win the Pac-12 and Conference USA Championship Games on Friday. Anyways, here are my picks:
NFL:
Tennessee Titans (8-3) at New England Patriots (7-4) (-7.5)
The Titans may be the top seed in the AFC, but that should be quickly taken away today. The Titans are depleted, paving the way for New England to be #1 in the AFC. With home-field advantage and the Titans’ lack of star power available, the Patriots should win.
Tune into Titans at Patriots at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) (-3.5)
The Bengals are one of the healthiest teams in the NFL, which can bring momentum for them. The Bengals won 21-10 against the Steelers earlier this season, so I’m calling for the season sweep.
Tune into Steelers at Bengals at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
The Buccaneers are 2-3 on the road, so could there be an upset brewing in Indy? I think not. I have been saying since last season that the Bucs have the top run defense, so the Colts can’t fully rely on Jonathan Taylor to carry their team like they did last week. Bucs get a much-needed win on the road.
Tune into Buccaneers at Colts at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Carolina Panthers (5-6) (-1) at Miami Dolphins (4-7)
The Panthers are looking to get back up to .500 this season, while the Dolphins are looking to extend an incredible winning streak. Cam Newton is back for the Panthers, and he has exceeded my expectations so far. Panthers win because the Dolphins are one of the worst teams in the NFL.
Tune into Panthers at Dolphins at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) (-3.5) at New York Giants (3-7)
The Eagles have the #8 scoring offense in the NFL, which is a mismatch compared to what the Giants’ scoring defense looks like. The Eagles are looking to be back to .500 and start to make a push at the Cowboy’s NFC East lead. With Jalen Hurts at quarterback, I think Philly improves their all-time record against the Giants, which is 88-86-2.
Tune into Eagles at Giants at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Atlanta Falcons (4-6) (-1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8)
The Jaguars’ only wins come when they are the home team (one was in London), and I think their losing record drops to 2-9 after this game. The Jags have lost 14 straight to NFC teams, and even with a depleted offense, the Falcons will find a way.
Tune into Falcons at Jaguars at 1 PM ET on CBS.
New York Jets (2-8) at Houston Texans (2-8) (-3)
The Jets have Zach Wilson back! However, the Jets still are horrendously bad. They’re 0-5 on the road this season, and Wilson will have lots of rust. The Texans earned a huge win over the Titans last week, and I think they’ll win two straight now.
Tune into Jets at Texans at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Los Angeles Chargers (6-4) (-3) at Denver Broncos (5-5)
Had the weather been colder in Denver instead of 54 degrees, I’d pick the Broncos at home. However, the Chargers are looking for revenge from last season, with a healthier and overall better team. Watch out for a big game out of Austin Ekeler today.
Tune into Chargers at Broncos at 4:05 PM ET on CBS.
Los Angeles Rams (7-3) (-2) at Green Bay Packers (8-3)
The Packers and Rams both have lost games recently, but the Packers come back home, where they are 4-0 this season. The Packers aren’t as healthy as the Rams, but with the home-field advantage, including the cold, Packers win.
Tune into Rams at Packers at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Minnesota Vikings (5-5) at San Francisco 49ers (5-5) (-3.5)
The 49ers are 1-4 at home this season, which eliminates the home-field advantage part of this game. There are two star wide receivers to watch for: 49ers’ Deebo Samuel and Vikings’ Justin Jefferson. I expect both to have huge impacts on the game today, and the Vikings upset the 49ers on the road.
Tune into Vikings at 49ers at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
Cleveland Browns (6-5) at Baltimore Ravens (7-3) (-3)
The Browns are at full strength when it comes to the running back position. Kareem Hunt is back, so the workload of Nick Chubb will minimize. John Harbaugh is 17-2 in primetime games at home, and I think both Harbaughs win this weekend.
Tune into Browns at Ravens at 8:20 PM ET on NBC.
Seattle Seahawks (3-7) at Washington Football Team (4-6)
Taylor Heinicke’s main focus right now is beating Russell Wilson, who hasn’t created the impact he wanted since he got back from his injury. However, I think this is the game where he has an impact. Even though Pete Carroll keeps mentioning that they want to establish their run game, I see the Seahawks going to the air, which is something Washington’s weak at. Seahawks win on the road on Monday night.
Tune into Seahawks at Washington on Monday at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN.
NCAA Basketball:
Notre Dame (3-2) at #14 Illinois (4-2)
Notre Dame is 2-11 when visiting Champaign, and I think the Fighting Illini need to pick up a big win in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Andre Curbelo is clearly a problem on this team. If he can’t improve, how will Illinois fare the rest of the season? Illinois wins at home.
Tune into Notre Dame at Illinois on Monday at 9 PM ET on ESPN2.
Iowa (6-0) at Virginia (5-2)
Iowa is 2-1 against Virginia all-time, and KenPom thinks the Hawkeyes have one of the best offenses in college basketball. They head up against a defensive-sided team in Virginia. I think Iowa wins with their offense in Charlottesville.
Tune into Iowa at Virginia on Monday at 7 PM ET on ESPN2.
#5 Duke (7-0) at Ohio State (4-2)
Ohio State may be undefeated at home, but Duke just knocked off Gonzaga, showing that they should be the #1 team in the country. Against a two-loss Ohio State team, I think the Blue Devils will do fine. Paolo Banchero should look healthier, which is a huge boost because Duke wouldn’t have defeated the Zags without him. Duke wins on the road.
