Monday, December 12, 2016

Candidates to replace Jeff Fisher as Los Angeles Rams head coach

The Los Angeles Rams fired head coach Jeff Fisher today. Here are some candidates to replace Fisher.

1. Norv Turner, Former San Diego Chargers Head Coach
2. David Shaw, Head Coach, Stanford
3. Todd Downing, Quarterbacks Coach, Oakland Raiders
4. Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
5. Kyle Shanahan, Offensive Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Candidates to replace Tommy Tuberville as Cincinnati head football coach

Tommy Tuberville resigned as Cincinnati head football coach. Here are some candidates to replace Tuberville.

1. PJ Fleck, Head Coach, Western Michigan
2. Neal Brown, Head Coach, Troy
3. Kerry Coombs, Special Teams/Cornerbacks Coordinator, Ohio State
4. Charlie Strong, Former Texas Head Coach

Candidates to replace Willie Taggart as South Florida head coach

Today, Willie Taggart accepted the head coaching job at Oregon. Now, who will replace Haggart at South Florida? Here are some candidates.

1. Mario Cristobal, Offensive Line Coach, Alabama
2. Lawrence Dawsey, Wide Receivers Coach, Florida State
3. Lane Kiffin, Offensive Coordinator, Alabama
4. Greg Schiano, Former Rutgers Head Coach/Current Ohio State Defensive Coordinator
5. Jeff Scott, Offensive Coordinator, Clemson
6. Larry Scott, Former South Florida Offensive Coordinator
7. Charlie Strong, Former Texas Head Coach
8. TJ Weist, Offensive Coordinator, South Florida
9. Frank Wilson, Head Coach, UTSA

Candidates to replace Matt Rhule as Temple head coach

The other day, Matt Rhule took the Baylor head coaching job. Here are some candidates to replace Rhule at Temple.

1. Todd Bowles, Head Coach, New York Jets
2. Neal Brown, Head Coach, Troy
3. Matt Canada, Offensive Coordinator, Pitt
4. Tim Beck, Offensive Coordinator, Ohio State
5. Chris Kleiman, Head Coach, North Dakota State

2016 NFL Week 14 Picks

Here are my picks for week fourteen of the 2016 NFL season.

Thursday, December 8th
Oakland Raiders (10-2) vs Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)- 8:25, NBC/NFLN: Oakland is coming off a huge comeback home win against the Buffalo Bills. Kansas City is coming off a huge road win in Atlanta against the Falcons. This game will likely decide the AFC West and a first-round bye and I believe the Chiefs defense will lead the way to a huge primetime win.
Prediction: Kansas City 27, Oakland 20.

Sunday, December 11th
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) vs Buffalo Bills (6-6)- 1:00, CBS: Pittsburgh is coming off a huge home win over the New York Giants. Buffalo is coming off a brutal road loss in Oakland against the Raiders in which they blew a 24-9 lead in. The Bills are home, but the Steelers have won three straight games and their defense is playing better as well and I believe they'll stop Tyrod Taylor and that Bills offense.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 23, Buffalo 17.

Denver Broncos (8-4) vs Tennessee Titans (6-6)- 1:00, CBS: Denver is coming off a road win in Jacksonville against the Jaguars. Tennessee is coming off their bye and two weeks ago, they won in Chicago against the lowly Jay Cutler-less Bears. This screams "trap" for the Broncos with New England coming up next week, but I believe their defense will pick off Marcus Mariota possibly more than once and will win another road game.
Prediction: Denver 20, Tennessee 17.

Washington Redskins (6-5-1) vs Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)- 1:00, FOX: Washington is coming off a brutal road loss in Glendale against the Cardinals. Philadelphia is coming off a brutal road loss in Cincinnati against the shorthanded Bengals. Carson Wentz has hit a rookie wall so I don't see how they can score with this Skins offense.
Prediction: Washington 28, Philadelphia 20.

Arizona Cardinals (5-6-1) vs Miami Dolphins (7-5)- 1:00, FOX: Arizona is coming off a nice home win over the Washington Redskins. Miami is coming off a disastrous road loss in Baltimore against the Ravens. This was a tough call, but give me the Dolphins to bounce back this week at home against a Cardinals team that isn't good on the road.
Prediction: Miami 27, Arizona 19.

