Taking Bets | The Weird Week | Week Twelve

Every Friday evening, Taking Bets gets you ready for the weekend's football with some ideas on the bets to make. It's Mallory McCormack, host of The Staredown podcast, Blaine Duncan, editor-in-chief and host of the TV podcast Taking It Down, and TD Wood, host of Takin' On Sports.

2023 ATS Record
Blaine Duncan: 15-26-2 (Week Eleven: 1-3)
TD Wood: 23-19-1 (Week Eleven: 2-2)
Mallory McCormack: 25-16-2 (Week Eleven: 1-3)

Blaine Duncan 
In the words of Trent Reznor, "What have I become?" And now that Jimbo Fisher's gone from Texas A&M, who will be the brave soul to take a decisive stance against Nick Saban being "despicable"? Goodbye, gentle Jimbo.

App State at James Madison (-9) -- James Madison is favored by nine but will beat App State by thirteen or more.

Utah at Arizona (-1) -- Teams trending in opposite directions. The Wildcats are going up and could sit on top of the world for one more week. I'm all in on Arizona these last few weeks.

Washington at Oregon State (-2.5) -- The Huskies have to get a win in Corvallis. Earlier this season, I picked against the Beavers, making the claim that they win a couple that they're not supposed to win and they lose a few that should garner them a victory. That night, they lost one they should've one. Now it's time to win the one that they shouldn't win. It'll be against Washington.

NFL Game of the Week:
Jets at Bills (-7) -- The Jets' defense is done up real good most weeks, but Josh Allen should be able to do what needs to be done and get a seven-point victory on Sunday afternoon.

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TD Wood
It's coach firing season, and I usually try to stay away from teams who get rid of their coach before season's end. Particularly during this week, the weird, wacky week before Rivalry Week.

SMU at Memphis (+8.5) -- Two teams fighting for a spot in the AAC title game, Memphis looks to give the Mustangs their first conference loss of the season. The Tigers are tough at home, and their only two losses this year are Tulane and Missouri. I expect them to fight hard in this one, and keep it close if not pull the upset.

Cincinnati at West Virginia (-6.5) -- The Bearcats broke their losing streak last week, but I like the 'Neers to prevail in this one, and fairly easily. First meeting since 2011 for the former Big East foes, and if this were a just world, all this realignment nonsense would lead to bringing back the late 2000s Big East.

Illinois at Iowa (Under 30.5) -- The Hawkeyes can clinch the Big Ten West with a win, and I suspect they will do just that. Feels like a good 17-0 Iowa win.

NFL Game of the Week:
Bears at Lions (-7.5) -- The Lions have finally figured out how to get Jamhyr Gibbs more involved in their offense, and it's paying major dividends. This is a potent offense, and they're still not full strength. Jameson Williams has yet to breakout this season after his gambling suspension, and his speed would take this offense to yet anther level.

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Mallory McCormack
Ok, I can finally say more than two words this week. We're so close to my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving! I'm ready for the Egg Bowl and all of the final college football games of the regular season! I can't believe how fast this college football season has flown by and how horrible I have done in this (especially with my completely atrocious Oklahoma State pick last week...yikes!). I really hope no one has actually put money on these things based on anything I've written. If you have, well, I'm so sorry for you and your bank account (ask Jimbo for a loan, I hear he's go a lot of money coming his way...)

Southern Miss at Mississippi State (UNDER: 47.5) — Since Will Hall (a fellow UNA alumnus) decided to somehow bring my Rebels into the discussion without naming us directly, I'll take a shot at this game. Southern Miss's defense is giving up an average of 35.3 points/game. State's defense is giving up 28.2 points/game. Southern Miss's offensive is averaging 22.1 points/game while State's offense is averaging 21.4 points/game. I don't expect there to be much offense in this game, even if Will Rogers plays, but I think there could be a chance that the defenses and special teams do some scoring. I just don't know if it's enough to get more than 47.5 points.

Louisville (+1) at Miami — If Miami wants to upset the Cardinals, they need to go watch what Pitt did to them. I just don't see that happening. It's a tough trip for Louisville but I think they walk away with the win and stay in the top 10.

Georgia (-10) at Tennessee — After watching Georgia dominate my Rebels in person last week, I'm not going against the Dawgs. They're clicking on all cylinders which is what you want at this time of the year. But Georgia fans, please don't bark in Tennessee fans' faces this weekend. They will throw things like mustard bottles and golf balls at you.

NFL Game of the Week:
Giants at Commanders (-9.5) — To quote my second favorite football movie, The Little Giants, "Giants! Giants! Help us God!" I'm not even sure that divine intervention help my team now. I think the Commanders make adjustments from the first match up and they don't lose.

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Note: All games are Against the Spread. Odds are taken from the Caesar's Sportsbook.