I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and filled up their accounts with some winners yesterday. Today is the perfect day to recuperate after one too many trips to the buffet, and perhaps one too many beverages as well. There is a lot of action over the next couple of days, so let's get right into it.

NFL

Dolphins @ Jets

The NFL looks to take over another day of the calendar, with Amazon’s first ever Black Friday matchup. Why spend money in a mall, when you can relax on the couch and risk it on a pivotal AFC East matchup the day after Thanksgiving. The NYJ turn to a new QB this week, after the disaster that has been the Zach Wilson experiment has finally come to a halt. Robert Saleh gave Wilson plenty of chances to lead this Jets team to its potential, but after laying another egg last week, the Jets will turn to the unknown, Tim Boyle.

The Fins meanwhile have not been the same team that was running up the score on everyone to start the season. Perhaps it has been a mid-season slump, or maybe opposing defenses have found ways to slow down the weapons around Tua.

As nuts as it sounds, I will be backing Tim Boyle and the Jets to cover this spread. The Jets have been relevant in spite of their QB, and things can only improve after this benching. I don’t expect Boyle to do anything productive, but I do think he can be a slight upgrade over what the Jets had been working with. It is always the defense that has kept these teams in games, and they know the Miami offense inside and out.

After escaping the Raiders last week, I expect Miami to win a similar type of game today. I’ll predict a 20-17 Dolphins victory, and back the Jets on the number.

Jets +9.5

NCAAF

UTSA @ Tulane

A pivotal matchup in the AAC, two 7-0 teams go head to head Uptown with UTSA visiting the defending Cotton Bowl Champs. The Green Wave have been surviving and advancing, ever since an early season loss to Ole Miss, while UTSA has ripped off 7 straight Ws. Something has to give this afternoon, with the Winner eyeing a big time Bowl berth.

While the American Athletic Conference is not as strong as it has been in years past, this UTSA team is no joke. They can move the ball, and have been a force for a couple of years running. Tulane has been the class of the conference, and Willie Fritz has his team playing for another New Years 6 game.

The Green Wave look shaky at times, but often play to the level of their competition. One week, they barely survive against a lowly Tulsa team, while the next they go on the road an thump FAU. In this spot, I trust Fritz and QB Michael Pratt to get this team over the finish line. They have too much to play for to look ahead to a conference title game, and won’t take UTSA lightly. As short home favorites, I predict Tulane pulls it off in the 4th quarter, and clinches a berth in the AAC title game.

Tulane -3

Texas Tech @ Texas

Even though we have to wait one more year to renew the A&M UT Black Friday game, this game is not a bad consolation prize for primetime Friday night. The 7th ranked Longhorns have their eye on the CFP, and Tech would love nothing more than to play spoiler.

While I don’t think Texas is a top 4 team in the country, you can’t argue that they aren’t deserving of a berth if they win out, as their resume includes a W in Tuscaloosa. Despite their loss in the Red River Shootout, that’s the best W any contender can bring to the table thus far.

Austin will be electric tonight, hoping Sarkesian doesn’t fall short in another huge moment. The Red Raiders meanwhile have been playing well and put together a decent season considering some of the injuries they have dealt with on offense. I have a hard time imagining they won’t get up for this road test. Two touchdowns is too many points, and is showing too much respect to a Texas team that struggles to close teams out down the stretch.

It might come down to a backdoor cover, but I’ll be on Texas Tech plus the points Friday Night. 

Texas Tech +14

Oregon State @ Oregon

In another primetime rivalry spot, the Ducks play host to their in-state rivals tonight, with a CFP spot still in play. Speaking of spoiler, the Beavs get one more chance to play that card, after fumbling away a massive opportunity last weekend against Washington. Along with their title hopes, Bo Nix throws his Heisman hopes on the line tonight, where he currently sits as a Co-favorite to win the award.

Nothing would be sweeter for an Oregon State fan then to keep their biggest rivals off of both those podiums. Oregon has dominated teams outside of their close loss to Washington, and appear to be a top 4 team at this point. OSU has come a long way themselves, and are no pushover. They are physical behind DJ Uiagalelei, and will look to control the pace and style of play to keep themselves in it.

The Ducks want to go up and down, especially after seeing Oregon State struggle to cover Washington receivers a week ago. Bo is possibly one more primetime breakout showing from locking up the Heisman trophy, and there would be no sweeter way to bring it home than blowing out their rivals in the process. All of that said, 14 is too many points in my opinion. Oregon State went toe to toe with #4 Washington last week, and were one bounce away from pulling the upset. If they get that bounce, this line is likely somewhere between 7-10. For that reason, I am taking the points. Oregon State does enough to hang tough and keep it close, while Bo puts up strong numbers and takes one more step towards a Heisman.

Oregon State +14

Enjoy the games, and bet responsibly!!