Bet the House, Week 17

Memphis vs Wake Forest + 3 1/2   (Birmingham) — Memphis’ 1,900-yard back, Darrell Henderson, will abstain from this game in order to safeguard his NFL career. No problem, Tigers have a backup guy who rushed for 1,000 yards. Pick: Memphis

Houston vs Army -5  (Fort Worth) —  Gotta love the clash of styles in this game. Give me the more disciplined team. Pick: Army

Buffalo vs Troy  +2 1/2  (Mobile) —  Neal Brown has done a great job at Troy, and Trojans will have a virtual home crowd. Pick: Troy

Hawaii vs Louisiana Tech  +1 (Honolulu) — Bulldogs didn’t finish the season well, and Hawaii can put points on the board. Pick: Hawaii

Boston College vs Boise State  -2 1/2  (Dallas) — You have a division champion from the Mountain West going up against an ACC also-ran. Certainly, Boise is three points better than that. Pick: Boise

Minnesota vs Georgia Tech  -5 1/2  (Detroit) —  This is one of those how-did-these-teams-get-in-a-bowl-game games. Plus, I’m certain Georgia Tech is enjoying the Detroit weather. Pick: Minnesota

Cal vs TCU  +1  (Phoenix)  —  Frogs beat better teams down the stretch just to get here. Pick: TCU

Temple vs Duke +4  (Shreveport)  —  I’m always wary of predicting a rout, but this will be one. Pick: Temple

Miami vs Wisconsin  +3 1/2  (New York City) —  A vote for the Badgers’ defense and they’re getting the points. Pick: Wisconsin

Baylor vs Vanderbilt -4  (Houston) —  Vandy plays hard, but be forewarned — I haven’t picked Baylor right all season. Pick: Vanderbilt

Tampa Bay at Cowboys -7  —  If Tampa Bay’s track record follows form, the Bucs will fiercely keep it close early, then self-destruct in the second half. Home team should cover spread here. Pick: Cowboys

Memphis vs Wake Forest + 3 1/2 (Birmingham) — Tigers are the only team to almost beat Central Florida (twice) in two years. Pick: Memphis

Houston vs Army -5 (Fort Worth) — Without best players Ed Oliver and D’Eriq King and against the frustrating triple-option, Coogs get rolled. Pick: Army

Buffalo vs Troy +2 1/2 (Mobile) — Buffalo emotionally gutted after blowing 19-point, second-half lead in MAC title game. Pick: Troy

Hawaii vs Louisiana Tech +1 (Honolulu) — Can I just pick the over? Last team with the ball wins a high-scoring affair. Pick: Hawaii

Boston College vs Boise State -2 1/2 (Dallas) — Boise’s Bretty Rypien is the best college QB you haven’t heard about. Pick: Boise State

Minnesota vs Georgia Tech -5 1/2 (Detroit) — Jackets have the triple option and the motivation of head coach Paul Johnson’s last game. Pick: Georgia Tech

Cal vs TCU +1 (Phoenix) — Given weeks to prepare, Gary Patterson’s defense will suffocate the Bears’ 119th-ranked offense. Pick: TCU

Temple vs Duke +4 (Shreveport) — Perhaps distracted by Zion Williamson and their hoops team’s freshmen talent, Blue Devils lost four of their final six. Pick: Temple

Miami vs Wisconsin +3 1/2 (New York City) — Preseason Top-10 picks end disappointing seasons playing in a baseball stadium. Pick: Wisconsin

Baylor vs Vanderbilt -4 (Houston) — Amazing season and home-field advantage not enough for Bears. Vandy’s defense dominates. Pick: Vanderbilt

Tampa Bay at Cowboys -7 — Last week was the perfect wake-up call. Cowboys clinch division against a team already looking forward to the draft. Pick: Cowboys

Memphis vs Wake Forest + 3 1/2 (Birmingham) — In a close game let’s go with a Power 5 team. Pick: Wake Forest

