MONEY BETS PICKS - For the Week Ended 12/31/2022

$750 on Alabama -6.5 vs. Kansas State: Pretty clear Alabama HC Nick Saben is much more persuasive than most other coaches, as not one of his players is opting out of the Sugar Bowl game. This leaves me thinking The Tide is taking this game very seriously, and that the metrics, which do not favor Kansas State on either side of the ball, will produce enough margin for Alabama to beat the Wildcats and cover the spread while doing it.

$750 on Michigan -7.5 vs. TCU: There are a number of similarities between these two good teams, but the fact remains---Michigan averages over 40 points per game and TCU only scores 25! That takes care of the point spread. Plus, the insufferable Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh may not get another chance to reach the Heavenly Land of college football any time soon, so somehow/someway he will not let a team like TCU stand in his way, and he'll garner a statement victory while doing it.

$750 on Oregon -14.5 vs. North Carolina: Fourteen and a half points is a challenging point-spread to cover in any bowl game, especially with the Ducks having lost two of their last three games and their best defensive player opting not to play. But North Carolina ended their season with three straight losses against lesser competition, and the Tar Heels' secondary now appears to be short-handed, which should allow the Duck offense score often.  Bottom Line: With the very talented QB Bo Nix opting to play, Oregon should easily cover in this matchup.

$750 on Washington +4 vs. Texas: The Longhorns' 88th ranked pass defense is about to meet the nation's top ranked pass offense led by the Huskies very talented QB Michael Penix Jr. Unless Texas' very reliable run offense is able to control the clock and keep Penix off the field, they may have trouble keeping pace, which is what I see happening. The metrics between the two teams' offensive averages are telling in this regard, with Washington having significant edges in both scoring (40.75 ppg vs. 21.17) and yards per play (7.02 ypp vs. 4.89).

MJ, Big Louie advises:  Your wager should read: $500 on Utah State +7.5 vs. Memphis.

Duly noted. I have no idea where I got that spread from! Time to get new reading glasses. 6.5 makes more sense of course & balances the scales far better. Bama will need to have its defense functioning. I will change my post accordingly.