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Las Vegas - Presents are under the tree and I'll be sitting under the big boy flat screen all day for the College Football Playoffs. Kick it off with Penn State at home -9 points over SMU. DISRESPECT. That can be the rocket fuel for a team that has been thrown under the bus, like SMU. After the Mustangs lost to Clemson in the ACC title game, everyone, especially from the SEC was begging the committee to put Alabama in the final playoff spot. NOPE! Like the way that SMU came back from a 31-14 hole to lose by just three (34-31) on a 56 yard FG in the ACC title game. SMU lost one other game, an 18-15 L against BYU. Two losses by a total of six points. A little wary of the Nittany Lions home field edge, so not gonna make a game wager. But here's my plan. Since the Mustangs have covered eight of the last 10, if they're down big at the end of the 1st half, BUY the initials plus the points in the 2nd half.

Moving down to Austin for the Texas/Clemson game. Does anyone out there who watched the last two games that Texas played think this team is a double digit favorite? Not on this keyboard. The Longhorns beat Texas A&M 17-7 then came up on the short end of a 22-19 score against Georgia in the SEC championship. Against a QB (Carson Beck) with his right arm dangling like a piece of spaghetti. Dabo has brought his Tigers back from a devastating 34-3 loss to Georgia in the season opener, winning 10 of the last 12. Might not be a W here, but we'll throw a few peanuts at Clemson plus a DOZEN and a HALF!

Close out Saturday under the lights in Columbus where Ohio State (-7.5) will host Tennessee. We know that Peyton Manning will be in Columbus going nutzzz for his Volunteers. And why not. Sure Ohio State is talented and has home field, but Tennessee is averaging over 230 yards a game on the ground and the freshman kid at QB, Nico Iamaleava, brings a rocket right arm to the party. Nico can also dance, gobbling up 311 yards on the ground this season. He has hit 19 TDs with just 5 INTs. And don't forget that the Vols BAGELED Iowa, another Big 10 team last year in the Citrus Bowl, 35-0. Gimme Peyton and the Orange guys.

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