Houston vs Army -5 (Fort Worth) — Army may be better but five points is a lot and Houston has a lot of speed. Pick: Houston

Buffalo vs Troy +2 1/2 (Mobile) — The home team advantage should help Troy. Pick: Troy

Hawaii vs Louisiana Tech +1 (Honolulu) — Louisiana Tech at least got to visit Hawaii before losing a bowl. Pick: Hawaii

Boston College vs Boise State -2 1/2 (Dallas) — The Eagles have a Swiss cheese defense against a team with really good bowl record: Pick: Boise State

Minnesota vs Georgia Tech -5 1/2 (Detroit) — No team runs the ball better in the country than Georgia Tech. Pick: Georgia Tech

Cal vs TCU +1 (Phoenix) — Eating an entire box of Cheez-Its may be more entertaining than this game. Pick: TCU

Temple vs Duke +4 (Shreveport) — Since we went with Wake Forest let’s also go with one of its rivals. Pick: Wake Forest

Miami vs Wisconsin +3 1/2 (New York City) — Wisconsin needs to do something to salvage a disappointing season. Pick: Wisconsin

Baylor vs Vanderbilt -4 (Houston) — Baylor is a mediocre team in mediocre conference. Pick: Vanderbilt

Tampa Bay at Cowboys -7 — Tampa Bay’s offense is too potent for this spread despite Jameis Winston’s desire to throw interceptions. Pick: Tampa Bay

Memphis vs Wake Forest + 3 1/2 (Birmingham) — Memphis’ lineup will be minus the nation’s leading rusher, who will be preparing himself for the NFL Draft. Pick: Wake Forest

Houston vs Army -5 (Fort Worth) — The Cougars are missing too many key playmakers on both sides of the ball. Pick: Army

Buffalo vs Troy +2 1/2 (Mobile) — Troy’s edge in speed should make the difference. Pick: Troy

Hawaii vs Louisiana Tech +1 (Honolulu) — The home crowd carries the day for the Rainbow Warriors. Pick: Hawaii

Boston College vs Boise State -2 1/2 (Dallas) — Brain Harsin will have plenty of fresh gadget plays dialed up to befuddle Boston College. Pick: Boise State

Minnesota vs Georgia Tech – 5 1/2 (Detroit) — Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck will have all of his guys rowing the boat in the right direction. Pick: Minnesota

Cal vs TCU +1 (Phoenix) — For whatever reason, the Frogs have fared really well in close games against Pac-12 teams in recent seasons. Pick: TCU

Temple vs Duke +4 (Shreveport) — Temple will soon have its third different coach since 2016, while Duke’s staff remains stable with no pre-bowl distractions. Pick: Duke

Miami vs Wisconsin + 3 1/2 (New York City) — The Badgers’ bruising ground game is more conducive to cold, outdoor football. Pick: Wisconsin

Baylor vs Vanderbilt – 4 (Houston) — Similar teams but Vandy has won three of its last four outings. Pick: Vanderbilt

Tampa Bay at Cowboys -7 — The hot-and-cold Cowboys find a way to limp into the playoffs, but they don’t cover the spread. Pick: Tampa Bay

Memphis vs Wake Forest + 3 1/2 (Birmingham) – Memphis is solid and should cover. Pick: Memphis

Houston vs Army -5 (Fort Worth) – Houston has been up and down, but the Cougars should be up for this one. Pick: Houston

Buffalo vs Troy +2 1/2 (Mobile) — A toss-up, but essentially a home game for Troy. Pick: Troy

Hawaii vs Louisiana Tech +1 (Honolulu) – Louisiana Tech is a solid team and at +1, too good to pass up. Pick: Louisiana Tech

Boston College vs Boise State -2 1/2 (Dallas) – Not convinced Boston College can beat Boise State. Pick: Boise State

Minnesota vs Georgia Tech -5 1/2 (Detroit) — Minnesota still behind the learning curve. Pick: Georgia Tech.