Tune into Duke at Ohio State on Tuesday at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Indiana (6-0) at Syracuse (3-3)
Syracuse fans are embarrassed to be fans of their men’s basketball team. Even with a legendary head coach like Jim Boeheim, the Orange have lost to Colgate, VCU, and Auburn. They face another major test as Trayce Jackson-Davis and the Hoosiers come to the Carrier Dome. If Syracuse can’t find a rhythm soon, it will be a long season in Syracuse. Indiana wins and stays undefeated.
Tune into Indiana at Syracuse on Tuesday at 7 PM ET on ESPN2.
Florida State (5-1) at #3 Purdue (6-0)
Florida State is 4-0 all-time against the Boilermakers, but this year it’s different. The series goes to West Lafayette, home to one of the best home-court advantages in college basketball. Pair that with a loaded team that includes Zach Edey, Jaden Ivey, and Trevion Williams, and you should come out with the win.
Tune into Florida State at Purdue on Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Clemson (5-2) at Rutgers (3-3)
Rutgers is ice cold right now, with three straight losses and non-blowout wins against cupcake teams. Rutgers lost a lot of talent, and I do want them to be consistently good, but it doesn’t look like that will happen. I like Steve Pikiell, but this is strictly business. Clemson wins in Piscataway with revenge from last year’s first-round game.
Tune into Clemson at Rutgers on Tuesday at 9 PM ET on ESPN2.
Louisville (5-1) at Michigan State (5-2) (-4)
Louisville is 6-5 against the Spartans and Michigan State is 8-12 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. However, the Spartans also have one of the top defenses in college basketball, ranking in the top 30 in many of their defensive categories. With the game in East Lansing, I expect a Michigan State win.
Tune into Louisville at Michigan State on Wednesday at 7:15 PM ET on ESPN.
Virginia Tech (5-2) at Maryland (5-2) (-1)
I think Virginia Tech has some sort of an advantage with their top 25 defense. However, this Maryland team is still building on its team chemistry, and I can confidently see the Terrapins winning in front of a loud Xfinity Center crowd. Maryland is 32-10 all-time against the Hokies, winning the last six meetings.
Tune into Virginia Tech at Maryland on Wednesday at 7:15 PM ET on ESPN2.
#14 Florida (6-0) (-1.5) at Oklahoma (6-1)
Expect a close game, since Oklahoma is undefeated at home so far. I have heard nothing but praise for Colin Castleton, but when you need a clutch shot, it’s been proven that Tyree Appleby is your guy. These teams don’t meet often, as the Gators lead 2-1 in the series. Porter Moser once took down a then-#5 Florida team a few years back with Loyola Chicago, but they have yet to get a rhythm going offensively. Florida wins a tough one on the road.
Tune into Florida at Oklahoma on Wednesday on Wednesday at 8 PM ET on Bally Sports (regional TV).
Wichita State (5-1) at Oklahoma State (6-1) (-7)
Oklahoma State is not allowed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, but that doesn’t mean they can tank this season. They host a decent Wichita State team, led by Tyson Etienne. Oklahoma State is 31-10 against the Shockers, which I think will improve. The Cowboys win with defense and their home-court advantage.
Tune into Wichita State at Oklahoma State on Wednesday at 8 PM ET on Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Texas Tech (6-0) (-2.5) at Providence (6-1)
Providence is 4-0 at home and leads the series 1-0. The series lead doesn’t matter, but Texas Tech’s history against Big East teams does. The Red Raiders are 2-15 against Big East teams all-time, which is horrible. The Dunkin Donuts Center is a tough place to play, and I think Nate Watson will have a huge impact on this game. I think Texas Tech is a better team, but the factors going into this game make me think the Friars edge Texas Tech.
Tune into Texas Tech at Providence on Wednesday at 8:30 PM ET on FS1.
#24 Michigan (4-2) (-2.5) at North Carolina (4-2)
Both Michigan and North Carolina’s losses come against top 25 opponents, so there’s no doubt that this will be a hard-fought battle. The story of this game will be how North Carolina performs on defense, which they’re ranked #113 on KenPom in. The home-court advantage will be present, but I think Juwan Howard and the Wolverines pull out the win on the road. The last time these two teams met in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Michigan won in Chapel Hill.
Tune into Michigan at North Carolina on Wednesday at 9:15 PM ET on ESPN.
#8 Kansas (5-1) vs. St. John’s (5-1)
Kansas and St. John’s battle in the new UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. St. John’s relies on Julian Champagnie and Posh Alexander, but I don’t think they can stop Kansas’s terrific offense, led by Ochai Agbaji. It’ll be the first meeting since 2000, with Kansas on a two-game winning streak against the Red Storm. Jayhawks win.
Tune into Kansas vs. St. John’s on Friday at 7 PM ET on FS1.
Iowa (7-0) at #2 Purdue (7-0)
On Friday, Purdue will continue to prove to us why they are the best team in college basketball. Zach Edey and Jaden Ivey have done a terrific job leading this team so far. Purdue has won four of the last five games against the Hawkeyes, so I hope you know where I’m going with this.
Tune into Iowa at Purdue on Friday at 9 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
To be updated with more college basketball and football predictions later on.
Calhoun's Corner 