CFB: Vanderbilt at No. 18 Tennessee

If your Thanksgiving weekend is planned around a college football game that currently has the home team as a 27-point favorite, a) you’re an alumni, a donor, a season ticket holder or a parent of a student who attends either Vanderbilt or Tennessee, b) your turkey is of the “Wild” variety that comes in a handle, or…

… c) you’re our kind of football fan. Whether a supporter of either program or simply someone who sees an opportunity to lay down a wise wager, the season must play out – even if the national championship isn’t at stake.  In other words, settle in for Vanderbilt-Tennessee, a game that has little to no implications on anything other than which city Vols fans might be going to for a second-tier bowl game.

Here’s the truth of the matter though: Tennessee is a pretty damn good football team; perhaps they’d like to make a statement to cap their season. Three out of the Vols four losses came at the hands of schools inside the Top-10 (Georgia, Alabama and Missouri), while the other was a Week 3 road trip to the Swamp, where Florida avenged last year’s loss to Tennessee. Even at 7-4, the Vols deserve their top-25 ranking. Just last week they came in at No. 18, and a respectable 38-10 loss to No. 1 Georgia bumped them down a few notches.

Point being, Tennessee should easily handle Vanderbilt, whose only wins came against Hawaii and Alabama A&M. The question at hand, however, is whether or not Tennessee will cover.

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: Tennessee -27.0

To call this a rivalry game (in rivalry week) is an insult to Tennessee. So let’s not do that. Instead, look back at what took place a year ago, where the Volunteers blanked Vandy 56-0… at Vanderbilt. The Commadores rank 124^th in the country in rushing (so they won’t exactly be playing keep away) and rank even worse defensively, as they come in at No. 126 in points allowed (35.1 per game). While Tennessee isn’t ranked inside the top-20 in most key categories, their numbers are likely skewed because of the weekly gauntlet that is the SEC. In other words, they’re better than anything you’ll read on paper. Tennessee might be mad enough to hand another 50 burger on Vanderbilt, but even if they’re not, the Commadores have no business hanging around and keeping things close. On Thursday, give thanks; on Saturday give the 27 and be thankful you did.

CFB: Ohio State at Michigan

For the first time in five years, Michigan is favored over Ohio State in one of college football’s greatest rivalries. And this time around, it’s ever-so-important. Both teams are currently inside the CFP Top-4, so the outcome will surely have major implications for both teams and likely a school outside the Top-4. Furthermore, the margin between these two teams appears to be razor thin, as the voters and bettors are not in total agreement.

When the line opened, Michigan has been as much as a 6.5-point favorite. Currently, it’s sitting at -3.5, but more movement could take place.

Despite the fact that Jim Harbaugh won’t be on the sidelines, serving the final game of a three-game suspension for the alleged sign-stealing scheme, observers of the Wolverines seem unphased. Clearly, his assistants and players have his back – as evidenced by Michigan’s monster road win over No. 11 Penn State two weeks ago when emotions were at their highest. Last week’s 31-24 win over Maryland was less impressive, but still kept the Wolverines undefeated for this weekend’s showdown.

Ohio State rolls into town on the heels of a 37-3 thumping of Minnesota – who, for what it’s worth, was whipped by Michigan 52-20 earlier in the season – and likely insulted by the fact that the Buckeyes are ranked higher but getting little to no respect for it.

Then again, all the drama can be tossed right out the window, as this is a game that will be played by the country’s best two defenses. It’s quite possible one big play could determine who heads to the Big Ten championship game versus Iowa.

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: Ohio State M/L +145

For the record, take the under, as it’s set at an embarrassingly realistic 46.5, as if it were an NFL playoff game. But it’s not, it’s just that both defenses are that good. But that’s not my bet here. I’m taking the Buckeye’s to put an end to the saga that surrounds Michigan. Two weeks ago, the slogan “Michigan Against Everyone” became very prominent. Too prominent, in fact. There’s a lot of truth to that, and while Michigan is playing the “us against the world” card, the world – including everyone associated with college football – doesn’t want this messy situation impacting this year’s CFP final polls. Call me a conspiracy theorist but look for the Buckeyes to settle the score and end the Harbaugh shenanigans.