San Diego Chargers (5-7) vs Carolina Panthers (4-8)- 1:00, CBS: San Diego is coming off a brutal home loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina is coming off a disastrous Sunday night road loss in Seattle against the Seahawks. The Chargers have found ways to lose all season long, but so have the Panthers, who have been dealing with turmoil with Cam Newton not following the dress code. Give me Phillip Rivers to have a field day on the road.
Prediction: San Diego 31, Carolina 23.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-7-1) vs Cleveland Browns (0-12)- 1:00, CBS: Cincinnati is coming off a nice home win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Cleveland is coming off their bye and two weeks ago, they lost at home against the New York Giants. The Bengals have a ton of injuries right now and the Browns have been somewhat competitive the last few weeks and I actually think this is their chance to get a win to avoid a winless season and guess what? I'm getting crazy and picking the Browns to pull it out at home.
Prediction: Cleveland 20, Cincinnati 17.

 Chicago Bears (3-9) vs Detroit Lions (8-4)- 1:00, FOX: Chicago is coming off a home win over the San Francisco 49ers in the snow. Detroit is coming off an excellent road win in New Orleans against the Saints. The Lions are playing great football right now and I believe they'll win big here and because of that, the Lions are my lock of the week.
Prediction: Detroit 36, Chicago 17.

Houston Texans (6-6) vs Indianapolis Colts (6-6)- 1:00, CBS: Houston is coming off a tough road loss in Green Bay against the Packers in the snow. Indianapolis is coming off an impressive Monday Night road win in East Rutherford against the Jets. This game will likely decide the AFC South and give me Andrew Luck and the Colts to win a big game at home.
Prediction: Indianapolis 27, Houston 20.

 Minnesota Vikings (6-6) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)- 1:00, FOX: Minnesota is coming off a brutal Thursday Night home loss against the Dallas Cowboys. Jacksonville is coming off a home loss against the Denver Broncos. This game will be ugly and don't be surprised if the Vikes defense gets some pick sixes in this game.
Prediction: Minnesota 20, Jacksonville 10.

New York Jets (3-9) vs San Francisco 49ers (1-11)- 4:05, CBS: The Jets are coming off a disastrous Monday Night home loss against the Indianapolis Colts. San Francisco is coming off a bad road loss in Chicago against the Bears in the snow. Colin Kaepernick did not play well in Chicago, but the Jets are a mess and Kaepernick will take advantage of their porous defense and Bryce Petty is not the answer at quarterback, either.
Prediction: San Francisco 24, NY Jets 16.

Atlanta Falcons (7-5) vs Los Angeles Rams (4-8)- 4:25, FOX: Atlanta is coming off a disappointing home loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. Los Angeles is coming off a road loss in Foxboro against the Patriots. This screams "trap" for the Falcons, but Matt Ryan and that offense will avoid it this week against a disappointing Rams defense.
Prediction: Atlanta 27, Los Angeles 17.

Seattle Seahawks (8-3-1) vs Green Bay Packers (6-6)- 4:25, FOX: This is a big game for sure. Seattle is coming off a huge home win over the Carolina Panthers. Green Bay is coming off a big home win over the Houston Texans to get back to .500 on the season. Earl Thomas is out for the season for Seattle, but I need to see more from the Packers to officially declare them "back" as a contender and that would mean beating the Seahawks. This will be a close one, but give me Russell Wilson to find a way on the road in a tough environment.
Prediction: Seattle 23, Green Bay 20.

Dallas Cowboys (11-1) vs New York Giants (8-4)- 8:30, NBC: This is the best game of the weekend between what I feel is the leagues best rivalry. Dallas is coming off a hard fought Thursday Night road win in Minneapolis against the Vikings. The Giants are coming off a bad road loss in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. Jason Pierre-Paul is out for the remainder of the regular season and that's a big loss for the Giants. The Giants have been hearing it all week long about how their six-game win streak was an aberration and the Cowboys can clinch the NFC East with a win here. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys are a little giddy and the Giants are motivated to not let the Cowboys celebrate a division crown on their home field. Give me Eli Manning and Big Blue to bounce back and pull if off on Sunday Night Football.
Prediction: NY Giants 27, Dallas 26.