Cal vs TCU +1 (Phoenix) — Too good to pass up on this spread. Pick: TCU

Temple vs Duke +4 (Shreveport) — Temple is a solid, under-the-radar team. Pick: Temple

Miami vs Wisconsin +3 1/2 (New York City) — Weather might be a factor. Pick: Wisconsin

Baylor vs Vanderbilt -4 (Houston) — May as well be a home game. Pick: Baylor

Tampa Bay at Cowboys -7 — To win the NFC East — last chance to do it at home. Pick: Cowboys

Memphis vs Wake Forest + 3 1/2 (Birmingham) – Memphis back isn’t playing so as not to sacrifice his NFL Draft standing, but the Tigers still have the edge here. Pick: Memphis.

Houston vs Army -5 (Fort Worth) – Army takes land in huge swaths with its ground-based attack. Pick: Army. 

Buffalo vs Troy +2 1/2 (Mobile) – Neal Brown was the best part of Tommy Tuberville’s Texas Tech years, and he’s built Troy into one of the best Group of Five. Pick: Troy.

Hawaii vs Louisiana Tech +1 (Honolulu) – Hawaii can score … Hawaii also gives up points. Defense wins bowl games … or some such. Pick: Louisiana Tech. 

Boston College vs Boise State -2 1/2 (Dallas) – If in doubt, I go Catholic. Pick: Boston College.

Minnesota vs Georgia Tech -5 1/2 (Detroit) – Golden Gophers take a step with P.J. Fleck. Pick: Minnesota

Cal vs TCU +1 (Phoenix) – Not betting against the Frogs considering what it took for them to get here. Pick: TCU.

Temple vs Duke +4 (Shreveport) – Duke long game is the difference. Pick: Duke.

Miami vs Wisconsin +3 1/2 New York City) – Wisconsin misses the quarterback. Edge, South Florida. Pick: Miami.

Baylor vs Vanderbilt -4 (Houston) – Baylor is pointed in the right direction. Not Cornelius Vanderbilt’s day. Pick: Baylor.

Tampa Bay at Cowboys -7 – The Cowboys get themselves an NFC East title, but it’ll be a squeaker. Pick: Tampa Bay.

Memphis vs Wake Forest + 3 1/2 (Birmingham) – In a matchup featuring two of the nation’s most productive offenses, this should be tight, so I’m taking the points. Pick: Wake Forest

Houston vs Army -5 (Fort Worth) – The triple option is a difficult monster to stop, especially when your best player (Ed Oliver) won’t be there because he has declared for the NFL Draft. Pick: Army

Buffalo vs Troy +2 1/2 (Mobile) — The Trojans are not a fluke. A victory would give them their third straight 10-win season. Pick: Troy

Hawaii vs Louisiana Tech +1 (Honolulu) – Hawaii has a great offense but its defense has surrendered an average of 40 points per game against teams with a winning record. Pick: Louisiana Tech

Boston College vs Boise State -2 1/2 (Dallas) – Sure, BC has had some close losses to good teams so I’m thinking they will lose but cover. Pick: Boston College

Minnesota vs Georgia Tech -5 1/2 (Detroit) – The Yellow Jackets will run the ball and control the clock, but that just makes the points more appealing. Pick: Minnesota

Cal vs TCU +1 (Phoenix) — Both teams sport strong defenses and struggling offenses. The Frogs have the bonus of facing the worst passing offense in the Pac-12. Pick: TCU

Temple vs Duke +4 (Shreveport) — Injuries to two key offensive players make the Owls a risky pick and the Blue Devils are 5-0 against the spread as underdog. Pick: Duke

Miami vs Wisconsin +3 1/2 (New York City) — The Badgers weren’t great with their starting quarterback (Alex Hornibrook) and they will be brutal without him. Pick: Miami

Baylor vs Vanderbilt -4 (Houston) — The Bears’ improvement is a testimony to coach Matt Rhule, so I’d be hard-pressed to bet against him in a bowl game in which his team’s a 4-point dog. Pick: Baylor

