After a tough go around in Week 13, I’m looking for a perfect final week of the College Football pre-bowl season. Enjoy the picks, and make that money! Some conference championships, and the chance to play for all the marbles. Huevos grande!
LUCKY LESTER’S Free NCAA Football Picks
Free Picks: Week 14
Virginia Tech Hokies (-4.5) @ Boston College Eagles:
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)
Last time around, the Eagles escaped Virginia Tech by the hair on Matt Ryan’s chinny chin, chin. This time, they won’t be so lucky. The Hokies have to be irked that they somehow crumbled in the final few minutes to lose a game on a deep Matt Ryan touchdown pass to his running back across his body on the opposite side of the field. Virginia Tech dominated that game, and they weren’t even playing as well as they are now. Sean Glennon has been playing inspired football, and the Tech defense is right on cue. Amazingly, these two ACC teams are almost identical. Both are 10-2 SU, 6-5 ATS. 6-1 at home, 4-1 on the road, each team scores 29 a game, and both are 6-5 O/U on the season. Virginia Tech allows less points per game defensively, and that should give them the nod in this game.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane @ Central Florida Knights (-7.5):
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)
This Conference USA Championship shouldn’t have much impact on any big Bowl games, but the Central Florida Knights and Tulsa Golden Hurricane are two teams that have put together an impressive conference run and second half of the season. One thing that is difficult about this game; it’s always hard to beat a good team twice in a season. But I think Central will walk away with this win. Both teams have 5 game winning streaks (CF is on a 6 game streak) and both have put up big points along the way. The difference is, Central Florida is winning big and Tulsa has been eeking out close games. Last time these two teams played, Central dominated the game by smashing a rushing attack right down the throats of Tulsa’s defense. The Knights rushed for 170 more yards than the Hurricane. I like that trend to continue in the C-USA finale.
Army Black Knights @ Navy Midshipmen (-14):
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)
Two touchdowns is a lot in a rivalry game, but historically, the Midshipmen are used to embarrassing Army’s Black Knights. Last year, the final score was just 26-14, as Army covered the 19 point spread in a Navy win. But in the few years prior to that, this game has been a joke. Navy outscored Army by at least 19 points in every single game from 2002 – 2005. And most of them haven’t been that close. This season, Army couldn’t stop the run if their lives depended on it, as they’ve been outrushed by 100+ yards in 6 of the last 10 games, and they’ve been outrushed by nearly 1,200 yards over the last 6 games. On the other hand, the Midshipmen have been a rushing dynamo, outrushing every team they’ve gone up against in the last 10 contests. They’ve had 195 more rushing yards than their opponents in 5 games this season. They may not pass much, but against Army, they won’t have to. Easy game to call.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (+7.5) @ Nevada Wolfpack:
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)
The Wolfpack have made a living out of losing close games this season. They lost to San Jose State 24-27 last week. A week before that it was 26-28 against undefeated Hawaii. Earlier in the year it was a 67-69 overtime loss to a very good Boise State team. Fresno State beat them 41-49. And they lost ot Northwestern 31-36. Their only bad loss came to Nebraska, and that was before the Cornhuskers started to suck. Louisiana Tech has had a tough loss or two as well, including a one point overtime loss to Hawaii earlier in the season. But lately, they’ve been piling up wins (3 of their last 4) and they have a chance to get Bowl eligible against Nevada. If anything, that will keep this game close, and taking a fairly equal dog with just over a touchdown, I like my chances.
Oregon State Beavers (pk) @ Oregon Ducks:
(Line: Thursday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)
The Ducks were Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart. Now they are trying to rely squarely on Stewarts shoulders with Dixon and Dixon’s backup out for this rivalry game against the Beavers. Honestly, the Ducks defense is bad, and offensively they don’t have the confidence at quarterback nor the speed and athleticism to keep defenses honest. The Beavers have won 4 of their last 5 after starting the season slowly. They were expected to compete at the top of the Pac 10 this season before too many road bumps early in the year. I really like their stud running back, Yevenson Bernard. That guy is a beast that keeps on rolling along, and I think he’ll have a huge game against a defense that really doesn’t tackle all that well. Oregon’s on the line, and the Beavers should come out on top on the road. However, something to be aware of, the home team has won each of the last 10 meetings between these programs. But that’s history, and the streak has to end some time.