Monday, December 12th
Baltimore Ravens (7-5) vs New England Patriots (10-2)- 8:30, ESPN: Here's another big game. Baltimore is coming off a great home win over the Miami Dolphins. New England is coming off a home win over the Los Angeles Rams. Tom Brady and the Pats usually excel in games like this and I believe they'll win a big home game on Monday Night Football against a hot Ravens team.
Prediction: New England 33, Baltimore 24.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

2016 College Football Championship Week: Final Bowl Projections

Here are my final Bowl Projections of the 2016 College Football season.

College Football Playoff Projections
Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl- December 31st, 2016; 3:00 or 7:00, ESPN: (1) Alabama vs (4) Washington
BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl- December 31st, 2016; 3:00 or 7:00, ESPN: (2) Ohio State vs (3) Clemson


New Years Six Projections
Capital One Orange Bowl- December 30th, 2016; 8:00, ESPN: Louisville vs Michigan
Goodyear Cotton Bowl- January 2nd, 2016; 1:00, ESPN: Western Michigan vs Wisconsin
Rose Bowl- January 2nd, 2016; 5:00, ESPN: Penn State vs Colorado
All-State Sugar Bowl- January 2nd, 2016; 8:30, ESPN: Oklahoma vs Auburn


Rest of the Bowl Schedule
Gidlan New Mexico Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 2:00, ESPN: UTSA vs New Mexico
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 3:30, ABC: San Diego State vs Houston
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 5:30, ESPN: Colorado State vs Louisiana-Lafayette

AutoNation Cure Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 5:30, CBSSN: UCF vs Arkansas State
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 9:00, ESPN: Southern Miss vs Appalachian State

Miami Beach Bowl- December 19th, 2016; 2:30, ESPN: Memphis vs Ohio
Marmot Boca Raton Bowl- December 20th, 2016; 7:00, ESPN: Tulsa vs Middle Tennessee

San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl- December 21st, 2016; 9:00, ESPN: BYU vs Wyoming
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl- December 22nd, 2016; 7:00, ESPN: Central Michigan vs Boise State
Popeyes Bahamas Bowl- December 23rd, 2016; 1:00, ESPN: Eastern Michigan vs Old Dominion

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl- December 23rd, 2016; 4:30, ESPN: Navy vs Idaho
Dollar General Bowl- December 23rd, 8:00, ESPN: Toledo vs Troy
Hawaii Bowl- December 24th, 2016; 8:00, ESPN: Louisiana Tech vs Hawaii

St. Petersburg Bowl- December 26th, 2016; 11:00AM, ESPN: Mississippi State vs Miami-Ohio
Quick Lane Bowl- December 26th, 2016; 2:30, ESPN: Boston College vs Air Force

Camping World Independence Bowl- December 26th, 2016; 5:00, ESPN2: North Carolina State vs Vanderbilt
Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl- December 27th, 2016; 12:00, ESPN: Army vs Western Kentucky
Military Bowl- December 27th, 2016; 3:30, ESPN: South Florida vs Georgia Tech
Holiday Bowl- December 27th, 2016; 7:00, ESPN: Minnesota vs Washington State
Cactus Bowl- December 27th, 2016; 10:15, ESPN: Baylor vs Wake Forest
New Era Pinstripe Bowl- December 28th, 2016; 2:00, ESPN: North Carolina vs Northwestern

Russell Athletic Bowl- December 28th, 2016; 5:30, ESPN: Florida State vs West Virginia
Foster Farms Bowl- December 28th, 2016; 8:30, FOX: Maryland vs Stanford
AdvoCare 1000 Texas Bowl- December 28th, 2016; 9:00, ESPN: Kansas State vs Tennessee
Birmingham Bowl- December 29th, 2016; 2:00, ESPN: Temple vs South Carolina
Belk Bowl- December 29th, 2016; 5:30, ESPN: Pittsburgh vs Arkansas
Valero Alamo Bowl- December 29th, 2016; 9:00, ESPN: Oklahoma State vs USC

AutoZone Liberty Bowl- December 30th, 2016; 12:00, ESPN: TCU vs Georgia
Hyundai Sun Bowl- December 30th, 2016; 1:00, CBS: Miami vs Utah
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl- December 30th, 2016; 3:30, ESPN: Kentucky vs Indiana

Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl- December 30th, 2016; 5:30, ASN: South Alabama vs North Texas
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl- December 31st, 2016; 11:00AM, ABC: Nebraska vs LSU
TaxSlayer Bowl- December 31st, 2016; 11:00AM, ESPN: Virginia Tech vs Texas A&M
Outback Bowl- January 2nd, 2016; 1:00, ABC: Iowa vs Florida

Friday, December 2, 2016

2016 College Football Championship Week: Bowl Projections

Here are my bowl projections for Championship Week of the 2016 College Football season.

