It is coming down to the wire with only two weeks left in the regular season before we go bowling. My record on the year improved from last week as my picks are now just above .500 at 14-13. I am looking for some breathing room and I think I have just the games to do it.
- James Madison Dukes (-13.5) vs Washington State Cougars (1:00 PM/EST): It is the time of year where weather can play a factor and lucky for us here it will be a bit chilly but, nothing that should impact the game. The Dukes are very much still alive for a playoff a bid and they should be looking to take it to the Cougars. Washington State has played three other potential playoff teams in North Texas, Ole Miss, and UVA so beating the Cougars by margin should be a priority as it could be a factor in their playoff fate. The Washington State offense is barely ranked in the top 100 so points will came at a premium as JMU has the top ranked defense in the Sun Belt. I do not expect the Dukes to take their foot of the gas and given the opportunity they will make this one look as ugly as possible. I like the Dukes up to two touchdowns and maybe a little higher.
- University of Texas San Antonio Road Runners (+2.5) vs East Carolina Pirates (3:30 PM/EST): The Road Runners have one of the most insane road splits of any team in the country. At home, they average 48.3 points and on the road they only average 21.7. Defensively they are only a little better giving up 27.7 at home to 33.7 on the road. I do not expect to see much defense in this one so if you do not like a side, Over 62.5 is another play I am considering. The Pirates are coming off their biggest win of the season after taking down the Memphis Tigers last week so, expect a bit of a let down here. Coach Jeff Traylor has never lost a home game as long as the Road Runners have been in the American Conference so, give me the Road Runners in what looks to be a track meet down in the Alamo Dome.
- New Mexico Lobos (-3.5) @ Air Force Falcons (7:00 PM/EST): Air Force took a couple of death blows to their season last week as they can no longer attain bowl eligibility and it looks as though their best offensive player quarterback Liam Szarka is expected to miss the rest of the season. Without Szarka the threat of any kind of passing offense from the Falcons is null and this plays right into the strength of the Lobos defense who are 16th in the nation in rush yards per game on defense. The Lobos are still very much alive in the Mountain West conference race and a win here sets up a huge game next week against San Diego State. I like the Lobos to take care of business here as again weather should not be a huge factor here as it is no colder down in Albuquerque.