Tampa Bay at Cowboys -7 — The Cowboys have the motivation (redemption after embarrassing loss) but I don’t think they can beat anyone by seven points. Pick: Tampa Bay

Memphis vs. Wake Forest + 3 1/2 (Birmingham) – Hard to get excited about a team that lost a game by 60 points as Wake Forest did against Clemson. Yes, Clemson is great. But 60? Pick: Memphis

Houston vs. Army -5 (Fort Worth) — Houston scores 46 points a game, but gives up 35. The Cougars have allowed almost 200 points (413-216) more than a consistent Army team. Pick: Army

Buffalo vs. Troy +2 1/2 (Mobile) — Buffalo is 9-4 against the spread, but Troy is even better at 9-3. Getting points at a neutral site is the difference. Pick: Troy

Hawaii vs. Louisiana Tech +1 (Honolulu) – Evenly matched teams so home field should make a difference. Pick: Hawaii

Boston College vs. Boise State -2 1/2 (Dallas) – Boise State has a better offense and defense and is 5-1 away from the blue field. Pick: Boise State

Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech -5 1/2 (Detroit) — Georgia Tech has a more impressive resume but the point spread favors the Gophers. Pick: Minnesota

Cal vs. TCU +1 (Phoenix) — Cal has impressive victories over USC and Washington and has a defense that is as good as TCU’s. Not a good matchup for the Frogs. Pick: Cal

Temple vs. Duke +4 (Shreveport) — In its last game of the season, Temple beat Connecticut 57-7 while Duke was losing 59-7 to Wake Forest. Momentum going in opposite directions. Pick: Temple

Miami vs. Wisconsin +3 1/2 (New York City) – If it seems like Wisconsin is always good, it’s because it always is. The Badgers have not had a losing season since 1995. They struggled this year, but that should provides motivation. Pick: Wisconsin

Baylor vs. Vanderbilt -4 (Houston) – Both teams are 6-6 and have similar stats. In 12 games, Baylor scored seven points more than Vandy (339-332) and gave up 73 more (374-301). Matt Ruhle has quickly built the program and he’ll have his team ready for a positive finish. Pick: Baylor

Tampa Bay at Cowboys -7 — Cowboys are still a mystery team that lost to Tennessee but defeated New Orleans. They followed that with a victory over Philadelphia and a shutout loss in Indianapolis. Best advice is don’t bet this game, but taking a wild guess . . . Pick: Dallas

Memphis vs Wake Forest + 3 1/2 (Birmingham) — This feels like a marquee college basketball showdown in the 1990s. Pick: Wake

Houston vs Army -5 (Fort Worth) — West Point is poised to complete the first 11-win season in school history. That’s impressive. Pick: Army

Buffalo vs Troy +2 1/2 (Mobile) — High-flying offenses on display in Alabama. Pick: Troy

Hawaii vs Louisiana Tech +1 (Honolulu) — Island bowling is a nice reward for the Bulldogs but this is a business trip. Pick: Hawaii

Boston College vs Boise State -2 1/2 (Dallas) — Better matchup than you might think. Pick: Boise

Minnesota vs Georgia Tech -5 1/2 (Detroit) — Paul Johnson is coaching his last game and going out a winner. Pick: Georgia Tech

Cal vs TCU +1 (Phoenix) — The Frogs surged just to get into the postseason but could be headed to their third losing season since joining the Big 12. Pick: Cal

Temple vs Duke +4 (Shreveport) — Dookies headed in the wrong direction to close out the regular season. Pick: Temple

Miami vs Wisconsin +3 1/2 (New York City) — Rematch of last year’s Orange Bowl doesn’t have the same sizzle. Pick: Miami

Baylor vs Vanderbilt -4 (Houston) — Playing in state isn’t the advantage it should be but the Bears. Pick: Vandy

Tampa Bay at Cowboys -7 — After an embarrassing shutout, the Bucs come to town. Santa couldn’t be more accommodating. Pick: Cowboys