College Football Playoff Projections
Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl- December 31st, 2016; 3:00 or 7:00, ESPN: (1) Alabama vs (4) Washington
BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl- December 31st, 2016; 3:00 or 7:00, ESPN: (2) Ohio State vs (3) Clemson

New Years Six Projections
Capital One Orange Bowl- December 30th, 2016; 8:00, ESPN: Louisville vs Michigan
Goodyear Cotton Bowl- January 2nd, 2016; 1:00, ESPN: Western Michigan vs USC
Rose Bowl- January 2nd, 2016; 5:00, ESPN: Wisconsin vs Colorado
All-State Sugar Bowl- January 2nd, 2016; 8:30, ESPN: Oklahoma vs Auburn


Rest of the Bowl Schedule
Gidlan New Mexico Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 2:00, ESPN: UTSA vs New Mexico
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 3:30, ABC: San Diego State vs
Louisiana-Lafayette
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 5:30, ESPN: Miami-Ohio vs Idaho

AutoNation Cure Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 5:30, CBSSN: UCF vs Arkansas State
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl- December 17th, 2016; 9:00, ESPN: Louisiana Tech vs Appalachian State

Miami Beach Bowl- December 19th, 2016; 2:30, ESPN: Houston vs Central Michigan
Marmot Boca Raton Bowl- December 20th, 2016; 7:00, ESPN: Memphis vs Middle Tennessee

San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl- December 21st, 2016; 9:00, ESPN: BYU vs Boise State
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl- December 22nd, 2016; 7:00, ESPN: Ohio vs Air Force

Popeyes Bahamas Bowl- December 23rd, 2016; 1:00, ESPN: Eastern Michigan vs Old Dominipn
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl- December 23rd, 2016; 4:30, ESPN: Navy vs Northern Illinois
Dollar General Bowl- December 23rd, 8:00, ESPN: Toledo vs Troy
Hawaii Bowl- December 24th, 2016; 8:00, ESPN: Southern Miss vs Hawaii

St. Petersburg Bowl- December 26th, 2016; 11:00AM, ESPN: Tulsa vs Boston College
Quick Lane Bowl- December 26th, 2016; 2:30, ESPN: North Carolina State vs Maryland

Camping World Independence Bowl- December 26th, 2016; 5:00, ESPN2: Wake Forest vs Vanderbilt
Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl- December 27th, 2016; 12:00, ESPN: Army vs Western Kentucky
Military Bowl- December 27th, 2016; 3:30, ESPN: South Florida vs Georgia Tech
Holiday Bowl- December 27th, 2016; 7:00, ESPN: Nebraska vs Stanford
Cactus Bowl- December 27th, 2016; 10:15, ESPN: Baylor vs Colorado State

New Era Pinstripe Bowl- December 28th, 2016; 2:00, ESPN: North Carolina vs Minnesota
Russell Athletic Bowl- December 28th, 2016; 5:30, ESPN: Florida State vs West Virginia
Foster Farms Bowl- December 28th, 2016; 8:30, FOX: Indiana vs Utah
AdvoCare 1000 Texas Bowl- December 28th, 2016; 9:00, ESPN: Kansas State vs Texas A&M
Birmingham Bowl- December 29th, 2016; 2:00, ESPN: Temple vs South Carolina
Belk Bowl- December 29th, 2016; 5:30, ESPN: Pittsburgh vs Kentucky

Valero Alamo Bowl- December 29th, 2016; 9:00, ESPN: Oklahoma State vs Washington State
AutoZone Liberty Bowl- December 30th, 2016; 12:00, ESPN: TCU vs Arkansas
Hyundai Sun Bowl- December 30th, 2016; 1:00, CBS: Miami vs San Diego State
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl- December 30th, 2016; TBD, CBSSN: South Alabama vs North Texas

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl- December 30th, 2016; 3:30, ESPN: Georgia vs Northwestern
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl- December 31st, 2016; 11:00AM, ABC: Penn State vs Florida
TaxSlayer Bowl- December 31st, 2016; 11:00AM, ESPN: Virginia Tech vs Tennessee
Outback Bowl- January 2nd, 2016; 1:00, ABC: Iowa vs LSU