Your Pigskins and Ponies Picks for Dec. 12-13

Welcome to ABR’s Pigskins and Ponies column, where winners play!
Horse racing is my means to an end, and I love the sport like no other, but I admit it, like most of you, on a Sunday afternoon in the fall, it’s hard to pull me away from my couch … and NFL RedZone.
I have a wanted sign in Las Vegas and am feared by fantasy football mavens nationwide, but when it comes to the college game, I choose to punt.
That’s where Derek Cooley comes in. The dude is a loaded gun of university knowledge.
Let’s kick off the football, spring the horses from the gate and pad our bankrolls!
**Lines as of Wednesday Night from scoresandodds.com**
College Pigskins – by Derek Cooley
With a 3-2 record in last week’s championship games, our hot streak carried on. One of those victories was an exact score prediction in Michigan State's three-point win over Iowa, with Iowa covering the 3.5-point spread. That was about as special as that game ending in a 22-play drive by the Spartans.
Our other winners included Clemson over North Carolina in the ACC Championship, and Stanford winning and covering the spread against USC.
Alabama pulled away late over Florida, but couldn't quite cover their large spread, and Temple just couldn't get to Houston, at Houston, in the AAC Championship.
This week, we are simply looking at spreads we like right now. I've got a list of seven spreads to watch as college bowl season draws nearer.
Next week will be Bowl Week 1 picks, in detail.  
This week is just a guideline to some of the lines that I like overall, as they stand today.
We are 33-14 ATS in the last eight weeks.
Last Week: 3-2
Season Total: 48-36-1 (.570) 
Bowl Preview
Here are some current lines that intrigue me. Watch these lines as bowl season gets closer.
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015
Boise State -8 vs. Northern Illinois (4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015
Texas Tech vs. LSU -7 (9 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Holiday Bowl
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015
Wisconsin vs. USC -3 (10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - Playoff Semifinal
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015
Michigan State +10 vs. Alabama (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Capital One Orange Bowl - Playoff Semifinal
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015
Oklahoma vs. Clemson +3.5 (4 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Outback Bowl
Friday, Jan. 1, 2016
Tennesee vs. Northwestern +8 (noon ET, ESPN2)
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
Friday, Jan. 1, 2016
Florida vs. Michigan -4 (1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Pro Pigskins – by Joe Kristufek
Last week was a wash.
On the plus side, Seattle dominated in Minnesota and Dallas eked out a win against Washington.
Unfortunately, Carolina failed to cover despite completing a serious comeback against New Orleans and Chicago lost a heartbreaker at home to San Francisco.
Last week: 2-2
Season Total: 33-35-3 (.485)
Week 14
Sunday, Dec. 13
Buffalo Bills -1.5 at Philadelphia Eagles
Yes, the Eagles beat a shell of the Patriots last week, but they’re still underdogs at home against Buffalo. There are reasons for that and certainly LeSean McCoy’s added incentive to tear up his old team doesn’t hurt the cause.
LOOK FOR THE BILLS TO TAKE IT TO THE EAGLES ON SUNDAY

"Sammy Watkins 2015" by Coalman767 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Carolina Panthers -7.5 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Carolina had to unleash a serious rally to defeat New Orleans last week, but even undefeated teams need to ward off a scare on occasion. Next up, the floundering Falcons at home. It could get ugly.
Chicago Bears vs. Washington Redskins UNDER 43.5
When right, both teams rely on defense and ball control. Both teams are coming off of tough losses and need this game badly. Look for lots of running, timely shots down the field in what should be a field position battle.
Seattle Seahawks – 9.5 at Baltimore Ravens and UNDER 42
Seattle has its mojo back on both sides of the ball and, even though they’ve won three of their last five, Baltimore is just playing out the season. Look for the Seahawks’ avalanche to continue. I have a tough time seeing the Ravens posting more than 10 points, so the under also looks like a prime play.
Detroit Lions PK at St. Louis Rams
Mostly because of their quarterback play, the Rams have been a massive disappointment this season. They’ve gone from losing close games to simply being beaten down. The Lions are soooooooo much better than their record and they didn’t deserve that loss to the Packers last week. With extra time between games, hopefully that hangover doesn’t have a last effect.
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
For the horseplayer, there’s usually an excuse why your horses don’t run well.
Building an ark last Saturday at Gulfstream Park would have been a good idea for races held on a super sloppy Claiming Crown track, but All Star Red and Mal Guapo ran disappointing races.
At Hawthorne Race Course, Partay managed to run second in the Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante Stakes, but Diamondette failed to make an impact.
Last week: 4-0-1-0 ($2 WPS * $24 wagered * $7.00 returned)
Season Total: 47-6-8-8 ($2 WPS * $282 wagered * $161.40 returned = $3.43)
Saturday, December 12
Gulfstream Park - Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Race 10 – Harlan’s Holiday Stakes
#7 Encryption (morning-line odds, 6-1)
An impressive winner at this course and distance last winter, this speedy son of Exchange Rate swings back off a solid third behind Race Day and Hoppertunity in the Grade 3 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. He fits like a glove in what will be his third start off the summer break, and the price should be right. 
ENCRYPTION WINNING BAYERN STAKES IN SEPTEMBER

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Fair Grounds – New Orleans, La.
Race 7 – Louisiana-bred maiden special weight race
#10 Sweet Pea Mama Ve (morning-line odds, 8-1)
On a day full of Louisiana-bred stakes, I like the looks of this first-time starter in a maiden race. She has great pedigree for a Louisiana-bred, the workouts are super fast and Robby Albarado has been lured to the saddle. Before stepping up the betting window, watch the toteboard for clues and keep a close eye on her in the paddock and post parade. 
Race 11 – Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes
#12 Bayou Banker (morning-line odds, 8-1)
Following a pair of unsuccessful runs at Saratoga Race Course, this 2-year-old son of Super Saver resurfaced at Churchill Downs. Wearing blinkers for the second time in his dirt route debut, he dictated terms on the front end and led from start to finish. He cuts back for this, but Bayou Banker has tactical speed and is well drawn outside.