Season record: 34-29-1

Last week: 2-2 (Illinois -1, Wake Forest/Miami over 64.5, UCF -3, Arizona State -3)

As the season winds down, you begin to appreciate the games more and more. That is especially true in what Week 13 delivered. Illinois got the day started with a last-minute touchdown pass.

That also got me my first winner of the day in improbable fashion. Speaking of improbable, upsets came from all over the SEC from Auburn, Alabama to Gainesville, FL to Norman, Oklahoma.

It was not my best performance as I went 1-2 in my other games. Arizona State came through for me once again, despite the crazy ending. Thanks for making us sweat, Kenny Dillingham!

Since it is Thanksgiving week, I want to thank everyone who reads every week. Yes, even the haters and losers.

With it being Thanksgiving, I know many of you are busy and not going to read too much, so I will try to make these picks short and sweet. As a nod to former Oklahoma State, LSU, and Kansas head coach Les Miles, I am going to “let ‘er rip!” this week.

Also check out the &Collar Black Friday Sale!

Now, to this week’s picks.

Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-9) @ #14 Ole Miss Rebels (8-3) | November 29 | 2:30 PM CT | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Line: Ole Miss -26.5 | Total: 61.5

After a loss at Florida, Ole Miss is now on the outside looking in with regards to the College Football Playoff. Now, they will host their bitter in-state rivals.

Ole Miss is the superior team in this contest, but we have seen them falter in spots. Will the Florida loss linger?

I am not ruling that out. Not saying that the Bulldogs win, but that is some spread. Give me Mississippi State +26.5.

#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) @ USC Trojans (6-5) | November 30 | 2:30 PM CT | Los Angeles Memorial Stadium

Line: Notre Dame -7.5 | Total: 51.5

Notre Dame comes into this matchup with one of the top defenses in the country. The Fighting Irish only allow 273.1 yards per game, which is good for fourth in the country.

However, Notre Dame has not faced the most daunting passing attacks. Of their previous opponents, only Louisville ranks in the top 50 in passing yards per game. In that meeting, Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough had a fair amount of success with 264 passing yards and three touchdown passes.

USC comes into this matchup averaging 285.5 passing yards per game, which is 13th nationally. While the Trojans did make a quarterback change, Jayden Maiava has led them to two straight victories. In that span, he has five total touchdowns and only one interception.

The USC defense, which has been much maligned in recent years, has been respectable as of late. Over the last month, the Trojans are limiting opponents to 19.7 points per game, which ranks 18th nationally.

I am taking USC +7.5.

California Bears (6-5) @ #9 SMU Mustangs (10-1) | November 30 | 2:30 PM CT | Gerald J. Ford Stadium

Line: SMU -13.5 | Total: 57

The SMU Mustangs are on a roll and quarterback Kevin Jennings is a big reason why. Jennings is averaging 10.5 yards per attempt in ACC play. Now, he will take on a California team coming off an emotional win over Stanford.

The California defense came up big as they held Stanford to only 259 yards, but the Mustangs present a much more significant test. Jennings and company average 444.3 yards per game.

SMU also has one of the ACC’s top defenses, holding opponents to an average of 332.6 yards per game. They also do a great job at getting after the quarterback. The Mustangs had nine sacks in their win over Virginia last week.

California, meanwhile, is one of the worst teams in terms of sacks allowed. The Bears have allowed 40 sacks on the season, which is 129th in the country.

I am taking SMU -13.5.

Auburn Tigers (5-6) @ #13 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-3) | November 30 | 2:30 PM CT | Bryant-Denny Stadium

Line: Alabama -11.5 | Total: 52

The Alabama defense showed vulnerability against the run in their 24-3 loss to Oklahoma. The Sooners ran for 257 yards. This could be a problem against Auburn, who has one of the SEC’s top rushers in Jarquez Hunter. Hunter is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games.

To make matters worse for the Crimson Tide, linebacker Deontae Lawson is out for this game. Lawson is Alabama’s second-leading tackler this season.

The Auburn offense also has a great duo of pass catchers in KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Cam Coleman. Lambert-Smith and Coleman have both posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games the past two weeks.

The Alabama offense actually had an even worse day than the defense did last week. Quarterback Jalen Milroe, who ran all over LSU, was held to seven yards on 15 carries. He also threw three interceptions as the Crimson Tide offense failed to reach the endzone.

The Auburn defense will not make things any easier. The Tigers are limiting opposing offenses to 319.3 yards per game, which ranks 24th nationally.

This is a flawed Alabama team and based on last week, Auburn is still playing inspired football.

Auburn +11.5

Houston Cougars (4-7) @ #19 BYU Cougars (9-2) | November 30 | 9:15 PM CT | LaVell Edwards Stadium

Line: BYU -13 | Total: 41.5

BYU is coming off of back-to-back losses after starting the season 9-0. Now they look to close out their season strong against Houston.

This is a matchup of the Big 12’s top two defenses. Houston leads the league in total defense while BYU is second.

However, Houston has really struggled offensively. They are last in the conference, averaging only 291.5 yards per game. These struggles led to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay.

With little to play for and an interim offensive coordinator, I do not like Houston’s chances. The Provo weather forecast also shows lows in the 20’s which could be a problem for the visiting Cougars.

Give me BYU -13.

And don’t forget the &Collar Black Friday Sale!

OUTTA HERE!